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Wall Street Bull Run to Continue Despite Volatility: 5 Picks
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Wall Street recently exhibited how quickly data, news, sentiments of market participants and geopolitical tensions can influence the stock market and bring about a dramatic change to investors’ fortunes.
After pouring positive returns on investors in the first three quarters of 2018, a market rout ended the fourth quarter on a negative note. Traces of that mayhem were all erased over the three-month period that ensued, helping Wall Street rebound with the best quarterly performance in a decade. Also, Wall Street manage to overcome the negative effects of a yield inversion-related downturn in the last week of March, in less than a week’s time.
The final result is Wall Street still raging forward withstanding intermittent volatilities and fluctuations for the last 10 years. What’s more, the bull run is likely to continue in the near term as well.
Strong Global Economic Data
On Apr 1, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reported that U.S. manufacturing expanded in March for the 119th consecutive month. March index came in at 55.3. Notably, the index for February was 54.2, its lowest level since November 2016. Moreover, U.S. construction spending increased 0.1% in February, to a nine-month high. This was the third straight month of rise in U.S. construction spending.
Most importantly, manufacturing activity in China surged in March despite threats of an economic slowdown. The Caixin/Markit Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) came in at 50.8 for March, rising from 49.2 in February. This marked the first expansion of the Chinese manufacturing sector in the last four months.
In Eurozone, inflation fell sharply in March. Per Eurostat, consumer price index dropped to 1.4% in March from 1.5% in February. The core inflation index fell sharply to 0.8% in March from 1% in February.
Recessionary Fears Overblown
On Apr 1, the yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury Note rose 8 basis points to 2.496% and yield on 30-year U.S. Treasury Note rose 7 basis points to 2.89%. This was the biggest single-day gain in yields since Jan 4 for both the long-term government bonds. The yield on mid-term 2-year U.S. Treasury Note also rose 5 basis points to 2.326%, posting its biggest daily gain since Jan 8.
On Mar 22, the yield on 3-month U.S. Treasury Note surged ahead of the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury Note for the first time since 2007. On Mar 25, the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury Note fell to its lowest level since December 2017. However, as investor’s risk appetite increased for equities, bond prices decreased, eliminating the chance of a recession any time soon.
First-Quarter Growth Forecast Steadied
Although we are yet to get consensus estimates for first-quarter GDP, several industry experts are revising their previously given estimates upward.
The Atlanta Fed, which estimated first-quarter GDP growth at a meager 0.3% on Mar 2, revised it to 1.3% on Mar 26 and further to 1.5% on the next day. Further, it raised the Mar 29 forecast of 1.7% to 2.1% on Apr 1.
Research firm J.P. Morgan raised its first-quarter growth forecast to 2% from 1.5%. Goldman Sachs raised its estimate to 1.2%, reflecting an increase of 40% from the previous forecast. The CNBC/Moody's Analytics Rapid GDP update median tracking forecast is currently pegged at 1.5%, up 0.2% from the previous week.
Our Top Picks
The U.S. economy is likely to maintain its long-term growth albite at a slow pace. At this stage, investment in stocks with strong growth potential should be lucrative. Our selection is backed by a Growth Score of A and Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Insperity Inc. (NSP - Free Report) provides human resources and business solutions to enhance the business performance of small and medium-sized businesses in the United States. Insperity looks strong on the back of a booming professional employer organization industry. The company offers a comprehensive suite of Workforce Optimization and Workforce Synchronization solutions.
The stock has surged 34.9% year to date. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 22.4% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year improved 6.5% over the last 60 days.
G-III Apparel Group Ltd. (GIII - Free Report) designs, sources, and markets women's and men's apparel in the United States and internationally. G-III Apparel’s wholesale segment is depicting a stellar show and driving the company’s overall performance. Sales in the category witnessed growth of 13% during the fourth quarter of 2018, driven by solid performance in DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein brands.
The stock has surged 46.8% year to date. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 15.4% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 5.1% over the last 60 days.
Lululemon Athletica Inc. (LULU - Free Report) designs and retails athletic clothing for women, men, and female youth. Lululemon is well on track with its strategy for 2020, by which the company aims to double its revenues to about $4 billion while more than doubling its earnings. To achieve these targets, management had outlined four distinct growth strategies, including product innovation, building store fleet in North America, expanding digital business and international expansion.
The stock has surged 36.1% year to date. The company has expected earnings growth of 20.3% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 5.2% over the last 60 days.
Fortinet Inc. (FTNT - Free Report) is a provider of network security appliances and Unified Threat Management network security solutions to enterprises, service providers and government entities worldwide. Fortinet’s rich experience in the security space and continued delivery of mission-critical solutions will help it to maintain and grow its market share in the cyber security space.
The stock has surged 21% year to date. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 12.5% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 4% over the last 60 days.
Deckers Outdoor Corp. (DECK - Free Report) designs, markets, and distributes footwear, apparel, and accessories for casual lifestyle use and high performance activities. In an effort to speed up growth through its long-term strategies, Deckers had earlier announced an organization restructuring plan focused on realignment of its brands into two groups, consolidating its brand offices for Sanuk and Ahnu brands and optimizing its store fleet.
The stock has surged 14.8% year to date. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 38.2% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 11.7% over the last 60 days.
Today's Best Stocks from Zacks
Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2018, while the S&P 500 gained +15.8%, five of our screens returned +38.0%, +61.3%, +61.6%, +68.1%, and +98.3%.
This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 – 2018, while the S&P averaged +4.8% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +56.2% per year.
Image: Bigstock
Wall Street Bull Run to Continue Despite Volatility: 5 Picks
Wall Street recently exhibited how quickly data, news, sentiments of market participants and geopolitical tensions can influence the stock market and bring about a dramatic change to investors’ fortunes.
After pouring positive returns on investors in the first three quarters of 2018, a market rout ended the fourth quarter on a negative note. Traces of that mayhem were all erased over the three-month period that ensued, helping Wall Street rebound with the best quarterly performance in a decade. Also, Wall Street manage to overcome the negative effects of a yield inversion-related downturn in the last week of March, in less than a week’s time.
The final result is Wall Street still raging forward withstanding intermittent volatilities and fluctuations for the last 10 years. What’s more, the bull run is likely to continue in the near term as well.
Strong Global Economic Data
On Apr 1, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reported that U.S. manufacturing expanded in March for the 119th consecutive month. March index came in at 55.3. Notably, the index for February was 54.2, its lowest level since November 2016. Moreover, U.S. construction spending increased 0.1% in February, to a nine-month high. This was the third straight month of rise in U.S. construction spending.
Most importantly, manufacturing activity in China surged in March despite threats of an economic slowdown. The Caixin/Markit Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) came in at 50.8 for March, rising from 49.2 in February. This marked the first expansion of the Chinese manufacturing sector in the last four months.
In Eurozone, inflation fell sharply in March. Per Eurostat, consumer price index dropped to 1.4% in March from 1.5% in February. The core inflation index fell sharply to 0.8% in March from 1% in February.
Recessionary Fears Overblown
On Apr 1, the yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury Note rose 8 basis points to 2.496% and yield on 30-year U.S. Treasury Note rose 7 basis points to 2.89%. This was the biggest single-day gain in yields since Jan 4 for both the long-term government bonds. The yield on mid-term 2-year U.S. Treasury Note also rose 5 basis points to 2.326%, posting its biggest daily gain since Jan 8.
On Mar 22, the yield on 3-month U.S. Treasury Note surged ahead of the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury Note for the first time since 2007. On Mar 25, the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury Note fell to its lowest level since December 2017. However, as investor’s risk appetite increased for equities, bond prices decreased, eliminating the chance of a recession any time soon.
First-Quarter Growth Forecast Steadied
Although we are yet to get consensus estimates for first-quarter GDP, several industry experts are revising their previously given estimates upward.
The Atlanta Fed, which estimated first-quarter GDP growth at a meager 0.3% on Mar 2, revised it to 1.3% on Mar 26 and further to 1.5% on the next day. Further, it raised the Mar 29 forecast of 1.7% to 2.1% on Apr 1.
Research firm J.P. Morgan raised its first-quarter growth forecast to 2% from 1.5%. Goldman Sachs raised its estimate to 1.2%, reflecting an increase of 40% from the previous forecast. The CNBC/Moody's Analytics Rapid GDP update median tracking forecast is currently pegged at 1.5%, up 0.2% from the previous week.
Our Top Picks
The U.S. economy is likely to maintain its long-term growth albite at a slow pace. At this stage, investment in stocks with strong growth potential should be lucrative. Our selection is backed by a Growth Score of A and Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Insperity Inc. (NSP - Free Report) provides human resources and business solutions to enhance the business performance of small and medium-sized businesses in the United States. Insperity looks strong on the back of a booming professional employer organization industry. The company offers a comprehensive suite of Workforce Optimization and Workforce Synchronization solutions.
The stock has surged 34.9% year to date. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 22.4% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year improved 6.5% over the last 60 days.
G-III Apparel Group Ltd. (GIII - Free Report) designs, sources, and markets women's and men's apparel in the United States and internationally. G-III Apparel’s wholesale segment is depicting a stellar show and driving the company’s overall performance. Sales in the category witnessed growth of 13% during the fourth quarter of 2018, driven by solid performance in DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein brands.
The stock has surged 46.8% year to date. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 15.4% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 5.1% over the last 60 days.
Lululemon Athletica Inc. (LULU - Free Report) designs and retails athletic clothing for women, men, and female youth. Lululemon is well on track with its strategy for 2020, by which the company aims to double its revenues to about $4 billion while more than doubling its earnings. To achieve these targets, management had outlined four distinct growth strategies, including product innovation, building store fleet in North America, expanding digital business and international expansion.
The stock has surged 36.1% year to date. The company has expected earnings growth of 20.3% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 5.2% over the last 60 days.
Fortinet Inc. (FTNT - Free Report) is a provider of network security appliances and Unified Threat Management network security solutions to enterprises, service providers and government entities worldwide. Fortinet’s rich experience in the security space and continued delivery of mission-critical solutions will help it to maintain and grow its market share in the cyber security space.
The stock has surged 21% year to date. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 12.5% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 4% over the last 60 days.
Deckers Outdoor Corp. (DECK - Free Report) designs, markets, and distributes footwear, apparel, and accessories for casual lifestyle use and high performance activities. In an effort to speed up growth through its long-term strategies, Deckers had earlier announced an organization restructuring plan focused on realignment of its brands into two groups, consolidating its brand offices for Sanuk and Ahnu brands and optimizing its store fleet.
The stock has surged 14.8% year to date. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 38.2% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 11.7% over the last 60 days.
Today's Best Stocks from Zacks
Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2018, while the S&P 500 gained +15.8%, five of our screens returned +38.0%, +61.3%, +61.6%, +68.1%, and +98.3%.
This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 – 2018, while the S&P averaged +4.8% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +56.2% per year.
See their latest picks free >>