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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: FTI, Exponent, Deluxe, CBIZ and Knoll

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL –September 10, 2019 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: FTI Consulting Inc. (FCN - Free Report) , Exponent Inc. (EXPO - Free Report) , Deluxe Corp. (DLX - Free Report) , CBIZ Inc. (CBZ - Free Report) and Knoll Inc. .

Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:

Mixed Jobs Data for August Raises Rate Cut Hopes: 5 Top Picks

On Sep 6, the Department of Labor reported nonfarm payroll data for August that evoked mixed response within the industry circle. While the overall job growth rate fell well below the consensus estimate, signaling sluggish growth of the U.S. economy, better-than-expected wage rate growth is likely to result in higher consumer spending going forward and will bolster GDP.

Weak job growth, tepid manufacturing data, lower business spending and muted inflation are near-term concerns, which will likely compel the Fed to opt for a second rate cut in this month after July.

Negatives of August Jobs Data

The U.S. economy added 130,000 jobs in August compared with the consensus estimate of 163,000. Moreover, job additions for the previous two months --- July and July ---- were reduced by 5,000 and 15,000, respectively. Excluding government hiring, private employers recruited just 96,000 people in August.

Notably, year to date, the U.S. economy has added 158,000 jobs on average per month as against 223,000 per month in 2018. This statistics clearly shows the slowing growth pace of the U.S. economy, which is currently witnessing the historically longest 11 years of expansion.

Positives of August Jobs Data

Despite weak job growth, unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.7%, at its lowest in 50 years. Labor force participation rate rose to 63.2%, its highest level since August 2013. Moreover, the total number of Americans considered employed jumped 590,000 to a record 157.9 million.

Meanwhile, hourly wage rate increased 0.4% in August compared with 0.3% in July. The consensus estimate was also 0.3%. Year over year, wage rate increased 3.2% in August compared with the consensus estimate of 3%. Higher wage rate is likely to encourage consumers to spend more.

Notably, U.S. consumer spending, which constitutes 70% of GDP, is still unaffected by the prolong trade conflict and tariff war. In fact, consumer spending is driving the U.S. economy since the beginning of the second quarter.

Fed in Focus

The Federal Reserve reduced the benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points in July after 11 years owing to slowing business confidence in the United States global economic slowdown, mainly in the Eurozone, China and Japan and muted inflation.

Despite a dovish monitory stance in 2019, Fed always cited that the fundamentals of the U.S. economy remains strong and there no chance of an immediate recession. However, U.S. business spending, especially the manufacturing sector, received some setbacks owing to a tariff war with China.

Per an ISM study, U.S. manufacturing contracted in August for the first time in three years. Further, manufacturing added just 3,000 jobs in August compared with 22,000 on average per month in 2018. Notably, manufacturing constitutes 12% of U.S. GDP.

On Sep 6, Fed Chair Jerome Powell once again reiterated his pledge that the central bank will do whatever is needed to sustain U.S. economic expansion. As of Sep 8, per the CME FedWatch, there is 91.2% probability of a 25 basis points cut in benchmark lending rate by the central bank at its next FOMC meeting on Sep 17-18 and 8.8% chance of maintaining status quo.

Our Top Picks

Despite tepid job growth in August, professional and business services remained an exemption with a job addition of 37,000. Moreover, a possible cut in benchmark lending rate will lower borrowing costs for corporations and individuals. Low cost of capital is likely to inject more investment in the economy as well as in the stock market. This will further boost demand for business services providers.

At this stage, we have narrowed down our search to five such business services stocks which popped in past three months despite severe volatility and still have strong upside. Each of our picks carries either a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

FTI Consulting Inc. provides business advisory services to manage change, mitigate risk, and resolve disputes worldwide. It offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to assist clients across the business cycle --- from proactive risk management to the ability to respond rapidly to unexpected events and dynamic environments. FTI Consulting sports a Zacks Rank #1.

The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 35.5% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 27.8% over the last 60 days. The stock has jumped 27.8% in the past three months.

Exponent Inc.operates as a science and engineering consulting company worldwide. Its offers analysis of product development, product recall, regulatory compliance and the discovery of potential problems related to products, people, property and impending litigation. It has two segments, Engineering and Other Scientific, and Environmental and Health. Exponent carries a Zacks Rank #2.

The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 17.6% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 3.5% over the last 60 days. The stock has surged 21.6% in the past three months.

Deluxe Corp.through its industry-leading businesses and brands, helps financial institutions and small businesses better manage, promote and expand. It operates through three segments: Small Business Services, Financial Services, and Direct Checks. Delux carries a Zacks Rank #2.

The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 17.4% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 4.1% over the last 60 days. The stock has gained 16.2% in the past three months.

CBIZ Inc. provides professional business services that help clients better manage their finances and employees. It offers its services through three groups: Financial Services, Benefits and Insurance Services and National Practices. CBIZ has a Zacks Rank #2.

The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 11.9% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 2.5% over the last 60 days. The stock has soared 12% in the past three months.

Knoll Inc.designs, manufactures, markets, and sells commercial and residential furniture, accessories, and coverings for the workplace and residential markets in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. It operates through Office and Lifestyle segments. Knoll has a Zacks Rank #2.

The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 10.3% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 0.5% over the last 60 days. The stock has surged 9.6% in the past three months.

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.


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