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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Duke Energy, PG&E, Telenav, AGNC Investment and Apartment Investment and Management
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For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – March 5, 2020 – 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: Duke Energy Corp. (DUK - Free Report) , PG&E Corp. (PCG - Free Report) , Telenav Inc. , AGNC Investment Corp. (AGNC - Free Report) and Apartment Investment and Management Co. (AIV - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:
Buy Top 5 Rate-Sensitive Stocks Amid Emergency Rate Cut
Wall Street has been grappling with severe volatility during the last nine trading days on account of the global coronavirus outbreak. On Mar 3, the Federal Reserve opted for an unexpected 50 basis point cut to the federal fund rate in order to instill investor confidence on risky asset like equities.
Fed Cuts Federal Funds Rate
On Mar 3, in a surprising move, the Fed reduced the benchmark lending rate by 50 basis points 1-1.25% from the previous range of 1.50-1.75%. This marks the first the first unscheduled rate cut by the central bank since October 2008. Notably, the next FOMC meeting is scheduled to be held during Mar 17-18.
According to Fed Chairman Jerome Powell “The coronavirus poses evolving risks to economic activity. In light of these risks and in support of achieving its maximum employment and price stability goals, the Federal Open Market Committee decided today to lower the target range for the federal funds rate.” Powell further said, “The magnitude and persistence of the overall effect on the U.S. economy remain highly uncertain and the situation remains a fluid one.”
Higher input costs and inability of management to plan properly owing to the potential impact of the coronavirus outbreak will result in a business investment slowdown. The Fed’s rate cut will not only make cheaper funds available to businesses and stock market investors but will also make U.S. dollar cheaper in the international market, thereby, enabling the country’s exports to be more competitive.
Are More Rate Cuts in the Offing?
The Fed has not given any indication for further rate cuts anytime soon. However, a large section of market participants and industry watchers are already asking for another 50 basis point cut in benchmark rate either in this month or two cuts in March or April of a quarter percentage point each.
Following the Fed’s rate cut, President Donald Trump tweeted that the Fed “must further ease and, most importantly, come into line with other countries/competitors. We are not playing on a level field. Not fair to USA. It is finally time for the Federal Reserve to LEAD. More easing and cutting!”
Some of the Fed officials have hinted that the central bank will study more economic data (job data, ISM manufacturing and services data, industrial production data) of February to ascertain the material impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the U.S. economy. Notably, the European Central Bank, the Bank of Japan and Bank of South Korea are still holding their existing rates.
Meanwhile, the above-mentioned central banks are already pursuing either a negative or at least a zero interest rate policy. Per Deutsch Bank, currently more than $15 trillion money has been invested on sub-zero interest rate. However, the Fed has a solid buffer with existing benchmark lending rate of 1-1.25%.
Our Top Picks
Under these circumstances, rate-sensitive investments like utilities, REITs and telecom will be prudent. We narrowed down our search to five such stocks each carrying either a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Duke Energy Corp. operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through three segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure, Gas Utilities and Infrastructure, and Commercial Renewables. The Zacks Rank #2 company has expected earnings growth rate of 2% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 0.2% over the last 30 days.
PG&E Corp. is engaged in the sale and delivery of electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers in northern and central California. The Zacks Rank #2 company has expected earnings growth rate of 4.3% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 0.7% over the last 30 days.
Telenav Inc. is a provider of location based services, or LBS, including voice guided navigation, on mobile phones. The company operates through Automotive and Mobile Navigation segments. The Zacks Rank #1 company has expected earnings growth rate of 144.7% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 191.2% over the last 30 days.
AGNC Investment Corp. is a real estate investment trust that focuses on leveraged investments in agency MBS. The Zacks Rank #1 company has expected earnings growth rate of 4.6% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 0.4% over the last 30 days.
Apartment Investment and Management Co. is focused on the ownership and management of quality apartment communities located in select markets in the United States. The Zacks Rank #2 company has expected earnings growth rate of 7.2% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 0.4% over the last 30 days.
Today's Best Stocks from Zacks
Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2019, while the S&P 500 gained and impressive +53.6%, five of our strategies returned +65.8%, +97.1%, +118.0%, +175.7% and even +186.7%.
This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 – 2019, while the S&P averaged +6.0% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +54.7% per year.
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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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Duke Energy, PG&E, Telenav, AGNC Investment and Apartment Investment and Management
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – March 5, 2020 – 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: Duke Energy Corp. (DUK - Free Report) , PG&E Corp. (PCG - Free Report) , Telenav Inc. , AGNC Investment Corp. (AGNC - Free Report) and Apartment Investment and Management Co. (AIV - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:
Buy Top 5 Rate-Sensitive Stocks Amid Emergency Rate Cut
Wall Street has been grappling with severe volatility during the last nine trading days on account of the global coronavirus outbreak. On Mar 3, the Federal Reserve opted for an unexpected 50 basis point cut to the federal fund rate in order to instill investor confidence on risky asset like equities.
Fed Cuts Federal Funds Rate
On Mar 3, in a surprising move, the Fed reduced the benchmark lending rate by 50 basis points 1-1.25% from the previous range of 1.50-1.75%. This marks the first the first unscheduled rate cut by the central bank since October 2008. Notably, the next FOMC meeting is scheduled to be held during Mar 17-18.
According to Fed Chairman Jerome Powell “The coronavirus poses evolving risks to economic activity. In light of these risks and in support of achieving its maximum employment and price stability goals, the Federal Open Market Committee decided today to lower the target range for the federal funds rate.” Powell further said, “The magnitude and persistence of the overall effect on the U.S. economy remain highly uncertain and the situation remains a fluid one.”
Higher input costs and inability of management to plan properly owing to the potential impact of the coronavirus outbreak will result in a business investment slowdown. The Fed’s rate cut will not only make cheaper funds available to businesses and stock market investors but will also make U.S. dollar cheaper in the international market, thereby, enabling the country’s exports to be more competitive.
Are More Rate Cuts in the Offing?
The Fed has not given any indication for further rate cuts anytime soon. However, a large section of market participants and industry watchers are already asking for another 50 basis point cut in benchmark rate either in this month or two cuts in March or April of a quarter percentage point each.
Following the Fed’s rate cut, President Donald Trump tweeted that the Fed “must further ease and, most importantly, come into line with other countries/competitors. We are not playing on a level field. Not fair to USA. It is finally time for the Federal Reserve to LEAD. More easing and cutting!”
Some of the Fed officials have hinted that the central bank will study more economic data (job data, ISM manufacturing and services data, industrial production data) of February to ascertain the material impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the U.S. economy. Notably, the European Central Bank, the Bank of Japan and Bank of South Korea are still holding their existing rates.
Meanwhile, the above-mentioned central banks are already pursuing either a negative or at least a zero interest rate policy. Per Deutsch Bank, currently more than $15 trillion money has been invested on sub-zero interest rate. However, the Fed has a solid buffer with existing benchmark lending rate of 1-1.25%.
Our Top Picks
Under these circumstances, rate-sensitive investments like utilities, REITs and telecom will be prudent. We narrowed down our search to five such stocks each carrying either a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Duke Energy Corp. operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through three segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure, Gas Utilities and Infrastructure, and Commercial Renewables. The Zacks Rank #2 company has expected earnings growth rate of 2% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 0.2% over the last 30 days.
PG&E Corp. is engaged in the sale and delivery of electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers in northern and central California. The Zacks Rank #2 company has expected earnings growth rate of 4.3% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 0.7% over the last 30 days.
Telenav Inc. is a provider of location based services, or LBS, including voice guided navigation, on mobile phones. The company operates through Automotive and Mobile Navigation segments. The Zacks Rank #1 company has expected earnings growth rate of 144.7% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 191.2% over the last 30 days.
AGNC Investment Corp. is a real estate investment trust that focuses on leveraged investments in agency MBS. The Zacks Rank #1 company has expected earnings growth rate of 4.6% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 0.4% over the last 30 days.
Apartment Investment and Management Co. is focused on the ownership and management of quality apartment communities located in select markets in the United States. The Zacks Rank #2 company has expected earnings growth rate of 7.2% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 0.4% over the last 30 days.
Today's Best Stocks from Zacks
Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2019, while the S&P 500 gained and impressive +53.6%, five of our strategies returned +65.8%, +97.1%, +118.0%, +175.7% and even +186.7%.
This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 – 2019, while the S&P averaged +6.0% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +54.7% per year.
See their latest picks free >>
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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.