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Here is a look at some ETFs that could be good picks in October. After a downbeat September, October started on a volatile note. High oil and gas prices, still-high inflation, and the Fed’s policy tightening spree along with the resultant rise in bond yields may keep the market volatile. But then, October is historically upbeat. Historically, October has a moderate reputation in the stock market. According to moneychimp.com, a consensus carried out from 1950 to 2022 has revealed that October ended up offering positive returns in 45 years and negative returns in 28 years, with an average positive return of 0.79%. This year is unlikely to be an exception. While jitters may emanate from rising rates, strength may be added by peaking rates, falling inflation, rebounding manufacturing activities and the upcoming holiday season. Investors should note that the Fed’s preferred measure of underlying inflation increased at the slowest monthly pace since late 2020, which may help the central bank to forgo an interest-rate hike at their next meeting. The core personal consumption expenditures price index, which bars the volatile food and energy components, increased 0.1% in August. A key gauge of services costs watched closely by the Fed also recorded the smallest monthly increase since 2020. Against such a backdrop, let’s take a look at the ETFs that could be good picks in October. ETFs in Focus Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF VTI – Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) With the fourth quarter being one of the upbeat times of Wall Street, one can bet on the total market stock. The ETF holds a large basket of well-diversified 3847 stocks with key holdings in technology, consumer discretionary, industrials, healthcare and financials. It charges as low as 3 bps in fees per year from investors Invesco NASDAQ Internet ETF PNQI – Zacks Rank #2 Tech stocks took a beating in the third quarter. This might help them to stage a rebound in October. Within the pack, Internet stocks deserve special mention. Unparalleled growth of high-speed mobile Internet traffic, still-untapped opportunities in emerging markets especially via the adoption of smartphones and tablets, 5G revolution and a sharp rise in online shopping should translate into the outperformance of Internet ETFs. Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF VCR – Zacks Rank #2 Consumers are expected to shell out a record $12.12 billion (up from $10.6 billion last year) on Halloween this year, according to the National Retail Federation. The average consumer is expected to spend $108.24 on costumes, candy, decorations and greeting cards, $10 more than last year, according to the NRF survey. A record number of people, i.e. 73% Americans look to celebrate Halloween or participate in Halloween activities this year, up from 69% in 2022. No wonder, retail and consumer discretionary stocks should see a great journey ahead. Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF XLF – Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) The journey this year for bank ETFs has been anything but smooth this year. But the tables are probably turning for the segment as the rates are peaking and the yield curve is steepening. Such an interest rate environment will boost banks’ net interest rate margin. Regional deposits and loans also rose in the middle of the year. Plus, most bank ETFs have a cheaper valuation than the S&P 500. Invesco S&P SmallCap Value With Momentum ETF XSVM – Zacks Rank #2 The pint-sized stocks should gain momentum in the final quarter of 2023 due to a decent U.S. economic recovery, the upcoming holiday season and a still-resilient consumer base. Since small-cap stocks are closely tied to the domestic economy, an uptick in economic outlook bodes well for small caps. These stocks are not heavily export-centric and, hence, do not get battered if the greenback rises. Most importantly, higher rate environment bodes well for the value stocks. Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF): ETF Research Reports Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI): ETF Research Reports Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR): ETF Research Reports Invesco NASDAQ Internet ETF (PNQI): ETF Research Reports Invesco S&P SmallCap Value with Momentum ETF (XSVM): ETF Research Reports To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research This article originally appeared on Zacks Sponsored: Tips for Investing A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit......»»

UBS has upgraded its outlook for Warner Music Group to Buy. Fintel reports that on October 3, 2023, UBS upgraded their outlook for Warner Music Group Corp – (NASDAQ:WMG) from Neutral to Buy. Analyst Price Forecast Suggests 15.06% Upside As of August 31, 2023, the average one-year price target for Warner Music Group Corp – is 35.77. The forecasts range from a low of 15.55 to a high of $54.60. The average price target represents an increase of 15.06% from its latest reported closing price of 31.09. See our leaderboard of companies with the largest price target upside. The projected annual revenue for Warner Music Group Corp – is 6,801MM, an increase of 14.34%. The projected annual non-GAAP EPS is 1.34. Warner Music Group Corp – Declares $0.17 Dividend On August 14, 2023 the company declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.17 per share ($0.68 annualized). Shareholders of record as of August 24, 2023 received the payment on September 1, 2023. Previously, the company paid $0.16 per share. At the current share price of $31.09 / share, the stock’s dividend yield is 2.19%. Looking back five years and taking a sample every week, the average dividend yield has been 1.78%, the lowest has been 1.23%, and the highest has been 2.86%. The standard deviation of yields is 0.41 (n=145). The current dividend yield is 0.99 standard deviations above the historical average. Additionally, the company’s dividend payout ratio is 0.82. The payout ratio tells us how much of a company’s income is paid out in dividends. A payout ratio of one (1.0) means 100% of the company’s income is paid in a dividend. A payout ratio greater than one means the company is dipping into savings in order to maintain its dividend – not a healthy situation. Companies with few growth prospects are expected to pay out most of their income in dividends, which typically means a payout ratio between 0.5 and 1.0. Companies with good growth prospects are expected to retain some earnings in order to invest in those growth prospects, which translates to a payout ratio of zero to 0.5. The company’s 3-Year dividend growth rate is 0.42%, demonstrating that it has increased its dividend over time. What is the Fund Sentiment? There are 392 funds or institutions reporting positions in Warner Music Group Corp -. This is a decrease of 22 owner(s) or 5.31% in the last quarter. Average portfolio weight of all funds dedicated to WMG is 0.34%, a decrease of 13.31%. Total shares owned by institutions increased in the last three months by 0.48% to 142,789K shares. The put/call ratio of WMG is 0.29, indicating a bullish outlook. What are Other Shareholders Doing? Darlington Partners Capital Management holds 6,061K shares representing 1.17% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 4,097K shares, representing an increase of 32.40%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in WMG by 5.49% over the last quarter. Caledonia (Private) Investments Pty holds 6,026K shares representing 1.17% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 5,458K shares, representing an increase of 9.42%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in WMG by 15.49% over the last quarter. FIL holds 5,532K shares representing 1.07% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 515K shares, representing an increase of 90.68%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in WMG by 1,349.26% over the last quarter. Capital World Investors holds 5,483K shares representing 1.06% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 5,956K shares, representing a decrease of 8.64%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in WMG by 33.04% over the last quarter. Cooke & Bieler holds 4,819K shares representing 0.93% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 1,931K shares, representing an increase of 59.93%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in WMG by 84.76% over the last quarter. Warner Music Group Background Information (This description is provided by the company.) With a legacy extending back over 200 years, Warner Music Group (WMG) today brings together artists, songwriters and entrepreneurs that are moving entertainment culture across the globe. Operating in more than 70 countries through a network of affiliates and licensees, WMG’s Recorded Music division includes renowned labels such as Asylum, Atlantic, Big Beat, Canvasback, Elektra, Erato, First Night, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Spinnin’, Warner Records, Warner Classics and Warner Music Nashville. WMG’s music publishing arm, Warner Chappell Music, has a catalog of more than 1.4 million musical compositions spanning every musical genre, from the standards of the Great American Songbook to the biggest hits of the 21st century. Warner Music Group is also home to ADA, the independent artist and label services company, as well as consumer brands such as Songkick, the live music app; EMP, the merchandise e-tailer; and UPROXX, the youth culture destination. This article originally appeared on Fintel Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now......»»

KeyBanc has upgraded its outlook for Dow to Sector Weight. Fintel reports that on October 3, 2023, Keybanc upgraded their outlook for Dow (NYSE:DOW) from Underweight to Sector Weight. Analyst Price Forecast Suggests 11.76% Upside As of August 31, 2023, the average one-year price target for Dow is 57.33. The forecasts range from a low of 47.47 to a high of $69.30. The average price target represents an increase of 11.76% from its latest reported closing price of 51.30. See our leaderboard of companies with the largest price target upside. The projected annual revenue for Dow is 52,469MM, an increase of 6.55%. The projected annual non-GAAP EPS is 4.46. Dow Declares $0.70 Dividend On August 9, 2023 the company declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.70 per share ($2.80 annualized). Shareholders of record as of August 31, 2023 received the payment on September 8, 2023. Previously, the company paid $0.70 per share. At the current share price of $51.30 / share, the stock’s dividend yield is 5.46%. Looking back five years and taking a sample every week, the average dividend yield has been 5.44%, the lowest has been 3.95%, and the highest has been 12.73%. The standard deviation of yields is 1.14 (n=211). The current dividend yield is 0.01 standard deviations above the historical average. Additionally, the company’s dividend payout ratio is 1.13. The payout ratio tells us how much of a company’s income is paid out in dividends. A payout ratio of one (1.0) means 100% of the company’s income is paid in a dividend. A payout ratio greater than one means the company is dipping into savings in order to maintain its dividend – not a healthy situation. Companies with few growth prospects are expected to pay out most of their income in dividends, which typically means a payout ratio between 0.5 and 1.0. Companies with good growth prospects are expected to retain some earnings in order to invest in those growth prospects, which translates to a payout ratio of zero to 0.5. The company has not increased its dividend in the last three years. What is the Fund Sentiment? There are 2735 funds or institutions reporting positions in Dow. This is a decrease of 30 owner(s) or 1.08% in the last quarter. Average portfolio weight of all funds dedicated to DOW is 0.35%, a decrease of 3.66%. Total shares owned by institutions decreased in the last three months by 0.72% to 508,605K shares. The put/call ratio of DOW is 0.88, indicating a bullish outlook. What are Other Shareholders Doing? Massachusetts Financial Services holds 23,410K shares representing 3.33% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 23,332K shares, representing an increase of 0.33%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in DOW by 3.81% over the last quarter. Pzena Investment Management holds 14,884K shares representing 2.12% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 14,901K shares, representing a decrease of 0.12%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in DOW by 4.06% over the last quarter. Capital World Investors holds 14,109K shares representing 2.01% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 14,107K shares, representing an increase of 0.02%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in DOW by 9.58% over the last quarter. VTSMX – Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares holds 12,868K shares representing 1.83% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 22,093K shares, representing a decrease of 71.69%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in DOW by 21.87% over the last quarter. Bnp Paribas Arbitrage holds 12,571K shares representing 1.79% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 8,257K shares, representing an increase of 34.32%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in DOW by 771.37% over the last quarter. Dow Background Information (This description is provided by the company.) Dow combines global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation and leading business positions to achieve profitable growth. The Company’s ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company, with a purpose to deliver a sustainable future for the world through its materials science expertise and collaboration with its partners. Dow’s portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer care. Dow operates 106 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 35,700 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $39 billion in 2020. This article originally appeared on Fintel Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now......»»

Featured stocks include Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics. Improved budgetary provision offered by the U.S. government, as witnessed from the approved defense bill, is expected to bode well for aerospace-defense companies that are primarily engaged in combat space. However, lingering supply-chain challenges might continue to delay deliveries and thereby remain a threat to the industry players. Nevertheless, improved projections for air travel, as stated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), are expected to bode well for companies that are engaged in commercial aerospace operations. The frontrunners in the aerospace-defense industry are Northrop Grumman NOC, General Dynamics GD and Textron TXT. About the Industry The Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry comprises of companies that primarily design and manufacture heavy-built products like commercial as well as military jets and helicopters, tankers and other combat vehicles, missiles, combatant ships as well as auxiliary ships, submarines, bombs, guns, space transportation vehicles, military satellites and a few more. The industry also includes cyber security players who offer information technology services and C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) solutions. A portion of its revenues comes from defense contractors offering spare parts, aircraft modification, ship repair and overhaul services, and supply-chain management services. 4 Trends Shaping the Future of the Aerospace-Defense Industry Improved Air Traffic Outlook Boosts Prospects: Recovering global air traffic data in recent times has boosted the near-term growth prospects of the industry. As stated in the latest report published by the IATA, industry-wide global RPK increased 26.2% year over year in July 2023, thereby reaching 95.6% of the traffic numbers seen in 2019. Looking ahead, IATA projects industry-wide RPKs to reach 87.8% of the 2019 level in 2023, as stated in its latest global outlook for air transport. Such impressive projections bode well for commercial aerospace manufacturers that have long borne the brunt of poor air travel in the form of delayed jet deliveries and, in some cases, cancellation of orders by airlines. Expanding Defense Budget Remains a Growth Catalyst: While the commercial aerospace market has been recovering steadily over the past couple of quarters, the defense side of the industry stood its ground amid the COVID-19 crisis, cushioned by steady government support. To this end, it is imperative to mention that in June 2023, the U.S. defense bill for fiscal 2024, reflecting a 3.6% increase over the fiscal 2023 enacted level, got its approval. Such improved budgetary provisions set the stage for industry players focused on the defense business to win more contracts, which is likely to boost their top line. Supply-Chain Issues May Hurt: Significant supply-chain disruption impacted the Aerospace and Defense industry, thanks to the pandemic-induced lower aircraft demand and restrictions on the movement of people and goods. This primarily affected small suppliers like aircraft part manufacturers, especially those with heavy exposure to commercial aerospace, and the aftermarket business. Although the global economy has started to improve, aircraft manufacturers project supply-chain issues to continue to delay aircraft production and deliveries, as estimated by IATA. This, in turn, might constrict the growth trajectory of the U.S. Aerospace and Defense industry, to some extent, in the near term. Strengthening Dollar Adds to Industry Woes: The recently appreciating U.S. dollar is adding another layer of cost to airlines that are already burdened with high inflation and rising jet fuel prices. The Federal Reserve’s policy rate now stands in the 5.25-5.50% range as of September 2023, having started at 0.25% in 2022. All U.S. dollar-denominated costs are rising for airlines that earn revenues in non-U.S. currency. Similarly, the debt burden has increased for all non-dollar-based entities that have borrowed in dollars. Such a burden on airlines might lead to lower aircraft delivery, thereby hurting aerospace-defense industry players that particularly operate in the commercial aerospace. Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright Prospects The Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry is housed within the broader Zacks Aerospace sector. It currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #102, which places it in the top 41% of more than 250 Zacks industries. The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bright near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. Before we present a few aerospace-defense stocks that you may want to add to your portfolio, let’s take a look at the industry’s recent stock market performance and valuation picture. Industry Lags S&P 500 & Sector The Aerospace-Defense industry has underperformed the Zacks S&P 500 Composite as well as its own sector over the past year. The stocks in this industry have collectively lost 4.4% compared with the Aerospace sector’s decline of 1.5%. The Zacks S&P 500 Composite has gone up 13.5% in the said time frame. Industry’s Current Valuation On the basis of the trailing 12-month EV/Sales ratio, which is used for evaluating capital-intensive stocks like aerospace-defense, the industry is currently trading at 2.01 compared with the S&P 500’s 3.41 and the sector’s 2.04. Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 2.46X, as low as 2.01X and at the median of 2.29X. 3 Aerospace-Defense Stocks to Keep in Your Portfolio Northrop Grumman: Based in Falls Church, VA, Northrop Grumman supplies a broad range of products and services to the U.S. Department of Defense, including electronic systems, information technology, aircraft, space technology and systems integration services. On Sep 12, 2023, NOC announced that its B-21 Raider bomber aircraft continues to progress in ground testing with the commencement of engine runs. Once this jet becomes available in the market, NOC can be expected to receive a solid inflow of orders from Pentagon and other U.S. allies, as nations across the world continue to boost their defense spending. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2023 sales implies an improvement of 5.8% from the 2022 reported figure. NOC boasts a long-term earnings growth rate of 3.7%. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). General Dynamics: Based in Falls Church, VA, General Dynamics is a prominent combat shipbuilder in the United States, along with a leading designer and builder of nuclear-powered submarines. It also manufactures business jets as well as renowned combat vehicles. On Oct 2, 2023, the company secured a contract worth $218 million for production of 155mm M1128 Load, Assemble, and Pack (LAP). This contract win boosts GD’s revenue generation prospects as well as strengthens its position in the artillery market. General Dynamics currently boasts a long-term earnings growth rate of 9.2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2023 sales implies an improvement of 7.8% from the 2022 reported figure. GD currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.   Textron: Based in Providence, RI, Textron is a global multi-industry company that manufactures aircraft, automotive engine components and industrial tools. The company is known globally for its most recognizable and valuable brand names, such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, E-Z-GO and Greenlee. On Sep 26, 2023, Textron announced that the Garmin G5000 integrated flight deck will soon be available for the Cessna Citation XLS+ and XLS Gen2, as well as for installation at the Textron Aviation Service Centers, following supplemental type certification approval by the FAA (anticipated in the first half of 2024). This should further bolster TXT’s position in the rapidly growing business jet market. The company currently boasts a long-term earnings growth rate of 11.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Textron’s 2023 sales implies an improvement of 5.8% from the 2022 reported figure. TXT currently holds a Zacks Rank #2. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC): Free Stock Analysis Report General Dynamics Corporation (GD): Free Stock Analysis Report Textron Inc. (TXT): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research This article originally appeared on Zacks Sponsored: Tips for Investing A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit......»»

In terms of cash flow, these stocks like are worth considering. Investors mostly flock to companies that earn profits, but even a profitable business can succumb to failure if its cash flow is uneven and, eventually, file for bankruptcy. However, one can effectively judge a company’s resilience by looking at its efficiency in generating cash flow. This is because cash not only shields it from any market mayhem, but also indicates that its profits are being channeled in the right direction. In this regard, stocks like Modine Manufacturing Company MOD, Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. ARCO, Karat Packaging Inc. KRT and LSI Industries Inc. LYTS are worth buying. In fact, if achieving profit is a company’s goal, then having a healthy cash flow is highly essential for its existence, development and success. This is because cash gives a company more flexibility with respect to business decisions and potential investments, as well as the fuel to run its growth engine. Cash, in fact, indicates a company’s true financial health. This holds more relevance in the current context amid uncertainties in the global economy, market disruptions and dislocations, as well as liquidity concerns. To figure out this efficiency, one needs to consider a company’s net cash flow. While in any business cash moves in and out, it is net cash flow that explains how much money a company is actually generating. If a company is experiencing a positive cash flow, it denotes an increase in its liquid assets, which gives it the means to meet debt obligations, shell out for expenses, reinvest in the business, endure downturns and finally return wealth to shareholders. On the other hand, a negative cash flow indicates a decline in the company’s liquidity, which in turn lowers its flexibility to support these moves. However, having a positive cash flow merely does not secure a company’s future growth. To ride on the growth curve, a company must have its cash flow increasing because that indicates management’s efficiency in regulating its cash movements and less dependency on outside financing for running its business. Therefore, keep yourself abreast with the following screen to bet on stocks with rising cash flows. Screening Parameters: To find stocks that have seen increasing cash flow over time, we ran the screen for those whose cash flow in the latest reported quarter was at least equal to or greater than the 5-year average cash flow per common share. This implies a positive trend and increasing cash over a period of time. In addition to this we chose: Zacks Rank 1: No matter whether market conditions are good or bad, stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) have a proven history of outperformance. Average Broker Rating 1: This indicates that brokers are also highly hopeful about the company’s future performance. Current Price greater than or equal to $5: This sieves out low-priced stocks. VGM Score of B or better: This score is also of great assistance in selecting stocks. Importantly, this scoring system helps in picking winning stocks in their industry categories. Here are our four picks out of the 17 stocks that qualified the screening: Modine Manufacturing operates primarily in a single industry consisting of the manufacturing and selling of heat transfer equipment. These include heat exchangers for cooling all types of engines, transmissions, auxiliary hydraulic equipment, air conditioning components used in cars, trucks, farm and construction machinery and equipment, and heating and cooling equipment for residential and commercial building heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Modine Manufacturing’s fiscal 2024 earnings has moved 24.1% north in the past two months to $2.88 per share. MOD has a VGM Score of B. Arcos Dorados operates as a franchisee of McDonald’s, with its operations divided in Brazil, the North Latin America division, South Latin America and the Caribbean division. It also runs quick-service restaurants in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Arcos Dorados’ 2023 earnings per share has been revised 2.6% upward to 78 cents in the past two months. ARCO has a VGM Score of A. Karat Packaging is a specialty distributor and manufacturer of disposable foodservice products and related items. Its products include food and take-out containers, bags, tableware, cups, lids, cutlery, straws, specialty beverage ingredients, equipment, gloves and other products. The company also offers customized solutions, including product development and design, printing, and logistic services. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Karat Packaging’s current-year earnings has moved up nearly 28% to $1.83 per share over the past two months. KRT has a VGM Score of A. LSI Industries is an Image Solutions company that combines integrated design, manufacturing, & technology to supply its own high-quality lighting fixtures and graphics elements for applications in the retail, specialty niche, and commercial markets. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LSI Industries’ fiscal 2024 earnings has moved up by 19.1% to $1.12 per share in the past two months. LYTS has a VGM Score of A. Modine Manufacturing Company (MOD): Free Stock Analysis Report Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. (ARCO): Free Stock Analysis Report LSI Industries Inc. (LYTS): Free Stock Analysis Report Karat Packaging Inc. (KRT): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research This article originally appeared on Zacks Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now......»»

UBS has downgraded its outlook for Emerson Electric to Neutral. Fintel reports that on October 3, 2023, UBS downgraded their outlook for Emerson Electric (NYSE:EMR) from Buy to Neutral. Analyst Price Forecast Suggests 14.32% Upside As of August 31, 2023, the average one-year price target for Emerson Electric is 109.42. The forecasts range from a low of 90.90 to a high of $126.00. The average price target represents an increase of 14.32% from its latest reported closing price of 95.71. See our leaderboard of companies with the largest price target upside. The projected annual revenue for Emerson Electric is 16,060MM, a decrease of 22.76%. The projected annual non-GAAP EPS is 4.68. Emerson Electric Declares $0.52 Dividend On August 2, 2023 the company declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.52 per share ($2.08 annualized). Shareholders of record as of August 11, 2023 received the payment on September 11, 2023. Previously, the company paid $0.52 per share. At the current share price of $95.71 / share, the stock’s dividend yield is 2.17%. Looking back five years and taking a sample every week, the average dividend yield has been 2.62%, the lowest has been 1.92%, and the highest has been 5.25%. The standard deviation of yields is 0.49 (n=236). The current dividend yield is 0.92 standard deviations below the historical average. Additionally, the company’s dividend payout ratio is 0.09. The payout ratio tells us how much of a company’s income is paid out in dividends. A payout ratio of one (1.0) means 100% of the company’s income is paid in a dividend. A payout ratio greater than one means the company is dipping into savings in order to maintain its dividend – not a healthy situation. Companies with few growth prospects are expected to pay out most of their income in dividends, which typically means a payout ratio between 0.5 and 1.0. Companies with good growth prospects are expected to retain some earnings in order to invest in those growth prospects, which translates to a payout ratio of zero to 0.5. The company’s 3-Year dividend growth rate is 0.04%, demonstrating that it has increased its dividend over time. What is the Fund Sentiment? There are 2538 funds or institutions reporting positions in Emerson Electric. This is a decrease of 27 owner(s) or 1.05% in the last quarter. Average portfolio weight of all funds dedicated to EMR is 0.32%, an increase of 0.96%. Total shares owned by institutions decreased in the last three months by 6.03% to 446,593K shares. The put/call ratio of EMR is 0.56, indicating a bullish outlook. What are Other Shareholders Doing? VTSMX – Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares holds 17,833K shares representing 3.12% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 17,699K shares, representing an increase of 0.75%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in EMR by 3.57% over the last quarter. Bank Of America holds 16,304K shares representing 2.85% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 13,712K shares, representing an increase of 15.90%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in EMR by 393.49% over the last quarter. VFINX – Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares holds 13,607K shares representing 2.38% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 13,333K shares, representing an increase of 2.01%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in EMR by 4.12% over the last quarter. Wellington Management Group Llp holds 12,537K shares representing 2.19% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 9,207K shares, representing an increase of 26.57%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in EMR by 34.79% over the last quarter. Wells Fargo holds 10,680K shares representing 1.87% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 10,767K shares, representing a decrease of 0.82%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in EMR by 194.13% over the last quarter. Emerson Electric Background Information (This description is provided by the company.) Emerson, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global technology and engineering company providing innovative solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and residential markets. Its Automation Solutions business helps process, hybrid, and discrete manufacturers maximize production, protect personnel and the environment while optimizing their energy and operating costs. Its Commercial & Residential Solutions business helps ensure human comfort and health, protect food quality and safety, advance energy efficiency, and create sustainable infrastructure. This article originally appeared on Fintel Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now......»»

Featured stocks include Alibaba, Amazon and Walmart. Wall Street completed a disappointing third-quarter 2023 after witnessing an impressive bull run in the first two quarters. The fourth quarter of any year historically remains favorable to U.S. stock markets as it deals with the holiday season. Notably, during the holiday season the retail sector gets maximum importance. This year too, the scenario remains the same. Retail sales have not been impacted much due to record-high inflationary pressures. U.S. consumption expenditure stayed buoyant despite the Fed pursuing an extremely high interest rate regime in the last one and a half years. Research firm Deloitte estimated that the total holiday retail sales in 2023 will be in the range of $1.54 to $1.56 trillion during the November to January timeframe. This marks an year-over-year improvement of 3.5% to 4.6% in 2023. Deloitte also forecast that within the total holiday retail sales, e-commerce sales will account for $278 billion to $284 billion. This marks a year-over-year improvement of 10.3% to 12.8%. Mastercard SpendingPulse estimated that holiday retail sales (excluding automotive) between Nov 1 and Dec 24, are expected to increase 3.7% year over year. E-commerce and online sales are likely to grow 6.7% and 2.9%, respectively. Bain & Company forecasts nominal U.S. retail sales to grow 3% year over year in November and December, reaching nearly $915 billion, with 90% of the growth coming from non-store (e-commerce and mail-order) sales. Our Top Picks We have narrowed our search to five retail giants that have strong growth potential for the rest of 2023. These stocks have seen positive earnings estimate revisions in the last 60 days. Each of our picks carries either a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy). Amazon.com Inc. AMZN has been benefiting from a strengthening AWS services portfolio and its growing adoption rate has contributed well. Ultrafast delivery services and an expanding content portfolio are positives for AMZN. The strengthening relationship with third-party sellers is also encouraging. Its advertising business is also making a robust contribution. Improving Alexa skills along with robust smart home product offerings are tailwinds for AMZN. Zacks Rank #1 Amazon has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 11.1% and more than 100%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 43.9% over the last 60 days. Walmart Inc. WMT has been benefiting from its robust omnichannel operations due to its efforts to enhance store and online experience. WMT has been particularly gaining from its efforts to boost delivery services. Increased market share in grocery continued to boost U.S. comps in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Strong comps growth globally, expense leverage and e-commerce growth across all units favored the company. WMT raised its guidance for fiscal 2024. Zacks Rank #2 Walmart has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 9.3% and 2.2%, respectively, for the current year (ending January 2024). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.2% over the last 30 days. Ross Stores Inc. ROST has benefited from positive customer response to its improved merchandise and strong value offerings. ROST has been benefiting from the execution of its store expansion plans over the years. ROST operates a chain of off-price retail apparel and home accessories stores, which target value-conscious men and women, aged 25 to 54 in middle-to-upper middle-class households. ROST has a proven business model as the competitive bargains it offers continue to make its stores attractive destinations for customers in all economic scenarios. Zacks Rank #1 Ross Stores has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 8.1% and 19.4%, respectively, for the current year (ending January 2024). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 6.1% over the last 60 days. Lithia Motors Inc.’s LAD diversified product mix and multiple streams of income reduce its risk profile and position it for long-term sales and profit growth. LAD is on a buyout spree, which is increasing its market share. Enhanced digital solutions — including the Driveway e-commerce program — are helping LAD to further boost profitability and market presence. Driveway generated $900 million in revenues in 2022 and expects to hit $9 billion in annual revenues by 2025, thus paving the path for LAD’s rapid growth. Zacks Rank #1 Lithia Motors has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 7.6% and 1.4%, respectively, for next year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for next-year earnings has improved 0.1% over the last seven days. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s BABA solid momentum across the China and international commerce retail businesses is driving its top-line growth. Notably, China commerce retail business is driven by rising online physical goods GMV at Taobao and Tmall. Further, International retail business is riding on solid combined order growth. BABA’s strength across the Cainiao logistics services, owing to robust domestic consumer logistics and international fulfillment solution services is a plus. This apart, cloud computing business and local services are acting as tailwinds. Considering these factors, we expect total revenues of BABA to grow 8.2% in fiscal 2024 from fiscal 2023. Zacks Rank #1 Alibaba Group Holding has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 4.7% and 14.9%, respectively, for the current year (ending March 2024). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for next-year earnings has improved 13.7% over the last 60 days. Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN): Free Stock Analysis Report Walmart Inc. (WMT): Free Stock Analysis Report Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST): Free Stock Analysis Report Lithia Motors, Inc. (LAD): Free Stock Analysis Report Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research This article originally appeared on Zacks Sponsored: Tips for Investing A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit......»»

Given increased construction spending, investing in homebuilding stocks like these would be a wise decision. Spending on construction projects in the United States increased in August, hinting at a slow but steady recovery to normal. Inflation has been showing signs of easing, which has seen investment in construction projects picking up lately. The Commerce Department said on Oct 2 that spending on construction projects was primarily driven by investment in the housing sector. Given this scenario, investing in homebuilding stocks like Toll Brothers Inc. TOL, M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. MDC, NVR, Inc. NVR and PulteGroup PHM would be a wise decision. Construction Spending Expands The Commerce Department reported that spending on construction projects increased 0.5% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,983.5 billion in August after rising 0.9% in July and coming in line with economists’ expectations. Year over year, construction spending jumped a solid 7.4% in August. Spending on private construction projects rose 0.5%, with investment in private residential projects advancing 0.6% after rising 1.6% in July. Overall spending on private construction projects rose 1.2% in July. Construction spending totaled $1,284.7 billion in the first eight months of this year compared to $1,233.4 billion for the same period in 2022. Construction spending on private non-residential structures such as factories increased 0.3% in August, while manufacturing construction projects jumped 1.2%. A shortage of homes available for sale is fueling investment in private residential projects, although mortgage rates remain sky-high. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaged 7.31% last week, the highest level since December 2000. However, this appears to be the new normal. Spending on multi-family residential projects jumped 0.6% in August, while spending on single-family home projects increased 1.7%. The homebuilding sector had been the mainstay of construction spending during the peak of the pandemic and months following that as more people opted for single-family homes. However, inflation has had the biggest and most far-reaching impact on private housing projects as the Fed’s monetary tightening campaign has been taking its toll on the housing sector owing to higher mortgage rates. The current housing market is still grappling with a significant shortage of single-family homes available for sale. Despite the high cost of borrowing, this scarcity has led to sustained investments in construction projects, especially in single-family homes. Demand for housing remains robust, encouraging investments in new housing developments. Moreover, inflation has seen a notable decline over the past year, and there are signs of a slowdown in the labor market. These developments have sparked optimism and the Federal Reserve has also said that it will go for another quarter percentage point interest rate hike in November before starting to cut rates in 2024. Such a move would likely lead to a reduction in mortgage rates, which is seen as a positive development for the housing market. Lower mortgage rates can make homeownership more affordable and potentially stimulate further demand in the real estate sector. Our Choices Given this scenario, it will be prudent to invest in homebuilding stocks with a favorable Zacks Rank that are poised to gain from the rise in spending on construction projects. We have narrowed down our search to four such stocks. Each of these stocks carries either a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy). Toll Brothers Inc. builds single-family detached and attached home communities; master-planned luxury residential resort-style golf communities; and urban low, mid, and high-rise communities, principally on the land it develops and improves. TOL operates in Arizona, California, Florida, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. Toll Brothers offers homes under two segments, namely Traditional Home Building Product and City Living. Toll Brothers’ expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 1.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings improved 12.3% over the past 60 days. TOL presently sports a Zacks Rank #1. M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. is engaged in homebuilding and financial services in the United States. MDC’s Homebuilding operations include land acquisition and development, home construction, sales and marketing, as well as customer service. The segment delivers single-family detached homes to first-time and move-up buyers under the name Richmond American Homes. M.D.C. Holdings’ expected earnings growth rate for next year is 14.2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 26.6% over the past 60 days. MDC presently sports a Zacks Rank #1. NVR, Inc. is engaged in the construction and sale of single-family detached homes, townhomes and condominium buildings, all of which are primarily constructed on a pre-sold basis. To serve homebuilding customers, NVR operates a mortgage banking and title services business. NVR’sexpected earnings growth rate for next year is 0.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 2.1% over the past 60 days. NVR presently carries a Zacks Rank #2. PulteGroup engages in homebuilding and financial services businesses, primarily in the United States. PHM conducts operations through two primary business segments — Homebuilding (which accounted for 97.2% as of 2021 total revenues) and Financial Services (2.8%). PulteGroup’s Homebuilding segment offers a wide variety of home designs, including single-family detached, townhouses, condominiums and duplexes at different prices, with a variety of options and amenities to all major customer segments: first-time, move-up and active adult. PulteGroup’s expected earnings growth rate for next year is 0.8%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 4.1% over the past 60 days. PHM has a Zacks Rank #2. PulteGroup, Inc. (PHM): Free Stock Analysis Report Toll Brothers Inc. (TOL): Free Stock Analysis Report NVR, Inc. (NVR): Free Stock Analysis Report M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (MDC): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research This article originally appeared on Zacks Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now......»»

These stocks have strong potential for the rest of 2023 and have seen positive earnings estimate revisions recently. The impressive 2023 rally of U.S. stock markets suffered a severe blow in the last two months. All three major stock indexes — the Dow, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite — ended in negative territory in both August and September. Of these three indexes, the Nasdaq Composite was hit the hardest. The tech-heavy index tumbled 2.2% and 5.8%, respectively, in August and September. In third-quarter 2023, the tech-laden index fell 4.1%. Market participants are worried as the Fed warned of one more rate hike of 25 basis points by the end of this year and pursued a higher interest rate regime for a longer period. The first rate cut is not expected before September 2024 and the inflation rate is unlikely to decline to the central bank’s target rate of 2% before 2026. A higher market interest rate is detrimental to high-growth sectors like technology and consumer discretionary. Investment in growth stocks creates wealth over a long period of time. A higher market interest rate will increase the discount rate, which in turn will reduce the net present value of investment. Moreover, many of these companies depend on the chip source of credit for the business to grow. As a result, the Nasdaq Composite suffered the most as it mostly comprises of growth sectors, especially technology. Despite the index’s recent bloodbath, several stocks within this stable provided double-digit returns in the past month. Investment in these stocks with a favorable Zacks Rank should be fruitful going forward. Our Top Picks We have narrowed our search to five Nasdaq Composite-listed stocks that have popped more than 10% in the past month. These stocks have strong potential for the rest of 2023 and have seen positive earnings estimate revisions in the last 60 days. Each of our picks carries either a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy). Virco Mfg. Corp. VIRC designs, produces, and distributes quality furniture for the contract and education markets worldwide. Examples of facilities served by VIRC include public and private schools, colleges and universities, convention centers, federal and state institutions, churches and other businesses. VIRC also sells to wholesalers, distributors, retailers and catalog retailers. In order to divide the workload into manageable amounts, VIRC has divided the sales force into two groups: Education and Commercial. Zacks Rank #1 Virco Mfg.  has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 24.5% and 9.8%, respectively, for the current year (ending January 2024). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 35.8% over the last 30 days. The stock price of VIRC has soared 36.8% in the past month. G-III Apparel Group Ltd. GIII has been benefitting from solid gains from its brands and digital business. GIII has been accelerating digital growth and strives to become the best omnichannel organization. GIII benefits in strength in outerwear and dress categories. Zacks Rank #1 G-III Apparel Group has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 8% and 14.7%, respectively, for the current year (ending January 2024). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 14.3% over the last 30 days. The stock price of GIII has jumped 22.8% in the past month. SIGA Technologies Inc. SIGA is a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company, focusing on the health security related markets in the United States. SIGA’s lead product is TPOXX, an oral formulation antiviral drug for the treatment of human smallpox disease caused by variola virus. Zacks Rank #2 SIGA Technologies has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 58.1% and more than 100%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 4.8% over the last 60 days. The stock price of SIGA has surged 12.7% in the past month. Lantronix Inc. LTRX designs, develops and markets products that enable almost any electronic device to be controlled, configured or reprogrammed over the Internet and intranets. LTRX’s products connect these electronic devices to the Internet and intranets by using the infrastructure already in place to connect businesses and homes to the Internet, including fiber optic, Ethernet and wireless connections. LTRX’s primary products that connect electronic devices are its Device Servers and Multiport Device Servers. Zacks Rank #2 Lantronix has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 32.5% and 94%, respectively, for the current year (ending June 2024). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved more than 100% over the last 60 days. The stock price of LTRX has climbed 13.1% in the past month. Duolingo Inc. DUOL operates as a mobile learning platform in the United States, China, the United Kingdom, and internationally. DUOL offers courses in 40 different languages, including Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, and Chinese through its Duolingo app. DUOL also provides a digital language proficiency assessment examination. Zacks Rank #2 Duolingo has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 39.1% and 94%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved more than 100% over the last 60 days. The stock price of DUOL has advanced 11.4% in the past month. Lantronix, Inc. (LTRX): Free Stock Analysis Report G-III Apparel Group, LTD. (GIII): Free Stock Analysis Report Virco Manufacturing Corporation (VIRC): Free Stock Analysis Report Siga Technologies Inc. (SIGA): Free Stock Analysis Report Duolingo, Inc. (DUOL): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research This article originally appeared on Zacks Sponsored: Tips for Investing A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit......»»

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Looking to offer new opportunities for consumers across the world, Honda Motor Co Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) expanded its payment options. Honda now has a list of around 46 cryptocurrencies that could be accepted for payment. read more.....»»

Former President Donald Trump skipped out on appearing at the second Republican primary debate, an event that hosted several of the leading candidates for the GOP nomination in the 2024 presidential election. read more.....»»