We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights NextEra, Lockheed Martin, Palo Alto, Rave Restaurant and AXIL
Read MoreHide Full Article
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – October 3, 2024 – 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: NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE - Free Report) , Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT - Free Report) , Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW - Free Report) , Rave Restaurant Group, Inc. (RAVE - Free Report) and AXIL Brands, Inc. (AXIL - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:
Top Analyst for NextEra, Lockheed Martin and Palo Alto Networks
The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including NextEra Energy, Inc., Lockheed Martin Corp. and Palo Alto Networks, Inc., as well as two micro-cap stocks Rave Restaurant Group, Inc. and AXIL Brands, Inc. The Zacks microcap research is unique as our research content on these small and under-the-radar companies is the only research of its type in the country.
These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.
NextEra Energy’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry over the past year (+66.5% vs. +39.4%). The company continues to expand its operations through organic projects and acquisitions. NextEra Energy will add more renewable projects to its portfolio and has nearly 22.6 GW of renewable projects in its backlog.
Efficient cost management is boosting the company's margins. Florida’s improving economy boosts the company’s subsidiary Florida Power & Light Company’s customer base. NextEra Energy has ample liquidity to meet its short-term debt obligations.
Yet, due to the nature of NextEra Energy’s business, it is subject to complex rules and regulations. Risks in operating nuclear power-based generation units, unfavorable weather conditions, and increasing supply costs can adversely impact earnings.
Shares of Lockheed Martin have outperformed the Zacks Aerospace - Defense industry over the past year (+54.1% vs. +19.9%). The company’s broad product offerings allow it to secure major defense contracts, which in turn boosts its backlog count. Lockheed remains the largest U.S. defense contractor with a steady order flow from its leveraged presence in the Army, Air Force, Navy and IT programs.
The solid U.S. defense budgetary provisions should boost its business. Its products also witness a strong international demand from the countries like Germany, Taiwan, Japan and Australia. Meanwhile, the company also holds a strong solvency position.
However, Lockheed is facing performance issues concerning some of its products that may affect its results. Shortage of skilled labor may adversely impact the company’s operating results. The sanctions imposed by China on Lockheed might also affect its business.
Palo Alto Networks’ shares have gained +42.2% over the past year against the Zacks Internet - Software industry’s gain of +45.9%. The company has been benefiting from continuous deal wins and the increasing adoption of its next-generation security platforms, attributable to the rise in the hybrid work environment and the heightened need for stronger security.
PANW’s strong back-to-back quarterly performances reflect its sustained focus on product innovation, a shift in its business model to subscription-based services, platform integration and continued investments in the go-to-market strategy. The normalization of the supply chain is also aiding growth across the Products, Services and Subscription segments.
However, softening IT spending amid macroeconomic headwinds might hurt its near-term prospects. Forex headwinds and higher marketing and sales expenses are likely to continue hurting its profitability. Also, high acquisition-related expenses are denting margins.
Shares of Rave Restaurant’s have gained +5.9% over the past year against the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry’s gain of +21.7%. This microcap company with market capitalization of $32.38 million continues to demonstrate strong financial performance, posting its 17th consecutive quarter of positive earnings. Fiscal 2024 net income rose 53.3% to $2.5 million.
Rave Restaurant’s debt-free balance sheet with $7.8 million in cash reflects financial stability. Its expansion efforts are focused on the Pizza Inn brand, with reimaging initiatives underway for 25% of its buffet restaurants by fiscal 2025 and 21 new domestic sites contracted.
Despite growth, challenges persist, including declining same-store sales, particularly in the Pie Five brand (which declined 10.6% in fourth-quarter fiscal 2024), rising operating costs and limited unit expansion. Rave Restaurant’s reliance on franchisees, shrinking international presence, modest revenue growth, and geographic concentration further pose risks to sustained growth.
AXIL Brands’ shares have underperformed the Zacks Consumer Products - Staples industry over the past year (-65.1% vs. +14.2%). This microcap company with market capitalization of $27.17 million is facing risks which include high reliance on Shopify and Amazon (91% of revenues), rising operating expenses, vendor dependence and limited product diversification (95% of revenues from hearing products). Also, dilution risks from stock issuances and geopolitical factors may impact AXIL's performance.
Nevertheless, AXIL presents a compelling growth opportunity through its expanding market reach across the United States, Canada, the EU and Asia. Partnerships with companies, such as Racing Electronics and Kinsey’s, enhance brand visibility and market penetration, positioning AXIL for revenue growth.
The company’s focus on innovation in hearing protection and enhancement products, along with its premium Reviv3 Procare hair and skincare line, ensures alignment with evolving consumer demands. AXIL’s revenues grew 17% year over year in fiscal 2024, driven by its hearing products, while maintaining a strong gross margin of 73.4%.
Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.0 average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +44.9%, +48.4% and +55.2% per year.
Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.
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 https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights NextEra, Lockheed Martin, Palo Alto, Rave Restaurant and AXIL
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – October 3, 2024 – 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: NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE - Free Report) , Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT - Free Report) , Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW - Free Report) , Rave Restaurant Group, Inc. (RAVE - Free Report) and AXIL Brands, Inc. (AXIL - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:
Top Analyst for NextEra, Lockheed Martin and Palo Alto Networks
The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including NextEra Energy, Inc., Lockheed Martin Corp. and Palo Alto Networks, Inc., as well as two micro-cap stocks Rave Restaurant Group, Inc. and AXIL Brands, Inc. The Zacks microcap research is unique as our research content on these small and under-the-radar companies is the only research of its type in the country.
These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.
You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>
NextEra Energy’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry over the past year (+66.5% vs. +39.4%). The company continues to expand its operations through organic projects and acquisitions. NextEra Energy will add more renewable projects to its portfolio and has nearly 22.6 GW of renewable projects in its backlog.
Efficient cost management is boosting the company's margins. Florida’s improving economy boosts the company’s subsidiary Florida Power & Light Company’s customer base. NextEra Energy has ample liquidity to meet its short-term debt obligations.
Yet, due to the nature of NextEra Energy’s business, it is subject to complex rules and regulations. Risks in operating nuclear power-based generation units, unfavorable weather conditions, and increasing supply costs can adversely impact earnings.
(You can read the full research report on NextEra Energy here >>>)
Shares of Lockheed Martin have outperformed the Zacks Aerospace - Defense industry over the past year (+54.1% vs. +19.9%). The company’s broad product offerings allow it to secure major defense contracts, which in turn boosts its backlog count. Lockheed remains the largest U.S. defense contractor with a steady order flow from its leveraged presence in the Army, Air Force, Navy and IT programs.
The solid U.S. defense budgetary provisions should boost its business. Its products also witness a strong international demand from the countries like Germany, Taiwan, Japan and Australia. Meanwhile, the company also holds a strong solvency position.
However, Lockheed is facing performance issues concerning some of its products that may affect its results. Shortage of skilled labor may adversely impact the company’s operating results. The sanctions imposed by China on Lockheed might also affect its business.
(You can read the full research report on Lockheed Martin here >>>)
Palo Alto Networks’ shares have gained +42.2% over the past year against the Zacks Internet - Software industry’s gain of +45.9%. The company has been benefiting from continuous deal wins and the increasing adoption of its next-generation security platforms, attributable to the rise in the hybrid work environment and the heightened need for stronger security.
PANW’s strong back-to-back quarterly performances reflect its sustained focus on product innovation, a shift in its business model to subscription-based services, platform integration and continued investments in the go-to-market strategy. The normalization of the supply chain is also aiding growth across the Products, Services and Subscription segments.
However, softening IT spending amid macroeconomic headwinds might hurt its near-term prospects. Forex headwinds and higher marketing and sales expenses are likely to continue hurting its profitability. Also, high acquisition-related expenses are denting margins.
(You can read the full research report on Palo Alto Networks here >>>)
Shares of Rave Restaurant’s have gained +5.9% over the past year against the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry’s gain of +21.7%. This microcap company with market capitalization of $32.38 million continues to demonstrate strong financial performance, posting its 17th consecutive quarter of positive earnings. Fiscal 2024 net income rose 53.3% to $2.5 million.
Rave Restaurant’s debt-free balance sheet with $7.8 million in cash reflects financial stability. Its expansion efforts are focused on the Pizza Inn brand, with reimaging initiatives underway for 25% of its buffet restaurants by fiscal 2025 and 21 new domestic sites contracted.
Despite growth, challenges persist, including declining same-store sales, particularly in the Pie Five brand (which declined 10.6% in fourth-quarter fiscal 2024), rising operating costs and limited unit expansion. Rave Restaurant’s reliance on franchisees, shrinking international presence, modest revenue growth, and geographic concentration further pose risks to sustained growth.
(You can read the full research report on Rave Restaurant here >>>)
AXIL Brands’ shares have underperformed the Zacks Consumer Products - Staples industry over the past year (-65.1% vs. +14.2%). This microcap company with market capitalization of $27.17 million is facing risks which include high reliance on Shopify and Amazon (91% of revenues), rising operating expenses, vendor dependence and limited product diversification (95% of revenues from hearing products). Also, dilution risks from stock issuances and geopolitical factors may impact AXIL's performance.
Nevertheless, AXIL presents a compelling growth opportunity through its expanding market reach across the United States, Canada, the EU and Asia. Partnerships with companies, such as Racing Electronics and Kinsey’s, enhance brand visibility and market penetration, positioning AXIL for revenue growth.
The company’s focus on innovation in hearing protection and enhancement products, along with its premium Reviv3 Procare hair and skincare line, ensures alignment with evolving consumer demands. AXIL’s revenues grew 17% year over year in fiscal 2024, driven by its hearing products, while maintaining a strong gross margin of 73.4%.
(You can read the full research report on AXIL Brands here >>>)
Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?
Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.0 average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +44.9%, +48.4% and +55.2% per year.
Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.
See Stocks Free >>
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
https://www.zacks.com
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 https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.