Yahoo Finance The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Hilton Grand Vacations, lululemon athletica, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Monarch Casino & Resort and Crocs
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – December 5, 2022 – 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: Hilton Grand Vacations HGV, lululemon athletica LULU, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts WH, Monarch Casino & Resort MCRI and Crocs CROX.
Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:
5 Top Stocks to Gain from Strong Consumer Spending Trends
Households in the United States had increased spending in October, banking on a jump in income and easing inflation. Per the Commerce Department, consumer outlays advanced at a seasonally adjusted 0.8% in October compared to the prior month and registered the strongest gain since June.
Households, in reality, had spent on almost all essential commodities as well as new vehicles. In fact, spending on big-ticket items indicated that consumers are eager to pay higher prices amid rising interest rates. Even after adjusting for inflation, spending rose 0.5% in October from the prior month, marking its biggest jump since January.
Notably, an increase in wages helped boost spending. American household income increased 0.7% in October from September, added the Commerce Department. To top it, a slight easing of stubbornly high inflation gave consumers the wherewithal to spend more.
The personal-consumption expenditures (PCE) index rose 6% in October from a year ago, less than September’s year-over-year increase of 6.3%. Similarly, the consumer price index (CPI) increased 7.7% in October compared with a year ago, less than September’s annual increase of 8.2%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. By the way, U.S. wholesale inflation, too, showed signs of cooling down in October.
Meanwhile, a jump in retail sales in October signified that consumers have undoubtedly stepped up their spending. Sales at U.S. retailers were expected to rise 1.2% in October from September, but they actually jumped 1.3%, its biggest increase in eight months.
Lest we forget, retail sales were almost flat in September with August. Nevertheless, the jump in retail sales in October was mostly due to an increase in car sales and higher petrol prices. However, excluding cars and petrol, retail sales still increased a solid 0.9% in October.
Retail sales, no doubt, constitute a bulk of consumer spending and offers clues on the strength of the economy.And with sales increasing in all the primary retail segments in October, it seems the economy is recouping from the hammering it took during the pandemic.
Sales at restaurants were also encouraging in October, indicating a healthy economy and strong consumer spending trends. Restaurant sales increased by 1.6% in October.
Thus, from an investment standpoint, courtesy of an increase in consumer spending, consumer discretionary companies are posited to gain the most as outlays play a crucial role in determining their revenues. We have, thus, selected five consumer discretionary stocks that flaunt a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.
Hilton Grand Vacations, a division of Hilton Worldwide, is engaged in the hospitality business. HGV sports a Zacks Rank #1. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has moved up 19.3% over the past 60 days. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 60.9%. HGV’s projected earnings growth rate for the next year is 24.6%.
lululemon athletica is a yoga-inspired athletic apparel company that creates lifestyle components. LULU has a Zacks Rank #2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has moved up 0.2% over the past 60 days. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is almost 27%. LULU’s projected earnings growth rate for the next year is almost 15%.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts provides a hotel and resort chain. WH carries a Zacks Rank #2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has moved up 5.8% over the past 60 days. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 21.5%. WH’s projected earnings growth rate for the next five-year period is 7.9%.
Monarch Casino & Resort is dedicated to delivering the ultimate guest experience by providing exceptional services as well as the latest gaming, dining and hospitality amenities. MCRI has a Zacks Rank #1. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has moved up 6.8% over the past 60 days. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 29.2%. MCRI’s projected earnings growth rate for next year is 9.7%.
Crocs is one of the leading footwear brands focusing on comfort and style. CROX has a Zacks Rank #2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has moved up 2.5% over the past 60 days. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 23.7%. CROX’s projected earnings growth rate for the next year is 4.5%.
Why Haven’t You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?
Our 5 best-performing strategies have blown away the S&P's impressive +28.8% gain in 2021. Amazingly, they soared +40.3%, +48.2%, +67.6%, +94.4%, and +95.3%. 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.
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
lululemon athletica inc. (LULU) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. (MCRI) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Crocs, Inc. (CROX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (HGV) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (WH) : Free Stock Analysis Report
