FirstCash Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates retail pawn stores in the United States, Mexico, and rest of Latin America. The company operates in three segments: U.S. Pawn, Latin America Pawn, and Retail POS Payment Solutions segments. Its pawn stores lend money on the collateral of pledged personal property, including jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, and musical instruments; and retails merchandise acquired through collateral forfeitures on forfeited pawn loans and over-the-counter purchases of merchandise directly from customers. The company also provides retail POS payment solutions, which focuses on LTO products and facilitating other retail financing payment options across the network of traditional and e-commerce merchant partners. It serves cash and credit-constrained consumers. The company was formerly known as FirstCash, Inc and changed its name to FirstCash Holdings, Inc. in December 2021. FirstCash Holdings, Inc was incorporated in 1988 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

FirstCash looks like a high-quality but no longer cheap business: profitability and liquidity are strong, while its market valuation is noticeably above the industry average. A P/E of 26.16 is almost twice the sector median, and P/B of 3.98 and P/FCF of 19.92 are also significantly above normal levels, which limits re-rating potential. At the same time, revenue, gross profit, EBITDA, and net income are growing year over year, while EPS and forecast EPS are also improving, confirming the resilience of the operating model. ROE of 15.93%, ROA of 6.98%, and ROI of 8.22% look solid and generally support the premium valuation. The company’s key strength is very high liquidity: current ratio is 4.77 and quick ratio is 3.42, while its cash position remains comfortable. However, the debt burden is noticeably above the industry average: debt/equity of 0.98 and long-term debt of $2.25 billion, along with rising debt over the years, increase sensitivity to interest rates and the economic cycle. Margins remain stable and are improving, but net profit margin and operating margin are still below the industry median, so earnings quality does not fully justify the high multiples. Dividend yield has fallen to zero, removing part of the defensive investment case. Equity and assets are increasing, but liabilities are rising as well, so the balance sheet cannot be called risk-free. Overall, the fundamentals support a moderately positive view of the business, but the current valuation already reflects a significant portion of these strengths. For an investor, this means there is upside potential, but it is limited by high multiples and the debt profile, so upside expectations should remain restrained.

FirstCash Holdings, Inc.

Сильный индекс, значительно упал. Оптимистичный взгляд на свои позиции резко сменился на неуверенность.

Strong index, significantly down. An optimistic view of his position suddenly changed to uncertainty.

Сильный индекс, без изменений. Рынок не поддерживает быков.

Strong index, flat. The market does not support the bulls.

Слабый индекс, незначительно вырос

Strong profitability and liquidity support FCFS, but its high valuation, rising debt, and lack of dividends limit re-rating potential.

(RTTNews) - FirstCash, Inc. (FCFS) announced a profit for its second quarter that Increases, from the same period last year
The company's earnings came in at $93.47 million, or $2.12 per share. This compares with $59.81 million, or $1.34 per share, last year.
Excluding items, FirstCash, Inc. reported adjusted earnings of $110.11 million or $2.50 per share for the period.
The company's revenue for the period rose 29.4% to $1.075 billion from $830.62 million last year.
FirstCash, Inc. earnings at a glance (GAAP) :
-Earnings: $93.47 Mln. vs. $59.81 Mln. last year. -EPS: $2.12 vs. $1.34 last year. -Revenue: $1.075 Bln vs. $830.62 Mln last year.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

FirstCash, Inc. Bottom Line Rises In Q2

(RTTNews) - FirstCash Holdings, Inc. (FCFS), an operator of pawn stores, said on Wednesday that it has appointed its Chief Executive Officer, Rick L. Wessel, as Executive Chairman, with effect from January 1, 2027.
Daniel R. Feehan, the current Chairman of the Board, will retire from his role and continue to serve as a member of the Board.
FirstCash has appointed its Chief Operating Officer, T. Brent Stuart as CEO with effect from the same day.
In conjunction with these changes, the company expects to ink new three-year employment deals in January 2027 with Wessel and Stuart along with R. Douglas Orr, the company's Chief Financial Officer.
Wessel has served as CEO of FirstCash since 2006 and as a director since 1992. Stuart had worked as CEO of Cash America International at the time of its merger with FirstCash in 2016. He joined the combined company as COO in 2016 after consummation of the merger.
FirstCash will release its second-quarter earnings report on July 23.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

FirstCash Appoints CEO Rick Wessel As Executive Chairman

PayPal PYPL operates one of the world's largest digital payments platforms, connecting consumers and merchants across global markets. Growth is supported by rising payment volumes, expanding Venmo monetization, a broad international payments network and continued technology upgrades.
PayPal faces intense competition, slow branded checkout growth, currency headwinds, interest-rate volatility and economic uncertainty that may pressure growth and profitability.
In the past month, shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have gained 9.9% compared with the industry's growth of 8.4%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What Aids PYPL?
PayPal benefits from its large two-sided payments network, connecting consumers and merchants across global markets. The platform supports steady payment activity and transaction growth. In the first quarter of 2026, total payment volume (TPV) increased 11% year over year to $464 billion. Its fraud management, underwriting and tokenization capabilities also strengthen customer trust.
Venmo remains a key growth driver with more than 100 million active accounts. In the first quarter of 2026, Venmo's total payment volume increased 14% on a currency-neutral basis and accounted for 19% of TPV, while Pay with Venmo transaction volume jumped 34%. The Buy Now, Pay Later offering also supports higher checkout conversion and larger order values, with BNPL volume rising 23% in the quarter.
Strategic partnerships with Visa, Mastercard, Google, Alibaba, Intuit and major banks, including JPMorgan Chase, HSBC, Barclays and Bank of America, expand merchant acceptance, improve checkout flexibility and strengthen PayPal's global payments network.
PayPal continues to invest in product and platform initiatives that expand its role beyond traditional online checkout and strengthen its broader commerce ecosystem. The company is enhancing its core checkout experience by improving presentment and selection while deepening consumer engagement through loyalty programs and financial services offerings, enhancing customer lifetime value and driving sustainable long-term growth.
Strong cash generation, expected adjusted free cash flow of at least $6 billion in 2026, planned share repurchases and regular dividends continue to support shareholder returns.
What’s Hurting PYPL?
PayPal faces strong competition from Block, Google, Amazon, Apple, Mastercard and Visa, which could pressure its market share, pricing power and growth in digital wallets and checkout services.
Foreign exchange volatility also remains a concern due to its significant international operations, with 43% of 2025 revenues coming from outside the United States.
Macroeconomic weakness, slower consumer spending and softer merchant activity may reduce payment volumes and transaction margins. Modest branded checkout growth in the United States and Europe, along with slower travel spending, could limit operating leverage and delay margin improvement.
PayPal remains sensitive to interest-rate changes and investment market conditions. Lower rates can reduce interest income from customer balances, while weaker markets may create volatility from strategic investments, affecting earnings stability.
Stock to Consider
Some better-ranked stocks from the other REIT sector are Corpay CPAY and FirstCash FCFS, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CPAY’s 2026 FFO per share has moved marginally northward to $26.86 over the past two months.
The consensus estimate for FCFS’s 2026 FFO per share has moved up marginally to $11.33 per share over the past week.
Note: Anything related to earnings presented in this write-up represents funds from operations (FFO), a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs.
Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"
Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.
This top pick is a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.
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PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Corpay, Inc. (CPAY) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Is PYPL Stock Worth Retaining in Your Portfolio for the Long Run?

Wall Street wrapped up a holiday-shortened last week with a mixed but encouraging picture. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq Composite index closed the week with gains of 1.4%, 0.6% and 0.05%, respectively. Investor confidence was supported by easing tensions in the Middle East, improving consumer sentiment and upbeat housing data. June consumer confidence edged up to 91.2 from a downwardly revised 90.6 in May. The S&P/Case-Shiller index showed home prices rising 1.1% year-over-year in April, beating expectations.
However, the week wasn't without twists. Tech stocks, especially AI chip companies, experienced heavy volatility as investors began questioning their stretched valuations. June's jobs report showed payroll growth slowing to just 57,000, well below expectations of about 110,000. Although unemployment dipped to 4.2% as labor force participation fell to 61.5%, roughly 720,000 people left the workforce, suggesting the lower unemployment rate was not driven by stronger hiring. That weaker hiring data strengthened hopes that the Federal Reserve may delay further interest-rate hikes.
The overall data suggest that the economy is still expanding, but at a slower pace. But the markets remain focused on corporate earnings and upcoming policy signals to see whether this momentum can continue.
Regardless of market conditions, we, here at Zacks, provide investors with unbiased guidance on how to beat the market.
As usual, Zacks Research guided investors over the past three months with its time-tested methodologies. Given the prevailing market uncertainty, you may want to look at our feats to prepare better for your next action.
Here are some of our key achievements:
PDF Solutions and CECO Environmental Following Zacks Rank Upgrade
Shares of PDF Solutions, Inc. PDFS have gained 57.5% (versus the S&P 500’s 2.1% increase) since it was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) on April 30.
Another stock, CECO Environmental Corp. CECO, which was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) on April 30, has returned 26.8% (versus the S&P 500’s 2.1% increase) since then.
Zacks Rank, our short-term rating system, has earnings estimate revisions at its core. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
A portfolio of Zacks # 1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks has outperformed the S&P 500 index by almost 8 percentage points this year. Through May 5, the Zacks # 1 Rank portfolio returned +13.14%, which compares to +5.19% for the S&P 500 index and +7.76% for the equal-weight version of the index in the year-to-date period.
Since its inception in 1988, this portfolio of Zacks # 1 Rank stocks has outperformed the market by 12.6 percentage points. The average annual return for this portfolio of Zacks #1 Rank stocks since inception in 1988 was +24% through May 5, which compared to +11.5% gain for the S&P 500 index and +11.3% gain for the equal-weight version of the index.
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Zacks Recommendation Upgrades LifeStance Health and Alignment Healthcare
Shares of LifeStance Health Group, Inc. LFST and Alignment Healthcare, Inc. ALHC have advanced 45.8% (versus the S&P 500’s 1.8% increase) and 10.7% (versus the S&P 500’s 1.6% increase) since their Zacks Recommendation was upgraded to Outperform on April 27 and April 28, respectively.
While the Zacks Rank is our short-term rating system that is most effective over the one- to three-month holding horizon, the Zacks Recommendation aims to predict performance over the next 6 to 12 months. However, just like the Zacks Rank, the foundation for the Zacks Recommendation is trends in earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Recommendation classifies stocks into three groups — Outperform, Neutral and Underperform. While these recommendations are determined quantitatively, our analysts have the flexibility to override them for the 1100+ stocks they closely follow based on their better judgment of factors such as valuation, industry conditions and management effectiveness than the quantitative model.
Zacks Focus List Stocks Lam Research, Axon Shoot Up
Shares of Lam Research Corporation LRCX, which belongs to the Zacks Focus List, have gained 59.3% over the past 12 weeks. The stock was added to the FocusList on December 5, 2016. Another Focus List holding, Axon Enterprise, Inc. AXON, which was added to the portfolio on June 3, 2020, has returned 44.5% over the past 12 weeks. The S&P 500 has advanced 13.1% over this period.
The 50-stock Focus List portfolio returned +10.73% in 2026 (through the end of May) vs. +11.27% for the S&P 500 index and +9.53% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The portfolio returned +22.1% in 2025 vs. +17.9% for the S&P 500 index and +11.4% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Zacks Focus List portfolio returned +18.41% in 2024 vs. +25.04% for the S&P 500 index and +13% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index. The portfolio had returned +29.54% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index and +13.61% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index. In 2022, the portfolio returned -15.2% vs. the S&P 500 index’s -17.96%.
Through May 31, 2026, the portfolio’s rolling returns on a one-year, three-year, five-year, 10-year basis, and since 2004 have been +31.42% (vs. +29.78% for the S&P 500 index), +24.26% (vs. +23.62%), +12.94% (vs. +14.15%), +16.40% (vs. +15.64%) and +12.42% vs. (+11.03%), respectively.
Unlock all of our powerful research, tools and analysis, including the Focus List, Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research Reports, Zacks Earnings ESP Filter, Premium Screener and more, as part of Zacks Premium. Gain full access now >>
Zacks ECAP Stocks Novo Nordisk and Fair Isaac Surge
Novo Nordisk A/S MNST, a component of our Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP), has jumped 37.5% over the past 12 weeks. Fair Isaac Corporation FICO has followed Novo Nordisk with 16.1% returns.
The Zacks Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP), which consists of 30 concentrated, ultra-defensive, long-term Buy-and-Hold stocks, returned -7.14% in 2026 Q1 vs. -4.33% for the S&P 500 index.
For 2025, the portfolio returned -1.67% vs. +17.9% gain for the S&P 500 index. For the year 2024, the portfolio returned +16.26% vs. +24.89% for the S&P 500 index (SPY ETF). In 2023, the portfolio returned +12.17% vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index. The portfolio returned -4.7% in 2022 vs. the S&P 500 index’s -17.96%.
With little to no turnover and annual rebalance periodicity, ECAP seeks to minimize capital loss by holding shares of companies whose earnings streams exhibit a proven 20+ year track record of surviving recessionary periods with minimal impact on aggregate earnings growth relative to the overall S&P 500.
The ECAP and many other model portfolios are available as part of Zacks Advisor Tools, a cloud-based solution to access Zacks award-winning stock, mutual fund and ETF research. Click here to schedule a demo.
Zacks ECDP Stocks Payche and Quest Diagnostics Outperform Peers
Paychex, Inc. PAYX, which is part of our Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP), has returned 15.8% over the past 12 weeks. Another ECDP stock, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated DGX, has also climbed 8.4% over the same time frame. Of course, the inclination of investors toward quality dividend stocks to secure an income stream amid heightened market volatility contributed to this performance.
With an extremely low beta and a history of minimum earnings variability over the last 20+ years, this 25-stock portfolio helps to significantly mitigate risk.
The Zacks Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP) returned -1.43% in 2026 Q1 vs. -4.33% for the S&P 500 index and +2.3% for the Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL).
The portfolio returned -0.6% in 2025 vs. +6.8% gain for the Dividend Aristocrat ETF. For the full year 2024, the portfolio returned +6.95% vs. +24.89% for the S&P 500 index and +6.72% for NOBL. The portfolio returned -0.9% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index and +8.11% for NOBL. The portfolio returned -2.3% in 2022 vs. -17.96% for the S&P 500 index and -8.34% for NOBL.
Click here to access this portfolio on Zacks Advisor Tools.
Zacks Top 10 Stock FirstCash Delivers Solid Returns
FirstCash Holdings, Inc. FCFS, from the Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2026, has jumped 41.6% since the list was released on January 5, 2026, compared with the S&P 500 index’s 9.1% increase during this period.
The Top 10 portfolio retuned +19.72% in 2026 (through May 31) vs. +11.27% for the S&P 500 index and +9.53% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Top 10 portfolio returned +22.6% in 2025 vs. +17.9% for the S&P 500 index and +11.4% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Top 10 portfolio returned +62.98% in 2024, vs. +25.04% for the S&P 500 index and +13% for the equal-weight version of the index. The portfolio had returned +25.15% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index.
Through the end of May 2026, the Top 10 portfolio has produced a cumulative return of +3,001.9% since 2012 vs. +636.2.3% for the S&P 500 index and +451.2% for the equal-weight version of the index. The portfolio has produced an average annual return of +26.6% in the period 2012 through May 31, 2026 vs. +13.7% for the S&P 500 index and +11.03% for the equal-weight version of the index.
Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"
Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.
This top pick is a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.
Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Beat the Market the Zacks Way: PDF Solutions, LifeStance Health, Paychex in Focus

(RTTNews) - FirstCash Holdings, Inc. (FCFS) on Tuesday announced an agreement to acquire Ramsdens Holdings Plc (RFX.L), a pawnbroking, retail and financial services provider, for approximately 206 million pounds or $273 million, including an interim dividend.
The company expects the transaction to close by the end of 2026.
Under the terms of the agreement, the company will pay 600 pence in cash for each Ramsdens share.
Ramsdens shareholders will also receive an interim cash dividend of up to 9 pence per share.
The acquisition will add Ramsdens' network of 174 pawn stores across England, Scotland and Wales to FirstCash's U.K. operations.
The company said the deal is expected to expand its presence in the U.K. market, enhance operating scale and efficiencies, and be accretive to both EBITDA and earnings per share.
On Monday, FirstCash Holdings closed trading 0.81% higher at $228.89 on the Nasdaq.
On Monday, Ramsdens closed trading 1.09% lesser at GBp 452.50 on the London Stock Exchange.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

FirstCash To Acquire Ramsdens For GBP 206 Mln

Last Friday, the three major Wall Street indexes closed a winning week. The Dow, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq rose roughly 0.7% each.
Investor sentiment strengthened during the week as easing inflation concerns and expectations of future Fed rate cuts supported risk appetite. Economic data pointed to a resilient U.S. economy, while lower oil prices helped ease worries about inflation and business costs. Hopes for a U.S.-Iran peace agreement also boosted confidence, as progress in talks raised the prospect of reduced geopolitical tensions and smoother global energy supplies.
Meanwhile, strong corporate earnings, particularly from technology and artificial intelligence (AI)-related companies, continued to attract investors. Optimism surrounding AI-driven growth, combined with improving macroeconomic conditions and easing geopolitical risks, helped drive broad-based gains across U.S. equities.
Regardless of market conditions, we, here at Zacks, provide investors with unbiased guidance on how to beat the market.
As usual, Zacks Research guided investors over the past three months with its time-tested methodologies. Given the prevailing market uncertainty, you may want to look at our feats to prepare better for your next action.
Here are some of our key achievements:
Cisco Systems and Monolithic Power Surge Following Zacks Rank Upgrade
Shares of Cisco Systems, Inc. CSCO have gained 43.3% (versus the S&P 500’s 5.7% increase) since it was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) on April 17.
Another stock, Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. MPWR, which was also upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 on April 17, has returned 12.4% since then.
A portfolio of Zacks # 1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks has outperformed the S&P 500 index by almost 8 percentage points this year. Through May 5th, the Zacks # 1 Rank portfolio returned +13.14%, which compares to +5.19% for the S&P 500 index and +7.76% for the equal-weight version of the index in the year-to-date period.
Since its inception in 1988, this portfolio of Zacks # 1 Rank stocks has outperformed the market by 12.6 percentage points. The average annual return for this portfolio of Zacks # 1 Rank stocks since inception in 1988 was +24% through May 5th, which compared to +11.5% gain for the S&P 500 index and +11.3% gain for the equal-weight version of the index.
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Zacks Recommendation Upgrades Bread Financial and Bank7
Shares of Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. BFH and Bank7 Corp. BSVN have surged 22.3% and 8.1% (versus the S&P 500’s 6% rise), respectively, since their Zacks Recommendation was upgraded to Outperform on April 16.
While the Zacks Rank is our short-term rating system that is most effective over the one- to three-month holding horizon, the Zacks Recommendation aims to predict performance over the next 6 to 12 months. However, just like the Zacks Rank, the foundation for the Zacks Recommendation is trends in earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Recommendation classifies stocks into three groups — Outperform, Neutral and Underperform. While these recommendations are determined quantitatively, our analysts have the flexibility to override them for the 1100+ stocks they closely follow based on their better judgment of factors such as valuation, industry conditions and management effectiveness than the quantitative model.
To access our research reports with Zacks Recommendations for the 1100+ stocks we cover, click here>>>
Zacks Focus List Stocks Advanced Micro Devices, Micron Shoot Up
Shares of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. AMD, which belongs to the Zacks Focus List, have gained 158.7% over the past 12 weeks. The stock was added to the Focus List on May 19, 2025. Another Focus-List holding, Micron Technology, Inc. MU, which was added to the list on December 27, 2016, has returned 142.2% over the past 12 weeks. The S&P 500 has advanced 11.4% over this period.
The 50-stock Focus List portfolio returned +10.73% in 2026 (through the end of May) vs. +11.27% for the S&P 500 index and +9.53% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The portfolio returned +22.1% in 2025 vs. +17.9% for the S&P 500 index and +11.4% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Zacks Focus List portfolio returned +18.41% in 2024 vs. +25.04% for the S&P 500 index and +13% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index. The portfolio had returned +29.54% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index and +13.61% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index. In 2022, the portfolio returned -15.2% vs. the S&P 500 index’s -17.96%.
Through May 31st, 2026, the portfolio’s rolling returns on a one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since 2004 have been +31.42% (vs. +29.78% for the S&P 500 index), +24.26% (vs. +23.62%), +12.94% (vs. +14.15%), +16.40% (vs. +15.64%) and +12.42% vs. (+11.03%), respectively.
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Zacks ECAP Stocks UnitedHealth & Oracle Gain Significantly
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated UNH, a component of our Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP), has jumped 47.5% over the past 12 weeks. Oracle Corporation ORCL followed UnitedHealth with 15.7% returns.
The Zacks Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP), which consists of 30 concentrated, ultra-defensive, long-term Buy-and-Hold stocks, returned -7.14% in 2026 Q1 vs. -4.33% for the S&P 500 index.
For 2025, the portfolio returned -1.67% vs. +17.9% gain for the S&P 500 index. For the year 2024, the portfolio returned +16.26% vs. +24.89% for the S&P 500 index (SPY ETF). In 2023, the portfolio returned +12.17% vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index. The portfolio returned -4.7% in 2022 vs. the S&P 500 index’s -17.96%.
With little to no turnover and annual rebalance periodicity, ECAP seeks to minimize capital loss by holding shares of companies whose earnings streams exhibit a proven 20+ year track record of surviving recessionary periods with minimal impact on aggregate earnings growth relative to the overall S&P 500.
The ECAP and many other model portfolios are available as part of Zacks Advisor Tools, a cloud-based solution to access Zacks award-winning stock, mutual fund and ETF research. Click here to schedule a demo.
Zacks ECDP Stocks J. M. Smucker & Public Storage Outperform Peers
The J. M. Smucker Company SJM, which is part of our Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP), has returned 9.9% over the past 12 weeks. Another ECDP stock, Public Storage PSA, has climbed 9.5% over the same time frame. Of course, the inclination of investors toward quality dividend stocks to secure an income stream amid heightened market volatility contributed to this performance.
With an extremely low beta and a history of minimum earnings variability over the last 20+ years, this 25-stock portfolio helps significantly mitigate risk.
The Zacks Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP) returned -1.43% in 2026 Q1 vs. -4.33% for the S&P 500 index and +2.3% for the Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL).
The portfolio returned -0.6% in 2025 vs. +6.8% gain for the Dividend Aristocrat ETF. For the full year 2024, the portfolio returned +6.95% vs. +24.89% for the S&P 500 index and +6.72% for NOBL. The portfolio returned -0.9% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index and +8.11% for NOBL. The portfolio returned -2.3% in 2022 vs. -17.96% for the S&P 500 index and -8.34% for NOBL.
Click here to access this portfolio on Zacks Advisor Tools.
Zacks Top 10 Stock FirstCash Delivers Solid Returns
FirstCash Holdings, Inc. FCFS, from the Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2025, has jumped 43.4% since January 5, 2026, compared with the S&P 500 Index’s 8.6% increase.
The Top 10 portfolio retuned +19.72% in 2026 (through May 31st) vs. +11.27% for the S&P 500 index and +9.53% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Top 10 portfolio returned +22.6% in 2025 vs. +17.9% for the S&P 500 index and +11.4% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Top 10 portfolio returned +62.98% in 2024, vs. +25.04% for the S&P 500 index and +13% for the equal-weight version of the index. The portfolio had returned +25.15% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index.
Through the end of May 2026, the Top 10 portfolio has produced a cumulative return of +3,001.9% since 2012 vs. +636.2.3% for the S&P 500 index and +451.2% for the equal-weight version of the index. The portfolio has produced an average annual return of +26.6% in the period 2012 through May 31st, 2026 vs. +13.7% for the S&P 500 index and +11.03% for the equal-weight version of the index.
Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"
Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.
This top pick is a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.
Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up
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
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Beat the Market Like Zacks: FirstCash, Cisco, Bread Financial in Focus

Sezzle Inc.’s SEZL stock has skyrocketed 103% over the past six months against an 8.6% dip and compared with the 13.9% jump in the Zacks S&P 500 Composite.
Meanwhile, SEZL has outperformed its industry peers; FirstCash FCFS has jumped 47.5%, while Mastercard MA has declined 8.4%.
6-Month Share Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The recent performance shows that SEZL outperforms FirstCash and Mastercard as well. Sezzle has gained 39.5%, beating FirstCash’s 9.9% growth and Mastercard’s 5.5% dip.
Let us delve deeper to find whether riding the rally is still worth it for investors.
SEZL Banks on On-Demand for Sustained Top-Line Growth
Sezzle’s On-Demand provides users with a flexible option to Pay-in-4 wherever Visa is accepted. As of March 31, 2026, Monthly On-Demand & Subscribers (MODS) totaled 887,000, a 34.8% year-over-year increase. Seasonality risks resulted in a sequential dip in Monthly On-Demand users; however, active subscribers climbed 48.4% year over year.
On-Demand boosted the gross merchandise volume (GMV) by 37.3% year over year, backed by its popularity during the first quarter of 2026. In addition to that, average purchase frequency reached a quarterly record of 7.1X, up from 6.1X in the year-ago quarter. In the first quarter of 2026, these aforementioned vectors resulted in top-line growth of 29.2% from the year-ago quarter.
In the first quarter of 2026, marketing expenses more than doubled due to subscriber acquisition, retention and engagement. Despite this growth, the operating margin widened 3.3 percentage points, with net income expanding 3.4 percentage points. It displayed Sezzle’s ability to conduct prudent cost management, which supports On-Demand’s growth trajectory, driving the company’s top line in the long haul.
The highly recurring nature of MODS results in a robust lifetime value. Hence, it is certain that the company’s growth trajectory is dependent on its ability to win and retain On-Demand users.
SEZL’s Robust Liquidity Position
The company maintains an outstanding liquidity position. Its current ratio stands at 3.65. While the metric showed a slight decline from the preceding quarter’s 3.92, it gained 39.3% from the year-ago quarter. The improvement is certainly due to substantial growth in SEZL’s cash chest. That being said, the company holds zero current debt, solidifying its liquidity position. A current ratio of more than 1 ensures efficient payment of short-term obligations.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Sezzle’s Top & Bottom-Line Outlook Appears Strong
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SEZL’s 2026 sales is set at $592.6 million, suggesting a 31.6% year-over-year rally, with 24.4% growth anticipated for 2027. The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $5.09 per share for 2026, hinting at a 41.8% year-over-year jump, and that for 2027 suggests a 23.8% rise.
Over the past 60 days, four EPS estimates for 2025 and three for 2026 have been revised upward with no downward adjustments. In the same period, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings moved up 8.5%, and the 2026 estimate showed an 8.6% uptrend. These upward revisions highlight analysts' confidence.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Hurry Up & Buy Sezzle Now
We recommend investors buy SEZL now because of its outstanding growth and robust financial prowess. Sezzle is witnessing a significant surge in customer wins on the back of its On-Demand payment flexibility and purchase frequency of 7.1X, resulting in an explosive top-line growth in the first quarter of 2026.
While the company recorded a significant rise in marketing expenses, cost optimization is evident from its expanding margins. A current ratio of 3.65, combined with zero current debt, demonstrates a solid liquidity profile. Sezzle’s solid top and bottom-line prospects and bullish analyst sentiment for 2026 make it a highly profitable and high-momentum investment.
SEZL currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Beyond Nvidia: AI's Second Wave Is Here
The AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. AI’s second wave is moving from infrastructure to implementation and these companies are at the forefront of this transition, positioned to become what Amazon and Google were to the internet era.
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Sezzle Inc. (SEZL) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

SEZL Soars 103% in 6 Months: Should Investors Buy the Stock Now?

(RTTNews) - FirstCash Holdings, Inc. (FCFS), an operator of retail pawn stores, on Thursday reported a rise in earnings and revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2026.
Rick Wessel, CEO of FirstCash, said: "Our tremendous first-quarter results were driven by exceptionally strong performances in each of the three pawn segments. Pawn revenues in the U.S. were up 16% while Latin America was up 40% on a U.S. dollar basis and 23% in local currency. The recently acquired U.K. operations contributed meaningfully to the overall revenue and earnings results with an outstanding quarter as well."
For the three-month period to March 31, the company recorded a net income of $107.702 million, or $2.43 per share, higher than $83.591 million, or $1.87 per share, in the same period last year.
Excluding items, profit stood at $119.048 million, or $2.69 per share, compared with $92.781 million, or $2.07 per share, a year ago. EBITDA was $210.945 million as against the prior year's $162.961 million.
Revenue was $1.051 billion, up from $836.423 million in the previous year. Wholesale scrap jewelry sales surged to $112.481 million from last year's $43.165 million.
For the second quarter, the Board will pay a dividend of $0.42 per share on May 29 to the stockholders of record as of May 15. This dividend represents an annualized dividend of $1.68 per share.
FCFS was up by 4.72% at $215.33 in the pre-market trade on the Nasdaq.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

FirstCash Q1 Results Improve On Strong Pawn Business, Acquisition; Stock Up Over 4% In Pre-Market

Last week, three benchmark U.S. indexes: the Nasdaq Composite, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average all finished in the red, falling 2.60%, 2.41%, and 2.48%, respectively. Escalating conflict in the Middle East, oil shock, inflation worries and a cooling labor market have sparked fears of stagflation amongst market participants. This combination of events has pushed the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) to 29.49, signaling intense market uncertainty and rising fear of a downturn.
Disruption of shipping activity due to rising military tensions in the Strait of Hormuz led to a 36% spike in oil prices, with WTI crude briefly reaching $120 before settling at around $90-100 per barrel. Meanwhile, the February Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed persistently sticky inflation, primarily due to rising energy costs and shelter prices. In the 12 months through February, the CPI remained steady at 2.4%, while the monthly CPI rose 0.3%, slightly faster than the 0.2% increase in January.
The February jobs report indicates a softening labor market. Unemployment edged up to 4.4% from 4.3% in January. Nonfarm payrolls decreased by 92,000 jobs in February after a downwardly revised 126,000 increase in January. The decline in employment was partly due to a strike by healthcare workers and a winter storm, which also affected payrolls in the construction, leisure and hospitality sectors. Most analysts believe that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates unchanged, as policymakers are balancing the need to support a weakening labor market with the need to maintain higher rates to curb energy-induced inflation.
Regardless of market conditions, we, here at Zacks, provide investors with unbiased guidance on how to beat the market.
As usual, Zacks Research guided investors over the past three months with its time-tested methodologies. Given the prevailing market uncertainty, you may want to look at our feats to prepare better for your next action.
Here are some of our key achievements:
IPG Photonics and Cirrus Logic Following Zacks Rank Upgrade
Shares of IPG Photonics Corporation IPGP have gained 43.1% (versus the S&P 500’s 4.1% decrease) since it was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) on January 15.
Another stock, Cirrus Logic, Inc. CRUS, which was also upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 on January 15, has returned 7.5% (versus the S&P 500’s 4.1% decrease) since then.
Zacks Rank, our short-term rating system, has earnings estimate revisions at its core. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
An equal-weight portfolio of Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks outperformed the equal-weight S&P 500 index by 7.7 percentage points in the year-to-date 2026 period (through March 3, 2026); The Zacks Rank #1 stocks returned +6.57% through March 3, while the equal-weight S&P 500 index lost -1.14% of its value.
In 2025, this hypothetical equal-weight portfolio returned +17.81% vs. +10.85% for the index, while performance comparison was +22.4% vs. +13.7% in 2024. Over the preceding 10-year period (2016 through 2025), this portfolio of qual-weight Zacks Rank #1 stocks outperformed the equal-weight S&P 500 index by more than 7 percentage points (+18.55% vs. +11.65%).
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Zacks Recommendation Upgrades Sun Hung Kai and Legence
Shares of Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited SUHJY and Legence Corp. LGN have advanced 20.7% (versus the S&P 500’s 4.5% decrease) and 9.9% (versus the S&P 500’s 4.3% decrease) since their Zacks Recommendation was upgraded to Outperform on January 14 and January 16, respectively.
While the Zacks Rank is our short-term rating system that is most effective over the one- to three-month holding horizon, the Zacks Recommendation aims to predict performance over the next 6 to 12 months. However, just like the Zacks Rank, the foundation for the Zacks Recommendation is trends in earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Recommendation classifies stocks into three groups — Outperform, Neutral and Underperform. While these recommendations are determined quantitatively, our analysts have the flexibility to override them for the 1100+ stocks they closely follow based on their better judgment of factors such as valuation, industry conditions and management effectiveness than the quantitative model.
Zacks Focus List Stocks Celanese, Cheniere Energy Shoot Up
Shares of Celanese Corporation CE, which belongs to the Zacks Focus List, have gained 41% over the past 12 weeks. The stock was added to the Focus List on December 5, 2016. Another Focus-List holding, Cheniere Energy, Inc. LNG, which was added to the portfolio on September 6, 2022, has returned 33.3% over the past 12 weeks. The S&P 500 has decline 2.2% over this period.
The 50-stock Focus List portfolio returned +6.65% in 2026 (through February 28) vs. +0.68% for the S&P 500 index and +7.06% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The portfolio returned +22.1% in 2025 vs. +17.9% for the S&P 500 index and +11.4% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Zacks Focus List portfolio returned +18.41% in 2024 vs. +25.04% for the S&P 500 index and +13% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index. The portfolio had returned +29.54% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index and +13.61% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index. In 2022, the portfolio returned -15.2% vs. the S&P 500 index’s -17.96%.
Through February 28, 2026, the portfolio’s rolling returns on a one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since 2004 have been +29.35% (vs. +17% for the S&P 500 index), +23.13% (vs. +21.81%), +14.15% (vs. +14.19%), +16.79% (vs. +15.50%) and +12.38% vs. (+10.66%), respectively.
Unlock all of our powerful research, tools and analysis, including the Focus List, Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research Reports, Zacks Earnings ESP Filter, Premium Screener and more, as part of Zacks Premium. Gain full access now >>
Zacks ECAP Stocks Costco & Church & Dwight Make Significant Gains
Costco Wholesale Corporation COST, a component of our Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP), has jumped 17.2% over the past 12 weeks. Church & Dwight Co., Inc. CHD has followed Costco Wholesale with 15.6% returns.
The Zacks ECAP, which consists of 30 concentrated, ultra-defensive, long-term Buy-and-Hold stocks, returned -2.3% in the fourth quarter of 2025 vs. the S&P 500 index’s +2.7% gain (SPY ETF). For 2025 as a whole, the portfolio returned -1.67% vs. +17.9% gain for the S&P 500 index.
For the year 2024, the portfolio returned +16.26% vs. +24.89% for the S&P 500 index (SPY ETF).
In 2023, the portfolio returned +12.17% vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index. The portfolio returned -4.7% in 2022 vs. the S&P 500 index’s -17.96%.
With little to no turnover and annual rebalance periodicity, ECAP seeks to minimize capital loss by holding shares of companies whose earnings streams exhibit a proven 20+ year track record of surviving recessionary periods with minimal impact on aggregate earnings growth relative to the overall S&P 500.
The ECAP and many other model portfolios are available as part of Zacks Advisor Tools, a cloud-based solution to access Zacks award-winning stock, mutual fund and ETF research. Click here to schedule a demo.
Zacks ECDP Stocks Quest Diagnostics and Public Storage Outperform Peers
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated DGX, which is part of our Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP), has returned 11.8% over the past 12 weeks. Another ECDP stock, Public Storage PSA, has also climbed 11.3% over the same time frame. Of course, the inclination of investors toward quality dividend stocks to secure an income stream amid heightened market volatility contributed to this performance.
Check Quest Diagnostics‘s dividend history here>>>
With an extremely low beta and a history of minimum earnings variability over the last 20+ years, this 25-stock portfolio helps to significantly mitigate risk.
The Zacks ECDP returned -2.1% in 2025 Q4 vs. the S&P 500 index’s +2.7% gain and the Dividend Aristocrats ETF’s (NOBL) +1.6% return. For 2025, the portfolio returned -0.6% vs. +6.8% gain for the Dividend Aristocrat ETF.
For the full year of 2024, the portfolio returned +6.95% vs. +24.89% for the S&P 500 index and +6.72% for NOBL.
The portfolio returned -0.9% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index and +8.11% for NOBL. The portfolio returned -2.3% in 2022 vs. -17.96% for the S&P 500 index and -8.34% for NOBL.
Click here to access this portfolio on Zacks Advisor Tools.
Zacks Top 10 Stock FirstCash Delivers Solid Returns
FirstCash Holdings, Inc. FCFS, from the Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2026, has jumped 23.2% since the list was released on January 5, 2026, compared with the S&P 500 index’s 3.1% decrease during this period.
The Top 10 portfolio retuned +10.5% in 2026 (through February 28) vs. +0.5% for the S&P 500 index and +6.3% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Top 10 portfolio returned +22.6% in 2025 vs. +17.9% for the S&P 500 index and +11.4% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Top 10 portfolio returned +62.98% in 2024, vs. +25.04% for the S&P 500 index and +13% for the equal-weight version of the index. The portfolio had returned +25.15% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index.
Through the end of February 2026, the Top 10 portfolio has produced a cumulative return of +2,761.6% since 2012 vs. +564.8% for the S&P 500 index and +435% for the equal-weight version of the index. The portfolio has produced an average annual return of +26.4% in the period 2012 through February 28, 2026 vs. +13% for the S&P 500 index and +11% for the equal-weight version of the index.
Zacks' Research Chief Picks Stock Most Likely to "At Least Double"
Our experts have revealed their Top 5 recommendations with money-doubling potential – and Director of Research Sheraz Mian believes one is superior to the others. Of course, all our picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier recommendations like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.
See Our Top Stock to Double (Plus 4 Runners Up) >>
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Beat the Market the Zacks Way: IPG Photonics, Celanese, Costco in Focus

Last week, the U.S. market performance was mixed, with gains from strong corporate earnings largely neutralized by slower growth expectations, rising inflation concerns and geopolitical tension. The three major indexes, like the Nasdaq Composite, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average, managed to stay afloat by 0.18%, 0.60% and 0.35%, respectively. Investors are concerned over uncertainty caused by the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, and rising geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran.
The Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures wholesale inflation, rose 0.5% for the month of January, after advancing by a downwardly revised 0.4% in December, exceeding the 0.3% consensus estimate. Core PPI climbed 0.8% after gaining 0.6% in December. These higher-than-expected numbers suggest that inflation may not be cooling as quickly as hoped. Weekly jobless claims remained low at 212,000, showing that the labor market is still relatively strong.
Overall, the U.S. economy remains resilient, supported by strong corporate profits and a solid job market, but inflation pressures and geopolitical risks continue to create uncertainty.
Regardless of market conditions, we, here at Zacks, provide investors with unbiased guidance on how to beat the market.
As usual, Zacks Research guided investors over the past three months with its time-tested methodologies. Given the prevailing market uncertainty, you may want to look at our feats to prepare better for your next action.
Here are some of our key achievements:
Contineum Therapeutics and NETSTREIT Following Zacks Rank Upgrade
Shares of Contineum Therapeutics, Inc. CTNM have gained 27.1% (versus the S&P 500’s 0.2% decrease) since it was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) on December 30.
Another stock, NETSTREIT Corp. NTST, which was also upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 on December 26, has returned 19% (versus the S&P 500’s 0.6% decrease) since then.
Zacks Rank, our short-term rating system, has earnings estimate revisions at its core. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
An equal-weight portfolio of Zacks Rank # 1 (Strong Buy) stocks outperformed the equal-weight S&P 500 index by 7 percentage points (+17.81% for the Zacks Rank #1 stocks vs. +10.85% for the index).
This hypothetical equal-weight portfolio returned +22.4% in 2024 vs. +13.7% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index. Over the preceding 10-year period (2016 through 2025), this portfolio of qual-weight Zacks Rank #1 stocks has outperformed the equal-weight S&P 500 index by more than 7 percentage points (+18.55% vs. +11.65%).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Zacks Recommendation Upgrades Suzano and AngioDynamics
Shares of Suzano S.A. SUZ and AngioDynamics, Inc. ANGO have advanced 21.7% (versus the S&P 500’s 0.5% decrease) and 13.8% (versus the S&P 500’s 0.5% decrease), since their Zacks Recommendation was upgraded to Outperform on January 8 and January 9, respectively.
While the Zacks Rank is our short-term rating system that is most effective over the one- to three-month holding horizon, the Zacks Recommendation aims to predict performance over the next 6 to 12 months. However, just like the Zacks Rank, the foundation for the Zacks Recommendation is trends in earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Recommendation classifies stocks into three groups — Outperform, Neutral and Underperform. While these recommendations are determined quantitatively, our analysts have the flexibility to override them for the 1100+ stocks they closely follow based on their better judgment of factors such as valuation, industry conditions and management effectiveness than the quantitative model.
Zacks Focus List Stocks Deere, Chevron Shoot Up
Shares of Deere & Company DE, which belongs to the Zacks Focus List, have gained 34.2% over the past 12 weeks. The stock was added to the Focus List on July 25, 2017. Another Focus-List holding, Chevron Corporation CVX, which was added to the portfolio on June 29, 2023, has returned 24.3% over the past 12 weeks. The S&P 500 has advanced 0.7% over this period.
The 50-stock Focus List portfolio returned +22.1% in 2025 vs. +17.9% for the S&P 500 index and +11.4% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Zacks Focus List portfolio returned +18.41% in 2024 vs. +25.04% for the S&P 500 index and +13% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index. The portfolio had returned +29.54% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index and +13.61% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index. In 2022, the portfolio returned -15.2% vs. the S&P 500 index’s -17.96%.
The portfolio has outperformed on a rolling one-year (+22.1% vs. +17.9%), three-year (+23.3% vs. +23.01%), and 10-year (+15.5% vs. +14.8%) basis and since 2004 (+12.1% vs. +10.7%).
Unlock all of our powerful research, tools and analysis, including the Focus List, Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research Reports, Zacks Earnings ESP Filter, Premium Screener and more, as part of Zacks Premium. Gain full access now >>
Zacks ECAP Stocks Church & Dwight & Amgen Make Significant Gains
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. CHD, a component of our Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP), has jumped 25.5% over the past 12 weeks. Amgen Inc. AMGN has followed Church & Dwight with 14.7% returns.
The Zacks ECAP, which consists of 30 concentrated, ultra-defensive, long-term Buy-and-Hold stocks, returned -2.3% in the fourth quarter of 2025 vs. the S&P 500 index’s +2.7% gain (SPY ETF). For 2025 as a whole, the portfolio returned -1.67% vs. +17.9% gain for the S&P 500 index.
For the year 2024, the portfolio returned +16.26% vs. +24.89% for the S&P 500 index (SPY ETF).
In 2023, the portfolio returned +12.17% vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index. The portfolio returned -4.7% in 2022 vs. the S&P 500 index’s -17.96%.
With little to no turnover and annual rebalance periodicity, ECAP seeks to minimize capital loss by holding shares of companies whose earnings streams exhibit a proven 20+ year track record of surviving recessionary periods with minimal impact on aggregate earnings growth relative to the overall S&P 500.
The ECAP and many other model portfolios are available as part of Zacks Advisor Tools, a cloud-based solution to access Zacks award-winning stock, mutual fund and ETF research. Click here to schedule a demo.
Zacks ECDP Stocks Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo Outperform Peers
The Procter & Gamble Company PG, which is part of our Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP), has returned 14.6% over the past 12 weeks. Another ECDP stock, PepsiCo, Inc. PEP, has also climbed 14.2% over the same time frame. Of course, the inclination of investors toward quality dividend stocks to secure an income stream amid heightened market volatility contributed to this performance.
Check PepsiCo's dividend history here>>>
With an extremely low beta and a history of minimum earnings variability over the last 20+ years, this 25-stock portfolio helps to significantly mitigate risk.
The Zacks ECDP returned -2.1% in 2025 Q4 vs. the S&P 500 index’s +2.7% gain and the Dividend Aristocrats ETF’s (NOBL) +1.6% return. For 2025, the portfolio returned -0.6% vs. +6.8% gain for the Dividend Aristocrat ETF.
For the full year of 2024, the portfolio returned +6.95% vs. +24.89% for the S&P 500 index and +6.72% for NOBL.
The portfolio returned -0.9% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index and +8.11% for NOBL. The portfolio returned -2.3% in 2022 vs. -17.96% for the S&P 500 index and -8.34% for NOBL.
Click here to access this portfolio on Zacks Advisor Tools.
Zacks Top 10 Stock FirstCash Delivers Solid Returns
FirstCash Holdings, Inc. FCFS, from the Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2026, has jumped 23% since the list was released on January 5, 2026, compared with the S&P 500 index’s 0.5% increase during this period.
The Top 10 portfolio returned +22.6% in 2025 vs. +17.9% for the S&P 500 index and +11.4% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Top 10 portfolio returned +62.98% in 2024, vs. +25.04% for the S&P 500 index and +13% for the equal-weight version of the index. The portfolio had returned +25.15% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index.
Since 2012, the Top 10 portfolio has produced a cumulative return of +2,472.7%vs. +561.6% for the S&P 500 index and +403.3% for the equal-weight version of the index. The portfolio has produced an average annual return of +25.8% in the period 2012 through year-end 2025, vs. +13.1% for the S&P 500 index and +10.5% for the equal-weight version of the index.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the months ahead. They include
Stock #1: A Disruptive Force with Notable Growth and Resilience
Stock #2: Bullish Signs Signaling to Buy the Dip
Stock #3: One of the Most Compelling Investments in the Market
Stock #4: Leader In a Red-Hot Industry Poised for Growth
Stock #5: Modern Omni-Channel Platform Coiled to Spring
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +171%, +209% and +232%.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Indicator	TTM Median
P/E	26.16 13.44
Price/Sales	2.39 2.20
P/B	3.98 1.26
P/FCF	19.92 10.82

Indicator	TTM Median
ROE	15.93 10.93
ROA	6.98 1.25
ROI	8.22 7.69
Net Worth	9.24 1.04
Quick Ratio	3.42 1.40
Current Ratio	4.77 0.98

Indicator	TTM Median
Net Profit Margin	9.16 17.42
Operating Margin	15.14 24.35
Gross Margin	50.53 71.15
Return on tangible equity	802.26 12.73

Indicator	TTM Median
EPS	2.50 0.71
EPS Forecast	2.54 0.72
Revenue	1.05B 89.00M
Gross Profit	542.00M —
EBITDA	271.00M —

FirstCash Holdings, Inc.

Recent quarterly and TTM performance

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Revenue