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 выглядит качественным, но уже не дешёвым бизнесом: операционная рентабельность и прибыльность устойчиво растут, однако оценка рынка заметно опережает фундаментальную динамику. P/E 27.56, P/B 4.41 и P/FCF 21.81 находятся существенно выше отраслевых медиан, что указывает на премию за качество, но одновременно ограничивает потенциал переоценки. P/S 2.35 тоже выше медианы, хотя разрыв здесь умеренный, поэтому по выручке рынок не выглядит чрезмерно агрессивным. Сильная сторона компании — стабильный рост выручки, валовой прибыли, операционной прибыли и чистой прибыли по годам, что подтверждает устойчивость бизнес-модели. Маржа чистой прибыли, операционная и валовая маржа постепенно улучшаются, но при этом остаются ниже отраслевых ориентиров, то есть компания зарабатывает хорошо, но не доминирует по эффективности в секторе. ROE, ROA и ROI находятся на высоких уровнях и продолжают улучшаться, что поддерживает инвестиционный кейс и говорит о качественном использовании капитала. Ликвидность очень комфортная: current ratio 4.55 и quick ratio 3.42 существенно выше отраслевых уровней, поэтому краткосрочные риски выглядят низкими. При этом долговая нагрузка заметная: debt/equity 0.98 и долгосрочный долг 2.21 млрд при росте обязательств повышают чувствительность к ставкам и циклу. Денежная позиция есть, но она не выглядит избыточной на фоне масштаба долга и активов, поэтому баланс нельзя назвать безрисковым. Дивидендная доходность снизилась до 0.19, что уменьшает привлекательность бумаги для доходных инвесторов и не даёт сильной поддержки оценке. В целом фундаментал скорее позитивный по качеству бизнеса и динамике прибыли, но текущие мультипликаторы уже отражают значительную часть этих достоинств. Для инвестора это означает, что акция заслуживает премии к сектору, однако потенциал роста ограничен высокой оценкой и умеренно повышенной долговой нагрузкой.

FirstCash Holdings, Inc.

Сильный индекс, значительно упал. Быки в растерянности.

Strong index, significantly down. The bulls are confused.

Средний индекс, незначительно упал. Рынок на стороне быков.

Medium index, slightly down. The market is on the bulls' side.

Средний индекс, незначительно упал. Приток средств в лонги на высоком уровне.

Medium index, slightly down. Inflow of funds into longs at a high level.

Качество бизнеса и прибыльность FCFS растут, но высокая оценка по P/E, P/B и P/FCF вместе с долгом ограничивает потенциал дальнейшего апсайда.

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.
See Stocks Now >>
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
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%).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
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) >>
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 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%.
See Our Newest 5 Stocks Set to Double Picks >>
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 the Zacks Way: Contineum Therapeutics, Suzano, PepsiCo in Focus

Looking at the universe of stocks we cover at Dividend Channel, on 2/18/26, HomeTrust Bancshares Inc. (Symbol: HTB), AFLAC Inc (Symbol: AFL), and FirstCash Holdings Inc (Symbol: FCFS) will all trade ex-dividend for their respective upcoming dividends. HomeTrust Bancshares Inc. will pay its quarterly dividend of $0.13 on 2/26/26, AFLAC Inc will pay its quarterly dividend of $0.61 on 3/2/26, and FirstCash Holdings Inc will pay its quarterly dividend of $0.42 on 2/27/26. As a percentage of HTB's recent stock price of $43.95, this dividend works out to approximately 0.30%, so look for shares of HomeTrust Bancshares Inc. to trade 0.30% lower — all else being equal — when HTB shares open for trading on 2/18/26. Similarly, investors should look for AFL to open 0.53% lower in price and for FCFS to open 0.23% lower, all else being equal.
Below are dividend history charts for HTB, AFL, and FCFS, showing historical dividends prior to the most recent ones declared.
HomeTrust Bancshares Inc. (Symbol: HTB):
AFLAC Inc (Symbol: AFL):
FirstCash Holdings Inc (Symbol: FCFS):
In general, dividends are not always predictable, following the ups and downs of company profits over time. Therefore, a good first due diligence step in forming an expectation of annual yield going forward, is looking at the history above, for a sense of stability over time. This can help in judging whether the most recent dividends from these companies are likely to continue. If they do continue, the current estimated yields on annualized basis would be 1.18% for HomeTrust Bancshares Inc., 2.12% for AFLAC Inc, and 0.92% for FirstCash Holdings Inc.
In Tuesday trading, HomeTrust Bancshares Inc. shares are currently down about 0.1%, AFLAC Inc shares are down about 0.8%, and FirstCash Holdings Inc shares are down about 0.1% on the day.
Click here to learn which 25 S.A.F.E. dividend stocks should be on your radar screen »
Also see:
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Ex-Dividend Reminder: HomeTrust Bancshares, AFLAC and FirstCash Holdings

Last Friday, the three most widely followed benchmark indexes closed a losing week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite declined roughly 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.7%, respectively.
Investor sentiment was affected by a mix of tariff-related trade war fears and uncertainty about economic policy, even as the earnings season kicked off and some sectors showed resilience. Tariff jitters, including recent U.S. tariff threats against European nations, prompted safe-haven flows into gold and pushed markets to price in heightened geopolitical risk, adding to volatility alongside rate expectations and data on inflation and factory activity.
Looking ahead, markets will be watching upcoming economic releases and central bank guidance for cues on interest-rate direction, as well as developments in global trade tensions. Any shifts in tariff policy or trade negotiations could quickly sway risk appetite and market direction in the weeks to come.
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:
Amicus Therapeutics and Enhabit Surge Following Zacks Rank Upgrade
Shares of Amicus Therapeutics, Inc. FOLD have gained 61.7% (versus the S&P 500’s 1.2% increase) since it was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) on November 4.
Another stock, Enhabit, Inc. EHAB, which was upgraded to a #2 (Buy) on November 10, has returned 32.3% since then.
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 Drilling Tools and Kennametal
Shares of Drilling Tools International Corporation DTI and Kennametal Inc. KMT have surged 41.2% and 22.5% (versus the S&P 500’s 1.2% rise), respectively, since their Zacks Recommendation was upgraded to Outperform on November 12.
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 Micron, Lam Research Shoot Up
Shares of Micron Technology, Inc. MU, which belongs to the Zacks Focus List, have gained 79.1% over the past 12 weeks. The stock was added to the Focus List on December 27, 2016. Another Focus-List holding, Lam Research Corporation LRCX, which was added to the portfolio on December 5, 2016, has returned 56.6% over the past 12 weeks. The S&P 500 has inched up 4.6% over this period.
The 50-stock Focus List portfolio returned +22% in 2025 (through November 30th, 2025) vs. +17.8% for the S&P 500 index and +10.9% 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%.
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 Amgen & Novo Nordisk Gain Significantly
Amgen Inc. AMGN, a component of our Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP), has jumped 11.7% over the past 12 weeks. Novo Nordisk A/S NVO has also followed Amgen with 11.1% returns.
The Zacks Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (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 Intercontinental Exchange and Hershey Outperform Peers
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. ICE, which is part of our Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP), has returned 13.3% over the past 12 weeks. Another ECDP stock, The Hershey Company HSY, has climbed 5.3% 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.
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 -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 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 9.1% since Jan. 5, 2026, compared with the S&P 500 Index’s 1.2% increase.
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.
#1 Semiconductor Stock to Buy (Not NVDA)
The incredible demand for data is fueling the market's next digital gold rush. As data centers continue to be built and constantly upgraded, the companies that provide the hardware for these behemoths will become the NVIDIAs of tomorrow.
One under-the-radar chipmaker is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the next growth stage of this market. It specializes in semiconductor products that titans like NVIDIA don't build. It's just beginning to enter the spotlight, which is exactly where you want to be.
See This Stock Now for Free >>
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 the Zacks Way: Amicus, Micron, Amgen in Focus

Key Points
Sold 16,257 shares of FirstCash; estimated trade size $2.58 million (based on quarterly average pricing)
Quarter-end position value decreased by $2.58 million, reflecting the total valuation shift including price movements
Post-trade, no shares of FirstCash remain in the portfolio (0 shares; $0 value)
The position previously accounted for 3.2% of the fund’s AUM before the liquidation.
Profit Investment Management, LLC disclosed in a January 8, 2026, SEC filing that it fully exited FirstCash Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCFS), selling 16,257 shares for an estimated $2.58 million based on quarterly average pricing.
What Happened
According to a recent SEC filing, Profit Investment Management, LLC sold its entire holding of 16,257 shares in FirstCash Holdings, Inc. during the most recent quarter. The estimated transaction value was $2.58 million, calculated using the quarterly average share price. The quarter-end value of the position decreased by $2.58 million, reflecting both the sale and any stock price movement during the period.
What Else to Know
This was a complete exit from FirstCash, which now comprises 0% of the fund’s 13F assets under management.
Top holdings after the filing:
NASDAQ:GOOGL: $1,721,500 (7.0% of AUM)
NASDAQ:AAPL: $1,363,106 (5.5% of AUM)
NASDAQ:NVDA: $1,349,514 (5.5% of AUM)
NYSE:GS: $1,324,653 (5.4% of AUM)
NYSE:AXP: $1,307,089 (5.3% of AUM)
As of January 7, 2026, FirstCash shares were priced at $165.66, up 57.16% over the past year; shares have outperformed the S&P 500 by 45.26 percentage points.
Fund-level context: Profit Investment Management, LLC reduced AUM by 69% quarter over quarter, signaling broad portfolio downsizing beyond this single exit.
Company Overview
Revenue (TTM)
$3.49 billion
Net Income (TTM)
$309.75 million
Dividend Yield
0.97%
Price (as of market close 2026-01-07)
$165.66
Company Snapshot
Offers pawn loans secured by personal property and retails merchandise from collateral forfeitures and direct purchases, including jewelry, electronics, tools, and precious metals.
Generates revenue through interest on pawn loans, merchandise sales, and commodity sales from scrap jewelry and precious metals.
Serves cash- and credit-constrained consumers in the United States and Latin America, with a broad retail footprint across multiple countries.
FirstCash Holdings, Inc. operates a large network of retail pawn stores across the United States and Latin America, providing short-term secured loans and retailing forfeited collateral. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated 2,825 stores across the United States and Latin America, supporting a diversified revenue base. Its focus on serving underbanked populations and leveraging retail operations for both lending and merchandise sales provides a defensible business model in the non-bank credit sector.
What This Transaction Means For Investors
Sometimes the intent behind an institutional transaction can be difficult to discern. That's certainly the case with this sale by Profit Investment, a Maryland-based investment manager. Here are the key takeaways for investors.
First off, Profit Investment completely closed out its position in FirstCash Holdings stock, reducing its overall holdings from $2.6 million to zero. However, that wasn't the only move that the investment manager made during the quarter. All told, Profit Investment sold around 69% of its total stock holdings, reducing its overall stock position from $79.5 million to $24.7 million.
In light of this, Profit's decision to sell its entire stake in FirstCash could be seen as part of a broader, portfolio-wide decision by the investment managers to reduce risk and raise cash. Moreover, FirstCash's recent stock performance also lends some weight to the theory, as FirstCash stock has advanced by 57% over the last year, easily besting the S&P 500's one-year return of 12%.
At any rate, investors would be wise to consider FirstCash stock, even after this recent sale. The company operates a network of nearly 3,000 pawn stores across the U.S. and Latin America. Over the last five years, FirstCash's stock has generated a total return of 160%, equating to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21%. Indeed, the company's longstanding history of delivering steady growth combined with consistent profitability make it a name that investors should know.
Glossary
13F reportable assets: Assets that investment managers must disclose quarterly to the SEC, typically including U.S. exchange-traded securities.
AUM (Assets Under Management): The total market value of investments managed by a fund or investment firm.
Quarterly average pricing: The average share price calculated over a specific quarter, often used for estimating transaction values.
Trailing twelve months (TTM): TTM – The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.
Dividend yield: Annual dividends per share divided by the share price, expressed as a percentage.
Collateral forfeitures: Assets pledged for a loan that are taken by the lender if the borrower defaults.
Commodity sales: Revenue from selling raw materials, such as precious metals, often sourced from pawned or forfeited items.
Underbanked populations: Individuals or groups with limited access to traditional banking services.
Portfolio downsizing: Reducing the number or size of investments held in a fund or portfolio.
Non-bank credit sector: Financial services providing loans or credit outside traditional banks, often targeting underserved consumers.
Secured loans: Loans backed by collateral, which the lender can claim if the borrower fails to repay.
Where to invest $1,000 right now
When our analyst team has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor’s total average return is 974%* — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 196% for the S&P 500.
They just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now, available when you join Stock Advisor.
*Stock Advisor returns as of January 8, 2026.
American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Jake Lerch has positions in Alphabet and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Apple, Goldman Sachs Group, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Profit Investment Ditches FirstCash Shares Worth $2.6 Million in Portfolio Shake-up

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. FIS is well-poised for growth, driven by strong segment performances, digital transformation and innovations, international market presence, collaborations and solid cash flow generation abilities. In the past three months, shares of FIS have grown 1.9%, outperforming the industry’s 1% fall.
Fidelity National — with a market capitalization of $34.8 billion — provides banking and payments technology solutions, processing services and information-based services to the financial services industry. Its forward P/E of 10.63X is lower than the industry average of 21.13X. The company has a Value Score of B.
Courtesy of solid prospects, FIS currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Where Do Estimates for FIS Stand?
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Fidelity National’s 2025 earnings is pegged at $5.77 per share, indicating a 10.5% year-over-year rise. In the past 60 days, it has witnessed six upward estimate revisions against none in the opposite direction. Furthermore, the consensus mark for revenues is pegged at $10.6 billion for 2025, implying a 4.6% year-over-year rise. FIS beat earnings estimates in three of the past four quarters and met once, with an average surprise of 1.6%.
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. Quote
FIS’ Growth Drivers
FIS continues to witness solid revenue growth, thanks to the robust performances from its Banking Solutions and Capital Market Solutions segments. Adjusted revenues from Banking Solutions and Capital Market Solutions businesses increased 6% year over year each in the third quarter of 2025. The company's diverse customer base, high recurring revenues, ongoing digital strategy, market strength and core business resilience contribute to sustained revenue growth.
FIS is making artificial intelligence a key part of its growth strategy. By leveraging AI alongside its extensive access to transaction and account-level data, the company is paving the way for automation, predictive insights and cutting-edge fraud detection. AI is also being used internally to enhance sales effectiveness and client support, reinforcing both growth and margin expansion.
FIS is strategically expanding its reach through targeted acquisitions and partnerships to enhance its digital and payments capabilities. Investing in areas like digital onboarding, credit processing and cutting-edge payment infrastructure is broadening its addressable market and deepening client relationships. Its early efforts in asset tokenization, stablecoin payments and tokenized deposits indicate a forward-thinking approach as financial systems continue to evolve, paving the way for sustainable, innovation-driven growth. FIS has partnered with Circle to enable U.S. financial institutions to offer USDC-based domestic and cross-border payments through its Money Movement Hub.
In the third quarter, the company rewarded its shareholders $509 million, to the tune of share buybacks worth $301 million and dividends of $208 million. It also raised its target of conducting share buybacks to around $1.3 billion from $1.2 billion in 2025. It intends to maintain quarterly dividend payments such that the dividend per share increases in line with the growth in adjusted EPS.
FIS’ Key Risks
There are some factors, however, that investors should keep a careful eye on.
Fidelity National faces rising cost pressures, which, in turn, may dampen margins in the days ahead. A debt-laden balance sheet induces an increase in interest expenses, which can limit financial flexibility. As of Sept. 30, 2025, long-term debt, excluding the current portion, amounted to $8.9 billion. Net interest expenses of $90 million increased 40.6% year over year in the third quarter of 2025. Its net debt-to-capital of 45.5% is well above the industry average of 15%.
Key Picks
Some better-ranked stocks in the business services space are OppFi Inc. OPFI, Dave Inc. DAVE and FirstCash Holdings, Inc. FCFS, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for OppFi’s current-year earnings of $1.57 per share has witnessed two upward revisions in the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. OppFi beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 52.2%. The consensus estimate for current-year revenues is pegged at $597.6 million, implying 13.6% year-over-year growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Dave’s current-year earnings of $12.96 per share has witnessed two upward revisions in the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. Dave beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 74.7%. The consensus estimate for current-year revenues is pegged at $546.1 million, implying 57.3% year-over-year growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FirstCash’s current-year earnings of $8.66 per share has witnessed two upward revisions in the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. FirstCash beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 12.4%. The consensus estimate for current-year revenues is pegged at $3.6 billion, suggesting 5.3% year-over-year growth.
Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains
Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI.
While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure.
Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power.
Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.
See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>
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.

Here's Why Investors Should Retain Fidelity National Stock for Now

Visa Inc. V is making a significant move to modernize payment systems by introducing USDC-based settlements for U.S. institutions. This initiative enables select issuer and acquirer partners to settle their VisaNet obligations using Circle’s dollar-backed stablecoin, along with traditional fiat methods. With this, Visa is pushing stablecoins beyond experimentation and into core settlement workflows.
The key advantage lies in speed and availability. USDC settlement enables fund movement across blockchains seven days a week, even on weekends and holidays. For banks and fintech companies, settling in USDC can compress settlement cycles, improve liquidity efficiency and reduce reliance on traditional cut-off times tied to legacy systems. Cross River Bank and Lead Bank have already started settling with Visa in USDC for transactions on the Solana blockchain.
This U.S. rollout builds on Visa’s stablecoin pilots across multiple regions and reflects steady momentum. Also, the company’s monthly stablecoin settlement volumes have surged to an annualized rate of over $3.5 billion as of Nov. 30, 2025. Beyond settlement, Visa is collaborating with Circle as a design partner on Arc, an upcoming Layer 1 blockchain. Built for high performance and scalability, Arc is designed to support V’s worldwide commercial activity on-chain. Once live, V plans to use Arc for USDC settlements within its network and run a validator node, strengthening its position in the blockchain’s ecosystem.
With broader U.S. access planned through 2026, this move signals a strategic pivot by Visa to position itself as a bridge between traditional financial rails and blockchain-based infrastructure. Visa has also introduced a global Stablecoins Advisory Practice under Visa Consulting & Analytics to guide financial institutions on market fit, strategy and implementation in the evolving stablecoin space.
Visa’s U.S. stablecoin settlement isn’t just a pilot — it’s a blueprint for the future of institutional payments, bridging the reliability of traditional networks with the speed, transparency and flexibility of blockchain technology.
V’s Price Performance
Over the past year, V shares have risen 8.7% against the industry’s decline of 9.9%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
V’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks
V currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the business services space are OppFi Inc. OPFI, FirstCash Holdings, Inc. FCFS and Dave Inc. DAVE, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for OppFi’s current-year earnings of $1.57 per share has witnessed two upward revisions in the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. The consensus estimate of OppFi for current-year revenues is pegged at $597.6 million, implying 13.6% year-over-year growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FirstCash’s current-year earnings of $8.66 per share has witnessed two upward revisions in the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. FirstCash beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 12.4%. The consensus estimate for current-year revenues is pegged at $3.6 billion, calling for a 5.3% year-over-year increase.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Dave’s current-year earnings of $12.96 per share has witnessed two upward revisions in the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. Dave beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 74.7%. The consensus estimate for current-year revenues is pegged at $546.1 million, suggesting 57.3% year-over-year growth.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the coming year. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +112%, +171%, +209% and +232%.
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.
Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>
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.

Visa Brings USDC Settlement to the U.S. and Advances Onchain Payments

Visa (V) shares rallied 6.1% in the last trading session to close at $345.63. This move can be attributable to notable volume with a higher number of shares being traded than in a typical session. This compares to the stock's 3.9% loss over the past four weeks.
Shares of Visa climbed yesterday after Bank of America upgraded the stock and pushed back on concerns that stablecoins pose a threat. Instead, they view stablecoins as a long-term catalyst as Visa continues integrating rails to accelerate global payouts. The recent stretch of underperformance in V has also opened an attractive entry point. The broader rotation out of tech and into financial stocks also added support, helping Visa regain momentum.
This global payments processor is expected to post quarterly earnings of $3.14 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +14.2%. Revenues are expected to be $10.68 billion, up 12.3% from the year-ago quarter.
While earnings and revenue growth expectations are important in evaluating the potential strength in a stock, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
For Visa, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised marginally higher over the last 30 days to the current level. And a positive trend in earnings estimate revision usually translates into price appreciation. So, make sure to keep an eye on V going forward to see if this recent jump can turn into more strength down the road.
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>
Visa is part of the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry. FirstCash Holdings (FCFS), another stock in the same industry, closed the last trading session 2.2% higher at $162.25. FCFS has returned -1.8% in the past month.
FirstCash's consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming report has remained unchanged over the past month at $2.54. Compared to the company's year-ago EPS, this represents a change of +19.8%. FirstCash currently boasts a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).
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) >>
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.

Periodand min./max. price, $	Price change, %		Volatility, %		Volume, $
Periodand min./max. price, $	FCFS	Industry	FCFS	Industry	Volume, $
Yesterday 206.8 - 230.4	-11.41	2.78	7.46	2.70	141.91M
Week 206.8 - 230.4	-8.14	0.39	1.54	2.10	309.17M
Month 205.0 - 236.0	-11.00	6.29	5.41	6.82	1.09B
3 Months 178.5 - 236.0	5.54	3.80	14.66	11.89	2.88B
6 Months 154.2 - 236.0	27.92	12.13	21.55	15.57	4.47B
Year 119.2 - 236.0	54.67	5.16	29.53	23.52	7.73B
3 years 88.1 - 236.0	108.77	19.30	46.53	46.74	13.43B
5 years 58.3 - 236.0	148.02	9.22	66.59	65.60	17.93B
All time 0.6 - 133.6	2,177.69	9.17	—	—	12.15B

FirstCash Holdings, Inc.

Price and volatility history

Risk ratios