Southwest Airlines, Samsara, Nathan's, and More Stocks See Action From Activist Investors — Barrons.com

Each week, Benzinga’s Stock Whisper Index uses a combination of proprietary data and pattern recognition to showcase five stocks that are just under the surface and deserve attention.

Investors are constantly on the hunt for undervalued, under-followed and emerging stocks. With countless methods available to retail traders, the challenge often lies in sifting through the abundance of information to uncover new opportunities and understand why certain stocks should be of interest.

Read Also: EXCLUSIVE: Top 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro In October 2024 — Where Do Tesla, Nvidia, Apple, DJT Stock Rank?

Here's a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week of Nov. 8:

Insmed Inc : The biopharmaceutical company saw increased interest from investors over the week, which comes after the company reported third-quarter financial results and provided a company update in late October. The company said ARIKAYCE had revenue of $93.4 million in the quarter, up 18% year-over-year.

Insmed also said its NDA submission for Brensocatib in Bronchiectasis is on track for the fourth quarter and is expected to launch in the U.S. in mid-2025.

H.C. Wainwright reiterated a Buy rating and $90 price target on the stock after the quarterly results. Truist reiterated a Buy rating and raised the price target from $100 to $105. Investor interest could increase in the coming weeks with the company scheduled to participate in several conferences including ones from Guggenheim (Nov. 11), UBS Global (Nov. 12), Wolfe Research (Nov. 20) and Jefferies (Nov. 21).

Insmed shares were up over 8% in the last five trading days, as seen on the Benzinga Pro chart below, and are up over 140% year-to-date in 2024.

Backblaze, Inc. (BLZE) came out with a quarterly loss of $0.10 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.11. This compares to loss of $0.21 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 9.09%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post a loss of $0.12 per share when it actually produced a loss of $0.11, delivering a surprise of 8.33%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.

Backblaze, which belongs to the Zacks Internet - Software industry, posted revenues of $32.59 million for the quarter ended September 2024, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.16%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $25.3 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Backblaze shares have added about 5.3% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 24.3%.

What's Next for Backblaze?

While Backblaze has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Backblaze: mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is -$0.08 on $33.71 million in revenues for the coming quarter and -$0.44 on $127.53 million in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Internet - Software is currently in the top 25% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Samsara Inc. (IOT), another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended October 2024. The results are expected to be released on December 5.

This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.04 per share in its upcoming report, which represents no change from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

Samsara Inc.'s revenues are expected to be $310.65 million, up 30.8% from the year-ago quarter.

Zacks Investment Research

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – November 6, 2024 – Stocks in this week’s article are Snap Inc. SNAP, GeneDx Holdings Corp. WGS and Leonardo DRS, Inc. DRS.

3 Stocks to Buy for Stellar Earnings Acceleration for November

November has traditionally been one of the best months for stocks. This year, it won't be any different. Interest rate cuts and a rise in consumer outlays may trounce short-term gyrations in the stock market due to the upcoming presidential election. Thus, investors should capitalize on the positive trend by investing in earnings acceleration stocks.

This is because studies have shown that most successful stocks have seen an acceleration in earnings before an uptick in the stock price. To that end, stocks like Snap Inc., GeneDx Holdings Corp. and Leonardo DRS, Inc. are exhibiting solid earnings acceleration.

What is Earnings Acceleration?

Earnings acceleration is the incremental growth in a company's earnings per share (EPS). In other words, if a company's quarter-over-quarter earnings growth rate increases within a stipulated time frame, it can be called earnings acceleration.

In the case of earnings growth, you pay for something that is already reflected in the stock price. However, earnings acceleration helps spot stocks that haven't yet caught the attention of investors and, once secured, will invariably lead to a rally in the share price. This is because earnings acceleration considers both the direction and magnitude of growth rates.

An increasing percentage of earnings growth means that the company is fundamentally sound and has been on the right track for a considerable period. Meanwhile, a sideways percentage of earnings growth indicates a period of consolidation or slowdown, while a decelerating percentage of earnings growth may drag prices down.

The above criteria narrowed the universe of around 7,735 stocks to only six. Here are the best three stocks:

Snap

Snap is a mobile camera app for sharing short videos and images known as Snaps. Snap currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). SNAP's expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 166.7%. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.

GeneDx

GeneDx is a pioneer in healthcare, using advanced exome and genome testing with rare disease data sets. GeneDx currently has a Zacks Rank #1. WGS' expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 95.4%.

Leonardo DRS

Leonardo DRS develops and manufactures defense products for the U.S. military and allies. Leonardo DRS currently has a Zacks Rank #2. DRS' expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 21.9%.

You can sign up now for your 2-week free trial to the Research Wizard and start using this screen in your trading. Further, you can also create your own strategies and test them first before taking the investment plunge.

The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.

Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today.

For the rest of this Screen of the Week article please visit Zacks.com at: https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2363743/3-stocks-to-buy-for-stellar-earnings-acceleration-in-november

Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.

About Screen of the Week

Zacks.com created the first and best screening system on the web earning the distinction as the "#1 site for screening stocks" by Money Magazine. But powerful screening tools is just the start. That is why Zacks created the Screen of the Week to highlight profitable stock picking strategies that investors can actively use.

Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News

Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has more than doubled the market from 1988 through 2016. Its average gain has been a stellar +25% per year. See these high-potential stocks free >>.

Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/zacksresearch

Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch

Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.

Contact: Jim Giaquinto

Company: Zacks.com

Phone: 312-265-9268

Email: pr@zacks.com

Visit: https://www.zacks.com/

Zacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Zacks Investment Research

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – November 5, 2024 – Stocks in this week’s article are Snap Inc. SNAP, GeneDx Holdings Corp. WGS and Leonardo DRS, Inc. DRS.

3 Stocks to Buy on Earnings Acceleration in November

November has traditionally been one of the best months for stocks. This year, it won't be any different. Interest rate cuts and a rise in consumer outlays may trounce short-term gyrations in the stock market due to the upcoming presidential election. Thus, investors should capitalize on the positive trend by investing in earnings acceleration stocks.

This is because studies have shown that most successful stocks have seen an acceleration in earnings before an uptick in the stock price. To that end, stocks like Snap Inc., GeneDx Holdings Corp. and Leonardo DRS, Inc. are exhibiting solid earnings acceleration.

What Is Earnings Acceleration?

Earnings acceleration is the incremental growth in a company's earnings per share (EPS). In other words, if a company's quarter-over-quarter earnings growth rate increases within a stipulated time frame, it can be called earnings acceleration.

In the case of earnings growth, you pay for something that is already reflected in the stock price. However, earnings acceleration helps spot stocks that haven't yet caught the attention of investors and, once secured, will invariably lead to a rally in the share price. This is because earnings acceleration considers both the direction and magnitude of growth rates.

An increasing percentage of earnings growth means that the company is fundamentally sound and has been on the right track for a considerable period. Meanwhile, a sideways percentage of earnings growth indicates a period of consolidation or slowdown, while a decelerating percentage of earnings growth may drag prices down.

The above criteria narrowed the universe of around 7,735 stocks to only six. Here are the best three stocks:

Snap

Snap is a mobile camera app for sharing short videos and images known as Snaps. Snap currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). SNAP's expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 166.7%. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.

GeneDx

GeneDx is a pioneer in healthcare, using advanced exome and genome testing with rare disease data sets. GeneDx currently has a Zacks Rank #1. WGS' expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 95.4%.

Leonardo DRS

Leonardo DRS develops and manufactures defense products for the U.S. military and allies. Leonardo DRS currently has a Zacks Rank #2. DRS' expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 21.9%.

You can sign up now for your 2-week free trial to the Research Wizard and start using this screen in your trading. Further, you can also create your own strategies and test them first before taking the investment plunge.

The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.

Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today.

For the rest of this Screen of the Week article please visit Zacks.com at: https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2363743/3-stocks-to-buy-for-stellar-earnings-acceleration-in-november

Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.

About Screen of the Week

Zacks.com created the first and best screening system on the web earning the distinction as the "#1 site for screening stocks" by Money Magazine. But powerful screening tools is just the start. That is why Zacks created the Screen of the Week to highlight profitable stock picking strategies that investors can actively use.

Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News

Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has more than doubled the market from 1988 through 2016. Its average gain has been a stellar +25% per year. See these high-potential stocks free >>.

Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/zacksresearch

Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch

Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.

Contact: Jim Giaquinto

Company: Zacks.com

Phone: 312-265-9268

Email: pr@zacks.com

Visit: https://www.zacks.com/

Zacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Zacks Investment Research