The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Atmos Energy, IDACORP, Pinnacle West Capital, Tyson Foods and United Natural Foods

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – January 10, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Atmos Energy Corp. ATO, IDACORP, Inc. IDA, Pinnacle West Capital Corp. PNW, Tyson Foods TSN and United Natural Foods, Inc. UNFI.Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:5 Low-Beta Stocks with Upside to Buy Amid Ongoing Market VolatilityWall Street had a shaky start to 2025 after indexes retreated from their earlier highs in the final weeks of December. Concerns over a rise in inflation have raised fears of fewer rate cuts by the Federal Reserve this year.Higher interest rates have already been taking a toll on consumer spending and impacting various sectors as higher borrowing costs continue to impact demand for goods and services.Given the ongoing market volatility, it would be wise to invest in stocks from defensive spaces like utilities and consumer staples, such as Atmos Energy Corp., IDACORP, Inc., Pinnacle West Capital Corp., Tyson Foods and United Natural Foods, Inc.. Each of the stocks has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Also, these belong to the category of low-beta stocks (beta greater than 0 but less than 1). Hence, the recommended approach is to invest in low-beta stocks with a high-dividend yield and a favorable Zacks Rank.Rate Cut Uncertainty Rattles StocksUncertainty over the Federal Reserve's rate cut plans has made investors jittery over the past few weeks. Concerns grew after fresh data showed that inflation rose in November. The consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.3% in November, marking its largest gain since April 2024, after rising 0.2% for four consecutive months. Year over year, CPI climbed 2.7%. Core CPI, which strips out the volatile food and energy costs, rose 0.3% sequentially in November and 3.3% from the year-ago levels.The rise in inflation saw the post-election rally coming to a halt in the final weeks of December. Markets have stayed volatile since, with all three major indexes closing the first week of the year in negative territory.Fears escalated further on Wednesday after the minutes of the Federal Reserve's December policy meeting showed that almost all the committee members believe that the risks of inflation rising in the near term have grown. This raised investors' concerns over fewer rate cuts this year.The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates by 100 basis points since September, taking its benchmark policy rate in the range of 4.25-4.5%. However, while announcing the last rate cut in December, the Fed also said that it sees two rate cuts at the most in 2025. The ongoing concerns could make markets volatile for a longer period.5 Low-Beta Defensive Stocks with UpsideAtmos EnergyAtmos Energy Corporation, along with its subsidiaries, is engaged in regulated natural gas distribution and storage business. ATO serves nearly 3.3 million customers in more than 1,400 communities in eight states from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the East to the Rocky Mountains in the West. Atmos Energy operates more than 73,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines as well as 5,700 miles of interstate pipelines.Atmos Energy has an expected earnings growth rate of 5.1% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.3% over the last 60 days. ATO presently carries a Zacks Rank #2. Atmos Energy has a beta of 0.71 and a current dividend yield of 2.55%.IDACORPIDACORP, Inc. is engaged in the transmission, distribution and sale of electricity services in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon through its primary subsidiary Idaho Power Company (Idaho Power).IDACORP has an expected earnings growth rate of 5.5% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.4% over the last 60 days. IDA presently carries a Zacks Rank #2. IDACORP has a beta of 0.65 and a current dividend yield of 3.15%.Pinnacle West CapitalPinnacle West Capital Corporation provides electricity services (wholesale or retail) in the state of Arizona through its subsidiaries. PNW is involved in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity from coal, nuclear, gas, oil and solar.Pinnacle West Capital Corporation has an expected earnings growth rate of 16.3% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 4.7% over the last 60 days. PNW currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. Pinnacle West Capital Corporation has a beta of 0.56 and a current dividend yield of 4.30%.Tyson FoodsTyson Foods is the biggest U.S. chicken company that produces, distributes and markets chicken, beef, pork, as well as prepared foods. TSN's products are marketed and sold primarily by sales staff to grocery retailers, grocery wholesalers, meat distributors, military commissaries, industrial food processing companies, chain restaurants, international export companies and domestic distributors.Tyson Foods' expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 13.2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current-year earnings has improved 6.4% over the past 60 days. TSN currently sports a Zacks Rank #1. Tyson Foods has a beta of 0.81 and a current dividend yield of 3.60%.United Natural FoodsUnited Natural Foods, Inc. is the leading distributor of natural, organic and specialty food and non-food products in the United States and Canada. UNFI offers approximately 250,000 products, consisting of national, regional and private label brands, grouped into the following main product categories — grocery and general merchandise; perishables; frozen foods; wellness and personal care items; and bulk and foodservice products.United Natural Foods' expected earnings growth rate for the current year is more than 100%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current-year earnings has improved 18.8% over the past 60 days. UNFI currently has a Zacks Rank #1 anda beta of 0.63.Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.0 average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +44.9%, +48.4% and +55.2% per year.Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.See Stocks Free >>Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.com                                      https://www.zacks.com                                                   Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.Only $1 to See All Zacks' Buys and SellsWe're not kidding.Several years ago, we shocked our members by offering them 30-day access to all our picks for the total sum of only $1. No obligation to spend another cent.Thousands have taken advantage of this opportunity. Thousands did not - they thought there must be a catch. Yes, we do have a reason. We want you to get acquainted with our portfolio services like Surprise Trader, Stocks Under $10, Technology Innovators,and more, that closed 228 positions with double- and triple-digit gains in 2023 alone.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 Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (PNW): Free Stock Analysis Report Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN): Free Stock Analysis Report IDACORP, Inc. (IDA): Free Stock Analysis Report Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO): Free Stock Analysis Report United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks