The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Ensign, Cardinal Health, Atmos Energy and IDACORP

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – January 15, 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: The Ensign Group, Inc. ENSG, Cardinal Health, Inc. CAH, Atmos Energy Corp. ATO and IDACORP, Inc. IDA.Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:Consumer Sentiment Declines Amid Rate-Cut Uncertainty: 4 Safe BetsAmericans are less confident about the economy than they were a couple of months back as concerns grew at the beginning of the New Year. Signs of a rise in inflation and a resilient labor market have raised concerns over the Federal Reserve’s plans for future rate cuts.This saw consumer sentiment taking a dip in January. Major indexes have already been pushed into negative territory for this year after stocks pulled back in the final weeks of December. It would thus be wise to invest in defensive stocks such as The Ensign Group, Inc., Cardinal Health, Inc., Atmos Energy Corp. and IDACORP, Inc. Each of the stocks belongs to defensive spaces like healthcare and utility and carries 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.Consumer Sentiment DeclinesThe University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment index, released last Friday, showed that the preliminary reading of consumer sentiment declined to 73.2 in January from 74 in December, which was also lower than analysts’ expectation of a reading of 73.8.Also, the year-ahead inflation expectations jumped to 3.3% from 2.8% in December, while the long-run inflation expectations raced to 3.3% in January from 3% in the previous month. The decline stems from consumers’ doubts about the economy’s health as inflation has grown over the past two months.Uncertainty over how the inflation graph will move in the near term and how long it will take to reach the Federal Reserve’s 2% target has been denting consumers’ sentiment.Higher Inflation May Halt Rate Cut PaceInflation rose over the past couple of months after declining sharply in the third quarter. The consumer price index (CPI) climbed 0.3% in November, its biggest gain since April 2024, after increasing 0.2% for four straight months. Core CPI, which excludes the volatile food and energy costs, also rose 0.3% sequentially in November and 3.3% from the year-ago levels.The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates by a single percentage point in its last three policy meetings since September. However, the central bank said that rising inflation could force them to slow the pace of rate cuts and it now sees only two rate cuts in 2025.Markets are now pricing in a 97.3% chance of the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates unchanged in its January FOMC meeting, according to the CME FedWatch tool. Higher interest rates could further weigh on consumer sentiment and keep markets volatile for a longer period.4 Defensive Stocks With UpsideThe Ensign GroupThe Ensign Group, Inc. provides health care services in the post-acute care continuum, urgent care center and mobile ancillary businesses in the United States. ENSG provides health care services across the post-acute care continuum and ancillary businesses in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.The Ensign Group has an expected earnings growth rate of 15.1% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.2% over the last 60 days. ENSG currently has a Zacks Rank #2. The Ensign Group has a beta of 0.93 and a current dividend yield of 0.19%.Cardinal HealthCardinal Health, Inc. is a nation-wide drug distributor and provider of services to pharmacies, healthcare providers and manufacturers. CAH has two reporting segments — Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions, Global Medical Products and Distribution and Others.Cardinal Health has an expected earnings growth rate of 3.9% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 1% over the last 60 days. CAH currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. Cardinal Health has a beta of 0.63 and a current dividend yield of 1.66%.Atmos EnergyAtmos Energy Corp., 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 Energyoperates 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 2.54%.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%.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.comhttps://www.zacks.comPast 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.Free Today: Profiting from The Future’s Brightest Energy SourceThe demand for electricity is growing exponentially. At the same time, we’re working to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels like oil and natural gas. Nuclear energy is an ideal replacement.Leaders from the US and 21 other countries recently committed to TRIPLING the world’s nuclear energy capacities. This aggressive transition could mean tremendous profits for nuclear-related stocks – and investors who get in on the action early enough.Our urgent report, Atomic Opportunity: Nuclear Energy's Comeback, explores the key players and technologies driving this opportunity, including 3 standout stocks poised to benefit the most.Download Atomic Opportunity: Nuclear Energy's Comeback free today.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 Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH): Free Stock Analysis Report IDACORP, Inc. (IDA): Free Stock Analysis Report Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO): Free Stock Analysis Report The Ensign Group, Inc. (ENSG): 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