The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Mastercard, Medtronic, HCA Healthcare and United Homes

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – April 1, 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: Mastercard Inc. MA, Medtronic plc MDT, HCA Healthcare, Inc. HCA and United Homes Group, Inc. UHGHere are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:Top Stock Reports for Mastercard, Medtronic and HCA HealthcareThe Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 12 major stocks, including Mastercard Inc., Medtronic plc and HCA Healthcare, Inc., as well as a micro-cap stock United Homes Group, Inc.. The Zacks microcap research is unique as our research content on these small and under-the-radar companies is the only research of its type in the country.These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.You can see all of today's research reports here >>>Ahead of Wall StreetThe daily 'Ahead of Wall Street' article is a must-read for all investors who would like to be ready for that day's trading action. The article comes out before the market opens and attempts to make sense of that morning's economic releases and how they will affect that day's market action. You can read this article for free on our home page and can actually sign up there to get an email notification as this article comes out each morning.You can read today's AWS here >>> Q1 Ends Today, Jobs Week & Tariffs - Oh My!Today's Featured Research ReportsShares of Mastercard have gained +13.7% over the past year against the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry's gain of +17.4%. The company's acquisitions are helping it to grow addressable markets and drive new revenue streams. It expects low-double-digit net revenue growth in 1Q25. The accelerated adoption of digital and contactless solutions is providing an opportunity for its business to expedite its shift to the digital mode.Strong cash flow supports its growth initiatives and enables shareholder value-boosting efforts through repurchases and dividends. But its dividend yield is lower than the industry average.Growing operations will likely support a future rebound. Steep operating expenses might stress its margins in the future. The Zacks analyst expects adjusted operating costs to jump 13% in 2025. High rebates and incentives may weigh on net revenues. Also, the stock is overvalued relative to its industry.(You can read the full research report on Mastercard here >>>)Medtronic's shares have gained +4.1% over the past year against the Zacks Medical - Products industry's gain of +9.5%. The company is strategically expanding its global presence to address unmet demand for advanced medical devices. Within Cardiovascular, the company is gaining market share, banking on product launches in CRM and Structural Heart. Hypertension has brought up multibillion-dollar opportunities.In MedSurg, despite all distributor disruptions, Medtronic is scaling the production of Hugo RAS. The Neuroscience portfolios continue to contribute. Further, the company's Pacing business is driving strong growth from Micra leadless pacemaker. A strong liquidity position should allow it to meet its near-term debt obligations.Meanwhile, ongoing supply-related disruptions in many of Medtronic's markets raise concerns. Higher costs and expenses stemming from geopolitical tensions weigh on its profitability. Currency woes add to the risks.(You can read the full research report on Medtronic here >>>)Shares of HCA Healthcare have outperformed the Zacks Medical – Hospital industry over the past year (+4.4% vs. +1.1%). The company's revenues remain on an uptick on the back of growth in admissions and in-patient surgeries. The resumption of deferred elective procedures is likely to sustain the trend.Revenues are anticipated to be between $72.8 billion and $75.8 billion in 2025, the midpoint of which indicates a 5.2% rise from the 2024 figure. Multiple buyouts aided in increasing patient volumes and added hospitals to the portfolio. The company is benefiting from its telemedicine business line. Its operating cash flows rose 11.5% YoY in 2024.The company resorts to prudent capital deployment via share buybacks and dividend payments. However, a debt-heavy balance sheet induces a rise in interest expenses. Also, escalating expenses may strain margins. As such, the stock warrants a cautious stance.(You can read the full research report on HCA Healthcare here >>>)United Homes' shares have underperformed the Zacks Real Estate - Development industry over the past year (-57.9% vs. -13.9%). This microcap company with market capitalization of $176.98 million is having profitability under pressure from margin compression, high SG&A, shrinking community count and rate-sensitive buyer segments. Execution risks, geographic concentration and EBITDA decline warrant caution. Exposure to tariffs on imported lumber and steel could inflate material costs and pressure margins.Nevertheless, United Homes is showing strengthening demand, with net new orders up 19.4% year over year in fourth-quarter 2024 and growing backlog visibility driven by a refreshed product lineup. New home plans and a vendor re-bidding initiative are improving gross margins and lowering construction costs.The asset-light model with 98% of lots under option enhances return on equity and flexibility. M&A has expanded geographic reach and added higher-end offerings. A recent debt refinancing enhances financial flexibility and reduces dilution risk.(You can read the full research report on United Homes here >>>)Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% 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.7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysJust released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +24.3% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. See them 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 Mastercard Incorporated (MA): Free Stock Analysis Report Medtronic PLC (MDT): Free Stock Analysis Report HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA): Free Stock Analysis Report United Homes Group, Inc. (UHG): Get Free ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks