The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Upstart, Industrial Logistics Properties Trust, Sezzle, Cintas and monday.com

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – December 24, 2024 – 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: First Trust SkyBridge Crypto Industry and Upstart Holdings Inc. UPST, Industrial Logistics Properties Trust ILPT, Sezzle Inc. SEZL, Cintas Corp. CTAS and monday.com MNDY.Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:5 Hidden Gems to Ride the Santa Claus RallyThe last week was the worst for the U.S. stock market since mid-November with the Dow Jones logging its third straight week of decline. The S&P 500 dropped for the second consecutive week and the Nasdaq Composite Index snapped a four-week winning streak. The Dow Jones fell 2.3% last week, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq declined 2% and 1.8% respectively.The Fed took a toll on the stock market after it scaled back expectations for a rate cut. The Fed envisions only two rate cuts in 2025, in contrast to four projected in September, given a solid labor market and sticky inflation.However, investors are bracing for a Santa Claus rally as Christmas is around the corner. A Santa Claus rally refers to the increase in stock prices in the final week of the calendar year (i.e., between Christmas and New Year's Day) that extends into the first two days of the New Year.Against such a backdrop, some hidden gems, or Secret Santa as we call them, could surprise investors with big returns this Christmas. We have chosen five stocks that have underperformed over the past week but have a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) with a Momentum Score of B or higher. These are Upstart Holdings Inc., Industrial Logistics Properties Trust, Sezzle Inc., Cintas Corp. and monday.com from different segments of the market. These stocks have a double-digit growth projection for 2025. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Is Santa on the Way?The year-end seasonal factors such as holiday optimism, tax-related affairs, investment of Christmas bonuses, mutual fund manager window dressing, and the "January effect" will drive stocks higher.The U.S. economy has been expanding on rising consumer confidence and higher spending power. Economic output increased to the highest level in nearly three years this December. S&P Global's flash U.S. composite PMI, which captures activity in both the services and manufacturing sectors, came in at 56.6 in December, up from 54.9 in August.Retail sales rose faster than expected in November, reflecting continued resilience in consumer spending and strong economic momentum. U.S. consumer sentiment increased for the fifth month in December. The sentiment index, according to the University of Michigan, increased to 74 in December from 71.8 last month. The data points indicate that Santa is on the way.Further, Trump's pro-growth and pro-deregulation policies are expected to propel economic growth. Though the Fed is cautious about future rate cuts, it has slashed interest rates for the third time in the past three months, bringing down the benchmark rate to 4.25-4.50%. Lower interest rates generally lead to reduced borrowing costs that help businesses expand their operations more easily and increase profitability.Here Come Our Secret Santas!Upstart is an AI lending platform based in San Mateo, United States. It partners with banks to expand access to affordable credit. The stock tumbled 19% last week but has an estimated earnings growth rate of 204% for 2025.Upstart has a Zacks Rank #2 and a Momentum Score of B.Industrial Logistics Properties is focused on the ownership and leasing of industrial and logistics properties, primarily in the United States. The stock declined 13% last week. It has an estimated earnings growth rate of 25% for 2025.Industrial Logistics Properties has a Zacks Rank #2 and a Momentum Score of A.Sezzle is a purpose-driven digital payments company. Its payment platform increases the purchasing power of consumers by offering interest-free installment plans at online stores and select in-store locations. Shares of SEZL were down 12.2%.Sezzle has an estimated earnings growth rate of 27.97% for the next year. It sports a Zacks Rank #1 and has a Momentum Score of A.Cintas Corporation provides specialized services to businesses of all types throughout North America. The company designs, manufactures, and implements corporate identity uniform programs and provides entrance mats, restroom supplies, promotional products and first aid and safety products for diversified businesses.The stock shed 11.5% last week and has an estimated earnings growth rate of 13.2% for the fiscal year (ending May 2025). It carries a Zacks Rank #2 and has a Momentum Score of A.monday.com provides an open platform, which democratizes the power of software so that organizations can easily build software applications and work management tools to fit their every need. The stock has lost 11.2% last week.monday.com has an estimated earnings growth rate of 11.2% for this year. It carries a Zacks Rank #1 and has a Momentum Score of A.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.5 Stocks Set to DoubleEach was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2024. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +143.0%, +175.9%, +498.3% and +673.0%.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 Cintas Corporation (CTAS): Free Stock Analysis Report Industrial Logistics Properties Trust (ILPT): Free Stock Analysis Report Upstart Holdings, Inc. (UPST): Free Stock Analysis Report monday.com Ltd. (MNDY): Free Stock Analysis Report Sezzle Inc. (SEZL): 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