Zacks.com featured highlights include Steelcase and United Fire

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – April 3, 2025 – Stocks in this week’s article are Steelcase Inc. SCS and United Fire Group, Inc. UFCS.2 Stocks to Buy on New Analyst Coverage, Defying Ongoing VolatilityDeclining consumer confidence, geopolitical tensions and ongoing trade disputes are taking a toll on market indices. Trump's tariff threats have further exacerbated global economic uncertainty. Meanwhile, inflationary pressures remain a key concern, with the Conference Board's March consumer confidence index dropping to its lowest level in four years. Investor sentiment has been weighed down by recession fears and the potential for additional inflationary pressures stemming from tariff policies.Amid market instability, new analyst coverage helps investors navigate changing conditions by identifying opportunities and risks. Fresh coverage often boosts liquidity, validates investment theses, and influences stock prices.Two stocks recently gaining analyst attention are Steelcase Inc. and United Fire Group, Inc., likely drawing increased investor interest.Why Analyst Coverage Commands AttentionWhen analysts at leading firms initiate coverage on a stock, they bring with them a network of institutional clients and comprehensive financial analysis. They are often experts in specific industries or sectors, leveraging their specialized knowledge to conduct in-depth research and analysis. Analysts provide investors with crucial insights into a company's financial performance, growth prospects, competitive position, and industry dynamics—information that can be challenging for individual investors to obtain on their own.Do analysts add value to companies by initiating coverage? Absolutely. Their role as intermediaries grants them access to a wealth of relevant data, which they refine into actionable insights. Many investors rely heavily on analysts' research, recognizing that a lack of information could lead to market inefficiencies.Stocks selected for coverage are not chosen arbitrarily. New coverage generally reflects the analyst's confidence in the company's prospects. Sometimes, heightened investor interest in a particular stock prompts analysts to focus on it, aligning their efforts with market demand. Consequently, ratings for newly covered stocks often tend to be more favorable compared to those of stocks that are already under continuous coverage.Furthermore, a shift in the average broker recommendation holds more significance than an isolated recommendation change. When an analyst issues a recommendation for a company with minimal or no existing coverage, it often captures investors' attention. This, in turn, can attract portfolio managers to take positions in the stock as additional information surfaces.How Analyst Coverage Impacts Stock PerformanceAnalyst coverage can significantly impact stock performance by triggering various market reactions. The announcement of new coverage can cause immediate fluctuations in stock prices. Positive ratings can attract bullish investors, while neutral or negative ratings may spark sell-offs. Meanwhile, consistent, positive coverage from multiple analysts can contribute to sustained investor confidence, potentially leading to higher valuations. Conversely, if the coverage reveals previously unrecognized risks, it can hinder long-term performance.Overall, new analyst coverage can act as a spotlight, illuminating stocks that might otherwise go unnoticed. Whether you're discovering a hidden gem or gaining a fresh perspective on a well-known company, these reports can be a powerful addition to your investment toolkit.Are there newly covered stocks on your radar? Now might be the perfect time to dig deeper and uncover your next winning investment.So, it's a good strategy to bet on stocks that have seen increased analyst coverage over the last few weeks.Here are two stocks that passed the screen:Steelcase: Based in Grand Rapids, MI, this company provides a portfolio of furniture and architectural products and services in the United States and internationally. The company currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Steelcase shares have lost 4.3% year to date (YTD) against the industry's 14.2% growth. The fiscal 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimate has increased to $1.12 from $1.06 over the past seven days, depicting analysts' optimism over the company's prospects. Again, Steelcase carries an impressive VGM Score of A.Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.United Fire Group: Based in Cedar Rapids, IA, this company provides property and casualty insurance to individuals and businesses in the United States. The company currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.United Fire Group shares have gained 4.2% YTD, underperforming the industry's 15.9% rise. Yet, United Fire Group shares have gained 6.4% in a month, outperforming the industry's 4.1%. The 2025 EPS estimate has increased to $2.42 from $2.20 over the past 60 days. United Fire Group surpassed earnings estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed on another occasion, with the average surprise being 75.5%. Again, United Fire Group carries a VGM Score of B.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 of 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/2439254/2-stocks-to-buy-on-new-analyst-coverage-defying-ongoing-volatilityDisclosure: 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 WeekZacks.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 NewsMany 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/zacksresearchJoin us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearchZacks 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 GiaquintoCompany: Zacks.comPhone: 312-265-9268Email: pr@zacks.comVisit: 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' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.This top pick is among the most innovative financial firms. With a fast-growing customer base (already 50+ million) and a diverse set of cutting edge solutions, this stock is poised for big gains. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners UpWant 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 Steelcase Inc. (SCS): Free Stock Analysis Report United Fire Group, Inc (UFCS): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks