Beat the Market the Zacks Way: Amgen, Ciena, Fair Isaac in Focus

Last Friday, the three most widely followed benchmark indexes closed a losing week. The tech-heavy Nasdaq, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones slid 3%, 1.6% and 1.2%, respectively. For the Nasdaq, this was its sharpest weekly percentage drop in almost seven months.A mix of political and macroeconomic concerns led to the decline in U.S. equity markets. The persistent government shutdown in Washington heightened uncertainty, delayed key economic indicators and dented consumer sentiment to its lowest level in years.At the same time, investors grew wary of stretched valuations in technology stocks, particularly those aligned with artificial intelligence themes, prompting a broad tech sell-off that led to the Nasdaq’s underperformance.Regardless of market conditions, we, here at Zacks, provide investors with unbiased guidance on how to beat the market. As usual, Zacks Research guided investors over the past three months with its time-tested methodologies. Given the prevailing market uncertainty, you may want to look at our feats to prepare better for your next action.Here are some of our key achievements:Ciena and GDEV Surge Following Zacks Rank UpgradeShares of Ciena Corporation CIEN have gained 67.5% (versus the S&P 500’s 3.4% increase) since it was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) on September 9.Another stock, GDEV Inc. GDEV, which was also upgraded to a Rank #1 on September 10, has returned 41.5% (versus the S&P 500’s 3.1% increase) since then.A hypothetical portfolio of Zacks Rank # 1 (Strong Buy) stocks returned +8.64% in 2025 (through September 1st) vs. +7.60% for the S&P 500 index. This portfolio returned +22.4% in 2024, vs. +28% for the S&P 500 index and +19.9% for the equal-weight version of the S&P 500 index.This hypothetical portfolio returned +20.65% in 2023 vs. +24.83% for the S&P 500 index and +15% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index.The Zacks Model Portfolio - consisting of Zacks Rank #1 stocks – has outperformed the S&P index by more than 12 percentage points since 1988 (through September 1st, 2025, the Zacks # 1 Rank stocks generated an annualized average return of +23.8% vs. +11.3% for the S&P 500 index).You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here >>>Check Ciena’s historical EPS and Sales here>>>Check GDEV’s historical EPS and Sales here>>>Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchZacks Recommendation Upgrades Advanced Energy and A-MarkShares of Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. AEIS and A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc. AMRK have surged 40% (versus the S&P 500’s 3.2% rise) and 5.2% (versus the S&P 500’s 2.9% rise), respectively, since their Zacks Recommendation was upgraded to Outperform on September 10 and September 11.While the Zacks Rank is our short-term rating system that is most effective over the one- to three-month holding horizon, the Zacks Recommendation aims to predict performance over the next 6 to 12 months. However, just like the Zacks Rank, the foundation for the Zacks Recommendation is trends in earnings estimate revisions.The Zacks Recommendation classifies stocks into three groups — Outperform, Neutral and Underperform. While these recommendations are determined quantitatively, our analysts have the flexibility to override them for the 1100+ stocks they closely follow based on their better judgment of factors such as valuation, industry conditions and management effectiveness than the quantitative model.To access our research reports with Zacks Recommendations for the 1100+ stocks we cover, click here>>>Zacks Focus List Stocks Micron, Lam Research Shoot UpShares of Micron Technology, Inc. MU, which belongs to the Zacks Focus List, have gained 112.7% over the past 12 weeks. The stock was added to the Focus List on December 27, 2016. Another Focus-List holding, Lam Research Corporation LRCX, which was added to the portfolio on December 5, 2016, has returned 60.7% over the past 12 weeks. The S&P 500 has advanced 6.1% over this period. The 50-stock Focus List portfolio returned 18.3% in 2025 (through September 30th, 2025) vs. +14.8% for the S&P 500 index and +9.9% for the equal-weight version of the index. The Zacks Focus List portfolio returned +18.41% in 2024 vs. +25.04% for the S&P 500 index and +13% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index. The portfolio had returned +29.54% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index and +13.61% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index. In 2022, the portfolio returned -15.2% vs. the S&P 500 index’s -17.96%.The portfolio leads the broader market over the preceding one, three, five and ‘since 2004’ periods. These annualized return comparisons are: +16.96% for the Focus List vs. +17.60% for the index over the one-year period, +26.77% vs. +24.94% over the 3-year period, +17.38% vs. +14.48% over the 5-year period, and +12.13% vs. +10.71% since 2004.Unlock all of our powerful research, tools and analysis, including the Focus List, Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research Reports, Zacks Earnings ESP Filter, Premium Screener and more, as part of Zacks Premium. Gain full access now >>Zacks ECAP Stocks Fair Isaac & Thermo Fisher Significant GainsFair Isaac Corporation FICO, a component of our Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP), has jumped 30.5% over the past 12 weeks. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. TMO has followed Fair Isaac with 25.9% returns.The Zacks Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP), which consists of 30 concentrated, ultra-defensive, long-term Buy-and-Hold stocks, returned +0.20% in the second quarter of 2025 vs. the S&P 500 index’s +10.94% gain (SPY ETF). In the year-to-date period through June 30th, the portfolio returned +3.93% vs. +6.20% gain for the S&P 500 index.For the year 2024, the portfolio returned +16.26% vs. +24.89% for the S&P 500 index (SPY ETF).In 2023, the portfolio returned +12.17% vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index. The portfolio returned -4.7% in 2022 vs. the S&P 500 index’s -17.96%.With little to no turnover and annual rebalance periodicity, ECAP seeks to minimize capital loss by holding shares of companies whose earnings streams exhibit a proven 20+ year track record of surviving recessionary periods with minimal impact on aggregate earnings growth relative to the overall S&P 500.The ECAP and many other model portfolios are available as part of Zacks Advisor Tools, a cloud-based solution to access Zacks award-winning stock, mutual fund and ETF research. Click here to schedule a demo.Zacks ECDP Stocks Amgen and 3M Outperform Peers   Amgen Inc. AMGN, which is part of our Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP), has returned 12.5% over the past 12 weeks. Another ECDP stock, 3M Company MMM, has climbed 8.6% over the same time frame. Of course, the inclination of investors toward quality dividend stocks to secure an income stream amid heightened market volatility contributed to this performance.Check Amgen’s dividend history here>>> Check 3M’s dividend history here>>>With an extremely low beta and a history of minimum earnings variability over the last 20+ years, this 25-stock portfolio helps significantly mitigate risk.The Zacks Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP) returned -3.17% in 2025 Q2 vs. the S&P 500 index’s +10.94% gain and the Dividend Aristocrats ETF’s (NOBL) -0.09% return. Year-to-date (through June 30th), the portfolio returned +2.38% vs. +2.18% gain for the Dividend Aristocrat ETF. For the full year 2024, the portfolio returned +6.95% vs. +24.89% for the S&P 500 index and +6.72% for NOBL. The portfolio returned -0.9% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index and +8.11% for NOBL. The portfolio returned -2.3% in 2022 vs. -17.96% for the S&P 500 index and -8.34% for NOBL.Click here to access this portfolio on Zacks Advisor Tools.  Zacks Top 10 Stock Coherent Delivers Solid ReturnsCoherent Corp. COHR, from the Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2025, has jumped 63.1% year to date compared with the S&P 500 Index’s 14.6% increase.The Top 10 portfolio returned +26.47% this year (through the end of September 2025) vs. +14.84% for the S&P 500 index and +9.9% for the equal-weight version of the index.The Top 10 portfolio returned +62.98% in 2024, vs. +25.04% for the S&P 500 index and +13% for the equal-weight version of the index. The portfolio had returned +25.15% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index.Since 2012, the Top 10 portfolio has produced a cumulative return of +2,553.1% through the end of September 2025 vs. +545.2% for the S&P 500 index and +396.4% for the equal-weight version of the index. The portfolio has produced an average return of +26.6% in the period 2012 through September 30, 2025, vs. +13.1% for the S&P 500 index and +10.5% for the equal-weight version of the index.5 Stocks Set to DoubleEach was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the months ahead. They includeStock #1: A Disruptive Force with Notable Growth and ResilienceStock #2: Bullish Signs Signaling to Buy the DipStock #3: One of the Most Compelling Investments in the MarketStock #4: Leader In a Red-Hot Industry Poised for GrowthStock #5: Modern Omni-Channel Platform Coiled to SpringMost of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +171%, +209% and +232%.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 Amgen Inc. (AMGN): Free Stock Analysis Report 3M Company (MMM): Free Stock Analysis Report Ciena Corporation (CIEN): Free Stock Analysis Report Micron Technology, Inc. (MU): Free Stock Analysis Report Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO): Free Stock Analysis Report Lam Research Corporation (LRCX): Free Stock Analysis Report Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO): Free Stock Analysis Report Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (AEIS): Free Stock Analysis Report Coherent Corp. (COHR): Free Stock Analysis Report A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc. (AMRK): Free Stock Analysis Report GDEV Inc. (GDEV): 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