The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Atmos Energy, NiSource, FirstEnergy, Kimberly-Clark and Limoneira

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – July 26, 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: Atmos Energy Corp. ATO, NiSource Inc. NI, FirstEnergy Corp. FE, Kimberly-Clark Corp. KMB and Limoneira Co. LMNR.Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:5 Low-Beta Stocks to Buy as Volatility Returns to Wall StreetThe Wall Street rally has suddenly come to a halt. Tech stocks that have been primarily driving the rally since 2023 have been retreating over the past week. On Jul 24, the three major indexes ended sharply lower, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq recording their worst day since 2022.The S&P 500 declined 2.31% to end at 5,427.13 points, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq plummeted 3.64% to finish at 17,342.41 points. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also fell 1.25% to close at 39,853.87 points.Investors have been rotating out of mega-cap tech stocks and placing their bets on small-cap and cyclical stocks over the past week in hopes that these stocks would benefit once the Federal Reserve starts rate cuts.Tech stocks have been driving the market rally this year, fueled by the ongoing enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), especially generative AI.However, the rotation trade has resulted in a massive tech selloff, which has resulted in volatility returning to Wall Street.The Federal Reserve said last month that it sees only one 25 basis point rate cut this year, which is sharply lower than the three projected in its March meeting. This means higher interest rates are going to stay for a longer period. Higher interest rates for a longer period do not bode well for growth stocks and the broader economy.Our ChoicesGiven this situation, it would be wise to invest in defensive stocks. We have chosen five utilities and consumer staple stocks with a low beta (beta greater than 0 but less than 1), a high dividend yield and a favorable Zacks Rank. These are Atmos Energy Corp.,NiSource Inc., FirstEnergy Corp., Kimberly-Clark Corp. and Limoneira Co.. Each of the stocks has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Atmos Energy, along with its subsidiaries, is engaged in the regulated natural gas distribution and storage business. ATO serves nearly 3.4 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 72,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines as well as 5,700 miles of interstate pipelines.Atmos Energy has an expected earnings growth rate of 10.2% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.9% over the past 60 days. ATO presently has a Zacks Rank #2. Atmos Energy has a beta of 0.67 and a current dividend yield of 2.59%.NiSource, together with its subsidiaries, provides natural gas, electricity, and other products and services in the United States. NI's operating subsidiaries deliver energy to roughly 3.7 million customers in six states — Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland and Indiana. NiSource has one of the nation's largest natural gas distribution networks, as measured by the number of customers.NiSource has an expected earnings growth rate of 7.5% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 1.3% over the past 60 days. NI presently has a Zacks Rank #2. NiSource has a beta of 0.60 and a current dividend yield of 3.47%.FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, FE engages in the transmission, distribution and generation of electricity.FirstEnergy Corp has an expected earnings growth rate of 5.1% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.7% over the past 60 days. FE currently has a Zacks Rank #2. FirstEnergy Corp has a beta of 0.49 and a current dividend yield of 4.26%.Kimberly-Clark Corporation is principally engaged in the manufacture and marketing of a wide range of consumer products around the world. KMB sells its products to supermarkets, mass merchandisers, drugstores, warehouse clubs, variety and department stores, retail outlets, manufacturing, lodging, office buildings, food service and health care establishments, and high-volume public facilities.Kimberly-Clark Corporation has an expected earnings growth rate of 7.6% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.6% over the past 60 days. KMB presently has a Zacks Rank #2. Kimberly-Clark has a beta of 0.37 and a current dividend yield of 3.59%.Limoneira Company is an agribusiness and real estate development company. LMNR's current operations consist of fruit production and marketing, real estate development and capital investment activities.Limoneira Company has an expected earnings growth rate of more than 100% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 46.7% over the past 60 days. LMNR presently has a Zacks Rank #2. Limoneira Company has a beta of 0.49 and a current dividend yield of 1.36%.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.Free Report: 5 “Whisper” Stocks Poised to Stun Wall Street Analysts may be seriously underestimating these stocks. When they announce earnings, they could immediately jump +10-20%.See Stocks 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 NiSource, Inc (NI): Free Stock Analysis Report FirstEnergy Corporation (FE): Free Stock Analysis Report Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB): Free Stock Analysis Report Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO): Free Stock Analysis Report Limoneira Co (LMNR): 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