The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Costco Wholesale, Chubb, Cigna, Global Self Storage and Natural Health Trends

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – May 27, 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: Costco Wholesale Corp. COST, Chubb Ltd. CB, The Cigna Group CI, Global Self Storage, Inc. SELF and Natural Health Trends Corp. NHTC.Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:Top Research Reports for Costco, Chubb and CignaThe Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Costco Wholesale Corp., Chubb Ltd. and The Cigna Group, as well as two micro-cap stocks Global Self Storage, Inc. and Natural Health Trends Corp. 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 >>> Pre-Markets Drop Hard on New Trump Tariff Talk Today's Featured Research ReportsCostco’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Retail - Discount Stores industry over the past year (+25.5% vs. +15.7%). The company being a consumer defensive stock, has been surviving the market turmoil pretty well. The discount retailer’s key strengths are strategic investments, a customer-centric approach, merchandise initiatives, and an emphasis on membership growth. These factors have been helping it register decent sales and earnings numbers.The Zacks analyst expects Costco to register an 11.3% adjusted earnings per share improvement in fiscal 2025 on 7.2% revenue growth. This outlook reflects Costco’s ability to navigate the challenging operating environment, generate solid sales, and register high membership renewal rates.A favorable product mix, steady store traffic, pricing power, and strong liquidity position should help Costco keep outperforming. While trading at a premium to its peers, its long-term growth prospects should help the stock see a solid upside.(You can read the full research report on Costco here >>>)Shares of Chubb have gained +8.6% over the past year against the Zacks Insurance - Property and Casualty industry’s gain of +22.3%. The company’s suite of compelling products as well as services, focus on capitalizing on the potential of middle-market businesses and investments in various strategic initiatives pave the way for long-term growth.Several distribution agreements have expanded its network, boosting its market presence. An impressive inorganic growth story helps to achieve a higher long-term return on equity. Chubb boasts a strong capital position with sufficient cash generation capabilities that ensure steady payouts to investors.Chubb expects the quarterly adjusted net investment income to have a run rate between $1.67 billion and $1.75 billion over the next six months. However, exposure to catastrophe loss induces underwriting volatility. Escalating expenses weigh on margin expansion.(You can read the full research report on Chubb here >>>)Cigna’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Medical - HMOs industry over the year-to-date period (+12.2% vs. -29.8%). The company’s first quarter earnings beat estimates. Strategic acquisitions like Express Scripts and collaborations with Centene and Virgin Pulse support long-term growth. Revenues rose 14% year over year in 1Q25 to $65.5 billion.It streamlined its portfolio with divestitures to Chubb, New York Life and HCSC, focusing on core health services. Shareholder returns remain strong with $1.5 billion in buybacks and $412 million in dividends in the first quarter.However, challenges include high debt, rising interest expenses and a low ROA. High medical and service costs continue to pressure margins, with a medical care ratio projected at 83.2–84.2% for 2025. It must manage debt and improve operational efficiency to enhance long-term returns. It expects medical members to decline to 18.1M in 2025. As such, the stock warrants a cautious stance.(You can read the full research report on Cigna here >>>)Shares of Global Self Storage have outperformed the Zacks REIT and Equity Trust - Other industry over the past year (+19.3% vs. +11.8%). This microcap company with market capitalization of $63.15 million posted strong first-quarter 2025 results, with net income up 108.6% and Adjusted Funds From Operations (AFFO) rising 16.8%, reflecting cost discipline and solid operating leverage.Same-store Net Operating Income (NOI) grew 6.3%, outpacing revenue gains. Occupancy rose to 92.1%, while tenant duration hit a record 3.5 years, underscoring customer retention strength. The REIT holds $24.9 million in liquidity, with no revolver draw, enabling growth without dilutive equity. A 5.19% dividend yield is well-covered by AFFO.However, narrow revenue growth, rising interest expenses, geographic concentration, elevated liabilities and asset value contraction pose risks. Although shares trade at discounts to industry EV/Sales, EV/EBITDA, and P/B medians, the REIT offers yield and resilience but faces competitive and structural headwinds.(You can read the full research report on Global Self Storage here >>>)Natural Health Trends’ shares have outperformed the Zacks Consumer Products - Discretionary industry over the year-to-date period (+11.1% vs. -8.6%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $53.31 million has its core market strength lying in Hong Kong, which is driving 85% of first-quarter 2025 revenue despite a modest annual decline.Sequential order growth and new product launches signal resilience, but heavy reliance on China poses regulatory and macroeconomic risks. Expansion into Colombia and other regions offers long-term diversification, though non-core markets remain underpenetrated. The first quarter of 2025 saw positive cash flow and net income, with $41.9 million in liquidity and no debt, but dividend payouts strain resources.Membership attrition (down 4.6% year over year), rising commissions, and reliance on promotional incentives pressure margins. While trading below historical and industry valuation multiples, growth remains constrained by geographic overconcentration and trade volatility.(You can read the full research report on Natural Health Trends 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 >>Zacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.comhttps://www.zacks.comPast 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.Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor StockIt's only 1/9,000th the size of NVIDIA which skyrocketed more than +800% since we recommended it. NVIDIA is still strong, but our new top chip stock has much more room to boom.With strong earnings growth and an expanding customer base, it's positioned to feed the rampant demand for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things. Global semiconductor manufacturing is projected to explode from $452 billion in 2021 to $803 billion by 2028.See This Stock Now for Free >>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 Chubb Limited (CB): Free Stock Analysis Report Cigna Group (CI): Free Stock Analysis Report Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST): Free Stock Analysis Report Global Self Storage, Inc. (SELF): Get Free Report Natural Health Trends Corp. (NHTC): 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