The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Entergy, Fortis, Northwest Natural and Ingredion

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – July 30, 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: Entergy Corp. ETR, Fortis, Inc. FTS, Northwest Natural Holding Co. NWN and Ingredion Inc. INGR.Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:4 Low-Beta Defensive Stocks to Buy on Interest Rate UncertaintyWall Street has been on a rally over the past month, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq hitting multiple new record highs over the past two weeks. Investor confidence has been lifted by positive developments in trade negotiations and a strong earnings season.Despite this momentum, concerns about the overall health of the economy persist. Inflation remains high, and the Federal Reserve is not expected to cut interest rates in its upcoming July meeting. Also, the potential effects of newly implemented tariffs continue to create uncertainty, which could lead to renewed market volatility.Given the uncertainty, it would be ideal to invest in safe-haven defensive stocks from the utility and consumer staples sector, such as Entergy Corp., Fortis, Inc., Northwest Natural Holding Co. and Ingredion Inc.. Each of these stocks carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Also, these stocks are from the low-beta category (beta greater than 0 but less than 1). Hence, the recommended approach is to invest in low-beta stocks with a high dividend yield and a favorable Zacks Rank.Fed Likely to Keep Rates SteadyThe Federal Reserve is unlikely to cut interest rates in its upcoming FOMC meeting that begins on July 29. Solid economic data suggest that the U.S. economy remains resilient. Retail sales rose by 0.6% in June compared to the previous month, indicating continued consumer spending despite inflationary pressures. While Trump's tariffs are beginning to take a toll, shoppers are still active in the market.Inflation also climbed in June, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increasing 0.3% after a 0.1% rise in May. This spike is largely due to higher prices on consumer goods, driven by tariffs.This has made the Federal Reserve maintain a hawkish stance, as it believes that tariffs could elevate inflation further. Trump has been slamming Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not cutting interest rates. However, the central bank has adopted a wait-and-watch policy, with Powell saying that Fed officials are in no rush to cut interest rates.The Federal Reserve is expected to maintain its current interest rate range of 4.25-4.5%, which has remained unchanged since December. Also, fresh tariffs, which are set to take effect after the Aug. 1 deadline, are adding to market uncertainty. With inflation remaining high and no rate cuts in sight, markets could turn volatile again.4 Low-Beta Defensive Stocks with Growth PotentialEntergyEntergy Corp. is primarily engaged in electric power production and retail distribution of power. ETR has 30,000 megawatt (MW) of generating capacity, including more than 8,000 MW of nuclear fuel capacity.Entergy Corporation has an expected earnings growth rate of 6.6% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.3% over the last 60 days. ETR currently has a Zacks Rank #2. Entergy Corporation has a beta of 0.59 and a current dividend yield of 2.72%.FortisFortis, Inc. is engaged in the electric and gas utility business. FTS offers regulated utilities comprising electric and gas, as well as engages in non-regulated hydroelectric operations. Fortis operates primarily in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.Fortis has an expected earnings growth rate of 4.2% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.8% over the last 60 days. Currently, FTS carries a Zacks Rank #2. Fortis has a beta of 0.48 and a current dividend yield of 3.63%.Northwest NaturalNorthwest Natural Holding Co.builds and maintains natural gas distribution systems, as well as invests in natural gas pipeline projects through its subsidiaries. NWN serves residential, commercial and industrial customers primarily in the United States, Canada and Service Territory.Northwest Natural Holding Company has an expected earnings growth rate of 23.6% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 1.4% over the last 60 days. NWN presently has a Zacks Rank #2. Northwest Natural Holding Company has a beta of 0.53 and a current dividend yield of 4.80%.IngredionIngredion Inc. is an ingredients solutions provider specializing in nature-based sweeteners, starches and nutrition ingredients. INGR serves diverse sectors in food, beverage, brewing, pharmaceuticals and other industries.Ingredion's expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 6.8%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 1.5% over the past 60 days. INGR carries a Zacks Rank #2. Ingredion has a beta of 0.72 and a current dividend yield of 2.40%.Free: Instant Access to Zacks' Market-Crushing StrategiesSince 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 tap into those powerful strategies – and the high-potential stocks they uncover – free. No strings attached.Get all the details here >>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.#1 Semiconductor Stock to Buy (Not NVDA)The incredible demand for data is fueling the market's next digital gold rush. As data centers continue to be built and constantly upgraded, the companies that provide the hardware for these behemoths will become the NVIDIAs of tomorrow.One under-the-radar chipmaker is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the next growth stage of this market. It specializes in semiconductor products that titans like NVIDIA don't build. It's just beginning to enter the spotlight, which is exactly where you want to be.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 Entergy Corporation (ETR): Free Stock Analysis Report Northwest Natural Gas Company (NWN): Free Stock Analysis Report Ingredion Incorporated (INGR): Free Stock Analysis Report Fortis (FTS): 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