The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: AGNC, ASX, CAN, CPK and SRE

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – March 18, 2020 – 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 AGNC Investment Corp. AGNC, ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. ASX, CNA Financial Corp. CNA, Chesapeake Utilities Corp. CPK and Sempra Energy SRE.

Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:

5 Safe Stocks for the Worst Selloff Since 1987

Wall Street’s fear index has hit its highest level in history, with all major bourses tanking at least 12% on Mar 16 after coronavirus fears spooked investors. The deadly virus that originated in China has now spread across the world, compellng investors to ditch risky assets like stocks. The virus is expected to weight on corporate profits and disrupt supply chains throughout the world.

Nevertheless, the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) that measures expected volatility in the coming 30-day period, jumped almost 44% in a single trading session to close above the 82 mark, marking its highest finish in history. In fact, the index had climbed above the 80 mark only two times during the 2008 financial crisis.

By the way, the VIX generally has an historic average between 19 and 20. And it tends to rise when stocks plummet. And markets primarily tumbled yesterday after U.S. President Trump issued a new set of guidelines for dealing with the pandemic. He categorically said that public gatherings should be fewer than 10 people and children should stay at home.

Such a statement came in after several schools across the country were shut down, major sporting events were suspended and local governments took necessary steps to prevent the gathering of people in public places. What’s more, he said that the outbreak might stretch till July, thereby squashing hopes of the threat ending once the weather conditions get warmer.

The Dow saw its second worst one-day decline, while the tech-laden Nasdaq registered it’s worst one-day decline in history. For the S&P 500, the index suffered its third worst day since inception. Even though circuit breakers briefly halted trading, the indexes dropped sharply.

Coming to the broader S&P 500 index, 491 stocks declined on March 16. To top it, 64 stocks in the S&P 500 nosedived at least 20% yesterday. Predominantly shares of energy companies, airlines, cruise lines, and casino and hotel operators declined the most, while some apparel retailers were hit hard too.

This certainly shows that economic support to fight the outbreak isn’t boosting equities. The Fed and the ECB did apply monetary measures to calm markets but that did little to soothe investors. After all, interest rate cuts and easy access to credit doesn’t address issues caused by a pandemic that has kept consumers from traveling, shopping and gathering at public places.

Meanwhile, Trump failed to quell worries about the possible economic slowdown from the coronavirus. He had earlier promised to offer “a payroll tax cut or relief” to both business houses and hourly wage earners.

Buy These 5 Ultra-Safe Stocks Now

With the markets witnessing a major pullback, investing in stocks that provide excellent risk-adjusted returns seems judicious. The best way to go about doing this is by creating a portfolio of low-beta stocks, which are inherently less volatile than the markets they trade in. In this case, a low beta ranges from 0 to 1.

These stocks are also dividend payers which boast immense financial strength and are immune to market vagaries. Such stocks reflect solid financial structure, healthy underlying fundamentals and better-quality business. Further, they boast a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy).

AGNC Investment Corp. operates as a real estate investment trust. The company currently has a beta of 0.33 and a Zacks Rank #1. The company has a dividend yield of 15.99% and its five-year dividend yield is 11.79%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has moved up 6.1% over the past 60 days. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current quarter and year is 7.7% and 4.6%, respectively.

ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd.provides a range of semiconductors packaging and testing. The company currently has a beta of 0.97 and a Zacks Rank #2. The company has a dividend yield of 2.57% and its five-year dividend yield is 2.39%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has risen 2.9% over the past 60 days. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 44%.

CNA Financial Corp. provides commercial property and casualty insurance products. The company currently has a beta of 0.69 and a Zacks Rank #1. The company has a dividend yield of 4.17% and its five-year dividend yield is 2.72%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has moved up 6.7% over the past 60 days. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 15%. You can seethe complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Chesapeake Utilities Corp.is a diversified energy company. The company currently has a beta of 0.34 and a Zacks Rank #2. The company has a dividend yield of 1.72%, and its five-year dividend yield is 1.84%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has moved 2% north over the past 60 days. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 9.6%.

Sempra Energydevelops and operates energy infrastructure. The company currently has a beta of 0.57 and a Zacks Rank #2. The company has a dividend yield of 3.62% and its five-year dividend yield is 2.89%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has climbed 3% over the past 60 days. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the next quarter and current year is 15.5% and 5.2%, respectively.

5 Stocks Set to Double

Each was hand-picked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2020. Each comes from a different sector and has unique qualities and catalysts that could fuel exceptional growth.

Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.

Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>

Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>

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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.

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