Archives for September 22, 2019

Stocks to Watch: Analyst Target Watch for ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (:ZTO)

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Investors may be tracking sell-side analyst opinions on shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (:ZTO). According to analysts polled by Zacks Research, the current consensus target price is $24. Analysts and financial institutions may use different methods to value a particular stock. Because of the use of alternate methods, individual price targets may be widely varied. Viewing the consensus target price can help provide a general sense of where the sell-side sees the stock heading in the future. Investors can take a look at the target projections and decide for themselves if they agree with the Street. Investors tend to take a closer look at shares when analysts provide update to price targets.

Some traders may be using technical analysis to try and beat the stock market. There are many different indicators that traders have at their disposal. The sheer amount of indicators may leave the trader wondering which ones to use. Studying different technical indicators and signals may be worthwhile and educational, but the average investor may only end up focusing on a couple different indicators that actually work. Finding which indicators to follow and trade on may take some time and effort. Scoping out the proper signals and figuring out which ones tend to work the best may be on the minds of many traders. Trying to follow too many technical indicators might not be the best idea, and it may even cause more confusion. Once the signals have been chosen, traders may spend a lot of time back testing strategies before diving into the market.

Street analysts often provide stock recommendations for companies that they track. According to analysts polled by Zacks Research, the current average rating on shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (:ZTO) is 1. This average rating includes analysts who have given Buy, Sell and Hold ratings on the name. This rating uses a numerical scale from 1 to 5. A 1 would indicate a Buy recommendation, and a score of 5 would point to a Sell recommendation. Out of all the analysts offering recommendations, 2 have rated the stock a Strong Buy or Buy.

Covering analysts are looking for ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (:ZTO) to report a current quarter EPS of 0.22 when the company issues their next earnings report. This is the consensus estimate using analysts taken into consideration by Zacks Research. This estimate includes 1 sell-side analysts. For the previous reporting period, the company posted a quarterly EPS of 0.25. Investors will be closely tracking how close the actual comes to the consensus estimate after the next report. Analysts covering the stock are usually very busy during earnings periods. Before the release, they might be revising estimates. After the earnings release, they will closely review the information and update accordingly.

Looking at some recent stock price activity for ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (:ZTO), we have spotted shares trading near the $22.17 level. Looking at some popular historical levels, we note that the 52-week high is presently $22.17, and the 52-week low is currently $14.95. When the stock is trading close to the 52-week high or 52-week low, investors may pay extra attention to see if there will be a move through that level. Looking back over the last 12 weeks, the stock has moved 15.47%. Heading back to the start of the year, we can see that shares have moved 40.05%. Over the past 4 weeks, shares have seen a change of 10.96%. Over the last 5 trading sessions, the stock has moved 2.26%.

Stock market investors may be well aware of how turbulent the investing climate can be. Markets might be surging to new highs leaving the average investor to wonder what will happen next. When everything is going higher in the stock market, it may seem as though every pick is going to be a winner. Conversely, when things are going down, investors may be cursing the day they ever entered the markets. These ups and downs are a normal part of investing in the stock market. Having a well thought out investing plan may help ease the burden of day to day volatility. Many successful investors and traders will preach the wonders of sticking to an outlined plan. It may take some time to actually realize how well the plan is working. If after some time the results continue to be sub-par, then it may be time to devise a different plan.

Stocks to Watch: Analyst Target Watch for U S Concrete, Inc. (NASDAQ:USCR)

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Investors may be tracking sell-side analyst opinions on shares of U S Concrete, Inc. (NASDAQ:USCR). According to analysts polled by Zacks Research, the current consensus target price is $54.2. Analysts and financial institutions may use different methods to value a particular stock. Because of the use of alternate methods, individual price targets may be widely varied. Viewing the consensus target price can help provide a general sense of where the sell-side sees the stock heading in the future. Investors can take a look at the target projections and decide for themselves if they agree with the Street. Investors tend to take a closer look at shares when analysts provide update to price targets.

Some traders may be using technical analysis to try and beat the stock market. There are many different indicators that traders have at their disposal. The sheer amount of indicators may leave the trader wondering which ones to use. Studying different technical indicators and signals may be worthwhile and educational, but the average investor may only end up focusing on a couple different indicators that actually work. Finding which indicators to follow and trade on may take some time and effort. Scoping out the proper signals and figuring out which ones tend to work the best may be on the minds of many traders. Trying to follow too many technical indicators might not be the best idea, and it may even cause more confusion. Once the signals have been chosen, traders may spend a lot of time back testing strategies before diving into the market.

Street analysts often provide stock recommendations for companies that they track. According to analysts polled by Zacks Research, the current average rating on shares of U S Concrete, Inc. (NASDAQ:USCR) is 2. This average rating includes analysts who have given Buy, Sell and Hold ratings on the name. This rating uses a numerical scale from 1 to 5. A 1 would indicate a Buy recommendation, and a score of 5 would point to a Sell recommendation. Out of all the analysts offering recommendations, 2 have rated the stock a Strong Buy or Buy.

Covering analysts are looking for U S Concrete, Inc. (NASDAQ:USCR) to report a current quarter EPS of 1.59 when the company issues their next earnings report. This is the consensus estimate using analysts taken into consideration by Zacks Research. This estimate includes 1 sell-side analysts. For the previous reporting period, the company posted a quarterly EPS of 0.23. Investors will be closely tracking how close the actual comes to the consensus estimate after the next report. Analysts covering the stock are usually very busy during earnings periods. Before the release, they might be revising estimates. After the earnings release, they will closely review the information and update accordingly.

Looking at some recent stock price activity for U S Concrete, Inc. (NASDAQ:USCR), we have spotted shares trading near the $47.11 level. Looking at some popular historical levels, we note that the 52-week high is presently $53.55, and the 52-week low is currently $29.17. When the stock is trading close to the 52-week high or 52-week low, investors may pay extra attention to see if there will be a move through that level. Looking back over the last 12 weeks, the stock has moved -3.28%. Heading back to the start of the year, we can see that shares have moved 33.53%. Over the past 4 weeks, shares have seen a change of 6.85%. Over the last 5 trading sessions, the stock has moved -0.49%.

Stock market investors may be well aware of how turbulent the investing climate can be. Markets might be surging to new highs leaving the average investor to wonder what will happen next. When everything is going higher in the stock market, it may seem as though every pick is going to be a winner. Conversely, when things are going down, investors may be cursing the day they ever entered the markets. These ups and downs are a normal part of investing in the stock market. Having a well thought out investing plan may help ease the burden of day to day volatility. Many successful investors and traders will preach the wonders of sticking to an outlined plan. It may take some time to actually realize how well the plan is working. If after some time the results continue to be sub-par, then it may be time to devise a different plan.

Stocks to Update: Analyst Target Watch for The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:THG)

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Investors may be tracking sell-side analyst opinions on shares of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:THG). According to analysts polled by Zacks Research, the current consensus target price is $139.5. Analysts and financial institutions may use different methods to value a particular stock. Because of the use of alternate methods, individual price targets may be widely varied. Viewing the consensus target price can help provide a general sense of where the sell-side sees the stock heading in the future. Investors can take a look at the target projections and decide for themselves if they agree with the Street. Investors tend to take a closer look at shares when analysts provide update to price targets.

Some traders may be using technical analysis to try and beat the stock market. There are many different indicators that traders have at their disposal. The sheer amount of indicators may leave the trader wondering which ones to use. Studying different technical indicators and signals may be worthwhile and educational, but the average investor may only end up focusing on a couple different indicators that actually work. Finding which indicators to follow and trade on may take some time and effort. Scoping out the proper signals and figuring out which ones tend to work the best may be on the minds of many traders. Trying to follow too many technical indicators might not be the best idea, and it may even cause more confusion. Once the signals have been chosen, traders may spend a lot of time back testing strategies before diving into the market.

Street analysts often provide stock recommendations for companies that they track. According to analysts polled by Zacks Research, the current average rating on shares of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:THG) is 1.67. This average rating includes analysts who have given Buy, Sell and Hold ratings on the name. This rating uses a numerical scale from 1 to 5. A 1 would indicate a Buy recommendation, and a score of 5 would point to a Sell recommendation. Out of all the analysts offering recommendations, 2 have rated the stock a Strong Buy or Buy.

Covering analysts are looking for The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:THG) to report a current quarter EPS of 2.02 when the company issues their next earnings report. This is the consensus estimate using analysts taken into consideration by Zacks Research. This estimate includes 1 sell-side analysts. For the previous reporting period, the company posted a quarterly EPS of 1.88. Investors will be closely tracking how close the actual comes to the consensus estimate after the next report. Analysts covering the stock are usually very busy during earnings periods. Before the release, they might be revising estimates. After the earnings release, they will closely review the information and update accordingly.

Looking at some recent stock price activity for The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:THG), we have spotted shares trading near the $132.36 level. Looking at some popular historical levels, we note that the 52-week high is presently $134.36, and the 52-week low is currently $105.29. When the stock is trading close to the 52-week high or 52-week low, investors may pay extra attention to see if there will be a move through that level. Looking back over the last 12 weeks, the stock has moved 4.96%. Heading back to the start of the year, we can see that shares have moved 13.35%. Over the past 4 weeks, shares have seen a change of -0.62%. Over the last 5 trading sessions, the stock has moved 0.91%.

Stock market investors may be well aware of how turbulent the investing climate can be. Markets might be surging to new highs leaving the average investor to wonder what will happen next. When everything is going higher in the stock market, it may seem as though every pick is going to be a winner. Conversely, when things are going down, investors may be cursing the day they ever entered the markets. These ups and downs are a normal part of investing in the stock market. Having a well thought out investing plan may help ease the burden of day to day volatility. Many successful investors and traders will preach the wonders of sticking to an outlined plan. It may take some time to actually realize how well the plan is working. If after some time the results continue to be sub-par, then it may be time to devise a different plan.

TMX ready to lay pipe

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Trans Mountain Corporation says that it has received over 55% of the total pipe required to build its expansion project, or 550 kilometres of the 1,000-km total.

The pipe is being held at stockpile sites in B.C. and Alberta, the company said on Thursday.

The majority of pipe needed for the project is being produced by EVRAZ North America in Regina and Camrose, Alta.

Trans Mountain gave its prime construction contractors “notice to proceed” in August; 30 days to mobilize equipment and start hiring workers, developing detailed work plans and begin procuring goods and services.

“Construction and planning” for the expansion project is continuing, Trans Mountain said.

The federal government has said it will be operational by mid-2022.

Fort St. John pipeline contractors Surerus Pipeline and Macro Industries have joint ventures selected to build nearly one-third of the expansion through Southern B.C.

Markets in record territory

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Canada’s main stock index pushed higher into record territory in late-morning trading, helped by gains in the energy sector as the price of oil moved up.

The S&P/TSX composite index was up 69.25 points at 16,927.60, after hitting an intraday record of 16,947.23 in earlier trading.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 70.30 points at 27,165.09. The S&P 500 index was up 5.34 points at 3,012.13, while the Nasdaq composite was down 3.08 points at 8,179.80.

The Canadian dollar traded for 75.32 cents US compared with an average of 75.42 cents US on Thursday.

The November crude contract was up 41 cents at US$58.60 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was down 2.5 cents at US$2.51 per mmBTU.

The December gold contract was up US$5.40 at US$1,511.60 an ounce and the December copper contract was up 0.60 of a cent at US$2.61 a pound.

Home equity fuels spending

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Canadian homeowners who accessed their home equity through a loan or refinancing helped fuel household spending in recent years, according to research by staff at the Bank of Canada.

Household spending moved in a similar direction to home prices over roughly the past decade, with both rising sharply in 2016 and 2017, according to a staff analytical note by several of the central bank’s researchers.

In 2017, household spending jumped 3.51 per cent, while house prices advanced 13.57 per cent.

That trend comes partly from the collateral effect of homeowners finding it easier to borrow against their homes, either through a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or mortgage refinancing, when property prices rise.

A HELOC is a line of credit secured against a property owner’s home with the limit that the outstanding mortgage balance and HELOC must not exceed 80 per cent of the home’s value. Mortgage refinancing allows homeowners to replace their current mortgage with a larger one — for up to 80 per cent of the home’s value.

In 2017, the researchers found Canadian homeowners extracted $89 billion in home equity through these two methods, with more money — $49 billion — coming through HELOCs.

Borrowers used that money to pay for big-ticket items, like cars and furniture, or to fund renovations, among other things, according to the research, which suggests this “has likely contributed materially” to this kind of spending in Canada in recent years.

The researchers found that by the end of 2017, this equity extraction could have added two per cent to consumer spending on durables and semi-durables (goods that include cars and furniture), as well as 11 per cent to renovation spending.

The report found that translated into a 0.5 per cent impact on the GDP level.

However, things changed in 2018. That year, the amount of equity homeowners extracted from their properties fell and that could have had a negative impact of 0.1 per cent on the GDP.

“If this collateral effect is strong, it could leave the economy more vulnerable to adverse events, such as a large decline in house prices,” the note said, adding the absence of equity extraction can exacerbate spending cuts in bad times.

The researchers said they plan to continue studying this area in the future, with a deeper look planned at the characteristics of equity extractors and an analysis of what factors influence the decision to access home equity.