Group 1 - Zacks Premium offers various tools to help investors make informed decisions, including daily updates on Zacks Rank and Industry Rank, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens [1][2] - The Zacks Style Scores are designed to complement the Zacks Rank, rating stocks based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics, which can help investors identify stocks likely to outperform the market in the short term [2][3] Group 2 - Stocks are rated from A to F based on their value, growth, and momentum, with A being the highest score indicating a better chance of outperforming the market [3] - The Value Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios like P/E and Price/Sales [3] - The Growth Score assesses a company's financial health and future outlook, looking at projected earnings and sales growth [4] - The Momentum Score identifies stocks with favorable price trends, utilizing recent price changes and earnings estimate revisions [5] Group 3 - The VGM Score combines the three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive rating that highlights stocks with attractive value, strong growth potential, and positive momentum [6] - The Zacks Rank model uses earnings estimate revisions to identify stocks, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically achieving an average annual return of +23.75% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [7][9] Group 4 - ITT Inc. is highlighted as a 2 (Buy) stock on the Zacks Rank with a VGM Score of B, indicating strong potential for growth investors [11] - ITT is forecasted to have a year-over-year earnings growth of 10.6% for the current fiscal year, with upward revisions in earnings estimates from analysts [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ITT's earnings has increased by $0.11 to $6.48 per share, with an average earnings surprise of +1.5% [12]

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, aiming to buy high and sell higher, with the expectation that established trends will continue [1] Group 1: Momentum Style Score - ITT currently holds a Momentum Style Score of A, indicating strong momentum characteristics [2] - The Zacks Rank for ITT is 2 (Buy), suggesting a favorable outlook for the stock [3] - Stocks rated Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy) with Style Scores of "A or B" tend to outperform the market over the following month [3] Group 2: Price Performance - ITT shares have increased by 1.57% over the past week, while the Zacks Diversified Operations industry has decreased by 3.45% [5] - Over the past month, ITT's price change is 5.11%, outperforming the industry's 1.56% [5] - In the last quarter, ITT shares rose by 11.73%, and over the past year, they increased by 33.5%, compared to the S&P 500's 11.71% and 19.86% respectively [6] Group 3: Trading Volume - ITT's average 20-day trading volume is 437,079 shares, which serves as a bullish indicator when combined with rising stock prices [7] Group 4: Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, three earnings estimates for ITT have been revised upwards, increasing the consensus estimate from $6.37 to $6.46 [9] - For the next fiscal year, four estimates have moved higher with no downward revisions [9] Group 5: Conclusion - Given the strong momentum indicators and positive earnings outlook, ITT is positioned as a 2 (Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of A, making it a potential candidate for near-term investment [11]

Core Viewpoint - Growth investors are increasingly focusing on stocks with above-average financial growth, and identifying such stocks can be challenging due to inherent volatility and risks [1] Group 1: Company Overview - ITT is currently recommended as a growth stock by the Zacks Growth Style Score system, which evaluates a company's real growth prospects beyond traditional metrics [2] - ITT holds a favorable Growth Score and a top Zacks Rank, indicating strong potential for growth [2] Group 2: Earnings Growth - ITT has a historical EPS growth rate of 14.8%, with projected EPS growth of 10.1% for the current year, surpassing the industry average of 8.6% [5] Group 3: Cash Flow Growth - ITT's year-over-year cash flow growth stands at 14.7%, significantly higher than the industry average of -9.3%, highlighting its strong cash accumulation capabilities [6] - The company's annualized cash flow growth rate over the past 3-5 years is 6.6%, compared to the industry average of 5.3% [7] Group 4: Earnings Estimate Revisions - There has been a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions for ITT, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year increasing by 0.9% over the past month [8] Group 5: Investment Positioning - ITT has achieved a Zacks Rank of 2 and a Growth Score of B, positioning it well for potential outperformance in the growth stock category [10]

Core Insights - Marubeni Corp. (MARUY) has a stronger Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) compared to ITT's Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a more favorable earnings estimate revision trend for MARUY [3] - Value investors are encouraged to consider various valuation metrics to assess whether a company is undervalued at its current share price levels [3][4] Valuation Metrics - MARUY has a forward P/E ratio of 9.19, significantly lower than ITT's forward P/E of 25.42, suggesting that MARUY may be undervalued [5] - The PEG ratio for MARUY is 1.42, while ITT's PEG ratio is 2.06, indicating that MARUY has a better balance between its price and expected earnings growth [5] - MARUY's P/B ratio stands at 1.35, compared to ITT's P/B of 4.99, further supporting the notion that MARUY is more attractively valued [6] Conclusion - Given the stronger estimate revision activity and more favorable valuation metrics, MARUY is positioned as the superior option for value investors compared to ITT [7]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence [1] - The Zacks Style Scores are designed to complement the Zacks Rank, aiding investors in selecting stocks likely to outperform the market in the short term [2] Zacks Style Scores Overview - Stocks are rated A, B, C, D, or F based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics, with higher scores indicating better performance potential [3] - The Style Scores are categorized into four types: Value Score, Growth Score, Momentum Score, and VGM Score [3][4][5][6] Value Score - Focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow [3] Growth Score - Concentrates on a company's financial health and future growth potential, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] Momentum Score - Targets stocks with upward or downward trends in price or earnings, utilizing factors like one-week price change and monthly earnings estimate changes [5] VGM Score - Combines all three Style Scores to provide a comprehensive rating, highlighting stocks with attractive value, strong growth forecasts, and promising momentum [6] Zacks Rank Integration - The Zacks Rank leverages earnings estimate revisions to guide investors, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically yielding an average annual return of +23.75% since 1988, outperforming the S&P 500 [7] - A significant number of stocks can hold a Strong Buy or Buy rank, making the Style Scores essential for narrowing down investment choices [8] Investment Strategy - For optimal returns, investors should consider stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B [9] - Stocks with lower ranks but high Style Scores may still present risks due to declining earnings forecasts [10] Company Spotlight: ITT Inc. - ITT Inc., based in New York City, is a leader in high-technology engineering and manufacturing, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of B [11] - The company has seen a 1.8% increase in shares over the past four weeks, with three analysts raising earnings estimates for fiscal 2025, resulting in a Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.45 per share [12]

Core Insights - ITT Inc. reported adjusted earnings of $1.64 per share for Q2 2025, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.62, marking a 10.1% year-over-year increase driven by sales growth in the Connect & Control Technologies segment [1][9] - Total revenues reached $972 million, surpassing the consensus estimate of $947 million, with a year-over-year growth of 7.3% [2][9] Segment Performance - The Industrial Process segment generated revenues of $355.9 million, up 7.6% year-over-year, with organic sales increasing by 5.5% and adjusted operating income rising by 12.6% [3] - The Motion Technologies segment reported revenues of $365.7 million, a decrease of 4.9% year-over-year due to the Wolverine divestiture, although organic revenues increased by 3% [4] - Revenues from the Connect & Control Technologies segment were $251.9 million, reflecting a 31.3% year-over-year increase, with adjusted operating income rising by 24.9% [5] Financial Metrics - ITT's cost of revenues increased by 6.2% year-over-year to $625.6 million, while gross profit rose by 9.5% to $346.8 million [6] - Adjusted operating income increased by 9.2% year-over-year to $179.0 million, with a margin expansion of 30 basis points to 18.4% [6] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - As of the end of Q2 2025, ITT had cash and cash equivalents of $467.9 million, up from $439.3 million at the end of Q4 2024 [7] - In the first half of 2025, ITT generated net cash of $267.1 million from operating activities, an increase from $215.5 million in the prior year, with free cash flow reaching $213.9 million [8] 2025 Outlook - ITT raised its 2025 adjusted earnings guidance to a range of $6.35-$6.55 per share, indicating an 8-11% increase from the previous year [11] - Revenue growth is projected between 5-7%, with an adjusted operating margin estimated between 18.1% and 18.7% [12]

Core Insights - ITT reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.64, exceeding the analyst forecast of $1.61, and revenue of $972.4 million, surpassing the consensus estimate of $948.47 million [1][2] - Orders exceeded $1 billion, resulting in a backlog of nearly $2 billion at the end of the quarter, indicating strong demand and growth across all major segments [1][5][8] Financial Performance - Adjusted EPS increased by 10.1% year-over-year, while revenue grew by 7.3% [2][5] - Operating margin improved to 18.0%, with company-wide operating income rising nearly 10% [2][7] - Free cash flow reached $137.3 million, a 2.1% increase from the previous year [2][9] Segment Performance - Motion Technologies reported sales of $365.7 million, a 4.9% decline, but showed organic growth of 3.0% [6] - Industrial Process generated $355.9 million in revenue, up 7.6% reported and 5.5% organically [6] - Connect & Control Technologies saw a 31.3% increase in sales to $251.9 million, with organic growth of 4.5% [6] Strategic Focus - ITT is focusing on global diversification and expanding in high-growth markets, with consistent investment in R&D [4] - Recent innovations include energy-saving industrial motor drives and targeted acquisitions to enhance exposure to aerospace and sustainability-linked markets [4] Future Outlook - Management raised full-year revenue guidance to a 5-7% increase, with adjusted EPS expected to be between $6.35 and $6.55, reflecting year-over-year growth of 8-11% [10] - Free cash flow is projected to be in the $450-500 million range, accounting for 12-13% of revenue [10] - Investors should monitor segment-level margin improvements, order trends, and the impact of tariff-related cost increases [11]

Core Insights - ITT reported revenue of $972.4 million for the quarter ended June 2025, reflecting a 7.3% increase year-over-year and surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $946.88 million by 2.7% [1] - Earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $1.64, up from $1.49 in the same quarter last year, with a surprise of 1.23% compared to the consensus estimate of $1.62 [1] Revenue Performance - Motion Technologies (MT) revenue was $365.7 million, exceeding the average estimate of $361.86 million, but showing a year-over-year decline of 4.9% [4] - Connect & Control Technologies (CCT) revenue reached $251.9 million, significantly above the average estimate of $236.64 million, marking a year-over-year increase of 31.3% [4] - Industrial Process (IP) revenue was reported at $355.9 million, slightly above the average estimate of $348.57 million, with a year-over-year growth of 7.6% [4] Adjusted Operating Income - Adjusted Operating Income for Corporate was reported at -$17.4 million, compared to the average estimate of -$16.66 million [4] - Adjusted Operating Income for Connect & Control Technologies (CCT) was $45.1 million, exceeding the average estimate of $44.06 million [4] - Adjusted Operating Income for Motion Technologies (MT) was $73.8 million, above the average estimate of $70.92 million [4] - Adjusted Operating Income for Industrial Process (IP) was $77.5 million, surpassing the average estimate of $75.69 million [4] Stock Performance - ITT shares have returned -0.4% over the past month, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite has increased by 2.7% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating potential for outperformance in the near term [3]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q2 2025, the company reported $1 billion in orders, a 16% increase overall and a 13% increase organically, driven by strong performance across all businesses and acquisitions [7] - Quarterly revenue exceeded $970 million, up 7% overall and 4% organically, with all segments contributing [7] - Operating income grew more than twice the organic sales growth rate, and operating margin expanded over 100 basis points excluding M&A impacts [7] - Adjusted EPS grew by 10% or 16% when excluding the WorldVerlin divestiture [8] - Free cash flow reached $214 million year-to-date, with a free cash flow margin of 14% in Q2 [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Industrial Process (IP) orders grew by 22%, with notable strength in Gulps Pumps and Svanohoi, where orders exceeded their full year 2024 revenue in the first half of 2025 [10] - Connect and Control (CCT) saw a 9% organic growth driven by Defense and Commercial Aerospace, with total orders increasing by 36% [11] - Motion Technologies (MT) Friction team won 49 new electrified platform awards, with Friction OE growing 7% organically [12][13] - IP revenue grew 5% organically, while CCT grew 4% organically, and MT Friction OE outperformed global auto production by over 500 basis points [24][26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a book-to-bill ratio of 1.1, resulting in an ending backlog of nearly $2 billion, up 34% year-over-year and 9% sequentially [13] - The automotive market production was up 2.6% in Q2, with expectations for the full year to be flat or slightly positive [42] - The company outperformed in all three regions (Europe, China, North America) and across all powertrain types (internal combustion, hybrid, EV) [43] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on organic growth and margin expansion, complemented by M&A activities [6] - The 2030 financial targets include more than 5% organic revenue growth and approximately 10% total growth annually, with margins expected to reach 23% [22] - The company is actively pursuing acquisition targets, with a disciplined framework for deal selection and integration [21][82] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management raised the full-year adjusted EPS outlook to $6.45, reflecting strong first-half performance and improved visibility for the second half [16][31] - The company expects continued growth in the Project business in IP, firm demand in Aerospace and Defense, and outperformance in Friction OE and Rail [31] - Management noted that the funnel remains healthy, with only minor shifts in order timing, indicating confidence in future performance [40] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $500 million of shares year-to-date, reducing the weighted average share count by 3% [9] - The estimated gross tariff costs for 2025 have been reduced to approximately $25 million, half of the previous estimate, with no material impact expected [32][122] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on capital equipment and project hesitancy - Management noted strong order performance with only minor shifts in timing, indicating no major concerns in the market [39][40] Question: Auto landscape outlook - The automotive production forecast for 2025 is slightly positive, with the company outperforming across all regions and powertrain types [42][43] Question: CCT orders and market growth - CCT orders grew significantly, driven by aerospace and defense, with strong share gains noted [52][54] Question: FX impact on Motion Technologies margins - The depreciation of the dollar against the euro has negatively impacted transaction margins, despite positive translation effects [56] Question: Strength in Svanahoy business - The outperformance is attributed to strong execution and product differentiation, with expectations for continued growth [63][65] Question: Pricing actions and tariff exposure - The company has successfully mitigated tariff impacts through pricing and productivity actions, with no material income impact expected [122]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q2 2025, the company reported $1 billion in orders, a 16% increase overall and a 13% increase organically, driven by strong performance across all businesses and acquisitions [7] - Quarterly revenue exceeded $970 million, reflecting a 7% total increase and a 4% organic increase, with all segments contributing [7][22] - Operating income grew more than twice the organic sales growth rate, and operating margin expanded over 100 basis points, excluding M&A impacts [7][13] - Adjusted EPS grew by 10% year-over-year, or 16% when excluding the impact of the WorldVerlin divestiture [7][25] - Free cash flow reached $214 million year-to-date, with a free cash flow margin of 14% in Q2 [7][26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Industrial Process (IP) orders grew by 22%, with notable strength in Gulps Pumps and Svanohoi, where orders exceeded their full year 2024 revenue in the first half of 2025 [9][12] - Connect and Control (CCT) saw a 9% organic growth driven by Defense and Commercial Aerospace, with total orders increasing by 36% [10][22] - Motion Technologies (MT) reported a 7% organic growth, outperforming global auto production by over 500 basis points [24][12] - Overall, the company achieved a book-to-bill ratio of 1.1, resulting in an ending backlog of nearly $2 billion, up 34% year-over-year [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The automotive market showed a production increase of 2.6% in Q2, with expectations for the full year to be flat or slightly positive at around 90 million vehicles produced [41] - The company outperformed in all regions, including significant gains in China, Europe, and North America [42] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on organic growth and margin expansion, complemented by strategic M&A activities [6][15] - The long-term financial targets include over 5% organic revenue growth and approximately 10% total growth annually, with margins expected to reach 23% by 2030 [20] - The company is actively pursuing acquisition targets, particularly in the $200 million to $400 million revenue range, to enhance its market position [76] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strong performance and raised the full-year adjusted EPS outlook to $6.45, reflecting a 10% growth compared to the previous year [15][30] - The company anticipates continued growth in the Project business, firm demand in Aerospace and Defense, and outperformance in Friction OE and Rail for the second half of the year [29] - Management noted that the economic environment remains less volatile, contributing to improved visibility for the second half of 2025 [29] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $500 million of its shares year-to-date, reducing the weighted average share count by 3% [8][26] - The company expects to deliver close to $500 million in free cash flow for the year, supported by strong operating income and improved working capital management [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on capital equipment and project hesitancy - Management noted strong order performance with only minor shifts in timing, indicating a healthy market environment [37][39] Question: Auto landscape outlook - The company expects flat or slightly positive production for the year, with significant outperformance across all regions and powertrains [41][42] Question: CCT orders growth and market share - CCT orders grew significantly, driven by defense and aerospace, with strong share gains noted [51][52] Question: FX impact on Motion Technologies margins - The depreciation of the dollar against the euro has created transaction impacts affecting margins, but overall performance remains strong [54] Question: Performance of Svanahoy - Svanahoy is expected to grow orders by over 20% for the full year, with strong execution and product differentiation driving success [62] Question: Pricing actions and tariff exposure - The company has reduced its tariff exposure estimate for 2025 and is implementing pricing actions to mitigate impacts [115][117] Question: M&A environment and deal activity - The company sees a fragmented market with opportunities for further acquisitions, particularly in flow-related sectors [120][121]