Core Insights - Dividend investing is gaining traction in the first half of 2025 due to market volatility and uncertainty, despite U.S. stocks nearing record highs driven by optimism in trade talks, corporate earnings, and AI momentum [1] - Stocks with a history of dividend growth tend to outperform in volatile markets, providing a more stable investment option compared to high-yield stocks [2][4] Dividend Growth Stocks - Five dividend growth stocks identified as solid investment choices for the second half of 2025 are Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM), NetEase Inc. (NTES), Qifu Technology Inc. (QFIN), UGI Corporation (UGI), and McKesson Corporation (MCK) [3][9] - These stocks meet strict criteria for dividend, sales, and earnings growth, showing positive earnings revisions and strong Growth Scores [9] Investment Rationale - Stocks with a strong history of dividend growth are typically mature companies, providing a hedge against economic and political uncertainties [4] - These companies exhibit superior fundamentals, including sustainable business models, profitability, rising cash flows, and strong balance sheets, indicating potential for future dividend increases [5] Performance Metrics - Selected stocks have shown a 5-Year Historical Dividend Growth greater than zero, indicating a solid dividend growth history [6] - Additional criteria include positive historical sales and earnings growth, as well as expected future earnings growth, which supports sustained dividend payments [7] Valuation and Ranking - Stocks are evaluated based on Price/Cash Flow ratios being less than the industry average, indicating undervaluation [8] - The selected stocks have outperformed the S&P 500 over the past year and hold Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), suggesting strong market performance potential [8][10]

Group 1: Company Performance - McKesson (MCK) has gained approximately 27.9% year-to-date, outperforming the average loss of 4.9% in the Medical group [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for McKesson's full-year earnings has increased by 1.5% over the past quarter, indicating improving analyst sentiment [3] - McKesson belongs to the Medical - Dental Supplies industry, which has seen a loss of about 0.9% this year, further highlighting MCK's strong performance within its specific industry [5] Group 2: Industry Context - The Medical group is currently ranked 6 within the Zacks Sector Rank, which evaluates the strength of 16 individual sector groups [2] - The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, where Benitec Biopharma Limited (BNTC) operates, is ranked 87 and has experienced a decline of 4.8% since the beginning of the year [6] - Investors should monitor both McKesson and Benitec Biopharma Limited as they have shown solid performance relative to their respective sectors [6]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides various tools to help investors make informed decisions and invest confidently in the stock market [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores are indicators that assist investors in selecting stocks likely to outperform the market within 30 days, rated from A to F based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics [3] - The Value Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios like P/E and Price/Sales [4] - The Growth Score emphasizes a company's financial health and future growth potential, analyzing projected and historical earnings and cash flow [5] - The Momentum Score helps investors capitalize on price trends by evaluating recent price changes and earnings estimate shifts [6] - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive assessment of stocks based on value, growth, and momentum [7] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to simplify portfolio building, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks achieving an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8][9] - Investors are encouraged to focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for optimal returns [11] Stock Highlight: McKesson Corporation - McKesson Corporation, a healthcare services and IT company, holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of A, making it a strong candidate for growth investors [13] - The company is projected to experience year-over-year earnings growth of 12.6% for the current fiscal year, supported by positive earnings estimate revisions from analysts [14]

Core Viewpoint - Growth stocks are appealing due to their potential for above-average financial growth, but identifying strong candidates can be challenging due to associated risks and volatility [1] Group 1: Company Overview - McKesson (MCK) is highlighted as a recommended growth stock, possessing a favorable Growth Score and a top Zacks Rank [2] - The company has a historical EPS growth rate of 16%, with projected EPS growth of 12.5% this year, surpassing the industry average of 8.2% [4] Group 2: Key Growth Metrics - The asset utilization ratio for McKesson is 4.95, indicating that the company generates $4.95 in sales for every dollar in assets, significantly higher than the industry average of 0.77 [5] - McKesson's sales are expected to grow by 13% this year, compared to the industry average of 3.2% [6] Group 3: Earnings Estimate Revisions - There is a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions for McKesson, with the current-year earnings estimates increasing by 1.7% over the past month [7] Group 4: Investment Positioning - McKesson has achieved a Growth Score of A and a Zacks Rank of 2, positioning it well for potential outperformance in the growth stock category [9]

Company Performance - McKesson (MCK) has returned approximately 26.6% since the beginning of the calendar year, outperforming the Medical sector, which has lost about 4.9% on average [4] - McKesson holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook, with the consensus estimate for full-year earnings having increased by 1.4% over the past quarter [3] - McKesson belongs to the Medical - Dental Supplies industry, which includes 14 companies and currently ranks 84 in the Zacks Industry Rank, with this group having lost about 1.9% year-to-date [5] Industry Comparison - The Medical sector consists of 999 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of 4, which is based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the sector [2] - Another stock in the Medical sector, Adagene Inc. Sponsored ADR (ADAG), has a year-to-date return of 4.8% and also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), with its consensus EPS estimate increasing by 7.9% over the past three months [4][5] - The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, which includes Adagene, has 503 stocks and is ranked 75, with this industry having moved -2.9% since the beginning of the year [6]

Core Insights - McKesson (MCK) and Cardinal Health (CAH) are major players in the U.S. healthcare distribution sector, benefiting from consistent demand and long-term industry trends [1][2] - Investors are evaluating which company presents a stronger investment opportunity amid evolving healthcare regulations and inflationary pressures [2] Financial Performance - McKesson reported Q4 fiscal 2025 adjusted EPS of $10.12, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.81 by 3.2%, with a year-over-year improvement of 63.8% [3] - Cardinal Health reported Q3 fiscal 2025 adjusted EPS of $2.35, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.15 by 9.3%, with a year-over-year increase of 12.4% [4] Estimates Comparison - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for McKesson's fiscal 2026 sales and EPS indicates a year-over-year improvement of 12.4% and 12.3%, respectively, with EPS estimates improving by 1.4% over the past 60 days [5] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Cardinal Health's 2025 sales suggests a year-over-year decline of 1.7%, while EPS is expected to improve by 7.8%, with EPS estimates increasing by 2.3% over the past 30 days [8] Strategic Positioning - McKesson's diversification into higher-margin areas such as oncology and biopharma services supports margin stability and positions the company well for future growth [11] - McKesson's recent earnings report highlighted solid revenue growth, stable margins, and robust free cash flow, alongside consistent shareholder returns through share repurchases and dividend increases [12] - Cardinal Health is focusing on efficiency gains and cost controls while expanding its higher-growth medical segment, which is expected to drive growth [15] - Cardinal Health's first-quarter performance showed strong revenue growth and improving profitability due to effective cost-saving initiatives [16] Price Performance - Year-to-date, McKesson shares have increased by 25.7%, while Cardinal Health shares have surged by 29.2%, driven by rising demand for drug retailing, particularly GLP-1 drugs [17] Investment Outlook - Both companies currently hold a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), complicating the investment decision [18] - McKesson's style score of 'A' indicates strong growth prospects and attractive valuation, while Cardinal Health's style score of 'C' reflects attractive valuation but lower growth potential [19] - Based on growth estimates and style scores, McKesson is viewed as a better investment choice at present [19]

Group 1: Brokerage Recommendations - McKesson currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.47, indicating a rating between Strong Buy and Buy, based on recommendations from 17 brokerage firms, with 76.5% (13 out of 17) being Strong Buy [2][5] - Despite the positive ABR, relying solely on this information for investment decisions may not be advisable, as studies show brokerage recommendations often lack success in guiding investors towards stocks with significant price appreciation [5][10] - Analysts from brokerage firms tend to exhibit a strong positive bias in their ratings, issuing five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" [6][10] Group 2: Zacks Rank vs. ABR - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock rating tool that classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimate revisions, providing a more reliable indicator of near-term price performance compared to ABR [8][11] - Unlike ABR, which is based solely on brokerage recommendations and may not be up-to-date, the Zacks Rank reflects timely changes in earnings estimates, making it a more accurate predictor of future price movements [9][12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for McKesson has increased by 2% over the past month to $37.10, indicating growing optimism among analysts regarding the company's earnings prospects [13] Group 3: Investment Outlook for McKesson - The recent change in the consensus estimate, along with other factors, has resulted in a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) for McKesson, suggesting a favorable investment outlook [14]

Core Insights - McKesson's shares increased by 4.4% following its Q4 fiscal 2025 earnings release, reflecting investor confidence in its strategic execution and long-term positioning, supported by record revenues of $359 billion and a 20% year-over-year increase in adjusted earnings per share to $33.05 [1][2][10] - The company's transformation into a diversified healthcare service provider focusing on high-growth, high-margin segments has led to its shares outperforming the industry and broader Medical sector [1][10] Financial Performance - McKesson reported full-year revenues of $359 billion, with a 20% increase in adjusted earnings per share to $33.05 [1] - Since the earnings release, McKesson's shares have outperformed the industry growth of 3.8% and the broader Medical sector's growth of 1% [1] Strategic Growth Initiatives - McKesson's growth strategy is anchored by four pillars: Oncology, Biopharma services, Specialty distribution, and AI-enabled solutions, which are designed to capture market opportunities and enhance shareholder value [5] - The expansion of the U.S. Oncology Network now includes over 2,700 providers at 645 sites across 31 states, with a focus on value-based care [6] - The Prescription Technology Solutions segment has automated processes to prevent prescription abandonments and improve medication access, positioning it as a high-margin engine [7] Market Position and Competitive Landscape - McKesson's specialty distribution expertise provides resilience against macroeconomic fluctuations, with a focus on new therapies in oncology, immunology, and gene therapy [8] - The company faces competition from Cencora and Cardinal Health, which are expanding their specialty operations and enhancing their service offerings [12] Technological Advancements - McKesson is integrating AI into customer interactions and supply chain operations, which is expected to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs [9] - The use of AI has automated over 20% of patient-support chats, maintaining satisfaction levels comparable to human agents [9] Stock Performance and Outlook - McKesson's stock is trading above key support levels, indicating sustained investor confidence and bullish market sentiment [10] - The share price is currently 0.6% below its all-time high of $728.32, with strong fundamentals suggesting potential for further gains [15] - Despite a higher valuation compared to its industry, McKesson's Zacks Value and Growth scores of 'A' indicate an attractive entry point for investors [16]

Core Insights - Mr. Mavroudis is a professional portfolio manager with expertise in managing institutional and private portfolios focusing on risk management and financial market analysis [1] - He has successfully navigated major crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the PSI, demonstrating resilience in portfolio management [1] - Mr. Mavroudis is the CEO of FAST FINANCE Investment Services, a registered company by the Hellenic Capital Market Commission, indicating a strong regulatory compliance [1] Company Profile - FAST FINANCE Investment Services is a registered Greek company specializing in investment services, highlighting its credibility in the financial market [1] - The company focuses on restructuring investment portfolios based on prevailing market conditions and client needs, showcasing a client-centric approach [1] Professional Background - Mr. Mavroudis holds multiple advanced degrees, including an MSc in Financial and Banking Management, an LLM in Law, and a BSc in Economics, indicating a strong educational foundation [1] - He is certified in various financial disciplines, including portfolio management and derivatives, which enhances his expertise in the financial sector [1] Engagement and Contribution - By writing on Seeking Alpha, Mr. Mavroudis aims to engage with a community of investors and market enthusiasts, fostering knowledge sharing and mutual growth [1] - His daily articles and appearances as a commentator reflect his active involvement in the financial media landscape [1]

Core Viewpoint - McKesson Corporation plans to spin off its Medical-Surgical Solutions segment into an independent company, referred to as NewCo, to enhance shareholder value and focus on strategic growth priorities in its remaining segments [1][2][4]. Deal Overview - The spin-off is part of McKesson's disciplined portfolio management strategy, which has previously included significant divestitures that unlocked shareholder value [2]. - The Medical-Surgical Solutions segment accounts for only 3.2% of McKesson's total revenue, with FY25 revenue around $11.4 billion, and has experienced sluggish growth since 2020 [4][17]. Financial Performance - For FY25, McKesson reported consolidated revenues of $359.1 billion, a 16.2% increase year-over-year from $309.0 billion in FY24 [12]. - In 4Q25, revenues reached $90.8 billion, up 18.9% year-over-year, driven by growth in the U.S. Pharmaceutical segment [10]. - Net income for FY25 was $3.3 billion, a 9.8% increase year-over-year, while adjusted net income was $4.2 billion, up 15.1% [12]. Strategic Focus Post-Spin-Off - After the spin-off, McKesson will concentrate on higher growth and higher margin opportunities in Oncology and Biopharma Solutions [3]. - The company has made recent acquisitions, including Rx Savings Solutions and plans to acquire a controlling stake in Core Ventures, to strengthen its core operations [3]. Long-Term Growth Targets - McKesson reaffirms its long-term adjusted earnings per diluted share growth target of 12% to 14% and updates the U.S. Pharmaceutical segment's long-term adjusted segment operating profit growth target to 6% to 8% [13][14].