Chicago, IL – March 13, 2025 – Zacks Equity Research shares The Progressive Corp. PGR as the Bull of the Day and A-Mark Precious Metals AMRK as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Tesla TSLA, General Motors GM and Zapp Electric Vehicles Group Ltd. ZAPP.
Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:
The Progressive Corp., a current Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), is a leading independent agency writer of private passenger auto coverage and the market share leader for the motorcycle products since 1998.
Analysts have taken their expectations higher across the board, landing the stock into the highly-coveted Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
In addition to favorable earnings estimate revisions, the company resides within the Zacks Insurance – Property & Casualty industry, currently ranked in the top 14% of all Zacks industries. Let's take a deeper look at the company.
PGR shares have been rockstar performers in 2025 so far, up nearly 20% and widely outperforming relative to the S&P 500. Strong quarterly results helped aid the move, with the company exceeding our consensus EPS and sales expectations in six consecutive releases.
Net premiums earned, the company's core driver of revenue, have shown solid growth over recent periods, growing 20% year-over-year throughout its latest quarter. The momentum here is undoubtedly a big positive for PGR, leading to strong quarterly prints over recent periods.
Shares also provide a small level of passive income, with PGR shares currently yielding a modest 0.1% annually. While the current yield may be underwhelming, the raw share performance helps bridge that gap nicely.
Investors can implement a stellar strategy to find expected winners by taking advantage of the Zacks Rank – one of the most powerful market tools that provides a massive edge.
The top 5% of all stocks receive the highly coveted Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). These stocks should outperform the market more than any other rank.
The Progressive would be an excellent stock for investors to consider, as displayed by its Zack Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
A-Mark Precious Metals is a full-service precious metals trading company offering various products and services. Analysts have taken a bearish stance on the company's outlook, landing the stock into a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
In addition, the company currently resides in the Zacks – Precious Metals and Jewels industry, which is currently ranked in the bottom 1% of all Zacks industries. Let's take a closer look at the company.
AMRK shares haven't done much so far in 2025, down roughly 1% and modestly outperforming relative to the S&P 500. The company has struggled to exceed bottom line expectations for some time now, falling short of our consensus EPS estimates by an average of 42% across its last four releases.
Slower market conditions and elevated precious metals prices have negatively impacted the company's results, though sales of $2.7 billion throughout its latest period still reflected 30% YoY growth.
Shares do yield a sizable 2.9% annually compared to a 1.3% yield from the S&P 500, with the company also boasting a regular quarterly cash dividend policy of $0.20 per share.
Nonetheless, income-focused investors would be better off waiting until the earnings picture improves, which would signal a bullish change in sentiment.
Analysts' negative earnings estimate revisions paint a challenging picture for the company's shares in the near term.
A-Mark Precious Metals is a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), indicating that analysts have taken a bearish stance on the company's earnings outlook.
For those seeking strong stocks, a great idea would be to focus on stocks carrying a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). These stocks sport a notably stronger earnings outlook and the potential to deliver explosive gains in the near term.
Tesla, one of the world's most well-known electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, has faced a significant drop in its stock price and sales, raising concerns among investors. The stock managed to rise 3.8% yesterday to close at $230.58, after U.S. President Donald Trump's show of support for the company.
Over the past month, however, the company's shares have fallen 35.3%, underperforming the Zacks Auto, Tires and Trucks sector's decline of 21.8% and the Zacks Automotive – Domestic industry's decline of 32.6%. The S&P 500 index has lost 8.4% over the same time frame.
While President Trump has claimed that political boycotts against Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk by "radical left lunatics" are to blame, analysts have been pointing at declining sales, production concerns and broader economic uncertainties as the main drivers of its share price decline.
The President hosted a unique event on Tuesday, transforming the South Lawn of the White House into a temporary Tesla showroom, featuring five Tesla vehicles, including the widely-discussed Cybertruck, in a bold display of support for the billionaire entrepreneur. The event has garnered significant attention as it is highly unusual for a sitting president to endorse a private consumer product so publicly.
Trump has been publicly supporting Musk ever since the start of his term, recently even purchasing a red Tesla Model S himself at full price to show confidence in the company. He has described the ongoing boycotts against Tesla as "illegal," despite legal precedent affirming Americans' right to protest private businesses.
Trump's economic policies, including the 25% tariffs on imported auto parts from Canada and Mexico, are also likely to aid Tesla by hurting its rivals. TSLA builds all the cars it sells in California and Texas, protecting it from the tariffs that can hugely disrupt its competitors' supply chains and pump up costs.
The administration's efforts to remove financial support for the construction of fast-charging stations for EVs have also been perceived as a move that can hurt companies aiming to compete with TSLA's extensive network. Furthermore, Trump has been trying to cut down on the loans and subsidies that competitors like Ford and Rivian use to finance their EV and battery factories, a strategy again in favor of Tesla.
Musk, who has taken an active political role as the head of Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has become a rather polarizing figure, resulting in backlash from certain consumer groups and activists. At least 10 acts of vandalism against TSLA's vehicles, dealerships or charging stations have been reported in recent weeks, highlighting the intensity of the adverse public reaction to Musk's role in the federal government and thus impacting the Tesla brand's public perception.
The company's global sales data reflects this trend, with sales in China and Australia falling by 49.16% and 71.9%, respectively, in February 2025. In Germany, the drop was a massive 76.3% on a year-over-year basis, with a total of 1,592 units sold, even though the country saw a 30% year-over-year rise in overall EV sales in the month.
On the other hand, countermeasures from countries like Canada and China, in response to Trump's tariffs, are expected to further affect TSLA's sales in these countries. Chinese domestic EV manufacturers are posing tough competition to Tesla. BYD sold over 318,000 electric and hybrid cars last month, a whopping 161% increase from the same month last year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TSLA's first-quarter 2025 EPS is currently pegged at 59 cents, down 3.3% over the past 30 days and indicating year-over-year growth of 31.11%.
The consensus mark for Tesla's full-year 2025 EPS is currently pegged at $2.99 and has moved north by 1.4% over the past 7 days. The figure suggests growth of 23.55% on a year-over-year basis.
The public endorsement and support of Tesla and Elon Musk by the sitting president of a democratic country is unprecedented and provides a significant advantage to the company. However, this support has come with intense backlash, which is understandable, as it raises ethical concerns about why the President is so openly supporting a private individual and whether such favoritism is appropriate.
This controversy, combined with declining sales and economic uncertainties, adds to Tesla's challenges. The company's future now hinges on its ability to navigate these issues while maintaining its position as a leader in the EV market.
TSLA currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), implying that it may be wise for investors to wait for a more favorable entry point in the stock. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Key Picks
Some better-ranked stocks in the auto space are General Motors and Zapp Electric Vehicles Group Ltd.. GM and ZAPP currently carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GM's 2025 earnings has moved north 0.5% over the past 7 days and suggests year-over-year growth of 8.68%. It is currently pegged at $11.52 per share.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ZAPP's fiscal 2025 loss is currently pegged at 84 cents per share, and narrowed by half over the past 30 days. The figure suggests growth of 67.2% on a year-over-year basis.
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The Progressive Corporation (PGR) : Free Stock Analysis Report
General Motors Company (GM) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) : Free Stock Analysis Report
A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc. (AMRK) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Zapp Electric Vehicles Group Limited (ZAPP) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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