Three Income Stocks Reaching New Heights: ALX, HAFC, and HBNC
On March 25, 2025, Zacks Equity Research, a leading provider of stock research, investment advice, and portfolio management solutions, announced that three income stocks, American States Water Company (ALX), Hancock Whitney Corporation (HAFC), and Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (HBNC), have made it to their coveted Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) list. Let’s dive deeper into what this means for investors and the potential impact on the world.
American States Water Company (ALX)
American States Water Company, through its subsidiaries, provides water and electric utilities services. The company operates in three segments: Water Utilities, Electric Utilities, and Contracted Services. The Water Utilities segment primarily engages in the purchase, production, transmission, distribution, and sale of water. The Electric Utilities segment is involved in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. The Contracted Services segment provides various services, including installation, maintenance, and repair of water and wastewater systems, and other infrastructure projects.
Hancock Whitney Corporation (HAFC)
Hancock Whitney Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides various financial services. The company operates in three segments: Banking, Insurance, and Capital Markets. The Banking segment offers traditional banking services, including commercial and retail banking, mortgage banking, and wealth management. The Insurance segment provides property and casualty, life, health, and other insurance products. The Capital Markets segment offers investment banking, securities brokerage, and asset management services.
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. (HBNC)
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., through its subsidiaries, designs, constructs, and sells homes. The company operates in three segments: Homebuilding and Mortgage Finance, Financial Services, and Land Development. The Homebuilding and Mortgage Finance segment constructs, sells, and finances homes through its subsidiaries. The Financial Services segment provides title insurance and other services related to the sale and financing of homes. The Land Development segment acquires, develops, and sells residential and commercial land.
Impact on Investors
Being included in Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) list indicates that these stocks are expected to outperform their peers in the same industry. This list is based on Zacks proprietary stock screening model that considers a variety of factors, including earnings estimate revisions, price-to-earnings ratio, earnings surprise history, and other quantitative and qualitative metrics. Investors seeking income through dividends or capital appreciation may find these stocks attractive.
Impact on the World
The inclusion of ALX, HAFC, and HBNC in the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) list could have several ripple effects on the world. For one, these companies’ strong financial performance could lead to increased investor confidence in the industries they represent – water utilities, banking, and homebuilding, respectively. This could result in more investment in these sectors, driving growth and potentially leading to job creation.
Conclusion
The addition of American States Water Company, Hancock Whitney Corporation, and Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) list is an exciting development for investors seeking income opportunities. These stocks’ impressive financial performance, as evidenced by their strong earnings and growth potential, could lead to increased investor confidence and potentially positive impacts on their respective industries. Stay tuned for further updates as these companies continue to make strides in their fields.
