As a winter storm hit the central U.S. on Sunday afternoon, let’s look at the top five winter-proof stocks expected to shield investors amid extreme winter uncertainties.
Winter Storm Hits Kansas City
A blizzard warning was issued to remain in effect till midnight on Sunday, Jan. 5, however, the National Weather Service of Kansas City expired the blizzard warning at 10 p.m. ET with a prediction of light to occasional moderate snow in a few pockets around the area.
As the U.S. is in the thick of the winter season, natural gas demand is expected to increase to meet the heating needs, and winter tiremakers apparel makers will also be in focus. Here is a list of the top 5 winter-proof stocks that can shield investors as temperature drops.
See Also: Natural Gas Prices Surge As Arctic Blast Freezes US: 3 Stocks On The Move
Top Five Winter Stocks
Following are the stock’s quarterly performance along with the positive and negative earnings surprises for the December quarter of the previous fiscal.
| Stocks | December 2023 Quarter EPS Surprise | December 2023 Quarter Revenue Surprise | Q4 2023 Stock Performance |
| Range Resources | 31.30% | 2.25% | 0% |
| Goodyear | 30.60% | -5.08% | 29.27% |
| Antero Resources | 4.55% | 2.93% | -6.24% |
| VF Corp | -28.70% | -9.20% | 13.32% |
| Comstock Resources | -23.10% | 3.04% | -16.43% |
Range Resources
- Range Resources Corporation (NYSE:RRC) is one of the top natural gas producers in the U.S. The company’s shares have risen by 16.44% over the last year.
- It has several drilling locations with a significant presence in the Appalachian basin.
- According to Benzinga, 20 analysts tracking the company have a price target of $36.33 per share with a consensus ‘hold’ rating.
- The most recent ratings from Wells Fargo, Mizuho, and UBS, imply a 13.25% upside for Range Resources.
- During the fourth quarter of the previous fiscal, Range’s earnings per share were 31.3% above expectations at $0.63 and its revenue was 2.25% above Benzinga’s estimates of $699.60 million at $715.31 million.
Goodyear
- Goodyear Tire And Rubber Co (NASDAQ:GT) is an American tire manufacturer headquartered in Akron, Ohio. However, the stock has fallen by 36.11% over the last year.
- WinterCommand Ultra is a winter tire made to be used in ice and snow conditions. Available in studded and non-studded versions, it is adaptable to various winter driving conditions.
- According to Benzinga, the most recent ratings from Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley, and HSBC, imply a 50.62% upside for Goodyear.
- Seasonally, during the fourth quarter of the previous fiscal, Goodyear reported earnings per share of $0.47, beating Benzinga’s consensus estimate of $.036, implying a 30.6% surprise on the upside.
- On the other hand, its actual revenue missed the estimated revenue by 5.08% at $5.12 billion.
Antero Resources
- Antero Resources Corp (NYSE:AR) mainly engaged in hydrocarbon exploration is also a natural gas producer.
- The company has an investment-grade credit rating, indicating strong debt repayment positioning and liquidity. The shares have risen by 51.85% over the last year.
- About 22 analysts tracked by Benzinga have a ‘hold’ rating with a price target of $35.86 apiece.
- The most recent ratings from Wells Fargo, Mizuho, and UBS, imply a 2.64% upside for Antero Resources.
- During the fourth quarter of the previous fiscal, Antero’s earnings per share was 4.55% above expectations at $0.23 and its revenue was 2.93% above Benzinga’s estimates of $1.16 billion at $1.19 billion.
VF Corp
- Winter clothing brand, the North Face owner VF Corporation (NYSE:VFC) is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.
- The company also owns brands like Vans, Timberland, Supreme, Dickies, JanSport, Nautica, etc. The shares have returned 22.10% over the last year.
- According to Benzinga, 23 analysts tracking the company have a price target of $19.45 per share with a consensus ‘hold’ rating.
- The most recent ratings from Argus Research, Guggenheim, and Truist Securities, imply a 13.48% upside for VF Cor.
- Despite seasonality, in the third quarter of the previous fiscal, which includes the winter months, VFC’s earnings per share were 28.7% below expectations at $0.57 and its revenue was 9.20% below Benzinga’s estimates of $3.26 billion at $2.96 billion.
Comstock Resources
- Comstock Resources Inc (NYSE:CRK) is yet another producer of natural gas with its operations spread across Haynesville Shale in North Louisiana and East Texas.
- Comstock Oil and Gas, Pinnacle Gas Services, and Convey Park Management are a few of its subsidiaries. The company’s shares have risen by 98.43% over the last year.
- About 15 analysts tracked by Benzinga have a ‘hold’ rating with a price target of $13.21 apiece.
- According to Benzinga, the most recent ratings from Mizuho, Citigroup, and BofA Securities, imply a 9.16% downside for Comstock.
- Seasonally, during the fourth quarter of the previous fiscal, Comstock reported earnings per share of $0.10, missing Benzinga’s consensus estimate of $0.13, implying a 23.1% surprise on the downside.
- On the other hand, its actual revenue was best the estimated revenue by 3.04% at $410.58 million.
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