ISS EVA Research Roundup: August 21st, 2025

Weekly Research

Names in the News: JKHY and G1A GR (report)

We cover two ‘Expensive but Worth It’ large cap names this week that have recently been upgraded to ‘Buy’ in the PRVit framework after reporting strong quarterly numbers and seeing further acceleration in EVA Momentum, Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. (JKHY, rated ‘Buy’) and GEA Group (G1A GR, rated ‘Buy’).

Turnarounds? The Upside of Declining EVA Momentum (report)

Companies with negative EVA Momentum are often due to see a turnaround which can lead to outperformance as they shift from out-of-favor to in-favor. We look at the number of companies by sector that have declining EVA Momentum for a specified number of quarters and the average alpha generated over the next 12 months.

Summing Up: Mid-Year Reviews (report)

In this report we summarize the findings of the mid-year sector reviews. Across the sectors there has been downward pressure, with lower levels of Risk-Adjusted Profitability, while investors have become more optimistic that there will be a recovery in economic profitability going forward. Financials and Consumer Staples have the most favorable tradeoff between Quality and Valuation.

Consumer Staples: Good Quality Doesn’t Come Cheap (report)

The Consumer Staples sector has the strongest relative Quality, ranking 4th in our PRVit Sector Ranking within the large cap universe. Additionally, amidst the backdrop of an expected rate cut by the Fed, we note that Staples is one of the few sectors to have outperformed during previous rate cuts, with all PRVit factors generating a positive spread.

Thinking About Sustainability: Global Large Cap (report)

Investors routinely consider both the ESG quality and the Financial quality of a firm in their day-to-day investment due diligence. Up until now the two have mostly been examined in isolation. Marrying the financial ‘F’ pillar with ESG performance can help create a more holistic approach to sustainable investing. This is exactly the use case for our ISS ESGF factor. Our report includes a list of the best ESGF companies as well as backtest results that show the best ESGF names outperform the worst names by 47bps/month on average over the last 12 years.

Industry Snapshot: Global Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (report) Large Cap firms look neutral in the PRVit model, demonstrating strong levels of Risk- Adjusted Profitability, offset by expensive Valuations. EVA Fundamentals for the industry have improved through the year with EVA Momentum turning positive in June. Embedded investor expectations for growth (FVA) are at their long-term peak.

Industry Snapshot: Global Specialty Retail (report)

On average, Large Cap firms look expensive in the PRVit model, with the high premium being justified to some extent by strong levels of Risk-Adjusted Profitability. EVA Margin (profitability) which declined throughout the year, now exhibits signs of bottoming out and EVA Momentum (growth) is on the verge of turning positive.

Quant Report

Quant Corner: August 21, 2025 (report)

PRVit spreads were positive in the U.S. and Japan through the third week of August. Quality continued to struggle in most regions but was slightly positive in the U.S. and Japan. Cheap Value outperformed expensive Value in all regions except the U.K., AxJ, and the Emerging Markets.

—

Originally Published August 21, 2025