Top Growth Stocks to Consider Purchasing by December 17
Top Stock Picks: Three stocks with strong growth characteristics and Zacks Rank #1 are highlighted: The Allstate Corporation, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation, and Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.
Earnings Growth: Allstate's earnings estimate has increased by 22.7%, Great Lakes by 7.8%, and Alarm.com by 5.5% over the last 60 days, indicating positive growth trends.
PEG Ratios: Allstate has a PEG ratio of 0.40, Great Lakes at 1.06, and Alarm.com at 1.62, all lower than their respective industry averages, suggesting potential for growth.
Investment Opportunity: These stocks are considered under the radar, providing a chance for investors to capitalize on potential significant gains, with previous recommendations achieving returns of over 100%.
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- Dividend Run Concept: Allstate Corp is set to go ex-dividend on March 2, 2026, with a dividend of $1.08, and historical data indicates that in three out of the last four dividends, the stock experienced capital gains exceeding the dividend amount, highlighting the potential for a dividend run.
- Capital Gains Performance: Between November 13 and December 1, 2025, Allstate's stock price rose from $211.16 to $212.98, an increase of $1.82, suggesting that a pre-dividend buying strategy could yield significant capital gains for investors.
- Dividend Frequency and Yield: With a quarterly dividend frequency and an implied annualized yield of 2.08%, Allstate presents itself as an attractive option for investors focused on dividend runs, particularly in a stable income environment.
- Diverse Investment Strategies: Investors have varying perspectives on the timing of dividend runs, with some opting to buy two weeks prior and hold, while others prefer to sell the day before the ex-dividend date to maximize capital gains, offering flexibility in investment strategies.
- Analyst Rating Changes: Top Wall Street analysts have adjusted their ratings on several companies, indicating a shift in market sentiment regarding these firms' prospects, which could influence investor decisions and market dynamics.
- Upgrades and Downgrades: While specific names of upgrades and downgrades are not detailed, such changes typically have a direct impact on the short-term performance of the affected stocks, prompting investors to pay close attention to these shifts.
- Market Reaction Expectations: Adjustments in analyst ratings may trigger market volatility, especially when investor expectations are high for certain stocks, potentially leading to significant price fluctuations.
- Investor Decision Impact: Investors considering buying WMT stock should take into account the latest insights from analysts to make more informed investment decisions, even though specific analyst opinions were not elaborated in the report.

Dividend Trends: Dividends are increasing for leading companies in asset management and insurance markets, with analysts indicating significant upside potential for firms like Blackstone, which has a substantial asset management portfolio.
Blackstone Performance: Despite a recent -23% total return over the past 52 weeks, Blackstone's dividend yield remains strong, with a recent quarterly dividend increase of 15%, reflecting a positive outlook from analysts.
Charles Schwab Growth: Charles Schwab has experienced impressive growth, with a 27% total return over the past year and a 19% increase in its dividend, indicating strong financial health and investor confidence.
Allstate's Financials: Allstate reported a decent total return of 10% over the past year, with a substantial 8% increase in its quarterly dividend, showcasing solid performance and a favorable outlook among analysts.
- Strong Financial Performance: In Q4 2025, Allstate reported total revenues of $17.3 billion and $67.7 billion for the year, with net income of $3.8 billion, reflecting robust growth and profitability in the insurance market.
- Enhanced Shareholder Returns: The company announced an 8% increase in its quarterly dividend to $1.08 per share and initiated a $4 billion share repurchase program, aimed at boosting shareholder value and enhancing market confidence.
- Insurance Product Innovation: Allstate launched new affordable, simple, and connected auto and homeowners insurance products in 43 and 31 states respectively, which is expected to further drive growth in personal lines, with new business more than doubling since 2019.
- Significant Cost Control Success: The adjusted expense ratio has decreased by 6.6 points since 2018, allowing Allstate to offer more competitive insurance prices while maintaining margins, thereby enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Dividend Increase: Allstate has declared an increase in its quarterly dividend from $1.00 to $1.08 per share, representing an 8% rise, which reflects the company's ongoing improvement in profitability and cash flow, thereby boosting investor confidence.
- Stable Yield: Following this dividend increase, Allstate's forward yield stands at 2.02%, which not only attracts income-seeking investors but also enhances the stock's market appeal, potentially driving up its price.
- Shareholder Return Plan: The dividend is set to be paid on April 1, with a record date of March 2 and an ex-dividend date also on March 2, ensuring shareholders receive timely returns and further solidifying their trust in the company.
- Buyback Initiative: Allstate has also unveiled a $4 billion stock buyback plan aimed at enhancing earnings per share by reducing the number of shares outstanding, demonstrating the company's confidence in future growth and commitment to shareholder value.
- Strong Earnings Report: Allstate's Q4 2025 adjusted EPS of $14.31 significantly exceeded the $9.86 analyst estimate, marking a rise from $11.17 in Q3 and $7.67 in Q4 2024, indicating robust profitability improvements.
- Dividend Increase: The company announced an 8% increase in its common shareholder dividend to $1.08 per share, payable on April 1, 2026, reflecting confidence in future cash flows and enhancing shareholder returns.
- Share Buyback Program: Allstate plans to initiate a $4.0 billion share buyback program following the completion of its existing $1.5 billion program, aimed at boosting EPS by reducing the number of shares outstanding, thereby increasing investor confidence.
- Underwriting Income Growth: The property-liability segment reported underwriting income of $4.01 billion in Q4, a substantial increase from $1.83 billion a year ago, demonstrating strong performance in underwriting amid easing catastrophe losses.








