We designed our TSINetwork Ratings to give you an idea of the investment quality and risk in stocks we recommend, so you can build a portfolio that suits your needs and objectives.

Other rating systems use a mechanical process to make investment decisions.

NCR ATLEOS CORP. $36 (www.ncratleos.com) is a hold. On October 16, 2023, the old NCR Corp. (New York symbol NCR) split itself into two separate firms. One (NCR Atleos) focuses on automated teller machines; the other one (NCR Voyix, see below) caters to digital commerce businesses. At the time of the split, investors received one share of NCR Atleos for every two NCR shares they held. The NCR Atleos shares are now up 70% since the split, partly due to strong demand for ATM maintenance and software updates. However, the market’s ongoing shift from ATMs to online banking adds risk.

A solid way to gain exposure to the fast-growing artificial intelligence industry is through established technology companies such as Cisco Systems. Its networking products are essential to the development and operation of new AI services and software. In addition, Cisco’s own software business provides steady, recurring revenue, which helps to reduce its risk. CISCO SYSTEMS INC. $79 is a buy. The company (Nasdaq symbol CSCO; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 4.0 billion; Market cap: $316.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 5.5; Dividend yield: 2.1%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.cisco.com) is a leading maker of products that link and manage computer networks.

STATE STREET CORP. $128 is a buy. The company (New York symbol STT; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 279.1 million; Market cap: $35.7 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.6; Dividend yield: 2.6%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.statestreet.com) sells accounting and administrative services to operators of mutual funds and pension plans. In the three months ended December 31, 2025, State Street’s revenue rose 7.5%, to $3.67 billion from $3.41 billion a year earlier. That’s mainly because improving stock markets lifted assets under custody and administration by 15.6%.

ADOBE INC. $300 remains a buy for aggressive investors. The software company (Nasdaq symbol ADBE; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 410.5 million; Market cap: $123.2 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 5.3; No dividends paid since June 2005; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.adobe.com) makes programs that let computer users create, edit and share documents in the popular PDF format. It also makes a variety of electronic-publishing programs.

BECTON DICKINSON & CO. $202 is a buy. The medical device maker (New York symbol BDX; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing sector; Shares outstanding: 285.2 million; Market cap: $57.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.5; Dividend yield: 2.1%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.bd.com) plans to expand glass syringe production at its Columbus, Nebraska, facility. That positions the company to benefit from rising demand for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and other injectable medicines. Becton expects to complete the $110 million project by mid-2026.

The share price for each of these Japanese automakers has held up over the past year. That’s despite new U.S. tariffs and slowing consumer demand for electric vehicles. Toyota and Honda are managing costs effectively while continuing to invest in new technologies; their successful balancing act should lead to long-term earnings growth. TOYOTA MOTOR CO. ADRs $219 is a buy. The company (New York symbol TM; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; ADRs outstanding: 1.3 billion; Market cap: $284.7 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.9; Dividend yield: 2.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.toyota.com) is Japan’s largest automaker by production volume.

IDEXX LABORATORIES INC. $688 is a hold. The company (Nasdaq symbol IDXX; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 80.4 million; Market cap: $55.3 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 13.6; No dividends paid; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.idexx.com) makes equipment that veterinarians use to detect disease in animals. Back in 2024, Idexx launched its inVue Dx analyzer, which delivers blood test results in under 10 minutes. The device is in strong demand, and management raised its 2025 delivery target to 5,500 units from 4,500.

These two makers of testing equipment are doing a good job tapping into key trends. Agilent is seeing strong demand from developers of new GLP-1 weight loss drugs, while demand for new chips to run artificial intelligence programs is driving demand for Keysight’s chip-testing gear. We still see both as aggressive buys. AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. $134 is a buy. The company (New York symbol A; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing sector; Shares outstanding: 283.5 million; Market cap: $38.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 5.6; Dividend yield: 0.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.agilent.com) makes specialized testing equipment for medical research laboratories and industrial clients.

YUM! BRANDS INC. $154 is a buy. The fast-food giant (New York symbol YUM; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Consumer Sector; Shares outstanding: 277.5 million; Market cap: $42.7 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 5.4; Dividend yield: 1.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.yum.com) operates 62,000 restaurants in over 155 countries. Its main banners are KFC (fried chicken), Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell (Mexican food). The company is now conducting a strategic review of its Pizza Hut chain. The U.S. market, which accounts for roughly 42% of its sales, has been under pressure as cost-conscious consumers reduce spending on in-store dining and takeout.