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E. Ohman J or Asset Management AB acquired a new stake in ATI Inc. (NYSE: ATI) during the undefined quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 5,061 shares of the basic materials company's stock, valued at approximately $959,000. Several other hedge funds have

MELBOURNE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) today announced that Kimberly Fields, Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer of ATI, Inc., has been appointed to its Board of Directors. “Kim brings an exceptional track record of scaling operations and driving sustained performance,” said Sam Mehta, President and Chief Executive Officer, L3Harris. “Her proven leadership and expertise in complex manufacturing will be instrumental as L3Harris accelerates production, expand.

ATI (ATI - Free Report) closed at $183.07 in the latest trading session, marking a -3.28% move from the prior day. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.28% for the day. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 1.02%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.02%.

Coming into today, shares of the maker of steel and specialty metals had gained 0.06% in the past month. In that same time, the Aerospace sector lost 4.05%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.67%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of ATI in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to go public on October 29, 2026. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $1.36, marking a 60% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Simultaneously, our latest consensus estimate expects the revenue to be $1.32 billion, showing a 17.42% escalation compared to the year-ago quarter.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $5.13 per share and revenue of $5.18 billion, which would represent changes of +58.33% and +12.91%, respectively, from the prior year.

Investors should also pay attention to any latest changes in analyst estimates for ATI. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.42% higher. Currently, ATI is carrying a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

With respect to valuation, ATI is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 36.9. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 31.25, so one might conclude that ATI is trading at a premium comparatively.

It's also important to note that ATI currently trades at a PEG ratio of 1.15. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. ATI's industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.94 as of yesterday's close.

The Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry is part of the Aerospace sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 79, finds itself in the top 33% echelons of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.

Here are three stocks with buy ranks and strong growth characteristics for investors to consider today October 20th:

Ultrapar Participacoes (UGP - Free Report) : This major Brazilian industrial group, which is one of the largest distributors of liquefied petroleum gas in Brazil and a leading producer of petrochemicals and chemical, carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 7.7% over the last 60 days.

Ultrapar Participacoes has a PEG ratio of 0.44 compared with 1.79 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of A.

ATI INC (ATI - Free Report) : This company, which is a diversified global specialty materials producer, carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 7.8% over the last 60 days.

ATI has a PEG ratio of 1.15 compared with 1.55 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of B.

monday.com (MNDY - Free Report) : This company, which provides an open platform which democratizes the power of software so organizations can easily build software applications and work management tools to fit their every need, carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 1.5% over the last 60 days.

monday.com has a PEG ratio of 0.88 compared with 3.08 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of B.

See the full list of top ranked stocks here.

Learn more about the Growth score and how it is calculated here.

Here are three stocks with buy ranks and strong growth characteristics for investors to consider today, October 14:

ATI Inc. (ATI - Free Report) : This specialty materials and complex components company carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 7.4% over the last 60 days.

ATI has a PEG ratio of 1.14 compared with 1.48 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of B.

KE Holdings Inc. (BEKE - Free Report) : This housing transactions and services company from China carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 22.5% over the last 60 days.

KE Holdings has a PEG ratio of 0.49 compared with 1.35 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of B.

Valero Energy Corporation (VLO - Free Report) : This transportation fuels and petrochemical products company carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 26.3% over the last 60 days.

Valero has a PEG ratio of 0.28 compared with 0.3

for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of A.

See the full list of top-ranked stocks here.

Learn more about the Growth score and how it is calculated here.

Key Takeaways ATI generated $143.2M in first-half 2026 adjusted free cash flow, reversing a $50.2M outflow.ATI raised its 2026 adjusted free cash flow forecast to $550-$600M on stronger operating performance.ATI returned $470M through buybacks in 2025, with $495M remaining under its current authorization.
ATI Inc. (ATI - Free Report) remains focused on enhancing shareholder value by strengthening and sustaining its cash flow generation. It reported first-half 2026 adjusted free cash flow of $143.2 million against a $50.2 million cash outflow a year ago.

ATI is taking steps to reduce seasonality and improve the consistency of its cash flows. Strong free cash flow generation is being supported by higher adjusted EBITDA and improved operating performance, with healthy aerospace and defense demand expected to sustain cash generation. The company lifted its full-year 2026 adjusted free cash flow forecast to $550-$600 million from the earlier range of $465-$525 million.

Debt reduction, aided by stronger margins and improved cash flows, is enhancing ATI’s financial flexibility. The company also remains committed to returning capital to its shareholders through share repurchases, supported by disciplined and strategic capital allocation.

ATI considers buybacks the most efficient way to return capital to shareholders. It returned $470 million to its shareholders in 2025 in the form of share repurchases. Following the $50 million repurchase in the second quarter, ATI has $495 million remaining under its current buyback authorization.

Among its major peers, Carpenter Technology Corporation (CRS - Free Report) generated a higher adjusted free cash flow of $362.3 million for fiscal 2026 compared with $287.5 million in fiscal 2025. The improvements in product mix, higher realized prices and expanded operating efficiencies support the expansion. For fiscal 2027, Carpenter Technology expects to generate free cash flow in the range of $400 million to $430 million.

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM - Free Report) recorded free cash flow of roughly $838 million for the first six months of 2026, up from the previous-year period’s $478 million. This upside was backed by strong growth in the commercial aerospace, defense aerospace and gas turbines markets. Howmet expects full-year 2026 free cash flow to be in the range of $1,850-$1,950 million.

ATI’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of ATI have shot up 121.8% in the past year against the Zacks Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry’s decline of 12.8%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, ATI is currently trading at a forward price-to-sales multiple of 4.61, a roughly 33.3% discount to the industry average of 6.91X. It carries a Value Score of D.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ATI’s 2026 and 2027 earnings implies a year-over-year rise of 57.7% and 24.6%, respectively. The EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have been trending higher over the past 60 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Key Takeaways ATI's shares surged 129.9% as aerospace and defense demand drove growth and lifted its outlook.ATI's Q2 sales rose 13%, while record backlog hit $4.4 billion and defense revenue jumped 36%.ATI raised 2026 EBITDA, earnings and free cash flow guidance on stronger margins and demand. ATI Inc.’s (ATI - Free Report) shares have surged 129.9% in the past year, outperforming the Zacks Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry’s decline of 10.6% and the S&P 500’s 18.1% increase. ATI is benefiting from investments in capacity expansion coupled with consistent demand growth in its key sectors that aids volume growth and pricing. A raised outlook and margin expansion also boost investors’ confidence.

ATI’s peers, Carpenter Technology Corporation (CRS - Free Report) and Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM - Free Report) , have gained 56% and 17.9%, respectively, over the same period.

ATI’s One-year Price Performance Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Technical indicators show that ATI is currently trading above its 200-day simple moving average (SMA), suggesting a long-term uptrend. The stock slipped below its 50-day SMA on Sept. 10, 2026. Following a golden crossover on May 29, 2025, the 50-day SMA is reading higher than the 200-day SMA, indicating a bullish trend.

ATI Trades Below 50-Day SMA Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Let’s take a look at ATI’s fundamentals to analyze the stock better.

Aerospace and Defense Strength Fuels ATI’s GrowthATI benefits from strong aerospace and defense demand, supporting solid multi-year growth prospects. Aerospace remains a key growth engine, with rising aircraft and next-generation jet engine production fueling demand for ATI’s proprietary nickel-based superalloys, titanium products, forgings and other specialty materials. The increasing adoption of next-generation engines further enhances this opportunity, as these platforms require greater amounts of advanced alloys per engine. Expanding defense opportunities and long-term customer agreements are also improving revenue visibility. This favorable outlook is further supported by recent upward revisions to the company’s expectations for both segments.

In the second quarter of 2026, aerospace and defense sales rose 13% year over year, while backlog reached a record $4.4 billion, up 18%. Jet-engine revenues increased 13%, with management expecting high-teens full-year growth. Defense revenues surged 36% to a record high, supported by a renewed naval nuclear agreement through 2030 that is expected to more than double annual revenues versus the prior contract. ATI also expects mid- to high-single-digit airframe growth in 2026. ATI's content on next-generation engines is more than double that of legacy platforms, positioning the company to benefit from a higher number of newer aircraft platforms.

Margin Expansion and Capacity Investments Add UpsideATI's operational transformation is strengthening profitability. Second-quarter adjusted EBITDA jumped 37% year over year to $284.4 million, while margin expanded 440 basis points to 22.6%. The elevATIon program has increased throughput, while targeted titanium and nickel investments are expected to raise nickel capacity by 15-20% by early 2028 and support approximately $350 million of incremental annual nickel-based revenue. These initiatives, combined with a loyal customer base, position ATI for sustained earnings growth.

Raised Outlook Instills Investor Confidence in ATI StockFor full-year 2026, ATI raised adjusted EBITDA guidance to $1.14-$1.2 billion from its previous outlook of $1.01-$1.06 billion. Adjusted earnings guidance was increased to $4.9-$5.18 per share from $4.2-$4.48 previously. The company also lifted its full-year adjusted free cash flow forecast to $550-$600 million from the earlier range of $465-$525 million. Management expects targeted investments and operational execution to increase available capacity as demand for aerospace and defense materials remains strong.

Strong Financial Health Supports ATI’s Capital AllocationATI remains focused on enhancing shareholder value by strengthening and sustaining its cash flow generation. It reported first-half 2026 adjusted free cash flow of $143.2 million, up from a $50.2 million cash outflow during the same period in the previous year. The company is taking steps to reduce seasonality and improve the consistency of its cash flows. Strong free cash flow generation is being supported by higher adjusted EBITDA and improved operating performance, with healthy aerospace and defense demand expected to sustain cash generation.

Debt reduction, aided by stronger margins and improved cash flows, is enhancing ATI’s financial flexibility. The company also remains committed to returning capital to its shareholders through share repurchases, supported by disciplined and strategic capital allocation.

ATI considers buybacks the most efficient way to return capital to shareholders. It returned $470 million to its shareholders in 2025 in the form of share repurchases. Following the $50 million repurchase in the second quarter, ATI has $495 million remaining under its current buyback authorization.

ATI’s Earnings Estimates NorthboundThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for ATI’s 2026 earnings has been going up over the past 60 days. The consensus estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings has also been revised upward over the same time frame.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is currently pegged at $5.11, suggesting year-over-year growth of 57.7%. Earnings are expected to register roughly 58.8% growth in the third quarter.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

A Look at ATI’s ValuationATI is currently trading at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 4.65, below the industry. It is trading at a discount to Howmet Aerospace and Carpenter Technology. ATI currently has a Value Score of D, while both Howmet Aerospace and Carpenter Technology have a Value Score of F.

ATI’s P/S F12M Vs. Industry, HWM and CRS Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Final Thoughts: Buy ATI SharesOperational enhancements, portfolio optimization, pricing gains and a favorable product mix are helping ATI achieve stronger incremental margins. Along with the “elevATIon” program, these initiatives are designed to improve productivity and maximize output from existing assets. Collectively, these gains are expected to support ATI’s growth momentum and provide further upside potential.

ATI’s solid financial health, improving cash flows and disciplined capital allocation also add to its appeal. With strong demand visibility and healthy earnings growth prospects, ATI appears well-positioned to deliver value to its investors, making this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock a prudent choice to bet on now.

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

In the latest close session, ATI (ATI - Free Report) was down 3.99% at $186.92. The stock's change was less than the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.22%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 0.66%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.22%.

Shares of the maker of steel and specialty metals witnessed a loss of 6.09% over the previous month, beating the performance of the Aerospace sector with its loss of 8.35%, and underperforming the S&P 500's gain of 1.4%.

Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of ATI in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be $1.35, reflecting a 58.82% increase from the same quarter last year. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $1.33 billion, indicating a 17.87% upward movement from the same quarter last year.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $5.11 per share and revenue of $5.18 billion, which would represent changes of +57.72% and +12.87%, respectively, from the prior year.

Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for ATI. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.

Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection remained stagnant. ATI is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

In terms of valuation, ATI is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 38.11. This denotes a premium relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 32.74.

One should further note that ATI currently holds a PEG ratio of 1.18. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. ATI's industry had an average PEG ratio of 2.06 as of yesterday's close.

The Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry is part of the Aerospace sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 26, which puts it in the top 11% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Don't forget to use Zacks.com to keep track of all these stock-moving metrics, and others, in the upcoming trading sessions.

Key Takeaways ATI's first-half adjusted free cash flow rose to $143.2M from a prior-year $50.2M cash outflow.Strong aerospace and defense demand, contract pricing gains and higher-value products support ATI's margins.ATI raised its 2026 adjusted free cash flow guidance to $550M-$600M from $465M-$525M. ATI Inc. (ATI - Free Report) is generating strong free cash flow, supported by higher adjusted EBITDA and improved operating performance. It reported first-half 2026 adjusted free cash flow of $143.2 million, up from a $50.2 million cash outflow during the same period in the previous year. Its robust cash generation is expected to continue as demand remains strong across aerospace and defense markets.

The company’s pricing improvements in its long-term contracts have enabled higher margins. It has also been focused on its higher-value aerospace and defense products. Growing demand for next-generation engines, naval nuclear programs and other defense applications, where its content on next-generation engines is more than double that of legacy platforms, positions ATI for an upbeat growth momentum. ATI’s targeted investments and operational improvements will further translate into higher production, enabling higher shipments.

These combined factors have led the company to raise its adjusted free cash flow guidance for 2026 from prior guidance of $465-$525 million to $550-$600 million. The guidance is also strengthened by its higher projection of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS for full-year 2026.

Among its major peers, Carpenter Technology Corporation (CRS - Free Report) generated a higher adjusted free cash flow of $362.3 million for fiscal 2026 compared with $287.5 million in fiscal 2025. The improvements in product mix, higher realized prices, as well as expanded operating efficiencies support the expansion. For fiscal 2027, Carpenter Technologyexpects to generate free cash flow in the range of $400 million to $430 million.

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM - Free Report) recorded free cash flow of roughly $838 million for the first six months of 2026, up from the previous-year period’s $478 million. This upside was backed by strong growth in the commercial aerospace, defense aerospace and gas turbines markets. Howmet expects full-year 2026 free cash flow to be in the range of $1,850-$1,950 million.

The Zacks Rundown for ATIShares of ATI have shot up 122.1% in the past year against the Zacks Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry’s decline of 9%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, ATI is currently trading at a forward price-to-sales multiple of 4.45, a discount to the industry average of 7.12X. It carries a Value Score of D.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ATI’s 2026 and 2027 earnings implies a year-over-year rise of 54% and 23.7%, respectively. The EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have been trending higher over the past 30 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

ATI stock currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

DALLAS, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ATI Inc. (NYSE: ATI) will host an Investor Day livestream presentation from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM ET on Thursday, November 12, 2026.

ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI – Get Free Report) VP Timothy Harris sold 9,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.82, for a total transaction of $1,726,380.00. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 88,187 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $16,916,030.34. This trade represents a 9.26% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

ATI Stock Performance Shares of ATI opened at $184.16 on Thursday. ATI Inc. has a 12-month low of $75.02 and a 12-month high of $243.57. The stock has a market cap of $25.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 54.01, a PEG ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a current ratio of 2.33, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91. The company has a 50-day moving average of $203.24 and a two-hundred day moving average of $180.26.

ATI (NYSE:ATI – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The basic materials company reported $1.23 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.03 by $0.20. ATI had a net margin of 10.09% and a return on equity of 29.27%. The business had revenue of $1.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.22 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.74 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 10.6% on a year-over-year basis. ATI has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 1.310-1.370 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 4.900-5.180 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that ATI Inc. will post 5.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have weighed in on ATI. Weiss Ratings raised ATI from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating and issued a $262.00 price objective on shares of ATI in a research report on Monday, August 10th. KeyCorp lifted their price objective on ATI from $211.00 to $258.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 12th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $275.00 price objective on shares of ATI in a research report on Monday, August 10th. Finally, Susquehanna boosted their target price on shares of ATI from $215.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a research note on Friday, August 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and nine have assigned a Buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $232.00. Read Our Latest Research Report on ATI

Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ATI. QRG Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of ATI during the 2nd quarter worth $250,000. Security National Bank of Sioux City Iowa IA acquired a new stake in shares of ATI during the second quarter worth $118,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of ATI by 485.8% in the second quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 33,554 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $6,613,000 after purchasing an additional 27,826 shares during the period. Arlington Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of ATI in the second quarter valued at $239,000. Finally, WINTON GROUP Ltd increased its stake in ATI by 50.5% in the second quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd now owns 13,394 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $2,640,000 after purchasing an additional 4,494 shares during the last quarter.

About ATI (Get Free Report)

ATI Inc (NYSE: ATI) is a specialty materials and components manufacturer serving aerospace and defense, medical, energy, transportation, and other demanding industrial markets. The company develops and produces advanced alloys and engineered materials designed to perform in high-temperature, corrosive, and high-stress environments.

ATI’s products include nickel-based superalloys, titanium and titanium-based materials, specialty stainless steels, zirconium and other specialty alloys. Its manufacturing capabilities also include precision forgings, castings, rolled products, and machined components used in aircraft engines, airframes, power-generation equipment, medical devices, and industrial applications.

The company was formed in 1996 through the combination of Allegheny Ludlum Corporation and Teledyne, Inc’s specialty metals operations and adopted the name ATI Inc in 2021.

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Key Takeaways ATI's Q2 adjusted EBITDA rose 37% to $284.4 million, with margin up 440 bps to 22.6%.ATI lifted full-year 2026 EBITDA guidance to $1.135-$1.185 billion.Record backlog, long-term deals and higher next-gen engine content support ATI's long-term growth. ATI Inc. (ATI - Free Report) reported an adjusted EBITDA of $284.4 million in the second quarter of 2026, up 37% on a year-over-year basis. A steep rise in adjusted EBITDA was also reported sequentially. The adjusted EBITDA margin also climbed 440 basis points to 22.6% from 18.2% in the year-ago quarter. As the demand scenario continues to beat the available supply, the momentum is expected to carry into the future.

The company, favored by its record backlog, transition toward a higher-margin portfolio and long-term customer agreements, expects to witness new highs. For full-year 2026, ATI also raised its adjusted EBITDA guidance. It is now projected between $1,135 million and $1,185 million compared with the previous guided range of $1,010-$1,060 million. This has also resulted in increased earnings per share guidance of $4.90-$5.18 for the full-year 2026, compared with the previous guidance of $4.20-$4.48. For the third quarter of 2026, earnings are projected to be $1.31-$1.37 per share.

ATI is also well positioned to benefit in the long-term from growing demand for next-generation engines, naval nuclear programs and other defense applications, where its content on next-generation engines is more than double that of legacy platforms.

Among its major peers, Carpenter Technology Corporation (CRS - Free Report) generated a high adjusted operating income of $206.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 compared with $151.4 million in the year-ago quarter. The improvements in product mix, higher realized prices, as well as expanded operating efficiencies support the expansion. For fiscal 2027, Carpenter Technologyexpects to generate operating income in the range of $850 million to $880 million.

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM - Free Report) recorded second-quarter adjusted EBITDA of roughly $817 million, up from the previous-year quarter’s $589 million. This upside was backed by strong growth in the commercial aerospace, defense aerospace and gas turbines markets. Howmet expects adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter and full-year 2026 to be in the range of $825-$835 million and $3,210-$3,250 million, respectively.

The Zacks Rundown for ATIShares of ATI have shot up 142.2% in the past year against the Zacks Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry’s decline of 4.3%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, ATI is currently trading at a forward price-to-sales multiple of 4.6X, a discount to the industry average of 7.35X. It carries a Value Score of D.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ATI’s 2026 and 2027 earnings implies a year-over-year rise of 54.01% and 23.73%, respectively. The EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have been trending higher over the past 30 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

ATI stock currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Here are three stocks with buy ranks and strong growth characteristics for investors to consider today, September 22:

ATI Inc. (ATI - Free Report) : This specialty materials and complex components company carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 12.1% over the last 60 days.

ATI has a PEG ratio of 1.19 compared with 1.66 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of B.

KE Holdings Inc. (BEKE - Free Report) : This housing transactions and services company from China carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 10.2% over the last 60 days.

KE Holdings has a PEG ratio of 0.50 compared with 1.69 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of B.

Centene Corporation (CNC - Free Report) : This managed care company carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 40.9% over the last 60 days.

Centene has a PEG ratio of 0.41 compared with 1.42 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of A.

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Learn more about the Growth score and how it is calculated here.

Investors interested in Aerospace stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. ATI (ATI - Free Report) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Aerospace sector should help us answer this question.

ATI is one of 76 individual stocks in the Aerospace sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #3 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different groups, measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the sector to gauge the strength of each group.

The Zacks Rank is a proven system that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions, highlighting a variety of stocks that are displaying the right characteristics to beat the market over the next one to three months. ATI is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for ATI's full-year earnings has moved 15.3% higher. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend.

According to our latest data, ATI has moved about 67% on a year-to-date basis. Meanwhile, the Aerospace sector has returned an average of -9% on a year-to-date basis. As we can see, ATI is performing better than its sector in the calendar year.

Another Aerospace stock, which has outperformed the sector so far this year, is Bae Systems PLC (BAESY - Free Report) . The stock has returned 16.7% year-to-date.

Over the past three months, Bae Systems PLC's consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 0.9%. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Looking more specifically, ATI belongs to the Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry, which includes 36 individual stocks and currently sits at #45 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, this group has lost an average of 7.5% so far this year, meaning that ATI is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns. Bae Systems PLC is also part of the same industry.

ATI and Bae Systems PLC could continue their solid performance, so investors interested in Aerospace stocks should continue to pay close attention to these stocks.

ATI (ATI) witnessed a jump in share price last session on above-average trading volume. The latest trend in earnings estimate revisions for the stock doesn't suggest further strength down the road.

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – September 17, 2026 – Today, Zacks Equity as HEICO Corp. (HEI - Free Report) , ATI INC (ATI - Free Report) and AAR Corp. (AIR - Free Report) .

Industry: Aerospace - Defense

Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2990338/3-aerospace-defense-equipment-stocks-riding-on-strong-demand

The ZacksAerospace-Defense Equipment industry remains supported by strategic M&A activity and resilient air-travel demand, although persistent supply-chain constraints pose risks. Recent acquisitions are expanding product offerings, capabilities and exposure to defense and aerospace markets, while rising passenger traffic is increasing aircraft utilization and supporting demand for replacement parts, avionics, engines and other components. 

However, higher operating costs, limited aircraft availability, labor shortages and supply-chain disruptions continue to pressure airlines and aerospace manufacturers. Some key players from this industry that investors may add to their portfolio are HEICO Corp., ATI INC and AAR Corp.

About the IndustryThe Zacks Aerospace-Defense Equipment industry comprises firms that manufacture various vital components for the aerospace-defense space, ranging from aerostructures, space shuttles, propulsion systems, aircraft engines, defense electronics, missile and radar systems to flight test equipment, structural adhesives, instrumentation and control systems, communication products and many more. 

Some of these companies also offer integrated simulation and training services to the U.S. defense force. While most revenues are generated from the production of the aforementioned components, industry players also generate revenue by providing aftermarket support and services, such as maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), to aerospace and defense companies.

3 Trends Shaping the Future of the Aerospace-Defense Equipment IndustryStrategic M&A Activity Strengthens Industry Growth Prospects: Large companies have increasingly turned to mergers and acquisitions (M&As) to expand their product portfolios, enhance capabilities, and strengthen their competitive positions. In June 2026, HEICO acquired 80% of Cook Defence Systems, a key supplier of track systems for armored military vehicles, forming HEICO-Cook Defence. 

The deal expands HEICO’s defense portfolio and gives it exposure to armored-vehicle modernization and defense spending, adding another source of long-term growth. In April 2026, AAR completed the acquisition of Aircraft Reconfig Technologies from ZIM Aircraft Cabin Solutions. This adds FAA Organization Designation Authorization to AAR’s Engineering Services capabilities, which will enable AAR to issue supplemental type certificates and Parts Manufacturer Approval without depending on third parties. 

Such strategic consolidation can help companies expand their capabilities, diversify their business models and improve operational efficiencies. Over time, broader offerings and economies of scale could support industry expansion and contribute to sustained revenue growth.

Air Traffic View Boosts Opportunities: According to a report by the International Air Transport Association (“IATA”), global air passenger demand is expected to grow 2.1% year over year in 2026. IATA reported that global passenger demand returned to growth in July 2026, with Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK) increasing 0.2% year over year, following contractions in May and June. 

Capacity rose 0.3%, while the global passenger load factor remained high at 85.2%, indicating resilient underlying air-travel demand despite elevated fuel costs, economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions. As passenger traffic increases, airlines fly their existing fleets more frequently. This higher utilization accelerates wear and tear on aircraft, engines and components, boosting demand for replacement parts, avionics, landing systems and other equipment.

Supply-Chain Disruption Poses Risks: According to IATA, airlines are facing higher operating costs because supply-chain problems have made spare parts more expensive and harder to obtain. Airport fees, air traffic charges and aircraft ownership costs have also increased. With new aircraft in short supply, airlines are leasing older, mid-life planes at higher rates. 

These older aircraft also consume more fuel, further increasing overall expenses. IATA has highlighted that limited aircraft availability and labor shortages remain key supply-side challenges, while broader disruptions continue to delay the timely production and delivery of essential systems. Per IATA, ongoing disruptions to global supply chains and operational constraints linked to the Middle East conflict are adding pressure to an already tight market, reinforcing the existing aircraft shortage. 

Aircraft deliveries have fallen well below the level expected if the industry had continued growing at its pre-pandemic pace, creating an estimated shortage of about 5,600 aircraft. The total order backlog reached 18,100 aircraft in May 2026, equal to almost 60% of the active fleet. The reduced pace of jet deliveries and limited availability of materials for aircraft manufacturing may compel OEMs to cut production, potentially weighing on near-term earnings and cash flow across the aerospace and defense equipment industry.

Zacks Industry Rank Reflects Bright OutlookThe Zacks Aerospace-Defense Equipment industry is housed within the broader Zacks Aerospace sector. It currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #50, which places it in the top 20% of more than 247 Zacks industries.

The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates robust near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Before we present a few aerospace-defense equipment stocks that you may want to add to your portfolio, let’s take a look at the industry’s recent stock market performance and valuation picture.

Industry Beats Sector, Lags S&P 500The Aerospace-Defense Equipment industry has underperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite but outperformed the sector over the past year. The stocks in this industry have collectively lost 4.9% over the past year, while the Aerospace sector has declined 9.5%. The Zacks S&P 500 composite has gained 16.5% over the same time frame.

Industry's Current ValuationOn the basis of trailing 12-month EV/Sales, which is used for valuing capital-intensive stocks like aerospace-defense equipment, the industry is currently trading at 11.45X compared with the S&P 500’s 5.6X and the sector’s 2.9X.

Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 15.7X, as low as 6.09X and at the median of 8.62X. 

3 Aerospace-Defense Equipment Stocks to BuyATI:Dallas, TX-based ATI is a diversified global specialty materials producer. ATI delivered a strong second quarter in 2026, with sales rising 11% year over year to $1.26 billion, driven by a 13% increase in aerospace & defense sales. Aerospace & defense remained central to ATI’s performance, particularly within its High Performance Materials & Components (“HPMC”) segment, where the end markets represented 93% of sales and commercial jet-engine sales grew 10% year over year, supported by strong demand and pricing. The Advanced Alloys & Solutions (“AA&S”) segment also saw significant momentum, with aerospace & defense sales increasing 34% year over year, including a 90% increase in defense sales, reflecting higher demand and pricing.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ATI’s 2026 sales indicates a 12.9% improvement year over year. The estimate for 2026 earnings implies 54% growth year over year. ATI currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

HEICO:Florida-based HEICO is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of FAA-approved jet engine and aircraft component replacement parts. It also manufactures various types of electronic equipment for the aviation, defense, space, medical, telecommunications and electronics industries. HEICO reported a strong third quarter of fiscal 2026, with net sales increasing 23% year over year to a record $1.41 billion, while net income rose 33% to a record $235.4 million and operating income climbed 34% to $355.2 million. The company’s aerospace and defense businesses were key contributors, with Flight Support Group (“FSG”) posting 18% sales growth, supported by 12% organic growth and contributions from recent acquisitions, while operating income increased 24%. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HEI’s fiscal 2026 sales indicates a 19.9% improvement year over year. The estimate for fiscal 2026 earnings implies 27.1% year-over-year growth. HEI currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). 

AAR:Based in Wood Dale, IL, the company provides various products and services to the aviation and defense industries worldwide. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, it reorganized its reporting structure into four operating segments: Parts Supply; Repair, Engineering, and Software; Government Solutions; and Legacy Commercial Programs. The Parts Supply segment primarily consists of aftermarket distribution of new, OEM-supplied replacement parts and sales and leasing of used serviceable engine and airframe material. The segment also distributes electronic components and assemblies to OEMs through ADI. Parts Supply accounted for nearly 45% of total sales in fiscal 2026.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AIR’s fiscal 2027 sales indicates an 11.6% improvement year over year. The estimate for 2026 earnings implies 17.2% growth year over year. AIR currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. 

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance  for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Kim Fields to discuss aerospace opportunities, growing value of ATI's differentiated capabilities DALLAS, Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ATI Inc. (NYSE: ATI) Board Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer Kim Fields will attend the Morgan Stanley 14th Annual Laguna Conference in Dana Point, California.

Here are three stocks with buy ranks and strong growth characteristics for investors to consider today September 10th:

Centene (CNC - Free Report) : This company, which today is a well-diversified healthcare company that primarily provides a set of services to government sponsored healthcare programs, while also serving under-insured and uninsured individuals through member-focused services, carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 40.9% over the last 60 days.

Centene has a PEG ratio of 0.40 compared with 1.43 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of A.

ATI INC (ATI - Free Report) : This company, which is a diversified specialty materials producer, carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 13.4% over the last 60 days.

ATI has a PEG ratio of 1.29 compared with 1.71 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of B.

Sanmina (SANM - Free Report) : This company, which is a global provider of electronics contract manufacturing services, carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 6% over the last 60 days.

Here are three stocks with buy ranks and strong growth characteristics for investors to consider today September 8th:

Centene (CNC - Free Report) : This company, which today is a well-diversified healthcare company that primarily provides a set of services to government sponsored healthcare programs, while also serving under-insured and uninsured individuals through member-focused services, carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 40.9% over the last 60 days.

Centene has a PEG ratio of 0.42 compared with 1.48 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of A.

National Energy Services Reunited (NESR - Free Report) : This company, which is one of the largest national oilfield services providers in the MENA and Asia Pacific regions, carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 8.3% over the last 60 days.

National Energy Services Reunited has a PEG ratio of 0.33 compared with 0.57 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of A.

ATI INC (ATI - Free Report) : This company, which is a diversified specialty materials producer, carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 13.4% over the last 60 days.

ATI has a PEG ratio of 1.31 compared with 1.77 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of B.

See the full list of top ranked stocks here.

Learn more about the Growth score and how it is calculated here.

ATI (ATI - Free Report) closed the most recent trading day at $204.54, moving +1.41% from the previous trading session. The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 1.06%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 1.18%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq increased by 1.4%.

The maker of steel and specialty metals's stock has dropped by 1.67% in the past month, exceeding the Aerospace sector's loss of 7.66% and lagging the S&P 500's gain of 2.46%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of ATI in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be $1.3, reflecting a 52.94% increase from the same quarter last year. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $1.3 billion, indicating a 15.68% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $4.84 per share and revenue of $5.11 billion, which would represent changes of +49.38% and +11.45%, respectively, from the prior year.

Investors should also pay attention to any latest changes in analyst estimates for ATI. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.

Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 14.06% higher. As of now, ATI holds a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

From a valuation perspective, ATI is currently exchanging hands at a Forward P/E ratio of 41.72. This indicates a premium in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 34.97.

We can also see that ATI currently has a PEG ratio of 1.3. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. The Aerospace - Defense Equipment was holding an average PEG ratio of 2.13 at yesterday's closing price.

The Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry is part of the Aerospace sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 34, positioning it in the top 14% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.

Here are three stocks with buy ranks and strong growth characteristics for investors to consider today, September 1:

Banco Macro S.A. (BMA - Free Report) : This banking products and services company carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 60.6% over the last 60 days.

Banco Macro has a PEG ratio of 0.34 compared with 0.85 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of B.

ATI Inc. (ATI - Free Report) : This specialty materials and components companycarries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 8.1% over the last 60 days.

ATI has a PEG ratio of 1.36 compared with 1.81 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of B.

Sanmina Corporation (SANM - Free Report) : This manufacturing and aftermarket services company carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 6% over the last 60 days.

Sanmina has a PEG ratio of 0.60 compared with 0.96 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of B.

See the full list of top ranked stocks here.

Learn more about the Growth score and how it is calculated here.

While "the trend is your friend" when it comes to short-term investing or trading, timing entries into the trend is a key determinant of success. And increasing the odds of success by making sure the sustainability of a trend isn't easy.

Often, the direction of a stock's price movement reverses quickly after taking a position in it, making investors incur a short-term capital loss. So, it's important to ensure that there are enough factors -- such as sound fundamentals, positive earnings estimate revisions, etc. -- that could keep the momentum in the stock going.

Our "Recent Price Strength" screen, which is created on a unique short-term trading strategy, could be pretty useful in this regard. This predefined screen makes it really easy to shortlist the stocks that have enough fundamental strength to maintain their recent uptrend. Also, the screen passes only the stocks that are trading in the upper portion of their 52-week high-low range, which is usually an indicator of bullishness.

ATI (ATI - Free Report) is one of the several suitable candidates that passed through the screen. Here are the key reasons why it could be a profitable bet for "trend" investors.

A solid price increase over a period of 12 weeks reflects investors' continued willingness to pay more for the potential upside in a stock. ATI is quite a good fit in this regard, gaining 20.6% over this period.

However, it's not enough to look at the price change for around three months, as it doesn't reflect any trend reversal that might have happened in a shorter time frame. It's important for a potential winner to maintain the price trend. A price increase of 15.1% over the past four weeks ensures that the trend is still in place for the stock of this maker of steel and specialty metals.

Moreover, ATI is currently trading at 83.3% of its 52-week High-Low Range, hinting that it can be on the verge of a breakout.

Looking at the fundamentals, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), which means it is in the top 5% of more than the 4,000 stocks that we rank based on trends in earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises -- the key factors that impact a stock's near-term price movements.

The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>

Another factor that confirms the company's fundamental strength is its Average Broker Recommendation of #1 (Strong Buy). This indicates that the brokerage community is highly optimistic about the stock's near-term price performance.

So, the price trend in ATI may not reverse anytime soon.

In addition to ATI, there are several other stocks that currently pass through our "Recent Price Strength" screen. You may consider investing in them and start looking for the newest stocks that fit these criteria.

This is not the only screen that could help you find your next winning stock pick. Based on your personal investing style, you may choose from over 45 Zacks Premium Screens that are strategically created to beat the market.

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Growth stocks are attractive to many investors, as above-average financial growth helps these stocks easily grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a great growth stock is not easy at all.

In addition to volatility, these stocks carry above-average risk by their very nature. Also, one could end up losing from a stock whose growth story is actually over or nearing its end.

However, the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects, makes it pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks.

Our proprietary system currently recommends ATI (ATI - Free Report) as one such stock. This company not only has a favorable Growth Score, but also carries a top Zacks Rank.

Studies have shown that stocks with the best growth features consistently outperform the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.

While there are numerous reasons why the stock of this maker of steel and specialty metals is a great growth pick right now, we have highlighted three of the most important factors below:

Earnings GrowthArguably nothing is more important than earnings growth, as surging profit levels is what most investors are after. For growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is highly preferable, as it is often perceived as an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.

While the historical EPS growth rate for ATI is 52%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 48.3% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 19.1%.

Impressive Asset Utilization RatioAsset utilization ratio -- also known as sales-to-total-assets (S/TA) ratio -- is often overlooked by investors, but it is an important indicator in growth investing. This metric exhibits how efficiently a firm is utilizing its assets to generate sales.

Right now, ATI has an S/TA ratio of 0.89, which means that the company gets $0.89 in sales for each dollar in assets. Comparing this to the industry average of 0.69, it can be said that the company is more efficient.

While the level of efficiency in generating sales matters a lot, so does the sales growth of a company. And ATI looks attractive from a sales growth perspective as well. The company's sales are expected to grow 11.4% this year versus the industry average of 11.1%.

Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsSuperiority of a stock in terms of the metrics outlined above can be further validated by looking at the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is of course favorable here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

There have been upward revisions in current-year earnings estimates for ATI. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 14.7% over the past month.

Bottom LineATI has not only earned a Growth Score of B based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above, but it also carries a Zacks Rank #1 because of the positive earnings estimate revisions.

You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

This combination indicates that ATI is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors.

Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC acquired a new position in ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund acquired 658,413 shares of the basic materials company’s stock, valued at approximately $129,773,000. Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC owned about 0.48% of ATI at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised its position in ATI by 8.1% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 60,369 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $3,140,000 after buying an additional 4,542 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in ATI by 49.4% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 633,948 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $32,984,000 after purchasing an additional 209,480 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers bought a new position in shares of ATI in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $324,000. M&T Bank Corp bought a new position in shares of ATI in the second quarter valued at approximately $317,000. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP lifted its position in ATI by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 197,214 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $17,028,000 after acquiring an additional 9,234 shares during the last quarter.

Insider Buying and Selling at ATI In other news, CEO Kimberly A. Fields sold 59,749 shares of ATI stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.07, for a total value of $10,699,253.43. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 218,014 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $39,039,766.98. This trade represents a 21.51% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders have sold 177,044 shares of company stock valued at $33,976,616 over the last three months. 0.98% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

ATI Stock Down 0.1% ATI stock opened at $206.84 on Monday. ATI Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $71.94 and a fifty-two week high of $243.57. The firm has a market capitalization of $28.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 60.66, a PEG ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 2.33 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $200.19 and its 200 day simple moving average is $171.84. ATI (NYSE:ATI – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The basic materials company reported $1.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.03 by $0.20. ATI had a return on equity of 29.27% and a net margin of 10.09%.The business had revenue of $1.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.22 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.74 EPS. ATI’s quarterly revenue was up 10.6% compared to the same quarter last year. ATI has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 1.310-1.370 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 4.900-5.180 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that ATI Inc. will post 5.15 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have recently commented on ATI shares. TD Cowen increased their price objective on ATI from $170.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $275.00 target price on shares of ATI in a report on Monday, August 10th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of ATI from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 9th. Wall Street Zen upgraded ATI from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, August 8th. Finally, KeyCorp raised their price target on shares of ATI from $211.00 to $258.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and nine have issued a Buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, ATI currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $232.00.

Get Our Latest Research Report on ATI

ATI Profile (Free Report)

Allegheny Technologies Incorporated (ATI) is a global manufacturer of specialty materials and complex components, serving aerospace, defense, oil and gas, chemical processing, medical and other industrial end markets. The company operates through two main segments: High Performance Materials & Components, which produces titanium and nickel-based alloys, stainless and specialty steels, and precision forgings; and Flat-Rolled Products, which supplies stainless steel, nickel and specialty alloy sheet, strip and precision-rolled plate.

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The recommendations of Wall Street analysts are often relied on by investors when deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock. Media reports about these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts changing their ratings often affect a stock's price. Do they really matter, though?

Let's take a look at what these Wall Street heavyweights have to say about ATI (ATI - Free Report) before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage.

ATI currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.00, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 11 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.00 indicates Strong Buy.

Of the 11 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 11 are Strong Buy, representing 100% of all recommendations.

Brokerage Recommendation Trends for ATI

Check price target & stock forecast for ATI here>>>

The ABR suggests buying ATI, but making an investment decision solely on the basis of this information might not be a good idea. According to several studies, brokerage recommendations have little to no success guiding investors to choose stocks with the most potential for price appreciation.

Are you wondering why? The vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover often results in a strong positive bias of their analysts in rating it. Our research shows that for every "Strong Sell" recommendation, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations.

In other words, their interests aren't always aligned with retail investors, rarely indicating where the price of a stock could actually be heading. Therefore, the best use of this information could be validating your own research or an indicator that has proven to be highly successful in predicting a stock's price movement.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, which classifies stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), is a reliable indicator of a stock's near-term price performance. So, validating the Zacks Rank with ABR could go a long way in making a profitable investment decision.

ABR Should Not Be Confused With Zacks RankIn spite of the fact that Zacks Rank and ABR both appear on a scale from 1 to 5, they are two completely different measures.

The ABR is calculated solely based on brokerage recommendations and is typically displayed with decimals (example: 1.28). In contrast, the Zacks Rank is a quantitative model allowing investors to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.

Analysts employed by brokerage firms have been and continue to be overly optimistic with their recommendations. Since the ratings issued by these analysts are more favorable than their research would support because of the vested interest of their employers, they mislead investors far more often than they guide.

In contrast, the Zacks Rank is driven by earnings estimate revisions. And near-term stock price movements are strongly correlated with trends in earnings estimate revisions, according to empirical research.

Furthermore, the different grades of the Zacks Rank are applied proportionately across all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide earnings estimates for the current year. In other words, at all times, this tool maintains a balance among the five ranks it assigns.

Another key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank is freshness. The ABR is not necessarily up-to-date when you look at it. But, since brokerage analysts keep revising their earnings estimates to account for a company's changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in indicating future price movements.

Is ATI Worth Investing In?Looking at the earnings estimate revisions for ATI, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 14.7% over the past month to $4.81.

Analysts' growing optimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to soar in the near term.

The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) for ATI. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>

Therefore, the Buy-equivalent ABR for ATI may serve as a useful guide for investors.