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For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.

Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.

Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.82% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.

Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: H&R Block (HRB - Free Report) H&R Block is a leading provider of tax preparation services. The company provides assisted income tax return preparation, do-it-yourself (DIY) tax solutions and other products and services associated with income tax return preparation in the United States, Canada and Australia. All these continuing operations are reported under a single segment.

HRB is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 8.19; value investors should take notice.

One analyst revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.16 to $6.11 per share. HRB also boasts an average earnings surprise of +8.2%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, HRB should be on investors' short list.

Sixth consecutive certification reflects associate-driven culture as H&R Block hires for key tax season roles  | Source: HRB Tax Group, Inc.

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- H&R Block (NYSE: HRB), a global leader in tax preparation services, is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work® for the sixth year in a row. The prestigious award is based entirely on what current associates say about their experience working at H&R Block. This year, 86% of employees said H&R Block is a great place to work, which is 29 points higher than the average U.S. company.1 

Great Place To Work® is a global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation. 

"Being named a Great Place to Work for six years running is an incredible honor," said Charlene Wilson, Chief People & Culture Officer, H&R Block. “This recognition is a testament to the culture our associates create every day and the sense of purpose, belonging and collaboration that defines H&R Block. We're grateful to our teams for making H&R Block a place where people can grow their careers while also making a difference for our clients and the business.”  

According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company’s profits and have a fair chance at promotion.  

"Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience," says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasizes that Certification is the sole official recognition earned by the real-time feedback of employees regarding their company culture. “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that H&R Block stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees." 

As H&R Block continues to employ over 60,000 associates who deliver technology-powered and human-enabled financial services and guidance, its culture remains a key driver of its sustained growth and momentum. Earning this recognition year after year underscores the company's commitment to creating a workplace where associates can grow and contribute to meaningful work. By investing in ongoing education, professional development and career mobility, H&R Block helps associates build lasting careers while shaping the future of financial services. To support its continued growth and transformation, H&R Block is currently hiring for several mission-critical roles, including: 

Tax Pros: Seasoned and new tax pros who bring deep knowledge of the tax code, a track record of delivering superior client outcomes and a genuine commitment to building lasting relationships.  Client Service Professionals: The first point of contact for every client who walks through the door. They set the tone for the entire H&R Block experience. Multi-Office Leaders: Year-round, full-time role that guides teams across multiple offices, shapes the client experience, and drives business results while making an impact in the communities H&R Block serves.  Apply Today  

The expertise H&R Block clients depend on this tax season starts with the professionals the company hires now. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early. Positions fill on a rolling basis, and the most in-demand roles go quickly.  

Apply directly at or text HRB to 816-992-5442 to get started. 

1 According to Great Place To Work® 

Media Contact:

H&R Block Media Relations

Media Desk, [email protected]

About H&R Block:  

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) provides help and inspires confidence in its clients and communities everywhere through global tax preparation services, financial products, and small business solutions. Named CNET’s Best Overall online tax service for 2026, the company blends digital innovation with human expertise and care as it helps people get the best outcome at tax time and manage their money year-round using its mobile banking app, Spruce. Through Block Advisors and Wave, the company helps small-business owners thrive with year-round bookkeeping, payroll, advisory, and payment processing solutions. For more information, visit H&R Block News. 

About Great Place to Work Certification™ 

Great Place To Work® Certification™ is the most definitive “employer-of-choice” recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience – specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place to Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place To Work-Certified.  

About Great Place To Work® 

As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work® brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Their proprietary platform and For All™ Model helps companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified™ or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces™ List.  

Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 

Investors interested in Consumer Discretionary stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. H&R Block (HRB - 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? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.

H&R Block is a member of the Consumer Discretionary sector. This group includes 260 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #12. 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 emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find stocks with improving earnings outlooks. This system has a long record of success, and these stocks tend to be on track to beat the market over the next one to three months. H&R Block is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HRB's full-year earnings has moved 8.1% higher within the past quarter. This means that analyst sentiment is stronger and the stock's earnings outlook is improving.

Our latest available data shows that HRB has returned about 2.3% since the start of the calendar year. Meanwhile, stocks in the Consumer Discretionary group have lost about 11.1% on average. This means that H&R Block is outperforming the sector as a whole this year.

Imax (IMAX - Free Report) is another Consumer Discretionary stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has returned 38.8%.

Over the past three months, Imax's consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 18.2%. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Looking more specifically, H&R Block belongs to the Consumer Services - Miscellaneous industry, which includes 5 individual stocks and currently sits at #60 in the Zacks Industry Rank.

In contrast, Imax falls under the Film and Television Production and Distribution industry. Currently, this industry has 8 stocks and is ranked #84. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved +4.7%.

H&R Block and Imax could continue their solid performance, so investors interested in Consumer Discretionary stocks should continue to pay close attention to these stocks.

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.

Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.

Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.

Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.86% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.

For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: H&R Block (HRB - Free Report) H&R Block is a leading provider of tax preparation services. The company provides assisted income tax return preparation, do-it-yourself (DIY) tax solutions and other products and services associated with income tax return preparation in the United States, Canada and Australia. All these continuing operations are reported under a single segment.

HRB is a #1 (Strong Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 6.87; value investors should take notice.

Three analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.46 to $6.11 per share. HRB also boasts an average earnings surprise of +8.2%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, HRB should be on investors' short list.

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of HRB either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- H&R Block (NYSE: HRB), a global leader in tax preparation services, is preparing for the upcoming tax season by filling key roles across its nationwide network of offices. These positions include tax professionals and client-facing support associates who provide financial confidence throughout the tax filing process.  

“Our tax pros do more than just prepare a tax return, they build trusted relationships with our clients, helping them walk into the financial moment that matters most with clarity and confidence," said Tony Bisbiglia, Vice President, U.S. Retail – Central Market at H&R Block. “The expertise and commitment of our associates remain the reason why millions of taxpayers trust us. We’re building the foundation for the upcoming tax season by bringing on new associates to deliver the expertise our clients need and depend on.”

H&R Block tax pros are backed by decades of experience and comprehensive training that they tap into with every client conversation and return. That expertise translates a year’s worth of financial decisions to help families claim every dollar they’ve earned, guide small business owners through complex deductions, and stand with clients through audits, amended returns, and life changes that reshape their finances. This foundation is the reason clients trust us with what matters most.

Expertise at Every Level
H&R Block, recognized as one of Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance, is committed to providing ongoing education, and supports its associates in their ability to build meaningful careers in financial services. Now hiring for mission-critical roles, H&R Block is looking to fill the following positions:

Tax Pros: Seasoned and new tax pros who bring deep knowledge of the tax code, a track record of delivering superior client outcomes, and a genuine commitment to building lasting relationships.Client Service Professionals: The first point of contact for every client who walks through the door. They set the tone for the entire H&R Block experience.
Apply Today

The expertise H&R Block clients depend on this tax season starts with the professionals the company hires now. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early. Positions fill on a rolling basis, and the most in-demand roles go quickly.

Apply directly at careers.hrblock.com or text HRB to 816-992-5442 to get started.

Media Contact:
Media Relations
Media Desk, [email protected]

About H&R Block

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) provides help and inspires confidence in its clients and communities everywhere through global tax preparation services, financial products, and small business solutions. Named CNET’s Best Overall online tax service for 2026, the company blends digital innovation with human expertise and care as it helps people get the best outcome at tax time and manage their money better using its mobile banking app, Spruce. Through Block Advisors and Wave, the company helps small-business owners thrive with year-round bookkeeping, payroll, advisory, and payment processing solutions. For more information, visit H&R Block News.

Key Takeaways H&R Block's FY27 EPS estimate rose 8.1% in 60 days to $6.11, signaling 15.1% y/y growth.Assisted volume rose 2.1% and net average charge increased 3.9% in Q3'26.Wave posted a second straight year of double-digit revenue growth, backed by subscriptions and payments. Shares of H&R Block (HRB - Free Report) have soared 50.3% over the past six months, outperforming the industry’s and the Zacks S&P 500 Composite's returns of 32.6% and 14.6%, respectively.

6-Month Share Price Performance                                                                  Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

What Makes HRB Stock an Attractive Pick?Solid Rank: H&R Block currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of B. Our research shows that stocks with a VGM Score of A or B, when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2, offer the best investment opportunities for investors. Thus, the company appears to be a compelling investment proposition at the moment.

Northward Estimate Revisions: Three estimates for fiscal 2027 and one for fiscal 2028 moved north in the past 60 days versus no southward revisions, reflecting analysts’ confidence in the company. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2027 and 2028 earnings has moved up  8.1% and 18.1% in the past 60 days, respectively.

                                                                  Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Strong Growth Prospects: The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues in fiscal 2027 is pegged at $4.1 billion, suggesting 4.6% year-over-year growth. For fiscal 2028, the figure is expected to increase 3.4% from the preceding year’s actual.

                                                                  Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HRB’s earnings for fiscal 2027 is pegged at $6.11 per share, indicating 15.1% year-over-year growth. Earnings are expected to register 6.6% growth in fiscal 2028.

                                                                  Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Growth Factors: Notably, we have identified three growth factors, including improvement in the Assisted Tax business, customer funnel enhancement, and Wave and small-business expansion.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, HRB’s top-line growth was supported by higher U.S. Assisted volumes and a higher net average charge (NAC). In the following quarters, assisted volume and NAC improved substantially. Therefore, in the third quarter of fiscal 2026, assisted volume grew 2.1% year over year and NAC increased 3.9%, indicating a sound volume-price mix. It is impressive to see the company’s assisted market shares stabilize during fiscal 2026 after declines in 2024 and 2025.

The company’s primary target was to improve the customer funnel in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. HRB witnessed improved conversion in company-owned offices during the second quarter of fiscal 2026. In the following quarters, the company logged stronger conversion, retention and product attachment. In fourth-quarter fiscal 2026, conversion improved 200 basis points (bps) year over year and retention experienced a 190-bps gain. These improvements should support stronger customer monetization, which is already entering the funnel, and improve client lifetime value.

Finally, Wave registered its second consecutive year of double-digit revenue growth at the end of fiscal 2026, backed by paid Pro-Tier subscriptions and payments. Integration of Wave’s SaaS capabilities with the company’s small-business offering could also strengthen year-round client relationships, solidifying revenue base beyond the core tax season.

Other Stocks to ConsiderSome other top-ranked stocks from the broader Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector are Lifetime Brands (LCUT - Free Report) and Carter's (CRI - Free Report) , each currently flaunting a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Lifetime Brands has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 14%. LCUT delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 271.1%, on average.

Carter’s has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 2.7%. CRI delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 415.9%, on average.

Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio bought a new stake in shares of H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE:HRB – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 38,343 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,460,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in HRB. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of H&R Block by 34.5% during the second quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,040 shares of the company’s stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 267 shares during the period. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. increased its position in H&R Block by 1.4% in the fourth quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 22,496 shares of the company’s stock worth $980,000 after purchasing an additional 309 shares during the period. Vise Technologies Inc. increased its position in H&R Block by 7.4% in the third quarter. Vise Technologies Inc. now owns 4,486 shares of the company’s stock worth $227,000 after purchasing an additional 311 shares during the period. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB raised its holdings in H&R Block by 54.0% during the 2nd quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 895 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 314 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC lifted its position in H&R Block by 10.0% during the 3rd quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 3,835 shares of the company’s stock valued at $194,000 after purchasing an additional 348 shares during the period. 90.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings raised shares of H&R Block from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 2nd. Zacks Research downgraded shares of H&R Block from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Stephens assumed coverage on shares of H&R Block in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $47.00 price objective on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of H&R Block from $29.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 12th. Finally, Barrington Research lifted their target price on shares of H&R Block from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, H&R Block presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $46.67.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on H&R Block H&R Block Price Performance Shares of HRB opened at $48.93 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.69. H&R Block, Inc. has a 1 year low of $28.16 and a 1 year high of $58.67. The stock has a market cap of $6.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 0.36. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $45.93 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $37.96.

H&R Block (NYSE:HRB – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 11th. The company reported $2.38 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.21 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $1.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.12 billion. H&R Block had a negative return on equity of 214.84% and a net margin of 18.59%.H&R Block’s revenue was up 255.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.27 EPS. H&R Block has set its FY 2027 guidance at 6.040-6.240 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that H&R Block, Inc. will post 6.11 earnings per share for the current year.

H&R Block Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 6th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 3rd will be paid a $0.46 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 3rd. This is a boost from H&R Block’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.8%. H&R Block’s payout ratio is currently 32.17%.

H&R Block Profile (Free Report)

H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) is a leading provider of tax preparation services and software solutions, serving individual and small-business clients through a combination of retail offices, online platforms and mobile applications. The company offers assisted tax preparation at its network of retail offices, where clients work with trained tax professionals, as well as do-it-yourself (DIY) software and online filing services designed to guide users through the complexities of federal and state tax returns.

Founded in 1955 by brothers Henry W.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- H&R Block (NYSE: HRB), a global leader in tax preparation, today announced applications are open for its third annual Fund Her Future grant program, marking its most ambitious commitment yet to the long-term financial success of women-owned small businesses. New for 2026, every applicant will receive year-long, community-focused programming based on needs unveiled in last year’s survey. In addition, four applicants will receive $45,000 in funding, plus a full year of small business services, including tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll, and a business structure analysis.

“As a trusted partner to millions of small business owners, we recognize that overcoming business challenges requires more than simply access to capital,” said John Towle, director of global retail operations at H&R Block. “For entrepreneurs, the difference between thriving and surviving often lies in building a strong foundation for growth, which can include business guidance from our experts and other mentors.”

Year-round support where they need it most

Data from past applicant surveys uncovered that nearly one-third of small business owners identified the need for a mentor, and nearly 60 percent said critical business tasks like tax prep, bookkeeping, compliance, payroll, or incorporation are areas they need the most support.

Heather Jiang, a prior grant recipient, founded her company, Allégorie, to turn food waste into stylish, functional accessories. With H&R Block’s expertise, she was able to focus on growing her small business, including hiring new employees, expanding her product line, and improving her marketing strategy.

“H&R Block helped free up my time. I’ve expanded the team and launched a new collection to reach more customers. My accountant streamlined my books and gave me peace of mind. I feel relieved knowing my business is in good hands.”

How to apply

Applications for the 2026 Fund Her Future grant program are now open. To apply, applicants must be at least 18 years old and an owner of a U.S.-based business. For more information about H&R Block and its year-round services for small businesses, visit hrblock.com.

About H&R Block

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) provides help and inspires confidence in its clients and communities everywhere through global tax preparation services, financial products, and small business solutions. Named CNET’s Best Overall online tax service for 2026, the company blends digital innovation with human expertise and care as it helps people get the best outcome at tax time and also be better with money using its mobile banking app, Spruce. Through Block Advisors and Wave, the company helps small-business owners thrive with year-round bookkeeping, payroll, advisory, and payment processing solutions. For more information, visit H&R Block News.

Media Contact:
Media Relations:
Media Desk, [email protected]

Archer Investment Corp bought a new position in shares of H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE:HRB – Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 16,300 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $621,000.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in H&R Block in the fourth quarter valued at $69,441,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new stake in H&R Block during the 2nd quarter valued at $56,220,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in H&R Block by 50.9% during the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 3,761,094 shares of the company’s stock valued at $119,377,000 after buying an additional 1,269,064 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of H&R Block by 60.4% in the third quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,593,290 shares of the company’s stock worth $130,961,000 after acquiring an additional 976,069 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ranmore Fund Management Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of H&R Block during the fourth quarter valued at $41,314,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.14% of the company’s stock.

H&R Block Stock Up 0.1% HRB stock opened at $52.57 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.69, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.13. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $44.22 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $37.09. H&R Block, Inc. has a 1-year low of $28.16 and a 1-year high of $58.67. The firm has a market cap of $6.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.19, a PEG ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 0.34.

H&R Block (NYSE:HRB – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 11th. The company reported $2.38 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.21 by $0.17. H&R Block had a net margin of 18.59% and a negative return on equity of 214.84%. The firm had revenue of $1.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.12 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.27 EPS. H&R Block’s quarterly revenue was up 255.5% on a year-over-year basis. H&R Block has set its FY 2027 guidance at 6.040-6.240 EPS. Research analysts predict that H&R Block, Inc. will post 6.14 EPS for the current year. H&R Block Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 6th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.46 per share. This is a positive change from H&R Block’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 3rd. H&R Block’s dividend payout ratio is presently 29.37%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades HRB has been the subject of several analyst reports. Barrington Research upped their target price on H&R Block from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 12th. Weiss Ratings upgraded H&R Block from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on shares of H&R Block from $29.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 12th. Zacks Research cut shares of H&R Block from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Finally, Stephens assumed coverage on shares of H&R Block in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $47.00 price target for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $46.67.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on H&R Block

H&R Block Company Profile (Free Report)

H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) is a leading provider of tax preparation services and software solutions, serving individual and small-business clients through a combination of retail offices, online platforms and mobile applications. The company offers assisted tax preparation at its network of retail offices, where clients work with trained tax professionals, as well as do-it-yourself (DIY) software and online filing services designed to guide users through the complexities of federal and state tax returns.

Founded in 1955 by brothers Henry W.

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Key Takeaways EnerSys declared a $0.29 dividend, with four increases over the past five years.H&R Block declared a $0.46 dividend and has raised its payout five times in five years.United Community Banks declared a $0.26 dividend after seven increases over five years. Continued geopolitical tensions surrounding uncertainty over an end to the Middle East crisis have turned markets volatile again. Oil prices are surging every day, and bond yields are rising on fears of the crisis deepening further.

Also, investors are unclear about the Federal Reserve’s future monetary path after it left interest rates unchanged in its last FOMC meeting.

Amid continued market uncertainty, conservative investors looking for steady income and greater capital protection may want to consider dividend-paying stocks. These stocks can offer a regular stream of income through dividend payouts while also providing some stability during periods of market volatility.

Here are four dividend stocks worth considering: EnerSys (ENS - Free Report) , H&R Block, Inc. (HRB - Free Report) , Badger Meter, Inc. (BMI - Free Report) and United Community Banks, Inc. (UCB - Free Report) .

Middle East Crisis Rattles StocksBond yields have been surging lately on fears that oil prices could rise further as the Middle East crisis deepened over the past few days. The 30-year Treasury yield hit its highest level in 19 years on Tuesday. U.S. crude futures rose 0.5% on the same day to settle at $84.94 a barrel.

Oil prices have now surged for the fifth straight day. Talks between the United States and Iran appear to have stalled after the ceasefire ended on Monday. President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post on Tuesday that the United States is presently not planning any “talks or conversations” with Iran, dashing hopes of a peace deal anytime soon.

A surge in oil prices after war broke out between the United States and Iran saw inflation climbing in April and May. However, inflation fell in June and July as oil prices eased after the two warring nations signed a memorandum of understanding.

This saw the Federal Reserve hold interest rates steady at the end of its July FOMC meeting. The Federal Reserve is expected to hike interest rates by a quarter percentage point this year. The central bank had adopted a wait-and-watch stance but will be compelled to hike interest rates if inflation remains high.

4 Stocks That Recently Announced Dividend HikesEnerSysEnerSys engages in manufacturing, marketing and distribution of various industrial batteries. Additionally, ENS develops battery chargers and accessories, power equipment and outdoor cabinet enclosures. Apart from this, it provides support services for clients.  EnerSys has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

On Aug. 12, EnerSys announced that its shareholders would receive a dividend of $0.29 a share on Oct. 2. ENS has a dividend yield of 0.52%. Over the past five years, EnerSys has increased its dividend four times, and its payout ratio presently sits at 9% of earnings. Check EnerSys’ dividend history here.

H&R BlockH&R Block, Inc. is a leading provider of tax preparation services. HRB provides assisted income tax return preparation, do-it-yourself tax solutions and other products and services associated with income tax return preparation in the United States, Canada and Australia. H&R Block has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

On Aug. 12, H&R Block declared that its shareholders would receive a dividend of $0.46 a share on Oct. 6. HRB has a dividend yield of 3.35%. Over the past five years, H&R Block has increased its dividend five times, and its payout ratio presently sits at 35% of earnings. Check H&R Block’s dividend history here.

Badger MeterBadger Meter, Inc. is a leading provider of water solutions, which include flow measurement, quality and other system parameters. BMI’s products measure water, oil, chemicals, and other fluids and are known for accuracy, long-lasting durability, and providing valuable and timely measurement data. Badger Meter has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

On Aug. 14, Badger Meter announced that its shareholders would receive a dividend of $0.44 a share on Sept. 11. BMI has a dividend yield of 1.24%. Over the past five years, Badger Meter has increased its dividend six times, and its payout ratio presently sits at 37% of earnings. Check Badger Meter’s dividend history here.

United Community BanksUnited Community Banks, Inc. conducts its operations through a community-focused operating model of separate community banks.  The community banks offer a range of retail and corporate banking services, including checking, savings and time deposit accounts, secured and unsecured loans, wire transfers, brokerage services and other financial services. Currently, UCB has a Zacks Rank #3.

On Aug. 13, United Community Banks declared that its shareholders would receive a dividend of $0.26 a share on Oct. 5. UCB has a dividend yield of 2.73%. Over the past five years, United Community Bank has increased its dividend seven times, and its payout ratio presently sits at 35% of earnings. Check United Community Bank’s dividend history here.

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of HRB either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Shares of H&R Block (HRB +1.09%) rose more than 16% this past week after the tax preparation leader boosted its cash payments to investors.

Image source: Getty Images.

Gobbling up its own shares H&R Block's revenue rose 4.9% year over year to $3.95 billion in its fiscal year ended June 30. The financial services purveyor's adjusted net income from continuing operations, in turn, climbed 6.9% to $688 million.

"Research tells us that clients with more complex financial lives value assistance, expertise, and trusted advice," CEO Curtis Campbell said during a conference call with analysts. "This is exactly where H&R Block stands apart."

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Yet it's H&R Block's per-share profit metrics that perhaps best highlight the benefits of its excellent cash generation capabilities.

The tax and small-business solutions provider used its strong free cash flow to repurchase nearly 8% of its outstanding shares at an average price of $47.48 per share in fiscal 2026. Going back to 2016, H&R Block has bought back a whopping 48% of its shares.

All told, the company's adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations jumped 13.9% to $5.31.

Investors can expect steadily growing cash payouts Looking ahead to fiscal 2027, management guided for revenue of more than $4.1 billion and adjusted earnings per share of $6.04 to $6.24.

This healthy profitability enabled H&R Block to raise its quarterly dividend by 10% to $0.46 per share, marking its ninth straight annual increase. The income-paying stalwart has not missed a quarterly dividend payment since it became a public company way back in 1962.

"Entering fiscal 2027, we are well positioned to build on this momentum and continue delivering meaningful long-term value," chief financial officer Tiffany Mason said.

Joe Tenebruso has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Here at Zacks, we focus on our proven ranking system, which places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, to find winning stocks. But we also understand that investors develop their own strategies, so we are constantly looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong companies for our readers.

Looking at the history of these trends, perhaps none is more beloved than value investing. This strategy simply looks to identify companies that are being undervalued by the broader market. Value investors use fundamental analysis and traditional valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are being undervalued by the market at large.

On top of the Zacks Rank, investors can also look at our innovative Style Scores system to find stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will want to focus on the "Value" category. Stocks with high Zacks Ranks and "A" grades for Value will be some of the highest-quality value stocks on the market today.

One company value investors might notice is H&R Block (HRB - Free Report) . HRB is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and an A for Value. The stock has a Forward P/E ratio of 10.01. This compares to its industry's average Forward P/E of 10.52. Over the past year, HRB's Forward P/E has been as high as 12.43 and as low as 9.63, with a median of 10.77.

We also note that HRB holds a PEG ratio of 0.80. 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. HRB's industry has an average PEG of 0.81 right now. Within the past year, HRB's PEG has been as high as 0.99 and as low as 0.77, with a median of 0.86.

These figures are just a handful of the metrics value investors tend to look at, but they help show that H&R Block is likely being undervalued right now. Considering this, as well as the strength of its earnings outlook, HRB feels like a great value stock at the moment.

H&R Block remains a compelling 'Buy,' with strong fundamentals, robust cash flow, and consistent operational execution despite a 73% rally since April. Q4 saw revenue of $1.15 billion (+3.6% y/y), EBITDA margin improvement to 26.8%, and adjusted EPS of $5.31 (+14% y/y), all exceeding consensus. Management's FY27 guidance implies further margin expansion and higher-quality revenue, targeting higher-income households for sustained profitability.

Posted by Defense World Staff on Aug 13th, 2026

Assenagon Asset Management S.A. purchased a new stake in shares of H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE:HRB – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 116,980 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,455,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. owned approximately 0.09% of H&R Block at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in HRB. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in H&R Block by 96.9% in the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,315 shares of the company’s stock valued at $88,000 after buying an additional 1,139 shares during the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB lifted its position in shares of H&R Block by 54.0% during the 2nd quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 895 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 314 shares in the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of H&R Block by 29.9% in the 1st quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 692,760 shares of the company’s stock worth $21,988,000 after buying an additional 159,369 shares during the last quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems purchased a new position in shares of H&R Block in the 1st quarter worth approximately $655,000. Finally, Lodge Hill Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of H&R Block by 31.2% in the first quarter. Lodge Hill Capital LLC now owns 1,050,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,327,000 after acquiring an additional 250,000 shares in the last quarter. 90.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

H&R Block Price Performance H&R Block stock opened at $54.16 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.47, a PEG ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 0.34. H&R Block, Inc. has a one year low of $28.16 and a one year high of $58.67. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $40.33 and a 200-day moving average price of $35.82.

H&R Block (NYSE:HRB – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 11th. The company reported $2.38 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.21 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $1.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.12 billion. H&R Block had a net margin of 18.59% and a negative return on equity of 147.59%. H&R Block’s revenue for the quarter was up 255.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.27 earnings per share. H&R Block has set its FY 2027 guidance at 6.040-6.240 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that H&R Block, Inc. will post 5.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

H&R Block Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 6th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 3rd will be paid a $0.46 dividend. This is a boost from H&R Block’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 3rd. H&R Block’s payout ratio is currently 29.37%.

H&R Block News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting H&R Block this week:

Positive Sentiment: Quarterly results exceeded expectations. H&R Block reported fiscal fourth-quarter adjusted EPS of $2.38, above the $2.21-$2.23 analyst estimates, while revenue reached $1.14 billion versus expectations near $1.12 billion. Annual revenue grew 5%, and operating cash flow increased 23%. H&R Block Fiscal 2026 Results Positive Sentiment: Fiscal 2027 outlook topped consensus. Management forecast adjusted EPS of $6.04-$6.24 and revenue of approximately $4.11-$4.16 billion, ahead of analyst expectations of roughly $5.82 EPS and $4.0 billion in revenue. The company is prioritizing higher-value customers, retention and an AI-enabled expert service model. H&R Block Fiscal 2027 Outlook Positive Sentiment: Shareholder returns increased. H&R Block raised its quarterly dividend 9.5% to $0.46 per share, equivalent to an annualized yield of about 3.4%, marking another year of dividend growth. H&R Block Dividend Increase Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment improved. Barrington Research raised its HRB price target from $50 to $60 and assigned an “outperform” rating, implying additional upside based on the cited reference price. Barrington Research Price Target Update Neutral Sentiment: Call-option volume was unusually high, with 2,201 calls purchased versus an average of 736. This signals bullish speculative positioning but does not guarantee continued gains. Neutral Sentiment: Institutional positioning was mixed: some major investors added HRB shares while others reduced or exited positions, offering no clear consensus signal. Negative Sentiment: The shift toward a more consultative, AI-enabled model requires increased investment, which could raise near-term expenses and execution risk even as management targets stronger long-term growth. Analysts Set New Price Targets HRB has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Stephens assumed coverage on H&R Block in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $47.00 price target for the company. Zacks Research cut H&R Block from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Weiss Ratings upgraded H&R Block from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 2nd. Barrington Research raised their target price on H&R Block from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on H&R Block from $29.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research report on Wednesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $46.67.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on HRB

H&R Block Company Profile (Free Report)

H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) is a leading provider of tax preparation services and software solutions, serving individual and small-business clients through a combination of retail offices, online platforms and mobile applications. The company offers assisted tax preparation at its network of retail offices, where clients work with trained tax professionals, as well as do-it-yourself (DIY) software and online filing services designed to guide users through the complexities of federal and state tax returns.

Founded in 1955 by brothers Henry W.

Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than H&R Block GE Vernova’s AI Power Boom Faces a Profit Test Cardinal Health Earnings: Can Perfection Get Priced In Twice? Nebius’ Q2 Beat Shows the AI Bottleneck Is Capacity, Not Demand Legacy Jet Builders Stall While Embraer Accelerates to New Highs Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HRB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE:HRB – Free Report).

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H&R Block, Inc. (HRB) Q4 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

H&R Block (HRB - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.38 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.23 per share. This compares to earnings of $2.27 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +6.73%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this tax preparer would post earnings of $5.69 per share when it actually produced earnings of $6.02, delivering a surprise of +5.8%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.

H&R Block, which belongs to the Zacks Consumer Services - Miscellaneous industry, posted revenues of $1.14 billion for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.48%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $1.11 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

H&R Block shares have added about 5.4% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 13.3%.

What's Next for H&R Block?While H&R Block has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for H&R Block was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is -$1.28 on $199.51 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $5.65 on $4.01 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Consumer Services - Miscellaneous is currently in the bottom 29% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. 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.

Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (ASO - Free Report) , another stock in the broader Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector, has yet to report results for the quarter ended July 2026.

This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.12 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +9.3%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc.'s revenues are expected to be $1.66 billion, up 3.7% from the year-ago quarter.

- Delivered Revenue Growth of 5% -  - Generated Strong Operating Cash Flow, Up 23% - - Returned $714 Million to Shareholders via Dividends and Share Repurchases - - Raises Quarterly Dividend by 10% - KANSAS CITY, Mo., Aug. 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) (the "Company") today released financial results1 for its fiscal 2026 year ended June 30, 2026.

Key Takeaways H&R Block is set to report fiscal Q4 results on Aug. 11, with revenues estimated to rise 0.6% y/y to $1.12B.Assisted tax preparation revenues expected to rise 2.3% y/y, supported by expert-led, tech-enabled services.H&R Block's EPS is estimated to fall 1.8% y/y to $2.23 amid higher AI investments and operational expenses. H&R Block, Inc. (HRB - Free Report) is set to report its fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Aug. 11, after the closing bell.

The company has an impressive earnings surprise history. HRB’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four reported quarters and missed once, delivering an average surprise of 1.8%.

Shares of HRB have had a decent run over the past month. The stock has risen 17.4% compared with the industry’s 10.1% gain and the Zacks S&P 500 composite’s 2.8% growth.

Q4 Expectations From HRBThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pinned at $1.12 billion, suggesting a 0.6% rise from fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 actuals.

Multiple factors such as strong client retention, increased investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and robust assisted tax preparation demand are collectively expected to have boosted the company’s top line in the June-end quarter of fiscal 2026.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues from U.S. assisted tax preparation is pegged at $702 million, suggesting a 2.3% year-over-year increase. The consensus estimate for Service revenues is pegged at $1.08 billion, indicating a 3.8% year-over-year rise. High demand for expert-led, technology-enabled tax preparation and operational improvements is likely to have driven the expected growth.

HRB’s consistent expansion of its AI capabilities is likely to have positively impacted the top line. The recent expansion of HRB’s AI assistants designed for tax professionals, such as SideKick and AI Tax Assist, is anticipated to have boosted client engagements. The usage of AI to automate the company’s Second Look program, which helps tax professionals review prior-year returns more efficiently, is expected to have improved customer retention.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at $2.23 per share, indicating a 1.8% year-over-year decline. We expect increasing investments in AI and rising operational expenses to have impacted the bottom line in the quarter.

What Our Model Says About HRBOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for H&R Block this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. However, that is not the case here. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

H&R Block has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Stocks to ConsiderHere are a few stocks, which, according to our model, have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this season.

Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +2.37% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The company is scheduled to report its third-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Aug. 19.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ADI’s third-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues is pegged at $3.92 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 36.3%. For earnings, the consensus mark is pegged at $3.33 per share, implying a 62.4% increase from the year-ago quarter’s actual. ADI beat the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 5.5%.

Coherent Corp. (COHR - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +2.65% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The company is scheduled to announce its fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Aug. 12.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for COHR’s fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues is pegged at $1.99 billion, indicating 30.1% year-over-year growth. The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $1.62 per share, implying a year-over-year increase of 62%. COHR beat the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average earnings surprise of 6.2%.

Wall Street analysts forecast that H&R Block (HRB - Free Report) will report quarterly earnings of $2.23 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to a year-over-year decline of 1.8%. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $1.12 billion, exhibiting an increase of 0.6% compared to the year-ago quarter.

The current level reflects no revision in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter over the past 30 days. This demonstrates how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reappraised their initial projections over this period.

Prior to a company's earnings release, it is of utmost importance to factor in any revisions made to the earnings projections. These revisions serve as a critical gauge for predicting potential investor behaviors with respect to the stock. Empirical studies consistently reveal a strong link between trends in earnings estimate revisions and the short-term price performance of a stock.

While investors typically rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates to gauge how the business may have fared during the quarter, examining analysts' projections for some of the company's key metrics often helps gain a deeper insight.

Bearing this in mind, let's now explore the average estimates of specific H&R Block metrics that are commonly monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts.

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Revenues- U.S. assisted tax preparation' will likely reach $701.97 million. The estimate points to a change of +2.3% from the year-ago quarter.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Revenues- U.S. royalties' at $42.71 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -13.8%.

The consensus estimate for 'Revenues- U.S. DIY tax preparation' stands at $148.24 million. The estimate suggests a change of -2.5% year over year.

The consensus among analysts is that 'Revenues- International' will reach $87.03 million. The estimate suggests a change of -3.2% year over year.

Analysts forecast 'Revenues- Refund Transfers' to reach $21.86 million. The estimate indicates a change of -2% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts expect 'Revenues- Tax Identity Shield' to come in at $15.51 million. The estimate indicates a change of +3.6% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Revenues- Peace of Mind Extended Service Plan' reaching $33.85 million. The estimate indicates a change of +4.3% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts predict that the 'Revenues- Other' will reach $18.85 million. The estimate suggests a change of +4.1% year over year.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Revenues- Wave' of $31.64 million. The estimate points to a change of +7.1% from the year-ago quarter.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Revenues- Emerald Card and Spruce' will reach $14.48 million. The estimate indicates a change of +5.5% from the prior-year quarter.

View all Key Company Metrics for H&R Block here>>>

Over the past month, H&R Block shares have recorded returns of +17.3% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.3% change. Based on its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), HRB will likely exhibit a performance that aligns with the overall market in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Posted by Defense World Staff on Aug 3rd, 2026

H&R Block (NYSE:HRB – Get Free Report) and Skillful Craftsman Education Technology (NASDAQ:EDTK – Get Free Report) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, risk, valuation, earnings, institutional ownership and dividends.

Institutional & Insider Ownership 90.1% of H&R Block shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 2.5% of Skillful Craftsman Education Technology shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.4% of H&R Block shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 32.0% of Skillful Craftsman Education Technology shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for H&R Block and Skillful Craftsman Education Technology, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score H&R Block 1 3 1 0 2.00 Skillful Craftsman Education Technology 1 0 0 0 1.00 H&R Block presently has a consensus price target of $43.00, suggesting a potential downside of 2.38%. Given H&R Block’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe H&R Block is more favorable than Skillful Craftsman Education Technology.

Risk & Volatility H&R Block has a beta of 0.34, suggesting that its share price is 66% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Skillful Craftsman Education Technology has a beta of -0.47, suggesting that its share price is 147% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation and Earnings This table compares H&R Block and Skillful Craftsman Education Technology”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio H&R Block $3.76 billion 1.48 $605.77 million $5.62 7.84 Skillful Craftsman Education Technology $893,690.00 16.61 -$7.58 million N/A N/A H&R Block has higher revenue and earnings than Skillful Craftsman Education Technology.

Profitability This table compares H&R Block and Skillful Craftsman Education Technology’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets H&R Block 18.90% -211.62% 22.70% Skillful Craftsman Education Technology N/A N/A N/A Summary H&R Block beats Skillful Craftsman Education Technology on 9 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About H&R Block (Get Free Report)

H&R Block, Inc. engages in the provision of tax return preparation solutions, financial products and small business solutions. The company was founded by Henry W. Bloch and Richard A. Bloch on January 25, 1955, and is headquartered in Kansas City, MO.

About Skillful Craftsman Education Technology (Get Free Report)

Skillful Craftsman Education Technology Limited provides vocational online education and technology services to college students and graduates in the People's Republic of China. The company's education services cover a range of subjects, including vocational, continuing, basic, and higher education. It operates three education platforms, including the Lifelong Education Public Service Platform that offers approximately 200 courses; Vocational Training platform, which provides 642 courses covering mechanics, electronics, auto repair, and construction subjects; and Virtual Simulation Experimental Training platform that offers 12 experimental programs. The company also offers technology services, including software development and maintenance, hardware installation, and testing and related consulting and training services; and cloud services for private companies, academic institutions, and government agencies. In addition, it provides financial education services through financial investment educational platform, which offers global securities market, basic securities knowledge, fundamental analysis, and technical analysis courses; and flexible employment service by providing recruitment outsourcing services for employer's permanent staff hires. Skillful Craftsman Education Technology Limited was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Wuxi, the People's Republic of China.

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Posted by Defense World Staff on Jul 26th, 2026

California Public Employees Retirement System reduced its holdings in shares of H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE:HRB – Free Report) by 16.0% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 296,419 shares of the company’s stock after selling 56,662 shares during the quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System owned approximately 0.23% of H&R Block worth $9,408,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Ceera Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of H&R Block by 299.1% in the 1st quarter. Ceera Investments LLC now owns 42,228 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,340,000 after acquiring an additional 31,648 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its stake in H&R Block by 6.8% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,516,885 shares of the company’s stock worth $48,146,000 after purchasing an additional 96,928 shares during the last quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund lifted its stake in H&R Block by 30.5% during the first quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 137,280 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,357,000 after purchasing an additional 32,116 shares during the last quarter. RWWM Inc. acquired a new position in H&R Block in the first quarter valued at approximately $11,438,000. Finally, Archer Investment Corp boosted its holdings in H&R Block by 1,937.5% in the first quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 16,300 shares of the company’s stock valued at $517,000 after purchasing an additional 15,500 shares in the last quarter. 90.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have commented on HRB. Zacks Research upgraded shares of H&R Block from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 7th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of H&R Block from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. Finally, Barrington Research restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $50.00 target price on shares of H&R Block in a report on Monday, April 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $41.00.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on H&R Block

H&R Block Stock Performance NYSE HRB opened at $40.78 on Friday. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $38.42 and its two-hundred day moving average is $35.56. H&R Block, Inc. has a one year low of $28.16 and a one year high of $56.51. The firm has a market cap of $5.17 billion, a PE ratio of 7.26, a P/E/G ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 0.36.

H&R Block (NYSE:HRB – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 6th. The company reported $6.02 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.77 by $0.25. H&R Block had a net margin of 18.90% and a negative return on equity of 211.62%. The business had revenue of $2.40 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.34 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $5.38 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. H&R Block has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.100-5.20 EPS. Research analysts predict that H&R Block, Inc. will post 5.18 earnings per share for the current year.

H&R Block Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 7th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, June 3rd were given a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 3rd. H&R Block’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.89%.

About H&R Block (Free Report)

H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) is a leading provider of tax preparation services and software solutions, serving individual and small-business clients through a combination of retail offices, online platforms and mobile applications. The company offers assisted tax preparation at its network of retail offices, where clients work with trained tax professionals, as well as do-it-yourself (DIY) software and online filing services designed to guide users through the complexities of federal and state tax returns.

Founded in 1955 by brothers Henry W.

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Here are three stocks with buy ranks and strong growth characteristics for investors to consider today July 6th:

Pitney Bowes (PBI - Free Report) : This global technology company, which is powering billions of transactions - physical and digital - in the connected and borderless world of commerce, carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 6.6% over the last 60 days.

Pitney Bowes has a PEG ratio of 0.75 compared with 0.80 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of A.

Alliance Laundry Holdings Inc. (ALH - Free Report) : This company, which is a provider of commercial laundry systems, carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 10.3% over the last 60 days.

Alliance Laundry has a PEG ratio of 1.21 compared with 1.40 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of A.

H&R Block (HRB - Free Report) : This company, which is a leading provider of tax preparation services, carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 4% over the last 60 days.

Joel Greenblatt’s Magic Formula ranks stocks on two factors: earnings yield (EBIT divided by enterprise value) and return on capital. It surfaces good companies trading at cheap prices.

For retirees, “cheap and high-quality” is only the starting point. Income reliability, drawdown control, and earnings predictability matter as much as a low multiple. Here is a look at how three Magic Formula candidates stack up, ranked from least to most appropriate for a retirement portfolio.

3. Peabody Energy Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU | BTU Price Prediction) screens as the deep-value, optionality-rich name Greenblatt enthusiasts love. Shares closed most recently at $23.69, with a price-to-book ratio of 0.85 and a forward P/E near 22x. The one-year return of 83.8% reflects renewed enthusiasm for coal tied to AI data-center power demand.

The retirement case breaks down on consistency. Q1 FY26 produced an EPS of −$0.26 versus a $0.22 estimate, a −218% earnings surprise, after Centurion mine commissioning issues caused roughly $80 million of damage to the Seaborne Met segment. CEO Jim Grech cited “temporary equipment and roof control challenges.” The $0.075 quarterly dividend has held since Q3 2023. However, the historical record shows cuts from $0.145 to $0.115 during the 2018 downturn and losses from 2015 through 2020. Cyclical coal is a trade, rarely a retirement holding.

2. Molina Healthcare Molina Healthcare (NYSE: MOH) is the classic Magic Formula recovery setup. The managed-care operator trades at a forward P/E of 38x against trailing revenue of $43.1 billion. Shares rebounded 24.5% year to date to $216.04, though that still is 26.6% below year-ago levels.

Q4 2025 delivered an ugly adjusted EPS of −$2.75 against a $0.50 estimate, but Q1 2026 turned with reported EPS of $2.35 versus $1.91 expected, a 23.04% beat. CEO Joseph Zubretsky stated: “We believe that the imbalance between rates and trend marks 2026 as a trough year for Medicaid industry margins.” Management guides to at least $5.00 in adjusted EPS for 2026, burdened by Florida contract costs and MAPD underperformance, with embedded earnings above $11.00 by 2027 to 2029.

For retirees, the problem is income. Molina pays no dividend, regulatory risk on Medicaid rates is real, and operating cash flow turned negative $535 million in FY2025. It is a value bet on a regulated turnaround that offers no income while investors wait..

1. H&R Block H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) is the cleanest fit for the Magic Formula and retirement portfolios. The tax-prep franchise trades at a trailing P/E of 6x and forward P/E of 6x, with a return on equity of 67.9% and an operating margin of 43.2%. That combination of a low multiple and high capital returns is precisely what Greenblatt targets.

Q3 FY26 results were strong: adjusted diluted EPS of $6.02 beat the $5.77 estimate, revenue of $2.40 billion grew 5.31% year over year, and net income rose 17.51%. Management raised FY2026 guidance to adjusted EPS of $5.10 to $5.20 on roughly $3.91 billion to $3.92 billion in revenue. CEO Curtis Campbell called the quarter “an important inflection point” as the assisted channel gained share for a third consecutive year.

Capital return crystallizes the retirement thesis. The quarterly dividend stepped up to $0.42 from $0.375, extending a 60-year streak of consecutive quarterly dividends. The board added an additional $100 million buyback authorization on top of the roughly $700 million remaining under the existing $1.5 billion program. Year-to-date capital returns reached $560.9 million. The dividend held flat through both the 2008 crisis and the 2020 pandemic. With a beta of 0.37 and a 4.7% yield, the volatility profile matches what an income-focused investor needs, though seasonal revenue concentration and AI-native tax competition remain genuine risks.

Bringing the Formula Back to Retirement Greenblatt’s framework surfaces all three names as cheap businesses generating real returns on capital. The retirement filter separates them. Peabody is a commodity play masquerading as a value stock. Molina is a regulated turnaround with no income to collect during the wait. H&R Block pairs a high-margin, cash-generative franchise with the longest dividend history in this group and a management team that is actively shrinking the share count. For a retiree using the Magic Formula as a starting point, H&R Block stock survives the second screen.