Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Stanley Black & Decker (SWK - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on lower revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 29. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis tool company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.20 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +11.1%.

Revenues are expected to be $3.93 billion, down 0.3% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.36% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Stanley Black & Decker?For Stanley Black & Decker, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.18%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Stanley Black & Decker will beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Stanley Black & Decker would post earnings of $0.61 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.80, delivering a surprise of +31.15%.

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

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Stanley Black & Decker doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

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 also includes the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight 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 traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in 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 A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.94% 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.

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.

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

A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.

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

Stock to Watch: Stanley Black & Decker (SWK - Free Report) Headquartered in New Britain, CT, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. manufactures and provides tools (power and hand tools) and related accessories, engineered fastening systems, and several other items and services.

SWK is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 16.43; value investors should take notice.

Two analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.05 to $5.35 per share. SWK boasts an average earnings surprise of +61.6%.

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

Looking for a stock that has been consistently beating earnings estimates and might be well positioned to keep the streak alive in its next quarterly report? Stanley Black & Decker (SWK - Free Report) , which belongs to the Zacks Manufacturing - Tools & Related Products industry, could be a great candidate to consider.

This tool company has seen a nice streak of beating earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The average surprise for the last two quarters was 21.09%.

For the last reported quarter, Stanley Black & Decker came out with earnings of $0.8 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.61 per share, representing a surprise of 31.15%. For the previous quarter, the company was expected to post earnings of $1.27 per share and it actually produced earnings of $1.41 per share, delivering a surprise of 11.02%.

Price and EPS Surprise

Thanks in part to this history, there has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for Stanley Black & Decker lately. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the stock is positive, which is a great indicator of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Stanley Black & Decker currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.13%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner. We expect the company's next earnings report to be released on July 29, 2026.

When the Earnings ESP comes up negative, investors should note that this will reduce the predictive power of the metric. But, a negative value is not indicative of a stock's earnings miss.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, but that may not be the sole basis for their stocks moving higher. On the other hand, some stocks may hold their ground even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

The S&P 500 is up about 10% this year, yet 80% of that gain comes from technology stocks, many of which are tied to artificial intelligence. With interest rates and energy prices spiraling higher, and inflation clearly not under control, those willing to put any new money to work in stocks should likely be extremely careful. Why, you ask? The Shiller P/E, which compares the market’s price to average inflation-adjusted earnings over the trailing decade, currently sits at 41. This is the highest the Shiller P/E has been since the dot-com bubble peak, which reached roughly 44 in 1999. Both levels are significantly above the long-term historical average of around 17.

Investors seeking defensive companies that pay substantial dividends are drawn to the Dividend Aristocrats, and with good reason. The 69 companies that made the cut for the 2026 S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats list have increased their dividends (not just maintained them) for 25 consecutive years. But the requirements go even further, with the following attributes also mandatory for membership on the aristocrats list:

Companies must be worth at least $3 billion for each quarterly rebalancing. Their average daily trading volume must be at least $5 million in transactions for every trailing three-month period at every quarterly rebalancing date. They must be a member of the S&P 500. We screened the 2026 Dividend Aristocrats to identify companies trading at the best price-to-earnings ratios and found five that also pay among the highest dividends in the group. All are rated Buy at top firms we cover on Wall Street, and all make sense for growth and income investors worried about the current state of the stock market.

Why do we cover the Dividend Aristocrats?

S&P 500 companies that have paid and raised their dividends for 25 years or longer are the types that growth and income investors want to buy and hold in their stock portfolios for the long term. These stocks are mostly conservative, and should we see a dramatic market correction, they will likely hold their ground much better than volatile technology names, many of which are overbought and frothy.

Hormel Foods Hormel Foods (NYSE: HRL | HRL Price Prediction) is an American food processing company founded in 1891 in Austin, Minnesota. With shares down 14% already in 2026, the stock trades at 13.07 times forward earnings estimates. Hormel offers dual pricing power through both branded products and private-label manufacturing, as well as a reliable 4.7% dividend.

Hormel develops, processes, and distributes a range of meat, nuts, and other food products to retail, foodservice, deli, and commercial customers in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments:

Retail Food Service International This Dividend Aristocrat is a consumer staples company focused on protein-based packaged foods. Its yield is historically high, and the Hormel Foundation’s oversight ensures dividend reliability. Reports indicate that it is restructuring its portfolio and cutting costs to improve performance.

The company provides various perishable products, including fresh meats, frozen items, refrigerated meal solutions, sausages, hams, guacamole, and bacon, and shelf-stable products, including canned luncheon meats, nut butter, snack nuts, chili, shelf-stable microwaveable meals, hash, stews, tortillas, salsas, tortilla chips, nutritional food supplements, and others. It sells its products under these brands:

Hormel Always Tender Applegate Austin Blues Bacon 1 Black Label Bread Ready Burke Café H Ceratti Chi-Chi’s Columbus Compleats Corn Nuts Cure 81 Dan’s Prize Di Lusso Dinty Moore Don Miguel Doña Maria Embasa Fast N Easy Fire Braised Fontanini Happy Little Plants Herdez Hormel Gatherings Hormel Square Table Hormel Vital Cuisine House of Tsang Jennie-O Justin’s La Victoria Layout Lloyd’s Mary Kitchen Mr. Peanut Natural Choice Nut-rition Old Smokehouse Oven Ready Pillow Pack Planters Rosa Grande Sadler’s Smokehouse Skippy Spam Special Recipe Thick & Easy Valley Fresh Wholly Barclays has an Overweight rating with a $23 target price.

Stanley Black & Decker Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is the world’s largest tool company, with 50 manufacturing facilities in the United States and more than 100 worldwide, and its shares trade at 13.54 times forward earnings estimates. With the potential for the economy to slow down somewhat, you can bet that the do-it-yourself legions will fix rather than buy new, and this legendary stock is a solid idea now, while yielding a large 3.53% dividend.

Stanley Black & Decker provides hand tools, power tools, outdoor products, and related accessories in the United States, Canada, Europe, and elsewhere. Its Tools & Outdoor segment offers professional-grade corded and cordless electric power tools and equipment, including:

Drills Impact wrenches and drivers Grinders, saws, routers, and sanders Pneumatic tools and fasteners, such as nail guns, nails, staplers and staples, and concrete and masonry anchors; corded and cordless electric power tools Hand-held vacuums, paint tools, and cleaning appliances Leveling and layout tools, planes, hammers, demolition tools, clamps, vises, knives, saws, chisels, and industrial and automotive tools Drill, screwdriver, router bits, abrasives, saw blades, and threading products Toolboxes, sawhorses, mechanic cabinets, and engineered storage solutions Electric and gas-powered lawn and garden products This segment sells its products under these brand names:

DeWalt Craftsman Cub Cadet Black+Decker Hustler The company’s Industrial segment provides:

Threaded fasteners, blind rivets and tools, blind inserts and tools Drawn arc weld studs and systems Engineered plastic and mechanical fasteners Self-piercing riveting systems Precision nut running systems Micro fasteners High-strength structural fasteners Axle swage, latches, heat shields, pins, couplings, fittings, and other engineered products Attachments used on excavators and handheld tools This segment sells its products through a direct sales force and third-party distributors to various industries, including automotive, manufacturing, electronics, construction, aerospace, and others.

UBS has a Buy rating on the shares and a $98 target price.

Genuine Parts Investors seeking a solid retail investment should consider purchasing this company, as its products remain in high demand and it has raised the dividend for 69 consecutive years. Genuine Parts (NYSE: GPC) is a global service provider of automotive and industrial replacement parts and value-added solutions, trading at 11.77 times forward earnings estimates with a 3.9% dividend yield.

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The Automotive segment distributes replacement parts (other than collision parts) for all makes and models of automobiles, trucks, and other vehicles in North America, Europe, and Australasia. Its main automotive customers are repair and maintenance shops, and its main industrial customers are businesses operating distribution, manufacturing, and production equipment.

The Industrial segment distributes a wide variety of industrial bearings, mechanical and fluid power transmission equipment, including:

Hydraulic and pneumatic products Material handling components Related parts and supplies This segment offers replacement parts and solutions to customers in the maintenance, repair, and operation business, as well as to original equipment manufacturers.

Raymond James has a Strong Buy rating on the shares with a $145 target.

PepsiCo This top consumer staples stock reported solid first-quarter earnings and will continue to supply all the goods for summer picnics and parties. PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) is a global food and beverage company with a very solid 4.08% dividend yield and a forward P/E of 16.92.

Activist investor Elliott Investment Management recently took a $4 billion stake in PepsiCo last September, revealing a strategy to unlock value by focusing on core strengths such as innovation and brand marketing, rather than its capital-intensive bottling operations. This move caused PepsiCo’s stock to surge, with Elliott believing the company could see over 50% upside if its proposed strategic changes were implemented. However, these changes would involve a very long-term transformation.

PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America segment offers:

Lays and Ruffles potato chips Doritos, Tostitos, and Santitas tortilla chips Cheetos cheese-flavored snacks, branded dips Fritos corn chips The company’s Quaker Foods North America segment provides:

Quaker Oatmeal Grits Rice cakes Natural granola and oat squares Pearl Milling mixes and syrups Quaker Chewy granola bars Cap’n Crunch cereal Life cereal Rice-A-Roni side dishes PepsiCo’s North America Beverages segment offers beverage concentrates, fountain syrups, and finished goods under these brands:

Pepsi Gatorade Mountain Dew Diet Pepsi Aquafina Diet Mountain Dew Tropicana Pure Premium Sierra Mist Mug Goldman Sachs has a Buy rating with a $183 price objective.

PPG Industries Formerly known as Pittsburgh Paint and Glass, it has paid dividends to shareholders since 1899 and currently offers a 2.30% dividend, trading at a very reasonable 12.83 times forward earnings estimates. PPG Industries (NYSE: PPG) manufactures and distributes paints, coatings, and specialty materials in the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through two segments.

The Performance Coatings segment offers:

Coatings Solvents Adhesives Sealants Sundries Software for automotive and commercial transport/fleet repair and refurbishing Light industrial coatings and specialty coatings for signs Wood stains, paints, thermoplastics, pavement marking products, and other advanced technologies for pavement marking for government, commercial infrastructure, painting, and maintenance contractors Coatings, sealants, transparencies, transparent armor, adhesives, engineered materials, and packaging and chemical management services for commercial, military, regional jet, and general aviation aircraft The Industrial Coatings segment offers coatings, adhesives, and sealants, as well as metal pretreatments, services, and coatings applications for:

Appliances, agricultural and construction equipment Consumer electronics, automotive parts, and accessories Building products Kitchenware Vehicles and other finished products. On-site coatings services It also provides coatings for metal cans, closures, plastic and aluminum tubes for food, beverage, and personal care, promotional, and specialty packaging; amorphous precipitated silica for tires, battery separators, and other end-users; TESLIN substrates for labels, e-passports, driver’s licenses, breathable membranes, and loyalty and identification cards; and organic light emitting diode materials, displays and lighting lens materials, optical lenses, color-change products, and photochromic dyes.

Wells Fargo has an Overweight rating with a target price of $130.

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Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many 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? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest 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 ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience 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 A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.

Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +24% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus 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.

You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.

As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.

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: Stanley Black & Decker (SWK - Free Report) Headquartered in New Britain, CT, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. manufactures and provides tools (power and hand tools) and related accessories, engineered fastening systems, and several other items and services.

SWK is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

Momentum investors should take note of this Industrial Products stock. SWK has a Momentum Style Score of B, and shares are up 6.2% over the past four weeks.

For fiscal 2026, four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.13 to $5.35 per share. SWK boasts an average earnings surprise of +61.6%.

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

Stanley Black & Decker faces headwinds in the Tools & Outdoor segment, reflecting broader consumer sentiment and sluggish U.S. housing activity. SWK is prioritizing debt reduction, with recent cash flow improvements as well as the divestiture of consolidated aerospace manufacturing, supporting deleveraging efforts and financial stability. Valuation metrics and insider activity suggest a cautious stance, as the company navigates mixed fundamentals and macroeconomic uncertainty.

Stanley Black & Decker says fewer buyers want the Connecticut plant's single-sided tape measures, preferring double-sided ones made abroad.

Plug Power Inc. (PLUG - Free Report) is scheduled to release first-quarter 2026 results on May 11, after market close.

The company has a mixed earnings surprise history. Its earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate twice in the trailing four quarters and missed the mark in two, the average surprise being 9%.

Let’s see how things have shaped up for Plug Power this earnings season.

Factors to Note Ahead of PLUG’s Q1 ResultsRevenues from services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure are expected to have grown, driven by an increase in the sales of service parts, a surge in pricing of service agreements and an improvement in the scope of services provided to certain customers. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure net revenues is pegged at $22.7 million, implying a 34.3% increase from the year-ago number.

Increased fuel prices and a rise in the number of customer sites with fuel contracts are expected to have aided revenues from fuel delivered to customers and related equipment in the first quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fuel delivered to customers and related equipment net revenues is pegged at $30.8 million, implying a 4.4% increase from the year-ago number.

Revenues from Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are expected to have been buoyed by an increase in pricing of the PPAs. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for net revenues from the same is $27.4 million, indicating an increase of 18.1% from the prior-year quarter.

However, a decline in revenues related to hydrogen site installations, liquefiers and cryogenic equipment is expected to have adversely impacted the sales of equipment, related infrastructure and others. However, an increase in demand for electrolyzers is expected to have provided some relief. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for net revenues from the sale of equipment, related infrastructure and others is $64 million, in line with the prior-year quarter.

Rising costs and operating expenses have been concerns for Plug Power for some time now. The impacts of high labor and raw material costs are likely to have affected its margin and profitability. Also, investments associated with product development and growth initiatives are expected to have hurt the company’s performance.

Given the company’s substantial international operations, foreign currency headwinds are likely to have marred its margins and profitability.

Amid this backdrop, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s first-quarter revenues is pegged at $142.5 million, indicating an increase of 6.6% from the year-ago quarter’s figure. The consensus estimate for adjusted earnings is pinned at a loss of nine cents per share compared with a loss of 21 cents per share in the year-ago quarter.

Earnings WhispersOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for PLUG this time around. 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, which is not the case here, as elaborated below.

Earnings ESP: PLUG has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% as both the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate are pegged at a loss of nine cents per share. You can uncover the best stocks before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: PLUG presently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

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

Performance of Other CompaniesGraco Inc. (GGG - Free Report) posted quarterly earnings of 66 cents per share in the first quarter of 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 75 cents per share. This compares with earnings of 70 cents per share a year ago.

Graco posted revenues of $540.1 million for the quarter, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.5%. This compares with year-ago revenues of $528.3 million.

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (SWK - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 80 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 61 cents. The bottom line increased 6.7% year over year.

Stanley Black’s net sales of $3.85 billion beat the consensus estimate of $3.74 billion. The top line increased 2.7% from the year-ago quarter.

Ingersoll Rand Inc. (IR - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 77 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 74 cents. The bottom line increased 7% year over year.

Total revenues of $1.85 billion beat the consensus estimate of $1.83 billion. The top line increased 7.6% year over year.

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.

The research service features 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, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.

Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest 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 ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most 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 trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.

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.

Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.7% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus 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 maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure 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: Stanley Black & Decker (SWK - Free Report) Headquartered in New Britain, CT, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. manufactures and provides tools (power and hand tools) and related accessories, engineered fastening systems, and several other items and services.

SWK is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 14.23; value investors should take notice.

Five analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.08 to $5.30 per share. SWK also boasts an average earnings surprise of +61.6%.

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

New CRAFTSMAN V20* ADVANCED™ Batteries provide more power and runtime†*** for bigger DIY projects Trade in a qualifying power tool battery for a free V20* ADVANCED™ 3Ah battery and charger kit and a $50 coupon toward the purchase of CRAFTSMAN V20* products at participating Lowe's and Ace Hardware in-store events, on select dates, while supplies last , /PRNewswire/ -- CRAFTSMAN®, a Stanley Black & Decker brand, announced the launch of the CRAFTSMAN V20* ADVANCED™ Batteries, designed to deliver bigger power for bigger DIY projects. Compatible with existing CRAFTSMAN V20* tools, the new batteries deliver more power, longer runtime and lots of "whoa". It's like giving your existing tools a power boost.

CRAFTSMAN® announced the launch of the CRAFTSMAN V20* ADVANCED™ Batteries, designed to deliver bigger power for bigger DIY projects.

V20* 6Ah ADVANCED battery.

V20* 3Ah ADVANCED battery.

"DIYers demand tools that keep up with their ambition - and we refuse to let anything slow them down," said Wayne de Koker, President and General Manager, CRAFTSMAN. "That's why we engineered the new V20* ADVANCED™ battery to deliver relentless power and endurance, empowering users to work faster, tackle bigger projects and finish more tasks with fewer interruptions. With this battery, every project is within reach."

Engineered with tabless cell technology, the V20* ADVANCED™ Batteries are built to run cooler**, turning your tools into a true project powerhouse. Available in two sizes, a V20* 6Ah battery which delivers up to 3X the power and up to 3X the runtime*** and a V20* 3Ah battery which provides 96% more power and up to 50% more runtime†***.

The batteries can be used with the full line of existing CRAFTSMAN V20* tools, spanning over 100 different products from power tools to outdoor equipment. The CRAFTSMAN V20* 3Ah ADVANCED™ Battery (CMCB2103-CK, MSRP $139) and the V20* 6Ah ADVANCED™ Battery (CMCB2106-CK, MSRP $199) come paired with a V20* charger and are available now where CRAFTSMAN products are sold.  

Get a Free V20* ADVANCED™ Battery with CRAFTSMAN Trade-In Events

CRAFTSMAN is hosting Battery Trade-In Events at participating Lowe's and Ace Hardware locations nationwide, giving DIYers the chance to trade in a qualifying rechargeable power tool battery from any brand. In exchange, participants will receive one (1) FREE CRAFTSMAN V20* 3Ah ADVANCED™ Battery + Charger Starter Kit (a $139 value) and a $50 coupon from the participating retailer toward the purchase of CRAFTSMAN V20* products, while supplies last only. To find an event near you, visit craftsman.com/en-us/battery-trade-event. ⱡ

To learn more about the CRAFTSMAN V20* ADVANCED™ Batteries and the entire line of CRAFTSMAN® tools and solutions, visit www.CRAFTSMAN.com.

* 20V MAX* battery, max initial voltage (w/out a workload) is 20 volts. Nominal voltage is 18.
† vs. CMCB202 2Ah battery, more runtime based on 10 Amp discharge test, not in application.
** Less temperature rise during full discharge, not in application vs. CMCB202 2 Ah battery.

ⱡ Limit of (1) free CRAFTSMAN V20* 3Ah Battery + Charger Kit and (1) $50 coupon per person, per household. Coupons are subject to the terms and conditions contained on the coupons. Supply of free CRAFTSMAN V20* 3Ah Battery + Charger Kit and $50 coupon is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis only. Dates, times and locations of in-store events at the participating retailers are subject to change. Additional restrictions apply. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited.

About CRAFTSMAN

CRAFTSMAN® is the most trusted and recommended brand in Tools and Outdoor by DIYers±. With solutions for the home, yard and garage, CRAFTSMAN is committed to empowering DIYers at every stage of their journey. Crafted with the same innovation and expertise homeowners have come to expect and love, CRAFTSMAN is here to help DIYers BUILD ON™. For more information, visit www.craftsman.com or follow CRAFTSMAN on Facebook and Instagram.

± Rated among 25 leading competitive brands, based on an online national survey of 261 DIY tool and residential outdoor power equipment owners ages 18+, conducted in 10/2024.

About Stanley Black & Decker
Founded in 1843 and headquartered in the USA, Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is a worldwide leader in Tools and Outdoor, operating manufacturing facilities globally. The Company's approximately 43,500 employees produce innovative end-user inspired power tools, hand tools, storage, digital jobsite solutions, outdoor and lifestyle products, and engineered fasteners to support the world's builders, tradespeople and DIYers. The Company's world-class portfolio of trusted brands includes DEWALT®, CRAFTSMAN®, STANLEY®, BLACK+DECKER®, and Cub Cadet®. To learn more visit: www.stanleyblackanddecker.com or follow Stanley Black & Decker on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

SOURCE CRAFTSMAN

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Stanley Black & Decker (SWK - Free Report) . Shares have added about 1.4% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.

Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Stanley Black & Decker due for a pullback? Well, first let's take a quick look at the latest earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent drivers for Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late.

Stanley Black's Q1 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Rise Y/YStanley Black reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 80 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 61 cents. The bottom line increased 6.7% year over year.

Stanley Black’s net sales of $3.85 billion beat the consensus estimate of $3.74 billion. The top line increased 2.7% from the year-ago quarter.

Segmental DiscussionEffective from the first quarter of 2025, it has renamed the Industrial segment as the Engineered Fastening segment. It had no impact on the company's consolidated financial statements or segment results.

Revenues from the company’s primary segment, Tools & Outdoor, totaled $3.34 billion, which increased 2% from the year-ago quarter. However, the segment’s organic revenues decreased 1%. Our estimate was $3.29 billion.

Revenues from the Engineered Fastening segment grossed $511 million, up 10% year over year. The segment’s organic revenues increased 7%. Our estimate was $459.3 million.

Margin ProfileStanley Black’s cost of sales was up 2.5% year over year to $2.69 billion. The gross profit increased 3.3% year over year to $1.16 billion. The gross margin increased 20 basis points (bps) year over year to 30.1%.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 2% year over year to $884.0 million. Adjusted EBITDA was $354.7 million, indicating a year-over-year decrease of 2%. The margin decreased 50 bps to 9.2%.

Balance Sheet and Cash FlowWhile exiting the first quarter, Stanley Black had cash and cash equivalents of $333.7 million compared with $280.1 million at the end of fourth-quarter 2025. The long-term debt balance was $4.70 billion, in line with the figure reported at the end of fourth-quarter 2025.

In the first three months of 2026, net cash used for operating activities was $388.8 million compared with $420 million used in the year-ago period. Capital and software expenditures totaled $58.5 million, down from $65 million reported in the year-ago period. Free cash flow (before dividends) was ($447.3) million compared with ($485.0) million a year ago.

In the first three months of 2026, the company paid out dividends worth $126 million to its shareholders, up 1.2% from the year-ago period.

2026 GuidanceStanley Black updated its 2026 guidance. The company now anticipates earnings to be $4.15-$5.35 per share compared with $3.15-$4.35 expected earlier. Adjusted earnings are projected to be $4.90-$5.70 per share. The company targets to generate annual free cash flow (non-GAAP) of $700-$900 million, increasing 16% at the midpoint.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates.

VGM ScoresCurrently, Stanley Black & Decker has a average Growth Score of C, a score with the same score on the momentum front. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock has a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the second quintile for this investment strategy.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Interestingly, Stanley Black & Decker has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.

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.

The research service features 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, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.

Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.

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 assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means 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 ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.

Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.7% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus 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.

You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.

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

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: Stanley Black & Decker (SWK - Free Report) Headquartered in New Britain, CT, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. manufactures and provides tools (power and hand tools) and related accessories, engineered fastening systems, and several other items and services.

SWK is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 14.76; value investors should take notice.

Five analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.10 to $5.32 per share. SWK also boasts an average earnings surprise of +61.6%.

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

Key Takeaways Stanley Black's aerospace market delivered 31% organic growth in first-quarter 2026.SWK's automotive business posted 4% organic growth, helping segment organic revenues rise 7%.Stanley Black completed a cost-reduction program that generated about $2.1B in pre-tax run rate savings. Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (SWK - Free Report) has been witnessing solid growth in the Engineered Fastening segment, driven by persistent strength across the aerospace market. The aerospace market continued its strong trajectory and generated 31% organic growth in the first quarter of 2026.

Solid momentum in the automotive business, driven by a strong demand environment in North America and healthy global fastener system sales across auto OEM markets, bodes well. The business posted 4% organic growth in first-quarter 2026. However, these gains were partially offset by lower volumes in the industrial market. Nevertheless, the segment’s organic revenues grew 7% in the quarter on a year-over-year basis. For 2026, the company expects the segment’s revenues to grow at a low-to-mid single-digit range, supported by operational improvements.

The company also completed its multi-year global cost-reduction program, having generated roughly $2.1 billion in pre-tax run-rate savings. Approximately $1.5 billion of savings came from core supply-chain initiatives, including operational excellence, material productivity and complexity reduction. These actions continue to support profitability and operational efficiency across its segments.

Segment Snapshot of SWK’s PeersRBC Bearings Incorporated (RBC - Free Report) is witnessing strength in the Industrial segment (revenues increased 5.5% year over year in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026). Stable demand for its highly engineered bearings and precision components in food & beverage, aggregate & cement, grain, semiconductor and warehousing markets bodes well for RBC’s segment.

IDEX Corporation (IEX - Free Report) is benefiting from strength in the Fluid & Metering Technologies (FMT) An increase in demand for products across the municipal water end market has been proving beneficial for the IDEX’s FMT segment. Higher demand for mining application solutions also bodes well for the segment.

SWK’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of Stanley Black have gained 7% in the past month against the industry’s decline of 1%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, SWK is trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 14.64X, below the industry’s average of 16.02X. Stanley Black carries a Value Score of B.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SWK’s 2026 earnings has increased 1.9% over the past 60 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stanley Black currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.