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The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEARCA:XLK) charges a sticker fee so small it looks like a rounding error. The real bill shows up in how much of your money is riding on three stocks you probably already own through your S&P 500 fund.

What You’re Actually Paying XLK’s expense ratio sits at 0.08%, or roughly $8 a year per $10,000 invested, per State Street’s March 20, 2026 fact sheet. That is cheap. Cheaper than most actively managed ETFs, which State Street pegs at an asset-weighted average of 42 basis points, with complex strategies pushing past 70.

XLK’s real cost is structural, hidden beneath the headline fee. And it compounds in a way the $8 figure hides.

The Part the Factsheet Doesn’t Highlight Open the holdings page and the concentration is brutal. NVIDIA sits at 14.93% of the fund, Apple at 13.23%, and Microsoft at 11.84%. Together, those three names make up 40.00% of net assets. Add Broadcom at 5.38% and you are past 45% in four tickers.

Here is the catch. Those same four stocks already dominate the S&P 500. If you own a total-market or S&P 500 index fund alongside XLK, you are doubling down on the same names. That overlap is the cost buried in the marketing copy, surfacing as drawdown risk the day the top holding stumbles. On June 23, 2026, XLK fell 4.14% in a single session, while Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:QQQ) dropped 3.29%. That gap is concentration showing up in real time.

There is a tax angle, too. XLK rebalances quarterly to track the Technology Select Sector Index. When mega-cap weights drift past index caps, the fund must trim winners, a process that historically pushes turnover and can surface taxable distributions in non-retirement accounts. Investors should pull the most recent capital gains distribution history from State Street before buying in a brokerage account.

The Cheaper, Broader Mirror An alternative covers roughly the same exposure with less single-stock risk. The Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSEARCA:VGT) holds hundreds more names, spreading weight further down the tech stack into mid-caps XLK ignores. Over the past five years, XLK returned 163.05% while VGT returned 143.86%, a gap driven largely by the top holding’s outsized weight in XLK. But over ten years, XLK is up 868% against VGT’s 868.11%. Functionally identical, with VGT carrying broader diversification.

The trade-off is straightforward. XLK lets you ride the top three names harder. VGT lets you ride the sector without betting the farm on one chip designer.

What This Means for You The question worth asking before adding XLK to a portfolio already anchored by an S&P 500 fund: am I buying tech exposure, or am I just paying eight dollars per ten thousand to triple my mega-cap weighting? The duplication is the hidden cost.

In the artificial intelligence (AI) investing world, investors just got a new option: Space Exploration Technologies (SPCX +0.71%), better known as SpaceX. It may not sound like an AI investment at first, but it is. Earlier this year, before it went public, SpaceX acquired another of Elon Musk's companies -- xAI, the business behind the Grok generative AI platform and the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. 

But is SpaceX a better AI stock than the one that all others in the space are compared to? I'm talking about Nvidia (NVDA 0.34%), the world's largest company, of course. The graphics processing unit powerhouse has been the industry's standard-bearer since the AI race kicked off in 2023. 

Image source: Getty Images.

Nvidia's AI business is more impressive First, let's take a look at each company's AI business. For SpaceX, xAI was obviously a recent addition, and it has a few unique attributes. Most investors will remember the saga of Elon Musk acquiring Twitter and then changing its name to X, but it would have been easier to miss when he sold X to one of his other companies, xAI. So, after another merger beyond that, SpaceX is now the proud owner of a social media platform. The ad revenue from X makes up around half of the $3.2 billion in revenue that SpaceX's AI division generated in 2025. This division grew revenue at a 22% pace, which isn't bad, but it's also not great.

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Nvidia, on the other hand, is growing rapidly. In its latest quarter, its revenue grew by 85% year over year, indicating massive demand for its GPUs. Moreover, Wall Street analysts project it will deliver 96% growth in the current quarter. With the vast majority of Nvidia's revenue coming from AI processors being sold to data centers, I think it's pretty safe to say that Nvidia's AI business is stronger than SpaceX's at the moment.

Winner: Nvidia

SpaceX outperforms Nvidia in other industries Describing SpaceX primarily as an AI company would be inaccurate, as it has many other businesses. The most obvious are its rocket-launching business and other space exploration aspirations. But its biggest, fastest-growing, and most profitable segment is its connectivity division, which gets most of its revenue from the Starlink satellite internet service. SpaceX has a lot of growth options, even if the AI build-out turns out to be a bust for it.

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While it's true that Nvidia also has products for gaming, manufacturing, and self-driving cars, the vast majority of the chipmaker's revenues are coming from AI-centric sources. This makes SpaceX the more versatile company, which would give it an advantage if current market trends and spending habits were to dramatically shift.

Winner: SpaceX

Nvidia looks reasonably priced From a market cap perspective, Nvidia, at $5 trillion, is roughly 2.5 times as big as SpaceX, which closed Monday's trading at around $2 trillion. So, if those companies are reasonably valued, then their revenues and profits should roughly fall in line with that ratio, but that's far from the case.

Over the past 12 months, Nvidia has generated over $250 billion in revenue and about $160 billion in net income.

NVDA Revenue (TTM) data by YCharts

So, I'd expect SpaceX to have around $100 billion in revenue and about $64 billion in profits if it deserves to be valued at 40% the price of Nvidia. But that's far from the case.

In 2025, SpaceX's revenue totaled less than $20 billion. Net income wasn't discussed, but SpaceX's adjusted EBITDA totaled $6.6 billion. Those aren't the numbers I'd expect from a company with a $2 trillion market cap, and leads me to believe that SpaceX's stock price is based more on hype than on its business results. Usually, situations like that don't pan out well for companies or their shareholders over the long term, but it could be different for SpaceX.

Still, I think Nvidia has a far more reasonable price tag, giving it the win over SpaceX at a score of two to one.

Winner: Nvidia

Ask investors about the most influential stock of the past several years, and many would respond with Nvidia (NVDA 0.34%). The company's state-of-the-art processors have taken artificial intelligence (AI) to the next level, propelling its revenue and profits into the stratosphere. Consider this: Since the AI revolution kicked off in earnest in early 2023, Nvidia's revenue has surged 1,250%, driving its net income up over 4,000%. The company's incredible financial results have driven its share price up 1,280% -- and many experts believe that there's more upside ahead.

However, the specter of uncertainty regarding AI adoption, rising competition, and concerns about valuations in general have weighed on AI stocks, and Nvidia is no different. The stock is currently down 14% from its recent highs and trailing both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite (as I write this) in 2026.

With that as a backdrop, should investors buy Nvidia stock? A review of the available evidence provides a compelling answer.

Image source: Getty IMages.

Show me the money The company's financial results provide the first indication regarding Nvidia's prospects. For its fiscal 2027 first quarter (ended April 26), the company generated record revenue that surged 85% year over year and 20% quarter over quarter to $81.6 billion. Nvidia's gross profit margin remains near a record high at 74.9%. This drove adjusted earnings per share (EPS) that soared 140% to $1.87. This marked the 14 consecutive quarter of sequential revenue growth.

If that wasn't enough, management is guiding for Q2 revenue of $91 billion, which would represent year-over-year growth of 95%.

Its financial results suggest Nvidia is a buy.

The future looks bright Beyond the coming quarter, the future looks bright for Nvidia. Don't take my word for it. CEO Jensen Huang has released an astonishing forecast for this year and next:

We have $500 billion dollars' worth of visibility. And at this point, at this point, with another 21 more months to go to the end of (calendar) 2027, we already have high confidence, high confidence visibility of $1 trillion plus of Blackwell and Rubin, not anything else, just Blackwell and Rubin.

If Huang's forecast for Nvidia's AI-centric Blackwell and Rubin platforms is even close to reality -- and we have no reason to believe otherwise -- it suggests that the company's momentous growth is poised to continue through at least the end of 2027, and likely much longer.

The company's future prospects also suggest the stock is a buy.

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Show me the money (part 2) As highlighted above, Nvidia's performance over the past several years has been nothing short of spectacular. Gains of that magnitude are rare, but shareholders are bracing for yet another windfall from Nvidia. The chipmaker recently increased its quarterly dividend 25-fold, from $0.01 to $0.25 per share, payable on June 26 to shareholders of record as of June 4. Its dividend yield is currently 0.5%, and with a payout ratio of about 10%, there's still plenty more where that came from.

In fact, Huang recently made a stunning pronouncement, saying the company plans to return "50% or more of free cash flow to our shareholders this year, next year, and beyond. "

That signals Nvidia's plans to return substantial capital to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks -- yet another positive signal.

Wall Street's unequivocal endorsement Wall Street analysts are known for their diverse opinions, so when they agree on something, it's noteworthy. To wit, of the 62 analysts who issued an opinion in June, 95% rate Nvidia a buy or strong buy, and none recommend selling. Furthermore, the average price target on the stock is $299, suggesting 48% upside (as I write this).

Baird analyst Tristan Gerra is much more bullish than her Wall Street colleagues, with a price target of $500 -- suggesting potential upside of 147%. The analyst notes that Nvidia is "gaining market share in inferencing and at hyperscalers," while suggesting that sales of Vera Rubin chips could outperform those of the highly successful Blackwell processor. He also sees Nvidia's entry into the CPU market as a $200 billion opportunity that isn't factored into Wall Street's current models.

Wall Street seems to concur that Nvidia has further to run.

The final piece of evidence is its valuation. Nvidia stock is currently selling for 31 times earnings and 23 times forward earnings. That's an incredibly compelling valuation for a company executing at such a high level and positioned at the forefront of the AI revolution.

Add to that the company's accelerating sales, robust forecast, increasing capital returns, and a bullish endorsement from Wall Street, and the evidence is clear.

Nvidia stock is a buy.

MÄNNEDORF, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tecan (SIX Swiss Exchange: TECN), a global provider of laboratory automation and solutions, today announced the integration of Agentic AI capabilities into its lab analytics platform Introspect, leveraging NVIDIA BioNeMo Agent Toolkit. The NVIDIA BioNeMo Agent Toolkit enables AI agents to access scientific AI capabilities directly within the Introspect platform, helping laboratories to optimize operations. Agentic AI will allow laboratories to move beyond traditional monitoring and reactive troubleshooting toward proactive actions that help prevent issues before they impact performance, quality, or scientific outcomes. Early access to the enhanced Introspect platform is available, with applications focused on pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and clinical laboratory environments.

A milestone in the collaboration announced in March 2026, this Agentic AI development demonstrates advancement of Tecan and NVIDIA’s shared vision of enabling Data-Driven Laboratories with AI-powered platforms designed to accelerate scientific discovery and improve laboratory productivity.

Agentic AI introduces a new paradigm for laboratory operations. Rather than identifying problems after they occur, intelligent agents can continuously analyze laboratory data, workflows, and system performance to uncover hidden patterns that limit throughput, constrain scalability, or reduce operational efficiency. By transforming data into recommended actions, laboratories can accelerate decision-making, optimize resource utilization, and proactively improve overall productivity.

Mukta Acharya, Executive Vice President - Head of the Life Sciences Business division at Tecan: “Agentic AI has the potential to reshape how laboratories operate. By combining Tecan’s laboratory expertise with NVIDIA’s BioNeMo Agent Toolkit, we are enabling a new generation of intelligent laboratory solutions that can proactively support scientists, improve productivity, and help accelerate scientific outcomes.”

The work with NVIDIA focuses also on the agentic guardrails required for the responsible and reliable deployment of AI in laboratory environments. These safeguards support transparency, reliability, and controlled automation, helping in the establishment of Agentic AI as a trusted technology to support key research and operational workflows.

Tecan and NVIDIA will continue to further develop the AI-enabled platforms that Data-Driven Laboratories need to achieve faster discoveries and higher lab productivity, including the use of Physical AI to enable Next-Gen Lab Instrumentation.

For more information about one of the use cases of this collaboration, please visit the Introspect landing page.

For more details on NVIDIA BioNeMo Agent Toolkit and the broader AI drug discovery ecosystem, read the full NVIDIA announcement here: NVIDIA Announces BioNeMo Agent Toolkit — Tools for Agents to Accelerate Scientific Discovery.

One of Nvidia’s (NASDAQ: NVDA) most prolific insider traders – Director Mark Stevens – accelerated his selling activity and dumped 1.8 million NVDA shares worth a total of $407 million in June.

Specifically, on June 18, he executed his second and slightly smaller trade in which he offloaded 885,000 shares at an average price of $210.17, raising just under $186 million. 

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This sale came 16 days after Stevens sold 1 million Nvidia shares at a higher average price of $221.10 for a total of $221.1 million. 

Notably, the director’s two trades ensured that June featured the most NVDA insider selling of any month since September 2025 in terms of both the equity moved and the total value.

While stock market activity of a company’s senior personnel is usually not an indication of structural shifts for the business due to the rules designed to prevent insiders from benefiting from non-public information, the extensive June selling is, nonetheless, interesting in its timing.

Nvidia stock falls PERCENTAGE in June on waning AI boom narrative Nvidia has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom ever since it began with the public release of ChatGPT in late 2022, and June 2026 has seen debate over the movement’s sustainability reach new heights. 

Indeed, the month has been particularly turbulent between concerns over the costs and profitability of the technology, backlash to usage-based billing, leaked financials from industry titans such as OpenAI, and rising public dissatisfaction with matters such as the environmental impact.

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The U.S. stock market has also been declining since June 1 despite several brief rallies, and the benchmark S&P 500 index is down 3.09% month-to-date (MTD). Nvidia’s shares fell 10.86% from $224.36 to $200 over the timeframe. 

Nvidia stock price YTD chart with June performance highlighted. Source: Google Simultaneously, it is also interesting that the blue-chip chipmaker saw accelerated insider selling activity between September 2025 – shortly before NVDA recorded its yearly highs – and December of the same year. 

Meanwhile, 2026 saw the semiconductor giant underperform the wider market, rising 5.9% year-to-date (YTD) to the S&P 500’s 7.39%.

Featured image via Shutterstock

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Nvidia stock has repeatedly bounced off lows of $200, indicating a new trading range for the chip maker.

There are several downright impressive businesses in the artificial intelligence (AI) investing realm. These are companies that are growing at an incredible pace, and are likely slated to do so as the AI build-out continues to pick up steam throughout the rest of 2026 and heading to 2027.

Three that I think are impressive are Nvidia (NVDA 0.38%), Nebius (NBIS 3.76%), and Sandisk (SNDK 0.06%). All three of these stocks look like great buys now. Here's why.

Image source: Getty Images.

Nvidia Nvidia is the world's largest company by market capitalization and has become synonymous with the AI build-out. Its GPUs have become the base computing unit that all products are compared against, and it has dominated the market.

This position has given Nvidia valuable insights into upcoming AI demand, and it projects that global annual data center capital expenditures in the 2030s will be between $3 trillion and $4 trillion. That's a major rise from today's $650 billion from the big four AI hyperscalers, and will easily lead to huge shareholder returns.

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Despite its size, Nvidia just delivered an incredible 85% year-over-year growth rate in its last quarter, and Wall Street analysts expect another strong 96% growth rate in the next quarter. For a company of Nvidia's size to be growing that fast is remarkable, but perhaps the biggest cherry on top is that the market no longer values Nvidia's stock at a premium.

Nvidia trades for a mere 23.5 times forward earnings, which isn't all that expensive compared to the broader market.

NVDA PE Ratio (Forward) data by YCharts

With Nvidia barely more expensive than the S&P 500 at 22 times forward earnings, I think now is an excellent time to buy the stock and hold it throughout the remaining AI build-out.

Nebius If you thought Nvidia's growth was fast, just wait until you see Nebius' growth rate. In Q1, its revenue increased at a 684% clip. That's not a typo or a one-time benefit caused by an acquisition; that's real growth stemming from its AI-centric cloud computing platform.

In fact, Nvidia likes Nebius' product so much that it has chosen to invest in the company. That's a huge vote of confidence for Nebius stock and further amplifies its investment thesis.

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Nebius isn't just satisfied with the growth it's delivering now. It projects huge growth throughout the remainder of 2026, with 2027 also being a huge growth year. Wall Street analysts back up this projection and estimate that Nebius will grow at a 550% rate in 2026 and a 225% clip in 2027. There are a few stocks that can deliver that level of growth that quickly, making Nebius a strong investment pick.

Sandisk Lastly is Sandisk. It has had an incredible past year, with the stock rising nearly 5,000%. It may seem unwise to buy a stock that has risen that quickly in a year, but I think there's still value left in it.

Sandisk trades at 33.4 times projected fiscal 2026 earnings, ending in late June. So it's better to value the stock using fiscal 2027 earnings. From this perspective, Sandisk's stock trades at a cheap 12 times forward earnings.

SNDK PE Ratio (Forward 1y) data by YCharts

On top of that, Wall Street expects Sandisk's revenue to grow at a 122% pace during fiscal 2027. This growth explosion stems from the insatiable demand for memory from AI data centers. Sandisk makes memory chips that are used to create solid-state drives (SSDs), which are vital for long-term data center information storage. With the AI build-out expected to continue ramping up through 2030, as Nvidia projected, Sandisk has a ton of growth ahead that has yet to be baked into the stock.

So just because Sandisk has risen rapidly over the past year doesn't mean that it's done yet. I think Sandisk has more upside from here, and is a solid investment pick.

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Bask Bank is an online-only division of Texas Capital Bank built around a simple premise: pick how you want your savings to earn: cash interest in a high-yield savings account, American Airlines (NASDAQ:AAL | AAL Price Prediction) AAdvantage miles, or a fixed return in a CD. If you already fly American or want a no-frills online savings account from an FDIC-insured U.S. bank, Bask is worth a close look. If you want a debit card, checking account, branches, or a full digital ecosystem, it is not the right fit.

What Bask Bank Actually Is Bask Bank is a brand of Texas Capital Bank, N.A., a publicly traded commercial bank headquartered in Dallas. Deposits are held at Texas Capital Bank and are FDIC insured up to standard limits per depositor, per ownership category. There is no checking account, debit card, ATM network, or in-person service. Everything happens through the website and mobile app. Bask is meant to sit next to your existing checking account, not replace it.

How the Accounts Work Bask offers three main products:

Interest Savings Account: A standard high-yield savings account with no monthly fee and no minimum balance. You link an external checking account, move money in by ACH, and earn a variable rate. Interest compounds and is credited monthly.

Mileage Savings Account: Instead of cash interest, it credits American Airlines AAdvantage miles based on your average daily balance, posted monthly to your AAdvantage account. Miles earned count toward AAdvantage status in certain categories. The tradeoff is that you are paid in a currency whose value depends entirely on how you redeem it.

CD lineup: Fixed terms typically from a few months to about two years. Rates are locked for the term, and early withdrawal penalties apply if you break the CD before maturity.

Real Strengths The Interest Savings Account is competitive against the broader market. The national average 12-month CD rate sits at just 1.65%, and traditional brick-and-mortar savings accounts pay a small fraction of that. Bask has consistently positioned itself in the competitive tier rather than near the bottom.

The Mileage Savings Account is genuinely differentiated. There is no other mainstream U.S. bank account that pays you in airline miles on your full balance. For a saver who would otherwise buy miles or fly enough to value AAdvantage status, the effective return can beat cash interest on a per-dollar basis, depending on how you redeem.

The account mechanics are clean: no monthly maintenance fee, no minimum balance fee on savings accounts, and a straightforward interface. Customer support is U.S.-based and reachable by phone during business hours. FDIC insurance through Texas Capital Bank removes a layer of risk that has caused real problems for depositors at other digital platforms.

Drawbacks There is no checking account, debit card, or ATM access. To use your money you have to transfer it to a linked external account by ACH, which takes a business day or two. That is a deal-breaker for anyone who wants a single bank for everything.

The Mileage Savings Account has a subtle catch. Miles are not cash and are not FDIC insured once posted to your AAdvantage account. American can devalue the program, change award charts, or alter how miles count toward status. You also owe federal income tax on the value of miles earned, and Bask reports them, which can come as an unwelcome surprise the first year.

Bask does not publish a full suite of products. There is no money market account, joint trust account in every configuration, business banking, or investment accounts. Mobile app reviews are mixed.

How Bask Bank Compares Against the largest online savings banks, Bask competes on rate but loses on breadth. Larger online banks bundle checking, debit, ATM rebates, and sometimes investing under one login.

Against a brokerage cash management account or a money market fund, Bask is simpler and is a bank deposit rather than a security. Money market funds can pay similar yields but are not FDIC insured.

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Against CDs, the Interest Savings Account gives up rate certainty in exchange for liquidity. With the Fed funds target rate currently at 3.75% and the Fed having cut three times between September and December 2025, locking in a CD term protects against further cuts, while a variable HYSA will drift down if the Fed keeps easing.

Who Should Use Bask Bank Bask makes sense for a saver who already has a checking account they like, wants a separate online bucket for an emergency fund or savings goal, and wants either a competitive cash yield or American Airlines miles. It suits frequent American flyers, parents stockpiling miles for family travel, and anyone chasing AAdvantage status who can park a meaningful balance for a year or more.

With the U.S. personal savings rate at just 3.7% in the first quarter of 2026, down from 6.2% two years earlier, and inflation still pushing the CPI to a fresh high of 334.0 in May 2026, every basis point of yield on the cash you do save matters more than it used to.

Who Should Look Elsewhere Skip Bask if you want one bank for your entire financial life, if you need a debit card or ATM access from your savings, if you carry a credit card balance at the current average APR of 21.00%, in which case paying that down beats any savings yield, or if you would never use American Airlines miles. The mileage product only pays off if you actually fly American or redeem with partners.

For current rates on the Interest Savings Account, the Mileage Savings Account, and any active CD specials or promotions, check the live offer below.

[OFFERS MODULE]

Frequently Asked Questions Is Bask Bank FDIC insured? Yes. Bask Bank is a division of Texas Capital Bank, N.A., and deposits are held at Texas Capital Bank with standard FDIC insurance up to the applicable per-depositor, per-ownership-category limits.

Is Bask Bank a real bank or a fintech? It is a real bank. Bask is a digital brand of Texas Capital Bank, a chartered, regulated U.S. bank, not a fintech app riding on a sponsor bank.

Can I get a debit card with Bask Bank? No. Bask does not offer a checking account or debit card. You move money in and out by ACH transfer from a linked external bank.

Do I owe taxes on the AAdvantage miles I earn in the Mileage Savings Account? Yes. Miles earned on a Bask Mileage Savings Account are treated as taxable interest by the IRS, and Bask issues tax reporting on the assigned value of those miles. Build that into your decision before comparing the mileage account to a cash-interest account.

How does Bask handle withdrawals and transfers? All deposits and withdrawals run through ACH transfers between Bask and a linked external checking or savings account. Transfers typically settle within one to two business days.

What happens to my Bask rate if the Fed keeps cutting? The Interest Savings Account pays a variable rate, so it tends to drift with the broader rate environment. With the Fed funds target at 3.75% after cuts from a recent high of 4.5%, further cuts would likely pressure savings yields lower across the industry. A CD locks a fixed rate for its term and is the usual hedge against that risk.

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American Airlines Group (AAL +4.58%), a major U.S. network carrier, closed at $16.14, up 0.37%. Lower jet-fuel prices and a technical breakout supported the shares, while investors are now watching earnings and guidance.
Trading volume reached 166.1 million shares, coming in about 118% above its three-month average of 76.1 million shares.
American Airlines Group IPO'd in 2005 and has fallen 16% since going public.

How the markets moved todayThe S&P 500 (^GSPC +0.25%) closed at 7,365, down 1.44%, while the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC +0.15%) closed at 25,587, down 2.21%. Among U.S. passenger air transportation peers, Delta Air Lines (DAL +2.73%) closed at $86.72, up 0.93%, and United Airlines Holdings (UAL +4.61%) closed at $121.55, up 2.42%, highlighting relative strength in airline shares despite weakness in the broader markets.

What this means for investorsLower jet-fuel prices are helping sustain a surge in American Airlines’ shares. The stock has jumped 50% in the last three months and is trading just shy of its 52-week high.

Technical traders noted that the stock’s short-term moving average has crossed above its long-term moving average, a bullish “golden cross.”

It’s the industry fundamentals driving this, though. Investors will watch to see how well margins recover in the lower fuel-price environment. The stock could have more room to run if margin relief persists.

Howard Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Delta Air Lines. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Opensignal's analysis shows AT&T Fiber wins twice as much as the next closest competitor when it comes to home internet performance.

Key Takeaways:

AT&T Fiber took home 107 wins — nearly twice as many as the closest competitor – in home internet performance categories of speed, reliability, video, and consistency. In over 60% of the 26 metro areas it was evaluated, AT&T Fiber swept all five categories. This momentum reflects more than network performance; it highlights AT&T's focus on delivering a premium in-home experience. , /PRNewswire/ -- What's the News: AT&T Fiber earned more wins than any other provider, according to new report from Opensignal. In total, AT&T Fiber earned 107 wins - nearly twice as many as the closest competitor. But the winning streak didn't stop there. AT&T Fiber also won across all five categories in more than 60% of the 26 metro areas evaluated where AT&T provides fiber service.

Why it Matters: The results reflect strong performance across the things that matter most to customers, including download speed, upload speed, video experience, reliability, and consistent quality. Taken together, they show AT&T Fiber is outperforming the field by a wide margin in the areas customers notice most. As AT&T continues to expand its fiber footprint, that experience is set to reach even more customers.

Quotable: "When we talk about putting the customer first, this is what it looks like. AT&T Fiber is delivering strong performance in the categories that shape everyday connectivity, and this report makes clear that we are leading by a meaningful margin," said Jenifer Robertson, executive vice president and general manager, AT&T Consumer.

More Details: AT&T Fiber's strong performance also showed up in a previous Opensignal report that revealed customers who subscribe to both AT&T wireless and fiber experience the fastest speeds. That value goes beyond performance, with converged fiber and wireless customers receiving Internet Backup at no extra charge.

Beyond the benefits of bundling services, AT&T Fiber delivers award winning connectivity on its own, backed by the AT&T Guarantee and a customer experience that makes AT&T Fiber customers the happiest.

While industry recognition highlights AT&T Fiber's strength, our focus remains on delivering a premium in-home experience for customers. All-Fi Pro builds on this by offering whole home coverage, advanced security, Wi-Fi that adapts to routines, and the latest technology with premium equipment upgrades. Included with 5 GIG plans and available as an add-on, it is one more way AT&T Fiber delivers simplicity and value for customers.

Q: What is AT&T Fiber?
Fiber optic internet uses thin glass cables and light to send data, allowing for much hyper fast speeds.

There are several key benefits to choosing fiber internet:

Fast speeds: Fiber internet can reach speeds that makes it ideal for streaming HD videos, online gaming, and using many devices at once. Equal upload and download speeds: Unlike most other internet types, fiber gives you the same fast speed whether you're uploading or downloading. This is great for video calls, sharing large files, and creating content online. Reliable connectivity: Fiber internet offers consistent speeds even during busy times when many people are online. This means fewer interruptions and a smoother online experience. Fiber optic internet offers fast, reliable, and consistent service, making it one of the best choices for anyone who wants a top-quality home internet connection.

Q: What is AT&T Internet Backup?
Keeping our customers connected is what matters most, and while AT&T Fiber has over 99.9% proven reliability, we want our customers to stay connected when they need it most. Once it has been set up, Internet Backup will automatically kick in if there's an AT&T Fiber network disruption and your smartphone is near the gateway. Wireless service will remain active until fiber service is restored. And to keep things simple, the network will switch back to fiber automatically when it's restored, with no action needed from the customer.

Q: What is the AT&T Guarantee?
We value our customers, and we believe that connecting changes everything. We're committed to providing reliable connectivity with value-led pricing and customer-first care, or we'll make it right.

With the AT&T Guarantee, customers can expect:

Connectivity you depend on. In the rare event of a network outage, we'll automatically credit your bill. And, when you have AT&T Fiber with Wireless we provide Internet Backup for no extra cost. Guaranteed.1 Deals you want. Our best deals on smartphones don't require the most expensive plan.2 And no hidden fees or equipment charges with fiber. Guaranteed. Prompt, friendly service you deserve. Speak to a friendly tech expert within five minutes or schedule a callback at a time that you choose.3 Plus, same or next day technician availability. Guaranteed. Why would a customer benefit from All-Fi Pro?
All-Fi Pro is designed for customers who want a more advanced in-home Wi-Fi experience to support the growing demands of a connected household. As consumers rely on more devices, higher-bandwidth applications, and connectivity across more areas of the home, All-Fi Pro helps deliver stronger, more consistent performance where it matters most.

All-Fi Pro may be especially beneficial for households with multiple users online at the same time, homes that require broader coverage, or customers who regularly stream content, participate in video calls, game online, or connect smart home devices. It is built for those who want a premium Wi-Fi experience that can better keep pace with how people live, work, and connect today.

1Credit for fiber and Internet Air downtime lasting 20 minutes or more; or for wireless and downtime lasting 60 minutes or more caused by a single incident impacting 8 or more towers. Must be connected to impacted tower at onset of outage. Restrictions and exclusions apply. Internet Backup: Fiber internet only. Requires eligible wireless service, activation, and power source; speeds vary; AT&T may slow data speeds if the network is busy. Backup may not be available in all locations. See att.com/guarantee for full details. 
2Offers vary by device. Restrictions may apply. 
3Five minutes begins once customer is routed to technical support assistance. AT&T Fiber and postpaid wireless customers only. 
For small business customers, learn more about the AT&T Guarantee at att.com/businessguarantee.

About AT&T
We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 150 years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), please visit us at about.att.com. Investors can learn more at investors.att.com.

© 2026 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T and the Globe logo are registered trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property.

SOURCE AT&T

AT&T (T - Free Report) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.

Over the past month, shares of this telecommunications company have returned -13.1%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.4% change. During this period, the Zacks Wireless National industry, which AT&T falls in, has lost 5.9%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.

Revisions to Earnings EstimatesRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.

We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

AT&T is expected to post earnings of $0.59 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +9.3%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged.

The consensus earnings estimate of $2.3 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +8.5%. This estimate has changed +0.1% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $2.52 indicates a change of +9.4% from what AT&T is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has remained unchanged.

Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, AT&T is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Revenue Growth ForecastEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.

In the case of AT&T, the consensus sales estimate of $31.99 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +3.7%. The $129.78 billion and $133.47 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +3.3% and +2.8%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryAT&T reported revenues of $31.51 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +2.9%. EPS of $0.57 for the same period compares with $0.51 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $31.19 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +1.01%. The EPS surprise was +3.64%.

Over the last four quarters, AT&T surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates three times over this period.

ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.

While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.

As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

AT&T is graded A on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about AT&T. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

AT&T stock is gaining positive traction. Why are T shares climbing? What Is Driving AT&T’s Copper Network Retirement?California regulators asked a court and the Federal Communications Commission to reject the company’s request to stop offering traditional copper-wire phone service to new customers in parts of the state. The California Public Utilities Commission argues the carrier-of-last-resort obligation is technology-neutral, but says AT&T hasn’t shown replacement options would meet state standards for all impacted users.

With markets open, the tape is mixed: the Nasdaq is down 0.81% while the Dow Jones is up 0.28%, and only 5 of 11 sectors are advancing. That backdrop makes AT&T’s green print stand out, especially with Communication Services currently the worst-performing sector (11 of 11) at -2.54%.

Critical Levels To Watch for AT&T StockAT&T is still in a longer-term downtrend despite today’s bounce, with the stock down 20.78% over the past 12 months and trading below every major moving average. Price is about 5.2% below the 20-day SMA ($23.57) and about 14.2% below the 200-day SMA ($26.04), which keeps rallies looking more like counter-trend moves unless the stock can reclaim those levels.

Trend structure remains pressured: the 20-day SMA is below the 50-day SMA (bearish), and the death cross that formed in May (50-day falling below the 200-day) is still in effect. RSI and MACD values aren’t available in the current dataset, but the month-level turning points still frame the tape—there was a recent swing high in April followed by a swing low in June, aligning with the broader breakdown that occurred in June.

Key Resistance: $26.00 — a round-number area that also lines up closely with the 200-day SMA zone, where rebounds can stall Key Support: $22.50 — a nearby pivot area just above the 52-week low ($21.99), where buyers may try to defend the range floor AT&T’s Market Position: Strengths and Weaknesses ExplainedBelow is the Benzinga Edge scorecard for AT&T, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses compared to the broader market:

The Verdict: AT&T’s Benzinga Edge signal reveals a growth-tilted profile with very weak momentum, meaning the chart still has to prove itself even if the valuation looks supportive. For longer-term investors, the setup improves most if price can rebuild above the low-to-mid $20s and start reclaiming the $26 area where trend resistance clusters.

AT&T Stock Price Movement on MondayT Stock Price Activity: AT&T shares were up 0.91% at $22.22 at the time of publication on Monday, according to Benzinga Pro data.

Image: Courtesy of AT&T

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Summary3M Company remains a Hold as latest reports keep revealing a mixed set of catalysts.On the positive side, operational turnaround supports continued EPS recovery with tangible margin boost and promising product launches.Despite innovation momentum, MMM's limited exposure to AI-related markets and ongoing legal issues pose significant downside risks.Trading at an 18.6x FWD P/E, MMM is also overpriced compared to its historical norms and/or relative to its growth projections.I do much more than just articles at Envision Early Retirement: Members get access to model portfolios, regular updates, a chat room, and more. Learn More »Sitewide Sale 2026: Get 20% Off wellesenterprises/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

MMM Stock: 2025 Turnaround Updates I last covered 3M (MMM) in July of 2025 in an article titled “3M Company: Still Adjusting To Spinoff Of Solventum.” I gave it a Hold rating, citing growth uncertainty and

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. 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.

3M Co (NYSE:MMM) has provided an upbeat assessment of its second quarter performance and demand trends during investor meetings last week, ahead of the release of its report for the period on July 28, according to Bank of America analysts.

Bank of America wrote that the company expressed a constructive view on the second quarter and the remainder of the year, supported by continued order strength and higher backlog levels.

According to the bank, backlog coverage has risen to roughly 27% to 29% of the next quarter's sales, compared with a more typical range of 23% to 24%.

The bank wrote that 3M expects second-quarter organic sales growth to be "solidly" above 3%, noting that sustained order momentum suggests there was limited customer pre-buying in the first quarter.

Demand conditions vary across the company's businesses. Bank of America wrote that 3M Co (NYSE:MMM)ntinues to see strength in its Safety & Industrial Business Group, aided by pricing actions and internal execution, while roofing granules and auto aftermarket markets remain weak.

In the Transportation & Electronics Business Group, weakness in automotive and consumer electronics markets is being offset by growth in data centers, semiconductors and aerospace and defense applications. Consumer point-of-sale trends are stabilizing but remain soft overall.

Bank of America said 3M's margin outlook remains supported by productivity initiatives and price-cost discipline, with additional tailwinds expected through 2027. Based on current pricing and cost dynamics, the company no longer expects to use a previously discussed contingency worth $0.05 to $0.15 per share.

The bank also highlighted growth opportunities tied to 3M's optical intellectual property portfolio, noting that the company has increased its estimate for the total addressable market to $2 billion from $1 billion cited during its first-quarter earnings report.

Following the meetings, Bank of America reiterated its ‘Buy’ rating on 3M and raised its 2026 earnings per share estimate by $0.10 to $8.80.

The bank’s analysts also increased its second-quarter EPS forecast by $0.02 to $2.28, reflecting an expectation for 4.0% organic growth, up from a previous estimate of 3.2%.

Netflix (NFLX 0.30%) has been jilted at the altar, and the market wasn't impressed -- even after walking away with a hefty consolation prize. Just last week, a report claimed that the leading premium streaming service was outbid for another high-profile property. Netflix refuted the report, claiming that it never made a formal buyout offer.

The narrative has remained the same over the past year. The company behind the popular Love Is Blind matchmaking show is unlucky in love itself. Poor Netflix -- always the Emma, never the bride. 

But it finally seems to have made a love connection.

Image source: Getty Images.

No soup for you The Los Angeles Times, Bloomberg, and several media trades are reporting that Netflix is under contract to purchase Radford Studio Center in Studio City, California. The production facility has been around since the days of silent films and has since served as the set for several popular shows, including Gunsmoke and Seinfeld.

The deal hasn't been officially announced, but it would be a win for a couple of different reasons. Let's start with the price. The facility sold for $1.85 billion just five years ago. Netflix is getting it for close to $400 million. The purchase also suggests that Netflix will continue to ramp up its original content production, adding to its growing collection of studio properties.

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Serenity now Netflix stock can use the win. The company initially emerged victorious in last year's bid for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD +1.02%). It was eventually outbid for the parent company of HBO and DC Comics, but it did collect a hefty $2.8 billion buyout termination fee.

Investors didn't like it when Netflix won the deal, but the shares have continued to slide even though the company was able to walk away in exchange for enough compensation to buy seven Radfords. Last week, after Roku (ROKU +1.06%) announced it was being acquired in a deal initially valued at $22 billion, one report claimed that Netflix had unsuccessfully bid for the leading streaming TV hub. That claim was later retracted.

Not that there's anything wrong with that A whirlwind of missed connections hasn't served Netflix shareholders well. The stock is now down a brutal 37% over the past year, sinking in a time when bidding wars have broken out for lesser media businesses.

Naturally, the stock hasn't shed more than a third of its value over the past year because of its inability to close a major acquisition. When it did nab a whale -- Warner Bros. Discovery, initially -- the market didn't like that.

Netflix still has a lot to prove. Wall Street critics panned its latest quarter. Results were disappointing on both the top and bottom lines, after adjusting for the after-tax haul from the deal termination fees. Guidance was weak despite its recent increase in subscription prices for its home market. Margins could also be coming under pressure. Founder Reed Hastings' exit from the boardroom also added to the sour market reaction.

But despite the swirling headwinds, Netflix is still posting strong double-digit growth. The platform's popularity continues to grow. And it will also now have more space to dream out loud with the new content production facility.

The shares are also cheaper than they've been in some time. Its trailing and forward P/E ratio is at a three-year low. Looking ahead to next year, Netflix is now trading at 20 times what analysts are projecting for its 2027 earnings.

It shouldn't matter that it was outbid for Warner Bros. Discovery and kicked the tires of Roku before walking away. The Radford deal suggests that Netflix has the resources and industry-leading scalability to drum up more homegrown content that will entertain and captivate the masses. The ultimate acquisition might very well be the shareholders who are buying at today's prices.

Now that's entertainment.

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

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

Netflix currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.61, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 50 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.61 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy.

Of the 50 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 32 are Strong Buy and five are Buy. Strong Buy and Buy respectively account for 64% and 10% of all recommendations.

Brokerage Recommendation Trends for NFLX

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

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

Do you wonder why? As a result of the vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover, their analysts tend to rate it with a strong positive bias. According to our research, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" recommendation.

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

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

Zacks Rank Should Not Be Confused With ABRAlthough both Zacks Rank and ABR are displayed in a range of 1--5, they are different measures altogether.

Broker recommendations are the sole basis for calculating the ABR, which is typically displayed in decimals (such as 1.28). The Zacks Rank, on the other hand, is a quantitative model designed to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.

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

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

In addition, the different Zacks Rank grades are applied proportionately to all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide current-year earnings estimates. In other words, this tool always maintains a balance among its five ranks.

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

Should You Invest in NFLX?Looking at the earnings estimate revisions for Netflix, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has remained unchanged over the past month at $3.6.

Analysts' steady views regarding the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by an unchanged consensus estimate, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Netflix. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>

It may therefore be prudent to be a little cautious with the Buy-equivalent ABR for Netflix.

Announcement Launches Omnicom Media's Cannes News Blitz Revealing Partnerships that Connect Brand Content to Streaming Programming, Viewing Experiences and Consumer Expectations

, /PRNewswire/ -- Omnicom Media, an Omnicom (NYSE: OMC) Connected Capability, and Netflix today announced a new collaboration that combines Omnicom's Media Group's Acxiom audience intelligence with Netflix's AI-powered advertising technology to help brands deliver more engaging and personally relevant advertising experiences on Netflix. Clients will be able to use Netflix's AI-enabled ad format, which marries advertisers' creative with the shows, films, and worlds Netflix members love, with Acxiom insights to create, optimize, and measure campaigns tailored to viewers' habits.

This capability reflects findings in Omnicom Media's Connected Content research, which explores what types of content, creative experiences and delivery methods drive stronger engagement and connection with audiences. Consumers respond more positively to advertising experiences that align with the content they are actively choosing to watch and that feel additive, timely, and personalized rather than interruptive.

"Consumers have made it clear that relevance drives engagement, particularly in premium streaming environments where expectations for the viewing experience are exceptionally high," said Megan Pagliuca, Chief Product Officer, Omnicom Media. "This collaboration with Netflix creates an enhanced framework for how brands can connect audience intelligence with creative transformation in real time. By bringing these capabilities together, we are enabling brands to deliver advertising that feels more connected to the moments in which viewers are already highly engaged."

Under the collaboration, Omnicom Media will provide advertiser-defined Acxiom audience segments alongside a brand brief. Netflix then applies those audience segments with its proprietary AI engines and LLM-enabled technology to fuse relevant Netflix titles with assets produced by the Omnicom Production content engine to build a highly personalized and engaging ad for members. This allows advertisers to show up in ways that feel natural and to build multiple iterations of a single ad.

"Since launching the Netflix Ads Suite, we've been committed to reimagining what advertising performance looks like. By combining Omnicom's audience planning with Netflix's AI capabilities, proprietary first-party data, and some of the most popular and beloved shows and movies, we can deliver ads that are as compelling as the titles they surround. For Omnicom clients, this offers creative that doesn't just capture attention — it drives outcomes. That's the power of bringing creativity, media, data, and AI together on one service," said Jon Whitticom, Vice President of Ads Product, Netflix.

In addition to expanded relevance and personalization, the collaboration provides advertisers with closed-loop first-party measurement capabilities to better understand campaign effectiveness and performance across audiences, format variants, and content environments.

"As marketers, we are constantly looking for ways to make advertising feel more relevant and additive to the consumer experience," says Catherine Berger at Bimbo Bakeries.  "What stood out for us is the ability to align creative with the content environment in a way that feels natural and personalized, while still maintaining speed to market and brand consistency at scale."

The capability will be available to Omnicom Media clients in the US and will roll out to additional countries by the end of the year. 

CONTACT: [email protected]

ABOUT OMNICOM MEDIA
Omnicom Media, an Omnicom (NYSE: OMC) Connected Capability, is the world's largest global media management network. Powered by the Omni Intelligence Platform, Omnicom Media agencies leverage $75.6 billion in billings, 40,000+ specialists across 70+ markets, and the industry's most powerful portfolio identity, commerce, and intelligence assets to design dynamic Growth Ecosystems that enable the world's most ambitious businesses to grow faster and smarter. The Omnicom Media portfolio includes global media agency brands OMD, Initiative, PHD, UM, Hearts & Science, and Mediahub; core Omnicom Integrated Media offerings Acxiom, the world's premier identity solution, and the Flywheel digital commerce practice; and specialty services across the cloud consulting, creator, financial, healthcare, and sports & entertainment categories. 

SOURCE Omnicom Media

On June 22, 2026, Netflix Inc NFLX shares fell 5.8% today, bringing the current price to $72.88. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has fluctuated between a high of $134.12 and a low of $71.81, reflecting significant volatility in its performance.

GF Value™ verdict: Current price of $72.88 is 25.9% below the GF Value™ estimate of $98.34, indicating it is undervalued.GF Score™ of 95/100 suggests a strong overall investment quality.Notable signal: Insider activity shows that insiders sold $123.1 million worth of shares in the last three months with no buying activity. Is NFLX Overvalued or Undervalued? With a current price of $72.88, Netflix Inc NFLX is trading significantly below its GF Value™ estimate of $98.34, indicating that the stock is undervalued by approximately 25.9%. This margin of safety provides a potential opportunity for value-oriented investors, especially considering the GF Valuation label of "Modestly Undervalued." GF Value™ is GuruFocus' proprietary measure of intrinsic value, calculated from historical trading multiples, past business growth, and future performance estimates.

While the undervaluation suggests a favorable entry point, it is essential to consider the broader market environment and potential risks. The recent decline in share price, down 22.3% year-to-date and 40.8% over the past year, may reflect market sentiment or operational challenges that could impact future performance.

How Does NFLX's Valuation Compare to Its History? Metric Current Historical P/E (TTM) 23.5x 43.1x Forward P/E 20.3x - The current P/E (TTM) of 23.5x is significantly below its 5-year median P/E of 43.1x, indicating that Netflix is trading at a much lower valuation compared to its historical averages. This analysis agrees with the GF Value™ verdict, highlighting the stock's current undervaluation.

What Does NFLX's GF Score™ Tell Us? Metric Rating GF Score™ 95 Financial Strength 8/10 Profitability 10/10 Growth 10/10 Valuation 8/10 Momentum 4/10 The GF Score™ of 95/100 reflects a strong investment quality, with the highest ratings in Profitability (10/10) and Growth (10/10), indicating robust operational performance and potential for future expansion. However, the lower Momentum Rank of 4/10 may suggest recent challenges in maintaining upward price movement, which could impact investor sentiment.

What Are Insiders Doing with NFLX Stock? In the last three months, insiders have sold $123.1 million worth of Netflix shares, with no reported insider buying during this period. Such a pattern may suggest a lack of confidence among insiders regarding the company's short-term prospects. This could be a red flag for potential investors, as insider selling often raises questions about the company's future performance and outlook.

What This Means for Investors Based on the GF Value™ analysis, Netflix Inc NFLX is currently undervalued. While the stock shows potential for appreciation given its strong GF Score™ and solid financial metrics, investors should remain cautious considering the recent insider selling and market volatility.

For the complete analysis, visit the Netflix Inc NFLX stock page. You can also explore the GF Value™ page for detailed valuation methodology, or use the GuruFocus Stock Screener to find similar opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions What is NFLX's GF Score™?

NFLX's GF Score™ is 95/100, indicating a strong overall investment quality based on key financial metrics.

Is NFLX overvalued or undervalued?

NFLX is currently undervalued, with a GF Value™ of $98.34 compared to its current price of $72.88.

What is NFLX's P/E ratio?

The current P/E (TTM) for NFLX is 23.5x, which is 45% below its 5-year median P/E of 43.1x, indicating a lower valuation compared to historical levels.

This stock alert was generated using automated technology and GuruFocus financial data to provide readers with timely and accurate market reporting. This content was reviewed by GuruFocus editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

Shares of Netflix (NFLX 0.30%) declined on Monday, as recent developments within the entertainment industry threaten to upend the competitive landscape.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Megadeals could reshape the streaming industry Back in February, investors largely cheered Netflix's decision to walk away from its proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery's film studios and HBO Max streaming service after a bidding war threatened to drive the price well above its nearly $83 billion offer.

Co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters argued that WBD's assets were "nice to have at the right price, not a must-have at any price." Netflix, in turn, was credited with being financially disciplined and a careful steward of shareholders' capital.

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But after Fox made an aggressive $22 billion bid for Roku earlier this month, investors began to question whether Netflix was being a bit too conservative.

Combining sports and news powerhouse Fox with Roku's leading streaming platform could create a formidable new competitor for Netflix, particularly in the fast-growing ad-supported market.

Could this be an opportunity for long-term investors? Despite this intensifying competition, Netflix remains well-positioned within the streaming arena. Unlike many of its rivals, Netflix is not overburdened by debt. Moreover, its robust free cash flow enables it to reward shareowners with stock buybacks even as it invests roughly $20 billion in content production.

Netflix does not need to buy growth. The streaming leader knows what content to produce -- and when. It also has a proven ability to monetize its steadily expanding membership base via occasional price increases and a rapidly growing ad network.

So, rather than sell its stock as it trades near 52-week lows, patient investors may want to consider buying some Netflix shares at a discount.

Joe Tenebruso has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Netflix, Roku, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The artificial intelligence (AI) bull market has driven investor eyeballs away from other pockets of the market. Many stocks that the financial media used to discuss daily are now forgotten in favor of the latest semiconductor business that's considered an AI beneficiary and up 100% in a month.

Netflix (NFLX 0.30%) is down 42% from its highs, and the former stock market darling is one that's discussed much less today than in previous years. Yet the streaming TV giant keeps growing earnings year after year. Does that finally make the stock a buy for value investors?

Image source: Getty Images.

Steady global growth For the streaming video giant, it all comes down to growing global watch hours. If it can get more customers to watch movies and shows on Netflix, it can charge more for monthly subscriptions and serve them more ads. There is a balance between quality and quantity -- Netflix is not a place where anyone can upload a video like on YouTube -- but generally, the more you can watch on Netflix, the better.

Continued investments in video content from the United States and other global regions have steadily expanded Netflix's library, setting it apart from the competition. Now, it is embracing new forms of video, such as live sports, live events, and talk shows and podcasts, hosted exclusively on Netflix.

When you combine this consistent reinvestment along with the growing share of streaming versus traditional TV and Netflix's current embrace of advertising revenue, it's no surprise to see revenue up 71% cumulatively in the past five years. Last quarter (ended March 31), revenue was up 16% year over year, with advertising revenue expected to double in 2026 compared with 2025.

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Is AI a threat to Netflix? If the financial performance has been so rock solid, you might be wondering why Netflix stock is down 42% from its highs. Investors are bearish on Netflix because of the rise of AI content that could make it easy for everyday people to copy the content Netflix spends tens of billions on every year. While this is clearly something to keep track of, Netflix is much more technology-forward than other streaming services and recently acquired an AI start-up to help make the post-production process more efficient. If any of the streaming services are going to adapt to the age of AI, it will be Netflix.

The other reason investors are bearish on Netflix at the moment is that it's losing share of watch hours to YouTube in the United States. YouTube currently accounts for 13.2% of all TV viewing hours in the United States, compared with 8.2% for Netflix. This concern is overrated, though, since not all viewing hours are of the same value, such as a low-budget YouTube video in the background compared with a sit-down movie experience on Netflix.

NFLX Revenue (TTM) data by YCharts

Why the stock could be a screaming buy This stock price drawdown has given investors a nice entry point for Netflix, a business that has grown through all sorts of competitive pressures over the years, with steadily expanding profit margins.

Revenue is still growing in the double digits and should continue to do so as TV streaming slowly gains adoption around the world, along with the massive growth potential Netflix has in advertising.

This year, Netflix is guiding for around $51 billion in revenue and an operating margin of 31.5%. That equates to an operating profit of $16 billion, or just 20 times its current market cap of $325 billion. On top of this earnings growth, management has begun to aggressively repurchase stock, with shares outstanding now down 5% in the past five years.

If Netflix can keep on its steady march of revenue growth, investors will be well rewarded by buying the dip today in this period of heightened pessimism.

Netflix stock is showing downward pressure. What’s next for NFLX stock? What Is Driving Netflix’s Recent Stock Movements?The latest pressure follows reports that Netflix lost a $22 billion bidding contest for Roku to Fox Corp, keeping attention on integration risk and strategic direction after multiple large-deal swings. Management has argued these pursuits are deliberate "muscle-building," with Co-CEO Ted Sarandos saying the company is willing to walk away when price exceeds shareholder value.

Monday’s drop that pushed Netflix to a fresh 52-week low has been pinned to acquisition anxiety after the Roku loss, with the company also previously pursuing Warner Bros. Discovery and remaining among several firms interested in Lionsgate Studios.

With futures pointing lower pre-bell, the stock’s modest premarket lift reads like dip-buying after Monday’s washout rather than a broad market tailwind.

Critical Technical Levels for NFLX to MonitorTechnically, Netflix is still stuck in a clear downtrend: at $73.51 it’s trading 10.3% below the 20-day SMA ($82.29) and 24.7% below the 200-day SMA ($98.10), with the 20-day SMA below the 50-day SMA and the death cross from December 2025 still hanging over the longer-term chart. The 12-month performance (down 41.86%) reinforces that recent rallies have been corrective, not trend-changing.

Momentum is extremely stretched: RSI is 20.63, deep in oversold territory after RSI first slipped below 30 in June. RSI is a "stretch" gauge—at these levels it often signals sellers may be exhausted, but it doesn’t guarantee a bottom unless price can start reclaiming key moving averages.

From a levels standpoint, the stock is hovering just above the 52-week low ($71.81), so that area is the near-term line in the sand if weakness returns after the open.

– Key Resistance: $84.50 — a nearby rebound ceiling that sits close to the 20-day/50-day moving-average zone where rallies have recently failed How Netflix Operates in the Streaming MarketNetflix runs a relatively simple model centered on one business: its streaming service. It has the biggest TV entertainment subscriber base across the U.S. and international markets, with more than 300 million subscribers globally, and it reaches nearly the entire global population outside of China.

That scale is why the market reacts so sharply to big acquisition headlines—large deals can change the risk profile fast, especially if investors think management is drifting from the core playbook. Netflix has historically leaned toward on-demand series, films, and documentaries (not a steady slate of live programming or sports), and it added ad-supported plans in 2022 to open up an additional revenue stream beyond subscriptions.

Netflix’s Benzinga Edge Rankings: Strengths and WeaknessesBelow is the Benzinga Edge scorecard for Netflix, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses compared to the broader market:

The Verdict: Netflix’s Benzinga Edge signal reveals a growth-and-quality profile that’s currently being outweighed by very weak momentum. For longer-term investors, the setup argues for patience until price starts reclaiming key trend levels, while traders may treat bounces as tactical unless the downtrend structure breaks.

NFLX Stock Price UpdateNFLX Stock Price Activity: Netflix shares were up 1.04% at $73.64 at the time of publication on Tuesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.

Image: Shutterstock

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Netflix’s New StrategyIn recent years, Netflix has placed greater emphasis on live sports content. The theory is that live viewership can help boost advertising for Netflix’s ad-free and ad-supported plans when it comes during sporting events with sports fans used to ads.

The company currently has rights to WWE, MLB and NFL content and it may add more sports content. Instead of bidding on large and costly full-season rights, Netflix has been selective. For the NFL, this includes airing a total of five games for the 2026 season and being the home of the NFL Honors award show the week of the Super Bowl in February 2027. This is up from two Christmas Day games during the 2025 season.

Netflix will stream the following games live:

Netflix now has a four-year partnership through the 2029-2030 season with the NFL that will help provide content multiple months of the year. Last year, the platform set a record, averaging 27.5 million U.S. viewers on Christmas for the Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings game.

Netflix also has rights to the Home Run Derby, a key event of the MLB All-Star Game break, along with several other one-off MLB events.

Netflix Boxing: Knockout Or Bust?Outside of NFL and MLB, Netflix also has the upcoming Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao rematch on Sept. 19, but that fight remains in limbo. Boxing promoters CSI Entertainment have filed a lawsuit against Mayweather and is seeking to block Netflix from airing the bout.

The loss of that fight could sting Netflix, which has seen success with boxing and MMA events. A recent May MMA event with MVP Promotions drew an average of 12.4 million viewers and a peak of 17 million viewers, setting new MMA records.

Are Live Sports Enough?Live sports is not the only content that Netflix has to offer subscribers, with the streamer also pumping out original series and movies every month alongside other acquired media.

The problem is that some of the company’s biggest series and movies are in the rearview mirror now.

The company’s two biggest hits, "Squid Game" and "Stranger Things," are now complete, having helped boost overall financials in recent years and delivered strong subscriber figures and low churn.

Without those hits, fans are left with "Bridgerton" and "One Piece," both of which don’t have new content until 2027.

The top 10 movies list includes one film from 2026 ranking ninth all-time, and two films from 2025. The other seven films are two years old or older.

Netflix announced it reached the 250 million monthly active user milestone for its ad-supported plan earlier this year. The company no longer breaks out subscriber figures, which could have investors and analysts zeroed in on other key metrics.

The company reports financial results on July 16, which comes after missing earnings per share estimates from analysts in two of the last three quarters.

A company that was heavily against acquisitions for years now considering buying other media and streaming companies could suggest that its best years of growth are behind.

Netflix Stock Price ActionAt last check, Netflix stock traded at around $72.83 on Tuesday after hitting a new 20-month low of $71.81 on Monday. The stock is down 19.9% year-to-date in 2026 and down 41.9% over the last 52 weeks.

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SummaryNetflix is trading at historically low valuation, around 20–22x earnings, presenting a compelling Buy opportunity.Despite moderate top-line growth, NFLX's expanding net margins and strategic ad revenue initiatives position it for robust EPS growth through 2030.Recent strategic decisions—boosting ad revenue and avoiding costly M&A—enhance NFLX's financial flexibility and free cash flow outlook.With a projected 15%–17% annualized return and strong historical buy-the-dip performance, I rate NFLX a Buy despite competitive and macro risks.Looking for option income ideas that focus on capital preservation? I offer this and much more at my exclusive investing ideas service, Option Income Builder. Learn More »Sitewide Sale 2026: Get 20% Off Wachiwit/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Despite being one of, if not the largest entertainment stocks around, I've often found that Netflix (NFLX) receives relatively little attention from investors.

Of course, the stock features prominently in many folks' retirements given

10.99K Followers

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of NFLX 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.

A common mistake many investors make when looking for dividend stocks is to focus mainly on the yield. A high yield can be enticing, but if it proves unsustainable, it could turn out to be a costly decision. Not only might the dividend get cut or suspended, but the stock may also crash if that happens.

Three dividend stocks that may be underrated due to their low yields but that could be incredibly reliable income investments to hang on to in the future are Microsoft (MSFT 0.17%), Eli Lilly (LLY +0.64%), and Mastercard (MA +0.24%). Here's why you should consider buying these stocks for their payouts, even though their yields may look minimal.

Image source: Getty Images.

Microsoft Most investors probably aren't buying Microsoft for its dividend; it yields just 0.9%, which is below the S&P 500 average of only 1.1%. But while the yield may look unimpressive, consider that Microsoft has actually been a top dividend growth stock for years.

Currently, it pays $0.91 per share per quarter. A decade ago, however, it was paying just $0.36 -- the dividend has risen by 153% since then, averaging a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of just under 10%. Meanwhile, the tech giant's payout ratio remains fairly low at around 21% of earnings. There's still considerable room for it to grow its dividend in the future.

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The added bonus for investors is that they can also benefit from the tech company's future growth and possible gains from simply holding onto the stock. With many high-yielding stocks, dividends are the main reason to invest. With Microsoft, however, it's just one of the reasons it's a strong all-around investment.

Eli Lilly Healthcare company Eli Lilly is another dividend stock that investors might gloss over. The company, which has become popular of late for its GLP-1 drugs, Zepbound and Mounjaro, is the only one in the healthcare sector that has topped a $1 trillion valuation. And if not for the stock's impressive gains over the years, its yield would be a lot higher than 0.6%.

Eli Lilly, for its part, has been doing quite a lot to make the dividend more attractive. Its current quarterly payout of $1.73 has more than doubled in just five years; back in 2021, the company was paying $0.85 per share. And prior to the Great Recession, it had a streak of increases that spanned more than 40 years. The stock also has an incredibly low payout ratio of 22%, suggesting its generous dividend increases will likely continue.

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Overall, Eli Lilly is a solid healthcare stock to buy, offering exposure to opportunities in the fast-growing GLP-1 market while also providing investors with reliable and recurring dividend income.

Mastercard Mastercard is yet another low-yielding stock that may be more valuable to dividend investors than it looks to be at first glance. At 0.7%, its yield is well below the S&P 500 average. However, its current quarterly dividend of $0.87 is also more than four times the $0.19 it was paying its shareholders a decade ago. That amounts to an increase of 358%, representing a CAGR of more than 16%.

Despite the generous increases, Mastercard has the lowest payout ratio on this list at around 18%. Given the strength of its business and the growth it has achieved in recent years, there's plenty of reason to remain optimistic that its dividend increases will continue for the foreseeable future. The credit card company's sales have risen by 47% from 2022 through to last year, when its top line came in at just under $33 billion.

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Mastercard's business looks rock-solid, with strong fundamentals and room for further growth. This is the type of stock you can buy and forget about, given its leadership position in the payment card industry.

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Raja Rajamannar believes artificial intelligence poses one of the biggest threats marketers have ever faced. He also thinks it could usher in marketing's next great opportunity.

The former chief marketing and communications officer of Mastercard, who spent nearly 13 years leading the brand, said marketers who fear AI are looking at only half the story.

In an interview on Business Insider's upcoming "CMO Insider" podcast, Rajamannar argued that AI could ultimately elevate the profession rather than diminish it.

"This is the golden era that we are about to enter as far as marketing is concerned," he said.

The prediction comes at a time when AI tools can generate images, videos, copy, and advertising campaigns in seconds. Many marketers worry that the technology could automate work that once required large teams and sizable budgets.

Rajamannar acknowledges that risk. Yet he argues the same forces making content creation easier could increase the value of creativity and consumer insight.

AI is creating a 'sea of sameness'

Raja Rajamannar is the former chief marketing and communications officer of Mastercard.  Courtesy of Mastercard Rajamannar said today's AI tools are available to nearly everyone, regardless of company size.

A global corporation and a small business can access many of the same platforms, enter similar prompts, and receive similar outputs, he said.

"What happens is the small companies are able to effectively now compete against the large companies," he said.

The result, he says, is a flood of similar-looking marketing. "Before you realize it becomes a sea of sameness," Rajamannar said.

He pointed to examples of recurring creative themes appearing across campaigns. In one recent exercise, he said he noticed more than 100 campaigns using icebergs as a visual metaphor.

However, this doesn't reduce the importance of marketing, Rajamannar said. Rather, it increases it.

Why creativity matters more than everWhen companies have access to similar technology, differentiation becomes harder. That's where marketers can create value, he said.

"When there is a sea of sameness, original creativity matters."

He argues that marketers still need to understand how consumers behave. AI can generate content, but marketers must determine whether that content actually resonates with people.

"You should have insights into the consumer's feelings, thoughts, and other emotions," he said.

The challenge goes beyond creating ads. Marketers must understand whether an idea connects with the audience and whether it helps a brand stand apart from competitors.

"Innovation and creativity are going to be the biggest differentiators in this age of AI," Rajamannar said, adding that, "At the end of it, it is a human-to-human connection that sells your products and brands."

Marketers need to learn fasterRajamannar stepped down as Mastercard's chief marketing and communications officer and became a senior fellow at the company at the start of 2026. The new role, he says, gives him more time to focus on AI in his own work.

Rajamannar says he uses tools such as Claude and NotebookLM to help filter information, summarize books and podcasts, and identify developments worth paying attention to.

He encourages marketers to approach technology with curiosity rather than fear. "You have to be curious about the technology," he said.

That extends beyond AI. Rajamannar says marketers should familiarize themselves with technologies ranging from augmented reality to blockchain and cryptocurrencies.

The goal isn't to become an engineer, he says. It's to understand how new tools can create opportunities. "If marketers don't wake up and really seize this opportunity, they get obliterated in our time," he said.

Even so, Rajamannar remains optimistic about the profession's future.

As AI automates more routine tasks, he expects the qualities that make great marketers effective — creativity, judgment, empathy, and consumer understanding — to become more valuable.

Rather than replacing marketers, he believes AI is forcing them to focus on the parts of the job that matter most. And that's why he sees a golden era ahead.

Correction: June 17, 2026 — An earlier version of this post misstated when Raja Rajamannar stepped down as CMO and became a senior fellow at Mastercard. It was the start of 2026.

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Lara O'Reilly is the anchor of the CMO Insider newsletter.She is a senior correspondent who has covered the digital advertising, marketing, and media industries since 2010. Her current beat includes big tech companies like Alphabet, and Meta, and adtech firms, agencies,  publishers, the creator economy, and CMOs.Lara has previously worked as a reporter and executive producer at titles including The Wall Street Journal, Digiday, Yahoo Finance, and Marketing Week. She was previously Business Insider's senior global advertising editor from 2014 to 2017.Lara was named "Digital Journalist of the Year" by the London Press Club in 2016.Lara is a regular guest on TV and radio and has appeared on outlets such as the BBC, NPR, SiriusXM's Wharton Business Daily, and CTV Television Network. She also frequently speaks on stage at major events such as Web Summit, IFA, VivaTech, Advertising Week, and Cannes Lions.To get in touch with Lara O'Reilly, email [email protected] or contact her on Signal at @loreilly.71Check out Insider's source guide for tips on sharing information securely.Read some of Lara's recent work below:

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Jessica Orwig is a senior editor at Business Insider, where she collaborates with reporters, editors, and producers across teams to shape, write, edit, and publish stories that connect with a global audience. While her roots are in science and technology journalism, her work today spans business, careers, culture, and the big ideas shaping the future.She earned her Master’s in Science & Technology Journalism from Texas A&M University and holds a Bachelor’s in Astronomy & Physics from The Ohio State University. Throughout her career, she’s helped lead coverage on everything from space exploration and climate change to innovation, the future of work, and evolving cultural trends.Career HighlightsLed coverage on scientific milestones, including:

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