Applied Materials (AMAT - 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 maker of chipmaking equipment have returned -9.1%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.5% change. During this period, the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry, which Applied Materials falls in, has lost 10%. 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.
Earnings Estimate RevisionsHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.
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.
Applied Materials is expected to post earnings of $3.36 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +35.5%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +0.3%.
The consensus earnings estimate of $12.14 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +28.9%. This estimate has changed +0.3% over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $16.23 indicates a change of +33.8% from what Applied Materials is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +1.7%.
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, Applied Materials is rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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.
For Applied Materials, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $9 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +23.3%. For the current and next fiscal years, $33.38 billion and $42.26 billion estimates indicate +17.7% and +26.6% changes, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryApplied Materials reported revenues of $7.91 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +11.4%. EPS of $2.86 for the same period compares with $2.39 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.69 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +2.82%. The EPS surprise was +6.72%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time 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.
Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.
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.
Applied Materials is graded F on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium 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 Applied Materials. However, its Zacks Rank #1 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.
NEW YORK, July 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of Zoetis Inc. (NYSE: ZTS).
Shareholders who purchased shares of ZTS during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointment. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery.
ALLEGATIONS: The complaint alleges that during the class period, Defendants issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) veterinarian prescription growth and adoption of Zoetis’ Librela, a canine pain treatment, were sharply weakening as clinicians became more cautious following FDA safety warnings concerning serious neurological complications in dogs; (ii) Zoetis’ Simparica Trio was losing significant market share to a lower priced competing canine parasiticide with broader indicated use in a slowing overall market; and (iii) Zoetis’ dermatology products, Apoquel and Cytopoint, were losing substantial market share to a newly launched competing canine treatment.
DEADLINE: July 27, 2026 Shareholders should not delay in registering for this class action. Register your information here: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/zoetis-inc-loss-submission-form-2/?id=194319&from=3
NEXT STEPS FOR SHAREHOLDERS: Once you register as a shareholder who purchased shares of ZTS during the timeframe listed above, you will be enrolled in a portfolio monitoring software to provide you with status updates throughout the lifecycle of the case. The deadline to seek to be a lead plaintiff is July 27, 2026. There is no cost or obligation to you to participate in this case.
WHY GROSS LAW FIRM? The Gross Law Firm is a nationally recognized class action law firm, and our mission is to protect the rights of all investors who have suffered as a result of deceit, fraud, and illegal business practices. The Gross Law Firm is committed to ensuring that companies adhere to responsible business practices and engage in good corporate citizenship. The firm seeks recovery on behalf of investors who incurred losses when false and/or misleading statements or the omission of material information by a company lead to artificial inflation of the company's stock. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
The Gross Law Firm
15 West 38th Street, 12th floor
New York, NY, 10018
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (646) 453-8903
Shares of Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD | AMD Price Prediction) were down 5% Friday morning to $477.81, leading a selloff across semiconductor stocks. Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) stock was off 4% to $93.24, while NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) stock was down 3% to $201.60. Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) stock slipped 2% to $366.51.
The iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXX), the sector’s most-watched basket, had slid 3% to $515.76 in early trading. The ETF move caps a rough stretch for the AI-hardware complex, with the most-extended names taking the deepest hits so far this session.
These stocks and the SOXX ETF recovered some of their losses within the first hour of trading, but traders still felt the effects of a rotation out of semiconductor stocks. As it turns out, there are a number of forces at work in this risk-off rotation.
Rotation Out of Semis on AI-Cost Worries Per Yahoo Finance reporting, the move reflects a broad risk-off rotation as investors question the return on heavy AI-infrastructure spending. The move is a sector-wide, positioning-driven unwind hitting the most crowded corners of the AI trade, with no company-specific catalyst behind today’s drop in AMD stock.
Two threads are driving the anxiety. Chinese startup Moonshot unveiled Kimi K3, described as the world’s largest publicly available AI model that developers can download and run themselves, at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. Cheaper open-weight models challenge the “more compute” thesis that underpins premium chip valuations.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM) also guided this week to higher-than-anticipated capital expenditures, partly on higher tool prices. Taiwan Semiconductor’s Q3 2026 revenue outlook of $44.6 billion to $45.8 billion is strong, yet the capex guide is feeding worries about margin compression and AI-cost sustainability across the supply chain.
Sector Has Shed $3.3 Trillion Since June The selloff is broad. Global semiconductor stocks have shed $3.3 trillion in market value since June 22, nearing bear-market territory. Equipment makers Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT) and Lam Research (NASDAQ:LRCX) shares each fell more than 4% in Friday morning trading.
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Memory is getting hit as well. Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU), SanDisk (NASDAQ:SNDK), and Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC) shares all declined in the session. Bloomberg reported that Alphabet‘s (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Gemini 3.5 Pro model is behind schedule, adding another crack to the AI timeline narrative.
Principal Asset Management chief global strategist Seema Shah has framed it this way: Wall Street is still positive on the AI trade but is watching hyperscaler capex and earnings as the foundation of the AI ecosystem. The most-extended semis are falling hardest, with Intel and AMD, both up triple digits YTD, dropping more than NVIDIA today.
Bull and Bear Cases on AMD AMD’s fundamentals remain intact. The company’s first-quarter fiscal 2026 revenue hit $10.25 billion, up 38% year over year (YoY), and the Data Center segment grew 57% YoY to $5.78 billion. Furthermore, AMD’s Q2 2026 guidance calls for approximately $11.2 billion in revenue, and CEO Lisa Su has flagged accelerating customer engagement around MI450 and Helios.
The bear case is where today’s tape is trading. AMD stock carries a P/E ratio of 162.77x, leaving little cushion if AI capex expectations slip. Cheaper open models like Kimi K3 could pressure the “more compute” narrative, and the parabolic YTD run is exactly the kind of position traders unwind first in a risk-off tape.
What Investors Can Watch Now Investors can watch for whether the SOXX ETF stabilizes into the close and whether upcoming hyperscaler earnings reaffirm 2026 AI capex plans. Given the volatility after such a large run, investors may want to size their AMD positions carefully and treat further weakness as rotation-driven rather than demand-driven.
Taiwan Semiconductor’s next monthly revenue update and NVIDIA’s Q2 FY2027 report could shape the trajectory of the bull-bear debate. Momentum traders may keep the semis active through the afternoon as positioning resets across the AI-hardware complex.
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Key Takeaways Western Digital expects AI-driven data growth to boost long-term HDD storage demand above 25% CAGR.WDC sharpened its HDD focus after separating its flash business into Sandisk to serve hyperscalers.WDC is advancing new HDD technologies to improve throughput and support large-scale AI deployments. The surge in data creation is creating a growing opportunity for storage companies, particularly Western Digital Corporation (WDC - Free Report) . The rapid shift from AI training to large-scale inference is driving an explosion in data creation, significantly increasing demand for persistent, scalable, and cost-effective storage—most of which resides on HDDs. Western Digital expects the rise of agentic AI, which autonomously executes workflows, to further accelerate data generation and extend data retention, boosting storage demand across cloud and enterprise environments.
At the same time, synthetic data and physical AI applications, such as robotics and autonomous systems, are creating massive volumes of video, sensor and training data, forming a compounding cycle of data growth. As a result, WDC believes the AI-driven data economy will drive long-term data storage demand at more than 25% CAGR, positioning its high-capacity HDD roadmap to benefit from this trend. WDC’s quarterly trends have shown massive revenue growth, improving gross margins, better pricing discipline and strong enterprise demand. It has also sharpened its focus following the separation of its flash business intoSandisk (SNDK - Free Report) , allowing management to concentrate on advancing HDD technologies and serving hyperscale customers more effectively.
Moreover, AI pipelines increasingly demand higher throughput, an area where flash has traditionally dominated. WD has introduced two industry-first technologies that fundamentally change HDD performance dynamics – High Bandwidth Drive Technology and Dual Pivot Technology. High Bandwidth Drive technology is already in customers’ hands for validation, while HDDs featuring Dual Pivot technology remain in the lab and are slated for introduction in 2028. On the other hand, power-optimized drives are expected to be in customer qualification in 2027, effectively creating a new economic storage tier between warm and cold data, critical for sustainable AI deployments at scale.
However, Western Digital competes with well-funded rivals like Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX - Free Report) in HDDs and several major NAND manufacturers in flash technologies.
AI Presents Huge Potential: Can WDC Outpace Peers?The rise of AI-driven inference workloads is increasing demand for both cloud and edge storage, with growing interest from sovereign and neo-cloud data centers in Seagate’s enterprise nearline drives and storage systems. Seagate is capitalizing on this trend through its focus on areal-density innovation rather than unit-volume growth. Its HAMR-based Mozaic platform exemplifies this strategy, with the second-generation Mozaic 4+ delivering up to 44TB per drive—more than 30% higher capacity than the first generation. Enhanced by Seagate’s proprietary laser and integrated photonics technology, the platform improves storage density, cost efficiency and scalability, supporting the company’s targeted mid-20% annual data-center exabyte growth.
Sandisk is benefiting from AI-led demand that is lifting enterprise SSD adoption and supporting pricing across NAND end markets. NAND is becoming a critical part of AI inference architectures such as KV cache and RAG, which expands low-latency flash needs beyond the model itself. In February 2026, Sandisk and SK hynix launched a joint initiative to standardize High Bandwidth Flash, a next-generation memory solution designed for the growing demands of AI inference. The effort reflects a broader industry shift from AI model training to inference, where efficient memory systems are critical to handle increasing data workloads and enable future AI infrastructure growth.
WDC Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesIn the past year, shares of WDC have surged 586.5% compared with the Zacks Computer-Storage Devices industry’s growth of 381.6%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Going by the price/earnings ratio, the company’s shares currently trade at 24.35 forward earnings compared with 10.63 for the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
WDC’s estimate revisions are on an upward trajectory currently. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WDC’s earnings for fiscal 2026 has been revised north by 0.4% to $10.06 over the past 60 days, while the same for fiscal 2027 has gone up 8.4% to $18.64.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Currently, Western Digital has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Key Takeaways DOW is pursuing cost cuts and high-return growth projects amid ongoing market headwinds.DD is executing an innovation-led strategy and sharpening its portfolio through acquisitions and divestitures.Both companies face weak demand and higher costs, but differ in valuation, growth outlook and strategy. Dow Inc. (DOW - Free Report) and DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (DD - Free Report) are prominent U.S.-based chemical manufacturers, producing a wide range of chemicals and materials for various industries. They share a deep-rooted history in the American chemical industry, including a high-profile merger in 2017 and subsequent separation into distinct publicly traded companies in 2019.
Currently, both operate as restructured entities with diversified portfolios serving a vast array of end markets, including packaging, electronics, construction, automotive and agriculture. This comparison is particularly relevant for assessing which of these chemical industry leaders presents a more compelling investment opportunity in the current challenging market environment, as the industry remains mired in demand headwinds in certain markets and disruptions stemming from the Middle East conflict.
Let’s dive deep and closely compare the fundamentals of these two major chemical makers to determine which is the better investment now.
The Case for DowDOW benefits from its differentiated portfolio and advantaged feedstock positions in the Americas. It remains focused on investing in attractive areas. Its broad portfolio, significant low-cost feedstock positions, global footprint and market reach place it in an advantageous position against competitors. While Dow faces headwinds from heightened macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, it remains focused on growth actions in attractive end markets and executing high-return incremental growth projects in cost-advantaged regions.
DOW has entered into a landmark agreement with Xylem to develop and operate advanced water systems at the Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada, manufacturing complex. The initiative further expands collaboration between these companies, supporting the advancement of DOW's Path2Zero initiative. The company also announced a series of targeted investments totaling approximately $100 million through 2027 to strengthen its global specialty silicones manufacturing and innovation. The initiative aims to support rising demand in fast-growing sectors such as mobility, electronics, and healthcare while enhancing supply chain resilience globally.
Dow is taking action to cut costs by $1 billion to drive margins. It expects to achieve the majority of the cost savings through reductions in direct and labor costs. Dow realized more than $400 million of benefits from these actions in 2025, with the remaining benefits expected by 2026.
DOW has launched the “Transform to Outperform” initiative to improve productivity, reduce complexity, streamline its end-to-end processes and enable improved returns. The plan targets at least $2 billion near-term operating EBITDA improvement, with two-thirds of the benefits expected to be realized from productivity improvements. The company expects EBITDA benefits of roughly $500 million from this program in 2026. It expects to deliver roughly $1.1 billion in benefits from self-help actions this year.
DOW has a strong balance sheet and generates substantial cash flows, which enable it to finance its growth investments in higher-value businesses and regions, and drive shareholder value. It ended the first quarter with solid liquidity of around $14 billion, including cash and cash equivalents of roughly $4.1 billion. It generated solid cash flow from operating activities of roughly $1.1 billion in the first quarter.
DOW returned $1.5 billion to its shareholders through dividends in 2025. Dow has a policy of returning roughly 45% of its operating net income through dividends. It paid $252 million in dividends in the first quarter. It has no substantial long-term debt maturities until 2029. DOW offers a healthy dividend yield of 4.7% at the current stock price.
Despite these positives, DOW is exposed to headwinds from a tepid demand environment. Lower consumer spending amid inflationary pressures is affecting demand in Europe. Construction and manufacturing activities remain soft in the region. Demand in Asia has been affected by a weaker demand recovery in China. The property sector in China remains sluggish, with declining new home prices.
Inflationary pressures are impacting consumer durables and building and construction demand. Demand in infrastructure, including residential construction, also remains weak. Dow is also seeing softness in automotive in Europe due to weak demand. Higher costs are also expected to impact the U.S. automotive market in 2026. Weak conditions across these markets are likely to impact volumes in second-quarter 2026.
The company faces headwinds from higher feedstock costs in Asia and Europe. The Middle East conflict and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have led to significant supply disruptions and feedstock cost pressure in these regions. Elevated feedstock and energy costs are likely to impact margins in the second quarter.
The Case for DuPontDuPont remains focused on driving growth through innovation and new product development. Its innovation-driven investment is focused on several high-growth areas. DD remains committed to driving returns from its R&D investment.
The acquisition of Spectrum Plastics Group, a leading manufacturer of specialty medical devices and components, strengthened DuPont’s position in stable and fast-growing healthcare end markets. It is also in sync with its focus on high-growth, customer-driven innovation for the healthcare market. The buyout of Donatelle Plastics also enhances DD’s exposure in healthcare, expanding its expertise in the medical device market segments. The acquisition introduces complementary advanced technologies and capabilities, such as medical device injection molding, liquid silicone rubber processing, precision machining, device assembly and tool building.
DuPont also completed the divestiture of its Aramids business to Arclin for $1.8 billion in April 2026, allowing it to sharpen its focus on innovation-driven, higher-return businesses. The divestiture is expected to improve DuPont’s margin profile and reduce earnings volatility tied to cyclical end markets, while also strengthening its balance sheet and providing additional flexibility for capital allocation.
DuPont is also benefiting from cost synergy savings and productivity improvement actions. These actions contributed to a 100-basis-point year-over-year growth in operating margins in 2025. The additional benefits of its structural cost actions are expected to be realized in 2026. The company also continues to implement strategic price increases in the wake of raw material and energy cost inflation. Its cost and productivity actions, along with pricing measures, are expected to contribute to its margins this year. DuPont’s corporate cost reductions are expected to deliver margin expansion for this year, with the company expecting a 60-80 basis-point operating margin expansion.
The company remains focused on driving cash flow and returning value to its shareholders. It looks to boost cash flow through working capital productivity and earnings growth. Prudent working capital management is expected to allow it to achieve its projected transaction-adjusted free cash flow conversion of more than 90% in 2026. DuPont also remains committed to effective capital allocation.
DD’s board approved a new share repurchase authorization of up to $2 billion, with the company executing a $500 million accelerated share repurchase (ASR) transaction in the fourth quarter of 2025. It has announced a $275 million ASR under this program. DuPont offers a dividend yield of 1.8% at the current stock price. Its payout ratio is 25%.
On the flip side, DD is facing headwinds in the construction markets, which are impacting sales in its industrial business. In North America, uncertainties surrounding the U.S. housing market are weighing on construction. Elevated borrowing costs and inflation have taken a bite out of the residential construction industry. The weakness in construction and automotive markets is hurting sales in the diversified industrials business. The softness in the automotive market is due to weak automotive build rates across the United States and Europe.
DuPont is also exposed to challenges from cost inflation and logistics disruptions due to the Middle East conflict. The company faces challenges from higher raw material costs resulting from the conflict. While the company is taking pricing actions to offset the incremental costs, the impacts of cost inflation are expected to reflect on its margins in 2026. DuPont sees incremental costs of around $90 million in 2026, with maximum impact expected in the second half. Higher input costs are expected to weigh on margins in the second quarter.
Price Performance and Valuation of DOW & DDThe DOW stock is up 25.3% year to date, while DD has gained 11.3% compared with the Zacks Chemicals Diversified industry’s increase of 17.2%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
DOW is currently trading at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.48, below the industry’s 0.88.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
DD is currently trading at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 2.48, well above DOW and the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
How the Zacks Consensus Estimate Compares for DOW & DDThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Dow’s 2026 sales implies a year-over-year increase of 10.8%. The same for EPS suggests a 395.7% year-over-year rise. The EPS estimates for 2026 have been trending higher over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The consensus estimate for DuPont’s 2026 sales and EPS implies a year-over-year decline of 35.3% and an increase of 41.9%, respectively. The EPS estimates for 2026 have been trending southward over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
DOW or DD: Which Stock Holds the Edge?Both DOW and DD currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), so picking one stock is not easy. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
DOW benefits from its cost and productivity actions and investment in high-return projects. DuPont gains on its innovation-led strategy, healthcare expansion, disciplined capital allocation and healthy margin improvement backed by cost synergies. Both are exposed to weak demand in a challenging environment as well as cost headwinds. DOW appears to have an edge over DD due to its more attractive valuation. In addition, DOW's higher earnings growth projections suggest that it may offer better investment prospects in the current market environment.
US health officials have identified shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms to Taco Bell restaurants in five states as the likely source of a multistate cyclospora outbreak that has sickened thousands of people.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday advised consumers not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia while the investigation continues.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) traced the lettuce to a single supplier. While the agency did not publicly identify the company, a federal official familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press that the supplier was California-based Taylor Farms.
The CDC said the FDA is working with the supplier to determine whether potentially contaminated lettuce remains on the market and warned that additional restaurants, retailers or distribution channels could be identified as the investigation progresses.
Taco Bell said it has voluntarily removed the potentially affected lettuce from a supplier in select states and is indefinitely removing the ingredient from its supply chain nationwide. The company said replacement lettuce would be supplied to affected locations within 24 hours.
"Based on ongoing conversations with public health officials, and out of an abundance of caution, Taco Bell has taken immediate action to voluntarily remove potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states," the company said in a statement.
The outbreak began in May and has affected more than 30 states, with current case counts exceeding the previous U.S. record of about 4,700 infections reported in 2019. Michigan has reported the largest number of cases, with state officials confirming more than 4,300 infections.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness typically marked by watery diarrhea, cramping and nausea. The infection is generally treated with antibiotics and is not usually life-threatening.
Rivian Automotive (RIVN - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Shares of this a manufacturer of motor vehicles and passenger cars have returned +3.5% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.5% change. The Zacks Automotive - Domestic industry, to which Rivian Automotive belongs, has lost 2.8% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
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 EstimatesHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.
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.
For the current quarter, Rivian Automotive is expected to post a loss of $0.65 per share, indicating a change of +18.8% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +1.2% over the last 30 days.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of -$2.37 points to a change of +3.3% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed +1%.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $1.68 indicates a change of +29.2% from what Rivian Automotive is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -1.3%.
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, Rivian Automotive 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 Rivian Automotive, the consensus sales estimate of $1.58 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +21.2%. The $7.16 billion and $11.32 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +33% and +58.1%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryRivian Automotive reported revenues of $1.38 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +11.4%. EPS of -$0.55 for the same period compares with -$0.41 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.37 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +1.04%. The EPS surprise was +8.33%.
Over the last four quarters, Rivian Automotive surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time 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.
Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.
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.
Rivian Automotive is graded F on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium 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 Rivian Automotive. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Shares of this company have returned -2% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.5% change. The Zacks Financial - Investment Bank industry, to which Robinhood Markets belongs, has gained 3% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.
Revisions to Earnings EstimatesHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
Robinhood Markets is expected to post earnings of $0.39 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -7.1%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +5.9%.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $1.86 points to a change of -9.3% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed +2.7%.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $2.6 indicates a change of +39.9% from what Robinhood Markets is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +6.3%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. 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 Robinhood Markets.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue GrowthEven 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 Robinhood Markets, the consensus sales estimate of $1.22 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +23.6%. The $5 billion and $6.29 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +11.8% and +25.7%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryRobinhood Markets reported revenues of $1.07 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +15.1%. EPS of $0.38 for the same period compares with $0.37 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.14 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -6.07%. The EPS surprise was -5%.
Over the last four quarters, Robinhood Markets surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates two 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.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Robinhood Markets is graded F on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Bottom LineThe 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 Robinhood Markets. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
monday.com Ltd. is positioned as a leading work management platform, leveraging AI to drive incremental employee value and revenue growth. MNDY's new 'seats + credits' pricing model enables monetization of both human and AI-driven workflows, supporting stronger revenue capture as AI adoption grows. I anticipate 20%+ revenue growth and margin improvement toward 20%, with credible upside to 26% annualized returns over the next five years.
Maestro is live on Robinhood Chain, the new Ethereum layer-2 built on Arbitrum that has quickly become one of the busiest spots in crypto for memecoins and new launches. Attention around the chain continues to rise, led by CASHCAT and the new tokens launching in its wake.
The market moves fast, and Maestro keeps you ahead.
Maestro runs entirely in Telegram, so there’s no separate app or extension standing between you and a trade. Everything happens in one place, from your first buy to managing an open position. Decide to trade and you’re in, no delay, no detours.
What is Robinhood Chain Robinhood Chain is Robinhood’s own Ethereum layer-2, built on Arbitrum. Robinhood positioned the chain around tokenized stocks and real-world assets, but memecoin trading took off just as quickly. Low fees and quick transactions make it a natural fit for high-frequency trading, and that’s the version Maestro is built for: fast, permissionless, and running around the clock.
Here’s everything the Robinhood Chain trading bot puts in a trader’s hands.
What you can do on Robinhood Chain Maestro arrives fully loaded on Robinhood Chain, with fast execution, extensive DEX and launchpad coverage, and all the tools you need to move first.
Speed comes first. Quick buys and swaps get you into a position while a token’s still running, buying the moment you click, with no approval step in the way. When a token’s moving, every second counts, and Maestro can get you there first.
For the moves you’d rather not sit and watch, limit orders let you set your price and step away. Maestro executes the moment the market hits it. Catch a dip you’ve been waiting on, or take profit at your target while you’re nowhere near the screen.
When the smart money’s already positioned, copy trading puts you on the same side. Track any wallet worth following and Maestro copies every trade that wallet makes in real time, so you’re never the last one in.
Coverage that keeps growing Robinhood Chain’s onchain activity has exploded, and new tokens don’t all launch in the same place. Miss where one launches and you miss the trade. Maestro gives you the fastest access to every launchpad and DEX that matters. Trading is live across Uniswap v2, v3 and v4, with launchpad support across Virtuals, Bankr, Flap.sh, Livo.trade, Trench.today, Bags.fm, RobinFun, LeaveHood, HoodFun, ApeStore, Noxa, Printr, Pons and more. New integrations land as fast as they launch, so you’re covered wherever the next run starts.
More money back with every trade Cashback is Maestro’s way of paying you back for trading. Every trade returns up to 30% of your trading fees, and on a chain built for fast, high-volume trading, that adds up quickly. Cashback applies on every chain Maestro supports, Robinhood Chain included, so the more you trade, and the more chains you trade across, the more of that cost comes back to you. Few trading bots make staying active this rewarding.
Bridge in without leaving the chat Moving funds onto Robinhood Chain has never been simpler. Maestro handles bridging directly in the bot, and offers two routes depending on what matters most. Relay Protocol is the fast, lower-cost option when you just want funds on the chain and ready to trade. Houdini Swap is the private one, routing your funds so there’s no link left between your wallets. Either way, bridging is part of the same flow as your first trade, not a separate errand before it.
Trading Robinhood Chain, start to finish Getting in is quick. Open Maestro in Telegram, bridge funds onto Robinhood Chain through Relay Protocol or Houdini Swap, and you’re ready to trade. Paste a token’s contract address, set your buy amount, and the order goes through at the best available price in a couple of taps. From there, you manage everything in the same chat. Set a limit order to take profit, add to a position that’s working, or sell whenever you want. No tab-hopping needed.
The original bot, on a new chain Maestro didn’t just show up for Robinhood Chain. The first Telegram trading bot has spent years proving itself on the fastest, most competitive chains in crypto, and all of that experience came to Robinhood Chain from day one. Traders here get the same engine that’s earned trust everywhere else Maestro runs, with the full toolkit ready from the start.
Another chain, another edge Robinhood Chain is one of the fastest-evolving markets in crypto, and Maestro is all hands on deck to give traders the edge they deserve. That means deeper coverage and faster execution as the chain evolves. That’s how Maestro has always operated, and how it keeps setting the standard for trading bots everywhere.
Start trading on Robinhood Chain with Maestro today.
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Decentralized perpetuals trading platform Ostium, focused on real-world assets on the Arbitrum network, has suffered a substantial security incident resulting in the loss of approximately $18 million from its liquidity vault. The attack, which occurred on July 15, 2026, prompted the immediate halt of all trading activities on the protocol.
Security monitoring firm Blockaid was among the first to identify the breach, noting that the perpetrator leveraged a registered PriceUpKeep forwarder within Ostium’s automated price infrastructure.
By submitting authorized but future-dated oracle reports, the attacker manufactured artificial trading profits.
This enabled a series of looped open-and-close position actions that drained funds directly from the USDC liquidity vault serving as the counterparty for user trades.
A Security Update: Trading remains paused following the security incident. User positions remain open and unmodifiable, and trader margin remains unmoved in frozen trading smart contracts. The team will continue to provide updates as they become available regarding a timeline…
— Ostium (@Ostium) July 16, 2026
On-chain analysis of the primary exploit transaction confirms significant USDC outflows, representing a notable portion of the vault’s value at the time.
Ostium’s team acted quickly to contain the damage.
In an official security update, the protocol confirmed that trading remains paused.
User positions stay open and unmodifiable, with trader margins securely frozen inside the smart contracts.
The protocol emphasized that no user funds outside the affected vault mechanics were directly impacted in a way that alters these safeguards.
The project has mobilized a comprehensive response.
Teams are working around the clock in coordination with law enforcement, specialized security researchers, and firms like SEAL 911 to track stolen funds and support the ongoing investigation.
Multiple parties are actively monitoring asset movements to aid potential recovery efforts.
Ostium positions itself as a gateway for on-chain trading of global markets, including stocks, commodities, forex, and crypto perpetuals with significant leverage.
Prior to the incident, it had attracted substantial institutional backing, raising nearly $28 million from investors including General Catalyst and Jump Crypto.
The platform had also achieved impressive trading volumes exceeding $50 billion cumulatively, underscoring its role in bridging traditional finance with DeFi.
This exploit adds to a pattern of oracle and automation-related vulnerabilities seen recently across DeFi.
Such incidents often exploit timing mechanisms or privileged components in price feeds, which are critical for accurate settlement in perpetual trading.
Despite prior audits and robust design, the breach reveals persistent risks in key management and forwarder contracts used for real-time data integration.
The liquidity vault, where providers deposit USDC to facilitate trading, bore the brunt of the drain.
While exact recovery details are still emerging, the protocol’s funded status may provide resources to explore restitution options for affected parties.
Users have been directed to monitor official communications for further timelines on contract resumption and any fund recovery developments.
The broader DeFi community continues to emphasize the importance of hardened security practices, particularly around oracle dependencies and privileged roles.
As RWA perpetual platforms gain traction, events like this serve as critical lessons for improving resilience against advanced manipulation tactics. Ostium has expressed gratitude for community and expert support while committing to transparent updates as more information becomes available.
This is a market that continues to see a lot of noise and concerns in general. With this, the silver market will continue to see volatile choppiness and lack of stability.
Silver Technical Analysis
Silver has slumped to fresh lows near $55, more than halving from its peak, with $50 the major historical support below. Source: TradingView. The silver market is showing signs of collapse on the weekly time frame as we have made a fresh new low, and it does, in fact, look like a market that just can’t get out of its own way. Because of this, it is going to perhaps attract longer-term traders in the sense that they may be bailing out at this point. Clearly, we have collapsed from the high as we have lost more than half of the value of silver. This is a shocking turnaround for many who got caught up in the mania last year.
That being said, the area near $50 looks to be rather supportive based on historical resistance there, going back multiple times into the 1970s. As a result, it’ll be interesting to see how the market behaves when we get down there because, quite frankly, that would be a massive level in this market to pay close attention to.
High Yields and Bearish Momentum Deepen Silver’s Decline At this point, rallies are probably going to be looked at with suspicion as we are getting fairly close to $55. High yields in the United States have a major part to play here, as it’s easier to hold a yielding asset than it is a non-yielding asset like silver. This will likely continue to be the story here in silver, just like gold as well.
Regardless, this is an ugly-looking candlestick and an ugly-looking market, which most decidedly has turned bearish over the last month or so. This is a market that has caught many people on the wrong side of the market.
If you’d like to know more about how to trade gold and silver, please visit our educational area.
Investors in Cenovus Energy Inc. (CVE - Free Report) need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the July 17, 2026 $13 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.
What is Implied Volatility?Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.
What do the Analysts Think?Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for Cenovus Energy shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, Cenovus Energy is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) in the Oil and Gas - Integrated – Canadian industry that ranks in the Top 13% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 30 days, one analyst has increased the earnings estimates for the current quarter, while one has dropped the estimates. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter from 94 cents per share to 95 cents in that period.
Given the way analysts feel about Cenovus Energy right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.
Former Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett may no longer run the company he helped build into one of the world's largest conglomerates over more than six decades. But he will still occasionally appear on CNBC to discuss the market and Berkshire's business, which he remains involved in as executive chairman. Though he's now 95 years old, the market is always eager to hear any insights offered by the Oracle of Omaha, widely considered the greatest investor of all time.
In his most recent interview on CNBC, Buffett said three words that could add some serious fuel to the artificial intelligence trade.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
Who initiated Berkshire's Alphabet position? Greg Abel began his tenure as Berkshire Hathaway CEO at the start of this year, and didn't waste much time setting his mark on things. One notable move he made was to significantly increase the conglomerate's position in Alphabet (GOOG 2.09%)(GOOGL 2.01%).
In the first quarter, Berkshire added over $10 billion to its Alphabet position. Then the company bought another $10 billion through a private placement. Across both Class A and Class C shares, Alphabet is now the fourth-largest position in Berkshire's massive equity portfolio.
Most investors, myself included, assumed Abel had chosen Alphabet as his horse, much as Buffett had made the decisions to load up on Apple over the past decade.
When Berkshire initiated its Alphabet position in 2025, when Buffett was still CEO, but many had assumed the decision was made by another Berkshire investment manager, given that Buffett and Berkshire have been very conservative in recent years.
Buffett has also hinted on numerous occasions about the market being overvalued. But during his recent CNBC interview, when asked about Berkshire's Alphabet position, he revealed, "I initiated it." He added that he regrets not buying the stock earlier.
Alphabet, of course, is making enormous bets on AI. An investment in its stock is inherently an investment in the technology.
While Alphabet is by no means the highest-valued AI stock in the market, and the company has many other successful businesses, Buffett saying he initiated this investment must mean he has some belief in the future of AI.
Today's Change
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Still, he referred to his core investing principles when explaining why he made that move.
"The trick in life is to find -- I mean investing -- is to find businesses that are going to earn high returns on capital for an extended period of time," Buffett said.
That's exactly what Alphabet has done, which isn't surprising given the company's success. By my calculations, Alphabet earned returns on equity (net income/shareholder equity) of roughly 31% and 32% in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
I also estimate that it earned returns on invested capital (ROIC) of roughly 39% and 32% in 2024 and 2025, respectively, assuming invested capital is equity plus net debt.
These are quite strong results, and if Alphabet continues to perform consistently, the stock should be a strong winner from here.
Buffett likes Alphabet but has concerns about AI Buffett suggested that he has confidence in Alphabet due to its strong track record. It operates an array of businesses -- cloud, search, content, and autonomous driving among them -- that all had tremendous potential before the AI revolution.
However, Buffett did say he has concerns about where the broader AI sector is heading.
"The real question with Google and all of its competitors now, because they're all laying out hundreds of billions, and that's real money," Buffett said, referring to the capital expenditures that hyperscalers are pouring into building more AI data center infrastructure. "That's the game they're playing now. They weren't playing that game with computer software."
Buffett is certainly not the only one with these concerns, and it's evident with Alphabet. ROIC declined from 39% in 2024 to 32% in 2025, largely because Alphabet took on significant debt to fund capex in 2025.
The question is, can Alphabet generate significant ROIC from these investments down the line? Only time will tell.
Ultimately, Buffett's support for Alphabet is certainly good news for the AI trade. However, this doesn't mean he has thrown his full support behind it.
My guess is Buffett and Abel see a safety buffer built into Alphabet, given how many other strong tech businesses it operates. A significant setback to the AI trend would not be good for Alphabet, but the tech giant would likely be able to navigate it.
Key Takeaways Lumentum's 200G EML revenues more than doubled sequentially as total laser-chip shipments doubled YoY.EML unit volumes are expected to grow over 50% by December 2026, supported by expanded InP fab capacity.CPO laser chips could generate meaningful revenues by late 2026, backed by a major purchase order. Lumentum Holdings (LITE - Free Report) is well positioned to accelerate revenue growth as surging AI infrastructure investments drive record demand for its laser chips, a critical building block of high-speed optical networking. In third-quarter fiscal 2026, the company delivered record EML (electro-absorption modulated laser) shipments, with 200G EML revenues more than doubling sequentially and total laser chip shipments doubling year over year. Management also expects EML unit volumes to grow more than 50% by the December 2026 quarter, underscoring strong customer demand.
The opportunity extends beyond shipment growth. Lumentum's laser chips are increasingly powering 800G and upcoming 1.6T optical transceivers, while internal deployment of its continuous-wave (CW) lasers enhances vertical integration and captures more value across the optical networking stack. Meanwhile, with the production capacity of its wafer fab in Japan fully allocated, the company has acquired a fifth Indium Phosphide (InP) fab to expand production capacity and meet the demand for future growth.
Lumentum's next growth wave could come from co-packaged optics (CPO), where ultra-high-power laser chips are on track for meaningful revenue generation by late 2026, supported by a multi-hundred-million-dollar purchase order and collaborations with multiple customers.
Strong forward guidance further supports the continued growth of laser chips. Lumentum expects fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues in the range of $960 million to $1.01 billion, up sequentially, reflecting sustained demand. The company also projects non-GAAP operating margins of 35%-36%, suggesting that higher laser chip shipments and a richer product mix should continue driving both revenue growth and profitability.
How Lumentum Stacks Up to CompetitorsLumentum competes directly with Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AAOI - Free Report) in AI optical networking as both target hyperscale AI deployments with high-speed transceivers and laser technologies. Applied Optoelectronics emphasizes vertically integrated laser manufacturing, rapid 800G/1.6T capacity expansion and CPO-ready external laser sources. Applied Optoelectronics expects AI demand to exceed production through 2027, while Lumentum counters with broader laser-chip, optical switching and scale-across photonics leadership.
On the other hand, Broadcom Inc. (AVGO - Free Report) competes with Lumentum across AI optical networking, photonics and co-packaged optics for hyperscale AI clusters. Broadcom combines Ethernet switching, DSPs, EML lasers and CPO leadership with deep hyperscaler partnerships and massive AI infrastructure investments. Broadcom benefits from unmatched networking scale, while Broadcom faces Lumentum's strengths in laser chips, optical components and scale-out/scale-across photonic systems.
LITE’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Lumentum have surged 117.5% in the past six months, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s growth of 12.1%.
LITE’s 6-Month Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, LITE trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 38.62, above the industry’s average of 37.2. LITE carries a Value Score of D.
LITE’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Lumentum’s fiscal 2027 earnings is pegged at $18.07 per share, implying a year-over-year increase of 121.15%. The EPS estimates for fiscal 2027 have risen in the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Lumentum stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Adeniyi Abiodun, co-founder of Sui, outlined three infrastructure advancements he believes could dramatically boost blockchain usage in everyday life. In recent comments, Abiodun identified zkLogin, gasless transactions, and private stablecoin payments as key upgrades with the potential to onboard billions of new users to blockchain networks.
Key upgrades to improve blockchain adoptionAbiodun explained that removing complex requirements and transaction costs is vital for reaching wider audiences. He emphasized zkLogin, a system allowing users to access blockchain services through familiar Web2 logins such as Google or Apple, without the need to manage seed phrases. According to Abiodun, this integration will significantly enhance the user experience on Sui, an emerging Layer 1 blockchain designed to support fast and scalable applications.
“By eliminating the need for users to remember or securely store seed phrases, zkLogin makes blockchain onboarding as intuitive as logging into mainstream apps,” he stated. Abiodun suggested that streamlining entry points in this way can eliminate technical barriers that discourage mass participation.
Abiodun notes that zkLogin, gasless transactions, and private stablecoin payments represent a significant step toward reducing friction and bringing blockchain to the next billion people globally.
Alongside zkLogin, Abiodun underlined the importance of gasless transactions, which allow decentralized applications or designated sponsors to cover network fees on behalf of users. This model, he argued, eliminates one of the most persistent pain points for both developers and consumers, particularly during initial wallet creation and first-time transactions.
For exchanges and developers, this dual approach could prevent user drop-off during onboarding—an ongoing challenge for many Layer 1 blockchains, where high fees and confusing processes can deter new participants.
FeatureCurrent ChallengeProposed SolutionUser onboardingSeed phrase managementWeb2-based zkLoginTransaction feesUsers pay gas feesGasless transactions (covered by apps/sponsors)Private stablecoin payments for real-world useExpanding on infrastructure, Abiodun also highlighted private stablecoin payments as essential for future adoption. This feature would enable users to carry out confidential transactions using stable-value assets without exposing their transaction details to the public.
Abiodun suggested that integrating privacy features with stablecoins aligns with everyday expectations of financial privacy and could play a key role in drawing mainstream users to on-chain financial services.
These developments reflect a wider trend among blockchains to prioritize usability and consumer-friendly features beyond traditional decentralized finance (DeFi) products.
Sui operates as a Layer 1 blockchain network focused on high-performance infrastructure and developer experience, aiming to support a new generation of decentralized applications.
Mini dictionary: zkLogin is an authentication protocol that leverages zero-knowledge proofs, allowing users to interact with blockchain applications using traditional Web2 identities like Google or Apple accounts, without revealing their private data or managing seed phrases.
Industry signals broader shift in blockchain approachMarket observers have noted that initiatives like those promoted by Sui demonstrate a shift within the blockchain sector. Projects are increasingly focusing on optimizing platforms for real-world consumer applications, aiming to move beyond the niche of financial trading and into everyday utility.
Abiodun’s comments come as other industry players explore similar routes, reflecting the competitive drive to build infrastructure capable of genuine mass adoption.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
T1’s newest weapon just announced himself on the biggest stage in League of Legends. Kim “Peyz” Su-hwan took down the reigning MSI Champions in Game 1, while his predecessor Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeong, now playing for Hanwha Life Esports, suffered his first Caitlyn loss of the 2026 season on the other side of the matchup.
Peyz’s breakout and the numbers behind it Peyz joined T1 in November 2025, replacing Gumayusi after the veteran’s seven-year run with the organization.
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Across MSI 2026, Peyz posted a 15-6 win-loss record, a 5.2 KDA, and 10.3 CS per minute. He also notched his 15th career pentakill during the tournament. His Mais Esports Score of 78 was the highest of any player at the event.
T1 swept through the Play-In stage with a perfect 3-0 record, dismantling opponents like KC and Team Liquid without dropping a single game. The tournament took place in Daejeon, South Korea. The bracket stage proved tougher. T1 ultimately fell 1-3 to G2 Esports, who went on to win the whole thing.
The Sui connection and why crypto cares about esports T1 are three-time League of Legends world champions. When they signed a multiyear partnership with the Sui blockchain back in February 2024, it was one of the more significant crypto-esports deals in the space.
There’s no evidence that Peyz getting a pentakill directly moves the SUI token price. Markets don’t work that way, at least not in any predictable fashion.
What this means for investors watching the esports-crypto overlap T1’s elimination by G2 in the bracket stage means the exposure window at MSI 2026 was shorter than hoped. There’s also the question of whether esports sponsorship visibility actually translates to on-chain activity. Brand awareness and protocol adoption are related but not identical.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Emcor Group (EME - 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 construction and maintenance company have returned -10.4%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.5% change. During this period, the Zacks Building Products - Heavy Construction industry, which Emcor Group falls in, has lost 9.5%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?
Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.
Earnings Estimate RevisionsRather 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.
For the current quarter, Emcor Group is expected to post earnings of $7.23 per share, indicating a change of +7.6% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $29.37 points to a change of +13.5% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has remained unchanged.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $32.83 indicates a change of +11.8% from what Emcor Group 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, Emcor Group is rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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.
For Emcor Group, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $4.73 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +9.9%. For the current and next fiscal years, $19.02 billion and $20.5 billion estimates indicate +12% and +7.8% changes, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryEmcor Group reported revenues of $4.63 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +19.7%. EPS of $6.84 for the same period compares with $5.41 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.22 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +9.7%. The EPS surprise was +16.92%.
Over the last four quarters, Emcor Group 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.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Emcor Group is graded D on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Bottom LineThe 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 Emcor Group. However, its Zacks Rank #1 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.
For those looking to find strong Industrial Products stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Has Idex (IEX - Free Report) been one of those stocks this year? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.
Idex is one of 187 individual stocks in the Industrial Products sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #6 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups is measured, and the sectors are listed from best to worst.
The Zacks Rank emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find stocks with improving earnings outlooks. This system has a long record of success, and these stocks tend to be on track to beat the market over the next one to three months. Idex is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for IEX's full-year earnings has moved 3.1% higher. This means that analyst sentiment is stronger and the stock's earnings outlook is improving.
Based on the latest available data, IEX has gained about 28.7% so far this year. In comparison, Industrial Products companies have returned an average of 16.9%. This means that Idex is outperforming the sector as a whole this year.
Silgan Holdings (SLGN - Free Report) is another Industrial Products stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has returned 17.4%.
The consensus estimate for Silgan Holdings' current year EPS has increased 1.2% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Breaking things down more, Idex is a member of the Manufacturing - General Industrial industry, which includes 41 individual companies and currently sits at #53 in the Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks in this group have gained about 7.9% so far this year, so IEX is performing better this group in terms of year-to-date returns.
Silgan Holdings, however, belongs to the Containers - Metal and Glass industry. Currently, this 4-stock industry is ranked #102. The industry has moved +15.7% so far this year.
Investors interested in the Industrial Products sector may want to keep a close eye on Idex and Silgan Holdings as they attempt to continue their solid performance.
Key Takeaways BWXT's production network supports long-term government and commercial customer contracts.BWXT is investing in facilities and equipment to support long-term nuclear and defense programs.BWX Technologies' manufacturing expansion enhances production capacity and operational efficiency. BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT - Free Report) continues expanding its manufacturing capabilities to boost growing demand across its defense, commercial nuclear and advanced reactor businesses. The company is investing in production facilities and specialized equipment to strengthen operational capacity and improve execution across long-term customer programs. As of March 31, 2026, BWXT reported nearly $1.6 billion in net property, plant and equipment (PP&E), highlighting the scale of its manufacturing platform.
Manufacturing investment remains a key part of BWXT's long-term strategy. The company's specialized production facilities support the fabrication of naval nuclear components, reactor technologies, precision manufacturing and other mission-critical products. Continued investment in manufacturing assets helps modernize operations while aiding production requirements across multiple business segments and strengthening its long-term manufacturing capabilities.
BWXT's manufacturing footprint also provides the flexibility to execute a diverse mix of government and commercial programs. As customer requirements continue evolving, investments in facilities and production equipment boost the company's ability to support long-duration contracts while improving manufacturing efficiency, operational execution and production reliability across its manufacturing network.
Growing demand for nuclear technologies across defense, energy and medical markets is expected to bolster additional manufacturing activity. BWXT's continued investment in production infrastructure positions the company to meet future customer requirements while reinforcing its long-term competitive position and supporting sustained growth across its diversified nuclear technology portfolio.
Companies Expanding Manufacturing InfrastructureNuclear technology companies continue investing in manufacturing assets to strengthen production capabilities and support future reactor deployment. Companies like Oklo Inc. (OKLO - Free Report) and NuScale Power Corporation (SMR - Free Report) are also expanding their manufacturing asset base through continued investments in facilities and equipment.
Oklo reported $95.6 million in net property, plant and equipment as of March 31, 2026, reflecting continued investment in construction in progress and equipment supporting its advanced reactor development.
NuScale Power reported $3.2 million in net property, plant and equipment as of March 31, 2026, highlighting continued investment in facilities and manufacturing assets aiding its small modular reactor technology.
Earnings Estimates for BWXT StockThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings per share suggests year-over-year growth of 14.71% and 13.74%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
BWXT Stock Is Trading at a DiscountBWX Technologies is trading at a discount relative to the industry, with a forward 12-month price-to-sales of 4X compared with the industry average of 8.41X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
BWXT Stock Price PerformanceOver the past year, BWXT shares have rallied 21.5% compared with the industry’s 7% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
BWXT’s Zacks RankBWX Technologies currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Japanese Yen Technical Forecast: USD/JPY Short-term Trade Levels USD/JPY has spent the past three weeks consolidating within the monthly opening range after defending multi-month trend support. The broader uptrend remains intact while above key support, but the narrowing range points to a potential breakout in the days ahead. A close above the monthly high would confirm an upside range break and shift the focus toward the next major resistance objectives. Failure to hold nearby support would invalidate the May advance and increase the risk of a broader trend reversal. With a light economic calendar, geopolitical developments and intervention rhetoric remain the primary catalysts for the next directional move. Resistance 162.57, 162.84 (key), 163.33 - Support 161.69/95 (key), 161.33, 160.37/74 USD/JPY USD/JPY closes week at an increasingly important technical juncture after spending the past three weeks consolidating within the July opening range. The pullback from the monthly highs found support at a key confluence zone, preserving the broader uptrend while allowing the pair to work off overextended conditions. With price now trading within a narrowing range, traders will be looking for a breakout to provide the next directional signal. Battle lines drawn on the USD/JPY short-term technical charts.
Review my latest Weekly Strategy Webinar for an in-depth breakdown of this Yen setup and more. Join live on Monday’s at 8:30am EST.
Japanese Yen Price Chart – USD/JPY Daily
Chart Prepared by Michael Boutros, Sr. Technical Strategist; USD/JPY on TradingView
Technical Outlook: In my last Japanese Yen Short-term Outlook, we noted USD/JPY was trading within a range, “just below resistance. Look for the breakout to offer guidance here in the days ahead. From a trading standpoint, losses would need to be limited to 160.37 IF price is heading higher on this stretch with a close above 162 needed to fuel the next major leg of the advance.” The range broke higher the following week with USD/JPY stretching to an intraday high at 162.84 before reversing sharply into the start of the July. The decline bounced off confluent support early in the month with price registering an intraday low at 160.48 before rebounding.
The monthly opening range remains preserved heading into the close of the week with price consolidating just above multi-month uptrend support. The focus is on a breakout next week to offer guidance here with the outlook still constructive while within this formation.
Japanese Yen Price Chart – USD/JPY 240min
Chart Prepared by Michael Boutros, Sr. Technical Strategist; USD/JPY on TradingView
Notes: A closer look at Japanese Yen price action shows USD/JPY continuing to contract below the objective monthly open at 162.57. Ultimately, a breach / close above the monthly high at 162.84 is needed to validate a breakout of the July opening range with subsequent resistance objective eyed at the 1.618% extension of the 2025 advance at 163.33 and the 1.618% extension of the yearly opening-range at 164. Both levels of interest for possible topside exhaustion / price inflection IF reached.
Initial support rests with the 2024 high-day close (HDC) / high at 161.69/95- losses below this threshold would invalidate the May uptrend and expose the 61.8% retracement of the monthly range at 161.33. Key support remains at 160.37/74- a region defined by the 61.8% extension of the January rally, the objective monthly low, and the 2024 high-week close. A break / daily close below this threshold would suggest more significant high is in place and a larger trend reversal is underway.
Bottom line: USD/JPY has been consolidating within the monthly range, just above uptrend support, for the past three-weeks. Look for a potential breakout bias next week. From a trading standpoint, losses would need to be limited to 161.69 IF price is heading higher on this stretch with a daily close above 162.84 needed to fuel the next major leg of the advance.
The economic docket is rather light next week, and the traders will be focused on a steady drip of headlines regarding the war with Iran and the transit access to the Strait of Hormuz. Keep in mind the intervention threat here remains and exposure on Yen crosses should be approached with caution here. Review my latest Japanese Yen Weekly Forecast for a closer look at the longer-term USD/JPY technical trade levels.
Key Economic Data Releases
Economic Calendar - latest economic developments and upcoming event risk.
Active Short-term Technical Charts British Pound Short-term Outlook: GBP/USD Breakout Attempts Major Trend Reversal US Dollar Short-term Outlook: USD Uptrend Faces Make-or-Break Test After CPI Euro Short-term Outlook: EUR/USD Coils Above Critical Support- Decision Time Gold Price Short-term Outlook: XAU/USD Bulls Try to Carve Out a Low After 30% Drop Canadian Dollar Short-term Outlook: USD/CAD Coils Below Resistance—Breakout Looms Australian Dollar Outlook: AUD/USD Holds Major Support—Reversal Risk Builds Swiss Franc Short-term Outlook: USD/CHF Overbought Rally Tests Major Resistance --- Written by Michael Boutros, Senior Technical Strategist
NEW YORK, July 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of Hub Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HUBG).
Shareholders who purchased shares of HUBG during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointment. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery.
ALLEGATIONS: According to the filed complaint, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: Company’s financial statements prepared for the periods from Q1 2023 to Q4 2024, including annual reports for 2023 and 2024, contained material misstatements—caused by the premature and incorrect recognition of certain transactions—concerning, inter alia, the Company’s operating revenue, operating income, revenue recognition, effectiveness of internal controls and procedures, and drivers of financial results and growth. The Company’s financial statements prepared for the periods from Q1 2025 to Q3 2025 contained material misstatements—caused by the understatement of purchased transportation costs and accounts payable —concerning, inter alia, the Company’s operating expenses, purchased transportation and warehousing expenses, operating income, effectiveness of internal disclosure controls and procedures, and drivers of financial results and growth.
DEADLINE: August 28, 2026 Shareholders should not delay in registering for this class action. Register your information here: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/hub-group-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=194311&from=3
NEXT STEPS FOR SHAREHOLDERS: Once you register as a shareholder who purchased shares of HUBG during the timeframe listed above, you will be enrolled in a portfolio monitoring software to provide you with status updates throughout the lifecycle of the case. The deadline to seek to be a lead plaintiff is August 28, 2026. There is no cost or obligation to you to participate in this case.
WHY GROSS LAW FIRM? The Gross Law Firm is a nationally recognized class action law firm, and our mission is to protect the rights of all investors who have suffered as a result of deceit, fraud, and illegal business practices. The Gross Law Firm is committed to ensuring that companies adhere to responsible business practices and engage in good corporate citizenship. The firm seeks recovery on behalf of investors who incurred losses when false and/or misleading statements or the omission of material information by a company lead to artificial inflation of the company's stock. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
The Gross Law Firm
15 West 38th Street, 12th floor
New York, NY, 10018
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (646) 453-8903
SAN DIEGO, July 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robbins LLP reminds stockholders that a class action was filed on behalf of all investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Hub Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HUBG) securities between April 28, 2023 and May 11, 2026. Hub Group is a transportation logistics company that provides trucking services across North America.
For more information, submit a form, email attorney Aaron Dumas, Jr., or give us a call at (800) 350-6003.
What is the class period? April 28, 2023 – May 11, 2026
What are the allegations?
Shareholders allege that Hub Group, Inc. made materially false statements that harmed investors. According to the complaint, during the class period, the Company's financial statements prepared for the periods from Q1 2023 to Q4 2024, including annual reports for 2023 and 2024, contained material misstatements—caused by the premature and incorrect recognition of certain transactions—concerning, inter alia, the Company’s operating revenue, operating income, revenue recognition, effectiveness of internal controls and procedures, and drivers of financial results and growth. The complaint further alleges that the Company's financial statements prepared for periods from Q1 2025 to Q3 2025 contained material misstatements—caused by the understatement of purchased transportation costs and accounts payable —concerning, inter alia, the Company’s operating expenses, purchased transportation and warehousing expenses, operating income, effectiveness of internal disclosure controls and procedures, and drivers of financial results and growth.
Plaintiff alleges that on February 5, 2026, Hub Group announced “that it will restate its financial statements for the first, second and third quarters of 2025” due to “an error that resulted in the understatement of purchased transportation costs and accounts payable in the first nine months of 2025." The Company estimated that “[t]he total amount of the reduction to accounts payable and purchased transportation costs related to this issue that was recorded during these periods is $77 million.” On this news, the price of Hub Group stock declined roughly 18%, from $51.33 per share at close on February 5, 2026, to $41.96 per share at close on February 6, 2026.
Then, on May 12, 2026, Hub Group further announced that it had “identified certain transactions that were prematurely or incorrectly recognized or not adequately supported,” rendering its 2023 and 2024 financial reports to be materially misstated such that they “should no longer be relied upon.” On this news, the price of Hub Group stock declined a further 13%, from $41.86 per share at close on May 11, 2026, to $36.62 per share at close on May 12, 2026.
What can shareholders do now? You may be eligible to participate in the class action against Hub Group, Inc. Shareholders who wish to serve as lead plaintiff for the class must submit their papers to the court by August 28, 2026. The lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. You do not have to participate in the case to be eligible for a recovery. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. For more information, click here.
All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses.
About Robbins LLP: A recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation, the attorneys and staff of Robbins LLP have been dedicated to helping shareholders recover losses, improve corporate governance structures, and hold company executives accountable for their wrongdoing since 2002.
To be notified if a class action against Hub Group, Inc. settles or to receive free alerts when corporate executives engage in wrongdoing, sign up for Stock Watch today.
Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Two factors often determine stock prices in the long run: earnings and interest rates. Investors can't control the latter, but they can focus on a company's earnings results every quarter.
Life and the stock market are both about expectations, and rising above what is expected is often rewarded, while falling short can come with negative consequences. Investors might want to try to capture stronger returns by finding positive earnings surprises.
Now that we know how important earnings and earnings surprises are, it's time to show investors how to take advantage of these events to boost their returns by utilizing the Zacks Earnings ESP filter.
The Zacks Earnings ESP, ExplainedThe Zacks Earnings ESP is more formally known as the Expected Surprise Prediction, and it aims to grab the inside track on the latest analyst estimate revisions ahead of a company's report. The idea is relatively intuitive as a newer projection might be based on more complete information.
The core of the ESP model is comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, where the resulting percentage difference between the two equals the Expected Surprise Prediction. The Zacks Rank is also factored into the ESP metric to better help find companies that appear poised to top their next bottom-line consensus estimate, which will hopefully help lift the stock price.
When we join a positive earnings ESP with a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or stronger, stocks posted a positive bottom-line surprise 70% of the time. Plus, this system saw investors produce roughly 28% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.
Most stocks, about 60%, fall into the #3 (Hold) category, and they are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. Stocks with a #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy) rating, or the top 15% and top 5% of stocks, respectively, should outperform the market, with Strong Buy stocks outperforming more than any other rank.
Should You Consider Royalty Pharma?The final step today is to look at a stock that meets our ESP qualifications. Royalty Pharma (RPRX - Free Report) earns a #3 (Hold) 19 days from its next quarterly earnings release on August 5, 2026, and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $1.28 a share.
Royalty Pharma's Earnings ESP sits at +0.53%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $1.28 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.27. RPRX is also part of a large group of stocks that boast a positive ESP. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
RPRX is just one of a large group of Medical stocks with a positive ESP figure. Insulet (PODD - Free Report) is another qualifying stock you may want to consider.
Slated to report earnings on August 5, 2026, Insulet holds a #3 (Hold) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and its Most Accurate Estimate is $1.43 a share 19 days from its next quarterly update.
Insulet's Earnings ESP figure currently stands at +3.36% after taking the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.38.
RPRX and PODD's positive ESP metrics may signal that a positive earnings surprise for both stocks is on the horizon.
Find Stocks to Buy or Sell Before They're ReportedUse the Zacks Earnings ESP Filter to turn up stocks with the highest probability of positively, or negatively, surprising to buy or sell before they're reported for profitable earnings season trading. Check it out here >>
NEW YORK, July 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ: PODD).
Shareholders who purchased shares of PODD during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointment. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery.
ALLEGATIONS: The complaint alleges that during the class period, Defendants issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Insulet’s manufacturing controls and procedures were defective; (ii) the foregoing created a foreseeable heightened risk that one or more Insulet products would be found to be in violation of applicable safety regulations and/or pose a risk of injury; and (iii) as a result, defendants’ public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
DEADLINE: August 31, 2026 Shareholders should not delay in registering for this class action. Register your information here: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/insulet-corporation-loss-submission-form/?id=194313&from=3
NEXT STEPS FOR SHAREHOLDERS: Once you register as a shareholder who purchased shares of PODD during the timeframe listed above, you will be enrolled in a portfolio monitoring software to provide you with status updates throughout the lifecycle of the case. The deadline to seek to be a lead plaintiff is August 31, 2026. There is no cost or obligation to you to participate in this case.
WHY GROSS LAW FIRM? The Gross Law Firm is a nationally recognized class action law firm, and our mission is to protect the rights of all investors who have suffered as a result of deceit, fraud, and illegal business practices. The Gross Law Firm is committed to ensuring that companies adhere to responsible business practices and engage in good corporate citizenship. The firm seeks recovery on behalf of investors who incurred losses when false and/or misleading statements or the omission of material information by a company lead to artificial inflation of the company's stock. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
The Gross Law Firm
15 West 38th Street, 12th floor
New York, NY, 10018
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (646) 453-8903
San Diego, California--(Newsfile Corp. - July 17, 2026) - Robbins LLP reminds stockholders that a class action was filed on behalf of all investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ: PODD) securities between February 21, 2025 and May 26, 2026. Insulet develops, manufactures, and sells insulin delivery systems for people with insulin-dependent diabetes in the U.S. and internationally.
For more information, submit a form, email attorney Aaron Dumas, Jr., or give us a call at (800) 350-6003.
What are the allegations?
Shareholders allege that Insulet Corporation misled investors regarding the viability of its products. According to the complaint, during the class period, defendants failed to disclose that: (i) Insulet's manufacturing controls and procedures were defective; (ii) the foregoing created a foreseeable heightened risk that one or more Insulet products would be found to be in violation of applicable safety regulations and/or pose a risk of injury; and (iii) as a result, Defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
Plaintiff alleges that on March 12, 2026, Insulet disclosed that it had "initiated a voluntary Medical Device Correction for specific lots of Omnipod® 5 Pods after identifying a manufacturing issue through its ongoing product monitoring" (the "March 2026 MDC"). On this news, Insulet's stock price fell $16.23 per share, or 6.88%, to close at $219.84 per share on March 13, 2026. Then, on May 26, 2026, Insulet disclosed the "initat[ion]" of another "voluntary Medical Device Correction" (the "May 2026 MDC"), this time "for specific lots of Omnipod® 5, Omnipod Dash®, and Omnipod® Insulin Management System (Omnipod Eros) Pods due to a manufacturing issue, identified through ongoing product monitoring, that could result in insulin under-delivery." On this news, Insulet's stock price fell $7.79 per share, or 5.07%, to close at $146.01 per share on May 27, 2026.
What can shareholders do now? You may be eligible to participate in the class action against Insulet Corporation. Shareholders who wish to serve as lead plaintiff for the class must submit their papers to the court by August 31, 2026. The lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. You do not have to participate in the case to be eligible for a recovery. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. For more information, click here.
All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses.
About Robbins LLP: A recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation, the attorneys and staff of Robbins LLP have been dedicated to helping shareholders recover losses, improve corporate governance structures, and hold company executives accountable for their wrongdoing since 2002.
To be notified if a class action against Insulet Corporation settles or to receive free alerts when corporate executives engage in wrongdoing, sign up for Stock Watch today.
Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact:
Aaron Dumas, Jr.
Robbins LLP
5060 Shoreham Pl., Ste. 300
San Diego, CA 92122 [email protected]
(800) 350-6003
www.robbinsllp.com
Facebook
LinkedIn
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/305484
Source: Robbins LLP
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For those looking to find strong Construction stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Dycom Industries (DY - Free Report) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.
Dycom Industries is one of 93 individual stocks in the Construction sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #11 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups is measured, and the sectors are listed from best to worst.
The Zacks Rank is a proven model that highlights a variety of stocks with the right characteristics to outperform the market over the next one to three months. The system emphasizes earnings estimate revisions and favors companies with improving earnings outlooks. Dycom Industries is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DY's full-year earnings has moved 19.7% higher within the past quarter. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend.
Our latest available data shows that DY has returned about 22.2% since the start of the calendar year. Meanwhile, the Construction sector has returned an average of 11.2% on a year-to-date basis. As we can see, Dycom Industries is performing better than its sector in the calendar year.
Another stock in the Construction sector, United Rentals (URI - Free Report) , has outperformed the sector so far this year. The stock's year-to-date return is 32.4%.
Over the past three months, United Rentals' consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 0.4%. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Looking more specifically, Dycom Industries belongs to the Building Products - Heavy Construction industry, a group that includes 9 individual stocks and currently sits at #38 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This group has gained an average of 24.8% so far this year, so DY is slightly underperforming its industry in this area.
In contrast, United Rentals falls under the Building Products - Miscellaneous industry. Currently, this industry has 34 stocks and is ranked #173. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved +3.5%.
Investors interested in the Construction sector may want to keep a close eye on Dycom Industries and United Rentals as they attempt to continue their solid performance.
Wall Street watches a company's quarterly report closely to understand as much as possible about its recent performance and what to expect going forward. Of course, one figure often stands out among the rest: earnings.
Life and the stock market are both about expectations, and rising above what is expected is often rewarded, while falling short can come with negative consequences. Investors might want to try to capture stronger returns by finding positive earnings surprises.
Now that we know how important earnings and earnings surprises are, it's time to show investors how to take advantage of these events to boost their returns by utilizing the Zacks Earnings ESP filter.
The Zacks Earnings ESP, ExplainedThe Zacks Expected Surprise Prediction, or ESP, works by locking in on the most up-to-date analyst earnings revisions because they can be more accurate than estimates from weeks or even months before the actual release date. The thinking is pretty straightforward: analysts who provide earnings estimates closer to the report are likely to have more information.
The core of the ESP model is comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, where the resulting percentage difference between the two equals the Expected Surprise Prediction. The Zacks Rank is also factored into the ESP metric to better help find companies that appear poised to top their next bottom-line consensus estimate, which will hopefully help lift the stock price.
When we join a positive earnings ESP with a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or stronger, stocks posted a positive bottom-line surprise 70% of the time. Plus, this system saw investors produce roughly 28% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.
Stocks with a ranking of #3 (Hold), or 60% of all stocks covered by the Zacks Rank, are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. Stocks with rankings of #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy), or the top 15% and top 5% of stocks, respectively, should outperform the market; Strong Buy stocks should outperform more than any other rank.
Should You Consider Atmos Energy?The final step today is to look at a stock that meets our ESP qualifications. Atmos Energy (ATO - Free Report) earns a #3 (Hold) 19 days from its next quarterly earnings release on August 5, 2026, and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $1.37 a share.
Atmos Energy's Earnings ESP sits at +0.13%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $1.37 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.36. ATO is also part of a large group of stocks that boast a positive ESP. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
ATO is part of a big group of Utilities stocks that boast a positive ESP, and investors may want to take a look at NRG Energy (NRG - Free Report) as well.
NRG Energy is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock, and is getting ready to report earnings on August 4, 2026. NRG's Most Accurate Estimate sits at $2.03 a share 18 days from its next earnings release.
NRG Energy's Earnings ESP figure currently stands at +11.23% after taking the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.83.
ATO and NRG's positive ESP figures tell us that both stocks have a good chance at beating analyst expectations in their next earnings report.
Find Stocks to Buy or Sell Before They're ReportedUse the Zacks Earnings ESP Filter to turn up stocks with the highest probability of positively, or negatively, surprising to buy or sell before they're reported for profitable earnings season trading. Check it out here >>
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $CVLT #CVLT--Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Commvault Systems, Inc. (“Commvault” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CVLT) and reminds investors of the July 17, 2026 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The.
Commvault Systems has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.
Shares of this data-management software company have returned +15.2% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.5% change. The Zacks Computer - Software industry, to which Commvault belongs, has lost 3.1% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.
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.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
Commvault is expected to post earnings of $1.18 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +16.8%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +4.1%.
The consensus earnings estimate of $5.22 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +20%. This estimate has changed +0.9% over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $6.12 indicates a change of +17.2% from what Commvault 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, Commvault is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Revenue Growth ForecastWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.
In the case of Commvault, the consensus sales estimate of $311.03 million for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +10.3%. The $1.31 billion and $1.47 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +10.5% and +12.4%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryCommvault reported revenues of $311.69 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +13.3%. EPS of $1.28 for the same period compares with $1.03 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $306.56 million, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +1.67%. The EPS surprise was +17.43%.
Over the last four quarters, Commvault surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.
ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.
Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Commvault is graded D on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium 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 Commvault. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
NEW YORK, July 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of Commvault Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CVLT).
Shareholders who purchased shares of CVLT during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointment. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery.
CLASS PERIOD: January 28, 2025 to January 26, 2026
ALLEGATIONS: According to the complaint, defendants provided overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Commvault’s ARR growth environment; pertinently, Commvault knew or recklessly disregarded that the Company’s ARR growth guidance failed to properly factor in crucial variables, such as the type of sale. On January 27, 2026, Commvault published third quarter 2026 fiscal results, which included ARR growth below the guidance provided by the Company. In particular, ARR growth for the third quarter 2026 was $39 million, which fell short of the $45 million projection provided. Following this news, the price of Commvault’s common stock declined dramatically. From a closing market price of $129.36 per share on January 26, 2026, Commvault’s stock price fell to $89.13 per share on January 27, 2026, a decline of over 31% in a single day.
DEADLINE: July 17, 2026 Shareholders should not delay in registering for this class action. Register your information here: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/commvault-systems-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=194310&from=3
NEXT STEPS FOR SHAREHOLDERS: Once you register as a shareholder who purchased shares of CVLT during the timeframe listed above, you will be enrolled in a portfolio monitoring software to provide you with status updates throughout the lifecycle of the case. The deadline to seek to be a lead plaintiff is July 17, 2026. There is no cost or obligation to you to participate in this case.
WHY GROSS LAW FIRM? The Gross Law Firm is a nationally recognized class action law firm, and our mission is to protect the rights of all investors who have suffered as a result of deceit, fraud, and illegal business practices. The Gross Law Firm is committed to ensuring that companies adhere to responsible business practices and engage in good corporate citizenship. The firm seeks recovery on behalf of investors who incurred losses when false and/or misleading statements or the omission of material information by a company lead to artificial inflation of the company's stock. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
The Gross Law Firm
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New York, NY, 10018
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (646) 453-8903
SAN FRANCISCO, July 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman, a national shareholder rights firm, alerts investors in Commvault Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CVLT) that a newly filed securities class action lawsuit has expanded the alleged class period. The lawsuit now covers investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Commvault securities between January 28, 2025, and January 26, 2026, inclusive.
Hagens Berman is investigating the claims pled in the pending litigation and encourages Commvault investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.
Expanded Alleged Class Period: Jan. 28, 2025 – Jan. 26, 2026
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: July 17, 2026
Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/cvlt
Contact the Firm Now: [email protected]
844-916-0895
View our latest video summary of the allegations: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUMo4d2ZLkI
Expanded Scope of Allegations
The new suit, City of Fort Lauderdale Police and Firefighters' Retirement System v. Commvault Systems, Inc., et al., extends the start of the alleged fraud period from April 29, 2025, back to January 28, 2025. This expansion captures a broader range of investor activity and expands the claims brought against the company and its senior executives regarding their business disclosures.
Focus of CVLT Securities Class Action Litigation:
The litigation alleges that Defendants misrepresented and failed to disclose that:
Commvault’s competitive positioning was materially weaker than Defendants had represented to investors;Due to the undisclosed increase in competition, Commvault was forced to make significant concessions on price and contract duration for its software licenses;As these concessions became unsustainable, SaaS became a larger portion of the Company’s sales mix;The increasing mix of SaaS sales, which carry shorter term durations and lower ASPs, negatively impacted the Company’s margin and NNARR; andAs a result, Defendants’ positive statements about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. The truth allegedly emerged before markets opened on January 27, 2026, when Commvault announced its third-quarter fiscal year 2026 financial results. Commvault disclosed NNARR in constant currency of $39 million, missing analysts’ expectations of approximately $45 million. Chief Accounting Officer Danielle Abrahamsen (“CAO Abrahamsen”) revealed that the mix of SaaS deals increased to “70%” during the quarter and highlighted that “landing these customers at a 2 to 3x smaller ASP than software . . . does have a significant impact on ARR.”
On this news, the price of Commvault common stock fell $40.23 per share, or about 31%, to close at a price of $89.13 per share on January 27, 2026.
HBSS Investigation
“We continue to investigate whether Commvault misled investors about its operational performance and financial reporting during the alleged expanded class period, as the new complaint contends” said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the firm’s investigation of the pending claims.
If you invested in Commvault and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that will assist the firm’s investigation, submit your losses now.
If you’d like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Commvault case and the firm’s investigation, read more »
Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Commvault should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email [email protected].
About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs’ rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman’s team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case.
, /PRNewswire/ -- First Horizon Bank (NYSE: FHN) (or "First Horizon") announced today that Catherine Wood has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Head of Commercial Banking Strategy. Wood has served as a Raleigh-based banking leader for more than 15 years. In her new role she will lead the corporate multi-year strategy to drive growth and a differentiated client experience with a focus on identifying high‑impact AI and technology opportunities across commercial onboarding, origination, underwriting and servicing. Her responsibilities will include oversight of the commercial client experience, portfolio management and SBA lending.
Catherine Wood - Senior Vice President, Head of Commercial Banking Strategy, First Horizon Bank "Catherine has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, deep industry knowledge and a talent for building long-term relationships that strengthen our commercial banking franchise," said Samuel Erwin, Director of Regional Banking for First Horizon Bank. "Her promotion to lead Commercial Strategy is a well-deserved recognition of her impact. I'm confident she'll continue to drive growth while delivering exceptional service for our clients and communities."
Wood is an industry veteran who has held several leadership positions within First Horizon Bank, most recently as Head of Commercial Portfolio Management where she led multiple strategic initiatives. Prior to that, she led a team of commercial and corporate portfolio managers and credit analysts across North Carolina and Virginia and was the Credit Administration Manager for TrustAtlantic Bank, prior to its acquisition by First Horizon Bank in 2015.
Dedication to the community continues to be a priority for Wood. She developed a financial literacy program for children ages 5-12 at The Daniel Center for Math and Science in Raleigh and previously served as President of the Board of Directors of Meals on Wheels of Wake County.
About First Horizon Bank
First Horizon Corp. (NYSE: FHN), with $84.4 billion in assets as of June 30, 2026, is a leading regional financial services company, dedicated to helping our clients, communities and associates unlock their full potential with capital and counsel. Headquartered in Memphis, TN, the banking subsidiary First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states concentrated in the southern U.S. The Company and its subsidiaries offer commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, capital markets, fixed income, and mortgage banking services. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Fortune and Forbes magazines and a Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Bank. More information is available at www.FirstHorizon.com.
Key HighlightsSilicon Valley Conference Series Highlights Robotics Innovation PushStrategic AI Framework Expansion Attracts Developer InterestDeveloper Ecosystem Central to Robotics Platform VisionGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks FFAI shares decline 8.85% even as company strengthens robotics collaborations in Silicon Valley. Stock drops nearly 9% while Faraday Future showcases AI robotics capabilities. Shares retreat as company pushes forward with Four-Core Full-Stack AI initiative. FFAI experiences sharp decline despite unveiling EAI robot demonstrations. Nearly 9% stock drop accompanies aggressive robotics platform expansion. Shares of Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. (FFAI) closed at $0.1236, declining 8.85% during regular trading. The stock showed modest recovery in pre-market hours, gaining 1.13% to reach $0.1250. This downward movement occurred as the electric vehicle manufacturer showcased its expanding robotics collaborations and technological advancements at prominent Silicon Valley conferences.
Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc., FFAI
Silicon Valley Conference Series Highlights Robotics Innovation Push Faraday Future engaged with the artificial intelligence and robotics communities through participation in three significant technology conferences throughout July. These Silicon Valley gatherings brought together industry leaders, startup founders, academic researchers, and technology innovators. The company leveraged these platforms to unveil its embodied artificial intelligence robotics vision.
The electric vehicle manufacturer attended the Humanity & AGI Summit 2026 held at Stanford Faculty Club on July 12. Subsequently, the company participated in AUTONOMOUS 2026 in San Francisco on July 16. The conference schedule continues with AGI Summit SF 2026, scheduled for July 18 and 19.
During these technology showcases, Faraday Future presented two distinct robotics offerings. The All-New Futurist humanoid robot and the Navi education quadruped robot took center stage. These demonstrations highlighted capabilities including motion control systems, autonomous navigation technology, and an accessible development environment for robotics programming.
Strategic AI Framework Expansion Attracts Developer Interest Faraday Future experienced considerable interest from multiple stakeholder groups during its conference presentations. Developers, academic researchers, technology firms, and prospective business collaborators engaged extensively with the company’s EAI Brain technology and open development platform. These interactions led to advancement of partnership discussions with individuals affiliated with Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley.
These emerging partnerships concentrate on practical applications spanning educational environments, industrial operations, and security inspection sectors. Collaborative efforts will focus on creating enhanced robot capabilities, intelligent software agents, and productivity-enhancing tools. The initiatives are designed to facilitate real-world robotics implementation across diverse commercial settings.
Faraday Future recently unveiled an expanded vision with its Four-Core Full-Stack AI ecosystem framework. This comprehensive structure now incorporates Industry Productivity Solutions and a dedicated Developer Platform, complementing existing components including the EAI Brain, EAI Devices, and EAI Data Factory. This evolution represents a strategic pivot from standalone hardware offerings toward integrated, industry-specific technology platforms.
Developer Ecosystem Central to Robotics Platform Vision The company emphasized that collaboration with external developers forms the cornerstone of its embodied AI ambitions. Plans call for integrating robotics hardware, intelligent software systems, comprehensive data resources, and third-party developer innovations. This integrated methodology aims to accelerate market penetration across education, industrial automation, and security inspection sectors.
Faraday Future stressed that its robotics infrastructure maintains an open development philosophy to encourage application innovation. The company anticipates that independent developers will create supplementary robot capabilities utilizing its technology foundation. These community-driven enhancements could significantly broaden available solutions across numerous commercial verticals.
These strategic announcements emerged during a period of share price weakness for Faraday Future despite tangible technological advancement. The company’s active presence across multiple high-profile conferences underscored its commitment to building robotics partnerships and expanding its artificial intelligence capabilities. This strategic direction also offers insight into the company’s diversification plans extending beyond its core electric vehicle business.
Key Highlights The Eurozone recorded 2.8% annual inflation in June 2026, a decrease from May’s 3.2% Economists had predicted 3.0%, making this a positive surprise Core inflation retreated to 2.4%, returning to February’s level Both energy and food categories showed moderation in price growth Interest rates were increased by the ECB last month due to Middle Eastern instability The Eurozone experienced a notable deceleration in price growth during June, providing welcome respite following an extended period of heightened inflation. Eurostat released final figures on Friday showing annual inflation declined to 2.8%, marking a significant drop from the previous month’s 3.2% reading.
This outcome represented a pleasant surprise for market watchers. The consensus among economic forecasters had pointed toward inflation remaining at 3.0% year-over-year through June.
When examining month-to-month changes, consumer prices across the 21-nation monetary union declined by 0.1%. This figure aligned with the initial estimate released previously.
Second Quarter CPI Comes in at 3.0% Looking at the entire April-to-June period, the consumer price index averaged 3.0%. This undershot the European Central Bank’s projection of 3.2% for Q2.
Experts at Capital Economics highlighted declining petrol and diesel prices as a significant factor behind the improvement. Reduced costs at the pump helped drag down the overall energy component.
The food category also demonstrated continued easing. This deceleration has been gradually developing across recent months and played a meaningful role in bringing down the overall inflation rate.
Core CPI Shows Improvement Core inflation, which excludes volatile components like energy and fresh food, fell to 2.4% in June. This represents a return to the level observed in February and marks a reversal from May’s uptick.
The May elevation in core inflation had resulted from a sharp increase in travel and tourism service prices. During June, airline carriers appeared to have absorbed a substantial portion of rising aviation fuel expenses, helping to moderate this component.
Aviation fuel prices had climbed due to petroleum supply interruptions connected to the escalating military situation involving Iran.
When both energy and fresh food are excluded from calculations, consumer price increases measured 2.1% on an annual basis and 0.2% from the previous month throughout the Eurozone.
Across individual EU nations, inflation rates showed considerable variation. Sweden registered the most modest rate at 1.0%, with Czechia following at 1.1% and Denmark at 1.8%. At the opposite end, Romania exhibited the steepest rate at 9.2%, while Lithuania recorded 5.4% and Bulgaria 5.2%.
Relative to May’s figures, annual inflation decreased in twenty-two countries, remained unchanged in three nations, and increased in two.
The services sector proved to be the primary driver of overall inflation, contributing 1.51 percentage points to the total. Energy prices added 0.77 percentage points, with food, alcoholic beverages and tobacco accounting for 0.29 percentage points.
A temporary truce between Washington and Tehran contributed to lower energy costs during June. Nevertheless, renewed hostilities in recent days have created fresh upward momentum for crude oil quotations.
The ECB implemented a rate increase last month. The central bank specifically pointed to inflationary dangers emerging from Middle Eastern military developments as a principal justification for the policy adjustment.
Pi Network price has surged more than 13% to an intraday high of $0.083 after the Core Team confirmed a Protocol v25 upgrade for July 22, lifting retail sentiment around the battered token.
Summary
Pi Network price surged over 13% after the Core Team scheduled its Protocol v25 upgrade. Rising open interest and a possible triple bottom supported PI’s rebound from record lows. Negative money flow and daily token unlocks could limit gains above $0.083. According to data from crypto.news, Pi Network (PI) price traded near $0.082 at press time after rebounding from its July 14 record low around $0.071. The advance stood out as Ethereum, Solana, and other high-beta cryptocurrencies fell alongside a global technology-stock rout.
Protocol v25 and leveraged demand have fueled the rebound Pi Network’s Core Team confirmed that Protocol v25 will improve network stability and add tools for more efficient, privacy-preserving smart contracts. The team also introduced a redesigned Mining App menu intended to simplify access to ecosystem features and applications. Pi Network’s announcement gave traders a dated catalyst after PI lost about 27% over the previous week.
The Pi mining app side menu and app profile page have been redesigned!
As the first step of a broader mining app design refresh, this update makes important Pioneer info and ecosystem features easier to find, understand, and navigate. Tap the hamburger (☰) icon in the top left… pic.twitter.com/NVVo1Y5TnL
— Pi Network (@PiCoreTeam) July 16, 2026 Derivatives traders quickly increased their exposure. PI futures open interest rose to $10.73 million from $10.44 million a day earlier. Rising leverage, combined with thin order books, likely helped accelerate the move as bearish positions faced pressure above $0.080.
Meanwhile, Pi Network’s retail-heavy market structure helped the token move independently of large-cap altcoins. Global technology shares fell on July 17 as investors reduced leveraged exposure to semiconductor and AI stocks, while renewed Middle East tensions pushed oil prices higher.
U.S. initial jobless claims also dropped to 208,000 from 216,000, another sign of resilience in the labor market. Firm economic data can reduce the case for Federal Reserve rate cuts, a development that usually hurts speculative assets. PI’s network-specific catalyst outweighed that pressure during Friday’s session.
On the lower-time-frame chart, PI has formed three troughs around $0.073–$0.075, creating a possible triple bottom. The pattern requires a decisive close above its neckline near $0.082–$0.083. A confirmed breakout could open a move toward $0.086, where the chart shows the next short-term target.
According to trader Crypto With Gopal, buyers have repeatedly defended the same support zone.
“Support has held multiple times—now all eyes are on the breakout. Market sentiment is turning increasingly bullish.”
$PI is printing a triple bottom formation 👀 Three strong reactions from the same support zone suggest buyers are defending the level aggressively. Momentum is improving as price starts pushing back toward key resistance. 📈
A breakout above the neckline could confirm bulls… pic.twitter.com/Qmd2mjWsyC
— Crypto With Gopal (@cryptowithgopal) July 17, 2026 The daily chart presents a tougher test. PI remains inside a descending channel that has controlled price action since late April, while the Supertrend stays bearish at $0.101. A rebound toward that level would still leave the token beneath the channel’s upper boundary, now located around $0.108.
Pi Network price daily chart — July 17 | Source: crypto.news Weak money flow and token unlocks threaten the recovery Chaikin Money Flow remains negative at approximately -0.15, which shows that capital outflows still exceed inflows despite Friday’s bounce. PI must push the indicator above zero and reclaim $0.101 before the daily chart supports a durable trend reversal.
Supply also remains a structural risk. PiScan data showed roughly 127.5 million PI scheduled to unlock over a 30-day period, equal to an average of about 4.25 million tokens per day. Continued releases could limit gains unless network activity creates enough demand to absorb the new supply.
A rejection from $0.083 would weaken the triple-bottom setup and return attention to $0.074. A daily close below that support would invalidate the recovery thesis and expose the record-low region near $0.071, with the descending channel allowing further losses toward $0.065.
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
Bloom Energy stock is moving from bad to worse as it crashed to $206, its lowest level since April last year. BE has slumped by over 40% from its all-time high as concerns about its valuation and the data center industry remained. This retreat has seen its market capitalization fall from $98.7 billion to $58 billion.
Bloom Energy is a top company that provides on-site power in various industries like retail and data centers. It counts companies like Nebius, CoreWeave, Walmart, Equinix, and Honda as clients.
While Bloom has been in the industry for over 25 years, its business has come into the limelight during the data center boom. It has inked several multi-billion-dollar deals in the past few months that have helped its stock soar to a record high.
The boom has helped its revenue surge. Its recent results showed that its revenue jumped by 130% to $751 million. This revenue growth was driven by the data center industry, a trend that may continue in the foreseeable future.
Its gross margin continued rising, reaching 30%, while its operating income jumped to $72 million. Most notably, the company is expected to continue growing in the near future.
The annual revenue is expected to jump to $3.75 billion this year, up by 85% from last year. It will then make $4.7 billion next year, up by 73% YoY. The chances are that the real figures will be higher than this, as it has done in the past few quarters.
Therefore, the stock has plunged in the past few weeks for several reasons. First, this retreat is mostly because of what is happening in the stock market, where many companies that did well during the AI boom have pulled back. This includes popular names like CoreWeave, Nebius, and SanDisk.
Second, there are concerns about the data center industry in the United States. New York has put a moratorium on new data centers, while estimates show that cancellations worth over $64 billion have been announced. These cancellations will likely impact its business in the long term.
Additionally, Wall Street is sending jitters on Oracle, which placed a large order from Bloom Energy. Oracle stock has tumbled to $124, its lowest level since April last year as concerns about its debt rose. As such, there is a risk - possibly unfounded - that Oracle may slow its data center spending over time.
Additionally, Bloom Energy is not a cheap company, with its non-GAAP forward price-to-earnings ratio being 95.60. This multiple is much higher than the energy sector median of 21. As such, the ongoing retreat could be because it is going through a valuation reset. This likely explains why the short interest has jumped to nearly 7%.
BE stock chart | Source: TradingView
BE stock has plunged from the year-to-date high of $350 to the current $206, its lowest level since April 20th. It has dropped below the lower side of the rising broadening wedge pattern.
The stock has dropped below the Major S/R pivot point of the Murrey Math Lines tool at $250. On the positive side, the stock remains above the strong, pivot, reverse level of the Murrey Math Lines and the 200-day moving average.
Therefore, all hope is not lost for the stock as the earnings season gets underway. A drop below the 200-day MA will point to more downside, potentially to the ultimate support of $125.
Listen to the audio version of this article (generated by AI).
Editor’s note: “Follow the Smoothie, Not the Beer” was previously published in June 2026 with the title “The Best Trade Nobody’s Making Because It Doesn’t Involve a GPU.” It has since been updated to include the most relevant information available.
The old night out used to have a predictable rhythm.
Meet for dinner. Order drinks. Stay out late. Spend too much money and call it a good time.
That rhythm is changing.
For a growing share of young consumers, the social calendar now looks different. Saturday mornings start at the gym. Friend groups form around run clubs. Recovery sessions get booked like brunch reservations. A functional drink can carry the same social signal that a cocktail once did.
And the data is catching up to the lifestyle shift. Bank of America’s (BAC) latest payment data shows Gen Z has the highest share of households with a fitness-related payment. Life Time (LTH) is expanding hybrid fitness competitions. Dave & Buster’s (PLAY) reported falling comparable sales. Alcohol moderation is spreading beyond the youngest consumers.
The classic nightlife is losing wallet share to the new morning routine.
From Barstools to Barbells: The Data Behind Gen Z’s Wellness Shift According to a February 2026 Bank of America report, gym-related spending among Gen Z and millennials is rising sharply as alcohol consumption continues to decline.
A separate survey from Mintel found that 77% of U.S. Gen Z consumers say they are more focused on wellness than they were a year ago, with 30% spending more on gym memberships and classes in that time.
With over 3.4 million posts under #Pilates on Instagram alone and TikTok overflowing with gym routines, “what I eat in a day” videos, and run club recaps, fitness isn’t something Gen Z does. It’s something Gen Z is.
When identity changes, spending follows. And when spending follows, stocks eventually do, too.
Why Fitness Is Becoming Gen Z’s New Social Infrastructure Health is only part of the story. These premium gyms and boutique studios are functioning as social infrastructure – filling the community void once occupied by bars, restaurants, and even offices.
The data bears this out. According to Bank of America, Gen Z households spend 2.8 times more than baby boomers on fitness. Fitness club foot traffic has surpassed bars and pubs by 22 percentage points since 2021. Non-alcoholic beverage spending has outpaced alcoholic alternatives by 28 points over the same period.
And the data keeps moving in the same direction. On June 16, Bank of America reported that roughly 21% of Gen Z households now have a fitness-related payment, the highest share of any generation. It also cited McKinsey data showing that 56% of Gen Z says fitness is a “very high priority,” versus 40% of U.S. consumers overall.
This is identity showing up in household payment data.
Spending on premium fitness carries a social ROI that a traditional gym membership never had. You don’t build your professional network at a $30/month big-box gym. But at a $300/month Equinox or a $40-per-class boutique studio?
The switching costs and community lock-in are real. And for the consumers most committed to this lifestyle, the willingness to pay has been remarkably sticky, even with rent, student debt, and a brutal job market applying pressure. Some are spending $500-plus per month on fitness and recovery because the category has become part of who they are.
The Long Side: Three Wellness Stocks Built for Gen Z Spending Against this backdrop, three names stand out as the highest-conviction expressions of this trend in public markets.
Life Time: The Premium Fitness Social Hub Life Time (LTH) is the cleanest public-market expression of this shift. The company has spent years building what it calls the “athletic country club”: large, high-end facilities where fitness, recovery, work, and social life overlap.
Its LT Games expansion makes the model even more interesting. Life Time is bringing its hybrid fitness competition to Dallas, anchored by a dedicated HYBRID XT studio in Frisco. That turns the gym from a place to work out into a recurring social-and-competition platform. Planet Fitness (PLNT) owns the budget lane. Life Time owns the high ground.
Xponential Fitness: The Boutique Studio Platform Xponential Fitness (XPOF) is the franchisor behind the entire boutique studio ecosystem – Club Pilates, CycleBar, Pure Barre, Row House, Rumble Boxing, and more. The asset-light franchise model captures the brand and community value without the real estate risk. XPOF has been beaten up, and it is not the cleanest operator in the group. But in a secular growth story, a damaged stock can still become interesting if the underlying category keeps expanding.
Dutch Bros: The Morning-Routine Beverage Play Dutch Bros (BROS) is the least obvious pick but arguably the most interesting. The wellness trend isn’t just about where Gen Z works out – it’s about the entire morning ritual that replaces the hangover recovery of previous generations. Up at 5 a.m. for the gym, strong coffee or functional energy drink before the session, no bar the night before. With its customizable, high-energy beverages and protein coffee, Dutch Bros is built precisely for this demographic. When the macro headwinds eventually clear, BROS is positioned to be a significant beneficiary.
The Short Side: Stocks Losing the Old Night Out Wellness isn’t just gaining dollars. It is taking them from somewhere else.
And the places losing that cash flow are increasingly clear: alcohol, casual dining, and bar-centered entertainment.
In fact, rather than one narrow cohort going sober, we’re seeing a broader cultural move away from alcohol as the default. Recent IWSR data reported by the Financial Times suggests baby boomers are now cutting back most sharply, while new Attest research frames Gen Z’s shift as moderation, home consumption, and more flexible low-alcohol behavior. That actually strengthens the short-side thesis.
Boston Beer: Craft Beer’s Replacement Cohort Problem Boston Beer (SAM) is the cleanest short in the alcohol space. Craft beer was supposed to be the cool, premium alternative to mass-market beer – precisely the type of product that captures younger consumers. It isn’t working. Its hard seltzer brand Truly was supposed to be the Gen Z entry point. But there is no pivot available when the replacement cohort simply doesn’t drink.
Dave & Buster’s: The Old Friday-Night Formula Dave & Buster’s (PLAY) is the cleanest short against the old night out. The company sells the exact Friday-night formula this thesis says is losing share: arcade games, food, and a heavy alcohol attachment inside large venues that are hard to reinvent.
The pressure is already showing up in the numbers. Q1 revenue fell 1.5% year over year, while comparable-store sales dropped 5.4%. Management is trying new games, food-and-beverage upgrades, and World Cup activations. But those are tactical fixes against a structural problem: the social occasion Dave & Buster’s was built around is losing share.
Bloomin’ Brands: Casual Dining Under Pressure Bloomin’ Brands (BLMN) – owner of Outback Steakhouse – represents the casual dining category losing to boutique fitness social events. It carries the weakest balance sheet among major casual dining operators, making it most vulnerable to sustained structural headwinds.
Three Long/Short Wellness Trades to Watch If you want clean expression of this thesis:
Long LTH/Short SAM – premium fitness social hub directly cannibalizing craft beer’s Friday night occasion Long XPOF/Short PLAY – boutique studio franchisor vs. bar entertainment venue, competing for the same Gen Z “where do I go tonight” budget Long BROS/Short Molson Coors (TAP) – morning fitness culture functional beverage vs. traditional beer whose core demographic is literally aging into retirement Why Gen Z Wellness May Be the Cleanest Non-AI Trade Almost every macro conversation in 2025 and ’26 has circled back to AI infrastructure. And rightly so – the ‘Pax Silica’ buildout remains the dominant investment theme of this era. But AI infrastructure investing is crowded, expensive, and requires navigating geopolitical risk, tariff exposure, and supply chain complexity.
The wellness trade is different. It’s a consumer behavioral shift playing out in plain sight, being documented in real time by Bloomberg, Bank of America, and Mintel. It requires no technology adoption curve, regulatory approval, or transformer architecture expertise. The tailwinds – Gen Z’s identity-level commitment to wellness, structural alcohol decline, and the social collapse that made boutique gyms the new “third place” – are durable across multiple years.
That same cultural force that is minting new revenue at Life Time and Xponential is quietly bleeding out Boston Beer and Dave & Buster’s. Long/short, the thesis is self-hedging and structurally clean.
Gen Z replaced the entire nightlife scene with something better – and built a $300-a-month subscription around it.
For investors willing to follow the smoothie instead of the beer, the setup has rarely been cleaner.
That is the broader lesson here.
The best trades often start as behavior most investors dismiss.
A gym becomes a social network. A run club becomes a spending category. A functional drink starts replacing a cocktail. By the time Wall Street gives the shift a name, the early money has usually already moved.
We’re seeing a similar setup inside the AI trade.
While most investors are still focused on the obvious headline stocks, private capital has been moving toward the physical layer underneath the boom: energy, nuclear power, chip fabrication, natural resources, and the hard assets required to keep persistent AI compute running.
Most of those positions are locked away in private markets.
But seven public-market backdoors exist.
And they may be some of the most compelling AI plays hiding in plain sight.
Celsius Holdings Inc. (CELH - 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.
Shares of this company have returned -2.7% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.5% change. The Zacks Food - Miscellaneous industry, to which Celsius belongs, has gained 4.5% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.
Earnings Estimate RevisionsRather 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.
Celsius is expected to post earnings of $0.42 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -10.6%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -0.7%.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $1.59 points to a change of +18.7% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed +0.3%.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $1.96 indicates a change of +23.3% from what Celsius is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -2.2%.
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, Celsius is rated Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue GrowthEven 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 Celsius, the consensus sales estimate of $891.45 million for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +20.6%. The $3.32 billion and $3.64 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +32.1% and +9.7%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryCelsius reported revenues of $782.61 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +137.7%. EPS of $0.41 for the same period compares with $0.18 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $756.32 million, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +3.48%. The EPS surprise was +41.38%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.
ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.
Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Celsius is graded D on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium 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 Celsius. However, its Zacks Rank #4 does suggest that it may underperform the broader market in the near term.
Key Takeaways Trump's June 22 quantum orders emphasize commercialization, deployment and national security uses.QBTS, RGTI, IONQ, QUBT and QNT each have brokerage targets implying significant upside potential. The companies are advancing quantum hardware, software and cloud capabilities across key applications. Quantum computing uses the principles of superposition, entanglement and tunneling to address computational challenges that exceed the limits of classical systems. In the recent past, this space has made progress in increasing qubit count, reducing errors, improving early-stage fault-tolerant designs and expanding access through cloud-based systems. These developments are opening new possibilities in optimization, chemistry simulation, cryptography and machine learning.
Here, we have identified five pure-play quantum computing stocks that have not participated in Wall Street’s rally year to date. However, these stocks currently enjoy significant price upside potential in the second half of 2026.
The companies are: D-Wave Quantum Inc. (QBTS - Free Report) , Rigetti Computing Inc. (RGTI - Free Report) , IonQ Inc. (IONQ - Free Report) , Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT - Free Report) and Quantinuum Inc. (QNT - Free Report) .
The CatalystThe Trump administration's executive orders issued on June 22 represent a significant shift in U.S. quantum policy. Rather than focusing primarily on basic scientific research, the new directives emphasize commercialization, technology deployment, and national security applications.
This policy change reflects the growing recognition of quantum computing as a strategic technology that will play a critical role in strengthening economic competitiveness, enhancing cybersecurity, and supporting defense capabilities.
The chart below shows the price performance of the five stocks mentioned above year to date.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
D-Wave Quantum Inc.D-Wave Quantum continues to advance its annealing platform through Advantage2 and the Leap cloud service. QBTS is extending its product set into gate-model computing following the Quantum Circuits acquisition in January 2026. Management highlighted dual-rail qubits with built-in error detection and on-chip cryogenic control as key elements of its gate-model approach.
QBTS is targeting roughly 175 physical qubits by the end of 2028 to demonstrate error correction and logical operations, then 10 logical qubits by 2030 and 100 logical qubits by the end of 2032. Alongside this longer-dated gate-model roadmap, QBTS continues to add commercial annealing applications in production and to expand research use cases, including work in quantum AI and blockchain benchmarking.
QBTS’ bookings and remaining performance obligations increased in early 2026, helped by larger multi-period deals and a $20-million system order that should convert over time. The pipeline grew, and the average deal size increased. QBTS currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
D-Wave Quantum has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 63.3% and 77.5%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 19.4% over the last 90 days.
Enormous Short-Term Price UpsideThe short-term average price target of brokerage firms represents an increase of 126.4% from the last closing price of $16.92. The brokerage target price is currently in the range of $22-$45. This indicates a maximum upside of 166% and no downside. The risk/reward ratio is extremely favorable.
Rigetti Computing Inc.Rigetti Computing is advancing a differentiated quantum stack as it scales modular superconducting systems and broadens customer access through cloud partners. General availability of RGTI’s 108-qubit system and recent Novera deliveries show technical progress translating into contract activity across government, academic, and commercial users.
RGTI’s execution remains tied to milestone-based projects, including an installation in India, which can swing quarterly revenue and limit visibility. Continued investment in fabrication, control electronics and refrigeration supports the roadmap toward chiplet-based, higher-fidelity systems, with management targeting quantum advantage in about three years.
In the first quarter of 2026, RGTI emphasized continued progress on both scale and fidelity, including work to improve performance on Cepheus-1-108Q and advance toward higher-qubit, chiplet-based systems underpinned by upgraded controls and cloud integration. RGTI currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Rigetti Computing has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of more than 100% and 71.9%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has remained the same over the last 90 days.
Tremendous Short-Term Price UpsideThe short-term average price target of brokerage firms represents an increase of 119.9% from the last closing price of $14.10. The brokerage target price is currently in the range of $20-$40. This indicates a maximum upside of 183.7% and no downside. The risk/reward ratio is extremely favorable.
IonQ Inc.Zacks Rank #3 IonQ is shifting from quantum compute access toward a platform spanning computing, networking, sensing and security. Early 2026 results show that this approach is translating into a higher revenue run rate.
First-quarter 2026 revenues of IONQ rose sharply year over year and management raised full-year revenue guidance, supported by a larger remaining performance obligation base and substantial liquidity.
IONQ’s multi-product sales and international activity are increasing, while recent acquisitions add optical communications and software capabilities and the pending SkyWater deal could tighten the hardware supply loop.
IonQ has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of more than 100% and 41.2%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 78.3% over the last 60 days.
Massive Short-Term Price UpsideThe short-term average price target of brokerage firms represents an increase of 103.2% from the last closing price of $35.10. The brokerage target price is currently in the range of $48.50-$100. This indicates a maximum upside of 184.9% and no downside. The risk/reward ratio is extremely favorable.
Quantum Computing Inc.Zacks Rank #3 Quantum Computing is an integrated photonics company, providing quantum machines to commercial and government markets in the United States. QUBT develops thin-film lithium niobate chips for optical devices, such as electro-optical modulators, periodically poled devices for frequency conversion, and micro-ring resonator cavities markets.
QUBT is also developing the entropy quantum computer, a quantum application of Core Photonics Technology, designed to solve complex optimization problems. In addition, QUBT offers a quantum photonic vibrometer, an instrument for remote vibration detection, sensing, and inspection, and quantum networks and quantum authentication products.
Quantum Computing has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of more than 100% and -27.3%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 39.1% over the last 90 days.
Astonishing Short-Term Price UpsideThe short-term average price target of brokerage firms represents an increase of 139.9% from the last closing price of $7.64. The brokerage target price is currently in the range of $10-$30. This indicates a maximum upside of 292.7% and no downside. The risk/reward ratio is extremely favorable.
Quantinuum Inc.Quantinuum manufactures and develops quantum computing hardware and software in the United States and internationally. QNT develops a quantum computing platform that offers solutions, such as hardware platforms, developer tools, application libraries, and solution-targeted intellectual property.
QNT’s integrated quantum computing platform combines quantum hardware systems and middleware with application software designed to make quantum computing deployable in real-world environments.
Quantinuum has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 67.3% and -3.4%, respectively, for the next year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year’s earnings has remained the same over the last seven days.
Huge Short-Term Price UpsideThe short-term average price target of brokerage firms represents an increase of 74.7% from the last closing price of $56.52. The brokerage target price is currently in the range of $78-$155. This indicates a maximum upside of 174.2% and no downside. The risk/reward ratio is extremely favorable.
Scotiabank’s Shaun Osborne and Eric Theoret report EUR/USD trading slightly lower in quiet conditions as markets look ahead to next week’s ECB meeting, with policymakers in a blackout period and implied volatility subdued. They and consensus expect no policy change. Short-term, the Euro retains a mild uptrend, but a break of mid-1.14 support has dulled bullish momentum and could see a test of 1.1395/1.1405 support.
Pre-ECB consolidation and key supports"EUR/USD is modestly lower in quiet trade. Market attention is perhaps turning to next week’s ECB policy decision (policymakers are now in their “quiet period” ahead of the meeting) but low implied vol reflects little concern that the outcome will produce any significant surprises."
"We—and the market—expect a hold."
"Eurozone CPI was finalized at –0.1% m/m in June and up 2.8% in the year. The Eurozone reported a EUR25.1bn Current Account surplus for May. "
"Neutral/bullish—The EUR maintains a mild, short-term uptrend against the USD, but gains stalled this week in the upper 1.14s. Losses through minor support in the mid 1.14 area in late week trading have blunted near-term bullishness and may see spot edge back to test support at 1.1395/05 in the next day or so."
(This article was created with the help of an Artificial Intelligence tool and reviewed by an editor. Know more.)
MarketBeat Week in Review – 06/01 - 06/05Fifth Third Bancorp NASDAQ: FITB reported second-quarter 2026 earnings that management said showed early benefits from its merger with Comerica, with executives pointing to stronger profitability, deposit growth in newer markets and progress toward planned cost savings.
The Cincinnati-based bank reported earnings per share of $0.83, or $1.02 excluding certain items outlined in its earnings release, Chairman, CEO and President Tim Spence said on the company’s earnings call. Spence said Fifth Third’s tangible book value per share increased 10% year-over-year, 1% sequentially and 7% since the Comerica transaction was announced nine months ago.
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Fifth Third’s Big Bet Is On“While we are still in the middle of integration and not every metric is yet where it will be, our trajectory and long-term potential are visible in this quarter’s results,” Spence said.
Profitability Improves as Comerica Integration Advances Fifth Third said adjusted return on tangible common equity improved to 19%, adjusted return on assets rose to 1.3% and the adjusted efficiency ratio improved to 57%. Spence said those results came even though most of the expected expense synergies from the Comerica deal have not yet been captured.
MarketBeat Week in Review – 01/19 - 01/23CFO Bryan Preston said second-quarter net interest income was $2.22 billion, while net interest margin expanded six basis points sequentially to 3.36%. Preston attributed three basis points of the margin expansion to the additional month of Comerica results, with the remainder coming from fixed-rate asset repricing, loan growth and deposit performance.
Preston said total adjusted non-interest expense was $1.86 billion, better than the company expected, as Fifth Third realized synergy benefits ahead of schedule. The quarter included $203 million in merger-related charges. The bank remains on track to deliver $850 million of annualized run-rate expense synergies in the fourth quarter, with systems conversion scheduled for Labor Day weekend.
Spence said in response to an analyst question that the company is “running a good bit ahead” of the $850 million synergy target, but added that management’s current plan is to redeploy savings above that level into revenue growth opportunities if the operating environment remains supportive.
Deposit Growth Led by Consumer and Southwest Markets Management highlighted deposit growth as a key theme in the quarter. Spence said end-of-period consumer and small business deposits increased 4% sequentially, driven by new customer acquisition. In the Southeast, consumer checking households grew 7% year-over-year, which Spence said was about four times the rate of underlying market growth.
In Comerica’s Texas, Arizona and California markets, checking households grew 4%, which Spence said marked the first net new household growth in several years. Those markets added $2.5 billion in deposits, more than double the $1 billion expectation management discussed on the prior earnings call.
Preston said average core deposits were $229 billion in the quarter, while period-end core deposits were $231 billion. Consumer deposits grew nearly $5 billion, offsetting an intentional reduction in higher-cost non-relationship deposits and normal commercial seasonality. Average non-interest-bearing balances were 28% of core deposits, up from 25% a year earlier.
Deposit costs declined during the quarter. Preston said total deposit costs fell four basis points sequentially to 1.54%, while interest-bearing deposit costs declined two basis points. He described the consumer deposit market as competitive and said it is becoming more expensive to grow deposits, but said Fifth Third continues to manage overall deposit costs through pricing and mix.
Loan Growth Broad-Based, Credit Trends Improve Period-end portfolio loans totaled $179 billion, up 1% sequentially. Preston said commercial loans rose $2 billion, or 2%, with production across middle market and corporate banking. Commercial line utilization was stable at 40.8%.
Spence said C&I loan growth was supported by both legacy Fifth Third and Comerica markets, with growth in Texas, California, Michigan and several specialty verticals, including environmental services, dealer services, and tech and life sciences. He said confidence among commercial clients improved broadly during the quarter, with demand stable and, in some cases, improving.
Consumer loan growth was led by home equity. Preston said home equity balances rose 3% sequentially, and Fifth Third was the No. 1 originator of home equity lines across its legacy footprint. He said the product maintained disciplined credit characteristics, with an average FICO score of 774 and a loan-to-value ratio of 63%.
Credit trends improved during the quarter. Preston said the net charge-off ratio fell seven basis points sequentially to 30 basis points, the lowest level since the second quarter of 2023. Commercial net charge-offs were 21 basis points, while consumer net charge-offs were 53 basis points. Non-performing assets were relatively stable, and commercial criticized assets declined during the quarter.
Fee Businesses Reach Milestones Fifth Third reported adjusted non-interest income of $1.04 billion, excluding security gains and other items. Management emphasized strength across wealth and asset management, commercial payments and capital markets.
Wealth and asset management revenue was $256 million, with total assets under management of $128 billion. Commercial payments revenue was $254 million, led by NewLine and core treasury services. NewLine fee revenue increased 35% year-over-year. Capital markets fees were $154 million, an annualized pace of about $600 million. Spence said commercial payments and wealth and asset management each reached a more than $1 billion annualized fee run rate during the quarter. He also said Fifth Third shipped the first Direct Express cards on its new platform, with 66,000 new beneficiaries and all participating federal agencies now live.
Guidance Raised for Net Interest Income and Fees Fifth Third raised its full-year net interest income guidance to a range of $8.74 billion to $8.8 billion. Preston said the outlook reflects the forward curve at the end of June, which assumed a 25-basis-point rate hike in September, as well as securities repositioning and new forward-starting received fixed swaps.
The company refined its average loan guidance to $174 billion to $176 billion, noting that the full-year average will include only 11 months of Comerica. Fifth Third also raised and narrowed full-year non-interest income guidance to $4.06 billion to $4.16 billion and lowered and narrowed full-year non-interest expense guidance to $7.22 billion to $7.26 billion, excluding acquisition-related charges.
For the third quarter, Fifth Third expects net interest income to grow 2% to 2.5% from the second quarter, average loans to rise about 1%, adjusted non-interest income to increase 1% to 3% and adjusted non-interest expense to decline 1% to 2%.
Preston said the bank’s common equity Tier 1 ratio ended the quarter at 9.93%, up four basis points sequentially. He said Fifth Third expects to resume regular quarterly share repurchases in the second half of the year, with a smaller amount in the third quarter and a more normalized pace of $200 million to $300 million per quarter in the fourth quarter.
“The second quarter turned the integration thesis into results,” Preston said. “The earnings power of the combined company isn’t a forecast anymore.”
About Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:FITB)Fifth Third Bancorp is a Cincinnati, Ohio–based bank holding company whose primary banking subsidiary operates as Fifth Third Bank. The company provides a broad range of financial services to individual consumers, small businesses, middle-market companies and large corporations. Its business mix includes retail and commercial banking, lending, payment and card services, treasury and cash management, and wealth management and investment advisory services delivered through a combination of branch locations, commercial offices and digital platforms.
On the consumer side, Fifth Third offers deposit accounts, consumer loans, mortgages, auto financing and credit card products, along with digital banking and mobile services.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
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Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:FITB) shares are sliding on Friday despite posting second-quarter earnings beat. Here’s what you need to know.
Fifth Third Bancorp stock is under selling pressure. Why is FITB stock trading lower? Fifth Third Beats Estimates but Integration Costs Weigh on SentimentThe bank reported adjusted earnings of $1.02 per diluted share for the second quarter, topping the analyst consensus of 95 cents by 7.4% and marking a 13% improvement from the 90 cents delivered in the same period a year ago.
Revenue of $3.28 billion beat the $3.25 billion consensus by 0.89% and came in 45.7% above the year-ago figure, with much of that increase attributable to the addition of Comerica for a full quarter.
Net Interest Income Surges as Margin ExpandsNet interest income on a fully taxable-equivalent basis reached $2.22 billion, a 14% sequential increase and a 48% jump from the second quarter of 2025, driven primarily by the full-quarter inclusion of Comerica alongside organic loan production and continued fixed-rate asset repricing. Net interest margin expanded six basis points sequentially to 3.36%, aided by higher earning asset yields and disciplined deposit pricing.
Credit Quality Reaches its Best Level Since Mid-2023The credit picture was one of the cleaner elements of the quarter. The net charge-off ratio fell to 0.30%, the lowest reading since the second quarter of 2023 and down from 0.37% in the prior quarter and 0.45% a year earlier. The provision for credit losses dropped 43% sequentially to $129 million as charge-off trends improved broadly.
The nonperforming asset ratio ticked up slightly to 0.60% from 0.57% in the first quarter.
Integration on Track With Systems Conversion Set for Labor DayCEO Tim Spence said the Comerica integration remains on schedule with a systems conversion planned for Labor Day weekend, which the company described as the final step needed to capture the full run-rate of expected cost synergies. Revenue synergies are beginning to materialize across the expanded footprint with the deposit campaign in Comerica’s Southwest markets exceeding internal targets.
The bank surpassed $300 billion in total assets during the quarter formally crossing the threshold into Category III institution status. Year-to-date merger-related charges represent approximately 65% of the expected full-year total, suggesting the heaviest integration costs are now largely behind the company.
FITB Shares Are DippingFITB Price Action: Fifth Third shares were down 2.32% at $57.99 at the time of publication on Friday. The stock is approaching its 52-week high of $59.50, according to Benzinga Pro.
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July 17 (Reuters) - U.S. regional banks including U.S. Bancorp and PNC Financial relied on a lending rebound and strong fee income to deliver broad second-quarter gains, alleviating concerns that the Middle East war would weigh on loan demand and spending.
Strong business investment, steady hiring and resilient consumer spending drove consistent demand for commercial and personal credit in the first half of 2026, pointing to a stable U.S. economy.
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The biggest U.S. regional lenders said this week that loan growth was strong and pipelines remain robust as clients look past an uncertain environment to move forward with their investment plans.
"The sentiment rebound from the pause with tariffs last year has been the story. A lot of people who had paused last year to say where is all of this going are seeing a very resilient consumer and a lot of demand and beginning to lean into that in a fair way," U.S. Bancorp CEO Gunjan Kedia said.
A rush by technology companies to fund artificial intelligence infrastructure is also boosting financing activity for banks across the country. Top regional banking executives, however, emphasized that loan growth was broad-based and not just concentrated in the AI buildout.
"People are feeling very optimistic. They (clients) are growing their businesses and it's in all areas. It's in food and beverage. It's in media and technology. It's in power," U.S. Bancorp finance chief John Stern said.
On a year-on-year basis, U.S. Bancorp (USB.N), opens new tab and Citizens Financial (CFG.N), opens new tab reported over 7% and 5% growth in their average loans in the second quarter, while Regions Financial (RF.N), opens new tab posted about 3% growth.
In recent quarters, loans to non-bank financial institutions have also emerged as a key growth driver for regional banks, which are ramping up credit facilities to private credit funds and business development companies to capitalize on the sector's rapid expansion.
Net interest margin, a key measure of banking profitability, also grew across the industry in the second quarter. The metric came into sharper focus recently as Wall Street debates whether deposit costs could rise in the second half of 2026 as banks look to fund accelerating loan growth.
"There was a bit more loan growth than people expected coming into the quarter, which might have caused deposit competition to increase a little bit. I think that likely just evens out. I don't think it's a trend that we're all that concerned about," Citizens Financial CEO Bruce Van Saun said.
CAPITAL MARKETS MOMENTUMA rebound in dealmaking and IPO market activity is taking hold on Wall Street, fueling a surge in lucrative advisory and underwriting fees across the banking industry.
Capital markets revenue at six U.S. regional lenders surged 55% on average in the second quarter from a year earlier, with PNC Financial (PNC.N), opens new tab reporting the strongest percentage growth.
The biggest regional players have steadily expanded their Wall Street operations in recent years and carved a niche among middle-market firms.
They are also bolstering their long-term growth opportunities within capital markets by snapping up boutique investment banks.
This year, U.S. Bancorp bought BTIG, while Citizens Financial (CFG.N), opens new tab and Regions Financial (RF.N), opens new tab struck deals for Matrix Capital Markets Group and The Frazer Lanier Company, respectively.
"As we see our (M&A) pipelines, we feel like there's real upside if the markets remain as strong as they are right now," Citizens head of commercial banking Theodore Swimmer said.
Reporting by Pritam Biswas and Arasu Kannagi Basil in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
Basil writes stories across the U.S. finance file including banks, asset managers, payment firms, insurers, and exchange operators. He also covers initial public offerings on U.S. exchanges and venture capital funding.
Comfort Systems has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.
Shares of this heating, ventilation and air conditioning company have returned -14.6% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.5% change. The Zacks Building Products - Air Conditioner and Heating industry, to which Comfort Systems belongs, has lost 4.6% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
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.
Earnings Estimate RevisionsRather 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.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, Comfort Systems is expected to post earnings of $10.38 per share, indicating a change of +59% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $43.09 points to a change of +49.2% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has remained unchanged.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $52.93 indicates a change of +22.8% from what Comfort Systems is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +1.2%.
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, Comfort Systems is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Revenue Growth ForecastWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.
In the case of Comfort Systems, the consensus sales estimate of $2.94 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +35.4%. The $11.88 billion and $13.89 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +30.6% and +16.9%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryComfort Systems reported revenues of $2.87 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +56.5%. EPS of $10.51 for the same period compares with $4.75 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.43 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +18.11%. The EPS surprise was +46.18%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time 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.
Comfort Systems is graded F on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Bottom LineThe 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 Comfort Systems. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Apple Hospitality has surged nearly 48% in three months, outperforming most REITs, but now appears fairly valued. APLE's portfolio is diversified, room-focused, and benefits from limited new hotel supply, supporting stable performance. MFFO/share growth remains muted, with management and market forecasts pointing to only modest gains ahead.
NEW YORK, July 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE: BTU).
Shareholders who purchased shares of BTU during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointment. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery.
CONTACT US HERE:
https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/peabody-energy-corporation-loss-submission-form-2/?id=194317&from=3
CLASS PERIOD: October 14, 2024 to May 4, 2026
ALLEGATIONS: According to the complaint, defendants provided overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Peabody Energy’s Centurion mine and the multitude of issues causing delays to the ramp-up and the return to full longwall production dates. On March 30, 2026, Peabody Energy issued a press release lowering guidance pertaining to Centurion mine’s expected first quarter 2026 output ahead of the Company’s full earnings release. In pertinent part, defendants announced that sales volume from the Centurion mine was expected to deliver approximately 250,000 tons in the first quarter due to mining commissioning challenges (compared to previous estimates of around 700,000 tons). Following this news, the price of Peabody Energy’s common stock declined dramatically. From a closing market price of $39.50 per share on March 27, 2026, Peabody Energy’s stock price fell to $35.68 per share on March 30, 2026, a decline of about 9.7% in the span of a single trading day. On May 5, 2026, Peabody Energy issued a press release disclosing the Company’s failure to ramp-up Centurion by the long-awaited March 2026 deadline and cutting guidance related to full year met segment volumes to reflect the increased cost and substantial volume decrease. Following this news, Peabody Energy’s common stock declined from a closing market price of $26.52 per share on May 4, 2026, to $25.00 per share on May 5, 2025, a decline of 5.7%.
DEADLINE: August 24, 2026 Shareholders should not delay in registering for this class action. Register your information here: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/peabody-energy-corporation-loss-submission-form-2/?id=194317&from=3
NEXT STEPS FOR SHAREHOLDERS: Once you register as a shareholder who purchased shares of BTU during the timeframe listed above, you will be enrolled in a portfolio monitoring software to provide you with status updates throughout the lifecycle of the case. The deadline to seek to be a lead plaintiff is August 24, 2026. There is no cost or obligation to you to participate in this case.
WHY GROSS LAW FIRM? The Gross Law Firm is a nationally recognized class action law firm, and our mission is to protect the rights of all investors who have suffered as a result of deceit, fraud, and illegal business practices. The Gross Law Firm is committed to ensuring that companies adhere to responsible business practices and engage in good corporate citizenship. The firm seeks recovery on behalf of investors who incurred losses when false and/or misleading statements or the omission of material information by a company lead to artificial inflation of the company's stock. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
The Gross Law Firm
15 West 38th Street, 12th floor
New York, NY, 10018
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (646) 453-8903
Key Takeaways Alcoa advances the South32 AliGroup deal with $900M in synergies and expanded aluminum capacity.AA's aluminum segment EBITDA rose to a record $1.1B on higher metal prices, shipments and premiums.Alcoa generated $422M in free cash flow and redeemed remaining 2028 senior notes during the quarter. Alcoa Corporation (AA - Free Report) used its second-quarter 2026 earnings call to emphasize operational execution, strategic expansion and plans to strengthen its upstream aluminum portfolio. Management highlighted record revenues, improved aluminum performance and progress on major initiatives.
The call focused heavily on the South32 asset acquisition, production restarts, market conditions and the company’s outlook for the remainder of 2026. Executives also addressed investor concerns around aluminum prices, capacity additions and permitting timelines.
AA Advances South32 Acquisition StrategyChief executive officer William Oplinger said the South32 transaction, referred to as AliGroup, is designed to expand Alcoa’s position across bauxite, alumina and aluminum markets. He highlighted the strategic fit of combining complementary assets with existing operations.
Management identified approximately $900 million of net present value synergies, including about $50 million of annual cost savings beginning in the first year after closing. Oplinger said the deal is expected to strengthen cash generation and improve the company’s position on global cost curves.
The transaction involves approximately $4.1 billion of upfront consideration plus a contingent value right of up to $750 million. Alcoa said the acquisition is expected to increase annual alumina production capacity by about 5.2 million metric tons and primary aluminum capacity by roughly 900,000 metric tons.
Alcoa Sees Strength in Aluminum OperationsAlcoa reported adjusted earnings per share of $2.12 compared with the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.33, resulting in a 9.01% negative earnings surprise. Revenues came in at $3.97 billion, above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.91 billion with a 1.53% positive surprise.
The company’s aluminum segment was the main earnings driver. Management said aluminum adjusted EBITDA increased to a record $1.1 billion, supported by higher metal prices, stronger shipments and improved value-added product premiums.
Chief financial officer Molly Beerman noted that aluminum revenues increased 31% sequentially to $3.3 billion as shipments rose and average realized third-party prices improved. The company also benefited from capacity restarts at San Ciprián, Alumar, Lista and Portland.
AA Updates Production and Market OutlookManagement lowered 2026 alumina production expectations to 9.5 million to 9.6 million metric tons and shipments to 11.5 million to 11.6 million metric tons. The revision was driven by operational issues at the Pinjarra refinery and natural gas disruptions caused by Cyclone Narelle.
Oplinger said Pinjarra returned to stable operations after challenges related to an oxalate outbreak and gas supply interruptions. He added that the company’s confidence in the operation remained intact.
For the third quarter, Alcoa expects alumina segment performance to improve by about $10 million sequentially due to recovered stability at Pinjarra and lower energy prices, partially offset by planned maintenance.
Alcoa Addresses Aluminum Price PressureManagement discussed the recent decline in aluminum prices following a sharp move higher earlier in the year. Oplinger attributed the pullback primarily to market sentiment rather than a major change in underlying fundamentals.
He said between 3 million and 3.5 million metric tons of aluminum capacity remained offline in the Strait of Hormuz region. The company expects market fundamentals to remain supported by constrained supply conditions.
During Q&A, Wells Fargo analysts asked about China’s production levels and potential supply pressure. Oplinger said China’s output increase reflected existing capacity utilization rather than a broader shift in policy.
AA Highlights Capital DisciplineAlcoa ended the quarter with $1.4 billion of cash and generated $422 million in free cash flow. The company also redeemed the remaining $219 million of its 2028 senior notes as part of its deleveraging efforts.
Beerman said strong EBITDA generation supported cash flow despite higher working capital needs related to elevated metal prices and receivables. She noted working capital days improved sequentially.
Management also discussed asset monetization plans, targeting $500 million to $1 billion through 2030. Oplinger said negotiations related to the Massena East transaction were substantially complete.
Alcoa Maintains Strategic FocusAlcoa emphasized continued execution on operational stability, cost control and strategic investments. The company advanced a $65 million Mosjøen casthouse investment and a gallium production facility in Australia during the quarter.
Management said labor agreements across Australia, the United States and Canada provide workforce stability for long-term operating plans. The company also continues working through mining approval processes in Australia.
The call reflected management’s focus on expanding capacity, improving operational reliability and positioning the company for long-term aluminum market opportunities.
Zacks Signals for AAAA carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). The Zacks Rank reflects the direction and magnitude of earnings estimate revisions and is designed to help identify stocks with stronger near-term performance potential.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The stock has a Value Score of A, Growth Score of D, Momentum Score of F and VGM Score of C. Zacks Style Scores evaluate value, growth and momentum characteristics, with higher grades indicating stronger relative attributes. The Zacks Rank can change as analysts update earnings estimates following reported results.
ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--U.S. retail asking rent growth slowed in the second quarter of 2026, according to data from CoStar, the leading global provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets. In Q2 2026, national asking rent growth decelerated to +1.6% year over year – the slowest pace in more than a decade. “The slowdown in asking rent growth is less a sign of weakening demand than a function of normalization,” said Brandon Svec, national.
