Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

An updated edition of the April 24, 2026 article.

The gig economy has experienced significant growth in the post-pandemic world. One of the key reasons behind its rising popularity is the flexibility it offers. Unlike traditional jobs with fixed schedules, gig work allows individuals to choose when and how much they want to work, helping them better manage personal responsibilities alongside their professional goals.

Currently, the gig economy extends far beyond its early role of connecting drivers with passengers. As the theme has expanded rapidly, it now encompasses a wide range of industries. From food delivery and grocery services to home repairs and creative freelance work, on-demand access to services has become an integral part of everyday life. Companies such as Uber (UBER - Free Report) , Angi (ANGI - Free Report) and DoorDash (DASH - Free Report) have effectively utilized this business model to enhance convenience and simplify tasks for consumers. At the same time, many workers are drawn to the opportunity to work independently and enjoy greater control over their careers.

Freelance platforms such as Upwork (UPWK - Free Report) and Fiverr (FVRR - Free Report) have further transformed the employment landscape by linking skilled professionals with businesses seeking short-term project support. These marketplaces give freelancers the freedom to select their clients, determine the projects they undertake, and set their own schedules—advantages that many find more appealing than the structured nature of traditional employment. Although gig work often lacks the stability of a regular paycheck, along with conventional benefits and job security, the independence and flexibility it provides continue to attract an increasing number of workers worldwide.

The strong outlook for the gig economy is reflected in its growth projections. According to Business Research Insights, the global gig economy is expected to reach $674.13 billion by the end of 2026 and grow to $2.52 trillion by 2035, at a robust compound annual growth rate of 15.8% between 2026 and 2035.

For investors, the gig economy offers exposure to innovation, growth and long-term opportunities. Those looking to capitalize on this trend can rely on our Gig Economy screen to identify promising companies operating in this space. Investors seeking attractive return potential may want to closely monitor stocks such as Uber, Lyft (LYFT - Free Report) and DoorDash.

Ready to uncover more transformative thematic investment ideas? Explore 37 cutting-edge investment themes with Zacks Thematic Investing Screens and discover your next big opportunity.

3 Stocks to Monitor NowUber comes across as one of the most successful examples of a company built around the gig economy model. Through its mobile platform, Uber connects riders with independent drivers, creating a convenient on-demand transportation network while offering flexible earning opportunities.

A major advantage for drivers is the ability to determine their own work schedules and hours. This flexibility enables individuals to drive either part-time or full-time, based on their availability and financial objectives. Rather than earning a fixed salary or hourly wage, drivers are compensated according to completed trips, with earnings influenced by factors such as distance, ride duration and customer demand.

By continually enhancing its platform and introducing ways for drivers to generate income, Uber underscores the increasing relevance and long-term potential of gig-based transportation services in today’s workforce. The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Lyft is another major participant in the ride-hailing market, providing drivers with a flexible way to earn income using their personal vehicles. Most of the company’s revenues are generated through ridesharing services, where drivers pay commissions and service fees to operate on the platform. In addition to standard ride-hailing, Lyft offers shared rides, electric bike and scooter rentals, and integrations with public transit systems.

Despite competing directly with Uber, Lyft distinguishes itself through a strong focus on sustainability initiatives and localized service offerings. To strengthen its growth prospects, the company has pursued strategic partnerships, including collaborations with DoorDash and autonomous vehicle firms such as Mobileye, May Mobility and Nexar.

Through ongoing innovation and efforts to create flexible earning opportunities, Lyft demonstrates the growing significance of gig-based transportation services and its role in shaping the modern labor market. The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. 

DoorDash represents one of the clearest examples of the gig economy in action, connecting millions of Dashers with customers across the United States and international markets. Its business model relies heavily on gig workers who deliver food, groceries, and other products. Dashers enjoy the flexibility to choose when and where they work while using their own vehicles.

With a major share of the U.S. food delivery market, DoorDash maintains a dominant industry position. Strategic partnerships with retailers such as ALDI, Sprouts and Albertsons have broadened its offerings to include rapid grocery and alcohol delivery services. Additional collaborations with companies like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Big Lots have further expanded its service portfolio.

By continually enhancing its platform and providing incentives for Dashers, DoorDash remains a leading force in the gig economy, creating flexible income opportunities while meeting rising consumer demand for on-demand delivery services.The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. 

Occidental Petroleum (OXY - Free Report) 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 oil and gas exploration and production company have returned -5.2% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.5% change. The Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - United States industry, to which Occidental belongs, has lost 0.6% 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.

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.

Occidental is expected to post earnings of $1.89 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +384.6%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +34.1%.

The consensus earnings estimate of $5.79 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +162%. This estimate has changed +13.9% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $4.29 indicates a change of -25.8% from what Occidental is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +17.2%.

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, Occidental 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

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.

For Occidental, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $7.23 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +12%. For the current and next fiscal years, $26.35 billion and $24.47 billion estimates indicate +3.6% and -7.1% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryOccidental reported revenues of $5.11 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -25.3%. EPS of $1.06 for the same period compares with $0.87 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.5 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -7.03%. The EPS surprise was +63.08%.

The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates 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.

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.

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

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 Occidental. However, its Zacks Rank #1 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.

LEADING AMERICAN MANUFACTURER CONTINUES TO DELIVER ON $600 MILLION COMMITMENT ACROSS 2025 AND 2026

, /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Anheuser-Busch [NYSE: BUD], a leading American manufacturer and maker of Michelob ULTRA, Busch Light, Budweiser and Bud Light, announced a $20 million+ investment in its St. Louis and Arnold, Missouri operations. The investment will focus on upgrading brewery and packaging equipment to fuel production of Michelob ULTRA, the nation's #1 top-selling and fastest-growing beer; the investment will also go toward opening a new technical skills training center in St. Louis to support the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

St. Louis Brewery This latest $20 million+ investment is part of Anheuser-Busch's ongoing Brewing Futures initiative through which the company is investing $600 million in its U.S. operations across 2025 and 2026. The initiative builds on Anheuser-Busch's commitment to investing in people, breweries and communities by creating and sustaining manufacturing jobs, building the manufacturing workforce for the future, and strengthening manufacturing career opportunities for veterans.

Brendan Whitworth, CEO, Anheuser-Busch said: "We've proudly called St. Louis and the state of Missouri home for more than 165 years, and our commitment to strengthening this community and making a positive impact across the state has never been stronger. Investments at this scale in our facilities and our people ensure that our St. Louis Brewery remains at the heart of Anheuser-Busch, supporting continued growth and driving economic prosperity in our hometown for decades to come."

This new $20 million+ investment in Anheuser-Busch facilities across Missouri – including the St. Louis brewery and can manufacturing plant in Arnold – will help expand our capacity to produce fast-growing brands like Michelob ULTRA, the #1 top-selling and fastest-growing beer in the country, and Busch Light, the #1 top-selling beer in the state of Missouri.

As part of this investment, Anheuser-Busch will also open a new technical skills training center inside the St. Louis Brewery—an extension of its best-in-class Technical Excellence Center and one of 15 new centers nationwide—to upskill employees across mechanical, electrical, digital, and operational areas. The company aims to train more than 90% of its manufacturing workforce over the next five years, building on the more than 2,600 employees already trained at its Technical Excellence Center in St. Louis since 2022.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe said: "The State of Missouri and the beer industry share a unique and storied history. I'm proud to see Anheuser-Busch's continued commitment to investing into the St. Louis region with this announcement. With policies like American Beer Act, Missouri leads in providing an incredible environment for the brewers and manufacturers that deliver lasting opportunity for hardworking families and economic growth for the state and nation."

To commemorate this milestone investment and our enduring legacy in our hometown, Anheuser-Busch is bringing the animated "A & Eagle" sign from its former Newark facility to its permanent home at the company's flagship St. Louis campus. Once installed, the sign will serve as a lasting symbol of Anheuser-Busch's longstanding commitment to local manufacturing and the St. Louis community.

Anheuser-Busch has been a proud American manufacturer for more than 165 years, and we are continually committed to making meaningful investments in our people, facilities and communities in our hometown of St. Louis and across the country. Earlier this year, Anheuser-Busch was inducted into the Missouri Manufacturers Hall of Fame, a testament to the company's commitment to St. Louis and longstanding position as a leading American manufacturer.

Circana TUS MULC+ Volume L12W w/e 4/5/26

ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH

At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. For more than 165 years as a leading American manufacturer, we have delivered a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. As the nation's top brewer, one of the fastest growing spirits companies, and an insurgent force in energy drinks, we drive economic prosperity nationwide through investments in our people, facilities, and communities. We are the only alcohol company that invests in the U.S. at this scale.   

We make the nation's most iconic beers, ready-to-drink spirits and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA – America's #1 top-selling and fastest-growing beer – Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, Cutwater Spirits, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, BeatBox, industry-leading craft beers and non-alcohol beers like Michelob ULTRA Zero. We are guided by our commitment to the communities we call home and to the 65,000 hardworking Americans who bring our products to life. That's who we are. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.  

SOURCE Anheuser-Busch

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

The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.

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

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

Based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F. The better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform; an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.

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

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

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +24% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

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

That's where the Style Scores come in.

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

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

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

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

Stock to Watch: Intuit (INTU - Free Report) Headquartered in Mountain View, CA, Intuit Inc. is a business and financial software company that develops and sells financial, accounting and tax preparation software and related services for small businesses, consumers and accounting professionals globally. The company has offices in the United States, Canada, India and the U.K.

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

It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 11.63; value investors should take notice.

Nine analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.57 to $23.79 per share. INTU boasts an average earnings surprise of +6.9%.

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

Key Takeaways Schwab shares gained 2.7% after May client assets rose 27% year over year to $13.14 trillion.Core net new assets surged 43% from May 2025 to $49.9 billion, rising substantially from April.Schwab opened 461,000 new brokerage accounts in May, up 37% year over year and 5% sequentially. Shares of Charles Schwab (SCHW - Free Report) gained 2.7% on Friday in response to a jump in total client assets for May. The company’s total client assets were $13.14 trillion, up 27% from May 2025 and 4% from April 2026. The company’s core net new assets (NNA) were $49.9 billion, soaring 43% from the prior-year month and substantially on a sequential basis.

Schwab’s client assets receiving ongoing advisory services totaled $6.64 trillion, up 27% from the year-ago period and 3% from the prior month.

Schwab’s average interest-earning assets of $442 billion rose 6% from May 2025 but declined 1% from the previous month. Margin balances were $154.6 billion, surging 90% from the year-ago month and 14% from April 2026.

Schwab opened 461,000 new brokerage accounts in May 2026, up 37% year over year and 5% from the prior month.

Schwab’s active brokerage accounts totaled 39.54 million at the end of May 2026, up 6% year over year and 1% from April 2026. Client banking accounts were 2.33 million, up 12% from the May 2025 level and 1% from the prior month. The number of workplace plan participant accounts rose 6% year over year and remained relatively unchanged from the April 2026 level of 5.9 million.

Our Take on SchwabSchwab is well-positioned, supported by its diversified financial model and steady client engagement. Its strategic initiatives, including the buyout of Forge Global, branch expansion and AI-driven capabilities, are likely to drive client assets. Efforts to repay high-cost bank supplemental funding balances are expected to aid net interest income. Yet, rising operating expenses, intense fintech competition and uncertainty around capital markets performance remain concerns.

In the past three months, Schwab shares have lost 2.7% against the industry’s rally of 18.5%.

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

Performance of Schwab’s Peers in MayInteractive Brokers Group, Inc.’s (IBKR - Free Report) Electronic Brokerage segment, which deals with the clearance and settlement of trades for individual and institutional clients globally, reported a rise in client Daily Average Revenue Trades (DARTs) in May 2026.

IBKR’s total client DARTs in February were 4,969,000, representing a 47% increase from May 2025 and 17% from April 2026. On an annualized basis, cleared average DARTs per customer account were 216. The metric grew 10% on a year-over-year basis and 14% from April 2026.

Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD - Free Report) released the monthly operating data for May 2026. It reported a rise in equity, options and crypto Daily Average Trading (DAT) volume from the year-ago period.

HOOD’s equity DATs were 4.8 million in the reported month, soaring 55% from May 2025 and 20% from April 2026. Options DATs rose 25% year over year and 15% sequentially to 1.5 million. Crypto DATs jumped 40% from the prior-year month and 17% from the last month to 0.7 million.

The Auto-Tires-Trucks group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Is Cummins (CMI - Free Report) one of those stocks right now? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.

Cummins is a member of the Auto-Tires-Trucks sector. This group includes 100 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #13. The Zacks Sector Rank includes 16 different groups and is listed in order from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors.

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. Cummins is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Within the past quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for CMI's full-year earnings has moved 12.5% higher. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend.

According to our latest data, CMI has moved about 29.2% on a year-to-date basis. In comparison, Auto-Tires-Trucks companies have returned an average of -7.5%. As we can see, Cummins is performing better than its sector in the calendar year.

One other Auto-Tires-Trucks stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year is Custom Truck One Source, Inc. (CTOS - Free Report) . The stock is up 85.1% year-to-date.

Over the past three months, Custom Truck One Source, Inc.'s consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 389.9%. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Breaking things down more, Cummins is a member of the Automotive - Internal Combustion Engines industry, which includes 1 individual companies and currently sits at #7 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, this group has gained an average of 28.1% so far this year, meaning that CMI is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns.

In contrast, Custom Truck One Source, Inc. falls under the Automotive - Original Equipment industry. Currently, this industry has 52 stocks and is ranked #147. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved +6.2%.

Investors interested in the Auto-Tires-Trucks sector may want to keep a close eye on Cummins and Custom Truck One Source, Inc. as they attempt to continue their solid performance.

Stocks can move because of the emotions that traders and investors experience.

When markets head lower, traders experience fear. If the selling that is pushing prices lower accelerates, some traders panic.

Those who wish to sell become reckless. They want out of their positions, and they don't care what price they receive.

This results in the shares being driven below their typical or average trading range. When this happens, traders say the stock is ‘oversold'. This can be a bullish dynamic.

When the price stops moving lower, it means the traders who were selling are gone. They have either finished or canceled their orders.

If new buyers enter the market, they will have a hard time finding sellers willing to sell shares. As a result, they will have to raise their bid prices to attract sellers back. This can force the shares into an uptrend.

The red line on the chart below is called a Bollinger Band. If the price is below this line, it indicates oversold conditions. As you can see, that's the case now.

Autodesk is also at a support level. Stocks tend to stop going lower when they drop to support levels.

There are people who sold shares at around $195 in 2024 and have regretted it ever since. A number of them decided that, if they could eventually, they would buy the shares at the same price at which they were sold.

These remorseful sellers are placing buy orders around $195. This has created support at the level.

The combination of being oversold while at support could set the stage for a move higher. Autodesk may have found a bottom.

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Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN | COIN Price Prediction) is the most important pure-play crypto stock in the market, and right now it is acting like its best days are behind it.

Shares trade around $159.78, down 29.34% year to date even as Brian Armstrong builds out an “Everything Exchange” spanning crypto, equities, prediction markets, and FX. The Deribit deal closed. Prediction markets hit $100 million in annualized revenue within two months. Can Coinbase shares reach $400 by 2027?

Why Coinbase Shares Are Stuck Despite Strong Fundamentals The crypto cycle turned, and Coinbase is a high-beta proxy for it. Shares are down 20.82% over the past month and 33.71% over the past year.

Q1 2026 revenue fell 30.54% year over year to $1.413 billion, missing consensus, and the company posted a $394 million net loss after $482 million in losses on crypto held for investment.

With a beta of 3.32, COIN moves about three times the market. As CFO Alesia Haas put it, “Total crypto market cap and total crypto trading volume were both down more than 20% quarter-over-quarter.” Until volumes return, the multiple has nowhere to run.

Wall Street Sees 44% Upside. Our Model Says More The Street consensus target is $229.74, with 3 Strong Buys, 18 Buys, 10 Holds, 2 Sells, and 1 Strong Sell. Our model puts the 12-month target at $254.73, a 59.43% upside, with a bull scenario at $399.49 and a bear at $215.94. Confidence sits at 90%, which is high.

Analysts are anchoring on Q1 revenue weakness while ignoring that 62% of them are already bullish and earnings growth is contributing positively. Coinbase reached a new all-time high in crypto trading market share in a down market. That is a setup, not a breakdown.

The Path to $400 Per Share Reaching $400 from today’s price of $159.78 would require a gain of 150.3%. With forward EPS of $3.99, a price of $400 implies a forward P/E of 100x. Our base case of $254.73 already implies 60x, meaning the bold target requires roughly 40x of additional multiple expansion.

That sounds extreme until you remember what drives COIN’s multiple. The adjustment factor of 1.064 reflects strong analyst sentiment and accelerating earnings growth offset by 3.32 beta. The compression story works if EPS doubles into 2027 alongside a volume recovery.

Armstrong’s catalysts are concrete: “Stablecoin market cap is now more than $300 billion and growing fast,” with tokenized real-world assets expected to hit $16 trillion by 2030.”

Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal expects “a signed piece of legislation by the end of the summer” on the CLARITY Act. Prediction markets, derivatives, and x402 agentic payments follow. The single biggest risk: another crypto winter that drags volumes lower for longer.

Where Coinbase Trades Today vs Its Earnings Power At $159.78, COIN trades at roughly 40x forward earnings, reasonable for a business that grew total trading volume 156% in 2025 to $5.2 trillion. Shares sit just above the 52-week low of $139.36 and well below the $444.64 high.

The five-year return is negative 28.64%, a reminder that this is a cyclical asset, not a compounder. Sentiment is shot, which historically marks the kind of entry zone long-term investors track.

Is $400 Realistic? My Verdict Reaching $400 by 2027 requires a 150.3% gain.

It is a stretch, but credible if three things break right: stablecoin and derivatives revenue keep scaling, the CLARITY Act passes and unlocks institutional flows, and total crypto market cap reclaims the 2025 highs. Another extended crypto winter derails it. We’ve outlined the blueprint for how Coinbase could reach $400 in 2027.

TORONTO, June 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sysco Canada and Second Harvest will be joined by provincial and federal government officials on June 18, 2026 to mark a milestone 26-year partnership and Sysco’s presentation of a $50,000 donation.

The press conference will be held at Second Harvest’s facility in Etobicoke. The contribution, made through Sysco’s Nourishing Neighbours program, underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to reducing hunger and food waste across Canada.

Over the course of Sysco Canada’s longstanding collaboration with Second Harvest, we have donated more than 1.34 million pounds of surplus food, equivalent to over one million meals, helping ensure good food reaches communities in need nationwide.

Sysco leaders, volunteers, and guests will conclude the event with a hands-on food sorting activity immediately following the press conference.

Event Details

What: Press Conference and presentation of $50,000 donation celebrating Sysco Canada and Second Harvest’s 26-year partnership
When: June 18, 2026, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Second Harvest Facility, 120 The East Mall, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 5V5

FOR SECURITY REASONS RSVP IS REQUIRED. Email [email protected] if you plan to attend and to receive additional information.

Why It Matters

Food insecurity remains a persistent challenge across Canada, particularly in Northern and remote communities where access is more limited. Partnerships like the one between Sysco Canada and Second Harvest play a critical role in closing this gap by redistributing surplus food to non-profits and community organizations nationwide.

Through its Nourishing Neighbours program, Sysco Canada continues to invest in community-based solutions—directing proceeds from select products to support organizations focused on food access and hunger relief. As part of a multiyear commitment, 15% of all program donations will support Second Harvest’s efforts in Northern communities, where the need is especially acute.

In fiscal 2025 alone, Sysco Canada donated more than 1.2 million meals, over $365,000 in financial support, and more than 13,000 volunteer hours, supporting 220+ community partners across the country.

This milestone event highlights how long-term collaboration between businesses and non-profits can deliver measurable impact—reducing food waste while building stronger, more resilient communities.

Contact Information:
Heather Osler
[email protected]
(437) 239-5169

About Sysco

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food and related products to customers who prepare meals away from home. This includes restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments, entertainment venues, and more. Sysco operates 337 distribution centers, in 10 countries, with 75,000 colleagues serving approximately 730,000 customer locations. The company generated sales of more than $81 billion in fiscal year 2025 that ended June 28, 2025. As the world’s largest food-away-from-home distributor, Sysco offers customized supply chain solutions, bespoke specialty product offerings, and culinary support to drive customers to innovate and optimize their operations. We act as a trusted business partner to our customers, helping them grow through our industry-leading portfolio that includes fresh produce, premium proteins, specialty products, sustainably focused items, equipment and supplies, and innovative culinary solutions. For more information, visit www.sysco.ca

About Second Harvest

Second Harvest is Canada’s largest food rescue organization and a global thought leader on food waste and perishable food redistribution. It rescues unsold surplus food from thousands of food businesses from across the supply chain to redistribute it to non-profits in every province and territory. This prevents harmful greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere while improving access to nutrition for millions of Canadians experiencing food insecurity. Beyond food rescue and redistribution, Second Harvest is deeply involved in advocacy, research, training and education. Its groundbreaking reports, such as “The Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste,” provide critical data and insights to inform public policy and educate the public on sustainable food systems.

Second Harvest is committed to driving systemic change, helping to shape policies and practices that reduce food waste and address its role in climate change, while also supporting communities by providing them with the food they need.

SYY-NEWS

Key Takeaways BB and CrowdStrike are positioned to benefit as cybersecurity demand rises across AI and cloud environments.BlackBerry's QNX backlog hit roughly $950M, while Secure Communications returned to 8% quarterly growth.CrowdStrike posted 26% revenue growth as Falcon Flex and newer categories continued gaining traction. The global cybersecurity landscape has evolved drastically as organizations move to multi-cloud environments and implement AI extensively. This creates a more complex attack surface, necessitating advanced cybersecurity solutions for endpoints, networks and cloud environments. Given this, cybersecurity has become a key baseline requirement.

High-profile data breaches have heightened awareness and urgency across industries, leading to heavy investment in cyber defense.

Per a Grand View Research report, the cybersecurity market is projected to witness a CAGR of 11.9% from 2026 to 2033. This creates strong tailwinds for companies like BlackBerry (BB - Free Report) and CrowdStrike (CRWD - Free Report) and others operating in this fast-evolving industry.

So, now the question arises: Which stock makes for a better investment pick at present? Let’s dive into the pros and cons of each company.

The Case for BBOnce a smartphone giant, BlackBerry has now pivoted its focus to cybersecurity and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. BlackBerry’s Secure Communications division now consists of BlackBerry Unified Endpoint Management (“UEM”), BlackBerry SecuSUITE and BlackBerry AtHoc solutions. Last year, BB offloaded its Cylance business to Arctic Wolf and reviewed the cost structure of the Secure Communications division. This marked a turning point for the company.

BlackBerry is now focusing on its QNX and cybersecurity businesses. QNX is a Real-Time Operating System for embedded systems widely used in automotive and is now gaining traction in physical AI, medical, robotics, industrial and emerging markets. This division’s royalty backlog reached roughly $950 million, offering clear visibility into sustained, multi-year growth. The growing relevance of software-defined vehicles is fueling QNX’s momentum.

The Secure Communications business is showing signs of resurgence, delivering 8% year-over-year growth in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2026 and approaching “Rule of 40” performance. Annual recurring revenues (“ARR”) rose 1% sequentially to $218 million, up 5% year over year, while DBNRR improved to 94%, gaining 2 points sequentially. Rising NATO and global defense spending is driving strong momentum in BlackBerry’s Secure Communications unit.

The growth is also fueled by a powerful macro trend — digital sovereignty. Governments and enterprises increasingly demand secure, sovereign communication systems that protect sensitive data from foreign access. A major validation came from the Government of Canada expanding its partnership and increasing adoption of BlackBerry’s Secusmart licenses across federal agencies.

BlackBerry expects Secure Communications to return to full-year growth in fiscal 2027 for the first time in six years, marking a crucial inflection point. Fiscal 2027 revenues are projected to grow 4-8% to $270-$280 million, with adjusted EBITDA forecasted at $57-$65 million. For fiscal 2027, BlackBerry expects QNX revenues of $290-$307 million and overall revenues to grow 6-11% to $584-$611 million.

Though the cybersecurity business is gaining strength, BlackBerry remains heavily reliant on its QNX business, which in turn is influenced by macro conditions. Some of BlackBerry’s most exciting opportunities, such as physical AI, robotics and the Alloy Kore platform, remain in the early stages, introducing execution risk. BlackBerry faces increasing competitive pressures in both QNX and cybersecurity businesses.

The Case for CRWDSunnyvale, CA-based CrowdStrike is one of the leading pureplay companies in the cybersecurity space.  CRWD entered fiscal 2027 with strong momentum, with the fiscal first quarter revenues rising 26% year over year to $1.39 billion and ARR reaching $5.51 billion (up 24%), alongside record net new ARR of $256 million (up 32%). Management emphasized that as enterprises rapidly adopt AI, cybersecurity has become a critical component, creating a massive demand pipeline.  

CRWD has been selected as a cybersecurity partner by leading AI research companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic and continues to collaborate with major technology and consulting firms. Another important catalyst is Falcon Flex, the company’s subscription model. CRWD added more than 300 Falcon Flex accounts in the fiscal first quarter.

CrowdStrike is seeing strong adoption across cloud, identity and next-gen SIEM, with these newer categories exceeding $2 billion in ARR. Notably, AI Detection and Response (“AIDR”) has seen rapid traction, with ending ARR growing more than 250% sequentially, highlighting strong early demand. Management believes that AIDR could ultimately represent a larger market opportunity than endpoint detection and response.

The company expects current quarter revenues to be between $1.436 billion and $1.442 billion. CRWD raised its fiscal 2027 net new ARR growth guidance by 520 basis points at the midpoint from its prior guidance.

Despite positives, risks remain. First, the AI-driven opportunity remains in its early stages. The company’s raised guidance is tied to the AI narrative and associated cybersecurity spending. Any slowdown in AI deployment or budget revisions could weigh down on growth expectations. Execution risk also remains as the company expands into multiple new product categories. Competitive pressures are intensifying as rivals aggressively expand to capture the lucrative opportunity.

Finally, as CrowdStrike continues to scale, maintaining high growth rates becomes more challenging. CRWD reported a growth rate of 29% in fiscal 2025 and 22% in fiscal 2026. For fiscal 2027, management expects revenues to be $5,915-$5,959 million, implying 23-24% growth.

Price Performance and Valuation for BB & CRWDYear to date, BB and CRWD have registered gains of 142.5% and 45.6%, respectively.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

In terms of the forward 12-month price/sales multiple, BB is trading at 8.77X, lower than CRWD's 27.1X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

How Does the Zacks Consensus Estimate Compare for BB & CRWD?Analysts have kept their earnings estimates unchanged for BB for the current fiscal year in the past 60 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Meanwhile, for CRWD, there is a marginal upward estimate revision.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

BB or CRWD: Which Is a Better Pick?Both BB and CRWD are well-positioned to gain from the rapidly growing cybersecurity market. BB, at present, carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) while CrowdStrike has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Hence, in terms of Zacks Rank, BB seems to be a better pick at the moment.

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

Key Takeaways NIO is in a growth phase, with Q2 deliveries projected to rise 53% to 60% year over year.Tesla is seeing sales stabilization, but robotaxi, Optimus and AI execution remain key questions.NIO's margins, infrastructure and software monetization plans are strengthening its investment case. Two of the electric vehicle (EV) world's most-watched names are in the spotlight and for the right reasons.

NIO Inc. (NIO - Free Report) and Tesla (TSLA - Free Report) have both had their share of turbulence. NIO spent much of the past couple of years battling cash burn concerns and stiff domestic competition. Tesla, meanwhile, watched its once-untouchable brand take hits from slowing deliveries, pricing wars, and growing skepticism about whether its growth story still held water. Neither was in a comfortable place.

But the narrative is shifting.

NIO is now in a genuine growth phase. Deliveries are surging, driven by a model portfolio that's hitting its mark with buyers. The ES9— one of the most anticipated models in the company's lineup— commenced deliveries on May 28, further cementing NIO's grip on the premium end of the market. The ES8 has already been the best-selling vehicle priced above RMB 400,000 across all powertrain types for five consecutive months through May. The ES9 is built to carry that success forward.

Tesla, on its part, is showing signs of stabilization. China's retail sales climbed 22.5% year over year in May, snapping a two-month decline. Europe painted an even more striking picture— France delivered Tesla's best May ever, with registrations surging over 655% year over year. Denmark, Spain, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden all posted strong gains. And beyond the delivery rebound, Tesla's Full Self-Driving is rapidly gaining regulatory ground across Europe, with Denmark and Belgium becoming the fourth and fifth EU countries, respectively, to greenlight the technology on back-to-back days last week.

Looking at these recent developments, it seems that both companies are moving in the right direction. So, it’s time to dig deeper— financials, valuation, growth outlook and risks— to figure out which one actually deserves a place in your portfolio.

Tesla: Big Ambitions, But Execution Is the QuestionTesla's delivery recovery is real, and the FSD momentum is building. But the bigger reason investors are paying attention to Tesla isn't really about cars anymore— it's about what comes next.

The company is positioning itself as a technology powerhouse, betting heavily on robotaxis, humanoid robots, and AI as the next major revenue frontiers. The ambition is enormous. The execution, however, is still catching up.

Tesla noted on its last earnings call that its FSD crossed 9 billion miles of supervised driving data. That’s impressive, but supervised miles aren't the same as running a fully autonomous commercial service at scale. Musk himself acknowledged delays on the last earnings call. The original target of seven U.S. cities by mid-2026 has shifted to nearly a dozen or so states by year-end. That’s more of an inconsistency.

Optimus tells a similar story. Musk has called the humanoid robot potentially one of the most valuable products ever created. Yet the initial target of 10,000 units by end-2025 was missed, and Musk recently admitted production growth would be "quite slow" with limited visibility on output.

Meanwhile, Tesla has raised its capex outlook to $25 billion— up from $20 billion— to fund AI, autonomy, and robotics. Investors are being asked to stomach higher spending today, with free cash flow likely turning negative for much of the year, and no clear timeline on when these bets pay off.

The vision might seem compelling. The gap between vision and reality is what investors need to price carefully.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

NIO: The Growth Story Is Getting Harder to IgnoreNIO's transformation isn't just about selling more cars— it's about building a more profitable business. The multi-brand strategy is working. NIO's original luxury lineup is now complemented by ONVO for the mass market and Firefly for the premium compact segment. With all three brands ramping up, NIO is guiding second-quarter deliveries of 110,000-115,000 vehicles — indicating year-over-year growth of roughly 53% to 60%.

Higher volumes are also improving margins. Vehicle margin jumped to 18.8% in the first quarter of 2026 from just 10.2% a year ago, with the ES8 alone generating margins above 20%. NIO expects margins to hold between 17% and 18% through 2026, well ahead of the 14.6% reported last year.

Then there's the battery swap network—arguably its key differentiator. With over 3,917 swap stations and 28,000-plus charging points already running, NIO plans to add 1,000-plus new stations in 2026 and roll out fifth-generation stations from the third quarter.

NIO is also investing in vertically integrated technology— in-house chips, autonomous driving software, and its own OS. Plans to monetize ADAS through subscriptions could open a recurring, high-margin revenue stream beyond vehicle sales.

With volumes rising, margins growing, infrastructure expanding, and a software monetization story taking shape, the pieces are coming together.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

We Choose NIO Over TSLAOn a year-to-date basis, TSLA shares are down 10% while NIO is up 2%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Tesla's decline reflects something deeper. Execution is repeatedly falling short of ambition— robotaxi timelines keep shifting, Optimus commercialization remains a question mark, and the company is now warning that free cash flow could turn negative while asking investors to trust a $25 billion capex bet with no clear return timeline. That’s a lot of faith to ask for. TSLA’s earnings estimates are moving lower, and much of the long-term optimism is already baked into the stock. TSLA currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

NIO is quietly gaining ground as the fundamentals catch up. Margins are expanding meaningfully, volumes are growing, and analysts are narrowing loss estimates. The business is executing quarter after quarter, and the Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) reflects that.

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

Key Takeaways TTD and Agoda partner to extend travel audience targeting across APAC digital channels.Advertisers can use Agoda's first-party travel data to reach consumers earlier in trip planning.TTD gains enhanced targeting capabilities and access to a growing APAC digital ad market. The digital advertising landscape in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is evolving rapidly, driven by the convergence of first-party data, programmatic advertising and changing consumer travel behaviors. Against this backdrop, the alliance between The Trade Desk, Inc. (TTD - Free Report) and Agoda presents a compelling opportunity to transform travel advertising across the region.

The collaboration allows advertisers to leverage Agoda’s rich first-party travel data through Agoda Media Solutions, part of Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG - Free Report) advertising network, enabling marketers to target high-intent travelers more effectively across premium digital channels. Through this initiative, Agoda becomes The Trade Desk’s first online travel agency partner in APAC to extend audience targeting beyond its own platform. By integrating with TTD’s advertising platform, brands gain access to audience segments built from Agoda’s first-party travel data, allowing them to engage consumers throughout the travel planning process.

The combined efforts now allow advertisers to reach travelers much earlier in their journey. Brands can connect with audiences across various digital platforms, including CTV, OTT streaming services, streaming music platforms, podcasts, display ads, mobile apps and digital out-of-home advertising. Agoda's platform collects significant amounts of first-party travel data from users actively researching and planning trips. This information provides advertisers with insights into travel interests, destination preferences, booking behaviors, seasonal travel patterns, geographic trends and consumer engagement signals. When paired with TTD’s advanced audience targeting and media buying tools, advertisers can create highly targeted campaigns that reach consumers with remarkable relevance.

The Trade Desk is well-positioned to benefit from Agoda’s high-intent travel audience across APAC, gaining access to valuable first-party data, enhanced targeting capabilities and increased exposure to a rapidly growing digital advertising market. As travel demand rises and advertisers prioritize data-driven campaigns, the partnership could act as a growth catalyst for TTD.

Who are The Biggest Threats to TTD’s Growth?Amazon’s (AMZN - Free Report) international expansion and diversification across e-commerce, AWS cloud services, advertising and streaming create multiple revenue streams while reducing concentration risk. Advertising business remains a major growth driver, with first-quarter advertising revenue rising 24% year over year to $17.2 billion and trailing-12-month revenue surpassing $70 billion. Combined with Prime Video and streaming services, Amazon benefits from multiple growth avenues, enhancing customer loyalty and providing diversified revenue streams that support long-term profitability. AI boosts personalization, logistics and AWS, strengthening Amazon’s competitive edge. However, retail media networks from competitors now challenge Amazon's advertising dominance, fragmenting digital marketing budgets.

As an AI pioneer, PubMatic, Inc. (PUBM - Free Report) is benefiting from long-term investment through new revenue streams, operating leverage and competitive advantages. As advertisers increasingly focus on measurable outcomes, PubMatic is well-positioned to benefit from a growing addressable market. Its revenue model is closely tied to customer success, creating a virtuous cycle where better performance drives higher adoption, stronger ROI and profitable growth. Partnership with Walmart Connect expands advertiser access and ad spending on its platform, particularly in CTV. By combining Walmart’s first-party shopper data with PubMatic’s media inventory, the collaboration enables more effective, performance-driven advertising for both SMBs and enterprise brands.

TTD’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of TTD have plunged 72.6% in the past year against the Zacks Internet -Services industry’s rise of 90.1%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Valuation-wise, TTD seems attractive, as suggested by the Value Score of A. From a valuation standpoint, TTD trades at a forward price-to-sales of 2.73X, lower than the industry’s average of 7.87X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TTD’s earnings has remained unchanged over the past 30 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

Devon Energy (DVN - Free Report) 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 oil and gas exploration company have returned -8.5% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.5% change. The Zacks Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry, to which Devon Energy belongs, has lost 2.1% 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 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.

Devon Energy is expected to post earnings of $1.21 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +44.1%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -17.5%.

The consensus earnings estimate of $4.73 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +20.7%. This estimate has changed -17.9% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $4.95 indicates a change of +4.7% from what Devon Energy is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +7.4%.

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, Devon Energy 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

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.

For Devon Energy, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $6.28 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +46.5%. For the current and next fiscal years, $24.39 billion and $27.93 billion estimates indicate +41.9% and +14.5% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryDevon Energy reported revenues of $3.81 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -14.5%. EPS of $1.04 for the same period compares with $1.21 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.16 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -8.48%. The EPS surprise was +4%.

The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates three times 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.

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.

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

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

The Utilities group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Consolidated Edison (ED - 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.

Consolidated Edison is one of 110 individual stocks in the Utilities sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #12 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. Consolidated Edison is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for ED's full-year earnings has moved 0.4% higher. This signals that analyst sentiment is improving and the stock's earnings outlook is more positive.

According to our latest data, ED has moved about 8.5% on a year-to-date basis. Meanwhile, stocks in the Utilities group have gained about 5.8% on average. This means that Consolidated Edison is performing better than its sector in terms of year-to-date returns.

Another stock in the Utilities sector, Energias de Portugal (EDPFY - Free Report) , has outperformed the sector so far this year. The stock's year-to-date return is 12.6%.

Over the past three months, Energias de Portugal's consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 0.3%. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Breaking things down more, Consolidated Edison is a member of the Utility - Electric Power industry, which includes 60 individual companies and currently sits at #159 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, stocks in this group have gained 6.1% this year, meaning that ED is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns. Energias de Portugal is also part of the same industry.

Investors with an interest in Utilities stocks should continue to track Consolidated Edison and Energias de Portugal. These stocks will be looking to continue their solid performance.

Lead Plaintiff Deadline July 28, 2026

, /PRNewswire/ -- Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP reminds investors that a securities fraud class action has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired shares of Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: LCID or the "Company")  between February 25, 2026 and April 13, 2026.

Investors seeking to serve as lead plaintiff must file a motion by July 28, 2026.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CASE AND SUBMIT CONTACT INFORMATION

 Allegations

The lawsuit centers on disclosures concerning production, deliveries, financial performance, and operational issues:

Production and delivery problems On April 3, 2026, Lucid reported producing 5,500 vehicles but delivering only 3,093 vehicles. The company stated that deliveries of the Lucid Gravity were disrupted for 29 days because of a supplier-quality issue involving second-row seats, which affected its ability to meet customer demand. Stock-price decline after delivery disclosures Following reports about the delivery shortfall and related supplier issues, Lucid's stock fell approximately 11.35% over two trading days, closing at $8.83 on April 7, 2026. Weak preliminary financial results On April 14, 2026, Lucid disclosed preliminary first-quarter revenue of $280–$284 million, well below analyst expectations of $433.8 million, along with operating losses approaching $1 billion. The company also announced plans to raise approximately $1.05 billion in capital, including a public stock offering. The stock declined another 4.76% on the news. Final first-quarter results On May 5, 2026, Lucid reported a GAAP loss of $3.46 per share, a net loss exceeding $1 billion, and revenue of $282.47 million, all below expectations. Management acknowledged that the supplier issue negatively affected results and that inventory levels were elevated. The stock fell another 7.47% over two trading days, closing at $6.19 on May 6, 2026. Investor Takeaway

The lawsuit alleges that investors were harmed when the market learned the extent of Lucid's production disruptions, delivery shortfalls, financial underperformance, and need for additional capital, leading to significant stock-price declines.

Investors who purchased Lucid shares during the class period and suffered losses may be eligible to participate in the case, with the lead-plaintiff deadline set for July 28, 2026.

WHY WOLF HALDENSTEIN?

This illustrious firm, founded in 1888, is steadfast in their pursuit of justice for investors who have suffered financial harm due to these misrepresented statements. The law firm brings to the fore over 125 years of legal expertise in securities litigation and has a proven track record of protecting the rights of investors.

We encourage all investors who have been affected or have information that will assist in our investigation, to contact Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP.

There is no cost or obligation to speak with an attorney.
 

Contact:

Phone: (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774 Email: [email protected] Contact Person: Gregory Stone, Director of Case and Financial Analysis Firm Website: Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

SOURCE Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP

U.S. stock futures advanced on Monday, as the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and the Dow Jones indices rose, following Friday’s higher close.

In this truncated trading week with markets closed on Friday, investors will eye the Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates with the new chairman, Kevin Warsh, on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the 10-year Treasury bond yielded 4.44%, and the two-year bond was at 4.03%. The CME Group's FedWatch tool‘s projections show markets pricing a 97.4% likelihood of the Federal Reserve leaving the current interest rates unchanged during June’s meeting.

IndexPerformance (+/-)Dow Jones0.89%S&P 5001.25%Nasdaq 1002.11%Russell 20001.64%Stocks In FocusSpace Exploration Technologies CorpTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (NYSE:TSM) rose 3.77% as it reported a 1.5% increase in the month-on-month consolidated net revenue for May 2026, and 30.1% year-over-year gain as compared to May 2025. Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that TSM maintains a strong price trend in the long, medium, and short terms, with a solid quality score. Tower Semiconductor Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ:TSEM) rose by 5.01% as it signed a multi-year InP supply deal with IQE. Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that TSEM maintains a strong price trend in the short, medium, and long term, with a bad value score. Red Cat Holdings Red Cat Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:RCAT) advanced by 4.79% after unveiling Hellcat, a small unmanned aircraft system built on its Black Widow platform. Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that RCAT maintains a weak price trend in the long and medium terms, but a strong trend in the short term, with a solid value score. Micron Technology Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) surged 8.19% as Wolfe Research hiked its price target to $1,250 from $550 and maintained an "Outperform" rating. Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that MU maintains a strong price trend in the short, medium, and long terms, with a good growth score. Dave and Buster's Entertainment Dave and Buster's Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ:PLAY) was up 0.30% as analysts expect it to report earnings of 61 cents per share on revenue of $580.46 million, after the closing bell. Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that PLAY maintains a weak price trend in the long and medium terms but a weak trend in the short term, with a poor value score. Cues From Last SessionMost sectors on the S&P 500 closed on a positive note, with financial, materials, and utilities stocks recording the biggest gains on Friday. However, health care stocks bucked the overall market trend, closing the session lower.

Insights From AnalystsMohamed El-Erian paints a picture of a complex macroeconomic landscape where the U.S. economy and stock market are driven by divergent forces.

On one hand, economic data reveal sticky inflationary pressures. El-Erian highlights that “headline PPI inflation for May came in hotter than expected at 6.5%,” forcing markets to adjust to a harsher reality.

Consequently, investors have largely “abandoned prior hopes for 2026 Fed rate cuts and are now pricing in the possibility of a rate hike by year-end.”

Despite these underlying economic anxieties and a “notably divided” Federal Reserve facing a critical leadership transition, the stock market has found immense fuel in monumental corporate milestones. El-Erian points to the massive SpaceX IPO as a primary catalyst that “boosted stocks more generally.”

Ultimately, El-Erian expects the market to remain highly sensitive to upcoming monetary policy. He cautions that all eyes will be on the Fed’s next moves to see how they frame the path forward amid an “acceleration in inflation.”

For investors, the outlook requires navigating a delicate balance between powerful, tech-driven equity euphoria and the tightening grip of a central bank facing deep needs for “reform and modernization.”

Upcoming Economic DataHere's what investors will be keeping an eye on this week.

Commodities, Crypto, And Global Equity MarketsCrude oil futures were trading lower in the early New York session by 5.2`% to hover around $80.46 per barrel.

Gold Spot US Dollar rose 2.83% to hover around $4,338.63 per ounce. Its last record high stood at $5,595.46 per ounce. The U.S. Dollar Index spot was 0.19% lower at the 99.5560 level.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) was trading 1.88% higher at $65,646.71 per coin, as per the last 24 hours.

Asian markets closed higher on Monday, as Australia's ASX 200, India’s Nifty 50, Hong Kong's Hang Seng, Japan's Nikkei 225, South Korea's Kospi, and China’s CSI 300 indices advanced. European markets were also higher in early trade.

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Diane King Hall discusses Monday's morning movers throughout the tech sector. She highlights Truist's upgrade to buy on Datadog's (DDOG), Citigroup raising its price target on Texas Instruments (TXN), and Oppenheimer hiking its target on Lam Research (LRCX).

Here at Zacks, we offer our members many different opportunities to take full advantage of the stock market, as well as how to invest in ways that lead to long-term success.

The Zacks Premium service, which provides daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank; full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List; Equity Research reports; and Premium stock screens like the Earnings ESP filter, makes these more manageable goals. All of the features can help you identify what stocks to buy, what to sell, and what are today's hottest industries.

It also includes the Focus List, a long-term portfolio of top stocks that have all the elements to beat the market.

Breaking Down the Zacks Focus ListIf you could, wouldn't you jump at the chance for access to a curated list of stocks to kickstart your investing journey?

That's what the Zacks Focus List, a portfolio of 50 stocks, offers investors. Not only does it serve as a starting point for long-term investors, but all stocks included in the list are poised to outperform the market over the next 12 months.

One thing that makes the Focus List even more advantageous is that each pick comes with a full Zacks Analyst Report. This helps explain why each stock was selected and why we believe it's a good pick for the long-term.

The portfolio's past performance only solidifies why investors should consider it as a starting point. For 2020, the Focus List gained 13.85% on an annualized basis compared to the S&P 500's return of 9.38%. Cumulatively, the portfolio has returned 2,519.23% while the S&P returned 854.95%. Returns are for the period of February 1, 1996 to March 31, 2021.

Focus List MethodologyWhen stocks are picked for the Focus List, it reflects our enduring reliance on the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Earnings estimates are expectations of growth and profitability, and are determined by brokerage analysts. Together with company management, these analysts examine every aspect that may affect future earnings, like interest rates, the economy, and sector and industry optimism.

What a company will earn down the road also needs to be taken into consideration, and this is why earnings estimate revisions are so important.

Stocks that receive upward earnings estimate revisions are more likely to receive even more upward changes in the future. For example, if an analyst raised their estimates last month, they're more likely to do it again this month, and other analysts are likely to do the same.

Harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions is where the Zacks Rank comes in. The Zacks Rank is a unique, proprietary stock-rating model that utilizes changes to a company's quarterly earnings expectations to help investors build a winning portfolio.

The Zacks Rank consists of four main pillars: Agreement, Magnitude, Upside, and Surprise. Each one is given a raw score, which is recalculated every night and compiled into the Rank. Then, stocks are classified into five groups, ranging from "Strong Buy" to "Strong Sell," using this data.

The Focus List is comprised of stocks hand-picked from a long list of #1 (Strong Buy) or #2 (Buy) ranked companies, meaning that each new addition boasts a bullish earnings consensus among analysts.

Because stock prices react to revisions, buying stocks with rising earnings estimates can be very profitable. Focus List stocks offer investors a great opportunity to get into companies whose future earnings estimates will be raised, potentially leading to price momentum.

Focus List Spotlight: Lam Research (LRCX - Free Report) Fremont, CA-based Lam Research supplies wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry. It serves the related markets that rely on semiconductor processes and require production-proven manufacturing capabilities, such as complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor image sensors and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS).

Since being added to the Focus List on December 5, 2016 at $10.05 per share, shares of LRCX have increased 3549.85% to $366.81. The stock is currently a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank.

13 analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.41 to $5.7. LRCX also boasts an average earnings surprise of 7.9%.

Moreover, analysts are expecting LRCX's earnings to grow 37.7% for the current fiscal year.

Reveal Winning StocksUnlock all of our powerful research, tools and analysis, including the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research Reports, Zacks Earnings ESP Filter, Premium Screener and more, as part of Zacks Premium. You'll quickly identify which stocks to buy, hold and sell, and target today's hottest industries, to help improve the performance of your portfolio. Gain full access now >>

Dell Technologies (DELL - 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 computer and technology services provider have returned +63.5% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.5% change. The Zacks Computer - Micro Computers industry, to which Dell Technologies belongs, has gained 1.1% 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.

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, Dell Technologies is expected to post earnings of $4.83 per share, indicating a change of +108.2% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +67% over the last 30 days.

The consensus earnings estimate of $18.66 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +81.2%. This estimate has changed +48.3% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $22.45 indicates a change of +20.4% from what Dell Technologies is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +55.1%.

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, Dell Technologies 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

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 Dell Technologies, the consensus sales estimate of $44.85 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +50.6%. The $167.29 billion and $187.87 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +47.3% and +12.3%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryDell Technologies reported revenues of $43.84 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +87.5%. EPS of $4.86 for the same period compares with $1.55 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $35.46 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +23.62%. The EPS surprise was +59.87%.

The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates three times 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.

Dell Technologies is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with 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 Dell Technologies. However, its Zacks Rank #1 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.

At $567.25, Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT | AMAT Price Prediction) looks extended for fresh capital, with the setup improving meaningfully on any retest of structural support near $460.

Key Takeaways TJX's Marmaxx unit delivered 6% comparable sales growth and 7% higher net sales in fiscal Q1 2027.TJX benefits from flexible merchandising and fast inventory turns to keep assortments fresh.TJX saw healthy apparel and home demand, with higher transactions and basket size. The TJX Companies, Inc. (TJX - Free Report) continues to benefit from the strength of its Marmaxx division, thanks to the segment’s value-focused merchandising model and the ability to quickly adapt to changing consumer preferences. In the first quarter of fiscal 2027, the Marmaxx business — which includes T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and Sierra — delivered 6% comparable sales growth, while net sales increased 7% to $8.65 billion. Segment profit rose to $1.27 billion from $1.11 billion in the year-ago period.

Marmaxx’s momentum has been broad-based, with multiple merchandise categories contributing to the strong performance. Rather than depending on a few standout areas, TJX benefits from the flexibility of the off-price model, which allows it to devote more space and attention to stronger categories while pulling back on weaker ones. The company’s rapid inventory turns and close coordination among the buying, planning and allocation teams allow it to react quickly to changing trends and keep assortments fresh.

Another encouraging aspect has been the breadth of demand. Marmaxx delivered healthy growth across both apparel and home categories, with comparable sales strength evident across geographic regions and income demographics. Executives noted healthy transaction growth and a higher average basket size, indicating that shoppers continue to embrace the division’s combination of brands, fashion and value.

Consumers continue to respond to Marmaxx’s combination of recognizable brands, fashion and compelling value. Coupled with the division’s ability to quickly capitalize on emerging trends, these strengths have enabled Marmaxx to remain a major contributor to The TJX Companies’ consistent operating performance and sustained momentum.

TJX and Its Peers Continue to Benefit From Off-Price MomentumRoss Stores (ROST - Free Report) similarly achieved outstanding growth by successfully executing its off-price model. Driven by robust customer traffic, Ross Stores delivered a stellar 17% comparable store sales increase in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. This upward trajectory reflects widespread momentum across multiple demographic groups. By delivering compelling product value and an upgraded shopping experience, Ross Stores effectively expanded its customer base to ensure consistent top-line growth.

Burlington Stores, Inc. (BURL - Free Report) has also been benefiting from the strength of the off-price model. In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Burlington Stores reported 6% comparable store sales growth and a 14% increase in sales, supported by consumers' continued focus on value. Disciplined inventory management, faster inventory turns and an ability to chase trends have enabled Burlington Stores to maintain strong momentum and deliver consistent growth.

TJX’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of The TJX Companies have gained 12.1% in the past month compared with the industry’s growth of 0.4%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, TJX trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 31.45X, down from the industry’s average of 32.24X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TJX’s current and next fiscal-year earnings per share implies a year-over-year rise of 9.3% and 9.7%, respectively.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

TJX currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.

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

Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

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

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.

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

Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.

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

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

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +24% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

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

That's where the Style Scores come in.

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

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

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

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

Stock to Watch: Epam (EPAM - Free Report) Headquartered in Newtown, PA, EPAM Systems, Inc. is well known for its software engineering and IT consulting services.

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

It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 7.28; value investors should take notice.

Nine analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.34 to $13.10 per share. EPAM also boasts an average earnings surprise of +3.8%.

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

Key Takeaways Sandisk benefits from AI-driven NAND demand, which led to data center revenues soaring 645% YoY in Q3'26.Micron sold out 2026 HBM supply, with much of 2027 production already committed via agreements.Seagate and Western Digital are gaining from rising AI data storage needs and stronger pricing conditions. The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) is creating a massive shift across the global technology ecosystem. While early stock market winners mostly included massive chip designers and cloud computing giants, the focus of Wall Street is rapidly expanding. A new bottleneck has emerged in the AI pipeline, and it centers entirely around memory and storage solutions. AI models require enormous amounts of data to be stored, accessed and processed at high speed, making memory a critical component of the AI infrastructure ecosystem.

The boom in AI applications, ranging from generative AI and autonomous systems to cloud computing and enterprise analytics, is increasing the need for high-performance memory products. Data centers are expanding aggressively to support AI training and inference workloads, creating strong demand for DRAM, NAND flash memory and high-capacity storage solutions. As hyperscalers and enterprises invest heavily in AI infrastructure, memory suppliers are becoming some of the biggest beneficiaries of this spending cycle.

Another major tailwind for the industry is tightening supply. Years of disciplined capacity additions, combined with surging AI-related demand, have created shortages across several memory categories. These supply constraints have pushed memory prices significantly higher, boosting profitability for leading memory manufacturers. Rising average selling prices are helping companies generate stronger revenue growth and expand margins.

Investors have already started recognizing this trend. Shares of SanDisk Corporation (SNDK - Free Report) , Micron Technology, Inc. (MU - Free Report) , Seagate Technology Holdings Plc (STX - Free Report) and Western Digital Corporation (WDC - Free Report) have skyrocketed 734.2%, 244%, 238.1% and 226.8%, respectively, year to date. Despite these impressive gains, the long-term AI opportunity remains substantial as memory demand is expected to grow for years.

The aforementioned four AI memory stocks will continue benefiting from this powerful industry trend, and it is wise to invest in these stocks before prices spike even higher. These stocks have a favorable combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), offering solid investment opportunities.

Our PicksSanDisk has become one of the strongest performers in the memory space. The company is benefiting from a sharp recovery in the NAND flash memory market, driven by strong demand and tighter supply. AI applications require massive amounts of data storage for training and inference, increasing the need for high-performance NAND products used in enterprise SSDs and data centers. Sandisk’s data center revenues soared 645% year over year in the third quarter of fiscal 2026.

The company has also gained from industry-wide production discipline, which has helped reduce excess inventory and improve pricing. Rising NAND prices are boosting revenues and profitability across the sector. As cloud providers and enterprises continue investing heavily in AI infrastructure, demand for flash-based storage solutions is expected to remain strong. SanDisk’s focus on NAND technology positions it well to capitalize on this long-term growth opportunity.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2026, Sandisk’s revenues jumped 251% year over year, while non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) were $23.41. In the year-ago quarter, it had reported a non-GAAP loss of 30 cents per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 revenues and EPS suggests a year-over-year increase of 164% and 2,097%, respectively. The consensus mark for fiscal 2026 earnings has been revised upward over the past seven days.

Currently, SNDK sports a Zacks Rank #1 and has a Growth Score of A. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Micron Technology is one of the leading suppliers of DRAM and NAND memory and has emerged as a key player in the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) market. HBM is critical for AI accelerators because it enables faster data processing and improves performance in large language models and generative AI applications.

The strength of this demand is evident in Micron Technology’s order book. The company has already sold out its HBM supply for the calendar year 2026, while a significant portion of 2027 production is already committed through long-term customer agreements.

This favorable supply-demand environment is supporting higher pricing and stronger margins. Beyond HBM, demand for conventional DRAM used in AI servers continues to rise. As hyperscalers expand AI data centers and enterprises deploy advanced AI workloads, Micron Technology remains one of the most direct beneficiaries of the growing AI memory market.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, MU’s revenues and non-GAAP EPS surged 196% and 682%, respectively, on a year-over-year basis. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 revenues and EPS suggests a year-over-year increase of approximately 198% and 627%, respectively. The consensus mark for fiscal 2026 earnings has been revised upward over the past seven days.

Currently, Micron Technology sports a Zacks Rank #1 and has a Growth Score of A.

Seagate Technology is benefiting from another important aspect of the AI revolution — the explosive growth of data generation. While AI processors attract most of the attention, the data supporting AI models must be stored efficiently, creating strong demand for Seagate Technology’s high-capacity hard disk drives (HDDs). The company’s nearline storage products are widely used by hyperscale cloud providers that manage vast amounts of AI-related information.

AI model training requires storing and accessing huge datasets, making large-capacity storage increasingly important. Seagate Technology continues to invest in advanced drive technologies that increase storage density and improve efficiency. At the same time, improving industry supply-demand conditions have supported healthier pricing trends. As AI adoption expands across industries, the need for cost-effective large-scale storage solutions is expected to rise, creating a favorable backdrop for Seagate Technology’s long-term growth.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2026, STX’s revenues and non-GAAP EPS surged 44% and 116%, respectively, on a year-over-year basis. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 revenues and EPS suggests a year-over-year increase of approximately 32% and 84%, respectively. The consensus mark for fiscal 2026 earnings has been revised upward over the past seven days.

Currently, Seagate Technology sports a Zacks Rank #1 and has a Growth Score of A.

Western Digital is benefiting from the same AI-driven data storage trend, which is aiding Seagate Technology’s growth. The two companies together control the majority of global data center HDD shipments.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2026, Western Digital shipped 222 exabytes, representing a 34% year-over-year increase. This included 4.1 million next-gen ePMR drives, totaling 118 exabytes, with capacities of up to 32TB (terabytes), highlighting the rapid scaling of new technology to meet strong demand.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2026, WDC’s revenues and non-GAAP EPS surged 45% and 97%, respectively, on a year-over-year basis. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 revenues indicates a year-over-year decline 3%, mainly due to the inclusion of revenues from the separated Sandisk business in the year-ago quarter. The consensus mark for fiscal 2026 earnings has been revised upward over the past seven days and calls for a year-over-year surge of 104%.

Currently, Western Digital sports a Zacks Rank #1 and has a Growth Score of B.

DALLAS & SIEGBURG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Celanese, a global chemical and specialty materials company, and Siegwerk, one of the world’s leading providers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels, today announced a collaboration to supply more sustainable solutions in the printing ink value chain through utilizing bio-based ethyl acetate manufactured by Celanese.

Celanese and Siegwerk Collaborate to Advance More Sustainable Printing Ink Solutions with Bio-Based Ethyl Acetate

Share The ethyl acetate produced by Celanese contains 50% bio-based content, helping to reduce the use of fossil-derived raw materials compared to conventional alternatives. Siegwerk uses the bio-based solvent as a drop-in solution in its existing ink formulations, enabling the production of more sustainable products without compromising performance or requiring changes to established manufacturing processes.

“The partnership with Celanese directly aligns with Siegwerk’s SustainUP program, our global sustainable procurement initiative, which is a key pillar of HorizonNOW 2030 – Siegwerk’s overarching sustainability strategy,” said Cathleen Hansohm, Global Supplier Sustainability Manager. “The use of a 50% bio-content ethyl acetate supports our ambition to expand the use of renewable feedstocks in a responsible and scalable way.”

“Collaboration is key to driving meaningful progress toward sustainability,” said Kevin Norfleet, Senior Director, Sustainability, at Celanese. “By working closely with Siegwerk, Celanese contributes to solutions that reduce the use of fossil resources while maintaining the high performance standards required in demanding applications such as printing inks.”

The initiative highlights both companies’ shared commitment to advancing sustainability through practical, scalable solutions that deliver tangible environmental benefits while reinforcing the critical role of value-chain collaboration in enabling truly sustainable packaging.

About Celanese

Celanese is a global leader in chemistry, producing specialty material solutions used across most major industries and consumer applications. Our businesses use our chemistry, technology and commercial expertise to create value for our customers, employees and shareholders. We support sustainability by responsibly managing the materials we create and growing our portfolio of sustainable products to meet customer and societal demand. We strive to make a positive impact in our communities and to foster inclusivity across our teams. Celanese Corporation is a Fortune 500 company that employs more than 11,000 employees worldwide with 2025 net sales of $9.5 billion.

About Siegwerk

Siegwerk is one of the leading global manufacturers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels. Based on 200 years of expertise, we provide customized solutions for all types of packaging needs – from functional and eye-catching to safe and sustainable. As a seventh-generation family business, we have long been aware of our responsibility for future generations. Under the motto “rethINK packaging”, we are therefore actively driving the transformation to a circular economy by developing eco-friendly solutions that enable packaging circularity. Here, 30+ country organizations and ~5,000 employees worldwide ensure consistent high-quality products and customized support around the world. Learn more at www.siegwerk.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain “forward-looking statements,” which include information concerning Celanese’s plans, objectives, goals, strategies, financial condition, and other information that is not historical information. When used in this release, the words “projects,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “will,” and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and beliefs and various assumptions. There can be no assurance that Celanese will realize these expectations or that these beliefs will prove correct. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this release. Numerous factors, many of which are beyond Celanese’s control, could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed as forward-looking statements. These factors include those that are discussed in Celanese’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and Celanese undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances.

Rivian Automotive stock is moving in positive territory. What’s pushing RIVN stock higher? What Is Driving Rivian’s Stock Today?Scaringe said Rivian expects to roll out supervised point-to-point driving later this year, positioned as similar to Tesla, and is targeting an unsupervised mode next year. He also framed the longer runway toward vehicles operating with no one inside, pointing to robotaxis as a potential business model and noting a partnership with Uber Technologies for distribution.

Rivian also put a longer-dated marker on the autonomy roadmap, with Scaringe describing a Tesla robotaxi-like experience targeted for 2027, reinforcing the idea that software capability could become a separate value driver beyond vehicle margins. That timeline is part of why the stock can trade like a higher-beta "software optionality" name when markets turn risk-on.

With markets in premarket, Rivian's early strength is also lining up with firmer index futures, which can amplify upside in higher-beta EV names when the tape is supportive.

Critical Price Levels To Watch For RIVNAt $17.07, Rivian is trading well above its major moving averages—about 9.7% above the 20-day SMA ($15.47) and about 8.5% above the 200-day SMA ($15.64)—which tells you the recent trend has been pushing higher. That said, the longer-term structure still has baggage: the 20-day SMA remains below the 50-day SMA, and the death cross from May (50-day below the 200-day) is still in place.

For momentum, MACD is the cleaner read right now: it's above its signal line and the histogram is positive, which suggests downside pressure is easing and the latest upswing has better follow-through than the prior downswing. When MACD is above its signal line, momentum is improving versus the recent baseline, even if the bigger trend hasn't fully reset.

Key Resistance: $18.00 — a nearby round-number area where rebounds can stall Key Support: $14.50 — a prior buyer-defense zone that sits below the current moving-average cluster What Is Rivian Automotive’s Business Model?Rivian is a battery electric vehicle automaker that sells its vehicles in the US and Canada, with a lineup that includes a luxury truck, a full-size SUV, and a delivery van. Total deliveries were over 42,000 in 2025, and the company plans to begin selling a midsize SUV in 2026.

Rivian's R2 strategy is increasingly central to the volume debate, with management guiding for 62,000 to 67,000 deliveries in 2026 and targeting 300,000 units of annual production by 2028. The lineup is also designed to stair-step pricing, with Premium and standard versions expected later in 2026 and 2027 starting at $53,990 and $48,490, respectively.deliveries.

RIVN Stock Price Movement in PremarketRIVN Stock Price Activity: Rivian Automotive shares were up 1.31% at $16.99 during premarket trading on Monday, according to Benzinga Pro data.

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