Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Airbnb (ABNB) doesn't possess the right combination of the two key ingredients for a likely earnings beat in its upcoming report. Get prepared with the key expectations.

Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Duke Energy (DUK - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on November 5. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis electric utility is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.87 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +3.3%.

Revenues are expected to be $8.9 billion, up 4.2% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.71% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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

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

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

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

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Duke Energy?For Duke Energy, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +1.07%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination indicates that Duke Energy will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Duke Energy would post earnings of $1.29 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.43, delivering a surprise of +10.85%.

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

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

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

Duke Energy appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

An Industry Player's Expected ResultsNorthWestern (NWE - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $0.73 for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of -7.6%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $411.24 million, up 6.3% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for NorthWestern has been revised 10.6% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -1.61%.

This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), makes it difficult to conclusively predict that NorthWestern will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.

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

Key Takeaways AIG is set to report Q3 2026 results Nov. 3, with EPS seen falling 15.9% even as revenues rise 5.6%.AIG's General Insurance net premiums earned may rise 6.4%, while net investment income could jump 27.7%.AIG's General Insurance combined ratio is likely to reach 92%, while adjusted pre-tax income may fall 18%.
Insurance provider American International Group, Inc. (AIG - Free Report) is set to report its third-quarter 2026 results on Nov. 3, 2026, after the closing bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s earnings is currently pegged at $1.85 per shareon revenues of $7.45 billion.

The third-quarter earnings estimate witnessed three upward revisions and one downward movement over the past 60 days. Yet, the bottom-line projection indicates a year-over-year decline of 15.9%. Nevertheless, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues suggests a year-over-year increase of 5.6%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

For 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for American International’s revenues is pegged at $28.97 billion, implying a rise of 5.5% year over year. Also, the consensus mark for 2026 EPS is pegged at $8.07, implying 13.8% year-over-year growth.

American International beat earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters, with the average surprise being 12.9%. This is depicted in the figure below.

Q3 Earnings Whispers for AIGHowever, our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for the company this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. That’s not the case here.

AIG has an Earnings ESP of -1.29% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

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

What’s Shaping AIG’s Q3 Results?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter General Insurance net premiums earned suggests 6.4% year-over-year growth, driven by anticipated increases across the North America Commercial and International Commercial businesses.

The consensus estimate for net investment income indicates a 27.7% surge from the year-ago quarter. These factors are likely to have supported top-line growth in the third quarter.

However, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the General Insurance combined ratio is pegged at 92%, indicating a deterioration of 520 basis points from 86.8% in the year-ago quarter. The combined ratio for International Commercial operations is expected to deteriorate 600 basis points to 90.9% from 84.9% a year ago, reflecting pressure on underwriting profitability.

The consensus estimate for General Insurance adjusted pre-tax income suggests an approximately 18% year-over-year decline. Additionally, Other Operations is expected to report a wider adjusted pre-tax loss compared with the prior-year quarter.

These headwinds are likely to have partially offset the benefits of higher premiums and investment income in the third quarter, affecting profits and making an earnings beat uncertain.

How Did Other Insurers Fare This Quarter?Several insurance companies, including Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MRSH - Free Report) , The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. (HIG - Free Report) and RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (RNR - Free Report) , have already reported their financial results for the September quarter of 2026. Here’s how they performed:

Marsh reported third-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share of $2.03, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.6% and advanced 9.7% year over year. The results benefited from solid revenue growth across Risk and Insurance Services and Consulting. However, Marsh’s higher operating expenses partially offset the positives.

Hartford Insurance delivered third-quarter 2026 core earnings per share of $3.50, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11.1%. However, the bottom line declined 2.5% year over year. The results benefited from HIG’s higher investment income and premium growth in Business Insurance. However, higher catastrophe losses and weaker Employee Benefits profitability partly offset the upside.

RenaissanceRe reported third-quarter 2026 operating income of $12.71 per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 12.9%. Yet, the bottom line fell from $15.62 per share a year ago. The quarterly earnings benefited from lower operational expenses and higher net investment income. However, the upside was partly offset by lower net premiums earned, weaker underwriting results in RNR’s Casualty & Specialty segment and lower fee income.

Some of the fattest dividend yields on the market right now come from stocks that have already cut their payouts once, and three more may be quietly building toward the same moment. Here is what the cash flow numbers actually…

A dividend yield is the annual payout divided by what each share trades for. When the price falls and the payout stays the same, the yield rises on its own, even though the company pays you nothing extra. Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ: KHC | KHC Price Prediction) shows how this works. Its quarterly dividend has been $0.40 per share since March 2019, and the stock fell 55.91% over ten years. A fat yield only matters if the payout holds up.

A simple test: a dividend looks unsustainable when earnings and free cash flow barely cover it, or don’t, and debt or shrinking cash fills the gap. (We laid out seven of these warning signs in a free dividend trap guide.)

Kraft Heinz: A 6.6% Yield Built on a Shrinking Business Kraft Heinz sells packaged staples like ketchup, cheese, and boxed meals. Its $1.60 annual dividend works out to about 6.6% at $24.24. The shares are down 13.2% over five years because the core business keeps shrinking.

Management guides organic net sales down 0.5%–2.0% for 2026 and constant-currency adjusted operating income down 16%–18%. A $7.4B impairment pushed trailing GAAP EPS to -$2.87. On adjusted EPS guidance of $2.03–$2.09, the payout takes about 79% at the bottom of the range, and that is before spending roughly $700M on extra brand investment. The dividend has already been cut once, from $0.625 in 2018.

The case for the payout: first-quarter free cash flow of $766M covered $474M in dividends, an older figure, while management still guides conversion near 110% and has since raised EPS guidance. If cash generation holds while sales slip, the payout can last.

United Parcel Service: Coverage Looks Stretched Mid-Overhaul United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) pays $6.56 per share a year, a yield of about 6.2%. The stock is down 37.35% over five years as package volumes fell, including a 3.6% year-over-year drop tied to the planned wind-down of Amazon volume.

UPS expects about $5.4B in 2026 dividend payments, subject to board approval, against roughly $6.1B in adjusted free cash flow. That uses about 89% of free cash flow. The dividend is about 122% of trailing GAAP EPS of $5.38, which shows heavy restructuring costs. Cash fell from $5.89B to $4.65B over six months, and interest expense rose 14.3%. The quarterly rate has stayed at $1.64 since February 2025.

For the payout to hold, pricing power needs to keep doing the work. U.S. Domestic revenue per piece rose 6.1%, and adjusted EPS guidance rose to about $7.28; the dividend is near 90% of adjusted earnings.

Pfizer: Adjusted Coverage Hides GAAP Strain and a Patent Cliff Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) yields 5.82% on a $1.72 annual dividend. The stock has rallied 30.72% over the past year but remains 10.8% lower over five years, after COVID product sales faded and patent expirations came into view.

Measured against adjusted EPS guidance of $2.80–$3.00, the payout uses a manageable 57% to 61%. GAAP results look worse. Trailing EPS is $0.76, well below the dividend, after a $3.8B pipeline impairment and $867M in legal charges. Generic and biosimilar competition is expected to cut 2026 revenue by $1.1B–$1.5B. Management has suspended buybacks to pay down debt, and net debt-to-EBITDA is 2.76.

Pfizer is still raising and paying the dividend. It paid $4.9B in the first half and declared another $0.43 payable December 7, 2026. A Vyndamax settlement extends U.S. exclusivity to June 2031, which gives the company time.

Dow: Already Cut Once, Still Paying Through a Downturn Commodity chemicals and plastics are made by Dow (NYSE: DOW). Its $1.40 annual dividend yields about 4.1%. The shares are up 50.88% this year but still 19.96% lower over five years because of industry overcapacity and weak pricing.

Dow halved its quarterly dividend from $0.70 to $0.35 starting in August 2025. Even after that cut, trailing EPS is -$1.29, so earnings do not cover the payout. Free cash flow of $621M and $692M in the first two quarters covered roughly $505M in dividends. Total liabilities of $44.2B sit against $17.4B of equity, and the company also carries guarantee exposure to its Sadara joint venture.

Recovery signs are emerging. Second-quarter adjusted EPS bounced to $1.44 as polyethylene prices rose, and self-help savings were raised above $1.3B.

What Income Investors Holding These Should Track For UPS and Kraft Heinz, watch free cash flow against quarterly dividends paid. For Pfizer, watch GAAP earnings and debt paydown. For Dow, watch whether polyethylene pricing holds. If cash coverage falls below the payout while debt rises, the board could be forced to act. Dividend cuts usually send shares down as well, so a high yield is never enough reason to own a stock.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

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

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on November 5, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis company is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.60 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -17.7%.

Revenues are expected to be $322.11 million, up 65.6% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 6.35% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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

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

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

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

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Lemonade?For Lemonade, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +2.52%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination indicates that Lemonade will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Lemonade would post a loss of$0.56 per share when it actually produced a loss of -$0.56, delivering no surprise.

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

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

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

Lemonade appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

An Industry Player's Expected ResultsAnother stock from the Zacks Insurance - Multi line industry, Enact Holdings, Inc. (ACT - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $1.22 per share for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +8.9%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $317.86 million, up 1.1% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for Enact Holdings has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. However, an equal Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of 0.00%.

When combined with a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Enact Holdings will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times.

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

Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.35 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.21 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.63 per share a year ago.

Etsy continues to outperform, gaining over 60% YTD and delivering a strong Q3 beat-and-raise. I see accelerating GMS growth, now above 9% FX-neutral, as a key differentiator in a challenging retail environment. Rising take rates, driven by Etsy Ads attach rate, and a deep restructuring support robust >30% adjusted EBITDA margins.

Micron stock was dropping in sympathy with peer Samsung as memory-chip shareholders look for boosted returns.

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.

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

It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.

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

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

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

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

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

Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Stock to Watch: Micron (MU - Free Report) Micron Technology, headquartered in Idaho, has established itself as one of the leading worldwide providers of semiconductor memory solutions.

MU is a #1 (Strong Buy) 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 5.53; value investors should take notice.

13 analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $19.89 to $177.73 per share. MU boasts an average earnings surprise of +21%.

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

Micron's management admits they have no line of sight to when memory supply and demand balance, and that uncertainty cuts both ways for anyone holding a position in this stock right now.

A $5,000 stake in Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU | MU Price Prediction) is now a question about how long the AI memory cycle can last. The price model starts from a reference price of $877.55, and shares were trading at $918.18 in early trading.

Micron deserves a longer look because management says it has “no line of sight to when supply and demand balance” in memory. That is the core of the case for a boom that runs past expectations.

Base Case: Your $5,000 Could Grow to About $7,501 by 2031
In the base case, a $5,000 investment may grow to about $7,501 by 2031, a total return of 50.02%. That depends on a projected five-year share price of $1,316.47, or an annualized gain of 8.45%. Its confidence score is 0.9, which it rates as high.

Every return is measured from the $877.55 reference price, so anyone buying at today’s higher quote would start with a smaller buffer.

Bull, Base and Bear Paths for a $5,000 Stake
Five-Year Horizon (2031)

Scenario
Target Price
Total Return
Value of $5,000

Bull
$2,363.96
169.38%
$13,469

Base
$1,316.47
50.02%
$7,501

Bear
$749.46
-14.6%
$4,270

One-Year Horizon (2027)

Scenario
Target Price
Total Return
Value of $5,000

Bull
$1,348.03
53.61%
$7,680.50

Base
$987.56
12.54%
$5,627

Bear
$743.23
-15.31%
$4,234.50

Wall Street stands well above the model. The consensus analyst target is $1,561.91. Ratings break down as 9 strong buy, 36 buy, 3 hold and 1 strong sell. Analyst sentiment shows 92 bullish against 2 bearish.

Three Reasons the Memory Boom Could Outlast Skeptics
Demand is already booked. Micron has more than 75% of its fiscal 2027 shipments committed, and it signed 10 new Strategic Customer Agreements last quarter for a total of 26.

The company’s president and COO, Manish Bhatia, said those agreements and supply commitments give Micron “a very strong outlook for demand through 2028.”

Supply can’t keep up quickly. Clean-room space is the main industry limit. Most of the increase in fiscal 2027 construction spending goes to facilities coming online in late 2028 and beyond. Micron’s Idaho fab expects first wafer output in mid-calendar 2027, with industry DRAM supply shipments projected to shrink in 2027.

HBM, which is growing faster than standard DRAM, also uses up more wafer capacity per bit. Micron is co-designing a custom HBM4E product with NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA).

Earnings keep beating estimates. Fiscal fourth-quarter revenue reached $54.23B, up 379.3% year over year. Non-GAAP EPS of $33.42 came in ahead of the $31.35 consensus, Micron’s eighth consecutive EPS beat.

Non-GAAP gross margin hit 87%. Guidance for the first quarter of fiscal 2027 calls for revenue of $61.5B ± $1.5B and non-GAAP EPS of $38.15 ± $1.00.

What Could Shrink Your $5,000 Instead
Memory has always been a cyclical business, and a downturn could cost investors heavily: the investment falls to $4,270 by 2031. The clean rooms that support the bull case today could flood the market with supply once they ramp late in the decade.

Capital spending reached $30.71B in the latest fiscal year, and that investment carries risk if AI demand cools. The CFO, Mark Murphy, expects price increases to continue in fiscal 2027 “at a more moderate pace.”

Micron also carries a beta of 2.226, and the stock has dropped 15.15% over the past month, even after a 319.71% one-year gain. Competition from Chinese memory makers is also back in the headlines as Micron pushes back on that threat. Demand is concentrated in AI infrastructure and a handful of HBM customers, which adds more risk.

Where a $5,000 Stake Could Land
The model places a $5,000 Micron position anywhere from $4,270 to $13,469 by 2031, with a base case of about $7,501.

For that scenario to hold, tight memory supply has to last through 2028. Watch for new Strategic Customer Agreements, HBM pricing and the schedule of new clean rooms. The projections are for research purposes, and none of these results is guaranteed.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

BiXBiT Launches Antminer Firmware with Up to 40% Hashrate Gains and Integrated Mining Management

MercadoLibre (MELI - Free Report) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.

Shares of this operator of an online marketplace and payments system in Latin America have returned -3.2% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.9% change. The Zacks Internet - Commerce industry, to which MercadoLibre belongs, has gained 1.3% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?

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

Earnings Estimate RevisionsHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.

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.

MercadoLibre is expected to post earnings of $9.41 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +13.1%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -0.6%.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $38.09 points to a change of -3.3% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed -2.6%.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $55.19 indicates a change of +44.9% from what MercadoLibre is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -1.5%.

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, MercadoLibre is rated Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

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

12 Month EPS

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

In the case of MercadoLibre, the consensus sales estimate of $10.66 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +43.8%. The $41.74 billion and $53.98 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +44.5% and +29.3%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryMercadoLibre reported revenues of $10.17 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +49.8%. EPS of $9.19 for the same period compares with $10.31 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.77 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +4.07%. The EPS surprise was +5.75%.

Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed EPS estimates just once. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.

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

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

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.

MercadoLibre 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.

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 MercadoLibre. However, its Zacks Rank #4 does suggest that it may underperform the broader market in the near term.

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CiDi Games Opens Survey on Pi Network KYC and Mainnet Wallet Problems

CROWN-MV trial will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of investigational Cephea mitral valve replacement deviceAbbott's Cephea is designed to provide a new, minimally invasive option for treating mitral valve disease, the most common type of heart valve ailment30-day early feasibility study results for Cephea will be presented at TCT 2026, /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT), the global healthcare leader, announced today it has initiated the CROWN-MV pivotal trial evaluating the safety and effectiveness of its investigational Cephea™ Mitral Valve System in treating people with symptomatic mitral valve disease who are not candidates for surgery and transcatheter repair. The first enrollment in the CROWN-MV study occurred at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Wichita, Kan., led by Bassem Chehab, M.D.

The prospective study will enroll up to 585 people in the U.S., Canada and Europe diagnosed with either moderate-to-severe or severe mitral regurgitation (MR, or a leaky mitral valve) or mitral valves that are not functioning properly due to a buildup of calcium in the base of the valves (known as mitral annular calcification, or MAC).

"Patients with severe symptomatic mitral valve disease often cannot undergo conventional surgery or transcatheter mitral valve repair, and therapeutic options for these patients have been extremely limited," said Juan F. Granada, M.D., president and chief executive officer of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) and CROWN-MV trial chair. "The initiation of the CROWN-MV trial represents an important step forward in bringing a dedicated single-step catheter-based replacement option to clinical practice for these high-risk patients. Designed to treat complex mitral anatomies, Cephea has the potential to address a significant unmet patient need."

Expanding treatment options for mitral valve disease 
Mitral valve disease occurs when the heart's mitral valve does not function properly. It comes in two forms: regurgitation, a condition where blood leaks backward through the heart, or stenosis, a narrowing of the valve which restricts blood flow through the heart.

For patients who are not candidates for mitral valve repair or open-heart surgery, the Cephea system offers an alternative minimally invasive way to replace the valve. The Cephea device is delivered by catheter through a vein in the leg, where it is guided across the wall between the chambers of the heart. The bioprosthetic (tissue) valve is implanted and expanded inside the diseased mitral valve to restore normal blood flow. The investigational Cephea system is designed to complement Abbott's mitral valve portfolio that includes MitraClip™, the world's first minimally invasive transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) therapy (which clips the leaflets of the mitral valve together), and the first-of-its-kind Tendyne™ transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) system (which delivers a self-expanding valve through a small incision in the chest).

Data support Cephea's third-generation delivery technology
During an Innovation Session at the 38th Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) annual scientific symposium of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation in San Diego (October 31-November 3, 2026), researchers will present the first 30-day early feasibility study outcomes for patients treated with the third-generation Cephea delivery system. The data presented on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2:57 p.m. PT will further demonstrate the device's performance in reducing MR and improving quality of life.

"With Abbott's first-of-its-kind MitraClip, we were pioneers in offering a minimally invasive therapy to treat mitral regurgitation. Building on more than two decades of mitral valve leadership, Cephea is one example of how Abbott continues to innovate to address the diverse needs of patients with mitral valve disease," said Sandra Lesenfants, senior vice president of Abbott's structural heart business. "Early clinical experience with Cephea and the launch of the CROWN-MV pivotal trial underscore the potential of this technology and move us closer to understanding how it may benefit patients with mitral valve disease."

Other results highlighting Abbott's heart therapies 
Data will be presented at TCT 2026 on a number of Abbott's cardiovascular devices, including:

Late-breaking one-year outcomes from the VERITAS Study of the Amulet 360™ Left Atrial Appendage Occluder (Sunday, Nov. 1, 3:09 p.m. PT)Thirty-day results from the TECTONIC Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) trial of the SonicForce™ Coronary IVL System (Sunday, Nov. 1, 12:44 p.m. PT)The first report of six-month clinical outcomes from the early feasibility study for the investigational Encantor™ transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) balloon-expandable system (Sunday, Nov. 1, 11:13 a.m. PT)Thirty-day results from the PARADIGM trial that supported the recent FDA approval for the Amplatzer™ Paraclose PVL Occluder (Saturday, Oct. 31, 9 a.m. PT)Five-year outcomes from the IDE study for the Navitor™ TAVI system (Monday, Nov. 2, 3:30 p.m. PT)Frequently Asked Questions:
What is symptomatic mitral valve disease (MVD)?
Mitral valve disease occurs when the heart's mitral valve does not function properly, leading to either blood leaking backward into the lungs (mitral regurgitation) or restricted flow (mitral stenosis). If left untreated, severe MVD forces the heart to work harder, which can cause symptoms like shortness of breath and chronic fatigue, and eventually lead to heart failure hospitalizations and premature death.

How does Abbott's Cephea work?
Abbott's investigational Cephea Mitral Valve System is implanted through a catheter that is inserted through a vein in the leg and then guided to the heart. The bioprosthetic (tissue) valve is then positioned to replace the diseased mitral valve to restore normal blood flow through the heart.

How does transcatheter mitral valve replacement differ from repair?
Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair systems, including Abbott's MitraClip, work by clipping together a portion of the leaflets of the mitral valve together to reduce the backflow of blood. Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) replaces the native valve with a bioprosthetic (tissue) valve, delivered either through a vein in the leg (such as with Abbott's Cephea Mitral Valve System) or through a small incision in the chest (such as with Abbott's Tendyne TMVR system). TMVR may offer an option for patients with extensive calcium buildup or damaged mitral valve leaflets who cannot be treated with repair.

What is the CROWN-MV clinical trial?
CROWN-MV is Abbott's global, prospective pivotal clinical study to assess the safety and effectiveness of the Cephea system in treating severe mitral regurgitation and mitral valve dysfunction associated with mitral annular calcification (MAC). The study will enroll up to 585 people in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Cephea, Encantor, Amulet 360 and SonicForce Coronary IVL System remain investigational use only in the U.S.

For U.S. important safety information on MitraClip, visit https://abbo.tt/MitraClipISI.

For U.S. important safety information on Tendyne, visit https://abbo.tt/TendyneISI.

About Abbott:
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube. 

SOURCE Abbott

Although the revenue and EPS for Lilly (LLY) give a sense of how its business performed in the quarter ended September 2026, it might be worth considering how some key metrics compare with Wall Street estimates and the year-ago numbers.

Investors often turn to recommendations made by Wall Street analysts before making a Buy, Sell, or Hold decision about a stock. While media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm employed (or sell-side) analysts often affect a stock's price, do they really matter?

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

Texas Instruments currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.93, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 33 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.93 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy.

Of the 33 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 19 are Strong Buy, representing 57.6% of all recommendations.

Brokerage Recommendation Trends for TXN

Check price target & stock forecast for Texas Instruments here>>>

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

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

This means that the interests of these institutions are not always aligned with those of retail investors, giving little insight into the direction of a stock's future price movement. It would therefore be best to use this information to validate your own analysis or a tool that has proven to be highly effective at predicting stock price movements.

Zacks Rank, our proprietary stock rating tool with an impressive externally audited track record, categorizes stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), and is an effective indicator of a stock's price performance in the near future. Therefore, using the ABR to validate the Zacks Rank could be an efficient way of making a profitable investment decision.

ABR Should Not Be Confused With Zacks RankIn spite of the fact that Zacks Rank and ABR both appear on a scale from 1 to 5, they are two completely different measures.

The ABR is calculated solely based on brokerage recommendations and is typically displayed with decimals (example: 1.28). In contrast, the Zacks Rank is a quantitative model allowing investors to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.

It has been and continues to be the case that analysts employed by brokerage firms are overly optimistic with their recommendations. Because of their employers' vested interests, these analysts issue more favorable ratings than their research would support, misguiding investors far more often than helping them.

On the other hand, earnings estimate revisions are at the core of the Zacks Rank. And empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

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

There is also a key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank when it comes to freshness. When you look at the ABR, it may not be up-to-date. Nonetheless, since brokerage analysts constantly revise their earnings estimates to reflect changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in predicting future stock prices.

Is TXN Worth Investing In?Looking at the earnings estimate revisions for Texas Instruments, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 5.6% over the past month to $8.89.

Analysts' growing optimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to soar in the near term.

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

Therefore, the Buy-equivalent ABR for Texas Instruments may serve as a useful guide for investors.

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

ServiceNow stock plunged by double digits in the extended hours after the software giant published its financial results. NOW dropped by nearly 20% to $121, its lowest level since August 21, and 24% below its highest point this year. The sell-off has undone most of the gains it made in the past few months when it jumped from $81 in April to $160. 

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ServiceNow’s sell-off reflects slowing RPO growth expectations, not its AI momentum.

51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

NOW stock suffered a big reversal after the company published its financial results. An immediate look at the report shows that the company did modestly well as the results were better than expected. It also raised its full-year guidance.

The company said that its revenue rose by 20.5% in the quarter to $4.1 billion, higer than what analysts were expecting. This revenue growth was mostly because of its organic business and its acquisitions. It spent $7.75 billion acquiring Armis, a company in the security industry.

The results also showed that its remaining performance obligations (RPO) rose by 22% to $29.7 billion. Also, its AI annual contract value has now soared to over $1.7 billion. The company’s president said:

“Our AI momentum continues to build, with AI net new ACV exceeding expectations and enabling us to raise our year-end target for the second time this year, from $1 billion at the start of the year to $1.7 billion now.”

Therefore, the stock is falling as investors remain concerned about the impact of the ongoing AI boom to its business. For one, while the RPO growth was strong, the company expects it to grow by 18.5% in the fourth quarter, lower than the 22% it experienced in Q3.

The stock also dropped as the cost of doing business jumped. It spent over $1.05 billion in the quarter after spending $666 million in the same period last year.

Still, to a large extent, there are signs that investors are overreacting to this report as ServiceNow has demonstrated that it can continue growing its business. 

ServiceNow is already being used by some of the biggest companies in the world like Honeywell, Lenovo, CVS, and FedEx. It is highly unlikely that these firms will cancel their subscriptions and move the workload to AI agents. 

At the same time, analysts still expect ServiceNow to generate double digit revenue growth. The average estimate among analysts is that the annual revenue will be $16.2 billion, up by 22% from a year earlier. It will then grow by 18% next year. 

Most notably, ServiceNow has become fairly cheap, compared to where it was a while ago. Its forward price-to-earnings ratio of 38 is lower than the five-year average of 56. 

NOW stock chart | Source: TradingView

The chart above shows that ServiceNow stock plunged by double digits in the extended hours. In the short-term, this sell-off may continue as analysts start reducing their price targets. 

However, in the medium term, there is a likelihood that the stock will bounce back as investors adjust to the new normal. This rebound may see it rise to $138, which coincides with the highest swing in June this year.

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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

VYM has handed shareholders a remarkable run, but the gap between share price growth and dividend growth is raising an uncomfortable question for retirees counting on that quarterly check.

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Over the past year, shares of the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (NYSEARCA:VYM) gained 19%. Its trailing 12-month distributions grew only about 4%. That gap has pulled the trailing yield down to roughly 2.2%, from about 2.5% at the price a year ago. The payout itself looks solid. For a retiree, the open question is whether a dividend fund whose largest holdings yield less than the fund still pays enough per dollar invested.

Where Each Quarterly Check Comes From VYM tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. That index targets companies characterized by high dividend yields and excludes real estate investment trusts (REITs). The income comes from ordinary dividends paid by roughly 616 stocks, with no options overlay. The fund reported about $99 billion in net assets in its latest portfolio filing, dated July 31, 2026. Filings come out on a lag, so treat the weights below as a snapshot.

The payout changes from quarter to quarter. Three of the last four checks beat the same quarter a year earlier:

Quarter Latest Year Earlier December $0.9474 $0.9642 March $0.8617 $0.8500 June $0.9795 $0.8617 September $0.8869 $0.8417 Together that comes to $3.6755 over the trailing year, compared with $3.5176 the year before. If you annualize the latest check, you get $3.5476, which is below the trailing total. A strong June payment ballooned the past year’s figure.

Heavyweights Yield Less Than the Fund Three of the four largest positions yield less than VYM’s 2.2%. Their dividends are well covered, though.

Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO | AVGO Price Prediction) is the biggest holding at 7% of assets, but it yields just 0.8%. The dividend takes about 33% of trailing earnings, and AI chip demand nearly doubled free cash flow from a year earlier. Its December raise was the 15th consecutive annual increase.

At 4% of the fund, JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) yields 1.8%. Roughly 26% of trailing earnings is paid out, which leaves room to absorb higher credit losses.

ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) has a 3% weight. It is the only top-four holding that yields more than the fund, at 2.3%. The payout uses about 52% of earnings, and Exxon has raised its annual dividend for 43 consecutive years. First-quarter free cash flow dropped sharply during Middle East supply disruptions, so oil prices are the main risk here.

The closest call is Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), with a 3% weight and a 2.0% yield, but the dividend equals about 80% of trailing GAAP earnings. Those GAAP earnings are weighed down by amortization, litigation, and costs related to separating the orthopaedics business. Underlying profits tell a calmer story. Second-quarter adjusted EPS of $2.90 easily covered the $1.34 quarterly dividend. The April raise was the company’s 64th consecutive annual increase.

Five Years of Price Versus Payout VYM shares are up 75% over five years. Distributions grew more slowly. The trailing-year total of $3.6755 is about 19% above the $3.0961 paid in calendar 2021. Note that the time periods don’t align exactly, but the price has risen faster than the income, and the yield has fallen.

Shorter periods show the same pattern. Shares are up 17% year to date and have gained 213% over the past decade.

Who VYM Suits Today Steady holders are well positioned. Anyone who bought five years ago near $94 now gets a growing stream of income on a much smaller cost basis, supported by well-covered dividends from the largest holdings.

New buyers get a smaller check. A 2.2% yield pays less per dollar than the fund did a year ago, and the large Broadcom position tilts the portfolio toward growth over current income. The distribution is safe, but it is modest.

VYM fits retirees who want reliable, slowly rising income along with broad market profits. Investors who need more income immediately may find higher-yield strategies a better fit, though those strategies carry additional risk. The December distribution will show whether the trailing total keeps rising.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Rick Wurster, president and CEO at @CharlesSchwab discusses why more RIAs are working with the firm. He explains how advisors are using AI tools and why financial experts using the evolving technology win in the space.

Resolute Mining LON: RSG reported third-quarter gold production of more than 44,000 ounces, generated $64 million in EBITDA and ended the period with net cash of $276 million, while continuing construction at its Doropo project in Côte d’Ivoire and addressing operational disruptions at Syama in Mali.

Chief Executive Officer Chris Eger said the company remained on track to meet its revised 2026 production guidance of 205,000 to 225,000 ounces at all-in sustaining costs (AISC) of approximately $2,225 to $2,350 per ounce. He said Resolute’s longer-term strategy remains focused on reaching more than 500,000 ounces of production from 2028, with an increased geographic focus on Côte d’Ivoire.

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Quarterly financial and operating results
Resolute poured just over 44,000 ounces of gold during the September quarter, including about 31,000 ounces from Syama and about 13,000 ounces from Mako in Senegal. It sold 33,000 ounces at an average realized gold price of $4,325 per ounce, producing quarterly revenue of $143 million.

Chief Financial Officer Dave Jackson said sales volumes were lower than production because of shipment timing rather than logistical constraints. The company ended the quarter with nearly 23,000 ounces of bullion on hand, which was sold shortly after the period ended.

Operating cash flow before capital expenditure, exploration and working-capital movements was $56 million. Group AISC was $2,506 per ounce, compared with $2,484 per ounce in the second quarter. Syama’s AISC was $2,596 per ounce, while Mako’s was $1,516 per ounce.

Capital expenditure totaled more than $85 million during the quarter, including $53 million at Doropo, $19 million at Syama, $3 million at Mako and $10 million of capitalized exploration spending. Resolute finished the quarter with $330.3 million of cash and bullion, including $95.4 million of bullion, against total borrowings of $54.2 million.

Available liquidity was approximately $480 million at Sept. 30. Jackson said $29 million had been drawn from Doropo financing facilities, with the balance expected to be drawn progressively through 2026 and 2027 in line with project spending.

Doropo construction advances
Chief Operating Officer Gavin Harris said more than 800 people had been mobilized at Doropo, where earthworks in the plant area were substantially complete and concrete had been poured for the first carbon-in-leach tank foundations. Nearly two-thirds of project expenditure had been committed, with costs tracking the definitive feasibility study estimate, he said.

Resolute expects first gold at Doropo in the first half of 2028. The company has committed about $315 million, or 61%, of the project’s $516 million total capital budget. It has also finalized $260 million in local financing facilities for the project.

The company awarded or progressed work packages for accommodation, plant construction, water infrastructure and tailings facilities. It also completed tender evaluation for a 30-megawatt solar power plant that would be funded and operated by the supplier under a power offtake agreement for the life of mine.

At the Kilosegui deposit, approximately 30 kilometers from the planned Doropo processing plant, Resolute began a 20,000-meter step-out drilling program. Management is also assessing whether the scale of the deposit and ore transport costs could support a standalone plant. Harris said an update is expected in the first half of 2027.

During the question-and-answer session, management said supply chains into Côte d’Ivoire had generally been favorable, although clearance at the Port of Abidjan had experienced a backlog of about four weeks. The company also identified water management as a key focus and is advancing water storage and harvesting infrastructure ahead of the next wet season.

Syama recovery efforts and Mako performance
Syama produced 31,800 ounces in the third quarter, including 15,600 ounces during September. Harris said the mine’s performance had improved toward the end of the quarter after disruptions related to security conditions, contractor mobilization, explosive supply and an extended roaster shutdown.

The roaster upgrade under the Syama Sulphide Conversion Project experienced intermittent operations during the first half of the quarter, but Harris said the issues had been rectified and the roaster was performing as expected at quarter-end. Ball-mill commissioning was underway, with benefits expected in the second half of the fourth quarter.

The company expects Syama to produce 45,000 to 50,000 ounces in the fourth quarter. An emulsion explosives manufacturing plant was being commissioned, with the first batch of explosives expected the following week. Harris said the facility should reduce supply-chain risks and support a return to targeted mining rates.

Management said it expects Syama grades to move closer to reserve grade as mining progresses into higher-grade sulfide material at the A21 pit. Harris also said recoveries, which were around 73% during the quarter, could approach 80% by the end of the fourth quarter and into 2027 as grades improve and mill optimization continues.

At Mako, third-quarter production of 12,621 ounces met expectations. The operation’s AISC of $1,516 per ounce was below annual guidance, reflecting cost-optimization measures despite higher fuel prices and royalties. Resolute said Mako remains on track to achieve its annual production target while outperforming the lower end of its cost guidance.

Exploration and permitting pipeline
In Côte d’Ivoire, Resolute completed more than 24,000 meters of infill drilling at its ABC exploration project, where it has a 3 million-ounce inferred resource at 0.7 grams per tonne. The company expects to release an updated mineral resource estimate early next year after completing infill work, with a feasibility study targeted for 2027.

At La Debo, Resolute completed roughly 16,000 meters of extension drilling at the G3 South zone. The broader deposit resource increased 44% to nearly 1 million ounces, while the G3 South resource expanded by more than 75% to 670,000 ounces. Management said it would pause additional work for the remainder of the year while assessing 2027 plans and whether the project has sufficient scale for development.

At Mako, the company advanced environmental and social impact assessment approvals for the Tomboronkoto and Bantaco deposits. Resolute expects to submit exploitation permit applications in the coming weeks and anticipates permits could be granted in the first half of 2027.

About Resolute Mining (LON:RSG)Resolute is an African-focused gold miner with more than 30 years of experience as an explorer, developer and operator. Throughout its history the Company has produced more than 9 million ounces of gold from ten gold mines. The Company is now entering a growth phase through the development of the Doropo project in Côte d'Ivoire which will supplement the existing production from the Syama mine in Mali and Mako mine in Senegal. The Company trades on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE) under the ticker RSG.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

Should You Invest $1,000 in Resolute Mining Right Now?Before you consider Resolute Mining, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Resolute Mining wasn't on the list.

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SecureOT capabilities help machine builders identify vulnerabilities, document cybersecurity posture and support compliance readiness across the machine lifecycle

, /PRNewswire/ -- Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world's largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, today announced new SecureOTTM cybersecurity capabilities designed to help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) simplify compliance efforts, strengthen secure-by-design practices and better manage cybersecurity risks throughout the machine lifecycle.

Rockwell Automation introduces SecureOT capabilities to help OEMs address emerging cybersecurity regulations Cybersecurity regulations, such as the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and Machinery Regulation (MR), are moving toward key compliance deadlines in 2026 and 2027. As these regulations reshape requirements for machine builders, OEMs face increasing pressure to demonstrate cybersecurity readiness, maintain detailed documentation and provide ongoing support for deployed assets. According to Rockwell's OEM Advantage Playbook findings, that pressure is being felt across the market: Nearly two in five OEMs are already navigating evolving compliance requirements, while 63% expect cyber risks to continue. Despite this, many lack visibility into their current readiness and the steps needed to address them. Rockwell's SecureOT capabilities help address these challenges by equipping OEMs with proactive cybersecurity management and making regulatory readiness a more repeatable, scalable process.

Rockwell expanded SecureOT with OEM-focused capabilities including cybersecurity assessments, advisory services, machine-level visibility, vulnerability identification and compliance reporting to help machine builders navigate evolving requirements. Powered by SecureOTTM Platform, these capabilities enable organizations to identify vulnerabilities, document cybersecurity posture and support regulatory readiness throughout the machine lifecycle.

By combining technology, services and industrial cybersecurity expertise, SecureOT helps OEMs move from reactive compliance activities to a more proactive and scalable approach to managing cybersecurity risk. Key capabilities include:

Machine-level asset visibility with detailed inventories of hardware, software and firmwareVulnerability identification to help uncover cybersecurity risks that may affect machine security and complianceExportable compliance reports that support customer transparency, audit preparation and regulatory documentation requirementsCybersecurity assessments and advisory services to help identify gaps, establish governance processes and align with standards such as IEC 62443Continuous monitoring to maintain visibility into newly disclosed vulnerabilities, support ongoing risk management and help satisfy post-deployment cybersecurity obligations"OEMs are facing unprecedented pressure to demonstrate cybersecurity readiness while continuing to innovate and deliver high-quality machines on schedule," said Rick Kaun, global director of cybersecurity services at Rockwell Automation. "By combining SecureOT technology, advisory services and Rockwell Automation's industrial expertise, we help OEMs make cybersecurity a strategic business advantage rather than a compliance exercise."

To learn more about SecureOT and how Rockwell helps machine builders navigate evolving cybersecurity requirements, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How does SecureOT help OEMs strengthen cybersecurity readiness?
SecureOT helps OEMs assess cybersecurity readiness, identify vulnerabilities, document machine cybersecurity posture and support regulatory readiness throughout the machine lifecycle. By combining cybersecurity assessments, advisory services and SecureOT Platform capabilities, OEMs can gain greater visibility into cybersecurity risks while implementing secure-by-design practices.

How can SecureOT help OEMs prepare for regulations such as the Cyber Resilience Act and Machinery Regulation?
Leveraging SecureOT Platform helps OEMs gain visibility into machine cybersecurity risk while supporting a secure-by-design approach throughout the product lifecycle. This tool minimizes engineering time and risk required to support compliance while simplifying the documentation process needed for regulatory requirements. 

What differentiates Rockwell Automation's approach to OEM cybersecurity?
Rockwell Automation combines industrial automation expertise, OT cybersecurity technology, assessments, advisory services and machine-level visibility within a unified approach. This helps OEMs establish scalable cybersecurity programs that support secure-by-design development, ongoing vulnerability management, compliance documentation and machine lifecycle support.

About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 26,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries as of fiscal year end 2025. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise® to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.

SOURCE Rockwell Automation, Inc.