Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

American International Group (AIG - 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 3, 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 the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis insurer is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.85 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -15.9%.

Revenues are expected to be $7.45 billion, up 5.6% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.32% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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 American International Group?For American International Group, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -1.29%.

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

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that American International Group will beat the consensus EPS estimate.

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that American International Group would post earnings of $1.89 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.00, delivering a surprise of +5.82%.

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

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

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

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

Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAnother stock from the Zacks Insurance - Multi line industry, Equitable Holdings, Inc. (EQH - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $1.87 per share for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +26.4%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $3.9 billion, up 4.4% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for Equitable Holdings has been revised 0.2% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. 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 Equitable Holdings 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.

The upcoming report from Fiverr International (FVRR - Free Report) is expected to reveal quarterly earnings of $0.36 per share, indicating a decline of 53.3% compared to the year-ago period. Analysts forecast revenues of $84.48 million, representing a decline of 21.7% year over year.

Over the last 30 days, there has been a downward revision of 35.7% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter, leading to its current level. This signifies the covering analysts' collective reconsideration of their initial forecasts over the course of this timeframe.

Before a company announces its earnings, it is essential to take into account any changes made to earnings estimates. This is a valuable factor in predicting the potential reactions of investors toward the stock. Empirical research has consistently shown a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and the short-term price performance of a stock.

While investors typically rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates to gauge how the business may have fared during the quarter, examining analysts' projections for some of the company's key metrics often helps gain a deeper insight.

In light of this perspective, let's dive into the average estimates of certain Fiverr metrics that are commonly tracked and forecasted by Wall Street analysts.

Analysts predict that the 'Revenue- Marketplace' will reach $53.94 million. The estimate points to a change of -26.7% from the year-ago quarter.

Analysts expect 'Revenue- Services' to come in at $30.54 million. The estimate points to a change of -11% from the year-ago quarter.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Annual Active Buyers' reaching 2.39 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 3.30 million in the same quarter last year.

The consensus estimate for 'Marketplace Take Rate' stands at 27.9%. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 27.6%.

View all Key Company Metrics for Fiverr here>>>

Fiverr shares have witnessed a change of -2.9% in the past month, in contrast to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.8% move. With a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), FVRR is expected underperform the overall market performance in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

MercadoLibre posted record revenue while its stock cratered, and two Wall Street firms now see a path to 50% gains from here. Whether that gap closes depends on a margin story that is still unfolding.

MercadoLibre (NASDAQ:MELI | MELI Price Prediction) currently trades at $1,668.72. The average Wall Street price target is $2,273.86, which implies about 36.3% upside to where analysts think it belongs.

MercadoLibre runs Latin America’s dominant online marketplace. It also owns Mercado Pago, a payments and credit arm, along with Mercado Ads, Mercado Envios logistics and the MELI+ membership across Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. Revenue is growing at its fastest pace in four years, and that is why Wall Street remains bullish.

A couple of analysts are even more bullish. Susquehanna and Barclays both have $2,500 targets, which works out to roughly 49.8% upside. With an implied move that close to 50%, the gap deserves a hard look.

Record Revenue Couldn’t Rescue a Shrinking Operating Margin
Profitability is what dropped the stock. In the second quarter, revenue rose 49.8% to $10.17 billion. Over the same stretch, operating margin contracted 550 bps to 6.7%, operating income fell 17% to $683 million and net income dropped 11% to $466 million. The first quarter looked much the same: operating income fell 20% and adjusted free cash flow came in at -$56 million. Before that, fourth-quarter EPS of $11.03 missed the $11.85 estimate.

Management says the squeeze is deliberate. The money is going into lower free-shipping thresholds, 2.6 million new credit cards in the quarter, PIX discounts in Brazil and AI tools. Other pressures are less voluntary: Mexico’s tax reform, weak consumer spending in Argentina, and net debt that climbed to $6.4 billion from $4.7 billion.

The stock is down 22.78% over the past year. Selling has picked up recently, with a 7.81% drop in the latest session.

Analysts Are Underwriting the Commerce and Fintech Flywheel
What drives the bullish thesis is “ecosystemic” users, meaning customers who use both the marketplace and Mercado Pago. That group grew 37%, and these users generate 70% more GMV and 90% more TPV. The credit portfolio hit $16.4 billion, up 75%, while 15- to 90-day NPLs held at 7.0%, close to historical lows. Advertising grew 73%.

The $2,500 calls lean on three factors: Mercado Pago’s scale, a logistics advantage that keeps Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) at bay, and fast-growing ad revenue that should lift margins (per the bull thesis). Timing matters here. Brazilian credit-card groups typically reach NIMAL breakeven after 12 to 18 months, so this year’s heavy issuance should begin to pay off over the next year or so. CEO Ariel Szarfsztejn has made it clear the spending isn’t hesitating: “We will not deploy new investments simply to manage comps.”

Ratings are still largely positive, but earnings estimates are sliding. Over the past 30 days, the 2026 EPS consensus saw 12 downward revisions against 2 upward ones, and it now stands at $38.2807. Ninety days ago it was $39.9564. Price targets are a forecast and come with no guarantee.

Sea Limited Sold Off Harder While Amazon Held Up
Some peers have been hit far harder than others by the selloff. Investors have sold off the emerging-market commerce names that are spending to grow, while the largest U.S. player has held its ground.

Sea Limited (NYSE:SE), whose Shopee competes with MercadoLibre in Brazil, is down 41.98% year to date. At $74 against a $153.79 target, analysts see about 107.8% upside. Sea has 5 Strong Buy, 22 Buy and 2 Hold ratings. Even so, second-quarter EPS of $0.70 missed the $0.8613 estimate. On paper, Sea’s upside is much larger.

Amazon is up 7.92% year to date at $249.09. Its $331.72 target implies about 33.2% upside, slightly below MercadoLibre’s. Of the 61 analysts covering it, 59 give it the equivalent of a Buy or better rating.

Sea offers the biggest implied upside in the group. MercadoLibre sits in the middle of the group on implied upside.

A 50-Times Earnings Stock Lagging the S&P 500
At $1,668.72, MercadoLibre has 36.3% implied upside to its $2,273.86 consensus target. Its 52-week range runs from $1,495 to $2,428. The stock trades at 50 times trailing earnings and 33 times forward earnings.

Shares are down 17.15% year to date, while the S&P 500 is up 12.24%. Over the past year, MercadoLibre has lost 22.78% and the index has gained 13.01%.

Here’s how the 26 analysts covering the stock break down:

Strong Buy: 5
Buy: 17
Hold: 4
Sell: 0

MercadoLibre’s Gap Looks Real, but Margins Need to Bottom First
The case for MercadoLibre works if the credit-card groups mature on schedule, NIMAL keeps rising from 21%, and ads plus cross-border trade lift operating margin back above the current 6.7%. In that scenario, the 2027 EPS consensus of $55.5430 makes today’s multiple look cheap, and $2,500 becomes reachable.

The case falls apart if spending never slows down. Rising net debt, Mexico’s tax pressures and steady downward estimate revisions would make the shares look cheap for a reason, with revenue growing while earnings stall.

My stance is bullish. Credit quality is holding up, and ecosystemic users are growing. Still, the stock needs at least one quarter of stable margins before the gap to the target starts to close.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

DETROIT — The automotive industry faces a "catastrophic" scenario if the U.S. and Canada cannot reach a new trade deal by the end of this year, an executive with Honda Motor warned Tuesday.

President Donald Trump has threatened to double tariffs on Canadian vehicles and parts from 25% to 50% on Jan. 1 if the two countries don't reach a deal.

"That really would be catastrophic for the entire industry," Jennifer Thomas, senior vice president of corporate affairs at American Honda Motor Co., said during a Reuters automotive conference in Detroit.

Thomas said, ideally, the countries would also include Mexico in the arrangement and reach a trilateral deal, like the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA. Trade associations representing Honda, as well as every major player in the U.S. automotive industry, have been advocating for that more comprehensive accord and against bilateral arrangements between two countries.

Her comments come months after U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced that the U.S. would not automatically extend USMCA, moving the trade pact into an annual review process instead of a 16-year trilateral extension.

Trump negotiated USMCA to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement during his first term and it took effect in 2020. He later soured on it and accused Canada of "ripping off the United States of America for years."

Thomas said she is "cautiously optimistic" that cooler heads will prevail to avoid the doubling of tariffs, which Trump threatened in August if no deal can be reached.

She said she's encouraged by recent reports that the U.S. and Canada have reestablished trade talks, including easing levies on critical materials such as aluminum.

"Our message has been clear: We need that trilateral agreement to stay in place in order for the U.S. industry to be competitive," Thomas said. "It's integral to our success."

Honda is the second largest producer of vehicles in Canada behind Toyota Motor, but many automotive officials have voiced concerns about the lack of a North American trade deal and tariff uncertainty due to the number of parts that regularly cross the borders for vehicle production.

While Honda has established large operations in Canada, the company reports that more than 60% of the vehicles it sells in the U.S. are manufactured domestically across multiple U.S. assembly plants.

"I never thought I would see the North American region be put at a disadvantage like this," Thomas said, adding that some overseas countries have better tariff rates.

The Trump administration has negotiated trade deals with other countries such as Japan and South Korea, which are major exporters of vehicles to the U.S., that include 15% tariffs on vehicles.

Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Archer Daniels Midland (ADM - 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 3. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis agribusiness giant is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.63 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +77.2%.

Revenues are expected to be $22.67 billion, up 11.3% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 6.33% 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. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).

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 ADM?For ADM, the Most Accurate Estimate is the same as the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that there are no recent analyst views which differ from what have been considered to derive the consensus estimate. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of 0%.

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

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that ADM will 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 ADM would post earnings of $1.42 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.84, delivering a surprise of +29.58%.

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

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

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

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

An Industry Player's Expected ResultsAmong the stocks in the Zacks Agriculture - Operations industry, FMC (FMC - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $0.08 per share for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -91%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $96.9 million, down 89.9% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for FMC has been revised 35.6% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -57.32%.

This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), makes it difficult to conclusively predict that FMC 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 PANW's new service continuously tests applications, APIs, cloud systems and code for vulnerabilities.PANW combines AI models from Anthropic and OpenAI with prioritized fixes and virtual patching options.PANW's Next-Generation Security ARR rose 63% to $9.1 billion in fiscal Q4 2026. Palo Alto Networks (PANW - Free Report) is expanding its AI security offerings with Unit 42 Continuous Frontier AI Defense. PANW’s Continuous Frontier AI Defense uses advanced AI models from Anthropic and OpenAI, along with open-weight models, to identify security weaknesses, test whether attackers can exploit them and help businesses fix them. The service builds on the company's earlier Frontier AI Defense offering introduced in April 2026.

Cyber attackers are increasingly using AI to find and exploit security weaknesses. This is increasing the need for faster and more frequent security testing. PANW's new service continuously checks applications, APIs, cloud infrastructure, source code repositories and network assets for vulnerabilities. It also provides prioritized recommendations, code-level fixes and virtual patching options to help businesses address security gaps before attackers can exploit them.

The new offering could help PANW expand its Unit 42 security services and address the growing need for AI-driven cybersecurity. The service is available globally through annual subscriptions, giving the company an opportunity to generate recurring revenues as more businesses adopt it. PANW is already seeing strong growth across its broader security business. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, Next-Generation Security annual recurring revenue (ARR) reached $9.1 billion, up 63% year over year.

Remaining performance obligations also increased 34% to $21.2 billion, reflecting growth in contracted business. While these figures do not directly measure demand for Continuous Frontier AI Defense, they highlight the company's broader growth momentum. As AI-related threats increase, the new service could provide another growth opportunity for PANW, with its long-term impact depending on customer adoption and the company's ability to turn its security capabilities into measurable results.

How Competitors Fare Against PANWCompetitors like CrowdStrike (CRWD - Free Report) and SentinelOne (S - Free Report) are also gaining ground through platform expansion and AI innovation.

CrowdStrike is expanding its security offerings as AI adoption increases the risk of cyberattacks. In the second quarter of fiscal 2027, its Falcon Exposure Management business gained momentum as companies faced growing difficulty in identifying and fixing vulnerabilities before attackers could exploit them. The product provides real-time detection and continuous prioritization of security exposures. CrowdStrike's AI Detection and Response ending ARR nearly tripled from the previous quarter as customers sought better visibility and control over AI usage.

SentinelOne is expanding its AI security capabilities through Prompt Security and Purple AI. Prompt Security helps businesses monitor AI usage and apply security controls, while Purple AI automates security investigations and helps teams detect and respond to threats faster. SentinelOne reported that ARR from its Prompt Security and Purple AI offerings tripled year over year in the second quarter of fiscal 2027.

PANW’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Palo Alto Networks have jumped 112.2% in the year-to-date period compared with the Zacks Security industry’s appreciation of 103.3%.

PANW’s YTD Price Return Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Palo Alto Networks trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 21.77X compared with the industry’s average of 19.83X. The Zacks Value Score of F suggests that PANW stock is overvalued.

PANW Forward 12-Month P/S Ratio
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Palo Alto Networks’ fiscal 2027 and 2028 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 8.9% and 17.6%, respectively. The estimates for fiscal 2027 and 2028 have remained unchanged over the past 30 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

Chubb (CB - 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 insurer have returned +7.7% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.8% change. The Zacks Insurance - Property and Casualty industry, to which Chubb belongs, has gained 7.3% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?

Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.

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

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.

Chubb is expected to post earnings of $7.15 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -4.9%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -0.3%.

The consensus earnings estimate of $28.49 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +14.9%. This estimate has changed +4.2% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $28.94 indicates a change of +1.6% from what Chubb is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.2%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for Chubb.

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 Chubb, the consensus sales estimate of $16.14 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +5.2%. The $63.84 billion and $66.6 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +6.5% and +4.3%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryChubb reported revenues of $16.81 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +4.2%. EPS of $7.66 for the same period compares with $7.49 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $16.72 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +0.55%. The EPS surprise was +17.3%.

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

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

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.

Chubb 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 Chubb. However, its Zacks Rank #2 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio (NIO -0.46%) has given investors plenty of reasons to be frustrated over the years. Between delayed profitability and net losses, a brutal Chinese automotive price war, and heavy capital expenditures for its battery-swap network, the road hasn't exactly been smooth.

But there's a potentially encouraging development investors shouldn't overlook. Through September, Nio delivered 300,301 vehicles, a whopping 49.2% increase compared with the prior year. That's impressive, and there's another number that might be even more important for long-term investors.

Bigger sales AND better margins Nio's growth story has evolved beyond its premium namesake vehicles. The company now operates three brands: Nio, which targets premium buyers; Onvo, which focuses on family-oriented vehicles; and Firefly, which offers smaller, more affordable EVs. That broader lineup gives Nio opportunities to reach customers who might never have considered one of its higher-priced vehicles.Though Nio's sales can vary wildly month to month, the trend is clear and emphasizes that the company is expanding sales consistently over time and continuing to build scale.

Data source: Nio sales releases. Chart by author.

Of course, there's a potential problem with this strategy. Expanding into lower-priced vehicles can put pressure on profit margins, particularly in China's brutally competitive EV market.

Here's where things get interesting. During the second quarter, Nio reported a vehicle gross margin of 18.5%, compared with just 10.3% during the prior-year period. That's an improvement of 8.2 percentage points, even as the company expanded its product portfolio to more affordable EVs. That's a meaningful improvement in the economics of selling vehicles, and something for investors to look for during its upcoming third-quarter results.

What it means for investors There is an important caveat. Nio's improving margins aren't necessarily the direct result of its three-brand strategy. Management has pointed to a more favorable product mix (newer premium SUVs) and cost optimization, and the company hasn't established that every vehicle in its expanding lineup generates attractive margins.

$3.25-$0.02 (-0.46%)

NYSE · As of 11:40 AM ET 10/27/26

Something else worth noting for investors is that Nio's "other sales" gross margins have reversed from negative 29% in 2022 to positive 6.6% in 2025. Part of this is the improved profitability of its growing battery-swap network, which should continue to scale as more and more Nio vehicles are on the road using it.

Image source: Nio.

Another thing to keep in mind is that vehicle gross margin slipped slightly from 18.8% in the first quarter to 18.5% in the second quarter. Investors shouldn't assume the improvement will continue uninterrupted. That said, the combination of rapidly growing deliveries and stronger vehicle margins is encouraging.

Nio has long needed to demonstrate that increasing sales can eventually translate into a sustainable business, rather than simply larger losses. Its latest results don't settle that question, although management believes the company will be net profitable next year. For investors willing to tolerate considerable risk, improved margins amid a price war and more affordable vehicle sales are arguably more important than the delivery growth alone.

Ecolab (ECL - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.18 per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate . This compares to earnings of $2.07 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

A quarter ago, it was expected that this cleaning, food-safety and pest-control services company would post earnings of $2.08 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.09, delivering a surprise of +0.48%.

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

Ecolab, which belongs to the Zacks Chemical - Specialty industry, posted revenues of $4.69 billion for the quarter ended September 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.49%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $4.17 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Ecolab shares have added about 10.1% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 12.1%.

What's Next for Ecolab?While Ecolab has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Ecolab was unfavorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $2.20 on $4.73 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $8.16 on $17.96 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Chemical - Specialty is currently in the bottom 33% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Ashland (ASH - Free Report) , another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended September 2026. The results are expected to be released on November 3.

This chemical company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.30 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +20.4%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

Ashland's revenues are expected to be $500.66 million, up 4.7% from the year-ago quarter.

Key Takeaways Mondelez's Q3 revenues may rise 2.4% to nearly $10 billion, while EPS is expected to fall 1.4%. North American momentum, emerging market strength and Europe's improving volumes may aid Mondelez. Inflation, cautious consumer spending and elevated input costs may pressure Mondelez's Q3 margins. Mondelez International, Inc. (MDLZ - Free Report) is likely to witness top-line growth when it reports third-quarter 2026 earnings on Oct. 29. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at almost $10 billion, indicating a 2.4% increase from the year-ago reported number.

The consensus mark for earnings has risen by a cent over the past 30 days to 72 cents a share, which, however, suggests a 1.4% drop from the year-ago period’s figure. MDLZ has a trailing four-quarter surprise of 5.8%, on average.

Factors Likely to Influence MDLZ’s Upcoming ResultsMondelez International's third-quarter results are likely to benefit from sustained snacking demand, improving volume trends and market share gains. North America's momentum, supported by disciplined promotional execution, refined price-pack offerings and innovation, may have aided performance. Expansion across online, convenience and value channels is likely to have provided additional support.

Resilient consumer spending across Emerging Markets is expected to have supported growth. Continued distribution expansion in India, strength across Brazil, Mexico and Southeast Asia, and favorable pricing strategies may have contributed to performance. Innovations such as Biscoff biscuits and Cadbury Milkinis in India, alongside value packs and premiumization, are likely to have strengthened demand.

Europe's improving volume trends and stabilizing market share performance may have supported results. On its second-quarter earnings call, management expected volume improvement to continue through the second half of 2026. Innovations involving Biscoff and Milka Croissant, increased brand investments and enhanced in-store execution may have aided the region's recovery. Ongoing productivity initiatives and supply-chain modernization may have supported cost efficiencies.

However, subdued consumer confidence, inflationary pressures and cautious spending could have weighed on volumes. Elevated input costs associated with the Middle East conflict, alongside continued advertising and consumer promotion investments, may have pressured operating margins.

Earnings Whispers for MDLZOur proven model doesn’t conclusively predict an earnings beat for Mondelez this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is not the case here.

 Mondelez currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 and has an Earnings ESP of -0.71%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Stocks With the Favorable CombinationHere are some companies worth considering, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.

Altria Group, Inc. (MO - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.26% and a Zacks Rank #2. The consensus estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $5.3 billion, which indicates an improvement of about 1% from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Altria’s upcoming quarter’s EPS is pegged at $1.51, which calls for 4.1% growth from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter. MO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 1.3%, on average.

Sysco Corporation (SYY - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +2.46% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The consensus estimate for the quarterly revenues is pinned at $22.2 billion, which suggests 4.9% growth from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Sysco’s upcoming quarter’s EPS is pegged at $1.17, which calls for a 1.7% increase from the year-ago period’s figure. SYY delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of nearly 1%, on average.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +18.48% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its upcoming quarter’s revenues is pegged at $22.7 billion, suggesting 11.3% growth from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter.

The consensus estimate for Archer-Daniels’ earnings is pegged at $1.44 per share, implying an increase of 56.5% from the year-ago quarter. ADM delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 11.3%, on average.

Western Digital (WDC - 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.

Over the past month, shares of this maker of hard drives for businesses and personal computers have returned -21.4%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.8% change. During this period, the Zacks Computer- Storage Devices industry, which Western Digital falls in, has lost 25.5%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.

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

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.

Western Digital is expected to post earnings of $5.21 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +144.6%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +0.1%.

The consensus earnings estimate of $22.13 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +116.5%. This estimate has changed +2.9% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $40.59 indicates a change of +83.4% from what Western Digital is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.4%.

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, Western Digital is rated Zacks Rank #2 (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 Western Digital, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $5.09 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +68.6%. For the current and next fiscal years, $20.11 billion and $28.22 billion estimates indicate +55.6% and +40.3% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryWestern Digital reported revenues of $4.38 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +55.5%. EPS of $4.64 for the same period compares with $1.78 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.17 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +5.16%. The EPS surprise was +13.45%.

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

ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.

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.

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

ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Western Digital. However, its Zacks Rank #2 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.

Wall Street expects a year-over-year decline in earnings on higher revenues when Yum Brands (YUM - 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 3. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis parent company of KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.47 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -7%.

Revenues are expected to be $2.06 billion, up 3.9% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 6.31% 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 Yum?For Yum, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -4.08%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #5.

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Yum will beat the consensus EPS estimate.

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Yum would post earnings of $1.59 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.62, delivering a surprise of +1.89%.

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.

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

Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAmong the stocks in the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry, Restaurant Brands (QSR - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $1.08 per share for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +4.9%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $2.54 billion, up 3.6% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for Restaurant Brands has been revised 0.5% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a higher Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.38%.

This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggests that Restaurant Brands will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.

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

Key Takeaways NetApp's Q1 fiscal 2027 revenues surged 30% to $2.03 billion, aided by pricing gains and strong demand.NTAP's product revenues jumped 51% while improved pricing helped offset rising component costs.NetApp raised its fiscal 2027 revenue outlook by $650 million to $7.975-$8.225 billion amid stronger demand. NetApp, Inc. (NTAP - Free Report) is benefiting from improved pricing amid rising component and commodity costs, supporting its revenue growth despite a challenging cost environment. The company has adjusted product prices to offset higher input costs, which contributed to stronger-than-expected performance in the first quarter of fiscal 2027. On the last earnings call, management highlighted that pricing benefits, accelerated customer purchases and broad-based demand for AI and infrastructure modernization supported the quarter's results.

NetApp reported first-quarter revenues of $2.03 billion, up 30% year over year, including the benefit of an additional week. Excluding this impact, revenues increased 26%. Product revenues surged 51% to $987 million, reflecting robust demand across its portfolio. The company's product gross margin reached 54.6%, declining 150 basis points sequentially due to higher component costs, partially offset by improved pricing. However, product gross margin exceeded management's expectations, demonstrating its ability to capture higher prices despite cost pressures.

On the last earnings call, management stated that its pricing actions are translating into financial benefits faster than in previous cycles. Historically, price increases took two to three quarters to materialize, but greater pricing agility is now allowing NetApp to realize these benefits earlier. The company also noted that customers continue to prioritize spending on critical infrastructure despite higher prices. However, some customers are delaying less essential projects or shifting toward more cost-effective hybrid flash solutions.

NetApp expects its product gross margin performance for the remainder of fiscal 2027 to be slightly better than previously anticipated, reflecting improved confidence in recovering incremental costs. However, management does not expect pricing-related benefits to remain at the exceptional levels witnessed in the first quarter.

Supported by stronger demand and business momentum, NetApp raised its fiscal 2027 revenue guidance to $7.98-$8.23 billion. The midpoint of $8.1 billion implies 17% year-over-year growth and represents a $650 million increase from its previous forecast. For the second quarter, revenues are projected at $2.1 billion, plus or minus $75 million. Continued pricing improvements, alongside sustained AI-driven infrastructure spending, could support revenue growth despite ongoing component cost pressures.

Taking a Look at NTAP’s CompetitorsHewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE - Free Report) is benefiting from a broader shift toward AI infrastructure, networking modernization and hybrid cloud, with Juniper expanding its addressable market and integration synergies supporting earnings growth. Record orders and backlog show demand is outpacing shipments, while Private Cloud AI, Alletra and GreenLake deepen HPE’s exposure to software, services and recurring consumption. Management has raised its fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027 outlooks as profitability, free cash flow and deleveraging advance. For fiscal 2026, HPE raised its revenue growth outlook to 34-37% and non-GAAP earnings per share guidance to $3.75-$3.85. For fiscal 2027, management raised its revenue growth framework to 13-17% and projected non-GAAP earnings per share growth of 16-20%.

Teradata Corporation (TDC - Free Report) is benefiting from rising recurring revenue, expanding operating leverage and a strengthened balance sheet that gives the company room to fund AI innovation and shareholder returns. The Autonomous Knowledge Platform broadens its hybrid data and AI proposition, while Teradata Factory and AI Studio target regulated, sovereign and production-scale agentic AI workloads. Customer interest and early wins support the strategic shift and stronger retention over time. For 2026, Teradata guided its non-GAAP earnings outlook to $2.65-$2.73 per share and adjusted free cash flow forecast to $330-$350 million.

NTAP Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of NetApp have gained 27.5% in the past three months against the Computer-Storage Devices industry’s decline of 3%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Regarding the price/book ratio, NTAP is trading at 29.18, higher than the industry’s multiple of 12.81.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NTAP’s earnings for fiscal 2027 has been revised upward over the past 60 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

Key Takeaways PBF's Martinez refinery returned to full operations in May 2026 after repairs from the February 2025 fire.PBF received $250 million in Q2 insurance proceeds, bringing Martinez-related recoveries to $1.25 billion.PBF's Q2'26 operating cash flow reached $1.6B, fueled by strong refining margins & favorable working capital. The return of PBF Energy's (PBF - Free Report) Martinez refinery to full operations marks an important development for the company's cash flow prospects amid favorable refining market conditions. The California facility resumed full production in May 2026 following repairs related to the February 2025 fire, restoring its ability to supply a complete range of refined petroleum products.

As one of North America's largest independent refiners, PBF operates several facilities across the United States, including California, where limited refining capacity has increased dependence on imported gasoline. With tight regional fuel supplies supporting refining margins, Martinez's return strengthens PBF's ability to capitalize on demand for domestically produced fuels.

The restart reduces the financial burden associated with restoring the damaged facility, as most rebuilding expenditures are now behind the company. PBF received $250 million in insurance proceeds during the second quarter, bringing total recoveries related to the Martinez incident to $1.25 billion, net of deductibles and retentions. Management expects additional insurance payments as it works toward finalizing the claim in the second half of 2026, providing another potential source of cash inflows.

The improved operating position comes as PBF generated $1.6 billion in operating cash flow during the second quarter, supported by strong refining margins and favorable working capital. Although the Martinez hydrocracker turnaround, scheduled to conclude in October, remains a near-term operational consideration, the refinery's return to full production and lower rebuilding expenses are expected to support cash flow. Combined with favorable West Coast refining conditions, these developments position PBF to strengthen its cash generation in the coming days.

Refinery Upgrades to Boost MPC & VLO's Growth ProspectsApart from PBF, other major refiners, including Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC - Free Report) and Valero Energy Corporation (VLO - Free Report) , are investing in refinery upgrades to strengthen production capabilities and earnings prospects.

Marathon Petroleum brought yield-enhancing projects at its El Paso and Robinson refineries online during the second quarter of 2026, improving its ability to produce higher-value petroleum products. These developments support MPC's efforts to improve refining profitability and cash generation.

Meanwhile, Valero has strengthened its refining capabilities by completing the $230 million fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit optimization project at its St. Charles refinery in Louisiana during the third quarter of 2026, on schedule and within budget. The project is now operational and has increased the production of higher-value products, including alkylate and gasoline, positioning VLO to capitalize on favorable refining margins and enhance long-term profitability.

Together, these refinery improvements highlight MPC and VLO's shared focus on operational efficiency and enhanced earnings and cash flow generation through higher-value fuel production.

PBF’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesPBF shares have gained 140.8% over the past year compared with the industry’s 128.7% growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, PBF trades at a trailing 12-month enterprise-value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) of 5.42X. This is below the broader industry average of 6.38X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PBF's third-quarter and fourth-quarter 2026 earnings has remained constant over the past seven days. Meanwhile, estimates for full-year 2026 earnings have seen upward revisions.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Dynatrace (DT - 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 3. 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 software intellegence company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.49 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +11.4%.

Revenues are expected to be $568.12 million, up 15% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.64% higher 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 Dynatrace?For Dynatrace, 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 +0.83%.

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

So, this combination indicates that Dynatrace 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 Dynatrace would post earnings of $0.45 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.48, delivering a surprise of +6.67%.

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

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

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

Dynatrace 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.

Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAmong the stocks in the Zacks Computers - IT Services industry, Cognizant (CTSH - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $1.46 per share for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +5%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $5.65 billion, up 4.3% from the year-ago quarter.

Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for Cognizant has been revised 0.4% up to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of +0.05%, reflecting a higher Most Accurate Estimate.

When combined with a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), this Earnings ESP indicates that Cognizant will most likely 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.

Wave Life Sciences (WVE - Free Report) came out with a quarterly loss of $0.3 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.34. This compares to a loss of $0.32 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +11.77%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this biopharmaceutical company would post a loss of $0.31 per share when it actually produced a loss of $0.34, delivering a surprise of -9.68%.

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

Wave Life Sciences, which belongs to the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, posted revenues of $13.16 million for the quarter ended September 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 342.29%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $7.61 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Wave Life Sciences shares have lost about 81.1% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 12.1%.

What's Next for Wave Life Sciences?While Wave Life Sciences has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Wave Life Sciences was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is -$0.34 on $3.23 million in revenues for the coming quarter and -$1.12 on $47 million in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Medical - Biomedical and Genetics is currently in the top 43% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Another stock from the same industry, BioHarvest Sciences Inc. (BHST - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended September 2026.

This company is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.16 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -14.3%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

BioHarvest Sciences Inc.'s revenues are expected to be $9.63 million, up 6.2% from the year-ago quarter.

Xylem (XYL - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.44 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.47 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.37 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -2.04%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this water and wastewater treatment company would post earnings of $1.34 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.46, delivering a surprise of +8.96%.

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

Xylem, which belongs to the Zacks Waste Removal Services industry, posted revenues of $2.2 billion for the quarter ended September 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.34%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $2.27 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Xylem shares have lost about 20.5% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 12.1%.

What's Next for Xylem?While Xylem has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Xylem was unfavorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $1.62 on $2.43 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $5.65 on $9.17 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Waste Removal Services is currently in the top 40% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Clean Harbors (CLH - Free Report) , another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended September 2026. The results are expected to be released on October 28.

This environmental services company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $3.18 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +43.9%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 10.3% higher over the last 30 days to the current level.

Clean Harbors' revenues are expected to be $1.72 billion, up 11.3% from the year-ago quarter.

Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when GXO Logistics (GXO - 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 3. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis contract logistics provider is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.86 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +8.9%.

Revenues are expected to be $3.56 billion, up 4.8% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.13% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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 GXO Logistics?For GXO Logistics, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.12%.

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

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that GXO Logistics will 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 GXO Logistics would post earnings of $0.58 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.59, delivering a surprise of +1.72%.

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

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

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

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

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

Key Takeaways CNO Financial's Q3 EPS is projected at $1.09, up 13.5%, while revenues are seen falling 16.7% to $993M.CNO's health, Medicare Supplement, annuity and Worksite sales may grow, offset by weaker Consumer life sales.CNO beat earnings estimates for four quarters, but its 0.00% Earnings ESP leaves the next beat uncertain. CNO Financial Group, Inc. (CNO - Free Report) , a provider of health and life insurance, annuities and financial services, is set to report third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 29, after the closing bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s earnings is currently pegged at $1.09 per share on revenues of $993 million.

The third-quarter earnings estimate has remained unchanged over the past 60 days. The bottom-line estimate implies a 13.5% year-over-year increase, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues indicates a 16.7% decline from the year-ago level.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

For 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for CNO Financial’s revenues is pegged at $4.02 billion, indicating an 11.2% year-over-year decline. The earnings estimate is pegged at $4.74 per share, implying a 16.2% year-over-year increase.

CNO beat the consensus estimate for earnings in each of the last four quarters, with the average surprise being 23.2%. This performance is illustrated in the figure below.

CNO Financial Group, Inc. Price and EPS SurpriseQ3 Earnings Whispers for CNOOur 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.

CNO currently has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #2. 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.

Factors at PlayCNO Financial's third-quarter revenues are likely to have been affected by weaker Consumer life sales and lower fee revenues. Sustained sales growth in health, Medicare Supplement, annuity, and Worksite insurance products could have partly offset the negatives.

Higher net investment income, supported by portfolio yields and business growth, is likely to have aided earnings. Insurance product margins are likely to have benefited from business growth and broadly favorable claims experience.

However, continued technology modernization expenses and a rise in total benefits and expenses as a result of higher insurance policy benefits may have weighed on profit growth. 

Stocks That Warrant a LookWhile an earnings beat looks uncertain for CNO, here are some companies from the broader Finance space that you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time around:

Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc. (SKWD - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +7.55% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Skyward Specialty Insurance Group’s earnings for the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at $1.22 per share, indicating 16.2% year-over-year growth. The consensus estimate for revenues is pinned at $507.3 million. SKWD beat earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters, with the average surprise being 19.4%.

Palomar Holdings, Inc. (PLMR - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.29% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Palomar Holdings’ bottom line for the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at $2.60 per share, indicating 29.4% year-over-year growth. It beat earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters, with the average surprise being 13%. The consensus estimate for PLMR’s revenues is pegged at $376.5 million.

Primerica, Inc. (PRI - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.35% and a Zacks Rank #3.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Primerica’s bottom line for the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at $6.39 per share, indicating 1% year-over-year growth. It beat earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters, with the average surprise being 9.8%. The consensus estimate for PRI’s revenues is pegged at $900.9 million.

Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on lower revenues when Unum (UNM - 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 3. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis insurance company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.18 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +4.3%.

Revenues are expected to be $2.96 billion, down 12.5% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.12% higher 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. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).

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 Unum?For Unum, 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 +0.64%.

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

So, this combination indicates that Unum 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 Unum would post earnings of $2.14 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.16, delivering a surprise of +0.93%.

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

Unum 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.

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

The market expects International Flavors (IFF - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on lower revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on November 3, 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 ingredients producer for food, cosmetics and consumer products industries is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.86 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -18.1%.

Revenues are expected to be $1.92 billion, down 28.9% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 5.58% 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. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).

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 International Flavors?For International Flavors, 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 +0.97%.

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

So, this combination indicates that International Flavors 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 International Flavors would post earnings of $0.78 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.82, delivering a surprise of +5.13%.

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.

International Flavors 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.

Expected Results of an Industry PlayerFUCHS SE - Unsponsored ADR (FUPBY - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Chemical - Specialty industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $0.22 for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +15.8%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $1.26 billion, up 20.4% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for FUCHS SE - Unsponsored ADR has been revised 13.6% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, an equal Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of 0.00%.

This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), makes it difficult to conclusively predict that FUCHS SE - Unsponsored ADR 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.

Community Financial System (CBU - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.21 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.19 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.04 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +1.68%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this bank holding company would post earnings of $1.19 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.16, delivering a surprise of -2.52%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once.

Community Financial, which belongs to the Zacks Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry, posted revenues of $228.3 million for the quarter ended September 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.43%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $207.93 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Community Financial shares have added about 8.5% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 12.1%.

What's Next for Community Financial?While Community Financial has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Community Financial was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $1.22 on $232.44 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $4.61 on $895.18 million in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Financial - Miscellaneous Services is currently in the bottom 31% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Jefferson Capital, Inc. (JCAP - Free Report) , another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended September 2026.

This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.70 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -5.4%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

Jefferson Capital, Inc.'s revenues are expected to be $173.4 million, up 15% from the year-ago quarter.

MANCHESTER, N.H., Oct. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. (“Allegro”) (Nasdaq: ALGM), a global leader in power and sensing solutions for motion control and energy-efficient systems, today announced a series of products for AI data centers and high-performance computing systems that increase power density while helping designers better manage energy use, heat dissipation, and equipment size.

As data centers move toward 800V power distribution and 48V cooling systems to address growing workloads, they require faster, more efficient and more compact semiconductor solutions.

Allegro’s expanded portfolio includes new wide-body higher isolation versions of the ACS37030 and ACS37002 current sensors, the AHV85311 Power-Thru™ isolated gate driver for silicon carbide power systems, and an improved version of the code-free QuietMotion™ A89333 48V motor driver.

Together, these products help data center designers:

Safely monitor and control high voltage 800V power systemsReduce energy lost during power conversionFit more power capability into limited board and rack spaceImprove the efficiency and reliability of 48V cooling fansSimplify system design and reduce development time Leading power solution provider Acbel Polytech has integrated Allegro’s high-speed current sensors into its latest high-density power solutions for AI data centers to support precise power control and system protection.

"As AI workloads continue to grow, data center power systems must deliver higher power density without compromising efficiency or reliability," said Rossi Lo, Head of Research and Development at Acbel. "As power distribution architectures evolve to support higher power and voltage levels, precise power control and rapid system protection are becoming increasingly critical, with current sensing playing a key role. By working closely with our industry partners and integrating new technologies into our power solutions, Acbel continues to advance our power solutions to meet the evolving requirements of next-generation AI data centers."

Supporting the Move to 800V Power Distribution

The ACS37030 and ACS37002 current sensors are now available in wide-body packages with a high comparative tracking index (CTI) mold compound enabling 6000V of galvanic isolation for enhanced electrical safety in high-voltage systems. The new sensors provide the fast, accurate current measurement needed to protect power supplies, battery backup units and capacitor banks when AI workloads create sudden changes in power demand.

The compact package also helps customers support 800V systems without increasing the size of the rack power shelf or power supply unit.

Allegro’s AHV85311 Power-Thru isolated gate driver for silicon carbide (SiC) FETs further simplifies high-voltage power designs by eliminating the need for a separate isolated power supply. This design simplification can reduce circuit-board space by up to 50%, helping designers build smaller power supplies and faster solid-state circuit breakers for 800V data center systems.

Improving the Efficiency of 48V Cooling Systems

Cooling is a major source of energy consumption in AI data centers. Allegro’s augmented QuietMotion™ A89333 motor driver helps improve the operation of 48V server cooling fans without requiring customers to develop complex motor-control software.

The A89333 features built-in control technology that automatically manages changing airflow conditions and supports the compact fans used in 1U, 2U and 4U servers. This helps system designers improve cooling efficiency, reduce development effort and maintain reliable operation as computing density increases. The same class of products are also designed to support pumps for liquid cooling systems.

Creating Value for Customers and Supporting Long-Term Growth

The shift to 800V power and 48V cooling is reshaping AI data center infrastructure. Allegro is using its expertise in current sensing, power management and motor control to help customers navigate this transition safely, efficiently and sustainably, advancing the all-electric society from the road to the rack.

“The key challenge for AI data centers is to use less energy and operate more efficiently while safely delivering significantly more computing power,” said Troy Coleman, Senior Vice President of Products at Allegro. “Our new products address these challenges at critical points in the system—from high-voltage power conversion and protection to intelligent cooling. This expands the value Allegro can provide as customers invest in the next generation of AI infrastructure.”

Based on third-party data and internal estimates, Allegro projects its serviceable addressable market (SAM) for AI data centers will reach $1.7 billion by fiscal 2031. Beyond AI data centers, the new products are well-suited for use in industrial automation, robotics and automotive on-board charging systems where efficient 48V operation, high-voltage isolation and compact design are increasingly important.

Allegro will showcase these technologies at electronica 2026 in Munich this November at Hall C6, Booth 129. For additional information, visit allegromicro.com/datacenter.

About Allegro MicroSystems

Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. is leveraging more than three decades of expertise in magnetic sensing and power ICs to propel electrification, automation, AI data center, and robotics forward with solutions that enhance efficiency, performance and sustainability. Allegro’s commitment to quality drives transformation across industries, reinforcing our status as a pioneer in “automotive grade” technology and a partner in our customers' success. For additional information, visit allegromicro.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding the anticipated performance, customer benefits, cost savings, and future customer expectations and demands for products and projections related to future market size are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “project,” “believe,” “estimate,” “potential,” or other similar expressions. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance, and you should avoid placing undue reliance on these statements.

Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to: our ability to successfully develop and commercialize new products; customer adoption rates of emerging technologies; the timing and success of customer design wins; our ability to compete effectively; and other risk factors identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 27, 2026, as updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update them.

Media Contact
Andrew MacLellan
Corporate Communications
(617) 633-4909
[email protected]

Allegro Contact
Ram Sathappan
Vice President of Global Marketing and Applications
[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3442b2e1-bc6c-4b25-a3a8-989b39fb5295

Allegro MicroSystems Data Center Solutions Allegro MicroSystems Introduces New Power and Cooling Solutions for Sustainable 800V AI Data Centers

Euronet Worldwide (EEFT - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $3.55 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.63 per share. This compares to earnings of $3.62 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -2.20%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this electronic payments and transactions processor would post earnings of $2.97 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.82, delivering a surprise of -5.05%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once.

Euronet Worldwide, which belongs to the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry, posted revenues of $1.16 billion for the quarter ended September 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.87%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $1.15 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates two times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Euronet Worldwide shares have lost about 16% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 12.1%.

What's Next for Euronet Worldwide?While Euronet Worldwide has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Euronet Worldwide was unfavorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $2.61 on $1.17 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $10.63 on $4.47 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Financial Transaction Services is currently in the bottom 37% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Another stock from the same industry, Fiserv (FISV - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended September 2026. The results are expected to be released on November 3.

This financial services technology company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.72 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -15.7%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 2.1% lower over the last 30 days to the current level.

Fiserv's revenues are expected to be $4.84 billion, down 1.6% from the year-ago quarter.

NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized investor-rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Celsius Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CELH) and certain of its officers.

This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Celsius securities between February 21, 2025 and June 3, 2026, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm’s site: bgandg.com/cases/celsius-holdings-inc-celh-class_action_lawsuit.

Celsius Case Details

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:

(1) Alani Nu products did not adequately disclose the cardiac risks associated with their consumption;(2) by marketing Alani Nu beverages to consumers under the age of 18, the Company targeted individuals who were particularly susceptible to the products’ known health risks;(3) consequently, there was a material risk that consumers of Alani Nu products could suffer potentially fatal adverse health events;(4) the disclosure of these risks was likely to significantly harm the Company’s business and reputation; and(5) as a result, Defendants’ positive statements concerning the Company’s business, operations, compliance policies, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.
What's Next for Celsius Investors?

A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm’s site: bgandg.com/cases/celsius-holdings-inc-celh-class_action_lawsuit. or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 917-590-0911. If you suffered a loss in Celsius you have until November 3, 2026, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.

No Cost to Celsius Investors

We, Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman LLC, represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys’ fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.

Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC for Celsius Securities Class Action?

Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide. More at www.bgandg.com

"Our practice centers on restoring investor capital and ensuring corporate accountability, which serves to uphold the essential integrity of the marketplace," said Peretz Bronstein, Founding Partner of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.

Contact Info

Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or Nathan Miller
Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
917-590-0911 | [email protected]

Attorney advertising.
Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.