SpaceX klesl o více než 6 % na 159,95 USD při volatilním obchodování po nedávném IPO. Wedbush ale zahájil pokrytí s doporučením outperform a cílovou cenou 190 USD.
SpaceX stock SPCX fell sharply on Wednesday as investors continued to navigate volatile post-IPO trading.
Shares of Elon Musk's space and artificial intelligence company dropped more than 6% to $159.95 in early trading.
The decline came amid broader weakness in technology and semiconductor stocks.
The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.4%, while the S&P 500 slipped 0.1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 88 points.
Among other technology names, Micron fell 6%, Sandisk dropped 8%, Nvidia lost roughly 2%, and Broadcom declined about 1%.
The pullback highlights the ongoing debate over SpaceX's valuation following its blockbuster public market debut.
With the stock experiencing significant swings since listing, investors are increasingly looking to analyst assessments for clues about how much upside remains after the company's rapid ascent.
On Tuesday evening, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives initiated coverage of SpaceX with an outperform rating and a $190 price target.
"We view SpaceX as one of the most differentiated assets within the tech market with a strong footprint across its three core markets, with Starlink driving success with connectivity, Starship launches leading to a demand flywheel, and increasing deal flow for its Colossus [AI data centers]," Ives wrote.
According to Ives, Starship remains central to the company's long-term growth strategy.
The analyst argued that the next-generation launch vehicle could reduce the cost of reaching space by roughly 90% compared with Falcon 9 missions, potentially enabling a broader range of commercial opportunities, including orbital AI data centers.
"All of SpaceX's future business runs through Starship, whether it's Starlink's next-generation [satellites], the orbital AI-compute constellation, the Artemis lunar lander, or the cost-and-capacity step the whole forward [valuation] case assumes," Ives wrote.
"The vehicle is the single largest source of value in the franchise as much as its largest risk."
Ives based his valuation on a sum-of-the-parts framework that separately assesses the company's launch, satellite internet, and artificial intelligence businesses.
Under that approach, he values SpaceX's launch operations at approximately $66 billion and Starlink at roughly $600 billion.
The largest component of the valuation is the company's artificial intelligence business, which Ives estimates is worth approximately $1.8 trillion.
He expects AI-related operations to generate more than $80 billion in revenue by 2028, before any contribution from potential orbital AI data centers.
The analysis places significant emphasis on SpaceX's expanding AI ambitions alongside its traditional aerospace operations.
Separately, SpaceX is set to become one of the fastest companies ever added to the Nasdaq-100 index following recent rule changes adopted by Nasdaq.
Nasdaq announced after last Friday's close that SpaceX qualifies for inclusion in the benchmark technology index.
Assuming the company continues to meet eligibility requirements, index-tracking funds and related investment products will begin purchasing shares after the market closes on July 6, with SpaceX officially joining the Nasdaq-100 before trading begins on July 7.
More than $800 billion tracks the Nasdaq-100, including the Invesco QQQ Trust, one of the largest and most actively traded exchange-traded funds.
SpaceX is expected to enter the index with a weighting of less than 1%.
Even with a relatively small weighting, inclusion could create meaningful buying demand because SpaceX's public float remains limited compared with its overall market capitalization.
Index funds and exchange-traded funds tied to the Nasdaq-100 will need to acquire shares to reflect the benchmark's revised composition, while active managers benchmarked against the index may also adjust positions.
Short interest na SpaceX vzrostl na 31 % volně obchodovaných akcií, ale shortaři už od IPO prodělávají zhruba 760 milionů USD. Půjčení akcií zůstává levné, kolem 1 %.
The New Year's eve ball ascends on the day of SpaceX's initial public offering (IPO) in New York City, U.S., June 12, 2026. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
SummaryCompaniesShort interest about 31% of SpaceX free float — Ortex dataCost to borrow still relatively cheap at 1% from as high as 14% at launchShorts sitting on mark-to-market losses of about $760 mln since IPO, Ortex saysNo squeeze yet, but if shares rebound short sellers could be hitNEW YORK, July 1 (Reuters) - Short sellers are betting SpaceX's(SPCX.O), opens new tab will resume its post-debut decline with nearly a third of its tradable shares now sold short — even as those wagers have already cost them nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars in paper losses.
The sizeable short position could inject further volatility into the stock, with every $1 SpaceX share price swing translating to roughly $200 million in gains or losses for shorts, Ortex estimates.
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Short sellers, who sell borrowed shares in the hope of buying them back at a profit when the stock slips, were emboldened after SpaceX shares' initial burst of strength gave way to weakness and the share price slipped as much as 23% in the days following its June 12 market debut.
Short interest now stands at 196 million shares, about 31% of the free float, through Tuesday, up from some 83 million shares, or 13% of the free float, a week ago, Ortex data showed.
"(The rise in short bets) is extraordinary for a stock that has been public less than a month," said Ortex co-founder Peter Hillerberg.
SpaceX's more than $2 trillion valuation makes it a target for short sellers skeptical of its rich price tag, but strong retail and institutional interest and Musk's history of public battles against short sellers make that a risky proposition. SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
SpaceX shorts are sitting on mark-to-market losses of about $760 million since the IPO, Ortex estimates.
When the stock bottomed near $153 last week they were up around $2.5 billion on paper, but the rebound in SpaceX shares since has wiped all of that out, Ortex data showed.
"SpaceX has been a roller coaster for the short sellers," Hillerberg said.
The cost to borrow SpaceX shares, a gauge of demand to short a stock relative to the supply of shares available to lend, remains relatively cheap at about 1%, Ortex data showed.
Given the number of shares sold short relative to the total tradable shares available, should SpaceX's stock price continue to rebound, short covering — where bearish investors are forced to buy shares to close out their wagers to avoid further losses — has the potential to push the shares even higher, Hillerberg said.
"(It's) a lot of potential fuel if it tips into a squeeze," he said.
Reporting by Saqib Iqbal Ahmed Editing by Nick Zieminski Editing by Nick Zieminski
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Wedbush zahájil pokrytí SpaceX s doporučením outperform a cílovou cenou 190 USD, tedy asi 16 % nad úterním závěrem. Firma podle něj není jen raketová společnost, ale hyperscaler se třemi byznysy: Starlink, Starship a AI segment.
Wedbush has initiated coverage of SpaceX Corp (NASDAQ:SPCX) with an 'outperform' rating and a $190 price target, implying 16% upside from Tuesday's close of $163.33, arguing the company is becoming a hyperscaler in its own right rather than just a rocket company.
Dan Ives and his team frame SpaceX as three vertically integrated businesses: Starlink connectivity, Starship launch, and an AI segment built around Colossus compute clusters and the Grok model.
Starlink is doing the heavy lifting on profitability, with roughly 12 million subscribers as of June 5 and average revenue per user of about $66 across its enterprise and consumer base. Wedbush estimates SpaceX still holds less than 1% of the global telecom and broadband market, leaving what it calls "early innings" of penetration.
Capital keeps flowing
The analysts point to SpaceX's roughly $86bn IPO haul, about a fifth of which is earmarked for AI infrastructure, as sufficient funding for the near term while the company works through its debt. Wedbush expects further financing to follow given the scale of the AI ambitions.
Starship as the swing factor
Reusability remains the strategic edge, according to the note, cutting hardware costs while building a flywheel that improves flight rates without a corresponding jump in capital spending. The new Starship models are expected to carry around 60 Starlink satellites per launch, more than double the 27 carried by Falcon 9, which the analysts argue makes the rocket essential not just to the launch business but to the broadband and orbital compute ambitions layered on top of it.
Where the valuation comes from
Wedbush's $190 target is built on a sum-of-the-parts valuation using FY28 estimates, implying roughly $2.48 trillion of enterprise value.
Connectivity is valued at 17 times revenue given its high-margin, recurring subscriber base; AI and compute carry the richest multiple at 22 times, reflecting a contracted compute book with Anthropic, Google, and Reflection AI worth an annualised run rate of roughly $28bn; and Space carries the lowest multiple at 9 times given its capital intensity and lumpier earnings profile.
The analysts are explicit that this excludes several potential upside drivers, including sub-$200 per kilogram launch economics, orbital data centres, and enterprise AI monetisation, all of which they see as optionality rather than base-case value given the execution hurdles still ahead, including Starship's need to demonstrate orbital delivery, upper-stage catch and in-orbit propellant transfer.
Wedbush's bull case puts the target at $235, its bear case at $135.
Akcie Nebius a CoreWeave byly v ranním obchodování asi o 15 % níže a IREN klesla asi o 6,5 % po zprávě, že Meta zvažuje vlastní cloud a prodej přebytečné kapacity pro AI. Trh to čte jako rostoucí konkurenci pro neocloudy.
The artificial intelligence buildout has created one of the largest infrastructure races in technology history. Companies across the industry are spending hundreds of billions of dollars on data centers, GPUs, networking equipment, and energy capacity to support AI models. Annual AI infrastructure spending by the major hyperscalers is approaching $750 billion, as they, startups, and governments compete for compute power.
That spending wave created a new class of AI infrastructure companies known as “neoclouds.” These specialized providers built businesses around supplying GPU clusters and high-performance computing capacity faster than traditional cloud providers could deliver. But a report from Bloomberg this morning that Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META | META Price Prediction) is exploring its own cloud business under its Meta Compute initiative sent shares of several AI infrastructure companies lower — raising a bigger question for investors: Is the neocloud opportunity shrinking just as quickly as it emerged?
Shares of Nebius Group (NASDAQ:NBIS), CoreWeave (NASDAQ:CRWV), and IREN (NASDAQ:IREN) are all declining following the news. Nebius and CoreWeave were down about 15% in morning trading, while IREN declined about 6.5%. Meta Platforms is up over 10%.
The market reaction reflects a simple concern: Meta is not just a customer anymore — it could become a competitor.
Neoclouds Built a Business Around AI’s Compute Shortage Neocloud companies exist because AI demand moved faster than traditional cloud capacity.
The biggest cloud providers — Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), and Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG) — remain dominant, but AI companies need GPU capacity immediately. That opened the door for companies focused almost entirely on AI workloads.
Here is how the major players compare:
Company Focus Key Customers/Partners Nebius Full-stack AI cloud, GPU clusters, AI infrastructure Meta, Microsoft CoreWeave Nvidia GPU-focused AI cloud Meta, OpenAI, Anthropic IREN Renewable-powered AI/HPC data centers Microsoft, AI customers Nebius gained attention after securing a deal with Meta worth up to about $27 billion over five years. Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) has invested billions in the company. Nebius is building an AI-focused cloud platform designed around GPU infrastructure.
CoreWeave has followed a similar path. The company’s business model centers on Nvidia GPU availability and optimized AI computing environments. Its agreement with Meta reportedly totals about $21 billion, alongside partnerships involving OpenAI and Anthropic.
IREN took a different route. Originally focused on Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) mining, the company has shifted toward AI and high-performance computing data centers, using renewable energy as part of its infrastructure strategy.
Meta’s Move Is a Risk — But Also a Validation Bloomberg reported that Meta is considering selling excess AI compute capacity through Meta Compute. The company could eventually offer raw GPU capacity or AI-related services. The plans remain early and could change.
The concern, though, is obvious. If Meta spends billions building AI infrastructure and then sells unused capacity, it could pressure pricing for companies whose business depends on renting GPUs.
But there is another side, too. Meta’s own AI ambitions are enormous. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has discussed building massive AI infrastructure to support Llama models and future “superintelligence” efforts. Meta has indicated it expects to build tens of gigawatts of AI capacity over time. Selling excess capacity would be a way to improve returns on those investments.
That strategy is not unusual. Companies with expensive infrastructure often monetize unused capacity. SpaceX (NASDAQ:SPCX), for example, uses its technology platform to serve outside customers through its Starlink business.
Surprisingly, Meta becoming a potential competitor also confirms the scale of the opportunity. Companies do not spend hundreds of billions of dollars building AI infrastructure because demand is disappearing.
The Bigger Risk Is Not Meta — It Is Supply and Execution Granted, neocloud investors need to understand the risks. These companies have attractive growth opportunities, but they also carry heavy capital requirements. Building AI data centers requires billions of dollars in GPUs, power infrastructure, and financing.
The risks include:
AI demand slowing before capacity investments generate returns Hyperscalers flooding the market with cheaper compute Higher interest rates increasing financing costs Customer concentration creating bargaining pressure Customer concentration is especially important. Meta and Microsoft are valuable partners, but they also have the resources to build internally.
That said, neocloud companies still offer advantages. They can deploy specialized AI infrastructure faster, provide flexible capacity, and serve customers that need immediate access to GPUs.
In short, the market reaction looks more like a reset of expectations than the end of the neocloud story.
Key Takeaway Meta’s cloud ambitions are a reminder that the AI infrastructure race will become more competitive. Neocloud companies cannot assume today’s demand environment will continue forever. But investors should not confuse competition with collapse.
Meta’s willingness to spend billions on AI infrastructure supports the core investment thesis: compute demand remains massive. The companies best positioned for the next phase will likely be those with strong contracts, diversified customers, efficient data center operations, and specialized offerings.
For investors, the question is not whether AI compute demand exists. The question is which companies can turn that demand into durable profits as the industry matures.
Meta jmenovala Alexe Schultze prvním chief data officerem, aby lépe řídil globální AI analytiku. Denise Morenoová se zároveň stává marketingovou šéfkou.
A woman walks by the Meta Lab in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Daniel Cole/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
July 1 (Reuters) - Meta said on Wednesday its chief marketing officer Alex Schultz will become the company's first chief data officer, to better manage AI analytics globally.
The Facebook-parent also promoted its vice president of consumer marketing and growth, Denise Moreno, to marketing chief.
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"My focus in this new role will be helping transform how Meta learns and makes decisions in the AI era," Schultz said in a LinkedIn post, opens new tab.
The leadership changes signal at Meta's move to deepen its focus on data-driven decision-making and AI integration across its operations.
Schultz joined the company in 2007 and held responsibilities across various domains like developing Meta's brand strategy and WhatsApp privacy campaigns, according to his LinkedIn page.
Shares of Meta were up 10% after Bloomberg News reported earlier on Wednesday that the company is building a cloud business to sell excess AI computing capacity.
A 17-year veteran at Meta, Moreno began her career managing email marketing and growth experiments, she said, opens new tab in a separate post.
Axios first reported about Meta naming Schultz as its chief data officer and elevating Moreno as CMO.
Meta is projected to spend as much as $145 billion on AI infrastructure this year, a significant portion of Big Tech's more than $700 billion outlay on the technology.
Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Joyjeet Das
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Google překročil pětiletý cíl investovat v Africe 1 miliardu USD a oznámil nové iniciativy v oblasti infrastruktury a AI. Patří mezi ně první čtyři plánované konektivní huby na kontinentu a AI laboratoř v Ghaně.
A Google Cloud logo is pictured at a trade fair in Hannover Messe, in Hanover, Germany, April 22, 2024. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse//File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
JOHANNESBURG, July 1 (Reuters) - Google (GOOGL.O), opens new tab has exceeded a five-year target to invest $1 billion in Africa, it said on Wednesday, as it made public initiatives on infrastructure and development of AI to accelerate the continent's digital growth.
They follow on from Google's launch of a cloud for the Johannesburg region in 2025.
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Here are the details of the new initiatives that Google, owned by Alphabet, announced at the first Africa Cloud Summit in Johannesburg.
Google will establish a connectivity hub in South Africa's Eastern Cape, the first of four planned connectivity hubs on the continent.
The facility will link Africa to Australia via the Umoja subsea cable and to India through a new route, strengthening internet resilience and capacity.
Africa's first applied AI lab in Ghana will pair local startups with Google researchers and provide early access to its AI models.
A more than $1 million programme in partnership with UK actor Idris Elba's Akuna Group will train underrepresented creators in AI-driven storytelling.
Google's Economic and Community Development programme and WeThinkCode have committed to build a 3 million rand ($183,468) digital innovation centre in Soweto, Johannesburg.
Google also said its startup accelerator programme will back 15 South African firms as part of Google's pledge to back 50 African ventures between 2024 and 2028.
"The AI opportunity for Africa is significant, and Google is committed to doing our part working with Africans to help Africa realise it," James Manyika, Google's senior vice president for research and technology, told reporters.
($1 = 16.3516 rand)
Reporting by Nqobile Dludla; editing by Barbara Lewis
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
Nqobile is a Johannesburg-based reporter covering the South African retail, telecom and tech sectors. She has been a journalists for about 10 years. She joined Reuters in 2015 and has covered a variety of beats ranging from pharma, health to property and banking.
Amazonu loni vzrostly emise o 16 % na téměř 80,9 milionu tun CO2e, hlavně kvůli vyšší spotřebě energie v datových centrech pro AI. Firma přesto dál drží cíl čisté nuly do roku 2040.
by Lisa Stiffler on Jul 1, 2026 at 9:00 amJuly 1, 2026 at 7:53 am
Wind Wall, a wind farm in California’s Tehachapi Mountains, produces renewable energy for Amazon Web Services. (Amazon Photo) Amazon’s carbon footprint jumped 16% last year after several years of little or no increase. The company emitted nearly 80.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2025. By comparison, that’s slightly higher than the nation of New Zealand’s emissions.
Amazon disclosed its climate-related data in its most comprehensive sustainability report to date, which includes a breakdown of its carbon sources, water use and other environmental impacts.
Not surprisingly, energy use showed the biggest rate of increase in the 2025 carbon tally as Amazon and other tech companies are working to rapidly expand their data center capacity to meet AI computing demand.
For the first time since 2019, the company also reported an uptick in its “carbon intensity” — a measure of how much carbon was emitted relative to each dollar of revenue. Amazon has promoted this metric as a sign that it can decouple its growth from its climate impacts.
*Million of metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent. † Grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per dollar of revenue. ‡ Carbon emissions for 2025 were calculated using a market-based method, including the application of Environmental Attribute Credits (EACs). (2025 Amazon Sustainability Report) Despite emissions moving in the wrong direction and ongoing data center-driven challenges, the Seattle-area company remains committed to its pledge of net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
When it comes to that goal, “I remain confident and optimistic in the overarching vision and the long-term progress we continue to make toward it,” said Kara Hurst, Amazon’s chief sustainability officer, in the foreword to the company’s annual report.
The report highlights areas of success that include:
Data center efficiency: Amazon’s data centers are 9% more efficient than the public cloud average and 30% more efficient than on-premises data centers at directing energy toward computing rather than cooling, lighting or overhead. Data center water use: Amazon is seven times more efficient in its water use than the industry average thanks to its use of air cooling at most sites, most of the year. 100% clean energy overall: For the third year running, Amazon matched its company-wide electricity use with an equivalent volume of purchased clean energy, although it technically still draws on fossil fuels for some of its energy. Electric vehicle fleet: It has the largest corporate EV fleet in North America, with more than 52,700 delivery vans worldwide. It’s halfway to meeting its 2030 goal of 100,000 EVs. The company also reported improvements in reducing packaging and plastic use in delivered items; increasing use of low-carbon building materials in data center construction; and progress toward becoming water positive at its data centers, meaning it aims to replenish more water to communities than it uses.
The Amazon-backed Climate Pledge — an effort to get other organizations to commit to net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 — has grown to 656 signatories after adding 107 companies this year. It marks a notable increase at a time when companies are growing quieter about climate commitments, with some stepping back from earlier goals.
But the surge in data center investment shows little sign of slowing, which will keep complicating Amazon’s path to lower emissions. CEO Andy Jassy said Amazon expects to spend a record $200 billion in capital expenditures this year, including “AI, chips, robotics, and low-Earth orbit satellites.”
Not all reactions to that buildout have been positive — even within the company. Members of Amazon Employees for Climate Justice this month testified before the Seattle City Council in favor of data center requirements for renewable energy and labor protections, though Amazon doesn’t operate any data centers within city limits.
In the report, Amazon CSO Hurst acknowledged that AI-fueled advances could catalyze sustainability solutions or slow progress toward climate goals.
“But what alternative do we have,” she said, “but to continue to invest, learn, and move forward to try to solve one of the world’s most challenging issues?”
Microsoft AI segment překročil roční tempo tržeb 37 miliard USD a roste o 123 %. Analýza vidí při pokračujícím růstu tržeb potenciál akcie až k 547,83 USD.
GERMANY - 2026/06/10: In this photo illustration, the logo of productivity software Microsoft 365 is displayed on a smartphone in front of abstract background on computer screen. (Photo Illustration by Timon Schneider/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
This article was written by Doug Nathman, with research by his team at Trefis.
A new business within Microsoft (MSFT) has quietly grown to massive scale. The company's AI segment has crossed a $37 billion annual run rate, expanding at an astonishing 123%. This new growth engine already represents a meaningful portion of Microsoft Cloud, which itself exceeded $54 billion in quarterly revenue. This is not a future promise; it is a current reality.
This rapid growth is why the upside case is centered on revenue. The Intelligent Cloud segment, which houses these AI services, grew 30% to become a $34.7 billion quarterly business. Continued compounding from this base is the main driver of the stock's potential upside.
That is the story. The question is whether it is strong enough to drive meaningful upside from here, or whether today’s price already reflects most of that optimism. Yes, but with caveats. A conservative 3-year scenario points to roughly 49%. Revenue compounding does the heavy lifting, while the multiple barely changes.
Here is the operational picture behind the math:
MSFT Key Metrics
Trefis
How Compounding Builds The UpsideRevenue compounds at 15.2% annually, lifting the top line from $318.3B to $486.5B over three years. That is a step down from the LTM 17.9% pace, since today's acceleration is unlikely to extrapolate cleanly over a full three-year period.
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Margins ease from 39.3% to 38.3% as today's LTM level gives back slightly toward the longer-run average. Together, that lifts earnings from $125.2B to roughly $186.1B, a 49% increase.
The model assumes a constant price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 21.9x, implying that earnings growth alone drives the projected valuation gain. Applying that multiple to higher earnings puts the stock near $547.83, with a market cap of $4.1T versus $2.7T today. That is roughly 49% above where the stock trades now.
Has revenue compounding been the lever behind MSFT's recent move? See the lever breakdown.
What Could Accelerate The Top LineThe next leg of growth could come from a fundamental shift in the business model, as management explained that per-user businesses will become both per-user and usage-based. With Microsoft 365 Copilot seat additions already up 250% year-over-year, layering consumption on top of this adoption curve creates a new, unmodeled revenue opportunity.
What Could Slow It DownThe main concern raised on the call is the sheer scale of investment needed to support this growth. Management expects to invest roughly $190 billion in capital expenditures in calendar year 2026 alone. This spending pace creates what one analyst described as a disconnect, making investors nervous about the timing of the return.
Is The Compounding Real?For this case to play out, revenue needs to keep compounding near 15.2%, a step down from today's 17.9% but still clearly positive. The multiple is not being asked to do anything dramatic, which makes the case more defensible. The projected margin also sits at or near the 3-year peak, so any move back toward the longer-run average would make the rest of the math more difficult.
While the shift to usage-based pricing provides a clear revenue catalyst, the planned $190 billion capital investment creates meaningful near-term risk.
Should You Invest In Microsoft?A careful 3-year case on a single company is still a concentrated bet, as historical volatility across past market crises shows. Investors who build analyses like this around individual positions often want the same framework applied across a diversified book, partly for discipline and partly because even the cleanest single-stock thesis can break for reasons the math does not capture.
The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio combines analytical rigor with a forward-looking view across 30 stocks, using a consistent selection framework and a sizing and re-balancing discipline designed to deliver upside without the single-name risk described here. By selecting 30 high-conviction stocks, the HQ strategy has historically outpaced a benchmark that combines the three major indices - the S&P 500, S&P Mid-cap, and Russell 2000.
Haleon uzavřel spolupráci s Microsoftem na rozšíření AI včetně Azure a Copilotu, aby zrychlil inovace, automatizaci i rozhodování. Firma to spojuje s cílem oslovit do roku 2030 o jednu miliardu více spotřebitelů.
The agreement aims to increase the adoption of AI-powered tools across the business while strengthening Haleon’s digital infrastructure with advanced security, identity, and agentic AI capabilities.
AI Collaboration Targets Productivity And Business TransformationThe partnership builds on Haleon’s existing use of Microsoft 365 Copilot and helps employees automate repetitive tasks, improve collaboration, and dedicate more time to higher-value work.
The companies also plan to jointly develop AI applications across several key business functions, including consumer insights, innovation, supply chain management, and commercial execution.
Haleon expects these initiatives to support faster scientific research, speed up clinical content development, improve marketing personalization, and strengthen forecasting and business decision-making.
Focus On Consumer Insights And Operational EfficiencyAccording to the company, expanding its AI capabilities will provide deeper insights into changing consumer preferences while helping accelerate product innovation and streamline operations from manufacturing through commercial activities.
Haleon said it intends to use the technology investments to respond more quickly to growing consumer demand, deliver more personalized health products, and improve product availability across global markets.
The company added that these efforts support its broader objective of reaching one billion more consumers by 2030 while delivering industry-leading shareholder returns.
Azure, Copilot And Agentic AI Form Core Of StrategyAs part of the agreement, Haleon will continue using Microsoft Azure as its primary cloud platform and Microsoft Copilot as a foundation for its enterprise AI initiatives.
The company said Azure’s scalable infrastructure, analytics capabilities, and enterprise-grade security features will help protect data, systems, and AI-powered workflows as it expands AI deployment responsibly and securely.
Haleon also plans to advance its use of next-generation agentic AI, enabling intelligent digital agents that can assist teams in identifying opportunities sooner, responding more quickly to changing conditions, and supporting better outcomes for consumers, customers, and healthcare professionals.
The company said the collaboration aligns with its ambition to build an AI-powered, decision-intelligent enterprise where data and insights enable faster, smarter, and more consumer-focused decision-making.
HLN Price Action: Haleon shares were up 0.48% at $9.37 at the time of publication on Wednesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Photo by Poetra.RH via Shutterstock
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Nvidia sází na robotiku jako na další velkou příležitost a fyzická umělá inteligence jí už za posledních 12 měsíců přinesla přes 9 miliard USD tržeb. Nový Halos for Robotics má posílit její softwarovou a bezpečnostní vrstvu pro humanoidy.
HomeInvestingYour Digital SelfYour Digital SelfNear-term revenue belongs to the motion and sensor companies supplying the industry’s buildoutJuly 1, 2026, 12:13 p.m. ET
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has called humanoid robots a “multitrillion-dollar economic opportunity.” Photo: Getty Images/iStockphotoJensen Huang has taken to calling robotics and physical AI the next trillion-dollar opportunity for Nvidia NVDA, and the market takes the company’s CEO at his word. Nvidia’s physical-AI revenue has run past $9 billion over the trailing 12 months, up from $6 billion the year before, and analysts now treat robots as its second act.
Nvidia’s ambition is to do for robotics what its CUDA platform did for accelerated computing. Huang has called humanoid robots a “multitrillion-dollar economic opportunity.” Nvidia’s newly announced Halos for Robotics safety stack sharpens the point: The company is building the software, compute and safety layer around humanoids, not trying to own the entire machine. Nvidia wants the operating layer underneath — and if physical AI scales the way factory automation has, it will get it.
NVIDIA uvedla za 1. čtvrtletí FY2027 tržby 81,615 miliardy USD a upravený zisk na akcii (EPS) 1,87 USD, oba údaje nad odhady. Firma zároveň čeká ve 2. čtvrtletí tržby 91 miliard USD.
I bought NVIDIA again last Friday, and I plan to buy it again this week if the selloff holds. That makes five additions in eight weeks for me, and the case for the next one has only gotten stronger. NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA | NVDA Price Prediction) is down 13% in June and 7.55% over the past month, sitting at $194.97 while the company is printing the strongest fundamentals it has ever produced. That gap is why my finger keeps finding the buy button.
The thesis is simple. I am buying the only company selling the picks and shovels for what Jensen Huang calls “the largest infrastructure expansion in human history.” The institutional rotation out of semiconductors leaves NVIDIA’s business intact while lowering the price I pay to own it.
The Numbers That Keep Me Adding Start with Q1 FY2027. Revenue came in at $81.615 billion, up 85.23% year over year, beating consensus by 3.16%. Non-GAAP EPS landed at $1.87 versus the $1.7738 estimate, the fourth consecutive earnings beat. Net income grew 210.63% YoY to $58.321 billion. Free cash flow hit $48.554 billion, up 85.41%. Non-GAAP gross margin held at 75.0%, versus 60.8% a year ago. Those are platform margins, and they are widening.
Growth is accelerating. Quarterly revenue growth moved from 55.6% to 62.5% to 73.2% to 85.2% across the last four quarters. Forward guidance calls for $91.0 billion in Q2 revenue, and that number assumes zero Data Center compute revenue from China.
Then there is the capital return. The board raised the quarterly dividend from $0.01 to $0.25 per share and approved an additional $80.0 billion buyback authorization on top of $38.5 billion still outstanding. NVIDIA returned roughly $20.0 billion to shareholders in Q1 alone. At a forward P/E of 22 with revenue compounding above 80%, that math works for me.
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The Moat I Cannot Find Anywhere Else NVIDIA has Meta committed to millions of Blackwell and Rubin GPUs, OpenAI signed up for at least 10 gigawatts of NVIDIA systems, Anthropic at 1 gigawatt, and CoreWeave building 5+ gigawatts of AI factories by 2030. Data Center networking revenue grew 199% YoY, proof that the full-stack platform is being adopted alongside the GPUs. The $119.0 billion in supply commitments tells me management sees demand years out.
The Risk I Refuse to Ignore China is gone from the Q2 outlook. Zero Data Center compute revenue assumed, against $4.6 billion in H20 shipments in the year-ago quarter. Insiders also sold heavily in June, including coordinated dispositions by CEO Jensen Huang, CFO Colette Kress, and three other executives at $207.41 on June 17. I sat with both facts. The China hole is real, and the company guided to $91 billion anyway. The insider sales follow pre-set 10b5-1 plans at prices above where I am buying today. The thesis holds.
Why the Buy Button Stays Active The five-year return on NVIDIA is 878.06%. The ten-year is 16,943.1%. Those are history. I am buying the cash flows underneath them at a forward multiple of 22, with a 25x dividend hike fresh in the account and an $80 billion buyback at my back. The rotation handed me a price. I intend to use every dollar of it.
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Walmart Connect ve 1. čtvrtletí vzrostl o 44 % a pomohl zvednout hrubou marži Walmart U.S. o 29 bazických bodů. Růst podpořilo hlavně digitální inzerování a lepší mix podnikání.
Key Takeaways Walmart Connect grew 44% in Q1, outpacing 36% U.S. advertising revenue growth. Sellers lifted ad spending by more than 50% after sales gains, reinforcing Walmart's ad opportunity.WMT's U.S. gross margin rose 29 bps, helped mainly by digital advertising and better business mix. Walmart Inc. (WMT - Free Report) is steadily reshaping its profit profile by scaling higher-margin digital businesses alongside its core retail operations. Within that shift, Walmart Connect is emerging as an increasingly important part of the company’s margin story.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2027, Walmart U.S. advertising revenues increased 36%, while Walmart Connect, excluding VIZIO, grew 44%. This growth came alongside 26% U.S. e-commerce sales growth and nearly 50% Marketplace sales growth, giving brands and sellers a broader, more engaged customer base.
Marketplace growth is also reinforcing the advertising opportunity. Sellers increased their advertising spending by more than 50% after seeing corresponding sales gains. Walmart also enhanced its ad capabilities via AI-powered campaign optimization tools and expanded reach through VIZIO’s connected TV platform.
The margin impact is becoming more visible. Walmart U.S. gross margin expanded 29 basis points, helped by a favorable business mix led primarily by digital advertising, though higher fuel costs in distribution and fulfillment partly offset the gains. Adjusted operating income for Walmart U.S. rose 5.7%, reflecting improved e-commerce economics, higher Walmart+ membership fee revenues and other income benefits.
Walmart Connect may not yet be proven as WMT’s biggest margin driver, but it is clearly becoming a more meaningful one. Its rapid growth, seller engagement and role in improving business mix suggest advertising is strengthening Walmart’s omnichannel economics and supporting a more profitable growth model.
How TGT and KR Are Using Retail Media to Lift MarginsTarget Corporation (TGT - Free Report) is also using retail media to support profitability beyond merchandise sales. In first-quarter 2026, the company reported a 24.6% increase in non-merchandise revenues, driven by growth in Roundel advertising, Target Circle 360 membership fees and Target Plus marketplace revenues. These higher-margin streams helped lift TGT’s gross margin rate to 29% from 28.2% a year ago, along with lower markdowns and supply-chain efficiencies. For Target, Roundel is becoming a more visible earnings lever within its broader digital ecosystem.
The Kroger Co. KR is pursuing a similar path through higher-margin alternative profit businesses. In first-quarter 2026, the company’s Kroger Precision Marketing profit grew more than 20%, supported by strong on-site customer traffic and higher advertiser commitments. KR also delivered 19% adjusted e-commerce sales growth, while e-commerce, including media, reached profitability for the first time. By leveraging first-party customer data and digital engagement, Kroger is making retail media a more meaningful contributor to margin expansion beyond grocery sales.
WMT Stock Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Walmart have risen 16% over the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 14.9%.
WMT Price Performance Versus Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, WMT trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 37.17, higher than the industry’s average of 34.18.
WMT Valuation Compared to Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Johnson & Johnson čeká u Innovative Medicine další růst díky Darzalexu, Tremfyi a Erleadě, ale tlak biosimilarek na Stelaru a slabší Imbruvica jej budou brzdit.
Key Takeaways Johnson & Johnson's Darzalex, Tremfya and Erleada should drive Innovative Medicine growth. JNJ faces steeper Stelara biosimilar pressure and continued weakness in Imbruvica sales. Investors await updates on Icotyde, Inlexzo and Imaavy sales and commercialization plans. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ - Free Report) , through its Innovative Medicine segment, commercializes multiple blockbuster therapies spanning a wide range of disease areas, such as neuroscience, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, immunology, oncology, pulmonary hypertension (PH), and infectious diseases. The company is set to announce its second-quarter 2026 results on July 15, and investors will be closely watching the performance of the Innovative Medicine segment.
Below, we highlight some key factors that may have influenced the segment’s sales during the quarter.
J&J’s Innovative Medicine unit is showing a growth trend, despite the loss of exclusivity (LOE) of the blockbuster drug, Stelara. The segment has recorded four consecutive quarters of sales of more than $15 billion despite the Stelara LOE, a trend likely to have continued in the second quarter of 2026.
J&J expects growth in the second quarter to be driven by higher sales of key products such as Darzalex, Tremfya and Erleada due to strong market growth and share gains.
Other products like Uptravi and Opsumit are likely to have witnessed continued growth.
New drugs like Carvykti, Tecvayli, Talvey, Rybrevant and Spravato are also likely to have contributed to top-line growth. However, sales of Xarelto, Simponi/Simponi Aria and Remicade declined in the first quarter, a trend likely to have continued in the second quarter.
Also, generic/biosimilar competition for key drug, Stelara, and lower sales of Imbruvica are likely to have hurt top-line growth.
Several biosimilar versions of Stelara were launched in the United States in 2025. According to patent settlements and license agreements, Amgen (AMGN - Free Report) , Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Samsung Bioepis/Sandoz and some other companies launched Stelara biosimilars in 2025. Stelara’s LOE negatively impacted the Innovative Medicines segment’s growth by 9.2% in the first quarter. We expect the negative impact to be steeper in the second quarter of 2026.
Imbruvica sales are likely to have declined due to rising competitive pressure in the United States due to new oral competition.
Investors will look for initial sales numbers and commercialization plans of J&J’snewly launched oral pill for plaque psoriasis, Icotyde, which was approved by the FDA in March 2026.
Investors will also be keen to know how J&J’s other new drugs approved last year performed. These products are Inlexzoh, a first-of-its-kind drug-releasing system, for treating high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and Imaavy (nipocalimab) for treating generalized myasthenia gravis.
Inlexzo generated sales of slightly above $30 million in the first quarter. J&J received a permanent J-code for Inlexzo reimbursement in April, which should have boosted patient access and sales for the therapy in the second quarter. J&J did not separately disclose sales of Imaavy in the first quarter results. It remains to be seen if it does so in the second quarter.
J&J Key CompetitorsImmunology and oncology are J&J’s key areas. Other large drugmakers with a strong presence in the oncology market include Novartis, AstraZeneca (AZN - Free Report) , AbbVie (ABBV - Free Report) , Amgen, Merck, Bristol-Myers, Roche and Pfizer. In immunology, AbbVie, Amgen, Sanofi, AstraZeneca and Pfizer hold a strong position.
JNJ’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesJ&J’s shares have outperformed the industry so far this year. The stock has risen 24.1% in the past year compared with 14.5% appreciation of the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, J&J is slightly expensive. Going by the price/earnings ratio, the company’s shares currently trade at 21.02 forward earnings, higher than 19.02 for the industry. The stock is also trading above its five-year mean of 15.65.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings has been stable at $11.57 per share over the past 60 days, while that for 2027 earnings has gone up from $12.58 per share to $12.60 over the same time frame.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
J&J has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 25: A Target logo is displayed outside a store on April 25, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
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In the world of third-party retail marketplaces, Target stands apart. While Amazon and Walmart run open platforms where any vendor can pay to play and get their products listed alongside first-party inventory, Target Plus is carefully curated, where only selected brands are invited to play in their sandbox.
This transforms the marketplace shopping experience from an abundance of riches—and the paradox of choice that comes with it—into a carefully edited collection of products that fit seamlessly alongside Target’s own assortment. It’s the “Tar-zhay” enhancement applied to third-party ecommerce.
This approach—leading with style and design, anchored by value, merchandising authority and enhanced customer experiences, both in-store and online—is pivotal to Target’s turnaround. Jefferies analysts call it a “cultural reset,” a play-to-win strategy where differentiated merchandise is the “most important change.”
Target’s most recent results show its differentiated merchandising strategy is working. First-quarter revenues grew 6.7%, with every merchandise sector posting gains, including a 15% surge in Hardlines (Fun 101) and 10% growth in Beauty.
And in the quarter, Target Plus was on fire, with GMV up nearly 60% and digitally originated comparable sales rising 20%. To keep that forward momentum, Target Plus has invited a range of new, in-demand brands to the platform as it sets its sight on scaling the marketplace from $1 billion to $5 billion by 2030.
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Joining The Line UpUnlike Amazon and Walmart, where sellers buy their way in, Target Plus is built on partnerships. Every brand must earn its place on the platform and is chosen to complement Target’s differentiated merchandising strategy.
Chief digital and revenue officer Sarah Travis oversees the brands selected to be hosted on Target Plus, and she does it in true “merchant prince”—or more accurately, princess—fashion.
Three new apparel brands are coming on board, representing a mix of classic heritage, trend-forward style and performance:
Heritage footwear brand Clarks, which celebrated its 200th anniversary last year and remains partly family-owned, is bringing its classic styles, comfort, and value to the platform.Trend-forward fashion brand Forever 21—forced to close all stores following last year’s bankruptcy and now owned by Authentic Brands—is opening on Target Plus, broadening its reach to a youthful audience.JanSport joins in the functional performance sportwear category. The beauty and wellness assortment will get a lift with the addition of premium, dermatologist-owned LovelySkin skincare brand and health supplements brand NatureWise.
Other additions include Serta, an authority in mattresses and bedding; JLab in value-focused audio technology, including Bluetooth and wired earbuds and headphones; Hisense in TVs and home appliances; and Wild Alaska Company, a sustainable,100% wild-caught and flash-frozen seafood brand.
Complements, Not CompetesAmazon and Walmart have been beset by controversies surrounding their third-party marketplaces. Amazon faces a class-action lawsuit over claims it overcharged for products sold by third-party sellers and prohibited vendors for charging less on other platforms. And Inc’s Micah Solomon found the economics of Prime Day rarely works in sellers’ favor once the required the 20% price discount, 15% referral fee on every sale and hefty advertising fees are factored in. Likewise, Walmart has battled charges of lax third-party vetting, allowing counterfeits on the site and false health claims, following a CNBC investigation last year.
Target Plus takes a fundamentally different approach. Its relationship with third-party vendors is more a partnership than a transaction—benefitting both customers and brands.
“One of the biggest advantages of Target Plus is that it helps us build our assortment strategies around what guest want most from Target and what’s best for our business,” Travis said. “It gives us another way to serve guests online while making thoughtful choices about the role our stores play.”
She noted that by offering larger-sized items—TVs, computers and home goods—online, it frees up store space for products better suited to in-person shopping. And Target Plus gives the retailer the ability to expand choices across a wider range of specialty brands.
“As we bring more new brands to Target Plus, we’re focused on brands that add something meaningful for guests and reinforce what guests expect from Target: style, design and value,” she concluded.
See Also:
ForbesWellness May Be Target’s Key To Restoring Its ‘Tar-zhay’ MagicBy Pamela N. DanzigerForbesTarget Withstood DEI Boycotts To Show Signs Of Reputation RecoveryBy Pamela N. Danziger
DETROIT — General Motors' second-quarter U.S. sales fell 4.2% as year-over-year demand for its all-electric vehicles and Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks declined.
The Detroit automaker reported that it sold 714,896 vehicles from April through June, down from 746,588 units during the second quarter of 2025. Its sales through the first half of the year were 1.3 million, down 6.8% compared with a year ago.
The second quarter sales were slightly better than a forecast last week by Cox Automotive, which expected GM's sales to decline 7.2% through the first half of the year, including a 5.1% fall during the second quarter.
"Our business is performing well, and customer demand is resilient, especially for our trucks and SUVs. The depth, breadth and appeal of our vehicle portfolio allows us to lead the market in sales, while maintaining discipline on inventory, pricing and incentives to deliver strong margins," GM North America President Duncan Aldred said in a release.
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The Detroit automaker is expected to underperform the U.S. auto industry during the second quarter, which forecasters Cox Automotive and J.D. Power expect to be roughly level compared to a year earlier. Cox forecast industry sales to be off 0.5%, while JDP expected a 0.7% increase in vehicles sold.
GM's EV sales during the second quarter were off 33% compared to last year, when demand for all-electric vehicles began to surge ahead of expectations of the Trump administration ending up to $7,500 in incentives for consumers to purchase an EV.
GM said that despite a 7.7% decline in its Silverado pickups for the quarter, including a 25.9% drop for its electric truck, the company still expects to have gained market share in the full-size truck segment during the period.
Its GMC Sierra pickup trucks did better, with a 5% increase in sales, including double-digit increases for its electric and light-duty 1500 models amid tough comparisons. GM recorded its best combined sales of Silverado and Sierra full-size pickup trucks in 20 years in 2025, leading to a sixth straight year of leading that highly profitable U.S. segment.
Each off GM's brands saw year-over-year sales declines during the second quarter, led by a 19.2% decline in Cadillac. Buick was down 7.5%, Chevrolet fell 3.9% and GMC reported a 0.3% decline.
Read more CNBC auto newsCarvana's new vehicle strategy turns dealership into 'playground,' test-drive center with sales all onlineLucid to lay off roughly 18% of U.S. workforce, COO Marc Winterhoff leavesRivian laying off hundreds of workers amid R2 launch
Starbucks ve 2. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2026 zvýšil konsolidovanou provozní marži na 9,4 %, ale v Severní Americe klesla na 10,2 % kvůli nákladům, clu a drahé kávě. Firma čeká, že ve 2. polovině fiskálního roku 2026 tlak na marže poleví.
Key Takeaways SBUX's North America operating margin fell about 170 bps YoY to 10.2% in Q2 FY26.Product, distribution and legal accrual pressures weighed on SBUX's North America margins in Q2.SBUX expects stronger sales leverage and easing coffee and tariff pressure in 2H FY26. Starbucks Corporation (SBUX - Free Report) is entering the back half of fiscal 2026 with improving sales momentum, but North America margin pressure remains an important test for the turnaround. In the fiscal second quarter, consolidated operating margin expanded 110 basis points year over year to 9.4%, marking Starbucks’ fiscal first quarter of consolidated margin expansion since the first quarter of fiscal 2024. However, margin performance in North America remained under pressure, with segment operating margin contracting approximately 170 basis points year over year to 10.2%.
The margin contraction reflected several cost and accrual-related pressures. Starbucks’ North America margins were affected by roughly 190 basis points of product and distribution cost increases as a percentage of revenues, as well as greater-than-anticipated legal accruals. About half of the product and distribution increase was tied to innovation-led product mix, while the remaining pressure was largely related to tariffs and elevated coffee prices.
The second-half setup is more balanced. Starbucks expects coffee and tariff pressures to begin easing in the back half of fiscal 2026, helped by recent trends in coffee prices. The benefit may not appear immediately because Starbucks’ coffee costs typically lag market movements due to purchasing and hedging practices. Still, a moderation in these pressures could help reduce one of the more visible drags on North America’s profitability.
For the back half of fiscal 2026, the margin recovery case depends on Starbucks converting stronger U.S. traffic into better profit flow-through. The company expects stronger sales leverage over the next two quarters, supported by continued progress on cost-savings initiatives. If those benefits materialize alongside easing coffee and tariff pressure, Starbucks could have a clearer path to offsetting North America margin headwinds.
How Starbucks’ Margin Setup Compares With PeersDutch Bros Inc. (BROS - Free Report) is navigating a similar input-cost backdrop, with higher coffee costs and food rollout expenses driving a 120-basis-point increase in beverage, food and packaging costs as a percentage of company-operated shop revenues in the first quarter of 2026. The impact was partly mitigated by operating leverage, as labor costs improved 120 basis points and adjusted SG&A improved 100 basis points as a percentage of revenues. For 2026, BROS expects adjusted EBITDA margin pressure from higher coffee and occupancy costs, partially offset by SG&A leverage.
McDonald’s Corporation (MCD - Free Report) provides a scale-driven comparison. The company reported an adjusted operating margin of 46% and more than $3.6 billion in restaurant margins in the first quarter, although U.S. company-operated margins remained under pressure. To manage cost volatility, MCD is relying on supply-chain scale, supplier partnerships and hedging strategies while also reviewing the optimal mix of company-operated and franchised restaurants.
Against this backdrop, Starbucks’ margin challenge is more closely tied to North America turnaround investments and input-cost pressure. BROS is relying on labor efficiency and SG&A leverage to cushion coffee and occupancy headwinds, while MCD benefits from scale, franchising and supply-chain discipline. For Starbucks, Green Apron Service investments, innovation-related costs and operating discipline remain important variables in determining whether Back to Starbucks can translate into stronger operating leverage.
SBUX’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Starbucks have gained 8.5% in the past year against the industry’s 8.2% decline.
SBUX’s One-Year Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, SBUX trades at a forward price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 2.93, below the industry’s average of 3.32.
SBUX’s P/S Ratio (Forward 12-Month) vs. Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SBUX’s fiscal 2026 earnings per share (EPS) implies a year-over-year increase of 12.7%. The EPS estimates for fiscal 2026 have increased in the past 60 days.
EPS Trend of SBUX Stock
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
SBUX’s Zacks RankSBUX stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Royal Caribbean otevřel Royal Beach Club Santorini a silná poptávka podporuje jeho strategii privátních destinací. Další projekty v Cozumelu, Mexiku a Costa Maya mají dál posílit výnosy.
Key Takeaways RCL opened Royal Beach Club Santorini, where strong demand supports its destination-led strategy.RCL expects Cozumel in early 2028, with Perfect Day Mexico and Costa Maya due in late 2027.RCL expects Perfect Day Mexico, Royal Beach Club Cozumel and Icon-class ships to strengthen Galveston demand. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL - Free Report) is expanding its private-destination portfolio as part of a broader effort to support multi-year yield growth through differentiated vacation experiences. The strategy can strengthen itinerary appeal across key cruise markets and support pricing power over time.
Following the launch of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, RCL recently opened Royal Beach Club Santorini, a core element of its “ultimate Santorini Day” experience. Strong demand for the beach club underscores the value of proprietary destinations in enhancing the company’s vacation offering and reinforcing its competitive positioning.
The next phase of the pipeline is concentrated in the Caribbean and Mexico. Royal Beach Club Cozumel is expected to open in early 2028, while Perfect Day Mexico and Costa Maya are expected to open in late 2027 and ramp in early 2028. These projects are expected to further differentiate RCL’s itinerary portfolio and contribute to yield growth over time.
Perfect Day Mexico also gives RCL a larger opportunity in the Gulf and Texas markets. The project, together with Royal Beach Club Cozumel and Icon-class ships, is expected to strengthen the company’s position in Galveston and expand its reach across drivable markets. Texas remains underpenetrated relative to Florida, giving RCL room to build demand over time.
Royal Caribbean’s ability to extend this momentum will likely depend on whether its private destinations can support stronger guest demand and improve monetization as new assets open and ramp. If the portfolio scales successfully, destination-led differentiation could become a meaningful driver of RCL’s multi-year yield growth.
How RCL’s Destination Strategy Compares With PeersCarnival Corporation Ltd. (CCL - Free Report) is building its destination strategy around scale, capacity and itinerary differentiation. The company has enhanced Celebration Key’s capacity profile through a pier expansion, enabling the destination to accommodate up to four ships and more than 13,000 guests per day. RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay can accommodate two of CCL’s largest ships at the same time. Together, these assets allow CCL to offer two differentiated beach experiences within a single itinerary, strengthening its Caribbean value proposition.
CCL’s strategy also extends beyond individual destinations. Its Paradise Collection is expected to welcome more than 9 million guest visits next year. About 85% of CCL’s Caribbean itineraries are expected to include at least one exclusive destination, while nearly half are expected to include two or more of these destinations on the same sailing. The company is also leveraging Isla Tropicale in Roatán, Puerta Maya in Cozumel and its integrated Alaska land-and-sea platform, creating a broad destination footprint across both beach and experiential cruise markets.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH - Free Report) is pursuing a more focused destination upgrade strategy through Great Stirrup Cay. Great Tides Waterpark is expected to enhance the island’s offering, improve the guest experience and become a demand driver moving into 2027. NCLH also expects fourth-quarter net yields to improve from the third quarter, partly supported by the waterpark opening by the end of the third quarter.
Against this backdrop, RCL’s private-destination strategy remains highly relevant but increasingly competitive. CCL is using scale and destination density to strengthen Caribbean itinerary appeal, while NCLH is upgrading Great Stirrup Cay to support demand and yield improvement. For RCL, Royal Beach Club Cozumel, Perfect Day Mexico, Costa Maya and its beach-club platform will likely be important in sustaining itinerary differentiation, pricing power and multi-year yield growth.
RCL’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Royal Caribbean have gained 16.1% in the past three months compared with the industry’s 13.9% growth.
RCL Stock’s Three-Month Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, RCL trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 17.11, below the industry’s average of 17.22.
RCL’s P/E Ratio (Forward 12-Month) vs. Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RCL’s 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year uptick of 10.4%. The EPS estimates for 2026 have remained unchanged in the past 30 days.
EPS Trend of RCL Stock
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
RCL’s Zacks RankRCL stock currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
HPE po silném čtvrtletí zvýšila výhled na fiskální rok 2026, včetně růstu tržeb o 29–33 % a upraveného zisku na akcii (non-GAAP EPS) 3,35–3,45 USD. Akcie ale od poslední výsledkové zprávy klesly asi o 19,7 %.
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 19.7% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
But investors have to be wondering, will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Hewlett Packard Enterprise due for a breakout? Well, first let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent catalysts for Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late.
HPE Q2 Earnings Surpass Expectations, Revenues Rise Y/YHewlett Packard Enterprise reported better-than-expected results for second-quarter fiscal 2026. HPE’s non-GAAP earnings of 79 cents per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 46.3% and increased 107.9% year over year.
HPE posted revenues of $10.7 billion for the quarter, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.7%. The company’s revenues increased 40.0% year over year.
HPE’s quarterly performance was supported by strong demand across the portfolio, with orders more than doubling year over year and driving a record backlog. Management also highlighted progress in Juniper integration and the Catalyst initiative, which remained ahead of schedule.
HPE’s Segment-Wise PerformanceHewlett Packard’s Networking segment generated $2.7 billion in revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, up 148.2% year over year. The segment’s operating profit margin was 21.6%, down from 25.0% in the year-ago quarter.
Within Networking, Campus & Branch revenues were $1.3 billion, up 50.2% year over year. Data Center Networking revenues were $320 million, up 233.3%, and Security revenues were $273 million, up 155.1%. Routing revenues were $775 million compared with $1 million in the year-ago quarter.
The Cloud & AI segment reported $7.7 billion in revenues, up 22.9% year over year, with an operating profit margin of 12.4%, up from 6.6% in the prior-year period.
Within Cloud & AI, Server revenues were $5.5 billion, up 32.7% year over year. Storage revenues totaled $1.2 billion, up 2.4%, while Financial Services contributed $0.9 billion, up 5.6% year over year.
HPE’s Corporate Investments and Other revenues came in at $281 million, up 3.3% from the prior-year period.
HPE’s Operating ResultsHewlett Packard’s non-GAAP gross profit for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 was $3.94 billion compared with $2.24 billion in the year-ago quarter, while the non-GAAP gross margin expanded to 36.9%, up 750 basis points year over year.
The company’s non-GAAP operating profit was $1.4 billion compared with $613 million in the year-ago quarter. The non-GAAP operating margin improved to 13.3%, up 530 basis points from the year-ago quarter.
HPE’s Balance Sheet and Cash FlowHewlett Packard ended the second quarter with $5.29 billion in cash and cash equivalents compared with $4.84 billion at the end of the previous quarter.
In the second quarter, HPE generated $1.4 billion in cash from operating activities and produced $915 million in free cash flow. The company returned $343 million through dividends and share repurchases during the quarter.
HPE Updates FY26 GuidanceHewlett Packard raised its outlook following the strong quarter and improved second-half visibility. For the third quarter of fiscal 2026, HPE expects revenues in the range of $11.5-$12.1 billion.
It anticipates non-GAAP earnings per share of 88-93 cents.
For fiscal 2026, HPE raised its revenue growth outlook to 29-33% and expects non-GAAP earnings per share of $3.35-$3.45.
The company also lifted its free cash flow outlook and now expects free cash flow to be at least $3.5 billion. Separately, HPE introduced a fiscal 2027 framework calling for revenue growth of 8-12% and free cash flow of at least $4.5 billion.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?It turns out, fresh estimates have trended upward during the past month.
The consensus estimate has shifted 71.61% due to these changes.
VGM ScoresAt this time, Hewlett Packard Enterprise has a nice Growth Score of B, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. Following the exact same course, the stock has a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the second quintile for value investors.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
OutlookEstimates have been trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. It comes with little surprise Hewlett Packard Enterprise has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months.
General Mills oznámila hospodářské výsledky za 4. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2026 a celoroční výsledky. Na konferenčním hovoru vedení představilo komentář k těmto výsledkům.
General Mills, Inc. (GIS) Q4 2026 Earnings Call July 1, 2026 9:00 AM EDT
Company Participants
Jeff Siemon - Vice President of Investor Relations & Treasurer
Jeffrey Harmening - Chairman & CEO
Dana McNabb - COO, Group President of North America Retail & North America Pet and Director
Kofi Bruce - Chief Financial Officer
Conference Call Participants
Max Andrew Gumport - BNP Paribas, Research Division
Peter Grom - UBS Investment Bank, Research Division
Andrew Lazar - Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
Thomas Palmer - JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division
David Palmer - Evercore ISI Institutional Equities, Research Division
Peter Galbo - BofA Securities, Research Division
Matthew Smith - Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Research Division
Christopher Carey - Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division
Robert Dickerson - BTIG, LLC, Research Division
Presentation
Operator
Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining us, and welcome to General Mills Fiscal 2026 Q4 Earnings Call. [Operator Instructions]
I will now hand the conference over to Jeff Siemon, Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Finance. Jeff, please go ahead.
Jeff Siemon
Vice President of Investor Relations & Treasurer
Thank you, Samantha, and good morning to everyone. Thanks for joining us today for our live Q&A session on our Q4 and full year fiscal '26 results. I hope you all had time to review our press release, listen to the prepared remarks and view our presentation materials, which we made available this morning on our Investor Relations website.
It's important to note that in our Q&A session, we may make forward-looking statements that are based on management's current views and assumptions. So please refer to this morning's press release for factors that could impact forward-looking statements and for reconciliations of non-GAAP information, which may be discussed on today's call.
I'm here with Jeff Harmening, our Chairman and CEO; Dana McNabb, our COO; and Kofi Bruce, our CFO.
Costco má téměř 20 miliard USD v likvidních aktivech a silný členský model, což mu pomáhá čelit tlaku v maloobchodu. Příjmy z členských poplatků vzrostly o 10,7 % na 1,373 miliardy USD.
Key Takeaways Costco's balance sheet remains a key edge as inflation, tariffs and cautious spending weigh on retail.Costco held nearly $20B in liquid assets, with current assets exceeding liabilities in fiscal Q3.Membership fee income rose 10.7%, supported by 82.9M paid memberships and an 89.7% renewal rate. Costco Wholesale Corporation's (COST - Free Report) balance sheet remains a key competitive advantage as retailers navigate inflation, tariff uncertainty and cautious consumer spending. The company ended the third quarter of fiscal 2026 with $18,946 million in cash and cash equivalents, up from $14,161 million at the end of fiscal 2025. Combined with $1,050 million in short-term investments, Costco held nearly $20 billion in liquid assets, providing ample financial flexibility to navigate short-term disruptions while continuing to invest in long-term growth.
The company's conservative capital structure further reinforces that strength. Current assets totaled $45,177 million, comfortably exceeding current liabilities of $42,125 million, while long-term debt remained modest at $5,670 million. Shareholders' equity increased to $33,509 million, reflecting continued earnings growth and a solid financial foundation. Management emphasized that maintaining financial flexibility allows Costco to prioritize investments in warehouse expansion, remodels, supply-chain infrastructure and digital capabilities without stretching its balance sheet.
Cash generation continues to support these investments. During the first 36 weeks of fiscal 2026, operating cash flow climbed to $11,133 million, comfortably funding $4,228 million of capital expenditures. Costco continues to expect approximately $6.5 billion in fiscal 2026 capital spending as it accelerates new warehouse openings, expands depot capacity, remodels existing warehouses and enhances the member digital experience.
Another important source of financial resilience is Costco's membership model. Membership fee income increased 10.7% year over year to $1,373 million, supported by 82.9 million paid memberships, 41.2 million executive memberships and a worldwide renewal rate of 89.7%. This recurring, high-quality revenue stream provides predictable cash flows that strengthen Costco's ability to invest through economic cycles.
Backed by substantial liquidity, disciplined leverage and durable membership economics, Costco remains well equipped to withstand retail headwinds while continuing to fund its long-term expansion strategy.
What the Latest Metrics Say About CostcoCostco, which competes with Dollar General Corporation (DG - Free Report) and Target Corporation (TGT - Free Report) , has seen its shares drop 7.8% over the past three months compared with the industry’s 4.4% decline. While shares of Dollar General have fallen 3.8%, those of Target have jumped 8.5% in the aforementioned period.
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From a valuation standpoint, Costco's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 42.31, higher than the industry’s ratio of 30.41. However, the stock is trading below its 12-month median level of 46.37, indicating some moderation in valuation despite sustained investor confidence in the stock.
Costco is trading at a premium to Target (with a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 15.23) and Dollar General (15.12).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Costco’s current financial-year sales and earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 9.5% and 13.3%, respectively. For the next fiscal year, the consensus estimate indicates a 7.9% rise in sales and 10.2% growth in earnings.
The consensus estimate for earnings per share for both the current and next fiscal year has increased by 1 cent to $20.38 and $22.46, respectively, over the past 30 days.
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Costco currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Palantir CEO Alex Karp on Wednesday criticized the token model used by U.S. artificial intelligence labs Anthropic and OpenAI as costs skyrocket.
"I'm not throwing shade at them, but something has gone completely wrong," he told CNBC's "Squawk Box." "The basic view among enterprises in this country is I'm going to chillax and waste my time with tokens."
As AI costs surge, and new models prove pricier than previous iterations, enterprises are shifting from a mindset of so-called "tokenmaxxing" in favor of a return on investment.
That setup is prompting some enterprises to adopt open weight models, capable of performing similar tasks at a fraction of the price. Chinese models are also accelerating capabilities, raising concerns that the AI rival could soon catch up to U.S. frontier labs.
Shares of the AI software company climbed 9% on Wednesday.
Read more CNBC tech newsAnthropic says Trump admin has lifted export controls on Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5OpenAI, Anthropic backer MGX raises one of the biggest AI funds ever as it closes at $49 billionEmployers who laid off workers citing AI are already starting to regret itRecord chip rally adds $2 trillion in combined value to Micron, Intel and AMD in second quarterKarp told CNBC that the industry should not underestimate the speed at which China is making progress in building AI models.
In this environment, many businesses are also shifting from using far-reaching AI models to building and training their own, more efficient proprietary tools.
Earlier this week, Palantir announced an expanded partnership with Nvidia to use the chipmaking giant's AI tools to build custom models for U.S. government agencies.
Karp views open weight models as a potential solution for CEOs frustrated by AI labs.
"What aligns me with Nvidia, and I think is what the technical customers want, which is control over their compute, their models, their data stack and their alpha," Karp said. "They want to know they own the means of production. It's not being transferred to someone else."
Alex Karp z Palantiru označil odvětví AI za „šílené“ a obvinil přední firmy z přemrštěných cen, zneužívání dat a ohrožování národní bezpečnosti USA. Akcie Palantiru ve středu vzrostly o více než 9 %.
ToplinePalantir CEO Alex Karp on Wednesday called the AI industry “effing insane” in a heated interview on CNBC, accusing leading AI firms of overcharging, exploiting customer data and jeopardizing U.S. national security.
“This is the voice of American business that is being channeled through me,” the billionaire cofounder remarked.
AFP via Getty Images
Key FactsKarp, who appeared on CNBC to discuss Palantir’s partnership with Nvidia in a deal to help the U.S. government use advanced AI more securely, said CEOs he speaks with privately are “livid” with leading AI companies and that Palantir’s recent deal with Nvidia was designed to relieve those concerns.
He criticized the U.S. for relying on AI companies to develop technology for the military and national security, saying: “Are we really going to outsource the battlefield of this country to the consensus view in Silicon Valley? That is effing insane.”
Karp accused AI companies of imposing a “wealth tax” on businesses by charging high fees for their AI tools while collecting valuable data that could improve their own AI models.
At one point during the interview, one host commented, “You sound pretty angry,” to which Karp responded, “This is the voice of American business that is being channeled through me,” and suggested other CEOs would express the same anger in private.
After the interview appeared to end, Karp asked the hosts, “Are we still on?”
Shares of Palantir soared by more than 9% as of Wednesday morning.
forbes valuationKarp has a fortune valued at $12.3 billion as of Wednesday, according to Forbes’ estimates. Karp cofounded Palantir with billionaire Facebook investor Peter Thiel ($27.4 billion), whom Karp met while at Stanford Law School, and Stephen Cohen ($4.6 billion), and the company went public on the New York Stock Exchange through an unusual direct listing process in 2020.
key backgroundThe rollout of new AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic in recent months has drawn criticism from the U.S. government. The Pentagon designated Anthropic a “supply chain risk” in March, after Anthropic claimed the company refused to remove restrictions preventing its technology from being used for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons. Days earlier, amid a broader contract dispute with Anthropic, the Pentagon reached a deal with OpenAI that sparked criticism from AI policy and legal experts. President Donald Trump issued an executive order in June requesting that companies allow federal oversight of new AI models before they are publicly released. OpenAI announced last week it would roll out new AI models, but said broader access would come after a “limited preview for a small group of trusted partners” approved by the U.S. government.
tangentAnthropic said late Tuesday the Commerce Department lifted export controls on Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5, after the government banned the company from allowing foreign nationals to access its newest models over national security concerns. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the government had “worked closely” with Anthropic to “analyze and improve” Fable 5 and “strengthen America’s leadership in AI.”
further readingForbesU.S. Lifts Restrictions On Anthropic’s Mythos 5 And Fable 5 AI ModelsBy Siladitya Ray
Etsy zvýšila tržby z marketplace GMS o 5,5 % na 2,5 mld. USD a čeká růst v každém čtvrtletí roku 2026. Celoroční růst má být v nízkých jednotkách procent.
Key Takeaways Etsy's marketplace GMS rose 5.5% year over year to $2.5B, improving 540 basis points from Q4.Active buyers grew sequentially for the first time in two years, with GMS per buyer rising to $122.Etsy expects marketplace GMS to grow every quarter of 2026 and full-year growth in the low single digits. Etsy, Inc. (ETSY - Free Report) entered 2026 with renewed momentum, but the bigger question is whether its marketplace gross merchandise sales (GMS) growth can remain sustainable through the rest of the year. The first quarter offered encouraging evidence that the company is rebuilding the marketplace on stronger operating fundamentals rather than relying solely on temporary tailwinds.
Marketplace GMS increased 5.5% year over year to $2.5 billion, with the growth rate improving 540 basis points from the fourth quarter. Management said progress in product development and marketing is translating into improvements across marketplace fundamentals, while foreign exchange tailwinds and a softer prior-year comparison also supported the performance.
What makes the current recovery more meaningful is the shift in customer behavior. Active buyers posted sequential growth for the first time in two years, new buyers and active sellers increased year over year, while GMS per active buyer rose for the first time since late 2022, reaching $122 on a trailing 12-month basis. Etsy's mobile app continues to play a central role, with app GMS increasing 11.2% year over year and accounting for roughly 47% of marketplace GMS. Management said the momentum reflects continued investments in machine learning, personalization and improved product discovery.
Management expects some first-quarter benefits, including foreign exchange tailwinds and tariff-related average order value increases, to moderate as the year progresses. Even so, it expects continued progress in product discovery, personalization and customer engagement initiatives to further strengthen marketplace fundamentals through the remainder of 2026.
During the earnings call, management reiterated its expectation for year-over-year marketplace GMS growth in every quarter of 2026 and forecast full-year growth in the low single digits. ETSY guided second-quarter marketplace GMS to be between $2.48 billion and $2.53 billion, implying 3% to 5% year-over-year growth.
How eBay & Shopify Compare With Etsy on Marketplace GrowtheBay Inc. (EBAY - Free Report) also delivered a strong marketplace performance in the first quarter of 2026, with gross merchandise volume (GMV) rising 14% year over year to $22.2 billion. eBay said growth was broad-based across major categories, supported by faster momentum in collectibles, motors, electronics and fashion, while AI-powered seller tools, Live commerce and consumer-to-consumer initiatives continued to improve marketplace engagement. Management expects eBay's GMV growth to moderate in the second quarter as some category-specific tailwinds ease, but reaffirmed confidence in sustained marketplace momentum through the remainder of 2026.
Shopify Inc. (SHOP - Free Report) also continued to deliver healthy marketplace expansion, with first-quarter 2026 GMV increasing 35% year over year to $101 billion. Shopify attributed the performance to balanced growth across merchant sizes, geographies and sales channels, while AI capabilities such as Sidekick and integrations with ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and Google continued to support merchant growth. Management highlighted accelerating online, offline and B2B commerce trends and expects Shopify to maintain strong momentum, supported by continued investments. The consistent GMV growth underscores Shopify's ability to scale merchant sales despite an evolving commerce landscape.
What the Latest Metrics Say About EtsyEtsy has seen its shares jump 45.9% over the past three months compared with the industry’s 7.9% rise.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Etsy's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 12.35, lower than the industry’s ratio of 21.21. ETSY is also trading below its 12-month median level of 20.
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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Etsy's earnings per share has seen an upward revision. The consensus estimate for the current fiscal year has risen from $3.76 to $3.82, while the estimate for the next fiscal year has increased from $4.30 to $4.59 over the past 60 days.
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Etsy currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Micron Technology logo is displayed on a smartphone screen with the company's website in the background, in Creteil, France, on May 27, 2026. The American semiconductor company officially crosses the symbolic threshold of $1 trillion in market capitalization on Wall Street the previous day. (Photo by Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
NurPhoto via Getty Images
This article was written by Doug Nathman, with research by his team at Trefis.
The memory industry is in the midst of an unprecedented boom.
AI servers are driving unprecedented demand for high-bandwidth memory; supply remains tight, and DRAM prices have surged, forcing PC and smartphone makers to look beyond their traditional suppliers. That search is increasingly leading them to China. Apple has reportedly sought approval to source DRAM chips from blacklisted ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), while Dell Technologies, HP Inc., Acer, and ASUS are reportedly considering similar moves.
For companies like Micron (MU), which recently posted gross margins above 84%, the real question is whether today’s extraordinary profitability can survive China’s entry into the market.
And if history is any guide, investors should start paying close attention.
China has followed this playbook before. Solar panels, batteries, EVs, and shipbuilding all went through the same cycle: state-backed investment, reverse-engineered technology, and relentless manufacturing scale, until established global players could no longer compete on cost. Until now, memory chips seemed immune. For nearly three decades, the DRAM market has been dominated by Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron, whose technological lead and manufacturing expertise kept challengers at bay.
But the current shortage may be creating the opening China has been waiting for. If this shortage gives Chinese memory makers their first meaningful foothold with global OEMs, it could mark the biggest competitive shift the DRAM industry has seen in 30 years.
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The Squeeze That Created An OpeningThe proximate cause is the AI memory supercycle. Conventional DRAM contract prices surged between 93% and 98% QoQ over the first quarter of this year.
Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are shifting wafer capacity toward high-bandwidth memory, the premium high-speed memory that sits alongside Nvidia (NVDA) AI accelerators, because that is where the margin is. This is having a major side effect: commodity DRAM, the kind that goes into laptops and phones, is getting squeezed out. Apple just raised MacBook and iPad prices by between $100 and $300, citing component costs, while simultaneously shopping for a cheaper Chinese alternative. Both moves point to the same conclusion: management sees this as structural, not a passing cycle.
That is the opening companies like China’s CXMT could step into. And the speed of its rise is notable. The company began volume DRAM production in 2020. By 2026, its global revenue share had reached 8%, up from 3% a year earlier, making it the fourth-largest DRAM maker. CXMT currently has two 12-inch DRAM fabrication plants with a combined capacity of about 300,000 wafers per month. There are reports that, with a new Shanghai facility as well as other new capacity, CXMT will double its DRAM wafer output to approximately 600,000 wafers per month, according to Reuters. This compares to Micron’s own 385,000 capacity. Revenue is on pace for roughly 700% year-over-year growth in early 2026, with the company posting its first-ever profitable quarter. Its DDR5 chips are already inside Lenovo laptops shipping today.
Investors are betting that Micron will see a multi-year upcycle, driven by long-term contracts for memory. But there could be a catch.
There Are Still ChallengesStill, China’s memory push has a problem that its other sectors, such as solar and EVs, did not. Those industries were won mostly by building factories faster and cheaper than anyone else, using technology that was largely available to whoever could afford it. Memory is different because of a single piece of equipment: extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines, made only by the Dutch company ASML, which are not essential for DRAM production but are critical for manufacturing the most advanced chips efficiently. Washington has blocked ASML from selling these machines to Chinese firms, so CXMT is stuck building chips with older tools, no matter how much capital Beijing throws at it.
That shows up clearly in the numbers. CXMT’s DDR5 die is roughly 40% larger than Samsung’s equivalent, which means fewer usable chips per wafer and a structurally worse cost base, not a better one. The larger die size is itself a byproduct of working without EUV: older lithography tools cannot pack circuits as densely, so CXMT needs more silicon to do the same job. Its cost per bit remains more than 30% above the three leading suppliers, suggesting its current profitability is a function of unusually strong pricing across the whole market, not genuine product superiority.
The gap is starker in HBM, the high-bandwidth memory used in AI accelerators and the segment driving SK Hynix’s and Samsung’s surge. CXMT has only sampled HBM2 and HBM3 chips with customers like Huawei; commercial-volume production keeps slipping, even as rivals are already shipping HBM4. Unlike DDR5, catching up in HBM requires far more than manufacturing scale and capital investment.
What It Means For Micron, Samsung And SK HynixFor the likes of Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix, China’s rise is a challenge, but not an existential one. CXMT is emerging as a credible competitor in commodity DRAM, where it could pressure pricing in PCs and smartphones. But the real investment story has shifted to HBM, where demand from AI accelerators remains strong and technological barriers are much higher. As long as China lacks access to EUV lithography and advanced HBM manufacturing, the incumbents are likely to maintain their lead in the industry’s fastest-growing and most profitable market.
That said, the industry’s trajectory will depend not just on technology, but also on regulation. Export controls, licensing decisions, and trade policy could determine how quickly Chinese suppliers expand globally and how much of the memory market ultimately becomes contestable.
A disciplined portfolio approach helps smooth these risks while still participating in long-term growth themes. The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio has consistently outperformed its market benchmark since inception, delivering cumulative returns of over 105%.
A strong stock as of late has been TSMC (TSM - Free Report) . Shares have been marching higher, with the stock up 6.9% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $479 in the previous session. TSMC has gained 57.2% since the start of the year compared to the 18.2% move for the Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the 57.2% return for the Zacks Semiconductor - Circuit Foundry industry.
What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, having beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on April 16, 2026, TSMC reported EPS of $3.49 versus consensus estimate of $3.31.
For the current fiscal year, TSMC is expected to post earnings of $15.35 per share on $161.91 in revenues. This represents a 44.13% change in EPS on a 32.26% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $19.5 per share on $204.95 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 26.98% and 26.58%, respectively.
Valuation MetricsTSMC may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company has run ahead of itself.
On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as these give investors a variety of ways to comb through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
TSMC has a Value Score of D. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 31.1X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 31.1X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 32.1X versus its peer group's average of 32.1X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.2. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.
Zacks RankWe also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this is even more important than the company's VGM Score. Fortunately, TSMC currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to favorable earnings estimate revisions from covering analysts.
Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if TSMC meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though TSMC shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.
Morgan Stanley získala podmíněný souhlas OCC na založení Morgan Stanley Digital Trust, který má rozšířit její regulované služby pro digitální aktiva. Spuštění je možné až po splnění kapitálových, likviditních a předběžných požadavků.
Key Takeaways Morgan Stanley received conditional OCC approval to establish Morgan Stanley Digital Trust.MS must meet capital, liquidity and pre-opening requirements before beginning operations. MS aims to expand federally regulated custody, staking and digital-asset servicing capabilities. Morgan Stanley (MS - Free Report) has moved closer to building a regulated digital-asset infrastructure after receiving preliminary conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) to establish Morgan Stanley Digital Trust, National Association.
The proposed national trust bank, headquartered in Purchase, NY, is expected to support Morgan Stanley’s digital-asset custody ambitions under federal oversight. Morgan Stanley Digital Trust is expected to provide custody of certain digital assets and conduct related activities, including the purchase, sale, swap and transfer of digital assets to support client investment activities. It will also facilitate staking of digital assets on a fiduciary basis and act as a collateral administrator for digital-asset lending offered by an affiliate.
The approval is conditional, meaning the trust bank cannot begin operations until it satisfies the OCC's pre-opening requirements and receives final authorization.
As part of the approval, the digital-asset trust must maintain at least $50 million in Tier 1 capital during its first three years of operation, with at least half held as eligible liquid assets. It must maintain additional eligible liquid assets sufficient to cover 180 days of operating expenses. During these three years, the trust is required to assess its capital and liquidity on a quarterly basis and engage an independent external auditor to conduct annual audits.
The trust must obtain the OCC's non-objection before appointing senior executive officers or directors during its first three years. It must also notify the OCC at least 60 days before making any significant changes to its business plan or operations.
Here’s Why This Matters for Morgan StanleyThe charter approval is strategically significant for Morgan Stanley as it strengthens the company’s push into regulated digital-asset services.
For a wealth-management-focused company like Morgan Stanley, client trust, regulatory oversight and operational reliability are critical. Bringing custody capabilities closer to its platform could improve control, reduce external dependency and enhance the client experience as demand for digital-asset exposure grows.
The trust charter provides MS with a clearer regulatory pathway to support crypto-related services such as custody, transfers, trading support and fiduciary staking. It also positions the company to capture fee opportunities across custody, servicing and related activities, while competing more effectively with established players benefiting from the institutionalization of crypto market structure.
The move complements Morgan Stanley’s broader cryptocurrency initiatives, including its partnership with crypto infrastructure provider Zerohash to introduce crypto trading capabilities for E*Trade clients. Establishing a federally regulated trust bank would give MS greater control over asset custody, settlement and operational risk management, making the initiative more than just a crypto expansion.It reflects the company’s effort to build the regulated infrastructure needed to serve investors who increasingly prefer digital-asset exposure through traditional financial institutions.
Crypto custody and related digital-asset services are unlikely to materially change Morgan Stanley’s near-term earnings profile. However, if finalized, the charter would enhance the company’s long-term growth opportunities and help it gain a competitive advantage against traditional financial institutions and crypto-focused custodians.
FinTech Taking Similar Steps as Morgan StanleyIn April 2026, Coinbase Global Inc. (COIN - Free Report) secured conditional approval from the OCC for a national trust company charter, which will help grow its crypto custody business. Once fully approved, the national trust company charter will help COIN to offer custody and related banking services nationwide.
In December 2025, Circle Internet Group’s (CRCL - Free Report) First National Digital Currency Bank, N.A. received conditional OCC approval for a crypto custody bank charter. Once fully approved, the federally regulated national trust bank would operate under OCC oversight and oversee management of the USDC Reserve for CRCL's U.S. issuer, while also supporting institutional-grade digital-asset custody capabilities.
Morgan Stanley’s Price Performance & Zacks RankMS shares have rallied 15% in the past six months, outperforming the industry’s growth of 2.8%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Currently, Morgan Stanley carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
ServiceNow NOW and Salesforce shares climbed 5% on Wednesday after Guggenheim upgraded the software companies, arguing that their valuations have become attractive despite ongoing risks posed by artificial intelligence.
The upgrade comes after a difficult year for enterprise software stocks, with investors reassessing growth prospects as AI reshapes the industry.
ServiceNow shares are down 33% so far in 2026, while Salesforce has fallen 38%.
Guggenheim analyst John DiFucci upgraded ServiceNow to Buy from Neutral and assigned a $125 price target, valuing the company at 7.5 times enterprise value to next-12-month recurring revenue.
According to DiFucci, the upgrade reflects valuation rather than optimism that ServiceNow will emerge as a major AI winner.
"We believe current levels present an attractive opportunity for investors to purchase a comfortably profitable stock likely to continue to grow at double digits," DiFucci noted, citing expected improvements in the company's US federal government business.
His discussions with management suggest that ServiceNow's government-related business could improve as disruptions tied to federal spending changes and procurement delays associated with the Department of Government Efficiency begin to ease.
DiFucci also upgraded Salesforce to Buy from Neutral, saying investors have become overly pessimistic about the software company.
He described the "Armageddon scenario" reflected in Salesforce's valuation as "misaligned with reality."
Salesforce is currently trading at about 3.7 times projected enterprise value to revenue over the next 12 months, a valuation DiFucci believes is "grossly undervalued."
AI remains a risk, not a growth driverAlthough DiFucci turned more constructive on both companies, he maintained a cautious stance on artificial intelligence.
He has previously described AI as a major threat to software companies and said that view has not changed materially.
"We want to be clear that we are not upgrading shares because we see [ServiceNow] as an AI beneficiary," he wrote, adding that he believes AI monetization is "unlikely to materialize" for the company, and that the threat of artificial intelligence "does pose significant risks."
Regarding Salesforce, DiFucci also tempered expectations for future growth.
"Realistically, the company will 'struggle to grow much, but does not decline much either,'" he said. "This is not a call that [Salesforce] will be a beneficiary of AI, but we don't believe it will decline as implied in the current valuation."
The brokerage also pointed to ongoing risks, including talent migration to AI-native startups and the company's reliance on acquisitions, including Armis, to support growth.
Separately, Evercore ISI reiterated its Outperform rating on ServiceNow with a $150 price target ahead of the company's second-quarter earnings report.
The brokerage said investor attention has shifted from long-term AI strategy toward execution over the coming quarters.
ServiceNow recently outlined its AI Control Tower strategy, AI-native product packaging, and a target of generating more than $30 billion in subscription revenue by fiscal 2030.
According to Evercore ISI, the company's long-term target implies subscription revenue compound annual growth of approximately 17.5% without requiring an acceleration in growth.
According to Evercore ISI, the company's long-term target implies subscription revenue compound annual growth of approximately 17.5% without requiring an acceleration in growth.
For the second quarter, ServiceNow guided current remaining performance obligations growth of about 19.5% in constant currency, including contributions from the Moveworks and Armis acquisitions.
Evercore ISI said investors will closely watch whether organic growth stabilizes as pressure in the federal government market eases and AI adoption increases.
The firm added that constant-currency growth of 20% to 20.5% would likely meet expectations, while results closer to 21% or higher could help ease concerns about slowing organic growth.
Broadcom oznámil tržby ve výši 22,187 miliardy USD a tržby z polovodičů pro AI ve výši 10,80 miliardy USD, což je meziročně o 143 % více. Firma zároveň očekává ve 3. čtvrtletí tržby z polovodičů pro AI na úrovni 16 miliard USD.
Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO | AVGO Price Prediction) and NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) just delivered fresh AI semiconductor reports that point in similar directions but reveal very different business models.
NVIDIA closed Q1 FY2027 on May 20, 2026, and Broadcom followed with Q2 FY2026 on June 3, 2026. One sells branded GPUs to everyone. The other designs custom silicon for a handful of hyperscalers.
Custom Silicon Surges, Merchant GPUs Still Dwarf Everyone Broadcom posted $22.187 billion in revenue, up 47.9% YoY, with AI semiconductor revenue hitting $10.80 billion (+143% YoY). Hock Tan attributed the result to “increasing demand for custom AI accelerators and AI networking”, and guided Q3 AI semis to $16 billion, a triple-digit jump. The Infrastructure Software segment, anchored by VMware, added $7.178 billion at 9% growth, providing a steady subscription base.
NVIDIA operates at a different scale entirely. Data Center revenue alone reached $75.246 billion, up 92% YoY, with networking products tripling to $14.8 billion. Jensen Huang described the AI buildout as the largest infrastructure expansion in human history and pointed to Blackwell Ultra ramping at full speed. Q2 guidance landed at $91 billion, excluding any China Data Center compute.
Business Driver Broadcom NVIDIA AI Revenue (latest quarter) $10.80B $75.25B Data Center Software Anchor VMware subscriptions CUDA ecosystem Customer Pattern Few large hyperscalers Broad merchant base One Bets on Customization. One Owns the Platform. Broadcom wins by becoming indispensable to specific customers. Designing custom ASICs alongside Google, Meta, and others gives Tan a path to his stated goal of exceeding $100 billion in AI sales by 2027. That model trades volume risk for concentration risk. Lose one mega-customer and the math gets ugly fast.
NVIDIA’s playbook looks broader. Huang called the company “the only platform that runs in every cloud, powers every frontier and open source model, and scales everywhere AI is produced”.
The Vera Rubin platform, Spectrum-X networking, and a deepening partner list (Google Cloud, Anthropic, Meta, Marvell) keep the moat wide. The cost: China revenue has effectively vanished from Data Center compute, and supply-related commitments now total $119.0 billion, a meaningful cash bet.
Valuation tells its own story. AVGO trades at 61 trailing earnings and 32 forward. NVDA sits at 30 trailing and 22 forward, with a far heavier profit base.
The Next Test Is Customer Concentration Versus China I will be watching whether Broadcom’s Q3 AI ramp to $16 billion actually lands, and whether more than two or three hyperscalers contribute. For NVIDIA, the question is whether Blackwell Ultra and the Vera Rubin rollout can offset the China gap while sustaining 75% gross margins.
AVGO is down 16.5% over the past month and NVDA 7.55%, so the AI trade is clearly cooling. Hyperscaler capex commentary in July is the next data point worth tracking for both names.
How The Setup Frames Up From Here On scale, NVIDIA leads decisively, with a software moat that keeps compounding and a forward multiple that looks reasonable relative to 85.2% revenue growth.
Broadcom’s profile looks more like a complement. The custom ASIC story is real, and Tan’s execution has been clean across 8 consecutive quarters of EPS beats, though the concentration risk and richer multiple are worth weighing.
For income-oriented investors, Broadcom’s $0.65 quarterly dividend stands out. Hyperscaler capex commentary this summer will be the key swing factor for both names.
Lucid propustí asi 1 500 lidí, tedy přibližně 18 % zaměstnanců, a zrušila druhou směnu v továrně v Arizoně. Firma zároveň stáhla výhled po slabých dodávkách.
If investors hoping to find the next Tesla only glanced at Lucid (LCID +1.05%), it's easy to understand the intrigue. Lucid designed and delivered some of the most technologically advanced and efficient electric vehicles (EVs) in the world. They helped set benchmarks in range and battery efficiency, and the company strung together eight consecutive quarters of record deliveries, which ran through the end of 2025. Lucid even had an extremely wealthy backer in Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which poured billions into the young EV maker.
If investors dug deeper, they would have found just as many, or more, flaws with the company, including production hiccups, massive cash burn, and a failure to drive down vehicle unit economics. Worse yet, red flags have been popping up recently, and the situation appears increasingly dire.
What now? Last week, Lucid announced it would lay off roughly 1,500 employees, or about 18% of its current workforce. And this isn't the first recent instance. Just four months ago, Lucid cut 12% of its workforce.
Public relations can try to spin this as a smart move to make the EV maker more competitive and cost-efficient moving forward, but the truth is this is a substantial workforce slashing across multiple moves in a short four-month span.
Lucid's recent red flags don't stop with its employee cuts, either. The company also confirmed last week that it eliminated the second production shift at its Casa Grande, Arizona, factory.
There isn't much of a positive spin you can put on this, as it's simply trying to match production with lower-than-anticipated consumer demand for its vehicles and to balance inventory that had become bloated after a supplier issue slowed deliveries of the Gravity SUV. During the first quarter of 2026, the company produced 5,500 vehicles and delivered only just over 3,000, prompting it to pull its guidance and indicating it will provide more insight during the second-quarter earnings call.
Image source: Lucid.
Jumping ship? Further complicating matters is that Lucid's recent CEO is a bit of an unusual choice, and executive turnover is mounting.
Marc Winterhoff, who did an admirable job as interim CEO for over a year and was supposed to stay on as chief operating officer after the new CEO, Silvio Napoli, took over, has now left the company. In a regulatory filing, Lucid noted that it had eliminated the COO position.
Winterhoff's departure follows a slew of executive turnover. Starting from the top, founder and longtime CEO Peter Rawlinson unexpectedly resigned in February 2025, followed by chief engineer Eric Back being let go later that year. More recently, Emad Dlala resigned earlier this month, which also seemed a bit odd after receiving a promotion just a few months earlier. In total, more than a dozen top executives have left the young EV maker in the past two years.
This makes the executive turnover more curious: Napoli appears to be an unusual pick to run the EV start-up. Napoli built a career at a Swiss company, Schindler Group, a maker of elevators and escalators -- while an industry outsider, his overall experience could still be valuable to Lucid.
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What it all means Lucid's moves to cut workforce and overhead by the third quarter are expected to cost the company roughly $32 million in severance pay but will save about $158 million in annualized costs. No matter how you slice it, those are not a level of cost cuts that can save Lucid as it heads toward a conundrum of cutting significant workforce while also preparing for its next more affordable mass-market vehicle, the Cosmos SUV, expected to start under $50,000.
While investors believed Lucid could produce high-quality vehicles, it never delivered the financial metrics to keep them on board. Lucid's net loss in 2025 hit $2.7 billion, flat with the prior year's $2.71 billion; its operating loss widened from $2.4 billion in 2024 to $3.5 billion in 2025; and its cash burn was a staggering $3.8 billion in 2025 alone.
It's easy to root for Lucid, but it is increasingly difficult to imagine how it becomes a viable investment and much easier to see how it could speed toward bankruptcy, especially if the PIF backing were to end.
Lam Research by mohl ve 4. čtvrtletí dosáhnout hrubé marže 50,5 %, poprvé nad 50 %, díky silné poptávce po AI čipech a pokročilých nástrojích pro leptání a depozici.
Key Takeaways Lam Research targets a Q4 gross margin of 50.5%, its first guide above the 50% level.AI demand for advanced etch and deposition tools is boosting product mix and profitability.Advanced packaging revenues are expected to rise more than 50% in 2026 as AI chip investment grows. Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as the biggest driver of Lam Research Corporation’s (LRCX - Free Report) profitability, and it could help the company achieve a new high in the gross margin in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026. Strong demand for advanced memory, foundry and packaging equipment is improving the product mix and allowing Lam Research to generate higher returns from its product portfolio.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2026, Lam Research reported a non-GAAP gross margin of 49.9%, up from 49.7% in the previous quarter and 49% a year ago. Revenues climbed 24% year over year to a record $5.84 billion, while non-GAAP earnings per share increased 41% to a record $1.47. The company also delivered a 35% non-GAAP operating margin, reflecting strong execution and disciplined cost management.
Management expects the momentum to continue. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, Lam Research projected revenues of $6.6 billion at the midpoint and a non-GAAP gross margin of 50.5%, marking the first time the company has guided for a margin above the 50% level. This outlook is supported by higher demand for advanced etch and deposition tools used in AI chips and high-bandwidth memory production.
AI is also expanding Lam Research’s long-term growth opportunities. The company expects advanced packaging revenues to increase by more than 50% in calendar year 2026 as chipmakers invest in complex packaging technologies for AI processors. At the same time, management forecasts wafer fabrication equipment spending of about $140 billion this year.
If AI-driven investments remain strong and Lam Research continues improving its product mix, the company has a solid chance of delivering another record gross margin in the upcoming fiscal fourth quarter.
How Competitors Fare Against Lam ResearchKLA Corporation (KLAC - Free Report) and Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT - Free Report) remain two of the biggest competitors challenging Lam Research as AI-driven semiconductor demand lifts profitability across the equipment industry.
KLA focuses on process control, inspection and yield management solutions. As AI chips become more complex, semiconductor makers need more testing and monitoring tools to improve production efficiency.
KLAC's strong exposure to advanced logic and memory manufacturing has helped it maintain healthy margins and steady cash flow growth. The company's non-GAAP gross margin has been above 60% over the past several quarters.
Applied Materials has also benefited from rising AI and memory spending. In its last reported results for the second quarter of fiscal 2026, the company generated Semiconductor Systems revenues of $5.97 billion, supported by strong DRAM and advanced packaging demand.
Applied Materials continues to invest heavily in materials engineering and advanced chip packaging technologies, areas that are becoming increasingly important for AI servers and high-bandwidth memory. In the second quarter, the company's non-GAAP gross margin expanded 80 basis points year over year to 50%.
LRCX’s Share Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of Lam Research have surged 153.9% year to date compared with the Zacks Electronics – Semiconductors industry’s rise of 54.9%.
Lam Research YTD Price Return Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchFrom a valuation standpoint, Lam Research trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 76.24, significantly higher than the industry’s average of 35.94.
Lam Research Forward 12-Month P/E Ratio
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Lam Research’s fiscal 2026 and 2027 earnings implies a year-over-year increase of approximately 37.2% and 38.3%, respectively. Estimates for fiscal 2026 have been revised upward over the past 30 days, while estimates for fiscal 2027 have been raised northward over the past seven days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Lam Research currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Toyota Motor North America v červnu v USA prodala 212 793 vozů, což je meziročně o 10,1 % více. Prodeje elektrifikovaných vozů vyskočily o 35 % na 122 063 a tvořily 57,4 % celkového objemu.
RAV4 Hybrid achieved an all-time best-ever Best-ever June sales for Lexus division 33 electrified vehicle options available between both Toyota and Lexus brands TMNA June electrified vehicle sales of 122,063, up 35.0 percent , /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) today reported June 2026 U.S. sales of 212,793 vehicles, up 10.1 percent on a volume basis and up 5.7 percent on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis compared to June 2025. Sales of electrified vehicles for the month totaled 122,063, up 35.0 percent on a volume basis and up 29.6 percent on a DSR basis, representing 57.4 percent of total sales volume.
Toyota Motor North America Reports June, Second Quarter 2026 U.S. Sales Results For the second quarter, TMNA reported sales of 673,971 vehicles, up 1.1 percent on a volume basis and up 1.1 percent on a DSR basis versus the second quarter of 2025. Sales of electrified vehicles for the second quarter totaled 383,091, up 19.5 percent on a volume basis and up 19.5 percent on a DSR basis, representing 56.8 percent of total sales volume.
Toyota division posted June sales of 183,627 vehicles, up 11.2 percent on a volume basis and up 6.8 percent on a DSR basis. For the quarter, Toyota division reported sales of 585,211 vehicles, up 2.6 percent on a volume basis and up 2.6 percent on a DSR basis.
Lexus division posted June sales of 29,166 vehicles, up 3.9 percent on a volume basis and down 0.3 percent on a DSR basis. For the quarter, Lexus division reported sales of 88,760 vehicles, down 7.5 percent on a volume basis and down 7.5 percent on a DSR basis.
"Our second-quarter results reflect continued momentum across the Toyota and Lexus lineups," said Andrew Gilleland, senior vice president, Automotive Operations Group, Toyota Motor North America. "Strong demand and disciplined inventory management have fueled consistent gains versus a year ago, and accelerating interest in our electrified vehicles—with month-over-month growth throughout the quarter—reinforces that our multi-pathway approach is resonating. Combined with our commitment to affordability and a broad range of vehicles starting under $35,000, we're well-positioned to expand access to electrification while delivering value across every powertrain."
Highlights (volume basis unless otherwise noted)
TMNA:
Second quarter sales up 1.1 percent Second quarter electrified vehicle sales of 383,091, up 19.5 percent June sales up 10.1 percent June electrified vehicle sales of 122,063, up 35.0 percent 33 total electrified vehicles currently available in dealerships between both the Toyota and Lexus brands Among the lowest incentives among full-line manufacturers Toyota Division:
RAV4 Hybrid achieved an all-time best-ever All-time best-ever electrification mix at 61.4% Second quarter sales up 2.6 percent Second quarter electrified vehicle sales of 345,791, up 21.1 percent June sales up 11.2 percent June electrified vehicle sales of 110,627, up 38.0 percent Lexus Division:
Achieved an all-time best-ever June Second quarter sales down 7.5 percent Second quarter electrified vehicle sales of 37,300, up 6.5 percent June sales up 3.9 percent June electrified vehicle sales of 11,436, up 11.7 percent About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 50 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota's plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.
For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
Key Takeaways Pacira will divest iovera to Zimmer Biomet for up to $140M, with closing expected in Q3 2026.PCRX to receive $70M upfront plus up to $70M in potential milestones and plans to reduce debt with the cash. Zimmer Biomet gains iovera rights and will collaborate with PCRX on the registrational spasticity program. Pacira BioSciences (PCRX - Free Report) is reshaping its business through an agreement to divest its iovera medical device franchise to Zimmer Biomet (ZBH - Free Report) for up to $140 million. The deal marks another step in Pacira's strategy to transition toward an innovative biopharmaceutical company while allowing Zimmer Biomet to expand its portfolio of pain management technologies. The closing of the transaction is expected in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.
The iovera system is an FDA-cleared, drug-free cryoneurolysis device that uses controlled cold therapy to temporarily interrupt peripheral nerve signaling and relieve pain. It is approved for destroying tissue during surgical procedures and creating lesions in peripheral nervous tissue to block pain. It is also indicated for relieving pain and symptoms associated with knee osteoarthritis (OA) for up to 90 days, with some patients experiencing longer-lasting benefits.
The system can also assist with nerve targeting when used with compatible stimulation components. Clinical studies have shown that patients treated with iovera after total knee replacement surgery experienced improved knee symptoms and function, lower pain intensity and a 45% reduction in opioid use during the 12 weeks following surgery.
More on PCRX's iovera Divestiture Deal With ZBHUnder the agreement, Pacira will receive up to $140 million from Zimmer Biomet, consisting of $70 million in upfront cash and potential milestone payments tied to future revenues totaling up to an additional $70 million through Dec. 31, 2031. ZBH will acquire all rights related to the development, manufacturing and commercialization of the iovera platform. Pacira expects to use the upfront proceeds to strengthen its balance sheet, including reducing borrowings under its senior secured revolving credit facility.
The companies will also collaborate on advancing the iovera spasticity program. Pacira could earn incremental compensation if the program successfully completes its registrational study and secures regulatory approval. To facilitate the transfer of the business, the companies plan to establish a customary transition services agreement upon the potential closing of the deal.
Year to date, PCRX shares have lost 2% compared to the industry’s 6.3% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The divestiture aligns with Pacira's broader strategy of sharpening its focus on innovative biopharmaceutical products while monetizing a non-core medical device asset. The cash infusion is expected to enhance financial flexibility, support debt reduction and allow greater emphasis on its long-term growth priorities.
For Zimmer Biomet, the acquisition expands its portfolio with an established, FDA-cleared pain management technology that complements its orthopedic franchise. The company is also expected to leverage its global commercial infrastructure and medical device expertise to broaden adoption of iovera, while the continued collaboration on the spasticity program provides both companies with an opportunity to create additional long-term value.
PCRX’s Other Marketed ProductsApart from the iovera system, Pacira’s marketed product portfolio comprises two drugs — Exparel and Zilretta.
Exparel is PCRX’s flagship pain-management product, initially launched in 2012. It is a long-acting local analgesic currently approved for infiltration, fascial plane block, and as an interscalene brachial plexus nerve block, an adductor canal nerve block and a sciatic nerve block in the popliteal fossa for postsurgical pain management.
Zilretta, on the other hand, is approved as an extended-release intra-articular injection for providing relief to OA patients with knee pain.
Pacira is also currently looking to expand Zilretta’s indication to include treatment for OA pain in the shoulder. Enrollment in the phase III registrational study of Zilretta for this indication has been completed, with top-line results expected later this year. Based on the success of the study, the company plans to seek label expansion of the drug for OA pain in the shoulder.
Beyond its marketed products, PCRX is developing a pipeline of clinical-stage therapies for musculoskeletal pain and related indications. Its most advanced candidate, PCRX-201 (enekinragene inzadenovec), is a novel locally administered gene therapy being evaluated in a phase II study for knee OA.
PCRX’s Zacks Rank & Other Stocks to ConsiderPacira currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Some other top-ranked stocks in the biotech sector are Liquidia Corporation (LQDA - Free Report) and Immunocore (IMCR - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Over the past 60 days, estimates for Liquidia’s 2026 EPS have increased from $1.75 to $3.02. Over the same period, EPS estimates for 2027 have also risen from $2.91 to $4.92. LQDA shares have surged 131.1% year to date.
Liquidia’searnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in the remaining one, with the average surprise being 54.40%.
The estimate for Immunocore’s 2026 EPS is currently pegged at 6 cents, while the same for its 2027 EPS is currently pegged at 87 cents. IMCR shares have lost 8.5% year to date.
Immunocore’s earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters while missing the same on the remaining occasion, with the average surprise being 46.66%.
Lumentum ve 3. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2026 zvýšil tržby divize Components na rekordních 533,3 mil. USD, tedy 66 % celkových tržeb. Firma čeká, že ultra-výkonné laserové čipy a CPO začnou významně přispívat později v roce 2026.
Key Takeaways Lumentum's Components segment hit a record $533.3M, making up 66% of Q3 revenues.AI data-center demand drove record EML chip shipments and strong laser assembly growth.Ultra-high-power laser chips and CPO are expected to become meaningful contributors later in FY26. Lumentum Holdings’ (LITE - Free Report) component business is accelerating rapidly, positioning the company for continued revenue growth as AI-driven demand for optical networking solutions remains robust. In the third quarter of fiscal 2026, Lumentum's Components segment generated a record $533.3 million, accounting for 66% of total revenues, while revenues climbed 20.2% sequentially and 77.3% year over year, underscoring that components have become the primary engine of its business expansion.
The strong performance was driven by record shipments of electro-absorption modulated laser (EML) chips, more than 120% year-over-year growth in narrow-linewidth laser assemblies and 80% growth in pump lasers, fueled by rising demand from hyperscale AI data centers. Management also noted that several high-growth component categories remain effectively sold out, while its Japan wafer fabrication capacity is fully allocated, indicating sustained customer demand and strong revenue visibility.
Lumentum is also laying the groundwork for its next phase of growth through ultra-high-power laser chips and co-packaged optics (CPO), which management expects to become meaningful revenue contributors later in 2026. The richer mix of premium AI components helped lift non-GAAP operating margin to 32.2% in the reported quarter, demonstrating that the company is not only growing revenue but also improving profitability.
Lumentum's recent updates underscore that optical components are becoming indispensable to next-generation AI infrastructure, with co-packaged optics emerging as another meaningful growth driver. As hyperscale cloud providers accelerate investments in AI networking, the company's expanding portfolio of advanced optical components is well positioned to capture this demand. Its increased fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 revenue guidance of $960 million-$1.01 billion further suggests that management expects the strong momentum in the Components segment to continue, strengthening LITE's long-term growth outlook.
Lumentum Faces Stiff CompetitionLumentum faces stiff competition from Coherent Corp. (COHR - Free Report) and Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI - Free Report) as AI-driven demand for optical components, photonics and data center networking continues to accelerate.
Coherent challenges Lumentum through broad photonics capabilities, 800G/1.6T transceivers, optical circuit switches and co-packaged optics. Coherent strengthens its edge with 6-inch indium phosphide production, long-term supply agreements and aggressive capacity expansion. The company also benefits from robust AI networking demand, expanding backlog and differentiated manufacturing scale.
Applied Optoelectronics competes with Lumentum by scaling 800G and 1.6T transceivers, expanding U.S. manufacturing and leveraging in-house laser production. Applied Optoelectronics emphasizes automation, production flexibility and capacity growth to address accelerating AI infrastructure demand. It also targets co-packaged optics and hyperscale customers, reinforcing its long-term growth strategy.
LITE’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of LITE have surged 132.8% year to date compared with the Computer and Technology sector’s growth of 18.2%.
LITE’s YTD Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, LITE trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 22.26X, significantly higher than the sector’s average of 6.62X. LITE carries a Value Score of F.
LITE’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LITE’s fiscal 2027 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 118.77%. The consensus estimate for fiscal 2027 has been revised upward in the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Lumentum stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Amcor uzavřel partnerství s Kelpi na vývoji řasových nátěrů pro udržitelnější obaly. Technologie má zlepšit bariérové vlastnosti i recyklovatelnost a snížit uhlíkovou stopu.
Key Takeaways Amcor partnered with Kelpi to develop seaweed-based coatings for sustainable packaging materials.AMCR is testing the technology to expand AmFiber with strong barriers and recyclability.AMCR expects bio-based coatings to reduce fossil feedstock use and lower carbon footprints. Amcor plc (AMCR - Free Report) announced a partnership with Kelpi to develop advanced coating technologies that will boost the company’s performance and sustainability of packaging materials. This move is in sync with AMCR’s strategy to focus on developing sustainable packaging solutions with high functional standards.
Details of Amcor-Kelpi PartnershipKelpi is a U.K.-based startup whose technology offers incredible potential by combining processability, gas and moisture barrier performance, and paper recyclability. Kelpi’s proprietary coating technology platform, which is a bio-based seaweed material designed to deliver high barrier performance. It is also compatible with recycling streams for fiber-based packaging.
Amcor is testing the technology to expand its AmFiber portfolio, ensuring these fiber-based solutions meet strict requirements for barrier performance, high running speeds and circularity. By using bio-based coatings, Amcor will gain from the reduced reliance on fossil fuel-derived feedstocks and greater use of renewable resources. This will result in a lower carbon footprint. The partnership will combine Kelpi’s technology with Amcor’s global research, development capabilities and scale to test commercially viable, scalable solutions for customers.
Amcor’s Q3 PerformanceAMCR delivered third-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings of 96 cents per share, rising 6% year over year and meeting the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Reported net sales climbed 77% from the year-ago quarter to $5.91 billion and beat the consensus mark of $5.69 billion.
Results reflected the first full year of the Berry combination and continued integration progress, including $77 million of acquisition synergies in the quarter, along with cost and productivity actions that supported profitability.
AMCR’s Price PerformanceOver the past year, the company’s shares have lost 5% compared with the industry’s 3.7% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Amcor’s Zacks Rank & Stocks to ConsiderAMCR currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks from the Industrial Products sector are Tennant Company (TNC - Free Report) , Fastenal Company (FAST - Free Report) and RBC Bearings Incorporated (RBC - Free Report) . TNC flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and FAST and RBC carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Tennant has an average trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 40.8%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TNC’s 2026 earnings is pinned at $5.12 per share. The company’s shares have gained 14% in a year.
Fastenal has an average trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 0.1%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FAST’s 2026 earnings is pinned at $1.23 per share, which indicates year-over-year growth of 13.1%. The company’s shares have grown 14% in a year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RBC Bearings’ fiscal 2027 earnings is pegged at $14.17 per share. The company has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 6.2%. RBC shares have gained 65% in a year.
Shell prodá podíly v Na Kika, souvisejících polích a Coulombu za 1,7 mld. USD v hotovosti. Talos Energy tím rozšíří operace v Mexickém zálivu a získá přibližně 23 mil. boe prokázaných rezerv.
Key Takeaways Shell will sell Na Kika, related fields and Coulomb interests for $1.7B in cash, pending approvals.SHEL's sale to support its focus on higher-value assets while retaining select future economic interests.Talos Energy expects the deal to expand Gulf operations with added reserves and immediate financial benefits. Shell plc (SHEL - Free Report) and Talos Energy Inc. (TALO - Free Report) have entered into a definitive agreement under which Shell will sell its interests in the Na Kika platform, associated offshore fields and the Coulomb tieback in the Gulf of America to subsidiaries of Talos Energy and Ridgewood Energy for a total consideration of $1.7 billion in cash. The transaction marks another significant step in Shell's strategy to simplify and strengthen its global energy portfolio, reflecting the company's disciplined approach to capital allocation and long-term value creation.
The agreement also underscores Shell's commitment to concentrating investments on assets capable of delivering sustainable returns while monetizing mature operations that no longer align with its long-term production priorities.
A Strategic Move Toward Higher-Value AssetsThe divestment includes Shell's interest in the Na Kika platform and associated fields, along with the Coulomb tieback. These assets contributed approximately 37,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) net to Shell during 2025. However, they are not expected to remain meaningful contributors to Shell's production profile by 2030, making this an opportune time to unlock value through a strategic sale.
The transaction between Shell and Talos Energy, each carrying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) at present, has an effective date of July 1, 2025, and is expected to close by the end of 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Maintaining Future Value Beyond the SaleWhile divesting these mature assets, Shell has carefully structured the transaction to preserve exposure to future opportunities.
The company will retain certain upside-linked payments tied to future asset performance, royalty interests associated with new Na Kika tieback developments and offtake rights that provide continued commercial benefits.
This balanced approach enables Shell to realize immediate value while maintaining participation in future developments should additional resources be brought online.
Assets With a Long Operating HistoryThe assets being sold have been important contributors to Shell's deepwater Gulf operations for decades.
BP p.l.c. (BP - Free Report) -operated Na Kika platform — Shell's only non-operated platform in the Gulf of America — commenced production in 2003, while production at the Coulomb field began in 2005. At the end of 2025, Shell reported proved reserves of approximately 4.3 million boe for Na Kika and 7.2 million boe for Coulomb.
BP is currently the operator of the Na Kika platform and owns the remaining 50% interest in the block. BP also retains a 30-day preferential purchase right related to the transaction.
Supporting Shell's Long-Term Energy StrategyThe divestment aligns with Shell's ongoing strategy of actively managing its global portfolio by directing capital toward assets capable of generating stronger long-term returns.
Rather than maintaining ownership of mature fields with declining strategic importance, Shell continues to optimize its upstream portfolio through selective acquisitions, targeted investments and disciplined asset sales. This approach strengthens financial flexibility while allowing the company to focus on projects that support profitable growth and resilient cash generation.
Portfolio optimization remains a core element of Shell's broader strategy to enhance shareholder value while adapting to evolving market dynamics and capital priorities.
Talos Energy Sees Growth OpportunityFor Talos Energy, the acquisition represents a strategic expansion of its deepwater Gulf operations. The company will acquire a 50% working interest and operatorship in the Coulomb field and a 25% non-operated working interest in the BP-operated Na Kika platform and the associated Kepler, Ariel, Fourier and Herschel fields.
The acquired interests produced approximately 16,000 boe/d during the first quarter of 2026, with nearly 77% consisting of oil. Talos Energy estimates the transaction will add roughly 23 million boe of proved reserves, along with approximately 10 million boe of probable reserves, creating additional development opportunities over the coming years.
Talos Energy intends to finance the acquisition through a combination of cash on hand and debt, supported by a $150 million increase in its borrowing base, while expecting the transaction to be immediately accretive to key financial metrics.
Looking AheadThe sale reinforces Shell's disciplined capital allocation strategy by monetizing mature Gulf of America assets while retaining selected future economic interests. By streamlining its upstream portfolio and focusing investment on higher-value opportunities, the company continues to strengthen its competitive position and maintain the flexibility needed to pursue long-term growth across its global energy business.
As the transaction progresses toward its expected closing by the end of 2026, it marks another important milestone in Shell's ongoing portfolio transformation and commitment to delivering sustainable value for its shareholders.
Mezinárodní tržby Celsius Holdings vzrostly v 1. čtvrtletí 2026 o 55 % na 35,3 mil. USD díky Nordics a dalším expanzním trhům. Firma zároveň spustila CELSIUS ve Španělsku přes Suntory a čeká vstup do Portugalska.
Key Takeaways CELH is expanding beyond North America through a measured, partnership-led international strategy. International revenues rose 55% to $35.3M, driven by the Nordics and newer expansion markets. CELH launched in Spain through Suntory, with Portugal expected as the next European market. Celsius Holdings, Inc. (CELH - Free Report) is expanding its global footprint beyond North America through a measured, partnership-led strategy. International remains a smaller part of the business, but the latest quarter showed clear progress across both established markets and newer expansion regions.
International revenues increased 55% year over year to $35.3 million in the first quarter of 2026 from $22.7 million in the prior-year period. Growth was driven by the Nordics and continued momentum in expansion markets, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Australia, New Zealand and Benelux.
The company also advanced its European expansion with the launch of CELSIUS in Spain through an exclusive sales and distribution agreement with Suntory Beverage & Food Spain. Portugal is expected to be the next market in the European footprint, also through the Suntory partnership. This reflects Celsius’ focus on key markets, strong local partnerships, disciplined launch plans, and sustained marketing and distribution support.
The setup gives Celsius a longer international runway, especially as its global headquarters in Dublin is now in place to support deeper execution in existing markets and future market entries. However, the scale gap remains significant. International revenues of $35.3 million were still far below North America’s $747.3 million in the quarter, implying that the overseas business is growing quickly but from a much smaller base.
For now, CELH’s international strategy appears to be gaining traction, supported by growth in existing markets, the Spain launch and a planned Portugal entry through Suntory. Still, sustaining a 55% growth rate will depend on steady execution across current expansion markets and disciplined new-market rollouts.
CELH Stock Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Celsius Holdings have tumbled 36.3% over the past year compared with the industry’s decline of 23.8%. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
CELH Price Performance Versus Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, CELH trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 16.46, higher than the industry’s average of 14.42.
CELH Valuation Compared to Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CELH’s current and next fiscal-year earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 18.7% and 23.8%, respectively.
Better-Ranked Stocks to ConsiderDarling Ingredients Inc. (DAR - Free Report) is a global leader in converting food waste and animal by-products into sustainable ingredients and renewable energy products. DAR currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Darling Ingredients’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings suggests a year-over-year increase of 12.3% and 575.6%, respectively. DAR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 14.8%, on average.
B&G Foods, Inc. (BGS - Free Report) manufactures, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of shelf-stable, frozen and specialty food products. BGS carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for B&G Foods’ current financial-year earnings calls for year-over-year growth of 11.8%.
Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN - Free Report) , a major food company focused on chicken, beef, pork and prepared foods, carries a Zacks Rank #2 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Tyson Foods’ current financial-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 4.4% and 1.1%, respectively, from the prior-year reported levels. TSN delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 18.1%, on average.
Five Below těží z investic do digitálního marketingu: ve 1. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2026 stouply srovnatelné tržby o 22,7 %. Firma zároveň zvýšila výhled tržeb na 5,4–5,48 mld. USD.
Key Takeaways Five Below's social-first strategy helped drive 22.7% comparable sales growth in fiscal Q1 2026.FIVE shifted media spending toward social platforms, creator content and direct digital engagement.Five Below raised its fiscal 2026 guidance to $5.4-$5.48 billion in sales and 6-8% comparable sales growth. Five Below, Inc. (FIVE - Free Report) is benefiting from increased investment in digital marketing, reflecting its efforts to strengthen customer engagement and broaden brand awareness. During the first quarter of fiscal 2026, management highlighted a social-first strategy that resonated with Gen Alpha, Gen Z and millennial shoppers, contributing to a 22.7% increase in comparable sales and helping drive strong traffic trends across the business.
The company's evolving marketing approach has played an important role in expanding customer reach. Five Below has shifted media spending toward social platforms, creator content and direct digital engagement, allowing it to react more quickly to emerging consumer trends. Management noted that the retailer is increasingly leveraging social listening capabilities to identify popular products and amplify demand through targeted campaigns and in-store activations.
Artificial intelligence ("AI") is also becoming a more meaningful component of Five Below's marketing toolkit. During the first quarter, the company deployed AI-generated content in connected TV advertisements focused on seasonal moments, enabling faster content creation and more relevant messaging. These initiatives have improved engagement with customers while helping Five Below remain agile in responding to changing consumer interests.
The retailer is simultaneously investing in customer relationship initiatives to enhance marketing effectiveness. Five Below continues to build its e-mail database, which is expected to sharpen targeting capabilities and support more personalized communication. Management indicated that expanding this customer file could create opportunities to deepen relationships, improve retention and eventually support broader loyalty initiatives.
The company believes digital marketing investments remain in the early stages but are already delivering encouraging results. Reflecting management’s confidence in its strategy and customer engagement initiatives, Five Below raised its fiscal 2026 outlook and expects net sales of $5.4-$5.48 billion, representing approximately 14% year-over-year growth at the midpoint, along with comparable sales growth of 6-8% for the year.
ULTA & BBWI’s Digital Initiatives vs. FIVEUlta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA - Free Report) is advancing its digital strategy through investments in e-commerce, social commerce and artificial intelligence. The company expanded same-day delivery through Uber Eats, introduced Klarna payment options and launched the TikTok Shop to enhance discovery and engagement.
Ulta Beauty is leveraging AI-powered personalization, loyalty data and its Ulta AI shopping assistant to improve product recommendations and customer experiences. Complementing these efforts, a recent NielsenIQ study commissioned by Ulta Beauty found that 73% of Gen Alpha beauty consumers use personalization tools, underscoring the growing influence of AI in beauty discovery. These initiatives position Ulta Beauty to drive long-term digital growth and strengthen customer relationships.
Bath & Body Works, Inc. (BBWI - Free Report) is accelerating the digital transformation through initiatives to improve customer engagement and expand its reach. The company plans to relaunch its website with a mobile-first design, enhanced storytelling capabilities and a faster checkout experience to reduce friction for shoppers. Bath & Body Works is also seeing early digital gains, including roughly a 10% increase in conversion among new customers, while its growing Amazon presence is helping attract younger and more affluent consumers.
Bath & Body Works is leveraging richer visual content, social engagement and digital channels to strengthen brand discovery and support long-term e-commerce growth.
FIVE’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesFIVE's shares have rallied 36.9% over the past year against the industry’s decline of 9.4%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Five Below is trading at a trailing 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 1.97X, up from the industry average of 1.60X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Five Below’s fiscal 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 34.3%, whereas the same for fiscal 2027 indicates an uptick of 9.3%. Estimates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 have been revised upward by 70 cents and 63 cents, respectively, in the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Five Below currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Progress Software po zveřejnění výsledků za 2. fiskální čtvrtletí a zvýšení celoročního výhledu prudce roste. Tržby 253,5 milionu USD i upravený zisk 1,62 USD na akcii překonaly odhady.
Progress Software (PRGS +19.12%) stock is surging in Wednesday's trading, having risen 17.9% as of 11 a.m. ET. The S&P 500 was flat% at the same point in the daily session, and the Nasdaq Composite was down 0.4%.
After yesterday's market close, Progress published results for the second quarter of its current fiscal year -- which ended May 31. The company posted sales and earnings for the period that beat Wall Street's expectations, and investors are also liking the software specialist's forward guidance.
Image source: Getty Images.
Progress Software beats Wall Street's fiscal Q2 targets Progress Software recorded non-GAAP (adjusted) earnings of $1.62 on sales of $253.5 million in fiscal Q2, beating the average Wall Street analyst estimate's call for per-share earnings of $1.49 on sales of $242.74 million. Sales unexpectedly rose 6.7% year over year in the quarter, and net income surged 24% compared to the prior-year period. The company saw strong demand across its product portfolio, with AI-powered offerings helping to lift sales and earnings performance in the quarter.
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What's next for Progress Software? Along with its fiscal Q2 report, Progress raised its earnings guidance for the fiscal year. The company now expects sales for the period to come in between $990 million and $1.02 billion -- up from its previous guidance for sales between $988 million and $1 billion. Meanwhile, adjusted earnings per share are projected to be between $6.09 and $6.21 -- with the midpoint of its guidance reflecting an $0.18 per share increase over its previous target.
The company also hiked its targets for adjusted free cash flow to between $271 million and $283 million for the year and unlevered free cash flow to between $323 million and $334 million. With Progress Software posting better-than-expected fiscal Q2 results and forward guidance and investors rotating cash back into software stocks, the company's valuation is getting a big boost today.
Keith Noonan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Surventis, dříve BASF Coatings, se osamostatnila jako globální lídr v automobilových nátěrech a povrchových úpravách. Firma uvádí roční tržby za rok 2025 ve výši kolem 3,9 miliardy EUR.
Muenster, Germany, July 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Surventis, formerly BASF Coatings, today launched as an independent company, backed by global investment firm Carlyle in partnership with QIA, with BASF holding a 40 percent stakeWith around €3.9 billion in annual sales, around 10,700 employees and more than 42,000 customers, Surventis ranks among the world’s leading suppliers of coatings and surface treatment solutionsSurventis will strategically focus on reliability, quality, service, and performance for its customers Surventis, formerly BASF Coatings, today launched as an independent company, completing its carve-out from BASF. With around €3.9 billion in annual sales and around 10,700 employees, Surventis is one of the world’s leading suppliers of automotive coatings and surface treatment solutions. The business is majority-owned by funds managed by global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) in partnership with Qatar Investment Authority. BASF holds a 40% stake in Surventis. The Surventis corporate brand was unveiled today. The identity reflects a business built on superior science, a constant drive to innovate, and the momentum to act as a newly independent company, shaping the industry through technological leadership and close collaboration with its partners. The company’s new website is now live at www.surventiscoatings.com.
With a new name and brand identity, Surventis will continue to develop, produce, and market coatings and surface treatment solutions for industrial, automotive, and refinish customers worldwide. Its portfolio spans well-known brands such as Chemetall®, Glasurit®, and R-M®, delivering high-performance and sustainable solutions.
Built on deep expertise and decades of trusted relationships, Surventis serves more than 42,000 customers across over 140 countries from a network of more than 30 production and development sites, anchored by its headquarters in Muenster, Germany, which hosts the world's largest integrated paint manufacturing site.
Positioned to become the leading coatings technology company
As a standalone company, Surventis will operate with greater speed, agility, and focus. Carlyle will support the business through targeted investments in its global capabilities and local operations, drawing on its track record in carving out and building standalone industrial companies. Surventis will strategically focus on entrepreneurship, performance, and growth – helping customers succeed in today’s demanding and fast-evolving markets.
“Today marks an exciting new chapter for Surventis and for all of our employees around the world,” said Jens Luehring, Chief Executive Officer of Surventis. “I want to thank the entire team whose dedication and hard work have brought us to this milestone. We are building on more than 130 years of coatings expertise and some of the most trusted brands in the industry as we begin our journey as an independent company. Our customers will benefit from a faster, more focused partner, with our full attention on the surfaces they make and sell. Their success is our success. We are already a leader in this industry, and our ambition is clear: to become the leading coatings technology company.”
“As an independent company, Surventis is exceptionally well-positioned to accelerate innovation, deepen customer partnerships, and capture global growth opportunities. We are looking forward to supporting Jens, and the Surventis management team in their next chapter,” said Tanaka Maswoswe, Partner at Carlyle.
Surventis will continue to operate with the same products, technologies, brands and technical teams that customers rely on today. The portfolio across all three businesses remains unchanged, ensuring continuity in reliability, quality and service.
Experienced Management Team
Surventis will be led by its Executive Committee, headed by Chief Executive Officer Jens Luehring. Joining the Executive Committee are Chief Financial Officer Michael Pontzen and Chief Transformation Officer Ewout van Jarwaarde. Together with Nils Lessmann, Executive Vice President Operations Mobility/Refinish, and the leaders of the company’s three business units – Frank Naber, Executive Vice President Surface Treatment, Patrick Zhao, Executive Vice President Mobility Coatings, and Steve Arndt, Executive Vice President Refinish Coatings – they form an experienced and complementary Executive Committee, combining fresh external perspective with strong business continuity.
About Surventis (formerly BASF Coatings)
For more than 130 years, Surventis’ science and passion have gone into preparing, protecting and sealing metals and plastics across industries, finishing new vehicles with vibrant colors, and repairing them with an exact shade match. Through brands including Chemetall®, Glasurit®, and R-M®, Surventis works side by side with more than 42,000 customers in over 140 countries, finding answers to their most complex surface challenges. The company employs around 10,700 people, generated sales of about €3.9 billion in 2025, and is headquartered in Muenster, Germany. Surventis is owned by funds managed by Carlyle, with BASF holding a 40 percent stake. For more information, visit www.surventiscoatings.com.
Surventis launches as an independent global leader in automotive coatings and surface treatment
Surventis launches as an independent global leader in automotive coatings and surface treatment Surventis, formerly BASF Coatings, today launched as an independent company
Broadcom vykázal tržby za 2. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2026 ve výši 22,187 miliardy USD a tržby z AI polovodičů 10,80 miliardy USD, meziročně o 143 % více. Firma zároveň očekává AI tržby 16,0 miliardy USD v příštím čtvrtletí.
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Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO | AVGO Price Prediction) and Marvell Technology (NASDAQ:MRVL) both posted earnings centered on custom AI silicon. Broadcom reported Q2 FY2026 revenue of $22.187 billion, up 47.9% year over year, on June 3, 2026. Marvell followed with $2.418 billion in Q1 FY2027 revenue on May 27, 2026. Same theme, vastly different scale.
Custom Accelerators Explode at Broadcom. Optics Carry Marvell. Broadcom’s AI semiconductor revenue reached $10.80 billion, up 143% year over year, powered by custom AI accelerators and Ethernet AI switches for hyperscalers. CEO Hock Tan called Q3 a step change, guiding AI semi revenue to $16.0 billion, over 200% year over year. Few chipmakers can credibly deliver that forecast.
Marvell’s story is narrower but solid. Its Data Center segment hit $1.833 billion, up 27% year over year and 11% sequentially, representing 76% of total revenue. CEO Matt Murphy pointed to “exceptional AI-related bookings” across 800G and 1.6T optics, 51.2T Ethernet switches, and custom XPU designs. Real demand, yet a fraction of Broadcom’s velocity.
Business Driver Broadcom Marvell Quarterly AI revenue $10.80B $1.83B data center Growth engine Custom ASICs, VMware Optics, custom XPU Next-quarter guide ~$29.4B, +84% YoY $2.70B, +35% YoY Ironclad Hyperscaler Grip vs. Acquisition-Fueled Catch Up Broadcom holds roughly 70% share of the custom AI ASIC market and runs multi-billion-dollar hyperscaler programs with adjusted EBITDA margins near 68%. Its free cash flow of $10.262 billion in a single quarter matches roughly what Marvell generates annually.
Marvell is buying its way into the interconnect fight, closing Celestial AI on February 2, 2026 and XConn Technologies on February 10, 2026, then raising $2 billion in Series A Convertible Preferred Stock on March 31, 2026. Bold, but capital-intensive.
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Valuation sharpens the contrast. AVGO trades at a forward P/E of 32. MRVL sits at a forward P/E of 66 after a 250.96% year-to-date rally. That is steep for a smaller player.
The Q3 Earnings Report Will Settle the Argument Watch whether Broadcom lands the $16.0 billion AI quarter it promised, validating the hyperscaler pipeline through 2027. For Marvell, the tell is whether 1.6T optics and custom XPU ramps translate booked demand into gross margin expansion alongside top-line growth.
What the Fundamentals Suggest On the numbers, Broadcom trades at roughly half the earnings multiple while delivering nine times the revenue, deeper hyperscaler entrenchment, and a software leg via VMware that Marvell lacks. That combination gives AVGO’s risk-reward profile a more grounded fundamental base. Marvell’s setup appears geared toward growth-oriented positioning with concentration risk and a rich multiple, with upside tied to how quickly acquired optics scale. If AI capex tightens even modestly, the premium priced-in at MRVL is harder to defend on the fundamentals than Broadcom’s diversified $29.4 billion revenue base. On the metrics available, Broadcom screens as the more diversified infrastructure compounder.
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Atlassian ve 3. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2026 zvýšil RPO o 37 % na 4 miliardy USD a cloudové tržby o 29 % na více než 1,1 miliardy USD. Roste i přijetí AI Rovo a Teamwork Collection už překročila 1 miliardu USD v ročních opakovaných tržbách.
Key Takeaways Atlassian's enterprise adoption is rising as RPO jumped 37% YoY to $4B.TEAM's cloud revenues climbed 29% to over $1.1B, fueled by Jira and enterprise offerings.Rovo users are growing ARR twice as fast, while Service Collection topped $1B in ARR. Atlassian Corporation’s (TEAM - Free Report) enterprise adoption is rapidly increasing, positioning the company to accelerate recurring revenue growth through larger enterprise contracts, expanding cloud adoption and higher cross-selling opportunities. In the third quarter of fiscal 2026, remaining performance obligations (RPO) rose 37% year over year to $4 billion as major enterprises, including Siemens Energy, BBC, Rheinmetall and Wayfair, expanded their commitments and signed larger, longer-term contracts. This growing enterprise traction enhances revenue visibility and strengthens Atlassian's position as a strategic software partner for large organizations.
The company's cloud business continues to benefit from this momentum. Cloud revenues increased 29% year over year to more than $1.1 billion in the reported fiscal quarter, driven primarily by Jira seat expansion and greater adoption of Teamwork Collection and other enterprise offerings.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as another important growth catalyst. Customers using Rovo are growing annual recurring revenue at roughly twice the rate of non-Rovo users, while AI credit usage is increasing more than 20% month over month. Meanwhile, Service Collection has become a significant revenue driver, surpassing $1 billion in annual recurring revenues with more than 30% growth. Adoption has expanded beyond IT into HR, finance and legal functions, broadening Atlassian's addressable market.
Management also reported its largest-ever competitive displacement from a legacy IT service management provider, reflecting increasing enterprise preference for Atlassian's AI-native platform and integrated system of work. The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects fiscal 2027 revenue growth of 13.3%, suggesting analysts also expect enterprise adoption and platform expansion to continue supporting revenue growth.
Atlassian's Enterprise Growth Faces Pressure From RivalsMonday.com (MNDY - Free Report) and ServiceNow (NOW - Free Report) are emerging as formidable rivals, competing with Atlassian to drive enterprise adoption, deepen customer spending and accelerate AI-led monetization.
Like Atlassian, MNDY is targeting large enterprises through platform consolidation, governance and AI-driven workflows. It is accelerating monetization with consumption-based AI pricing, expanding enterprise contracts and cross-selling multiple products while leveraging its AI work platform to deepen customer spending. These strengths position MNDY to challenge Atlassian's enterprise expansion and recurring revenue growth.
While Atlassian focuses on collaboration and developer workflows, NOW competes with a broader AI-native enterprise platform spanning IT, CRM, HR and security. The company combines workflow orchestration, governance, Context Engine and hybrid pricing to drive enterprise-wide adoption and larger contracts, while strategic acquisitions expand monetization opportunities. These advantages make NOW a formidable challenger to Atlassian's enterprise growth ambitions.
TEAM’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesTEAM shares have plummeted 62.4% in the past year, substantially underperforming both the Zacks Computer & Technology sector's 39.4% gain and the Internet – Software industry's 18.4% decline.
TEAM’s One-Year Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Atlassian trades at a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 3.05X, well below the sector’s average of 6.62X. It has a Value Score of D.
TEAM’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TEAM’s fiscal 2027 earnings is currently pegged at $6.07 per share, which remains unchanged over the past 30 days. The projected figure reflects year-over-year earnings growth of 10.8%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
TEAM stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Gartner označil Tenable za společnost, kterou je třeba porazit v hodnocení expozice s využitím AI. Firma podle zprávy vyniká v detekci útokové plochy a prioritizaci AI expozic.
COLUMBIA, Md., July 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tenable® Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: TENB), the exposure management company, today announced that Gartner has identified Tenable as the company to beat for AI-powered exposure assessment in its report, AI Vendor Race: Tenable Is the Company to Beat for AI-Powered Exposure Assessment.
According to Gartner, "Tenable's long-standing dominance in vulnerability assessment, its strong asset and attack surface discovery capabilities, and its ability to execute on its AI strategy make it the front-runner in AI-powered exposure assessment."
The Gartner report further notes that, “Tenable’s broad attack surface coverage sets it apart from competitors. Tenable One is a well-integrated platform that spans traditional IT, identity, cloud, CPS and container environments.” Gartner adds that, “This visibility extends to emerging attack surfaces such as AI. Tenable identifies shadow AI usage and can also prioritize AI exposures like sensitive data leakage, misconfigurations, novel AI attacks, risky agent behavior, and unsafe integrations with external tools.”
“Cybersecurity is entering a new era where AI is changing both how organizations operate and how attackers exploit them," said Mark Thurmond, co-CEO, Tenable. "Organizations need a modern approach that not only gives them complete visibility across their expanding attack surface, but helps them act on risk faster. We believe Gartner's recognition reflects our continued commitment to enabling customers to keep pace with that change.”
We feel the Gartner recognition builds on a series of recent AI milestones for Tenable. In recent months, the company announced the general availability of Tenable Hexa AI, the agentic AI engine inside the Tenable One Exposure Management Platform, expanded its Tenable One AI Exposure capabilities to help customers protect their AI attack surface, and joined a select group of cybersecurity companies participating in both Anthropic's Project Glasswing initiative and OpenAI's Daybreak Cyber Partner Program. Together, these investments are helping shape the next generation of AI-powered cybersecurity while enabling customers to move beyond identifying exposures to continuously prioritizing and reducing cyber risk.
“We're still in the early innings of AI in cybersecurity,” said Steve Vintz, co-CEO, Tenable. “The next phase isn't just identifying exposures – it's enabling security teams to continuously understand, prioritize and remediate them with AI working alongside people. That's where we're investing, and where we believe the market is headed.”
To read Gartner’s AI Vendor Race: Tenable Is the Company to Beat for AI-Powered Exposure Assessment, Gartner subscribers can access it here: https://www.gartner.com/document-reader/document/8048333
Gartner Disclaimer
Gartner, AI Vendor Race: Tenable Is the Company to Beat for AI-Powered Exposure Assessment, Elizabeth Kim, Isy Bangurah, Mitchell Schneider and Luis Castillo, June 24, 2026.
GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.
Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's Research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
About Tenable
Tenable® is the exposure management company, exposing and closing the cybersecurity gaps that erode business value, reputation and trust. The company’s AI-powered exposure management platform radically unifies security visibility, insight and action across the attack surface, equipping modern organizations to protect against attacks from IT infrastructure to cloud environments to critical infrastructure and everywhere in between. By protecting enterprises from security exposure, Tenable reduces business risk for over 40,000 customers around the globe. Learn more at tenable.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the expected capabilities, benefits, and performance of Tenable Hexa AI, the Tenable One Exposure Management Platform, and Tenable's participation in Anthropic's Project Glasswing initiative and OpenAI's Daybreak Cyber Partner Program, the expected impact of these initiatives and solutions on risk prioritization, remediation, and security posture, and the anticipated use and effectiveness of frontier AI in cybersecurity workflows. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including risks related to the development, adoption, and performance of new and unproven technologies (including agentic AI, large language models, and automated remediation workflows), the potential that such technologies may not deliver their anticipated benefits or accurately prioritize risk, and other factors described under "Risk Factors" in Tenable's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Tenable undertakes no obligation to update these statements to reflect events occurring after the date hereof.
ArcBest těží z lepší cenotvorby, vyšší produktivity a příznivějšího mixu nákladní dopravy. Segment Asset-Light se vrátil do kladného provozního zisku podle non-GAAP.
Key Takeaways ArcBest's outlook hinges on pricing discipline, network productivity and freight mix as demand improves. ARCB saw 6.3% first-quarter renewals and expects ABF's non-GAAP operating ratio to improve in Q2. Asset-Light returned to positive non-GAAP operating income as shipment growth and productivity helped. ArcBest Corporation (ARCB - Free Report) is entering a more constructive freight backdrop after a difficult period for transportation demand. The setup is not simply about volume recovery; it depends on pricing discipline, network productivity and freight mix.
The company’s two-part model gives investors more than one way to track progress. ABF Freight anchors the less-than-truckload business, while Asset-Light broadens ArcBest’s reach across logistics services.
ARCB Runs a Two-Segment ModelArcBest operates through Asset-Based and Asset-Light segments. Asset-Based consists of ABF Freight, its less-than-truckload carrier, while Asset-Light includes brokerage, managed transportation, expedited, intermodal, household moving, warehousing and international services.
That structure gives ArcBest a broad customer base and reduces dependence on any single shipper. No customer accounted for more than 3% of 2025 consolidated revenues, and the 10 largest customers represented roughly 14%.
Cross-selling is central to the model. About 70% of Asset-Light customers also use Asset-Based services, and cross-sold accounts generate more revenue, profit and retention than single-solution accounts.
ARCB Sees Better Pricing ConditionsArcBest is benefiting from tighter truckload capacity and firmer manufacturing indicators. That matters because better pricing can turn modest freight improvement into stronger yield and operating leverage.
First-quarter 2026 renewals rose about 6.3%. April also showed heavier freight trends, and management expects ABF’s non-GAAP operating ratio to improve 600 to 700 basis points sequentially in the second quarter.
Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL - Free Report) offers a useful peer comparison because it is also one of North America’s largest less-than-truckload carriers. Its performance helps investors benchmark LTL pricing and demand trends across the group.
ArcBest Uses AI to Lift EfficiencySelf-help is a major part of ArcBest’s story. Continuous improvement efforts have been implemented across about 75% of the network and generated $32 million in annualized savings.
AI-enabled city route optimization has added another $15 million in annualized savings. These initiatives reduce manual work, improve route planning and support better asset utilization.
That matters in a cyclical business. ArcBest does not need a full freight boom to benefit if service, density and utilization improve while capital spending remains targeted.
Driven by the above-mentioned tailwinds, shares of ArcBest have gained in double digits (% wise) so far this year, easily outperforming the Zacks Transportation-Truck industry.
YTD Price ComparisonImage Source: Zacks Investment Research
ARCB Needs Asset-Light to Keep HealingThe Asset-Light segment gives ArcBest another source of earnings recovery beyond core LTL. It returned to positive non-GAAP operating income in the March quarter as shipment growth and productivity gains offset pressure from mix.
Management expects second-quarter adjusted operating income of $3 million to $5 million for the segment. Contract repricing, brokerage discipline and managed transportation growth could add incremental upside if freight conditions firm.
C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW - Free Report) is relevant in this context because it is a major third-party logistics provider. Its role in freight brokerage and supply chain management makes it a useful comparison for ArcBest’s Asset-Light exposure.
ArcBest Still Faces Clear Freight RisksThe recovery is not risk-free. Manufacturing and housing remain below mid-cycle levels, and U-Pack weakness adds pressure to parts of the business.
Mix also remains a concern. Heavier LTL shipments have weighed on billed revenue per hundredweight, while labor, fuel and depreciation costs have pressured ABF’s operating ratio.
Asset-Light carries its own risk. Purchased transportation expense remains a large share of segment revenues, making margins sensitive to carrier cost swings and the timing of spot and contract resets.
ARCB Signals Support a Constructive ViewThe bottom line is that ArcBest has a constructive near-term setup, but not a straight-line recovery. Better pricing, measurable productivity savings and Asset-Light stabilization support the stock’s outlook, while macro demand and mix still need close watching.
ARCB currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). That rank points to a favorable short-term earnings revision backdrop. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The stock also has a VGM Score of B, with a Value Score of C, Growth Score of C and Momentum Score of B. For investors, that mix supports a selective view: momentum and estimate trends are improving, but execution still matters.
Kyndryl rozšiřuje své služby sovereign cloud ve spolupráci s Microsoftem, aby firmám pomohl lépe splnit požadavky na data residency, kontrolu a odolnost. Nabídka míří na regulovaná odvětví i vládní zákazníky.
Kyndryl Sovereignty Solutioning combined with Microsoft Sovereign Cloud capabilities helps customers strengthen choice, control and resilience
, /PRNewswire/ -- Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services, today announced an expansion of its sovereignty solutioning through new capabilities and services with Microsoft. The collaboration combines Kyndryl Sovereignty Solutioning with Microsoft Sovereign Cloud capabilities to help customers design, build and operate cloud architectures that align with evolving data residency and operational requirements while maintaining flexibility and innovation.
The capabilities support the full spectrum of Microsoft's sovereign cloud approach, including public cloud capabilities and private cloud solutions using Microsoft Azure Local, enabling architectures that meet evolving data residency and operational requirements. Together, Kyndryl and Microsoft help organizations address sovereignty across data and operational domains, translating regulatory frameworks into practical, scalable architectures that support modernization, AI‑enabled use cases and long‑term compliance.
Governments and highly regulated industries are navigating geopolitical uncertainty, expanding data localization preferences and increasingly complex IT environments. As sovereignty becomes a design principle for IT strategies, organizations need trusted partners to translate regulatory frameworks such as GDPR, DORA and NIS2 into practical architectures. The joint capabilities combine Kyndryl's advisory, engineering and operational expertise with Microsoft's sovereign cloud offerings to address these needs.
"Kyndryl understands the reality of sovereignty through our firsthand experience with government expectations in Europe, and our strategic alliance with Microsoft brings together complementary strengths to help customers operationalize sovereignty in a practical, scalable way," said Giovanni Carraro, Global Strategic Alliances Leader, Kyndryl. "By collaborating with Microsoft, we can help customers align their sovereignty goals with real-world architectures, thus balancing control, resilience and performance across hybrid and distributed environments."
"Kyndryl's deep expertise in designing and operating complex, regulated environments complements Microsoft's comprehensive sovereign cloud capabilities, including controls designed to support data residency requirements, access governance and regulatory compliance," said Ihab Foudeh, EMEA Enterprise Partner Solutions General Manager, Microsoft. "Together, we are helping organizations adopt cloud services in ways that respect their local requirements while still enabling modernization and innovation."
Customers can leverage Kyndryl's Sovereignty Readiness Assessment to evaluate their current posture across data, operational and technical domains, identify gaps and dependencies and develop a phased roadmap. Kyndryl will support implementation and ongoing operations using sovereignty-ready architectures that incorporate Microsoft Sovereign Cloud capabilities, including public cloud solutions using Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365, and sovereign private cloud solutions using Azure Local in connected and disconnected deployment models designed to support varying levels of data residency, operational independence and jurisdictional control as needed.
This complementary, unified approach supports sensitive and regulated workloads, including AI-enabled use cases, with a focus on data governance and model locality.
Kyndryl brings deep experience managing mission-critical systems end-to-end and can help customers integrate Microsoft's sovereign public cloud capabilities alongside private cloud solutions, regional providers and on-premises infrastructure. This enables organizations to maintain flexibility and choice while operating under sovereignty constraints with appropriate controls and visibility. For example, governments and organizations in highly regulated industries such as financial services can leverage these capabilities to support workloads requiring strict data residency, enhanced auditability and controlled operational access within national or regional boundaries.
Learn more about Kyndryl Sovereignty services.
About Kyndryl
Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) is a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services offering advisory, implementation and managed services to thousands of customers in more than 60 countries. As the world's largest IT infrastructure services provider, the Company designs, builds, manages and modernizes the complex information systems that the world depends on every day. For more information, visit www.kyndryl.com.
Kyndryl Press Contact
[email protected]
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements often contain words such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "objectives," "opportunity," "plan," "position," "predict," "project," "should," "seek," "target," "will," "would" and other similar words or expressions or the negative thereof or other variations thereon. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation statements concerning the Company's plans, objectives, goals, beliefs, business strategies, future events, business condition, results of operations, financial position, business outlook and business trends and other non-historical statements, are forward-looking statements. These statements do not guarantee future performance and speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Actual outcomes or results may differ materially from those suggested by forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, including those described in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and may be further updated from time to time in the Company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Deckers oznámila, že mezinárodní tržby ve 4. čtvrtletí vzrostly o 25,5 % na 469,5 milionu USD, zatímco domácí růst činil jen 0,3 %. Tahounem zůstává HOKA s tržbami 2,6 miliardy USD za fiskální rok 2026.
Key Takeaways Deckers' international net sales rose 25.5% y/y in Q4, far ahead of 0.3% domestic growth.HOKA posted $2.6B in FY26 revenues, gaining share and awareness across global markets.Deckers plans brand, DTC and retail investments as overseas markets outpace the United States. Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK - Free Report) continues to benefit from accelerating international demand, with UGG and HOKA strengthening their positions across key global markets. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, international net sales increased 25.5% year over year to $469.5 million, outpacing domestic growth of 0.3%, underscoring the company's expanding global footprint.
HOKA remains a major catalyst for international expansion. The performance footwear brand generated $2.6 billion in fiscal 2026 revenues, up 16% year over year, supported by robust global direct-to-consumer growth and ongoing wholesale momentum. HOKA became a top-three performance running brand in France, Italy and the U.K., while growing its premium brand presence in China through strong full-price performance across existing and new retail and partner locations. Brand awareness across international markets averaged approximately 40%, up from roughly 30% a year ago, reflecting growing consumer recognition across regions.
UGG delivered strong international results, with EMEA generating the highest incremental revenue increase among all markets. The brand broadened its appeal through sneakers, sandals and men's offerings, while the Lowmel franchise and Golden collection accounted for more than half of fiscal 2026 growth. The Auto clog delivered strong sell-through across global regions, particularly among new male consumers, contributing to broader consumer engagement across product categories.
To capitalize on this momentum, Deckers plans to continue investing in brand marketing, localized regional content, direct-to-consumer capabilities and selective retail expansion. Management expects international markets to grow faster than the United States over the long term, with HOKA projected to deliver low-double-digit annual growth and UGG anticipated to generate mid-single-digit gains through fiscal 2030.
With growing global branding awareness, expanding product portfolios and continued investments in international markets, UGG and HOKA remain well-positioned to support Deckers' long-term growth ambitions and strengthen the company's presence across the global footwear and lifestyle market.
DECK’s International Performance Compared With TPR & WWWTapestry, Inc. (TPR - Free Report) and Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (WWW - Free Report) are the key footwear companies competing with Deckers in the global arena.
Tapestry posted strong international growth in the third quarter of fiscal 2026, with Europe revenues rising 21% year over year and Greater China sales increasing 55% on a constant-currency basis. Growth was supported by strong customer acquisition, market share gains and broad-based demand across channels, while Other Asia revenues increased 16%, led by South Korea and Australia. Tapestry's direct-to-consumer model and targeted regional strategies continue to support efficient global expansion while deepening consumer engagement across key international markets.
Wolverine posted strong international growth in the first quarter of 2026, with international revenues rising 20.1% year over year to $249.6 million, or 12.8% on a constant-currency basis. Merrell and Saucony drove growth across the global markets, benefiting from strong sell-through, product innovation and targeted investments in key cities. Wolverine's diversified distribution network, spanning approximately 170 countries and territories, along with strategic partnerships across EMEA, the Asia-Pacific and Latin America, continues to support efficient global expansion and strengthen brand momentum.
DECK’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Deckers have gained 1% over the past three months compared with the industry’s growth of 5.8%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, DECK trades at a trailing price-to-sales ratio of 2.57X, up from the industry’s average of 1.45X. It has a Value Score of A.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Deckers’ fiscal 2027 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 6.1%, whereas the same for fiscal 2028 indicates an uptick of 10.6%. The estimates for fiscal 2027 and 2028 have been revised upward by 3 cents and 5 cents, respectively, over the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
DECK currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Blue Owl Capital dokončil akvizici společnosti Sila Realty Trust; akcionáři Sila obdrželi 30,38 USD za akcii v hotovosti. Akcie Sila byly staženy z burzy NYSE.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Owl Capital Inc. ("Blue Owl") (NYSE: OWL), a leading alternative asset manager, today announced that funds managed by Blue Owl have successfully completed the previously announced acquisition of Sila Realty Trust, Inc. ("Sila" or "the Company"), a net lease real estate investment trust with a strategic focus on investing in the growing and resilient healthcare sector.
"The acquisition of Sila and its differentiated, scaled portfolio of high-quality healthcare assets with strong tenants and well-structured long-term leases will further expand Blue Owl's core net lease strategy," said Marc Zahr, Co-President and Global Head of Real Assets at Blue Owl. "This transaction builds on the firm's experience investing across the healthcare landscape and represents an opportunity to capitalize on the strong supply and demand fundamentals in the healthcare real estate sector while delivering compelling value for investors and the communities these facilities serve."
At Sila's Special Meeting of Stockholders held on June 26, 2026, more than 98% of votes were cast in favor of approving the merger agreement. Upon closing of the transaction, Sila's common stock ceased trading and will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange, and Sila's common stockholders received $30.38 per share in cash, representing an approximately 19% premium over the closing share price on April 17, 2026, the last full trading day prior to the transaction announcement.
The completion of the transaction marks an important milestone for Blue Owl's Real Assets platform and reflects the firm's continued focus on expanding its presence across essential real estate sectors. As part of Blue Owl's Real Assets platform, the Sila portfolio will benefit from the firm's institutional scale, investment expertise and long-standing relationships across the real estate market, creating a strong foundation for continued growth and long-term value creation.
Advisors
BofA Securities served as Sila's exclusive financial advisor. Hogan Lovells US LLP served as the Company's legal counsel.
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. acted as lead financial advisor to Blue Owl and Truist Securities, Inc. also acted as financial advisor and Newmark Group, Inc. served as real estate advisor. Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisor to Blue Owl. Dechert LLP served as legal advisor to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Truist Securities, Inc.
About Blue Owl
Blue Owl (NYSE: OWL) is a leading asset manager that is redefining alternatives®. With $315 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2026, we invest across three multi-strategy platforms: Credit, Real Assets and GP Strategic Capital. Anchored by a strong permanent capital base, we provide businesses with private capital solutions to drive long-term growth and offer institutional investors, individual investors, and insurance companies differentiated alternative investment opportunities that aim to deliver strong performance, risk-adjusted returns, and capital preservation.
Together with over 1,390 experienced professionals globally, Blue Owl brings the vision and discipline to create the exceptional. To learn more, visit www.blueowl.com or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-owl-capital.
About Sila Realty Trust, Inc.
Sila Realty Trust, Inc., headquartered in Tampa, Florida, is a net lease real estate investment trust with a strategic focus on investing in the growing and resilient healthcare sector. The Company invests in high quality healthcare facilities along the continuum of care in the pursuit of generating predictable, durable, and growing income streams. Sila's portfolio comprises high quality tenants in geographically diverse facilities, which are positioned to capitalize on the dynamic delivery of healthcare to patients. As of March 31, 2026, the Company owned 137 real estate properties and three undeveloped land parcels, located in 65 markets across the United States.
Investor Contact
Ann Dai
Head of Investor Relations
[email protected]
Miles Callahan, Senior Vice President – Acquisitions, Capital Markets, Research & Credit
833-404-4107
[email protected]
FactSet Research (FDS - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $4.53 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.44 per share. This compares to earnings of $4.27 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +2.09%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this financial data firm would post earnings of $4.37 per share when it actually produced earnings of $4.46, delivering a surprise of +2.06%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.
FactSet, which belongs to the Zacks Business - Information Services industry, posted revenues of $622.92 million for the quarter ended May 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.93%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $585.52 million. 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.
FactSet shares have lost about 20.7% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 9.6%.
What's Next for FactSet?While FactSet 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 FactSet was favorable. 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 #2 (Buy) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to outperform 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 $4.30 on $626.33 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $17.66 on $2.46 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, Business - Information Services is currently in the top 8% 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.
Verisk Analytics (VRSK - Free Report) , another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026.
This insurance data provider is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.95 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +3.7%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
Verisk Analytics' revenues are expected to be $802.43 million, up 3.9% from the year-ago quarter.
Charles River dokončil prodej CDMO a Cell Solutions a v 1. čtvrtletí provedl zpětný odkup akcií za 200 mil. USD. Zároveň dál čelí slabé poptávce po biopharmaceutických službách a měnovým protivětrům.
Key Takeaways Charles River is supported by RMS strength, broader CRADL adoption and focused portfolio actions.CRL completed CDMO and Cell Solutions divestitures and repurchased $200M of stock in Q1 2026.CRL faces soft biopharma demand and foreign exchange headwinds that may weigh on 2026 results. Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (CRL - Free Report) is well-poised to grow in the coming quarters owing to the strength of its Research Models and Services (“RMS”) business and broader CRADL adoption. Strategic deals continue to broaden its capabilities while streamlining its portfolio. The company maintains a solid financial position, which is also highly encouraging. Yet, persistent soft biopharma demand trends and adverse currency swings may hurt Charles River’s results of operations.
Over the past year, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has rallied 44.6% compared with the industry’s 9.6% rise and the S&P 500 composite’s 23% growth.
The renowned, non-clinical global drug development company has a market capitalization of $10.87 billion. Charles River has an earnings yield of 4.9%, which compares favorably with the industry’s 4.1% yield. It surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average earnings surprise of 9.31%.
Let’s delve deeper.
Upsides for CRL StockRMS Prospects Seem Bright: Charles River continues to maintain its position as a global leader in the production and sale of widely used research models. Small research models remain a cost-effective tool for biomedical research, supporting the company’s ability to implement pricing actions across geographies over time.
In the first quarter of 2026, management highlighted continued demand for small models in China from mid-tier biotech and CRO clients and emphasized that RMS results can vary from quarter to quarter based on the timing of large-model shipments. Charles River’s CRADL model also continues to appeal to clients seeking flexible vivarium space without having to build internal infrastructure, with its value proposition becoming even more attractive as clients prioritize capital efficiency.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Strategic Deals Drive Growth: Charles River is reshaping its portfolio to focus on areas where it has differentiated scientific capabilities. The company completed the previously announced divestiture of its contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) and Cell Solutions businesses on May 6, 2026. CRL continues to use collaborations and selective acquisitions to broaden its capabilities across the discovery-to-development continuum while maintaining a more focused go-forward portfolio.
Its strategic collaborations within its CDMO, including partnerships with the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, are aimed at advancing novel oncology research and development. In 2025, Charles River participated in several collaborations, including those with Toxys, X-Chem and the Francis Crick Institute, among others.
A Stable Solvency Structure: Charles River exited the first quarter of 2026 with cash and cash equivalents of $191.8 million, and no short-term debt payable on its balance sheet. The company continues to balance investment, shareholder returns and funding needs. Charles River also repurchased $200 million of stock under the $1.0 billion authorization, leaving $800 million remaining at quarter-end.
Factors Affecting Charles RiverBiopharma Demand Remains Soft: Charles River continues to face a cautious spending environment, particularly among global biopharmaceutical and biotechnology clients within the DSA segment, as customers reassess budgets, reprioritize drug pipelines and manage cost structures. While management characterized the biopharma demand environment as stabilizing, spending levels are yet to return to prior norms.
First-quarter 2026 organic revenues declined 1.5%, reflecting pressure in RMS and discovery services. Management also noted that revenues from small and mid-sized biotech clients dropped during the quarter due to the lagged impact of softer DSA bookings in mid-2025, highlighting that improved funding conditions do not translate into revenues immediately.
Foreign Exchange Can Obscure Underlying Trends: Foreign currency translation increased Charles River’s reported first-quarter 2026 revenues by 2.8%, partially masking the underlying organic decline. Management also lowered its 2026 reported revenue outlook by approximately 50 basis points due to updated foreign exchange assumptions. Given the company’s sizable international footprint, foreign exchange volatility can create discrepancies between reported and organic performance and make period-to-period comparisons more challenging.
CRL Stock Estimate TrendThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for CRL’s 2026 earnings has increased 1 cent to $11.05 in the past 30 days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2026 revenues is pegged at $3.83 billion, suggesting a 4.5% decrease from the year-ago reported number.
Key PicksSome better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Globus Medical (GMED - Free Report) , Align Technology (ALGN - Free Report) and Integra LifeSciences (IART - Free Report) .
Globus Medical has an earnings yield of 5.9% compared to the industry’s negative 3.5% yield. Its earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 26.3%. GMED shares have rallied 27.8% against the industry’s 10.9% decline over the past year.
GMED carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Align Technology, carrying a Zacks Rank #2, has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 10.3% compared with the industry’s 5.5% growth. Shares of the company have dipped 15.3% against the industry’s 9.1% growth. ALGN’s earnings outpaced estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed on one occasion, the average surprise being 7.8%.
Integra LifeSciences, carrying a Zacks Rank #2, has an earnings yield of 13.6% against the industry’s negative 3.5% yield. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 16.7%. IART shares have rallied 33.3% against the industry’s 10.9% decline over the past year.
SoundHound rozšiřuje podnikání v telekomunikacích a energetice: získal obnovení smluv na dodávky elektřiny, utility i broadband. Tržby v 1. čtvrtletí vzrostly o 52 % na rekordních 44,2 milionu USD.
Key Takeaways SoundHound is gaining telecom and energy traction beyond its automotive and restaurant businesses.SOUN secured electricity, utility and broadband renewals, supporting recurring enterprise revenues.The LivePerson deal would add messaging and boost SOUN's reach across global telecom providers. SoundHound AI (SOUN - Free Report) is broadening its enterprise AI footprint beyond its traditional automotive and restaurant businesses by gaining traction in the telecommunications and energy markets. These industries offer attractive long-term opportunities as enterprises increasingly adopt conversational and agentic AI to automate customer service, improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. The company's first-quarter 2026 results highlighted that this diversification strategy is gaining momentum, helping reduce reliance on any single end market while supporting sustained revenue growth.
During the quarter, SoundHound secured a multi-year renewal with a Texas-based retail electricity provider serving residential and commercial customers while also expanding services with a major Kansas electric utility. In telecommunications, the company renewed and expanded its relationship with a large broadband and digital services provider operating across 25 states. These contract wins demonstrate growing customer confidence in SoundHound's AI platform and provide a stable base of recurring enterprise revenues.
Management also expects the planned acquisition of LivePerson to significantly strengthen its presence in telecom. The combined company will serve customers in more than 30 countries, including more than 10 leading global telecommunications providers, while adding digital messaging capabilities to SoundHound's voice and agentic AI platform. This creates a unified omnichannel solution spanning voice, chat, web and messaging, opening meaningful cross-selling opportunities across telecom, financial services, healthcare and energy customers.
The strategy is already contributing to solid financial performance. First-quarter revenues increased 52% year over year to a record $44.2 million, while management reaffirmed its 2026 revenue guidance of $225-$260 million. With a growing enterprise pipeline, a debt-free balance sheet and expanding vertical diversification, SoundHound appears well-positioned to capitalize on rising enterprise demand for AI-powered customer engagement across telecom and energy markets.
How Competitors Are Expanding Enterprise AI Across Telecom & EnergyNICE Ltd. (NICE - Free Report) is one of SoundHound's strongest competitors in enterprise conversational AI, particularly in customer experience automation. NICE has built a significant presence among telecom operators and utility companies through its CXone platform, which combines AI-powered virtual agents, workforce optimization and analytics. NICE continues to deepen relationships with large enterprises seeking to automate customer support while improving service quality and reducing operating costs, making it a formidable player in these verticals.
Five9 (FIVN - Free Report) is another key rival benefiting from growing enterprise demand for AI-driven contact center solutions. Five9 provides intelligent virtual agents, cloud contact center software and workflow automation for telecommunications, energy and utility providers. Five9 has been expanding its generative AI capabilities through strategic partnerships and platform enhancements, enabling enterprises to deliver seamless omnichannel customer engagement. While SoundHound differentiates itself with proprietary voice AI and agentic capabilities, both NICE and Five9 possess established enterprise customer bases that intensify competition as AI adoption accelerates across telecom and energy markets.
SOUN’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesSoundHound shares have lost 35.1% year to date (YTD), underperforming the industry, as shown below:
SOUN’s YTD Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, SOUN trades at a forward price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 11.05, below the industry’s average of 11.28.
SOUN’s P/S Ratio (Forward 12-Month) vs. Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for SoundHound’s 2026 loss per share has widened to 18 cents, as shown below. The expected loss also remains wider than the previous year’s loss of 13 cents.
CoreWeave stock is among today’s weakest performers. Why is CRWV stock falling? According to Bloomberg, Meta’s internal "Meta Compute" initiative could include selling access to AI models hosted on Meta infrastructure as well as raw computing capacity, a model described as similar to neocloud companies like CoreWeave. Meta’s plans remain in development and could change, and a company spokesperson declined to comment.
The report is a direct overhang for CoreWeave because the company’s business is built around selling high-performance GPU cloud capacity for AI workloads. CoreWeave operates as an AI infrastructure provider, offering cloud access to GPU clusters and data centers designed to support demanding AI workloads.
Meta Could Pressure AI Compute PricingInvestors may be selling CRWV on fears that Meta could become a powerful competitor in the same market. Unlike smaller AI cloud providers, Meta already owns massive data-center infrastructure, AI chips, models and developer relationships. If Meta begins renting unused compute, it could increase supply, pressure GPU rental pricing and weaken CoreWeave’s scarcity premium.
That matters because CoreWeave trades as a high-growth AI infrastructure play. Any sign that hyperscalers may flood the market with competing compute could compress CRWV’s multiple, even if AI demand remains strong.
CoreWeave Technical Levels To WatchFrom a trend perspective, CRWV is still in a repair phase: it’s trading 13.4% below its 20-day SMA and 18.2% below its 50-day SMA, which tells you recent rallies have struggled to stick. It’s also 9.9% below the 100-day SMA and 10.9% below the 200-day SMA, keeping the longer-term posture tilted defensive even after the earlier golden cross in May.
MACD is the cleaner momentum read right now, and it’s below its signal line with a negative histogram, which points to upside pressure fading versus the prior upswing. In plain term, MACD vs. the signal line helps gauge whether momentum is building or cooling, and this setup says buyers still need to prove they can regain control.
The 20-day SMA sitting below the 50-day SMA adds to the near-term bearish structure, even though the 50-day SMA remains above the 200-day SMA (the golden cross from May). Zooming out, the stock is still down 42.60% over the past 12 months, so bulls generally want to see a base form before expecting a sustained trend reversal.
Key Resistance: $91.00 — a nearby round-number area where rebounds can stall before the stock can work back toward its short-term moving averages Key Support: $87.00 — a nearby pivot zone where buyers may try to defend the recent range and prevent a deeper slide toward the lower end of the 52-week band What Is CoreWeave and Its Business Model?CoreWeave is a modern cloud infrastructure company that offers Nvidia GPUs and other essential AI hardware with optimized efficiency to handle the most demanding AI training and inference workloads. Its cloud platform supports the development and use of foundational large language models and the delivery of next-generation AI applications to satisfy the growing demand for AI around the world.
In practice, that puts the company in the middle of the AI compute buildout, where customers care about access to high-end GPUs, uptime, and the ability to scale quickly. For the stock, that means sentiment can swing hard with changes in AI spending expectations and broader risk appetite for high-growth infrastructure plays.
CoreWeave Stock Price Activity TodayCRWV Stock Price Activity: CoreWeave shares were trading lower by 10.55% to $89.04 at the time of publication on Wednesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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