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SummaryIllumina commands 90%+ market share in genomics sequencing, powering a $30B+ TAM growing at double digits with a robust razor-and-blades model.Post-GRAIL, management’s renewed focus on core sequencing, cost control, and capital return is driving revenue recovery, margin expansion, and free cash flow.NovaSeq X placements and consumables pull-through are key near-term catalysts; 65%+ of consumables revenue is clinical, supporting high margins and recurring cash flows.ILMN trades at a reasonable P/E versus peers, offering a rare blend of secular growth and defensive healthcare positioning, with credible execution and risk controls in place.Summary Illumina (ILMN) is at the center of a genomics revolution that is stealthily going mainstream. Machines like the NovaSeq X are helping revenue recover and margins expand, and the management team has smartly refocused the post-GRAIL calculated reset on what

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of ILMN either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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

SARASOTA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Helios Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: HLIO) Named to TIME's 2026 America's Best Companies List.

Archrock Inc. (AROC - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.

Shares of this natural gas compression services business have returned +10.8% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.1% change. The Zacks Oil and Gas - Field Services industry, to which Archrock Inc. belongs, has lost 8.2% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?

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

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

Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.

For the current quarter, Archrock Inc. is expected to post earnings of $0.46 per share, indicating a change of +18% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -1.3% over the last 30 days.

The consensus earnings estimate of $1.9 for the current fiscal year indicates no change from the prior year. This estimate has changed -2.4% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $2.29 indicates a change of +20.2% from what Archrock Inc. is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +3.6%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Archrock Inc..

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

12 Month EPS

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

For Archrock Inc., the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $390.4 million indicates a year-over-year change of +1.9%. For the current and next fiscal years, $1.55 billion and $1.64 billion estimates indicate +4.2% and +5.6% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryArchrock Inc. reported revenues of $373.77 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +7.7%. EPS of $0.42 for the same period compares with $0.42 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $376.69 million, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -0.78%. The EPS surprise was -10.64%.

Over the last four quarters, Archrock Inc. surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates three times over this period.

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

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

As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

Archrock Inc. is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

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

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Claritev Corporation (NYSE: CTEV), a technology, data, and insights company focused on making healthcare more affordable and transparent, today announced it has been recognized as a Leader in the Everest Group Pre-payment Integrity Solutions PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2026. The recognition and ascent into the Leader category reflects Claritev's longstanding history and continued investment in technology-enabled payment integrity that helps health plans identify potent.

Liquidity reflects a company's ability to meet its short-term financial obligations and is an important indicator of financial health. Companies with healthy liquidity levels are generally better positioned to support day-to-day operations, navigate economic uncertainties and capitalize on growth opportunities, making them attractive investment candidates.

However, liquidity should not be viewed in isolation. While strong liquidity underscores financial stability, an excessively high level may indicate that a company is not deploying its assets efficiently. Idle cash or underutilized resources can weigh on profitability and limit long-term growth prospects. Therefore, investors should evaluate liquidity alongside operational efficiency when screening for potential outperformers. Companies that strike the right balance between maintaining adequate liquidity and efficiently utilizing their assets are often better equipped to generate sustainable growth and deliver superior shareholder returns. Argan, Inc. (AGX - Free Report) , Ciena Corporation (CIEN - Free Report) , Dillard's, Inc. (DDS - Free Report) , and Semtech Corporation (SMTC - Free Report) meet the criteria and are solid investment bets.

A balanced assessment of both liquidity and efficiency can help identify truly promising investment opportunities.

Current Ratio: It measures current assets relative to current liabilities. The ratio gauges a company’s potential to meet short and long-term debt obligations. A current ratio — the working capital ratio — below 1 indicates that the company has more liabilities than assets. A high current ratio does not always suggest that the company is in good financial shape. It may also indicate that the firm failed to utilize its assets significantly. Hence, a range of 1-3 is considered ideal.

Quick Ratio: Unlike the current ratio, the quick ratio — the “acid-test ratio” or “quick assets ratio” — indicates a company’s ability to pay short-term obligations. It considers inventory, excluding current assets, relative to current liabilities. A quick ratio of more than 1 is desirable, like the current ratio.

Cash Ratio: This is the most conservative ratio among the three, considering cash, cash equivalents and invested funds relative to current liabilities. It measures a company’s ability to meet existing debt obligations using the most liquid assets. Though a cash ratio of more than 1 may suggest sound financials, a higher number may indicate inefficiency in cash utilization. A ratio greater than 1 is always desirable, but it may not always represent a company’s financial condition.

To pick the best of the lot, we have added asset utilization — a widely used measure of a company’s efficiency — as one of the screening criteria. Asset utilization is the ratio of total sales in the past 12 months to the last four-quarter average of total assets. Though this ratio varies across industries, companies with a ratio higher than that of their industry can be considered efficient.

We added our proprietary Growth Score to the screen to ensure these liquid and efficient stocks have solid growth potential.

Current Ratio, Quick Ratio, and Cash Ratio between 1 and 3: While liquidity ratios greater than 1 are desirable, significantly high ratios may indicate inefficiency.

Asset utilization is more significant than the industry average: A higher asset utilization than the industry average indicates a company’s efficiency.

Zacks Rank equal to #1 (Strong Buy): Only Strong Buy-rated stocks can get through. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Growth Score less than or equal to B: Back-tested results show that stocks with a Growth Score of A or B handily beat other stocks when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 or 2 (Buy).

These criteria have narrowed the universe of more than 7,700 stocks to only 14.

Here are four of the 14 stocks that qualified the screen:

Argan offers comprehensive construction and related services to the power industry through its operations at Gemma Power Systems and Atlantic Projects.

Driven by favorable project timings in the Power segment, AGX reported first-quarter fiscal 2027 revenues of $291 million, up 50% year over year. It ended the quarter with a backlog of $2.8 billion. The Power segment remained the top contributor, accounting for 78% of total revenues.

Increasing demand for energy infrastructure, driven by electrification trends, data center expansion, electric vehicles and grid reliability needs, is creating strong opportunities, positioning Argan well for long-term growth. The company expects to add a “handful” of new projects over the next 10-18 months and believes it can execute 10-12 concurrent jobs.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AGX’s fiscal 2027 earnings is $12.60 per share, unchanged over the past seven days. The company has a Growth Score of A and a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 40.49%, on average.

Headquartered in Hanover, MD, Ciena is a leading provider of optical networking equipment, software and services.

Fiscal second-quarter 2026 revenues rose 39.5% year over year to $1.57 billion, driven by cloud demand and higher adoption of optical networking solutions.

Networking Platforms remained the largest contributor, generating $1.27 billion in revenues and representing 81.1% of total sales. Within the segment, Optical Networking revenues increased to $1.10 billion from $773.6 million a year ago, while Routing and Switching revenues advanced to $174.2 million from $92.7 million.

For third-quarter fiscal 2026, management expects revenues of $1.625 billion (+/- $50 million). Adjusted gross margin is projected at 45% (+/-50 bps), while adjusted operating margin is expected between 19% and 20%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CIEN’s fiscal 2026 earnings is pegged at $6.52 per share, unchanged in the past seven days. The company has a Growth Score of A and a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 19.45%, on average.

Based in Little Rock, AR, Dillard's is a large departmental store chain featuring fashion apparel and home furnishings.

Net sales in first-quarter fiscal 2026 rose 2.6% year over year to $1.57 billion. Retail sales improved 3% year over year, with the company noting that all merchandise categories posted gains compared with the prior-year period.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DDS’ fiscal 2026 earnings is $35.26 per share, unchanged over the past seven days. The company has a Growth Score of B and a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 27.89%, on average.

Headquartered in Flynn Road Camarillo, CA, Semtech designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors for commercial applications.

Net sales in first-quarter fiscal 2027 surged 16% year over year to $291 million. Sales from the infrastructure market totaled $98.8 million (33.9% of net sales), exhibiting year-over-year growth of 36%, supported by the expanding data center business. A key highlight was record data center net sales of $71.6 million, rising 39% year over year, reflecting continued strength in high-speed interconnect solutions.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SMTC’s fiscal 2027 earnings is pegged at $2.66 per share, unchanged over the past seven days. The company has a Growth Score of B and a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 6.81%, on average.

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

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 16. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis holding company for Rockland Trust is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.77 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +41.6%.

Revenues are expected to be $257.73 million, up 41.8% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.88% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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

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

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

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

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Independent Bank Corp.?For Independent Bank Corp., the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.94%.

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

So, this combination indicates that Independent Bank Corp. will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Independent Bank Corp. would post earnings of $1.7 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.68, delivering a surprise of -1.18%.

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

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

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

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

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

, /PRNewswire/ -- Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE: BTU) faces a securities class action lawsuit related to surprise disclosures the company made to investors on March 30 and May 5, 2026 about problems with its flagship metallurgical coal asset ("Centurion").

The lawsuit seeks to represent investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares of Peabody common stock between October 14, 2024 and May 4, 2026.

Between March 27 (the trading day before the first cryptic disclosure) and the May 5, 2026 fuller disclosure, investors saw the price of Peabody shares crumble $14.50 (-36%). Accordingly, the severe market reactions upon the company's revelations support national shareholder rights firm Hagens Berman's investigation into legal claims that Peabody and its co-defendants violated the federal securities laws.

The firm encourages Peabody investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.

Class Period: Oct. 14, 2024 – May 4, 2026
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Aug. 24, 2026
Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/btu
Contact the Firm Now: [email protected]
                                         844-916-0895

Peabody Energy Corporation (BTU) Securities Class Action:

Peabody characterizes itself as a leading producer of metallurgical and thermal coal and has promoted Centurion, its underground longwall metallurgical coal mine in Queensland, Australia. According to the company, the mine commenced full-scale production in February 2026.

The litigation is focused on the propriety of Peabody's statements about Centurion's operational status and production capabilities.

For example, Peabody's management informed investors on February 5, 2026 that "the team was installing the very last shield and putting the finishing touches on the Centurion Mine[,]" and "our team is charged up and has started mining some of the best metallurgical coal in the world." The company and its management also assured investors that Centurion is "going to ramp up probably about 700,000 tons in Q1, about 1 million to 1.1 million tons in Q2 and Q3, and then it'll fall back down in Q4 as we have a longwall move." In response, the market rewarded these statements by sending the price of Peabody shares up about 7.8% the next day.

Just a few weeks later, on March 30, 2026, Peabody filed a current report with the SEC and abruptly disclosed that Centurion "is expected deliver approximately 250,000 tons in the first quarter[.]" In other words, the company slashed Centurion production by about 64%. The news sent the price of Peabody shares down almost 10%.

Then, on May 5, 2026, Peabody reported its Q1 2026 financial results. Of particular concern pertaining to Centurion, management revealed the truth about why it slashed the mine's Q1 production assurance.

Despite telling investors in February that it was mining Centurion and would produce 700,000 tons in Q1, a new narrative emerged – "as part of our commissioning in February, we encountered temporary mechanical and electrical issues" – and "[a]s a result, our full year sales outlook for Centurion is now 2.5 million tons compared to our original expectation of 3.5 million tons." This full year 28% reduction helped send the price of Peabody shares down nearly 6%.

"We're focused on whether Peabody and its management were sufficiently transparent about Centurion's operational capabilities during the Class Period and, if not, whether they violated federal securities laws," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the firm's investigation.

If you invested in Peabody Energy and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that will assist the firm's investigation, submit your losses now.

If you'd like more information and answers to other frequently asked questions about the Peabody case and the firm's investigation, read more.

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Peabody Energy should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email [email protected].

About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman's team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw. 

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case.

SOURCE Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP

Silver (XAG/USD) snaps a three-day losing streak on Thursday as a mildly weaker US Dollar (USD) and a pullback in US Treasury yields lend support to the precious metal. At the time of writing, XAG/USD trades around $60.30, up 3.38% on the day.

Despite the intraday rebound, XAG/USD maintains a bearish structure, with a series of lower highs and lower lows since mid-May. The metal also trades below its key moving averages and is about 50% below its record high near $121 set in January.

The metal is struggling to stage a sustained recovery as macroeconomic headwinds cap the upside. Renewed hostilities in the Middle East have revived concerns over energy-driven inflation, reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) may need to raise interest rates.

Higher borrowing costs tend to weigh on non-yielding metals because they become less attractive relative to interest-bearing investments.

Hawkish Fed expectations and heightened geopolitical tensions are expected to keep downside pressure on the US Dollar limited. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback against a basket of six major currencies, trades around 100.94 after touching an intraday low of 100.79.

Technical Analysis

On the daily chart, XAG/USD keeps a bearish near-term bias as price holds within a downward parallel channel and below both the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at $70.25 and the 100-day SMA at $74.32.

The pair trades just under the channel top at $63.50, suggesting upside attempts remain capped for now, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) around 41 points to subdued momentum even as the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) turns positive, hinting at only a modest recovery attempt within a broader corrective structure.

On the topside, initial resistance is located at the channel upper boundary near $63.50. A sustained break above this would be needed to challenge the 200-day SMA at $70.25 and the 100-day SMA at $74.32.

On the downside, first support emerges at the horizontal line around $55, with the channel floor near $45 expected to act as a stronger demand area if bearish pressure resumes.

(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)

Inflation FAQs Inflation measures the rise in the price of a representative basket of goods and services. Headline inflation is usually expressed as a percentage change on a month-on-month (MoM) and year-on-year (YoY) basis. Core inflation excludes more volatile elements such as food and fuel which can fluctuate because of geopolitical and seasonal factors. Core inflation is the figure economists focus on and is the level targeted by central banks, which are mandated to keep inflation at a manageable level, usually around 2%.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the change in prices of a basket of goods and services over a period of time. It is usually expressed as a percentage change on a month-on-month (MoM) and year-on-year (YoY) basis. Core CPI is the figure targeted by central banks as it excludes volatile food and fuel inputs. When Core CPI rises above 2% it usually results in higher interest rates and vice versa when it falls below 2%. Since higher interest rates are positive for a currency, higher inflation usually results in a stronger currency. The opposite is true when inflation falls.

Although it may seem counter-intuitive, high inflation in a country pushes up the value of its currency and vice versa for lower inflation. This is because the central bank will normally raise interest rates to combat the higher inflation, which attract more global capital inflows from investors looking for a lucrative place to park their money.

Formerly, Gold was the asset investors turned to in times of high inflation because it preserved its value, and whilst investors will often still buy Gold for its safe-haven properties in times of extreme market turmoil, this is not the case most of the time. This is because when inflation is high, central banks will put up interest rates to combat it. Higher interest rates are negative for Gold because they increase the opportunity-cost of holding Gold vis-a-vis an interest-bearing asset or placing the money in a cash deposit account. On the flipside, lower inflation tends to be positive for Gold as it brings interest rates down, making the bright metal a more viable investment alternative.

Key Takeaways Rollins' Q1 2026 revenues grew 10.2%, led by residential, commercial and termite services.ROL uses VRM and Orkin 2.0 plus acquisitions to expand reach, efficiency and customer wins.Rollins has increased dividends yearly, while higher costs pressured the Q1 2026 operating margin. Rollins, Inc. (ROL - Free Report) strengthens its position in the evolving pest control industry through the strategic use of technology and disciplined buyouts. Sustained segment-level performance provides a strong foundation for future objectives. Strong shareholder policies remain favorable for the company.

The company’s second-quarter 2026 earnings are expected to increase 13.3% year over year. Its 2026 and 2027 earnings are projected to rise 10.7% and 12.1%, respectively. Revenues are expected to grow 10.1% in 2026 and 9.3% in 2027.

Factors That Bode Well for ROLRollins’ top line is benefiting from robust segmental performance and a strong demand environment. The company’s revenues increased 10.2% year over year during the first quarter of 2026, driven by 6.6% organic growth. Growth was observed across its key segments, with Residential revenues and Commercial pest control revenues growing 9.3% and 9.6% year over year, respectively, while Termite and ancillary services revenues posted 13.5% growth during the same period.

The company’s use of technology platforms, such as VRM and Orkin 2.0, optimizes routing and scheduling, reduces technician mileage and improves service speed. This technology-driven approach boosts operational efficiency, improves customer experience and drives cost savings, supporting sustainable growth. ROL has expanded resources dedicated to Orkin's commercial division, resulting in new customer wins across multiple industry verticals.

ROL’s disciplined acquisitions approach has significantly accelerated the business development and expanded both its global brand presence and geographic reach. The company consistently demonstrates strong target identification and integration capabilities, completing 26 acquisitions in 2025, 44 in 2024 and 24 in 2023. ROL recently completed the acquisition of Romex Pest Control, a leading pest management company in North America, to penetrate lucrative new territories and expand service offerings for existing customers.

The company has demonstrated a strong commitment to its shareholders through consistent dividend payments. It paid dividends of $264.3 million, $298 million and $327.9 million in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. This consistency underscores its dedication to creating long-term value for investors.

Risks to WatchRollins’ operating expenses have risen consistently over the past four years, increasing from $2.20 billion in 2022 to $2.49 billion in 2023 and further to $2.73 billion in 2024. This growth persisted through 2025 as expenses climbed to $3.03 billion, raising cost concerns that may compromise future profit margins.

The company's investments in customer acquisition, marketing and salesforce growth have surged in recent years to drive sales volumes and extend its competitive edge. However, the costs associated with these investments have begun to affect the bottom line, as evidenced by a dip in the adjusted operating income margin to 16.9% during the first quarter of 2026, reflecting a 100-basis-point year-over-year decline.

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

Stocks to ConsiderA couple of better-ranked stocks in the broader Zacks  Business Services sector are Veralto Corporation (VLTO - Free Report) and Corpay, Inc. (CPAY - Free Report) .

Veralto Corporation carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. It has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 8.4%. VLTO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 4.9%, on average.

Corpay also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. It has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 14.3%. CPAY's earnings beat estimates in three of the last four reported quarters, while matching once, with the surprise being 2%, on average.

New "Rally Ready" pre-sale program lets riders secure a Harley-Davidson motorcycle before arriving in the Black Hills, alongside exclusive "America 250" custom bikes and newly released collector apparel complete the ultimate rally-week experience.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH), one of the nation's largest automotive and powersports retailers, today announced that Sturgis Harley-Davidson and Black Hills Harley-Davidson will bring a monumental selection of more than 1,200 new and used Harley-Davidson motorcycles to the Black Hills for the 86th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, taking place Aug. 7–16, 2026.

The Nation's Largest Inventory: More Than 1,200 Motorcycles Ready to Ride

One of only 26 exclusive "250 Years of Freedom" custom Harley-Davidson motorcycles on pre-sale beginning today.

More than 1,200 rally-ready motorcycles assembled for the Sturgis 'Rally Ready' pre-sale program.

A limited-edition commemorative 86th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally t-shirt from the Sturgis Harley-Davidson online drop.

The expanded lineup represents the single largest Harley-Davidson inventory ever brought to one location in the country. It gives rallygoers an unrivaled opportunity to access highly sought-after trikes alongside a massive selection of new and pre-owned motorcycles in every color, configuration, and style, during one of the world's most iconic motorcycle events.

Through the newly launched "Rally Ready" pre-sale program, riders can shop before rally week, secure their preferred motorcycle, and schedule pickup upon arrival in Sturgis. This program is designed for rallygoers traveling from across the country who want to spend less time searching for the right bike and more time riding the Black Hills. Because this is the most in-demand inventory in the country, these premium motorcycles will go fast. Riders are encouraged to visit SturgisHD.com to secure their dream ride before the rally begins.

"The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is a cornerstone event for the riding community. It is an iconic celebration of freedom, the open road, and the American spirit," said David B. Smith, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sonic Automotive. "This year, we are proud to bring riders an unmatched Sturgis experience through expanded motorcycle inventory, exclusive limited-edition products, and a rally-week experience designed around what riders value most."

Limited-Edition America 250 Motorcycles and Collector Merchandise

To celebrate America's 250th anniversary, Sturgis Harley-Davidson and Sonic Powersports will introduce the exclusive "250 Years of Freedom" collection, a limited series of 26 custom Harley-Davidson motorcycles available through Sonic Powersports.

The motorcycles feature custom silver livery, commemorative 1776–2026 badging, patriotic details, premium finishes and distinctive rally-inspired design elements. The collection will go on pre-sale beginning today at SturgisHD.com. With only 26 motorcycles available, once the collection sells out, it will not be restocked.

In a powerful showcase of the Sonic Automotive family network, one of these highly coveted, custom motorcycles will be awarded to the winner of the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, uniting Sonic's premier pre-owned automotive brand, EchoPark Automotive, with its elite powersports division.

Sturgis Harley-Davidson will also launch exclusive online merchandise drops for collectors and rallygoers, including eight 86th Rally apparel designs and a vintage reprint series inspired by Sturgis Harley-Davidson graphics from the 1990s and 2000s. The limited-edition apparel drops are available now online only at SturgisHD.com.

"Preparing for the Sturgis Rally is a year-round effort that starts with understanding what riders want most from their rally experience," said Jeff Dyke, President of Sonic Automotive. "This year, we have expanded our inventory, introduced new ways for riders to secure motorcycles before arriving, and developed exclusive products that can only be found through our dealerships. We are ready to welcome riders from across the country and deliver an experience that matches the scale and energy of Sturgis."

Event: 86th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Dates: Aug. 7–16, 2026 Location: Sturgis and the Black Hills, South Dakota Inventory: More than 1,200 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the largest inventory in the country, available through Sturgis Harley-Davidson Program: "Rally Ready" pre-sale with scheduled pickup during rally week Trikes: Largest selection of Harley-Davidson trikes in the country Limited Edition: 26 "250 Years of Freedom" custom Harley-Davidson motorcycles celebrating America's 250th anniversary Apparel: Online-only collector merchandise drops featuring 86th Rally designs and vintage Sturgis Harley-Davidson reprints Website: SturgisHD.com Parent Company: Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH) For more information on the Rally Ready pre-sale program, available motorcycles, limited-edition America 250 motorcycles, collector apparel drops, and the full Sturgis Harley-Davidson rally experience, visit SturgisHD.com.

For real-time rally updates, behind-the-scenes content, merchandise previews, and event highlights, follow @sonicpowersports, @sturgisharleydavidson, and @blackhillshd on Instagram and Facebook.

About Sonic Automotive

For more than 60 years, Sonic Automotive has pursued a single purpose: to deliver an experience for our guests and our teammates that fulfills dreams, enriches lives, and delivers happiness. We don't simply sell and service vehicles. We help people pursue their dreams, whether it's a guest purchasing their first vehicle, a family creating lifelong memories, or a teammate building a meaningful career.

Founded in 1966 by Bruton Smith, the company has grown into a Fortune 300 company under the leadership of Chairman and CEO David B. Smith. Today, more than 11,000 teammates bring the company's purpose to life across a nationwide network of 173 automotive and powersports franchises in 145 locations in 90 cities and 21 states. We are proud to represent 24 automotive and 15 powersports brands and have helped more than 7 million guests purchase vehicles, delivered over 40 million service experiences, and earned more than 1 million 5-star reviews by consistently putting people first.

At Sonic Automotive, we believe trust isn't claimed – it's earned through transparency, consistency, integrity, and genuine care. That's why we were the only automotive and powersports retailer recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Most Trustworthy Companies in 2026. As the automotive and powersports industries continue to evolve, our mission remains constant: to innovate, lead with integrity, and create exceptional experiences that inspire confidence, build lifelong relationships, and positively impact every life we touch.

Sonic Automotive. Driven By People. Inspired By Purpose. For more information, visit www.sonicautomotive.com and ir.sonicautomotive.com.

Media Contact: Stephanie Peplinski, VML, [email protected]

SOURCE Sonic Automotive

Image: Bigstock

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An updated edition of the May 20, 2026 article.

The beauty and cosmetics industry remains one of the more durable consumer categories, supported by its close connection to daily habits, confidence and self-expression. Even when consumers become selective with spending, beauty products often retain a steady place in household budgets. This gives the industry a defensive quality, while innovation across skincare, fragrance, makeup and wellness keeps the growth runway attractive.

A major shift in the category is the rise of the informed beauty shopper. Consumers are comparing ingredients, reading reviews, following creators and looking for products that deliver visible benefits. This has made brand trust, product claims and digital engagement more important than ever. At the same time, premium beauty continues to gain traction as shoppers show willingness to spend more on quality, performance and aspirational brands.

The industry is also benefiting from faster product cycles and broader channel reach. Social media can turn niche products into global trends almost overnight, while e-commerce and omnichannel platforms are helping brands reach consumers more directly. Sustainability, personalization and science-backed innovation are also shaping purchase decisions, forcing companies to stay agile and relevant.

Within this landscape, Coty Inc. (COTY - Free Report) remains well-placed through its presence in prestige fragrances, cosmetics and consumer beauty, areas that continue to benefit from brand strength and premiumization. Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NUS - Free Report) , meanwhile, connects to the beauty-and-wellness theme through its focus on personal care, anti-aging products and digital-led customer engagement.

For investors, the beauty and cosmetics space offers a mix of resilience and long-term growth potential. Demand is supported by recurring usage, emotional connection and constant product refreshes. Companies that can combine strong brands, innovation discipline and effective digital execution should remain better positioned to capture value as the industry continues to evolve.
Investors seeking exposure to this theme can consider companies from our Beauty & Cosmetics Screen, including The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (EL - Free Report) , Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA - Free Report) and e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (ELF - Free Report) .

Explore 37 cutting-edge investment themes with Zacks Thematic Investing Screens and discover your next big opportunity.

3 Beauty and Cosmetic Stocks in FocusThe Estee Lauder Companies remains one of the world's leading prestige beauty companies, with a diversified portfolio spanning skincare, makeup, fragrance and hair care. As the beauty industry continues to evolve, the company is adapting by expanding consumer reach, accelerating product innovation and strengthening its presence across digital and specialty retail channels. These initiatives position Estee Lauder to capitalize on changing consumer preferences while reinforcing its leadership in the global prestige beauty market.

Innovation remains central to the company's strategy. Recent launches include Estee Lauder Double Wear Matte Foundation, La Mer's eye care innovations, M·A·C Lip and Cheek Mousse and new fragrances from TOM FORD, Le Labo, KILIAN PARIS and BALMAIN Beauty. Alongside product development, the company continues to expand distribution through platforms such as Amazon Premium Beauty, TikTok Shop, Douyin, vip.com and Sephora, broadening consumer access across key digital and specialty retail channels.

Beyond innovation, EL is enhancing its operating and digital capabilities through partnerships with Shopify, Accenture and WPP to improve consumer insights, media effectiveness and omnichannel execution. The Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company has also expanded its brand portfolio by acquiring Forest Essentials, a leading prestige Ayurvedic beauty brand in India, and making a minority investment in 111Skin, a luxury skincare brand focused on pre- and post-procedure skincare. These initiatives underscore Estee Lauder's continued focus on strengthening its position across high-growth segments of the global beauty market. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Ulta Beauty has established itself as a leading beauty retailer by offering a broad assortment of prestige and mass beauty brands through an integrated omnichannel platform. As consumer preferences increasingly favor convenience, personalization and product discovery, the company continues to strengthen its position by expanding brand offerings, enhancing digital capabilities and creating engaging shopping experiences across online and physical channels. Its strategy reflects the changing dynamics of the beauty and cosmetics industry, where innovation and customer engagement remain key competitive differentiators.

Brand expansion and innovation remain central to Ulta Beauty's strategy. The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company continues to introduce new and exclusive brands while broadening its assortment across beauty categories. Recent additions include Rare Beauty, Balmain Beauty, Bloomeffects, Hairstory and Grüns, alongside continued investment in exclusive brands such as NOYZ. ULTA has also expanded its digital reach through TikTok Shop, complemented by thousands of in-store beauty events and a loyalty program designed to deliver more personalized experiences and deepen customer engagement.

Beyond its core retail business, Ulta Beauty is investing in initiatives that support long-term growth. The company continues to expand its marketplace assortment, grow its wellness offerings and strengthen its international presence through Space NK and franchise partnerships. It is also enhancing UB Media, leveraging artificial intelligence to improve customer experiences and investing in supply-chain automation to support faster and more efficient operations. Together, these initiatives reinforce ULTA’s focus on innovation while strengthening its position in the evolving beauty and cosmetics industry.

e.l.f. Beauty has expanded beyond its roots in affordable cosmetics to build a diversified beauty platform spanning color cosmetics, skincare and clean beauty. Its portfolio now includes e.l.f. Cosmetics, e.l.f. SKIN, Naturium, rhode and Well People, enabling the company to serve a broader range of beauty consumers while strengthening its presence across multiple product categories. This portfolio approach positions e.l.f. Beauty to capitalize on evolving consumer preferences while broadening its long-term growth opportunities.

Product innovation and digital engagement remain central to the company's strategy. The Zacks Rank #3 company combines community-led product development with social-first marketing to accelerate product discovery and brand awareness. Products such as Halo Glow and Power Grip Primer, together with brands, including Naturium and rhode, demonstrate the company's expanding presence across cosmetics and skincare. ELF also continues to leverage digital commerce, TikTok and strategic retail partnerships to deepen consumer engagement and extend its market reach.

Beyond innovation, e.l.f. Beauty continues to broaden its global footprint through international retail expansion and investments in technology. The company is entering additional markets, expanding relationships with retail partners and enhancing its digital capabilities to support brand growth across geographies. ELF is also investing in artificial intelligence and technology to strengthen marketing, consumer engagement and operational execution, reinforcing its position as an innovative participant in the global beauty and cosmetics industry.

Published in consumer-staples

[url="]DexCom, Inc.[/url] (NASDAQ: DXCM) today announced that it plans to release its second quarter 2026 financial results after market close on Thursday, July

Artificial intelligence stocks often move on earnings reports, product launches, or analyst upgrades. Vertiv Holdings (NYSE: VRT | VRT Price Prediction) did none of those things on June 30, yet its shares climbed 9.1%, adding nearly $11 billion in market value in a single trading session. The catalyst originated more than 6,000 miles away in Seoul, where the South Korean government unveiled one of the world’s most ambitious semiconductor and AI infrastructure investment programs. That reaction illustrates how investors increasingly view AI infrastructure companies as global beneficiaries of AI investment, regardless of where those investments originate.

That’s an unusual way for an industrial company to gain nearly $11 billion in market value, but it says a great deal about how Wall Street now views AI infrastructure. Investors are increasingly reacting not just to company-specific news, but to any development that suggests the global AI buildout will continue accelerating.

That disconnect between where the news occurred and where investors directed their money explains much about how Wall Street is beginning to value the next phase of the AI infrastructure cycle. Increasingly, investors are reacting not simply to company-specific developments but to any indication that global AI spending will continue expanding. Vertiv has become one of the clearest beneficiaries of that trend because its products sit at the heart of virtually every modern AI data center.

The question investors now face is whether Vertiv has become the best way to invest in the global AI infrastructure buildout, or whether its shares have become a high-beta proxy for AI enthusiasm that could swing sharply whenever sentiment changes. That distinction may determine whether June 30 marks the start of another leg higher, or just another volatile day in one of the market’s fastest-growing infrastructure names.

The $576 Billion Catalyst: South Korea’s AI Ambition The news that ignited the rally came from South Korea, where President Lee Jae Myung announced a sweeping national initiative to strengthen the country’s leadership in semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

According to Table 1, South Korea’s announcement represents one of the largest government-supported AI infrastructure initiatives announced anywhere in the world. Although much of the investment will be directed toward semiconductor manufacturing, every new AI data center also requires extensive electrical distribution, power management, thermal management, and cooling infrastructure before computing hardware can be deployed. That is why investors immediately connected the announcement to companies such as Vertiv.

Vertiv was never mentioned during the announcement. It did not need to be. Every large AI data center requires electrical distribution equipment, power conversion systems, backup power, liquid cooling, thermal management, and monitoring software before a single AI accelerator is ever installed — regardless of whether the chips inside come from Nvidia, AMD, custom ASIC programs, or future architectures.

Markets make these connections long before company press releases do. Investors recognized immediately that a program of this magnitude would require far more than semiconductors—it would require the electrical and thermal infrastructure that allows AI data centers to operate.

Why Vertiv Wins Regardless of Which Chip Wins That reality increasingly explains why investors have begun viewing Vertiv as a direct beneficiary of global AI investment rather than merely another industrial equipment company. When governments or hyperscale cloud providers announce multi-billion-dollar AI infrastructure programs, investors immediately ask which companies will supply the essential systems that make those facilities operable — and Vertiv consistently appears near the top of that list.

The June 30 rally illustrates just how tightly Vertiv’s stock is now tied to AI infrastructure sentiment. The company issued no press release, offered no updated guidance, and announced no new customer wins. Investors simply interpreted Seoul’s announcement as fresh confirmation that global AI infrastructure spending remains in its early stages — a read that lines up with hyperscaler capex programs in the U.S., sovereign AI strategies across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and gradually rising enterprise adoption of generative AI workloads.

Unlike semiconductor manufacturers, whose growth depends partly on which AI accelerator wins market share, Vertiv benefits regardless of which computing platform customers choose. That broad exposure lets the company participate across the entire AI ecosystem rather than betting on a single chip architecture.

The Real Bottleneck: Power, Not Processors Management has been expanding Vertiv’s technological reach to address one of the industry’s fastest-growing challenges: delivering enough electrical power to increasingly dense AI computing environments. At Vertiv’s May 2026 Investor Conference, Chief Product and Technology Officer Scott Armul laid out just how quickly rack power requirements are escalating. According to Table 2, AI computing density is increasing at an extraordinary pace. Rack power requirements that only recently averaged approximately 140 kilowatts are already approaching 300 kilowatts, with 600-kilowatt systems under development and one-megawatt racks appearing on long-term technology roadmaps. This dramatic increase explains why electrical infrastructure and thermal management are becoming the primary constraints on future AI data center expansion.

That trajectory is reshaping data center design. Historically, attention centered on processors and networking gear. Today, electrical distribution, battery storage, cooling architecture, and grid integration increasingly determine whether an AI facility can be built and run efficiently at all — the bottleneck is shifting from compute hardware to the infrastructure needed to deliver that much reliable power.

Vertiv has responded with integrated products that combine medium-voltage switchgear, battery energy storage, and uninterruptible power systems into unified platforms built for multi-megawatt AI installations — designed not just as backup equipment, but to help AI campuses act as active participants within increasingly constrained electrical grids. Industry commentary increasingly backs this integration thesis: as rack densities rise, power management, liquid cooling, and thermal control stop being separate engineering disciplines and start being one interconnected system, favoring suppliers who can deliver the whole stack rather than individual components.

Vertiv’s Own Numbers: Growth With Visibility According to Table 3, Vertiv participates across nearly every major infrastructure layer required to operate a modern AI data center. Unlike semiconductor manufacturers, whose revenues depend partly on which AI accelerator customers adopt, Vertiv benefits regardless of the processor architecture because every AI installation requires reliable power delivery, thermal management, backup power, and increasingly sophisticated liquid-cooling systems.

Demand is supported by a substantial order backlog that gives Vertiv unusually strong revenue visibility for an industrial company. While many manufacturers rely on short-term orders that swing with economic conditions, Vertiv enters each quarter with a significant share of future revenue already committed by customers.

The confidence reflected in that backlog is also evident in Vertiv’s manufacturing expansion strategy. Earlier this year, the company opened a new manufacturing facility in Johor, Malaysia, its first in Southeast Asia. The facility will produce power systems, liquid-cooling equipment, and integrated infrastructure for customers across Southeast Asia, North Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. By adding manufacturing capacity well before AI infrastructure demand is expected to peak, management is signaling confidence that hyperscaler and sovereign AI investments will continue driving orders for years rather than quarters.

That confidence also shows up in capital allocation: earlier this year, Vertiv announced a new manufacturing facility in Johor, Malaysia, built to serve fast-growing demand across Southeast Asia, North Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Expanding production capacity years ahead of anticipated demand peaks suggests management expects AI infrastructure investment to stay strong well beyond the current product cycle.

The Valuation Question: Bull Case vs. Bear Case According to Table 4, the investment debate surrounding Vertiv is straightforward. Supporters believe the company’s exceptional growth rate, expanding margins, and broad exposure to AI infrastructure justify a premium valuation. Skeptics counter that much of that future success has already been reflected in the share price, leaving little room for execution missteps should AI capital spending moderate.

The valuation debate is straightforward. Investors aren’t questioning whether Vertiv is benefiting from AI infrastructure spending—they’re debating how much of that future growth is already reflected in today’s share price.

What to Watch: Q2 Earnings The South Korean announcement demonstrated that AI infrastructure investment is no longer driven exclusively by U.S. hyperscale cloud providers. Governments increasingly treat artificial intelligence as strategic national infrastructure, requiring domestic investment in computing capacity, semiconductor manufacturing, and the electrical systems underneath it all. Every new sovereign AI initiative expands the addressable market for companies supplying that infrastructure — arguably more consequential for Vertiv’s long-term story than any single quarter.

The next real test arrives when Vertiv reports second-quarter results later this month. Investors will be watching revenue growth, order trends, operating margins, backlog conversion, and management’s outlook for the rest of 2026 — the figures that will determine whether the business keeps validating the optimism already priced into the stock.

Bottom Line June 30 answered one question while leaving another open. It confirmed that Wall Street increasingly views Vertiv as one of the purest publicly traded beneficiaries of the global AI infrastructure buildout. What’s still uncertain is whether the growth investors are now pricing in can continue long enough to justify the expectations already baked into the share price. In today’s market, sentiment can move a stock 9% in a matter of hours — sustained earnings growth is what determines whether those gains hold.

One additional factor investors should keep in mind is that AI infrastructure spending is becoming increasingly global rather than concentrated in a handful of U.S. technology companies. South Korea’s announcement illustrates how governments now view artificial intelligence as a strategic national asset requiring long-term investment in computing capacity, electrical infrastructure, and advanced semiconductor manufacturing. If similar initiatives continue to emerge in Europe, the Middle East, and other parts of Asia, companies such as Vertiv could benefit from multiple independent sources of demand rather than relying solely on the capital spending plans of a few hyperscale cloud providers. That broader geographic diversification could become an important driver of long-term growth, even as investors continue debating the company’s premium valuation.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.

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

Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.

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

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

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

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

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

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

VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

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

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

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

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

For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.

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

Stock to Watch: Weatherford (WFRD - Free Report) Weatherford International plc is a multinational energy services company that provides equipment and services used across the well life cycle in oil, natural gas, and new energy platforms. Its offerings support drilling, evaluation, well construction, completions, production, intervention, and responsible abandonment. The company conducts business in approximately 75 countries with about 295 operating locations that include manufacturing, research and development, service, and training facilities. Weatherford ordinary shares trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol WFRD.

WFRD is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 13.69; value investors should take notice.

For fiscal 2026, two analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.16 to $6.13 per share. WFRD boasts an average earnings surprise of +42.7%.

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

NEW YORK, July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds Black Rock Coffee Bar, Inc. (“Black Rock Coffee” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: BRCB) investors of the August 17, 2026 deadline involving a securities fraud class action lawsuit commenced against the Company.

Should You Join The Black Rock Coffee Class Action Lawsuit:

Do you, or did you, own shares of Black Rock Coffee Bar, Inc. (NASDAQ: BRCB)?Did you purchase your shares pursuant to the Company’s September 2025 IPO; or between September 12, 2025 and May 12, 2026, inclusive?Did you lose money in your investment in Black Rock Coffee Bar, Inc.?
What To Do Next:

Investors are encouraged to act promptly and submit a form at Black Rock Coffee Bar, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected].

If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff for the Class, you must file papers by August 17, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on other class members’ behalf in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn’t require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.

All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses.

About The Lawsuit:

A lawsuit was filed on behalf of investors (the “Class”) who purchased or acquired: (a) Black Rock Coffee Class A common stock pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and prospectus issued in connection with the Company’s September 2025 initial public offering; and/or (b) Black Rock Coffee securities between September 12, 2025 and May 12, 2026, inclusive, alleging violations of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its senior officers.

The lawsuit alleges that defendants made materially false and misleading statements and omissions regarding the Company’s business operations, growth prospects, and financial stability. As a result of these alleged misrepresentations, Black Rock Coffee securities traded at artificially inflated prices during the Class Period. When the truth was disclosed, investors allegedly suffered significant losses.

About Bernstein Liebhard:

Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal’s “Plaintiffs’ Hot List” thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2026 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:

Peter Allocco
Investor Relations Manager
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
https://www.bernlieb.com
(212) 951-2030
[email protected]

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Frontdoor, Inc. (NASDAQ: FTDR), the nation's leading provider of home warranties, today announced it will release its second quarter financial results and hold a conference call on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 7:30 a.m. Central time (8:30 a.m. Eastern time). Participants can register for the webcast by clicking https://www.webcaster5.com/Webcast/Page/3067/54187, which will include a slide presentation highlighting the company's results. Once completed, each parti.

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

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

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

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

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

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

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

Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.

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

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

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

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

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

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

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

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

Stock to Watch: Smucker (SJM - Free Report) The J. M. Smucker Company, headquartered in Orrville, Ohio, is a leading marketer and manufacturer of branded food and beverage products and pet food and pet snacks in North America. The company's operations are primarily U.S.-based, with additional international activities, principally in Canada.

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

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. SJM has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 8.7% for the current fiscal year.

Four analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.15 to $9.95 per share. SJM also boasts an average earnings surprise of +1.5%.

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

When deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock, investors often rely on analyst recommendations. Media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts often influence a stock's price, but are they really important?

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

Arista Networks currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.25, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 26 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.25 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy.

Of the 26 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 21 are Strong Buy and three are Buy. Strong Buy and Buy respectively account for 80.8% and 11.5% of all recommendations.

Brokerage Recommendation Trends for ANET

Check price target & stock forecast for Arista Networks here>>>

While the ABR calls for buying Arista Networks, it may not be wise to make an investment decision solely based on this information. Several studies have shown limited to no success of brokerage recommendations in guiding investors to pick stocks with the best price increase potential.

Are you wondering why? The vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover often results in a strong positive bias of their analysts in rating it. Our research shows that for every "Strong Sell" recommendation, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations.

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

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

ABR Should Not Be Confused With Zacks RankAlthough both Zacks Rank and ABR are displayed in a range of 1--5, they are different measures altogether.

Broker recommendations are the sole basis for calculating the ABR, which is typically displayed in decimals (such as 1.28). The Zacks Rank, on the other hand, is a quantitative model designed to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.

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

In contrast, the Zacks Rank is driven by earnings estimate revisions. And near-term stock price movements are strongly correlated with trends in earnings estimate revisions, according to empirical research.

Furthermore, the different grades of the Zacks Rank are applied proportionately across all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide earnings estimates for the current year. In other words, at all times, this tool maintains a balance among the five ranks it assigns.

Another key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank is freshness. The ABR is not necessarily up-to-date when you look at it. But, since brokerage analysts keep revising their earnings estimates to account for a company's changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in indicating future price movements.

Should You Invest in ANET?In terms of earnings estimate revisions for Arista Networks, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has remained unchanged over the past month at $3.63.

Analysts' steady views regarding the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by an unchanged consensus estimate, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Arista Networks. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>

It may therefore be prudent to be a little cautious with the Buy-equivalent ABR for Arista Networks.

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG), one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S, is proud to be recognized on TIME’s list of America’s Best Companies 2026. This prestigious award is presented in collaboration with Statista, one of the world’s leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.

“We are honored to be recognized by TIME,” said Dan Clara, Asbury’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment of our team members, who go above and beyond every day to deliver exceptional experiences for our guests and support one another. We are grateful for this honor and remain focused on advancing our mission to become the most guest-centric automotive retailer.”

TIME and Statista identified America’s Best Companies 2026 based on three primary dimensions:

Employee Satisfaction – Based on survey data from ~217,000 verified employees at U.S. companies over the past three years, covering company recommendations and employer ratings across image, atmosphere, working conditions, salary, workplace, and equality. Financial Performance – Drawn from Statista's revenue database (last five years). Companies needed at least US $100 million in revenue in 2025. Performance was assessed on multiple metrics: short-term (2023–2025) and long-term (2021–2025) revenue growth (relative and absolute), changes in net income, asset growth, and the evolution of return on assets (ROA). Sustainability Transparency – Based on an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) index from Statista's ESG Database and additional research, covering: Environmental: 2024 carbon emissions intensity, reduction rate vs. 2022, and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) score Social: share of women on the board and existence of a human rights policy Governance: presence of a Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) aligned Corporate Responsibility Report and a compliance/anti-corruption policy The 1000 highest-scoring companies were recognized by TIME as America’s Best Companies 2026.

The award list was announced on July 9, 2026, and can be viewed on TIME.com.

About Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG), a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the largest automotive retailers in the U.S. In late 2020, Asbury embarked on a multi-year plan to increase revenue and profitability strategically through organic operations, acquisitive growth, and innovative technologies, with its guest-centric approach as Asbury’s constant North Star. Asbury presently operates 158 new vehicle dealerships, consisting of 202 franchises and representing 34 domestic and foreign brands of vehicles. Asbury also operates Total Care Auto, Powered by Asbury, a leading provider of service contracts and other vehicle protection products, and 37 collision repair centers. Asbury offers an extensive range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicles; parts and service, which includes vehicle repair and maintenance services, replacement parts and collision repair services; and finance and insurance products, including arranging vehicle financing through third parties and aftermarket products, such as extended service contracts, guaranteed asset protection debt cancellation, and prepaid maintenance. Asbury is recognized as one of America’s Fastest Growing Companies 2024 by the Financial Times, one of the World’s Most Trustworthy Companies for 2024 and 2025 by Newsweek, one of America’s Most Successful Small-Cap Companies by Forbes for 2026, and one of America’s Best Companies 2026 by TIME.

For additional information, visit www.asburyauto.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260709757672/en/

Disclosures I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and have no plans to buy any new positions in the stocks mentioned within the next 72 hours.

Click for the complete disclosure

Investors interested in Transportation stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Has Ryder (R - Free Report) been one of those stocks this year? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.

Ryder is one of 110 individual stocks in the Transportation sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #1 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank includes 16 different groups and is listed in order from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors.

The Zacks Rank is a proven system that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions, highlighting a variety of stocks that are displaying the right characteristics to beat the market over the next one to three months. Ryder is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Within the past quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for R's full-year earnings has moved 4.1% higher. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend.

Based on the latest available data, R has gained about 38.7% so far this year. Meanwhile, the Transportation sector has returned an average of 15.2% on a year-to-date basis. This means that Ryder is outperforming the sector as a whole this year.

Another Transportation stock, which has outperformed the sector so far this year, is Scorpio Tankers (STNG - Free Report) . The stock has returned 52.1% year-to-date.

For Scorpio Tankers, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 172.9% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Looking more specifically, Ryder belongs to the Transportation - Equipment and Leasing industry, which includes 10 individual stocks and currently sits at #42 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This group has gained an average of 10.4% so far this year, so R is performing better in this area.

In contrast, Scorpio Tankers falls under the Transportation - Shipping industry. Currently, this industry has 28 stocks and is ranked #40. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved +40.6%.

Investors with an interest in Transportation stocks should continue to track Ryder and Scorpio Tankers. These stocks will be looking to continue their solid performance.

NEW YORK, July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds AeroVironment, Inc. (“AeroVironment” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) investors of the July 27, 2026 deadline involving a securities fraud class action lawsuit commenced against the Company.

Should You Join The AeroVironment Class Action Lawsuit:

Do you, or did you, own shares of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV)?Did you purchase your shares between June 25, 2025 and March 10, 2026, inclusive?Did you lose money in your investment in AeroVironment, Inc.?
What To Do Next:

Investors are encouraged to act promptly and submit a form at AeroVironment, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected].

If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff for the Class, you must file papers by July 27, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on other class members’ behalf in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn’t require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.

All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses.

About The Lawsuit:

A lawsuit was filed on behalf of investors (the “Class”) who purchased or acquired the securities of AeroVironment between June 25, 2025 and March 10, 2026, inclusive, alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its senior officers.

The lawsuit alleges that defendants made materially false and misleading statements and omissions regarding the Company’s business operations, growth prospects, and financial stability. As a result of these alleged misrepresentations, AeroVironment securities traded at artificially inflated prices during the Class Period. When the truth was disclosed, investors allegedly suffered significant losses.

About Bernstein Liebhard:

Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal’s “Plaintiffs’ Hot List” thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2026 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:

Peter Allocco
Investor Relations Manager
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
https://www.bernlieb.com
(212) 951-2030
[email protected]

LOS ANGELES, July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, reminds investors of a class action lawsuit against AeroVironment, Inc. (“AeroVironment” or “the Company”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) for violations of §§10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investors who purchased the Company’s securities between June 25, 2025 and March 10, 2026, inclusive (the “Class Period”), are encouraged to contact the firm before July 27, 2026.

If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.

We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at [email protected].

The class, in this case, has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.

According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. AeroVironment downplayed the threat of competition related to its work with the U.S. Space Force's Satellite Communication Augmentation Resource ("SCAR") program. Based on these facts, the Company’s public statements were false and materially misleading throughout the class period. When the market learned the truth about AeroVironment, investors suffered damages.

Join the case to recover your losses.

The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.

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

CONTACT:

The Schall Law Firm
Brian Schall, Esq.,
www.schallfirm.com
Office: 310-301-3335
[email protected]

SOURCE:

The Schall Law Firm

Key Takeaways Vishay 3.0 aims to boost profitability through capacity expansion and higher exposure to fast-growing markets.VSH's Q1'26 revenues rose 17.3% to $839.2M, while gross margin improved to 21%, driven by stronger volumes.Vishay sees Q2 gross margin near 22%, helped by price increases and higher capacity utilization. Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.'s (VSH - Free Report) Vishay 3.0 strategy is designed to improve profitability by expanding manufacturing capacity, strengthening customer relationships and increasing exposure to faster-growing markets. While the company is still investing heavily, early results suggest that the strategy is beginning to support sustainable margin expansion.

Financial results for the first quarter of 2026 reflected encouraging progress. Revenues increased 17.3% year over year to $839.2 million, beating management's guidance. Gross margin improved to 21%, up from 19.6% in the previous quarter and 19% in the year-ago quarter. Operating margin also expanded to 2.6% from 1.8% in the fourth quarter of 2025, supported by stronger shipment volumes and improved factory utilization.

Demand has strengthened across industrial, automotive, aerospace and AI-related applications. Vishay Intertechnology reported a healthy book-to-bill ratio of 1.34, including an impressive 1.47 for semiconductors. Backlog increased 21% to $1.6 billion, providing strong revenue visibility and supporting higher capacity utilization in the coming quarters.

Vishay Intertechnology expects additional margin improvement in the second quarter. Revenues are projected between $875 million and $905 million, while gross margin is expected to reach roughly 22% despite higher metals and material costs. Recently implemented price increases should also contribute more meaningfully during the second and third quarters.

Although elevated capital spending on its new German 12-inch fab and other expansion projects may pressure free cash flow in the near term, these investments position Vishay Intertechnology to benefit from future demand growth. As capacity utilization rises and pricing actions take hold, Vishay 3.0 appears well-positioned to deliver sustainable margin expansion over the long run.

How Vishay Intertechnology Compares With Key Industry RivalsVishay Intertechnology's closest competitors, ON Semiconductor (ON - Free Report) and Diodes Incorporated (DIOD - Free Report) , are also working to improve margins through a richer product mix and manufacturing efficiency.

ON Semiconductor continues shifting its portfolio toward higher-margin silicon carbide (SiC), intelligent power and automotive solutions. In the first quarter of 2026, the company’s non-GAAP gross margin expanded by 30 basis points sequentially to 38.5%. This was primarily driven by increased manufacturing facility utilization (reaching 77% in the first quarter), enhanced operational efficiencies under its "Fab Right" strategy, and a richer product mix favoring higher-margin intelligent power products for AI data centers and automotive applications.

Diodes is also expanding its presence in automotive, industrial and AI power management applications. The company posted first-quarter 2026 revenues of $405.5 million, up 22.1% year over year, while its gross margin improved 30 basis points to 31.8%. Sequentially, Diodes’ gross margin expanded by 70 basis points, primarily driven by increased revenue contribution from higher-margin automotive and industrial segments and improved manufacturing facility utilization rates.

VSH’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of Vishay Intertechnology have skyrocketed 191.1% so far this year compared with the Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s 14.7% gain.

Vishay Intertechnology YTD Price Return Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, VSH trades at a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 1.52, significantly below the sector average of 6.86. Vishay carries a Value Score of C.

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

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vishay Intertechnology’s 2026 earnings is pegged at 75 cents per share, implying a robust improvement from the loss of 5 cents in 2025. The consensus mark of $1.54 per share for 2027 earnings calls for a 105% year-over-year surge. Estimates for 2026 and 2027 have been revised upward over the past 60 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

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

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

Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.

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

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

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.

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

VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

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

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

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

That's where the Style Scores come in.

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

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

For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.

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

Stock to Watch: Dutch Bros (BROS - Free Report) Dutch Bros Inc. operates and franchises drive-thru beverage shops focused on hand-crafted drinks served with speed and service. The company was founded in 1992 by brothers Dane and Travis Boersma in Grants Pass, OR. Dutch Bros is incorporated in Delaware and its principal executive offices are in Tempe, AZ. It operates roasting, packing, warehouse and administrative facilities centered in Grants Pass, OR, and a roasting and packing facility in Melissa, TX.

BROS is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

Momentum investors should take note of this Retail-Wholesale stock. BROS has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 7.7% over the past four weeks.

For fiscal 2026, four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.01 to $0.93 per share. BROS boasts an average earnings surprise of +31.6%.

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

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Paylocity (NASDAQ: PCTY), a leading provider of HCM, Finance, and IT solutions, today announced the acquisition of Aidora, an AI-native leave management compliance software company built on a natural language interaction model that automates highly regulated leave processes.

Leave policies across federal, state, local, and company levels are getting more complex—driving increased administrative work, higher compliance risk, and rising expectations for timely, personalized support during key life events. Manual HR processes and disconnected systems only add to the problem, creating inefficiencies and inconsistent employee experiences.

Aidora expands Paylocity's leave management capabilities with an AI-native solution that saves HR teams time and provides employees a faster, clearer way to manage leave. For HR teams, AI handles the details—from eligibility to compliance, documentation, and payroll—all in one place. For employees, AI acts as a guide: answering questions, explaining options, and helping them navigate leave step by step. They can engage with it through a natural language interaction model, by voice or text.

“Leave management is one of the most complex and time-consuming processes HR teams deal with today,” said Toby Williams, President and CEO of Paylocity. “Aidora helps take that work off their plate by automating what has traditionally been manual, and giving HR teams more confidence in how they manage leave, while also providing a better employee experience.”

The acquisition reinforces Paylocity’s focus on embedding AI across its platform to create efficiency for HR teams and remove manual work that slows organizations down. It also extends Paylocity's value across its customer base—with particular impact for mid-market and enterprise employers navigating the most complex leave requirements.

Paylocity does not expect the acquisition of Aidora to have a material impact on first quarter or fiscal 2027 financial results. Paylocity will provide financial guidance in the normal course of business in its next earnings release.

About Paylocity

Headquartered in Schaumburg, IL, Paylocity (NASDAQ: PCTY) is an award-winning provider of HCM, Finance, and IT software solutions. Paylocity offers one unified, easy‑to‑use platform that helps businesses across HR, Finance, and IT streamline operations, manage spend and talent, and build culture and connection—with AI embedded directly into everyday workflows to save time, reduce manual effort, and support better decisions. Known for its unique culture and consistently recognized as one of the best places to work, Paylocity accompanies its clients on the journey to create great workplaces and help all employees achieve their best. For more information, visit www.paylocity.com.

CONTACT:
Nicole Andergard Reddy
[email protected]

503-855-7385