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Shares of Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ:PANW | PANW Price Prediction) are up 9% to $331.91 at midday Monday, leading a sharp rally across cybersecurity platform leaders. CrowdStrike (NASDAQ:CRWD) stock is up 7% to $747.84, and Okta (NASDAQ:OKTA) stock is up 5% to $130.23.

The synchronized move caps a powerful run for the group. Year to date (YTD), Palo Alto Networks stock is up 79%, CrowdStrike stock is up 59%, and Okta stock is up 51%, dwarfing the NASDAQ 100, which is up 16% YTD.

Today’s move in Palo Alto Networks, CrowdStrike, and Okta stems from a broad risk-on tone in software. A fresh industry forecast circulating through investor desks adds a sector tailwind on top, but it leaves the bigger question intact: can earnings growth justify these multiples?

Broad Tech Rally and a Supportive Sector Backdrop Cybersecurity names sit among the highest-beta corners of software, so they tend to lead on up days. With the NASDAQ 100 reclaiming ground after a recent pullback, money is rotating back into the platform leaders, and PANW, CRWD, and OKTA are absorbing an outsized share of the bid.

The backdrop got a lift for Palo Alto Networks, CrowdStrike, and Okta from a UBS note published after Friday’s close. UBS estimated that the global security and safety market would reach $974 billion in 2026 and expand to $1.19 trillion by 2029, with cybersecurity the largest growth driver. UBS also sees the global cybersecurity market growing 13% this year to $240 billion, framing the category as a relatively defensive, resilient-spend area within tech.

The UBS report didn’t assign new ratings or price targets to PANW, CRWD, or OKTA, so it functions as a sector sentiment tailwind for investor positioning today. Recent earnings reinforce the picture: Palo Alto Networks delivered Q3 FY2026 revenue growth of 31% year over year, CrowdStrike posted Q1 FY2027 revenue growth of 26%, and Okta reported Q1 FY2027 revenue growth of 11%, with each company beating consensus on both lines.

Management commentary across the three companies also frames AI as a spending catalyst. Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora called the latest quarter a “standout” driven by “accelerating organic bookings growth as customers turn to us to secure their AI deployments at scale.” Meanwhile, CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz described his company as “AI security infrastructure, critical to successful AI adoption.”

Valuations Leave Little Margin for Error The group trades at premium multiples that leave little room for disappointment. Per Yahoo Finance, Palo Alto Networks trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 283.51x, and Okta carries a trailing P/E ratio of 94.46x.

CrowdStrike has no trailing P/E ratio because the company remains unprofitable on a TTM basis, with trailing EPS of -$0.14, according to Yahoo Finance. Forward multiples remain rich as well, with CrowdStrike’s forward P/E ratio at 143x and Palo Alto Networks’ at 75x.

The combined market caps are massive. Palo Alto Networks now carries a market cap of $268 billion, CrowdStrike sits at $190 billion, and Okta clears $22 billion, so further gains require ever-larger dollar inflows to keep the multiples climbing.

After massive YTD runs, the question for shareholders of Palo Alto Networks, CrowdStrike, and Okta is whether earnings growth can compound fast enough to grow into these multiples. High-beta, high-multiple names can also fall hard if tech sentiment reverses, and the recent NASDAQ 100 drawdown is a reminder of that asymmetry.

What to Watch Next The next concrete event is CrowdStrike’s 4-for-1 stock split, with split-adjusted trading set to begin July 2. Splits are mechanical events, but they can amplify retail demand and short-term volatility in the days around the effective date.

Watch for whether today’s gains hold into the close in PANW, CRWD, and OKTA, and whether analyst desks respond to the UBS forecast with refreshed estimates or price targets. Holders may want to keep an eye on sector breadth too, since a narrowing rally could signal that today’s enthusiasm is fading.

The takeaway is a balanced setup. Secular demand for cybersecurity and platformization tailwinds for Palo Alto Networks, CrowdStrike, and Okta are visible, though valuations leave little margin for error. Investors should consider risk management around position sizing rather than chase the move higher into strength.

Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA, XETRA:CTP2) shares rose more than 6% on Monday after the company announced plans to separate its businesses into two independent, publicly traded companies through a tax-free spin-off of NBCUniversal and Sky.

Under the proposed transaction, Comcast shareholders would receive stock in both new entities, effectively splitting the company into a connectivity-focused Comcast and a standalone media and entertainment business comprising NBCUniversal and Sky.

The company said the move is intended to create two more focused firms with distinct strategic priorities and growth paths.

Comcast said the separation reflects the increasing divergence between broadband and media markets, as shifting consumer behaviour, technological change and competitive pressures continue to reshape both industries. The structure is expected to allow each company to better allocate capital, pursue targeted investments and respond more quickly to industry-specific opportunities.

Following completion of the spin-off, Comcast co-CEO Mike Cavanagh is expected to become chief executive officer of NBCUniversal, while former Comcast CFO Michael Angelakis will take on the role of CEO of Comcast. Brian Roberts, currently in the role of Comcast co-CEO, will remain involved in the leadership of both companies during the transition period.

In a statement, Roberts said the transaction would “unlock a more entrepreneurial management approach” and position each business to pursue “a multitude of new opportunities” as independent entities.

Cavanagh said both companies would begin the next phase from positions of strength, with NBCUniversal and Sky combining global media assets, theme parks and streaming platforms, while Comcast continues to focus on broadband, wireless and business services.

“With our iconic brands and theme parks, leading franchises and incredible creative talent, we are well-positioned for long-term value creation.” Cavanagh said.

The separation is expected to be completed in approximately one year, subject to customary approvals, including regulatory clearances and final board sign-off.

Comcast also said it intends to retain up to a 19.9% stake in NBCUniversal for up to one year after completion, with plans to monetize that holding over time.

U.S. stocks traded higher midway through trading, with the Dow Jones index gaining more than 200 points on Monday.

The Dow traded up 0.44% to 52,105.66 while the NASDAQ rose 1.33% to 25,634.54. The S&P 500 also rose, gaining, 0.79% to 7,412.29.

Leading and Lagging Sectors

Communication services shares jumped by 2.4% on Monday.

In trading on Monday, materials stocks fell by 1.4%.

Top Headline

Equities Trading UP
           

Equities Trading DOWN

Commodities

In commodity news, oil traded up 2.1% to $70.70 while gold traded down 1.2% at $4,048.70.

Silver traded down 1% to $58.625 on Monday, while copper fell 1% to $6.1490.

Euro zone

European shares were mostly higher today. The eurozone’s STOXX 600 gained 0.2%, while Spain’s IBEX 35 Index fell 0.1%. London’s FTSE 100 rose 0.1%, Germany’s DAX gained 0.1%, while France’s CAC 40 rose 0.1%.

Asia Pacific Markets

Asian markets closed mostly higher on Monday, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 gaining 0.15%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index surging 1.57%, China’s Shanghai Composite rising 1.16% and India’s BSE Sensex falling 0.48%.

Economics

The Dallas Fed manufacturing index will be released today.

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The Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC +1.84%) rose 1.3% by 11:45 a.m. ET on Monday. The tech-heavy index recovered from a mid-morning sell-off that briefly pushed it down to flat. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 (^GSPC +1.10%) gained 0.7% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI +0.74%) added 0.4%.

^IXIC data by YCharts

Google parent Alphabet (GOOG +4.86%) (GOOGL +4.67%) made its Dow debut in style, rising 4% and adding $168 billion in market cap. IT replaced Verizon (VZ 6.02%), which fell 7% on the same news. Ironically, Alphabet created more market value today than Verizon is worth overall.

At the same time, Comcast (CMCSA +6.34%) jumped 7% on spinoff news. The company will separate its NBCUniversal and Sky operations into a new, publicly traded company by mid-2027. However, the media veteran's big move barely generated a ripple on the cap-weighted indexes.

After all, the company has a total market cap of just $89 billion today -- about half of the cap value Alphabet added today.

Amazon counted the receipts Amazon (AMZN +3.55%) gained 4.7% as the company tallied its Prime Day haul. U.S. shoppers spent $26.4 billion from June 23 through June 26, up 9.3% from last year, according to Adobe Analytics. Electronics, toys and appliances flew off virtual shelves at discounts averaging 20% to 24%. The jump made Amazon the second-largest contributor of S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite points, behind Alphabet.

Tesla (TSLA +7.62%) rose 4.5%, adding $66 billion in market cap, on reports of deepening collaboration with Space Exploration Technologies (SPCX +4.39%). The electric vehicle maker is expected to release second-quarter delivery data in the coming days, with potentially market-moving consequences.

Image source: Getty Images.

Applied Materials (AMAT +11.67%) surged 9.8% after analysts at KeyBanc said nice things about the chip equipment maker's prospects. That's another fairly large point addition to the cap-weighted stock indexes.

Around 10:00 a.m. ET, the Supreme Court issued several rulings, including one that expands presidential power over federal agencies. The judicial shock didn't last long, and the indexes climbed back quickly, but that's the reason behind the big dip you see in Monday morning's chart.

And I can't do these market overviews without mentioning Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. Negotiations are ongoing but the Strait is almost entirely closed to oil shipments. Oil rose 1.3% over the weekend on this continued uncertainty.

Today's Change

(

0.74

%) $

385.83

Current Price

$

52261.94

A short week with a lot to process This week is shortened by the July 4 holiday on Friday, so there are four trading days to either extend Monday's gains or erase them.

Based on the morning's volatility, either seems possible. Investors are watching the Iranian talks with simmering military tension, and the Supreme Court will issue more opinions on Tuesday. In other macroeconomic news, Wall Street is awaiting reports on consumer confidence, job creation, and producer price inflation.

So it's a short week in the quiet gap between two earnings seasons, but investors will have a lot to process anyway.

Anders Bylund has positions in Alphabet and Amazon. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Applied Materials, and Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends Comcast and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Key Takeaways ADI generated $2.24B operating cash flow in fiscal 2026's first six months, up 15% year over year.Analog Devices keeps capital spending modest, supporting strong cash conversion and growth. ADI is building strategic inventory to meet demand in data center and automated test equipment markets. Analog Devices (ADI - Free Report) has a strong cash flow profile supported by high gross margins, low capital intensity and disciplined capital allocation. During the first six months of fiscal 2026, the company generated operating cash flow of $2.24 billion, up 15% year over year, while capital expenditures increased only modestly to $247 million.

Analog Devices’ operating cash flow of $5.1 billion and free cash flow were $4.6 billion on a trailing 12-month basis or 40% and 36% of revenue, respectively. This highlights ADI's ability to convert a significant portion of its revenues into cash. The improvement in operating cash flow was primarily driven by a sharp increase in profitability.

ADI's modest capital expenditure requirements, expected to remain within 4-6% of annual revenues, continue to support exceptional cash conversion. Combined with $3.4 billion in cash, net leverage of just 0.8x and disciplined shareholder distributions, ADI remains well-positioned to fund growth initiatives while maintaining one of the highest-quality cash flow profiles in the analog semiconductor industry.

However, in the past six months, ADI’s strong earnings were partially offset by a significant working capital outflow, as operating assets and liabilities consumed $799 million of cash compared with just $36 million in the prior year. Beyond this risk, Analog Devices’ higher inventories and receivables reflected strategic inventory builds and increased shipments rather than weakening demand,

ADI ended the quarter with inventory at 168 days and channel inventory stable at six to seven weeks, levels that management considers healthy and manageable. The company is intentionally building strategic inventory to support future demand, particularly as data center and automated test equipment markets continue to experience strong growth.

How Competitors Fare Against Analog DevicesAnalog Devices competes with Texas Instruments (TXN - Free Report) and Broadcom (AVGO - Free Report) in the semiconductor market. Texas Instruments competes with ADI in industrial signal chains, precision sensing and power management, especially in PLCs, factory automation and motor control.

Broadcom is strong in networking, data center, broadband, Wi-Fi, Ethernet PHYs and switches. In the communications segment, Broadcom mainly competes with its high-speed connectivity, optical/wireline networking equipment, and cable or broadband IC portfolio.

Despite strong competition from Texas Instruments and Broadcom, Analog Devices has enough scope to grow in the communications space as new 5G technology is being introduced, which gives scope for expansion to all the players.

ADI’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of ADI have gained 62.6% in the past 12 months compared with the Zacks Semiconductor - Analog and Mixed industry’s growth of 61.9%.

ADI Past 12-Month Performance Chart
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, ADI trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 11.93X, higher than the industry’s average of 9.52X.

ADI Forward 12-Month (P/S) Valuation Chart
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ADI’s fiscal 2026 and 2027 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 59% and 14%, respectively. The consensus estimate for fiscal 2026 and 2027 has remained unchanged in the past 30 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

Parsons (PSN) witnessed a jump in share price last session on above-average trading volume. The latest trend in earnings estimate revisions for the stock doesn't suggest further strength down the road.

Key Takeaways ASE Technology and Amkor are benefiting as AI demand lifts advanced chip packaging.ASE Technology's ATM revenues hit a record NT$112.4B, rising nearly 30% in Q1 2026.Amkor posted record Q1 revenues of $1.68B, up 27%, with EPS climbing to $0.33. Artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing are driving unprecedented demand for advanced semiconductor packaging, making outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) providers increasingly important to the semiconductor value chain. ASE Technology Holding (ASX - Free Report) and Amkor Technology (AMKR - Free Report) are two global leaders benefiting from this trend, with both reporting strong first-quarter 2026 results and expanding their advanced packaging capabilities.

While both companies are well-positioned to capitalize on the AI-driven packaging cycle, differences in their growth outlook, profitability and earnings trajectory could determine which stock offers superior long-term returns. Let's dive deep and closely compare the fundamentals of the two stocks to determine which one is a better investment now.

The Case for ASE Technology StockASE Technology continues to strengthen its leadership in advanced semiconductor packaging as AI demand reshapes the industry. The company reported first-quarter 2026 revenues of NT$173.7 billion, up 17% year over year, while its Assembly, Testing and Material (ATM) business delivered record revenues of NT$112.4 billion, increasing nearly 30%. Even during a seasonally weak quarter, ATM revenues grew sequentially as demand for AI-related products remained exceptionally strong. Gross margin expanded to 20.1%, and operating income jumped 81% year over year.

AI has become ASE Technology's biggest growth engine. Management noted that AI workloads are reducing the traditional seasonality of the packaging business, with strong demand across LEAP advanced packaging, traditional advanced packaging and wirebond solutions. Computing applications continue to represent a growing portion of revenues as AI accelerators, high-bandwidth memory and advanced processors require increasingly sophisticated packaging technologies.

To support future demand, ASE Technology continues to expand LEAP capacity despite higher near-term depreciation expenses. Management expects newly installed production lines to ramp up primarily during the fourth quarter, supporting sequential margin expansion through the remainder of 2026. The company also benefits from its integrated packaging, testing and EMS operations, diversified customer base and improving factory utilization, all of which strengthen its competitive position.

The primary risks stem from elevated capital expenditures, higher depreciation during capacity expansion, foreign exchange volatility and geopolitical uncertainties. Nevertheless, these appear manageable considering the robust structural demand for AI packaging.

The Case for Amkor StockAmkor has also entered 2026 with considerable momentum. First-quarter revenues reached a record $1.68 billion, increasing 27% year over year as broad-based demand lifted every major end market. Improved factory utilization, growing advanced packaging programs and disciplined execution helped earnings per share climb to 33 cents from 9 cents a year ago.

Advanced packaging remains the centerpiece of Amkor's long-term strategy. Management continues investing heavily in HDFO, flip-chip packaging and advanced testing technologies to support AI servers and data-center processors. Several AI-focused customer programs are expected to ramp up during the second half of 2026, while the company believes advanced packaging will remain its primary long-term growth engine.

Amkor is simultaneously expanding its manufacturing footprint. Construction of its advanced packaging facility in Arizona remains on schedule, while additional manufacturing capacity in Korea will support growing AI infrastructure demand. These investments strengthen relationships with leading semiconductor customers seeking geographically diversified supply chains.

However, Amkor's investment cycle also creates challenges. The company expects capital expenditures of $2.5-$3 billion this year, which will pressure free cash flow in the near term. Export controls, geopolitical uncertainty, supply constraints involving advanced silicon and substrates, and rising material costs also remain important execution risks.

ASE Technology Leads the Performance RaceBoth stocks have significantly outperformed the broader semiconductor industry this year as investors increasingly favor AI infrastructure beneficiaries. ASE Technology shares have surged 149.8% year to date, comfortably ahead of Amkor's impressive 99.4% gain. Both stocks have substantially outperformed the Zacks Electronics-Semiconductors industry's 48.6% return, the Zacks Computer and Technology sector's 13.1% gain and the S&P 500's 7.2% advance.

ASX vs AMKR Price Performance (YTD)

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The strength extends across semiconductor infrastructure stocks. Applied Materials (AMAT - Free Report) and KLA Corporation (KLAC - Free Report) have also benefited from AI-driven semiconductor investment and advanced manufacturing demand, rising 143.9% and 104.6% YTD, respectively. However, ASE Technology has delivered the strongest stock performance among this group, highlighting investor confidence in its AI packaging growth strategy.

ASX vs AMKR: Valuation ComparisonFollowing their strong rallies, both stocks trade at premiums to the industry average. ASE Technology currently trades at 35.33X forward 12-month earnings, slightly below Amkor's 37.11X, while the Zacks Electronics-Semiconductors industry trades at 33.61X.

ASX vs AMKR Valuation (P/E F12M)

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Compared with semiconductor equipment leaders AMAT (42.78X) and KLAC (50.18X), both ASE Technology and Amkor continue to command healthy valuations as investors increasingly recognize advanced packaging as one of the fastest-growing segments of the semiconductor supply chain. Even so, ASE Technology offers the more attractive valuation of the two while also providing stronger projected earnings growth.

Analysts Continue Raising Earnings EstimatesAnalysts have become increasingly optimistic about both companies, though ASE Technology enjoys stronger long-term growth expectations.

Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for ASE Technology's 2026 earnings has increased to 84 cents per share from 77 cents. Analysts expect earnings per share (EPS) to grow 47.4% on 19.6% revenue growth this year, followed by another 73.2% earnings increase on 22.4% revenue growth in 2027.

ASX Estimate Revision Trend

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Amkor has also witnessed positive estimate revisions, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 EPS increasing to $2.08 from $1.94 over the past 60 days. Analysts currently expect 38.7% earnings growth on 13.2% revenue growth in 2026. However, growth is projected to moderate sharply in 2027, with EPS expected to increase just 3.7% on 9% revenue growth.

AMKR Estimate Revision Trend

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

ASE Technology's stronger earnings trajectory reflects its larger exposure to AI-driven advanced packaging and suggests greater operating leverage as new capacity ramps.

Which Stock Offers Better Upside?Both ASE Technology and Amkor stand to benefit from the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure, advanced chip architectures and increasing semiconductor packaging complexity. Both companies delivered impressive first-quarter results, continue investing aggressively in advanced packaging capacity and maintain strong relationships with leading semiconductor customers.

However, ASE Technology currently appears to be the stronger investment. The company offers faster revenue growth, superior margin profile, stronger AI-driven ATM momentum, a slightly lower valuation and meaningfully better long-term earnings growth expectations. Its expanding LEAP platform and improving profitability further strengthen its competitive position as AI packaging demand accelerates.

Amkor, having a favorable Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), remains a compelling long-term semiconductor packaging company with solid execution and expanding global capacity. Nevertheless, ASE Technology's stronger fundamentals and better earnings outlook give it the edge as the better chip packaging stock for investors seeking greater upside from the ongoing AI infrastructure buildout. ASE Technology currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Key Takeaways Humana's CenterWell posted $6.1B in Q1 2026 revenues, up 19.7%, with growth across all business lines.HUM added patients and centers via MaxHealth and expanded pharmacy services through the Cost Plus partnership.HUM expects CenterWell to generate at least $25B in 2026 revenues as it grows beyond insurance. CenterWell is playing a growing role in Humana Inc.'s (HUM - Free Report) strategy to evolve beyond its traditional health insurance business. By combining primary care, home health and pharmacy services under one platform, CenterWell helps HUM deliver more coordinated care while supporting better health outcomes and improving the overall patient experience.

The segment is also emerging as a meaningful growth driver. In the first quarter of 2026, CenterWell generated $6.1 billion in revenues, up 19.7% year over year, reflecting growth across all three business lines. Higher Medicare enrollment and continued expansion of its payor-agnostic client base contributed to the increase. HUM expects the segment’s total revenues to generate at least $25 billion in 2026.

Humana is further strengthening CenterWell's platform through strategic investments and acquisitions. During the first quarter, CenterWell Senior Primary Care recorded sequential patient growth of 110,500, including approximately 59,000 patients and 54 centers from the recent MaxHealth acquisition. The expansion broadens the company's primary care network while creating additional opportunities to deliver coordinated, value-based care. HUM is also broadening its pharmacy capabilities through its Cost Plus partnership, which aims to develop end-to-end prescription drug solutions for employers.

HUM is also improving operational efficiency by increasing automation and using AI-enabled analytics to identify care gaps, accelerate chronic disease detection and support more proactive care management. These initiatives can improve clinical outcomes while enhancing productivity across the platform. As CenterWell continues to expand its care delivery network and technology capabilities, it is evolving into a key long-term growth engine that diversifies Humana's business beyond health insurance while supporting sustainable earnings growth.

How Are Competitors Faring?Some of HUM’s major competitors in the value-based care space are UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH - Free Report) and Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV - Free Report) .

UnitedHealth, through its Optum segment, is scaling AI-driven care management, pharmacy and provider solutions to improve care coordination and operational efficiency. Its integrated care model supports value-based reimbursement while diversifying revenues beyond its insurance business. UnitedHealth’s total revenues rose 2% year over year in the first quarter of 2026.

Elevance Health is pursuing a similar strategy through Carelon, its healthcare services platform. Carelon combines pharmacy, care delivery and care management capabilities to diversify revenues beyond health insurance. Elevance Health’s total operating revenues rose 1.5% year over year in the first quarter of 2026.

Humana’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of HUM have rallied 49.9% in the year-to-date period compared with the industry’s rise of 8.2%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Humana trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 32.09, significantly above the industry average of 16.80. HUM carries a Value Score of B.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Humana’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $9.01 per share, implying a 47.4% drop from the year-ago period.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

Investors interested in stocks from the Financial - Investment Bank sector have probably already heard of Nomura Holdings (NMR) and MarketAxess (MKTX). But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now?

NEW YORK, June 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Institutional investors holding positions in Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK) during the period February 4, 2025 through February 2, 2026 may wish to evaluate lead plaintiff opportunities in a pending securities class action. Request an institutional investor loss assessment. You may also contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. at [email protected] or (212) 363-7500.

GPK shares declined from approximately 12.42 by the end of the Class Period, a cumulative loss exceeding 50%. The Court has set July 6, 2026 as the deadline to apply for lead plaintiff appointment.

Notice to Institutional Holders

Pension funds, endowments, mutual funds, and other fiduciaries that held GPK securities during the Class Period face distinct obligations. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 gives institutional investors with the largest financial interest priority consideration for lead plaintiff appointment. Lead plaintiffs direct case strategy, select counsel, and oversee settlement negotiations on behalf of the entire class.

The lawsuit contends that Graphic Packaging and certain senior officers issued materially false and misleading statements about the Company's inventory position, demand environment, and ability to deliver on FY 2025 financial guidance, while the Company was allegedly experiencing deteriorating conditions that were not adequately disclosed.

ERISA and Fiduciary Considerations

Institutional holders owe fiduciary duties to their beneficiaries that may extend to evaluating recovery options in securities fraud litigation. The allegations in this case raise questions relevant to portfolio oversight:

GPK's original FY 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance of 1.78B was ultimately revised downward to 1.43B, a reduction of approximately $300 million at the midpointThree separate corrective disclosures between May 2025 and February 2026 each triggered significant single-day price declines of 15.57%, 8.66%, and 15.97%The Company accelerated inventory reduction plans into Q4 2025 that were originally scheduled for 2026, with Q4 production curtailment costs of 15 million from earlier-announced curtailments)Incoming CEO Robbert Rietbroek initiated a "comprehensive review" of operations and footprint, as pleaded in the complaint, signaling structural problems beyond short-term headwindsProjected 2026 adjusted EBITDA carried a 100 million incentive compensation accrual Portfolio Impact Assessment

The magnitude of GPK's decline presents a material portfolio event for institutional holders. The action claims that shares traded at artificially inflated prices throughout the Class Period because management allegedly overstated the Company's ability to weather macroeconomic headwinds and actively manage inventory to match supply with demand.

Contact us for institutional recovery options or call Joseph E. Levi, Esq. at (212) 363-7500.

"Institutional investors play a critical role in securities class actions. In the Graphic Packaging matter, the scale of the alleged guidance failures and the repeated downward revisions over three consecutive disclosure events underscore the importance of fiduciary evaluation of lead plaintiff opportunities." -- Joseph E. Levi, Esq.

Case Summary

The securities action alleges that between February 4, 2025 and February 2, 2026, Graphic Packaging and certain officers made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business model strength, inventory management capabilities, and financial outlook. As the complaint details, FY 2025 adjusted EPS guidance was ultimately cut from 2.78 projected in February 2025 to 1.95 projected by December 2025 across multiple revisions.

INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR REPRESENTATION -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP provides sophisticated counsel to institutional investors evaluating lead plaintiff opportunities. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars. Ranked among ISS Top 50 for seven consecutive years.

Frequently Asked Questions About the GPK Lawsuit

Q: What is the GPK class action lawsuit about? A: A securities class action has been filed against Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK) alleging materially false and misleading statements between February 4, 2025 and February 2, 2026.

Q: How much did GPK stock drop? A: Shares declined from approximately 12.42 following the February 3, 2026 disclosure. Three corrective events triggered single-day declines of 15.57%, 8.66%, and 15.97%, respectively.

Q: What is a lead plaintiff and why does it matter? A: A lead plaintiff is the investor appointed by the court to represent the entire class. Lead plaintiffs are typically investors with the largest documented losses. Being appointed does not increase individual recovery but gives direct oversight of how the case is run.

Q: What documents do I need to make a claim? A: Brokerage statements or trade confirmations showing purchase dates, share quantities, prices paid, and any subsequent sale dates and prices.

Q: What does it cost me to participate? A: Nothing. Securities class actions are handled on a pure contingency basis. No upfront fees, no retainer, no out-of-pocket costs.

Q: What if I already sold my GPK shares -- can I still recover losses? A: Yes. Eligibility is based on when you purchased, not whether you still hold them. Investors who bought during the Class Period and sold at a loss may still participate.

Q: Has Levi & Korsinsky handled similar cases before? A: Yes, including securities class actions involving revenue inflation, earnings guidance fraud, dividend misrepresentation, and executive misconduct across numerous industries.

CONTACT:
Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
Joseph E. Levi, Esq.
Ed Korsinsky, Esq.
33 Whitehall Street, 27th Floor
New York, NY 10004
[email protected]
Tel: (212) 363-7500
Fax: (212) 363-7171

© Win McNamee / Getty Images

Markets have become increasingly sensitive to any headline that hints at government spending or political influence. Defense contractors, AI companies, and cybersecurity firms can all move sharply on a single news report, even when the underlying information isn’t actually new. 

That happened again today after CNBC reported that President Trump bought between $1 million and $5 million worth of Axon Enterprise (NASDAQ:AXON | AXON Price Prediction), the maker of Tasers and police body cameras. The stock is up 10% in morning trading today, but the purchase itself wasn’t the news. Investors have known about it for weeks. What changed was the timeline surrounding the transaction.

The Trade Was Already Public — The Timing Wasn’t Trump revealed nearly 3,700 stock trades in May, according to federal financial filings released in May. His purchase of Axon shares was already included among those transactions. But CNBC’s reporting added an important detail.

The records show Trump purchased Axon stock on Feb. 10. Just two weeks later, on Feb. 24, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement sought a five-year, $220 million contract for approximately 17,800 Tasers, along with unlimited cartridges and training. That sequence immediately raised eyebrows.

The White House has maintained that Trump’s assets are held in a trust managed by his children and that independent third-party investment managers — not Trump or his family — make investment decisions. If that process worked exactly as described, the purchase may have been entirely coincidental.

Coincidence isn’t the same as misconduct. Yet markets rarely ignore optics, especially when government contracts and presidential investments appear in the same timeline.

Stock Trading Rules Are The Bigger Problem Congress passed the STOCK Act in 2012 to prevent lawmakers and senior government officials from profiting on nonpublic information obtained through their official duties. The law requires disclosure of stock trades and prohibits insider trading.

In practice, however, enforcement has been weak. Numerous members of Congress from both political parties have faced allegations of violating disclosure requirements over the past decade. Yet no sitting politician has faced meaningful legal consequences for alleged STOCK Act violations.

That leaves an uncomfortable reality. Even when transactions are perfectly legal, they can undermine public confidence if elected officials — or those closely connected to them — appear positioned to benefit from government decisions they oversee or influence.

Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Axon Enterprise didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.

Another Deal Is Fueling More Questions The Axon story also arrives just one day after The New York Times reported another transaction drawing scrutiny.

According to the newspaper, the Trump administration negotiated an agreement with Kazakhstan to secure access to tungsten, a metal used in missiles, armor-piercing ammunition, and other defense applications. The deal reportedly included $1.6 billion in federal financing for the little-known company Kaz Resources that was awarded the rights to develop the tungsten reserves. 

Notably, Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, through their company Dominari Securities, took a combined 20% ownership stake in Kaz within weeks of the negotiations. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reportedly played a central role in the discussions, while Cantor Fitzgerald, controlled by Lutnick’s family, helped raise financing for Dominari that could have generated millions of dollars in fees.

Those facts do not prove wrongdoing. But they reinforce why appearances matter as much as legal technicalities when public officials and government contracts intersect.

Key Takeaway In short, today’s rally in Axon wasn’t driven by a newly discovered stock purchase. Investors already knew Trump owned the shares. The new information was how closely the purchase preceded a proposed $220 million ICE contract.

Regardless of whether every transaction proves legitimate, the pattern highlights a larger issue. The STOCK Act was intended to reassure Americans that elected officials could not profit from their positions. Fourteen years later, repeated controversies suggest it has fallen far short of that goal.

For investors, Axon’s long-term prospects will depend on demand for its public safety technology, not a single political headline. But for Washington, these episodes continue to make the strongest case yet that politicians — and perhaps senior executive branch officials as well — should be prohibited from buying and selling individual stocks while in office.

Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Axon Enterprise didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.

Shares of Axon Enterprise (AXON +9.84%) were moving higher today on reports that President Trump had bought the stock ahead of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) seeking a $220 million contract for TASERs, Axon's conductive electrical weapon.

The news was enough to send the stock up 10.5% as of 11:44 a.m. ET.

The Axon Taser 10 Image source: Axon.

Axon gets a presidential endorsement According to federal disclosures, Trump purchased between $1 million and $5 million in Axon stock on Feb. 10, which was about two weeks before ICE solicited a five-year $220 million TASER contract with Axon.

Axon isn't specifically mentioned by name in the announcement, but the product specifications make it clear that it is Axon.

While the move brings up questions about conflicts of interest, which is part of a larger debate around whether elected officials should be able to buy and sell stocks, it's certainly positive for Axon.

Other stocks have risen in the past on interest from Trump or the White House, so it's not surprising that Axon is today. If Trump owns the stock, it's likely to receive favorable treatment from the federal government, and it could receive more contracts, especially as government spending on defense tech is increasing.

Today's Change

(

9.84

%) $

45.74

Current Price

$

510.57

What's next for Axon Axon, which sells both hardware and software, has gotten swept up in the broader sell-off in software stocks, even though the core business remains strong.

Axon reported 34% growth in the first quarter, and the interest from the federal government could help support the company's growth. If it can continue to deliver strong results despite broader concerns about AI disruption, the stock has significant upside potential as it recovers from the earlier pullback.

Jeremy Bowman has positions in Axon Enterprise. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Axon Enterprise. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

LOS ANGELES, June 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter LLP reminds investors of the upcoming July 27, 2026 deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in the class action filed on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Calix, Inc. (“Calix” or the “Company”) (NYSE:  CALX) securities between January 28, 2026 and April 21, 2026, inclusive (the “Class Period”).

IF YOU SUFFERED A LOSS ON YOUR CALIX INVESTMENTS, CLICK HERE TO INQUIRE ABOUT POTENTIALLY PURSUING CLAIMS TO RECOVER YOUR LOSS UNDER THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS.

What Happened?
On April 21, 2026, after the market closed, Calix reported results for the first quarter of 2026 earnings, including that “[n]on-GAAP gross margin was 57.2%, a decrease of 80 basis points sequentially.” Further, the Company reported gross margin guidance for the second quarter of 2026 is “55.8% (at the midpoint) is down 140 basis points from the previous quarter. This decline is primarily due the increase in memory component costs.”

In the accompanying earnings call held on the same date, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Cory Sindelar, stated “advanced purchasing had allowed us to avoid higher memory component costs during the first quarter. However, that advanced supply has run its course, and we now face market prices.” Sindelar further revealed “reflecting the effects of higher memory component costs,” “[f]or the year, we expect our non-GAAP gross margin to decline between 50 and 150 basis points.”

On this news, Calix’s stock price fell $6.93, or 13.98% to close at $42.65 per share on April 22, 2026, on unusually heavy trading volume.

What Is The Lawsuit About?
The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) the Company’s first quarter margins had significantly benefited from advanced purchasing of memory components; (2) that the Company’s advanced supply of memory components was dwindling; (3) that, as a result, the Company was experiencing negative margin pressure as it was forced to purchase memory components at rising market prices; and (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants’ positive statements about the Company’s margins, business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

If you purchased or otherwise acquired Calix securities during the Class Period, you may move the Court no later than July 27, 2026 to request appointment as lead plaintiff in this putative class action lawsuit.

Contact Us To Participate or Learn More:
If you wish to learn more about this action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact us:
Charles Linehan, Esq.,
Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter LLP,
1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100,
Los Angeles California 90067
Email:  [email protected]
Telephone: 310-201-9150,
Toll-Free: 888-773-9224
Visit our website at www.glancylaw.com.
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

If you inquire by email, please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased.

To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

Contact Us:
Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter LLP,
1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Charles Linehan
Email:  [email protected]
Telephone: 310-201-9150
Toll-Free: 888-773-9224
Visit our website at: www.glancylaw.com.

Evolent Health (EVH) witnessed a jump in share price last session on above-average trading volume. The latest trend in earnings estimate revisions for the stock suggests that there could be more strength down the road.

Mattel's San Diego Comic-Con 2026 exclusives.

Mattel Creations

Mattel announced Monday that it is releasing exclusives for KPop Demon Hunters, Masters of The Universe, Jurassic Park III and its Monster High doll line at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 in late July.

This year’s SDCC, where fans, celebrities, toymakers and creators gather to highlight upcoming movies, television, animation, video games and comic books, is scheduled for Thursday to Sunday, July 23-26, at the San Diego Convention Center.

Mattel unveiled a few of its SDCC exclusives in the past couple of weeks, first revealing the WWE Elite 3-Pack - Cyndi Lauper, Roddy Piper and Captain Lou Albano, commemorating the pop icon’s appearance in Piper’s Pit in 1984. Then, last week, the company’s Hot Wheels brand announced that this year’s SDCC offerings will include diecast vehicles inspired by KPop Demon Hunters, Stranger Things and Top Gun.

On Monday, Mattel revealed that it is releasing its newly announced items at the convention and online at its Mattel Creations retail site beginning at 9 a.m. PT on July 23. Quantities for all of the new items at SDCC and online are limited.

Mattel's San Diego Comic-Con 2026 exclusives.

Mattel Creations

Play Puzzles & Games on Forbes

Mattel’s SDCC 2026 ExclusivesThe KPop Demon Hunters HUNTR/X Rumi, Mira and Zoey How It’s Done Collectible Set is one of Mattel’s SDCC 2026 exclusives. The set includes 4-inch chibi-style figures of the demon-hunting trio as seen in the film’s memorable Ramyeon scene. The set retails for $50.

ForbesMattel’s First ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Dolls Go On Pre-Sale For Summer ReleaseBy Tim LammersIn a unique spin on the company’s Masters of the Universe action figure line, this year’s SDCC exclusive is the Masters of the Universe Chronicles Gym Bro Skeletor, which references a memorable moment from the new live-action MOTU movie. The reimagining of the iconic character as a 6-inch action figure with 32 points of articulation comes complete with accessories, including weights and barbells, and is presented in irreverent-themed packaging. The Gym Bro Skeletor retails for $50.

Mattel's "Masters of The Universe" Chronicles Gym Bro Skeletor action figure.

Mattel Creations

Also exclusive to SDCC this year is the Jurassic World Hammond Collection 25th Anniversary Collector Edition Velociraptor, which celebrates 25 years of Jurassic Park III. The figure features detailed sculpting, multiple points of articulation and comic-inspired deco. The Velociraptor comes posed in window box packaging, featuring an illustrated comic panel backdrop. The Velociraptor figure retails for $25.

The Monster High Ghouls Rule line returns with a Lagoona Blue doll as one of Mattel’s SDCC 2026 exclusives. Lagoona Blue is dressed in an iridescent, wave-like gown as she hosts a masquerade at the Eerie Aquarium. The 10.5 inch doll has 11 points of articulation and comes displayed in window box packaging accented by a water motif.

ForbesHot Wheels SDCC Exclusives Inspired By ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ ‘Stranger Things’ And ‘Top Gun’By Tim LammersCelebrating this year’s SDCC exclusives, Nick Karamanos, Senior Vice President, Action Figures, Preschool & In-Licensing at Mattel, said in a statement: “Pop culture is having an incredible moment, and Mattel is here to celebrate alongside some of the world’s biggest entertainment franchises and creative partners, from Masters of the Universe and Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters to Jurassic World and Monster High.

“As the partner of choice for leading studios and talent, we’re always looking for new ways to bring these beloved worlds to life through innovation, storytelling, and design,” Karamanos added. “This year, we wanted everyone to find something that speaks to them, while continuing to create meaningful, culturally relevant experiences for fans everywhere.”

ForbesCyndi Lauper WWE Action Figure Set Among Mattel’s San Diego Comic-Con ExclusivesBy Tim Lammers

NEW YORK, June 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized investor-rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against FS KKR Capital Corp. (NYSE: FSK) and certain of its officers.

This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired FS KKR Capital securities between May 8, 2024 and February 25, 2026, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm’s site: bgandg.com/FSK.

FS KKR Capital Case Details

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: 
   (1) the Company overstated the effectiveness of its portfolio restructuring efforts for its nonaccrual companies; 
   (2) the Company overstated the valuation of its portfolio investments and/or overstated the effectiveness of the Company’s portfolio valuation process;
   (3) the Company overstated the durability of its quarterly distribution strategy; and
   (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants’ positive statements about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

What's Next for FS KKR Capital Investors?

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

No Cost to FS KKR Capital Investors

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

Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC for FS KKR Capital Securities Class Action?

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

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

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

Contact Info

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

Attorney advertising.
Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Cathay General (CATY - Free Report) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). An upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices -- has triggered this rating change.

The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.

The power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements makes the Zacks rating system highly useful for individual investors, since it can be difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts. These are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.

Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for Cathay basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.

Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock PricesThe change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.

Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for Cathay imply an improvement in the company's underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.

Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate RevisionsAs empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, tracking such revisions for making an investment decision could be truly rewarding. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.

The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Earnings Estimate Revisions for CathayThis holding company for Cathay Bank is expected to earn $5.42 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2026, which represents no year-over-year change.

Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Cathay. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 6.1%.

Bottom LineUnlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.

You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>

The upgrade of Cathay to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.

• MarketDesk Focused U.S. Momentum ETF stock is gaining positive traction. Why is FMTM stock trading higher?

A Data-Driven Bet, Not A Basketball Bet“The selection was entirely data-driven,” Clements told Benzinga. “Each month FMTM ranks our universe on a momentum signal that emphasizes the consistency and quality of a stock’s six-month price trend, not just the size of its return.”

He said MSGS qualified because it exhibited “strong, stable, persistent price strength,” adding that the model “takes no sports inputs; it reads price.”

Rather than factoring in the Knicks’ roster, regular-season performance or playoff odds, the momentum signal captured growing investor interest surrounding Madison Square Garden Sports’ plan to separate the Knicks and Rangers into two publicly traded companies.

“What the price was reflecting was the company’s announced plan to separate the Knicks and Rangers into two public companies, a sum-of-the-parts catalyst that was drawing buyers well before the Finals run,” Clements said.

Price, Not Narrative, Drives The ModelAsked how the strategy differentiates between a short-lived news rally and sustainable momentum, Clements said the model deliberately ignores the underlying narrative.

“We don’t separate the two, because the model only sees price. It’s agnostic to the ‘why,'” he said.

Instead, FMTM evaluates the consistency of a stock’s upward trend rather than simply measuring its return over six months.

“Two stocks can both be up 30% over six months — one that climbed steadily, one that spiked in a single week. Our signal favors the steady climber because a persistent trend is more likely to continue than a sharp move that may already have run its course.”

Championship Added to an Existing Investment ThesisWhile the Knicks’ title boosted the investment case, Clements said it wasn’t the catalyst that initially brought MSGS into the portfolio.

“The proposed separation of the Knicks and Rangers is the structural value story — two franchises potentially worth more apart than together,” he said. “The deep playoff run, capped by the championship, adds to that by raising the franchise’s valuation and visibility. The corporate catalyst is what the momentum signal initially picked up; the on-court success layered on top of it.”

Despite MSGS’ strong performance, Clements noted that FMTM doesn’t make concentrated bets on individual stocks. The actively managed ETF equally weights roughly 30 holdings, with each position accounting for about 3% of the portfolio.

“We don’t run high-conviction single-stock bets,” he said. “A position earns its place by the strength of the signal, not by how we feel about the story behind it or the market cap size of the company.”

Momentum Opportunities Expanding Beyond AIWhile AI-related technology companies continue to dominate momentum strategies, Clements said leadership is beginning to broaden across the market.

“We’re seeing both,” he said. “AI and mega-cap tech have clearly led, and that shows up in the portfolio, but we’re also seeing opportunities outside tech, particularly in industrials and financials, benefiting from a broadening market and the expansion of U.S. manufacturing activity.”

MSGS, he added, illustrates how the firm’s quantitative process can uncover opportunities outside the technology sector by focusing solely on durable price trends.

The Bigger Lesson From The KnicksFor Clements, the Knicks’ championship isn’t a case for investing in sports franchises. Instead, he sees it as evidence that systematic momentum strategies can identify opportunities before they’re widely recognized.

“It’s about systematic momentum,” he said. “The real takeaway is that a stock’s price contains a great deal of information that isn’t always visible to someone looking at the company directly, and that information gets reflected in the price quickly.”

He pointed to previous examples in which FMTM held companies before Berkshire Hathaway investments became public or before the stocks were added to the S&P 500, arguing MSGS is simply the latest example.

“The lesson isn’t ‘buy sports teams,'” Clements said. “It’s that price is information, and a rules-based process can act on it before the headline catches up.”

Photo: Shutterstock

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

© 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

To add Benzinga News as your preferred source on Google, click here.

Century Complete Announces New Homes Now Selling in Wilson, NC PR Newswire WILSON, N.C., June 29, 2026

Key Takeaways AYI is shifting beyond lighting into intelligent buildings, software-enabled controls and AV platforms.AIS sales rose 14.9% in the fiscal third quarter, with adjusted operating profit up 22.5%.Lighting sales fell 1.9%, pressured by direct sales, project timing and macro uncertainty. Acuity Inc. (AYI - Free Report) is no longer just a lighting story. The company is increasingly defined by its move into intelligent buildings, software-enabled controls and audio-visual platforms.

That shift is helping support growth and margins, even as its core lighting business remains uneven. For investors, the key question is whether Acuity Intelligent Spaces can keep offsetting softness in Acuity Brands Lighting.

How Acuity Is Changing Its BusinessAcuity operates through two main segments, Acuity Brands Lighting and Acuity Intelligent Spaces. The lighting unit still anchors the business with luminaires, controls and related products for construction, renovation, retrofit and maintenance applications.

Acuity Intelligent Spaces gives the company more exposure to building automation, controls, software, data analytics and audio-visual solutions. This mix matters because AIS carries higher-growth technology characteristics and has been supporting stronger margin quality.

AYI Innovation Keeps the Growth Story AliveInnovation remains central to Acuity’s transition. The company’s portfolio now spans lighting, lighting controls, building management and audio-visual platforms, supported by Atrius, Distech Controls and QSC.

Recent lighting launches include Beyond by Lithonia, aimed at large-scale industrial applications, and CPX3P, designed to reduce SKU complexity and simplify installation. The broader strategy links product design with edge-to-cloud connectivity, data-driven automation and customer use cases across industrial sites, campuses and data centers.

Johnson Controls International plc (JCI - Free Report) is also relevant to this discussion because it competes in smart building systems, automation and connected infrastructure. Honeywell International Inc. (HON - Free Report) offers another comparison point through its building automation portfolio, where software, controls and efficiency solutions are central to customer demand.

Acuity Finds Strength Beyond Core LightingAIS has become Acuity’s clearest growth engine. In the fiscal third quarter, AIS net sales rose 14.9% year over year to $303.5 million, while adjusted operating profit increased 22.5% to $76.3 million.

The segment’s adjusted operating margin expanded 150 basis points to 25.1%. Growth in Distech and QSC, along with demand from universities, professional sports venues, data centers and enterprise campuses, is helping offset weaker trends in lighting.

Why AYI Still Faces a Split OutlookThe bullish case is not evenly spread across Acuity’s portfolio. Acuity Brands Lighting generated fiscal third-quarter net sales of $905.2 million, down 1.9% year over year, while adjusted operating profit fell 5.3% to $164.6 million.

Direct sales remain a pressure point, and the segment is exposed to project timing, macro uncertainty and construction-related demand. Tariff uncertainty, materials inflation, higher selling, distribution and administrative expenses, and memory supply costs may also pressure visibility and profitability.

What AYI Signals Mean for InvestorsThe bottom line is balanced. Acuity’s technology shift is gaining traction, with AIS growth, QSC contributions, Distech demand and cash generation supporting the long-term case. Yet lighting softness keeps the near-term setup from looking fully clean.

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). It also has a Value Score of B, Growth Score of B, Momentum Score of F and VGM Score of B. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Those scores point to respectable value and growth characteristics, while the weak Momentum Score reflects limited near-term price strength. For now, AYI looks like a fundamentally supported transition story, but investors may want clearer evidence that AIS strength can consistently outweigh lighting softness.

Key Takeaways AYI is expanding beyond lighting into automation, analytics and cloud-manageable AV controls.AIS net sales rose 58.9% in the first nine months, while operating profit more than doubled.Lighting still weighs on AYI, with third-quarter ABL sales down 1.9% and direct sales down 27.7%. Acuity Inc. (AYI - Free Report) shows how an established lighting company can become a broader industrial technology story. Demand is increasingly tied to intelligent buildings, connected controls and data-enabled environments.

The shift is meaningful, but not complete. Acuity Intelligent Spaces is gaining momentum, while the traditional lighting business still faces uneven demand and cyclical construction exposure.

How Acuity Taps the Smart Building ShiftAcuity is positioning itself around building intelligence through Atrius, Distech Controls and QSC. The portfolio now reaches beyond hardware into automation, analytics, open building management systems and cloud-manageable audio, video and control technologies.

Atrius supports data-driven building performance and spatial intelligence. Distech provides controls, sensors and software for building management, while QSC expands the company into audio-visual and control platforms.

Johnson Controls International plc (JCI - Free Report) is relevant to this trend because it is tied to building automation and smart infrastructure. Honeywell International Inc. (HON - Free Report) also provides context, as its building technologies business overlaps with the connected controls and efficiency themes shaping demand.

AYI Gains From Data Center DemandAcuity’s intelligent spaces portfolio is gaining relevance in verticals where uptime, resilience and automation matter. Management cited growth across universities, professional sports venues, data centers and enterprise campuses.

Distech’s Eclipse Resilience programmable logic controller expands Acuity’s capabilities in mission-critical cooling applications, mainly for data centers. That broadens AIS exposure to customers that need reliable, automated control systems rather than basic building equipment.

This is an important distinction for investors. Data centers and enterprise campuses require integrated systems that can manage environmental conditions, connect devices and support real-time operational decisions.

Acuity Sees Margin Benefits From Better MixThe smart building trend is not just helping Acuity’s sales mix. It is also supporting profitability. In the first nine months of fiscal 2026, AIS net sales rose 58.9% year over year to $809 million, while operating profit increased to $121.8 million from $48.1 million.

The fiscal third quarter showed the same direction. AIS net sales rose 14.9% to $303.5 million, adjusted operating profit increased 22.5% to $76.3 million and adjusted operating margin expanded 150 basis points to 25.1%.

A higher mix of AIS sales also supported the company’s broader margin profile. Adjusted gross margin improved 10 basis points year over year to 50.1% in the fiscal third quarter, helped mainly by the stronger contribution from intelligent spaces.

Why AYI Still Needs Lighting to StabilizeAcuity’s legacy lighting business remains large and important. Acuity Brands Lighting generated fiscal third-quarter net sales of $905.2 million, far above AIS sales, but the segment declined 1.9% year over year.

Channel details show why the recovery still matters. Direct sales network revenues fell 27.7% in the quarter, retail sales declined 2.4% and original equipment manufacturer and other sales dropped 8.2%.

The first nine months showed similar pressure. ABL net sales declined 1.2% year over year to $2.62 billion, while direct sales network revenues fell 23.4%. That keeps Acuity partly tied to project timing, macro uncertainty and construction-related demand.

What AYI Ratings Say About This TrendThe bottom line is that Acuity has credible exposure to smart building demand, but investors still need proof that AIS can consistently outweigh lighting softness. The company’s technology mix is improving, yet the transition has not fully insulated results from traditional market pressures.

AYI currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). The stock also has a Value Score of B, Growth Score of B, Momentum Score of F and VGM Score of B. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Value and Growth scores support the idea that Acuity has useful fundamental traits and participation in an attractive long-term trend. The Momentum Score of F suggests the near-term setup is less convincing, with investors still waiting for stronger evidence that intelligent spaces growth can sustainably overpower weakness in legacy lighting.

onsemi Today

$90.28 -0.37 (-0.41%)

As of 01:49 PM Eastern

This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.

52-Week Range$44.56▼

$134.92P/E Ratio63.74

Price Target$102.73

onsemi’s NASDAQ: ON stock price imploded by more than 25% following the unexpected acquisition of Synaptics NASDAQ: SYNA. The critical detail (the one triggering the sell-off) is what the market got wrong: this isn’t a desperate grab at acquisitional growth, diluting shareholder value for limited gain, but a strategic push into physical AI.

onsemi, already well-positioned as a leading supplier of high-power SiC energy-control and sensing semiconductor technology, is also well-positioned for physical AI, but its presence is limited. Integrating Synaptics edge AI processing, including sensing, rounds out the offerings, placing the company at the nexus of physical AI and, by extension, robotics.

Get onsemi alerts:

onsemi’s Bold Acquisition Makes Sense for Physical AISynaptics is not some risky bet on unproven technology. The company has been around for decades, first making waves as the inventor of laptop touchpads. Today, the company’s revenue-generating, profitable business focuses on edge AI/IoT, human-machine interfaces, wireless connectivity, and tactile sensing technologies. Both companies reiterated robust full-year guidance, expecting solid revenue growth and widening margins.

The near-term concern is dilution. The deal values Synaptics at $7 billion, a nearly 20% premium to its pre-deal valuation, and will be paid in stock. Synaptics shareholders will receive 1.35 ON shares for each SYNA share, diluting outstanding shares by approximately 13.45%. The offset is profitability, cash flow, and share buybacks. Both companies actively buy back shares, with onsemi doing so aggressively, and reducing their share count over time. The likely outcome is that this trend will continue, eventually eliminating the dilutive impact and boosting shareholder value.

Synaptic’s business contribution will be substantial. The company’s fiscal 2026 forecast indicates approximately 38% revenue growth for onsemi, with an expected 800 basis-point segment contribution in the subsequent year. onsemi, meanwhile, is forecast to grow by 32% this year and accelerate to nearly 40% in fiscal year 2027, excluding the impact of Synaptics. The question is: what synergies can be captured? Execs estimated $200 million in annual cost savings, as well as increases in total addressable market (TAM) and cross-selling opportunities.

Analysts Trigger Sell-Off: Set Stage for Price Recoveryonsemi Stock Forecast Today12-Month Stock Price Forecast:
$102.35
15.91% Upside

Hold
Based on 30 Analyst Ratings

Current Price$88.30High Forecast$150.00Average Forecast$102.35Low Forecast$60.00onsemi Stock Forecast Details

Analysts highlight the disparity between near-term impacts and long-term opportunities, with downgrades and price target reductions spurring a market sell-off following the release. However, as mixed as the responses are, more analysts are raising price targets than lowering them, leading the consensus to increase by more than 1,000 basis points (bps) virtually overnight.

Bearish commentary focuses on execution, citing complexity, distractions, and loss of focus amid consumer risk. Bullish commentary focuses on the AI opportunity and complementary businesses, which together cover the four pillars of physical AI: power, sensing, connected compute, and control.

Institutions will be a primary factor in this stock’s price direction, as they own nearly 98% of the market. They were accumulating in early Q2, but activity has been mixed over the trailing 12 months and may present a near-term headwind. However, there are factors suggesting the group will revert to a more aggressive posture now that price action has corrected.

onsemi: Discounted Price to Trigger Market ResponseThe late-June drop put price action near a support target aligned with a prior price gap, a level where buying may be robust. Price action since the gap formed has included a correction, a bottom, and a robust AI-driven rally that broke a critical resistance level and set fresh all-time highs. Operative factors include MACD convergence, which suggests the recent highs will at least be retested, and rising trading volume. The more likely outcome is that the onsemi stock bottoms quickly and begins to rebound by later this year. Longer-term, the MACD convergence suggests this market will set new highs and continue higher.

Looking at onsemi from a valuation perspective, the long-term potential remains robust. The company’s forward earnings estimates put it at a low-teens price-to-earnings multiple within a few years, suggesting triple-digit upside as it grows toward its earnings outlook and its physical AI future is realized. The earnings outlook is also likely to be cautious, without the impact of Synaptics, as onsemi is well-positioned for the semiconductor supercycle, with Q1 results indicating acceleration underway.

onsemi’s risks include the timing of end-market recoveries in core markets and supply chain exposure. Bottlenecks in critical components are impacting lead times for next-gen products and may drag on results moving forward. However, the company is working to mitigate risks through capacity expansions, including in its SiC manufacturing and newer Gallium Nitride technology. Catalysts include partnering with NVIDIA NASDAQ: NVDA on a new high-voltage architecture and scaling its data center business.

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Getting big returns from financial portfolios, whether through stocks, bonds, ETFs, other securities, or a combination of all, is an investor's dream. But for income investors, generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments is your primary focus.

Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and, of course, dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its dividend yield, a metric that measures the dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases.

Based in New York, Brixmor Property (BRX - Free Report) is in the Finance sector, and so far this year, shares have seen a price change of 23.76%. The owner and operator of shopping centers is paying out a dividend of $0.31 per share at the moment, with a dividend yield of 3.79% compared to the REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry's yield of 3.95% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.41%.

Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $1.23 is up 7% from last year. Over the last 5 years, Brixmor Property has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 7.56%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Brixmor's current payout ratio is 54%, meaning it paid out 54% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.

Looking at this fiscal year, BRX expects solid earnings growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $2.36 per share, which represents a year-over-year growth rate of 4.89%.

From greatly improving stock investing profits and reducing overall portfolio risk to providing tax advantages, investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons. However, not all companies offer a quarterly payout.

Big, established firms that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options, but it's fairly uncommon to see high-growth businesses or tech start-ups offer their stockholders a dividend. During periods of rising interest rates, income investors must be mindful that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle. With that in mind, BRX is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (MLM) M&A Call June 29, 2026 8:30 AM EDT

Company Participants

Jacklyn Rooker - Director of Investor Relations
C. Nye - Chairman, CEO, President, President of Aggregates Business & Chair of Magnesia Specialties Business
Michael Petro - Senior VP & CFO

Conference Call Participants

Adam Thalhimer - Thompson, Davis & Company, Inc., Research Division
Kathryn Thompson - Thompson Research Group, LLC
Trey Grooms - Stephens Inc., Research Division
Angel Castillo Malpica - Morgan Stanley, Research Division
Steven Fisher - UBS Investment Bank, Research Division
Brian Brophy - Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Research Division
Michael Feniger - BofA Securities, Research Division
David S. MacGregor - Longbow Research LLC
Keith Hughes - Truist Securities, Inc., Research Division
Patrick Brown - Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Research Division
Michael Dudas - Vertical Research Partners, LLC
Ivan Yi - Wolfe Research, LLC

Presentation

Operator

Welcome to the Martin Marietta conference call. [Operator Instructions] As a reminder, today's call is being recorded and will be available for replay on the company's website. I will now turn the call over to your host, Ms. Jacklyn Rooker, Martin Marietta's Vice President of Investor Relations. Jacklyn, you may begin.

Jacklyn Rooker
Director of Investor Relations

Hello, and thank you for joining today's conference call following our announced agreement to combine with Lhoist North America this morning. With me are Ward Nye, Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer; and Michael Petro, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Today's discussion may include forward-looking statements as defined by United States securities laws. These statements relate to future events, operating results or financial performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Martin Marietta undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements except if legally required, whether due to new information, future developments or otherwise.

For additional

Key Takeaways OKTA benefits from identity security demand, 20,000 customers and growing AI-driven offerings. SentinelOne posted 23% ARR growth and expanding adoption of AI-native and non-endpoint solutions. S is favored for faster growth and platform momentum despite valuation and profitability challenges. Okta (OKTA - Free Report) and SentinelOne (S - Free Report) are key providers of security software solutions for enterprises. OKTA offers cloud-based identity solutions that allow customers to integrate with nearly any application, service, or cloud that they choose through its secure, reliable, and scalable platforms: the Okta Platform and the Auth0 Platform. Meanwhile, SentinelOne focuses on endpoint security, cloud security and threat detection through its Singularity Platform that leverages a unified security data lake and Purple AI, its Generative AI (GenAI) engine.

So, Okta or SentinelOne, which is leading the charge? Let’s find out.

The Case for OKTA StockOkta is benefiting from steady demand for identity security, an expanding installed base and rising attach of newer products such as Identity Governance, Privileged Access and posture and threat capabilities.

The company’s expanding portfolio across governance, privileged access, device access, authorization, posture management and AI-driven threat protection continues to support customer wins and cross-sell.  In the first quarter of fiscal 2027, Okta reported more than 20,000 total customers and 5,180 customers now spending more than $100,000 annually. In the reported quarter, new products contributed about 25% of bookings, with Identity Governance leading adoption, followed by growing traction in Privileged Access and other security offerings.

OKTA benefits from its installed base of more than 20,000 customers, broad identity portfolio and vendor-neutral position across AI ecosystems. Okta’s expanding partner base now includes OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Amazon, ServiceNow and others. This is allowing customers to secure agents across multiple environments.

The company expects AI-driven identity security to become a key long-term growth opportunity. It expects revenues to increase 9-10% in fiscal 2027, supported by continued adoption of newer products, expanding enterprise relationships and stronger partner contributions.

The Case for S StockSentinelOne is benefiting from the robust and growing demand for cybersecurity solutions, particularly as enterprises face an increasingly complex threat landscape, driven by AI-powered attacks. The company’s Singularity platform provides AI-native security across endpoints, cloud, identity, data and AI through a single interface. In the first quarter of fiscal 2027, AI security ARR nearly doubled, and for the first time, non-endpoint solutions approached 50% of total ARR.

The company’s automation-led approach is driving enterprise adoption, while emerging solutions now account for about half of ARR. Product advances in Purple AI, Prompt Security, AI SIEM, cloud security and Hyperautomation support a broader platform story. As of April 30, 2026, annualized recurring revenues (ARR) grew 23% year over year to $1.16 billion. Customers with more than $100,000 in ARR increased 17% year over year to 1,702, driven by continued momentum in enterprise expansion and strong adoption of the company’s platform solutions.

SentinelOne’s expanding portfolio has been noteworthy. S recently announced the general availability of Purple AI Agentic Investigation and introduced Singularity Credits, enabling autonomous “zero-click” threat investigations that detect, investigate, verify, and respond to threats at machine speed while maintaining analyst oversight and control.

The company’s sustained demand for advanced cybersecurity, especially AI-native solutions, suggests further upside for SentinelOne. For the second quarter of fiscal 2027, SentinelOne expects revenues between $289 million and $291 million, representing 20% year-over-year growth at the midpoint.

Price Performance and Valuation of OKTA and SIn the year-to-date period, shares of OKTA and S have gained 43.7% and 6.1%, respectively. The outperformance in OKTA can be attributed to strong enterprise demand, expanding AI-driven identity solutions and strategic partnerships.

Despite SentinelOne’s expanding portfolio, the company is suffering from ongoing GAAP losses, lower gross margin, restructuring actions, intense competition and macro uncertainty that can affect deal timing. Federal spending and policy risks are concerning.

OKTA and S Stock Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Valuation-wise, OKTA and S shares are currently overvalued, as suggested by a Value Score of F.

In terms of forward 12-month Price/Sales, OKTA shares are trading at 6.5X, higher than SentinelOne’s 4.24X.

OKTA and S Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

How Do Earnings Estimates Compare for OKTA & S?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for OKTA’s fiscal 2027 earnings is pegged at $3.83 per share, which has increased 1% over the past 30 days. This indicates a 9.43% increase year over year.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SentinelOne’s fiscal 2027 earnings is pegged at 36 cents per share, which has increased by a penny over the past 30 days. This indicates an 80% increase year over year.

Okta earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 7.65%. SentinelOne earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 47.5%. The average surprise of SentinelOne is higher than that of Okta.

ConclusionWhile both Okta and SentinelOne are well-positioned to benefit from rising enterprise cybersecurity spending and AI-driven security demand, SentinelOne stands out with its faster revenue growth, rapidly expanding AI-native platform and strong momentum in non-endpoint security solutions.

Despite OKTA’s expanding product portfolio and solid earnings outlook, the company is facing competitive pressure from large platform vendors, and specialists remain intense, sales cycles can stay elongated in a cautious IT spend environment, and past security incidents still weigh on customer confidence.

Currently, SentinelOne carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), making the stock a stronger pick than OKTA, which has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.