Tan, who became Intel’s CEO earlier this year, also serves as executive chairman of SambaNova. He disclosed the fundraising plans during an event on Tuesday, though people familiar with the matter said the company is targeting a valuation of roughly $10 billion.
Intel CEO’s AI Ties Extend Beyond IntelWhile Intel has been working to regain relevance in the AI accelerator market, Tan’s continued role at SambaNova highlights his long-standing ties to the broader semiconductor ecosystem.
Founded in 2017, SambaNova develops AI server chips designed to compete with Nvidia’s accelerators. Demand for alternative AI chips has accelerated as cloud providers and AI developers increasingly look for lower-cost options beyond Nvidia.
The fundraising suggests investors remain willing to assign premium valuations to companies that can carve out a niche in the rapidly expanding AI infrastructure market, even as competition intensifies.
What SambaNova’s Funding Could Mean For Intel InvestorsThe fundraising does not directly benefit Intel, nor does it imply any ownership interest by the chipmaker. However, it offers another signal that investors continue to see significant opportunities beyond the current AI market leader.
For Intel investors, Tan’s dual role provides a unique window into the evolving AI chip landscape. Before taking the helm at Intel, Tan built a reputation as one of Silicon Valley’s most influential semiconductor investors, backing dozens of chip startups during his tenure at venture capital firm Walden International.
As Intel pushes to expand its AI offerings and compete more aggressively in data center accelerators, SambaNova’s soaring valuation could be viewed as another indication that capital continues to flow toward companies developing alternatives to Nvidia’s hardware.
Whether Intel can translate that broader industry momentum into gains for its own AI business remains one of the key questions investors will be watching.
Image: Shutterstock
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Adobe (Nasdaq:ADBE) — the global technology leader that unleashes creativity, productivity and customer experiences through innovative tools and platforms — today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Topaz Labs, an AI company specializing in industry-leading video and image enhancement models. Adobe empowers everyone from first-time creators to creative professionals and enterprises with groundbreaking AI tools and technology ac.
Adobe on Thursday said it is acquiring Topaz Labs, which offers AI models for video and image enhancement, and that it will make it a part of its creative business.
Topaz Labs, which won an Emmy last year for its production tech, has existed for more than two decades, making tools for enhancing videos and images. In recent years, the company has released its own models: Astra for AI video upscaling and Wonder for image retouching and enhancement. The startup has also worked on a technology that makes it easier to run large video models on consumer-grade GPUs.
Adobe, which already offers some of Topaz’s tools in its Creative Cloud suite, said it will integrate Topaz’s models into its Firefly AI app as well as other parts of its image and video editing suites. Adobe said Topaz’s offerings will be available as stand-alone services through its website.
Deepa Subramaniam, VP of product marketing for Creative Cloud at Adobe, said professionals who want to combine real-life footage with AI clips can use Topaz’s products for tasks like sharpening details, reducing noise, or restoring archival footage.
“Topaz Labs brings deep expertise in optimizing large, complex AI models to run directly on device, a capability that will allow Adobe to deliver faster, more responsive experiences for customers and make advanced AI more accessible and cost-effective for creatives. In addition, Topaz Labs is trusted by professionals of all creative crafts – from designers and video professionals to photographers and enterprise creative teams,” Subramaniam said in an emailed statement.
Adobe has been in fierce competition with Canva and DaVinci Resolve-owner Blackmagic Design in the image and video editing space. Adobe has been stuffing AI into all of its apps and has also created an AI-centric media editing studio with Firefly. By acquiring startups like Topaz Labs, Adobe wants to keep its users from turning to other software for video editing and enhancements, encouraging them to stick to its ecosystem.
Adobe said the transaction will close in the second half of 2026.
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Ivan covers global consumer tech developments at TechCrunch. He is based out of India and has previously worked at publications including Huffington Post and The Next Web.
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Hertz Global Holdings shares are approaching critical lows. What’s behind HTZ weakness? Key Terms of the Hertz 2030 Senior PIK NotesThis represents an increase from the initial $300 million target, and initial purchasers hold an option for an additional $50 million. The deal is expected to close on June 29, 2026. Interest will be paid semi-annually, structured as 3.375% in cash and 3.375% as Payment-in-Kind (PIK) interest.
Maturing on July 1, 2030, these notes are exchangeable into cash, shares, or a combination at Hertz’s election. The initial exchange price is roughly $3.58 per share, reflecting a 32.5% premium over the concurrent equity offering.
Net proceeds are estimated at $339.5 million (or $388.0 million if the overallotment is exercised), designated to repay revolving credit borrowings and support general corporate purposes.
Concurrently, Hertz priced a public offering of 37,037,037 borrowed shares at $2.70 per share to facilitate investor hedging transactions. This stock offering is strictly contingent on the notes closing.
HTZ Stock: Critical Levels To WatchThe chart is still decisively bearish: at $2.80, the stock is trading 41.9% below its 20-day SMA ($4.91) and 47.2% below its 200-day SMA ($5.40), which tells you rallies have been failing well before longer-term trend levels. That distance from every major moving average also helps explain why financing-related headlines can hit harder—there’s little technical "support" from trend followers stepping in.
Momentum is extremely stretched, with RSI at 20.61 (oversold), meaning the selling has been intense enough that a bounce can happen even without "good news," but it doesn’t, by itself, signal a durable bottom. From a trend-structure standpoint, the 20-day SMA sitting below the 50-day SMA remains a bearish alignment, even though the 50-day SMA is still above the 200-day SMA (the golden cross that occurred in May).
Key Resistance: $4.76 — near the 20-day EMA, a level the stock would need to reclaim to argue the latest selloff is easing Key Support: $2.95 — the 52-week low zone, now a key line after price slipped below it How Hertz Global Holdings Operates in Vehicle RentalsHertz Global Holdings rents vehicles under the Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty brands, with operations split between Americas RAC and International RAC. Beyond rentals, results can also be influenced by vehicle sales and value-added services tied to its fleet.
That business model is capital-intensive, so the market tends to react quickly to funding structures and anything that could increase hedging activity or near-term share pressure. In this case, the share-lending setup is explicitly designed to facilitate hedges around the notes offering, which can weigh on sentiment when the stock is already in a steep downtrend.
Hertz Benzinga Edge Rankings: Weak Momentum and ValueBelow is the Benzinga Edge scorecard for Hertz Global Holdings, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses compared to the broader market:
Momentum: Bearish (Score: 2.06) — The stock is showing very weak trend strength versus the broader market, lining up with its deep slide below key moving averages. Value: Weak (Score: 29.7) — The score suggests the stock doesn’t screen as a clear value setup right now, even after the large drawdown. The Verdict: Hertz Global Holdings’s Benzinga Edge signal reveals a weak, momentum-challenged profile, with the scorecard aligning with a stock that’s still in a heavy downtrend. For longer-term traders, the setup argues for patience until price can reclaim key moving averages and stabilize above the $2.95 low zone.
HTZ Stock Price Activity on ThursdayHTZ Stock Price Activity: Hertz Global Holdings shares were down 8.33% at $2.75 at the time of publication on Thursday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Image: Shutterstock
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) (“FedEx”) today announced that it has commenced cash tender offers (each, an “Offer” and, collectively, the “Offers”) for the maximum principal amount of validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) notes set forth below (collectively, the “Notes”), such that the aggregate purchase price, not including accrued and unpaid interest, payable in respect of such Notes will not exceed $4.15 billion (the “Offer Cap”). The Offers are being made p.
It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.
Featuring 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, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest 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 ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank 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.
Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +24% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus 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.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.
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: Travelers (TRV - Free Report) Established in 1853 and is based in New York, NY, The Travelers Companies Inc., a holding company, is principally engaged, through its subsidiaries, in providing a wide variety of property and casualty insurance and surety products and services to businesses, organizations and individuals in the United States. and select international markets.
TRV is a #3 (Hold) 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 11.45; value investors should take notice.
Four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.17 to $28.00 per share. TRV boasts an average earnings surprise of +40.4%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, TRV should be on investors' short list.
Influencer Dean Bell highlights how to protect engines for the miles ahead with Chevron with Techron and save at the gas pump with supercharged Chevron Rewards at each fill-up
, /PRNewswire/ -- Chevron U.S.A. Inc., a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX), calls on drivers to gear up for summer with newly reformulated Chevron with Techron, helping them fuel their road trips and protect engines for the long haul.
Gas Pump: Techron® is included in every grade of Chevron gasoline
Engine Fuel: Protect engines for the miles ahead with Chevron with Techron®
Chevron Station: Chevron with next-generation Techron® fuels America’s 250th summer road trips With America's 250th anniversary and summer travel season on the horizon, there's never been a better time to explore iconic destinations, hidden gems and open highways – all while using Chevron with Techron that cleans up to 100 percent of harmful engine deposits left by lower-quality fuels* and is available in every Chevron fuel grade.
Travel and lifestyle influencer Dean Bell is working with Chevron to share his road-trip journey on social channels and inspire others to get out and explore America as part of the celebrations. As he maximizes mileage with Chevron with Techron, he's showing how Chevron Rewards® members can earn rewards with every fill-up to save on gas at participating stations.
Protect engines for the miles ahead with Chevron with Techron
Chevron with Techron isn't just fueling America's vehicles for road trips, it's also helping protect modern and legacy engines during everyday driving. Techron is a gasoline additive designed with advanced engine protection in every drop, helping keep engines healthy over time with continued use. The latest reformulation reflects Chevron's continued investment in fuel quality and scientific testing to help ensure its fuels meet the needs of today's driving conditions. And it's not just for premium-fuel consumers, Techron is included in every grade of Chevron fuel, so no matter the vehicle or the journey ahead, drivers can adventure with confidence.
"Road trips are some of my favorite ways to explore and having fuel that protects my engine matters — especially when I'm spending a lot of time on the road," said Bell. "Chevron with Techron gives me added confidence in my engine's performance every time I hit the road, letting me focus on the adventure and the memories I'm making along the way as we celebrate America's 250th anniversary."
"What better way to celebrate America's 250th anniversary than by taking a classic summer road trip," said Andy Walz, Chevron president of Downstream, Midstream and Chemicals. "Whether heading out to the beach, mountains or amusement parks, drivers can protect their engines and maximize mileage with Chevron with Techron while earning rewards to save at the pump."
Fuel up with Chevron Rewards®
Chevron with Techron delivers the engine-cleaning and protection benefits drivers need to hit the road with confidence, and Chevron Rewards is introducing two new ways to celebrate America's 250th anniversary with savings at the pump. Drivers who join between June 30 and September 30 can unlock $1 off per gallon for up to 5 fill-ups, maximizing savings at every participating station. Sign up at ChevronTexacoRewards.com or through the Chevron app. Additionally, from June 30 to July 5, existing Chevron Rewards members can earn 2,500 points towards rewards on fuel when they fill up with at least eight gallons of Chevron with Techron.
How to fuel up with confidence and savings at Chevron:
Why is Chevron with Techron a smart choice for road trips?
Chevron with Techron cleans up to 100 percent of harmful engine deposits left by lower quality fuels*, helps maximize mileage, and protects engines for the long haul with consistent use. What is Techron?
Techron is a detergent designed for the precision components of modern engines to help keep engines healthy over time with continued use. It is included in every grade of Chevron gasoline, so no matter the vehicle or the journey ahead, drivers can adventure with confidence. What benefits does Chevron with Techron provide?
Techron is included in every grade of Chevron gasoline and cleans up to 100 percent of harmful engine deposits left by lower quality fuels*. It helps maximize mileage and provides advanced engine protection over time with continued use. Is Chevron with Techron just for road trips, or is it beneficial for everyday driving, too?
Chevron with Techron is beneficial for both road trips and everyday driving as it cleans up to 100% of harmful deposits left by lower-quality fuels* and helps protect engines over time with continued use. Is Chevron with Techron only for use in new vehicles?
No, it works great in both old and new vehicles, cleaning up to 100 percent of harmful engine deposits left by lower-quality fuels* and is available in every Chevron fuel grade. How can existing Chevron Rewards members save more this summer?
From June 30 to July 5, existing Rewards members can earn 2,500 points towards rewards on fuel when they fill up with at least 8 gallons of Chevron with Techron at a station participating in Chevron Rewards. That's enough bonus points to redeem as rewards for 50¢-per-gallon in savings on at least 5 future fills. What savings are available for new Chevron Rewards members?
New Chevron Rewards members who join between June 30 and September 30 can save $1 off per gallon for up to 5 fill-ups at participating stations. Sign up at ChevronTexacoRewards.com or through the Chevron app. Are the fuel savings only available for Chevron Rewards members?
Fuel savings are available exclusively for Chevron Rewards, Texaco Rewards®, and ExtraMile Rewards® members! Not a member yet? Sign up at ChevronTexacoRewards.com, extramile.chevrontexacorewards.com, or through the Chevron, Texaco, or ExtraMile apps for these savings as well as ongoing rewards**. * GDI-injector testing based on industry-standard method.
** Chevron Rewards, Texaco Rewards, and ExtraMile Rewards are part of one unified loyalty program. By enrolling in any one of these programs, members can earn points on qualifying fuel and in-store purchases and redeem rewards for fuel discounts across participating Chevron, Texaco, and ExtraMile locations.
All three mobile apps provide the same features and access a single shared account, including the same points and rewards balance. Whether members join through Chevron, Texaco, or ExtraMile, they automatically have full access to earn and redeem rewards across all three brands. Learn more at chevrontexacorewards.com.
About Chevron
Chevron is one of the world's leading integrated energy companies. We believe affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy is essential to enabling human progress. Chevron produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance our business and the industry. We aim to grow our oil and gas business, lower the carbon intensity of operations, and grow new energies businesses. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.
While the S&P 500 is up 9.3% since the start of 2026, Chevron (CVX +0.01%) stock has outpaced the index, soaring 14.5% as of this writing. Even with the strong performance, shares of the oil supermajor still offer investors a forward dividend yield of more than 4%.
But is it too late for those with Chevron stock on their watch lists to power their portfolios with its shares? Let's take a closer look at what's driven the stock's performance and if it's worth starting a position.
Image source: Getty Images.
The rise in energy prices is just one factor affecting Chevron stock Given the strong correlation between energy prices and energy stocks, it's unsurprising that Chevron stock has climbed this year. As the war in Iran escalated and the Strait of Hormuz closed, energy prices rocketed higher. As of this writing, the price of a barrel of benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude oil has soared more than 48% since the start of 2026.
While some energy companies have suffered since the conflict began, Chevron has remained unscathed due to its limited operations in the region. Management, for example, stated on the company's first-quarter 2026 conference call that less than 5% of Chevron's production occurs in the region, and it reaffirmed its 2026 production forecast of 7% to 10% year-over-year growth.
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Is it too late to power your portfolio with Chevron stock? Despite the stock's recent rise, investors have a great opportunity to fortify their passive income streams with Chevron stock now. Having hiked its dividend for 39 consecutive years, Chevron has maintained a corporate culture of rewarding shareholders and maintaining the company's financial health. Over the past five years, the company has averaged a 64% payout ratio.
With Chevron continuing to integrate its acquisition of Hess -- including its assets in Guyana and the Bakken shale -- it is well positioned for growth in its upstream business as it also pursues organic growth in the Permian Basin and Gulf of Mexico.
Trading at 11.9 times forward earnings, Chevron stock is a solid pick from the oil patch right now.
Scott Levine has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Chevron. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The recommendations of Wall Street analysts are often relied on by investors when deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock. Media reports about these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts changing their ratings often affect a stock's price. Do they really matter, though?
Before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage, let's see what these Wall Street heavyweights think about Phillips 66 (PSX - Free Report) .
Phillips 66 currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.93, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 21 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.93 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy.
Of the 21 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 11 are Strong Buy and two are Buy. Strong Buy and Buy respectively account for 52.4% and 9.5% of all recommendations.
Brokerage Recommendation Trends for PSX
Check price target & stock forecast for Phillips 66 here>>>
The ABR suggests buying Phillips 66, but making an investment decision solely on the basis of this information might not be a good idea. According to several studies, brokerage recommendations have little to no success guiding investors to choose stocks with the most potential for price appreciation.
Do you wonder why? As a result of the vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover, their analysts tend to rate it with a strong positive bias. According to our research, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" recommendation.
This means that the interests of these institutions are not always aligned with those of retail investors, giving little insight into the direction of a stock's future price movement. It would therefore be best to use this information to validate your own analysis or a tool that has proven to be highly effective at predicting stock price movements.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, which classifies stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), is a reliable indicator of a stock's near-term price performance. So, validating the Zacks Rank with ABR could go a long way in making a profitable investment decision.
Zacks Rank Should Not Be Confused With ABRAlthough 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.
Analysts employed by brokerage firms have been and continue to be overly optimistic with their recommendations. Since the ratings issued by these analysts are more favorable than their research would support because of the vested interest of their employers, they mislead investors far more often than they guide.
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.
There is also a key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank when it comes to freshness. When you look at the ABR, it may not be up-to-date. Nonetheless, since brokerage analysts constantly revise their earnings estimates to reflect changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in predicting future stock prices.
Should You Invest in PSX?Looking at the earnings estimate revisions for Phillips 66, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 3.4% over the past month to $18.22.
Analysts' growing optimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to soar in the near term.
The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for Phillips 66. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>
Therefore, the Buy-equivalent ABR for Phillips 66 may serve as a useful guide for investors.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of The Gap Inc. ("Gap" or the "Company") (NYSE: GAP). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.
The investigation concerns whether Gap and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On May 28, 2026, Gap reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2026, including revenue of $3.5 billion, which represented an increase of only 1% year-over-year and fell short of analyst expectations. The results fell short across key segments, including Old Navy and Athleta, and prompted management to cut 2026 full-year net sales guidance.
On this news, Gap's stock price fell $3.85 per share, or 15.4%, to close at $21.15 per share on May 29, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL | CCL Price Prediction) just delivered its twelfth consecutive quarter of record net yields, yet the stock sold off after Q2 results landed. That dislocation is the setup for our call.
Our 24/7 Wall St. price target for Carnival is $37.74 over the next 12 months, implying 31.41% upside from a current price of $28.72. The recommendation is buy, with confidence at 90%, the high end of our framework.
Metric Value Current Price $28.72 24/7 Wall St. Price Target $37.74 Upside 31.41% Recommendation BUY Confidence Level 90% A Record Quarter, Punished by a Soft Guide CCL is up 20.75% over the past year but down 4.95% year to date, and shares fell 4.87% on Q2 results. Carnival posted adjusted EPS of $0.41 against $0.35 a year ago and revenue of $6.663B, beating its own March guidance by $100M. Customer deposits hit a record $9B, and 2026 is 93% booked.
The sell-off traced to a Q3 outlook that came in below estimates on roughly 30% higher fuel prices and a $73M currency headwind. CEO Josh Weinstein told investors that “recent booking trends already suggest that we are beginning to see a reversal of these headwinds.”
Why Bulls See a Breakout Ahead The bull case rests on demand that refuses to crack. Weinstein flagged that “booking volumes and prices” for 2027 sailings are running ahead of last year. The PROPEL plan targets >16% ROIC, >50% adjusted EPS growth from 2025 by 2029, and roughly $14B in shareholder distributions.
A $2.5B buyback is underway, and Fitch awarded investment grade. Bureau of Economic Analysis data shows recreation spending at a 16-month high of $864.2B. Freedom Broker carries a $35 target on a “rare” mix of record demand and disciplined supply. A bull case run takes shares to $42.91, a 49.41% return.
The Risks Worth Watching Bears point to $24.9B in total debt, unhedged fuel exposure, and Mediterranean booking softness from Middle East tensions. Truist recently trimmed its price objective, and Q2 gross profit fell 29.81% YoY.
Bulls would counter that GAAP weakness reflects the fuel spike and FX, while adjusted net income still rose 20% and net debt to EBITDA improved to 3.4x. If macro softens, our bear case lands at $32.72, still 13.92% above today.
Carnival Price Prediction 2026 to 2030 Our 24/7 Wall St. price target of $37.74 reflects a buy rating at 90% confidence. The deciding factor is the $9B deposit book paired with 12x forward earnings. The thesis strengthens if fuel prices stabilize and 2027 booking momentum persists. It weakens if the Mediterranean disruption deepens and debt service crowds out buybacks.
Looking further out, here is where our model projects CCL could trade if base case growth holds.
Year 24/7 Wall St. Price Target 2026 $37.74 2027 $44.11 2028 $51.57 2029 $60.27 2030 $70.45 These projections assume Carnival continues hitting PROPEL targets. Material upside or downside could come from oil price shocks, recession risk, or accelerated deleveraging.
New Firmware Brings Professional-Grade 10-Bit Color with GP-Log, Increased 200Mbps Bitrate Recording, and Enhanced Low-Light Controls to GoPro's 360 Camera SAN MATEO, Calif., June 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GoPro, Inc. (NASDAQ: GPRO) today announced a significant new firmware update for its multi award-winning MAX2 360 camera that delivers a suite of professional image quality improvements and expanded creative controls.
Key Takeaways Agnico Eagle is progressing Odyssey, Hope Bay and Upper Beaver to support future growth.Barrick is advancing Goldrush, Fourmile and Lumwana projects to expand gold and copper output.Agnico Eagle and Barrick generated strong cash flows while returning capital to shareholders. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM - Free Report) and Barrick Mining Corporation (B - Free Report) are two leading players in the gold mining space with global operations and diversified portfolios. While gold prices have experienced a significant downward correction after reaching peak levels in January 2026, they remain at supportive levels. Against this backdrop, comparing the two industry giants is particularly relevant for investors seeking exposure to the precious metals sector.
Heightened geopolitical tensions, a weaker U.S. dollar, tariff-related concerns and concerns surrounding the Federal Reserve’s independence had driven bullion to a record high of nearly $5,600 per ounce in late January. Since then, gold pulled back sharply due to inflation concerns triggered by a surge in crude oil prices amid Middle East tensions, with prices falling to $4,500 per ounce around the end of May.
Bullion continues to retreat this month, with prices slipping below $4,000 per ounce to a near eight-month low lately on rising rate hike expectations and a strengthening greenback despite reduced inflation concerns following the interim agreement between the United States and Iran. Meanwhile, the Fed held interest rates steady in the latest policy meeting, but signaled a potential rate increase before the year's end. Despite the significant pullback, bullion is still up around 20% year over year.
Let’s dive deep and closely compare the fundamentals of these two Canada-based gold miners to determine which one is a better investment now.
The Case for Agnico EagleAgnico Eagle is focused on executing projects that are expected to provide additional growth in production and cash flows. It is advancing its key value drivers and pipeline projects, including the Odyssey project in the Canadian Malartic Complex, Detour Lake, Hope Bay, Upper Beaver and San Nicolas.
The Hope Bay Project, with proven and probable mineral reserves of 3.4 million ounces, is expected to play a significant role in generating cash flow in the years to come. AEM advanced site preparations for a potential project redevelopment in the first quarter of 2026. At Canadian Malartic, Agnico Eagle is advancing the transition to underground mining with the construction of the Odyssey mine and executing other opportunities to beef up annual production. Production from East Gouldie commenced from the ramp in the first quarter.
Drilling at the Marban deposit, added through the acquisition of O3 Mining, focuses on mineral reserve and mineral resource expansion. AEM also continued to work on a feasibility study at San Nicolas. At Detour Lake, AEM advanced the development of the exploration ramp during the first quarter. Development activities also advanced at Upper Beaver, which has the potential to produce 200,000-225,000 ounces of gold and 3,600 tons of copper annually.
AEM has a robust liquidity position and generates substantial cash flows, which enable it to maintain a strong exploration budget, finance a strong pipeline of growth projects, pay down debt and drive shareholder value. Its operating cash flow for full-year 2025 was a record $6.8 billion, driven by operational efficiencies. Operating cash flow was roughly $1.3 billion in the first quarter, up around 29% from the year-ago quarter.
AEM’s first-quarter free cash flow climbed 23% year over year to roughly $732 million. The upside was backed by the strength in gold prices and robust operational results. The company remains focused on paying down debt using excess cash, with total long-term debt reducing by roughly $950 million in 2025.
The company had a long-term debt of $197 million at the end of the first quarter. It ended the quarter with a significant net cash position of roughly $2.9 billion, driven by an increase in cash. Agnico Eagle's long-term debt-to-capitalization is just around 1.1%, lower than Barrick’s 11.3%.
AEM also returned around $1.4 billion to its shareholders in 2025 and $375 million in the first quarter through dividends and share buybacks. It raised the quarterly dividend by 12.5% to 45 cents per share. AEM offers a dividend yield of 1.1% at the current stock price. It has a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of 2.7%. AEM has a payout ratio of 18%.
Agnico Eagle remains exposed to higher production costs. Its all-in-sustaining costs (AISC) — a critical cost metric for miners — were $1,483 per ounce in the first quarter, marking a roughly 26% year-over-year rise, impacted by higher total cash costs and an uptick in sustaining capital expenditures. Total cash costs per ounce for gold were $1,093, 22% higher than $895 a year ago. Total cash costs rose due to increased royalty costs and lower production. AEM forecasts total cash costs per ounce in the range of $1,020 to $1,120 and AISC per ounce between $1,400 and $1,550 for 2026, suggesting a year-over-year increase at the midpoint of the respective ranges.
The Case for BarrickBarrick is well-positioned to capitalize on advancements across its key growth projects, which are expected to meaningfully boost production. Its major gold and copper initiatives, including Goldrush, the Pueblo Viejo plant expansion and mine life extension, Fourmile and Lumwana Super Pit, are progressing on schedule and within budget, setting the stage for the next wave of profitable output.
The Goldrush mine is ramping up to the targeted 400,000 ounces of production per annum by 2028. Bordering Goldrush is the Fourmile project, which is yielding grades double those of Goldrush and is anticipated to become another Tier One mine. Barrick has announced the advancement of its planned IPO (expected to be completed by the end of 2026) of a new company that will hold its North American gold assets and the Fourmile project, in which it will hold a significant controlling interest.
The $2-billion Super Pit Expansion Project at Barrick’s Lumwana mine is progressing steadily, accelerating its shift into a Tier One copper mine. Barrick stated that the Lumwana expansion is the result of a significant turnaround, transforming the mine from an underperforming asset into a vital part of both its global copper portfolio and Zambia’s long-term development strategy. The expansion is expected to produce 240,000 tons of copper annually.
Barrick has a solid liquidity position and generates healthy cash flows, positioning it well to take advantage of attractive development, exploration and acquisition opportunities, drive shareholder value and reduce debt. At the end of the first quarter of 2026, Barrick’s cash and cash equivalents were around $7.1 billion. It generated strong operating cash flows of roughly $2.6 billion in the quarter, up 111% year over year. Attributable free cash flow shot up 195% year over year to around $1.2 billion.
Barrick returned $2.4 billion to its shareholders in 2025 through dividends and repurchases. It repurchased shares worth $1.5 billion last year. The company’s board authorized a new $3 billion share buyback program. Its new dividend policy targets a total payout of 50% of attributable free cash flow on an annualized basis.
Barrick offers a dividend yield of 1.8% at the current stock price. Its payout ratio is 55%, with a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of roughly 13.4%.
Barrick, however, is challenged by higher costs, which may weigh on its margins. It saw an 8% sequential increase in AISC in the first quarter, reaching $1,708 per ounce. For 2026, Barrick projects AISC in the range of $1,760-$1,950 per ounce, indicating a significant year-over-year increase at the midpoint compared with $1,637 in 2025. Cash costs per ounce are forecast to be $1,330-$1,470, up from $1,199 in 2025.
AEM & B: Price Performance, Valuation & Other ComparisonsAEM stock has gained 24.7% in the past year, while B stock has rallied 72% compared with the Zacks Mining – Gold industry’s increase of 41.7%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The AEM stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 11.54. This represents a roughly 21.7% premium when stacked up with the industry average of 9.48X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Barrick is currently trading at a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 9, below the industry and AEM.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AEM’s return on equity of 21.1% is higher than B’s 14.8%. This reflects Agnico Eagle’s efficient use of shareholder funds in generating profits.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
How Does Zacks Consensus Estimate Compare for AEM & B?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AEM’s 2026 sales and EPS implies year-over-year growth of 39.9% and 59.4%, respectively. The EPS estimates for 2026 have been trending northward over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The consensus estimate for B’s 2026 sales and EPS implies a year-over-year rise of 22.3% and 56.2%, respectively. The EPS estimates for 2026 have been trending higher over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AEM or B: Which Is the Better Pick Now?Both AEM and B currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) each, so picking one stock is not easy. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Both Agnico Eagle and Barrick have a strong pipeline of development projects, solid financial health and strong earnings growth prospects, and are seeing favorable estimate revisions. Higher realized gold prices are also expected to drive their margins and cash flows. AEM's higher growth projections and superior return on equity suggest that it may offer better investment prospects in the current market environment. AEM’s lower leverage also indicates lesser financial risks. Investors seeking exposure to the gold space might consider Agnico Eagle as the more favorable option at this time.
SummaryKinross Gold remains a strong buy, with a healthy balance sheet, robust free cash flow, and a significant long-term project pipeline supporting undervaluation.KGC maintains stable production and CapEx guidance through 2028, with growth projects like Great Bear and Lobo-Marte poised to drive upside afterwards and into the 2030s.Free cash flow generation is strong, with $837.5M in Q1 and a commitment to return ~40% of FCF to shareholders via buybacks and dividends.Valuation implies a solid margin of safety even when assuming much lower gold prices, with intrinsic value estimated above current levels even under conservative gold price assumptions. adventtr/iStock via Getty Images
Introduction The last time I covered Kinross Gold (KGC), I reiterated their Strong Buy rating, highlighting how “Gold’s Pullback Is A Gift For Long-Term Investors,” arguing for the case of a long-term re-rating both for gold
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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of KGC, AGI 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.
BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) today announced the final 26 recipients of its Hometown Grants program, marking a major milestone for the initiative. Since launching in April 2021, T-Mobile has invested more than $22.8 million to help fund 500 community development projects in small towns and rural communities across 49 states and Puerto Rico. Since its launch, Hometown Grants has positively impacted 4.2 million people, helped create more than 2,770 jobs, and inspired.
Key Takeaways Dow will invest about $100 million through 2027 to expand specialty silicones manufacturing.LSR expansions in Kentucky and China are set for 2027 to support rising demand and resilience.New electronics materials capacity in China and Japan comes online this year, with more due in 2027. Dow Inc. (DOW - Free Report) has announced a series of targeted investments totaling approximately $100 million through 2027 to strengthen its global specialty silicones manufacturing and innovation. The initiative aims to support rising demand in fast-growing sectors such as mobility, electronics, and healthcare while enhancing supply chain resilience globally.
The investment plan includes expanding liquid silicone rubber (LSR) production facilities in Carrollton, KY, and Zhangjiagang, China, with operations expected to begin in 2027. Dow is also increasing capacity for engineered silicone materials used in advanced electronics applications such as semiconductor packaging, thermal and electrical protection. New expansions in Songjiang, China, and Fukui, Japan, are scheduled to come online this year, while additional projects in Auburn, MI, and Zhangjiagang are planned for 2027.
To support customer innovation, Dow has expanded its Cooling Science Labs in Shanghai and Midland, MI. These facilities will support the development of next-generation thermal management technologies.
This initiative will complete the silicones investment series first disclosed during Dow’s 2024 Investor Day. As the world’s largest integrated silicones producer, Dow continues to position itself to meet growing global demand through strategic manufacturing expansion and customer-focused innovation.
DOW shares have gained 8.3% over the past year compared with the industry’s 2.3% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
DOW’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks
DOW currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Some other top-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials space are Nucor Corporation (NUE - Free Report) , Newmont Corporation (NEM - Free Report) and Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (ASM - Free Report) .
While NUE and NEM sport a Zacks Rank #1 each at present, ASM carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NUE’s 2026 earnings is pinned at $16.34 per share, indicating a 111.93% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters and missed the remaining two, with an average surprise of 8.10%. NUE’s shares have jumped 84.2% over the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NEM’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $9.91 per share, indicating a rise of 43.83% year over year. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. NEM’sshares have gained 58.8% over the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ASM’s current fiscal-year earnings is pinned at 34 cents per share, indicating a 17.24% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average surprise of 125%.
The agricultural technology (AgTech) and food innovation industry is moving beyond a traditional production story and becoming a broader efficiency-and-resilience theme. With food systems facing pressure from weather uncertainty, supply chain complexity and the need to produce more with fewer resources, companies are increasingly turning to advanced tools, improved inputs and smarter formulation strategies.
One important shift is the growing use of science and data across the farm-to-food chain. Precision agriculture, crop analytics, automation and biotechnology are helping producers make better decisions on planting, crop protection and resource use. These tools are becoming more relevant as growers look to manage costs while protecting yields.
Food companies are also responding to a more selective consumer base. Health awareness, label transparency, convenience and sustainability are influencing purchasing decisions, encouraging manufacturers to invest in better ingredients, reformulated products and plant-based options. Ingredion Incorporated (INGR - Free Report) connects to this theme through its specialty ingredient and plant-based solutions used in modern food formulation.
The opportunity is not limited to packaged food innovation. It also extends to improving crop output at the field level. Corteva, Inc. (CTVA - Free Report) brings exposure to this side of the theme through its seed and crop protection portfolio, along with digital tools designed to support farm productivity.
For investors, AgTech and food innovation offer exposure to essential demand and the ongoing modernization of agriculture and food production. While weather, commodity prices, regulations and adoption trends remain key risks, companies focused on efficiency, sustainability and productivity could benefit over time. The AgTech & Food Innovation Screen includes companies across the food and agriculture value chain, such as Bunge Global SA (BG - Free Report) , Deere & Company (DE - Free Report) and Nutrien Ltd. (NTR - Free Report) .
Explore 37 cutting-edge investment themes with Zacks Thematic Investing Screens and discover your next big opportunity.
3 AgTech & Food Innovation Stocks in FocusAs food and agriculture evolve toward cleaner ingredients, stronger supply chains and more sustainable production, Bunge Global SA is playing a broader role in the AgTech and food innovation space. The Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company’s global network in oilseeds, grains, processing and ingredients gives it a strong platform to connect farmers, food manufacturers and end markets. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
BG’s innovation efforts are especially visible in plant-based proteins and specialty ingredients. Its acquisition of IFF’s soy protein concentrate, lecithin and soy processing businesses added recognized ingredient brands such as Response, Alpha, Procon and Solec, expanding its ability to serve food customers across bakery, snacks, confectionery, meat and alternative-protein applications.
Bunge is also benefiting from its expanded global footprint following the Viterra combination, which strengthens origination, processing and merchandising capabilities across key agricultural markets. This larger network supports supply-chain flexibility and helps Bunge respond to changing demand for food, feed and renewable fuel inputs. With exposure to plant-based ingredients, specialty oils, oilseed processing and global agricultural flows, the company remains closely tied to long-term trends in food innovation, efficiency and sustainable agriculture.
Deere & Company continues to strengthen its position as a leader in precision agriculture by combining advanced machinery with digital technologies. DE’s innovation strategy is centered on helping farmers improve productivity, reduce input costs and make better decisions throughout the crop cycle.
Deere has expanded its precision agriculture portfolio with solutions spanning planting, spraying and harvesting. Its See & Spray technology uses computer vision and artificial intelligence to target weeds, while See & Scout generates agronomic insights such as weed pressure and stand count maps. The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company has also introduced ExactShot, ExactDepth, FurrowVision and enhanced 8R and 8RX tractors, all designed to optimize seed placement, fertilizer application and field efficiency.
Beyond equipment, Deere is building a connected digital ecosystem through the John Deere Operations Center, Precision Essentials and JDLink Boost, supported by its partnership with Starlink to improve farm connectivity in remote areas. These technologies enable data-driven farm management while expanding Deere's recurring digital services, reinforcing its long-term role in advancing smart and sustainable agriculture.
Innovation in agriculture extends beyond advanced machinery to include smarter crop nutrition, digital tools and data-driven agronomy. Nutrien Ltd. is strengthening its position in this space through proprietary crop inputs, digital agriculture platforms and an integrated retail network that supports growers throughout the crop cycle.
The Zacks Rank #3 company’s strategy centers on expanding its proprietary products portfolio, launching new crop input solutions and improving the quality of its retail network. Nutrien is also using tuck-in acquisitions and network optimization projects to deepen its presence in key farming regions. Its low-cost potash and nitrogen assets further support a reliable nutrient supply, giving the company an important role in helping farmers manage input availability and crop productivity.
Through Nutrien Ag Solutions, the company offers tools such as ESN Smart Nitrogen, Loveland Products crop protection solutions and the Echelon digital platform for precision agronomy, field mapping and data-based recommendations. These offerings help growers make more informed decisions, improve input efficiency and support yield potential. With its mix of crop nutrients, proprietary products, agronomic services and digital capabilities, NTR is well aligned with the broader shift toward smarter, more efficient and more sustainable farming practices.
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Reese's Puffs cereal, the beloved brand with deep ties to music, entertainment and fan-fueled moments, is taking the mic to announce a new partnership with multi-platinum powerhouse GloRilla. With her signature sound, GloRilla is bringing after hours energy and a bold vibe to a remix of the Reese's Puffs iconic “Eat 'Em Up” rap, dropping at midnight on June 26, via CMG/Interscope Records. Since hitting the airwaves in 2009, the rap has become one of the most recogn.
SummaryTeradata offers a compelling value play versus Snowflake, combining profitability, disciplined spending, and robust AI capabilities for regulated, cost-sensitive enterprise clients.TDC’s AI Factory enables cost-effective AI deployment by minimizing token and data migration costs, appealing to clients with complex, hybrid, or on-premise data needs.Despite slower revenue growth than SNOW, TDC boasts expanding margins, growing recurring revenues, and a low P/E, supporting a moderate target price of $35.5.TDC’s strong free cash flow, prudent capital allocation, and cash-rich balance sheet position it defensively amid potential Fed tightening and AI infrastructure spending risks. J Studios/DigitalVision via Getty Images
With most of the talk currently about AI's agentic capabilities or autonomous software agents that can do all sorts of tasks, it is important not to ignore the cost factor because LLMs (large language models) are expensive
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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
This is an investment thesis and is intended for informational purposes. Investors are kindly requested to do additional research before investing.
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.
BENSALEM, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces an investigation on behalf of First Solar, Inc. (“First Solar” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: FSLR) investors concerning the Company's possible violations of federal securities laws.IF YOU ARE AN INVESTOR WHO SUFFERED A LOSS IN FIRST SOLAR, INC. (FSLR), CONTACT THE LAW OFFICES OF HOWARD G. SMITH ABOUT POTENTIALLY PURSUING CLAIMS TO RECOVER YOUR LOSS.Contact the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith to discuss your legal rights by emai.
Enbridge (ENB - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Over the past month, shares of this oil and natural gas transportation and power transmission company have returned -1.5%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.4% change. During this period, the Zacks Oil and Gas - Production and Pipelines industry, which Enbridge falls in, has lost 3.9%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?
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.
We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
Enbridge is expected to post earnings of $0.44 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -6.4%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -1.7%.
The consensus earnings estimate of $2.18 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +0.9%. This estimate has changed -0.3% over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $2.39 indicates a change of +9.8% from what Enbridge is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.7%.
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 Enbridge.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue GrowthWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.
For Enbridge, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $11.22 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +4.4%. For the current and next fiscal years, $51.3 billion and $49.37 billion estimates indicate +10.1% and -3.8% changes, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryEnbridge reported revenues of $16.3 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +26.5%. EPS of $0.71 for the same period compares with $0.72 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.82 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +27.09%. The EPS surprise was +2.9%.
Over the last four quarters, Enbridge 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.
While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.
As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Enbridge 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 Enbridge. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Realty Income Corp. (O - 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 real estate investment trust have returned -0.3% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.4% change. The Zacks REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry, to which Realty Income Corp. belongs, has gained 3.5% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.
Earnings Estimate RevisionsRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, Realty Income Corp. is expected to post earnings of $1.09 per share, indicating a change of +3.8% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -0.2% over the last 30 days.
The consensus earnings estimate of $4.45 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +4%. This estimate has changed +0.2% over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $4.59 indicates a change of +3.2% from what Realty Income Corp. is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.2%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Realty Income Corp..
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue GrowthEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.
In the case of Realty Income Corp., the consensus sales estimate of $1.54 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +9.1%. The $6.27 billion and $6.75 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +9% and +7.8%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryRealty Income Corp. reported revenues of $1.55 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +12.2%. EPS of $0.33 for the same period compares with $1.06 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.5 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +3.36%. The EPS surprise was +2.73%.
Over the last four quarters, Realty Income Corp. surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.
ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.
While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Realty Income Corp. 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 Realty Income Corp.. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Airbnb, Inc. (ABNB - 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 company have returned +9.3% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.4% change. The Zacks Leisure and Recreation Services industry, to which Airbnb belongs, has gained 15% 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.
We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
Airbnb is expected to post earnings of $1.19 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +15.5%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $4.91 points to a change of +21.8% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has remained unchanged.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $5.77 indicates a change of +17.5% from what Airbnb is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has remained unchanged.
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 Airbnb.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue GrowthWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.
In the case of Airbnb, the consensus sales estimate of $3.58 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +15.7%. The $13.97 billion and $15.43 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +14.2% and +10.4%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryAirbnb reported revenues of $2.68 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +17.9%. EPS of $0.26 for the same period compares with $0.24 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.62 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +2.16%. The EPS surprise was -16.13%.
Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed EPS estimates just once. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.
ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Airbnb is graded D on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Airbnb. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Key Takeaways Lower crude prices eased inflation worries, lifting the appeal of value stocks with stable cash flows.Nexa Resources, Avnet, StoneCo and USANA Health qualified for the screen on low P/CF and value metrics.Projected sales and EPS growth support the case for all four stocks, despite mixed one-year share moves. U.S. equity markets ended on a mixed note yesterday. The Nasdaq Composite Index declined 0.43% to close at 25,476.64, while the S&P 500 edged 0.10% lower to 7,358.22. In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average outperformed, rising 182.06 points, or 0.35%, to finish at 51,848.90.
Market sentiment improved as crude oil prices fell sharply, easing concerns over supply disruptions amid expectations that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would normalize. The decline in oil also helped ease inflation worries, providing support to broader equity markets.
Against this backdrop, value stocks could become increasingly attractive for long-term investors. Companies with stable cash flows, disciplined cost structures and reasonable valuations are generally better positioned to benefit from improving sentiment and easing macroeconomic pressures.
When evaluating value stocks, one of the most effective valuation metrics is the Price to Cash Flow (P/CF) ratio. This metric measures the market price of a stock relative to the cash flow the company generates on a per-share basis. A lower P/CF ratio indicates that the stock is trading at a better value, offering strong cash generation potential relative to its price. Here are four companies — Nexa Resources S.A. (NEXA - Free Report) , Avnet, Inc. (AVT - Free Report) , StoneCo Ltd. (STNE - Free Report) and USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (USNA - Free Report) — that boast a low P/CF ratio.
Price to Cash Flow Reveals Financial HealthQuestions may arise as to why we are considering the P/CF valuation metric when the most widely used metric is Price/Earnings (or P/E). Well, what makes P/CF stand out is that operating cash flow adds back non-cash charges such as depreciation and amortization to net income, reflecting a company's financial health.
Analysts caution that a company’s earnings are subject to accounting estimates and management manipulation. However, cash flow is reliable. It is net cash flow that reveals how much money a company is actually generating and how effectively management is putting the same to use.
A positive cash flow indicates an increase in the company’s liquid assets. This gives the company the means to settle debt, shell out for its expenses, reinvest in its business, endure downturns and finally pay back its shareholders. Then again, a negative cash flow implies a decline in the company’s liquidity, which lowers its flexibility to support these moves.
What’s the Best Value Investing Strategy?An investment decision solely based on the P/CF metric may not fetch the desired results. To identify stocks that are trading at a discount, you should expand your search criteria and also consider the price-to-book ratio, price-to-earnings ratio and price-to-sales ratio. Adding a favorable Zacks Rank and a Value Score of A or B to your search criteria should lead to even better results as these eliminate the chance of falling into a value trap.
Here are the parameters for selecting true-value stocks:
P/CF less than or equal to X-Industry Median.
Price greater than or equal to 5: The stocks must all be trading at a minimum of $5 or higher.
Average 20-Day Volume greater than 100,000: A substantial trading volume ensures that the stock is easily tradable.
P/E using (F1) less than or equal to X-Industry Median: This parameter shortlists stocks that are trading at a discount or are equal to their peers.
P/B less than or equal to X-Industry Median: A lower P/B compared with the industry average implies that there is enough room for the stock to gain.
P/S less than or equal to X-Industry Median: The P/S ratio determines how a stock price compares to the company’s sales — the lower the ratio, the more attractive the stock is.
PEG less than 1: The ratio is used to determine a stock's value by taking the company's earnings growth into account. The PEG ratio portrays a more complete picture than the P/E ratio. A value of less than 1 indicates that the stock is undervalued and that investors need to pay less for a stock that has robust earnings growth prospects.
Zacks Rank less than or equal to 2: Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) stocks are known to outperform irrespective of the market environment.
Value Score of less than or equal to B: Our research shows that stocks with a Style Score of A or B, when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 or 2, offer the best upside potential.
Here are four of the 15 value stocks that qualified the screening:
Nexa Resources, a large-scale, low-cost, integrated polymetallic producer, sports a Zacks Rank #1. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 59.9%, on average. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Nexa Resources’ current financial-year sales and EPS implies growth of 14.6% and 230.6%, respectively, from the year-ago period. NEXA has a Value Score of A. Shares of NEXA have soared 158.1% over the past year.
Avnet, a leading global technology distributor and solutions provider, carries a Zacks Rank #2. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 9.5%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Avnet’s current financial-year sales and EPS indicates growth of 20.7% and 48.8%, respectively, from the year-ago period. AVT has a Value Score of B. Shares of AVT have surged 67.4% over the past year.
Stone, a leading provider of financial technology solutions, carries a Zacks Rank #2. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 3.1%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Stone’s current financial-year sales and EPS indicates growth of 10.3% and 42.6%, respectively, from the year-ago period. STNE has a Value Score of A. Shares of STNE have fallen 27.7% over the past year.
USANA Health, which develops and manufactures high-quality nutritional supplements, functional foods and personal care products, carries a Zacks Rank #2. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 30.5%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for USANA Health’s current financial-year sales and EPS calls for growth of 2.1% and 9.8%, respectively, from the year-ago period. USNA has a Value Score of A. Shares of USNA have declined 35.5% over the past year.
Listen to the audio version of this article (generated by AI).
Editor’s Note: The best technology investments I’ve ever seen have one thing in common: they weren’t obvious at the time.
Joe Austin has spent 40 years developing a nose for exactly those opportunities — the infrastructure companies, the component makers, the “picks and shovels” plays that make a megatrend physically possible and get overlooked while everyone chases the headline names.
Today he makes the case that AI has a whole layer of those companies hiding in plain sight. He opens with a NASCAR story that I bet you’ll still be thinking about by the time you get to his investment thesis.
He and Marc Chaikin shared the full picture earlier this week during a special free broadcast. Click here to watch the replay.
Here’s Joe…
Denny Hamlin was ready to clinch his first NASCAR championship. But it all fell apart because of a piece of tape.
Hamlin was considered one of the best drivers of his generation, but the title had always eluded him.
In 2019, he was NASCAR’s comeback kid. He’d already won six times that season — including the iconic Daytona 500. The championship all came down to a cool November night at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The day started well. Qualifying had been canceled due to bad weather, which gave Hamlin the pole position based on his points standing. In the first two stages, he finished fifth. By the third stage, things were looking up — he was running second, posting quicker lap times than his teammate Kyle Busch, who led the race.
Then, with 58 laps to go, crew chief Chris Gabehart made a fateful call. He brought Hamlin in for an early pit stop and had the crew slap a big piece of black tape on the front grille.
The idea was sound, in theory. In NASCAR, crews routinely tape grilles to gain a competitive edge. Normally, air enters the grille and bounces around the engine, creating drag. Tape restricts that airflow, forcing it to flow smoothly over the car instead. More speed, more downforce, better grip.
But tape also restricts cooling.
NASCAR engines run at around 290 degrees Fahrenheit — about 90 degrees hotter than a typical road car. The margin for error is razor-thin. In Hamlin’s case, the tape backfired immediately. Temperature gauges maxed out. Steam started spewing from the engine. Engine failure seemed imminent.
Gabehart had to call Hamlin back to the pit after just 12 laps. He finished 10th — dead last among the four championship contenders. Kyle Busch won both the race and the title.
Excessive heat isn’t just a NASCAR problem. Data centers running AI chips face the exact same dilemma.
And for investors, it represents one of the most overlooked opportunities in the entire AI boom.
The Physics Problem That Makes ‘Behind the Scenes’ Companies Essential AI chips need massive amounts of power to train models and run computations. More power means more heat. And if you can’t cool the chips fast enough, performance crashes, or the hardware fails entirely.
Inside a data center are long rows of computer racks — tall cabinets stacked with servers. A typical AI data center contains hundreds or even thousands of them. Nvidia Corp.’s (NVDA) next-generation Vera Rubin chip uses 120 to 130 kilowatts per rack. That’s the annual electricity consumption of about 100 U.S. homes — per rack.
Bigger versions of the Rubin chip will use five times that much power.
That creates an unavoidable physics problem. More power means more heat, in a nearly one-to-one relationship. And delivering this much electricity requires completely rethinking how power gets moved through a building.
Think of it like water through a hose. You can deliver the same volume using high pressure through a small hose or low pressure through a massive one. Electrical power works the same way — high voltage with low current, or low voltage with high current. High current dangerously overheats cables. Traditional power systems can’t handle it.
Engineers solved this by raising the voltage. The industry has shifted to 800-volt power systems, which deliver the same power with far less current and far less heat.
But operating at 800 volts requires power chips made from entirely different materials. Materials that only a handful of companies know how to produce.
This is the bigger point about investing in a megatrend like AI.
The AI technology itself gets all the media attention. Nvidia, Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR): Everyone knows those names.
But an entirely different set of companies — the ones making the components, materials, and systems that let AI physically function — are just as essential. And far less picked over.
No matter which big-name AI company is building the next data center, the “behind the scenes” businesses making it all run are going to get paid. The question is whether you own any of them.
A New Tool Built to Find the Next Generation of Winners I’ve spent 40 years on Wall Street learning to look one step behind the obvious story. The internet boom made millionaires out of people who bought Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) and Intel Corp. (INTC), not just Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) and eBay Inc. (EBAY). The shale revolution enriched investors in fracking equipment and pipeline infrastructure, not just oil producers.
The AI boom is setting up the same way. And the challenge — as always — is finding the right “behind the scenes” stocks before the crowd does.
That’s exactly what Marc Chaikin and I built the Time Machine to do.
The Time Machine is Chaikin Analytics’ first-ever AI-powered platform, and we just unveiled it for the first time during a special free broadcast. It works by scanning decades of market history to find stocks today whose fundamental and technical fingerprints match the early profiles of proven multi-bagger winners — stocks like Nvidia, Amazon, and Meta Platforms Inc. (META), right before their biggest moves.
In backtesting, it surfaced stocks that went on to deliver gains of 995%, 1,406%, and 3,804% — all while the “seed” stocks they were matched against posted far more modest returns.
The picks-and-shovels AI companies — the power chip makers, the cooling system specialists, the infrastructure suppliers — are exactly the kind of stocks the Time Machine is designed to surface.
Enter any ticker and see how it stacks up against the greatest stock market winners in history.
Charter membership spots are limited. Click here to check out the Time Machine while you can.
Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our analyst ratings page.
Considering buying URI stock? Here’s what analysts think:
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Stock futures look ready to rebound today, for real this time. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and S&P 500 Index (SPX) are both confidently higher, but the bigger story is the beleaguered tech sector. Thanks to a beat-and-raise from Micron (MU), semiconductor and memory stocks are buzzing after their recent sharp selloff.
The Nasdaq-100 (NDX) is poised to recoup yesterday's losses, and then some. Investors are also finding some encouragement in the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index, which rose by 0.4% in May, in line with expectations. On an annual basis, the 4.1% annual rate hit its highest level since October 2023.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
Solar stock has quite the bullish thesis. Our summer stock picks are off to a hot start. Plus, more on Micron; Big Blue's breakthrough; and Darden earnings disappoint.
5 Things You Need to Know Today The Cboe Options Exchange saw roughly 2.3 million call contracts and 1.3 million put contracts traded on Wednesday. The single-session equity put/call ratio fell to 0.56, while the 21-day moving average remained at 0.58. Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ:MU) stock is 17.6% higher before the bell, after the chip giant reported third-quarter earnings and revenue that blew past estimates. No fewer than 10 brokerages have hiked their price targets in response, the highest coming from Needham to $1,650. Micron stock is up 719% in the last 12 months. IBM Corp (NYSE:IBM) stock is up 3.1% ahead of the open, after Big Blue unveiled the world’s first sub‑1nm ‘nanostack’ chip technology, with production targeted within about five years. IBM stock is down 11.2% in 2026 going into today. The shares of Darden Restaurants Inc (NYSE:DRI) are 3% lower in electronic trading, after the Olive Garden parent reported fiscal fourth-quarter revenue that missed expectations. DRI is 16% higher in 2026, but below its year-over-year breakeven level. This week will bring several key economic indicators.
Micron Helps Overseas Stocks Rally Asian markets closed mostly higher on Thursday as Micron earnings gave tech stocks a lift globally. The South Korean Kospi jumped 5.4%, as SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics surged, while Japan’s Nikkei rose 4.6%, and China’s Shanghai Composite added 0.2%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was the only loser, sinking into the red with a 1.4% drop.
Tech is giving European markets a lift as well. The German DAX is leading the gainers with a 0.7% pop, while London’s FTSE 100 and the French CAC 40 are 0.6% and 0.5% higher, respectively.
SummaryMicron Technology, Inc. delivered a blowout Q3, with EPS of $25.11 and revenue up 346% to $41.5B, driving shares near all-time highs.MU's AI-driven DRAM and NAND demand, record free cash flow, and strategic five-year customer agreements underpin robust forward visibility and margin strength.Guidance signals structurally tight supply through 2027, with high-bandwidth memory TAM potentially reaching $100B and expectations for astronomical FY26–27 EPS growth.I maintain a Buy rating on MU, citing operational excellence, high margin durability, and technical momentum, while flagging volatility and cyclical risks. JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Micron Technology, Inc.’s (MU) Q3 numbers and outlook stunned the Street on Wednesday evening, June 24. Shares surged 19% by the following morning, bringing the memory/storage stock back to near its
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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of MU, NVDA, AMD, AVGO 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.
CompaniesJune 25 (Reuters) - Micron Technology (MU.O), opens new tab edged past the market valuation of Meta Platforms (META.O), opens new tab and briefly Tesla's (TSLA.O), opens new tab for the first time on Thursday, after the memory chipmaker's solid forecast helped extend its AI-driven ascent.
The company's shares were last up 18.4% at $1,236, giving it a market capitalization of $1.398 trillion, compared with Meta's $1.392 trillion. Tesla had a market value stood of $1.4 trillion.
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Micron logo is seen in this illustration taken June 11, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
Micron's fourth-quarter revenue and profit forecasts on Wednesday helped shares reverse a recent slump, with the company disclosing its customers had committed $22 billion to lock in supplies of memory chips.
The chip company topped $1 trillion in market value on May 26, following the entry of South Korea's Samsung Electronics into the club, as memory chipmakers benefit from investor appetite for beneficiaries of Big Tech's mega AI spending plans.
Reporting by Purvi Agarwal in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
US stocks opened higher on Thursday, led by gains in technology shares as strong earnings updates from Micron Technology and Qualcomm reignited optimism around artificial intelligence demand.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 270 points or 0.52%. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.60%.
Micron surged 19% in trading after reporting fiscal third-quarter results that exceeded analyst expectations.
Qualcomm advanced 9.5% after raising its guidance for non-handset revenue in fiscal 2029.
Other semiconductor stocks also rallied in sympathy, including Sandisk, Western Digital, Lam Research, KLA, and Applied Materials.
European chip stocks also moved higher, with ASMI, Be Semiconductor, and Soitec posting sharp gains.
Micron and Qualcomm highlighted strong demand for AI infrastructure, with customers committing $22 billion to secure Micron’s memory chips, while Qualcomm forecast $15 billion in data center revenue by 2029.
The moves helped extend a tech-driven rally that had recently lost momentum, with investors reassessing valuations in the semiconductor sector.
Market participants also digested the latest inflation and growth data, which broadly met expectations and added to the positive tone.
May’s personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index showed headline inflation rising 0.4% month-on-month and 4.1% year-on-year, in line with forecasts.
Core PCE rose 0.3% on the month and 3.4% annually, also matching expectations.
Core inflation rose to its highest level since October 2023, but investors took some comfort that the reading was not higher given rising energy prices linked to the Middle East conflict.
A separate reading of first-quarter GDP showed the US economy grew 2.1%, compared with a prior estimate of 1.6%.
Treasury yields moved lower following the data, with the 10-year US Treasury note slipping more than 2 basis points to 4.374%.
The dollar index was little changed after gaining on Wednesday amid rising expectations of Federal Reserve rate hikes.
Thursday’s gains followed a recent pullback in technology stocks driven by concerns over debt-funded AI spending and a potentially more hawkish Federal Reserve.
Micron and Qualcomm have rallied over 200% and 50%, respectively, in the quarter. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index is on track for its strongest quarter on record, according to LSEG data.
However, broader indices remain mixed in performance.
The Nasdaq is still on track for its biggest monthly decline since March 2025, while semiconductor shares are heading for their worst week since the start of the Middle East conflict earlier this year.
Traders are also watching comments from Federal Reserve officials, including Chair Kevin Warsh, as markets continue to price in the possibility of at least one rate hike by year-end.
Across global markets, Asia-Pacific equities closed mostly higher, led by sharp gains in South Korea and Japan, while European markets also opened in positive territory, supported by strength in chip stocks.
U.S. stocks traded higher this morning, with the Dow Jones index gaining around 250 points on Thursday.
Following the market opening Thursday, the Dow traded up 0.50% to 52,107.28 while the NASDAQ surged 0.70% to 25,654.49. The S&P 500 also rose, gaining, 0.58% to 7,401.17.
Leading and Lagging Sectors
Information technology shares jumped by 1.6% on Thursday.
In trading on Thursday, communication services stocks fell by 1.9%.
Top Headline
Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) posted better-than-expected financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2026 and issued strong guidance for the current quarter, after the closing bell on Wednesday.
Micron reported third-quarter revenue of $41.46 billion, exceeding analyst estimates of $35.59 billion, according to Benzinga Pro. The semiconductor company posted adjusted earnings of $25.11 per share, beating analyst estimates of $20.63 per share.
Equities Trading UP
Equities Trading DOWN
Commodities
In commodity news, oil traded down 1.1% to $69.56 while gold traded up 0.4% at $4,025.40.
Silver traded up 0.1% to $58.170 on Thursday, while copper rose 2.1% to $6.0720.
Euro zone
European shares were higher today. The eurozone’s STOXX 600 gained 0.9%, while Spain’s IBEX 35 Index rose 0.5%. London’s FTSE 100 rose 0.9%, Germany’s DAX jumped 1%, while France’s CAC 40 gained 0.7%.
Asia Pacific Markets
Asian markets closed mostly higher on Thursday, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumping 4.61%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index falling 1.43%, China’s Shanghai Composite rising 0.23% and India’s BSE Sensex gaining 0.14%.
Economics
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Cerebras Systems Inc. delivered Q1 outperformance alongside a strong 2026 growth outlook, yet the stock's steep post-earnings selloff reflects rising investor concerns about scalability. This contrasts with Micron, whose fiscal Q3 results instead reinforced its positioning as a leading AI picks-and-shovel play, with supply-led momentum translating into proven monetization and earnings accretion at scale. CBRS's pivot towards an increasing cloud and services mix is expected to drive near-term margin compression and introduce heightened capital intensity, limiting earnings visibility.
Key Takeaways Micron posted Q3 EPS of $25.11 and revenue of $41.46 billion, beating estimates by wide margins.MU benefited from AI-driven demand, with HBM shortages helping boost pricing and margins.MU forecast Q4 revenue of $50 billion and adjusted EPS of $31.00, above consensus estimates. On June 24, Micron Technology Inc. (MU - Free Report) posted blockbuster third-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings results, crushing all estimates. The artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure trade has shifted from pure-play semiconductors to memory and storage devices.
Micron has been benefiting tremendously from the enormous application of AI in day-to-day life, which has pushed up the demand for memory chips. The four major hyperscalers raised their AI capital expenditure budget to $750 billion for 2026. This figure is set to cross $1 trillion next year and is likely to rise further beyond 2027.
This has resulted in more AI semiconductor sales implying the need for multiple AI memory chips to operate. Flash memory technologies like DRAM and NAND are used in AI chips, enabling them to perform optimally.
This has pushed up the demand for AI-enabled memory chips. In their last earnings reports, all four major hyperscalers highlighted a shortage of memory and storage chips, resulting in soaring prices of these products. As a result, MU benefits significantly.
The chart below shows the price performance of MU year to date.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Q3 Results Crush All EstimatesQuarterly adjusted earnings per share of $25.11 per share easily surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $20.98. This marked a year-over-year jump of an astonishing 1,215%. Quarterly, revenues of $41.46 billion, breezed past the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $36.52 billion, reflecting a massive 345.8% rise year over year.
Gross margin climbed to 84.9% in the third quarter from 74.9% in the prior quarter and 39% in the year-ago period. This proved how high-bandwidth memory (HBM) shortage is helping these high-end memory developers to increase prices in a world of AI-powered data center boom. Operating cash flow ballooned up to $25.39 billion, up 113.4% sequentially.
Micron’s CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, said, “Our customers are recognizing that supply shortages in memory and storage will take considerable time to improve, even as we expect industry supply to improve gradually in 2028.”
New Tech Trends to Drive MU’s ProspectsThe performance of any AI model depends on memory performance and capacity. MU’s HBM is a highly sought-after product for NVIDIA Corp. (NVDA - Free Report) , Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD - Free Report) and Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL - Free Report) to name a few, for their AI-enabled chipsets.
Micron has meaningful exposure to AI, cloud data centers, industrial IoT and autonomous vehicles, all of which require increasingly advanced memory solutions. As AI adoption accelerates, demand for DRAM and NAND products continues to rise.
MU has invested heavily in next-generation memory technologies, positioning itself to meet the growing performance and efficiency requirements of AI systems. A particularly important growth driver is HBM, which has become essential for advanced AI workloads. Micron Technology’s HBM3E and HBM4 products are seeing exceptionally strong demand because they offer the speed and efficiency required by modern AI systems.
MU’s position in the AI ecosystem continues to strengthen. NVIDIA identified Micron as a key HBM supplier for its GeForce RTX 50 Blackwell GPUs, reinforcing its importance within the AI supply chain. Demand for HBM4 is also benefiting from next-generation AI infrastructure deployments, including NVIDIA’s Vera Rubin platform.
Strong Guidance Micron anticipates revenues of $50 billion (+/1 billion) in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2026, well above the current Zacks Consensus Estimate of $42.64 billion. MU projects a non-GAAP gross margin of approximately 86%.
Operating expenses on a non-GAAP basis are estimated to be approximately $1.65 billion. Adjusted EPS is anticipated to be $31.00 (+/- $1.00), significantly above the current Zacks Consensus Estimate of $24.91.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Investment ThesisMicron currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Despite a robust rally, the MU stock still looks attractive. It trades at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings multiple of 16.88, which is significantly lower than the industry average of 28.68. This discount adds to the appeal for long-term investors.
Micron Technologies represents an opportunity to invest in a company with substantial unrealized potential in the AI revolution. Astonishing growth potential of the global AI-powered data centers and MU’s strong guidance and business visibility are noteworthy.
SummaryLet me be very clear: I'm not bearish on Micron Technology, Inc.. However, the SCA agreements that provide some comfort in the long term may limit upside in the near term.Once all planned SCAs are signed, about 40% of MU revenue will sit under fixed prices or ceilings, limiting upside if shortages intensify.Gross margin guidance for Q4 shows only modest expansion, signaling a moderation in price increases, although I don't see the peak of the memcycle yet.I’m reiterating my hold because Micron looks safer than before. I think the likes of SK hynix and Samsung Electronics may offer a cleaner shortage trade. Techa Tungateja/iStock via Getty Images
After Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) reported its fiscal third quarter, the sell side moved fast, and most of the target hikes seem to point in the same direction.
RBC’s Srini Pajjuri took his target
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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
I am not a registered investment adviser, broker, dealer, or tax professional. This article, including any comments or replies I post, reflects my personal opinions only and is provided for informational and educational purposes. Nothing I write is investment, legal, tax, or financial advice, or a personalized recommendation to buy, sell, hold, or short any security. My views may change without notice. Nothing I write is tailored to any reader’s objectives, financial situation, risk tolerance, or portfolio. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Readers should conduct their own research and consult a qualified professional before making investment decisions.
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.
SummaryMicron Technology, Inc. delivered strong Q3 results, with revenues and earnings beating consensus by over 15%.MU's top-line surge was driven by higher volumes and significant price increases amid an ongoing memory chip shortage.Despite recent outperformance, I view MU's current valuation as rather high and question the sustainability of elevated profits.MU shares have rallied approximately 15% post-earnings, making the stock less attractive for new investment at present levels.Looking for more investing ideas like this one? Get them exclusively at Cash Flow Club. Learn More »Sitewide Sale 2026: Get 20% Off JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Article Thesis Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) reported its most recent earnings results on Wednesday afternoon, showing very strong business and earnings growth compared to one year earlier. Due to the ongoing memory chip shortage that
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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Micron Technology MU briefly moved ahead of Meta Platforms (META) and Tesla (TSLA) in market capitalization on Thursday, after a strong outlook from the memory chipmaker extended its rally driven by artificial intelligence demand.
Micron’s shares had surged 18.4% at $1,236, giving the company a market value of $1.398 trillion.
This compared with Meta’s $1.392 trillion, while Tesla stood at about $1.4 trillion.
The stock is currently trading up by 10.13% and has a market capitalization of $1.3 trillion.
The move comes after Micron’s fourth-quarter revenue and profit forecasts helped reverse a recent slump.
The company also said customers had committed $22 billion to secure memory chip supply.
Micron first crossed the $1 trillion valuation mark on May 26, joining other major semiconductor names benefiting from strong investor interest in companies tied to Big Tech’s AI infrastructure spending.
Micron reported that revenue in the second quarter quadrupled, supported by what it described as a demand-driven chip shortage expected to extend beyond 2027. This marks a shift from earlier expectations that the shortage would end in the near term.
The company now has 16 long-term chip supply agreements in place.
Adjusted earnings came in at $25.11 per share on revenue of $41.5 billion, representing a 346% increase from a year earlier. Adjusted gross margin stood at 85%, while adjusted operating margin reached 81%.
Growth was led by Micron’s two data-center segments, which together expanded 415% year-on-year to $25 billion.
These segments now account for 61% of total sales.
The company also reported $18 billion in free cash flow for the quarter and said cash, equivalents, and short-term investments rose to $26 billion at the end of May, up from $14 billion three months earlier.
Following the results, analysts pointed to a structural shift in Micron’s business profile.
D A Davidson analyst Gil Luria said, “We posit that Micron has entered an era where it has some of the semi industry's best visibility, a far cry from its historical role in the semi market,” raising his price target to $2,000 from $1,500 in a note titled “New Era in Memory.”
KeyBanc also lifted its target sharply to $1,600 from $600, with analyst John Vinh stating, “We believe Micron deserves to be further rerated.”
Wedbush analysts described the results as a “much needed drop the mic quarter to alleviate memory concerns.”
“We are seeing no cracks in AI demand on the chips/ hardware or software front which gives us a bright green light to own the core tech winners into year-end,” they added.
However, Futurum chief market strategist Shay Boloor cautioned on valuation interpretation, saying, “This print is a major validation of the memory supercycle thesis but I wouldn't value Micron by simply annualizing peak margins forever,” adding that normalized earnings power has likely moved higher but cyclicality has not disappeared.
Shares in the four most prominent memory chip makers are once again surging this morning. But the reason for this specific surge comes down to just one of the four companies: Micron Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MU).
Micron reported third-quarter revenue of $41.46 billion, exceeding analyst estimates of $35.59 billion, according to Benzinga Pro. The semiconductor company posted adjusted earnings of $25.11 per share, beating analyst estimates of $20.63 per share.
"Micron is investing at record levels in technology, products and supply to address our customers’ rapidly growing demand. We believe our multi-year Strategic Customer Agreements will significantly enhance the durability and predictability of Micron’s strong financial performance," said Sanjay Mehrotra, chairman, president and CEO of Micron.
Micron expects fourth-quarter revenue of $50 billion, plus or minus $1 billion, versus estimates of $42.95 billion. The company anticipates fourth-quarter adjusted earnings of $31 per share, plus or minus $1, versus estimates of $25.50 per share.
Micron shares jumped 11.5% to trade at $1,167.88 on Thursday.
These analysts made changes to their price targets on Micron following earnings announcement.
Considering buying MU stock? Here’s what analysts think:
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Li-S Energy Ltd (ASX:LIS, OTC:LISXF, FRA:9GQ) has shipped its first commercial order of Australian-produced lithium metal foil and secured ISO 9001:2015 certification for its lithium foil production line in Geelong, Victoria.
The order, supplied to a leading Australian battery research institution, marks the company’s first external commercial validation of its locally produced lithium foil and opens a potential new revenue stream in battery materials.
The ISO certification, awarded by independent certifier TQCS International, confirmed its production processes met international standards for consistency, quality and traceability.
Li-S Energy’s ISO 9001:2015 certificate.
First commercial lithium foil shipment The company has completed the first sale of its lithium metal foil on commercial terms, with the product shipped to an Australian research institution that operates one of the country’s largest battery research and development programs.
Although the initial order is moderate in scale, Li-S Energy said it represented the beginning of commercial customer engagement for the product.
Managing director Dr Lee Finniear said the shipment confirmed demand for an Australian-made alternative to imported lithium foil.
“Shipping our first commercial order is an important step,” Finniear said.
“It confirms there is genuine demand for an Australian-made alternative to imported foil and, in addition to manufacturing foil for our own LIS battery cells, it opens the pathway to develop our commercial foil sales channels going forward.”
ISO certification supports commercial supply The ISO 9001:2015 certification applies to the manufacture of lithium foil for batteries at Li-S Energy’s Geelong facility.
The certification will support supply opportunities in domestic and international markets, including defence, aerospace, battery manufacturing, lithium and solid-state battery development, and research institutions.
Finniear said the certification provided an important assurance for prospective customers.
“The certification gives defence, aerospace and battery manufacturing customers the independent quality assurance they require before qualifying LIS as a new supplier.”
Geelong facility builds local capability Li-S Energy established what it describes as Australia’s first and only dedicated lithium foil production line at its Geelong facility.
The line, delivered ahead of schedule, was supported by a $1.76 million matched grant under the Federal Government’s Industry Growth Program.
It produces high-purity lithium metal foil, giving Li-S Energy an in-house supply capability for its own lithium-sulfur battery cells while reducing reliance on imported foil.
About Li-S Energy Li-S Energy is an Australian battery technology company developing ultra-lightweight lithium-sulfur cells designed to offer more than 2 times the energy density of conventional lithium-ion batteries.
The company uses intellectual property and nanomaterials, including boron nitride nanotubes and Li-Nanomesh™, to improve battery performance, safety and longevity.
Its technology is targeted at applications where weight is a critical factor, including aviation, drones, defence and other advanced energy storage uses.
SummaryMicron Technology, Inc. delivered an extraordinary quarter, with 74% QoQ and 346% YoY revenue growth, signaling robust AI-driven demand and market leadership.MU's multi-year Strategic Customer Agreements now cover 20% of DRAM and 33% of NAND output, securing $22B+ in cash commitments and reducing cyclicality risk.Despite rising manufacturing costs and an upcoming CapEx drag, MU trades at a 30–50% forward discount to peers, supporting a bullish long-term thesis.I remain cautious on MU's short-term volatility, especially with SK Hynix's U.S. listing, but see pullbacks as opportunities to build positions in MU. JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Introduction Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) has absolutely crushed this quarter, which, on the one hand, was expected after its direct competitor in memory, Samsung (SSNLF), surprised not only the market a
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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of MU 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.
BlackBerry reported adjusted earnings per share of 4 cents, beating the consensus estimate of 3 cents. In addition, it reported revenue of $152.90 million, beating the consensus estimate of $138.18 million and representing a 26% year-over-year increase.
QNX revenue grew 26% year-over-year to $72.3 million, while Secure Communications revenue rose 24% year-over-year to $73.6 million. Adjusted EBITDA grew 144% year-over-year to $36.3 million.
The company posted positive operating cash flow of $4.6 million, its first cash-positive fiscal first quarter in nine years. BlackBerry ended the quarter with $422.9 million in cash and investments and repurchased 2.6 million shares for $10.0 million during the period.
“The foundation of the business is stronger than it has been in years, and we continue to focus on disciplined execution and creating long-term value for our shareholders,” said John Giamatteo, CEO.
GuidanceBlackBerry expects second-quarter adjusted earnings per share of between 3 cents and 4 cents, versus the consensus estimate of 4 cents. Furthermore, it anticipates revenue of $137.00 million to $148.00 million, versus the consensus estimate of $139.53 million.
The company also raised its fiscal-year adjusted earnings per share guidance from between 15 cents and 19 cents to between 16 cents and 20 cents, versus the consensus estimate of 17 cents. BlackBerry raised its revenue guidance as well from between $584.00 million and $611.00 million to between $594.00 million and $621.00 million, versus the consensus estimate of $601.88 million.
BlackBerry Shares SurgeBB Price Action: At the time of publication, BlackBerry shares are trading 8.00% higher at $9.30, according to data from Benzinga Pro.
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ABBOTT PARK, Ill., June 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) will announce its second-quarter 2026 financial results on Thursday, July 16, before the market opens.
The announcement will be followed by a live webcast of the earnings conference call at 8 a.m. Central time (9 a.m. Eastern) and will be accessible through Abbott's Investor Relations website at www.abbottinvestor.com. An archived edition of the call will be available later that day.
About Abbott:
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) will release second quarter 2026 financial and operating results on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 7:45 a.m. ET. The company's management team will host a conference call and live webcast at 8:45 a.m. ET. Parties interested in participating via teleconference may dial 877-407-8293. International callers may dial 201-689-8349. A live webcast of the presentation and materials will be available in the investor relations section of Un.
While many Baby Boomers have enjoyed a long bull market over the past 35 years, there comes a point when income becomes more critical than stock appreciation. The reason is simple: those who leave their careers to enjoy a well-deserved retirement lose the benefits of a regular salary and their jobs, such as 401(k) matching and company-paid healthcare. In addition, many Boomers use their retirement years to travel and enjoy the rewards they have worked hard to achieve throughout their lives. Choosing investments wisely is imperative, and at 24/7 Wall St., we continually seek the best ideas for Baby Boomers and retirees.
Companies that have raised dividends for shareholders for 50 years or more are the kinds of investments passive income investors need to own. Dependability is crucial for individuals seeking to increase their annual income through dividend stock investments. The Dividend Kings are the 56 companies that have raised their dividends for at least 50 years, a testament to their dependability and reliability. Those are two “must-have” items for investors who rely on passive income to boost their overall income. Unlike the Dividend Aristocrats, the Dividend Kings do not have to be members of the S&P 500.
With the stock market trading at elevated levels and a massive rotation out of technology into safer areas seemingly underway, we decided to look for Dividend Kings that investors seeking dependable income and some growth could buy today and safely hold forever. We screened for high yields, stocks with wide moats, and, importantly, those that have products or services that will always have a degree of consumer demand. Five checked all the boxes, and all are among the highest-yielding in the group.
Why we recommend the Dividend Kings Companies that have paid and raised dividends for 50 years or more are the kinds of stocks growth and income investors want to buy and hold in stock portfolios forever. These stocks are mostly conservative, and should we see a dramatic market correction, they will likely hold their ground much better than volatile technology names.
Altria Altria (NYSE: MO | MO Price Prediction) is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of cigarettes and other tobacco-related products. This tobacco stock offers value investors a solid entry point and a 6.09% dividend. Altria manufactures and sells smokable and oral tobacco products in the United States primarily to wholesalers, including distributors and large retail organizations, such as chain stores.
The company primarily sells cigarettes under the Marlboro brand, as well as:
Cigars and pipe tobacco, principally under the Black & Mild and Middleton brands Moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands on! Oral nicotine pouches e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand Altria used to own over 10% of Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE: BUD), the world’s largest brewer. In March of 2024, the company sold 35 million of its 197 million shares through a global secondary offering. That represents 18% of its holdings but still leaves 8% of the outstanding shares in its back pocket. Altria also announced a $2.4 billion stock repurchase plan partially funded by the sale.
Altria increased its quarterly dividend in the fall of 2025 by 3.9%, from $1.02 to $1.06 per share, marking its 57th consecutive dividend increase.
Hormel Foods Hormel Foods (NYSE: HRL) is an American food processing company founded in 1891 in Austin, Minnesota. Hormel offers dual pricing power through both branded products and private-label manufacturing, and it has a reliable 4.79% dividend. It develops, processes, and distributes a range of meat, nuts, and other food products to retail, foodservice, deli, and commercial customers in the United States and internationally. Shares are down 12% already in 2026.
The company operates through three segments: Retail, Food Service, and International. It provides various perishable products, including fresh meats, frozen items, refrigerated meal solutions, sausages, hams, guacamole, and bacon, and shelf-stable products, including canned luncheon meats, nut butter, snack nuts, chili, shelf-stable microwaveable meals, hash, stews, tortillas, salsas, tortilla chips, nutritional food supplements, and others. It sells its products under these brands:
Hormel Always Tender Applegate Austin Blues Bacon 1 Black Label Bread Ready Burke Café H Ceratti Chi-Chi’s Columbus Compleats Corn Nuts Cure 81 Dan’s Prize Di Lusso Dinty Moore Don Miguel Doña Maria Embasa Fast N Easy Fire Braised Fontanini Happy Little Plants Herdez Hormel Gatherings Hormel Square Table Hormel Vital Cuisine House of Tsang Jennie-O Justin’s La Victoria Layout Lloyd’s Mary Kitchen Mr. Peanut Natural Choice Nut-rition Old Smokehouse Oven Ready Pillow Pack Planters Rosa Grande Sadler’s Smokehouse Skippy Spam Special Recipe Thick & Easy Valley Fresh Wholly Hormel is a Dividend King with over 50 years of dividend increases and is a consumer staples company focused on protein-based packaged foods. Its yield is historically high, and the Hormel Foundation’s oversight ensures dividend reliability. Reports indicate that it is restructuring its portfolio and cutting costs to improve performance.
Kimberly-Clark This American multinational personal care company primarily produces paper-based consumer products. Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ: KMB) stock declined 23% in 2025, pushing it close to a 12-year low, and its dividend has increased for 53 consecutive years. The current yield is a rich 4.87%. The company manufactures and markets personal care and consumer tissue products worldwide.
It operates through three segments. The Personal Care segment offers a diverse range of products, including:
Disposable diapers Swim pants, training and youth pants, baby wipes Feminine and incontinence care products, as well as related products under the Huggies, Pull-Ups, Little Swimmers, GoodNites, DryNites, Sweety, Kotex, U by Kotex, Intimus, Depends, Plenitud, Softex, Poise, and other brand names The Consumer Tissue segment provides facial and bathroom tissues, paper towels, napkins, and related products under the brand names:
Kleenex Scott Cottonelle Viva Andrex Scottex Neve The K-C Professional segment offers wipers, tissues, towels, apparel, soaps, and sanitizers under the Kleenex, Scott, WypAll, Kimtech, and KleenGuard brands.
In 2025, Kimberly-Clark announced it would acquire Kenvue (NYSE: KVUE) in a $48.7 billion deal, with the transaction expected to close in the second half of 2026. The acquisition will create a combined consumer health and wellness company, with Kenvue shareholders receiving $3.50 in cash plus 0.14625 shares of Kimberly-Clark.
Piper Sandler has an Overweight rating with a $114 target price.
Sonoco Products While very off the radar of most investors, this company makes products that are constantly in demand, and it pays a solid 4.17% dividend. Sonoco Products (NYSE: SON) is a global designer, developer, and manufacturer of a variety of highly engineered and sustainable packaging serving multiple end markets.
Products in its Consumer Packaging segment consist of rigid packaging (paper, metal, and plastic) and primarily serve the consumer staples market, focusing on food, beverage, household, personal, and pharmaceutical products. The company’s rigid paper containers are manufactured from 100% recycled paperboard provided primarily from Sonoco’s global paper operations.
Products within the Industrial Paper Packaging segment consist primarily of goods produced from recycled fiber, including:
Paperboard tubes Cores Cones and cans Partitions Paper-based protective materials Uncoated recycled paperboard for high-end applications, such as folding cartons, can board, and laminated structures Genuine Parts Investors seeking a solid investment should consider purchasing Genuine Parts (NYSE: GPC) shares, as its products remain in high demand, and it has raised the dividend for 69 consecutive years. This global provider of automotive and industrial replacement parts and value-added solutions trades at a very cheap 11.77 times forward earnings estimates and has a 3.90% dividend yield. Founded in 1928, Genuine Parts sells automotive and industrial parts across more than 3,000 locations in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
Its Automotive segment distributes replacement parts (other than collision parts) for all makes and models of automobiles, trucks, and other vehicles in North America, Europe, and Australasia. Its main automotive customers are repair and maintenance shops, and its main industrial customers are businesses operating distribution, manufacturing, and production equipment.
The Industrial segment distributes a wide variety of industrial bearings, mechanical and fluid power transmission equipment, including:
Hydraulic and pneumatic products Material handling components Related parts and supplies Its industrial business offers replacement parts and solutions to customers in the maintenance, repair, and operation sector, as well as to original equipment manufacturers.
Raymond James has a Strong Buy rating on the shares with a $145 price target.
RTX (RTX - 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 an aerospace and defense company have returned +4.8% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.4% change. The Zacks Aerospace - Defense industry, to which RTX belongs, has gained 3.7% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.
Revisions to Earnings EstimatesRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
RTX is expected to post earnings of $1.66 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +6.4%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged.
The consensus earnings estimate of $6.91 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +9.9%. This estimate has changed +0.1% over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $7.53 indicates a change of +9% from what RTX is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has remained unchanged.
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 RTX.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Revenue Growth ForecastEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.
In the case of RTX, the consensus sales estimate of $22.89 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +6.1%. The $93.86 billion and $100.34 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +5.9% and +6.9%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryRTX reported revenues of $22.08 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +8.7%. EPS of $1.78 for the same period compares with $1.47 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $21.55 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +2.43%. The EPS surprise was +17.11%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.
ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
RTX 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 RTX. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Key Takeaways All 32 large banks passed the Fed's 2026 stress test despite a severe hypothetical recession.JPM plans to raise its dividend to $1.65 per share and announced a new $50 billion share repurchase program.Stress capital buffers stay frozen until 2027 as the Fed revises its testing framework. The Federal Reserve's 2026 annual stress test reaffirmed the resilience of the U.S. banking system, with all 32 large banks comfortably clearing the regulator's hypothetical recession scenario. The results not only highlighted the sector's strong capital position but also paved the way for several banking giants, including JPMorgan (JPM - Free Report) , Goldman Sachs (GS - Free Report) , Morgan Stanley (MS - Free Report) and Wells Fargo (WFC - Free Report) , to announce plans for higher dividends and fresh share repurchase programs.
Unlike previous years, this year's stress test carries a unique regulatory significance. While the exercise demonstrated the industry's ability to withstand severe economic shocks, the results will not alter banks' stress capital buffer (SCB) requirements until 2027 as the Fed continues to overhaul its stress-testing framework and incorporate public feedback.
Fed's Stress Scenario Tests Banks Against Severe RecessionThe annual stress test, mandated under the Dodd-Frank Act following the 2008 financial crisis, evaluates whether large U.S. banks can continue lending during an extreme economic downturn while maintaining adequate capital levels.
The Fed's 2026 "severely adverse" scenario envisioned a sharp global recession triggered by a sudden collapse in investor risk appetite. Under this hypothetical scenario, U.S. unemployment rises to 10% from 5.5%, while real GDP contracts 4.6%. Residential home prices decline 30%, and commercial real estate prices plunge 39%. At the same time, equity markets tumble nearly 58%.
Despite these severe assumptions, the 32 participating banks, including the above-mentioned banks and Bank of America (BAC - Free Report) , were projected to absorb approximately $708 billion in total loan losses, including roughly $203 billion in credit card losses, $158-$160 billion in commercial and industrial loans, and about $75-$77 billion in commercial real estate losses. Even after these projected losses, aggregate Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital fell only 1.6 percentage points, from 12.8% to 11.2%, remaining comfortably above regulatory minimums.
Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman said the results underscore the strength of the U.S. banking system while emphasizing the central bank's ongoing efforts to improve transparency and accountability in future stress tests.
Regulatory Overhaul Makes 2026 Stress Test DifferentThis year's exercise differs from prior stress tests because the Fed has frozen SCB requirements through 2027 while it revises the testing methodology.
The decision follows years of criticism from major banks, which argued that the annual exercise lacked transparency and produced volatile capital requirements. The Fed has since proposed publishing more information about its models and scenarios while seeking public comments before implementing revised methodologies.
As a result, banks were not required to wait for revised capital requirements before announcing their capital return plans, allowing many institutions to quickly unveil dividend increases and share repurchase authorizations following the release of the results.
Banks’ Dividend Hikes and Buybacks Take Center StageFollowing the stress test results, major U.S. banks moved quickly to enhance shareholder returns, reflecting confidence in their capital strength. JPMorgan led the pack by announcing a plan to raise its quarterly dividend to $1.65 per share from $1.50 and authorized a massive $50 billion share repurchase program, one of the largest in the industry. CEO Jamie Dimon emphasized the bank’s preparedness for a wide range of economic scenarios, underscoring its robust capital position and earnings power.
Wells Fargo also signaled higher payouts, planning to increase its quarterly dividend by about 11% to 50 cents per share, subject to board approval in July. However, unlike some peers, the bank did not introduce a new buyback program, opting instead to continue repurchases under its existing framework. Similarly, Goldman also announced plans to hike its dividend to $5.00 per share from $4.50. This reflects a strong financial health and a commitment to returning excess capital, though it did not announce a new buyback authorization.
Morgan Stanley combined both strategies and will boost its dividend by 15% to $1.15 per share and reauthorized a $20 billion share repurchase program. This highlights confidence in its capital generation capabilities. In contrast, Bank of America held off on immediate announcements, stating it will finalize its dividend decision after its July board meeting. While it did not update its buyback plans, investors expect continued capital returns supported by its solid capital ratios.
Positive Signal for Bank InvestorsAlthough this year's stress test carries fewer regulatory implications because SCBs remain frozen until 2027, the results reinforce the strong financial position of the U.S. banking industry.
The ability of large banks to absorb more than $708 billion in projected losses while maintaining capital comfortably above regulatory minimums demonstrates the sector's resilience nearly two decades after the global financial crisis prompted the introduction of annual supervisory stress testing.
For investors, the immediate takeaway is clear. Robust capital positions continue to support attractive shareholder distributions. Now, investor attention is likely to shift toward the Fed's ongoing overhaul of the stress-testing framework and the anticipated Basel III Endgame proposals, both of which could further shape capital requirements and shareholder return strategies across the U.S. banking sector in the coming years.
Salesforce: Steady Revenue at ScaleSalesforce (CRM +0.45%) primarily generates revenue by offering a comprehensive suite of cloud-based subscriptions that help enterprises manage customer relationships, sales pipelines, marketing campaigns, and data analytics across various departments.
While it recently acquired the customer agent company Fin for approximately $3.6 billion and initiated workforce reductions across several divisions, it reported an approximately 19% net income margin for the quarter ended April 30, 2026.
ServiceNow: Consistent Revenue GrowthServiceNow (NOW 2.43%) earns its revenue mainly by providing cloud-based enterprise software that automates technology operations, employee workflows, and customer service tasks to streamline broad business processes.
It completed the acquisition of the cyber exposure management company Armis and addressed a security vulnerability in customer instances, while generating a 12% net income margin for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.
Why Revenue Matters for InvestorsRevenue serves as a gauge to help investors understand the total amount of money a business brings in before deducting any operational expenses. It reveals whether a corporation is successfully attracting customers and growing its overall business volume over time.
Quarterly Revenue for Salesforce and ServiceNowQuarter (Period End)Salesforce RevenueServiceNow RevenueQ3 2024$9.3 billion (period ended July 2024)$2.8 billion (period ended Sept. 2024)Q4 2024$9.4 billion (period ended Oct. 2024)$3.0 billion (period ended Dec. 2024)Q1 2025$10.0 billion (period ended Jan. 2025)$3.1 billion (period ended March 2025)Q2 2025$9.8 billion (period ended April 2025)$3.2 billion (period ended June 2025)Q3 2025$10.2 billion (period ended July 2025)$3.4 billion (period ended Sept. 2025)Q4 2025$10.3 billion (period ended Oct. 2025)$3.6 billion (period ended Dec. 2025)Q1 2026$11.2 billion (period ended Jan. 2026)$3.8 billion (period ended March 2026)Q2 2026$11.1 billion (period ended April 2026)Not yet reportedData source: Company filings. Data as of June 23, 2026.
Foolish TakeSalesforce and ServiceNow are two titans in the software-as-a-service (SaaS) sector. This segment of the stock market suffered a sell-off in 2026 as investors became concerned artificial intelligence will take business away. That has not been the case for either company as their revenue trends reveal.
Both have seen sales climb year over year across the quarters reviewed in the chart above. The data indicates these SaaS companies continue to experience customer spending in the face of rapid AI adoption. In fact, ServiceNow announced in May it had crossed $1 billion in spending on Amazon’s cloud computing infrastructure as customer demand for its AI systems increases.
As for Salesforce, CEO Marc Benioff noted the company enjoyed record revenue and record deals in its fiscal first quarter ended April 30. Sales in the quarter grew 13% year over year.
ServiceNow may have smaller sales, but it is the faster growing SaaS company between this pair. Its Q1 revenue represented a 22% year-over-year increase.
The revenue trends show business for Salesforce and ServiceNow remains healthy, and that AI looks to be a catalyst for their ongoing growth.
Robert Izquierdo has positions in Amazon, Salesforce, and ServiceNow. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Salesforce, and ServiceNow. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
