Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST, XETRA:CTO) reported September net sales of about $30 billion, up 13% year on year, marking a strong start to financial year 2027, according to Jefferies.
Total comparable sales rose 11.4%, while core comparable sales excluding foreign exchange and gasoline increased 7.6%, supported by strong traffic and transaction growth.
Worldwide traffic increased 4.7% and US traffic rose 4.3%, while transactions increased 2.8% excluding foreign exchange and gasoline, highlighting continued strength in customer demand.
Digitally enabled sales excluding foreign exchange and gasoline increased 19.1%, adding to the retailer's growth across its physical and digital operations.
Jefferies said September's performance benefited from the timing of Labor Day, which management estimated provided slightly more than 50 basis points of benefit to total and comparable sales.
The impact was partly offset by new-store cannibalization, which management estimated reduced comparable sales by about 60 basis points.
Category performance was broad-based, with ancillary sales increasing in the mid-30% range, led by gasoline, pharmacy and food court sales.
Gasoline sales increased in the mid-40% range, while non-food sales grew in the high-single-digit range, driven by gift cards, housewares and sporting goods.
Fresh food sales increased in the mid- to high-single-digit range, led by bakery and meat, while food and sundries sales grew in the mid-single-digit range.
Jefferies said the strongest US regions were the Midwest, Southeast and San Diego, while Spain, Taiwan and China led international performance.
Average worldwide gasoline prices increased 32.8% year on year, contributing to the difference between Costco's total and core comparable sales growth.
Despite the strong start to financial year 2027, Jefferies left its model unchanged because it is still early in the financial year.
The broker said the September results showed healthy traffic and broad-based category strength, supporting its view that Costco has started the new financial year on a strong footing.
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TSMC ve třetím čtvrtletí dosáhla tržeb ve výši 1,494 bilionu NT$, což představuje meziroční nárůst o 50,9 % a zhruba o 3 % více než odhady Wedbush i konsenzus.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (ADR) (NYSE:TSM), the Taiwanese chipmaker, reported September sales of NT$511.86 billion, down 0.6% from August but up 54.6% year on year, according to Wedbush.
Third-quarter sales reached NT$1.494 trillion, up 17.6% from the previous quarter and 50.9% year on year, beating Wedbush's NT$1.446 trillion estimate and consensus of NT$1.452 trillion by about 3%.
The result also exceeded the high end of Street estimates of NT$1.483 trillion and was about 2% above the high end of TSMC's guidance range of $44.6 billion to $45.8 billion.
Wedbush said the quarterly result was broadly in line with expectations and maintained its view that TSMC should meet or exceed its second-half forecasts, with the key question being the size of any upside.
For the fourth quarter, Wedbush expects revenue of NT$1.599 trillion, implying about 7% growth from the third quarter and slightly above consensus of NT$1.593 trillion.
The broker said stronger third-quarter revenue could carry into the fourth quarter, potentially supporting annual revenue growth in the mid-40% range for 2026, compared with TSMC's previous forecast of more than 40%.
Wedbush also expects TSMC to provide more detail on its longer-term high-performance computing outlook and 2027 prospects, although the company typically does not discuss the following year in detail.
The broker expects TSMC to raise prices by 5% to 10% from the start of 2027, alongside continued strong demand for artificial intelligence chips.
The New Taiwan dollar averaged 31.73 against the US dollar in September, strengthening 0.9% from August, while third-quarter currency movements were broadly in line with TSMC's assumptions.
Key Takeaways INTU shares gained 8.7% in three months, driven by mid-market and financial services growth.Intuit expects 9%-10% revenue growth in fiscal 2027 despite sluggish customer gains.INTU's premium valuation and competitive tax pricing call for caution amid acquisition challenges. After a difficult stretch earlier this year, Intuit Inc. (INTU - Free Report) is showing signs of stabilization. Its latest results highlight demand for QuickBooks, TurboTax Live and financial services, while management shifts attention toward attracting new users. Coming quarters will test whether these businesses can support a recovery in customer acquisition.
Over the past three months, INTU shares have advanced approximately 8.7%. Over the same period, tax-services rival H&R Block (HRB - Free Report) rose 11.6%, while financial-technology player Block (XYZ - Free Report) declined 1.7%. These differing price paths reflect contrasting investor expectations for growth.
Intuit spans tax preparation, small-business accounting, consumer finance and payments. H&R Block focuses on tax services, whereas Block serves merchants and consumers through Square and Cash App. Intuit's broader product mix brings several revenue opportunities but leaves it exposed to pricing competition, changing customer preferences and artificial intelligence.
3-Month Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
INTU’s Growth Engines Extend Beyond Traditional Tax SoftwareIntuit ended fiscal 2026 with revenues of $21.4 billion, up 14%, and GAAP diluted earnings per share growth of 20%. Its assisted-tax, money and mid-market businesses collectively expanded more than 30%, representing about 30% of total revenues. Mid-market revenues jumped 39% to $1.6 billion, supported by demand for QuickBooks Online Advanced and Intuit Enterprise Suite. Business money revenues increased 31% to $1.8 billion, showing how payments and related services are becoming more important.
The opportunity lies in expanding these relationships rather than relying only on subscription increases. Intuit Enterprise Suite's annualized revenue exceeded $145 million in the fourth quarter, four times the year-earlier level. Meanwhile, Intuit said 2.5 million customers use Intuit Intelligence automations and insights monthly. These tools could improve retention and service adoption, although higher usage will need to translate into sustained revenue growth.
Fiscal 2027 Could Test INTU’s Customer Acquisition PlanOn the Investor Day, Management reaffirmed fiscal 2027 revenue guidance of $23.28-$23.51 billion, implying growth of 9-10%, slower than fiscal 2026. Global Business Solutions revenues are projected to grow 13-14%, while TurboTax revenues are expected to rise only 2-3%. The company is deliberately adjusting tax pricing to compete with lower-cost alternatives, which may reduce revenue earned per new tax customer initially. Management aims to return to durable double-digit company revenue growth over the longer term.
Customer growth remains the key weakness. Total online paying customers increased just 3% in fiscal 2026, including Mailchimp, and TurboTax lost one percentage point of IRS e-filing share. QuickBooks Free and Lite aim to widen the entry point for smaller firms, while more competitive TurboTax offers seek to rebuild the do-it-yourself customer base. These changes may support longer-term gains, but results will depend on conversion, retention and cross-selling.
INTU’s Balance Sheet and Capital Returns Provide SupportThe balance sheet and capital returns provide some support. Intuit repurchased $5.5 billion in shares during fiscal 2026 and raised its quarterly dividend by 15%. Its renewed NFL partnership through 2030 and expanded small-business accelerator program may also increase customer awareness. Spending to attract new customers and improve AI capabilities remains an important factor to monitor.
INTU’s Estimate Revisions Depict a Mixed Trend of LateINTU’s estimates for fiscal 2027 have remained unchanged over the past 30 days. However, the same for fiscal 2028 has been revised marginally upward over the same period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
INTU's Premium Valuation Warrants a Closer LookIntuit trades at about 3.33 times forward 12-month sales, compared with 1.27 times for H&R Block and 1.62 times for Block. The premium reflects Intuit's broader software and services reach, faster recent revenue growth and opportunities to serve customers throughout the year.
Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What Should Investors Do With INTU Stock Now?Intuit's recent share-price recovery has support from mid-market growth, expanding financial services and improving AI adoption. Fiscal 2027 guidance also points to continued earnings growth despite a slower revenue outlook. Still, the customer acquisition reset, competitive tax pricing and a valuation above H&R Block and Block leave limited room for disappointing execution.
Existing shareholders have reasons to remain invested while following quarterly evidence of better customer gains and sustained service adoption. For investors considering fresh exposure, waiting for clearer signs that QuickBooks entry-level offerings and TurboTax pricing changes are strengthening growth appears more measured than acting solely on the recent rally.
At present, INTU carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
CVS Health zvýšila výhled upraveného provozního zisku divize Health Care Benefits pro rok 2026 na 5,03 až 5,37 miliardy USD, tedy o více než 1 miliardu USD nad předchozí výhled.
Key Takeaways CVS Health's Aetna margin recovery and stronger pharmacy trends are supporting improved 2026 results.CVS Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness income rose 10.2%, with prescriptions up 7% and margins improving.340B pressure and declining Caremark membership could weigh on CVS Health's near-term results. CVS Health (CVS - Free Report) looks attractively valued, as reflected in its Value Score of A. The company is currently trading at a forward, one-year price-to-earnings (P/E) of 10.29X, below its historical median of 11.17X and the 16.23 P/E of the Zacks Medical Services industry. The gap is even wider against the broader Medical sector, which sits with a 20.55X P/E.
CVS also trades at a discount compared with two of its closest peers, UnitedHealth Group (UNH - Free Report) and Elevance Health (ELV - Free Report) , which command P/E multiples of 17.15X and 13.99X, respectively.
CVS Health’s 12-month P/E
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock’s performance over the past year has been encouraging as well. CVS shares have risen 14.5% compared to the industry’s 9.6% return and the sector’s 3.2% rise. Yesterday, it closed at $87.95, up 1.8% from the previous session and nearly 26.5% above its 52-week low of $69.51. In comparison, UnitedHealth Group has gained 2.1%, while Elevance Health is up 12.8% over the same period.
CVS’ 12-Month Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
While valuation and stock performance offer an encouraging picture, it is equally important to examine the underlying business trends to strengthen the investment case. Here’s a closer look.
Key Factors Favoring CVS HealthAetna’s Margin Recovery Gains Momentum: CVS Health is making headway in its plan to restore Aetna’s margins through pricing discipline, medical cost management and operational changes. Health Care Benefits adjusted operating income rose more than $2 billion year over year in the first half of 2026. The second-quarter medical benefit ratio fell to 87.4% from 89.9% a year earlier, while Medicare performance exceeded expectations.
CVS raised 2026 Health Care Benefits adjusted operating income outlook to $5.03-$5.37 billion, more than $1 billion above its previous guidance. Operational initiatives are also supporting this effort. Aetna’s AI-powered Claims Assist Manager is designed to reduce processing time by more than 20% for complex manually reviewed claims, while the Aetna Clinical Collaboration program is being expanded to strengthen provider and member coordination.
Strength in Pharmacy and Consumer Wellness: CVS’ Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness business is gaining from higher prescription volumes and improving pharmacy economics. Second-quarter 2026 adjusted operating income increased 10.2% year over year, while same-store prescription volume rose 7%. Higher utilization and Rite Aid file acquisitions supported the gains. Prescriptions filled increased 4.3% on a 30-day equivalent basis, while the segment’s gross margin improved to 19.3% from 17.9% a year earlier. These trends helped offset regulatory-related price reductions, generic drug introductions and continued reimbursement pressure.
Management raised its 2026 adjusted operating income outlook for the segment by $220 million to at least $6.4 billion. The company is also expanding access to GLP-1 therapies through its pharmacy network, MinuteClinic services and cash-pay options, which could support additional prescription volume and customer engagement.
Health Services Shows Solid Progress: CVS’ Health Services business is benefiting from pharmacy drug mix, brand inflation, purchasing economics and ongoing progress in Health Care Delivery. In the second quarter, adjusted operating income rose 10% year over year. Management reiterated its full-year adjusted operating income outlook despite an updated view of 340B. Caremark continues to adapt its model as clients seek lower net costs and greater transparency.
The 2026 selling season generated more than $6 billion of new sales, which management described as well above its historical average. CVS Specialty continues to maintain adherence above 90%, while Caremark’s Humira biosimilar strategy has delivered more than $1.8 billion in client savings. Management also expects a strong specialty generic pipeline in 2027.
Technical Indicators for CVSDespite the progress in its businesses, CVS Health’s technical picture remains weak. The stock is trading below its 50-day and 90-day simple moving averages, pointing to weaker near-term momentum.
CVS’ 50- and 90-day SMA
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What’s Weighing on CVS?CVS Health’s 340B business, part of its Pharmacy Services unit, faced some pressure in the second quarter as the program’s environment remained dynamic. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are imposing restrictions on covered entities, which contributed to the impact during the quarter. At the same time, the shift of large specialty drugs to generic versions is creating additional pressure. CVS expects 340B to remain a headwind going into next year.
Also, Caremark membership is expected to decline next year as CVS works through the transition to a lowest-net-cost pricing model and takes a more deliberate approach to client renewals and the selling season. Industry pressures on legacy contracts, along with product actions and market exits by some health-plan customers, are also expected to affect membership.
As shown below, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for CVS Health’s remaining 2026 quarters has seen mixed revisions over the past three months.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
EndnoteCVS obviously stands out for its favorable valuation, recent share price gains and improving performance across key businesses. Aetna’s margin recovery is gaining traction, while higher prescription volumes and improving pharmacy economics are supporting growth in Pharmacy and Consumer Wellness. Health Services outlook also remains solid, supported by continued strength across Pharmacy Services businesses. Given these trends, existing shareholders may want to hold on to their positions for the longer-term benefits.
That said, 340B-related headwinds and an expected decline in Caremark membership remain key challenges for CVS Health and could weigh on near-term results. We believe prospective investors may be better off waiting for a more attractive entry point.
CVS carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Wedbush zvýšil odhad bookings společnosti Roblox za třetí čtvrtletí na 1,7 mld. USD díky hře Steal an Egg, pro dlouhodobý růst však považuje za nutné další virální hity.
Roblox Corp (NYSE:RBLX) is seeing stronger-than-expected third-quarter engagement, led by the hit game Steal an Egg, prompting Wedbush to raise its estimates.
The firm now expects third-quarter Bookings of $1.7 billion and EBITDA of $215 million, up from prior estimates of $1.64 billion and $193 million.
Per third-party estimates cited in the note, total platform hours fell 7% year over year in the quarter, a smaller decline than the 16% drop Wedbush had modelled.
The decline was weighed down by the fading Cohort of Five titles. Excluding those games, hours grew 37% year over year, accelerating from 20% in the second quarter.
Steal an Egg, this year’s most successful launch, reached peak daily hours comparable to last year’s GAG and Steal a Brainrot. Engagement appears to have rolled over, however, falling 9% and 18% week over week in the last two weeks.
Wedbush models average Bookings per Hour up 1% year over year in the third quarter and down 2% in the fourth, reflecting normal seasonality, with upside to under-13 monetization if Steal an Egg sustains its momentum.
Wedbush expects the fourth-quarter guide to be at least in line with the Street, assuming management does not factor in significant headwinds from the November launch of GTA 6. The firm is more cautious than consensus, modelling fourth-quarter Bookings of $1.91 billion against the Street’s $1.98 billion, because it assumes GTA 6 will pull engagement from the broader gaming ecosystem, including Roblox.
Wedbush said management has an opportunity to elaborate on its refined search and discovery philosophy, first outlined at the Roblox Developers Conference 2026. The approach is seen as less penalizing to short-lived, meme-like hits.
A recalibrated algorithm serving hyper-personalized recommendations to younger users could restart the platform’s hit factory and revive under-13 engagement and monetization, the firm said. Onboarding established intellectual property and successful Incubator launches could also support the age-up thesis.
Still, Wedbush said a consistent wave of new viral hits is likely needed to rebuild investor confidence. Almost all of the investors it recently spoke with, fewer than a handful, were cautious on Roblox’s guidance, and fewer than half expect a return to growth of 20% or more over the longer term.
Wedbush said Roblox looks inexpensive if it can sustain growth of 20% or more in 2027 and beyond.
PPG Industries vytvořila v první polovině roku 2026 provozní peněžní tok ve výši 594 milionů USD, meziročně o 223 milionů USD více, což podpořilo výplatu dividend a zpětné odkupy akcií.
Key Takeaways PPG generated $594 million in operating cash flow in the first half of 2026, supporting shareholder returns.Cost savings and pricing actions lifted Global Architectural Coatings' EBITDA margin 100 bps to 19.4%.PPG returned $1.4 billion to shareholders in 2025 and has raised its annual dividend for 54 straight years. PPG Industries, Inc. (PPG - Free Report) is supported by its robust cash flow from operating activities. It has outdone its last year’s cash flow performance by $223 million, by reporting $594 million in operating cash flow in the first half of 2026. It is expected to continue on this trajectory as its cost reduction and pricing actions keep benefiting the company.
This strong cash flow supported $175 million of share repurchases and $317 million in dividends during the first half, with total shareholder returns of about $235 million in the second quarter.
Structural and restructuring initiatives are lowering the company’s costs, with $75 million in structural cost savings in 2025 and $20 million in the first quarter of 2026, followed by about $15 million in restructuring savings in the second quarter of 2026. Selling prices are also increasing. These actions are supporting margin expansion, particularly in Global Architectural Coatings, where EBITDA margin improved 100 basis points year over year to 19.4%. The resulting improvement in profitability, combined with disciplined capital allocation and lower leverage, is enabling stronger operating cash flow.
PPG returned $1.4 billion to shareholders in 2025 and increased its annual dividend payout for 54 consecutive years. Continued cash generation and disciplined capital deployment should help continue the trend of enhancing shareholder value.
Among its major peers, Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW - Free Report) generated a higher net operating cash of $1.49 billion during the first six months of 2026 compared with $1.05 billion in fiscal 2025. Sherwin-Williams has also been actively implementing aggressive cost-control initiatives, optimizing its supply chain and focusing on productivity improvements to boost its cash-generating capacity.
Celanese Corporation (CE - Free Report) recorded operating cash inflow of roughly $285 million for the first six months of 2026, down from the previous-year period’s $447 million. Celanese continued to pursue growth by accelerating cost improvements and deleveraging to strengthen cash generation.
The Zacks Rundown for PPGShares of PPG have gained 5.5% in the past year against the Zacks Chemical - Specialty industry’s rise of 3.3%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, PPG is currently trading at a forward price-to-sales multiple of 1.35, a discount to the industry average of 2.44X. It carries a Value Score of B.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PPG’s 2026 and 2027 earnings implies a year-over-year rise of 3.96% and 10.48%, respectively. The EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 has been trending lower over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
PPG stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Annaly Capital vyplatila dividendu 0,75 USD na akcii, kterou ve 2. čtvrtletí kryl zisk určený k distribuci ve výši 0,79 USD na akcii, již po deváté čtvrtletí v řadě.
Annaly Capital's 16.9% yield has drawn income investors for years, but three specific metrics will determine whether that $3 annual payout holds or follows the same path as every previous cut in its history.
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Annaly Capital (NYSE:NLY) pays $0.75 per quarter, or $3 a year. At $17.80, that yields a whopping 16.9%. The stock fell 18.87% over the past month. Annaly is a mortgage REIT that borrows short term through repurchase agreements (repo), buys mortgage securities, and keeps the difference between what the bonds pay and what borrowing costs. Three numbers decide whether the dividend holds up.
Spread Pays the Dividend, and Its Cost Resets Every Month In Q2, Annaly’s agency portfolio had a weighted average coupon of 5.11%, repo rate of 3.84%, and net interest margin of 1.76%. Earnings available for distribution (EAD) were $0.79 per share, covering the dividend for the ninth consecutive quarter.
Repo loans averaged only 33 days to maturity, so rising short-term rates increase funding costs quickly. Annaly’s hedges cover 97% of that exposure. Management said:
“We expect to be able to cover the dividend over a period of time. There will be quarters where we’ll out earn it and maybe we might be on top or even a touch below.”
AGNC Investment (NASDAQ:AGNC) runs a wider 2.00% net interest spread but its repo matures in just 13 days.
Book Value Tells You Whether the Dividend Is Earned Book value per share is the scoreboard. Annaly’s book value rose to $20.15 in Q2 from $19.82, after falling from $20.21 in Q1. The 10-year Treasury yield has climbed from 4.56% to 5.27%. Management said book value was off “a little over a percent”. Shares trade about 11.7% below the last reported book value, suggesting the market expects more erosion.
Leverage Multiplies Every Mistake Annaly holds $143.74 billion in assets on $16.93 billion of equity. Economic leverage is 5.6x, and GAAP leverage is 7.4x. AGNC runs 7.4x on tangible book, and its tangible book fell 5.6% in Q1. Annaly’s CEO says the lighter balance sheet is an edge:
“It has contributed to our ability to generate double-digit economic returns while operating with less leverage than our peers.”
Rithm Capital (NYSE:RITM) spreads risk through origination, servicing, and asset management. It held its dividend at $0.25 on EAD of $0.60, though mortgage servicing marks cost it $194.5 million in Q2.
Annaly Has Cut Its Dividend Before Annaly has cut its dividend before. The quarterly payout fell from $0.55 in 2012 to $0.30 by late 2013, from $0.30 in 2018 to $0.22 in 2020, and from $0.88 to $0.65 in 2023. Each cut followed narrowed spreads or book value losses (we listed the seven warning signs that tend to come before a cut like these in a free guide here). The current run of increases began in 2025.
Dividend Variability and the One Number to Track Annaly’s dividend has historically moved with spreads and book value. That variability matters for anyone relying on a fixed check, as does the 18.87% monthly drop. Watch book value per share in the Q3 report against $20.15. If it falls while EAD just covers $0.75, the dividend is paid from capital.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Canadian National (CNI) ve třetím čtvrtletí roku 2026 přepravila ze západní Kanady rekordních 7,94 milionu tun obilí, čímž překonala rekord 7,48 milionu tun z roku 2020.
Key Takeaways CNI moved a record 7.94 MMT of Western Canadian grain in Q3 2026, outpacing the 7.48 MMT record set in 2020.Customer demand, supply-chain coordination and effective strategy execution drove CNI's performance.Canadian National's Winter Plan focuses on network fluidity, equipment reliability and winter readiness. Canadian National Railway(CNI - Free Report) has achieved a new quarterly record for grain movement for the third quarter of 2026. The company moved 7.94 million metric tonnes (MMT) of grain from Western Canada in its third quarter, exceeding the previous record of 7.48 MMT set in 2020.
The solid performance underscores sustained customer demand, strong coordination across the grain supply chain and effective execution of CNI’s operating strategy. CNI remains committed to carrying this momentum into winter by providing safe, dependable and efficient services to grain producers, companies and supply chain partners.
In addition, CNI recently unveiled its 2026–2027 Winter Plan, wherein the company reflects on the actions, investments and technologies it plans to implement in its railway operations to perform efficiently during the upcoming winter months. The 2026–2027 Winter Plan has been built on the positive combination of network fluidity, equipment reliability and assurance of maintaining the right set of equipped people and resources, as and when needed during extreme weather conditions affecting the network. The overall aim of this year's Winter Plan is to promote safe working conditions, meet customer demands, improve network performance and enhance network resilience.
Apart from CNI, another railroad company that has reported grain movement for the third quarter is Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP - Free Report) . CP’s record grain volumes in September and the third quarter highlight the strength and efficiency of its North American grain transportation operations. CP moved 2.94 million metric tons in Canada and 2.51 million metric tons in the United States during September, demonstrating its ability to handle significant volumes during a critical period of the crop year.
Both Canada and the United States set new third-quarter records, reflecting strong grain movement and the importance of reliable rail transportation in connecting producers and grain customers with domestic and international markets. Surpassing the previous records set in 2020 further underscores CP’s strong performance.
CNI’s shares have gained 17.4% so far this year compared with the Transportation - Rail industry’s 18.1% growth.
CNI Stock’s YTD Price Comparison Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
A Stock to ConsiderInvestors interested in the Zacks Transportation sector may consider a better-ranked stock like Herc Holdings (HRI - Free Report) .
Herc Holdings currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
HRI has a negative expected earnings growth rate of 8.4% for the current year. However, the company has an encouraging earnings surprise history. Its earnings topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average beat of 60.64%.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions, will release its third quarter 2026 earnings on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, and host a conference call and webcast at 7:30 a.m. ET.
We encourage you to join through our webcast link. A corresponding presentation and news release will be available on ir.carrier.com prior to the call and a recording will be available on the website later in the day. If you are unable to join via the webcast, please contact Carrier Investor Relations at [email protected] for alternative dial-in information.
About Carrier
Carrier Global Corporation, global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions, is committed to creating innovations that bring comfort, safety and sustainability to life. Through cutting-edge advancements in climate solutions such as temperature control, air quality and transportation, we improve lives, empower critical industries and ensure the safe transport of food, life-saving medicines and more. Since inventing modern air conditioning in 1902, we lead with purpose: enhancing the lives we live and the world we share. We continue to lead because of our world-class, inclusive workforce that puts the customer at the center of everything we do. For more information, visit carrier.com or follow Carrier on social media at @Carrier.
Akcie Lucid v září klesly o 16,1 % poté, co v srpnu propadly o 34 %; ve 2. čtvrtletí firma vykázala provozní ztrátu téměř 1,1 mld. USD při tržbách 405 mil. USD.
It was another bad month for Lucid (LCID -1.80%) investetors, as shares of the electric vehicle maker plunged 16.1% in September, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence.
That drop was preceded by Lucid stock falling 34% in August, underscoring how much investors have lost faith in the company lately.
The most recent declines weren't caused by any specific Lucid announcement, and instead appear to be fueled by investors' reaction to rising interest rates and concerns that Lucid can't get its financial house in order.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
Higher rates spur lower sentimentOne likely culprit behind the decline in investment sentiment for Lucid stock last month was the Federal Reserve's decision to raise the federal funds rate. The Fed was reacting to higher inflation, which has been a persistent problem for consumers.
But higher interest rates can hurt companies like Lucid, which are highly dependent on borrowing to operate. It also makes its product potentially more expensive for buyers who want to finance their vehicle purchase.
Lucid investors assessed the implications of last month’s rate hike and didn't like what they saw. Lucid is already burning through cash, and it's highly unprofitable. The company incurred nearly $1.1 billion in operating losses on just $405 million in revenue in the second quarter.
Lucid's new CEO, Silvio Napoli, joined the company in June and has pledged to achieve $1.4 billion in cash flow improvements this year, primarily from lowering inventory costs, operating expenses, and capital expenditures. But the mounting losses, paired now with higher rates, could make Lucid's goals more of an uphill battle.
Making matters worse for shareholders is that the company has issued additional dilutive shares multiple times to raise capital. If it needs to do that again, Lucid's already depressed shares could become even less valuable.
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October may not be much betterLucid released its third-quarter production and delivery numbers earlier this week, with deliveries falling 6.7% from the year-ago quarter to 3,806 and vehicle production declining to 2,954.
The production decline wasn't surprising, considering that Lucid's management eliminated a shift at its AMP-1 factory during the quarter to better align its electric vehicle production with customer demand.
Still, Lucid's results were below Wall Street's consensus estimates for the quarter, which were for 4,687 deliveries and 3,709 vehicles built.
Lucid will report its third-quarter financial results on November 9, which should give investors more insight into how well the company is executing on its cash flow improvements. But given Lucid's current state, and some potential economic headwinds from rising rates, there's little reason to be optimistic right now.
Upstart uzavřel partnerství s Credit Union of Denver, která od dubna 2026 poskytuje kvalifikovaným žadatelům osobní půjčky prostřednictvím jeho platformy.
Key Takeaways Upstart partners with Credit Union of Denver to expand access to affordable personal loans.Credit Union of Denver began lending through Upstart in April 2026 to reach more qualified borrowers.Upstart offers tailored loan options before applicants complete membership and closing online. Upstart Holdings (UPST - Free Report) is expanding its credit union network through a partnership with Credit Union of Denver. Colorado’s oldest state-chartered credit union, founded in 1931, aims to make affordable personal loans more accessible through Upstart’s AI-powered digital lending marketplace.
Credit Union of Denver began lending through Upstart in April 2026. Qualified applicants on Upstart.com who meet the credit union’s lending policies receive tailored offers before being directed to a Credit Union of Denver-branded experience, where they can complete membership applications and loan closing online.
The partnership is expected to help Credit Union of Denver reach more qualified borrowers while maintaining its focus on personalized lending. It also aims to expand credit access for individuals who may be overlooked by traditional lending models.
UPST has also been strengthening its existing credit union relationships. In September 2026, Commonwealth Credit Union, which serves more than 140,000 members, expanded its partnership with Upstart into home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and indirect auto lending. The relationship began in 2022 with personal lending.
Upstart’s broader business showed stronger momentum in the second quarter of 2026. Total originations were $4.2 billion, up 50% year over year, while revenues increased 42% to $365 million. The company reported $16.5 million in net income and $76.9 million in adjusted EBITDA.
ConclusionThe Denver deal further strengthens Upstart’s network of more than 100 banking and credit union partners. With more than 90% of loans fully automated without human intervention, the company is well-positioned to support efficient digital lending. Such partnerships could help attract more qualified borrowers, increase loan originations and support fee-based revenue growth, strengthening its long-term growth prospects.
Over the past six months, shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have declined 14% compared with the industry's 1.9% fall.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks from the Zacks Financial-Miscellaneous Services sector are Chime Financial (CHYM - Free Report) and Virtu Financial (VIRT - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CHYM’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) has moved a cent northward to 44 cents over the past month.
The consensus estimate for VIRT’s 2026 EPS has moved up 2 cents to $7.23 over the past week.
Bank of America zvýšila doporučení pro DraftKings z „neutrální“ na „koupit“ a ponechala cílovou cenu na 27 USD poté, co akcie za poslední měsíc klesly o 19 %.
DraftKings shares have shed nearly a fifth of their value in a month, and now the analyst who sat out the entire decline is suddenly turning bullish. Whether that call signals a real floor or just wishful thinking hinges on…
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A Bank of America (NYSE:BAC | BAC Price Prediction) analyst who kept the firm on the sidelines for a year has turned bullish, arguing that Wall Street estimates for DraftKings (NASDAQ:DKNG) are bottoming. That call arrives after a hard month for U.S. online sportsbook stocks. DraftKings stock is at $19.53 as the upgrade circulates through a beaten-down group.
Over the past month, DraftKings shares are down 19%, and that slide set up this bottom-calling debate. Meanwhile, shares of Flutter Entertainment (NYSE:FLUT), the owner of FanDuel and the most direct rival to DraftKings, are down 20% over the past month, a slightly deeper drop than the decline in DraftKings shares. Shares of MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM), the casino operator behind the BetMGM joint venture, are down 26% over the same stretch, the steepest slide among the three operators.
For sector-level context, the Roundhill Sports Betting & iGaming ETF (NYSEARCA:BETZ) is down 13% over the past month. In contrast, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA:SPY) is up 0.3% over the same period. Double-digit losses for all three operators against a broad market that barely moved point to a repricing of the entire category at once.
Bank of America Abandons the Sidelines on DraftKings Bank of America analyst Shaun Kelley upgraded DraftKings stock to Buy from Neutral and kept the firm’s price target on the shares at $27. Kelley wrote that Bank of America had stayed on the sidelines for the past year because of a difficult event path from prediction markets and material risk to estimates. The new note reads prediction markets as a win-win outcome for DraftKings and flags reduced cannibalization risk for the company.
Two sources drove the slide in DraftKings stock. Kalshi and Polymarket are privately held platforms that let users trade contracts on event outcomes such as sports results, and there is uncertainty over how regulators may treat those platforms. As the operator of a proprietary prediction-market exchange, DraftKings has indicated continued spending on that product. For Q2 2026, DraftKings’ revenue came in at $1.44 billion, missing expectations.
Group Selloff Clouds the Bottom Call MGM Resorts is primarily a casino operator, yet its shares fell harder than either online-focused rival over the past month, complicating any read that event-contract competition alone explains the slide. The Roundhill fund holds both DraftKings and Flutter among its largest positions, so the ETF’s decline partly mirrors those two stocks.
On the bull side, Kelley’s reversal stands out because Bank of America avoided DraftKings stock for a year over exactly this risk, and owning a prediction-market exchange gives DraftKings a direct way to compete for event-contract demand.
The upgrade leaves the competitive field untouched, skeptics say. Kalshi and Polymarket are still drawing event-contract volume that DraftKings must pay to win back, and those costs could keep pressure on margins even if Kelley turns out right about estimates.
What to Watch Next The next quarterly results from DraftKings can test whether estimates have truly bottomed, and a fresh shortfall after the second-quarter revenue miss would weaken the bottoming argument, while a clean quarter would support the Bank of America reversal view.
Given how sharply the entire category has moved, investors should keep their exposure to DraftKings stock measured until the next results back up the upgrade. Building their DKNG share position in stages can limit the damage if event-contract competition continues to put pressure on the group.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ: WDAY), the agentic platform for HR, finance, and IT, today announced it was named as a Market Shaper in the inaugural Gartner Emerging Market Quadrant (eMQ) for AI Agents in Human Resources.
With Workday agents, organizations can speed up frontline hiring, cut case volumes, and resolve payroll issues in minutes instead of weeks, freeing HR teams to focus on strategic work, giving managers more time back to lead their teams, and lifting productivity across the workforce.
Workday agents are designed to anticipate what needs attention, advise on the best next step, and act to get work done, all within the policies, permissions, and business processes organizations already rely on. In HR, that means support across the full employee lifecycle, helping move candidates through hiring, answering employee questions, and finding missing payroll information before it creates a problem. These agents work together behind the scenes so employees and HR teams always have one simple place to ask for help. The results are fewer routine questions landing in HR's support queue, more time for managers to spend managing their people instead of paperwork, and a measurable productivity lift across the entire workforce.
"In HR, the margin for error is effectively zero," said Max Wessel, senior vice president of product at Workday. "That's why Workday agents are built to anticipate what needs attention, recommend the right action, and act — across hiring, payroll, and talent — within the customer's policies and approvals HR teams already rely on."
Automation Inside the Guardrails Organizations Already Trust
Workday's agents are lawful by design. They inherit the same policies, permissions, and approval chains already governing recruiting, payroll, and talent processes, so they can anticipate what needs attention, recommend the right action, and act within those guardrails, with a human always in the loop. This is Workday's broader vision for agentic HR: connecting every stage of the employee lifecycle, from hiring to development to retirement, into a single AI-powered system built for trust, transparency, and scale. By automating routine and repetitive work, Workday agents give HR teams back the time to focus on strategic priorities, like talent strategy and workforce planning, rather than case management.
Delivering Measurable Customer Outcomes
These results show that agentic HR isn't only about speed — it's about giving HR teams the accuracy and trust to act with confidence. With Workday agents for HR, customers have been able to:
Automate 95% of frontline hiring, cutting time-to-hire by 70%, giving store managers significant time back each year to use towards operations. Surface relevant internal hiring leads to recruiters, resulting in a 15% increase in internal hires. Resolve complex payroll questions in under a minute — work that used to take far longer. For More Information
Read a complimentary copy of the Gartner report on the Workday website. Read more about Workday's vision for agentic HR. Gartner Disclaimer
Gartner Report, Emerging Market Quadrant for AI Agents in Human Resources — Established Vendors, By y Ranadip Chandra, Eser Rizaoglu, September 2026.
Gartner is a trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates.
Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
About Workday
Workday operates at the heart of the enterprise – HR, finance, and IT – where the margin for error is effectively zero. By tightly coupling AI with the context, guardrails, and trusted processes that run the business, Workday goes beyond AI that assists work to agents that are capable of driving measurable outcomes. More than 11,500 organizations worldwide, including more than 65% of the Fortune 500, trust Workday to deliver. For more information about Workday, visit workday.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements including, among other things, statements regarding Workday's plans, beliefs, and expectations. These forward-looking statements are based only on currently available information and our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. If the risks materialize, assumptions prove incorrect, or we experience unexpected changes in circumstances, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements, and therefore you should not rely on any forward-looking statements. Risks include, but are not limited to, risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including our most recent report on Form 10-Q or Form 10-K and other reports that we have filed and will file with the SEC from time to time, which could cause actual results to vary from expectations. Workday assumes no obligation to, and does not currently intend to, update any such forward-looking statements after the date of this release, except as required by law.
Any unreleased services, features, or functions referenced in this document, our website, or other press releases or public statements that are not currently available are subject to change at Workday's discretion and may not be delivered as planned or at all. Customers who purchase Workday services should make their purchase decisions based upon services, features, and functions that are currently available.
PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Board of Directors of Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:ZTS) has declared a dividend of $0.53 per share for the fourth quarter of 2026. The dividend will be paid on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, to all holders of record of the Company’s common stock as of the close of business on Friday, October 30, 2026.
About Zoetis
Zoetis is the world’s leading animal health company, driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. With a legacy of nearly 75 years, Zoetis continues to pioneer ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness supporting veterinarians, livestock producers and pet owners in over 100 countries. We integrate deep scientific expertise, data-driven R&D, advanced manufacturing, and commercial excellence to deliver meaningful innovation across medicines, vaccines, diagnostics biopharmaceuticals, and digital solutions. Guided by our vision to be the most trusted and valued animal health company, Zoetis is committed to setting new standards for the future of animal care through innovation, customer obsession, and purpose-driven colleagues. To learn more, visit Zoetis.com.
DISCLOSURE NOTICES
Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements, which reflect the current views of Zoetis with respect to business plans or prospects, future operating or financial performance, future use of cash and dividend payments, and other future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or actions. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if management's underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. Zoetis expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. A further list and description of risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in the sections thereof captioned “Forward-Looking Statements and Factors That May Affect Future Results” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our Current Reports on Form 8-K. These filings and subsequent filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.zoetis.com, or on request from Zoetis.
Robinhood nabízí klientům společnosti Webull bonus 3 % za převod portfolia poté, co zpráva Kongresu označila vazby společnosti Webull na Čínu za bezpečnostní riziko.
Robinhood Markets (NASDAQ:HOOD) appears poised to capitalize as Webull Corporation‘s (NASDAQ:BULL) stock struggles after a congressional report called it a security risk because of its business ties to China.
"Robinhood is proudly American, founded here to give everyday investors more access to the financial system. If you’re still on Webull, bring your portfolio home and get 3% on your transfer today," Robinhood tweeted.
The transfers covered are those made from Webull before Oct. 16, 2026. Robinhood regularly offers promotions for customers who transfer their accounts, but the 3% may be among the highest matches offered.
Robinhood’s direct targeting of Webull and its "proudly American" wording may be among its most aggressive in recent years.
"American assets should be at America’s favorite broker. We’re offering 3% on transfers from Webull today," Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev tweeted.
Robinhood and Tenev are taking to social media to take on Webull after the House Select Committee on China found that the rival’s ownership and infrastructure were tied to the People’s Republic of China. The investigation raises concerns that U.S. customer data and deposits could be at risk.
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Can Robinhood Win?Robinhood is one of the leading U.S. brokerages, and it regularly competes with Webull among retail investors, day traders, and swing traders based on the platform’s ease of use and available tools.
Fears of China connections at Webull could push customers to look for a new platform.
Robinhood has been gaining customers away from legacy stock brokers and taking share from Webull could be another major win for the company.
Robinhood ended August with 28.6 million funded accounts, up about 120,000 from July. The company also reported $384 billion in platform assets in August, up 8% from July and up 26% year-over-year.
August saw strong equity trading for Robinhood, while options contracts were down from July but up 50% year-over-year.
Robinhood reported those figures on Sept. 10.
Any substantial gains from Webull could be communicated by Robinhood when it reports its September figures or its third-quarter financials, which are set for Oct. 27. While gains from Webull will not be factored into those numbers, Robinhood could choose to share them to excite investors.
Otherwise, investors will have to wait until Robinhood’s fourth-quarter financial results to see if the Webull report led to gains for the rival.
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Photo courtesy: Thrive Studios ID / Shutterstock.com
VICI Properties se obchoduje za 9,06násobek očekávaného zisku, což je pod průměrem odvětví ve výši 14,91násobku. Caesars a MGM však představují 70 % jejího anualizovaného nájemného.
Key Takeaways VICI Properties trades at 9.06X forward P/E, below the REIT Other industry average of 14.91X.VICI's long leases, 100% occupancy and growing CPI-linked rent protection support stability.VICI is expanding through acquisitions, but Caesars and MGM account for 70% of annualized cash rent. VICI Properties (VICI - Free Report) shares are trading cheaply, as reflected in its Value Score of B. In terms of forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E), VICI is currently trading at 9.06X, lower than the Zacks REIT Other Market industry average of 14.91X.
In comparison, peers like Gaming and Leisure Properties (GLPI - Free Report) and EPR Properties (EPR - Free Report) trade at slightly higher multiples of 9.18X and 10.10X, respectively. VICI's relatively lower valuation raises the question of whether the stock offers an attractive buying opportunity.
However, a lower valuation does not necessarily ensure potential upside. VICI faces risks from its dependence on major gaming operators and an uncertain economic environment. Still, its long-term lease agreements and efforts to expand its property portfolio could support future growth. Investors should weigh these strengths against the risks before deciding whether the stock is worth buying.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
VICI shares have declined 10.4% in the past month compared with the industry’s fall of 6%, while the S&P 500 composite gained 3.1%. Comparatively, among its peers, GLPI and EPR declined 9% and 9.8%, respectively, during the same period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
VICI Properties’ estimate revisions reflect a favorable trend for full-year 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is pegged at $2.47 per share, implying a cent rise over 2025.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Let’s delve deeper into this to find out whether the stock should be a Buy or not.
VICI’s High-Quality Assets and Long Leases Anchor StabilityVICI Properties has built one of the largest experiential real estate portfolios, comprising 103 properties, including 63 gaming and 40 other experiential assets. Its portfolio spans 26 states, one U.S. territory and one Canadian province. These large, complex properties have high replacement costs, while gaming assets in certain jurisdictions also face significant regulatory barriers to entry. Together, these factors help limit new competition and support VICI's 100% occupancy.
The lease structure adds another layer of stability. VICI’s portfolio is 100% triple-net leased, meaning tenants generally bear property operating costs, taxes, insurance and maintenance. About 88% of rent carries parent guarantees, while 82% has master-lease protection. The weighted-average lease term, including renewal options, is a long 39.4 years. Inflation protection is also improving, with 45% of rent expected to have CPI-linked escalation in 2026 and 88% by 2035.
VICI's Deal Pipeline Supports Long-Term GrowthVICI Properties continues to expand its portfolio through strategic transactions while gradually broadening its tenant relationships, as reflected in its latest Century Mile and Century Downs agreement, announced on Sept. 28, 2026. Subject to closing, Highfield will become VICI’s 17th tenant under a new 20-year triple-net lease, with initial annual base rent of C$10.7 million, four five-year renewal options and annual escalation equal to the greater of 1.25% or Canadian CPI, capped at 2.5%. Importantly, VICI will reduce Century Casinos’ master-lease rent by the same amount, leaving aggregate rent collected unchanged. The transaction will therefore enhance tenant diversification without providing an immediate increase to rental revenues.
Beyond tenant relationships, VICI continues to pursue acquisitions and development opportunities to expand its portfolio and support long-term growth. In the second quarter of 2026, VICI completed the $1.16-billion acquisition of seven Golden Entertainment casino properties, added Clairvest at Northfield Park and acquired Alberta’s Gamehost real estate for C$200.6 million, or about $141 million. In June 2026, VICI announced the acquisition of Carambola Beach Resort for $20.3 million and committed another $55.2 million to its redevelopment in partnership with Club Med, expanding into build-to-suit investing.
Supporting this investment-driven growth strategy, VICI maintains a disciplined capital allocation approach backed by a solid liquidity position. At June-end, VICI had $2.5 billion of liquidity, while total debt was $17.2 billion and net debt to annualized adjusted EBITDA was about 4.9 times, below management’s 5.0-5.5-times target range. Management continues to favor new investments over share repurchases, noting that its loan book was generating yields close to 9.5%, making the deployment of capital into new opportunities more attractive.
VICI’s Risks to NoteDespite ongoing portfolio expansion and efforts to broaden its tenant base, VICI Properties remains significantly dependent on a few major gaming operators. Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts contribute 38% and 32%, respectively, of its annualized cash rent, accounting for a combined 70%. This substantial concentration exposes VICI to tenant-specific operational and financial risks, as challenges faced by either operator could affect its rental income stability.
Moreover, weaker consumer spending, lower travel demand and economic uncertainty could pressure gaming operators. Nevertheless, VICI’s long-term leases and solid liquidity support cash-flow stability and long-term growth prospects.
ConclusionVICI Properties’ long-term leases and strategic expansions support its growth prospects, while favorable revisions in earnings estimates add to the optimism. The stock’s discounted valuation relative to the industry and peers presents an opportunity. However, tenant concentration and economic uncertainties remain concerns. Moreover, VICI’s share-price decline compared with the industry and peers GLPI and EPR appears excessive given its solid fundamentals. For long-term investors, VICI looks more like a buy-the-dip opportunity than a time to exit.
VICI Properties currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
UWM Holdings čelí hromadné žalobě kvůli údajným nepravdivým a zavádějícím tvrzením o nadměrném zajišťovacím riziku, které vzniklo odklonem od strategie nezajišťovat práva na správu hypotečních úvěrů.
, /PRNewswire/ -- The DJS Law Group reminds investors of a class action lawsuit against UWM Holdings Corporation ("UWM" or "the Company") (NYSE: UWMC) violations of §§10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Shareholders who purchased shares of UWMC during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointments. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery.
CLASS PERIOD: March 9, 2026 to August 5, 2026
DEADLINE: October 13, 2026
CASE DETAILS: According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. UWM created an excess hedging risk by deviating from its strategy of not hedging its mortgage servicing rights. Based on these facts, UWM's public statements were false and materially misleading throughout the class period.
If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, contact us to participate.
WHY DJS LAW GROUP? DJS Law Group's primary focus is to enhance investor return through balanced counseling and aggressive advocacy. We specialize in securities class actions, corporate governance litigation, and domestic/international M&A appraisals. Our clients are some of the largest and most sophisticated hedge funds and alternative asset managers in the world. The litigation claims of our clients are extraordinarily valuable assets that demand respect, focus, and results.
Join the case to recover your losses.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.
CONTACT:
David J. Schwartz
DJS Law Group
274 White Plains Road, Suite 1
Eastchester, NY 10709
Phone: 914-206-9742
Email: [email protected]
EMCOR Group koupila pět elektrotechnických firem za 750 milionů USD, čímž posiluje své kapacity v oblasti infrastruktury pro AI a datová centra. Ve druhé polovině roku 2026 očekává, že akvizice přinesou tržby ve výši 250 až 275 milionů USD.
Key Takeaways EMCOR's five acquisitions expand its AI infrastructure and data center reach.The $750 million deals add $625 million in revenues and $105 million in EBITDA.EMCOR expects $250-$275 million in revenues during the second half of 2026. EMCOR Group (EME - Free Report) is strengthening its Electrical Construction business through five strategic acquisitions aimed at expanding its geographic presence, technical capabilities and exposure to high-growth markets, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and data centers.
The acquisitions include B&B Electric, Sidney Electric, Giles Electric, Schmidt Electric and Connelly Electric. Collectively, these businesses generated approximately $625 million in revenues and $105 million in EBITDA during the trailing 12 months ended June 2026. Their combined upfront purchase price is approximately $750 million.
Acquisitions Expand EMCOR's Data Center OpportunitiesB&B Electric strengthens EMCOR's industrial contracting capabilities in Wisconsin, while Sidney Electric enhances its presence in Ohio, particularly across industrial and healthcare markets. Giles Electric expands the company's reach into Florida's growing markets.
Schmidt Electric provides access to Central Texas and Austin, where EMCOR sees opportunities to leverage existing customer relationships to pursue data center projects. Similarly, Connelly Electric adds design-build expertise and strengthens EMCOR's positioning in Chicago's expanding data center market.
These acquisitions should support cross-selling, broaden customer relationships and enhance EMCOR's ability to undertake complex electrical projects across additional geographies.
Will Acquisitions Strengthen EMCOR's Growth Outlook?Management expects the five acquisitions to contribute $250-$275 million in revenues during the second half of 2026. However, acquisition-related intangible asset amortization and lower net interest income are expected to limit near-term EPS accretion.
The earnings contribution should improve as backlog amortization rolls off over the following 12-18 months.
Overall, these acquisitions strengthen EMCOR's long-term AI infrastructure prospects, although successful integration and project execution remain important to realizing their full benefits.
EME Faces Competition From Comfort Systems and Quanta ServicesComfort Systems USA (FIX - Free Report) is expanding its electrical and mechanical capabilities to capitalize on growing AI infrastructure and data center demand. Comfort Systems' acquisitions of Hunt Electric, Feyen Zylstra and Meisner Electric have strengthened its electrical contracting capabilities and geographic reach.
Comfort Systems reported 81.2% growth in Electrical segment revenues during the second quarter of 2026, supported by acquisitions and strong technology-sector demand. The company’s expanding electrical backlog and modular construction capabilities position it to pursue larger, more complex data center projects.
Quanta Services (PWR - Free Report) is also strengthening its position through strategic acquisitions. Quanta's acquisitions of Phalcon and Enerfab complement its existing electrical, mechanical and fabrication capabilities, developed through earlier transactions involving Cupertino Electric, Dynamic Systems and Tri-City Group.
Phalcon expands Quanta's electrical capabilities across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, supporting opportunities in data centers and mission-critical facilities. Quanta's integrated construction platform strengthens its competitive position in AI infrastructure development.
EME Stock’s Price Performance & Valuation TrendShares of this Connecticut-based infrastructure service provider have gained 28.1% year to date, outperforming the Zacks Building Products - Heavy Construction industry, the Zacks Construction sector and the S&P 500 Index.
EME Price Performance (YTD)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
EME stock is currently trading at a premium compared with the industry peers, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 21.65, as evidenced by the chart below.
EME Valuation (P/E F12M)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Earnings Estimate Revision of EMEEME’s earnings estimates for 2026 and 2027 have increased in the past 60 days at $32.98 and $37.23 per share, respectively. The estimates for 2026 and 2027 imply year-over-year growth of 27.5% and 12.9%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
EMCOR stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:APP) is navigating renewed legal and competitive pressure as investors weigh regulatory scrutiny, weaker risk appetite and mixed views on the company’s growth outlook.
The stock fell nearly 2% Thursday as growth-oriented stocks weakened. The Nasdaq declined 0.65%, while the S&P 500 fell 0.34%.
The stock has lost almost 60% in 2026 after missing revenue estimates and analyst skepticism.
• AppLovin shares are experiencing downward pressure. Why are APP shares declining?
San Diego Lawsuit Adds Fresh ScrutinyAppLovin is facing new legal pressure after San Diego County sued the company over allegations that it bypassed parental controls and collected sensitive data from children’s devices to serve targeted ads, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.
AppLovin says its policies prohibit collecting children’s data or targeting children with advertising.
The lawsuit adds another layer of scrutiny around the company’s advertising practices.
SEC Probe Ended Without Enforcement ActionThe Securities and Exchange Commission also investigated AppLovin’s advertising practices last year.
CFO Matt Stumpf said in August that the agency closed the investigation without recommending enforcement action.
Needham Sees Long-Term Advertiser PotentialNeedham maintained a Buy rating and $475 price forecast on Tuesday, highlighting the addition of three higher-quality advertisers: Steve Madden, Quince and Thorne.
The firm said those advertisers are unlikely to materially affect near-term results but could increase spending on AppLovin’s platform over time.
Cramer Flags Competitive PressureCNBC’s Jim Cramer took a more cautious stance in September, saying competition from larger players is weighing on the stock.
"I prefer you to sell half now and sell half on a bounce," Cramer said.
ETF Exposure Adds Trading SensitivityAppLovin carries a 3.31% weight in the Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth ETF (NASDAQ:BGGG) and a 3.82% weight in the VictoryShares NASDAQ Next 50 ETF (NASDAQ:QQQN).
Significant inflows or outflows from funds with sizable AppLovin positions can translate into corresponding buying or selling pressure on the stock.
APP Price ActionAppLovin shares were down 1.42% at $277,28 at the time of publication on Thursday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Photo: Shutterstock
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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
Key Takeaways AppLovin's Q2 revenues surged 53% to $1.92B, but advertising-driven installations fell 2%.APP faces uneven AI model upgrades, rising infrastructure costs and an expected 83% Q3 EBITDA margin.Consumer advertising remains unproven, while legal disputes and competition add uncertainty to future growth. AppLovin Corporation (APP - Free Report) shares have plunged 53% over the past year, significantly underperforming the industry's 21% decline. The substantial sell-off reflects growing concerns surrounding its advertising business, competitive pressures and uncertainty over future growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Despite maintaining impressive profitability and benefiting from AI-powered advertising technologies, AppLovin faces challenges involving slowing mobile gaming installations, unpredictable model enhancements and difficulties scaling its consumer advertising operations. These headwinds raise questions about the sustainability of its growth trajectory.
Against this backdrop, should investors buy the beaten-down stock, hold their positions or consider selling?
APP's Gaming Advertising Business Faces Growth ConstraintsAppLovin's substantial presence in mobile gaming advertising has historically supported its expansion. However, its dominant market position could limit opportunities for additional market-share gains as the segment matures.
The company's second-quarter 2026 results highlight this emerging challenge. Although revenues surged 53% year over year to $1.92 billion, the number of advertising-driven installations declined 2%. Meanwhile, net revenue per installation increased 58%, reflecting improved monetization rather than higher installation volumes.
Image Source: APP
This divergence raises concerns about the sustainability of revenue growth if advertiser demand weakens. Rising customer acquisition costs could further pressure advertising budgets, particularly if gaming developers experience deteriorating returns on their marketing investments.
While enhanced monetization continues to support revenues, prolonged weakness in installation activity could eventually constrain expansion.
AI Model Development Adds Uncertainty to APP's OutlookAppLovin's advertising platform relies heavily on improvements in its AI-powered recommendation models to enhance campaign effectiveness and attract higher advertiser spending.
However, the timing of these improvements remains unpredictable. During the second quarter, fewer significant model upgrades limited opportunities for additional growth. Although subsequent enhancements improved advertising performance, their delayed implementation highlights the company's dependence on technological execution.
This uneven development cycle could introduce greater volatility into quarterly results and complicate revenue forecasting.
Additionally, increasingly sophisticated AI models require substantial computing resources. Higher training and infrastructure expenses are expected to weigh on profitability, with the third-quarter adjusted EBITDA margin projected at approximately 83%.
Although this represents exceptional profitability, continued expense growth without corresponding advertising gains could restrict further margin expansion.
Competitive Disputes Threaten AppLovin's Market PositionAppLovin's ongoing legal dispute with a competing advertising technology provider introduces another uncertainty.
The disagreement centers on allegations involving the collection and potential use of advertising-related information through a software development kit. AppLovin argues that access to such data could provide competitors with valuable insights into its advertising operations.
A California court recently rejected the company's request for temporary restrictions, leaving the underlying dispute unresolved.
Although the ruling does not establish wrongdoing or determine the eventual outcome, the controversy highlights intensifying competition and concerns surrounding the protection of proprietary advertising information.
Any deterioration in its competitive advantages could eventually undermine advertiser retention, pricing power and long-term profitability.
Consumer Advertising Expansion Remains UnprovenAppLovin's efforts to diversify beyond mobile gaming through consumer advertising offer considerable potential. However, scaling this business presents operational challenges.
Advertiser onboarding remains gradual, while reliance on a relatively concentrated customer base increases sensitivity to spending fluctuations.
Developing effective advertising creatives also presents difficulties, especially for smaller businesses lacking extensive marketing resources. Improvements in automation, creative generation and data integration will be essential for broadening platform adoption.
Meanwhile, emerging opportunities in lead generation and connected television have yet to establish consistent commercial traction.
Consequently, consumer advertising may require additional investment before becoming a dependable growth driver capable of offsetting potential weakness in gaming-related revenues.
How Do APP's Advertising Technology Peers Compare?The Trade Desk (TTD - Free Report) operates a programmatic advertising platform serving advertisers across multiple digital channels. The Trade Desk benefits from diversified advertising exposure, although its performance remains sensitive to marketing expenditure trends. Compared with AppLovin's emphasis on performance-driven mobile advertising, The Trade Desk offers broader exposure to digital advertising demand.
Unity Software (U - Free Report) represents another relevant competitor through its advertising monetization and game-development technologies. Unity Software competes for mobile advertising budgets while maintaining commercial connections within the broader developer ecosystem. Although Unity Software faces its own profitability and execution challenges, its expanding advertising capabilities could intensify competitive pressure on AppLovin.
Should Investors Buy, Hold or Sell APP Stock?AppLovin's impressive profitability and established advertising capabilities remain important strengths, but mounting operational challenges weaken its near-term investment appeal. Slowing installation activity, inconsistent AI model improvements and rising infrastructure expenses could constrain growth momentum. Intensifying competition and unresolved legal disputes introduce additional uncertainty, while the consumer advertising business has yet to demonstrate sufficient scale to offset potential weakness in gaming. Despite the substantial share-price correction, these risks suggest that a sustained recovery cannot be taken for granted. Investors may therefore consider reducing exposure rather than relying on an uncertain turnaround. Selling APP stock appears to be the more prudent strategy for now.
APP currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Podíl AppLovin na reklamních rozpočtech zadavatelů v e-commerce má ve čtvrtém čtvrtletí vzrůst na 8,1 % z 6,7 % před rokem, ukázal průzkum společnosti Jefferies.
AppLovin Corp (NASDAQ:APP)'s share of e-commerce advertising budgets is expected to rise to 8.1% in the fourth quarter, up from 6.7% a year earlier, according to a Jefferies survey of 30 advertisers.
The advertising technology company maintained its third-place position among platforms in the survey, behind Meta Platforms and Alphabet's Google, as brands continued to diversify their advertising spending.
AppLovin's share of respondents' budgets is expected to increase from 7.3% in the second quarter to 7.7% in the third quarter and 8.1% in the fourth quarter.
Advertisers also expect to allocate 8.3% of their budgets to AppLovin in 2027, up from 7.8% in 2026, representing the largest expected share gain among platforms in the survey.
Jefferies said AppLovin's performance is expected to benefit from the seasonally strong holiday quarter, when consumer purchase intent is typically higher.
Prospecting campaigns also showed improvement, with 83% of respondents reporting increased new-customer revenue from the campaigns, up from 73% in the previous quarter.
Discovery campaigns were unchanged, with 60% of respondents reporting an increase in new-customer revenue, in line with the previous quarter.
Generative AI use for advertising end cards increased to 57% of respondents from 50%, while use of AI for video creative fell to 37% from 50%, suggesting the technology remains at an early stage for video creation.
Jefferies said respondents expect total advertising budgets to grow 8% in 2027, compared with 5.8% in 2026, pointing to a potentially favorable environment for advertising spending.
Despite the positive survey signals, Jefferies lowered its 2027 AppLovin revenue forecast by 5% to $10.1 billion and adjusted EBITDA estimate by 7% to $8.4 billion.
The broker also cut its price target to $375 from its previous target, based on 15 times its 2027 EBITDA estimate, while reducing its 2027 e-commerce revenue forecast to $1.7 billion from $2.8 billion.
Jefferies said the lower e-commerce forecast reflected more muted expectations for new-customer growth despite rising advertiser adoption of AppLovin's platform.
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Constellation Brands potvrdila výhled srovnatelného zisku na akcii (EPS) pro fiskální rok 2027 v rozmezí 11,20–11,90 USD; zlepšující se poptávka v září podporuje dosažení horní hranice.
Key Takeaways STZ reaffirms fiscal 2027 EPS guidance of $11.20-$11.90 as stronger September beer demand lifts confidence.Pacifico's 20% growth and Victoria's mid-teens gains support STZ despite declines in Modelo and Corona.STZ projects second-half beer margins of 34.5%-35.5% amid higher marketing costs and seasonal volume weakness. Constellation Brands, Inc. (STZ - Free Report) struck a more confident tone during its second-quarter fiscal 2027 earnings call, citing improving beer demand, stronger marketing execution and healthier distributor inventories.
Management reaffirmed its annual outlook while indicating that sustained September trends could push results toward the upper end of its guidance range.
STZ Sees Potential to Reach High End of OutlookPresident and CEO Nicholas Fink reaffirmed fiscal 2027 comparable earnings guidance of $11.20-$11.90 per share, emphasizing that September's improving demand trends support expectations toward the high end.
Addressing questions from RBC Capital Markets, Fink explained that September's acceleration extended beyond Labor Day timing benefits. He attributed the improvement partly to college football programming and stronger consumer engagement.
CFO Garth Hankinson reinforced management's confidence, noting that second-quarter performance exceeded internal expectations even after accounting for distributor inventory rebuilding.
The company reported earnings of $3.74 per share, which exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.62. Revenues of $2.63 billion surpassed the consensus mark of $2.57 billion.
Constellation Addresses Distributor Inventory ConcernsDistributor inventory normalization attracted considerable analyst attention after beer shipments increased 5.5% while depletions declined 0.6% during the quarter.
Responding to Bank of America, Fink explained that fiscal 2026 inventory reductions had left distributors with insufficient stock, creating operational inefficiencies and potential product shortages.
Management indicated that distributor inventories have recovered but remain below historical averages. Fink expects second-half shipment patterns to normalize, with full-year shipments and depletions tracking within 99% of each other.
STZ Highlights Pacifico and Victoria GrowthConstellation Brands' beer portfolio continued gaining market share despite uneven performance among its established brands.
Fink highlighted Pacifico's approximately 20% year-to-date growth and its emergence among the 10 largest U.S. beer brands. Victoria also maintained strong momentum, with first-half growth in the mid-teens.
Meanwhile, Modelo Especial and Corona Extra recorded depletion declines of approximately 2% and 5%, respectively. Fink emphasized improving Corona trends, including stabilizing market share and renewed traction in New York and Miami.
Constellation Refines Marketing and Pricing StrategyManagement outlined a more targeted marketing approach focused on consumer occasions, brand relevance and retail execution rather than awareness alone.
Fink identified college football, sports sponsorships and localized promotions as opportunities to strengthen consumer engagement. Hankinson expects marketing spending to approximate 10% of second-half net sales, exceeding 11% during the third quarter.
Addressing Citigroup's pricing questions, management maintained its long-term 1%-2% pricing framework while favoring the lower end amid consumer pressures.
Hankinson attributed roughly flat second-quarter beer price and mix performance to unfavorable mix, promotional investments and portfolio repositioning.
STZ Faces Margin Pressure and Brewery CostsBeer operating margin declined 160 basis points to 39%, reflecting increased marketing expenditures and other selling, general and administrative costs.
Responding to Wells Fargo, Hankinson projected second-half beer operating margins of 34.5%-35.5%, citing seasonal volume weakness, maintenance spending and continued brand investment.
He also clarified that the Veracruz brewery is expected to enter service early in fiscal 2028. Associated depreciation should create approximately $75 million in annualized expense and a 90-basis-point margin headwind.
Constellation Balances Acquisitions and Shareholder ReturnsManagement emphasized disciplined capital allocation as brewery construction spending moderates and cash generation improves.
Hankinson highlighted $530 million in year-to-date share repurchases and approximately $2.5 billion remaining under the authorization extending through fiscal 2028.
Fink also discussed the SpikedAde acquisition, which included $75 million upfront and potential contingent payments totaling $278 million. Management views the spirit-based ready-to-drink brand as an opportunity to enter emerging consumption occasions without shifting its primary focus away from beer.
STZ Maintains Focus on Execution and GrowthManagement's commentary centered on rebuilding sustained growth through stronger brand investment, distribution discipline and improved operating efficiency.
Fink emphasized that Constellation Brands’ established beer brands remain central to long-term value creation, while emerging products offer additional expansion opportunities.
The company's near-term priorities remain maintaining improving consumer trends, supporting marketing effectiveness and protecting profitability against inflationary pressures.
What STZ's Zacks Rank and Style Scores IndicateSTZ currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), reflecting a neutral near-term earnings revision outlook. Its Value Score of B indicates relatively favorable valuation characteristics, while its Growth Score of D and Momentum Score of F reflect weaker positioning in those investment styles. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The company's VGM Score of D indicates an unfavorable combination of value, growth and momentum characteristics relative to higher-scoring stocks. These signals warrant distinction from management's operational outlook. The Zacks Rank can change as analysts revise earnings estimates following the latest results.
Akcie ChargePoint v září vzrostly o 83,3 % poté, co tržby ve 2. fiskálním čtvrtletí stouply o 18 % na 116,1 mil. USD a čistá ztráta se téměř zmenšila na polovinu.
Betting against ChargePoint (CHPT -0.30%) had become the easy trade. Electric vehicle (EV) sales were slowing and the charging infrastructure provider was rapidly burning cash. ChargePoint became a favorite target for short-sellers.
Then, September arrived.
ChargePoint stock staged a dramatic comeback and surged 83.3% in the month, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Here's all you need to know.
Image source: Getty Images.
What's happening with ChargePoint stock?The big trigger came right at the beginning of September when ChargePoint released its second-quarter fiscal 2027 earnings report. Revenue rose 18% to $116.1 million, GAAP gross margin jumped to 36% from 31% a year ago, and net loss nearly halved to $35.6 million.
It was the strongest quarter in the history of a company that was founded in 2007. ChargePoint shares ripped 75% higher in a single session.
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One good quarter doesn't explain a move that size, though, but a heavy short position does. Traders who bet on a falling price had to buy shares to close out their positions, which pushed the price up and forced more of them to buy.
It was a classic short-squeeze, and a reminder that when a heavily shorted stock suddenly shows operational discipline, a rally can stun even the biggest skeptics.
To ChargePoint's credit, it expanded its Mercedes-Benz (MBGAF -1.66%) fleet partnership in Europe, began shipments of its new Express Solo fast charger, and electrified rental fleets at Portland Airport.
CEO Rick Wilmer also mentioned the hot word -- artificial intelligence (AI) – during ChargePoint's earnings call, stating that "AI is fundamentally changing" the way the company operates. Some of its AI initiatives include "compressing software development cycles, automating business processes," and accomplishing more with less.
Should you buy ChargePoint stock before it's too late?Wilmer seized the moment and told CNBC the stock's rally is "the beginning of the momentum." He expects new products and technology to drive ChargePoint's growth from here.
Here's a reality check: one quarter is too early to decide if a company has turned around.
ChargePoint expects only 4% revenue growth at the midpoint for the third quarter. Also, part of the Q2 margin boost came from one-time tariff refunds, not core operations.
The EV industry now has to run without legacy government subsidies amid intense price competition. That makes sustainable profit on low single-digit revenue growth a steep climb.
ChargePoint has shown us that it can operate more efficiently and preserve cash. Now, it must prove it can execute for the long haul as the challenge shifts from survival to sustainable execution.
PVH sází na opakovatelný růst značek Calvin Klein a Tommy Hilfiger prostřednictvím klíčových kategorií, digitálního prodeje a velkoobchodního kanálu. Licenční byznys o objemu 350 milionů USD má začít růst v příštím roce.
Tapestry Stock Drops After Strong Quarter and Raised OutlookPVH NYSE: PVH CEO Stefan Larsson said the company is pursuing “systematic, repeatable” growth by connecting brand strategy, product development, consumer engagement and operating discipline across its Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger businesses.
Speaking alongside newly appointed CFO Alexis Rollier, Larsson said the company’s approach is intended to move beyond relying on seasonal product improvements. Instead, PVH is identifying priority categories and product franchises, investing in newness and innovation, and seeking to translate its brand appeal into stronger performance across stores, e-commerce and wholesale partners.
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Focus on Young Consumers and Core Categories After a Huge Rally, Is There Any Upside Left for Ralph Lauren Stock? Larsson said consumer research indicates Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger have built particular strength with Gen Z and younger millennials, especially among “status shoppers” and “style enthusiasts.” He described those segments and their value-oriented counterparts as representing roughly 40% of the total market.
For Calvin Klein, Larsson identified underwear and denim as core categories. Those categories represent about half of the brand’s business, while underwear and the broader jeans lifestyle account for about 80%, he said. He pointed to double-digit denim growth and double-digit average unit retail, or AUR, expansion in denim, while also citing mid-single-digit growth in underwear.
Calvin Klein's Parent May Be the Market's Best BargainTommy Hilfiger is emphasizing sweaters, outerwear and shirts, according to Larsson. He said the company is seeing double-digit growth in sweaters and mid-single-digit growth in shirts, while seeking to reinforce the brand’s “classic American style” positioning and product value.
Larsson said the company is working to make brand marketing more directly connected to product and point-of-sale execution. Calvin Klein’s denim marketing, for example, has been structured around specific fits and product messages, he said, with campaigns featuring talent including Sadie Sink intended to drive consumers toward featured products in stores and online.
Digital, Direct-to-Consumer and Wholesale Strategy Larsson said direct-to-consumer performance has benefited from double-digit traffic growth to e-commerce, new customer acquisition, retention and higher customer lifetime value. He said PVH has recorded e-commerce growth across brands and regions, as well as AUR expansion.
He added that North America and Asia-Pacific have not experienced major macroeconomic disruption in the company’s view, supporting direct-to-consumer growth. In Europe, where Larsson said consumer sentiment has been pressured by the Middle East war, PVH grew e-commerce year over year and sequentially improved its direct-to-consumer store business from the first quarter to the second quarter.
PVH is also working more closely with wholesale partners including Zalando, Amazon, Tmall and Macy’s, Larsson said. The company aims to use partner data and consumer insights to jointly grow its brands. He cited newly renovated Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger shop-in-shops at Macy’s Dadeland location in Miami as performing well.
New CFO Highlights Discipline and Global Capabilities Rollier, who said he had been with PVH for one month, joined after serving as global chief operating officer and chief financial officer at Sephora. He said his experience scaling Sephora centered on cost discipline, gross-margin management and reinvestment in growth areas including real estate, digital, technology and procurement.
At PVH, Rollier said he sees an opportunity to further develop global capabilities within a business that has historically been decentralized across brands and regions. Greater use of global infrastructure could make initiatives “faster, cheaper, more efficient,” he said, while improving the company’s speed to market.
Rollier said PVH has already created substantial “upper funnel” brand excitement through its marketing, but the next opportunity is to scale consumer activation throughout the shopping journey. He emphasized disciplined marketing allocation and linking marketing investments to stronger sales and customer experiences.
Licensing Business and Store Tests Larsson said licensing remains a significant recurring revenue and profit stream for PVH. The company has a $350 million licensing business and expects total licensing to begin growing next year, following the completion of a transition involving North American women’s wholesale licensing by the end of this year, he said.
He said PVH has taken greater control of its core consumer proposition while continuing to work with licensing partners in categories such as eyewear, small leather goods, belts and footwear.
Larsson also cited the Calvin Klein store in New York’s SoHo neighborhood as a testing ground for merchandising and consumer interaction. The store has increased its focus on denim and underwear, he said, and offers shoppers the ability to create custom three-packs from 50 colors of Calvin Klein’s Icon Cotton Stretch underwear.
Looking ahead, Larsson said PVH’s priorities include expanding its success in core categories, increasing operational and financial discipline, and further converting consumer interest in Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger into sales across digital, retail and wholesale channels.
About PVH (NYSE:PVH)PVH Corp. NYSE: PVH is a global apparel company that owns and operates the Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger brands. Its products include clothing, accessories, footwear, underwear, and related lifestyle merchandise for women, men, and children.
The company sells its products through company-operated stores, e-commerce platforms, wholesale partners, and licensing arrangements. Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger merchandise is distributed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and other international markets.
PVH traces its history to 1881 and has expanded through brand development and acquisitions, including its acquisition of Tommy Hilfiger in 2010.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
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At its 2026 Investor Day, Marvell Technology (MRVL -4.34%) said it expects fiscal 2031 revenue to land between $70 billion and $90 billion. At the midpoint, this represents nearly 10 times the $8.2 billion in sales the company generated in fiscal 2026. Perhaps even more striking is that Wall Street had been expecting less than $50 billion in revenue.
Marvell already trades at a premium following a spectacular rally earlier this year, fueled by Jensen Huang calling the semiconductor company the next trillion-dollar stock. Nevertheless, if management comes anywhere close to its new forecast, today's price might not look so expensive.
So, what could $10,000 invested in Marvell today actually become? Spoiler alert: Marvell could be a multibagger in the making.
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Marvell sees a $400 billion opportunity Management's optimism revolves around the amount of money being poured into AI infrastructure. Marvell estimates its total addressable market (TAM) between data centers and communications will grow by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45% through calendar 2030, ultimately reaching $400 billion.
The company's revenue forecast for fiscal 2031 is broken down into the following categories:
CategoryTAM CAGRRevenue CAGRImplied Revenue (midpoint)Interconnect65%60% to 70%$37.5 billionSwitching and storage40%40% to 50%$10 billionCustom55%75% to 85%$30 billionCommunications and other3%>3%$2.5 billionTotal45%55% to 60% $80 billion
Data source: Marvell Investor Relations. Table by author.
I think this forecast is achievable thanks to some powerful partners. Marvell's relationship with Alphabet includes custom chips surrounding Google's Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) ecosystem, including inference accelerators, networking, storage, memory interfaces, and near-memory compute. Moreover, Google's purchasing commitments could reach as much as $120 billion through fiscal 2033.
Then there's Nvidia, which invested $2 billion in Marvell earlier this year as part of an expanded partnership around NVLink Fusion. Marvell will provide custom XPUs and scale-up networking that plug into Nvidia's broader AI ecosystem, while the companies also collaborate on silicon photonics. This is particularly interesting because Nvidia itself estimates NVLink Fusion's opportunity surrounding AI factories could reach roughly $250 billion annually by the end of the decade.
Wall Street underappreciates Marvell Marvell increased its fiscal 2028 revenue target from $18 billion to approximately $20 billion. For reference, Wall Street had been modeling $18.2 billion. As referenced, the company expects revenue between $70 billion and $90 billion by fiscal 2031. At the midpoint, this implies 70% upside to Wall Street's consensus estimate of $47 billion.
Management is confident in its forecast because the figures are built around visibility into existing customer orders, current design wins, and programs already under development. If the company reaches $80 billion in revenue, management is guiding to earnings of $30-plus per share.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
Marvell could triple your money by 2031 At roughly $281 per share, Marvell trades at a rich valuation based on forward price-to-earnings (P/E). Moreover, a company approaching $80 billion in revenue isn't going to grow by high-double-digit percentages every year forever.
MRVL PE Ratio (Forward) data by YCharts
For this reason, I will assume some valuation compression. If Marvell earns $30 per share and trades at a 22 P/E ratio -- which is much closer to the broader semiconductor industry average -- the stock would be worth roughly $660. At a more aggressive multiple, say 30 times earnings, Marvell stock could be worth around $900.
This analysis implies an upside of roughly 135% to 220% from today's prices, turning a $10,000 investment into approximately $23,500 to $32,000 by the end of fiscal 2031. This arguably leaves some upside out of the equation because management's actual target is greater than $30 of earnings per share.
All told, management's new forecast just changed the conversation for Marvell stock. For investors looking for less obvious names in the AI chip value chain, Marvell is emerging as a compelling stock to buy and hold throughout the AI infrastructure era.
Key Takeaways Monster Beverage targets long-term growth through brand investments, innovation and international expansion.U.S. Ultra sales surged 19% year over year, while Juice Monster grew 26%, highlighting innovation-led growth.MNST is investing in marketing, distribution and cost-efficiency initiatives to support market share. Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST - Free Report) maintains a strong position in the global energy drink market, driven by its focus on premiumization, product innovation and a powerful portfolio of brands. Its lineup includes Monster Energy, Monster Ultra, Java Monster, Reign, NOS and Full Throttle. Leveraging the strength of these brands, the company remains well-positioned to capitalize on growing consumer demand for energy drinks and evolving preferences for differentiated, functional and better-for-you beverage options.
Monster Beverage is focused on strengthening its position in the high-growth energy drink category through continued brand investments, innovation and geographic expansion. Its flagship Monster Energy brand remains a key growth driver, supported by strong consumer recognition and a broad range of flavors and product offerings. The company continues to introduce new products and expand existing brands to capture changing consumer preferences, including growing demand for zero-sugar, functional and premium energy beverages.
Innovation remains a key driver of Monster’s growth strategy. The company continues to benefit from products across its Ultra, Juice Monster, Reign and Bang brand families. In the United States, Ultra sales increased 19% year over year, while Juice Monster grew 26% in second-quarter 2026. Management said innovation contributed to second-quarter sales growth, with FLRT and Storm marketing efforts also being expanded.
The company remains well-positioned for long-term growth as it expands its global footprint and focuses on higher-growth segments of the beverage market. Monster Beverage is investing in product innovation, marketing and distribution capabilities to strengthen its brands and expand market share. The company is also pursuing productivity and cost-efficiency initiatives to support margins while maintaining investments in long-term growth opportunities.
In a nutshell, Monster Beverage is well-positioned to capitalize on the continued expansion of the global energy drink market, backed by a strong portfolio of category-leading brands and a clear focus on innovation. Its extensive brand portfolio, new product launches, international expansion and strategic investments provide important support for MNST's continued growth and long-term value creation.
MNST’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of Monster Beverage have gained 12.5% in the past six months compared with the industry’s growth of 2.4%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, MNST trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 34.94X compared with the industry’s average of 18.6X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MNST’s 2026 and 2027 EPS indicates year-over-year growth of 7.8% and 14.3%, respectively. The company’s EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have been stable in the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Monster Beverage currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Stocks to Consider in the Consumer Staples Space The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. (CHEF - Free Report) , which is a distributor of specialty food products in the United States, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Chefs' Warehouse's current financial-year sales indicates growth of 10.8% from the prior-year level. CHEF delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 30.4%, on average.
Utz Brands, Inc. (UTZ - Free Report) , which is a leading manufacturer of a diverse portfolio of salty snacks, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). UTZ delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 1.8%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UTZ’s current financial-year sales indicates a rise of 3.7% from the year-ago number.
Darling Ingredients Inc. (DAR - Free Report) , which produces sustainable natural ingredients derived from edible and inedible bio-nutrients, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
The consensus estimate for Darling Ingredients’ current financial-year sales is expected to rise 11.5% from the year-ago reported figure. DAR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 38.9%, on average.
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - October 8, 2026) - Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is investigating potential claims on behalf of purchasers of lululemon athletica inc. ("lululemon" or "the Company") (NASDAQ: LULU). Investors who purchased lululemon securities are encouraged to obtain additional information and assist the investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/cases/lululemon-athletica-inc-lulu-class_action_lawsuit.
lululemon Investigation Details
On September 3, 2026, lululemon reported its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026. Among other items, lululemon reported lower-than-expected revenue and sharply lowered its full-year revenue and earnings guidance. The Company's management attributed its disappointing quarterly results to negative media and social-media commentary, softer-than-planned new-product launches, and weaker store traffic. On this news, lululemon's stock price fell $21.16 per share, or 17.38%, to close at $100.61 per share on September 4, 2026.
What's Next for lululemon Investors?
If you are aware of any facts relating to this investigation or purchased lululemon securities, you can assist this investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/cases/lululemon-athletica-inc-lulu-class_action_lawsuit, You can also contact Peretz Bronstein or his client relations manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC: 917-590-0911
No Cost to lululemon Investors
We, Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.
Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC for lululemon Securities Investigation?
Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.
"Our practice centers on restoring investor capital and ensuring corporate accountability, which serves to uphold the essential integrity of the marketplace," said Peretz Bronstein, Founding Partner of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC.
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Source: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
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Lululemon vytvořil nové pozice prezidentky a ředitelky pro produkty a provozního ředitele; Jefferies tyto změny vítá, ale čeká na zlepšení prodejů za plnou cenu a stabilizaci trendů.
Lululemon Athletica Inc (NASDAQ:LULU) has overhauled its leadership structure in what analysts at Jefferies called a step in the right direction.
The bank said significant work remains and it wants to see better full-price selling and stabilizing trends before becoming more constructive.
The company named Maggie Gauger president and chief product officer and Joseph Godsey chief operating officer, both newly created roles that take effect on October 26.
Nikki Neuburger, the chief brand and product activation officer, and Ted Dagnese, the chief supply chain officer, will leave the company on November 6.
Lululemon announced the changes after the close and is searching for a chief brand officer, a chief communications officer and a chief technology officer, leaving three C-suite positions open.
Jefferies said a single product leader at president level brings clear accountability for building a stronger pipeline of differentiated products, while a new chief operating officer should add operating discipline.
Management said the aim is to strengthen links between brand, product and the guest experience, with product, design and innovation at the center of how the company operates.
O'Neill said Lululemon has work to do to become a stronger and more competitive company, a view Jefferies shares.
Jefferies said the path remains long, and the open chief brand officer position matters because brand is a core part of the company's story.
The bank said new product leadership will take several seasons to show up in the assortment.
Jefferies said the shares already reflect much bad news, but it would want to see better full-price selling and stabilizing trends before turning more constructive.
Key Takeaways Jabil expects fiscal 2027 revenues to rise 24% to $44.5 billion and core EPS to grow 34% to $17.55.AI-related revenues are projected to surge 54% to $22.1 billion, driving Jabil's infrastructure growth.JBL trades at 17.2X forward earnings, below industry and sector averages. Jabil Inc. (JBL - Free Report) enters fiscal 2027 with faster AI infrastructure growth, improving profitability and a strong earnings outlook. Management expects revenues of $44.5 billion and core earnings of $17.55 per share, representing year-over-year growth of 24% and 34%, respectively.
The valuation is less straightforward. JBL trades below key market comparisons, but its forward earnings multiple remains above its own five-year median. Investors must weigh that premium against a materially stronger growth and margin profile.
Jabil’s AI Growth Strengthens the Bull CaseAI-related revenues reached about $14.4 billion in fiscal 2026, increasing more than 50% year over year. Management expects AI-related revenues to rise 54% to roughly $22.1 billion in fiscal 2027 as demand expands across compute, networking, power and cooling infrastructure.
Intelligent Infrastructure revenues are projected to climb 43% to $25.6 billion. Cloud and data center infrastructure is expected to lead the increase, with revenues projected to advance 52% to $17.5 billion. Capital equipment revenues are forecast to rise 40%, while networking revenues are expected to grow 15%.
JBL Trades Below Peers but Above Its Own MedianJBL trades at 17.2X forward 12-month earnings, below 20.6X for the Zacks sub-industry, 21.3X for the Zacks Computer and Technology sector and 20.0X for the S&P 500. That relative discount supports the valuation case, but Jabil’s multiple remains above its five-year median of 13.8X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Celestica Inc. (CLS - Free Report) , a provider of design, manufacturing, hardware platform and supply chain solutions, is a relevant peer for Jabil’s broader manufacturing and infrastructure exposure. Plexus Corp. (PLXS - Free Report) , which designs, manufactures and services complex products across industrial, healthcare and aerospace markets, provides another comparison within the electronic manufacturing services landscape.
Jabil’s Margin and Cash Flow Outlook Adds SupportCore operating margin increased 40 basis points to 5.8% in fiscal 2026. Management expects another 30-basis-point improvement to 6.1% in fiscal 2027 as a richer business mix and operating leverage support profitability.
Adjusted free cash flow reached $1.53 billion in fiscal 2026, up from $1.32 billion in fiscal 2025. Jabil expects approximately $1.6 billion in fiscal 2027, giving the company flexibility to invest in capacity while continuing shareholder returns.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
JBL Still Faces Customer and Demand RisksJabil’s AI growth is becoming more concentrated in large programs. Management expects six Intelligent Infrastructure customers to generate more than $1 billion in revenues each during fiscal 2027, increasing the importance of customer retention, capacity utilization and program execution.
Demand is also uneven outside infrastructure. Connected Living revenues are expected to decline 15% in fiscal 2027, while Intelligent Devices and Robotics revenues are projected to fall 2% to $5.3 billion. Geopolitical uncertainty, component availability, competitive pricing and changing customer sourcing decisions remain additional risks.
Jabil’s Strong Signals Reinforce the SetupJBL’s growth outlook and improving profitability support the case for accepting a valuation above its historical median, although the premium leaves less room for execution setbacks. The current setup favors investors who are comfortable paying more than Jabil’s typical multiple for a faster earnings-growth profile.
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and a VGM Score of A. Its Momentum Score of A is complemented by a Value Score of B and a Growth Score of B. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2027 earnings has risen 6.1% over the past four weeks to $17.61 per share.
The Zacks Rank and favorable Style Scores point to a constructive near-term profile, with estimate revisions, momentum, growth and value characteristics working in Jabil’s favor. Still, the premium to its five-year median valuation keeps the investment decision balanced rather than automatic. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Akcie Arista Networks letos vzrostly o 64,7 % díky poptávce po AI sítích; počet zákazníků AI fabric Etherlink překročil ve druhém čtvrtletí 2026 hranici 100.
Key Takeaways Arista is gaining from rising AI networking demand and expanding Ethernet opportunities.Arista's Etherlink AI-fabric customers surpassed 100, while Scale-Across could reach $15B-$20B by 2030.Customer concentration, high inventory and declining gross margins pose risks to Arista's growth. Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET - Free Report) has gained 64.7% year to date compared with the Internet software industry’s growth of 8.8%. The stock has outperformed the Zacks Computer & Technology sector and the S&P 500 during the same time frame.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
It has underperformed its peers like Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (HPE - Free Report) but outperformed Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO - Free Report) . HPE has gained 200.1%, and Cisco has increased 52.4% during this period.
AI Networking and Expanding Ethernet opportunity are Growth DriversArista is benefiting from rapidly rising demand for Ethernet-based networking infrastructure used in AI data centers. The company said cumulative customers using its Etherlink AI-fabric switches had surpassed 100 by the second quarter of 2026 compared with only a handful of customers in 2024. Its newer 7060XE7 platform supports up to 1.6-terabit throughput. Features such as Smart System Upgrade (SSU) and Multipath Reliable Connection (MRC) are engineered to improve network reliability and accelerator utilization.
This creates an important opportunity as AI clusters become larger and more geographically distributed. Arista's Scale-Across architecture is designed to connect AI infrastructure across multiple locations. The company expects the Scale-Across switching and routing opportunity to reach roughly $15-$20 billion by 2030.
Enterprises’ transition toward high-speed switching has created a major opportunity for the company. Its portfolio, which consists of traditional Ethernet deployments to 1.6-terabit AI networking platforms, is witnessing sustained market-share gains.
Moreover, Arista’s growth opportunity is increasingly diversified beyond its traditional data-center switching. AI/cloud networking, campus and routing, and cognitive networking through software and services are high-margin areas where Arista is expanding its foothold.
Major Challenges for AristaOne of the biggest risks is customer concentration. Arista generates a significant portion of its sales from large hyperscale customers. Any changes in the capital-spending plans of a relatively small group of buyers can have a material impact on revenue. Arista's inventory reached approximately $2.5 billion at the end of the second quarter, up from $2.4 billion in the prior quarter. Inventory fluctuations could continue as the company balances component availability with customer deployment schedules. This high inventory level can become a burden if customer deployments are delayed or AI infrastructure spending slows.
Arista operates in highly competitive data-center switching, AI networking and Ethernet markets. Competitors include major companies such as Cisco and HPE. Stiff competition puts pressure on pricing and hinders margins. The pressure is already visible in gross margins: second-quarter non-GAAP gross margin was 63.4% compared with 65.6% a year earlier. Management expects the full-year margin to remain within a 62-64% range. In addition to fierce competition, the declining gross margin also reflects higher costs related to memory and silicon.
Estimate Revision TrendEarnings estimates for Arista for 2026 have remained unchanged and for 2027 it has increased over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Key Valuation Metric of ANETFrom a valuation standpoint, Arista appears to be relatively more premium than the industry. Going by the price/earnings ratio, the company's shares currently trade at 44.66 book value, higher than 30.95 of the industry average.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
End NoteArista is positioned to benefit from the continued expansion of AI infrastructure and high-speed Ethernet networking. Rising adoption of its Etherlink AI fabrics, expanding Scale-Across opportunity, and broader campus and routing portfolio are positives. However, Heavy reliance on large hyperscale customers makes revenue sensitive to changes in their capital-spending plans. Persistent component shortages and high input costs create supply chain uncertainty. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), Arista has a balanced outlook, as strong AI-driven growth prospects are offset by customer concentration, supply-chain risks and valuation concerns. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Ryder otevřel prodejní centrum ojetých nákladních vozů v North Bergenu a přestěhoval středisko z Kearny do většího provozu v Newarku, čímž rozšířil svou síť v severním New Jersey.
Key Takeaways Ryder expands its used truck network with a relocated Newark facility and a new North Bergen sales center.The Newark facility improves port access and operational efficiency, supporting Ryder's port-to-door strategy.R's North Bergen center improves customer access, while both locations offer eligible used vehicle warranties. In a bid to widen its popularity in terms of services and strengthen its position across one of North America’s popular freight markets, Ryder System, Inc. (R - Free Report) announced the launch of two new used truck centers in Newark and North Bergen, NJ. These two investments in northern New Jersey reflect Ryder’s expansion into the used commercial vehicle market.
Ryder has relocated its Kearny used vehicle center to a bigger facility in Newark, NJ, and has opened a new used truck sales center in North Bergen, NJ.
Situated at 474 Wilson Avenue in Newark, the relocated facility strengthens Ryder’s presence in a key freight hub, offering direct access to the Port of Newark, Interstate 95 and Newark Liberty International Airport. By consolidating multiple fleet management solutions under one roof, the facility is expected to enhance operational efficiency and advance Ryder’s integrated port-to-door transportation strategy.
Ryder has expanded its used commercial vehicle sales network with the opening of a new facility at 6214 Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen, marking its first location south of the George Washington Bridge. Situated along the busy U.S. Route 1-9 corridor near New York City, the facility enhances Ryder’s presence in a major logistics hub, improves accessibility for customers and creates additional opportunities for used vehicle sales.
Eric Upchurch, vice president of vehicle sales at Ryder, stated, “Northern New Jersey is one of the most important transportation markets in North America, making it a natural fit to expand our used vehicle sales network. These locations bring us closer to the customers, carriers, and logistics operations that drive the regional economy and make it easier for customers to access Ryder’s high-quality used vehicle inventory and fleet solutions.”
To ConcludeThe New York-New Jersey region is a critical hub for the U.S. supply chain, facilitating international trade, warehousing, distribution and transportation activities. Given this backdrop, Ryder’s expansion into Newark and North Bergen is expected to strengthen its competitive position in the freight industry.
The new facilities enhance Ryder’s ability to serve customers across the Northeast by improving access to major ports, distribution centers and key transportation networks. Additionally, both locations support the Ryder Vehicle Assurance Program, which offers a complimentary 60-day limited warranty on eligible DOT Verified used vehicles through year-end. These investments should reinforce Ryder’s regional presence, expand customer reach and support its long-term growth prospects.
Ryder’s Zacks Rank and Other Stocks to ConsiderRyder presently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Investors interested in the Zacks Transportation sector may also consider Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (EXPD - Free Report) and Herc Holdings (HRI - Free Report) .
Expeditors currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
EXPD has an expected earnings growth rate of 28.6% for 2026. The company has an encouraging earnings surprise history. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average beat of 17.15%.
Herc Holdings currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.
HRI has a negative expected earnings growth rate of 8.4% for the current year. However, the company has an encouraging earnings surprise history. Its earnings topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average beat of 60.64%.
Key Takeaways Corpay shares gained 14.6% in three months, beating the industry's 0.2% decline and the S&P 500's 3.8% rise.CPAY's Corporate Payments revenues rose 42% in Q2'26, fueled by cross-border and payables demand.CPAY's Alpha & Avid investments added 39 cents to adjusted EPS, while $321M in buybacks supported returns. Corpay, Inc. (CPAY - Free Report) stock has gained 14.6% over the past three months, outperforming the industry’s 0.2% decline and the Zacks S&P 500 Composite's 3.8% return.
CPAY’s Three-Month Share Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Let us delve deeper into the factors that have contributed to the company’s outperformance.
CPAY’s Broad-Based Segment Growth Supports Revenue MomentumCorpay is benefiting from sustained demand across its payment businesses. In the second quarter of 2026, Corporate Payments revenues rose 42% year over year to $548.7 million, contributing 41% of total revenues. Pro-forma and macro-adjusted revenues grew 16%, while adjusted spend volume rose 43%, driven by cross-border and payables activity.
Vehicle Payments revenues increased 13% to $580.2 million, with adjusted growth of 8%, supported by continued strength in Brazil and Europe. Lodging Payments revenues rose 3% to $123.2 million, with organic growth of 2%, reflecting sequential improvement as prior-year comparisons eased. Continued momentum in Corporate Payments and steady expansion in Vehicle Payments support revenue growth, while a recovery in Lodging Payments provides additional upside.
CPAY’s Past Buyouts Accelerate Corporate Payments GrowthCorpay’s acquisitions expand its corporate payments capabilities and addressable market. The 2025 acquisition of Alpha Group International strengthened its cross-border foreign exchange and global accounts offerings, while the AvidXchange investment expanded its presence in payables automation. Together, Alpha and Avid contributed 39 cents to adjusted EPS in the second quarter of 2026. More than 80% of Alpha’s corporate volume had migrated to Corpay’s global platform, while Avid’s sales grew more than 30% and EBITDA more than doubled year over year. These investments deepen Corpay’s corporate payments exposure and create opportunities for cross-selling and operational efficiencies. Continued integration and scaling support earnings growth and a more diversified revenue mix.
Share Buybacks Drive Per-Share Earnings Growth for CPAYCorpay’s ongoing share repurchases reinforce its commitment to shareholder returns. In the second quarter of 2026, the company repurchased approximately 1 million shares for $321 million, with $1.4 billion remaining under its authorization. Management also plans to deploy proceeds from the vehicle maintenance divestiture toward additional buybacks to offset the transaction’s expected adjusted EPS impact. The substantial remaining authorization provides flexibility for continued repurchases. A lower share count supports per-share earnings growth and enhances shareholder value.
CPAY’s Zacks Rank & Stocks to ConsiderCorpay currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
A couple of better-ranked stocks in the broader Business Services sector are CBIZ, Inc. (CBZ - Free Report) and EVERTEC, Inc. (EVTC - Free Report) .
CBIZ carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. It has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 10%.
CBZ beat earnings estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, delivering an earnings surprise of 8.9% on average.
EVERTEC also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. It has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 10%.
EVTC beat earnings estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with an average earnings surprise of 3.8%.
SoFi's (SOFI -1.47%) stock closed at a record high of $32.21 on Nov. 12, 2025. That marked a 133% gain over its previous 12 months. But today, the high-growth fintech stock trades at about $15. Let's see why it was cut in half, and why it might be worth nibbling on this month.
How fast is SoFi growing? SoFi, founded as Social Finance in 2011, originally provided student loans. But over the years, it expanded into a "one-stop shop" for personal loans, auto loans, mortgages, credit cards, insurance plans, estate planning services, and stock and crypto trading services.
Image source: Getty Images.
SoFi acquired the digital payment processing company Galileo in 2020 and launched its own digital bank after receiving a U.S. bank charter in 2022. As a digitally native platform, SoFi attracted millions of younger Millennial and Gen Z customers.
At the end of 2021, SoFi had 2.5 million members and 1.9 million products in use. But by the end of the second quarter of 2026, it hosted 15.8 million members, marking 35% growth from a year earlier. Its products in use soared 42% year over year to 24.4 million. Galileo, which operates separately from SoFi's core business, hosts 135 million accounts.
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For the full year, SoFi expects its adjusted revenue to grow 32%-35% as its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) margin expands about four to five percentage points to 33%-34%. From 2025 to 2028, analysts expect its revenue and adjusted EBITDA to grow at CAGRs of 27% and 37%, respectively.
Why could SoFi's stock be worth buying today? With an enterprise value of $17.2 billion, SoFi trades at just 11 times this year's adjusted EBITDA. Two issues are compressing its valuations.
First, the Fed's interest rate hike in September -- its first in three years -- could throttle its lending activity and increase the risk of credit defaults. Second, SoFi is still often valued like a slower-growth conventional bank instead of a higher-growth fintech stock. But at the same time, rising rates are driving investors away from higher-growth stocks.
So when SoFi's enterprise value peaked at $37.9 billion (36 times its 2025 adjusted EBITDA) last November, it became an easy target for the bears. But as long as rising rates don't trigger a recession or credit crunch, they should support SoFi's near-term net interest income.
SoFi looks like an attractive investment at these levels because many investors are overlooking its core strengths. As long as SoFi continues to gain new members and expand its ecosystem, it could command a higher valuation once the macro environment stabilizes.
Wabtec uzavřel s CTG v Guineji servisní smlouvu v hodnotě více než 700 milionů USD, čímž hodnota jeho aktivit souvisejících s projektem Simandou přesáhla 1,2 miliardy USD.
Key Takeaways Wabtec's $700M-plus Guinea rail services deal lifts its Simandou-related business beyond $1.2 billion.WAB's second-quarter revenues rose 17.5%, while its multi-year backlog surged 41.7% to $30.93 billion.WAB's 41.6% annual stock gain and 23.4X forward P/E highlight strong momentum but also valuation risks. Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation, operating as Wabtec Corporation (WAB - Free Report) , is strengthening its position in the global rail industry, supported by expanding service capabilities and rising opportunities in international markets. Its recent agreement worth more than $700 million with La Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG) underscores the company's growing presence in Africa and strengthens its long-term revenue prospects.
The agreement, Wabtec's largest services contract in Africa, covers maintenance, parts management, logistics, workforce training and remote diagnostics for locomotives operating along Guinea's 600-kilometer TransGuinean Railway. Combined with earlier locomotive orders, the deal takes Wabtec's Simandou-related business beyond $1.2 billion.
With the company securing long-duration service contracts and benefiting from rail infrastructure investments, investors may wonder whether WAB's growth prospects justify buying the stock despite its substantial share-price appreciation and premium valuation.
WAB's Strong Price Performance Reflects Investor ConfidenceWAB's shares have gained 41.6% over the past year, significantly outperforming the Zacks Transportation - Equipment and Leasing industry's 9% rise and the S&P 500's 17.8% increase. The substantial outperformance reflects investors' confidence in the company's growth potential and its ability to capitalize on sustained demand for rail equipment and services.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
WAB's Services Expansion Strengthens Growth ProspectsWabtec's expanding services portfolio is a key growth driver, supported by rising demand for locomotive modernization, maintenance and advanced rail technologies. The CTG agreement strengthens its long-term lifecycle services business, improving revenue visibility and customer relationships.
In the second quarter of 2026, revenues increased 17.5% year over year to $3.18 billion, while adjusted earnings per share (EPS) rose 21.6% to $2.76. Adjusted operating margin expanded 80 basis points to 21.9%. Wabtec's multi-year backlog rose 41.7% to $30.93 billion, while its 12-month backlog grew 11.3% to $9.14 billion, providing solid revenue visibility and supporting future growth.
Caterpillar (CAT - Free Report) , through its Progress Rail business, competes with Wabtec in locomotive manufacturing, maintenance and related services. Caterpillar's emphasis on lifecycle services and predictive maintenance underscores the growing importance of technology-enabled aftermarket solutions. While competition from Caterpillar remains significant, Wabtec's integrated offerings and long-term contracts strengthen its ability to capitalize on rising rail infrastructure investments.
Similarly, Greenbrier Companies (GBX - Free Report) provides railcar manufacturing, fleet management and maintenance services, highlighting the industry's focus on extending equipment life and improving operational efficiency. Greenbrier's diversified rail solutions reflect the opportunities arising from sustained infrastructure investments. Wabtec's expanding international presence and growing services portfolio position it to benefit from similar industry trends alongside Greenbrier Companies.
Wabtec's financial flexibility also supports investments and shareholder returns. During the second quarter, operating cash flow reached $441 million compared with $209 million a year earlier. The company repurchased $215 million in shares and distributed $53 million in dividends. Management raised its 2026 revenue guidance to $12.30–$12.60 billion and adjusted EPS outlook to $10.60-10.90, reflecting confidence in its operational momentum.
However, challenges persist. The complexity of servicing locomotives across demanding operating environments, potential project execution delays and competitive pressures could affect profitability. Moreover, integrating acquisitions and maintaining service standards across international markets will require disciplined execution. These factors warrant monitoring despite Wabtec's encouraging fundamentals.
WAB's Premium Valuation Warrants AttentionWAB currently trades at 23.4 times forward 12-month earnings, above the industry average of 14.59 times. This substantial premium suggests investors have already priced in considerable growth expectations.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Although Wabtec's strong backlog, earnings momentum and growing services portfolio support a higher valuation, limited room for execution setbacks could heighten downside risks. Sustained earnings growth will be essential to justify the stock's premium.
Positive Earnings Estimate Revisions Reinforce WAB's OutlookThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is pegged at $10.89 per share, up 0.09% over the past 60 days. The 2027 consensus estimate has increased 0.32% to $12.43 per share during the same period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The upward revisions, although modest, signal improving earnings expectations, complementing Wabtec's strengthening order pipeline and favorable operating outlook.
Should Investors Buy WAB Stock Now?Wabtec's expanding rail services business, highlighted by its landmark CTG agreement, enhances long-term revenue visibility and strengthens its international presence. Robust backlog growth, margin expansion, healthy cash generation and positive earnings estimates further reinforce its investment appeal.
Although the stock's premium valuation and operational challenges warrant caution, its favorable growth prospects and Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) support a positive investment stance. Investors seeking exposure to long-term rail infrastructure investment and recurring aftermarket revenues may consider buying WAB stock, while remaining mindful of valuation-related volatility. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.
Key Takeaways Arm gains 11.5% in a month as AI adoption and demand for advanced computing infrastructure improved sentiment.ARM's fiscal Q1 revenues rose 22% to $1.29B, with data-center royalties more than doubling year over year.Its 43.54X forward sales multiple far exceeds the industry's 5.14X, warranting caution. Arm Holdings plc (ARM - Free Report) has gained 11.5% over the past month despite declining 10% over the past three months. The recent recovery suggests improving investor sentiment toward the semiconductor designer amid accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and expanding demand for advanced computing infrastructure.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
ARM's growing presence in data centers, increasing royalty revenues and opportunities in AI-powered processing support its long-term prospects. However, its elevated valuation raises questions about whether the recent rebound offers an attractive entry point. Let us examine the factors shaping ARM's investment outlook.
Expanding AI Investments Create Growth Opportunities for ARMThe accelerating pace of AI infrastructure development presents a significant opportunity for Arm. Technology companies are committing substantial resources to building data centers, developing advanced processors and expanding computing capacity to support increasingly sophisticated AI applications.
AI developer Anthropic's ambitious infrastructure spending plans underscore the massive investments required to support next-generation AI models. Meanwhile, major cloud providers, including Alphabet (GOOGL - Free Report) and Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) , continue investing heavily in AI infrastructure and computing technologies. These investments should support sustained demand for advanced semiconductor architectures.
Arm Holdings stands to benefit from this transition through its energy-efficient processor designs, which are increasingly relevant to cloud computing, AI inference and edge applications. As computing workloads become more demanding, the need for processors capable of delivering higher performance without excessive power consumption should strengthen the company's market opportunities.
Additionally, the growing adoption of Arm-based architectures across data centers could diversify its revenue sources beyond smartphones, supporting a more balanced long-term growth profile.
Agentic AI Adoption Strengthens ARM's CPU ProspectsThe emergence of autonomous AI agents is creating additional opportunities for central processing units (CPUs). Unlike conventional AI applications primarily focused on model training, agentic systems require considerable general-purpose processing capabilities to coordinate tasks, manage workflows and execute instructions.
This development could accelerate demand for energy-efficient CPUs alongside specialized AI accelerators. Arm Holdings' expanding processor portfolio positions it to capture opportunities as enterprises deploy more sophisticated AI systems across cloud environments.
The company's first-quarter fiscal 2027 performance demonstrates this momentum. Revenues increased 22% year over year to $1.29 billion, supported by a 22% increase in royalty revenues to $715 million and a 23% rise in licensing revenues to $574 million.
Notably, data-center royalties more than doubled year over year, highlighting increasing adoption of Arm-based processors in cloud infrastructure. The company's growing penetration in higher-value computing markets should support future royalty expansion.
High-Margin Operations Support ARM's Earnings PotentialArm's intellectual property licensing business provides an important competitive advantage. Its established ecosystem enables semiconductor manufacturers to incorporate Arm architectures into their products, creating recurring licensing and royalty opportunities.
This business structure supports substantial profitability without requiring Arm to manufacture most of the chips based on its designs. In the first quarter of fiscal 2027, its non-GAAP gross margin reached 98.1%, demonstrating the profitability of its technology licensing operations.
The company also reported a non-GAAP operating margin of 41.2% compared with 39.1% in the year-ago period. Improving operating profitability, combined with expanding adoption of its advanced architectures, should strengthen earnings potential.
Furthermore, Arm's expansion into purpose-built processors could create additional revenue opportunities. However, this transition also introduces execution challenges and potentially different margin characteristics from its traditional licensing business.
Stretched Valuation Warrants Investor CautionDespite favorable growth prospects, ARM's premium valuation remains a significant concern. Based on the supplied valuation figures, the stock trades at a forward price-to-sales multiple of 43.54X, substantially above the semiconductor industry's approximately 5.14X.
Such an elevated multiple reflects considerable expectations for AI-driven growth, making the stock vulnerable to disappointments in revenue expansion or profitability.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Moreover, semiconductor demand remains sensitive to economic conditions, customer investment cycles and technology spending trends. Slower smartphone recovery or moderation in cloud infrastructure expenditure could weigh on growth.
Arm's increasing investments in product development may also pressure operating expenses. Consequently, its strong competitive positioning does not necessarily translate into attractive near-term investment returns at the current valuation.
How Do NVIDIA and Intel Compare With ARM?NVIDIA (NVDA - Free Report) represents an important comparison given its leadership in AI accelerators and data-center computing. NVIDIA benefits from demand for GPUs that power AI training and inference, while Arm provides CPU architectures that support complementary computing workloads. NVIDIA's established AI ecosystem highlights the scale of infrastructure opportunities available to semiconductor companies.
Intel (INTC - Free Report) offers another useful comparison as Arm expands into higher-performance CPUs. Intel maintains an established presence in processors for personal computers and data centers, making its competitive positioning relevant to Arm's expansion strategy. However, Intel's manufacturing-intensive operations differ substantially from Arm's traditional intellectual property licensing model, creating different profitability and capital requirements.
Holding ARM Appears PrudentARM remains well positioned to benefit from expanding AI infrastructure investments, rising demand for efficient processors and growing adoption of advanced computing architectures. Its strengthening data-center presence and attractive royalty economics support a favorable long-term growth outlook. Nevertheless, the stock's demanding valuation already reflects considerable optimism, leaving limited protection against weaker demand, increased competition or execution challenges. The recent share-price recovery also reduces the appeal of initiating fresh positions without a more compelling valuation. Existing shareholders may benefit from maintaining exposure to the company's long-term opportunities, while prospective investors should await a better entry point. Holding ARM appears prudent.
ARM carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE: CFR) will host a conference call on Thursday, October 29, 2026 to discuss third quarter 2026 earnings.
Earnings Release: The earnings release for Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. will be available at approximately 8:00 a.m. Central Time (CT) on the internet at https://investor.frostbank.com/.
Conference Call and Live Webcast: The conference call will begin at 1:00 p.m. CT (2:00 p.m. Eastern) and will be hosted by Phil Green, Chairman and CEO, Dan Geddes, Group Executive Vice President and CFO and A.B. Mendez, Senior Vice President and Director of Investor Relations.
Following the prepared remarks there will be a question and answer session for the analyst community. Media and other interested individuals are invited to listen to the call using the webcast link or telephone number as follows:
Live Webcast
To access the webcast, go to https://investor.frostbank.com/ or directly to https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=y5eOWrKe
The webcast will be archived and available for playback after 5:00 p.m. CT on the day of the call, and can be accessed on our investor relations website.
Telephone Number
Domestic: 877-709-8150
It is recommended that those wishing to dial into the conference call do so approximately 5 to 10 minutes prior to the call to ensure a more efficient registration process.
Key Takeaways Nu Holdings surged 23.1% in October, fueled by Brazil's political optimism and strong earnings growth.NU's Q2 net income jumped 49% to $1.1 billion, while its customer base reached 139 million.NU trades below peers on forward sales, but rising delinquencies and U.S. expansion costs pose risks. October's sharp rebound in Nu Holdings Ltd. (NU - Free Report) reflects more than enthusiasm for digital banking. Investors are reassessing Brazil's political outlook just as the company broadens its financial services business. That combination has lifted expectations, making the durability of Nu's growth an important question.
So far in October, NU shares rose approximately 23.1%. Over the same period, SoFi Technologies (SOFI - Free Report) slipped 0.4%, while Chime Financial (CHYM - Free Report) gained 4.8%. Nu Holdings alone jumped 13% on Oct. 5, after Brazil's first-round presidential vote raised investor hopes for a more market-friendly economic direction.
The rally also follows NU's first billion-dollar quarterly profit and its September launch in the United States. Both developments point to a business that is expanding beyond its original Brazilian credit-card offering. Still, currency movements, lending risks and the costs of entering new markets could influence how much of the recent optimism translates into lasting returns.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Customer Engagement and Profitability Support NU’s GrowthNU's second-quarter results showed that customer growth is turning into stronger earnings. The company served 139 million customers, and its monthly activity rate climbed to 83.5%. Average monthly revenue per active customer reached $17. Gross revenues increased 39% year over year on a currency-neutral basis to nearly $5.9 billion, while net income climbed 49% to $1.1 billion. An efficiency ratio of 19.5% also suggests that Nu Holdings is preserving its low-cost model despite continued investment.
In Brazil, which accounts for nearly 118 million customers, the opportunity increasingly lies in deepening existing relationships. The company introduced Croma in July to offer tailored services to customers between its mass-market and higher-income segments. Mexico offers another route to growth: its banking launch in August supports a broader range of products and stronger primary banking relationships. Both initiatives could raise revenue per customer without requiring user additions to maintain their earlier pace.
NU's NuFormer platform is another part of that strategy. It supports credit decisions and customer service, with AI agents handling more than 60% of support conversations in Brazil. Better data may improve efficiency and loan selection, although the benefits need testing through economic cycles.
Will International Expansion Sustain NU's Momentum?September's U.S. rollout expands the company's potential market considerably. Through partner Lead Bank, NU introduced an account initially offering 3.5% annual percentage yield and a credit card offering 1.5% cashback. Its Nu Global service targets cross-border money management in more than 35 countries, using digital-dollar and digital-euro balances. These businesses widen Nu's reach, but their contributions to profits remain uncertain.
Competition is substantial. SoFi Technologies combines digital deposits, lending and other financial products, while Chime Financial focuses on mobile-first everyday banking and payroll-linked relationships. Both aim to become their users' primary financial platform. Nu brings experience in acquiring customers cheaply, but its credit models need U.S.-specific data. Management expects 12 to 30 months to build enough local data to bring its credit models closer to the confidence levels achieved in Latin America, suggesting a measured rather than rapid expansion in lending.
NU’s Estimate Revisions Depict an Improving OutlookNU’s estimates for both 2026 and 2027 have increased over the past 60 days. The figures also suggest a year-over-year increase of 38.71% and 35.12%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
NU’s Credit Quality Remains a Key RiskNu Holdings' credit portfolio grew 37% year over year to $39.4 billion in the second quarter of 2026, supported by higher credit-card and unsecured lending balances. Early-stage delinquencies improved 16 basis points to 4.8%, while 90-day-plus delinquencies increased 35 basis points to 6.9%. Although management attributed the trend largely to seasonality and loan mix, faster unsecured lending growth could raise future provisions. Encouragingly, risk-adjusted net interest margin reached 12.4%, reflecting stronger credit profitability during the period.
NU's Valuation Appears Reasonable Compared With PeersDespite October's rally, NU trades at approximately 2.84 times forward 12-month sales, below SoFi Technologies at 3.60 times and Chime Financial at 3.29 times. The discount appears reasonable considering the company's strong customer growth, improving revenue per active customer and second-quarter return on equity of 33%.
NU's exposure to Latin American currencies, Brazil's political environment and consumer credit risks may justify some valuation gap. The recent rally also reduces the margin for disappointment. Sustained earnings growth and disciplined credit performance will be crucial to supporting further gains in its shares over the coming quarters.
Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What Should Investors Do With NU Stock?Nu Holdings' rally has operating strength behind it. Rising engagement, improving monetization and profitable operations provide a foundation for growth in Brazil, Mexico and potentially the United States. Its forward sales multiple also looks reasonable alongside those of U.S. digital finance peers.
However, a 23% move within days has already captured considerable optimism about Brazil's political direction. Credit performance and the cost of building the U.S. business still warrant attention. For existing shareholders, keeping their current exposure while waiting for fresh earnings and evidence of international execution appears more measured than adding aggressively after such a quick advance over the coming quarters.
At present, NU carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Levi Strauss ve 3. fiskálním čtvrtletí zvýšila tržby o 4 % na 1,61 mld. USD, ale růst DTC zpomalil na 2 %. Upravený zisk na akcii (EPS) ve výši 0,48 USD podpořilo vrácení cel ve výši 0,11 USD.
Levi Strauss LEVI shares have declined following a mixed fiscal Q3 report. While the company reported an adjusted EPS of $0.48, exceeding expectations, revenue grew 4% year-over-year to $1.61 billion, slightly falling short of forecasts. Notably, $0.11 of the EPS was attributed to tariff refunds, which somewhat diminishes the strength of the underlying earnings performance.
The direct-to-consumer (DTC) segment was a key disappointment, with organic growth slowing to 2% from 8% in Q2, and comparable sales remaining flat. Softer foot traffic in the U.S. and Europe negatively impacted results, in contrast to a 6% increase in wholesale sales. Management acknowledged a misalignment in its back-to-school campaign, which focused on loose-fitting denim despite a consumer shift towards low-rise styles. Adjustments in marketing and merchandising have led to a return to positive growth in U.S. DTC sales in September, with European trends also improving as temperatures dropped. Management anticipates a return to mid-single-digit global DTC growth in Q4. Margins saw significant improvement, largely due to tariff refunds. Gross margin increased by 450 basis points to 66.2%, with refunds contributing 370 basis points. Even without this benefit, gross margin still rose by 80 basis points, aided by lower product costs, although high distribution expenses continued to pose challenges. The overall business remains robust, with international revenue increasing 8% organically, driven by double-digit growth in Asia, including a 13% rise in China. Sales of tops also grew by 7%, supporting Levi's strategy to diversify beyond denim bottoms and enhance its lifestyle brand. The slowdown in DTC is significant, as this channel is crucial for Levi's strategy to achieve higher margins and consistent growth. Although the company raised its FY26 adjusted EPS guidance to $1.54-1.56 from $1.46-1.52, much of this increase is attributed to the tariff benefit rather than an enhancement in underlying earnings expectations. Nevertheless, the strength in wholesale and international markets indicates that the challenges are more execution-related than a reflection of overall demand. With DTC trends improving in September, the focus now shifts to whether Levi's can maintain this momentum through fiscal Q4 and into the holiday shopping season.
This stock alert was generated using automated technology and GuruFocus financial data to provide readers with timely and accurate market reporting. This content was reviewed by GuruFocus editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
Disclosures I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.
MMG tvrdí, že regulátoři EU ignorovali důkazy o tom, že akvizice brazilského niklového podnikání společnosti Anglo American za 500 milionů USD neodkloní dodávky feroniklu z Evropy do Číny.
The Anglo American logo is seen in Rusternburg October 5, 2015. Picture taken October 5, 2015. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
CompaniesBRUSSELS, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Hong Kong-listed mining and metals company MMG (1208.HK), opens new tab accused EU antitrust regulators on Thursday of ignoring evidence that its bid for Anglo American's (AAL.L), opens new tab Brazilian nickel business would not divert supplies from Europe to China.
The comments came after a day-long hearing at which MMG and Anglo American defended the $500 million deal before EU antitrust regulators, including the European Commission's top merger official, Guillaume Loriot.
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"The Commission's decision to open an in-depth inquiry and the allegations of a plan to divert supply of ferronickel from Europe are fundamentally unsupported," MMG's executive general manager for corporate relations Troy Hey told reporters.
"The Commission has selectively used two partial and misleading quotations from over 200,000 documents supplied by MMG and its major shareholder — while ignoring all the other evidence, economic and market analysis to the contrary," he said.
The Commission, the EU's competition watchdog, warned last month that MMG could redirect ferronickel supplies away from Europe, potentially harming the bloc's stainless steel producers. The case comes amid broader EU concerns about dependence on China for critical minerals.
Hey also accused the Commission of ignoring market developments since opening a full-scale investigation in November and the independent market analysis it had commissioned.
He said commodities traders Glencore and Trafigura had written to the Commission saying they were confident MMG would continue supplying them.
Hey said MMG was willing to address all of the Commission's concerns, suggesting it may be prepared to offer remedies in the coming weeks.
Anglo American Brazil Chief Operating Officer Ruben Fernandes and Chief Financial Officer Cristina Morgan were expected to tell regulators at the hearing that blocking the deal would likely force the mine to close, according to prepared remarks seen by Reuters on Wednesday.
Reporting by Foo Yun Chee. Editing by Mark Potter
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
Key Takeaways Hims & Hers is accelerating growth through weight loss, with U.S. revenues up 16% in the second quarter.International revenues surged more than 17-fold, with management targeting at least $600 million in 2026.AI is boosting engagement and cutting nonclinical support tasks by nearly 50%, aiding retention and costs. Hims & Hers Health (HIMS - Free Report) has entered the last quarter of 2026 with strong momentum from weight loss offerings, international expansion and AI-enabled care. However, gross margin pressure from changing business mix, regulatory uncertainty surrounding the FTC and peptide therapies, and the need to navigate evolving weight loss opportunities could temper its growth outlook.
Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have gained 49.5% in the past six months compared with the industry's 66.7% growth and the S&P 500 Index’s 15.1% increase.
Hims & Hers, with a market capitalization of $6.9 billion, is a consumer-centric health and wellness platform.
HIMS’ bottom line is estimated to improve 19.5% over the next five years. Its earnings missed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and beat once, delivering a negative average surprise of 94.05%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What's Driving HIMS’ Performance?Weight Loss Expansion is Reaccelerating Domestic Growth: Hims & Hers' expanded weight loss product line is becoming a major catalyst for domestic growth. The second-quarter revenues increased nearly 40% year over year to more than $753 million, while U.S. revenues accelerated 16% to $622 million. Management attributed much of the improvement to the March decision to broaden branded weight loss offerings, which helped offset revenue-recognition headwinds from moving branded products to a monthly cadence.
The category is also strategically valuable because it expands cross-selling into areas such as low testosterone and cardiovascular health. With nearly 3 million subscribers and stronger retention among newer cohorts, weight loss could support sustained growth and greater lifetime value.
International Expansion is Rapidly Increasing Addressable Market: Hims & Hers is gaining substantial scale globally, with international revenues surging more than 17-fold year over year to $131 million in the second quarter. The Eucalyptus acquisition contributed approximately $40 million, while the existing international business grew 13% sequentially on an organic basis.
The U.K., Australia and Germany have each surpassed $100 million in annualized revenues, with Canada nearing the threshold. Management expects international revenues to reach at least $600 million in 2026, while weight loss adoption remains meaningfully below U.S. levels. This provides considerable runway for category expansion, although management is prioritizing scale before maximizing profitability.
AI-Enabled Care Could Improve Retention and Lower Service Costs: Hims & Hers is beginning to demonstrate tangible operating benefits from integrating AI into its care model. Among Hers’ weight loss customers using the new AI-native experience, engagement increased sharply, with users sending three times as many messages, while AI handled approximately 80% of questions. AI reduced nonclinical support tasks by nearly 50%, creating an opportunity to lower the cost of serving subscribers.
Management also reported early evidence of stronger engagement and lower cancellation rates among participating cohorts. If these improvements scale across the broader platform, HIMS could simultaneously improve customer retention, personalize care and generate operating leverage, thereby strengthening its long-term unit economics.
Pharmaceutical Partnerships Strengthen Weight Loss Ecosystem: Hims & Hers' relationship with Novo Nordisk provides an important strategic advantage as branded weight loss treatments become more accessible. Management highlighted strong collaboration around the launch of the Wegovy pill, noting that HIMS is among the largest platforms helping consumers access the therapy.
Internationally, Eucalyptus helped generate tens of thousands of prospective patients for Wegovy's launch in certain markets. The partnership also creates opportunities to exchange insights around adherence, side effects and dosing, potentially strengthening HIMS' ability to support patients throughout their treatment journey. Relationships with pharmaceutical innovators could position HIMS as an important digital distribution and patient-access channel as additional therapies reach the market.
What’s Weighing on HIMS Stock?Gross Margin Lowers as the Business Mix Changes: Hims & Hers' rapid expansion into branded weight loss and international markets is coming with a meaningful profitability trade-off. Adjusted gross margin fell approximately 6 percentage points sequentially to 64% in the second quarter, reflecting the increasing contribution of lower-margin branded weight-loss products and international revenues.
Management explicitly expects gross margins to remain below historical levels as these categories expand. Although operating leverage helped adjusted EBITDA margin improve to 8%, the structural mix shift means revenue growth may not translate proportionately into gross-profit growth. Investors therefore need to evaluate HIMS on the basis of future customer lifetime value and scale economics rather than relying on historical margin profiles.
Working-Capital Requirements are Straining Cash Generation: The rapid expansion of branded weight-loss offerings is creating greater working-capital requirements, highlighting a financial risk associated with HIMS' new business model. Operating cash flow was negative $36 million in the second quarter, while free cash flow was negative $68 million, as short-dated receivables and inventory requirements increased.
Although management expects free cash flow to recover in the second half and has established a $400 million receivables facility, the recent transition underscores that accelerating revenue growth does not necessarily result in proportional cash generation. Continued scaling of branded therapies could require additional liquidity and working-capital investment, particularly if payment cycles lengthen or inventory requirements rise faster than expected.
Peptide Opportunity Remains Dependent on FDA Decisions: Hims & Hers has invested significantly in building infrastructure around peptide therapies, but commercialization remains contingent on FDA rulemaking. Management was encouraged by the fact that six of seven peptides advanced successfully through the FDA's PCAC process and believes the company can move quickly if they are placed on the appropriate Category 1 list.
However, the company is explicitly waiting for full and final FDA rulemaking before bringing these therapies to market. This creates uncertainty around timing, permissible offerings and potential revenue contribution. HIMS can continue expanding other wellness products in the interim, but the broader peptide opportunity remains regulatory-dependent and should not be treated as a near-term guaranteed growth driver.
Estimate TrendThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 revenues is pegged at $3.22 billion, implying growth of 37.2% from the year-ago reported figure. The consensus mark for loss per share is pinned at 60 cents, which implies a deterioration of 213.2% from the previous year’s recorded level.
In the past 30 days, HIMS’ loss per share estimate for 2026 has increased 185.7%.
Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are Globus Medical (GMED - Free Report) , Outset Medical (OM - Free Report) and Merit Medical Systems (MMSI - Free Report) .
Globus Medical, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), reported a second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.34, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 19.6%. Revenues of $789.6 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.4%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
GMED has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 12.4%. The company’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 27.9%.
Outset Medical, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, reported second-quarter 2026 loss per share of 80 cents, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 26.9%. Revenues of $32 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 9.8%.
OM has an estimated earnings growth rate of 28.4% for 2027. OM’s earnings missed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average negative surprise being 31.63%.
Merit Medical Systems, currently carrying a Zacks Rank of 2, reported a second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.19, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 24%. Revenues of $419 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.5%.
MMSI has an estimated earnings growth rate of 12.3% for 2026. The company’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 14.10%.
Applied Digital Corp (NASDAQ:APLD) on Wednesday posted better-than-expected financial results for the first quarter.
Applied Digital reported first-quarter revenue of $300.39 million, beating analyst estimates of $132.16 million, according to Benzinga Pro. The digital infrastructure provider reported an adjusted loss of one cent per share for the quarter, beating estimates for a loss of 30 cents per share.
"Our goal is to establish Applied Digital as the category leader in the design, construction, deployment and operation of purpose-built AI factories," said Wes Cummins, chairman and CEO of Applied Digital.
Applied Digital shares fell 1.4% to trade at $23.47 on Thursday.
These analysts made changes to their price targets on Applied Digital following earnings announcement.
Needham analyst John Todaro maintained the stock with a Buy and cut the price target from $83 to $70. Wells Fargo analyst Eric Luebchow maintained the stock with an Overweight rating and raised the price target from $50 to $55. Considering buying APLD stock? Here’s what analysts think:
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CoreWeave carries a debt load that would make most investors close the browser tab, yet one investor keeps hitting the buy button after every earnings report. Here is the specific logic behind that conviction.
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I keep buying more CoreWeave (NASDAQ:CRWV), and the company’s August earnings gave me another reason. The stock sits in a high-beta growth segment of my portfolio, kept apart from income holdings that fund my retirement. No other stock in that segment has seen as many repeat buys from me.
Why I Keep Coming Back to CoreWeave CoreWeave rents compute for AI, and customers want more than the company can build. On the Q2 call, management said: “Demand continues to exceed supply across sectors, geographies, and generations of infrastructure.” I own a seller of scarce input to the most capital-hungry buildout I have followed, and customers sign contracts before capacity exists.
Three Data Points Behind My Conviction First, growth has held steady as the company grew. Q2 2026 revenue reached $2.58 billion, up 112.3% YoY, after Q1 growth of 111.69% and Q4 2025 growth of 110.32%. Full-year 2026 guidance is $12.4 billion to $13.2 billion, versus $5.131B in 2025.
Second, backlog provides revenue visibility. The backlog was ~$104 billion as of June 30, 2026, with more than $25B of net new customer commitments added in early Q3. These include a $21B Meta commitment from Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META | META Price Prediction), a multi-year Anthropic agreement, and enterprises like Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) and Databricks.
Third, operating leverage is showing. Adjusted EBITDA doubled to $1,510M at 59% margin. Operating cash flow turned positive at $679M, versus $-251M a year earlier. Prices rose about 25% across SKUs in July, with contribution margins expected 5 to 10 percentage points above recent deals.
Why My Money Goes Here Instead of NVIDIA or the Hyperscalers NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) is the obvious alternative. NVIDIA invested $2B in CoreWeave Class A stock and expanded the partnership to build more than 5 GW of AI factories by 2030. Through CoreWeave I get exposure to NVIDIA’s chip cycle plus the rental income those chips produce.
Hyperscalers treat AI as one piece of a larger business. CoreWeave is a pure play with total cost of ownership estimated up to 47% lower than the average hyperscaler’s. The power, cooling, and networking suppliers behind this expansion are the subject of a free report we put together on seven AI infrastructure names that aren’t chipmakers, here.
Balance Sheet Risk I Refuse to Ignore Debt is the real danger. The debt-to-equity ratio stands at 8.94. Interest expense reached $640M in Q2, up from $267M a year earlier, with Q3 guidance of $860 million to $940 million. Q2 free cash flow was $-5.743B. The stock has fallen 31.34% over the past year. If capital markets close, this model will feel it.
The case holds because debt funds infrastructure with customers already attached. More than 50% of backlog is linked to contracts where delivery has started. Management also cut weighted average cost of debt by almost 300 basis points. I manage risk by sizing the position as a sleeve.
What Keeps My Buy Button Active Active power reached 1.5 GW, with year-end target raised to more than 1.85 gigawatts. The longer-term goal is at least 8 gigawatts by 2030. Expected exit 2026 annualized run-rate revenue is $18.5 billion to $19.5 billion. As long as customers sign contracts faster than CoreWeave switches on power, I will keep adding.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Platforma MonTitan společnosti Silicon Motion vstoupila do komerční výroby u dvou zákazníků Tier 1 a do konce roku 2026 má tvořit 5–10 % celkových tržeb.
Key Takeaways SIMO's MonTitan platform is gaining traction, with a 5-10% revenue contribution expected by year-end.SIMO's AI-focused SSD innovations and fabless model support growth, efficiency and enterprise expansion.Silicon Motion's 203.4% stock surge reflects momentum, but NAND shortages and competition pose challenges. Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (SIMO - Free Report) is strengthening its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to capitalize on growing demand for high-performance storage solutions across cloud infrastructure, enterprise data centers and edge devices. The company's MonTitan enterprise SSD controller platform is emerging as a key growth driver, supporting AI computing applications requiring high-speed data access and efficient storage management.
In the second quarter of 2026, MonTitan entered commercial production with two Tier 1 customers, while five additional Tier 1 customers are expected to ramp production in the second half of the year. Management expects MonTitan to contribute 5-10% of total revenues exiting 2026, highlighting the expanding commercial opportunity in AI infrastructure.
SIMO Bets Big on AISilicon Motion is accelerating innovation to address the evolving storage requirements of agentic AI and next-generation AI PCs. In August 2026, the company unveiled its MonTitan SSD Reference Design Kit, incorporating proprietary PerformaShape technology to optimize quality of service, endurance and sustained performance for AI workloads. The platform supports key-value (KV) cache offloading, enabling enterprise SSDs to function as a persistent memory layer for AI agents.
In addition, Silicon Motion introduced the SM2524XT PCIe Gen5 DRAMless SSD controller, designed for AI inference and KV cache-intensive applications. Built on TSMC's 6nm process, the controller delivers sequential read speeds of up to 14 GB/s and random performance of up to 2.5 million input/output operations per second, alongside up to 25% higher performance per watt than its predecessor. These innovations reinforce the company's competitive positioning across cloud and edge AI storage markets.
Silicon Motion's growing exposure to AI infrastructure is expected to support revenue diversification and improve its long-term profitability prospects. Beyond MonTitan, the company is expanding its enterprise Boot Drive solutions for GPU, DPU, server and networking applications, benefiting from increasingly complex AI data center architectures. Its Ferri storage portfolio also positions it to capitalize on emerging physical AI opportunities, including robotics and autonomous systems. Management is developing next-generation PCIe Gen6 enterprise controllers to address future hyperscaler and cloud-service-provider requirements. A richer mix of enterprise and AI-oriented products should support margin expansion and reduce dependence on traditional consumer storage markets.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Fabless Business Model Lends SupportSilicon Motion’s fabless business model offers a key advantage. By focusing on semiconductor design while outsourcing production to foundry partners such as TSMC, the company can limit capital expenditure requirements and quickly adopt advanced process technologies.
This asset-light structure allows Silicon Motion to devote greater resources to research and development while maintaining operating flexibility. Access to leading-edge manufacturing nodes also helps improve performance, power efficiency and product economics, strengthening the company’s competitive position.
Silicon Motion appears well-positioned to capitalize on rising storage demand across AI, high-performance computing, cloud data centers, automotive systems, smartphones and connected devices. Its expanding customer base, diversified product portfolio and continued innovation remain key catalysts for top-line growth.
The company’s scale further reinforces its market position. Silicon Motion has shipped more than 5 billion controllers cumulatively over the past decade and averages more than 750 million NAND controller shipments annually. This broad installed base and extensive industry experience should help the company benefit from the long-term growth in global data generation and storage requirements.
Price PerformanceSilicon Motion has gained a stellar 203.4% over the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 157.6%. It has also outperformed peers like Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD - Free Report) and International Business Machines Corporation (IBM - Free Report) . Advanced Micro has gained 177.3% but IBM is down 23.5% over this period.
One-Year SIMO Stock Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Estimate Revision TrendEarnings estimates for Silicon Motion for 2026 have moved up 130.6% to $11.16 over the past year, while the same for 2027 has increased 171.9% to $16.34. The positive estimate revision depicts optimism about the stock’s growth potential.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Supply Chain Woes Hurt SIMOSIMO has been heavily affected by supply-chain disruptions over the past few years. The wars in Europe and the Middle East have adversely impacted its operations. Management expects NAND supply constraints to persist for an extended period, creating supply and pricing volatility that could hurt customer demand and purchasing decisions across consumer markets.
Stiff Competition, High Concentration Risk Dent Growth ProspectsThe semiconductor industry remains highly competitive, with peers competing on pricing, technology and integration. The company continues to face competition across SSD controllers, embedded storage and flash solutions. Rapid technological change and declining average selling prices in certain segments can squeeze margins and require ongoing investment.
Moreover, Silicon Motion derives a significant portion of revenue from a relatively limited number of strategic customers. While enterprise and automotive diversification is expanding the customer base, changes in purchasing patterns or delays from major accounts could materially affect financial performance.
End NoteWith a strong presence across multiple end markets, SIMO is poised for long-term growth. It is broadening its controller opportunity as enterprise, AI, automotive and embedded applications gain traction. MonTitan enterprise controllers and boot drive products are expanding its presence in AI infrastructure and automotive storage, while PCIe Gen6 design wins extend the enterprise opportunity beyond 2026.
However, stiff competition and supply chain issues are likely to put pressure on bottom-line growth. Softer smartphone and PC demand, elevated memory costs, customer concentration and geopolitical uncertainty are other headwinds.
With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), Silicon Motion appears to be treading in the middle of the road, and investors could be better off if they trade with caution. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here .
Oscar Health chce do roku 2027 vstoupit do více než 150 dalších metropolitních oblastí; udržitelnost zisků však závisí na nákladové disciplíně a řízení zdravotních výdajů.
Key Takeaways OSCR's ACA marketplace growth offers opportunities, but sustainable profits hinge on cost discipline.OSCR plans to enter over 150 additional metro areas by 2027, expanding its geographic reach & customer base.OSCR shares have surged 130% year to date, but its 4.94 price-to-book ratio exceeds the industry's 2.64. Oscar Health’s (OSCR - Free Report) growth prospects remain closely linked to the expansion of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. However, the key question is whether its recent momentum reflects a lasting competitive advantage or continued reliance on favorable policy and market conditions.
Enhanced premium subsidies have historically improved affordability and supported marketplace enrollment, enabling Oscar to attract members through its technology-driven platform, consumer-focused offerings and expanding provider relationships. A growing membership base could strengthen operating leverage by spreading technology and administrative expenses across more customers. Disciplined pricing and improved medical-cost management could further help convert enrollment gains into sustainable profitability.
Oscar’s expansion plans also offer meaningful growth opportunities. The company aims to enter more than 150 additional metropolitan statistical areas by 2027, broadening its geographic footprint and customer reach. Its strategy aligns with healthcare trends such as digitalization, rising demand for personalized services and increasing emphasis on affordable coverage.
Nevertheless, Oscar’s significant ACA exposure presents a concentration risk. Changes in subsidy policies could weaken affordability, increase member churn and alter the membership risk profile, potentially putting pressure on underwriting margins. Rising medical utilization and pricing missteps could further undermine profitability.
Ultimately, Oscar’s long-term growth sustainability will depend on its ability to translate membership expansion into consistent earnings through disciplined underwriting, cost efficiency and technological advantages, rather than relying primarily on supportive policies and favorable industry conditions.
What About Peers?Molina Healthcare (MOH - Free Report) is well positioned to benefit from several long-term trends supporting government-sponsored healthcare. As of June 30, 2026, total membership of Molina Healthcare decreased 14.3% year over year to around 4.9 million. Rising healthcare utilization, an aging U.S. population and a strategic shift toward D-SNPs should support sustained membership growth for Molina Healthcare.
Centene Corporation (CNC - Free Report) has shifted its strategy from prioritizing membership growth to improving earnings quality through disciplined pricing and portfolio optimization. Centene continues to benefit from a large and diversified membership base supported by contract wins and expansion in attractive government-sponsored programs. Centene is also shifting toward higher-quality membership, including growing PDP and dual-eligible Medicare exposure.
OSCR’s Price PerformanceShares of Oscar Health have gained 130.3% year to date, outperforming the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
OSCR’s Expensive ValuationThe stock is overvalued compared with its industry. It is currently trading at a price-to-book multiple of 4.94, higher than the industry average of 2.64.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Estimate Movement for OSCRThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for OSCR’s third-quarter and fourth-quarter 2026 bottom line witnessed positive movement in the last 30 days. The same holds true for 2026 and 2027.
Celestica rozšiřuje síťové a optické technologie pro AI a datová centra; řada DS6000 nabízí 64 portů s rychlostí 1,6 TbE a přepínací kapacitu až 102,4 Tb/s.
Key Takeaways CLS is expanding communications solutions across switching, routing, optical and data center technologies.Celestica's DS6000 series delivers 64 ports of 1.6TbE connectivity and up to 102.4Tbps switching capacity.CLS' optical offerings target high-speed, low-latency connectivity for AI, data centers and enterprises. Celestica Inc. (CLS - Free Report) is strengthening its presence in the communications market with solutions spanning switching, routing, optical, wireless and data center technologies. The company combines hardware design, engineering, manufacturing, systems integration, testing and supply chain services to help customers develop and deploy complex communications and data center solutions.
Celestica’s communications portfolio includes open networking platforms designed for artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud applications. Its high-speed Ethernet lineup includes 800G solutions such as the DS5000, DS4101 and DS4100, along with the 1.6T DS6000 and DS6001 platforms for AI back-end, scale-up and scale-out networks. The DS6000 series offers 64 ports of 1.6TbE connectivity and up to 102.4Tbps of switching capacity, supporting AI training, machine learning and high-performance computing.
The company is expanding its optical communication offerings with Linear Pluggable Optics, Linear-Receive Optics and coherent ZR/ZR+ optics for high-speed, low-latency connectivity across AI, data center and enterprise applications. It also supports advanced optical technologies such as On-Board Optics, Co-Packaged Optics, Pluggable Interface Modules and line cards.
As demand for faster connectivity and greater network capacity continues to rise, Celestica’s investments in high-speed networking, optical technologies and open architectures position the company to support the evolving communications landscape.
How Are Competitors Advancing in the Communication Market?Celestica faces competition from Jabil, Inc. (JBL - Free Report) and Sanmina Corporation (SANM - Free Report) . Jabil is expanding in the communications market by supporting the development and manufacturing of networking and wireless products. The company provides engineering, manufacturing and supply chain services for technologies such as switching, routing and photonics. Jabil's capabilities cover 5G infrastructure, optical networking and connected devices, helping customers bring new communications technologies to market.
Sanmina is advancing its communications business through networking, optical and wireless technologies. The company is enhancing its capabilities in advanced optical packaging, co-packaged optics and silicon photonics to support high-speed connectivity for communications networks and AI infrastructure. Sanmina’s expertise includes high-speed PCBs, optical and RF components, systems integration and manufacturing services.
Celestica's Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesCelestica shares have gained 43% over the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 50.8%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Celestica trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 21.55, up from the industry average of 20.56.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Earnings estimates for 2026 have decreased 0.1% to $11.32 over the past 60 days, while the same for 2027 has increased 1.1% to $19.01.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Celestica currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
SpaceX SPCX stock fell 2.5% Thursday as investors looked ahead to another major lockup expiration that could increase the supply of shares available for trading.
Up to 328.4 million shares are scheduled to become eligible for sale on October 9, giving existing shareholders the option to cash out.
The stock’s decline broadly tracked the wider market, with investors also monitoring elevated Treasury yields and oil prices.
The S&P 500 fell 0.4%, while the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.6%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 201 points, or 0.4%.
The October 9 release is the latest in a series of staggered SpaceX lockup expirations following the company’s June IPO.
Rather than using a single 180-day expiration, SpaceX structured its offering around multiple dates at which different groups of shareholders can become eligible to sell.
That structure has limited the amount of stock entering the market at any one time, but it has also created a recurring source of uncertainty for investors.
The upcoming release does not mean that all eligible shareholders will sell.
However, the prospect of additional supply can weigh on the stock as investors assess whether early shareholders will take profits following SpaceX’s gains since its August low.
The October 9 unlock also comes as investors assess whether SpaceX’s rapid expansion into artificial intelligence computing can justify its valuation.
Erste Group analyst Stephan Lingnau initiated coverage of SpaceX with a Hold rating but did not assign a price target.
Lingnau said SpaceX’s “high EV/EBIT multiple” already reflects strong expectations for its AI business.
He expects SpaceX to reach a $100 billion annualized revenue run rate by the end of 2026, with cloud agreements involving AI companies such as Anthropic and Alphabet driving a significant portion of the growth.
Lingnau expects AI to become SpaceX’s largest revenue contributor as early as this year.
He also expects the highly profitable Starlink business to offset losses from the company’s aerospace and AI operations.
The analyst said SpaceX’s valuation assumes its AI business will “reach breakeven in the near term,” followed by a “significant increase in the operating margin.”
Other analysts remain more optimistic.
Earlier this week, Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas reiterated his Buy rating and $300 price target.
Jonas said SpaceX looks “cheap and getting cheaper” relative to its growth prospects.
He also said investor interest in the company remains relatively quiet but argued that its growth potential makes the stock attractive.
In his view, concerns surrounding Grok and Starlink Mobile are already reflected in the valuation.
Goldman Sachs analyst Eric Sheridan also raised his SpaceX price target to $230 from $220 while maintaining a Buy rating.
Sheridan said the higher target reflects greater confidence in SpaceX’s AI business.
He increased his forecasts for AI capacity and revenue and expects margins to improve as the business scales.
Separately, President Donald Trump disclosed an investment of $1 million to $5 million in SpaceX senior unsecured notes, according to a newly released financial disclosure.
The notes carry a 5.35% interest rate and mature in July 2031.
The disclosure showed that Trump made the SpaceX debt investment two days before signing a policy memorandum aimed at expanding US commercial space transportation.
Trump’s disclosure also showed more than 500 securities transactions during August, including an investment of as much as $25 million in Meta stock.
The SpaceX investment is in the company’s debt rather than its equity, meaning it does not directly increase his ownership stake in the publicly traded stock.
SpaceX is also facing uncertainty around Starlink’s planned expansion into India, a potentially significant market for the satellite internet business.
Elon Musk has accused influential Indian telecommunications interests of obstructing Starlink’s entry to protect their existing market positions.
Indian government officials have rejected those accusations and said the approval process treats competing providers fairly.
Starlink has secured an initial license, but additional security clearances and spectrum allocation are still required before commercial operations can begin.
Further delays could postpone revenue opportunities in a market with a large population of consumers lacking reliable broadband access.
Apple sits on 2.5 billion active devices and a Services engine already running near $120 billion annually, yet one margin warning and a below-consensus analyst target raise a serious question about whether the premium is earned.
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Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL | AAPL Price Prediction) trades at $332.59. Our 24/7 Wall St. price target for Apple is $388.32 over the next 12 months, which means 16.76% upside.
Metric Value Current Price $332.59 24/7 Wall St. Price Target $388.32 Upside/Downside 16.76% Model Rating BUY Confidence Level High (0.9 on a 0 to 1 scale) Apple’s growth opportunity comes from monetizing Apple’s installed base of more than 2.5 billion active devices running the new Siri AI. Services generated $30.74B last quarter, putting the annual run rate near $120B.
Paid AI levels, smart-home hardware, and a foldable iPhone could each expand recurring revenue. The model carries high confidence because the target rests on actual earnings momentum.
Record iPhone 17 Quarters Keep Apple Near Its 52-Week High Apple shares slipped 1.7% over the past week but remain up 22.7% year to date and 29.4% over one year, near the top of its 52-week range of $242.76 to $345.34. Fiscal Q3 revenue rose 16.4% to $109.42B, beating the $108.96B estimate. EPS came in at $2.02 against $1.89 expected, the 9th straight beat.
In September Apple launched the iPhone Duo, its first foldable, priced at $1,999. Fortune also reported that Oura pulled its IPO in part because of an “Apple-sized threat”.
Why Bulls See $440 Within Reach Our bull case reaches $440.48, a 32.44% return. On CNBC’s Fast Money, one panelist argued that “Services have 75% margin and it’s 42% of the business and growing.”
On the July call, Tim Cook, who was CEO at the time, said Apple was considering iCloud Plus upgrades for heavy Siri AI users. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman expects Apple to produce 7 to 10 million foldables, and he has also pointed to a smart-home hub as an upcoming product category.
Capital returns add support through a $100B buyback authorization. Among covering analysts, 6 rate the stock a strong buy and 19 rate it a buy.
Tariff Refunds and Memory Costs Could Pin Shares Near $331 The bear case is $331.19. Q3 tariff refunds added about 2 pts to gross margin and around $0.11 to EPS. Apple guided September-quarter gross margin to 47% to 48%, down from 50.1%, as memory costs rise.
The consensus target of $328.09 sits below current price, and 3 analysts rate it a strong sell. Bulls counter that margin pressure reflects investment: R&D rose to $11.73B from $8.9B as Apple builds AI capabilities.
Apple Commands a Premium Over Its Big Tech Peers Company Trailing P/E Latest Quarterly Revenue Growth Apple 43 16.4% Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) 29 17.75% Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) 15 24.23% Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) offers the closest AI monetization comparison. Azure grew 43%, yet Microsoft trades at a lower multiple.
Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) competes through Android and Gemini, but its low P/E reflects a $99.03 billion equity gain and suspended buybacks. Apple’s capital returns help justify its premium.
Against these peers, our 24/7 Wall St. price target looks reasonable.
Siri AI Tips Our Model to a Buy Rating Our 24/7 Wall St. price target of $388.32 carries a buy rating and high confidence. Earnings growth of 0.287 outweighs the premium multiple.
Our model’s upside case depends on Siri AI driving iCloud upgrades and Services continuing to grow, a theme that goes well beyond the chipmakers (we covered seven of the suppliers supporting the AI expansion, from power to cooling, in a free report you can grab here).
Caution would rise if gross margin stays below 48% after tariff refunds roll off. Overall, the model considering upside above the identified risks.
Apple Price Prediction 2026-2030 Year 24/7 Wall St. Price Target Bull Bear 2026 $347.49 $353.71 $330.16 2027 $389.11 $423.16 $331.36 2028 $436.05 $500.94 $335.17 2029 $482.76 $546.49 $340.98 2030 $520.21 $605.18 $356.98 Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Apple 13. října představí novou strategii chytré domácnosti včetně centra chytré domácnosti s displejem a modernizovaného HomePodu mini; klíčovou roli má hrát Siri a umělá inteligence.
Apple is preparing to expand its presence in the smart home market, with the company set to unveil a new range of devices at an event in New York City next week.
Apple has announced an event for October 13 titled "Welcome Home".
The event is expected to feature a new smart home hub with a screen, an updated HomePod mini, and a refreshed Apple TV set-top box, said a Bloomberg News report.
Apple could also introduce smart home products developed with LG Electronics, including a doorbell, cameras, a smart lock and a thermostat.
The expansion comes as Apple looks to revive its HomeKit smart home platform while using its Siri AI assistant to strengthen its ecosystem.
At the same time, analysts remain focused on the potential for artificial intelligence to drive device upgrades and services revenue.
Apple stock AAPL gained 0.75% on Thursday.
The products developed with LG will carry the South Korean company’s brand, with LG handling manufacturing and product support.
The lineup is expected to include the LG Video Doorbell Wired, Floodlight Cam, Outdoor Cam Plug-In, Indoor Cam Plug-In, Smart Deadbolt Lock, Smart Thermostat and Temperature Sensor.
The products are not expected to reach consumers for at least several months, as development has lagged behind Apple’s own devices.
LG has recently sought regulatory approvals for the products, including filings with the US Federal Communications Commission and UL Solutions.
The filings include product names, specifications, and other details, while LG has requested confidentiality for photographs and more precise information until early next year.
Many of the devices support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as Thread and Matter, smart home protocols used by Apple and other technology companies.
The smart lock also supports ultra-wideband technology, which can enable automatic unlocking when users approach a door.
The planned ecosystem would place Apple and LG in closer competition with established smart home offerings from Amazon’s Ring and Alphabet’s Google Nest.
Apple launched HomeKit in 2014, but the platform has gained less traction than competing smart home ecosystems from Amazon and Google.
The new devices are part of a broader effort to reboot Apple's smart home strategy.
Apple is also planning additional products, including a privacy-focused home monitoring device, a smart home hub with a screen attached to a robotic arm, and an in-home security monitoring service.
The company is expected to use Siri and AI as part of this strategy.
The push also comes as Apple explores ways to integrate AI across its broader product ecosystem.
Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush, said Apple's AI strategy could add about $75 per share to the company's valuation as AI helps drive device upgrades and increase services revenue.
“Apple is moving into a new stage of its ecosystem story,” Ives said, adding that AI could eventually account for more than 15% of Services revenue.
Ives has an Outperform rating on Apple with a $400 price target.
He expects the iPhone 18 upgrade cycle to support the company over the next several quarters, noting that about 375 million iPhones have not been upgraded in more than four years.
He also expects Apple's foldable iPhone Duo to generate additional demand, estimating sales of about 10 million units over the next few quarters.
Citi remains bullish ahead of Apple earningsCiti has also reiterated its Buy rating on Apple ahead of the company's earnings expected in early November.
The bank said investor attention this quarter is likely to centre on Services growth momentum, alongside continued weakness in App Store revenue and concerns about the potential impact of agentic AI.
Citi also pointed to gross margin pressure from higher memory costs, partly offset by higher average selling prices, as well as iPhone sales seasonality following the lack of a base-model launch this autumn.
The combination of the smart home expansion, AI strategy, and upcoming iPhone upgrade cycle gives investors several areas to watch as Apple approaches its next earnings report.
Wells Fargo očekává, že AI může společnosti Meta Platforms pomoci dosáhnout v roce 2027 ceny akcie 1 000 USD; podmínkou je růst příjmů z reklamy a stabilizace výdajů.
Wells Fargo just slapped a four-digit price target on Meta, but the stock has gone nowhere in a year despite 28% revenue growth. Here is what has to happen for the math to actually work.
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Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META | META Price Prediction | META Price Prediction) now sells intelligence as well as ads. Advertising revenue hit $59.36B last quarter, up 27%, as ad impressions rose 14% and price per ad climbed 12%.
Shares are up 11.37% this year but only 2.8% over the past 12 months. That’s a weak return for a business growing revenue 28%. Wells Fargo now says Muse can push the stock much higher. My question for this piece: can Meta hit $1,000 in 2027?
Why Meta Has Gone Nowhere in a Year Despite 28% Revenue Growth Spending is what’s holding the stock back. Total costs rose 55% to $42.03B in Q2. Diluted EPS of $6.18 missed the $7.22 estimate, which ended a six-quarter run of beats. Operating margin fell to 31% from 43%.
Free cash flow dropped to $784M as capex reached $30.12B. On top of that, Meta took $2.40B in legal charges and still faces youth-related litigation. Shares slipped 0.74% last week after an 18.99% one-month rally. A beta of 1.185 means the stock swings a bit more than the market.
Wall Street Sees 8.4% Upside. Our Model Says 24.9% The consensus target is $794.96, just 8.4% above today’s price. Ratings break down to 8 Strong Buy, 47 Buy, 7 Hold and 1 Sell.
The base case stands at $923.03, representing 24.92% upside. Estimates span $786.35 in the bear case to $1,061.42 in the bull case, and our confidence score of 0.9 is high.
I think the Street is too cautious. 87% of analysts are bullish, yet their target stands just above the current price. Earnings growth was a slight drag in our model, at -0.013. Most of that came from one-time charges. Strip out the legal and severance costs and operating income would have grown 9%.
Here’s What It Takes for Meta to Reach $1,000 Getting from today’s $733.35 to $1,000 would take a gain of 36.4%. Forward EPS is $31.636, so a $1,000 share price works out to a forward P/E of 32x. The base case of $923.03 already means 23x, so the stock needs about 9x more multiple expansion to get there.
That’s a lot, but I can see how it happens. Strong analyst consensus helped push our 247Factor adjustment to 1.094. Analysts expect EPS of $34.0681 in 2027, up from $31.1683 for 2026, and that growth would bring the multiple down over time. Investors are piling into Meta’s top-charting AI agent.
Advantage Plus has passed a $75 billion annual run rate, and more than 1 million businesses use Meta Business Agents every week.
Zuckerberg said “AI is accelerating our core business today, powering our next generation of products, and opening the door to entirely new enterprise opportunities.” The main risk is that capex keeps growing faster than revenue.
Where Meta Trades Today vs Its Earnings Power At today’s price, Meta trades at 23x forward earnings. That’s reasonable for a business with an 82% gross margin and revenue growing in the high 20s.
Shares sit closer the $779.82 52-week high than the $519.37 low. Over 10 years, the stock has returned 473.86%. If AI keeps raising ad pricing, the current multiple leaves room to rise.
Can Meta Really Hit $1,000? My Verdict $1,000 would take a 36.4% gain. It’s a stretch, but a reachable one: our bull case crosses that level by September 2027.
Three things have to go right. Ad growth has to hold up, Muse and business agents need to start bringing in real revenue, and spending has to level off so margins can recover. A major legal loss or another capex increase would halt it. Investors shouldn’t expect this level of returns every year, but we’ve outlined the plan for how Meta Platforms could reach $1,000 in 2027.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Jefferies zjistila, že zhruba třetina testovaných webů blokuje AI agenta Muse společnosti Meta, což může oddálit významné provizní příjmy z agentického obchodování.
Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META, XETRA:FB2A, SIX:FB) could see revenue from agentic commerce delayed after Jefferies, the investment bank, found about one-third of websites blocked access by Muse, its artificial intelligence (AI) agent.
Agentic commerce means AI agents browse, book and buy online on a consumer's behalf, and Meta hopes to collect a take rate, a percentage of each transaction.
Jefferies tested Muse on several hundred leading US e-commerce, airline, online travel agency, hotel and reservation websites: about one-third blocked its access, one-third challenged or restricted it, and one-third were easy to navigate.
Jefferies said new restrictions were appearing almost daily across the sites it tested, making website access, rather than model quality, an increasingly important bottleneck for agentic commerce.
Meta has responded by establishing sanctioned connectors with merchants including Walmart, Best Buy, Wayfair, Sephora and Dick's Sporting Goods, although many integrations remain in the early stages of deployment or are not yet live.
Jefferies considers blocking agents by default the wrong call over the long term, since agentic commerce would broaden distribution for merchants, but expects the access friction to extend the timeline for meaningful take-rate revenue for Meta.
Alphabet, the parent of Google, gains a potential structural advantage because most enterprises are unwilling to block Googlebot, its web crawler, given the risk of losing search traffic, while rivals may have to negotiate access site by site.
Jefferies also sees an opportunity for customer support software vendors as persistent AI agents generate more inquiries, naming Salesforce, HubSpot and ServiceNow among public companies and Sierra and Decagon among private companies.
An advertising expert consulted by Jefferies this week said Meta's ad spend growth outpaced Google's in the third quarter and expects the outperformance to continue in the fourth quarter and first quarter of 2027.
The expert added that as AI agents handle more queries, advertisers will optimize for outcomes rather than clicks, a shift that Jefferies said could benefit Meta alongside the current hype around Muse.
