It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.
Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F. The better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform; an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.
Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.
VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +24% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Kinross Gold (KGC - Free Report) Based in Ontario, Canada, Kinross Gold Corporation is involved in the exploration and operation of gold mines. It ranks among the top 10 gold mining companies in the world, with a 2025 production of around 2.07 million gold equivalent ounces. The company's operations are primarily located in the Americas (roughly 76% of 2025 production). It holds major assets in Canada and the United States. It is mainly involved in the exploration and operation of gold mines. Kinross also produces and sells silver.
KGC is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 9.38; value investors should take notice.
For fiscal 2026, six analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.14 to $2.91 per share. KGC boasts an average earnings surprise of +18.1%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, KGC should be on investors' short list.
, /PRNewswire/ -- ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO and HKEX: 2057), a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China ("ZTO" or the "Company"), today announced that each of the following proposed resolutions submitted for shareholder approval has been adopted as an ordinary resolution at its annual general meeting of shareholders held in Hong Kong today:
1.
to receive and consider the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and the reports of the directors and auditor of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2025;
2.
to re-elect Mr. Hongqun HU as an executive director of the Company, subject to his earlier resignation or removal;
3.
to re-elect Mr. Xing LIU as a non-executive director of the Company, subject to his earlier resignation or removal;
4.
to authorize the Board to fix the remuneration of the directors;
5.
to re-appoint Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP as auditors of the Company to hold office until the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company and to authorize the board to fix their remuneration for the year ending December 31, 2026;
6.
to grant a general mandate to the directors to issue, allot, and deal with additional Class A ordinary shares of the Company (including any sale or transfer of treasury shares out of the treasury) not exceeding 20% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of the Company (excluding any treasury shares) as at the date of passing of this resolution.
7.
to grant a general mandate to the directors to repurchase Class A ordinary shares of the Company not exceeding 10% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of the Company (excluding any treasury shares) as at the date of passing of this resolution.
About ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.
ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO and SEHK: 2057) ("ZTO" or the "Company") is a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China. ZTO provides express delivery service as well as other value-added logistics services through its extensive and reliable nationwide network coverage in China.
ZTO operates a highly scalable network partner model, which the Company believes is best suited to support the significant growth of e-commerce in China. The Company leverages its network partners to provide pickup and last-mile delivery services, while controlling the mission-critical line-haul transportation and sorting network within the express delivery service value chain.
For more information, please visit https://zto.investorroom.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to," and other similar expressions. ZTO may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "HKEX"), in its interim and annual reports to shareholders, in announcements, circulars or other publications made on the website of the HKEX, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors, or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about ZTO's beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: risks relating to the development of the e-commerce and express delivery industries in China; its significant reliance on certain third-party e-commerce platforms; risks associated with its network partners and their employees and personnel; intense competition which could adversely affect the Company's results of operations and market share; any service disruption of the Company's sorting hubs or the outlets operated by its network partners or its technology system; ZTO's ability to build its brand and withstand negative publicity, or other favorable government policies. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in ZTO's filings with the SEC and the HKEX. All information provided in this announcement is as of the date of this announcement, and ZTO does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
Key Takeaways ZTO's earnings estimates for 2026 have been revised higher, signaling solid broker confidence.ZTO expects 2026 parcel volume to be in the range of 42.37-43.52 billion (up 10-13% year over year growth).ZTO has gained 32.8% in the past year, outperforming the transportation-services industry. ZTO Express (ZTO - Free Report) looks cheap from a valuation standpoint. Considering the forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio (P/E-F12M), ZTO Express is trading at a discount compared to the industry.
The stock has a forward 12-month P/E-F12M of 10.98X compared with 16.49X for the industry over the past five years. The company’s forward 12-month P/E-F12M ratio is also above the median level of 13.56X over the past five years. These factors indicate that the stock’s valuation is attractive. ZTO Express has a Value Score of A.
ZTO P/E Ratio (Forward 12 Months) Vs. Industry Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Now, the question is whether it is worth buying, holding, or selling the ZTO Express stock at current prices. Let us delve deeper to find out.
Tailwinds Working in Favor of ZTO StockZTO Express’ top line continues to benefit from the strong performance of the core express delivery services unit. Notably, revenues from the core express delivery business increased 22.5% year over year in first-quarter 2026, owing to 13.2% growth in parcel volume and an 8.2% increase in parcel unit price. Key account revenue, generated by direct sales organizations, grew 92.2% year over year, owing to an increase in e-commerce return parcels. Based on current market and operating conditions, ZTO Express expects its 2026 parcel volume guidance in the range of 42.37 billion to 43.52 billion (reflecting 10-13% year over year growth).
ZTO Express’s efforts to reward its shareholders even in the present uncertain scenario are noteworthy. ZTO’s board has approved a new share repurchase program in March 2026, authorizing the repurchase of up to $1.5 billion of its shares over the next 24 months, effective from March 20, 2026, through March 20, 2028. ZTO Express anticipates funding these repurchases utilizing its existing cash balance. Such shareholder-friendly efforts boost investor confidence and positively impact the company’s bottom line.
ZTO Stock’s Price PerformanceShares of ZTO Express have gained 32.8% over the past year, outperforming the Zacks Transportation - Equipment and Leasing industry’s 20.6% increase. However, the company performed unfavorably when compared with that of other industry players, Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (EXPD - Free Report) and Schneider National, Inc. (SNDR - Free Report) .
ZTO Stock’s One-Year Price Comparison Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What Do Earnings Estimates Say for ZTO?The positive sentiment surrounding ZTO stock is evident from the fact that the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings has also been projected northward in the past 90 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The favorable estimate revisions indicate brokers’ confidence in the stock.
Time to Buy ZTO StockApart from being attractively valued, the upbeat performance of the core express delivery services segment is a positive for ZTO Express. The uptick was driven by an increase in parcel volume and an increase in parcel unit price. ZTO Express expects its 2026 parcel volume guidance to be in the range of 42.37 billion-43.52 billion, reflecting an increase of 10-13% year over year. ZTO Express’s efforts to reward its shareholders look encouraging.
We believe that the positives surrounding the stock (as highlighted throughout the write-up) outweigh the concerns regarding higher selling, general and administrative expenses, which are pushing up operating expenses and hurting the bottom line, coupled with the highly competitive domestic express delivery market. We, therefore, suggest investors add ZTO Express stock to their portfolios for healthy returns. The company’s Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) further supports our thesis. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Many market analysts believe the current environment of entrenched inflation and higher-for-longer interest rates will be a headwind on the economy into 2027. That combination has made dividend stocks less attractive in recent years.
But what if the narrative is wrong? On June 14, the outline of a peace deal was announced between the United States and Iran. If—and it’s still a big "if" as of this writing—the agreement goes forward, the Strait of Hormuz will reopen, easing oil prices, which have been a major contributor to the recent spike in inflation.
If inflation drifts lower, the possibility of rate hikes will decline. And, in fact, would rekindle investor hopes for a rate cut later in 2026 or in early 2027.
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That combination would allow investors to focus on a stock’s total return potential, which includes the dividend yield plus capital appreciation. One area to focus on is dividend kings that look undervalued.
Coca-Cola Continues to Reward Long-Term ShareholdersCocaCola Dividend PaymentsDividend Yield2.64%
Annual Dividend$2.12
Dividend Increase Track Record64 Years
Annualized 5-Year Dividend Growth4.46%
Dividend Payout Ratio66.67%
Next Dividend PaymentJul. 1
KO Dividend History
Coca-Cola Co. NYSE: KO is up more than 14% in 2026 and showing why it fits perfectly with Warren Buffett’s value investment strategy. In the past five years, KO is up more than 48% and has delivered a total return of over 71%. That includes its dividend, which yields about 2.6% and has increased for 64 consecutive years.
Coca-Cola is always linked to PepsiCo NASDAQ: PEP, and, in better times, Pepsi had the upper hand due to the diversity of its Frito-Lay acquisition. But in an economy in which companies face margin pressure, Coca-Cola is benefiting from its more streamlined business model.
In the current quarter, Coca-Cola could get a marketing bump from its FIFA World Cup sponsorship, which may help offset ongoing pressure from higher commodity prices. That pressure isn’t likely to abate, but the annualized increases should normalize.
Stock charts tell a story, and the KO chart shows a company that has been a buy on any pullback. More importantly, the stock is up significantly since falling to around the low-$40s during the March 2020 market sell-off.
Colgate-Palmolive Delivers Stability and Dividend GrowthColgate-Palmolive Dividend PaymentsDividend Yield2.34%
Annual Dividend$2.12
Dividend Increase Track Record63 Years
Annualized 5-Year Dividend Growth3.31%
Dividend Payout Ratio82.49%
Upcoming Ex-Dividend DateJul. 20
CL Dividend History
The overarching narrative has been that consumer staples stocks have performed poorly. But as history has shown, quality matters. In the last five years, Colgate-Palmolive NYSE: CL is up over 8.5%. It hasn’t outperformed the broader market, but it has offered the defensive stability and dividend income investors expect from a high-quality consumer staples stock.
The near-term setup looks stronger. The stock is up more than 14% in 2026, and the company has demonstrated its ability to manage the impact of higher raw-material and logistics costs. Summer travel demand is expected to remain solid, which will help with sales of the company’s signature personal care products. Investors should also not be so quick to discount Colgate-Palmolive's pet care segment, which includes the Hill’s brand.
As of June 15, CL trades about 5.8% lower than the consensus price target of analysts tracked by MarketBeat of $95.88. The next catalyst for the stock could come from its earnings report expected in late July, which could reset the outlook for the stock in the second half. Either way, investors are getting a dividend that has increased for 63 consecutive years, has a 2.34% yield, and pays out $2.12 per share annually.
Stanley Black & Decker Offers Income and Recovery PotentialStanley Black & Decker Dividend PaymentsDividend Yield3.92%
Annual Dividend$3.32
Dividend Increase Track Record58 Years
Annualized 5-Year Dividend Growth3.49%
Dividend Payout Ratio136.07%
Next Dividend PaymentJun. 23
SWK Dividend History
Stanley Black & Decker NYSE: SWK is an industrial stock with a consumer story that may be ready to refire. The company’s Q1 2026 earnings report showed strength in the company’s Engineered Fastening and PRO segments. That reflects the increased infrastructure spending that is flowing into the economy.
That's helped push SWK up more than 30% in the last 12 months and over 14% in 2026. Unlike the steadier consumer staples names, Stanley Black & Decker is still a recovery story, with shares well below prior highs. That weakness is also part of the opportunity. The company is a go-to name for the literal picks and shovels that will be needed to build out infrastructure in all its forms.
In the second half, a stronger consumer could be a catalyst worth watching. Stanley Black & Decker is the parent company of the CRAFTSMAN brand. That’s part of the Tools and Outdoor segment, where organic revenue was down 1%, primarily due to lower retail volumes in North America.
But that’s where the opportunity may be. In the meantime, investors are being paid well to wait on SWK. The company’s dividend has increased for 58 consecutive years, yielding 3.88% and paying $3.32 per share annually.
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U.S. stock futures were mixed on Tuesday, as the S&P 500 fell, while the Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones advanced, following Monday’s rally.
However, both nations stressed that a permanent peace accord has not yet been negotiated. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called the memorandum an "important step" but noted a lasting truce "has yet to take shape."
Meanwhile, the 10-year Treasury bond yielded 4.45%, and the two-year bond was at 4.04%. The CME Group's FedWatch tool‘s projections show markets pricing a 98.6% likelihood of the Federal Reserve leaving the current interest rates unchanged during June’s meeting.
IndexPerformance (+/-)Dow Jones0.08%S&P 500-0.03%Nasdaq 1000.08%Russell 20000.20%Stocks In FocusSpaceXDave And Buster's Entertainment Dave and Buster's Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ:PLAY) dropped 11.44% as it reported downbeat earnings for the first quarter after the closing bell on Monday. Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that PLAY maintains a weak price trend in the long and medium terms but a strong trend in the short term, with a poor value score. Adaptive Biotechnologies Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that ADPT maintains a strong price trend in the short, medium, and long terms. Paranovus Entertainment Technology Paranovus Entertainment Technology Ltd. (NASDAQ:PAVS) surged 30.07% after it announced a $10 million registered direct offering of 50 million shares for strategic acquisitions and working capital. Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that PAVS maintains a weak price trend in the long, short, and medium terms. Western Digital Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that WDC maintains a strong price trend in the short, medium, and long terms, with a poor growth score. La-Z-Boy La-Z-Boy Inc. (NYSE:LZB) was 0.053% lower as analysts expect it to report earnings of 82 cents per share on revenue of $569.23 million, after the closing bell. Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that LZB maintains a strong price trend in the short, long, and medium terms, with a poor quality score. Cues From Last SessionInformation technology, communication services, and consumer discretionary stocks recorded the biggest gains on Monday, pushing U.S. stocks higher. Energy and real estate stocks, however, bucked the overall market trend and closed lower.
Insights From AnalystsLPL Financial maintains a positive but cautious outlook for the U.S. economy and stock market amid a shifting macroeconomic backdrop. The firm's Strategic and Tactical Asset Allocation Committee (STAAC) currently recommends a “tactical equity overweight and fixed income underweight.”
While LPL highlights a “broadly healthy fundamental landscape” for the long term, it anticipates near-term “bouts of volatility until the macro backdrop begins to improve,” particularly as geopolitical situations like the one in the Strait of Hormuz resolve.
A major catalyst for the 2026 market is a massive wave of high-profile initial public offerings (IPOs) fueled by an “improved risk appetite” and a “healthier macro backdrop.”
This includes mega-cap artificial intelligence companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. However, LPL warns that this influx could test the market, shifting the narrative from “Al capex is funded by profits” to “Al growth requires continuous capital.”
To navigate these choppy waters, LPL favors a “defensive factor tilt.” Sector-wise, it remains overweight on industrials and energy, noting that “oil prices may stay higher for longer than markets currently anticipate,” serving as a crucial hedge against Middle East flare-ups.
Upcoming Economic DataHere's what investors will be keeping an eye on Tuesday.
May’s import price index, import price index minus fuel, housing starts, and building permits data will all be released by 8:30 a.m. ET. Commodities, Crypto, And Global Equity MarketsCrude oil futures were trading lower in the early New York session by 2.66% to hover around $78.60 per barrel.
Gold Spot US Dollar rose 0.74% to hover around $4,341.24 per ounce. Its last record high stood at $5,595.46 per ounce. The U.S. Dollar Index spot was 0.19% lower at the 99.5560 level.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) was trading 1.37% higher at $66,580.08 per coin, as per the last 24 hours.
Asian markets closed mixed on Tuesday, as Hong Kong's Hang Seng and China’s CSI 300 indices declined, while Australia's ASX 200, India’s Nifty 50, Japan's Nikkei 225, and South Korea's Kospi rose. European markets were higher in early trade.
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Key Takeaways DIA trails SPY and QQQ in 2026 due to its relatively low technology exposure. Strong bank earnings and attractive financial-sector valuations support the Dow. Midterm election years often bring lower returns and higher market volatility. The SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA - Free Report) offers investors exposure to some of the largest and most established U.S. companies. The benchmark index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, tracks 30 blue-chip stocks spanning sectors such as technology, healthcare, financials and consumer goods. The fund DIA currently holds about $44.4 billion in assets.
Price-Weighted Methodology; High Concentration Risks Unlike most major indexes, the Dow is price-weighted, meaning higher-priced stocks have a greater influence on index performance. The index contains only 30 stocks, making it less diversified than broader benchmarks like the S&P 500.
The ETF DIA is widely spread across components, with each having less than a 12.24% share. Financials (27.2%), information technology (18.38%), and industrials (18.25%) are the top three sectors.
Let’s find out what lies ahead of the Index.
Less Tech ExposureToday’s investing world is all-about technology and the artificial intelligence (AI). But the Dow Jones has invested 18.38% of its weights in the IT sector, which makes it an underperformer than the tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 and the S&P 500.
The Nasdaq-100-based ETF Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ - Free Report) has added about 17.7% so far this year while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY - Free Report) has advanced about 8.6% this year. In contrast, the DIA ETF has gained about 6.1% in the year-to-date frame (as of June 12, 2026).
Note that Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK - Free Report) added about 28.1% so far this year. The S&P 500 has about 40% focus on the tech sector and the Nasdaq-100 has about 55% exposure to it. Hence, due to lesser tech exposure the Dow Jones fell behind the other big equity gauges.
Heavy On FinancialsThe Dow Jones is heavy on the financial sectors. But Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF - Free Report) has lost about 2.9% so far this year but is up 4.4% over the past month. The Iran crisis and the resultant flattening of the yield curve have weighed on the financials sector’s stock market performance.
However, upbeat big bank earnings and strong deal activities due to mega IPOs are positives for the sector. The Finance sector ranks six out of the 16 Zacks classified sectors. The Financial - Investment Bank category, from which most big banks come, is also strongly positioned at present. The industry ranks in the top 36% of the 247 industries classified by Zacks.
Cheaper Valuation of Financial SectorThe financials sector currently trades at a forward price-to-earnings multiple of 11.50 versus 18.24 possessed by the S&P 500. The Financial - Investment Bank industry trades at a forward P/E of 14.32X.
Projected EPS Growth of the sector is a solid 8.92% versus the S&P 500’s growth of 9.76%. The Financial - Investment Bank industry’s growth is 14.76%. The financials sector currently has a lower debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28X than the S&P 500’s 0.58X. The Financial - Investment Bank industry’s debt-to-equity ratio is even lower at 0.37X.
Average Returns Tend to Be Lower in Years of Mid-Term ElectionsAccording to data cited by the Stock Trader's Almanac going back to 1896, the Dow has historically generated an average return of about 4% during midterm election years (like this year), compared with roughly 10.2% in pre-election years and about 6% in presidential election years, as quoted on disruptionbanking.com.
LPL Research indicated in March 2026 that midterm years have historically delivered average returns roughly five percentage points below the other three years of a presidential term, with volatility often intensifying in the six months before election day, per the same source.
Bottom LineSo, overall, the Dow Jones’ performance should be moderate in 2026, if not great. Investors can keep a close tab on the DIA ETF. The current period of high interest rates is proving more favorable for the Dow Jones than for the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq. The Dow Jones has more value focus than the other two big indexes. Hence, if the Fed hikes rates ahead, the Dow Jones is likely to outperform.
Daily July WTI Crude Oil Futures Five weeks of war premium came out of the oil market in a single session. President Trump announced the U.S. and Iran reached an agreement to end the conflict. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed both sides agreed to halt military operations across all fronts. The formal signing is set for Switzerland later this week. Both sides already signed a memorandum of understanding electronically.
The Strait of Hormuz reopening is on the schedule for Friday. That’s the chokepoint for global crude flows and traders priced it in before the details were even public. Oil dropped nearly 5% on Monday. Iranian media is already disputing the toll-free access terms, but the market is trading the headline, not the fine print.
Lower oil rewrites the inflation outlook. If crude stays down here, the Fed has less reason to stay tight. That connection ran through every sector on Monday and it explains why tech rallied as hard as energy sold off.
Nikkei Hit a Record Despite BOJ’s 1% Hike Japan’s Nikkei 225 reached a new intraday record before closing up 0.13%. The Bank of Japan raised its policy rate to 1%, the highest since 1995, and the market bought right through it. When a stock index rallies on a rate hike, the move is about confidence, not cost of money. South Korea’s Kospi ran 2.11%.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng sank 1.64%, the weakest in Asia. Mainland China’s CSI 300 dipped 0.15%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 finished flat.
The Reserve Bank of Australia held at 4.35% and left the door open for more hikes. Inflation eased to 4.2% in April but is still above the 2%-3% target. The RBA pointed to higher fuel costs as a persistent source of price pressure. With crude now collapsing on the Iran deal, that argument gets harder to make at the next meeting.
US stocks opened higher on Tuesday, continuing from Monday's strong performance.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 383 points after the blue-chip index closed at a record high in the previous session.
The S&P 500 surged 1.65% while the Nasdaq 100 fell 0.19%.
The S&P 500 trades at 32.59 times earnings, compared with 24.63 times for the Dow Jones Industrial Average and 33.10 times for the Nasdaq 100.
Investors shifted their attention to the Federal Reserve's upcoming interest rate decision on Wednesday, which will be the first rate decision under new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh.
Investors also monitored the developments surrounding the preliminary agreement between the United States and Iran.
Investors widely expect the Federal Reserve to leave interest rates unchanged at a range of 3.50% to 3.75%.
However, market participants are closely watching Warsh's comments on inflation, employment, and the broader economic outlook for clues about the future direction of monetary policy.
Inflation remains a key concern for policymakers, with price growth continuing to run above the Federal Reserve's 2% target.
Traders currently assign a 42% probability to a quarter-point rate increase by December, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool.
Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan raised interest rates to their highest level in 31 years on Tuesday as policymakers responded to inflationary pressures linked to higher energy costs.
SpaceX remained one of the market's biggest focal points following its highly anticipated public market debut last week.
Shares of the Elon Musk-led company continued to advance 7% in trading, building on strong gains recorded since its Nasdaq listing.
The stock has rallied sharply since pricing its initial public offering at $135 per share and has recently traded above $200.
While SpaceX does not have a reported price-to-earnings ratio in the traditional sense, the company's valuation has attracted attention because of its lofty earnings multiple.
At a valuation of approximately $2.7 trillion, SpaceX is effectively being valued at nearly 100 times earnings.
Investors use P/E multiples to gauge a stock’s valuation relative to its anticipated future earnings.
With the growth of online trading apps, tracking such metrics has become significantly easier and more accessible to market participants.
Investor enthusiasm also increased after reports that SpaceX plans to acquire software company Anysphere for $60 billion to expand its presence in the enterprise artificial intelligence market.
The continued rally has pushed SpaceX closer to surpassing Amazon in market value, potentially making it the world's fifth-largest publicly traded company.
Technology shares broadly remained strong.
Micron Technology advanced, while Western Digital and Seagate Technology also posted notable gains as investors continued to favor AI-related semiconductor and data-storage companies.
Qualcomm shares also moved higher after a report indicated the company is in talks to acquire AI chip startup Tenstorrent for between $8 billion and $10 billion.
Markets also continued to react to news that the United States and Iran have reached a preliminary agreement aimed at ending their conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump announced that a deal had been reached, while Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said a formal signing ceremony is expected to take place in Switzerland later this week.
The prospect of renewed oil flows from the Middle East pushed crude prices lower for a second consecutive session.
Brent crude fell below $80 per barrel for the first time since March, while West Texas Intermediate crude dropped toward $77 per barrel.
Lower energy prices have helped ease inflation concerns and supported broader equity markets.
The recommendations of Wall Street analysts are often relied on by investors when deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock. Media reports about these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts changing their ratings often affect a stock's price. Do they really matter, though?
Let's take a look at what these Wall Street heavyweights have to say about NextEra Energy (NEE - Free Report) before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage.
NextEra currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.82, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 22 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.82 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy.
Of the 22 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 14 are Strong Buy, representing 63.6% of all recommendations.
Brokerage Recommendation Trends for NEE
Check price target & stock forecast for NextEra here>>>
While the ABR calls for buying NextEra, it may not be wise to make an investment decision solely based on this information. Several studies have shown limited to no success of brokerage recommendations in guiding investors to pick stocks with the best price increase potential.
Do you wonder why? As a result of the vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover, their analysts tend to rate it with a strong positive bias. According to our research, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" recommendation.
This means that the interests of these institutions are not always aligned with those of retail investors, giving little insight into the direction of a stock's future price movement. It would therefore be best to use this information to validate your own analysis or a tool that has proven to be highly effective at predicting stock price movements.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, which classifies stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), is a reliable indicator of a stock's near-term price performance. So, validating the Zacks Rank with ABR could go a long way in making a profitable investment decision.
ABR Should Not Be Confused With Zacks RankAlthough both Zacks Rank and ABR are displayed in a range of 1--5, they are different measures altogether.
The ABR is calculated solely based on brokerage recommendations and is typically displayed with decimals (example: 1.28). In contrast, the Zacks Rank is a quantitative model allowing investors to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.
Analysts employed by brokerage firms have been and continue to be overly optimistic with their recommendations. Since the ratings issued by these analysts are more favorable than their research would support because of the vested interest of their employers, they mislead investors far more often than they guide.
In contrast, the Zacks Rank is driven by earnings estimate revisions. And near-term stock price movements are strongly correlated with trends in earnings estimate revisions, according to empirical research.
Furthermore, the different grades of the Zacks Rank are applied proportionately across all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide earnings estimates for the current year. In other words, at all times, this tool maintains a balance among the five ranks it assigns.
Another key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank is freshness. The ABR is not necessarily up-to-date when you look at it. But, since brokerage analysts keep revising their earnings estimates to account for a company's changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in indicating future price movements.
Should You Invest in NEE?In terms of earnings estimate revisions for NextEra, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 0% over the past month to $4.01.
Analysts' growing optimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to soar in the near term.
The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for NextEra. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>
Therefore, the Buy-equivalent ABR for NextEra may serve as a useful guide for investors.
Few consumer staples have been treated as roughly by the higher-for-longer rate regime as Clorox (NYSE:CLX | CLX Price Prediction). The stock sits down 18.6% over the past year, pushing the yield to a level rarely seen for a household-name aristocrat. With Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) projecting the Fed to cut another 50 basis points to 3-3.25% in 2026, income investors are starting to look back. The question I want to answer is simple: can Clorox actually afford this payout?
A 5.2% Yield Backed by a Multi-Decade Streak Metric Value Annual Dividend $4.96 Dividend Yield 5.21% Consecutive Years of Increases 51 years Most Recent Increase $1.22 to $1.24 quarterly (Q3 2025) Dividend King Status Yes Payout Ratios Are Stretched, but Cash Flow Still Covers Clorox paid roughly $600 million in dividends against $761 million in FY2025 free cash flow. Trailing EPS of $6.15 against the $4.96 dividend produces an earnings payout ratio in the low 80s, which is elevated for a staples name.
Metric TTM Value Assessment Earnings Payout Ratio ~81% Elevated FCF Payout Ratio ~79% Elevated Operating Cash Flow Coverage 1.64x Adequate The wrinkle: FY2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $5.45 to $5.65 implies the earnings payout climbs near 90% before the ERP transition normalizes. FCF is the better lens here, and it still works.
Thin Equity, but a $1.2 Billion Cash Cushion Metric Value Assessment EBITDA (TTM) $1.274B Stable EV/EBITDA 11.2x Reasonable Cash on Hand $1.187B Solid Buffer Shareholders’ Equity $92M Thin (buyback-driven) The negative book value is optical, the byproduct of decades of buybacks. The cash position, up 425% year-over-year, is the real story and gives management room to absorb GOJO integration costs.
Half a Century of Raises, Now Slowing Year Annual Dividend 2026 $4.96 2025 $4.88 2024 $4.84 2023 $4.72 2022 $4.64 The 5-year dividend CAGR works out to roughly 2.2%, modest but unbroken.
Rendle Stays Measured CEO Linda Rendle told investors on the Q3 FY26 call: “Looking ahead, we recognize there is more work to do in what continues to be a challenging consumer and cost environment.” That tone is measured and capital-allocation focused. Capital allocation language remains anchored to the dividend.
The Verdict: Safe, With a Watch on FY2026 Earnings Dividend Safety Rating: Safe. FCF covers the payout with room, the cash buffer is real, and the streak is intact. The dividend thesis holds together if FY2026 organic sales stabilize and ERP normalization plays out as guided. The setup deteriorates if the earnings payout pushes past 95% on further guidance cuts. For now, the yield is doing its job.
Fastly remains a compelling AI-driven edge cloud platform despite a sharp post-earnings sell-off tied to disappointing Q2 guidance. FSLY achieved 20% year-over-year revenue growth in Q1'26 and posted its fifth consecutive quarter of positive free cash flow. Shares trade at a discounted 3.6X forward P/S, well below Cloudflare and Akamai, reflecting market overreaction to near-term deceleration.
Deere & Company is mispriced as a cyclical machinery manufacturer, while its precision agriculture platform is driving high-margin, recurring revenue growth. DE's precision agriculture ecosystem spans over one million connected machines and 500 million acres, targeting 600 million acres by 2030, with software margins at 85%. Management raised FY2026 net income guidance to $4.5B–$5.0B; Q2 2026 net income beat expectations by nearly 15%, signaling robust operational momentum.
Embedded AI features empower associates to work more efficiently, standardize operations across properties, and elevate guest service
, /PRNewswire/ -- Oracle today announced Oracle OPERA Cloud Assistant, a new suite of AI-powered capabilities embedded directly within the familiar workflows of Oracle OPERA Cloud. These innovations help hoteliers automate guest room assignments, generate AI-driven rate descriptions that improve quality and consistency, and strengthen revenue management, while enabling staff to work more efficiently.
For example, instead of spending time searching through documentation or consulting a manager, associates can simply ask OPERA Cloud questions such as, "How do I run a report?" or "How do I resolve this guest issue?" to receive real-time guidance. Together with integrated AI language translation supporting global operations across 230 countries and territories, OPERA Cloud Assistant empowers associates to take action to streamline operations, and deliver better experiences to guests across regions.
All these capabilities are available today at no additional cost to OPERA Cloud customers worldwide. To see the OPERA Cloud platform in action visit HITEC booth #842 on June 15-18th.
"AI is reshaping how hotels operate and deliver great guest experiences," said Scott Strickland, chief commercial officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. "Some of the most impactful innovations are those helping hoteliers make better decisions, reduce operational complexity, generate more revenue through upsells, and respond more effectively to ever-changing guest needs. With new AI capabilities embedded directly within Oracle OPERA Cloud, we're helping franchisees and the teams that support them unlock new levels of productivity, consistency, and operational agility, all without disrupting existing workflows."
Wyndham, one of the world's largest hotel franchisors, currently has more than 2,100 properties running on OPERA Cloud. The addition of OPERA Cloud Assistant builds on a multi-year effort to integrate AI across the company's ecosystem, reflecting its early focus on applying advanced technologies to help franchisees drive greater revenue and efficiencies amid a rapidly evolving hospitality landscape.
Embedded natively within existing OPERA Cloud configurations, revenue, and front desk workflows, the new AI capabilities simplify complex processes, automate routine tasks, and help hotel teams increase productivity, make faster decisions, and deliver more personalized service throughout the guest journey. By bringing AI into familiar workflows, Oracle enables hospitality organizations to accelerate productivity, standardize best practices across global operations, and improve business performance without adding separate systems, integrations, overhead, or training.
"AI has the potential to transform hotel operations when it is seamlessly integrated into associates' daily work," said Laura Calin, senior vice president, Oracle Consumer Industries. "With OPERA Cloud, users have a unified AI-enabled platform that streamlines operations, removes challenges, and helps staff make smarter decisions in real time. By reducing friction and automating routine tasks, hotel associates can focus on what matters most - delivering exceptional service."
With the new OPERA Cloud AI capabilities, hoteliers can:
Empower employees with instant operational intelligence: OPERA Cloud Assistant provides hotel staff with real-time, natural-language access to operational knowledge, hotel procedures, and Oracle documentation. Whether an associate needs guidance on completing a night audit or navigating a system process, the assistant delivers immediate answers in the employee's preferred language. This helps accelerate onboarding, reduce dependence on managers, improve productivity, and enable consistent service delivery during peak operating periods. Deliver personalized guest experiences through intelligent room assignment: AI-assisted room assignment analyzes reservation details, guest preferences, stay history, and operational parameters to recommend the most suitable room for each guest. By helping hotels better match guests with preferred room features, these recommendations can improve guest satisfaction, increase loyalty, reduce manual effort at the front desk, and enable faster, more seamless check-in experiences. Strengthen revenue optimization and pricing consistency: AI-generated rate code descriptions automatically create comprehensive, standardized rate content using package details, rate attributes, and structured inputs already available within OPERA Cloud. By improving the quality and consistency of rate information across distribution channels, hotels can enhance pricing transparency, reduce administrative effort, and support stronger revenue management practices across multi-property portfolios. Scale global operations with multilingual consistency: AI-powered translation generates ready-to-use translations for configuration descriptions and operational content, helping global hotel brands maintain consistent standards, terminology, and brand alignment across regions. These capabilities simplify global deployments and reduce the complexity of managing multilingual environments. By combining operational intelligence, workflow automation, and AI-driven decision support within a single platform, Oracle continues to help hospitality organizations increase efficiency, improve profitability, and deliver memorable guest experiences that support long-term loyalty and revenue growth at scale.
To learn more visit www.oracle.com/Hospitality.
Oracle Hospitality
Oracle technology serves independent hoteliers, global hotel chains, casinos, and cruise lines in over 230 countries and territories. Our cloud-native solutions connect the entire business from the front desk to the dining room and back office, and our customers use intuitive tools and AI insights to fuel frictionless guest experiences, maximize profitability, and encourage long-term loyalty. To learn more, please visit www.oracle.com/Hospitality.
About Oracle
Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com.
Trademarks
Oracle, Java, MySQL and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud company--ushering in the new era of cloud computing.
NEW YORK, June 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AI Era Corp. (OTC: AERA) today announced the appointment of Mark Iwanowski as Vice Chairman of the Company. Mr. Iwanowski, CEO of Global Visions-Silicon Valley, Inc. a consulting firm helping early stage companies grow their business, and large corporations develop innovation strategies. He will work closely with the Chairman to provide strategic guidance on the Company’s AI-driven content and platform initiatives.
Mr. Iwanowski brings more than three decades of experience spanning enterprise technology leadership, venture capital, and serial entrepreneurship. He is also a Partner at Pegasus Tech Ventures, a “VC as a Service” company that assists corporate VCs to target and invest in early stage technology and innovation-driven companies. Previously, he served as Managing Director at Trident Capital, focusing on investments in IT, software, communications, and CleanTech.
Mr. Iwanowski previously held the position of Senior Vice President of Global IT and Global Chief Information Officer at Oracle Corporation. During his tenure, he was instrumental in transforming Oracle’s IT infrastructure into a global service business and led IT consolidation initiatives that delivered over $1 billion in cost savings. He also played a role in the acquisition and integration of approximately $20 billion of complementary technology companies. Prior to Oracle, he co-managed a Digital Transformation Outsourcing business at SAIC, where his team sponsored strategic investments in early-stage and growth companies that delivered top-tier venture returns.
A successful serial entrepreneur, Mr. Iwanowski has founded and led three technology companies that were ultimately acquired by Fortune 500 corporations. He has also held executive positions at Raytheon and Honeywell, where he received multiple Management Excellence Awards. Before entering the technology and corporate sectors, Mr. Iwanowski played professional football for the New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, and Kansas City Chiefs.
Mr. Iwanowski holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master’s degree in Engineering from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and an M.B.A. from National University.
“I see significant opportunity ahead for AI Era Corp. The company has developed a strong foundation that combines content capabilities with intelligent automation, positioning it well to serve platform operators and enterprise users at scale. I look forward to working with the team to help accelerate the company’s growth and capture this market opportunity,” said Mark Iwanowski.
“Mark’s deep experience across enterprise technology, global operations, venture capital, and building and exiting technology companies brings a unique combination of strategic insight and execution discipline that will be highly valuable as we continue to grow our platform licensing business and develop new opportunities in AI-powered content,” said Fred Deng, Chairman and President of AI Era Corp.
As Vice Chairman, Mr. Iwanowski will focus on strategic advisory matters, partnership development, and supporting the Company’s client expansion and go-to-market efforts.
About AI Era Corp.
AI Era Corp. (OTC: AERA) is a New York-based technology company developing AI solutions for the entertainment and media industry. Through its UFilm.ai platform, the Company provides agentic AI tools for scripted content creation, including long-form and short-form series. AERA also operates a content supply chain that sources and structures short-form drama scripts and narrative content for use in training AI models focused on storytelling and creative applications. The Company operates a movie theater and distribution hub in New York.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to the Company's management team changes, strategic transformation, and operational performance. Actual results may differ materially due to risks including business disruption, competitive uncertainties, and general economic conditions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements after the date of this release.
Investor Relations Contact:
Charles Tang
AI Era Corp. (OTC: AERA)
X: @ABIntlGroup | Email: [email protected]
Tel: (917) 336 2398
Bilingual community engagement, partnerships with local voices, and new advertising will help residents learn more about Project Jupiter's economic, community, and environmental benefits
, /PRNewswire/ -- Residents throughout New Mexico have new opportunities to learn more about the benefits of Project Jupiter through expanded community outreach efforts announced today. Building on its recently launched public awareness campaign, Project Jupiter is expanding its efforts to provide residents with information and answer their questions about the project 's expected economic impact, workforce opportunities, community investments, fuel cell-powered energy strategy, and innovative approach to water conservation.
Oracle's new campaign highlights the economic, community, and environmental benefits of the Project Jupiter data center campus in Doña Ana County. "Project Jupiter is a different kind of data center and we are proud to bring this once-in-a-generation project to New Mexico, particularly given its transformational benefits for people who call Doña Ana County home," said Julia Robin, head of infrastructure planning and sourcing, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. "From creating thousands of jobs to investing hundreds of millions of dollars in local schools, infrastructure, and community services, Project Jupiter represents a significant long-term commitment to New Mexico. Residents deserve clear information about how the project will operate, including its innovative energy strategy and approach to water use."
To help residents learn more about Project Jupiter and Oracle's commitments to New Mexico, outreach efforts include:
Bilingual community engagement: Project Jupiter representatives, carrying Project Jupiter identification and branded materials, will engage directly with residents through a community open house in Santa Teresa, New Mexico on June 17, as well as door-to-door conversations in neighborhoods across the state They will answer questions, gather feedback, provide detailed information about Project Jupiter, and highlight its investments in Doña Ana County and New Mexico. We are committed to speaking directly to New Mexicans about Project Jupiter. Partnerships with local voices: Project Jupiter is partnering with local voices on social media to share information about the project through the digital platforms they use every day. Expanded advertising: New English- and Spanish-language advertisements will begin airing this week across television, radio, digital, and social platforms, highlighting Project Jupiter's expected economic impact, workforce opportunities, local investments, fuel cell-powered energy strategy, and approach to water conservation. Project Jupiter is expected to create more than 4,000 construction jobs and 1,500 ongoing project-supported jobs once construction is complete, generating approximately $384 million in economic impact annually during construction and $113 million annually once the data center is operational.
Project Jupiter has committed $50 million to improve local water systems; $360 million in direct support for schools, infrastructure, and local services; and $6.9 million to fund workforce development, the Boys and Girls Club of Las Cruces, and habitat restoration.
Oracle plans to fund all energy costs for the project to protect residential electricity rates. The project's updated power plan also significantly reduces water usage. The data center's cooling system and fuel cell solution will not use the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority's public drinking-water supply, and both systems are designed to only require a one-time startup fill of non-potable water sourced from an existing water rights holder. Water usage to maintain these systems will be equivalent to the average annual use of two U.S. households.
Residents are encouraged to visit ProjectJupiterTogether.com, where they can learn more about Project Jupiter and Oracle's long-term investments in New Mexico.
Additional Resources
Learn about Project Jupiter's energy strategy Read more about Project Jupiter's approach to water Learn about fuel cell technology About Oracle
Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com.
Trademarks
Oracle, Java, MySQL, and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud company—ushering in the new era of cloud computing.
It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.
The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.
Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.
Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +24% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Oracle (ORCL - Free Report) Oracle Corporation is one of the largest enterprise-grade database, middleware, and application software providers.
ORCL is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. ORCL has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 5.4% for the current fiscal year.
Nine analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.09 to $8.04 per share. ORCL boasts an average earnings surprise of +12.9%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, ORCL should be on investors' short list.
Oracle (ORCL 2.28%) is compounding its debt issues by announcing another $40 billion in financing needs to build out AI infrastructure. Half of those funds will come from debt, which is already crushing at $120 billion.
On the surface, this makes sense given the remaining performance obligations, but I highlight in this video why this is a risk management may not be able to overcome if AI doesn't have an extraordinary payback.
*Stock prices used were end-of-day prices of June 15, 2026. The video was published on June 16, 2026.
Travis Hoium has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Oracle. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Travis Hoium is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through their link they will earn some extra money that supports their channel. Their opinions remain their own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. JASON REDMOND/AFP via Getty Images Microsoft was recently in talks with Oracle about leasing the company's cloud infrastructure, but the deal fell through due to security and compliance concerns, according to people familiar with the matter.
One of the people said that the deal could have been worth more than $3 billion.
The failed talks highlight a growing reality of the AI boom: even the world's largest technology companies are running short on computing power. As demand for AI services soars, cloud providers like Microsoft are increasingly competing not just for customers but for the infrastructure and capacity needed to run their own products.
That scramble is driving an unusual wave of partnerships, capacity-sharing agreements, and multibillion-dollar infrastructure deals as companies race to secure enough computing resources to support the next generation of AI.
Microsoft recently projected that its capital expenditures for the 2026 calendar year will reach $190 billion, largely to expand data center capacity. The company has already turned to Amazon to add capacity for its GitHub code development business to address recent outages.
Microsoft is seeking a deal or deals with other cloud providers to prioritize its own Azure cloud computing resources on customers, the people said. "We are shopping for capacity everywhere," one of the people said.
The plan was to move some Microsoft workloads to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, but Oracle's public cloud did not have the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP), a standardized security framework that ensures cloud services are secure enough to handle U.S. government data. Oracle was not willing to add this framework, one of the people said.
"The details mentioned in the article are inaccurate," an Oracle spokesperson said, declining to specify the inaccuracies. Microsoft is both an OCI partner and a customer. We have a tremendously collaborative and fruitful partnership, where we often talk about ways we can expand upon our ongoing work together."
Microsoft declined to comment.
An Oracle executive told Business Insider that adding FedRAMP to Oracle's public cloud (versus its government cloud, which already meets it) would be a massive engineering lift.
Microsoft is still evaluating and exploring options for leasing cloud infrastructure, the people familiar with the talks said. Amazon and Google's public clouds have FedRAMP.
Other big tech companies have been making similar deals.
SpaceX and Google recently disclosed a new deal in which Google will pay SpaceX $920 million a month for AI compute capacity from October 2026 to June 2029. That emerged just two months after Google's own cloud business agreed to sell AI compute capacity to Anthropic.
Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at [email protected] or Signal at +1-425-344-8242. Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.
The logo of Microsoft is displayed over a booth at the Web Summit digital trade show in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
June 16 (Reuters) - Oracle (ORCL.N), opens new tab said on Tuesday that details in a Business Insider report on the collapse of its discussions with Microsoft over a potential leasing deal were inaccurate.
The report had said that Microsoft's (MSFT.O), opens new tab discussions with Oracle regarding a cloud infrastructure leasing deal have fallen apart due to security and compliance concerns.
Learn about the latest breakthroughs in AI and tech with the Reuters Artificial Intelligencer newsletter. Sign up here.
Microsoft declined to comment on the report, which cited people familiar with the matter. Reuters could not independently verify the report.
Microsoft planned to shift some workload to Oracle's cloud infrastructure. But Oracle's public cloud lacked Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, a required security framework for handling U.S. government data, and the company was unwilling to add it, according to the report.
The deal could have been worth more than $3 billion, the report from Business Insider said, citing one of the people.
Microsoft is seeking a deal or deals with other cloud providers to prioritize its own Azure cloud computing resources on customers, according to the report.
"The details mentioned in the article are inaccurate. Microsoft is both an OCI partner and a customer. We have a tremendously collaborative and fruitful partnership, where we often talk about ways we can expand upon our ongoing work together," an Oracle spokesperson said in an emailed response.
Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru and Juby Babu in Mexico City; Editing by Leroy Leo
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
Oracle (ORCL 2.28%) is one of the most important artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure companies in the world, building data centers for major hyperscalers, AI companies, and many others.
The booming demand for AI solutions and services has driven a surge in the need for dedicated AI data centers. Goldman Sachs, for instance, predicts that demand for agentic AI solutions will drive a 24x increase in token consumption. An AI token is the unit of data that AI models process during the training and inference phases.
Not surprisingly, the massive jump in AI token consumption will create a need for more AI infrastructure. Oracle is filling this gap by aggressively adding new data center capacity. However, the company's shares have underperformed over the past year, dropping by more than 10%, compared with the 37% jump in the tech-laden Nasdaq Composite index.
Its latest quarterly report didn't improve investor sentiment either, as Oracle stock fell by over 8% despite delivering crushing Wall Street estimates. It seems the market isn't giving Oracle enough credit for its healthy growth and bright prospects, especially given its growth potential that could easily help it become a $1 trillion company.
Let's see why it would be a good idea to buy this AI stock while it is beaten down.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
Oracle's aggressive capital spending has spooked investors, but they are missing the bigger picture Building AI data centers is a capital-intensive undertaking. Not surprisingly, Oracle's capital spending more than doubled in the recently concluded fiscal 2026 (which ended on May 31) to $48 billion from $21.2 billion in the preceding year. The reported capital spending totaled almost $56 billion last year, including $8 billion in customer prepayments.
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The company anticipates capital spending of $70 billion this year, with another $20 billion to $25 billion to be financed by customer prepayments. So, Oracle's reported capex could land between $90 billion and $95 billion in fiscal 2027. That will be a significant jump over last year. Oracle plans to finance its share of capex by raising $40 billion through debt and equity. It had announced a $20 billion fundraise earlier this year through a share sale, meaning it will raise an equivalent amount through debt and equity financing.
This explains why Oracle fell despite reporting a 21% increase in revenue last quarter to $19.2 billion and a 24% year-over-year jump in earnings per share to $2.11. Analysts would have settled for $1.97 in earnings per share on revenue of $19.09 billion. However, a closer look at Oracle's backlog explains why the company needs to aggressively ramp up spending.
Oracle's remaining performance obligation (RPO), which refers to the total value of contracts yet to be fulfilled at the end of a quarter, increased to a whopping $638 billion in fiscal Q4. That was way higher than the RPO of $138 billion at the end of fiscal 2025. Importantly, the new data center capacity that Oracle is building will allow it to accelerate the conversion of its RPO into revenue.
The company noted on its latest earnings call that it expects to convert 12% of its RPO into revenue in the next 12 months, with another 34% expected to be realized between 13 and 36 months. So, Oracle is on track to convert 46% of its backlog, or $293 billion, into revenue over the next three years. Of that, almost $77 billion is projected to be converted into revenue within the next year.
This clearly points toward a significant acceleration in Oracle's growth. The company reported $67.4 billion in revenue in fiscal 2026, up 17% from the prior year. The fiscal 2027 revenue estimate of $90 billion points to a 33% jump in its top line. The growth rate will pick up in subsequent years as RPO conversion into revenue accelerates, which is precisely what analysts anticipate.
Data by YCharts
Of course, the aggressive data center build-out will negatively impact its margins in the near term. Oracle CFO Hilary Maxson noted on the earnings call:
Our fiscal year 2027 gross margin will step down due to timing for the ramp up of our data center projects into their full revenue contribution plus impacts from mix. While these investments are creating pressure on near-term gross margins in our infrastructure business, we expect margin performance in infrastructure to improve rapidly as we reach full contractual revenue levels at our data centers.
This explains why Oracle expects its fiscal 2027 earnings per share to increase by 18% to $8.05. However, as Oracle fulfills more of its contractual obligations, its earnings growth should also accelerate.
Data by YCharts
A trillion-dollar company hiding in plain sight The chart above indicates that Oracle's earnings could jump to $15.71 per share after three years, accelerating significantly from the growth anticipated in the current and next fiscal years. The tech-laden Nasdaq-100 index has a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 26.6. Oracle, for comparison, trades at 24 times forward earnings.
Assuming Oracle trades at 26 times earnings after three years (almost in line with the Nasdaq-100) and its earnings per share indeed reach $15.71, its stock price could increase to $408. That's 111% higher than Oracle's current stock price. The company has a market cap of $554 billion as of this writing, which means Oracle stock could jump significantly from current levels and become a trillion-dollar company in the next three years.
Wells Fargo WFC released findings from its Q2 grocery delivery pricing survey, showing Instacart CART has made the deepest price cuts among third-party providers since tracking began in September 2025.
Instacart is the only third-party provider to reduce both product prices and consumer fees over the period, resulting in a 6% total basket decline, compared to 2% for DoorDash DASH and 1% for Uber UBER . DoorDash went the other way on fees, raising them 21% quarter-over-quarter while cutting product pricing 4%, marking the third consecutive quarter of fee increases and making it the highest-fee provider. Uber cut fees 40% since September 2025 with mild product price inflation of 3%, keeping total basket costs roughly flat.
The third-party premium versus first-party providers Amazon AMZN and Walmart WMT held at 36% in Q2, flat quarter-over-quarter but down from approximately 42% in Q4 2025. Amazon remains the lowest-cost provider at roughly 27% below the delivery average. Walmart narrowed its premium to 14% in Q2 from 18% in Q1 and 21% in Q4 2025. Wells Fargo noted first-party providers compete primarily on product pricing rather than fees, suggesting third-party and first-party delivery use cases are not yet directly competitive.
Instacart shares are up 0.07% in premarket while DoorDash is down 0.35% and Uber slipped 0.51%.
In the latest close session, Wells Fargo (WFC - Free Report) was up +2.3% at $85.05. This change outpaced the S&P 500's 0.57% loss on the day. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.64%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw a decrease of 1.15%.
The biggest U.S. mortgage lender's shares have seen an increase of 11.79% over the last month, surpassing the Finance sector's gain of 4.57% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.14%.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Wells Fargo in its upcoming release. The company plans to announce its earnings on July 14, 2026. On that day, Wells Fargo is projected to report earnings of $1.71 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 11.04%. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $21.65 billion, up 3.98% from the year-ago period.
For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $6.84 per share and a revenue of $87.69 billion, representing changes of +8.92% and +4.77%, respectively, from the prior year.
It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Wells Fargo. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.
Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.
Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.26% higher within the past month. Wells Fargo is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).
In the context of valuation, Wells Fargo is at present trading with a Forward P/E ratio of 12.15. This signifies a discount in comparison to the average Forward P/E of 14.26 for its industry.
It is also worth noting that WFC currently has a PEG ratio of 0.97. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. The Financial - Investment Bank industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.08 as trading concluded yesterday.
The Financial - Investment Bank industry is part of the Finance sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 155, which puts it in the bottom 37% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.
On June 16, 2026, we delve into the discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis for American Tower Corp AMT , a company that has seen a mixed performance in the market. Over the past week, AMT has decreased by 0.8%, while it has gained 9.9% over the past month. Year-to-date, the stock is up 7.9%, but it has experienced a decline of 10.2% over the last year.
DCF Earnings-based intrinsic value: $133.94 vs price $185.76 (margin of safety: -38.7%) DCF FCF-based intrinsic value: $99.16 vs price $185.76 (second opinion) GF Score™: 80/100, indicating a reliable DCF input What Is AMT Worth? DCF Earnings-Based Model The DCF earnings-based model for American Tower Corp utilizes a two-stage approach to estimate the intrinsic value of the stock. In the first stage, we project earnings growth for the next ten years, followed by a terminal growth phase. The assumptions used in this model are crucial for determining the intrinsic value.
Parameter Value Current EPS (TTM, excl. non-recurring) $6.94 10-Year Growth Rate 12.8% 10-Year Treasury Rate 4.44% Discount Rate (ceil(Treasury) + 6%) 11% Terminal Growth Rate 4% The first stage of the model, which covers years 1-10, assumes that EPS will grow at a rate of 12.8% per year. This growth is then discounted at a rate of 11%. The second stage, covering years 11-20, assumes a terminal growth rate of 4%, also discounted at 11%. The summary of the calculations is as follows:
Stage Description Value Growth Stage (Years 1-10) EPS growing at 12.8%, discounted at 11% $75.94 Terminal Stage (Years 11-20) 4% terminal growth, discounted at 11% $58.00 Intrinsic Value Growth + Terminal $133.94 Comparing the current price of $185.76 with the intrinsic value of $133.94 indicates that AMT is modestly overvalued, with a margin of safety of -38.7%. It is important to note that GuruFocus uses EPS excluding non-recurring items, as research shows that stock prices correlate more closely with earnings than with free cash flow. For a detailed breakdown, you can visit the AMT DCF Calculator.
What Does the Free Cash Flow DCF Say? The free cash flow (FCF)-based intrinsic value for American Tower Corp is calculated to be $99.16. When compared to the earnings-based intrinsic value of $133.94, there is a significant discrepancy. Both models suggest that AMT is modestly overvalued, with the FCF model indicating a margin of safety of -87.3%. This reinforces the notion that the stock may not be a favorable investment at its current price.
How Does GF Value™ Compare to the DCF Models? According to GuruFocus, the GF Value™ for American Tower Corp is $206.99, suggesting that the stock is 10.3% undervalued based on this proprietary measure. The GF Value™ is derived from historical trading multiples, past business growth, and future performance estimates. While the DCF models indicate that AMT is overvalued, the GF Value™ presents a different perspective, showing that there may be potential for value appreciation. For more insights, visit the GF Value™ page.
What Does AMT's GF Score™ Tell Us? The GF Score™ ranks stocks from 0 to 100 based on five key aspects: Financial Strength, Profitability, Growth, Valuation, and Momentum. Stocks with higher GF Score™ values have been found to generate higher long-term returns based on backtested data from 2006-2021. American Tower Corp has a GF Score™ of 80/100, indicating a strong position in several of these aspects. The predictability rank is 1/5 stars, suggesting that the DCF model may be less reliable for this stock.
Metric Rating GF Score™ 80/100 Financial Strength 3/10 Profitability 8/10 Growth 7/10 Valuation 10/10 Momentum 5/10 For further details, you can check the AMT stock page.
Key Assumptions and Limitations It is essential to recognize that DCF models are highly sensitive to the assumptions made regarding growth rates and discount rates. Additionally, stocks with low predictability ratings, such as AMT's 1/5 stars, tend to produce less reliable DCF estimates. The terminal growth rate of 4% is a simplifying assumption that may not accurately reflect future conditions.
What This Means for Investors In synthesizing the findings from the DCF earnings model, the DCF FCF model, and the GF Value™, it is clear that American Tower Corp is currently overvalued. The earnings-based and FCF-based models both indicate a significant margin of safety, while the GF Value™ suggests a potential undervaluation. Overall, investors should approach AMT with caution. For the full DCF analysis, visit the AMT DCF Calculator. You can also explore the GF Value™ page, or use the GuruFocus Stock Screener to find undervalued predictable companies.
Frequently Asked Questions What is AMT's intrinsic value based on DCF?
Answer: earnings-based $133.94, FCF-based $99.16
Is AMT overvalued or undervalued?
Answer: Based on DCF and GF Value™, AMT is considered overvalued.
How reliable is the DCF model for AMT?
Answer: The predictability rank of 1/5 indicates that the DCF model may be less reliable for AMT.
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].
Key Takeaways POSCO joined Hyundai Motor and eight other partners to launch EV electrical steel R&D. PKX targets 6.5% silicon steel to cut energy loss and boost EV motor efficiency. PKX signed a pact for integrated research to speed commercialization and EV validation. POSCO Holdings Inc. (PKX - Free Report) is expanding its push into next-generation electric vehicle (EV) materials through a new industry-wide collaboration aimed at developing high-efficiency electrical steel for EV drive motors. It has partnered with Hyundai Motor Company and eight other industry, academic and research organizations to launch a national R&D project focused on advanced electrical steel technology.
The consortium's flagship project is titled “Development of 6.5% Silicon-Content Wide Electrical Steel Sheet and EV Efficiency-Enhancing Core and Drive Motor Manufacturing Technologies.” A kickoff meeting was held on June 11 at the Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology in Pohang, South Korea, marking the official start of the initiative.
POSCO is leading the initiative with Hyundai Motor, SL Corporation, Polepair Electric, RIST, the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), the Korea Automotive Technology Institute (KATECH), the University of Ulsan, Pukyong National University and the Korea Metal Materials Research Association (KOMERA), with support from South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The project aims to develop 6.5% silicon-content electrical steel sheets for high-efficiency EV motors. The material helps reduce energy loss during high-speed operation, improving efficiency and potentially extending driving range.
Following the launch meeting, the 10 organizations signed an agreement to establish an integrated research system spanning material development, motor production and EV validation, aiming to accelerate commercialization and demonstrate real-world performance.
Per POSCO, the collaboration represents an important milestone that brings together the steel and future mobility industries in the electrification era. The company will focus on developing high-value-added materials and component technologies that improve energy efficiency while maximizing collaboration among industry.
POSCO aims to strengthen South Korea's steel and automotive supply chains and secure a stronger position in the rapidly growing global EV market.
Shares of PKX have gained 36.7% in the past year against the industry’s 3.6% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
PKX Zacks Rank & Key PicksPKX currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Other top-ranked stocks in the Conglomerates space include ITT Inc. (ITT - Free Report) , Marubeni Corporation (MARUY - Free Report) and Griffon Corporation (GFF - Free Report) . ITT, MARUY and GFF carry a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ITT’s current-year earnings is pegged at $7.9 per share, indicating a 17.6% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all of the trailing four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 5.8%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MARUY’s current-year earnings is pegged at $23.86 per share, indicating a 8.8% year-over-year decrease. Shares of MARUY have gained 56.8% over the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GFF’s current fiscal-year earnings is pegged at $5.17 per share. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with the average earnings surprise being 3.3%.
Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.
The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.
Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.
#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +24% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Franco-Nevada (FNV - Free Report) Toronto, Canada-based Franco-Nevada Corporation operates as a gold-focused royalty and stream company with additional interests in silver, platinum group metals ("PGM"), oil & gas and other resource assets.
FNV is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. FNV has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 58.6% for the current fiscal year.
For fiscal 2026, three analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.27 to $8.85 per share. FNV boasts an average earnings surprise of +10.3%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, FNV should be on investors' short list.
TORONTO, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Franco-Nevada Corporation ("Franco-Nevada" or the "Company") (TSX: FNV) (NYSE: FNV) is aware of a news release issued by Riverstone Karma SA announcing a local court decision in Burkina Faso purporting to nullify the stream agreement related to the Karma Mine. The stream agreement is governed by Ontario law.
CAMDEN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Campbell's and Banza, the #1 better-for-you pasta brand in the U.S., today announced the launch of a new gluten free condensed soup option. The new variety pairs the comfort of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup with Banza's beloved gluten free chickpea penne pasta, delivering the classic flavor fans know and love. For the first time, one of America's most iconic soups is available for gluten free eaters to enjoy, marking a milestone for Campbell's. This answers growi.
Campbell’s and Banza, the #1 better-for-you pasta brand in the U.S., today announced the launch of a new gluten free condensed soup option. The new variety pairs the comfort of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup with Banza's beloved gluten free chickpea penne pasta, delivering the classic flavor fans know and love.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260616967853/en/
Campbell's Condensed Banza Chickpea Pasta and Chicken Soup
For the first time, one of America’s most iconic soups is available for gluten free eaters to enjoy, marking a milestone for Campbell’s. This answers growing consumer demand for gluten free options without compromising on taste or tradition. Approximately 30% of the U.S. population actively seeks gluten free options1, and the U.S. gluten free market is projected to grow at a 9.8% compound annual growth rate from 2026 to 20332.
"For over 125 years, Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup has been a staple in homes across America. Partnering with Banza lets us bring that same classic chicken noodle taste to the growing number of people looking for gluten free options, made with ingredients like No Antibiotics Ever chicken meat and Banza’s chickpea pasta in a flavorful variety that will stand out on shelf," said Benjamin Crook, senior vice president of soup at The Campbell's Company.
Developed for quick lunches and busy weeknights, Campbell's Condensed Gluten Free Banza Chickpea Pasta and Chicken Soup is made with No Antibiotics Ever chicken meat from USDA approved U.S. suppliers. Campbell’s and Banza worked together to develop a special variety of Banza’s chickpea pasta designed to hold up in broth while maintaining its texture in the finished soup.
"Banza’s mission is to inspire people to eat more chickpeas, and what better way to do that than partnering with one of the most iconic American food brands,” said Brian Rudolph, co-founder and CEO of Banza. “Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup has been a staple for generations. Bringing it to the gluten free community for the first time is something we’re proud to be a part of.”
Campbell's® Condensed Gluten Free Banza Chickpea Pasta and Chicken Soup is available now on Amazon and will roll out to retailers nationwide, with a suggested retail price of $1.99 per can. To celebrate the launch, Prime members can save 20% on the new soup during Amazon Prime Day. For more information, visit campbells.com and eatbanza.com.
¹ Source: Market Research Future, United States Gluten Free Products Market Report, 2026
² Source: Grand View Research, U.S. Gluten Free Products Market Report, 2026
About The Campbell’s Company
For more than 155 years, The Campbell’s Company (NASDAQ:CPB) (Campbell’s) has been connecting people through food they love. Headquartered in Camden, N.J. since 1869, generations of consumers have trusted us to provide delicious and affordable food and beverages. Today, the company is a North American focused brand powerhouse, generating fiscal 2025 net sales of $10.3 billion across two divisions: Meals & Beverages and Snacks. Our portfolio of 16 leadership brands includes Campbell’s, Cape Cod, Chunky, Goldfish, Kettle Brand, Lance, Late July, Pace, Pacific Foods, Pepperidge Farm, Prego, Rao’s, Snack Factory, Snyder’s of Hanover, Swanson and V8. For more information, visit thecampbellscompany.com
About Banza
Banza makes beloved foods more nutritious with chickpeas. Since 2014, Banza has been on a mission to inspire people to eat more chickpeas and other beans because of their positive impact on human and environmental health. It all started when Banza introduced the first-ever chickpea pasta and paved the way for the better-for-you category. Today, Banza is the #1 better-for-you pasta brand in the U.S. You can find its pasta, pizza, mac & cheese, and waffles in over 26,000 stores nationwide and online.
Banza is one of the first brands to earn the CleanScan Certification from The Detox Project. This verifies its foods were tested for glyphosate and more than 400 pesticides at an accredited third-party lab and showed non-detectable levels. Test results and certified products are published and accessible via the QR code on Banza packaging.
For more information, head over to eatbanza.com or @eatbanza on Instagram and TikTok.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260616967853/en/
Key Takeaways BDX is advancing its New BD strategy after separating Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions.More than 90% of BDX's portfolio delivered mid-single-digit growth in second-quarter fiscal 2026.BDX is investing in R&D, partnerships and launches to expand markets and support future growth. Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX - Free Report) is benefiting from its focused transformation into a pure-play MedTech company, supported by strong execution of its BD 2025 strategy. The company’s continued emphasis on innovation, strategic partnerships and solid second-quarter fiscal 2026 results are driving optimism. However, persistent reimbursement uncertainties, macroeconomic headwinds and stiff competition remain key concerns.
This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has lost 25.1% in the year-to-date period compared with the industry’s 4.1% decline. The S&P 500 Composite has returned 10.4% during the same time frame.
The renowned medical technology player, with a market capitalization of $40.30 billion, remains focused on delivering durable growth and margin expansion. It projects 8.96% growth for the next fiscal year and expects to maintain a strong performance in the future. BDX’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the trailing four quarters, the average being 4.13%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Reasons Favoring BDX’s GrowthStrategic Execution Under the New BD Framework: Following the separation of its Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions business and combination with Waters, the company is executing its New BD strategy as a focused MedTech company. The company’s priorities — Compete, Innovate and Deliver — are aimed at strengthening commercial execution, accelerating innovation and improving operational efficiency. Management remains focused on driving sustainable growth, margin expansion and long-term shareholder value.
The strategy is already yielding results. In second-quarter fiscal 2026, more than 90% of Becton, Dickinson’s portfolio delivered mid-single-digit growth, while key growth platforms such as biologic drug delivery, Advanced Patient Monitoring, PureWick and advanced tissue regeneration posted double-digit gains. The company has also achieved $150 million of its $200-million cost-out program, supporting profitability and cash flow generation.
Continued Focus on Innovation and R&D: Becton, Dickinson continues to invest heavily in R&D, clinical development and regulatory capabilities to strengthen its product pipeline and competitive position. The company is expanding the use of its BD Excellence operating system within R&D, helping reduce development timelines and accelerate product launches.
Recent initiatives highlight this commitment. BDX invested $110 million to expand prefillable syringe production for biologics and GLP-1 therapies, completed a sustainability-focused collaboration with Envetec and expanded the European indication of Phasix Mesh. In addition, launches such as the HemoSphere Stream Module, EnCor EnCompass Biopsy System and Revello Vascular Covered Stent are expanding addressable markets and supporting long-term growth.
Strategic Partnerships & Product Launches: Becton, Dickinson has strengthened its market position through collaborations, acquisitions and product introductions. Partnerships with Wellstar Health System and Sinteco are enhancing medication management and pharmacy automation capabilities, while the successful completion of the Waters transaction reaches a milestone in the BD 2025 strategy.
The company has also expanded its innovation portfolio through launches such as the Elyra Thulium Fiber Laser System, BD CentroVena One Insertion System and AI-enabled BD Research Cloud 7.0. These initiatives are expected to enhance customer adoption, strengthen competitive positioning and support future revenue growth.
Factors That May Offset BDX’s GainsMacroeconomic Headwinds: Becton, Dickinson faces risks from inflation, tariffs, supply-chain disruptions and geopolitical uncertainties. Persistent cost pressures and changes in global trade policies could increase operating expenses, disrupt production and weigh on healthcare spending.
Reimbursement Challenges: Demand for the company’s products depends partly on reimbursement policies and insurance coverage. Increasing pricing scrutiny, value-based payment reforms and healthcare budget constraints may limit product adoption, pressure pricing and reduce procedure volumes.
Intense Competition & Foreign Exchange Exposure: Becton, Dickinson operates in a highly competitive medical technology market characterized by rapid innovation, industry consolidation and pricing pressure from low-cost manufacturers. Significant international operations expose the company to foreign currency fluctuations, which can adversely impact revenues, profitability and cash flows despite hedging efforts.
Estimate TrendBecton, Dickinson is witnessing a stable estimate revision trend for fiscal 2026. In the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its earnings has been unchanged at $12.61 per share.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s third-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues is pegged at $4.89 billion, indicating an 11.2% decline from the year-ago quarter’s reported number.
Key PicksSome better-ranked stocks from the same medical industry are Align Technology (ALGN - Free Report) , West Pharmaceutical Services (WST - Free Report) and Cardinal Health (CAH - Free Report) .
Align Technology, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present, has an estimated long-term growth rate of 10.3%. ALGN’s earnings surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, the average surprise being 7.80%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
ALGN shares have gained 14.1% against the industry’s 4.2% decline in the year-to-date period.
West Pharmaceutical, currently flaunting a Zacks Rank of 1, has an estimated long-term growth rate of 13.9%. WST’s earnings surpassed estimates in the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 19.37%.
West Pharmaceutical’s shares have gained 20.4% against the industry’s 4.2% decline year to date.
Cardinal Health, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has an estimated long-term growth rate of 17%. CAH’s earnings surpassed estimates in the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 10.27%.
CAH shares have gained 10.1% against the industry’s 4.2% decline so far this year.
Sony's music and image sensor businesses are becoming increasingly important drivers of profitability, reducing reliance on cyclical consumer electronics revenue. SONY delivered record operating income in FY2025, supported by margin expansion and strong performance across Music and Imaging & Sensing Solutions. Management views memory costs and AI-related concerns as manageable risks already incorporated into planning assumptions through FY2027.
BRIDGEWATER, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- #ConsumerElectronics--The MIPI Alliance announced Sony Semiconductor Solutions was approved as its newest Promoter member. Hiroo Takahashi joins the board of directors.
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc (NASDAQ:TTWO) is using AI to improve operational efficiency and support certain areas of game development, but does not expect the technology to significantly reduce the cost of producing major video game titles, according to Jefferies analysts following a meeting with the company's CEO Strauss Zelnick.
In a note, Jefferies wrote that management reiterated that AI is creating measurable productivity gains in day-to-day business functions and helping streamline mobile game level creation and user acquisition advertising. However, the company does not expect AI to materially lower development costs for AAA games and continues to invest in game creation tools while anticipating further growth in its development workforce, which currently stands at roughly 10,000 employees.
According to the firm, Take-Two believes that any future AI-driven improvements in large-scale game development would likely raise consumer expectations for quality rather than make blockbuster games substantially cheaper to produce.
Jefferies also highlighted improving trends in Take-Two's mobile advertising business. The company's mobile advertising revenue grew 6% year-over-year in fiscal 2026, compared with a 29% decline in fiscal 2025. Management expressed confidence that growth could continue as the company expands monetization of non-paying users.
The analysts noted that Take-Two identified non-gaming advertisements within mobile games as a potential growth opportunity. Since acquiring Zynga, the company has also adopted a more disciplined approach to user acquisition spending, requiring stronger evidence of return on investment before increasing marketing budgets for new titles.
On user-generated content (UGC), Take-Two reiterated that it is not seeking to build a platform similar to Roblox, where third-party developers create the majority of content. Instead, the company plans to continue offering creator tools within its own game ecosystems.
Jefferies pointed to FiveM, the role-playing platform built around the Grand Theft Auto franchise, as an example of this strategy. Management indicated that FiveM serves a different player base and business model than GTA Online and is expected to continue operating separately following the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI.
The firm also highlighted the growing contribution of college basketball content within the NBA 2K franchise. According to management, the addition of College Basketball mode, combined with changes to season passes and early-access offerings, has helped drive growth in recurring consumer spending for NBA 2K26.
While Take-Two sees the possibility of a standalone college basketball game in the future, management indicated the feature is more likely to remain part of the NBA 2K ecosystem. International markets were identified as the largest opportunity for future player growth, reflecting the NBA's ongoing global expansion efforts.
Looking ahead, Jefferies wrote that the next major catalyst for Take-Two shares will likely be the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI pre-orders, which the firm expects to coincide with the game's summer marketing campaign.
The firm added that pre-orders could provide insight into the game's pricing strategy and the structure of its online offering, particularly through premium editions and associated digital bonuses.
Jefferies noted that Take-Two shares rose about 20% between the start of pre-orders for Red Dead Redemption 2 in June 2018 and their peak in early October before pulling back around the game's release.
Jefferies maintained its 'Buy' rating on Take-Two and a $300 price target. Shares traded up almost 5% at about $223 on Tuesday afternoon.
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc (NASDAQ:TTWO) is using AI to improve operational efficiency and support certain areas of game development, but does not expect the technology to significantly reduce the cost of producing major video game titles, according to Jefferies analysts following a meeting with the company's CEO Strauss Zelnick.
In a note, Jefferies wrote that management reiterated that AI is creating measurable productivity gains in day-to-day business functions and helping streamline mobile game level creation and user acquisition advertising. However, the company does not expect AI to materially lower development costs for AAA games and continues to invest in game creation tools while anticipating further growth in its development workforce, which currently stands at roughly 10,000 employees.
According to the firm, Take-Two believes that any future AI-driven improvements in large-scale game development would likely raise consumer expectations for quality rather than make blockbuster games substantially cheaper to produce.
Jefferies also highlighted improving trends in Take-Two's mobile advertising business. The company's mobile advertising revenue grew 6% year-over-year in fiscal 2026, compared with a 29% decline in fiscal 2025. Management expressed confidence that growth could continue as the company expands monetization of non-paying users.
The analysts noted that Take-Two identified non-gaming advertisements within mobile games as a potential growth opportunity. Since acquiring Zynga, the company has also adopted a more disciplined approach to user acquisition spending, requiring stronger evidence of return on investment before increasing marketing budgets for new titles.
On user-generated content (UGC), Take-Two reiterated that it is not seeking to build a platform similar to Roblox, where third-party developers create the majority of content. Instead, the company plans to continue offering creator tools within its own game ecosystems.
Jefferies pointed to FiveM, the role-playing platform built around the Grand Theft Auto franchise, as an example of this strategy. Management indicated that FiveM serves a different player base and business model than GTA Online and is expected to continue operating separately following the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI.
The firm also highlighted the growing contribution of college basketball content within the NBA 2K franchise. According to management, the addition of College Basketball mode, combined with changes to season passes and early-access offerings, has helped drive growth in recurring consumer spending for NBA 2K26.
While Take-Two sees the possibility of a standalone college basketball game in the future, management indicated the feature is more likely to remain part of the NBA 2K ecosystem. International markets were identified as the largest opportunity for future player growth, reflecting the NBA's ongoing global expansion efforts.
Looking ahead, Jefferies wrote that the next major catalyst for Take-Two shares will likely be the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI pre-orders, which the firm expects to coincide with the game's summer marketing campaign.
The firm added that pre-orders could provide insight into the game's pricing strategy and the structure of its online offering, particularly through premium editions and associated digital bonuses.
Jefferies noted that Take-Two shares rose about 20% between the start of pre-orders for Red Dead Redemption 2 in June 2018 and their peak in early October before pulling back around the game's release.
Jefferies maintained its 'Buy' rating on Take-Two and a $300 price target. Shares traded up almost 5% at about $223 on Tuesday afternoon.
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Breaking Down the Zacks Focus ListIf you could get access to a curated list of stocks to kickstart your investment portfolio, wouldn't you jump at the chance to take a peek?
That's what the Zacks Focus List, a portfolio of 50 stocks, offers investors. Not only does it serve as a starting point for long-term investors, but all stocks included in the list are poised to outperform the market over the next 12 months.
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Focus List MethodologyWhen stocks are picked for the Focus List, it reflects our enduring reliance on the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Brokerage analysts are in charge of determining a company's growth and profitability expectations, or earnings estimates. These analysts work together with company management to evaluate all factors that may affect future earnings, like interest rates, the economy, and sector and industry optimism.
Earnings estimate revisions are very important, since investors also need to take into consideration what a company will earn in the future.
Stocks that receive upward earnings estimate revisions are more likely to receive even more upward changes in the future. For example, if an analyst raised their estimates last month, they're more likely to do it again this month, and other analysts are likely to do the same.
Utilizing the power of earnings estimate revisions is when the Zacks Rank joins the party. A unique, proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank uses changes to quarterly earnings expectations to help investors create a winning portfolio.
The Zacks Rank consists of four main pillars: Agreement, Magnitude, Upside, and Surprise. Each one is given a raw score, which is recalculated every night and compiled into the Rank. Then, stocks are classified into five groups, ranging from "Strong Buy" to "Strong Sell," using this data.
The Focus List is comprised of stocks hand-picked from a long list of #1 (Strong Buy) or #2 (Buy) ranked companies, meaning that each new addition boasts a bullish earnings consensus among analysts.
It can be very profitable to buy stocks with rising earnings estimates, as stock prices respond to revisions. By adding Focus List stocks, there's a great chance you'll be getting into companies whose future earnings estimates will be raised, which can lead to price momentum.
Focus List Spotlight: Block (XYZ - Free Report) Block, Inc. was incorporated in San Francisco in 2009. The company does not designate a headquarters location as it adopted a distributed work model in 2021. It has been an S&P 500 constituent since July 2025.
On March 28, 2017, XYZ was added to the Focus List at $17.25 per share. Shares have increased 331.01% to $74.35 since then, and the company is a #1 (Strong Buy) on the Zacks Rank.
11 analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.23 to $3.86. XYZ also boasts an average earnings surprise of 3.5%.
Earnings for XYZ are forecasted to see growth of 62.9% for the current fiscal year as well.
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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EDO, the TV outcomes company, continues leveraging Snowflake's best-in-class agentic capabilities to innovate with ChatEDO™, the industry's first natural-language AI interface for Convergent TV measurement. Built on Snowflake, the AI Data Cloud company, ChatEDO gives brands, agencies, and networks instant natural-language access to a decade of EDO's irreplicable, investment-grade Convergent TV intelligence — no queries, no dashboards, no analyst email queue. Answers a.
On June 16, 2026, we present a DCF analysis for U.S. Bancorp USB , a financial institution that has shown notable price performance over the past year. The stock has appreciated significantly, with a 1-year increase of 40.1%, reflecting positive market sentiment. Below are key highlights from our analysis:
DCF Earnings-based intrinsic value of $49.97 vs current price of $57.79 (margin of safety: -5.0%) DCF FCF-based intrinsic value of $78.62 vs current price (second opinion suggests modest undervaluation) GF Score™ of 76/100 indicates a reliable DCF input assessment What Is USB Worth? DCF Earnings-Based Model The DCF earnings-based model for U.S. Bancorp estimates the intrinsic value based on projected earnings growth. The model assumes a current EPS of $4.77 and a growth rate of 3.5% over the next ten years. The discount rate is set at 11%, which incorporates the risk-free rate and equity risk premium. Following this growth phase, a terminal growth rate of 4% is applied for the subsequent ten years.
Parameter Value Current EPS (TTM, excl. non-recurring) $4.77 10-Year Growth Rate 3.5% 10-Year Treasury Rate 4.44% Discount Rate (ceil(Treasury) + 6%) 11% Terminal Growth Rate 4% The two-stage DCF model consists of a growth phase followed by a terminal phase. The growth stage reflects the projected earnings growth over the first ten years, while the terminal stage accounts for the value beyond that period.
Stage Description Value Growth Stage (Years 1-10) EPS growing at 3.5%, discounted at 11% $33.12 Terminal Stage (Years 11-20) 4% terminal growth, discounted at 11% $16.85 Intrinsic Value Growth + Terminal $49.97 With the current price at $57.79 and the intrinsic value calculated at $49.97, the stock appears to be fairly valued with a margin of safety of -5.0%. It is important to note that GuruFocus uses EPS without non-recurring items, as research indicates that stock prices correlate more closely with earnings than with free cash flow. For further calculations, you can visit the USB DCF Calculator.
What Does the Free Cash Flow DCF Say? In addition to the earnings-based model, we also evaluated U.S. Bancorp using a free cash flow (FCF) DCF model. This alternative approach yields an intrinsic value of $78.62. When comparing the FCF-based intrinsic value with the earnings-based valuation, the two models suggest differing perspectives on the stock's valuation. The FCF model indicates that USB is modestly undervalued with a margin of safety of 26.5%.
How Does GF Value™ Compare to the DCF Models? The GF Value™ for U.S. Bancorp stands at $47.39, providing a third perspective on the stock's valuation. GF Value™ is GuruFocus' proprietary measure, calculated based on historical trading multiples, past business growth, and future performance estimates. When we analyze the three models together, we observe that the DCF earnings-based model suggests fair valuation, while the FCF model indicates modest undervaluation, and GF Value™ suggests that the stock is overvalued. For more details, visit the GF Value™ page.
What Does USB's GF Score™ Tell Us? The GF Score™ ranks stocks on a scale from 0 to 100 based on five key aspects: Financial Strength, Profitability, Growth, Valuation, and Momentum. Stocks with higher GF Score™ values have historically generated superior long-term returns (backtested from 2006-2021).
Metric Rating GF Score™ 76/100 Financial Strength 3/10 Profitability 6/10 Growth 7/10 Valuation 6/10 Momentum 8/10 With a predictability rank of 1/5 stars, it is essential to note that higher predictability ratings generally indicate that the DCF model is more reliable for this stock. For more insights, visit the USB stock page.
Key Assumptions and Limitations It is important to recognize that DCF models are highly sensitive to the assumptions made regarding growth rates and discount rates. Stocks with low predictability ratings, such as U.S. Bancorp's 1/5 stars, tend to produce less reliable DCF estimates. Additionally, the terminal growth rate of 4% used in this analysis is a simplifying assumption that may not reflect future market conditions.
What This Means for Investors In synthesizing the findings from the DCF earnings model, the DCF FCF model, and the GF Value™, we find a mixed consensus on U.S. Bancorp's valuation. While the earnings-based model suggests the stock is fairly valued, the FCF model indicates it is modestly undervalued, and GF Value™ suggests it is overvalued. Overall, the stock appears to be in a fair valuation range. For the full DCF analysis, visit the USB DCF Calculator. You can also explore the GF Value™ page, or use the GuruFocus Stock Screener to find undervalued predictable companies.
Frequently Asked Questions What is USB's intrinsic value based on DCF?
earnings-based $55.05, FCF-based $78.62
Is USB overvalued or undervalued?
Based on the DCF earnings model, USB is fairly valued, while the FCF model suggests it is modestly undervalued. GF Value™ indicates it is overvalued.
How reliable is the DCF model for USB?
The DCF model's reliability is limited due to USB's predictability rank of 1/5 stars, suggesting lower confidence in the projections.
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].
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--U.S. Bank announced today that Daniel Farley, CFA, is its new chief investment officer (CIO) for the Wealth Management Asset Management Group.
Farley will oversee the Asset Management Group, leading its investment strategy, guiding portfolio construction, asset allocation and investment decisions for more than 480,000 wealth management clients. He will play a central role in shaping the firm’s investment perspective on key issues including inflation, interest rates and global diversification, and in supporting portfolio strategies designed to help clients navigate changing market conditions with confidence. He is based in Minneapolis.
“Dan is a proven, visionary leader with deep investment expertise and an unwavering commitment to our clients,” said Scott Ford, president of Wealth Management at U.S. Bank. “Over the past few years, he has delivered extraordinary results leading the Midwest region for U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management and played a key role in advancing initiatives that strengthen how we serve clients. His leadership and perspective will be instrumental as we continue to elevate our investment capabilities and help clients achieve their long-term goals.”
Farley has worked for U.S. Bank since 2010, most recently as Private Wealth Management Midwest region executive, where he led a multi-disciplinary team of more than 300 professionals, delivering comprehensive wealth management services including private banking, financial and estate planning, investment management and trust administration. Farley has also held several other roles at the bank, including regional investment director and senior portfolio manager.
Prior to working at U.S. Bank, Farley was a commercial real estate professional at Dougherty Financial Group and chief financial officer with Master Development Services. Farley began his career as a combat engineer officer in the U.S. Army.
Farley has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, graduating summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame, and an MBA in finance and marketing from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with honors. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation.
U.S. Bank Wealth Management has earned a number of industry accolades for the quality of its client experience and advisory capabilities, including ranking No. 1 for Investments on TIME’s “America’s Best Financial Services of 2026” list and earning the top spot in overall client satisfaction in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Full-Service Investor Satisfaction Study. In addition, U.S. Bank Wealth Management executives have been named among top influencers in wealth management, underscoring U.S. Bank’s continued role in shaping the future of advice and client service.
About U.S. Bank Wealth Management
U.S. Bank Wealth Management offers comprehensive wealth management services, including wealth planning, investment management, trust and estate services and wealth management banking through U.S. Bank, and financial planning, investment, insurance and brokerage services through its affiliates, U.S. Bancorp Investments and U.S. Bancorp Advisors.
Both U.S. Bancorp Investments (USBI) and U.S. Bancorp Advisors (USBA) offer retail brokerage, investment advisory and insurance services. USBA became part of U.S. Bancorp in December 2022, when U.S. Bancorp completed its acquisition of MUFG Union Bank.
About U.S. Bancorp
Headquartered in Minneapolis, U.S. Bancorp is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association, the fifth-largest commercial bank in the United States. Our three major business lines serve 15 million clients throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe, and our team of nearly 70,000 people invest our hearts and minds to power human potential every day. Ranked 105th on the Fortune 500, we are deeply respected for our culture and long-term stewardship and admired for our diversified business mix and product capabilities.
Investment and insurance products and services including annuities are:
NOT A DEPOSIT ● NOT FDIC INSURED ● MAY LOSE VALUE ● NOT BANK GUARANTEED ● NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
U.S. Wealth Management – U.S. Bank | U.S. Bancorp is the marketing logo for U.S. Bank and its affiliates U.S. Bancorp Advisors and U.S. Bancorp Investments.
U.S. Bank, U.S. Bancorp Advisors and U.S. Bancorp Investments and their representatives do not provide tax or legal advice. Each client’s tax and financial situation is unique. Clients should consult their tax and/or legal advisor for advice and information concerning their particular situation.
For U.S. Bank:
Deposit products offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC. Credit products offered by U.S. Bank National Association and subject to normal credit approval.
U.S. Bank is not responsible for and does not guarantee the products, services or performance of U.S. Bancorp Advisors and U.S. Bancorp Investments.
U.S. Bank does not offer insurance products. Insurance products are available through our affiliates USBA Insurance Services and U.S. Bancorp Investments.
In the latest trading session, United Parcel Service (UPS - Free Report) closed at $110.02, marking a +1.09% move from the previous day. This move outpaced the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.57%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.64%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 1.15%.
Coming into today, shares of the package delivery service had gained 13.92% in the past month. In that same time, the Transportation sector gained 7.16%, while the S&P 500 gained 2.14%.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of United Parcel Service in its upcoming release. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $1.67, showcasing a 7.74% upward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. At the same time, our most recent consensus estimate is projecting a revenue of $21.51 billion, reflecting a 1.34% rise from the equivalent quarter last year.
For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $7.1 per share and a revenue of $89.78 billion, demonstrating changes of -0.84% and +1.26%, respectively, from the preceding year.
It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for United Parcel Service. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.
Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant within the past month. United Parcel Service is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Looking at its valuation, United Parcel Service is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 15.33. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 15.69, so one might conclude that United Parcel Service is trading at a discount comparatively.
It is also worth noting that UPS currently has a PEG ratio of 1.73. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. UPS's industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.67 as of yesterday's close.
The Transportation - Air Freight and Cargo industry is part of the Transportation sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 109, putting it in the top 45% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
To follow UPS in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.
Key Takeaways Costco's third-quarter traffic rose 2.4%, helping comparable sales climb 9.8% year over year.Technology upgrades, remodeling and expansion improved convenience and supported more warehouse visits.Record fuel volumes brought some members to Costco gas, linking gas trips to stronger warehouse engagement. A standout element of Costco Wholesale Corporation’s (COST - Free Report) third-quarter fiscal 2026 performance was the company’s ability to drive more customer visits, reinforcing the strength of its membership ecosystem and everyday value proposition.
Comparable traffic increased 2.4% year over year, marking another period of positive shopping-frequency growth. While comparable ticket growth remained strong, up 7.3%, management emphasized that traffic trends remain an important measure of member engagement and overall business health. As a result, comparable sales rose 9.8%.
Regional results showed encouraging momentum. Traffic jumped 1.8% in the United States, 4.4% in Canada and 2.9% across Other International markets. These gains helped support companywide comparable sales growth and reflected broad participation from members across geographies.
Management cited several factors supporting visitation trends. Technology upgrades have improved checkout speed, helping warehouses handle larger shopper volumes more efficiently. The rollout of digital tools, combined with investments in warehouse remodeling and expansion, aims to increase convenience and reduce friction in the shopping experience.
Costco also highlighted the role of gas stations in strengthening member relationships. Record fuel volumes during the quarter introduced some members to Costco’s gas offering for the first time. Management noted that members who purchase gas typically visit warehouses more frequently and exhibit stronger engagement overall.
The quarter’s traffic growth demonstrates that Costco continues to attract repeat visits from members, reflecting the effectiveness of its efforts to enhance convenience, improve value and deepen customer engagement.
How Costco Compares With Walmart and TargetWalmart Inc. (WMT - Free Report) posted U.S. comparable sales growth of 4.1% in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, driven by higher customer transactions, increased unit volumes and strong e-commerce performance. Walmart continued to gain market share across income groups while benefiting from growth in advertising, marketplace sales and Walmart+ membership revenues. Walmart’s results reflected steady demand for both grocery and general merchandise offerings.
Meanwhile, Target Corporation (TGT - Free Report) delivered comparable sales growth of 5.6% in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, supported by a 4.4% increase in traffic and strength across both stores and digital channels. Target reported sales growth in all six core merchandise categories, with broad-based demand across guest demographics. Target also highlighted momentum in beauty, food and wellness categories. As Target executes its merchandising and store experience initiatives, the retailer remains focused on driving sustainable long-term growth.
What the Latest Metrics Say About CostcoCostco has seen its shares tumble 1.7% over the past three months against the industry’s growth of 3.5%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Costco's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 44.47, higher than the industry’s ratio of 32.24. However, it is trading below its 12-month median level of 46.27, indicating some moderation in valuation despite sustained investor confidence in the stock.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Costco’s current financial-year sales and earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 9.4% and 13.3%, respectively. For the next fiscal year, the consensus estimate indicates a 7.8% rise in sales and 10.2% growth in earnings.
The consensus estimate for earnings per share for the current and next fiscal year has increased by 7 cents and 8 cents to $20.38 and $22.46, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Costco currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Moody's Corporation (NYSE: MCO) today announced that its connected intelligence is now available in Amazon Quick – a personalized, proactive AI assistant – through a dedicated Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. The integration gives customers operating in Amazon Web Services (AWS) direct access to ratings and research from Moody's Ratings, as well as Moody's curated data on more than 600 million public and private entities, including firmographics, ownership, financ.
Jerry Jacobs, Jr., chief executive officer, Delaware North, was elected to M&T Bank Corporation's Board of Directors
, /PRNewswire/ -- M&T Bank Corporation (NYSE:MTB) ("M&T") today announced the election of Jerry Jacobs Jr., chief executive officer of Delaware North, to its Board of Directors, effective June 16, 2026. Mr. Jacobs was also elected to the Board of Directors of M&T Bank, M&T's principal banking subsidiary.
Jerry Jacobs Jr., chief executive officer, Delaware North Jacobs leads Delaware North, a global hospitality and entertainment company with operations spanning sports venues, parks, gaming, hotels and food service. He shares the chief executive officer title with his brothers, Lou and Charlie, and also serves as an alternate governor to the Boston Bruins.
He joined Delaware North in 1986 and has held a series of senior leadership roles across the business, including leading its Sportservice division before being named chief executive officer in 2015. In his current role, he oversees the company's strategy, governance and financial performance.
Jacobs is active in several civic and nonprofit organizations, serving as the chair of the UB Council, a member of the US Travel Association CEO Roundtable and a board member of The Corps Network.
"Jerry brings a strong track record of leadership and operational execution, along with deep ties to Western New York and a clear commitment to the people and places he serves," said René Jones, M&T chairman and chief executive officer. "His experience leading a complex, customer-centric organization will strengthen the perspectives represented in our boardroom."
"I'm honored to join M&T's Board of Directors," Jacobs said. "M&T's consistent focus on its customers and communities, along with its disciplined approach to growth, positions the company well for the future, and I look forward to contributing to that continued success."
Mr. Jacobs earned a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
About M&T Bank
M&T is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T's principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, provides banking products and services with a branch and ATM network spanning the eastern U.S. from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Trust-related services are provided in select markets in the U.S. and abroad by M&T's Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and by M&T Bank. For more information about M&T Bank, visit www.mtb.com.
Key Takeaways FDA accepted GILD's sNDA for once-weekly oral Yeztugo for HIV prevention; decision due Feb. 2, 2027.PURPOSE studies showed strong lenacapavir efficacy for HIV prevention across diverse populations.Gilead raised its 2026 Yeztugo sales forecast to $1 billion following strong market uptake. Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD - Free Report) announced that the FDA has accepted its supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for Yeztugo (lenacapavir) 300-mg tablets as a potential once-weekly oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option for HIV prevention.
The FDA has set a target action date of Feb. 2, 2027.
We note that Yeztugo (lenacapavir) twice-yearly injection is already approved in the United States for PrEP to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 in adults and adolescents who are at risk for HIV-1 acquisition.
Gilead’s shares have gained 1.3% year to date against the industry's decline of 1.3%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
More on GILD’s Once Weekly YeztugoThe submission is supported by data from the PURPOSE 1 and PURPOSE 2 studies, which demonstrated strong efficacy of lenacapavir for HIV prevention across diverse populations, including cisgender women, cisgender men and gender-diverse individuals.
Oral lenacapavir tablets are already part of the approved Yeztugo regimen as a loading dose and as temporary bridge therapy when the twice-yearly injectable schedule is delayed.
GILD is seeking to build on lenacapavir’s established clinical profile by expanding its long-acting HIV prevention portfolio with new formulations.
The company aims to increase access to PrEP by offering prevention options tailored to diverse patient preferences and needs. If approved, once-weekly oral Yeztugo would provide an additional, convenient PrEP alternative, reflecting the view that HIV prevention requires a range of individualized approaches.
GILD’s Efforts to Diversify PortfolioGilead maintains a leading position in the HIV market, anchored by its flagship products, Biktarvy for HIV treatment and Descovy for HIV prevention. Biktarvy is a once-daily, single-tablet regimen that combines bictegravir, a potent integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI), with the Descovy backbone of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide.
The approval of Yeztugo in 2025 has further strengthened Gilead’s HIV portfolio. Unlike traditional daily oral PrEP medications, Yeztugo is administered just twice a year, offering a more convenient prevention option for many patients.
Driven by strong first-quarter sales and favorable market uptake, Gilead recently increased its 2026 sales forecast for Yeztugo to $1 billion, putting the drug on track to attain blockbuster status in its first full year following its launch.
The company’s HIV business also benefits from a lengthy exclusivity runway, with no major patent expirations expected before 2036. Combined with plans to introduce as many as seven new HIV therapies by 2033, Gilead appears well positioned to sustain long-term growth in its core HIV franchise.
GILD has also collaborated with Merck (MRK - Free Report) to advance its HIV pipeline further.
Gilead and Merck recently reported positive results from the phase III ISLEND-1 and ISLEND-2 studies evaluating an investigational once-weekly oral single-tablet regimen combining islatravir and lenacapavir for HIV treatment.
The regimen pairs Merck’s islatravir, a next-generation nucleoside analog that suppresses HIV replication through multiple mechanisms, including reverse transcriptase translocation inhibition, with Gilead’s long-acting capsid inhibitor lenacapavir.
Both trials achieved their primary efficacy endpoint at week 48, supporting the potential of a convenient once-weekly treatment option. Following these results, the partners plan to submit the ISLEND data to global regulatory agencies and present detailed findings at an upcoming scientific meeting.
Beyond the Merck partnership, Gilead continues to advance its wholly owned HIV pipeline. Earlier this year, the company reported promising phase I results for GS-3242, a long-acting integrase inhibitor. Additional data expected later in 2026 could pave the way for a twice-yearly injectable regimen combining GS-3242 with lenacapavir, further strengthening Gilead’s HIV portfolio.
Approval of additional better treatments should bolster GILD’s HIV franchise in the wake of increasing competition from the likes of GSK plc (GSK - Free Report) .
GSK continues to grow its HIV business, driven by strong patient demand for long-acting injectable medicines (Cabenuva and Apretude) and Dovato. The solid growth from these drugs has helped GSK combat the decline in Triumeq sales.
Enbridge (NYSE:ENB | ENB Price Prediction) is trading within striking distance of its 52-week high, and the question for investors is whether the rally has more room to run. Shares closed at $55.94 on June 15, 2026, just 11% below the 52-week high of $58.45.
Our 24/7 Wall St. price target for Enbridge is $70.51, implying 26.04% upside over the next 12 months. Our model rates ENB a buy with high confidence.
24/7 Wall St. Price Target Summary Metric Value Current Price $55.94 24/7 Wall St. Price Target $70.51 Upside 26.04% Recommendation BUY Confidence Level 90% A Quiet Rally Built on Record Cash Flow ENB has gained 20.09% year to date and 26.61% over the past year, outpacing typical midstream peers.
The Q1 2026 report, released May 8, 2026, delivered adjusted EPS of $0.98, adjusted EBITDA of $5.81 billion, and distributable cash flow of $3.85 billion. Mainline volumes ran at 3.2 million barrels per day and have been apportioned all year. Recent news flow reinforces the thesis: RBC Capital raised its target to C$79 and Scotiabank moved to C$78, both Outperform.
The Case for $78+ Bulls have an easy story to tell. Enbridge is advancing over 50 data center opportunities needing up to 10 Bcf/d of new gas takeaway. The Meta partnership now spans over 1 GW of combined power, with the $1.2 billion Cowboy Project in Wyoming adding 365 MW of solar and 200 MW of battery storage.
The secured backlog stands at C$40 billion with unsanctioned opportunities of C$50 billion. Our bull case scenario points to $78.29, a 39.96% total return. With 31 consecutive years of dividend hikes and a 6.9% yield, income investors get paid to wait.
What Could Go Wrong Leverage is the biggest watch item. Debt-to-EBITDA sits at 5.0x, the top of the 4.5x-5.0x target range. CAD/USD translation, regulatory delays on projects like the Line 5 Wisconsin reroute, and community opposition to Project Beacon in New York add execution risk.
TD Bank maintains a Hold, and a Seeking Alpha analyst flagged concerns about acquisition-driven earnings quality. The bear scenario lands at $60.51, still 8.17% above current levels. The GAAP earnings decline largely reflects non-cash derivative losses, while distributable cash flow rose to $3.85 billion.
Enbridge Price Prediction 2026-2030 Our 24/7 Wall St. price target of $70.51 implies meaningful upside, and our model carries a buy rating with 90% confidence. The tipping factor is the take-or-pay commercial framework feeding a 20-year guidance track record.
The setup favors investors seeking defensive yield with AI infrastructure exposure. The thesis weakens if leverage climbs meaningfully above 5.0x or if the Mainline tolling settlement compresses margins more than expected.
Looking further ahead, here is where our model projects ENB could trade, assuming 5% post-2026 CAGR on EBITDA, EPS, and DCF per share holds.
Year 24/7 Wall St. Price Target 2026 $70.51 2027 $78 2028 $87 2029 $97 2030 $110 These projections assume Enbridge continues converting backlog into in-service assets on schedule. Significant upside could come from accelerated data center buildout, while regulatory setbacks or a sustained equity issuance program would pressure the trajectory.
, /PRNewswire/ - Enbridge Inc. (TSX: ENB) (NYSE: ENB) (Enbridge) and its wholly owned subsidiary Enbridge Pipelines Inc. (EPI) today announced the completion of the previously announced transaction to exchange all outstanding series of EPI's medium term notes debentures (EPI Notes) for an equal principal amount of newly issued medium term notes of Enbridge, having financial terms that are the same as the financial terms of the EPI Notes (the Note Exchange Transaction).
The completion of the Note Exchange Transaction gives EPI the flexibility to operate its business, while also delivering a range of operational, structural and capital markets benefits to EPI, Enbridge and the former EPI Noteholders.
BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. acted as the Solicitation Agent for the Note Exchange Transaction, Computershare Investor Services Inc. acted as the Tabulation Agent and Sodali & Co. acted as the Information Agent.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Forward-looking information, or forward-looking statements, has been included in this news release to provide information about Enbridge and EPI, including statements with respect to the Note Exchange Transaction giving EPI the flexibility to operate its business and the range of operational, structural and capital markets benefits to EPI, Enbridge and the former EPI Noteholders from the Note Exchange Transaction. This information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Although Enbridge and EPI believe that these forward-looking statements are reasonable based on the information available on the date such statements are made and processes used to prepare the information, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and readers are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. By their nature, these statements involve a variety of assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual result, levels of activity and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Material assumptions include assumptions about the business and financial strength of Enbridge and EPI.
The forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to risks and uncertainties. The impact of any one risk, uncertainty or factor on a particular forward-looking statement is not determinable with certainty as these are interdependent and Enbridge's and EPI's future course of action depends on management's assessment of all information available at the relevant time. Except to the extent required by applicable law, Enbridge and EPI assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made in this news release or otherwise, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to Enbridge, EPI or persons acting on their behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.
About Enbridge Inc.
At Enbridge, we safely connect millions of people to the energy they rely on every day, fueling quality of life through our North American natural gas, oil and renewable power networks and our growing European offshore wind portfolio. We're investing in modern energy delivery infrastructure to sustain access to secure, affordable energy and building on more than a century of operating conventional energy infrastructure and two decades of experience in renewable power. We're advancing new technologies including hydrogen, renewable natural gas, and carbon capture and storage. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Enbridge's common shares trade under the symbol ENB on the Toronto (TSX) and New York (NYSE) stock exchanges. To learn more, visit us at enbridge.com.
None of the information contained in, or connected to, Enbridge's website is incorporated in or otherwise forms part of this news release.
About Enbridge Pipelines Inc.
EPI is primarily a transporter of western Canadian and United States crude oil, refined petroleum products and natural gas liquids. Its Canadian Mainline System transports crude oil from western Canada to the Midwest region of the United States and eastern Canada and serves all of the major refining centers in Ontario. EPI also operates the Southern Lights Canada Pipeline, which transports diluent from the Canada/United States border to western Canada, and holds investments in renewable and alternative power generation assets.
Realty Income (O +0.05%) could be an excellent way to add income to your portfolio, especially while we're still in a high-rate environment. As I'm writing this, the real estate investment trust, or REIT, with more than 15,500 properties in its portfolio, has a 5.2% dividend yield, which it pays in monthly installments.
I've written several times that I believe Realty Income could be the best all-around dividend stock in the market. It has a great combination of long-term growth potential, steady income, and low volatility.
Image source: Getty Images.
An incredible dividend history When it comes to income, the headline of this article doesn't even tell the full story. Realty Income went public on the NYSE in 1994 and has paid dividends every month since then, which is where the "30+ years" comes from. But the company was actually formed in 1969 (it just wasn't listed on a major exchange) and has been paying monthly since then. In all, Realty Income has made 672 consecutive monthly dividend payments. I'll save you the math. That's 56 years of dividends, every single month.
Realty Income not only has a stellar track record of paying dividends. It also increases them regularly. In fact, Realty Income has declared its 135th dividend increase since listing on the NYSE in 1994. The company has consistently grown its dividend at a rate of more than 4% annually, so not only will you get an excellent income stream, but one that should continue to grow faster than inflation over time.
Why Realty Income is a bulletproof dividend stock As mentioned, Realty Income owns more than 15,500 properties (15,571 to be exact) in the U.S., U.K, and other European countries. It leases these properties to nearly 1,800 different tenants, mostly in the retail industry.
However, don't be worried about the cyclical nature of retail. Realty Income's tenants all fall into at least one of three categories:
Non-discretionary: Retailers that sell things people need. Low-price: Retailers that sell discounted products. These tend to hold up well in tough economic conditions. Service-based: Businesses that sell services, not physical products. These aren't easily disrupted by e-commerce headwinds. Not only that, but Realty Income's tenants sign triple-net leases that require the tenants to cover taxes, insurance, and most maintenance expenses. These leases are generally 10 or more years in length, with annual rent increases built in, allowing Realty Income to lock in a growing, predictable income stream for the long term. Plus, there's long-term upside potential as the underlying real estate assets increase in value.
The proof is in the performance. Not only is Realty Income a fantastic dividend stock, but it has produced a 13.6% annualized return since its 1994 NYSE debut. With dividends reinvested, a $10,000 investment back then would have grown to nearly $600,000 today.
SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® is now the first and only hyaluronic acid injectable approved to reduce horizontal neck lines caused by "tech-neck.1" This is the second FDA-approved indication for SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM®, which has been approved since 2023 to improve skin smoothness of the cheeks in adults.1 , /PRNewswire/ -- Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company (NYSE: ABBV), today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® to reduce neck lines for the improvement of neck appearance in adults over the age of 21.1 With this approval, SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® is the first and only hyaluronic acid (HA) injectable indicated to reduce the appearance of neck wrinkles and help skin retain its natural moisture, leading to an improved neck appearance.1
Neck wrinkles may develop due to natural aging, sun damage, weight loss, or "tech-neck" caused by the head-down position used for phones, tablets, and books.1 SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® reduces neck lines formed by tech-neck by helping the skin retain its natural moisture, softness, and smoothness.1 Treatment with SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® is minimally invasive with little to no downtime and is administered using an ultrafine needle or cannula. The product contains a small amount of local anesthetic (lidocaine) to support patient comfort during treatment. Results last six months with optimal treatment.1,*
"The approval of SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® for horizontal neck wrinkles reflects Allergan Aesthetics' commitment to developing science-driven innovations that address meaningful unmet aesthetic needs," said Darin Messina, Ph.D., senior vice president, aesthetics R&D, AbbVie. "This approval expands our portfolio of lower face and neck treatment options and gives patients and aesthetic providers a first-of-its-kind treatment option for improving neck skin quality and reducing the appearance of neck lines.1,3,*"
In the randomized, multicenter, evaluator-blinded, controlled pivotal clinical study, 74.8% (78.5/105) of participants treated in the neck with SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® saw clinically significant (≥ 1 point) improvement on the validated 5-grade photonumeric Allergan Transverse Neck Lines Scale (ATNLS) at one month.2,† Most participants (66% or 64/97) maintained ≥ 1 point improvement in horizontal neck lines at six months.2 Participants who demonstrated improvement from baseline in overall score stayed high (≥78%) at all timepoints during the study.2
Participants in the clinical study reported experiencing adverse events (AEs) such as redness, bruising, tenderness, lumps/bumps, swelling, firmness, pain, discoloration, and itching at the injection sites, as reported in their electronic diaries.1 These AEs were usually mild (causing little discomfort and no effect on daily activities), did not require treatment, and resolved within two weeks.1 Severe AEs were experienced by less than 5% of participants (7/147 reporting AEs).1 These AEs were reported similarly or less frequently after touch-ups and repeat treatments.1
As with some novel products, the FDA has required that Allergan Aesthetics provide a training program for all interested providers. Successful completion of this training is necessary prior to purchase of and administration of SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM®. Allergan Aesthetics anticipates that SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® for the improvement of neck appearance will be broadly commercially available later this year.
To learn more about SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® visit www.skinvive.com and follow @skinvive on Instagram.
*Optimal treatment with SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® may require an optional touch-up one month after initial treatment to achieve the desired aesthetic outcome and is dependent on patient need.1
†The safety and effectiveness of SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® neck treatment has not been studied in darker skin tone patients.
About Allergan Aesthetics
At Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company, we develop, manufacture, and market a portfolio of leading aesthetics brands and products. Our aesthetics portfolio includes facial injectables, body contouring, plastics, skin care, and more. Our goal is to consistently provide our customers with innovation, education, exceptional service, and a commitment to excellence, all with a personal touch. For more information, visit www.allerganaesthetics.com.
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, neuroscience and oncology – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions and uses of future or conditional verbs, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, challenges to intellectual property, competition from other products, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry, the impact of global macroeconomic factors, such as economic downturns or uncertainty, international conflict, trade disputes and tariffs, and other uncertainties and risks associated with global business operations. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in other documents that AbbVie subsequently files with the Securities and Exchange Commission that update, supplement or supersede such information. AbbVie undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines, to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.
SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® Injectable Gel Important Information
APPROVED USES
SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® injectable gel is an injection to improve skin smoothness of the cheeks in adults over the age of 21.
SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® injectable gel is an injection to reduce neck lines for improvement of neck appearance in adults over the age of 21.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Are there any reasons why I should not receive SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® treatment?
Do not use this product if you have a history of multiple severe allergies or severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), if you are allergic to lidocaine or the Gram-positive bacterial proteins used in this product, or if you have had previous allergic reactions to hyaluronic acid fillers.
What Warnings should my specialist advise me about?
One of the risks with dermal filler injections is the unintentional injection into a blood vessel. The chances of this happening are very small, but if it does happen, the complications can be serious and may be permanent. These complications, which have been reported for facial injections, can include vision abnormalities, blindness, stroke, temporary scabs, or permanent scarring of the skin. Most of these events are irreversible. Tell your specialist immediately if you have changes in your vision, signs of a stroke (including sudden difficulty speaking, numbness or weakness in your face, arms or legs, difficulty walking, face drooping, severe headache, dizziness, or confusion), white appearance of the skin, or unusual pain during or shortly after treatment The use of this product where skin sores, pimples, rashes, hives, cysts, or infections are present should be postponed, as this may delay healing or make skin problems worse The effectiveness of removal of any dermal filler has not been studied What Precautions should my specialist advise me about?
Avoid applying makeup for 12 hours after treatment. Minimize strenuous exercise, exposure to extensive sun or heat, and alcoholic beverages within the first 24 hours following treatment. Exposure to any of these may cause temporary redness, swelling, and/or itching at the injection site Tell your specialist if you are using any medication that can prolong bleeding, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or other blood thinners, as this may increase bruising or bleeding at the injection site Tell your specialist if you are planning laser treatment, chemical peeling, or any other procedure after SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM®. There is a possible risk of an inflammatory reaction at the treatment site This product is intended for improving skin smoothness of the cheeks and reducing neck lines. The safety and effectiveness for treatment in other areas of the body have not been established Tell your specialist if you are on therapy used to decrease the body's immune response, as treatment may result in an increased risk of infection Tell your specialist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The safety for use during pregnancy, or in women who are breastfeeding, has not been studied Tell your specialist if you have a history of excessive scarring (thick, hard scars). The safety of this product in patients with a history of excessive scarring has not been studied and may result in additional scars Tell your specialist if you have a history of pigmentation disorders, as use of this product in patients with a history of pigmentation disorders has not been studied and may result in changes in pigmentation What are the possible side effects of treatment?
The most commonly reported side effects were redness, lumps/bumps, swelling, bruising, pain, tenderness, firmness, discoloration and itching. Most side effects will resolve within 2 weeks. If they persist longer, your physician may choose to treat them with medications, such as antibiotics, steroids, or hyaluronidase. Additionally, there have been reports of inflammation, nodules, unsatisfactory result, loss or lack of improvement, allergic reaction, anxiety, blood vessel blockage, infection, dry skin, increase or decrease in sensation, and abscess.
Delayed-onset inflammation near the site of dermal filler injections is one of the known adverse events associated with dermal fillers. As with all skin injection procedures, there is a risk of infection.
To report a side effect, please call the Allergan® Product Support Department at 1-877-345-5372. Please also visit www.skinvive.com or talk to your specialist for more information.
SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® is available only by a licensed physician or properly licensed practitioner. See future update to be directed to the SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® Directions for Use and Patient Label.
SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® Patient Label. June 2026. SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® Directions for Use. June 2026. Data on File. REF-138623. Allergan Aesthetics. June 2025. Contact(s)
When deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock, investors often rely on analyst recommendations. Media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts often influence a stock's price, but are they really important?
Let's take a look at what these Wall Street heavyweights have to say about AbbVie (ABBV - Free Report) before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage.
AbbVie currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.65, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 33 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.65 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy.
Of the 33 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 21 are Strong Buy and two are Buy. Strong Buy and Buy respectively account for 63.6% and 6.1% of all recommendations.
Brokerage Recommendation Trends for ABBV
Check price target & stock forecast for AbbVie here>>>
The ABR suggests buying AbbVie, but making an investment decision solely on the basis of this information might not be a good idea. According to several studies, brokerage recommendations have little to no success guiding investors to choose stocks with the most potential for price appreciation.
Do you wonder why? As a result of the vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover, their analysts tend to rate it with a strong positive bias. According to our research, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" recommendation.
This means that the interests of these institutions are not always aligned with those of retail investors, giving little insight into the direction of a stock's future price movement. It would therefore be best to use this information to validate your own analysis or a tool that has proven to be highly effective at predicting stock price movements.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, which classifies stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), is a reliable indicator of a stock's near-term price performance. So, validating the Zacks Rank with ABR could go a long way in making a profitable investment decision.
ABR Should Not Be Confused With Zacks RankAlthough both Zacks Rank and ABR are displayed in a range of 1--5, they are different measures altogether.
The ABR is calculated solely based on brokerage recommendations and is typically displayed with decimals (example: 1.28). In contrast, the Zacks Rank is a quantitative model allowing investors to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.
It has been and continues to be the case that analysts employed by brokerage firms are overly optimistic with their recommendations. Because of their employers' vested interests, these analysts issue more favorable ratings than their research would support, misguiding investors far more often than helping them.
In contrast, the Zacks Rank is driven by earnings estimate revisions. And near-term stock price movements are strongly correlated with trends in earnings estimate revisions, according to empirical research.
Furthermore, the different grades of the Zacks Rank are applied proportionately across all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide earnings estimates for the current year. In other words, at all times, this tool maintains a balance among the five ranks it assigns.
Another key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank is freshness. The ABR is not necessarily up-to-date when you look at it. But, since brokerage analysts keep revising their earnings estimates to account for a company's changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in indicating future price movements.
Is ABBV a Good Investment?Looking at the earnings estimate revisions for AbbVie, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has remained unchanged over the past month at $14.3.
Analysts' steady views regarding the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by an unchanged consensus estimate, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for AbbVie. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>
It may therefore be prudent to be a little cautious with the Buy-equivalent ABR for AbbVie.
AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV | ABBV Price Prediction) has quietly become one of healthcare’s most underrated growth stories. CEO Robert A. Michael told investors after Q1, “We are off to an excellent start in 2026, with first-quarter results exceeding our expectations.”
The numbers back him up. Immunology revenue hit $7.29 billion, with Skyrizi up 30.9% and Rinvoq up 23.3%. Yet shares trade at just $221.59, down 1.43% YTD. Can AbbVie hit $300 by 2030?
What’s Holding AbbVie Back Right Now The disconnect is real. Shares are off 0.66% over the past week despite revenue accelerating to +12.4% YoY in Q1 2026.
Net income fell 45.96% YoY, largely due to a $744 million acquired in-process R&D charge that clipped EPS by $0.41. The market treats those charges as recurring damage rather than pipeline investment.
Add the structural Humira biosimilar decline (revenue fell 38.6% to $688 million) and Imbruvica’s 24.7% decline, and you have a stock investors keep underwriting at a discount. With a beta of just 0.309, this trades as a low-volatility defensive name.
Wall Street Sees 14% Upside. I Think That’s Too Cautious The consensus target is $253.55, implying roughly 14.4% upside. Ratings split: 8 Strong Buy, 16 Buy, 8 Hold, zero sells. Our base case 247Factor model lands at $245.35 (10.72% upside), with an optimistic case at $258.62 and a bear case of $219.27. Confidence on the base case is 90%.
Bullish sentiment sits at 75%, yet earnings growth gets penalized because of IPR&D noise. Strip those charges, and management already raised full-year guidance to $14.08 to $14.28. Analysts and our model anchor on a one-year window. $300 is a multi-year question.
The Path to $300 Per Share Reaching $300 from today’s price of $221.59 requires a gain of 35.4%. With forward EPS of $12.78, a price of $300 implies a forward P/E of 23x. Our base case of $245.35 already implies 22x, meaning the bold target requires only about 2x additional multiple expansion.
The adjustment factor in our model is 1.103, lifted by healthcare sector momentum and 75% bullish analyst consensus, but capped by mega-cap dampening.
Skyrizi crossed $5.01 billion last quarter and is still growing 30%+. Qulipta is up 53.6%. Michael told investors, “Our pipeline progress and solid business fundamentals position AbbVie for robust long-term growth.” Our 5-year bull case models $301 by June 2030. The primary risk is faster-than-expected erosion across the legacy oncology franchise.
Where AbbVie Trades Today vs Its Earnings Power At $221.59 against forward EPS of $12.78, ABBV trades at a forward P/E of 17x. That looks cheap for a business growing top-line at +12.4% with operating margins above 32%.
Shares sit between a 52-week range of $176 and $239.13, currently about 6% off the high. ABBV has returned 457.85% over 10 years and 131.55% over five. A 35% climb to $300 over roughly four years is well within that historical pace.
Is $300 Realistic? Here’s My Take Reaching $300 requires a 35.4% gain, realistic on a multi-year timeline rather than a 12-month sprint.
Three things need to go right: Skyrizi and Rinvoq need to keep compounding at 20%+, IPR&D charge noise must fade so reported EPS converges with adjusted EPS, and the neuroscience franchise needs to sustain its +26% growth trajectory. A faster collapse in Humira and Imbruvica revenue than next-gen drugs can absorb would derail it. We’ve outlined the blueprint for how AbbVie could reach $300 in 2030.
For income investors weighing biopharma exposure, the dividend question on AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV | ABBV Price Prediction) just got a lot easier to answer. The company posted $15.002 billion in Q1 2026 revenue, beating consensus by $284 million, and management raised full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $14.08 to $14.28. With the stock yielding nearly 3%, the question is whether the payout can survive the post-Humira chapter.
Dividend Snapshot Metric Value Annual Dividend $6.92 per share Dividend Yield 2.98% Consecutive Years of Increases 13 years Most Recent Increase 5.5% (October 2025) Aristocrat Status Yes (with Abbott legacy) Free Cash Flow Buries the Bear Thesis AbbVie generated $17.816 billion in free cash flow in 2025 against $11.657 billion in dividends paid. That is a 65.4% FCF payout ratio, comfortably inside the healthy zone. On adjusted earnings of $10.00 for FY 2025, the $6.92 dividend works out to roughly 69%, also manageable.
Metric TTM Value Assessment Adjusted Earnings Payout ~69% Healthy FCF Payout Ratio 65.4% Healthy Operating Cash Flow Coverage 1.63x Adequate The thesis is straightforward: high-margin biologics and a defensive aesthetics portfolio are replacing low-margin Humira faster than skeptics expected. Skyrizi grew 30.9% to $4.483 billion and Rinvoq grew 23.3% to $2.119 billion in Q1 alone.
Leverage Is the Only Real Knock Metric Value Assessment Net Debt/EBITDA 2.26x Manageable Interest Coverage 6.94x Strong Shareholders’ Equity Negative (Allergan legacy) Accounting artifact The negative book value reflects the Allergan goodwill writedown, an accounting artifact rather than a cash flow problem. 2025 financing cash flow of -$12.724 billion shows aggressive deleveraging.
A 13-Year Streak That Keeps Compounding The quarterly dividend has marched from $0.40 in 2013 to $1.73 in 2026. CFO Scott Reents told investors on the Q1 call, “AbbVie continues to deliver outstanding results and our financial health remains very strong.” CEO Rob Michael added that capital priorities include “returning capital to shareholders through our strong and growing dividend.”
My Verdict: Safe Dividend Safety Rating: Safe. A 65% FCF payout, 6.94x interest coverage, and a guidance raise to $14.28 adjusted EPS at the high end leave plenty of room. The setup looks durable for retirement income investors if Skyrizi and Rinvoq keep tracking toward management’s $21.6 billion and $10.2 billion 2026 targets. Investors should watch for FCF coverage dropping below 1.3x or the 2028 patent cliff narrative pushing leverage back above 3x EBITDA. For now, this dividend looks built for retirees.
