Market Signal Briefing

Approval based on pivotal Phase 3 C-POST trial showing Libtayo significantly reduced the risk of disease recurrence or death by 68% compared to placebo (hazard ratio: 0.32; 95% confidence interval: 0.20-0.51; p<0.0001), the primary endpoint of the trial 

Libtayo is the current standard of care in advanced CSCC; approval has the potential to change the treatment paradigm for patients in an earlier setting

TARRYTOWN, N.Y., Oct. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo® (cemiplimab-rwlc) as an adjuvant treatment for adult patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) at high risk of recurrence after surgery and radiation. The FDA evaluated Libtayo under Priority Review, which is reserved for medicines that represent potentially significant improvements in efficacy or safety in the treatment of serious conditions. An additional regulatory application is also under review in the European Union, with a decision expected by the first half of 2026.

"Patients whose CSCC is at a high risk of recurrence following surgery and radiation often have the poorest outcomes. Until now, we lacked options to help prevent a devastating recurrence and immunotherapy was only available for patients with advanced CSCC who were no longer candidates for curative surgery or curative radiation,” said Vishal A. Patel, M.D., Associate Professor of Dermatology and of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology), George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences and Director, Cutaneous Oncology Program, GW Cancer Center. “Many patients who undergo surgical resection of their CSCC are later found, on full pathological evaluation, to be at high risk of recurrence. As the first and only immunotherapy approved in the adjuvant setting, Libtayo represents a practice-changing opportunity for this patient population, backed by compelling data showcasing its ability to significantly improve disease-free survival.”

The FDA approval is based on data from the pivotal Phase 3 C-POST trial investigating adjuvant Libtayo versus placebo in patients with CSCC at high risk of recurrence after surgery and radiation. Results from the study, which were published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025 Annual Meeting earlier this year, showed that Libtayo demonstrated a 68% reduction in the risk of disease recurrence or death compared to placebo in patients with CSCC at high risk of recurrence after surgery and radiation (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.32; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.20-0.51; p<0.0001).

The safety profile of Libtayo as adjuvant treatment of patients with CSCC at high risk of recurrence after surgery and radiation is consistent with the known safety profile for Libtayo monotherapy in advanced cancers. The most common adverse reactions as a single agent in adjuvant CSCC at high risk of recurrence (≥10%, with a difference between arms of ≥3% compared to placebo) were rash, pruritus, and hypothyroidism. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 18% of patients and those that occurred in ≥1% of patients in the Libtayo arm were pneumonia (1.5%), rash (1.5%), diarrhea (1.5%), adrenal insufficiency (1%), and arrhythmia (1%).

“This approval provides patients with CSCC at high risk of disease recurrence following surgery and radiation a much-needed option, as Libtayo is the only immunotherapy to demonstrate efficacy in this setting,” said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., Board co-Chair, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Regeneron. “Now with five FDA-approved indications, Libtayo is firmly established as a strong and versatile PD-1 inhibitor option for patients with a variety of cancers.”

“CSCC is one of the most common skin cancers in the world, with an estimated 1.8 million cases diagnosed each year in the U.S. alone. While it can often be treated successfully with surgery and radiation, many patients face serious risk of advanced disease recurrences,” said Samantha R. Guild, President, AIM at Skin Cancer Foundation. “This approval is wonderful news for people living with CSCC, and we commend Regeneron for its long-standing commitment to addressing needs in non-melanoma skin cancer through its pioneering research.”

Regeneron is committed to helping patients who have been prescribed Libtayo access their medication. The company has launched Libtayo Surround™, which offers financial and educational resources to help support patients throughout their treatment journey. For more information, patients can call 1-877-LIBTAYO (1-877-542-8296).

The approved supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) did not include Catalent Indiana, LLC as a filling site.

About Regeneron in Cancer
We aspire to turn revolutionary discoveries into medicines that can transform the lives of those impacted by cancer. Our team around the world is driven to solve the needs and challenges of those affected by one of the most serious diseases of our time.

Backed by our legacy of scientific innovation and a deep understanding of biology, genetics and the immune system, we’re pursuing potential therapies across more than 30 types of solid tumors and blood cancers. Our cancer strategy is powered by cutting-edge technologies and therapies that can be flexibly combined to investigate potentially transformative treatments for patients. Oncology assets in clinical development comprise nearly half of Regeneron’s pipeline, and include checkpoint inhibitors, bispecific antibodies and costimulatory bispecific antibodies. Our approved PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo serves as the backbone of many of our investigational combinations.

To complement our extensive in-house capabilities, we collaborate with patients, healthcare providers, governments, biopharma companies and each other to further our shared goals. Together, we are united in the mission to serve as a beacon of transformation in cancer care.

About Libtayo  
Libtayo is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1 on T cells and was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology. By binding to PD-1, Libtayo has been shown to block cancer cells from using the PD-1 pathway to suppress T-cell activation. Libtayo has been approved by regulatory authorities in more than 30 countries in one or more indications, including for certain adult patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC), CSCC that is advanced or at high risk of recurrence, advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and advanced cervical cancer.

In the U.S., the generic name for Libtayo in its approved indications is cemiplimab-rwlc, with rwlc as the suffix designated in accordance with Nonproprietary Naming of Biological Products Guidance for Industry issued by the U.S. FDA. Outside of the U.S., the generic name of Libtayo in its approved indications is cemiplimab.   

The extensive clinical program for Libtayo is focused on difficult-to-treat cancers. Libtayo is currently being investigated in trials as a monotherapy, as well as in combination with either conventional or novel therapeutic approaches for other solid tumors and blood cancers. These potential uses are investigational, and their safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.

U.S. FDA-approved Indications   
Libtayo is a prescription medicine used to treat:  

Adults with a type of skin cancer called cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC): that has spread or cannot be cured by surgery or radiation, orto help prevent CSCC from coming back if your CSCC is at high risk of coming back after it has been removed by surgery and radiation. Adults with a type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma (BCC) when your BCC cannot be removed by surgery (locally advanced BCC) or when it has spread (metastatic BCC) and have received treatment with a hedgehog pathway inhibitor (HHI), or cannot receive treatment with a HHI.  Adults with a type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). LIBTAYO may be used in combination with chemotherapy that contains a platinum medicine as your first treatment when your lung cancer has not spread outside your chest (locally advanced lung cancer) and you cannot have surgery or chemotherapy with radiation, or your lung cancer has spread to other areas of your body (metastatic lung cancer), and your tumor does not have an abnormal “EGFR,” “ALK,” or “ROS1” gene.LIBTAYO may be used alone as your first treatment when your lung cancer has not spread outside your chest (locally advanced lung cancer) and you cannot have surgery or chemotherapy with radiation, or your lung cancer has spread to other areas of your body (metastatic lung cancer), and your tumor tests positive for high “PD-L1,” and your tumor does not have an abnormal “EGFR,” “ALK,” or “ROS1” gene.
It is not known if Libtayo is safe and effective in children.   

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR U.S. PATIENTS 

What is the most important information I should know about LIBTAYO?
LIBTAYO is a medicine that may treat certain cancers by working with your immune system. LIBTAYO can cause your immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in any area of your body and can affect the way they work. These problems can sometimes become severe or life-threatening and can lead to death. You can have more than one of these problems at the same time. These problems may happen anytime during treatment or even after your treatment has ended.

Call or see your healthcare provider right away if you develop any new or worsening signs or symptoms, including:

Lung problems: cough, shortness of breath, or chest painIntestinal problems: diarrhea (loose stools) or more frequent bowel movements than usual, stools that are black, tarry, sticky or have blood or mucus, or severe stomach-area (abdomen) pain or tendernessLiver problems: yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, severe nausea or vomiting, pain on the right side of your stomach-area (abdomen), dark urine (tea colored), or bleeding or bruising more easily than normalHormone gland problems: headache that will not go away or unusual headaches, eye sensitivity to light, eye problems, rapid heartbeat, increased sweating, extreme tiredness, weight gain or weight loss, feeling more hungry or thirsty than usual, urinating more often than usual, hair loss, feeling cold, constipation, your voice gets deeper, dizziness or fainting, or changes in mood or behavior, such as decreased sex drive, irritability, or forgetfulnessKidney problems: decrease in your amount of urine, blood in your urine, swelling of your ankles, or loss of appetiteSkin problems: rash, itching, skin blistering or peeling, painful sores or ulcers in mouth or nose, throat, or genital area, fever or flu-like symptoms, or swollen lymph nodesProblems can also happen in other organs and tissues. These are not all of the signs and symptoms of immune system problems that can happen with LIBTAYO. Call or see your healthcare provider right away for any new or worsening signs or symptoms, which may include: chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath or swelling of ankles, confusion, sleepiness, memory problems, changes in mood or behavior, stiff neck, balance problems, tingling or numbness of the arms or legs, double vision, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, eye pain, changes in eyesight, persistent or severe muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps, low red blood cells, or bruisingInfusion reactions that can sometimes be severe or life-threatening. Signs and symptoms of infusion reactions may include: nausea, vomiting, chills or shaking, itching or rash, flushing, shortness of breath or wheezing, dizziness, feel like passing out, fever, back or neck pain, or facial swellingRejection of a transplanted organ or tissue. Your healthcare provider should tell you what signs and symptoms you should report and monitor you, depending on the type of organ or tissue transplant that you have hadComplications, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), in people who have received a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic). These complications can be serious and can lead to death. These complications may happen if you underwent transplantation either before or after being treated with LIBTAYO. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for these complications Getting medical treatment right away may help keep these problems from becoming more serious. Your healthcare provider will check you for these problems during your treatment with LIBTAYO. Your healthcare provider may treat you with corticosteroid or hormone replacement medicines. Your healthcare provider may also need to delay or completely stop treatment with LIBTAYO if you have severe side effects.

Before you receive LIBTAYO, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

have immune system problems such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or lupushave received an organ or tissue transplant, including corneal transplanthave received or plan to receive a stem cell transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic)have received radiation treatment to your chest areahave a condition that affects your nervous system, such as myasthenia gravis or Guillain-Barré syndromeare pregnant or plan to become pregnant. LIBTAYO can harm your unborn baby Females who are able to become pregnant:

Your healthcare provider will give you a pregnancy test before you start treatmentYou should use an effective method of birth control during your treatment and for at least 4 months after your last dose of LIBTAYO. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that you can use during this timeTell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with LIBTAYO are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if LIBTAYO passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 4 months after the last dose of LIBTAYO Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

The most common side effects of LIBTAYO when used alone to treat CSCC that has spread or cannot be cured by surgery or radiation, BCC or NSCLC include tiredness, muscle or bone pain, rash, diarrhea, and low levels of red blood cells (anemia).

The most common side effects of LIBTAYO when used alone to help prevent CSCC from coming back include rash and itching.

The most common side effects of LIBTAYO when used in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy to treat NSCLC include hair loss, muscle or bone pain, nausea, tiredness, numbness, pain, tingling, or burning in your hands or feet, and decreased appetite.

These are not all the possible side effects of LIBTAYO. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals at 1-877-542-8296.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.  

About Regeneron's VelocImmune Technology  
Regeneron's VelocImmune technology utilizes a proprietary genetically engineered mouse platform endowed with a genetically humanized immune system to produce optimized fully human antibodies. When Regeneron's co-Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer George D. Yancopoulos was a graduate student with his mentor Frederick W. Alt in 1985, they were the first to envision making such a genetically humanized mouse, and Regeneron has spent decades inventing and developing VelocImmune and related VelociSuite® technologies. Dr. Yancopoulos and his team have used VelocImmune technology to create a substantial proportion of all original, FDA-approved or authorized fully human monoclonal antibodies. This includes Dupixent® (dupilumab), Libtayo, Praluent® (alirocumab), Kevzara® (sarilumab), Evkeeza® (evinacumab-dgnb), Inmazeb® (atoltivimab, maftivimab and odesivimab-ebgn) and Veopoz® (pozelimab-bbfg). In addition, REGEN-COV® (casirivimab and imdevimab) had been authorized by the FDA during the COVID-19 pandemic until 2024.  

About Regeneron 
Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to numerous approved treatments and product candidates in development, most of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neurological diseases, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases, and rare diseases.

Regeneron pushes the boundaries of scientific discovery and accelerates drug development using our proprietary technologies, such as VelociSuite®, which produces optimized fully human antibodies and new classes of bispecific antibodies. We are shaping the next frontier of medicine with data-powered insights from the Regeneron Genetics Center® and pioneering genetic medicine platforms, enabling us to identify innovative targets and complementary approaches to potentially treat or cure diseases.

For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow Regeneron on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or X.

Forward-Looking Statements and Use of Digital Media
This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties relating to future events and the future performance of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Regeneron” or the “Company”), and actual events or results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements concern, and these risks and uncertainties include, among others, the nature, timing, and possible success and therapeutic applications of products marketed or otherwise commercialized by Regeneron and/or its collaborators or licensees (collectively, “Regeneron’s Products”) and product candidates being developed by Regeneron and/or its collaborators or licensees (collectively, “Regeneron’s Product Candidates”) and research and clinical programs now underway or planned, including without limitation Libtayo® (cemiplimab-rwlc) as an adjuvant treatment for adult patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (“CSCC”) at high risk of recurrence after surgery and radiation; uncertainty of the utilization, market acceptance, and commercial success of Regeneron’s Products (such as Libtayo) and Regeneron’s Product Candidates and the impact of studies (whether conducted by Regeneron or others and whether mandated or voluntary), including the studies discussed or referenced in this press release, on any of the foregoing; the likelihood, timing, and scope of possible regulatory approval and commercial launch of Regeneron’s Product Candidates and new indications for Regeneron’s Products, including Libtayo for the treatment of adjuvant CSCC in the European Union, Libtayo as a monotherapy or in combination with either conventional or novel therapeutic approaches for other solid tumors and blood cancers, and Regeneron’s other oncology assets in clinical development referenced in this press release; the ability of Regeneron’s collaborators, licensees, suppliers, or other third parties (as applicable) to perform manufacturing, filling, finishing, packaging, labeling, distribution, and other steps related to Regeneron’s Products and Regeneron’s Product Candidates; the ability of Regeneron to manage supply chains for multiple products and product candidates and risks associated with tariffs and other trade restrictions; safety issues resulting from the administration of Regeneron’s Products (such as Libtayo) and Regeneron’s Product Candidates in patients, including serious complications or side effects in connection with the use of Regeneron’s Products and Regeneron’s Product Candidates in clinical trials; determinations by regulatory and administrative governmental authorities which may delay or restrict Regeneron’s ability to continue to develop or commercialize Regeneron’s Products and Regeneron’s Product Candidates; ongoing regulatory obligations and oversight impacting Regeneron’s Products, research and clinical programs, and business, including those relating to patient privacy; the availability and extent of reimbursement or copay assistance for Regeneron’s Products from third-party payors and other third parties, including private payor healthcare and insurance programs, health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit management companies, and government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid; coverage and reimbursement determinations by such payors and other third parties and new policies and procedures adopted by such payors and other third parties; changes in laws, regulations, and policies affecting the healthcare industry; competing drugs and product candidates that may be superior to, or more cost effective than, Regeneron’s Products and Regeneron’s Product Candidates (including biosimilar versions of Regeneron’s Products); the extent to which the results from the research and development programs conducted by Regeneron and/or its collaborators or licensees may be replicated in other studies and/or lead to advancement of product candidates to clinical trials, therapeutic applications, or regulatory approval; unanticipated expenses; the costs of developing, producing, and selling products; the ability of Regeneron to meet any of its financial projections or guidance and changes to the assumptions underlying those projections or guidance; the potential for any license, collaboration, or supply agreement, including Regeneron’s agreements with Sanofi and Bayer (or their respective affiliated companies, as applicable), to be cancelled or terminated; the impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics, or pandemics on Regeneron's business; and risks associated with litigation and other proceedings and government investigations relating to the Company and/or its operations (including the pending civil proceedings initiated or joined by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts), risks associated with intellectual property of other parties and pending or future litigation relating thereto (including without limitation the patent litigation and other related proceedings relating to EYLEA® (aflibercept) Injection), the ultimate outcome of any such proceedings and investigations, and the impact any of the foregoing may have on Regeneron’s business, prospects, operating results, and financial condition. A more complete description of these and other material risks can be found in Regeneron’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and its Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2025. Any forward-looking statements are made based on management’s current beliefs and judgment, and the reader is cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements made by Regeneron. Regeneron does not undertake any obligation to update (publicly or otherwise) any forward-looking statement, including without limitation any financial projection or guidance, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Regeneron uses its media and investor relations website and social media outlets to publish important information about the Company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Regeneron is routinely posted and is accessible on Regeneron's media and investor relations website (https://investor.regeneron.com) and its LinkedIn page (https://www.linkedin.com/company/regeneron-pharmaceuticals).

Key Takeaways Astera Labs is expanding its PCIe 6 portfolio to meet the growing demand for AI infrastructure.
Amphenol's liquid cooling connectors and interconnect products are fueling strong order growth.
APH's broad market reach and 79.3% YTD gain outpace ALAB amid tougher macro conditions.

Astera Labs (ALAB - Free Report) and Amphenol (APH - Free Report) are major players in the connectivity and data center infrastructure space. While Astera Labs develops semiconductor-based connectivity solutions tailored for cloud and AI infrastructure, Amphenol specializes in interconnect and sensor technologies across diverse industries.

Per a Grand View Research report, the data center infrastructure management market was valued at around $3.06 billion in 2024 and is expected to register a CAGR of 17.3% from 2025 to 2030. Both ALAB and APH are expected to benefit from the rapid growth pace.

So, ALAB or APH — Which of these Connectivity stocks has the greater upside potential? Let’s find out.

The Case for ALABAstera Labs is rapidly expanding its portfolio to address the growing demands of AI infrastructure and connectivity solutions. It benefits from strong demand for its PCIe solutions, which is noteworthy.

ALAB’s increasing demand for AI platforms, particularly those leveraging high-performance GPUs and AI accelerators, drove strong design wins and sales for products like Aries Retimers, Taurus Smart Cable Modules and Scorpio Fabric Switches.

Expanding portfolio has been noteworthy. In 2025, Astera Labs announced that its PCIe 6 connectivity portfolio is ramping production to fast-track the deployment of modern AI platforms at scale. The offerings include new Aries 6 PCIe Smart Gearbox, Scorpio P-Series Smart Fabric Switches, Aries 6 PCIe/CXL Smart DSP Retimers, Aries 6 PCIe/CXL Smart Cable Modules (Aries 6 SCMs) and PCIe 6 over Optics Technology.

ALAB expects accelerated shipments of Scorpio P-Series switches and Aries 6 retimers on a customized rack-scale AI platform based on market-leading GPUs to boost top-line growth. Scorpio revenues are expected to account for more than 10% of total revenues in 2025, while becoming the largest product line for Astera Labs over the next several years.

The Case for APHAmphenol benefits from a diversified business model. Its strong portfolio of solutions, including high-technology interconnect products, is a key catalyst. Strong demand for high-speed and power interconnect products, which are critical components in next-gen IT systems, creates a long-term growth opportunity.

The company’s expanding portfolio has been noteworthy. In June 2025, Amphenol launched its UQD and UQDB liquid cooling connector series, designed to enhance thermal management in high-reliability systems like AI data centers, EV charging infrastructure and energy storage. Both series meet Open Compute Project standards and feature corrosion-resistant materials, leak-free seals and tool-free integration for demanding liquid-cooled environments.

APH’s strong portfolio is helping drive order growth, which jumped 36% year over year and 4% sequentially to $5.523 billion, resulting in a book-to-bill ratio of 0.98:1 in the second quarter of 2025. Amphenol’s expanding portfolio of fiber optic, power, antenna and sensor technologies continues to gain traction across datacom, aerospace and defense markets.

Price Performance and Valuation of ALAB and APHIn the year-to-date period, ALAB and APH’s shares have gained 60.2% and 79.3%, respectively. The outperformance in Amphenol’s stock can be attributed to its robust and diversified portfolio.

Despite ALAB’s strong portfolio and expanding partner base, the company is suffering from challenging macroeconomic uncertainties and stiff competition.

ALAB and Amphenol Stock Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Valuation-wise, ALAB and APH shares are currently overvalued as suggested by a Value Score of D and F, respectively.

In terms of forward 12-month Price/Sales, ALAB shares are trading at 37.34X, higher than Amphenol’s 6.56X.

ALAB and Amphenol Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

How Do Earnings Estimates Compare for ALAB & APH?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ALAB’s 2025 earnings is currently pegged at $1.58 per share, which has remained unchanged over the past 30 days, indicating an 88.10% year-over-year rise.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Amphenol’s 2025 earnings is currently pegged at $3.03 per share, which has increased by a penny over the past 30 days, indicating a 60.32% year-over-year rise.

ConclusionWhile both ALAB and Amphenol are well-positioned to capitalize on the booming connectivity and data center infrastructure space, APH appears to be the stronger bet given its diversified revenue streams, strong order growth and broader market exposure.

Macroeconomic challenges, including higher tariffs and uncertainty over trade policy, are a headwind for semiconductor companies, including Astera Labs. These, along with changing export restrictions, are expected to negatively impact demand across the AI and cloud infrastructure markets.

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

Key Takeaways AEO drives growth through digital investments, store optimization and brand expansion efforts.Aerie sales rose 3.2% in Q2 2025, with comps up 3%, reinforcing its strength in activewear.AEO plans 30 new Aerie/offline stores, 40-50 remodels and 35-40 closures to streamline operations.
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO - Free Report) is actively executing its strategic initiatives, aimed at driving long-term growth, enhancing operational efficiency and improving agility. The company has been investing in its digital platform to grow its e-commerce business and enrich customer experience. AEO has been witnessing a spectacular response to its Aerie brand for quite some time.

The company is focused on building brand awareness and expanding into new categories. The ongoing momentum and market share growth in OFFL/NE Activewear are Aerie’s most promising long-term growth drivers.  AEO is focused on reinvigorating the brand’s growth. During the second quarter of fiscal 2025, revenues at Aerie jumped 3.2% year over year while the brand’s comparable store sales (comps) rose 3%. We expect sales for Aerie to increase 4.1% for the third quarter and 1.3% year over year for fiscal 2025.

The company is prioritizing investments across its digital channel, with foundational improvements to the shopping experience. It focuses on optimizing its store fleet to ensure the best locations, offering a seamless customer experience and tapping into additional growth opportunities. This year, the company is on track to open approximately 30 Aerie and offline locations and remodel 40-50 AE stores to feature a modern design. It anticipates shutting down 35-40 American Eagle locations by the end of the year.

The company has also been making inventory-management efforts. AEO has been navigating tariffs and implementing several mitigation strategies, involving partnering with its sourcing vendors to cut costs. Additionally, the company is diversifying its supply chain and focusing on reducing its sourcing exposure to China. It is focused on building upon its sales momentum, managing costs and making continued improvements to deliver profitability. For the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2025, the company expects comps to rise in the low single digits.

AEO’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesAmerican Eagle’s shares have lost 6.8% year to date compared with the industry’s 11.6% decline.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, AEO trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 12.22X compared with the industry’s average of 17.7X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AEO’s fiscal 2025 earnings per share (EPS) indicates a year-over-year decline of 37.4% while that of fiscal 2026 shows growth of 25.1%. The company’s EPS estimate for fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026 has moved north in the past 30 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

American Eagle currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Eye These Solid Picks in RetailLevi Strauss & Co. (LEVI - Free Report) , designer and marketer of jeans, casual wear and related accessories, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The consensus estimate for Levi Strauss’ current financial-year EPS indicates growth of 4% from the year-ago figure. LEVI delivered an average earnings surprise of 25.9% in the trailing four quarters.

Genesco Inc. (GCO - Free Report) operates as a retailer and wholesaler of footwear, apparel and accessories, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. GCO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 32.4%, on average.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Genesco’s current fiscal-year EPS and sales indicates growth of 71.3% and 3.7%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s reported figures.

Allbirds, Inc. (BIRD - Free Report) , a lifestyle brand, currently has a Zacks Rank of 2. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 20.7%, on average.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BIRD’s current financial-year EPS indicates growth of 18% from the year-ago figure.

, /PRNewswire/ -- National plaintiffs' law firm Berger Montague PC announces a class action lawsuit against C3.ai, Inc.  (NYSE: AI) ("C3.ai" or the "Company") on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired shares during the period from February 26, 2025 through August 8, 2025 (the "Class Period"),

Investor Deadline: Investors who purchased or acquired C3.ai securities during the Class Period may, no later than October 21, 2025, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class. To learn your rights, CLICK HERE .

The lawsuit alleges that AI software company C3.ai misled investors by painting an overly optimistic picture of its growth trajectory while concealing key adverse facts, including the material impact of its CEO's health on deal execution and the Company's operational performance. On August 8, 2025, C3.ai released preliminary financial results for Q1 fiscal 2026 that fell short of expectations and lowered its revenue forecast, citing the CEO's health issues and internal restructuring. The Company's stock declined sharply in response—falling more than 25%, from a close of $22.13 per share to a close of $16.47 per share in a single trading day.

If you are a C3.ai investor and would like to learn more about this action, CLICK HERE  or please contact Berger Montague: Andrew Abramowitz at [email protected] or (215) 875-3015, or Caitlin Adorni at [email protected] or (267)764-4865.

About Berger Montague
Berger Montague, with offices in Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Delaware, Washington, D.C., San Diego, San Francisco, Chicago, Malvern, PA, and Toronto has been a pioneer in securities class action litigation since its founding in 1970. Berger Montague has represented individual and institutional investors for over five decades and serves as lead counsel in courts throughout the United States.

For more information or to discuss your rights, please contact:
Andrew Abramowitz, Senior Counsel
Berger Montague
(215) 875-3015
[email protected] 

Caitlin Adorni
Berger Montague
(267) 764-4865
[email protected]

SOURCE Berger Montague

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Bloomberg's Mike McGlone reports why he is 'scared' over the price of gold. Spot gold smashed through $4,000 an ounce for the first time, as concerns over the US economy and a government shutdown added fresh momentum to a scorching rally.

Chevron CEO Mike Wirth speaks during CERAWeek in Houston, Texas, U.S., March 10, 2025. REUTERS/Kaylee Greenlee Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

CompaniesHOUSTON, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Chevron

(CVX.N), opens new tab CEO Mike Wirth told employees on Wednesday that he believes the company will outperform publicly-stated financial targets given to investors following the acquisition of smaller oil producer Hess.

Upon closing the $55-billion purchase of Hess in July, Chevron said it expected $1 billion in synergies and raised free cash flow guidance for 2026 from $10 billion to $12.5 billion.

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"I fully expect the (Hess) deal will meet and exceed what we've committed externally," Wirth said during an internal town hall meeting, audio of which was heard by Reuters.

“Our talented workforce is an essential part of the ongoing success of our company, and we engage regularly to align on strategic priorities and our shared purpose to safely provide affordable, reliable, ever-cleaner energy that enables human progress," a Chevron spokesperson said.

Reporting by Sheila Dang in Houston;

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

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NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TaskUs, Inc. (Nasdaq: TASK) (“TaskUs” or the “Company”), a leading provider of outsourced digital services and next-generation customer experience to the world’s most innovative companies, today announced that at a special meeting of TaskUs stockholders, the Company did not receive the votes necessary to approve the transaction agreement with an affiliate of Blackstone, TaskUs Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Bryce Maddock, and TaskUs Co-Founder and President Jaspar Weir (collectively the “Buyer Group”).

TaskUs does not plan to convene another special meeting of stockholders and expects to terminate the proposed transaction. As a result, TaskUs will remain a publicly traded company, and the Company’s Class A common stock will continue to trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol TASK.

Maddock said, “We have appreciated the feedback received from our stockholders since our transaction announcement. We share their confidence in TaskUs and remain committed to transforming our business for the AI era.”

The final voting results from the special meeting will be reported in a Form 8-K filed by TaskUs with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Neither party will be required to pay the other a termination fee as a result of the planned mutual decision to terminate the agreement.

About TaskUs

TaskUs is a leading provider of outsourced digital services and next-generation customer experience to the world’s most innovative companies, helping its clients represent, protect and grow their brands. Leveraging a cloud-based infrastructure, TaskUs serves clients in fast-growing sectors, including social media, e-commerce, gaming, streaming media, food delivery and ride-sharing, technology, financial services and healthcare. As of June 30, 2025, the Company had a worldwide headcount of approximately 60,400 people across 30 locations in 13 countries.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts, and further include, without limitation, statements reflecting the Company’s current views with respect to, among other things, the Company’s operations, the Company’s financial performance, the Company’s industry, the impact of the macroeconomic environment on the Company’s business, and other non-historical statements. In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “seeks,” “predicts,” “intends,” “trends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “position us” or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. These factors include but are not limited to: the dependence of the Company’s business on key clients; the risk of loss of business or non-payment from clients; the Company’s failure to cost-effectively acquire new clients; the risk that the Company may provide inadequate service or cause disruptions in the Company’s clients’ businesses or fail to comply with the quality standards required by the Company’s clients under the Company’s agreements; the Company’s inability to anticipate clients’ needs by adapting to market and technology trends; utilization of artificial intelligence by the Company’s clients or the Company’s failure to incorporate artificial intelligence into its operations; unauthorized or improper disclosure of personal or other sensitive information, or securities breaches and incidents; negative publicity or liability or difficulty recruiting and retaining employees; the Company’s failure to detect and deter criminal or fraudulent activities or other misconduct by its employees or third parties; global economic and political conditions, especially in the social media and meal delivery and transport industries from which the Company generates significant revenue; the dependence of the Company’s business on its international operations, particularly in the Philippines and India; the Company’s failure to comply with applicable data privacy and security laws and regulations; fluctuations against the U.S. dollar in the local currencies in the countries in which the Company operates; the Company’s inability to maintain and enhance its brand; competitive pricing pressure; the Company’s dependence on senior management and key employees; increases in employee expenses and changes to labor laws; failure to attract, hire, train and retain a sufficient number of skilled employees to support operations; the Company’s inability to effectively expand its operations into countries or industries in which the Company has no prior operating experience and in which the Company may be subject to increased business, economic and regulatory risks; reliance on owned and third-party technology and computer systems; and failure to maintain asset utilization levels, price appropriately and control costs; the control of affiliates of Blackstone Inc. and the Company’s Co-Founders over the Company; the dual class structure of the Company’s common stock; and the volatility of the market price of the Company’s Class A common stock. Additional risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those described under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 6, 2025 and in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 filed with the SEC on August 7, 2025, as such factors may be updated from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in the Company’s SEC filings. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

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Critical One Energy Inc.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

TORONTO, Oct. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Critical One Energy Inc. (formerly Madison Metals Inc.) (“Critical One” or the “Company”) (CSE: CRTL) (OTCQB: MMTLF) (FSE: 4EF0), a leading Canadian mining exploration company focused on critical metals and minerals, has arranged with a number of funds and high net worth investors an oversubscribed, non-brokered private placement offering of up to 7,650,000 flow-through common shares (“FT Shares”) at a price of CDN$1.00 per FT Share, for gross proceeds of up to CDN$7,650,000 (the “Offering”). 

The Company may pay a finder’s fees on a portion of the Offering to eligible finders in the form of (i) a cash commission of up to 6.0% of the gross proceeds raised under the Offering, and (ii) common share purchase warrants of the Company (“Finder’s Warrants”) in an amount up to 6.0% of the FT Shares issued under the Offering. Each Finder’s Warrant will be exercisable to purchase one common share in the capital of the Company at a price of CDN$1.50 per common share for a period of eighteen (18) months from the date of closing.

The Company intends to use the gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Shares to incur eligible “Canadian exploration expenses” that qualify as “flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures,” as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada).

Critical One’s exploration focus is the Howells Lake Antimony-Gold Project (“Howells Lake Project”). In addition to antimony and gold, exploration will include copper, zinc, and other base metals. The Howells Lake Project is located approximately 200 kilometres from the Ring of Fire corridor in the Thunder Bay Mining Division of Ontario, Canada.

The Offering is scheduled to close on or about October 17, 2025. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering described above will be subject to a four-month and one-day hold period.

About Critical One Energy Inc.

Critical One Energy Inc. (formerly Madison Metals Inc.) is a forward-focused critical minerals and upstream energy company, powering the future of clean energy and advanced technologies. The Howells Lake Antimony-Gold Project focuses the Company’s exposure on antimony, one of the most in-demand critical minerals, as well as gold, which is known to occur at numerous locations on the Howells Lake Project. Backed by seasoned management expertise and prime resource assets, Critical One is strategically positioned to meet the rising global demand for critical minerals and metals. Its mine exploration portfolio is led by antimony-gold exploration potential in Canada and uranium investment interests in Namibia, Africa. By leveraging its technical, managerial, and financial expertise, the Company upgrades and creates high-value projects, thereby driving growth and delivering value to its shareholders.

Additional information about Critical One Energy Inc. can be found at criticaloneenergy.com and on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

For further information, please contact:

Duane Parnham
Executive Chairman & CEO
Critical One Energy Inc.
+1 (416) 489-0092
[email protected]

Media inquiries:

Adam Bello
Manager, Media & Analyst Relations
Primoris Group Inc.
+1 (416) 489-0092
[email protected]

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor CIRO accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “likely”, “should”, “would”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “potential”, “proposed”, “estimate”, “believe” or the negative of these terms, or other similar words, expressions, and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” happen, or by discussions of strategy. Forward-looking information contained in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements relating to the terms and timing of the private placement described in this press release and the anticipated uses of the proceeds raised from such private placement.

Where the Company expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is based on assumptions made in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. Such assumptions include, without limitation, that: the Company will receive all necessary approval required in order to complete the issuance of the securities pursuant to the private placement described in this press release; and that there will be sufficient interest from potential investors in order to complete the private placement on the terms as described herein or at all.

However, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected, or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to, the risk that the Company will not be able to proceed with the issuance of common shares on the terms described in this press release or at all.

Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as at the date hereof and are based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations, and opinions of management on such date. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any such forward-looking statements or any forward-looking statements contained in any other documents whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required under applicable securities law. Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties, and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information.

ToplineDell’s stock reached a new all-time intraday high Wednesday, one day after the tech company nearly doubled its long-term guidance on increased demand for its data center offerings crucial to training and running artificial intelligence.

Dell boosted its guidance Tuesday. (Photo credit should read PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Key FactsDell shares were up 7.6% at $162.41 as of 2:05 p.m. EDT, the stock’s highest position of the year, and have traded as high as $166.10 on Wednesday.

The company’s stock is slated to close at an all-time high Wednesday, besting its previous all-time high of $160.18 recorded last year.

The rise in shares comes a day after Dell boosted its long-term guidance for annual revenue growth from 3-4% to 7-9% and raised its yearly earnings per share growth to 15%, up from its previous target of 8%.

Dell cited its “well positioned” portfolio that includes personal computers and data center infrastructure, the latter of which is needed to meet the operating and training needs of the AI boom.

The Nasdaq surged nearly 1% as of Wednesday afternoon, while the S&P 500 jumped a half percent.

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Crucial Quote“Customers are hungry for AI and the compute, storage and networking we provide to deploy intelligence at scale. We’re successfully translating that demand into growth and strong cash flow that we’ve largely returned to shareholders,” Dell CEO Michael Dell said in a statement.

TangentPresident Donald Trump identified Michael Dell along with billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch as part of the “four to five absolutely world class investors” involved in the deal to bring a portion of Chinese-owned social media app TikTok under U.S. ownership.

Key BackgroundDell’s servers and networking business jumped 69% year-over-year, according to its second quarter earnings, bringing in $12.9 billion in revenue. The company said in August it planned to ship $20 billion worth of AI servers in the upcoming fiscal year. Dell has partnered with chip designer Nvidia to help power its AI servers and has customers including OpenAI, Elon Musk’s xAI startup and cloud computing company CoreWeave. Dell also has contracts with the Energy Department (powering the agency’s next supercomputer) and G42, an AI firm based in the United Arab Emirates. Total revenue for the company reached $29.8 billion in its second quarter, a 19% increase from the same period last year.

Further ReadingOpenAI’s ChatGPT Now Connects With Third-Party Apps Like Spotify And Zillow: Here’s The Latest In The AI Arms Race (Forbes)

Key Takeaways
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said on Wednesday that AI demand has grown "substantially" in the last six months.The CEO also said he believes the AI boom is still in its early stages, with further room for growth.

Demand for artificial intelligence is booming and only just getting started, according to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

“This year, particularly the last six months, demand of computing has gone up substantially,” the CEO told CNBC in a televised interview Wednesday, adding that that he believes the AI boom is still in its early stages, leaving room for further growth.

Shares of Nvidia (NVDA) were up 2% in recent trading, contributing to a rally in the tech sector. The chipmaker at the heart of the AI boom has seen its stock climb roughly 40% so far in 2025 as sales of its chips to power data centers surged and trade policy headwinds eased. Its move this year has helped propel Nvidia into the top spot as the world's most valuable public company, and made its CEO one of the richest people in the world.

Why This Matters for Investors
As a leading beneficiary of the AI boom, Nvidia has become something of a bellwether for the AI trade, with changes in its business and big moves in its stock able to influence broader markets.

Shares of Nvidia partners such as Micron Technology (MU) and Super Micro Computer (SMCI) also climbed Wednesday, adding to gains earlier in the week on a massive OpenAI deal with Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), which also collaborates with the companies. AMD's deal came just weeks after Nvidia announced its own deal with OpenAI.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in a social media post Monday that the startup views its AMD deal as incremental to the ChatGPT maker's work with Nvidia, and that "the world needs much more compute." The move raised speculation more high-profile partnerships could be in the works, affecting a growing number of companies, with several Wall Street analysts likening the signal of strong demand for AI to a rising tide that lifts all boats.

Huang said Wednesday that his only regret is not investing more in major AI players like OpenAI and CoreWeave (CRWV), an AI data center provider in which Nvidia holds a stake.

The CEO also gave a shoutout to Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk, saying Nvidia is investing in Musk's xAI and that “almost everything that Elon is part of, you really want to be part of as well." Shares of the EV maker, which were up about 1% Wednesday, have been on a tear in recent weeks, adding roughly a third of their value since the start of September as bulls have shifted more of their focus to the company's developments in autonomous driving, robotics, and AI.

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Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. Litigation Attorney Brandon Walker Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Humana (HUM) To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you purchased or acquired stock in Humana between July 27, 2022, to January 24, 2024 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Bragar Eagel & Squire partner Brandon Walker or Marion Passmore directly at (212) 355-4648.

NEW YORK, Oct. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

What’s Happening:

Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm, is investigating potential claims against Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) on behalf of long-term stockholders following a class action complaint that was filed against Humana on June 3, 2024 with a Class Period from July 27, 2022, to January 24, 2024. Our investigation concerns whether the board of directors of Humana have breached their fiduciary duties to the company.
Details:

Humana is a health insurance company that provides medical benefit plans to members.
The Humana class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that defendants downplayed pressures on Humana’s adjusted earnings-per-share resulting from increased medical costs associated with pent-up demand for healthcare procedures (especially as COVID concerns abated) which, contrary to Humana’s assurances, resulted in increased utilization rates and costs.
The Humana class action lawsuit further alleges that on June 13, 2023, UnitedHealth Group Inc., one of Humana’s principal health insurer competitors, revealed that it was seeing “higher levels” of outpatient care activity and suggested that this higher utilization was due to “pent-up demand or delayed demand being satisfied.” On this news, the price of Humana common stock fell more than 11%, according to the complaint.
Then, on June 16, 2023, the Humana class action lawsuit further alleges that Humana reported “higher than anticipated non-inpatient utilization trends, predominately in the categories of emergency room, outpatient surgeries, and dental services, as well as inpatient trends that have been stronger than anticipated in recent weeks, diverging from historical seasonality patterns.” On this news, the price of Humana common stock fell, according to the complaint.
The Humana class action lawsuit further alleges that on January 18, 2024, Humana revealed that its benefits expense ratio had increased to approximately 91.4% for the fourth quarter of 2023 and approximately 88% for the full year 2023. On this news, the price of Humana common stock fell nearly 8%, according to the complaint.
Finally, on January 25, 2024, the complaint further alleges that Humana announced a loss of $4.42 per share for the fourth quarter of 2023 that was “driven by higher than anticipated inpatient utilization . . . and a further increase in non-inpatient trends,” and stated that it expected the higher level of medical costs would “persist throughout 2024.” On this news, the price of Humana common stock fell nearly 12%, according to the Humana class action lawsuit.
Next Steps:

If you are a long-term stockholder of Humana, have information, would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Brandon Walker or Marion Passmore by email at [email protected], by telephone at (212) 355-4648, or by filling out this contact form. There is no cost or obligation to you.
About Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.:

Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm with offices in New York, South Carolina, and California. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in commercial, securities, derivative, and other complex litigation in state and federal courts across the country. For more information about the firm, please visit www.bespc.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook, and keep up with other news by following Brandon Walker, Esq. on LinkedIn and X.

Contact Information:

Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.
Brandon Walker, Esq.
Marion Passmore, Esq.
(212) 355-4648
[email protected]
www.bespc.com

Key Takeaways Home Depot posted 4.9% sales growth y/y to $45.3B in Q2, its strongest gain in more than two years.The SRS Distribution integration and planned GMS deal expand Home Depot's Pro reach and network.DIY activity rebounded, with 12 of 16 departments seeing growth in smaller home improvement projects.
The Home Depot, Inc. (HD - Free Report) is skillfully navigating a shifting home improvement landscape by balancing renewed momentum in do-it-yourself (DIY) projects with accelerating growth in its professional (Pro) customer base. In the second quarter of fiscal 2025, sales rose 4.9% year over year to $45.3 billion, marking the strongest performance in more than two years. This rebound reflects both resilient consumer demand for smaller-scale home improvement projects and the company’s focus on enhancing the customer experience through technology, supply chain efficiency and faster delivery capabilities.

Home Depot’s “Pro acceleration” strategy remains a key growth pillar. The integration of SRS Distribution has exceeded expectations, providing deep access to specialty trade professionals while expanding the company’s presence across roofing, landscape and pool categories. Its pending acquisition of GMS, a leader in drywall and building materials, will further enhance the company’s Pro ecosystem by adding over 1,200 distribution locations and a vast delivery network. These moves strengthen HD’s capacity to serve complex Pro projects and capitalize on a fragmented $1 trillion total addressable market.

At the same time, Home Depot is seeing a revival in DIY activity as consumers pivot to smaller, more affordable home projects amid elevated borrowing costs. Categories like storage, paint and seasonal goods posted strong gains, with 12 of 16 departments delivering positive comparable sales. This balanced performance underscores the company’s adaptability, leveraging Pro expansion to offset cyclical softness in big-ticket remodeling while reigniting DIY demand through convenience, innovation and value.

How Lowe’s and Floor & Decor Stack Up Against HDLowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW - Free Report) is sharpening its competitive edge by leaning into operational efficiency, Pro customer expansion and disciplined cost control — a strategy designed to close the gap with Home Depot. The retailer continues to streamline its product assortment and optimize inventory through its “Total Home” strategy, which emphasizes complete project solutions for both DIY and Pro customers. While the DIY segment remains soft amid higher interest rates, Lowe’s has made notable strides in the Pro space, growing sales through enhanced job-site delivery, trade credit programs and improved fulfillment capabilities.

Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. (FND - Free Report) stands out as a high-growth specialist in the hard-surface flooring segment, offering a differentiated model built on value, assortment and Pro engagement. Unlike Home Depot and Lowe’s, FND operates a warehouse-style format that prioritizes direct sourcing and low prices, appealing strongly to both professional installers and value-conscious homeowners.

What the Latest Metrics Say About Home DepotHome Depot shares have declined 7% in the past year compared with the industry’s fall of 9%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Home Depot trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 2.28X, higher than the industry’s 1.62X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Home Depot’s current financial-year sales implies year-over-year growth of 2.9%, while the same for earnings per share suggests a decline of 1.4%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

CORNING, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Corning Incorporated’s (NYSE: GLW) Board of Directors today declared a quarterly dividend of $0.28 per share. The dividend will be payable on December 12, 2025, to shareholders of record on November 14, 2025.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained in this release and related comments by management that are not historical facts or information and contain words such as “will,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “see,” “would,” “target,” “estimate,” “forecast” or similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include estimates and assumptions related to economic, competitive and legislative developments. Such statements relate to future events that by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the Company’s Springboard plan, the company’s future operating performance, the company’s share of new and existing markets, the company’s revenue and earnings growth rates, the company’s ability to innovate and commercialize new products, the company’s expected capital expenditure and the company’s implementation of cost-reduction initiatives and measures to improve pricing, including the optimization of the company’s manufacturing capacity. Although the company believes that these forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions regarding, among other things, current estimates and forecasts, general economic conditions, its knowledge of its business and key performance indicators that impact the company, there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws.

Some of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: global economic trends, competition and geopolitical risks, or an escalation of sanctions, tariffs or other trade tensions between the U.S. and other countries, and related impacts on our businesses’ global supply chains and strategies; changes in macroeconomic and market conditions and market volatility, including developments and volatility arising from health crisis events, inflation, interest rates, the value of securities and other financial assets, precious metals, oil, natural gas, raw materials and other commodity prices and exchange rates (particularly between the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen, South Korean won, Chinese yuan, New Taiwan dollar, Mexican peso and euro), decreases or sudden increases of consumer demand, and the impact of such changes and volatility on our financial position and businesses; the availability of or adverse changes relating to government grants, tax credits or other government incentives; the duration and severity of health crisis events, such as an epidemic or pandemic, and its impact across our businesses on demand, personnel, operations, our global supply chains and stock price; possible disruption in commercial activities or our supply chain due to terrorist activity, cyber-attack, armed conflict, political or financial instability, natural disasters, international trade disputes or major health concerns; loss of intellectual property due to theft, cyber-attack, or disruption to our information technology infrastructure; ability to enforce patents and protect intellectual property and trade secrets; disruption to Corning’s, our suppliers’ and manufacturers’ supply chain, equipment, facilities, IT systems or operations; product demand and industry capacity; competitive products and pricing; availability and costs of critical components, materials, equipment, natural resources and utilities; new product development and commercialization; order activity and demand from major customers; the amount and timing of our cash flows and earnings and other conditions, which may affect our ability to pay our quarterly dividend at the planned level or to repurchase shares at planned levels; the amount and timing of any future dividends; the effects of acquisitions, dispositions and other similar transactions; the effect of regulatory and legal developments; ability to pace capital spending to anticipated levels of customer demand; our ability to increase margins through implementation of operational changes, pricing actions and cost reduction measures; rate of technology change; adverse litigation; product and component performance issues; retention of key personnel; customer ability to maintain profitable operations and obtain financing to fund ongoing operations and manufacturing expansions and pay receivables when due; loss of significant customers; changes in tax laws, regulations and international tax standards; the impacts of audits by taxing authorities; the potential impact of legislation, government regulations, and other government action and investigations; and other risks detailed in Corning’s SEC filings.

For a complete listing of risks and other factors, please reference the risk factors and forward-looking statements described in our annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

Web Disclosure

In accordance with guidance provided by the SEC regarding the use of company websites and social media channels to disclose material information, Corning Incorporated (“Corning”) wishes to notify investors, media, and other interested parties that it uses its website (https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/news-events.html) to publish important information about the company, including information that may be deemed material to investors, or supplemental to information contained in this or other press releases. The list of websites and social media channels that the company uses may be updated on Corning’s media and website from time to time. Corning encourages investors, media, and other interested parties to review the information Corning may publish through its website and social media channels as described above, in addition to the company’s SEC filings, press releases, conference calls, and webcasts.

About Corning Incorporated

Corning (www.corning.com) is one of the world’s leading innovators in materials science, with a 170-year track record of life-changing inventions. Corning applies its unparalleled expertise in glass science, ceramic science, and optical physics along with its deep manufacturing and engineering capabilities to develop category-defining products that transform industries and enhance people’s lives. Corning succeeds through sustained investment in RD&E, a unique combination of material and process innovation, and deep, trust-based relationships with customers who are global leaders in their industries. Corning’s capabilities are versatile and synergistic, which allows the company to evolve to meet changing market needs, while also helping its customers capture new opportunities in dynamic industries. Today, Corning’s markets include optical communications, mobile consumer electronics, display, automotive, solar, semiconductors, and life sciences.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Bandwidth Inc. (NASDAQ: BAND), a leading global enterprise cloud communications company, today announced it will report its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025 before market open on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

Bandwidth will offer a live webcast of the conference call on the Investor Relations section of the company's website at https://investors.bandwidth.com, where a replay will also be available shortly following the completion of the event.

Conference call details:
Date: Thursday October 30, 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time
Dial-in number (domestic): 844-481-2707
Dial-in number (international): 412-317-0663

Replay information:
Following the completion of the call through Thursday November 6, 2025, a replay will be available by dialing (877) 344-7529 for the U.S. or (412) 317-0088 for callers outside the U.S., and entering passcode 9320253.

About Bandwidth Inc.
Bandwidth (NASDAQ: BAND) is a global cloud communications software company that helps enterprises deliver exceptional experiences through voice calling, text messaging and emergency services. Our solutions and our Communications Cloud, covering 65+ countries and over 90 percent of global GDP, are trusted by all the leaders in unified communications and cloud contact centers–including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco, Google, Microsoft, RingCentral, Zoom, Genesys and Five9–as well as Global 2000 enterprises and SaaS builders like Docusign, Uber and Yosi Health. As a founder of the cloud communications revolution, we are the first and only global Communications Platform-as-a-Service (CPaaS) to offer a unique combination of composable APIs, AI capabilities, owner-operated network and broad regulatory experience. Our award-winning support teams help businesses around the world solve complex communications challenges every day. For more information, visit Bandwidth.com.

SOURCE Bandwidth Inc.

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, /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare of North Carolina (WellCare), an NC Medicaid health plan and subsidiary of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), is supporting health-related resources for communities across North Carolina through over $1.6M of investments in local nonprofit organizations. This funding, which began in 2024 and will continue throughout 2025, will help support critical healthcare needs such as assisting with food and nutrition, clothing, utilities, housing, and interpersonal safety for North Carolina's most vulnerable citizens including families and children. 

Wellcare of NC (PRNewsfoto/WellCare of North Carolina)

"Through hyperlocal investment in nonprofits across our great state, we can extend care directly into the communities we serve," said Troy Hildreth, Plan President and CEO for WellCare. "Together, we are tackling challenges like food insecurity, housing stability, preventive care, and mental wellness, making a tangible difference in the lives of our neighbors."

Organizations benefiting from this initiative include:

African American Male Wellness
Anson Cooperative Extension
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
Darnell Farms
Be You Be Great
Beloved Asheville
Camp Hope America
Connections of Cumberland County
Domestic Abuse is Not Acceptable (DANA) Services
Davidson County Connect
Diaper Bank of NC
El Camino Center
El Centro Hispano
Give Back Organization
H.O.P.E. of Winston Salem
HELP Carolina Inc
Homeward Bound
Knead It or Knot
March of Dimes
Mentoring Every Neighborhood and Community (MENAC)
Myra's Angels
New Hope Community Development Group
Nourish NC Food Program
Pandemic of Love
Partnership for Children of Lincoln and Gaston Counties
Peers Family Development
Rowan Helping Ministries
Safe Space
Salvation Army of Washington
Support Educate and Engage Doulas to Serve Eastern NC (SEEDS ENC) Training Program
Share the Light/Duke Energy
SHIP Community Outreach
Southside Garden/Free Fridge Asheville
Suds of Love
The Carying Place
The Shepards House
Tia Hart Recovery & Food Pantry
Tiny Homes Community Development Inc.
Umbrella Center
UNC-Pembroke Doula Training
Equiti Foods
Women's Resource Center of Greensboro
By directly meeting the unique needs of individual communities across North Carolina, WellCare works to improve the health of its members and our state.

About WellCare of North Carolina
Headquartered in Raleigh, WellCare of North Carolina provides government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors, and individuals with complex needs primarily through Medicaid as one of the state's NC Medicaid Managed Care health plans (WellCare of North Carolina), Marketplace (WellCare of North Carolina by Celtic Insurance Company), Medicare Advantage (WellCare), and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (WellCare). WellCare of North Carolina is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. For more information, visit WellCareNC.com.

About Centene Corporation
Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. The Company takes a local approach – with local brands and local teams – to provide fully integrated, high-quality and cost-effective services to government-sponsored and commercial healthcare programs, focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Centene offers affordable and high-quality products to nearly 1 in 15 individuals across the nation, including Medicaid and Medicare members (including Medicare Prescription Drug Plans) as well as individuals and families served by the Health Insurance Marketplace and the TRICARE program. The Company also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide a variety of specialty services focused on treating the whole person. Centene focuses on long-term growth and value creation as well as the development of its people, systems and capabilities so that it can better serve its members, providers, local communities and government partners.  Centene uses its investor relations website to publish important information about the Company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Centene is routinely posted and is accessible on Centene's investor relations website, investors.centene.com. 

SOURCE WellCare of North Carolina

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Growth stocks are attractive to many investors, as above-average financial growth helps these stocks easily grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a growth stock that can live up to its true potential can be a tough task.

That's because, these stocks usually carry above-average risk and volatility. In fact, betting on a stock for which the growth story is actually over or nearing its end could lead to significant loss.

However, the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects, makes it pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks.

Watts Water (WTS - Free Report) is on the list of such stocks currently recommended by our proprietary system. In addition to a favorable Growth Score, it carries a top Zacks Rank.

Research shows that stocks carrying the best growth features consistently beat the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.

Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this maker of valves for plumbing, heating and water needs a great growth pick right now.

Earnings GrowthEarnings growth is arguably the most important factor, as stocks exhibiting exceptionally surging profit levels tend to attract the attention of most investors. For growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is highly preferable, as it is often perceived as an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.

While the historical EPS growth rate for Watts Water is 21.2%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 11.3% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of -1.1%.

Impressive Asset Utilization RatioGrowth investors often overlook asset utilization ratio, also known as sales-to-total-assets (S/TA) ratio, but it is an important feature of a real growth stock. This metric shows how efficiently a firm is utilizing its assets to generate sales.

Right now, Watts Water has an S/TA ratio of 0.92, which means that the company gets $0.92 in sales for each dollar in assets. Comparing this to the industry average of 0.78, it can be said that the company is more efficient.

While the level of efficiency in generating sales matters a lot, so does the sales growth of a company. And Watts Water looks attractive from a sales growth perspective as well. The company's sales are expected to grow 3.9% this year versus the industry average of 1.8%.

Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsSuperiority of a stock in terms of the metrics outlined above can be further validated by looking at the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is of course favorable here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

The current-year earnings estimates for Watts Water have been revising upward. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 0.8% over the past month.

Bottom LineWatts Water has not only earned a Growth Score of B based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above, but it also carries a Zacks Rank #2 because of the positive earnings estimate revisions.

You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

This combination positions Watts Water well for outperformance, so growth investors may want to bet on it.

Growth stocks are attractive to many investors, as above-average financial growth helps these stocks easily grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a growth stock that can live up to its true potential can be a tough task.

In addition to volatility, these stocks carry above-average risk by their very nature. Also, one could end up losing from a stock whose growth story is actually over or nearing its end.

However, the task of finding cutting-edge growth stocks is made easy with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects.

Our proprietary system currently recommends TJX (TJX - Free Report) as one such stock. This company not only has a favorable Growth Score, but also carries a top Zacks Rank.

Research shows that stocks carrying the best growth features consistently beat the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.

Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this parent of T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and other stores a great growth pick right now.

Earnings GrowthEarnings growth is arguably the most important factor, as stocks exhibiting exceptionally surging profit levels tend to attract the attention of most investors. For growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is highly preferable, as it is often perceived as an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.

While the historical EPS growth rate for TJX is 42.1%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 8.9% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 8.6%.

Cash Flow GrowthWhile cash is the lifeblood of any business, higher-than-average cash flow growth is more important and beneficial for growth-oriented companies than for mature companies. That's because, growth in cash flow enables these companies to expand their businesses without depending on expensive outside funds.

Right now, year-over-year cash flow growth for TJX is 12.2%, which is higher than many of its peers. In fact, the rate compares to the industry average of 10.9%.

While investors should actually consider the current cash flow growth, it's worth taking a look at the historical rate too for putting the current reading into proper perspective. The company's annualized cash flow growth rate has been 7.6% over the past 3-5 years versus the industry average of 4.6%.

Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsSuperiority of a stock in terms of the metrics outlined above can be further validated by looking at the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is of course favorable here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

There have been upward revisions in current-year earnings estimates for TJX. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 1.4% over the past month.

Bottom LineWhile the overall earnings estimate revisions have made TJX a Zacks Rank #2 stock, it has earned itself a Growth Score of A based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above.

You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

This combination indicates that TJX is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors.

Key Takeaways Oracle's multi-cloud strategy drives strong cloud demand and recurring revenue growth.Multi-cloud database services soared 1,500% year over year in Q1 FY26.Oracle plans 37 new multi-cloud data centers and targets $18B OCI revenues in FY26.
Oracle’s (ORCL - Free Report) multi-cloud strategy is fast becoming a powerful catalyst for long-term growth. By integrating Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) with hyperscalers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, the company has created a flexible and scalable environment that enables enterprises to run databases and applications seamlessly across multiple platforms. This compatibility is driving strong demand for Oracle’s infrastructure and boosting recurring cloud revenues. For the second quarter of fiscal 2026, the company expects total cloud revenues to grow from 32% to 36% in constant currency and from 33% to 37% in USD.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Oracle’s multi-cloud database services saw explosive growth, surging over 1,500% year over year. The company’s partnerships, particularly the Oracle Database@Azure initiative and a new Oracle Database@AWS launch, are expanding its reach and helping enterprises leverage the best of multiple ecosystems. This strategy is broadening Oracle’s market presence.

Looking ahead, Oracle’s upcoming Multi-Cloud AI Database is expected to further accelerate adoption. The new Oracle AI Database, set to debut at Oracle AI World, will allow customers to use large language models such as Google’s Gemini, OpenAI’s ChatGPT and xAI’s Grok directly on Oracle databases — unlocking new ways to extract value from enterprise data.

To sustain this momentum, Oracle is investing heavily by adding 37 new multi-cloud data centers and expecting OCI revenues to grow 77% year over year to $18 billion in fiscal 2026. With the Zacks model forecasting overall revenue growth of 16% in 2026 and 21% in 2027, the company’s multi-cloud expansion looks well-positioned to deliver lasting upside.

How Rivals Stack Up Against ORCL in Cloud StrategyMicrosoft (MSFT - Free Report) Azure challenges Oracle in cloud strategy through its deep integration with Microsoft products like Office 365, SQL Server and Windows. Microsoft’s hybrid-cloud dominance, $47 billion cloud revenues and bold AI expansion, highlighted by new “Fairwater” datacenters and a $30 billion U.K. investment, underscore its leadership. With advanced Copilot AI tools and unmatched enterprise reach, Microsoft Azure delivers scale, innovation and flexibility, positioning Microsoft as the clear long-term powerhouse in cloud strategy ahead of Oracle.

Alphabet’s (GOOGL - Free Report) Google Cloud Platform (GCP) rivals Oracle with its dominance in AI, data analytics and open-source innovation. GCP leverages Google’s global infrastructure, BigQuery and TensorFlow to power data-intensive workloads. With $85 billion in planned 2025 capital spending — two-thirds for AI-focused datacenters — Alphabet is scaling aggressively through custom TPUs and major deals with Meta and OpenAI. Alphabet’s AI-centric strategy, hybrid-cloud flexibility and relentless innovation firmly position GCP as a powerful, next-generation challenger to Oracle’s enterprise cloud ambitions.

ORCL’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Oracle have surged 70% year to date, outperforming both the Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s return of 24.1% and the Zacks Computer - Software industry’s rise of 22.3%.

ORCL’s YTD Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, ORCL appears overvalued, trading at a forward 12-month Price/Earnings ratio of 40.11x, which is higher than the industry average of 33.76x. Oracle carries a Value Score of F.

ORCL’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ORCL’s fiscal 2026 earnings is pegged at $6.77 per share, reflecting a 4-cent increase over the past 30 and 60 days. The earnings figure suggests 12.27% growth over the figure reported in fiscal 2025.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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

Key Takeaways AI-related revenues grew at triple-digit rates for the eighth straight quarter.Alibaba unveiled new Qwen3 models and AI tools to strengthen its cloud leadership.New data centers and Nvidia collaboration expand Alibaba's global AI infrastructure.
Alibaba's (BABA - Free Report) growing commitment to artificial intelligence is shaping its growth narrative. In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, AI-related product revenues maintained triple-digit growth for the eighth consecutive quarter, highlighting strong demand and the company's strong position in AI-powered cloud services. Management reiterated that AI remains a key driver of future performance, as Alibaba is implementing its 380 billion yuan ($53 billion) investment plan through 2027 to expand AI infrastructure.

At the recent Apsara Conference in September 2025, Alibaba unveiled a major wave of AI innovation, including next-generation Qwen3 models, the trillion-parameter Qwen3-Max and the Qwen3-Next architecture, all designed to strengthen cloud AI leadership. The company also previewed Wan 2.5, its advanced visual-generation model and introduced upgraded agent development platforms to accelerate enterprise adoption. These developments further strengthen Alibaba's goal of becoming a global AI powerhouse.

Further expanding its global footprint, Alibaba is establishing new data centers in Brazil, France and the Netherlands, with additional expansion planned in Mexico and Japan. A recent collaboration with Nvidia aims to advance “Physical AI,” enabling breakthroughs in robotics and autonomous systems. Additionally, Alibaba’s Model Studio platform now offers a high-code Agent Development Kit to simplify enterprise AI deployment and monetization.

Looking ahead, the Zacks Consensus Estimate projects consolidated revenues to grow 5% in fiscal 2026 and 12% in fiscal 2027, reflecting investor confidence in Alibaba's AI-led strategy. If implementation continues at this pace, the company's robust artificial intelligence efforts could actually lead to meaningful top-line growth in the coming years.

Alibaba’s AI Challenge: Baidu & Amazon RiseBaidu (BIDU - Free Report) has intensified its AI competition with Alibaba through rapid innovation and integration. Baidu’s upgraded ERNIE 4.5 and X1 reasoning models, supported by its 4-layer AI architecture, enhance efficiency and reduce inference costs. The company’s Qianfan MaaS platform expands enterprise flexibility, while Baidu’s Kunlun P800 chips lessen reliance on Nvidia. With its growing AI Cloud revenues and autonomous driving arm Apollo, Baidu is positioning itself as China’s most comprehensive AI ecosystem, directly challenging Alibaba’s cloud and model dominance.

Amazon (AMZN - Free Report) is intensifying its AI competition with Alibaba through innovation across cloud, infrastructure and enterprise tools. Amazon's Bedrock platform integrates top models like Anthropic's Cloud with its own Nova family, while Amazon Q improves workplace automation. As AWS is a global leader, the company uses AI for logistics, recommendations and retail personalization. Custom chips like Trainium and Inferentia boost performance, reinforcing Amazon’s dominance in scalable AI solutions and positioning it as a formidable rival to Alibaba’s growing AI and cloud ambitions.

BABA’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesBABA shares have surged 113.8% in the year-to-date period, outperforming the Zacks Internet – Commerce industry and the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector’s growth of 10% and 6.8%, respectively.

BABA’s YTD Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, BABA stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month Price/Earnings ratio of 19.61X compared with the industry’s 24.11X. BABA has a Value Score of D.

BABA’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 earnings is pegged at $7.55 per share, down 2.2% over the past 30 days, implying a 16.2% year-over-year decline.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

Key Takeaways VRT's orders grew 11% with a 1.2 book-to-bill ratio, and backlog rose 21% year over year to $8.5 billion.
VRT's Waylay NV acquisition enhances AI-driven monitoring and smart infrastructure capabilities.
HPE expands AI offerings with NVIDIA-powered servers and agentic AI in its Juniper Networking portfolio.

Vertiv (VRT - Free Report) and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE - Free Report) are major players in the data center infrastructure market. While Vertiv offers advanced thermal and power management systems tailored for large-scale data centers, Hewlett Packard Enterprise offers integrated data center solutions through its server, storage and networking infrastructure.

Per a Grand View Research report, the data center infrastructure management market was valued at around $3.06 billion in 2024 and is expected to register a CAGR of 17.3% from 2025 to 2030. Both Vertiv and Hewlett-Packard are likely to gain from the massive growth opportunity.

So, VRT or HPE — Which of these Data Center Infrastructure stocks has the greater upside potential? Let’s find out.

The Case for VRTVertiv benefits from an extensive product portfolio that spans thermal systems, liquid cooling, UPS, switchgear, busbars, and modular solutions, which is noteworthy. In the trailing 12 months, organic orders grew approximately 11%, with a book-to-bill of 1.2 times for the second quarter of 2025, indicating a strong prospect. Backlog grew 7% sequentially and 21% year over year to $8.5 billion.

Vertiv is a leading provider of thermal and power management solutions for data centers that consume immense amounts of power. The increasing complexity of AI hardware and edge computing further increases the power demand. Vertiv’s energy-efficient power and cooling solutions play a critical role in this aspect.

Acquisitions have played an important role in further expanding Vertiv’s footprint. In August, Vertiv acquired Waylay NV, a Belgium-based company known for its hyperautomation and generative AI software. This move aims to improve its AI-driven monitoring and control technologies for power and cooling systems. The acquisition boosts Vertiv’s capacity to provide smart infrastructure solutions that optimize energy use, increase uptime and enhance operational intelligence in data centers worldwide.

Vertiv’s partnership with NVIDIA is a plus. It aims to stay one generation ahead of NVIDIA, enabling efficient and scalable power solutions for next-generation AI data centers.

The Case for HPEHewlett Packard Enterprise is expanding its footprint through HPE Cray and ProLiant servers, which are bundled with liquid-cooled solutions and high-speed interconnects.

Building on this momentum, in August, HPE announced advancements to its NVIDIA AI Computing by HPE portfolio, introducing HPE ProLiant Compute servers with NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPUs in a 2U form factor.

Further expanding its portfolio, HPE introduced innovations to its HPE Juniper Networking portfolio and AI-native Mist platform in August, adding agentic AI-powered troubleshooting, expanded control of autonomous actions, a generalized Large Experience Model and advanced AIOps features for data centers to simplify IT operations and enhance user experiences.

Price Performance and Valuation of VRT and HPEIn the year-to-date period, Vertiv’s shares have gained 39.8% and Hewlett-Packard’s shares have appreciated 16.7%. The outperformance in VRT can be attributed to its robust product portfolio and rich partner base, which are driving order growth.

Despite HPE’s expanding portfolio, the company is suffering from challenging macroeconomic uncertainties and rising competition.

VRT and HPE Stock Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Valuation-wise, Vertiv shares are currently overvalued, as suggested by a Value Score of D. Hewlett-Packard shares are cheap, as suggested by a Value Score of B.

In terms of trailing 12-month Price/Book, Vertiv shares are trading at 19.41X, higher than Hewlett-Packard’s 1.34X.

VRT and HPE Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

How Do Earnings Estimates Compare for VRT & HPE?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vertiv’s 2025 earnings is currently pegged at $3.83 per share, which has increased by a penny over the past 30 days and increased 34.39% year over year.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Hewlett-Packard’s 2025 earnings is currently pegged at $1.90 per share, which has remained unchanged over the past 30 days and represents a 4.52% year-over-year decline.

Vertiv earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 10.65%. HPE earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the trailing three quarters, while missing the same in one, delivering an average surprise of 4.39%. The average surprise of Vertiv is higher than that of Hewlett-Packard.

ConclusionWhile both Vertiv and Hewlett-Packard stand to benefit from the data center infrastructure boom, Vertiv’s stronger earnings momentum, diversified growth drivers and consistent performance suggest it may offer greater upside potential in the near term.

A softened IT spending environment amid macroeconomic headwinds and rising competition may undermine Hewlett-Packard’s near-term prospects.

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

NEW YORK, Oct. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) between February 18, 2025 and July 31, 2025, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important November 14, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Fluor securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Fluor class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=44864 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than November 14, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) costs associated with the Gordie Howe International Bridge (“Gordie Howe”), the Interstate 365 Lyndon B. Johnson (“I-635/LBJ”) and Interstate 35E (“I-35”) highways in Texas projects were growing because of, inter alia, subcontractor design errors, price increases, and scheduling delays; (2) the foregoing, as well as customer reduction in capital spending and client hesitation around economic uncertainty, was having, or was likely to have, a significant negative impact on Fluor’s business and financial results; (3) accordingly, Fluor’s financial guidance for the full year 2025 was unreliable and/or unrealistic, the effectiveness of Fluor’s risk mitigation strategy was overstated, and the impact of economic uncertainty on Fluor’s business and financial results was understated; and (4) as a result, defendants’ public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Fluor class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=44864 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

        Laurence Rosen, Esq.
        Phillip Kim, Esq.
        The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
        275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
        New York, NY 10016
        Tel: (212) 686-1060
        Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
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Oct 08, 2025 at 15:50 // News

A new market report revealed that BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, aggressively expanded its crypto portfolio in the third quarter of 2025, adding a staggering $22.46 billion in digital assets, Coinidol.com reports.

This massive influx of capital boosted the firm's total cryptocurrency holdings to over $102 billion, solidifying its position as the largest institutional holder of digital assets globally.

BlackRock's ETH inflows

The most compelling detail of the report, however, was the change in internal portfolio dynamics. For the first time in the firm’s history, Ethereum (ETH) inflows outpaced Bitcoin (BTC) in quarterly growth. While Bitcoin contributed $10.99 billion in gains, Ethereum posted a more dramatic move, soaring by $11.46 billion, representing a colossal 262% increase in BlackRock's ETH exposure for the quarter, as Economic Times reported.

This significant change suggests a maturation of institutional appetite beyond just Bitcoin as a store of value. It indicates that large, regulated financial players are increasingly recognizing Ethereum's utility, smart contract ecosystem, and staking potential as critical components for portfolio diversification.

A signal of the crypto market changes

Furthermore, the momentum has continued into the start of the fourth quarter. Data up to October 8 showed BlackRock’s portfolio expanding by another $10.43 billion in the first eight days of the month, averaging over $1 billion in fresh value per day. This sustained activity underscores a fierce institutional rush into the market, suggesting that the "crypto winter" is a firmly distant memory, replaced by what analysts are calling a structural bull market driven by traditional finance giants.

As of October 8, BlackRock’s total Ethereum holdings were valued at $18.26 billion, up from $15.91 billion just one week prior, signaling a high-conviction bet on the altcoin’s future.

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Der Kryptomarkt verändert sich spürbar – Kapital fließt in stabile Coins wie Bitcoin und Ethereum.
Viele Altcoins verlieren dagegen an Bedeutung, weil ihnen klare Nutzung fehlt.
Institutionelle Investoren bestimmen zunehmend, wohin das Geld fließt.

Lange Zeit galt die Krypto-Welt als Spielplatz für Spekulationen. Doch das Blatt wendet sich: Immer mehr Geld fließt in bewährte Projekte wie Bitcoin und Ethereum, während viele kleinere Coins kaum noch Beachtung finden. Der Markt scheint erwachsener zu werden – und das verändert alles.

Große Coins ziehen das Kapital an
Im aktuellen Markt konzentriert sich das meiste Geld auf die beiden Giganten: BTC und ETH. Investoren suchen Stabilität und setzen auf Projekte mit hoher Liquidität und klarer Zukunftsperspektive. Kleinere Altcoins geraten dagegen ins Hintertreffen, weil sie oft nur auf Trends und Hoffnungen basieren.

Nach Daten aus der Branche handeln derzeit nur rund 55 Prozent aller Kryptowährungen über ihrem 200-Tage-Durchschnitt. Vor wenigen Wochen waren es noch fast 80 Prozent. Das zeigt deutlich: Das Kapital wandert dorthin, wo es Sicherheit und Vertrauen gibt – zu den Marktführern.

Institutionen geben den Ton an
Der Markt wird zunehmend von großen Investoren geprägt. Pensionsfonds, Vermögensverwalter und Unternehmen investieren bevorzugt in etablierte Coins. Sie meiden Risiken und achten auf klare Regeln und Transparenz. BTC und ETH erfüllen diese Bedingungen – viele kleinere Projekte nicht.

Dadurch verändert sich die Dynamik grundlegend. Wo früher wilde Spekulationen den Kurs bestimmten, zählt heute Planung und Strategie. Der Markt wirkt ruhiger, aber auch deutlich disziplinierter. Die Tage, in denen Anleger rein aus „Gefühl“ in neue Coins investierten, scheinen vorbei zu sein.

Hier kommst du zu unserer detaillierten Prognose für Bitcoin.

Altcoins kämpfen mit schwacher Nachfrage
Viele bekannte Altcoins hinken dem Markt hinterher. Zwar konnten einige große Projekte wie BNB oder Solana zulegen, doch zahlreiche andere zeigen kaum Bewegung oder verlieren sogar an Wert. Tokens wie Cardano, Chainlink oder Dogecoin tun sich schwer, neue Käufer zu finden.

Der Grund: Vielen fehlt eine klare Rolle oder ein konkreter Nutzen. Themen wie künstliche Intelligenz oder reale Vermögenswerte tauchen zwar immer wieder auf, doch nur wenige Altcoins schaffen es, diese Trends in echte Anwendungen zu übersetzen. Anleger haben aus früheren Hypes gelernt – und sind vorsichtiger geworden.

Reifung statt Spekulation
Branchenkenner sehen diese Entwicklung als gutes Zeichen. Der Markt lernt, zwischen starken und schwachen Projekten zu unterscheiden. Statt auf bloße Versprechen achten Investoren zunehmend auf echte Leistung und greifbare Fortschritte.

Mit dem steigenden Anteil institutioneller Anleger verlieren spontane Kurssprünge an Bedeutung. Zwar gibt es immer noch einzelne Ausreißer – etwa kurzfristige Rallys kleiner Coins – doch sie bleiben Ausnahmen. Die breite Masse orientiert sich an Fakten, nicht mehr an Gerüchten.

Selektive Chancen für die Zukunft
Trotz allem ist der Markt für Altcoins nicht tot. Experten erwarten, dass bestimmte Tokens wieder an Fahrt gewinnen könnten – aber nur solche mit echtem Nutzen. Sobald BTC und ETH in eine ruhigere Phase übergehen, könnten diese Projekte vom neuen Kapital profitieren.

JUST IN: Citibank predicts the Bitcoin bull run will continue through late 2026 🐂 pic.twitter.com/31wLJ4DCFs

— Bitcoin Archive (@BTC_Archive) October 8, 2025

Die nächste Aufwärtsbewegung dürfte also anders aussehen als frühere. Statt einer allgemeinen Altcoin-Welle werden einzelne, gut aufgestellte Projekte im Mittelpunkt stehen. Das Ziel der Anleger ist klar: Qualität statt Quantität. Der Markt wird kleiner, aber stärker.

Bitcoin Hyper: Wenn Bitcoin auf Solana-Geschwindigkeit trifft
Bitcoin Hyper ist kein weiterer anonymer Altcoin – es ist die nächste Entwicklungsstufe von Bitcoin selbst. Während Bitcoin als sicherste Blockchain der Welt gilt, ist sie oft zu langsam und teuer für moderne Anwendungen. Genau hier kommt Bitcoin Hyper ins Spiel: Es bringt die Schnelligkeit und Flexibilität des Solana-Netzwerks direkt in die Bitcoin-Welt. Durch eine smarte Brücke zwischen den beiden Systemen können Transaktionen in Sekunden abgewickelt werden – mit minimalen Gebühren. So bleibt die Sicherheit von BTC erhalten, während Nutzer und Entwickler die Vorteile einer modernen, skalierbaren Blockchain erleben. Bitcoin Hyper verbindet also das Beste aus zwei Welten: Stabilität und Geschwindigkeit.

Lies hier eine langfristige Prognose für Bitcoin Hyper!

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