The whirlwind Day One of public trading of SpaceX (SPCX +19.17%) shares has come to a close. If you like edge-of-your-seat excitement with lots of twists and turns, it was about as thrilling a day as you could ask for.
If you like big share price gains, it was more of a mixed bag.
Here's how Day One investors fared on the first trading day of SpaceX stock.
Image source: Getty Images.
IPO investors cashed in SpaceX offered an unprecedented amount of IPO shares to retail investors. More than 20% of the IPO shares were ultimately allocated to non-professional investors through five brokerages, priced at $135/share. With over $100 billion in demand, however, many investors only received a fraction of the shares they requested.
However, those who got ahold of them were already winners when the stock began public trading at 11:46 AM, debuting on the Nasdaq at $150/share. By 11:52 AM, about six minutes later, they had surpassed $160/share. At 11:55 AM, they briefly hit $168.75/share before dropping again. At 12:04 PM, they dropped to $155.42/share before heading back upward to peak for the day at $176.52/share at 1:10 PM.
The rest of the trading day, however, was a different story.
Later investors crashed out The share price had a slow and bumpy descent for most of the afternoon, bottoming out at $157.46/share at 3:53 PM, before rallying slightly to close at $160.95/share. That gives the company a $2.1 trillion market cap, which should make CEO Elon Musk one very happy trillionaire.
Today's Change
(
19.17
%) $
25.88
Current Price
$
160.88
Unfortunately for most investors, if you didn't manage to luck into some IPO shares, and you didn't buy during the first few minutes SpaceX shares were publicly trading, you probably lost money today. Because after 11:52 AM, the stock only spent about 17 minutes of the trading day below its ultimate closing price (12:03 PM to 12:05 PM, and 3:40 PM to 3:55 PM). And even then, it was less than $6/share below that closing price, so gains were minimal, though the stock did rise by a few percentage points in after-hours trading.
Even though the marquee number from SpaceX's first trading day shows the stock up 19.2%, it's important to remember that only IPO investors actually notched that much of a gain. Lightning-fast market investors who picked up shares at the opening price of $150/share would be up just 7.3% for the day, and those who waited just three minutes to buy shares at 11:49 AM are only up 1%. Most other investors are in the red.
Image source: Getty Images.
Of course, we here at the Fool are long-term investors, so we know that SpaceX's day one performance won't matter much in the long run. However, it can serve as a cautionary tale that hot stocks making big upward moves on hype alone -- like meme stocks or highly anticipated IPOs -- can only move upward for so long. Buying into such a stock too late is worse than not buying in at all.
And sometimes "too late" only takes three minutes to arrive.
CNBC's Jim Cramer said the successful debut of SpaceX could pave the way for more AI-related offerings and help create a more constructive backdrop for stocks. He said investors should watch housing starts, retail sales, and an analyst meeting from SLB for clues on interest rates.
The biggest IPO in history dropped this morning on the Nasdaq — a debut so big, our team thought it deserved its own bonus Equity podcast episode. On this special bonus episode of TechCrunch's Equity podcast, Senior Reporter Sean O'Kane called up our AI Editor Russell Brandom to help him break down the $2 trillion valuation, Elon Musk becoming the world's first trillionaire, and what it all means for Anthropic and OpenAI still waiting in the wings.
The biggest IPO in history dropped this morning on the Nasdaq — a debut so big, our team thought it deserved its own bonus Equity podcast episode.
On this special bonus episode of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, Senior Reporter Sean O’Kane called up our AI Editor Russell Brandom to help him break down the $2 trillion valuation, Elon Musk becoming the world’s first trillionaire, and what it all means for Anthropic and OpenAI still waiting in the wings.
Subscribe to Equity on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You can also follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod.
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Theresa Loconsolo is an audio producer at TechCrunch focusing on Equity, the network’s flagship podcast. Before joining TechCrunch in 2022, she was one of 2 producers at a four-station conglomerate where she wrote, recorded, voiced and edited content, and engineered live performances and interviews from guests like lovelytheband. Theresa is based in New Jersey and holds a bachelors degree in Communication from Monmouth University.
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CNBC's Jim Cramer said Friday that it's not too late for investors to buy SpaceX after its blockbuster debut— but only if they're willing to view the stock as a long-term bet on the future rather than a traditional investment.
"Is it too late to get into SpaceX?" the "Mad Money" host said. "If you're willing to look at this as a different kind of stock, not a short or even medium term investment ... then you've got my blessing."
SpaceX debuted on the Nasdaq on Friday, opening at $150 per share but surging as high as $176. Elon Musk's rocket company closed the session with a market cap of $2.1 trillion. The powerful rally quickly reignited concerns that the stock's valuation may have outrun its current financial performance. Cramer, however, said that investors are not buying SpaceX solely for what it earns today.
"This is a long-term call on space exploration," Cramer said.
Rather than focusing on current losses and cash outflows, Cramer argued that many investors are buying into Elon Musk's long-term vision and a pipeline of projects that may take years to fully materialize.
"I think they've considered the risk and recognized that there could be losses as far as the eye can see," he said.
That willingness to look beyond near-term financial results helps explain the stock's strong debut, according to Cramer. While skeptics have questioned the company's valuation, he said shareholders are focused on the possibility that SpaceX's future opportunities could be far larger than what is currently reflected in its business.
For investors who share that outlook, Cramer said pullbacks should be viewed as opportunities rather than reasons to abandon the stock.
"If it comes down, then you should buy more because the upside is conceivably unfathomable," he said.
Cramer also praised the handling of the IPO by Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, saying the two leading banks on the deal struck a balance between institutional and retail demand, while avoiding the kind of chaotic first-day surge that can create problems later. Cramer's Charitable Trust, the portfolio used by the CNBC Investing Club, owns shares of Goldman.
"The stock opened at a reasonable price versus the IPO price, not so high that it would encourage flipping but not that low as to foment panic," he said. "That's amazing."
XPRIZE Foundation founder Peter Diamandis celebrates SpaceX's successful IPO debut, which made Elon Musk the world's first trillionaire, on ‘The Claman Countdown.'
Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE: CTRA) by 13.8% during the undefined quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 370,188 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 44,856
NEW YORK, April 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Class Action Attorney Juan Monteverde with Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm in the 2025 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating
European Wax Center, Inc. (NASDAQ: EWCZ) related to its sale to General Atlantic. Under the terms of the proposed transaction, European Wax shareholders are expected to receive $5.80 per share in cash.
ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for May 7, 2026.
Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/european-wax-center-inc/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.
Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: STEL) related to its sale to Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. Under the terms of the proposed transaction, Stellar shareholders are expected to receive 0.3803 shares of Prosperity common stock and $11.36 in cash for each share of Stellar common stock.
Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/stellar-bancorp-inc/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.
Rallybio Corporation (NASDAQ: RLYB) related to its merger with Candid Therapeutics, Inc. Upon completion of the proposed transaction, Rallybio shareholders are expected to own approximately 3.65% of the combined company.
Click here for more information https://monteverdelaw.com/case/rallybio-corporation/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.
Coterra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CTRA) related to its sale to Devon Energy Corporation. Under the terms of the proposed transaction, Coterra shareholders will receive 0.70 of a share of Devon common stock for each share of Coterra common stock.
ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for May 4, 2026.
Click here for more info https://monteverdelaw.com/case/coterra-energy-inc/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.
NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE THE SAME. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:
Do you file class actions and go to Court?When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?What cases did you recover money in and how much?
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Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in the above listed company and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.
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MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
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Attorney Advertising. (C) 2026 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (www.monteverdelaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.
Insiders may stand to receive substantial financial benefits not available to ordinary shareholders.
The proposed transactions may contain terms that could limit superior competing offers.
Shareholders are encouraged to contact the firm to discuss their rights and options at no cost or obligation. We would handle any matter on a contingent fee basis, whereby you would not be responsible for out-of-pocket payment of our legal fees or expenses.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating the following companies for potential violations of the federal securities laws and/or breaches of fiduciary duties to shareholders relating to:
European Wax Center, Inc. (NASDAQ: EWCZ)'s sale to General Atlantic for $5.80 per share in cash. If you are a European Wax shareholder, click here to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: STEL)'s sale to Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. for 0.3803 shares of Prosperity common stock and $11.36 in cash for each share of Stellar common stock. If you are a Stellar shareholder, click here to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Rallybio Corporation (NASDAQ: RLYB)'s merger with Candid Therapeutics, Inc. Upon completion of the proposed transaction, Rallybio shareholders are expected to own approximately 3.65% of the combined company. If you are a Rallybio shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options.
Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE: CTRA)'s sale to Devon Energy Corporation for 0.70 share of Devon common stock for each share of Coterra common stock. If you are a Coterra shareholder, click here to learn more about your legal rights and options.
On behalf of shareholders, Halper Sadeh LLC may seek increased consideration, additional disclosures and information, or other relief and benefits.
Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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Q1 2026 was an exceptional quarter for energy stocks thanks to war in the Middle East, but Q2 2026 is not guaranteed to step in its footsteps. Energy prices can go higher and push the sector higher, but they do not have to if the U.S. can neutralize Iran's ability to project force. While energy stocks are benefiting from the fighting in the short term, it may actually come back to hurt them in the long run.
NEW YORK & NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Former Attorney General of Louisiana Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq. and the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC (“KSF”) are investigating the proposed sale of Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE: CTRA) to Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE: DVN). Under the terms of the proposed transaction, shareholders of Coterra will receive 0.70 share of Devon common stock for each share of Coterra that they own. KSF is seeking to determine whether this consideration and the process.
Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC raised its position in Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE:CTRA – Free Report) by 30.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 358,273 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 84,623 shares during the quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC’s holdings in Coterra Energy were worth $9,430,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Advisors Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Coterra Energy by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 60,796 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,438,000 after purchasing an additional 398 shares during the period. KLCM Advisors Inc. raised its position in Coterra Energy by 4.2% in the 3rd quarter. KLCM Advisors Inc. now owns 9,855 shares of the company’s stock worth $233,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. raised its position in Coterra Energy by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 15,336 shares of the company’s stock worth $363,000 after purchasing an additional 415 shares during the period. Profund Advisors LLC raised its position in Coterra Energy by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 30,969 shares of the company’s stock worth $732,000 after purchasing an additional 418 shares during the period. Finally, AAFMAA Wealth Management & Trust LLC raised its position in Coterra Energy by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter. AAFMAA Wealth Management & Trust LLC now owns 43,009 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,017,000 after purchasing an additional 429 shares during the period. 87.92% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Coterra Energy Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:CTRA opened at $33.50 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $25.44 billion, a PE ratio of 14.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.49 and a beta of 0.29. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $32.61 and its 200-day simple moving average is $28.42. Coterra Energy Inc. has a one year low of $22.33 and a one year high of $36.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 1.19.
Coterra Energy Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 25th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 11th were given a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 11th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.6%. Coterra Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 38.60%.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth CTRA has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Scotiabank increased their price objective on shares of Coterra Energy from $31.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Coterra Energy from $34.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, March 16th. Susquehanna raised their target price on shares of Coterra Energy from $34.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Coterra Energy from $34.00 to $31.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Texas Capital lowered shares of Coterra Energy from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, March 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $37.13.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on CTRA
Coterra Energy Profile (Free Report)
Coterra Energy (NYSE: CTRA) is an independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company focused on the development, production and optimization of onshore hydrocarbon resources in the United States. The company’s operations center on the exploration, drilling, completion and production of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs), with an emphasis on maximizing operational efficiency and capital discipline across its asset base.
Its business activities include identifying and developing resource-rich acreage, operating producing wells, managing reservoir performance and marketing produced hydrocarbons to a range of midstream and energy customers.
Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Coterra Energy
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Arizona State Retirement System lessened its position in shares of Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE: CTRA) by 7.0% in the undefined quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 209,336 shares of the company's stock after selling 15,676 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement
Chord Energy Corporation (CHRD) doesn't possess the right combination of the two key ingredients for a likely earnings beat in its upcoming report. Get prepared with the key expectations.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Veeva Systems Inc. (NYSE: VEEV) will replace Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE: CTRA) in the S&P 500 effective prior to the opening of trading on Thursday, May 7. S&P 500 constituent Devon Energy Corp. (NYSE: DVN) is acquiring Coterra Energy in a deal expected to close soon, pending final closing conditions.
Following is a summary of the changes that will take place prior to the open of trading on the effective date:
Effective Date
Index Name
Action
Company Name
Ticker
GICS Sector
May 7, 2026
S&P 500
Addition
Veeva Systems
VEEV
Health Care
May 7, 2026
S&P 500
Deletion
Coterra Energy
CTRA
Energy
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CNX Resources Corporation. (NYSE: CNX - Get Free Report) Director Maureen Lally-Green sold 23,631 shares of CNX Resources stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.52, for a total value of $933,897.12. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 169,577 shares of the company's stock, valued
Investors looking for stocks in the Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States sector might want to consider either CNX Resources Corporation. (CNX) or Coterra Energy (CTRA).
For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.
The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.
Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F. The better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform; an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.
VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.93% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: CNX Resources Corporation. (CNX - Free Report) Founded in 1860, CNX Resources Corporation is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company formed after the separation of CONSOL’s Exploration and Production (E&P) and Pennsylvania Mining Operations into two independent companies. The natural gas-focused company retained the old ticker symbol, while the coal-focused company retained the old company's name.
CNX is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 14.42; value investors should take notice.
Four analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.30 to $2.67 per share. CNX also boasts an average earnings surprise of +43.9%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, CNX should be on investors' short list.
, /PRNewswire/ -- CNX Resources Corp. (NYSE: CNX) will announce its financial results for Q1 2026 at 6:45 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, April 30. At that time, CNX will issue a brief press release containing links to its prepared remarks for the quarter, presentation materials, and supplemental information providing a Q1 2026 update. These materials will be available on CNX's Investor Relations website.
This release will be followed by a Q&A conference call and webcast.
Q&A Conference Call Information
CNX Resources (NYSE: CNX)
10:00 a.m. ET: Thursday, April 30 Dial-In: 855-656-0928 (domestic) 412-902-4112 (international) Reference "CNX Resources Call" Webcast: investors.cnx.com A replay of the Q&A conference call and webcast will be maintained on the Investor Relations page on CNX's website.
About CNX Resources
CNX Resources Corporation (NYSE: CNX) is unique. We are a premier, ultra-low carbon intensive natural gas development, production, midstream, and technology company centered in Appalachia, one of the most energy abundant regions in the world. With the benefit of a 162-year regional legacy, substantial asset base, leading core operational competencies, technology development and innovation, and astute capital allocation methodologies, we responsibly develop our resources and deploy free cash flow to create long-term per share value for our shareholders, employees, and the communities where we operate. As of December 31, 2025, CNX had 9.7 trillion cubic feet equivalent of proved natural gas reserves. The company is a member of the Standard & Poor's Midcap 400 Index. Additional information is available at www.cnx.com.
PITTSBURGH, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CNX Resources Corporation (NYSE: CNX) today highlighted its 2025 sustainability accomplishments, marking the first full year since the company shifted from a static annual Corporate Sustainability Report to quarterly ESG Performance Scorecard updates and continuously updated website disclosures. The 2025 results reflect CNX's commitment to treating ESG metrics with the rigor and frequency of financial data while advancing CNX's Appalachia First strategy through Tangible, Impactful, and Local action.
CNX Resources (CNX) doesn't possess the right combination of the two key ingredients for a likely earnings beat in its upcoming report. Get prepared with the key expectations.
CNX Resources is positioned for a strong Q1 earnings beat, supported by commodity price tailwinds and robust hedging. CNX forecasts $550 million in 2026 free cash flow, yielding nearly 10% at current prices—its best post-COVID performance. Valuation remains attractive at 6x EV/EBITDA; I target $51 per share and anticipate a re-rating to 8x EV/EBITDA if Q1 is strong.
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Izzi Software, a leading provider of innovative enterprise software solutions, is rolling out the newest version of the flagship enterprise application development software from CNX. Known as the low-code development platform built for IBM i, Valence is trusted by organizations worldwide to tackle their most critical business and technical challenges, with innovative features released continuously over its lifespan. The new Valence 6.4 introduces AI-powered develop.
Diamondback Energy (FANG - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on lower revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended March 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on May 4. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis energy exploration and production company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $3.27 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -28%.
Revenues are expected to be $3.74 billion, down 7.7% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 37.61% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Diamondback?For Diamondback, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.64%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.
So, this combination indicates that Diamondback will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Diamondback would post earnings of $1.88 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.74, delivering a surprise of -7.45%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Diamondback appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAnother stock from the Zacks Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry, CNX Resources Corporation. (CNX - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $0.89 per share for the quarter ended March 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +14.1%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $550.46 million, up 24.8% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for CNX Resources has been revised 3.6% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -3.93%.
This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), makes it difficult to conclusively predict that CNX Resources will beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.
Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.93% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.
Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: CNX Resources Corporation. (CNX - Free Report) Founded in 1860, CNX Resources Corporation is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company formed after the separation of CONSOL’s Exploration and Production (E&P) and Pennsylvania Mining Operations into two independent companies. The natural gas-focused company retained the old ticker symbol, while the coal-focused company retained the old company's name.
CNX is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
Momentum investors should take note of this Oils-Energy stock. CNX has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 1.6% over the past four weeks.
Four analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.50 to $2.94 per share. CNX also boasts an average earnings surprise of +43.9%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, CNX should be on investors' short list.
PITTSBURGH, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CNX Resources Corporation (NYSE: CNX) ("CNX" or "the company") today released financial and operational results for the first quarter of 2026 by posting those results on its website as detailed below. The company's first quarter prepared remarks can be accessed by clicking here.
CNX Resources Corporation. (CNX - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.21 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.93 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.78 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +30.11%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $0.4 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.68, delivering a surprise of +70%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.
CNX Resources, which belongs to the Zacks Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry, posted revenues of $722.04 million for the quarter ended March 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 38.38%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $441 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
CNX Resources shares have added about 6.9% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 4.2%.
What's Next for CNX Resources?While CNX Resources has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for CNX Resources was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.53 on $441.15 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $2.94 on $1.88 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States is currently in the top 5% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Another stock from the same industry, Talos Energy (TALO - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended March 2026. The results are expected to be released on May 5.
This independent oil and gas company is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.09 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -250%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 155.1% higher over the last 30 days to the current level.
Talos Energy's revenues are expected to be $433.71 million, down 15.5% from the year-ago quarter.
CNX Resources Corporation. (CNX - Free Report) reported $722.04 million in revenue for the quarter ended March 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 63.7%. EPS of $1.21 for the same period compares to $0.78 a year ago.
The reported revenue represents a surprise of +38.38% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $521.78 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $0.93, the EPS surprise was +30.11%.
While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.
Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.
Here is how CNX Resources performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Average Daily Production: 1,693.00 Mcfe/D versus 1,685.37 Mcfe/D estimated by three analysts on average.Oil/Condensate - Gross Price: $58.08 compared to the $63.45 average estimate based on three analysts.NGL - Sales Volume: 2,180.00 MBBL compared to the 1,914.39 MBBL average estimate based on three analysts.Oil/Condensate - Sales Volume: 58.00 MBBL compared to the 46.93 MBBL average estimate based on three analysts.NGL - Gross Price: $27.54 versus $23.17 estimated by three analysts on average.Realized Natural Gas Price per Mcf: $3.15 versus the three-analyst average estimate of $3.21.Production Volumes - Total: 152.40 Bcfe versus 151.68 Bcfe estimated by three analysts on average.Natural Gas - Sales Volume: 138.94 MMcf versus the two-analyst average estimate of 140.30 MMcf.Average Sales Price - Natural Gas: $4.74 versus $5.05 estimated by two analysts on average.View all Key Company Metrics for CNX Resources here>>>
Shares of CNX Resources have returned -6.7% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +8.6% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Harvest Investment Services bought 110,675 shares of Laureate Education in the fourth quarter; the estimated trade size was $3.42 million based on quarterly average pricing. Meanwhile, the quarter-end position value rose by $3.85 million, reflecting both the share addition and share price movement.
Algert Global LLC increased its holdings in Laureate Education (NASDAQ: LAUR) by 75.5% in the undefined quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 649,588 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 279,513 shares during the period. Algert Global LLC owned about 0.44% of Laureate
Investors seek growth stocks to capitalize on above-average growth in financials that help these securities grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a great growth stock is not easy at all.
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 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.
Laureate Education (LAUR - 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 returns are even better for stocks that possess the combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy).
Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this for-profit higher education purveyor a great growth pick right now.
Earnings GrowthArguably nothing is more important than earnings growth, as surging profit levels is what most investors are after. 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 Laureate Education is 90.4%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 25.6% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 12.8%.
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 exhibits how efficiently a firm is utilizing its assets to generate sales.
Right now, Laureate Education has an S/TA ratio of 0.83, which means that the company gets $0.83 in sales for each dollar in assets. Comparing this to the industry average of 0.68, it can be said that the company is more efficient.
In addition to efficiency in generating sales, sales growth plays an important role. And Laureate Education is well positioned from a sales growth perspective too. The company's sales are expected to grow 13.2% this year versus the industry average of 4.6%.
Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsBeyond the metrics outlined above, investors should consider the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is a plus 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 Laureate Education. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 8.1% over the past month.
Bottom LineWhile the overall earnings estimate revisions have made Laureate Education a Zacks Rank #2 stock, it has earned itself a Growth Score of B 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 positions Laureate Education well for outperformance, so growth investors may want to bet on it.
Laureate Education (NASDAQ: LAUR - Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of "Buy" from the six research firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the
Richard M. Buskirk, SVP & Chief Financial Officer of Laureate Education (LAUR 3.14%), reported the direct sale of shares, as disclosed in the SEC Form 4 filing.
Transaction summaryMetricValueShares sold (direct)61,803Transaction value~$2.08 millionPost-transaction shares (direct)246,577Post-transaction value (direct ownership)~$8.21 millionTransaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average purchase price ($33.69); post-transaction value based on March 11, 2026 market close ($33.31).
Key questionsHow does this sale compare to Buskirk's historical trading pattern?
Buskirk has made only two direct sales in the past year, with this transaction representing the largest single-day disposition, accounting for 20.04% of his direct holdings and exceeding the previous median sell size of 34,517.5 shares in the recent period.Was this transaction part of a derivative-related event?
Yes, the sale was executed immediately after exercising options for 2,803 shares, with the majority of the transaction involving direct share sales; the derivative context was limited in scope and did not materially alter his overall equity exposure.What is the current insider ownership stake following this transaction?
Buskirk's direct holdings stand at 246,577 shares, representing approximately 0.17% of the company's shares outstanding as of the latest available data.Did this activity affect indirect or trust-related holdings?
No, all traded shares were held directly, with no involvement of indirect holdings, trusts, or other entities, and his indirect share balance remains at zero.Company overviewMetricValueEmployees31,800Revenue (TTM)$1.70 billionNet income (TTM)$281.67 million1-year price change74.50%* 1-year price change calculated using March 11, 2026 as the reference date.
Company snapshotOffers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, health sciences, engineering, and information technology through campus-based, online, and hybrid formats across Mexico, Peru, and the United States.Generates revenue primarily from tuition and educational services provided by its network of universities and higher education institutions.Targets students seeking higher education, with a focus on emerging markets in Latin America and select U.S. locations.Laureate Education operates a large-scale network of universities serving over 31,000 employees and a wide student base, with a strategic presence in Latin America and the U.S. The company leverages a diversified program portfolio and multi-channel delivery to address the growing demand for accessible, quality higher education. Its competitive edge stems from its established brand, regional expertise, and scalable education services model.
What this transaction means for investorsGiven the performance of Laureate Education stock over the last few years, Buskirk’s stock sale should not come as a surprise.
He has been with the company since 2021, and over the last five years, the stock has been up by more than 130%.
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Moreover, investors should keep in mind that Buskirk retained almost 80% of his direct holdings in the consumer discretionary stock. Thus, he probably sold for reasons not related to the company’s performance.
Indeed, it remains on a positive growth path, with its $1.7 billion in revenue in 2025 rising by 9% yearly. Also, while its $282 million in net income dropped by 5%, the decline occurred as a result of foreign currency losses and not its operations.
Additionally, its valuation has steadily dropped during Buskirk’s tenure, and Laureate trades at just 17 times earnings. Under such conditions, one might expect him and other shareholders to keep most of their shares.
Will Healy has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Investors interested in Consumer Discretionary stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Is Laureate Education (LAUR - Free Report) one of those stocks right now? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Consumer Discretionary sector should help us answer this question.
Laureate Education is a member of the Consumer Discretionary sector. This group includes 257 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #5. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups is measured, and the sectors are listed from best to worst.
The Zacks Rank is a proven model that highlights a variety of stocks with the right characteristics to outperform the market over the next one to three months. The system emphasizes earnings estimate revisions and favors companies with improving earnings outlooks. Laureate Education is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for LAUR's full-year earnings has moved 8.1% higher. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend.
According to our latest data, LAUR has moved about 3.3% on a year-to-date basis. At the same time, Consumer Discretionary stocks have lost an average of 10.2%. This means that Laureate Education is performing better than its sector in terms of year-to-date returns.
One other Consumer Discretionary stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year is Lifetime Brands (LCUT - Free Report) . The stock is up 24.8% year-to-date.
Over the past three months, Lifetime Brands' consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 35.6%. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
To break things down more, Laureate Education belongs to the Schools industry, a group that includes 18 individual companies and currently sits at #17 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, this group has gained an average of 4% so far this year, meaning that LAUR is slightly underperforming its industry in terms of year-to-date returns.
Lifetime Brands, however, belongs to the Consumer Products - Discretionary industry. Currently, this 28-stock industry is ranked #81. The industry has moved +10.8% so far this year.
Going forward, investors interested in Consumer Discretionary stocks should continue to pay close attention to Laureate Education and Lifetime Brands as they could maintain their solid performance.
Laureate Education is a leading for-profit education provider in Mexico and Peru, showing robust organic growth and operational expansion. Revenue grew from $1.48 billion in 2023 to $1.70 billion in 2025, with net income nearly tripling and strong cash flow improvements. Management guides for 2026 revenue of $1.89–$1.91 billion and EBITDA of $583–$593 million, with enrollment expected to grow 4.2% year over year.
Laureate Education (NASDAQ:LAUR – Get Free Report) and China Bilingual Technology & Education Group (OTCMKTS:CATG – Get Free Report) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation and dividends.
Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Laureate Education and China Bilingual Technology & Education Group, as reported by MarketBeat.com.
Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Laureate Education 0 1 4 1 3.00 China Bilingual Technology & Education Group 0 0 0 0 0.00 Laureate Education presently has a consensus price target of $39.63, suggesting a potential upside of 15.86%. Given Laureate Education’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe Laureate Education is more favorable than China Bilingual Technology & Education Group.
Institutional and Insider Ownership 96.3% of Laureate Education shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.2% of Laureate Education shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.
Volatility and Risk Laureate Education has a beta of 0.56, indicating that its share price is 44% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, China Bilingual Technology & Education Group has a beta of -2.26, indicating that its share price is 326% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Profitability This table compares Laureate Education and China Bilingual Technology & Education Group’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Laureate Education 16.55% 23.50% 12.19% China Bilingual Technology & Education Group N/A N/A N/A Earnings and Valuation This table compares Laureate Education and China Bilingual Technology & Education Group”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Laureate Education $1.70 billion 2.87 $281.63 million $1.92 17.81 China Bilingual Technology & Education Group N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Laureate Education has higher revenue and earnings than China Bilingual Technology & Education Group.
Summary Laureate Education beats China Bilingual Technology & Education Group on 11 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Laureate Education (Get Free Report)
Laureate Education, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, offers higher education programs and services to students through a network of universities and higher education institutions. The company provides a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the areas of business and management, medicine and health sciences, and engineering and information technology through campus-based, online, and hybrid programs. It also offers specialized courses for technical and vocational training; and senior high school. Its services are provides in Mexico, Peru, and the United States. The company was formerly known as Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. and changed its name to Laureate Education, Inc. in May 2004. Laureate Education, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Miami, Florida.
About China Bilingual Technology & Education Group (Get Free Report)
Capstone Technologies Group, Inc. intends to operate as a holding company. It engages in customer data platform market, and provides software design, development, and other services. The company was formerly known as China Bilingual Technology & Education Group Inc. and changed its name to Capstone Technologies Group, Inc. in April 2017. Capstone Technologies Group, Inc. is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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Investors seek growth stocks to capitalize on above-average growth in financials that help these securities 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.
Our proprietary system currently recommends Laureate Education (LAUR - 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 returns are even better for stocks that possess the combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy).
Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this for-profit higher education purveyor a great growth pick right now.
Earnings GrowthArguably nothing is more important than earnings growth, as surging profit levels is what most investors are after. 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 Laureate Education is 90.4%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 25.6% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 12.8%.
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, Laureate Education has an S/TA ratio of 0.83, which means that the company gets $0.83 in sales for each dollar in assets. Comparing this to the industry average of 0.68, 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 Laureate Education looks attractive from a sales growth perspective as well. The company's sales are expected to grow 13.2% this year versus the industry average of 4.1%.
Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsBeyond the metrics outlined above, investors should consider the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is a plus 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 Laureate Education have been revising upward. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 11.1% over the past month.
Bottom LineLaureate Education 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 indicates that Laureate Education is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors.
Here are five stocks added to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) List today:
Shell (SHEL - Free Report) : This company, which is one of the primary oil supermajors—a group of U.S. and Europe-based big energy multinationals with operations that span almost every corner of the globe, has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 48.7% over the last 60 days.
Block (XYZ - Free Report) : This company, which offers financial and marketing services through its commerce ecosystem that helps sellers to start, run and grow their businesses, has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 10.3% over the last 60 days.
Under Armour (UAA - Free Report) : This company, which is a global leader in designing, marketing and distributing performance apparel, footwear, and accessories for men, women, and youth, has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 10% over the last 60 days.
PACS Group, Inc. (PACS - Free Report) : This company, which invests in post-acute healthcare facilities, professionals and ancillary services, has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 9.5% over the last 60 days.
Laureate Education (LAUR - Free Report) : This degree-granting higher education institutions, which offers high-quality undergraduate, graduate and specialized programs, has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 5.4% over the last 60 days.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Check out this week’s current list of Best Stocks to Buy Now.
State of Alaska Department of Revenue lifted its position in shares of Laureate Education (NASDAQ: LAUR) by 278.1% during the undefined quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 27,907 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 20,527
On April 23, 2026, Laureate Education Inc (LAUR) shares fell 6.7% to a current price of $31.25. This decline comes against a backdrop of a 52-week price range o