Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Intel shares have already surged more than 200% this year, but Wall Street still calls the stock a hold. Here is what bulls and skeptics are each missing about where INTC goes from here.

Under CEO Lip-Bu Tan, Intel (NASDAQ:INTC | INTC Price Prediction) has rebuilt itself around three assets: the x86 CPU franchise, advanced packaging and a U.S. wafer foundry network. That strategy paid off in the second quarter, when revenue rose 25.4% to $16.13 billion.

Tan called it “our strongest revenue growth in more than fifteen years.” Shares are up 204.55% year-to-date to $112.38, after an 84% gain in 2025. Here’s what I think it would take for Intel to reach $150 per share over the next year.

Analysts Are Cautious, but Their Estimates Keep Climbing Wall Street’s average price target is $116.37, just 3.6% above today’s price. 32 analysts rate the stock a hold, while 14 rate it a buy.

The estimates look more bullish: analysts project $1.5203 in EPS for 2026 and $2.0621 for 2027, which works out to 36% growth. Just three months ago, the 2027 estimate stood at $1.5322.

Management says Intel has beaten its financial expectations for seven consecutive quarters, including Q2 non-GAAP EPS of $0.42 against a $0.2175 estimate. A run like that suggests results will likely beat forecasts.

Here’s What It Takes for Intel to Reach $150 At $112.38, Intel trades at about 54x estimated 2027 earnings. At $150, that would rise to roughly 73x. That’s a rich multiple.

Still, Intel’s PEG ratio of 0.501 points to growth that justifies a premium, and the highest 2027 estimate is $3.44. If Intel keeps beating, the effective multiple at $150 shrinks fast.

Several catalysts could push Intel to $150:

Server demand exceeding supply: Data Center and AI revenue rose 59% to $6.26 billion at a 40% operating margin. CFO David Zinsner said, “Our outlook for server CPU demand has improved again since our last earnings report.” 18A execution: 18A output ran about 25% above target. NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA), which invested $5B in Intel stock, chose Xeon 6 as the host CPU for its DGX Rubin NVL8 systems. Custom silicon: The ASIC business is nearing a $2 billion run rate, and management is aiming for $4 billion in a market it sizes at over $100 billion. Foundry progress: Foundry losses shrank by $348 million from the prior quarter, and Intel 14A PDK 0.9 was scheduled for October. A major external customer win would change the story. Intel’s History Shows a 33% Gain Is Within Reach Getting to $150 requires a 33% gain. Intel has beaten that in six calendar years since 2000: 107% in 2003, 34% in 2007, 44% in 2009, 44% in 2014, 95% in 2023 and 84% in 2025.

Shares hit $142.35 within the past 52 weeks, so $150 is only a little above levels the stock has already reached. Its beta of 2.23 means big moves can happen in either direction.

$150 Is a Stretch, but Here’s Why It’s Possible (we reverse-engineered what the biggest tech winners looked like early in a free playbook you can get here: The Next Nvidia Playbook)

Reaching $150 means a 33% gain, well beyond Wall Street’s target. The bull case rests on rising estimates, a long beat run, server demand that tops supply and 18A yields tracking ahead of expectations.

Hurdles remain: Intel Foundry still loses about $2.1B a quarter, and shortages of wafers, substrates and memory could limit near-term growth.

Keep an eye on the third-quarter earnings report for updates on supply and 14A customers. Such gains won’t happen every year, but we’ve outlined the plan for how Intel could see outsized returns in 2027.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) received a bullish initiation Friday as analysts highlighted the credit card giant’s ability to sustain revenue and earnings growth through its expanding premium customer base.

BMO Capital Markets analyst Andrew Bauch initiated coverage with an Outperform rating and a $380 price forecast, implying approximately 25% upside from the reference share price of $304.25.

Premium Card Business Fuels Growth OutlookBauch believes investors are overlooking American Express’ expanding premium card ecosystem amid concerns about rising competition and increased reinvestment spending.

The analyst highlighted growing adoption of fee-paying cards among younger consumers, which could support recurring card fee revenue and long-term profitability.

Bauch also expects the company’s reinvestment strategy to generate healthy returns as its premium customer base expands.

The analyst considers American Express one of the strongest companies in his coverage for sustained revenue and earnings growth.

RBC Sees Further Upside Despite Lower Price ForecastSeparately, RBC Capital Markets analyst Jon Arfstrom maintained an Outperform rating on American Express but lowered the price forecast from $415 to $400 on Friday.

RBC remains positive on the company’s affluent customer base, diversified revenue streams and strong credit quality.

The firm expects card fee growth to accelerate into the high-teens percentage range in the third quarter, supported by continued customer acquisition and engagement.

RBC projects third-quarter earnings of $4.47 per share and maintains its full-year 2026 earnings forecast of $17.60 per share.

Earnings Report in FocusAmerican Express is scheduled to report third-quarter earnings on Oct. 23. Wall Street expects earnings of $4.54 per share, up from $4.14 a year earlier. Revenue is projected to reach $20.09 billion, compared with $18.43 billion last year.

Investors will closely watch spending trends, customer acquisition costs and management’s outlook for premium card demand.

RBC also expects updates on the company’s investment strategy and plans for the anticipated $975 million pretax gain from the sale of its Global Business Travel Group stake.

The company previously projected 2026 revenue growth of 10% and earnings of $17.30 to $17.90 per share.

Faces Fine Over Suspected Money Laundering ActivitySeparately, American Express faces a $350 million civil penalty after federal regulators identified widespread failures in its anti-money laundering controls.

On Thursday, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announced the penalty and a cease-and-desist order against American Express National Bank for violating Bank Secrecy Act compliance requirements.

The regulator said the bank failed to properly identify, evaluate and report approximately $13 billion in suspected trade-based money laundering activity over the past decade.

AXP Price Action: American Express shares were down 0.21% at $307.44 at the time of publication on Friday, according to Benzinga Pro data.

Photo via Shutterstock 

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© 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Key Takeaways WFC is reportedly discussing a partnership with Payward to receive liquidity for cryptocurrency trading.Payward's infrastructure could help Wells Fargo serve crypto clients without building its own exchange.Planned tokenized deposits and existing crypto ties are expected to expand its digital-asset capabilities. Wells Fargo & Company (WFC - Free Report) is planning to expand its cryptocurrency trading capabilities. In sync with this, the company is in talks with Payward, the parent company of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, to obtain liquidity for crypto trading. This was first reported by CoinDesk.

This highlights Wells Fargo’s intention to expand its role in cryptocurrency trading infrastructure. Liquidity helps traders execute transactions efficiently and supports the smooth functioning of digital-asset markets. If finalized, the arrangement could strengthen the bank’s relationships with crypto-market participants and create opportunities to serve their financial needs.

Payward offers trading and financial infrastructure through its Payward Services division, which serves banks, fintechs, brokerages and payment companies. This infrastructure could enable Wells Fargo to offer crypto trading services without building its own exchange infrastructure.

Wells Fargo already has exposure to the digital-asset industry. The bank offers spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to eligible wealth-management clients and has backed crypto compliance firm Elliptic and trading technology provider Talos.

Wells Fargo is also advancing its blockchain-based payments capabilities through plans to launch tokenized deposits for corporate and commercial clients. Scheduled for an initial rollout this year, the offering is designed to enable eligible clients to transfer and settle funds around the clock, initially supporting select U.S. dollar-to-British pound transactions. This initiative reflects the bank’s efforts to modernize its payments infrastructure and respond to corporate demand for faster, more flexible settlement.

Our Take on Wells Fargo’s Digital Assets Expansion PlanWells Fargo’s reported discussions with Payward could expand its institutional services in crypto trading infrastructure and create opportunities to serve digital-asset businesses. Its existing digital-asset investments and Bitcoin ETF offering provide context for the potential relationship. Alongside its planned tokenized-deposit offering for corporate and commercial clients, the initiative could strengthen Wells Fargo’s digital-asset capabilities and modernize its payments infrastructure.

However, the deal remains unconfirmed, and its financial benefits will depend on the agreement’s terms, trading activity and associated costs. Further, regulatory uncertainty, counterparty exposure, market volatility and operational challenges remain key risks.

Over the past year, shares of Wells Fargo have rallied 5.7%, compared with the industry’s 11.2% growth.

One-Month Price Performance

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

Other Financial Companies Expanding Digital Asset InitiativesLike WFC, The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY - Free Report) and Citigroup (C - Free Report) are expanding their digital-asset capabilities to capitalize on the growing adoption of blockchain technology across financial services. BNY is advancing tokenized deposits and staking services, enabling institutional clients to explore blockchain-based financial solutions and digital-asset investment opportunities. Meanwhile, Citigroup is expanding its digital-asset capabilities, including its partnership with Coinbase to support stablecoin payments and fiat settlement.

These initiatives could help banks improve transaction efficiency, strengthen institutional client relationships and develop new sources of fee income. As demand for digital-asset infrastructure grows, investments in tokenization, blockchain-based payments and related services may support long-term growth and enhance the competitive positioning of traditional financial institutions.

SummaryMicron Technology receives a Buy rating, with a base-case target price of $1,307, representing approximately 25% upside from current levels.MU's strong earnings growth is supported by AI infrastructure demand and industry-wide supply constraints, which have driven significant revenue and margin expansion.The investment thesis assumes continued shipment growth and a manageable decline in memory pricing as industry supply eventually expands.Key risks include faster-than-expected capacity expansion, sharper memory price declines, and the market continuing to assign low valuation multiples to MU's cyclical earnings. SlavkoSereda/iStock via Getty Images

Micron Technology (MU), which closed at $1,045.56 on October 6, 2026, is expected to report an EPS of $176.15 for FY2027 based on analyst estimates. Based on these estimates, the stock is currently trading at

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

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

The artificial intelligence (AI) boom has created plenty of winners, but few companies occupy a position quite like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM -1.28%). Taiwan Semi doesn't design the GPUs powering large language models (LLMs). Instead, it manufactures the advanced chips designed by companies such as Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices, Apple, and many others.

This role makes TSMC something like a factory supporting the AI infrastructure revolution. On Oct. 8, Taiwan Semi reported revenue figures for September, underscoring to investors just how valuable the company's position is.

With September's results now published, investors have a clearer picture of what to expect when Taiwan Semi reports third-quarter earnings on Oct. 15. The numbers suggest another monster quarter could be coming.

Image source: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.

TSMC is the manufacturing backbone of AI Taiwan Semi's biggest competitive advantage is simple: Manufacturing cutting-edge semiconductors is incredibly difficult. The company spent decades refining its manufacturing processes while investing enormous sums of money into sophisticated fabrication facilities.

The company's lead is enormous. At the end of the second quarter, TSMC controlled approximately 72.5% of the global semiconductor foundry market, according to TrendForce. Samsung ranked a distant second with just 5.9%.

Demand for Nvidia GPUs, AMD accelerators, memory solutions from Micron Technology, and custom chips designed by hyperscalers such as Amazon, Alphabet, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft is keeping Taiwan Semi's manufacturing capacity busy.

TSMC's latest financial results prove just how strong AI-driven demand is becoming. The company generated approximately $14.6 billion in July revenue, followed by $16.1 billion in August and $16 billion in September. That's nearly $1 billion above the high end of management's guidance and roughly $1.4 billion ahead of analyst expectations.

In total, third-quarter revenue should land around $46.7 billion, up from $33.1 billion during the same period last year. That's roughly 41% growth when measured in U.S. dollars. Of note, revenue acceleration does not guarantee a beat on earnings. Profitability depends on manufacturing costs, product mix, and operating expenses.

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What catalysts does TSMC have? The first catalyst I see for Taiwan Semi simply revolves around the unprecedented amount of money being poured into AI infrastructure. Goldman Sachs estimates the largest U.S. hyperscalers will spend approximately $800 billion on capital expenditures (capex) in 2026, potentially rising to $1.2 trillion in 2027 and $1.4 trillion in 2028. Meanwhile, McKinsey estimates $5.2 trillion of cumulative investment will be required globally for AI data centers through 2030.

Of course, not all of that spending will go toward semiconductors. Data centers also require power systems, cooling equipment, networking, and real estate. But the processors powering those facilities increasingly depend on TSMC's manufacturing technologies. That's an enormous secular tailwind for the foundry business.

The second catalyst involves Elon Musk. Musk recently confirmed discussions between Taiwan Semi and Terafab, the semiconductor manufacturing initiative being developed by Tesla and Space Exploration Technologies. He clarified that Tesla and SpaceX are going to own and operate the facility, but TSMC could potentially sublease part of it. Although nothing is finalized, the discussions demonstrate how valuable Taiwan Semi's manufacturing expertise has become to the AI chip value chain.

Should you buy Taiwan Semi stock before earnings? The chart below illustrates Taiwan Semi's stock price throughout the AI revolution. Earnings dates are annotated by the purple circles with the letter "E" in the center.

TSM data by YCharts

Notice how the stock hasn't always celebrated around the time of an earnings report. Does this mean TSMC will fall after Oct. 15? Not necessarily.

Sometimes momentum investors buy stocks ahead of earnings, pushing expectations so high that even an excellent quarter fails to generate a rally. Other times, stronger-than-expected guidance sends shares higher. The patterns in the chart above do not establish a reliable trajectory of pre-earnings rallies followed by sell-offs. It simply illustrates how unpredictable short-term reactions can be.

If you zoom out, the picture changes drastically. Despite occasional post-earnings declines, Taiwan Semi stock has appreciated substantially over the past several years as demand for advanced semiconductors accelerated. That's the distinction investors should remember.

The company's long-term outlook is supported by enormous AI infrastructure investments and growing demand for advanced manufacturing. Rather than trying to predict a specific reaction around one earnings event, long-term investors are better served accumulating TSMC shares over a multiyear horizon.

To me, Taiwan Semi is one of the most compelling semiconductor stocks of the AI infrastructure era. History suggests meaningful gains could be in store for investors willing to buy and hold over the next several years.

Adam Spatacco has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Goldman Sachs Group, Meta Platforms, Micron Technology, Microsoft, Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Key Takeaways Strategy shares rallied 60% in three months, outperforming Bitcoin miners Riot Platforms and CleanSpark.MSTR's Bitcoin holdings reached 848,000, while its $4.88B reserve strengthened financial flexibility.Strategy's 114.08X forward sales multiple and potential share dilution raise concerns after its sharp rally. Strategy Inc. (MSTR - Free Report) is judged by the Bitcoin it owns rather than the software it sells. Its enterprise analytics business produces recurring revenue, but the share price is driven mainly by its Bitcoin treasury. Investors must consider not only cryptocurrency prices but also how effectively the company raises capital and protects shareholder interests.

The shares have recovered sharply. Over the past three months, MSTR shares have climbed about 60%. Meanwhile, U.S.-listed Bitcoin miners Riot Platforms (RIOT - Free Report) and CleanSpark (CLSK - Free Report) have fallen 19.7% and 17.3%, respectively. The split highlights how Bitcoin-linked stocks can perform differently despite exposure to the same asset.

The rally comes after a difficult first half marked by falling Bitcoin valuations and large accounting losses. Strategy has since expanded its reserves and improved its liquidity position. The rebound raises a question: can more Bitcoin translate into lasting per-share value, rather than just a larger balance sheet?

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Bitcoin Accumulation Offers Opportunity for Strategy, With a CatchAs of Oct. 4, Strategy held 848,000 Bitcoin compared with 672,500 at the end of 2025. Its latest addition consisted of 334 coins purchased for $28.7 million, taking the total acquisition cost to $63.97 billion. The expanding treasury could benefit significantly if Bitcoin appreciates over time. Unlike a spot Bitcoin fund, however, MSTR also carries corporate financing obligations and management execution risk.

The more useful measure is Bitcoin per diluted share. During the second quarter, that figure rose 5% to 210,824 satoshis, indicating that treasury growth exceeded dilution under the company's calculation. By late July, however, it stood at 203,683 satoshis. The difference shows why investors should monitor changes in the share base instead of treating every additional Bitcoin purchase as an equal benefit to existing owners.

Bitcoin Volatility Drives Earnings Swings of StrategyStrategy's second-quarter 2026 revenues rose 6.9% to $122.4 million, but an $8.32 billion unrealized Bitcoin loss pushed operating results to an $8.33 billion loss. Preliminary third-quarter estimates indicate a $20.91 billion digital-asset gain as Bitcoin recovered.

These largely noncash valuation changes can sharply affect reported profitability, even when underlying software revenue remains relatively stable, underscoring the company's dependence on cryptocurrency prices for earnings performance, making quarterly results difficult to forecast.

EPS Revisions

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

MSTR’s Cash Reserves Provide Greater Breathing RoomStrategy's financing position has become more flexible. During the second quarter, management reduced convertible debt from $8.2 billion to $6.7 billion and raised $8.4 billion through securities offerings. By Oct. 4, its dedicated dollar reserve reached $4.88 billion, with another $833.4 million of cash available for broader corporate purposes. That gives management more room to meet preferred dividends and interest payments without immediately selling Bitcoin. The buffer also reduces dependence on volatile capital markets during periods of cryptocurrency weakness.

Recent repurchases of STRC preferred stock could also reduce future dividend demands. Nevertheless, recurring payments remain substantial, and additional common-share issuance can dilute investors. While Riot Platforms and CleanSpark face their own electricity, equipment and mining-profitability risks, Strategy faces a different test: sustaining investor access to financing on acceptable terms as its treasury grows.

Strategy’s Rich Valuation Raises ConcernsFrom a valuation standpoint, Strategy remains highly expensive, trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 114.08, which is far above its peers. Its Value Score of F reinforces concerns that the stock is significantly overvalued.

CleanSpark trades at 4.64X forward sales, Riot Platforms at 8.15X. This suggests that Strategy continues to command a steep premium despite operational and financial risks.

Price/Sales Ratio (F12M)

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Conclusion: A Case for Staying Patient on MSTRStrategy has improved its financial flexibility while increasing its Bitcoin exposure, and a sustained cryptocurrency recovery could support further gains. Its larger dollar reserve and active management of preferred securities are encouraging developments. Yet the recent 60% rally, high valuation and potential share dilution make the near-term balance less compelling for fresh capital.

Investors already exposed to MSTR may reasonably maintain their positions while watching Bitcoin per share, reserve coverage and the next earnings release. Waiting for either clearer evidence of per-share value creation or a more favorable entry price appears sensible after such a fast recovery.

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

@Circle has deployed its Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol V2 (CCTP V2) on @SuiNetwork, bringing native $USDC routing to the Move-native Layer-1 blockchain. The integration means $USDC can now move between Sui and 29 other supported blockchains without relying on third-party bridges or wrapped token representations.

How It Works CCTP V2 operates on a burn-and-mint model. On Sui specifically,

The new version also introduces several developer-focused capabilities. According to Circle's official press release,

What It Means for Sui DeFi The deployment removes a structural constraint that has limited dollar liquidity on $SUI-based DeFi protocols. By eliminating the need for external bridging tools, developers can access institutional-grade USDC liquidity directly. on Sui without designing around bridge dependencies or fragmented liquidity pools.

This makes Sui a more composable environment for protocols that require complex, multi-step cross-chain logic.

The Sui integration continues a broader rollout of CCTP V2 across the industry.

Sources:
Circle Press Release: CCTP V2 Launch
CoinDesk: Circle Upgrades Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol
Circle Blog: CCTP V2, The Future of Cross-Chain

Key Takeaways BWXT processes government uranium stockpiles and develops high-purity depleted uranium capabilities.BWXT develops low-enriched uranium fuel for research reactor conversions under a non-proliferation program.BWXT's uranium processing and downblending activity supported Government Operations growth. BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT - Free Report) is expanding its role in nuclear materials processing through uranium recovery, purification and downblending activities. The company processes government stockpiles of highly enriched uranium and is developing capabilities to manufacture high-purity depleted uranium. These specialized operations support government nuclear programs and broaden BWXT’s work beyond reactor components and fuel manufacturing.

BWXT performs uranium recovery and downblending at its facilities in Lynchburg, VA, and Erwin, TN. Its capabilities include receiving, storing, characterizing, dissolving, recovering and purifying uranium-bearing materials. The company also works with a Department of Energy-supported nuclear non-proliferation program to develop high-density, low-enriched uranium fuel needed for research reactor conversions.

The business recorded stronger demand in 2025. Revenues from BWXT’s Uranium Processing and Nuclear Services operations increased to $406.6 million from $287 million in 2024. The increase included a $68.1 million contribution from higher uranium processing and downblending activity, making these operations an important contributor to the growth of its Government Operations segment.

BWXT’s established processing facilities and experience handling uranium-bearing materials provide a foundation for its government work. Continued activity in uranium processing, recovery and downblending could support the segment’s future performance, although results will depend on contract activity, program requirements and execution.

Companies Supporting Specialized Nuclear Materials ProcessingThe need for specialized nuclear materials and fuel capabilities supports activity across the nuclear industry. Companies involved in nuclear fuel production and processing include Cameco Corporation (CCJ - Free Report) and Centrus Energy Corp. (LEU - Free Report) .

Cameco supplies uranium and nuclear fuel services for the nuclear energy industry, supporting the fuel requirements of power reactors.

Centrus Energy provides nuclear fuel services and develops uranium enrichment capabilities, including technologies intended to support the supply of enriched uranium for nuclear fuel applications.

Earnings Estimates for BWXT StockThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for BWXT’s 2026 and 2027 earnings per share suggests year-over-year growth of 18.45% and 10.10%, respectively.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

BWXT Stock Is Trading at a DiscountBWX Technologies is trading at a discount relative to the industry, with a forward 12-month price-to-sales of 3.23X compared with the industry average of 6.89X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

BWXT Stock Price PerformanceOver the past three months, BWXT’s shares have fallen 23.6% compared with the industry’s 18% decline.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

, /PRNewswire/ -- The board of directors of Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) today declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of 75 cents per share. This dividend is payable Dec. 31, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 8, 2026. 

Separately, the board of directors of Union Electric Company, doing business as Ameren Missouri, declared regular quarterly cash dividends on all classes of Union Electric Company's preferred stock. These preferred stock dividends are payable Feb. 15, 2027, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Jan. 14, 2027.

In addition, the board of directors of Ameren Illinois Company, doing business as Ameren Illinois, declared regular quarterly cash dividends on all classes of Ameren Illinois Company's preferred stock. These preferred stock dividends are payable Feb. 1, 2027, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Jan. 8, 2027. 

About Ameren Corporation
St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.5 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric transmission and distribution service and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Missouri provides electric generation, transmission and distribution services, as well as natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops, owns and operates rate-regulated regional electric transmission projects in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. For more information, visit Ameren.com, or follow us at @AmerenCorp, Facebook.com/AmerenCorp, or LinkedIn.com/company/Ameren. 

SOURCE Ameren Corporation

Whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities, all investors love seeing their portfolios score big returns. However, when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.

While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its dividend yield, a metric that measures the dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases.

Based in Cincinnati, Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (PECO - Free Report) is in the Finance sector, and so far this year, shares have seen a price change of 5.12%. The company is currently shelling out a dividend of $0.34 per share, with a dividend yield of 3.69%. This compares to the REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry's yield of 4.41% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.45%.

Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $1.38 is up 10.1% from last year. Over the last 5 years, Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 4.79%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Phillips Edison & Company's current payout ratio is 48%, meaning it paid out 48% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.

Earnings growth looks solid for PECO for this fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $2.77 per share, which represents a year-over-year growth rate of 6.54%.

Investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons, from tax advantages and decreasing overall portfolio risk to considerably improving stock investing profits. However, not all companies offer a quarterly payout.

High-growth firms or tech start-ups, for example, rarely provide their shareholders a dividend, while larger, more established companies that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options. Income investors have to be mindful of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, PECO is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Like many housing-related stocks amid rising interest rates and a chilly real estate market, Opendoor Technologies (OPEN -3.93%) has been a broken home in 2026. Shares of the home flipper have plummeted 61% this year, down a brutal 94% from their peak coming out of the pandemic a little more than five years ago.

Opendoor is the country's largest iBuyer, offering homeowners the ability to sell their homes instantly at a market-discounted price. Opendoor's goal is to make any cost-effective repairs and remodel to sell the home at a premium.

Image source: Getty Images.

Home is where the heart is Unfortunately for Opendoor, you need hungry buyers and sellers for the iBuyer business model to work. With home sales hovering near a 30-year low and mortgage rates rising for the seventh consecutive week to hit a three-year high, this is a rough scenario for Opendoor stock.

Homeowners don't want to sell and give up their lower current mortgage rates to move somewhere else. Potential buyers are seeing rising rates diminish the value of properties they can afford.

Opendoor isn't just getting pinched on weak supply and demand. It also means struggling to flip homes profitably in the current environment. But it won't always be that way.

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Stealing home Revenue is declining sharply for the fourth consecutive year. Analysts see Opendoor turning an adjusted profit by 2028, but that also assumes revenue will more than double by then. It's a rough market, and there's a reason why the country's two largest real estate portals pulled out of the iBuyer market years ago.

Just 0.2% of homes are being sold this way, but market conditions change. In the meantime, Opendoor has spent the last few years shaving operating expenses and even making the process of acquiring a property substantially cheaper.

Opendoor has $2 billion in current liabilities and long-term debt, but more than $2.7 billion in cash and inventory. The risks are there if a turnaround in the real estate market doesn't materialize in the next couple of years, but the backyard trampoline is also there for Opendoor to jump on at the moment the climate turns in its favor. The ceiling is high, but buyers need to know the sinkhole risks.

Rick Munarriz 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.

Key Takeaways Dolce Vita's strong Q2 performance led Steven Madden to raise its 2026 growth outlook to high single digits.Footwear demand and handbag momentum supported Dolce Vita's growth across wholesale and DTC channels.SHOO raised its 2026 revenue growth outlook to 11-13%, backed by broader portfolio strength. Dolce Vita is building momentum within Steven Madden, Ltd.’s (SHOO - Free Report) portfolio as a compelling footwear lineup drives growth across wholesale and direct-to-consumer ("DTC") channels. The brand’s strength in jellies, ballet flats, Mary Janes, mid-heel dress shoes and thongs reflects its ability to tap into consumer preferences. Growing handbag demand and international progress provide additional avenues for expansion beyond its core footwear business.

This performance encouraged management to raise Dolce Vita’s 2026 revenue growth outlook to high single digits to low double digits. The upgrade followed a strong second quarter and signals greater confidence in the brand’s prospects. Growth across wholesale and DTC channels also suggests broad-based demand, giving Dolce Vita multiple routes to reach shoppers.

Beyond the footwear assortment, Dolce Vita continues to gain traction in handbags while expanding its presence in Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom. These initiatives could expand its addressable market and create more opportunities to engage customers across categories. Sustaining that momentum would help establish a stronger foundation for growth while reducing reliance on any single product trend.

The brand’s progress complements stronger results at Steven Madden. Second-quarter revenues increased 19.1% year over year to $665.9 million or 11.2% excluding Kurt Geiger. Companywide wholesale revenues rose 13%, while DTC sales climbed 30.6%. Excluding Kurt Geiger, these channels grew 11.5% and 11.1%, respectively, highlighting underlying sales momentum across the broader portfolio alongside the acquisition’s contribution.

Following the second quarter, Steven Madden lifted its 2026 revenue growth guidance to 11-13% from 10-12%. Dolce Vita’s stronger outlook fits within that improving portfolio picture. Sustaining footwear demand while developing handbags and international markets could increase its contribution over time. Together, these growth drivers position Dolce Vita to become a more meaningful contributor to Steven Madden’s long-term revenue growth.

SHOO’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Steven Madden have risen 37.1% over the past year against the industry’s 41.8% decline.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Steven Madden is trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 17.23, below the industry average of 19.32. It has a Value Score of A.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Steven Madden’s 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 26.5%, whereas the same for 2027 indicates an uptick of 25%. Estimates for 2026 and 2027 have been revised upward by a penny each over the past 60 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

SHOO’s Zacks Rank & Other Key PicksSteven Madden currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Genesco Inc. (GCO - Free Report) is a Nashville-based specialty retailer and branded company. It sells footwear and accessories through retail stores. The company sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Genesco’s current fiscal-year earnings indicates 62.1% growth from the year-ago actual. GCO delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 11.2%.

Designer Brands Inc. (DBI - Free Report) designs, produces and retails footwear and accessories. It offers shoes, boots, sandals, sneakers, socks, handbags and accessories. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Designer Brands’ current fiscal-year earnings and sales suggests growth of 225% and 0.6%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. DBI delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 108.1%.

Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN - Free Report) is a lifestyle products and services company that sells fashion apparel, accessories, footwear, home goods and related offerings through a portfolio of global consumer brands. The company also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 at present.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Urban Outfitters’ current fiscal-year earnings and sales implies growth of 14% and 9.5%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. URBN delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 9.7%.

Key Takeaways Glaukos licenses RevOpsis' RO-104 and RevMod platform to expand its retinal disease treatment pipeline.RO-104 targets VEGF-A, VEGF-C and Ang-2, demonstrating superior efficacy in preclinical animal models.The RevMod platform enables GKOS to develop up to four additional biologics for multiple retinal diseases. Glaukos Corporation (GKOS - Free Report) recently announced a licensing agreement with RevOpsis Therapeutics, Inc. to develop and commercialize RO-104, an investigational tri-specific biologic for multiple retinal diseases. The agreement grants Glaukos exclusive rights to RevOpsis’ RevMod platform to discover and develop up to four additional retinal biologic candidates.

Glaukos chairman and CEO Thomas Burns said that the addition of RO-104 and exclusive access to the RevMod platform marks a strategic step in expanding the company’s retinal franchise and complements its existing retinal R&D initiatives. The agreement strengthens GKOS’ pipeline with a first-in-class tri-specific biologic and offers an opportunity to develop additional therapeutic candidates for multiple retinal diseases. Management believes RO-104’s ability to inhibit three angiogenic pathways simultaneously could provide significant treatment advantages for retinal vascular diseases while supporting the company’s long-term innovation strategy in the retina market.

GKOS Stock Trend Following the NewsFollowing the announcement, GKOS stock lost 6.3% at yesterday’s close. Year to date, the stock gained 42.8%, outperforming the industry’s 6.9% decline and the S&P 500’s 13.9% gain.

The agreement could strengthen GKOS’ long-term growth prospects by expanding its presence in retinal therapeutics beyond its existing ophthalmic business. Access to a differentiated biologic candidate and a discovery platform may diversify its future product opportunities and create additional avenues for growth. If RO-104 demonstrates clinical success, it could help Glaukos compete in multiple retinal disease markets, while the platform’s additional candidates could provide further pipeline value over time.

GKOS currently has a market capitalization of $10.16 billion.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

More on the NewsRO-104 is designed as a first-in-class tri-specific biologic with a high-concentration formulation that inhibits VEGF-A, VEGF-C and Ang-2, three clinically validated pathways involved in the progression of retinal vascular diseases. It is being developed for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). In established preclinical animal models, the candidate has demonstrated superior efficacy compared with approved anti-VEGF therapies.

Beyond RO-104, the license gives Glaukos exclusive rights to the RevMod platform across geographic atrophy, DME, DR, RVO and nAMD, enabling the discovery and development of up to four additional next-generation retinal biologics. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Clinical development and regulatory progress will be important milestones in determining the commercial potential of these programs.

RevOpsis management views the agreement as validation of its RevMod platform and its strategy of developing next-generation multispecific therapies for retinal diseases. The company believes Glaukos’ ophthalmology expertise and commercialization capabilities will help advance RO-104 and expand the platform into a broader portfolio of potential retinal treatments.

Industry Prospects Favoring the MarketAccording to Fortune Business Insights, the global retinal biologics market is estimated to reach $27.25 billion in 2026 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8% through 2034.

Factors like rising rates of retinal disorders, an aging population, increasing diabetes prevalence and advances in targeted biologic therapies are expected to support market growth.

Other NewsGlaukos recently announced positive Phase 3 extension study results for Epioxa, demonstrating durable benefits three years after a single treatment. Patients showed sustained corneal improvement, meaningful visual acuity gains and a favorable safety profile, supporting Epioxa’s potential to provide long-term keratoconus stabilization.

Last month, Glaukos launched its “Could it be KC?” campaign, partnering with NBA champion Stephen Curry to raise awareness of keratoconus, a progressive corneal disease. Curry will share his personal experience to encourage early detection, proactive eye care and timely diagnosis, with educational initiatives targeting patients, families and underserved communities.

GKOS’ Zacks Rank & Other Key PicksCurrently, GKOS carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Some other top-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are OPKO Health (OPK - Free Report) , Globus Medical (GMED - Free Report) and Merit Medical Systems (MMSI - Free Report) .

OPKO Health, currently flaunting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), reported a second-quarter 2026 adjusted loss of 1 cent per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 87.5%. Revenues of $163.6 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 24.7%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

OPK has an estimated earnings growth rate of 23.3% for 2026. The company’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 95.1%.

Globus Medical, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2, reported a second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.34, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 19.6%. Revenues of $789.6 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.4%.

GMED has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 12.4%. The company’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 27.9%.

Merit Medical Systems, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.19, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 23.9%. Revenues of $418.8 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.5%.

MMSI has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 10.4%. MMSI’s earnings surpassed estimates in the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 14.1%.

It can feel risky to invest in a stock that's lost 38% of its value in nine months, but the market isn't always rational. The times that it isn't create opportunities to buy great stocks on the dip that can lead to incredible shareholder value.

These opportunities can happen when the market crashes or corrects, or for any specific stock when investor sentiment turns negative. Take Dutch Bros (BROS -3.32%), for instance. The coffee shop chain is growing fast and has fantastic long-term potential, but it's down 36% this year.

Here's why it's a great stock to buy and hold.

The road to 7,000 stores Dutch Bros is more than 30 years old, but it's spent most of its life as a small local chain of shops in Oregon. The company embarked on an ambitious expansion plan when it went public in 2021, and it's growing at a fast clip.

Most of the company's 1,225-store fleet is drive-thru only, but it's experimenting with walk-up windows. In other words, it's not your standard coffee shop meant for sitting, but it's meeting demand today while being deliberate about its real estate plan. Its first walk-up window was launched in Los Angeles, near the University of Southern California, and it had the company's highest sales volume before Dutch Bros opened in Chicago in May. That bodes well for both the new walk-up window format and its entry into new urban metro areas.

Image source: Dutch Bros.

Dutch Bros opened 154 stores last year and plans to open 185 this year. In order to meet its goal of having 2,029 stores by 2029, it needs to accelerate store openings. That might be harder than expected, since it ended its offer for 65 Salad and Go stores when the price was increased, and the market wasn't thrilled about that. There is the danger that Dutch Bros won't meet the goal, and the market is already pricing in that possibility.

In the long term, management envisions opening as many as 7,000 locations across the U.S. The company's been entering new regions successfully.

What is Dutch Bros stock worth? Dutch Bros has been reporting impressive metrics, including a 32% year-over-year increase in sales in the 2026 second quarter, driven by new stores and rising same-store sales. It's attracting new customers and generating higher profits, too.

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Another way it's meeting today's moment is in its digital rewards program. 73% of transactions went through digital channels in Q2, and registered members by shop have increased 50% over the last three years. These details point to a fast-growing business with high long-term potential.

However, because the stock has been expensive, it's liable to fall on any misstep, like the Salad and Go deal. Today, shares trade at just over 55 times trailing 12-month earnings, the lowest since it became profitable, and 2.7 time sales, well-below its three-year average.

BROS PE Ratio data by YCharts

That's still not cheap, and it implies confidence in the story. There's still the possibility that it could go even lower if the company doesn't come through on store count, if same-shop sales decelerate, or any number of other things that can go wrong do. However, if you buy and hold for at least five years, you should be well rewarded.

Credo Technology (CRDO +2.14%) has become one of the hottest ways to invest in artificial intelligence (AI) without buying a traditional semiconductor stock. The company doesn't make GPUs or high-bandwidth memory (HBM). Instead, Credo specializes in moving data between processors, switches, memory, and other components inside AI data centers. While this might sound less exciting than designing the next accelerator, Credo's picks-and-shovels are increasingly needed as AI chip clusters require high-speed connectivity.

As of this writing (Oct. 7), Credo stock has surged 52% in 2026. While that's an impressive return, the rally might just be getting started. Let's assess what a $5,000 investment in Credo Stock could become by 2030.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Credo is addressing one of AI's biggest bottlenecks Buying more GPUs isn't useful for AI development if they can't communicate efficiently. Credo aims to solve the data bottleneck through its copper interconnects, called ZeroFlap Active Electrical Cables (AECs), as well as digital signal processors (DSPs), Ethernet retimers, and OmniConnect memory solutions. Together, these technologies represent the pipes that move data quickly while reducing power consumption, thereby improving network reliability for AI workloads.

Credo's growth has surged on the backdrop of exploding demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. During fiscal 2026 (period ended May 2), the company generated $1.3 billion in sales -- up 206% year over year. Growth accelerated into this year, as the company reported sales growth of 115% year over year to $479 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2027.

The company's acquisition of DustPhotonics brought silicon photonics technology in-house. The rationale behind the deal is to help Credo build a vertically integrated connectivity stack to address both electrical and optical interconnects across AI infrastructure buildouts.

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Wall Street is bullish on Credo Credo is transforming from an under-the-radar semiconductor company into a high-expectation AI stock. In investment terms, this means great earnings won't necessarily translate to a rising stock price. The company needs to prove it can outperform already aggressive expectations.

CRDO Revenue Estimates for Current Fiscal Year data by YCharts

Wall Street expects revenue to reach $5.1 billion by fiscal 2029, essentially double this year's forecast and quadruple what Credo reported last year. These numbers clearly represent extraordinary growth and give us something to think about when valuing the stock.

Credo stock is a speculative opportunity At the moment, Credo trades at a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio around 23. This is pretty rich considering the company is only on pace to generate a little more than $2 billion in revenue this year and is still scaling profits. As the company matures and hopefully translates AI infrastructure spending from primarily a sales catalyst into larger profits, investors should expect Credo's valuation multiples to compress.

If the company achieves the fiscal 2029 revenue target and receives, say, a 12 P/S ratio, the company would command an implied market capitalization of roughly $61 billion. That represents roughly 49% upside to Credo's current trading levels, making the initial $5,000 investment worth approximately $7,450.

The subtle theme here is that even though Credo has a legitimate long-term opportunity spanning copper connectivity, optics, silicon photonics, and memory it may not be the most lucrative stock to buy at today's price. The returns in my analysis above are attractive considering the timeframe, but they are also far from guaranteed. A lot needs to go right for Credo to continue doubling in size for consecutive years, all while maintaining a premium valuation.

To me, Credo looks like it could become a winner from the AI infrastructure boom in the long run, but for now, it is a stock I'd prefer to accumulate selectively through dollar-cost averaging rather than following the crowd into momentum swings.

Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter LLP Announces Investigation of Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) on Behalf of Investors Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter LLP, a leading national shareholder rights law firm, today announced that it is investigating potential claims against the board of directors of acquired Primoris Services Corporation ("Primoris" or the "Company") (NYSE: PRIM) whether the board breached its fiduciary duties to shareholders.

IF YOU ARE A PRIMORIS SERVICES CORPORATION (PRIM) SHAREHOLDER, CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE.

On June 22, 2026, Primoris revealed a series of business updates including the departure of its Chief Operating Officer and a further slash to its financial outlook for the full year of 2026, in part due to “cost overruns and delays” related to six of the Company’s projects. The Company also said it anticipates lower revenue and gross profit for full year 2026, primarily driven by lower expected revenue and gross profit in the renewables business, where it now sees full-year revenue at $2.1 billion to $3 billion.

Contact Us To Participate or Learn More:

If you still hold Primoris Services Corporation shares purchased before August 2025 and wish to discuss this matter with us, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact us.

Charles H. Linehan, Esq.,
Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter LLP,
1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100,
Los Angeles California 90067
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 310-201-9150 (Toll-Free: 888-773-9224)
Visit our website at www.glancylaw.com.
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

Whistleblower Notice

Persons with non-public information regarding COMPANY should consider their options to aid the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower Program. Under the program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Charles H. Linehan at 310-201-9150 or 888-773-9224 or email [email protected].

About Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter LLP

GPWR is a premier law firm with decades of experience representing investors and consumers in securities litigation and other complex class action litigation. Recognizing the firm’s recent successes, GPWR was named one of Law360’s Securities Groups of the Year and ranked second-highest in total investor recoveries by Institutional Shareholder Services Securities Class Action Services in 2025. GPWR’s lawyers have handled cases covering a wide spectrum of corporate misconduct and relating to nearly all industries and sectors. GPWR’s past successes have been widely covered by leading news and industry publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, Reuters, the Associated Press, Barron’s, Investor’s Business Daily, Forbes, and Money. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261009660755/en/

Disclosures I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and have no plans to buy any new positions in the stocks mentioned within the next 72 hours.

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It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Chewy (CHWY - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 10.3% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.

Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Chewy due for a breakout? Well, first let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent catalysts for Chewy before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late.

CHWY Q2 Earnings Meet Estimates, Sales Beat on Customer GrowthChewy reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings of 36 cents a share, which rose 9.1% year over year and came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Net sales increased 7.3% to $3,330.2 million, topping the consensus mark of $3,322 million.

Results reflected customer growth, market share gains and disciplined execution. Chewy added 208,000 net active customers sequentially, excluding additions related to Modern Animal, while its customer funnel remained healthy across acquisition, retention and reactivation.

CHWY's Customer Base Keeps ExpandingOrganic net sales, excluding SmartPak and Modern Animal, rose 5.7% year over year. Active customers increased 3.8% to 21.705 million, while net sales per active customer advanced 1.9% to $602.

On a normalized basis, adjusting for the extra week in the prior-year comparable period, net sales per active customer increased 3.8%. Management cited customer cohort maturation, greater engagement across health and pharmacy, and broader cross-category adoption as supports.

Chewy's Autoship Mix Reinforces Recurring SalesAutoship customer sales climbed 9.3% to $2,817.2 million and represented 84.6% of total net sales. The program continued to grow faster than the overall business, reinforcing the recurring nature of Chewy's revenue base.

Consumer pressure remained visible in discretionary areas. Treat sales slowed more sharply than core food, while premiumization and discretionary attachment stayed pressured. Even so, mid-teens hard goods growth substantially outpaced the broader market, and Pet Health and Specialty Products delivered strong organic growth.

CHWY's Margins Benefit From Cost DisciplineGross margin was 30.4%, flat year over year and up 30 basis points sequentially. Adjusted EBITDA increased 23.7% to $226.7 million, supported by sponsored ads, disciplined promotional activity and lower variable cost to serve.
About $10 million of upside came from timing-related benefits, mainly earlier tariff refunds and shifted rebates. More than $5 million came from discrete items, including gift-card breakage, inventory adjustments and vendor-funded merchandising. Adjusted SG&A declined to 18.4% of sales from 19.1%, reflecting fulfillment utilization, automation and productivity gains.

Chewy Health and AI Add Growth LeversChewy Vet Care again generated triple-digit revenue growth, while the fresh and frozen portfolio posted triple-digit unit growth. The equine, farm and exotics business delivered a seventh consecutive quarter of mid-double-digit sales growth. Modern Animal and SmartPak also performed ahead of prior expectations.

AI initiatives are moving into scaled deployment. Kai, Chewy's customer-facing AI assistant, resolved about 30% of chats through self-service in early use. Management still expects AI-related initiatives to generate low tens of millions of dollars in fiscal 2026 cost savings, scaling to about $50 million annualized in fiscal 2027.

CHWY's Cash Flow Supports Capital ReturnsFree cash flow fell 15.5% year over year to $89.5 million, reflecting $137.4 million of operating cash flow and $47.9 million of capital expenditures. Chewy ended the quarter with $612 million of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities and more than $1 billion of total available liquidity.

The company deployed $200 million toward share repurchases and bought back 9.9 million shares in the quarter. It also completed the $400 million Modern Animal acquisition and raised $600 million through its inaugural term loan issuance.

Chewy Raises Fiscal 2026 OutlookChewy expects fiscal 2026 net sales between $13.46 billion and $13.57 billion, implying reported growth of 6.8%-7.7% and organic growth of 5.5%-6.3%. Management had earlier guided net sales in the band of $13.40-$13.55 billion. Adjusted EBITDA margin is projected at 6.7%-6.8%, with the low end raised by 10 basis points from the prior range.

For the third quarter, net sales are expected at $3.323-$3.358 billion, with adjusted EBITDA margin of 6.6%-6.7% and adjusted earnings of around 39 cents a share. The outlook assumes no meaningful consumer recovery and continued low pricing contribution, while management expects Chewy to keep gaining share.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?In the past month, investors have witnessed a upward trend in fresh estimates.

VGM ScoresCurrently, Chewy has a great Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with an F. However, the stock has a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the second quintile for value investors.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. Interestingly, Chewy has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). We expect a below average return from the stock in the next few months.

Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF) has room to grow sales and margins as strong brand momentum, firmer pricing and disciplined discounting support its outlook, according to Jefferies, which maintained its 'buy' rating after meeting the retailer’s chief financial officer.

The bank sees the shares as attractively valued at about 11 times forecast fiscal 2027 earnings, with opportunities to outperform expectations if the company sustains its pricing power and promotional discipline.

Abercrombie’s namesake brand grew sales 8% year over year in the second quarter, up from 3% in the first, with gains in knits, wovens and bottoms, improved conversion and more full-price selling.

Hollister, its second brand, lifted second-quarter sales 2% year over year after flat first-quarter sales, with growth accelerating into August as inventory availability caught up with demand around the introduction of larger back-to-school floor sets.

Average unit retail (AUR), the average retail value per unit sold, increased by a mid-single-digit percentage in the second quarter, with lower discounting supporting better-than-expected performance alongside unit sales growth.

The company’s outlook assumes modest AUR growth in the second half, which Jefferies says leaves room for sales and gross margin to outperform if discount discipline continues.

Gross margin expanded by about 850 basis points year over year in the second quarter, including about 790 basis points from tariff refunds, leaving underlying expansion of about 60 basis points despite roughly 100 basis points of tariff expense pressure.

Management expects $20 million in tariff refunds in the third quarter and marketing expenses to remain slightly above 5% of sales, supporting full-year operating margin guidance of 14.5% to 15.0%.

New categories such as footwear and accessories, a Fanatics partnership extending Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF)’s National Football League assortment into stadium stores and additional online channels, and a Hollister collaboration with Target are intended to broaden customer reach.

Share repurchases provide another lever for earnings growth, while an enterprise resource planning system completed in March modernizes the infrastructure supporting further expansion.

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Bitcoin rebounded above $82,000 on Friday, October 9, recovering from a 24-hour low near $80,496 after President Donald Trump said the United States would not strike Iran before the November 3 midterm elections. BTC traded around $82,488 at the time of writing, down about 0.6% over 24 hours with a market cap near $1.66 trillion, according to CoinDesk market data.

Trump made the pledge in a Truth Social post published at 12:17 p.m. ET on Thursday, describing talks with Iran as “productive” while insisting the U.S. blockade would “remain in full force and effect.” The statement removed the immediate threat of renewed military escalation that had lifted WTI crude from roughly $89 toward $93.20 a barrel and pushed bitcoin toward $80,300.

Why Bitcoin Rebounded Above $82,000 The turnaround followed about 24 hours of selling that began after reports that the Pentagon had instructed U.S. Central Command to prepare for resuming major combat operations in Iran. Those reports lifted oil and pressured risk assets, and bitcoin’s decline accelerated as leveraged long positions were flushed across the market, with more than $356 million in ether positions liquidated over 24 hours.

Selling ran out of steam near $80,300 once Trump’s post landed, and bitcoin steadily climbed back through $82,000. Ether, XRP and solana trimmed their losses alongside it, though the recovery stayed modest: bitcoin remained down about 2.4% over seven days and 5.8% year to date at the time of writing.

The oil reversal followed the same script. After rising from $89 toward $93.20, WTI crude fell back to roughly $90.69 a barrel, easing one of the clearest macro headwinds behind Thursday’s crypto sell-off.

Bitcoin Price Today: Key Levels to Watch Analysts are treating $81,000 as immediate support and $82,000 as the first resistance to reclaim. Giottus CEO Vikram Subburaj told CoinDesk that a break below $81,000 could send bitcoin toward $80,000 and then the more significant on-chain support near $77,200, while a recovery above $83,300 and then $85,500 would need stronger ETF inflows. BitDelta’s Purvang Mashru called $82,000 the key resistance, adding that a sustained reclaim with ether above $2,500 would stabilize the setup, whereas a break below $80,316 would raise downside risk.

Bitcoin’s 24-hour range spanned roughly $80,496 to $83,150, leaving the rebound short of reclaiming Thursday’s levels and keeping traders in a wait-and-see posture ahead of the midterm election.

Bitcoin had already slipped below $83,000 on Thursday as multi-decade-high Treasury yields, oil above $100 and spot ETF outflows converged, leaving the market exposed to the Iran headline before Friday’s rebound.

Bitcoin’s role is not limited to exchanges and ETFs. It is also a standard deposit option at online crypto casinos, and BlockchainReporter’s ranked crypto casino reviews compare these platforms on payout speed, licensing, and bonus terms.

The Bunker Mode Fears That Amplified the Drop A second, more technical concern compounded Thursday’s selling. Ethereum Foundation researcher Justin Drake had floated a “bunker mode” idea — a precautionary migration of crypto holdings to fresh addresses — if AI-accelerated mathematics were to weaken the elliptic-curve cryptography securing Bitcoin and Ethereum. The AI-signature warning drew sharp pushback: Coinbase’s top cryptographer Yehuda Lindell called the concerns “FUD,” Dragonfly’s Haseeb Qureshi described them as a “very sober call,” and Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin said the risk is real but pointed to lattices rather than elliptic curves.

For now, the market’s recovery suggests traders treated Trump’s Iran statement as the more immediate catalyst, with the cryptography debate unresolved but not yet priced as an imminent threat.

Frequently Asked Questions What is the Bitcoin price today? Bitcoin traded near $82,488 on October 9, 2026, down about 0.6% over 24 hours, after rebounding from a session low near $80,496.

Why did Bitcoin rebound on October 9? President Donald Trump said the U.S. would not strike Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, easing geopolitical fears that had pushed oil higher and risk assets lower.

What is Bitcoin’s support level right now? Analysts are watching $81,000 as immediate support, with a break below roughly $80,300 potentially opening the path toward $80,000 and the on-chain support near $77,200.

What is Bitcoin’s resistance level right now? $82,000 is the first resistance to reclaim. A sustained move above it with ether above $2,500 and narrower altcoin losses would stabilize the setup, according to analysts.

Could Bitcoin fall again below $80,000? A break below $81,000 could take bitcoin toward $80,000, and a drop below $80,316 would increase downside risk, though Friday’s rebound has so far held above those levels.

Bitcoin price data and analyst commentary are sourced from CoinDesk as of October 9, 2026.

AUTHOR

Mysterious crypto writer with expertise in blockchain, offering deep insights that captivate and intrigue readers. With a unique ability to uncover hidden insights and trends, Samuel delivers in-depth analysis and thought-provoking content that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. His writing style is engaging and informative, blending technical knowledge with a sense of intrigue, making complex crypto topics accessible to both newcomers and seasoned industry professionals. Samuel’s work continues to capture the attention of the crypto community, solidifying his reputation as a trusted voice in the space.

Key Takeaways OKLO shares have plunged 76.5% in a year, with widening losses and execution risks weighing on sentiment.Oklo raised its 2026 operating cash-use forecast to $120M-$150M, with capital spending set at $400M-$500M.Aurora's first commercial powerhouse targets 2028, while regulatory hurdles and dilution remain key risks. Oklo Inc. (OKLO - Free Report) is navigating a difficult stretch as investors weigh its long-term nuclear opportunity against mounting near-term execution risks. Expectations for wider losses in 2026, rising capital requirements and potential shareholder dilution continue to cloud the outlook. Although demand for reliable nuclear power from AI and data-center operators supports the longer-term case, uncertain commercialization timelines keep pressure on sentiment. Against this backdrop, does OKLO's current weakness offer an attractive entry point, or do the risks still warrant caution?

OKLO's Sharp Decline Reflects More Than Market WeaknessOKLO recently touched a 52-week low of $33.7 compared with a 52-week high of $193.84. The shares have lost 76.5% over the past year and more than half their value in 2026. Investors appear less willing to pay for distant growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The pressure is not unique to OKLO. NuScale Power (SMR - Free Report) , another developer of smaller nuclear reactors, faces similar questions about the timing of commercial deployment. Meanwhile, Talen Energy (TLN - Free Report) , which already operates power plants, offers a different way to participate in growing electricity demand. Investors increasingly want cash flow, not projections.

Share issuance has also complicated OKLO’s investment case. The company generated about $1.88 billion in gross proceeds from at-the-market stock sales during the first half of 2026 and subsequently launched another program allowing up to $1 billion of additional equity sales.

Negative 2026 Earnings Estimates Raise ConcernsThe Zacks Consensus Estimate projects a loss of $1.02 per share for 2026, representing a 41.7% deterioration from 2025. The outlook shows that OKLO remains in an investment-heavy stage, rather than one in which operating earnings can finance expansion. For investors looking for a near-term earnings recovery, this is a significant drawback.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Management increased its forecast for 2026 operating cash use to $120 million-$150 million, up from $80 million-$100 million previously. Planned property and equipment spending also rose to $400 million-$500 million. Together, those figures indicate how much capital the company expects to deploy before its core power projects begin producing meaningful revenues.

NuScale Power also remains in the pre-commercial phase for its reactor technology, underscoring the financial challenges involved in developing new nuclear capacity. By comparison, Talen Energy reported positive adjusted free cash flow from its existing generating fleet in the second quarter. Established operators may appeal to investors seeking nearer-term results.

Can Aurora Projects Justify the Long Wait?OKLO's Aurora powerhouses are designed to supply steady electricity and heat to customers that need reliable energy around the clock. Its initial planned commercial powerhouse at Idaho National Laboratory is targeting 2028, leaving a considerable gap between today's development spending and possible power sales. The proposed Ohio clean-energy campus adds scale to the opportunity but faces permitting, grid-connection and construction challenges.

A grid-review setback affecting part of the Ohio development highlights how schedules can change even when demand for electricity remains strong. For OKLO, securing approvals and connecting projects to the grid will be essential to proving the commercial model.

NuScale Power has obtained U.S. regulatory design approvals for its technology and is working with partners on potential projects, but converting development progress into operating plants remains crucial. Talen Energy, in contrast, already supplies electricity and is pursuing additional contracts linked to data-center demand. These businesses operate on different timelines.

Cash Reserves and Fuel Ambitions Provide Some SupportOKLO held roughly $3 billion in cash and marketable securities at the end of June 2026. This provides room to finance development despite its expected losses. The company is also developing fuel fabrication and recycling capabilities, including a proposed advanced fuel center in Tennessee. If successful, these investments could support reactor deployment and eventually create additional revenue opportunities.

Image Source: Oklo Inc.

OKLO has also reported progress at its Groves isotope facility, which reached first criticality. Nevertheless, operating an isotope facility does not establish that Aurora can generate commercial electricity profitably. Fuel availability, regulatory decisions and project execution remain important uncertainties.

ConclusionOKLO's long-term opportunity remains tied to rising demand for reliable electricity, but the sharp stock decline, negative earnings estimates, higher spending and uncertain deployment schedule make a quick recovery difficult to assume. Its substantial cash position and progress across fuel and isotope projects provide some support, yet they do not remove the risks of delays, dilution or continued losses. OKLO stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

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

Key Takeaways BigBear.ai eyes stronger 2027 growth after Q2 revenues rose 13% y/y and the gross margin reached 32.8%.BBAI secured more than 20 contracts in Q2, lifting backlog 9% to $269.6M.BigBear.ai's $409.8M cash position supports acquisitions, but widening losses pose risks. BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (BBAI - Free Report) is positioning itself for stronger revenue growth in 2027, supported by expanding defense-related AI demand, contract wins and strategic acquisitions. Management is prioritizing revenue acceleration and targeted investments to strengthen its presence in national security, trade and travel markets.

In the second quarter of 2026, revenues increased 13% year over year to $36.7 million, while the gross margin expanded 781 basis points to 32.8%. The company reaffirmed its 2026 revenue guidance of $135-$165 million, targeting 17% growth.

Contract Momentum Supports BBAI's Growth ProspectsBigBear.ai secured more than 20 contracts during the quarter, with individual values reaching $5 million. Backlog increased 9% from 2025-end to $269.6 million, improving revenue visibility.

Growth opportunities are expanding through Ask Sage's generative AI platform, CargoSeer's customs inspection capabilities and ConductorOS drone orchestration technology. Recent wins include a five-year CargoSeer deployment in El Salvador and an Ask Sage engagement with the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command.

Additionally, BigBear.ai's $409.8-million cash and investment position provides flexibility to pursue acquisitions that could accelerate growth heading into 2027.

Can BBAI Overcome Profitability Challenges?Despite improving revenues and margins, profitability remains concerning. The second-quarter adjusted EBITDA loss widened year over year to $11.6 million from $8.5 million, reflecting higher sales, marketing and research investments.

Government procurement delays, contract execution risks and acquisition integration challenges could also constrain momentum.

Nevertheless, expanding product adoption, a growing backlog and acquisition opportunities provide a foundation for stronger growth in 2027, provided BigBear.ai converts its pipeline into sustained revenues while controlling operating expenses.

BBAI Faces Competition From Defense & Enterprise AI PlayersPalantir Technologies (PLTR - Free Report) is a major competitor to BigBear.ai in defense analytics, intelligence and mission-critical AI applications. Palantir's Artificial Intelligence Platform and Maven Smart System support military decision-making, battlefield intelligence and operational coordination. Palantir's expanding government relationships, established defense contracts and deployment capabilities strengthen its competitive positioning. Its ability to integrate AI across classified environments could challenge BigBear.ai's efforts to expand its defense technology footprint.

C3.ai (AI - Free Report) also competes in government-focused AI solutions, particularly predictive analytics, generative AI and operational intelligence. C3.ai's enterprise AI platform supports defense readiness, logistics optimization and mission-critical applications across federal agencies. C3.ai has expanded its relationships with the U.S. Navy, Army and intelligence community, strengthening its government presence. C3.ai's growing defense portfolio and agentic AI capabilities could intensify competition for BigBear.ai as federal agencies increase AI investments heading into 2027.

BBAI’s Price Performance, Valuation & EPS Estimate TrendShares of BigBear.ai have plunged 27.1% over the past six months, underperforming the Zacks Computers - IT Services industry, as shown below.

BBAI’s 6-Month Price Performance

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The BBAI stock is currently trading at a discount compared with the industry peers, with a forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 7.25, as evidenced by the chart below.

BBAI’s Valuation (P/S F12M)

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BBAI’s 2026 loss per share has been unchanged in the past 60 days, as shown below. However, the estimated figure indicates a narrower loss than the year-ago loss of 82 cents per share.

EPS Trend of BBAI

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

Empire State Development to support the investment with up to $1.4 million in performance-based tax credits through New York's Excelsior Jobs Program

Investment intended to strengthen Solstice's innovation capabilities supporting refrigerants, advanced cooling and other high-growth applications

, /PRNewswire/ -- Solstice Advanced Materials (Nasdaq: SOLS), a global leader in high-performance specialty materials, today announced plans to invest $49 million to expand research and development (R&D) capabilities at its Buffalo, New York facility. The investment is intended to enhance Solstice's ability to develop and commercialize next-generation technologies for high-growth markets and is supported by up to $1.4 million in performance-based tax credits from New York State.

The investment will go toward establishing a next-generation innovation platform at Solstice's Buffalo research campus. The upgrades will include expanded capabilities for refrigerant and thermal management research, enhanced toxicological testing to support the efficient development of new technologies and the construction of a lab for advanced energy storage materials.

"Innovation is one of the core reasons customers choose Solstice, and these investments will strengthen our ability to develop and commercialize the next generation of advanced materials," said David Sewell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Solstice. "Buffalo has played an important role in our innovation efforts for decades, and these projects will expand the site's capabilities in areas aligned with long-term growth trends. By investing in Buffalo, we are helping advance the solutions our customers need while supporting future growth across critical industries."

"New York continues to be a magnet for the industries of tomorrow, and Solstice's decision to anchor its premier R&D facility right here in Buffalo proves that our economic strategy is working," said Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York State. "This $49 million investment will create good-paying jobs, foster cutting-edge research and keep New York at the forefront of the green technology revolution."

"This investment will accelerate the innovation our customers and critical industries depend on while creating new opportunities for growth in Buffalo," said Tom Isberg, Vice President, R&D, Solstice. "By expanding our R&D capabilities here, we are strengthening Solstice's proven hub for advancing next-generation solutions from lab to market. We are grateful for the support of New York State and Empire State Development, whose partnership is helping strengthen Buffalo's long-standing role as a center for scientific innovation and research."

The Buffalo site employs approximately 180 scientists, engineers and support staff and has been at the forefront of advanced materials innovation since the facility opened in 1955. Research conducted at the site has resulted in more than 3,700 patents globally and has helped develop technologies used around the world for energy-efficient cooling, specialty materials and advanced manufacturing applications. Notably, the site played a leading role in the development of multiple generations of widely adopted refrigerant technologies.

As part of the project, Solstice has committed to creating 12 new, full-time positions at the Buffalo facility by June 2027, while making a total qualified capital investment of $49 million. Empire State Development is supporting the project with up to $1.4 million in performance-based tax credits through New York State's Excelsior Jobs Program.

About Solstice Advanced Materials

Solstice Advanced Materials is a leading global specialty materials company that advances science for smarter outcomes. Solstice offers high-performance solutions that enable critical industries and applications, including refrigerants, semiconductor manufacturing, data center cooling, nuclear power, protective fibers, healthcare packaging and more. Solstice is recognized for developing next-generation materials through some of the industry's most renowned brands such as Solstice®, Genetron®, Aclar®, Spectra®, Fluka™ and Hydranal™. Partnering with over 3,000 customers across more than 120 countries and territories and supported by a robust portfolio of over 5,700 patents and pending applications, Solstice's approximately 4,100 employees worldwide drive innovation in materials science. For more information, visit www.Solstice.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the planned investment in the Buffalo, New York facility, the amount of performance-based tax credits Solstice will receive in connection with the project, and the expected results of the investment. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are outside of Solstice's control, and actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical risks, such as changes in or application of trade and tax laws and policies, including the impacts of tariffs and other trade barriers and restrictions, lower GDP growth or recession in the U.S. or globally, supply chain disruptions, capital markets volatility, and inflation, that can affect Solstice's performance in both the near- and long-term. In addition, no assurance can be given that any plan, initiative, projection, goal, commitment, expectation, or prospect set forth in this release can or will be achieved. These forward-looking statements should be considered in light of the information included in this release, Solstice's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 19, 2026, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking plans described herein are not final and may be modified or abandoned at any time. Solstice does not undertake to update or revise any of its forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, except as otherwise required by securities or other applicable law.

Contact
Media
Phil Terrigno
973-768-8868
[email protected]

Investors
Mike Leithead
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SOURCE Solstice Advanced Materials US, Inc.

SummaryZETA's stock price has jumped by roughly 67% in just 1 year. But I believe that ZETA's ride is far from over. ZETA's 44% top-line growth, 170 bps EBITDA margin expansion to 20%, and 17% ARPU growth underscore accelerating financial momentum. Despite a 35x forward P/E, I believe ZETA can grow into and potentially outpace its valuation, supported by strategic M&A and platform adoption. I expect double-digit total return with ZETA, so I've just bought some shares. mikkelwilliam/E+ via Getty Images

I invest a lot in technology. I mean, I've owned Microsoft (MSFT) for years now. I bought Nvidia (NVDA) in 2022. And I'm looking at over 1000% return with my Micron Technology (

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The information, opinions, and thoughts included in this article do not constitute an investment recommendation or any form of investment advice.

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.

Artemis Investment Management LLP boosted its position in Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META – Free Report) by 329.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 192,252 shares of the social networking company’s stock after purchasing an additional 147,497 shares during the quarter. Meta Platforms comprises about 1.1% of Artemis Investment Management LLP’s portfolio, making the stock its 26th biggest holding. Artemis Investment Management LLP’s holdings in Meta Platforms were worth $139,417,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Auto Owners Insurance Co raised its holdings in Meta Platforms by 76,587.7% during the 4th quarter. Auto Owners Insurance Co now owns 105,292,277 shares of the social networking company’s stock worth $69,502,379,000 after purchasing an additional 105,154,977 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its stake in Meta Platforms by 4.0% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 92,033,963 shares of the social networking company’s stock worth $51,841,811,000 after purchasing an additional 3,510,123 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE grew its stake in Meta Platforms by 14.6% during the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 21,038,035 shares of the social networking company’s stock worth $12,036,491,000 after purchasing an additional 2,673,494 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in Meta Platforms by 6.1% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 18,200,469 shares of the social networking company’s stock worth $12,013,948,000 after purchasing an additional 1,046,715 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its holdings in Meta Platforms by 1.3% in the second quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 12,836,063 shares of the social networking company’s stock worth $7,230,426,000 after purchasing an additional 162,909 shares in the last quarter. 79.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at Meta Platforms In other Meta Platforms news, insider Christopher Cox sold 40,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, September 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $712.76, for a total transaction of $28,510,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 184,516 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $131,515,624.16. This represents a 17.82% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO Mark Zuckerberg sold 27,474 shares of Meta Platforms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $777.44, for a total value of $21,359,386.56. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold a total of 148,222 shares of company stock worth $101,033,627 over the last three months. Company insiders own 13.53% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Meta Platforms Here are the key news stories impacting Meta Platforms this week: Positive Sentiment: Meta’s growing role in the micro-drama market could create a new advertising revenue stream. Short-form serialized shows are expanding beyond China, and the platform is becoming an important distribution channel for this content. Why Meta is winning the micro drama wars Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo reportedly set a $1,000 price target, citing AI as a potential catalyst, while TD Cowen reaffirmed its “buy” rating with an $865 target. These targets imply analysts see substantial upside if Meta converts AI investment into higher engagement, advertising and commerce revenue. Meta Could Hit $1,000, Says Wells Fargo Positive Sentiment: Meta’s Muse assistant continues to expand, including a new iPad app, and the company is working with Sierra, Shopify, Stripe and Walmart on standards for AI agents to interact with businesses. Successful agentic commerce could eventually provide Meta with transaction-based revenue. Meta’s Muse launches on iPad Neutral Sentiment: President Donald Trump disclosed purchases of as much as $25 million in Meta stock, a headline that may support investor sentiment but does not change the company’s fundamentals. Trump bought up to $25 million in Meta Negative Sentiment: Jefferies found that roughly one-third of tested websites blocked Meta’s Muse agent. Access limitations could delay Meta’s plans to earn transaction fees from AI-powered shopping and other agentic-commerce services. Meta’s Muse AI agent blocked by websites Negative Sentiment: Florida is pursuing restrictions on Meta’s platforms, including a possible ban for users under 14 and limits on infinite scrolling for teenagers. Such rules could reduce engagement, advertising inventory and the effectiveness of Meta’s core products while increasing legal costs. Meta Stock Falls as Florida challenges infinite scroll Negative Sentiment: Investors remain concerned that Meta’s substantial AI data-center spending is consuming cash before returns are clear. Commentary also highlights criticism of CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s AI strategy and the risk that AI infrastructure becomes a prolonged cash-flow drag. Why AI Infrastructure Is Turning Meta and Amazon Into Cash-Flow Sinks Meta Platforms Trading Down 0.1% Shares of Meta Platforms stock opened at $720.89 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.84 trillion, a P/E ratio of 27.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.19. Meta Platforms, Inc. has a 52-week low of $520.26 and a 52-week high of $779.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 2.23 and a current ratio of 2.23. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $637.74 and its 200 day simple moving average is $619.40.

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The social networking company reported $6.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $7.19 by ($1.01). The firm had revenue of $60.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $60.22 billion. Meta Platforms had a return on equity of 33.18% and a net margin of 29.83%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 28.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $7.14 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Meta Platforms, Inc. will post 27.94 EPS for the current year.

Meta Platforms Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 28th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 21st were paid a $0.5250 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 21st. This represents a $2.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. Meta Platforms’s payout ratio is currently 7.91%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth META has been the topic of several research reports. HSBC dropped their price objective on shares of Meta Platforms from $905.00 to $830.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Meta Platforms from $820.00 to $920.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, September 24th. Guggenheim reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $800.00 price target on shares of Meta Platforms in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Susquehanna cut their price target on Meta Platforms from $900.00 to $650.00 and set a “positive” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, UBS Group reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of Meta Platforms in a research note on Wednesday, September 23rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-four have assigned a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $791.86.

View Our Latest Research Report on Meta Platforms

About Meta Platforms (Free Report)

Meta Platforms, Inc is a technology company that develops social networking, messaging, virtual and augmented reality, and artificial intelligence products. The company operates a global family of apps that includes Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp and Threads, enabling users to connect, communicate, share content and discover communities.

Meta generates most of its business through digital advertising displayed across its platforms. Its products serve individuals, creators, businesses and organizations in markets around the world, while its advertising tools help businesses reach audiences based on factors such as interests, activity and demographics.

Through its Reality Labs division, Meta develops virtual and augmented reality hardware, software and services, including the Meta Quest line of headsets and related experiences.

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SummaryCompaniesTesla rebrands FSD as 'Tesla Assisted Driving' on European websitesGermany said Tuesday Tesla offered the name changeRegulators have called the 'Full Self-Driving' name misleadingOct 9 (Reuters) - EV-maker Tesla (TSLA.O), opens new tab has started calling ​its "Full Self-Driving" feature "Tesla Assisted Driving" on its European websites, dropping a name ‌regulators have said was misleading, as CEO Elon Musk pushes for EU-wide approval for the software.

The rebrand comes after Germany said on Tuesday Tesla had offered to switch to the new name. Musk has described ​the self-driving technology as key to the company's future growth.

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Tesla's FSD page for ​Slovakia now redirects to a "Tesla Assisted Driving" page, as do pages ⁠in other European countries such as Germany, Spain and the Netherlands. The US site ​still refers to it as "Full Self-Driving (Supervised)."

A Reuters report published this week detailed how Tesla mounted ​a campaign to win approval for FSD in Europe, including encouraging owners and supporters to lobby national regulators for faster approvals.

In September, a Norwegian Tesla owner asked the Norwegian Public Roads Administration whether ​Tesla's changes to how it described FSD addressed concerns about the name, according to ​documents Reuters obtained through freedom-of-information requests.

"Please do not simply say again that 'we are waiting for the EU' ‌without ⁠explaining what Tesla or Norway must deliver in the meantime," the owner said.

Several regulators have said the old name is misleading because the system requires constant supervision and drivers remain legally responsible.

In Sweden, consumer protection authorities had earlier asked the Swedish Transport Agency ​to assess whether the ​marketing of FSD ⁠could give buyers the false impression the system was capable of fully autonomous driving.

In Italy, authorities had said in internal government correspondence ​that the name "Full Self-Driving", together with Tesla's promotional material, "could lead ​users to ⁠believe that the vehicle is equipped with unsupervised automatic driving functions attributable to higher levels of automation, particularly SAE Level 3", in communication seen by Reuters through freedom-of-information requests.

Eight EU ⁠countries already ​allow the system, with Slovakia expecting to become the ​ninth within days.

An EU-wide vote has been pushed from October to at least December, with countries like France conducting additional ​testing.

Reporting by Prathik Jayaprakash in Bengaluru and Marie Mannes in Stockholm; Editing by Pooja Desai

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