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, /PRNewswire/ -- California American Water is investing $2.5 million in its Northern District Well Rehabilitation Program, a multi-year effort to strengthen groundwater infrastructure, maintain well performance, and ensure safe, reliable water service across the region. Customers in the Northern District depend on more than 100 groundwater wells that require ongoing maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement to support long-term reliability and water supply.

The Well Rehabilitation Program includes upgrades at multiple well sites and will continue through December 2027. These efforts are intended to maintain groundwater production capacity and extend the life of essential water infrastructure.

As part of the program, California American Water recently began rehabilitation at the Auberry Well in Sacramento's Parkway water system. Built in 1989, the well is being cleaned, redeveloped, and tested to optimize performance and improve long-term reliability. Work at the site includes inspections, pump removal and reinstallation, well testing, and condition assessments to enhance overall performance.

"Regular well rehabilitation is an important part of maintaining a resilient and reliable water system," said Usmita Pokhrel, Senior Manager of Engineering at California American Water. "These investments help ensure our groundwater facilities continue operating efficiently, extend the life of critical infrastructure, and provide dependable service for our customers."

Well rehabilitation may involve video inspections, cleaning, redevelopment, pump testing, electrical modifications, and other improvements to restore groundwater production capacity. Additional upgrades may include chemical treatment, freeze protection, equipment upgrades, and piping improvements, both below and above ground.

California American Water coordinates rehabilitation activities to minimize customer impact and maintain reliable water service during construction. No service interruptions are expected as a result of this program.

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.   

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.  

About California American Water 
California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, provides safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 750,000 people.   

SOURCE American Water

Constellation Energy’s (CEG) venture arm has taken a stake in a reactor development company that is working around a gas-to-nuclear deployment model in coordination with GE Vernova (GEV). The transaction marks Constellation’s first equity investment in a U.S. nuclear developer focused on advanced small modular reactors (SMRs).

Key Takeaways Constellation Technology Ventures completed its first equity stake in a U.S. advanced SMR developer via Blue Energy. Blue Energy previously raised $380 million to develop multi-gigawatt gas-to-nuclear projects with GE Vernova. Financial advisors can access exposure to both Constellation Energy and GE Vernova through the Range Nuclear Renaissance ETF (NUKZ). Accelerating the Deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) Constellation’s venture arm has made a strategic equity investment in prefabricated nuclear power plant developer Blue Energy. As the operator behind the largest nuclear reactor fleet in the U.S., Constellation expects the deal to accelerate commercialization. According to a company statement, Constellation’s investment will help Blue Energy meet growing national power demands by making nuclear development predictable, rapidly scalable, and project-financeable. 

Furthermore, Constellation said the investment in Blue Energy reinforces its deployment plans for GE Vernova Hitachi’s small modular reactor (SMR), the BWRX-300. The technology provides a proven, scalable path toward next-generation nuclear infrastructure across domestic markets.

See more: Advanced Nuclear Power Projects: Commercial SMR Deals Boost NUKZ

Gas-to-Nuclear Infrastructure Gains Traction The deal follows significant momentum for Blue Energy earlier this year. The firm previously secured $380 million in capital and established a strategic alliance with GE Vernova to construct multi-gigawatt gas-to-nuclear projects. 

This energy generation deployment method has attracted strong interest. Power becomes available on-site almost immediately from gas turbines while SMRs are built in the background. Once the reactors are operational, the gas turbines are removed from the site and the load operates only on the clean nuclear power source.

Accessing Nuclear Supply Chains via NUKZ Investors tracking the sector can find direct exposure to these market leaders through nuclear ETFs. Both GE Vernova and Constellation Energy are holdings in the Range Nuclear Renaissance Index ETF (NUKZ). GE Vernova represents the fund’s second-largest position, accounting for 4.3% of total portfolio assets as of July 20. 

NUKZ tracks the VettaFi Nuclear Renaissance Index, which provides exposure to companies across the nuclear energy ecosystem, including hardware providers and fuel suppliers.

Looking for nuclear insights in your inbox? Subscribe here to keep a pulse on nuclear investing through our weekly research.

For more news, information, and analysis, visit the Nuclear Energy Content Hub.

vettafi.com is owned by VettaFi LLC (“VettaFi”). VettaFi is the index provider for NUKZ, for which it receives an index licensing fee. However, NUKZ is not issued, sponsored, endorsed, or sold by VettaFi. VettaFi has no obligation or liability in connection with the issuance, administration, marketing, or trading of NUKZ.

Schneider National (SNDR - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 30. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis trucking company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.22 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +4.8%.

Revenues are expected to be $1.51 billion, up 6.3% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.34% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Schneider National?For Schneider National, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +1.50%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.

So, this combination indicates that Schneider National will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Schneider National would post earnings of $0.11 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.12, delivering a surprise of +9.09%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates just once.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Schneider National appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

An Industry Player's Expected ResultsAmong the stocks in the Zacks Transportation - Services industry, C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $1.51 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +17.1%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $4.42 billion, up 6.8% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for C.H. Robinson has been revised 0.5% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -1.23%.

When combined with a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that C.H. Robinson will beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Wall Street expects a year-over-year decline in earnings on higher revenues when AptarGroup (ATR - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 30, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis maker of consumer-product dispensing systems is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.34 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -19.3%.

Revenues are expected to be $1 billion, up 3.9% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.47% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for AptarGroup?For AptarGroup, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.56%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination indicates that AptarGroup will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that AptarGroup would post earnings of $1.15 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.19, delivering a surprise of +3.48%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

AptarGroup appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Ameriprise Financial Inc (AMP) released its 8-K filing on July 23, 2026, highlighting robust growth in the second quarter of 2026. The financial services giant

For the quarter ended June 2026, Ameriprise Financial Services (AMP - Free Report) reported revenue of $4.9 billion, up 13% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $11.07, compared to $9.11 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.79 billion, representing a surprise of +2.3%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +3.27%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $10.72.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how Ameriprise performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

Total Assets Under Management - Eliminations: $-47.67 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $-47.74 million.Total Assets Under Administration: $374.62 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $365.77 million.Total Assets Under Management - Asset Management AUM: $714.81 million versus $690.55 million estimated by three analysts on average.Total Assets Under Management - Corporate & Other AUM: $1.19 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $1.05 million.Revenues- Distribution fees: $573 million compared to the $579.01 million average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of +14.1% year over year.Revenues- Net investment income: $893 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $819.41 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +0.2%.Revenues- Premiums, policy and contract charges: $341 million compared to the $367.66 million average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of -5.5% year over year.Revenues- Other revenues: $140 million compared to the $148.75 million average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of +2.9% year over year.Revenues- Management and financial advice fees: $3.07 billion versus $2.98 billion estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +17.9% change.Revenues- Asset Management- Other revenues: $5 million compared to the $5.4 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +25% year over year.Revenues- Asset Management: $947 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $912.85 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +14.1%.Revenues- Eliminations: $-387 million compared to the $-377.8 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +6.9% year over year.View all Key Company Metrics for Ameriprise here>>>

Shares of Ameriprise have returned +14.3% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.4% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating that it could outperform the broader market in the near term.

The market expects Terex (TEX - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 30. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis machinery products maker is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.25 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -16.1%.

Revenues are expected to be $2.14 billion, up 43.7% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.73% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Terex?For Terex, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.13%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination indicates that Terex will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Terex would post earnings of $0.78 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.98, delivering a surprise of +25.64%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Terex appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Key Takeaways Western Digital offers AI storage exposure with improving profitability and a stronger balance sheet.WDC benefits from AI-driven HDD demand, long-term customer agreements and rising free cash flow.SMCI is expanding AI server capacity but faces margin, inventory, competition and regulatory risks. AI is driving one of the biggest infrastructure spending cycles in technology history. While much of the attention has centered on GPU leader NVIDIA (NVDA - Free Report) , investors are increasingly looking for secondary beneficiaries across the AI hardware ecosystem. Two companies that stand out are Western Digital Corporation (WDC - Free Report) and Super Micro Computer (SMCI - Free Report) .

Although both firms are tied to AI infrastructure, they operate in very different segments. Western Digital provides the storage solutions needed to handle exploding AI datasets, while Super Micro Computer builds the AI servers that power model training and inference.

So, which stock offers the better investment opportunity? The answer depends on whether investors prioritize stability and long-term data growth or faster revenue expansion with higher execution risk.

The Case for SMCI StockSuper Micro Computer is capitalizing on the AI server boom. The company designs high-performance servers optimized for NVIDIA, AMD and Intel processors, allowing customers to quickly deploy AI infrastructure. Its strength is in its modular “Building Block” design approach. This enables the company to create many product variations rapidly by reusing components across systems. Customers gain more options and quicker access to new technology. It also helps reduce time-to-market and keeps development costs lower. This rapid innovation is essential in today's tech environment, where hardware cycles are shortening, and customers want more customization. SMCI is also improving operations and logistics through increased automation to boost business efficiency.

The company is transforming from a server manufacturer into a full-stack AI data center solutions provider, fueled by strong demand from NeoCloud, AI, enterprise and storage customers. Its Data Center Building Block Solutions (DCBBS) now contribute more than 4% of profits and are expected to account for 25% over time, while software revenue from data center management tools exceeded $46 million, supporting long-term profitability.

Despite ongoing CPU, GPU and memory shortages, the company continues to maintain strong supplier relationships and has seen no disruption in NVIDIA GPU supply. To meet growing AI infrastructure demand, it is expanding manufacturing capacity across the United States, Taiwan, Malaysia and the Netherlands, with its Silicon Valley campus expected to produce more than 6,000 AI racks per month. It also boasts a record backlog and a growing, more diversified customer base, with increasing demand from large and midsized enterprises despite recent legal challenges. Gross margin is projected to remain in the 8.2-8.4% range for fourth quarter, supported by a higher mix of DCBBS, AI enterprise and traditional server sales. Future capital requirements will depend on working capital needs and the pace of AI infrastructure growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Nonetheless, SMCI faces several near-term risks despite strong AI-driven revenue growth. Gross margins remain volatile due to pricing pressure, financing costs and the complexity of scaling rack-scale AI and DCBBS solutions. Elevated inventory levels, including write-downs tied to older-generation AI components, increase the risk of further valuation losses and working capital strain as technology cycles evolve. Cash flow has weakened significantly because of higher inventory and reduced accounts payable, resulting in a longer cash conversion cycle and greater liquidity pressure.

The company also faces intense competition from established server vendors and low-cost ODMs, which could lead to pricing pressure and lower profitability. In addition, ongoing U.S. export-control investigations and evolving trade restrictions create regulatory and operational risks. Higher debt levels, driven by working capital and expansion needs, further reduce financial flexibility and could pressure earnings if customer deployments are delayed or financing costs remain elevated.

The Case for WDC StockWestern Digital has transformed into a more focused storage company following the separation of its NAND flash business into Sadisnk (SNDK - Free Report) . Currently, the company is concentrating on high-capacity HDDs, enterprise storage and AI data infrastructure. It is well-positioned to benefit through its enterprise HDD portfolio, especially its UltraSMR and ePMR technologies that deliver increasingly higher storage densities. It has also benefited from improving storage pricing and recovering enterprise demand. AI-related investments by hyperscalers are also driving stronger HDD shipments. WDC's profitability has improved significantly as industry supply discipline has stabilized pricing.

Western Digital continues to benefit from surging AI-driven data storage demand, with workloads such as AI inference, agentic AI, synthetic data and physical AI driving long-term HDD growth. The company is expanding its technology roadmap with 40TB ePMR, 44TB HAMR and UltraSMR drives, targeting capacities beyond 100TB, while next-generation ePMR is expected to ramp in the second half of 2026 and HAMR in 2027.

Western Digital is improving profitability through value-based pricing, lower cost per exabyte and supply chain efficiencies, with gross margin expected to reach 51–52% in the fourth quarter. Long-term customer agreements extending into 2028–2029 provide pricing visibility and support predictable demand, while strong free cash flow enables higher dividends and ongoing share repurchases. It remains focused on increasing drive density rather than expanding manufacturing capacity, maintaining high product quality and reliability to support growing hyperscale customer demand.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

In addition, WDC continues to enhance shareholder returns while strengthening its balance sheet. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 20% and is using robust free cash flow to fund share repurchases and strategic investments. In the fiscal third quarter, operating cash flow more than doubled year over year to $1.1 billion, generating $978 million in free cash flow. During the quarter, WD repurchased $752 million of shares, paid $43 million in dividends and reduced debt by $3.1 billion through the sale of SanDisk shares. The company ended the quarter with $2 billion in cash and a net cash position of $450 million, providing greater financial flexibility for future growth.

Price Performance for SMCI & WDCOver the past year, WDC has soared 706.5% while SMCI slipped 41.8%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Valuation PerspectiveIn terms of the forward 12-month price/earnings ratio, SMCI and WDC are trading at 10.99 and 28.44, respectively, compared with the Computer-Storage Devices industry’s multiple of 12.13.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

How Do Zacks Estimates Compare for SMCI & WDC?WDC’s estimate revisions are on an upward trajectory currently. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WDC’s earnings for fiscal 2026 has been raised 0.5% to $10.07 over the past 60 days, while the same for fiscal 2027 has gone up 7.1% to $18.41.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SMCI’s earnings for fiscal 2026 has been revised downward.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

SMCI or WDC: Which Stock is the Better Buy?Both Western Digital and Super Micro Computer are positioned to benefit from the AI revolution. As enterprises and hyperscalers continue investing aggressively in AI infrastructure, demand for GPU-optimized servers and liquid-cooled racks should remain robust. Investors seeking maximum AI exposure may find SMCI a compelling choice, despite near-term challenges. WDC, however, provides a steadier way to invest in AI. Every AI model, application and inference engine generates vast amounts of data that must be stored, managed and archived. With improving enterprise storage demand, and a focused business strategy, Western Digital offers a balanced combination of AI exposure and financial resilience.

WDC at present sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while SMCI has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Consequently, in terms of Zacks Rank, Western Digital stands out as the better value investment. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 23, 2026) - Canagold Resources Ltd. (TSX: CCM) (OTCQB: CRCUF) (FSE: CANA) ("Canagold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the successful completion of landing craft trials on the Taku River, demonstrating the use of a shallow-draft, self-propelled landing craft to transport freight from Juneau, Alaska, to the Tulsequah River confluence near the Company's proposed New Polaris Gold-Antimony Mine in northwestern British Columbia.

The successful trial confirms that the Taku River is a viable alternative freight corridor for the New Polaris Project and represents an important milestone in finalizing the Company's long-term logistics strategy for the proposed construction and operations.

"The trials were an important step in de-risking the logistics plan for New Polaris," said Catalin Kilofliski, Chief Executive Officer of Canagold. "Demonstrating that a shallow-draft landing craft can safely and reliably navigate the Taku River provides additional flexibility as we finalize our freight transportation strategy while addressing environmental and community considerations. We greatly appreciate the support, collaboration, and commitment of everyone involved in bringing these trials to a successful conclusion."

To address concerns expressed by the Taku River Tlingit First Nation and other Taku River users regarding the use of conventional tug-and-barge operations, Canagold evaluated a shallow-draft, self-propelled landing craft as an alternative transportation method. The vessel selected for the trial was the Inlet Raider, a 98-foot-long by 23-foot-wide landing craft with a draft of approximately four feet and a cargo capacity of 100 tons (pictured below).

The trials were conducted between June 11 and June 19, 2026, and consisted of multiple trips along the Taku River to the Tulsequah River confluence during this period.

Each voyage was led by a guide boat equipped with sonar instrumentation to continuously measure water depths and identify the optimal navigation route. A separate monitoring vessel carried independent environmental consultants together with monitors from the Taku River Tlingit First Nation, who observed vessel operations throughout the trial.

In addition to confirming the vessel's ability to safely navigate the Taku River and the tidal flats above Taku Inlet, the trial was designed to collect information required for future project planning and environmental assessment. Data collected included:

Navigation routes and river bathymetry;Water depths under varying tidal conditions;Above-water and underwater noise levels;Shoreline wake heights;Water quality measurements; andDrone video of the vessel along the river.Environmental monitoring was conducted by independent specialist consultants, with Taku River Tlingit First Nation participating throughout the program as environmental monitors.

Preliminary observations are that the landing craft passage had no significant negative effects on water quality, noise, or shoreline wake. A more detailed report will be prepared when all the information collected during the trial is received from the consultants.

The data collected during the trial will be used to further evaluate the suitability of the landing craft transportation method and to support ongoing studies for the New Polaris Project.

Qualified Persons

In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Garry Biles, P.Eng, President & COO is the Qualified Person for the Company and has prepared, validated, and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release. The Company strictly adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines in conducting, documenting, and reporting activities on its projects.

About Canagold

Canagold Resources Ltd. is an advanced development company dedicated to advancing the New Polaris Project through feasibility, permitting, and production stages. Additionally, Canagold aims to expand its asset base by acquiring advanced projects, positioning itself as a leading project developer. With a team of technical experts, the Company is poised to unlock substantial value for its shareholders.

"Catalin Kilofliski"

Catalin Kilofliski
Chief Executive Officer

Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/306217

Source: Canagold Resources Ltd.

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, /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of FirstSun Capital Bancorp ("FirstSun" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: FSUN).  Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether FirstSun and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. 

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On July 9, 2026, FirstSun disclosed that it "expect[s] charge-offs to average loans to be in the high 50s range in basis points" and projected a $40 million to $41 million provision for credit losses and $42 million to $43 million in charge-offs, including a $22 million charge-off tied to a suspected-fraud loan. 

On this news, FirstSun's stock price fell $2.85 per share, or 7.5%, to close at $35.08 per share on July 10, 2026.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. 

CONTACT:
Danielle Peyton
Pomerantz LLP
[email protected]
646-581-9980 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP

CATSKILL, N.Y., July 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greene County Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GCBC), the holding company for the Bank of Greene County and its subsidiary Greene County Commercial Bank, today reported net income for the quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2026. Net income for the quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2026 was $11.3 million, or $0.67 per basic and diluted share, and $41.0 million, or $2.41 per basic and diluted share, respectively, as compared to $9.3 million, or $0.55 per basic and diluted share, and $31.1 million, or $1.83 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, respectively. Net income increased $9.9 million, or 31.7%, when comparing the fiscal years ended June 30, 2026 and 2025.

Highlights:

Net Income: $41.0 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, a new record highTotal Assets: $3.2 billion at June 30, 2026, a new record highNet Loans: $1.7 billion at June 30, 2026, a new record highTotal Deposits: $2.7 billion at June 30, 2026Return on Average Assets: 1.35% for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026Return on Average Equity: 15.91% for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026 Donald Gibson, President & CEO stated: “Fiscal 2026 was a truly exceptional year for Greene County Bancorp, Inc. We achieved record net income of $41.0 million, record quarterly earnings of $11.3 million, and reached all-time highs in both assets and net loans. These accomplishments reflect the strength of our relationship-based community banking model, the loyalty of our customers, and the dedication of our employees throughout the organization.

We are especially honored to be recognized by Bank Director Magazine’s RankingBanking report as one of the nation’s top-performing banks under $5.0 billion in assets. This recognition is particularly meaningful because it is based on key measures of profitability, asset quality, and capital strength-areas that have long been central to our operating philosophy.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to serving the individuals, businesses, municipalities, and communities that have contributed to our success. Our consistent performance, strong balance sheet, and disciplined growth strategy position us well to continue creating long-term value for our customers, shareholders, employees, and communities.”

Total consolidated assets for the Company were $3.2 billion at June 30, 2026, primarily consisting of $1.7 billion of net loans and $1.2 billion of total securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity. Consolidated deposits totaled $2.7 billion at June 30, 2026, consisting of retail, business, municipal and private banking relationships.

Pre-provision net income was $43.1 million for the year ended June 30, 2026 as compared to $32.5 million for the year ended June 30, 2025, an increase of $10.6 million, or 32.7%. Pre-provision net income measures the Company’s net income not including the provision for credit losses. Management believes that this non-GAAP measure assists investors in comprehending the impact of the provision for credit losses on the Company’s reported results, offering an alternative view of the Company’s performance and the Company’s ability to generate income in excess of its provision for credit losses.

The Company strategically manages its balance sheet by focusing on higher-yielding loans and securities, and lowering deposit rates to align with the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cuts. This resulted in a higher net interest margin for the year ended June 30, 2026 as compared to the year ended June 30, 2025. Continued geopolitical disruptions, higher energy prices and shifting tariff policies complicate the economic outlook. With shifting global alliances and market volatility, our focus remains our commitment to building shareholder value while serving the financial needs of our communities. The Company continues to deliver strong performance and stability against an unpredictable geopolitical landscape.

Selected highlights for the quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, are as follows:

Net Interest Income and Margin

Net interest income increased $4.4 million to $21.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2026, from $16.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025. Net interest income increased $17.8 million to $77.9 million for the year ended June 30, 2026, from $60.1 million for the year ended June 30, 2025. The increase in net interest income was due to an increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets, which increased $135.6 million and $195.6 million when comparing the three months and years ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively, an increase in interest rates on interest-earning assets, which increased 17 basis points for both the three months and years ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, and a decrease in rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, which decreased 34 and 29 basis points when comparing the three months and years ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively. The increase in net interest income was offset by an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities, which increased $74.9 million and $143.4 million when comparing the three months and years ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively.Average loan balances increased $123.4 million and $143.5 million and the yield on loans increased 7 and 13 basis points when comparing the three months and years ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively. The average balance of securities increased $36.5 million and $72.8 million and the yield on such securities increased 29 and 26 basis points when comparing the three months and years ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively. The average interest-bearing bank balances and federal funds decreased $25.1 million and $21.6 million and the yield on interest-bearing bank balances and federal funds decreased 84 and 71 basis points when comparing the three months and years ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively.

The cost of NOW deposits decreased 38 and 36 basis points, the cost of certificates of deposits decreased 42 and 57 basis points and the cost of savings and money market deposits decreased 6 and 2 basis points when comparing the three months and years ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively. The growth in interest-bearing liabilities was primarily due to an increase in average NOW deposits of $65.2 million and $124.5 million and an increase in average certificates of deposits of $21.1 million and $39.2 million when comparing the three months and years ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively. This was partially offset by a decrease in average savings and money market deposits of $8.2 million and $12.6 million when comparing the three months and years ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively. When comparing the three months and years ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, yields on interest-earning assets increased while the costs of interest-bearing deposits declined, reflecting continued asset repricing and the Company’s strategic reduction in deposit rates.

Net interest rate spread increased 51 basis points to 2.65% for the three months ended June 30, 2026 as compared to 2.14% for the three months ended June 30, 2025. Net interest rate spread increased 46 basis points to 2.43% for the year ended June 30, 2026 as compared to 1.97% for the year ended June 30, 2025.Net interest margin increased 49 basis points to 2.86% for the three months ended June 30, 2026 as compared to 2.37% for the three months ended June 30, 2025. Net interest margin increased 46 basis points to 2.65% for the year ended June 30, 2026 as compared to 2.19% for the year ended June 30, 2025. The increase in net interest rate spread and net interest margin for the three months and year ended June 30, 2026 was driven by higher interest income on loans and securities, as earning assets repriced and new originations reflected yields above prior-period levels, combined with disciplined deposit pricing that reduced funding costs.Net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis includes the additional amount of interest income that would have been earned if the Company’s investment in tax-exempt securities and loans had been subject to federal and New York State income taxes yielding the same after-tax income. Tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.15% and 2.67% for the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively, and was 2.95% and 2.47% for the years ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively.
Credit Quality and Provision for Credit Losses

Provision for credit losses amounted to a charge of $126,000 and a benefit of $880,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively, and a charge of $2.0 million and $1.3 million for the years ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively. The provision for the year ended June 30, 2026 was primarily attributable to an increase in loan volume. The allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans receivable was 1.25% at June 30, 2026 as compared to 1.24% at June 30, 2025.Commercial and commercial real estate loans classified as substandard and special mention totaled $40.0 million at June 30, 2026, and $39.4 million at June 30, 2025, an increase of $524,000. Of the loans classified as substandard or special mention, $38.8 million were performing at June 30, 2026. There were no loans classified as doubtful or loss at June 30, 2026 or June 30, 2025. Net charge-offs on loans amounted to $65,000 and $44,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively, an increase of $21,000. Net charge-offs totaled $338,000 and $349,000 for the years ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively, a decrease of $11,000. There were no material charge-offs in any loan segment during the three months and year ended June 30, 2026. Nonperforming loans amounted to $3.9 million at June 30, 2026 and $3.1 million at June 30, 2025. The activity in nonperforming loans during the period included $871,000 in loan repayments, $117,000 in charge-offs, and $1.9 million of loans placed into nonperforming status. At June 30, 2026, nonperforming assets were 0.12% of total assets as compared to 0.10% at June 30, 2025. At June 30, 2026, nonperforming loans were 0.23% of net loans as compared to 0.19% at June 30, 2025.
Noninterest Income and Noninterest Expense

Noninterest income increased $61,000, or 1.6%, to $3.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2026 as compared to $3.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025. Noninterest income decreased $566,000, or 3.7%, to $14.7 million for the year ended June 30, 2026 as compared to $15.2 million for the year ended June 30, 2025. The decrease during the year ended June 30, 2026 was primarily due to a reduction of $619,000 in fee income earned on customer interest rate swap contracts and the Company earning an Employee Retention Tax Credit (“ERTC”) of $610,000 during the year ended June 30, 2025. This was partially offset by an increase in income from bank owned life insurance of $210,000, an increase of $203,000 in service charge income, and an increase of $112,000 in debit card fees and incentives.Noninterest expense increased $1.5 million, or 14.7%, to $11.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2026 as compared to $10.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025. The increase during the three months ended June 30, 2026 was primarily due to an increase of $866,000 in salaries and employee benefits, an increase of $250,000 in charitable contributions as the Bank made a charitable donation to the Bank of Greene County Charitable Foundation, and an increase of $157,000 in the allowance for credit losses unfunded commitment expense, due to an increase in the Company’s contractual obligation to extend credit. Noninterest expense increased $4.3 million, or 11.0%, to $43.7 million for the year ended June 30, 2026 as compared to $39.4 million for the year ended June 30, 2025. The increase during the year ended June 30, 2026 was primarily due to an increase of $2.3 million in salaries and employee benefits, a $905,000 non-cash settlement charge as a result of the completed termination of the Company’s defined benefit pension plan, an increase of $500,000 in charitable contributions as the Bank made a charitable donation to the Bank of Greene County Charitable Foundation, an increase of $369,000 in computer software, supplies and support fees, an increase of $265,000 in service and data processing expenses, an increase of $244,000 in occupancy expenses, and an increase of $134,000 in legal and professional fees. This was partially offset by a $864,000 decrease in the allowance for credit losses unfunded commitment expense.
Income Taxes

Provision for income taxes reflects the expected tax associated with the pre-tax income generated for the given period and certain regulatory requirements. The effective tax rate was 12.3% and 12.4% for the three months and year ended June 30, 2026, and 14.8% and 10.2% for the three months and year ended June 30, 2025, respectively. The statutory tax rate is impacted by the benefits derived from tax-exempt bond and loan income, the Company’s real estate investment trust subsidiary income, income received on the bank owned life insurance and tax credits to arrive at the effective tax rate. The decrease during the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 is primarily due to the mix of permanent tax differences. The increase during the years ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 is primarily due to higher mix of pre-tax income and reflects a lower mix of tax-exempt income from municipal bonds, tax advantage loans, and bank owned life insurance in proportion to pre-tax income.
Balance Sheet Summary

Total assets of the Company were $3.2 billion at June 30, 2026 and $3.0 billion at June 30, 2025, an increase of $142.8 million, or 4.7%.During the year ended June 30, 2026, the Company terminated its defined benefit pension plan, with all remaining obligations settled using plan assets for approximately $3.5 million.

Total cash and cash equivalents for the Company were $144.9 million at June 30, 2026 and $183.1 million at June 30, 2025. The Company has continued to maintain strong capital and liquidity positions as of June 30, 2026.Securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity increased $45.1 million, or 4.0%, to $1.2 billion at June 30, 2026 as compared to $1.1 billion at June 30, 2025. Securities purchased totaled $694.2 million during the year ended June 30, 2026, primarily consisting of $340.5 million of state and political subdivision securities, $254.2 million of U.S. Treasuries, $78.0 million of mortgage-backed securities, $12.5 million of collateralized mortgage obligations, and $9.0 million of corporate debt securities. Principal pay-downs and maturities during the year ended June 30, 2026, amounted to $644.8 million, primarily consisting of $320.1 million of state and political subdivision securities, $261.0 million of U.S. Treasuries, $44.5 million of mortgage-backed securities, $15.3 million of corporate debt securities, and $3.9 million of collateralized mortgage obligations. Net loans receivable increased $124.2 million, or 7.7%, to $1.7 billion at June 30, 2026 as compared to $1.6 billion at June 30, 2025. Loan growth experienced during the year ended June 30, 2026, consisted primarily of $92.3 million in commercial real estate loans, $24.7 million in commercial loans, and $11.3 million in home equity loans. The allowance for credit losses on loans increased $1.7 million, or 8.5%, to $21.9 million at June 30, 2026 as compared to $20.1 million at June 30, 2025. The increase in the allowance for credit losses was primarily attributable to an increase in loan volume.Deposits totaled $2.7 billion at June 30, 2026 as compared to $2.6 billion at June 30, 2025, an increase of $73.6 million, or 2.8%. The Company had $52.4 million and $51.6 million of brokered deposits at June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2025, respectively. NOW deposits increased $30.2 million, or 1.5%, noninterest bearing deposits increased $30.1 million, or 27.3%, and certificates of deposits increased $20.6 million, or 9.0%, when comparing June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2025. Savings deposits decreased $3.7 million, or 1.5%, and money market deposits decreased $3.6 million, or 3.5%, when comparing June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2025. Borrowings amounted to $155.1 million at June 30, 2026 as compared to $128.1 million at June 30, 2025, an increase of $27.0 million. At June 30, 2026, borrowings included $119.0 million of overnight borrowings with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”), $29.9 million of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes and $6.2 million of long-term borrowings with the FHLB. On October 1, 2025, the entire outstanding principal amount of the $20.0 million 4.75% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes, due September 17, 2030, was redeemed. The redemption was funded by cash on hand.Shareholders’ equity increased to $277.8 million at June 30, 2026 as compared to $238.8 million at June 30, 2025, resulting primarily from net income of $41.0 million and a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $2.0 million, partially offset by dividends declared and paid of $4.0 million. Under the stock repurchase program, the Company repurchased 1,343 shares of common stock during the three months ended June 30, 2026, at an average price of $23.50, for an aggregate purchase price of $31,558. As of the year ended June 30, 2026, 398,657 shares remain in the current stock repurchase program. There were no repurchases during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025.
Corporate Overview

Greene County Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for the Bank of Greene County, and its subsidiary Greene County Commercial Bank. The Company is the leading provider of community-based banking services throughout the Hudson Valley and Capital Region of New York State. Its customers include individuals, businesses, municipalities and other institutions. Greene County Bancorp, Inc. (GCBC) is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market and is dedicated to promoting economic development and a high quality of life in the communities it serves. For more information on Greene County Bancorp, Inc., visit www.tbogc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, this earnings release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which describes the future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “plan,” “seek,” “expect,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “indicate,” “would,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “target” and words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on such statements. We are under no duty to and do not take any obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this report. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries include, but are not limited to, changes in general economic conditions, interest rates and inflation; changes in asset quality; our ability to access cost-effective funding; fluctuations in real estate values; changes in laws or regulations; the effects of any federal government shutdown; changes in liquidity, including the size and composition of our deposit portfolio and the percentage of uninsured deposits in the portfolio; changes in technology; failures or breaches of our IT security systems; our ability to introduce new products and services and capitalize on growth opportunities; changes in accounting policies and practices; our ability to retain key employees; and the effects of natural disasters and geopolitical events, including terrorism, conflict and acts of war.

For more information, please see our reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to presenting information in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), this news release contains financial information determined by methods other than GAAP (non-GAAP). The following measures used in this release, which are commonly utilized by financial institutions, have not been specifically exempted by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and may constitute "non-GAAP financial measures" within the meaning of the SEC's rules.

The Company has provided in this news release supplemental disclosures for the calculation of net interest margin utilizing a fully taxable-equivalent adjustment and pre-provision net income. Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by the Company from time to time are useful in evaluating the Company's performance and that such information should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for or superior to the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Our non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similar measures presented by other companies. Refer to the tables on page 9 for Non-GAAP to GAAP reconciliations.

Greene County Bancorp, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income and Selected Financial Ratios (Unaudited)

 At or for the Three Months
At or for the Years
 Ended June 30,
Ended June 30,
Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data 2026  2025  2026  2025 Interest income$33,429 $30,739 $131,127 $117,705 Interest expense 12,280  14,033  53,213  57,584 Net interest income 21,149  16,706  77,914  60,121 Provision for credit losses 126  (880) 2,033  1,316 Noninterest income 3,826  3,765  14,667  15,233 Noninterest expense 11,921  10,394  43,716  39,372 Income before taxes 12,928  10,957  46,832  34,666 Tax provision 1,590  1,624  5,810  3,528 Net income$11,338 $9,333 $41,022 $31,138      Basic and diluted EPS$0.67 $0.55 $2.41 $1.83 Weighted average shares outstanding 17,025,485  17,026,828  17,025,485  17,026,828 Dividends declared per share(4)$0.10 $0.09 $0.40 $0.36      Selected Financial Ratios    Return on average assets(1) 1.48% 1.28% 1.35% 1.10%Return on average equity(1) 16.64% 15.98% 15.91% 14.08%Net interest rate spread(1) 2.65% 2.14% 2.43% 1.97%Net interest margin(1) 2.86% 2.37% 2.65% 2.19%Fully taxable-equivalent net interest margin(2) 3.15% 2.67% 2.95% 2.47%Efficiency ratio(3) 47.73% 50.77% 47.22% 52.25%Non-performing assets to total assets   0.12% 0.10%Non-performing loans to net loans   0.23% 0.19%Allowance for credit losses on loans to non-performing loans   555.36% 658.37%Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans   1.25% 1.24%Shareholders’ equity to total assets   8.73% 7.85%Dividend payout ratio(4)   16.60% 19.67%Actual dividends paid to net income(5)   9.87% 14.37%Book value per share  $16.32 $14.03              (1) Ratios are annualized when necessary.
(2) Interest income calculated on a taxable-equivalent basis (non-GAAP) includes the additional interest income that would have been earned if the Company’s investment in tax-exempt securities and loans had been subject to federal and New York State income taxes yielding the same after-tax income.
(3) The efficiency ratio has been calculated as noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income.
(4) The dividend payout ratio has been calculated based on the dividends declared per share divided by basic earnings per share. No adjustments have been made to account for dividends waived by Greene County Bancorp, MHC (“MHC”), the Company’s majority shareholder, owning 54.1% of the shares outstanding.
(5) Dividends declared divided by net income. The MHC waived its right to receive dividends declared during the three months ended March 31, 2025, June 30, 2025, September 30, 2025, December 31, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Dividends declared during the three months ended September 30, 2024, December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2026, were paid to the MHC.  Greene County Bancorp, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited)

 At
June 30, 2026 At
June 30, 2025Dollars in thousands, except share data   Assets   Cash and due from banks$12,306  $12,788 Interest-bearing deposits 132,599   170,290 Total cash and cash equivalents 144,905   183,078     Long-term certificate of deposit 1,225   1,425 Securities available-for-sale, at fair value 373,810   356,062 Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses of $530 and $548 at June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2025 803,553   776,147 Equity securities, at fair value 388   402 Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost 7,777   5,504     Loans receivable 1,753,342   1,627,406 Less: Allowance for credit losses on loans (21,859)  (20,146)Net loans receivable 1,731,483   1,607,260     Premises and equipment, net 14,839   15,232 Bank owned life insurance 68,895   59,795 Accrued interest receivable 17,184   16,381 Prepaid expenses and other assets 19,368   19,323 Total assets$3,183,427  $3,040,609     Liabilities and shareholders’ equity   Noninterest bearing deposits$140,229  $110,163 Interest bearing deposits 2,573,170   2,529,672 Total deposits 2,713,399   2,639,835     Borrowings, short-term 119,000   74,000 Borrowings, long-term 6,166   4,189 Subordinated notes payable, net 29,979   49,867 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 37,052   33,881 Total liabilities 2,905,596   2,801,772 Total shareholders’ equity 277,831   238,837 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$3,183,427  $3,040,609 Common shares outstanding 17,025,485   17,026,828 Treasury shares 197,195   195,852      The above information is preliminary and based on the Company’s data available at the time of presentation.

Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliations

The following table summarizes the adjustments made to arrive at the fully taxable-equivalent net interest margins.

 For the three months ended
June 30,For the years ended
June 30,(Dollars in thousands) 2026  2025  2026  2025 Net interest income (GAAP)$21,149 $16,706 $77,914 $60,121 Tax-equivalent adjustment(1) 2,189  2,130  8,676  7,679 Net interest income-fully taxable-equivalent basis (non-GAAP)$23,338 $18,836 $86,590 $67,800      Average interest-earning assets (GAAP)$2,960,541 $2,824,952 $2,935,094 $2,739,472 Net interest margin-fully taxable-equivalent basis (non-GAAP) 3.15% 2.67% 2.95% 2.47%              (1) Interest income calculated on a taxable-equivalent basis (non-GAAP) includes the additional interest income that would have been earned if the Company’s investment in tax-exempt securities and loans had been subject to federal and New York State income taxes yielding the same after-tax income. The rate used for this adjustment was 21% for federal income taxes for the three and twelve months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, 4.44% for New York State income taxes for the three and twelve months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025.

The following table summarizes the adjustments made to arrive at pre-provision net income.

 For the three months ended June 30,(Dollars in thousands) 2026  2025 Net income (GAAP)$11,338 $9,333 Provision for credit losses 126  (880)Pre-provision net income (non-GAAP)$11,464 $8,453          For the years ended June 30,(Dollars in thousands) 2026  2025 Net income (GAAP)$41,022 $   31,138 Provision for credit losses 2,033  1,316 Pre-provision net income (non-GAAP)$43,055 $   32,454         The above information is preliminary and based on the Company’s data available at the time of presentation.

For Further Information Contact:
Donald E. Gibson
President & CEO
(518) 943-2600
[email protected]

Nick Barzee
SVP & CFO
(518) 943-2600
[email protected]

The 5 top-rated dividend stocks by analystsConnectOne Bancorp NASDAQ: CNOB reported stronger second-quarter 2026 earnings, with management citing continued margin expansion, balance sheet growth and benefits from its Long Island acquisition completed a little over a year ago.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frank Sorrentino said the company’s operating performance “continued to accelerate” during the quarter, pointing to “strong revenue and earnings, healthy deposit and loan growth, continued margin expansion, and accelerating financial returns.” He said the bank remains focused on client relationships, core deposit growth and disciplined loan growth.

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Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Bill Burns said net income available to common shareholders was $40.2 million, or $0.80 per share, up from $36.3 million, or $0.72 per share, in the first quarter. Operating pre-provision net revenue improved to 1.94%, compared with 1.81% in the prior quarter and 1.52% a year earlier.

Margin Expansion Continues ConnectOne’s net interest margin widened for the seventh consecutive quarter, reaching 3.42%. Burns said the three-basis-point sequential increase followed wider gains in the two previous quarters and was driven largely by adjustable-rate loan repricing.

Year to date, about $700 million of loan balances came up for repricing, or roughly $100 million per month. Burns said approximately 20% of those loans paid off, while the remaining 80% were retained at a weighted average rate increase of 255 basis points.

Burns maintained prior guidance for a year-end spot margin of 3.50%, citing some pressure from rising deposit costs. However, he said management still expects wider margins through the rest of 2026 and into 2027, with loan repricing expected to outweigh higher funding costs.

In response to an analyst question, Burns said deposit costs have risen slightly, with certificate of deposit rates around 4%. He said growth in non-interest-bearing demand deposits could help offset pressure from higher-cost funding.

Loan and Deposit Growth Remain Solid Loans grew at an annualized rate of about 5% on a period-end basis, while average loan balances increased at a 10% annualized pace. Burns said the growth contributed to stronger net interest income.

Client deposits, defined as total deposits less brokered deposits, grew 8% annualized on a point-to-point basis. Non-interest-bearing demand deposits grew at a 20% annualized rate. Burns said deposit growth came from commercial and retail accounts as well as municipalities, including in Southeast Florida.

During the question-and-answer session, management said it still expects mid-single-digit loan growth for 2026. Sorrentino said loan pipeline activity in the “top of the funnel” supports expectations that momentum will continue in the second half of the year.

Sorrentino also discussed the company’s Florida operations, saying the market remains a growth opportunity for ConnectOne. He said the bank’s Florida presence is approaching $700 million in footings and that about half of the growth is coming from clients with ties to New York and New Jersey who are expanding into Florida.

Non-Interest Income Rises as Expenses Stay Controlled Non-interest income increased to $7.9 million, up more than $1 million sequentially, driven by higher Small Business Administration loan sale gains. Burns said the company expects higher levels of non-interest income in the second half of the year.

Sorrentino said SBA and BoeFly are contributing to the bank’s non-interest income trajectory, while the company’s residential build-out is gaining momentum.

Operating expenses declined slightly to $55.3 million from $55.7 million in the first quarter. The efficiency ratio improved to 42.7%, compared with 45.4% in the prior quarter and 49.2% a year earlier.

Sorrentino said ConnectOne is using technology to improve efficiency, including a partnership with nCino that deploys digital agents and business intelligence into its loan platform. He said the effort has reduced time spent on some manual processes by more than 50%, allowing employees to spend more time on clients and revenue growth.

Credit Metrics Affected by Rent-Stabilized Loan Relationship Credit quality was a major focus of the call, particularly a $63.8 million relationship secured by New York City rent-stabilized multifamily properties that management flagged in the prior quarter.

Burns said the borrower’s issues centered on administrative matters, including delays in the New York State tax abatement process. During the second quarter, ConnectOne received payments that brought $20 million of the exposure current. The remaining $44 million was moved to non-accrual status, followed by a $13.8 million charge-off based on conservative valuations.

Burns clarified during the Q&A that, after the charge-off, the remaining outstanding exposure was about $30 million. He said management hopes to resolve the credit over the next year while continuing to work with the client.

The charge-off was partially offset by a $9.2 million release of reserves previously allocated to the rent-stabilized subsegment, including the specific relationship. The net effect added $4.6 million to provision expense, bringing total provision for loan losses to $8.3 million, compared with $5.2 million in the first quarter.

Non-performing assets increased to 0.55% of total assets from 0.29% in the prior quarter, and annualized charge-offs were 56 basis points, above what Burns described as a typical level of about 20 basis points. He said the increase was “substantially attributable” to the one relationship.

Management emphasized that broader credit trends remain stable. Total criticized and classified loans fell to 1.89% of total loans from 2.26%, while 30- to 89-day delinquencies declined to three basis points of total loans. Burns said there was no other area of the portfolio that was a particular concern.

The rent-stabilized portfolio represents about 5% of total loans and has declined approximately 10% year over year. Burns said ConnectOne is actively exploring a potential bulk sale to further reduce exposure, depending on market conditions.

Capital Builds as Buybacks Remain Opportunistic Tangible book value per share increased 3.1% sequentially to $24.66 and was up 12.4% year over year. The tangible common equity ratio rose to 8.78%, up 70 basis points from last June, when the First of Long Island merger closed.

ConnectOne repurchased 90,000 shares year to date at an average price of $26.21, though it did not repurchase shares during the second quarter. Burns said 550,000 shares remain under the current authorization and that the company will continue to repurchase shares opportunistically.

The board declared a common dividend of $0.195 per share, unchanged from the prior quarter. Burns said the dividend payout ratio remains in the mid-20% range, giving the company flexibility around dividends and buybacks.

Sorrentino said the company remains focused on organic growth rather than near-term bank acquisitions, though he said ConnectOne would continue to be opportunistic if future opportunities arise.

About ConnectOne Bancorp (NASDAQ:CNOB)ConnectOne Bancorp is a New Jersey‐based bank holding company whose primary subsidiary, ConnectOne Bank, offers a suite of commercial banking services to small and medium‐sized businesses, professionals and individuals. Established in 2005 and headquartered in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, the company seeks to deliver customized lending and deposit solutions through a network of branches across northern New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area.

The company's lending portfolio centers on commercial real estate financing, construction lending, owner‐occupied real estate loans and working capital lines of credit.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

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Marathon Petroleum (MPC - Free Report) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.

Shares of this refiner have returned +28.1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.4% change. The Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry, to which Marathon Petroleum belongs, has gained 18.6% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?

Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.

Earnings Estimate RevisionsHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.

Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.

For the current quarter, Marathon Petroleum is expected to post earnings of $14.67 per share, indicating a change of +270.5% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +28.3% over the last 30 days.

The consensus earnings estimate of $35.82 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +234.8%. This estimate has changed +11% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $27.84 indicates a change of -22.3% from what Marathon Petroleum is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +5.7%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Marathon Petroleum.

The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Projected Revenue GrowthWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.

In the case of Marathon Petroleum, the consensus sales estimate of $34.83 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +2.1%. The $144.74 billion and $131.44 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +7% and -9.2%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryMarathon Petroleum reported revenues of $34.57 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +8.5%. EPS of $1.65 for the same period compares with -$0.24 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $30.35 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +13.88%. The EPS surprise was +129.17%.

Over the last four quarters, Marathon Petroleum surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.

ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.

While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.

As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

Marathon Petroleum is graded A on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Marathon Petroleum. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Edison International (EIX - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 30, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis electric power provider is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.02 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +5.2%.

Revenues are expected to be $4.72 billion, up 3.9% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 6.66% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Edison International?For Edison International, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +4.66%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.

So, this combination indicates that Edison International will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Edison International would post earnings of $1.32 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.42, delivering a surprise of +7.58%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Edison International appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAnother stock from the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, OGE Energy (OGE - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $0.57 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +7.6%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $781.11 million, up 5.3% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for OGE Energy has been revised 8% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -2.00%.

When combined with a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that OGE Energy will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed EPS estimates just once.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.

Shares of this company have returned +2.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.4% change. The Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, to which Vistra belongs, has gained 2.5% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?

While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.

Revisions to Earnings EstimatesHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.

Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.

Vistra is expected to post earnings of $2.43 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +140.6%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -3.6%.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $9.35 points to a change of +77.8% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed +2.7%.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $11.01 indicates a change of +17.8% from what Vistra is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.4%.

Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Vistra is rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Revenue Growth ForecastWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.

For Vistra, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $6.42 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +51%. For the current and next fiscal years, $23.86 billion and $25.79 billion estimates indicate +34.5% and +8% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryVistra reported revenues of $5.64 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +43.4%. EPS of $2.87 for the same period compares with $0.46 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.45 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +3.54%. The EPS surprise was +29.86%.

Over the last four quarters, Vistra surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates just once over this period.

ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.

While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.

The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

Vistra is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Vistra. However, its Zacks Rank #1 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.

Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) closed the last trading session at $166.74, gaining 2.4% over the past four weeks, but there could be plenty of upside left in the stock if short-term price targets set by Wall Street analysts are any guide. The mean price target of $223.63 indicates a 34.1% upside potential.

The mean estimate comprises 16 short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $31.82. While the lowest estimate of $181.00 indicates an 8.6% increase from the current price level, the most optimistic analyst expects the stock to surge 78.7% to reach $298.00. It's very important to note the standard deviation here, as it helps understand the variability of the estimates. The smaller the standard deviation, the greater the agreement among analysts.

While the consensus price target is highly sought after by investors, the ability and unbiasedness of analysts in setting price targets have long been questionable. And investors making investment decisions solely based on this tool would arguably do themselves a disservice.

But, for VST, an impressive average price target is not the only indicator of a potential upside. Strong agreement among analysts about the company's ability to report better earnings than they predicted earlier strengthens this view. While a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions doesn't gauge how much a stock could gain, it has proven to be powerful in predicting an upside.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Here's What You May Not Know About Analysts' Price TargetsAccording to researchers at several universities across the globe, a price target is one of many pieces of information about a stock that misleads investors far more often than it guides. In fact, empirical research shows that price targets set by several analysts, irrespective of the extent of agreement, rarely indicate where the price of a stock could actually be heading.

While Wall Street analysts have deep knowledge of a company's fundamentals and the sensitivity of its business to economic and industry issues, many of them tend to set overly optimistic price targets. Are you wondering why?

They usually do that to drum up interest in shares of companies that their firms either have existing business relationships with or are looking to be associated with. In other words, business incentives of firms covering a stock often result in inflated price targets set by analysts.

However, a tight clustering of price targets, which is represented by a low standard deviation, indicates that analysts have a high degree of agreement about the direction and magnitude of a stock's price movement. While that doesn't necessarily mean the stock will hit the average price target, it could be a good starting point for further research aimed at identifying the potential fundamental driving forces.

That said, while investors should not entirely ignore price targets, making an investment decision solely based on them could lead to disappointing ROI. So, price targets should always be treated with a high degree of skepticism.

Here's Why There Could be Plenty of Upside Left in VSTThere has been increasing optimism among analysts lately about the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher. And that could be a legitimate reason to expect an upside in the stock. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 2.7%, as two estimates have moved higher compared to no negative revision.

Moreover, VST currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), which means it is in the top 5% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on four factors related to earnings estimates. Given an impressive externally-audited track record, this is a more conclusive indication of the stock's potential upside in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Therefore, while the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of how much VST could gain, the direction of price movement it implies does appear to be a good guide.

Norfolk Southern Corp (NSC) released its 8-K filing on July 23, 2026, revealing positive financial results for the second quarter of 2026. The company reported

For the quarter ended June 2026, Norfolk Southern (NSC - Free Report) reported revenue of $3.47 billion, up 11.4% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $3.52, compared to $3.29 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.32 billion, representing a surprise of +4.42%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +8.98%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $3.23.

While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.

As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.

Here is how Norfolk Southern performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

Railway Operating Ratio: 67.6% versus the three-analyst average estimate of 66.7%.Revenue ton miles: 49.7 billion compared to the 48.58 billion average estimate based on two analysts.Carloads (Units) - Volume - Merchandise: 610.7 thousand compared to the 612.51 thousand average estimate based on two analysts.Carloads (Units) - Volume - Intermodal: 1.06 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of 1.07 million.Revenue per Carload (Unit) - Total: $1,861.00 versus the two-analyst average estimate of $1,765.63.Railway operating revenues- Merchandise- Agriculture, forest and consumer products: $673 million versus $674.63 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +4.3% change.Railway operating revenues- Coal: $424 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $393.37 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +7.3%.Railway operating revenues- Merchandise- Chemicals: $646 million versus $585.34 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +18.3% change.Railway operating revenues- Intermodal: $908 million versus $821.41 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +22.2% change.Railway operating revenues- Merchandise- Automotive: $334 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $332.44 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +3.4%.Railway operating revenues- Merchandise: $2.13 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of $2.08 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +8.2%.Railway operating revenues- Merchandise- Metals and construction: $480 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $491.94 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +4.8%.View all Key Company Metrics for Norfolk Southern here>>>

Shares of Norfolk Southern have returned +8.9% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.4% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Saia (SAIA - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 30, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis trucking company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $3.34 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +25.1%.

Revenues are expected to be $958.29 million, up 17.3% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.5% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Saia?For Saia, the Most Accurate Estimate is the same as the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that there are no recent analyst views which differ from what have been considered to derive the consensus estimate. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of 0%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Saia will beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Saia would post earnings of $1.82 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.86, delivering a surprise of +2.20%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Saia doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAnother stock from the Zacks Transportation - Truck industry, ArcBest (ARCB - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $2.3 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +69.1%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $1.19 billion, up 16.8% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for ArcBest has been revised 16.6% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.33%.

When combined with a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that ArcBest will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Payoneer Global Inc. (NASDAQ: PAYO) ("Payoneer" or the "Company"), the global financial technology company powering business growth across borders, will report its Second Quarter 2026 financial results on Thursday, August 6, 2026, before the market opens.

On June 15, 2026, Payoneer announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement under which Neon Maple Parent Inc., a corporation incorporated pursuant to the laws of Canada ("Nuvei") will acquire Payoneer. Under the terms of the agreement, Nuvei will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Payoneer Global Inc. for $7.40 per share in cash, representing a total transaction equity value of approximately $2.75 billion. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2027, subject to approval by Payoneer's shareholders, receipt of required regulatory approvals, and other customary closing conditions. In light of the announced transaction, Payoneer will not host a conference call or webcast to review its financial results. 

About Payoneer 

Payoneer is the financial platform for cross-border business and global payments. Payoneer empowers millions of businesses with the financial tools and services they need to grow and transact globally with confidence. Payoneer makes it easier for businesses, particularly in emerging markets, to connect to the global economy, pay and get paid across borders, manage their funds across multiple currencies, and grow their businesses.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). Except for historical information contained in this press release, the matters discussed herein contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements are provided under the "safe harbor" protection of the Act. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as "may," "will," "shall," "should," "expects," "plans," "positioning," "anticipates," "could," "intends," "target," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern our expectations, strategy, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about transition and the impact of recent changes to our executive management team; statements regarding the expectations of demand for our products and cash flow generation; statements about improvements to and expansion of our products and platform, and launching new products; statements about future operating results, including revenue, volume, growth opportunities, variability of expenses, ability to realize efficiencies, future spending and incremental investments, business trends, our ability to deliver profits, and growth and value for shareholders; and assumptions regarding foreign exchange rates.

Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements regarding the transactions (the "Transaction") contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 12, 2026, by and among the Company, Nuvei and Panda Acquisition Sub Inc. (the "Merger Agreement"), including the expected time period to consummate the Transaction. All such forward-looking statements are based upon current plans, estimates, expectations and ambitions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the Transaction, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals of the Transaction; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement; the possibility that the Company's stockholders may not approve the Transaction; the risk that the parties may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the Transaction in a timely manner or at all; risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the Transaction; the risk that any announcements relating to the Transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of the Company's common stock; the risk that the Transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the parties' business relationships and business generally, including the ability of the Company to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their suppliers and customers, and on their operating results and businesses generally; the risk of unforeseen or unknown liabilities; customer, stockholder, partner, regulatory and other stakeholder approvals and support; the risk of unexpected future capital expenditures; the risk of potential litigation relating to the Transaction that could be instituted against the Company or its directors and/or officers; the risk associated with third party contracts containing material consent, anti-assignment, transfer or other provisions that may be related to the Transaction which are not waived or otherwise satisfactorily resolved; the risk of various events that could disrupt operations, including severe weather, such as droughts, floods, avalanches and earthquakes, cybersecurity attacks, wars, security threats and governmental response to them, and technological changes; the risks of labor disputes, changes in labor costs and labor difficulties; and the risks resulting from other effects of industry, market, economic, legal or legislative, political or regulatory conditions outside of the Company's control. All such factors are difficult to predict and are beyond our control, including those detailed in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 (and which is available at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1845815/000110465926020487/payo-20251231x10k.htm), quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other documents subsequently filed by the Company with the Securities Exchange Commission ("SEC") (and that are available at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/search/#/ciks=0001845815&entityName=Payoneer%2520Global%2520Inc.%2520(PAYO)%2520(CIK%25200001845815).

The Company's forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable but that may not prove to be accurate. Other unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in this communication could also have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume an obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof.

Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the Transaction, the Company will file with the SEC a proxy statement on Schedule 14A. The definitive proxy statement will be sent to the stockholders of the Company seeking their approval of the Transaction and other related matters.

INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14A WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE PROXY STATEMENT, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMPANY, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents, including the proxy statement, and other documents filed with the SEC by the Company through the website maintained by the SEC at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1845815&owner=exclude.

Copies of documents filed with the SEC by the Company will be made available free of charge by accessing the Company's website at https://investor.payoneer.com/financials/sec-filings.

Participants in the Solicitation

The Company, Nuvei and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of the Company in connection with the Transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information about the interests of the directors and executive officers of the Company and other persons who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of stockholders of the Company in connection with the Transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the proxy statement related to the Transaction, which will be filed with the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of the Company and their ownership of the Company common stock is also set forth in the Company's definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, as filed with the SEC on April 27, 2026 (and which is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001845815/000110465926049462/tm261500-1_def14a.htm and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 (and which is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001845815/000110465926020487/payo-20251231x10k.htm). Information about the directors and executive officers of the Company, their ownership of the Company common stock, and the Company's transactions with related persons is set forth in the sections entitled "Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance," "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters," and "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence" included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, which was filed with the SEC on February 26, 2026 (and which is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001845815/000110465926020487/payo-20251231x10k.htm), and in the sections entitled "Information Regarding the Board of Directors and Corporate Governance," "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management," "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions," and "Independence of the Board of Directors" included in the Company's definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, as filed with the SEC on April 27, 2026 (and which is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001845815/000110465926049462/tm261500-1_def14a.htm. Additional information regarding the interests of such participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the Transaction will be included in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or the solicitation of any vote of approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Contacts:

Investor Contact:
Michelle Wang
[email protected] 

Media Contact:
Angela Sullivan
[email protected] 

SOURCE Payoneer

For those looking to find strong Finance stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Has Apple Hospitality REIT (APLE - Free Report) been one of those stocks this year? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Finance peers, we might be able to answer that question.

Apple Hospitality REIT is one of 879 individual stocks in the Finance sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #4 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups is measured, and the sectors are listed from best to worst.

The Zacks Rank is a proven model that highlights a variety of stocks with the right characteristics to outperform the market over the next one to three months. The system emphasizes earnings estimate revisions and favors companies with improving earnings outlooks. Apple Hospitality REIT is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for APLE's full-year earnings has moved 7.4% higher. This shows that analyst sentiment has improved and the company's earnings outlook is stronger.

Based on the most recent data, APLE has returned 43% so far this year. At the same time, Finance stocks have gained an average of 6.2%. This shows that Apple Hospitality REIT is outperforming its peers so far this year.

Another Finance stock, which has outperformed the sector so far this year, is Banco Macro (BMA - Free Report) . The stock has returned 8.3% year-to-date.

For Banco Macro, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 11% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Breaking things down more, Apple Hospitality REIT is a member of the REIT and Equity Trust - Other industry, which includes 90 individual companies and currently sits at #56 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This group has gained an average of 14.3% so far this year, so APLE is performing better in this area.

Banco Macro, however, belongs to the Banks - Foreign industry. Currently, this 85-stock industry is ranked #88. The industry has moved +17.2% so far this year.

Going forward, investors interested in Finance stocks should continue to pay close attention to Apple Hospitality REIT and Banco Macro as they could maintain their solid performance.

The market expects Virtu Financial (VIRT - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 30. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis high-speed trading company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.67 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +9.2%.

Revenues are expected to be $639.48 million, up 12.6% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 9.64% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Virtu Financial?For Virtu Financial, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +3.25%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination indicates that Virtu Financial will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Virtu Financial would post earnings of $1.66 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.24, delivering a surprise of +34.94%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Virtu Financial appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Peabody Energy Corporation ("Peabody" or the "Company") (NYSE: BTU). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. 

The class action concerns whether Peabody and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. 

You have until August 24, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Peabody securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.   

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On March 30, 2026, Peabody issued a press release lowering guidance pertaining to its Centurion mine's expected first quarter 2026 output ahead of the Company's full earnings release.  Among other things, Peabody announced that sales volume from the Centurion mine was expected to deliver approximately 250,000 tons in the first quarter due to mining commissioning challenges (compared to previous estimates of around 700,000 tons). 

On this news, Peabody's stock price fell $3.82 per share, or 9.67%, to close at $35.68 per share on March 30, 2026. 

Then, on May 5, 2026, Peabody issued a press release disclosing the Company's failure to ramp-up output at the Centurion mine by the adverted-to March 2026 deadline and cutting guidance accordingly. 

On this news, Peabody's stock price fell $1.52 per share, or 5.73%, to close at $25.00 per share on May 5, 2026.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. 

CONTACT:
Danielle Peyton
Pomerantz LLP
[email protected]
646-581-9980 ext. 7980 

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP

Key Takeaways VRSK is set to report Q2'26 results on July 29, with EPS expected to rise 3.2% y/y. Verisk's underwriting growth is expected to benefit from pricing, renewals, AI and client wins.VRSK's claims revenues are projected to grow on contract renewals and AI-backed solution adoption. Verisk (VRSK - Free Report) is scheduled to release second-quarter 2026 results on July 29, before market open.

VRSK surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 6.3%.

VRSK’s Q2 ExpectationsThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pinned at 802.4 million, suggesting 3.9% year-over-year growth. The consensus mark for underwriting revenues is set at $571.5 million, marking 3.9% year-over-year growth. VRSK is likely to have achieved this momentum in this segment on the back of strong pricing realization and multi-year contract renewals.

Sustained growth in catastrophe and risk solutions and life business, accompanied by client wins and contract extensions, is anticipated to have aided the segment. Growth acceleration is likely to have been achieved by contributory data programs and the rapid adoption of AI-driven innovations.

For the claims segment, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is pinned at $235 million, indicating a 5.4% year-over-year rally. Strong value realization in contract renewals, fueled by improved data insights and a growing ecosystem, is expected to have driven this segment’s growth. Revenue growth is anticipated to have been bolstered by the rapid client adoption of new AI-backed solutions.

For EPS, the consensus estimate is $1.94, increasing 3.2% year over year. The aforesaid expectation of segmental growth, accompanied by prudent expense management supporting operational efficiency, is anticipated to have improved the bottom line.

What Our Model Says About VRSKOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Verisk this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. But that is not the case here. You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

VRSK has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank of 3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Stocks to ConsiderHere are a few stocks from the broader Business Services sector that, according to our model, have the right combination of elements to beat earnings estimates this season.

Clean Harbors (CLH - Free Report) : The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 revenues is set at $1.6 billion, indicating a 4.8% increase from the year-ago quarter’s actual. For earnings, the consensus mark is pegged at $2.73 per share, suggesting 15.7% growth from the year-ago quarter’s reported number. The company beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the past four quarters, the average negative surprise being 0.02%.

It has an Earnings ESP of +3.82% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present.

CLH is scheduled to declare second-quarter 2026 results on July 29.

Duolingo (DUOL - Free Report) : The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s second-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $297.4 million, indicating a 17.9% year-over-year jump. For earnings, the consensus mark is pegged at 61 cents per share, suggesting a 33% decline from that reported in the year-ago quarter. The company beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the past four quarters, the average surprise being 32.3%.

DUOL currently has an Earnings ESP of +9.02% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is scheduled to declare second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 5.

Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Valero Energy (VLO - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 30, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis oil refiner is expected to post quarterly earnings of $9.81 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +330.3%.

Revenues are expected to be $35.95 billion, up 20.3% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 34.24% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Valero Energy?For Valero Energy, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -1.96%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Valero Energy will beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Valero Energy would post earnings of $3.07 per share when it actually produced earnings of $4.22, delivering a surprise of +37.46%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Valero Energy doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Expected Results of an Industry PlayerCVR Energy (CVI - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $0.18 for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +178.3%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $2.17 billion, up 23.1% from the year-ago quarter.

Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for CVR has been revised 24.8% down to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%, reflecting an equal Most Accurate Estimate.

When combined with a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that CVR will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.