Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

The Standard & Poor’s 500 is a stock market index that tracks the performance of the 500 biggest companies in the United States. It is considered a top indicator of the U.S. stock market’s health. It is a market-capitalization-weighted index of the 500 leading publicly traded companies in the U.S. Typically, larger companies significantly impact the index. As we have seen over the last year, technology stocks in the index have accounted for a large share of the index’s gains. In fact, the information technology and communication services sectors were responsible for 63.1% of the S&P 500’s total return in 2025. Without those two sectors, the index would have returned just 6% rather than its actual 17.9%.

Given those results, we decided to screen the S&P 500 for quality, well-known companies that pay substantial dividends but trade at a major discount to their intrinsic value. As we suspected, some top names are trading at significant discounts for various reasons, offering growth and income opportunities for investors and creating intriguing entry points. Five companies that investors are very familiar with look like outstanding total return candidates. All are rated Buy at top Wall Street firms that we cover here at 24/7 Wall St.

Why do we cover high-yielding S&P 500 dividend stocks?

Since 1926, dividends have accounted for approximately 32% of the S&P 500’s total return, while capital appreciation has accounted for 68%. Therefore, sustainable dividend income and the potential for capital appreciation are essential to total return expectations. A study by Hartford Funds, in collaboration with Ned Davis Research, found that dividend stocks delivered an annualized return of 9.18% over the past 50 years (1973 to 2023). Over the same timeline, this was more than double the annualized return for non-payers (3.95%).

Clorox With products that never go out of style, and a massive 5.22% dividend, this is the perfect buy for conservative investors. Clorox (NYSE: CLX | CLX Price Prediction) is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products. Despite some earnings turbulence in recent years, Clorox has maintained its dividend streak and is expected to cross the 50-year mark in 2026. Clorox trades at a 45% discount to Morningstar’s $163 fair value estimate, with mid-single-digit annual dividend growth expected over the next decade. An ERP transition and weak near-term sales guidance have weighed on the stock. Still, the final phase of the U.S. ERP implementation was completed in January 2026, and a deal to acquire GOJO Industries (maker of Purell) opens up a new growth avenue.

The company operates through four segments:

Health and Wellness Household Lifestyle International The Health and Wellness segment consists of cleaning, disinfecting, and professional products marketed and sold under these brands:

Clorox Clorox2 Pine-Sol Scentiva Tilex Liquid-Plumr Formula 409 Its Household segment consists of bags and wraps, cat litter, and grilling products marketed and sold under the Glad, Fresh Step, Scoop Away, and Kingsford brands in the United States. The Lifestyle segment consists of food, water-filtration, and natural personal care products marketed and sold under the Hidden Valley, Brita, and Burt’s Bees brands. International products consist of those sold outside the United States. Its products in this segment include laundry additives, home care products, bags and wraps, cat litter, water filtration products, and others.

Jefferies has a Buy rating with a $125 target price.

Healthpeak Properties This leading company invests in real estate in the healthcare industry, including senior housing, life sciences, and medical offices, and is trading at a 40% discount to fair value. Healthpeak Properties (NYSE: DOC) is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) with a solid 6.29% dividend. Morningstar’s chief U.S. market strategist recommends it as a 5-star stock trading at a discount to fair value with a highly dependable yield.

The company acquires, develops, owns, leases, and manages healthcare real estate across the U.S. It owns, operates, and develops real estate focused on healthcare discovery and delivery. Healthpeak Properties segments include:

Lab Outpatient medical Continuing care retirement community (CCRC) The Outpatient medical segment owns, operates, and develops outpatient medical facilities, hospitals, and laboratory facilities. The Lab segment properties contain laboratory and office space, and are leased primarily to:

Biotechnology Medical device and pharmaceutical companies Scientific research institutions Government agencies Organizations involved in the life science industry Its CCRC segment comprises a retirement community offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing units, providing a continuum of care within an integrated campus.

BMO Capital Markets has an Outperform rating with a $24 target price.

McCormick Home cooks are very familiar with this company’s products, and investors enjoy a tasty 3.82% dividend. McCormick (NYSE: MKC) manufactures, markets, and distributes herbs, spices, seasonings, condiments, and flavors to the entire food and beverage industry, including retailers, food manufacturers, and foodservice businesses. The shares have fallen nearly 39% over the past year, creating a significant discount to intrinsic value. FY2026 guidance calls for net sales growth of 13% to 17%, and the dividend has grown without interruption for over 25 years.

It operates through two segments. The Consumer segment sells to retail channels, including grocery, mass merchandise, warehouse clubs, discount and drug stores, and e-commerce under the McCormick brand and a variety of brands around the world, including:

French’s Frank’s RedHot Lawry’s Zatarain’s Simply Asia Thai Kitchen Ducros Vahine Cholula Schwartz Club House Kamis DaQiao La Drogheria Stubb’s OLD BAY Gourmet Garden In its Flavor Solutions segment, it provides a range of products to multinational food manufacturers and foodservice customers. The company supplies foodservice customers with branded, packaged products both directly and indirectly through distributors.

J.P. Morgan has an Overweight rating with a $63 target price.

Realty Income Realty Income (NYSE: O) is a real estate investment trust that has paid monthly dividends consistently for years. It owns over 15,000 properties leased primarily to defensive retailers. This is an ideal stock for growth and income investors seeking a safer contrarian idea for the rest of 2026, trading at a 20% discount to fair value and yielding 5.20%. Realty Income is an S&P 500 company that acquires and manages freestanding commercial properties that generate rental revenue under long-term net lease agreements with its commercial clients.

It is engaged in a single business activity: leasing property to clients, generally on a net basis. This business activity spans various geographic boundaries and encompasses a range of property types and clients across multiple industries. Widely considered the gold standard of monthly dividend stocks, Realty Income has been paying dividends since 1969. It has paid 667 consecutive monthly dividends as of early 2026 and increased its dividend 132 times since its 1994 IPO.

The company owns or holds interests in approximately 15,621 properties in all 50 U.S. states and:

United Kingdom France Germany Ireland Italy Portugal Spain With clients operating in 89 industries, its property types include retail, industrial, gaming, and other categories such as agriculture and office. Its primary industry concentrations include:

Grocery stores Convenience stores Dollar stores Drug stores Home improvement stores Restaurants Quick service Jefferies has a Buy rating with a $69 target price.

Verizon Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) is an American multinational telecommunications company that continues to offer tremendous value. It trades at 9.13 times its estimated 2026 earnings and at a 25% discount to intrinsic value, and pays a 6.03% dividend. Verizon provides a range of communications, technology, information, and entertainment products and services to consumers, businesses, and government entities worldwide.

Verizon’s trailing 12-month interest coverage ratio is 4.6× to 5×, providing ample cushion for dividend payments. With a highly predictable revenue stream from telecom services, the company has less exposure to commodity cycles. In addition, the large scale helps in financing and absorbing shocks.

It operates in two segments. The Consumer segment provides wireless services across the United States through Verizon and TracFone networks, as well as through wholesale and other arrangements. It also provides fixed wireless access (FWA) broadband through its wireless networks and related equipment and devices, such as:

Smartphones Tablets Smartwatches Other wireless-enabled connected devices The segment also offers wireline services in the Mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States through its fiber-optic network, Verizon Fios product portfolio, and copper-based network.

The Business segment provides wireless and wireline communications services and products, including:

FWA broadband Data Video and conferencing Corporate networking Security and managed network Local and long-distance voice Network access services to deliver various IoT services and products to businesses, government customers, and wireless and wireline carriers in the United States and internationally.

Raymond James has an Outperform rating with a $56 target price.

It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Home Depot (HD - Free Report) . Shares have added about 5.4% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.

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

Home Depot's Q1 Earnings Beat Estimates, Comparable Sales Up 0.6%Home Depot delivered first-quarter fiscal 2026 results that topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate on both the top and bottom lines. Adjusted earnings were $3.43 per share, down 3.7% from the year-ago quarter but came above the consensus mark of $3.40.

Net sales rose 4.8% year over year to $41.77 billion and beat the consensus estimate of $41.49 billion. Customer transactions totaled 391.1 million, down 0.9% year over year, while average ticket increased 2.3% to $92.76. The underlying business demand has been relatively similar to the trends seen throughout fiscal 2025, amid consumer uncertainty and housing affordability pressure.

Comparable sales (comps) increased 0.6% in the quarter, with U.S. comps up 0.4%. Foreign exchange rates provided an additional lift, contributing roughly 55 basis points (bps) to comps.

Home Depot’s Costs & Margin DetailsGross profit increased 2.4% to $13.78 billion, supported by the higher sales. However, the cost of sales rose faster than revenues, putting gross margin under pressure compared with the prior-year period. The gross margin was 33%, down 80 bps year over year. Our model predicted a 90-bps year-over-year decline in the gross margin to 32.9% for the fiscal first quarter.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses of $7.77 billion increased 5.7% from $7.96 billion in the year-ago quarter. As a percentage of sales, SG&A was 19.1%, up roughly 20 bps year over year.

Adjusted operating income was $5.15 billion, down 2.3% year over year, while the operating margin of 12.3% contracted 90 bps year over year.

HD’s Other Financial UpdatesHome Depot ended first-quarter fiscal 2026 with cash and cash equivalents of $1.60 billion, long-term debt (excluding current installments) of $44.8 billion and stockholders’ equity of $13.9 billion. In first-quarter fiscal 2026, the company generated $6.03 billion of net cash from operating activities.

Merchandise inventories were $27.28 billion and net receivables were $6.62 billion at quarter-end. The company reinvested $844 million in capital expenditures during the quarter and spent $286 million, net, on businesses acquired. Home Depot returned cash to shareholders through dividends, paying $2.32 billion in the period.

Home Depot Reaffirms Fiscal 2026 OutlookManagement reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 framework, calling for total sales growth of approximately 2.5-4.5% and comparable sales growth of roughly flat to 2%. The company also expects to open about 15 stores this year.

For fiscal 2026, Home Depot continues to project gross margin around 33.1% and operating margin of approximately 12.4-12.6%, with adjusted operating margin expected in the 12.8-13.0% range. It expects capital expenditures of roughly 2.5% of total sales. The company anticipates an effective tax rate of about 24.3%, net interest expense of roughly $2.3 billion, and earnings per share growth of approximately flat to 4.0% from $14.23 in fiscal 2025.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?It turns out, estimates revision have trended downward during the past month.

VGM ScoresCurrently, Home Depot has a nice Growth Score of B, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a D. Following the exact same course, the stock has a grade of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy.

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

OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Home Depot has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.

With $41.8 billion in first-quarter 2026 (ended May 3) revenue, Home Depot (HD +3.21%) dominates the home improvement market. Its leadership position has allowed it to earn consistent profits through various economic cycles. This has directly benefited investors who receive steady income from their positions.

Here's how many shares of this top retail stock you'd need to generate $10,000 in yearly dividends.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Home Depot pays a quarterly dividend of $2.33 per share, for a total of $9.32 annually. This means that investors need 1,073 shares to collect $10,000 in dividends over a full year.

The stock's 2.77% dividend yield is strong. It's nearly three times larger than what the S&P 500 index provides, and the payout has increased 238% in the past decade.

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Investors should come away impressed by Home Depot's commitment to shareholders. The business has now paid a dividend for 157 straight quarters (just over 39 years). This presents a compelling opportunity for market participants seeking a dependable income stream.

The macro environment has been a headwind for Home Depot, though. Its same-store sales trends have been soft, as households aren't inclined to spend on costly renovation projects during a period of above-normal inflation and elevated interest rates.

However, the fact that the company is still able to continue returning capital to investors is a sign of its healthy financial position.

Neil Patel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Home Depot. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Key Takeaways Home Depot's Q1 sales rose 4.8% y/y to $41.8B, while comps inched up 0.6% amid subdued demand.Home Depot's gross margin fell 75 bps to 33%, but management reaffirmed its full-year margin guidance.Pro sales outpaced DIY demand, supported by digital growth, market-share gains and acquisitions. The Home Depot Inc.’s (HD - Free Report) ability to sustain margin strength is becoming increasingly important as demand across the home improvement sector remains subdued. In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, the company reported sales growth of 4.8% to $41.8 billion, while comparable sales inched up 0.6%, reflecting a demand environment that management described as largely unchanged from fiscal 2025. Housing affordability pressures, elevated mortgage rates, and muted large-scale remodeling activity continue to weigh on customer spending.

Despite these headwinds, Home Depot is demonstrating resilience through operational execution and strategic investments. The company continues to gain market share, supported by strength in professional customers, digital sales growth exceeding 10% and expanding capabilities through acquisitions such as SRS, GMS and Mingledorff’s. Management highlighted that Pro sales outperformed DIY demand, with complex purchase occasions showing strongest growth, underscoring the effectiveness of its “winning the Pro” strategy.

From a margin perspective, the fiscal first-quarter gross margin declined 75 basis points (bps) to 33% due to the GMS acquisition and pricing investments at SRS. However, management emphasized that the core Home Depot business maintained a stable margin profile, while reaffirming its full-year gross margin guidance of 33.1% and the adjusted operating margin outlook of 12.8-13%.

The key question is whether margin stability can compensate for sluggish demand. While disciplined cost management, operational efficiencies and a richer Pro mix can help protect profitability, sustained earnings growth will ultimately require stronger project demand. For now, Home Depot’s margin resilience, market-share gains and strategic expansion provide a meaningful buffer against demand challenges, allowing the company to navigate a prolonged housing downturn while positioning itself for growth.

How Are LOW & WSM Faring in Terms of Profit Margins?While Home Depot has long been known for its strong profitability, investors are also closely watching how peers Lowe’s Companies Inc. (LOW - Free Report) and Williams-Sonoma Inc. (WSM - Free Report) are performing on the margin front amid a challenging demand environment.

Lowe’s is facing weak DIY demand, elevated rates and low housing turnover, but margin discipline is helping cushion the pressure. In first-quarter fiscal 2026, comps rose 0.6%, while the gross margin fell 70 bps to 32.7% due mainly to acquisition dilution. SG&A leveraged 17 bps, supported by cost controls and productivity initiatives. Management reaffirmed its 11.6-11.8% adjusted operating margin outlook, signaling confidence despite demand challenges.

Williams-Sonoma is demonstrating that strong margins can help offset broader demand uncertainties. In first-quarter fiscal 2026, the company posted a 4.8% comps increase and delivered an operating margin of 16.2%, exceeding expectations despite absorbing higher tariffs and fuel costs. Supply-chain efficiencies, disciplined cost management and strong full-price selling helped mitigate margin pressures. While management remains cautious about the macro environment, its profitability and execution provide a meaningful cushion against demand volatility.

HD’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Home Depot have lost 3.1% in the past six months versus the industry’s decline of 4.9%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, HD trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 21.6X compared with the industry’s average of 19.95X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HD’s fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027 EPS implies year-over-year growth of 4.2% and 2.2%, respectively. The company’s EPS estimates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 have moved down 0.3% and 0.9%, respectively, in the past 60 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

Key Takeaways Goldman has advised on a record more than $1 trillion worth of M&A deals so far in 2026.Many announced deals are likely to close in 2H 2026, supporting Goldman's advisory fee growth.Goldman's IB fees rose 48% year over year in Q1'26, driven by stronger advisory activity. The Goldman Sachs Group Inc.’s (GS - Free Report) investment banking (IB) business is regaining momentum as global dealmaking activity continues to recover.

According to Dealogic data, Goldman has advised more than $1-trillion worth of announced mergers and acquisitions (M&A) so far in 2026, marking a record pace for any investment bank within a half-year period. This represents a 71% increase from the comparable period in 2025, underscoring the sharp rebound in corporate transaction activity after several years of subdued dealmaking.

Global M&A activity reached $2.73 trillion so far this year, up 38% year over year, with Goldman advising on deals representing more than 40% of the total announced transaction value. JPMorgan (JPM - Free Report) and Morgan Stanley (MS - Free Report) ranked second and third, respectively JPMorgan advised on $687.5 billion of transactions, whereas Morgan Stanley followed with $575.9 billion of deals.

Global M&A Advisor Ranking

Image Source: Dealogic

Last month, at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference, Goldman indicated that it expects global M&A volume in 2026 to exceed the 2021 record and reach $3.8 trillion. The optimistic outlook reflects improving corporate confidence, easing financing conditions and renewed boardroom appetite for strategic growth. A broader return of private equity activity could provide an additional boost, as sponsors look to deploy capital, pursue portfolio exits and monetize assets after a slower transaction environment.

Stronger Fee Pipeline for GoldmanGS’s large M&A advisory pipeline is particularly important because investment banks typically earn advisory fees when transactions close. While fee rates vary based on deal size, complexity and client relationships, large-scale transactions can generate significant advisory revenues. Therefore, the firm’s more than $1 trillion in announced advised M&A volume provides a visible pipeline of potential fee income over the coming quarters. This commanding lead is translating directly into higher advisory revenues.

The timing of fee realization is important. Announced deal volume does not translate immediately to revenues, as advisory fees are generally recognized upon deal completion. However, with many of Goldman’s advised transactions expected to close during the second half of 2026, the current pipeline offers meaningful visibility into future investment banking revenues. This could help sustain advisory fee growth even if the pace of new deal announcements moderates later in the year.

The recovery is already visible in Goldman’s recent results. In the first quarter of 2026, advisory revenues rose 89% year over year on higher completed M&A volumes, supporting investment banking fee growth of 48%. If the current announced-deal pipeline converts into completed transactions, advisory revenues could remain a meaningful growth driver through the remainder of 2026, supporting profitability and top-line growth.

Goldman’s Price Performance & Zacks RankGS shares have gained 71.7% in a year compared with the industry growth of 32.7%. 

Price Performance

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

Goldman Sachs has already advised on more than $1 trillion of mergers and acquisitions so far this year, the fastest any bank has ever reached the milestone. Stephan Feldgoise runs the team and says it's been an intense first half, driven by big deals.

If there's one constant in the stock market, it is change. When the year began, Wall Street was expecting rate cuts. Rising inflation and a strong employment picture shifted that view, with the outlook now including rate increases later in the year. Or at least that's the big picture takeaway from new Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh's first Fed meeting.

While it isn't exactly good news that inflation is high, at least partly due to high energy prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East, it isn't fully bad news, either. In fact, steady to higher rates could actually be a net benefit for big banks. Here's why.

Image source: Getty Images.

No change is good for now The big, headline-grabbing finance story lately was the initial public offering (IPO) of SpaceX (SPCX 1.46%). The company raised a record amount of cash through a public offering, and the stock rose sharply following its debut. There are other big-name technology stocks lining up to go public as well, including artificial intelligence (AI) leaders like Anthropic and OpenAI.

The Federal Reserve's decision to hold rates steady rather than raise them is a net positive for investment banks like Goldman Sachs (GS 1.83%) and JPMorgan Chase (JPM 1.23%), both of which played a role in the SpaceX IPO. These companies need investors to be positive about the future as they try to sell shares in new companies. If the Fed had raised rates, it could have led to a negative outlook for investors and less willingness to buy IPOs. Indeed, IPOs often get called off during bear markets.

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So there's a longer window of opportunity for investment banks to bring big deals to market. But that window may not be long, as the Fed's bias appears to be for higher rates in the future.

Higher rates can help banks in other ways Looking at the more traditional banking business of taking deposits and making loans, steady to higher rates is likely to be a net positive. If higher rates trigger a recession and/or bear market, that would clearly be a negative, of course. However, banks like Citigroup (C 0.42%) and Bank of America (BAC 0.69%) can charge higher rates on the loans they make if interest rates rise. When rates fall, they earn less in interest. So stable-to-higher rates are good news.

In fact, rising rates would be even better than stable rates. That's because banks can raise loan rates quickly, but they can slow walk the interest they pay depositors. The end result is a widening in the spread they earn, since their profit, in simple terms, is the difference between what they charge on loans and what they pay on deposits.

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Eventually, Bank of America and Citi will have to increase what they pay depositors, of course, but if rates rise over several meetings, the runway for near-term profits could be quite strong. Unless, of course, rate increases trigger a recession, in which case the economic slowdown would likely reduce demand for loans and could even result in an uptick in loan defaults. There's a balance here, which the Fed is well aware of as it attempts to cool inflation without tanking the economy.

This isn't new territory for big banks While the current economic situation is unique in its own way, rates go up and down all the time. Banks are used to dealing with the directional shifts. While Kevin Warsh is new to the Federal Reserve, banks aren't new to the rate change game. And, thus, they aren't likely to have been surprised by the Fed decision or the fact that rates now look more likely to increase in the future. While this meeting garnered extra attention from Wall Street, it isn't really that big a story if you are a long-term investor. Well-run banks should still have a place in your portfolio.

HomeMarketsNeed to KnowNeed to KnowStrategists say it’s time investors protect against downsideLast Updated: June 23, 2026 at 9:33 a.m. ET
First Published: June 23, 2026 at 6:49 a.m. ET

Goldman Sachs warns that investor expectations for the artificial-intelligence trade may be racing ahead of reality. Photo: AFP via Getty ImagesA previous version of this column inaccurately described the effect of SpaceX’s share-price decline. The stock did not close Monday below its IPO price but below its closing level in its first post-IPO trading session. The story has been corrected.

A summer swoon for tech stocks may be taking hold, as another bumpy ride is underway Tuesday after South Korea’s red-hot stock market slumped 10%.

Key Takeaways Goldman's equities trading revenues are projected to stay above $5B in Q2'26 after a record Q1.GS is benefiting from market volatility, institutional activity and stronger capital market trends.Goldman expects trading momentum, improving M&A pipeline and capital markets to support Q2 results. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS - Free Report) appears well-positioned to deliver another solid quarter, with its equities trading business continuing to benefit from elevated market volatility and strong institutional client activity. According to a Seeking Alpha report published on MSN, following the strong first quarter, current trends indicate that equities trading revenues will likely remain above the $5-billion mark in the second quarter of 2026, reinforcing the strength of the company’s core Global Banking & Markets business.

Goldman entered 2026 with significant strength in its Global Banking & Markets segment. In the first quarter, equities trading revenues jumped 27% year over year to a record $5.33 billion. The rise was driven by heightened market volatility, which accelerated client demand for hedging strategies, portfolio repositioning, prime brokerage services and equities financing. Unlike more cyclical businesses, trading operations benefit directly from increased market activity, allowing Goldman to capitalize on higher client volumes across institutional segments.

The exceptional performance in equities trading was the primary contributor to the 19% year-over-year increase in Global Banking & Markets revenues, which reached $12.74 billion in the first quarter. Importantly, market conditions that supported this performance have largely persisted into the second quarter. Institutional investors have been active amid macroeconomic uncertainty, while AI-related investment themes continue to generate strong trading volumes, particularly across Asian markets, where hedge fund participation has been elevated.

A second consecutive quarter with equities trading revenues above $5 billion would be notable, given the business's operating leverage. Increased client activity typically drives revenue growth without a corresponding rise in expenses, supporting margin expansion and earnings growth. 

Overall, Goldman is benefiting from multiple growth drivers, including sustained trading momentum, improving capital market activity and a strengthening M&A pipeline. These trends are expected to support revenue growth, enhance profitability and reinforce the firm's earnings outlook, positioning second-quarter 2026 to be another strong quarter for the company.

Major Banks See Rebound in IB & Markets ActivitiesSimilar to Goldman, JPMorgan (JPM - Free Report) and Wells Fargo (WFC - Free Report) expect their investment banking (IB) and trading businesses to perform well in the second quarter of 2026, driven by improving deal pipelines and stronger capital market activity.

JPMorgan indicated that second-quarter IB fees could rise 10% or more year over year. JPMorgan noted that its markets business is also on track to grow 11% in the second quarter and could perform "a little better" than that forecast.

Wells Fargo’s IB and trading revenues are projected to increase year over year in the mid-teen percentage range in the second quarter of 2026. Wells Fargo expects wealth management revenues to grow year over year in the low-double-digit percentage range.

Goldman’s Price Performance & Zacks RankGS shares have surged 63.4% in the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 29.2%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

TORONTO, June 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK), today announced the June 2026 cash distributions for the iShares ETFs listed on the TSX or Cboe Canada which pay on a monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual basis. Unitholders of record of the applicable iShares ETF on June 25, 2026 will receive cash distributions payable in respect of that iShares ETF on June 30, 2026.

Details regarding the “per unit” distribution amounts are as follows:

Fund NameFund TickerCash Distribution
Per UnitiShares 1-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETFCBH$0.051iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETFCBO$0.053iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETFCDZ$0.115iShares Equal Weight Banc & Lifeco ETFCEW$0.066iShares Global Real Estate Index ETFCGR$0.280iShares International Fundamental Index ETFCIE$0.476iShares Global Infrastructure Index ETFCIF$0.439iShares Japan Fundamental Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)CJP$0.264iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETFCLF$0.033iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETFCLG$0.037iShares US Fundamental Index ETFCLU$0.209iShares US Fundamental Index ETFCLU.C$0.279iShares Global Agriculture Index ETFCOW$0.405iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index ETFCPD$0.061iShares Canadian Fundamental Index ETFCRQ$0.183iShares US Dividend Growers Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)CUD$0.089iShares Convertible Bond Index ETFCVD$0.076iShares Emerging Markets Fundamental Index ETFCWO$0.694iShares Global Water Index ETFCWW$0.292iShares Global Monthly Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)CYH$0.072iShares Canadian Financial Monthly Income ETFFIE$0.040iShares ESG Balanced ETF PortfolioGBAL$0.331iShares ESG Conservative Balanced ETF PortfolioGCNS$0.361iShares ESG Equity ETF PortfolioGEQT$0.440iShares ESG Growth ETF PortfolioGGRO$0.391iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense Index ETFXAD$0.097iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETFXAGG$0.122iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF(1)XAGG.U$0.089iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XAGH$0.105iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETFXAW$0.388iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF(1)XAW.U$0.278iShares Core Balanced ETF PortfolioXBAL$0.279iShares Core Canadian Universe Bond Index ETFXBB$0.081iShares S&P/TSX Global Base Metals Index ETFXBM$0.142iShares Core Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETFXCB$0.070iShares ESG Advanced Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETFXCBG$0.127iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETFXCBU$0.127iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF(1)XCBU.U$0.092iShares S&P Global Consumer Discretionary Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XCD$0.214iShares Canadian Growth Index ETFXCG$0.122iShares China Index ETFXCH$0.142iShares Semiconductor Index ETFXCHP$0.069iShares Global Clean Energy Index ETFXCLN$0.156iShares Core Conservative Balanced ETF PortfolioXCNS$0.210iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETFXCS$0.228iShares ESG Advanced MSCI Canada Index ETFXCSR$0.534iShares Canadian Value Index ETFXCV$0.391iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETFXDG$0.076iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF(1)XDG.U$0.055iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XDGH$0.063iShares Core MSCI Canadian Quality Dividend Index ETFXDIV$0.117iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare Index ETFXDNA$0.116iShares Global Electric and Autonomous Vehicles Index ETFXDRV$0.317iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE Index ETFXDSR$0.997iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETFXDU$0.067iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF(1)XDU.U$0.049iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XDUH$0.058iShares Canadian Select Dividend Index ETFXDV$0.191iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XEB$0.058iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETFXEC$0.343iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF(1)XEC.U$0.245iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETFXEF$0.790iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF(1)XEF.U$0.565iShares S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index ETFXEG$0.150iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XEH$0.772iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETFXEI$0.117iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETFXEM$0.229iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index ETFXEMC$0.402iShares Jantzi Social Index ETFXEN$0.223iShares Core Equity ETF PortfolioXEQT$0.322iShares ESG Aware MSCI Canada Index ETFXESG$0.207iShares S&P/TSX Energy Transition Materials Index ETFXETM$0.206iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETFXEU$0.770iShares Exponential Technologies Index ETFXEXP$0.292iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XFH$0.642iShares Core Canadian 15+ Year Federal Bond Index ETFXFLB$0.116iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETFXFLI$0.182iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF(1)XFLI.U$0.130iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF (CAD-Hedged)XFLX$0.173iShares S&P/TSX Capped Financials Index ETFXFN$0.167iShares Floating Rate Index ETFXFR$0.042iShares Core Canadian Government Bond Index ETFXGB$0.050iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETFXGD$0.244iShares Global Government Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XGGB$0.042iShares S&P Global Industrials Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XGI$0.277iShares Core Growth ETF PortfolioXGRO$0.287iShares Cybersecurity and Tech Index ETFXHAK$0.011iShares Canadian HYBrid Corporate Bond Index ETFXHB$0.076iShares Global Healthcare Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XHC$0.431iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XHD$0.080iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETFXHU$0.077iShares U.S. High Yield Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XHY$0.083iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETFXIC$0.291iShares India Index ETFXID$0.127iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XIG$0.070iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XIGS$0.128iShares MSCI EAFE Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XIN$0.591iShares Core Income Balanced ETF PortfolioXINC$0.183iShares S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology Index ETFXIT$0.000iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETFXLB$0.062iShares S&P/TSX Capped Materials Index ETFXMA$0.100iShares S&P U.S. Mid-Cap Index ETFXMC$0.131iShares S&P U.S. Mid-Cap Index ETF(1)XMC.U$0.094iShares S&P/TSX Completion Index ETFXMD$0.217iShares S&P U.S. Mid-Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XMH$0.098iShares MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index ETFXMI$0.721iShares MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XML$0.502iShares MSCI Min Vol Emerging Markets Index ETFXMM$0.255iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XMS$0.112iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor Index ETFXMTM$0.062iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETFXMU$0.265iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF(1)XMU.U$0.190iShares MSCI Min Vol Canada Index ETFXMV$0.327iShares MSCI Min Vol Global Index ETFXMW$0.375iShares MSCI Min Vol Global Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XMY$0.212iShares S&P/TSX North American Preferred Stock Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XPF$0.068iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETFXQB$0.054iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor Index ETFXQLT$0.056iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XQQ$0.072iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETFXQQU$0.098iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF(1)XQQU.U$0.070iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index ETFXRE$0.057iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETFXSAB$0.050iShares Core Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETFXSB$0.069iShares Conservative Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETFXSC$0.053iShares Conservative Strategic Fixed Income ETFXSE$0.055iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE Index ETFXSEA$0.530iShares ESG Aware MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETFXSEM$0.243iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate Bond Index ETFXSH$0.063iShares ESG Advanced 1-5 Year Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETFXSHG$0.124iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETFXSHU$0.160iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF(1)XSHU.U$0.116iShares Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETFXSI$0.057iShares Core Canadian Short-Mid Term Universe Bond Index ETFXSMB$0.103iShares S&P U.S. Small-Cap Index ETFXSMC$0.127iShares S&P U.S. Small-Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XSMH$0.119iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XSP$0.302iShares S&P 500 3% Capped Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XSPC$0.349iShares S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Staples Index ETFXST$0.129iShares ESG Aware Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETFXSTB$0.047iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XSTH$0.403iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETFXSTP$0.469iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF(1)XSTP.U$0.335iShares U.S. Small Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XSU$0.178iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Index ETFXSUS$0.099iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XTLH$0.118iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETFXTLT$0.187iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF(1)XTLT.U$0.136iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XTOH$0.106iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETFXTOT$0.109iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF(1)XTOT.U$0.078iShares Diversified Monthly Income ETFXTR$0.040iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XUH$0.127iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETFXUS$0.250iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF(1)XUS.U$0.179iShares S&P 500 3% Capped Index ETFXUSC$0.275iShares S&P 500 3% Capped Index ETF(1)XUSC.U$0.197iShares S&P U.S. Financials Index ETFXUSF$0.206iShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA Index ETFXUSR$0.183iShares S&P/TSX Capped Utilities Index ETFXUT$0.087iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index ETFXUU$0.160iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index ETF(1)XUU.U$0.114iShares MSCI USA Value Factor Index ETFXVLU$0.146iShares MSCI World Index ETFXWD$0.622 (1) Distribution per unit amounts are in U.S. dollars for XAGG.U, XAW.U, XCBU.U, XDG.U, XDU.U, XEC.U, XEF.U. XFLI.U, XMC.U, XMU.U, XQQU.U, XSHU.U, XSTP.U, XTLT.U, XTOT.U, XUS.U, XUSC.U and XUU.U

Estimated June Cash Distributions for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF

The June cash distributions per unit for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF are estimated to be as follows:

Fund NameFund TickerEstimated Cash
Distribution Per UnitiShares Premium Money Market ETFCMR$0.112
BlackRock Canada expects to issue a press release on or about June 24, 2026, which will provide the final amounts for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF.

Further information on the iShares ETFs can be found at http://www.blackrock.com/ca.

About BlackRock

BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate.

About iShares ETFs
iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of more than 1,700 exchange traded funds (ETFs) and approximately $5.5 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2026, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.   

iShares® ETFs are managed by BlackRock Canada.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.

Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”). Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). TSX is a registered trademark of TSX Inc. (“TSX”). All of the foregoing trademarks have been licensed to S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and sublicensed for certain purposes to BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”),  which in turn has sub-licensed these marks to its affiliate, BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), on behalf of the applicable fund(s). The index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, and has been licensed for use by BFA and by extension, BlackRock Canada and the applicable fund(s). The funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P, any of their respective affiliates (collectively known as “S&P Dow Jones Indices”) or TSX, or any of their respective affiliates. Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices nor TSX make any representations regarding the advisability of investing in such funds.
MSCI is a trademark of MSCI, Inc. (“MSCI”). The ETF is permitted to use the MSCI mark pursuant to a license agreement between MSCI and BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., relating to, among other things, the license granted to BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. to use the Index. BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. has sublicensed the use of this trademark to BlackRock. The ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI and MSCI makes no representation, condition or warranty regarding the advisability of investing in the ETF.

Contact for Media:                
Sydney Punchard                                                        
Email: [email protected]  

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SpaceX shares have surged roughly 50% in their first days of trading (although shares are seeing pressure today), and the predictable response from anyone who missed an IPO allocation is the gnawing sense of having missed it. CNBC personal finance correspondent Sharon Epperson used a recent segment to push back on that anxiety with a specific, actionable claim: the average 401(k) holder almost certainly already owns a slice.

“Millions of investors may soon gain exposure to SpaceX without ever buying a single share. You may already own this high flier, or you may soon in your 401k, IRA, or your brokerage account.”

The stakes are concrete. If you chase SpaceX through a leveraged single-stock ETF because you think you have zero exposure, you may be doubling down on a position you already hold inside a target-date fund or a large-cap growth fund. Understanding the plumbing matters before you act.

The verdict: Epperson is right, and the mechanics are already in motion Her core point holds up. Major mutual fund families have been buying SpaceX in the private market for years, and index inclusion will convert that selective ownership into broad, passive ownership for almost every diversified investor.

Per S&P data cited in the segment, FMR, the parent company of Fidelity Investments, holds just under 1% of existing SpaceX shares across 46 Fidelity funds. Baron Capital Group holds less than a quarter of 1% of outstanding shares across seven funds. That sounds small at the firm level, but the concentration inside specific products matters to an individual account holder. Morningstar data referenced in the segment shows about eight funds, and four Baron funds specifically, hold over 20% of their assets in SpaceX. If one of those is in your IRA, your “missed” trade is already a meaningful position.

The roster of asset managers already holding pre-IPO SpaceX includes Fidelity, Baron Capital, Franklin Resources, BlackRock, and Neuberger Berman, across dozens of actively managed funds. BlackRock (NYSE:BLK | BLK Price Prediction) sits at the center of that list as the world’s largest asset manager, with approximately $13.9 trillion in assets under management and an iShares ETF platform that has crossed $5 trillion in AUM. The firm also placed an order for at least $5 billion in SpaceX shares at the IPO, with the deal pricing at a $1.75 trillion valuation. A chunk of that allocation flows into actively managed BlackRock funds owned by ordinary 401(k) participants.

Another note, Bloomberg ETF reporter Eric Balchunas recently reported that ETFs owning SpaceX has soared from four to 120. At the current time, most funds that own SpaceX are actively managed. JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (Nasdaq: JEPQ) owns roughly $185 million in shares while the AB Disruptors (NYSE: FWD) owns roughly $63 million.

The number of ETFs that held SpaceX went from 4 to 40 to now 120 in a couple days (few billion total). These are all active ETFs choosing to buy, not indexes (they coming later). Here’s a look at the list sorted by new buy, $JEPQ (the 2nd largest active ETF in world) at the top.… pic.twitter.com/KcqbW12B4J

— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) June 16, 2026

The accelerant: index inclusion compresses the timeline Two index changes will turn active-fund exposure into universal exposure. SpaceX is set to enter two major indexes, the Russell 1000 and the Nasdaq 100, which recently introduced policies to fast-track mega IPOs. The Russell 1000 can include a massive IPO after as few as five days of trading, which the segment pegged to Thursday evening, June 18. The Nasdaq 100 adds a stock after 15 days, which the segment placed on July 6.

Once SpaceX enters those indexes, every fund tracking them, every S&P 500 retirement option that shares holdings, every Russell 1000 growth ETF, must buy the stock at the prevailing weight. That is mandatory, and it is the rule that built passive investing into a multi-trillion-dollar machine. BlackRock is preparing its own fast-entry vehicles: the firm is launching the iShares Space Technologies UCITS ETF (STAR) for European investors, designed to add newly listed companies within 10 to 30 days of listing.

The variable that decides your real exposure Whether SpaceX matters to your portfolio comes down to one question: do you own actively managed growth funds, or only broad index funds? If your retirement account is heavy in Fidelity Contrafund, Baron Partners, or a BlackRock active equity sleeve, you may already carry single-digit or even double-digit percentage exposure. If you sit in a plain S&P 500 index fund, you have none today, and only a small weight after Russell and Nasdaq 100 inclusion.

What to actually do Pull your fund holdings. Log into your 401(k) and IRA, find each fund’s top 25 positions on the latest fact sheet, and search for SpaceX or Space Exploration Technologies. Check the weight, not just the presence. A 0.3% holding is rounding error. A 12% holding inside a fund that is half your retirement balance is a concentrated bet. Map your index exposure to the inclusion dates. Note Russell 1000 funds for the June 18 add and Nasdaq 100 funds for the July 6 add. Decide if you need more, or less. If your active funds already carry heavy SpaceX weight, layering on a leveraged single-stock ETF compounds your concentration risk. The FOMO trade is usually the worst version of a position you already own. Check the holdings before you chase the headline.

TORONTO, June 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) (NYSE:BLK), today announced updated investment risk ratings of the iShares ETFs listed below, effective as of June 19, 2026:

iShares ETF NameTickerPrevious Risk RatingUpdated Risk RatingiShares India Index ETFXIDMedium to HighMediumiShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF(1)XTLTMedium to HighMediumiShares Global Electric and Autonomous Vehicles Index ETFXDRVMedium to HighHigh 1 This investment risk rating change only applies to the Canadian dollar units (XTLT) and not to the U.S. dollar units (XTLT.U).  

Additionally, BlackRock Canada today also announced that, effective on or about June 30, 2026, iShares Core Canadian Short-Mid Term Universe Bond Index ETF will change its name to “iShares Core Canadian 1-10 Year Bond Index ETF”.

Further information on the iShares ETFs can be found at http://www.blackrock.com/ca.

About BlackRock

BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate.

About iShares

iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of more than 1,700 exchange traded funds (ETFs) and approximately $5.5 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2026, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.

iShares ETFs are managed by BlackRock Canada.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.

Contact for Media:
Sydney Punchard
Email: [email protected]

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 22, 2026) - Gladiator Metals Corp. (TSXV: GLAD) (OTCQB: GDTRF) (FSE: ZX7) ("Gladiator" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has secured BlackRock as the lead investor in a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of C$35,040,000 through the issuance of 7,000,000 Charity Flow-Through common shares (the "Charity FT Shares") at a price of C$3.87 per Charity FT Share and 3,000,000 Non-Flow-Through common shares (the "NFT Shares") at a price of C$2.65 per NFT Share (the "Offering").

BlackRock is the world's largest asset management firm, providing investment management services globally.

CEO Jason Bontempo quoted, "Discussions over the last few weeks have resulted in a cornerstone financial commitment from experienced institutional resource investors led by BlackRock World Mining Trust who have a strong track record of investing in emerging growth and natural resource companies. Upon completion, this $35m private placement will bolster treasury to $50m and will fully fund and aggressively accelerate the Company's 2026 and 2027 exploration campaign at its flagship Whitehorse Copper Project.

Drilling plans will now focus on increasing the current 3 active drill rigs to 6 before the end of summer.

Increased and accelerated drill metres in the short term will focus on continued resources discovery at the newly discovered and exciting high-grade copper and gold Cub East prospect and resource definition/discovery at the high-grade copper, gold and molybdenum cornerstone Cowley prospect where both prospects are open along strike and at depth."

The Offering is expected to close on or about July 15, 2026, and is subject to certain closing conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the conditional approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The Company may pay finders' fees under the Offering in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. The securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a hold period under applicable securities laws in Canada expiring four months and one day from the closing date of the Offering.

The FT Shares will qualify as "flow-through shares" (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act")). An amount equal to the gross proceeds from the issuance of the FT Shares will be used to incur eligible resource exploration expenses which will qualify as (i) "Canadian exploration expenses" (as defined in the Tax Act), and (ii) as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" (as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Tax Act) (collectively, the "Qualifying Expenditures"). Qualifying Expenditures in an aggregate amount not less than the gross proceeds raised from the issue of the FT Shares will be incurred (or deemed to be incurred) by the Company on or before December 31, 2027 and will be renounced by the Company to the initial purchasers of the FT Shares with an effective date no later than December 31, 2026.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

The Company also announces that it proposes to grant 1,000,000 restricted share units ("RSUs") and 1,000,000 incentive stock options ("Options") to certain directors, officers and consultants of the Company. Such grants are subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. The RSU's will be granted in accordance with the Company's restricted share unit plan and will vest over a two-year term. Each Option is exercisable to purchase one common share of the Company for five years at a price of C$3.00 per common share in accordance with the terms of the Company's stock option plan and subject to time release vesting provisions.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Jason Bontempo"
Jason Bontempo
Director and CEO

Forward-Looking Statement Cautions:

Certain of the statements and information in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information". Any statements or information that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "estimates", "intends", "targets", "goals", "forecasts", "objectives", "potential" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) that are not statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information.

Forward-looking statements or information are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information, including, without limitation, the Offering, the need for additional capital by the Company through financings, and the risk that such funds may not be raised; the speculative nature of exploration and the stages of the Company's properties; the effect of changes in commodity prices; regulatory risks that development of the Company's material properties will not be acceptable for social, environmental or other reasons; availability of equipment (including drills) and personnel to carry out work programs; and that each stage of work will be completed within expected time frames. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements or information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

The Company's forward-looking statements and information are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this news release, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements and information if circumstances or management's assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information.

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

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

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/302315

Source: Gladiator Metals Corp.

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NEW YORK & BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BlackRock’s Emergency Savings Initiative (ESI) has helped generate nearly $8 billion in emergency savings and expanded access to emergency savings solutions to more than 22 million Americans, according to a new BlackRock ESI Impact Report. Supported by The BlackRock Foundation’s $50 million philanthropic commitment, together with nonprofit partner Commonwealth, the initiative has nearly quadrupled net new savings from $2 billion in 2022.

Since its initial launch in 2019, ESI has stood up more than 60 projects designed to strengthen household financial resilience and address a critical challenge facing American workers. Roughly 40% of U.S. adults are unable to cover a $400 unexpected expense1, leaving many families vulnerable to financial shocks and more likely to tap long-term investments to meet short-term needs.

The report brings together findings from seven years of research, employer pilots, and cross-sector collaboration demonstrating how emergency savings can strengthen retirement outcomes and support long term wealth building. The research finds that people with access to emergency savings are more likely to participate in retirement plans, less likely to withdrawal from retirement savings early, and better able to stay invested and pursue long-term wealth-building goals.

“Too many Americans are forced to choose between managing an unexpected expense today and saving for their future tomorrow,” said Claire Chamberlain, President of The BlackRock Foundation. “Through partnerships and collaborations across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, BlackRock’s Emergency Savings Initiative has helped expand access to savings solutions that strengthen financial stability, protect retirement savings, and help more people build lasting financial security.”

ESI has collaborated with employers, financial institutions, payroll providers, retirement plan providers, and policymakers2 to embed emergency savings tools into the workplace systems Americans already use to manage their financial lives. The workplace has emerged as one of the most effective and scalable channels for helping workers build emergency savings through payroll integration, retirement plans, and employer-sponsored benefits. Collaborators have included The Fresh Market, GXO, Starbucks, Truist Bank, Spruce built by H&R Block, and Voya Financial.

The initiative’s research has also informed landmark policy in the United States—SECURE 2.0’s emergency savings and unexpected expense provisions, including Pension-Linked Emergency Savings Accounts (PLESA) and the $1,000 emergency expense withdrawal provision—reflecting growing bipartisan recognition that short-term savings and retirement security work together, rather than compete.

Among the report's findings:

Starbucks’ My Starbucks Savings program found that emergency savers had 401(k) contribution rates almost triple those of non-savers. Emergency savings can be a gateway to retirement savings. Among participants who weren't yet saving for retirement, one in five began contributing for the first time after opening an emergency savings account, with more than half starting within four months. An employer partner with a large hourly workforce leveraged SECURE 2.0’s $1,000 emergency withdrawal provision to boost 401(k) enrollment among hesitant workers. In a pilot led by its plan recordkeeper, Voya, employees exposed to messaging about the provision were up to 3.5 times more likely to enroll, and 87% of those who took the $1,000 withdrawal continued contributing to their retirement plans. Emergency savings can reduce retirement leakage. More than 28% of workers who opened an emergency savings account made a withdrawal from those accounts, helping preserve up to $38 million in retirement assets by reducing early withdrawals. The Investor Diaries, a joint research initiative from The BlackRock Foundation and Commonwealth, found that nearly one-third (31%) of retail investors living on low and moderate incomes paused or stopped investing due to financial emergencies.3 Investors living on low-to-moderate incomes with even modest savings—approximately $1,500 to $2,000—were significantly more likely to stay invested.4 “Emergency savings are a critical form of household economic ‘infrastructure,’ acting as a financial ‘shock absorber’ that provides stability, reduces the need for high-cost debt, and prevents financial disruptions from cascading into greater crises,” said Timothy Flacke, CEO of Commonwealth. “Over the past seven years, BlackRock’s Emergency Savings Initiative has helped shift emergency savings from an emerging idea to a recognized pillar of retirement and financial security.”

The report comes as interest in workplace emergency savings continues to grow among both workers and employers. According to findings from BlackRock’s forthcoming annual Read on Retirement® report, 79% of retirement plan participants say they would be interested in contributing to an emergency savings program if it were available through their employer. Employers are taking notice: over the last year, the share of employers that do not currently offer emergency savings options but are considering doing so for retirement plan participants more than doubled, increasing from 8% in 2025 to 17% in 2026.

Read the BlackRock Emergency Savings Initiative Impact Report here.

About BlackRock
BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate.

About The BlackRock Foundation
Guided by BlackRock’s purpose to help more and more people experience financial well-being, The BlackRock Foundation funds and partners with organizations that strengthen financial security by helping people earn, save and invest – earlier, more often and for their futures. BlackRock’s Emergency Savings Initiative is made possible through philanthropic support from The BlackRock Foundation. The initiative brings together partner companies and nonprofit financial health experts to make saving easier and more accessible for people living on low and moderate incomes. For more information, visit blackrock.com/corporate/about-us/social-impact.

About Commonwealth
Commonwealth is a national nonprofit celebrating 25 years of advancing financial security and opportunity for low and moderate income households through innovation and partnerships. Commonwealth collaborates with consumers, the financial services industry, employers, and policymakers. Because Black, Latin, and women-led households disproportionately experience financial insecurity, we focus especially on these populations. The solutions we build are grounded in real life, based on our deep understanding of people living on low and moderate incomes and how businesses can best serve them. To learn more, visit us at www.buildcommonwealth.org.

Over the quarter, the BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust increased its exposure to pharmaceuticals and biotechnology firms. Within the pharmaceuticals subsector, the Trust initiated positions in GSK and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, due to positive fundamentals and progress in a rare disease program, respectively. Elsewhere, the Trust reduced its exposure to medical devices & supplies companies, which included locking in profits.

McDonald's demonstrates resilience amid macro headwinds, outperforming chain restaurant peers despite a ~15% YTD decline from its peak. I reiterate my buy rating as MCD offers compelling value at 21.9x FY26 P/E and 20.0x FY27 P/E, now at the lower end of peer valuations. Dividend strength is evident, with a 2.6% yield and a decade of consistent growth, positioning MCD as a viable alternative to cash.

HomeStock IdeasLong IdeasConsumer 

SummaryMcDonald’s (MCD) earns a soft buy rating after a sustained sell-off and successful pivot back to value-focused offerings. MCD’s valuation remains rich, with a TTM GAAP PE of 23.39 and levered FCF growth of 20% required to justify current prices. Recent value initiatives, including $5 dinner meals and under $3 menu items, have reignited sales growth despite economic headwinds. While not cheap, MCD’s strong brand and franchise model position it to navigate both lower- and higher-income consumer shifts. tupungato/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

McDonald’s (MCD) is among those companies I like to keep an eye on simply to have a feel for the economy. In recent years, McDonald’s decision to raise prices, eventually resulting in stalled and shrinking sales, provided

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, but may initiate a beneficial Short position through short-selling of the stock, or purchase of put options or similar derivatives in MCD over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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

On June 22, 2026, McDonald's Corp (MCD) shares fell 3.0% to $270.10, continuing a downward trend that has seen the stock drop 10.5% year-to-date. Over the last

BEIJING--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Syngenta Group China today announced plans to partner with McDonald’s China and McCain China in building a more resilient and sustainable potato supply chain in China, so consumers can enjoy fries of the highest quality.

The three parties today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to transform local potato farming, supply and processing through scaling sustainable practices and smart technologies, at the 4th China International Supply Chain Expo.

Within the pilot framework, Syngenta Group China will explore a science-based potato planting approach that addresses soil health, customized crop stewardship, precision fertigation, integrated pest management, intelligent field monitoring and sustainable agricultural practices. The initiative draws on the company’s full suite of agronomic inputs, digital farming solutions, and its nationwide network of MAP (Modern Agriculture Platform) technical service centers.

“Agriculture today faces mounting pressure from yield and resource constraints, requiring a shift from volume expansion to resilience building,” said SU Fu, President of Syngenta Group China. “Syngenta aims to bring innovative technologies and modern farming services to potato farmers, safeguarding their incomes and reinforcing the entire value chain. It's an example of our commitment to bring breakthroughs for farmers in every field, to deliver higher yields with lower impact.”

“McDonald’s dedication to consistent taste and quality begins with potato cultivation right from the farm,” said Jim SHI, Chief Supply Chain Officer of McDonald’s China. “By leveraging Syngenta’s input expertise and sustainable solutions, we strive to bring premium fries to Chinese consumers sustainably and reliably.”

“McCain and McDonald’s have long partnered in China based on our shared value of quality and long-termism,” said LIU Linlin, Managing Director of McCain China. “This tripartite MOU marks our collective pledge to further advance the high-quality development for China’s potato sector -- sustainable agricultural technologies, shared gains for farmers and partners, plus digital traceability and quality insurance for fries.”

About Syngenta Group

Syngenta Group is one of the world’s biggest agricultural innovation companies, employing over 50,000 people in more than 90 countries. Syngenta Group is focused on developing technologies and farming practices that empower farmers, so they can make the transformation required to feed the world’s population while preserving our planet. Syngenta Group’s bold scientific discoveries deliver better benefits for farmers and society on a bigger scale than ever before. Guided by its Sustainability Goal, Syngenta Group supports farmers to grow healthier plants in healthier soil with a higher yield.

Syngenta Group, which is registered in Shanghai, China, and has its management headquarters in Switzerland, draws strength from its four business units: Syngenta Crop Protection, headquartered in Switzerland; Syngenta Seeds, headquartered in the United States; ADAMA®, headquartered in Israel; and Syngenta Group China.

For Syngenta Group photos and videos, please visit the Syngenta Group Media Library.

To find out more about how our innovation is empowering farmers around the world, read our stories and follow-us on social media.

Data protection is important to us. You are receiving this publication on the legal basis of Article 6 para 1 lit. f GDPR (“legitimate interest”). However, if you do not wish to receive further information about Syngenta Group, just send us a brief informal message and we will no longer process your details for this purpose. You can also find further details in our privacy statement.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as “expect,” “would,” “will,” “potential,” “plans,” “prospects,” “estimated,” “aiming,” “on track” and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. For Syngenta Group, such risks and uncertainties include, amongst others, risks relating to legal proceedings, regulatory approvals, new product development, increasing competition, customer credit risk, general economic and market conditions, refinancing risk, interest rate fluctuations and access to capital markets, compliance and remediation, evolving environmental and sustainability regulations, changes in agricultural policies or subsidy regimes, intellectual property rights, implementation of organizational changes, impairment of intangible assets, consumer perceptions of genetically modified crops and organisms or crop protection chemicals, climatic variations, fluctuations in exchange rates and/or grain prices, supply chain disruptions, (geo)political risks, trade restrictions, sanctions, and export controls, natural disasters, and breaches of data security or other disruptions of information technology. Syngenta Group assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors.

© 2026 Syngenta. All rights reserved.
®/™ are Trademarks of companies belonging to the Syngenta Group.

Starbucks (SBUX +1.80%) may be on the verge of a major expansion, one that investors should note.

The global coffee giant currently operates more than 40,000 stores in 88 markets on six different continents (it has yet to establish an outpost in Antarctica).

More than 22,000 of those stores are outside the U.S. and Canada, a number that could increase substantially in the coming years, according to the company's CEO.

At the Evercore Consumer and Retail Conference in New York this week, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said the company can grow aggressively outside the U.S., claiming it could double its store count in other countries. He said that in China alone, the company will go from 8,000 stores today to 20,000 stores "in short order."

Niccol also said Starbucks is looking to open an additional 10,000 stores in the U.S., particularly in underpenetrated areas in the middle of the country, as today the company has a coastal bias.

Image source: Getty Images.

The company began as a single store in Seattle in 1971, selling whole bean coffee, tea, and spices.

The turnaround seems to be working Starbucks' share price is up 20% so far in 2026, after several difficult years when it moved sideways to slightly down, due to flagging sales and a loss of customers who were tired of the coffee chain's long waits and inconsistent product quality, among other problems.

Niccol, a former CEO at Chipotle, was hired in 2024 to turn the business around, and he seems to be having some success this year.

Among other changes in his "Back to Starbucks" strategy, Niccol cut almost 2,000 corporate workers from its payroll and closed hundreds of underperforming locations. He also had the company invest in stores to increase the timeliness and quality of orders.

In the second quarter (ended March 29), the company increased revenue 9% year over year to $9.5 billion and boosted earnings 14.5% to $0.50 a share. Both figures beat Wall Street's expectations, sending the stock higher. The quarter was the second consecutive period that the company saw traffic growth at its locations. Management also increased full-year guidance for 2026.

The stock is up about 5% since the second quarter results were announced.

Today's Change

(

1.80

%) $

1.82

Current Price

$

102.87

Niccol's turnaround is just a few quarters old, of course, but it looks like the strategy is gaining traction, and the market recognizes it. If his plan to double the international store count comes to fruition, investors might be very happy they invested $1,000 in the stock today.

Investors with an interest in Insurance - Property and Casualty stocks have likely encountered both Essent Group (ESNT - Free Report) and Cincinnati Financial (CINF - Free Report) . But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now? Let's take a closer look.

The best way to find great value stocks is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The proven Zacks Rank puts an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, while our Style Scores work to identify stocks with specific traits.

Right now, Essent Group is sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), while Cincinnati Financial has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). This means that ESNT's earnings estimate revision activity has been more impressive, so investors should feel comfortable with its improving analyst outlook. However, value investors will care about much more than just this.

Value investors analyze a variety of traditional, tried-and-true metrics to help find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.

The Value category of the Style Scores system identifies undervalued companies by looking at a number of key metrics. These include the long-favored P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a variety of other fundamentals that help us determine a company's fair value.

ESNT currently has a forward P/E ratio of 8.22, while CINF has a forward P/E of 19.96. We also note that ESNT has a PEG ratio of 1.65. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. CINF currently has a PEG ratio of 3.73.

Another notable valuation metric for ESNT is its P/B ratio of 0.98. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, CINF has a P/B of 1.69.

These metrics, and several others, help ESNT earn a Value grade of B, while CINF has been given a Value grade of C.

ESNT has seen stronger estimate revision activity and sports more attractive valuation metrics than CINF, so it seems like value investors will conclude that ESNT is the superior option right now.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Cincinnati Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: CINF) – Cincinnati Financial Corporation's board of directors added a 15th seat, appointing Lisa M. Franchetti to the board and as a member of its audit committee, effective immediately.

Admiral Franchetti retired from the U.S. Navy in 2025, after a nearly 40-year career marked by leadership at every operational level, culminating in her service as the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations from November 2023 to February 2025. As Chief of Naval Operations, Franchetti led a force of more than 600,000 personnel, advanced the Navy's strategic modernization and warfighting readiness initiatives, and focused on fleet growth, emerging technologies and workforce development. She is the first woman to hold the role and to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Prior to becoming the Navy's top officer, she served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations and as Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy on the Joint Staff. Her career also includes command of the destroyer USS Ross, Destroyer Squadron 21, two carrier strike groups, U.S. Naval Forces Korea and the U.S. Sixth Fleet, where she oversaw complex joint operations.

Following her Navy career, she founded Franchetti Strategic Solutions LLC, a strategic consulting firm specializing in national security advising, global strategic planning and operational transformation strategies. Passionate about developing the next generation of leaders, she served as 2026 Fellow at the University of Chicago and will be a Distinguished Practitioner at Northwestern University in 2027.

Franchetti holds a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University, a master's degree from the University of Phoenix and is a Distinguished Graduate of the Naval War College.

Stephen M. Spray, president and chief executive officer, commented: "Lisa's extensive experience in strategic planning and leadership at the highest federal levels make her an ideal candidate for our board. I know she'll immediately bring a valuable perspective to board discussions as our directors work together to enhance the value we create for shareholders now and into the future."

About Cincinnati Financial
Cincinnati Financial Corporation offers primarily business, home and auto insurance through The Cincinnati Insurance Company and its two standard market property casualty companies. The same local independent insurance agencies that market those policies may offer products of our other subsidiaries, including life insurance, fixed annuities and surplus lines property and casualty insurance. For additional information about the company, please visit cinfin.com.

Mailing Address:                         

Street Address:

P.O. Box 145496                               

6200 South Gilmore Road

Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-5496                 

Fairfield, Ohio 45014-5141

Safe Harbor
Our business is subject to certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, are based upon our current estimates, assumptions and plans that are subject to uncertainty. These statements are made subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words like "seek," "expect," "will," "should," "could," "might," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "likely," "future," or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made; we assume no obligation to update such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

Insurance-Related Risks

Risks and uncertainties associated with our loss reserves or actual claim costs exceeding reserves Increased frequency and/or severity of claims or development of claims that are unforeseen at the time of policy issuance Unusually high levels of catastrophe losses due to risk concentrations or changes in weather patterns, environmental events, war or political unrest, terrorism incidents, cyberattacks, civil unrest or other causes; and our ability to manage catastrophe risk Risks associated with analytical models in key areas such as underwriting, pricing, capital management, reserving, investments, reinsurance, and catastrophe risk management Inadequate estimates or assumptions, or reliance on third-party data used for critical accounting estimates Events or conditions that could weaken or harm our relationships with our independent agencies and hamper opportunities to add new agencies, resulting in limitations on our opportunities for growth Mergers, acquisitions, and other consolidations of agencies that result in a concentration of a significant amount of premium in one agency or agency group and/or alter our competitive advantages Our inability to manage business opportunities, growth prospects, and expenses for our ongoing operations Changing consumer insurance-buying habits The inability to obtain adequate ceded reinsurance on acceptable terms, for acceptable amounts, and from financially strong reinsurers; and the potential for nonpayment or delay in payment by reinsurers Domestic and global events, such as the wars in Ukraine and in the Middle East, future pandemics, inflationary trends, changes in U.S. trade and tariff policy, and disruptions in the banking and financial services industry, resulting in insurance losses, capital market or credit market uncertainty, followed by prolonged periods of economic instability or recession, that lead to: Securities market disruption or volatility and related effects such as decreased economic activity and continued supply chain disruptions that affect our investment portfolio and book value Significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of securities and impairment of the assets Significant decline in investment income due to reduced or eliminated dividend payouts from securities Significant rise in losses from surety or director and officer policies written for financial institutions or other insured entities or in losses from policies written by Cincinnati Re or Cincinnati Global An unusually high level of claims in our insurance or reinsurance operations that increase litigation-related expenses Decreased premium revenue and cash flow from disruption to our distribution channel of independent agents, consumer self-isolation, travel limitations, business restrictions and decreased economic activity The inability of our workforce, agencies, or vendors to perform necessary business functions Financial, Economic, and Investment Risks

Declines in overall stock market values negatively affecting our equity portfolio and book value Downgrades in our financial strength ratings Interest rate fluctuations or other factors that could significantly affect: Our ability to generate growth in investment income Values of our fixed-maturity investments and accounts in which we hold bank-owned life insurance contract assets Our traditional life policy reserves Economic volatility and illiquidity associated with our alternative investments in private equity, private credit, real property, and limited partnerships Failure to comply with covenants and other requirements under our credit facilities, senior debt, and other debt obligations Recession, prolonged elevated inflation, or other economic conditions resulting in lower demand for insurance products or increased payment delinquencies The inability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends consistent with current or past levels impacting our ability to pay shareholder dividends or repurchase shares General Business, Technology, and Operational Risks

Ineffective information technology systems or failing to develop and implement improvements in technology Difficulties with technology or data security breaches, including cyberattacks, could negatively affect our, or our agents', ability to conduct business; disrupt our relationships with agents, policyholders, and others; cause reputational damage, mitigation expenses, data loss, and expose us to liability Difficulties with our operations and technology that may negatively impact our ability to conduct business, including cloud-based data information storage, data security, remote working capabilities, and/or outsourcing relationships and third-party operations and data security Disruption of the insurance market caused by technology innovations – such as driverless cars – that could decrease consumer demand for insurance products Delays, inadequate data developed internally or from third parties, or performance inadequacies from ongoing development and implementation of underwriting and pricing models and methods, including usage-based insurance methods, automation, artificial intelligence, or technology projects and enhancements expected to increase our efficiency, pricing accuracy, underwriting profit, and competitiveness Intense competition, and the impact of innovation, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence and changing customer preferences on the insurance industry and the markets in which we operate, could harm our ability to maintain or increase our business volumes and profitability Inability to defer policy acquisition costs for any business segment if pricing and loss trends would lead management to conclude that the segment could not achieve sustainable profitability Unforeseen departure of certain executive officers or other key employees that could interrupt progress toward important strategic goals or diminish the effectiveness of certain longstanding relationships with insurance agents and others Our inability, or the inability of our independent agents, to attract and retain personnel Events, such as a pandemic, an epidemic, natural catastrophe, or terrorism, which could hamper our ability to assemble our workforce, work effectively in a remote environment, or other failures of business continuity or disaster recovery programs Regulatory, Compliance, and Legal Risks

Actions of insurance departments, state attorneys general or other regulatory agencies, including a change to a federal system of regulation from a state-based system, that: Impose new obligations on us that increase our expenses or change the assumptions underlying our critical accounting estimates Place the insurance industry under greater regulatory scrutiny or result in new statutes, rules, and regulations Restrict our ability to exit or reduce writings of unprofitable coverages or lines of business Increase assessments for guaranty funds, other insurance‑related assessments, or mandatory reinsurance arrangements; or that impair our ability to recover such assessments through future surcharges or other rate changes Increase our provision for federal income taxes due to changes in tax laws, regulations, or interpretations Increase other expenses Limit our ability to set fair, adequate, and reasonable rates Restrict our ability to cancel policies Impose new underwriting standards Place us at a disadvantage in the marketplace Restrict our ability to execute our business model, including the way we compensate agents Adverse outcomes from litigation, environmental claims, mass torts or administrative proceedings, including effects of social inflation and third-party litigation funding on the size and frequency of litigation awards Events or actions, including unauthorized intentional circumvention of controls, which reduce our future ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Effects of changing social, global, economic, and regulatory environments Additional measures affecting corporate financial reporting and governance that can affect the market value of our common stock Risks and uncertainties are further discussed in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1A, Risk Factors, Page 30.

SOURCE Cincinnati Financial Corporation

Key Takeaways CL is using pricing actions and productivity initiatives to offset tariffs and cost pressures.Colgate is driving growth through premium innovation, including launches and brand relaunches.CL is investing in digital, analytics and AI to enhance innovation and optimize marketing execution. Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL - Free Report) is effectively leveraging its pricing power to support growth and mitigate external cost pressures. The company’s productivity program centers on cost savings and efficiency initiatives designed to strengthen its operational foundation. CL’s pricing strategy includes competitive pricing, value-based tactics and price segmentation to address diverse consumer needs while optimizing value.

Colgate’s strong brand equity continues to remain a major competitive advantage, enabling it to maintain positive pricing momentum and resilient volume performance despite a sluggish global consumption environment and significant inflationary pressures. Management emphasized that the strength of its global brands allowed the company to deliver both pricing and volume growth across most categories and divisions, particularly in emerging markets.

Sustained investments in advertising, omnichannel demand generation, digital capabilities and science-based innovation continue to strengthen consumer trust and brand loyalty, supporting Colgate’s ability to offset rising raw material, logistics and tariff-related costs through pricing and premium product innovation. The company is benefiting from key pricing actions, coupled with its funding-the-growth program and other productivity moves, aimed at driving efficiency and expanding margins.

Colgate continues to prioritize innovation as a key driver of growth across categories, geographies and price tiers. Management highlighted that premium innovation is fueling momentum, with launches such as Colgate Miracle Repair serum, EltaMD UV Skin Recovery, and relaunches of Colgate Total, Sanex, Protex, Suavitel, and Hill’s therapeutic lines. Such initiatives are helping strengthen brand health and expand household penetration by bringing consumer-perceived value at every price point.

Beyond Oral Care, Colgate’s skincare brands, including EltaMD and PCA Skin, remain growth engines, supported by consumer trade-ups to premium offerings. The company is also accelerating investment in digital, data, analytics and AI to sharpen its innovation model and optimize marketing execution. Such efforts are likely to continue driving sustained growth and profitability.

CL’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesColgate’s shares have 16.6% in the past six months compared with the industry’s 1.4% growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, CL trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 23.16X compared with the industry’s average of 18.27X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CL’s 2026 and 2027 EPS indicates year-over-year growth of 3.3% and 6%, respectively. The company’s EPS estimate for 2026 has decreased a penny in the past 30 days but the same for 2027 has risen a penny.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Colgate currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Stocks to Consider in the Consumer Staples SpaceThe Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. (CHEF - Free Report) , which is a distributor of specialty food products in the United States, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Chefs' Warehouse current financial-year sales indicates growth of 8.3% from the prior-year level. CHEF delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 28.9%, on average.

Nomad Foods Limited (NOMD - Free Report) , which manufactures and distributes frozen foods, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Nomad Foods’ current financial-year sales is expected to rise 0.5% from the year-ago reported figure. NOMD delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 8.6%, on average.

Medifast, Inc. (MED - Free Report) , which is a leading manufacturer and distributor of clinically-proven healthy living products and programs, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. MED delivered an average earnings surprise of 65.5% in the last reported quarter.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Medifast’s current financial-year sales indicates a decline of 26% from the year-ago number.

On June 24, 2026, we present a DCF analysis for Colgate-Palmolive Co (CL), a company that has shown a year-to-date price increase of 17.1% and a modest 5.7% inc

Royal Caribbean (RCL - 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 cruise operator have returned +26.6% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.6% change. The Zacks Leisure and Recreation Services industry, to which Royal Caribbean belongs, has gained 11.7% 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.

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.

We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

For the current quarter, Royal Caribbean is expected to post earnings of $3.91 per share, indicating a change of -10.7% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

The consensus earnings estimate of $17.27 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +10.4%. This estimate has changed -0.1% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $19.86 indicates a change of +15% from what Royal Caribbean is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has remained unchanged.

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 Royal Caribbean.

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

12 Month EPS

Revenue Growth ForecastEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.

In the case of Royal Caribbean, the consensus sales estimate of $4.81 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +6%. The $19.63 billion and $21.06 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +9.4% and +7.3%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryRoyal Caribbean reported revenues of $4.45 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +11.3%. EPS of $3.6 for the same period compares with $2.71 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.45 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +0.14%. The EPS surprise was +12.5%.

Over the last four quarters, Royal Caribbean 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.

Royal Caribbean 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 Royal Caribbean. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.