Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.

Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.

Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.

Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.

VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.

Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +24% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.

The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.

A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: GoDaddy (GDDY - Free Report) GoDaddy’s solutions serve roughly 20 million customers that include independents, WebPros, Domain Registrars and Investors, and Third-Party Registrars and Corporate Domain Portfolio owners.

GDDY is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. GDDY has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 14.8% for the current fiscal year.

For fiscal 2026, four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.08 to $7.14 per share. GDDY boasts an average earnings surprise of +6.1%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, GDDY should be on investors' short list.

For those looking to find strong Retail-Wholesale stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Is Burlington Stores (BURL - Free Report) one of those stocks right now? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Retail-Wholesale peers, we might be able to answer that question.

Burlington Stores is a member of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This group includes 189 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #13. The Zacks Sector Rank gauges the strength of our 16 individual sector groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups.

The Zacks Rank is a proven system that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions, highlighting a variety of stocks that are displaying the right characteristics to beat the market over the next one to three months. Burlington Stores is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Within the past quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for BURL's full-year earnings has moved 4.3% higher. This signals that analyst sentiment is improving and the stock's earnings outlook is more positive.

Based on the latest available data, BURL has gained about 17.2% so far this year. Meanwhile, stocks in the Retail-Wholesale group have gained about 0.5% on average. This shows that Burlington Stores is outperforming its peers so far this year.

Another stock in the Retail-Wholesale sector, Urban Outfitters (URBN - Free Report) , has outperformed the sector so far this year. The stock's year-to-date return is 2.3%.

In Urban Outfitters' case, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year increased 3.1% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Looking more specifically, Burlington Stores belongs to the Retail - Discount Stores industry, which includes 7 individual stocks and currently sits at #27 in the Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks in this group have gained about 14.7% so far this year, so BURL is performing better this group in terms of year-to-date returns.

Urban Outfitters, however, belongs to the Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry. Currently, this 40-stock industry is ranked #84. The industry has moved -1.1% so far this year.

Burlington Stores and Urban Outfitters could continue their solid performance, so investors interested in Retail-Wholesale stocks should continue to pay close attention to these stocks.

Investors often turn to recommendations made by Wall Street analysts before making a Buy, Sell, or Hold decision about a stock. While media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm employed (or sell-side) analysts often affect a stock's price, do they really matter?

Let's take a look at what these Wall Street heavyweights have to say about SkyWest (SKYW - Free Report) before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage.

SkyWest currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.57, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by seven brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.57 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy.

Of the seven recommendations that derive the current ABR, five are Strong Buy, representing 71.4% of all recommendations.

Brokerage Recommendation Trends for SKYW

Check price target & stock forecast for SkyWest here>>>

The ABR suggests buying SkyWest, but making an investment decision solely on the basis of this information might not be a good idea. According to several studies, brokerage recommendations have little to no success guiding investors to choose stocks with the most potential for price appreciation.

Do you wonder why? As a result of the vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover, their analysts tend to rate it with a strong positive bias. According to our research, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" recommendation.

In other words, their interests aren't always aligned with retail investors, rarely indicating where the price of a stock could actually be heading. Therefore, the best use of this information could be validating your own research or an indicator that has proven to be highly successful in predicting a stock's price movement.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, which classifies stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), is a reliable indicator of a stock's near-term price performance. So, validating the Zacks Rank with ABR could go a long way in making a profitable investment decision.

Zacks Rank Should Not Be Confused With ABRAlthough both Zacks Rank and ABR are displayed in a range of 1--5, they are different measures altogether.

Broker recommendations are the sole basis for calculating the ABR, which is typically displayed in decimals (such as 1.28). The Zacks Rank, on the other hand, is a quantitative model designed to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.

Analysts employed by brokerage firms have been and continue to be overly optimistic with their recommendations. Since the ratings issued by these analysts are more favorable than their research would support because of the vested interest of their employers, they mislead investors far more often than they guide.

In contrast, the Zacks Rank is driven by earnings estimate revisions. And near-term stock price movements are strongly correlated with trends in earnings estimate revisions, according to empirical research.

In addition, the different Zacks Rank grades are applied proportionately to all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide current-year earnings estimates. In other words, this tool always maintains a balance among its five ranks.

Another key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank is freshness. The ABR is not necessarily up-to-date when you look at it. But, since brokerage analysts keep revising their earnings estimates to account for a company's changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in indicating future price movements.

Is SKYW Worth Investing In?In terms of earnings estimate revisions for SkyWest, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has remained unchanged over the past month at $10.95.

Analysts' steady views regarding the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by an unchanged consensus estimate, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

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

It may therefore be prudent to be a little cautious with the Buy-equivalent ABR for SkyWest.

MNTN (NYSE: MNTN), the technology platform bringing performance marketing to Connected TV, today announced a new integration with HubSpot (NYSE:HUBS), the agentic customer platform for scaling businesses. The integration brings Connected TV performance data directly into the CRM workflows B2B marketers use every day and gives brands an unprecedented view into television’s impact across the full customer journey.

The launch positions MNTN as the first CTV platforms to bring TV ad activity directly back into HubSpot, down to the individual contact, so teams can know exactly which prospective customers were exposed to a TV advertisement.

“MNTN was built so that TV can be as measurable and performance-driven as search and social,” said Mark Douglas, President and CEO of MNTN. “As marketers demand more measurable outcomes from television, we believe the next phase of CTV growth will come from tighter integration with the platforms revenue teams already depend on. By making TV more accountable and accessible to Business-to-Business advertisers, we're expanding the universe of brands that can confidently invest in the channel. This integration allows us to connect that missing link of TV performance directly to the pipeline.”

The integration reflects meaningful customer overlap, with more than 90% of MNTN advertisers entering television for the first time. Many are B2B, SaaS, and growth-focused marketers who come to TV with the same expectations they have for search, social, and email: clear attribution, measurable outcomes, and direct visibility into performance.

For these advertisers, the integration closes one of television advertising’s longest-standing visibility gaps by connecting Connected TV directly to the CRM systems they use to measure revenue impact and business growth. Marketers gain:

Full-Funnel Visibility. Attribution data flowing into HubSpot contact records and activity feeds gives advertisers a clear view of how MNTN campaigns drive outcomes, from MQLs and SQLs to pipeline creation. Smarter Sales Outreach. Sales teams can now see whether a prospect was exposed to a MNTN Performance TV campaign, including campaign and creative details, directly within HubSpot contact records, enabling more informed outreach. One Stack, Every Channel. MNTN impressions show directly on a prospect's activity timeline, next to other ad channel activity. “The black box of CTV is no more. With MNTN’s integration into HubSpot, we have a real look at how CTV is directly influencing our efforts across the digital landscape,” said Zach Eberhard, Growth Marketing at Overjet.

The MNTN integration is available now in the HubSpot App Marketplace.

About MNTN

MNTN (NYSE: MNTN) is the Hardest Working Software in Television™, bringing unrivaled performance and simplicity to Connected TV advertising. Our self-serve technology makes running TV ads as easy as search and social and helps brands drive measurable conversions, revenue, site visits, and more. MNTN was named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies and Next Big Things in Tech and was recently featured on the cover of INC’s Best in Business Issue. For more information, please visit https://mntn.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260615523742/en/

For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.

The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.

Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +24% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.

The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.

A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Reddit Inc. (RDDT - Free Report) Reddit is a social media and community-led platform that enables real-time discovery, conversation and engagement across a wide range of interest-based forums. With more than 100,000 active communities (organized based on specific interests) known as “subreddits,” users contribute, curate and interact through text, links, images and video. Subreddits are denoted by an “r/” before their names. 

RDDT is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

Momentum investors should take note of this Computer and Technology stock. RDDT has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 2.5% over the past four weeks.

10 analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.85 to $4.83 per share. RDDT also boasts an average earnings surprise of +67%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, RDDT should be on investors' short list.

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.

Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.

Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.

Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.

VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +24% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.

Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Semtech (SMTC - Free Report) Headquartered in Flynn Road Camarillo, CA, Semtech Corporation designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of analog and mixed- signal semiconductors for commercial applications.

SMTC is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

Momentum investors should take note of this Computer and Technology stock. SMTC has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 21.1% over the past four weeks.

For fiscal 2027, six analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.47 to $2.66 per share. SMTC boasts an average earnings surprise of +6.8%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, SMTC should be on investors' short list.

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- #FDAClearance--SurGenTec®, a medical device company focused on advancing treatment options for orthopedic and spine surgery, today announced FDA clearance of its ION-L™ Lumbar Facet Fixation System. ION-L™, part of SurGenTec's facet fixation platform, is indicated for the treatment of patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD) from L3 to S1 in skeletally mature patients who have failed conservative care. This clearance is supported by compelling long-term clinical evidenc.

“The Pulse Report highlights AI’s growing role in preclinical and translational development as biopharma companies seek competitive advantage in bispecific antibodies.” June 15, 2026 10:54 ET  | Source: BCC Research LLC

Boston, June 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming bispecific antibody development as pharmaceutical companies deploy advanced computational platforms to address mounting clinical risks and manufacturing complexities. BCC Research's new AI Impact on Bispecific Antibodies Market - BCC Pulse Report examines how leading drugmakers are leveraging AI to optimize dual-target engagement, predict immunogenicity risks, and accelerate capital-efficient biologics development across increasingly competitive oncology markets.

Key Findings

• Investment momentum accelerates: Takeda's multi-year AI platform collaboration carries potential milestone commitments exceeding $1 billion, while Sanofi allocated approximately $125 million upfront for AI-engineered bispecific programs
• Clinical risk mitigation drives adoption: AI-powered prediction models target cytokine release syndrome risks in T-cell engaging formats, addressing late-stage failure patterns that have historically plagued bispecific development
• Manufacturing complexity catalyzes computational solutions: Expression balance, aggregation, and purification challenges are driving AI-enabled developability screening to prevent costly late-stage manufacturability issues
• Target pair optimization emerges as competitive differentiator: Machine learning platforms integrating multi-omics data enable more precise dual-target engagement strategies versus traditional monoclonal antibody approaches
• Regulatory expectations shape AI implementation: Growing requirements for model transparency and explainability influence platform architecture across major pharmaceutical partnerships
• Market leaders accelerate AI integration: Pfizer, Sanofi, Roche/Genentech, Novartis, Amgen, Regeneron, Takeda, WuXi Biologics, and Chugai Pharmaceutical lead deployment across internal R&D platforms and strategic collaborations

Strategic Implications

The convergence of bispecific antibody complexity and AI capabilities represents a fundamental shift in biologics development paradigms. Growing immunogenicity risks and narrow therapeutic windows in immune-engaging formats are compelling pharmaceutical companies to adopt computational biology platforms for structural prediction and safety optimization. This trend reflects broader industry recognition that traditional trial-and-error approaches cannot adequately address the precision required for dual-target antibody engineering while maintaining acceptable development timelines and capital efficiency.
Partnership-led investment strategies are emerging as the dominant model, enabling large pharmaceutical companies to access differentiated AI capabilities while sharing early development risks. The focus on immune-biology modeling, protein engineering, and molecular optimization underscores the industry's commitment to addressing core technical challenges that have historically limited bispecific antibody success rates.

Investment Considerations

The AI-bispecific antibody convergence presents significant upside for investors positioned across computational biology platforms and next-generation antibody engineering companies. Venture capital is increasingly prioritizing biotechnology firms with scalable bispecific platforms integrating AI capabilities, while strategic corporate investors deploy minority investments to access differentiated technologies. However, regulatory uncertainty around AI explainability requirements and resource dilution across large bispecific portfolios represent key risk factors. Companies demonstrating clear AI-driven differentiation in target pair prioritization and manufacturability optimization appear best positioned to capture partnership premiums and milestone-driven value creation.

About the Report

The report provides comprehensive analysis of AI adoption patterns, investment flows, competitive positioning, and strategic implications across bispecific antibody development from 2024-2030. AI Impact on Bispecific Antibodies Market - BCC Pulse Report* examines technology integration strategies, partnership structures, and market positioning across leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

About BCC Research
BCC Research provides objective, unbiased measurement and assessment of market opportunities with detailed market research reports. Our experienced industry analysts assess growth trends, identify and evaluate new and changing market opportunities, and provide critical information and innovative decision support tools to help inform the strategic decision-making process.

For media inquiries, email [email protected] or visit our media page for access to our market research library.
Any data and analysis extracted from this press release must be accompanied by a statement identifying BCC Research LLC as the source and publisher.

Contact Data BCC Research LLC 50 Milk St., Ste. 16, Boston, MA 02109 [email protected] | +1 781-489-7301 www.bccresearch.com

ORLANDO, Fla., June 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The AI Native Accounting Foundation announced the winners of its inaugural AI Native Accounting Awards, honoring firms and practitioners who are moving AI in accounting from experimentation to measurable, responsible implementation in real-world environments. Winners were recognized live on the keynote stage at Scaling New Heights, held June 14–16, 2026, in Orlando, FL.

Winners were selected by the Foundation’s Advisory Council, a group of respected leaders who reviewed nominations and applied a consistent rubric focused on measurable outcomes, governance, and replicability. The awards recognize outcomes that matter: improved capacity, new service models, better client experiences, and approaches that other firms can realistically learn from and replicate.

“These are not innovation theater awards,” said Kacee Johnson, Executive Director of the AI Native Accounting Foundation. “Every one of this year’s winners showed us what it actually looks like to move from AI curiosity to AI in practice. They are approaching AI use thoughtfully, documenting what worked, and sharing their lessons learned. That’s the work we’re here to celebrate, study, and share so others in the profession can learn from it.”

Award Winners

Individual Award for AI Innovation — Angel Zhen, CPA
Angel Zhen, CPA was recognized for demonstrating what responsible, high-performance AI adoption looks like at the individual practitioner level — and for proving the model is transferable. Zhen runs a multi-six figure solo practice with no employees and more than 300 clients nationwide, while maintaining twelve weeks off annually. 

Firm Award for Strategy & Governance — CBIZ
CBIZ, Inc. was recognized for building one of the most comprehensive AI governance frameworks in the profession to enable their AI strategy. CBIZ built a cross-functional AI Governance Council, a formal AI Usage Policy, and structured training programs grounded in internationally recognized standards — including the NIST AI Risk Management Framework and OECD AI Principles. CBIZ developed their platforms with Microsoft AI and logged over one million AI-assisted interactions since launch. The award reflects not just scale, but the deliberate infrastructure CBIZ built around responsible deployment.

Small Firm Award for Strategy & Governance — Financial Optics
The Foundation recognized Financial Optics, a boutique accounting and advisory firm for demonstrating that AI governance is achievable at the smallest firm scale. The three-person firm built its adoption on a documented AI Acceptable Use Policy and an AI Tool Decision Framework mapping tool categories against client-data sensitivity — governance developed alongside deployment rather than after it. The award reflects an approach other small firms can realistically replicate.

Firm Award for AI Implementation — Armanino
Armanino was honored for the internal build and firm-wide rollout of Requirements Miner, a purpose-built, multi-agent AI application that fundamentally changed how the firm conducts client discovery. Consultants who previously had to split their attention between facilitating conversations and taking notes can now focus entirely on the client — with Requirements Miner capturing, analyzing, and drafting requirements in real time. Every output is traceable to its source in the conversation, which Armanino calls “glass box AI.” The results have been concrete: approximately a 40% reduction in requirements development time, one to two weeks eliminated from the discovery phase per engagement, and near-zero loss of requirements.

Barry Brown, who sits on the Foundation’s Advisory Council, remarked on the nominations and review process: "What stood out most in reviewing this inaugural group of award recipients is how broad the field of AI adoption has become. From sole practitioners to top-25 firms, leaders of every size are making meaningful progress. The firms and individuals we recognized are proof that size is no longer a barrier to doing something significant with AI. Whether you're a one-person practice or a national firm, the opportunity is the same, and so is the urgency. There has never been a better time to start."

Scholarship Launch

Building on the inaugural awards, the Foundation also announced that applications for its first scholarship program are now open. Two $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to undergraduate and master’s students enrolled at U.S. colleges or universities for the 2026–27 academic year who are actively building with AI in accounting, tax, audit, advisory, or finance contexts. Applicants submit a working AI use case, a short write-up, and a structured video response. Applications close September 15, 2026. More information and the application are available at www.ainativeaccounting.org.

About AI-Native Accounting Foundation

As an independent nonprofit, the AI Native Accounting Foundation equips firms and finance teams to adopt AI with confidence through education, research, and recognition — moving the profession past hype and into practice. Founded by Kacee Johnson and Bebe Kim, the Foundation exists to create space for honest dialogue, shared learning, and credible examples of real-world AI adoption across accounting, tax, audit, advisory, and finance. Through the AI Native Accounting Podcast, industry awards, research initiatives, and scholarships, the Foundation highlights what’s working, what’s not, and what responsible AI transformation actually looks like inside modern firms and finance teams.

Media contact:
Gina Rezendes
Big Swing Communications
617-640-9278
[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b116ccf4-cbbb-4036-98de-e329ba4ef88c

The AI Native Accounting Foundation announced the winners of its inaugural AI Native Accounting Awar... The winners, CBIZ, Financial Optics, Armanino, and Angel Zhen CPA, were recognized for measurable pr...

Key Takeaways GEV's installed base supports recurring revenues through maintenance, upgrades and long-term service deals.Remaining performance obligations reached about $163.3B in Q1 2026 across equipment and services.Rising electricity demand and longer asset life support growth in GEV's services business. GE Vernova Inc.’s (GEV - Free Report) sizable and expanding services franchise is one of the company's most underrated strengths. Although GE Vernova is primarily known for its gas turbines, grid equipment and renewable energy technologies, its large installed base serves as a significant source of recurring revenues.

The company's equipment helps generate approximately 25% of the world's electricity, creating a substantial opportunity to provide maintenance, upgrades, repairs and operational support throughout the life cycle of these assets.

Utilities and power producers rely on GE Vernova's expertise to maintain the reliability and efficiency of critical power infrastructure, resulting in long-term customer relationships and recurring service contracts.

The company continues to see strong demand across its Power segment, supported by both equipment and services. As customers seek to maximize the performance of existing generation assets while meeting rising electricity demand, service agreements are becoming increasingly important. These contracts not only generate recurring revenues but also provide greater visibility into future cash flows and earnings.

GE Vernova's growing backlog further highlights the strength of its service franchise. The company ended the first quarter of 2026 with remaining performance obligations of approximately $163.3 billion, reflecting substantial long-term commitments across both equipment and services. The service component of this backlog provides an important foundation for future revenue generation.

With utilities extending the life of existing power assets and global electricity demand continuing to rise, GE Vernova's services business appears well positioned to provide a durable source of growth across economic and industry cycles.

Utilities Benefiting From Long-Term Power DemandSeveral utility companies are also positioned to benefit from rising electricity demand and the need to maintain and optimize critical power infrastructure, as discussed below:

Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) is leveraging its diversified generation portfolio to capitalize on rising power consumption and increasing demand for dependable electricity supply.

Duke Energy (DUK - Free Report) continues to invest in grid modernization and generation assets to support long-term electricity demand growth across its regulated service territories.

GEV Stock’s Earnings EstimatesThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings per share (EPS) indicates an increase of 72.92% and that for 2027 EPS implies a decline of 20.31% year over year.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

GEV Stock Trading at a PremiumGEV is trading at a premium relative to the industry, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings of 33.88X compared with the industry average of 21.22X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

GEV Stock’s Price PerformanceIn the past three months, the company’s shares have risen 13.7% against the industry’s 2% decline.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

Shares of Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ:QUBT) stock and D-Wave Quantum (NYSE:QBTS) stock are both up 12% in Monday morning trading, leading a broad rally across the handful of publicly traded quantum-computing pure plays. QUBT stock is changing hands near $11.10, while QBTS stock has climbed to around $26.14.

Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ:RGTI) stock is up 9% to around $22.92, and IonQ (NYSE:IONQ | IONQ Price Prediction) stock has gained 6% to around $61.51. The four names are once again trading in lockstep as a thematic basket.

There’s no identified company-specific catalyst behind the move in QUBT, QBTS, RGTI, or IONQ stock. The likely backdrop is a broad risk-on tone following the U.S.-Iran peace agreement announced Sunday, with a formal signing referenced for June 19, which has lifted speculative, high-beta names across the tape.

Risk-On Tape, Not a Quantum-Specific Story The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) dropped Monday morning to 16.24, well below the recent intraday peak of 22.22 on June 10 and far off the March 27 high of 31.05. That volatility contraction has been supportive for the most speculative corners of the market, and quantum-computing names like IonQ and Rigetti sit squarely in that bucket.

The S&P 500 tracking SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA:SPY) is up 1.67% in Monday’s session, providing a benign macro tape. Against that backdrop, the quantum basket including QUBT and QBTS stock is outperforming on relative beta rather than any fresh sector news.

Speculative Names Snapping Back Quantum Computing Inc. has been the laggard of the group, with QUBT stock down 34% over the past year. The company posted Q1 2026 revenue of $3.69 million, lifted by its February Luminar Semiconductor and NuCrypt acquisitions, with about $1.4 billion in total cash and investments on the balance sheet.

In contrast, D-Wave Quantum stock is up 72% over the past 12 months. The company reported Q1 2026 bookings of $33.4 million, ended the quarter with $588.4 million in cash, and held an Investor Day at the NYSE on June 1 highlighting a gate-model roadmap targeting 100 logical qubits by 2032.

Rigetti Computing stock is up 101% over the past year, with Q1 2026 revenue of $4.4 million, nearly triple the prior-year period, and a narrowed loss per share of $0.04. Its 108-qubit Cepheus-1-108Q system is in general availability on AWS Braket, Azure Quantum, and qBraid, and management has flagged a UK investment of up to $100 million for a 1,000-plus qubit machine.

Meanwhile, IonQ stock has been a steady performer, up 63% over the past year, with Q1 2026 revenue of $64.67 million and raised FY2026 guidance of $260 million to $270 million. At a market cap near $23 billion and a price-to-sales ratio of 115x, IonQ trades on expectations rather than current cash flow.

Sentiment Skew Across the Group Analyst sentiment on the basket is uneven. IonQ carries 1 Strong Buy, 10 Buy, and 2 Hold ratings with an average price target of $67.64, while Rigetti has 1 Strong Buy, 8 Buy, 3 Hold, and 1 Sell with a $29.24 target.

Turning to crowd sentiment, one Polymarket question asks whether the U.S. federal government will take a stake in IonQ by year-end, with the “No” outcome priced at 65% and “Yes” at 36%. It’s a thin market, but it captures how some traders are framing IonQ’s strategic profile versus peers like Rigetti and D-Wave Quantum.

What to Watch Now Investors can watch for whether the bid in Quantum Computing Inc., D-Wave Quantum, Rigetti, and IonQ stock holds into the closing bell, or whether the basket fades as an intraday momentum trade. Volume and breadth in the broader speculative complex can offer early clues on staying power.

IonQ, Rigetti, D-Wave Quantum, and Quantum Computing Inc. remain pre-profit, high-beta names that tend to move together on shifts in risk appetite. With no quantum-specific catalyst behind today’s rally, the action looks more like sentiment than substance, which argues for measured position sizing for anyone trading around the move.

The next checkpoint for the basket may come from the formal U.S.-Iran signing referenced for June 19 and any fresh sector commentary. Until then, IonQ stock, as the largest market cap in the group, could set the tone for QUBT, QBTS, and RGTI shares.

I'll cut to the chase. Oklo (NYSE:OKLO | OKLO Price Prediction) trades at $57.49, well off its 52-week high of $193.84, and our proprietary model still sees real upside from here.

Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.

The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.

Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +24% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.

A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Brinker International (EAT - Free Report) Brinker International, Inc. is based in Dallas, TX. The company owns, operates, develops and franchises restaurants under the Chili’s Grill & Bar (Chili’s) and Maggiano’s Little Italy (Maggiano’s) brands. The company took over Chili’s, Inc., a Texas-based corporation, in September 1983. It completed the acquisition of Maggiano’s in August 1995.

EAT is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. EAT has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 20.8% for the current fiscal year.

Six analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.05 to $10.75 per share. EAT boasts an average earnings surprise of +6.8%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, EAT should be on investors' short list.

By PYMNTS  |  June 15, 2026

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Fiserv and Truist announced leadership transitions Monday (June 15) as Mike Lyons moves from being CEO of Fiserv to being president and CEO of Truist.

Fiserv said in a Monday press release that Lyons stepped down as CEO and member of the board of directors to become CEO of Truist. The company appointed Takis Georgakopoulos, a member of its executive team, as CEO and as a member of the board of directors, effective immediately.

Truist said in a Monday press release that Lyons will become its next president and CEO effective Sept. 1. He will succeed Bill Rogers, who will become executive chair on Sept. 1 and will serve in that role until his planned retirement in April 2027.

Lyons joined Fiserv as CEO in May 2025 when the company’s previous CEO, Frank Bisignano, was approved by the U.S. Senate to lead the Social Security Administration.

Lyons joined the company from the PNC Financial Services Group, where he served as president, PYMNTS reported at the time.

In Fiserv’s Monday press release, Lyons said: “I’m proud of what the team has accomplished over the past year. I have great confidence in the company’s strong platform, talented leadership team and dedicated associates, and look forward to partnering with Fiserv as a client in the years ahead.”

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Georgakopoulos joined Fiserv in late 2024 and most recently served as the company’s co-president leading Technology and Merchant Solutions, according to the release.

Before joining Fiserv, Georgakopoulos served as global head of payments for JPMorgan’s Corporate and Investment Bank.

Fiserv Board of Directors Chairman Gordon Nixon said in the release that Georgakopoulos has driven progress in modernizing Fiserv’s merchant platform and embedding AI across the company’s infrastructure.

“He is the right leader to guide Fiserv in an industry being reshaped by rapid advances in technology, innovation, AI and cybersecurity,” Nixon added.

In the press release, Fiserv also reaffirmed the outlook for the full year 2026 that it provided on May 5. The outlook calls for organic revenue growth of 1% to 3% and adjusted earnings per share of $8 to $8.30 for 2026.

Truist said in its press release that Lyons brings to the bank more than 30 years of industry leadership spanning all sectors of financial services.

“Through our succession planning process, it became clear that Mike is an action-oriented leader committed to high performance across the full range of our company operations and the right person to lead Truist’s next chapter of growth,” Truist Lead Independent Director Thomas E. Skains said in the release. “We are incredibly grateful for Bill’s purpose-driven leadership as Truist’s chief executive officer, and we look forward to his impactful contributions as executive chair.”

Morgan Stanley reiterates Overweight ratings on the hard-disk drive makers in a pair of research notes Monday.

SpaceX (NASDAQ: SPCX) went public with the largest-ever IPO on Friday, June 12, and just one trading session later, artificial intelligence (AI) models are predicting a wide range of outcomes for the stock by the end of the month.

On average, Finbold’s AI prediction agent projects a SpaceX stock price target of $16.38 on June 30, 2026, which implies the model sees a 4.5% upside potential for the space company in the next two weeks compared to the current price of $161.13.

AI predicts SpaceX stock price for June 30. Source: Finbold However, the average price represents a joint projection of five leading large language models (LLMs), not all of which were equally bullish – or bullish at all. 

AI SpaceX stock price prediction Specifically, our prediction tool combined the outputs of Claude Opus 4.6, DeepSeek Chat, Gemini 3 Flash, ChatGPT 5.2, and Grok 4.1. 

Gemini was the most bullish model, forecasting a 13.23% rally and an SPCX share price target of $182.45. Claude and Grok were slightly less optimistic, although they still saw an upside potential of 7.06% and 8.3%, respectively, which would put the stock in the $172.5–174.5 range.

ChatGPT was much more conservative, with a price target of $164.2, up only 1.91% from the current levels. Completely bearish, on the other hand, DeepSeek sees the space leader’s stock plummeting 7.99% by June 30 and ending the month at $148.25.

AI sets SpaceX stock price target for June 30. Source: Finbold The divergent AI predictions illustrate the expected early volatility for a stock of such caliber. Even in the long run, some Wall Street analysts have already expressed some not-so-optimistic views, with, for example, CFRA analyst Keith Snyder saying the company’s current valuation reflects substantial optimism despite significant execution risks.

Featured image via Shutterstock

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SpaceX (SPCX +9.22%) stock began trading on Friday, and despite a high valuation out of the gate, it finished its first day up more than 19%, closing at a price of just under $161. Demand for the IPO was strong, as retail investors are bullish on the company, which is run by Elon Musk.

It has been one of the most highly anticipated new offerings, potentially ever. The momentum may very well continue in the days and weeks ahead, but it's also likely to be a volatile investment.

Is it a good idea to buy SpaceX stock right now, or should you hold off given the risks?

Image source: Getty Images.

It's an enticing opportunity, but it could be a bumpy road ahead In SpaceX's S-1 filing, it estimates its total addressable market to be $28.5 trillion. Between space, connectivity, and artificial intelligence (AI), it has some significant growth opportunities, and that potential is why investors may not necessarily balk at its high valuation; the belief is that the stock can still produce a great return in the long run.

But there's still risk here. While the opportunity may be enticing, that doesn't mean it'll be easy for SpaceX to rapidly grow its sales or generate significant profits. In its most recent quarter, for instance, which covered the first three months of 2026, its revenue rose by 15% to $4.7 billion. It's decent growth, but not exactly earth-shattering. Meanwhile, its net loss of $4.3 billion was eight times the $528 million loss it incurred in the prior-year period. As the business expands heavily into its different ventures, its costs may increase dramatically, making it difficult for SpaceX to get out of the red anytime soon.

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Why SpaceX stock may not be suitable for most investors SpaceX stock has a high valuation, with a market cap of $2.1 trillion that easily puts it among the most valuable companies in the world. It's surprising given its unimpressive financials. The stock may still rise higher, but that'll be indicative of the excitement around the business rather than solid, fundamental reasons to invest in the company.

For most investors, the safest option is to remain on the sidelines with SpaceX stock, because while it may be the hot new investment today, its high price tag could make it vulnerable to a steep sell-off and correction in the near future. This is only suitable for investors with a high tolerance for risk and uncertainty. There are plenty of other growth stocks that could make for better options today.

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SpaceX underwriters have officially exercised their overallotment of shares in the historic initial public offering, bringing the total raised to $85.7 billion, according to an investor relations update out Monday.

Elon Musk's space and artificial intelligence company raised an initial $75 billion on Thursday, making it the biggest IPO ever.

SpaceX's brokers, which include Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, had the option to buy an additional 83.3 million shares as part of the overallotment, which is commonly referred to as the "greenshoe."

The additional money raised in the SpaceX overallotment is bigger than almost all tech IPOs on record. Underwriters typically exercise the overallotment when the stock rises.

SpaceX staff wore green shoes on the trading floor Friday in a nod to the "greenshoe" option, and Musk re-shared a photo on X.

After pricing at $135 per share, the stock soared in Friday's debut, climbing 19%. The stock closed at around $161, pushing the company's valuation past $2 trillion.

Shares of SpaceX continued to climb on Monday morning, jumping more than 7% in their first full day of trading.

Read more CNBC tech newsA year after Meta tapped Alexandr Wang to build a new AI model, Zuckerberg has to sell itAnthropic disables access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 to comply with government directiveFrom 10% chance of success to $2 trillion market cap: SpaceX's historic IPONew SpaceX millionaires are reinventing the business of managing large wealthMusk told employees gathered at SpaceX's Starbase headquarters in Texas on Friday that he wanted to take the company public now to raise capital for "a significant growth phase."

SpaceX is expected to use the funds to complete and begin commercially flying its Starship rockets, the largest ever built or launched. The rockets are designed to be fully re-usable someday, and to deploy SpaceX's new V3 satellites, which could massively expand their Starlink satellite internet service.

The rockets are still being tested and have mostly carried dummy satellites to space so far.

The company also aims to build, launch and run AI data centers in space, known as orbital data centers, and to build a massive chip factory with Musk's automaker, Tesla, and Intel in Texas. Musk has pitched space-based data centers as a solution to AI's power needs, though the technology remains unproven and comes with a host of associated risks.

SpaceX has a fraction the revenue of any of tech's megacaps and racked up a $4.9 billion loss last year, with total losses since its founding of over $41 billion. After the stock's close on Friday, SpaceX was worth $2.1 trillion, giving it a multiple of 112 times last year's revenue.

— CNBC's Annie Palmer contributed reporting.

SpaceX one-day stock chart

SpaceX shares surged again on Monday, extending gains from their blockbuster market debut as investors continued to pile into Elon Musk's rocket and artificial intelligence infrastructure company.

Shares of SpaceX, trading under the ticker SPCX, rose 8% in early trading to $173.67 after jumping 19% during their first day on the Nasdaq on Friday.

The broader market was also higher, with the S&P 500 gaining 1.5% amid optimism surrounding a potential agreement to end the Iran war.

One of the reasons the stock is surging higher today is that many expect the firm to join the Nasdaq-100 within days.

The move would make it a significant component of exchange-traded funds and other passive investment vehicles that track the benchmark.

Analysts estimate that inclusion could drive between $7 billion and $10 billion in passive inflows as index funds and ETFs adjust their holdings.

Newly public companies must wait at least 12 months before they can be considered for inclusion in indexes maintained by S&P Dow Jones Indices.

The strong follow-through came after underwriters exercised their overallotment option, increasing the total amount raised through the initial public offering to $85.7 billion.

The debut marked the largest IPO on record and attracted heavy trading activity, with more than 500 million shares changing hands on the first day.

SpaceX's early gains have coincided with a broader rotation into high-growth technology and artificial intelligence-linked companies.

Memory-chip maker Micron Technology was among the few stocks outperforming SpaceX in early trading, while Seagate Technology and Western Digital also posted gains of more than 5%.

Nvidia stock was also up around 2% in early trade.

Investor enthusiasm was further boosted by comments from Musk over the weekend.

Responding to a social media post on X referencing a Morgan Stanley revenue forecast, Musk suggested SpaceX revenue could exceed $1 trillion by 2030.

The target would be more than three times higher than Morgan Stanley's projection and would represent a roughly 66-fold increase from the company's 2025 revenue level.

A major component of that growth strategy is expected to come from artificial intelligence infrastructure.

SpaceX plans to begin deploying orbital AI data centers in 2028.

The company's terrestrial data-center operations, which were previously owned by xAI before being merged with SpaceX in February, currently rent computing capacity to customers, including Anthropic and Google.

Cathie Wood's ARK Invest emerged as one of the most notable buyers following the listing.

The investment firm purchased nearly 3.3 million SpaceX shares during the company's first trading session, building a position valued at more than $500 million by the close of trading.

SpaceX shares were sold in the IPO at $135 and finished their first session at $160.95, representing a gain of more than 19%.

The ARK Innovation ETF accounted for most of the purchases and ended the day with SpaceX representing 3.28% of its portfolio.

Despite the strong start, not all analysts are convinced the rally is sustainable.

CFRA initiated coverage of SpaceX on Friday with a Sell rating and a 12-month price target of $115, implying significant downside from current levels.

The research firm cited the company's aggressive growth plans, elevated valuation expectations, and substantial capital requirements.

Morningstar analyst Nicolas Owens also expressed caution in a June 8 note, valuing SpaceX at $63 per share and describing the stock as overvalued.

Even as skeptics question the valuation, investors appear focused on the company's long-term ambitions in launch services, satellite communications, artificial intelligence infrastructure, and future orbital computing networks.

© Thongden Studio / Shutterstock.com

A CNBC segment that ran last week opened with a sentence you do not normally hear from a buyer. “It’s stupid. It’s unreasonable… The valuation is really, really aggressive, in my opinion,” said Marvin Jung, a regional director of operations in veterinary care. Then he told CNBC he had requested roughly 1,000 shares of SpaceX through Robinhood anyway. That gap, between what retail investors are saying and what they are doing, is the actual story of the IPO.

Why analysts call the $2.1 trillion price aggressive SpaceX is now public at a $2.1 trillion valuation. A Morningstar analyst told CNBC the company has been “significantly overvalued” and that investors will likely find better prices later. The Connectivity segment, mostly Starlink, did $11.4 billion in 2025 revenue with $7.17 billion in segment adjusted EBITDA; revenue grew 49.8% year over year. That is a real business.

The AI segment, formed by the February 2026 acquisition of xAI, posted a 2025 loss from operations of $6.35 billion on $3.2 billion in revenue, with first-quarter 2026 AI capex alone of $7.7 billion. Mid-roadshow, SpaceX disclosed roughly $26 billion in new annual revenue from Anthropic and Google partnerships, which hardened conviction.

The retail archetypes lining up for shares What makes this IPO unusual beyond size is the allocation. Per CNBC, 20% to 30% of shares are going to retail, well above the normal sliver. Three archetypes are showing up. The short-term pop chaser, hoping to flip day-one demand.

The cautious position-taker, capping exposure at around $10,000 or two shares, treating it as a small lottery-ticket position. And the long-term believer, like recent Cornell graduate Andrew Chen, who told CNBC he wants to “underwrite Elon’s ability to execute in this growing TAM” and called it a “once in a lifetime opportunity.”

The Musk premium and the AI infrastructure bet Day trader Ross Cameron, founder of Warrior Trading, put the bull case in a line to CNBC. The IPO “would be overvalued if it didn’t include Elon Musk… because it includes Elon Musk… It doesn’t really make sense on paper, but this is the right market environment.” CNBC kept returning to the reframing that “SpaceX is not one business… it’s three businesses” across communications, launch, and AI infrastructure. Eric Jackson of The AI Investor Podcast said he would not buy on day one or even in the first month, citing the low float and pent-up demand bottleneck.

Admiration plus patience is the Morningstar posture too. The Musk premium is real, but so is the dilution risk if xAI keeps consuming cash faster than Starlink can throw it off. Retail buyers who treat the IPO as a venture-style bet rather than a public-market trade are the ones most likely to come out ahead, because the path from a $1.8 trillion entry price to a higher one almost certainly runs through several years of messy quarterly prints.

Where Rocket Lab fits into the trade For investors who do not get an allocation, Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB | RKLB Price Prediction) has been the de facto SpaceX proxy. Q1 revenue hit $200.35 million, up 63.46% year over year, with backlog at a record $2.20 billion and CEO Peter Beck citing “access to more than $2 billion in liquidity” in the 8-K filed May 7, 2026. The Neutron medium-lift rocket will likely debut later in 2026. Reddit sees the stock as the cheaper executable version of the SpaceX trade.

The risk both stocks share is execution. SpaceX must turn xAI capex into AI revenue, Starship into a reliable workhorse, and Starlink growth into something durable enough to justify a software-like multiple. Rocket Lab has to land Neutron’s debut later in 2026, integrate three acquisitions without margin slippage, and convert that $2.2 billion backlog into recognized revenue on schedule. Retail investors who get SpaceX allocations should also keep an eye on the eventual lock-up expiration, when early shareholders sitting on enormous private-market gains finally get to sell. That is when the Morningstar “better prices later” thesis gets tested in public, and when the RKLB-as-proxy trade either gets validated or quietly unwinds.

Yet the significance of this IPO extends far beyond the company’s first-day gains. For investors, the listing represents a major test of market appetite for high-growth businesses that prioritize long-term expansion over near-term profitability. It may also provide a roadmap for a new generation of public offerings, particularly from the artificial intelligence sector.

The enthusiasm surrounding SpaceX reflects investor confidence in the company’s long-term vision rather than its current earnings profile. Since its founding in 2002, SpaceX has accumulated substantial losses while investing heavily in launch systems, satellite infrastructure and next-generation space technologies. However, management argues that years of investment are beginning to generate meaningful returns.

A key pillar of that strategy is Starlink, the company’s satellite internet network, which has become a significant source of recurring revenue and cash flow. The proceeds raised through the IPO are expected to accelerate an ambitious expansion plan that includes a dramatic increase in satellite deployment and the development of space-based computing infrastructure.

Investors are effectively betting that SpaceX can evolve from a successful aerospace company into a foundational provider of global communications and computing services. This vision helps explain why the market has been willing to assign such a lofty valuation despite the company’s limited profitability.

Retail investors also played a major role in the stock’s debut. Individual traders accounted for an unusually large share of demand, reinforcing the strong retail participation that has become a defining feature of modern financial markets. The combination of a globally recognized brand, Elon Musk’s reputation and the scarcity of publicly traded space-related investments created conditions for exceptional first-day demand.

Why Volatility Could Remain Elevated While the IPO’s success has generated excitement, investors should also prepare for significant volatility in the weeks and months ahead. Historically, many high-profile listings experience sharp price swings after their initial surge. Early enthusiasm often collides with the realities of valuation, profit expectations and changing market sentiment.

These mandatory purchases could create additional upward pressure on the stock price in the short term. However, such flows are technical rather than fundamental, meaning they may not necessarily reflect changes in the company’s underlying business performance.

For retail investors, this distinction is important. Strong demand from index funds can support a stock temporarily, but long-term returns ultimately depend on revenue growth, profitability and operational execution.

What the SpaceX IPO Means for OpenAI and Anthropic Perhaps the most important consequence of the SpaceX listing is what it signals for the broader IPO market. For several years, high interest rates and economic uncertainty limited the number of large technology companies willing to go public. The strong reception received by SpaceX suggests that investor appetite for disruptive growth stories remains intact, particularly when companies operate in sectors viewed as transformational.

This development is likely to be closely watched by OpenAI and Anthropic, two of the most anticipated future listings in the artificial intelligence industry. Unlike SpaceX, these companies are positioned at the center of the generative AI boom and benefit from rapidly expanding commercial adoption. Their revenue growth trajectories may therefore appear more immediately attractive to investors seeking exposure to artificial intelligence.

However, the comparison is not entirely straightforward. SpaceX enters public markets with more than a decade of investor familiarity with Elon Musk as the leader of a publicly traded company. Many investors who generated substantial returns from Tesla are willing to extend a similar degree of trust to his latest venture.

OpenAI and Anthropic do not yet possess that same public-market track record. As a result, investors may place greater emphasis on governance structures, management execution and the path toward sustainable profitability. This difference could lead to even greater volatility once these companies eventually begin trading.

Can Fundamentals Catch Up With Valuations? The success of the SpaceX IPO highlights a familiar pattern in financial markets. During periods of optimism, investors often focus on future opportunities rather than current earnings. SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic all share a common characteristic: they operate in industries with enormous potential but require extraordinary levels of capital investment. As a result, profitability remains elusive despite rapid revenue growth.

For now, investors appear comfortable funding these long-term ambitions. The belief is that today’s losses represent investments in infrastructure that could eventually support dominant market positions. Nevertheless, history suggests that enthusiasm alone cannot sustain valuations indefinitely. Public companies ultimately face scrutiny from shareholders who expect measurable progress toward profitability and cash generation.

Research on high-growth listings has consistently shown that companies trading at extreme revenue multiples often struggle to justify those valuations over time. While some become transformative market leaders, many eventually face significant repricing as investors reassess expectations. The challenge for SpaceX—and potentially for future AI listings—will be demonstrating that revenue growth can eventually translate into durable earnings power.

Conclusion The SpaceX IPO could be more than a successful market debut; it may mark the beginning of a new phase for global equity markets. Its record valuation, extraordinary investor demand and rapid ascent into the mega-cap universe have reopened discussions about how much investors are willing to pay for long-term innovation. The listing also provides an early indication of how public markets may respond to the next generation of AI giants. If SpaceX has reopened the door for transformative growth companies, OpenAI and Anthropic could be the next major beneficiaries.

For investors, however, the lesson remains unchanged. Exciting narratives can drive valuations higher in the short term, but long-term shareholder returns ultimately depend on execution. The coming years will reveal whether these ambitious companies can transform extraordinary expectations into equally extraordinary financial results.

Sources: Reuters, CNBC, The Wall Street Journal

June 15, 2026 11:39 ET  | Source: Purpose Investments Inc.

TORONTO, June 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This release corrects and replaces the press release issued on June 15 at 1601 Eastern Time. In the third paragraph, Nick Mersch's name was misspelled Mersh. The corrected release follows: 

Purpose Investments Inc. (“Purpose”) is excited to announce the expansion of its Yield Shares suite with the launch of the Purpose SpaceX (SPCX) Yield Shares ETF, which begins trading today on Cboe Canada under the ticker SPXY.

The new ETF offers investors exposure to SpaceX and is designed to generate enhanced* monthly income through a diversified covered call strategy on approximately 50% of the portfolio, combined with modest leverage of approximately 25%.

“SpaceX is one of the most influential companies shaping the future of space exploration and advanced technology, and Canadian investors have been looking for a simple way to access its growth potential,” said Nick Mersch, Portfolio Manager at Purpose Investments. “SPXY gives investors access to that opportunity while providing enhanced monthly income through a strategy focused on long-term total return.”

As investor demand continues to grow for single-stock income strategies, SPXY expands Purpose’s Yield Shares suite into one of the most anticipated public market opportunities, offering investors a new way to access innovation, growth potential, and monthly income in a single ETF.

Key Benefits:

Growth Potential: Gain exposure to the long-term growth opportunity of SpaceX, a leader in the commercial space industry.Monthly Income: Designed to generate enhanced monthly income through a diversified covered call strategy written on approximately 50% of the portfolio.Modest Leverage: Uses approximately 25% leverage to enhance exposure and support the fund’s income objective.Tax-Efficient Distributions: Distributions are expected to be in the form of capital gains and/or return of capital, which are typically taxed more favourably than interest income.Canadian Dollar Hedged: The Fund will be 100% hedged back to the Canadian dollar, reducing U.S. dollar currency risk for investors.
With the addition of SPXY, the Purpose Yield Shares suite has grown to feature 30 ETFs, offering an array of yield-focused strategies across Canadian, U.S. and crypto assets. The new addition reinforces Purpose Yield Shares as a leading option for investors seeking monthly income and total return from their favourite stocks and digital assets.

About Purpose Investments
Purpose is the manager of the ETF. Purpose is an asset management company with more than $31 billion in assets under management. Purpose has an unrelenting focus on client-centric innovation and offers a range of managed and quantitative investment products. Purpose is led by well-known entrepreneur Som Seif and is a division of Purpose Unlimited, an independent technology-driven financial services company.

Media inquiries:
Keera Hart
[email protected]
905-580-1257

*Purpose Yield Shares funds provide "enhanced" or higher yields in the form of additional monthly distributions compared with the underlying common stock, which pays a relatively lower or no distribution yield.

The content of this document is for informational purposes only and is not being provided in the context of an offering of any securities described herein, nor is it a recommendation or solicitation to buy, hold or sell any security. Information contained in this document is not, and under no circumstances is it to be construed as, an offering memorandum, prospectus, advertisement or public offering of securities. No securities commission or similar regulatory authority has reviewed this information, and any representation to the contrary is an offence. The information contained in this document is believed to be accurate and reliable; however, we cannot guarantee that it is complete or current at all times. The information provided is subject to change without notice.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses may all be associated with investment fund investments. Please read the prospectus and other disclosure documents before investing. Copies of the prospectus may be obtained from purposeinvest.com. There can be no assurance that the full amount of your investment in a fund will be returned to you. If the securities are purchased or sold on a stock exchange, you may pay more or receive less than the current net asset value. Investment funds are not guaranteed; their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated. Fund distribution levels and frequencies are not guaranteed and may vary at the sole discretion of Purpose Investments.

Certain statements in this document may be forward-looking. Forward-looking statements ("FLS") are statements that are predictive in nature, depend on or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as "may,” "will,” "should,” "could,” "expect,” "anticipate,” "intend,” "plan,” "believe,” "estimate" or other similar expressions. Statements that look forward in time or include anything other than historical information are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results, actions or events could differ materially from those set forth in the FLS. FLS are not guarantees of future performance and are, by their nature, based on numerous assumptions. Although the FLS contained in this document are based upon what Purpose Investments believes to be reasonable assumptions, Purpose Investments cannot assure that actual results will be consistent with these FLS. The reader is cautioned to consider the FLS carefully and not to place undue reliance on the FLS. Unless required by applicable law, it is not undertaken, and specifically disclaimed, that there is any intention or obligation to update or revise FLS, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

© PhillDanze / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL | AAPL Price Prediction | AAPL Price Prediction) just reported its best March quarter ever, with iPhone 17 demand pushing revenue to $111.18 billion and Services to a fresh record at $30.98 billion.

Tim Cook told investors iPhone delivered a March quarter revenue record “fueled by such extraordinary demand for the iPhone 17 lineup.” Yet shares have stalled near $291.13, up only 7.29% YTD. The question: can Apple reach $400 by 2028?

What’s Holding Apple Back Despite record results, the stock is down 5.27% over the past week and 2.59% over the past month, slipping from a 52-week high of $317.40. Valuation fatigue is part of the issue.

After a 46.73% one-year run, the trailing P/E sits at 35. With a beta of 1.086, the stock moves with the market and amplifies drawdowns when sentiment turns. Tariff overhang and the perception that Apple Intelligence has lagged peers add to caution.

Wall Street Sees 7% Upside. My Model Says 15% Consensus is constructive but timid. The Street’s average target sits at $312.72, with 7 Strong Buys, 23 Buys, 15 Holds, 1 Sell, and 2 Strong Sells. Our base case lands higher at $335.04, an upside of 15.08%, with a bull case of $349.60 and a bear case of $286.99. Confidence on that base is high at 90%.

Analysts are anchored and have not updated for eight consecutive EPS beats or the 63% bullish tilt of the rating distribution. Earnings growth contribution of 21.8% YoY deserves a higher multiple than consensus implies.

The Path to $400 Per Share Reaching $400 from today’s price of $291.13 would require a gain of 37.4%. With forward EPS of $9.35, a price of $400 implies a forward P/E of 43x. Our base case of $335.04 already implies 35x, meaning the bold target requires roughly 8x of additional multiple expansion.

Why is that achievable? If Services compounds at 16.3% YoY, forward EPS expands and the multiple naturally compresses. Three catalysts can drive this.

First, Apple is officially a a NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) customer using Blackwell B200s to power the new Siri, putting real AI muscle behind the install base. Second, prediction markets price a 94.5% probability that a foldable iPhone ships before 2027. Third, Cook noted “double-digit growth across every geographic segment”, including a Greater China rebound. The primary risk is a tariff shock that crimps hardware margins.

The Valuation Case At $291.13, Apple trades at roughly 31x forward EPS of $9.35. That is rich versus the broad market, but the install base of 2.5 billion active devices and a $100 billion fresh buyback change the calculus. Shares sit between a 52-week low of $194.30 and a high of $317.40. AAPL has returned 1,212% over ten years. Multiple expansion has been earned repeatedly.

Is $400 Realistic? Reaching $400 by 2028 requires a 37.4% gain and a forward multiple of 43x. That is a stretch, but achievable.

Three things need to go right: Services growth must hold double digits, the AI-powered Siri rollout must drive an iPhone upgrade cycle, and the buyback must keep shrinking the share count. A tariff escalation that compresses hardware gross margin would derail the path. We’ve outlined the blueprint for how Apple could reach $400 in 2028.

Tesla (TSLA - Free Report) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.

Shares of this electric car maker have returned -3.7% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.5% change. The Zacks Automotive - Domestic industry, to which Tesla belongs, has lost 4.4% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?

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

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

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

For the current quarter, Tesla is expected to post earnings of $0.45 per share, indicating a change of +12.5% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -2.6% over the last 30 days.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $1.99 points to a change of +19.9% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed -1.3%.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $2.56 indicates a change of +28.7% from what Tesla is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -0.3%.

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 #4 (Sell) for Tesla.

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

12 Month EPS

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

In the case of Tesla, the consensus sales estimate of $24.32 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +8.1%. The $100.93 billion and $113.02 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +6.4% and +12%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryTesla reported revenues of $22.39 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +15.8%. EPS of $0.41 for the same period compares with $0.27 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $21.92 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +2.12%. The EPS surprise was +13.89%.

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

ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.

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

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.

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

ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Tesla. However, its Zacks Rank #4 does suggest that it may underperform the broader market in the near term.

Key Takeaways Uber's gross bookings rose 25% to $53.7B in Q1 2026, topping estimates on mobility and delivery growth. Grab's On-Demand GMV grew 21% in Q1 2026, with 2026 revenues projected to rise 20-22%. Uber emerges as the better pick than Grab, backed by diversification, buybacks and a favorable valuation. Uber Technologies (UBER - Free Report) and Grab Holdings (GRAB - Free Report) are prominent players in the ride-hailing space, having transformed urban transportation through their innovative ride-sharing business models.

Despite operating in the same broad industry, the two companies differ significantly in their geographic reach and business focus. Uber maintains a global presence, while Grab has established itself as a leading provider of mobility, delivery and digital financial services across eight Southeast Asian markets — Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Although ride-sharing remains Uber’s core business, it has expanded offerings over the years to include food delivery and freight services.

Given their differing strategies and regional footprints, a closer comparison is warranted to determine which company currently has the advantage and, more importantly, which may represent the more compelling investment opportunity today.

The Case for UberUber is based in San Francisco, CA. Its ridesharing and delivery platforms are growing in popularity. This is generating strong demand, which, along with the latest growth initiatives and continued cost discipline, is driving the company’s results.

Uber released its first-quarter 2026 results in May, reporting better-than-expected earnings per share. This was the third time in the last four quarters that Uber outpaced earnings expectations, showing resilience despite tough conditions. The company reported lower-than-expected earnings per share in the other quarter.

Uber Price, Consensus and EPS SurpriseUber continues to benefit from strong growth in gross bookings, driven by steady demand across its platform. The company has been recording solid double-digit growth in gross bookings across both its mobility and delivery businesses.

Despite the crisis in the Middle East, Uber’s Mobility business saw impressive demand, with segmental revenues increasing 5% year over year on a reported basis and 1% on a constant currency basis to $8.2 billion.

Gross bookings from Uber’s Mobility business were highly impressive in the first quarter of 2026. Gross bookings from the Mobility segment in the March quarter increased 20% year over year on a constant-currency basis to $26.4 billion.

Uber’s Delivery business also performed well in the quarter, with segmental revenues growing 23% year over year on a constant-currency basis. Gross bookings from the Delivery segment in the first quarter rose 23% year over year on a constant-currency basis to $26 billion. Total gross bookings jumped 25% to $53.7 billion, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $52.9 billion.

The gross bookings forecast for the second quarter of 2026 was very impressive, highlighting the bullishness surrounding the key metric. Despite the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the resultant fuel price spike, gross bookings are projected in the range of $56.25-$57.75 billion, highlighting growth of 18% to 22% year over year on a constant-currency basis. The outlook assumes a roughly 2 percentage-point currency tailwind to total reported year-over-year growth.

Uber aims to gain a stronghold in the highly promising robotaxi market through strategic partnerships. By adopting this approach, Uber has avoided the massive R&D costs associated with developing autonomous systems independently. Moreover, Uber has engaged in numerous acquisitions, geographic and product diversifications, and innovations. Uber’s endeavors to expand into international markets are commendable and provide it with the benefits of geographical diversification.

Another area of confidence is Uber’s buyback strategy. In 2018, Uber, which went public in 2019, sold its business in Southeast Asia to Grab. Uber has a significant stake in Grab.

The Case for GrabGrab's ability to adapt to local conditions is a key contributor to its success in Southeast Asia. Moreover, Grab’s evolution from a taxi-hailing app into an "everyday everything app" offering various services, including food delivery, e-scooter rentals and digital payments, is commendable and highlights its desire to expand. 

Grab is benefiting from strong growth in the On-Demand Gross Merchandise Value (“GMV”), expanding fintech offerings, and increasing user engagement across its platform. On-demand GMV refers to the sum of GMV of the mobility and deliveries segments. In the first quarter of 2026, On-Demand GMV increased 21% (on a constant currency basis) year over year. Grab expects 2026 revenues between $4.04 billion and $4.1 billion, indicating 20-22% year-over-year growth. 

Grab Price, Consensus and EPS SurpriseGrab is strengthening its position across Southeast Asia by partnering with Amazon’s (AMZN - Free Report) cloud computing platform — Amazon Web Services (“AWS”) — to drive growth in mobility, deliveries and financial services.

The company selected AWS as its preferred cloud provider to accelerate growth across its mobility, deliveries and financial services verticals, including the digital banks. Grab has enhanced operational efficiency, reduced infrastructure costs and launched innovative services by utilizing AWS’ scalable, secure and cost-efficient cloud solutions.

How Does the Zacks Consensus Estimate Compare for UBER & GRAB?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Uber’s full-year 2026 and 2027 sales implies a year-over-year rise of 11% and 15.4%, respectively. EPS estimates for 2026 indicate a year-over-year decline of 44.3%, while the same for 2027 implies a year-over-year improvement of 49.8%. EPS estimates have remained stable over the past seven days for 2026 as well as 2027.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Grab’s full-year 2026 and 2027 sales implies a year-over-year rise of 21.4% and 20.3%, respectively. EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 indicate year-over-year improvements of 33.3% and 68.8%, respectively. Like Uber, EPS estimates at Grab have remained stable over the past seven days for 2026 and 2027.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Grab Appears to Be More Pricey Than UberUber is trading at a forward sales multiple of 2.27X and has a Value Score of C. Meanwhile, Grab has a Value Score of D, with its forward sales multiple at 3.03X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

ConclusionUber’s diversification efforts and shareholder-friendly approach attest to its financial bliss. The company’s large size (market capitalization of $140.15 billion) positions it well to overcome uncertain times, such as the current one. Uber’s favorable valuation picture adds to its appeal.

  Grab, on the other hand, has a much narrower geographical focus, making it highly susceptible to economic downturns like the current scenario. The economic uncertainty in key Southeast Asia markets, caused by factors like inflation, high fuel prices due to the United States-Iran war, changing consumer behavior and supply-chain disruptions, is hurting Grab. The much smaller Grab, with a market capitalization of $13.52 billion, is not shareholder-friendly, unlike its larger rival.

On the basis of our analysis, Uber emerges as a clear winner compared with Grab, despite both carrying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) currently. As a result, Uber seems a better pick than Grab at present.

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