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New shows featuring Kate Hudson & Oliver Hudson, Lele Pons and Martha Stewart join the growing slate of iHeartPodcasts on Netflix

iHeart

HeartMedia and Netflix have announced the next phase of their exclusive video podcast partnership with the addition of a new collection of iHeartPodcasts from some of what both companies describe as “today’s most influential and culturally resonant voices,” including Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson, Lele Pons, and Martha Stewart launching as video shows on the streaming service. The agreement includes all new episodes from the podcast lineup, as well as select library episodes from each show.

The shows now joining the existing lineup on Netflix include the new Suite 305 with Lele Pons hosted by Latin multi-hyphenate and social media star Lele Pons who is joined by Shakira in the first episode; The Martha Stewart Podcast featuring conversations between the culinary and culture icon and her extraordinary guests; and Sibling Revelry with Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson, a show from a famous brother and sister duo going deep into all topics with other siblings.

These shows will join the below previously announced slate of popular iHeartPodcasts, continuing to bring Netflix members an expanded range of programming spanning lifestyle, pop culture, comedy, and personal storytelling. The current slate of podcasts include The Breakfast Club, Bobby Bones Presents: The Bobbycast, My Favorite Murder, Dear Chelsea, Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know, Stuff You Missed in History Class, and Stuff To Blow Your Mind, among others.

BURBANK, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 17: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (L-R) Charlamagne tha God, Angela Yee, and DJ Envy, winners of the Best Pop Culture Podcast award for 'The Breakfast Club,' attend the 2020 iHeartRadio Podcast Awards at the iHeartRadio Theater on January 17, 2020 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)

Getty Images for iHeartMedia

In addition to these new video podcasts, Netflix and iHeartMedia recently launched The Breakfast Club as a live video show airing simultaneously each weekday. This gives members real time access to the show’s unfiltered conversations, headline driving interviews and cultural commentary as it happens. While the radio broadcast continues to include traditional commercial breaks, Netflix viewers receive an enhanced, uninterrupted experience, with those breaks filled by exclusive bonus segments, behind the scenes moments, extended discussions and original content—resulting in nearly three continuous hours of programming each day.

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According to a press release from iHeart, this latest collection of podcasts will begin rolling out on Netflix in the coming months. iHeartMedia retains all audio-only rights and distribution for the shows included in the deal. All podcasts will continue to be available on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard.

According to Podnews, the radio show/podcast The Breakfast Club is the platform’s runaway success. It accounts for over 40% of all podcast views on Netflix.

The number two title is the companion podcast for Bridgerton. Other major shows, such as On Purpose with Jay Shetty and exclusive content from Barstool Sports, are also part of the lineup.

In recent months, Netflix, Hulu, and now Tubi have all incorporated podcast content into their streaming platforms. According to Current, streaming platforms are adding podcasts—particularly video formats—to compete with YouTube and keep audiences engaged. This strategy lowers content costs while boosting ad revenue and subscriber retention between major series releases.

Licensing or producing standalone shows with established fan bases is significantly cheaper than filming original, scripted television. Platforms utilize personality-driven podcasts to fill content gaps and sustain viewer engagement between major show release. Platforms are pivoting to "vodcasts" because younger demographics increasingly expect visual elements when consuming audio content.

Expect more announcements about expanding podcast content on streaming services in the coming months.

Netflix is one of the world’s leading entertainment services, with over 300 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films, and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. iHeart is the largest podcast publisher according to both Podtrac and Triton, with more downloads than the next two podcast publishers combined.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Rockefeller Center and Visa today announced a new partnership, naming Visa a Proud Partner of Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Center's iconic observation deck located on the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

SKYLIFT presented by Visa at Top of the Rock Observation Deck, Courtesy Rockefeller Center Rooted in a shared commitment to creating meaningful, memorable experiences, the partnership brings together one of New York City's most celebrated destinations with one of the world's leading payments technology companies. Together, Rockefeller Center and Visa will introduce new ways for visitors and eligible Visa cardholders to experience Top of the Rock, while continuing to elevate Rockefeller Center as a place where culture, hospitality, commerce, and community come together.

Beginning in June 2026, eligible Visa cardholders from around the world will have access to Visa Early Bird tickets, offering entry to Top of the Rock during an exclusive private hour before general admission. Eligible Visa cardholders will also receive 20% off at Top of the Rock Shop with their Top of the Rock ticket.

Visa Infinite cardholders from around the world will receive all eligible Visa cardholder benefits, as well as exclusive Priority Access with any direct ticket purchase, including expedited entry, line bypass throughout the experience, and expedited exit.

As part of the partnership, Visa will also be integrated into one of Top of the Rock's signature attractions, SKYLIFT presented by Visa. The open-air experience lifts guests an additional three stories above the topmost floor of 30 Rock, offering a breathtaking new vantage point from which to take in the New York City skyline.

"At Rockefeller Center we believe the most enduring places are those that bring people together through exceptional experiences," said EB Kelly, Senior Managing Director at Tishman Speyer and Head of Rockefeller Center. "Rockefeller Center has always been a stage for New York's most unforgettable moments, and Top of the Rock is one of the clearest expressions of that spirit. We're proud to partner with Visa to create thoughtful, elevated experiences for visitors and cardholders."

The partnership will also extend into one of New York City's most anticipated global sporting moments. During the NYNJ World Cup 26 & Telemundo Fan Village, taking place July 6 to 19, Visa Infinite cardholders from around the world will have access to the Visa Infinite Lounge at Rockefeller Center. The hospitality experience will feature dedicated match viewing, white-glove table service, premium food and beverage, and a coveted vantage point overlooking one of New York City's flagship World Cup activations.

The partnership officially launches in June 2026.

For more information visit Rockefellercenter.com/visa-offers

ABOUT VISA
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, sellers, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.   

ABOUT ROCKEFELLER CENTER
For more than 90 years, Rockefeller Center has been a global icon in the heart of New York City. Conceived by John D. Rockefeller Jr. as a "city within the city," the Center comprises 13 buildings connected by an underground concourse. Under the stewardship of owner and operator Tishman Speyer, the Center has become the city's most dynamic place to work, play, dine, shop, and celebrate. Rockefeller Center is open daily and features year-round public programming, events and activations on the Plaza. For more information or to purchase tickets to attractions and programs, visit rockefellercenter.com.

SOURCE Tishman Speyer

Today, Chase announces new earn categories, travel credits and protections now available on the Sapphire Preferred card, with no change to the $95 annual fee. Cardmembers can earn more than ever with this go-to travel credit card, including new ways to earn accelerated points on travel and everyday purchases, plus new and expanded travel credits and protections to help them travel with confidence.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260615099861/en/

New and existing cardmembers have access to these new benefits starting today, June 15, 2026. The Sapphire Preferred card’s accelerated earning power is strengthened by the addition of 3x points on gas and EV charging, plus 3x points on vacation homes at top brands like Airbnb, Vrbo and more. Cardmembers will also receive a $100 Chase Travel Hotel Credit each account anniversary, doubled from $50. To help ease travel, cardmembers can receive a credit up to $120 toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS every four years, and with the addition of Emergency Evacuation and Transportation coverage, the card now has the most comprehensive suite of travel protections in its class. Additionally, cardmembers will receive a complimentary Apple TV subscription for one year when activated by December 31, 2026.

“Sapphire Preferred has always been a favorite for travelers and now we’ve made it even better, especially for those who want to earn valuable points quickly and prioritize simplicity and reliability,” said Laura Picciano, General Manager of Chase Sapphire. “Whether it’s a nearby road trip or a bigger getaway worth saving for, Sapphire Preferred helps cardmembers turn their spending into travel memories while delivering value well beyond the annual fee.”

To celebrate these updates, for a limited time, new cardmembers can earn 100,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first three months.

MORE TO LOVE ABOUT THE NEW SAPPHIRE PREFERRED CARD

In addition to what’s new, cardmembers continue to enjoy many of the benefits they already love across travel and everyday categories. A full list of Sapphire Preferred benefits includes:

Strong Accelerated Earn, Made Even Stronger

NEW: 3x points on gas and EV charging NEW: 3x points on vacation homes at top brands including Airbnb, Vrbo and more 5x points on all Chase Travel purchases, including flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, activities and tours 2x points on all other travel worldwide 3x points on dining worldwide, including takeout and eligible delivery services 3x points on top streaming services 3x points on online grocery purchases 5x points on Lyft rides through September 30, 2027 5x total points on eligible Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $150 through December 31, 2027 1x points on all other purchases More Credits, Protections and Perks

UPDATED: $100 Chase Travel Hotel Credit every account anniversary, now doubled from $50 UPDATED: The most comprehensive suite of built-in travel protections in its class, now including Emergency Evacuation and Transportation coverage NEW: $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit every four years NEW: Complimentary Apple TV subscription for one year when activated by December 31, 2026. Terms apply. Points Boost:Cardmembers can get more value when redeeming Ultimate Rewards® points on thousands of top-booked hotels and on flights with select airlines through Chase Travel Complimentary DashPass membership (a $120/ year value), plus up to $10 off a month on groceries, daily essentials, and more on DoorDash. Terms apply. Plus, cardmembers can spend anywhere in the world with no foreign transaction fees and on one of the most widely accepted global networks.

The 10% Anniversary Bonus Benefit is being discontinued, effective immediately for cardmembers who apply on or after June 15, 2026. For cardmembers who applied prior to June 15, 2026, eligible purchases made through October 1, 2026, will continue to earn the 10% bonus, which will be awarded by January 31, 2027.

ULTIMATE REWARDS UPDATES

Sapphire Preferred and Ink Business Preferred cardmembers’ Ultimate Rewards points will transfer to World of Hyatt at a rate of 4:3. For Sapphire Preferred cardmembers, this is effective immediately for new cardmembers who apply on or after June 15, 2026, and effective October 1, 2026, for cardmembers who applied prior to June 15, 2026. For Ink Business Preferred cardmembers, this is effective October 1, 2026, for existing cardmembers and for new cardmembers who apply on or after October 1, 2026.

Ultimate Rewards points do not expire as long as accounts are open, and there are no blackout dates or travel restrictions when booking through Chase Travel. Beyond high-value travel redemptions with Chase Travel and Points Boost, Ultimate Rewards’ flexible ecosystem offers additional ways to use points, including Pay Yourself Back, gift cards and cash back. Cardmembers can also earn hotel loyalty points in addition to Ultimate Rewards points when they book their stay at select hotels through Chase Travel.

For more information on all the new benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, please visit Chase.com/SapphirePreferred. And, for more information on Ultimate Rewards, please visit chase.com/UltimateRewards.

About Chase

Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading financial services firm based in the United States of America with operations worldwide, assets of $4.9 trillion and $364 billion in stockholders’ equity as of March 31, 2026. Chase serves nearly 87 million consumers and 7.5 million small businesses with a broad range of financial services, including personal banking, credit cards, mortgages, auto financing, investment advice, small business loans and payment processing. Customers can choose how and where they want to bank: more than 5,000 branches in 48 states and the District of Columbia, nearly 15,000 ATMs, mobile, online and by phone. For more information, go to chase.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260615099861/en/

C's lower valuation, improving turnaround and stronger sentiment test whether investors should favor value over JPM's quality premium.

Key Takeaways AZN's Truqap gained FDA approval in PTEN-deficient mAPMN/S prostate cancer with abiraterone and prednisone.AZN's phase III CAPItello-281 study showed a 19% lower risk of progression or death with Truqap.Truqap Q1 2026 sales rose 47% to $198 million, while EU regulators review the expanded indication. AstraZeneca PLC (AZN - Free Report) announced that the FDA has approved an expanded use of its breast cancer drug, Truqap (capivasertib), for a prostate cancer indication, making it the first AKT inhibitor approved in a second tumor type.

The FDA has granted approval to Truqap in combination with J&J’s (JNJ - Free Report) Zytiga (abiraterone) and prednisone for the treatment of PTEN-deficient metastatic androgen pathway modulation-naïve or sensitive (mAPMN/S) prostate cancer, formerly known as PTEN-deficient metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. The authority has authorized a companion diagnostic test to identify PTEN deficiency in patients with prostate adenocarcinoma.

Notably, the FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee voted 7-1 in favor of approving Truqap in combination with J&J’s Zytiga and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in April for patients with PTEN-deficient mAPMN/S prostate cancer.

AZN already markets Truqap in combination with Faslodex for the treatment of adult patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in the United States, the European Union and several other international markets.

Over the past six months, AZN’s shares have lost 2.2% compared with the industry’s 3.8% decline.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Truqap’s Expanded Use Backed by AZN’s CAPItello-281StudyThe FDA approval for the label expansion of Truqap was based on positive data from the primary analysis of the ongoing phase III CAPItello-281 study, which demonstrated that Truqap, combined with J&J’s Zytiga and ADT, significantly improved outcomes in patients with PTEN-deficient mAPMN/S prostate cancer. The regimen reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 19% and improved median radiographic progression-free survival by 7.5 months compared with standard treatment.

The Truqap combination is under regulatory review in the European Union for the same indication.

Prostate cancer is the second most prevalent cancer in men globally, with over 1.4 million new cases diagnosed each year. Among patients with mAPMN/S disease, approximately one in four has a PTEN-deficient tumors, a biomarker linked to aggressive disease progression and poorer clinical outcomes.

Truqap was discovered by AstraZeneca in collaboration with Astex Therapeutics.

Truqap recorded sales of $198 million in the first quarter of 2026, up 47% year over year, driven by increased uptake in the U.S. market. The ex-U.S. is market expected to be a key contributor in future quarters. The expanded approval for the prostate cancer indication should drive sales further in coming quarters.

The company is also evaluating Truqap in combination with standard therapies as a first-line treatment for HR-positive breast cancer in the ongoing phase III CAPItello-292 study.

Besides Truqap, AstraZeneca has another prostate cancer therapy, Lynparza, which is marketed in collaboration with Merck under a profit-sharing agreement.

AZN’s Zacks Rank & Stocks to ConsiderAZN currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Two better-ranked stocks in the biotech sector are Indivior Pharmaceuticals (INDV - Free Report) and Liquidia Corporation (LQDA - Free Report) , each currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Over the past 30 days, earnings per share estimates for Indivior Pharmaceuticals remained unchanged at $4.05 for 2026 and $4.27 for 2027. INDV shares have risen 7.2% year to date.

Indivior Pharmaceuticals’ earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 65.44%.

Over the past 30 days, estimates for Liquidia’s earnings per share remained unchanged at $2.97 for 2026 and $4.81 for 2027. LQDA shares have gained 106.5% year to date.

Liquidia’s earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in the remaining one, with the average surprise being 54.40%.

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

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

It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? 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 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 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 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 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.

#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.

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.

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.

For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.

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

Stock to Watch: Walt Disney (DIS - Free Report) Burbank, CA-based Walt Disney Company has assets that span movies, television shows and theme parks. Revenues were $94.4 billion in fiscal 2025.

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

It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 14.6; value investors should take notice.

10 analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.24 to $6.85 per share. DIS boasts an average earnings surprise of +6.8%.

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

Key Takeaways ExxonMobil's upstream-heavy portfolio benefits from higher crude prices and strong operating margins.ExxonMobil's low-cost Permian Basin and offshore Guyana assets support profitability across price cycles.XOM may benefit from EIA's WTI forecast of $88.32 per barrel in 2026 compared with $65.40 per barrel in 2025. Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM - Free Report) is an integrated energy giant spanning the entire oil and gas value chain, from exploration and production to refining and marketing. The company generates substantial revenues from these upstream operations, making its overall business model highly sensitive to the volatility of global crude prices. With West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) crude prices trading above $80 per barrel, according to oilprice.com, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and conflict in the Middle East, ExxonMobil is operating in a favorable commodity-price environment that supports higher margins.

The bulk of the well-known integrated giant’s upstream resources are concentrated in the Permian Basin, the most prolific basin in the United States and offshore Guyana. These advantaged assets have very low production costs, which allow XOM to maintain strong margins even during periods of soft crude prices. This cost advantage firmly positions ExxonMobil to maximize profitability in the robust crude-price environment.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”) also projects a sustained favorable pricing environment in its short-term energy outlook. The EIA estimates that WTI crude prices will average $88.32 per barrel in 2026. This is significantly higher than the $65.40 per barrel recorded in 2025. The combination of an advantaged resource base and resilient EIA forecasts positions ExxonMobil to capitalize on favorable market conditions.

Will YPF & CVE Benefit From Higher Crude Prices?As major energy players focused on exploration and production,Chevron Corporation (CVX - Free Report) and Cenovus Energy Inc. (CVE - Free Report) have business models that are highly exposed to crude price volatility. Chevron benefits from high-quality upstream assets, including a strong footprint in the Permian Basin, while Cenovus operates a highly diversified portfolio across Canada and the United States. Given their extensive asset bases, CVX and CVE are well-positioned to benefit from elevated crude prices.

XOM’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesExxonMobil shares have gained 30.7% over the past year compared with 33.5% growth of the industry.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, XOM trades at a trailing 12-month enterprise-value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) of 9.74X. This is above the broader industry average of 6.4X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for XOM’s 2026 earnings has remained constant over the past seven days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

XOM currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks 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 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? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F. The better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform; an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

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

Growth 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 ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

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

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.

With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

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.

As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.

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: General Motors (GM - Free Report) One of the world’s largest automakers, General Motors held the largest share of the U.S. auto market at 16.5% in 2024. Headquartered in Detroit, the auto giant has had a long and checkered history. Founded in 1908, the company rose to dominate the U.S. industry. However, hit by the financial crisis, General Motors filed for bankruptcy on Jun 1, 2009. Just within 40 days, the firm emerged from bankruptcy. In 2010, the company launched its IPO – the biggest in U.S. history at that time – and has been steadily profitable since then. From going bankrupt in 2009 to becoming one of the world’s best-run car companies, General Motors has indeed come a long way.

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

It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 6.34; value investors should take notice.

10 analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.37 to $12.85 per share. GM boasts an average earnings surprise of +20.3%.

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

When deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock, investors often rely on analyst recommendations. Media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts often influence a stock's price, but are they really important?

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

McDonald's currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.95, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 37 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.95 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy.

Of the 37 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 19 are Strong Buy and one is Buy. Strong Buy and Buy respectively account for 51.4% and 2.7% of all recommendations.

Brokerage Recommendation Trends for MCD

Check price target & stock forecast for McDonald's here>>>

While the ABR calls for buying McDonald's, it may not be wise to make an investment decision solely based on this information. Several studies have shown limited to no success of brokerage recommendations in guiding investors to pick stocks with the best price increase potential.

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.

This means that the interests of these institutions are not always aligned with those of retail investors, giving little insight into the direction of a stock's future price movement. It would therefore be best to use this information to validate your own analysis or a tool that has proven to be highly effective at predicting stock price movements.

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.

The ABR is calculated solely based on brokerage recommendations and is typically displayed with decimals (example: 1.28). In contrast, the Zacks Rank is a quantitative model allowing investors to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.

It has been and continues to be the case that analysts employed by brokerage firms are overly optimistic with their recommendations. Because of their employers' vested interests, these analysts issue more favorable ratings than their research would support, misguiding investors far more often than helping them.

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.

Furthermore, the different grades of the Zacks Rank are applied proportionately across all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide earnings estimates for the current year. In other words, at all times, this tool maintains a balance among the five ranks it assigns.

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 MCD Worth Investing In?Looking at the earnings estimate revisions for McDonald's, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has declined 0.2% over the past month to $12.93.

Analysts' growing pessimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates lower, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to plunge 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 #4 (Sell) for McDonald's. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>

Therefore, it could be wise to take the Buy-equivalent ABR for McDonald's with a grain of salt.

Key Takeaways RCL benefits from record pricing, strong onboard spending and continued double-digit growth expectations.RCL is expanding exclusive destinations, loyalty programs and digital tools to boost engagement.RCL faces risks from fuel costs, geopolitical uncertainty and modest earnings estimate cuts. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s (RCL - Free Report) shares have climbed 16.5% over the past month, compared with the industry’s increase of 7.2%. The company’s ability to sustain strong demand, expand margins and generate long-term earnings growth despite a volatile macroeconomic backdrop bodes well.

The rally has been fueled by management’s upbeat commentary on consumer spending trends, record booking activity, resilient pricing, growing onboard spending and confidence in delivering another year of double-digit revenue and earnings growth.

Investors also appear encouraged by Royal Caribbean’s expanding portfolio of exclusive destinations, growing loyalty ecosystem and technology-driven initiatives that are helping deepen customer engagement and strengthen its competitive position. While geopolitical uncertainties and fuel-cost pressures remain concerns, the cruise operator continues to demonstrate why it is viewed as one of the strongest players in the global vacation industry.

On the other hand, within the same time frame, shares of other industry players like Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH - Free Report) and Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL - Free Report) have gained 27.3% and 17.1%, respectively.

Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

What’s Working in Royal Caribbean’s Favor?Royal Caribbean continues to benefit from one of the strongest demand environments in the travel industry. Management noted that consumers remain highly engaged, prioritizing experiences over material purchases. The company’s booking position remains at record pricing levels, while onboard spending continues to run well above pre-pandemic norms. This combination is supporting healthy revenue growth and profitability.

Another major strength is Royal Caribbean’s leadership in the Caribbean market. The region represents more than half of the company’s deployment, and management expects positive Caribbean yield growth in 2026 despite industry capacity additions. Premium destinations such as Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island continue to differentiate the company’s offerings and support pricing power.

The company is also seeing increasing benefits from its digital transformation initiatives. Mobile app adoption exceeds 90%, digital booking penetration has more than doubled since 2019 and over half of onboard purchases are now made before guests board a ship. These trends allow Royal Caribbean to personalize vacations, improve guest engagement and drive higher onboard spending.

Loyalty initiatives are creating another growth avenue. Repeat guests now account for roughly 40% of customers, up from historical levels. Management noted that repeat customers spend about 25% more than first-time cruisers, boosting customer lifetime value and reducing acquisition costs. The company’s Status Match program and new Royal ONE co-branded credit card should further strengthen customer retention.

Growth prospects also remain compelling. Royal Caribbean continues expanding its destination ecosystem through projects such as Royal Beach Club Santorini, Royal Beach Club Cozumel and Perfect Day Mexico. The latter is expected to become a major draw for the underpenetrated Texas cruise market. Meanwhile, the Icon-class fleet continues to generate strong consumer demand, with bookings for the upcoming Legend of the Seas reportedly ahead of previous Icon-class launches.

Financially, the company remains on a solid footing. First-quarter adjusted EBITDA margin expanded more than 300 basis points year over year to 38%, operating cash flow increased 13%, and leverage ended the quarter below 3x. Strong cash generation provides flexibility for fleet investments, debt reduction and shareholder returns.

What Could Hurt RCL Going Forward?Despite the favorable outlook, investors should not overlook several risks. The most immediate concern is geopolitical uncertainty. Royal Caribbean acknowledged that conflicts in the Middle East temporarily weakened booking trends for high-yield Mediterranean itineraries. Although management said bookings have rebounded and demand has “turned the corner,” these disruptions forced the company to reduce its yield expectations for parts of 2026.

Fuel costs represent another challenge. Rising fuel prices are expected to create a significant earnings headwind this year. Management estimates current fuel prices could reduce earnings by approximately 62 cents per share, even with nearly 60% of 2026 fuel consumption hedged. Additional energy price volatility could pressure margins.

Airfare inflation and travel disruptions also remain concerns. Higher flight costs and reduced airline capacity negatively affected Mediterranean bookings during the quarter. While conditions have improved, further disruptions could impact customer travel decisions, particularly for international itineraries.

The company is also navigating capacity growth across the industry. While Royal Caribbean believes its premium destinations and newer ships provide a competitive advantage, increased cruise supply could eventually put pressure on prices if demand softens.

RCL Estimate RevisionsIn the past 30 days, analysts have trimmed their estimates for the current and the next years by 0.5% to $17.27 and 0.7% to $19.86, respectively. These estimates indicate year-over-year growth rates of 10.4% and 15%, respectively. Then again, Carnival and Norwegian Cruise’s current-year earnings are estimated to witness year-over-year declines of 1.3% and 20.4%, respectively.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Royal Caribbean Trades at a DiscountRCL is currently priced at an attractive discount relative to its industry, making it a compelling opportunity for investors. With a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 15.96, below the industry average, RCL’s valuation suggests room for upside, reinforcing its appeal for those looking to capitalize on its growth trajectory.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Wrapping UpRoyal Caribbean appears well positioned to continue benefiting from strong consumer demand, premium vacation offerings, a growing base of loyal customers and an expanding portfolio of exclusive destinations. The company’s focus on enhancing guest experiences through new ships, destination investments and digital innovation should support long-term revenue and profit growth.

However, the stock’s recent surge leaves less room for error, particularly as the company navigates geopolitical uncertainties, elevated fuel costs and potential travel disruptions that could weigh on demand in certain regions. While Royal Caribbean's competitive advantages and growth initiatives justify confidence in its long-term outlook, the recent rally and modest downward revisions to earnings estimates suggest that risk-reward is becoming more balanced. Consequently, current shareholders may consider holding the stock to participate in the company's ongoing growth story, while prospective investors may prefer to wait for a more favorable entry point before building new positions.

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

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

Over the past month, shares of this world's largest chipmaker have returned +14.5%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.5% change. During this period, the Zacks Semiconductor - General industry, which Intel falls in, has lost 5.3%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

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

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

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

For the current quarter, Intel is expected to post earnings of $0.21 per share, indicating a change of +310% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $1.06 points to a change of +152.4% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed +0.1%.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $1.45 indicates a change of +36.8% from what Intel is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.6%.

Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Intel is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

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

12 Month EPS

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

For Intel, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $14.39 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +11.9%. For the current and next fiscal years, $57.79 billion and $63.16 billion estimates indicate +9.3% and +9.3% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryIntel reported revenues of $13.58 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +7.2%. EPS of $0.29 for the same period compares with $0.13 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.33 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +10.09%. The EPS surprise was +2800%.

Over the last four quarters, Intel surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time 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.

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

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

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

Shopify (SHOP - 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.

Over the past month, shares of this cloud-based commerce company have returned +7.9%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.5% change. During this period, the Zacks Internet - Services industry, which Shopify falls in, has lost 6.8%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

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

Earnings Estimate RevisionsRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.

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.

Shopify is expected to post earnings of $0.39 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +11.4%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged.

The consensus earnings estimate of $1.8 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +53.9%. This estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $2.17 indicates a change of +20.8% from what Shopify is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has remained unchanged.

Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Shopify is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

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 Shopify, the consensus sales estimate of $3.43 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +28%. The $14.71 billion and $17.99 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +27.3% and +22.3%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryShopify reported revenues of $3.17 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +34.3%. EPS of $0.36 for the same period compares with $0.25 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.08 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +2.79%. The EPS surprise was +12.5%.

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

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

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

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

Shopify 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.

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

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

Over the past month, shares of this drugmaker have returned +3.5%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.5% change. During this period, the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry, which Pfizer falls in, has gained 7.9%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

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.

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

For the current quarter, Pfizer is expected to post earnings of $0.68 per share, indicating a change of -12.8% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

The consensus earnings estimate of $2.99 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of -7.1%. This estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $2.86 indicates a change of -4.3% from what Pfizer is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has remained unchanged.

Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Pfizer is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

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

12 Month EPS

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

For Pfizer, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $14.4 billion indicates a year-over-year change of -1.7%. For the current and next fiscal years, $61.64 billion and $59.75 billion estimates indicate -1.5% and -3.1% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryPfizer reported revenues of $14.45 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +5.4%. EPS of $0.75 for the same period compares with $0.92 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $13.82 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +4.56%. The EPS surprise was +5.63%.

The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.

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

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

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.

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

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

Grants Help Nonprofits Connect Communities to Digital Skills, Technology and Resources

Key Takeaways

Spectrum has awarded $1.1 million in 2026 Spectrum Digital Education grants to 56 nonprofits. Since 2017, Spectrum Digital Education has distributed over $12 million in grants to 233 organizations across the U.S. This year's grants will support programs that help people build digital skills and access the technology needed to learn, work and stay connected. , /PRNewswire/ -- Across the country, local nonprofits are helping people strengthen their digital skills, access technology and stay connected to the opportunities and services that are part of everyday life. Spectrum is supporting that work with $1.1 million in 2026 Spectrum Digital Education grants to 56 nonprofits across its service area. The latest grants bring Spectrum's total investment in the program to more than $12 million since 2017.

What is Spectrum Digital Education?
Spectrum Digital Education partners with local nonprofits on programs that expand access to technology and digital skills training in the communities Spectrum serves. Grants have helped create computer and learning labs, provide devices for individuals and families in need, offer digital literacy programs for seniors, deliver career readiness and workforce training to adults and introduce students to hands-on STEM learning.

"Digital access is important for strong communities – it's at the center of how people learn, work, access services and stay connected to the people and information that matter most," said Rahman Khan, Group Vice President, Community Impact. "As America's Connectivity Company, we understand the role technology plays in everyday life, and Spectrum Digital Education supports nonprofits that give communities the skills, tools and support to make the most of it."

Expanding Access, Building Opportunity
Since 2017, Spectrum Digital Education has:

Awarded more than $12 million to support nonprofits and their communities Delivered 438 grants to 233 unique organizations Helped to distribute more than 20,000 laptops and devices Sponsored more than 50,000 digital education classes Supported programs benefitting nearly 225,000 community members across the U.S. Where This Year's Grants Will Make an Impact
This year's grants will support nonprofits that expand digital skills, technology access and opportunities in their communities including:

Fund for Public Housing (New York City): Expanding an intergenerational technology program that helps youth and community leaders build digital skills for education, career readiness and community engagement. Los Angeles Urban League (Los Angeles): Supporting workforce training that equips job seekers and workers with digital skills, career coaching and pathways into high-growth fields. CARDBOARD Project (Dallas): Providing laptops, digital skills training and workforce preparation for adults experiencing homelessness and other underserved populations. Acton Digital Inc. (O'ahu): Supporting a teen-led program that helps seniors build confidence using technology, from telehealth and online safety to everyday digital tools. MERS Missouri Goodwill Industries (St. Louis): Delivering digital skills workshops and employment resources through a mobile workforce unit. For more information, visit corporate.charter.com/digital-education/grants.

About Spectrum
Spectrum is a suite of advanced communications services offered by Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR), a leading broadband connectivity company available to nearly 59 million homes and small to large businesses across 41 states. Founded in 1993, Charter has evolved from providing cable TV to streaming, and from high-speed Internet to a converged broadband, WiFi and mobile experience. Over the Spectrum Fiber Broadband Network and supported by our 100% U.S.-based employees, the Company offers Seamless Connectivity and Entertainment with Spectrum Internet®, Mobile, TV and Voice products. 

More information can be found at corporate.charter.com. 

SOURCE Charter Communications, Inc.

The Iran war shut down the Strait of Hormuz in late February. Brent crude oil went from around $70 a barrel to briefly over $120 in a matter of days. The SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP 3.47%) is up nearly 34% year to date over the same stretch, and soaring oil prices are the catalyst.

Understand, however, that oil and explorers don't see their stock prices correlate directly with oil. That's because they're corporations, not commodities, and they've likely hedged their oil price exposure months earlier

But with even higher oil prices a distinct possibility, the environment for explorers and producers to translate those higher prices to the bottom line improves. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has called this the "largest disruption in history."  The Iran war shows only on-and-off signs of reaching a resolution, and higher oil prices are not yet fully baked into this sector.

That makes the State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF a buy.

Image source: Getty Images.

How XOP is constructed This ETF tracks the S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry Index, which targets companies in the integrated oil and gas, exploration and production, and refining and marketing industries. It currently holds 49 stocks and equally weights the final portfolio.

The equal weighting is key to limiting volatility in a concentrated sector. The State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE 3.20%) has a lot of overlap with this fund, but it also has a 39% combined weighting in ExxonMobil (XOM 3.96%) and Chevron (CVX 3.67%). That's too much faith to put into just two companies. In the State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF, that combined weight is only 5.2%. In other words, the smallest players get as much influence as the bigger players. That's important for diversifying away unnecessary risk.

The earnings story is still developing MetricXOPExpense ratio0.35%Assets under management$3.4 billion1-year return36.4%5-year return (annualized)14.4%Forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio8.6Price-to-book (P/B) ratio1.65Top holdingsSM Energy (3.3%), HF Sinclair (3.3%), Murphy Oil (3.1%), Marathon Petroleum (3%) Data source: State Street.

From a structural standpoint, this fund meets all the important criteria for being liquid and tradable. With well over $3 billion in assets, it has more than enough daily trading volume to keep spreads tight. The 0.35% expense isn't Vanguard-esque, but it's reasonable for an equally weighted portfolio of around 50 stocks.

The real story might be the value. The forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 8.6 is about as cheap as this sector has ever been. The price-to-book (P/B) ratio is about average, historically speaking. But it's evident that recent price gains and revenue/income growth haven't made this ETF expensive by any means.

NYSEMKT: XOPSPDR Series Trust - State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF

Today's Change

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The longer the Iran war drags on, the more financially beneficial it becomes for the producers. As I mentioned earlier, producers often lock in hedges months in advance to create more pricing certainty. Many of those hedges were likely in place before oil prices shot higher. If they can eventually negotiate new hedges at $80 to $100 or better, that will result in significant revenue growth, especially for the smaller companies in this portfolio.

In other words, we might yet see significant revenue and earnings improvement over the next few quarters.

But any resolution in the Middle East could quickly reverse that. If the conflict comes to an end, oil prices are likely to drop quickly, which negatively impacts the top and bottom lines. With tensions escalating just over the past few days, it looks like the "higher for longer" outcome is the more likely one.

Be prepared to move on an XOP trade quickly An investment in the State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & ETF in the short term will depend heavily on geopolitical considerations. The fund is clearly a better buy when oil prices are high than when they're declining. Overall, given its macro outlook, financial conditions, and relative value, this fund is the best buy in this space right now.

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

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

PANAMA CITY, June 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BingX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3-AI company, today announced the launch of its Stock Trading Carnival campaign, featuring a total new prize pool of more than $1 million. The campaign marks another step in BingX's broader multi-asset expansion strategy, reinforcing its vision of connecting users to opportunities across both digital assets and traditional financial markets through a single trading platform.

As the third edition of BingX's Global Capital Gala series, this stock-themed campaign will run from June 15 to July 4, 2026. Traders can share the $1 million prize pool by inviting friends to trade stocks, participating in trading activities, with additional rewards available for first-time stock traders on BingX. Users can access popular and trending names such as NVIDIA (NVDA), Micron (MU), Samsung, and SK Hynix, while benefiting from several key advantages:

24/7 Trading for Popular Stocks: Users can seize market opportunities beyond traditional market hours through extended access to selected stock products.Broad Selection of Trending Global Stocks: BingX continuously expands its stock offerings to include some of the world's most sought-after companies and emerging market favorites.Deep Liquidity Across Global Markets: With peak daily TradFi trading volume exceeding $2 billion, BingX enables efficient execution across a diverse range of global equities.Ongoing Market Engagement: Through monthly Global Capital Gala trading events, BingX users are able to explore different asset classes while benefiting from exclusive rewards. "Stock trading represents a key pillar of our multi-asset strategy and reflects growing demand from users seeking broader exposure beyond crypto," said Pablo Monti, spokesperson of BingX. "Through BingX TradFi, we're making it easier for traders to access global markets from a single platform while maintaining the flexibility, accessibility, and user experience they expect from BingX."

About BingX
Founded in 2018, BingX is a leading crypto exchange and Web3-AI company, serving over 40 million users worldwide. Ranked among the top five global crypto derivatives exchanges and a pioneer of crypto copy trading, BingX addresses the evolving needs of users across all experience levels.

Powered by a comprehensive suite of AI-driven products and services, including futures, spot, copy trading, and TradFi offerings, BingX empowers users with innovative tools designed to enhance performance, confidence, and efficiency.

BingX has been the principal partner of Chelsea FC since 2024, and became the first official crypto exchange partner of Scuderia Ferrari HP in 2026.

For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
For more information, please visit:  https://bingx.com/

Disclaimer: This sponsored content is provided by the content provider and does not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. The information is shared for general informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Cryptocurrency and mining-related activities carry risks, including the potential loss of capital, and readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and seek professional advice where appropriate. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. The media platform and publisher assume no responsibility for any losses or claims arising from reliance on this content. GlobeNewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

Legal Disclaimer: This article is provided on an “as-is” basis, without warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. The media platform assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented. Any complaints, claims, or copyright concerns related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1fd7f0fe-2d1f-4feb-a161-5a9254afcf83

Salesforce on Monday said it is buying AI customer service platform Fin for about $3.6 billion as businesses accelerate their agentic offerings for enterprises.

The deal, expected to close in the fourth quarter of the company's fiscal 2027 year, will complement its flagship Agentforce platform, offering additional ways to deploy agentic artificial intelligence, the company said in a release.

Fin's primary offering is an AI agent capable of resolving chat, email, WhatsApp, text message, phone, and Slack queries, Salesforce said. The agent is powered by its proprietary AI model known as Apex.

"Together, we'll help companies of every size seize this opportunity — accelerating time to value with trusted agents that deliver measurable outcomes at scale," said Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff in a release.

Like many software-as-a-service companies, Salesforce is grappling with concerns that new AI tools will render its business model obsolete. Against this backdrop, Salesforce shares have shed more than a third of their value in 2026.

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 wealthAt the same time, the rise of agentic AI is heightening competition and forcing companies to beef up and invest in more autonomous tech for customers.

"Over the past few years we've been shipping intensely," CEO Eoghan McCabe wrote in a post to social media platform X. "Including recently our groundbreaking model, Apex, and our paradigm-defining internal agent, Operator. With the resources of Salesforce, this will only accelerate."

McCabe has publicly endorsed President Donald Trump and posted photos with the president and his administration on social media.

In its nearly three-decade history, Salesforce has made several multibillion-dollar acquisitions. Its largest was a more than $27 billion deal for chat software company Slack, which closed in 2021.

In its recent quarterly earnings report, Salesforce topped Wall Street's estimates, but its backlog came up short.

Joining Jim Cramer's "Mad Money" following the results, Benioff shot down concerns that the company is getting disrupted by AI. He said the company saw "record" transactions in the first quarter, and Slack experienced strong growth due to AI.

"We've never seen this many large transactions happen, and also I think we're going to see in the second quarter — attrition is probably coming down," he said.

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In Brief

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7:34 AM PDT · June 15, 2026

Image Credits:Interim Archives / Getty Images Salesforce announced on Monday that it will acquire AI customer service platform Fin for $3.6 billion. Formerly known as Intercom, Fin offers an AI agent that can resolve customer queries across channels, using live chat, WhatsApp, SMS, phone calls, Slack, and more.

Salesforce says it wants to use Fin’s team and technology to improve Agentforce, its existing enterprise platform that businesses can use to build custom AI agents that automate tasks.

“Fin brings proven agent technology, a deep commitment to customer success, and an incredible AI team that will complement Agentforce with powerful service agent capabilities,” said Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff in a statement. “Together, we’ll help companies of every size seize this opportunity — accelerating time to value with trusted agents that deliver measurable outcomes at scale.”

The transaction is expected to close in the last quarter of Salesforce’s 2027 fiscal year, which is actually slated for the first few months of 2027 because of how the company reports its financials.

“To our customers: Over the past few years we’ve been shipping intensely. Including recently our groundbreaking model, Apex, and our paradigm-defining internal agent, Operator,” wrote Fin co-founder and CEO Eoghan McCabe in an X post. “With the resources of Salesforce this will only accelerate. And yet little will practically change. I’ll still be CEO, Des will still be running R&D, we’ll both still be committed to continuing to lead this category. Thank you very sincerely and deeply for your belief in us.”

We’re excited to share that we just signed an agreement for @salesforce to acquire @fin_ai for ~$3.6B. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of Salesforce’s fiscal year 2027.

Fin started as Intercom 15 years ago. We changed our name to cap our transformation… pic.twitter.com/ghD3xGld55

— Eoghan McCabe (@eoghan) June 15, 2026 Topics

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Wall Street rallied toward record highs Monday as President Donald Trump declared the Strait of Hormuz reopened and oil prices plunged, yet a cluster of the market’s biggest names are still trading well below their pre-war levels.

West Texas Intermediate fell 5.4% on Monday to about $80 a barrel, now trading more than 30% below its wartime peak, as the U.S. and Iran moved to end the conflict and reopen the strait.

Using Benzinga Pro, a screen of stocks worth more than $100 billion turns up 20 names still trading below their February 27 close, the last session before the war began. Each remains down by 15% to 24%.

What Trump Said On IranTrump announced the agreement Sunday on Truth Social, clearing the reopening of the waterway and lifting the United States naval blockade.

"The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. … Ships of the world, start your engines. Let the oil flow!"

On Monday, Trump added the relief was already reaching the water.

“Ships are starting to move, many loaded up with Oil, out of the Strait,” he wrote on Truth Social on Monday, describing a southern shipping route he called safe and secure. Roughly a fifth of the world's oil moves through the strait. Its closure since late February had built a war premium into every barrel.

The formal peace agreement is now set to be signed Friday in Switzerland. Vice President JD Vance said the full text would be released this week.

Which Stocks Lagged During Iran War?According to Benzinga Pro, the stocks still trading below their February 27, 2026 close cluster in consumer staples, healthcare, communication services, software and mining.

China is the world's biggest crude importer, so the Hormuz shock hit it hardest. Higher energy costs fed straight into the cost base of its companies and squeezed profit margins.

For these names the weakness is not a war story. The group has kept sliding over the past quarter, extending a downtrend that was already in place before the first shot was fired.

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US stocks opened higher on Monday as investors welcomed signs of a potential agreement between the United States and Iran to end their conflict, while continued enthusiasm surrounding SpaceX’s blockbuster market debut added to the positive sentiment.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 621 points, or 1.21%, while the S&P 500 advanced 1.5%.

Nasdaq Composite led the gains, rising 2.37% as technology and artificial intelligence-related stocks moved higher.

The rally followed reports that Washington and Tehran had reached a preliminary framework aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.

According to reports, the agreement could be formally signed in Switzerland on Friday.

Investor sentiment received a boost after President Donald Trump announced that an agreement with Iran was “now complete.”

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later said the memorandum of understanding would be signed later this week.

The prospect of renewed oil flows from the Middle East sent crude prices sharply lower.

US crude fell about 5% to around $80 per barrel, while broader energy markets dropped to their lowest levels since March.

Lower oil prices lifted shares of companies that typically benefit from reduced fuel costs.

United Airlines rose 7% in trading, while Delta Air Lines and American Airlines each gained 4.3% and 3.8% respectively .

Cruise operators Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival also advanced roughly 5%.

Energy producers moved in the opposite direction.

Shares of Exxon Mobil and Chevron each declined more than 4% as investors adjusted to the prospect of weaker crude prices.

Markets also remained focused on SpaceX after the Elon Musk-led company completed one of the most closely watched public offerings in recent years.

SpaceX shares rose another 5.2% in trading after surging more than 19% during their Nasdaq debut on Friday.

The company ended its first trading day with a market capitalization exceeding $2 trillion.

The successful launch has strengthened confidence in the IPO market ahead of several highly anticipated listings expected later this year.

Analysts said the smooth debut could provide a template for future public offerings, including potential listings from OpenAI and Anthropic.

Technology and semiconductor stocks also advanced as investors rotated back into AI-related names.

Micron surged 7.8% after several brokerages raised their price targets on the stock.

Nvidia gained 2.5%, Intel added 4%, and Marvell Technology rose 4.1% in trading.

Meanwhile, investors continued to monitor the upcoming Federal Reserve policy meeting, the first under Chair Kevin Warsh.

Markets overwhelmingly expect policymakers to leave interest rates unchanged this week, although traders remain focused on any signals regarding the future path of monetary policy.

The CBOE Volatility Index, often referred to as Wall Street’s fear gauge, fell to a more than one-week low, reflecting improving investor confidence as geopolitical concerns eased and growth-focused sectors regained momentum.

Oracle ORCL shares staged a sharp rebound on Monday, rising around 6% to trade near $194 as investors returned to the software giant following a steep selloff earlier this month.

Oracle shares entered the session down roughly 18% for the month.

The rally came alongside a broader market advance after US President Donald Trump announced that an agreement had been reached to end the war between the United States and Iran.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 630 points, or 1.2%, and reached a new all-time intraday high.

The S&P 500 climbed 1.6%, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 2.4%.

Analysts remain positive on growth outlookInvestor sentiment received additional support after Mizuho reiterated its Outperform rating and maintained a $320 price target on Oracle.

The firm said Oracle delivered a strong fourth-quarter performance, highlighting Infrastructure-as-a-Service revenue growth of more than 90% year over year as new capacity and the Abilene supercluster came online as scheduled.

Mizuho described Oracle's fiscal 2027 revenue guidance as a conservative starting point and said the company's bring-your-own-cloud strategy and customer prepayment model could help it reach a stage where growth becomes self-funded.

AI spending remains a key debateThe rebound follows a difficult stretch for the stock after investors reacted negatively to Oracle's latest earnings report despite the company exceeding Wall Street expectations.

Last week, Oracle shares fell sharply after management disclosed plans for an additional $20 billion capital raise and reported negative free cash flow for the fiscal year.

For its fiscal fourth quarter, Oracle reported revenue of $19.18 billion, up 21% year over year and above analyst expectations of $19.1 billion, according to LSEG data.

Adjusted earnings per share came in at $2.03, exceeding consensus estimates of $1.96.

However, investors focused on the costs associated with the company's aggressive artificial intelligence infrastructure expansion.

Oracle reported negative free cash flow of $23.7 billion for the fiscal year and said it plans to raise $40 billion through a combination of debt and equity financing.

That includes a previously announced $20 billion share sale.

The company had already raised $43 billion in debt and $5 billion in equity during fiscal 2026.

Capital expenditures surged 162% to $55.7 billion during the year.

New Chief Financial Officer Hilary Maxson said net cash outflows related to capital expenditures are expected to reach approximately $70 billion during fiscal 2027, excluding between $20 billion and $25 billion of customer prepayments.

Despite concerns over spending, Oracle maintained its fiscal 2027 revenue target of $90 billion while increasing its adjusted earnings-per-share forecast to $8.05.

Analysts had been expecting earnings of $8.01 per share on revenue of $88.9 billion.

For the fiscal first quarter, Oracle projected adjusted earnings per share between $1.72 and $1.76 alongside revenue growth of 27% to 29%.

Analysts surveyed by LSEG had been expecting adjusted earnings per share of $1.68.

Cloud infrastructure remained a major growth driver. Revenue from the segment climbed 93% to $5.8 billion during the quarter.

The company's remaining performance obligations, a key measure of future contracted revenue, rose 363% year over year to $638 billion as of May 31.

Analysts polled by StreetAccount had been expecting approximately $595.7 billion.

Piper Sandler said in a report following the earnings release that Oracle would likely remain a debated stock but added that the firm remains constructive on the company's AI-driven consumption growth and continues to recommend the shares.

For investors, the key question remains whether Oracle's enormous AI-related spending will ultimately translate into sustained profit growth.

Key Takeaways Block launched Square High Yield Savings, offering eligible sellers a 3.5% APY on reserves.XYZ activates the higher APY automatically when Square Savings balances reach $10,000.Block plans a sales tax folder to automate tax savings and simplify cash management. Block's (XYZ - Free Report) banking subsidiary, Square Financial Services (“SFS”), has introduced Square High Yield Savings, allowing eligible Square sellers who maintain at least $10,000 in daily cash reserves in their Square Savings account to earn a 3.5% annual percentage yield (APY). The offered rate is significantly above the national average savings account yield, enhancing the value proposition for merchants using Square's ecosystem.

The initiative supports SFS' strategy to grow core deposits while providing sellers with an attractive return on idle cash. A larger deposit base can also strengthen SFS' ability to fund lending programs and further expand Block's suite of financial services for businesses and consumers.

Square sellers can automatically allocate a portion of their daily sales into their Square Savings account through the Square Dashboard. Once account balances reach the $10,000 threshold, the higher APY is activated automatically.

Key features of the program include no minimum deposit requirement, no monthly maintenance fees and FDIC insurance coverage of up to $2.5 million through the Square Savings deposit sweep program. Interest accrues daily and is applied to the entire account balance.

Square plans to launch an automated sales tax folder within Square Savings. The feature will automatically set aside sales tax collected from eligible card transactions, helping sellers streamline cash management and reduce administrative work. The tool will leverage existing Square tax settings and support businesses operating across multiple locations and tax jurisdictions.

ConclusionBlock’s launch of Square High Yield Savings strengthens the value of its merchant ecosystem by offering competitive returns on cash reserves while encouraging deeper use of its financial services. Combined with upcoming cash management tools, the initiative supports deposit growth, enhances seller convenience and expands the capabilities of Square Financial Services.

Over the past three months, shares of this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company have gained 16.1% against the industry's decline of 1.8%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks from the internet-software sector are BILL Holdings, Inc. (BILL - Free Report) and Atlassian (TEAM - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BILL’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) has moved northward by a cent to $2.64 over the past week.

The consensus estimate for TEAM’s 2026 EPS has moved up 17.1% to $5.48 per share over the past two months.

Note: Anything related to earnings presented in this write-up represents funds from operations (FFO), a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs.

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.

It also includes access to 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 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 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 investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank 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.

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.

With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

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.

As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.

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

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

Stock to Watch: Globe Life (GL - Free Report) Based in McKinney, TX, and founded in 1979, Globe Life Inc. (formerly known as Torchmark Corporation) is an insurance holding company for a group of insurance companies that market primarily individual life and supplemental health insurance to lower-middle to middle-income households throughout the United States. Globe Life's insurance subsidiaries write a variety of nonparticipating ordinary life insurance products, which include traditional whole life, term life and other life insurance. Globe Life offers Medicare Supplement and limited-benefit supplemental health insurance products that include primarily critical illness and accident plans.

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

Momentum investors should take note of this Finance stock. GL has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 7.6% over the past four weeks.

For fiscal 2026, six analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.37 to $15.64 per share. GL boasts an average earnings surprise of +1.1%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, GL 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.

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.

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

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

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

Growth 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 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.

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.

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

That's where the Style Scores come in.

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

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

For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.

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

Stock to Watch: Costco (COST - Free Report) Based in Issaquah, WA, Costco Wholesale Corporation sells high volumes of food and general merchandise (including household products and appliances) at discounted prices through membership warehouses. It is one of the largest warehouse club operators in the United States. The company also operates e-commerce sites in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Australia and China.

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

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. COST has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 13.3% for the current fiscal year.

Eight analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.06 to $20.38 per share. COST also boasts an average earnings surprise of +1%.

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