Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Starbucks Corp. Chief Executive Officer Brian Niccol expects earnings growth to continue and he says the turnaround plan is ahead of schedule. He says becoming a multi-brand company is a possibility.

For the quarter ended September 2026, Colgate-Palmolive (CL - Free Report) reported revenue of $5.37 billion, up 4.6% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $0.97, compared to $0.91 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.33 billion, representing a surprise of +0.72%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +5.44%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.92.

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

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

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

Net Sales- Oral, Personal and Home Care- North America: $905 million compared to the $916.4 million average estimate based on five analysts. The reported number represents a change of -9.4% year over year.Net Sales- Oral, Personal and Home Care- Asia Pacific: $802 million versus $791.16 million estimated by five analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +12.3% change.Net Sales- Oral, Personal and Home Care- Europe, Middle East & Africa: $1.13 billion versus the five-analyst average estimate of $1.15 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +41.1%.Net Sales- Oral, Personal and Home Care- Latin America: $1.33 billion versus the five-analyst average estimate of $1.3 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +12.6%.Net Sales- Pet Nutrition: $1.21 billion versus the five-analyst average estimate of $1.19 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +5.5%.Net Sales- Total Oral, Personal and Home Care: $4.16 billion versus the five-analyst average estimate of $4.16 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +4.4%.Operating profit- Pet Nutrition: $267 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $263.02 million.Operating profit- Total Oral, Personal and Home Care: $1.04 billion compared to the $1.01 billion average estimate based on three analysts.View all Key Company Metrics for Colgate-Palmolive here>>>

Shares of Colgate-Palmolive have returned +10.2% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.7% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

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

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on November 6. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis biotechnology company is expected to post quarterly loss of $1.37 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -168.6%.

Revenues are expected to be $888.78 million, down 12.5% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 2.64% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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

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

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

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

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Moderna?For Moderna, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -71.32%.

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

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

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Moderna would post a loss of$1.97 per share when it actually produced a loss of -$1.97, delivering no surprise.

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

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

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

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

Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAlector (ALEC - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, is expected to report loss per share of $0.23 for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +32.4%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $1.91 million, down 41.4% from the year-ago quarter.

Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for Alector has been revised 203.6% up to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of -3.23%, reflecting a lower Most Accurate Estimate.

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

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

Surging demand for Intel Corp.’s (NASDAQ:INTC)data-center chips has not erased the problems weighing on the rest of the company.

JPMorgan sees limited upside at recent levels, with a price target that implied another 13% decline before Intel’s third-quarter earnings-driven selloff.

Intel’s AI Growth Has a CatchIntel’s Data Center and AI (DCAI) business generated $7.3 billion in third-quarter revenue, up 78% from a year earlier, its strongest growth in 15 years. The segment is benefiting from demand for Xeon server CPUs and custom chips as companies expand AI infrastructure.

Yet the momentum has exposed another constraint: Intel cannot make enough chips to fully capitalize on demand. Management has identified supply as a key limitation, with relief not expected until the second half of 2027.

Its ASIC business, which develops custom chips for customers, has more than doubled year over year to an estimated $2.8 billion annualized run rate, according to JPMorgan analyst Harlan Sur.

But AI growth is not enough to offset weakness elsewhere.

PC Weakness Is Getting WorseIntel’s Client Computing and Physical AI Group brought in $8.1 billion, down 5% year over year. Intel expects the PC slowdown to persist through the first half of 2027. Its fourth-quarter revenue guidance of $15 billion to $16 billion also fell short of Wall Street’s roughly $17.1 billion estimate.

A factory disruption in Israel is adding to the pressure. Intel said the incident could reduce fourth-quarter revenue by about $300 million and weigh on gross margin by roughly 200 basis points. The company expects a similar revenue impact in the first quarter.

AI demand is accelerating, but PC weakness and capacity limits complicate the recovery.

Read Next

Intel’s Turnaround Still Needs CashSur lowered his December 2027 price target to $80 from $85, maintaining a Neutral rating. Against Intel’s Oct. 29 regular-session close of $92.07, that implied roughly 13% downside. The comparison predates the sharp after-hours drop triggered by the earnings outlook.

Intel also guided to a 38% gross margin for the fourth quarter and expects capital spending to rise significantly in 2027 from its $20 billion 2026 baseline. JPMorgan expects that investment to pressure free cash flow.

Intel’s third-quarter results show revenue rose 21% to $16.5 billion. DCAI climbed 78%. But investors are being asked to fund a costly manufacturing comeback while the PC business weakens and supply constraints limit the upside from server demand.

Until Intel can turn that demand into sustained cash generation, its AI growth alone may not be enough to support the stock’s valuation.

Read Next

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The powerful recovery of Intel's stock has been one of this year's most interesting stock market stories. That story is coming apart a bit today.

Intel's stock cratered overnight, and the U.S. government woke up holding a stake worth billions less than the day before. Whether that paper loss signals a deeper foundry crisis or a buying opportunity depends on one number Commerce has not…

Shares of Intel (NASDAQ:INTC | INTC Price Prediction) traded at $65.91 as of 10:29 AM ET on October 30, 2026, down 28.41% from the $92.07 close on Oct. 29. The stock was still trading. At that price, the 433,323,000 shares the Commerce Department bought under its August 2025 agreement were worth about $28.56 billion, compared with about $39.9 billion at the prior close. That is a decline of about $11.34 billion in the stake’s value in one session, based on our calculation.

Here is the other side: the stake is still worth about $19.66 billion more than the $8.9 billion the government paid, or about 3.2 times its cost. No sale of those shares has been disclosed.

Why the Guidance Sank Intel’s Stock The quarter itself was strong. Third-quarter revenue rose 21% to $16.5 billion, and adjusted earnings of $0.52 a share beat the $0.40 estimate, per Yahoo Finance. The outlook is what hurt. Per 24/7 Wall St. and Yahoo Finance reporting, Intel forecast fourth-quarter revenue to $15 billion to $16 billion, below the about $17 billion expected. It forecast adjusted earnings to $0.25 a share, below expectations of $0.43 to $0.44.

Intel projects the PC market shrinking 12% in 2026 and 10% in 2027 as a memory-chip shortage raises PC prices. It also expects an accident that shut down its Israel factory to cut about $300 million from fourth-quarter revenue. Chief Financial Officer Dave Zinsner also warned about 2027: “I don’t think that this will be a year in which we see positive cash flow.”

What Commerce Paid and What It Holds Under the agreement filed with Intel’s 8-K, Commerce bought 433,323,000 new common shares and received warrants on 240,516,150 more shares. Warrants are rights to buy stock later at a fixed price. Per Fierce Electronics, the government paid $20.47 a share for about 10% of Intel. The money came from $5.7 billion in CHIPS Act grants that had been awarded but not yet paid, plus $3.2 billion from the Secure Enclave program. Howard Lutnick, then Commerce Secretary, posted on X in August 2025: “BIG NEWS: The United States of America now owns 10% of Intel, one of our great American technology companies.”

The five-year warrant has a $20 exercise price and can be used only if Intel stops owning at least 51% of its foundry business, per Fierce Electronics. Per the 8-K, Commerce agreed to show up at shareholder meetings and vote with Intel’s board, with exceptions for matters that would break the agreement or materially harm Intel’s relationship with the federal government.

Reality Check Before You Panic The selling spread across tech. Per 24/7 Wall St. coverage, Dell (NYSE:DELL) fell about 13%, AMD (NASDAQ:AMD) about 10% and NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) about 3%, all intraday. Even after the drop, Intel remained up 78.62% year to date. The weak spot is the foundry business, Intel’s contract manufacturing unit, which posted a $1.85 billion third-quarter operating loss. Management said customers were working on Intel 14A but declined to name them.

Does This Change the Government’s Position? No. A one-day paper decline leaves Commerce well ahead of its cost. The bigger questions for shareholders are the PC slump and whether the foundry business can land paying customers. Intel said it expects to have foundry customers ready to announce over the “next two quarters”. Three things are worth checking: whether the stock closes above the session low of $64.11, how other chip stocks close, and whether Intel names an external foundry customer by its first-quarter 2027 report. If no customer is named by then, the guidance cut becomes a foundry problem as well as a PC problem.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Kevin Green offers his latest takeaways from tech earnings, including Intel (INTC) and its nearly 30% selloff as concerns around its PC and foundry businesses mount. Amazon (AMZN) did no favors for investors either as a CapEx increase overshadows impressive AWS cloud growth.

Space Exploration Technologies (SPCX -3.96%) stock slid 2.9% through 11 a.m. ET on Friday -- and it's all Intel's (INTC -28.98%) fault.

Intel reported its Q3 earnings last night, beating analyst forecasts by $0.12 per share and edging out revenue forecasts with $16.5 billion in sales. The problem was that Intel then went ahead and gave guidance for next quarter as well, and the company's prediction that it would earn only $0.25 per share in Q4 fell far short of consensus estimates of $0.44 per share. Similarly, Intel warned that its Q4 revenue would be no more than $16 billion -- versus the $17.1 billion that Wall Street analysts had hoped for.

Image source: Getty Images.

What that means for SpaceXWhat does any of that have to do with SpaceX stock? Here's the connection:

Yesterday, before Intel reported its results, Northland analyst Gus Richard predicted that Intel would beat earnings "and provide very strong guidance." If both those things happened, this would have been good news for SpaceX (says Richard), because he viewed Intel's partnership with SpaceX as "a significant catalyst" that would drive Intel higher.

But now Intel's weak guidance suggests the partnership isn't great news for either Intel or for SpaceX.

SPCX Space Exploration Technologies$138.20-$5.70 (-3.96%)

NASDAQ · As of 11:52 AM ET 10/30/26

What's next for SpaceX stockThis isn't the only catalyst at risk for SpaceX, either. In a note yesterday, Bank of America warned that SpaceX's reported plans to merge with Tesla (TSLA -0.74%) could be at risk if Chinese antimonopoly authorities intervene to block the deal. BofA points out that half of Tesla's electric car production comes from Shanghai, giving China a sizable say in whether the reported merger can proceed.

If a merger is denied, this is probably a bigger risk for Tesla (which investors expect to be bought at a premium) than for SpaceX. But any thwarting of Musk's plans is probably bad news for both companies.

Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Intel and Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) stock is down 29% on October 30, trading at $65.9 at the time of publication, following a wave of price target cuts and downgrades from Wall Street analysts in the wake of the chipmaker’s third-quarter earnings report.

INTC stock price one-day chart. Source: Finbold
Among the most significant revisions, Roth Capital analyst Suji Desilva slashed his Intel price target by 41.67%, from $120 to $70, saying that while data center growth might be positive, manufacturing constraints could limit further upside.

Desilva also downgraded the stock to “Neutral” from “Buy,” citing weaker guidance that reflected headwinds in the client computing segment, demand adjustments, and the impact of a manufacturing accident.

The call echoed numerous other research notes that swept the market like a flood, with a total of 17 analysts slashing their forecasts in a day.

Intel stock price target cuts. Source: Hardik Shah (@AIStockSavvy)
Wall Street turns bearish on Intel stock
Other revisions were likewise notable. Baird lowered its price target on Intel by 33.6% to $83 from $125 while maintaining a “Neutral” rating. The firm cited weaker revenue substitution between Intel’s client and server businesses. 

While client revenue is expected to decline year-over-year (YOY) in the fourth quarter, Baird said, server revenue growth remains constrained by supply shortages involving wafers and substrates. Accordingly, the firm does not anticipate meaningful relief from these constraints until the second half of 2027

StoneX similarly retained its “Buy” rating but reduced its price target by 28.57%, from $140 to $100. In particular, the firm questioned Intel’s ability to expand supply quickly enough to meet its strategic objectives.

PC demand weakness might be Intel’s worst problem
Further, Jefferies analyst Blayne Curtis lowered his price target by 29.17%, from $120 to $85, while maintaining a “Hold” rating. Curtis characterized the December-quarter outlook as a “substantial” reset, pointing to lower client revenue and gross margins as PC customers reduced near-term demand.

Bank of America analyst Vivek Arya also downgraded Intel to “Neutral”, cutting his price target by 31.03%, from $145 to $100 due to weakness in the PC market and supply constraints. Arya also highlighted Intel’s limited progress in attracting external foundry customers, arguing that the company “has not communicated enough traction with external foundry customers.” 

The broader analyst response thus suggests that Intel’s challenge extends beyond its latest quarterly performance. While data center demand and foundry expansion offer potential avenues for growth, weakening PC demand in particular has raised doubts about the pace of the company’s turnaround.

Featured image via Shutterstock

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On its Q3 2026 earnings call, held on Oct. 29, 2026, Intel (INTC -28.74%) announced $16.5 billion in revenue, driven by growth in its Data Center and AI division. High demand for server central processing units, or CPUs, offers long-term growth potential even as memory shortages weigh on client personal computer sales. Three things management said stand out.

1. Server Processors Face Fivefold Market Expansion Driven by Artificial IntelligenceArtificial intelligence infrastructure requires significant computing power, driving rapid growth for server central processing units across enterprise and cloud platforms. Management expects this expansion to dramatically increase the total addressable market (TAM) over the next five years.

By our estimates, server CPU TAM, largely driven by agentic workloads, could increase as much as 5x from where it is today, from $40 billion to more than $200 billion over 5 years.
-- Lip-Bu Tan, CEO2. Personal Computer Memory Shortages Drive Near-Term Shipments DownElevated memory prices and limited corporate information technology budgets are pressuring personal computer manufacturing partners to reduce component inventory. Management projects unit volume declines through 2026 until industrywide component supply normalizes.

We expect the 2026 PC unit TAM to decline approximately 12%, with second half units down more than 20%. We do not expect a sustained recovery until memory availability improves and pricing begins to normalize.
-- Dave Zinsner, CFO3. Yield Improvements Reduce Production Costs Across Key Semiconductor NodesManufacturing execution across advanced fabrication nodes is improving wafer yields, which measure the proportion of usable chips per manufacturing batch. These operational gains helped expand gross margin, which measures the percentage of revenue remaining after production expenses, by 2 percentage points sequentially.

Intel 3 costs improved approximately 15% from Q1 levels, while volumes increased in the mid-teens sequentially. Intel 18A costs have declined approximately 40% since Q1, reflecting continued yield and cycle time improvements.
-- Dave Zinsner, CFOINTC Intel$65.61-$26.47 (-28.74%)

NASDAQ · As of 11:50 AM ET 10/30/26

Looking AheadData center processor demand accelerates across cloud accounts, keeping product supply tight across the industry. Intel relies on its domestic manufacturing footprint, proprietary architecture, and advanced chip assembly to capture market expansion while maintaining pricing discipline.

Demand signals from our data center customers continue to strengthen. We expect the industry to remain supply-constrained throughout 2027 and into 2028.
-- Dave Zinsner, CFOManagement does not expect the PC market to recover in 2027, with unit volumes projected to decline again. Memory shortages will limit sales of other system components for the foreseeable future.

We are not optimistic about next year in terms of memory. We think that it is going to impact the TAM. We think TAM will be down 10% on a unit basis next year.
-- Dave Zinsner, CFOThe Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Intel. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

A driver of FedEx loads packages into a delivery truck in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, U.S., November 26, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

Oct 30 (Reuters) - Shares of FedEx Freight (FDXF.N), opens new tab surged 14% in early trading on Friday, with analysts backing the ​trucking firm's 2027 growth expectations after it forecast fourth-quarter ‌profit above their estimates.

The stock, listed on June 1 after the company's spinoff from parent FedEx, is on track ​for its biggest-ever single-day jump and its ​first-ever monthly gain.

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Here are some more details.

Memphis-based ⁠FedEx Freight posted third-quarter adjusted profit and revenue ​above analysts' estimates and forecast fourth-quarter profit above estimates ​on Thursday

Fourth-quarter guideposts for key revenue drivers all appear to signal improvement from the third quarter and the first half ​of the year, Evercore ISI analysts said

Jefferies said ​the results show that the company's ability to meet its ‌medium-term ⁠targets is "becoming more achievable"

FedEx Freight CFO Marshall Witt said the company's 2027 revenue growth would be in line with a 4%-6% medium-term target, while adjusted ​operating margin would ​progress towards ⁠its goal of 15%

Witt also said some of the company's clients are bringing ​their suppliers along with them, highlighting ​potential ⁠for higher freight volume

FedEx Freight's short-term earnings have taken a hit from FedEx separation costs and expenses tied ⁠to ​tech upgrades, but the company ​is working to improve yields in a bid to boost revenue

Reporting ​by Nandan Mandayam in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

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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.

Key Takeaways Merck raises 2026 sales guidance to $66.8-$67.3 billion as Q3 revenues rise 4.7% to $18.09 billion.MRK's KEYTRUDA franchise sales grow 6% to $8.60 billion, while WINREVAIR revenues surge 93% to $694 million.Merck expects modest 2027 growth amid over $2 billion in generic headwinds and rising pipeline investments.
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK - Free Report) highlighted strong oncology demand, expanding contributions from newer medicines and significant clinical advancements during its third-quarter 2026 earnings call.

Management raised its full-year sales and earnings outlook while emphasizing progress in developing a diversified portfolio capable of supporting growth beyond KEYTRUDA's loss of exclusivity. However, executives cautioned that generic competition, vaccine market pressures and rising research expenditures could temper growth in 2027.

MRK Q3 Earnings Beat Zacks EstimatesMerck reported third-quarter 2026 non-GAAP earnings of $2.49 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.12 by 17.5%. However, earnings declined 3.5% year over year from $2.58 per share.

Revenues increased 4.7% year over year to $18.09 billion, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $17.23 billion by approximately 5%. Excluding foreign exchange effects, sales increased 4%.

GAAP earnings declined 12% year over year to $2.04 per share. Non-GAAP gross margin contracted 50 basis points to 81.4%, reflecting higher production costs. Non-GAAP research and development expenses increased 13% to $4.53 billion, due to pipeline investments and licensing charges.

KEYTRUDA and KEYTRUDA QLEX generated combined sales of $8.60 billion, up 6%, while WINREVAIR sales surged 93% to $694 million. Animal Health revenues increased 4% to $1.68 billion.

Merck Raises 2026 Revenue and Earnings GuidanceChief financial officer Caroline Litchfield raised the lower end of Merck's 2026 revenue guidance to $66.8 billion from $66.3 billion, maintaining the upper end at $67.3 billion.

Management also increased non-GAAP earnings guidance to $2.77-$2.82 per share from $2.66-$2.76. The updated outlook includes a 12-cent-per-share charge related to the SciBrunch licensing agreement.

The company expects approximately 81% non-GAAP gross margin and operating expenses of $42.4 billion-$42.9 billion.

Litchfield noted that third-quarter revenues benefited from approximately $550 million in favorable customer purchase timing, including $200 million attributable to KEYTRUDA, $50 million to WINREVAIR and $300 million to vaccines.

Approximately $300 million of these benefits are expected to reverse in the fourth quarter, with the remaining $250 million reversing in 2027.

KEYTRUDA QLEX Adoption Gains MomentumThe KEYTRUDA franchise remained Merck's primary revenue driver, supported by expanding use in earlier-stage cancers and growing adoption of its subcutaneous formulation.

KEYTRUDA QLEX generated $830 million in third-quarter sales, with most revenues coming from the United States.

During questioning from Bernstein, CEO Robert Davis emphasized management's confidence in the company's intellectual property position despite ongoing European patent litigation.

Oncology president Jannie Oosthuizen reiterated Merck's objective of achieving 30%-40% adoption of subcutaneous KEYTRUDA in the United States by the end of 2027.

However, a temporary injunction has restricted supplies in several European countries, including France, Italy and the Netherlands. Management believes the impact on overall subcutaneous volumes remains immaterial.

Merck Highlights Breakthroughs in Oncology PipelineMerck emphasized positive Phase III results from its TroFuse-005 trial evaluating sacituzumab tirumotecan, or sac-TMT, in advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.

The treatment reduced the risk of death by 32% compared with chemotherapy, with management highlighting an approximately seven-month improvement in median overall survival.

The FDA has accepted the application for priority review, with a target decision date of June 15, 2027.

Merck also reported encouraging results from its collaboration with Moderna on intismeran autogene, an individualized mRNA cancer vaccine.

The Phase III INTerpath-001 study demonstrated a 42% reduction in the risk of recurrence or death when intismeran was combined with KEYTRUDA compared with KEYTRUDA alone in certain patients with resected melanoma.

Research chief Dean Li highlighted opportunities to expand both programs across additional tumor types, including lung, bladder and renal cancers.

Merck Expects Modest Growth in 2027During questioning from JPMorgan, Litchfield characterized 2027 as another significant investment year.

Management expects modest revenue growth, with new product launches and Animal Health contributions partly offset by more than $2 billion in headwinds from generic competition and patent expirations affecting BRIDION, JANUVIA and related products, and Adempas.

KEYTRUDA growth is also expected to moderate as penetration approaches peak levels in several approved indications.

Merck anticipates mid-to-high-single-digit growth in underlying operating expenses as it expands clinical development and commercial investments.

Despite these pressures, management expects the revenue decline associated with KEYTRUDA's eventual loss of exclusivity to be relatively shallow, followed by a return to growth.

Merck Sees Expanding Long-Term Revenue OpportunitiesDuring questioning from Goldman Sachs, Davis expressed growing confidence in the company's previously outlined opportunity to generate more than $70 billion in annual revenues from its new and emerging portfolio by the mid-2030s.

He indicated that the potential could increase further, reflecting encouraging clinical developments and opportunities not fully incorporated into earlier projections.

The Terns Pharmaceuticals acquisition, PD-1/VEGF bispecific program and broader potential applications for sac-TMT could provide additional growth.

Davis also highlighted stronger-than-expected commercial potential for intismeran following positive clinical results.

Management believes these developments strengthen Merck's ability to offset the eventual KEYTRUDA patent-expiration headwind.

MRK's Newer Products Support Portfolio DiversificationBeyond oncology, Merck highlighted continued momentum across its expanding commercial portfolio.

WINREVAIR revenues reached $694 million, supported by increasing demand for pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment. The company also reported $184 million in OHTUVAYRE revenues.

During questioning from TD Cowen, Specialty Pharma President Brian Foard disclosed that LIPFENDRA generated more than 11,000 prescriptions during the quarter from over 6,500 prescribers.

Management expects broader commercial insurance access in 2027 and Medicare access in 2028, positioning the cholesterol treatment as a potential multibillion-dollar opportunity.

Merck also highlighted positive Phase IIb results for tulisokibart in hidradenitis suppurativa and encouraging ophthalmology data for remigromig.

These developments reinforce the company's strategy to diversify beyond oncology while establishing additional long-term revenue streams.

Key Takeaways for MRK InvestorsMerck's third-quarter performance demonstrated resilient pharmaceutical demand and improving contributions from newer medicines, with earnings and revenues exceeding Zacks expectations.

The increased 2026 outlook and encouraging clinical results provide support for management's long-term growth strategy.

However, near-term challenges remain, including slowing KEYTRUDA growth, generic competition, elevated research spending and uncertainty surrounding the commercialization of pipeline assets.

With a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), Merck's improving pipeline prospects must be weighed against the earnings pressures associated with its ongoing portfolio transformation. The company has a Value Score of D, a Growth Score of B, a Momentum Score of A and a VGM Score of C.

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

TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BetMGM, a leading online sports betting and iGaming operator, marked its first 100 days in Alberta by sharing insights into how players across the province have engaged with its sportsbook and online casino since launching on July 13.  Alberta has quickly become one of BetMGM's strongest new markets, with early momentum outpacing the company's launch in Ontario.

“Alberta has been one of the most exciting launches in BetMGM’s history,” said Matt Prevost, Chief Revenue Officer, BetMGM. “In our first 100 days, we’ve seen Albertans back their home teams and gravitate toward the premium, exclusive casino content that sets BetMGM apart. We’re encouraged by the momentum, but we’re equally focused on how we grow. Our goal is to deliver exceptional entertainment while setting the standard as a top-tier, responsible operator in Alberta."

When it comes to the Stanley Cup, Alberta bettors love the home team. The Edmonton Oilers account for over 50% of all Stanley Cup futures tickets.

Top 5 most bet teams in Alberta to win the Stanley Cup (tickets)
Edmonton Oilers (50.8 per cent of all tickets)
Montreal Canadiens
Vegas Golden Knights
Colorado Avalanche
Calgary Flames

Top 5 most bet teams in Ontario to win the Stanley Cup (tickets)
Toronto Maple Leafs (28.9 per cent of all tickets)
Montreal Canadiens
Edmonton Oilers
Florida Panthers
San Jose Sharks

Most bet teams to win the Super Bowl at BetMGM Alberta (tickets)
Buffalo Bills
Los Angeles Rams
Kansas City Chiefs
Seattle Seahawks
San Francisco 49ers

Most bet teams to win the Super Bowl at BetMGM Ontario (tickets)
Buffalo Bills
Los Angeles Rams
Kansas City Chiefs
Baltimore Ravens
Seattle Seahawks

BetMGM Casino’s early performance in Alberta is also showing strong interest in branded entertainment and games with roots in land-based casinos. That trend is reinforced by independent industry data. In Eilers-Fantini’s September 2026 Canada Online Game Performance Report, based on data through August, Aristocrat’s Lightning Link™ High Stakes™ ranked No. 1 overall among games tracked across participating Alberta operators, while Blueprint’s Game of Thrones™ ranked No. 2. Game of Thrones launched exclusively at BetMGM in Ontario in April and BetMGM in Alberta in August.

The results highlight two areas that have resonated in BetMGM’s Alberta offering - recognizable entertainment IP and casino experiences familiar from the casino floor.

Top Performing Games at BetMGM Casino in Alberta

Game of ThronesNHL BlackjackLightning Link High StakesThe Price Is Right Gold Blitz Ultimate™Sugar Rush BetMGM exceeds Alberta’s mandatory responsible gambling requirements, including accreditation under the Responsible Gambling Council’s RG Check program, which is required for all operators in the province’s regulated market. From market launch, BetMGM will offer a comprehensive suite of responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits, session reminders, and cooling off periods and will integrate with Alberta’s centralized self-exclusion system, allowing players to self-exclude across all licensed gaming platforms.

As BetMGM continues to expand into new markets and introduces new features, responsible gambling remains a key focus. Additionally, BetMGM is proud to provide resources to help customers play responsibly, including GameSense, an industry-leading program developed and licensed to BetMGM by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Through the integration within BetMGM's mobile and desktop platforms, customers can receive the same GameSense experience they have grown to rely on at MGM Resorts properties. GameSense complements BetMGM's existing responsible gambling tools which serve to provide customers with an entertaining and safe digital experience.

For more information, follow @BetMGM on X.

###

Please play responsibly. Alberta (18+) and Ontario (19+) only. If gambling is affecting your mental health or well-being, 211 Aberta is here to help. Call or text 211 or visit ab.211.ca. In Ontario, visit ConnexOntario.ca or call 1-866-531-2600 or text CONNEX to 247247.

  About BetMGM
BetMGM is a market leading sports betting and gaming entertainment company, pioneering the online gaming industry. Born out of a partnership between MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) and Entain Plc (LSE: ENT), BetMGM has exclusive access to all of MGM's U.S. land-based and online sports betting, major tournament poker, and online gaming businesses. Utilizing Entain's U.S.-licensed, state-of-the-art technology, BetMGM offers sports betting and online gaming via market-leading brands including BetMGM, Borgata Casino, Party Casino and Party Poker. Founded in 2018, BetMGM is headquartered in New Jersey. For more information, visit https://www.betmgminc.com.

Chevron (CVX +1.64%) delivered a blowout third-quarter earnings report. The oil giant's profit nearly tripled from the year-ago period, while free cash flow more than doubled. Those impressive results highlight Chevron's ability to generate enormous amounts of cash when energy markets are favorable.

However, they also raise an important question for investors: Is Chevron stock a buy after its latest earnings report, or are the good times already reflected in its share price?

Image source: Getty Images.

Chevron delivered a massive earnings increaseChevron's third-quarter financial results were spectacular. The oil giant generated nearly $10.3 billion in adjusted earnings, or $5.28 per share. That's almost triple the $3.6 billion, or $1.65 per share, it reported in the third quarter of last year. Meanwhile, the company produced $12 billion in free cash flow, more than double the $4.9 billion it reported in the year-ago period.

The oil company benefited from strong market conditions. Brent crude, the global benchmark, averaged $97 per barrel during the quarter, up from $69 per barrel in the year-ago period due to continued supply disruptions in the Persian Gulf. Those disruptions are having an even more meaningful impact on the global refining market, particularly for diesel. That helped fuel a massive swing in Chevron's downstream business. U.S. downstream earnings rocketed more than 450% to almost $3.6 billion, while earnings from its international downstream operations jumped more than 150% to $1.3 billion. Those strong market conditions helped Chevron offset a nearly 3% decline in production due to disruptions in the Middle East.

Chevron's gushing cash flows enabled it to further strengthen its fortress balance sheet. Chevron reduced net debt by $7.8 billion during the quarter, and by $14 billion since the end of last year. That has enabled it to cut its leverage ratio by more than half (from 1.1x to 0.4x), building further financial flexibility to weather the next downturn in the oil market.

$235.26+$3.80 (+1.64%)

NYSE · As of 11:53 AM ET 10/30/26

Is Chevron stock a buy?Chevron is thriving these days. The oil giant is capitalizing on strong market conditions to generate robust cash flows, thereby strengthening its long-term financial position. It's returning meaningful excess cash to shareholders, including $6 billion of dividends and share repurchases during the quarter. Chevron's current dividend yields over 3%, a payout it has raised for 39 straight years. That's highly attractive for income-seeking investors, especially compared to the S&P 500's 1.1% current yield.

The company should have plenty of fuel to continue growing in the coming years. Last year's acquisition of Hess added a long-term growth driver in Guyana. Meanwhile, Chevron plans to invest $7 billion in Venezuela over the next five years to more than double its production there. It's also investing to expand its U.S. operations and in other international areas. These investments position the company to grow its free cash flow at more than 10% annually through 2030 at $70 oil.

The current challenge is Chevron's valuation. Shares of the oil giant have surged more than 50% this year and currently trade near their all-time high. At more than $230 a share, Chevron trades at 16x its trailing 12-month adjusted earnings ($14.25 per share). That's not a screaming bargain, especially since those results likely represent the high point of the current commodity price cycle.

While I think Chevron is a top oil stock, it's hard to justify buying it at its current valuation, given oil price volatility. If the war with Iran ends soon, oil prices will likely decline, putting downward pressure on Chevron's stock price.

A great company, but not a great investment right nowChevron's latest results demonstrate its tremendous cash-generating power and financial strength. However, elevated oil prices and refining margins contributed significantly to the earnings surge, making the quarter an unreliable baseline for future profits. Chevron remains an excellent long-term dividend stock, but after its recent rally, I'd prefer to wait for a more attractive valuation before buying shares.

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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.

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Wall Street analysts forecast that Emerson Electric (EMR - Free Report) will report quarterly earnings of $1.85 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to a year-over-year increase of 14.2%. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $5.12 billion, exhibiting an increase of 5.4% compared to the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.2% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This reflects how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reevaluated their initial estimates during this timeframe.

Before a company announces its earnings, it is essential to take into account any changes made to earnings estimates. This is a valuable factor in predicting the potential reactions of investors toward the stock. Empirical research has consistently shown a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and the short-term price performance of a stock.

While it's common for investors to rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates for assessing how the business may have performed during the quarter, exploring analysts' forecasts for key metrics can yield valuable insights.

That said, let's delve into the average estimates of some Emerson Electric metrics that Wall Street analysts commonly model and monitor.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Net Sales- Intelligent Devices- Total' at $2.88 billion. The estimate indicates a change of -15.3% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Net Sales- Software & Systems- Control Systems & Software' reaching $1.20 billion. The estimate suggests a change of +12.9% year over year.

The consensus estimate for 'Net Sales- Intelligent Devices- Final Control' stands at $1.70 billion. The estimate points to a change of +40.2% from the year-ago quarter.

Analysts expect 'Net Sales- Software & Systems- Test & Measurement' to come in at $450.44 million. The estimate points to a change of +10.4% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus among analysts is that 'Net Sales- Software & Systems- Total' will reach $1.65 billion. The estimate indicates a change of +12.2% from the prior-year quarter.

View all Key Company Metrics for Emerson Electric here>>>

Emerson Electric shares have witnessed a change of +7.7% in the past month, in contrast to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.7% move. With a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), EMR is expected outperform the overall market performance in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

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.

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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.

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

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

Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.82% 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.

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To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important 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: Stanley Black & Decker (SWK - Free Report) Headquartered in New Britain, CT, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. manufactures and provides tools (power and hand tools) and related accessories, engineered fastening systems, and several other items and services.

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

It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 18.55; value investors should take notice.

Three analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.02 to $5.59 per share. SWK boasts an average earnings surprise of +23.3%.

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

Fresh estimates of what it could cost SpaceX (NASDAQ:SPCX | SPCX Price Prediction) to build a rival U.S. mobile carrier are raising the incumbents it hopes to challenge. T-Mobile (NASDAQ:TMUS) stock is at $157.57 this morning, up 7%; at the…

Fresh estimates of what it could cost SpaceX (NASDAQ:SPCX | SPCX Price Prediction) to build a rival U.S. mobile carrier are raising the incumbents it hopes to challenge. T-Mobile (NASDAQ:TMUS) stock is at $157.57 this morning, up 7%; at the same time, SpaceX stock is at $138.35, down 4%.

Among the major carriers, T-Mobile is the biggest winner, though the SpaceX cost story is likely one factor among several. The company beat expectations with its Q3 2026 results on October 28, and money is rotating out of tech into steadier dividend payers. Even so, T-Mobile stock remains down 21% year to date (YTD).

SpaceX’s Wireless Price Tag Keeps Climbing In an interview published on October 30, telecom expert William Webb estimated SpaceX could need an additional $120 billion to $130 billion to compete with T-Mobile and the other big carriers. SpaceX has agreed to nearly $28 billion in spectrum deals, but Webb says those purchases would give it only about a quarter of the spectrum a typical major operator holds. On top of that, Webb puts the network build-out at $30 billion to $40 billion. BNP Paribas projected at least $100 billion in capital and operating spending before revenue, excluding spectrum and financing.

Spectrum is the set of government-licensed radio frequencies that carry calls and data. More of it lets a carrier serve more customers at once, which matters most in busy cities where crowds share the same towers. That’s partly why SpaceX is reportedly seeking access to at least 80,000 U.S. cell sites.

A Cheaper Path and Cooling Expectations for SpaceX Recon Analytics founder Roger Entner argued that SpaceX could build a substantial rural-first network for $10 billion to $15 billion, excluding additional spectrum, though that network wouldn’t initially match the big carriers’ nationwide capacity. Sentiment has cooled on SpaceX, too. The estimated probability of the company offering its own U.S. mobile plan by December 2027 now stands at 27%, down from 37% last week.

T-Mobile CEO Srini Gopalan also ruled out a partnership on the company’s earnings call. A mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) rents capacity on another carrier’s network, and Gopalan said, “I see no room for an MVNO with SpaceX either on the consumer side or on the physical and edge AI side.”

T-Mobile’s Earnings Give the Rally a Base Net income at T-Mobile rose 27% to $3.5 billion in Q3, or $3.22 per share, while the company’s service revenue climbed 6% to $19.4 billion. Management raising T-Mobile’s full-year forecast for core adjusted EBITDA to $37.35 billion to $37.45 billion and its adjusted free cash flow outlook to $18.7 billion to $18.8 billion. The company returned $3.5 billion to shareholders.

Some soft spots showed up in T-Mobile’s quarter. The carrier added 274,000 postpaid accounts, down from 396,000 a year earlier, and its postpaid churn, the share of customers who leave, rose to 1.09% from 0.97%.

Verizon and AT&T Join the Telecom Rebound Verizon (NYSE:VZ) stock is at $44.84, up 3%. That gain trails T-Mobile’s rally, even though Verizon disclosed on October 26 that it added a net 406,000 postpaid phone customers in Q3.

AT&T (NYSE:T) stock is at $21.36, up 2%. Even with the gain, AT&T stock is down 12% over the past month. Telecom shares, AT&T included, fell sharply on October 9 after SpaceX moved to buy spectrum for a deeper Starlink push into mobile service.

SpaceX Also Feels the Tech Selloff The broader tech rout is weighing on SpaceX as well. Yahoo Finance’s Brian Sozzi grouped SpaceX with the hyperscalers, the biggest cloud and AI spenders, behind the selloff. The company burned about $9.9 billion in free cash flow in the quarter.

Evercore ISI strategist Julian Emanuel expects that group, including SpaceX, to post losses near $200 billion over the next year. That’s helping dividend-paying carriers, whose steady subscription revenue appeals to retirement-minded investors.

How T-Mobile’s Model Differs From SpaceX and Its Rivals T-Mobile is a wireless-first carrier built on its 5G network and fixed wireless home internet, with fiber added through acquisitions. Verizon pairs wireless with its Fios fiber network and sells fiber capacity to AI infrastructure customers.

AT&T centers on integration, bundling fiber home internet with wireless. SpaceX combines rockets, Starlink satellite internet and AI computing power, with Starlink Mobile as a newer piece.

What Comes Next in the Carrier Fight With SpaceX SpaceX will soon find out whether its upcoming spectrum moves and a planned Federal Communications Commission (FCC) spectrum auction push its costs higher. For T-Mobile, the key question is whether churn falls from its Q3 level.

The bulls see a rising price tag protecting the incumbents, while the bears note the telecom rebound could fade if tech stocks recover. It could make sense to stay cautious until the debate over SpaceX’s wireless costs resolves.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

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

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

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

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

Each stock is 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 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 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.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.82% 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.

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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.

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.

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: Oracle (ORCL - Free Report) Austin, TX-based Oracle Corporation is one of the largest enterprise-grade database, middleware, and application software providers.

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

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. ORCL has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 6.6% for the current fiscal year.

16 analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.10 to $8.13 per share. ORCL also boasts an average earnings surprise of +15.5%.

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

Key Takeaways MetLife's Q3 earnings are projected to rise 15.8% year over year, with revenues expected to grow 12.4%.Retirement & Income Solutions revenues may surge 36.2%, while Group Benefits revenues could rise 4.7%.MET's 0.59% Earnings ESP signals a beat, despite weaker investment income and Asia earnings.
Insurance provider MetLife, Inc. (MET - Free Report) is set to report third-quarter 2026 results on Nov. 4, 2026, after the closing bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s earnings is currently pegged at $2.71 per share on revenues of $20.1 billion.

The third-quarter earnings estimate has witnessed seven upward revisions and one downward movement over the past 60 days. The bottom-line projection indicates a year-over-year increase of 15.8%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues suggests year-over-year growth of 12.4%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

For full-year 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for MetLife’s revenues is pegged at $79.5 billion, implying 0.8% year-over-year growth. The consensus mark for 2026 EPS is pinned at $9.94, implying 12.6% year-over-year growth.

MetLife beat earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters, with the average surprise being 5.7%. This is depicted in the figure below.

MetLife, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

MetLife, Inc. price-eps-surprise | MetLife, Inc. Quote

Q3 Earnings Whispers for MetLifeOur proven model predicts a likely earnings beat for the company this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. That is precisely the case here.

MET has an Earnings ESP of +0.59% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

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

What’s Shaping MetLife’s Q3 Results?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter premiums indicates a 14.7% year-over-year increase. The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects a 4.7% increase in Group Benefits adjusted revenues, while Retirement & Income Solutions adjusted revenues are expected to surge 36.2% in the third quarter.

The consensus estimate indicates an 8.6% year-over-year increase in adjusted earnings from the Retirement & Income Solutions segment and 11.3% growth in adjusted earnings from the Group Benefits unit. The consensus estimate for MetLife Investment Management’s adjusted earnings is pegged at $61.8 million. Adjusted earnings from EMEA are projected to increase 11.3% year over year, while the Latin America business is expected to register a sharper 67.8% rise.

These are likely to have positioned the company for year-over-year growth and an earnings beat. The positives are likely to be partially offset by a 3.3% decline in net investment income. Also, adjusted earnings from the Asia region are expected to decline 5.2% year over year.

How Did Other Insurers Fare?Several insurance companies, includingThe Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV - Free Report) , The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. (HIG - Free Report) and RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (RNR - Free Report) , have already reported their financial results for the September quarter of 2026. Here’s how they have performed:

The Travelers Companies reported third-quarter 2026 core earnings of $9.18 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.07 by 29.8%. The bottom line increased 12.8% year over year. Revenues of $12.45 billion surpassed the consensus estimate of $12.40 billion by 0.4% and remained nearly flat year over year. TRV’s earnings strength was driven by favorable prior-year reserve development and increased net investment income, partially offset by higher catastrophe losses.

Hartford Insurance delivered third-quarter 2026 core earnings per share of $3.50, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11.1%. However, the bottom line declined 2.5% year over year. The results benefited from HIG’s higher investment income and premium growth in Business Insurance. However, higher catastrophe losses and weaker Employee Benefits profitability partly offset the upside.

RenaissanceRe reported third-quarter 2026 operating income of $12.71 per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 12.9%. Yet, the bottom line fell from $15.62 a year ago. The quarterly earnings benefited from lower operational expenses and higher net investment income. However, the upside was partly offset by lower net premiums earned, weaker underwriting results in RNR’s Casualty & Specialty segment and lower fee income.

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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.