Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Palantir Technologies PLTR shares plunged about 9% on Tuesday after gaining roughly 5% in the previous session, as investors locked in profits and reassessed risks ahead of the company's second-quarter earnings report due on Aug. 3.

The 5% bump had come after Oppenheimer reaffirmed its Outperform rating and maintained a $200 price target ahead of the company's second-quarter earnings report.

The stock was trading around $120 following the decline today.

The weakness came amid a broader selloff across artificial intelligence-linked technology stocks, with the Nasdaq 100 Index on track to enter correction territory as investors questioned whether massive AI spending will generate sufficient returns.

The technology-heavy benchmark fell 1.7% during Tuesday's session, putting it on course for a decline of more than 10% from its recent peak, the conventional definition of a market correction.

According to Bloomberg, it took only 38 trading days for the index to reach that threshold, compared with more than 100 sessions during its previous correction in March following the October 2025 record high.

As a constituent of the Nasdaq 100, Palantir was also caught in the broader technology retreat even as analysts remained optimistic about its long-term growth prospects.

The sharp decline also reflected a classic "buy the rumor, sell the news" pattern ahead of earnings, said Investing.com.

Investor sentiment was further dented after a Seeking Alpha analyst downgrade published on Monday evening argued that Palantir's valuation of roughly 38 times forward sales appeared difficult to justify amid concerns over slowing commercial revenue growth and signs that enthusiasm around AI capital expenditure is beginning to moderate.

The pullback adds to growing scrutiny over Palantir's premium valuation, despite the company's rapid revenue expansion and strong demand for its artificial intelligence software platform.

Additional pressure came from reports that prominent investor Michael Burry had increased his bearish position against the company ahead of earnings, drawing renewed attention to valuation risks.

Citigroup also reduced its price target on the stock to $200 from $225 earlier this week, citing multiple compression.

Recent insider transactions have also weighed on sentiment, including reports that Palantir's chief technology officer sold approximately $24 million worth of shares, while one company director disposed of more than $2 million in stock.

Analysts remain positive ahead of resultsDespite the recent weakness, Wall Street analysts continue to expect another strong quarter.

Oppenheimer said Palantir could exceed second-quarter revenue expectations and again raise its full-year guidance.

The brokerage expects continued demand for the company's AI software from both US government agencies and commercial customers.

Palantir heads into earnings after delivering record first-quarter revenue of $1.6 billion, an increase of 85% from a year earlier.

US commercial revenue climbed 133% to $595 million, while US government revenue rose 84%.

Management also increased its full-year revenue outlook to between $7.7 billion and $7.7 billion.

Analysts now want to see whether the company can continue expanding at a pace that supports its premium valuation.

Baird also reaffirmed its Outperform rating and maintained a $200 price target ahead of the earnings release.

The brokerage expects second-quarter revenue growth to accelerate for a 12th consecutive quarter, supported by continued strength across both the US Commercial and US Government businesses.

It noted that Palantir generated 68% revenue growth over the past 12 months while maintaining a gross profit margin of 84%.

Baird also expects estimates for both 2026 and 2027 to continue moving higher.

The firm said it is using $8 billion in free cash flow for 2027 as a reasonable upside scenario, compared with its current estimate of $6.7 billion.

While acknowledging recent volatility, Baird described the current consolidation as an attractive buying opportunity for investors seeking exposure to long-term AI growth.

The brokerage added that Palantir continues to grow into its valuation even as the broader technology sector experiences heightened volatility.

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

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on August 4. 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 digital pinboard and shopping tool company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.36 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +9.1%.

Revenues are expected to be $1.15 billion, up 15.4% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.63% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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

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

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

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

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Pinterest?For Pinterest, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +1.65%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #4.

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

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Pinterest would post earnings of $0.22 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.27, delivering a surprise of +22.73%.

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

Pinterest 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.

An Industry Player's Expected ResultsCCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc. (CCC - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Internet - Software industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $0.1 for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +11.1%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $284.16 million, up 9.1% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for CCC Intelligent Solutions has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -37.93%.

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

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

The logo of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is displayed at TSMC Museum of Innovation in Hsinchu, Taiwan April 9, 2026. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

TAIPEI, July 28 (Reuters) - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (2330.TW), opens new tab, the world's ​largest contract chipmaker, said late ‌on Tuesday it had begun gradually resuming operations at its Japan Advanced ​Semiconductor Manufacturing (JASM) plant in Japan's ​Kumamoto prefecture after a strong earthquake ⁠prompted the precautionary evacuation of ​workers.

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit the prefecture ​earlier on Tuesday.

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The company said all personnel at the Japan site were ​confirmed safe after being evacuated ​in accordance with internal safety procedures.

"Post-earthquake structural ‌inspections ⁠have been completed, confirming that the structures are safe and operations are gradually resuming. Detailed inspections ​and impact ​assessments ⁠are ongoing," it said in an emailed statement.

JASM's ​construction site was unaffected, TSMC ​said, ⁠adding that parts of the construction work had been suspended ⁠as ​a safety precaution because ​there could still be occasional aftershocks.

Reporting by ​Wen-Yee Lee; Editing by Hugh Lawson

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

At first glance, Broadcom (AVGO -0.39%) hardly looks like a dividend stock. The chip and infrastructure software giant pays $2.60 per share in annual dividends, and with the stock closing Friday at $381.92, that works out to a dividend yield of just 0.68%. Put $10,000 into the stock today, and you collect about $68 a year. Not too exciting.

But a current yield is just a snapshot, and snapshots don't show motion. What the 0.68% hides is a dividend that has been raised for 15 consecutive years and has multiplied nearly 13-fold over the past decade.

While this dividend's astounding growth isn't guaranteed to persist, it speaks to the quality of the underlying business.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

From a nickel to $0.65 Ten years ago, Broadcom's quarterly dividend was $0.51 per share. Adjusted for the company's 10-for-1 stock split in 2024, that's about a nickel. Today, the quarterly payout is $0.65. That's nearly 13 times the split-adjusted level of mid-2016, which works out to an annualized growth rate of about 29%.

To be fair, that decade includes one exceptional leap. In December 2016, Broadcom's board doubled the payout in a single stroke.

The pace has settled down since. Over the past five years, the quarterly dividend has climbed from a split-adjusted $0.36 to $0.65, about 12.5% annualized. The latest increase, announced in December alongside the company's fiscal fourth-quarter results, was 10%.

Growth in the 10% to 12% range may sound ordinary next to that 29% figure. But it adds up. A dividend compounding at 12% doubles about every six years -- and Broadcom has sustained double-digit increases while pouring money into acquisitions and its artificial intelligence (AI) chip business.

The cash behind the raises A dividend is only as good as the cash flow covering it, so the first thing I check is how easily the company pays its bill.

In its fiscal second quarter of 2026 (ended May 3, 2026), Broadcom generated $10.3 billion of free cash flow, an enormous 46% of its $22.2 billion in revenue. Dividend payments during the quarter came to $3.1 billion -- about 30% of that free cash flow, leaving plenty behind. Indeed, Broadcom put another $600 million into share repurchases during the period.

Measured against earnings, the annual dividend runs at about 43% of the past year's earnings per share.

Part of what makes that coverage so comfortable is Broadcom's business model. Unlike the cloud giants spending tens of billions of dollars on data centers each quarter, Broadcom designs chips and sells infrastructure software. Its capital expenditures in the quarter were just $231 million against $10.5 billion of operating cash flow.

And the growth engine funding future raises is accelerating. Broadcom's fiscal second-quarter revenue rose 48% year over year, powered by AI semiconductor revenue of $10.8 billion, up 143%.

"The momentum continues and in Q3 we expect semiconductor revenue from AI to grow over 200 percent year-over-year to $16.0 billion," said CEO Hock Tan in the fiscal second-quarter earnings release.

Today's Change

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381.71

Of course, there are caveats. Dividend growth could slow if AI spending cycles turn or if management prioritizes acquisitions.

And the stock itself is priced for its AI growth, not its dividend. Shares trade at about 64 times earnings, a price that assumes the extraordinary AI momentum continues. Anyone buying today is paying growth-stock prices and receiving the dividend as a small bonus.

So no, Broadcom won't solve anyone's income needs this year. But this is what the early years of a big income stream tend to look like. The yield is small, the share of cash flow committed is low, and the board keeps raising the payout while the business underneath compounds.

Given a long enough time, Broadcom could transform into a powerful dividend stock.

, /PRNewswire/ -- National shareholder rights firm Hagens Berman alerts investors in Roblox Corporation (NYSE: RBLX) that the alleged class period in the ongoing securities class action litigation has been expanded. A new lawsuit now covers investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Roblox common stock between October 31, 2024 through April 30, 2026, inclusive.

National shareholder rights firm Hagens Berman is investigating the legal claims that Roblox and its co-defendants violated the federal securities laws. The firm encourages Roblox investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.

Roblox Corporation (RBLX) Securities Class Action:

The primary focus of the litigation is on the propriety of Roblox's disclosures about its commitment toward protecting the safety of young users of its platform and the recent the impact on its business and prospects of the age-check verification rollout aimed at increasing safety within certain social features on its platform. The rollout began in November 2025.

During the Class Period, Roblox and its senior management have assured investors that "safety would be paramount[,]" "building safety into our products has been a huge effort[,]" and "[o]ur approach to safety includes multiple proactive measures as well as parental controls[.]" They have also emphasized that "b]ecause our Platform includes children aged 5 and over, our safety and civility policies are purpose-built to be strict."

Investors slowly learned the truth through a series of disclosures beginning on October 30, 2025. That day, the Company revealed that it would be instituting enhanced age verification technology globally beginning in January 2026. On this news, the price of the Company's common stock declined 16% from $133.74 per share to $113.00 per share, wiping out $13 billion in market value.

Then, on April 30, 2026, Roblox revealed a steep deceleration in year-over-year and sequential DAU growth, slashed its 2026 revenue guidance (reflecting ongoing shrinkage in DAU growth), and severely cut its 2026 bookings growth midpoint from 24% to just 10%, investors glimpsed what was really going on.

Roblox said just 51% of its global DAUs age checked and also said that "as a result of age check […] we have seen a reduction in app store ratings, and we believe this may be contributing to a reduction in organic sign-ups that typically flow from app stores." Roblox also said its lowered prospects are the result of "continued friction" resulting from the age-check rollout.

"We're focused on when Roblox and its management knew of the adverse consequences of the age-check rollout and whether they intentionally misled investors it," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the firm's investigation.

If you invested in Roblox and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that will assist the firm's investigation, submit your losses now.

If you'd like more information and answers to other frequently asked questions about the Roblox case and the firm's investigation, read more.

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Roblox should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email [email protected] .

About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman's team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw. 

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case.

SOURCE Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP

Key Takeaways ARCC is expected to report Q2 sales of $769 million, suggesting 3.2% y/y growth.Ares Capital's portfolio growth and deployment likely supported investment income.Higher y/y operating costs may pressure ARCC's quarterly results. Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC - Free Report) is scheduled to announce second-quarter 2026 results tomorrow, before market open. The company’s total investment income is expected to have remained resilient in the quarter, supported by continued growth in the investment portfolio and steady deployment activity, although the quarter is likely to reflect modest pressure from lower benchmark interest rates.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ARCC’s second-quarter sales is pegged at $769 million, which indicates year-over-year growth of 3.2%.

In the past seven days, the consensus estimate for earnings for the to-be-reported quarter has been unchanged at 47 cents. The estimate indicates a 6% decline from the prior-year quarter.

Estimate Revision Trend
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

ARCC does not have a decent or impressive earnings surprise history. The company’s earnings lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two and matched in two of the trailing four quarters.

Earnings Surprise History
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Key Q2 Estimates for Ares CapitalThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for ARCC’s interest income from investments (constituting a significant portion of total investment income) is pegged at $515 million, indicating a 3.4% decline from the prior-year quarter.

The consensus mark for other income is pegged at $19.40 million, implying a 3% decline. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for dividend income of $157 million suggests a marginal decline from the prior-year quarter.

However, the consensus estimate for capital structuring service fees is pegged at $36.23 million, implying a 6.6% year-over-year rise.

Ares Capital has been witnessing higher expenses over the past several quarters. As the company has been investing in venture growth stage companies, operating costs are expected to have been elevated in the second quarter.

What Our Quantitative Model Unveils for ARCCAccording to our quantitative model, the chances of Ares Capital beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings this time are low. This is because it does not have the right combination of the two key ingredients — a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better.

You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Earnings ESP: The Earnings ESP for Ares Capital is -3.85%.

Zacks Rank: ARCC currently carries a Zacks Rank #3.

Finance Stocks Worth a LookHere are a couple of finance stocks that you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time:

The Earnings ESP for Prosperity Bancshares (PB - Free Report) is +1.76% and it currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. The company is slated to report quarterly results tomorrow. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Over the past seven days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for PB’s quarterly earnings has been unchanged at $1.54.

Robinhood Markets (HOOD - Free Report) is also scheduled to report quarterly results tomorrow. The company has an Earnings ESP of +2.98% and a Zacks Rank #3.

Over the past seven days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for HOOD’s quarterly earnings has been unchanged at 39 cents.

For the quarter ended June 2026, Pentair plc (PNR - Free Report) reported revenue of $932.6 million, down 17% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $1.14, compared to $1.39 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.01 billion, representing a surprise of -7.84%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +1.79%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $1.12.

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

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

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

Revenue Growth - Core - Total Pentair: -17.3% versus the three-analyst average estimate of -11.6%.Revenue Growth - Core - Pool: -42.4% versus the two-analyst average estimate of -21.5%.Revenue Growth - Core - Water Solutions: -2.6% versus the two-analyst average estimate of -1%.Net Sales- Pool: $246.6 million compared to the $297.55 million average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of -42.3% year over year.Net Sales- Flow: $263.7 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $265.85 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -33.6%.Net Sales- Corporate and other: $0.3 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $0.3 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of 0%.Net Sales- Water Solutions: $422 million versus $418.01 million estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +41.5% change.Segment income (loss)- Corporate and other: $-17.2 million versus $-20.61 million estimated by four analysts on average.Segment income (loss)- Pool: $57.6 million versus $93.28 million estimated by four analysts on average.Segment income (loss)- Water Solutions: $126.4 million versus $112.35 million estimated by four analysts on average.Segment income (loss)- Flow: $69.8 million compared to the $70.98 million average estimate based on four analysts.View all Key Company Metrics for Pentair here>>>

Shares of Pentair have returned -17.2% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.7% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), indicating that it could underperform the broader market in the near term.

Key Takeaways SLB expects long-cycle project decisions to rise about 30% in 2026, led by deepwater and exploration.SLB's digital revenue rose 18% to $697 million, while margin expanded to 27.8% in the second quarter.ChampionX added $865 million to Production Systems revenue, as Middle East disruption hit near-term results. SLB (SLB - Free Report) is leaning more heavily on three growth engines as the oilfield services cycle resets: international and offshore activity, digital adoption and a broader production-focused portfolio.

Those drivers give the company a clearer path into 2027, but the near-term setup is uneven. Middle East disruption, weaker year-over-year earnings and elevated net debt continue to weigh on the outlook.

SLB’s Offshore Scale Supports the Next UpcycleEnergy security, reserve replacement and supply diversification are supporting upstream investment across both short- and long-cycle markets. SLB expects final investment decisions for long-cycle projects to rise about 30% year over year in 2026, led by deepwater activity and higher exploration spending.

That matters because SLB has broad exposure to exploration, deepwater development, production and recovery. Excluding the Middle East, second-quarter revenues increased sequentially across all divisions, helped by higher offshore activity in Brazil, Guyana, Mexico, Scandinavia and Nigeria.

Halliburton Company (HAL - Free Report) remains a key oilfield services peer for investors tracking drilling and completion activity. Baker Hughes Company (BKR - Free Report) is also relevant to the broader energy technology and services discussion, particularly where upstream activity intersects with infrastructure and equipment demand.

Digital Growth Expands SLB’s Margin OpportunityDigital was one of SLB’s clearest bright spots in the second quarter. Segment revenues increased 18% year over year to $697 million, while pretax operating income rose 27% to $194 million.

The margin story was stronger than the revenue gain. Digital pretax operating margin expanded 187 basis points year over year to 27.8%, supported by exploration data licenses and transfer fees, improved profitability in Digital Operations and better performance in Platforms & Applications.

SLB also benefited from rising software-as-a-service-based revenues, even as perpetual license sales declined. Annualized recurring revenue for the Digital division reached $1.04 billion as of June 30, 2026, up 15% year over year, giving the business a more durable revenue base.

SLB Adds Production Depth Through ChampionXChampionX expands SLB’s reach in production chemicals, artificial lift and technologies tied to recovery and asset-life extension. That aligns with customer priorities around improving production from existing assets rather than only developing new resources.

Production Systems revenues increased 29% year over year to $3.77 billion in the second quarter. Still, the headline gain needs context. ChampionX contributed $865 million of Production Systems revenues, and excluding the acquisition impact, Production Systems revenues declined 1% year over year.

Sequentially, the division showed better operating traction. Revenues rose 7%, while adjusted EBITDA increased 14%, helped by OneSubsea activity and higher sales of artificial lift, valves, surface production systems and completions.

Middle East Risks Cloud SLB’s Near-Term OutlookThe Middle East remains the largest near-term uncertainty. Middle East revenues fell 13% sequentially to $1.66 billion in the second quarter as conflict-related disruption constrained activity.

Reservoir Performance and Well Construction absorbed much of the pressure. Reservoir Performance revenues declined 2% sequentially, while Well Construction revenues also fell 2%, with the Middle East disruption partly offset by stronger activity elsewhere.

Management’s third-quarter base case assumes gradual remobilization. A renewed escalation that keeps Middle East revenues flat could lower third-quarter revenues by about $150 million and adjusted EBITDA by about $75 million relative to the base case.

SLB’s Earnings Surprise Record Adds SupportSLB has exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the past four quarters, delivering an average earnings surprise of 4.94%. Such consistent earnings outperformance highlights the company's operational strength despite the cyclical nature of the energy industry.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

SLB’s Signals Point to a Cautious SetupSLB’s growth case is visible, but the stock’s current setup remains cautious. Offshore momentum, digital expansion and ChampionX-related production depth are offset by earnings sensitivity, Middle East uncertainty and net debt of $8.7 billion.

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), which signals a weak short-term earnings outlook. SLB has a Value Score of B, showing relative valuation appeal, but that is not reinforced by its Growth Score of D or Momentum Score of F.

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

The composite VGM Score of C indicates a mixed profile across value, growth, and momentum characteristics. For now, SLB’s longer-cycle opportunities remain meaningful, but the Zacks Rank and weaker style-score mix argue for caution until earnings growth and momentum improve.

Key Takeaways T. Rowe Price is expected to post higher Q2 earnings and revenues than in the year-ago quarter.TROW's preliminary June 30 AUM reached $1.89 trillion, with quarterly net inflows of $0.8 billion.TROW faces higher technology, distribution and compensation costs despite ongoing cost-management efforts. T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (TROW - Free Report) is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 31, before the opening bell. The company’s quarterly earnings and revenues are expected to have increased from the year-ago reported levels.

In the last reported quarter, TROW’s results benefited from higher investment advisory fees and a rise in assets under management. Positive capital allocation-based income was also encouraging. However, higher expenses acted as a headwind.

T. Rowe Price’s earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, the average surprise being 4.88%.

Key Factors & Estimates for TROW in Q2In the April-June quarter, the S&P 500 Index rose more than 14%, driven by strong performance in U.S. equities, particularly AI-related technology stocks and resilient global markets. As such, TROW’s assets under management (AUM) are likely to have witnessed decent growth in the quarter to be reported.

Investor flows may have been uneven across asset classes, with continued demand for exchange-traded funds, private-market strategies and customized investment solutions. However, persistent fee pressure and the shift toward lower-cost passive products are likely to have constrained revenue growth for traditional active managers. Per the company’s monthly metrics data, its net inflows were $0.8 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2026.

The company’s preliminary AUM of $1.89 trillion as of June 30, 2026, rose marginally from the prior month’s reported level. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for total AUM is pegged at $1.91 trillion, indicating a sequential rise of 11.7%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for investment advisory fees is pegged at $1.73 trillion, suggesting a rise of 2.7% on a sequential basis.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for administrative, distribution and servicing fees of $149 million implies an increase of 7.9% from the prior quarter’s actual.

Coming to expenses, T. Rowe Price continues to incur significant expenditure to attract investment advisory clients and additional investments from existing clients. The company is also investing heavily in technology, distribution and employee compensation to keep pace with evolving customer needs and strengthen its platform. This is expected to have increased its expenses in the quarter to be reported. However, the company's cost-management efforts are likely to have offset the rise to some extent.

What the Zacks Model Unveils for TROWOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for TROW this time around. This is because the company does not have the right combination of the two key elements, a positive Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold).

You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Earnings ESP: The company has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%.

Zacks Rank: T. Rowe Price currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter earnings has been unchanged at $2.52 per share over the past seven days, indicating a year-over-year increase of 12.5%.

The consensus estimate for revenues of $1.92 billion implies an 11.6% rise from the prior-year quarter’s actual.

Performance of Other Asset ManagersBlackRock’s (BLK - Free Report) second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $13.91 per share handily surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.72. The figure reflects a 15% rise from the year-ago quarter’s actual.

BLK’s results benefited from a rise in revenues. The AUM balance witnessed robust year-over-year growth, driven by net inflows, to record levels. However, higher expenses created a headwind.

Blackstone’s (BX - Free Report) second-quarter 2026 distributable earnings of $1.52 per share outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.33. The figure jumped 26% from the prior-year quarter.

BX’s results benefited from a rise in AUM and higher revenues. An increase in GAAP expenses was the undermining factor.

JetBlue Airways (JBLU - Free Report) reported $2.7 billion in revenue for the quarter ended June 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 14.5%. EPS of -$0.66 for the same period compares to -$0.16 a year ago.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.7 billion, representing a surprise of +0.07%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +5.71%, with the consensus EPS estimate being -$0.70.

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

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

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

Load factor: 82.7% compared to the 83.6% average estimate based on five analysts.Operating revenue per ASM: 15.71 cents versus the four-analyst average estimate of 15.67 cents.Average fuel cost per gallon, including fuel taxes: $4.23 compared to the $4.27 average estimate based on four analysts.Operating expense per ASM: 16.53 cents compared to the 16.82 cents average estimate based on four analysts.Available seat miles (ASMs): 17.17 billion versus 17.18 billion estimated by four analysts on average.Operating expense per ASM, excluding fuel: 11.12 cents compared to the 11.33 cents average estimate based on four analysts.Passenger revenue per ASM: 14.49 cents compared to the 14.58 cents average estimate based on four analysts.Revenue passenger miles (RPMs): 14.19 billion compared to the 14.4 billion average estimate based on four analysts.Fuel gallons consumed: 215.00 Mgal versus the three-analyst average estimate of 218.77 Mgal.Yield per passenger mile: 17.53 cents versus 17.44 cents estimated by three analysts on average.Operating Revenues- Passenger: $2.49 billion versus the five-analyst average estimate of $2.5 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +14.1%.Operating Revenues- Other: $210 million versus the five-analyst average estimate of $192.85 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +18.6%.View all Key Company Metrics for JetBlue here>>>

Shares of JetBlue have returned -3.6% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.7% 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.

The upcoming report from Corteva, Inc. (CTVA - Free Report) is expected to reveal quarterly earnings of $2.24 per share, indicating an increase of 1.8% compared to the year-ago period. Analysts forecast revenues of $6.62 billion, representing an increase of 2.6% year over year.

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has undergone a downward revision of 89.9% in the past 30 days, bringing it to its present level. This represents how the covering analysts, as a whole, have reassessed their initial estimates during this timeframe.

Prior to a company's earnings release, it is of utmost importance to factor in any revisions made to the earnings projections. These revisions serve as a critical gauge for predicting potential investor behaviors with respect to the stock. Empirical studies consistently reveal a strong link between trends in earnings estimate revisions and the short-term price performance of a stock.

While investors typically rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates to gauge how the business may have fared during the quarter, examining analysts' projections for some of the company's key metrics often helps gain a deeper insight.

Bearing this in mind, let's now explore the average estimates of specific Corteva, Inc. metrics that are commonly monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts.

According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Net Sales- Crop Protection' should come in at $1.93 billion. The estimate suggests a change of +0.5% year over year.

Analysts predict that the 'Net Sales- Seed' will reach $4.66 billion. The estimate suggests a change of +2.7% year over year.

The consensus among analysts is that 'Net Sales- Seed- Other oilseeds' will reach $223.97 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +20.4%.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Net Sales- Crop Protection- Herbicides' at $1.01 billion. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +1%.

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Net Sales- Crop Protection- Insecticides' will likely reach $436.24 million. The estimate indicates a change of +0.1% from the prior-year quarter.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Net Sales- Crop Protection- Fungicides' will reach $326.08 million. The estimate points to a change of -4.7% from the year-ago quarter.

Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Net Sales- Crop Protection- Other' should arrive at $57.90 million. The estimate points to a change of +18.2% from the year-ago quarter.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Net Sales- Seed- Soybean' of $1.40 billion. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +11.2%.

Analysts forecast 'Net Sales- Seed- Corn' to reach $2.83 billion. The estimate points to a change of -4.4% from the year-ago quarter.

Analysts expect 'Net Sales- Seed- Other' to come in at $162.14 million. The estimate indicates a change of +21.9% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Operating EBITDA- Seed' reaching $1.92 billion. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $1.86 billion.

The consensus estimate for 'Operating EBITDA- Crop Protection' stands at $324.27 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $334.00 million in the same quarter last year.

View all Key Company Metrics for Corteva, Inc. here>>>

Over the past month, shares of Corteva, Inc. have returned +5.1% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.7% change. Currently, CTVA carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), suggesting that it may outperform. the overall market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Rivian Automotive (RIVN -0.79%) will next report earnings post-market on Thursday, July 30. Shares in the electric vehicle (EV) company have traded sideways in recent months. Will this upcoming event drive the next big move for shares?

I wouldn't bet on it. After all, Rivian already reported delivery numbers earlier this month for the preceding quarter. Barring major changes to guidance or the company's efforts to scale up production of its lower-priced R2 line of vehicles, it's questionable whether earnings represent a turning point for this electric car stock.

That said, for long-term growth stocks like this one, it's best to stay focused on the big picture, rather than near-term volatility.

Image source: Getty Images.

Rivian Automotive Q2 2026 earnings preview Again, investors aren't completely in the dark about how Rivian performed during the quarter ending June 30, 2026. On July 2, the EV maker released its Q2 2026 production and delivery figures. In Q2, Rivian produced 12,613 vehicles and delivered 12,194 vehicles.

These figures exceeded its prior delivery outlook of 9,000 to 11,000 vehicles, largely thanks to the successful launch of the aforementioned R2 vehicle line. Alongside strong delivery figures, management also raised its full-year delivery guidance from 62,000 to 67,000 vehicles to 65,000 to 70,000 vehicles.

While this may give credence to analyst forecasts calling for a 20% jump in sales during Q2 -- from $1.3 billion to around $1.56 billion -- it's unclear what increased deliveries mean for the bottom line. Per the same analyst forecasts, Rivian is expected to report GAAP losses of $0.78 per share for Q2 2026.

However, as GAAP losses came in far narrower than expected in Q1 2026, with reported losses of $0.30 per share versus a consensus of $0.72 per share, I wouldn't rule out the potential for positive surprises. The same could play out, with any updates to Rivian's full-year financial outlook.

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The best move with this EV stock Even if Rivian reports something surprising, such as far lower-than-expected losses or materially improved full-year guidance, it may not have the bullish impact on shares you might expect. For one, uncertainty about this stock goes beyond whether it can continue to scale up into a profitable automaker.

Whether improved results spark a rebound is another question entirely. As Rivian relies on the dilutive sale of newly issued shares to fund expansion, an increased share count could water down the positive impact of reaching profitability. Investors are still digesting Rivian's recent $1.5 billion capital raise.

Further tapping into this dilutive funding source puts pressure on both areas in the near term while limiting long-term upside. As this key risk persists, existing investors should hold on but wait for further developments regarding growth funding before increasing their positions. Those who have yet to buy Rivian shares may also want to wait until management answers these questions, rather than chasing this automotive stock after a post-earnings rally or pullback.

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

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on August 4. 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 military contractor is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.13 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +18.2%.

Revenues are expected to be $411.69 million, up 17.1% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 5.88% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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

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

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

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

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Kratos?For Kratos, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +11.70%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #4.

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

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Kratos would post earnings of $0.13 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.16, delivering a surprise of +23.08%.

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

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

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

Kratos 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.

An Industry Player's Expected ResultsAnother stock from the Zacks Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry, Voyager Technologies, Inc. (VOYG - Free Report) , is soon expected to post loss of $0.95 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -58.3%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $48.43 million, up 6% from the year-ago quarter.

Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for Voyager Technologies, Inc. has remained unchanged. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of +6.32%, reflecting a higher Most Accurate Estimate.

When combined with a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), this Earnings ESP indicates that Voyager Technologies, Inc. will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times.

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

Key Takeaways WWD is expected to report Q3 fiscal 2026 revenue of $1.11 billion, up 21.73% year over year.Woodward's demand is supported by aerospace aftermarket activity and industrial market momentum.WWD is expanding capacity, repair capabilities and service partnerships while investing in manufacturing. Woodward, Inc. (WWD - Free Report) is scheduled to report third-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Wednesday.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is $1.11 billion, which implies an increase of 21.73% from the year-ago reported number. The consensus mark for earnings is pegged at $2.39 per share, indicating a year-over-year increase of 35.8%.

WWD’s earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 16.97%.

Woodward’s shares have gained 60.7% compared with the Aerospace Defense Equipment industry’s growth of 11.3% in the past year.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Factors to Note Ahead of WWD’s Q3 ResultsWWD’s fiscal third-quarter performance is likely to have been supported by continued strength across both its Aerospace and Industrial segments, driven by robust demand and higher output. Commercial Services is expected to remain a key growth driver, supported by continued high utilization of legacy aircraft, higher repair volumes and increasing LEAP and GTF aftermarket activity.

On the last earnings call, management stated that spare LRU orders for the third quarter are in line with the first two quarters, with no slowdown in repair inputs or customer order rates. Commercial OEM demand has also remained healthy as aircraft production aligns with current build rates, while defense OEM sales continue to benefit from JDAM pricing and steady defense demand. The company also expects OEM growth to contribute more meaningfully in the second half of fiscal 2026.

Woodward’s Industrial segment continues to benefit from momentum across oil & gas, transportation and power generation markets. Rising investment in gas-powered generation and increasing demand for both base-load and backup power generation for data centers remain key growth drivers. Marine transportation demand has been supported by higher shipyard output and services activity, while oil and gas growth is being driven by greater midstream and downstream investments. Management also highlighted that multiple customers have recently increased their long-term demand forecasts for power generation products, prompting evaluations of additional capacity expansion. China On-Highway last-time-buy volumes are expected to contribute roughly $30 million in third-quarter sales before winding down further.

We expect revenues from the Aerospace segment to increase 22.4% to $729.4 million and from the Industrial segment to increase 17.5% to $375.5 million for the fiscal third quarter.

The company continues to expand capacity through the Spartanburg and Glatten projects, increase LEAP and GTF repair capabilities, strengthen its service network through partnerships with Lufthansa Technik, Air France-KLM and AAR, and optimize its portfolio through the Valve Research acquisition, pilot controls divestiture and servo valve production relocation.

Favorable pricing, higher volumes and ongoing operational excellence initiatives continue to support margins. However, Woodward is making strategic investments in manufacturing capabilities, automation, ERP implementation and research and development for next-generation aircraft platforms, which are expected to continue. Inflationary pressures, supply-chain constraints and broader geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty remain concerns.

Recent Key DevelopmentsOn July 21, 2026, Woodward inaugurated its expanded manufacturing facility in Glatten, Germany, increasing production capacity for high-speed fuel injection systems by 50%. The 3,000-square-meter expansion features advanced automation, digital manufacturing technologies and Lean practices to improve productivity, flexibility and competitiveness, supporting growing demand across power generation, marine transportation and oil & gas markets.

On the same day, Woodward signed an Elite Licensed Repair Service Facility (LRSF) agreement with HAECO, authorizing the MRO provider to deliver OEM-approved repair, maintenance and overhaul services for Woodward components used in CFM International LEAP-1A, LEAP-1B and LEAP-1C engines. The partnership expands Woodward’s global support network, strengthens HAECO’s presence in Asia-Pacific and mainland China, and enhances access to high-quality repair solutions for the rapidly growing LEAP engine fleet.

What Our Model Says for WWDOur proven model predicts an earnings beat for WWD 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. This is the case here.

WWD has an Earnings ESP of +5.10% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Other Stocks to ConsiderHere are three other stocks you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right elements to post an earnings beat in this reporting cycle.

Western Digital Corporation (WDC - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +3.22% and a Zacks Rank #1 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

WDC is scheduled to report quarterly figures on Aug. 5. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Western Digital’s to-be-reported quarter’s earnings and revenues is pinned at $3.35 per share and $3.7 billion, respectively. Shares of Western Digital are up 607% in the past year.

Sensata Technologies Holding plc (ST - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.54% and a Zacks Rank #2. Sensata is scheduled to report quarterly earnings on July 29. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ST’s to-be-reported quarter’s earnings and revenues stands at 93 cents per share and $964 million, respectively. Shares of Sensata have gained 42.7% in the past year.

TaskUs, Inc. (TASK - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.75% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. The company is scheduled to report quarterly figures on Aug. 5. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TaskUs’ to-be-reported quarter’s earnings and revenues is pinned at 29 cents per share and $297.53 million, respectively. Shares of TaskUs are down 47% in the past year.

In its upcoming report, Western Union (WU - Free Report) is predicted by Wall Street analysts to post quarterly earnings of $0.43 per share, reflecting an increase of 2.4% compared to the same period last year. Revenues are forecasted to be $1.01 billion, representing a year-over-year decrease of 1.8%.

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has undergone a downward revision of 2.7% in the past 30 days, bringing it to its present level. This represents how the covering analysts, as a whole, have reassessed their initial estimates during this timeframe.

Ahead of a company's earnings disclosure, it is crucial to give due consideration to changes in earnings estimates. These revisions serve as a noteworthy factor in predicting potential investor reactions to the stock. Numerous empirical studies consistently demonstrate a strong relationship between trends in earnings estimate revision and the short-term price performance of a stock.

While investors typically use consensus earnings and revenue estimates as indicators of quarterly business performance, exploring analysts' projections for specific key metrics can offer valuable insights.

Given this perspective, it's time to examine the average forecasts of specific Western Union metrics that are routinely monitored and predicted by Wall Street analysts.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Revenue- Consumer Services' reaching $154.74 million. The estimate indicates a change of +9.7% from the prior-year quarter.

The consensus among analysts is that 'Revenue- Consumer Money Transfer' will reach $852.19 million. The estimate suggests a change of -3.7% year over year.

Analysts expect 'Consumer Money Transfer transactions - Total' to come in at 72.29 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 71.40 million in the same quarter of the previous year.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Consumer Money Transfer - Cross-border principal' will reach 27.29 billion. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 26.70 billion in the same quarter of the previous year.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Segment Operating Income (Loss)- Consumer Services' at $40.82 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $31.60 million in the same quarter last year.

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Segment Operating Income (Loss)- Consumer Money Transfer' will likely reach $145.48 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $167.70 million in the same quarter of the previous year.

View all Key Company Metrics for Western Union here>>>

Shares of Western Union have demonstrated returns of +7.1% over the past month compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.7% change. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), WU is expected to mirror the overall market performance in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Key Takeaways URI trades above its sub-industry, sector, S&P 500 and five-year median forward earnings multiples.United Rentals posted Q2 earnings and revenue beats, driven by higher rental demand and record EBITDA.URI lifted 2026 guidance, but cyclical demand, higher fleet spending and competition remain key risks. United Rentals, Inc. (URI - Free Report) has given investors plenty to weigh after a 39.4% year-to-date share gain. The rally has followed stronger earnings, improving estimate trends and a higher 2026 outlook.

The question is whether the stock still offers enough upside after that move. URI’s operating momentum is clear, but its valuation now stands above several relevant benchmarks.

URI Valuation Sits Above Key BenchmarksURI trades at 22.08 times forward 12-month earnings. That compares with 18.15 times for its Zacks sub-industry, 20.66 times for the broader Zacks sector and 20.11 times for the S&P 500 index.

The premium also looks notable against the company’s own history. URI’s current multiple is above its five-year median of 14.19 times, which makes valuation discipline more important after the earnings-fueled rally.

Masco Corporation (MAS - Free Report) , a branded home improvement and building products company, offers one comparison point for investors looking across construction-related exposure. Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (AWI - Free Report) , known for ceiling and wall system solutions, provides another peer context within the broader building products group.

United Rentals Delivers Earnings and Sales BeatsUnited Rentals backed up the stock move with a strong second-quarter 2026 report. Adjusted earnings came in at $12.76 per share, up 21.9% from the prior-year quarter and 9.3% above the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Revenues also topped expectations, with total revenues of $4.41 billion beating the consensus mark by 4.1%. Adjusted EBITDA rose 13.6% to a quarterly record of $2.06 billion, showing that the company converted higher demand into improved profit dollars.

Rental activity was the core driver. Rental revenues increased 12.7% to $3.85 billion, supported by growth across General Rentals and Specialty.

URI Estimate Revisions Support the Bull CaseEstimate revisions add support to the bullish argument. The fiscal 2026 earnings per share estimate increased 3.4% over the past four weeks, while projected earnings per share growth for the current fiscal year stands at 15.9%.

Those revisions matter because they point to improving expectations rather than only backward-looking results. URI also raised its 2026 revenue outlook to $17.5-$17.8 billion and adjusted EBITDA guidance to $7.98-$8.13 billion.

The balance sheet adds another positive. Net leverage improved to 1.8X at the end of the second quarter from 1.9X at the end of 2025, staying within management’s 1.5X-2.5X target range.

United Rentals Faces Cyclical and Capital RisksThe investment case is not without risk. United Rentals remains exposed to construction and industrial cycles, where a slowdown can pressure rental volumes, utilization and pricing.

Capital spending is another area to watch. Management raised gross rental capital expenditure guidance to $4.85-$5.25 billion because demand and time utilization remain high.

That fleet investment can support growth if large projects continue. It could weigh on returns if activity slows or added equipment is not absorbed efficiently.

Competition also remains a concern. The equipment rental industry includes national rivals, regional operators, independent rental companies, dealers and equipment vendors, which can pressure pricing or utilization.

URI Scores Point to Growth With Valuation CautionThe bottom line is that URI still has a credible earnings-driven case, but the stock no longer looks inexpensive. Its earnings beats, higher guidance and upward estimate revisions support the rally, while the premium multiple raises the bar for execution.

URI currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). That rank reflects a favorable short-term earnings estimate revision profile over a one- to three-month horizon. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The stock also has a Growth Score of B, Momentum Score of B and VGM Score of B. These scores point to favorable growth and price-trend characteristics when viewed alongside the Zacks Rank.

The Value Score of C is the caution flag. It aligns with URI’s premium forward earnings multiple and supports a positive, but valuation-aware, stance on the stock.

ARLINGTON, Va., July 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leonardo DRS, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRS) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Raft LLC (“Raft”) in an all-cash transaction valued at $450 million. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Raft provides open-architecture mission software, specializing in multi-domain data fusion and artificial intelligence (AI) that supports real-time situational awareness and faster operational decision-making for national security customers.

The acquisition is aligned with DRS’s strategy and enhances its ability to deliver integrated, mission-focused technologies that help customers operate with greater speed, clarity and confidence in complex operational environments. Defense customers increasingly manage large volumes of data from distributed sensors and systems; fragmented data architectures can slow decision-making. Raft’s technology is designed to address this challenge by fusing disparate data into a common operating picture and helping reduce the cognitive burden on operators across domains and mission threads. Raft’s open-architecture software, AI and data integration capabilities are highly complementary and additive to DRS’s existing technology portfolio and customer relationships, enhancing the company’s ability to deliver integrated, advanced sensing and network computing capabilities with software to turn sensor data into actionable decision advantage.

“Our customers increasingly require integrated hardware, software, data and autonomy to support mission outcomes. The acquisition of Raft will build on and accelerate the organic investment that DRS has made in that evolution,” said John Baylouny, President and Chief Executive Officer of Leonardo DRS. “Raft adds proven software talent and open-architecture technology that complement our existing sensing and computing capabilities and strengthen our ability to deliver AI-enabled mission solutions at the speed our customers demand.”

“Joining DRS is a natural next step for our team and our mission,” said Shubhi Mishra, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Raft. “Our open-architecture platform was built to integrate across systems, not lock customers in, and pairing it with DRS’s sensing and computing franchises will accelerate our ability to deliver mission capability at a global scale.”

The $450 million all-cash transaction is subject to customary post-closing purchase price adjustments. As a result of the transaction, DRS expects to realize a tax benefit over the next 15 years, the present value of which is calculated to be approximately $50 million. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share (1) in the first full year of ownership. DRS expects to fund the transaction through cash on hand and borrowings under its revolving credit facility.

Advisors

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is serving as financial advisor to Leonardo DRS and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Raft. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP are serving as legal advisors to Leonardo DRS and Greenberg Traurig, LLP is serving as legal advisor to Raft.

Conference Call

Leonardo DRS will discuss the acquisition in conjunction with its previously announced second quarter 2026 earnings conference call on Thursday, July 30, 2026, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (ET).

The live audio broadcast of Leonardo DRS’s conference call will be available on the company’s investor relations website. To attend the conference call or webcast, participants should register online at https://investors.leonardodrs.com.

A replay will be available on the company’s website approximately two hours after the conclusion of the conference call and will remain available for 90 days.

About Leonardo DRS

Leonardo DRS, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRS) is at the forefront of developing transformative defense technologies using its proven agility and delivering innovative solutions for U.S. national security customers and allies worldwide. We specialize in rapidly providing high-performance, multi-domain capabilities across next-generation advanced sensing, network computing, force protection, and electric power and propulsion. Our reputation as a trusted provider is built on a continuous focus on practical innovation, delivering quality, and meeting our customers’ most demanding mission requirements. For further information on our complete range of capabilities, visit www.LeonardoDRS.com.

About Raft

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Raft is a leading provider of open-standard mission software, specializing in multi-domain data fusion and artificial intelligence that enable real-time awareness and faster operational decision-making for U.S. government and defense customers. Raft’s operator-focused, software-first products fuse and stream data and enable trusted human-AI partnership from the tactical edge to the enterprise.

Forward-Looking Statements

In this release, when using the terms the “company,” “DRS,” “we,” “us” and “our,” unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, we are referring to Leonardo DRS, Inc. This release contains forward-looking statements and cautionary statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “seeks,” “aims,” “strives,” “targets,” “projects,” “guidance,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or other comparable terms. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this release and include, without limitation, statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, assumptions or current expectations concerning, among other things, financial goals, financial position, results of operations, cash flows, prospects, strategies or expectations, the proposed acquisition of Raft LLC, including the expected timing of completion of the transaction, the satisfaction of closing conditions, the receipt of regulatory approvals, the anticipated benefits of the transaction, the expected impact of the transaction on DRS or Raft LLC’s financial results, including expected accretion and tax benefits, the expected financing of the transaction and plans for the integration of the acquired business, and the impact of prevailing economic conditions.

These statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, many of which are outside of our control, and include the risks and uncertainties that are identified in the Risk Factors section in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in other periodic and current reports we file with the SEC as well as risks and uncertainties relating to the proposed acquisition of Raft LLC, including: the possibility that regulatory approvals are not obtained on the expected timeline or at all; the risk that the closing conditions are not satisfied or that the transaction does not close within the anticipated timeframe or at all; the risk that the anticipated benefits of the transaction, including expected accretion and tax benefits, are not realized in whole or in part or within the expected timeframe; higher-than-expected transaction, integration or financing costs; difficulties in integrating Raft’s business, personnel, systems or operations; potential disruption to our or Raft’s ongoing operations or relationships with customers, suppliers or employees as a result of the announcement or pendency of the transaction; the diversion of management’s time and attention; and potential unknown or contingent liabilities of the acquired business. While the forward-looking statements herein reflect our current expectations, no assurance can be given that the results or events described in such statements will be achieved, and our actual results may differ materially from the results we anticipate. We undertake no obligation, other than as may be required by law, to revise or update any of these forward-looking statements (whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or circumstances, changes in expectations or otherwise) that may arise after the date of this release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(1) The company references Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share, a non-GAAP financial measure, in this release. Adjusted Diluted EPS is defined as net earnings excluding amortization of acquired intangible assets, deal-related transaction costs, restructuring costs and other one-time non-operational events (which include non-service pension expense, legal liability accrual reversals, executive transition costs and foreign exchange impacts) and the related tax impacts, divided by the diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding (WASO).

We believe the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this document will help investors understand our financial condition and operating results and assess our future prospects. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are important supplemental measures because they exclude unusual or non-recurring items as well as non-cash items that are unrelated to or may not be indicative of our ongoing operating results. Further, when read in conjunction with our GAAP results, these non-GAAP financial measures provide a baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying businesses and can be used by management as a tool to help make financial, operational and planning decisions. Finally, these measures are often used by analysts and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry by providing more comparable measures that are less affected by factors such as capital structure.

We recognize that these non-GAAP financial measures have limitations, including that they may be calculated differently by other companies or may be used under different circumstances or for different purposes, thereby affecting their comparability from company to company. In order to compensate for these and the other limitations, management does not consider these measures in isolation from or as alternatives to the comparable financial measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business.

Leonardo DRS Investor Relations Contact
Steve Vather
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development (M&A) and Investor Relations
+1 703 409 2906
[email protected]   

Leonardo DRS Media Contact
Carrie Robinson
Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Communications
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Community Financial System (CBU - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.16 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.19 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.97 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -2.52%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this bank holding company would post earnings of $1.1 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.09, delivering a surprise of -0.91%.

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

Community Financial, which belongs to the Zacks Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry, posted revenues of $224.05 million for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.89%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $200.14 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates two times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Community Financial shares have added about 15.9% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.3%.

What's Next for Community Financial?While Community Financial has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Community Financial was unfavorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $1.23 on $227.19 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $4.70 on $894.2 million in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Financial - Miscellaneous Services is currently in the bottom 31% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Another stock from the same industry, AlTi Global, Inc. (ALTI - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026.

This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.06 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +166.7%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 16.7% lower over the last 30 days to the current level.

AlTi Global, Inc.'s revenues are expected to be $61.8 million, up 16.3% from the year-ago quarter.

Super Micro Computer shares are retreating from recent levels. What’s behind SMCI decline? Nvidia Staffer Held Amid AI Chip Smuggling InvestigationThe case traces back to a March indictment, when the U.S. Department of Justice charged a Super Micro co-founder and two others with helping route billions of dollars’ worth of restricted Nvidia chips to China. Taiwan authorities escalated their own probe in early July, raiding Super Micro’s local offices and detaining two employees.

Critical Technical Levels for SMCI StockFrom a trend perspective, SMCI is still in a longer-term downtrend: it’s trading 12.6% below its 50-day SMA ($32.69) and 14.3% below its 200-day SMA ($33.35), with the death cross that formed in December 2025 still hanging over the chart. The stock is also down 50.36% over the past 12 months, which helps explain why rallies can run into overhead supply quickly.

Near term, the picture is more constructive, with price 3.4% above the 20-day SMA ($27.63) even as it sits just under the 20-day EMA ($28.72), a sign the rebound is still trying to stabilize. The most recent turning points also frame the current range: a swing high formed in June, followed by a swing low in July, and the stock broke below support in July after breaking above resistance in June.

RSI is the cleaner momentum read right now: at 51.98, it’s neutral, suggesting the stock isn’t stretched to an obvious overbought/oversold extreme as it chops around key moving averages. In plain terms, RSI helps gauge whether buying or selling pressure is getting "too crowded," and this reading points to a market still deciding on direction rather than one that’s already overextended.

Key Resistance: $33.50 — a round-number zone that lines up closely with the 50-day/200-day moving-average area, where rebounds can stall Key Support: $25.50 — a nearby floor to watch after the recent July weakness, with buyers previously stepping in around that zone Super Micro Computer Benzinga Edge Scorecard OverviewBelow is the Benzinga Edge scorecard for Super Micro Computer, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses compared to the broader market:

The Verdict: Super Micro Computer’s Benzinga Edge signal reveals a quality-and-value-leaning setup that’s still fighting weak momentum. For longer-term bulls, the technical "tell" is whether the stock can reclaim the $33.50 area; until then, rallies may remain tactical rather than trend-changing.

SMCI Stock Price Movement During Premarket TradingSMCI Stock Price Activity: Super Micro Computer shares were down 3.93% at $28.64 during premarket trading on Tuesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.

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

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on August 4, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis battery and personal care products company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.86 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -23.9%.

Revenues are expected to be $737.31 million, up 1.7% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. 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 Energizer?For Energizer, 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 -2.33%.

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

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

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Energizer would post earnings of $0.47 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.94, delivering a surprise of +100.00%.

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.

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

Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAnother stock from the Zacks Consumer Products - Staples industry, Clorox (CLX - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $1.64 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -42.9%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $1.91 billion, down 4.1% from the year-ago quarter.

Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for Clorox has been revised 0.4% up to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of -3.52%, reflecting a lower Most Accurate Estimate.

This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Clorox will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.

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

NBT Bancorp NASDAQ: NBTB reported second-quarter net income of $53 million, or $1.02 per diluted common share, as record net interest income, loan growth and fee-based revenue contributed to improved results.

President and CEO Scott Kingsley said the company delivered “significantly stronger earnings” than in the prior-year quarter, with operating earnings rising 15%. Operating return on assets was 1.32% and operating return on tangible equity was 15.61%, while tangible book value per share reached $27.71, up 12.8% from a year earlier.

The company also raised its quarterly cash dividend to $0.40 per share for the third quarter, an 8.1% increase from the prior-year quarter and its 14th consecutive annual dividend increase. NBT repurchased 318,000 shares during the first half of 2026.

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Loan Growth Broadens Across Business Lines Total loans ended the quarter at $11.9 billion, an increase of $276 million, or 2.4%, from Dec. 31, 2025. Chief Financial Officer Annette Burns said all business lines grew during the first six months of the year, including a $178 million increase in commercial loans and a $98 million increase in consumer loans.

Commercial growth was balanced between commercial and industrial lending and commercial real estate relationships, according to Burns. Kingsley said loan activity improved after difficult winter conditions and elevated commercial real estate payoffs affected the first quarter. While he said the company may not replicate second-quarter growth in the second half, he characterized first-half performance as indicative of the company’s capability on a go-forward basis.

Kingsley also cited strong indirect auto lending during the quarter, though he said second-half growth in that category is not expected to match the second-quarter level. He said new indirect auto origination yields declined amid competition, but described the portfolio as fast-turning and low duration, with favorable loss characteristics.

Margin Expansion and Funding Trends Net interest income rose to a record $137 million, up $3 million from the first quarter and more than 10% from the second quarter of 2025. The increase reflected organic growth in interest-earning assets, lower funding costs and one additional calendar day in the quarter, Burns said.

Net interest margin increased one basis point sequentially to 3.73%, and was 14 basis points above the year-earlier level. Management said the balance sheet remains positioned for a range of interest-rate environments, although further movement in earning-asset yields and margin will depend largely on the yield curve and reinvestment of loan and securities portfolio cash flows.

Burns said NBT expects stable to modestly higher margin over the next couple of quarters based on current rates. New originations are expected to be concentrated in commercial lending and residential mortgages, where management sees potential for higher pricing, although competition and deposit acquisition costs could affect that opportunity.

Total deposits stood at $13.5 billion at quarter-end. Deposits declined $205.7 million from March 31, primarily because of seasonal municipal outflows. Nearly 60% of deposits were held in no- and low-cost checking and savings accounts, with a blended cost just below 40 basis points. Total deposit costs fell one basis point during the quarter to 1.33%, while total funding costs declined to 1.41%.

Kingsley said commercial and business banking relationships create opportunities to add deposits through NBT’s treasury management platform. He said deposit growth from newly opened commercial relationships typically develops over quarters rather than weeks, as customers transition their banking activity.

Fee Income, Expenses and Credit Quality Excluding securities gains, non-interest income was $49.6 million, unchanged from the prior quarter and up 5.8% year over year. Retirement plan administration revenue increased 7.8% from a year earlier. Combined quarterly revenue from retirement plan services, wealth management and insurance services exceeded $32 million, and non-interest income represented about 27% of total revenue.

Management said wealth management revenue was affected by the timing of activity-based fees and open personnel positions that affected production during the quarter.

Total operating expenses declined 0.7% sequentially. Salaries and employee benefits were $69 million, rising modestly because of the full-quarter effect of March merit increases, an additional payroll day and higher medical costs. Those factors were partly offset by lower payroll taxes and stock-based compensation expenses. Burns said NBT expects full-year operating expense growth of roughly 2.5% to 3%, with payroll timing, incentive compensation and technology investments contributing to higher expenses in the second half.

Provision expense was $6.1 million, compared with $5.6 million in the first quarter, primarily reflecting loan growth. Loan loss reserves were 1.18% of total loans and covered more than twice the level of nonperforming loans.

Expansion, Micron Activity and M&A Kingsley said NBT continues to benefit from its acquisition of Evans Bancorp, completed more than a year ago, and noted that the Buffalo region generated the highest loan origination volume across the company during the second quarter.

The company is pursuing organic expansion in Southern Maine, Southern New Hampshire and the Rochester, New York, market. Kingsley said NBT opened a branch south of Portland earlier this year and plans another in early 2027. It has also committed to two sites in the greater Rochester market and is evaluating additional locations.

Management also pointed to growing activity around Micron’s semiconductor project near Syracuse. Kingsley said construction has advanced and opportunities are emerging in infrastructure, construction and professional services. He added that workforce training, housing and community development are becoming a greater focus as the project progresses toward expected production in 2030.

On acquisitions, Kingsley said NBT remains in regular discussions with smaller community banks, though there has not been substantial transaction activity in its markets. The company generally views institutions with $1 billion to $3 billion in assets as its preferred range, while also considering smaller firms with differentiated non-interest income businesses.

About NBT Bancorp (NASDAQ:NBTB)NBT Bancorp, Inc NASDAQ: NBTB is the bank holding company for NBT Bank, N.A., a full-service commercial bank that serves both individual and corporate clients across the Northeastern United States. Through its branch network and digital channels, the company offers a comprehensive range of commercial banking services, including business lending, treasury management, cash management and specialized industry financing. Its consumer banking platform provides checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, home mortgages, home equity lines of credit and other lending solutions tailored to meet personal and household financial needs.

In addition to traditional banking, NBT Bancorp delivers wealth management and fiduciary services through its trust division, offering investment advisory, trust administration, retirement planning and estate settlement.

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

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

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on August 4. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis oil and gas company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $5.10 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +119.8%.

Revenues are expected to be $7.95 billion, up 45.2% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 6.25% 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 EOG Resources?For EOG Resources, 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 -2.06%.

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

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

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that EOG Resources would post earnings of $3.07 per share when it actually produced earnings of $3.41, delivering a surprise of +11.07%.

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

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

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

EOG Resources 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.

An Industry Player's Expected ResultsAnother stock from the Zacks Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry, Diamondback Energy (FANG - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $6.08 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +127.7%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $4.82 billion, up 31.1% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for Diamondback has been revised 12.5% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.84%.

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

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

Key Takeaways Kinder Morgan's $9.6 billion backlog is 92% tied to natural gas infrastructure projects.Kinder Morgan is expanding pipeline capacity to meet rising power generation, LNG and data center demand.Kinder Morgan eyes more than $10 billion of additional project opportunities beyond its existing backlog. Kinder Morgan, Inc. (KMI - Free Report) is entering a growth phase shaped by electricity demand, liquefied natural gas development and utility needs rather than a simple commodity-price upswing.

The company’s opportunity centers on contracted infrastructure. Long-term agreements remain the bridge between supply basins and demand centers that need reliable natural gas transportation and storage.

KMI Gains From Power and Utility DemandKinder Morgan’s project backlog stood at $9.6 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2026. Natural gas projects accounted for about 92% of that backlog, keeping the company’s growth agenda focused on its largest infrastructure franchise.

More than 60% of the backlog supports power generation and local distribution company demand. That mix gives KMI a longer-duration channel tied to electric reliability, population growth and the need for additional gas-fired generation.

KMI’s theme overlaps with other midstream names. The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB - Free Report) offers investors another way to evaluate natural gas infrastructure exposure, while ONEOK, Inc. (OKE - Free Report) brings a broader midstream mix that includes natural gas liquids, gas gathering and processing, pipelines and refined products.

Kinder Morgan Targets Data Center GrowthThe Amarillo Expansion shows how digital infrastructure is becoming part of the gas-transportation story. Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America is developing the project to serve Texas Panhandle demand, including additional data center development.

The project is expected to provide up to about 550,000 dekatherms per day of incremental firm transportation capacity. All capacity is fully subscribed under a long-term contract, and the approximately $200 million project carries a Kinder Morgan share of about $75 million.

KMI Builds Capacity for LNG ExpansionKinder Morgan is also developing projects to serve roughly 3 billion cubic feet per day of additional liquefied natural gas demand. That opportunity sits beside more than 10 billion cubic feet per day of power-sector demand under development across its gas pipeline network.

The company’s Gulf Coast position matters because export-related demand requires both pipeline takeaway and storage flexibility. As liquefied natural gas capacity expands, KMI’s links to supply basins may help turn demand growth into contracted transportation projects.

Kinder Morgan Sees a Large Project FunnelKMI’s opportunity set exceeds $10 billion beyond projects already sanctioned. Management said it expects significant additions before year-end, likely more than offsetting about $1 billion of projects expected to enter service during the second half of 2026.

This prospective funnel is separate from the existing backlog. Projects still need commercial support, and management’s process remains contract-driven, with final investment decisions tied to agreements that support acceptable returns.

KMI Faces a Capital-Intensive Growth CycleHigh demand on Kinder Morgan’s gas systems is a favorable signal, but it also changes the growth equation. When assets are already highly utilized, future volume growth increasingly depends on new construction instead of simply filling unused capacity.

That raises execution risk. The company has discussed more than $3 billion of annual expansion capital spending based on the current backlog, while large projects still face permitting, regulatory, cost-control and timing risks.

Kinder Morgan’s Earnings Outlook and Estimate TrendsKinder Morgan’s earnings outlook is tied to a multi-year growth cycle, with consensus EPS expected to rise from 83 cents in 2026 to $1.33 in 2027. While the current quarter estimate shows a year-over-year decline, estimates for second-quarter 2026 earnings, full-year 2026 earnings and full-year 2027 earnings point to improving earnings expectations as power, utility and LNG-related infrastructure demand builds.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

KMI’s Trend Exposure Remains ConcentratedThe bottom line is that power, liquefied natural gas and utility demand may create a multi-year infrastructure cycle for Kinder Morgan. The opportunity is meaningful because it is tied to contracted capacity, not just short-term changes in gas prices.

The concentration also matters. Natural gas projects dominate the backlog, and low-carbon exposure through renewable natural gas and related activities remains limited relative to the scale of the gas buildout.

KMI currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). That rank fits a stock with visible upside drivers but enough uncertainty to keep the investment stance measured. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

KMI has a Momentum Score of A, Value Score of C, Growth Score of C and VGM Score of C.

Its Momentum Score of A supports the idea that the stock has favorable near-term trading characteristics, while its Value Score of C, Growth Score of C and VGM Score of C point to a more neutral broader style profile.

The score mix fits the article’s main takeaway. KMI’s infrastructure-cycle thesis has stronger support from momentum than from standout value or growth signals, so investors may want to weigh the backlog opportunity against execution demands and concentrated gas exposure.

Amkor’s NASDAQ: AMKR Q2 earnings release, the guidance, specifically, left the market wanting a little more, but the revenue miss isn’t the story.

Amkor Technology Today

AMKR

Amkor Technology

$46.38 -14.33 (-23.60%)

As of 11:34 AM Eastern

This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.

52-Week Range$21.57▼

$96.68Dividend Yield0.71%

P/E Ratio26.47

Price Target$68.13

The revenue miss was linked to one-offs, including high-bandwidth (HBM) memory shortages, which are completely out of Amkor’s control, product timing, and an internal shift aimed at unlocking higher-margin business. The real story in 2026 is how Amkor is unlocking higher margins with AI and how margins are expected to continue expanding.

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Amkor is an advanced packager, performing the complicated manufacturing steps required to complete advanced semiconductor products such as NVIDIA’s NASDAQ: NVDA AI-capable GPUs, and its services are in demand. Demand is increasing capacity utilization, improving margins at all levels, and is sufficient to drive capacity expansions as the underlying technology continues to advance. What this means for investors is significant improvement in operating leverage, cash flow, and sustainable increases in shareholder value.

Amkor’s Balance Sheet Reflects Its Strong PositionAmkor’s balance sheet gives a clear indication of its position. Q2 highlights include a 25% year-to-date increase in cash and equivalents, more than $2.5 billion in readily available liquidity, approximately zero net debt, and improving equity. Leverage is low, with long-term debt about 0.55x the equity, leaving the company in a healthy and flexible financial position, able to continue executing strategy while paying dividends. The dividends aren’t substantial, yielding approximately 0.7% as of late July, but help keep sell-side participants interested, a critical factor in 2026.

Analysts are bullish on AMKR this year. They noted soft guidance in their responses to the Q2 release but overlooked the near-term weakness in favor of long-term opportunities, including the recently announced partnership with NVIDIA, which includes $1.5 billion in prepayments intended to support Amkor’s U.S. operations and advanced-packaging expansion. A bonus at face value, the long-term implications are equally bullish, cementing Amkor as a leading provider of advanced-packaging services and critical to AI infrastructure globally.

No rating or price target changes were issued immediately after the release, leaving the trend in place. As it stands, MarketBeat data reveals 11 current ratings and steady coverage, sufficient for a moderate conviction in the consensus Moderate Buy, a 55% Buy-side bias in the data, and an uptrend in the price targets. The only bad news is that consensus offered only 15% upside relative to the pre-release closing price and the high-end limits upside to the recent highs. The caveat is that this market is still in discovery mode with clear tailwinds to drive it; a move to new highs is likely and also indicated by the charts.

Amkor’s Market Is Amid a Secular ShiftAmkor’s summer price action isn’t particularly bullish, with the market correcting from an early-year peak prior to the release, but investors shouldn’t focus too much on the correction. Amkor’s business is amid a secular change, from legacy demand to AI-critical demand, and this shift is reflected in the long-term price action. The monthly chart shows AMKR blasting through its DotCom-era resistance with increasing volume and a MACD convergence.

These signals suggest an inflection point was crossed and bring robust targets into play. The base case is an advance equal to the range preceding the breakout, a move that can add $60 to the breakout point. In this scenario, AMKR’s price action can move up to the $120 level within the next few quarters, and it will likely move higher. Other tech names that have crossed the comparable threshold went on to rise by several hundred basis points.

What the market gets wrong is that Amkor isn’t a legacy manufacturer anymore. Amkor Technology is a high-tech bottleneck in the AI buildout, critical to unleashing capacity. Without it, NVIDIA’s ability to supply GPUs is curtailed, and along with it the remainder of the industry. The deal with NVIDIA deepens its moat, providing a multiyear runway of non-dilutive, no-interest capital to fund its expansion plans. In this scenario, Amkor Technology’s stock price deserves a premium, and there is yet to be one priced into the market.

Amkor’s biggest risk this year is migrating its SiP production from South Korea to Vietnam. The disruption was seen in the Q3 guidance, which included weaker-than-expected revenue growth, but also in the margin. The shift opens capacity for higher-margin manufacturing at the South Korean facility, aiding the outlook for sequential margin improvement. As it stands, gross margin increased by 400 basis points (bps) year over year in Q2 and is expected to continue widening in Q3 and through year’s end.

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Wall Street analysts forecast that Exelon (EXC - Free Report) will report quarterly earnings of $0.43 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to a year-over-year increase of 10.3%. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $5.72 billion, exhibiting an increase of 5.3% compared to the year-ago quarter.

The current level reflects a downward revision of 3.6% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter over the past 30 days. This demonstrates how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reappraised their initial projections over this period.

Prior to a company's earnings release, it is of utmost importance to factor in any revisions made to the earnings projections. These revisions serve as a critical gauge for predicting potential investor behaviors with respect to the stock. Empirical studies consistently reveal a strong link between trends in earnings estimate revisions and the short-term price performance of a stock.

While investors usually depend on consensus earnings and revenue estimates to assess the business performance for the quarter, delving into analysts' forecasts for certain key metrics often provides a more comprehensive understanding.

Bearing this in mind, let's now explore the average estimates of specific Exelon metrics that are commonly monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts.

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Operating revenues- PHI' will likely reach $1.61 billion. The estimate suggests a change of +1.7% year over year.

Analysts forecast 'Operating revenues- BGE' to reach $1.05 billion. The estimate suggests a change of +1.8% year over year.

Analysts expect 'Operating revenues- PECO' to come in at $1.05 billion. The estimate indicates a change of +5.2% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Operating revenues- ComEd' reaching $1.97 billion. The estimate indicates a change of +7.1% from the prior-year quarter.

Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Adjusted Operating Earnings (non-GAAP)- ComEd' should arrive at $290.77 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $228.00 million in the same quarter of the previous year.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Adjusted Operating Earnings (non-GAAP)- PHI' at $146.16 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $144.00 million.

The consensus among analysts is that 'Adjusted Operating Earnings (non-GAAP)- BGE' will reach $49.49 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $55.00 million in the same quarter last year.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Adjusted Operating Earnings (non-GAAP)- PECO' of $122.24 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $136.00 million in the same quarter last year.

View all Key Company Metrics for Exelon here>>>

Over the past month, Exelon shares have remained unchanged versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.7% change. Based on its Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), EXC will likely outperform the overall market in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .