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IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BOOT) today announced that the company will release its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2026 ended March 28, 2026, after the market close on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Management will host a conference call that afternoon (May 14, 2026) at 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT) to discuss the financial results. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (844) 825-9789 at 4:25 p.m.

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BOOT) (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our””) today announced its financial results for the fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended March 28, 2026. A Supplemental Financial Presentation is available at investor.bootbarn.com. For the quarter ended March 28, 2026 compared to the quarter ended March 29, 2025: Net sales increased 18.7% over the prior-year period to $538.8 million. Same store sales increased 6.1%, with retail store.

Boot Barn (BOOT - Free Report) reported $538.75 million in revenue for the quarter ended March 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 18.7%. EPS of $1.45 for the same period compares to $1.22 a year ago.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of +1.13% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $532.75 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $1.43, the EPS surprise was +1.4%.

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

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

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

Same Store Sales growth/(decline): 6.1% compared to the 4.4% average estimate based on three analysts.Store Count - Opened/Acquired: 25 versus the two-analyst average estimate of 15.Average retail store selling square footage, end of period: 11,404 versus the two-analyst average estimate of 11,304.Store Count (EOP): 539 versus the two-analyst average estimate of 529.Total retail store selling square footage, end of period: 6.15 million versus 5.95 million estimated by two analysts on average.View all Key Company Metrics for Boot Barn here>>>

Shares of Boot Barn have returned -8.1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +8.2% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), indicating that it could underperform the broader market in the near term.

3 Retailers Poised to Outmaneuver Tariff and Recession ConcernsBoot Barn NYSE: BOOT reported record fiscal 2026 sales and earnings, with executives pointing to continued store expansion, gains in same-store sales and increased penetration of exclusive brands as key drivers of the western and workwear retailer’s performance.

Chief Executive Officer John Hazen said on the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call that fiscal 2026 revenue rose 18% to $2.25 billion, while earnings per diluted share increased 25% to $7.35. The company opened a record 80 new stores during the year and ended the fiscal year with 539 locations.

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3 Small Caps Drawing Insider and Institutional Support“I am very pleased with our fiscal 2026 results, which reflect strong performance across key metrics, broad-based strength across the business, and unprecedented sales and earnings for the company,” Hazen said.

For the fourth quarter, Boot Barn said total revenue increased 19% to $539 million. Consolidated same-store sales rose 6.1%, including a 5.2% increase in retail store comps and a 14.1% increase in e-commerce comps. Earnings per diluted share rose 19% to $1.45, compared with $1.22 in the prior-year period.

Store Growth Remains Central to Expansion Plan Abercrombie & Fitch Hits 12-Year High...Is It Still Undervalued?Hazen said the company’s new-store strategy continues to perform ahead of expectations. Over the past five years, Boot Barn has opened 267 stores, doubling its store count. Those stores contributed more than $750 million in incremental revenue in fiscal 2026, according to Hazen.

The company said new stores are on track, on average, to generate about $3.2 million in annual sales in their first full year and pay back their initial investment in less than two years. Hazen said stores opened within the past five years contributed about 150 basis points to consolidated same-store sales growth in fiscal 2026.

Boot Barn is targeting 1,200 stores across the U.S. over the long term. Chief Financial Officer Jim Watkins said the company plans to open 70 stores in fiscal 2027, down from an original plan of 80 because 10 stores were accelerated into the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026. About 25 new stores are expected to open in the first quarter, with the remaining 45 spread relatively evenly through the rest of the year.

During the question-and-answer session, Hazen said one of two planned high-traffic, high-visibility stores will be located on the Las Vegas Strip, while the other will be in Southern California.

Exclusive Brands and Work Boots Drive Strategic Focus Hazen highlighted progress on three priorities he introduced during his first year as CEO: building a sourcing organization, marketing exclusive brands as standalone brands and reinvigorating the work boot business.

The company’s sourcing organization is now fully built out, Hazen said, with run-rate benefits expected to begin late in fiscal 2027 and during fiscal 2028. He said the team’s mitigation efforts and factory negotiations helped drive margin expansion as the tariff environment evolved.

Boot Barn also expanded its efforts to market exclusive brands independently. The company launched dedicated websites for Cody James, Hawx, Shyanne and Cleo & Wolf, in addition to its existing Idyllwind site. Hazen said the sites have helped with brand storytelling and new customer acquisition.

Exclusive brand penetration increased 220 basis points for the full year to 40.8%, with fourth-quarter penetration up 90 basis points. Over the past six years, exclusive brand penetration has risen 1,900 basis points. Hazen said Boot Barn remains confident in its long-term target of 50% of sales from exclusive brands, though fiscal 2027 penetration is expected to rise more modestly to 41.3% as the company grows sales in work boots with third-party vendors.

Hazen said the work boot business exited fiscal 2026 with four consecutive quarters of accelerating comp sales growth and maintained momentum into the start of fiscal 2027. In the fourth quarter, work boots delivered mid-single-digit comp growth. Through the first six weeks of the new fiscal year, Hazen said work boots were trending up in the high single digits.

Margins, Inventory and Share Repurchases Watkins said fourth-quarter merchandise margin decreased 30 basis points, outperforming company guidance. Better-than-expected product margin expansion of 40 basis points was offset by a 70-basis-point headwind from cycling low shrink and low freight expense in the prior-year period. Buying, occupancy and distribution center costs deleveraged by 50 basis points, primarily due to new-store occupancy costs.

SG&A expenses were $139 million, or 25.7% of sales, representing a 50-basis-point improvement from the prior year. Income from operations was $57 million, or 10.6% of sales.

Inventory increased 13% year over year to $845 million, reflecting new-store growth, exclusive brands and inventory purchased at a volume discount. Watkins said inventory decreased slightly on a same-store basis and markdowns as a percentage of inventory remained below historical levels.

The company repurchased more than 68,000 shares in the quarter for $12.5 million under its $200 million share repurchase authorization. Fiscal 2026 repurchases totaled $50 million for about 287,000 shares. Boot Barn ended the quarter with $141 million in cash and no borrowings on its $250 million revolving credit facility.

Fiscal 2027 Outlook Calls for Continued Growth At the high end of its fiscal 2027 guidance range, Boot Barn expects total sales of $2.6 billion, representing 16% growth over fiscal 2026. The company expects same-store sales to increase 4%, including a 3% increase in retail store comps and 13% growth in e-commerce comps.

Watkins said the fiscal 2027 outlook assumes merchandise margin of about 51.4% of sales, up 50 basis points year over year, driven by buying economies of scale, moderated promotional activity, supply chain efficiencies and increased exclusive brand penetration. Gross profit rate is expected to deleverage by 20 basis points to about 37.9% of sales, while SG&A is expected to leverage by 40 basis points.

Boot Barn expects income from operations of $353 million, or 13.5% of sales, and net income of $265 million. Earnings per diluted share are projected to grow 18% to $8.64. Capital expenditures are expected to total $130 million.

For the first quarter, the company guided for total sales of $584 million at the high end of the range and consolidated same-store sales growth of 4%. Earnings per diluted share are expected to be $1.71, compared with $1.74 a year earlier. Watkins said the year-over-year decline reflects a difficult comparison with an “extremely strong” first quarter in the prior year.

Early Fiscal 2027 Trends Remain Positive Hazen said that through the first six weeks of the fiscal first quarter, consolidated same-store sales were up 5%, cycling high-single-digit growth in the prior-year period. He described the growth as broad-based across categories and geographies, with strength in work boots, denim, men’s western boots and women’s apparel. Women’s boots were softer against a mid-teens comp increase in the prior-year first quarter.

Executives said they had not observed meaningful divergence in purchasing behavior across low-, middle- and high-income customers. Watkins said the company’s guidance reflects recent customer trends and does not assume potential impacts from changes in the macroeconomic environment. The outlook also excludes potential recovery of about $18 million in IEPA tariff refunds that the company is pursuing.

Hazen also discussed Boot Barn’s first year as the official boot retailer for Stagecoach, the country music festival. He said the company hosted events at local stores and on-site at the festival and sponsored the Mustang Stage, which was streamed by Amazon. Hazen said the partnership could support broader brand awareness and customer acquisition over time.

About Boot Barn NYSE: BOOTBoot Barn, Inc is a leading specialty retailer focused on western and work-related footwear, apparel and accessories. The company operates full-price and outlet retail stores under the Boot Barn and BootBarn.com brands, offering a wide assortment of cowboy boots, work boots, casual and fashion footwear, western and work apparel, hats, belts and related accessories. In addition to its brick-and-mortar network, Boot Barn maintains an e-commerce platform to serve customers seeking ranch-and-rodeo style clothing and rugged workwear from coast to coast.

Founded in 1978 in Southern California, Boot Barn began as a single store catering to ranchers, farmworkers and western enthusiasts.

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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Stock futures are cooling off from yesterday's records, as tech steps back and investors digest the final takeaways from President Donald Trump's summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. There were no clear breakthroughs in policies, though both agreed the Strait of Hormuz must remain open. S&P 500 Index (SPX) futures are notably lower, while the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are off over 400 points, respectively.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude is once again moving higher, up 3.4% after President Trump noted China will purchase oil from the U.S. The 10-year Treasury yield is surging as well, last seen up 5.1%, just shy of an annual high.

Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White sees whether or not large caps are ruling this market rally. Get ahead and grab this 3D printing stock before summer. Plus, semiconductor name brushing off a Q2 beat; diabetes stock surging; and a post-earnings pop for BOOT.

5 Things You Need to Know Today The Cboe Options Exchange saw more than 3.3 million call contracts and 1.7 million put contracts traded on Thursday. The single-session equity put/call ratio rose to 0.51, while the 21-day moving average stayed at 0.59. Applied Materials Inc (NASDAQ:AMAT) stock is 1.7% lower ahead of the open, the semiconductor name brushing off a fiscal second-quarter earnings and revenue beat. Several brokerages have hiked their price target in response to the report. AMAT has been an outperformer in 2026, already having added 71%. DexCom Inc (NASDAQ:DXCM) stock is up 4.3% before the bell, after making an agreement with Elliott Investment Management to add two new members to its board. The diabetes supply maker has struggled this calendar year, now off 12.9%. Footwear retailer Boot Barn Holdings Inc (NYSE:BOOT) is moving 8% higher in electronic trading after posting a notable fiscal fourth-quarter earnings and revenue beat. BOOT is sitting flat on the quarter but is clinging to a 10% year-over-year gian. What's joining Nvidia earnings on next week's docket?

Asian, European Markets Tumble Asia-Pacific markets fell broadly Friday as South Korea’s Kospi tumbled more than 6%, retreating from a fresh record after briefly breaching 8,000, dragged down by heavyweight tech stocks Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Elsewhere, Japan’s Nikkei slid 2%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng shed 1.6%, and China’s Shanghai Composite fell 1%, as President Trump departed Beijing after two days of trade talks with China’s Xi Jinping.

European stocks are also tumbling Friday as inflation fears return to the forefront after a string of higher-than-anticipated U.S. economic data and a surge in crude. At last check, London’s FTSE 100 is down 1.9%, while Germany’s DAX is off 2%, and France’s CAC 40 is 1.6% lower.

Key Takeaways Kontoor Brands sees outdoor wear as a durable growth market within a $400B global opportunity.KTB views Helly Hansen's low U.S. brand awareness as a major long-term growth opportunity.Kontoor Brands is investing in innovation, footwear and expansion to boost outdoor growth. Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT - Free Report) posted fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with both the top and bottom lines surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Both the top and bottom lines saw strong year-over-year growth.

BOOT Q4 Results: Key InsightsThe company reported earnings of $1.45 per share, which rose 18.9% from $1.22 per share in the year-ago period. The metric surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.43.

Net sales increased 18.7% year over year to $538.8 million from $453.7 million in the prior-year period, and came in ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $533 million. The increase was driven by incremental sales from new stores and higher consolidated same-store sales.

Consolidated same-store sales rose 6.1%, which was higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 4.4% growth. This growth was mainly driven by a 5.2% increase in retail store same-store sales and a 14.1% increase in e-commerce same-store sales.

Boot Barn opened 25 new stores during the quarter, bringing its store count to 539 at quarter's end.

Boot Barn's Margin & Cost PerformanceGross profit increased 16.1% to $195.7 million from $168.6 million in the prior-year period, supported by higher sales growth. However, gross margin declined 80 basis points to 36.3% from 37.1% in the prior-year period, mainly due to deleverage in buying, occupancy and distribution center costs, along with a 30-basis-point decline in merchandise margin. The merchandise margin decline reflected the impact of cycling unusually low shrink and freight expenses from the prior year, partially offset by improved buying scale efficiencies and higher penetration of exclusive brands.

Selling, General & Administrative expenses (SG&A) were $138.5 million, up 16.5% from $118.9 million in the prior-year period. SG&A, as a percentage of sales, was 25.7% compared with 26.2% a year ago. Higher store payroll and store-related expenses tied to a larger fleet, along with increased marketing spend, drove the year-over-year dollar increase, while leverage on the higher sales base helped the rate improve.

Income from operations increased 15.2% year over year to $57.2 million from $49.7 million. The operating income margin declined 40 basis points to 10.6% from 11% in the prior-year period.

Boot Barn’s Financial PositionBoot Barn ended fiscal 2026 with cash and cash equivalents of $141 million, up from $69.8 million at the prior-year end. The company also noted that average inventory per store declined about 0.6% on a same-store basis compared with fiscal 2025 and that it had nothing drawn on its $250 million revolving credit facility.

Cash generation strengthened meaningfully. Net cash provided by operating activities was $304.9 million in fiscal 2026 compared with $147.5 million in fiscal 2025, while capital spending totaled $178.6 million. Boot Barn repurchased 68,472 shares for $12.5 million during the quarter and 286,504 shares for $50 million during fiscal 2026 under its $200 million authorization.

BOOT Lays Out Fiscal 2027 OutlookFor fiscal 2027, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company expects to open 70 stores, in addition to 10 stores that were accelerated into the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026. The company guided to total sales of $2.578-$2.623 billion, implying 14%-16% growth, and consolidated same-store sales growth of 2%-4%, with retail same-store sales growth of 1%-3% and e-commerce same-store sales growth of 11%-13%.

The outlook also calls for merchandise margin of $1.326-$1.349 billion, or approximately 51.4% of sales. The gross profit is expected to be in the range of $971-$994 million, or about 37.7%-37.9% of sales. SG&A expenses are expected to be in the range of $636-$641 million or 24.7%-24.4% of sales and income from operations of $335-$353 million, or roughly 13%-13.5% of sales. Earnings per share are expected to be between $8.21 and $8.64. Capital expenditure is estimated to be in the range of $125-$130 million.

For the first quarter of fiscal 2027, the company expects total sales between $574 million and $584 million, representing year-over-year growth of 14% to 16%. Consolidated same-store sales are projected to increase 2% to 4%, supported by retail same-store sales growth of 1% to 3% and stronger e-commerce same-store sales growth of 12% to 14%.

The company expects merchandise margin of $295-$300 million, or 51.5% of sales, and gross profit margins between $213 million and $218 million, or 37.1% and 37.3%. SG&A is projected to be between $147 million and $149 million, or 25.7%- 25.5% of sales, with operating income expected to be between $65 million and $69 million, or 11.4%-11.9% of sales, while earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $1.62-$1.71.

The company’s shares have plunged 10.6% in the past year compared with the industry’s decline of 8%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:

Tapestry, Inc. (TPR - Free Report) provides accessories and lifestyle brand products in North America, Greater China, the rest of Asia, and internationally. At present, TPR flaunts a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TPR’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 13.2% and 36.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. TPR has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.6%, on average.

Victoria’s Secret & Co. operates as a specialty retailer of women's intimate apparel and other apparel and beauty products worldwide. At present, VSCO carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Victoria's Secret’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 6.2% and 16.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. VSCO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 55.1%, on average.

Levi Strauss & Co. (LEVI - Free Report) designs, markets, and sells apparel and related accessories for men, women, and children in the United States and internationally. At present, LEVI carries a Zacks Rank of 2.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LEVI’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 5.2% and 11.9%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. LEVI has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.4%, on average. 

What happenedAccording to an SEC filing dated May 13, 2026, Southernsun Asset Management added 79,127 shares of Boot Barn Holdings (BOOT 1.85%), bringing its total position to 272,348 shares. The estimated transaction value, calculated using the average unadjusted closing price from January through March 2026, was approximately $14.35 million. The quarter-end value of the position increased by $5.76 million, reflecting both share price movements and share changes.

What else to knowThe fund increased its Boot Barn Holdings stake, which now represents 5.78% of its 13F reportable assets under management.Top holdings after the filing:NYSE:DAR: $48.25 million (7% of AUM)NYSE:MUSA: $41.89 million (6.1% of AUM)NYSE:LPX: $35.35 million (5.1% of AUM) NASDAQ:EXTR: $34.65 million (5.0% of AUM)As of May 12, 2026, shares were priced at $144.80, up 8.6% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 18.01 percentage points.Company overviewMetricValueRevenue (TTM)$2.17 billionNet income (TTM)$218.98 millionPrice (as of market close May 12, 2026)$144.80One-year price change8.6%Company snapshotOffers western and work-related footwear, apparel, and accessories, including boots, shirts, denim, outerwear, and flame-resistant clothing, as well as gifts and home merchandise.Operates a specialty retail model through a network of physical stores and multiple e-commerce platforms, generating revenue from both in-store and online sales.Targets men, women, and children seeking western lifestyle and workwear products across the United States, serving both individual consumers and professionals in need of rugged apparel.Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. is a leading U.S. specialty retailer focused on western and workwear apparel, operating over 300 stores nationwide and a robust e-commerce presence. The company's strategy emphasizes a broad product assortment, omnichannel distribution, and a strong brand portfolio to capture demand from both lifestyle and work-focused consumers.

What this transaction means for investorsSouthernSun has a well-diversified portfolio of holdings. Boot Barn Holdings sat in the No. 6 spot last quarter, and with this investment, it rose to the No. 3 largest by value. So, this acquisition signals the asset manager’s consistent confidence in the company’s performance.

At the end of its fiscal year 2026, Boot Barn reported record revenue, a 6% growth in same-store sales, and solid net income and cash flow. Also, it plans to open 70 new retail stores during its fiscal year 2027. This growth is impressive, especially amid concerns about inflation. Many are cutting back on nonessential purchases, but although Boot Barn is known for fashionable western wear, it also sells a wide range of durable work boots and clothing, for which there is always demand.

Individual investors may be wary of investing in retail in today’s market, but this is a case where being selective pays off. By choosing retailers of essential merchandise rather than trendy items, investors may find that retail remains a solid option for diversifying their portfolios.

Pamela Kock has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Live Oak Bancshares. The Motley Fool recommends Boot Barn, Darling Ingredients, and Murphy USA and recommends the following options: short July 2026 $55 calls on Darling Ingredients. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Key Takeaways Boot Barn's exclusive brands reach 40.8% of fiscal 2026 sales, up 220 basis points.Boot Barn expands digital reach with new websites for Cody James and Hawx brands.BOOT expects merchandise margin to rise 50 basis points in fiscal 2027. Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.’s (BOOT - Free Report) exclusive brands continue to emerge as a major growth driver, supporting higher merchandise margins, stronger customer engagement and improving long-term profitability. For fiscal 2026, merchandise margin increased 80 basis points and exceeded initial expectations, supported by continued growth in exclusive brand penetration. Exclusive brands represented 40.8% of sales during the year, up 220 basis points year over year, while in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, brand penetration increased 90 basis points. Management also noted that exclusive brand penetration has expanded by 1,900 basis points over the past six years, underscoring the long-term success of the company’s brand strategy.

Additionally, the company continued to strengthen its exclusive brand strategy by refining merchandising and brand positioning efforts to establish its labels as standalone brands. These initiatives contributed to sales penetration growth. Over the past year, the company launched dedicated websites for Cody James, Hawx, Cheyenne and CLEO & WOLF, complementing its existing legacy brand platform. Management also highlighted strong brand storytelling, positive customer acquisition trends and ongoing marketing support through TikTok.

Boot Barn Holdings expects merchandise margin to reach 51.4% of sales in fiscal 2027, representing a 50 basis-point year-over-year increase. Management highlighted several drivers expected to support continued margin expansion, including higher exclusive brand penetration. The company also reiterated confidence in achieving its long-term objective of exclusive brands accounting for 50% of total sales.

Overall, Boot Barn’s growing exclusive brand portfolio continues to strengthen merchandise margins, enhance customer engagement and support long-term profitability through differentiated products and expanding digital brand presence.

The Zacks Rundown for BOOTBOOT’s shares have lost 1.5% in the past year against the industry’s growth of 4.1%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, BOOT trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 17.68, higher than the industry’s average of 15.19. BOOT presently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BOOT’s current and next fiscal year earnings implies a year-over-year rise of 16.5% and 15.9%, respectively.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:

Tapestry, Inc. (TPR - Free Report) provides accessories and lifestyle brand products in North America, Greater China, the rest of Asia, and internationally. At present, TPR sports a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TPR’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 13.2% and 36.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. TPR has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.6%, on average.

Victoria’s Secret & Co. operates as a specialty retailer of women's intimate apparel and other apparel and beauty products worldwide. At present, VSCO carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Victoria's Secret’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 6.2% and 16.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. VSCO delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 55.1%, on average.

Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN - Free Report) offers lifestyle products and services in the United States and internationally. At present, URBN carries a Zacks Rank of 2.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for URBN’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 8.5% and 9.7%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. URBN has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 12.2%, on average.

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IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BOOT) today announced participation in the following investor conferences:

William Blair 46th Annual Growth Stock Conference
Date: June 2, 2026
Webcast Fireside Chat: 9:40 am Eastern Time TD Cowen 10th Annual Future of the Consumer Conference
Date: June 3, 2026
Webcast Fireside Chat: 2:00 pm Eastern Time
Baird 2026 Global Consumer, Technology & Services Conference
Date: June 4, 2026 The William Blair Fireside Chat and TD Cowen Fireside Chat will be webcast live over the internet and can also be accessed at HTTP://INVESTOR.BOOTBARN.COM. Online archives will be available for a period of 90 days following the Fireside Chats.

About Boot Barn

Boot Barn is the nation’s leading lifestyle retailer of western and work-related footwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and children. The Company offers its loyal customer base a wide selection of work and lifestyle brands. As of the date of this release, Boot Barn operates 555 stores in 49 states. For more information, call 888-Boot-Barn or visit www.bootbarn.com.

More News From Boot Barn

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Key Takeaways Boot Barn grows fiscal 2026 EPS by 25%, supported by execution of key strategic initiatives.BOOT doubles its store base in five years and targets 1,200 U.S. stores over the long term.BOOT expands merchandise margins and exclusive brand penetration, supporting 2027 EPS growth. Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT - Free Report) delivered a significantly strong fiscal 2026 performance, with earnings per share increasing 25% to $7.35. The company attributed the results to its continued commitment to its strategic initiatives, which played a key role in driving both revenue growth and profitability.

The company’s store expansion strategy is a key initiative supporting the earnings growth momentum. Over the past five years, the company opened 267 stores, doubling its store base to 539 locations. These new stores contributed more than $750 million in incremental fiscal 2026 revenue and exceeded expectations for sales, earnings and payback. Boot Barn plans to open 70 new stores in fiscal 2026, and remains focused on growing its footprint as it progresses toward its long-term goal of operating 1,200 stores across the United States.

Additionally, merchandise margin expansion and exclusive brand penetration remain key growth drivers. Merchandise margin increased 80 basis points in fiscal 2026, exceeding management’s initial expectations. Exclusive brand penetration also rose 220 basis points to 40.8%, continuing a multi-year growth trend. Looking ahead, management expects further gains in exclusive brand penetration to reach 41.3% in fiscal 2027, with merchandise margin expected to reach approximately 51.4% of sales, representing a 50-basis-point year-over-year improvement.

Boot Barn remains confident that its strategic initiatives will continue to support both near-term performance and long-term growth. As a result, the company expects its earnings per share growth to continue in fiscal 2027, with earnings per share projected to increase 18% year over year to $8.64, reflecting continued double-digit growth momentum despite a more moderate growth rate.

The Zacks Rundown for BOOTThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for BOOT’s current and next fiscal year earnings implies a year-over-year rise of 16.5% and 15.9%, respectively.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, BOOT trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 19.24, higher than the industry’s average of 14.88.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

BOOT’s shares have gained 2.6% in the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 2.8%. BOOT presently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:

Tapestry, Inc. (TPR - Free Report) provides accessories and lifestyle brand products in North America, Greater China, the rest of Asia, and internationally. At present, TPR sportsa Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TPR’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 13.8% and 36.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. TPR has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.6%, on average.

Fossil Group, Inc. (FOSL - Free Report) designs, develops, markets, and distributes consumer fashion accessories in the United States, Europe, Asia, and internationally. At present, FOSL carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FOSL’s current fiscal-year sales indicates a decline of 4.9%, while the same for earnings indicates growth of 87.6%  from the year-ago figures. FOSL delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 381.8%, on average.

Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN - Free Report) offers lifestyle products and services in the United States and internationally. At present, URBN carries a Zacks Rank of 2.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for URBN’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 8.5% and 9.7%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. URBN has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 12.2%, on average. 

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

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What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

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

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.

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

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

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

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

Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.93% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

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To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

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

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

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

Stock to Watch: Labcorp Holdings (LH - Free Report) Headquartered in Burlington, NC, Labcorp Holdings, Inc. or Labcorp, is a leading healthcare diagnostics company, providing comprehensive clinical laboratory services and end-to-end drug development support. In 2015, Labcorp acquired NJ based Covance, a drug development services company providing a wide range of early stage and late-stage product development services on a worldwide basis primarily to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

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

It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 14.56; value investors should take notice.

For fiscal 2026, two analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.02 to $17.67 per share. LH boasts an average earnings surprise of +3.1%.

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

Labcorp Holdings Inc. (LH) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

A downtrend has been apparent in Labcorp Holdings (LH - Free Report) lately. While the stock has lost 6% over the past two weeks, it could witness a trend reversal as a hammer chart pattern was formed in its last trading session. This could mean that the bulls have been able to counteract the bears to help the stock find support.

While the formation of a hammer pattern is a technical indication of nearing a bottom with potential exhaustion of selling pressure, rising optimism among Wall Street analysts about the future earnings of this medical laboratory operator is a solid fundamental factor that enhances the prospects of a trend reversal for the stock.

Understanding Hammer Chart and the Technique to Trade ItThis is one of the popular price patterns in candlestick charting. A minor difference between the opening and closing prices forms a small candle body, and a higher difference between the low of the day and the open or close forms a long lower wick (or vertical line). The length of the lower wick being at least twice the length of the real body, the candle resembles a 'hammer.'

In simple terms, during a downtrend, with bears having absolute control, a stock usually opens lower compared to the previous day's close, and again closes lower. On the day the hammer pattern is formed, maintaining the downtrend, the stock makes a new low. However, after eventually finding support at the low of the day, some amount of buying interest emerges, pushing the stock up to close the session near or slightly above its opening price.

When it occurs at the bottom of a downtrend, this pattern signals that the bears might have lost control over the price. And, the success of bulls in stopping the price from falling further indicates a potential trend reversal.

Hammer candles can occur on any timeframe -- such as one-minute, daily, weekly -- and are utilized by both short-term as well as long-term investors.

Like every technical indicator, the hammer chart pattern has its limitations. Particularly, as the strength of a hammer depends on its placement on the chart, it should always be used in conjunction with other bullish indicators.

Here's What Makes the Trend Reversal More Likely for LHThere has been an upward trend in earnings estimate revisions for LH lately, which can certainly be considered a bullish indicator on the fundamental side. That's because a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions usually translates into price appreciation in the near term.

Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 1.7%. What it means is that the sell-side analysts covering LH are majorly in agreement that the company will report better earnings than they predicted earlier.

If this is not enough, you should note that LH currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which means it is in the top 20% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on trends in earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises. And stocks carrying a Zacks Rank #1 or 2 usually outperform the market. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Moreover, a Zacks Rank of 2 for Labcorp is a more conclusive indication of a potential trend reversal, as the Zacks Rank has proven to be an excellent timing indicator that helps investors identify precisely when a company's prospects are beginning to improve.

MyLabcorp connects lab results, educational content and AI-enabled features in a secure, personalized mobile experience Leverages OpenAI models designed to help users understand their results, ask questions and identify patterns over time , /PRNewswire/ -- Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a global leader of innovative and comprehensive laboratory services, today announced the launch of MyLabcorp™, an AI-powered mobile app that brings together lab results, AI-enabled features and clinical guideline-based content in a secure, personalized mobile experience. The app is designed to give users additional context about their health and support more informed conversations with healthcare providers.

MyLabcorp

MyLabcorp

MyLabcorp

MyLabcorp

MyLabcorp Meeting Demand for Clearer Health Information
As healthcare becomes increasingly consumer-driven, individuals are turning to AI tools to help interpret health information, from understanding lab results to determining next steps in care. According to a Labcorp survey, more than half of consumers (55%) view AI as important for understanding healthcare information, with many already using it to interpret lab results (41%) and understand test ranges (35%). However, many AI tools answer questions in isolation without broader clinical context. MyLabcorp aims to address this gap by enabling users to view their Labcorp test results alongside relevant educational content and AI-generated explanations based on available data over time.

"Consumers are increasingly turning to AI to help them make sense of their health, but trust and clinical context matter," said Amy Summy, EVP and chief marketing officer at Labcorp. "By bringing together Labcorp's deep scientific expertise with AI, MyLabcorp is designed to help individuals move beyond isolated results to gain deeper insights into their health and support more informed conversations with their healthcare providers."

A More Connected, Intuitive Way to Understand Health
Key features of MyLabcorp include:

Lab results over time – Users have access to their Labcorp test results in a mobile-friendly view that tracks trends over time. AI‑enabled insights – Users can chat with an AI assistant for real‑time, personalized explanations of lab results and lifestyle considerations based on available Labcorp test data. MyLabcorp's AI capabilities are powered in part by OpenAI's advanced reasoning models, enabling more natural, conversational interactions tailored to each user. Health education content – Users can explore clinically reviewed, guideline-based information across key health areas, including cardiometabolic health, mental health, digestion, kidney function and sexual health, integrated with lab results to show trends and provide additional context. Lab services and support – Users can view and schedule appointments, locate patient service centers, access results, shop for tests and manage billing. Secure, trusted experience – A HIPAA‑compliant platform built to protect personal health information and user data. "At Labcorp, we're investing in advanced technology and AI to make diagnostic insights more accessible, personalized and actionable, improving how people understand and manage their health," said Bola Oyegunwa, Ph.D., EVP and chief information and technology officer at Labcorp. "MyLabcorp reflects this approach by combining Labcorp's scientific expertise with OpenAI's models to help individuals better understand their results and identify patterns over time, all within a secure, trusted environment."

Availability of MyLabcorp1
MyLabcorp is now available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store with additional features rolling out on an ongoing basis.

To learn more, visit https://www.labcorp.com/patients/mylabcorp

About Labcorp
Labcorp (NYSE: LH) is a global leader of innovative and comprehensive laboratory services that helps doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers and patients make clear and confident decisions. We provide insights and advance science to improve health and improve lives through our unparalleled diagnostics and drug development laboratory capabilities. The company's nearly 71,000 employees serve clients in approximately 100 countries, provided support for more than 85% of the new drugs and therapeutic products approved by the FDA in 2025 and performed more than 750 million tests for patients around the world. Learn more at www.labcorp.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements with respect to the expected utility and benefits of MyLabcorp.

Each of the forward-looking statements is subject to change based on various important factors, many of which are beyond the company's control. These factors, in some cases, have affected and in the future (together with other factors) could affect the company's ability to implement the company's business strategy, and actual results could differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of the forward-looking statements.

The company has no obligation to provide any updates to these forward-looking statements even if its expectations change. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Further information on potential factors, risks and uncertainties that could affect operating and financial results is included in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading RISK FACTORS and in the company's other filings with the SEC. The information in this press release should be read in conjunction with a review of the company's filings with the SEC including the information in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading "MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS."

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1

MyLabcorp is designed to support understanding and wellness and does not provide medical diagnoses or treatment recommendations. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional with medical questions or concerns.

SOURCE Labcorp

Key Takeaways Labcorp expanded specialty testing in oncology, neurology and genetic testing to drive growth.LH invested $202M in acquisitions and expanded partnerships with Roche, SOMOS and PathAI.Labcorp expects 2026 revenue growth of 5.4% as earnings estimates rose 1.9% in 30 days. Labcorp Holdings Inc. (LH - Free Report) or Labcorp’s ongoing momentum in the high-growth specialty testing areas continues to support its prospects. The company is strengthening its position as a top partner for health systems and regional local laboratories to expand access to its broad test portfolio. It leverages AI and advanced technologies to enhance margins and customer experience. Yet, macroeconomic headwinds and currency fluctuations may hurt Labcorp’s results of operations.

Over the past year, this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock has risen 5.5% compared with the industry’s 1.9% jump and the S&P 500 composite’s 32.5% growth.

The renowned healthcare diagnostics company has a market capitalization of $21.11 billion. LH has an earnings yield of 7% compared with the industry’s 4.4% yield. Labcorp surpassed earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 3.3%.

Let’s dive deeper.

Tailwinds for LabcorpFocus on High-Growth Areas: Labcorp continues to expand its business in specialty testing areas such as oncology, women’s health, autoimmune disease and neurology, which are expected to grow up to three times faster than other therapeutic areas. The company supported the development of more than 85% of new drugs approved by the FDA last year, including in these core specialty areas. Neurology experienced double-digit growth in the first quarter of 2026, driven by an expanded Alzheimer's testing portfolio. Oncology growth was supported by the launch of several liquid biopsy tests and expanded access to MRD solutions over the past year.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The integration of Invitae has further expanded its reach in genetic testing solutions. Labcorp is also collaborating with Illumina to advance precision oncology through applications of next-generation sequencing (NGS) solutions across the healthcare ecosystem. The consumer health platform, Labcorp OnDemand, delivered double-digit growth in the first quarter, supported by its expanded offerings.

Strategic Acquisitions and Partnerships to Drive Growth: In recent years, Labcorp has built a significant number of strategic relationships with health systems and regional/local laboratories, expanding its patient and provider network, and strengthening its presence in key markets. In the first quarter of 2026, it invested $202 million in acquisitions. Enterprise revenues grew 5.8% year over year, with net acquisitions contributing 1.4%.

Recent activities include the purchase of select assets of Crouse Health’s Laboratory Alliance of Central New York’s (Lab Alliance) laboratory business and an agreement to manage their daily inpatient lab operations. Labcorp completed the acquisition of select assets of New York-based Empire City Laboratories. LH is the first U.S. commercial laboratory with an agreement to implement Roche’s cobas Mass Spec solution, which automates the entire workflow, from sample preparation to result interpretation. The company also signed a new multi-year partnership agreement with SOMOS, one of the largest Independent Practice Associations (IPAs) of community-based primary care and specialty providers in New York.

Focus on Operational Efficiency: Labcorp continues to benefit from its launchpad initiatives, which target $100-$125 million in savings annually. In the first quarter of 2026, the company expanded its collaboration with PathAI to deploy an FDA-cleared digital pathology platform across its national anatomic pathology labs and hospital lab partnerships. Together with Amazon Web Services and Datavant, Labcorp is developing a new AI-powered real-world data platform to accelerate Alzheimer's research.

More recently, Labcorp teamed up with Optum.ai to simplify laboratory operations by advancing AI. Across its core operations, AI and automation are already deployed in areas such as pathology, cytology and microbiology. Labcorp’s generative AI tool, Test Finder, is designed to simplify lab test selection and is also integrated into Labcorp Diagnostic Assistant.

What Ails LH Stock?Exposed to Currency Headwind: Labcorp's huge exposure in international markets makes it vulnerable to currency fluctuations. With the recent upward trend observed in the value of the U.S. dollar, further acceleration expected by analysts in this value will cause the company’s revenues to face a tough situation overseas.

Macroeconomic Risks: Labcorp’s operations are heavily dependent on the demand for diagnostic testing and drug development services from patients, physicians, hospitals, medical device companies and others. In recent times, volatilities in global economic conditions, including inflation, have significantly reduced the demand for these services, affecting the customers’ ability to pay and the company’s profitability. Added to this, the escalation of the present geopolitical tensions and retaliatory tariffs is putting pressure on the supply chain and services, increasing the prices of offerings.

LH Stock Estimate TrendOver the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Labcorp’s 2026 earnings has increased 1.9% to $17.99.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 revenues is pegged at $14.70 billion, suggesting a 5.4% improvement from the prior year.

Key PicksSome better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Globus Medical (GMED - Free Report) , Align Technology (ALGN - Free Report) and Integra LifeSciences (IART - Free Report) .

Globus Medical has an earnings yield of 6.1% compared to the industry’s negative 1.1% yield. Its earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 26.3%. GMED shares have rallied 43.5% against the industry’s 4.2% fall over the past year.

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

Align Technology, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 10.3% for fiscal 2026 compared with the industry’s 9.5% growth. Shares of the company have dropped 4.6% compared to the industry’s 3.7% rise. ALGN’s earnings outpaced estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed on one occasion, the average surprise being 7.8%.

Integra LifeSciences, carrying a Zacks Rank #2, has an earnings yield of 15.7% against the industry’s negative 15.7% yield. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 16.7%. IART shares have rallied 23% against the industry’s 4.2% decline over the past year.

Resources Investor Relations Journalists Agencies Client Login Send a Release News Products Contact , /PRNewswire/ -- Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a global leader of innovative and comprehensive laboratory services, announced today that the company will present at the 2026 Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference in New York on Wednesday, June 3, from 12:15 pm to 12:45 pm ET.

The presentation can be accessed via a live webcast on the Labcorp Investor Relations website at ir.labcorp.com. An archived, recorded version of the session will be available approximately 24 hours after the session ends and can be accessed for 90 days following the event.

About Labcorp
Labcorp (NYSE: LH) is a global leader of innovative and comprehensive laboratory services that helps doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and patients make clear and confident decisions. We provide insights and advance science to improve health and improve lives through our unparalleled diagnostics and drug development laboratory capabilities. The company's nearly 71,000 employees serve clients in approximately 100 countries, provided support for more than 85% of the new drugs and therapeutic products approved by the FDA in 2025 and performed more than 750 million tests for patients around the world. Learn more at www.labcorp.com.

SOURCE Labcorp Holdings Inc

Also from this source

New pharmacogenomic test detects all DPYD variants recommended by the Association for Molecular Pathology to support safer, more personalized cancer treatment

, /PRNewswire/ -- Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a global leader of innovative and comprehensive laboratory services, today announced the availability of its expanded DPYD Genotyping test to help identify cancer patients who may be at increased risk for severe or life-threatening side effects from fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy. Labcorp now offers genotype testing for all DPYD Tier 1 and Tier 2 variants recommended by the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP).

"Advances in pharmacogenomics are reshaping cancer care," said Marcia Eisenberg, Ph.D., chief scientific officer at Labcorp. "Our expanded DPYD test identifies patients at risk for severe toxicity before treatment begins, supporting safer, more personalized care. This expansion also strengthens Labcorp's pharmacogenomics and oncology portfolio, complementing the company's hereditary cancer testing, screening, diagnostic and precision oncology offerings to support more personalized cancer care across the patient journey."

Addressing a Significant Risk in Chemotherapy
Some patients experience preventable severe toxicity and death from chemotherapy intended to treat their cancer. Fluoropyrimidines, including 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and capecitabine, are chemotherapy agents widely used to treat cancers including colorectal, pancreatic, upper gastrointestinal, breast, and head and neck. However, approximately 9% of patients carry a DPYD variant that can impair their ability to break down these drugs, increasing the risk of severe toxicity, and contributing to an estimated 1,300 deaths in the United States each year from 5-FU toxicity.

The DPYD gene encodes the enzyme DPD, which metabolizes more than 80% of 5-FU. Patients with reduced or absent DPD activity can experience serious, potentially life-threatening side effects, including diarrhea, neutropenia and neurotoxicity when exposed to 5-FU or capecitabine.

Updated U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) product labeling for 5-FU and capecitabine includes a Boxed Warning about the risk of severe adverse reactions or death in patients with complete DPD deficiency. The FDA also advises testing for DPYD variants before treatment with 5-FU or capecitabine unless immediate treatment is necessary and recommends avoiding use of these drugs in patients with certain homozygous or compound heterozygous DPYD variants associated with complete DPD deficiency. Recent updates to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for colon cancer and other relevant indications reference these Boxed Warnings and the recommendation for DPYD testing. Clinical Pharmacogenomics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) guidelines further recommend adjusting or avoiding treatment based on a patient's DPYD metabolizer status as determined by DPYD testing.

Building on Leadership in Pharmacogenomics
Labcorp has offered DPYD testing since 2006 and offers pharmacogenomic testing across multiple specialty areas, including oncology, cardiology, neurology, women's health, pain management, gastroenterology and transplantation, helping providers use genetic information to tailor therapy, reduce preventable harm and support more personalized care.

The test is available to clinicians through Labcorp. For more information, visit https://www.labcorp.com/tests/512275/dpyd-genotyping

About Labcorp
Labcorp (NYSE: LH) is a global leader of innovative and comprehensive laboratory services that helps doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers and patients make clear and confident decisions. We provide insights and advance science to improve health and improve lives through our unparalleled diagnostics and drug development laboratory capabilities. The company's nearly 71,000 employees serve clients in approximately 100 countries, provided support for more than 85% of the new drugs and therapeutic products approved by the FDA in 2025 and performed more than 750 million tests for patients around the world. Learn more at www.labcorp.com.

SOURCE Labcorp

Labcorp Supports Multi-Institution Trial to Expand Genetic Testing in Colorectal Cancer PR Newswire BURLINGTON,

Labcorp Holdings Inc. (LH) Presents at Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference 2026 Transcript

Whether you're a value, growth, or momentum investor, finding strong stocks becomes easier with the Zacks Style Scores, a top feature of the Zacks Premium research service.

With surging oil prices due to the war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, energy stocks have gotten a strong lift this year. However, if you're looking for energy stocks to buy and hold for the long term, I'd skip the oil patch and look toward the midstream sector.

The pipeline companies in the sector are typically involved in the transportation of fossil fuels and generally act as energy toll roads. The businesses nowadays tend to be largely fee-based, and with increasing energy needs from the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), many have strong growth project backlogs.

Let's look at three pipeline stocks to own for the long haul.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Energy Transfer Energy Transfer (ET +1.60%) owns one of the largest integrated midstream systems in the U.S., and its strong position in the Permian Basin gives it access to some of the cheapest natural gas in the U.S. This has made it one of the biggest beneficiaries in the midstream space when it comes to AI. It has several growth projects to supply natural gas directly to data centers or to nearby utilities, as well as two large pipeline projects that transport natural gas from the Permian to the Arizona/New Mexico markets and to Texas.

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Overall, Energy Transfer has one of the largest growth project backlogs of any midstream company, with a projected growth capital expenditures budget of between $5.5 billion and $5.9 billion this year. With expected mid-teens returns from these projects, the company is poised for strong growth in the coming years. Along with its growth, the master limited partnership (MLP) also sports a well-covered 6.7% yield, while it plans to grow its distribution at a 3% to 5% yearly pace.

Overall, Energy Transfer is a great combination of a growth and high-yield name rolled into one.

2. Enterprise Products Partners Another MLP, Enterprise Products Partners (EPD +0.16%), has a strong track record of being one of the most consistent stocks in the midstream space. The company has increased its distribution for 27 straight years across all market types. Conservative by nature, Enterprise has one of the strongest balance sheets in the space, with low leverage (3.2 times last quarter) and low-cost debt locked in for an average of 17 years. It currently has a 5.6% yield, which it has been growing at around a 3% annual clip.

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The company is not as aggressive on growth projects as Energy Transfer, but it expects strong double-digit earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) and cash flow growth next year as projects come online. Meanwhile, it is expected to generate $1 billion in free cash flow after paying out its distribution this year, which it will use to pay down debt and buy back stock.

If your main concern is finding a stock you can rely on for a growing distribution, Enterprise is the stock for you.

3. Williams Companies If you're more interested in growth than income, Williams Companies (WMB +2.31%), which is not an MLP, could be the stock for you. The company owns arguably the most valuable pipeline system in the country, Transco, which traverses the East Coast, delivering natural gas from Appalachia to the Gulf Coast. It's also the asset that keeps on giving, as Williams continues to execute multiple expansion projects tied to the pipeline.

The company is also building out its pipeline systems in the Mountainwest and Northwest and has begun delivering turnkey power solutions to AI data centers. This is a newer, fast-growing segment that provides on-site gas-fired power generation plants for data centers, bypassing local utilities.

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Williams is set to spend a whopping $7 billion to $7.6 billion on growth projects this year. It has a backlog of $15.5 billion in transmission projects and another $9.6 billion in power solution projects. Meanwhile, it believes it can achieve a top-notch return of 20% or more on its invested capital.

The company is becoming a big-time player in powering AI data centers and a top energy growth stock to own long-term.

Income investors should love all three of these high-yield energy stocks.

Enterprise Products Partners (EPD - Free Report) closed at $37.71 in the latest trading session, marking a +1.34% move from the prior day. The stock's performance was ahead of the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.13%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.45%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq increased by 0.03%.

Shares of the provider of midstream energy services witnessed a loss of 3.78% over the previous month, beating the performance of the Oils-Energy sector with its loss of 3.92%, and underperforming the S&P 500's gain of 5.25%.

The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Enterprise Products Partners in its forthcoming earnings report. In that report, analysts expect Enterprise Products Partners to post earnings of $0.73 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 10.61%. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $13.49 billion, indicating a 18.73% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.

For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of $2.98 per share and a revenue of $56.02 billion, signifying shifts of +12.03% and +6.51%, respectively, from the last year.

Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Enterprise Products Partners. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 3.17% higher within the past month. Currently, Enterprise Products Partners is carrying a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Looking at valuation, Enterprise Products Partners is presently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 12.49. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 13.52 of its industry.

It is also worth noting that EPD currently has a PEG ratio of 1.33. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. Oil and Gas - Production Pipeline - MLB stocks are, on average, holding a PEG ratio of 1.33 based on yesterday's closing prices.

The Oil and Gas - Production Pipeline - MLB industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 109, finds itself in the top 45% echelons of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.

The geopolitical conflict in the Middle East has left the world short of oil and natural gas. These are vital commodities, and a shortage drives prices higher. The most recent breakdown in peace talks has left investors worried and pushed oil prices up again.

However, as events in the conflict have unfolded over the last few months, it is just as reasonable to expect good news to push oil prices lower. Energy industry executives are warning that energy prices aren't reflecting industry fundamentals, suggesting higher prices are possible. But right now, it is clear that emotions driven by news flow are what are moving energy investments. With so much uncertainty, caution is probably warranted.

Image source: Getty Images.

The safest ways to play in the oil patchThe volatile swings in energy prices related to the geopolitical conflict in the Middle East may be eye-opening to some investors. However, they aren't actually unusual in the energy sector. It has always been a highly volatile segment of the market. That said, oil and natural gas are vital to the world's normal functioning, so most investors should have some exposure.

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You could lean into oil price volatility with a pure-play driller like Devon Energy (DVN +1.82%). It is well-positioned to benefit from high energy prices because its production is U.S.-based, so it isn't directly affected by the Middle East conflict. However, when energy prices eventually fall, as they always have historically after a spike, Devon's business will be hard hit. Most investors will be better off with diversified energy stocks like ExxonMobil (XOM +1.22%) and Chevron (CVX +1.15%).

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Exxon and Chevron have exposure to the entire energy value chain, including production, transportation, and refining. This helps to soften the peaks and valleys inherent in the volatile sector. Moreover, they both have rock-solid balance sheets, with debt-to-equity ratios of roughly 0.2x and 0.25x, respectively. They have the lowest leverage among their integrated peers. The combination of diversification and financial strength has allowed each of these global energy giants to increase their dividends annually for decades.

So when oil prices eventually turn lower, you can watch your dividend checks instead of stock prices. Exxon's dividend yield is 2.7%, and Chevron's is 3.8%.

You could also sidestep oil prices if you wantedThe interesting thing about the energy sector is that there is a middleman in the mix that isn't as impacted by energy prices. Businesses like Enterprise Products Partners (EPD +0.16%) and Enbridge (ENB +0.66%) charge fees for transporting energy. The volume that is moving through their energy infrastructure systems is more important than the price of the energy being moved. Since energy is so important to the world economy, volumes tend to remain high regardless of energy prices and even tend to be strong during recessions.

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That's how Enterprise and Enbridge have also managed to increase their dividends annually for decades. That said, the reliable cash flows these two midstream businesses generate support much more attractive dividend yields. Enterprise's distribution yield is 5.8%, while Enbridge's dividend yield is 5%.

The one problem with these two pipeline operators is that they are boring. Their yields will make up a large portion of your total return over time, with slow business growth fairly normal for the sector. However, if you are a dividend investor, that probably won't bother you. And you'll have energy exposure without taking on material commodity risk.

Things could get worse before they get betterThe CEOs of Exxon and Chevron are both warning that oil prices aren't reflecting actual market conditions in the energy sector. While that suggests oil prices could rise from here, it also highlights that emotions are driving the market right now, not fundamentals. That should worry long-term investors, and the best way to deal with it is to err on the side of caution with diversified industry giants like Exxon and Chevron, or to sidestep commodity price risk with investments like Enterprise and Enbridge.

EPD highlights steady fee-based cash flows, 27 straight years of distribution hikes and a multibillion-dollar project backlog.