Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

SBUX heads into Q3 earnings with improving traffic, loyalty momentum and product innovation, while investors await greater clarity on near-term growth.

Royal Caribbean heads into Q2 earnings with strong booking demand and digital momentum, while investors watch for cost and margin pressures.

Analysts on Wall Street project that Qualcomm (QCOM - Free Report) will announce quarterly earnings of $2.22 per share in its forthcoming report, representing a decline of 19.9% year over year. Revenues are projected to reach $9.71 billion, declining 6.3% from the same quarter last year.

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This reflects how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reevaluated their initial estimates during this timeframe.

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

In light of this perspective, let's dive into the average estimates of certain Qualcomm metrics that are commonly tracked and forecasted by Wall Street analysts.

The consensus estimate for 'Revenues- QCT' stands at $8.26 billion. The estimate indicates a change of -8.1% from the prior-year quarter.

Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Revenues- QTL' should arrive at $1.25 billion. The estimate suggests a change of -5.3% year over year.

Analysts forecast 'Revenues- QCT- Automotive' to reach $1.49 billion. The estimate points to a change of +51.4% from the year-ago quarter.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Revenues- QCT- Handsets' reaching $4.92 billion. The estimate points to a change of -22.2% from the year-ago quarter.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Revenues- QCT- IoT (internet of things)' of $1.83 billion. The estimate indicates a change of +9% from the prior-year quarter.

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Revenues- Reconciling items' will likely reach $141.00 million. The estimate points to a change of +161.1% from the year-ago quarter.

Analysts expect 'Income / (loss) before taxes- QTL' to come in at $854.11 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $942.00 million in the same quarter last year.

Analysts predict that the 'Income / (loss) before taxes- QCT' will reach $1.99 billion. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $2.67 billion in the same quarter of the previous year.

View all Key Company Metrics for Qualcomm here>>>

Shares of Qualcomm have experienced a change of -16.5% in the past month compared to the +0.6% move of the Zacks S&P 500 composite. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), QCOM 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 >>>> .

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The market’s tone improved Friday as oil prices backed off and investors latched onto signs that U.S.-Iran diplomacy may not be dead. The Nasdaq Composite is up 0.28%, while the S&P 500 rose 0.6% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 333 points, or 0.7%, helped by a 3% jump in Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) stock.

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The White House kept tariff risk in the market’s path, extending a 10% baseline on imports from nearly 60 countries and the EU, according to Bloomberg. The move keeps trade friction front and center just as investors are already weighing higher oil, rising yields, and mixed tech earnings.

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Intel’s (Nasdaq: INTC) earnings landed as a stronger turnaround signal than expected. Revenue jumped 25% to $16.1 billion, ahead of the $14.42 billion estimate and marking the company’s fastest quarterly growth in 15 years. Adjusted EPS of $0.42 doubled expectations, and guidance also came in above Wall Street’s bar, though the stock gave back its initial post-earnings pop during Friday trading. YTD shares are up 163.5%.

This article will be updated throughout the day, so check back often for more daily updates. 

The Nasdaq Composite hovered near the flatline Friday as the market tried to steady itself after Thursday’s tech-led selloff. The S&P 500 was roughly flat, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 89 points, or 0.2%. All three major averages remained on track for a losing week.

Oil prices remain volatile. Brent crude eased 3% to roughly $97 per barrel after topping $100 earlier this week for the first time since late May, while WTI slipped 2% to trade above $89. The pullback took some pressure off a market that had been wrestling with a fresh spike in Middle East risk, higher energy prices, and rising yields.

Tech earnings are now moving through the tape, and the early read is mixed: Google (Nasdaq: GOOGL) is spending aggressively to stay ahead in AI, while Tesla (Nasdaq: TSLA) gave investors another reason to question the near-term profit story.

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Here’s a look at where things stand as of early morning trading:

Dow Jones Industrial Average: 51,766 Up 0.11%
Nasdaq Composite: 25,000 Down 0.55%
S&P 500: 7,403 Down 0.07%

Market Movers Nvidia (Nasdaq: NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang made an appearance on X, using his first post to back open AI models, arguing that AI will transform every industry and be built by every country.  He framed open models as a safety, cybersecurity, innovation, and sovereignty issue, adding that “the world needs both frontier closed models and frontier open models.”

Google and Verizon (NYSE: VZ) signed a $1 billion data center infrastructure agreement aimed at expanding AI and cloud capacity. The deal gives Google another enterprise-scale infrastructure partner while Verizon gets a clearer lane into the AI data center buildout.

SpaceX (Nasdaq: SPCX) has become one of the biggest casualties in a space-stock selloff that started before its June 12 debut. The Procure Space ETF (Nasdaq: UFO) peaked in late May, and Bespoke Investment Group recently called the move a “violent crash in space-related stocks.” SpaceX rallied out of the gate, but it entered the public market after the sector’s momentum had already cracked.

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Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

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Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) delivered one of its strongest earnings beats in years on July 24, prompting some analysts to revise their Intel stock price targets.

For instance, Seaport Global Securities has raised its Intel stock prediction 2026 from $90 to $125 while reiterating a “Buy” rating, citing strong quarterly results and an improving outlook.

Specifically, the brokerage highlighted that Intel’s return to gross margins were above 40% for the first time in two years, which is seen as a key sign that the company’s turnaround is gaining traction. 

Seaport also pointed to management’s decision to increase capital expenditure forecast for 2026 and likely 2027, arguing the chipmaker would not commit without securing meaningful customer demand. Intel’s confirmation that its 14A manufacturing process remains on track seems to support this.

Intel share price YTD. Source: Finbold DA Davidson raises INTC stock price target to $100 DA Davidson also raised its price target on Intel, lifting it from $77 to $100 while maintaining a “Neutral” rating. Analysts noted that the latest quarterly results exceeded Wall Street expectations on both revenue and earnings, which shows the growing importance of the firm’s CPU business. 

“We maintain our NEUTRAL rating and raise our price target to $100 from $77 on INTC following strong 2Q26 earnings that were highlighted by a significant beat on top and bottom-line expectations,” DA Davidson wrote.

Moreover, DA Davidson pointed to increased capital expenditure plans as a sign that leadership is continuing to attract new customers as demand for domestic semiconductor manufacturing accelerates in the United States.

Cantor Fitzgerald cuts Intel stock price target  Conversely, Cantor Fitzgerald lowered its Intel share price forecast from $150 to $125, albeit while reiterating a “Neutral” rating and stating that the long-term outlook still remains promising.

On the more cautious end, Cantor pointed to uncertainty surrounding Intel’s client computing business, server CPU market share losses, and lack of new customer announcements. In addition, the brokerage also noted ongoing speculation that Intel could pursue an equity raise.

Nonetheless, the firm remains constructive on Intel, especially thanks to its ties to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM), which could strengthen both the company and the U.S. semiconductor industry. 

Overall, Cantor concluded that investors are likely not going to be more bullish until Intel shows greater revenue potential in its front- and back-end manufacturing operations.

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Intel (INTC) posted stronger-than-expected earnings as AI strengthens the company's tech backbone. The stock still fell following Friday's opening bell.

Intel (NASDAQ:INTC | INTC Price Prediction) just delivered its strongest revenue growth in more than 15 years, and our model sees more room to run. The stock trades at $100.23 after a stunning 171.63% year-to-date rally.

Our 24/7 Wall St. price target for Intel is $130.66, implying 30.36% upside over the next 12 months. That earns a buy rating with a 90% confidence level. This is a high-conviction call anchored to a genuine earnings inflection.

Metric Value Current Price $100.23 24/7 Wall St. Price Target $130.66 Upside 30.36% Recommendation BUY Confidence Level 90% The Rally Has Legs After a Blowout Q2 Intel reported Q2 fiscal 2026 on July 23, 2026, and the numbers reframed the story. Revenue hit $16.13 billion, up 25.4% year over year, beating estimates by 11.64%. Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.42 versus a $0.10 estimate, a 320% surprise. The Data Center and AI segment surged 59% to $6.26 billion, and CEO Lip-Bu Tan called it “our strongest revenue growth in more than fifteen years.”

The stock has cooled off recently, down 24.23% over the past month from a peak of $142.35, but shares are up 326.69% over the past year. That pullback has compressed the valuation multiple relative to peers.

Why Bulls See a Breakout Ahead The bull case rests on three pillars:

AI demand for server CPUs is broadening, and Intel’s Xeon 6 was selected as the host CPU for NVIDIA DGX Rubin NVL8 Intel 18A-P entered risk production on schedule, and Panther Lake is in high-volume manufacturing using ASML High NA EUV tools Intel raised 2026 CapEx to over $20 billion, signaling management confidence echoed by ecosystem partners The $5 billion NVIDIA equity investment and $2 billion SoftBank investment add strategic ballast. If Q3 lands at the high end of guidance ($16.8 billion) with 42% non-GAAP gross margin, a bull-case path to $138.44 becomes credible.

Morgan Stanley analyst Joseph Moore raised the firm’s price target on Intel to $84 from $75 and keeps an Equal Weight rating on the shares. 

The Risks Worth Watching The GAAP net loss of $11.03 billion looks ugly, driven by a $12.53 billion non-cash charge on CHIPS Act escrow shares, not operating deterioration. Operating income actually rose 156.55% year over year.

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Intel Foundry is running roughly $2.1 billion in quarterly operating losses, and management flagged that Intel 14A could be paused if customer demand is insufficient. A bear case with Foundry misses and export-control friction points toward the model’s downside scenario of $96.58.

How Intel Compares to AMD and Qualcomm AMD (NASDAQ:AMD) is the natural x86 rival. AMD posted Q1 fiscal 2026 revenue of $10.25 billion, up 37.9%, with Data Center up 57% to $5.78 billion. The stock trades at a trailing P/E of 203 with a market cap of $880 billion. Intel’s forward P/E of 119 looks defensible against that.

Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) trades at a trailing P/E of 33 with an operating margin of 27.9%. Intel is nowhere near that on profitability yet, but its growth is now double Qualcomm’s. On balance, the peer set makes our $130.66 target look reasonable rather than aggressive.

Company Forward/Trailing P/E Latest Revenue Growth Intel 119x fwd +25.4% AMD 203x ttm +37.9% Qualcomm 33x ttm -3.5% Intel Price Prediction 2026-2030 The 24/7 Wall St. price target is $130.66, the recommendation is buy, and confidence is high. The Q2 earnings inflection combined with sustained AI CPU demand tips the scale. The thesis strengthens if Q3 revenue lands above $16.3 billion with gross margin holding near 42%. The thesis weakens if Foundry losses widen materially or 18A yields disappoint.

Here is where our model projects Intel could trade in the coming years, extending base-case growth assumptions.

Year 24/7 Wall St. Price Target 2026 $130 2027 $148 2028 $170 2029 $192 2030 $214 These projections assume Intel executes on 18A and 14A ramps and Foundry losses narrow steadily. Significant upside could come from anchor foundry customers signing multi-year commitments. Downside would come from a stalled 14A roadmap.

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Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

For the quarter ended June 2026, American Express (AXP - Free Report) reported revenue of $19.64 billion, up 10% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $4.53, compared to $4.08 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of +0.01% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $19.64 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $4.41, the EPS surprise was +2.72%.

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 American Express performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

Network volumes: $516.80 billion versus the four-analyst average estimate of $520.90 billion.Book value per common share: $48.42 compared to the $49.31 average estimate based on two analysts.Billed business - Total: $455.80 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of $459.77 billion.Total non-interest revenues: $14.99 billion compared to the $15.04 billion average estimate based on five analysts.Net Interest Income: $4.65 billion compared to the $4.67 billion average estimate based on five analysts.Non-interest revenues- Discount revenue: $10.16 billion compared to the $10.09 billion average estimate based on four analysts.Non-interest revenues- Net card fees: $2.86 billion compared to the $2.92 billion average estimate based on four analysts.Non-interest revenues- Service fees and other revenue: $1.96 billion compared to the $1.99 billion average estimate based on four analysts.Total Interest Income: $6.61 billion compared to the $6.69 billion average estimate based on four analysts.View all Key Company Metrics for American Express here>>>

Shares of American Express have returned -0.5% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% 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.

American Express AXP stock is in focus this morning after the credit card company reported its fiscal Q2 earnings that told a familiar story of premium strength.

AMEX came in ahead of Street estimates with an 11% year-on-year increase in earnings per share (EPS) to $4.53, while the firm's overall revenue went up 10% in the recent quarter to $19.6 billion.

However, underneath the glittering headline figures lies an increasingly costly structural evolution, one that’s weighing rather significantly on American Express stock on Friday morning.

AMEX added 3 million new proprietary cards during Q2 – with over three-quarters signing up for high-margin, fee-based accounts.

A massive slice of those additions continues to be Gen Z and Millennial consumers.

Yet, as younger cardholders flock to the brand, their enthusiastic adoption of “premium benefits” is turning into a double-edged sword for the company's operational margins.

Note that American Express shares are currently down over 13% versus the start of this year (2026)

American Express’s aggressive push to court younger demographics through refreshed Platinum and Gold card offerings has yielded millions of tech-savvy, lifestyle-focused customers.

However, Gen Z and Millennial cardholders operate differently than legacy members; they actively maximize every credit, travel pass, and dining stipend attached to their accounts.

This drove total quarterly operating expenses up 12% year-over-year.

Customer engagement and variable reward costs surged as airport lounge visits, hotel credits, and lifestyle perks were claimed at record volumes.

The average card member spent $6,759 in the second quarter – up from $6,393 last year – showing high engagement.

However, fulfilling those lifestyle promises requires huge capital. AMEX has successfully hooked a new generation, but funding their premium lifestyle is proving significantly more expensive than anticipated.

Despite beating quarterly profit expectations, AMEX shares dropped more than 5% following the announcement as investors focused heavily on the 12% expense hike.

The read for investors was simple: in a market where financial firms are expected to tighten belts, American Express is actually “accelerating” expenditure to defend its turf against competitors like JPMorgan Chase and Capital One.

Sure, the net write-offs remained comfortably low in the second quarter at 2%, proving credit health remains pristine – but narrowing margins due to a 50% increase in “Card Member Services” costs is becoming harder to ignore.

Market participants are concerned that if younger consumers continue rinsing the perk allowances while broader macroeconomic spending cools, expense growth could persistently beat transaction volume gains.

The ultimate fallout from this costly acquisition strategy was felt in AMEX’s forward guidance.

Strong first-half momentum prompted management to raise its full-year revenue growth outlook to about 10%.

Yet, notably, executives refused to raise the profit target, leaving EPS outlook frozen at $17.30 to $17.90.

That said, Wall Street hasn’t thrown in the towel on AMEX stock, though. Heading into the earnings print, the consensus rating on American Express stood at Overweight with a bullish $378 average price target.

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For the quarter ended June 2026, Charter Communications (CHTR - Free Report) reported revenue of $13.53 billion, down 1.7% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $10.66, compared to $9.18 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $13.52 billion, representing a surprise of +0.06%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +7.03%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $9.96.

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.

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 Charter performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

Internet - Total Net Additions/Losses: -172 thousand versus -129.68 thousand estimated by three analysts on average.Video - Total Net Additions/Losses: -21 thousand versus -61.82 thousand estimated by three analysts on average.Video - Small Business - Net Additions/Losses: -10 thousand versus -5.15 thousand estimated by three analysts on average.Residential - Video - Net Additions/Losses: -11 thousand versus the three-analyst average estimate of -56.67 thousand.Revenues- Residential- Total: $10.35 billion versus $10.42 billion estimated by five analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -3.4% change.Revenues- Commercial- Total: $1.87 billion versus $1.85 billion estimated by five analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +1.6% change.Revenues- Other: $894 million versus the five-analyst average estimate of $836.81 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +6.6%.Revenues- Advertising sales: $416 million compared to the $382.47 million average estimate based on five analysts. The reported number represents a change of +12.1% year over year.Revenues- Residential- Voice: $331 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $313.86 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -4.3%.Revenues- Residential- Internet: $5.78 billion versus the four-analyst average estimate of $5.85 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -3.2%.Revenues- Connectivity: $6.87 billion versus the four-analyst average estimate of $6.9 billion.Revenues- Residential- Mobile service: $1.1 billion versus the four-analyst average estimate of $1.05 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +18.9%.View all Key Company Metrics for Charter here>>>

Shares of Charter have returned -2.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), indicating that it could underperform the broader market in the near term.

Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) Q2 2026 Earnings Call July 24, 2026 8:00 AM EDT

Company Participants

Stefan Anninger - Vice President of Investor Relations
Christopher Winfrey - President, CEO & Director
Jessica Fischer - Chief Financial Officer

Conference Call Participants

Craig Moffett - MoffettNathanson LLC
Vikash Harlalka - New Street Research LLP
Steven Cahall - Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division
Walter Piecyk - LightShed Partners, LLC

Presentation

Operator

Hello, and welcome to Charter Communications Second Quarter 2026 Investor Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] Also as a reminder, this conference is being recorded today. If you have any objections, please disconnect at this time.

I will now turn the call over to Stefan Anninger.

Stefan Anninger
Vice President of Investor Relations

Thanks, operator, and welcome, everyone. The presentation that accompanies this call can be found on our website, ir.charter.com. I would like to remind you that there are a number of risk factors and other cautionary statements contained in our SEC filings, and we encourage you to read them carefully. Various remarks that we make on this call concerning expectations, predictions, plans and prospects constitute forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ from historical or anticipated results.

Any forward-looking statements reflect management's current view only, and Charter undertakes no obligation to revise or update such statements. As a reminder, all growth rates noted on this call and in the presentation are calculated on a year-over-year basis, unless otherwise specified.

On today's call, we have Chris Winfrey, our President and CEO; and Jessica Fischer, our CFO. With that, let's turn the call over to Chris.

Christopher Winfrey
President, CEO & Director

Thanks, Stefan. During the second quarter, we added over 400,000 Spectrum Mobile lines, making that 1.7 million lines over the last 12 months for growth of 16%. We now have

Key Takeaways Charter reported Q2 EPS of $10.66, topping estimates, while revenues fell 1.7% year over year.CHTR grew mobile revenues 18.9% as video and Internet revenues declined amid customer losses.Charter added 406,000 mobile lines, while improved video trends reflected simplified pricing and packaging. Charter Communications (CHTR - Free Report) has reported second quarter 2026 diluted earnings of $10.66 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.96 by 7.03%. The reported figure increased 16.1% year over year from $9.18 in the year-ago quarter.

Revenues of $13.5 billion declined 1.7% year over year, primarily driven by lower residential video revenues. The reported figure exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $13.518 billion by a marginal 0.06%. Excluding advertising sales revenue and costs allocated to programmer streaming applications and netted within video revenue, total revenue declined 0.8% year over year.

CHTR has shown weak performance, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the trailing four quarters, with an average negative surprise of 6.95%.

CHTR’s Segmental DetailsResidential revenues totaled $10.4 billion, down 3.5% year over year due to a decline in residential customers of 1.8% and a decrease in monthly residential revenue per residential customer of 1.8%. Excluding costs allocated to programmer streaming applications and netted within video revenues, residential revenues declined 1.8% year over year.

Internet revenues declined 3.2% year over year to $5.8 billion, driven by a decline in Internet customers year over year and pricing and packaging mix within the customer base, partly offset by more favorable bundled revenue allocation.

Mobile service revenues increased 18.9% year over year to $1.1 billion, driven by mobile line growth and rate adjustments.

Video revenues totaled $3.1 billion in the second quarter, a decrease of 9.7% year over year, driven by a higher mix of lower priced video packages, $251 million of costs allocated to programmer streaming applications and netted within video revenue versus $67 million in the year ago period, more unfavorable bundled revenue allocation and a decline in video customers, partly offset by promotional rate step ups and video rate adjustments.

Voice revenues decreased 4.5% year over year to $331 million, driven by a decline in wireline voice customers, partly offset by voice rate adjustments.

Commercial revenues increased 1.5% year over year to $1.9 billion, driven by mid market and large business revenue growth of 2.8% and an increase in small business revenue of 0.7%.

Mid market and large business revenues excluding wholesale increased 3.5% year over year, mostly reflecting primary service unit growth.

Second-quarter advertising sales revenues of $416 million increased 12.3% year over year, primarily driven by higher political revenues. Excluding political revenues in both periods, advertising sales revenues decreased 4.6% year over year, reflecting lower linear advertising revenues, partly offset by higher streaming advertising revenues.

Other revenues totaled $894 million in the second quarter, an increase of 7.1% year over year, primarily driven by higher mobile device sales, partly offset by a $45 million one-time benefit in the year-ago period.

CHTR’s Subscriber StatisticsSecond quarter total customer relationships declined 1.7% year over year to 31.5 million. Total connectivity customers decreased 1.3% year over year to 30.4 million.

Total Internet customers decreased by 172,000 in the second quarter of 2026, compared with a decline of 116,000 in the year-ago period. As of June 30, 2026, Charter served 29.4 million total Internet customers, down 1.7% year over year.

The company added 406,000 total mobile lines in the second quarter compared with 491,000 in the year-ago quarter. As of June 30, 2026, it served 12.5 million mobile lines, up 15.5% year over year.

Total video customers decreased 21,000 in the second quarter of 2026 compared with a decline of 80,000 in the year-ago quarter. As of June 30, 2026, Charter served 12.5 million total video customers, down 0.8% year over year. The year-over-year improvement in video net losses was driven by simplified pricing and packaging and benefits from the inclusion of programmer streaming applications in Spectrum's expanded basic video packages.

Total wireline voice customers declined by 178,000 in the second quarter of 2026 compared with a decline of 220,000 in the year-ago quarter. As of June 30, 2026, Charter served 5.7 million total wireline voice customers.

Charter activated 127,000 subsidized rural passings in the second quarter of 2026. Within the subsidized rural footprint, total customer relationships increased by 47,000.

CHTR’s Operating DetailsTotal operating costs and expenses were flat year over year at $8.1 billion, driven by lower programming costs offset by higher other costs of revenue and higher transition expenses.

Second quarter programming costs decreased 9.7% year over year, reflecting $251 million of costs allocated to programmer streaming applications and netted within video revenues versus $67 million in the year ago period, a higher mix of lower cost packages and fewer video customers, partly offset by contractual programming rate increases and renewals.

Other costs of revenues increased 11.3% year over year, primarily driven by higher mobile device sales, higher mobile service direct costs and higher advertising sales costs, given higher political revenues.

Field and technology operations expenses increased 1.6% year over year, primarily driven by higher vehicle fuel costs and medical expenses.

Customer operations expenses increased 1.1% year over year, driven by medical expenses.

Marketing and residential sales expenses decreased 3.1% year over year, due to lower marketing expenses from cost savings despite higher marketing activity.

Transition expenses of $65 million represent incremental costs incurred to prepare for the integration of the previously announced Cox Communications transaction. There were no comparable transition expenses in the year ago quarter.

Capital expenditures totaled $2.9 billion in the second quarter, down 0.1% year over year, with lower line extension spend offset by higher upgrade and rebuild spend related primarily to network evolution. Charter continues to expect full year 2026 capital expenditures, excluding impacts from the previously announced Cox transaction, to total approximately $11.4 billion.

Balance Sheet & Cash FlowAs of June 30, 2026, the total principal amount of debt was $93.8 billion, and Charter's credit facilities provided approximately $3.7 billion in additional liquidity in excess of Charter's $509 million cash position.

During the second quarter of 2026, Charter repurchased $1.2 billion in aggregate principal amount of Charter Communications Operating, LLC and CCO Holdings, LLC notes under an open market repurchase program for $1 billion in cash.

Free cash flow in the second quarter of 2026 totaled $969 million, a decrease from $1.4 billion in the first quarter of 2026.

In the second quarter of 2026, Charter purchased 4 million shares of Charter Class A common stock for $838 million compared with 4.3 million shares for $963 million in the first quarter of 2026.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to ConsiderCHTR currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

Some better-ranked stocks in the broader Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector are Cimpress (CMPR - Free Report) , The Marcus (MCS - Free Report) and News Corporation (NWSA - Free Report) , each currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Shares of Cimpress have returned 46.2% in the year-to-date period. Cimpress is slated to report fourth-quarter of fiscal 2026 results on July 29.

Shares of The Marcus have returned 53.4% in the year-to-date period. The Marcus is slated to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 30.

Shares of News Corporation have returned 0.8% in the year-to-date period. News Corporation is slated to report fourth-quarter of fiscal 2026 results on Aug. 05.

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Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM | XOM Price Prediction) and Chevron (NYSE:CVX) both reported Q1 2026 results on May 1, 2026, right as the war with Iran reshaped global crude flows. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed and Brent recently near $90 per barrel, the two American majors are running the same playbook with very different exposure maps.

How the Quarter Landed for Each Business Exxon posted adjusted EPS of $1.16 versus $1.01 expected on revenue of $85.14 billion, a solid beat despite $706 million in direct Middle East losses and a $3.88 billion mark-to-market drag on unsettled derivatives. Upstream volumes hit 4.6 million oil-equivalent barrels per day, and CEO Darren Woods framed the quarter bluntly: “Events in the Middle East tested that strength with the safety of our people remaining our top priority.”

Chevron’s beat was larger but messier. Adjusted EPS came in at $1.41 versus $0.97 expected, though revenue of $47.56 billion missed by 9.76% and free cash flow flipped to negative $1.55 billion. Curtailments hit its Tamar and Leviathan operations in Israel, and Mike Wirth leaned on the Hess integration and record U.S. throughput to carry the story.

Cash Machine vs. Hemisphere Hedger Lens XOM CVX Core Bet LNG, Guyana, Permian scale Hess, Gulf of America, Venezuela Middle East Exposure Physical shipment losses Israel field curtailments 2026 Buyback Pace $20B planned $2.5B quarterly Exxon is engineered to convert $100 oil into raw cash. Golden Pass LNG Train 1 shipped its first cargo in April, Guyana output topped 900,000 gross barrels per day, and cumulative structural cost savings since 2019 reached $15.6 billion. Chevron is trading pure upside for geographic insurance. Talks around a $366 billion Iraq-to-Syria pipeline revival aim to bypass Hormuz entirely, and new plays in Libya, Uruguay, and Venezuela widen its Western Hemisphere footprint.

The Next Test Is How Long Brent Stays Elevated The EIA now expects Brent around $106 per barrel in May and June before easing to $89 by 4Q26, with 10.75 million barrels per day of Middle East production shut in. WTI last traded at $80.77, already off May highs. I will be watching whether Exxon’s LNG cargoes and Permian barrels keep compounding, and whether Chevron’s Hess-era production growth of 15% year over year can offset those Israeli curtailments.

Why I Lean Toward Exxon on This Setup For me, Exxon is the cleaner Iran-war trade. The 47.24% one-year return against Chevron’s 32.29% reflects tighter operating leverage to crude, and the $20 billion buyback is a real floor. Investors focused on lower operational supply risk and unique Venezuela and Israel optionality may find Chevron’s profile more appealing, especially with a $1.78 quarterly dividend backed by 39 straight years of increases. The key variable for both names is whether Hormuz reopens faster than the EIA expects.

Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Exxon Mobil didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

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I keep buying Salesforce (NYSE:CRM | CRM Price Prediction) because the crowd screaming “SaaSpocalypse” is looking at a stock chart while I am looking at a receipts book. The stock is down 34.05% year to date while the S&P 500 is up 8.82%, and every time the gap widens, I add more shares. My cost basis keeps working in my favor, and the business underneath keeps compounding.

The Receipts Behind My Conviction Start with what actually happened last quarter. Salesforce delivered EPS of $3.88 against a consensus of $3.1271, a 24.08% beat and the fifth consecutive quarter of exceeding estimates. Revenue landed at $11.13 billion, up 13.27% year over year. Net income jumped 36.73%. These are the numbers of a compounder that the market has decided to price like a melting ice cube.

Then there is the AI receipt in plain view. Agentforce and Data 360 combined ARR reached nearly $3.4 billion, up over 200% year over year. Agentforce alone crossed $1.2 billion in ARR, growing 205%. Customers delivered 3.8 billion Agentic Work Units, and more than 50% of new Agentforce bookings came from existing customers. That is real recurring revenue from enterprises paying to have agents do work inside their systems of record. Industry surveys show over 60% of CIOs prefer upgrading incumbent SaaS vendors rather than replacing them with raw models, citing SOC2 compliance and audit trails that startups cannot match. That is the moat.

The capital return finishes the case. Salesforce executed a $25 billion accelerated share repurchase, taking diluted share count from 970 million to 871 million in a year. Total returned in the quarter: $27.5 billion. With a P/E of 19, a free cash flow yield of 10.12%, and a 1.11% dividend that was raised 5.8% this year, I am buying growth at a value multiple.

Why Not the Obvious Alternatives Readers ask about ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW) and HubSpot (NYSE:HUBS). ServiceNow is down 51% from its 52-week high, and CLSA just initiated with an underperform rating and a $72 price target implying 31% downside. HubSpot got cut by Wells Fargo from Overweight to Equal Weight with the target sliced from $300 to $225 on AI transition uncertainty. Salesforce already carries the average Wall Street target of $254.42 against a stock trading at $173.79. Same fear, better fundamentals, cheaper entry.

The Risk I Own Noncurrent debt jumped from $10.4 billion to $39.3 billion to fund the buyback, and Informatica integration is a real execution project. Interest coverage of 27.5x and net debt to EBITDA of 0.78 tell me the balance sheet absorbs it. I am fine with management leaning into a cheap stock.

Marc Benioff called this “an outstanding quarter for Salesforce, record revenue, record deals, and cash flow” and set a $63 billion FY30 revenue target. I will keep buying while the market sells me a compounder at a value multiple.

Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Salesforce didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Key Takeaways SAP Q2 revenue jumped 9% as cloud revenue rose 22% and cloud backlog grew 27% year over year.SAP cut its 2026 operating profit outlook after acquisitions but reaffirmed cloud revenue targets.SAP expanded AI adoption and enterprise cloud wins across industries, supporting future growth visibility. SAP SE (SAP - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 non-IFRS earnings per share (EPS) of €1.59 ($1.85), which increased 6% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate was pegged at $2.

Despite macroeconomic uncertainty, SAP reported total revenues on a non-IFRS basis of €9.9 billion ($11.5 billion), which increased 9% year over year (up 11% at constant currency or cc). The Zacks Consensus Estimate was pegged at $11.4 billion.

AI strategy is becoming a major competitive advantage for SAP. Management emphasized its Autonomous Enterprise strategy, which combines Business AI with enterprise applications. SAP is embedding AI directly into finance, procurement, supply chain, HR and customer operations. The company's strategy revolves around two major pillars –Autonomous Suite and Business AI Platform. SAP believes customers increasingly value AI solutions that operate using trusted enterprise data while maintaining governance and compliance.

This positioning gives SAP a competitive edge because its AI capabilities are built on decades of customer business processes and transactional data rather than disconnected AI models. As AI adoption expands across enterprises, SAP is well-positioned to monetize AI through higher cloud subscriptions rather than relying solely on standalone AI products.

Cloud Business Continues to Be SAP's Growth EngineCurrent cloud backlog reached €22.9 billion in the quarter, representing 27% year-over-year growth (26% at cc). This metric is important because it reflects contracted future cloud revenue, giving investors visibility into future growth.

On a non-IFRS basis, the Cloud and software segment (89.6% of total revenues) registered revenues of €8.9 billion, rising 11% year over year (up 13% at cc).

Cloud revenue increased 22% year over year (24% at cc) to €6.3 billion, on a non-IFRS basis, demonstrating that enterprise customers continue to migrate mission-critical workloads to SAP's cloud ecosystem. SAP's Cloud ERP Suite, where revenue increased 25% (27% at cc) to €5.5 billion, is equally encouraging. Software licenses and support revenues totaled €2.6 billion, representing a 9% decrease (down 8% at cc) year over year.

Services business (10.4% of total revenues) posted revenues of €1 billion, down 3% year over year (down 2% at cc).

Expanding Clientele Bodes WellIn the second quarter, organizations worldwide continued to adopt the “RISE with SAP” program to support their comprehensive business transformations. Notable adopters included ACCIONA, AIRBUS, City of Osnabrück, Electrolux, Eli Lilly, Gilead Sciences, HARTING, Hindustan Zinc, The Humboldt University of Berlin, JET, Ørsted, Samsonite Group, Shell, The Shoprite Group, SIGNAL IDUNA, SPAR (CH), Sun Pharma and Vonovia.

“GROW with SAP” was implemented by Gooroo Crédito, Modular Data Centers, Parloa, Tarrant County, and Techem.

Major global brands across various industries, including AMADEUS, BBC, Booking.com, GOL, Oki Electric Industry, PwC, University Hospital Zurich and Vale, chose SAP's AI and data solutions.

SAP secured significant customer wins across its solution portfolio, with new or expanded engagements from leading organizations such as Birlasoft, Capgemini, Haier Group and KaDeWe.

Döhler, FANUC Europe, Fonterra, Natura Cosméticos, SABESP and TEAG went live on SAP solutions during the quarter.

SAP’s cloud revenue growth was especially strong in the APJ and EMEA regions and robust in the Americas, with standout performances from Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, India, South Korea and Spain. It remained strong in the United States, Australia and Singapore.

Margin DetailsNon-IFRS gross profit of €7.3 billion increased 9% from the year-ago quarter (up 11% at cc).

Non-IFRS cloud gross profit increased 22% year over year to €4.7 billion (up 23% at cc). Non-IFRS cloud gross margin fell 0.6 percentage points to 74.6%.

SAP's non-IFRS operating profit rose 7% (up 9% at cc) to €2.7 billion, while margin decreased to 27.8%.

Balance Sheet & Cash FlowAs of June 30, 2026, SAP had cash and cash equivalents of €11.6 billion compared with €10.1 billion as of March 31, 2026.

In the second quarter, the company generated operating cash of €3.2 billion, up 22% year over year. Free cash flow, a key metric of operational strength, rose 27% to €3 billion during the quarter.

SAP also continues returning capital to shareholders. Its newly authorized €10 billion share repurchase program remains active. As of June 30, the company had repurchased more than 16.28 million shares and spent approximately €2.6 billion.

SAP’s 2026 Guidance Reaffirmed Despite Lower Profit OutlookThe company lowered its non-IFRS operating profit outlook from €11.9–€12.3 billion to €11.8–€12.2 billion. The revision stems almost entirely from the acquisitions of Dremio and Prior Labs, which closed in July. Management expects these acquisitions to create a dilutive impact exceeding €100 million during 2026.

Despite lowering operating profit guidance slightly, SAP maintained nearly all of its major financial targets. Management still expects cloud revenue between €25.8 billion and €26.2 billion, cloud and software revenue between €36.3 billion and €36.8 billion and approximately €10 billion in free cash flow.

Additionally, SAP expects cloud backlog growth to remain strong, though slightly slower, total revenue growth to match 2025 levels, revenue acceleration in 2027 and operating expense growth to remain below revenue growth.

Nonetheless, the company acknowledged that its outlook assumes a near-term de-escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Any prolonged conflict could negatively impact enterprise spending or business operations.

SAP’s Zacks RankSAP currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

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

Recent PerformancesAmerica Movil, S.A.B. de C.V. (AMX - Free Report) reported net income per ADR of 47 cents for the second quarter of 2026, up from 38 cents in the prior-year quarter. The earnings figure missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 52 cents. Total quarterly revenues rose 3.1% to Mex$241,071 million, driven by rapid momentum across the Service and Equipment segments.

BlackBerry Limited (BB - Free Report) reported first-quarter fiscal 2027 non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of 4 cents. The figure beat the company’s estimate of 2-3 cents. In the year-ago quarter, it reported a non-GAAP EPS of 2 cents. The Zacks Consensus Estimate was pegged at 3 cents per share. BlackBerry generated $152.9 million in fiscal first-quarter revenue, representing 26% year-over-year growth.

Iridium Communications (IRDM - Free Report) reported EPS of 9 cents for the second quarter of 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 26 cents. The bottom line also compared unfavorably with the prior-year quarter's figure of 20 cents. Iridium reported second-quarter revenue of $225.2 million, representing 4% year-over-year growth. The consensus mark was pinned at $221.2 million.

Wall Street analysts expect Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM - Free Report) to post quarterly earnings of $2.89 per share in its upcoming report, which indicates a year-over-year increase of 49%. Revenues are expected to be $3.86 billion, up 37.2% from the year-ago quarter.

Over the last 30 days, there has been a downward revision of 16.2% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter, leading to its current level. This signifies the covering analysts' collective reconsideration of their initial forecasts over the course of this timeframe.

Before a company reveals its earnings, it is vital to take into account any changes in earnings projections. These revisions play a pivotal role in predicting the possible reactions of investors toward the stock. Multiple empirical studies have consistently shown a strong association between trends in earnings estimates and the short-term price movements of a stock.

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

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

The consensus estimate for 'Revenue from mine operations- Quebec- LaRonde' stands at $427.61 million. The estimate indicates a change of +79.6% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts forecast 'Revenue from mine operations- Quebec- Canadian Malartic' to reach $667.02 million. The estimate suggests a change of +34.2% year over year.

Analysts expect 'Revenue from mine operations- Quebec- Goldex' to come in at $143.17 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +24.2%.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Revenue from mine operations- Nunavut- Meliadine' will reach $436.35 million. The estimate suggests a change of +23.1% year over year.

The consensus among analysts is that 'Payable production - Gold (ounces) - Total Gold' will reach $838926.4 ounces. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $866029.0 ounces in the same quarter of the previous year.

Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Payable production - Gold (ounces) - Quebec - LaRonde' should arrive at $87086.3 ounces. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $69778.0 ounces.

According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Payable production - Gold (ounces) - Quebec - Canadian Malartic' should come in at $148272.2 ounces. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $172531.0 ounces in the same quarter of the previous year.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Payable production - Gold (ounces) - Quebec - Goldex' reaching $30351.6 ounces. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $33118.0 ounces in the same quarter last year.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Payable production - Gold (ounces) - Nunavut - Meliadine' at $95419.5 ounces. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $90263.0 ounces.

Analysts predict that the 'Payable production - Gold (ounces) - Nunavut - Meadowbank' will reach $104982.5 ounces. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $101935.0 ounces.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Payable production - Gold (ounces) - Finland - Kittila' of $52694.2 ounces. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $50357.0 ounces.

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Payable production - Gold (ounces) - Ontario - Detour Lake' will likely reach $172249.1 ounces. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $168272.0 ounces.

View all Key Company Metrics for Agnico here>>>

Over the past month, Agnico shares have recorded returns of -7.5% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change. Based on its Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), AEM will likely underperform the overall market in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Key Takeaways Dow's Q2 EPS beat estimates, with revenues of $12.09B and self-help benefits above $300M.Dow's Packaging & Specialty Plastics sales rose 27% as higher polyethylene prices boosted results.Dow expects Q3 EBITDA of about $1.7B while self-help actions add roughly $130M in sequential benefits. Dow Inc. (DOW - Free Report) used its second-quarter earnings call to emphasize cost actions, portfolio changes and disciplined execution as management focuses on improving earnings durability. The company highlighted stronger pricing, margin recovery and cash generation while acknowledging continued market volatility.

Management also provided a cautious third-quarter outlook, pointing to polyethylene margin pressure and seasonal factors while expecting additional benefits from restructuring and productivity initiatives.

DOW Advances Cost and Portfolio ActionsCEO Karen Carter said that Dow is focused on three priorities: targeted growth, improving portfolio competitiveness and maintaining balanced capital allocation. Carter emphasized using the company’s global assets and customer relationships to strengthen long-term competitiveness.

DOW reported second-quarter operating EPS of $1.44, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.25. Revenues of $12.09 billion slightly surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.04 billion.

The company said self-help efforts generated more than $300 million of benefits during the quarter. Management increased expected in-year benefits from these actions to more than $1.3 billion.

Dow Sees Strength in Key MarketsDow’s second-quarter sales increased 20% year over year, supported by higher prices across regions. Operating EBITDA was $2.3 billion, while operating EBIT improved significantly from the prior-year period.

The company’s Packaging & Specialty Plastics segment was a major contributor, with sales rising 27% year over year to $6.4 billion. Dow attributed this improvement to higher polyethylene prices and stronger integrated margins.

Dow noted that data center demand remains a growth area, particularly for thermal management solutions and Industrial Solutions products. Carter highlighted opportunities in electronics, mobility and specialty applications.

DOW Details Third-Quarter OutlookCFO Jeffrey Tate said that Dow expects third-quarter EBITDA of approximately $1.7 billion. The outlook indicates anticipated polyethylene margin compression following June price changes and typical seasonal patterns after strong second-quarter demand.

Management expects about $130 million of sequential benefits from self-help actions during the third quarter. These gains are expected to offset planned maintenance and the absence of certain second-quarter benefits.

Dow also highlighted risks from geopolitical tensions, logistics constraints and uneven regional demand. The company said market conditions remain volatile, particularly due to ongoing disruptions affecting energy and feedstock markets.

Dow Builds Specialty Growth PlatformsDow said it is reshaping the silicones business by reducing higher-cost upstream capacity and expanding downstream opportunities. The company expects the Barry, U.K. siloxanes shutdown to provide a $60 million EBITDA uplift in the second half of 2026.

Management said specialty silicones investments are focused on faster-growing markets, including electric vehicles, consumer electronics, healthcare and data centers. Carter noted that these downstream markets are expected to deliver stronger returns.

The company also discussed its Dow Coolant Care Network, which supports data center thermal management needs. Management views the offering as a way to expand both revenue opportunities and service capabilities.

DOW Addresses Analyst ConcernsA Morgan Stanley analyst asked about the Alberta project and whether Dow could bring in a partner. Carter said that the company remains focused on completing the project while staying disciplined on returns.

A JPMorgan analyst questioned the timing of cost savings and capital allocation priorities. Tate said that debt reduction remains the first priority, with share repurchases not expected during 2026.

Analysts also questioned polyethylene assumptions. Carter said that improving oil prices, declining inventories and stronger order activity could provide upside if current market conditions continue.

Dow Focuses on Financial FlexibilityDow confirmed that it is prioritizing balance sheet strength, maintaining approximately $14 billion in liquidity and directing excess cash toward deleveraging. Management noted that there are no substantive debt maturities until 2029.

The company expects working capital actions to release more than $500 million in the second half of 2026. Management also confirmed progress from restructuring efforts, including implemented role reductions and site transformation initiatives.

Carter said that Dow’s approach remains centered on improving productivity, strengthening its asset base and focusing investment on attractive markets. The company continues to position its actions around longer-term competitiveness.

Zacks Signals Point to a Mixed SetupDOW carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that the stock’s earnings estimate revision trends are currently consistent with a neutral outlook. The Zacks Rank can change as analysts update earnings expectations following new company information. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The stock has a Value Score of B and VGM Score of B, while its Growth Score is C and Momentum Score is F. Zacks Style Scores are designed to complement the Zacks Rank by evaluating value, growth and momentum characteristics, with stronger scores indicating more favorable attributes.

NextEra Energy (NEE - Free Report) reported $7.53 billion in revenue for the quarter ended June 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 12.5%. EPS of $1.15 for the same period compares to $1.05 a year ago.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of -5.76% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.99 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $1.09, the EPS surprise was +5.51%.

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.

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 NextEra performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

Operating Revenues- NextEra Energy Resources (NEER): $2.53 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of $3.27 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +32.3%.Operating Revenues- Florida Power & Light (FPL): $4.9 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of $4.97 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +4%.Operating Income (Loss)- Florida Power & Light (FPL): $1.82 billion compared to the $2 billion average estimate based on two analysts.Operating Income (Loss)- Corporate & Other: $-103 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $-38.5 million.Operating Income (Loss)- NextEra Energy Resources (NEER): $519 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $1.53 billion.View all Key Company Metrics for NextEra here>>>

Shares of NextEra have returned +2.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% 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.

NextEra Energy NYSE: NEE reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share of $1.15, while adjusted EPS for the first six months of the year rose 9.8% from a year earlier. Chairman, President and CEO John Ketchum said the results reflected continued execution at Florida Power & Light Co. and NextEra Energy Resources amid rising electricity demand.

Oracle (ORCL) won a $7 billion contract with the U.S. Department of War. Shares of the cloud giant didn't move much ahead of Friday's open as the stock stalls near 52-week lows.

Key Takeaways FDX posted 12.5% revenue growth in fiscal 2026's fourth quarter, led largely by B2B services. FedEx appears more attractive than UPS based on valuation, pricing and financial leverage. FedEx targets $2 billion in cost savings by end-2027 and up to $1 billion in 2026 share buybacks. United Parcel Service (UPS - Free Report) and FedEx (FDX - Free Report) , with market capitalizations of $98.46 billion and $75.95 billion, respectively, are leading players in the Zacks Transportation-Air Freight and Cargo industry. These well-established companies are synonymous with parcel delivery and logistics.

Delivery trucks from both companies have become a common sight, reflecting their dominance in handling the bulk of parcel shipments. With that backdrop, let’s take a closer look at their financial performance, growth prospects and ongoing challenges. As a result, let's find out which transportation heavyweight might be the smarter investment for now.

The Case for UPSUPS has been facing prolonged revenue pressure, as geopolitical instability and persistent inflation continue to dampen consumer confidence and economic growth expectations. Uncertainty related to tariffs and geopolitical woes has further intensified these challenges.

UPS’ decision to scale back business with Amazon (AMZN - Free Report) is expected to have kept near-term volumes muted. Management reached an agreement in principle with Amazon to reduce the e-commerce giant’s volume by more than 50% by June 2026. CEO Carol Tome noted that Amazon was not the company’s most profitable customer. The reduction in volumes is compelling UPS to right-size its network.

UPS is now focusing on improving profitability over sheer volume. Under the cost-cutting initiatives, UPS has substantially reduced its U.S. operational workforce and closed daily operations at multiple leased and owned buildings. Moreover, UPS has been focusing on increasing automation in sorting and operations and leveraging AI for logistics planning to boost efficiency.

The shift in focus toward higher-margin areas such as small and medium-sized businesses or SMBs and healthcare logistics from low-margin volumes (like Amazon) is expected to aid its per-package revenues.  Notably, SMBs contributed 34.5% to total U.S. volume in the March quarter, reflecting the highest SMB penetration in UPS’ history. We expect SMBs to keep performing well.

The De Minimis exemption expired last year. The trade exemption allowed packages containing goods valued at less than $800 to enter the United States without additional taxes. This development has hurt the International segment volumes in recent quarters by diverting volumes away from the China-U.S. trade lane.

Moreover, UPS’ dividend payout ratio stands at 97, raising questions about its long-term ability to maintain current dividend levels. The company’s elevated dividend payout is hurting its operational flexibility.

The Case for FDXIn the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, results of which were released last month, FedEx’s earnings (excluding 29 cents from non-recurring items) of $6.31 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.91 as well as improved 3.9% year over year. Revenues of $25 billion came ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $24.1 billion and improved 12.5% from the year-ago quarter.

In the quarter, the majority of the revenue growth was driven by business-to-business (B2B) services and the three-month period was the brightest quarter within fiscal year 2026 from a B2B perspective. This is in line with the company’s continuous efforts to move away from low-margin parcel traffic.

To bolster margins, FedEx is shifting its focus toward high-margin B2B segments — specifically healthcare, aerospace, automotive and data centers. In Europe, the company achieved its 12th consecutive quarter of international revenue share gains, driven by the strong value proposition and improving service levels.

Apart from focusing on AI tools to improve efficiency and customer experience, the transportation giant is keeping CapEx low to boost profitability. As part of its cost discipline, the company aims to achieve a CapEx of $3.9 billion in calendar year 2026. We note that the company has changed its fiscal year-end from May 31 to Dec. 31. The fiscal year change became effective for the period beginning June 1, 2026.

For the calendar year 2026, FedEx anticipates revenue growth of approximately 11%, including about 3 percentage points of assumed fuel price-driven surcharge benefit. The outlook is likely to be supported by continued momentum within base pricing and increased demand for premium B2B and high-value B2C services. This translates to an adjusted EPS range of $16.90 to $18.10. Robust free cash flow is expected to be generated in the period, with the company intending to repurchase up to $1 billion worth of shares. The company expects to generate cost savings worth $2 billion by the end of calendar 2027.

Despite ongoing headwinds, FedEx benefits from a strong brand and an extensive logistics network capable of generating stable long-term cash flows. Strategic investments continue to enhance the service offerings and strengthen its competitive position.

FedEx spun off its struggling Freight division in June 2026, thereby focusing on the core operations. The erstwhile segment of FDX was suffering due to the continued weakness in U.S. industrial production, which dampened demand across the less-than-truckload industry.

FDX’s dividend payout ratio currently stands at 24%, much lower than UPS’. So FDX, unlike UPS, does not face concerns about its long-term ability to maintain current dividend levels.

Taking a Look at the Two Companies’ Price Performance and ValuationIn a year, FDX’s shares have performed much better than those of UPS

One-Year Price ComparisonImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

UPS is trading at a forward sales multiple of 1.05X, whereas FDX’s forward sales multiple sits at 0.79X, suggesting that the former’s shares are pricier.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Leverage ComparisonFDX’s lower debt-to-capital ratio implies that it relies less on debt financing and has a stronger equity position.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

End NoteAgreed that both FedEx and UPS continue to experience revenue pressure amid sluggish demand conditions. To navigate the challenging environment, each company is pursuing cost-reduction initiatives.

From a valuation as well as pricing standpoint, FDX appears more attractive than UPS. FedEx also maintains an edge over UPS in terms of financial leverage. Dividend sustainability concerns are not present in FDX, unlike UPS.

Taking all these factors into account, FDX appears to be the more compelling choice than UPS, even though both stocks currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

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

Enbridge (ENB - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 31. 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 oil and natural gas transportation and power transmission company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.43 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -8.5%.

Revenues are expected to be $10.85 billion, up 0.9% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 2.5% 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 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. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).

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 Enbridge?For Enbridge, 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 -0.59%.

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

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Enbridge 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 Enbridge would post earnings of $0.69 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.71, delivering a surprise of +2.90%.

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.

Enbridge 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 PlayerEnbridge (ENB - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Oil and Gas - Production and Pipelines industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $0.43 for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of -8.5%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $10.85 billion, up 0.9% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for Enbridge has been revised 2.5% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.59%.

This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Enbridge 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.

Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.

Of these, perhaps no stock market trend is more popular than value investing, which is a strategy that has proven to be successful in all sorts of market environments. Value investors use a variety of methods, including tried-and-true valuation metrics, to find these stocks.

In addition to the Zacks Rank, investors looking for stocks with specific traits can utilize our Style Scores system. Of course, value investors will be most interested in the system's "Value" category. Stocks with "A" grades for Value and high Zacks Ranks are among the best value stocks available at any given moment.

One stock to keep an eye on is CF Industries (CF - Free Report) . CF is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), as well as a Value grade of A. The stock is trading with a P/E ratio of 11.87, which compares to its industry's average of 12.54. CF's Forward P/E has been as high as 16.16 and as low as 11.10, with a median of 14.29, all within the past year.

We also note that CF holds a PEG ratio of 0.39. This figure is similar to the commonly-used P/E ratio, with the PEG ratio also factoring in a company's expected earnings growth rate. CF's PEG compares to its industry's average PEG of 0.78. Over the last 12 months, CF's PEG has been as high as 2.67 and as low as 0.30, with a median of 0.67.

Another notable valuation metric for CF is its P/B ratio of 1.84. Investors use the P/B ratio to look at a stock's market value versus its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This stock's P/B looks attractive against its industry's average P/B of 2.40. Within the past 52 weeks, CF's P/B has been as high as 2.38 and as low as 1.59, with a median of 1.93.

Finally, investors should note that CF has a P/CF ratio of 6.29. This metric takes into account a company's operating cash flow and can be used to find stocks that are undervalued based on their solid cash outlook. This company's current P/CF looks solid when compared to its industry's average P/CF of 9.60. Over the past year, CF's P/CF has been as high as 8.02 and as low as 5.19, with a median of 6.93.

Value investors will likely look at more than just these metrics, but the above data helps show that CF Industries is likely undervalued currently. And when considering the strength of its earnings outlook, CF sticks out as one of the market's strongest value stocks.