Salesforce (CRM, Financials) is making another push into artificial intelligence, agreeing to acquire customer-agent platform Fin for approximately $3.6 billion.
The deal gives Salesforce access to technology designed to handle customer interactions across multiple channels, including chat, email, phone, WhatsApp and Slack. Fin's platform is built around its proprietary AI model, Apex, which focuses on resolving customer service issues with limited human involvement.
The acquisition comes as software companies race to prove that AI can do more than generate content. Customer support has emerged as one of the most practical applications, offering businesses a way to improve response times while controlling labor costs.
For Salesforce, the transaction also strengthens Agentforce, the company's fast-growing AI platform. Agentforce generated $1.2 billion in annual recurring revenue during the first quarter, more than tripling from a year earlier. Fin's technology could help Salesforce expand those capabilities and reach customers looking for ready-to-deploy AI solutions.
Importantly, Salesforce said the acquisition will not affect its fiscal 2027 guidance or capital return plans, suggesting management remains confident in both the company's financial position and the strategic value of the deal.
Salesforce Inc. has agreed to buy Fin, a firm that develops artificial intelligence-powered customer agents, for about $3.6 billion as the software company works to win new business for enterprise AI. Fin's flagship product, AI Agent, handles customer queries via chat, email, WhatsApp, text message, phone and Slack.
Dover Corporation (DOV - Free Report) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade primarily reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.
A company's changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.
The power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements makes the Zacks rating system highly useful for individual investors, since it can be difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts. These are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.
As such, the Zacks rating upgrade for Dover is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price.
Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock PricesThe change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. That's partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.
For Dover, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade fundamentally mean an improvement in the company's underlying business. And investors' appreciation of this improving business trend should push the stock higher.
Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate RevisionsAs empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, tracking such revisions for making an investment decision could be truly rewarding. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Earnings Estimate Revisions for DoverThis company is expected to earn $10.61 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2026, which represents no year-over-year change.
Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Dover. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 0.7%.
Bottom LineUnlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.
You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>
The upgrade of Dover to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.
Drop $500 into the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (NYSEARCA:SMH) starting in June, 2016, add another $500 every month, and the math pegs the account at $495,000 this week. Total contributions across those ten years come to $60,500. Everything else is what a single-sector ETF did to your money while you ignored it.
The math holds up against the underlying price history. SMH closed at about $26 on June 13, 2016 and printed $609 on June 11, 2026, a 2,269% decade on a price basis. A lump sum at the start would have done dramatically more. The dollar-cost averaging trade-off, smoother entries in exchange for buying a lot of shares at much higher prices in 2023, 2024, and 2025, is the reason $60,500 of contributions compounds to ~$495,000 rather than seven figures. ~$495,000 is enough to retire on with Social Security coming in and a reasonable cost-of-living zip code.
What actually did the work SMH holds 25 stocks, one sector, and a market-cap weighting that tips the fund into whichever names happen to be winning. The entire AI capex food chain, from chip designers to the foundry casting them to the Dutch lithography monopolist whose machines etch the transistors, lives in one ticker.
Concentration is the mechanism. When semiconductors are the trade, SMH is the cleanest expression of the trade, and the underlying numbers have been ridiculous. Worldwide semiconductor revenue reached $298.5 billion in Q1 2026, up 79.2% year over year, while average selling prices jumped 57%. SMH itself returned 399% over five years and 133% over the trailing twelve months. The 0.35% expense ratio matters here because the compounding window is long, and 35 basis points of annual drag over a decade is the difference between funding the kitchen remodel and funding the kitchen.
What you would need to see for a repeat The honest forward look is that this run is regime-dependent, and the regime is starting to wobble in places worth watching. The fund is up 69% year to date through June 11, which pulls forward a lot of earnings expectations on its own. SMH then dropped 9% from its June 3 record high, and put-option flow has run above 70% of total volume, which is what hedging looks like when professionals do want to sell outright. Leopold Aschenbrenner reportedly built a roughly $8 billion put position against the chip sector, while Dan Loeb’s Third Point disclosed a long position in SMH itself. Sophisticated investors are taking opposite sides.
The variable that matters most is hyperscaler capital expenditure. Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT | MSFT Price Prediction), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), Meta (NASDAQ:META), Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), and Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) fund NVIDIA’s (NASDAQ:NVDA) order book, Broadcom’s custom silicon business, and Micron’s HBM ramp. If their next round of capex guidance tightens, the multiple on the entire fund compresses fast. Memory pricing is the second tell. HBM3E supply has been the bottleneck Micron and the Korean memory makers have been earning outsized margins against, so any sign of inventory builds at the hyperscalers shows up in Micron gross margins within a quarter. The third indicator is ASML’s order book, because EUV equipment bookings are the leading edge of every fab plan two years out.
Stack those together and the read becomes straightforward. The mechanism that turned $500 a month into ~$495,000 is intact, expensive, and visibly contested. Another decade of the same outcome would require the same buyers spending at the same pace into a sector already trading at much richer multiples than it did in 2016. The playbook keeps working until the capex line bends.
Coach Prime encourages men to get their annual physicals and shares words of encouragement as the new face of Depend Real Fit® packaging
, /PRNewswire/ -- This Men's Health Month, Depend®, the #1 brand of absorbent underwear, and Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders are encouraging men to take a proactive approach to their health with "Depend Wake Up Calls" – reminding Men to stop putting off regular checkups and screenings.
Now through the end of the month, consumers can sign up to receive a video message from Coach Prime, delivered in his signature motivational style and centered on accountability, preparation, and confidence.
DEPEND® AND DEION “COACH PRIME”SANDERS ENCOURAGE PROACTIVE CARE DURING MEN’S HEALTH MONTH
DEPEND® AND DEION “COACH PRIME”SANDERS ENCOURAGE PROACTIVE CARE DURING MEN’S HEALTH MONTH By visiting DependWakeUpCall.com, consumers can choose from one of three video text messages encouraging them to schedule a physical, supporting those navigating a recent health diagnosis, or empowering those experiencing bladder leaks to move past embarrassment and get back to living life.
After publicly sharing his bladder cancer diagnosis and recovery journey, Coach Prime knows firsthand how critical early detection can be. Together, Depend and Coach Prime are urging men to stop delaying care and take action on their health. This partnership builds on Coach Prime's longstanding relationship with Depend as someone who personally relies on the brand after undergoing bladder removal surgery following his bladder cancer diagnosis in 2025.
"Too many men keep putting their health on pause and that's a losing game," said Deion Sanders. "Together with Depend, I'm encouraging you to stop waiting, stop the excuses and take control now. You don't always need a doctor to light that fire - sometimes you need a coach to push you to be your best."
The campaign coincides with the nationwide rollout of new Depend Real Fit® packaging featuring Coach Prime on pack for the first time ever. By bringing his signature swagger straight to the package, Coach Prime boldly shows how actively managing health challenges head-on is a point of pride, not something to hide.
Bladder leaks affect millions of Americans, yet many people suffer in silence, letting stigma stand in the way of solutions. Together, Depend and Coach Prime are working to change that narrative - shifting the conversation from embarrassment to empowerment.
"Coach Prime is a powerful partner for Depend because he embodies unapologetic confidence and authenticity," said Katie Moran, North America President of Adult and Feminine Care. "Together, we're working to break the stigma around bladder leaks by bringing this very real experience into the open and empowering people to move past embarrassment, reclaim their confidence and get back to living life to the fullest every day."
For more information about bladder health and how Depend is helping shift the conversation, visit depend.com or follow Depend on social media.
About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ: KMB) and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries and territories. Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, Goodnites, Intimus, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, hold No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in approximately 70 countries. Our company's purpose is to deliver Better Care for a Better World. We are committed to using sustainable practices designed to support a healthy planet, build strong communities, and enable our business to thrive for decades to come. To keep up with the latest news and learn more about the company's more than 150-year history of innovation, visit the Kimberly-Clark website.
Media Contacts:
Alison Brod Marketing + Communications
[email protected]
Costco (NASDAQ:COST | COST Price Prediction) is the rare retailer whose stock trades like a high-growth software name. The membership model prints cash, comparable sales keep accelerating, and the digital business is finally getting credit.
Yet shares sit at $982.35, up 14.24% year to date but well below their recent peak. Can COST punch through to $1,100 by June 2027? The math is tighter than the bears think, but it requires Costco to keep doing exactly what it has been doing.
Why Costco Shares Are Stuck Near $1,000 The pullback is about expectations. Shares are down 4.91% over the past month and 1.48% over the past year, even after a 1.08% bounce last week. The stock printed a 52-week high of $1,096.50 before sliding back, and the narrative has shifted to whether perfection is already in the price.
Costco trades at a forward P/E in the mid 40s, closer to a megacap tech multiple than a discount retailer. With a beta of just 0.87, the stock has to earn every dollar of upside through results.
Wall Street Sees Modest Upside. I Think They Are Lowballing The Street consensus target sits at $1,082.33, with 3 Strong Buy, 19 Buy, 13 Hold, and 2 sell ratings. Our internal model lands at a base case of $1,068.40, with a bull case of $1,150.31 by June 2027, carried at 90% confidence.
Analyst bullishness sits at 59%, but quarterly earnings growth is running at 45.5% year over year. That is a wide gap. When a stable consumer defensive name accelerates earnings like that, the consensus target tends to drift higher rather than reset lower.
The Path to $1,100 Per Share Reaching $1,100 from today’s price of $982.35 would require a gain of 12%. With forward EPS of $21.69, a price of $1,100 implies a forward P/E of 51x. Our base case of $1,068.40 already implies 49x, meaning the bold target asks for roughly 2 turns of additional multiple expansion.
That is not crazy. The 247Factor adjustment of 1.074 already credits Costco for accelerating earnings, a Consumer Defensive sector multiplier of 1.02, and a price position contribution of 0.015 for trading near the high.
Q3 FY26 delivered EPS of $4.93 on revenue of $70.53B, up 11.58%, with comparable sales of 9.8% and digital comp of 21.5%. Membership fees grew 10.7% to $1.37B, with a worldwide renewal rate of 89.7%. That is annuity-quality cash flow. The biggest risk is a consumer slowdown that compresses ticket growth and forces the multiple lower.
Where Costco Trades Today vs Its Earnings Power At $982.35 against forward EPS of $21.69, COST trades at roughly 45x forward earnings. That is expensive on the surface, but EPS is compounding fast and free cash flow hit $7.84B in FY25. S
hares sit between a 52-week low of $841.69 and a high of $1,096.50, and the 10-year return is 646.23%. Long-term holders have been paid to ignore valuation noise.
The Bottom Line on $1,100 To reach $1,100 by June 2027, Costco needs that 12% gain and roughly 2 turns of multiple expansion.
Three things need to go right: comparable sales stay above 6%, membership renewal holds near 89.7%, and digital comp keeps printing above 20%. A consumer pullback that hits ticket and traffic derails it. We’ve outlined the blueprint for how Costco could reach $1,100 in 2027.
Realty Income (NYSE:O | O Price Prediction) is structured for multi-decade income generation because its triple-net lease architecture, monthly dividend discipline, and recession-tested tenant base together produce the kind of compounding income stream a retirement portfolio can lean on without supervision.
Wall Street’s current fixation on the 4.48% 10-year Treasury yield has pushed REIT sentiment into a defensive crouch, and that is precisely the backdrop that makes the long-term case stronger. The thesis is built around long-duration income, and rests on three pillars: business durability, income generation, and proven cycle survival.
Pillar One: A Business Built to Outlast Its Tenants Under a triple-net lease, the tenant, not Realty Income, is responsible for property taxes, insurance, and ongoing maintenance, which insulates the landlord from inflationary operating overhead. That structure is applied across 15,500-plus properties leased to 1,786 clients operating in 92 industries, spread across all 50 U.S. states, the United Kingdom, eight additional European countries, and Mexico.
The portfolio is anchored by counter-cyclical, non-discretionary retail giants like Walmart, Dollar General, and major grocery chains, with Dollar General, 7-Eleven, Walgreens, Family Dollar, and Life Time Group among the top tenants. Occupancy sits at 98.9%, and re-leased properties are recapturing 103.4% of prior rent, showing that the underlying real estate has pricing power even when individual tenants churn.
Pillar Two: Income You Can Set Your Watch To Realty Income calls itself The Monthly Dividend Company for a reason. The board has now declared 670 consecutive monthly dividends and raised the payout 114 consecutive quarters. The annualized payout has climbed to $3.246 per share, and the dividend yield of 5.22% sits 72 basis points above the 10-year Treasury.
Coverage is healthy. AFFO per share reached $1.13 in the first quarter, up 6.6% year over year, and management raised 2026 AFFO guidance to $4.41 to $4.44. With a payout ratio near 75.1% of AFFO, the income is funded by operations.
Pillar Three: Surviving Cycles, Not Predicting Them The dataset stretches back to January 1999, covering the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis, COVID, and the most aggressive rate-hiking cycle in 40 years. The monthly check has never been skipped or cut.
The balance sheet is conservatively positioned: net debt to annualized pro forma adjusted EBITDAre improved to 5.2x, debt-to-equity stands at 0.83, and beta is just 0.734. Management is still deploying capital at attractive spreads, investing $2.80 billion at a 7.1% initial weighted average cash yield in Q1 and raising full-year investment guidance to $9.50 billion.
The One Scenario Where It Lags In an environment of persistently elevated rates and a roaring growth-stock bull market, Realty Income will trail the index. Interest expense already climbed to $1.13 billion for full year 2025 versus $1.02 billion in 2024, and the stock can drift while capital chases higher-octane names. That doesn’t change the forever thesis, because the business is engineered to deliver contracted rent. The monthly dividend keeps arriving while the stock argues with itself.
For income-focused investors, the thesis rests on the discipline of the model and the durability of the next 670 monthly checks.
The iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:DGRO) was built for investors who want a paycheck that gets bigger every year, not a yield chase. DGRO tracks the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index, screening for companies with at least five consecutive years of dividend growth and payout ratios under 75%. The fund pays a roughly 2.2% to 2.5% trailing yield at an ultra-low 0.08% expense ratio, and DGRO’s top holdings tell the real story about whether that income is durable. The short answer: the distribution is among the safest you can find in an equity ETF.
How DGRO Manufactures Its Income DGRO’s distribution comes straight from dividends collected from roughly 400 underlying U.S. companies, passed through quarterly. Because the index requires five years of consecutive dividend growth and caps the payout ratio at 75%, the fund mechanically excludes companies stretching to pay shareholders. That methodology is why the top of the portfolio reads like a who’s who of cash flow machines: Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ | JNJ Price Prediction), Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG), AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), and JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM).
The Dividend Kings Anchoring the Fund JNJ just raised its payout to $1.34 per quarter, extending its streak to 64 consecutive years of dividend growth. Q1 revenue rose 9.9% to $24.06 billion and management raised full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $11.45 to $11.65. STELARA biosimilar erosion and a $330 million litigation charge dented quarterly free cash flow, but DARZALEX, TREMFYA, and CARVYKTI are growing fast enough to defend coverage.
P&G is on its 70th consecutive annual increase, paying $1.0885 a quarter and yielding 3.0%. Operating cash flow was $4.05 billion last quarter and management plans roughly $10 billion in dividends and $5 billion in buybacks this fiscal year. Tariff costs near $400 million are pushing EPS toward the lower end of guidance, but the dividend is not the constraint.
The Higher-Yield, Higher-Risk Names AbbVie is the holding that demands the closest look. The quarterly dividend was raised 5.5% to $1.73, yielding about 3.1%. Humira sales fell 39% last quarter, but Skyrizi at $4.48 billion (+31%) and Rinvoq at $2.12 billion (+23%) have more than filled the hole. With 2.26x net debt to EBITDA and a free-cash-flow yield near 5%, the payout is covered, but the cushion is thinner than the rest of the cohort.
JPMorgan returned $12.20 billion to shareholders in Q1, split between a $1.50 quarterly dividend and $8.1 billion in buybacks. With $291 billion in CET1 capital and a 14% ratio, dividend risk is essentially a function of recession credit losses, not capital adequacy.
The Coverage Cushion Most Investors Miss Microsoft and Apple yield a combined rounding error, paying $0.91 and $0.27 per quarter respectively. What they bring to DGRO is the opposite of income vulnerability: Microsoft’s 54x interest coverage and Apple’s $100 billion buyback authorization mean these dividends could double and still be afterthoughts. They are the future aristocrats stabilizing the present ones.
Total Return and the Verdict DGRO is up about 8% year to date and roughly 25% over the past year, trailing SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA:SPY) at about 10% YTD but with materially lower drawdown risk. Against a nearly 5% 10-year Treasury, DGRO’s yield looks modest, but Treasuries do not raise their coupon every year. Investors hunting for a higher current payout can compare DGRO against the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:SCHD), which screens harder for yield at the cost of slightly slower growth. The DGRO distribution is safe, and the underlying holdings are still raising payouts. Income-focused investors who can accept a 2% starting yield in exchange for compounding raises should be comfortable. Those who need a 4% check today should look elsewhere.
The past five years have been a difficult stretch for the stock of luxury furniture company RH (RH 2.32%), which is down more than 75% in that span. The home furnishing industry has been hit with a perfect storm of prior demand pull-forward due to COVID restrictions, low housing turnover, and tariffs.
Despite delivering first-quarter revenue results that topped its prior guidance, RH stock slid as it issued a cautious second-quarter forecast. Let's take a close look at RH's results and prospects to see if a turnaround could be in store.
Today's Change
(
-2.32
%) $
-3.54
Current Price
$
149.50
Making bold moves Despite facing an incredibly difficult furnishing environment, RH has been putting up respectable results as it expands its brand to Europe through the opening of grandiose galleries.
It's also making one of its boldest brand extensions ever with RH Estates, as it introduces a more traditional furniture line that tends to be preferred by many luxury homeowners. This will include ultra-high-end, fully customizable furniture catering to both wealthy consumers and design professionals, and is expected to help propel growth starting in the second half of the year.
For its fiscal Q1, RH reported a 1.7% decrease in revenue to $800.3 million, which was above its prior guidance for revenue to decline by 2% to 4%. Adjusted earnings per share, meanwhile, had a loss of $1.97, versus a profit of $0.13 a year ago. That was better than the $2.07 loss expected by analysts.
Looking ahead, RH raised its full-year revenue forecast, taking it to growth of between 4.5% and 8%, up slightly from a prior outlook of 4% to 8% growth. For Q2, it projected revenue to grow by between 0.5% to 2.5%, before accelerating to 12% growth in the second half. The second-half growth acceleration is expected to be led by a combination of backlog reduction (4.5%), new store growth (2.5%), and RH Estates (5%).
RH has also been selling some assets, like its Aspen real estate portfolio. Management thinks that the combination of improved sales, reduced spending, and asset sales will lead to significant free cash flow generation and help it become debt-free by 2029.
Image source: Getty Images.
Is it time to buy the stock? If RH can accelerate sales and reduce debt, the stock could have a lot of upside from here. It's making some big bets with Europe and RH Estates, so it certainly isn't sitting still. The stock only trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 16 based on next fiscal year analyst estimates, but its leverage and sales growth have been keeping the stock back.
I think the stock looks like an interesting speculative bet at current levels, with some nice potential over the next few years if its strategy works.
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$106.30▼
$257.00P/E Ratio28.82
Price Target$171.47
Luxury home furnishings retailer RH NYSE: RH reported first-quarter results after the market closed Thursday, topping Wall Street's earnings and revenue expectations and raising its full-year outlook.
Despite better-than-expected results and the company's enthusiasm for its strategic expansion plans, shares were volatile following the report, as investors appeared focused on the pace of improvement needed to meet the company's second-half forecast.
Get RH alerts:
Shares were recently trading down about 2%.
RH Tops Earnings and Revenue Estimates Despite Q1 LossRH reported a fiscal year 2026 (FY2026) Q1 loss of $1.97 per share, compared with earnings of 13 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. Analysts had expected a loss of $2.13 per share.
Revenue of approximately $800 million declined 1.7% from the prior-year period but topped Wall Street estimates by roughly $8 million.
The company said Q1 net revenue was negatively impacted by tariff-related sourcing disruptions, resulting in an approximately $45 million headwind due to higher backorder and special-order balances.
RH reported an adjusted EBITDA margin of 7.1%, exceeding the high end of its expectations despite the impact of backorders and special-order balances.
RH Sees Stronger Growth Acceleration in Second HalfFollowing its stronger-than-expected Q1, RH raised the low end of its full-year outlook for both revenue growth and adjusted EBITDA margin.
The company now expects FY2026 revenue growth of 4.5% to 8%, compared with its previous outlook of 4% to 8%. It also raised the low end of its adjusted EBITDA margin forecast to 14.2% to 16%, up from its prior range of 14% to 16%.
RH maintained its adjusted free cash flow forecast of $300 million to $400 million.
The outlook includes an approximately 270-basis-point drag from pre-opening and startup costs associated with the company's international expansion efforts.
RH also issued second-quarter guidance calling for revenue growth of 0.5% to 2.5% and adjusted EBITDA margin of 11.5% to 13%. The forecast includes an estimated 380-basis-point headwind related to the international expansion.
In prepared remarks read during the earnings call, Chief Executive Gary Friedman addressed the company's path to achieving its full-year outlook, saying, “How, many may ask, in an economic environment like the one we are navigating through, do you get from your half one numbers to your half two numbers necessary to make the year?"
Friedman pointed to three factors supporting the business's acceleration from flat growth in the first half to approximately 12% growth in the second half: a backlog reduction worth 4.5 percentage points, new-store growth expected to contribute 2.5 percentage points, and RH Estates, which is projected to contribute approximately five percentage points.
Global Expansion and RH Estates Expected to Drive Long-Term GrowthFriedman discussed RH's international expansion efforts, which include openings in Milan, Paris, and London, as well as the launch of RH Estates, a new brand targeting the traditional luxury market.
Friedman described the international locations as "arguably the three most immersive and inspiring brand experiences anywhere in the world," adding that they "will form the foundation necessary to earn the respect and recognition of not only the European and U.K. customer, but a global one."
Friedman described the launch of RH Estates as one of the company's most significant initiatives to date.
"I think it's the most intelligent, deep-thinking launch of a brand we've done," he said. "We're trying to make big moves that are industry-redefining. I think this is one of them. I think this is the biggest move we've ever made."
He also addressed the launch of RH Bespoke Furniture and RH Couture Upholstery, which will offer customizable pieces. Friedman said the new brands make products that were previously available only through trade showrooms more accessible. The company is also launching a compensation program designed to incentivize trade professionals, including interior designers and architects.
Analysts Remain Cautiously Optimistic as RH Faces Execution TestDespite the stock's decline following earnings, at least two analysts reacted favorably to the report. Guggenheim reiterated its Buy rating on the shares, while Robert W. Baird raised its price target to $150 from $125.
Current Price$153.19High Forecast$251.00Average Forecast$171.47Low Forecast$88.00RH Stock Forecast Details
Among the 20 analysts currently covering RH, the consensus rating is Hold, comprising eight Hold ratings, seven Buy ratings, and five Sell ratings. The average 12-month price target is $171.47, implying roughly 13% upside from current levels. Price targets range considerably from $88 to $350.
RH shares closed just under $160 ahead of the earnings release after gaining more than 7% the day leading up to the report. Following the results, the stock swung from as high as $163.55 to as low as $147. Most recently, shares were trading at approximately $157.71, down about 2%. Shares remain down around 13% year to date and roughly 12% over the past 12 months.
The stock has fared better than some peers, however. Shares of luxury furniture retailer Arhaus NASDAQ: ARHS fell after the company reported Q1 results in May and provided cautious guidance for Q2 amid macroeconomic uncertainty. Shares of Arhaus are down roughly 36% over the past year.
RH also remains one of the market's more heavily shorted stocks, with short interest rising to 40.9% of float as of May 29, up from 23.7% at the end of January.
While RH's message centered on the company's long-term growth opportunities, investors appeared cautious about the path to achieving its second-half targets. The company's ability to execute on its international expansion, RH Estates launch, and trade initiatives will remain a key focus in the quarters ahead as investors assess whether those efforts can deliver the growth needed to support management's outlook.
Should You Invest $1,000 in RH Right Now?Before you consider RH, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and RH wasn't on the list.
While RH currently has a Hold rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
Nuclear energy is entering a new growth cycle as rising power demand, expanding data centers, and renewed policy support bring the sector back into focus. After strong gains in recent years, the most impactful phase of nuclear investment may still be ahead. This report highlights seven nuclear energy stocks positioned across the value chain—combining near-term revenue with long-term upside as next-generation technologies scale. Click the link below to unlock the full list.
Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades, downgrades and initiations, please see our analyst ratings page.
Considering buying ROKU stock? Here’s what analysts think:
Photo via Shutterstock
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
Shares of Roku Inc (NASDAQ:ROKU) came under pressure in early trading on Monday, after surging on Friday on reports of a potential sale.
The company is more valuable than what its fundamental analysis suggests, as a large tech, media, or advertising company could create more value by using its platform "across a broader ecosystem of devices, services, data, content, ads, and/or commerce products," according to Needham.
The Roku Analyst: Analyst Laura Martin maintained a Buy rating, while raising the price target from $140 to $170.
The Roku Thesis: The price target has been raised to reflect the company's takeover value, which is the incremental value it could create for an acquirer's entire ecosystem, Martin said in the note.
Check out other analyst stock ratings.
She added that acquiring Roku gives the buyer:
An installed base of more than 100 million TV homes 4 hours per day of proprietary first-party TV viewing data Premium connected-TV advertising inventory More than 150 million direct consumer relationships The analyst mentioned that Roku is worth more to the following types of companies:
ROKU Price Action: Roku shares were down 0.31% at $143.22 at the time of publication on Monday. The stock is approaching its 52-week high of $148.88, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
Rumors were swirling late last week that Roku (ROKU 1.35%) had put itself on the auction block. The scuttlebutt suggested that the company was in talks to be acquired by a major U.S. media company, according to Bloomberg, citing "people with knowledge of the matter." Those reports sent the stock up 20% on Friday, as investors considered the ramifications of a potential tie-up.
Turns out those rumors were well-founded. A joint press release dropped Monday morning, revealing that Roku had agreed to be acquired by Fox Corporation (FOXA 17.79%) (FOX 15.45%) in a deal that's sure to shake up the media space.
Here's what investors need to know.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
The end of an eraFox has agreed to acquire Roku in a cash-and-stock deal that values the streaming pioneer at $22 billion or $160 per share. Fox will pay $96 in cash per share and 0.9693 shares of Fox Class A common stock for each share of Roku Class A and Class B stock outstanding. Once the deal closes, Fox shareholders are expected to own roughly 73% of the combined company, while Roku shareholders will own roughly 27%.
The press release noted that the transaction had already been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and is expected to close in the first half of calendar year 2027. Roku founder and CEO Anthony Wood will "have an ongoing role" in the company and will be appointed to Fox's board once the deal closes.
Fox notes that the transaction combines a streaming leader with the company's No. 1 live news and sports portfolio, thereby increasing its scale and reach, positioning it in the high-growth connected TV segment, and boosting Roku's streaming credentials with Fox's premium content.
A lot to likeIt's easy to see why Fox would be interested in Roku. Earlier this year, Roku announced that it had surpassed 100 million streaming households worldwide.
The company's Howdy discount streaming service, which costs $2.99 per month, has attracted more than 1 million subscribers since its debut in August, by offering thousands of titles totaling more than 10,000 hours of entertainment, with movies and programming courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery, Lionsgate, and FilmRise, as well as select original programming from Roku's own library.
Today's Change
(
-1.35
%) $
-1.94
Current Price
$
141.72
Then there's The Roku Channel -- Roku's homegrown ad-supported channel -- which has established itself as one of the premier ad-supported channels. Data from Nielsen shows that The Roku Channel ended 2025 in the Top 10 among media companies, with a 3% share of all U.S. TV viewership.
That same data suggests that the combination of Fox and The Roku Channel will place it third on the list, commanding roughly 10% of the television viewing audience, behind Alphabet's YouTube and The Walt Disney Company, with 12.7% and 10.7%, respectively.
So why are the stocks trading lower today?In a telling turn of events, both Roku and Fox are trading lower on Monday, after investors in both camps panned the idea. Indeed, Fox shares have slumped 16% as of 1:06 p.m. ET, while Roku is down about 1%.
Shareholders are likely concerned about Fox's plan to take on $12 billion in new debt and the 34% premium it's paying for Roku compared to its price before Friday's rumors. Additionally, Roku's willingness to offer its streaming devices at or near cost to bring viewers into its ecosystem has been a winning strategy for the company, but it will add a measure of complexity to Fox's business.
It also suggests that Roku shareholders believe Fox is underpaying and that a potential competing bid could emerge.
Stay tuned.
Danny Vena, CPA has positions in Alphabet, Roku, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Roku, Walt Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The highly competitive streaming and television space continues to experience consolidation.
On June 15, Fox Corp. (FOX 15.45%) announced it had reached an agreement to acquire Roku (ROKU 1.23%) in a deal already approved by both companies’ boards of directors.
Fox will pay $22 billion in enterprise value for Roku ($25 billion equity value), valuing the hardware streaming company at $160 per share, a 28% premium to its June 10 price.
The deal will be 60% funded by cash and 40% through equity.
To help fund the deal, Fox plans to take on $8.3 billion of new debt and has secured bridge financing. Fox will also issue 152 million of class A shares.
As of 1:17 p.m. ET today, shares of Fox traded over 14% lower. Shares of Roku were down slightly, but had risen significantly late last week on takeover rumors. Following Fox’s decline, is this a buying opportunity?
Image source: Getty Images.
What Fox is gettingWhile both are in the television and streaming space, Fox and Roku are different companies.
Roku licenses its devices to streaming services and other television providers, earning fees for content and subscriptions purchased on Roku devices. Roku also has a strong ad business.
Over the past year, Roku has generated about $5 billion of revenue. Roughly half comes from advertising, 39% from subscriptions, and 11% from the sale of various Roku devices.
Today's Change
(
-1.23
%) $
-1.76
Current Price
$
141.90
Roku generated a 44% gross margin over the past year and projects free cash flow of over $1 billion in 2028.
This mix should be attractive to Fox, which generated over 58% of its revenue in the past nine months from advertising. The rest of Fox’s revenue comes from distribution and content.
Fox also owns the streaming service Tubi, which has roughly 100 million monthly active users and over 1 billion monthly streaming hours.
Roku is the leading connected TV device, accounting for 44% of total U.S. hours spent viewing content on connected TV devices, as of the fourth quarter of 2025.
The acquisition of Roku will make Fox the third-largest media provider in TV viewership, with 10.2% market share, catapulting the company past Paramount Skydance and Netflix.
Fox’s stock is down big today, likely due to expected shareholder dilution from the deal. Following today’s decline, Fox’s market cap is just over $22 billion, about the size of the Roku acquisition on an enterprise-value basis.
Today's Change
(
-15.45
%) $
-9.10
Current Price
$
49.82
However, investors may be worried about another factor of the deal, according to a team of analysts at the advisory and consulting firm Madison Wall.
“Roku exposes Fox in a significant way to the low-margin OEM (original equipment manufacturing) business, which has many different dynamics when compared to the current version of Fox,” the firm wrote in a research note, according to Barrons.
“Roku’s revenues are by now majority advertising-dependent, but its costs primarily relate to manufacturing and related software development as well as physical marketing and distribution of its devices.”
The deal is expected to deliver $400 million in cost synergies at Fox, with additional revenue upside.
Furthermore, the acquisition is projected to be accretive to free cash flow within two years of closing, which is expected to occur within the first six months of 2027.
The deal helps Fox in several ways by adding scale to its already large advertising business and by giving the company a much larger presence in streaming.
That’s likely to be a better long-term bet than overly focusing on legacy television.
However, as analysts at Madison Wall noted, this isn’t a pure integration of a content-advertising business, since Roku also makes hardware.
This introduces risks to deal execution and could make the merging of two different cultures and businesses more difficult. Ultimately, there are many questions, but the deal does seem to position Fox better for the future.
I think investors can take a starter position following the sell-off, but should monitor the company for further evidence that the different parts of each business can work together.
Insiders may stand to receive substantial financial benefits not available to ordinary shareholders.
The proposed transactions may contain terms that could limit superior competing offers.
Shareholders are encouraged to contact the firm to discuss their rights and options at no cost or obligation. We would handle any matter on a contingent fee basis, whereby you would not be responsible for out-of-pocket payment of our legal fees or expenses.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating the following companies for potential violations of the federal securities laws and/or breaches of fiduciary duties to shareholders relating to:
Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROKU)'s sale to Fox Corporation for $96.00 in cash and 0.9693 shares of Fox Class A common stock for each Roku Class A and Class B share outstanding. If you are a Roku shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options.
Payoneer Global Inc. (NASDAQ: PAYO)'s sale to Nuvei for $7.40 per share in cash. If you are a Payoneer shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options.
Standard BioTools Inc. (NASDAQ: LAB)'s merger with Treeline Biosciences, Inc. Upon closing of the proposed transaction, Standard BioTools shareholders are expected to own approximately 16% of the combined company. If you are a Standard BioTools shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options.
Fox Corporation (NASDAQ: FOXA, FOX)'s merger with Roku, Inc. Upon closing of the proposed transaction, Fox shareholders are expected to own approximately 73% of the combined company. If you are a Fox shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options.
On behalf of shareholders, Halper Sadeh LLC may seek increased consideration, additional disclosures and information, or other relief and benefits.
Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Information:
Halper Sadeh LLC
Daniel Sadeh, Esq.
Zachary Halper, Esq.
One World Trade Center
85th Floor
New York, NY 10007
(212) 763-0060
[email protected]
[email protected]
https://www.halpersadeh.com
Rupert dreamed it, Lachlan bought it: the strategy behind Fox's $22 billion Roku acquisition
You're currently following this author! Want to unfollow? Unsubscribe via the link in your email.
Chief Correspondent covering media and technology
Lachlan Murdoch and Rupert Murdoch's Fox is buying Roku. But why? Adrian Edwards/GC Images Rupert Murdoch chased the TV Guide of the Future for years. He spent billions trying to build an on-screen map for digital television before giving up.
Now his son Lachlan looks like he's making it happen by buying Roku in a $22 billion deal.
On paper, Lachlan's transaction seems like the thing his dad spent much of the '90s and 2000s trying to put together: Once the deal closes, the Murdochs will own the interface that 100 million households use when they want to stream something.
It's a big deal because it means Fox won't just be a content company, but a distributor as well. Buying Roku gives Fox real estate it can use to promote its own services, like Tubi, its free streamer, and Fox One, its paid streamer. But it can also sell subscriptions to competitors' services and get paid when it does. And it can sell ads on all of the above.
One big catch: Fox is spending $22 billion to own a TV Guide. But it's not the only TV Guide.
Unlike the '90s and 2000s, there are now lots of ways to get something you want to watch onto a screen of your choice. Roku might be your home screen. But you might also use YouTube, or Apple, or Amazon, or Samsung, or Walmart's Vizio. You might still have a cable TV subscription, which would mean your cable TV provider is your home screen. Maybe you never use any of those services, and just turn on Netflix and never spend time anywhere else.
The other big catch: In the internet age, owning a portal that millions of people use to access stuff they like gives you lots of power. But it doesn't give you all the power: The biggest content companies and app makers have their own leverage.
Apple can't sell an iPhone that doesn't let you use Instagram, and Roku can't be a TV portal if it doesn't include YouTube and Netflix, the two biggest names in streaming.
You could see how that gave YouTube and Netflix leverage when Roku went public in 2017: Back then, the company disclosed that Netflix generated about a third of its viewing but immaterial revenue, while YouTube, its most-watched ad-supported app, generated no revenue at all. The details have changed a bit since then — I've asked Roku for the latest — but the lesson hasn't: If you are big enough, you don't pay the same tolls as everyone else.
Let's be clear: Lachlan Murdoch is getting value for his $22 billion. Roku is a massive player in streaming, and it makes $4.7 billion a year by selling ads and subscriptions. Owning it gives Fox a way to diversify its revenue streams: Now Fox can make money from its own shows and services, but it can also get a piece of the business happening around other people's shows and services.
That's a position lots of media companies have wanted to be in for a long time. It doesn't always work out — ask HBO, which keeps getting combined with distribution companies (like Time Warner Cable, AOL, AT&T) and then sold to someone else when that doesn't work.
It also has a built-in tension. Yes, owning a distribution platform means you can give your own stuff a boost — that's why Roku has three different streamers of its own. But if you turn on your Roku TV and want to stream "The White Lotus," you don't want to wade through a bunch of ads for Howdy or the Roku Channel before you get there.
So Roku, like every other distributor, has to balance out the stuff it wants you to see vs. the stuff you want to see.
That kind of tension, by the way, might normally be an issue for regulators to examine. But in 2026, the odds that a Fox-friendly White House is going to stop the Murdochs from getting a deal they want are very low. Just ask Larry and David Ellison, whose Paramount got the go-ahead to buy Warner Bros. Discovery from Trump's Department of Justice on Friday afternoon — and then hosted a UFC fight night on the White House lawn two days later.
All of which makes the Roku deal a big event — but not one that completely remakes streaming. When Rupert Murdoch wanted to own the next-generation TV Guide, he imagined owning the only way to get to TV. But there are lots of TV Guides in 2026.
Read next
Peter Kafka You're currently following this author! Want to unfollow? Unsubscribe via the link in your email.
Peter covers media and technology for Business Insider; previously he has worked at Vox, Recode, AllThingsD, and Forbes. He was also the first hire at Silicon Alley Insider, Business Insider's predecessor.
Fox is preparing to acquire streaming video company Roku for $22 billion.
The deal, announced Monday (June 15), will make Fox the third-largest player in the television world in terms of viewership share. The companies say they plan to operate Roku “as an open, partner-friendly platform” committed to “the continued ubiquitous distribution of FOX content.”
Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch noted in a news release that the deal follows the company’s pivot to focus on news and live sports in 2019 and its acquisition of the Tubi streaming service in 2020.
“Today, we take the next step: bringing together the most valuable live content portfolio in video consumption with the preeminent streaming platform through which America watches it,” Murdoch said.
“This combination will transform the scope of our company into high-growth verticals and yield a step change in our overall growth profile.”
According to a CNBC report on the deal, Murdoch said in a call with investors Monday that the companies want to keep Tubi and The Roku Channel separate once the deal closes.
Advertisement: Scroll to Continue
He called them “incredibly complementary services” with roughly a third of overlap between their audiences. CNBC noted that most Tubi viewers come for on-demand content, in contrast to the free channels created in the mold of the traditional pay TV bundle.
The deal is subject to regulatory approval, and comes just as the U.S. government has signed off on an even larger media consolidation: Paramount Skydance’s planned purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery, cleared last week by the Justice Department.
“If completed, the $110 billion transaction would reshape the global entertainment landscape, creating a media powerhouse with an unmatched portfolio of film and television properties at a time when traditional studios are racing to adapt to the economics of the streaming era,” Competition Policy International, a PYMNTS company, wrote recently.
However, that report added, the deal still faces some regulatory hurdles. Authorities in Europe and the U.K. are examining the merger, while states including California and New York have been preparing legal action to block the deal, arguing that greater consolidation in the media sector could lessen opportunities for creative workers and hinder competition.
Meanwhile, recent research from PYMNTS Intelligence shows that while consumers are cutting back on spending, streaming services are likely to survive, as 73% of consumers did not flag entertainment as a challenge.
Figures like that, PYMNTS wrote earlier this month, challenge the idea that people under financial pressure just cut back on everything that isn’t a necessity.
Chip stocks rose broadly on Monday following an agreement to end the U.S.-Iran war. Micron (MU) stock and shares of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) led the gainers.
In morning trades on the stock market today, the Philadelphia semiconductor index, known as SOX, crossed the 14,000 level for the first time and hit a record high. In recent trades, the SOX was up more than 4%.
↑ X NOW PLAYING Master The Pivot: Find Meaningful Setups Before Earnings Moves
The SOX includes the 30 largest chip stocks and semiconductor equipment stocks traded in the U.S.
AMD stock rose more than 7% to 548.36 in recent trades. The Santa Clara, Calif.-based company on Monday announced the acquisition of Mext, a pioneer in AI-driven memory optimization technology.
Earlier in the trading session Monday, AMD stock notched an all-time high of 558.37.
Meanwhile, Micron stock surged more than 9% to 1,071.07. Before the market open, RBC Capital Markets and TD Cowen raised their price targets on Micron stock and reiterated their buy ratings.
RBC analyst Srini Pajjuri increased his price target on Micron to 1,200 from 525. He raised his sales and earnings estimates for the memory-chip maker on stronger pricing and volume assumptions amid the buildout of data centers for artificial intelligence.
TD Cowen analyst Krish Sankar hiked his price target on Micron to 1,500 from 660. He forecast higher DRAM (dynamic random-access memory) content per gigawatt of AI data center capacity.
Chip Stocks Are Rocking Other chip stocks leading the charge higher for the SOX index included AI chipmakers Nvidia (NVDA), Broadcom (AVGO) and Marvell Technology (MRVL).
Top risers among chip-gear makers included Entegris (ENTG), Lam Research (LRCX), Nova (NVMI) and Teradyne (TER).
The iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX), which tracks the performance of the SOX index, was up more than 4% in late morning trades.
Follow Patrick Seitz on X at @IBD_PSeitz for more stories on consumer technology, software and semiconductor stocks.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
AMD Stock Upgraded To Buy On GPU Upside
Taiwan Semiconductor Sales Rise 30% In May, Remain On Target
Discover Profitable Trades Each Day With MarketDiem. See How.
Find Winning Stocks With MarketSurge Pattern Recognition & Custom Screens
Join IBD Live For Stock Ideas Each Morning Before The Open
Nvidia NVDA , Micron MU and a long list of AI and quantum computing stocks rallied Monday after the U.S. and Iran reached a peace agreement, giving investors a reason to jump back into some of the market's highest-growth themes.
The biggest gains came from memory-related names. Micron climbed about 8%, while Western Digital WDC surged 13% and Seagate STX jumped 9%. In South Korea, memory giants Samsung Electronics gained 4.5% and SK Hynix rose 6.4%. Investors appeared to be betting that lower geopolitical risk could improve sentiment toward a sector already benefiting from booming AI infrastructure demand.
The rally spread well beyond memory. AMD AMD gained roughly 8%, Qualcomm QCOM rose 6%, and Nvidia added about 2%. Quantum computing stocks were even hotter, with Arqit Quantum ARQQ soaring 29%, D-Wave QBTS rising 13%, Quantum Computing (QUBT) gaining 12%, and Rigetti RGTI adding 10%.
Monday's move was a reminder that when geopolitical fears ease, money often rotates quickly back into risk assets and long-duration growth stories. The next thing to watch is whether details of the Iran agreement hold up and whether the rally has enough momentum to extend beyond the initial relief trade.
The logic behind the selloff was sloppy at best — and the tape has since punished anyone who sold into it.
MU stock is climbing. See the chart and price action here. Dip buyers who stepped in near $751 are sitting on gains of roughly 43.1%. Micron trades at $1,074.66 as of Monday afternoon, within striking distance of its 52-week high, according to Benzinga Pro.
What Broadcom Actually SaidBroadcom’s Q2 transcript makes clear why the Micron selloff was misdirected.
CEO Hock Tan guided Q3 AI semiconductor revenue to approximately $5.1 billion, up 60% year over year. He went further, telling analysts that Broadcom “may actually see an acceleration of XPU demand into the back half of 2026 to meet urgent demand for inference.”
He confirmed the 60% AI revenue growth rate seen in fiscal 2025 should “sustain into fiscal 2026.”
Broadcom’s accelerator story is about custom XPUs and Ethernet networking — not high-bandwidth memory. Broadcom does not compete with Micron for HBM supply.
Tan’s commentary on inference acceleration is, if anything, a driver of demand for HBM. More inference deployments mean more GPU clusters. More GPU clusters mean more HBM consumption.
Micron’s HBM Story Was Never Broadcom’s to TellMicron’s own fundamental setup had not changed. The company confirmed that its entire 2026 HBM supply — including next-generation HBM4 — is sold out, with pricing and volume agreements already locked.
Negotiations for 2027 deliveries are already underway.
Only Micron, SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics produce HBM at scale, and the mechanical constraints of 12-layer stacks limit how fast supply can ramp. Goldman Sachs has projected HBM TAM growth from $35 billion today to over $100 billion by 2028.
Selling Micron because Broadcom’s gross margins guided slightly lower on XPU mix, ignored the distinction between memory suppliers and accelerator designers entirely.
The Broader ReadThe early June selloff reflected a reflex, not analysis. Broadcom’s gross margin guide came down roughly 130 basis points sequentially due to a higher XPU mix — a detail that has nothing to do with DRAM pricing, HBM supply contracts or Micron’s ability to sell every stack it manufactures.
Broadcom shares are trading at $392.58, still well below their 52-week high, while Micron has essentially recovered.
MU Stock Price Activity: Micron stock was up 9.03% at $1070.29 at the time of publication on Monday, according to Benzinga Pro.
Over the past month, MU has gained about 42.6% versus a 2.2% rise in the S&P 500 and is up roughly 263% year-to-date compared to the index’s 10.3% gain. The stock is trading just below its 52-week high of $1089.29.
Photo: Samuel Boivin / Shutterstock
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
Wall Street rallied Monday as investors digested news of a preliminary peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI +1.16%) rose 1.4% just before 1 p.m. ET, hitting a fresh all-time intraday high. The S&P 500 (^GSPC +1.70%) climbed 1.9%, while the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC +2.94%) led with a 3% gain. Meanwhile, oil prices fell sharply and the United States Oil Fund (USO 4.41%) dropped 4.5%.
The agreement, announced late Sunday, would extend the U.S.-Iran ceasefire for 60 days. It would also lay the groundwork for final negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program. If all goes as planned, this initial deal is set to be signed on Friday in Geneva, setting the stage for the conflict's endgame.
^IXIC data by YCharts
Tech leads, SpaceX soars Caterpillar (CAT +2.93%) led the Dow with a 2.3% gain, contributing 131 points to the index. The construction equipment giant's stock fell 5.9% last Wednesday on geopolitical uncertainty and inflation fears. Today's rally erased about half of that dramatic loss. The reasons were all the same, but in reverse.
The usual Dow heavyweights did their part in the index boost, and again, it was more of a geopolitical upswing than a bunch of company-specific surges. Financial titans Goldman Sachs (GS +1.55%) and American Express (AXP +3.57%) added gains of 1.5% and 3.6%, respectively, for reasons best described as "vibes."
Over on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite, tech giants led the rally. Alphabet (GOOG +3.13%) (GOOGL +3.30%), Nvidia (NVDA +3.28%), and Micron Technology (MU +10.19%) combined to add over $300 billion in market cap. The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weighted ETF (RSP +0.70%) rose just 1% versus 1.9% for cap-weighted versions of the S&P 500 index. Translation: this rally has a VIP section, and most stocks aren't in it.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
And the only major index that includes Space Exploration Technologies (SPCX +16.00%) benefits from the freshly launched stock's massive momentum. SpaceX is up 10.3%, increasing its market cap by $239 billion. That's more fuel for the Nasdaq Composite's fires.
Elon Musk spent Sunday posting ambitious projections on X. He suggested SpaceX could hit $1 trillion in annual revenue by 2030 or 2031. That would require roughly 50x growth from 2025's $18.7 billion.
Oil traders finally exhaled. West Texas Intermediate crude fell to around $80 per barrel after President Trump declared on Truth Social: "Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!" The Strait of Hormuz is set to reopen on Friday, assuming the Geneva signing goes as planned.
Lower energy prices could ease inflation pressures, potentially reducing the need for further Federal Reserve rate hikes. The central bank meets this week; there's a 98% chance it does nothing, per CME FedWatch. That would still be better news for risky investments than the rate increase that seemed certain as recently as last week.
With oil prices down, Chevron (CVX 3.33%) was the Dow's largest loser, falling 3.5% as cheaper oil cut into the energy sector's appeal.
Today's Change
(
2.94
%) $
762.22
Current Price
$
26651.06
Caveats apply Before getting too comfortable: the deal text hasn't been released, Israel isn't involved in the upcoming talks, and "preliminary" is doing a lot of work in today's headlines. Friday's signing in Geneva isn't the checkered flag; it's the starting line.
The same companies that looked good during last week's sell-off still look good today. The headlines changed, but the businesses didn't.
American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Anders Bylund has positions in Alphabet, Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF, Micron Technology, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, American Express, Caterpillar, Chevron, Goldman Sachs Group, Micron Technology, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
It's fun to peruse Zillow (Z +0.50%); it's less fun to be a shareholder in Zillow. The stock is down more than 50% year to date. Zillow is facing both broader macroeconomic challenges in the housing market and increased competition from Alphabet's (GOOG +3.18%) (GOOGL +3.30%) Google Home Listings.
So can the real estate platform make a comeback? Let's have a look.
Today's Change
(
0.50
%) $
0.16
Current Price
$
32.19
Google is expanding its search ads for real estate listings to all 50 states. This means Google will display MLS-listed properties directly in search results and connect buyers with local agents. It is a direct and substantial threat to Zillow's core business of sourcing leads and advertising for agents.
Zillow is combating this by diversifying its revenue streams. The company's rental business grew 42% in the first quarter of 2026. Zillow also has Zillow Home Loans and a mortgage marketplace for buyers who need to finance their purchases. The company is moving to become an artificial intelligence (AI)-native platform to make the home-buying and renting processes even more customized.
Image source: Getty Images.
Zillow's first-quarter revenue grew 18% year over year to $708 million. Mortgage revenue jumped 56%, specifically from mortgage loan origination volume.
Zillow's dominance is now in question The strong quarter was all before Google made this big announcement. It's now an uphill battle for Zillow. It is competing against one of the world's largest and most powerful information machines in Google. Continued efforts to diversify revenue streams should be Zillow's main focus. The real estate platform also needs the housing market to improve in the long term to sustain growth assumptions.
Today's Change
(
3.30
%) $
11.86
Current Price
$
371.54
Yes, Zillow's stock is inexpensive right now. However, with Google firing a direct shot at its core business, it may be prudent to wait a quarter or two to see how this begins to affect Zillow's earnings and how forcefully the company will respond.
Catie Hogan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet and Zillow Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized investor-rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: Z) and certain of its officers.
This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Zillow securities between February 11, 2025 and May 7, 2026, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/Z.
Zillow Case Details
The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:
Zillow's agreement with Redfin Corporation was not a "partnership," but rather an acquisition of Redfin's business; as a result of the Redfin Agreement, Zillow faced a materially heightened risk of regulatory scrutiny and liability under federal antitrust laws; upon the filing of an antitrust lawsuit, Zillow continued to downplay its legal exposure; and as a result, defendants' statements about Zillow's business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. What's Next for Zillow Investors?
A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/Z. or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 917-590-0911. If you suffered a loss in Zillow you have until August 10, 2026, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.
No Cost to Zillow Investors
We, Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman LLC, represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.
Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC for Zillow Securities Class Action?
Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide. More at www.bgandg.com
"Our practice centers on restoring investor capital and ensuring corporate accountability, which serves to uphold the essential integrity of the marketplace," said Peretz Bronstein, Founding Partner of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC.
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.
Contact Info
Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or Nathan Miller
Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
917-590-0911 | [email protected]
Attorney advertising.
Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of shareholders who purchased or otherwise acquired Zillow Group, Inc. (“Zillow” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: Z, ZG) Class A or Class C common stock between February 11, 2025 and May 7, 2026, inclusive (the “Class Period”). Zillow investors have until August 10, 2026 to file a lead plaintiff motion.
Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz Encourages Zillow Group, Inc. (Z, ZG) Shareholders To Inquire About Securities Fraud Class Action
Share IF YOU SUFFERED A LOSS ON YOUR ZILLOW GROUP, INC. (Z, ZG) INVESTMENTS, CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A CLAIM TO POTENTIALLY RECOVER YOUR LOSSES IN THE ONGOING SECURITIES FRAUD LAWSUIT.
You can also contact the Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz to discuss your legal rights by email at [email protected], by telephone at (310) 914-5007, or visit our website at www.frankcruzlaw.com.
What Happened?
On September 30, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission announced that it had sued “Zillow and Redfin over an unlawful agreement that eliminates Redfin as a competitor in the market for placing advertising of rental housing on internet listing services (ILSs)-the websites that millions of Americans use to find their next rental home.”
On this news, Zillow’s stock price fell $3.57 per share, 4.63% to close at $73.48 on October 1, 2025, thereby injuring investors.
Then, on February 10, 2026, Zillow announced fourth quarter 2025 earnings. In the earnings call, CFO Jeremy Hofmann stated that legal expenses “[were] higher than we anticipated coming into the quarter and was ultimately 180 basis points of margin drag for Q4.”
On this news, Zillow’s stock price fell $9.05 per share, or 16.5%, to close at $45.66 on February 11, 2026.
Then, on May 7, 2026, Reuters published an article stating that a “federal judge rejected [Zillow and Redfin’s] request to end a [FTC] lawsuit accusing them of illegally agreeing to suppress competition for online apartment rental listings.”
On this news, Zillow’s stock price fell $0.85, or 1.9%, to close at $43.68 per share on May 7, 2026; the stock continued to fall the next day, declining $2.25 per share, or 5.15%, to close at May 8, 2026, thereby injuring investors further.
What Is The Lawsuit About?
The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Zillow’s agreement with Redfin was not a “partnership,” but rather an acquisition of Redfin’s business; (2) as a result of the Redfin Agreement, Zillow faced a materially heightened risk of regulatory scrutiny and liability under federal antitrust laws; (3) upon the filing of an antitrust lawsuit, Zillow continued to downplay its legal exposure; and (4) as a result, Defendants’ positive statements about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.
Contact Us To Participate or Learn More:
If you purchased Zillow common stock, wish to learn more about this action, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please click HERE or contact us at:
Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz
2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 800
Telephone: 310-914-5007
Email: [email protected]
Visit our website at: www.frankcruzlaw.com
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of shareholders who purchased or otherwise acquired Zillow Group, Inc. (“Zillow” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: Z, ZG) Class A or Class C common stock between February 11, 2025 and May 7, 2026, inclusive (the “Class Period”). Zillow investors have until August 10, 2026 to file a lead plaintiff motion.
IF YOU SUFFERED A LOSS ON YOUR ZILLOW GROUP, INC. (Z, ZG) INVESTMENTS, CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A CLAIM TO POTENTIALLY RECOVER YOUR LOSSES IN THE ONGOING SECURITIES FRAUD LAWSUIT.
You can also contact the Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz to discuss your legal rights by email at [email protected], by telephone at (310) 914-5007, or visit our website at www.frankcruzlaw.com.
What Happened?
On September 30, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission announced that it had sued “Zillow and Redfin over an unlawful agreement that eliminates Redfin as a competitor in the market for placing advertising of rental housing on internet listing services (ILSs)-the websites that millions of Americans use to find their next rental home.”
On this news, Zillow’s stock price fell $3.57 per share, 4.63% to close at $73.48 on October 1, 2025, thereby injuring investors.
Then, on February 10, 2026, Zillow announced fourth quarter 2025 earnings. In the earnings call, CFO Jeremy Hofmann stated that legal expenses “[were] higher than we anticipated coming into the quarter and was ultimately 180 basis points of margin drag for Q4.”
On this news, Zillow’s stock price fell $9.05 per share, or 16.5%, to close at $45.66 on February 11, 2026.
Then, on May 7, 2026, Reuters published an article stating that a “federal judge rejected [Zillow and Redfin’s] request to end a [FTC] lawsuit accusing them of illegally agreeing to suppress competition for online apartment rental listings.”
On this news, Zillow’s stock price fell $0.85, or 1.9%, to close at $43.68 per share on May 7, 2026; the stock continued to fall the next day, declining $2.25 per share, or 5.15%, to close at May 8, 2026, thereby injuring investors further.
What Is The Lawsuit About?
The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Zillow’s agreement with Redfin was not a “partnership,” but rather an acquisition of Redfin’s business; (2) as a result of the Redfin Agreement, Zillow faced a materially heightened risk of regulatory scrutiny and liability under federal antitrust laws; (3) upon the filing of an antitrust lawsuit, Zillow continued to downplay its legal exposure; and (4) as a result, Defendants’ positive statements about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.
Contact Us To Participate or Learn More:
If you purchased Zillow common stock, wish to learn more about this action, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please click HERE or contact us at:
Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz
2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 800
Telephone: 310-914-5007
Email: [email protected]
Visit our website at: www.frankcruzlaw.com
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260615119534/en/
Founder's ClubSwingTraderLeaderboardMarketSurgeeIBDIBD DigitalIBD LiveCustomer Center
My Stock Lists
Email Preferences
Help & Support
Sign Out
Search stocks or keywords
Sections
My IBD
MARKET TREND
STOCK LISTS
STOCK RESEARCH
NEWSECONOMY
VIDEOS & PODCASTS
HOW TO INVESTEDUCATIONAL RESOURCESStoreMy Products
Founder's ClubSwingTraderLeaderboardMarketSurgeeIBDIBD DigitalIBD Live
Recently Searched
Cathie Wood Buys 3.3 Million SpaceX Shares On IPO Day
Stock Market Week Ahead: Keep An Eye On The Little Things
Viking, Bloom Energy Lead Five Stocks Making Bullish Moves As Market Rebounds Dow Jones stock Honeywell (HON) announced the formal board approval of plans to spin out its Honeywell Aerospace unit, as the conglomerate prepares to break up. Honeywell stock popped above a key level. Aerospace peer GE stock flirted with a breakout. On June 29, Honeywell's automation and aerospace businesses will become two independent, publicly traded companies. The Dow Jones company…
The comments, reported by Bloomberg, shine a spotlight on an underappreciated reality in commercial aerospace: sometimes the most important company isn’t the one assembling the aircraft.
The A320 Production ChallengeAirbus has spent years working to increase production of its best-selling A320 family as airlines around the world continue to demand new fuel-efficient aircraft.
But production targets are only as strong as the supply chain supporting them.
Faury said Airbus is still working with Pratt & Whitney, a division of RTX, on a 2027 delivery schedule, and the outcome could heavily influence whether the company reaches its planned production ramp.
The comments come after reports indicated Airbus had informed some customers of delays affecting certain A321neo deliveries scheduled for 2027 and 2028.
Why RTX MattersPratt & Whitney manufactures the geared turbofan engines used on a significant portion of Airbus’ narrowbody fleet. That gives RTX an unusually influential position within one of the aerospace industry’s most important production programs.
If engine deliveries accelerate, Airbus gains a clearer path toward higher output. If bottlenecks persist, production targets become more difficult to achieve.
A Supplier With Growing InfluenceFor investors, the takeaway extends beyond Airbus.
Commercial aerospace demand remains robust, airline backlogs remain elevated and manufacturers continue working to increase production. As a result, suppliers that control critical components are becoming increasingly important to the industry’s growth story.
Airbus may be the company setting ambitious production goals. But based on management’s latest comments, RTX could have a major say in whether those goals become reality.
Photo by Coby Wayne via Shutterstock
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
Key Takeaways Salesforce's Agentforce ARR topped $1B in Q1 FY27, helping drive larger deals and broader AI adoption.ServiceNow raised its AI revenue target but faces margin pressure from multiple acquisitions.Salesforce trades at a lower sales multiple and has seen upward earnings estimate revisions. ServiceNow (NOW - Free Report) and Salesforce (CRM - Free Report) are two of the most important enterprise cloud software companies, helping large organizations modernize operations, automate workflows and manage critical business processes.
While both benefit from long-term digital transformation trends, their business momentum and execution profiles differ meaningfully. For investors trying to choose between these two software leaders, a closer look at their fundamentals, growth outlook and risks helps determine which stock currently offers a stronger investment case.
The Case for ServiceNow StockServiceNow has been benefiting from the rising adoption of its workflows by enterprises undergoing digital transformation. The company expects to achieve $1.5 billion in AI revenues in 2026, on the back of rising adoption of ServiceNow's AI products, such as Now Assist, across its customer base, where customers are deploying AI faster and on a much larger scale.
Deals including three or more Now Assist products grew nearly 70% year over year in the first quarter, suggesting that customers are expanding AI usage across multiple workflows rather than testing a single AI feature. This bodes well for ServiceNow's prospects as customers are increasingly moving from AI pilots to full production deployments across their organizations and are now investing in AI across multiple business functions.
Now Assist is also helping ServiceNow grow other AI products. The company stated that adoption of Now Assist is driving demand for AI Control Tower and RaptorDB Pro. In the first quarter, AI Control Tower average deal sizes more than doubled sequentially, while RaptorDB Pro deal volume increased 80% year over year. Rising customer adoption and higher AI revenue expectations are positioning Now Assist to become an important driver of ServiceNow's AI growth strategy.
However, ServiceNow is integrating several acquisitions at the same time, including Moveworks, Armis, Veza and Pyramid Analytics. As a result of its back-to-back acquisitions, ServiceNow will need to integrate the acquired products, employees, technologies and sales teams into its existing business. As a result, the company will incur higher costs. These costs are expected to hurt the company's profitability before the benefits of synergies from acquisitions are fully realized.
For instance, the Armis acquisition is also expected to put pressure on profitability in 2026. Management expects Armis to reduce 2026 subscription gross margin by 25 basis points, operating margin by 75 basis points and free cash flow margin by 200 basis points. For the second quarter of 2026, Armis is expected to reduce its operating margin by 125 basis points. If customer adoption is slower than expected, the revenue contribution from these businesses could take longer to materialize.
The Case for Salesforce StockSalesforce's Agentforce platform is becoming one of the company's key growth drivers as customers increase spending on AI-powered products. Agentforce's annual recurring revenues (ARR) exceeded $1 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, making Agentforce one of Salesforce's fastest-growing businesses. The strong momentum can be attributed to customers who are moving beyond AI pilots and deploying the technology in production.
Agentforce is also helping Salesforce generate larger deals. The company closed a record 98 deals worth more than $1 million in new annual contract value during the first quarter. Management stated that demand for Agentforce, Data 360 and Slack was a major contributor to this performance.
Customer expansion remains another important driver. About 50% of Agentforce and Data 360 bookings came from existing customers who increased their spending with Salesforce. Management noted that its top 10 customers by Agentforce usage increased their overall Salesforce spending by 1.5 times over the past year.
Usage trends indicate that adoption is still growing. During the first quarter, Salesforce processed 28.6 trillion AI tokens, up 152% sequentially, and generated 3.8 billion agentic work units, up 111% sequentially. Agentforce is being used across customer service, sales, IT and other business functions. Salesforce's own support organization has used Agentforce to handle more than four million customer inquiries.
The platform is also supporting growth across Salesforce's broader business. Bookings for premium AI offerings grew nearly 60% year over year in the first quarter. With Agentforce ARR exceeding $1 billion, along with growing customer adoption, the platform remains one of the key growth drivers for Salesforce and continues to play an important part in the company's long-term AI strategy.
NOW vs. CRM: Earnings Estimate TrendThe earnings estimate revision trend for the two companies reflects that analysts are turning more bullish toward CRM.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NOW’s 2026 and 2027 EPS is pegged at $4.14 and $5.01, respectively. The estimates for 2026 and 2027 have remained unchanged over the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CRM’s fiscal 2027 and 2028 EPS is pinned at $14.12 and $15.49, respectively. The estimates for fiscal 2027 and 2028 have both been revised upward by 7.6% and 5.5%, respectively, over the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
NOW vs. CRM: Price Performance and ValuationYear to date, shares of NOW and CRM have plunged 33.3% and 37.4%, respectively.
NOW Vs. CRM: YTD Price Return Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Currently, CRM is trading at a forward sales multiple of 2.85X, lower than NOW’s forward sales multiple of 6.02X. CRM’s reasonable valuation makes it more attractive for investors looking for value and stability.
NOW vs. CRM: Forward 12-Month P/S Ratio
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Conclusion: CRM Has an Edge Over NOWBoth ServiceNow and Salesforce are well-positioned to benefit from the AI wave. However, ServiceNow faces near-term risks, such as dilutive impact on margins as a result of its back-to-back acquisitions, which could hurt the company’s prospects in the near term.
In contrast, Salesforce shows steadier execution, where the company is witnessing strong adoption of its AI products and its earnings estimates are being revised upward. CRM’s reasonable valuation offers some downside protection as well, giving CRM a clear edge over NOW.
Currently, CRM carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), giving the stock a clear edge over NOW, which has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Pentagon has a problem with Lockheed Martin Corp‘s (NYSE:LMT) F-35.
While the development highlights ongoing frustrations surrounding the world’s most advanced fighter jet, it also underscores a reality often overlooked by investors: sustainment can be lucrative.
The Next Phase Of The F-35 StoryThe F-35 program is already the largest defense program in history. It has hundreds of aircraft operating across the U.S. military and allied nations.
As fleets age and utilization rises, keeping those aircraft mission-ready becomes increasingly important. The Pentagon’s latest funding request suggests readiness—not production—is becoming one of the program’s biggest priorities.
The proposed spending would help address issues that have weighed on aircraft availability while supporting maintenance infrastructure and parts availability across the fleet.
A Growing Sustainment OpportunityFor Lockheed Martin, the news reinforces the long-term value of the F-35 ecosystem.
Investors often focus on aircraft orders, production rates and international sales. However, sustainment and modernization contracts can provide recurring revenue streams that last for decades after an aircraft enters service.
The Navy recently awarded Lockheed Martin a $2.3 billion F-35 sustainment contract, highlighting the Pentagon’s ongoing commitment to maintaining operational readiness.
More Than Just A Fighter JetThe F-35’s importance extends well beyond aircraft deliveries.
As geopolitical tensions remain elevated and defense budgets continue rising, military leaders are increasingly focused on ensuring existing fleets can perform when needed. The Pentagon’s willingness to commit another $13.7 billion toward readiness suggests the F-35 remains central to that strategy.
For Lockheed Martin investors, the headline may sound like a program challenge. The longer-term implication, however, could be another durable source of revenue tied to one of the defense industry’s most important platforms.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
The Zacks Industrial Services industry’s near-term outlook has been clouded by rising operating costs and supply-chain disruptions. A tough labor market also creates concerns for the industry.
Despite the current setback, the recent recovery in the manufacturing sector and rise in e-commerce activities will be key catalysts for the industry. Companies like W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW - Free Report) , MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (MSM - Free Report) , Kion Group (KIGRY - Free Report) , Fastenal (FAST - Free Report) and EquipmentShare.com Inc. (EQPT - Free Report) are positioned for growth by leveraging strategies to capitalize on this demand. They have also been lowering costs, increasing productivity and efficiency, and investing in automation and digitization, which will aid growth.
Industry Description The Zacks Industrial Services industry comprises companies that provide industrial equipment products and MRO (maintenance, repair and operations) services. It includes routine maintenance, emergency maintenance and spare part inventory control, which keep a facility and its equipment in good operating condition. Industry participants serve a wide array of customers, ranging from commercial, government and healthcare to manufacturing. The industry's products (power tools, hand tools, cutting fluids, lubricants, personal protective equipment and consumables) are utilized in production and plant maintenance but are not directly related to customers’ core products or services. These companies reduce MRO supply-chain costs and improve customers' plant floor productivity by offering inventory management and process and procurement solutions.
Trends Shaping the Future of the Industrial Services Industry High Costs and Supply-Chain Issues are Concerning: The industry continues to face elevated inflation across labor, freight, fuel and tariff-related inputs as well as tariff-related impacts. The companies are witnessing labor shortages for some positions and incurring higher costs to meet demand. In addition, disruptions linked to the Iran conflict have further strained supply chains and increased overall cost pressures. The ISM Supplier Deliveries Index indicated slower delivery times for the sixth consecutive month in May, highlighting ongoing logistics bottlenecks. At the same time, the ISM Prices Index remained elevated at 82.1%, marking 20 straight months of rising input costs. This sustained inflation is being driven by higher steel and aluminum prices, tariffs on a range of imported goods and increased petroleum-related costs stemming from Middle East tensions. In response, industry participants are focusing on pricing actions, cost optimization, productivity gains and diversification of supplier networks to offset these pressures. While the recent US–Iran truce and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz may offer some short-term relief to energy and shipping markets, the durability of these improvements and their impact on broader demand visibility remain uncertain.
Manufacturing Activity Expands: The manufacturing sector contributes around 70% to the industry's revenues. The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index rebounded with a 52.6% in January 2026 and has remained in expansion territory since, with the latest 54% in May. Although demand conditions have improved compared with last year, elevated oil and diesel prices, alongside ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, continue to weigh on sentiment, with many customers remaining cautious and adopting a wait-and-watch approach.
E-commerce to be a Growth Driver: MRO demand is significantly impacted by the evolution of e-commerce. Customer demand for highly tailored solutions, with real-time access to information and rapid delivery of products, is rising. Customers want to execute their business activities in the most efficient way possible, which often means online. E-commerce is expected to surge due to rising Internet penetration, widespread smartphone adoption and the convenience of online shopping. Additionally, advancements in digital payments, logistics and personalization are making the online shopping experience faster, safer and more customer-centric. To capitalize on this trend, industrial service companies are heavily investing in improving their digital capabilities and increasing their e-commerce share.
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Dull Prospects The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bearish prospects in the near term. The Zacks Industrial Services Industry, a 16-stock group within the broader Zacks Industrial Products sector, currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #182, which places it in the bottom 26% of 247 Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Before we present a few Industrial services stocks that investors can add to their portfolio, it is worth taking a look at the industry’s stock-market performance and its valuation picture.
Industry Vs S&P 500 & Sector The Industrial Services industry has underperformed its sector and the Zacks S&P 500 composite over the past year.
Over this period, the industry has grown 0.6% compared with the sector’s gain of 24.8%. The Zacks S&P 500 composite has moved up 26.7%.
One-Year Price Performance
Industry's Current Valuation On the basis of the trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA ratio, a commonly used multiple for valuing Industrial Services companies, we see that the industry is currently trading at 35.79X compared with the S&P 500’s 18.44X and the Industrial Products sector’s trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 20.65X. This is shown in the charts below.
Enterprise Value/EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) TTM Ratio
Enterprise Value/EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) TTM Ratio
Over the last five years, the industry traded as high as 43.65X and as low as 25.24X, the median being 34.86X.
5 Industrial Services Stocks to Keep an Eye on Grainger: The company continues to benefit from strong volume growth in its High-Touch Solutions segment and expanding customer activity within the Endless Assortment segment. High-Touch Solutions is seeing gains from a more favorable product mix, while repeat customer growth at MonotaRO and Zoro is supporting performance in Endless Assortment. Higher sales volumes and pricing initiatives are expected to contribute to revenue growth in the coming quarters. The company is also enhancing the end-to-end customer experience through investments in e-commerce and digital capabilities, alongside operational improvements across its supply chain. Its Canadian business remains a promising growth opportunity. Grainger’s Canada business is an attractive market and is expected to deliver double-digit operating margin growth over the next five years.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 earnings for the Lake Forest, IL-based company indicates year-over-year growth of 14.8%. The estimate has moved up 4% over the past 90 days. GWW currently has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 4.21%, on average. It has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 11.9% and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Price: GWW
MSC Industrial: The company delivered the second consecutive quarter of year-over-year operating margin expansion in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 (ended March 31, 2026), driven by structural cost reductions. Its core customer daily sales outperformed the total company for the third consecutive quarter. The company expects stronger sales growth and profitability in the second half of the fiscal year, supported by sales optimization initiatives, productivity improvements and momentum from its Mission Critical strategy, which is already contributing to core customer growth. MSM’s strong digital capabilities also provide a competitive advantage, with e-commerce channels—including Electronic Data Interchange systems, VMI, Extensible Markup Language-based ordering systems, vending, hosted systems, and other electronic portals—accounting for around 64.1% of its total sales. Over the long term, MSM remains focused on achieving market growth that exceeds industry growth by more than 400 basis points and expanding operating margins to approximately 15%, while continuing to enhance efficiency through automation, AI and process improvements.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Melville, NY-based MSM’s fiscal 2026 earnings has moved up 0.7% in the past 90 days. It currently indicates year-over-year growth of 15.2%. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 3.1% on average. It currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
Price: MSM
Kion Group: The company had a positive start in 2026, with order intake and profitability increasing in both operating segments in the first quarter of 2026. The company also recently announced a strategic equity investment of 35% in ZIKOO Robotics, a leading provider of pallet storage robotics based in China. The company offers a range of solutions, including six-way shuttles and omnidirectional stacker robots, as well as an integrated software platform. The investment marks a significant step in KION’s strategy to build an ecosystem of automation technology partners. With their expanded portfolio of automated warehouse solutions, both companies will deliver warehouse offerings that provide higher efficiency, better space utilization and greater flexibility for their customers. Last year, KION announced an efficiency program aimed at strengthening long-term competitiveness. The efficiency program will result in permanent cost savings of around € 150 million per year and is yielding results.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Germany-based Kion Group’s fiscal 2026 earnings has moved up 10% over the past 90 days. The estimate indicates year-over-year growth of 100%. KIGRY currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
Price: KIGRY
Fastenal: The company reported a 12% increase in net sales in the first quarter of 2026, primarily driven by share gains and broad-based demand across core end markets. Sales performance reflects the contribution from improved customer contract signings. The company’s digital initiatives improve customer experience, increase retention and enable scalable growth, which are expected to play key roles in its long-term strategy. Sales through Digital Footprint were 61.5% of total sales in the first quarter, which the company aims to lift to 66% in 2026. Fastenal is also making concerted efforts to control costs and offset cost inflation. The strategies for the same include automating warehouses, increasing delivery efficiency through its trucking network and selling more private-label products with higher margins. This will aid the company to improve its efficiency and also boost margins.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the Winona, MN-based company’s fiscal 2026 earnings has moved up 0.8% in the past 90 days. The consensus mark indicates year-over-year growth of 13.8%. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 0.06% on average. FAST has a long-term estimated earnings growth rate of 12.7% and currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Price: FAST
EquipmentShare: The company is a leader in connected jobsite technology and one of the largest equipment rental providers in the United States. By integrating a large rental fleet with its proprietary T3 operating system, EquipmentShare has created a digital-first model built to provide contractors with real-time data and unified management. It has grown from a local startup into a nationwide construction technology company, which began trading in January 2026. The company continues to expand its footprint to support long-term growth. It recently opened a flagship branch in Jacksonville, FL, its 28th location in the state, to serve major infrastructure and construction projects in the region. The new Florida site advances the long-term growth strategy of EquipmentShare, which has more than 407 locations nationwide and plans to reach more than 700 in the next few years. This expansion extends the company’s T3 smart-fleet technology, safety-driven security features and productivity-boosting service model to more jobsites, accelerating industry transformation one project at a time.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Columbia, Missouri-based EquipmentShare’s 2026 earnings has moved up 22% over the past 90 days. EQPT has a long-term estimated earnings growth of 20%. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank of 3.
Buybacks are a sign of financial health and confidence in future cash flow. Companies that initiate or expand buyback programs not only affirm their outlook but also provide investors with leverage. Share buybacks are a tax-efficient means of returning capital and aid shareholders by reducing share count. In the best cases, buybacks reduce shares aggressively, at modest to middling single-digit figures. In the worst cases, buybacks diminish the impact of dilutive actions, but either way, they aid investors beyond the inherent strengths that enabled the buybacks in the first place.
Get PepsiCo alerts:
NVIDIA Increases Buybacks, Dividends, and InvestmentsNVIDIA’s NASDAQ: NVDA dominance in AI is evident in robust cash flow and profitability. Balance sheet highlights reveal steady cash flow, healthy cash balances, and a focus on reinvestment rather than capital returns.
NVIDIA Today
$212.07 +6.88 (+3.35%)
As of 02:33 PM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$142.03▼
$236.54Dividend Yield0.47%
P/E Ratio32.46
Price Target$305.67
The investments center on new technology, securing capacity, and future capacity, while capital returns include dividends and share buybacks.
The story in Q2 2026 is that the buyback authorization was increased by $80 billion, bringing the active authorization to over $120 billion, in addition to the dividend.
NVIDIA’s dividend is a token, but still, the recent 24X increase was substantial, and more increases are likely. NVIDIA’s investments will mature over time, driving growth and cash flow, enabling steady increases that buybacks will support.
Reducing the share count offsets the cash cost of distribution and may also accelerate over time. As it stands, NVIDIA is incrementally reducing its share count and aggressively investing in the future.
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$76.95▼
$143.56Dividend Yield1.70%
P/E Ratio17.52
Price Target$137.62
Citigroup NYSE: C announced a massive buyback, representing approximately 13.7% of its shares at the time. The buyback is underpinned by healthy business across segments, ample cash flow, and a fortress-quality balance sheet with strong Tier 1 credit ratios. The $30 billion authorization succeeds the preceding one and is expected to be used before the decade's end. Activity in fiscal Q1 2026 reduced the count by 2% sequentially and 9% compared to last year.
Citigroup’s dividend is also substantial, yielding approximately 1.7%. The payout is reliable for the same reasons that enable the buybacks, and the distribution is expected to grow annually. MarketBeat data indicate a low-single-digit compound annual growth rate, likely to continue as buybacks are prioritized. Analysts, who rate the stock as a consensus of Moderate Buy with a 75% Buy-side bias, are lifting price targets and pointing to higher highs for this stock.
CrowdStrike Ups the Ante on CybersecurityCrowdStrike Today
$692.43 +9.63 (+1.41%)
As of 02:33 PM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$342.72▼
$785.66Price Target$692.71
CrowdStrike NASDAQ: CRWD doesn’t yet offset dilution with its buybacks, but it is producing record cash flow and ample free cash flow sufficient to give some back. The latest news is an additional $500 million, bringing the remaining authorization to approximately $1.5 billion. The critical takeaway is that cash flow is strong enough to support the move, and buybacks will likely continue over the long-term.
CrowdStrike is well-positioned for AI, providing a unified, cloud-native approach to security.
Results are accelerating, guidance forecasts the same, and momentum continues to build (as hyperscalers build and complete new data centers). Analysts are lifting price targets in the wake of the Q1 release, leading this market toward fresh all-time highs.
Rockwell Automation: Automating Capital ReturnsRockwell Automation Today
ROK
Rockwell Automation
$468.59 +9.25 (+2.01%)
As of 02:33 PM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$305.44▼
$473.91Dividend Yield1.18%
P/E Ratio48.68
Price Target$451.75
Rockwell Automation NYSE: ROK is also well-positioned for AI, manufacturing industrial automation equipment while providing software and services to support it. The buyback authorization was increased by $1 billion in early 2026, setting the stage for sustained share count reduction. Buyback activity reduced the count by approximately 2% as of the end of the firm's fiscal Q2, and a dividend is in effect.
Rockwell Automation stock yields approximately 1.2% with shares at early-June highs, but may not sustain that level. The share price is poised to advance, driven by results and analyst sentiment trends.
Analyst are lifting their price targets in Q2, leading this market to even higher levels. Institutions limit risk in 2026, owning approximately 75% of the shares and buying at a $2.5-to-$1 pace.
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$58.16▼
$79.19Dividend Yield1.70%
P/E Ratio18.63
Price Target$80.07
Masco NYSE: MAS had an existing repurchase authorization in place but accelerated it in Q2. The company entered into an accelerated repurchase agreement to acquire $300 million in shares, worth approximately 2% of the market cap. The move reflects management's confidence in growth and cash flow despite the cautious tone in guidance, which noted dynamic macroeconomic conditions.
The takeaway for investors is that buybacks remain on track, as do dividends and distribution growth. Analyst sentiment trends also reflect confidence, with coverage increasing and the Hold rating firming.
Institutional trends are likewise bullish, with institutions owning more than 90% of shares and buying at a nearly $2-to-$1 pace.
Should You Invest $1,000 in PepsiCo Right Now?Before you consider PepsiCo, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and PepsiCo wasn't on the list.
While PepsiCo currently has a Hold rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
Looking to profit from the electric vehicle mega-trend? Click the link to see our list of which EV stocks show the most long-term potential.
Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In "long context," investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.
While many investors like to look for momentum in stocks, this can be very tough to define. There is a lot of debate surrounding which metrics are the best to focus on and which are poor quality indicators of future performance. The Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.
Below, we take a look at NXP Semiconductors (NXPI - Free Report) , a company that currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B. We also talk about price change and earnings estimate revisions, two of the main aspects of the Momentum Style Score.
It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. NXP Semiconductors currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.
You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>
Set to Beat the Market? In order to see if NXPI is a promising momentum pick, let's examine some Momentum Style elements to see if this chipmaker holds up.
Looking at a stock's short-term price activity is a great way to gauge if it has momentum, since this can reflect both the current interest in a stock and if buyers or sellers have the upper hand at the moment. It is also useful to compare a security to its industry, as this can help investors pinpoint the top companies in a particular area.
For NXPI, shares are up 3.01% over the past week while the Zacks Semiconductor - Analog and Mixed industry is up 4.23% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 4.58% compares favorably with the industry's 1.62% performance as well.
While any stock can see its price increase, it takes a real winner to consistently beat the market. That is why looking at longer term price metrics -- such as performance over the past three months or year -- can be useful as well. Shares of NXP Semiconductors have increased 59.3% over the past quarter, and have gained 44.55% in the last year. On the other hand, the S&P 500 has only moved 11.66% and 24.19%, respectively.
Investors should also take note of NXPI's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. Right now NXPI is averaging 3,802,106 shares for the last 20 days..
Earnings OutlookThe Zacks Momentum Style Score also takes into account trends in estimate revisions, in addition to price changes. Please note that estimate revision trends remain at the core of Zacks Rank as well. A nice path here can help show promise, and we have recently been seeing that with NXPI.
Over the past two months, 11 earnings estimates moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost NXPI's consensus estimate, increasing from $13.97 to $14.77 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 9 estimates have moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period.
Bottom LineGiven these factors, it shouldn't be surprising that NXPI is a #2 (Buy) stock and boasts a Momentum Score of B. If you're looking for a fresh pick that's set to soar in the near-term, make sure to keep NXP Semiconductors on your short list.
PARIS & PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--At Eurostatory 2026 in Paris, New Use Energy Solutions Inc. (NUE) today announced the launch of SunStealth, a line of battle-tested thermally insulating tactical cases that render the SunCase 605, 1213, and 2425 battery power generators effectively invisible to infrared detection, including thermal cameras on ISR drones and ground-based thermal optics.
Every gas generator and battery portable energy node in operation produces a thermal signature. Until now, that meant operators faced a stark choice: go without power, or become a target. SunStealth eliminates that trade-off, allowing operators to run portable power above ground, in the field, without revealing their position.
SunStealth cases are now being used in Ukraine. They are purpose-engineered to suppress, contain, and disperse the thermal output of the SunCase battery power units, defeating the infrared detection capabilities of the sensors most commonly used to locate and target personnel and field equipment.
The same thermal insulation that suppresses heat signatures in contested environments also retains battery warmth in arctic and cold-weather conditions by significantly extending runtime and mission duration in sub-zero theaters without additional heating equipment.
SunStealth is available for three SunCase configurations: the 605 for individual operators, the 1213 for small teams and forward operating bases, and the 2425 for sustained high-demand operations. Each deploys rapidly with no tools and no modification to the SunCase unit.
"Battery power was supposed to be the quieter, safer alternative to gas; and it is, acoustically. But thermally, every active power battery unit in the field is broadcasting its location to anyone with an IR sensor. In Ukraine, where New Use Energy has deployed over 2,000 units in frontline areas, we figured this out — and we are now bringing this battle-proven technology to NATO countries. SunStealth closes that gap." — Paul Shmotolokha, CEO & Chairman, New Use Energy Solutions Inc.
SunStealth bags are available now.
About New Use Energy Solutions Inc. (NUE) Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, NUE is a pioneer in rugged, mission-critical portable solar and battery power systems. Trusted by military units, NGOs, and government agencies across more than 45 global deployments, NUE's product lines include the SunCase™, SunStealth™, NUESolar™, NUEPower™, and SunKit™ systems. www.newuseenergy.com
Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In "long context," investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.
Even though momentum is a popular stock characteristic, it can be tough to define. Debate surrounding which are the best and worst metrics to focus on is lengthy, but the Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.
Below, we take a look at Nucor (NUE - Free Report) , which currently has a Momentum Style Score of A. We also discuss some of the main drivers of the Momentum Style Score, like price change and earnings estimate revisions.
It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. Nucor currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.
You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>
Set to Beat the Market?Let's discuss some of the components of the Momentum Style Score for NUE that show why this steel company shows promise as a solid momentum pick.
A good momentum benchmark for a stock is to look at its short-term price activity, as this can reflect both current interest and if buyers or sellers currently have the upper hand. It is also useful to compare a security to its industry, as this can help investors pinpoint the top companies in a particular area.
For NUE, shares are up 4.7% over the past week while the Zacks Steel - Producers industry is up 1.85% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 17.32% compares favorably with the industry's 8.94% performance as well.
While any stock can see a spike in price, it takes a real winner to consistently outperform the market. Shares of Nucor have increased 67.96% over the past quarter, and have gained 118.46% in the last year. In comparison, the S&P 500 has only moved 11.66% and 24.19%, respectively.
Investors should also pay attention to NUE's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. NUE is currently averaging 1,355,389 shares for the last 20 days.
Earnings OutlookThe Zacks Momentum Style Score encompasses many things, including estimate revisions and a stock's price movement. Investors should note that earnings estimates are also significant to the Zacks Rank, and a nice path here can be promising. We have recently been noticing this with NUE.
Over the past two months, 6 earnings estimates moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost NUE's consensus estimate, increasing from $11.78 to $15.71 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 6 estimates have moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period.
Bottom LineGiven these factors, it shouldn't be surprising that NUE is a #1 (Strong Buy) stock and boasts a Momentum Score of A. If you're looking for a fresh pick that's set to soar in the near-term, make sure to keep Nucor on your short list.
Both Defiance Daily Target 2X Long MSTR ETF (NASDAQ:MSTX) and T-REX 2X Long MSTR Daily Target ETF (NASDAQ:MSTU) promise the same thing: twice the daily move of Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR | MSTR Price Prediction), the company formerly known as MicroStrategy. They look like duplicate products, but the choice between them comes down to swap capacity, expense drag, and which sponsor handles a stock that has fallen 67.36% over the past year. The hook is also the credibility test: in December 2025, this pair lost roughly 80% of its combined value, erasing about $1.5 billion in retail capital, with assets falling from $2.3 billion to $830 million.
The implicit bet inside each fund Both ETFs synthetically manufacture exposure, using a mix of total return swaps and listed options to produce 200% daily exposure, which is reset every evening. That daily reset means the funds are betting on directional follow-through rather than trend persistence. Sustained MSTR rallies compound favorably. Choppy trading with large intraday reversals, the actual MSTR pattern, drains NAV through volatility decay.
The operational difference lies in capacity. MSTX (Defiance) launched August 14, 2024; MSTU (T-REX/REX Shares) followed on September 18, 2024. By late 2024, the funds had grown large enough that swap counterparties capped exposure, forcing both sponsors to substitute call options.
Roundhill CEO Dave Mazza told the Financial Times the issue was structural: these ETFs effectively controlled more than 10% of MicroStrategy’s market cap through derivatives, a footprint MSTR was too small to absorb cleanly.
Where the tracking actually broke On November 25, 2024, MSTR fell 4.4%, which implied an 8.7% drop for a clean 2x product. MSTU fell 11.3%, while MSTX fell 13.4%, overshooting the target by 4.7 percentage points. The pattern flipped earlier that month: on November 21, MSTU declined only 25.3% against a 32% expected loss on a 16% MSTR drop, undershooting on the way down. Slippage worked against holders in both directions.
The full damage shows up in long-window returns. Over the past year, MSTX is down 95.57%, MSTU is down 95.49%, and MSTR itself is down 67.36%. Year to date, MSTX is off 57.97%, and MSTU is off 57.64% against a 18.41% MSTR decline. The 2x label has been closer to a 3x outcome on the downside.
The practical comparison Factor MSTX (Defiance) MSTU (T-REX) Expense ratio 1.31% 1.05% Approx. AUM $314 million Smaller after the December drawdown Current price $16.18 $3.52 YTD return -57.97% -57.64% 1-year return -95.57% -95.49% MSTU carries the lower expense ratio by 26 basis points. MSTX has held more AUM through the drawdown, which can help with tighter spreads on entry and exit. With the VIX at 19.44 and MSTR still posting one-month moves of 30.37%, decay risk stays active for either fund, a reminder of how volatility drag and reset mechanics shape short-term returns.
The verdict For a one-to-three-session leveraged MSTR trade, MSTU carries the lower 1.05% expense ratio while delivering the same daily exposure. MSTX has the larger asset base, which can mean tighter spreads on the way in and out. Neither fund is built for a multi-week hold. The 95% one-year drawdown across both products, against a 67% MSTR decline, is the price of daily-reset mechanics on a stock that can swing by 30% in a month. The calculus flips only if MSTR settles into a smooth, persistent uptrend, the one regime where 2x compounding works in the holder’s favor, a setup that highlights leverage decay versus trend-friendly compounding.
KR has finished six of its last eight post-earnings sessions higher
Deputy Editor
Jun 15, 2026 at 1:01 PM
The retailer has seen 9 calls for every put over the last 10 weeks
Kroger Co (NYSE:KR) is set to report first-quarter earnings before the open on Thursday, June 18. According to Zacks Research, analysts expect profits of $1.59 per share on revenue of $45.4 billion, representing year-over-year growth of 6% and 0.6%, respectively.
Options traders are bracing for a larger-than-usual post-earnings reaction. The options pits are pricing in a next-day swing of 7.6%, compared to the stock's historical earnings move of 4.2% over the last eight quarters. KR has closed six of its last eight post-earnings sessions higher, including a 9.8% pop following its June 2025 report.
Short interest remains elevated ahead of the event. The 31.38 million shares sold short account for 5.36% of KR's available float, and it would take short sellers roughly five days to buy back their bearish bets at the stock's average pace of trading.
Options speculators have been much more optimistic than usual over the last 10 weeks, however. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), KR's 50-day call/put volume ratio of 9.11 ranks higher than all other readings from the past year.
Kroger stock was last seen down 0.2% at $64.54 today. As seen above, the shares are running into pressure at the 30-day moving average. Since the start of the year, the grocery giant is up just 3.3%.
The SEC Moves to End the $25,000 Day Trading Barrier
For years, this rule kept most traders on the sidelines. Now, the door is opening to a whole new wave of active traders.
Dynamite Day Trading Signals helps you hit the ground running with up 2 options trade alerts per week, built to capture fast-moving opportunities.
Investors interested in stocks from the REIT and Equity Trust - Other sector have probably already heard of American Tower (AMT - Free Report) and Public Storage (PSA - Free Report) . But which of these two companies is the best option for those looking for undervalued stocks? Let's take a closer look.
There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The proven Zacks Rank emphasizes companies with positive estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight stocks with specific traits.
American Tower and Public Storage are sporting Zacks Ranks of #2 (Buy) and #3 (Hold), respectively, right now. The Zacks Rank favors stocks that have recently seen positive revisions to their earnings estimates, so investors should rest assured that AMT has an improving earnings outlook. But this is just one factor that value investors are interested in.
Value investors also try to analyze a wide range of traditional figures and metrics to help determine whether a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.
The Style Score Value grade factors in a variety of key fundamental metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a number of other key stats that are commonly used by value investors.
AMT currently has a forward P/E ratio of 17.10, while PSA has a forward P/E of 19.23. We also note that AMT has a PEG ratio of 0.76. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. PSA currently has a PEG ratio of 4.43.
Another notable valuation metric for AMT is its P/B ratio of 8.59. The P/B ratio pits a stock's market value against its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, PSA has a P/B of 11.51.
Based on these metrics and many more, AMT holds a Value grade of B, while PSA has a Value grade of D.
AMT stands above PSA thanks to its solid earnings outlook, and based on these valuation figures, we also feel that AMT is the superior value option right now.
CrowdStrike replaces static policies and standing privileges with continuous, risk-aware enforcement, authorizing every agent action based on who owns it, who is calling it, and real-time risk
AUSTIN, Texas & LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Identiverse 2026 – CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD) today announced Continuous Identity for AI Agents, a new CrowdStrike Falcon® Next-Gen Identity Security capability that reinforces the CrowdStrike Falcon® platform as the identity security control plane for the agentic enterprise.
As AI agents operate with superhuman speed and access, legacy models built on static policies and standing privileges break down – granting access without context, blind to real-time risk. CrowdStrike delivers a fundamentally different model: every agent action continuously authorized in real time based on who owns the agent, who is calling it, and the risk posture of their device – evaluated against native and third-party risk signals on the Falcon platform.
“AI agents are transforming how work gets done, and how identities must be secured,” said Elia Zaitsev, chief technology officer, CrowdStrike. “Point-in-time authorization becomes a legacy approach the second agents are given autonomy. Authorize once and trust indefinitely is not a security model; it's a liability. That's the shift CrowdStrike is driving, from static, one-time access decisions to Continuous Identity.”
Securing AI Agent Identities
AI agents invoke tools, access sensitive data, call APIs, and delegate to sub-agents at machine speed with system-level privilege. Legacy access models were never built to control this. Continuous Identity for AI Agents – powered by technology from CrowdStrike's recent acquisition of SGNL – dynamically grants, denies, and revokes access based on real-time risk, eliminating standing privileges entirely.
Verifiable Agent Identity: Every agent is assigned a cryptographically verifiable identity based on the SPIFFE standard, an open standard that replaces static credentials like API keys with automated, secure workload identities. Context-Aware Authorization: Access is evaluated based on who owns the agent, who is calling it, and the risk posture of their device. When an agent delegates to a sub-agent, that context is preserved throughout the chain. Zero Standing Privilege: Access is granted the moment it’s needed and revoked the moment it’s not. Defense in Depth: Continuous Identity ensures agents operate with only the privileges they need. Falcon® AI Detection and Response (AIDR) continuously inspects prompts and intent to detect permission misuse or attempts to manipulate an LLM beyond its authorized scope, triggering Continuous Identity to revoke access before damage is done. Continuous Identity for AI Agents extends CrowdStrike’s risk-aware authorization across every identity – human, non-human, and AI agent – from initial access to privilege escalation and lateral movement spanning on-prem, SaaS, browser, and cloud environments.
To learn more about how CrowdStrike is transforming identity security for the agentic era, read our blog and visit here.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may include discussion of unreleased services or features. Any unreleased services or features referenced here are still in development and subject to change. Customers should make their purchase decisions based upon features that are currently available.
About CrowdStrike
CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD), a global cybersecurity leader, has redefined modern security with the world’s most advanced cloud-native platform for protecting critical areas of enterprise risk – endpoints and cloud workloads, identity and data.
Powered by the CrowdStrike Security Cloud and world-class AI, the CrowdStrike Falcon® platform leverages real-time indicators of attack, threat intelligence, evolving adversary tradecraft and enriched telemetry from across the enterprise to deliver hyper-accurate detections, automated protection and remediation, elite threat hunting and prioritized observability of vulnerabilities.
Purpose-built in the cloud with a single lightweight-agent architecture, the Falcon platform delivers rapid and scalable deployment, superior protection and performance, reduced complexity and immediate time-to-value.
CrowdStrike: We stop breaches.
Learn more: https://www.crowdstrike.com/
Follow us: Blog | X | LinkedIn | Instagram
Start a free trial today: https://www.crowdstrike.com/trial
Growth stocks are attractive to many investors, as above-average financial growth helps these stocks easily grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a great growth stock is not easy at all.
By their very nature, these stocks carry above-average risk and volatility. Moreover, if a company's growth story is over or nearing its end, betting on it could lead to significant loss.
However, the task of finding cutting-edge growth stocks is made easy with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects.
NetEase (NTES - Free Report) is one such stock that our proprietary system currently recommends. The company not only has a favorable Growth Score, but also carries a top Zacks Rank.
Research shows that stocks carrying the best growth features consistently beat the market. And returns are even better for stocks that possess the combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy).
Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this internet technology company a great growth pick right now.
Earnings GrowthArguably nothing is more important than earnings growth, as surging profit levels is what most investors are after. For growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is highly preferable, as it is often perceived as an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.
While the historical EPS growth rate for NetEase is 22.3%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 14.2% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 12.8%.
Cash Flow GrowthWhile cash is the lifeblood of any business, higher-than-average cash flow growth is more important and beneficial for growth-oriented companies than for mature companies. That's because, growth in cash flow enables these companies to expand their businesses without depending on expensive outside funds.
Right now, year-over-year cash flow growth for NetEase is 17%, which is higher than many of its peers. In fact, the rate compares to the industry average of 8.3%.
While investors should actually consider the current cash flow growth, it's worth taking a look at the historical rate too for putting the current reading into proper perspective. The company's annualized cash flow growth rate has been 16.7% over the past 3-5 years versus the industry average of 15.9%.
Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsBeyond the metrics outlined above, investors should consider the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is a plus here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
There have been upward revisions in current-year earnings estimates for NetEase. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 7.3% over the past month.
Bottom LineWhile the overall earnings estimate revisions have made NetEase a Zacks Rank #2 stock, it has earned itself a Growth Score of B based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above.
You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
This combination positions NetEase well for outperformance, so growth investors may want to bet on it.
Key Takeaways QIAGEN expanded its QIAcuity dPCR ecosystem with gene expression tools and automation.New QIAcuity assays and a multiplex PCR kit aim to reduce sample use and workflow complexity.QIAcuity has topped 3,200 placements worldwide and is cited in over 1,100 publications. QIAGEN (QGEN - Free Report) recently expanded its QIAcuity digital PCR (dPCR) ecosystem with new gene expression solutions, enhanced multiplexing capabilities, workflow automation and standardized analysis tools. The move is aimed at accelerating the adoption of dPCR across research and biopharma applications as customers increasingly seek higher sensitivity, precision and scalability beyond traditional qPCR technologies.
From an investor's perspective, the latest additions strengthen QIAGEN's position in the fast-growing digital PCR market and expand its reach into gene expression, one of molecular biology's largest application areas. The broader QIAcuity portfolio, combined with automation and cell and gene therapy capabilities, could support higher platform adoption and create new long-term growth opportunities for the company.
Likely Trend of QGEN Stock Following the NewsShares of QGEN have traded flat since the announcement of the news. In the year-to-date period, shares of the company have lost 21.7% compared with the industry’s 1.3% decline. The S&P 500 increased 8.1% in the same time frame.
The expansion of the QIAcuity ecosystem is expected to strengthen QIAGEN's long-term growth prospects by broadening the platform's applications across gene expression research, cell and gene therapy quality control and high-throughput biopharma workflows. The launch of new assays, enhanced multiplexing capabilities and workflow automation should drive higher instrument placements, increase recurring consumables demand and deepen customer engagement. As more laboratories transition from qPCR to dPCR technologies, QIAGEN is well-positioned to capture a larger share of the expanding digital PCR market and build a more durable, recurring revenue stream around the QIAcuity franchise.
QGEN currently has a market capitalization of $7.64 billion.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
More on the NewsAs part of the expansion, QIAGEN plans to launch new QIAcuity Gene Expression Assays later in 2026 to support gene expression analysis across human, mouse and rat research applications. The company also intends to introduce the QIAcuity OneStep High Multiplex Probe PCR Kit, which can analyze up to 12 RNA targets in a single reaction. The offering is expected to help researchers generate richer biological insights while reducing sample consumption, hands-on time and workflow complexity. These solutions complement QIAGEN's GeneGlobe platform, which provides access to more than 10 million predesigned assays and custom assay design capabilities.
QIAGEN is also broadening its Cell and Gene Therapy quality-control portfolio by expanding its residual DNA testing offerings to support additional producer cell systems, including Sf9/Baculovirus, Pichia pastoris, Vero and Mouse. The portfolio further includes the recently launched QIAcuity HEK293 resDNA Sizing Kit, which enables precise measurement of host-cell DNA concentration and fragment size distribution, supporting biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing workflows.
Further, QIAGEN plans to release QIAcuity Software 3.5 later this month, introducing advanced analysis templates and automated reporting capabilities that allow laboratories to define analysis and reporting parameters before a run begins. By automatically applying analysis parameters and generating reports after run completion, the software is expected to improve traceability, consistency and operational efficiency, particularly in larger-scale and regulated environments.
Additionally, through its collaboration with Hamilton, QIAGEN is enabling automated QIAcuity dPCR nanoplate setup and handling workflows, spanning sample preparation, nanoplate filling and sealing. The company noted that QIAcuity has achieved more than 3,200 cumulative placements worldwide, with over 400 customers operating multiple instruments and more than 1,100 scientific publications referencing the platform.
Favorable Industry Prospect for QGENPer a report by Precedence Research, the global digital PCR market size was $7.78 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from $8.51 billion in 2026 to approximately $18.72 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 9.18%.
The market is driven by increasing demand for accurate and reliable nucleic acid testing in areas such as clinical diagnostics, research and development and biopharmaceuticals.
A Recent Development by QGENRecently, QIAGEN announced that its QIAstat-Dx Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel has been included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, expanding the company's molecular diagnostic offerings in Australia. The panel enables the detection of 16 common bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens, including cytomegalovirus and Streptococcus pyogenes, from a single cerebrospinal fluid sample using multiplex PCR technology. Delivering results in about one hour, the test supports rapid and accurate clinical decision-making in acute care settings and becomes the third QIAstat-Dx panel registered in Australia, alongside respiratory and gastrointestinal infection testing solutions.
Some better-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are Globus Medical (GMED - Free Report) , West Pharmaceutical (WST - Free Report) and Intuitive Surgical (ISRG - Free Report) .
Globus Medical, currently flaunting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), reported a first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.12 per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 22.1%. Revenues of $759.9 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.0%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
GMED has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 10.2% compared with the industry’s 12.6% growth. The company’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 26.3%.
West Pharmaceutical, currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1, reported first-quarter 2026 EPS of $2.13, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 26.8%. Revenues of $844.9 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.5%.
WST has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 13.9% compared with the industry’s 9.5% growth. The company’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 19.4%.
Intuitive Surgical, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present, reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $2.50, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 20.2%. Revenues of $2.77 billion surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.2%.
ISRG has a long-term estimated growth rate of 14.6% compared with the industry’s 12.6% growth. The company’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 16.8%.
Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:PLTR | PLTR Price Prediction) stock is up 5% in Monday midday trading, changing hands near $134. The move comes alongside a broad risk-on rally, with the NASDAQ 100 tracking ETF Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:QQQ) up 3% on the session.
Cloudflare (NYSE:NET) stock is following the same script, trading higher by 3% to around $235 and change. There’s no identified company-specific catalyst for either name today, which makes the parallel moves notable.
Investors appear to be rotating back into AI and security software exposure as risk appetite returns. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA:SPY) is up 1.9% intraday, confirming the breadth of the bid.
Risk-On Rally Lifts AI and Security Software The catalyst is macro-related, not company-specific. A U.S.-Iran peace deal announced Sunday has lifted equities, pushing major indexes back toward highs and reviving appetite for higher-beta growth names.
Palantir fits that profile cleanly. Palantir stock carries a beta of 1.5 and a forward P/E ratio of 88x, and it tends to amplify directional moves in the broader market. Cloudflare stock is even more sensitive, with a beta of 1.7 and a forward P/E ratio of 189x.
Both names sit in the AI infrastructure and security segment. Palantir’s AIP platform powers government and commercial AI deployments, while Cloudflare provides the edge-network and zero-trust security layer that increasingly carries agentic AI traffic. When investors reach for AI and security software exposure, these two are first-call tickers.
Context: A Bounce Inside a Down Year Today’s pop in Palantir shares lands inside a tough year. PLTR stock is down 24% year to date (YTD) and trades well below its 200-day moving average of $160.42. Still, the company’s fundamentals remain strong, with 85% year-over-year (YoY) revenue growth in Q1 2026, but the valuation has been the sticking point.
Cloudflare has traveled a different path. NET stock is up 20% YTD, helped by the company’s pivot to an agentic AI-first operating model and a $42.5 million annual contract value deal disclosed alongside Cloudflare’s Q4 2025 results.
CEO Matthew Prince has framed the opportunity bluntly, declaring that “AI is driving a fundamental re-platforming of the Internet… it’s shaping up to be the biggest tailwind we’ve ever seen in Cloudflare’s history.” That narrative is doing some of the work on days like today.
What to Watch Now Both stocks are speculative, high-volatility names that can give back gains as quickly as they take them. Wall Street’s average price target sits at $183.73 for Palantir and $243.11 for Cloudflare, suggesting analysts already see fair value not far from current levels.
Investors can watch for whether today’s gains hold into the close and whether QQQ and SPY maintain their intraday strength. If the macro bid fades, beta names like these tend to lead the retracement on the way down.
Investors looking for stocks in the Textile - Apparel sector might want to consider either Superior Group (SGC - Free Report) or Cintas (CTAS - Free Report) . But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now? Let's take a closer look.
There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The proven Zacks Rank emphasizes companies with positive estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight stocks with specific traits.
Right now, Superior Group is sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), while Cintas has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). This system places an emphasis on companies that have seen positive earnings estimate revisions, so investors should feel comfortable knowing that SGC is likely seeing its earnings outlook improve to a greater extent. However, value investors will care about much more than just this.
Value investors analyze a variety of traditional, tried-and-true metrics to help find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.
The Style Score Value grade factors in a variety of key fundamental metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a number of other key stats that are commonly used by value investors.
SGC currently has a forward P/E ratio of 23.66, while CTAS has a forward P/E of 32.55. We also note that SGC has a PEG ratio of 2.37. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. CTAS currently has a PEG ratio of 2.80.
Another notable valuation metric for SGC is its P/B ratio of 1.13. The P/B ratio pits a stock's market value against its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, CTAS has a P/B of 14.72.
These are just a few of the metrics contributing to SGC's Value grade of B and CTAS's Value grade of F.
SGC stands above CTAS thanks to its solid earnings outlook, and based on these valuation figures, we also feel that SGC is the superior value option right now.
Appointment reinforces the firm's focus on client engagement, growth, and global reach
, /PRNewswire/ -- T. Rowe Price (NASDAQ: TROW) today announced that Mike Barry has been named head of Global Marketing, effective July 1. Mr. Barry will report to Dee Sawyer, head of Global Distribution.
Mr. Barry becomes head of Global Marketing as T. Rowe Price continues to build on its long-standing commitment to helping clients achieve their financial goals through investment excellence, deep research, and client-focused innovation. His organization will lead marketing efforts to connect clients worldwide with the firm's insights, solutions, and capabilities across retail, wealth, retirement, and institutional markets. Additionally, he will oversee brand strategy and development, public relations, global digital solutions, investment and retirement content, along with global product and segment marketing.
Mr. Barry has more than 20 years of experience at T. Rowe Price. Most recently, he served as head of Global Product Marketing and Investment, Product, and Retirement Content, where he expanded the reach of the firm's market perspectives and investment insights. In 2024, he oversaw the launch of T. Rowe Price's marketing innovation lab, bringing together marketing associates from around the world to explore how digital and AI-enabled technologies could strengthen the firm's capabilities. That work led to new translation, design, and personalization capabilities now leveraged by the firm.
QUOTES
Dee Sawyer, Head of Global Distribution
"Mike brings a rare combination of investment fluency, strategic perspective, and client focus to this role. He has helped strengthen how T. Rowe Price translates investment insights into relevant solutions and meaningful client engagement across markets and channels. As head of Global Marketing, Mike will play an important role in advancing our growth strategy and deepening how we serve clients worldwide."
Mike Barry, Head of Global Marketing
"T. Rowe Price has earned clients' trust through investment excellence, deep research, and a strong commitment to helping investors achieve their goals. As client needs evolve, we have an opportunity to make our insights, solutions, and expertise even more accessible. I'm excited to work with our teams around the world to strengthen how we serve clients and bring the best of T. Rowe Price to market."
ABOUT MIKE BARRY
Mike Barry is a Vice President of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and a member of the Global Marketing Leadership Team. Since 2005, his work has aligned marketing strategy to commercial priorities, strengthened global brand positioning, and driven innovation through digital and AI-enabled capabilities. He also serves on executive steering committees focused on thought leadership, private markets, and enterprise workflow transformation, and was instrumental in the launch of the T. Rowe Price Investment Institute and The Angle podcast.
ABOUT T. ROWE PRICE
T. Rowe Price (NASDAQ-GS: TROW) is a leading global asset management firm, entrusted with managing $1.89 trillion in client assets as of May 31, 2026, about two-thirds of which are retirement-related. Renowned for over 85 years of investment excellence, retirement leadership, and independent proprietary research, the firm leverages its longstanding expertise to ask better questions that can drive better investment decisions. Built on a culture of integrity and prioritizing client interests, T. Rowe Price empowers millions of investors worldwide to thrive amid evolving markets. Visit troweprice.com/newsroom for news and public policy commentary.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/t-rowe-price-names-mike-barry-as-head-of-global-marketing-302800439.html
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Lucid Group To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options
If you purchased or acquired securities in Lucid Group between February 25, 2026 and April 13, 2026 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).
[You may also click here for additional information]
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - June 15, 2026) - Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Lucid Group, Inc. ("Lucid Group" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: LCID) and reminds investors of the July 28, 2026 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.
Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.
As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) a supplier quality issue had significantly disrupted deliveries of the Lucid Gravity; (2) the foregoing was likely to, and did, have a material negative impact on the Company's business and financial results; (3) accordingly, the Defendants had overstated the purported enhancements to Lucid's manufacturing and delivery capabilities and overall operations; and (4) as a result, Defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not.
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Lucid Group's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.
To learn more about the Lucid Group class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/LCID or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Investors Regarding the Lucid Group, Inc. Securities Class Action Lawsuit:
What is the Lucid Group securities fraud lawsuit about?
The Lucid Group securities fraud lawsuit is a federal securities class action alleging that Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: LCID) and its executives made false and misleading statements to investors by concealing that a supplier quality issue had significantly disrupted deliveries of the Lucid Gravity SUV and overstating the Company's manufacturing and delivery capabilities. As the truth emerged through a series of disclosures - including an April 3, 2026 announcement that only 3,093 vehicles were delivered in Q1 2026 due to a 29-day delivery disruption caused by a supplier seat defect, an April 14, 2026 filing revealing Q1 revenue of just $280-$284 million against a consensus estimate of $433.8 million and a $1.05 billion capital raise, and a May 5, 2026 earnings report showing a net loss of over $1 billion and GAAP EPS of -$3.46 - LCID's stock price fell sharply across multiple trading sessions, causing significant losses for investors.
Who may be eligible to participate in the Lucid Group class action lawsuit?
Investors who purchased or acquired Lucid Group, Inc. (LCID) stock between February 25, 2026 and April 13, 2026 - the Class Period - and suffered financial losses may be eligible to participate in the Lucid Group securities class action. Participation as a class member does not require taking any affirmative legal action; eligible investors may recover losses simply by remaining members of the class. Whistleblowers, former Lucid Group employees, and others with relevant information about the Company's conduct are also encouraged to come forward.
What is a lead plaintiff, and how can I seek appointment in the Lucid Group lawsuit?
A lead plaintiff in the Lucid Group class action is a court-appointed investor - typically the one with the largest financial interest in the case - who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of all class members. Any Lucid Group investor who purchased LCID stock during the Class Period may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice. The deadline to seek lead plaintiff appointment is July 28, 2026. Importantly, choosing not to seek the lead plaintiff role does not affect an investor's ability to share in any recovery obtained for the class.
What should investors do if they purchased Lucid Group stock during the Class Period?
Investors who purchased Lucid Group, Inc. (LCID) stock between February 25, 2026 and April 13, 2026 and suffered losses should contact Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP immediately to discuss their legal rights. The deadline to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Lucid Group securities class action is July 28, 2026. To speak directly with securities litigation partner Josh Wilson, call 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310), or visit www.faruqilaw.com/LCID for more information.
Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/301506
Source: Faruqi & Faruqi LLP
Ready to Announce with Confidence? Send us a message and a member of our TMX Newsfile team will contact you to discuss your needs.
Meetings with Upstart Holdings Inc's (NASDAQ:UPST) top management suggests that the company is focusing on near-prime personal loans, AI-led product development and underwriting, according to Needham.
The Upstart Holdings Analyst: Analyst Kyle Peterson reaffirmed a Buy rating and price target of $37.
The Upstart Holdings Thesis: The company's current focus "is the right tonic to get the stock back on track," Peterson said in the note.
Check out other analyst stock ratings.
Upstart Holdings has set an ambitious target of generating revenues at a 35% CAGR (compounded annual growth rate) from fiscal 2025 through 2028, the analyst stated. The company could "lean heavily" into areas where its AI-based underwriting model excels, such as near-prime personal loans, he added.
Upstart Holdings is likely to try and supplement core personal loan growth with growth in other asset classes that align with its customer base, Peterson noted. "The newly announced Cash Line product is the most logical step in our view and UPST’s answer to earned wage access products that many neobanks are having strong success with of late," he wrote.
Other areas that the company may target include HELOCs (home equity lines of credit) and auto loans, the analyst stated. "While these products are relatively small today, we believe the underwriting models are fine-tuned and that growth can be unleashed quickly as funding falls into place,' he further wrote.
Margin Saga: The recent stock performance has been range-bound, after Upstart Holdings' 2026 EBITDA margin outlook reflected a contraction of 100 basis points (bps), Peterson said.
While stating that 2026 could be a transition year for margins, the analyst added that Upstart Holdings' new investment strategy and further AI improvements could bring "quick pay-back periods" and allow the company to reach or exceed its medium-term financial targets.
UPST Price Action: Shares of Upstart Holdings had risen by 9.20% to $33.30 at the time of publication on Monday.
Photo: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
Growth stocks are attractive to many investors, as above-average financial growth helps these stocks easily grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a growth stock that can live up to its true potential can be a tough task.
In addition to volatility, these stocks carry above-average risk by their very nature. Also, one could end up losing from a stock whose growth story is actually over or nearing its end.
However, it's pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects.
Our proprietary system currently recommends Lam Research (LRCX - Free Report) as one such stock. This company not only has a favorable Growth Score, but also carries a top Zacks Rank.
Studies have shown that stocks with the best growth features consistently outperform the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.
While there are numerous reasons why the stock of this semiconductor equipment maker is a great growth pick right now, we have highlighted three of the most important factors below:
Earnings GrowthEarnings growth is arguably the most important factor, as stocks exhibiting exceptionally surging profit levels tend to attract the attention of most investors. For growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is highly preferable, as it is often perceived as an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.
While the historical EPS growth rate for Lam Research is 8.5%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 37.6% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 34.9%.
Cash Flow GrowthCash is the lifeblood of any business, but higher-than-average cash flow growth is more beneficial and important for growth-oriented companies than for mature companies. That's because, high cash accumulation enables these companies to undertake new projects without raising expensive outside funds.
Right now, year-over-year cash flow growth for Lam Research is 31.2%, which is higher than many of its peers. In fact, the rate compares to the industry average of 1.5%.
While investors should actually consider the current cash flow growth, it's worth taking a look at the historical rate too for putting the current reading into proper perspective. The company's annualized cash flow growth rate has been 16.6% over the past 3-5 years versus the industry average of 5.9%.
Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsSuperiority of a stock in terms of the metrics outlined above can be further validated by looking at the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is of course favorable here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
There have been upward revisions in current-year earnings estimates for Lam Research. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 0.5% over the past month.
Bottom LineWhile the overall earnings estimate revisions have made Lam Research a Zacks Rank #2 stock, it has earned itself a Growth Score of B based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above.
You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
This combination indicates that Lam Research is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors.
Key Takeaways CSX trades at a higher forward P/E ratio than its industry average, signaling an expensive valuation.During 2025, CSX repurchased shares worth $1.39 billion and paid $972 million in dividends.For 2026, CSX now expects mid-single digit revenue growth (prior view: low single-digit revenue growth). CSX Corporation (CSX - Free Report) looks expensive from a valuation standpoint. Considering the forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio (P/E-F12M), CSX is trading at a premium compared to the industry.
The stock has a forward 12-month P/E-F12M of 23.63X compared with 21.95X for the industry over the past five years. The company’s forward 12-month P/E-F12M ratio is also above the median level of 17.35X over the past five years. These factors indicate that the stock’s valuation is unattractive. CSX has a Value Score of D.
CSX P/E Ratio (Forward 12 Months) Vs. Industry Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Now, the question is whether it is worth buying, holding, or selling the CSX stock at current prices. Let us delve deeper to find out.
Factors Working in Favor of CSX StockCSX's focus on improving workplace safety for employees is also commendable. As a reflection of this, the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Personal Injury Frequency Index, a measure of the number of FRA-reportable injuries per 200,000 man-hours, improved to 0.94 in 2025 from 1.23 in 2024. The FRA train accident rate improved to 3.08 in 2025 from 3.56 in 2024.
Meanwhile, CSX has been consistently making efforts to strengthen its relations with its employees. To this end, the railroad company has entered into multi-year collective bargaining agreements with the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen and the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Forgers & Helpers; the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen in 2025 for the well-being of its employees. CSX is currently engaged in bargaining with SMART-TD to consolidate separate territories, workforces and execute a single-system collective agreement. Such deals reflect the employee-friendly attitude of CSX, through which it strives to maintain cordial relations with its employees and the unions representing them, thereby providing a healthy work environment at CSX.
Additionally, CSX has been consistently making efforts to reward its shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, which are encouraging. Continuing the shareholder-friendly approach, CSX rewarded its shareholders in 2022 through a combination of cash dividends ($852 million) and share repurchases ($4.73 billion). During 2023, CSX repurchased shares worth $3.48 billion and paid $882 million in cash dividends. During 2024, CSX repurchased shares worth $2.23 billion and paid $930 million in cash dividends. During 2025, CSX repurchased shares worth $1.39 billion and paid $972 million in the form of dividend payments. During first-quarter 2026, CSX repurchased shares worth $222 million and paid $260 million in the form of dividend payments. Such shareholder-friendly initiatives should boost investor confidence and positively impact the bottom line.
CSX Stock’s Price PerformanceShares of CSX have gained 31.3% so far this year, outperforming the Zacks Transportation - Rail industry’s 20% surge, as well as that of other industry players, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC - Free Report) and Canadian National Railway Company (CNI - Free Report) ), within the same time frame.
CSX Stock’s YTD Price Comparison Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What Do Earnings Estimates Say for CSX?The positive sentiment surrounding CSX stock is evident from the fact that the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the second-quarter 2026 as well as third-quarter of 2026 earnings, has been revised upward in the past 60 days. The consensus mark for full year 2026 and 2027 earnings has also been projected northward in the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The favorable estimate revisions indicate brokers’ confidence in the stock.
Time to Buy CSX StockCSX’s focus on improving workplace safety for employees is also commendable. Meanwhile, CSX has been consistently making efforts to strengthen its relations with its employees through the multi-year collective bargaining agreements with the unions (representing the employees). The company’s consistent efforts to continue rewarding its shareholders by paying dividends and buying back shares look appreciative.
We believe that the positives surrounding the stock (as highlighted throughout the write-up) outweigh the concerns regarding high debt load, weak coal market, supply chain disturbances, network-related issues and share price volatility coupled with unattractive valuation. We, therefore, suggest investors add CSX stock to their portfolios for healthy returns. The company’s Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) further supports our thesis. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
