Key Takeaways Kohl's juniors business grew 10% in Q1, led by strength from proprietary brand So.Proprietary brands posted a 6% comparable sales increase, supported by "By Kohl's" marketing.Kohl's plans to expand So. into more dress and casual categories through its office edit collection. Kohl's Corporation (KSS - Free Report) has been working to strengthen its merchandising strategy by refining assortments and placing a greater emphasis on proprietary brands. Early signs suggest those efforts are gaining traction in the juniors category, where the So. brand emerged as a standout performer during the first quarter of fiscal 2026.
The juniors business grew 10% in the quarter, led by strength from So. The performance contributed to flat to slightly positive comparable sales across the women's, kids', home and accessories businesses, making juniors one of the clearest areas of progress within the company's merchandising initiatives.
The momentum also aligns with Kohl's broader focus on proprietary brands, which delivered a 6% comparable sales increase during the quarter. The company continues to position these brands around quality products at affordable opening price points while supporting them through enhanced in-store presentation and its "By Kohl's" marketing campaign. Building on So.'s performance, Kohl's plans to expand the brand into additional dress and casual categories through its office edit collection.
The importance of So.'s performance is underscored by the broader operating backdrop. Company-wide comparable sales declined 1.1% in the quarter, indicating that the strength in juniors stood out against an overall business that remains under pressure.
While one quarter does not establish a long-term trend, the results suggest that Kohl's merchandising strategy is producing measurable gains in a category where it has invested in its proprietary offering. If the company can sustain the momentum in So. and successfully broaden the brand's assortment, the juniors business has the potential to become a more meaningful contributor to growth within the women's apparel portfolio.
How Walmart and Target CompareWalmart Inc. (WMT - Free Report) is seeing apparel momentum within a broader general merchandise recovery. In the first quarter of fiscal 2027, the company reported 4.1% comparable sales growth at Walmart U.S., supported by a 3% increase in transactions. WMT also noted that fashion stood out, delivering the category’s strongest share growth in five years. Walmart’s apparel progress is being driven by broader assortment improvements, expanded third-party offerings, marketplace growth and value positioning.
Target Corporation (TGT - Free Report) also delivered broad-based merchandise improvement. The company reported 6.7% net sales growth and 5.6% comparable sales growth in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, led by a 4.4% increase in traffic. Sales at TGT grew across all six core merchandise categories, while apparel and accessories sales rose to $3.85 billion from $3.71 billion. Target’s apparel growth reflects broader style, category and traffic-led initiatives.
KSS Stock Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Kohl’s have surged 101.4% over the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 60.9%.
KSS Price Performance Versus Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, KSS trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 13.61, lower than the industry’s average of 14.16.
KSS’ Valuation Compared to Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Figma ve 1. čtvrtletí 2026 vytvořila provozní cash flow 97,3 mil. USD a volné cash flow 88,6 mil. USD, podpořené předplatbami zákazníků. Hotovost, ekvivalenty a obchodovatelné cenné papíry dosáhly zhruba 1,6 mld. USD.
Key Takeaways Figma generated $97.3M operating cash flow and $88.6M free cash flow in Q1 2026 with strong margins.FIG benefited from customer prepayments, boosting liquidity through higher deferred revenue and collections.Figma ended the quarter with about $1.6B in cash to support AI, product development and growth initiatives. Figma's (FIG - Free Report) cash flow profile remains exceptionally strong. During the first quarter of 2026, Figma generated an operating cash flow of $97.3 million, representing an operating cash flow margin of 29%, while free cash flow reached $88.6 million, or a 27% free cash flow margin.
Working capital also provided a meaningful boost to operating cash flow. Accounts receivable declined by $59.5 million, reflecting strong collections and customer payments, while deferred revenues increased $32.3 million as customers continued to pay upfront for subscription services.
This favorable working capital structure allows Figma to receive cash before recognizing revenues, creating a sustainable source of operating liquidity. Capital expenditures remained modest at $7.8 million, while only $0.9 million was invested in capitalized internal-use software, underscoring the company's low capital intensity and enabling most operating cash flow to convert into free cash flow.
Figma's investing cash flows were largely driven by routine purchases and maturities of marketable securities rather than significant business investments, while financing cash flow primarily reflected employee equity-related tax settlements and stock option exercises.
The company ended the quarter with approximately $1.6 billion in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, providing substantial financial flexibility to fund AI initiatives, product development and future growth opportunities. Figma's recurring subscription revenues, customer prepayments, low capital requirements and strong free cash flow generation position it among the highest-quality cash-generating software companies.
How Competitors Fare Against FigmaFigma operates in a crowded design and product workflow market with established incumbents and newer AI-native tools, including AI coding tools, AI design tools, AI website builders and AI product-development platforms.
Figma faces constant competitive challenges from established players, including Adobe (ADBE - Free Report) and Atlassian (TEAM - Free Report) . Atlassian is focusing on adding generative AI features to some of its collaboration software.
Atlassian is partnering with Google Cloud to bring Atlassian’s AI-powered teamwork platform, including Jira, Confluence and Loom, onto Google’s AI-optimized infrastructure. Maintaining product leadership in this marketplace requires sustained investment and higher operating costs. Adobe recently partnered with Google Cloud to enhance Adobe’s creative ecosystem with AI.
Figma’s Share Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesFigma shares have lost 48.9% year to date. The Zacks Internet - Software industry has declined 14.2% in the same period.
FIG YTD Performance Chart
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Figma stock is trading at a premium, with a forward 12-month Price/Sales of 5.41X compared with the Internet - Software industry’s 3.62X. FIG has a Value Score of F.
Bernstein zvýšil cílovou cenu SanDisk na $3,000 z $1,700 a ponechal overweight. Akcie reagovaly růstem o 4,9 % díky optimistickému výhledu na supercyklus v oblasti pamětí.
SanDisk shares SNDK rose 4.9% in early trading on Tuesday after Bernstein raised its price target on the stock, citing durability in its future business model.
The move comes as investors continue to assess the strength of the ongoing memory supercycle, driven by surging demand for components used in artificial intelligence data centers.
SanDisk and Micron have emerged as key beneficiaries of this trend, with memory demand accelerating across AI, cloud, hyperscale, and enterprise data center markets.
SanDisk has also been the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 in 2026, with shares surging 767% year to date.
Bernstein raised its price target on SNDK to $3,000 from $1,700, while maintaining an overweight rating.
The new target sits well above the analyst consensus of $1,845.64 and implies approximately 46% upside from Monday’s closing price.
In its note, Bernstein emphasized structural changes in memory contracting practices, particularly the evolution of long-term agreements (LTAs).
Bernstein said new memory long-term agreements, or LTAs, are different from older ones: they have fixed or range-bound prices, longer terms, and include upfront financial commitments to lock in customers and protect downside.
The firm highlighted that SanDisk’s pricing structure reflects this shift.
Based on data provided by companies, Bernstein estimated that SanDisk’s floor price in recently signed long-term agreements is around $0.29 per gigabyte.
The firm said this level is meaningfully higher than the effective floor prices it attributes to competitors, including Micron Technology, which it estimates are below the company’s second-quarter realized pricing.
The newer long-term agreements represent a structural shift in memory contracting practices, reshaping the economics of the NAND flash market.
These agreements help reduce exposure to traditional cyclical downturns in the industry.
Long-term agreements were also highlighted in Micron’s fiscal third-quarter results, which exceeded expectations.
The company announced 16 strategic customer agreements (SCAs), described as non-cancellable contracts typically running for five years, which analysts say provide strong revenue visibility across the semiconductor industry.
SanDisk’s rally has also been supported by its positioning in AI-related storage demand.
Since separating from Western Digital in February 2025, the company has focused on becoming a pure-play flash memory provider, with exposure to enterprise and AI-driven storage markets alongside its consumer business.
The company supplies enterprise solid-state drives (SSDs), high-capacity Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) drives, and storage platforms used in artificial intelligence, cloud, hyperscale, and enterprise data centers.
However, it remains smaller in market presence compared with peers such as Samsung, Micron, Kioxia, and Solidigm.
Bernstein said SanDisk has additional room to benefit from newer long-term agreements that improve revenue stability and reduce downside risk in the memory cycle.
“While these LTA’s do not completely remove risk of future downcycles, they do significantly alleviate downside risk,” analyst Mark Newman said Tuesday in a note to clients.
Bernstein also projected long-term earnings potential tied to these agreements, estimating SanDisk could reach earnings of $214 per share by fiscal year 2030. That compares with a potential $81 per share scenario without LTAs, according to the firm.
The analyst call aligns broadly with Wall Street sentiment. Of the 24 analysts covering SanDisk, 21 currently rate the stock as a buy or strong buy, according to LSEG data.
Soud zamítl snahu Meta zrušit žalobu 29 generálních prokurátorů států, kteří ji viní z navrhování Facebooku a Instagramu tak, aby děti na platformách „závisely“. Soud zároveň uvedl, že Meta neplnila pravidla zákona o ochraně soukromí dětí.
A federal judge rejected Meta Platforms’ bid to dismiss a lawsuit by 29 state attorneys general accusing it of designing Facebook and Instagram to addict children and knowingly concealing the harm from the public.
In a decision late on Monday night, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, Calif., denied Meta’s motion to dismiss claims based on deception, unfair practices and violations of the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
The judge also said Meta did not comply with that law’s notice and parental consent requirements, and granted summary judgment to the states on that issue.
Meta’s bid to dismiss a lawsuit by 29 state attorneys general accusing it of designing Facebook and Instagram to addict children and knowingly concealing the harm from the public was rejected. Bloomberg via Getty Images Meta and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.
Gonzalez Rogers also oversees related multidistrict litigation by more than 2,600 individuals, school districts and local governments over whether social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Google and YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok addict children.
Meta downplays harms The states said research has shown that children’s use of Facebook and Instagram could lead to depression, anxiety, insomnia, interference with education and daily life, and self-harm including suicide.
Meta countered that the attorneys general had no evidence it misled consumers about its platforms’ alleged addictiveness, including in congressional testimony by Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg.
The Menlo Park, Calif.-based company said this was because “social media addiction” is not an established psychiatric condition, and therefore statements that its platforms are not addictive could not be false.
The states said research has shown that children’s use of Facebook and Instagram could lead to depression, anxiety, insomnia, interference with education and daily life, and self-harm including suicide. Above, victims’ families after a trial in Los Angeles earlier this year. Andy Johnstone for CA Post
The judge also said Meta did not comply with that law’s notice and parental consent requirements. Getty Images Meta also said it didn’t violate the children’s online privacy law because it directed Facebook and Instagram to a general audience, not just children under age 13.
Judge finds factual disputes about addictiveness In a 38-page decision, Gonzalez Rogers found material factual disputes over whether Meta’s social media platforms are addictive, whether Meta falsely denied it designed them that way, and whether it “partially” directed the platforms at children.
“The AGs present a reasonable interpretation of [Meta’s] statements that Facebook and Instagram are not designed in ways that cause teens to compulsively use the platforms to their detriment,” she wrote. “To the extent plaintiffs’ evidence shows that the platforms are in fact designed to do just that, a jury could reasonably find the statements were untrue to a reasonable person.”
A trial is scheduled for Aug. 18, court records show.
AWS zřizuje novou interní organizaci pro forward-deployed inženýry zaměřené na AI a Amazon na ni vyčlení 1 miliardu USD. Tým má pomáhat firmám s nasazením agentů přímo u zákazníků.
As companies struggle to integrate AI, they’re increasingly ready to bring in outside help — and service providers are launching new purpose-built groups to make sure they get it.
On Tuesday, Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched a new internal organization for AI-focused forward-deployed engineers. Engineers on the new team will embed within companies to deploy purpose-built agents, focusing on fast engagements and customer self-sufficiency.
In a post announcing the new org, AWS VP of Frontier AI Francessca Vasquez emphasized that the org would do more than build and maintain requested systems. “Customers leave AWS FDE deployments with both new solutions and new engineering capabilities,” the announcement reads. “Along with agentic systems running in their own AWS environment, they gain lasting AI skills, workflows, and patterns they can use to innovate independently.”
Amazon says $1 billion will be committed to the new org, although the figure represents internal Amazon resources rather than a joint venture or conventional investment.
Pioneered by Palantir, the forward-deployed engineer (FDE) model has become increasingly popular as a way to manage AI deployments. In a typical FDE system, an engineer from the contracting company (in this case, AWS) works for the client temporarily while the system is being established, allowing them to respond directly as internal opportunities or challenges emerge.
In the FDE model, much of the relevant technology can be reused between deployments, while still being tailored to the specifics of each company’s needs and workflows. It also gives the client company an influx of expertise and puts primary responsibility for the deployment in the hands of the contractor. The biggest downside is the labor involved, since it means maintaining a full corps of FDE engineers to install and maintain the company’s technology.
Both OpenAI and Anthropic have launched their own FDE joint ventures in recent months, valued at $4 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively. In those two cases, the AI labs were paired with private equity firms, which provided both the capital to launch and connections with client corporations in their portfolios.
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
Russell Brandom has been covering the tech industry since 2012, with a focus on platform policy and emerging technologies. He previously worked at The Verge and Rest of World, and has written for Wired, The Awl and MIT’s Technology Review. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Signal at 412-401-5489.
Amazon těží ze silné poptávky během Prime Day a BofA čeká, že 20% zvýšení cen vybraných GPU workloadů v AWS přidá 1–2 procentní body k růstu AWS v druhé polovině roku.
In a note released Monday, the firm sees the combination of stronger June retail data and a 20% price increase on select AWS GPU workloads as setting up a cleaner second-half growth story for the stock.
AMZN stock is moving. See the chart and price action here. Prime Day DeliversAdobe Analytics data show U.S. online retail spend during the Prime Day window at roughly $26.4 billion, up 9% year over year, a result that lines up with Bank of America’s expectation for mid-single-digit global GMV growth as some international events move into the third quarter.
Discounts were broadly similar to last year, but Numerator data flagged an 11% drop in average order value on Amazon and softer satisfaction scores, pointing to a customer shift toward everyday essentials and grocery rather than big-ticket items.
Even with smaller baskets, BofA still expects Amazon’s North America retail segment to slightly beat Street estimates for about 14% year-over-year growth.
The catch for near-term traders is timing. Bank of America estimates around $7 billion to $8 billion of sales likely shifted into the second quarter from the third quarter due to this year’s Prime Day schedule, creating potential noise around Amazon’s Q3 outlook even if full-year fundamentals remain intact.
AWS Price HikeOn the cloud side, Amazon quietly announced a roughly 20% price increase effective July 1 for EC2 Capacity Blocks tied to GPU-heavy machine-learning workloads, following a prior 15% hike in January.
Bank of America’s work suggests effective prices paid by customers have already risen from 2022 trough levels, and the new adjustment should add an estimated 1–2 percentage points to second-half AWS growth.
Beyond core capacity, the firm points to ramping commitments from OpenAI and Anthropic on AWS infrastructure, reinforcing a view that Amazon is leaning into AI demand with greater pricing discipline.
BofA flags some risks including tougher competition from offline and local retailers, cloud share battles in advanced AI and heavy AWS investment that could pressure margins if macro conditions soften.
Still, with solid Prime Day demand and AWS asserting pricing power in AI workloads, Amazon’s stock remains a key name to watch as the market balances short-term guidance noise against a strengthening multi-year thesis.
AMZN Stock Price Activity: Amazon stock was down 0.86% at $238.07 at the time of publication Tuesday, according to data from Benzinga Pro.
Over the past month, AMZN has declined about 10.6% versus a 1.6% decline in the S&P 500 and is up roughly 3% year-to-date compared to the index’s 8.4% gain.
Photo: 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
Microsoft míří na nejhorší měsíc od roku 2000, v červnu zatím ztratil 20 % kvůli obavám z výdajů na AI. Firma plánuje kapitálové investice ve výši 190 mld. USD do konce roku 2026.
Key Takeaways Microsoft is on track for its worst month since 2000 after a 20% June decline and AI spending concerns. MSFT plans $190B in capital spending through 2026, raising investor worries over profit margins. ETFs like VGT provide diversified tech exposure with Microsoft among their top holdings. According to recent data published by Bloomberg, Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) is heading for its worst month since the dot-com era. The stock has lost 20% so far in June, putting it on course for its steepest monthly decline since December 2000, when it lost 24.4%.
While this brutal selloff, which erased more than $570 billion in this software giant’s market value, may have deeply disappointed near-term investors, some may view this as a compelling dip-buying opportunity.
Rather than betting on a single stock and losing havoc with its sudden freefall as it happened with MSFT, gaining exposure to tech exchange-traded funds (ETFs) holding Microsoft alongside other silicon giants may offer a more prudent strategy.
Before identifying those ETFs, it is important to understand what caused Microsoft's decline, whether it is well positioned to regain its momentum over the long term, and why tech ETFs may offer a more diversified and potentially safer investment strategy.
What Caused Microsoft’s Freefall?The recent slump witnessed in Microsoft's share price stems primarily from growing investor skepticism surrounding its massive artificial intelligence (AI) expenditures, with the company announcing during its fiscal third-quarter results that it expects $190 billion in capital expenditures through the end of 2026.
This expense plan by Microsoft, which exceeded Wall Street expectations, made investors increasingly anxious about how long it will take for multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investments to translate into robust profit margins.
Market experts have also expressed concern about margin compression in MSFT’s Azure cloud-computing business. Although Azure remains the company's fastest-growing segment, operating AI infrastructure is generating significantly lower gross margins than Microsoft's traditional on-premises software business.
Consequently, anxiety among investors has been building up over the past few months, leading to repeated sell-offs in MSFT's shares and a cumulative year-to-date decline of approximately 24%.
Will MSFT Rebound?Looking at historical data and underlying valuations, Microsoft's long-term growth prospects remain healthy. The company's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio sits at a premium of around 19.1X compared to its peer group’s 15.68X, which, while high, is justified by its dominant enterprise footprint and expanding cloud ecosystem.
The stock boasts a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 8.43% and a long-term (three-to-five years) earnings growth rate of 16.60%, which beat the industry’s growth rate of 12.40%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MSFT’s fiscal 2026 and 2027 revenues implies year-over-year growth of 17% and 16%, respectively.
Microsoft's fundamental ability to monetize generative AI through its Azure platform and increased GitHub Copilot usage should help it achieve these targets, thereby positioning it to make a solid rebound in the long term.
The stock’s short-term average price target of $554.04 reflects an increase of 48.55% from its last closing price of $372.97, implying a substantial upside from its current discounted price.
The Rationale Behind Choosing Tech ETFsEven with Microsoft's solid potential for recovery, as mentioned above, some investors may remain skeptical given the recent downturn. For these cautious market participants, tech ETFs represent an excellent investment alternative.
From a diversification standpoint, ETFs help mitigate the single-stock risk associated with holding an individual company, reducing the impact of earnings-related volatility. Rapid AI acceleration is already boosting the broader tech industry to unprecedented heights.
Although the tech sector has witnessed notable macro sell-offs recently, the ultimate long-term potential of the industry remains robust, thanks to secular tailwinds like enterprise cloud migration, cybersecurity expansion, and advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Thus, capitalizing on this broad momentum via tech ETFs allows investors to participate in the AI revolution without exposing their portfolios to the vulnerability of a single corporate balance sheet.
Tech ETFs to BuyWith AI infrastructure spending from major hyperscalers expected to reach approximately $725 billion in 2026, one may consider the following tech ETFs to buy on this historic Microsoft dip:
Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund ETF Shares (VGT - Free Report)
This fund, with net assets worth $170.1 billion, offers exposure to 323 companies from the following industries: technology software and services, technology hardware and equipment, and semiconductor and semiconductor equipment manufacturers. NVIDIA (NVDA - Free Report) holds the first spot in this fund, with 16.77% weightage, while MSFT holds the third spot with 9.87% weightage.
VGT has rallied 23.6% year to date. The fund charges 9 basis points (bps) as fees and traded at a good volume of 4.46 million shares in the last trading session. It sports a Zacks ETF Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (FTEC - Free Report)
This fund, with net assets worth $21.38 billion, offers exposure to 287 information technology stocks. NVDA holds the first spot in this fund, with 16.73% weightage, while MSFT holds the third spot with 9.40% weightage.
FTEC has rallied 23.9% year to date. The fund charges 8 bps as fees and traded at a volume of 0.26 million shares in the last trading session. It sports a Zacks ETF Rank #1.
State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK - Free Report)
This fund, with assets under management (AUM) worth $120.67 billion, offers exposure to 74 companies from technology hardware, storage and peripherals; software; communications equipment; semiconductors and semiconductor equipment; IT services; and electronic equipment, instruments and components industries. NVDA holds the first spot in this fund, with 14.80% weightage, while MSFT holds the third spot with 8.79% weightage.
XLK has surged 28.8% year to date. The fund charges 8 bps as fees and traded at a good volume of 11.85 million shares in the last trading session. It sports a Zacks ETF Rank #1.
iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW - Free Report)
This fund, with net assets worth $24.80 billion, offers exposure to 148 software, semiconductors, and tech hardware companies in the United States. NVDA holds the first spot in this fund, with 12.94% weightage, while MSFT holds the third spot with 8.48% weightage.
IYW has risen 23.3% year to date. The fund charges 38 bps as fees and traded at a volume of 0.48 million shares in the last trading session. It sports a Zacks ETF Rank #1.
Bill Ackman, Jeremy Grantham a Cliff Asness v posledním čtvrtletí výrazně navýšili podíl v Microsoftu. Akcie se přesto obchodují na nejnižší úrovni od začátku roku 2024, při 21násobku zisku.
There's more than one way to invest successfully. In fact, strategic differentiation may be necessary to outperform the market. The most successful investors all have unique strategies and characteristics that separate their portfolios from the rest of the pack.
Nonetheless, you can still find some commonalities among billionaire portfolio managers that lead them to make similar investments at times. For example, Bill Ackman, Jeremy Grantham, and Cliff Asness all made substantial investments in the same stock last quarter. And investors currently have an opportunity to pick up shares at an even better price than what the billionaire fund managers may have paid earlier this year.
Here's why Microsoft (MSFT +1.07%) fits into each billionaire's portfolio and why the stock still looks severely undervalued today.
Image source: Getty Images.
Long-term investors seeking value in today's market Ackman, Grantham, and Asness are all titans in the investment management space. Ackman runs Pershing Square, Grantham is the G in GMO, and Asness founded AQR Capital Management. They each disclosed substantial increases in Microsoft in their most recent quarterly filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Pershing Square Capital Management bought about $2 billion worth of the stock, making it one of the fund's biggest positions. Ackman also disclosed purchasing the stock for his new fund, Pershing Square USA. GMO bought over 900,000 shares of Microsoft in the first quarter, making it the fund's top holding. AQR increased its stake in Microsoft by 60%, pushing it to become its second-largest position. Ackman, Grantham, and Asness are all focused on long-term horizons in their investing, and they typically pay close attention to valuation.
Ackman prefers to concentrate on intrinsic value, buying stocks with durable competitive advantages when the market offers a good price. Ackman noted Microsoft's leadership in cloud computing and enterprise software as reasons for his purchase.
Grantham prefers companies with strong recurring cash flow and tries to avoid cyclicality. He's best known for warning against bubbles and harnessing the power of mean reversion. While Microsoft is heavily tied to the much-hyped artificial intelligence (AI) trade, Grantham may still see value in the company thanks to its strong cash-flow generation.
Asness uses quantitative models that balance value and momentum investing as well as several other factors. That makes his portfolio much more systematic rather than fully based on fundamental analysis. Microsoft likely fills the role of a high-quality stock trading at a great value relative to its durable earnings growth.
Today's Change
(
1.07
%) $
3.94
Current Price
$
372.51
Investors are getting a great opportunity to follow these billionaires From a long-term fundamentals standpoint, Microsoft appears severely undervalued by the market. The stock currently trades at its lowest level since the start of 2024 despite strong revenue growth across both its cloud computing and enterprise software segments.
Azure, the cloud computing business, generated 40% revenue growth last quarter. Management expects that rate to accelerate in the back half of the year. That's supported by a massive backlog of $627 billion in contracted revenue, with about 25% expected to be recognized over the next 12 months.
Meanwhile, Microsoft's enterprise software segment, which includes Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365, posted 17% year-over-year revenue growth last quarter. That was driven by the commercial adoption of its Copilot AI assistant and higher consumer prices. The former still has a long way to go as Microsoft pushes to make Copilot a standard addition to Microsoft 365 and its 450 million users. It currently counts just 20 million paid commercial Copilot users.
Microsoft should be able to grow revenue at a solid double-digit pace for the foreseeable future as demand for its cloud compute grows and it sells more Copilot subscriptions. Both should ultimately lead to improved operating margins even though the company already operates at a relatively high margin. With the stock trading for just 21 times earnings, it seems an absolute bargain at today's price. It's no wonder it's caught the eye of several of the top fund managers in the world.
Microsoft rozšiřuje bezpečnostní ekosystém: do MISA přidal Mphasis a na Build představil nové AI bezpečnostní nástroje. Ve 3. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2026 tržby vzrostly o 18 % na 82,9 miliardy USD.
Key Takeaways Microsoft added Mphasis to MISA, expanding its partner-led security ecosystem and Marketplace presence.Microsoft Build unveiled new AI security tools, including MDASH and Microsoft Agent 365 integrations.MSFT reported 18% revenue growth as cloud, Azure and security-enabled Microsoft 365 adoption accelerated. Microsoft Corporation (MSFT - Free Report) continues to deepen its cybersecurity ecosystem, with IT solutions provider Mphasis joining the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA), building on an existing collaboration centered on Microsoft Sentinel, Entra, Intune, Purview, Defender and Microsoft 365 Copilot. Mphasis' managed security services are already listed on Microsoft Marketplace, reinforcing the company's strategy of expanding its security footprint through a growing partner ecosystem rather than organic development alone. The move follows a string of security-focused announcements at Microsoft Build in early June 2026, including the limited preview of "Codename MDASH," an agentic vulnerability-detection capability that pairs Microsoft Defender with GitHub Code Security and new integrations within Microsoft Agent 365 aimed at securing AI agents and identities.
These developments arrive against a backdrop of strong underlying financial momentum. In its fiscal third-quarter 2026 results, reported April 29, 2026, Microsoft posted total revenues of $82.9 billion, up 18% year over year, with Intelligent Cloud revenues rising 30% to $34.7 billion and Azure growth accelerating to 40%. Management noted that Microsoft 365 Commercial cloud revenues grew 19%, helped by the adoption of Microsoft 365 E5 and Copilot, both of which bundle security and compliance capabilities. The company’s security stack now processes 100 trillion daily signals, and Microsoft Entra has surpassed one billion monthly active users, underscoring the scale at which the security business now operates alongside cloud and productivity.
The picture is not without risk. Security still rides on the broader AI infrastructure buildout, where capital expenditure remains elevated and gross margins have come under pressure from compute investment. Execution also depends on converting partner integrations like Mphasis into measurable seat and consumption growth rather than announcements alone. Nonetheless, the combination of accelerating cloud growth, expanding partner reach and steady product releases suggests Microsoft's security business is moving from a supporting feature toward a more distinct growth contributor within its broader portfolio.
Competitive Landscape: CrowdStrike and Palo Alto NetworksMicrosoft's security expansion plays out alongside two established U.S.-listed rivals, CrowdStrike (CRWD - Free Report) and Palo Alto Networks (PANW - Free Report) , both pursuing platform consolidation strategies of their own. CrowdStrike has built its identity around the cloud-native Falcon platform, leaning on endpoint and identity protection, while Palo Alto Networks has pursued an acquisition-driven path toward a unified security operating model spanning network, cloud and AI-driven detection. Unlike Microsoft, neither CrowdStrike nor Palo Alto Networks can pair security with a dominant productivity or hyperscale cloud franchise, leaving bundling and cross-selling as Microsoft's structural advantage even as CrowdStrike and Palo Alto Networks continue to compete aggressively on specialized capability and platform depth.
MSFT’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesMSFT shares have lost 23.7% in the past six-month period compared with the Zacks Computer – Software industry’s decline of 25.3%. The Zacks Computer and Technology sector has appreciated 15.8% in the same time frame.
MSFT’s 6-Month Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, MSFT stock appears overvalued, trading at a forward 12-month price/earnings ratio of 19.11X, higher than the industry’s 18.83X. MSFT has a Value Score of C.
MSFT’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MSFT’s fiscal 2026 earnings is pegged at $17.33 per share. The estimate indicates 27.05% year-over-year growth.
Microsoft currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Alibaba zrychluje růst díky AI v e-commerce a quick commerce, jehož objednávky meziročně vzrostly 2,7×. Tržby China E-commerce Group stouply o 6 % na RMB 122 miliard.
Key Takeaways Alibaba is integrating AI across its consumer platforms to improve search, discovery and shopping experiences.BABA is investing in fulfillment efficiency and unit economics to improve the profitability of quick commerce.BABA's quick commerce orders rose 2.7 times year over year, boosting engagement across its retail ecosystem. Alibaba's (BABA - Free Report) digital commerce strategy is evolving into a more integrated, AI-enabled retail ecosystem that could support growth in fiscal 2027. Rather than relying solely on gross merchandise volume expansion, Alibaba is enhancing merchant productivity, consumer engagement and platform monetization across Taobao, Tmall and its instant commerce offerings. The company has also revamped its merchant development program by linking platform subsidies to merchants' marketing spend, an initiative aimed at improving advertising penetration and long-term monetization. These efforts are already gaining traction, with customer management revenue (CMR) increasing 8% year over year on a like-for-like basis in the March quarter, while China E-commerce Group revenues rose 6% to RMB 122 billion.
Quick commerce has become a strategic extension of Alibaba's broader retail platform rather than a standalone business. Order volume expanded 2.7 times year over year, supporting stronger growth at Freshippo and Tmall Supermarket while helping drive double-digit monthly active consumer additions for the Taobao app. At the same time, the integration of the Qwen app with Taobao, Tmall, Alipay, Amap and Fliggy is embedding AI-driven search, discovery and shopping assistance across Alibaba's consumer ecosystem, creating additional opportunities to improve user engagement and purchase frequency over time.
These investments have weighed on near-term profitability, with Alibaba China E-commerce Group's adjusted EBITA declining 40% year over year as spending on quick commerce, technology and user experience increased. However, improving fulfillment efficiency, higher average order values and stronger unit economics indicate that these investments are becoming more productive. If Alibaba continues translating higher consumer engagement into stronger merchant spending while improving the profitability of its quick commerce operations, its integrated digital commerce ecosystem could emerge as a meaningful catalyst for fiscal 2027 growth.
How Alibaba Stacks Up Against PDD and JD ?Alibaba faces intense competition from PDD Holdings (PDD - Free Report) and JD.com (JD - Free Report) , both of which continue to invest in strengthening their digital commerce ecosystems.
PDD Holdings has expanded its value-driven marketplace through AI-enabled merchant tools and Temu's international growth, while JD.com leverages its self-operated logistics network and omnichannel retail capabilities to enhance fulfillment speed and customer experience. Unlike PDD Holdings and JD.com, Alibaba operates a broader ecosystem spanning Taobao, Tmall, Taobao Instant Commerce, Ele.me, AliExpress and Alibaba.com, creating multiple consumer touchpoints across domestic and cross-border commerce. As PDD Holdings and JD.com intensify competition, Alibaba's AI-powered ecosystem, merchant monetization initiatives and integrated commerce platform could provide a differentiated long-term growth advantage.
BABA’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesBABA shares have plunged 34.8% in the year-to-date period, underperforming the Zacks Internet – Commerce industry and the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector, which have declined 6.6% and 1.9%, respectively.
BABA’s YTD Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, BABA stock is currently trading at a trailing 12-month Price/Earnings ratio of 30.23X compared with the industry’s 28.31X. BABA has a Value Score of D.
BABA’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2027 earnings is pegged at $7.29 per share, down by a penny over the past 30 days, indicating a 87.4% year-over-year increase.
Alibaba currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
NVIDIA přeuspořádala vykazování na dvě platformy, Data Center a Edge Computing, aby lépe zachytila růst trhů s AI. Firma tím ukazuje širší základnu budoucích tržeb mimo tradiční cloud.
Key Takeaways NVDA now reports two platforms: Data Center and Edge Computing, aligning with expanding AI markets.ACIE highlights AI factory opportunities across industries and countries beyond traditional cloud providers.Edge Computing adds Gaming, AI PCs, robotics, automotive, AI-RAN and physical AI growth avenues. NVIDIA Corporation's (NVDA - Free Report) new business structure underscores expanding AI growth opportunities, supporting the case for stronger long-term revenue potential. The company has reorganized its reporting into two major platforms — Data Center and Edge Computing — to reflect its current and future growth drivers. Within the Data Center, NVIDIA now separately reports Hyperscale, and AI Clouds, Industrial & Enterprise (ACIE), giving investors greater visibility into fast-growing AI markets beyond traditional cloud providers.
The new reporting framework highlights how NVIDIA's revenue base is becoming increasingly diversified. While hyperscalers remain a major contributor, the company is seeing rising demand from AI cloud providers, enterprise customers, industrial AI deployments and sovereign AI initiatives. Management noted that ACIE captures opportunities in AI factories across industries and countries, reinforcing that future growth will come from a broader range of customers rather than a single market.
Beyond the Data Center, the revamped Edge Computing platform expands NVIDIA's addressable market. It includes Gaming, AI PCs, workstations, robotics, automotive, AI-RAN and other physical AI applications, creating additional growth avenues outside the data center. The company also highlighted strong demand across hyperscalers, model builders, AI cloud providers and enterprise customers, validating its decision to realign the business around these expanding AI ecosystems.
NVIDIA’s recent announcements further validate its new reporting framework. Continued investments in AI factories, agentic AI, robotics and physical AI demonstrate that the company is expanding into several high-growth AI markets. By aligning its reporting structure with these emerging opportunities, NVDA provides investors with greater visibility into future revenue drivers. Supporting this view, the Zacks Consensus Estimate projects fiscal 2027 revenues of $385.4 billion, representing a strong 78.5% increase year over year.
Can Rivals Match NVIDIA's New AI Growth Blueprint?As NVDA reshapes its business around the expansion of AI infrastructure and data centers, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD - Free Report) and Qualcomm (QCOM - Free Report) are evolving their operations to compete for the same long-term growth opportunities.
Advanced Micro Devices is NVIDIA's closest AI infrastructure rival, shifting its business toward Data Center and AI with EPYC CPUs, Instinct GPUs and hyperscaler partnerships. AMD leverages an open ecosystem, expanding AI software and rack-scale platforms to capture cloud demand. However, AMD still trails NVIDIA in CUDA ecosystem strength, AI software maturity and market leadership despite robust AI revenue momentum.
Qualcomm is expanding beyond smartphones by prioritizing edge AI, data-center CPUs, AI accelerators and custom silicon for hyperscalers. QCOM benefits from power-efficient AI, strong CPU expertise and diversified markets spanning automotive and IoT. However, QCOM lacks NVIDIA's scale in AI training infrastructure, software ecosystem and hyperscale deployments, leaving QCOM focused primarily on edge and inference AI.
NVDA’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesNVIDIA shares have returned 4.5% in the past six-month period, underperforming the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s 15.7% growth.
NVDA’s Six-Month Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, NVDA appears overvalued, trading at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 10.69, higher than the industry average of 9.96. The company carries a Value Score of D.
NVDA’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NVIDIA's fiscal 2027 and 2028 earnings per share is pegged at $8.69 and $11.67, respectively, reflecting robust year-over-year growth of 90.3% in fiscal 2027 and 34.2% in fiscal 2028. Notably, earnings estimates for both fiscal years have moved higher over the past 30 days, indicating improving analyst confidence.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
NVIDIA currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Nvidia letos přidává jen asi 5 %, zatímco index PHLX Semiconductor Index roste o 94 %. Investoři sledují, zda nová platforma Vera Rubin obnoví její dominanci v AI infrastruktuře.
Nvidia NVDA stock rose on Tuesday. Shares of Nvidia were up 1.5% at $197.96 in early trading.
Despite the gain, Nvidia has significantly underperformed the broader semiconductor sector.
The stock is up roughly 5% year to date, compared with a 94% gain for the PHLX Semiconductor Index.
The muted performance marks a sharp contrast to Nvidia's dominant run over the past several years and would represent the stock's weakest first-half showing since 2022.
Investor attention is increasingly focused on whether Nvidia's upcoming Vera Rubin platform can restore the company's position as the undisputed leader in AI infrastructure.
The central challenge facing Nvidia is no longer limited to competition from rival graphics processor makers.
While Advanced Micro Devices remains a key competitor, the market has expanded to include custom chip developers and companies focused on central processing units, including Intel.
As artificial intelligence spending accelerates, major technology companies are increasingly distributing infrastructure budgets across a wider range of suppliers rather than concentrating purchases with a single vendor.
The key question for investors is whether Nvidia's next-generation hardware can establish a sufficiently large performance advantage to justify continued dominance in AI deployments.
Nvidia's relative underperformance has become one of the more notable developments in the semiconductor sector this year.
After several years of outsized gains, many investors appear to have taken profits and rotated into other areas of the AI supply chain, including memory chipmakers and emerging AI infrastructure companies.
Intel shares have climbed approximately 250% this year, while Advanced Micro Devices has gained about 152%.
The iShares Semiconductor ETF has advanced roughly 102% over the same period.
The shift suggests investors increasingly believe much of Nvidia's expected growth has already been reflected in the stock price, even as demand for advanced AI hardware remains strong.
Sentiment has also been weighed down by concerns over export restrictions affecting sales to China and broader questions about how long Nvidia can sustain the extraordinary growth rates it has delivered in recent years.
At the same time, Nvidia is expanding its focus beyond traditional AI infrastructure and into robotics and physical AI.
The company is ramping up hiring for its robotics operations in China, advertising more than a dozen positions across Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, according to a recruitment post published on its official WeChat account.
The openings cover embodied intelligence, simulation, implementation, and solutions.
Nvidia said the robotics team aims to build a "leading robotics platform and ecosystem to help developers and companies create autonomous machines," with the goal of accelerating the deployment of robots from research environments into real-world applications.
The recruitment drive highlights Nvidia's growing emphasis on physical AI, which combines artificial intelligence models with robotics systems that can perceive, reason, and interact with the physical world.
According to the job descriptions, employees will work on technologies including the Project GR00T humanoid robot foundation model, the Cosmos physical simulation world model, and Nvidia's GPU-accelerated computing platforms.
Walmart uvádí, že týdenní aktivní uživatelé Sparky vzrostli o více než 100 % a jejich průměrná hodnota objednávky byla asi o 35 % vyšší než u ostatních zákazníků. Počet jednotek přes Sparky se navíc zvýšil více než čtyřnásobně.
Key Takeaways Sparky weekly active users rose more than 100% from the prior quarter. Walmart says Sparky users had average order values about 35% higher than non-users. Sparky units rose more than fourfold as e-commerce sales grew 26% globally. Walmart Inc. (WMT - Free Report) continues to use technology to make shopping faster, easier and more personalized, and its AI shopping assistant, Sparky, is becoming a more visible part of that effort. The latest quarter shows that Sparky is gaining user traction while also supporting larger digital baskets.
Weekly active users of Sparky increased more than 100% from the prior quarter. Walmart also improved Sparky’s intelligence and response quality by 40% this year, making the tool more useful across shopping occasions. Customers can now use Sparky in stores, automatically reorder frequently purchased items and interact with it in Spanish.
The more notable signal is order behavior. Customers using Sparky had an average order value about 35% higher than non-Sparky customers. Units purchased through Sparky also rose more than fourfold from the previous quarter. This indicates that shoppers are using the tool for broader purchases, not just one-off searches.
The trend fits within Walmart’s stronger digital performance. Global e-commerce sales grew 26%, while Walmart U.S. delivery rose 45%. More than 36% of U.S. store-fulfilled deliveries were completed in less than three hours, giving Sparky a stronger fulfillment backdrop as customers build orders.
Overall, Sparky is still one piece of Walmart’s broader omnichannel model, but the early data is encouraging. Rising usage, higher order values and stronger unit activity suggest that AI is becoming a more meaningful layer in Walmart’s shopping experience, helping customers create larger and more convenient baskets.
What Do the Latest Metrics Say About Walmart?Walmart, which competes with Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST - Free Report) and Target Corporation (TGT - Free Report) , has seen its shares rally 16.6% over the past year compared with the industry’s 15.3% growth. Shares of Costco have dipped 4.4%, while Target has gained 35.8% in the aforementioned period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Walmart's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 38.61, higher than the industry’s 37.62. The company is trading at a premium to Target (with a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 15.62) while trading at a discount to Costco (42.83).
Carnival objednala tři nové lodě Princess s dodáním v letech 2035, 2038 a 2039. Firma zároveň modernizuje flotilu a rozšiřuje destinace, aby podpořila dlouhodobý růst.
Key Takeaways Carnival ordered three new Princess ships for delivery in 2035, 2038 and 2039.CCL is modernizing its fleet and expanding destinations to boost guest satisfaction and onboard spending.Record 2027 bookings and disciplined fleet growth support Carnival's long-term strategy. Carnival Corporation Ltd. (CCL - Free Report) is reinforcing its long-term growth strategy through disciplined fleet expansion rather than aggressive capacity additions. While near-term demand has been affected by geopolitical tensions in Europe, management remains focused on investments that can enhance earnings power over the next decade.
A major highlight from the latest earnings call was Carnival's order for three new Princess Cruises ships, scheduled for delivery in 2035, 2038 and 2039. These vessels will build on the success of the Sphere Class platform, with Sun Princess and Star Princess already delivering strong guest satisfaction and commercial performance. Importantly, the company reiterated that it does not intend to accelerate ship deliveries beyond the measured pace of one to two new ships annually, reflecting a disciplined capital allocation strategy.
Beyond new ships, Carnival is investing heavily in modernizing its existing fleet through programs such as AIDA Evolution and Holland America Evolution. These upgrades are designed to improve onboard experiences, create additional revenue opportunities and enhance operating efficiency. Management also noted that refurbishment projects are expected to generate attractive returns, while cabin additions can pay for themselves within just a few years.
The company is complementing its fleet investments with expanded destination offerings, including Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, to strengthen itinerary appeal and drive higher guest spending. Combined with record booking levels for 2027, continued cost discipline and growing financial flexibility, Carnival appears well positioned to benefit once temporary geopolitical headwinds ease. If demand remains resilient, the new Princess ships and ongoing fleet enhancements could provide a meaningful boost to the company's long-term revenue growth, profitability and shareholder value.
Can Fleet Investments Keep Carnival Ahead in the Cruise Race?Carnival's strategy of combining selective newbuild orders with fleet modernization puts it in direct competition with peers like Royal Caribbean (RCL - Free Report) and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH - Free Report) , both of which are investing to capture growing cruise demand.
Royal Caribbean continues to expand the premium fleet with larger, experience-focused ships and destination investments, helping it command strong pricing and onboard spending. Its emphasis on innovative vessels and exclusive private destinations has strengthened Royal Caribbean’s customer loyalty, setting a high benchmark for the industry.
Norwegian Cruise Line, meanwhile, is refreshing its fleet with next-generation ships while enhancing onboard offerings and premium experiences. The company is also focusing on operational efficiency and higher-value itineraries to improve profitability.
Carnival's approach differs by maintaining disciplined capacity growth while extracting greater returns from both new and existing ships. Investments in the Princess fleet, ship modernization programs and exclusive destinations such as Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay aim to enhance guest experiences without significantly increasing supply. If these initiatives continue to support pricing power and higher onboard spending, Carnival could strengthen its competitive position and deliver sustainable long-term growth despite intense industry competition.
CCL’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of Carnival have gained 1.9% in the past year compared with the industry’s rise of 3.5%.
Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, CCL trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 11.96X, below the industry average of 17.2X.
P/E (F12M)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CCL’s 2026 sales and earnings implies a year-over-year uptick of 3.9% and a decline of 2.2%, respectively. EPS estimates for fiscal 2026 have decreased in the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CCL currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Square od Blocku uzavřel dohodu se Sherwin-Williams a bude pro její zákazníky PRO zajišťovat platby i firemní nástroje. Součástí jsou Square for Services, Square Invoices a Square Checking.
Key Takeaways Block's Square will power payment and business tools for Sherwin-Williams PRO customers.XYZ's Square for Services supports estimates, scheduling, payments and client coordination.Square Invoices and Square Checking help speed payments, improve cash flow and reduce admin work. Block Inc.’s (XYZ - Free Report) Square recently announced that Sherwin-Williams, the world’s largest paint and coatings company, has adopted its payment solutions for its extensive network of PRO+ customers through the Digital Alliance Program.
As part of the collaboration, Sherwin-Williams will use Square for Services to streamline business operations, including creating estimates, scheduling jobs, collecting payments and coordinating with clients from the initial consultation through final invoicing.
Square Invoices further simplifies payment management by enabling painters and contractors to collect deposits upfront, schedule milestone payments within a single invoice, set up recurring billing for long-term clients and send automated payment reminders. These capabilities help reduce administrative burden, improve cash flow predictability and accelerate payment collection. Square Checking provides instant access to funds, enhancing financial flexibility for business owners.
Final Take on BlockThe Sherwin-Williams partnership strengthens Square's position in the professional services ecosystem by expanding the reach of its integrated business and payment solutions. As more contractors adopt Square's platform to manage operations and payments, Block is well-positioned to deepen customer engagement, drive ecosystem growth and support long-term revenue expansion.
Over the past three months, shares of this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company have rallied 29.6% compared with the industry's growth of 3.5%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Other Stocks to ConsiderSome other top-ranked stocks from the internet-software sector are BILL Holdings, Inc. (BILL - Free Report) and Reddit Inc. (RDDT - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BILL’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) has moved northward 1.9% to $2.64 over the past month.
The consensus estimate for RDDT’s 2026 EPS has moved up significantly to $4.83 over the past two months.
Note: Anything related to earnings presented in this write-up represents funds from operations (FFO), a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs.
First Solar rozšiřuje výrobní kapacity v Ohiu, Alabamě a Louisianě a očekává 1,9 GW nových zakázek. Celkový backlog objednávek tak stoupl na 47,9 GW až do roku 2030.
Key Takeaways First Solar is expanding U.S. manufacturing capacity across Ohio, Alabama and Louisiana facilities.FSLR added 1.9 GW of bookings, lifting its total backlog to 47.9 GW, extending through 2030.FSLR expects $0.8-$1.0B in 2026 capital spending for a new plant, R&D and equipment upgrades. First Solar’s (FSLR - Free Report) long-term growth story is increasingly being driven by manufacturing expansion. Its aggressive investment in domestic manufacturing capacity is strengthening its competitive position as utility-scale solar deployment accelerates across the United States.
The company continues to expand production across its manufacturing facilities in Ohio, Alabama and Louisiana, increasing its ability to supply American-made solar modules. During 2026, FSLR expects capital expenditures to be between $0.8 billion and $1.0 billion. These investments include the construction of a new manufacturing facility, ongoing research and development initiatives, and upgrades to existing machinery and equipment aimed at enhancing efficiency and performance.
The company has added 1.9 gigawatts (GW) of gross bookings since the previous earnings call, bringing its total booking backlog to 47.9 GW extending through 2030. This robust backlog indicates strong demand for FSLR’s products while reinforcing its capacity expansion strategy, providing greater revenue visibility and stability in the years ahead.
Rising electricity consumption from data centers, advanced manufacturing facilities and broader electrification trends continue to increase the need for utility-scale solar generation.
The company's differentiated cadmium telluride (CdTe) technology further strengthens its competitive position. Compared with conventional crystalline silicon modules, CdTe technology performs well in high-temperature environments and reduces dependence on polysilicon-based supply chains.
Although changes in trade policy, project timing and interest rates may create periodic volatility, FSLR’s manufacturing expansion, contracted backlog and technology leadership provide multiple drivers for sustainable long-term growth. As domestic solar deployment continues to accelerate, the company appears well positioned to benefit from increasing demand for U.S.-manufactured renewable energy equipment.
Solar Companies Investing in Manufacturing ExpansionSeveral solar companies are also expanding manufacturing capabilities to capitalize on growing renewable energy demand.
Enphase Energy (ENPH - Free Report) continues to invest in domestic manufacturing partnerships while expanding its residential solar and energy storage ecosystem.
Nextpower (NXT - Free Report) is benefiting from accelerating utility-scale solar deployment through growing demand for its integrated energy technology platform, including advanced solar tracking systems, electrical balance-of-system solutions and power conversion technologies.
FSLR’s Earnings EstimatesThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings per share (EPS) indicates an increase of 23.93% and 38%, respectively, year over year.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
FSLR Stock Trading at a DiscountFirst Solar is trading at a discount relative to the industry, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings of 11.13X compared with the industry average of 18.51X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
FSLR Stock Price PerformanceIn the past three months, the company’s shares have risen 26.1% compared with the industry’s 11.4% growth.
Američtí zákonodárci zahájili vyšetřování národní bezpečnosti kvůli klinickým studiím Mercku a AbbVie v Číně, které podle Reuters mohly podpořit vojenské schopnosti země. Žádají podklady o výzkumu, ochraně dat a dohledu.
A bipartisan group of United States lawmakers has opened national security investigations into whether five major pharmaceutical companies, including Merck and AbbVie, were involved in clinical trials conducted in China that may have supported the country’s military capabilities, according to a Reuters report.
The inquiry, led by Republican Representative John Moolenaar of Michigan, chair of the House Select Committee on China, focuses on whether the drugmakers conducted adequate due diligence and maintained sufficient data protection standards at trial sites in China.
In letters dated Monday and first reported by Reuters on Tuesday, lawmakers requested detailed information from Merck & Co Inc (NYSE:MRK, XETRA:6MK) and Abbvie Inc (NYSE:ABBV) by July 17, including documentation on research practices, safeguards, and oversight mechanisms.
The scrutiny also extends to Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE:LLY), Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE, XETRA:PFE), and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co (NYSE:BMY, XETRA:RM, OTC:BMYMP), which received similar requests from the committee.
Lawmakers specifically asked for information related to clinical trial locations in China, including sites in the Xinjiang region and military-affiliated hospitals, and raised broader concerns about whether sensitive biomedical data could be accessed or repurposed in ways that pose national security risks.
Merck stated that patient safety and ethical integrity are central to its clinical research operations and said it adheres to global regulatory standards governing clinical trials. AbbVie declined to comment. Pfizer confirmed receipt of the letter but did not provide further comment. Bristol Myers Squibb and Eli Lilly did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to the Reuters report.
The Chinese embassy in Washington rejected the premise of the investigation, saying in an email that there is “nothing credible” in the committee’s actions and reiterating opposition to what it described as efforts to politicize trade and technology issues.
The developments add to growing US-China tensions over scientific collaboration, particularly in sectors involving sensitive data and dual-use technologies, where commercial research may intersect with national security concerns.
The companies’ shares initially moved lower following the news, but were little changed by the early afternoon.
Duke Energy v roce 2025 utratila téměř 1 miliardu USD u dodavatelů se sídlem v Severní Karolíně. Více než 97 % jejích ročních nákupů za 17,2 miliardy USD míří na americké dodavatele.
More than 97% of Duke Energy's $17.2 billion in annual sourcing supports U.S.-based suppliers Investments support critical grid equipment, American jobs and long-term reliability , /PRNewswire/ -- As the nation approaches Independence Day, Duke Energy is investing in American suppliers to help power local economies, support customer value and build the energy infrastructure needed to serve growing communities.
By the numbers: Duke Energy spent nearly $1 billion with North Carolina-based suppliers in 2025, helping local businesses grow while securing the equipment and services needed to keep energy reliable for customers.
Looking ahead, Duke Energy's continued investment in North Carolina suppliers could total nearly $5 billion over five years – supporting jobs, strengthening local economies and helping meet growing energy needs.
Why it matters: More than 97% of Duke Energy's $17.2 billion in annual sourcing supports U.S.-based suppliers, helping sustain domestic manufacturing, reduce supply chain risk and keep critical equipment closer to home. These investments ready the grid for rising energy demand and bolster reliability.
Go deeper: Duke Energy's supplier investments include transformers from GE Vernova in Goldsboro, N.C., gas turbines from Siemens Energy in Charlotte, N.C. and others.
What they're saying: "Powering America's future starts with investing in the people, businesses and communities building it," said Katie Aittola, senior vice president of supply chain, real estate and chief procurement officer for Duke Energy. "By working with American suppliers, Duke Energy is helping deliver reliable service and value for customers while reinvesting customer dollars in the local economies we serve. These investments help ensure our teams have the equipment and materials they need, support American companies and skilled workers, and create a ripple effect that strengthens manufacturing, jobs and long-term growth in our communities."
"North Carolina's business community is strongest when companies invest in one another," said N.C. Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido. "Duke Energy continues to lead by example, directing nearly $1 billion to North Carolina-based suppliers in 2025 alone. Investments like these strengthen communities, support local businesses and reinforce the supply chains and partnerships that power North Carolina's growth."
"We are proud to provide the critical transformers and other electrification equipment that enables Duke Energy to help the people of North Carolina thrive," said Troy Kabrich, GE Vernova Goldsboro site director. "Supporting the communities we live and work in is an honor and a privilege we take seriously."
"We have a robust, decades-long foundation in North Carolina, supported through strong collaborations like that with Duke Energy and a dedicated workforce. The equipment we produce here is helping meet our nation's unprecedented growth in energy," said Matt Neal, Siemens Energy's President of North America.
The impact: As energy demand grows across North Carolina and beyond, Duke Energy's work with U.S.-based suppliers helps strengthen America's supply chain, keep critical grid equipment available and support the reliable infrastructure customers, businesses and communities need to grow.
About Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,700 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs approximately 26,400 people.
Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability, affordability and accessibility at the forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.
More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
AIG v 1. čtvrtletí zvýšila čisté předepsané pojistné o 24 % a pojistný zisk více než ztrojnásobila na 774 milionů USD. Zlepšila se i combined ratio na 87,3 %.
Key Takeaways AIG's transformation is driving stronger underwriting and earnings growth.AFG combines disciplined underwriting with solid capital returns.Accelerant's AI-powered, capital-light model is fueling rapid specialty insurance growth. While AI and technology remain major market themes, investors are increasingly broadening their focus to defensive sectors. Insurance stands out as an attractive option, offering stable earnings, pricing power and resilient cash flows. In an environment marked by sticky inflation, higher-for-longer interest rates, geopolitical tensions and ongoing supply chain disruptions, companies with dependable earnings have become increasingly appealing.
Where the Biggest Opportunities AreNot every insurance company is benefiting equally, however. Investors are favoring insurers with disciplined underwriting, solid pricing power, fee-based revenues and exposure to specialized markets where competition is limited. At the same time, companies with heavy catastrophe exposure or weaker investment portfolios are drawing greater scrutiny.
Insurance brokers remain one of the industry's strongest long-term stories. Unlike insurers, brokers generate commissions without assuming underwriting risk. Demand for commercial insurance, employee benefits, cyber coverage and specialty products continues to rise, while industry consolidation is creating additional growth opportunities.
The broader commercial insurance market is also holding up well, even as pricing gradually normalizes after several years of sharp increases. According to Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.’s (MRSH - Free Report) Global Insurance Market Index, global commercial insurance rates declined 5% in the first quarter of 2026, marking the seventh straight quarter of easing prices. Even so, many commercial lines remain profitable, particularly property insurance, where favorable reinsurance conditions and ample capacity continue to support earnings.
Specialty & Excess-and-Surplus (E&S) insurance remains one of the fastest-growing niches. Businesses increasingly need protection against cyberattacks, professional liability claims, climate-related risks and other complex exposures. These policies are harder to underwrite, allowing insurers with specialized expertise to maintain stronger pricing and healthier margins.
Technology is Becoming a Competitive EdgeTechnology investments are increasingly separating industry leaders from the rest. More insurers are using artificial intelligence to speed up claims processing, improve underwriting, detect fraud and enhance customer service. While adoption varies across the industry, companies investing in modern technology platforms could improve efficiency and profitability over time. InsurTech and AI-enabled platforms remain a long-term growth theme as insurers modernize legacy systems, though many pure-play InsurTech firms remain smaller and more volatile.
Insurance Stocks That Stand OutAgainst this backdrop, three insurance companies stand out: American International Group, Inc. (AIG - Free Report) , American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG - Free Report) and Accelerant Holdings (ARX - Free Report) . The companies carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each, combine solid earnings momentum with favorable estimate revisions and are well positioned to benefit from current industry trends. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Let’s take a closer look at these three insurers and why they stand out.
American International Group continues to benefit from its multi-year transformation, which is driving stronger underwriting performance, disciplined capital allocation and consistent shareholder returns. In first-quarter 2026, General Insurance net premiums written increased 24% year over year, underwriting income more than tripled to $774 million, and the combined ratio improved to an excellent 87.3%, reflecting underwriting discipline across commercial and personal lines.
The company also benefits from a strong balance sheet. In February 2026, it completed minority investments in Convex and Onex, which are expected to be accretive to 2026 earnings and ROE. It is also expanding its commercial footprint through an agreement to acquire Everest’s insurance operations in Colombia, with closing expected in early 2027.
Based on short-term price targets offered by 22 analysts, the Wall Street average price target for AIG stands at $88.18 per share, suggesting a 17.4% upside from current levels.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AIG’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $7.98 per share, indicating 12.6% year-over-year growth. The estimate witnessed eight upward revisions over the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. Its 2027 earnings estimate indicates a further 10.3% increase. It beat earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters with an average surprise of 15.1%. The consensus mark for 2026 revenues is pegged at $29.18 billion, indicating 6.3% year-over-year growth, while the same for 2027 suggests a further 7% increase.
American Financial Group is well-positioned to benefit from sustained strength in the specialty property and casualty insurance market, supported by disciplined underwriting and a diversified commercial portfolio. In first-quarter 2026, net operating earnings increased 36.5% year over year, while Specialty P&C underwriting profit jumped 66%, driving an annualized return on equity of 15.8%.
The company continues to generate healthy investment income from its high-quality portfolio and maintains a shareholder-friendly capital allocation strategy. It returned $259 million through special dividends and share repurchases in the first quarter. Analysts' price targets currently range from $127 to $158, reflecting differing views on the stock's upside potential.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is pegged at $11.37 per share, indicating a 10.5% year-over-year rise. The estimate has witnessed three upward revisions over the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. Its 2027 earnings estimate suggests a further 5.2% increase. American Financial Group beat the consensus estimate for earnings in three of the past four quarters and missed once, with the average surprise being 7.3%. The consensus mark for 2026 revenues is pegged at $8.01 billion, while the same for 2027 indicates a further 8% jump.
Accelerant Holdings is capitalizing on the growing specialty insurance market through its technology-enabled risk exchange that connects managing general agents or MGAs with diversified risk capital providers. In the first quarter of 2026, Exchange Written Premium increased 16% year over year to $1.14 billion, while operating revenues climbed 57% to $273.2 million. Fee-based Adjusted EBITDA more than doubled, reflecting the company's strategic shift toward capital-light, recurring revenue streams.
Accelerant also expanded its network to 296 members and reaffirmed strong full-year growth expectations. Its proprietary data, AI-driven underwriting tools and scalable marketplace model position the company to deliver profitable, long-term growth as specialty insurance adoption continues to expand. At the end of the first quarter, total assets stood at $8.6 billion. Based on short-term price targets offered by nine analysts, the Wall Street average price target for ARX is at $19.33 per share, suggesting a 53.1% upside from current levels.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ARX’s 2026 earnings is pegged at 73 cents per share, which has witnessed five upward estimate revisions over the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. Its 2027 earnings estimate indicates a 24.2% jump. It beat earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 32.6%. The consensus mark for 2026 revenues is pegged at $1.09 billion, implying 19% year-over-year growth, while the same for 2027 suggests a further 9.4% increase.
Intuit zrychluje přechod k platformě AI a ve 3. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2026 mu business verticals, assisted tax, money portfolio a mid-market business rostly o více než 30 %. Firma zároveň zvýšila celoroční výhled tržeb a non-GAAP zisku.
Key Takeaways Intuit uses AI to automate workflows, improve decisions and expand higher-value assisted services.INTU's AI enhances TurboTax Live, supporting experts and growing assisted tax opportunities.Intuit embeds AI in QuickBooks to streamline business finances and drive mid-market growth. Intuit Inc. (INTU - Free Report) is advancing its transformation into an AI-driven expert platform by combining proprietary financial data, domain-specific AI and human expertise across TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, Mailchimp and the Intuit Enterprise Suite. The company's AI strategy is expanding higher-value assisted services, automating workflows, improving decision-making and driving deeper monetization across its ecosystem. This momentum fueled strong third-quarter fiscal 2026 performance, with business verticals, assisted tax, the money portfolio and the mid-market business each growing more than 30%, prompting Intuit to raise its full-year fiscal 2026 revenue and non-GAAP guidance.
AI is enhancing TurboTax Live by supporting human tax experts and expanding assisted tax services. Management estimates assisted tax represents a $37 billion opportunity, covering nearly 88% of TurboTax's total addressable market.
The company's AI-powered ecosystem is also improving monetization. Customers using both TurboTax and Credit Karma generate roughly 30% higher average revenue per user (ARPU) than TurboTax-only users. More than 35% of TurboTax customers adopted fast-money offerings, while tax filers starting in Credit Karma are expected to grow 54%.
Meanwhile, QuickBooks is evolving into a financial "control tower" for businesses. The AI-native platform is gaining traction in the nearly $90 billion mid-market opportunity, with QuickBooks Online Advanced and Intuit Enterprise Suite Online Ecosystem revenues growing about 38% in the third quarter of 2026.
With AI embedded across its core platforms, Intuit is creating multiple avenues for growth through higher-value services, greater cross-selling and increased automation. Continued execution of this strategy should support durable revenue growth and reinforce its competitive advantage.
Other Fintechs’ PerformancePaychex (PAYX - Free Report) is rapidly integrating AI across its HR and payroll platforms, using generative and agentic AI to automate workflows and enhance decision-making. It has introduced AI assistants for conversational support, along with AI-powered analytics for real-time insights and forecasting. The company is also leveraging AI in recruiting and payroll to improve efficiency, accuracy and compliance.
Oracle Corp. (ORCL - Free Report) is a U.S.-based technology company offering cloud infrastructure, databases, enterprise software and ERP solutions such as NetSuite. Oracle is integrating generative AI across its cloud applications, including finance, planning, sales, operations and reporting tools, to improve automation and productivity.
INTU’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of Intuit have declined 24.7% over the past month, underperforming both the broader industry and the S&P 500 Index.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
In terms of forward 12-month Price/Sales (P/S), Intuit is currently trading at 3.08X, which is at a discount to the industry average of 5.91X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Intuit’s estimate revisions reflect a positive trend. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 EPS has been revised upward by a cent to $23.86 over the past week. The consensus estimate for 2026 calls for 18.4% growth year over year.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Currently, Intuit carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Akcie Palo Alto Networks letos vystřelily na rekordních 332 USD díky očekávání silnější poptávky po kybernetické bezpečnosti v éře AI. Firma ale čelí varování před vysokým oceněním a překoupeností.
Palo Alto Network stock has gone parabolic this year, helped by the belief that the ongoing AI boom will lead to more demand for cybersecurity tools. PANW jumped to a record high of $332, up by 137% from its lowest level this year. Its market capitalization has jumped to over $270 billion.
Palo Alto Networks and other cybersecurity stocks have been in a strong bull run this year. Fortinet stock jumped to a high of $157, up by over 97% this year, while CrowdStrike has jumped by 62%. Other similar companies like Okta and SentinelOne have soared.
The surge is happening as investors remain optimistic about its prospects. Arete Research hiked its target from $185 to $433, while William Blair reiterated the rating to outperform.
Some of the other top investment banks, like Goldman Sachs, Susquehanna, and Piper Sandler, have all maintained a bullish outlook. The average target among analysts is $311, down slightly from the current level.
The general view among analysts is that the company’s tools will see more demand in the AI era. This urgency jumped after Anthropic released Mythos, its most advanced model.
The most recent earnings report showed that Palo Alto’s revenue jumped by 31% in the third quarter to $3 billion. This revenue growth included $388 million from CyberArk, the company it acquired in a $25 billion deal.
A look beneath the surface shows that the next-generation security ARR jumped by 60% YoY to $8.1 billion, while the Remaining performance obligation (RPO) soared by 36% to $18.4 billion.
Palo Alto Networks now expects that its next-generation ARR will jump to between $8.9 billion and $8.95 billion this year, an increase of 60%. Its revenue is expected to grow by 25% this year. While this double-digit growth rate is impressive, the main challenge is that it is boosted by CyberArk, a sign that the organic revenue growth is not all that strong.
Valuation concerns remainThere is no doubt that demand for cybersecurity solutions is rising and that Palo Alto Networks will continue being the most dominant player. However, there are now concerns about its valuation.
Data shows that the forward price-to-earnings ratio of 80, much higher than the sector median of 23. It is also higher than the five-year average of 23.
Notably, the company’s rule-of-40 shows that it is a bit overvalued. It has a net profit margin of 8% and a forward revenue growth of 24%, giving it a multiple of 33%. This is notable because its revenue growth estimate includes CyberArk, its recent buyout.
The daily chart shows that the PANW stock has been in a strong bull run in the past few months. It recently crossed the important resistance level of $302, the highest swing on June 1. Moving above that level invalidated the double-top pattern.
The risk, however, is that it has become highly overbought as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) has moved to 77.62. Also, the Stochastic Oscillator and other oscillators have continued rising. The stock remains above all moving average, with the 100-day EMA being at $223.
Therefore, there is a risk that the overbought stock will suffer a mean reversion. If this happens, it will drop to the key support level of $300.
CrowdStrike hlásí prudký růst v oblasti identity security: ARR Falcon Shield v 1. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2027 meziročně vzrostl téměř čtyřnásobně. Firma zároveň získala sedmimístnou zdravotnickou zakázku na ochranu přístupu AI agentů.
Key Takeaways CrowdStrike saw Falcon Shield ARR grow nearly fourfold year over year in Q1 fiscal 2027.CRWD's Privileged Access products and SGNL are seeing strong early demand for AI identities.A seven-figure healthcare deal added Falcon Next-Gen Identity and SGNL to secure AI agent access. CrowdStrike (CRWD - Free Report) is expanding its identity security business as more companies deploy AI across their operations. As AI agents gain access to enterprise applications and data, companies need tools to control what these agents can access and what actions they can perform. This is creating the demand for identity security solutions.
CrowdStrike is addressing this opportunity through Falcon Shield, Falcon Next-Gen Identity and SGNL, which it acquired in the first quarter of fiscal 2027. Falcon Shield’s ending annual recurring revenues (ARR) grew nearly four times year over year during the first quarter. Management also stated that its SGNL and Privileged Access products are seeing strong early demand as customers look to secure AI agents and other non-human identities.
The company is already winning new business. During the first quarter, a large U.S. healthcare company expanded its deployment by purchasing Falcon Next-Gen Identity and SGNL in a seven-figure deal. The customer wanted to control what AI agents could access across the organization. SGNL's ability to allow companies to set access policies and manage permissions for both employees and AI agents in real time should further boost the demand for CRWD's identity security business.
Identity security is becoming an important part of CrowdStrike's platform strategy. As customers add identity, cloud security, SIEM and endpoint security to the Falcon platform, CrowdStrike can increase spending from existing customers. Further, with more companies deploying AI across their businesses, the need to secure AI identities should continue to increase. The above-mentioned shows how identity security is becoming a key growth opportunity for CrowdStrike.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2027 and 2028 revenues indicates a year-over-year increase of around 23.5% and 21.6%, respectively.
How Competitors Fare Against CRWDCompetitors like Palo Alto Networks (PANW - Free Report) and SentinelOne (S - Free Report) are also gaining ground through platform expansion and AI innovation.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2026, Palo Alto Networks saw robust growth in its Next-Gen Security ARR, which increased 60% year over year. The growth was driven by increased customer adoption of PANW’s advanced cybersecurity offerings, including its AI-driven XSIAM platform, SASE and software firewalls.
Though comparatively a small competitor, SentinelOne posted first-quarter fiscal 2027 year-over-year growth of 23% in its ARR. The growth was fueled by the rising adoption of SentinelOne’s AI-first Singularity platform and Purple AI.
CRWD’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of CrowdStrike have jumped 58.7% in the year-to-date period compared with the Zacks Security industry’s return of 49.8%.
CRWD YTD Price Return Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, CrowdStrike trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 29.25, significantly higher than the industry’s average of 16.34. The Zacks Value Score of F also suggests that CRWD stock is overvalued.
CRWD Forward 12-Month P/S Ratio
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CrowdStrike’s fiscal 2027 and 2028 earnings indicates year-over-year growth of 32.2% and 26.9%, respectively. The estimates for fiscal 2027 and 2028 have been revised upward by 8 cents and 10 cents, respectively, over the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CrowdStrike currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Na ZoomInfo Technologies Inc. byla podána hromadná žaloba kvůli údajným klamavým tvrzením a zamlčení slabší poptávky. Po snížení celoročního výhledu tržeb o zhruba 62 milionů USD akcie spadly asi o 33 %.
NEW YORK, June 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized investor-rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against ZoomInfo Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: GTM) 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 ZoomInfo securities between November 3, 2025 and May 11, 2026, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm’s site: bgandg.com/GTM.
ZoomInfo Case Details
The Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose:
The true state of ZoomInfo's slowing seat-based demand, weakening upsell opportunities, and deteriorating fundamentals across its downmarket and upmarket segments.
That Defendants' optimistic growth narrative, including representations that full-year 2026 revenue guidance of $1.247–$1.267 billion was achievable and that Copilot penetration was on or ahead of schedule. That customers were migrating toward consumption-based models and developing internal AI-driven go-to-market solutions, trends Defendants minimized despite their material adverse impact on ZoomInfo's business.
On May 11, 2026, ZoomInfo reported its first quarter 2026 results and slashed its full-year revenue guidance by approximately $62 million
Following this news, the price of ZoomInfo's common stock declined dramatically, from a closing market price of $6.04 per share on May 11, 2026, ZoomInfo's stock price fell to $4.06 per share on May 12, 2026, a decline of about 33%.
What's Next for ZoomInfo 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/GTM. 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 ZoomInfo you have until August 24, 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 ZoomInfo 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 ZoomInfo 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.
Britská vláda naznačila, že může zasáhnout do plánované akvizice Warner Bros Discovery za 110 miliard USD ze strany Paramount-Skydance kvůli obavám o mediální pluralitu.
The UK government has indicated it could intervene in Paramount-Skydance Corp (NASDAQ:PSKY)'s proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery Inc (NASDAQ:WBD, XETRA:J5A), adding another layer of regulatory scrutiny to the media merger.
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said Tuesday she is "minded to intervene" in the transaction, citing concerns over media plurality and the concentration of ownership in the news sector.
"Following engagement with the parties and independent research, my department has today written to the current and proposed owners of Warner Bros Discovery on my behalf to inform them that I am minded to intervene," Nandy said in a statement.
She added that any potential intervention would be based on public interest considerations, including ensuring "a sufficient plurality of views in news media" and "a sufficient plurality of persons with control of the media enterprises." Nandy noted she has not yet made a final decision, and the companies have been given a week to respond.
If the government proceeds, UK media regulator Ofcom would conduct a public interest assessment alongside an ongoing review by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which is examining the deal's potential impact on competition. The CMA is expected to announce the next steps in its investigation in early August.
Paramount-Skydance said it remains confident the transaction does not raise media plurality concerns in the UK.
“We are grateful for the continued constructive engagement with all interested government bodies and relevant authorities, including in the UK,” a Paramount-Skydance spokesperson said in a statement to media outlets.
“We are confident that our proposed transaction does not pose any media plurality issues in the UK and remain confident in our stated transaction timeline.”
The transaction has already received clearance from the US Department of Justice, which concluded earlier this month that the deal was not likely to harm competition or American consumers. However, it continues to face review from several US state attorneys general, including those in California and New York.
Paramount-Skydance has said it expects the acquisition to close during the third quarter of 2026.
Shares of Paramount-Skydance traded down 1.3% at about $9.70 on Tuesday morning.
Robinhood rozšiřuje aplikaci z obchodní platformy na širší finanční ekosystém a má 27,7 milionu financovaných klientů s aktivy na platformě v hodnotě 377 miliard USD. Firma zároveň získala předběžné povolení pro brokerážní licenci v Singapuru a čeká na dokončení akvizic v Indonésii.
Key Takeaways HOOD is expanding from trading into a broader financial ecosystem to deepen customer relationships.Global moves include Europe tokenized stocks, Singapore approval and impending Indonesia acquisitions.HOOD's premium valuation, volatile revenues and regulatory risks make fresh buying less compelling. Robinhood Markets’ (HOOD - Free Report) growth story is increasingly shifting from a single-product trading app to a broader financial ecosystem. The company is expanding across brokerage, crypto, subscriptions, retirement, advisory, credit cards, private markets and prediction markets, aiming to become a more central platform in customers’ financial lives.
A key part of this strategy is customer deepening. At the end of May 2026, Robinhood had 27.7 million funded customers and $377 billion in total platform assets, reflecting continued asset consolidation on the platform. The company is moving into more recurring and relationship-driven products. The company also introduced trust and custodial accounts, supporting a family-investing experience. These initiatives suggest the company is trying to capture more wallet share across saving, investing and spending.
Another growth lever is product expansion for active traders. Robinhood has been building capabilities in futures, index options, crypto, private markets and prediction markets. Further, the company has entered into the capital markets business, with the approval to underwrite IPOs.
Likewise, HOOD’s peers, Charles Schwab (SCHW - Free Report) and Interactive Brokers Group (IBKR - Free Report) , are expanding their product suites aggressively. Interactive Brokers is diversifying through global market access, high-yield cash balances, securities lending, institutional services and advisor solutions, while Schwab is broadening its reach across wealth management, banking, lending, retirement and asset management. These efforts reduce commission dependence, support steadier revenues and deepen client relationships.
Robinhood’s broader ecosystem will likely make revenues more diversified and customers more loyal. Subscriptions, advisory assets, cash balances, credit cards and retirement accounts are expected to help reduce dependence on volatile trading volumes. At the same time, active trading, crypto and prediction markets can still provide upside during periods of stronger retail engagement.
Sales Estimates
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The key question for investors is whether Robinhood’s “financial super app” vision justifies buying HOOD stock for long-term upside, or whether it is better to wait for more evidence of traction across its newer products. Answering that requires a closer look at the company’s fundamentals, execution strategy and market-related catalysts that could influence its growth trajectory.
Robinhood: Other Factors to ConsiderGlobal Expansion: Robinhood is expanding globally by combining traditional finance with digital assets, positioning itself as a next-generation fintech ecosystem. Its initiatives include tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs in Europe, broader crypto services, a proprietary blockchain, future banking products and expansion into Canada and Asia-Pacific through new offices and planned acquisitions.
Robinhood has received in-principle approval to set up the brokerage business in Singapore, bringing it closer to entering one of Asia’s key financial hubs. Pending acquisitions (PT Buana Capital Sekuritas and PT Pedagang Aset Kripto) in Indonesia are expected to close soon.
Additionally, Robinhood’s acquisition of WonderFi Technologies provides a new growth lever as crypto momentum moderates. The deal expands Robinhood into Canada’s crypto market through Bitbuy and Coinsquare, adding about 300,000 funded customers and more than C$2 billion in assets under custody. WonderFi’s regulated presence also strengthens Robinhood’s foothold in a market where trust and compliance are critical.
Strong Balance Sheet: Robinhood is on solid ground, with significant cash reserves. As of March 31, 2026, it reported cash and cash equivalents of $5 billion.
Further, last week, the company raised $2.2 billion through 0.00% convertible senior notes due 2029. The proceeds give Robinhood added financial flexibility. About $290 million will go toward share repurchases to offset dilution, while $112 million will fund capped call transactions to limit potential dilution if the notes convert. The remaining proceeds can support organic investments, acquisitions and capital expenditures.
In March, HOOD announced a new $1.5 billion share repurchase authorization (to be completed over the next three years). The company initially launched a $1 billion share repurchase program in May 2024, which was later expanded by another $500 million in April 2025. The new buyback program underscores management’s confidence in the company’s financial position and long-term growth prospects.
Litigation & Probes: Robinhood operates in a heavily regulated market and continues to expand into products that can draw scrutiny. In December 2025, Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division issued a cease-and-desist order to Robinhood Derivatives and other operators over sports event contracts it characterized as unlicensed online gambling, highlighting the risk of state-level regulatory challenges. Adverse outcomes in regulatory actions or changes in law could prevent it from offering, or continuing to offer, event contracts.
The company has also faced investigations and reviews tied to crypto promotions and tokenized equity products, and it paid more than $80 million in fines from 2023 to 2025 for a range of compliance issues. As prediction markets and related derivatives scale, regulatory limits could cap product rollout and add expense volatility.
Reliance on Volatile Revenue Streams: A large portion of HOOD’s business is tied to transaction-driven activity, including options trading, equities turnover and crypto trading. These categories are highly sensitive to market cycles, investor sentiment and shifts in risk appetite. During periods of volatility or bullish momentum, revenues can surge, but they can fall just as quickly when markets cool, trading volumes fall or retail engagement declines (as occurred in the first quarter of 2026).
This creates an inherently uneven earnings profile, making Robinhood’s results less predictable and more exposed to macro- and sentiment-driven swings than traditional, fee-based financial firms.
HOOD’s Price Performance, Earnings Prospects & ValuationAfter a sharp pullback in early 2026, HOOD shares have regained some momentum and are now down only 10% year to date. Although concerns over elevated valuation and softer crypto-related activity weighed on investor sentiment, the stock’s recent recovery appears to reflect growing optimism around Robinhood’s new product launches and broader platform expansion.
In comparison, shares of Schwab and Interactive Brokers have fared better. Even the industry to which the stock belongs has rallied 5.5% so far this year.
YTD Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 has remained unchanged at $1.81, while for 2027, estimates have been revised upward to $2.45. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HOOD’s 2026 earnings implies an 11.7% year-over-year decline. The trend will likely reverse next year, with earnings numbers suggesting a 35.2% jump.
Earnings Estimates
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Despite the weakness in share price, Robinhood is trading at a premium to the industry. At present, the company has a price/tangible book (P/TB) of 10.26X for the trailing 12 months compared with the industry average of 3.25X.
Robinhood’s P/TB TTM
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
HOOD stock is expensive compared with Schwab and Interactive Brokers. Schwab and Interactive Brokers have a trailing 12-month P/TB of 6.97X and 1.86X, respectively.
How to Approach HOOD as it Builds a Financial Super App?Robinhood’s long-term platform strategy remains promising, supported by customer growth, product expansion, global initiatives and a strong balance sheet. However, the near-term investment case is less compelling. The stock still depends heavily on volatile transaction-driven revenues, including options, equities and crypto trading, while newer products such as prediction markets, tokenized assets and global expansion remain subject to execution and regulatory risks.
Further, HOOD’s premium valuation leaves limited room for disappointment. Hence, investors should avoid initiating new positions at current levels. Those already holding HOOD may retain the stock, but fresh buying looks better deferred until valuation becomes more reasonable and product traction improves.
At present, HOOD carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Keysight a WIN Semiconductors spustily společný workflow pro návrh GaN MMIC, který má snížit riziko chybného tapeoutu a urychlit uvedení RF produktů na trh.
New GaN MMIC design workflow reduces fabrication risk for 5G, satellite and defense applications
SANTA ROSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) and WIN Semiconductors Corp. today announced a joint MMIC design workflow that enables GaN MMIC design houses to achieve first pass tapeout success. The workflow connects on-chip multi-domain simulation, 3D layout with verifications, and off-chip MMIC evaluation board design into a single environment. It supports the growing number of companies developing GaN MMICs for 5G base stations, Wi-Fi access points, satellite payloads, and defense radar systems.
A failed tapeout can mean weeks lost to another foundry respin. The new workflow automates the full set of simulation, optimization, and verification steps required to sign off on an MMIC design, ensuring no analysis is skipped before the design is submitted to the foundry for fabrication.
MMIC customers will not commit to purchase until they can measure performance on a physical evaluation board comprising the MMIC, packaging, PCB, and test connectors. The workflow lets engineers design and optimize these on-chip and off-chip components together, so that performance meets specifications as verified with test equipment. With the global GaN RF device market projected to reach $2.77 billion by 2031, MMIC design houses that cannot prove performance on the evaluation board risk losing their share of that growth.
WIN Semiconductors’ latest NP 120P GaN Process Design Kit gives MMIC designers access to process models and layout rules. These models within Keysight Advanced Design System (ADS) and RF Circuit Simulation Professional automate the workflow to achieve first pass MMIC tapeout.
Richard Kuo, Director of Design Service, WIN Semiconductors, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Keysight to deliver a customized LVS solution within the WIN ADS PDK. By combining Keysight's ADS expertise with WIN's robust PDK and advanced process technology, we provided a comprehensive verification solution that streamlined the customer's design flow and accelerated the time-to-market for advanced RF products with greater confidence and reliability.”
Nilesh Kamdar, General Manager, EDA, Design Engineering Software, Keysight, said: “WIN's complete PDK, combined with Keysight's simulation and verification tools, gives designers a single path from chip design through evaluation board. Design houses can now prove full system performance before fabrication, giving their customers the confidence to commit.”
Resources
Solution Brief: An Executable RF Design Workflow Whiteboard Brochure: RF Circuit Simulation Professional eBook: Optimize Your RF Board Design Flow Web Page: RF Circuit Simulation Professional Video: Next Generation AI-Ready RF Circuit Simulation and Optimization About Keysight Technologies
At Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), we inspire and empower innovators to bring world-changing technologies to life. As an S&P 500 company, we’re delivering market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions to help engineers develop and deploy faster, with less risk, throughout the entire product life cycle. We’re a global innovation partner enabling customers in communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Learn more at Keysight Newsroom and www.keysight.com.
Southern Company za měsíc vzrostla o 8,7 % a těží z poptávky po datových centrech poháněných AI. Firma má 23 GW smluvní nebo pozdní poptávky ve velkém měřítku.
Key Takeaways Southern Company gained 8.7% in a month, outperforming its industry and the broader utility sector.SO sees AI-driven data center demand supporting long-term growth through contracted large-load agreements.SO faces risks from capital spending, financing costs, regulatory approvals and AI customer dependence. The Southern Company (SO - Free Report) shares have gained a little momentum over the past month, with its share price gaining 8.7%. Additionally, its performance outpaced both the Zacks Utility-Electric Power industry’s gain of 7.6% and the broader utility sector’s rise of nearly 5.9%. This outperformance signals a relative strength and highlights the company’s favorable positioning. With such momentum, investors have to be wondering, will the recent trend continue or is Southern Company due for a pullback?
SO's Stock Price Change Over the Past Month
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Founded in 1945 and headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Southern Company is one of the largest U.S. utilities, serving about 9 million electricity and natural gas customers. Its operations include regulated electric utilities, wholesale power generation and natural gas distribution. Through Southern Power, the company operates a diversified portfolio across gas, solar, wind and storage assets, supported by long-term power purchase agreements. Southern Company Gas serves 4.4 million customers through an extensive pipeline network and storage facilities across several U.S. states.
However, for investors, the key debate is whether SO’s strong run has more room to extend or if the rally has priced in much of the upside. With the company’s diversified portfolio strategy and recent tailwinds playing a critical role, the stock’s prospects warrant a closer examination before deciding whether to buy, hold or take profits.
Factors Driving the Performance of SO StockExceptional Data Center-Driven Demand Growth: Southern Company is benefiting from one of the strongest demand environments in the U.S. utility sector, fueled by AI-driven data center expansion. Management disclosed 23 GW of contracted or late-stage large-load demand, including more than 11 GW under executed agreements. The pipeline exceeds 75 GW, providing exceptional long-term visibility. Importantly, these contracts are backed by investment-grade hyperscalers and structured to recover the full cost of service, creating sustainable earnings growth without burdening existing customers.
Massive Capital Investment Opportunity: Southern Company is entering a multi-year investment cycle that should significantly expand its regulated asset base. Beyond the existing 10 GW generation program, Georgia Power has launched a proposal for an additional 2-6 GW of new generation resources. Southern Power is also investing in gas turbine uprates and evaluating further expansion opportunities. These projects can materially increase the rate base, supporting regulated earnings growth for years while strengthening the company's long-term competitive position.
Attractive Dividend Profile and Shareholder Returns: Income investors continue to benefit from Southern Company's remarkable dividend history. The board approved its 25th consecutive annual dividend increase, extending an extraordinary record of 79 consecutive years without reducing the annual dividend. This consistency reflects stable cash flows generated by regulated utility operations and disciplined capital allocation. For long-term investors seeking reliable income combined with moderate capital appreciation, SO remains among the most dependable dividend-paying utilities. Check Southern Company’s dividend history here.
SO’s Earnings Estimate
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SO’s 2026 earnings per share indicates an increase of 6.5% year over year.
SO’s EPS Estimate Trend
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What’s Causing the Pressure on SO Stock?Significant Capital Spending Could Pressure Returns: Although growth opportunities are substantial, Southern Company must execute an enormous capital investment program over the next decade. The company is simultaneously expanding generation, transmission, battery storage and natural gas infrastructure while evaluating additional projects. Such large-scale investments expose shareholders to execution risk, construction delays and cost overruns. Any major project setbacks could negatively impact returns and increase pressure on the balance sheet despite management's disciplined planning approach.
Rising Financing Costs Remain a Headwind: Despite strong operating performance, higher financing expenses partially offset earnings growth during the first quarter. Utilities remain highly sensitive to interest rates because of their capital-intensive business models. If borrowing costs remain elevated or rise further, financing future infrastructure investments could become more expensive, reducing profitability and limiting the pace of earnings growth even as electricity demand continues to strengthen.
Heavy Dependence on AI and Large-Load Customers: A significant portion of Southern Company's long-term growth thesis depends on hyperscalers and data center developers continuing to build capacity across its service territories. While contracts include protections such as minimum bills and collateral requirements, a slowdown in AI infrastructure spending, project cancellations or delayed customer buildouts could reduce expected electricity demand. This concentration makes future growth increasingly tied to a single rapidly evolving industry.
Growth Opportunities Require Continued Regulatory Approval: Many of SO's future investment opportunities remain subject to regulatory approvals and competitive procurement processes. New generation assets, including projects under current RFPs, must be selected and authorized by state regulators before they can contribute to earnings. If regulators approve fewer company-owned projects, delay approvals or require alternative solutions, expected capital deployment and long-term earnings growth could fall short of management's current outlook.
Final Verdict on SO StockSouthern Company’s long-term strengths are balanced by meaningful execution risks. The company is well positioned to benefit from AI-driven data center demand, a sizable regulated capital investment pipeline and one of the most dependable dividend track records in the U.S. utility sector — all of which support steady earnings growth.
However, elevated capital spending, higher financing costs, regulatory approval uncertainties and increasing dependence on large-load customers could limit near-term upside. Therefore, the investors can retain this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock and enjoy the benefits of regular dividends and earnings growth estimates. The new investors can wait and look for a better entry point.
Key PicksInvestors interested in the utility sector might look at some better-ranked stocks like Pampa Energía S.A. (PAM - Free Report) , Enel SpA (ENLAY - Free Report) and Energias de Portugal (EDPFY - Free Report) . While PAM sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present, ENLAY and EDPFY carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Argentina-based Pampa Energia is the largest fully integrated electricity company engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PAM’s 2026 earnings indicates 39.8% year-over-year growth.
Enel is an electricity operator in Italy, which engages in the generation, distribution and sale of electricity. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ENLAY’s 2026 earnings indicates 93.2% year-over-year growth.
Energias de Portugal ranks among Europe's major electricity operators, as well as being one of Portugal's largest business groups. It is a Portuguese electric utility company with operations in Europe, the Americas and Asia. EDPFY specializes in renewable energy generation, grid management and electricity supply, aiming to transition toward a low-carbon future.
SPX Technologies v 1. čtvrtletí 2026 zvýšila tržby o 17,4 % a GAAP zisk o 24,6 % a zároveň navýšila výhled na celý rok 2026 na tržby (+15 %), upravený EBITDA (+21 %) a upravený zisk na akcii (+18 %). Akcie SPXC ale mohou být už plně oceněné.
SummarySPX Technologies is executing on geographic expansion and disciplined acquisitions, driving strong revenue and margin growth, particularly in Canada.Q1-2026 results showed 17.4% revenue growth, 24.6% GAAP income growth, and raised FY2026 guidance for revenue (+15%), adjusted EBITDA (+21%), and adjusted EPS (+18%).Canadian acquisitions, favorable market dynamics, and government incentives are key catalysts, while tariffs and currency remain manageable risks.I maintain a Buy rating on SPXC with a $236.70 price target, reflecting solid growth but limited near-term upside as market expectations are largely priced in. alacatr/iStock via Getty Images
Investment Thesis SPX Technologies, Inc.'s (SPXC) decision to expand geographically and to seek better margins is paying off. In an August 2025 article, I argued the company’s global expansion should lead to higher
1.68K Followers
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
EMCOR těží z rostoucí poptávky po institucionální infrastruktuře, zejména ve školství, zdravotnictví a veřejném sektoru. Jeho RPO dosáhly rekordu 15,62 miliardy USD.
Key Takeaways EMCOR is seeing rising institutional demand across universities, healthcare and public-sector projects.EME's record $15.62B RPOs reflect continued customer investment across institutional infrastructure.Institutional projects help diversify EMCOR's end markets and support long-term growth resilience. EMCOR Group, Inc. (EME - Free Report) is benefiting from rising institutional infrastructure investment, an area that is becoming increasingly important within its project portfolio. Demand from universities, healthcare facilities and public-sector projects is providing another avenue of growth while helping diversify the company's exposure beyond traditional commercial and industrial markets.
Institutional activity gained momentum across multiple parts of the business during the first quarter. Revenues from institutional projects more than doubled year over year within the U.S. Mechanical Construction segment, while the U.S. Electrical Construction segment also benefited from higher activity on certain public-sector projects. Demand for upgraded laboratory space at certain colleges and universities, along with continued healthcare facility modernization, supported new project awards.
Institutional and healthcare markets were also among the largest contributors to sequential growth in remaining performance obligations (RPOs). As of March 31, 2026, EMCOR's RPOs reached a record $15.62 billion, reflecting continued customer investment across several end markets, including institutional infrastructure.
Unlike many private construction projects, institutional infrastructure spending is often supported by long-term capital investment priorities rather than short-term economic conditions. The company also indicated that the institutional market has been more resilient than expected over the past several quarters, supported by spending from certain colleges and universities. These trends continue to create opportunities for complex mechanical and electrical construction services, where EMCOR has established expertise.
The increasing contribution from institutional projects also broadens EMCOR's end-market mix. Continued investment in upgraded laboratory space at certain colleges and universities, healthcare facility modernization and certain public-sector projects could support additional project opportunities. If these trends persist, institutional infrastructure could become a more meaningful contributor to EMCOR's long-term growth while strengthening its diversified project portfolio.
EMCOR’s Competitive Standing in Infrastructure MarketsEMCOR operates in a competitive infrastructure and mission-critical construction market alongside companies such as Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL - Free Report) and Quanta Services, Inc. (PWR - Free Report) .
Sterling has been gaining momentum in large-scale site development and electrical infrastructure projects tied to hyperscale data centers, semiconductor facilities and manufacturing expansion. It continues to benefit from rising project complexity, vertical integration capabilities and growing demand across newer geographies, particularly as Sterling’s customers prioritize speed and execution certainty on mission-critical projects.
Quanta, meanwhile, maintains a strong position in power infrastructure, utility transmission and large-load connectivity markets. The company has been expanding its fabrication, supply-chain and manufacturing capabilities to support growing power demand linked to AI infrastructure, electrification and grid modernization. Quanta’s integrated solutions model and scale across transmission, generation and technology infrastructure markets continue to strengthen its ability to execute large multiyear projects while supporting schedule certainty for customers.
EME Stock’s Price Performance & Valuation TrendShares of this Connecticut-based infrastructure service provider have gained 33.1% in the past six months, underperforming the Zacks Building Products - Heavy Construction industry, but outperforming the Construction sector and the S&P 500 Index.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
EME stock is currently trading at a discount compared with the industry, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 26.2, as evidenced by the chart below.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Earnings Estimate Revision of EMEEME’s earnings estimates for 2026 and 2027 have moved upward in the past 30 days. The estimates for 2026 and 2027 imply year-over-year growth of 13.5% and 11.8%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
EMCOR currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Lowey Dannenberg prověřuje The Ensign Group kvůli možnému porušení federálních zákonů o cenných papírech. Vyšetřování navazuje na short reporty o údajném falšování dat o kvalitě péče a možném podvodu vůči Medicare a Medicaid.
NEW YORK, June 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lowey Dannenberg P.C., a preeminent law firm in obtaining redress for consumers and investors, is investigating The Ensign Group (NASDAQ: ENSG) (“Ensign” or the “Company”) for potential violations of the federal securities laws.
On June 8, 2026, Hunterbrook published a detailed short-seller report alleging that the company engaged in systemic quality-measure gaming, falsified care-quality data, and improper related-party billing across its skilled nursing operations. Following this news, the price of Ensign stock fell significantly, causing millions of dollars in shareholder losses.
Then, on June 11, 2026, Muddy Waters Research published a short report on Ensign Group, alleging possible Medicare and Medicaid fraud via a scheme to rent licenses of administrators of skilled nursing facilities who are not actually managing the facilities, potentially in violation of the False Claims Act. This news caused the price of Ensign stock to drop even further.
“Our investigation concerns whether the company and its executives provided investors with accurate and complete information about the company,” said Andrea Farah, Lowey Dannenberg, P.C., Partner and Head of the firm’s securities practice.
If you suffered a loss in Ensign securities and wish to participate, check your eligibility through Lowey’s case management platform, https://claimmagic.com/cases/the-ensign-group. Alternatively, you can contact our attorneys Andrea Farah ([email protected]) at (914)733-7256 or Vincent R. Cappucci Jr. ([email protected]) at (914)733-7278.
About Lowey Dannenberg
Lowey Dannenberg is a national firm representing institutional and individual investors who suffered financial losses resulting from corporate fraud and malfeasance in violation of federal securities and antitrust laws. The firm has significant experience in prosecuting multi-million-dollar lawsuits and has previously recovered billions of dollars on behalf of investors.
Attorney Advertising
Contact
Lowey Dannenberg P.C.
44 South Broadway, Suite 1100
White Plains, NY 10601
Tel: (914) 733-7256
Email: [email protected]
Kaspa price has surged about 15% over the past day as investors have positioned ahead of the network’s long-awaited Toccata hard fork despite continued weakness across the crypto market.
Summary
Kaspa surged 15% as traders positioned ahead of the scheduled Toccata hard fork. Investors expect the upgrade to add smart contracts, KRC-20 tokens, and DeFi functionality. Technical buying and short covering helped KAS outperform a weak crypto market. According to the Kaspa network, the Toccata hard fork is scheduled to activate on the mainnet at approximately 16:15 UTC on June 30. Exchanges including HTX temporarily suspended deposits and withdrawals ahead of the upgrade to support the transition.
🎼 Kaspa Mainnet Toccata Activation
The next major milestone for Kaspa is almost here.
Today is the Day!
📍 Activation: DAA Score 474,165,565
🕒 Expected: June 30, 2026 • 16:15 UTC
— ChoiiMhiee 𐤊 (@mhieechoii) June 30, 2026 The upgrade introduces native smart contract functionality through the SilverScript programming language, while also adding support for KRC-20 tokens, decentralized finance applications, and zero-knowledge privacy features.
Together, these additions remove one of the network’s biggest limitations by expanding Kaspa beyond its original role as a high-speed proof-of-work payment blockchain.
Toccata upgrade has changed Kaspa’s utility With the hard fork approaching, trading activity has accelerated as investors position for higher on-chain activity. According to the Kaspa network, the upgrade is expected to enable developers to build decentralized applications directly on Kaspa by introducing native smart contract functionality, expanding the network beyond its traditional payment use case.
On-chain activity has also supported the bullish narrative. The network is approaching a cumulative milestone of roughly 2.35 billion transactions, demonstrating continued usage of its BlockDAG architecture even as new features are introduced. Supporters of the network have long argued that BlockDAG enables higher parallel transaction throughput than conventional blockchain designs, reducing congestion during periods of elevated demand.
The technical setup amplified the move. Before the hard fork, Kaspa had spent several months trading inside a prolonged consolidation range, with buyers repeatedly defending the $0.025-$0.030 area. The upgrade arrived while many derivatives traders remained positioned for further downside, creating conditions for a short squeeze as spot demand increased.
Forced liquidations of bearish positions added momentum to the rally once price broke above its recent trading range.
The daily chart also shows the recovery pushing KAS back above its 20-day simple moving average near $0.030 while testing resistance around the 50-day moving average near $0.0317. At the same time, the MACD has produced a bullish crossover with the histogram turning positive, indicating improving momentum.
Kaspa 1-day USDT chart — June 30 | Source: crypto.news Still, the token trades below its declining 100-day and 200-day moving averages, suggesting that a sustained trend reversal would require additional buying pressure.
Technical buying has outweighed macro headwinds Kaspa’s rally has unfolded while much of the cryptocurrency market continues to struggle under an unfavorable macro backdrop. A stronger-than-expected 4.1% U.S. Core PCE inflation reading and the Federal Reserve’s hawkish policy stance under Chair Kevin Warsh have pressured risk assets in recent days, contributing to an estimated $1.79 billion in cumulative outflows from U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds.
Unlike many proof-of-stake networks, however, Kaspa operates on a proof-of-work model with approximately 95.4% of its maximum supply already in circulation. With new token issuance steadily declining over time, the introduction of smart contracts and execution fees through the Toccata upgrade has strengthened the network’s utility without materially increasing supply.
Those supply dynamics, combined with renewed developer opportunities and short-covering activity, have helped Kaspa outperform most major cryptocurrencies even as capital has continued flowing out of other digital assets.
Whether the rally extends from here may depend on whether buyers can reclaim resistance around the 50-day and 100-day moving averages before challenging the longer-term 200-day average near $0.0353.
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
FuelCell Energy (NASDAQ:FCEL) stock is up 23% to $36.64 in early Tuesday trading, extending a powerful June rally. Bloom Energy (NYSE:BE) stock is up 7% to $293.61, climbing in sympathy with the broader fuel-cell complex.
Plug Power (NASDAQ:PLUG) stock is up 5% to $2.72, a decent-sized move but PLUG is still a relative laggard amid the sector-wide rally. The fresh catalyst is FuelCell Energy’s inclusion in the Russell 2000 and Russell 3000 indices in the latest reconstitution.
Both names entered today’s session with enormous gains already on the board. FuelCell Energy stock is up 346% year to date, while Bloom Energy stock is up 233% over the same window. A single-session move tied to a mechanical index event doesn’t by itself change the long-term thesis.
Russell Inclusion Adds to an Already Stacked Catalyst List Russell inclusion puts FuelCell Energy on the radar of passive index funds and ETFs benchmarked to the Russell 2000 and Russell 3000. That mechanical flow lands on top of an unusually loaded news week for the company.
Last week, FuelCell Energy announced a landmark agreement to supply Fit Energy up to 380 MW of power solutions for AI data centers and digital infrastructure. The company also secured a $49 million non-dilutive financing package from the U.S. Export-Import Bank to deploy five 2.8 MW energy blocks for Gyeonggi Green Energy in South Korea, with two tranches running through October.
Analyst sentiment has flipped quickly. B. Riley upgraded FuelCell Energy stock to Buy from Neutral and more than doubled its price target to $32 from $13. Jefferies upgraded the stock to Buy, noting that FuelCell trades at a significant discount to Bloom Energy, while UBS reiterated a bullish stance citing the Fit Energy deal and plans to scale Torrington manufacturing to 500 MW annually.
Retail message volume around FuelCell Energy is reportedly up over 1,000% in 24 hours, with traders openly comparing the setup to Bloom Energy’s earlier playbook. That’s community sentiment, not an established fundamental driver, and investors can treat it accordingly.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Plug Power didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
BE and PLUG Rebound After Last Week’s Selloff Bloom Energy stock sold off last week as profit-taking gripped the high-flyer. Today’s 7% bounce looks like a relief rebound paired with sympathy buying as the fuel-cell narrative draws fresh attention.
The underlying business remains the strongest in the peer group. Bloom Energy reported Q1 FY2026 revenue of $751 million, up 130% year over year, and raised full-year revenue guidance to a range of $3.4 billion to $3.8 billion.
There’s no fresh Bloom Energy-specific catalyst today. The stock is trading on sector momentum, technical mean reversion, and the halo from FuelCell Energy’s index news rather than any new business development. Plug Power stock also appears to be catching a sympathy bid, at least for today’s session, after a last week’s rocky ride.
What to Watch Index-driven flows tend to peak around the reconstitution print and fade quickly afterward. Investors can watch for whether FuelCell Energy stock holds today’s gains into the close or gives ground into the afternoon as the mechanical bid clears.
Volatility is the rule with these names. FuelCell Energy carries a beta of 2.4 and remains loss-making, with the latest quarter weighed down by a $43 million non-cash impairment. Investors may want to keep their position sizes modest given the speed of the move and the mechanical nature of today’s catalyst.
The next real test for FuelCell Energy comes from execution on the Fit Energy ramp and conversion of the 4 GW proposal pipeline into firm backlog. Traders can keep an eye on FuelCell Energy stock through the afternoon, while longer-term holders may focus on contract conversion rather than index mechanics.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Plug Power didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
June 30, 2026 11:04 ET | Source: The Brink’s Company; NCR Atleos
RICHMOND, Va. and ATLANTA, Ga., June 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Brink’s Company (NYSE: BCO) and NCR Atleos Corporation (NYSE: NATL) announced today that Brink’s shareholders and NCR Atleos’ stockholders overwhelmingly voted to approve Brink’s previously announced acquisition of NCR Atleos at special meetings held earlier today. These approvals represent a significant milestone toward the completion of the transaction, whereby Brink’s will acquire NCR Atleos and bring together the two companies’ complementary products, services and software to provide an even broader set of solutions for financial institutions and retail customers.
“Today’s votes mark a significant step forward in bringing together our two great companies and reflect strong shareholder support for the future of the combined business and the value it can create,” said Mark Eubanks, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Brink’s Company. “This combination will expand our presence in ATM managed services and digital retail solutions, enabling us to deliver a broader and more innovative set of offerings to our customers. With these expanded capabilities, we will be well positioned to serve customers more effectively and pursue attractive growth opportunities in large markets in the U.S. and abroad.”
Tim Oliver, President and Chief Executive Officer of NCR Atleos, said, “We thank our stockholders for their support, which reaffirms their confidence in the future value creation potential of the combined company. With Brink’s, we have the unique opportunity to accelerate the outstanding work the NCR Atleos team has accomplished and deliver enhanced offerings and more value to our customers.”
The transaction has also received clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2027, subject to satisfaction of the remaining regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
Additional information regarding the transaction is available in the joint proxy statement/prospectus filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Detailed voting results will be disclosed in Form 8-K filings with the SEC by each company.
About The Brink’s Company
The Brink’s Company (NYSE: BCO) is a leading global provider of cash and valuables management, digital retail solutions, and ATM managed services. Our customers include financial institutions, retailers, government agencies, mints, jewelers and other commercial operations. Our network of operations in 51 countries serves customers in more than 100 countries. For more information, please visit our website at www.brinks.com.
About NCR Atleos
NCR Atleos (NYSE: NATL) is a leader in expanding self-service financial access, with industry-leading ATM expertise and experience, unrivalled operational scale including the largest independently-owned ATM network, always-on global services and constant innovation. NCR Atleos improves operational efficiency for financial institutions, drives footfall for retailers and enables digital-first financial self-service experiences for consumers. For more information, visit www.ncratleos.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “can,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “target,” “possible,” “project,” “predict,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “may,” “should”, “will” and similar expressions are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict or quantify, and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those that are anticipated.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to: Brink’s ability to consummate the acquisition of NCR Atleos (the “Transaction”); the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the definitive agreement with respect to the Transaction; Brink’s ability to finance the Transaction; Brink’s indebtedness, including the substantial indebtedness Brink’s will incur in connection with the Transaction and the need to generate sufficient cash flows to service and repay such indebtedness; failure to consummate any anticipated repayment of the combined company’s indebtedness or make any returns to shareholders in the expected timeframe or at all; failure to obtain applicable regulatory approvals in a timely manner or otherwise; failure to satisfy any other conditions to closing of the Transaction; failure to realize the anticipated benefits and synergies of the Transaction in the expected timeframe or at all, including as a result of a delay in consummating the Transaction; the success of integration plans and the time required to successfully integrate NCR Atleos’ operations with those of Brink’s; the focus of management’s time and attention on the Transaction and other potential disruptions arising from the Transaction; the effects of the announcement of the Transaction on Brink’s or NCR Atleos’ businesses; that operating costs, customer loss and business disruption (including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with banks, employees, customers or suppliers) may be greater than expected following the public announcement of the Transaction; Brink’s or NCR Atleos’ ability to retain certain key employees following the public announcement of the Transaction; litigation related to the Transaction; Brink’s or NCR Atleos’ ability to obtain certain third party or governmental regulatory consents, approvals or clearances; potential undisclosed liabilities of NCR Atleos not identified during the due diligence process; the impact of the Transaction on the market price of Brink’s or NCR Atleos’ common stock and/or operating results; and general economic conditions that are less favorable than expected.
Additional information concerning other risk factors is also contained in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of (i) Brink’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2026, and (ii) NCR Atleos’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2026 and, in each case, in subsequent filings with the SEC.
The forward-looking information included in this press release is representative only as of the date of the communications included in this press release and Brink’s and NCR Atleos undertake no obligation to update, revise or clarify any information contained in this press release or forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time on either of their behalf, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Key Takeaways Vishay posted Q1 2026 revenues of $839M, up 17.3%, supported by broad demand recovery.VSH said Newport reached gross-profit neutrality as Germany fab received major CapEx funding.Vishay's 1.34 book-to-bill ratio and 21% gross margin signal improving factory utilization. Vishay Intertechnology Inc. (VSH - Free Report) is entering a critical phase in which years of aggressive capacity investments could begin to translate into meaningful profit expansion. During the first quarter of 2026, management emphasized that its Vishay 3.0 transformation strategy is gaining traction, as revenues rose 17.3% year over year to $839 million, supported by a broad-based demand recovery across industrial, automotive, aerospace, and AI-related applications. A major pillar of this strategy has been heavy capital investment to expand manufacturing capacity across high-growth product categories.
The company’s two largest investment projects — the Newport semiconductor facility and the new 12-inch fab in Germany — represent the backbone of Vishay’s long-term growth plan. Management disclosed that Newport attained gross-profit neutrality during the first quarter, an important milestone after several quarters of margin drag. Vishay spent $87 million during the quarter alone toward the Germany fab, with nearly half of its full-year $400-$440 million CapEx plan allocated to this facility.
The profitability now depends on efficient utilization. Management expects stronger order momentum to steadily absorb this new capacity. The company ended the first quarter with a 1.34 company-wide book-to-bill ratio and a 21% increase in backlog to $1.6 billion. Higher factory loading, combined with improving pricing actions and volume growth, already improved first-quarter gross margin to 21%, while guidance implies further expansion toward 22% during the second quarter.
Vishay reaffirmed its long-term gross margin target of roughly 31%, but management acknowledged that if demand recovery slows before these large fabs are fully utilized, under-absorption costs and elevated CapEx could pressure profitability longer than expected. The margin expansion story now hinges on demand keeping pace with the company's increasing capacity.
Peer UpdatesDiodes Incorporated (DIOD - Free Report) delivered notable margin expansion in the first quarter of 2026. The company’s gross margin improved 70 basis points sequentially to 31.8%, driven primarily by a stronger revenue mix from higher-margin automotive and industrial businesses. Together, the two categories accounted for 44% of product revenues, up from 42% in the prior quarter.
Improving factory utilization amid stronger demand recovery also supported profitability, while operating leverage became increasingly visible as EBITDA margin expanded to 12.2% from 10.7% in the fourth quarter of 2025. Management expects further margin improvement, guiding gross margin to be 32.8% in the second quarter.
The improvement is likely to be supported by continued demand strength in AI infrastructure, industrial automation and automotive electrification. Given improving utilization, supply discipline and manufacturing efficiency initiatives, DIOD’s margin expansion trend appears sustainable through the remainder of 2026.
Lattice Semiconductor Corporation (LSCC - Free Report) continues to demonstrate strong margin expansion, with adjusted gross margin improving 60 basis points sequentially to 70% in the first quarter of 2026. The operating margin also expanded 370 basis points to 34.4%.
Profitability is being driven by accelerating demand from high-value AI data center and compute applications, which accounted for 62% of revenues, alongside a favorable product mix reflecting the premium value of Lattice Semiconductor’s low-power FPGA portfolio. Rapid year-over-year revenue growth of 42% enabled significant operating leverage, with earnings per share rising more than 80%.
Management expects margins to remain near 70% going forward, although supply-chain cost pressures may rise in the second half of 2026. The pending AMI acquisition, which carries an even higher gross margin profile, should support long-term margin expansion.
VSH’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of VSH have skyrocketed 288.4% so far this year compared with the sector’s 12.8% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, VSH trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 6.35X, below the sector average. It is higher than its five-year median of 0.87X. Vishay carries a Value Score of D.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for VSH’s fiscal 2026 earnings implies a 1600% improvement from the year-ago period’s level.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Elastic představil nativní podporu Promethea a PromQL, která má zrychlit dotazy na metriky až 30× a zjednodušit observabilitu v jednom backendu s logy. Součástí jsou i automatické migrace z Datadogu a Grafany.
Elastic Delivers Best-in-Class Metrics With Native Prometheus Support and Agentic Investigation Experiences Elastic (NYSE: ESTC), the Search AI Company, today announced new capabilities that bring the same scale, performance, and operational simplicity that have made Elastic a trusted platform for logs to metrics. With native Prometheus and PromQL support, out-of-the-box Kubernetes investigation workflows, and automated migration from Datadog and Grafana, Elastic now delivers a unified platform for metrics and logs. Built on Elasticsearch's columnar metrics engine, the platform can query metrics up to 30x faster than Prometheus and store data up to 2.5x more efficiently, without cardinality limits or custom metric penalties.
The metrics landscape has changed dramatically. Kubernetes and microservices have already pushed observability systems from thousands to millions of time series. Now AI workloads are accelerating that growth, making metrics not only a scale challenge but also a strategic cost and reliability problem. Most platforms make that growth expensive: premium vendors increase costs as cardinality grows, while lower-cost alternatives fragment metrics and logs across separate backends and query languages. The result is that teams often reduce data collection to control costs, leaving engineers with less context when incidents occur.
Elastic Observability addresses both problems in a single platform that stores OpenTelemetry, Prometheus-native, and application-defined metrics at full resolution alongside logs and traces, with no separate backends and no retention trade-offs. The release spans the metrics engine and the capabilities built on it:
Native PromQL and Prometheus Remote Write: PromQL queries run natively in Kibana and Prometheus metrics arrive via Remote Write, so existing dashboards, alert rules, and scrape configs work without modification.
Out-of-the-box Kubernetes workflows and content: SREs now go straight from an alert to the root cause through out-of-the-box agentic workflows, alert templates, ML anomaly detection jobs, and pre-built dashboards that activate at ingest for Kubernetes. SRE teams do not need to configure infrastructure from scratch before they get value.
Agentic investigations: When an alert fires, Elastic correlates metrics, logs, and traces that already share a single backend, using workflows with ML anomaly detection to surface what changed and how severe the deviation is before anyone is paged. The Observability MCP App and agent skills bring the same investigation capabilities to Claude, Cursor, VS Code, and any MCP-compatible tool.
Automated migration from Datadog and Grafana: The Observability Migration Platform converts dashboards, alert rules, and PromQL queries into Kibana equivalents automatically, so teams move what they've already built rather than rebuilding it.
"Elastic was already the platform many SREs trusted for logs at scale. Now we're bringing that same impressive scale, performance, and operational simplicity to metrics, delivering up to 30x faster metric queries than Prometheus, native Prometheus compatibility, and a more predictable cost model for high-cardinality metrics," said Baha Azarmi, general manager, Observability at Elastic. "With a single backend for every signal, a single query language, and investigations that start before anyone is paged, SREs get complete context at the moment they need it most — without the bills that have forced teams to compromise on the data they keep."
“As we’ve moved more applications into Kubernetes and expanded our cloud footprint, data is growing rapidly and our need for granular, high-cardinality metrics is increasing," said Jeff Beagley, manager of DevOps, SRE, and Cloud Engineering, Bass Pro Shops. “Elastic’s new metrics capabilities let us handle that volume and surface the insights we need. Coupled with Elastic’s OpenTelemetry support, we get visibility into an increasingly complex architecture — all while keeping performance up and costs down.”
“At Eurowings, the improved metrics performance, native Prometheus support, logsdb and incident-handling workflows in Elasticsearch have helped our teams achieve faster incident response times and a more unified view across signals without jumping between systems,” said Iosif Tournas, Cyber Security & Elastic Platform Lead, Eurowings Aviation. “These new metrics capabilities complement the millions of log events per minute and APM traces we’re already handling in Elastic Observability. This unified view reduces operational friction, breaks the silos between teams and the time it takes to detect and respond to issues.”
Availability
The columnar metrics engine (TSDS), ES|QL time series support, PromQL in Kibana, and Prometheus Remote Write ingest are generally available. Out-of-the-box Kubernetes infrastructure content including dashboards, alert templates, SLO and ML anomaly detection jobs are also generally available. The Observability MCP App, Agent Skills, and the Observability Migration Platform are available in tech preview. All capabilities run across Elastic Cloud, serverless, and self-managed deployments.
While Datadog does not offer an on-premises option and Grafana limits its highest-value features to hosted deployments, Elastic gives organizations the flexibility to run observability workloads where their data and operational requirements demand.
Additional Resources
Read the blogs:
[url="]Elasticsearch: best-in-class for logs, now best-in-class for metrics [/url]
[url="]Elasticsearch’s Columnar Store, 160x Faster and 6.6x more storage efficient [/url]
Elastic Observability Metrics Pricing Updates
Elastic (NYSE: ESTC), the Search AI Company, integrates its deep expertise in search technology with artificial intelligence to help everyone transform all of their data into answers, actions, and outcomes. Elastic's Search AI Platform — the foundation for its search, observability, and security solutions — is used by thousands of companies, including more than 50% of the Fortune 500. Learn more at elastic.co.
Elastic and associated marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of elasticsearch B.V. and its subsidiaries. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260630816603/en/
MaxLinear čeká, že růst infrastruktury řízený AI zvýší výnosy ve 2. čtvrtletí, hlavně díky datovým centrům. Tahounem mají být také platformy Keystone a Panther u hyperscale a Tier 1 zákazníků.
Key Takeaways MaxLinear expects AI-driven infrastructure growth to lift Q2 as data center revenues rise.MXL is expanding Keystone and Panther platform adoption with hyperscale and Tier 1 customers.MXL likely saw strength from increased shipments in its Industrial and multi-market segment. MaxLinear, Inc. (MXL - Free Report) is expected to post its second-quarter 2026 earnings report next month, with four of its end markets likely to contribute favorably. Infrastructure, now the company’s largest revenue category, is likely to remain the primary growth driver as hyperscale customers rapidly scale AI-centric architectures.
Management expects a step-up in data center revenue beginning in the second quarter, with additional upside as run rates continue to expand into 2027. Driving that momentum is the Keystone PAM4 DSP optical transceiver platform, which has been ramping up at multiple major hyperscale customers across both the United States and Asia, supporting both 400G and 800G PAM4 deployments for scale-up and scale-out applications.
The Panther hardware storage accelerator SoC family is also gaining traction, with rising design win activity among Tier 1 network appliance and cloud service providers, setting up for higher storage accelerator revenues. At the same time, wireless infrastructure momentum is improving as carriers increase investments in 5G RAN access and backhaul to support cloud connected and edge AI functionality.
In Broadband and Connectivity, Maxlinear is advancing large-scale deployments of single-chip fiber PON and Wi-Fi 7 gateway platforms with a second major Tier 1 service provider in North America, with acceleration expected in Europe later this year. Management believes these long-cycle deployments create a stable foundation, building on the integration and power efficiency advantages that support the company’s data center portfolio.
Lastly, MaxLinear’s Industrial and multi-market segment is also likely to benefit from increased volume of shipments of high-performance analog products.
What Are MXL Peers Up To?MACOM Technology Solutions Inc. (MTSI - Free Report) introduced a chip scale hot via process built on its AlGaAs diode technology. As an alternative to conventional chip and wire bonding and copper pillar-based surface mount technologies, MACOM’s hot via process simplifies surface mount assembly while delivering low insertion loss and high isolation. The first product using the AlGaAs hot via process technology is the MASW-011261, a broadband SP2T switch operating from 60 to 110 GHz.
Skyworks Solutions, Inc. (SWKS - Free Report) recently unveiled its new Si829x isolated safety gate driver for electric vehicle (EV) traction inverters and other electrified systems, including eTrucking, industrial motor drives and emerging mobility platforms. Introduced at the PCIM Expo, the Si829x uses ProVCD, Skyworks’ second-generation variable current drive, with high-resolution gate waveform shaping and cycle-by-cycle control through a digital interface.
The Zacks Rundown for MXL StockYear to date, MaxLinear shares have surged 523.5% compared with the industry’s 48.8% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
In terms of valuation, MXL trades at a forward, two-year Price/Sales (P/S) of 13.59X compared with its 2.76X median and the industry average of 9.52X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Here’s how estimates for MaxLinear’s 2026 and 2027 earnings are trending right now.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
MaxLinear currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Chewy rozšiřuje AI a automatizaci napříč zákaznickou podporou, lékárenskou činností i logistikou a čeká z nich v roce 2026 úspory v nižších desítkách milionů dolarů. V 1. čtvrtletí už díky nim vykázala zhruba 90 bazických bodů meziroční páky v SG&A.
Key Takeaways Chewy is scaling AI across customer service, pharmacy, fulfillment and marketing workflows.CHWY expects AI initiatives to deliver efficiency gains in the low tens of millions of dollars in fiscal 2026.Chewy reported 90 basis points of year-over-year SG&A leverage, aided by productivity and early AI benefits. Chewy, Inc. (CHWY - Free Report) is expanding the use of artificial intelligence ("AI") and automation across its business to enhance customer service and improve operational efficiency. During the first quarter of fiscal 2026, the company built the infrastructure required to deploy AI at scale and began integrating these capabilities across multiple functions to support its long-term growth strategy.
Chewy is applying AI and automation across customer service, pharmacy operations, fulfillment and marketing workflows. Management noted that these initiatives are helping lower the cost of serving customers by improving workflow speed, service quality and productivity. The company is utilizing AI to enhance search relevance, personalization and marketing effectiveness.
Chewy expects AI-driven initiatives to generate efficiency benefits in the low tens of millions of dollars during fiscal 2026, with a more meaningful contribution anticipated in 2027 and beyond. In the first quarter, the company delivered roughly 90 basis points of year-over-year SG&A leverage, supported by fulfillment productivity gains, operating discipline and early benefits from technology, automation and AI-enabled initiatives.
At the same time, Chewy continues to invest in strategic growth initiatives, including expanding Chewy Health, scaling Chewy Vet Care, optimizing its fulfillment network and strengthening customer acquisition capabilities. Management emphasized that investments in AI infrastructure and automation are designed not only to improve near-term productivity but also to reinforce the company's long-term competitive positioning.
Looking ahead, management believes continued investments across health, AI, automation, fulfillment and customer experience will strengthen the Chewy ecosystem. The company reiterated the long-term adjusted EBITDA margin target of 10%, reflecting confidence in the operating model as it balances innovation, automation and disciplined execution.
CHWY’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesChewy, which competes with BARK, Inc. (BARK - Free Report) and Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. (WOOF - Free Report) , has fallen 28% over the past three months against the industry’s growth of 5.5%. Meanwhile, BARK's shares have declined 5.4% and Petco has dipped 1%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, CHWY trades at a trailing price-to-sales ratio of 0.63X, below the industry’s average of 2.10X. It has a Value Score of A. CHWY is trading at a premium to BARK (with a trailing 12-month P/S ratio of 0.21) and Petco (0.13).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CHWY’s fiscal 2026 and 2027 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 20.5% and 21.9%, respectively. Estimates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 have been revised downward by 9 cents and 13 cents, respectively, over the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Although the company continues to invest in AI, healthcare and fulfillment capabilities to support long-term growth, short-term challenges remain. Management expects margin expansion to moderate amid difficult comparisons, higher transportation-related costs and continued strategic investments. A softer consumer spending environment and a more cautious outlook for discretionary categories could limit revenue growth and operating leverage in the near term. CHWY currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
SoFi spustila SoFi Small Business Loans pro malé firmy a podnikatele s rychlým schválením, financováním do 24 hodin a transparentní cenou. Úvěry jsou až do 250 000 USD.
SoFi Small Business Loans offer quick decisions, fast funding and clear upfront pricing to help entrepreneurs and small businesses fund their growth.
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SoFi Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOFI), the everything app for digital financial services, today announced the launch of SoFi Small Business Loans, to help entrepreneurs and small business owners access fast, transparent financing to run and grow their businesses.
Today’s small business owners are ambitious but increasingly constrained by cash flow. Access to capital can be time-consuming and expensive, leaving some owners reliant on credit cards, waiting on slow bank decisions, or wary of alternative lenders with unclear fees or high rates.
In a recent survey of small business owners, 75% who applied for a business loan or line of credit in the last year said it was difficult to access affordable capital and the Federal Reserve found that more than half of borrowers chose online lenders for speed of decision or funding.
“For many of our members, their financial lives do not stop at personal goals, they also include the businesses they are building,” said Anthony Noto, CEO of SoFi. “With SoFi Small Business Loans, we are expanding our ability to serve members in more of the moments that matter, giving them access to business financing through the same digital-first platform they already use to manage their personal finances.”
SoFi has seen strong demand for financing across several small business categories including construction, healthcare, professional services, and more. SoFi Small Business Loans provides eligible business owners with:
Capital to Help Small Business Move Forward: Fixed business loans of up to $250,000 to help members purchase equipment, stock inventory or hire new staff. Quick Eligibility Check and Funding After Approval: Members can check eligibility in minutes and, if approved, access funding as soon as 24 hours after approval1, helping them stock up before a busy season or cover materials for a new job. Simple, Upfront Pricing: Members can view their offer before accepting, with no application fee, no origination fee, and no prepayment penalties. Predictable Payments for Easier Planning: Fixed business loans with predictable payments help members plan ahead, from managing payroll to investing in their business's growth. With SoFi Small Business Loans, SoFi is expanding its support for entrepreneurs and business owners and planning additional products and innovations to help meet their evolving needs.
To learn more about SoFi Small Business Loans and apply, visit, SoFi Small Business Loans
About SoFi
SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ: SOFI) is the everything app for digital financial services on a mission to help people achieve financial independence to realize their ambitions. 14.7 million members trust SoFi to borrow, save, spend, invest, and protect their money and buy, sell and hold their crypto – all in one app – and get access to financial planners, exclusive experiences, and a thriving community. Fintechs, financial institutions, and brands use SoFi’s technology platform Galileo to build and manage innovative financial solutions across 133 million global accounts. For more information, visit www.sofi.com or download our iOS and Android apps.
SoFi Small Business Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A.
Terms and conditions apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. To be approved, a borrower’s home address and primary business operating address must be in the U.S. or U.S. territories, and you must meet SoFi's underwriting requirements in SoFi’s sole and absolute discretion. Not all borrowers receive the lowest rate. Lowest rates are reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. If approved, your actual rate will be within the range of rates at the time of application and will depend on a variety of factors, including term of loan, evaluation of your business and personal creditworthiness, business revenue, and other factors. Rates and terms are subject to change at any time without notice. SoFi Small Business Loans may not be used for personal, family or household purposes. See SoFi.com/legal and SoFi.com/eligibility for more details.
Loan amounts range from $2,500-$250,000. The annual percentage rate (APR) is the cost of credit as a yearly rate and reflects your interest rate.
1As soon as 24 hour Loan Funding: Most borrowers receive funds within 24 hours if the loan is approved and the agreement is signed by 2:45 PM ET. The 24-hour funding timeframe excludes funding on weekends and federal holidays. This timing is not guaranteed, and delays may occur outside of SoFi’s control, such as if inaccurate information is submitted, or the receiving provider declines the transfer. Your bank may have rules on when the funds become available.
Borrowers who do not qualify for a SoFi Small Business Loan will have the opportunity to explore financing options from a provider in SoFi's Loan marketplace. The timing of funding varies by provider.
Availability of Other Information About SoFi
Investors and others should note that we communicate with our investors and the public using our website (https://www.sofi.com), the investor relations website (https://investors.sofi.com), and on social media (X and LinkedIn), including but not limited to investor presentations and investor fact sheets, Securities and Exchange Commission filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts. The information that SoFi posts on these channels and websites could be deemed to be material information. As a result, SoFi encourages investors, the media, and others interested in SoFi to review the information that is posted on these channels, including the investor relations website, on a regular basis. This list of channels may be updated from time to time on SoFi’s investor relations website and may include additional social media channels. The contents of SoFi’s website or these channels, or any other website that may be accessed from its website or these channels, shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Varonis získal autorizaci GovRAMP pro svou Data Security Platform. Potvrzuje to splnění přísných bezpečnostních požadavků pro státní a místní úřady i školství.
MIAMI, June 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Varonis Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRNS), the data and AI security leader, today announced its Data Security Platform attained GovRAMP Authorization. This latest third-party validation confirms that Varonis meets rigorous security requirements for serving state, local, tribal, and educational government agencies.
SLED organizations are responsible for securing sensitive data and critical infrastructure communities rely on every day — from student and taxpayer data to utilities and emergency response systems. As agencies accelerate cloud adoption and deploy AI, their security strategies must evolve just as fast to keep pace.
“Government organizations are under pressure to manage and safeguard vast amounts of regulated data across on-prem, cloud, and AI systems,” said Dror Shemesh, CISO at Varonis. “Varonis has long supported the SLED sector, and achieving GovRAMP validates our ability to meet stringent security and compliance requirements with solutions that continuously and automatically protect data at scale.”
Varonis maintains a broad portfolio of U.S. and international certifications — including FedRAMP, TXRAMP, ISO 27001, and SOC 2 — that demonstrate its ability to meet the highest security and compliance standards for both public- and private-sector organizations.
Additional Resources
Visit the Trust Center to see additional Varonis certifications.Learn how Varonis supports SLED customers.Visit our blog, and join the conversation on LinkedIn and YouTube.
About GovRAMP
GovRAMP is the leading authority on cloud security standards for state and local governments, providing a standardized approach to assessing and authorizing cloud services. GovRAMP empowers government agencies and their vendors to navigate the complexities of cloud security with confidence.
About Varonis
Varonis (Nasdaq: VRNS) secures AI and the data that powers it. The Varonis platform gives organizations automated visibility and control over their critical data wherever it lives and helps ensure safe and trustworthy AI from code to runtime. Backed by 24x7x365 managed detection and response, Varonis gives thousands of organizations worldwide the confidence to adopt AI, reduce data exposure, and stop AI-powered threats.
Investor Relations Contact:
Tim Perz
Varonis Systems, Inc.
646-640-2112 [email protected]
News Media Contact:
Rachel Hunt
Varonis Systems, Inc.
877-292-8767 (ext. 1598) [email protected]
Houlihan Lokey se dohodla na akvizici Intrepid Financial Partners, čímž výrazně rozšíří své poradenství v oblasti energetiky a ropy a zemního plynu. Transakce byla podepsána 27. června 2026 a má být dokončena před 30. zářím 2026 po schválení regulačními orgány.
Transaction Will Substantially Grow the Firm’s Coverage Capabilities Across the Oil and Gas Industry
HOUSTON & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI), the global investment bank, has agreed to acquire Intrepid Financial Partners, LLC (Intrepid), a premier independent investment bank specializing in providing advisory services to the energy sector. The transaction, signed June 27, 2026, adds substantially to the firm’s comprehensive coverage of the energy sector. The transaction is expected to be completed before September 30, 2026, following regulatory approval. Intrepid Investment Management, LLC, Intrepid’s investment management business, is not part of the transaction and will continue to operate as a separate entity under the same name.
Founded in 2015 by Hugh E. “Skip” McGee III and Christopher F. Winchenbaugh, Intrepid is a leader in providing mergers and acquisitions, fairness opinions, capital raising, and restructuring services to clients across the energy sector, including exploration and production, midstream and infrastructure, downstream and retail, energy services and technology, and energy transition. Since its founding, Intrepid has advised on more than 120 transactions in the energy sector totaling more than $215 billion.
“Intrepid’s suite of services is a perfect match with Houlihan Lokey, and its comprehensive coverage of the energy sector adds significantly to our longtime strategy of delivering the deepest possible sector expertise to our global client base. This acquisition is an outstanding addition to the Oil & Gas Group and to our overall business as we continue to grow our capabilities,” said Larry DeAngelo, Global Co-Head of Corporate Finance at Houlihan Lokey.
Following the transaction, the Intrepid team will join Houlihan Lokey’s global Oil & Gas Group. Mr. McGee, CEO of Intrepid, will join as a Managing Director and Global Chairman of Oil & Gas. Mr. Winchenbaugh, President of Intrepid, will join as a Managing Director and Global Co-Head of Oil & Gas alongside J.P. Hanson, currently Global Head of Oil & Gas at Houlihan Lokey. The acquisition will add 34 financial professionals to Houlihan Lokey’s Oil & Gas team, bringing the global team to more than 70 financial professionals worldwide. On a pro forma basis, according to data from LSEG, the new combined group advised on 23 U.S. Energy and Power M&A transactions in 2025.
“Houlihan Lokey’s comprehensive matrix of products, services, and global footprint, alongside a passionate dedication to its clients, represents an excellent business compatibility and cultural fit with Intrepid’s platform and our ‘client-first’ philosophy. We cannot think of a better home for Intrepid, our team, and our clients, and we’re delighted to be joining the Oil & Gas Group alongside J.P. and his team,” said Mr. McGee. “As part of the Houlihan Lokey team, we will be able to deliver additional products and continue to deliver the best advice to our clients, which is at the core of what we do.”
“Intrepid’s strength in corporate M&A advisory, particularly in the upstream, midstream, and alternative energy sectors, combined with Houlihan Lokey’s global strength in M&A across upstream, midstream, and downstream, as well as technical asset-level acquisition and divestiture (A&D) advisory in the upstream sector, establishes one of the most comprehensive energy advisors, with superior capabilities across all facets of the oil and gas industry and broader energy spectrum,” said Mr. Hanson. “I’m excited to partner with Skip, Chris, and the Intrepid team to grow the business and continue to provide outstanding advice and results to our energy clients.”
“This combination is exceptionally timely,” said Mr. Winchenbaugh. “We are currently navigating a highly compelling seller’s market, driven by volatility with stark pricing dislocations and massive pools of dedicated capital actively seeking deployment amid uncertainty in the energy markets. I have no doubt our clients will benefit tremendously from the strong synergies and centers of expertise that this acquisition establishes.”
Houlihan Lokey’s Oil & Gas Group provides M&A and A&D advisory, capital raising, valuation, and financial recapitalization/restructuring, as well as financial and board advisory services to clients around the world. The global, cross-product, industry-dedicated team consists of more than 40 highly experienced professionals, including an A&D/technical team led by a group of technically focused industry professionals with an average of 25+ years of industry experience. In 2025, Houlihan Lokey was ranked as the No. 1 advisor for U.S. Energy and Power M&A transactions under $1 billion, according to data from LSEG.
About Houlihan Lokey
Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) is a leading global investment bank recognized for delivering independent strategic and financial advice to corporations, financial sponsors, and governments. With uniquely deep industry expertise, broad international reach, and a partnership approach rooted in trust, the firm provides innovative, integrated solutions across mergers and acquisitions, capital solutions, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory. Our unmatched transaction volumes provide differentiated, data-driven perspectives that help our clients achieve their most critical goals. To learn more about Houlihan Lokey, please visit HL.com.
MasTec očekává, že AI a datová centra podpoří silnou víceletou poptávku po optických sítích v řádu desítek miliard USD. Tržby divize Communications vzrostly v 1. čtvrtletí o 18 % na 802 mil. USD.
Key Takeaways MTZ sees AI data center interconnectivity driving multiyear fiber demand worth tens of billions.MTZ's Communications revenues rose 18% YoY to $802M in Q1 2026.MTZ expects about $875M in Q2 Communications revenues and low double-digit margins. MasTec, Inc.’s (MTZ - Free Report) Communications segment appears poised for a stronger growth cycle as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes network infrastructure requirements. While traditional telecom spending has been uneven in recent years, the rapid buildout of AI data centers is creating a new source of fiber demand that extends beyond consumer broadband. Management believes the need to interconnect hyperscale data centers with high-capacity, low-latency fiber networks could create a multiyear investment opportunity measured in the tens of billions of dollars, providing a meaningful tailwind for the Communications business.
MasTec expects improving telecom fundamentals to support long-term growth, driven by rising data consumption from cloud computing, streaming, gaming and connected devices. Management noted that U.S. data usage is projected to nearly double by 2030, while AI is emerging as a major growth catalyst by increasing demand for high-bandwidth, low-latency fiber networks connecting hyperscale data centers. The company also expects the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program to boost rural broadband and middle-mile fiber construction, with public funding and private AI investments expanding growth opportunities beyond traditional wireless deployment cycles.
The improving demand environment is already beginning to translate into operating results. During the first quarter of 2026, the Communications segment’s revenues increased 18% year over year to $802 million. Although margins were temporarily affected by costs associated with exiting certain DIRECTV fulfillment markets, backlog reached another record level, rising 12% from the prior year. Management also pointed to strong, broad-based demand for wireline services and increasing customer interest in multiyear turnkey infrastructure projects. Looking ahead, MasTec expects Communications revenues of approximately $875 million in the second quarter while projecting low double-digit adjusted EBITDA margins.
While traditional telecom capital spending remains cyclical, MasTec believes AI-driven fiber deployment represents a structural growth opportunity rather than a short-term recovery. Combined with BEAD-funded broadband expansion and steadily increasing network traffic, the company sees multiple long-duration demand drivers supporting the Communications business. As AI data center interconnectivity accelerates and customers continue awarding larger turnkey fiber projects, the segment appears positioned to play a larger role in MasTec's broader infrastructure growth strategy.
How MasTec Compares in the AI-Driven Fiber Infrastructure RaceAs AI accelerates investment in digital infrastructure, MasTec is competing with companies such as Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL - Free Report) and Quanta Services, Inc. (PWR - Free Report) , each benefiting from different parts of the AI buildout. While Sterling Infrastructure is gaining from data center site development and Quanta Services from grid expansion, MasTec is differentiated by its exposure to the communications infrastructure that connects AI campuses through long-haul and metro fiber networks.
Sterling Infrastructure is benefiting from the AI investment cycle primarily through mission-critical site development rather than communications infrastructure. Its E-Infrastructure business is seeing exceptional demand from hyperscale data centers and semiconductor facilities, with first-quarter 2026 E-Infrastructure revenues rising 174% year over year. The company also secured the first phase of a multibillion-dollar semiconductor fabrication campus and reported more than $5 billion of mission-critical backlog and future-phase opportunities.
Quanta Services is approaching the AI buildout from the power infrastructure side. The company is benefiting from accelerating investments in electric transmission, substations, generation and integrated infrastructure required to serve hyperscale data centers and rising electricity demand. Management highlighted growing technology and load-center opportunities, continued investments in transformer manufacturing and off-site fabrication capacity, and a record backlog supported by utility and AI-related projects.
MTZ Stock’s Price Performance & Valuation TrendShares of this Florida-based infrastructure construction company have surged 97.4% in the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Building Products - Heavy Construction industry, the broader Zacks Construction sector and the S&P 500 Index.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
MTZ stock is currently trading at a premium compared with its industry peers, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 42.68, as shown in the chart below.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
EPS Trend Favors MTZFor 2026 and 2027, MTZ’s earnings estimates have trended upward in the past 60 days. The revised estimated figures for 2026 and 2027 imply 35.9% and 35.3% year-over-year growth, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
MasTec stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
GoTu a Henry Schein oznámily strategické partnerství, které má rozšířit personální podporu pro zubní ordinace po celých USA. Cílem je pomoci řešit nedostatek pracovníků a udržet kontinuitu péče o pacienty.
, /PRNewswire/ -- GoTu Technology, the nation's leading dental talent marketplace, and Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC), the world's largest provider of health care solutions to office-based dental and medical practitioners, today announced a new strategic partnership designed to help dental practices address ongoing staffing challenges and maintain continuity of patient care.
Through this collaboration between GoTu and Henry Schein Dental Recruitment Services (a division of Henry Schein Financial Enterprises, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Henry Schein), dental practices will gain expanded access to GoTu's technology-enabled platform, which connects offices with qualified dental hygienists, dental assistants, and associate dentists for both temporary and permanent staffing needs. GoTu will now be part of Henry Schein Dental Recruitment Services, which offers a range of services from permanent placement solutions to enterprise-level Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO). By combining GoTu's workforce technology with Henry Schein's extensive customer network, the partnership aims to deliver modern, flexible solutions that support practice efficiency and reduce operational strain.
"Staffing shortages continue to be one of the most significant challenges facing dental practices," said Cary Gahm, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of GoTu. "Partnering with Henry Schein allows us to bring reliable, scalable workforce support to more offices across the country. Together, we can help practices stabilize their teams and ensure patients receive uninterrupted, high-quality care."
GoTu's recently released third annual State of Work survey, developed in collaboration with the American Dental Hygienists' Association, continues to underscore the severity of the dental workforce shortage and its impact on practice operations and patient care. The partnership with Henry Schein builds on those insights by expanding access to GoTu's workforce platform through one of dentistry's most trusted customer networks, helping more practices find flexible, scalable support when staffing gaps arise.
"We are pleased to collaborate with GoTu to expand the staffing resources available to our customers," said Mark Hillebrandt, Vice President and Chief Digital Revenue Officer at Henry Schein. "This partnership reflects our commitment to helping dental professionals operate efficient, successful practices and to supporting the long-term health of the dental ecosystem."
GoTu has filled more than 500,000 shifts nationwide, offering practices a streamlined way to manage staffing gaps and maintain productivity. Henry Schein's broad reach and trusted advisor model will help bring these solutions to practices seeking greater flexibility and support during a period of sustained workforce pressure.
"At GoTu, we see our role as helping the dental industry solve one of its most urgent and persistent challenges," said Edward Thomas, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of GoTu. "That requires more than technology alone. It requires partnership, reach, and a shared commitment to supporting the practices and professionals who keep dentistry moving. By working with trusted industry leaders like Henry Schein, we can expand the support GoTu provides and help more dental offices access the workforce solutions they need."
About GoTu
GoTu (formerly TempMee) is a pioneering, technology-driven workforce solution and skill-sharing marketplace serving the dental industry. The platform allows dental offices to contract directly with registered dental hygienists, dental assistants, and associate dentists to fill both short-term and permanent positions. Launched in 2019, GoTu has filled more than 500,000 shifts nationwide, empowering dental professionals with flexibility and control while ensuring practices can deliver exceptional patient care. Miami-based GoTu has grown from a bootstrapped startup to an institutional investor-backed powerhouse with 120+ team members. For more information, visit www.gotu.com.
About Henry Schein, Inc.
Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) is a products, services, and technology platforms company for healthcare customers. With more than 25,000 Team Schein Members worldwide, the Company's network of trusted advisors provides more than 1 million customers globally with more than 300 valued solutions that help improve operational success and clinical outcomes. Our Business, Clinical, Technology, and Supply Chain solutions help office-based dental and medical practitioners work more efficiently so they can provide quality care more effectively. These solutions also support dental laboratories, government and institutional healthcare clinics, as well as other alternate care sites.
Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 300,000 branded products and Henry Schein corporate brand products in our distribution centers.
A FORTUNE 500 Company and a member of the S&P 500® index, Henry Schein is headquartered in Melville, N.Y., and has operations or affiliates in 34 countries and territories. The Company's sales reached $13.2 billion in 2025, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 11.0 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995.
For more information, visit Henry Schein at www.henryschein.com.
AAOI těží ze silné poptávky v CATV i datových centrech; tržby z datových center ve čtvrtletí více než zdvojnásobily na 81,4 mil. USD. Celkové tržby vzrostly meziročně o 51,4 % na 151,1 mil. USD.
Key Takeaways AAOI is benefiting from steady CATV demand and higher-speed optical product engagement. CATV revenues rose 24% sequentially in Q1, with Q2 revenues expected to be at $75-$80 million.Datacenter revenues more than doubled year over year as AI and cloud demand boosted orders. Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI - Free Report) , which designs and manufactures fiber-optic networking products for internet data centers, cable television, telecommunications and fiber-to-the-home end markets, is benefiting from steady demand for its cable television (“CATV”) products.
In the first quarter of 2026, CATV revenues were $66.8 million, up 24% sequentially, supported by shipments of 1.8 GHz amplifiers to its largest CATV customer and expanding engagement with additional MSOs. For the second quarter, management expects CATV revenues of $75 million to $80 million. Based on recent customer discussions, AAOI now expects to generate more than $325 million annually in CATV, with the majority tied to amplifier deployments and some contribution from software solutions.
Applied Optoelectronics' CATV business is benefiting from ongoing broadband infrastructure upgrades as cable operators expand network capacity to support rising data consumption and faster internet services. The CATV segment also offers AAOI a diversified revenue base, complementing its data center business and helping reduce dependence on a single end market.
Datacenter revenues in the March quarter reached $81.4 million, more than doubling from the year-ago quarter, as customer engagement strengthened around higher-speed optical products. The ramp helped offset a smaller telecom contribution and drove the company’s top line. We note that in the first quarter of 2026, total revenues increased 51.4% year over year to $151.1 million.
Applied Optoelectronics has highlighted accelerating AI-driven datacenter investment as a key demand driver and pointed to strong customer engagement around both 800G transceivers and emerging 1.6 Tb products. The company also said it anticipates sequential revenue growth through 2026, with significantly larger growth expected starting in the third quarter as additional capacity comes online.
Applied Optoelectronics' data center business is benefiting from the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure and cloud computing, which require significantly higher bandwidth and faster optical connectivity. The company supplies high-speed optical transceivers used in hyperscale data centers to connect servers, switches and GPUs, with growing demand for 400G, 800G and next-generation 1.6T solutions.
As cloud service providers continue to invest heavily in AI clusters and network upgrades, AAOI is experiencing stronger order volumes and an improving product mix. Its vertically integrated manufacturing model enables tighter cost control, faster production scaling and greater pricing competitiveness, helping the company capitalize on the industry's transition to higher-speed optical networking.
Taking a Look at Some Other AI StocksMicron Technology (MU - Free Report) is poised to be the key beneficiary of surging AI-related infrastructure spending, as companies continue to build out GPU clusters and AI data centers that require advanced memory solutions. AI PCs are an important part of Micron’s growth plan. An expanding partner base that includes the likes of NVIDIA, AMD and Intel is enabling Micron to capture a larger share of the AI infrastructure market. Deepening relationships with major cloud and enterprise customers ensures stable revenue streams and reduces the risk of pricing volatility.
Micron’s transformation as a key AI infrastructure supplier, supported by surging AI-driven High Bandwidth Memory or HBM demand, explosive revenue growth, expanding margins, strong cash generation and its Anthropic partnership, provides multiple catalysts for significant upside.
Teradyne (TER - Free Report) is benefiting from strong AI-related demand, which is driving significant investments in cloud AI build-out as customers accelerate production of a wide range of AI accelerators, networking, memory and power devices.
The company is being aided by the growing demand for AI infrastructure, which is driving robust growth across its semiconductor test business. Teradyne expects robust growth in the semiconductor test market, particularly in the compute segment, which is projected to expand significantly due to the rapid build-out of AI data centers and the growth of edge AI.
AAOI’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of AAOI have surged in triple digits (% wise) over the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry’s return.
6-Month Price ComparisonImage Source: Zacks Investment Research
In terms of forward 12-month Price/Sales (P/S), Applied Optoelectronics is trading at a discount compared with its industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
See how the Zacks Consensus Estimate for AAOI’s earnings has been revised over the past 90 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AAOI’s Zacks RankAAOI currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Spiko napojilo dva regulované evropské fondy EU T-Bills Money Market Fund a US T-Bills Money Market Fund na stablecoinovou infrastrukturu Coinbase a umožnilo vklady i výběry v USDC a EURC. Jde o první fondy UCITS v Evropě, které přijímají přímé platby ve stablecoinech.
Investment firm Spiko has integrated Coinbase’s stablecoin payment infrastructure into two regulated EU Treasury-bill funds, allowing eligible investors to fund subscriptions and receive redemption proceeds using USDC and EURC.
Coinbase said Tuesday the integration covers Spiko’s EU T-Bills Money Market Fund and US T-Bills Money Market Fund. Both are structured as Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities, or UCITS. Coinbase Payments will provide the payment, wallet and application programming interface (API) infrastructure, with the transactions settling on Base, Coinbase’s layer-2 network.
The exchange said the products are the first UCITS funds in Europe to accept direct stablecoin payments.
The move into UCITS funds comes as net sales of the assets rebounded in April, the latest data from trade group EFAMA showed on Monday. UCITS saw net inflows of 104 billion euros that month, compared to net outflows of 41 billion euros in March. Net sales reached a new record in 2025, totaling 828 billion euros and surpassing the previous 2021 high of 813 billion euros.
Tokenized funds push toward 24/7 utilityCoinbase described the integration as an example of how stablecoins could reshape payments infrastructure for mutual funds by removing bottlenecks for investors as they enter and exit a product. It positions stablecoins as settlement infrastructure, connecting onchain capital with regulated investment funds.
Investors can submit subscriptions at any time, including weekends and holidays. At the same time, redemption proceeds can be delivered to a stablecoin wallet within minutes after a position is liquidated.
Despite this, round-the-clock stablecoin transfers do not necessarily mean that the underlying fund continuously processes subscriptions and redemptions. Spiko said the Coinbase integration introduces a new payment method rather than changing the funds themselves.
Cointelegraph reached out to Coinbase for more information on order execution, but did not receive a response before publication.
Other asset managers have tested ways to provide 24/7 access to tokenized funds. In February, WisdomTree received approval for round-the-clock secondary trading and instant USDC settlement of its tokenized Treasury fund, with liquidity supplied by its broker-dealer while primary fund processes remained unchanged.
Tokenized money market funds are also increasingly being used as infrastructure beyond subscriptions and redemptions. In February, Franklin Templeton and Binance introduced a program allowing institutions to pledge tokenized fund shares as off-exchange trading collateral while the assets remain in regulated custody
Magazine: China’s 107 Bitcoin memory thief, Bithumb CEO booked: Asia Express
Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.
Amentum získala od NASA kontrakt COSMOS na řízení letových misí a systémy pro podporu programu Orion, SLS, ISS i Artemis. Zakázku získala prostřednictvím společného podniku ASCEND s Aerodyne Industries.
Amentum (NYSE: AMTM), a global leader in advanced engineering and technology solutions, has been awarded NASA’s Consolidated Spaceflight Mission Operations and Systems (COSMOS) contract. The award comes through the ASCEND Aerospace & Technology, LLC, a joint venture between Amentum and Aerodyne Industries, LLC, formed under the Small Business Administration’s Mentor-Protégé Program.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260630998168/en/
Mission Control Center at NASA’s Johnson Space Center; image courtesy of NASA
The COSMOS work reinforces Amentum's vital role in the U.S. space program in support of the NASA mission to explore new frontiers and advance human understanding.
“Amentum’s proven track record in enabling complex spaceflight missions makes us an ideal partner to advance U.S. leadership in space,” said Mark Walter, president for the Engineering and Technology business at Amentum. “Through the ASCEND partnership, we’re delivering the space systems and training solutions to facilitate NASA’s ambitious goals for deep-space exploration and scientific discovery.”
Under the COSMOS contract, ASCEND will deliver critical mission operations, systems, and training solutions to support NASA’s Flight Operations Directorate at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. This work will play a vital role in advancing some of NASA’s most complex and high-profile programs, including the Orion and Space Launch System (SLS) programs which enable future deep-space exploration as well as International Space Station (ISS) operations and astronaut training programs. Additional programs include the Commercial Crew Program, which expands access to low-Earth orbit and the Artemis program, aimed ultimately at developing a sustained human presence on the lunar surface.
Amentum will provide expertise in Mission Control Center systems, training for both astronauts and instructors, flight controller readiness, training systems development, and mockup environments that replicate real-world conditions, delivering mission-ready solutions as a trusted partner to NASA and the U.S. space enterprise.
About Amentum
Amentum is a global leader in advanced engineering and innovative technology solutions, trusted by the United States and its allies to address their most significant and complex challenges in science, security and sustainability. Our people apply undaunted curiosity, relentless ambition and boundless imagination to challenge convention and drive progress. Our commitments are underpinned by the belief that safety, collaboration and well-being are integral to success.Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, we have approximately 50,000 employees in more than 70 countries across all 7 continents.
Visit us at amentum.com to learn how we advance the future together.
Follow @Amentum_corp on X
Follow Amentum on LinkedIn
About Aerodyne
Aerodyne Industries LLC is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) headquartered in Cape Canaveral, FL with a primary focus on serving our NASA, DoD, and federal customer programs and resolving their most challenging technical issues. Visit https://www.aerodyneindustries.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains or incorporates by reference statements by Amentum Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) that relate to future events and expectations and, as such, constitute “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements may be characterized by terminology such as “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “target,” “endeavor,” “seek,” “predict,” “intend,” “strategy,” “plan,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements, other than historical facts, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the anticipated work and revenue under the awarded contract, and the Company’s objectives, expectations and intentions, applicable legal, economic and regulatory conditions, and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing, are forward-looking statements.
A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in or implied by these forward-looking statements, including those factors discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including, among others: the occurrence of an accident or safety incident; the ability of the Company to control costs, meet performance requirements or contractual schedules; and other factors set forth under Item 1A, Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2024, which can be found at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or the Investor Relations portion of our website at www.amentum.com. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise such statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260630998168/en/
Na Futu Holdings byla podána hromadná žaloba kvůli údajnému provozování části byznysu v pevninské Číně bez potřebných regulačních schválení. Po oznámení pokut a propadnutých zisků akcie prudce oslabily.
PHILADELPHIA, June 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National plaintiffs’ law firm Berger Montague PC announces a class action lawsuit against Futu Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: FUTU) (“Futu” or the “Company”) on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired Futu securities during the period from May 24, 2023 through May 27, 2026 (the “Class Period”).
Investor Deadline: Investors who purchased or acquired Futu securities during the Class Period may, no later than August 25, 2026, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class. To learn your rights, CLICK HERE.
Headquartered in Hong Kong, Futu is an online brokerage and wealth management company that provides securities trading, investment, and financial services to retail investors.
According to the complaint, throughout the Class Period, Defendants failed to disclose that certain Futu entities allegedly conducted securities business, public fund sales business, and futures business in mainland China without obtaining the required regulatory approvals. The complaint further alleges that, on December 30, 2022, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) stated that Futu had conducted cross-border securities business with domestic investors in mainland China without regulatory consent, resulting in restrictions on opening new accounts for mainland Chinese investors and soliciting new business from mainland investors.
The truth allegedly began to emerge on May 22, 2026, when Reuters reported that the CSRC, together with seven other Chinese government agencies, had launched a regulatory crackdown targeting brokers allegedly operating without approval. That same day, Futu disclosed that it had received a Notification Letter from the CSRC imposing approximately RMB1.85 billion (approximately US$271 million) in confiscation of alleged illegal gains and fines, as well as a proposed personal fine against the Company's founder and Chief Executive Officer, Li Hua. Following these disclosures, Futu's stock price fell $34.10 per share, or 27.5%, to close at $89.76 on May 22, 2026.
The truth allegedly continued to emerge on May 28, 2026, when Futu reported first-quarter 2026 financial results reflecting the proposed regulatory penalties, including approximately RMB470 million in confiscated alleged illegal gains and approximately RMB1.38 billion in fines. Following this disclosure, the Company's stock price fell an additional $5.31 per share, or 4.8%, to close at $104.91.
If you are a Futu investor and would like to learn more about this action, CLICK HERE or please contact Berger Montague: Andrew Abramowitz at [email protected] or (215) 875-3015, or Caitlin Adorni at [email protected] or (267) 764-4865.
About Berger Montague
Berger Montague is one of the nation’s preeminent law firms focusing on complex civil litigation, class actions, and mass torts in federal and state courts throughout the United States. With more than $2.4 billion in 2025 post-trial judgments alone, the Firm is a leader in the fields of complex litigation, antitrust, consumer protection, defective products, environmental law, employment law, securities, and whistleblower cases, among many other practice areas. For over 55 years, Berger Montague has played leading roles in precedent-setting cases and has recovered over $50 billion for its clients and the classes they have represented. Berger Montague is headquartered in Philadelphia and has offices in Chicago; Malvern, PA; Minneapolis; San Diego; San Francisco; Toronto, Canada; Washington, D.C., and Wilmington, DE.
For more information or to discuss your rights, please contact:
Key Takeaways DOE aims for at least three advanced reactors to achieve criticality by July 4, 2026.OKLO, SMR and NNE may benefit as policy support accelerates advanced nuclear development.Testing, licensing and project execution remain key factors for advanced nuclear stocks. The U.S. nuclear industry is approaching a milestone that could shape the future of advanced reactor development. Under the Department of Energy’s (“DOE”) Reactor Pilot Program, the goal is to have at least three advanced reactors achieve criticality by July 4, 2026. Criticality means a reactor has achieved a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, an essential step before it can eventually generate electricity commercially. While it does not mean the reactor is ready to produce power immediately, reaching this stage validates years of design, engineering and regulatory work and marks meaningful progress toward commercialization.
Among publicly traded companies, Oklo Inc. (OKLO - Free Report) , NuScale Power (SMR - Free Report) and NANO Nuclear Energy (NNE - Free Report) are likely to remain in focus as investors assess which companies stand to benefit from the renewed policy support for advanced nuclear technology.
A Faster Path for Advanced ReactorsThe DOE launched the Reactor Pilot Program in 2025 to accelerate the testing and demonstration of first-of-a-kind advanced reactors. The program was created under Executive Order 14301, which directed the DOE to streamline approvals and target at least three reactors reaching criticality by this Independence Day.
Two projects have already crossed this important milestone. Antares Nuclear's Mark-0 reactor achieved criticality on June 4, becoming the first U.S. non-light-water reactor to do so in more than four decades. Valar Atomics followed on June 18 with its Ward 250 microreactor, while Aalo Atomics is expected to become the third reactor to reach criticality before the July 4 deadline.
Recent comments from U.S. policymakers suggest confidence in achieving the target of having three advanced reactors reach criticality by July 4. Officials have described the current period as the beginning of a new phase for advanced nuclear development, supported by faster regulatory processes and stronger policy backing. They also believe that some small modular reactors (SMRs) could begin generating electricity as early as next year, with wider commercial deployment expected before 2028. If that timeline holds, it could improve investor confidence in the long-term outlook for the advanced nuclear industry.
What It Means for Oklo, NuScale and NANO NuclearAlthough Oklo, NuScale and NANO Nuclear are not the reactors currently racing toward the July 4 milestone, the broader policy environment could benefit the entire advanced nuclear sector.
OKLO has one of the closest links to the DOE's broader effort. The company is developing its Pluto project under the Reactor Pilot Program and is targeting July 4, 2026 criticality for its Groves isotope test reactor. OKLO is also moving forward with its Aurora-INL project while expanding into fuel fabrication and fuel recycling. This gives the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company exposure to several parts of the nuclear value chain rather than relying on reactor development alone.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
NuScale stands out for its regulatory progress. Its SMR technology has already received key U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approvals, and the company uses commercially available low-enriched uranium fuel. NuScale is also working on large-scale deployment opportunities through projects in the United States and Romania, positioning it as one of the more commercially advanced SMR developers.
NANO Nuclear is focused on smaller microreactors through its KRONOS MMR design. The company is preparing to begin the NRC licensing process for its first deployment at the University of Illinois after its construction permit application is formally accepted. At the same time, NANO Nuclear is pursuing opportunities in AI data centers, industrial facilities and defense applications while expanding partnerships that could support future commercialization.
Beyond the July 4 DeadlineThe significance of the July 4 target extends well beyond one milestone. The administration ultimately wants U.S. nuclear capacity to reach roughly 400 gigawatts by 2050, with advanced reactors expected to serve military bases, data centers, industrial facilities and export markets. The DOE is also expanding testing infrastructure through initiatives such as the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad to provide developers with a more permanent pathway from demonstration to commercial deployment.
For investors, this means the investment case is no longer centered on a single reactor announcement. Instead, OKLO, NuScale and NANO Nuclear are increasingly being evaluated within a policy framework designed to shorten development timelines and encourage private investment. Even so, commercial deployment requires additional testing, licensing and execution, making regulatory progress and project delivery important factors to monitor alongside technological advances.
SpaceX po krátkém růstu klesla na 147,55 USD za akcii, tedy pod debutní cenu 150 USD, a nyní čelí tlaku z ředění akcií i blížícího se uplynutí lock-upu. Další prodejní tlak může přijít po zveřejnění výsledků za 2. čtvrtletí a při dalších odemknutích akcií.
On Tuesday, June 23, its sixth full day of trading, the stock of Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SPCX +1.36%), or SpaceX, briefly dipped to an all-time low of $147.55/share, below its debut price of $150/share. Since then, it hasn't closed above $157/share.
But is this price drop actually a buying opportunity in disguise? Here's what investors should know about SpaceX's prospects moving forward.
Image source: Getty Images.
Par for the course SpaceX's shares shot up to an intraday high of $176.52/share just after it began trading on Friday, June 12. Many observers thought that might be the high-water mark for the stock.
But SpaceX surprised everyone over the following two days as its stock price rocketed up to close at $211.39/share on Tuesday. This briefly put its market capitalization at $2.6 trillion, surpassing Amazon to become the fifth-largest company in the world. Analysts began to wonder if the classic trajectory of a hot IPO -- a brief Day 1 share price spike followed by a long, gradual decline -- didn't apply to SpaceX.
That dream was short-lived. The decline began the very next trading day, with shares eventually closing below $160/share on June 22, where they've mostly stayed since.
So, is now a good time to buy shares?
Today's Change
(
1.36
%) $
2.24
Current Price
$
166.43
SpaceX stock has a long road ahead of it There are two compelling reasons to stay away from SpaceX shares right now: dilution and lockup expiration.
Dilution comes from additional share issuances. SpaceX's recent agreement to acquire artificial intelligence developer Anysphere in a $60 billion all-stock deal already requires the issuance of about 400 million new shares. An additional preexisting deal for wireless spectrum will require the issuance of $11.1 billion in new shares in 2027. And various executive bonuses, stock options, settlements, and other awards totaling about $150 billion in new shares could be issued under certain conditions as well. These issuances will likely drive the share price lower.
Meanwhile, a healthy chunk of SpaceX's existing shares are currently on "lockup." Those shares will begin unlocking two trading days after SpaceX's Q2 earnings report, which is likely to occur in late July. Additional shares unlock throughout the year until the big 180-day lockup period expiration (for employees and most pre-IPO investors) on Dec. 8. Elon Musk's shares won't unlock until June 2027.
Image source: Getty Images.
Given widespread concerns about the company's sky-high valuation, there will be strong incentives for shareholders to sell their shares as soon as their lockups expire, which would put more near-term downward pressure on the stock.
In other words, if you want to buy and hold SpaceX shares for life, waiting at least until Dec. 9, after all those new shares have flooded the market, is likely to get you a better price than buying now. And waiting until 2027, when all shares are unlocked, and we'll have a year of quarterly numbers to help us evaluate the stock price, is probably an even smarter move.
Key Takeaways Coca-Cola gained value share for the 20th straight quarter with 3% volume growth across all segments.KO is driving growth through innovation, localized marketing and expanded retail distribution.Coca-Cola's 4 I's strategy combines insights, innovation, intimacy and execution to build loyalty. The Coca-Cola Company's (KO - Free Report) brand portfolio continues to be a powerful competitive advantage. However, management believes sustained market share gains depend on combining brand equity with consumer-centric execution rather than relying on brand recognition alone. The company extended its streak of overall value share gains to 20 consecutive quarters while delivering 3% volume growth across every operating segment despite a volatile macroeconomic backdrop.
Management highlighted that the company's strategy revolves around strengthening its flagship brands through consumer insights, innovation and localized execution. Trademark Coca-Cola led the industry in North American retail sales growth, supported by innovations such as Coca-Cola Cherry Float, Diet Coke Cherry and expanded mini-can offerings. In Europe, Coca-Cola Zero Zero, featuring zero sugar, zero caffeine and zero calories, generated strong trial and repeat purchases by addressing evening consumption occasions. Sprite and Fuze Tea also posted robust volume growth through localized flavors and marketing campaigns tailored to regional preferences.
Beyond product innovation, Coca-Cola is leveraging digital capabilities and its extensive distribution network to reinforce brand relevance. In the first quarter, the system added more than 600,000 retail outlets, expanded off-shelf displays by double digits and installed over 340,000 cold drink equipment units to improve visibility and capture impulse purchases. Interactive packaging linked to major events such as the FIFA World Cup is also helping deepen consumer engagement while generating data to personalize future marketing efforts.
Management emphasized that its $32 billion brand portfolio, combined with the "4 I's" strategy of insights, innovation, intimacy and integrated execution, is helping recruit new consumers and strengthen loyalty. The company's consistent share gains suggest that Coca-Cola's brand strength remains a critical growth driver, but its continued success increasingly depends on executing locally while leveraging its unmatched global scale.
KO vs PEP & KDP on Brand Strength & Market Share GrowthCoca-Cola's sustained market share gains underscore the strength of its brands, but PepsiCo Inc. (PEP - Free Report) and Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (KDP - Free Report) are also leveraging brand investments and innovation to defend and expand their positions.
PepsiCo believes brand strength remains central to sustaining market share growth, supported by investments in innovation, affordability and portfolio refreshes. In the first quarter of 2026, brands such as Gatorade, Propel, Pepsi Zero Sugar, Mountain Dew and Mug Root Beer gained value and volume share, while the company continued restaging iconic brands, expanding functional offerings and increasing consumer engagement. Management said these commercial initiatives are helping improve marketplace performance and strengthen long-term competitive positioning.
Keurig Dr Pepper continues to rely on brand strength, innovation and disciplined execution to expand market share. In the first quarter of 2026, Dr Pepper's core lineup gained share, Canada Dry benefited from successful Fruit Splash innovation, while GHOST, Bloom and Electrolit delivered strong momentum through distribution gains and consumer demand. Management also highlighted increased brand investment, precision marketing and innovation as key drivers supporting sustained growth across its beverage portfolio.
Zacks Rundown for Coca-ColaKO shares have gained 18.2% in the year-to-date period compared with the industry’s growth of 13.7%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Coca-Cola is trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 24.5X, higher than the industry’s 19.44X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KO’s 2026 and 2027 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 8.7% and 6.9%, respectively. Earnings estimates for both 2026 and 2027 have been unchanged in the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Coca-Cola currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
A Microsoft sign is displayed outside the Microsoft Germany headquarters in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, on May 22, 2026. Microsoft develops software, cloud computing services, computer hardware, consumer electronics, video games, business applications, and digital platforms including Windows, Microsoft 365, Azure, Teams, Xbox, LinkedIn, GitHub, OneDrive, Outlook, and Dynamics 365. (Photo by Michael Nguyen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
NurPhoto via Getty Images
This article was written by Doug Nathman, with research by his team at Trefis.
The technology behemoth is reporting unprecedented results, primarily fueled by its cloud and AI sectors, but the choice to invest relies on whether you believe its significant investment in the future will yield returns.
Microsoft (MSFT) has emerged as a wager on the future of AI, even though its shares have faced challenges this year, declining by 23.6% and trading roughly 31% below its peak over the past 52 weeks. This decrease in stock price stands in stark contrast to the company’s operational performance, which recently reported a “record third quarter” supported by its resilient cloud segment. For investors, the stock's decline offers both an opportunity to invest in a transformational growth narrative and a caution regarding the significant expenses associated with building that future.
What You Are Paying ForWhen assessing Microsoft’s valuation, a mixed signal emerges that captures this tension. On a price-to-earnings basis, the stock trades at a multiple of 20.9, which is indeed lower than the S&P 500 average of 24.4. However, when looking at the price-to-sales ratio, the narrative shifts, as it stands at 8.2—over double the market’s 3.3. This isn't a contradiction; it reflects the market's numerical verdict. You are paying a high premium for each dollar of Microsoft’s revenue, banking on its substantial AI investments to foster a significantly larger and faster-growing sales stream in the future. Concurrently, you are receiving a discount on present profits, reflecting the reality that developing this AI infrastructure is currently squeezing margins.
What You Receive In ReturnWhat you obtain is a company operating optimally, focused on the crucial segment: Microsoft Cloud. That division's revenue surpassed $54 billion in the latest quarter, marking a 29% increase year-over-year. The driving force behind that cloud is AI, which management indicates has exceeded a $37 billion annual revenue run rate, up by 123%. The firm’s strategy is straightforward: construct the leading AI infrastructure globally while developing “high-value agentic systems” like its Copilot assistants for coding, security, and productivity. Adoption rates are evident, with more than 20 million active subscriptions for Microsoft 365 Copilot. The company is well-positioned to finance this ambitious expansion, generating approximately $170.1 billion in operating cash flow, while its debt is a mere 2.2% of its market capitalization—a small fraction compared to the 20.8% for the typical S&P 500 firm.
What Occurs During A Market DownturnHistorically, for a corporation of its magnitude, Microsoft’s stock has shown resilience during market downturns, maintaining proximity to the broader index. During the inflation crisis of 2022, it decreased by 38% while the S&P 500 fell 25%. Contrarily, in the market crash of 2020 linked to the pandemic, it performed better, declining by 28% compared to the market's 34% downturn. Reflecting back to the 2008 global financial crisis, it closely followed the market, dropping 59% versus the S&P 500’s fall of 57%. Collectively, its historical performance implies that during a significant market decline, one can expect it to behave comparably to the S&P 500, both in terms of extent of decline and recovery trajectory.
MORE FOR YOU
Bringing It All TogetherThe choice to acquire Microsoft stock today ultimately hinges on your belief in the company’s capital strategy. The firm occupies a pivotal position in a technological transition, with management forecasting “another year of double-digit growth in revenue and operating income.” However, the sheer scale of that investment raises concerns among investors. The company anticipates “investing around $190 billion in capital expenditures” in calendar year 2026, a figure that has prompted one analyst to describe it as “a bit of a disconnect that makes investors slightly anxious.” Currently, the sole metric that truly matters is whether the swift uptake of its AI technologies can generate sufficient revenue growth to fund that vision.
The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio consists of 30 high-quality equities, sized and rebalanced with intent, allowing you to invest in quality without your financial stability relying on a solitary choice. It has demonstrated a history of outperforming a benchmark that integrates the three primary indices—the S&P 500, S&P Mid-cap, and Russell 2000.
