Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Recently, Zacks.com users have been paying close attention to Clear Secure (YOU). This makes it worthwhile to examine what the stock has in store.

Investors seek growth stocks to capitalize on above-average growth in financials that help these securities grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a growth stock that can live up to its true potential can be a tough task.

In addition to volatility, these stocks carry above-average risk by their very nature. Also, one could end up losing from a stock whose growth story is actually over or nearing its end.

However, the task of finding cutting-edge growth stocks is made easy with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects.

Clear Secure (YOU - Free Report) is on the list of such stocks currently recommended by our proprietary system. In addition to a favorable Growth Score, it carries a top Zacks Rank.

Research shows that stocks carrying the best growth features consistently beat the market. And returns are even better for stocks that possess the combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy).

While there are numerous reasons why the stock of this airport security company is a great growth pick right now, we have highlighted three of the most important factors below:

Earnings GrowthArguably nothing is more important than earnings growth, as surging profit levels is what most investors are after. And for growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is definitely preferable, and often an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.

While the historical EPS growth rate for Clear Secure is 137.3%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 58.9% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 23.3%.

Impressive Asset Utilization RatioGrowth investors often overlook asset utilization ratio, also known as sales-to-total-assets (S/TA) ratio, but it is an important feature of a real growth stock. This metric shows how efficiently a firm is utilizing its assets to generate sales.

Right now, Clear Secure has an S/TA ratio of 0.75, which means that the company gets $0.75 in sales for each dollar in assets. Comparing this to the industry average of 0.61, it can be said that the company is more efficient.

While the level of efficiency in generating sales matters a lot, so does the sales growth of a company. And Clear Secure looks attractive from a sales growth perspective as well. The company's sales are expected to grow 22% this year versus the industry average of 8.3%.

Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsSuperiority of a stock in terms of the metrics outlined above can be further validated by looking at the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is of course favorable here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

There have been upward revisions in current-year earnings estimates for Clear Secure. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 10.3% over the past month.

Bottom LineWhile the overall earnings estimate revisions have made Clear Secure a Zacks Rank #2 stock, it has earned itself a Growth Score of A based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above.

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

This combination positions Clear Secure well for outperformance, so growth investors may want to bet on it.

First-of-its-kind airport-wide service delivers a seamless journey from curb to gate and back MIAMI and NEW YORK, June 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As Miami-Dade County prepares to welcome millions of visitors ahead of major summer events like America250 celebrations and the FIFA World Cup, CLEAR (NYSE: YOU) today announced the launch of Concierge Powered by CLEAR at Miami International Airport, a first-of-its-kind airport-wide service designed to deliver a seamless travel experience for all passengers. CLEAR Concierge services are available for CLEAR+ Members in 34 airports, with Miami International Airport being the only airport where this premium, frictionless experience is available to all travelers.

The latest trading day saw Clear Secure (YOU) settling at $51.97, representing a -2.29% change from its previous close.

Lamb Weston (LW - Free Report) reached a significant support level, and could be a good pick for investors from a technical perspective. Recently, LW broke through the 50-day moving average, which suggests a short-term bullish trend.

One of the three major moving averages, the 50-day simple moving average is commonly used by traders and analysts to determine support or resistance levels for different types of securities. However, the 50-day is considered to be more important since it's the first marker of an up or down trend.

LW has rallied 12.1% over the past four weeks, and the company is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) at the moment. This combination suggests LW could be on the verge of another move higher.

Looking at LW's earnings estimate revisions, investors will be even more convinced of the bullish uptrend. There have been 6 higher compared to none lower for the current fiscal year, and the consensus estimate has moved up as well.

Investors may want to watch LW for more gains in the near future given the company's key technical level and positive earnings estimate revisions.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Starboard Value LP (together with its affiliates, “Starboard”), a significant stockholder of Lamb Weston Holdings Inc. ("Lamb Weston" or the "Company") (NYSE: LW), today announced that it has delivered a letter to the Company's Board of Directors. The full text of Starboard's letter to the Company can be viewed here. About Starboard Value LP Starboard Value LP is an investment adviser with a focused and differentiated fundamental approach to investing in publicly trad.

EAGLE, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LW) announced today that the Company will participate in the following upcoming investor events: BMO Global Farm to Market Conference: On May 13, 2026, Jim Gray, Lamb Weston chief financial officer, will participate in a fireside chat at 4:15 PM ET and the Company will participate in meetings with investors during the day. J.P. Morgan 2026 Fast Moving Consumer & Wellness Forum: On May 14, 2026, the Company will participate in.

Shareholders are encouraged to contact the firm to discuss their rights and options at no cost or obligation. We would handle any matter on a contingent fee basis, whereby you would not be responsible for out-of-pocket payment of our legal fees or expenses.

Shareholders should contact the firm immediately as there may be limited time to enforce your rights. 

, /PRNewswire/ -- Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating whether certain officers and directors of Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LW) breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders.

If you currently own Lamb Weston stock and are a long-term shareholder, you may be able to seek corporate governance reforms, the return of funds back to the company, a court-approved financial incentive award, or other relief and benefits. Please click here to learn more about your legal rights and options or contact Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper at (212) 763-0060 or [email protected] or [email protected].

Why Your Participation Matters:

Shareholder involvement can help improve a company's policies, practices, and oversight mechanisms to create a more transparent, accountable, and effectively managed organization, which can enhance shareholder value.

Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:
Halper Sadeh LLC
One World Trade Center
85th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Daniel Sadeh, Esq.
Zachary Halper, Esq.
(212) 763-0060
[email protected]
[email protected]
https://www.halpersadeh.com

SOURCE Halper Sadeh LLP

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (LW) Presents at 21st Annual Global Farm to Market Conference Transcript

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. offers significant upside, with activist involvement and insider buying signaling potential for value creation despite macro headwinds. Starboard and Jana Partners have taken major stakes, pushing for cost reductions and a 25% adjusted EBITDA margin by fiscal 2029. Q3 results showed strong North American demand and cost-cutting progress, but European and Asian softness and inventory write-downs highlight risks.

Lamb Weston remains a Buy, with turnaround efforts and cost-saving initiatives supporting a compelling valuation despite macro headwinds. LW's Q3 FY26 results saw volume gains once again offsetting price declines while also boosting FY26 net sales and EBITDA guidance. Significant CAPEX reductions and a $250 million cost-saving plan are expected to boost free cash flow and support long-term growth.

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LW) today announced plans to close its production facility in Broekhuizenvorst, the Netherlands, to align its global supply c

Did Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. Insiders Breach their Fiduciary Duties to Shareholders? PR Newswire NEW YORK, Jun

Key Takeaways LDOS posted Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $3.13 and revenues of $4.40B, beating consensus estimates.Backlog ended at $48.4B, led by Intelligence & Digital at $19.34B and Defense at $12.59B.LDOS raised 2026 guidance to $18.0-$18.4B revenues and $12.10-$12.50 non-GAAP EPS. Leidos Holdings, Inc. (LDOS - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2026 non-GAAP earnings of $3.13 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.88 by 8.68%. The metric increased 5.4% from $2.97 in the year-ago quarter.

On a GAAP basis, earnings per share were $2.56, down from $2.77 a year ago. Management attributed the year-over-year decline in GAAP results to discrete costs tied to the Entrust acquisition and the pending joint venture involving security-related businesses.

LDOS' Total RevenuesTotal revenues came in at $4.40 billion, up 3.7% year over year and above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.27 billion by 3.1%. The company said revenues increased on higher customer demand, particularly across Intelligence programs, commercial energy infrastructure work and domestic and international air traffic management systems.

Demand signals were mixed in the quarter. Net bookings totaled $3.3 billion, translating into a book-to-bill ratio of 0.8, even as management highlighted a trailing-12-month book-to-bill of 1.1 that supported year-over-year growth in contracted activity.

LDOS’ BacklogBacklog at quarter-end was $48.4 billion, including $9.6 billion funded and $38.8 billion unfunded. The company noted that the funded portion reflects contract value supported by appropriated funding (net of revenues previously recognized), while unfunded backlog includes remaining task-order value and options expected to be executed.

By segment, Intelligence & Digital backlog totaled $19.34 billion, Health was $6.56 billion, Homeland was $9.88 billion and Defense was $12.59 billion. Backlog as of April 3, 2026, also included $371 million acquired through the Entrust acquisition within the Homeland segment.

Operational Statistics of LDOSCost of revenues totaled $3.64 billion compared with $3.49 billion in the prior-year quarter. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $223 million compared with $230 million a year ago, while acquisition, integration and restructuring costs increased to $35 million from $4 million.

Operating income was $508 million, down from $530 million in the year-ago period. Interest expense rose to $55 million from $49 million.

Leidos’ Segmental PerformanceIntelligence & Digital revenues rose to $1.51 billion from $1.41 billion, supported by recent contract awards and higher volumes for Intelligence Community mission support, along with $22 million of acquisition revenues tied to Kudu Dynamics. Non-GAAP operating margin increased to 10.2% from 9.7%.

Health revenues were $1.19 billion, unchanged year over year. Non-GAAP operating margin was 24.2% compared with 24.7% a year ago.

Homeland revenues increased to $816 million from $770 million, driven primarily by continued demand for Energy Infrastructure engineering services and domestic and international air traffic control systems. Non-GAAP operating margin decreased to 8.5% from 9.4% amid changing customer requirements on a fixed-price program.

Defense revenues were $883 million compared with $879 million a year ago, as strong growth in integrated air defense systems offset the wind-down of certain airborne surveillance programs. Non-GAAP operating margin decreased to 8.3% from 9.8%, primarily due to schedule delays on a fixed-price development program.

LDOS’ FinancialsCash and cash equivalents were $457 million at quarter-end, down from $1.11 billion as of Jan. 2, 2026. Long-term debt, net of the current portion, increased to $6.01 billion from $4.63 billion over the same period, reflecting acquisition financing activity.

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $301 million for the quarter, up from $58 million in the prior-year period. The company also returned capital to shareholders during the quarter, including $243 million in share repurchases and $55 million in dividend payments.

LDOS’ 2026 GuidanceLeidos raised its fiscal 2026 outlook, with revenues now expected in the range of $18.00-$18.40 billion compared with the prior view of $17.50-$17.90 billion. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $17.91 billion, which is below the company’s guided range.

Non-GAAP earnings are now projected at $12.10-$12.50 per share compared with the prior range of $12.05-$12.45. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $12.26 per share, which lies below the midpoint of the company’s guided range.

The company also raised its cash flows provided by operating activities outlook to approximately $1.80 billion from approximately $1.75 billion.

LDOS’ Zacks RankLeidos Holdings currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Recent Defense ReleasesRTX Corporation’s (RTX - Free Report) first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share of $1.78 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.52 by 17%. The bottom line improved 21.1% from the year-ago quarter’s level of $1.47.

Quarterly revenues came in at $22.08 billion, up 8.7% from $20.31 billion in the year-ago period. Sales also beat the consensus mark of $21.56 billion by 2.43%.

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $6.14 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.08 by 1%. The bottom line also improved 1.3% from the year-ago quarter’s level of $6.06.

NOC’s total sales of $9.88 billion in the first quarter beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.79 billion by 1%. The top line also improved 4.4% from $9.47 billion reported in the year-ago quarter.

The Boeing Company (BA - Free Report) incurred an adjusted loss of 20 cents per share in the first quarter of 2026, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 95 cents. The bottom line improved from the year-ago quarter’s reported loss of 49 cents.

Revenues amounted to $22.22 billion, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $21.87 billion by 3.5%. The top line also surged 14% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure of $19.5 billion.

After two days of falling share prices post-earnings, defense technology giant Palantir (PLTR 2.04%) stock is getting back on the horse Thursday, and as of 11:40 a.m. ET its stock is up 4.2%.

You can thank the U.S. Army for that -- and hackers.

Image source: Getty Images.

Palantir's Hackathon Palantir announced this morning that it will participate in an upcoming "hackathon sprint" hosted by the U.S. Army. It won't be the only defense company participating; according to an Army press release, everyone from Anduril to Boeing (BA 0.17%), General Dynamics (GD +0.34%), L3Harris (LHX 1.20%), Leidos (LDOS +1.23%), Lockheed Martin (LMT 1.25%), Northrop Grumman (RTX 0.02%), and RTX Corp (RTX 0.02%) have also been invited.

But Palantir has a special reason to want to participate and show off its technical chops.

Last quarter, Palantir hit its highest-ever year-over-year growth rate of 85%, but two factors may still be worrying investors. First, Palantir warned that new contracts grew more slowly than sales (yielding a book-to-bill ratio under 1.0), and full-year sales may grow only 71% this year.

And second, government sales in particular grew more slowly than commercial sales -- only 76% for government, versus 95% for commercial, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence.

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Why Palantir wants to enlist in the Army A big win with the U.S. Army could help shift this dynamic and reaccelerate government sales growth. And here's the best news:

According to the Army, the aim of its "Right to Integrate" hackathon is to "ensure offensive and defensive weapon systems, and business systems across the Army, can collectively integrate, share data and communicate with each other." This objective plays right to Palantir's strengths.

If Palantir's looking for a place to grow faster, I think they just found it.

Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Boeing, L3Harris Technologies, Leidos, Palantir Technologies, and RTX. The Motley Fool recommends Lockheed Martin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Leidos to Accelerate Hypersonic Weapons Production for U.S. Army and Navy PR Newswire RESTON, Va., May 12, 2026

, /PRNewswire/ -- America's warfighters will receive an initial 3,000 Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) Low-Cost Containerized Munitions (LCCM) through a framework agreement with the Department of War that advances President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's "Arsenal of Freedom" initiative.

The new cruise missile is expected to significantly enhance the country's ground-launched combat capability, demonstrating Leidos' ability to rapidly scale defense production and deliver decisive capabilities to the U.S. military.

Leidos' new Low-Cost Containerized Munitions (LCCM) is expected to significantly enhance the country's ground-launched combat capability. Leidos will expand its workforce and enhance its facilities in Huntsville, Alabama, and McEwen, Tennessee, to produce the LCCM. Consistent with the DoW's desire to utilize commercial products, development of Leidos' LCCM is company-funded, leveraging the technologies in its AGM-190A Small Cruise Missile (SCM) program.

"We're answering the Department of War's call to revolutionize the procurement of critical capabilities at scale, with a focus on speed to operational capability," said Leidos Chief Executive Officer Tom Bell. "This agreement reflects the department's appreciation of Leidos' defense tech prowess and their trust in our proven history in delivering advanced missile technologies."

Leidos started LCCM work in December, reaching a conceptual design with the Pentagon that is capable of achieving all mission objectives. Full system design, development and test will result in production beginning in 2027.

At approximately twice the size of the AGM-190A, the LCCM offers increased mission effectiveness and fuel capacity to maximize range. Building on the Leidos Small Cruise Missile's heritage, the LCCM leverages key design features including a modular airframe and a common Weapon Open Systems Architecture (WOSA) to enable rapid integration, upgrades and mission adaptability. The design also utilizes Leidos' established supply chain and scalable production approach. 

While initially ground-launched, LCCM's modular design could also support maritime platform integration and air-launched variants.

Leidos' decision to fund development and expand its production capabilities reflects its commitment to advancing operational capabilities through its NorthStar 2030 strategy. 

Leidos is a proven leader in the design, development and integration of advanced missile systems, launchers and precision strike technologies for the U.S. military. In addition to the AGM-190A, Leidos is the prime contractor for the U.S. Army's Enduring Shield (Indirect Fire Protection Capability) launcher and supports next-generation hypersonic strike capabilities through its work on the Common Hypersonic Glide Body. The company also delivers precision munitions integration and advanced guidance and sensor technologies that strengthen integrated air and missile defense architectures.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 50,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.leidos.com.  

Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future results or occurrences. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the "Risk Factors" set forth in Leidos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Leidos does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements were made.

Media Contact:

Philip Carder
(571) 926-6698 
[email protected]

SOURCE Leidos Holdings, Inc.

Key Takeaways LDOS signed a $2.7B U.S. Army contract to accelerate full-scale hypersonic weapons production. Leidos will combine TPS and CHGB programs to simplify production and speed hypersonic deployment.LDOS shares fell nearly 2.8% after the deal and are down 28% over the past three months. Leidos (LDOS - Free Report) recently announced that it has signed a $2.7 billion contract with the U.S. Army to accelerate hypersonic weapons full-scale production. The contract combines the Thermal Protection Shield (“TPS”) and Common Hypersonic Glide Body (“CHGB”) programs, simplifying production and speeding deployment of this key capability in line with the Army’s acquisition reform efforts.

The company has been the leading contractor of the TPS program since 2021 and the CHGB program since 2019, and the project is part of the company’s NorthStar 2030 strategy. By leveraging its expertise in guidance systems, sensor technologies and precision munitions integration, the company is well-positioned to efficiently scale up production.

LDOS is committed to assisting the Army and Navy in delivering this vital operational capability. This large, long-term defense contract is expected to support the company’s future revenue growth.

Even though the company received a sizeable contract from the U.S. Army, the market reaction was docile and LDOS shares have lost nearly 2.8% since the date of announcement of the deal, closing at $124.84 per share on May 18, 2026.

Role of Hypersonic WeaponsAccording to SpaceNews, Hypersonic weapons play an important role in battlefield dominance, and countries like China, Russia, North Korea and Iran are also developing similar technology. Hypersonic weapons are strategically important for the U.S. military as they are difficult to detect and intercept. Escalating geopolitical tensions across the globe are prompting U.S. defense authorities to strengthen their defense capabilities through increased investments in advanced military systems like hypersonic weapons.

Other Defense Operators Having Hypersonic ProgramsApart from Leidos, some other defense contractors are well-positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities in the defense systems market.

Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT - Free Report) is one of the world’s largest aerospace and defense contractors, operating through four major segments. The company is engaged in developing highly advanced hypersonic technology and sustaining advanced missile and rocket systems.

LMT has a long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate of 18.48%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is pinned at $29.88 per share, which implies a year-over-year increase of 29.24%

RTX Corporation (RTX - Free Report) , operating through three segments, provides systems and services to commercial, military and government customers across the world. It’s a prominent player in the aerospace and defense industry, leveraging its weapons expertise to develop air-breathing hypersonic scramjet systems that utilize high-speed airflow for propulsion and operate with a single solid rocket booster without moving parts.

RTX has a long-term earnings growth rate of 10.21%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is pinned at $6.91 per share, which implies a year-over-year increase of 9.86%

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC - Free Report) operates through four segments and is engaged in developing advanced hypersonic engines and propulsion technologies, including scramjet systems. The company also develops and produces essential missile components like warheads and fuses.

NOC has a long-term earnings growth rate of 5.25%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is pinned at $28.01 per share, which implies a year-over-year increase of 6.34%.

Price Movement of LDOSOver the past three months, shares of the company have plunged 27.8% compared with the industry’s 3% decline.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Leidos’s Zacks RankLDOS currently carries a Zacks Rank #3(Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Conflict is intensfying around the world, from Latin America to the Middle East to potentially the Pacific. In preparation for a less peaceful future, the U.S. is substantially increasing its defense budget, boosting it by 44% to $1.5 trillion in 2027 alone. Full budgets are not out yet, but it is clear there will be a huge rise in spending on new military technologies and in stockpiles of key products, such as missile defense systems.

Many stocks can benefit as suppliers to this new arsenal of democracy. Here are two defense stocks worth looking at.

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A play on autonomous warfare Anyone following the war in Ukraine knows that drones are the future of warfare. In land-based conflict, this means drones in the air. But for sea-based conflict, the U.S. Navy is increasing its defense and attack capabilities with underwater drones. The contractors making these drones can overlap with air drones such as start-up Anduril, but it is in a much earlier growth phase, with research and procurement only beginning now.

One stock at the center of the subsea drone supply chain is Kraken Robotics (KRKNF 0.08%), a maker of batteries, sensors, and other systems for these unmanned underwater vehicles. Given the difficulty of building batteries that can operate in the high-pressure environments deep in the ocean, Kraken has minimal competition across many of its products.

This lack of competition should place the company on a significant growth trajectory during the next few years as the U. S. defense budget for underwater drones increases. In just the first few months of 2026, Kraken has announced $87 million in new orders across its product segments, with a key focus on subsea batteries for these drone makers.

Kraken's total revenue was $74 million in 2025. Along with its recent acquisition of the Covelya Group, Kraken has a long growth runway during the next decade that can turn it into a huge winner in any stock portfolio.

Image source: Getty Images.

The new hypersonic leader? A more established player in the defense industry that will benefit from the growing defense budget is Leidos (LDOS +1.36%). It has many different divisions, including healthcare software for the Defense Department, mission software for the battlefield, cybersecurity systems, and defense technology.

It should see steady growth from existing contracts. Revenue hit $17 billion during the past 12 months, up 31% in the past five years. This is not hypergrowth by any means, but a steady piece of infrastructure within the federal government.

Where Leidos may see a growth surge is within its new hypersonic product, which is a key priority for the U.S. at the moment. It was recently awarded a $2.7 billion contract from the U.S. Army to bring its hypersonic products from prototype to production. The company has been developing these capabilities for many years, and it now appears to have the lead in winning the prime contract to supply hypersonic missiles to the Army, which could generate steady cash flows.

Right now, the stock market is not a fan of Leidos and other defense stocks. It trades at a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of just 11.5, which is very cheap given its steady growth potential. Management is steadily repurchasing stock as well, with shares outstanding down more than 11% during the past five years.

Combine these capital returns, the steady software business, and the potential growth from defense technology like hypersonics, and Leidos looks like a hidden gem investors can buy today. Along with Kraken Robotics, these are two defense stocks flying under the radar that investors can add to their portfolios.

Leidos (LDOS - Free Report) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.

Over the past month, shares of this security and engineering company have returned -11.8%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +6% change. During this period, the Zacks Computers - IT Services industry, which Leidos falls in, has gained 4.7%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.

Revisions to Earnings EstimatesHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.

We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

For the current quarter, Leidos is expected to post earnings of $2.94 per share, indicating a change of -8.4% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -2.5% over the last 30 days.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $12.25 points to a change of +2.2% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has remained unchanged.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $12.97 indicates a change of +5.8% from what Leidos is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.5%.

Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Leidos is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Projected Revenue GrowthEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.

In the case of Leidos, the consensus sales estimate of $4.36 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +2.6%. The $17.98 billion and $18.84 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +4.7% and +4.8%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryLeidos reported revenues of $4.4 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +3.7%. EPS of $3.13 for the same period compares with $2.97 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.27 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +3.12%. The EPS surprise was +8.68%.

The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates three times over this period.

ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.

While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.

The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

Leidos is graded A on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Leidos. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Leidos (LDOS - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 7.8% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.

Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Leidos due for a breakout? Well, first let's take a quick look at its latest earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent catalysts for Leidos Holdings, Inc. before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late.

LDOS Q1 Earnings Beat on Backlog Scale and Key Contract Wins

Leidos Holdings, Inc. reported first-quarter 2026 non-GAAP earnings of $3.13 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.88 by 8.68%. The metric increased 5.4% from $2.97 in the year-ago quarter.

On a GAAP basis, earnings per share were $2.56, down from $2.77 a year ago. Management attributed the year-over-year decline in GAAP results to discrete costs tied to the Entrust acquisition and the pending joint venture involving security-related businesses.

LDOS' Total RevenuesTotal revenues came in at $4.40 billion, up 3.7% year over year and above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.27 billion by 3.1%. The company said revenues increased on higher customer demand, particularly across Intelligence programs, commercial energy infrastructure work and domestic and international air traffic management systems.

Demand signals were mixed in the quarter. Net bookings totaled $3.3 billion, translating into a book-to-bill ratio of 0.8, even as management highlighted a trailing-12-month book-to-bill of 1.1 that supported year-over-year growth in contracted activity.

LDOS’ BacklogBacklog at quarter-end was $48.4 billion, including $9.6 billion funded and $38.8 billion unfunded. The company noted that the funded portion reflects contract value supported by appropriated funding (net of revenues previously recognized), while unfunded backlog includes remaining task-order value and options expected to be executed.

By segment, Intelligence & Digital backlog totaled $19.34 billion, Health was $6.56 billion, Homeland was $9.88 billion and Defense was $12.59 billion. Backlog as of April 3, 2026, also included $371 million acquired through the Entrust acquisition within the Homeland segment.

Operational Statistics of LDOSCost of revenues totaled $3.64 billion compared with $3.49 billion in the prior-year quarter. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $223 million compared with $230 million a year ago, while acquisition, integration and restructuring costs increased to $35 million from $4 million.

Operating income was $508 million, down from $530 million in the year-ago period. Interest expense rose to $55 million from $49 million.

Leidos’ Segmental PerformanceIntelligence & Digital revenues rose to $1.51 billion from $1.41 billion, supported by recent contract awards and higher volumes for Intelligence Community mission support, along with $22 million of acquisition revenues tied to Kudu 
Dynamics. Non-GAAP operating margin increased to 10.2% from 9.7%.

Health revenues were $1.19 billion, unchanged year over year. Non-GAAP operating margin was 24.2% compared with 24.7% a year ago.

Homeland revenues increased to $816 million from $770 million, driven primarily by continued demand for Energy Infrastructure engineering services and domestic and international air traffic control systems. Non-GAAP operating margin decreased to 8.5% from 9.4% amid changing customer requirements on a fixed-price program.

Defense revenues were $883 million compared with $879 million a year ago, as strong growth in integrated air defense systems offset the wind-down of certain airborne surveillance programs. Non-GAAP operating margin decreased to 8.3% from 9.8%, primarily due to schedule delays on a fixed-price development program.

LDOS’ FinancialsCash and cash equivalents were $457 million at quarter-end, down from $1.11 billion as of Jan. 2, 2026. Long-term debt, net of the current portion, increased to $6.01 billion from $4.63 billion over the same period, reflecting acquisition financing activity.

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $301 million for the quarter, up from $58 million in the prior-year period. The company also returned capital to shareholders during the quarter, including $243 million in share repurchases and $55 million in dividend payments.

LDOS’ 2026 GuidanceLeidos raised its fiscal 2026 outlook, with revenues now expected in the range of $18.00-$18.40 billion compared with the prior view of $17.50-$17.90 billion. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $17.91 billion, which is below the company’s guided range.

Non-GAAP earnings are now projected at $12.10-$12.50 per share compared with the prior range of $12.05-$12.45. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $12.26 per share, which lies below the midpoint of the company’s guided range.

The company also raised its cash flows provided by operating activities outlook to approximately $1.80 billion from approximately $1.75 billion.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?It turns out, fresh estimates have trended downward during the past month.

VGM ScoresAt this time, Leidos has a strong Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a C. However, the stock was allocated a score of A on the value side, putting it in the top 20% for value investors.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Leidos has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.

Performance of an Industry PlayerLeidos belongs to the Zacks Computers - IT Services industry. Another stock from the same industry, Cognizant (CTSH - Free Report) , has gained 4.3% over the past month. More than a month has passed since the company reported results for the quarter ended March 2026.

Cognizant reported revenues of $5.41 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +5.8%. EPS of $1.40 for the same period compares with $1.23 a year ago.

For the current quarter, Cognizant is expected to post earnings of $1.38 per share, indicating a change of +5.3% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

Cognizant has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) based on the overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions. Additionally, the stock has a VGM Score of A.

RHI Magnesita N.V. (RHHMY) Q1 2026 Sales/Trading Call Transcript

, /PRNewswire/ -- Global talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) has ranked No. 1 on Forbes list of America's Best Professional Recruiting Firms for the eighth consecutive year. The company has also been recognized as one of America's Best Temporary Staffing Firms and one of America's Best Executive Recruiting Firms for 2026.

The America's Best Professional Recruiting Firms rankings – published annually since 2017 – are based on more than 18,000 survey responses from recruiters, hiring managers and job candidates, identifying firms with consistently strong reputations for high-quality service. Respondents evaluated organizations based on their direct experiences.

"Being named the No. 1 Professional Recruiting Firm in America for the eighth consecutive year underscores our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional results for our clients and candidates," said M. Keith Waddell, president and chief executive officer of Robert Half. "Our people are empowered to continuously innovate and deliver world-class service. This recognition—based on feedback from clients, candidates and industry peers—reinforces our commitment to providing trusted expertise and forward-looking hiring solutions."

Robert Half connects companies with skilled talent and helps job seekers find rewarding roles by combining the expertise of its recruiters with innovative technology solutions. Its award-winning, AI-powered tools leverage advanced machine learning and proprietary data to improve candidate-match quality and help clients navigate change, deploy talent quickly and support technology-driven initiatives.

The company also uses AI to identify organizations most likely to hire or have project needs, enabling its professionals to focus on high-potential opportunities and deliver faster, more precise results.

Robert Half is one of a select few companies—and the only one in its industry—to be named a Fortune® Most Admired Company™ for 29 consecutive years. Robert Half has also been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For and one of America's Most Innovative Companies.

FAQs
How can staffing firms help employers navigate hiring challenges?
Staffing firms help streamline candidate evaluations, reduce hiring risk and verify candidate authenticity through proprietary performance data and validation processes.

How is Robert Half using AI and technology to support clients and talent?
Robert Half leverages advanced machine learning and proprietary data to match professionals with opportunities quickly and accurately, even as generative AI reshapes how candidates present themselves.

What services does Robert Half provide?
Robert Half connects companies with skilled talent and helps job seekers find roles ranging from entry-level to executive positions. The company combines recruiter expertise with AI-powered tools and proprietary data to improve candidate matching and help clients adapt to evolving workforce needs.

About Robert Half
Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm, connecting highly skilled job seekers with rewarding opportunities at great companies. We offer contract talent and permanent placement solutions in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support, and we also provide executive search services. Robert Half is the parent company of Protiviti®, a global consulting firm that delivers internal audit, risk, business and technology consulting solutions. In the past 12 months, Robert Half, including Protiviti, has been named one of the Fortune® Most Admired Companies™ and 100 Best Companies to Work For. Explore talent solutions, research and insights at roberthalf.com.

SOURCE Robert Half

Robert Half International (RHI) remains a hold as total revenue growth has yet to turn positive and Protiviti's weakness persists. Staffing segment shows credible sequential improvement, especially in technology, with two consecutive quarters of positive same-day, constant-currency growth. Protiviti faces structural headwinds from reduced regulatory enforcement, leading to a 4% y/y revenue decline and ongoing uncertainty.