Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

VANCOUVER, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZoomInfo (NASDAQ: GTM), the all-in-one AI GTM platform, has reported that demandDrive, an outsourced sales development and demand generation firm, attributes millions of dollars in annual recurring revenue to the way it now finds and prioritizes buyers, according to the company. demandDrive runs prospecting, outbound, and lead generation programs on behalf of other companies, serving mid-market clients across business services. It sells a consultative model th.

VANCOUVER, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZoomInfo (NASDAQ: GTM), the all-in-one AI GTM platform, has reported that PayIt, a platform that modernizes payments between governments and residents, reduced the size of its marketing and sales database by about one-third and saved tens of thousands of dollars in the process, according to the company. PayIt lets state and local agencies collect property taxes, tolls, utilities, and parking tickets, serving jurisdictions that cover more than 100 million peopl.

DraftKings (DKNG - 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 company have returned -1.3%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change. During this period, the Zacks Gaming industry, which DraftKings falls in, has lost 0.8%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.

Revisions to Earnings EstimatesRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.

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.

DraftKings is expected to post earnings of $0.22 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -42.1%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -1%.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $1.09 points to a change of +65.2% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed -10.4%.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $1.8 indicates a change of +65.4% from what DraftKings is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +1.1%.

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, DraftKings 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

Revenue Growth ForecastEven 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.

For DraftKings, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $1.53 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +0.8%. For the current and next fiscal years, $6.79 billion and $7.76 billion estimates indicate +12.1% and +14.3% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryDraftKings reported revenues of $1.65 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +16.8%. EPS of $0.2 for the same period compares with $0.12 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.64 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +0.12%. The EPS surprise was -9.09%.

Over the last four quarters, DraftKings surpassed consensus EPS estimates times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates two 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.

As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

DraftKings is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

ConclusionThe 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 DraftKings. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

The upcoming report from Lam Research (LRCX - Free Report) is expected to reveal quarterly earnings of $1.69 per share, indicating an increase of 27.1% compared to the year-ago period. Analysts forecast revenues of $6.67 billion, representing an increase of 29% year over year.

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has undergone an upward revision of 1.3% in the past 30 days, bringing it to its present level. This represents how the covering analysts, as a whole, have reassessed their initial estimates during this timeframe.

Before a company announces its earnings, it is essential to take into account any changes made to earnings estimates. This is a valuable factor in predicting the potential reactions of investors toward the stock. Empirical research has consistently shown a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and the short-term price performance of a stock.

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

Given this perspective, it's time to examine the average forecasts of specific Lam Research metrics that are routinely monitored and predicted by Wall Street analysts.

Analysts expect 'Revenue- Customer support-related revenue and other' to come in at $2.13 billion. The estimate suggests a change of +22.7% year over year.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Revenue- Systems' of $4.55 billion. The estimate points to a change of +32.2% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus estimate for 'Leading- and non-leading-edge equipment and upgrade Revenue - Memory' stands at 40.0%. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 41.0% in the same quarter of the previous year.

According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Leading- and non-leading-edge equipment and upgrade Revenue - Logic/integrated device manufacturing' should come in at 6.6%. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 7.0% in the same quarter of the previous year.

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Leading- and non-leading-edge equipment and upgrade Revenue - Foundry' will likely reach 53.4%. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 52.0%.

View all Key Company Metrics for Lam Research here>>>

Shares of Lam Research have demonstrated returns of -20.4% over the past month compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change. With a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), LRCX is expected to beat the overall market performance in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

[url="]Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station[/url] (TEES) has selected [url="]Dell Technologies[/url] (NYSE: DELL) to design and build the Innovative Growth

Key Takeaways Applied Materials' broad chip equipment portfolio supports AI-driven advanced packaging growth.AMAT expects foundry, DRAM and advanced packaging to drive most 2026 equipment spending growth.Qnity posted strong AI-related growth but faces inventory, debt and China exposure risks. Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT - Free Report) and Qnity Electronics (Q - Free Report) are two prominent players in the semiconductor supply chain, both involved in advanced packaging and stand out as major beneficiaries of the AI-driven semiconductor upcycle. Applied Materials sits at the heart of chip manufacturing, supplying critical equipment used by foundries to produce advanced semiconductors, and Qnity Electronics serves the fast-growing semiconductor market with a broad portfolio of advanced materials, CMP consumables, advanced packaging, interconnect chemistry and thermal management.

Given the major tailwind, let’s analyze their business models, risk profiles and long-term outlooks and examine which one looks like the better investment right now.

The Case for Applied Materials StockApplied Materials is its unmatched breadth across semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment manufacturing. Applied Materials offers solutions across deposition, materials engineering, etch, metrology, inspection, packaging and process integration, allowing customers to optimize manufacturing flows using a single vendor across multiple stages of production.

Management believes that leading-edge foundry-logic, DRAM and advanced packaging will account for more than 80% of the year-over-year growth in wafer fabrication equipment spending during 2026. In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, Applied Global Services, which accounts for AMAT’s equipment servicing business, generated $1.665 billion of revenues, up from $1.42 billion a year earlier, while its gross margin improved to 34.7% and its operating margin rose to 29.2%.

AMAT already offers what it describes as the industry’s broadest portfolio for the emerging panel trend, spanning chemical vapor deposition, etch, physical vapor deposition, digital lithography, electrochemical deposition and e-beam metrology and test. Now it plans to strengthen this portfolio through its acquisition of the NEXX business from ASMPT. The combined portfolio of NEXX and AMAT is designed to help chipmakers and systems companies build larger AI accelerators with higher energy-efficient performance.

Revenue composition further highlights the shift toward AI-driven semiconductor investment. Foundry, logic and other applications contributed 67% of segment revenues, DRAM accounted for 29%, and flash memory represented just 4%. The higher contribution from foundry-logic and DRAM is increasingly driving demand for leading-edge logic chips, high-bandwidth memory and advanced packaging technologies.

Collaboration is another important element of Applied Materials’ packaging strategy. Through the EPIC Center, AMAT and SK hynix plan to work on next-generation DRAM, HBM and 3D advanced packaging. These factors establish AMAT at a sweet spot in the packaging business. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AMAT’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $12.14, implying year-over-year growth of 29%. Estimates have been revised upward in the past 30 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Case for Qnity Electronics StockQnity Electronics is benefiting from rising semiconductor complexity as AI shifts the industry from traditional transistor scaling toward vertically stacked chip architectures, where materials intensity, integration and reliability become increasingly critical. The company's momentum is already translating into strong financial performance. In first-quarter 2026, net sales increased 18% year over year to $1.32 billion, while organic sales grew 17%.

During the first quarter, organic sales in the Semiconductor Technologies segment grew 12%, supported by advanced logic, HBM, improving NAND demand and higher fab utilization. Qnity noted that 3-nanometer production continues to ramp up while meaningful activity has begun at 2-nanometer nodes. Adjusted operating EBITDA rose 22% to $411 million, and adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 125 basis points to 31.3%.

Qnity Electronics’ interconnect solutions (ICS) segment has become its fastest-growing business. The segment delivered 22% organic sales growth during the first quarter, driven by advanced packaging, advanced interconnects and thermal management. Revenues from these core AI-related product categories increased more than 50% year over year as the company benefited from data-center demand and production ramps from shorter-cycle Process of Record (POR) wins secured during 2025.

Management also highlighted new business wins with AI PCB manufacturers serving leading hyperscalers and premium smartphone OEMs, while increasing thermal management requirements continue to drive higher content per device. ICS generated an adjusted operating EBITDA margin of 28.5%, reflecting strong operating leverage and favorable product mix. However, Qnity faces several near-term challenges despite solid execution. Growth remains sensitive to customer inventory cycles, with recent semiconductor restocking benefits unlikely to persist.

Qnity Electronics’ cash flow is under pressure as elevated capital spending and IT separation investments reduce free cash flow and limit buybacks and deleveraging. Additionally, high debt raises interest costs, and significant China exposure leaves the company vulnerable to geopolitical and trade-related disruptions. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Qnity’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $4.16, implying year-over-year growth of 24%. Estimates have been revised upward in the past 30 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

AMAT vs. Q: Price Performance & Valuation CheckQnity shares have risen 69.8% year to date, while Applied Materials has soared 123.9%.

YTD Performance Chart
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

On the valuation front, Applied Materials trades at a forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 11.20X, above its median of 9.29X, while Qnity Electronics trades at a P/S multiple of 5.11X, below its median of 5.29X.

Forward 12-Month (P/S) Valuation Chart
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Conclusion: Which Stock is a Safer Bet?Applied Materials appears to be the safer long-term investment. Its unmatched portfolio across semiconductor manufacturing equipment, expanding AI-driven advanced packaging opportunities, higher expected earnings growth, and robust high-margin services business provide greater visibility and resilience. While Qnity Electronics offers an attractive valuation and strong exposure to advanced packaging materials, its near-term outlook is tempered by customer inventory sensitivity, elevated capital spending, higher leverage and China-related risks. Investors seeking a balanced combination of growth, profitability and execution may find Applied Materials better positioned to capitalize on the AI semiconductor investment cycle.

AMAT and Q carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.

The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.

It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.

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

Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

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

Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.

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

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

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

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

A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.

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

Stock to Watch: DocuSign (DOCU - Free Report) Founded in 2003 and headquartered in San Francisco, Docusign is a global provider of cloud-based software. The company’s Docusign Agreement Cloud is a cloud software suite that automates and connects the entire agreement process.

DOCU is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. DOCU has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 18.2% for the current fiscal year.

Seven analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.11 to $4.54 per share. DOCU boasts an average earnings surprise of +8.7%.

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

Wall Street analysts forecast that Carvana (CVNA - Free Report) will report quarterly earnings of $0.42 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to a year-over-year increase of 61.5%. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $6.97 billion, exhibiting an increase of 43.9% compared to the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has undergone a downward revision of 0.3% in the past 30 days, bringing it to its present level. This represents how the covering analysts, as a whole, have reassessed their initial estimates during this timeframe.

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

While investors typically use consensus earnings and revenue estimates as a yardstick to evaluate the company's quarterly performance, scrutinizing analysts' projections for some of the company's key metrics can offer a more comprehensive perspective.

Bearing this in mind, let's now explore the average estimates of specific Carvana metrics that are commonly monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts.

Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Sales and operating revenues- Retail vehicle sales, net' should arrive at $4.97 billion. The estimate suggests a change of +46% year over year.

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Sales and operating revenues- Other sales and revenues' will likely reach $559.44 million. The estimate indicates a change of +36.1% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts expect 'Sales and operating revenues- Wholesale sales and revenues' to come in at $1.28 billion. The estimate suggests a change of +25% year over year.

Analysts predict that the 'Per retail unit gross profit - Total' will reach $6796.56 . The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $7426.00 .

It is projected by analysts that the 'Unit sales - Retail vehicle unit sales' will reach 198,190 . The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 143,280 .

The consensus estimate for 'Per retail unit gross profit - Retail vehicle' stands at $3282.16 . Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $3636.00 in the same quarter of the previous year.

Analysts forecast 'Per retail unit gross profit - Other' to reach $2853.86 . The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $2869.00 .

The average prediction of analysts places 'Per unit revenue - Wholesale vehicles' at $11079.20 . The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $10746.00 .

The consensus among analysts is that 'Per unit revenue - Retail vehicles' will reach $25395.83 . Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $23765.00 in the same quarter last year.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Unit sales - Wholesale vehicle unit sales' of 97,755 . Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 72,770 in the same quarter of the previous year.

According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Markets at end of period (metropolitan statistical areas)' should come in at 317 . Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 316 in the same quarter of the previous year.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Per retail unit gross profit - Wholesale' reaching $952.00 . The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $921.00 .

View all Key Company Metrics for Carvana here>>>

Over the past month, Carvana shares have recorded returns of -9.1% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change. Based on its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), CVNA will likely exhibit a performance that aligns with the overall market in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

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

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 31, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis fuel cell technology company is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.04 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +50%.

Revenues are expected to be $26.97 million, up 51.2% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Ballard?For Ballard, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +30.77%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.

So, this combination indicates that Ballard will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Ballard would post a loss of$0.06 per share when it actually produced a loss of -$0.04, delivering a surprise of +33.33%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Ballard appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

An Industry Player's Expected ResultsAmong the stocks in the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, Exelon (EXC - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $0.44 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +12.8%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $5.69 billion, up 4.8% from the year-ago quarter.

Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for Exelon has been revised 3.6% down to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of -1.15%, reflecting a lower Most Accurate Estimate.

This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Exelon will beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

In its upcoming report, Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD - Free Report) is predicted by Wall Street analysts to post quarterly earnings of $0.39 per share, reflecting a decline of 7.1% compared to the same period last year. Revenues are forecasted to be $1.22 billion, representing a year-over-year increase of 23.6%.

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 5.9% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This reflects how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reevaluated their initial estimates during this timeframe.

Before a company announces its earnings, it is essential to take into account any changes made to earnings estimates. This is a valuable factor in predicting the potential reactions of investors toward the stock. Empirical research has consistently shown a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and the short-term price performance of a stock.

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

Bearing this in mind, let's now explore the average estimates of specific Robinhood Markets metrics that are commonly monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts.

Analysts predict that the 'Revenues- Net interest revenues' will reach $369.23 million. The estimate suggests a change of +3.4% year over year.

The consensus among analysts is that 'Revenues- Transaction-based revenues' will reach $693.85 million. The estimate suggests a change of +28.7% year over year.

Analysts expect 'Revenues- Other revenues' to come in at $146.29 million. The estimate points to a change of +57.3% from the year-ago quarter.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Revenues- Transaction-based- Other' at $155.16 million. The estimate indicates a change of +223.3% from the prior-year quarter.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Revenues- Net interest revenues- Securities lending, net' of $15.52 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -71.3%.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Revenues- Net interest revenues- Interest on segregated cash, securities, and deposits' will reach $50.32 million. The estimate suggests a change of -34.7% year over year.

Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Revenues- Transaction-based- Cryptocurrencies' should arrive at $92.21 million. The estimate indicates a change of -42.4% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts forecast 'Revenues- Transaction-based- Equities' to reach $114.44 million. The estimate indicates a change of +73.4% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Revenues- Transaction-based- Options' reaching $314.31 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +18.6%.

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Revenues- Net interest revenues- Margin interest' will likely reach $210.19 million. The estimate indicates a change of +84.4% from the prior-year quarter.

According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Funded Customers' should come in at 27.83 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 26.50 million in the same quarter of the previous year.

The consensus estimate for 'Total Platform Assets - Total' stands at $352.12 billion. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $278.60 billion in the same quarter last year.

View all Key Company Metrics for Robinhood Markets here>>>

Over the past month, Robinhood Markets shares have recorded returns of +8.7% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change. Based on its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), HOOD will likely exhibit a performance that aligns with the overall market in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Analysts on Wall Street project that Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG - Free Report) will announce quarterly earnings of $0.32 per share in its forthcoming report, representing a decline of 3% year over year. Revenues are projected to reach $3.32 billion, increasing 8.4% from the same quarter last year.

Over the last 30 days, there has been no revision in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter. This signifies the covering analysts' collective reconsideration of their initial forecasts over the course of this timeframe.

Before a company announces its earnings, it is essential to take into account any changes made to earnings estimates. This is a valuable factor in predicting the potential reactions of investors toward the stock. Empirical research has consistently shown a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and the short-term price performance of a stock.

While investors typically rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates to gauge how the business may have fared during the quarter, examining analysts' projections for some of the company's key metrics often helps gain a deeper insight.

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

Analysts expect 'Revenue- Food and beverage' to come in at $3.31 billion. The estimate points to a change of +8.7% from the year-ago quarter.

Analysts predict that the 'Revenue- Delivery service' will reach $16.02 million. The estimate suggests a change of +2.5% year over year.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Company-operated restaurants at end of period' reaching 4,160 . The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 3,839 .

Analysts forecast 'Company-operated restaurants opened' to reach 75 . Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 61 in the same quarter last year.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Company-operated restaurants at beginning of period' will reach 4,090 . Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 3,781 in the same quarter of the previous year.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Average restaurant sales - TTM' at $3.09 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $3.14 million in the same quarter last year.

View all Key Company Metrics for Chipotle here>>>

Chipotle shares have witnessed a change of -0.8% in the past month, in contrast to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% move. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), CMG is expected closely follow the overall market performance in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

For those looking to find strong Oils-Energy stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Has PBF Energy (PBF - Free Report) been one of those stocks this year? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Oils-Energy sector should help us answer this question.

PBF Energy is one of 252 individual stocks in the Oils-Energy sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #11 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different groups, measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the sector to gauge the strength of each group.

The Zacks Rank is a proven model that highlights a variety of stocks with the right characteristics to outperform the market over the next one to three months. The system emphasizes earnings estimate revisions and favors companies with improving earnings outlooks. PBF Energy is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for PBF's full-year earnings has moved 103.4% higher. This means that analyst sentiment is stronger and the stock's earnings outlook is improving.

Based on the latest available data, PBF has gained about 128.4% so far this year. At the same time, Oils-Energy stocks have gained an average of 28.6%. This shows that PBF Energy is outperforming its peers so far this year.

Phillips 66 (PSX - Free Report) is another Oils-Energy stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has returned 60.4%.

For Phillips 66, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 44.6% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Looking more specifically, PBF Energy belongs to the Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry, which includes 16 individual stocks and currently sits at #19 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, this group has gained an average of 59.1% so far this year, meaning that PBF is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns. Phillips 66 is also part of the same industry.

Going forward, investors interested in Oils-Energy stocks should continue to pay close attention to PBF Energy and Phillips 66 as they could maintain their solid performance.

Veeva Systems stands out as a compelling buy amid a potential market rotation into lagging software stocks. VEEV benefits from a highly regulated customer base, strong growth and margin profile, and robust sales execution. After a near-20% YTD decline and recent post-earnings volatility, VEEV's valuation is now especially attractive.

The space sector is changing almost at the speed of a high-powered rocket. Among the numerous developments in the business recently, one in particular could make quite a difference: Rocket Lab's (RKLB -6.00%) $8 billion deal for satellite telecom company Iridium Communications (IRDM -3.15%).

Rocket Lab is touting the acquisition as transformational. While there's some degree of the usual corporate hype behind that assertion, it's absolutely going to change the company. Here's why.

Calling on a new asset At the end of June, Rocket Lab and Iridium agreed that Rocket Lab would pay $54 per share for Iridium in a mix of cash and stock. The deal has an enterprise value of around $8 billion.

Image source: Getty Images.

In a joint press release, the two companies said that this is a synergistic combination of Rocket Lab's launch business and equipment manufacturing with Iridium's low earth orbit (LEO) satellite network and related assets.

Fusing will "create a competitive, vertically integrated space company that designs, builds, launches, and operates its own constellations, delivering critical communications capability to millions of users worldwide," the companies said.

The boards of directors of both have unanimously approved the acquisition. The purchase price breaks down into $27 per Iridium share and shares of Rocket Lab stock, calculated according to an exchange ratio yet to be determined.

The deal is subject to approval from both Iridium shareholders and the relevant regulatory authorities. It's expected to close in the middle of next year.

Comparisons with the big guy This deal is pricey, but it still looks like a smart, opportunistic move by Rocket Lab. It's getting a unique -- and, importantly, highly productive -- asset with Iridium's satellite network, which is the go-to for customers wanting/needing pole-to-pole telecom connectivity for a variety of use cases.

Even in the likely case that the two businesses take some time to integrate, Iridium is regularly profitable and significantly free cash flow (FCF) positive, with FCF hovering just below $300 million in 2025. So owning it will have an immediate and beneficial effect on Rocket Lab's fundamentals.

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Although Iridium and the Starlink service, now under the wing of Space Exploration Technologies, aka SpaceX, aren't exactly direct competitors, their businesses are close enough to inevitably draw comparisons. So, going forward, Rocket Lab will be regularly matched against its monster rival.

To me, SpaceX as a conglomerate is something of a mishmash, with artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and development, a social media site, and Starlink sitting alongside the company's space operations. Meanwhile, with the Iridium deal, Rocket Lab is shaping up to be a tighter, yet still comprehensive, set of complementary assets.

One big caveat with Rocket Lab is its still-high valuations, as the market still clearly hasn't entirely gotten over its excitement about bulking up space companies. Personally, this would make me hesitant to buy the stock, as I feel it's overvalued for a company that still needs to prove it can become reliably profitable with its legacy business.

Investors with a more bullish view of the space sector's prospects who don't mind waiting a while for Rocket Lab and Iridium to properly integrate might feel differently. Those folks should definitely consider buying.

Array Technologies, Inc. (ARRY - Free Report) has been on a downward spiral lately with significant selling pressure. After declining 26.9% over the past four weeks, the stock looks well positioned for a trend reversal as it is now in oversold territory and there is strong agreement among Wall Street analysts that the company will report better earnings than they predicted earlier.

We use Relative Strength Index (RSI), one of the most commonly used technical indicators, for spotting whether a stock is oversold. This is a momentum oscillator that measures the speed and change of price movements.

RSI oscillates between zero and 100. Usually, a stock is considered oversold when its RSI reading falls below 30.

Technically, every stock oscillates between being overbought and oversold irrespective of the quality of their fundamentals. And the beauty of RSI is that it helps you quickly and easily check if a stock's price is reaching a point of reversal.

So, by this measure, if a stock has gotten too far below its fair value just because of unwarranted selling pressure, investors may start looking for entry opportunities in the stock for benefiting from the inevitable rebound.

However, like every investing tool, RSI has its limitations, and should not be used alone for making an investment decision.

Here's Why ARRY Could Experience a TurnaroundThe RSI reading of 29.73 for ARRY is an indication that the heavy selling could be in the process of exhausting itself, so the stock could bounce back in a quest for reaching the old equilibrium of supply and demand.

This technical indicator is not the only factor that calls for a potential rebound for the stock. There is a fundamental indicator as well. A strong agreement among sell-side analysts covering ARRY in raising earnings estimates for the current year has led to an increase in the consensus EPS estimate by 1.8% over the last 30 days. And an upward trend in earnings estimate revisions usually translates into price appreciation in the near term.

Moreover, ARRY currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), which means it is in the top 5% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on trends in earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises. This is a more conclusive indication of the stock's potential turnaround in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Enphase Energy (ENPH - 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.

Shares of this solar technology company have returned -17.6% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change. The Zacks Solar industry, to which Enphase Energy belongs, has lost 17.8% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?

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.

Enphase Energy is expected to post earnings of $0.46 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -33.3%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -2.8%.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $2.1 points to a change of -29.1% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed -2.3%.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $2.53 indicates a change of +20.4% from what Enphase Energy is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has remained unchanged.

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, Enphase Energy 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 GrowthWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.

For Enphase Energy, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $292.17 million indicates a year-over-year change of -19.6%. For the current and next fiscal years, $1.22 billion and $1.34 billion estimates indicate -17% and +9.9% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryEnphase Energy reported revenues of $282.9 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -20.6%. EPS of $0.47 for the same period compares with $0.68 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $283.56 million, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -0.23%. The EPS surprise was +9.3%.

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

ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.

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

As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

Enphase Energy is graded D on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium 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 Enphase Energy. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

Key Takeaways Better-than-expected Q2 earnings, policy support and geopolitical tensions lift defense outlook.LMT, RTX and NOC delivered Q2 earnings beats, highlighting resilient defense demandETFs like ITA, XAR and PPA offer diversified exposure to the defense sector's strong outlook Geopolitical tensions have been a significant headwind for financial markets in 2026, with the conflict in the Middle East fueling uncertainty and volatility. Yet, the same backdrop has created a favorable environment for the defense sector, supported by expectations of higher military spending.

With military exchanges between Washington and Tehran becoming more intense, the risk of a broader regional conflict has increased. The concerns of a wider regional war have been reinforced after President Trump stated that a decision on launching a "massive attack" on Iran is imminent, as the Middle East conflict spread to the Red Sea, as quoted on CNBC.

The defense sector remains well-positioned in the current environment, as it has historically outperformed during periods of heightened geopolitical tensions and increased military activity. At the same time, President Trump has urged defense contractors to expand manufacturing capacity and increase weapons production.

The industry's outlook has been further strengthened by policy support. The U.S. House of Representatives advanced the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), authorizing a record $1.15 trillion in military spending, as per Reuters.

Adding to the positive backdrop, several defense companies delivered robust second-quarter 2026 earnings.

Earnings in FocusBelow, we have discussed in brief the second-quarter results of a few renowned U.S. Aerospace – Defense industry players.

Lockheed MartinLockheed Martin (LMT - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $7.94 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.22 by 10%. The bottom line increased 8.9% from the year-ago quarter's reported figure of $7.29.

Net sales were $20.06 billion, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $19.34 billion by 3.7%. The top line inched up 10.5% from $18.16 billion reported in the year-ago quarter. The year-over-year improvement was driven by higher sales growth registered by LMT’s business segments.

LMT’s backlog, as of June 28, 2026, was $230.42 billion compared with $193.62 billion as of Dec. 31, 2025. The Aeronautics segment accounted for $54.36 billion of the total backlog amount, while the Missiles and Fire Control segment contributed $87.88 billion. The Rotary and Mission Systems segment contributed $48.45 billion, while the Space unit accounted for $39.72 billion.

The company has a Momentum Score of A. LMT came up with second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 23, before market open and gained around 10.54% on the same day.

RTX CorporationRTX Corporation’s (RTX - Free Report) second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.89 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.66 by 13.9%. The bottom line improved 21.1% from the year-ago quarter’s level of $1.56.

Revenues rose 14.5% year over year to $24.71 billion and beat the consensus mark of $22.83 billion by 8.2%. Growth was supported by higher commercial aftermarket and defense demand. Organic sales advanced 16% in the quarter.

Backlog climbed 22% to $289 billion. The company secured $43 billion of new awards during the quarter, including nearly $20 billion at Raytheon. The total backlog comprised $170 billion of commercial orders and $119 billion of defense orders, providing strong visibility into future production requirements.

RTX has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) with a VGM Score of C. The company released second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 23, before market open and gained around 7.3% on the same day.

Northrop GrummanNorthrop Grumman (NOC - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $7.68 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.84 by 12.3%. The bottom line, however, declined 5.8% from the year-ago quarter’s level of $8.15.

NOC’s total sales of $10.88 billion in the second quarter beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $10.80 billion by 0.7%. The top line also improved 5.1% from $10.35 billion reported in the year-ago quarter. Total operating income during the quarter was $1.10 billion, reflecting a significant decrease from $1.43 billion in the prior-year quarter.

The company’s total backlog was $95.68 billion at the end of the second quarter compared with $95.61 billion at the end of first-quarter 2026.

The company has a Momentum Score of A. NOC came up with second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 21, before market open and has since gained around 10%.

Defense ETFs to ConsiderFor investors looking to bet on second-quarter results as well as the continued surge in military spending, the following Defense ETFs provide a great opportunity.

Investors can consider iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA - Free Report) , Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA - Free Report) , SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR - Free Report) , Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD - Free Report) , First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF (MISL - Free Report) and U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF (WAR - Free Report) .

Shares of Gentex (GNTX - Free Report) have been struggling lately and have lost 7.6% over the past four weeks. However, a hammer chart pattern was formed in its last trading session, which could mean that the stock found support with bulls being able to counteract the bears. So, it could witness a trend reversal down the road.

While the formation of a hammer pattern is a technical indication of nearing a bottom with potential exhaustion of selling pressure, rising optimism among Wall Street analysts about the future earnings of this maker of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and other products is a solid fundamental factor that enhances the prospects of a trend reversal for the stock.

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

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

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

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

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

Here's What Increases the Odds of a Turnaround for GNTXThere has been an upward trend in earnings estimate revisions for GNTX lately, which can certainly be considered a bullish indicator on the fundamental side. That's because a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions usually translates into price appreciation in the near term.

The consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 0.4% over the last 30 days. This means that the Wall Street analysts covering GNTX are majorly in agreement about the company's potential to report better earnings than what they predicted earlier.

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

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

Miso Robotics stock: Is an IPO coming soon?Gentex NASDAQ: GNTX reported second-quarter 2026 net sales of $651.3 million, down 1% from $657.9 million a year earlier, as lower automotive revenue in several international markets was partly offset by North American strength, higher vehicle content in Europe and growth in non-automotive businesses.

Automotive revenue declined about 3% year over year to $560.1 million, reflecting lower light-vehicle production and reduced shipments of base auto-dimming mirrors. President and CEO Steve Downing said revenue in China fell 20% from the prior-year period amid tariff-related market disruptions, while Europe, Japan and Korea also recorded lower revenue. North American demand remained comparatively strong.

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Analysts Recommend These Stocks To Cushion The Automotive SlumpDespite sales coming in below the company’s forecast, Gentex posted net income attributable to the company of $114.7 million, up 19% from $96 million in the second quarter of 2025. Diluted earnings per share rose to a record second-quarter $0.54 from $0.43. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted diluted EPS was $0.58, compared with $0.50 a year earlier.

Margins Benefit From Tariff Reimbursements and Mix Second-quarter gross margin rose 280 basis points year over year to 37%. The result included approximately $18 million of IEEPA tariff reimbursements that reduced cost of goods sold. Gentex received about $38 million in total reimbursements during the quarter, with the remaining roughly $20 million reducing inventory held on the balance sheet rather than benefiting gross margin.

Downing said gross margin also benefited from product mix, operational execution and improving profitability in the company’s other-products category. Those gains were partly offset by higher commodity costs, lower sales and higher precious-metals costs. Excluding the $18 million reimbursement benefit, gross margin improved about 50 basis points sequentially from the first quarter.

Income from operations increased 19% to $141.3 million. Adjusted operating expenses were $99.3 million, compared with $97.5 million in the prior-year quarter. The company’s effective tax rate was 16.5%, versus 17.2% a year earlier.

Audio and Other Products Expand Non-automotive revenue accounted for approximately 14% of total company sales during the quarter. Premium audio revenue rose 16% to $51.7 million, driven by powered systems and the Onkyo brand, according to Vice President of Finance and CFO Kevin Nash.

Revenue in the other-products category increased 12% to $39.4 million. The category includes aerospace products, fire-protection devices, medical technologies, biometric solutions and automotive aftermarket products. Nash said growth was led by aerospace products, biometrics and accessory revenues.

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer Neil Boehm said more than 75% of Gentex’s automotive product launches during the quarter incorporated advanced features, including HomeLink, Full Display Mirror, in-cabin monitoring and advanced exterior auto-dimming mirrors.

The company began shipping Full Display Mirror products on the Jeep Recon and Infiniti QX65, as well as to McLaren for its W1, Toyota for the Century SUV, and Subaru for the Trailseeker and Uncharted nameplates. Gentex also began shipping driver-monitoring and in-cabin-monitoring systems to BMW for the iX3 and Kia for the EV2.

Morocco Facility Planned for European Demand Gentex said it is establishing a manufacturing plant in Morocco to support European customers seeking more localized production. The company has signed a letter of intent, selected a location and received Moroccan government support for creating the local entity. Initial customer requests could include base electrochromic mirrors and advanced electronic modules, with a targeted start of production in 2028.

Downing said the move was driven by European customers’ requests for local support for vehicles built and sold in the region. He said Gentex has received several customer commitments and expects the plant initially to transition final assembly work from the United States before potentially supporting existing and new programs.

The company said its core technologies would continue to come from existing facilities and that it does not expect the Moroccan expansion to create a large increase in operating expenses or excess capacity at its core plants.

Gentex also said it expects to announce its first advanced electronics contract-manufacturing award by the end of the next quarter, with production targeted for late 2028 or early 2029. Downing said the initial award could represent $100 million to $200 million in revenue, with additional opportunities potentially becoming larger after 2029.

Guidance Maintained for Revenue, Updated for Margins and Spending Gentex maintained its full-year 2026 consolidated revenue outlook of $2.65 billion to $2.75 billion. The company raised its gross-margin forecast to 34.5% to 35.5%, lowered expected operating expenses to $405 million to $415 million, and reduced its estimated tax rate to 16% to 17%.

The company also lowered projected capital expenditures to $115 million to $125 million, while maintaining depreciation and amortization guidance of $100 million to $110 million. Gentex continues to expect 2027 revenue of $2.8 billion to $2.9 billion.

Management’s production assumptions call for global light-vehicle production to decline about 2% in the third quarter and 3% for full-year 2026. For 2027, global production is expected to be relatively flat, although Gentex anticipates continued weakness in its primary automotive markets of North America, Europe, Japan and Korea.

Downing said the company expects second-half growth to be supported by additional Full Display Mirror launches and increasing production of driver-monitoring and in-cabin-monitoring systems. He also cited future contributions from dimmable visors, sunroofs, fourth-generation Full Display Mirror products and expanded premium-audio offerings.

Gentex generated preliminary operating cash flow of $180.9 million in the second quarter, up from $166.1 million a year earlier. Capital expenditures fell to $19.2 million from $31.1 million, resulting in free cash flow of $161.7 million, up about 20% year over year. During the quarter, the company repurchased 2.7 million shares for $66 million at an average price of $24.48 per share.

About Gentex (NASDAQ:GNTX)Gentex Corporation NASDAQ: GNTX is a global technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of automotive and aerospace products. The company's primary business centers on automatic-dimming rearview mirrors, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and camera-based driver monitoring technologies. In the automotive sector, Gentex supplies exterior and interior mirrors with integrated electronics, connectivity features, and safety capabilities to many of the world's leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

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

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 31. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.26 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +44.4%.

Revenues are expected to be $170.22 million, up 51.2% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.67% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for WisdomTree, Inc.?For WisdomTree, Inc., the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +3.05%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination indicates that WisdomTree, Inc. will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that WisdomTree, Inc. would post earnings of $0.25 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.27, delivering a surprise of +8.00%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

WisdomTree, Inc. appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAnother stock from the Zacks Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry, Acadian Asset Management (AAMI - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $1.05 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +64.1%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $179.43 million, up 43.7% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for Acadian Asset Management has been revised 8.4% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, an equal Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of 0.00%.

When combined with a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Acadian Asset Management will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Coastal Financial Corporation is rated a buy, leveraging a scalable Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) model with 20+ fintech partners and accelerating fee-based growth. CCB's BaaS segment is driving over 30% net revenue growth, with management signaling continued expansion and disciplined partner onboarding. I assign CCB a $110 price target (19x PE, 0.7x PEG), reflecting its lower-risk, diversified fintech service profile and potential for 30%+ EPS growth.

For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.

The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.

Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

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

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.

Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.

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

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

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

Stock to Watch: Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (KNSL - Free Report) Headquartered in Richmond, VA, Kinsale Capital was established in 2009. It offers various insurance and reinsurance productsacross all 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It operates primarily through two markets – Commercial and Personal. While personal lines include homeowners insurance; commercial lines offerings cover construction, small business, excess casualty, commercial property, product   liability, allied health, general casualty, management liability, inland marine, commercial insurance and public entity.

KNSL is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

Momentum investors should take note of this Finance stock. KNSL has a Momentum Style Score of B, and shares are up 7.7% over the past four weeks.

For fiscal 2026, four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.15 to $20.72 per share. KNSL boasts an average earnings surprise of +8.9%.

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

Key Takeaways OTIS grew second-quarter Service sales 11%, with maintenance, repair and modernization driving gains.Otis modernization backlog rose 26% at constant currency, supporting future Service revenue visibility.OTIS expects Service margin improvement in second half as UpLift and pricing initiatives continue. Otis Worldwide Corporation (OTIS - Free Report) is leaning harder on its recurring Service business as New Equipment demand stays uneven. Maintenance, repair and modernization now carry more of the revenue story while installation activity remains pressured.

The investor question is whether Service can keep enough momentum to offset weak equipment demand, especially in China. That balance is central to OTIS’ near-term operating setup.

Otis Service Revenue Becomes the Core Growth EngineService accounted for 65.4% of 2025 revenues, making it the larger of Otis’ two segments. The segment includes maintenance, repair and modernization services across a maintenance portfolio of more than 2 million units worldwide.

In the second quarter of 2026, Service net sales rose 11% year over year to $2.58 billion. Organic sales increased 9%, helped by broad gains across maintenance, repair and modernization activity.

OTIS Modernization Backlog Extends Revenue VisibilityModernization remains a key support for Service growth. Organic modernization sales increased 24% in the second quarter, while modernization orders rose 9% at constant currency.

Backlog grew 26% at constant currency, giving Otis better visibility into future modernization revenues. Management expects Service organic sales to grow in the mid-to-high-single-digit range in 2026, though second-half Service growth is expected to ease to about 6% as modernization normalizes to a low-teens rate.

Otis New Equipment Demand Remains Under PressureNew Equipment remains the weak spot. Second-quarter organic sales declined 1%, reflecting a high-teens revenue drop in China and a mid-single-digit decline in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Orders fell 5% at constant currency as declines in Asia Pacific and China offset growth in the Americas and Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The segment’s operating margin contracted 220 basis points to 3.1%, underscoring the impact of lower volume, unfavorable pricing and mix.

Carrier Global Corporation (CARR - Free Report) , a climate and energy solutions company, offers investors another lens on building systems demand. United Rentals, Inc. (URI - Free Report) , which serves construction and industrial customers with equipment rentals, provides a broader read on project activity tied to the same end-market cycle.

OTIS Cost Actions Target a Service Margin RecoveryOtis is trying to improve Service execution through its UpLift transformation. The effort focuses on standardized field processes, frontline execution and customer retention.

The company invested $15 million in Service Excellence during the second quarter and plans $50 million of Service Excellence and pricing initiatives in 2026. Management also completed non-frontline restructuring actions and expects Service margins to improve from 23.1% in the first half of 2026 to about the mid-24% range in the second half.

Otis Signals Favor Growth but Not Near-Term MomentumThe bottom line is that Otis has a durable Service thesis, but the stock does not yet show clean near-term confirmation. Recurring maintenance, repair and modernization revenues support the operating case, while China weakness, low New Equipment margins and cost pressure keep the earnings setup mixed.

OTIS currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). That ranking reflects weaker short-term estimate revision trends, so it tempers the appeal of the Service-led growth story for investors focused on the next one to three months.

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

The Style Scores are more balanced. OTIS has a Growth Score of B and VGM Score of B, pointing to stronger operating potential across growth and combined style factors. Its Value Score of C and Momentum Score of C are more neutral, suggesting that valuation and price action are not yet providing the same level of support.

Otis Worldwide posted mixed Q2 results, beating revenue estimates but cutting full-year 2026 guidance due to persistent headwinds. Despite margin pressure and profit declines, OTIS's service segment remains the primary growth engine, with modernization up 24% and maintenance trends accelerating. Headwinds in China and higher labor and energy costs continue to weigh on New Equipment segment profits and overall margins.

Key Takeaways Invesco's Q2 results are expected to reflect y/y earnings and revenue growth.IVZ's preliminary AUM reached $2.47T in June 2026, supporting investment management fees.IVZ completed its Canadian fund business transfer to CI GAM while retaining select portfolio mandates. Invesco (IVZ - Free Report) is scheduled to announce second-quarter 2026 results on July 28, before market open. The company’s quarterly earnings and revenues are expected to have witnessed a rise on a year-over-year basis.

In the last reported quarter, IVZ’s adjusted earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The results primarily benefited from an increase in adjusted revenues and growth in assets under management (AUM) balance. However, an increase in adjusted expenses was a headwind.

Invesco does not have an impressive earnings surprise history. Its earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in only two of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 7.9%.

Invesco’s Key Q2 Estimates & Factors to NotePer the monthly metrics data published by Invesco, its preliminary total AUM as of June 30, 2026, was $2.47 trillion, up 14.4% from the previous quarter’s end. So, the company’s investment management fees are expected to have been positively impacted in the quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for investment management fees is pegged at $1.48 billion, indicating a rise of 6.8% from the previous quarter.

The consensus estimate for service and distribution fees of $323 million indicates a rise of 7% from the previous quarter’s reported number. Also, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for other revenues is pegged at $63 million, suggesting a 28% sequential increase.

However, the company’s performance fee is expected to have declined sequentially because the previous quarter benefited from relatively stronger realizations in performance-fee-eligible strategies, particularly in private markets, fundamental fixed income and multi-asset products. In the to-be-reported quarter, performance fees are likely to have normalized to a lower level, reflecting the inherently lumpy nature of these revenues and the absence of any indication of unusually large performance-fee realizations during the quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter performance fees of $6.02 million indicates a 46.7% decline from the previous quarter’s actual.

On the cost front, while Invesco’s cost-saving initiatives are likely to have boosted its efficiency, the rise in compensation and marketing costs is expected to have had an adverse impact on overall expenses in the to-be-reported quarter.

Management expects one-time implementation costs of Alpha to be $10-$15 million in the second quarter of 2026.

Major Q2 Development for InvescoIn June, Invesco completed the transfer of its Canadian fund management business to CI Global Asset Management (CI GAM), marking the close of a deal that significantly reshapes the Canadian investment fund landscape.

The transaction, announced in January, involved management agreements tied to Invesco’s Canadian fund lineup, which oversees approximately C$27 billion in assets. Now, CI GAM has assumed management responsibilities for 98 mutual funds and ETFs that were previously operated by Invesco Canada.

Although management of the funds has shifted to CI GAM, Invesco will continue to play an important role through a long-term strategic partnership between the two firms. Under a sub-advisory arrangement, Invesco affiliates will keep providing portfolio management services for 61 funds representing roughly C$13 billion in assets.

What Our Model Predicts for IVZAccording to our proven model, the chances of Invesco beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings this time are high. This is because it has the right combination of the two key ingredients — a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better.

You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Earnings ESP: The Earnings ESP for Invesco is +0.08%.

Zacks Rank: The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Invesco’s Q2 Earnings & Sales EstimatesThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Invesco’s earnings of 67 cents per share has been unchanged over the past seven days. However, the figure indicates a rise of 86.1% from the year-ago quarter’s actual.

The consensus estimate for sales is pegged at $1.33 billion, suggesting a year-over-year increase of 20.1%.

Other Finance Stocks Worth ConsideringHere are a couple of other finance stocks that you may want to consider, as our model shows that these, too, have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time:

Prosperity Bancshares (PB - Free Report) is scheduled to report quarterly results on July 29. The company currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.76% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Over the past seven days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for PB’s quarterly earnings has been unchanged at $1.54.

The Earnings ESP for Affiliated Managers Group (AMG - Free Report) is +1.86% and it carries a Zacks Rank #2 at present. The company is slated to report quarterly results on July 30.

Over the past seven days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for AMG’s quarterly earnings has been unchanged at $7.85.