AT&T (NYSE: T | T Price Prediction) just posted its fifth consecutive earnings beat, with management accelerating buybacks to roughly $10 billion for the year.
Our 24/7 Wall St. price target for the next 12 months is $27.91, implying 21.81% upside from the current $22.91 quote. Confidence in this call is high at 90%, and the recommendation is a buy.
24/7 Wall St. Price Target Summary Metric Value Current Price $22.91 24/7 Wall St. Price Target $27.91 Upside 21.81% Recommendation BUY Confidence Level 90% A Record Quarter Sets the Stage AT&T reported Q2 2026 adjusted EPS of $0.65 against a $0.5871 consensus, a 10.71% beat. Revenue of $31.56 billion came in 0.79% light of estimates but grew 2.3% year over year. Operating income climbed 7.45% and net income rose 11.96% to $5.04 billion. Subscriber trends were strong: 432,000 postpaid phone net adds, 367,000 fiber net adds, and postpaid phone churn of just 0.86%.
Shares are up 6.21% over the past week and 4.04% over one month, though T remains down 5.76% year to date. The stock sits well below its 52-week high of $28.75 and above the $19.63 low.
The Case for $30 and Above The bull scenario points to $30.20, a 31.8% total return. Advanced Connectivity service revenue is up 5.1% with operating income surging 20.3% to $7.34 billion. Fiber locations reached 38.6 million, tracking a 40 million year-end target and 60 million by 2030. Fixed wireless subscribers jumped 77.4% to 2.611 million.
CEO John Stankey told investors, “We are accelerating the pace of our planned share repurchases this year to approximately $10 billion, reflecting our confidence in our market position.” Combined with $45 billion+ in total shareholder returns targeted through 2028, this supports a re-rating toward the $29.03 analyst consensus and beyond.
The Risks Worth Watching The bear scenario lands at $24.84. Legacy copper revenue fell 25.9%, net debt to EBITDA of 2.68x exceeds the 2.5x target, and interest expense rose 13.8%.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and AT&T didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
Regulatory delays on the pending EchoStar spectrum deal could weigh on sentiment. Bulls counter that capex jumped 16.4% to $5.70 billion to fund fiber and spectrum investments driving out-year free cash flow to $21 billion+ by 2028.
How AT&T Compares to Verizon and T-Mobile Verizon (NYSE: VZ) trades at a forward P/E of 9x with a 6.36% dividend yield and an analyst target of $51.12. AT&T’s forward P/E of 10x is slightly richer, but T’s fiber footprint and stronger EPS growth trajectory justify the premium.
T-Mobile US (NASDAQ: TMUS) trades at a forward P/E of 19x with an analyst target of $252.73, reflecting faster subscriber growth. Against that peer, AT&T’s implied 12x forward multiple at our target leaves substantial room, making our 24/7 Wall St. price target look conservative.
Company Forward P/E Dividend Yield AT&T 10x 5.06% Verizon 9x 6.36% T-Mobile 19x 2.01% Our Bottom Line The 24/7 Wall St. price target of $27.91 and buy rating, backed by 90% confidence, reflects a business generating record profits at an attractive multiple. The setup remains constructive so long as the fiber build stays on pace toward 40 million locations by year-end.
The thesis weakens if net debt to EBITDA drifts further above 2.5x or the EchoStar spectrum deal stalls. On balance, the risk-reward at $22.91 skews positive.
Year 24/7 Wall St. Price Target 2026 $27.91 2027 $31.50 2028 $35.00 2029 $38.25 2030 $41.54 These projections assume AT&T executes on its 60 million+ fiber location target by 2030 and its double-digit EPS CAGR guidance holds. Upside or downside could come from EchoStar spectrum integration, copper decommissioning by 2029, or interest rate shifts affecting the $144 billion debt load.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and AT&T didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
3M Company (NYSE:MMM) on Tuesday reported better-than-expected second-quarter results and raised its full-year guidance.
The company posted adjusted earnings of $2.40 per share, beating the analyst consensus estimate of $2.25. Revenue rose 2.4% year over year to $6.50 billion, topping expectations of $6.41 billion.
3M increased its 2026 adjusted earnings forecast to a range of $8.80 to $8.95 per share from its prior outlook of $8.50 to $8.70. The new range is above the Wall Street consensus estimate of $8.75.
The company also updated its full-year revenue outlook to a range of $23.19 billion to $25.37 billion, compared with analysts’ estimate of $25.15 billion.
3M shares fell 2.5% to trade at $168.72 on Wednesday.
These analysts made changes to their price targets on 3M following earnings announcement.
RBC Capital analyst Deane Dray maintained the stock with an Underperform rating and raised the price target from $123 to $132. Citigroup analyst Andrew Kaplowitz maintained the stock with a Neutral and raised the price target from $166 to $183. Considering buying MMM stock? Here’s what analysts think:
Photo via Shutterstock
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
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. However, it isn't easy to find a great growth stock.
By their very nature, these stocks carry above-average risk and volatility. Moreover, if a company's growth story is over or nearing its end, betting on it could lead to significant loss.
However, the 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, makes it pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks.
Walmart (WMT - 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 for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.
While there are numerous reasons why the stock of this world's largest retailer 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. For growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is highly preferable, as it is often perceived as an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.
While the historical EPS growth rate for Walmart is 6.4%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 9.4% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 8.9%.
Cash Flow GrowthCash is the lifeblood of any business, but higher-than-average cash flow growth is more beneficial and important for growth-oriented companies than for mature companies. That's because, high cash accumulation enables these companies to undertake new projects without raising expensive outside funds.
Right now, year-over-year cash flow growth for Walmart is 6.5%, which is higher than many of its peers. In fact, the rate compares to the industry average of 0.6%.
While investors should actually consider the current cash flow growth, it's worth taking a look at the historical rate too for putting the current reading into proper perspective. The company's annualized cash flow growth rate has been 5.8% over the past 3-5 years versus the industry average of 4.8%.
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 Walmart. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 0.1% over the past month.
Bottom LineWalmart has not only earned a Growth Score of B based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above, but it also carries a Zacks Rank #2 because of the positive earnings estimate revisions.
You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
This combination positions Walmart well for outperformance, so growth investors may want to bet on it.
The marketing clearance encompasses multiple general surgery procedures.
The medical technology giant will initiate a commercial rollout with select U.S. facilities, prioritizing initial customer success while working to expand regulatory approvals and procedural indications globally.
An additional U.S. clinical study evaluating the platform for inguinal hernia procedures is currently underway.
Architecture And Space-Saving DesignBuilt to support modern operating room workflows, OTTAVA incorporates four robotic arms directly into the operating table.
The setup reduces the system’s physical footprint by 30% to 50% compared to conventional boom- or cart-mounted robotic systems, giving surgical personnel more space to move, communicate, and deliver care.
Advanced software controls coordinate the table-integrated arms to allow automated procedural setups.
A synchronized feature known as twin motion coordinates table and arm movements simultaneously, enabling patient repositioning and multi-quadrant surgical access without extensive manual adjustments.
Surgical Instruments And Digital EcosystemThe platform includes updated surgical instrumentation, featuring monopolar curved scissors designed for complete cuts and a specialized two-in-one needle driver engineered to minimize accidental suture damage.
To support clinical teams, the system links to the secure Polyphonic digital ecosystem, which consolidates learning materials, media, and data-driven insights.
Additionally, a comprehensive training framework combining virtual, immersive, and hands-on instruction will assist clinicians in adopting the technology safely and effectively.
JNJ Stock Price Activity: Johnson & Johnson shares were up 2.00% at $255.61 at the time of publication on Wednesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Image via Shutterstock
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
Altria Group remains a 'hold' as its resilient business model and robust dividends continue to appeal, despite top-line stagnation. MO's adjusted EPS grew over 7% last quarter, outperforming expectations and supporting ongoing dividend increases and share buybacks. While MO's valuation is higher than historical levels, it trades in line with BTI and at a discount to PM. It reflects improved risk perception, not a risk.
The second-quarter earnings season for the Zacks Transportation sector kicked off on July 10, with Delta Air Lines (DAL - Free Report) exceeding bottom-line estimates. A couple of other S&P 500 components — United Airlines (UAL - Free Report) and J.B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT - Free Report) — have also reported quarterly numbers since Delta. A host of transportation companies are due to report their respective financial numbers shortly.
Per the Earnings Preview report dated July 17, while the transportation sector’s earnings for second-quarter 2026 are expected to decline 4.5%, revenues are likely to grow 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. We have identified — with the help of the Zacks Stock Screener — a few transportation players that are set to outshine the Zacks Consensus Estimate with respect to the bottom line this earnings season.
These include Union Pacific Corporation (UNP - Free Report) , Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC - Free Report) , Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL - Free Report) and United Parcel Service (UPS - Free Report) . Before we discuss the companies, let’s take a look at the factors shaping the quarterly performance.
Factors at PlayThe transportation market held up better than many expected in the second quarter of 2026. Despite geopolitical tensions and elevated fuel prices, factors like buoyant air-travel demand and the improving freight scenario seem to have supported the transportation companies. It seems that most people have adapted to the still-high inflation, high interest rates and policy uncertainty, choosing to adjust their budget accordingly.
Following a prolonged period of downturn, things appear to be brightening as far as freight demand is concerned.Highlighting the brightening freight demand scenario, the Cass Freight Shipments Index improved 3% month on month in May 2026. This measure has improved month on month in four of the past five months, which confirms the improving scenario. The 1.2% year-over-year May decrease with respect to the Cass Freight Shipments Index was the smallest reduction in the past 18 months, further attesting to the improvement. Moreover, many watchers expect freight rates to increase in the current year.
In a bid to improve efficiency, companies are investing big time in AI, thereby reducing the cost structure and promoting safety. Cost optimization and automation are helping protect profitability. Increased efficiencies through cost-reduction measures are likely to have boosted the bottom-line performance in the June quarter.
Additionally, second-quarter performance of most shipping stocks in the sector is likely to have been boosted by the resilience displayed by the dry bulk sector owing to factors like rising Chinese demand for minor bulk and high vessel utilization.
Picking Potential WinnersWhile it is not possible to be sure about which companies are well-positioned to beat earnings estimates, our proprietary methodology — Earnings ESP — makes it relatively simple. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. Earnings ESP shows the percentage difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Our research shows that for stocks with the abovementioned combination, the chances of an earnings beat are as high as 70%.
For investors seeking to apply this proven model to their portfolio, we have highlighted four Transportation stocks that are poised to beat second-quarter earnings estimates.
Headquartered in Omaha, NE, Union Pacific operates a rail network spanning 23 states across the western two-thirds of the United States, serving as a vital component of the global supply chain. The railroad operator currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.34% and a Zacks Rank of 3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The company is scheduled to report its second-quarter 2026 results on July 23. Union Pacific’s efforts to reward its shareholders through dividends and share buybacks are commendable. With the freight scene on the mend, the company’s performance is likely to have been aided. The company’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters (missing the mark on the other occasion), with the average beat being 2.3%.
Norfolk Southern is another railroad operator. The company currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.21% and a Zacks Rank of 3. Cost cuts and an improving freight scenario should aid its second-quarter results.
The company is scheduled to report its second-quarter 2026 results on July 23. Norfolk Southern’s efforts to reward its shareholders through dividends and share buybacks are commendable. The company’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average beat being 6.5%.
Old Dominion Freight Line is a leading less-than-truckload or LTL company. The trucking company is based in Thomasville, NC. The company has an Earnings ESP of +1.02% and a Zacks Rank of 2.
Old Dominion, whose second-quarter results are likely to be aided by the brightening freight environment, is scheduled to report its second-quarter 2026 results on July 29. Old Dominion’s efforts to reward its shareholders through dividends and share buybacks are commendable. The company’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters (missing the mark once), with the average beat being 3.7%.
United Parcel Service’s second-quarter results are likely to reflect its focus on improving profitability over sheer volume. Under the cost-cutting initiatives, UPS has substantially reduced its U.S. operational workforce and closed daily operations at multiple leased and owned buildings. Moreover, UPS has been focusing on increasing automation in sorting and operations, and leveraging AI for logistics planning to boost efficiency.
The shift in focus toward higher-margin areas such as small and medium-sized businesses, or SMBs and healthcare logistics from low-margin volumes is expected to be reflected in UPS’ second-quarter results, scheduled to be released on July 28, and to aid its per-package revenues. The company’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters (missing the mark once), with the average beat being 10.6%. The company has an Earnings ESP of +1.06% and a Zacks Rank of 3.
Joby Aviation (JOBY) shares climbed nearly 7% in Wednesday trading after the electric air taxi developer finalized a multiyear commercial agreement with Virgin
Eric S. Yuan, Chief Executive Officer of Zoom Communications, Inc. (ZM -4.52%), reported a sale of Class A Common Stock on July 13, 2026 and July 14, 2026. SEC Form 4 filing
Transaction summaryMetricValueShares traded (indirectly held)57,824Transaction value$5.3 millionPost-transaction shares (indirectly held)22,998Post-transaction value$2.1 millionTransaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($91.47); post-transaction value based on July 14, 2026 market close ($91.15).
Key questionsWhat were the specific mechanics of this transaction?
The transaction involved the exercise of 57,824 options that were immediately sold as shares. These sales were executed in multiple tranches at weighted-average prices ranging from $88.93 to $93.10. The activity was conducted via the 2018 Yuan and Zhang Revocable Trust, for which Eric S. Yuan and his spouse serve as cotrustees.How does this sale impact the insider's total economic interest?
While the sale reduced the CEO's Class A common stock position by 72%, it represents a small fraction of his total beneficial ownership. Beyond the remaining 22,998 shares of Class A stock, the insider retains a significant interest through 41.4 million indirect derivative securities, which include Class B Common Stock convertible into Class A Common Stock.What is the recent performance context for the company?
The transaction occurred after a period of positive momentum, with the stock delivering a 22% one-year total return as of the July 14, 2026 transaction date. With a market capitalization of $26.7 billion and trailing twelve-month net income of $2.1 billion, the company maintained a robust financial profile at the time of the sale.Does this transaction signal a change in management's outlook?
The use of a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, adopted more than a year prior on June 20, 2025, suggests this was a routine portfolio management decision rather than a response to recent market developments or near-term internal projections. Such plans are designed to allow insiders to diversify their holdings at predetermined intervals to avoid concerns regarding material non-public information.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-07-14)$91.15Market Capitalization$26.7 billionRevenue (TTM)$4.9 billionNet Income (TTM)$2.1 billionCompany SnapshotZoom Communications provides a comprehensive unified communications platform that enables video conferencing, messaging, and collaboration services, generating revenue primarily through subscription-based licensing models and cloud services.The company operates on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) business model, monetizing its platform through tiered subscription plans for individual users, small businesses, and enterprise customers seeking integrated communication solutions.Zoom serves a diverse customer base spanning individual professionals, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large multinational corporations across all major geographic regions including the Americas, Asia Pacific, and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.Zoom Communications represents a leading global provider of unified communications and collaboration solutions with a market capitalization of $26.7 billion and TTM revenues of $4.9 billion. The company maintains a significant competitive advantage through its user-friendly platform architecture, extensive integration ecosystem, and strong brand recognition established since its 2011 founding. With 7,438 employees and operations across three primary geographic regions, Zoom has demonstrated substantial profitability, generating $2.1 billion in net income on a TTM basis, reflecting the scalability and operational efficiency of its cloud-based business model.
What this transaction means for investorsOn the surface, Yuan’s sale of Zoom shares looks like a routine exercise of shares. As a sale performed under the Rule 10b5-1 plan, this was a pre-planned transaction rather than a sale driven by concerns about the stock.
As previously mentioned, Yuan still owns 41.4 million indirect derivative securities, so the 67% reduction in his common stock holdings is probably not as meaningful as it might appear.
Moreover, investors should remember that Yuan is the founder and CEO. Hence, any explicit sign of him turning bearish on the SaaS stock could lead to a massive share sale.
Today's Change
(
-4.52
%) $
-4.06
Current Price
$
85.71
Nonetheless, the stock price has traded in a range since its massive pullback after the post-pandemic surge in 2020. This means it has dramatically underperformed the S&P 500, and knowing that, one might wonder whether Yuan is truly bullish on Zoom stock.
Since Yuan is unlikely to speak out against his company’s stock, the best thing that investors can do is watch his behavior. If investors keep seeing more filings, it might be a sign to not buy shares of Zoom stock.
Will Healy has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Zoom Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
A Ford assembly worker who says he was fired after being wrongfully accused of stealing less than $8 worth of Doritos and Ritz crackers is calling on his former employer to “do what’s right” and hire him back.
Nick Nabozny — one of the latest workers to claim Ford and its food-services vendor Aramark wrongly branded him a snack thief — told The Post his firing has drained his savings, but he’s willing to let bygones be bygones.
“I have no hatred towards Ford Motor Company or the [United Auto Workers],” he said Wednesday. “I just want them to do what’s right.”
Ford worker Nick Nabozny says he was fired after an Aramark self-checkout kiosk allegedly failed to process payment for less than $8 worth of Doritos and Ritz crackers. Courtesy Nick Nabozny Nabozny, 38, remains unemployed nearly months after his firing and said he cashed out his 401(k), receiving about $78,000 after taxes and penalties, to support his wife and two young sons while he waits for Ford and the UAW to act.
After putting in nearly nine years with a spotless attendance record, he wishes his union bargaining representative had prevented the firing in the first place, Nabozny said.
“My union rep should have stood up and did their job,” he said. “They should have never let me go.”
Nabozny, who counted at least four others from his division who have been fired over alleged theft of snacks, said the firing came in April, after he stopped at the self-service marketplace following an overtime shift.
Nabozny (pictured with his wife and their two young boys) says he believed he had paid for a bag of Doritos and Ritz crackers before Ford accused him of theft and fired him. Courtesy Nick Nabozny “[Surveillance footage] showed me talking to someone and then when I was done speaking, it shows me grabbing a Milky Way off the shelf, looking at the ingredients, and putting it back,” he told The Post.
“I grabbed two different snacks, Doritos and Ritz Crackers with cheese. Then it shows me going to the kiosk and scanning those two items. It shows me pulling my debit card out of my pocket, tapping it and waiting for it to register.”
More than two weeks later, after returning from a family trip to Honduras, Nabozny said he was ordered to report to Ford’s labor office.
Nabozny, who says he had a perfect attendance record, hopes Ford will reinstate him. Courtesy Nick Nabozny His union rep delivered the news.
“He said, ‘This is not good. The company wants to terminate you,'” Nabozny recalled.
“I said, ‘For what?’ He said, ‘For theft.'”
After reviewing the surveillance video, Nabozny said a company representative acknowledged it appeared he had attempted to pay but told him the transaction timed out after he walked away from the kiosk.
Nabozny provided records of previous purchases he made from the Aramark-run mini-mart. Courtesy Nick Nabozny “Even though it looks like you purchased it after you left, the process timed out, so it’s considered theft,” Nabozny said he was told.
Unlike another Ford worker whose case drew national attention, Nabozny said his bank records did not show the purchase because the transaction was never completed. He maintains he had no reason to believe anything had gone wrong.
“I was not aware that the transaction did not go through until the 27th [of April],” he said.
Such a petty theft wouldn’t make sense, Nabozny added.
Last year, Nabozny received a $100 gift card from Ford as a reward for perfect attendance. Courtesy Nick Nabozny “I’ve spent thousands of dollars in this store. I have two little kids. I’m married. I’ve worked there for nine years,” he said. “I’m not going to jeopardize my livelihood and my ability to take care of my family over two bags of chips.”
The Nabozny firing was first reported by journalist Phoebe Wall Howard in her Substack newsletter Shifting Gears.
The Detroit Free Press recently reported that at least three Michigan Assembly workers who were fired over alleged snack thefts been reinstated since investigations cleared them.
Neither Ford nor Aramark has commented on the specific cases.
Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich., where several workers have been fired over alleged snack thefts involving Aramark self-checkout kiosks. Bloomberg via Getty Images Ford told the Post it has invested in upgrading self-serve kiosks operated by Aramark.
“We are aware there have been some issues raised regarding the kiosk functionality in some limited cases, and we are working with Aramark to review these situations,” a spokesperson said.
Aramark previously said the company is “reviewing the instances in question” and remains focused on operating “with integrity and accountability.”
Former Ford electrician Kurt Kromm is taking a different tack from the workers who have come back.
Former Ford electrician Kurt Kromm says he was fired over a $1.95 package of cookies before proving he had paid and turning down the company’s offer to return. He said he was fired after a kiosk appeared to show he failed to pay for a $1.95 package of Grandma’s Chocolate Chip Cookies that he bought during an overnight shift while treating low blood sugar caused by diabetes.
Kromm later found the $1.95 charge on his bank statement, convinced Ford he had paid and was reinstated with roughly $33,000 in back wages. He declined to return to the company.
Cars are pictured at the Ford factory in Almussafes near Valencia, Spain June 15, 2018. REUTERS/Heino Kalis/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
CompaniesLISBON/MADRID, July 22 (Reuters) - Ford Motor (F.N), opens new tab and China's Geely (0175.HK), opens new tab have struck a landmark deal under which the U.S. automaker will sell part of its Almussafes plant near Valencia, paving the way for Geely to manufacture electric vehicles in Spain, ABC newspaper reported on Wednesday.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, ABC said the announcement is expected during a visit to the Almussafes plant on Thursday by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Ford Europe President Jim Baumbick.
Stay up to date with the latest news, trends and innovations that are driving the global automotive industry with the Reuters Auto File newsletter. Sign up here.
Ford and Geely did not immediately respond to requests for comment emailed outside regular business hours.
ABC said the deal would give Geely, owner of brands including Volvo, Polestar and Lotus, a manufacturing base inside the European Union, helping it to avoid EU tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China while providing direct access to the European market.
For Ford, the deal would cut fixed costs through the shared use of factory infrastructure while helping to safeguard jobs and production at Almussafes, the future of which has been clouded by the phasing out of several models and its dependence on its Kuga model.
The newspaper said the agreement would allow Geely to produce its EX2 electric vehicle at Almussafes.
Reporting by Sergio Goncalves and Victoria Waldersee Editing by David Goodman
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
General Motors (GM +3.21%) reported its second-quarter earnings, and the results beat expectations on both the top and bottom lines. In an interview on CNBC, CFO Paul Jacobson called the company's stock a "bargain," even though the share price has risen by more than 40% over the past year.
Is he right? There are certainly some good reasons to believe GM is extremely cheap right now, but there are also a few not-so-positive things to keep in mind. Here's a rundown of GM's second-quarter results, the case for why the stock is an incredible bargain, and the important things to watch going forward.
Image source: Getty Images.
An extremely solid quarter In the second quarter, GM generated $48 billion in revenue, about a billion dollars more than analysts had expected, and adjusted earnings per share (EPS) beat by a wide margin. Automotive free cash flow of about $5 billion was 78% higher than a year ago. One particularly impressive statistic Jacobson pointed out in the conference call was that "Our first-half earnings per share is 25% higher than the first half at any time in our history."
Today's Change
(
3.21
%) $
2.55
Current Price
$
82.07
Plus, the automaker increased its full-year guidance for adjusted EPS, automotive free cash flow, and several other profitability metrics. Adjusted EBIT margin expanded by 2.5 percentage points year-over-year, and GM's margins have notably expanded at the same time its peer group has seen margins fall. The company has a dominant lead in the high-margin full-size pickup market, and the software and services side of the business, which includes products like OnStar and Super Cruise, continues to grow impressively. In addition, GM's insurance business has rapidly scaled from being in just three states in 2024 to 21 states now. And last but certainly not least, GM's defense business has excellent momentum, and management is hopeful this segment will turn profitable this year.
Thanks to its strong cash flow, GM continues to buy back stock at an aggressive pace. In the second quarter alone, the company spent $2 billion to repurchase about 25 million shares. The outstanding share count has declined by 8% over the past year and 35% over the past three years, which could continue to drive EPS higher going forward.
It's not all good news GM certainly reported a strong quarter, but it wasn't a perfect one. While it beat expectations on adjusted EPS, this excludes a $2.3 billion one-time charge related to scaling back the company's EV strategy. On a GAAP basis, GM's net income actually declined by about 31% year-over-year.
Market share is arguably the biggest concern. A year ago, GM had 17.4% of the U.S. market, which has since declined to 16.6%. To be fair, there were some good reasons, such as the strategic decision to discontinue certain models and the reduction in EV incentives that had disproportionately helped GM. But this is worth keeping an eye on.
Finally, although it came in above expectations, GM's revenue grew by less than 2% year-over-year. It's important for investors to understand that this quarter was about earnings quality, not overall business growth.
Is GM a bargain at a sub-$80 stock price? In full disclosure, General Motors is one of the largest stock investments in my portfolio, and it's a company I truly believe in as a long-term holding. Over the past decade or so, the company has done a great job of innovation, becoming more efficient, and of allocating capital in shareholder-friendly ways. Having said that, the stock isn't without risk, and it's important to realize this is a cyclical business and not all the numbers look perfect.
Even so, GM trades for a ridiculously cheap valuation of just 6.3 times forward earnings, and there's a lot to like about the company's current trajectory. I'm planning to continue to build my position at these levels, and I'm excited to see what comes next.
Buried in the company’s prepared remarks was a figure that has quietly grown into a multibillion-dollar asset: $6.3 billion in deferred revenue. That growing backlog reflects what CFO Paul Jacobson called GM’s “highly profitable software and services revenue,” a business that continues to expand through connected vehicles, subscriptions and digital services rather than one-time vehicle sales.
The number offers perhaps the clearest sign yet that GM wants investors to think beyond vehicles and begin valuing the company as a recurring revenue business.
GM’s Software Business Is Quietly Getting BiggerAccording to Jacobson, GM expects “more than $3 billion of software and services revenue” in 2026 while ending the year with “$6.3 billion of deferred revenue on our balance sheet.” He also said the company expects “over 1 million new software subscriptions” this year, underscoring the growing contribution of connected vehicle services.
Unlike vehicle sales, which are recognized immediately, deferred revenue represents money that will be recognized over time as customers continue paying for software-enabled features and services. Every new subscription adds to a backlog of future revenue that is already under contract.
The strategy marks a notable shift for a company historically valued on vehicle deliveries and manufacturing scale. Instead, GM is increasingly generating recurring revenue long after customers leave the dealership through connected services, Super Cruise and other digital offerings.
The Bigger Story Isn’t Cars. It’s Recurring Revenue.GM reinforced that strategy elsewhere during the earnings call by expanding one of its flagship software products.
Barra said the company is “making Super Cruise standard on our High Country Silverado and Denali Sierra” while expanding availability across much of the pickup lineup. Beginning with the 2027 model year, she said the move is expected to add “approximately 160,000 incremental Super Cruise units annually.”
For investors, that announcement is about more than a premium driver-assistance feature. Every additional Super Cruise-equipped vehicle creates another opportunity for GM to deepen customer engagement and expand its recurring software business over time.
The deferred revenue balance, meanwhile, offers a tangible measure of that transformation. As Jacobson put it, “Our highly profitable software and services revenue continues to grow,” highlighting a business that is becoming an increasingly meaningful contributor to GM’s earnings profile.
Photo courtesy: Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock.com
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
[url="]HPE[/url] (NYSE: HPE) today announced it has been selected to participate in multiple key research and development (R&D) projects in the first phase of
PayPal Holdings, Inc. remains a Buy as its strategic positioning in stablecoins and AI-driven payments offsets current margin headwinds and lowball acquisition offers. PYPL's branded checkout faces structural pressure from frictionless card-linked wallets, driving up customer acquisition costs and compressing margins. With 440M active accounts and a dominant Venmo presence, PYPL's global scale and wallet infrastructure position it as a potential winner in the digital finance transformation.
Here are the earnings estimates, analyst ratings and key items to watch.
• Intel stock is trading at elevated levels. What should traders watch with INTC?
Intel Q2 Earnings EstimatesAnalysts expect Intel to report second-quarter revenue of $14.40 billion, up from $12.86 billion, according to data from Benzinga Pro.
The company has beaten analyst estimates for revenue in seven straight quarters and in eight of the past 10 quarters overall.
Analysts expect Intel to report 19 cents in earnings per share for the quarter, an improvement on a loss of 10 cents per share in last year’s second quarter.
The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in three straight quarters and in seven of the past 10 quarters overall.
Intel Analyst RatingsHere are some of the most recent analyst ratings on Intel stock and their price targets ahead of earnings:
Key Items to WatchIntel stock remains one of the best-performing large-cap names in 2026 with shares up 169.5%. The company’s earnings could showcase the overall strength of the semiconductor sector and put the sector on a high volatility watch depending on the figures, guidance and what the company says.
Intel is the fifth-largest holding in the iShares Semiconductor Sector Index ETF (NASDAQ:SOXX) at 5.54% of assets.
For investors of Intel, a strong earnings performance could highlight the company’s strong performance relative to peers.
INTC: +300.9% NVDA: +40.3% Over the 25 years in the index, Intel stock traded mostly flat or down, going from $39.16 to $26.43. Since being swapped out, the stock has had a resurgence and significantly outperformed the return of Nvidia stock by more than seven times.
Investors and analysts will be looking for signs of continued AI demand for Intel in management commentary.
Intel recently expanded its partnership with Google Cloud to accelerate the company’s enterprise transformation for AI. The company could discuss this and other partnerships as strengths and events that could help future revenue and backlog opportunities.
Layoffs could be another topic, with the company launching a downsizing that impacted employees in the Data Center and AI group. Given these are high-growth areas for the company and others, analysts could ask what the layoffs mean and if growth has slowed for the company.
Intel Stock Price ActionIntel stock is down 0.24% to $105.20 on Wednesday versus a 52-week trading range of $18.97 to $142.34. Intel stock is up 169.5% year-to-date in 2026, hitting new all-time highs last month.
Photo: Shutterstock
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
Intel (INTC, Financials), the U.S. chipmaker and contract manufacturer, will report second-quarter results Thursday with investors looking for proof that its tu
HomeIndustriesComputers/ElectronicsEarnings OutlookEarnings OutlookIntel’s stock has fallen 25% from its June high, but remains a standout gainer in 2026July 22, 2026, 1:46 p.m. ET
Intel’s central processing units have become one of the hottest businesses on Wall Street this year, and artificial-intelligence demand for those chips could power the company to an earnings beat on Thursday.
Whether CPU momentum is enough to get Intel’s stock INTC back on track remains the bigger question, however. While Intel shares have surged 186% so far this year, they’ve struggled more recently, falling 25% from their closing high achieved on June 22.
Gloria Chen, EVP, Chief People Officer at Adobe Inc. (ADBE -3.47%), reported a common stock transaction on a July 15, 2026 SEC Form 4 filing.
Transaction summaryMetricValueShares sold1,607Transaction value~$360,868Post-transaction shares (total)51,101Post-transaction shares (directly held)50,434Post-transaction shares (indirectly held)667Post-transaction value$11.48 millionTransaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($224.56); post-transaction value based on July 15, 2026 market close ($224.56).
Key questionsWhat was the primary driver for this disposition?
The transaction was non-discretionary and initiated solely to satisfy tax withholding obligations triggered by the vesting of restricted stock units on July 15, 2026.How does this impact the insider's long-term equity exposure?
Following the share surrender, Chen maintains a significant interest in the company via 50,434 direct shares and 31,662 derivative securities, including various tranches of unvested and vested equity awards.What is the status of the insider's indirect holdings?
Chen continues to maintain a stable indirect position of 667 shares through The John Kibarian and Gloria Chen Trust, for which she serves as a trustee.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-07-16)$235.31Market Capitalization$93.9 billionRevenue (TTM)$25.2 billionNet Income (TTM)$7.2 billionCompany SnapshotAdobe Inc. operates three primary business divisions—Digital Media, Digital Experience, and Publishing and Advertising—delivering a comprehensive suite of cloud-based software solutions that enable content creation, distribution, and amplification across enterprises, teams, and individual users.The company generates revenue through subscription-based software licensing models, including the cloud-native Document Cloud platform and creative applications, which provide recurring revenue streams from enterprise and consumer segments.Adobe serves a diverse customer base spanning creative professionals, enterprises requiring digital experience management solutions, and organizations leveraging publishing and advertising technologies across multiple industries.Adobe Inc. is a globally recognized software provider with a market capitalization of $93.9 billion and TTM revenue of $25.2 billion, positioning it as a market leader in digital content creation and experience management. The company's diversified business model, anchored in subscription-based cloud services, generates substantial profitability with TTM net income of $7.2 billion, reflecting strong operational efficiency and pricing power. Adobe maintains competitive advantages through its integrated product ecosystem, extensive customer relationships, and continuous innovation in artificial intelligence and digital transformation solutions.
What this transaction means for investorsChen’s sale of Adobe shares on July 16 carries no obvious meaning to investors. As previously stated, tax withholding obligations drove the sale, meaning the transaction would have happened regardless of the stock’s performance.
Nonetheless, Chen’s behavior toward this stock could imply continued faith in Adobe stock. As mentioned before, she maintains holdings of 50,434 direct shares and 31,662 derivative securities.
This continues despite a slide that has taken Adobe below its bottom in the 2022 bear market. SaaS stocks like Adobe have suffered amid concerns that AI is going to replace some of Adobe’s popular software packages.
Today's Change
(
-3.47
%) $
-7.88
Current Price
$
219.28
Nonetheless, Chen arguably has good reason to think she can sell her shares for more with some patience. Thanks to the sell-off, Adobe’s stock has fallen to a P/E ratio of 13 and a forward earnings multiple of just under 10! Such conditions likely leave the stock with little potential downside.
Hence, rather than emphasizing a modest sale driven by tax obligations, investors should probably focus on the shares Chen kept and the prospects for an Adobe recovery.
Will Healy has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Adobe. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2028 $330 calls on Adobe and short January 2028 $340 calls on Adobe. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In "long context," investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.
While many investors like to look for momentum in stocks, this can be very tough to define. There is a lot of debate surrounding which metrics are the best to focus on and which are poor quality indicators of future performance. The Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.
Below, we take a look at Travelers (TRV - Free Report) , which currently has a Momentum Style Score of B. We also discuss some of the main drivers of the Momentum Style Score, like price change and earnings estimate revisions.
It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. Travelers currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.
You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>
Set to Beat the Market? In order to see if TRV is a promising momentum pick, let's examine some Momentum Style elements to see if this insurer holds up.
Looking at a stock's short-term price activity is a great way to gauge if it has momentum, since this can reflect both the current interest in a stock and if buyers or sellers have the upper hand at the moment. It's also helpful to compare a security to its industry; this can show investors the best companies in a particular area.
For TRV, shares are up 8.87% over the past week while the Zacks Insurance - Property and Casualty industry is flat over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 16.62% compares favorably with the industry's 4.36% performance as well.
While any stock can see its price increase, it takes a real winner to consistently beat the market. That is why looking at longer term price metrics -- such as performance over the past three months or year -- can be useful as well. Over the past quarter, shares of Travelers have risen 19.23%, and are up 38.55% in the last year. In comparison, the S&P 500 has only moved 6.61% and 20.33%, respectively.
Investors should also pay attention to TRV's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. TRV is currently averaging 1,815,762 shares for the last 20 days.
Earnings OutlookThe Zacks Momentum Style Score encompasses many things, including estimate revisions and a stock's price movement. Investors should note that earnings estimates are also significant to the Zacks Rank, and a nice path here can be promising. We have recently been noticing this with TRV.
Over the past two months, 10 earnings estimates moved higher compared to 2 lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost TRV's consensus estimate, increasing from $27.94 to $30.81 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 7 estimates have moved upwards while there have been 1 downward revision in the same time period.
Bottom LineTaking into account all of these elements, it should come as no surprise that TRV is a #2 (Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of B. If you've been searching for a fresh pick that's set to rise in the near-term, make sure to keep Travelers on your short list.
Investors might want to bet on Travelers (TRV - Free Report) , as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). An upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices -- has triggered this rating change.
The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.
The power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements makes the Zacks rating system highly useful for individual investors, since it can be difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts. These are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.
Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for Travelers basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.
Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock PricesThe change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. That's partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their transaction of large amounts of shares then leads to price movement for the stock.
Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for Travelers imply an improvement in the company's underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.
Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate RevisionsAs empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, tracking such revisions for making an investment decision could be truly rewarding. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Earnings Estimate Revisions for TravelersFor the fiscal year ending December 2026, this insurer is expected to earn $30.81 per share, which is unchanged compared with the year-ago reported number.
Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Travelers. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 10.7%.
Bottom LineUnlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.
You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>
The upgrade of Travelers to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.
While Alphabet (GOOGL) and Tesla (TSLA) will take up most oxygen on the earnings front after Wednesday's close, Andy Swan from @LikeFolio points to IBM Corp. (IBM) as another name to watch. He examines upward consumer demand trends for Big Blue, which he believes suggests its customer base remains strong long-term.
UnitedHealth Group (UNH - Free Report) could be a solid choice for investors given the company's remarkably improving earnings outlook. While the stock has been a strong performer lately, this trend might continue since analysts are still raising their earnings estimates for the company.
The rising trend in estimate revisions, which is a result of growing analyst optimism on the earnings prospects of this largest U.S. health insurer, should get reflected in its stock price. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements. Our stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is principally built on this insight.
The five-grade Zacks Rank system, which ranges from a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record of outperformance, with Zacks #1 Ranked stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 2008.
Consensus earnings estimates for the next quarter and full year have moved considerably higher for UnitedHealth Group, as there has been strong agreement among the covering analysts in raising estimates.
The chart below shows the evolution of forward 12-month Zacks Consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Current-Quarter Estimate RevisionsThe earnings estimate of $3.90 per share for the current quarter represents a change of +33.6% from the number reported a year ago.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UnitedHealth has increased 8.1% over the last 30 days, as four estimates have gone higher while one has gone lower.
Current-Year Estimate RevisionsFor the full year, the earnings estimate of $19.23 per share represents a change of +17.6% from the year-ago number.
The revisions trend for the current year also appears quite promising for UnitedHealth, with nine estimates moving higher over the past month compared to no negative revisions. The consensus estimate has also received a boost over this time frame, increasing 7.29%.
Favorable Zacks RankThanks to promising estimate revisions, UnitedHealth currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). The Zacks Rank is a tried-and-tested rating tool that helps investors effectively harness the power of earnings estimate revisions and make the right investment decision.
You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Our research shows that stocks with Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy) significantly outperform the S&P 500.
Bottom LineUnitedHealth shares have added 6.6% over the past four weeks, suggesting that investors are betting on its impressive estimate revisions. So, you may consider adding it to your portfolio right away to benefit from its earnings growth prospects.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Lucky Hand Mining Game LLC, a subsidiary of Buscar Company (OTC: CGLD), today announced the completion of the initial development phase for its Lucky Hand Mining gaming platform. The project includes a full-featured Telegram Mini App, the official website at luckyhandmining.com, and a proprietary corporate CRM system for centralized project management. The platform has not yet launched, and its public release remains subject to successful testing, regulatory review, and the availability of resources.
The platform is now in comprehensive closed testing, with the team simultaneously finalizing a public White Paper. This document will detail the project's concept, game mechanics, ecosystem, development roadmap, in-game economy, technological infrastructure, and long-term strategy.
Over the past several months, the development team executed the complete software lifecycle — including technical architecture, user interface and game logic, server infrastructure, database, administrative tools, website, and full system integration into a unified digital ecosystem.
Development of the Telegram Mini App
The core gaming platform was built specifically for the Telegram Mini Apps environment. Players progress from novice gold prospector to owner of a large-scale virtual mining operation through resource gathering, equipment upgrades, infrastructure development, and empire expansion.
Key implemented features include:
Modern, intuitive game interface and user experience Telegram-based registration and authorization Resource mining mechanics, energy system with recovery, player levels, and progression In-game economy, equipment upgrades, quests, achievements, daily rewards, bonuses, ratings, events, and seasonal systems PvP mechanics and reward systems Telegram API integration, server-side backend, user database, administrative tools, analytics, data protection, and scalable infrastructure Emphasis was placed on usability, performance, stability, and extensibility.
Official Website: luckyhandmining.com
The newly launched website serves as the primary informational and presentation hub for players, partners, shareholders, investors, and the public. It features project details, game mechanics, development updates, corporate news, and future plans, forming a key part of the unified ecosystem.
Corporate CRM System
A custom multifunctional CRM was developed as the central operations hub. It integrates administrative, technical, analytical, and security tools, enabling real-time monitoring, user management, metrics tracking, and issue resolution while supporting future scaling.
Public White Paper in Preparation
The White Paper will provide a comprehensive overview, including the project mission, gameplay, mechanics, economy, infrastructure, security, scaling model, roadmap, Web3/blockchain plans, and long-term vision. It is grounded in the platform's actual implemented architecture and functionality and will be published on official channels following internal review.
Unified Digital Ecosystem
The Telegram Mini App delivers the core player experience, the website handles public information and presentation, and the CRM manages internal operations — all interconnected for efficient data processing, control, transparency, and growth without reliance on disparate third-party tools.
Transition to Testing and Next Steps
With core development complete, the team is now focused on rigorous testing, including security, resilience, load, game logic, algorithms, resource systems, user features, integrations, and overall performance optimization. The goal is maximum stability and reliability ahead of public launch.
Following testing, the company plans a public rollout of the Telegram Mini App, White Paper publication, and ongoing expansion with new mechanics, features, seasons, social elements, Web3 integrations, and enhanced infrastructure.
No Offer of Securities or Digital Assets
Nothing in this press release constitutes an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any security, token, coin, digital asset, or other investment product, and no such offering is being made. Any references to Web3, blockchain, or in-game economy features describe plans that are aspirational, remain under evaluation, and have not been developed, finalized, or committed to. There can be no assurance that any such feature will be implemented.
About Lucky Hand Mining Game LLC
Lucky Hand Mining Game LLC, a subsidiary of Buscar Company (OTC: CGLD), is developing a gaming ecosystem that seeks to blend Telegram Mini Apps, strategy gameplay, educational mining industry insights, digital technologies, and community tools. The platform seeks to engage users through entertainment, progression, and ecosystem growth, although there can be no assurance as to the level of user adoption or commercial success.
Official website: luckyhandmining.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the completion of development, the timing and success of testing, the anticipated public launch, projected user adoption, and planned Web3, blockchain, and future feature development. Such statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including risks relating to the outcome of testing, the need for and availability of financing, regulatory developments (including those applicable to digital assets and crypto-related products), competition, technology and execution risk, and the risk that the platform may not launch or achieve commercial acceptance. To the extent the company is considered a penny-stock issuer, the statutory safe harbor for forward-looking statements may not be available. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
For more information, contact:
Aleksandr Dekhtyar
Buscar Company, CEO
Email: [email protected]
If you watched Nvidia and the other semiconductor chip stocks soar and felt as if the artificial intelligence (AI) train left without you, take a breath. The thing about AI is that it doesn't run on software alone. It runs on a staggering amount of physical stuff: cooling systems, power controls, transmission lines, and the crews who install them all.
Some industrial companies supplying the backbone materials and services for AI haven't been bid up nearly as far as the marquee names, which means the door isn't closed. Here are three industrial stocks that still look worth a serious look.
Image source: Getty Images.
1. nVent Electric nVent Electric (NVT -1.09%) sits right in the sweet spot of one of AI's biggest headaches: excess heat. Packing thousands of scorching-hot chips into a data center requires advanced liquid cooling, and nVent has become a go-to supplier, having deployed more than 2 gigawatts of liquid cooling capacity already. Its momentum is real, with recent quarterly sales up more than 50% and its systems-protection business up even faster, and it was added to Nvidia's partner network, a stamp of approval that opens doors with the largest AI builders. With a next-generation cooling and power lineup rolling out in 2026, nVent is a direct play on data center growth that has flown under most investors' radars compared with the flashier cooling names.
Today's Change
(
-1.09
%) $
-1.76
Current Price
$
158.92
2. Emerson Electric Emerson Electric (EMR +0.27%) is the sleep-well option of the group. It makes the automation and power-management systems that keep complex facilities running, and data centers have become a booming market for it. Emerson was chosen to automate the on-site power generation for a massive 1.7-gigawatt AI data center, and orders for its flagship control platform recently jumped 74%, driven largely by these behind-the-meter power projects.
What I like here is the balance: Emerson is a Dividend King (a Dividend King is a company that's grown its dividend payment for at least 50 consecutive years. It has 69 straight years of payout increases and trades at a far more grounded valuation than pure AI plays. You get genuine AI exposure without paying a nosebleed price, plus a growing dividend while you wait.
Today's Change
(
0.27
%) $
0.37
Current Price
$
139.63
3. Hubbell Hubbell (HUBB -0.37%) is the quiet backbone of the group. It makes the unglamorous but essential electrical and grid gear, the connectors, enclosures, and utility hardware, that both power companies and data centers rely on to move electricity safely. As AI drives a surge in data center construction, Hubbell has leaned in hard: It recently lifted its 2026 profit forecast on strong demand from data centers and utilities, and it has been bolting on acquisitions, including DMC Power and a roughly $3 billion deal for NSI Industries, to deepen its reach into data-center power infrastructure. Both its electrical and utility segments are growing at double-digit rates. It's a silent leader in a market for data center electrical infrastructure worth tens of billions, and it typically trades at a friendlier valuation than the pure-play AI names.
Today's Change
(
-0.37
%) $
-1.77
Current Price
$
478.16
The catch worth naming Let me be honest, because "screaming buy" can be a dangerous phrase. None of these three stocks is dirt cheap now that the market has caught on to the AI-infrastructure story. They are more reasonably priced than Nvidia and the headline cooling and power stocks, but they aren't bargain-bin. All three also depend on having data center construction stay hot, so a pullback in that spending would hurt them all. These are relative values riding a powerful trend, not risk-free giveaways.
Here is the encouraging part: You didn't miss the whole AI trade, just the most obvious slice of it. The build-out still needs cooling, power, and grid connections for years to come, and nVent, Emerson, and Hubbell each sell something essential to that effort at prices friendlier than the stocks everyone already talks about. I would treat them as a second chance to invest in AI through the back door, buying gradually and keeping the data center cycle in mind. Sometimes the smartest way to catch a train you missed is to hop on at the next station.
Key Takeaways AbbVie's Q2 oncology revenues are expected to decline slightly as Imbruvica sales remain under pressure.ABBV expects growth from Venclexta and newer therapies to be offset by continued Imbruvica weakness.Decnupaz may add only a modest Q2 revenue contribution following its FDA approval in May. AbbVie’s (ABBV - Free Report) oncology franchise has evolved considerably in recent years. What was once largely a hematology-focused business has expanded into solid tumors through a series of acquisitions, collaborations and internal innovation. However, the continued decline in Imbruvica sales remains the franchise’s biggest headwind ahead of the company’s second-quarter 2026 results on July 31.
The portfolio currently comprises six marketed therapies. While blood cancer drugs Imbruvica and Venclexta continue to generate the majority of oncology revenues, AbbVie has expanded its portfolio with newer products. These include Epkinly for lymphoma, Elahere for ovarian cancer, Emrelis for lung cancer and, most recently, Decnupaz for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (or BPDCN – a rare and aggressive blood cancer).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for oncology revenues is pegged at $1.62 billion, suggesting a slight decline from the year-ago period. Growth from Venclexta and newer therapies, such as Epkinly, Elahere and Emrelis, is expected to be more than offset by the continued weakness in Imbruvica. Sales of this blockbuster blood cancer drug are likely to remain the franchise's biggest drag as competitive pressure from newer BTK inhibitors and the impact of Medicare IRA pricing continue to weigh on sales.
Since Decnupaz received FDA approval in May, its contribution to second-quarter revenues is expected to be modest.
Competition in the Oncology SpaceOther bigger players in the oncology space are AstraZeneca (AZN - Free Report) , Merck (MRK - Free Report) and Pfizer (PFE - Free Report) .
For AstraZeneca, oncology sales now account for 44% of total revenues. Sales in its oncology segment rose 16% year over year in first-quarter 2026, driven by the strong performance of medicines such as Tagrisso, Lynparza, Imfinzi, Calquence and Enhertu (in partnership with Daiichi Sankyo).
Merck’s key oncology medicines are PD-L1 inhibitor Keytruda and PARP inhibitor Lynparza, which it markets in partnership with AstraZeneca. Keytruda, approved for several types of cancer, alone accounted for roughly half of MRK’s total revenues in first-quarter 2026.
Pfizer’s oncology revenues grew 7% in first-quarter 2026, driven by drugs such as Lorbrena, the Braftovi-Mektovi combination and Padcev. The segment now accounts for more than 26% of Pfizer’s total revenues.
ABBV’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of AbbVie have outperformed the industry year to date, as seen in the chart below.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, AbbVie is trading at a discount to the industry. Based on the price/earnings (P/E) ratio, the company’s shares currently trade at 16.74 times forward earnings, lower than its industry’s average of 18.78.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have declined over the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AbbVie currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:PLTR) stock fell on Wednesday, driven by targeted regulatory scrutiny regarding its UK National Health Service (NHS) Federated Data Platform (FDP) contract.
The Nasdaq is down 0.21% while the S&P 500 has gained 0.11%, and Technology is the weakest sector on the day (down 0.4%), setting a tougher backdrop for high-multiple software names.
• Palantir Technologies shares are sliding. Why is PLTR stock dropping?
UK Regulator Addresses FDP MetricsThe UK’s Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) addressed public concerns on Wednesday regarding NHS England’s communication of performance metrics for the FDP.
On June 6, NHS England updated its methods page, adding: "We cannot therefore draw conclusions about cause and effect as other variables have not been controlled for."
The OSR noted that NHS England added the caveat following Freedom of Information requests regarding FDP data analysis. NHS England committed to placing caveats on its main FDP website and commissioning Imperial College to conduct an independent academic evaluation.
Contract Controversies and CriticismThe regulatory developments follow broader scrutiny over the NHS contract.
Jo Maugham, executive director of the Good Law Project, stated: “Palantir is not — and frankly never has been — a company that can be trusted with this nationally important contract.”
Domestic Alternatives In the UKRegional NHS entities have also opted out of the system. In a Guardian letter published on July 20, Dr. Devan Moodley, CEO of Health Connect Global, highlighted that Greater Manchester’s integrated care board declined the platform, relying instead on local capabilities built with UK universities and firms.
Financial Results ApproachingPalantir will report its second-quarter financial results on Aug. 3. Analysts project earnings per share of 33 cents on quarterly revenue of $1.81 billion.
Technical AnalysisFrom a trend perspective, Palantir is still trying to stabilize after a longer downtrend: it’s trading 2.9% below its 50-day SMA ($132.22) and 17.1% below its 200-day SMA ($154.84), keeping the intermediate and long-term bias tilted bearish. The 20-day SMA ($126.81) is just underneath price, but the 20-day remains below the 50-day (bearish), and the Death Cross that formed in February (50-day below 200-day) continues to hang over rallies.
Momentum is best read through RSI, which sits at 47.37 — neutral and consistent with a stock that’s chopping rather than trending strongly.
Key Resistance: $136.50 Key Support: $122.50 PLTR Stock Price Activity: Palantir Technologies shares were down 4.93% at $126.12 at the time of publication on Wednesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Image via Shutterstock
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
As of the morning of July 21, Micron Technology (MU -0.50%) is still stuck in its own bear market; its stock is trading more than 20% below its all-time high of $1,255. At one point in recent days, the stock was off by just over 30%.
Before shares dipped below $1,000 this month, some investors were wondering if a stock split might be on the table for 2026. Fast-forward to today, and there's reason to think such an event might be off the table for the foreseeable future.
Image source: Getty Images.
Avoiding mixing more volatility into investing Aside from a desire to avoid the fees associated with a stock split, Micron management may want to skip one so as not to create additional volatility. One Bank of America study working with four decades of data found that, on average, in the 12 months following a company's announcement of a stock split, that stock rises by 25.4% -- more than twice the average annual return of the S&P 500 (^GSPC +0.00%) during the time periods studied.
Given that scenario, there may be traders who plan to buy stocks following split announcements with the intention of holding them only temporarily. When such traders sell later to book their short-term profits, that can weigh on a stock's price. And since Micron's management team is supposed to look out for long-term shareholders, it may want to delay a stock split as long as possible.
With the price down so sharply from its peak, a split announcement would likely just create more volatility. Also, the stock's retreat back below $1,000 eases some of the worry that retail investors may have been priced out of owning shares.
Ultimately, though, what's more important for investors to focus on is a company's long-term growth prospects.
Today's Change
(
-0.50
%) $
-4.84
Current Price
$
965.98
What's next for Micron? Watching the price of a stock you own fall by nearly 30% is jarring, especially for an investor who may have bought in near the peak. The good news is that Micron's outlook for the next few years still looks bright, and this period could prove to be just a short-term panic during which the stock is oversold.
The demand for memory and storage solutions created by the build-out of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers is expected to exceed supply for some time, but even when production capacity does eventually catch up, Micron has been planning ahead for that day.
In its fiscal 2026 third-quarter report, Micron announced that it had signed 16 strategic customer agreements (SCAs) that could "fundamentally transform" its business model. Of those 16 SCAs, 14 have a minimum cumulative revenue of around $100 billion.
Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Jack Delaney has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Micron Technology. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Chips took a beating in July, and if you sold in a panic, take a breath. On a CNBC segment earlier this week, Wells Fargo chief equity strategist Ohsung Kwon and Strategy Asset Managers CEO Tom Hulick both argued the semiconductor pullback is a positioning reset ahead of what could be the largest capital spending wave in computing history. Their case rests on a single, staggering number Wells Fargo just published, and it points directly at the tickers retail keeps dumping.
The $1.1 Trillion Reason Kwon’s team raised its capex estimate for the big four hyperscalers to $1.1 trillion in 2027, roughly 25% above consensus and a jump from about $800 billion this year. In Kwon’s words, “Our analysts actually raised their 2027 capex estimates to 1.1 trillion from just the big four companies. And that’s about this year is about 800 billion. So that’s actually about 25% above where consensus is. So if that actually comes to fruition, then I think we’re talking about a huge upside for semis overall.”
The commitments are already visible in filings. NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA | NVDA Price Prediction) sits on $119 billion in total supply-related commitments and guided fiscal Q2 revenue to $91 billion. Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) guided fiscal Q4 revenue to $50 billion, plus or minus $1 billion. Those are demand signals backed by binding commitments.
Why the Selloff Was a Positioning Reset Kwon’s second point matters more. “I think positioning has reset. I think there is a bull case heading into the earnings season. And I think hyperscaler capex the trend is going higher. So I think this earnings season will be another catalyst that the capex cycle is still very healthy.” Fast money exited in July, forward valuations look reasonable again, and Q2 earnings could re-anchor the group.
NVIDIA is still up 13.3% year to date. Forward P/E sits at 23x. Micron trades at a forward multiple of roughly 5x with an analyst target of $1,491.95. July is tracking as one of the biggest momentum-reversal months in history, with a -55% correlation between first-half and July performance. Traders got flushed. The infrastructure kept building.
Where the Money Is Going, With Memory in Focus Per Hulick’s, “as the hyperscalers continue to invest… the forward looking potential for the memory sector in particular is going to be quite strong because memory is becoming one of the most attractive areas in the technology stack right now.”
Don't wait: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just revealed his top 10 AI stocks. See the full list FREE now.
He is describing what Micron’s fiscal Q3 already proved. Revenue landed at $41.46 billion, up 345.7% year over year, with Cloud Memory contributing $13.77 billion and HBM4 in high-volume shipments.
SanDisk (NASDAQ:SNDK) tells a similar story from the NAND side. Fiscal Q3 revenue hit $5.95 billion, up 251% year over year, with the Datacenter segment posting $1.47 billion in revenue, up 645% year over year. Shares are down 27.25% over the past month, yet still up 569.56% year to date. That pullback after that run reads as violent digestion within an intact thesis. SanDisk is up 10% on repositioning into memory, and Hulick thinks that is the tell.
His bigger claim is worth reading twice. “This is going to be one of the greatest bull markets that I think that we will experience. And it’s just because of the technological evolution that we’re seeing with AI, memory expansion, the speed of chips, how things are connecting together.” Even Chinese open-source model development is viewed as a positive for compute demand, since more models mean more inference.
The Verdict, and the One Risk That Matters The bull case is coherent. Hyperscalers are committing real capital, memory pricing is inflecting, and NVIDIA’s data center franchise grew 92% year over year at 75.0% non-GAAP gross margins. If you were scared out of chips in July, the strategists on your screen think the July action lied about the trajectory. The one risk worth respecting is monetization. If hyperscalers raise capex again without showing revenue acceleration and a clearer path to profitability on those AI workloads, the next reset will be fundamental, and Q2 earnings season is where that fight gets settled.
Don't wait: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just revealed his top 10 AI stocks. See the full list FREE now.
Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU | MU Price Prediction) and Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) have both reported earnings fueling the 2026 semiconductor rally, but their late-summer setups look nothing alike.
Key Takeaways ISRG's recurring revenue rose 19% to $2.47 billion, accounting for 85% of total revenue.Da Vinci and Ion procedures grew 16%, led by 36% Ion growth and a 61% increase in SP procedures.Intuitive Surgical faces slower U.S. growth, bariatric declines and pressure on China placements. Intuitive Surgical (ISRG - Free Report) remains a procedure-driven growth story built around robotic systems, instruments, services and software.
The central question for investors is whether da Vinci 5, SP, Ion and digital tools can keep expanding clinical reach while offsetting weaker areas such as bariatric surgery, U.S. deferrable procedures and China placements.
ISRG Builds on a Broad Robotic PlatformIntuitive Surgical’s platform spans da Vinci multi-port systems, the da Vinci SP single-port platform and Ion. Da Vinci supports robot-assisted soft tissue surgery across general surgery, urology, gynecology, cardiothoracic care and head and neck specialties.
Ion extends the company into minimally invasive lung biopsy through a flexible, robotic-assisted, catheter-based platform. ISRG is building a broader care ecosystem designed to widen procedure reach across specialties and settings.
Intuitive Surgical Gains From Recurring RevenueRecurring revenue is central to the model because instruments, accessories, leases and services rise with utilization and installed-base growth. In the second quarter of 2026, recurring revenue increased 19% to $2.47 billion.
That represented 85% of total revenue, making the business less dependent on one-time system sales. Instruments and accessories revenues rose 18% to $1.73 billion, while service revenues grew 21% to $472 million.
ISRG Procedure Growth Still Drives the StoryProcedure volume remains the key operating indicator. In the second quarter of 2026, total da Vinci and Ion procedures increased 16% year over year, including 15% da Vinci growth and 36% Ion growth.
International da Vinci procedures rose 20%, with Europe and Asia each up 20%. SP procedures increased 61%, while cardiac and nipple-sparing mastectomy procedures rose 39% and 43%, respectively. Management maintained its 2026 da Vinci procedure growth outlook of 13.5% to 15.5%, with expectations near the midpoint.
Intuitive Surgical Expands the Ecosystem With Digital ToolsSoftware and data are becoming more important to the Intuitive Surgical’s business model. The company began rolling out more than 100 planned da Vinci 5 updates focused on telepresence, simulation-based training and care-team workflow.
It also completed its first My Intuitive+ renewals, covering telepresence, simulation and artificial intelligence-driven case insights. No customer in the initial cohort opted out, suggesting these tools can deepen engagement and make the installed base more valuable.
What ISRG Investors Should Watch NextThe bottom line is that ISRG still has a clear platform-dependent growth scenario. Da Vinci 5 upgrades, Ion adoption, SP growth, recurring revenue and digital tools all support a wider ecosystem.
Risks remain visible. U.S. da Vinci procedure growth moderated to 12% in the second quarter from 14% in the first quarter, bariatric procedures declined at a high-single-digit rate and China remains pressured by lower tender activity, local competition and policy-driven pricing.
Medtronic plc (MDT - Free Report) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ - Free Report) are relevant comparables for investors tracking surgical robotics and digitally enabled medical technology. Their presence keeps the competitive context important, even as ISRG maintains a competitive moat with high installed systems, improving utilization and procedure-linked revenue as well as strong clinical evidence.
Investors should pair this operating view with ISRG’s current Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and Zacks Style Scores of B before forming a fuller stock view. The Zacks Rank is a short-term timeliness indicator, while the Style Scores help evaluate value, growth and momentum characteristics. Higher grades, especially A or B, are more favorable when considered alongside top-ranked stocks, but they should be weighed with procedure trends, placement dynamics and margin risks. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Key Takeaways ISRG procedures rose 16% as revenue increased 19% to $2.89 billion in the second quarter.Intuitive Surgical's Ion procedures climbed 36%, with its installed base reaching 1,096 systems.ISRG faces tariff costs, weaker bariatric demand and margin pressure from newer product mix. Intuitive Surgical (ISRG - Free Report) is being shaped by more than quarterly revenue growth. The company is tied to wider robotic surgery adoption, expansion into minimally invasive diagnostics and deeper use of software inside hospital programs.
Those themes still come with limits. Tariffs, product mix, hospital spending patterns and shifting procedure demand remain important.
ISRG Benefits From Robotic Care ExpansionIntuitive Surgical remains positioned around the move toward minimally invasive and robot-assisted care. Its da Vinci platform supports procedures across general surgery, urology, gynecology, cardiothoracic care, and head and neck specialties.
Worldwide procedures across da Vinci and Ion rose 16% year over year in second-quarter 2026, including 15% growth for da Vinci. Revenue increased 19% to $2.89 billion, supported by procedure volumes, leasing revenues and installed-base expansion. Medtronic plc (MDT - Free Report) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ - Free Report) give investors broader medtech comparisons, while ISRG offers a more focused robotic care profile.
Intuitive Surgical Pushes Beyond Surgery With IonIon expands Intuitive Surgical beyond traditional surgery into diagnostic, endoluminal procedures. The flexible, robotic-assisted catheter platform supports minimally invasive lung biopsy, extending the company’s opportunity outside soft tissue surgery. This also helps the company to tap the lucrative lung cancer market.
Ion procedures increased 36% to 48,000 in the quarter, while cumulative procedures exceeded 400,000. Intuitive Surgical placed 55 Ion systems, expanded the Ion installed base 21% year over year to 1,096 systems, and has installed Ion in 12 countries outside the United States.
ISRG Turns Software Into a Strategic AssetSoftware is becoming a larger part of Intuitive Surgical’s platform value. The company began rolling out the first phase of more than 100 da Vinci 5 updates aimed at telepresence, simulation-based training and care-team workflow.
The My Intuitive+ renewal cycle adds another signal. The company executed its first renewals for offerings covering telepresence, simulation and AI-driven case insights, and no customer in the initial cohort opted out. Better training, workflow support and case insights can make the installed base more useful over time.
Intuitive Surgical Faces Cost and Demand ShiftsThe trend story is not one-sided. Intuitive Surgical remains exposed to tariffs, freight, semiconductor memory costs and the mix of newer products. Its second-quarter adjusted gross margin was 70%, helped by a $36 million pretax tariff refund. Excluding that benefit, the margin would have been 68.7%.
Management raised its 2026 adjusted gross margin outlook to 68-69%, but the range still includes an estimated tariff impact equal to 1% of revenues. U.S. da Vinci procedures grew 12% in the quarter, down from 14% in the first quarter, as some benign procedures were deferred. Bariatric procedures declined at a high-single-digit rate amid greater GLP-1 use.
What Trend Signals Mean for ISRGISRG’s trend profile remains attractive, but not frictionless. Robotics adoption, Ion lung biopsy growth and digital ecosystem development support the expansion case, while tariffs, capital budgets and procedure mix create constraints.
The current operating picture also makes Zacks Rank and Style Scores important for context. Zacks Rank reflects earnings estimate revision trends, while Style Scores help investors evaluate value, growth and momentum characteristics. A favorable combination is most useful when a stock has a top Zacks Rank and stronger Style Scores.
ISRG’s current Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), Value Score of D, Growth Score of B, Momentum Score of A and VGM Score of B should be checked separately. Investors should pair the company’s trend signals with those indicators before deciding whether the setup supports a bullish or selective stance. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Key Takeaways ISRG revenues rose 18.5% to $2.89 billion as worldwide da Vinci and Ion procedures increased 16%.Intuitive Surgical held $8.63 billion in liquidity and generated $1.8 billion in first-half free cash flow.Tariffs, weaker bariatric demand, China pressure and trade-in-heavy placements keep execution risks elevated. Intuitive Surgical (ISRG - Free Report) still offers investors a high-quality growth profile, but the case is not just about procedure gains.
The buy-or-wait debate depends on whether procedure growth, recurring revenues and financial flexibility can offset tariff pressure, mix changes and uneven hospital capital spending.
ISRG Still Has a Durable Growth EngineIntuitive Surgical’s growth engine is driven by strong performance across all its segments. Revenues rose 18.5% year over year to $2.89 billion, helped by higher procedure volumes, system leasing revenues, installed-base expansion and rising service revenues.
Worldwide procedures across da Vinci and Ion increased 16%. Da Vinci procedures grew roughly 15%, while Ion procedures advanced 36%, showing growth from the core surgical platform and newer diagnostic applications.
The installed base also supports a compounding model. Intuitive Surgical placed 468 da Vinci systems, including 246 da Vinci 5 systems, and placed 55 Ion systems.
Medtronic plc (MDT - Free Report) remains a relevant comparison as surgical robotics becomes a broader medtech battleground. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ - Free Report) also belongs in the discussion as large device companies invest in operating-room platforms.
Intuitive Surgical’s Balance Sheet Adds FlexibilityIntuitive Surgical ended the second quarter with $8.63 billion in cash, cash equivalents and investments, up $650 million sequentially. That liquidity matters because this business requires constant investment.
The company generated $1.8 billion of free cash flow in the first half of 2026, up 71% from the prior-year period. Cash generation funded $379 million of share repurchases and $112 million of capital expenditures.
This financial base gives Intuitive Surgical room to keep investing through cycles. Management is prioritizing research and development growth to support platforms, instruments and digital capabilities.
ISRG Faces Pressure on Margins and MixThe caution case starts with margins. Intuitive Surgical raised its 2026 adjusted gross margin outlook to 68-69%, but that range still includes an estimated tariff impact equal to 1% of revenues.
Second-quarter adjusted gross margin was 70%, helped by a $36 million pretax refund of previously paid tariffs. Excluding that benefit, the margin would have been 68.7%.
Procedure mix is another constraint. U.S. da Vinci procedures rose 12%, down from 14% in the first quarter, as some benign procedures were deferred.
Bariatric procedures declined at a high-single-digit rate amid greater GLP-1 use. Cholecystectomy growth and lower bariatric volumes also limited instrument and accessory revenue per procedure.
Intuitive Surgical’s Placement Risks Deserve AttentionSystem placement trends need context. Da Vinci placements rose 18.5% year over year to 468 systems, but about half of U.S. placements were trade-ins.
Leasing gives hospitals more flexibility, representing 54% of total da Vinci placements. Still, capital purchases remain sensitive to hospital budgets, financing conditions and government tender timing.
Outside the United States, China remains a pressure point because of lower tender activity, domestic competition and policy-driven pricing. Parts of Europe also face government budget constraints.
How ISRG’s Stock Case Comes TogetherISRG’s investment case is a balance between durable quality and real execution risk. The bull case rests on recurring revenue, procedure growth, platform breadth and a cash-rich balance sheet.
The cautious case is also clear. Tariffs, regional capital cycles, weaker bariatric demand and the planned extended-use instrument program could reduce revenue per procedure before higher volumes offset the impact.
The stock’s operating profile should be paired with ISRG’s current Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and Zacks Style Scores of B before investors form a view. The Zacks Rank focuses on earnings estimate revisions, while the Style Scores frame value, growth and momentum characteristics. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
For now, Intuitive Surgical looks more like a quality business that needs selective entry discipline than an all-clear buy. Strong growth supports the long-term story, but margin and placement risks keep the debate active.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of NFLX either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
SummaryTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited reported another record-breaking quarter, but TSM stock reacted ambivalently despite strong AI-driven revenue growth.HPC now dominates TSMC's revenue mix, with North America contributing 75% of revenue and China below 10%, reflecting increased geographic and segment concentration.TSMC forecasts Q3 2026 revenue of $44.6–45.8 billion and gross margins of 65–67% but faces margin pressure from aggressive U.S. and Taiwan fab expansions.Raised FY 2026 CapEx guidance to $60–64 billion signals significant capital deployment and potential pricing power to offset higher production costs. Getty Images
After Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, aka TSMC (TSM), announced its Q2 2026 earnings on the 16th of July, the market’s reaction to the stock has been ambivalent at best, with the stock slipping after
2.02K Followers
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
I lead research at an ETP issuer that offers daily-rebalanced products in leveraged/unleveraged/inverse/inverse leveraged factors with various stocks, including some mentioned in this article, underlying them. As an issuer, we don't care how the market moves; our AUM is mostly driven by investor interest in our products.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
The polite duopoly running the modern weight-loss drug boom just filed for divorce, and the market voted before the ink dried. Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO | NVO Price Prediction) sued Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) over what it calls misleading US advertising for Zepbound, and on the news, Novo’s ADRs slipped about half a percentage point while Lilly’s stock rose. A lawsuit is supposed to be a threat, but investors read it as an admission.
You already know which side Wall Street was on going in. Lilly’s market cap sits at roughly $1.1 trillion against Novo’s roughly $167 billion. Over the past year, LLY is up 50% while NVO is down 27%. That gap is the context for everything else here.
What The Lawsuit Is Actually About The complaint, described by Bloomberg’s Madison Muller, is narrower than the headlines suggest. Lilly ran ads comparing Zepbound to an earlier, lower-dose version of Wegovy using older trial data. Novo recently secured FDA approval for a higher-dose Wegovy and argues those comparisons are now outdated. Novo did the polite corporate thing first. It sent Lilly a cease-and-desist months ago. Lilly did not change or pull the ads. So Novo went to court.
On the science, Novo has a point. The higher-dose Wegovy approval, plus Wegovy HD demonstrating nearly 21% weight loss in trials, materially changes the comparison. But litigation is a slow tool for solving a fast marketing problem, and by the time discovery starts, doctors will have written another quarter of prescriptions.
Why The Stock Reaction Tells The Real Story Muller’s reporting hit the pressure point. There is a genuine consumer perception that Zepbound is better than Wegovy, with patients walking into doctors’ offices asking for Lilly’s drug by name. That demand signal shows up on the income statement. Lilly’s blowout Q1 2026 delivered $19.8 billion in revenue, up 55.5% year over year, with Mounjaro at $8.66 billion (+125%) and Zepbound at $4.16 billion (+80%). Non-GAAP EPS came in at $8.55, beating the $6.79 consensus.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Eli Lilly didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
Novo’s quarter looked different. Adjusted sales fell 4% at constant exchange rates, EPS of $6.63 missed the $6.96 consensus, and management guided full-year adjusted sales to -4% to -12% at CER. The company also telegraphed list-price cuts of roughly 50% on Wegovy and 35% on Ozempic effective January 1, 2027. When you are cutting price by half, a court filing about ad copy is not the lever that saves you.
How Novo Lost Its Lead And Whether A Lawsuit Can Win It Back Novo essentially invented the modern GLP-1 category, and then Lilly out-executed it. Lilly launched a direct-to-consumer website and cut cash-pay prices before Novo did. Muller described Novo as having “rested on their laurels a bit” while Lilly moved aggressively to out-innovate. Novo’s response has been dramatic. A new CEO in Mike Doustdar, roughly 9,000 job cuts, and a culture overhaul.
The oral pill launch shows the franchise still fights in it. Wegovy pill did $2.26 billion in its first full quarter and captured 65% of new US prescriptions in the oral GLP-1 category, with over one million patients since the January launch. That is not a company being lapped. But Lilly countered with Foundayo, its own approved oral GLP-1 pill that can be taken any time of day without food or water restrictions, and raised its 2026 revenue guidance to $82.0 billion to $85.0 billion. The analyst consensus target on LLY sits at $1,270.37 versus $47.43 for NVO. The Street’s verdict is not subtle.
The Verdict For Investors A lawsuit does not fix a perception problem, and perception is what Novo needs to change. Lilly enters this fight with a bigger, faster-growing franchise, superior head-to-head trial data on the injectable side, an approved oral pill of its own, and a stock that is up 377% over five years while Novo’s ADR is up just 7% over the same stretch. Novo is still enormously profitable, and its oral launch is real, but the burden of proof has flipped. Lilly has to keep executing. Novo has to convince patients and doctors that the newer, higher-dose Wegovy is worth switching to, and no court order will do that for them.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Eli Lilly didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
[url="]Glancy Prongay Wolke and Rotter LLP[/url], a leading national shareholder rights law firm, today announced that it has commenced an investigation on behal
Investors who bought the Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF (CBOE:EUAD) were buying a clean story: Berlin, Paris, London, and Warsaw pledging generational increases in military spending, and a fund built to own Airbus, Rheinmetall, BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Saab directly. The logic was that if Europe finally rearmed, the continent’s powers would compound. Eighteen months into that trade, the returns have gone the other way. EUAD sits at $41.62, down 1.21% year-to-date and off 3.16% over the past year. The fund that actually captured the rearmament dollars trades on the other side of the Atlantic: the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (CBOE:ITA).
The Case for Owning EUAD The most direct listed vehicle for the European rearmament theme is this fund. The fund concentrates on Airbus (5.31%), MTU Aero Engines (4.91%), Leonardo (2.96%), BAE Systems (2.64%), Saab (2.48%), Thales (2.40%), Rolls-Royce (2.02%), and Rheinmetall (1.82%). That is a defensible portfolio if the thesis is that NATO’s European members finally spend at 3% of GDP and place orders with local champions. It is also priced for that outcome, trading at a P/E of 40 with a beta of 1.24 and a 0.47% dividend yield.
Where the European Trade Broke Down The gap between rearmament announcements and rearmament contracts has been wider than headlines suggest. European ministries of defense have leaned heavily on U.S. primes for the equipment they need immediately: F-35s, Patriots, HIMARS, Javelins, munitions, and engines. Germany’s F-35 buy, Poland’s Apache and HIMARS orders, and munition backfills flow directly into the revenue lines of Lockheed Martin, RTX, Boeing, and GE Aerospace, not Rheinmetall or Leonardo. The scoreboard reflects it. EUAD is down over the trailing year, while ITA is up 24.48% and up 9.63% year to date. The theme is the same, but the outcomes have diverged.
Why ITA Cashed the Checks The U.S. aerospace and defense fund’s book is built for exactly the contract mix Europe has been buying. The top three holdings, General Electric (19.03%), RTX (16.55%), and Boeing (8.91%), are the engine, missile, and airframe suppliers behind the platforms European buyers are actually funding. Adding layers for General Dynamics (4.77%), L3Harris (4.66%), Lockheed Martin (4.58%), and Northrop Grumman (4.58%) on the primes that dominate munitions, radios, fighters, and bombers. The fund holds $13.49 billion in net assets at an expense ratio of 0.38%.
The performance gap is not a one-year artifact. ITA has returned 129.5% over five years and 305.55% over ten years, delivered, while every European conflict cycle since 2016 has ultimately routed procurement through American primes. For a $10,000 position, the trailing 12-month gap between the two funds is roughly $2,764 in favor of ITA. That is the mechanism: the same rearmament story, but with the actual invoices attached.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and GE Aerospace didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
Readers who want a broader look at the primes driving that contract flow can dig into the 24/7 Wall St. research on defense-adjacent industrial names that benefit from the same procurement cycle.
The Real Tradeoffs The U.S. aerospace and defense fund is not a free lunch. Concentration is real: GE, RTX, and Boeing alone account for roughly 44.5% of net assets, so a stumble in Boeing production or a commercial aerospace downturn would hit the fund harder than a pure defense basket would. Valuation is similar to the European defense fund at roughly 39x trailing earnings, and the U.S. fund carries commercial-aviation cyclicality that the European fund’s more pure-play defense book does not. Yields are close to a wash, 0.45% on the U.S. fund versus 0.47% on the European fund, so this is a total-return trade, not an income swap.
Making the Switch In a tax-advantaged account, the swap is mechanical: sell EUAD, buy ITA, no tax consequence. In a taxable account, the math changes. EUAD has traded flat to down for most holders who bought into the 2024 rearmament narrative, so realized gains may be modest or negative, which can actually be useful for tax-loss harvesting against other winners. Anyone sitting on an embedded loss should confirm that the wash-sale rules do not apply if they plan to reload a similar European name later.
What to Watch From Here The swap logic holds as long as European ministries keep writing checks to U.S. primes faster than they build indigenous capacity. That could change. If Rheinmetall’s shell plants, MBDA’s munitions lines, and Airbus’s fighter programs start absorbing a materially larger share of European budgets, EUAD’s underlying earnings should catch up. Until the contract flow rotates, ITA is the fund that is actually being paid for the rearmament headlines EUAD was named after.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and GE Aerospace didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
Morgan Stanley‘s (NYSE: MS | MS Price Prediction) economics team just took its projection for artificial intelligence capital spending significantly higher, and the leakage math behind the headline number has become the more important story for US investors. On a recent episode of the firm’s Thoughts on the Market podcast titled “AI Spending: A New Engine for the Global Economy,” analysts revised their hyperscaler and AI-related CapEx estimates upward and walked through why a bigger topline does less for domestic GDP than the raw dollars suggest.
The Revised Forecast The team’s own words captured the shift: “We were thinking a little over a trillion for 2027. Now we’re more like $1.2, $1.3 trillion, maybe as high as $1.4 trillion in 2028.” That trajectory sits alongside a Wells Fargo projection this week that top-four cloud service provider AI infrastructure CapEx alone will reach $1.1 trillion by 2027, with the bank hiking price targets on Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), and Meta (NASDAQ: META) on the view that major cloud providers will pass higher AI infrastructure costs through to enterprise customers.
The Morgan Stanley figure is broader in scope because it captures the wider ecosystem: equipment makers, non-cloud infrastructure, and international operators. It is also consistent with Vanguard’s outlook work, which estimates the AI scalers alone will lay out $2.1 trillion in cumulative capital expenditure from Q1 2025 through Q4 2027.
Why 60% Leaks Out of the US Economy The catch is composition. Roughly 60% of AI CapEx flows into “computers and peripherals, equipment spending categories that have a very, very high import content.” That imported hardware shows up on the wrong side of the trade ledger, which is why the US posted a $77.6 billion trade deficit in May 2026, the worst reading in a 12-month window that averaged a $60.8 billion monthly deficit.
Netting out the leakage, the Morgan Stanley team estimates “AI CapEx is probably contributing around 40 basis points to growth” this year, with a similar contribution expected next year. Against an economy the firm describes as growing “somewhere a little bit above 2% right now,” that matches the Bureau of Economic Analysis print of 2.1% real GDP growth in Q1 2026, driven partly by gross private investment of 7.9%. AI is meaningful at the margin without carrying the expansion by itself.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Morgan Stanley didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
Asia Captures the Other Side of the Trade The offset shows up abroad. Morgan Stanley notes AI spending is “fueling growth around the world, just not here in the US,” with semiconductor exports from Korea, Taiwan, and Japan growing by 90%. Global chip data supports the transmission mechanism. Worldwide semiconductor revenue reached $298.5 billion in Q1 2026, up 25.0% from Q4 2025. In March 2026, global semiconductor sales rose 79.2% year over year, while Asia-Pacific semiconductor sales totaled $86.2 billion, up 108.5% from March 2025. Taiwan’s IC industry logged NT$1,926.1 billion in Q1 2026 revenue, up 29.4% year over year.
Sustainability Questions Are Building Not everyone thinks the current run rate holds. Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW) CEO Nikesh Arora argued this week that token costs for enterprise AI must decrease by 90% within two years to achieve scalability, pointing to Uber (NYSE: UBER) having burned through its entire 2026 AI budget by April. Morgan Stanley itself flagged “potential continued volatility due to AI spending and capital expenditure uncertainties” in commentary on the KOSPI correction. Financing costs also matter, with the 10-year Treasury yield at 4.55% sitting in the 93rd percentile of its trailing 12-month range.
What to Watch Investors tracking the domestic payoff should focus on three signals: the monthly US trade balance for the imported-equipment component, quarterly Asian semiconductor export data as a real-time proxy for hyperscaler orders, and enterprise AI unit economics. Corporate profits look healthy enough to fund the buildout, with total corporate profits reaching $4,426.5 billion in Q1 2026, up 12.8% year over year, and IT sector profits climbing to $352.5 billion.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Morgan Stanley didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
Shares of ServiceNow (NOW -6.42%) were pulling back today after disappointing results from Pegasystems (PEGA -17.13%), a small-cap enterprise automation software company, seemed to confirm a concerning trend for ServiceNow, that customers were delaying software orders as they spend on AI.
As of 12:44 p.m. ET, ServiceNow was down 5.9%, while Pegasystems had lost 16.2%, and the iShares Expanded-Tech Software ETF, which tracks top software stocks like ServiceNow, was down 2.7%, showing software stocks were down broadly even as the major indexes were flat.
Image source: Getty Images.
Why the Pegasystems report is bad news for ServiceNow Pegasystems missed estimates on the top and bottom lines as management said, "Unprecedented changes in the AI market caused clients to delay their purchasing decisions."
That commentary and the poor results echo the update from IBM last week, as the legacy tech giant plunged after it warned that several large customer deals were delayed as its customers redirect capital expenditure budgets to AI hardware, with prices for components like memory rising rapidly.
Pega CEO Alan Trefler also said cost uncertainties around generative AI programs were causing companies to be more hesitant, adding that decision cycles have lengthened.
The development has implications for ServiceNow, which relies on similar budgetary spending on its cloud software.
Today's Change
(
-6.42
%) $
-6.56
Current Price
$
95.51
What's next for ServiceNow ServiceNow is due to report second-quarter earnings after the bell, and investors may be expecting to hear similar commentary from the enterprise software giant.
The analyst consensus calls for revenue to grow 22.2% to $3.93 billion, and for adjusted earnings per share to tick up from $0.82 to $0.86.
ServiceNow has been one of the biggest losers in the so-called SaaSpocalypse as software stocks have plunged on fears of AI disruption. The stock is now down more than 50% from its peak in late 2024, even as it's continued to deliver solid results.
Tonight's report comes at a pivotal moment. Expect the stock to swing big one way or the other tomorrow, depending on the results.
Jeremy Bowman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends International Business Machines and ServiceNow. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
LOS ANGELES, July 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter LLP reminds investors of the upcoming September 8, 2026 deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in the class action filed on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Intuit Inc. (“Intuit” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: INTU) securities between August 22, 2025 and May 20, 2026, inclusive (the “Class Period”).
IF YOU SUFFERED A LOSS ON YOUR INTUIT INVESTMENTS, CLICK HERE TO INQUIRE ABOUT POTENTIALLY PURSUING CLAIMS TO RECOVER YOUR LOSS UNDER THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS.
What Happened?
On May 20, 2026, Reuters published an article stating that “Intuit . . . is laying off about 17% of its workforce, or about 3,000 employees worldwide, to streamline operations and sharpen focus on its key bets including its AI efforts” and that the Company “is also winding down its Reno and Woodland Hills offices as part of a strategic restructuring to consolidate teams in key hubs, according to the memo.”
On this news, Intuit’s stock price fell $15.78, or 3.95%, to close at $383.93 per share on May 20, 2026, thereby injuring investors.
The same day, after market hours, Intuit released its fiscal third quarter 2026 financial results, reporting weak revenue, including TurboTax revenue that grew by only 7% year-over-year, versus consensus estimates of at least 8% revenue growth due to “[facing] pressure among the most price-sensitive DIY filers earning less than $50,000 a year” and that the Company “lost on price.” Additionally, the Company disclosed that TurboTax online paying units were expected to grow by only 2% as total IRS filers were expected to decline by approximately 30 basis points, representing the “most significant industry-wide contraction since the post-COVID tax season.”
On this news, Intuit’s stock price fell $76.86, or 20.02%, to close at $307.07 per share on May 21, 2026, thereby injuring investors further.
What Is The Lawsuit About?
The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) they had overstated Intuit’s competitive advantages and growth, as well as the overall strength and sustainability of its business model and operations; (2) in reality, Intuit was losing significant business in its tax-related business, particularly in its Turbo Tax business, as a result of, inter alia, increasing competitive and pricing pressures; (3) accordingly, Intuit’s previously issued FY 2026 TurboTax revenue growth guidance was unreliable and/or unrealistic; and (4) as a result, Defendants’ positive statements about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.
If you purchased or otherwise acquired Intuit securities during the Class Period, you may move the Court no later than September 8, 2026 to request appointment as lead plaintiff in this putative class action lawsuit.
Contact Us To Participate or Learn More:
If you wish to learn more about this action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact us:
Charles Linehan, Esq.,
Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter LLP,
1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100,
Los Angeles California 90067
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 310-201-9150,
Toll-Free: 888-773-9224
Visit our website at www.glancylaw.com.
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.
If you inquire by email, please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased.
To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
Contact Us:
Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter LLP,
1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Charles Linehan
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 310-201-9150
Toll-Free: 888-773-9224
Visit our website at: www.glancylaw.com.
Intuit has debuted a new small business-focused credit card in collaboration with Mastercard.
The World Elite Business Mastercard, announced Wednesday (July 22), is designed to sync with Intuit’s QuickBooks platform to help businesses manage spending, access credit and get a handle on their financial health from a single place.
“We know businesses don’t have a one-size-fits-all need for capital, which is why we’re building a range of capital solutions on the Intuit platform,” David Hahn, executive vice president and general manager of Intuit’s services group, said in a news release. “The Intuit Business Credit Card introduces a smarter way to power business growth with critical controls and value on every dollar spent. This is an important part of Intuit’s broader commitment to building the capital solutions small businesses need to grow with confidence.”
The release points to in-house findings from Intuit showing that businesses that use financing are almost twice as likely to be “in an active growth phase” than businesses who rely on personal funds.
“Yet many businesses still lack timely access to capital and real-time visibility into their financial health, relying on disconnected tools and manual processes to manage spending, accounting, and financing,” the release said.
Intuit argues its new card addresses this by combining spending, credit, and financial data, allowing for “smarter cash flow control, confident spending, and growth opportunities.”
Research by PYMNTS Intelligence and Mastercard has found that a sizable number of small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) don’t use a business credit card, with 30% saying they use personal cards to cover work-related expenses.
“With small businesses alone numbering 36 million in the United States and driving 43.5% of U.S. GDP, it all adds up to a lot of missed opportunity for card issuers,” PYMNTS wrote earlier this year.
More recently, PYMNTS spoke with Ginger Siegel, North America small and medium business lead at Mastercard, about some of the working capital burdens facing SMBs.
“The biggest challenge that small businesses face is really around cash flow uncertainty and everything that cascades from it,” Siegel said in an interview earlier this week, adding that lag times require owners to tap into personal reserves or credit lines.
Siegel went on to say that many businesses also lose purchasing opportunities while waiting for funds to settle, a burden compounded by administrative work that falls to owners who often oversee finance, operations and customer service on their own.
“The card is becoming more than a payment vehicle, and in fact is becoming a salve against those pain points,” PYMNTS wrote.
See More In: credit, credit cards, Intuit, Mastercard, News, partnerships, PYMNTS News, QuickBooks, small businesses, What's Hot, working capital
After a massive 170% rally in 2025, silver prices have lost momentum this year, declining 15.6% year to date. Prices recently touched a year-to-date low of $55 per ounce amid rising oil prices, a stronger U.S. dollar and higher interest rate expectations. This clouds the near-term outlook for the Zacks Mining - Silver industry. Although underlying demand remains resilient, inflation will drive up operating costs, squeezing margins.
We recommend considering companies such as First Majestic Silver (AG - Free Report) , Vizsla Silver (VZLA - Free Report) which will benefit from enhanced operational efficiency, disciplined cost management and solid projects.
About the Industry The Zacks Mining - Silver industry comprises companies that are engaged in the exploration, development and production of silver. These include big and small players operating mines of widely varying types and scales. Silver-bearing ores are mined by open-pit or underground methods and then crushed and ground. Miners continually look for opportunities to expand their reserves and resources through targeted near-mine exploration and business development. They strive to upgrade and improve the quality of their existing assets, internally and through acquisitions. Only 20% of silver comes from mining activities, wherein silver is the primary revenue source. The balance comes from projects wherein silver is a by-product of mining other metals, such as copper, lead and zinc. Thus, several companies in the silver mining industry are engaged in mining other metals.
What's Shaping the Future of the Mining-Silver Industry Silver Prices Pull Back After Record Rally: Silver surged 170% in 2025, even outpacing gold’s 66.5% gain, driven by elevated geopolitical risks, economic uncertainty, resilient demand and tightening inventories. Also, 2025 marked a sharp reversal in ETF trends, with strong inflows after consecutive years of outflows, one of the key catalysts behind silver’s breakout. The bullish outlook was further strengthened after the U.S. Geological Survey added silver to its 2025 List of Critical Minerals, a move expected to support domestic production through favorable policies and faster permitting. The rally extended into early 2026, with silver hitting a record high of $121.64 per ounce in late January. However, prices later retreated, touching a year-to-date low of $55 per ounce on July 17 amid rising oil prices, a stronger U.S. dollar and higher interest rate expectations fueled by escalating Middle East tensions. Silver has since rebounded to around $59.5 per ounce on renewed safe-haven demand and technical buying ahead of next week's Federal Reserve meeting. Despite the recovery, silver remains down 15.6% year to date, though it is still approximately 126% higher than its year-ago level.
Inflationary Costs to Hurt Margins: Industry players are facing escalating production costs, including electricity, wages, water and materials. Mining companies are major consumers of energy, with around 50% of their production costs closely linked to energy prices. Surging oil prices, spurred by the Iranian conflict, remain a headwind. A shortage of skilled workforce spiked wages. With no control over silver prices, the industry must focus on improving its sales volumes while being cost-effective. Players are investing heavily in R&D and resorting to technological innovations required at almost every level of operation to increase efficiency, sustain growth and rein in costs.
Strong Demand Underpins the Industry: Industrial applications account for roughly 59% of the total demand, with the solar energy industry being one of the main drivers. Silver use in photovoltaic (PV) technology has climbed sharply in recent years due to the increasing global adoption of solar technology, advances in solar cell design and the global push for renewable energy. Per the International Energy Agency (IEA), global renewable power capacity is expected to double between 2025 and 2030. Solar PV will account for 80% of the increase, given its low costs, faster permitting and rising social acceptance. Silver has been used by the automotive industry for many years, and there has been a steady increase in the use of electrical and electronic components driven by demand for enhanced safety features and improved functionality. The electrification of the automotive industry has boosted demand further. Battery electric vehicles use significantly more silver than hybrids or internal combustion engine vehicles, while the growing number of electronic control units further boosts consumption. Rapid digitalization and the rise of AI are emerging as powerful new demand drivers for silver. As economies transition toward clean energy, electrification and AI-led digital infrastructure, silver is increasingly cementing its role as a critical “next-generation metal.”
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Lackluster Prospects The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates gloomy prospects in the near term. The Zacks Mining – Silver industry, a 10-stock group within the broader Zacks Basic Materials sector, currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #189, which places it in the bottom 23% of 247 Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Despite the bleak near-term prospects, we will present a few Mining-Silver stocks that you can add to your portfolio, given their prospects. But it is worth looking at the industry’s shareholder returns and current valuation first.
Industry Versus Broader Market The Mining-Silver Industry has outperformed the sector and the Zacks S&P 500 composite over the past year. The stocks in this industry have collectively gained 71% in the past year compared with the Basic Material sector’s 17.9% rise. Meanwhile, the Zacks S&P 500 composite has risen 20.9%.
One-Year Price Performance
Industry's Current Valuation Based on the trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA ratio, a commonly used multiple for valuing silver-mining companies, we see that the industry is currently trading at 9.15X compared with the S&P 500's 18.54X and the Basic Material sector's trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 12.81X. This is shown in the charts below.
Enterprise Value/EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) TTM Ratio
Enterprise Value/EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) TTM Ratio
In the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 21.50X and as low as 7.98X, with the median being 14.32X.
2 Mining-Silver Stocks to Keep an Eye On First Majestic Silver: The company recently reported that it has produced 3.8 million silver ounces in the second quarter, a year-over-year increase of 3%, primarily driven by strong performances at La Encantada and Santa Elena. Gold production rose 2% to 34,660 ounces, driven by strong production at Santa Elena. With strong production results so far in 2026 and the company’s successful progress on throughput expansions across all mine sites as well as continued operating efficiencies, the 2026 attributable consolidated production guidance has increased to 14.6 – 15.5 million silver ounces, a 10% increase from the original guidance of 13.0 – 14.4 million, as well as a 7% increase to 128,000 – 135,000 gold ounces compared with the original guidance of 116,000-129,000 gold ounces. Management has increased the 2026 capital budget to a range of $318-$344 million to support key growth initiatives, including the Jerritt Canyon restart program, development projects at Santa Elena including Navidad and the early advancement of underground access to Santo Niño for near-term mining, further development across San Dimas, Los Gatos and La Encantada, and the acquisition of additional equipment to enhance and sustain higher throughput rates at Los Gatos.
Price & Consensus: AG
Vizsla Silver: The company is advancing its flagship, 100%-owned Panuco silver-gold project in Sinaloa, Mexico, which is one of the highest-grade silver primary discoveries in the world. It is targeting the first silver production in the second half of 2027. The company completed the Feasibility Study for Panuco in November 2025, which highlighted 17.4 million ounces of silver equivalent of annual production over an initial 9.4-year mine life. Vizsla Silver aims to position itself as a leading silver company by implementing a dual-track development approach at Panuco, advancing mine development while continuing district-scale exploration through low-cost means. Last year, the company acquired the Santa Fe Project, including both production and exploration concessions. With an option agreement now in place on the Santa Fe production concessions, Vizsla Silver has the potential to bolster its overall production profile well beyond the 20.2 million silver-equivalent ounces of initial annual production envisioned for Panuco Project #1.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for this Vancouver, Canada-based player’s 2026 bottom line is currently pegged at a loss of two cents per share. The estimate has moved up from the loss of four cents per share projected 90 days ago. VZLA currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
