Most of us have heard the dictum "the trend is your friend." And this is undeniably the key to success when it comes to short-term investing or trading. But it isn't easy to ensure the sustainability of a trend and profit from it.
Often, the direction of a stock's price movement reverses quickly after taking a position in it, making investors incur a short-term capital loss. So, it's important to ensure that there are enough factors -- such as sound fundamentals, positive earnings estimate revisions, etc. -- that could keep the momentum in the stock going.
Investors looking to make a profit from stocks that are currently on the move may find our "Recent Price Strength" screen pretty useful. This predefined screen comes handy in spotting stocks that are on an uptrend backed by strength in their fundamentals, and trading in the upper portion of their 52-week high-low range, which is usually an indicator of bullishness.
There are several stocks that passed through the screen and ATI (ATI - Free Report) is one of them. Here are the key reasons why this stock is a solid choice for "trend" investing.
A solid price increase over a period of 12 weeks reflects investors' continued willingness to pay more for the potential upside in a stock. ATI is quite a good fit in this regard, gaining 28.6% over this period.
However, it's not enough to look at the price change for around three months, as it doesn't reflect any trend reversal that might have happened in a shorter time frame. It's important for a potential winner to maintain the price trend. A price increase of 0.2% over the past four weeks ensures that the trend is still in place for the stock of this maker of steel and specialty metals.
Moreover, ATI is currently trading at 95.9% of its 52-week High-Low Range, hinting that it can be on the verge of a breakout.
Looking at the fundamentals, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which means it is in the top 20% of more than the 4,000 stocks that we rank based on trends in earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises -- the key factors that impact a stock's near-term price movements.
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 Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>
Another factor that confirms the company's fundamental strength is its Average Broker Recommendation of #1 (Strong Buy). This indicates that the brokerage community is highly optimistic about the stock's near-term price performance.
So, the price trend in ATI may not reverse anytime soon.
In addition to ATI, there are several other stocks that currently pass through our "Recent Price Strength" screen. You may consider investing in them and start looking for the newest stocks that fit these criteria.
This is not the only screen that could help you find your next winning stock pick. Based on your personal investing style, you may choose from over 45 Zacks Premium Screens that are strategically created to beat the market.
However, keep in mind that the key to a successful stock-picking strategy is to ensure that it produced profitable results in the past. You could easily do that with the help of the Zacks Research Wizard. In addition to allowing you to backtest the effectiveness of your strategy, the program comes loaded with some of our most successful stock-picking strategies.
Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today.
For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.
Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.
Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Federated Hermes (FHI - Free Report) Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, Federated Hermes, Inc. is a global asset manager with $907.1 billion in AUM as of March 31, 2026. It was formed from the merger between Federated Investors and Hermes Investment Management.
FHI is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Momentum investors should take note of this Finance stock. FHI has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 1.9% over the past four weeks.
For fiscal 2026, four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.14 to $5.24 per share. FHI boasts an average earnings surprise of +14%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, FHI should be on investors' short list.
BENSALEM, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Law Offices of Howard G. Smith continues its investigation on behalf of GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. (“GE HealthCare” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GEHC) investors concerning the Company's possible violations of federal securities laws.IF YOU ARE AN INVESTOR WHO SUFFERED A LOSS IN GE HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGIES INC. (GEHC), CONTACT THE LAW OFFICES OF HOWARD G. SMITH ABOUT POTENTIALLY PURSUING CLAIMS TO RECOVER YOUR LOSS.Contact the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith to di.
Law Offices of Howard G. Smith continues its investigation on behalf of GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. (âGE HealthCareâ or the âCompanyâ) (NASDAQ: [url
Investors interested in Computer and Technology stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Jabil (JBL - Free Report) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Computer and Technology sector should help us answer this question.
Jabil is a member of the Computer and Technology sector. This group includes 612 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #2. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different groups, measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the sector to gauge the strength of each group.
The Zacks Rank emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find stocks with improving earnings outlooks. This system has a long record of success, and these stocks tend to be on track to beat the market over the next one to three months. Jabil is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).
Within the past quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for JBL's full-year earnings has moved 3.7% higher. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend.
Based on the most recent data, JBL has returned 41.2% so far this year. Meanwhile, the Computer and Technology sector has returned an average of 10.8% on a year-to-date basis. This means that Jabil is outperforming the sector as a whole this year.
Another stock in the Computer and Technology sector, Arrow Electronics (ARW - Free Report) , has outperformed the sector so far this year. The stock's year-to-date return is 95.2%.
The consensus estimate for Arrow Electronics' current year EPS has increased 40.9% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Looking more specifically, Jabil belongs to the Electronics - Manufacturing Services industry, a group that includes 4 individual stocks and currently sits at #22 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, stocks in this group have gained 31.6% this year, meaning that JBL is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns.
In contrast, Arrow Electronics falls under the Electronics - Parts Distribution industry. Currently, this industry has 4 stocks and is ranked #60. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved +60.7%.
Investors with an interest in Computer and Technology stocks should continue to track Jabil and Arrow Electronics. These stocks will be looking to continue their solid performance.
Datadog (DDOG - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Shares of this data analytics and cloud monitoring company have returned +10.6% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change. The Zacks Internet - Software industry, to which Datadog belongs, has gained 5.5% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.
Earnings Estimate RevisionsHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, Datadog is expected to post earnings of $0.58 per share, indicating a change of +26.1% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
The consensus earnings estimate of $2.41 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +17.6%. This estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $2.88 indicates a change of +19.3% from what Datadog is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -0.4%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Datadog.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Revenue Growth ForecastEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.
For Datadog, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $1.08 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +30.2%. For the current and next fiscal years, $4.34 billion and $5.19 billion estimates indicate +26.6% and +19.7% changes, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryDatadog reported revenues of $1.01 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +32.2%. EPS of $0.6 for the same period compares with $0.46 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $956.88 million, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +5.18%. The EPS surprise was +20%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.
ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Datadog is graded F on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Datadog. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
A wallet tied to the $285 million Drift Protocol exploit moved 23,095.1 Ether, worth about $44.4 million, into Tornado Cash after roughly three months of inactivity.
Summary
Drift’s exploiter deposited 23,095 ETH into Tornado Cash after remaining inactive for three months. ZachXBT declined further tracking, citing resources required to monitor and freeze a nine-figure DPRK theft. Drift previously announced a recovery bounty program with Arkham and Bybit, contrary to online claims. The same address sent 0.85 ETH to wallets labeled as Bybit deposit addresses, according to Etherscan records and monitoring attributed to PeckShield.
Transfers began on July 23 and continued into July 24, on-chain records show. Researcher JL, known as 0xJaelle, flagged the movement and tagged ZachXBT. The investigator replied that he did not plan to keep following the funds without institutional support.
Drift exploiter empties an Ethereum wallet The Etherscan address labeled “Drift Exploiter 4” processed hundreds of transactions during the movement. Records show repeated deposits of 100 ETH, 10 ETH and 1 ETH into the Tornado Cash router. Four other transfers totaling 0.85 ETH went to addresses labeled as Bybit deposits.
Onchain Lens first reported that the attacker had resumed activity and was sending 100 ETH batches into the mixer several times per minute. The wallet had remained largely inactive since the April attack.
Tornado Cash pools deposits and permits later withdrawals through different addresses. That can weaken the direct public link between sending and receiving wallets. Investigators may still use timing, transaction patterns and exchange activity, but the process requires more data and staff.
The movement covers only part of the original theft. Drift’s April recovery update valued stolen assets at $295.7 million across JLP, USDC, Bitcoin-linked tokens, SOL, WETH and other assets. The protocol said much of the converted value remained across four flagged Ethereum wallets.
ZachXBT cites cost of tracking North Korea-linked funds ZachXBT wrote, “Sorry I currently do not have any plans to track these funds further.” He said monitoring a nine-figure North Korea-linked exploit and working toward possible freezes would require resources beyond one independent investigator.
He described the task as “difficult for a team and not feasible for a single person.” ZachXBT also said Drift was not a donor or client. His response on X drew attention to the cost of investigations that continue for months.
The comments do not show that no organization is watching the wallets. Drift has said it works with law enforcement, Mandiant and blockchain intelligence firms. Etherscan continues to label the address, while exchanges can review deposits connected to flagged wallets.
Elsewhere, ZachXBT criticized Circle after about $232 million in stolen USDC crossed from Solana to Ethereum during the April attack. The funds moved through Circle’s cross-chain system before the attacker converted much of the value into ETH.
Drift had announced a recovery bounty program JL later said it was surprising that Drift had not created a recovery bounty. Drift’s public record shows that it had announced plans for one. On April 16, the protocol said it was developing a bounty program with support from Arkham and Bybit.
However, the update did not provide a final reward amount, eligibility rules or payment schedule. It remains unclear whether the program became fully active, whether it covered continuing wallet monitoring, or whether independent researchers could claim payment for later tracing work.
Drift also created a user recovery plan separate from stolen-fund tracking. Tether proposed up to $127.5 million in support. Drift plans to issue recovery tokens and fund redemptions through remaining assets, partner capital and future exchange revenue.
The protocol’s June investigation update said Mandiant attributed the attack to UNC6862, a North Korean threat group. Drift said the attackers used social engineering and compromised operational access rather than a smart contract flaw. As crypto.news reported, the attackers emptied key vaults within about 12 minutes.
Recovery continues as the trail becomes harder to follow Drift has focused on rebuilding its platform and funding user claims while forensic teams pursue the stolen assets. Its recovery framework states that recovered funds will enter the user recovery pool. The protocol also plans stronger signing controls for critical transactions.
The April attack affected other Solana projects. As previously reported, yield platform Carrot decided to shut down after losses linked to Drift erased most of its deposited value.
The Tornado Cash deposits do not prove that the attacker converted the ETH into usable cash. The deposits remain public, and investigators may still identify later withdrawals. However, they remove a simple wallet-to-wallet trail and make the next phase harder.
Neither Drift nor Solana had publicly responded to ZachXBT’s comments at the time of writing. Bybit had not announced whether it reviewed the small deposits shown on Etherscan. The remaining stolen funds and the status of Drift’s planned bounty program remain unresolved.
Daily US Government Bonds 10-Year Yield The 10-year yield hit near 4.71% Thursday, the 2-year pushed near 4.37% and crude crossed $100. Silver held together through all of it and then turned higher Friday when crude and yields backed off. The shorts who pressed into that setup expecting follow-through did not get it and some of those positions had to come off Friday morning.
The 10-year is trading closer to 4.68% Friday. That is still elevated but the direction changed and for a market that had been absorbing higher yields all week, a pause was enough to bring in buyers. Brent slipped below $100 as traders booked profits after the sharp weekly run and WTI eased with it. That took the edge off the inflation pressure and gave the Treasury selloff room to stall.
FOMC and Oil Keep the Ceiling Low The covering rally does not change the rate picture. Fed funds futures are still pricing a meaningful chance of a hike at next week’s meeting even though a hold remains the most likely outcome. The probability of additional tightening through early 2027 is higher than it was before crude started running and Warsh does not have to raise rates to put pressure back on silver. A statement focused on elevated energy costs and sticky inflation does the same job because the bond market has already been doing the tightening work on its own.
Iran is still restricting Hormuz traffic. Saudi Red Sea routes are under pressure after Houthi attacks on tankers this week. Trump threatened a broader attack on Iran and a fresh escalation puts crude back in control fast. Friday’s pullback gave silver room but that room disappears if the next headline sends crude back toward triple digits and the yield trade reignites.
Wall Street analysts forecast that Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL - Free Report) will report quarterly earnings of $1.52 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to a year-over-year increase of 19.7%. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $1.54 billion, exhibiting an increase of 9.5% compared to the year-ago quarter.
Over the past 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been adjusted upward by 2.8% to its current level. This demonstrates the covering analysts' collective reassessment of their initial projections during this period.
Prior to a company's earnings release, it is of utmost importance to factor in any revisions made to the earnings projections. These revisions serve as a critical gauge for predicting potential investor behaviors with respect to the stock. Empirical studies consistently reveal a strong link between trends in earnings estimate revisions and the short-term price performance of a stock.
While investors usually depend on consensus earnings and revenue estimates to assess the business performance for the quarter, delving into analysts' forecasts for certain key metrics often provides a more comprehensive understanding.
In light of this perspective, let's dive into the average estimates of certain Old Dominion metrics that are commonly tracked and forecasted by Wall Street analysts.
Analysts forecast 'Operating Ratio' to reach 72.6%. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 74.6%.
Analysts expect 'LTL tonnage per day' to come in at 32 thousands of ton per day. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 33 thousands of ton per day.
The average prediction of analysts places 'LTL shipments per day' at 42.53 thousand. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 44.91 thousand in the same quarter last year.
According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'LTL revenue per hundredweight' should come in at $37.36 . The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $32.84 .
Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'LTL revenue per hundredweight, excluding fuel surcharges' should arrive at $29.69 . The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $28.17 .
The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Work days' will likely reach 64 days. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 64 days in the same quarter last year.
The consensus among analysts is that 'LTL weight per shipment (lbs.)' will reach $1503.0 pounds. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $1478.0 pounds.
It is projected by analysts that the 'LTL shipments' will reach 2,722 . The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 2,874 .
The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'LTL tons' of 2045 thousands of tons. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 2123 thousands of tons.
View all Key Company Metrics for Old Dominion here>>>
Shares of Old Dominion have demonstrated returns of +4.8% over the past month compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change. With a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), ODFL is expected to beat the overall market performance in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Samsara Inc. (IOT - Free Report) closed the last trading session at $31.49, gaining 8.7% over the past four weeks, but there could be plenty of upside left in the stock if short-term price targets set by Wall Street analysts are any guide. The mean price target of $43.1 indicates a 36.9% upside potential.
The average comprises 20 short-term price targets ranging from a low of $30.00 to a high of $50.00, with a standard deviation of $4.64. While the lowest estimate indicates a decline of 4.7% from the current price level, the most optimistic estimate points to a 58.8% upside. More than the range, one should note the standard deviation here, as it helps understand the variability of the estimates. The smaller the standard deviation, the greater the agreement among analysts.
While the consensus price target is a much-coveted metric for investors, solely banking on this metric to make an investment decision may not be wise at all. That's because the ability and unbiasedness of analysts in setting price targets have long been questionable.
However, an impressive consensus price target is not the only factor that indicates a potential upside in IOT. This view is strengthened by the agreement among analysts that the company will report better earnings than what they estimated earlier. Though a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions doesn't give any idea as to how much the stock could surge, it has proven effective in predicting an upside.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Here's What You Should Know About Analysts' Price TargetsAccording to researchers at several universities across the globe, a price target is one of many pieces of information about a stock that misleads investors far more often than it guides. In fact, empirical research shows that price targets set by several analysts, irrespective of the extent of agreement, rarely indicate where the price of a stock could actually be heading.
While Wall Street analysts have deep knowledge of a company's fundamentals and the sensitivity of its business to economic and industry issues, many of them tend to set overly optimistic price targets. Are you wondering why?
They usually do that to drum up interest in shares of companies that their firms either have existing business relationships with or are looking to be associated with. In other words, business incentives of firms covering a stock often result in inflated price targets set by analysts.
However, a tight clustering of price targets, which is represented by a low standard deviation, indicates that analysts have a high degree of agreement about the direction and magnitude of a stock's price movement. While that doesn't necessarily mean the stock will hit the average price target, it could be a good starting point for further research aimed at identifying the potential fundamental driving forces.
That said, while investors should not entirely ignore price targets, making an investment decision solely based on them could lead to disappointing ROI. So, price targets should always be treated with a high degree of skepticism.
Why IOT Could Witness a Solid UpsideAnalysts' growing optimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher, could be a legitimate reason to expect an upside in the stock. That's because empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
For the current year, one estimate has moved higher over the last 30 days compared to no negative revision. As a result, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased 4.4%.
Moreover, IOT currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which means it is in the top 20% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on four factors related to earnings estimates. Given an impressive externally-audited track record, this is a more conclusive indication of the stock's potential upside in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Therefore, while the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of how much IOT could gain, the direction of price movement it implies does appear to be a good guide.
Here at Zacks, we offer our members many different opportunities to take full advantage of the stock market, as well as how to invest in ways that lead to long-term success.
One of our most popular services, Zacks Premium offers daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank; full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List; Equity Research reports; and Premium stock screens like the Earnings ESP filter. All are useful tools to find what stocks to buy, what to sell, and what are today's hottest industries.
It also includes the Focus List, a long-term portfolio of top stocks that have all the elements to beat the market.
Breaking Down the Zacks Focus ListIf you could, wouldn't you jump at the chance for access to a curated list of stocks to kickstart your investing journey?
That's what the Zacks Focus List, a portfolio of 50 stocks, offers investors. Not only does it serve as a starting point for long-term investors, but all stocks included in the list are poised to outperform the market over the next 12 months.
What makes the Focus List even more helpful is that each selection is accompanied by a full Zacks Analyst Report, which explains the reasoning behind every stock's selection and why we believe it's a good pick for the long-term.
The portfolio's past performance only solidifies why investors should consider it as a starting point. For 2020, the Focus List gained 13.85% on an annualized basis compared to the S&P 500's return of 9.38%. Cumulatively, the portfolio has returned 2,519.23% while the S&P returned 854.95%. Returns are for the period of February 1, 1996 to March 31, 2021.
Focus List MethodologyWhen stocks are picked for the Focus List, it reflects our enduring reliance on the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Earnings estimates are expectations of growth and profitability, and are determined by brokerage analysts. Together with company management, these analysts examine every aspect that may affect future earnings, like interest rates, the economy, and sector and industry optimism.
Earnings estimate revisions are very important, since investors also need to take into consideration what a company will earn in the future.
The stocks that receive positive changes to earnings estimates are more likely to receive even more upward changes in the future. Take this example: if an analyst raised their estimates last month, they'll probably do so again this month, and other analysts will follow.
Harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions is where the Zacks Rank comes in. The Zacks Rank, which is a unique, proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions to make it easier to build a winning portfolio.
Four primary factors make up the Zacks Rank: Agreement, Magnitude, Upside, and Surprise. Each is given a raw score that's recalculated every night and compiled into the Rank, and with this data, stocks are then classified into five groups, ranging from "Strong Buy" to "Strong Sell."
The Focus List is comprised of stocks hand-picked from a long list of #1 (Strong Buy) or #2 (Buy) ranked companies, meaning that each new addition boasts a bullish earnings consensus among analysts.
It can be very profitable to buy stocks with rising earnings estimates, as stock prices respond to revisions. By adding Focus List stocks, there's a great chance you'll be getting into companies whose future earnings estimates will be raised, which can lead to price momentum.
Focus List Spotlight: Huntington Ingalls (HII - Free Report) Based in Newport News, VA, Huntington Ingalls Industries designs, builds and maintains nuclear-powered ships such as aircraft carriers and submarines, and non-nuclear ships, such as surface combatants, expeditionary warfare/amphibious assault and coastal defense surface ships for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and provides after-market services for military ships around the globe.
On May 9, 2016, HII was added to the Focus List at $155.2 per share. Shares have increased 84.98% to $287.09 since then, and the company is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank.
For fiscal 2026, one analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased to $17.31. HII boasts an average earnings surprise of 10.6%.
Earnings for HII are forecasted to see growth of 12.5% for the current fiscal year as well.
Reveal Winning StocksUnlock all of our powerful research, tools and analysis, including the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research Reports, Zacks Earnings ESP Filter, Premium Screener and more, as part of Zacks Premium. You'll quickly identify which stocks to buy, hold and sell, and target today's hottest industries, to help improve the performance of your portfolio. Gain full access now >>
Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong momentum characteristics for investors to consider today, July 24:
Delek US Holdings, Inc. (DK - Free Report) : This integrated downstream energy company has a Zacks Rank #1 and witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 29.1% over the last 60 days.
Delek's shares gained 64.2% over the last three months compared with the S&P 500’s decline of 4.9%. The company possesses a Momentum Score of A.
PBF Energy Inc. (PBF - Free Report) : This petroleum refining company has a Zacks Rank #1 and witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 56.5% over the last 60 days.
PBF Energy’s shares gained 53.1% over the last three months compared with the S&P 500’s decline of 4.9%. The company possesses a Momentum Score of A.
American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL - Free Report) : This airline company has a Zacks Rank #1 and witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 303.6% over the last 60 days.
American Airlines’ shares gained 12.1% over the last three months compared with the S&P 500’s decline of 4.9%. The company possesses a Momentum Score of A.
See the full list of top ranked stocks here
Learn more about the Momentum score and how it is calculated here.
Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.
The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.
It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.
Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.
A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Boot Barn (BOOT - Free Report) Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. is the largest lifestyle retailer in the United States, specializing in western and work-related footwear, apparel, and accessories. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Irvine, California, the company serves customers through an integrated network of brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce platforms. At the end of fiscal 2026, Boot Barn operated 539 stores across 49 states and complemented its physical presence with a nationwide digital platform that supports services such as buy online, pick up in store, curbside pickup, ship-from-store and in-store returns.
BOOT is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 17.27; value investors should take notice.
For fiscal 2027, one analyst revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.01 to $8.56 per share. BOOT boasts an average earnings surprise of +5.6%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, BOOT should be on investors' short list.
Have you been paying attention to shares of Labcorp Holdings (LH - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 9.3% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $298.46 in the previous session. Labcorp has gained 16% since the start of the year compared to the -0.1% move for the Zacks Medical sector and the -1.8% return for the Zacks Medical Services industry.
What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, having beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on April 30, 2026, Labcorp reported EPS of $4.25 versus consensus estimate of $4.09.
For the current fiscal year, Labcorp is expected to post earnings of $18 per share on $14.71 in revenues. This represents a 9.49% change in EPS on a 5.43% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $19.33 per share on $15.44 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 7.36% and 4.99%, respectively.
Valuation MetricsLabcorp may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company is due for a pullback from this level.
On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
Labcorp has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and C, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 16.2X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 16X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 11.7X versus its peer group's average of 10X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.93. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.
Zacks RankWe also need to consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Labcorp currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.
Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Labcorp passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Labcorp shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.
How Does LH Stack Up to the Competition?Shares of LH have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is Progyny, Inc. (PGNY - Free Report) . PGNY has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) and a Value Score of C, a Growth Score of A, and a Momentum Score of C.
Earnings were strong last quarter. Progyny, Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 13.64%, and for the current fiscal year, PGNY is expected to post earnings of $2.04 per share on revenue of $1.38 billion.
Shares of Progyny, Inc. have gained 12.1% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 15.05X and a P/CF of 41.7X.
The Medical Services industry is in the top 39% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for LH and PGNY, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.
What a year it's been for energy stocks. Geopolitical whiplash and surging electricity demand from AI data centers are combining to put energy companies in the spotlight. Investors have a lot to choose from today. Here are my highest-conviction picks for the second half of 2026.
Constellation Energy shines Nuclear, in particular, is having a significant moment in the U.S. and beyond. Constellation Energy (CEG +1.05%) owns the largest fleet of nuclear power plants in the country. Nuclear energy's ability to meet growing power needs is currently unmatched. Hyperscalers building data centers are looking to Constellation to meet the moment. Agreements with companies such as Microsoft and Walmart are bringing in new revenue for CEG.
Image source: Getty Images.
Surprisingly, Constellation Energy stock has not had a great year so far. Down more than 25% in 2026, the shares have been weighed down by a combination of factors, including the Calpine acquisition, institutional sell-offs, and backlash and moratoriums against data centers. The selling of Constellation shares is largely due to the company's more than 500% rise over the past five years.
Usually, the narrative around utilities centers more on income than growth, but that's not the case with Constellation. The company pays a modest dividend, but the surge in energy demand is likely to drive substantial growth in the coming years. The company anticipates earnings-per-share growth of 20% through 2029. Constellation offers investors a less speculative entry point into AI's insatiable energy demand.
Lastly, the company has authorized a $5 billion share buyback program and anticipates free cash flow exceeding $8 billion through 2027. This, combined with new long-term power purchase agreements, is setting Constellation Energy up to dominate for the foreseeable future.
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Enterprise Product Partners pays For investors interested in a boring but consistent business, Enterprise Product Partners (EPD +0.05%) fits the bill. EPDis one of the largest midstream operators in the country and operates on a fee-based model for moving, storing, and processing natural gas, NGLs, crude, and petrochemicals. Where it's positioned in the industry largely insulates it from the daily swings in oil and gas prices.
EPD also offers investors a high yield of approximately 5.7%. The stock's current forward P/E ratio is around 14, and its PEG is 1.58, suggesting the stock is fairly or potentially undervalued.
In the first quarter of 2026, the company generated $2.7 billion in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), a 10% increase from the prior year. According to management, it was "an exceptional quarter," and in the near term, the company expects discretionary free cash flow to be split between share buybacks and debt reduction. The strong balance sheet and reduced capital spending in 2026 should free up more cash for further buybacks and distribution hikes.
EPD is well positioned to capitalize on AI-driven demand for natural gas and LNG exports. So there's both income and growth visibility for the company.
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NextEra is winning the next chapter NextEra Energy (NEE -0.13%) might actually be the best-positioned energy company to capture the AI power needs. NextEra owns Florida Power & Light, a traditional regulated utility company that provides incredibly reliable cash flow. On the other side, NextEra is growing its renewables division with an increasingly robust backlog of data center contracts. The FP&L provides the foundational stability for the renewables arm to grow.
The company's first-quarter earnings per share grew 10% year over year to $1.09. The management team expects at least 8% annual growth in adjusted earnings per share through 2032. NextEra's dividend is modest, yielding about 2.83% at the current price. The stock trades at a slight premium, but the growth outlook shouldn't dissuade long-term investors.
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Three standout choices These three companies all excel in different areas of the energy industry. Whether you're adding companies for growth or income, these businesses offer distinct paths to returns for shareholders and are my highest-conviction picks in the sector for the second half of 2026.
Moog (MOG.A - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 31. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis aerospace contractor is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.67 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +12.7%.
Revenues are expected to be $1.08 billion, up 10.8% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 2.11% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Moog?For Moog, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.94%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.
So, this combination indicates that Moog will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Moog would post earnings of $2.38 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.64, delivering a surprise of +10.92%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Moog appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Expected Results of an Industry PlayerWoodward (WWD - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $2.39 for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +35.8%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $1.11 billion, up 21.7% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for Woodward has been revised 0.2% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a higher Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +5.10%.
This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), suggests that Woodward will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
FORT SMITH, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Board of Directors of ArcBest® (Nasdaq: ARCB) has declared a quarterly cash dividend of twelve cents ($0.12) per share to holders of record of its Common Stock, $0.01 par value, on August 7, 2026, payable on August 21, 2026. ABOUT ARCBEST ArcBest® (Nasdaq: ARCB) is a multibillion-dollar integrated logistics company that helps keep the global supply chain moving. Founded in 1923 and now with 14,000 employees across 250 campuses and service centers, the comp.
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DoorDash says its new fee structure will "better reflect what it takes to complete your delivery." Bloomberg/Getty Images The fees on your next DoorDash order could change depending on the size of your order or how far your delivery worker has to travel.
DoorDash is overhauling the way it charges customer fees, the company said on Thursday. It plans to roll out the new fee structure across most of the US over the coming months.
Under the new system, the service fee customers pay can vary more, depending on factors such as the size of an order and the distance to the store or restaurant. Orders that require trips of more than 10 miles may still incur a separate long-distance fee.
DoorDash's delivery fee, meanwhile, will remain a fixed charge that varies by merchant, the company said.
The changes "better reflect what it takes to complete your delivery," DoorDash wrote in a blog post describing the new fee structure.
The new fee structure is the latest change to the DoorDash app. Last month, the delivery service unveiled an AI tool that lets users order groceries by uploading a shopping list or a recipe.
Gig workers for apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats often decide which orders to take based on factors such as how far they need to travel to deliver them. That calculation has become more important as gas prices have soared this year after the US and Israel began a war with Iran.
About 70% of recent DoorDash orders would have carried lower fees under the new system, the company said. A DoorDash spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for clarification on the fee structure.
DoorDash is also adding app features that it said make its fees more transparent to customers. A new "Farther Away" label will appear on orders from restaurants that could incur higher service fees, for example.
The rollout will initially exclude California, Chicago, Colorado, Washington, DC, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York City, Puerto Rico, and Seattle, DoorDash said.
Do you have a story idea about DoorDash? Contact this reporter at [email protected] or via encrypted messaging app Signal at 808-854-4501. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.
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Alex Bitter You're currently following this author! Want to unfollow? Unsubscribe via the link in your email.
Alex Bitter is a senior retail reporter covering the gig economy, food, and retail. His work focuses major gig delivery and ride-hailing apps, including Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, and Walmart's Spark. He is interested in everything from what it's like to work on the apps to the companies' business strategies.Some of his recent stories feature gig workers who have been deactivated on the apps, DoorDash hiring traditional employees to make deliveries, gig workers' use of bots, and gig work expanding into new professions, such as nursing.Alex has also written about Aldi's US expansion, Starbucks' turnaround efforts, and the fallout from Kraft-Heinz's budget cutting. Convenience store chain Sheetz ended its "smile policy" after his reporting.Before joining Insider in September 2020, he wrote about consumer and retail companies for S&P Global Market Intelligence. He's a graduate of the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa and grew up on the Big Island.Alex lives in the Washington, DC, area, where you can find him studying ancient coins or searching for Civil War artifacts with his metal detector in his free time.Got a tip? Reach out at [email protected] or via encrypted messaging app Signal at +1 (808) 854-4501.
Valmont Industries (VMI - Free Report) has been beaten down lately with too much selling pressure. While the stock has lost 16.3% over the past four weeks, there is light at the end of the tunnel as it is now in oversold territory and Wall Street analysts expect the company to report better earnings than they predicted earlier.
We use Relative Strength Index (RSI), one of the most commonly used technical indicators, for spotting whether a stock is oversold. This is a momentum oscillator that measures the speed and change of price movements.
RSI oscillates between zero and 100. Usually, a stock is considered oversold when its RSI reading falls below 30.
Technically, every stock oscillates between being overbought and oversold irrespective of the quality of their fundamentals. And the beauty of RSI is that it helps you quickly and easily check if a stock's price is reaching a point of reversal.
So, by this measure, if a stock has gotten too far below its fair value just because of unwarranted selling pressure, investors may start looking for entry opportunities in the stock for benefiting from the inevitable rebound.
However, like every investing tool, RSI has its limitations, and should not be used alone for making an investment decision.
Why a Trend Reversal is Due for VMIThe RSI reading of 28.64 for VMI is an indication that the heavy selling could be in the process of exhausting itself, so the stock could bounce back in a quest for reaching the old equilibrium of supply and demand.
The RSI value is not the only factor that indicates a potential turnaround for the stock in the near term. On the fundamental side, there has been strong agreement among the sell-side analysts covering the stock in raising earnings estimates for the current year. Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for VMI has increased 0.6%. And an upward trend in earnings estimate revisions usually translates into price appreciation in the near term.
Moreover, VMI currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which means it is in the top 20% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on trends in earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises. This is a more conclusive indication of the stock's potential turnaround in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
A downtrend has been apparent in Valmont Industries (VMI - Free Report) lately. While the stock has lost 9.3% over the past week, it could witness a trend reversal as a hammer chart pattern was formed in its last trading session. This could mean that the bulls have been able to counteract the bears to help the stock find support.
While the formation of a hammer pattern is a technical indication of nearing a bottom with potential exhaustion of selling pressure, rising optimism among Wall Street analysts about the future earnings of this infrastructure equipment maker is a solid fundamental factor that enhances the prospects of a trend reversal for the stock.
What is a Hammer Chart and How to Trade It?This is one of the popular price patterns in candlestick charting. A minor difference between the opening and closing prices forms a small candle body, and a higher difference between the low of the day and the open or close forms a long lower wick (or vertical line). The length of the lower wick being at least twice the length of the real body, the candle resembles a 'hammer.'
In simple terms, during a downtrend, with bears having absolute control, a stock usually opens lower compared to the previous day's close, and again closes lower. On the day the hammer pattern is formed, maintaining the downtrend, the stock makes a new low. However, after eventually finding support at the low of the day, some amount of buying interest emerges, pushing the stock up to close the session near or slightly above its opening price.
When it occurs at the bottom of a downtrend, this pattern signals that the bears might have lost control over the price. And, the success of bulls in stopping the price from falling further indicates a potential trend reversal.
Hammer candles can occur on any timeframe -- such as one-minute, daily, weekly -- and are utilized by both short-term as well as long-term investors.
Like every technical indicator, the hammer chart pattern has its limitations. Particularly, as the strength of a hammer depends on its placement on the chart, it should always be used in conjunction with other bullish indicators.
Here's What Increases the Odds of a Turnaround for VMIAn upward trend in earnings estimate revisions that VMI has been witnessing lately can certainly be considered a bullish indicator on the fundamental side. That's because empirical research shows that trends in earnings estimate revisions are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements.
Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 0.6%. What it means is that the sell-side analysts covering VMI are majorly in agreement that the company will report better earnings than they predicted earlier.
If this is not enough, you should note that VMI currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which means it is in the top 20% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on trends in earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises. And stocks carrying a Zacks Rank #1 or 2 usually outperform the market. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Moreover, the Zacks Rank has proven to be an excellent timing indicator, helping investors identify precisely when a company's prospects are beginning to improve. So, for the shares of Valmont, a Zacks Rank of 2 is a more conclusive fundamental indication of a potential turnaround.
Sensient Technologies (SXT - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.2 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.94 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +20.00%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this maker of colors, flavors and fragrances would post earnings of $0.8 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.04, delivering a surprise of +30%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times.
Sensient, which belongs to the Zacks Chemical - Specialty industry, posted revenues of $462.08 million for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.00%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $414.23 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates two times over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
Sensient shares have added about 24.6% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.2%.
What's Next for Sensient?While Sensient has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Sensient was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $1.00 on $452.1 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $3.90 on $1.78 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Chemical - Specialty is currently in the top 31% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Balchem (BCPC - Free Report) , another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. The results are expected to be released on July 31.
This chemical company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.43 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +12.6%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
Balchem's revenues are expected to be $268.51 million, up 5.1% from the year-ago quarter.
Textron Inc. (TXT - Free Report) is scheduled to release its second-quarter 2026 results on July 28, before market open. The company delivered an earnings surprise of 11.54% in the last reported quarter.
Let’s discuss the factors that are likely to be reflected in the upcoming quarterly results.
Factors Likely to Affect TXT’s Q2 ResultsHigher aircraft revenues, as well as aftermarket parts and services revenues, are likely to have boosted the Aviation unit’s top line in the second quarter.
Higher sales volumes on the MV-75 program and military sustainment programs, along with increased commercial helicopter parts and services revenues, are projected to have bolstered the Bell unit’s revenue performance.
Higher sales volumes from the Ship-to-Shore Connector program, as well as military training and support services provided by Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (“ATAC”), are likely to have bolstered Textron Systems unit’s performance.
Lower sales volumes from the specialized vehicles are likely to have impacted TXT’s Industrial segment’s performance.
Higher costs of products sold, as well as selling and administrative expenses, are likely to have hurt TXT’s overall bottom line.
TXT’s Q2 EstimatesThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for TXT’s second-quarter revenues is pegged at $3.82 billion, which indicates growth of 2.8% from the year-ago quarter’s figure.
The consensus estimate for TXT’s earnings is pegged at $1.52 per share. This indicates decline of 1.9% from the prior-year figure.
What the Zacks Model UnveilsOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for TXT this time. 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, which is not the case here, as you will see below.
Earnings ESP: Textron has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: TXT currently carries a Zacks Rank of 3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Stocks to ConsiderBelow, we have mentioned a few players from the same sector that have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings in the upcoming releases:
General Dynamics (GD - Free Report) is set to report its second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 29, before market open. It has an Earnings ESP of +1.61% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GD’s earnings is pegged at $3.95 per share. The consensus estimate for its sales is pegged at $13.49 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 3.4%.
L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (LHX - Free Report) is expected to report its second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 29, after market close. It has an Earnings ESP of +2.09% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.
The consensus estimate for LHX’s earnings is pegged at $2.80 per share. The consensus estimate for its sales is pegged at $5.79 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 6.8%.
CurtissWright (CW - Free Report) is set to report its second-quarter 2026 earnings on Aug. 5, 2026, after market close. It has an Earnings ESP of +0.36% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CW’s earnings is pegged at $3.62 per share. The consensus estimate for its sales is pegged at $930.6 million, indicating year-over-year growth of 6.2%.
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2026) - Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against ZoomInfo Technologies Inc. ("ZoomInfo" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: GTM) on behalf of investors that purchased or otherwise acquired ZoomInfo securities between November 3, 2025 and May 11, 2026 (the "Class Period").
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CASE
If you are an investor in ZoomInfo and have suffered losses, you may CLICK HERE to contact us. You may also contact Kaplan Fox by emailing [email protected] or by calling (646) 315-9003.
DEADLINE REMINDER: If you are a member of the proposed Class, you may move the court no later than August 24, 2026 to serve as a lead plaintiff for the purported class. If you have losses we encourage you to contact us to learn more about the lead plaintiff process. You need not seek to become a lead plaintiff in order to share in any possible recovery.
On May 11, 2026, after the market closed, ZoomInfo reported its first quarter 2026 financial results. The Company reduced its 2026 revenue guidance from a range of $1.247 - $1.267 billion to $1.185 - $1.205 billion. During the subsequent earnings call, Chief Executive Officer Henry Schuck stated that "[i]n the closing days of March and into April, [the Company] saw a trend of AI and agentic confusion," which led to "a pause in purchasing decisions." According to the complaint, the Company also announced restructuring costs of $45 million to $60 million and that it would be laying off 20% of its workforce.
Following this news, on May 12, 2026, the price of ZoomInfo stock fell $1.98 per share, nearly 33%, to close at $4.06 per share.
The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period Defendants created the false impression that they possessed reliable information pertaining to the Company's projected revenue outlook and anticipated growth of its legacy and emerging AI-driven products, core software business and sustained improvement in net revenue retention. Further, the complaint alleges that, in truth, ZoomInfo's optimistic plan for continued growth was undermined by slowing seat-based demand, weakening upsells and customers revising decisions to purchase AI products and develop internal AI-driven go-to-market solutions, making ZoomInfo's 2026 full year revenue guidance increasingly unlikely to be met.
WHY CONTACT KAPLAN FOX - Kaplan Fox is a leading national law firm focusing on complex litigation with offices in New York, Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago and New Jersey. With over 50 years of experience in securities litigation, Kaplan Fox offers the professional experience and track record that clients demand. Through prosecuting cases on the federal and state levels, Kaplan Fox has successfully shaped the law through winning many important decisions on behalf of our clients. For more information about Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP, you may visit our website at www.kaplanfox.com.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
If you have any questions about this Notice, your rights, or your interests, please contact:
Contacting or submitting information to Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP does not create an attorney-client relationship, nor an obligation on the part of Kaplan Fox to retain you as a client.
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2026) - Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP is investigating potential securities violations against Medline Inc. ("Medline" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: MDLN).
CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INVESTIGATION
If you are a Medline investor and have suffered losses, or if you have information that could assist in the Medline investigation, you may CLICK HERE to contact us. You may also contact Kaplan Fox by emailing [email protected] or by calling (646) 315-9003.
On June 2, 2026, the Federal Drug Administration ("FDA") published a warning letter dated May 28, 2026 addressed to Medline summarizing "significant violations of Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations for finished pharmaceuticals[.]" The FDA further states that Medline "failed to thoroughly investigate any unexplained discrepancy or failure of a batch or any of its components to meet any of its specifications."
Following this news, the price of Medline stock fell $2.56 per share, or 7.16%, to close at $33.19 per share on June 2, 2026.
According to a June 3, 2026 Reuters article, the latest FDA warning letter relates to "violations of manufacturing quality standards" and is "the second such action against the [C]ompany in two months." Further, the Reuters article states that according to the FDA, "the Company failed to thoroughly investigate microbial contamination incidents in finished drug products and also cited inadequate cleaning practices."
WHY CONTACT KAPLAN FOX?
Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP is a nationally recognized law firm focused on complex litigation, with offices in New York, Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New Jersey. Founded in 1956, the firm has spent more than 50 years prosecuting securities, antitrust, and consumer protection actions in federal and state courts nationwide, recovering more than $10 billion for clients and the classes it has represented.
Kaplan Fox is widely regarded as one of the nation's premier plaintiffs' securities litigation firms and has received recognition from Chambers and Partners, Benchmark Litigation, Super Lawyers, and Lawdragon. Serving as lead or co-lead counsel in many landmark cases, the firm has secured some of the largest recoveries in the history of securities litigation, including a $2.425 billion recovery on behalf of Bank of America shareholders in In re Bank of America—the largest recovery ever obtained for claims under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act—$800 million recovered for the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System and other pension funds in ATRS v. Allianz Global Investors, and a $475 million settlement in In re Merrill Lynch.
For decades, Kaplan Fox has represented public pension funds, institutional investors, businesses, and individuals in high-stakes litigation. Through its successful advocacy and precedent-setting victories, the firm has helped shape important areas of securities and corporate law while advancing accountability and protecting investor interests.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
If you have any questions about this investigation, please contact:
Contacting or submitting information to Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP does not create an attorney-client relationship, nor an obligation on the part of Kaplan Fox to retain you as a client.
Louis Navellier predicts a 'good' upcoming quarter Louis Navellier provides his analysis on current market trends, including semiconductor and big tech performance, Q2 earnings expectations, the Fed's approach to inflation and interest rates, and investment opportunities in energy and materials.
Albertsons lowered its fiscal 2026 sales and earnings outlook Thursday after weaker grocery demand and a more cautious consumer weighed on its first-quarter performance.
The grocery chain now expects identical sales to decline between 0.5% and 1.5% for the full fiscal year, compared with its previous forecast of flat sales to 1% growth.
Albertsons also cut its adjusted earnings forecast to between $1.75 and $1.85 per share, down from its prior range of $2.22 to $2.32. Adjusted EBITDA is now expected to range from $3.55 billion to $3.625 billion, compared with its earlier forecast of $3.85 billion to $3.925 billion.
Identical sales fell 0.8% during the quarter ended June 20, while net sales and other revenue edged up 0.2% to $24.94 billion, helped by higher fuel sales. Digital sales increased 13%, although the company said its core grocery business faced mounting pressure from softer industry unit trends.
MAJOR GROCERY CHAIN BEATS WALMART, ALDI IN PRICE WAR AS SHOPPERS HUNT FOR CHECKOUT RELIEF
The grocery chain now expects identical sales to decline between 0.5% and 1.5% for the full fiscal year. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
"In the first quarter, our digital and pharmacy businesses continued to deliver strong growth, while core grocery faced increasing pressure from softer industry unit trends and a more cautious consumer," CEO Susan Morris said in the company’s earnings release.
Albertsons said it is accelerating investments aimed at strengthening its customer value proposition and improving the shopping experience before anticipated productivity benefits take hold.
"We are choosing to accelerate investments in our customer value proposition and the customer experience ahead of expected productivity benefits because we believe these actions will improve our growth trajectory, strengthen our competitive position, and create long-term shareholder value," Morris said.
Ticker Security Last Change Change % ACI ALBERTSONS COS INC 10.93 -0.35 -3.06% As part of that effort, Albertsons announced an operating realignment called ACI Edge. The company consolidated its 11 divisions into four regions and placed center-store merchandising under a single enterprise team.
Albertsons said the restructuring is intended to accelerate decision-making, improve local execution and bring category management, supplier relationships and merchandising strategy under a more centralized structure.
First-quarter net income fell to $84.7 million, or 17 cents per share, from $236.4 million, or 41 cents per share, a year earlier. Adjusted earnings declined to 42 cents per share from 55 cents.
Albertsons also announced an operating realignment called ACI Edge. (Bridget Bennett/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Gross margin narrowed to 26.6% from 27.1%. Albertsons attributed some of the pressure to higher delivery and handling expenses associated with digital growth, along with higher fuel costs.
Separately, Albertsons said Chief Financial Officer Sharon McCollam plans to retire later this year. McCollam will remain in her current role until a successor is named and will then serve in an advisory capacity through Feb. 27, 2027, to assist with the transition.
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Albertsons operated 2,240 stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia as of June 20.
The market expects Dominion Energy (D - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 31. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis energy company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.78 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +4%.
Revenues are expected to be $4.06 billion, up 6.6% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.03% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Dominion Energy?For Dominion Energy, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -7.69%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #4.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Dominion Energy will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Dominion Energy would post earnings of $0.89 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.95, delivering a surprise of +6.74%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Dominion Energy doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Expected Results of an Industry PlayerEdison International (EIX - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $1.02 for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +5.2%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $4.72 billion, up 3.9% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for Edison International has been revised 6.7% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a higher Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +4.66%.
This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), suggests that Edison International will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Verra Mobility Corporation (NASDAQ: VRRM), a leading provider of smart mobility technology solutions, announced today that it will report financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, after market close on August 5, 2026.
Verra Mobility's Interim Chief Executive Officer, Jon Keyser, and Chief Financial Officer, Craig Conti, will host a conference call and live webcast to discuss financial results for investors and analysts at 5:00 p.m. ET on August 5, 2026.
A live webcast will be available on the Company's Investor Relations website at ir.verramobility.com. To access this conference call by telephone, register here to receive dial-in numbers and a unique PIN to join the call. A replay of the call will also be made available on the Investor Relations website.
In addition, an archived webcast will be available in the "News & Events" section of Verra Mobility's Investor Relations website at ir.verramobility.com.
About Verra Mobility
Verra Mobility Corporation (NASDAQ: VRRM) is a leading provider of smart mobility technology solutions that make transportation safer, smarter and more connected. The company sits at the center of the mobility ecosystem, bringing together vehicles, hardware, software, data and people to enable safe, efficient solutions for customers globally. Verra Mobility's transportation safety systems and parking management solutions protect lives, improve urban and motorway mobility and support healthier communities. The company also solves complex payment, utilization and compliance challenges for fleet owners and rental car companies. Headquartered in Arizona, Verra Mobility principally operates in North America, Europe and Australia. For more information, please visit www.verramobility.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about Verra Mobility's plans, objectives, expectations, beliefs and intentions and other statements including words such as "hope," "anticipate," "may," "believe," "expect," "intend," "will," "should," "plan," "estimate," "predict," "continue" and "potential" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. The forward-looking statements herein represent the judgment of Verra Mobility, as of the date of this release, and Verra Mobility disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. This press release should be read in conjunction with the information included in Verra Mobility's other press releases, reports and other filings with the SEC and on the SEC website, www.sec.gov. Understanding the information contained in these filings is important in order to fully understand Verra Mobility's reported financial results and our business outlook for future periods. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in the forward-looking statements and the assumptions and estimates used as a basis for the forward-looking statements.
Additional Information
We periodically provide information for investors on our corporate website, www.verramobility.com, and our investor relations website, ir.verramobility.com. We intend to use our website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor our website, in addition to following the Company's press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts.
Selective Insurance Group NASDAQ: SIGI reported its eighth consecutive quarter of double-digit operating return on equity, as higher investment income and underwriting profits across all three insurance segments helped offset weaker premium trends in parts of the business.
On the company’s second-quarter 2026 earnings call, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer John Marchioni said Selective generated a 13.7% operating ROE, supported by an 18% year-over-year increase in investment income. The company’s combined ratio improved 2.2 points from a year earlier to 98.0%, including 5.6 points of catastrophe losses.
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Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Patrick Brennan said Selective reported fully diluted earnings per share of $2.11 and non-GAAP operating EPS of $1.95 for the quarter. Year to date, the company produced a 13.0% ROE and a 12.8% operating ROE, ahead of its 12% target.
Premium declines reflect underwriting discipline Marchioni said net premiums written declined 5% in the quarter, emphasizing that the decrease was partly the result of deliberate actions to improve portfolio economics and long-term returns. In Standard Commercial Lines, the company’s largest segment, the combined ratio was 99.7% year to date, and management said improving margins there remains a central focus.
Selective’s Standard Commercial Lines net premiums written fell 6% in the quarter. Marchioni said lower new business accounted for three percentage points of the decrease, while actions on the renewal portfolio, particularly in the company’s worst-performing cohorts, drove the remaining three points.
“We are constraining growth where margins do not meet our targets,” Marchioni said, adding that Selective is focusing new business and retention strategies on accounts that improve the earnings power of the book.
The company said Standard Commercial Lines new business premium declined 22% in the second quarter, consistent with the first quarter. Marchioni attributed the decline to stronger new business pricing, informed by Selective’s view of expected loss trends, and a competitive market that drove lower conversion rates.
Selective also continued efforts to diversify away from heavier exposure to contractors. Marchioni said contractors represented 43% of commercial lines premiums in 2025 but accounted for 33% of new business through the first half of 2026. He said contractors remain an important vertical, but the casualty-oriented nature of that business has pressured performance as the industry faces elevated commercial casualty loss trends.
Commercial casualty trends remain a focus Brennan said Selective had no prior-year casualty reserve development at the segment or line-of-business level in the quarter. He said severities have generally tracked in line with expectations, though the company observed higher-than-expected frequency in commercial auto liability during the first half and adjusted current-year loss ratios accordingly.
In commercial auto, the year-to-date underlying loss ratio was 69.7%, up modestly from full-year 2025. Brennan said that reflected current accident-year frequency adjustments and previously anticipated severity pressures, partially offset by earned renewal pure price. In general liability, the year-to-date underlying loss ratio was 0.8 points higher than full-year 2025, reflecting elevated severity trends embedded in the company’s planning process.
For the quarter, renewal pure price increased 7.4% excluding workers’ compensation. General liability pricing rose 8.7%, while commercial auto pricing increased 9.3%. Brennan said auto liability pricing approached 13%.
During the question-and-answer session, Marchioni said Selective’s response to commercial auto was based on frequency in the current year, not a change in its view of loss trends. He said there is a hypothesis that winter weather in the northern U.S. contributed to elevated frequency, but management considered it prudent to react to the data.
Marchioni also discussed tort reform efforts, citing changes in Georgia, targeted liquor liability reforms in South Carolina and restrictions on third-party litigation financing in North Carolina. However, he said these developments remain state-specific and are not broad enough to alter Selective’s view of casualty severity trends in the near term.
E&S remains profitable despite competitive pressure Selective’s excess and surplus lines segment delivered a 91.8% combined ratio in the second quarter. Marchioni said underwriting remained disciplined across both property and casualty.
Renewal pure price in E&S rose 3.4%, with continued casualty rate momentum reflecting the company’s view of general liability loss trends. Property pricing was slightly negative, which Marchioni said was consistent with competitive market conditions and strong margins.
Net premiums written in E&S declined 2% in the quarter. Marchioni said the E&S market has benefited from strong tailwinds in recent years but historically has been more cyclical than the admitted market. He said Selective is seeing more capacity enter the marketplace, including appetite expansion by admitted market carriers.
Despite that pressure, Marchioni said the company’s E&S business remains a long-term opportunity, supported by its margins, 50-state footprint and expanded distribution channel that includes retail agents.
Personal lines profitability improves year to date In personal lines, Selective reported a second-quarter combined ratio of 95.5%, up from 91.6% a year earlier due to higher non-catastrophe property losses. For the first half of 2026, the segment’s combined ratio was 94.1%, 80 basis points better than the first six months of 2025 and ahead of the company’s 95% target.
Marchioni said personal lines results remained stronger outside New Jersey. Net premiums written declined 8%, while target business was down 2%. New business decreased 36% in the quarter, driven by a more competitive auto market and restrictions the company has in place to manage exposure in New Jersey.
Homeowners premium was relatively flat in the quarter as Selective gained traction in its target market. Marchioni said average new business home values remained above $1 million for the first half, and target market business now represents about 70% of homeowners premium. Renewal pure price in personal lines increased 8.9%.
Investment income outlook raised Brennan said after-tax net investment income totaled $119 million in the quarter, up 18% year over year. The increase was driven by higher book yields from elevated interest rates, deployment of operating cash flows and active portfolio management. The investment portfolio had an average credit quality of A+ and a duration of 4.3 years.
Selective raised its 2026 after-tax net investment income expectation to $480 million from its original estimate of $465 million. The company reaffirmed its GAAP combined ratio guidance of 96.5% to 97.5%, assuming six points of catastrophe losses, but Brennan said results are expected to be near the top of the range given year-to-date underlying trends.
The company also renewed its casualty excess of loss and property per risk reinsurance treaties effective July 1. Brennan said the casualty treaty provides $87 million of protection above a $3 million retention, while the property per risk treaty provides $115 million of coverage above a $5 million retention.
On capital management, Brennan said Selective returned nearly 50% of second-quarter after-tax net income to shareholders through its regular dividend and $32 million of share repurchases. At quarter-end, $108 million remained under the company’s repurchase authorization.
Marchioni also noted several corporate milestones, including Selective’s 100th anniversary, its 50th year as a public company, the opening of a new corporate headquarters in Short Hills, New Jersey, and the company’s July 1 launch in Montana and Wyoming.
About Selective Insurance Group (NASDAQ:SIGI)Selective Insurance Group, Inc is an insurance holding company headquartered in Branchville, New Jersey. The organization traces its roots to a regional provider of property and casualty coverage and became a publicly traded holding company following its initial public offering in 1999. Since its formation, Selective has expanded through strategic acquisitions and organic growth initiatives to broaden its product offerings and strengthen its market position.
The company's core business encompasses a broad range of property and casualty insurance products designed to serve both commercial and personal lines customers.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
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EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) announced today that Barbie is introducing a doll in the likeness of professional basketball superstar, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Angel Reese, celebrating her influence on sport, business, fashion, and culture while empowering the next generation of girls to dream without limits. Dressed in signature Barbie style, the doll debuts in Reebok Angel Reese 1 Basketball Shoes in Barbie pink, with a matching pair available for fans.
Tenet Healthcare and HCA Healthcare oversee U.S.-based networks of hospitals, clinics, and outpatient surgery centers. (Dreamstime)
Shares of Tenet Healthcare outpaced hospital operator peer HCA Healthcare as the companies presented two very different pictures to Wall Street on Friday, sending Tenet stock sharply higher while HCA posted a more modest gain.
Eaton (ETN - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.
The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 31, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis power management company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $3.08 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +4.4%.
Revenues are expected to be $8 billion, up 13.9% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.25% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Eaton?For Eaton, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.32%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.
So, this combination indicates that Eaton will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Eaton would post earnings of $2.74 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.81, delivering a surprise of +2.55%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Eaton appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
An Industry Player's Expected ResultsAmong the stocks in the Zacks Manufacturing - Electronics industry, A.O. Smith (AOS - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $0.96 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -10.3%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $986.45 million, down 2.5% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for A.O. Smith has been revised 0.2% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -2.08%.
When combined with a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that A.O. Smith will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Wall Street analysts expect Equinix (EQIX - Free Report) to post quarterly earnings of $11.25 per share in its upcoming report, which indicates a year-over-year increase of 13.5%. Revenues are expected to be $2.59 billion, up 14.8% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This reflects how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reevaluated their initial estimates during this timeframe.
Before a company reveals its earnings, it is vital to take into account any changes in earnings projections. These revisions play a pivotal role in predicting the possible reactions of investors toward the stock. Multiple empirical studies have consistently shown a strong association between trends in earnings estimates and the short-term price movements of a stock.
While it's common for investors to rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates for assessing how the business may have performed during the quarter, exploring analysts' forecasts for key metrics can yield valuable insights.
Bearing this in mind, let's now explore the average estimates of specific Equinix metrics that are commonly monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts.
The consensus estimate for 'Revenues- Non-recurring revenues' stands at $180.54 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +59.8%.
The average prediction of analysts places 'Revenues- Recurring revenues' at $2.41 billion. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +12.4%.
Analysts expect 'Revenues- Recurring revenues- Managed infrastructure' to come in at $121.73 million. The estimate indicates a change of +4% from the prior-year quarter.
Analysts' assessment points toward 'Revenues- Recurring revenues- Colocation' reaching $1.78 billion. The estimate points to a change of +12.3% from the year-ago quarter.
The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Geographic Revenues- Asia-Pacific' will likely reach $552.39 million. The estimate suggests a change of +13.9% year over year.
Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Geographic Revenues- EMEA' should arrive at $860.34 million. The estimate suggests a change of +12.2% year over year.
It is projected by analysts that the 'Geographic Revenues- Americas' will reach $1.18 billion. The estimate points to a change of +17.3% from the year-ago quarter.
The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Geographic Revenues- EMEA- Non-recurring' of $39.42 million. The estimate indicates a change of +12.6% from the prior-year quarter.
Analysts forecast 'Quarter End Utilization - Worldwide' to reach 77.7%. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 78.0% in the same quarter of the previous year.
Analysts predict that the 'Cabinet Equivalent Capacity - EMEA' will reach 142,763 . Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 137,800 in the same quarter last year.
The consensus among analysts is that 'Cabinet Equivalent Capacity - APAC' will reach 96,000 . Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 89,900 in the same quarter last year.
According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Quarter End Utilization - EMEA' should come in at 77.2%. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 77.0% in the same quarter of the previous year.
View all Key Company Metrics for Equinix here>>>
Over the past month, Equinix shares have recorded returns of -5% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change. Based on its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), EQIX will likely exhibit a performance that aligns with the overall market in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
LOS ANGELES, July 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Schall Law Firm , a national shareholder rights litigation firm, reminds investors of a class action lawsuit against Primoris Services Corporation (“Primoris” or “the Company”) (NYSE: PRIM) for violations of §§10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors who purchased the Company's securities between August 5, 2025 and June 22, 2026, inclusive (the “Class Period”), are encouraged to contact the firm before September 21, 2026.
Key Takeaways SCI's second-quarter revenues are expected to increase about 1% to $1.1 billion. Preneed cemetery sales, better leads and community outreach likely supported contract growth. Pricing may lift funeral revenues, but soft volumes and higher costs could pressure margins. Service Corporation International (SCI - Free Report) is likely to witness top-line growth when it reports second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 29. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $1.1 billion, indicating an increase of about 1% from the prior-year quarter’s reported figure.
The consensus mark for earnings has remained unchanged over the past 30 days at 87 cents a share, which suggests a decline of 1.1% from the figure reported in the year-ago period. SCI has a trailing four-quarter surprise of 1.7%, on average.
Factors Likely to Influence SCI’s Upcoming ResultsSCI’s cemetery performance is likely to have benefited from sustained preneed sales momentum. Investments in salesforce retention and hiring, improved lead quality, expanded seminars and community-based outreach are likely to have continued to support contract velocity and customer reach beyond funeral-home-generated leads.
Funeral revenues are anticipated to have benefited from disciplined pricing and favorable average revenue per service. Management previously stated that average revenue per service was expected to continue benefiting from older preneed contracts maturing, with accumulated trust earnings and newer, higher-value contracts entering the backlog.
However, funeral service volumes are likely to have remained a key headwind. Management indicated that April volumes were still down, though the decline was less severe than in the first quarter, and expected improvement only gradually through the quarter. The company’s high fixed-cost structure may also have limited margin expansion if funeral volumes remained soft. Higher selling compensation tied to preneed production and elevated cemetery maintenance costs could have added to margin pressure.
Earnings Whispers for SCIOur proven model doesn’t conclusively predict an earnings beat for SCI this time. 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, which is not the case here.
SCI currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 and has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Stocks With the Favorable CombinationHere are some companies worth considering, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +11.52% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The consensus estimate for ADM’s quarterly revenues is pinned at $22.4 billion, which calls for 5.7% growth from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Archer-Daniels’ upcoming quarter’s EPS is pegged at $1.27, which implies a 36.6% rise year over year. ADM delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 5.4%, on average.
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.43% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Kimberly-Clark’s upcoming quarterly revenues is pegged at $4.2 billion. The figure indicates a 1.7% increase from the prior-year quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Kimberly-Clark’s quarterly earnings per share is pegged at $2.00, calling for a 4.2% gain from the year-ago period figure. KMB delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 19.1%, on average.
Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +2.61% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The consensus estimate for Monster Beverage’s quarterly revenues is pinned at $2.4 billion, which suggests 14.5% growth from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the upcoming quarter’s EPS is pegged at 59 cents, which calls for a 13.5% jump year over year. MNST delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 9.6%, on average.
It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.
The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.
Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.
Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.
Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.
Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: AMN Healthcare Services (AMN - Free Report) AMN Healthcare Services, Inc. (AMN - Free Report) , operating from Dallas, TX, is a travel healthcare staffing company. Its business has evolved beyond traditional healthcare staffing and recruitment services, thereby becoming a strategic total talent solutions partner with its clients. It has expanded its portfolio to serve a diverse and growing set of healthcare talent-related needs. In addition to its healthcare professional staffing and recruitment services, AMN’s suite of healthcare workforce solutions includes MSP, vendor management systems (VMS), medical language interpretation services, predictive labor analytics, workforce optimization technology and consulting, recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), revenue cycle solutions, credentialing services and virtual care management services. AMN enables its clients to build, manage and optimize their healthcare talent to deliver improved patient outcomes and experience. It continues to enhance its platform with technology-enabled solutions, including digital workforce platforms, automation tools and AI-driven capabilities to improve speed, efficiency and clinician engagement.
AMN is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 12.25; value investors should take notice.
For fiscal 2026, one analyst revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.17 to $2.70 per share. AMN boasts an average earnings surprise of +53.3%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, AMN should be on investors' short list.
RBC Bearings (RBC - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 31. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis maker of bearings and components is expected to post quarterly earnings of $3.42 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +20.4%.
Revenues are expected to be $508.64 million, up 16.7% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.57% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for RBC Bearings?For RBC Bearings, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.66%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.
So, this combination indicates that RBC Bearings will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that RBC Bearings would post earnings of $3.31 per share when it actually produced earnings of $3.62, delivering a surprise of +9.37%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
RBC Bearings appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
An Industry Player's Expected ResultsAnother stock from the Zacks Manufacturing - General Industrial industry, Idex (IEX - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $2.1 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +1.5%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $902.43 million, up 4.3% from the year-ago quarter.
Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for Idex has been revised 0.1% down to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of -0.67%, reflecting a lower Most Accurate Estimate.
When combined with a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Idex will beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: SSD), an industry leader in engineered structural connectors and building solutions, today announced that on July 23, 2026, the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") declared a regular quarterly dividend of 30 cents per share on the Company's common stock. The dividend is payable on October 22, 2026, to stockholders of record on October 1, 2026.
About Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.
Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc., headquartered in Pleasanton, California, through its subsidiaries, including Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc., designs, engineers and is a leading manufacturer of wood construction products, including connectors, truss plates, fastening systems, fasteners and shear walls, and concrete construction products, including adhesives, specialty chemicals, mechanical anchors, powder actuated tools and reinforcing fiber materials. The Company primarily supplies its building product solutions to both the residential and commercial markets in North America and Europe. The Company's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SSD."
Key Takeaways Edwards Lifesciences topped Q2 earnings and revenue estimates, with shares rising nearly 3% after hours.EW raised 2026 sales growth guidance as TAVR demand and TMTT adoption remained strong.Edwards Lifesciences reaffirmed 2026 earnings guidance and expects Q3 revenues of $1.63B-$1.71B. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (EW - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 78 cents per share, up 16.4% year over year. The figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.8%.
Revenues rose 13.6% to $1.74 billion and topped the consensus mark by 2.4%. Growth was driven by strong Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (“TAVR”) demand and rapid adoption of the company’s mitral and tricuspid therapies.
Following the announcement yesterday, EW shares jumped nearly 3% in after-hours trading.
EW’s Segment Sales Reflect Broad-Based GrowthTAVR sales totaled $1.26 billion, up 11.3% year over year on a reported basis and 10.5% at constant currency. Growth was similar in the United States and international markets, supported by procedural momentum, clinical evidence favoring proactive treatment of severe aortic stenosis and continued adoption of the SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA platform.
Transcatheter Mitral and Tricuspid Therapies (“TMTT”) sales reached $195.9 million, rising 47.3% year over year and 44.8% at constant currency. Double-digit growth in mitral and tricuspid procedures, increased adoption of PASCAL, the continued scaling of EVOQUE and the measured rollout of SAPIEN M3 drove the segment’s performance.
Surgical sales were $284 million, increasing 6.5% year over year and 5% at constant currency. Growth reflected continued adoption of RESILIA-based therapies, including INSPIRIS, MITRIS and KONECT. Edwards also received U.S. approval for ECLIPTIS and plans a measured rollout later in 2026.
Edwards’ Margins Reflect Earnings LeverageAdjusted gross margin was 77.6%, unchanged from the year-ago quarter. Foreign exchange created a 70 basis points (bps) headwind, which was offset by lower manufacturing expenses. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased to $561 million from $502 million, while research and development (R&D) expenses rose to $279 million from $276 million.
Adjusted operating income jumped 20.8% year over year to $522.7 million. The adjusted operating margin expanded 180 bps to 30%, supported by strong revenue growth and the planned timing of strategic investments in R&D and SG&A.
Edwards Maintains Financial FlexibilityAs of June 30, 2026, the company had approximately $2.90 billion in cash and cash equivalents. Total debt was about $600 million, leaving Edwards with substantial liquidity to support organic investment, manufacturing expansion and external opportunities in structural heart therapies.
The company also had roughly $1.50 billion remaining under its share-repurchase authorization. Management continues to prioritize growth investments before opportunistic capital returns.
EW Raises Sales Outlook and Reaffirms Earnings ViewEdwards increased its 2026 constant-currency sales growth guidance to 10-11% from the earlier 9-11%. Breaking it down, TAVR growth guidance was raised to 8-9% from 7-9%, while the TMTT sales outlook increased to $760-$780 million from $740-$780 million. Surgical sales are still expected to grow at a mid-single-digit rate.
Overall, EW now expects total sales of $6.60-$6.90 billion at current exchange rates. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same currently stands at $6.74 billion.
The company reaffirmed adjusted earnings guidance of $2.95-$3.05 per share despite expecting its tax rate to be at the high end of the prior 16-19% range. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the metric is pegged at $3.00 at present.
For the third quarter of 2026, Edwards expects revenues of $1.63-$1.71 billion and adjusted earnings of 71-77 cents per share. The consensus mark for third-quarter revenues and earnings per share (EPS) is projected at $1.69 billion and 74 cents, respectively.
Our TakeEdwards exited the second quarter of 2026 with both earnings and revenues beating estimates. Performance reflected the strength of its comprehensive portfolio and agile execution, with growth supported by therapies across TAVR, mitral, tricuspid and surgical, as well as favorable contributions from each of the regions.
Within TAVR, Edwards’ competitive position in the United States is supported by continued adoption of its SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA platform. TMTT benefited from the ongoing strong uptake of the PASCAL system. The expansion of adjusted operating margin in the quarter is also encouraging.
EW’s Zacks Rank and Key PicksEdwards currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are Intuitive Surgical (ISRG - Free Report) , Danaher (DHR - Free Report) and Elevance Health (ELV - Free Report) .
Intuitive Surgical, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $2.80, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 12.9%. Revenues of $2.89 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.1%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
ISRG has an earnings yield of 3.1% compared to the industry’s negative 3% yield. The company beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 16.53%.
Danaher, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, posted second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.94, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.44%. Revenues of $6.27 billion topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.88%.
DHR has an earnings yield of 4.7% compared with the industry’s 4.1% yield. The company’s earnings outpaced estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 5.65%.
Elevance Health, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, posted second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $7.45, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 20.6%. Revenues of $49.8 billion outperformed the consensus mark by 0.8%.
ELV has an earnings yield of 6.9% compared to the industry’s 4.1% yield. The company’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 5.65%.
Key Takeaways OII posted higher Q2 profit and revenues, led by gains across four business segments.Oceaneering expects Q3 revenue growth with EBITDA of $115M-$125M and strength in SSR, OPG and ADTech.OII raised 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance to $400M-$440M while lowering the IMDS profit outlook. Oceaneering International, Inc. (OII - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 earnings of 65 cents per share, up from 54 cents in the year-ago quarter. Higher year-over-year operating income from the company's Subsea Robotics, Manufactured Products, Offshore Projects Group and Aerospace and Defense Technologies segments contributed to this improvement.
Total revenues were $768.2 million, increased approximately 10% from the year-ago quarter’s $698.2 million. This increase reflected revenue growth across all segments except Integrity Management & Digital Solutions.
In the second quarter of 2026, the Houston, TX-based oil and gas equipment and services company reported adjusted EBITDA of $114.5 million, up 10.9% year over year.
Operating income increased 11% year over year to $88.2 million. Gross margin expanded to $157 million from $148.4 million, reflecting revenue growth and improved performance across most operating segments.
Q2 Segmental Information of OceaneeringSubsea Robotics (SSR): The unit provides remotely operated submersible vehicles for drill support, vessel-based inspection, subsea hardware installation, pipeline surveys and maintenance services.
Revenues totaled $232 million compared with the year-ago quarter’s $218.8 million.
The segment also reported an operating income of $66.3 million compared with $64.5 million a year ago.
The company's segment delivered an EBITDA margin of 35% in the second quarter of 2026, flat compared with the year-ago quarter. Revenue per day for remotely operated vehicles (“ROV”) rose to $11,894, while ROV fleet utilization slightly decreased to 66%.
Manufactured Products: The segment focuses on the manufactured products business, theme park entertainment systems and automated guided vehicles.
Revenues totaled $149 million compared with the year-ago quarter’s $145.1 million.
The segment posted an operating profit of $21.9 million in the second quarter, up from the year-ago quarter’s $18.8 million.
The backlog totaled $445 million as of June 30, 2026, down 13.8% from the same time in 2025. For the 12 months ending June 30, 2026, the book-to-bill ratio was 0.88.
Offshore Projects Group (OPG): This segment involves Oceaneering’s former Subsea Projects unit, excluding survey services and global data solutions, the service and rental business and ROV tooling.
Revenues increased about 22.5% to $182.8 million from $149.3 million in the year-ago quarter.
The unit’s operating income totaled $30 million compared with the prior-year quarter’s $21.7 million. The company’s operating income margin slightly increased to 16% from the prior-year quarter’s 15%, reflecting favorable project mix and disciplined execution.
Integrity Management & Digital Solutions (IMDS): This segment covers Oceaneering’s Asset Integrity unit, along with its global data solutions business.
Revenues of $70.8 million decreased from the year-ago quarter’s $75.4 million.
Operating income decreased to $0.1 million from $4.6 million due to lower activity, weaker cost absorption and higher personnel-related costs in West Africa and the Middle East.
Aerospace and Defense Technologies (ADTech): The segment is engaged in Oceaneering’s government business, which focuses on defense subsea technologies, marine services and space systems.
Revenues totaled $133.5 million, up from $109.6 million recorded in the second quarter of 2025.
The operating income increased to $16.4 million from $16.3 million in the year-ago quarter. Operating income margin decreased to 12% from 15% in the year-ago quarter due to program mix and timing.
OII’s Capital Expenditure & Balance SheetThe capital expenditure in the second quarter, including acquisitions, totaled $30.8 million.
As of June 30, 2026, OII had cash and cash equivalents worth $629.5 million and $688.9 million, respectively, along with a long-term debt of about $490.2 million. The debt-to-capitalization was 29.6%.
The company repurchased 263,335 shares for approximately $10 million. OII also issued $500 million of senior notes due 2034 and increased its revolving credit commitments to $345 million from $215 million.
Q3 and 2026 Outlook by OceaneeringThis Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company expects consolidated revenues to increase in the third quarter of 2026, with EBITDA projected in the range of $115 million to $125 million. At the segment level, SSR is expected to post growth in both revenues and operating income. Manufactured Products is projected to witness slight declines in revenues and operating income. OPG is anticipated to deliver increases in both revenues and operating income.
IMDS revenues are expected to increase, while operating income is likely to remain relatively flat. Meanwhile, ADTech is forecasted to report higher revenues and operating income. Unallocated expenses are expected to be in the $50 million range. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here
Management expressed confidence in the company's outlook for the remainder of 2026, supported by strong first-half execution, healthy demand across most of its businesses and an improved financial position. The company expects offshore activity to continue strengthening, driven by higher rig utilization, longer-duration contracts and sustained demand for subsea services.
Management also expects Subsea Robotics to benefit from higher ROV utilization and continued survey vessel activity, while the Manufactured Products backlog is anticipated to improve in the second half of 2026, supported by recent contract awards and additional opportunities in the sales pipeline. Despite ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East and lower activity in West Africa affecting the IMDS business, management believes the performance of its other operating segments remains in line with or ahead of prior expectations.
The company updated its full-year 2026 consolidated adjusted EBITDA outlook to a range of $400 million to $440 million. OII retained its previously issued consolidated and segment guidance, except that IMDS operating income is now expected to decline significantly, with the operating income margin projected to be in the low-single-digit percentage range.
Important Energy Earnings at a GlanceWhile we have discussed OII’s second-quarter results in detail, let us take a look at three other key reports in the energy space.
Houston, TX-based oil and gas equipment and services provider Halliburton (HAL - Free Report) posted second-quarter 2026 adjusted net income per share of 55 cents, marginally beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 54 cents. The outperformance was backed by year-over-year revenue growth. However, the bottom line was flat compared with the prior-year level.
As of June 30, 2026, Halliburton had approximately $2 billion in cash and cash equivalents and $7.1 billion in long-term debt, representing a debt-to-capitalization of 39%.
Fort Worth, TX-based oil and gas exploration and production company Range Resources Corporation (RRC - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 79 cents per share, up 19.7% from 66 cents a year ago. Range Resources’ bottom line topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 56 cents by 41.1%. Strong quarterly results are driven by higher production and improved price realization.
Range Resources’ net debt was $880.8 million at June 30, 2026, down 28% from $1.22 billion at year-end 2025. It repurchased $78 million of shares and paid $24 million in dividends during the quarter.
Houston, TX-based oil and gas storage and transportation company Kinder Morgan, Inc. (KMI - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 37 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 31 cents by 19.35%. Earnings increased 32.1% from 28 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. Strong quarterly results benefited from broad-based segment growth, led by higher natural gas transportation and gathering volumes. Natural gas transport volumes rose 7%, while gathering volumes increased 26%.
As of June 30, 2026, Kinder Morgan reported $89 million in cash and cash equivalents. Kinder Morgan’s net debt stood at $32.03 billion at quarter-end. The net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio improved to 3.6X from 3.8X at the end of 2025.
Shares of Elastic (ESTC - Free Report) have gained 7% over the past four weeks to close the last trading session at $57.33, but there could still be a solid upside left in the stock if short-term price targets of Wall Street analysts are any indication. Going by the price targets, the mean estimate of $72.4 indicates a potential upside of 26.3%.
The mean estimate comprises 25 short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $13.37. While the lowest estimate of $55.00 indicates a 4.1% decline from the current price level, the most optimistic analyst expects the stock to surge 84.9% to reach $106.00. It's very important to note the standard deviation here, as it helps understand the variability of the estimates. The smaller the standard deviation, the greater the agreement among analysts.
While the consensus price target is a much-coveted metric for investors, solely banking on this metric to make an investment decision may not be wise at all. That's because the ability and unbiasedness of analysts in setting price targets have long been questionable.
But, for ESTC, an impressive average price target is not the only indicator of a potential upside. Strong agreement among analysts about the company's ability to report better earnings than they predicted earlier strengthens this view. While a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions doesn't gauge how much a stock could gain, it has proven to be powerful in predicting an upside.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Here's What You Should Know About Analysts' Price TargetsAccording to researchers at several universities across the globe, a price target is one of many pieces of information about a stock that misleads investors far more often than it guides. In fact, empirical research shows that price targets set by several analysts, irrespective of the extent of agreement, rarely indicate where the price of a stock could actually be heading.
While Wall Street analysts have deep knowledge of a company's fundamentals and the sensitivity of its business to economic and industry issues, many of them tend to set overly optimistic price targets. Are you wondering why?
They usually do that to drum up interest in shares of companies that their firms either have existing business relationships with or are looking to be associated with. In other words, business incentives of firms covering a stock often result in inflated price targets set by analysts.
However, a tight clustering of price targets, which is represented by a low standard deviation, indicates that analysts have a high degree of agreement about the direction and magnitude of a stock's price movement. While that doesn't necessarily mean the stock will hit the average price target, it could be a good starting point for further research aimed at identifying the potential fundamental driving forces.
That said, while investors should not entirely ignore price targets, making an investment decision solely based on them could lead to disappointing ROI. So, price targets should always be treated with a high degree of skepticism.
Why ESTC Could Witness a Solid UpsideAnalysts' growing optimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher, could be a legitimate reason to expect an upside in the stock. That's because empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
For the current year, one estimate has moved higher over the last 30 days compared to no negative revision. As a result, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased 13.5%.
Moreover, ESTC currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which means it is in the top 20% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on four factors related to earnings estimates. Given an impressive externally-audited track record, this is a more conclusive indication of the stock's potential upside in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Therefore, while the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of how much ESTC could gain, the direction of price movement it implies does appear to be a good guide.
The market expects Ares Management (ARES - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 31. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis private equity firm is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.29 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +25.2%.
Revenues are expected to be $1.32 billion, up 25.6% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 2.38% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Ares Management?For Ares Management, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +1.48%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #4.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Ares Management will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Ares Management would post earnings of $1.32 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.24, delivering a surprise of -6.06%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates just once.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Ares Management doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
An Industry Player's Expected ResultsAmong the stocks in the Zacks Financial - Investment Management industry, KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $1.42 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +20.3%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $1.52 billion, up 18.5% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for KKR & Co. has been revised 0.2% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a higher Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.18%.
When combined with a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), this Earnings ESP indicates that KKR & Co. will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
MaxLinear Inc. (NASDAQ:MXL) on Thursday reported upbeat second-quarter earnings and issued strong third-quarter guidance.
Second-quarter revenue rose 55% year over year and 23% sequentially to $168.8 million, beating the $164.702 million analyst estimate. GAAP earnings were 2 cents per share, while adjusted earnings of 35 cents per share topped the 33-cent estimate.
“Our Q2 financial results highlight the exciting inflection in our business trajectory and the beginning of a multiyear growth phase for MaxLinear,” CEO Kishore Seendripu said.
For the third quarter, MaxLinear expects revenue of $210 million to $220 million, above the $173.837 million analyst estimate.
MaxLinear shares dipped 14.6% to trade at $77.90 on Friday.
These analysts made changes to their price targets on MaxLinear following earnings announcement.
Needham analyst N. Quinn Bolton maintained the stock with a Buy and raised the price target from $60 to $100. Susquehanna analyst Christopher Rolland maintained the stock with a Neutral and raised the price target from $45 to $80. Considering buying MXL stock? Here’s what analysts think:
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Key Takeaways MaxLinear's infrastructure revenues rose 145% year over year, led by optical data center product ramps.MXL raised 2026 optical data center revenue outlook to $210-$230 million on stronger orders.Rushmore, Washington and Annapurna platforms are aimed at future AI connectivity applications. MaxLinear, Inc. (MXL - Free Report) used its second-quarter 2026 earnings call to highlight accelerating momentum in optical AI data center products, with management pointing to stronger demand, expanding customer engagements and a broader infrastructure portfolio.
The company raised expectations for optical data center revenue while outlining new product ramps aimed at future AI infrastructure architectures. Management also discussed improving profitability and operating leverage.
MXL Drives Optical ExpansionCEO Kishore Seendripu said MaxLinear’s infrastructure business has become the company’s largest revenue category, driven by production ramps of optical data center products. Infrastructure revenues increased 145% year over year in the second quarter.
Seendripu highlighted the Keystone PAM4 DSP platform as a key growth driver, with the product supporting 400G and 800G optical deployments at major hyperscale customers. He noted that Keystone’s power performance has helped support customer adoption.
The company raised its 2026 optical data center revenue outlook to $210 million to $230 million, citing stronger customer orders and improved visibility into production ramps.
MaxLinear Expands AI Connectivity RoadmapMaxLinear discussed several products positioned for future AI infrastructure needs, including Rushmore, Washington and Annapurna. Management said these platforms are designed for higher-speed optical and electrical connectivity applications.
Seendripu said Rushmore, a 1.6-terabit optical PAM4 DSP platform, is expected to begin contributing revenues in 2027. The company also expects Washington and Annapurna products to begin initial revenue contributions in 2027 before broader ramps.
The broader portfolio expansion includes solutions targeting pluggable optics, LPO, LRO, NPO, CPO and active electrical cable applications, giving MaxLinear additional exposure to evolving AI data center architectures.
MXL Raises Growth ExpectationsMaxLinear reported second-quarter revenues of $168.8 million, up 55% year over year and 23% sequentially. Revenues beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $165 million. Non-GAAP EPS was 35 cents, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 33 cents.
Chief financial officer Steven Litchfield said the company’s infrastructure mix helped drive higher profitability. Non-GAAP gross margin was 59.5%, while non-GAAP operating margin reached 22.3%.
For the third quarter of 2026, MaxLinear guided revenues of $210 million to $220 million. It expects non-GAAP gross margin of 58.5% to 61.5%.
MaxLinear Builds Broader Market ReachManagement said broadband and connectivity markets also delivered growth during the quarter. The company cited deployments of fiber PON and Wi-Fi 7 gateway platforms with major service providers.
Litchfield said MaxLinear continues to gain share in PON programs and expects broadband activity to remain supported by customer rollouts. He added that DOCSIS upgrades are also progressing.
Outside data centers, the company highlighted opportunities in edge AI-driven upgrades, 5G wireless infrastructure and storage acceleration products.
MXL Addresses Analyst QuestionsA Stifel analyst asked about the increase in optical revenue expectations and the drivers behind the stronger outlook. Management said growth is increasingly coming from 800G PAM4 adoption, with customer activity spanning U.S. and Asia markets.
A Benchmark analyst questioned order visibility and supply commitments. Litchfield said visibility extends about six months and that wafer prepayments are supporting customer demand backed by production needs.
A Needham analyst asked about Rushmore qualification activity. Seendripu said Keystone has established a customer foundation that can support future 1.6-terabit product adoption.
MaxLinear Focuses on ProfitabilityMaxLinear management emphasized improving operating leverage as infrastructure revenues grow. Litchfield said the company remains focused on progressing toward its long-term goal of 30% to 35% operating margins.
The company ended the quarter with $93.7 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, while operating cash flow was approximately $4.8 million.
Management’s outlook centered on continued product ramps, higher-speed connectivity opportunities and expanding participation in AI infrastructure markets over the next several years.
Zacks Rank & Style ScoresMaxLinear currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). The Zacks Rank focuses on earnings estimate revisions and is designed to help indicate stocks with stronger potential performance over a one-to-three-month period. The rank can change as analysts update earnings estimates following new company information. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The company has a Value Score of F, Growth Score of A, Momentum Score of F and VGM Score of C. Zacks Style Scores range from A to F, with stronger scores reflecting more favorable characteristics for the related investment style.
The Style Scores are intended to complement the Zacks Rank. Zacks notes that stocks with stronger Rank combinations and favorable Style Scores have historically shown better performance characteristics, while individual scores should be viewed alongside the broader Zacks Rank framework.
Wall Street watches a company's quarterly report closely to understand as much as possible about its recent performance and what to expect going forward. Of course, one figure often stands out among the rest: earnings.
Life and the stock market are both about expectations, and rising above what is expected is often rewarded, while falling short can come with negative consequences. Investors might want to try to capture stronger returns by finding positive earnings surprises.
The ability to identify stocks that are likely to top quarterly earnings expectations can be profitable, but it's no simple task. Here at Zacks, our Earnings ESP filter helps make things easier.
The Zacks Earnings ESP, ExplainedThe Zacks Expected Surprise Prediction, or ESP, works by locking in on the most up-to-date analyst earnings revisions because they can be more accurate than estimates from weeks or even months before the actual release date. The thinking is pretty straightforward: analysts who provide earnings estimates closer to the report are likely to have more information.
Now that we understand the basic idea, let's look at how the Expected Surprise Prediction works. The ESP is calculated by comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, with the percentage difference between the two giving us the Zacks ESP figure.
When we join a positive earnings ESP with a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or stronger, stocks posted a positive bottom-line surprise 70% of the time. Plus, this system saw investors produce roughly 28% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.
Most stocks, about 60%, fall into the #3 (Hold) category, and they are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. Stocks with a #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy) rating, or the top 15% and top 5% of stocks, respectively, should outperform the market, with Strong Buy stocks outperforming more than any other rank.
Should You Consider Teradyne?Now that we understand what the ESP is and how beneficial it can be, let's dive into a stock that currently fits the bill. Teradyne (TER - Free Report) earns a #2 (Buy) right now and its Most Accurate Estimate sits at $2.05 a share, just four days from its upcoming earnings release on July 28, 2026.
TER has an Earnings ESP figure of +0.59%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $2.05 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.04. Teradyne is one of a large database of stocks with positive ESPs. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
TER is one of just a large database of Computer and Technology stocks with positive ESPs. Another solid-looking stock is Lam Research (LRCX - Free Report) .
Slated to report earnings on July 29, 2026, Lam Research holds a #2 (Buy) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and its Most Accurate Estimate is $1.71 a share five days from its next quarterly update.
For Lam Research, the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.69 is +1.38%.
TER and LRCX's positive ESP metrics may signal that a positive earnings surprise for both stocks is on the horizon.
Find Stocks to Buy or Sell Before They're ReportedUse the Zacks Earnings ESP Filter to turn up stocks with the highest probability of positively, or negatively, surprising to buy or sell before they're reported for profitable earnings season trading. Check it out here >>
Deckers Outdoor reported quarterly earnings of 94 cents per share, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of 87 cents by 8.05%, according to Benzinga Pro data. Quarterly revenue came in at $1.02 billion, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.018 billion.
"Deckers delivered a solid start to the fiscal year, surpassing $1 billion of first quarter revenue for the first time," said CEO Stefano Caroti.
Deckers Outdoor shares fell 2.4% to $93.91 in pre-market trading.
These analysts made changes to their price targets on Intel following earnings announcement.
Baird analyst Jonathan Komp maintained the stock with a Neutral and lowered the price target from $125 to $115. Needham analyst Tom Nikic maintained the stock with a Buy and lowered the price target from $138 to $125. Considering buying DECK stock? Here’s what analysts think:
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Key Takeaways Deckers beat Q1 earnings and revenue estimates, driven by HOKA, UGG and strong DTC demand.DECK raised fiscal 2027 EPS guidance but increased its forward tariff cost assumption to 12.5%.Deckers expects Q2 gross margin pressure from higher tariff and freight costs, despite healthy demand. Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK - Free Report) reported first-quarter fiscal 2027 results, with both earnings and revenues surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The company reported earnings of 94 cents per share, up 1.1% year over year, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 88 cents by 6.8%. Net sales increased 5.7% year over year to $1,019.5 million and topped the consensus estimate of $1,017 million by 0.3%. On a constant-currency basis, net sales grew 4.8% year over year.
The company delivered its first-ever June quarter with more than $1 billion in revenues, driven by continued momentum in the HOKA and UGG brands, strong direct-to-consumer (DTC) demand and disciplined full-price selling across channels. Management also raised its fiscal 2027 earnings outlook following stronger-than-expected first-quarter profitability.
However, investors remained cautious as the company projected lower second-quarter gross margin due to tariff and freight headwinds, and increased its tariff cost assumption for the remainder of fiscal 2027. Consequently, shares of the company lost 6.1% yesterday.
DECK’s Brand Momentum Led by HOKA & UGGThe HOKA brand remained the primary growth driver in the first quarter, with net sales increasing 7.7% year over year to $703.5 million, slightly missing our estimate of $705.3 million. Growth was driven by a 17% increase in DTC revenues, supported by continued strength in Europe, China, Japan and the United States.
Management highlighted broad-based demand across franchise families, with Clifton, Bondi, Speedgoat 7, Mach 7, Mafate Speed 2 and Skyward contributing to growth. The company also noted encouraging early consumer response to the recently launched Clifton Pro, while healthy full-price selling and disciplined marketplace management continued to support the brand's performance.
The UGG brand delivered solid first-quarter results, with net sales increasing 4.9% year over year to $278 million, beating our estimate of $276.2 million. Growth was balanced across wholesale and DTC channels, with international markets, particularly Asia, leading performance. Management highlighted continued progress in its 365 and men's growth initiatives, supported by strong demand for the Lowmel family, Golden collection and Otzo Clog. The company cited encouraging consumer response to its spring apparel collection, particularly fleece products, reinforcing UGG's expansion as a year-round lifestyle brand.
Meanwhile, net sales from Other Brands declined 18.1% year over year to $37.9 million compared with our estimate of $37.5 million, primarily reflecting the continued phase-out of Koolaburra standalone operations.
Deckers’ DTC & International Businesses Drive Q1 GrowthWholesale net sales increased 2.2% year over year to $666.7 million in the first quarter. Reported wholesale growth reflected planned timing differences that shifted certain international wholesale and distributor shipments to later in fiscal 2027 compared with the prior year. Management emphasized that underlying demand remained healthy, supported by higher U.S. wholesale sell-in, strong full-price sell-through and record reorder activity in the EMEA region.
DTC net sales increased 13% year over year to $352.8 million, while comparable DTC sales rose 6.8%, driven by continued strength across both HOKA and UGG. HOKA's international DTC business continued to post robust growth in Europe, China and Japan.
From a geographic perspective, domestic net sales increased 3.2% year over year to $517.4 million. International net sales rose 8.4% to $502.1 million. Management noted that both HOKA and UGG continued to generate healthy demand across international markets, with Europe, China and Japan remaining key contributors to growth.
DECK’s Full-Price Selling Lifts Gross MarginGross profit increased 6.9% year over year to $575.2 million in the first quarter. Gross margin expanded 60 basis points to 56.4% and surpassed our estimate of 54.6%. Favorable channel and product mix, full-price selling, foreign exchange benefits and better management of closeout inventory more than offset a 150-basis-point tariff headwind. Closeout management contributed about 60 basis points to the year-over-year margin comparison.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 12.7% year over year to $419.9 million. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses increased to 41.2% from 38.6% in the prior-year quarter. Higher spending reflected continued investments in marketing, technology, additional personnel supporting key growth initiatives, higher occupancy costs related to new HOKA stores and unfavorable foreign currency remeasurement.
Operating income declined 6% year over year to $155.3 million from $165.3 million in the year-ago quarter. The operating margin contracted to 15.2% from 17.1%.
DECK Maintains Strong Liquidity & Shareholder ReturnsCash and cash equivalents were $1.60 billion as of June 30, 2026, compared with $1.72 billion a year earlier. Inventories declined 4.9% year over year to $807.6 million, and the company maintained a debt-free balance sheet with no outstanding borrowings. Total stockholders' equity stood at $2.30 billion at the end of the quarter.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2027, Deckers repurchased approximately 3.3 million shares of its common stock for $338.2 million at an average price of $103.79 per share. The company noted that share repurchases continued to be an important component of its capital allocation strategy.
As of June 30, 2026, approximately $4.7 billion remained available under the company's existing share repurchase authorization.
Q2’27 Outlook for DECKFor the fiscal second quarter, this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company expects consolidated revenues to increase approximately 5% year over year. HOKA revenues are projected to grow at a high-single-digit rate, while UGG is expected to maintain its mid-single-digit growth rate. Other Brands revenues are expected to decline approximately 50% from the prior-year quarter, primarily reflecting the continued streamlining of the company's brand portfolio following the wind-down of the Koolaburra business.
Management indicated that second-quarter results will continue to reflect planned timing differences in the wholesale and distributor businesses, with some international shipments moving later into the fiscal year. Similar to the first quarter, these timing dynamics are expected to affect reported wholesale growth but do not reflect any change in underlying consumer demand. The company expects continued strength in its direct-to-consumer business, while emphasizing that HOKA and UGG will continue to experience healthy demand across regions and channels.
Gross margin is expected to decline year over year due to higher tariff costs and rising freight expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses will remain elevated as the company continues to make first-half weighted investments in its strategic growth initiatives, including brand-building, technology and marketplace expansion. As a result, earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $1.73-$1.78.
Management also reiterated that revenue growth is expected to accelerate in the second half of fiscal 2027, primarily driven by the HOKA brand and the normalization of international wholesale and distributor shipment timing. The company noted that quarterly growth is not expected to be linear as it continues to prioritize a pull model of demand and disciplined marketplace execution to support long-term sustainable growth.
Deckers’ Fiscal 2027 View Reflects Higher Tariff AssumptionsFor fiscal 2027, Deckers continues to expect consolidated net sales to be in the range of $5.86-$5.91 billion, representing high-single-digit growth from the prior year. HOKA revenues are still expected to increase at a low-double-digit rate, while UGG revenues are projected to grow at a mid-single-digit pace. Management continues to expect revenue growth to accelerate in the second half of fiscal 2027, primarily driven by the HOKA brand and the normalization of international wholesale and distributor shipment timing.
The company now expects gross margin to be slightly better than 56.5%, reflecting stronger-than-expected first-quarter performance. The updated outlook incorporates a higher forward tariff assumption of 12.5%, up from the previous 10% and continues to exclude any benefit from potential refunds of tariffs previously paid. Management indicated that it is pursuing tariff refunds but has not included any related assumptions in its fiscal 2027 guidance given the uncertainty around timing and recovery.
Selling, general and administrative expenses are still expected to be approximately 35% of net sales as Deckers continues investing in its long-term growth initiatives. Planned investments remain focused on strengthening the company's brand portfolio through marketing, expanding technology capabilities and data analytics, supporting key growth initiatives and reinforcing the foundation of the business. Management stated that these investments are intended to position the company for operating expense leverage beginning in fiscal 2028 and beyond.
Operating margin is now anticipated to be slightly better than 21.5%, reflecting the improved gross margin outlook. The company continues to project an effective tax rate of approximately 23% and has raised its fiscal 2027 earnings per share guidance to $7.35-$7.50, as compared with its prior outlook of $7.30-$7.45, driven by higher expected gross margin. The guidance also assumes share repurchases with a value equal to approximately 80% of projected fiscal 2027 free cash flow.
DECK Stock Past Three-Month Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Shares of the company have lost 9.9% over the past three months compared with the industry’s 1.2% decline.
Other Key Retail PicksGenesco Inc. (GCO - Free Report) is a Nashville-based specialty retailer and branded company. It sells footwear and accessories through retail stores. The company flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Genesco’s current fiscal-year earnings indicates growth of 55.2% from the year-ago actuals. GCO delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 3.8%.
Canada Goose (GOOS - Free Report) is a designer, manufacturer, distributor and retailer of premium outerwear for men, women and children. The company also holds a Zacks Rank #1 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Canada Goose’s current fiscal-year earnings and sales indicates growth of 58.9% and 3.7%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. GOOS delivered a negative trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 43.3%.
Designer Brands Inc. (DBI - Free Report) designs, produces and retails footwear and accessories. It offers shoes, boots, sandals, sneakers, socks, handbags and accessories. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Designer Brands’ current fiscal-year earnings and sales suggests growth of 137.5% and 0.5%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. DBI delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 112.8%.
It's all about earnings to kick off the final trading session of the week. Sam Vadas explains why an increase in Hoka sales and a full-year EPS guidance raise wasn't enough for Deckers Brands (DECK).
