Key Takeaways AptarGroup beat Q2 earnings and revenue estimates, with quarterly sales surpassing $1B for the first time.ATR saw growth across Pharma, Beauty and Closures, led by consumer healthcare and beverage dispensing.AptarGroup expects Q3 adjusted EPS of $1.45-$1.53, supported by growth across all three segments. AptarGroup, Inc. (ATR - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $1.42 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.34 by 5.97%. The bottom line fell 15.5% from $1.68 a year ago (including comparable exchange rates), reflecting weaker margins and a higher tax rate.
On a reported basis, earnings per share were $1.36 compared with the year-ago quarter’s $1.67.
Revenues rose 6.3% year over year to $1.03 billion and surpassed the consensus estimate of $1 billion by 2.32%. The quarter marked the first time reporting revenues of more than $1 billion. Core sales increased 1%, aided by growth across all three segments and strength in consumer healthcare and beverage dispensing. We predicted core sales growth of 0.5% in the quarter.
ATR’s Margins Decline Y/Y in Q2Cost of sales increased 10.3% year over year to $661 million. Gross profit decreased 0.4% year over year to $366 million. The gross margin was 35.6% in the reported quarter compared with the prior-year quarter’s 38%.
Selling, research, development and administrative expenses rose 4.4% year over year to $158 million. Adjusted operating income declined 10.5% year over year to $133 million. The adjusted operating margin was 13% in the reported quarter, down from the year-ago quarter’s 15.4%. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 2.7% year over year to $213 million in the second quarter.
AptarGroup’s Segmental Performances in Q2Total revenues in the Pharma segment increased 3.5% year over year to $458 million. The reported figure beat our estimate of $446 million. Adjusted EBITDA declined 1.9% year over year to $153.9 million. The segment’s adjusted EBITDA margin contracted to 33.6% from 35.4% in the year-ago quarter. We predicted a quarterly adjusted operating income of $159 million. Demand remained healthy across the central nervous system, asthma and COPD therapies, eye care, biologics, GLP-1 therapies, and vaccines.
Total revenues in the Beauty segment rose 9.7% year over year to $367.5 million. The upside was supported by prestige fragrance dispensing, color cosmetics and hair care applications. We estimated revenues of $357 million for the quarter. Adjusted EBITDA fell 5% year over year to $44.7 million. The reported figure beat our operating income prediction of $41.5 million. The adjusted EBITDA margin was 12.2% compared with the prior-year quarter’s 14.1%.
Total revenues in the Closures segment increased 6.5% year over year to $201 million. We estimated revenues of $192 million for the quarter. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 6.4% year over year to $29.8 million. The reported figure beat our operating income prediction of $29.2 million. The segment’s adjusted EBITDA margin declined to 14.9% from 16.9% a year ago.
ATR’s Cash Position at Q2 EndAptarGroup reported cash and cash equivalents of $190 million as of June 30, 2026, down from $402 million as of Dec. 31, 2025. The company generated $222 million in cash flow from operations in the first six months of 2026 compared with $209 million in the year-ago period.
The company returned $212 million to shareholders during the first half through dividends and buybacks, including $81 million in the second quarter. During the quarter, ATR repurchased 403,000 shares for $50 million. Its board also approved a quarterly dividend of 48 cents per share.
AptarGroup Issues Upbeat Q3 Earnings ViewATR expects third-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $1.45-$1.53 per share.
The company expects solid growth across all three segments. Pharma should benefit from injectables and consumer healthcare, with emergency medicine destocking expected to abate by the fourth quarter. Beauty growth is anticipated in fragrance and facial skincare, while Closures demand and operational performance are expected to improve.
ATR Stock’s Price PerformanceThe company’s shares have lost 1.5% in the past year against the industry’s 8.4% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AptarGroup’s Zacks RankThe company currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Performances of Other Packaging StocksPackaging Corporation of America (PKG - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $2.35 per share, down 5.2% year over year but beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.31. The bottom line also came above Packaging Corp’s guidance of $2.33.
Packaging Corp’s revenues increased 14.7% year over year to $2.49 billion and surpassed the consensus estimate of $2.40 billion by 3.6%. Total corrugated products shipments reached an all-time quarterly record, rising 24.3% both per day and in total from the prior-year quarter.
Crown Holdings, Inc. (CCK - Free Report) posted second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $2.49 per share, up 15.8% year over year. The figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.15 by 15.81%.
Crown Holdings revenues increased 16.5% to $3.67 billion and beat the consensus estimate of $3.34 billion by 9.88%. Global beverage can volumes rose 5%, led by 6% growth in Europe and 5% growth in the Americas. This was partially offset by softer demand in Latin America.
Sonoco Products Company (SON - Free Report) reported adjusted earnings of $1.51 per share in the second quarter of 2026, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.47 by 2.72%. The figure rose 10.2% from $1.37 in the year-ago quarter. Pricing actions, favorable foreign-exchange movements and productivity gains helped offset softer volume/mix during the quarter.
Sonoco’s revenues of $1.885 billion declined 1.3% year over year and missed the consensus mark of $1.886 billion by 0.05%. Sonoco’s top line declined from the prior-year period primarily due to the absence of sales from the ThermoSafe business, which was divested in November 2025.
Southwest Gas (SWX - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.45 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.47 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.53 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -4.26%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this natural gas company would post earnings of $1.88 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.91, delivering a surprise of +1.6%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once.
Southwest Gas, which belongs to the Zacks Utility - Gas Distribution industry, posted revenues of $358.15 million for the quarter ended June 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11.91%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $1.12 billion. The company has not been able to beat consensus revenue estimates 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.
Southwest Gas shares have added about 11.3% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 13%.
What's Next for Southwest Gas?While Southwest Gas has underperformed 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 Southwest Gas was favorable. 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 #2 (Buy) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to outperform 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 $0.17 on $319.09 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $4.27 on $1.83 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, Utility - Gas Distribution is currently in the bottom 29% 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.
One other stock from the broader Zacks Utilities sector, Telephone & Data Systems (TDS - Free Report) , is yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. The results are expected to be released on August 7.
This parent of U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.09 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +280%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
Telephone & Data Systems' revenues are expected to be $315.05 million, down 73.4% from the year-ago quarter.
Velo Protocol si vybral Zebec jako exkluzivního infrastrukturního partnera pro svou značkovou kartu. Integrace umožní převod on-chain aktiv na platby u obchodníků po celém světě.
Velo taps Zebec for branded card rollout@Veloprotocol has named @Zebec_HQ as the exclusive infrastructure partner for its new branded card experience. The deal connects Velo's PayFi settlement layer directly to the Zebec Card network, giving users a path to convert on-chain holdings into purchasing power at merchant terminals around the world.
The integration supports native funding through $USDT and $USDC across @BNBCHAIN, @Ethereum, and @TRONDAO, keeping the entry point flexible for users already active on those chains. Two card tiers are on offer: Silver and Carbon. Both support multi-currency balances in $USD, $EUR, and $GBP, and the cards work with Apple Pay and Google Pay out of the box.
Zebec's card infrastructure and Velo's settlement ambitions Zebec Cards allow users to spend cryptocurrencies in fiat environments via physical or virtual debit cards linked to user wallets. When a purchase is made, the selected cryptocurrency is converted to fiat in real time through liquidity providers, with the transaction then processed over the Mastercard network. The cards operate in 97 countries and already include Apple Pay and Google Pay support across their card tiers.
Velo, for its part, is building an alternative payments system that merges regulated fiat infrastructure with blockchain-based liquidity to create a unified PayFi network enabling instant settlement and single-system transaction flow. The protocol's roadmap includes the launch of virtual crypto debit cards and direct fiat off-ramps in Q2 2026, followed by cross-chain functionality and merchant payment tools in Q3 2026.
The partnership positions both projects squarely in the growing PayFi sector, where the core proposition is giving on-chain asset holders a direct, low-friction route into everyday spending without manually off-ramping funds in advance.
Sources:
Velo Protocol: 2026 PayFi Strategic Product Roadmap
Gate Learn: What Is Zebec Protocol (ZBCN)?
Zebec Network Official Site
USDY is now priced on Stellar. RedStone is providing the price feed and SEP-40 support that allows Ondo’s flagship yieldcoin to become eligible for use as collateral across Stellar’s lending ecosystem.
TL;DR: USDY is one of the larger yield-bearing dollar tokens in DeFi by circulating value, backed by short-term U.S. Treasuries and U.S. bank demand deposits with a market capitalization of over $2.1 billion across all chains RedStone is providing the USDY/USD price feed and SEP-40 contract support on Stellar Stellar’s tokenized RWA value has reached approximately $2.96 billion , with USDY now among the highest-profile assets in the SEP-40 pipeline alongside sovereign debt instruments, tokenized fund products, and stablecoins SEP-40 is Stellar’s unified oracle standard, giving any protocol on the network a single interface to consume price data and list assets as collateral on lending protocols like Blend and Templar USDY/USD Price Feed and SEP-40 Contract Support on Stellar RedStone now provides a USDY/USD price feed and SEP-40 contract support for USDY, Ondo Finance’s tokenized Treasury-backed asset, on the Stellar network.
USDY is Ondo’s yield-bearing dollar token, backed by short-term U.S. Treasuries and U.S. bank demand deposits, and available to investors outside the U.S. With a circulating supply of approximately 1.9 billion tokens and a market cap of over $2.1 billion, it is one of the larger tokenized yield-bearing assets in the RWA category by circulating value. It is designed to support onchain savings, treasury management, cross-border payments, and DeFi collateral use cases.
The price feed handles continuously updated, verifiable pricing for the asset. The SEP-40 component is what makes it usable. SEP-40 is Stellar’s unified oracle standard, a shared interface that allows any protocol on the network to consume price data without building custom integration work from scratch.
For USDY to be listed on Stellar’s lending protocols, it needs to be priced through a SEP-40-compliant contract. Without it, the asset can exist on the network but cannot function as collateral.
From Tokenized Asset to DeFi Collateral Stellar’s RWA ecosystem has reached approximately $2.96 billion in tokenized asset value, growing roughly three times from early 2025. The network has a long track record in asset issuance: Franklin Templeton launched one of the first regulated tokenized funds on a public blockchain on Stellar in 2021, and the list of issuers has grown steadily since.
Issuance is not the same as utility. An asset that sits on a network but cannot be lent against or liquidated can’t function as DeFi collateral. The SEP-40 integration closes that gap.
With USDY priced and SEP-40-enabled, it becomes eligible for listing on Blend and Templar, Stellar’s primary lending protocols. Where supported, users can post USDY as collateral and borrow against it, which carries risk, including liquidation if the collateral value declines. For Stellar’s institutional user base, that reflects a different use case from holding a non-yield-bearing stablecoin.
The SEP-40 Pipeline RedStone has been building out SEP-40 infrastructure on Stellar throughout 2026. Earlier this year, RedStone launched SEP-40 feeds for multiple assets across Stellar’s ecosystem: USDC, EURC, XLM, PYUSD, tokenized sovereign debt instruments from Etherfuse, and Bitcoin products from Solv.
Last week, four more assets joined the standard, all issued by Centrifuge on Stellar. JTRSY and JAAA are tokenized representations of institutional fund products, and deJTRSY and deJAAA are their onchain wrappers, built to make that underlying exposure usable across DeFi applications including trading, liquidity provision, and collateral.
SEP-40 gives every protocol on Stellar a single interface to pull pricing without custom integration work, turning a static token into something that can be lent against and used as collateral. RedStone is the infrastructure behind it.
USDY and the Case for RWA Composability on Stellar Stellar’s RWA ecosystem has been growing steadily and its asset roster includes some of the most recognized names in institutional DeFi. USDY joining the SEP-40 pipeline is part of that progression.
USDY is one of the larger yield-bearing assets in DeFi by circulating value, and it is now priced and SEP-40-enabled on a network with a growing base of institutional tokenized assets.
For protocols like Blend and Templar, that means more collateral options to build lending markets around. For the RWA category more broadly, it’s another data point in the case that tokenized assets can do more than sit on a balance sheet.
FAQ
What is SEP-40 and why does it exist?
SEP-40 is Stellar’s native oracle standard, a unified interface that lets any application on the network consume price data in the same way, without building custom adapters for each asset. Before SEP-40, protocols had to integrate price feeds individually for each token they wanted to support. The standard exists because Stellar’s RWA asset base was growing faster than the infrastructure to make those assets usable in DeFi.
Why does USDY need a price feed if it’s backed by U.S. Treasuries?
USDY isn’t pegged to $1. It’s a yield-bearing token whose price accrues over time as the underlying Treasury yield is earned, and currently trades above $1.00. Lending protocols need to know the current value of any asset posted as collateral to calculate borrowing limits and trigger liquidations when necessary. A static assumption of $1 would be inaccurate and create risk for the protocol.
What’s the difference between the price feed and the SEP-40 contract?
The price feed is the data layer: it provides a continuously updated USDY/USD price that reflects the current accrued value of the token. The SEP-40 contract is the interface layer: it makes that price data consumable by any Stellar protocol in a standardized format. Both are required. The feed without the SEP-40 wrapper wouldn’t be readable by Blend or Templar without custom integration work on their end.
Is USDY already live on Blend and Templar?
The price feed and SEP-40 contract support are what make listing possible. Whether and when individual protocols choose to list USDY as a collateral asset is their decision. RedStone’s role is to provide the pricing infrastructure that enables it.
Disclaimer: This content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, legal, tax, or other professional advice, nor does it constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security, digital asset, or other financial product. USDY is a product of Ondo Finance, offered only to eligible non-U.S. persons under Ondo’s terms; it is not a stablecoin, is not FDIC insured, has no bank guarantee, and may lose value. SDF is not the issuer, sponsor, adviser, distributor, custodian, or broker-dealer for USDY, does not operate or control the Stellar network, and does not control or endorse any third-party project referenced herein. Using digital assets as collateral and borrowing against them involves substantial risk, including liquidation and loss in excess of amounts posted; past performance is not indicative of future results. Use of or participation in any third-party product or service referenced herein is at your own risk.
Griffon Corporation uvedla za 3. fiskální čtvrtletí 2026 solidní provozní i finanční výsledky. CEO Ronald Kramer řekl, že firma v tomto čtvrtletí podala „zvlášť dobrý“ výkon.
Griffon Corporation (GFF) Q3 2026 Earnings Call August 5, 2026 8:30 AM EDT
Company Participants
Brian Harris - Executive VP & CFO
Ronald Kramer - Chairman of the Board & CEO
Conference Call Participants
Timothy Wojs - Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Research Division
Lee Jagoda - CJS Securities, Inc.
Collin Verron - Deutsche Bank AG, Research Division
Trey Grooms - Stephens Inc., Research Division
Sam Darkatsh - Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Research Division
Julio Romero - Sidoti & Company, LLC
Jeffrey Stevenson - Loop Capital Markets LLC, Research Division
Presentation
Operator
Good day, and welcome to the Griffon Corporation Fiscal Third Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call.
[Operator Instructions]
Please note this event is being recorded.
I would now like to turn the conference over to Brian Harris, CFO. Please go ahead.
Brian Harris
Executive VP & CFO
Thank you. Good morning, and welcome to Griffon Corporation's Third Quarter Fiscal 2026 Earnings Call. Joining me for this morning's call is Ron Kramer, Griffon's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Our press release was issued earlier this morning and is available on our website at www.griffon.com. Today's call is being recorded, and the replay instructions are included in our earnings release. Our comments will include forward-looking statements about Griffon's performance. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that can change as the world changes. Please see the cautionary statements in today's press release and in our SEC filings. Finally, some of today's remarks will adjust for items that affect comparability between periods. These items are explained in our non-GAAP reconciliations included in our press release.
With that, I'll turn the call over to Ron.
Ronald Kramer
Chairman of the Board & CEO
Thanks, Brian. Good morning, everyone, and thanks for joining us. Griffon has executed particularly well this quarter, which is reflected in today's solid operational and financial results. In the
Bloom Energy uvedla, že její backlog na začátku roku 2026 dosáhl 20 miliard USD, přičemž produktový backlog meziročně vzrostl o 140 % na 6 miliard USD. Zbytek tvořily služby za zhruba 14 miliard USD.
Bloom Energy (BE +2.81%) only provides a dollar figure for its backlog once per year. At the start of 2026, the backlog was $20 billion. That's a huge figure that's likely even higher today. In the company's second-quarter update, Bloom noted that it has new customers that aren't yet in the backlog figure. And that its backlog is growing faster than its revenues!
But there's an important nuance to consider about the backlog when evaluating Bloom Energy as an investment.
Image source: Getty Images.
As a business, Bloom Energy is incredibly well-positioned right now. It makes hydrogen fuel cells that can provide off-grid power. The demand for electricity from the artificial intelligence build-out is straining the grid's capacity to deliver power, with companies increasingly turning to alternatives like Bloom Energy's fuel cells.
AI-driven demand is a key reason why the backlog rose to $20 billion at the start of 2026. But there's a nuance in that number. The company's product backlog rose 140% year over year, highlighting the strong demand for its products. Only that backlog was just $6 billion of the total backlog. Selling new fuel cells is clearly a very important factor to monitor, but it isn't the long-term growth engine investors may believe it is.
Today's Change
(
2.81
%) $
6.40
Current Price
$
234.51
The rest of the backlog, or roughly $14 billion at the start of 2026, was related to services. Every new fuel cell sold comes along with a service contract. That revenue is annuity-like, and the service backlog grows with each new fuel cell sold. This is the true flywheel of the business, with the company's services business profitable since 2024, even though the company itself wasn't profitable in 2024 or 2025 due to losses in other parts of the operation.
Bloom Energy: Everything appears to be working together now That said, AI demand appears to have changed the dynamic in 2026. The company was profitable in the first and second quarters of the year, with increasing demand suggesting that future quarters will be strong as well. And each new fuel cell sold augments the services backlog, which improves Bloom Energy's long-term outlook.
The only problem is that investors appear to be pricing in a lot of good news already. The stock is up nearly 500% over the past year as of this writing, including the recent 35% drawdown. Bloom Energy has an attractive story, but only the most aggressive growth investors should consider it. And, even then, you'll need to believe strongly in the AI growth story to justify buying after such a rapid and large price move.
Boston Scientific oznámila tržby ve výši 5,44 miliardy USD, meziročně o 7,5 % více, a EPS 0,86 USD. Po snížení výhledu ale analytici stáhli odhady a akcie BSX klesly.
) manufactures medical devices and products used in various interventional medical specialties worldwide, including cardiovascular and surgical categories.On July 29, BSX reported revenue of $5.44 billion for their June quarter, up 7.5% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $0.86, compared to $0.75 in the year-ago quarter.
The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.38 billion, representing a surprise of +1.07%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +3.61%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.83.
In response to the conference call and management's lowered guidance, analysts notched down their EPS estimates for this year and next, causing BSX shares to fall into the cellar of the Zacks Rank.
Since its 2025 highs near $110, BSX has been in a steady bear market, making new 52-week lows above $42 last month -- despite nearly doubling revenues in the last 5 years to cross $21 billion.
The stock may soon sort out a bottom after this report given other strong metrics under the hood of the business which continues to grow the top and bottom lines at mid-single digits.
Key Metrics Versus Estimates
While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.
Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.
Here is how Boston Scientific performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Geographic Revenue- Rest of the World: $2.02 billion compared to the $1.98 billion average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +9.8% year over year.
Geographic Revenue- U.S.: $3.43 billion versus $3.39 billion estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +6.3% change.
Net Sales- MedSurg- Worldwide: $1.82 billion compared to the $1.8 billion average estimate based on five analysts. The reported number represents a change of +5.9% year over year.
Net Sales- Cardiovascular- Worldwide: $3.62 billion versus $3.6 billion estimated by five analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +8.3% change.
Net Sales- MedSurg- Neuromodulation- Worldwide: $341 million versus $335.33 million estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +12.5% change.
Net Sales- MedSurg- Endoscopy- Worldwide: $793 million versus $774.1 million estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +7.6% change.
Net Sales- MedSurg- Urology- Worldwide: $684 million compared to the $694.74 million average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of +1.2% year over year.
Net Sales- Cardiovascular- Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM)- Worldwide: $585 million compared to the $601.79 million average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of -0.9% year over year.
Net Sales- Cardiovascular- Interventional Cardiology & Vascular Therapies- Worldwide: $1.33 billion compared to the $1.26 billion average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +82.4% year over year.
Net Sales- Cardiovascular- Watchman- Worldwide: $507 million compared to the $535.88 million average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +4.3% year over year.
Net Sales- Cardiovascular- Electrophysiology- Worldwide: $916 million versus $923.15 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +9.1% change.
Boston Scientific snížila výhled organického růstu pro rok 2026 na 5 % až 6 % a upravený EPS na 3,28 až 3,32 USD. Slabší poptávka po WATCHMAN a ztráta podílu v americké elektrofysiologii dál tlačí na výsledky.
Key Takeaways Boston Scientific cut 2026 organic growth guidance to 5%-6% and lowered adjusted EPS guidance.WATCHMAN demand weakened, while U.S. electrophysiology share losses added near-term pressure.Debt rose to about $12.62 billion, and key recovery products are not expected before late 2027. Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX - Free Report) retains durable medical-device franchises, but its investment case has become harder to defend. Management lowered its 2026 outlook as WATCHMAN demand weakened, U.S. electrophysiology lost share and operating leverage fell short.
The stock’s valuation has compressed, creating potential upside if execution improves. Yet limited earnings visibility through 2027, higher debt and delayed product catalysts suggest investors may be better served by waiting for clearer signs of stabilization.
Why Boston Scientific’s Growth Outlook Has WeakenedBoston Scientific cut its 2026 organic sales growth guidance to 5%-6% from 6.5%-8%. Adjusted earnings guidance fell to $3.28-$3.32 per share from $3.34-$3.41, while third-quarter organic growth is expected at 3%-5%.
Here's where the consensus estimates for the company's 2026 earnings currently stand.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The company now anticipates only 0-25 basis points of adjusted operating-margin expansion in 2026. Lower WATCHMAN and electrophysiology sales are hurting product mix, and elevated supply-chain and quality-system spending remains a drag. Management expects revenue growth below its weighted-average market rate and limited adjusted earnings growth in 2027.
BSX Faces Pressure in WATCHMAN and ElectrophysiologyU.S. WATCHMAN demand slowed as new clinical evidence disrupted patient identification and referral patterns. Standalone procedures declined at a low-teens rate in the second quarter, while management expects global WATCHMAN sales to fall at a mid- to high-single-digit rate in the second half of 2026.
Electrophysiology presents another near-term challenge. U.S. share losses exceeded expectations, and the existing FARAPULSE portfolio may not offset the pressure now that pulsed-field ablation represents about 80% of the U.S. atrial fibrillation market. Medtronic plc (MDT - Free Report) is expanding its Affera and PulseSelect pulsed-field ablation offerings, while Johnson & Johnson (JNJ - Free Report) is advancing its VARIPULSE platform, underscoring the competitive intensity confronting Boston Scientific’s FARAPULSE franchise.
Boston Scientific Still Has Durable Growth EnginesThe broader portfolio remains resilient. Second-quarter organic sales rose 12.2% in Neuromodulation and 7% in Endoscopy. International operations also provided support, with operational growth of 11.2% in Asia-Pacific and 16.2% in Latin America and Canada.
Interventional Cardiology, the FARAPULSE ecosystem, OPAL mapping, WATCHMAN FLX Pro and the wider pipeline could support longer-term growth. The Penumbra transaction and MiRus investment add vascular and structural-heart opportunities. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (EW), whose transcatheter aortic valve replacement sales grew 11.3% in the second quarter of 2026, shows the scale of the structural-heart market Boston Scientific hopes to re-enter.
BSX Valuation Reflects Both Damage and UncertaintyBSX trades at 14.6X forward 12-month earnings, below its five-year median of 25.2X, the Medical-Products sub-industry’s 17.3X and the broader sector’s 20.6X. That discount could reward investors if growth and margins recover.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The lower multiple also reflects material uncertainty. Earnings estimates have moved down, key recovery products are not expected until the second half of 2027 or later and execution remains critical. Cash fell to $539 million at the end of the second quarter, while total debt increased to about $12.62 billion.
Why BSX's Bearish Signals Still MatterThe balance of evidence favors patience rather than an aggressive purchase. Boston Scientific has valuable franchises and a credible pipeline, but weaker guidance, competitive gaps and delayed catalysts leave little room for execution errors.
BSX currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), indicating an unfavorable earnings-estimate revision trend over the next one to three months. Its Value Score of C, Growth Score of C, Momentum Score of C and VGM Score of C provide no strong style-based counterweight. The valuation is cheaper, but the near-term risk-reward profile still supports waiting for better visibility.
You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Chainlink, FORMS HK, Apex Group a CSpro spustily v Hongkongu Tokenized Securities Framework pro standardizovanou infrastrukturu digitálních cenných papírů. Framework využívá ERC-3643 pro vestavěnou compliance a omezení převodů.
A New Infrastructure Layer for Digital Securities in Hong Kong@Chainlink, FORMS HK, @ApexGroup, and CSpro have officially launched the Tokenized Securities Framework (TSF) inside Hong Kong's Blockchain Valley Cyberport ecosystem. The initiative establishes a standardized digital infrastructure covering the full lifecycle of Tokenized Securities Offerings (TSOs), from regulated issuance and distribution through to final settlement.
The move adds to a growing cluster of institutional-grade tokenization projects taking shape within Hong Kong's Cyberport program. The Cyberport Blockchain and Digital Asset Pilot Subsidy Scheme is a government-backed effort to encourage Web3 experimentation, providing funding and a regulatory sandbox for projects intended to serve as templates for broader adoption.
ERC-3643 Puts Compliance at the Token LevelCentral to the TSF is its adoption of the ERC-3643 token standard. ERC-3643 is designed to bring regulatory compliance and control to blockchain-based securities, ensuring that only eligible investors can hold and transfer tokens. Rather than applying compliance rules as an external layer, the standard embeds identity verification, transfer restrictions, and compliance logic directly into the token itself, making it well suited to regulated assets like securities and private funds.
The standard was formally accepted as an Ethereum Improvement Proposal in 2023, making it the only officially ratified Ethereum standard specifically designed for security tokens. Its institutional reach has since expanded significantly. Governance of the standard now sits with the ERC-3643 Association, a non-profit body whose members include institutions such as DTCC, Apex Group, and Invesco. The standard's momentum has also drawn regulatory attention in the United States: in July 2025, representatives from Chainlink Labs and the ERC-3643 Association met in person with the SEC Crypto Task Force in Washington, D.C. to discuss its role in enabling compliant tokenization of securities.
For Hong Kong, the TSF represents a practical application of these compliance mechanisms within the city's existing legal framework. By embedding permissioned participation directly at the asset layer, the framework aims to give issuers, distributors, and investors a regulated path to participate in digital securities markets without stepping outside current regional requirements.
The collaboration between @Chainlink, FORMS HK, @ApexGroup, and CSpro reflects a broader pattern of established financial services firms teaming with blockchain infrastructure providers to move tokenization from pilot stage into production-ready systems.
Sources:
CryptoSlate: Chainlink and partners automate tokenized funds in Hong Kong
Chainalysis: Introduction to ERC-3643 Tokens
ERC-3643 Association: Standard presented to SEC Crypto Task Force
Circle vykázala ve 2. čtvrtletí 2026 výnosy z rezerv ve výši 701 mil. USD, meziročně o 7 % více, a upravená EBITDA vzrostla o 8 % na 143 mil. USD. USDC v oběhu přesáhl 73 mld. USD.
Circle reported $701 million in second-quarter 2026 total revenue and reserve income, up 7% year over year, while adjusted EBITDA increased 8% to $143 million and net income reached $48 million, the company said Wednesday.
The stablecoin issuer said USDC in circulation exceeded $73 billion at quarter-end, up 19% year-over-year, while USDC onchain transaction volume surged 151% to $14.8 trillion.
Advertisement
The company said the Circle Payments Network reached $14.7 billion in annualized transaction volume across 175 financial institutions, while its Agent Stack exceeded 900 paid services, with nearly all x402 agent-payment volume settled in USDC.
Circle also outlined major product and institutional milestones. Arc, its new layer 1 blockchain, now has more than 100 builders ahead of its September 16 mainnet launch and will debut with privacy features, AI-powered agent infrastructure, and support for tokenized real-world assets.
The firm announced founding validators including BlackRock, DTCC, Visa, Mastercard, Galaxy, Standard Chartered, ICE, MoneyGram, SBI Group, Sumitomo Corporation, and Global Payments, while confirming that BlackRock’s BUIDL fund and DTCC’s tokenization infrastructure are expected to integrate with the network.
Circle also expanded its USDC adoption through partnerships with BNY, Standard Chartered, Nium, JCB, Grupo Bind, Kakao Group, and Marex during the quarter. Other highlights include regulatory approval to establish Circle National Trust from the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and Circle New York Trust from the New York Department of Financial Services.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Circle oznámila, že BlackRock, DTCC, Mastercard a Visa budou mezi zakládajícími validátory jejího blockchainu Arc. Veřejný mainnet má být spuštěn 16. září 2026.
BlackRock, DTCC, and Mastercard are joining Circle's Arc as validators, while BUIDL is expected to deploy on the network after launch.
USDC stablecoin issuer Circle has announced the founding validator cohort for Arc, its open blockchain network. It is currently in private mainnet with more than 100 ecosystem and institutional builders.
Circle said the network is on track for a public mainnet launch on September 16, 2026.
Behind Circle’s New Blockchain According to the official post, the founding validator group includes BlackRock, The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), Galaxy, Global Payments, ICE, Mastercard, MoneyGram, SBI Group, Standard Chartered, Sumitomo Corporation and Visa. Circle said the group represents a model in which institutions building on the network also help secure it.
The aim is to create a foundation of trusted and globally distributed operators that can support secure and scalable on-chain financial applications. BlackRock is also expected to deploy BUIDL, the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund, on Arc through the network’s native USDC integration.
The setup is intended to let institutional investors subscribe to, redeem, and deploy fund assets within one on-chain environment.
Circle is also working with DTCC to enable the tokenization of assets custodied by The Depository Trust Company on Arc beginning in the second half of 2027. The main objective is to let market participants use third-party applications on the blockchain for stablecoin-native settlement outside DTC against DTC-tokenized assets. DTCC said the integration supports its multi-chain strategy.
DTC-tokenized assets will continue to carry the same protections, rights, and safeguards available to investors holding assets traditionally.
You may also like: Italy’s Biggest Bank Cuts IBIT Exposure by 94% While Buying More Staked Ethereum BlackRock Backs CLARITY Act as Tom Lee Predicts Programmable Money Revolution Circle’s IBM Patent Deal Brings Nearly 1,000 Blockchain Patents Commenting on the latest development, Mastercard Chief Product Officer Jorn Lambert said,
“As stablecoins and other digital assets move into real-world payments, settlement, and treasury flows, Mastercard is focused on helping customers operate across an increasingly diverse payments ecosystem. Our participation as a founding validator on Arc reflects that commitment — supporting trusted, interoperable infrastructure that can help connect emerging blockchain networks with the broader financial systems businesses rely on every day.”
Arc Product Suite Arc is also expected to have a range of applications and services available from day one. DeFi protocols and capital allocators including Aave, Aerodrome, FalconX, Galaxy, GSR, Keyrock, Morpho, Nonco, Uniswap and XFX will support borrowing, trading and on-chain capital deployment.
Meanwhile, payment providers Rain, Thunes and Wirex have been tasked with routing stablecoin payment and settlement flows. Binance Wallet, Chainlink, Fireblocks, Kraken, Ledger, MetaMask, Uniswap Labs and Upbit, on the other hand, will enable access to USDC on Arc, custody and cross-chain asset movement.
At launch, Circle plans to introduce a product suite around Arc, which includes tools for common on-chain workflows, AI-powered applications and smart contract development, tokenized real-world asset management and interfaces for developers, users and agents.
Circle obnovila dohodu s Coinbase za stávajících podmínek, takže USDC zůstane klíčovou součástí produktů Coinbase. Coinbase dál dostává veškerý úrok z USDC na své platformě a polovinu zbytku mimo ni.
Jeremy Allaire, founder and CEO of Circle, the issuer of USDC, stated during tonight’s earnings call: “We have renewed our agreement with Coinbase under existing terms, ensuring USDC remains central to all of Coinbase’s product offerings. We also look forward to expanding our USDC network via distribution deals with strategically aligned partners.” The collaboration agreement between Circle and Coinbase, signed on August 18, 2023, stipulates that Circle—USDC’s sole issuer—shares interest revenue generated from USDC reserve assets with Coinbase: Coinbase will receive 100% of reserve interest from USDC held on its platform, plus 50% of the remaining reserve interest from USDC held off its platform. The agreement has an initial three-year term and an automatic renewal mechanism.
Relevant content
MicroStrategy officially announced its ambition: aiming to become the world's most valuable company, with Michael Saylor urging "Think ₿igger"
Strategy has released a video titled "Strategy's Ambition is to be the World's Largest Company In terms of market cap", stating its goal to become the world's largest company by market cap by holding the most capital (BTC), issuing the strongest credit (STRC), and creating the best equity (MSTR). Founder Michael Saylor remarked, "Think ?igger." Strategy plans to issue STRC to support its digital credit business, which will help generate higher-quality MSTR equity. This equity, in turn, will enhance the company’s ability to accumulate more BTC, forming a triple flywheel that continuously increases the number of BTC per share. Its core targets include achieving a 30% BTC annualized rate of return (ARR), selling digital credit equivalent to 10-20% of its BTC reserves annually, and doubling its Bitcoin Per Share (BPS) metric within 7 years through its digital credit operations.
19 minutes ago
Strategy has expressed its ambition to become the world's largest company by market capitalization.
Strategy has released a video titled "Strategy's Ambition is to be the World's Largest Company In Terms of Market Cap", outlining its goal to become the world’s largest firm by market capitalization through three core pillars: holding the most capital (Bitcoin, BTC), issuing the strongest credit instrument (STRC), and creating the best equity (MSTR). Founder Michael Saylor emphasized: "Think ?igger." The company plans to issue STRC to back its digital credit business, which will help generate stronger MSTR equity—enhancing Strategy’s ability to accumulate more BTC and ultimately drive a continuous increase in the number of bitcoins per share.
19 minutes ago
Coinbase Releases Q2 Solana Validator Performance Report: Its APY outperformed the overall network by 14 basis points, and its block skip rate was only one-quarter of the network average.
Coinbase released its Q2 2026 Solana Validator Performance Report, disclosing key metrics for its Solana staking operations. As of the end of Q2, Coinbase staked a total of 41.63 million SOL across 23 validators in 7 countries, accounting for 9.72% of the network’s total staked SOL. In terms of yield performance, Coinbase’s validators posted an annualized yield of 6.52%, outperforming the network average of 6.38% by roughly 14 basis points. Its reliability metrics were even more impressive: the block skip rate stood at just 0.035%, approximately a quarter of the network average of 0.136%, meaning it missed around 75% fewer blocks than the average validator. Coinbase attributed this strong performance to its use of only Solana Foundation-audited client software and its avoidance of aggressive MEV timing strategies that harm end users. On the infrastructure and security front, Coinbase disclosed several technical details: its client strategy covers four options—Harmonic, Jito, JitoBAM, and Firedancer—all 100% audited by the Solana Foundation; for security, it has deployed a dual-signature protection mechanism and near-zero downtime deployment protocols. Looking ahead, the entire validator cluster has been integrated into the DoubleZero network, with a session uptime of approximately 99.9%, and is prepared for the Alpenglow mainnet upgrade in the second half of the year.
19 minutes ago
Coinbase will suspend trading of six trading pairs, including LSETH-ETH and MINA-EUR.
Coinbase has announced it will suspend trading for six non-U.S. dollar trading pairs on August 6. The affected pairs are LSETH-ETH, MINA-EUR, GRT-GBP, MASK-GBP, CHZ-USDT, and CRO-USDT. The platform stated that the suspension only impacts these non-USD denominated trading pairs, adding that eligible Coinbase Advanced Trade users in supported regions can still trade these assets via USD order books.
19 minutes ago
Google AI core figure Jeff Dean announces his departure, with Google shares plunging 3% in short-term trading.
Jeff Dean, one of Google’s earliest employees and a core figure who has overseen the company’s AI strategy design for the past 15 years, is leaving to launch an AI startup focused on scientific discovery. Dean joined Google in 1999 as its 30th employee. He will serve as CEO of the new non-profit entity Discovery Loop, which aims to accelerate technological progress by automating complex, multi-step scientific and engineering tasks. Joining Dean in the venture are fellow senior Google staff members Oriol Vinyals, Quoc Le, and Sanjay Ghemawat. The four have together driven major advances in mathematics and protein structure research, and rank among the most highly cited researchers globally. The departure of these talents, including Dean, further fuels Google’s recent trend of AI talent exodus. According to market data from BIT (bit.com), Google’s stock plunged 3% in the short term.
19 minutes ago
Is Strategy Expected to Resume BTC Accumulation? STRC Surpasses $94, Surging Approximately 30% From June Lows
According to BIT (bit.com) market data, Strategy’s perpetual preferred stock STRC surged past $94 during U.S. trading hours, jumping roughly 30% from its June low. The recent rally is driven by multiple factors: Strategy’s sale of Bitcoin to pay dividends, its repurchase of $106 million in preferred shares, and its increase in U.S. dollar reserves to $4 billion. Additionally, Strategy has not added to its Bitcoin holdings for six consecutive weeks. Strategy founder Michael Saylor emphasized last week that the company will not issue new STRC shares when the stock trades below $100. To date, the firm has repurchased 288,930 STRC preferred shares for a total of roughly $25 million, at an average price of $86.52 per share. Strategy plans to remain a "regular and disciplined buyer," continuing repurchases when STRC trades below $100. It will increase its buying activity when the stock is far from $100, and reduce repurchase volumes as it approaches that level. Currently, Strategy has approximately $975 million available for preferred share repurchases. Funds for STRC repurchases will not come from its U.S. dollar reserves; instead, they will be raised via sales of MSTR stock and Bitcoin, depending on market conditions, with the goal of stabilizing STRC’s price around $100.
Leidos zvýšil výhled tržeb pro rok 2026 na 18,20–18,40 mld. USD a zisku na akcii na 12,20–12,50 USD. Divize Defense měla book-to-bill 2,2 a divize Health očekává tržby blízko úrovně z 2. čtvrtletí.
Key Takeaways Leidos raised 2026 revenue guidance to $18.20B-$18.40B and EPS guidance to $12.20-$12.50.Defense posted a 2.2 book-to-bill ratio, with a $12B Defense Tech pipeline over the next year.LDOS expects Health revenues near Q2 levels after VBA incentive payments were suspended for the rest of 2026. Leidos Holdings, Inc. (LDOS - Free Report) used its fiscal second-quarter call to emphasize that faster Defense, Homeland and Intelligence & Digital growth is offsetting pressure in Health. Management raised revenue, earnings and cash flow guidance despite changes in the Veterans Benefits Administration medical-exam business.
The call gave investors more detail on defense-tech scaling, the VBA recompete and how agency in-sourcing could reshape Leidos’ role in health-system integration.
LDOS Raises the Floor on 2026 GuidanceExecutive vice president and CFO Chris Cage said fiscal 2026 revenue guidance is now $18.20-$18.40 billion, while non-GAAP earnings guidance rose to $12.20-$12.50 per share.
Cage raised operating cash flow guidance to approximately $1.85 billion. The adjusted EBITDA margin outlook remains in the mid-13% range, and the guidance excludes the pending Security Enterprise Solutions joint venture with Analogic.
Second-quarter non-GAAP earnings of $3.26 per share topped the $2.90 consensus mark. Revenues of $4.56 billion exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.36 billion.
Leidos Defense Tech Builds ScaleCEO Tom Bell said Defense posted a 2.2 book-to-bill ratio in the quarter and 1.9 over the trailing 12 months. He also cited a $12 billion pipeline of Defense Tech opportunities over the next year.
Bell highlighted low-cost containerized munitions, the small cruise missile, IFPC, space-sensor payloads, autonomous vessels and counter-UAS capabilities. Leidos plans to deliver 3,000 containerized munitions by 2030 under its framework agreement.
Cage said profitability should improve as programs mature and production volumes rise. Bell added that management can see double-digit profitability and double-digit revenue CAGR over time in Defense Tech.
LDOS’ Health Reset Focuses on VBABell said the VA suspended incentive payments for all vendors in the medical disability examination program for the rest of 2026. He said the change is incorporated into the higher companywide guidance.
Cage expects Health revenues to remain near second-quarter levels for the balance of the year, with non-GAAP operating margins around 20%. Management views the fourth-quarter run rate as the starting point for 2027.
A BNP Paribas analyst pressed for recompete clarity. Bell said Leidos expects a draft request for proposals shortly, formal bids near year-end and customer decisions in early 2027, with extensions providing continuity into next year.
Leidos Adapts to Agency In-SourcingA Melius Research analyst asked whether the next phase of MHS GENESIS signaled a broader reduction in systems-integrator roles. Bell said agencies are exploring more in-sourcing and direct commercial-software purchases.
Bell maintained that Leidos can shift toward higher-level mission integration while continuing to maintain and enhance MHS GENESIS. Cage said negotiations are continuing because the customer lacks capacity to absorb all current activities.
A JPMorgan analyst asked about fixed-price work. CEO Bell and CFO Cage said customers are increasingly requesting outcome-based contracts, a model they believe fits Leidos’ software, cyber and mission-technology offerings.
LDOS’ Cash Flow Supports Capital ChoicesCage emphasized second-quarter operating cash flow of $793 million and free cash flow of $761 million. Lower expected capital spending, now closer to $250 million, lifted implied full-year free cash flow guidance by about $150 million.
Bell reiterated that Leidos remains a low-capital-intensity business, with capital expenditures generally targeted at 1% to 1.5% of revenues, even as it funds selected Defense Tech programs.
Leidos paid down $300 million of commercial paper, completed a $66 million open-market repurchase and put a new board authorization in place. Bell said expensive acquisition targets favor a balanced approach to investment, repurchases and dividends.
Leidos Leans on Portfolio BalanceManagement’s tone was confident but centered on execution. Defense and Homeland are carrying more of the growth load while Health moves through contract and incentive changes.
The priorities are converting bookings into revenues, protecting cash generation and securing the VBA franchise without slowing investment in defense tech, cyber and energy infrastructure.
Zacks Signals for LDOSLDOS carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), alongside Value and Growth Scores of A, a Momentum Score of B and a VGM Score of A. The Style Scores indicate favorable value, growth and momentum characteristics, while the Rank carries a Hold stance. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The combination is constructive but lacks the stronger signal associated with Zacks Rank #1 or #2 (Buy) stocks paired with A or B Style Scores. The Zacks Rank can change as estimates are revised after the just-reported results.
Key Takeaways Medpace posted record Q2 net new business awards of $795.7 million, lifting book-to-bill to 1.13.MEDP's backlog reached $3.01 billion, with about $1.96 billion expected to convert within 12 months.MEDP's record bookings were helped by lower cancellations, which remain difficult to forecast. Medpace Holdings, Inc. (MEDP - Free Report) regained commercial momentum in the second quarter of 2026 as record awards and a higher book-to-bill ratio reversed the weaker first-quarter trend.
The central issue is timing. Better demand can strengthen backlog and support future growth, but study starts, pre-backlog work and unpredictable cancellations may delay the larger revenue benefit until 2027.
MEDP Delivers Record Quarterly AwardsNet new business awards increased 28.2% year over year to $795.7 million, the highest quarterly level reported by Medpace. The result lifted net book-to-bill to 1.13, meaning awards exceeded second-quarter revenues.
That was a clear improvement from the first quarter's 0.88 ratio. The rebound indicates that commercial activity recovered enough to replace revenue consumed during the quarter and begin rebuilding forward coverage.
Medpace’s Demand Indicators BroadenRequest-for-proposal activity increased both sequentially and year over year, while win rates recovered after management's improvement initiatives. Client funding activity also remained constructive, supporting a broader opportunity set.
Management expects gross bookings to ramp during the second half. That outlook is relevant across the contract research market, where ICON plc (ICLR - Free Report) provides integrated clinical development services and IQVIA Holdings Inc. (IQV - Free Report) combines clinical research services with healthcare data and analytics. For MEDP, stronger gross awards will matter most if cancellations stay within a reasonable range.
MEDP’s Oncology Mix Reshapes the PipelineOncology represented more than half of second-quarter bookings and initial award notifications. At the same time, new cardiometabolic award activity moderated as several large metabolic programs moved closer to maturity.
The shift reduces reliance on the therapeutic area that recently drove growth and moves the pipeline toward Medpace's historical mix. Yet oncology programs can carry different award, study-start and conversion patterns, leaving the timing of revenue recognition less predictable.
Medpace’s Backlog Supports Revenue ContinuityEnding backlog increased 4.9% year over year to $3.01 billion. Medpace expects approximately $1.96 billion of that backlog to convert into revenues over the next 12 months, providing a meaningful base of contracted work.
The near-term conversion estimate does not capture the full potential of the second-quarter awards. Some programs remain in pre-backlog, while others need additional time before study activity begins. Those lags could push much of the incremental contribution into 2027.
Here's where the consensus estimates for the company's 2026 and 2027 sales currently stand.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
MEDP’s Cancellation Risk Clouds the RecoveryLower cancellations accounted for more than half of the sequential improvement in net bookings. That makes the quarterly record less straightforward than the headline figure suggests because part of the rebound came from fewer lost awards rather than gross-booking growth alone.
Management said cancellations cannot be forecast reliably and may arise without warning. A renewed spike could weaken net bookings, slow backlog expansion and delay the expected benefit from the stronger commercial pipeline.
MEDP’s Growth Signals Support Cautious OptimismThe second-quarter recovery improves MEDP's path toward stronger 2027 growth, but execution still depends on converting awards into backlog and starting studies on schedule. The year-to-date book-to-bill ratio of 1.00 also shows that the first-half recovery was balanced rather than decisive.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
MEDP currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), with a Growth Score of A and a VGM Score of B. Those readings support the stock's growth profile and complement its favorable earnings-revision signal. Still, a Value Score of D and a Momentum Score of C argue for close attention to valuation, backlog conversion and the durability of bookings before drawing a firmer conclusion.
You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Carlyle ve 2. čtvrtletí zvýšila výnosy na 1,11 miliardy USD a EPS na 1,07 USD, obojí nad odhady Wall Street. Celkové segmentové poplatkové výnosy dosáhly 759,3 milionu USD.
For the quarter ended June 2026, Carlyle Group (CG - Free Report) reported revenue of $1.11 billion, up 13% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $1.07, compared to $0.91 in the year-ago quarter.
The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $908.66 million, representing a surprise of +22.4%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +21.59%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.88.
While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.
Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.
Here is how Carlyle performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Total AUM Roll Forward - Global Private Equity - EOP: $162.7 billion versus $161.32 billion estimated by three analysts on average.Total AUM Roll Forward - Global Credit - EOP: $211.12 billion compared to the $213.79 billion average estimate based on three analysts.Total AUM Roll Forward - EOP: $485.5 billion compared to the $485.23 billion average estimate based on three analysts.Fee-earning AUM Roll Forward - Global Private Equity - EOP: $96.56 billion versus the three-analyst average estimate of $99.95 billion.Segment Revenues- Fund management fees: $560.1 million compared to the $551.81 million average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of -5% year over year.Fee related performance revenues: $88.7 million compared to the $48.54 million average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +129.2% year over year.Segment Revenues- Realized principal investment income (loss): $22.6 million versus $35.25 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -32.5% change.Segment Revenues- Total segment fee revenues: $759.3 million compared to the $674.77 million average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +12.3% year over year.Revenues- Global Private Equity- Fund management fees: $283.4 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $286.63 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -6.3%.Revenues- Global Private Equity- Total fee revenues: $304.3 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $309.36 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -1.6%.Revenues- Global Private Equity- Realized performance revenues: $251.5 million compared to the $189.29 million average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +2.8% year over year.Revenues- Global Private Equity- Realized principal investment income: $5.6 million compared to the $12.27 million average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of -54.8% year over year.View all Key Company Metrics for Carlyle here>>>
Shares of Carlyle have returned +15.1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.5% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), indicating that it could underperform the broader market in the near term.
Marvell Technology zvýšila tržby v komunikacích o 29 % meziročně na 585 milionů USD díky normalizaci zásob zákazníků. Firma čeká, že tento segment ve 2. čtvrtletí klesne v nižších jednotkách procent mezikvartálně, ale poroste ve vyšších jednotkách procent meziročně.
Key Takeaways Marvell Technology grew communications revenues 29% year over year as customer inventories normalized.MRVL expects interconnect revenues to grow more than 70% in fiscal 2027 on AI networking demand.MRVL sees communications declining sequentially in Q2 but growing year over year as recovery continues. Marvell Technology’s (MRVL - Free Report) communications and other business segment has been recovering as customer inventories normalize. In the first quarter of fiscal 2027, communications and other revenues increased 29% year over year to $585 million. MRVL’s AI data center networking business has been at the center of its growth.
Networking remains a key beneficiary of rising AI cluster size and complexity. Marvell now expects its interconnect business to grow more than 70% year over year in fiscal 2027, supported by scale-out PAM ramp-ups and growing contributions from scale-up and scale-across networking.
Within optics, the company expects TIAs and drivers to exceed a $1 billion annualized run rate in the next few quarters and sees a path to about $1 billion annualized DCI module revenues during fiscal 2028. Management also expects scale-up optics to ramp up in fiscal 2028, with revenues now forecasted to more than double versus its prior outlook of about $150 million.
The company has also launched the Golden Cable initiative to accelerate and expand the Active Electrical Cable (AEC) ecosystem for faster deployment of AI infrastructure by cloud and hyperscaler customers. However, Marvell Technology’s move toward lower-margin custom silicon and other AI infrastructure products is resulting in a gradual decline in the gross margin.
However, MRVL expects its communications end market to decline in the mid-single-digit range sequentially in the second quarter while growing in the high-single-digit range year over year, which implies the recovery is continuing but not linear. A steadier baseline outside the data center can moderate volatility through periods when hyperscaler build cycles vary while still keeping the company exposed to long-term infrastructure upgrades.
How Competitors Fare Against MRVL StockMRVL faces stiff competition in the AI networking and custom silicon space from Broadcom (AVGO - Free Report) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD - Free Report) .
Broadcom is a leader in the domain of custom silicon solutions for data centers. Broadcom’s advanced 3.5D XDSiP packaging platform is critical to ensure the performance and efficiency of custom AI XPUs.
Advanced Micro Devices is another established player in the custom silicon solutions and AI accelerator market. Advanced Micro Devices offers semi-custom SoCs and Instinct Accelerators to power data centers.
MRVL's Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of Marvell Technology have rallied 157.3% year to date compared with the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry’s growth of 35.3%.
MRVL YTD Performance Chart
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Marvell Technology trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 13.52X, higher than the industry’s average of 5.58X.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MRVL’s fiscal 2027 and 2028 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 42.3% and 52.9%, respectively. The estimate for fiscal 2027 and 2028 have been revised upward in the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Marvell Technology currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Brink's Company (BCO) Q2 2026 Earnings Call August 5, 2026 9:00 AM EDT
Company Participants
Jesse Jenkins - Head & Vice President of Investor Relations
Richard Eubanks - CEO, President & Director
Kurt McMaken - Executive VP & CFO
Conference Call Participants
Timothy Mulrooney - William Blair & Company L.L.C., Research Division
Tobey Sommer - Truist Securities, Inc., Research Division
Presentation
Operator
Good day, and welcome to the Brink's Company Second Quarter 2026 Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] Please note this event is being recorded.
This call and the Q&A session will contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from projected or estimated results. Information regarding factors that could cause such differences are available in today's press release and presentation and in the company's SEC filings. The information presented and discussed on this call is representative of today only. Brink's assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. The call is copyrighted and may not be used without written permission from Brink's.
I will now turn it over to your host, Jesse Jenkins, Senior Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis. Mr. Jenkins, you may begin.
Jesse Jenkins
Head & Vice President of Investor Relations
Thanks, and good morning. Joining me are CEO, Mark Eubanks; and CFO, Kurt McMacken. Today, Brink's reported second quarter results on a GAAP, non-GAAP and constant currency basis. Most of our commentary today will be focused on our non-GAAP results. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to provide investors with a supplemental comparison of our operating results and trends for the periods presented. We believe these measures allow investors to better compare performance over time and to evaluate our performance using the same metrics as management. Reconciliations of non-GAAP results to their most comparable GAAP results are provided in SEC filings, which can be found on our website.
Vertiv ve 2. čtvrtletí zvýšil tržby o 24 % na 3,27 mld. USD díky silné poptávce po datových centrech pro AI. Modine sice tržby v datovém segmentu zvedl o 90 %, ale marže klesla na 14,8 %.
Key Takeaways Vertiv is the scaled, profitable pure-play leader in AI data center power and cooling.VRT's second-quarter sales rose 24% to $3.27B as customers ramped infrastructure spending for AI.Modine's data center sales jumped 90%, but margins fell to 14.8% amid shortages and labor inefficiency. Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving expansion of data centers, bringing cooling and power infrastructure into sharper focus. This shift is creating opportunities for companies that supply the infrastructure behind modern data centers. Vertiv Holdings (VRT - Free Report) and Modine Manufacturing (MOD - Free Report) are two players positioned to benefit from this growing demand.
Both beat earnings in their latest quarterly releases. Modine reported adjusted earnings of $1.53 per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2027, up 44% year over year, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 20.47%. Vertiv delivered second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $1.52 per share, up 60% year over year, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.29%.
While both companies are set to benefit from the AI-driven data center infrastructure boom, their positioning differs. Vertiv brings scale and integrated infrastructure capabilities, while Modine is sharpening its focus on thermal management solutions for data centers. Though smaller in scale, Modine is building a fast-growing cooling business that could reshape its growth trajectory in the coming years.
On a year-to-date basis, both stocks have performed well. Vertiv has gained 66% and Modine shares are up 51%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Still, one stock offers considerably stronger exposure to the AI data center space. Let's dive deeper into both stocks.
The Case for ModineModine's data center segment sales grew 90% year over year in the last reported quarter. This was the third straight quarter of record order intake, and backlog has nearly doubled over the past year, reflecting real, multi-year demand.That visibility is backed by contracts. Modine has locked in over $4 billion in Airedale chiller commitments running from calendar 2027 through 2029, with initial orders already flowing. Management reaffirmed guidance for 60-80% data center sales growth for fiscal 2027, segment earnings growth above 85%, and 50-70% organic growth in fiscal 2028.
The product pipeline supports that outlook. Modine's new 3-megawatt chiller packs 50% more cooling capacity into just a 9% larger footprint, and it's gaining traction across hyperscale, Neocloud and colocation customers. Deeper co-development with these customers also raises switching costs, which helps lock in future business.
That said, this growth is still concentrated in a handful of relationships. Management pointed to just three customers— two hyperscalers and one large Neocloud provider— as the primary drivers behind the recent surge in orders and backlog. That's a lot of near-term revenues riding on a small number of accounts, a sharper concentration risk than Vertiv's more diversified customer base.
Another key problem is margins. Component shortages hurt production and labor efficiency in the first quarter of 2027. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the segment fell to 14.8% from 22.1% a year earlier. Management attributes 450-550 basis points of that drop to excess labor and under-absorbed overhead from the supply disruption.
Modine is guiding a fast rebound— segment margin back to 19-20% by the second quarter. That’s a steep climb in a short window, and it leans heavily on supply normalizing on schedule. Pricing actions, surcharges and other commercial levers should help over time, but they do not fix cost pressure immediately, and any further commodity inflation or slow customer reimbursement could push the recovery timeline out further.Management itself has called the coming production ramp and capacity rollout a "heavy lift," as the company juggles component shortages and new manufacturing line activation.
Reflecting the execution risks, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for MOD's EPS has been revised downward recently.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Case for VertivVertiv's business is built entirely around what AI data centers need most— power and thermal management— unlike Modine, where data centers are just one (though fastest-growing) piece of a broader industrial portfolio.
Second-quarter 2026 net sales rose 24% year over year to $3.27 billion, driven by broad-based demand as hyperscalers, enterprise customers and colocation providers all ramped up infrastructure spending to keep pace with AI deployments. Rising rack density and faster build cycles are pushing customers toward the kind of advanced power and cooling systems Vertiv specializes in, and a strong sales pipeline with accelerating deal cycles has kept converting that demand into revenues.
Profitability moved in the right direction too. Adjusted operating margin came in at 22.6% in the second quarter, up 410 basis points year over year. Management guided 24-25% margin in the third quarter on the back of organic growth, operating leverage and further productivity improvements.
Vertiv has been expanding manufacturing capacity aggressively and globally. The company added new capacity in Malaysia, expanded five large plants across the Americas, and increased chiller production in EMEA. That footprint lets Vertiv deliver complex, large-scale infrastructure solutions.
Last month, Vertiv announced an expansion at its Tognana campus near Padua, Italy, for scaling up manufacturing and testing for AI-ready cooling systems. The project is set to double regional chiller production capacity by the end of 2026, with a large-scale testing lab coming in early 2027 to validate chillers working alongside liquid cooling systems under high-density AI workloads. The company is also working with NVIDIA and Foxconn's VisionBay AI on Taiwan AI data center deployments, including power, thermal and services for NVIDIA GB300 systems.
Together, the sales growth and capacity buildout point to more room to run. Vertiv guided third-quarter net sales of $3.65 billion to $3.85 billion, suggesting the momentum from the AI data center buildout isn't slowing down anytime soon.
Analysts seem to be growing more bullish on the stock, as reflected in rising consensus EPS estimates.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Vertiv Has the EdgeModine's growth story is real, but it's still finding its footing at scale. Data center margins fell this quarter, and the promised rebound hinges on supply chains cooperating on a tight timeline. That's a lot of execution risk riding on one segment of a diversified business. MOD currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Vertiv doesn't have that problem. It's already the scaled, pure-play leader in AI data center infrastructure. It has been expanding margins while growing revenues and backing it with real manufacturing capacity. Rising analyst estimates confirm the momentum.
For investors wanting AI data center exposure, VRT—which sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy)— is the stronger pick.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Key Takeaways Lincoln Electric shares rose 8% as Q2 adjusted EPS beat estimates and revenues hit a record $1.22B.Organic sales grew 10.1%, driven by 7.7% pricing and 2.4% volume growth.LECO raised 2026 sales growth guidance to the low-double-digit range after record cash flow. Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (LECO - Free Report) shares have gained 8% since it reported second-quarter 2026 results on July 30. Adjusted earnings came in at $2.93 per share, up 12.7% year over year. The figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.81 by 4.27%.
Including one-time items, the bottom line was $2.88 per share compared with $2.56 in the year-ago quarter.
LECO's Sales Mix Benefits From Price and VolumeRevenues increased 12% to a record $1.22 billion and beat the consensus estimate of $1.17 billion by 4.45%. Results benefited from 10.1% organic sales growth, with volumes contributing 2.4% and pricing at 7.7%. Acquisitions contributed 1.5%, primarily reflecting the Alloy Steel acquisition, and favorable foreign currency translation added 0.4%.
Consumables sales increased in the low-teens percentage range, equipment sales rose by a high-single-digit percentage and automation sales advanced by a mid-single-digit percentage. Four of the company’s five major end markets grew, led by a mid-30% increase in general fabrication. However, transportation declined by a mid-single-digit percentage.
Lincoln Electric's Margin Performance ImprovesThe cost of goods sold increased 12.8% year over year to $770.7 million. Gross profit rose 10.7% to $449 million, while the gross margin contracted 50 basis points to 36.8%.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 6.6% to $224.9 million. However, SG&A expenses, as a percentage of sales, declined 100 basis points to 18.4%.
Adjusted operating income climbed 14.9% to $224.1 million, with the adjusted operating margin expanding 50 basis points to a record 18.4%.
LECO's Americas Welding Business Gains MomentumAmericas Welding revenues increased 11.2% year over year to $774.4 million. Volume growth of 7.1% reflected gains across all product areas, led by accelerated capital spending. Pricing contributed 3.7%, while currency movements provided a 0.4% benefit. We expected the segment’s net sales to be $754 million in the quarter.
Adjusted EBIT rose 14.6% to $158.1 million. The segment’s adjusted EBIT margin improved 110 basis points to 19.7%, aided by operating leverage from higher volumes and a narrower price-cost headwind. Tariff refunds also supported profitability. Our prediction for the segment’s adjusted operating income was $148 million.
Lincoln Electric's International Results Face Volume PressureInternational Welding sales rose 4.5% to $243.3 million, as a 7% acquisition contribution and modest pricing and currency benefits offset a 4.7% volume decline. Organic sales were hurt by slowing demand in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, including a $2 million impact from the Middle East conflict. We expected the segment’s net sales to be $236 million in the quarter.
Adjusted EBIT declined 12.9% to $26.6 million, while the adjusted EBIT margin contracted 210 basis points to 10.6%. Lower EMEA volumes weighed on the segment’s profitability despite growth in Asia Pacific and contributions from Alloy Steel. We predicted an adjusted operating profit of $28.8 million.
LECO's Harris Products Group Delivers Sales & Profit GrowthThe Harris Products Group’s sales increased 26.9% to $201.9 million. A 34.2% pricing benefit, reflecting higher year-over-year metal costs, primarily silver, more than offset an 8.2% volume decline. Volumes were down 8.2% as it faced difficult year-over-year comparisons in HVAC and the retail channel. Our projection for the segment’s net sales was $171 million.
Adjusted EBIT advanced 32.5% to $42.3 million. The adjusted EBIT margin expanded 100 basis points to 20.4%, supported by SG&A leverage and a tariff refund. Our prediction for the segment’s adjusted operating income was $34.3 million.
Lincoln Electric Generates Record Cash FlowCash flow from operations reached a record $253.8 million, up from $143.8 million a year earlier. Free cash flow totaled $222.3 million, resulting in cash conversion of 138%.
LECO returned $120 million to shareholders, including $43.4 million in dividends and $76.1 million in share repurchases. Cash and cash equivalents were $242.4 million at quarter-end, while total debt declined to $1.15 billion from $1.29 billion at the end of 2025.
LECO Raises Its 2026 Sales AssumptionLincoln Electric raised its 2026 net sales growth assumption to the low-double-digit percentage range from the high-single-digit range. Management expects one-third of organic growth to come from volume and two-thirds from pricing.
The company anticipates neutral price-cost conditions and a mid-20% incremental adjusted operating margin in the second half. It also projects capital expenditures of $110-$130 million, a low-to-mid-20% tax rate and full-year cash conversion of 100% for the full year.
LECO Stock’s Price PerformanceLincoln Electric’s shares have gained 14.7% in the past year compared with the industry’s 12.3% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Lincoln Electric’s Zacks RankLECO currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Quarterly Performances of Other Manufacturing StocksStanley Black & Decker, Inc. (SWK - Free Report) reported adjusted earnings of $1.57 per share for the second quarter of 2026, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.20 by 30.8%. The bottom line increased from adjusted earnings of $1.08 per share reported in the year-ago quarter.
Stanley Black & Decker’s net sales of $3.96 billion surpassed the consensus estimate of $3.93 billion by 0.7% and increased 0.4% year over year. Higher organic sales, improved gross margins and strong cash generation supported the quarter. Stanley Black & Decker’s also raised its full-year adjusted earnings guidance to $5.20-$5.80 per share, up from the earlier outlook of $4.90-$5.70.
Enerpac (EPAC - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of 60 cents per share in the third quarter of fiscal 2026 (ended May 31, 2026), beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 49 cents per share. This compares with earnings of 51 cents per share a year ago.
Enerpac posted revenues of $167.6 million for the quarter, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $165 million. This marks a 6% increase from year-ago revenues of $158.7 million. Enerpac updated its earnings per share projection for fiscal 2026 to $1.84-$1.89 from the prior stated $1.85-$1.92.
Dover Corporation (DOV - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $2.74 per share, up 12% year over year and beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.72. The improvement reflected broad-based revenue growth, stronger segmental margins and operational execution that more than offset input-cost inflation.
Dover’s revenues rose 7% year over year to $2.19 billion but missed the consensus estimate of $2.21 billion. Organic revenues increased 4.8% in the quarter.
Steve Madden oznámil 9% růst globálních srovnatelných tržeb, tažený obuví a silnější poptávkou po kabelkách. Tržby z přímého prodeje (DTC) vzrostly o 30,6 % na 255,4 mil. USD.
Key Takeaways Steve Madden posted 9% global comparable-sales growth, led by footwear and stronger handbag demand.SHOO grew DTC revenue 30.6%, improving pricing control and supporting faster inventory replenishment.SHOO raised the Dolce Vita 2026 outlook, while tariff, freight and higher operating costs remain risks. Steven Madden, Ltd. (SHOO - Free Report) shares have climbed 22.5% in the past month as improving brand momentum, earnings growth and estimate revisions draw investor attention. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-fiscal-year earnings has moved 2.4% higher over the past four weeks.
The rally now faces a tougher test. Better operating trends support the advance, but valuation and cost pressures leave less room for execution missteps.
SHOO’s Core Brand Regains MomentumThe Steve Madden brand extended its late-2025 inflection in the second quarter of 2026. Trend-right women’s and men’s footwear, along with renewed handbag demand, helped global comparable sales rise 9%, including 17% growth in the United States.
Consumer engagement also accelerated, with global online searches up 71%. Branded wholesale revenues increased 20%, supported by sell-through, reorders and faster pursuit of best sellers, while handbags grew about 30% across channels.
Steve Madden’s DTC Growth Supports Better EconomicsDirect-to-consumer revenues increased 30.6% to $255.4 million. Excluding Kurt Geiger, DTC revenues rose 11.1%, with double-digit growth in stores and e-commerce.
A larger full-price mix can improve pricing control and reduce promotional pressure. It also gives SHOO better customer data and enables quicker replenishment, helping merchandising teams respond to demand with less inventory risk.
SHOO Stock Past One-Month Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
SHOO’s Brand Portfolio Broadens the Growth StoryKurt Geiger is becoming a larger premium growth platform. Management maintained its mid-teens pro forma revenue-growth outlook, while existing U.S. stores delivered 12% comparable-sales growth and healthy four-wall profitability.
Dolce Vita adds another growth pillar. SHOO raised the brand’s 2026 revenue forecast to high-single-digit to low-double-digit growth as footwear, handbags and international expansion gained traction.
Crocs, Inc. (CROX - Free Report) also raised its 2026 outlook after reporting record second-quarter results, underscoring continued demand for differentiated footwear brands. Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN - Free Report) reported record fiscal first-quarter sales and income, offering another sign that trend-right retail concepts can still win consumer spending.
SHOO Faces a Higher Bar After the RallyTariff and freight uncertainty remain central risks. Management added 6 cents of second-half earnings pressure from higher air freight and continues to absorb increased shipping costs to direct customers.
Private-label revenues are expected to decline at a mid- to high-teen rate in 2026. Adjusted operating expenses also rose 25.3% to $265.1 million, and higher marketing, incentive compensation and DTC costs could restrain operating leverage.
SHOO’s Valuation Leaves Less Room for ErrorSHOO trades at 20.0X forward 12-month earnings, near the footwear sub-industry’s 20.1X and the S&P 500’s 20.6X, but above the consumer discretionary sector’s 16.5X.
The multiple also exceeds SHOO’s five-year median of 14.7X. Sustained earnings growth may justify that premium, but a slowdown in brand momentum or weaker margin expansion could pressure the stock after its rapid advance.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
SHOO’s Momentum Scores Support a Measured ViewThe operating picture is improving, but the rally already reflects meaningful optimism. SHOO’s brand mix, DTC growth and raised outlook support further earnings progress, while valuation and external cost risks argue against an aggressive stance.
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Its Growth Score of A, Momentum Score of A and VGM Score of A point to favorable growth and price-trend characteristics, while the Value Score of C reflects a less compelling valuation profile. Together, the signals support a measured view rather than a clear-cut call for continued outperformance.
Steven Madden zvýšil výhled tržeb na rok 2026 na růst 11 % až 13 % a upraveného zisku na akcii na 2,05 až 2,15 USD po silném 2. čtvrtletí. Současně varuje před pomalejším růstem marží kvůli přepravě, clům a vyšším nákladům.
Key Takeaways SHOO raised its 2026 revenue and adjusted earnings outlook after stronger second-quarter results.Steve Madden lifted its 2026 brand outlook as footwear, handbags and wholesale demand accelerated.SHOO expects slower margin expansion as freight, tariffs and higher operating costs increase. Steven Madden, Ltd. (SHOO - Free Report) raised its 2026 revenue and adjusted earnings outlook after stronger second-quarter results and improving demand across its key brands. Investors now need to assess whether brand momentum can continue to outweigh freight, tariff and expense pressures in the second half.
The revised guidance shows greater confidence in the operating trend, but the new targets also raise the execution bar as external costs increase.
SHOO’s Raised Guidance Signals Greater ConfidenceSHOO now expects 2026 revenues to increase 11%-13%, up from its previous forecast of 10%-12%. Adjusted earnings are projected in the range of $2.05-$2.15 per share, compared with the prior outlook of $2.00-$2.10.
Management said the revenue increase mainly reflects stronger expectations for the periods ahead. Better-than-expected second-quarter gross margin also supported the earnings revision. Adjusted gross margin expanded 460 basis points year over year to 46.5%, helped by higher average selling prices, lower private-label penetration and a smaller tariff drag.
Crocs, Inc. (CROX - Free Report) also reported record second-quarter 2026 results and raised its full-year outlook, showing that differentiated footwear brands can still produce growth. Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN - Free Report) posted record fiscal first-quarter sales and income, reinforcing the importance of brand relevance and merchandise execution across consumer businesses.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Steve Madden Drives the Guidance IncreaseThe Steve Madden brand was the primary growth engine in the second quarter. Trend-right assortments lifted demand across women’s footwear, men’s footwear and handbags, while global comparable sales increased 9%, including a 17% gain in the United States.
Branded wholesale revenues rose 20% as sell-through, reorders and the ability to chase best sellers improved. Handbag revenues increased about 30% across channels. Management raised its 2026 outlook for the flagship brand to high-single-digit revenue growth from the previous mid- to high-single-digit range.
Demand also remained favorable entering the third quarter. Management cited similar direct-to-consumer trends and higher sell-through at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, suggesting that momentum was broad across categories and channels rather than dependent on one product cycle.
Kurt Geiger and Dolce Vita Add Growth DepthKurt Geiger is expanding SHOO’s premium direct-to-consumer and international exposure. The company opened two U.S. full-price stores in the second quarter, bringing the total to seven. Existing locations generated 12% comparable-store growth and healthy four-wall profitability.
SHOO also acquired the Kurt Geiger distribution business in Spain and Portugal and continues to pursue distribution and joint-venture opportunities in other markets. Management maintained its outlook for mid-teens pro forma revenue growth for the brand.
Dolce Vita delivered gains across wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels, supported by footwear, handbags and international expansion. Management raised its 2026 revenue outlook to high-single-digit to low-double-digit growth from high-single-digit growth.
SHOO’s Margin Gains May ModerateManagement still expects year-over-year gross margin improvement in each remaining quarter of 2026, but the rate of expansion is likely to slow. SHOO will lap the Kurt Geiger acquisition, which reduces the benefit from a richer mix comparison, while prior pricing actions also become part of the year-ago base.
Freight and supplier costs are moving in the opposite direction. The company is using more air freight to chase best sellers and work around disrupted ocean routes, while supplier cost pressure is becoming harder to defer. These factors could limit the margin benefit from branded and direct-to-consumer growth.
SHOO’s Cost Headwinds Test the New OutlookThe prolonged Middle East conflict added 6 cents per share of second-half freight pressure to management’s forecast. SHOO is also absorbing higher shipping costs to direct customers.
The company incorporated announced third-quarter tariffs into its outlook and continues to assume a 15% tariff rate for the fourth quarter because additional trade investigations remain unresolved. Further disruption could require additional pricing, reduce gross margin gains or test demand elasticity.
Adjusted operating expenses also remain elevated as SHOO invests in marketing, incentive compensation and direct-to-consumer expansion. Management expects selling, general and administrative expenses to equal about 38.3% of revenues in 2026.
SHOO’s Scores Back Growth With CautionThe raised outlook and improving brand trends support a constructive operating view. SHOO’s stronger mix, direct-to-consumer growth and broader brand contribution could sustain earnings progress if execution remains on track.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Its Growth Score of A, Momentum Score of A and VGM Score of A align with improving fundamentals and price momentum. Its Value Score of C, together with tariff, freight and expense risks, suggests investors should monitor whether earnings execution keeps pace with the higher expectations.
Key Takeaways CRS beat Q4 earnings and revenue estimates on higher shipments, pricing, product mix and efficiency.Specialty Alloys Operations sales and profit rose on productivity gains, pricing and improved mix.Carpenter Technology expects FY27 operating income of $850-$880M and a free cash flow of $400-$430M. Shares of Carpenter Technology Corporation (CRS - Free Report) gained 7% since reporting adjusted earnings of $3.23 per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 on July 30, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.03 by 6.6%. Earnings rose 46.2% from $2.21 in the year-ago quarter.
Net revenues increased 12.6% year over year to $851 million and topped the consensus estimate of $848 million by 0.4%. The upside reflected 22% higher shipment volume, stronger product mix, pricing realization and improved operating efficiency.
Aerospace and Defense remained the largest end market. CRS witnessed a year-over-year revenue increase of 17% in the Aerospace and Defense end-use market. Revenues in the Industrial and Consumer market rose 22%, while Transportation revenues increased 3%. The Medical end-use market’s revenues declined 30% and Energy revenues fell 12%.
CRS’s Q4 Operational ResultsThe cost of goods sold in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 increased 7.5% year over year to $582 million. Gross profit rose 25.7% to $269 million. The gross margin came in at 31.6% compared with 28.3% in the prior-year quarter.
Adjusted operating income in the reported quarter was a record $207 million compared with $151.4 million in the year-ago quarter. The adjusted operating margin was 30.4% compared with 24.3% a year earlier.
Carpenter Technology’s Q4 Segmental PerformanceThe Specialty Alloys Operations segment reported sales of $770.5 million compared with $674.1 million in the prior-year quarter. We predicted the segment’s sales to be $751 million. The upside was driven by productivity gains, pricing across long-term and transactional business, and improved mix. The segment sold 57,454 thousand pounds compared with 46,872 thousand pounds a year ago. The reported figure surpassed our estimate of 50,123 pounds. The segment posted an operating profit of $229.7 million, up 37.5% from $167 million in the year-ago quarter. Our estimate for the segment’s operating profit was $167 million.
The Performance Engineered Products segment’s net sales increased 3.7% year over year to $108.5 million. The reported figure beat our estimate of $106 million. The segment sold 3,256 thousand pounds compared with 2,674 thousand pounds in the prior-year quarter. It was lower than our projection of 2,697 thousand pounds. It reported an operating profit of $7.1 million, down 39.3% from $11.7 million a year earlier, showing that higher volume did not translate into stronger segment profitability. Our estimate for the segment’s operating profit was $11.7 million.
CRS’s Cash Flow & Balance Sheet UpdatesCarpenter Technology ended fiscal 2026 with cash and cash equivalents of $393 million compared with $315.5 million at the end of fiscal 2025. Long-term debt was $691 million at the end of fiscal 2026 compared with $695 million a year earlier.
Cash flow from operating activities was $240 million in the quarter under review compared with $258 million in the prior-year quarter.
Carpenter Technology’s FY26 PerformanceThe company reported adjusted earnings of $10.52 per share in fiscal 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $10.58. The company posted adjusted earnings of $7.42 in fiscal 2025.
CRS revenues were $3.12 billion in fiscal 2026, down from $2.88 billion in the year-ago quarter. The top line came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
CRS FY27 OutlookFor fiscal 2027, CRS expects operating income of $850-$880 million, indicating growth of 21-25% from that reported in fiscal 2026. The adjusted free cash flow is projected at $400-$430 million.
For the first quarter of fiscal 2027, the company anticipates operating income of $195-$200 million. CRS also set a fiscal 2029 operating income target of $1.2-$1.3 billion, supported by demand, productivity, mix, pricing and expected contributions from its brownfield expansion.
Carpenter Technology’s Zacks RankCRS currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
CRS’s Share Price PerformanceShares of the company have surged 121.7% in the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 96.8%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Carpenter Technology Peer PerformanceCommercial Metals Company (CMC - Free Report) reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.73 in third-quarter fiscal 2026 (ended May 31, 2026), beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.60 by 8.1%. The bottom line surged 147.1% from 70 cents in the year-ago quarter.
Commercial Metals’ revenues in the reported quarter were $2.48 billion compared with $2.02 billion in the year-ago quarter. The reported figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.37 billion.
Metallus Inc. (MTUS - Free Report) delivered second-quarter 2026earnings of 26 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Metallus posted earnings of 2 cents in the year-ago quarter.
Metallus posted revenues of $341 million for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $331 million. The company posted $305 million in the second quarter of 2025.
NWPX Infrastructure, Inc. (NWPX - Free Report) came out with second quarter 2026 earnings of $1.62 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.33. The company posted earnings of 91 cents a year ago.
NWPX Infrastructure posted revenues of $159.5 million for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $155 million. The top line increased from the year-ago quarter’s $133 million.
Delek US Holdings (DK - Free Report) reported $4.09 billion in revenue for the quarter ended June 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 47.8%. EPS of $5.48 for the same period compares to -$0.56 a year ago.
The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.03 billion, representing a surprise of +34.83%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +147.96%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $2.21.
While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.
Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.
Here is how Delek US Holdings performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Total throughput (average bpd) - Total Refining: 315,555.00 BBL/D compared to the 305,149.50 BBL/D average estimate based on four analysts.Total Throughput Capacity Per Day - Tyler, TX Refinery: 77,887.00 BBL/D compared to the 75,199.22 BBL/D average estimate based on four analysts.Tyler, TX Refinery - Per barrel of throughput - Tyler refining production margin: $23.3 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $19.13 million.Total refining production margin per bbl total throughput: $19.84 versus $15.86 estimated by four analysts on average.Total Throughput Capacity Per Day - Big Spring, TX Refinery: 70,137.00 BBL/D versus 67,771.98 BBL/D estimated by four analysts on average.Total Throughput Capacity Per Day - Krotz Springs, LA Refinery: 83,025.00 BBL/D compared to the 81,088.97 BBL/D average estimate based on four analysts.El Dorado, AR Refinery - Per barrel of throughput - El Dorado refining production margin: $16.4 million versus $14.07 million estimated by four analysts on average.Big Spring, TX Refinery - Per barrel of throughput - Big Spring refining production margin: $20.47 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $15.68 million.Total Throughput Capacity Per Day - El Dorado, AR Refinery: 84,506.00 BBL/D versus the four-analyst average estimate of 81,089.31 BBL/D.Total Revenues- Logistics: $384.7 million versus $296.9 million estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +56.1% change.Total Revenues- Corporate, Other and Eliminations: $-353.7 million compared to the $-240.47 million average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +78.1% year over year.Total Revenues- Refining: $4.06 billion versus $2.96 billion estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +49.3% change.View all Key Company Metrics for Delek US Holdings here>>>
Shares of Delek US Holdings have returned +26.5% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.5% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), indicating that it could outperform the broader market in the near term.
Published in earnings earnings-estimates-revisions earnings-surprise
Key Takeaways EPD's Q2 earnings rose 27.3% as record volumes drove higher revenues, EBITDA and cash flow.EPD's marine terminal volumes surged 33% to a record 2.8 million barrels per day on export demand.EPD has $6.5 billion of projects under construction, with over 80% of 2027 growth spending committed. Enterprise Products Partners L.P.(EPD - Free Report) delivered record second-quarter 2026 volumes, earnings and cash flow as global demand pulled more U.S. energy through its system.
The central question is whether contracted assets and sanctioned projects can offset the normalization of unusually favorable market differentials. The Zacks Consensus Estimate points to continued growth, with earnings projected at $2.94 per unit in 2026 and $3.20 in 2027.
EPD’s Record Volumes Drove a Broad Earnings BeatSecond-quarter earnings rose 27.3% to 84 cents per unit, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 12%. Revenues increased 60.8% to $18.3 billion and beat the consensus mark by 34.6%.
Equivalent pipeline volumes rose 8% to a record 14.7 million barrels per day (MMBbl/d). Adjusted EBITDA reached a record $2.83 billion, while operational distributable cash flow increased 21% to $2.31 billion and covered the quarterly distribution 1.9 times.
Enterprise Products Benefited From Export DemandMarine terminal volumes rose 33% to a record 2.8 MMBbl/d. Management attributed about $200 million of second-quarter results to incremental volumes and margins created by acute global demand for U.S. energy during April and May.
That contribution was spread across natural gas liquids, crude oil, petrochemicals and other operations. The breadth matters because Enterprise’s integrated network can capture value through pipelines, storage, fractionation and export terminals rather than relying on one asset.
EPD’s Exceptional Market Tailwinds Have FadedManagement said the strong cash differentials seen in April and May had largely normalized. Marine terminal activity also returned to more typical levels in June and July after the initial surge in demand.
Future growth therefore depends more heavily on recurring fee income, sustained throughput and new projects. Fee-based activities represented 80% of gross operating margin in the first half of 2026, but the remaining exposure to spreads, differentials and marketing margins can still create earnings volatility.
Enterprise Products Expanded Margins Across SegmentsNatural gas liquids gross operating margin increased to $1.55 billion from $1.30 billion. Permian processing inlet volumes rose 14% to 4.3 billion cubic feet per day, while natural gas liquids pipeline volumes reached a record 4.9 MMBbl/d
Crude oil gross operating margin advanced to $485 million, natural gas delivered a record $556 million and petrochemical and refined products margin rose to $418 million. Higher volumes, processing margins, transportation fees and marketing activity supported the gains.
EPD’s New Assets Could Extend the MomentumEnterprise has $6.5 billion of major projects under construction. The Houston Ship Channel liquefied petroleum gas expansion is expected to begin service by year-end 2026, followed by additional processing, fractionation and pipeline projects through early 2029.
More than 80% of expected 2027 growth spending of about $3 billion is already committed. Energy Transfer LP (ET - Free Report) , with diversified natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude and refined-products infrastructure, is a relevant export-focused peer. ONEOK, Inc. (OKE - Free Report) also operates integrated natural gas liquids, gas, refined-products and crude assets, making project execution and contracted volume growth important comparison points.
EPD’s Earnings Outlook and Estimate TrendsThe Zacks Consensus Estimate calls for current-quarter earnings of 72 cents per unit, up 18% from the year-ago period. Current-year earnings are projected to rise 10.5% to $2.94 per unit, followed by an 8.8% increase to $3.20 in 2027. Still, the most recent consensus estimates of 70 cents for the current quarter, $2.88 for 2026 and $3.13 for 2027 sit below the broader consensus marks. The trend supports continued earnings growth through 2027, though the lower recent estimates warrant some caution.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
EPD’s Ratings Temper the Record-Quarter ExcitementThe operating setup supports measured optimism. The Zacks Consensus Estimate implies 8.8% earnings growth in 2027, but normalized differentials, higher capital intensity and execution risk could limit the pace of improvement.
EPD currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Its Value Score of B is more favorable than its Growth Score of C, Momentum Score of C and VGM Score of C. The combination suggests relatively better value characteristics, while the broader score mix and Hold rank support a balanced stance rather than an aggressive near-term view.
Arista Networks zvýšila výhled tržeb na rok 2026 na zhruba 12,6 miliardy USD, tedy o 40 %, už potřetí letos. Pomáhají jí lepší dodávky součástek a vyšší objem zásilek.
Key Takeaways Arista now expects 2026 revenues of about $12.6B, up 40%, after its third outlook raise.Added suppliers and capacity lifted shipments, while purchase commitments rose to $9.7B.Etherlink customers topped 100 as 1.6-terabit platforms enter trials before a 2027 production ramp. Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET - Free Report) used its second-quarter call to emphasize that improved component access is converting strong demand into higher shipments across artificial intelligence (AI), data center, campus and routing.
Management raised its 2026 revenue outlook for the third time this year, while focusing on execution, customer mix and demand beyond AI fabrics.
ANET Raises Its 2026 Revenue OutlookChairperson and chief executive officer Jayshree Ullal said Arista now expects 2026 revenues of approximately $12.6 billion, representing 40% growth. The outlook is $1.1 billion above the May projection and $2.1 billion above the prior Analyst Day goal.
Chief financial officer Chantelle Breithaupt guided third-quarter revenues to approximately $3.3 billion, with a non-GAAP operating margin of 48% to 49% and non-GAAP earnings of $1.06 to $1.08 per share.
Second-quarter revenues reached $3.04 billion, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.83 billion and up 37.7% year over year. Non-GAAP earnings rose 39.7% to $1.02 per share, beating the consensus estimate of $0.89.
Arista Expands Supply CommitmentsPresident and chief operating officer Todd Nightingale said the company added suppliers, improved delivery terms and expanded manufacturing and distribution capacity. Arista now works with three contract manufacturers and three distribution facilities across the United States, Asia and Mexico.
Management secured memory supply for 2026 and extended visibility into 2027 across DDR4, DDR5 and NAND. It also established a liquid-cooling supply chain for next-generation AI systems.
Purchase commitments rose to $9.7 billion from $8.9 billion in the first quarter and about $3.6 billion a year earlier. Ullal cautioned that industry constraints could persist until 2028, despite Arista's progress.
ANET Builds Out Its AI Fabric AdvantageUllal said cumulative Etherlink customers now exceed 100, up from four to five customers discussed in 2024. The company is extending its portfolio with the 7060XE7, which supports 1.6-terabit throughput, 100 terabits of system capacity and liquid-cooling options.
Co-founder, President and chief technology officer Kenneth Duda highlighted Smart System Upgrade, Multipath Reliable Connection and SRv6-based routing. Management framed those capabilities as tools to reduce downtime, avoid congestion and improve accelerator utilization.
Arista expects 1.6-terabit platforms to remain in trials during the second half of 2026, with production ramping in 2027. Ullal said initial evaluations involve a small number of large customers.
Arista Sees Broader Growth Beyond AIA UBS analyst questioned why the higher annual outlook did not include a larger stated AI or campus target. Ullal responded that all product sectors should grow, while management retains flexibility to prioritize shipments based on supply.
A Raymond James analyst pressed on the incremental $1.1 billion. Ullal pointed to core data center front-end systems, enterprise demand, routing, campus and AI as contributors.
Breithaupt also cited new customer wins, international expansion and land-and-expand activity between campus and data center deployments. The guidance increase was broader than a single product cycle.
ANET Defends Its System-Level ApproachAn Evercore ISI analyst asked whether rising AI-network complexity strengthens integrated systems relative to white-box alternatives. Ullal said simple deployments can still use lower-cost white-box equipment, but larger scale-out and scale-across networks require more software, reliability and traffic engineering.
A Morgan Stanley analyst asked why newer cloud operators choose Arista's blue-box systems. Ullal emphasized operating efficiency, EOS feature depth and reliability, while acknowledging that large customers with extensive engineering staffs may continue using white-box products.
A Wells Fargo analyst asked about customer concentration. Ullal said Microsoft and Meta remain key partners and expects one, and potentially two, customers to represent at least 10% of revenue as shipments scale.
Arista Keeps Execution at the CenterManagement's tone remained confident on demand but measured on supply. Breithaupt said customer visibility remains about two quarters and the annual outlook reflects supply the company is confident it can secure.
The call left Arista focused on converting commitments into shipments, scaling new AI platforms and broadening growth across established networking categories without relaxing operating discipline.
Zacks Signals Show Mixed Style SupportANET carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), a favorable indicator tied to earnings-estimate revisions over the next one to three months. Its Growth Score of A is the strongest style signal, while the Value Score of F and Momentum Score of D indicate weaker positioning on those dimensions.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The VGM Score of C shows a middle-range combined profile rather than the A or B scores that pair most strongly with a top Zacks Rank. The Zacks Rank can change as analysts revise estimates following the newly reported results.
CRH koupila Pisgah Stone Products v severním Utahu, čímž rozšířila své zásoby dlouhověkých vápencových kameniv pro asfalt, beton a stavebnictví. Akvizice posiluje její pozici v regionu s rostoucí infrastrukturou a poptávkou po stavbách.
Key Takeaways CRH acquired Pisgah Stone Products to expand its Americas Materials business in Northern Utah.CRH adds long-life limestone reserves that support asphalt, ready-mixed concrete and construction supply.CRH strengthens its regional footprint to serve growing infrastructure and construction demand. CRH plc (CRH - Free Report) has expanded its Americas Materials business by acquiring Pisgah Stone Products LLC, a Northern Utah producer of high-quality limestone aggregates. The acquisition adds aggregate reserves and strengthens the company's presence in a region supported by population growth, economic expansion and infrastructure investment.
CRH's Acquisition Strengthens Its Americas Materials BusinessPisgah supplies hard-rock limestone used in asphalt, ready-mixed concrete and other construction applications. The business complements CRH's existing Utah operations and integrated materials network while improving access to a key raw material. The addition of long-life aggregate reserves also supports the company's strategy of securing supply in high-growth markets.
Northern Utah's favorable construction backdrop makes the acquisition strategically important. Rising infrastructure activity and a growing economy are expected to support long-term demand for aggregates, giving CRH an opportunity to expand its customer reach across commercial and public-sector projects.
The deal also brings an established local business with a long operating history and a diversified customer base of business and government entities. By strengthening its reserve position and regional footprint, CRH is better placed to support future construction demand while reinforcing the long-term growth prospects of its Americas Materials business.
CRH Builds on Its Acquisition StrategyCRH has been expanding its business through disciplined acquisitions that strengthen the connected growth platforms. In the first half of 2026, the company invested $1.4 billion in 17 value-accretive acquisitions across its aggregates, cementitious, roads and water businesses, while also divesting noncore assets. Management highlighted that this strategy is focused on building a higher-growth, aggregates-led portfolio and reinforcing CRH's leadership in attractive infrastructure markets.
The strategy has been supported by strong operating performance. During the second quarter of 2026, Americas Materials Solutions reported a 10% increase in revenues and a 12% rise in adjusted EBITDA, driven by positive pricing, healthy demand and contributions from acquisitions. The company also noted positive bidding activity and backlog trends, supported by infrastructure spending and reindustrialization projects across its key markets.
CRH's Price PerformanceCRH’s shares have lost 20.8% year to date (“YTD”), underperforming its industry, broader Construction sector and the Zacks S&P 500 composite, as shown below.
CRH Price Performance (YTD)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, CRH trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 15.45, below the industry’s average, as shown below.
CRH Valuation (P/E F12M)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CRH’s 2026 and 2027 earnings per share (EPS) implies a year-over-year increase of 5.9% and 13.2%, respectively.
Zacks Rank & Key PicksCRH currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks from the Construction sector are Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL - Free Report) , Argan, Inc. (AGX - Free Report) and Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (FIX - Free Report) .
Sterling presently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 29.1%, on average. The stock has surged 76.8% YTD. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Sterling’s 2026 earnings indicates an increase of 74.7% year over year.
Argan currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 40.5%, on average.
AGX stock has gained 97.1% YTD. The consensus estimate for AGX’s fiscal 2027 sales and EPS implies an increase of 42.5% and 29.4%, respectively, from a year ago.
Comfort Systems currently sports a Zacks Rank #1. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 34.6%, on average.
FIX stock has surged 90.3% YTD. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FIX’s 2026 sales and EPS implies an increase of 36.6% and 57.5%, respectively, from a year ago.
Sempra čeká ve 2. čtvrtletí růst zisku o 13,5 % na 1,01 USD na akcii a tržeb o 7,2 % na 3,22 miliardy USD. Tahounem mají být růst regulované báze aktiv, Oncor a projekt ECA LNG.
Key Takeaways Sempra's earnings are expected to rise 13.5%, while revenues are projected to improve 7.2%.Rate-base growth, Oncor benefits and infrastructure investments are likely to support earnings.ECA LNG production and expected cargo revenue recognition may provide an incremental boost. Sempra (SRE - Free Report) is slated to report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 6, 2026, before market open. The company's earnings were in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last reported quarter.
Let’s discuss the factors that are likely to be reflected in the upcoming quarterly results.
Factors at Play Ahead of SRE’s Q2 ResultsSempra’s second-quarter earnings are likely to have benefited from continued rate base growth across its regulated utility operations. The recognition of financial benefits from Oncor’s recently approved base rate review, which was expected to be reflected primarily in the second quarter, is also likely to have supported regulated earnings.
The company’s continued investments in grid modernization, transmission expansion and system reliability projects are also expected to have supported quarterly performance. Sustained customer growth across its service territories, particularly in Texas, is likely to have boosted electricity and natural gas demand, contributing to higher revenues.
Additionally, progress at the ECA LNG Phase 1 project is likely to have provided an incremental boost to Sempra’s second-quarter performance. During the quarter, the project achieved first LNG production as part of the commissioning process, marking a key milestone toward commercial operations. As LNG production commenced and the company began recognizing revenues from LNG cargoes, the project is expected to contribute positively to quarterly results while strengthening Sempra’s long-term LNG growth prospects.
Estimates for SREThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $1.01 per share, indicating a year-over-year increase of 13.5%.
The consensus estimate for revenues is pinned at $3.22 billion, indicating a year-over-year improvement of 7.2%.
What the Zacks Model Unveils for SREOur proven model predicts an earnings beat for SRE 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 the case here, as you will see below.
Earnings ESP: SRE has an Earnings ESP of +0.79%. You can uncover the best stocks before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: SRE currently carries a Zacks Rank of 3.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Other Stocks to ConsiderBelow, we have mentioned a few other players from the same sector that have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings in the upcoming releases:
Cheniere Energy (LNG - Free Report) is expected to report its second-quarter 2026 earnings on Aug. 6, 2026, before market open. It has an Earnings ESP of +3.69% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LNG’s earnings is pegged at $2.80 per share. The consensus estimate for its sales is pegged at $5.03 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 8.4%.
Calumet, Inc. (CLMT - Free Report) is expected to report its second-quarter 2026 earnings on Aug. 7, 2026, before market open. It has an Earnings ESP of +169.57% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CLMT’s loss is pegged at 23 cents per share. The consensus estimate for its sales is pegged at $1.07 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 4.1%.
National Energy Services Reunited (NESR - Free Report) is set to report its second-quarter 2026 earnings on Aug. 10, 2026, before market open. It has an Earnings ESP of +7.80% and a Zacks Rank of 1 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NESR’s earnings is pegged at 35 cents per share. The consensus estimate for its sales is pegged at $458.4 million, indicating year-over-year growth of 40%.
Resideo Technologies čeká za čtvrtletí zisk 0,68 USD na akcii, meziročně o 3 % více, při tržbách 1,93 miliardy USD, což je o 0,4 % méně. Odhad EPS byl za posledních 30 dní zvýšen o 1,87 % a analytici vidí díky tomu vyšší šanci na překonání očekávání.
The market expects Resideo Technologies (REZI - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on lower 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 earnings report, which is expected to be released on August 12, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis residential comfort and security systems maker is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.68 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +3%.
Revenues are expected to be $1.93 billion, down 0.4% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.87% 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 Resideo Technologies?For Resideo Technologies, 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 +6.83%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination indicates that Resideo Technologies 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 Resideo Technologies would post earnings of $0.61 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.65, delivering a surprise of +6.56%.
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.
Resideo Technologies 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.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Murphy Oil Corporation schválila čtvrtletní dividendu ve výši 0,35 USD na akcii, tedy 1,40 USD anualizovaně. Vyplacena bude 1. září 2026 akcionářům k datu 17. srpna 2026.
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Board of Directors of Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE: MUR) today declared a quarterly cash dividend on the Common Stock of Murphy Oil Corporation of $0.35 per share, or $1.40 per share on an annualized basis. The dividend is payable on September 1, 2026, to stockholders of record as of August 17, 2026.
ABOUT MURPHY OIL CORPORATION
Murphy Oil Corporation is an independent oil and natural gas company with a multi-basin onshore and offshore portfolio and significant exploration opportunities. The company has more than a century-long history of demonstrating strong execution and innovative, full-cycle development capabilities with a focus on value creation that drives shareholder returns. Murphy’s foresight and financial discipline, along with its culture of adaptability and accountability, will allow the company to continue its outstanding legacy and exceptional reputation. The company’s current operations include extensive inventory located onshore in the Eagle Ford Shale, Tupper Montney and Kaybob Duvernay, as well as offshore in the Gulf of America and Canada. Murphy also strives to create long-term shareholder value through offshore exploration and development in the Gulf of America, Vietnam and Côte d’Ivoire. Additional information can be found on the company’s website at www.murphyoilcorp.com.
Avnet (AVT - Free Report) reported $8.3 billion in revenue for the quarter ended June 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 47.7%. EPS of $2.28 for the same period compares to $0.81 a year ago.
The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.45 billion, representing a surprise of +11.28%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +29.55%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $1.76.
While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.
Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.
Here is how Avnet performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Sales- Farnell: $500.1 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $490.35 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +29.4%.Sales- Electronic Components: $7.8 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of $6.96 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +49%.Operating Income (loss)- Electronic Components: $317.2 million compared to the $277.33 million average estimate based on two analysts.Operating Income (loss)- Corporate expenses: $-44.1 million versus $-49.36 million estimated by two analysts on average.Operating Income (loss)- Farnell: $44.8 million versus $28.18 million estimated by two analysts on average.View all Key Company Metrics for Avnet here>>>
Shares of Avnet have returned +13.6% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.5% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Akcionáři Axalta i AkzoNobel schválili plánovanou akciovou fúzi rovných partnerů. Dokončení se očekává po získání regulačních souhlasů a splnění dalších podmínek, a to koncem roku 2026 až začátkem roku 2027.
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. (NYSE: AXTA) today announced that its shareholders overwhelmingly voted to approve its previously announced all-stock merger of equals (the “Merger”) with Akzo Nobel N.V. (“AkzoNobel”) at the Company’s Special General Meeting of Shareholders held earlier today.
AkzoNobel also held its Extraordinary General Meeting today, where AkzoNobel shareholders voted to approve the Merger.
“We appreciate the strong support we have received for our merger of equals with AkzoNobel and we are excited about the opportunity to deliver significant value to shareholders, customers and employees,” said Chris Villavarayan, Chief Executive Officer of Axalta. “Building on our record second quarter, we are excited to embark on our next phase with real momentum in the business. Our teams are working diligently to advance integration planning and remain focused on bringing together two highly complementary businesses to capture the full value of this combination from day one.”
“Today’s approval marks an important milestone toward creating a premier global coatings company,” said Rakesh Sachdev, Chair of the Axalta Board of Directors. “The resounding support reaffirms our conviction that combining Axalta and AkzoNobel will create a differentiated industry leader with broad capabilities, world-class innovation and an even stronger platform for growth and value creation. I look forward to working with our combined team to deliver on the promise of this combination.”
Completion of the Merger remains subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Subject to the satisfaction of these conditions, the companies continue to expect the Merger to be completed in late 2026 to early 2027.
The final voting results, as certified by an independent inspector of election, will be filed as a Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
About Axalta
Axalta is a global leader in the coatings industry, providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable coatings solutions. From light vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish applications to electric motors, building facades and other industrial applications, our coatings are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enhance durability. With more than 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, the global team at Axalta continues to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in over 140 countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and technology. For more information visit axalta.com and follow us on LinkedIn.
General restrictions
This communication is not for release, publication, or distribution, in whole or in part, in or into, directly or indirectly, any jurisdiction in which such release, publication, or distribution would be unlawful.
This communication is not a prospectus and the information in this communication is not intended to be complete. This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be and shall not constitute an offer to buy or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, any securities, or an invitation or recommendation to subscribe for, acquire or buy securities of AkzoNobel or Axalta or any other financial products or securities, in any place or jurisdiction, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
Any decision to purchase, subscribe for, otherwise acquire, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities must be made only on the basis of the information contained in and incorporated by reference into the prospectus with respect to the shares to be allotted by AkzoNobel in the proposed transaction, which was published on June 24, 2026.
The distribution of this communication may, in some countries, be restricted by law or regulation. Accordingly, persons who come into possession of this document should inform themselves of and observe these restrictions. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, AkzoNobel and Axalta disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of any such restrictions by any person. Neither AkzoNobel, nor Axalta, nor any of their advisors assume any responsibility for any violation by any person of any of these restrictions. Shareholders of AkzoNobel and Axalta, respectively, with any doubt as to their position should consult an appropriate professional advisor without delay.
This communication is addressed to and directed only at, persons who are outside the United Kingdom or, in the United Kingdom, at persons who are: (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”), (ii) persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order, or (iii) persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated pursuant to the Order (all such persons together being referred to as, “Relevant Persons”). This communication is directed only at Relevant Persons. Other persons should not act or rely on this communication or any of its contents. Any investment or investment activity to which this communication relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with such persons. Solicitations resulting from this communication will only be responded to if the person concerned is a Relevant Person.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed transaction between AkzoNobel and Axalta, AkzoNobel filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement on Form F-4 on May 27, 2026, as amended on June 18, 2026, which included a proxy statement of Axalta that also constitutes a prospectus with respect to the shares to be offered by AkzoNobel in the proposed transaction. The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on June 23, 2026. In connection with the proposed transaction, on June 24, 2026, Axalta filed with the SEC a definitive proxy statement and, on or about June 24, 2026, Axalta commenced mailing the definitive proxy statement to its holders of record as of June 11, 2026. Each of AkzoNobel and Axalta will also file other relevant documents in connection with the proposed transaction. This communication is not a substitute for any registration statement, proxy statement/prospectus or other documents AkzoNobel and/or Axalta may file with the SEC or any other competent regulator in connection with the proposed transaction. This communication does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the proposed transaction and is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any other decision in respect of the proposed transaction. BEFORE MAKING ANY INVESTMENT DECISIONS, INVESTORS, STOCKHOLDERS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF AKZONOBEL AND AXALTA ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AS APPLICABLE, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT AKZONOBEL, AXALTA, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. The registration statement and proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed by AkzoNobel and Axalta with the SEC are available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and shareholders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC from Axalta’s investor relations webpage at https://ir.axalta.com/sec-filings/all-sec-filings or from AkzoNobel’s investor relations webpage at https://www.akzonobel.com/en/investors/all-sec-filings.
The contents of this communication should not be construed as financial, legal, business, investment, tax or other professional advice. Each recipient should consult with its own professional advisors for any such matter and advice.
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding, among other things, statements about management’s expectations of AkzoNobel’s and Axalta’s future operating and financial performance, product development, market position, and business strategy. Such forward-looking statements can sometimes be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “potential,” “seeks,” “aims,” “projects,” “predicts,” “is optimistic,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “targets,” “anticipates,” “continues” or other comparable terms or negatives of these terms, but not all forward-looking statements include such identifying words. You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon current plans, estimates and expectations that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. We can give no assurance that such plans, estimates or expectations will be achieved and therefore, actual results may differ materially from any plans, estimates or expectations in such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include: a condition to the closing of the proposed transaction may not be satisfied; the occurrence of any event that can give rise to termination of the proposed transaction; a regulatory approval that may be required for the proposed transaction is delayed, is not obtained or is obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated; AkzoNobel and Axalta are unable to achieve the synergies and value creation contemplated by the proposed transaction; AkzoNobel and Axalta are unable to promptly and effectively integrate their businesses; management’s time and attention is diverted on transaction related issues; the possibility that competing offers or acquisition proposals may be made; disruption from the proposed transaction makes it more difficult to maintain business, contractual and operational relationships; the credit ratings of AkzoNobel or Axalta decline following the proposed transaction; legal proceedings are instituted against AkzoNobel or Axalta, including resulting expense or delay; AkzoNobel or Axalta is unable to retain or hire key personnel; the communication or the consummation of the proposed acquisition has a negative effect on the market price of the capital stock of AkzoNobel or Axalta or on AkzoNobel’s or Axalta’s operating results; evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes; changes in economic, financial, political and regulatory conditions, in the Netherlands, the United States and elsewhere, and other factors that contribute to uncertainty and volatility, natural and man-made disasters, civil unrest, pandemics (e.g., the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic), geopolitical uncertainty, and conditions that may result from legislative, regulatory, trade and policy changes associated with the current or subsequent United States or Netherlands administration; the ability of AkzoNobel or Axalta to successfully recover from a disaster or other business continuity problem due to a hurricane, flood, earthquake, terrorist attack, war, pandemic, security breach, cyber-attack, power loss, telecommunications failure or other natural or man-made event, including the ability to function remotely during long-term disruptions; the impact of public health crises, such as pandemics and epidemics and any related company or governmental policies and actions to protect the health and safety of individuals or governmental policies or actions to maintain the functioning of national or global economies and markets, including any quarantine, “shelter in place,” “stay at home,” workforce reduction, social distancing, shut down or similar actions and policies; actions by third parties, including government agencies; the risk that disruptions from the proposed transaction will harm AkzoNobel’s or Axalta’s business, including current plans and operations and/or divert management’s attention from AkzoNobel’s or Axalta’s ongoing business operations; certain restrictions during the pendency of the acquisition that may impact AkzoNobel’s or Axalta’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; AkzoNobel’s or Axalta’s ability to meet expectations regarding the accounting and tax treatments of the proposed transaction; the risks and uncertainties discussed in AkzoNobel’s latest annual report as filed with the AFM, the Dutch trade register and on its website at https://www.akzonobel.com/en/investors/results-center; and the risks and uncertainties discussed in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections in Axalta’s reports filed with the SEC. These risks, as well as other risks associated with the proposed transaction, are more fully discussed in the proxy statement/prospectus. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements as they are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes and that actual performance and outcomes, including, without limitation, our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of new markets or market segments in which we operate, may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this communication. Except as required by law, neither AkzoNobel nor Axalta assumes any obligation to update or revise the information contained herein, which speaks only as of the date hereof.
Service Corporation International schválila čtvrtletní hotovostní dividendu 36 centů na akcii. Vyplacena bude 30. září 2026 akcionářům k 15. září 2026.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Service Corporation International (NYSE: SCI), the largest provider of deathcare products and services in North America, today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of thirty-six cents per share of common stock. The quarterly cash dividend announced today is payable on September 30, 2026 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 15, 2026. While the Company intends to pay regular quarterly cash dividends for the foreseeable future, all subsequent dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates, are subject to final determination by the Board of Directors each quarter after its review of the Company's financial performance.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements
The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements have been made in reliance on the "safe harbor" protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be accompanied by words such as "believe," "estimate," "project," "expect," "anticipate," or "predict," that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These statements are based on assumptions that we believe are reasonable; however, many important factors could cause our actual results in the future to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made herein and in any other documents or oral presentations made by, or on behalf of us. There can be no assurance that future dividends will be declared. The actual declaration of future dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates, is subject to final determination by our Board of Directors each quarter after its review of our financial performance. Important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, among others, restrictions on the payment of dividends under existing or future credit agreements or other financing arrangements; changes in tax laws relating to corporate dividends; a determination by the Board of Directors that the declaration of a dividend is not in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders; an increase in our cash needs or a decrease in available cash; or a deterioration in our financial condition or results. For further information on these and other risks and uncertainties, see our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Copies of this document as well as other SEC filings can be obtained from our website at http://www.sci-corp.com. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by us, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About Service Corporation International
Service Corporation International (NYSE: SCI), headquartered in Houston, Texas, is North America's leading provider of funeral, cemetery and cremation services, as well as final-arrangement planning in advance, serving approximately 700,000 combined preneed and atneed families each year. Our diversified portfolio of brands provides families and individuals a full range of choices to meet their needs, from simple cremations to full life celebrations and personalized remembrances. Our Dignity Memorial® brand is the name families turn to for professionalism, compassion, and attention to detail that is second to none. At June 30, 2026, we owned and operated 1,495 funeral service locations and 505 cemeteries (of which 316 are combination locations) in 44 states, eight Canadian provinces, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information about Service Corporation International, please visit our website at www.sci-corp.com. For more information about Dignity Memorial®, please visit www.dignitymemorial.com.
For additional information contact:
Investors:
Trey Bocage – Assistant Vice President, Treasury and Investor Relations
(713) 525-3454
Andrea Low – Director, Federal Tax and Investor Relations
(713) 525-2811
Media:
Jay Andrew – Assistant Vice President, Corporate Communications
Howmet Aerospace čeká za 2. čtvrtletí EPS 1,23 USD při tržbách 2,41 mld. USD. Výsledky mají podpořit silná poptávka v komerčním letectví a obranné zakázky.
Key Takeaways HWM is expected to report Q2 EPS of $1.23 on $2.41B in revenues, with earnings and sales up year over year.Howmet's commercial aerospace demand and defense orders are expected to support second-quarter results.HWM faces commercial transportation weakness, supply-chain issues and a higher valuation than peers. Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM - Free Report) is scheduled to release second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 6, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is currently pegged at $1.23 per share on revenues of $2.41 billion.
The company’s second-quarter earnings estimates have decreased a penny over the past 30 days. However, the bottom-line projection indicates an increase of 35.2% from the year-ago number. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues indicates year-over-year growth of 17.5%.
Earnings Surprise History
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The company has surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate thrice and missed once in the preceding four quarters, the average surprise being -1.3%. In the last reported quarter, it reported earnings of 86 cents per share, which missed the consensus estimate by 22.5%.
Earnings Whispers for HWMOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for HWM this time around. 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 elaborated below.
Earnings ESP: HWM has an Earnings ESP of -0.83% as the Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $1.23 per share, which is higher than the Most Accurate Estimate of $1.22. You can uncover the best stocks before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: HWM currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Factors to Note Ahead of Howmet Aerospace’s Q2 ResultsHowmet Aerospace’s second-quarter results are expected to gain from persistent strength in its commercial aerospace market. Solid demand in the air transport market has been driving demand for wide-body aircraft, thereby supporting continued OEM spending. Pickup in air travel has been positive for the company as the increased usage of aircraft spurs spending on parts and products that it provides.
Increasing popularity for new, more fuel-efficient aircraft with reduced carbon emissions and increased spare demand for engines are expected to have proven promising for HWM in the second quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues from the commercial aerospace market is pegged at $1.29 billion, indicating a 21.7% rise from the year-ago quarter number.
Also, the company's defense aerospace market remains a key growth driver, backed by stable government funding. HWM is continuing to experience robust orders for engine spares for legacy fighters like the F-15 and the F-16. This is expected to have augmented its revenues in the to-be-reported quarter. The consensus estimate for revenues from the defense aerospace market is pegged at $388 million, indicating 10.2% growth from the year-ago quarter’s number.
However, Howmet Aerospace has been facing weakness in the commercial transportation market served by the Forged Wheels segment, due to lower OEM builds and tariff-related impacts in North America. This is likely to have affected its second-quarter performance.
Howmet Aerospace is dependent on a global supply chain, and in recent years, it has experienced supply-chain disruptions in the aerospace sector that resulted in delays and increased costs. Despite moderation, the persistence of supply-chain issues in the aerospace sector is likely to have affected its operations and performance.
HWM’s Price PerformanceHWM shares have gained 29.1% in the past six months compared with the Zacks Aerospace - Defense industry and the S&P 500’s decline of 2.3% and growth of 11.8%, respectively. In comparison, the company’s peers, Textron Inc. (TXT - Free Report) and RTX Corporation (RTX - Free Report) have decreased 6.6% and gained 9.7%, respectively, in the same period.
Six-Month Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Howmet Aerospace’s Valuation Remains an OverhangHWM is trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 51.67X, much higher than the industry average of 34.53X. This elevated valuation could make the stock vulnerable to further pullbacks if market sentiment sours. In comparison with HWM’s valuation, its peers, Textron and RTX Corp., are trading cheaper. Notably, Textron and RTX Corp. are currently trading at 12.76X and 28.9X, respectively.
Price-to-Earnings (Forward 12 Months)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Investment ThesisHowmet Aerospace is well-positioned for long-term growth, supported by its diversified portfolio and strong demand across the commercial aerospace and defense markets. The House of Representatives passed the fiscal year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act in July 2025, providing a total discretionary allocation of $831.5 billion. The expanded defense budget is expected to create additional contract opportunities for Howmet Aerospace, supporting growth in its defense aerospace business and boosting its top line.
However, persistent weakness in the commercial transportation market is likely to remain a near-term headwind. Additionally, Howmet Aerospace's premium valuation may limit further upside and warrants a cautious stance from investors.
Final ThoughtsStrength across the commercial and defense aerospace markets, supported by solid aircraft build rates, strong engine spares demand and elevated defense spending, is expected to drive Howmet Aerospace's growth. Despite its premium valuation, strong growth prospects make the stock worth considering.
Sensata Technologies Holding plc zvýšila ve 2. čtvrtletí tržby o 5 % na 990,6 milionu USD a volný peněžní tok vyskočil o 61,4 % na 186,4 milionu USD. Dluh ale zůstává vysoký, i když firma splatila 400 milionů USD.
Key Takeaways Sensata posted 5% revenue growth, with a fourth straight quarter of companywide organic expansion.Margins widened as higher volumes and productivity lifted results, while free cash flow jumped 61.4%.Debt fell after a $400 million repayment, but soft vehicle output and tariff timing remain key risks. Sensata Technologies Holding plc (ST - Free Report) is producing broader growth, stronger margins and better cash conversion. Its valuation also remains below key industry benchmarks.
The investment case is not one-sided. Debt is still substantial, vehicle production is soft and the expected truck recovery has yet to fully develop.
ST’s Broad-Based Growth Case Is Getting StrongerSecond-quarter 2026 revenues increased 5% year over year to $990.6 million. Organic growth reached 4.4%, marking a fourth consecutive quarter of companywide organic expansion.
Automotive organic revenues rose 1.8%, while Aerospace, Defense and Commercial Equipment grew 10.9% and Industrials advanced 4.2%. TE Connectivity plc (TEL - Free Report) spans transportation, industrial and data-center markets with connectivity and sensor products. Woodward, Inc. (WWD - Free Report) supplies energy-control solutions for aerospace and industrial equipment, making both relevant comparisons for Sensata’s end-market mix.
Sensata’s Margin and Cash Gains Improve QualityAdjusted operating margin expanded 50 basis points to 19.5% as higher volumes and productivity gains offset tariff pass-through dilution. Automotive margin improved 120 basis points, while Aerospace, Defense and Commercial Equipment margin rose 340 basis points.
Free cash flow increased 61.4% to $186.4 million, equal to 130% of adjusted net income. Working-capital initiatives shortened the cash conversion cycle by 15 days over the past 18 months, strengthening Sensata’s ability to reduce debt without sacrificing operating investment.
ST’s Valuation Leaves Room for DebateST trades at 2.4X trailing 12-month book value, below the Zacks sub-industry’s 3.0X but above its five-year median of 1.9X. That discount supports the value case, though it is less pronounced relative to the stock’s own history.
The shares also trade at 12.9X current-fiscal-year earnings and 1.9X trailing sales, compared with industry multiples of 21.6X and 3.6X. Those gaps look favorable, but the stock’s 35.9% six-month gain suggests investors have recognized part of the operating improvement.
Sensata’s Debt Still Limits Capital AllocationSensata used $400 million of cash to retire about $406 million of long-term debt in the second quarter. Gross debt declined to $2.46 billion and net leverage fell to 2.4 times trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA, reaching management’s target two quarters early.
Net debt still stood at $2.06 billion. Management continues to prioritize deleveraging and balance-sheet resilience, which can restrict capacity for larger acquisitions or more aggressive share repurchases.
ST Faces Cyclical and Tariff Execution RisksGlobal light-vehicle production is forecast to decline 2% in 2026, including sharper expected drops in the second half. Sensata must sustain content gains and market-share wins to offset weaker production, particularly after failing to outgrow China in the second quarter.
North American truck production also remains soft, although double-digit order growth supports expectations for a second-half recovery. Third-quarter guidance includes about $10 million each of tariff costs and customer recoveries, but policy changes could disrupt reimbursement timing.
ST’s Hold Signal Meets Strong Style ScoresSensata’s growth, margin and cash-flow trends support a more constructive view, but debt, cyclical exposure and a valuation above its historical median temper the case for buying after the recent rally. Existing investors may have reasons to hold, while prospective buyers may prefer a better entry point or more evidence of durable growth.
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings has moved 1.1% higher in the past four weeks. A Momentum Score of A and VGM Score of A, along with a Value Score of B and Growth Score of B, indicate favorable characteristics, but Style Scores complement rather than override the Zacks Rank.
Taurus dokončil 18měsíční integraci Hedera a zpřístupnil bankám custody, staking, tokenizaci, node infrastrukturu i smart kontrakty na jedné platformě. Jeho technologii používá více než 40 bank a regulovaných institucí včetně Deutsche Bank a State Street.
Taurus completed an 18-month integration of Hedera on Aug. 5, giving banks and regulated financial institutions access to custody, staking, token issuance, node infrastructure and smart contract deployment through one provider, according to a press release shared with crypto.news.
Summary
Taurus completed an 18-month Hedera rollout covering custody, staking, tokenization, nodes, and smart contract services. More than 40 banks and institutions use Taurus technology, including Deutsche Bank and State Street. Institutions can now custody HBAR, stake tokens, issue assets, and deploy Hedera smart contracts directly. The integration spans Taurus-PROTECT, Taurus-EXPLORER, and Taurus-CAPITAL under one institutional risk framework for banks worldwide. Taurus joined the Hashgraph Association’s membership program in July after launching the partnership in 2025. The Hashgraph Association said the final phase added Hedera smart contract support to the Taurus platform. The rollout is available across Taurus-PROTECT, Taurus-EXPLORER and Taurus-CAPITAL.
Taurus technology is used by more than 40 banks and regulated institutions, including Deutsche Bank, CACEIS and State Street. The announcement did not identify a bank that has already launched a live Hedera product through the completed integration.
Taurus now supports the full @hedera stack, covering custody, staking, tokenization and smart contracts within one platform.
Built over 18 months, Taurus serves 40+ banks, including Deutsche Bank, and State Street.
Learn more: https://t.co/qgImdomYU8#Hedera #Web3…
— The Hashgraph Association (@The_Hashgraph) August 5, 2026 Taurus Hedera integration now covers five functions Institutions can custody and stake HBAR, Hedera’s native asset, while retaining the controls used for other assets inside Taurus. They can also access node infrastructure and issue tokens through the Hedera Token Service, which supports the creation and management of native fungible and nonfungible assets.
The newly delivered smart contract layer uses Hedera’s EVM compatible Smart Contract Service. This allows banks, issuers and technology partners to deploy Solidity based applications using familiar Ethereum development tools. The companies cited tokenized bonds, funds and stablecoins as possible products, but they did not announce a specific issuance, customer launch or transaction volume.
The companies cited tokenized bonds, funds and stablecoins as possible products. However, they did not announce a specific issuance, customer launch or transaction volume.
Lamine Brahimi, co-founder and managing partner of Taurus, said financial institutions increasingly want infrastructure that can support several digital asset functions.
“Financial institutions need infrastructure that can cover more than one digital asset use case. They want a single platform for the full spectrum of their strategy.”
Brahimi added that supporting the complete Hedera technology stack enables institutions to use “native tokenization, smart contracts, and custody capabilities within the same regulated infrastructure they already trust.”
One platform could reduce repeated bank integrations Taurus and The Hashgraph Association framed the integration as a way to reduce vendor fragmentation. A bank that begins with HBAR custody could later add staking, tokenization or programmable products without selecting another infrastructure provider and completing a separate technical integration.
Micha Roon, head of engineering at The Hashgraph Group, said the single-platform model could remove technical barriers created by working with several vendors.
“This single-platform approach entirely removes the technical friction of vendor sprawl, empowering engineering teams to seamlessly scale from simple custody to programmable tokenization on Hedera without ever initiating another integration project.”
The expected benefit remains a company assessment. Taurus did not publish figures showing how much time, cost or compliance work banks could save. Kamal Youssefi, president of The Hashgraph Association, said regulated institutions “can now enter the Web3 space with ease and confidence.” The statement describes the organizations’ expectation rather than verified customer adoption.
Taurus’ official platform materials describe a modular system for custody, tokenization and trading. Its website identifies State Street, Deutsche Bank and CACEIS among institutions using or partnering with its technology, supporting the announcement’s claim that the provider already serves major regulated firms.
MiCA and U.S. policy shape the institutional pitch The integration arrives as financial institutions assess digital asset products under changing legal frameworks in Europe and the U.S.
The Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation has established common rules for covered crypto businesses across the European Union. In the U.S., lawmakers continue debating the CLARITY Act and how oversight of digital assets should be divided between federal regulators.
Kamal Youssefi, president of The Hashgraph Association, linked the Taurus integration to those policy developments.
“With the MICA regulatory framework taking effect in Europe, alongside the progress in the USA with the Clarity Act, institutional investors and highly regulated financial institutions can now enter the Web3 space with ease and confidence, thanks to the full integration of the Hedera technology stack into Taurus’s crypto infrastructure solutions.”
His statement reflects the association’s position. MiCA does not automatically approve every product developed through Hedera, while the CLARITY Act remains subject to the U.S. legislative process.
Youssefi also described the integration as a step toward broader institutional use of Hedera.
“Utilizing one of the best governed enterprise grade public networks, and leveraging Taurus’s full range of industry leading capabilities, this partnership represents another major milestone in the institutional adoption of the Hedera network.”
Evidence of wider adoption will depend on named bank launches, transaction data and disclosed tokenized products.
The rollout builds on an earlier Hedera partnership Taurus and The Hashgraph Association announced their strategic partnership before completing the wider integration. The initial work brought HBAR custody and staking to Taurus-PROTECT and added Hedera Token Service support to Taurus-CAPITAL.
Taurus then joined The Hashgraph Association’s Global Membership Program in July 2026. The smart contract phase broadens the earlier work beyond holding HBAR and issuing native tokens.
It also gives tokenization engines, stablecoin issuers and fund administrators a route to build Hedera products while using Taurus for custody and institutional controls.
Notably, crypto.news reported, Taurus integrated P2P.org staking infrastructure in June. The arrangement allows financial institutions to access proof-of-stake networks while retaining custody and control inside their existing Taurus workflows.
Live bank products are the next test The announcement confirms technical availability, not demand. Taurus and The Hashgraph Association did not disclose pricing, the number of clients that requested Hedera support or the value of HBAR and tokenized assets currently held through the platform.
The next verified developments will be live products from Taurus clients. These could include a tokenized bond, regulated fund, stablecoin or another programmable asset deployed through Hedera’s smart contract service. Public transaction data and named institutional issuers would provide clearer evidence that the integration is moving beyond infrastructure readiness.
Crypto.news reported that Hedera added ERC-3643 support to its Asset Tokenization Studio and that KAIO expanded institutional fund offerings on the network. Those projects show an existing tokenization ecosystem, but Taurus must still convert its banking reach into disclosed Hedera deployments.
Martin Marietta získala všechna potřebná regulační schválení pro fúzi s Lhoist North America. Uzavření transakce se nyní očekává ve třetím čtvrtletí 2026.
August 05, 2026 12:20 ET | Source: Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.
RALEIGH, N.C., Aug. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE: MLM) (Martin Marietta or the Company), today announced that it has received all necessary regulatory approvals for its previously announced combination with Lhoist North America, Inc. (LNA). The transaction is now expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.
About Martin Marietta
Martin Marietta, a member of the S&P 500 Index, is an American-based company and a leading supplier of aggregates and other building materials. Through a network of operations spanning 29 states, Canada and The Bahamas, dedicated Martin Marietta teams supply the resources necessary for building the solid foundations on which our communities thrive. Martin Marietta’s Specialties business provides high-purity magnesia and dolomitic lime products used worldwide in environmental, industrial, agricultural and other specialty applications. Upon completion of the LNA combination, Martin Marietta expects to become the nation’s leading producer of lime and limestone solutions. For more information, visit www.martinmarietta.com or www.magnesiaspecialties.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include: the expected timing for completing the transaction. These statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, but which may differ materially from actual results, including, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to the timing of consummation of the transaction; the risk that the conditions to closing of the transaction may not be satisfied, or that the closing of the transaction does not occur. These statements reflect the Company’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements because they do not relate only to historical or current facts and may use words such as “guidance”, “anticipate”, “may”, “expect”, “should”, “believe”, “will”, and other words of similar meaning in connection with future events or future performance. Any or all of the Company’s forward-looking statements herein and in other publications may prove to be incorrect.
A further list and description of risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in Martin Marietta’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and in Martin Marietta’s subsequent reports on Form 10-Q, including the sections thereof captioned “Other Matters” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors”, and in Martin Marietta’s subsequent reports on Form 8-K. Except as required by law, Martin Marietta does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.
FTI Consulting potvrdila výhled tržeb na 3,94–4,10 mld. USD pro rok 2026, ale upravený zisk na akcii překonal odhady jen mírně. Akcie po výsledcích z 30. července klesly o 4,1 %.
Key Takeaways FTI Consulting's adjusted EPS beat estimates as revenues rose 5.3% year over year.Higher direct and SG&A costs cut adjusted EBITDA 6.4% and narrowed the margin to 10.5%.Technology revenues climbed 18.4% y/y, while 2026 revenue guidance stayed at $3.94-$4.10 billion. FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 results with adjusted earnings of $2.16 per share, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.09 by 3.4%. Earnings increased 1.4% year over year, aided by a lower tax rate and fewer outstanding shares, while revenues rose 5.3% year over year.
Lower pass-through revenues partly offset growth in Corporate Finance, Technology and Forensic and Litigation Consulting. Billable headcount increased 3.2%.
However, the results did not impress the market as the stock has declined 4.1% since the earnings release on July 30.
FCN shares have depreciated 6.4% over the past year compared with the industry’s 30.2% decline. The Zacks S&P 500 composite has risen 22.9% over the same time frame.
FCN's Profitability Faces Cost PressureNet income declined 19.4% year over year to $57.8 million. GAAP earnings were $1.99 per share, down 6.6%, and included $0.17 in extraordinary litigation-related expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA fell 6.4% to $104.5 million as higher direct costs and selling, general and administrative expenses more than offset revenue growth. The adjusted EBITDA margin contracted 130 basis points to 10.5%.
Direct costs reflected continued investments in senior talent and supporting teams across Corporate Finance, Forensic and Litigation Consulting and Strategic Communications. Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) expenses increased to $230.7 million from $202.2 million due to higher compensation, travel and entertainment, and legal costs.
FTI Consulting's Corporate Finance Revenues RiseCorporate Finance revenues increased 8.5% year over year to $411.4 million. Higher realized bill rates across transactions, transformation, and turnaround and restructuring services, along with increased transformation demand and higher success fees, supported growth.
Transformation revenues advanced 26%, while transactions revenues increased 10%. Turnaround and restructuring revenues declined 2%, reflecting a softer market, although management said the company continued to gain share in large and complex restructuring matters.
Adjusted segment EBITDA rose 5.3% to $86 million. However, the margin declined to 20.9% from 21.5% as higher compensation, including the impact of a 7.8% rise in billable headcount and increased SG&A expenses, partly offset revenue gains.
FCN's Technology Segment Delivers Strong GrowthTechnology revenues increased 18.4% to $99 million, driven by stronger demand for merger-related second-request services. This was partly offset by lower demand for investigations services.
Adjusted segment EBITDA jumped 71.3% to $9.1 million, while the margin expanded to 9.1% from 6.3%. Higher revenues more than offset increased compensation, including higher as-needed consultant costs, and SG&A expenses.
Forensic and Litigation Consulting revenues grew 4.1% to $194.3 million. Higher realized bill rates and demand for risk and investigations services offset weaker demand for dispute advisory services. Adjusted segment EBITDA edged up 0.5% to $31.4 million.
FTI Consulting's Economic Business Improves SequentiallyEconomic Consulting revenues declined 1.5% year over year to $188.8 million. Lower demand for non-merger & acquisitions (M&A)-related antitrust and international arbitration services was partly offset by stronger M&A-related antitrust demand and higher realized bill rates in financial economics.
The segment improved sharply compared with the first quarter, with revenues rising 7.5% sequentially. Adjusted segment EBITDA improved to $8.8 million from a loss of $5.9 million, reflecting higher revenues and lower compensation expenses.
Strategic Communications revenues decreased 2.6% to $100 million due to a $7.4 million decline in pass-through revenues. Excluding pass-through revenues, sales increased 5.4%, driven primarily by higher demand for corporate reputation services.
FCN Generates Strong Quarterly Cash FlowNet cash provided by operating activities increased to $152.3 million from $55.7 million a year earlier. Free cash flow totaled $141 million, compared with $38.3 million in the prior-year quarter.
FTI Consulting repurchased 2.6 million shares at an average price of $150.84, spending $390.9 million. The company had approximately $344 million remaining under its repurchase authorization at quarter-end.
Cash and cash equivalents were $163.7 million as of June 30, 2026, compared with $198.3 million at the end of the preceding quarter. Total debt reached $1.02 billion, primarily reflecting capital deployed for share repurchases.
FTI Consulting Reaffirms Revenue GuidanceThe company reaffirmed its 2026 revenue guidance of $3.94-$4.10 billion, with the midpoint of $4.02 billion being higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.98 billion. It lowered GAAP earnings guidance to $8.70-$9.30 per share from $8.90-$9.60, reflecting extraordinary litigation-related expenses.
Adjusted earnings are projected between $9.10 and $9.70 per share, with the midpoint of $9.40 per share being higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.25 per share. Management expects Economic Consulting to generate year-over-year revenues and adjusted segment EBITDA growth during the second half.
The effective tax rate is expected to be between 21% and 23%, down from the previous 22-24% range. SG&A expenses are projected to be roughly $70 million higher than in 2025, compared with the earlier expectation of a $60 million increase.
Currently, FTI Consulting carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Recent Earnings SnapshotsTrane Technologies plc (TT - Free Report) reported impressive second-quarter 2026 results. TT’s adjusted earnings of $4.31 per share outpaced the consensus mark by 0.9% and rose 11.1% from the year-ago quarter’s actual. TT’s total revenues of $6.35 billion surpassed the consensus mark by 2.9% and increased 6.4% year over year.
Clean Harbors, Inc. (CLH - Free Report) posted better-than-expected second-quarter 2026 results. CLH’s adjusted earnings of $3.22 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 17.5% and rose 36.4% year over year. Total revenues of $1.74 billion surpassed the consensus estimate by 6.8% and increased 12% from the year-ago quarter.
Uniswap se blíží ke spuštění launchpadu pools.trade na Robinhood Chain, spuštění je plánováno na 5. srpna v 16:00 UTC. Platforma má umožnit tvorbu a vydávání tokenů přímo na síti.
Uniswap Prepares to Launch pools.trade on Robinhood Chain@Uniswap is moving closer to activating its dedicated launchpad on Robinhood Chain. The platform, known as pools.trade, has been flagged as "coming soon" on its official site, with a countdown pointing to a rollout scheduled for 4:00 p.m. UTC on August 5.
pools.trade is designed to facilitate the creation and issuance of tokens directly on Robinhood Chain. If it becomes a more native Uniswap launchpad, it could bring together the pieces Uniswap already has: its own launch and price-discovery mechanisms, v4 pools, the Launches feed for distribution, and the Uniswap interface for trading.
Robinhood Chain went live on July 1, 2026 as an Arbitrum Orbit L2 that settles on Ethereum. Uniswap Protocol and UniswapX are live alongside support in Uniswap Web App, Wallet, and API, with Robinhood serving nearly 28 million customers.
A Growing Launchpad EcosystemThe timing of pools.trade's launch comes as activity on Robinhood Chain has surged. More than 340,000 new tokens launched on Uniswap via Robinhood Chain launchpads in July 2026, generating $3.6 billion in trading volume. Uniswap has also introduced a Launches beta tab in its web app, aggregating tokens from launchpads using Uniswap as their trading infrastructure, including Bankr, Pons, and Long.
The platform's integration with Uniswap's v4 protocol, which introduced features like hooks and custom liquidity pools, could offer unique advantages over competitors. The token issuance space has seen increased competition, with platforms like Pump.fun and others offering simplified token creation tools on various blockchains.
Robinhood Chain had accumulated approximately $431 million in total value locked, nearly $400 million in stablecoin market capitalization, and close to $9 billion in cumulative decentralized exchange volume within three weeks of launch. More than 80% of decentralized exchange activity still comes from memecoin trading despite the network's long-term focus on tokenized assets.
Sources:
Uniswap to Launch Token Issuance Platform pools.trade on Robinhood Chain - CryptoNews
Uniswap rolls out Launches tab starting with Robinhood Chain - Crypto Briefing
Inside Uniswap's Land Grab on Robinhood Chain - Yahoo Finance
Tanger uvedl, že návštěvnost v červnu a červenci zvýšilo mistrovství světa a že letos je v tržbách asi o 5 % výš. Silné byly i prodeje sportovních značek.
Tanger CEO Stephen Yalof said the store operator saw traffic increase in June and July due to international and domestic tourism tied to the World Cup.
"We knew when you get these new visitors that come for a huge magnet event like World Cup, you've got one opportunity to introduce them to your brand, and then hopefully they become a great ambassador for the brand if they have a great experience," Yalof told CNBC on Wednesday.
The company, which has shopping centers in eight of the 11 host cities for the tournament, said it also saw sales increase and its athletic brands perform strongly amid a boom in excitement and business around the World Cup.
"Traffic drives sales. Traffic and sales always move together," Yalof said. "For the year, we're up about 5% sales-wise, which is pretty substantial."
Yalof said the company saw World Cup tourists looking for a "real American experience," like eating at a Chick-Fil-A or listening to American music, noting that many of those options are located within the four walls of a Tanger center or next to one.
"What we add to the mix is that value shopping experience, particularly in our outlet centers, which give these customers the opportunity to shop American brands like Polo and Michael Kors and Kate Spade and Coach and Nike, and buy that product at the best possible price," he added.
Yalof said the company was prepared to take the most advantage of summer traffic from the World Cup to build "long-term customer loyalty" for its products and brands.
He said the company also saw more domestic traffic, as more Americans choose to travel within the country this year due to rising oil prices and the current geopolitical macroenvironment.
Because Tanger centers include retail, food and beverage, and entertainment, Yalof said the company saw customers come to its stores for one experience and stay for others.
"That's what's going to keep us and make us top of mind when these people come back or when they go and they tell their friends about the wonderful experience they had when they came and visited," Yalof said.
Tanger also reported strong second-quarter results on Tuesday afternoon, citing strength in "enhanced marketing and traffic-driving initiatives across our portfolio."
On a call with analysts, Yalof added that the strength in the current movie business and box office has also helped.
"People are coming early to enjoy the shopping, staying late and enjoying the dining," Yalof said. "And that flywheel that we've created and the new merchandising mix has really been a great customer draw."
Charles River Laboratories (CRL - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $3.02 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.72 per share. This compares to earnings of $3.12 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +11.03%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this medical research equipment and services provider would post earnings of $1.96 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.06, delivering a surprise of +5.1%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.
Charles River, which belongs to the Zacks Medical Services industry, posted revenues of $1 billion for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.43%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $1.03 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four 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.
Charles River shares have added about 17.4% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 13%.
What's Next for Charles River?While Charles River 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 Charles River was favorable. 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 #2 (Buy) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to outperform 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 $3.05 on $943.09 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $11.05 on $3.85 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, Medical Services is currently in the top 38% 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.
Another stock from the same industry, Nutex Health Inc. (NUTX - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. The results are expected to be released on August 6.
This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $5.26 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +278.3%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
Nutex Health Inc.'s revenues are expected to be $215.2 million, down 11.8% from the year-ago quarter.
BNB Chain spustil hackathon „Build the Era“, který má vytvořit hlavní tržiště pro jeho síť on-chain AI agentů. Výherní platforma může být oficiálně přijata jako produkt „BNB Agent Studio".
BNB Chain Targets Its Growing AI Agent Ecosystem@BNBChain has launched a strategic hackathon called "Build the Era," with one clear objective: create the definitive marketplace for its rapidly expanding network of on-chain AI agents. The initiative comes as the chain cements its position as the leading home for AI agents built on the ERC-8004 standard.
According to BNB Chain's own data, BNB Smart Chain now hosts more than 200,000 ERC-8004 agents as of mid-July 2026, representing roughly 60% of all such agents registered across 26 networks and more than every other network combined. The Defiant reported earlier this year that BNB Chain had already surpassed Ethereum as the blockchain hosting the largest number of AI agents under the ERC-8004 standard, a figure that has continued climbing significantly since.
ERC-8004 is an on-chain identity standard that gives autonomous AI agents a verifiable, portable identity across platforms, allowing them to register identities, build reputation, and transact with each other without human intermediaries. Despite this growth, the sheer volume of registered agents has created a practical problem: discoverability. With hundreds of thousands of agents active on-chain, there is currently no unified platform for developers and users to find, evaluate, and hire them. That is the gap "Build the Era" aims to close.
Over $40,000 in Prizes and a Path to Official AdoptionThe hackathon offers more than $40,000 in initial prize liquidity, with sponsors including @TermiX_A, @PancakeSwap, @alt_layer, @binance Pay, and @AltanaNetwork. Crucially, the winning submission is not just in line for a cash prize. The top platform is slated for official adoption as a standalone "BNB Agent Studio" product, giving the winner a direct route into the core BNB Chain ecosystem alongside incubation support from ecosystem partners.
The move is consistent with a broader pattern from @BNBChain, which has used a series of developer incentive programs throughout 2026 to accelerate AI-native infrastructure on its network. By turning the marketplace problem into a competitive build challenge, the chain is effectively crowdsourcing one of its most pressing infrastructure gaps while simultaneously rewarding the builders who solve it.
For @PancakeSwap and the other prize sponsors, the hackathon represents a direct stake in shaping how AI agents are discovered and deployed across the $BNB ecosystem going forward.
Sources:
BNB Chain Blog: AI Agent Landscape, Agents, Tools, and Payments
The Defiant: BNB Chain Overtakes Ethereum by Number of AI Agents
Chainwire: BNB Chain Announces Support for ERC-8004
Solana na testnetu snížila slot time ze 400 ms na 350 ms a zahájila postupný upgrade směrem k cíli 200 ms. Na mainnetu má Agave v4.2 dorazit kolem 17. srpna.
Solana just took its first concrete step toward doubling its confirmation speed. On August 5, the network activated a slot time reduction from 400 milliseconds to 350 milliseconds on testnet, kicking off a phased upgrade that aims to eventually cut slot duration in half.
The change is governed by SIMD-0525, a proposal that lays out four sequential 50ms decrements. The end goal: 200ms slots.
How the upgrade works Anza CEO Brennan Watt announced the activation just hours before it went live, urging validators to upgrade to the Agave v4.2 client.
Each 50ms reduction can only activate after receiving supermajority endorsement from validators, meaning roughly two-thirds of staked validators need to explicitly opt in before anything changes.
Advertisement
There’s also a built-in buffer: a one-epoch delay between when a feature activates and when it actually takes effect. In Solana terms, an epoch lasts about two to three days. The delay gives operators time to confirm everything is running smoothly before the network commits to the new parameters.
No breaking changes were reported on testnet during this first transition.
For context, slot time is the interval during which a validator produces a block. Once fully implemented, confirmations are expected to become roughly twice as fast as the previous standard.
The bigger picture for Solana in 2026 The mainnet rollout of the Agave v4.2 client is expected around August 17.
Running alongside the slot time work is Alpenglow, a new consensus framework designed to optimize finality times. If slot time reduction is about producing blocks faster, Alpenglow is about making those blocks irreversible faster.
The Solana Foundation has framed this evolutionary approach as a balance between speed and stability.
What this means for investors The phased approach introduces a distinct dynamic for market watchers. Each subsequent 50ms reduction requires a fresh supermajority vote from validators, creating four distinct checkpoints where the upgrade’s momentum gets tested.
For SOL holders specifically, the August 17 mainnet target is the date to circle. Testnet activations prove the technology works. Mainnet activations prove the network can handle it with real stakes on the line.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Společnost Take-Two Interactive spouští tokenizované akcie $TTWO na Solaně prostřednictvím Backpack Securities. Každý token je krytý v poměru 1:1 skutečnou akcií a lze jej obchodovat nonstop.
The line between Wall Street and Web3 just got a little blurrier. Take-Two Interactive, the publisher behind Grand Theft Auto and NBA 2K, is listing tokenized equity on the Solana blockchain through Backpack Securities, giving investors a new way to get exposure to one of gaming’s biggest names.
The listing, arriving August 6, 2026, brings $TTWO to Solana as a tokenized representation of the company’s NASDAQ-listed shares. Each token is backed 1:1 by underlying TTWO stock and is redeemable for the real thing.
What tokenized equity actually means here Traditional equity markets close at 4 p.m. Eastern. Solana does not. $TTWO tokens can be traded around the clock, transferred wallet-to-wallet, and plugged into decentralized finance applications, things a standard brokerage account simply can’t do.
Advertisement
Take-Two’s stock was trading at approximately $240 heading into the listing. GTA VI, originally slated for 2025 before being pushed back, is now locked in for November 19, 2026.
Backpack Securities and the tokenized equity playbook Backpack Securities previously launched $SPCX, a tokenized representation of SpaceX shares, which crossed over $1B in trading volume. The move to tokenize a publicly traded company like Take-Two is a slightly different play than SpaceX, which is private and where tokenization solves a genuine access problem. TTWO shares are already tradeable for anyone with a Schwab account. Here, the value proposition shifts more toward convenience, composability with DeFi, and global accessibility for investors in markets where US brokerage access is cumbersome or unavailable.
Backpack’s approach also introduces self-custody into the equation. Investors can hold $TTWO tokens in their own wallets, not in a brokerage account they don’t fully control.
What this means for investors watching both markets The 1:1 redeemability should keep $TTWO prices anchored to the underlying share price through arbitrage. If the token trades at a discount to the stock, someone buys the token, redeems it for shares, and pockets the difference. If it trades at a premium, the reverse applies.
For Solana specifically, landing a publicly traded blue-chip like Take-Two as a tokenized equity is a meaningful signal. If $TTWO volume follows the pattern $SPCX established, it adds another data point to the case that tokenized equities on Solana have a real user base, not just a theoretical one.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Coinbase uvedla, že ve 2. čtvrtletí 2026 provozovala 23 validátorů Solany a stakovala zhruba 41,63 milionu SOL, tedy 9,72 % celkového staked objemu sítě. Její validátory zároveň překonaly průměr sítě v APY (6,52 % oproti 6,38 %) i stabilitě.
PANews, August 6 – Coinbase released its Solana validator operations report for the second quarter of 2026, stating that its Solana validators outperformed the network average in yield, stability, and infrastructure distribution.
Data shows that Coinbase currently stakes approximately 41.63 million SOL through 23 validator nodes, accounting for 9.72% of Solana’s total staked amount. The nodes are distributed across 7 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Singapore. Key operational data are as follows:
Staking scale: 41.63 million SOL, accounting for 9.72% of the network’s total staked amount; Staking yield: Q2 2026 APY of 6.52%, above the network average of 6.38%, leading by 14 basis points; Block skip rate: 0.035%, lower than the network average of 0.136%, approximately one-quarter of the network average. Coinbase states that its validators adopt a multi-client architecture, currently running four clients: Harmonic, Jito, JitoBAM, and Firedancer. All solutions have been reviewed by the Solana Foundation and do not employ aggressive MEV timing strategies that could affect user experience.
In terms of infrastructure, Coinbase deploys its validators on two independent bare-metal providers and configures off-site backups for each node to reduce the risk of single points of failure. Meanwhile, the company states that it has migrated the entire validator cluster to the DoubleZero network, achieving approximately 99.9% session availability.
Coinbase also revealed that it is preparing for Solana’s anticipated Alpenglow consensus upgrade later in 2026, including running community test nodes, developing new consensus health monitoring tools, and completing voting account upgrade verification.
Coinbase stated that as Solana evolves towards a lower-latency consensus mechanism, high-performance infrastructure and stable validators will be critical factors in ensuring network operations.
J&J Snack Foods (JJSF - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.96 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.81 per share. This compares to earnings of $2 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +8.29%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this drink and snack maker would post earnings of $0.39 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.4, delivering a surprise of +2.56%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.
J&J Snack Foods, which belongs to the Zacks Food - Miscellaneous industry, posted revenues of $425.96 million for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.04%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $454.29 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.
J&J Snack Foods shares have lost about 13% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 13%.
What's Next for J&J Snack Foods?While J&J Snack Foods has underperformed 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 J&J Snack Foods was unfavorable. 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 #5 (Strong Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform 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 $1.45 on $400.5 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $4.00 on $1.52 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, Food - Miscellaneous is currently in the bottom 16% 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.
Armanino Foods of Distinction Inc. (AMNF - Free Report) , another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026.
This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.15 per share in its upcoming report, which represents no change from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
Armanino Foods of Distinction Inc.'s revenues are expected to be $21.2 million, up 6.2% from the year-ago quarter.
Restaurant Brands International má 6. srpna zveřejnit výsledky za 2. čtvrtletí; tržby mohou podpořit Tim Hortons a mezinárodní expanze, zatímco Popeyes může výsledky brzdit.
Key Takeaways Restaurant Brands is expected to benefit from Tim Hortons' breakfast demand and digital engagement.QSR may see support from international expansion and Burger King China's improving performance.Popeyes' softer sales and higher costs could weigh on Restaurant Brands' quarterly results. Restaurant Brands International Inc. (QSR - Free Report) is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 6, before the opening bell.
In the previous quarter, the company’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.9% while the revenues beat the same by 1%.
Restaurant Brands' earnings surpassed the consensus mark in three out of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with the average surprise being 2%.
How Are QSR’s Estimates Placed for Q2?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the second quarter is pegged at an earnings per share of $1.03, up 9.6% year over year.
For revenues, the consensus mark is pegged at nearly $2.50 billion, indicating an increase of 3.9% from the prior-year quarter’s figure.
Let us check out the factors that are likely to have influenced the quarter.
Key Factors to Note Ahead of QSR’s Q2 ResultsRestaurant Brands' second-quarter 2026 revenues are likely to have been supported by continued strength at Tim Hortons, where solid breakfast demand, expanding cold beverage sales, value-focused meal bundles and higher digital engagement are expected to have driven growth. Seasonal beverage innovation and sustained customer engagement are also likely to have supported performance during the quarter. Our model projects Tim Hortons revenues to increase 2.3% year over year to $1.11 billion.
International operations are also likely to have remained a key growth driver, backed by localized menu innovation, compelling value offerings and ongoing restaurant expansion across major markets such as China, Japan, Brazil, Spain, Germany and Australia. Burger King China's improving performance under its new joint venture and continued expansion at Firehouse Subs are expected to have supported overall systemwide sales. However, due to its reporting structure and the continued refranchising of company-operated restaurants, our model forecasts Burger King revenues to decline 11.4% year over year to $343.6 million despite healthy underlying brand momentum.
The company's bottom line is likely to have benefited from healthy comparable-sales growth across key brands, operating leverage, disciplined cost management and continued royalty income from its predominantly franchised business. Lower interest expense, ongoing share repurchases and productivity initiatives are also expected to have supported earnings growth by partially offsetting inflationary pressures.
On the flip side, second-quarter performance is likely to have been constrained by continued weakness at Popeyes, where soft comparable sales and ongoing turnaround initiatives may have weighed on results. Persistent beef inflation is likely to have continued to pressure restaurant-level margins, while higher Tim Hortons marketing expenses and a softer Canadian consumer environment might have limited profitability. Reflecting these headwinds, our model projects Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen revenues to decline 8.7% year over year to $191.8 million.
What Our Model Indicates for QSROur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Restaurant Brands this time around. The company does not have the right combination of the two key ingredients — a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) — to increase the odds of an earnings beat.
Earnings ESP: The Earnings ESP for QSR is +2.20%. You can uncover the best stocks before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: QSR currently carries a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell).
Stocks Poised to Beat on EarningsHere are a few stocks from the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector, which, according to our model, have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this reporting cycle.
CAVA Group, Inc. (CAVA - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +20.30% and a Zacks Rank of 3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
In the to-be-reported quarter, CAVA’s earnings are expected to increase 6.3% year over year. CAVA’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and missed on one occasion, with the average surprise being 16.6%.
Brinker International, Inc. (EAT - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.12% and a Zacks Rank of 3.
In the to-be-reported quarter, Brinker earnings are expected to register a 23.3% year-over-year decline. EAT’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 6.8%.
Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +11.54% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present.
In the to-be-reported quarter, Sweetgreen’s earnings are expected to register a 35% year-over-year increase. Sweetgreen’s earnings missed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average miss being 42.4%.
Společnost Hudson Pacific Properties oznámila FFO 0,35 USD na akcii, nad odhadem 0,28 USD, a tržby 188,3 milionu USD také překonaly očekávání. Akcie letos přidaly asi 29,1 %.
Hudson Pacific Properties (HPP - Free Report) came out with quarterly funds from operations (FFO) of $0.35 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.28 per share. This compares to FFO of $0.28 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an FFO surprise of +25.00%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this real estate investment trust would post FFO of $0.18 per share when it actually produced FFO of $0.25, delivering a surprise of +38.89%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus FFO estimates four times.
Hudson Pacific, which belongs to the Zacks REIT and Equity Trust - Other industry, posted revenues of $188.3 million for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.20%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $190 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 FFO expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
Hudson Pacific shares have added about 29.1% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 13%.
What's Next for Hudson Pacific?While Hudson Pacific 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 FFO outlook. Not only does this include current consensus FFO 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 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 estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Hudson Pacific was favorable. 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 #1 (Strong Buy) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to outperform 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 FFO estimate is $0.29 on $185.89 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $1.14 on $742.31 million 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, REIT and Equity Trust - Other is currently in the top 28% 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.
One other stock from the same industry, FrontView REIT, Inc. (FVR - Free Report) , is yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. The results are expected to be released on August 6.
This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.33 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +3.1%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
FrontView REIT, Inc.'s revenues are expected to be $18.44 million, up 5.1% from the year-ago quarter.
ONON v prvním čtvrtletí zvýšil čisté tržby při konstantním kurzu o 26,4 % a vedení očekává v roce 2026 alespoň 23% růst. Asie a Tichomoří vyskočila o 61,4 %.
Key Takeaways On targets at least 23% constant-currency sales growth in 2026, led by DTC, Asia-Pacific and apparel.Asia-Pacific sales surged 61.4%, while EMEA posted a sixth straight quarter of over 25% growth.ONON faces tariff exposure, rising marketing costs and a valuation that leaves little room for missteps. Shares of On Holding AG (ONON - Free Report) have gained 11.2% in the past three months as investors responded to improving execution, expanding margins and broad-based demand. The advance raises a key question: can operating momentum support further gains over the longer term?
On’s premium positioning, innovation pipeline and widening global footprint offer a favorable growth setup. Still, tariff exposure, rising investment and a demanding valuation leave less room for execution missteps.
ONON Growth Drivers Support MomentumOn’s growth strategy rests on product innovation, direct-to-consumer expansion and deeper international penetration. First-quarter net sales rose 26.4% year over year at constant currency, while DTC sales increased 28.7%, outpacing wholesale growth of 25.1%.
Management expects at least 23% constant-currency net sales growth in 2026, with DTC, Asia-Pacific and apparel projected to outperform. A larger DTC mix should improve control over merchandising, consumer data and brand presentation, while selective store openings can extend the company’s premium retail network.
On Holding Expands Global Brand ReachGeographic diversification is becoming a more meaningful growth engine. Asia-Pacific sales climbed 61.4% at constant currency in the first quarter and exceeded 20% of total sales for the first time. EMEA grew 25.6%, marking a sixth consecutive quarter of more than 25% constant-currency growth.
The Americas advanced 17.1% at constant currency and remained ONON’s largest region. Growth across established and emerging markets reduces dependence on one geography, while planned stores in cities such as Stockholm, São Paulo and Sydney provide additional avenues for market-share gains.
ONON Innovation Builds Future DemandLightSpray is moving from athlete validation toward broader commercialization. On increased production capacity 30-fold with its Busan facility, while the LightSpray Cloudmonster Hyper sold out across several channels and generated several hundred daily DTC unit sales.
The next product cycle includes SURREAL Superfoam, scheduled to debut with the Cloudsurfer 3 in October 2026 before expanding across everyday-running franchises in 2027. These proprietary platforms can reinforce premium pricing, but sustained demand will depend on successful launches and repeat adoption beyond early enthusiasts.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
On Holding Faces Execution RisksTariffs remain the clearest margin risk because roughly 90% of footwear production was located in Vietnam in 2025. Full-year gross-margin guidance of at least 64.5% already includes an incremental tariff assumption, but further policy changes could add costs. SG&A also rose 16.4% in the first quarter, with marketing expenses up 35.1%.
Competition is intense. Nike, Inc. (NKE - Free Report) combines global scale with broad running, lifestyle, wholesale and direct channels. Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK - Free Report) , owner of HOKA, also competes directly in premium performance footwear. A more promotional market or weaker consumer spending could make On’s full-price strategy harder to sustain.
ONON Ranking Signals Growth StrengthOn’s longer-term case remains supported by fast sales growth, expanding product platforms and wider geographic reach. However, the stock’s 21.4X forward earnings multiple and 6.2X trailing sales multiple suggest that investors are already assigning value to continued execution.
ONON currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), which points to a neutral near-term earnings-estimate outlook. Its Growth Score of A reflects favorable growth characteristics, while the VGM Score of C signals a more mixed blend of value, growth and momentum. The combination supports patience rather than a conclusive call on further upside. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Mazrael varoval komunitu SHIB, že neexistují žádné nové oficiální kanály ani účty; pokud přibudou, oznámí to přes shib.io. Zároveň uvedl, že vývojáři dál pracují na ekosystému.
Cover image via U.Today Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.
A longtime member of the Shiba Inu community and project advisor for Shiba Eternity, Mazrael, has issued a crucial reminder for the SHIB community in a recent X post.
Mazrael cautions that there are not any "new" "official" channels and accounts and adds that when there are, it will be communicated via the shib.io website.
This advisory comes at a time when impersonators and fraudulent accounts are rising to try to cash in on Shiba Inu's popularity. In this context, members of the Shiba Inu community are called upon to exercise caution when interacting with profiles claiming to represent the project, as the Shiba Inu ecosystem has not rolled out any new official communication channels or accounts.
HOT Stories
ready and audited. Foundations first.
— Mazrael.Shib (@Mazrael_shib) August 5, 2026 An X user interacted with Mazrael's post and asked about LEASH v2. Mazrael responded, "ready and audited. Foundations first."
You Might Also Like
LEASH v2 is an upgraded, fixed-supply token contract for the Shiba Inu ecosystem, designed to replace the original LEASH, which is regarded as v1. It closes a hidden rebasing gap that previously allowed the token supply to change. LEASH v2 tokens are audited by Hexens and scheduled to roll out across structured phases.
Shiba Inu development continuesShiba Inu marked its sixth anniversary at the start of the month, having launched on August 1, 2020, by its pseudonymous founder Ryoshi.
You Might Also Like
Shiba Inu's six-year journey has not been devoid of challenges and criticism; this year, 2026, has been relatively quiet for several tokens, including Shiba Inu, amid the ongoing bear market.
Mazrael points to activity behind the scenes by Shiba Inu developers in the relatively muted market. "Builders keep shipping" was the message from Mazrael in a recent X post, pointing to ongoing development activity in the SHIB ecosystem.
According to Mazrael, Shiba Inu developers have expanded 18 developer documentation pages covering ERC-4337 gasless transactions (Paymaster), Crypto Payments API, hosted on-chain data endpoints, and ShibaSwap SDK. He noted that these are the building blocks developers need to create consumer apps on Shibarium, making the move significant.
Dubai Duty Free spustilo platby přes Crypto.com Pay a v obchodech na letištích DXB a DWC přijímá SHIB i 29 dalších kryptoměn. Platby se okamžitě převádějí na AED.
Cover image via depositphotos.com Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.
Shiba Inu token continues to strengthen its position in the UAE's real economy. Following the introduction of cryptocurrency payments for airline tickets, the popular meme token has now officially entered duty-free shopping zones.
Major airport retailer Dubai Duty Free has integrated the Crypto.com Pay payment gateway, enabling customers to use SHIB and 29 other cryptocurrencies at physical stores in DXB and DWC airports, as well as on its official website.
Dubai Duty Free introduces regulated crypto-to-fiat payments settled in AED, Source: Dubai Duty Free via X You Might Also Like
HOT Stories
For the Shiba Inu ecosystem, this marks another important milestone of expansion in the Emirates. Just last week, Emirates Airlines took a similar step, allowing customers to book flights with cryptocurrency through the Crypto.com Pay infrastructure.
However, SHIB is not being adopted in isolation. The integration of the new payment gateway has automatically opened the door to other major digital assets, including BTC, ETH, XRP and DOGE.
Why and how Dubai is integrating crypto paymentsDubai's infrastructure is built on a pragmatic model that eliminates market risks for businesses. Digital coins will not circulate directly through duty-free cash registers, and the service is currently available only to verified UAE residents.
The process is simple: a customer pays with the selected cryptocurrency from their balance in the Crypto.com Pay app, the payment system instantly converts the assets at the current exchange rate, and the retailer receives only UAE dirhams (AED).
You Might Also Like
The widespread adoption of crypto payment gateways across Dubai's transport hubs is not a coincidence, but part of the broader D33 government strategy. The emirate's authorities plan to move up to 90% of all transactions into a cashless digital format.
The integration became possible after Crypto.com received an official license from the Central Bank of the UAE to provide stored-value payment services. This ensures that retail cryptocurrency purchases at the airports operate entirely within the legal framework and under regulatory supervision.
