Analytik BofA očekává, že Alphabet ve 2. čtvrtletí překoná odhady díky cloudovému růstu, stabilnímu růstu vyhledávání a AI. Pro cloud zvýšil odhad růstu na 70 %.
The Nasdaq is down 0.92% while the S&P 500 has shed 0.12%.
• Alphabet stock is trading at elevated levels. What should traders watch with GOOG?
BofA Securities analyst Justin Post expects Alphabet to deliver a strong second quarter, driven by cloud momentum, steady search growth and AI-related upside.
Cloud Growth Drives ForecastPost maintained a Buy rating on Alphabet with a $430 price forecast. He expects second-quarter revenue of $102.1 billion and GAAP EPS of $8.38, above Street estimates of $101 billion and $2.90.
The analyst projects third-quarter revenue of $108.8 billion and GAAP EPS of $3.03, above Street estimates of $107.9 billion and $3.02.
Post raised his Cloud growth estimate to 70%, citing strong demand indicators and backlog that suggests at least $230 billion in revenue over the next eight quarters. He also expects full-year 2026 search growth of 16% and Cloud growth of 72%.
AI Assets Support UpsidePost raised his 2026 net revenue estimate by 1% to $427 billion and lifted his EPS estimate by 36% to $19.70. For 2027, he raised net revenue by 3% to $537 billion and EPS by 1% to $14.70.
Post said Alphabet remains well positioned for outsized growth and Cloud margin upside because of its AI assets across models, silicon, consumer distribution and enterprise distribution. He also flagged second-quarter search growth, cloud margins, backlog and capital spending commentary as key items for the earnings call.
Technical AnalysisGOOG is trading 15.7% above its 200-day SMA and 8.4% above its 100-day SMA, which keeps the bigger-picture trend pointed up after a 101.85% run over the past 12 months. The stock is also 4.3% above its 20-day SMA, but only 0.5% above its 50-day SMA — so the near-term tape is tighter and more sensitive to pullbacks.
Top ETF ExposureSignificance: Because GOOG carries such a heavy weight in these funds, any significant inflows or outflows for these ETFs will likely trigger automatic buying or selling of the stock.
GOOG Price ActionGOOG Stock Price Activity: Alphabet shares were up 0.23% at $371.03 at the time of publication on Thursday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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AMZN stock is moving. See the chart and price action here. AMZN – Overweight, $335 Price TargetIn a new note, the firm reiterates its Overweight rating on Amazon and nudges its price target up to $335 from $330, based on 25.5 times 2028 earnings, as it extends its valuation horizon and edges estimates above consensus into 2028.
At the center of the call is a simple trade‑off: KeyBanc sees near‑term margin pressure as the cost of entrenching AWS as a primary supplier of scarce AI compute.
The analysts raise 2026 and 2027 total net sales by less than 1% but mark AWS meaningfully higher, modeling 31% year‑over‑year growth in both years, versus Street expectations closer to the low‑30s.
The analysts also lift 2026 and 2027 operating income by 4% and 8%, respectively, and introduce 2028 projections that put revenue at about $1.08 trillion and operating income at roughly $178.6 billion.
Capex is where the call diverges sharply from consensus. Management has already signaled that faster AWS growth requires more up‑front spending, and KeyBanc leans into that message, penciling in 2027 and 2028 capital expenditures of $331 billion and $356 billion.
That compares with Street estimates of $235 billion and $241 billion, implying KeyBanc is underwriting a materially steeper investment curve as Amazon races to build data centers and secure power for AI workloads.
AWS Backlog SwellsThe firm ties that capex stance directly to a swelling AWS backlog and a series of long‑dated power and capacity deals. It expects AWS backlog to reach around $485 billion, driven largely by a $100 billion, 10‑year agreement signed with Anthropic in April.
Additional commitments from OpenAI and Anthropic — 2GW of power over eight years and 5GW over 10 years, respectively — are framed as structural demand signals, reinforcing the view that incremental compute remains both scarce and valuable.
The TakeawayIn that context, Amazon’s spend‑now posture becomes a rational strategy to deepen an AI infrastructure moat, even if it compresses near‑term margin upside.
KeyBanc’s message to investors: tolerate the capex surge and focus on what the firm sees as a durable, high‑growth AWS earnings stream stretching toward the end of the decade.
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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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Microsoft čeká 29. července výsledky a Wall Street sleduje hlavně Copilot, kapitálové výdaje na AI a marži. BNP Paribas čeká růst Azure asi o 41 % a tržby 87,61 miliardy USD.
Recently, several Wall Street analysts updated their outlooks on Microsoft while maintaining bullish ratings ahead of the company’s quarterly earnings later this month.
Analysts Update Price ForecastsEarnings In FocusMicrosoft is scheduled to report quarterly results on July 29.
Wall Street expects earnings of $4.23 per share, up from $3.65 a year earlier. Revenue is projected to rise to $87.61 billion from $76.44 billion.
BNP Paribas Cuts Price Forecast, Keeps OutperformBNP Paribas expects Microsoft to deliver another quarter of accelerating cloud growth, forecasting Azure revenue growth of about 41%, ahead of the roughly 40% consensus estimate. It also expects stronger Microsoft 365 Copilot adoption during the seasonally stronger fourth quarter, with potential for 7 million to 8 million new paid seats.
Revenue Growth Seen AcceleratingBNP Paribas expects investors to focus on three key topics during the earnings call: Copilot adoption, initial fiscal 2027 operating margin guidance and Microsoft’s capital spending outlook.
The firm forecasts fiscal 2027 revenue growth of nearly 18%, above the Street’s expectation of about 16.8%, driven by continued Azure momentum and expanding artificial intelligence workloads.
However, it also expects operating margins to contract modestly as depreciation expenses rise alongside Microsoft’s AI infrastructure investments.
BNP Paribas increased its estimate for calendar 2026 cash capital expenditures to $195 billion, citing continued component inflation, and expects even higher spending in fiscal 2027.
AI Leadership Supports Long-Term ViewDespite trimming its valuation, BNP Paribas said Microsoft’s leadership across cloud computing, enterprise software and generative AI continues to support a constructive long-term outlook.
The firm believes Azure, Microsoft 365, GitHub, Dynamics, cybersecurity products and the company’s partnership with OpenAI position Microsoft to benefit from sustained enterprise AI adoption.
Price ActionMSFT Stock Price Activity: Microsoft shares were up 1.13% at $400.10 at the time of publication on Thursday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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Advanced Micro Devices letos více než zdvojnásobila tržní kapitalizaci na zhruba 840 miliard USD. Firma zároveň uvedla, že tržby mají růst tempem 35 % a více ročně po dobu tří až pěti let.
Micron (MU 6.03%) surprised many investors when it reached a $1 trillion market cap in May. Investors may have seen the memory chip opportunity, but few of them anticipated the stock's 700% surge over the past year.
Broadcom (AVGO 4.53%) hit the same milestone in December 2024. These two companies demonstrate a pattern of chipmakers producing tremendous returns amid the AI boom. This trade has already been the source of several trillion-dollar success stories, and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD 6.46%) looks ready to join them.
The AI chipmaker -- which not long ago had acquired the nickname "Advanced Money Destroyer" for its weak stock price performance -- has more than doubled its market cap year to date to around $840 billion. Strengthening fundamentals and a long-term plan have positioned Advanced Micro Devices to thrive in one of the biggest opportunities in tech right now.
Image source: Getty Images.
Analyzing the current data center opportunity AI data centers have been the major catalyst for Advanced Micro Devices. These facilities need the company's AI chips, and the deep backing it has won from big tech companies implies that the gravy train will continue for a while.
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Advanced Micro Devices delivered 38% year-over-year revenue growth in the first quarter, with data center revenue up by 57%. The data center segment makes up more than half of Advanced Micro Devices' total sales, which suggests its revenue acceleration will continue in future quarters.
The data center build-out isn't close to ending. Funding for Meta Platforms' 5-gigawatt Hyperion AI data center, located in Louisiana, recently crossed $50 billion, and it's still not finished. The final cost could end up being a lot higher, and it's only one of many AI data centers being built in the country.
AI processors are key equipment in data centers. In prior stages of the AI build-out, data center operators invested most heavily in GPUs (graphics processing units), which provide the bulk of the processing power required for training and inferencing workloads.
Recently, though, demand for CPUs (central processing units) has been steadily gaining momentum as AI infrastructure providers adjust to the reality that agentic AI will require data centers to be equipped with a much larger proportion of those chips.
Advanced Micro Devices designs both GPUs and CPUs, positioning it to benefit regardless of which chips gain momentum faster. That could help lift it to a $1 trillion valuation and beyond.
Advanced Micro Devices has already guided for multiyear growth Advanced Micro Devices' first-quarter results were the new normal, not a blip. That's the analysts' consensus, based on the strategy that it published in November detailing how it plans to lead the $1 trillion compute market.
CEO Dr. Lisa Su said Advanced Micro Devices is "uniquely positioned to lead the next generation of high-performance and AI computing" while telling investors to expect revenues to grow at a compound annual rate of 35% or higher for the next three to five years. It also anticipates at least 60% compound annual revenue growth for its data center segment during that stretch.
The clamor asserting that there's an AI bubble intensifies any time a natural correction in the sector takes place. However, Advanced Micro Devices' recent earnings and its multiyear projections throw cold water on that thesis. Achieving these types of growth targets could certainly propel AMD to a $1 trillion market cap.
Physical AI can be a major tailwind Today, most of Advanced Micro Devices' revenue comes from chips that are going into AI data centers, so investors may be underappreciating its opportunity in physical AI. Humanoid robots, self-driving vehicles, drones, and smart glasses all need chips like the ones it designs.
As the markets for each of those products expand, Advanced Micro Devices' stock may get carried along for the ride. Fortune Business Insights projects a 50.6% compound annual growth rate for the global humanoid robot market through 2034, projecting a $165.1 billion valuation for it at the end of that period, and a 32.3% rate for the autonomous vehicle market.
The companies leading these markets won't want to test experimental chips early in their industries' cycles. Once these industries get hot, there will be a small window of time when companies will compete for large market shares. Expect that the companies that operate in these industries will prefer to rely on established AI chipmakers like Advanced Micro Devices.
Physical AI may be the stock's next catalyst, but the data center segment is still delivering compelling results. Advanced Micro Devices expects that segment to remain hot for multiple years.
Boeing v červnu doručil 64 letadel, z toho 42 737 MAX, a za první pololetí 314 kusů. Vyšší dodávky podporují jeho volný peněžní tok a cíl 1 až 3 miliardy USD pro celý rok 2026.
Boeing (BA 1.26%) delivered 64 jets in June, four more jets than it delivered in May and the same month last year. The number is part of the company's 314 jet deliveries in the first half of 2026. Its commercial delivery performance is a good sign of its financial recovery. Pushing out this volume of airline jets has a massive, direct impact on the company's free cash flow (FCF) trajectory.
While Boeing's overall operating margin remains lean (only 18.1% in the first quarter) as it navigates program overruns and defense drags, deliveries are the raw fuel for its balance sheet. A strong June demonstrates the manufacturing discipline required to chip away at its post-pandemic debt and secure sustainable, positive FCF.
Here is a breakdown of what these delivery numbers mean for Boeing's cash position moving forward.
Image source: Getty Images.
Boeing is unlocking sunk inventory The cash flow cycle is highly back-end loaded in aerospace manufacturing. Predelivery payments are generally around 30% of the purchase price, so manufacturers pay for much of the parts, labor, and supply chain overhead long before the plane leaves the tarmac. When the keys are actually handed over to the customer, the remaining 70% of the plane's total purchase price is collected.
Pushing 64 jets out the door in a single month means Boeing is successfully liquidating parked, fully built inventory and turning it into immediate cash. In the first quarter, it reported an earnings per share (EPS) loss of $0.11, and even that was a 31% improvement year over year.
Validating its free cash flow target In the company's first-quarter earnings call, Boeing chief financial officer Jay Malave projected full-year 2026 FCF to finish between $1 billion and $3 billion. That's a big change from the $1.5 billion FCF loss in the first quarter, as the first half of the year saw heavy operational expenditures and narrower operating margins.
Strong June momentum serves as proof of concept for the Street, validating that the era of aggressive cash burn is fading and that the $1 billion to $3 billion FCF target is highly achievable if execution remains steady. The company had consecutive positive FCF quarters in the second half of 2025.
Malave said that because of cash outflows in the first half of the year, achieving the full-year FCF target depends on a back-end-loaded second half, driven heavily by increased delivery volumes. As it is, Boeing booked a net total of 113 new orders in June and a total of 408 new orders this year.
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Supply chain and delivery health are improving Investors are still playing a wait-and-see game with Boeing, as its shares are flat so far this year.
To generate robust, multibillion-dollar FCF plateaus in the coming years, Boeing needs volume stability. June's delivery numbers (which included 42 of the workhorse 737 MAX models) provide a critical insight into its operations. Delivering at this rate demonstrates that major supply chain and parts delays are no longer the absolute ceiling they were in previous quarters.
This operational rhythm sets the stage for Boeing's upcoming push to lift 737 production from 42 to 47 aircraft per month, now that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved that change. A synchronized supply chain executing higher monthly production rates is the primary structural driver that will expand program-level cash margins moving forward.
Nvidia stock NVDA fell 2.5% on Thursday, tracking a broader decline in semiconductor stocks, even as the company announced new artificial intelligence partnerships and products aimed at expanding its presence in Japan.
The stock traded at $207.27 in midday trading, broadly in line with the wider chip sector.
The PHLX Semiconductor Index was also down 2.5%.
The announcements come as investors continue to question the sustainability of Big Tech spending on AI infrastructure, prompting Nvidia to broaden its customer base beyond its largest US cloud computing clients.
Nvidia said it will provide AI chips and computing infrastructure for foundational AI models to Noetra, a government-backed Japanese AI initiative backed by companies including SoftBank, Sony, and Honda.
Under the initial deployment, Noetra will install 13,750 Nvidia Vera central processing units and 27,500 Nvidia Rubin graphics processing units, providing 140 megawatts of data center capacity.
The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement.
While the deployment is modest compared with the hundreds of thousands of chips Nvidia sells to its largest US customers, the company has identified sovereign AI as a growing business.
Nvidia said revenue from sovereign AI—government-backed efforts to develop independent artificial intelligence capabilities—more than tripled year over year to more than $30 billion in fiscal 2026.
The company said it expects further growth from the segment.
Separately, Nvidia announced collaborations with several Japanese companies focused on physical AI, which encompasses robotics, autonomous driving, and other real-world AI applications.
The company introduced two new supercomputing modules, the T3000 and T2000, based on its Thor computing architecture.
Nvidia said the modules are designed to support mass-market robotics.
On Wednesday, Nvidia also unveiled Cosmos 3 Edge, a new artificial intelligence model for robots and vision AI agents.
According to the company, Cosmos 3 Edge is a world model designed to help AI systems perceive and navigate physical environments in real time.
Nvidia said world models can learn from a broader range of inputs than large language models. The launch follows the introduction of Cosmos 3 in May.
The announcements coincide with Chief Executive Jensen Huang's two-day visit to Japan, where Nvidia is expanding its physical AI ecosystem.
According to the company, Fujitsu, Hitachi, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries intend to join a coalition aimed at advancing physical AI technologies in Japan.
“The next frontier of AI is in the physical world, and this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Japan,” Huang said in a Wednesday statement. “Japan invented modern manufacturing. Now, it has the opportunity to reinvent it for the age of intelligent industries.”
Nvidia's latest initiatives build on broader investment in Japan's AI ecosystem.
The company's partnerships come months after Microsoft announced a $10 billion investment in Japan to expand AI infrastructure and strengthen cybersecurity.
SoftBank has also increased its investments in artificial intelligence and is seeking to partner with Microsoft and Sakura Internet to advance AI development in the country.
According to the International Trade Administration, Japan's artificial intelligence market is expected to reach $27.9 billion by 2029.
The agency attributed the projected growth to the Japanese government's efforts to promote AI adoption across industries and the willingness of domestic companies to pursue international partnerships.
Bank of America vidí v síťových čipech NVIDIA další byznys za 20 miliard USD. Ve čtvrtletí tento segment vzrostl na 14,8 miliardy USD, meziročně o 199 %.
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NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA | NVDA Price Prediction) has spent the last two months digesting a strong Q1 earnings report, with the back half of fiscal 2027 looking constructive. Bank of America has flagged Nvidia’s networking silicon as the next multi-billion-dollar business inside the data center, and our model agrees the market is not fully pricing it in.
Our 24/7 Wall St. price target for NVDA is $261.11, implying 23.28% upside from $211.80. Our recommendation is buy, with high confidence.
24/7 Wall St. Price Target Summary Metric Value Current Price $211.80 24/7 Wall St. Price Target $261.11 Upside 23.28% Recommendation BUY Confidence Level 90% A Summer Reset That Reopened the Runway NVDA is up 7.55% in the past week and 13.7% year to date, though shares sit roughly 28% below the $236.26 52-week high.
Q1 FY2027, reported on May 20, 2026, delivered: revenue of $81.615 billion grew 85.23% year over year, non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.87 versus $1.7738 consensus, and management guided Q2 to $91.0 billion. Data center networking alone was $14.8 billion, up 199% year over year. That is the line item Bank of America keeps circling.
Why Bulls See $300 and Beyond The bull case rests on three levers. First, networking scaled from roughly $7.25 billion in Q2 FY26 to $14.8 billion last quarter; Bank of America’s $20B business framing is not aggressive at that trajectory.
Second, supply commitments hit $119 billion, up from $50.3 billion two quarters ago, effectively pre-signing demand.
Third, capital return: an $80 billion buyback authorization landed in May on top of the $38.5 billion remaining.
Jensen Huang stated: “The buildout of AI factories, the largest infrastructure expansion in human history, is accelerating at extraordinary speed.” The Street’s $301.62 average target, backed by 48 Buy ratings, sits within reach if Blackwell 300 and Vera Rubin ramp cleanly (a scenario The Next Nvidia Playbook has been mapping).
What Could Go Wrong Q2 guidance explicitly excludes China data center compute, and forward revenue was zero from H20 shipments this quarter versus $4.6 billion a year earlier. A prolonged export freeze caps the top line. Beta of 2.211 means any hyperscaler capex pause hits NVDA harder than most.
Insiders have been net sellers across 26 recent transactions. The counterfactual: the $4.5B H20 charge that crushed year-ago margins is gone, gross margin expanded to 75%, and free cash flow of $48.55 billion in a single quarter absorbs macro noise. A bear case scenario lands near $227.02, still above current levels.
How NVIDIA Compares to AMD and Broadcom Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD) is the direct GPU competitor. AMD’s Q1 FY26 data center revenue of $5.78 billion grew 57% year over year, but NVDA’s data center segment is more than $75 billion in a single quarter. AMD trades at a trailing P/E near 206, making NVDA’s 32 multiple look pedestrian.
Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) is the custom accelerator and AI networking counterpoint. AVGO printed $10.8 billion in AI semiconductor revenue last quarter, up 143%, and guided Q3 AI to $16.0 billion. It validates the size of the networking pie rather than shrinking NVDA’s slice.
Company Forward P/E Latest Qtr Rev Growth NVIDIA 24 85.2% AMD ~35 37.9% Broadcom ~40 47.9% The peer set makes our $261.11 target look conservative.
Our Take on NVIDIA at Current Levels Our 24/7 Wall St. price target of $261.11 is a buy at 90% confidence. Networking is real, compounding at triple digits, and the market is still valuing NVDA on compute alone.
The setup looks constructive if hyperscaler capex guides stay firm through the next TSMC report. The thesis weakens if China export policy tightens further and Q2 revenue prints below the $91 billion guide. Neither looks likely right now.
Here is where NVDA could trade if execution holds.
Year 24/7 Wall St. Price Target 2026 $235 2027 $266 2028 $301 2029 $341 2030 $386 These projections assume NVIDIA sustains data center dominance and networking scales as guided. Significant upside would come from an accelerated Vera Rubin cycle; downside from a sustained hyperscaler capex reset.
American Airlines má za 2Q vykázat zisk 5 centů na akcii při výnosech 16,7 miliardy USD. Firma může těžit z nižších cen paliva a silných rezervací, ale tlačí ji vyšší náklady; upravené nepalivové jednotkové náklady mají činit 13,99 centu.
Key Takeaways AAL is expected to report Q2 earnings of 5 cents per share on revenues of $16.7 billion. American Airlines may benefit from lower fuel prices and strong consumer and corporate bookings.AAL faces higher labor costs, with adjusted non-fuel unit costs estimated at 13.99 cents. American Airlines (AAL - Free Report) is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 23, before market open.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AAL’s second-quarter 2026 earnings is currently pegged at 5 cents per share, indicating a decline of a cent in the past 60 days. The consensus mark implies a 94.7% downward movement from the year-ago actual.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AAL’s second-quarter 2026 revenues is currently pegged at $16.7 billion. The consensus mark implies a 16% upward movement from the year-ago actual.
For full-year 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for AAL’s revenues is pegged at $62.22 billion, implying an increase of 13.9% year over year. The consensus mark for full-year EPS is pinned at 49 cents, calling for a 36.1% year-over-year expansion. Moreover, the consensus mark for 2026 EPS points to a massive 357.9% upward revision over the past 60 days.
AAL’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters (missing the mark once). The average beat is 2.6%.
Given this backdrop, let us examine the factors that might have influenced American Airlines’ performance in the to-be-reported quarter.
The interim peace deal between the United States and Iran has resulted in a sharp fall in oil prices. This development is likely to have aided AAL’s bottom-line performance since expenses on fuel represent a key input cost for airlines.
Moreover, strong bookings are likely to have aided AAL’s top-line performance in the June quarter. High labor costs are likely to have hurt the bottom line. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for non-fuel unit cost, or cost per available seat mile (CASM: adjusted), is pegged at 13.99 cents compared with 13.59 cents reported in the second quarter of 2025.
Despite having come down from the highs witnessed when the war between the nations was in full flow, oil prices are fluctuating, given the fragility of the interim peace deal. In this scenario, focus will also be on AAL’s guidance for the September quarter as well as for full-year 2026.
What Our Model Says About AALOur proven model conclusively predicts an earnings beat for American Airlines 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. This is exactly the case here.
You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
AAL has an Earnings ESP of +67.44% (the Most Accurate Estimate is 4 cents above the Zacks Consensus Estimate) and a Zacks Rank #2.
Highlights of AAL’s Q1 EarningsAmerican Airlines posted a loss (excluding 18 cents from non-recurring items) of 40 cents per share in the first quarter of 2026, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 45 cents. The carrier reported a loss of 59 cents per share in the year-ago quarter.
Operating revenues of $13.91 billion rose 10.8% year over year and edged past the consensus mark of $13.81 billion. Management pointed to strengthening demand and unit revenue trends as core drivers, even after an estimated $320 million revenue impact from winter storms.
Other Stocks to ConsiderHere are a few other stocks from the broader Zacks Transportation sector that investors may consider, as our model shows that these, too, have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.
CSX Corporation (CSX - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.31% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
CSX is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 22. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 3 cents over the past 30 days to 50 cents per share. CSX’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the preceding four quarters and missed in the remaining one, the average beat being 3.2%.
Union Pacific (UNP - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.34% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. UNP is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 23.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 earnings has moved up 6 cents to $3.20 per share over the past 30 days. UNP’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the preceding four quarters (missing the mark on the other occasion). The average beat is 2.3%.
Johnson & Johnson oznámila lepší než očekávané tržby i zisk díky síle divize Innovative Medicine, i když MedTech zaostal kvůli slabšímu cardio segmentu. RBC Capital Markets ponechává rating Outperform a cílovou cenu 287 USD.
• Johnson & Johnson stock is trading at elevated levels. What’s next for JNJ stock?
With ex-Stelara growth of more than 14% year-on-year and eight brands delivering double-digit growth in the second quarter, the company’s Innovative Medicine (IM) momentum is "building into 2027, according to RBC Capital Markets.
The Johnson & Johnson Analyst: Analyst Shagun Singh maintained an Outperform rating and price target of $287.
The Johnson & Johnson Thesis: The company delivered better-than-expected sales and earnings, driven by IM strength, while MedTech missed on cardio weakness, Singh said in the note.
Check out other analyst stock ratings.
Johnson & Johnson delivered another quarter of mid-teens ex-Stelara IM growth, he added.
Stelara now contributes only 4% of IM sales, while the remaining 96% grew more than 14% year-on-year in the quarter, "highlighting the durability of JNJ’s growth engine," the analyst stated.
He highlighted:
Icotyde reached 11,000 patients Tremfya delivered its first quarter of $2 billion in sales, up 71% year-on-year Tecvayli sales grew 56% year-on-year INLEXZO’s new patient insertions rose 75% sequentially, outperforming all recent competitive launches "We believe the breadth of IM’s launch portfolio provides strong visibility into 2027+ acceleration and supports JNJ’s path to becoming the number one oncology company by 2030 as well as progress towards double-digit growth by decade’s end," Singh wrote.
While the stock declined following the earnings release due to the underperformance of MedTech, this business is positioned for a recovery in the back half of 2026, "with three of four businesses accelerating in Q2’26 and procedure volumes intact," he further stated.
JNJ Price Action: Shares of Johnson & Johnson had risen by 0.84% to $249.09 at the time of publication on Thursday.
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Bank of America zvýšila cílovou cenu pro BlackRock na 1 320 USD a ponechala doporučení Buy. Zmínila silný růst v private markets, tokenizaci i Aladdin.
BlackRock Analyst Raises Price ForecastBank of America analyst Craig Siegenthaler reiterated a Buy rating on BlackRock and increased his price forecast to $1,320 from $1,298, implying roughly 21% upside from the stock’s July 15 closing price. The analyst also raised earnings estimates for 2026 through 2028, citing higher management and performance fees.
Direct Indexing Business Gains MomentumThe firm said BlackRock’s tax-managed investing platform, Aperio, generated $7 billion of net inflows during the second quarter, bringing year-to-date inflows to $20 billion, already exceeding the record $15 billion recorded in all of 2025.
Assets under management in the business have increased fourfold over the past five years, reinforcing what the analyst described as a durable secular growth opportunity.
Private Markets Continue Strong ExpansionBank of America also highlighted BlackRock’s expanding private markets franchise. The business attracted a record $15 billion of inflows during the quarter, supported by private credit deployment, infrastructure fundraising and a large private equity outsourcing mandate.
Tokenization Emerges as Long-Term Growth DriverThe report identified tokenization as another long-term catalyst. BlackRock manages approximately $60 billion of Circle reserve assets and has filed to launch two tokenized money market funds.
The analyst believes tokenized funds, exchange-traded funds and eventually private market products could create a new digital distribution channel by enabling on-chain subscriptions and redemptions through digital wallets, expanding access beyond traditional brokerage platforms.
Aladdin Positioned to Withstand AI CompetitionBank of America also said it remains unconcerned about artificial intelligence disrupting BlackRock’s Aladdin technology platform, arguing its entrenched workflow and system-of-record role create significant competitive advantages.
The analyst added that proposed U.S. retirement regulations could further increase demand for Aladdin and Preqin’s private markets data and analytics capabilities.
Margin Expansion and Long-Term Earnings OutlookLooking ahead, the firm expects BlackRock’s adjusted operating margin to exit 2026 near 46%, supported by continued growth in private markets and technology businesses.
It forecasts mid-double-digit earnings growth over time as the company gains market share across exchange-traded funds, fixed income, alternatives and technology solutions.
Bank of America reiterated its Buy rating on BlackRock, citing the company’s strong positioning across multiple secular growth businesses and its unmatched global distribution network.
The stock carries a Buy rating with an average price forecast of $1336.40. Recent analyst moves include:
UBS: Buy (Raises Target to $1320.00) (July 16) Evercore ISI Group: Outperform (Raises Target to $1245.00) (July 16) Morgan Stanley: Overweight (Raises Target to $1488.00) (July 16) BlackRock Price ActionBLK Price Action: BlackRock shares were down 0.40% at $1089.02 at the time of publication on Thursday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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Phillips 66 těží z napjatých trhů s palivy: vyšší crack spread podporuje rafinační marže. Firma má navíc jen asi 1 % ropy z Blízkého východu, takže ji výpadky dodávek zasahují jen omezeně.
Key Takeaways Phillips 66 may gain from tight fuel markets and elevated crack spreads supporting refining margins.Refinery closures and Hormuz disruptions tightened supply as gasoline and jet fuel demand stayed robust.PSX's minimal Middle East crude exposure supports steady refinery utilization amid supply disruptions. Phillips 66 (PSX - Free Report) is an integrated energy player with diversified operations spanning midstream, refining and chemicals. The company is emerging as one of the beneficiaries of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint that accounts for nearly one-fifth of global energy flows. Renewed geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran have once again raised uncertainty regarding shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, reigniting supply concerns.
Refined product markets were already tightening ahead of the conflict due to the loss of refining capacity following the closures of Phillips 66's Los Angeles refinery and Valero Energy's Benicia refinery in the United States, along with several other refineries in Europe. Supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz have amplified the tightness of refined-product markets at a time when global refining capacity remains constrained and demand for products such as gasoline and jet fuel stays robust.The 3-2-1 crack spread, widely known as an indicator of refining profitability, has risen significantly since the start of the conflict and remains at elevated levels, creating a highly favorable operating environment for U.S. refiners, including Phillips 66.
In fact, in its first-quarter earnings call, management highlighted that tight product markets are expected to support refining margins for the rest of the year. Moreover, PSX is expected to remain largely unaffected by crude-supply disruptions, as it sources the majority of its crude from Canada, the United States and Latin America, with only about 1% coming from the Middle East. This allows the company to sustain high refinery utilization levels and benefit from a constructive refining environment. However, the increase in crude oil prices due to renewed tensions in the Middle East remains a cause of concern, as it may raise feedstock costs.
PARR & VLO: Other Refining Players to Benefit From Tight Fuel MarketsPar Pacific Holdings (PARR - Free Report) operates an integrated downstream energy business across the United States, with fuel retail operations in Hawaii, Washington and Idaho; refining operations in Hawaii, Wyoming, Washington and Montana; and a supporting logistics network. Its refineries have a combined crude oil throughput capacity of 219,000 barrels per day and produce gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, marine fuels, asphalt and other petroleum products. Management noted that Par Pacific has no crack spread hedges in place, which should enable it to benefit from rising refining margins.
Valero Energy (VLO - Free Report) is among the largest independent refiners in the United States, with a combined high-complexity throughput capacity of nearly 3 million barrels per day across its refineries. Its refining footprint is heavily concentrated along the U.S. Gulf Coast and the Midcontinent, offering feedstock sourcing flexibility, with management emphasizing that crude availability is not a significant constraint for the company. Moreover, its Gulf Coast access enables it to sell refined products in high-demand markets and capitalize on the current increase in export demand for distillates driven by the supply disruptions in the Middle East. This positions Valero to benefit from elevated refining margins and strong international demand for refined products.
PSX’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
Phillips 66 shares have gained 67.5% over the past year compared with the industry's 53.4% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, PSX trades at a trailing 12-month enterprise-value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) of 13.72X. This is above the broader industry average of 5.95X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PSX's 2026 earnings has seen upward revisions over the past seven days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
PSX currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Headline earnings beats across money-center banks frequently mask deep divergences in net interest income sustainability and operational leverage. A rapid glance at big bank second-quarter 2026 earnings reports shows broad consensus beats across the board.
However, peeling back the layers reveals a stark operational bifurcation. Bank of America Corporation NYSE: BAC and JPMorgan Chase & Co. NYSE: JPM continue to convert sticky deposit bases into pristine margin expansion. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. NYSE: GS rides the cyclical wave of an artificial intelligence-driven mergers-and-acquisitions supercycle. Wells Fargo & Company NYSE: WFC battles to outrun margin compression via raw loan volume.
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Calibrating Portfolios for Elevated RatesAnalyzing this divergence can help investors identify the business models that are best calibrated to compound shareholder returns in a prolonged elevated-rate environment.
Investors seeking to navigate this terrain need to look past the top-line revenue to examine how efficiently these banks manage their liability costs and capitalize on secular growth trends. Understanding how these engines operate under pressure provides a clear roadmap for investing effectively.
How Bank of America Laps Wells FargoBank of America provides a textbook example of a liability-insensitive balance sheet functioning optimally. The company grew second-quarter revenue 15% year-over-year to $31.6 billion.
Bank of America Today
BAC
Bank of America
$61.42 -0.17 (-0.28%)
As of 02:42 PM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$44.75▼
$62.03Dividend Yield1.82%
P/E Ratio14.10
Price Target$63.77
The underlying engine of this success is 450 basis points of operating leverage generated in the first half of the year. Operating leverage occurs when revenue grows faster than expenses, signaling efficient core operations.
With net interest income reaching $16.2 billion, Bank of America management confidently revised full-year net interest income guidance to the upper end of its 6% to 8% growth target. Fixed-rate asset repricing against a loyal, low-cost deposit base creates a formidable margin-expansion engine that requires no pressure to chase high-cost deposits.
Bank of America improved its efficiency ratio to 59%, proving that traditional banking operations can thrive without aggressive risk-taking.
Wells Fargo & Company Today
WFC
Wells Fargo & Company
$87.82 +0.31 (+0.35%)
As of 02:42 PM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$72.78▼
$97.76Dividend Yield2.05%
P/E Ratio12.77
Price Target$98.50
Conversely, Wells Fargo & Company faces a fundamentally different reality. Despite netting a 16.5% year-over-year increase in net income to $6.4 billion, Wells Fargo experienced a post-earnings drop as investors digested underlying net interest margin compression.
The catalyst keeping Wells Fargo competitive is the Federal Reserve's 2025 removal of its $1.95 trillion asset cap. Unshackled from this regulatory constraint, the company expanded average loan balances by 12% year over year. Management expects margin stabilization by the fourth quarter of 2026.
Until that inflection point arrives, Wells Fargo remains reliant on raw loan origination volume to outpace the pricing pressures on its deposit base. The inability to seamlessly translate loan volume into expanding margins exposes inefficiencies relative to peers such as Bank of America.
Trading in the Fast Lane: Goldman Meets JPMorganThe Goldman Sachs Group Today
GS
The Goldman Sachs Group
$1,091.08 -60.99 (-5.29%)
As of 02:42 PM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$691.88▼
$1,153.99Dividend Yield1.65%
P/E Ratio16.88
Price Target$1,056.67
When elevated rates place ceilings on consumer borrowing, dealmaking, and trading, volatility must step in to bridge the revenue gap. Goldman Sachs reported an exceptional 25.5% return on tangible equity, capitalizing heavily on the multi-trillion-dollar AI infrastructure capital expenditure cycle.
Corporate clients seeking scale are driving sector-wide consolidation, pushing Goldman Sachs advisory revenues up 17% and sending its investment banking backlog to a five-year high. Equities financing skyrocketed 91% year over year, driven largely by robust demand across Asia-Pacific.
Because Goldman Sachs holds minimal traditional net interest income exposure, its earnings quality relies heavily on this capital markets momentum. The company currently operates as a high-octane cyclical play, tethered directly to corporate restructuring and tech infrastructure financing rather than sustained interest rate spreads.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Today
JPM
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
$342.83 -4.08 (-1.18%)
As of 02:42 PM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$279.10▼
$351.24Dividend Yield1.75%
P/E Ratio14.70
Price Target$354.92
JPMorgan Chase & Co. offers a masterclass in balance sheet agility and revenue diversification. Generating a 23% return on tangible common equity on $16.9 billion in net income highlights a fortress balance sheet operating at peak efficiency.
While Goldman Sachs relies almost exclusively on capital markets, JPMorgan fired on all cylinders, with investment banking fees rising 30% and equities trading climbing 86%. Crucially, the company management matched this capital markets dominance by revising its ex-markets net interest income guidance upward to $96.5 billion.
This dual-engine approach insulates JPMorgan Chase from sudden drops in mid-cycle mergers-and-acquisitions activity while still capturing upside yield from traditional lending. Executive transitions that established Doug Petno and Troy Rohrbaugh as co-presidents set a clear succession framework, removing lingering leadership uncertainty from JPMorgan's risk premium.
How Banks Provision for PotholesStrong top-line revenue means little if a bank fails to provision accurately for future loan losses. Underlying consumer and commercial credit health remains the ultimate barometer of systemic stability. Bank of America recorded flat net charge-offs of $1.4 billion, accompanied by improving consumer card delinquency metrics.
JPMorgan Chase booked a highly calculated $149 million net reserve build alongside $2.4 billion in net charge-offs. These highly controlled provisioning metrics confirm that the consumer remains resilient. Standardizing delinquency rates across the sector represents a normalization from historic, stimulus-driven lows, rather than signaling acute macroeconomic deterioration.
A stabilizing regulatory environment also contributes to this sector-wide confidence. Commentary across earnings calls indicates an easing of headwinds regarding Basel III endgame adjustments and G-SIB surcharge methodologies. This regulatory clarity effectively lowers the risk premium previously priced into financial equities, allowing institutions to focus capital on client deployment rather than defensive hoarding.
Victory Lap: Dividends, Buybacks, and Strategic PositioningUnprecedented earnings inevitably lead to aggressive capital return programs, and the second quarter of 2026 proved highly lucrative for shareholders. JPMorgan Chase intends to hike its quarterly dividend to $1.65 per share. Goldman Sachs approved a 25% bump, raising its payout to $5 per share while executing a $4 billion share repurchase program. Bank of America and Wells Fargo returned $8 billion and $3 billion, respectively, through aggressive buybacks and dividend payouts.
Investors building an allocation strategy for a prolonged higher-for-longer rate environment might prioritize JPMorgan Chase or Bank of America for core portfolio defensibility and proven margin expansion capabilities.
Those with a higher risk tolerance could add Goldman Sachs to their watchlist for exposure to the artificial intelligence infrastructure and dealmaking supercycle. Cautious investors may prefer to wait for clear stabilization of Wells Fargo's net interest margin before taking a heavy position.
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Sony uvedla, že zábava, IP a technologie pro tvorbu tvoří 67 % konsolidovaných prodejů. PlayStation má přes 125 milionů měsíčně aktivních uživatelů a Crunchyroll více než 21 milionů platících předplatitelů.
Key Takeaways Sony says entertainment, IP and creation technology now generate 67% of consolidated sales.SONY's PlayStation tops 125M monthly active users as Crunchyroll exceeds 21M paid subscribers.Sony says AI supports creators by improving workflows, production efficiency and user experiences. Sony Group Corporation (SONY - Free Report) continues to strengthen its long-term growth strategy by expanding its entertainment ecosystem, enhancing intellectual property (IP) value and investing in technologies that support creators. The company stated that its creative entertainment vision remains central to its long-term strategy, combining technology with creativity to deliver new experiences across digital and physical environments while maximizing the value of its IP portfolio. Entertainment, IP and creation technology now account for 67% of Sony's consolidated sales, reflecting the company's ongoing portfolio transformation.
SONY highlighted the strength of its entertainment businesses across gaming, music, pictures and anime. The PlayStation platform now has more than 125 million monthly active users worldwide, supported by continued engagement and a broad portfolio of content. The music business continues to benefit from relationships with artists, digital streaming platforms and global audiences, while the pictures business remains focused on producing films and television content and expanding collaborations through adaptations of gaming IP. Sony also emphasized that anime remains an important growth area, supported by collaboration across its businesses in production, marketing, fan engagement and worldwide distribution.
Crunchyroll continues to expand its global presence with more than 21 million paid subscribers and a library exceeding 50,000 episodes available in multiple languages. Sony is also strengthening its position in anime through strategic investments and partnerships while continuing to invest in music IP through acquisitions and collaborations.
AI is another key element of Sony's long-term entertainment strategy. The company stated that AI is intended to enhance human creativity rather than replace creators. Across PlayStation, Sony Pictures and Sony Music, AI is being deployed to improve production efficiency, accelerate workflows, support content creation and enhance user experiences while maintaining creative control. Sony believes these technologies will enable more diverse content, increase productivity and help creators pursue projects that were previously limited by cost or production timelines.
Management stated that the combination of entertainment assets, strong IP, creator-focused technology and continued investment across gaming, music, anime and film positions Sony to pursue future growth opportunities while adapting to changes across the global entertainment industry.
Taking a Look at SONY’s CompetitorsDolby Laboratories, Inc. (DLB - Free Report) is gaining from solid licensing performance. The company’s licensing engine remains tied to expanding adoption of Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision across streaming platforms, TVs, mobile devices and autos, with Dolby Vision 2 setting up an upgrade cycle as sets begin shipping later in fiscal 2026. Momentum in automotive and sports-focused streaming, plus early monetization from the video distribution program and Dolby OptiView, supports the long-term opportunity. For fiscal 2026, management continues to expect Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision and imaging patents to grow about 15% and represent nearly half of licensing revenue.
Sonos, Inc. (SONO - Free Report) is returning to revenue growth as its core system proposition improves and newer products broaden entry points into the ecosystem. Demand for key speakers and home theater products has supported its second-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with faster growth in EMEA and APAC helping offset a mixed U.S. backdrop. Management is pairing the product cycle with tighter operating discipline, share repurchases and a focus on direct customer relationships and the installer channel. For the third quarter of fiscal 2026, SONO expects revenues in the range of $355 million to $375 million, indicating year-over-year growth of 3% to 9%, with 6% growth at the midpoint.
SONY’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of SONY have lost 15.1% in the past year compared with the Zacks Audio Video Production industry’s decline of 15.4%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
SONY seems overvalued, as suggested by the Value Score of A. In terms of the forward 12-month Price/Sales ratio, SONY is trading at 1.56, slightly higher than the industry’s multiple of 1.55.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
For SONY, earnings estimates for the current year have been revised downward in the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
SONY currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
AbbVie čeká, že tržby svého neuroscience portfolia ve 2. čtvrtletí vzrostou meziročně o 15 % na 3,09 miliardy USD. Tahouny mají být Botox Therapeutic, Vraylar, Ubrelvy, Qulipta a Vyalev.
Key Takeaways AbbVie's Q2 neuroscience revenues are projected to rise 15% year over year to $3.09 billion.ABBV is expected to see higher sales from Botox Therapeutic, Vraylar, Ubrelvy and Qulipta.AbbVie expects Vyalev to build on strong momentum after projected Q2 sales of $238 million. AbbVie (ABBV - Free Report) is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 31, before the opening bell. While investor focus will primarily remain on the continued strength of the company’s blockbuster immunology franchise, the performance of its neuroscience portfolio is also expected to be closely watched. In the first quarter, neuroscience revenues rose 26% year over year to nearly $2.88 billion, reflecting broad-based momentum across its key brands.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 neuroscience revenues is pegged at $3.09 billion, indicating 15% year-over-year growth. Higher sales of Botox Therapeutic and depression drug Vraylar are likely to have contributed to growth during the quarter. Sales of the oral migraine drugs Ubrelvy and Qulipta likely benefited from continued market share gains across their approved indications.
Vyalev is also expected to be a key contributor to the neuroscience franchise, having demonstrated strong commercial momentum since its U.S. launch last year. After generating $201 million from the drug’s sales in first-quarter 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate projects second-quarter sales of $238 million. Management had previously reiterated that Vyalev is on track to achieve blockbuster status this year. Another quarter of strong uptake would further strengthen the drug's position as an important long-term growth driver for AbbVie's neuroscience business.
Other Players in the Neuroscience SpaceAbbVie faces competition from large-cap biotech/pharmaceutical companies in the market, which include Biogen (BIIB - Free Report) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ - Free Report) .
As revenues from its legacy multiple sclerosis portfolio continue to decline, Biogen is increasingly focused on expanding its neuroscience business through newer therapies. Along with partner Eisai, Biogen markets Leqembi, one of the two FDA-approved treatments for Alzheimer's disease. The company also markets Zurzuvae, the first FDA-approved oral treatment for postpartum depression.
J&J's neuroscience business is anchored by the blockbuster depression therapy Spravato and long-acting antipsychotic Invega Sustenna. The company's acquisition of Intra-Cellular Therapies last year further strengthened its portfolio by adding Caplyta, an approved treatment for schizophrenia and bipolar depression.
ABBV’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of AbbVie have underperformed the industry year to date, as shown in the chart below.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, AbbVie is trading at a discount to the industry. Based on the price/earnings (P/E) ratio, the company’s shares currently trade at 16.02 times forward earnings, lower than its industry’s average of 18.23.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The bottom-line estimate per share for 2026 has declined from $14.30 to $14.23, while the 2027 estimate has fallen from $16.30 to $16.12 over the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AbbVie currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
TSMC oznámila dalších 100 miliard USD investic ve Spojených státech, čímž celkový závazek zvyšuje na 265 miliard USD kvůli silné poptávce po AI. Zároveň zvýšila celoroční výhled tržeb na o něco více než 40 %.
Chip giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is supercharging an already massive US investment spree – pledging an additional $100 billion to meet surging AI demand.
The move brings TSMC’s investment in the US to $265 billion and comes as the company posted second-quarter earnings that blew past market expectations Thursday.
TSMC, which supplies powerful chips that are critical for tech giants like Apple and Nvidia, boosted its global capital spending plan for 2025 to between $60 billion and $64 billion.
TSMC Chairman and Chief Executive C.C. Wei is doubling down on American investment with an additional $100 billion. AFP via Getty Images That record level marks an increase of about 7% to 14% from its previous forecast.
Still, TSMC’s US-listed shares slipped 3% after the earnings report as the market continues to be squeamish about lofty valuations and questions about return on investment for the AI industry.
The spending spree comes in response to demand from top US customers and could fund the addition of four more advanced facilities to TSMC’s existing Arizona site, according to the company’s Chair and CEO C.C. Wei.
It’s “the largest foreign direct investment in US history,” he said.
TSMC originally pledged $100 billion last year to boost production in the US as part of a four-year project announced alongside President Trump. That move came amid Trump’s threats to impose harsh tariffs on computer chips and other key products while seeking to secure better deals for the US economy.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hailed Thursday’s announcement, saying it “will create tens of thousands of American jobs and bring advanced semiconductor manufacturing back to America.”
The record investment plans firmly place the TSMC atop the global semiconductor supply chain and provide the latest signal the AI boom isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
The earnings win came days after chip equipment supplier ASML also upped its annual sales forecast, citing strong AI demand.
TSMC’s spending spree could fund the addition of four more advanced facilities. Bloomberg via Getty Images Earlier this year, Taiwan and the US reached a trade and investment agreement that aims to further the Trump administration’s effort to rebuild domestic manufacturing.
Expanding in the US gives TSMC a stronger presence near its biggest customers while allowing the company to keep its most advanced chipmaking technology in Taiwan.
Wei said the company’s US expansion wasn’t a short-term decision but the result of years of planning – chip fabrication plants cost tens of billions of dollars and take years to complete as companies must forecast future demand long before construction begins.
“We are using multiple levers to do everything we can, wherever we can, however we can, to maximize support to all our customers,” Wei said.
The Taiwanese chip giant now expects full-year revenue growth to come in at slightly more than 40%, raising its outlook from an earlier projection of more than 30%.
The optimism appeared to be backed up by TSMC’s latest quarterly results. Net profit surged 77% from a year earlier to 706.56 billion New Taiwan dollars, or $21.98 billion, while revenue climbed 36% as AI infrastructure spending and consumer electronics stockpiling lifted sales during what is usually a softer quarter.
SummaryTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited aka TSMC delivered robust Q2 results with strong demand, top-line growth, and significant margin expansion, reinforcing its Buy rating.TSMC's 2nm and 3nm technologies now account for a third of revenue, with high performance computing driving 66% of total sales.Gross and operating margins expanded sharply YoY, but future gross margins may face short-term pressure from new tech ramp-up and increased CapEx.TSMC trades at a discount to peers due to geopolitical risks, offering a larger margin of safety and attractive forward P/E multiples around 20x for 2027. JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images
It has already been more than 6 months since my last analysis on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited aka TSMC (TSM); my rating was a Buy, and my main argument was that growth
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Danaher má 21. července před otevřením trhu oznámit výsledky za 2. čtvrtletí; tržby mají činit 6,08 miliardy USD a zisk 1,84 USD na akcii. Model navíc očekává překonání odhadu.
Key Takeaways Danaher is expected to report Q2 revenues of $6.08 billion, up 2.4% year over year.DHR's Biotechnology segment is projected to grow 5.5%, supported by bioprocessing demand.Danaher's Masimo acquisition expanded its diagnostics portfolio, while costs and debt remain headwinds. Danaher Corporation (DHR - Free Report) is scheduled to release second-quarter 2026 results on July 21, before market open.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $6.09 billion, which indicates an increase of 2.6% from the year-ago quarter’s figure. The consensus mark for earnings is pinned at $1.84 per share, which has increased a penny in the past seven days. The estimate indicates an increase of 2.2% from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter. The company’s bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, the average beat being 6.7%.
Let’s see how things have shaped up for Danaher this earnings season.
Key Factors and Estimates for Q2Strength in the bioprocessing business, driven by an increase in demand for consumables from large pharmaceutical customers in Western Europe and China, is expected to have aided the Biotechnology segment. The segment’s performance is also likely to have benefited from solid momentum in the medical filtration and research consumables business. For the second quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the segment’s total sales is pegged at $1.95 billion, indicating a 5.5% rise from the year-ago reported number.
Strength in the clinical diagnostics businesses, led by growth in clinical lab and pathology diagnostics units, is expected to drive the Diagnostics segment’s results. However, softness in the molecular diagnostics business due to sluggish demand for respiratory tests is likely to have been a spoilsport. For the second quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the segment’s total sales is pegged at $2.33 billion, indicating a 0.7% rise from the year-ago reported number.
Solid momentum in filtration and consumables businesses is likely to have boosted the performance of the Life Sciences segment in the quarter. For the second quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the segment’s total sales is pegged at $1.79 billion, indicating a 0.8% rise from the year-ago reported number.
In June 2026, Danaher acquired Masimo Corp. for $9.9 billion. The addition of Masimo’s advanced sensor technology and AI-enabled monitoring enabled Danaher to enhance its diagnostics portfolio. The buyout is expected to have boosted DHR’s performance during the quarter.
However, the escalating costs and operating expenses, due to increasing input costs and product mix changes, are likely to have weighed on DHR’s bottom line in the to-be-reported quarter. Also, higher interest expenses associated with the company’s high debt are likely to prove detrimental to its profitability in the quarter.
Earnings WhispersOur proven model predicts an earnings beat for DHR 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 the case here, as elaborated below.
Earnings ESP: Danaher has an Earnings ESP of +0.62% as the Most Accurate Estimate is pegged at $1.85 per share, which is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.84. You can uncover the best stocks before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: DHR currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Other Stocks to ConsiderHere are some other companies within the broader Medical sector, which according to our model, have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings in this reporting cycle.
Cardinal Health (CAH - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.24% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The company is slated to release fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Aug. 11.
Cardinal Health’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 10.3%.
CVS Health (CVS - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.42% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The company is scheduled to release second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 5.
CVS Health’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, the average surprise being 16.8%.
West Pharmaceutical Services (WST - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.09% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The company is slated to release second-quarter 2026 results on July 23.
West Pharmaceutical’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 19.4%.
Roblox spouští v mobilní aplikaci funkci Build, která pomocí AI vytvoří základ hry z textového zadání bez programování. Veřejná alfa verze začne 28. července a bude dostupná uživatelům na Novém Zélandu ve věku 9 let a starším, kteří mají ověřený věk. Uživatelé od 16 let budou moci své výtvory publikovat globálnímu publiku.
Roblox announced Thursday a new feature called “Build,” allowing users to design games from their mobile devices using AI.
The Build feature lets anyone turn simple text prompts into a basic game without any programming experience. For example, if a user types, “Let’s make a cozy adventure game set in a dense forest,” the new feature will generate an initial version of the game, which users can then modify and share with friends.
“Powered by a broad set of AI models, including both open-source and proprietary Roblox models, Build handles gameplay mechanics, environment, characters, visual style, sound, and more,” the company wrote in a blog post.
Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Tencent have built similar tools. However, AI-powered game generation has raised concerns among developers and players, with critics arguing that reducing the barriers to game development via text prompts could lead to an influx of low-quality and repetitive games. This may also increase competition on the platform, as creators are required to compete not only with other developers but also with AI-generated content that can be produced far more quickly.
These concerns are reflected in this year’s Game Developer Conference State of the Game Industry survey, which found that 52% of game industry professionals believe generative AI is having a negative impact on the industry.
To address this, Roblox plans to rank these AI-generated games based on player retention, similar to the system used for other games on the platform. If a game is not played, it won’t be featured as prominently.
“Our discovery systems are designed to highlight games with long-term retention, which doesn’t include AI slop. The quality of games on the homepage isn’t changing: If no one plays it—no one can find it. The goal across these new tools is to continue to accelerate creation across all experience levels,” the company added.
The Build feature will enter public alpha testing on July 28, available to users in New Zealand aged nine and older who have verified their age. Users aged 16 and up will have the opportunity to publish their creations to a global audience. There will be a free, basic version available along with paid options.
Beyond the Build feature, Roblox is also working on developing AI agents that will assist creators in playtesting and providing analytics. These features are anticipated to roll out in the upcoming months.
The new feature highlights Roblox’s ongoing investment in AI, including an AI foundation model for generating 3D game assets and an AI chatbot for supporting developers through the game-building process. Additionally, Roblox is developing a “new scene-generation model” capable of creating entire editable and playable 3D scenes from a single text prompt.
Additionally, the announcement comes shortly after Roblox disclosed plans to discontinue “Roblox Connect,” the avatar-based video calling feature introduced in 2023.
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NetApp oznámila akvizici DataPelago, aby přesunula GPU-urychlené zpracování dat přímo k úložné vrstvě pro AI. Firma tvrdí, že to má odstranit úzká místa a umožnit zero-copy přístup k datům.
Embedding GPU-accelerated intelligence enables enterprises to easily discover, govern, and activate data for AI and analytics at the source
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NetApp® (NASDAQ: NTAP), the Intelligent Data Infrastructure company, today announced it has acquired DataPelago, a California-based AI data infrastructure company recognized for its innovative approach to eliminating data processing bottlenecks for AI and analytics workloads. The acquisition marks a foundational expansion of NetApp's portfolio, enabling GPU-accelerated data processing aligned directly with the storage layer. With this acquisition, NetApp establishes itself as the company that makes zero-copy activation of enterprise data for AI real.
AI is the defining platform shift of our era, but enterprises are discovering that their greatest bottleneck is preparing, governing, and activating their data fast enough to put AI into production. The key to accomplishing this objective is to enable accelerated computing where the data is created and stored. DataPelago solves this challenge by fundamentally reimagining where accelerated compute happens: at the data layer, not above it.
"As AI models and the chips that power them get ever more effective, enterprises need data infrastructure that is just as intelligent and powerful to harness the potential of their data," said George Kurian, Chief Executive Officer at NetApp. "NetApp is leading the industry in helping customers drive innovation and generate business value by giving them full command of their most important asset: their data. With DataPelago, we are extending our ability to help customers understand and process their data with the agility required to unleash competitive advantage.”
DataPelago's core technology, Nucleus, is a universal data processing engine that uses heterogeneous accelerated computing across CPUs and GPUs to process data where it lives. By processing data at the storage layer rather than moving it to external compute clusters, Nucleus reduces infrastructure costs by up to 80 percent and delivers performance up to 10 times faster than conventional approaches. In addition, by not requiring customers to copy their data from their operational systems to AI-systems, DataPelago eliminates the single biggest bottleneck in enterprise AI deployment. DataPelago’s technology is delivering value at large enterprises across multiple industries, accelerating demanding workloads while improving infrastructure efficiency at scale.
"DataPelago is on a mission to eliminate the data processing bottlenecks that prevent AI innovation from reaching its full potential," said Rajan Goyal, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of DataPelago. "Joining NetApp gives us the opportunity to combine our breakthrough processing technology with the industry's best data infrastructure portfolio. Enterprises have invested billions in GPUs and AI models, but their data remains fragmented, leaving valuable computing resources to sit idle rather than putting these investments to work. Together, we’re positioned to help customers simplify and accelerate AI deployment at scale."
"DataPelago's Nucleus engine brings software-defined acceleration directly to the storage layer, processing data across CPUs and GPUs so enterprises can prepare, govern, and activate their data for AI without moving it. This is true zero-copy activation," said Syam Nair, Chief Product Officer at NetApp. "NetApp manages more enterprise data across more environments than anyone in the industry. The next phase of AI will be won by those who make that data work at the source, and the DataPelago team brings the technical depth and velocity to get us there faster."
Following the acquisition, DataPelago will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of NetApp. This news signals a continued growth trajectory for NetApp, following recent industry-leading partnerships with Cisco, Google Cloud, Red Hat, and SK Telecom, among others.
"Safe Harbor" Statement Under U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of DataPelago, including the ability to align GPU-accelerated data processing with the storage layer and enable zero-copy activation of enterprise data for AI; the ability of the technologies to reduce infrastructure costs, accelerate performance, and eliminate data processing bottlenecks for enterprise AI deployment; our business, economic and market outlook; our overall future prospects; demand for our AI solutions and other offerings; and our ability to deliver increasing results and value for our stakeholders. These and other important factors are described in reports and documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the factors described under the sections titled "Risk Factors" in our most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q. All statements made in this release are made only as of the date set forth at the beginning of this release. We disclaim any obligation to update information contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Statement of Product Direction
This press release discusses NetApp's vision for future innovation, including the anticipated alignment of DataPelago's technology with NetApp’s portfolio. This information is shared solely for informational purposes and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions. NetApp makes no commitment and has no obligation to develop or deliver any products, services, integrations, or any related features, material, code or functionality described herein, including any capabilities resulting from the acquisition of DataPelago. The development, release and timing of any features or functionality for NetApp products and services, including those offering DataPelago's technology, remains at the sole discretion of NetApp. NetApp's strategy and possible future developments, product and platform directions, and functionality, including plans related to DataPelago's technology, are all subject to change without notice. We disclaim any obligation to update information contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
About NetApp
For more than three decades, NetApp has helped the world’s leading organizations navigate change – from the rise of enterprise storage to the intelligent era defined by data and AI. Today, NetApp is the Intelligent Data Infrastructure company, helping customers turn data into a catalyst for innovation, resilience, and growth.
At the heart of that infrastructure is the NetApp data platform – the unified, enterprise-grade, intelligent foundation that connects, protects, and activates data across every cloud, workload, and environment. Built on the proven power of NetApp ONTAP, our leading data management software and OS, and enhanced by automation through the AI Data Engine and AFX, it delivers observability, resilience, and intelligence at scale.
Disaggregated by design, the NetApp data platform separates storage, services, and control so enterprises can modernize faster, scale efficiently, and innovate without lock-in. As the only enterprise storage platform natively embedded in the world’s largest clouds, it gives organizations the freedom to run any workload anywhere with consistent performance, governance, and protection.
With NetApp, data is always ready – ready to defend against threats, ready to power AI, and ready to drive the next breakthrough. That’s why the world’s most forward-thinking enterprises trust NetApp to turn intelligence into advantage.
Learn more at www.netapp.com or follow us on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
NETAPP, the NETAPP logo, and the marks listed at www.netapp.com/TM are trademarks of NetApp, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
About DataPelago
DataPelago is driving the data acceleration revolution that AI demands. Today, AI's relentless hunger for data acceleration at massive scale has created the ultimate chokepoint — without economically scaled data processing, AI innovation itself will be throttled. At DataPelago, we’re unleashing breakthrough thinking to transform data processing economics and ignite the next wave of AI-powered revolution.
DataPelago Nucleus is the world's first universal data processing engine built for accelerated computing, purpose-built to process any type of data, operate across any hardware, and support any query engine, delivering new price/performance benefits that make it viable to extract value from all the data in the world, igniting an AI-powered revolution.
Northrop Grumman čeká ve 2. čtvrtletí vyšší tržby díky silnému backlogu a poptávce po obraně. Management čeká vysoký jednociferný sekvenční růst tržeb oproti předchozímu čtvrtletí ve všech čtyřech segmentech.
Key Takeaways Northrop Grumman is expected to post higher Q2 revenues supported by strong backlog and defense demand.NOC expects high single-digit sequential sales growth across all four operating segments.NOC faces execution risk as Sentinel program cost and contract discussions continue. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC - Free Report) is scheduled to release second-quarter 2026 results on July 21, before market open. The company delivered an earnings surprise of 0.99% in the last reported quarter.
Let’s discuss the factors that are likely to be reflected in the upcoming quarterly results.
Key Factors Likely to Influence NOC’s Q2 ResultsNorthrop Grumman’s second-quarter earnings are expected to have benefited from solid demand, supported by one of the strongest backlogs in the defense industry. It offers strong visibility into near-term revenue streams.
Continued geopolitical tensions, increasing U.S. and allied defense spending, and demand for advanced aircraft, missile defense, space systems, and autonomous technologies should have continued to support new contract awards and program execution during the second quarter.
Management stated that it expects "high single-digit sequential sales growth" in the second quarter. This suggests that revenues should increase meaningfully from the first-quarter level, with growth expected across all four operating segments rather than being driven by a single business. Segment operating margins are expected to improve, driven by stronger operational performance, favorable production timing and a better business mix.
The company’s top line is likely to have benefited from the ramp-up of major programs, particularly in missile systems, airborne radar, and strategic modernization efforts. These programs are transitioning into higher production phases, which typically boosts revenues.
While the Sentinel program remains a key long-term growth driver for Northrop Grumman, it also represents the company's biggest execution risk. Following cost overruns and schedule delays, the U.S. Air Force restructured the program, and discussions with the government on revised costs, timelines, and contract terms are ongoing. If the company records additional cost growth, revises program estimates, or recognizes new charges during the second quarter, it could negatively impact operating margins and earnings.
NOC’s Q2 ExpectationsThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $6.84 per share, indicating a year-over-year decrease of 3.8%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pinned at $10.78 billion, implying a year-over-year improvement of 4.1%.
What the Zacks Model UnveilsOur proven model predicts an earnings beat for Northrop Grumman 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 the case here, as you will see below.
Other Stocks to ConsiderInvestors may also consider the following players from the same industry, as these, too, have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this reporting cycle.
RTX Corporation (RTX - Free Report) is likely to come up with an earnings beat when it announces second-quarter results on July 23, before market open. It has an Earnings ESP of +2.02% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present.
The consensus estimate for RTX’s second-quarter sales suggests an improvement of 5.8% from the year-ago quarter’s reported numbers. The company delivered an average earnings surprise of 12.7% for the trailing four quarters.
General Dynamics (GD - Free Report) is likely to come up with an earnings beat when it announces second-quarter results on July 29, before market open. It has an Earnings ESP of +2.94% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present.
The consensus estimate for GD’s second-quarter sales suggests an improvement of 3.2% from the year-ago quarter’s reported numbers. The company delivered an average earnings surprise of 5.3% for the trailing four quarters.
L3Harris Technologies (LHX - Free Report) is expected to come up with an earnings beat when it reports second-quarter results on July 29, after market close. It has an Earnings ESP of +3.02% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present.
The consensus estimate for LHX’s second-quarter sales implies an improvement of 6.6% from the year-ago quarter’s level. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pinned at $2.81 per share, indicating year-over-year growth of 1.1%.
Interactive Brokers má za 2. čtvrtletí vykázat vyšší zisk i tržby díky silné obchodní aktivitě. V červnu DARTs vzrostly meziročně o 53 % na 5,27 milionu, klientské účty o 34 % a klientský kapitál o 40 %.
Key Takeaways IBKR is expected to post higher Q2 earnings and revenues when it reports results on July 21.Interactive Brokers saw June DARTs jump 53% y/y, with client accounts up 34% and client equity up 40%.IBKR's commission revenues and NII are projected to rise on strong trading and lending demand. Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (IBKR - Free Report) is set to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 21, after market close. Its earnings and revenues are expected to have improved year over year.
In the last reported quarter, the company’s earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Results were primarily hurt by a rise in expenses. However, an increase in revenues, growth in customer accounts and a rise in daily average revenue trades (DARTs) acted as tailwinds.
IBKR has a decent earnings surprise history. The company’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in one, the average surprise being 11.7%.
IBKR’s Earnings & Sales Projections for Q2The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Interactive Brokers’ earnings has been revised 3.4% higher to 61 cents per share in the past seven days. The estimate indicates a 19.6% rise from the year-ago quarter’s reported number.
The consensus estimate for sales is pegged at $1.66 billion, suggesting a year-over-year increase of 12.2%.
Interactive Brokers’ Other Key Q2 EstimatesClient trading activity remained robust in the second quarter as investors actively repositioned portfolios amid shifting expectations surrounding artificial intelligence, persistent inflation, geopolitical uncertainties and a more hawkish Federal Reserve. Heightened volatility encouraged trading across equities, options, fixed income, foreign exchange and commodities.
IBKR’s monthly brokerage metrics point to continued momentum, with DARTs rising sharply year over year throughout the quarter, while client accounts and customer equity also expanded at a healthy pace. June alone recorded 5.27 million DARTs, up 53% year over year, alongside a 34% increase in client accounts and 40% growth in client equity.
Thus, strong trading volumes across stocks, options and futures, combined with continued customer acquisition, are expected to have driven higher commission income for IBKR. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for commission revenues stands at $605 million, implying 17.2% year-over-year growth.
The company’s net interest income (NII) is also expected to have been a major growth driver in the quarter. Customer margin loan balances continued to expand during the quarter, reflecting healthy demand for leverage amid strong equity markets, while customer credit balances remained elevated as IBKR attracted new assets. The Federal Reserve kept benchmark interest rates unchanged in the quarter but maintained a hawkish stance by signaling another potential rate increase later this year, allowing interest yields on margin loans and client cash balances to remain favorable. A solid lending scenario, along with stabilizing funding and deposit costs, is expected to have positively impacted IBKR’s NII in the quarter. The consensus estimate for NII is $956 million, indicating an 11.2% increase from the prior-year quarter.
Revenue from other fees and services is also expected to have improved, supported by a larger client base, higher market data subscription fees, increased exchange-related payments and greater demand for ancillary brokerage services as trading activity remained elevated. The consensus estimate for this line item is $74 million, suggesting a 19.4% year-over-year increase.
On the expense side, operating costs are expected to have increased as IBKR continues investing in technology infrastructure, platform enhancements, artificial intelligence capabilities, product innovation, cybersecurity, customer support and regulatory compliance.
What Our Model Unveils for IBKRAccording to our quantitative model, the chances of Interactive Brokers beating earnings estimates this time are high. This is because it has the right combination of the two key ingredients — a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better.
You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Earnings ESP: Interactive Brokers has an Earnings ESP of +3.28%.
Zacks Rank: The company currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Other Finance Stocks Worth a LookHere are a couple of other finance stocks that you may want to consider, as these too have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in their upcoming releases:
Zions Bancorporation (ZION - Free Report) is scheduled to announce second-quarter 2026 results on July 20. The company carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present and has an Earnings ESP of +0.53%.
Quarterly earnings estimates for Zions have been unchanged at $1.57 per share over the past week.
The Earnings ESP for Prosperity Bancshares (PB - Free Report) is +1.76%, and it carries a Zacks Rank #3 at present. The company is slated to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 29.
Over the past seven days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for PB’s quarterly earnings has been unchanged at $1.54 per share.
Capital One čeká za 2. čtvrtletí růst tržeb o 25,7 % na 15,7 miliardy USD, tažený kartami a akvizicí Discover Financial. Zisk ale mohou stlačit vyšší rezervy, provozní náklady a akviziční výdaje.
Key Takeaways Capital One's Q2 revenues are estimated to rise 25.7% y/y to $15.7 billion.COF's NII is projected to climb 24.8%, supported by earning-asset growth and card operations.Higher provisions, operating costs and acquisition-related expenses may weigh on COF's earnings. Capital One (COF - Free Report) is scheduled to announce second-quarter 2026 results on July 21, after market close.
The company’s to-be-reported quarter’s performance is expected to have been driven by its solid credit card business and the positive effects of the Discover Financial acquisition (completed in May 2025). As such, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $15.7 billion, which indicates year-over-year growth of 25.7%.
In the past seven days, the consensus estimate for earnings for the to-be-reported quarter has been revised 4.3% higher to $5.08. Nonetheless, the estimate indicates a 7.3% fall from the prior-year quarter. This is likely to be due to higher provision charges and an increase in operating expenses.
Estimate Revision Trend
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
COF does not have an impressive earnings surprise history. The company’s earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in only two of the trailing four quarters and lagged in other two, the average beat being 18.58%.
Earnings Surprise History
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Major Factors at Play for Capital One’s Q2 ResultsNet Interest Income (NII): The Federal Reserve has paused rate cuts and signaled a hike later in the year amid higher inflation and a volatile macro backdrop. This followed a 175-basis-point cut in the last two years.
The overall lending scenario was impressive in the second quarter. Per the Federal Reserve’s latest data, the demand for consumer loans was solid. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for total average earning assets is pegged at $614.3 billion, implying a 17% rise from the prior-year quarter.
This, along with stable rates and decent economic growth, is expected to have helped Capital One’s NII growth. Also, the company’s continued efforts to strengthen its card operations are expected to have provided support. The consensus estimate for NII of $12.47 billion indicates 24.8% year-over-year growth.
Fee income: Supported by an overall rise in credit card usage and the Discover Financial buyout, Capital One’s interchange fees (constituting more than 60% of fee income) are likely to have increased in the quarter under review. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for interchange fees is $2.16 billion, suggesting a 46.3% year-over-year jump.
The consensus estimate for service charges and other customer-related fees of $853.7 million implies a 29.7% year-over-year rise. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for other non-interest income is pegged at $378.4 million, indicating a 4.8% rise.
Thus, the consensus estimate for total non-interest income of $3.21 billion indicates a jump of 28.4% from the prior-year quarter.
Expenses: Capital One has been witnessing a persistent rise in expenses over the past several quarters due to higher marketing costs and investment in technology upgrades. The Discover Financial and Brex acquisitions, along with inflation pressure, are expected to have resulted in an increase in operating expenses in the second quarter.
Asset Quality: Capital One is likely to have set aside a significant amount of money for potential delinquent loans, as the interest rates have been unchanged and there has been a steady rise in credit card loan demand.
Given the current macro backdrop and higher inflation, because of the Middle East conflict and the oil price shocks, borrowers are likely to have faced problems in keeping up with loan repayments. Hence, credit costs for COF are likely to have risen in the to-be-reported quarter.
Notable Development for Capital One in Q2In April, Capital One completed the acquisition of Brex for approximately $2.56 billion in cash and issued nearly 10.7 million shares of its common stock. This will significantly strengthen the company’s strategic expansion into the business payments and AI-driven financial software space.
Brex is a leading AI-native financial platform that integrates corporate cards, expense management software and banking services into a single ecosystem. Its platform leverages AI to automate workflows, streamline expense reviews and enable secure, real-time payments for businesses.
By integrating Brex’s AI-powered capabilities, COF is expected to enhance innovation in corporate payments and spend management, enabling businesses to operate with greater speed, control and efficiency through automated workflows, real-time visibility and reduced manual processes.
What Our Quantitative Model Unveils for COFAccording to our quantitative model, the chances of Capital One beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings this time are high. This is because it has the right combination of the two key ingredients — a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better.
You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Earnings ESP: The Earnings ESP for Capital One is +1.54%.
Zacks Rank: The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Capital One’s Price PerformanceIn the second quarter, COF shares gained 10%, underperforming the Zacks Consumer Loans industry. Its peers Ally Financial (ALLY - Free Report) and Navient Corporation (NAVI - Free Report) have rallied 17.2% and 4.1%, respectively.
2Q26 Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Ally Financial is scheduled to announce second-quarter 2026 numbers on July 21, whereas Navient is set to report on Aug. 8.
Over the past week, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ally Financial’s second-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised lower to $1.24. The consensus estimate for Navient has been unchanged at 18 cents over the past seven days. At present, both ALLY and NAVI carry a Zacks Rank #3.
KeyCorp čeká za 2. čtvrtletí zisk 42 centů na akcii, tedy meziroční růst o 20 %, a výnosy 1,98 miliardy USD, což je o 8 % více. Silná poptávka po C&I úvěrech má podpořit čistý úrokový výnos na 1,26 miliardy USD.
Key Takeaways KeyCorp's Q2 earnings are expected to rise 20% y/y, while sales are projected to increase 8%.Robust C&I loan demand and stable funding costs may lift KeyCorp's NII 10% to $1.26 billion.Higher trust, deposit and payments income may offset weaker mortgage banking fees at KeyCorp. KeyCorp (KEY - Free Report) is slated to announce second-quarter 2026 results on July 21, before the opening bell. The overall impressive lending scenario in the quarter is likely to have supported the company’s net interest income (NII).
Per the Fed’s latest data, the demand for commercial and industrial (C&I) loans (accounting for roughly 50% of KeyCorp’s average loan balances) was robust in the to-be-reported quarter, while the demand for consumer loans was comparatively modest. Thus, this is likely to have supported the company’s overall loan growth in the second quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KEY’s average earning assets is pegged at $172.2 billion, indicating a 1.3% rise from the prior-year quarter.
After cutting rates in 2025, the Federal Reserve has paused interest rate cuts and signaled a hike later in the year. This, along with a solid lending scenario, decent economic growth and stabilizing funding/deposit costs, is expected to have supported KEY’s NII.
The consensus estimate for NII (on a fully tax-equivalent basis) is pegged at $1.26 billion, indicating a year-over-year jump of 10%.
Other Factors to Influence KeyCorp’s Q2 EarningsNon-Interest Income: The second quarter was challenging for the mortgage banking business. It was characterized by elevated mortgage rates, hovering at mid-6% range, and low affordability. While purchase volumes faced pressure from inventory constraints, refinancing activity saw a slight boost as rates were lower than the prior-year quarter level. Given this, income from KEY’s mortgage banking business is less likely to have recorded much improvement.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for commercial mortgage servicing fees of $58 million implies a 17.1% year-over-year decline. Likewise, the consensus estimate for consumer mortgage income of $13.26 million indicates an 11.6% fall. Management projects commercial mortgage servicing fees of $50-$60 million for the second quarter.
As the quarter witnessed a solid increase in asset inflows, the consensus estimate for KEY’s trust and investment services income of $160.9 million indicates a 10.2% rise from the prior-year quarter.
Higher client activity and volatility in the capital markets, along with industry-wide decent deal-making activities, an impressive IPO market and solid bond issuances, are expected to have supported KeyCorp’s corresponding fee income in the to-be-reported quarter. The consensus estimate for investment banking and debt placement fees of $181.2 million indicates a 1.8% rise. The company projects the metric between $175 million and $180 million.
Management anticipates average deposit balances to be stable to slightly up, with June 30 ending balances expected to be higher. As such, the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $78.9 million for service charges on deposit accounts implies 8.1% year-over-year growth. With an improvement in consumer spending in the to-be-reported quarter, the consensus estimate for cards and payments income of $87.5 million indicates growth of 3%.
Overall, the consensus estimate for KeyCorp’s total non-interest income of $709.4 million suggests an improvement of 2.8% from the prior-year quarter.
Expenses: KeyCorp’s efforts to reorganize operations and exit unprofitable/non-core businesses have helped it save costs in the past. Also, the company’s initiatives to drive operational efficiency are likely to have curbed expense growth in the to-be-reported quarter. Yet, investments in franchises and technological upgrades are expected to have resulted in a rise in total non-interest expenses.
Asset Quality: KEY is unlikely to have set aside a substantial amount for potential loan delinquencies in the second quarter, given the modest improvement in the operating environment, supported by resilient economic growth, broadly stable credit conditions and the announced ceasefire in the Middle East. However, robust lending and persistently higher inflation are likely to have weighed on provision numbers.
What the Zacks Model Predicts for KeyCorpPer our proven model, the chances of KeyCorp beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings are low this time. This is because it does not have the right combination of the two key ingredients — a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better.
You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Earnings ESP: The Earnings ESP for KeyCorp is -0.34%.
Zacks Rank: The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3.
Q2 Earnings & Sales Growth Expectations for KeyCorpThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for KEY’s earnings is pegged at 42 cents per share, which has been unchanged over the past week. The figure indicates a 20% rise from the prior-year quarter.
The consensus estimate for quarterly sales is pegged at $1.98 billion, indicating a year-over-year increase of 8%.
KeyCorp’s Peer Stocks Worth ConsideringHere are a couple of KEY’s peers that you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time around:
Truist Financial (TFC - Free Report) is scheduled to announce second-quarter 2026 results tomorrow. The company has a Zacks Rank #3 at present and an Earnings ESP of +0.23%.
Quarterly earnings estimates for Truist Financial have been unchanged at $1.08 per share over the past week.
The Earnings ESP for Regions Financial (RF - Free Report) is +0.25% and it carries a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The company is slated to report second-quarter 2026 results tomorrow. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Over the past seven days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Regions Financial’s quarterly earnings has been unchanged at 64 cents.
HEICO uzavřela emisi seniorních dluhopisů v objemu 550 milionů USD se splatností v roce 2031 a 650 milionů USD se splatností v roce 2036. Čistý výtěžek použije ke splacení části úvěru z revolvingové úvěrové linky ve výši 2,2 miliardy USD.
MIAMI, FL AND HOLLYWOOD, FL / ACCESS Newswire / July 16, 2026 / HEICO Corporation (NYSE:HEI.A, HEI) today announced that it closed an offering of $550 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.950% Senior Notes due 2031 (the "2031 Notes") and $650 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.400% Senior Notes due 2036 (the "2036 Notes", and together with the 2031 Notes, the "Notes").
HEICO will use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes to pay down outstanding borrowings under its $2.2 billion revolving credit agreement, leaving the Company with substantial ability and flexibility to fund future potential acquisitions.
Eric A. Mendelson and Victor H. Mendelson, HEICO's Co-Chairmen and Co-Chief Executive Officers, stated, "HEICO's strong operating performance and solid balance sheet earned investment grade ratings on our existing notes issued in 2023 and the Notes issued today. Building on our inaugural issuance in 2023, this second offering gives us an efficient way to fund ongoing acquisition activity."
Carlos L. Macau Jr., HEICO's Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, added, "This offering expands HEICO's capital sources and gives HEICO greater flexibility to pursue continued growth. Further, our well-staggered borrowing maturity schedule provides excellent planning and financial safety for the Company."
Truist Securities, BofA Securities, PNC Capital Markets LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, Credit Agricole CIB and TD Securities served as joint book-running managers for the offering, with Co-Managers including Huntington Securities, J.P. Morgan, M&T Securities and RBC Capital Markets. Akerman LLP served as legal counsel to HEICO. King & Spalding LLP served as legal counsel to the joint book-running managers.
About HEICO
HEICO Corporation is engaged primarily in the design, production, servicing and distribution of products and services to certain niche segments of the aviation, defense, space, medical, telecommunications and electronics industries through its Hollywood, Florida-based Flight Support Group and its Miami, Florida-based Electronic Technologies Group. HEICO's customers include a majority of the world's airlines and overhaul shops, as well as numerous defense and space contractors and military agencies worldwide, in addition to medical, telecommunications and electronics equipment manufacturers. For more information about HEICO, please visit our website at https://www.heico.com.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any 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 Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties and contingencies. HEICO's actual results may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by those forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include, among others: the severity, magnitude and duration of public health threats; our liquidity and the amount and timing of cash generation; lower commercial air travel, airline fleet changes or airline purchasing decisions, which could cause lower demand for our goods and services; product specification costs and requirements, which could cause an increase in our costs to complete contracts; governmental and regulatory demands, export policies and restrictions, reductions in defense, space or homeland security spending by U.S. and/or foreign customers or competition from existing and new competitors, which could reduce our sales; our ability to introduce new products and services at profitable pricing levels, which could reduce our sales or sales growth; product development or manufacturing difficulties, which could increase our product development and manufacturing costs and delay sales; cybersecurity events or other disruptions of our information technology systems could adversely affect our business; and our ability to make acquisitions, including obtaining any applicable domestic and/or foreign governmental approvals, and achieve operating synergies from acquired businesses; customer credit risk; interest, foreign currency exchange and income tax rates; and economic conditions, including the effects of inflation, within and outside of the aviation, defense, space, medical, telecommunications and electronics industries, which could negatively impact our costs and revenues. Parties receiving this material are encouraged to review all of HEICO's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, but not limited to filings on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.
Contact:
Victor H. Mendelson (305) 374-1745
Carlos L. Macau, Jr. (954) 744-7570
Akcie Microchip letos posílily o 35,3 % díky oživení polovodičového cyklu, AI a datovým centrům. Firma čeká, že tržby divize datových center vzrostou v kalendářním roce 2026 asi o 65 % na zhruba 500 milionů USD.
Key Takeaways Microchip shares are up 35.3% YTD as a turnaround, recovery and AI exposure lift prospects.Distributor restocking and book-to-bill above 1 are improving Microchip's revenue visibility.Microchip sees data center solutions revenue rising about 65% to roughly $500 million in 2026. Microchip (MCHP - Free Report) shares have jumped 35.3% year to date (YTD), outperforming the Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s appreciation of 15.8%. The outperformance can be attributed to a combination of a cyclical semiconductor recovery, execution on management's turnaround plan, improving profitability and growing AI, as well as data center exposure. However, the company’s prospects remain challenging due to supply chain constraints, rising costs and stiff competition from the likes of Texas Instruments (TXN - Free Report) , Analog Devices (ADI - Free Report) and On Semiconductor (ON - Free Report) .
YTD, Microchip shares have underperformed Texas Instruments, Analog Devices and On Semiconductor, shares of which have returned 73.6%, 44.1% and 70%, respectively. Nevertheless, we believe MCHP’s share price is well-poised to appreciate, driven by expansion into higher-value AI infrastructure as well as recovery across industrial and automotive end markets. So, what should investors do with the stock? Let’s dig deep to find out.
MCHP Stock’s Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
MCHP’s Prospects to Ride on AI Tailwinds and Inventory RecoveryImproving fundamentals, along with rightsizing of manufacturing footprint, overhauling of distribution strategy and improving customer relationships, bodes well for Microchip’s prospects. This, along with reducing inventory level, a fall in net leverage below 3 times and strong free cash flow generation ability, bodes well for the company’s prospects.
Microchip has been benefiting from reducing inventory levels and expects inventory to be aligned with its long-term target in a short span of time. Management stated that inventory has reduced from 201 days in December to 185 days in March, while distributor inventory declined to 26 days, near the low end of the company’s historical range. MCHP management stated distributors have begun restocking, with April representing the highest booking month in almost four years. The company now expects book-to-bill well above 1, which reflects improving revenue visibility.
Microchip expects a broad-based recovery with strength across industrial, automotive, aerospace & defense, data center, and communications, which reduces investor concerns over cyclicality. Industrial remains roughly one-third of the company’s revenues, while automotive contributes about 17%. As customer inventories normalize, these historically strong markets should continue recovering alongside factory automation, electrification and embedded computing. MCHP is well positioned to benefit from the growing demand for mixed-signal microcontrollers (MCUs), leveraging its expanding footprint in industrial embedded control, broad product portfolio and total system solutions strategy. Mixed-signal MCUs remain the company's largest product category, accounting for nearly 50% of fiscal 2026 revenues, highlighting their importance to long-term growth.
Data Center prospects are most noticeable as Data Center & Compute already represents 18% of company revenues. MCHP expects the dedicated Data Center solutions business to grow from roughly $303 million in calendar 2025 to approximately $500 million in calendar 2026 (about 65% growth), driven by strong momentum in PCIe Gen6 switches, expansion into PCIe retimers, new CXL memory controllers and storage controller growth driven by AI inference. In fact, Microchip has disclosed eight Gen6 switch design wins and expects production ramps during fiscal 2027, including one design expected to generate roughly $100 million annually.
MCHP’s Earnings Estimate Revision Shows Positive TrendThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2027 earnings is pegged at $3.09 per share, up by a penny over the past 30 days and indicating 90.85% growth over fiscal 2026’s reported figure. The consensus mark for fiscal 2027 revenues is pegged at $6.23 billion, suggesting 32.26% growth from fiscal 2026’s reported figure.
Microchip expects first-quarter fiscal 2027 net sales between $1.442 billion and $1.469 billion, which reflects 35.3% year-over-year growth at the midpoint and 11% sequentially. The company expects non-GAAP earnings of 67-71 cents per share.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter fiscal 2027 earnings is pegged at 69 cents per share, unchanged over the past 30 days and indicating 159.26% growth over the year-ago quarter’s reported figure. The consensus mark for fiscal first-quarter revenues is pegged at $1.46 billion, suggesting 35.39% growth from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.
MCHP Shares Are Trading at a PremiumMicrochip shares are trading at a premium as suggested by a Value Score of D.
In terms of the forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S), the company is trading at 7.2X, a premium compared with the broader sector’s and On Semiconductor’s 6.85X and 5.3X, respectively. However, MCHP is trading at a discount compared with Texas Instruments’ and Analog Devices’ P/S multiple of 12.54X and 11.99X, respectively.
MCHP Stock’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
ConclusionMicrochip has emerged from one of the industry’s toughest downturns with improving execution, strengthening demand and expanding exposure to attractive long-term growth markets. Inventory normalization, broad-based recovery across industrial and automotive markets, growing AI and data center opportunities, and improving profitability provide a solid foundation for sustained growth. While supply chain constraints, cost inflation, and intense competition remain risks, MCHP’s strengthening bookings, healthy earnings outlook and disciplined turnaround strategy position it well for continued momentum. Despite its premium valuation, Microchip’s improving fundamentals and expanding AI infrastructure portfolio make the stock an attractive choice for investors with a long-term investment horizon.
Microchip currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which implies that investors should start accumulating the stock right now. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
EMCOR těží z boomu AI datových center a dalších růstových trhů; tržby z network and communications vzrostly meziročně téměř o 50 % v elektrické a o 86 % v mechanické výstavbě. Zbývající závazky k plnění dosáhly rekordních 15,62 miliardy USD.
Key Takeaways EMCOR is expanding across AI data centers, healthcare, manufacturing and water infrastructure.Record RPOs of $15.62 billion reflect strong demand across multiple high-growth end markets.Network and communications revenues rose nearly 50% in electrical and 86% in mechanical construction. EMCOR Group, Inc. (EME - Free Report) continues to strengthen its position across some of the fastest-growing construction end markets, supported by robust demand for AI data centers, digital infrastructure, healthcare, institutional facilities, manufacturing and water infrastructure.
A key differentiator for EMCOR is its diversified exposure across multiple secular growth markets rather than dependence on a single industry. During the first quarter, the company's construction businesses generated strong growth from network and communications, institutional, manufacturing and industrial, healthcare, water and wastewater, and commercial projects as warehousing, distribution and logistics activity resumed. This broad end-market exposure allows EMCOR to benefit from several long-term infrastructure investment trends.
The AI infrastructure boom remains one of EMCOR's strongest growth drivers. Revenues from the network and communications market increased nearly 50% year over year in the electrical construction segment and 86% in the mechanical construction segment. Increasing cooling requirements and the adoption of advanced liquid-cooling technologies for AI data centers continue to create new opportunities, while the company sees no sign of slowing demand as investments in AI infrastructure, cloud computing and digital transformation accelerate.
Strong demand from healthcare, institutional, manufacturing, water and wastewater, and commercial projects continues to support the business, while institutional activity has remained more resilient than expected. Record remaining performance obligations of $15.62 billion further strengthen revenue visibility. Supported by disciplined project execution, geographic expansion and expanding customer relationships, EMCOR appears well positioned to benefit from multiple long-term construction growth trends.
High-Growth End Markets Intensify Industry CompetitionEMCOR’s expansion across high-growth end markets reflects a broader shift across the specialty construction industry, where contractors are increasing their exposure to data centers, advanced manufacturing and other mission-critical infrastructure. Competitors such as Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL - Free Report) and Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (FIX - Free Report) are also scaling their capabilities through geographic expansion, integrated service offerings, modular construction and disciplined project selection.
Sterling Infrastructure is strengthening its position in mission-critical construction through rapid growth in data centers, electrical services and semiconductor manufacturing. First-quarter E-Infrastructure revenues surged 174%, while mission-critical projects represented more than 90% of the segment’s signed backlog. STRL also secured the first phase of a semiconductor fabrication campus valued at more than $500 million and is combining site-development and electrical services on large data center projects.
Comfort Systems is also benefiting from sustained technology infrastructure demand. First-quarter revenues increased 56% to $2.9 billion, while the record backlog reached $12.5 billion. Advanced technology, led by data centers, accounted for 56% of revenues and remained the largest contributor to the company’s pipeline. Comfort Systems is investing heavily in modular capacity, targeting 4 million square feet by the end of 2026, while expanding its electrical capabilities through acquisitions. Its nationwide workforce, integrated mechanical and electrical solutions, and growing service opportunity position the company to capture a larger share of long-term data center spending.
EME Stock’s Price Performance & Valuation TrendShares of this Connecticut-based infrastructure service provider have gained 25.8% year to date, slightly underperforming the Zacks Building Products - Heavy Construction industry, but outperforming the Construction sector and the S&P 500 Index.
EME YTD Share Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
EME stock is currently trading at a premium compared with the industry peers, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 24.64, as evidenced by the chart below.
EME Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Earnings Estimate Revision of EME Stock
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
EME’s earnings estimates for 2026 and 2027 have moved upward in the past 60 days. The estimates for 2026 and 2027 imply year-over-year growth of 13.5% and 11.8%, respectively.
EME’s Zacks Rank
EMCOR stock currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Illumina rozšířila Alianci Billion Cell Atlas o tři nové společnosti včetně Formation Bio. Program už zahrnuje přes 350 milionů sekvenovaných buněk a má urychlit vývoj přesnějších léků.
Partners will use unprecedented data scale to advance more precise medicines to approval
, /PRNewswire/ -- Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN) today announced that the Billion Cell Atlas alliance has added three new member companies, including AI-native drug developer Formation Bio. As leaders in AI-driven drug discovery, design, and development, alliance members will use the unprecedented scale of Illumina's genome-wide perturbation data as infrastructure for the next generation of therapeutics.
Partners will use unprecedented data scale to advance more precise medicines to approval. "We are building the cell atlas to address key bottlenecks across the drug discovery and development continuum," said Rami Mehio, senior vice president and general manager of BioInsight at Illumina. "We are creating the foundational framework to train virtual cell models and solve some of the most fundamental challenges in biology. Together, partners using this unique dataset can have a significant impact in de-risking and accelerating the journey from biological insights to approved drugs."
Introduced in January 2026 with founding participants AstraZeneca, Merck, and Eli Lilly and Company, the Atlas enables users to discover and validate novel targets, characterize drug and disease mechanisms of action, and explore potential new indications. Over 350 million cells have been sequenced to date, generating upwards of six petabytes of genomic data. The scale and diversity of the Atlas across hundreds of disease-relevant and healthy cell types can reveal how diseases originate and develop, as well as how we may be able to reverse their progression.
"Formation Bio's model is to identify and acquire promising medicines already close to or in the clinic, then use AI and technology to develop them faster and more efficiently. A core part of that model is making better asset-selection and indication decisions, especially for first-in-class programs where the evidence is often fragmented," said Benjamine Liu, CEO and co-founder of Formation Bio. "We are excited to leverage the Illumina Billion Cell Atlas to credential therapeutic-area hypotheses and target-indication pairs against a new layer of cell-specific causal biology. Combined with genetics, human biology, translational evidence, and clinical data, these insights can help us choose the right assets, indications, patients, and trial designs—and ultimately increase the probability that important new medicines reach patients."
Transforming drug discovery and development requires biological understanding at scale
For Formation Bio, the Atlas can provide insight into why a drug might work or fail in a specific patient population. Single-cell perturbation data at scale will enable researchers to build more precise models of how candidate drugs interact with disease biology, improving their ability to identify which patient subgroups are most likely to respond and inform clinical trial design. The Atlas will also strengthen one of the most consequential decisions in drug development: choosing which assets to advance and in which indications.
This is particularly important for first-in-class medicines, where the target biology may be compelling but clinical precedent is limited. By integrating cell-state-specific perturbation data with genetic, human, translational, and clinical evidence, Formation Bio can more rigorously credential target-indication pairs, identify the disease contexts and patient populations most likely to respond, and prioritize programs with the strongest probability of clinical success.
"The next frontier of AI in biology hinges on the creation of foundational training datasets," said Kyle Farh, vice president of Artificial Intelligence at Illumina. "Up until now, most single cell data has been observational. We aim to change that, and in the process, reimagine what is possible in biology."
About the Illumina Billion Cell Atlas
The Illumina Billion Cell Atlas — the world's largest genome-wide genetic perturbation dataset — is capturing how one billion individual cells respond to genetic changes via CRISPR across more than 200 disease-relevant cell lines. The program launched in January 2026, and members include AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, Formation Bio, Merck, and two additional AI-driven drug discovery partners. It will be the most comprehensive map of human disease biology upon completion. To learn more about the Illumina Billion Cell Atlas and other multiomics initiatives, visit this link.
About Illumina
Illumina is improving human health by unlocking the power of the genome. Our focus on innovation has established us as a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, serving customers in the research, clinical, and applied markets. Our products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture, and other emerging segments. To learn more, visit illumina.com and connect with us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Vistra plánuje v roce 2026 investovat 2,587 miliardy USD, více než 2,16 miliardy USD v roce 2025, hlavně do jaderných, solárních, bateriových a modernizovaných plynových zařízení. Firma zároveň přidává 4,5 GW organicky a chystá koupi portfolia Cogentrix o výkonu 5 500 MW.
Key Takeaways Vistra plans to invest $2.587 billion in 2026, up from $2.16 billion in 2025.Capital spending targets nuclear, solar, battery storage and modernized gas-fired facilities.Vistra is adding 4.5 GW organically and plans to acquire Cogentrix's 5,500-MW portfolio. Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) is well positioned for long-term growth, supported by its disciplined capital investment strategy. As the energy sector shifts toward cleaner and more reliable power generation, the company is making significant capital investments to expand its renewable energy and battery storage portfolio. These investments are expected to strengthen Vistra's ability to meet growing electricity demand while enhancing grid reliability and supporting long-term earnings growth.
Vistra aims to invest $2.587 billion in 2026, up from $2.16 billion and $1.93 billion invested in 2025 and 2024, respectively. The company’s capital expenditure is strategically directed toward the development of nuclear, solar, battery storage and modernized gas-fired facilities. Vistra operates a diversified generation fleet with approximately 44,000 megawatts (“MW”) of capacity, spanning natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar and battery energy storage assets.
VST is strategically deploying capital to expand its asset base, modernize technology and improve operational efficiency, strengthening the long-term growth prospects. The company is also growing its natural gas portfolio through acquisitions, including the Lotus assets and the planned acquisition of Cogentrix's 5,500-MW portfolio, while advancing approximately 4.5 GW of organic capacity additions to meet rising electricity demand and support cash flow growth.
With strong fundamentals and a clear capital deployment strategy, Vistra’s steadily rising CapEx signals long-term upside potential. Investors may view Vistra as a compelling opportunity in the evolving utility and clean energy space.
Utilities Are Investing in Energy TransitionUtilities across the United States are ramping up investments to advance the energy transition, directing capital toward expanding renewable generation and energy storage infrastructure.
NextEra Energy’s (NEE - Free Report) growth strategy is its planned capital investment of more than $94.1 billion through 2030. Planned investment at NEE’s unit FPL and NextEra Energy Resources will expand generation, strengthen grid reliability and accelerate renewable and storage development, supporting long-term earnings growth amid rising power demand.
Duke Energy's (DUK - Free Report) outlook is supported by its regulated utility operations and robust capital investment plan of $103 billion in the 2026-2030 period. Investments in grid modernization, renewable energy and transmission infrastructure are expected to expand Duke Energy's operation and drive consistent earnings.
The Zacks Rundown on VSTThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vistra’s 2026 and 2027 earnings per share indicates a year-over-year increase of 80.99% and 18.06%, respectively, in the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
VST’s trailing 12-month return on equity (ROE) is 105.64%, way ahead of its industry average of 11.21%. ROE, a profitability measure, reflects how effectively a company is utilizing its shareholders’ funds in operations to generate income.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Shares of Vistra have risen 1% in the past month compared with the Zacks Utility- Electric Power industry’s of 0.7% rally.
Celsius Holdings v 1. čtvrtletí snížila hrubou marži o 400 bazických bodů na 48,3 % kvůli nižší marži u značek Alani Nu a Rockstar. Tlak zvyšují i vyšší ceny hliníku a dopravy.
Key Takeaways Celsius Holdings' first-quarter gross margin fell 400 basis points to 48.3%. Higher aluminum prices and freight costs added to near-term margin pressure. Celsius Holdings is targeting savings through sourcing, freight and procurement changes. Celsius Holdings, Inc. (CELH - Free Report) entered 2026 with a significantly expanded energy drink portfolio following the integrations of Alani Nu and Rockstar Energy. While these additions have increased the company's scale, they have also created near-term pressure on profitability as the lower-margin businesses continue to be integrated into Celsius Holdings' operating and purchasing structure.
Gross margin declined 400 basis points year over year to 48.3% in the first quarter of 2026 from 52.3%. The decline primarily reflected the addition of Alani Nu and Rockstar, both of which had lower margin profiles upon acquisition. However, the gross margin improved approximately 90 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2025 as the underlying raw material cost of goods sold improved and fourth-quarter COGS write-offs and transition costs largely rolled off.
The quarter also reflected several temporary cost pressures. Higher London Metal Exchange aluminum prices and Midwest aluminum premiums increased packaging costs, while severe winter weather in parts of the Northeast resulted in incremental freight and freeze-protection expenses. Additional freight costs were also incurred as Rockstar inventory was rebalanced across the distribution network.
To improve profitability, Celsius Holdings continues to advance several operational initiatives, including its orbit inventory model, freight structure optimization, raw material alignment across Alani Nu and Rockstar, direct sourcing and mix improvements through price-pack architecture. The company has also secured aluminum conversion costs and price locks on several ingredients and vitamins while expanding procurement coverage into future years.
Although commodity inflation remains a near-term challenge, several integration-related cost headwinds have begun to ease. Going forward, the timing of Celsius Holdings' margin recovery will largely depend on its ability to translate its ongoing supply chain, procurement and operational initiatives into sustainable cost savings while managing elevated input and freight costs.
CELH Stock Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Celsius Holdings have tumbled 32% over the past year compared with the industry’s decline of 24%. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
CELH Price Performance Versus Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, CELH trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 16.85, higher than the industry’s average of 14.33.
CELH Valuation Compared With Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CELH’s current and next fiscal-year earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 18.7% and 23.6%, respectively.
Better-Ranked Stocks to ConsiderUnited Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI - Free Report) , a major food wholesaler serving grocery retailers, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for United Natural’s current and next fiscal-year earnings per share suggests year-over-year increases of 254.9% and 21.4%, respectively. UNFI delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 29.9%, on average.
Mama's Creations, Inc. (MAMA - Free Report) , a maker of refrigerated prepared foods for retail and foodservice, carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present.
The consensus estimate for Mama's Creations’ current and next fiscal-year EPS implies growth of 73.3% and 46.2%, respectively, from the prior-year reported levels. MAMA delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 129.2%, on average.
Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL - Free Report) , a global branded food company offering meat, protein and packaged food products, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Hormel Foods’ current and next fiscal-year EPS calls for a year-over-year jump of 9.5% and 3.5%, respectively. HRL delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 3.2%, on average.
Ciena ve 2. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2026 zvýšila tržby na rekordních 1,57 miliardy USD, meziročně o 40 %, a zvýšila výhled na fiskální rok 2026. Nokia zároveň zvýšila výhled růstu pro AI a síťovou infrastrukturu.
Key Takeaways Ciena and Nokia are benefiting from rising AI-driven demand for networking infrastructure.Ciena reported record revenues, expanded margins and raised its fiscal 2026 outlook.Nokia raised its AI and Network Infrastructure growth outlook as optical and IP demand accelerated. Ciena Corporation (CIEN - Free Report) and Nokia (NOK - Free Report) are benefiting from the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), which is driving strong demand for high-speed networking infrastructure. As hyperscalers and service providers expand AI deployments, both companies are strengthening their optical networking, routing and switching portfolios to support higher-capacity, low-latency connectivity. Ciena is leveraging its broad networking portfolio and deep customer relationships, while Nokia is expanding its AI and cloud business through optical and IP networking solutions.
Both companies are also introducing new AI-focused networking technologies and increasing investments to capture the growing opportunity. Ciena continues to expand its AI-driven portfolio with solutions such as RLS Hyper-Rail and DCOM, while Nokia has launched next-generation hyperscale optical solutions and AI-ready mobile networking products, alongside raising its Network Infrastructure growth outlook.
Let’s analyze their fundamentals, growth opportunities, market challenges and valuation to assess which one presents a stronger investment opportunity.
The Case for CIENCiena is benefiting from robust AI-driven demand for networking infrastructure, supported by its technology leadership, diversified product portfolio and long-standing customer relationships. In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, the company reported record revenues of $1.57 billion, up 40% year over year. Adjusted gross margin expanded to 44.9%, while adjusted earnings per share climbed to $1.64, nearly four times the prior-year level. Management stated that these results were delivered despite ongoing supply constraints. Backed by a growing backlog and offerings spanning networking systems, interconnects, software and services, Ciena remains well positioned to address rising connectivity needs across wide area networks and data centers.
The company continues to benefit from increasing investments by hyperscalers and service providers in networking infrastructure. Management indicated that hyperscalers have expanded their capital expenditure plans for 2026, with further investments expected beyond 2027, while service providers are resuming spending on optical infrastructure after a prolonged slowdown. Demand is being fueled by AI applications requiring high-capacity, low-latency and high-speed connectivity for model training, data ingestion and inference. Ciena expects these trends to significantly expand its addressable market to nearly $50 billion by 2029, covering both traditional WAN opportunities and fast-growing data center networking markets.
Ciena is further strengthening its competitive position through new product adoption and expanding customer engagements. The company secured the industry's first multi-rail order for its RLS Hyper-Rail platform from a leading hyperscaler and is actively working with additional hyperscalers, neoscalers and service providers that have shown strong interest in the solution. Its Data Center Out-of-Band Management (DCOM) platform drove 88% year-over-year growth in the Routing and Switching business, while Ciena also secured orders from a second hyperscaler, progressed qualifications with a third and won a major contract for coherent modules.
Demand for its 400G and 800G pluggables remains strong, with management expecting pluggable revenues to more than double from 2025. Customer collaboration is also increasing, as clients engage earlier in network design, helping shape Ciena's product roadmap and improving demand visibility. During the quarter, direct cloud customer revenues increased 70% year over year, service provider revenues rose 28%, India service provider revenues more than doubled and backlog expanded by more than $600 million sequentially to $7.7 billion, providing visibility into fiscal 2027.
The favorable demand environment has also strengthened Ciena's financial outlook. The adjusted operating margin improved to 19.5%, free cash flow reached $219 million and cash and investments totaled $1.4 billion. Management attributed the stronger profitability to engineering cost reductions, pricing optimization and disciplined working capital management. Reflecting solid first-half execution, the company raised its fiscal 2026 guidance and expects revenues of approximately $6.3 billion, plus or minus $100 million, an adjusted gross margin of 44.5%-45% and an adjusted operating margin of around 19%.
However, Ciena continues to face supply constraints as customer demand outpaces available component supply, requiring ongoing investments to secure manufacturing capacity and maintain execution. The company also operates in a highly competitive networking market and remains exposed to customer concentration risk.
The Case for NOKNokia is gaining from accelerating AI-driven demand and strengthening momentum across its network infrastructure business. The company reported 49% year-over-year growth in AI and cloud net sales, supported by strong demand from AI and cloud customers and €1 billion in new orders, primarily driven by Optical Networks. Management stated that rising AI adoption is increasing demand for data center interconnect, routing, switching and transport networks, creating a multi-year structural growth opportunity. Nokia also raised its AI and cloud addressable market growth outlook to a 27% CAGR for 2025-2028 from the previously expected 16%, while increasing its network infrastructure market growth outlook to 14% from 9%, reflecting stronger customer demand and higher AI-related infrastructure investments.
The company is also benefiting from expanding investments in Optical and IP Networks as AI deployments drive higher networking requirements. The company introduced a next-generation hyperscale multi-rail solution that significantly increases fiber density without expanding physical infrastructure and unveiled a new optical architecture designed to simplify deployments while reducing customers' total cost of ownership. Nokia also reported growing engagement with AI and cloud customers in switching and routing, secured new design wins, expanded its IP Networks pipeline and increased investments in optical manufacturing capacity. Reflecting these trends, management raised its 2026 Network Infrastructure growth outlook to 12-14% from 6-8% and increased its Optical and IP Networks growth forecast to 18-20% from 10-12%.
Nokia is strengthening its mobile network portfolio through AI-focused innovation and product development. The company introduced a new generation of AI RAN-ready radios featuring improved power efficiency and lower weight while continuing development of AI RAN solutions with NVIDIA, with field trials expected by year-end. Management also highlighted strong customer demand for cloud-native core software, new security capabilities and end-to-end automation as operators modernize their networks. At the same time, Nokia expects AI-related design wins in IP networking to translate into additional orders over the coming quarters, supporting future growth opportunities.
However, Nokia continues to face supply constraints as AI-related demand exceeds available capacity. Management noted that semiconductor supply limitations and the need to expand optical manufacturing capacity remain challenges as the company scales production. The company is investing in manufacturing capabilities, supply chain expansion and additional production capacity to capture growing demand, but acknowledged that the broader optical ecosystem continues to experience more demand than supply.
Nokia continues to face weakness in parts of its traditional networking business. Fixed Networks sales declined 13% in the quarter due to the company's strategy of prioritizing higher-margin products, while IP Networks growth was partly offset by softness in non-AI customer segments. Management also expects continued headwinds in the customer premises equipment business as it remains disciplined in focusing on long-term profitable opportunities, while describing the overall telecom market as relatively flat.
CIEN Shares vs. NOKOver the past year, CIEN shares have soared 393.5% while Nokia stock has surged 139.4%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Valuation for CIEN & NOKIn terms of Price/Book, CIEN shares are trading at 20.48X, higher than NOK’s 2.6X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
How Do Zacks Estimates Compare for CIEN & NOK?Analysts have significantly revised their earnings estimates upward for CIEN’s bottom line for the current year.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
For NOK, there have been no revisions for the current year.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CIEN or NOK: Which Stock to Bet on?CIEN sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present, while NOK has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Consequently, in terms of Zacks Rank and valuation, CIEN seems to be a better pick at the moment.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
DoubleVerify hlásí prudký růst v aktivaci na sociálních sítích: tržby vzrostly meziročně o 92 % a adopce se rozšiřuje u Meta, TikTok i YouTube. Nástroj AI SlopStopper už pokrývá přes 40 % měřených impresí.
Key Takeaways DoubleVerify's social activation revenue surged 92% as Meta, TikTok and YouTube adoption expanded.AI tools are gaining traction, with SlopStopper applied to more than 40% of measured impressions.CTV impressions rose 28%, while pricing pressure and platform dependence remain key risks. DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (DV - Free Report) is entering 2026 with a more diversified growth story. Social verification, connected TV and AI-driven tools are becoming more important as advertisers demand greater transparency across faster-growing digital channels.
The opportunity is clear, but so is the test. DV must prove that newer products can scale fast enough to offset slower growth in mature areas and fee-rate pressure across parts of its core business.
DoubleVerify's Core Ad Tech BusinessDoubleVerify provides digital media measurement, advertising verification and campaign optimization software. Its platform helps advertisers evaluate whether ads are fraud-free, brand-suitable, viewable and delivered in the intended geography.
That core verification layer remains the foundation of the company’s strategy. DV also offers attention measurement, contextual targeting, AI-driven optimization and attribution tools, giving advertisers a broader way to measure quality and performance across digital campaigns.
DV's Social Business Is Scaling FastSocial is the clearest near-term growth engine. Social Activation revenues surged 92% year over year in the first quarter of 2026, accelerating from 62% growth in the prior quarter.
Adoption is expanding across Meta, TikTok and YouTube. DV had 87 advertisers using its Meta activation product, including 31 of its top 100 customers, and the product reached a $12 million annualized revenue run rate.
DV’s YouTube Authentic Advantage is also gaining traction and is expected to generate about $10 million in annual contract value in 2026. This positions social verification as a key driver of revenue mix improvement.
DoubleVerify Pushes Deeper Into AIAI is becoming both a product opportunity and an efficiency lever for DV. The company has introduced tools including AI SlopStopper, AI Agent ID and verification products for large language model environments.
AI SlopStopper is already applied to more than 40% of measured impressions, while six of DV’s largest advertisers are testing the pre-bid version. Management is positioning DV as an independent trust layer as AI-driven advertising becomes more automated and opaque.
The opportunity extends beyond today’s verification market. DV sees AI advertising on LLM platforms as a new potential revenue stream, while AI tools may also help improve margins through operational efficiencies.
DV's CTV Expansion Adds Another LegConnected TV gives DV another route to grow beyond traditional desktop and web verification. CTV measurement impressions rose 28% year over year in the first quarter of 2026.
The company is also expanding products tied to streaming transparency and quality, including Verified Streaming TV and automated Do-Not-Air Lists. Its partnership with Spectrum Reach, which became the first partner in DV’s Certified Transparent Streaming program, strengthens its position in streaming measurement.
The CTV opportunity also keeps DV relevant as ad dollars shift toward fragmented streaming environments where fraud, suitability and transparency remain key advertiser concerns.
DoubleVerify's Key Risks Stay in ViewThe investment case is not without pressure points. Revenue growth has moderated from stronger prior-year levels, and declining measured transaction fees point to continued pricing pressure.
DV also depends on major digital advertising platforms for integrations and scale. That creates partnership risk, especially as platform-native tools compete with independent verification providers.
comScore, Inc. (SCOR - Free Report) remains a relevant peer because it offers overlapping solutions that help advertisers measure campaign performance, but they focus on different core strengths. While DoubleVerify specializes in digital ad verification, comScore specializes in broader audience measurement and media planning. The Trade Desk (TTD - Free Report) is another important ad-tech name to watch because demand-side platforms influence how advertisers buy, optimize and measure programmatic media.
How DV's Signals Fit This StoryThe bottom line: DV has attractive long-term exposure to social, CTV and AI, but the stock still needs clearer evidence that these newer growth engines can drive sustained acceleration.
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). That fits a wait-and-see setup, with opportunities balanced by execution risk and slower near-term revenue growth. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
DV has a VGM Score of B, with a Value Score of B and Growth Score of B, suggesting its fundamentals remain constructive. However, its Momentum Score of F points to weak recent price and earnings estimate trends, reinforcing the need for patience as the business mix shifts.
DoubleVerify se obchoduje za 9,93násobek forwardního zisku, ale růst tržeb zpomaluje: ve 2. čtvrtletí čeká tržby 199–205 milionů USD, tedy asi 7% meziroční růst, a za celý rok 8–10 %.
Key Takeaways DoubleVerify trades at 9.93X forward earnings as 2026 revenue growth is forecast at 8%-10%.First-quarter adjusted EBITDA reached $55.2 million, with a 31% margin and no debt outstanding.Measured transactions rose 12%, but the fee per thousand transactions fell 4%, pressuring growth. DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (DV - Free Report) presents a split investment case. The stock trades at a low multiple, solid profitability and ongoing investment in social, connected TV and AI products.
The caution is growth. Revenue expansion has slowed from prior levels, and pricing pressure remains visible even as transaction volumes rise.
DV Valuation Looks CompressedDV trades at 9.93X forward 12-month earnings, below 28.31X for the Zacks sub-industry, 24.49X for the Zacks Computer and Technology sector and 21.13X for the S&P 500.
That discount is also meaningful against its own history. Over the past five years, DV has traded as high as 171.17X and as low as 9.93X, with a median of 62.60X.
DoubleVerify Forward 12-Month P/E Ratio
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
For investors seeking a lower-multiple software name, that setup can look appealing. The valuation already reflects a large amount of skepticism, while the company still has earnings growth potential.
DoubleVerify Still Delivers Healthy MarginsProfitability remains the clearest support for the bull case. In the first quarter of 2026, DV reported adjusted EBITDA of $55.2 million, equal to a 31% adjusted EBITDA margin.
The company also expects a full-year adjusted EBITDA margin of about 34%. That level of margin discipline helps offset part of the concern around slower revenue growth.
AI-driven efficiencies are playing a role in cost control. Management has tied margin expansion to operating efficiency, faster product launches and the broader use of AI across the business.
DV Growth Is Slowing From Prior LevelsDV’s revenues increased 10% year over year to $180.8 million in the first quarter of 2026. That still reflects growth, but it is below the company’s stronger 2025 revenue growth rate of 14.7%.
The second-quarter outlook points to further moderation. Management expects revenues of $199-$205 million, representing year-over-year growth of about 7% at the midpoint.
For 2026, DV expects revenues of $810-$826 million, implying growth of 8-10%. That makes execution in social, connected TV and AI products central to the debate over whether the valuation discount is justified.
DoubleVerify Faces Fee and Mix PressureThe pricing picture is less favorable than the volume picture. Advertiser revenues represented 90% of total revenues and grew 9% year over year in the first quarter, while Media Transactions Measured increased 12%.
That volume gain was partly offset by a 4% decline in the fee charged per thousand measured transactions. Lower measured transaction fees can dilute the quality of revenue growth.
This dynamic makes product mix more important. DV needs scale, but it also needs greater adoption of higher-value offerings to reduce the drag from lower fee rates.
Competition adds to that pressure. comScore, Inc. (SCOR - Free Report) is another audience measurement and media planning provider, while The Trade Desk, Inc. (TTD - Free Report) is a major demand-side platform in the programmatic advertising ecosystem.
DV's Balance Sheet Supports the Bull CaseFinancial flexibility remains a real strength. DV ended the first quarter with approximately $174 million in cash and no debt outstanding.
The company has also been active with buybacks. It repurchased 9.8 million shares for $100.2 million year to date and still had $200 million authorized for repurchases.
That balance sheet does not remove execution risk, but it gives DV room to invest in AI and product expansion while returning capital.
What DV's Ratings Say About TimingThe bottom line is that DV looks inexpensive and profitable, but the growth profile is not yet strong enough to make the timing straightforward. A low multiple can support interest, while slower growth and fee pressure argue for patience.
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). That fits a balanced view, suggesting the shares are interesting but not a clear near-term conviction call. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
DV also has a VGM Score of B, along with a Value Score of B and a Growth Score of B. Those grades point to attractive underlying value and growth characteristics.
The Momentum Score of F is the offset. Since Style Scores are meant to complement the Zacks Rank, investors may prefer stronger momentum or improved estimate stability before taking a more aggressive stance.
Goldman Sachs zvýšila hodnocení Toast z Neutral na Buy a cílovou cenu na 36 USD, protože věří, že platforma Toast IQ podpoří růst tržeb a ARR. V 1. čtvrtletí přibylo asi 7 000 čistých provozoven a ARR vzrostl meziročně o 26 % na 2,2 miliardy USD.
Toast Inc. NYSE: TOST shares have rallied sharply into mid-July. Analysts are becoming bullish on the company’s Toast IQ artificial intelligence (AI) platform that launched in October 2025.
Toast Today
$30.56 +0.16 (+0.54%)
As of 01:41 PM Eastern
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52-Week Range$22.26▼
$49.66P/E Ratio47.03
Price Target$37.59
The tool is boosting total revenue and annual recurring revenue (ARR). Toast’s first-quarter results showed approximately 7,000 net new locations and 26% year-over-year ARR growth to $2.2 billion.
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That was punctuated by The Goldman Sachs Group, which upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy and raised its price target to $36. The firm was bullish about Toast IQ, which it believes will increase the company’s average revenue per user. Toast has also been increasing its number of accounts, a trend Goldman Sachs believes will continue.
Since the rally, TOST is about 20% below its consensus price target of $37.59. But at a time when investors have higher growth options, the simple question is whether TOST is fairly priced or undervalued.
Toast AI Platform Is Driving Revenue and ARR GrowthOn June 10, Toast published data about how its customers used Toast IQ in the first quarter of 2026. The results make clear that restaurant owners are looking for insights to increase the profitability and efficiency of their restaurants. That supports the idea that revenue gains will continue.
However, the company is also facing the costs associated with AI. That means balancing higher hardware and memory costs that could put margins under pressure.
Why Interest Rates Still Matter for TOSTSince going public in 2021, TOST stock has been impacted by the direction of interest rates. It soared to around $51 a share after the IPO. However, this was a time when stimulus money flowed freely, and the revenge travel trade was just getting started.
Toast seemed like the right stock at the right time. That is, until it wasn’t. TOST fell sharply, along with most technology stocks, starting in November 2021.
That wasn’t just because of normal IPO price action. The Federal Reserve began raising interest rates from a level at or near zero percent. Before dismissing that as anecdotal evidence, consider that Toast relies on the restaurant sector. This sector came under pressure as they balanced higher input costs with a consumer who had only so much room to absorb price increases.
That situation is still in place today. Consumer spending remains strong, and the latest data show inflation moderating. That argues against interest rate hikes, which will be bullish for TOST.
Is Toast Stock Undervalued? DCF Models Tell Different StoriesA discounted cash flow (DCF) calculator offers two ways to answer the fair value question. At TOST's current price, both are worth checking because they tell noticeably different stories.
The Intrinsic Value (FCF) model discounts Toast's projected free cash flow to today's dollars, resulting in a fair value range of $35.68 to $65.40 per share. The high end of that range is about 54% above the price as of July 15, suggesting the stock is undervalued on a pure cash-generation basis.
The Intrinsic Value Range w/Earnings Per Share (EPS) model applies multiples of 18.75x to 25x to projected earnings, resulting in a fair value band of $4.59 to $8.37 per share. A 25x forward price-to-earnings (P/E) is below the stock's current P/E and is reasonably generous for a mature company. The gap comes from the earnings base, not the multiple.
Why the disconnect? Toast only recently crossed into sustained GAAP profitability, and its GAAP earnings per share remain small relative to the cash the business actually generates. Stock-based compensation and other non-cash charges weigh on reported EPS in a way that they don't weigh on free cash flow. Analysts project 33% earnings growth over the next 12 months. A static, current-year EPS multiple doesn't fully capture that growth.
That's the real takeaway: the FCF and EPS models aren't contradicting each other so much as measuring different things for a company early in its profitability curve. As GAAP earnings catch up to cash flow, expect that gap to narrow. Until then, the FCF model may be the more reliable gauge of what Toast is actually worth.
Toast, Inc. (TOST) Price Chart for Thursday, July, 16, 2026
Toast Stock Outlook: What to Watch Before August EarningsTOST is a stock that may be easier to buy than it is to hold. For investors who believe the stock is trading below its fair value, getting in at $30 seems like a safe bet. However, competition and higher costs could eat into the company’s margins, compressing earnings growth, which is the argument skeptics are making.
Toast is scheduled to report earnings on August 4. Confirmation of strong year-over-year revenue growth could go a long way toward affirming Goldman Sachs' outlook. It could also signal that more analysts will raise their TOST targets.
Should You Invest $1,000 in Toast Right Now?Before you consider Toast, you'll want to hear this.
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Conagra Brands oznámila reset marží a zaměří se na ziskovost, jednodušší portfolio a investice do značek i dodavatelského řetězce. Pro fiskální rok 2027 čeká pokles organických tržeb o 3–1 % a upravený EPS 1,40–1,50 USD.
Key Takeaways CAG targets a margin reset with fiscal 2027 goals for sales, operating margin and EPS.Conagra Brands plans $40M more brand investment and $125M incremental capital spending.CAG is evaluating its 5,500 SKUs to reduce complexity and improve resource allocation. Conagra Brands, Inc. (CAG - Free Report) used its fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings call to outline a reset focused on restoring margins, improving supply chain capabilities and simplifying the portfolio. Management emphasized balancing near-term profitability with investments intended to strengthen future performance.
The company reported adjusted EPS of $0.47, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.46, while revenues reached $2.882 billion compared with the consensus estimate of $2.876 billion. Management’s discussion centered more on strategic changes than on quarterly results.
CAG's Margin Reset PlanCEO John Brase said the company is prioritizing a healthier margin structure after several years of emphasizing volume growth. He highlighted the need to balance competitive pricing, investment levels and profitability as Conagra works toward a stronger operating foundation.
The company’s fiscal 2027 outlook reflects this shift, with organic net sales expected to decline 3-1%, adjusted operating margin targeted at 10-10.5%, and adjusted EPS projected at $1.40-$1.50.
Management also pointed to productivity as a key driver, targeting productivity savings above 4% while addressing inflation pressures. Executives noted that pricing actions will play a role in supporting investment capacity.
Conagra's Investment BalanceBrase said the company plans to increase brand investment by $40 million, representing a 14% increase, while adding $125 million of incremental capital spending to strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce costs.
The company expects fiscal 2027 capital expenditures of about $550 million, with free cash flow conversion above 90%. Management said investments are designed to improve manufacturing capabilities while supporting long-term efficiency.
During the Q&A, a Barclays analyst questioned whether balance sheet constraints limited investment levels. Brase responded that the dividend reduction and capital allocation changes create room for both reinvestment and progress toward the company’s leverage target.
CAG's Frozen FocusManagement maintained that frozen remains a strategic priority despite recent margin pressure. Brase said the company intends to continue investing in frozen brands while using pricing and productivity actions to rebuild profitability.
The Refrigerated & Frozen segment generated $1.2 billion in fourth-quarter sales, but adjusted operating profit declined 18.5% to $139 million due to inflation, higher SG&A and unfavorable operating leverage.
A Bank of America analyst asked about the balance between frozen margin improvement and continued investment. Management said pricing actions, productivity improvements and innovation spending are intended to address both priorities.
Conagra's Portfolio ReviewBrase said portfolio simplification is a major focus, noting that the company plans to evaluate opportunities to reduce complexity and improve resource allocation. He said the review will include a detailed assessment of the company’s approximately 5,500 SKUs.
Management highlighted frozen and permissible snacking categories, including meat snacks, seeds and popcorn, as areas where Conagra believes it has competitive advantages.
A RBC Capital Markets analyst asked about the timing of portfolio changes. Brase said strategic portfolio actions would be a longer-term effort, while near-term opportunities include reducing SKU complexity.
CAG's Guidance FrameworkConagra entered fiscal 2027 with a focus on improving execution while managing inflation and consumer sensitivity. Management said pricing assumptions and volume trends are key factors it will monitor throughout the year.
The company reported fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.72, adjusted operating margin of 11.3% and free cash flow of $978.7 million. Net debt ended the year at $7.1 billion, with a net leverage ratio of 3.83X.
Executives also said the dividend reduction is expected to support deleveraging efforts. Management expects the change to free roughly $1 billion of incremental cash flow over the next three years.
Conagra's Closing DirectionBrase said his early focus has been listening to investors, customers and employees while identifying opportunities to simplify operations and improve accountability. He highlighted Project Catalyst as an initiative aimed at improving efficiency.
Management’s message on the call was centered on rebuilding operational discipline through targeted investments, portfolio focus and stronger cash management. The company plans to provide additional strategic details at an Investor Day in early 2027.
Zacks Signals for CAGCAG carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) at present, which indicates that the stock is currently positioned lower within the Zacks Rank system based on earnings estimate revisions. The Zacks Rank can change as analysts update their estimates following new company information.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The stock has a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of D, a Momentum Score of B and a VGM Score of B. The Zacks Style Score is designed to complement the Zacks Rank by evaluating value, growth and momentum characteristics, with higher grades representing stronger relative characteristics within each style category.
MP Materials v 1. čtvrtletí 2026 zvýšila tržby o 49 % na 90,6 mil. USD díky růstu segmentů Materials a Magnetics. Dohoda o cenovém minimu 110 USD/kg do roku 2035 zlepšuje viditelnost tržeb.
Key Takeaways MP's first-quarter 2026 revenues rose 49% to $90.6 million as Materials and Magnetics grew.A $110/kg price floor through 2035 and long-term 10X magnet commitments improve revenue visibility.Rising costs, customer concentration and capital-intensive project ramps keep MP's outlook balanced. MP Materials Corp. (MP - Free Report) is no longer just a Mountain Pass mining story. The company is building a broader rare earth platform that links upstream production with downstream magnets.
That shift gives investors more to consider. Demand visibility is improving, but the same strategy also raises the burden on execution, working capital and margins.
How MP Materials Is Rebuilding the Supply ChainMP controls rare earth production from mining and separation to metal, alloy and magnet manufacturing. Mountain Pass in California anchors the Materials segment, while the Fort Worth, TX, Independence facility supports downstream metal, alloy and magnetic precursor production.
The two assets matter more together as MP moves away from lower-value concentrate sales. The company ceased concentrate sales to Chinese customers in July 2025 and began neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnet manufacturing at Independence in December 2025.
Why MP Stock Has Better Demand VisibilityMP’s story is now shaped by commercial and policy support, not only rare earth pricing. Agreements with the Department of War support the expansion of Independence, the construction of the 10X facility in Northlake, TX, and heavy rare earth refining capability at Mountain Pass.
The framework also includes a $110-per-kilogram price floor for eligible neodymium-praseodymium products through 2035. That protection, combined with long-term magnet purchase commitments tied to 10X, gives MP more visible offtake and partial earnings support.
USA Rare Earth (USAR - Free Report) is another name tied to U.S. rare earth processing and magnet ambitions. Its presence keeps investor attention on the broader domestic supply chain buildout rather than on MP alone.
Where MP Materials is Showing Real Operating ProgressThe first quarter of 2026 showed progress in the transition. Revenues rose 49% year over year to $90.6 million, helped by stronger Materials and Magnetics contributions.
Materials revenues rose 30% to $72.2 million as MP produced a record 917 metric tons of neodymium-praseodymium and sold 1,006 metric tons. Magnetics revenues reached $21 million as higher magnetic precursor output supported the segment.
General Motors (GM - Free Report) remained central to that downstream ramp. MP had sold $87.9 million of magnetic precursor products to General Motors as of March 31, 2026 and expects to complete the remaining $62.1 million commitment within the next year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MP Materials’ 2026 earnings is pegged at 22 cents per share, indicating an improvement from the loss of 24 cents in 2025. The estimate for 2027 is $1.04 per share, indicating a 372% year-over-year improvement.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What Could Still Disrupt MP Materials GrowthMP’s transition is technically demanding. Mountain Pass is moving toward heavy rare earth production, Independence is ramping magnet manufacturing and qualification, and 10X still requires construction and commissioning.
Customer concentration also remains a risk. In the first quarter of 2026, two Materials customers accounted for 40% and 24% of total revenues, while General Motors represented 23% through Magnetics.
Costs add another constraint. Cost of sales climbed 52% in the quarter due to higher volumes of neodymium-praseodymium oxide, metal and magnetic precursor products, while start-up costs rose sharply as magnet and chlor-alkali activities ramped.
Shares of MP have declined 18.9% in the past three months compared with the industry’s 9.6% fall.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Albemarle Corporation (ALB - Free Report) , though focused on lithium rather than rare earth magnets, offers a useful comparison for investors watching critical minerals. Commodity exposure, processing costs and capital discipline often shape how markets value producers tied to electrification supply chains.
How MP Signals a Balanced Stock SetupThe bottom line is that MP has a clearer domestic rare earth growth path, but not a simple one. Scale, policy support and downstream integration improve the setup, while qualification risk, customer concentration and elevated investment needs keep the outlook balanced.
MP currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). That rank fits a company with visible catalysts but a near-term profile that still depends on execution across several capital-intensive projects. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Style Scores show the same split. MP has a Value Score of F, Growth Score of D, Momentum Score of A and VGM Score of D. The strong Momentum Score points to better sentiment and timing characteristics, but the weak Value, Growth and VGM readings suggest investors should weigh the stock’s improving narrative against an uneven operating and valuation profile.
MP Materials získává podporu ze strany USA pro domácí řetězec vzácných zemin, včetně ceny 110 USD/kg pro vybrané produkty od 4. čtvrtletí 2025 do roku 2035. Zároveň ale čelí rostoucím nákladům a nejistým maržím při rozšiřování výroby.
Key Takeaways MP links Mountain Pass, Independence and 10X to build a domestic rare earth supply chain.Policy support boosts demand visibility through price protection, incentives and long-term offtake.Rising costs, working-capital needs and unfinished ramps keep MP's margin outlook uncertain. MP Materials Corp. (MP - Free Report) sits near the center of a U.S. push to localize rare earth processing and magnet manufacturing. The investor question is no longer limited to mine output.
The bigger issue is whether MP can turn strategic relevance into repeatable earnings power while it builds a domestic supply chain.
Why MP Materials Fits the Reshoring TrendMP’s model fits reshoring because it spans more than mining. The company owns Mountain Pass in California, the only rare earth mine and processing site of scale in North America, and operates the Independence facility in Fort Worth, TX.
Mountain Pass supports mining, concentration and separation. Independence produces rare earth metal, alloy and magnetic precursor products, while the planned 10X campus in Northlake, TX, would add more domestic magnet capacity.
Albemarle Corporation (ALB - Free Report) , a lithium and specialty chemicals producer, gives investors another way to view processing depth in strategic materials. Cameco Corporation (CCJ - Free Report) , a uranium and nuclear fuel company, reflects interest in secure energy supply chains.
How MP is Moving Beyond Commodity ExposureMP is moving away from a simpler concentrate sales model. It stopped rare earth concentrate sales to Chinese customers in July 2025 and now focuses Materials segment revenues mainly on neodymium-praseodymium oxide and metal.
That shift matters because value creation increasingly depends on processing depth. In the first quarter of 2026, Materials revenues rose to $72.2 million, while neodymium-praseodymium oxide and metal revenues reached $71.1 million.
The downstream transition is also taking shape. Independence began generating revenues from magnetic precursor sales to General Motors in the first quarter of 2025 and started neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnet manufacturing in December 2025.
What Policy Support Means for MP GrowthPolicy support has become central to MP’s growth setup. The company entered definitive agreements with the United States Department of War in July 2025 to support a domestic rare earth magnet supply chain.
Those agreements call for expansion of Independence, construction of the 10X facility and extension of heavy rare earth refining capability at Mountain Pass. The Department of War agreed to purchase magnets from 10X, or approve commercial syndication, and guaranteed a minimum EBITDA level for that plant.
MP also implemented a price protection agreement in the fourth quarter of 2025 with a $110-per-kilogram floor for eligible neodymium-praseodymium products through 2035. The Northlake project is supported by roughly $200 million in state and local incentives and a 10-year Pentagon offtake commitment.
This support can improve demand visibility and reduce downside. It also adds contractual obligations, approval requirements and dependence on government program execution.
Why MP Materials Faces a Tougher Margin EquationThe domestic buildout brings costs that investors cannot ignore. MP has reported operating losses for 11 consecutive quarters as it shifts toward higher-value separated products.
Cost of sales climbed 52% in the first quarter of 2026 because of higher volumes of neodymium-praseodymium oxide, metal and magnetic precursor products. These products carry higher per-unit costs than rare earth concentrates because they require chemical reagents, labor, maintenance and other consumables.
Operating expenses are also rising. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 39.2% in the first quarter, mainly because of higher personnel costs. Start-up costs surged 503% as magnet production and chlor-alkali facilities ramped.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MP Materials’ 2026 earnings is pegged at 22 cents per share, indicating an improvement from the loss of 24 cents in 2025. The estimate for 2027 is $1.04 per share, indicating a 372% year-over-year improvement.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
However, both the estimates have been revised downward, as shown in the chart below.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Working capital remains part of the equation. Higher trade receivables, inventory needs and deferred revenues show that cash conversion depends on timely shipment, qualification and customer acceptance across newer product lines.
Shares of MP have declined 18.9% in the past three months against the industry’s 9.6% fall.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
How MP Scores Reflect a Trend-Driven TradeMP’s reshoring appeal is real, but the stock setup remains mixed. The company has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), which fits a business with policy support, improving operating traction and meaningful execution risk. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Style Scores show the same split. MP has a Momentum Score of A, suggesting stronger market interest around the theme and recent estimate activity. Its Value Score of F and Growth Score of D point to caution on valuation and fundamental consistency.
The VGM Score of D reinforces that this is not a clean across-the-board setup. MP looks more like a trend-driven stock that still needs proof of durable margins, smooth qualification and reliable downstream scale than a high-conviction buy at any price.
Onto Innovation čeká, že jeho byznys s pokročilými uzly v roce 2026 poroste asi o 25 %, tažený logikou, DRAM a raným oživením NAND. Firma zároveň míří na více než 15% růst tržeb oproti předchozímu čtvrtletí díky rostoucímu backlogu a širšímu přijetí produktů.
Key Takeaways Onto Innovation expects advanced nodes business to grow about 25% in 2026, above the industry WFE growth.ONTO sees momentum from logic, DRAM, early NAND recovery and new customer capacity expansions.ONTO expects over 15% sequential revenue growth on rising backlog and broader product adoption. AI, HPC, advanced packaging and next-generation memory are driving unprecedented demand for cutting-edge chips. As manufacturers push toward two-nanometer (2nm) and even smaller process technologies, the need for precision metrology and inspection has been rising. Among the companies benefiting from this trend is Onto Innovation, Inc. (ONTO - Free Report) . Being a semiconductor process control specialist, it has consistently delivered strong financial performance while expanding its presence across advanced logic, memory and advanced packaging.
Onto Innovation's advanced nodes business continues to gain momentum across both logic and memory markets. The Atlas G6 platform is seeing wider adoption after strong competitive evaluations at leading logic customers, while DRAM manufacturers are increasingly using it for next-generation device development. The company also secured a new TSV metrology application win, with initial shipments expected in the second half of 2026. Supported by strong demand in logic and DRAM, along with early signs of a NAND recovery, Onto Innovation expects its advanced nodes business to grow about 25% in 2026, outpacing industry wafer fab equipment growth.
Per management, advanced nodes' revenues more than doubled in 2025, driven by its strong OCD position with leading global logic and memory manufacturers, despite minimal China exposure. Films and integrated metrology also hit record revenues, with integrated metrology expanding beyond memory to include two leading-edge logic customers. Onto Innovation expects the momentum to accelerate in the second half of 2026, driven by customer capacity expansions, growing product adoption and a rising backlog, supporting more than 15% sequential revenue growth.
If AI-driven semiconductor investment remains resilient and advanced-node manufacturing expands as expected, ONTO appears well-positioned to extend its winning streak as the semiconductor industry transitions to increasingly complex manufacturing nodes.
How Does ONTO Stack Up Against Semiconductor Rivals?KLA Corporation (KLAC - Free Report) continues to benefit from AI-driven spending in leading-edge foundry/logic, HBM and advanced packaging, supporting market share gains in process control and steady services growth that helps anchor cash generation. KLA's advanced systems and longer tool lifecycles are driving high-margin service growth by increasing demand for tool performance and uptime. While KLA cited share gains in electron-beam inspection in 2025, the pace of customer adoption and the relative performance of competing platforms remain key variables at the most advanced nodes. If alternative approaches deliver better sensitivity or throughput economics, KLA may need higher R&D and applications spending to defend its installed base and sustain pricing.
Applied Materials (AMAT - Free Report) remains focused on the process complexity created by gate-all-around transitions and continues leading-edge node investments. In the fiscal second quarter, Semiconductor Systems delivered record foundry revenues, supported by strength in ALD, epitaxy and materials treatments, as customers ramp gate-all-around nodes while also adding capacity at advanced FinFET nodes. Management also emphasized that gate-all-around increases its available market and provides multiple opportunities for share gains in deposition, treatments, conductor etch and e-beam. The product cadence is important because it ties AMAT’s growth to architecture transitions rather than only to wafer starts. However, investments in manufacturing capacity, inventory and logistics to support customer ramps are increasing operational complexity.
ONTO Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesONTO’s shares have soared 208.8% in the past year, outperforming the Zacks Nanotechnology industry’s growth of 203.9% and surpassing the Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the S&P 500 composite’s growth of 33.9% and 23.8%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
In terms of forward price/earnings, ONTO’s shares are trading at 35.11X, higher than the industry’s 6.8X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ONTO has moved up for both 2026 and 2027 over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Onto Innovation currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Jacobs uzavřel s TransnetBW rámcovou dohodu o podpoře modernizace přenosové sítě v Německu. Firma bude zajišťovat povolování, návrh, řízení nákladů i stavební dohled.
Key Takeaways Jacobs joined TransnetBW's trusted partner pool to support major transmission infrastructure programs.The framework covers permitting, design, cost management, risk oversight and construction supervision.Jacobs' record $27 billion backlog and 1.4x book-to-bill ratio support strong revenue visibility. Jacobs Solutions Inc. (J - Free Report) has secured a multidisciplinary framework agreement with TransnetBW, one of Germany’s four major electricity transmission system operators, strengthening its position in Europe's accelerating energy transition. Instead of a single contract, the two companies have entered into a flexible agreement that places Jacobs in a pre-approved pool of trusted partners, allowing TransnetBW to assign work more efficiently without repeating the formal bidding process.
Under the agreement, Jacobs will provide end-to-end project delivery support across multiple transmission infrastructure programs. Its responsibilities will span environmental permitting, site investigations, engineering design, project and cost management, risk oversight and construction supervision. While TransnetBW will retain overall governance and final decision-making authority, Jacobs will contribute technical expertise to help deliver large-scale grid modernization projects safely, efficiently and in compliance with Germany's regulatory requirements.
Germany's Energy Transition Creates Long-Term OpportunityThe partnership strengthens Jacobs' presence in energy and power infrastructure, one of the company's fastest-growing end markets. As renewable energy capacity expands, Germany requires significant transmission upgrades to improve grid reliability and connect new clean-energy sources across the country.
Leveraging its established engineering and program management capabilities in Germany, Jacobs will help TransnetBW execute complex transmission projects through integrated technical delivery, environmental planning and disciplined project oversight. The collaboration also aligns with Jacobs' broader strategy of providing integrated lifecycle solutions, from planning and advisory services through construction management, for critical infrastructure projects.
The award comes amid rising investments in Germany's transmission network as renewable energy deployment and electrification increase demand for a stronger, more resilient power grid. It also positions Jacobs to capitalize on long-term infrastructure spending opportunities across Europe's energy market.
Record Backlog Supports Growth VisibilityThe TransnetBW framework further strengthens Jacobs' long-term growth outlook, supported by robust project demand across its key end markets. In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, the company reported a record backlog of $27 billion, up 22% year over year, while its trailing 12-month book-to-bill ratio remained a healthy 1.4x, reflecting continued strong bookings and revenue visibility. Management also raised its fiscal 2026 organic adjusted net revenue growth outlook to 8-10.5%, citing sustained momentum across data centers, semiconductors, water, energy and power, and transportation.
Recent project wins, including the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Terminal S expansion, the San Francisco Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant modernization and multiple hyperscaler data center projects, underscore Jacobs' ability to secure large, complex infrastructure programs across diversified end markets. This broad-based demand continues to reinforce the company's long-term growth strategy.
J’s Share Price PerformanceJacobs’ stock has declined 2.1% year to date against the Zacks Building Products - Miscellaneous industry’s 2.1% growth. Near-term performance could remain pressured by uncertainties surrounding infrastructure funding, foreign-exchange headwinds and higher leverage following the acquisition of the remaining stake in PA Consulting.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Nevertheless, Jacobs remains well positioned for long-term growth, supported by its record backlog, improving bookings and sustained demand across mission-critical markets such as energy and power, transportation, water, advanced manufacturing and AI-related infrastructure.
J’s Zacks Rank & Key PicksJacobs currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some top-ranked stocks from the Construction sector are:
Argan, Inc. (AGX - Free Report) flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 40.5%, on average. AGX stock has surged 94.4% year to date. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Argan’s 2026 sales and EPS indicates growth of 38% and 29.4%, respectively, from the prior-year levels.
Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL - Free Report) flaunts a Zacks Rank of 1 at present. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 29.1%, on average. STRL stock has jumped 118.4% year to date.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Sterling’s 2026 sales and EPS indicates growth of 59.2% and 75.7%, respectively, from the prior-year levels.
Everus Construction Group (ECG - Free Report) presently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 62%, on average. ECG stock has climbed 61.8% year to date.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ECG’s 2026 sales and EPS indicates growth of 17% and 11.1%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s levels.
Sterling Infrastructure oznámila, že tržby divize E-Infrastructure ve 1. čtvrtletí 2026 meziročně vzrostly o 174 % díky silné poptávce po datových centrech a pokročilé výrobě.
Key Takeaways Sterling's E-Infrastructure revenues jumped 174% year over year on strong mission-critical demand.More than 90% of Sterling's E-Infrastructure backlog is tied to data centers and advanced manufacturing.Stone Ridge could add $180-$200M in 2026 revenues, while expanding Sterling in the Pacific Northwest. Sterling Infrastructure (STRL - Free Report) is rapidly emerging as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the U.S. buildout of data centers and advanced manufacturing. The company's first-quarter 2026 results highlighted the strength of this trend, with E-Infrastructure revenues surging 174% year over year, driven by robust demand for site development services, contributions from the CEC acquisition and continued momentum in mission-critical projects. The business also delivered strong margin expansion, reflecting disciplined project selection and solid execution.
The growth story extends beyond a single quarter. Sterling ended the first quarter with a signed backlog of $3.8 billion and a combined backlog of $5.15 billion, while its total opportunity pool, including unsigned awards and future project phases, approached $6.5 billion.
Management noted that more than 90% of E-Infrastructure backlog is tied to mission-critical markets such as data centers, semiconductor fabrication and advanced manufacturing, providing strong visibility into future revenues. The company also secured the first phase of a large semiconductor fabrication campus, opening another long-term growth avenue.
Sterling is broadening its geographic reach. The acquisition of Stone Ridge Contracting expands its site development capabilities into the Pacific Northwest while strengthening its presence in high-growth data center and industrial markets. Stone Ridge is expected to generate $180-$200 million in 2026 revenues, with the EBITDA margin in the mid-teens, supporting Sterling's long-term expansion strategy.
The key risk is execution. Sustaining triple-digit growth will require Sterling to manage labor, project complexity and integration while maintaining margins. However, with rising demand, a record pipeline and an expanding geographic footprint, Sterling appears well-positioned to continue winning large infrastructure projects.
Here’s How Sterling Is Positioned Against Industry PeersSterling faces competition from EMCOR Group (EME - Free Report) and Comfort Systems USA (FIX - Free Report) , two companies benefiting from the rapid expansion of data centers, semiconductor facilities and other mission-critical infrastructure.
EMCOR has built a strong position in electrical and mechanical construction services for complex commercial and industrial projects. While it has extensive nationwide capabilities and long-standing customer relationships, Sterling differentiates itself through large-scale site development and integrated infrastructure services that are increasingly winning hyperscale data center projects. As AI-related capital spending grows, EMCOR remains a formidable rival in securing high-value infrastructure contracts.
Comfort Systems is another close competitor, specializing in mechanical, electrical and plumbing services for data centers, manufacturing facilities and advanced industrial projects. Comfort Systems continues to expand through acquisitions and strong project execution, strengthening its presence in mission-critical markets. However, Sterling's combination of site development, electrical capabilities and growing semiconductor exposure provides a broader infrastructure offering. As customers seek fewer, larger contractors capable of handling complex projects, Sterling, Comfort Systems and EMCOR are likely to remain among the key beneficiaries of long-term AI and infrastructure investment.
STRL Stock’s Price Performance & Valuation TrendShares of this Texas-based infrastructure services provider have gained 118.4% year to date, outperforming the Zacks Engineering - R and D Services industry, the broader Construction sector and the S&P 500 Index, as shown below.
STRL’s YTD Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The STRL stock is currently trading at a premium compared with its industry peers, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 29.41, as shown in the chart below.
STRL Valuation - P/E (F12M)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Earnings Estimate Revision of STRLSTRL’s earnings estimates for 2026 and 2027 have moved upward in the past 60 days to $19.12 and $25.83 per share, respectively. The revised estimates for 2026 and 2027 imply year-over-year growth of 75.7% and 35.1%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Sterling currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Wall Street expects a year-over-year decline in earnings on higher revenues when Harley-Davidson (HOG - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 23. 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 motorcycle maker is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.58 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -34.1%.
Revenues are expected to be $1.12 billion, up 6.5% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Harley-Davidson?For Harley-Davidson, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -1.16%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Harley-Davidson will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Harley-Davidson would post earnings of $0.34 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.22, delivering a surprise of -35.29%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates just once.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Harley-Davidson doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAnother stock from the Zacks Automotive - Domestic industry, General Motors (GM - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $3.13 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +23.7%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $45.96 billion, down 2.5% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for General Motors has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. However, a higher Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +5.17%.
This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggests that General Motors will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Equity Residential čeká za 2Q vyšší tržby i normalizované FFO díky vysoké obsazenosti, nižším pobídkám a lepším cenám nájmů. Konsensus FFO zůstává na 1,01 USD na akcii.
Key Takeaways Equity Residential is expected to post higher Q2 revenues and normalized FFO year over year.EQR benefited from high occupancy, lower concessions and improved lease pricing entering Q2.EQR's FFO estimate stayed at $1.01, while its Earnings ESP remained at 0.00%. Equity Residential (EQR - Free Report) is slated to report second-quarter 2026 results after the closing bell on July 22. The company’s quarterly results are likely to reflect growth in both revenues and funds from operations (“FFO”) per share.
In the last reported quarter, this Chicago, IL-based residential real estate investment trust’s (“REIT”) normalized FFO per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, delivering a surprise of 4.21%. However, rental income lagged the consensus mark.
Over the trailing four quarters, Equity Residential’s FFO per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate on one occasion, met in two and missed in the remaining period, with an average surprise of 0.81%. The graph below depicts this surprise history:
As we approach the release of Equity Residential's second-quarter 2026 earnings report, it is important to examine how this residential REIT is likely to have performed amid the current market conditions.
U.S. Apartment Market in Q2The U.S. multifamily market entered the second half of 2026 with a clearer recovery taking shape, as strong renter demand and a rapidly shrinking supply pipeline began translating into lower vacancy and improving rent growth.
According to a Cushman & Wakefield report, net absorption reached roughly 124,600 units, up from 83,500 units in the first quarter and 8% above the prior year, making it the fifth-strongest quarter in nearly 25 years. The supply picture also became more favorable. Approximately 88,000 units were delivered during the quarter, down 27% year over year. Around 475,000 units remained under construction at quarter-end, equal to just 3.5% of existing inventory.
Improving demand and slowing supply pushed the national vacancy rate down 35 basis points quarter over quarter to 8.9%, its first move below 9% since 2024. On a trailing four-quarter basis, absorption of approximately 362,000 units exceeded deliveries of about 358,000 units for the first time since early 2022, indicating vacancy is likely to have passed its cyclical peak. The recovery was particularly pronounced in previously overbuilt markets: Austin, Charleston, Savannah, Huntsville, Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs recorded some of the largest quarterly vacancy declines.
Rent growth remains modest but is beginning to improve. National asking rents reached approximately $1,945 per month, up 1.5% year over year, compared with 1.1% growth in the first quarter. The Bay Area led the recovery, with San Francisco rents rising 13%, San Jose 7% and the East Bay 4.8%. Norfolk, Toledo, Reno and Boise also posted strong gains.
High-supply markets remained softer, with rents still declining in Austin and Sarasota, although the pace of those declines moderated as excess supply was absorbed. Overall, the market appears to be shifting from stabilization into an occupancy-led recovery, with broader rent growth likely as the construction pipeline continues to shrink.
Factors to Consider Ahead of EQR’s Q2 ResultsThe improving fundamentals across the U.S. apartment market are expected to have supported Equity Residential's second-quarter performance, particularly given its concentration in high-barrier coastal markets where supply pressures are easing.
Equity Residential entered the second quarter of 2026 with strong occupancy and improving leasing momentum. Portfolio occupancy was 96.3% at the end of the first quarter, while net effective pricing had increased more than 4% since the start of the year. Concession use was also down about 21% from a year earlier, giving management confidence that pricing should continue to improve through the spring leasing season.
The biggest support remains the supply backdrop. EQR expects new apartment deliveries across its markets to decline about 35% in 2026, with the benefit becoming more visible in the second half. Low turnover, rising resident incomes and limited homeownership affordability should continue to support occupancy and renewal performance.
Overall, second-quarter 2026 results are expected to show gradual improvement rather than a major breakout. High occupancy, lower concessions and stronger renewal spreads should support better blended lease growth, while the sharp slowdown in new supply is expected to set up stronger operating momentum.
Projections for EQRWe expect second-quarter same-store revenues to increase 2.6% year over year, while same-store net operating income is estimated to grow 2.2%. Physical occupancy is expected at 96.4%.
Currently, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s quarterly revenues is pegged at $789.8 million, indicating a 2.73% year-over-year increase. For the second quarter of 2026, the company projects normalized FFO per share in the range of 98 cents to $1.02.
Before the second-quarter earnings release, the company’s activities were not adequate to gain analysts’ confidence. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarterly normalized FFO per share has remained unchanged in the past two months at $1.01. However, it suggests 2.02% year-over-year growth.
Here Is What Our Quantitative Model Predicts for EQROur proven model does not conclusively predict a surprise in terms of FFO per share for Equity Residential this season. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an FFO beat, which is not the case here.
Equity Residential currently carries a Zacks Rank of 3 and has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Stocks That Warrant a LookHere are two stocks from the broader REIT sector — SL Green Realty (SLG - Free Report) and Cousins Properties (CUZ - Free Report) — you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to report an FFO beat this quarter.
SL Green is slated to report quarterly numbers on July 22. SLG has an Earnings ESP of +7.20% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Cousins is slated to report quarterly numbers on July 30. CUZ has an Earnings ESP of +0.45% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.
Note: Anything related to earnings presented in this write-up represents funds from operations (FFO) — a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs.
HealthEquity ve fiskálním 1Q 2027 zvýšila počet účtů HSA o 8 % na 10,6 milionu a celková aktiva HSA vzrostla o 19 % na 37,1 miliardy USD. AI nástroje snížily ruční zpracování e-mailů o 25 %.
Key Takeaways HealthEquity is gaining from solid fiscal Q1 results, HSA strength and its business model.HQY's AI tools cut manual email handling 25% and reduced efforts by more than 90% in targeted workflows.HealthEquity's HSAs rose 8% to 10.6 million, while total HSA assets grew 19% to $37.1 billion. HealthEquity, Inc. (HQY - Free Report) has been gaining from its business model and strategy. The optimism, led by a solid first-quarter fiscal 2027 performance and strength in Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), is expected to contribute further. However, data security threats are major concerns.
In the year-to-date period, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company’s shares have gained 3.8% against the 0.7% decline of the industry. The S&P 500 has increased 10.3% during the said time frame.
The renowned provider of technology-enabled services platforms for healthcare savings and spending decisions has a market capitalization of $7.9 billion. The company projects 15.2% growth over the next five years and expects to witness continued improvements in its business. HealthEquity’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 12.02%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Reasons Favoring HQY’s GrowthAI & Digital Innovation Drive Scalable Efficiency:In the first quarter of fiscal 2027, management said AI-driven tools reduced manual handling of member and client service emails by 25%. In targeted workflows such as card servicing and claims inquiries, AI-enabled automation reduced manual efforts by more than 90% and accelerated processing times by up to 50%. These initiatives are being paired with continued technology and security investments embedded in the raised fiscal 2027 outlook, suggesting management intends to keep pushing automation while sustaining service quality.
Expansion of Health Savings Accounts: HealthEquity has experienced significant growth in its HSA offerings. As of April 30, 2026, the total number of HSAs for which HealthEquity served as a non-bank custodian was 10.6 million, up 8% year over year.
HealthEquity reported 909,000 HSAs with investments as of April 30, 2026, up 18% year over year. Total accounts, as of April 30, 2026, were 17.8 million. This uptick included total HSAs and 7.2 million Consumer Direct Benefits (CDBs).
Total HSA assets were $37.1 billion at the end of April 30, 2026, up 19% year over year. This included $17.5 billion of HSA cash and $19.6 billion of HSA investments. This figure compares with our fiscal first-quarter HSA cash and HSA investments projection of $17.6 billion and $17.9 billion, respectively. We projected total HSA assets of $35.5 billion for the fiscal first quarter.
Client-held funds, which are deposits held on behalf of HealthEquity’s clients to facilitate the administration of its CDBs and from which the company generates custodial revenues, were $1 billion as of April 30, 2026.
Strong Fiscal Q1 Results: HealthEquity exited first-quarter fiscal 2027 with better-than-expected results. The company witnessed solid top and bottom-line performances in the reported quarter. Solid growth in HSAs also drove the top line. The solid uptick in total HSA assets in the reported quarter is promising. Improvements in operating and gross margins also bode well.
Management noted that the company opened approximately 172,000 new HSAs during the quarter. The company noted that it outpaced industry HSA growth, supported by strong client retention, an active enterprise sales pipeline and continued adoption of HSA-qualified plans.
Management also emphasized that digital engagement continues to strengthen, with monthly active mobile usage surging 90% year over year. The increased use of the mobile platform is helping improve member engagement, boost investing activity and support marketplace adoption, all of which are expected to enhance long-term member lifetime value.
Factor That May Offset HQY’s GainsData Security Threats: HealthEquity manages sensitive personal data and large custodial balances, which keeps cybersecurity risk elevated despite recent progress in fraud reduction. The company remains subject to a consolidated putative class action related to a fiscal 2025 cybersecurity incident involving a business partner’s user account and is also subject to regulatory inquiries connected to that incident.
In May 2026, the company filed a renewed motion to compel arbitration, and the potential loss associated with the lawsuit and any regulatory action was not reasonably estimable based on available information. Any adverse outcome could increase costs, create operational distraction and impact member and client confidence, which can weigh on the long-term margin and growth profile.
Estimate TrendHealthEquity has been witnessing a stable estimate revision trend for fiscal 2027. Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share (EPS) has remained stable at $4.71.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter fiscal 2027 revenues is pegged at $350.2 million, implying a 7.5% rise from the year-ago reported number. The consensus mark for fiscal second-quarter EPS is pinned at $1.19, implying a 10.2% improvement year over year.
Key PicksSome better-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are West Pharmaceutical (WST - Free Report) , Intuitive Surgical (ISRG - Free Report) and Cardinal Health (CAH - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
West Pharmaceutical reported first-quarter 2026 earnings per share of $2.13, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 26.8%. Revenues of $844.9 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.5%.
West Pharmaceutical has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 13.9%. WST’s earnings surpassed estimates in the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 19.4%.
Intuitive Surgical reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $2.50, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 20.2%. Revenues of $2.77 billion surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.2%.
Intuitive Surgical has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 14.3%. ISRG’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 16.8%.
Cardinal Health reported a third-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS of $3.17, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 13.2%. Revenues of $60.94 billion missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.3%.
Cardinal Health has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 17%. CAH’s earnings surpassed estimates in the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 10.3%.
Mobileye Global čeká za čtvrtletí končící v červnu 2026 zisk na akcii 0,05 USD a tržby 484 milionů USD. Konsenzus počítá s meziročním poklesem zisku o 61,5 % a tržeb o 4,4 %.
The market expects Mobileye Global (MBLY - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year decline 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 July 23, 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 maker of driver-assistance systems and autonomous driving technologies is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.05 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -61.5%.
Revenues are expected to be $484 million, down 4.4% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Mobileye?For Mobileye, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -6.25%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #4.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Mobileye will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Mobileye would post earnings of $0.08 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.12, delivering a surprise of +50.00%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Mobileye doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Applied Optoelectronics rozšiřuje závod v Pearlandu v Texasu o téměř 400 000 čtverečních stop, aby zvýšila výrobu optických transceiverů 800G a 1,6T. Podle firmy má poptávka převyšovat kapacitu až do poloviny roku 2027. Společnost plánuje zvýšit produkční kapacitu z téměř 100 000 kusů měsíčně na konci prvního čtvrtletí na více než 650 000 kusů měsíčně do konce roku 2026 a 930 000 kusů do konce roku 2027.
Key Takeaways AAOI is adding nearly 400,000 square feet of production to boost 800G and 1.6T transceiver output. Applied Optoelectronics expects demand to exceed production capacity through mid-2027. AAOI targets monthly production of more than 650,000 units by the end of 2026 and 930,000 units by end-2027. Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI - Free Report) has begun expanding its Pearland, TX, manufacturing campus, reinforcing its commitment to meeting rapidly growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) networking infrastructure. The project will add nearly 400,000 square feet of production space across two facilities, supporting higher output of 800G and 1.6T optical transceivers used in hyperscale AI data centers.
The expansion builds on AAOI's broader U.S. manufacturing strategy and follows the company's previously announced plans to significantly increase domestic production capacity. Once fully operational, the Houston-area campus is expected to support production of up to 700,000 high-speed optical transceivers per month while substantially expanding laser manufacturing capacity by the end of 2027. The investment is aimed at strengthening AAOI's ability to serve hyperscale cloud providers as AI infrastructure deployments continue to accelerate.
The new facilities complement AAOI's vertically integrated manufacturing model, enabling the company to expand domestic production while maintaining greater control over product quality, supply chain resilience and manufacturing efficiency. The expansion also positions AAOI to capitalize on the industry's transition to higher-speed optical networking solutions.
AI Networking Demand Continues to Fuel AAOI's GrowthApplied Optoelectronics shares have soared 212.9% year to date, significantly outperforming the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector's 15.8% growth. The rally reflects investors' optimism surrounding the company's expanding AI optics business, increasing hyperscaler engagements and aggressive manufacturing expansion.
The Pearland expansion supports AAOI's strategy of becoming a leading U.S. supplier of AI optical networking products. Demand for 800G and 1.6T optical transceivers is rising rapidly as hyperscale cloud providers build AI data centers, with management expecting demand to exceed production capacity through mid-2027, providing strong revenue visibility.
The company's AI optics business is gaining momentum. In the first quarter of 2026, 800G transceivers generated $4.6 million, or 5.6% of data center revenues, following the first volume shipment to a major hyperscale customer. Management expects 800G shipments to nearly quadruple in the second quarter, while 1.6T transceiver shipments are expected to begin in the third quarter after the company secured its first volume order from another hyperscale customer.
To support growing demand, AAOI plans to increase production capacity from nearly 100,000 units per month at the end of the first quarter to more than 650,000 units by the end of 2026 and 930,000 units by the end of 2027, alongside a 350% expansion in laser fabrication capacity.
AAOI’s strong position in the 800G transceiver market is fueling both operational and financial momentum. The company forecasts 800G revenues will reach approximately $217 million per month by mid-2027, contributing to total data center transceiver revenues of about $471 million per month.
AAOI Offers Strong Q2 2026 OutlookApplied Optoelectronics' expanding U.S. manufacturing footprint, accelerating AI infrastructure deployments and growing 800G and 1.6T optical transceiver business are expected to benefit the company’s top-line growth.
AAOI expects second-quarter 2026 revenues to be between $180 million and $198 million.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $191.13 million, indicating year-over-year growth of 85.66%.
The consensus mark for second-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at 3 cents per share, unchanged over the past 30 days. The figure implies a year-over-year increase of 118.75%.
AAOI's Zacks Rank & Stocks to ConsiderCurrently, Applied Optoelectronics carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Digital Turbine (APPS - Free Report) , Dell Technologies (DELL - Free Report) and Analog Devices (ADI - Free Report) are some better-ranked stocks that investors can consider in the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector. Digital Turbine, Dell Technologies and Analog Devices sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) each at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
APPS shares have rallied 94.6% in the year-to-date period. The long-term earnings growth rate for Digital Turbine is pegged at 18.98%.
DELL shares have surged 227.8% in the year-to-date period. The long-term earnings growth rate for Dell Technologies is pegged at 26.35%.
Shares of ADI have gained 44.1% in the year-to-date period. The long-term earnings growth rate for Analog Devices is pegged at 28.76%.
ALTO za poslední rok vzrostla o 343,6 %, ale dál se obchoduje s forward P/S 0,4, hluboko pod odvětvovým průměrem 3,29. V 1. čtvrtletí 2026 se EPS zlepšil na 5 centů z loňské ztráty 16 centů.
Key Takeaways ALTO's shares surged 343.6% in a year, yet its forward P/S ratio remains below peers and the industry.First-quarter 2026 EPS turned positive as EBITDA and gross profit rebounded from year-ago losses.Section 45Z credits, capacity upgrades and export strength support growth, while commodity risks remain. Alto Ingredients, Inc. (ALTO - Free Report) has been benefiting from improving profitability, favorable industry conditions and expanding opportunities from Section 45Z tax credits. The renewable fuels producer is also executing operational optimization and capacity expansion initiatives that are expected to strengthen its earnings profile and support long-term growth. Despite these positive developments, ALTO continues to trade at a discount to its industry and several key peers, making the stock worth a closer look.
Shares of ALTO have soared 343.6% in the past year, significantly outperforming the broader market and most industry peers. Over the same period, the S&P 500 advanced 23.8%, while the Consumer Products - Discretionary industry gained 16.5%. In contrast, the broader Consumer Discretionary sector declined 14.9%.
ALTO has also significantly outperformed several notable competitors, including Green Plains Inc. (GPRE - Free Report) , Gevo, Inc. (GEVO - Free Report) and MGP Ingredients, Inc. (MGPI - Free Report) . Green Plains and Gevo rose 115.7% and 8.9%, respectively, over the same period, while MGP Ingredients declined 42.4%. This exceptional performance has established ALTO as one of the standout stocks within its peer group.
ALTO Stock Past Year Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Strong stock performance often comes with stretched valuations. However, despite its remarkable rally, ALTO remains attractively valued compared with the broader industry and several key peers, indicating there could still be room for further upside.
Alto Ingredients' Valuation Still Looks AttractiveALTO currently trades at a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio (P/S) of 0.4, well below the industry average of 3.29 and the sector average of 2.28. The stock also trades at lower multiples compared with Green Plains, Gevo and MGP Ingredients, whose forward price-to-sales ratios are 0.59, 1.99 and 0.73, respectively.
ALTO’s Valuation Compared to Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
So, what's driving ALTO's exceptional performance? Let's take a closer look.
Fundamentals Supporting ALTO’s RallyAlto Ingredients' rally has been underpinned by a significant turnaround in its financial performance. In the first quarter of 2026, the company reported earnings of 5 cents per share against a loss of 16 cents in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA improved to $4.7 million from a negative $4.4 million, while gross profit swung to $9.2 million from a gross loss of $1.8 million. The results underscored the success of ALTO’s strategic realignment and enhanced earnings power.
Favorable industry dynamics have also provided a meaningful boost. Strong export demand, higher export premiums relative to domestic renewable fuel sales and improving corn oil prices supported margins. Board crush margins increased to 17 cents per gallon from just 2 cents a year ago, while essential ingredients returns improved to 53.4% from 48.2%. Management also remains optimistic about demand growth from export markets and year-round E15 adoption.
At the same time, Alto Ingredients continues to invest in projects aimed at enhancing long-term profitability. A debottlenecking project at the Pekin dry mill is expected to raise annual production capacity by about 5 million gallons, while additional CO2 infrastructure investments should enhance flexibility and support higher-value opportunities. The company is also evaluating carbon capture and sequestration initiatives that could provide additional earnings opportunities over time.
Section 45Z tax credits have also emerged as another important growth driver for Alto Ingredients. The company recognized $3.9 million in tax-credit earnings during the first quarter and expects roughly $15 million in annual net proceeds from qualifying production volumes. Positive operating cash flow, lower debt and more than $94 million in borrowing capacity have further strengthened its financial position.
What Could Limit ALTO's Upside?Alto Ingredients remains exposed to fluctuations in commodity prices and broader macroeconomic conditions. On its first quarter of 2026 earnings call, management noted that rising energy costs, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to freight and export logistics could create volatility in input costs and product demand. Since the company's margins are closely tied to corn, natural gas and ethanol prices, sustained cost inflation or weaker market conditions could weigh on profitability.
The company also faces the risk of weaker industry margins if production outpaces demand. Management acknowledged that strong spring crush margins have historically encouraged higher ethanol production, often leading to oversupply and margin compression in the second half of the year. While export demand and the potential expansion of year-round E15 could help absorb additional volumes, their impact remains uncertain.
The Bottom Line on Alto IngredientsAlto Ingredients has strengthened the business through higher profitability, favorable industry conditions and ongoing operational investments, supporting its impressive stock performance. ALTO’s shares also continue to trade at an attractive valuation despite the strong rally. However, exposure to commodity price volatility and the potential for industry margin pressure remain key risks to monitor. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), existing investors may consider staying invested, while new investors may await a more attractive entry point.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Lumentum ve třetím fiskálním čtvrtletí zvýšil tržby v divizi Components o 77,3 % a v divizi Systems o 121,1 % díky silné poptávce po AI infrastruktuře. Applied Digital naopak prohloubil čistou ztrátu na 100,9 milionu USD.
Key Takeaways Lumentum's fiscal third-quarter Components and Systems revenues surged 77.3% and 121.1%, respectively.AI demand, sold-out components and new optical products support LITE's multi-year growth outlook.APLD faces widening losses, heavy debt and execution risks despite expanding AI data center capacity. Lumentum Holdings (LITE - Free Report) and Applied Digital Corporation (APLD - Free Report) are emerging beneficiaries of the accelerating AI infrastructure buildout. Lumentum supplies advanced optical networking components that enable high-speed data transmission within AI data centers. At the same time, Applied Digital develops and operates AI-focused data centers and high-performance computing infrastructure. Despite their different business models, both companies are benefiting from the same wave of AI-driven capital spending.
The AI infrastructure investment cycle is gaining momentum as hyperscalers, cloud providers and enterprises continue expanding their AI capabilities. According to Mordor Intelligence, the global AI infrastructure market is projected to reach $202.5 billion by 2031, growing at a 14.9% CAGR. As AI infrastructure spending accelerates, investors are increasingly evaluating companies across different layers of the AI ecosystem. Against this backdrop, comparing these two companies offers insight into which is better positioned to capitalize on this long-term opportunity.
The Case for LITE StockLumentum is emerging as one of the strongest beneficiaries of the accelerating AI infrastructure buildout, supplying the optical engines that enable high-speed connectivity inside and between hyperscale AI data centers. Its portfolio spans electro-absorption modulated lasers (EMLs), continuous-wave lasers, pump lasers, narrow-linewidth laser assemblies, optical circuit switches (OCS) and cloud transceivers — all of which are essential for AI networking, data center interconnect (DCI) and co-packaged optics (CPO). The company increasingly positions itself as a critical supplier of both AI infrastructure components and complete optical systems.
AI demand continues to translate into exceptional execution. In third-quarter fiscal 2026, Components revenues climbed 77.3%, and Systems revenues jumped 121.1%, driven by record cloud transceiver shipments, robust EML demand and expanding AI deployments. Management expects fiscal fourth-quarter revenues of $960 million-$1.01 billion, reflecting confidence in sustained AI infrastructure investments and continued business momentum.
Lumentum's competitive advantage lies in its differentiated "scale-out" and "scale-across" optical portfolio. Hyperscalers are increasingly adopting distributed AI architectures that require high-bandwidth optical interconnects, pump lasers, wavelength-selective switches and narrow-linewidth lasers. The company stated several AI-focused components remain effectively sold out, while 1.6T transceivers, optical circuit switches and CPO products are expected to provide additional multi-year growth opportunities.
However, investors should remain aware of supply constraints, uncertain AI investment timing, manufacturing ramp execution, geopolitical trade restrictions and customer concentration, which could affect near-term performance. Even so, these risks appear manageable given the company's expanding capacity, improving profitability and strengthening product portfolio.
Analyst sentiment toward Lumentum has strengthened, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its fiscal first-quarter and full-year fiscal 2027 earnings pegged at $3.53 and $18.07 per share, indicating growth of 220.91% and 121.15%, respectively. These estimates have also moved higher over the past 30 and 60 days.
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The Case for APLD StockApplied Digital is positioning itself as an emerging beneficiary of the accelerating AI infrastructure buildout, but the investment case remains clouded by execution and financial risks. The company is pursuing an aggressive, capital-intensive expansion strategy that continues to pressure profitability while increasing financial leverage. Third-quarter fiscal 2026 net loss attributable to common stockholders widened to $100.9 million, while operating loss reached $85.7 million despite strong revenue growth. The balance sheet reflects the scale of its AI infrastructure buildout, with long-term debt exceeding $2.5 billion, making future returns heavily dependent on timely project execution, customer ramp-ups and continued access to financing.
Despite strong AI demand, Applied Digital faces significant execution challenges. Future growth depends on completing Polaris Forge and Delta Forge projects on schedule, securing additional financing, converting its power pipeline into contracted capacity and signing more long-term hyperscaler leases. The company also remains exposed to customer concentration, power availability, permitting delays, equipment disruptions and the timing of hyperscaler leasing decisions — all of which management identifies as key business risks. Moreover, management noted that only a small fraction of its long-term power pipeline has been contracted, while several development sites remain subject to customer negotiations, regulatory approvals and infrastructure development.
Still, Applied Digital is positioned to benefit from the accelerating AI infrastructure investment cycle. The company designs, builds and operates purpose-built AI factories for AI, cloud and high-performance computing workloads while leveraging a vertically integrated strategy spanning power, AI infrastructure and accelerated compute.
APLD recently laid the foundation stone for the 300 MW Delta Forge 1 AI campus, secured a $100 million development facility from Macquarie, strengthened the credit quality of CoreWeave leases, completed a $2.15 billion secured note offering and continued the expansion of Polaris Forge. Management also targets approximately 3 GW of AI capacity by 2031, positioning the company as a potential long-term beneficiary of hyperscalers' accelerating AI infrastructure spending.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for APLD’s fiscal 2027 loss is currently pegged at $1 per share, wider than the 70-cent loss reported a year ago. While the estimate has remained unchanged over the past 30 days, it has worsened by 9 cents over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Price Performance & Valuation of LITE & APLDIn the past six months, shares of Lumentum have surged 130.9% against Applied Digital’s decline of 22.3%. Growing adoption of Lumentum's AI optical technologies has enhanced revenue visibility and investor sentiment, enabling the stock to outperform despite volatility across the broader AI infrastructure sector.
LITE Vs. TEAM: Six-Month Price Return Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Valuation remains a consideration, with Lumentum and Applied Digital each carrying a Value Score of D and F, respectively. However, Lumentum trades at a lower forward 12-month P/S multiple of 10.21X versus Applied Digital's 11.79X.
LITE's relatively reasonable valuation, combined with its strong AI-driven growth prospects, makes the stock an attractive choice for investors seeking long-term upside with greater stability.
LITE vs. APLD: Forward 12-Month P/S Ratio
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
LITE or APLD: Which Stock Has the Edge?Lumentum appears better positioned than Applied Digital at present, supported by stronger execution, accelerating earnings growth, improving estimate revisions and a relatively more attractive valuation. While both companies stand to benefit from expanding AI infrastructure investments, Lumentum offers a more balanced risk-reward profile, making it the stronger choice for investors seeking long-term AI-driven growth with greater stability.
Currently, LITE has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), while APLD carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Key Takeaways Tractor Supply's Q2 revenues are projected to rise 4.6% y/y to $4.6 billion in sales this quarter.TSCO's EPS is expected to increase 4.9% to 85 cents, even as SG&A expenses rise 7.6% in Q2.Tractor Supply's gross margin is expected to expand 60 basis points to 37.5%, supporting profit growth. Tractor Supply Company (TSCO - Free Report) is likely to register increases in the top and bottom lines when it reports second-quarter 2026 results on June 23, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $4.6 billion, indicating a 4.6% jump from the year-ago reported figure.
The bottom line of the leading rural lifestyle retailer in the United States is expected to have risen year over year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share has been moved down by a penny to 85 cents in the past 30 days, indicating a 4.9% rise from the year-ago period’s reported figure.
Tractor Supply has a negative trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 3.7%, on average. In the last reported quarter, this Brentwood, TN-based company’s earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11.4%.
Key Factors Likely to Impact TSCO’s Q2 ResultsTractor Supply’s second-quarter 2026 results are expected to reflect higher expenses for a while. The company expects an increase in SG&A expenses due to deleveraged fixed costs and an accelerated store opening cadence. On the last reported quarter’s earnings call, management anticipated higher SG&A deleverage in the first half, owing to the timing of store openings, more normalized incentive compensation and the lapping of earlier strategic investments.
Our model indicates a 7.6% year-over-year increase in SG&A expenses for the second quarter, with the SG&A expense rate rising 50 basis points to 21.7%. Depreciation and amortization expenses are expected to increase 5.2% year over year.
Tractor Supply also faces headwinds from soft discretionary spending, pressured rural consumer demand and cautious big-ticket purchases. Persistent inflation and interest rates are weighing on traffic and ticket sizes, while weather volatility impacts seasonal categories. Margin pressure from elevated labor, freight and promotional activity remains concerning. Slower farm income trends and increased competition add to near-term uncertainty.
However, Tractor Supply has been gaining from consistent market share expansion and positive customer trends. In addition, the company benefits from the execution of its everyday low-price strategy. Tractor Supply is focused on its Life Out Here lifestyle assortment and convenient shopping format to attract customers and expand market share. The strategy is essentially based on five key pillars, which include customers, digitization, execution, team members and total shareholder return.
Our model indicates a 6.5% year-over-year increase in gross profit for the second quarter, with the gross margin increasing 60 basis points to 37.5%. Operating profit is expected to increase 5% year over year.
Tractor Supply is focused on its growth initiatives, which include the expansion of its store base and the incorporation of technological advancements to induce traffic and drive the top line. The major Life Out Here 2030 strategy aims to strengthen community engagement, drive traffic and enhance customer satisfaction through improved store accessibility and relevance. The company's store expansion efforts are key parts of its strategy to deliver sustainable growth in both urban-edge and rural markets.
What Does the Zacks Model Unveil for TSCO?Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Tractor Supply this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. But that is not the case here. You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Tractor Supply has an Earnings ESP of -2.52% and a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) at present.
Valuation & Price Performance of TSCO StockFrom a valuation perspective, Tractor Supply stock trades at a premium relative to the Zacks Retail - Miscellaneous industry. The company has a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 13.55X, below the industry’s average of 14.3X. However, the stock trades below the historical benchmarks, with a five-year high of 27.91X.
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TSCO shares have lost 33% in the past three months compared with the industry's 16.9% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks Poised to Beat Earnings EstimatesHere are a few companies that have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time around:
Urban Outfitters Inc. (URBN - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.98% and sports a Zacks Rank of 1 at present. URBN’s earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 are pegged at $1.72 per share, suggesting 8.9% year-over-year growth. The consensus mark for its quarterly earnings has moved up by a penny in the past 30 days. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Urban Outfitters’ quarterly revenues is pegged at $1.65 billion, which suggests growth of 9.5% from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter. URBN has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 12.2%, on average.
Somnigroup International Inc. (SGI - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +2.43% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. The consensus estimate for Somnigroup’s second-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at 58 cents per share, implying growth of 9.4% from the year-ago quarter’s actual.
For Somnigroup’s quarterly revenues, the consensus mark is pegged at $1.9 billion, which indicates an increase of 0.4% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure. SGI delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 4.8%, on average.
Tapestry Inc. (TPR - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +4.84% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $1.87 billion, implying 8.6% growth from the year-ago quarter’s actual.
The consensus estimate for Tapestry earnings is pegged at $1.24 per share, suggesting 19.2% growth from the year-ago quarter’s reported number. TPR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.6%, on average.
Sandisk do konce června 2026 vzrostl o 857,8 % díky silné poptávce po paměťových čipech pro AI datová centra. Tržby ve 3. čtvrtletí vyskočily o 251 % na 5,9 miliardy USD a zisk na akcii se obrátil ze ztráty na 23,41 USD.
Sandisk (SNDK 10.79%) stock has accelerated in 2026 as the company taps into the surging demand for memory processors. Sandisk is a leader in NAND Flash memory, which is used for everything from smartphones to artificial intelligence data centers.
And it's that second category that's helped push Sandisk stock so high.
Its share price is up an astonishing 857.8% through the end of June, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, as tech companies gobble up all available memory chips for AI data centers.
Here's why Sandisk stock has been a breakout success so far this year, and why it'll likely continue to benefit from the growing memory market.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
Investors are riding a massive memory wave with Sandisk The first impressive share price gains from Sandisk came back in January, when the memory stock surged 143%. Investors were starting to catch on to the fact that as more tech companies invest in AI infrastructure, they'll need far more memory chips.
Some of the biggest technology companies will spend up to $800 billion on capital expenditures (capex) this year, mostly on AI, and part of that spending will trickle down to buying more memory processors.
Rising demand is causing a shortage in memory chip supply, leading to Sandisk and other memory companies, including Micron Technology, to raise their prices. The result of this has caused the gross profit margins for Sandisk to soar to 78% in Q3 2026, compared to just 51% in the year-ago quarter.
Investors were excited to see such high margins, and they appreciated that revenue rose 251% to $5.9 billion and that earnings swung dramatically from a loss of $0.30 per share in the year-ago quarter to earnings of $23.41 per share.
Adding to the optimism for Sandisk's stock this year is the fact that the company signed five multi-year supply agreements with major tech companies, and received $11 billion in guarantees from the deals.
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What to expect for the rest of 2026 The big picture here for Sandisk and its shareholders is that demand for memory processors is still very high and will likely help Sandisk continue to generate strong sales and earnings growth, especially through this year and likely longer.
Investors will get more insights when the company reports its fourth-quarter results on Aug. 5. Analysts' consensus estimates are for sales of $8.4 billion and earnings of $34.12 per share.
AI infrastructure spending is still well underway and could potentially reach as high as $1 trillion next year . There doesn't appear to be a a slowdown in memory demands among tech companies, which means Sandisk shareholders could have more good times ahead.
Shortaři zvyšují sázky proti SpaceX na zhruba 29 % volně obchodovaného floatu, tedy asi 185 milionů akcií. Akcie za červenec klesly o 20 % a poprvé krátce spadly pod cenu IPO 135 USD.
Short sellers are rapidly increasing their bets against SpaceX, driving bearish positioning to nearly one-third of the company's public float as the struggling stock hovers around its IPO price.
About 185 million SpaceX shares are now sold short, representing roughly 29% of the company's publicly tradable float and about $25 billion in bearish wagers, according to S3 Partners. The position has ballooned from an estimated 40 million shares, or roughly 5% to 7% of the float, just three weeks ago.
"We are seeing continuous demand from short sellers building speculative positions since the IPO," Matthew Unterman, head of research at S3, told CNBC.
The surge in short interest comes as SpaceX shares have struggled after an initially strong debut. The stock has fallen about 20% in July and briefly slipped below its $135 IPO price on Wednesday for the first time. The stock last traded around $136 apiece.
SpaceX one month
The bearish positioning comes ahead of a closely watched lockup schedule that could substantially increase the number of shares available for trading over the coming months. SpaceX's initial public float represented only about 5% of its roughly 13 billion shares outstanding, leaving the vast majority of stock still subject to lockup restrictions, according to KeyBanc Capital Markets.
KeyBanc estimated the first major unlock could come around the company's second-quarter earnings report, when about 11% of outstanding shares may become eligible for sale.
Additional tranches of roughly 4% each are scheduled to be released beginning around day 70 after the IPO, followed by further unlocks tied to performance milestones and third-quarter earnings, the firm said.
The largest block remains Elon Musk's stake, representing about 42% of shares outstanding, which is locked up until June 2027.
The company's 13th Starship test flight is slated for Thursday, an catalyst that could influence sentiment toward the shares.
Meta zvýšila výhled kapitálových výdajů na rok 2026 na 125 až 145 miliard USD kvůli výstavbě datových center pro AI. V 1. čtvrtletí 2026 tržby vzrostly o 33,08 % na 56,31 miliardy USD a EPS činil 10,44 USD.
Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META | META Price Prediction) is spending like an infrastructure company and being valued like a growth company. With full-year 2026 capex guidance raised to $125 to $145 billion to build out AI data centers, the question is whether shareholders get paid back for that bet.
Our proprietary model says yes. The 24/7 Wall St. price target for Meta is $903.93, implying 32.67% upside from $681.31. Our recommendation is buy with high confidence.
24/7 Wall St. Price Target Summary Metric Value Current Price $681.31 24/7 Wall St. Price Target $903.93 Upside 32.67% Recommendation BUY Confidence Level 90% A Choppy Six Months, Then a Sharp Bid Back Meta has been a rollercoaster. Shares are up 12.96% in the past week and 14.8% over the past month, but only 3.39% year to date and down 3.78% over the past year. The stock sits 4% below its 52-week high of $793.65 after bouncing off a 52-week low of $519.78.
Q1 2026 was a blowout: EPS of $10.44 beat expectations of $6.66 on revenue of $56.31 billion, up 33.08% YoY. Ad impressions rose 19% and average price per ad rose 12%. The stock initially sold off to $608.75 a day after the earnings report as investors digested the raised capex line.
Why Bulls See a Breakout Ahead The bull case rests on Meta’s ability to convert AI compute into ad monetization. Family daily active people reached 3.56 billion, and Susan Li noted a 10% lift in Reels time spent on Instagram after Q1 ranking upgrades. Business AI conversations are running at more than 10 million weekly, up from 1 million at the start of the year.
Mark Zuckerberg said Meta is “on track to deliver personal superintelligence to billions of people.” Our bull scenario points to $1,033.70, a 51.72% return if Muse Spark and business agents scale on schedule.
What Could Go Wrong The bear case starts with capex intensity. Q1 capex hit $19 billion, up 46.8%, and Reality Labs still bled $4.03 billion. Insider activity is not encouraging: COO Javier Olivan has been selling weekly, with CFO Susan Li disposing of 9,195 shares on May 18, 2026 around $604 to $611.
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Bulls counter that these dispositions are largely scheduled RSU vestings rather than discretionary sales, and that the $8.03 billion tax benefit boosting Q1 EPS is a real cash item tied to CAMT R&D guidance. Our bear scenario lands at $773.09, a 13.47% return. Watch items include EU DMA pressure and 2026 youth-litigation trials.
How Meta Compares to Alphabet and Pinterest Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is the cleanest comp because both are AI hyperscalers funding data-center builds from ad cash flow. Alphabet’s 2026 capex guide of $175 to $185 billion dwarfs Meta’s plan, and Google Cloud posted $20.03 billion in Q1 revenue, up 63% YoY. Alphabet trades near a similar forward multiple with a diversified cloud engine Meta lacks, making Meta’s forward P/E of 21x look reasonable rather than rich.
Pinterest (NYSE:PINS) offers a smaller-scale ad-platform contrast. Pinterest grew Q1 2026 revenue 17.8% to $1.01 billion with 631 million MAUs. Meta’s 33% ad revenue growth at vastly larger scale, plus 41.44% operating margins, makes our $903.93 target look conservative against the peer set.
Meta Price Prediction 2026-2030 The 24/7 Wall St. price target of $903.93 with 90% confidence lines up with 57 buy ratings against zero sells. The tipping factor is monetization velocity: ad pricing plus AI-driven engagement gains are already compounding.
The setup looks constructive if Q2 2026 revenue lands at the top of the $58 to $61 billion guide. The thesis weakens if capex creeps past $145 billion without a matching lift in operating income.
Year 24/7 Wall St. Price Target 2026 $903.93 2027 $1,050 2028 $1,210 2029 $1,370 2030 $1,522.85 These projections assume Meta scales ad revenue faster than data-center depreciation and Reality Labs losses stabilize. Meaningful upside or downside could come from AI regulation shifts or a Muse family model breakthrough.
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