Capital One ve 2. čtvrtletí zvýšil objem nákupů o 26 %, ale růst u převzatého Discover byl jen asi 2 %. Integrace pokračuje a má trvat minimálně do druhé poloviny roku 2027.
Capital One (COF -0.54%) made a bold move by acquiring Discover. The big goal was to expand Capital One's transaction processing business, effectively taking on industry giants like Visa (V -0.04%) and Mastercard (MA -0.74%). But along with the processing business came Discover's other operations. There's an important interplay here that investors need to understand, summed up by one figure: Purchase volume.
The headline number is a little misleading Capital One's card business saw a 26% increase in purchase volume in the second quarter of 2026. That's a huge advance, but there are some important nuances to consider. The biggest nuance is highlighted by comparing the legacy Capital One business's purchase volume growth of 14% to the legacy Discover business's growth of about 2%. At first glance, that doesn't seem to square with the 26% overall increase. But the overall increase was driven by adding all of Discover's business to Capital One's existing business.
Image source: Getty Images.
Looking at the legacy businesses, meanwhile, may cause some concern. Sure, Capital One's card business remains strong, but Discover's looks like it is struggling, relatively speaking. That's not exactly the right takeaway. Capital One is busy integrating Discover's card operations into its own operations. Part of that process is upgrading the credit quality of Discover's customer base. Management has called the current lull in growth a "brownout."
The brownout is having the intended effect. Capital One's net charge-off rate for its card business fell 39 basis points between the first and second quarters. The 30-day delinquency rate fell 31 basis points. Hitting the pause button now will prepare Capital One to better deal with the next recession. It is just a matter of time before that recession arrives, so the brownout is really a wise business move.
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So far, Capital One's Discover deal is working out as planned Notably, the brownout is just one of many aspects of the Discover integration process. For example, Discover cards are currently being migrated to the Capital One customer system. Capital One debit transactions have been moved over to the Discover processing platform. There are many moving parts, and the process is nowhere near complete. In fact, the company expects the process to last until at least the second half of 2027.
So far, finance giant Capital One is executing well with what is a very complicated transaction. Shareholders should be pleased. That said, the headline growth number overstates the story, since it doesn't highlight the very important moves taking shape behind the scenes.
Reuben Gregg Brewer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Mastercard and Visa. The Motley Fool recommends Capital One Financial. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Markel Group vykázal ve 2. čtvrtletí upravený provozní zisk 436 milionů USD, meziročně méně z 578 milionů USD. Čistý zisk ale vzrostl na 1,2 miliardy USD díky 1,2 miliardy USD čistých investičních zisků.
Update! What Is Congress Trading So Far In 2025? Markel Group NYSE: MKL reported second-quarter adjusted operating income of $436 million, down from $578 million a year earlier, while net income to common shareholders rose to $1.2 billion, or $93 per diluted share, from $631 million, or $50 per diluted share. The company said quarterly net income was aided by $1.2 billion of net investment gains, which more than offset investment losses recorded in the first quarter.
Operating revenue, excluding net investment gains, was flat at $4 billion in the quarter. For the first half of 2026, adjusted operating income totaled $934 million, compared with $1.1 billion in the prior-year period, while net income to common shareholders increased to $957 million from $753 million.
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Buffett's latest portfolio additions, trims and cuts in Q3Chief Executive Officer Tom Gayner said the company evaluates near-term progress using adjusted operating income, which excludes public-equity market swings and amortization expense, while using a longer time horizon to assess operating performance and capital allocation.
For the five years ended June 2026, Gayner said average annual operating income was $2.5 billion, up from $1.2 billion in the prior five-year period, representing a 15% compound annual growth rate. Average operating income per share rose at a 16% compound annual rate to $188.94, while the company reduced its outstanding share count by just under 10% over the period.
Insurance underwriting improved, despite catastrophe losses Don't Overlook Hidden Gem Kinsale As Rallies To New HighsMarkel Insurance reported a 93% combined ratio for the fourth consecutive quarter, improving from 97% in the second quarter of 2025. The result reflected favorable prior-year reserve development and a slightly lower expense ratio, partly offset by $41 million, or 2 points on the combined ratio, of catastrophe losses tied to the Middle East conflict.
Underwriting gross written premiums declined to $2.4 billion from $2.8 billion. However, premiums grew 10% excluding the company’s exit from Global Reinsurance and the transition of its Hagerty program to a fronting model. Adjusted operating income in the insurance operation rose to $376 million from $270 million, supported by improved underwriting profitability and higher net investment income.
International gross written premiums rose 31% to $890 million, led by marine and energy, general liability, and professional liability. Its combined ratio was 82%, including 6 points of Middle East-related losses. U.S. wholesale and specialty premiums fell 4% to $799 million amid intentional reductions in binding contractors and casualty lines and softer property pricing. Its combined ratio improved to 97% from 102%. Programs and solutions premiums fell 27% to $717 million due primarily to the Hagerty shift. Excluding that effect, premiums grew 6%. The combined ratio increased to 94% from 91%, reflecting a higher accident-year loss ratio in personal umbrella and certain delegated programs. Markel Insurance CEO Simon Wilson said the company has prioritized “the sanity of bottom-line profit over the vanity of top-line growth.” He said the insurer has reorganized into three divisions and 14 business units, each with assigned leadership and financial and strategic plans.
Wilson also described a series of technology initiatives, including the launch of Cortex, a new business unit focused on hard-to-place U.S. casualty risks. Markel partnered with Bain & Co. on the initiative. The insurer also said it has applied agentic AI to six classes of business totaling more than $500 million of existing gross written premiums, with initial risk-assessment time declining by 50% to 90%, depending on the line of business.
State National charge weighs on financial segment The financial segment recorded an adjusted operating loss of $149 million in the quarter, compared with adjusted operating income of $78 million a year earlier. The decline stemmed primarily from a $205 million bad-debt charge at State National, related to a collateral shortfall associated with a capacity provider in bankruptcy.
Gayner said the affected business began in 2012 and Markel stopped writing on the programs in 2021. He described the event as State National’s first substantial credit loss in more than 40 years and said Markel’s reserve estimate was intended to be conservative.
During the question-and-answer session, Chief Financial Officer Brian Costanzo said the company obtained more granular program data, completed an internal actuarial review and engaged an outside third party. The business was primarily primary habitational casualty, with a smaller excess-casualty component concentrated in a handful of states.
Gayner said the collateral itself was sound, but loss estimates had developed faster than the collateral level. Executive Vice President Andrew Crowley added that the company’s review would result in collateral increases from other financially healthy reinsurers for similar lines of business.
Investments, consumer operations and capital allocation Net investment income increased 11% to $256 million, reflecting a higher average book yield and larger average fixed-maturity balances. The fair value of Markel’s public-equity portfolio rose to $13.5 billion at quarter-end from $12.3 billion at the end of the first quarter. The company reported cumulative pretax unrealized gains of $9.3 billion on its equity holdings.
Industrial revenue increased 2% to $1 billion, supported by a December 2025 bolt-on acquisition, while adjusted operating income declined to $75 million from $105 million. Costanzo cited tighter margins and softer demand in the car-hauling equipment business. Crowley said the segment was also affected by cyclical declines in car hauling and industrial bakery equipment, as well as long-term selling, general and administrative investments at some businesses.
Consumer and other segment revenue rose 4% to $552 million, driven by ornamental plants during its seasonally strongest period. Adjusted operating income increased to $122 million from $102 million, primarily due to higher sales volume.
Markel repurchased $237 million of its shares during the quarter and $371 million year to date, reducing shares outstanding to 12.4 million. Gayner said the company has repurchased more than $2 billion of stock since the start of 2022 and funded the buybacks through earnings rather than borrowing.
About Markel Group (NYSE:MKL)Markel Group NYSE: MKL is a diversified insurance holding company best known for underwriting specialty insurance products. Founded in 1930 and headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the company provides a wide range of commercial property and casualty coverages tailored to niche and hard-to-place risks. Its underwriting operations focus on specialty lines across multiple industries, delivering customized policy structures, program administration, and claims management services for complex exposures.
In addition to primary specialty insurance, Markel operates reinsurance and alternative risk-transfer activities and manages invested assets derived from underwriting float.
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Tesla, Nvidia, and Google helped shape the last era of market growth, but the next wave could come from a new group of companies. Inside this report, you’ll find 7 stocks that could play a major role in the next tech-driven market boom.
Invesco Mortgage Capital vykázala ve 2. čtvrtletí ekonomický výnos 3,8 % a book value na akcii klesla jen o 0,6 %. Společnost uvedla, že měsíční dividendy ve výši 0,12 USD na akcii podpořily výsledek.
Invesco Mortgage Capital NYSE: IVR reported a 3.8% economic return for the second quarter of 2026, supported by monthly dividends of $0.12 per share and a modest 0.6% decline in book value per share. The mortgage real estate investment trust said its agency mortgage-backed securities holdings benefited from attractive carry and tighter risk premiums during the quarter.
Chief Executive Officer Kevin Collins said the company entered the third quarter with a constructive but measured outlook for Agency residential mortgage-backed securities, or RMBS, and Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities, or CMBS. He cited appealing valuations, moderated interest-rate volatility and inflation expectations, and supportive supply-and-demand conditions, while acknowledging ongoing uncertainty surrounding monetary policy and geopolitical developments.
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Portfolio Growth and Capital Raising Invesco Mortgage Capital’s investment portfolio totaled $8.2 billion at quarter-end, including $6 billion of Agency RMBS, $1.2 billion of Agency to-be-announced, or TBA, securities, and $0.9 billion of Agency CMBS. The portfolio grew 12.4% from the first quarter as the company invested proceeds raised through its at-the-market equity issuance program.
The company raised approximately $118 million during the second quarter and more than $250 million year to date. Collins said the capital issuance has expanded the company’s investment capacity, improved operating efficiency, reduced expenses on a per-share basis, and could improve the liquidity profile of its common stock over time.
“We’ll look to continue to do that to the extent that we can do so responsibly and where it makes sense,” Collins said in response to an analyst question about future ATM issuance. He said the company will seek windows to issue shares near book value while maintaining a focus on reducing fixed costs per share and improving stock liquidity.
Chief Investment Officer Brian Norris said new investments were concentrated in specified pools of 30-year Agency RMBS with coupons ranging from 4.5% to 6%. The company viewed lower specified-pool prepayments during the quarter as an opportunity to add exposure at more favorable valuations.
Nearly 85% of the portfolio was allocated to securities with prepayment protection through specified pools and Agency CMBS. Agency TBA exposure declined to 14.7% of the portfolio from 16.9% in the first quarter. Agency CMBS exposure declined to 11.1% from 11.9%, although management described the sector as a core portfolio holding. Rates, Mortgage Spreads and Portfolio Positioning Management said the Treasury yield curve bear flattened during the second quarter, as short-term rates increased more than longer-term yields amid shifting expectations for Federal Reserve policy. Norris said roughly one-third of the curve flattening occurred during the final two weeks of the quarter following Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s first Federal Open Market Committee meeting, which markets viewed as more hawkish than expected.
Treasury yields ended the quarter near their highest levels since early 2025, while 30-year mortgage rates approached 6.5%, according to Norris. Higher rates continued to constrain housing activity, but interest-rate volatility declined from its March levels and helped support agency mortgage valuations.
Agency RMBS and CMBS spreads tightened during the quarter despite the rise in Treasury yields. Higher-coupon Agency RMBS outperformed Treasury hedges, aided by lower volatility and favorable technical conditions. Year-to-date Agency RMBS issuance totaled $81 billion through June, which Norris described as muted, while demand came from overseas investors, banks, money managers, and mortgage REITs.
Management said that mortgage spreads had widened modestly since quarter-end, reflecting expectations for increased front-end rate volatility and renewed Middle East risks. Norris said the current-coupon spread to a blend of five- and 10-year SOFR rates had widened to about 150 basis points from 143 basis points at quarter-end. He noted that spreads reached the 160-basis-point range in March as Middle East conflict risks escalated.
Financing, Hedges and Earnings The company maintained an economic debt-to-equity ratio of about 9 times at quarter-end. Repurchase agreements financing Agency RMBS and CMBS investments rose to $6.2 billion from $5.3 billion in the prior quarter, while hedge notional increased to $6 billion from $4.9 billion.
Invesco Mortgage Capital hedged 97% of its borrowing costs using interest-rate swaps and U.S. Treasury futures. Interest-rate swaps accounted for 79% of hedges on a notional basis. Norris said the company remains comfortable emphasizing swaps because it views swap spreads as historically tight and attractive relative to Treasury futures.
The company finished the quarter with $548.3 million of unrestricted cash and unencumbered investments, representing approximately 55% of total equity. Management said the liquidity position provides flexibility to withstand market stress and pursue new investment opportunities.
Earnings available for distribution declined to $0.50 per share in the second quarter from $0.55 per share in the first quarter. Collins said the board evaluates the dividend each quarter based on current and expected earnings, portfolio composition, and market opportunities. He said management believes the current dividend is competitive, supported by the portfolio’s long-term earnings power, and covered by current earnings available for distribution.
On the book value decline, Norris said higher-coupon Agency mortgages and Agency CMBS performed well, but the company’s modestly positive duration gap was a slight detractor as rates increased. Yield-curve flattening also had a minor impact, while ATM issuance close to book value had a modest effect.
About Invesco Mortgage Capital (NYSE:IVR)Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc NYSE: IVR is a real estate investment trust that specializes in investing in U.S. residential mortgage-backed securities. The company's portfolio is weighted toward agency-guaranteed RMBS issued or guaranteed by U.S. government-sponsored enterprises such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae. By focusing on collateral backed by federal agencies, Invesco Mortgage Capital seeks to generate attractive returns while managing credit risk through securities that carry explicit or implicit government guarantees.
To enhance its portfolio yield, the company employs leverage through repurchase agreements, warehouse facilities and debt financing.
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With the proliferation of data centers and electric vehicles, the electric grid will only get more strained. Download this report to learn how energy stocks can play a role in your portfolio as the global demand for energy continues to grow.
Key Takeaways BWX Technologies' Q2 sales are estimated to rise 16.7%, while earnings are projected to decline 1%.Naval propulsion, uranium programs and manufacturing gains are expected to support Government Operations.Commercial nuclear demand, medical growth and Kinectrics are likely to lift Commercial Operations revenues. BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT - Free Report) is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 3, 2026, after market close. The company delivered an earnings surprise of 21.74% in the last reported quarter.
Let’s discuss the factors that are likely to be reflected in the upcoming quarterly results.
Factors Likely to Affect BWXT’s Q2 2026 ResultsHigher revenues from naval nuclear propulsion programs, supported by steady production on the Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarine programs, as well as early work on the next Ford-class aircraft carrier, are likely to have boosted the overall top-line performance of BWXT’s Government Operations segment. Growth in defense fuels enrichment and High-Purity Depleted Uranium (HPDU) programs, along with improved manufacturing efficiency, is also expected to have supported this segment’s performance.
Higher demand for commercial nuclear components and services is expected to have boosted the top-line performance of BWXT’s Commercial Operations segment. Strong growth in its medical business, along with continued contributions from the Kinectrics acquisition, is also likely to have supported this segment’s revenues.
However, higher corporate expenses due to restructuring initiatives and business transformation efforts are likely to have offset some of the positives in the to-be-reported quarter.
Q2 Estimates for BWXTThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for BWXT’s second-quarter sales is pegged at $891.8 million, which indicates an increase of 16.7% from the prior-year number.
The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $1.01 per share, which indicates a year-over-year decline of 1%.
What the Zacks Model Unveils for BWX TechnologiesOur proven model predicts an earnings beat for BWX Technologies this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is the case here.
Earnings ESP: BWX Technologies has an Earnings ESP of +0.66%. You can uncover the best stocks before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: BWXT currently carries a Zacks Rank of 3.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Other Stocks to ConsiderCurtissWright (CW - Free Report) is slated to report its second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 5, after market close. It has an Earnings ESP of +0.36% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.
CW’s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate is 14.3%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $3.62 per share, which suggests a year-over-year rise of 12.1%.
ATI INC (ATI - Free Report) is slated to report its second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 6, before market open. It has an Earnings ESP of +1.32% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present.
ATI’s long-term earnings growth rate is 28%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $1.03 per share, which suggests a year-over-year rise of 39.2%.
Vertical Aerospace (EVTL - Free Report) is set to report second-quarter 2026 earnings on Aug. 13, before market open. It has an Earnings ESP of +15.39% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EVTL’s loss is pegged at 39 cents per share, indicating year-over-year improvement. The company delivered an earnings surprise of 4.76% in the last reported quarter.
Hagens Berman vyšetřuje Peabody Energy kvůli údajným porušením federálních zákonů o cenných papírech a žalobě, že klamala investory ohledně dolu Centurion. Firma později snížila odhad produkce za 1. čtvrtletí zhruba na 250 000 tun z přibližně 700 000.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Hagens Berman, a leading national shareholder rights law firm, is conducting an investigation into Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE: BTU) regarding alleged violations of federal securities laws. This investigation follows the recent filing of a class action lawsuit, which alleges that Peabody misled investors concerning the operational status and production capabilities of its flagship underground longwall metallurgical coal mine, Centurion, in Queensland, Australia.
INVESTOR NOTICE: DEADLINE APPROACHING
Action: Submit your Peabody losses here Class Period: Oct. 14, 2024 – May 4, 2026 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Aug. 24, 2026 Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/btu Contact the Firm Now: [email protected] | 844-916-0895 Focus of Peabody Energy (BTU) Securities Class Action:
The pending securities class action alleges that Peabody and its management made materially false and misleading statements regarding the true state of the Centurion mine and its readiness to achieve full-scale production. The complaint contends that throughout the class period, the company repeatedly assured investors that development was on track—highlighting in February 2026 that the team was installing the "very last shield" and that mining of premier metallurgical coal had begun.
Plaintiffs allege these statements were false because the company was encountering mechanical, electrical, and operational issues that severely impaired the ramp-up, all of which management allegedly knew or recklessly disregarded while maintaining positive production and financial guidance.
The truth behind these alleged misrepresentations emerged in stages through surprise disclosures. On March 30, 2026, Peabody filed a current report with the SEC abruptly slashing its first-quarter Centurion production guidance from approximately 700,000 tons down to roughly 250,000 tons.
The news sent the price of Peabody shares down almost 10%.
Subsequently, on May 5, 2026, the company disclosed further setbacks, lowering its full-year sales outlook for Centurion to 2.5 million tons and citing commissioning and operational headwinds. This full year 28% reduction helped send the price of Peabody shares down nearly 6%.
"Our investigation is actively probing the full scope of these pending claims to determine exactly when Peabody's management knew that the production ramp-up at the Centurion mine was falling off track," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the firm's investigation of the alleged claim in the pending suit.
Investor Rights
Investors who purchased or acquired Peabody Energy common stock during the Class Period are encouraged to contact our legal team:
Report your losses to HBSS: Click here Email: [email protected] Phone: 844-916-0895 If you'd like more information and answers to other frequently asked questions about the Peabody case and the firm's investigation, read more.
Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Peabody Energy should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email [email protected].
About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman's team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case.
Leidos Holdings schválila čtvrtletní dividendu ve výši 0,43 USD na akcii a nový program odkupu až 20 milionů akcií. Předchozí autorizace z února 2022 byla vyčerpána.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LDOS) announced today that its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.43 per outstanding share of the company's common stock. The cash dividend is payable on September 30, 2026, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 15, 2026.
The board also authorized a new stock repurchase program for up to 20 million shares of common stock. This supersedes the prior authorization of 20 million shares made in February 2022, which has been exhausted. Whether repurchases are made, and the timing and actual number of shares repurchased, will depend on a variety of factors including innovation and production capacity investment needs, other corporate capital requirements, price, market conditions, and regulatory requirements.
Stock repurchases may be made on the open market at prevailing market prices or in privately negotiated transactions, including through accelerated share repurchase or derivative transactions, transactions with Leidos retirement and deferred compensation plans, transactions under 10b5-1 plans or 10b-18 plans or any of the foregoing combined or otherwise.
About Leidos
Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 50,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.leidos.com.
St. Joe ve 2. čtvrtletí zvýšila tržby o 23 % na 158,9 mil. USD a čistý zisk o 37 % na 40,5 mil. USD. Jde o nejlepší druhé čtvrtletí z hlediska tržeb za 20 let.
St. Joe NYSE: JOE reported second-quarter revenue of $158.9 million, up 23% from the prior-year period, while net income rose 37% to $40.5 million, President, CEO and Chairman Jorge Gonzalez said during the company’s earnings call.
Gonzalez said the revenue figure was the company’s highest second-quarter result in 20 years. He described net income as the highest second-quarter total in company history excluding a one-time gain related to discontinued operations in 1996.
The company also reported higher gross margins across its operating segments. Residential gross margin increased to 48% from 45% a year earlier, hospitality margin rose to 42% from 39%, and commercial margin climbed to 65% from 57%.
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Residential Growth and Future Infrastructure Residential real estate revenue increased 39% year over year during the second quarter. Gonzalez attributed part of the growth to the company’s range of residential communities and home price points, which span from the high $200,000s to more than $5 million.
“This diversity is deliberate to help insulate the residential segment from volatility in the market conditions of any one price point,” Gonzalez said.
St. Joe plans later this year to begin development of two utility corridors. One corridor is intended to serve future residential communities in the Lake Powell and West Laird Detailed Specific Area Plans, or DSAPs, while the other is planned for the Pigeon Creek and West Bay Creek DSAPs.
Gonzalez said off-site utility extensions are capital intensive but are necessary to support the future development of “many thousands” of residential homesites. He cautioned that residential results can vary quarter to quarter because of one- to two-year development cycles and differing homesite pricing.
Chief Financial Officer Marek Bakun said that homesites in Bay County contributed to the company’s estimated residual balance during the quarter. He added that the increase was driven by higher-priced communities. During the first half of 2026, St. Joe recorded $14.6 million of new true-ups and collected $5.3 million of existing true-ups, according to Bakun.
Capital Allocation and Share Repurchases During the second quarter, St. Joe repurchased $32.7 million of common stock, invested $24 million in capital expenditures primarily supporting future growth, repaid $10.9 million of debt and paid $9.1 million in cash dividends.
43% of second-quarter capital allocation went to stock repurchases. 31% went to capital expenditures. 14% was used for debt reduction. 12% was paid as cash dividends. More than half of the company’s capital allocation, or 55%, went to shareholders through buybacks and dividends, Gonzalez said. As of July 27, St. Joe had repurchased $41 million in stock during 2026, compared with $40 million for all of 2025.
The company had 56,930,451 shares outstanding as of that date, which Gonzalez said was its lowest share count in nearly 30 years.
In response to investor questions, Gonzalez said St. Joe’s capital allocation strategy, including its repurchase program, is based on a longer-term model rather than solely on short-term cash flows. He said cash flow remains a factor in the broader allocation strategy but was not intended to be viewed as the exclusive determinant of buyback activity.
Development, Healthcare and Regional Demand Construction on a new academic health center model hospital on Highway 79 is progressing, according to Gonzalez. The facility is expected to include teaching, research and clinical delivery functions, with anticipated completion still targeted for 2028.
Gonzalez said St. Joe does not currently anticipate power generation or distribution constraints to limit execution of its growth plans. He also said the company has not seen any “significant or acute” increase in trade personnel costs or other expenses associated with artificial-intelligence-related data center construction demand.
Demand for homes in Northwest Florida continues to increase, Gonzalez said, led by continued in-migration. He noted that buyers and new residents are arriving from a broader geographic range than in prior years.
St. Joe is also considering waterfront development opportunities around bay and intracoastal locations. Gonzalez said the company evaluates those properties not only for their direct waterfront value, but also for their ability to increase the value of adjacent land holdings.
Land Pipeline and Economic Development Addressing questions about Origins in Walton County, Gonzalez said the company does not view its residential pipeline as dwindling. He said St. Joe has a “very long runway” of potential homesites both west and east of Origins and is considering a range of development and builder-partnership options.
In the Southport area, Gonzalez cited the Ticheli DSAP as an example of the company’s strategy to maintain geographic and product diversity. St. Joe plans to break ground on the first phase of that project early next year.
The company also continues to see interest from aviation and aerospace businesses in the region, Gonzalez said. He noted that aviation and aerospace have long been focus industries for regional economic development authorities. A Florida State University-led aerospace research and development center remains in the planning stage in Bay County and could become a catalyst for the sector, he said.
Gonzalez said St. Joe owns approximately 165,000 acres of mostly entitled land in Florida and intends to continue pursuing a capital allocation approach that balances future development investment, debt reduction, dividends and share repurchases.
About St. Joe (NYSE:JOE)The St. Joe Company NYSE: JOE is a leading real estate development and asset management firm focused on Northwest Florida. Headquartered in Jacksonville, the company owns and manages approximately 171,000 acres of land across Bay, Gulf, Franklin and Walton counties. St. Joe's core businesses include residential community development, commercial real estate, and hospitality, with an emphasis on master-planned neighborhoods, office and retail campuses, resort hotels and mixed-use town centers.
Founded in 1936 as a paper manufacturing company, St.
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Eversource Energy ve 2. čtvrtletí vykázala GAAP EPS ve výši 0,14 USD oproti 0,96 USD loni, zatímco očištěný zisk na akcii činil 0,87 USD. Firma potvrdila celoroční výhled non-GAAP EPS v rozmezí 4,57 až 4,72 USD.
Why Elastic Could Be the Next AI Winner in 2026Eversource Energy NYSE: ES reported second-quarter 2026 GAAP earnings of $0.14 per share, down from $0.96 per share a year earlier, as the company recorded charges tied to the completed sale of Aquarion Water Company and its remaining offshore-wind-related contingent liability.
Excluding those items, recurring earnings were $0.87 per share for the quarter, compared with $0.96 per share in the second quarter of 2025. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Nolan said the result was in line with the company’s expectations. Eversource reaffirmed its 2026 non-GAAP earnings guidance of $4.57 to $4.72 per share and its long-term EPS growth target of 5% to 7%.
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Buyback Boom: 3 Companies Betting Big on ThemselvesChief Financial Officer John Moreira said the decline in recurring earnings from the prior-year period primarily reflected lower results in electric transmission and gas distribution. Transmission earnings were affected by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s March decision reducing the base return on equity, while gas distribution results faced a comparison with a prior-year benefit related to recoverable expenses. Higher electric distribution revenue partly offset those pressures.
Aquarion Sale and Revolution Wind Charges Eversource completed the sale of Aquarion on June 30, generating $1.7 billion of net proceeds. Nolan said the transaction advances the company’s strategy to operate as a pure-play regulated electric and natural gas utility, with the proceeds slated to reduce parent-company debt.
3 Big Dividend Plays With Strong Earnings to Back ThemThe quarter’s GAAP results included a non-cash, after-tax charge of $111.4 million, or $0.30 per share, related to Aquarion’s carrying value at closing. The company also recorded an after-tax charge of $164 million, or $0.43 per share, to increase its estimated offshore wind contingent liability associated with its sale of Revolution Wind.
Nolan said revised Revolution Wind construction-cost estimates included higher costs resulting from two stop-work orders. He said the project is approximately 97% complete, is currently delivering more than 300 megawatts to the ISO New England grid, and remains expected to reach commercial operation later this year. Nolan said the stop-work orders caused the project to lose a vessel that had to be remobilized, but he expressed confidence that the remaining installation work is straightforward.
Transmission Opportunity and FERC Proceedings ISO New England has preliminarily selected a joint Eversource and Avangrid proposal as its preferred solution in a longer-term transmission planning process. The approximately $2.2 billion project would expand capacity between Maine and New Hampshire and strengthen transmission between northern and southern New England. Eversource’s share is expected to be about $700 million, with an anticipated in-service date of 2032.
Nolan said stakeholder comments are expected Aug. 14, followed by ISO New England’s review and a potential final recommendation in September. Moreira said roughly half of Eversource’s anticipated $700 million share could fall within the company’s current five-year capital forecast through 2030 if the project moves forward.
The company continues to challenge FERC’s March decision that reduced the base transmission return on equity and ordered refunds extending back more than a decade. Moreira said FERC approved an extension delaying refunds until mid-2027, while Eversource has also petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit for review and sought a stay.
Eversource has separately filed for a prospective transmission ROE of 11.39%, based on FERC’s existing methodology and current market conditions. Briefs in that proceeding are due Aug. 28 and Sept. 28, and the company expects a new rate to take effect Nov. 30. Its current earnings outlook assumes a 9.57% base transmission ROE.
Connecticut Rates and Storm-Cost Recovery Eversource’s Connecticut Light & Power unit filed its first general rate request since 2017 on July 14. The filing seeks to address a $451 million revenue deficiency and proposes a 10.25% ROE. The proposed increase would raise total customer bills by about 11%, according to Moreira.
About 90% of the requested deficiency is tied to capital investment, storm resiliency, storm restoration costs, depreciation and taxes, while 11% relates to operating and maintenance costs, Moreira said. The filing also includes a proposed multiyear performance-based ratemaking mechanism, economic development and heat-pump rates, and a plan for advanced metering infrastructure.
The AMI proposal includes nearly $1 billion of capital investment and $300 million in operating expense. Moreira said Eversource is seeking an expedited decision this fall and, if approved, could begin mobilizing the Connecticut project next year. He said full implementation would take about five years, with part of the capital spending falling outside the current forecast period.
Connecticut regulators also issued a final storm-cost decision. Of roughly $975 million requested, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority approved about $870 million, including approximately $200 million already recovered through rates. Eversource expects to securitize about $670 million. PURA deferred approximately $60 million pending a third-party audit and excluded about $40 million, while declining recovery of requested carrying charges.
Moreira said Eversource is evaluating its options regarding the carrying charges. The company expects to submit its financing plan in early fall, receive a final financing decision in the first quarter of next year, and potentially receive securitization proceeds about a year from now.
Capital Plan and Balance Sheet The company reaffirmed its $26.5 billion five-year capital plan through 2030, while identifying potential additions from the preliminary transmission selection and Connecticut AMI proposal. Eversource said its five-year equity needs remain $800 million to $1.1 billion and that it does not expect to issue equity during the remainder of 2026.
Moreira said Eversource’s March 31 funds-from-operations-to-debt metrics were 14.3% under S&P’s methodology and 15.7% under Moody’s methodology, each more than 100 basis points above downgrade thresholds. Moody’s recently revised the outlooks for Eversource and NSTAR Electric to stable from negative.
Management said it expects earnings growth to move toward the upper half of its 5% to 7% long-term target range by 2028, supported by regulatory outcomes, storm-cost securitization efforts, the Aquarion sale and planned utility investment.
About Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES)Eversource Energy NYSE: ES is a publicly traded, regulated energy company headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut. The company's core business is the delivery and transmission of electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers across parts of New England. Eversource operates transmission and distribution networks, maintains electrical infrastructure, responds to outages and storms, and manages natural gas pipeline and distribution systems in the regions it serves.
Eversource serves customers primarily in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, operating through locally regulated utility subsidiaries that administer customer service, billing, meter reading and localized operations.
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Amphenol po akvizici CommScope zvýšil výhled tržeb za business CommScope na 4,6 miliardy USD a očekávaný zisk na akcii zdvojnásobil na 30 centů. Akvizice posiluje jeho pozici v AI infrastruktuře.
Key Takeaways Amphenol's acquisitions expand its AI, communications, industrial, defense and aerospace exposure.CommScope's 2026 sales outlook rose to $4.6B, while expected earnings accretion doubled to 30 cents.APH faces rising competition from TE Connectivity and Bel Fuse as its shares trade at a premium valuation. Amphenol’s (APH - Free Report) acquisition strategy is strengthening its prospects by expanding product portfolio, addressable markets and customer relationships. The additions have broadened APH’s exposure across IT datacom, communications networks, industrial, defense and commercial aerospace markets, reducing dependence on any single application while creating cross-selling opportunities across customers, geographies and technologies. APH management considers its ability to identify, acquire and successfully integrate complementary businesses a core competitive advantage.
The acquisition of CommScope’s Connectivity and Cable Solutions business has significantly enhanced Amphenol’s position in AI infrastructure. CommScope added substantial fiber-optic capabilities to APH’s existing high-speed copper and power-interconnect portfolio, giving the company a broad range of connectivity solutions for current and next-generation data-center architectures. The acquired business is also benefiting from Amphenol’s established relationships across hyperscalers, system manufacturers and chip companies, supporting stronger penetration of AI-related optical applications.
CommScope is already producing stronger-than-expected financial benefits. Amphenol raised its 2026 sales expectation for the business to $4.6 billion from $4.1 billion and doubled its expected earnings accretion to 30 cents from 15 cents. The improvement reflects strong IT datacom demand, operating leverage and better execution across manufacturing, supplier management and operating expenses. CommScope’s operating margin exceeded 20% in the second quarter of 2026, including acquisition-related amortization, demonstrating meaningful progress in bringing the business closer to Amphenol’s profitability standards.
The acquisitions of Andrew and CommScope have also strengthened APH’s communications networks business. Their broader technology portfolio and global manufacturing presence have improved Amphenol’s ability to serve both network operators and equipment manufacturers as rising data traffic drives continued investment in wireless, broadband and network-upgrade projects.
Smaller acquisitions like El.Com add complex interconnect solutions and high-voltage cable assemblies for industrial, defense and commercial aerospace customers, while expanding APH’s value-added offerings in Europe. Wilder Technologies strengthens high-performance testing and measurement capabilities for high-speed IT datacom interconnect products. Together, these transactions enhance product content, support new design wins and position Amphenol to benefit from long-term investments in AI data centers, next-generation aircraft, defense systems and industrial electrification.
How Rivals Stack Up Against APHAmphenol is increasingly challenged by rivals such as TE Connectivity (TEL - Free Report) and Bel Fuse (BELFB - Free Report) .
TE Connectivity is challenging Amphenol’s prospects by building a similarly broad portfolio across high-speed data, optical and power connectivity. The company’s strength in high-speed copper connectivity within the rack directly competes with Amphenol’s core AI interconnect offerings and could pressure APH’s content share as hyperscalers qualify multiple suppliers for next-generation architectures. TE Connectivity is also expanding into optical connectivity through its RAM Photonics acquisition. The transaction added fiber-attached unit capabilities and increased TEL’s exposure to scale-out and co-packaged-optics applications, where Amphenol strengthened its position through CommScope.
Bel Fuse presents a smaller but increasingly focused challenge in data solutions, power products and rugged connectivity. Bel Fuse’s Data Solutions revenues jumped 55% year over year to approximately $58 million in the second quarter of 2026, supported by high-performance computing program ramps, integrated connector modules and recent project wins. As these customer programs scale, Bel Fuse could capture incremental content in AI and cloud infrastructure applications that overlap with Amphenol’s high-speed and power interconnect portfolio. Bel Fuse is also sharpening its competitive position by prioritizing higher-growth, higher-margin products and allocating resources toward more attractive Data Solutions opportunities.
APH’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesAmphenol’s shares have surged 18.3% year to date, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector’s return of 10.6%.
APH Stock’s Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Amphenol shares are trading at a premium, as suggested by a Value Score of D. In terms of the forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E), APH is trading at 29.47X, higher than the sector’s 20.66.
APH Stock is Overvalued
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Amphenol’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $4.95 per share, up 5.3% over the past 30 days. The figure indicates a 48.2% jump year over year.
APH currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Federated Hermes NYSE: FHI ended the second quarter with record assets under management of $912 billion, supported by growth in equities and private markets, while money market assets declined modestly from the prior quarter, executives said during the company’s analyst call.
President and CEO Chris Donahue said equity assets reached a record $110 billion at quarter-end, rising $8.8 billion, or 9%, from the first quarter, primarily reflecting market appreciation. Gross equity sales totaled $9.1 billion, near the prior quarter’s record level, while net redemptions were $1.1 billion. That figure included an expected $3 billion global equity sub-advisory redemption previously discussed by the company.
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Equity and Fixed-Income Activity Equity sales were led by Federated Hermes’ MDT fundamental quantitative strategies. MDT equity and market-neutral strategies generated a record $6 billion in gross sales and more than $3.5 billion in net sales during the quarter. Across the company’s equity platform, 35 equity fund and separately managed account strategies posted net sales, including $2.7 billion from MDT offerings, excluding market-neutral strategies, and $470 million from Strategic Value.
At the end of the quarter, 54% of the company’s equity funds outperformed their Morningstar peer groups over three years, while 30% ranked in the top quartile of their categories. Through July 24, combined equity funds and separately managed accounts had $61 million in net sales for the third quarter to date.
Fixed-income assets ended the second quarter at slightly more than $100 billion, up $689 million. Market appreciation added roughly $1 billion, partly offset by net redemptions and exchanges. The company cited net sales in 26 fixed-income funds and separately managed accounts, led by Core Plus and Core Aggregate SMAs, ultrashort bond funds and the Conservative Muni Micro Short Fund.
Donahue said the firm believes its fixed-income product range and investment management capabilities position it for positive flows. He noted increased interest in shorter-duration offerings such as ultrashort and conservative micro-short strategies. Through July 24, fixed-income funds and SMAs had generated $362 million of net sales in the third quarter.
Private Markets Expansion and Pipeline Alternative private-market assets increased $2.6 billion during the quarter to $21.6 billion. The increase included $3.2 billion in U.S. multifamily real estate assets added through the early-April completion of Federated Hermes’ acquisition of an 80% interest in FCP Fund Manager, L.P.
The company said its MDT market-neutral fund and ETF recorded $150 million in net sales. Federated Hermes is also raising capital for the sixth vintage of its global private equity co-investment fund, which had closed on $300 million to date. The company said its first four private equity co-investment funds raised between $400 million and $600 million each, while the fifth raised $500 million.
At the beginning of the third quarter, the company had about $3.4 billion of net institutional wins yet to fund into funds and separate accounts. The expected inflows include approximately $1.7 billion in equity strategies, $1.3 billion in private-market strategies and $300 million in fixed income. Private-market commitments include expected additions in direct lending, private equity and trade finance.
Money Market Assets and Digital Initiatives Total money market assets declined $7.9 billion, or about 1%, in the second quarter. Money market fund assets fell $2.9 billion from the first quarter to $500 billion, though they remained nearly $32 billion, or 7%, above the year-earlier level. Money market separate-account assets declined about $5 billion, which Donahue said was consistent with seasonal patterns among large state pools managed by the company.
The company estimated its money market mutual fund market share, including sub-advised funds, at about 6.7% at quarter-end, compared with 6.9% in the first quarter. Donahue said market-share movements can reflect a variety of factors, including client activity, retail yield programs, large capital-markets transactions and investors moving into ultrashort strategies.
Chief Investment Officer for Money Markets Debbie Cunningham said the first half saw volatility tied to large IPO and long-term debt transactions, including activity involving Amazon, Alphabet, Anthropic and SpaceX. She said money market funds remain attractive in a short-end rate environment of roughly 3.5% to 4.5% and that the company expects money market funds, separate accounts and pools to continue gathering assets.
Federated Hermes also discussed early-stage digital asset efforts. It recently launched the Money Market Management Digital Treasury Fund, designed to support traditional and on-chain distribution. The fund’s initial reserve shares class is non-tokenized and intended for institutional investors and stablecoin issuers seeking investments aligned with stablecoin reserve requirements. The company is also developing an on-chain share class using blockchain infrastructure for its official books and records.
Revenue, Expenses and Outlook Chief Financial Officer Tom Donahue said second-quarter revenue increased $23.8 million, or 5%, from the first quarter. The FCP acquisition contributed approximately $14 million of revenue, while equity asset growth added $7.6 million and the additional calendar day added $5.1 million. Lower average money market assets reduced revenue by $8.4 million.
Operating expenses rose $17.3 million, or 5%, sequentially, driven largely by FCP acquisition costs, including $6.5 million in nonrecurring acquisition-related compensation and $3.2 million in higher professional service fees. Advertising and promotional costs increased $3.2 million, while intangible asset amortization rose $3 million, primarily because of the acquisition.
Donahue said some acquisition-related costs should decline in the next quarter, including the one-time compensation expense and professional service fees. Federated Hermes ended the quarter with $481 million in cash investments, or $416 million excluding the portion attributable to non-controlling interests. The company estimated its tax rate would range from 25% to 28% for 2026.
About Federated Hermes (NYSE:FHI)Federated Hermes, Inc is a global investment manager that provides a range of asset management solutions to institutional and individual investors. The company offers active strategies across equity, fixed income, multi-asset, liquidity, and alternative investments. Through its suite of mutual funds, separate accounts and collective investment vehicles, Federated Hermes seeks to deliver performance-driven outcomes aligned with client objectives and risk tolerances.
In addition to traditional investment management, Federated Hermes has developed specialized capabilities in sustainability and responsible investing, integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) research into its investment process.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
Should You Invest $1,000 in Federated Hermes Right Now?Before you consider Federated Hermes, you'll want to hear this.
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Key Takeaways Freshworks is expected to post Q2 revenues of $233.5 million, up 14.1%, with EPS seen at 13 cents.EX ARR grew 27% in Q1, with mid-20% growth expected and more than 60% of total ARR by 2026-end.AI traction and cost cuts support bode well but CX could prove a growth drag. Freshworks Inc. (FRSH - Free Report) is set to report its second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 4, after market close.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pinned at $233.5 million, up 14.1% from the prior-year reported number. The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at 13 cents per share, down 27.8% year over year. The estimate has remained unchanged in the past 60 days.
For the June quarter, management expects revenues in the range of $232 million to $235 million, implying year-over-year growth of 13% to 15%. Non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) are expected to be 13 cents.
FRSH’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and matched once, delivering an average surprise of 25.1%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
In the past year, shares of the company have lost 11.2% compared with the Zacks Internet Software industry’s decline of 20.4%.
What Does Our Model Unveil for FRSH?Our proven model does not predict an earnings beat for Freshworks 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 not the case here.
Freshworks has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Factors at Play Ahead of FRSH’s Q2 ResultsFreshworks entered second-quarter 2026 against a backdrop of increasing momentum in its Employee Experience (EX) segment and cost discipline. In the first quarter, EX ARR grew 27% year over year, supported by strong new customer wins and existing business expansion. The company is benefiting from increasing adoption among mid-market and enterprise customers.
Management expects this momentum to sustain, with EX ARR anticipated to grow in the mid-20% range and contribute more than 60% of total ARR by 2026-end.
At the Refresh event, held on May 14, management further stressed continued investment in capabilities and platform expansion to capture a larger opportunity of the EX market.
The company is embedding AI across the portfolio. Freshworks’ AI capabilities, particularly through its Freddy AI platform, are emerging as an important differentiator. Management highlighted Freddy AI Copilot as one of its fastest-growing products, with strong customer growth, business attach rates and accelerating traction among AI clients on the first quarter earnings call. This is likely to have cushioned performance in the quarter to be reported.
Freshworks remains focused on driving profitability alongside growth. The company is executing on cost-cutting initiatives, including workforce trimming and accelerating use of AI and automation internally. Non-GAAP operating income is projected to be between $41 million and $43 million for the second quarter.
While EX remains robust, the Customer Experience (CX) segment is projected to grow at a more modest pace. In the last reported quarter, CX ARR increased 6% year over year, and management expects low single-digit growth for 2026.
The company is focused on improving efficiency and profitability in this segment through platform consolidation (Freshdesk Omni), better customer alignment and disciplined go-to-market execution.
Stocks to ConsiderHere are a few stocks that you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this season.
Arista Networks (ANET - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +3.08% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
ANET is scheduled to report quarterly earnings on Aug. 4. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ANET’s to-be-reported quarter’s earnings and revenues is pegged at 89 cents per share and $2.83 billion, respectively. Shares of ANET have gained 45.5% in the past year.
Caterpillar (CAT - Free Report) presently has an Earnings ESP of +4.96% and a Zacks Rank #3. CAT is scheduled to report quarterly numbers on Aug. 4. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Caterpillar’s to-be-reported quarter’s earnings and revenues is pegged at $6.25 per share and $19.31 billion, respectively. Shares of CAT have risen 89% in the past year.
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.56% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. AMD is scheduled to report quarterly figures on Aug. 4. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AMD’s to-be-reported quarter’s earnings and revenues is pegged at $1.61 per share and $11.32 billion, respectively. Shares of AMD have skyrocketed 185.3% in the past year.
Key Takeaways Pinnacle West's Q2 EPS is estimated at $1.49, down 5.7%, while revenues are seen rising 3.08%. Arizona customer growth and semiconductor expansion likely boosted PNW's retail electricity demand.Grid investments and cost controls likely aided PNW, though financing costs and property taxes weighed. Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (PNW - Free Report) is scheduled to release second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 4, before the market opens. The company delivered an earnings surprise of 1000% in the last reported quarter.
Let’s discuss the factors that are likely to be reflected in the upcoming quarterly results.
PNW’s Q2 ExpectationsThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $1.49 per share, which implies a year-over-year decrease of 5.70%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pinned at $1.40 billion, indicating an increase of 3.08% from the year-ago reported number.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for total electric sales is pegged at 9,722.3 gigawatt-hour, up 3.09% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.
Factors Likely to Have Impacted PNW’s Q2 EarningsPinnacle West's second-quarter earnings are expected to have benefited from robust economic growth across its Arizona service territory. Strong expansion in semiconductor manufacturing and customer growth are likely to have driven higher retail electricity sales in the second quarter. Continued expansion by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and its supply-chain partners likely boosted industrial electricity demand for Pinnacle West.
The company's second-quarter earnings are expected to have been supported by sustained retail customer growth and rising electricity demand. Pinnacle West's continued focus on cost management is expected to have supported the to-be-reported quarter's earnings by improving operating efficiency and controlling expenses.
PNW's second-quarter earnings are expected to have benefited from continued investments in grid modernization and transmission infrastructure. The investments likely contributed to higher transmission revenues and improved grid reliability, benefiting the company's upcoming quarterly results.
However, higher financing costs and property taxes associated with increased plant-in-service are likely to have partially offset these positive factors in the second quarter.
What Our Quantitative Model Predicts for PNWOur proven model predicts an earnings beat for Pinnacle West Capital 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, as is the case here, as you will see below.
Earnings ESP: The company’s Earnings ESP is +0.95%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: Currently, Pinnacle West Capital carries a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Other Stock to ConsiderInvestors may also consider the following player from the same sector, as it has the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this reporting cycle.
Duke Energy Corporation (DUK - Free Report) is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 4 and is likely to have registered an earnings beat. It has an Earnings ESP of +0.16% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present.
DUK’s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate is 6.76%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter EPS is pinned at $1.29, which implies a year-over-year increase of 3.20%.
Southwest Gas (SWX - Free Report) is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 5 and is likely to have come up with an earnings beat. It has an Earnings ESP of +5.64% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present.
SWX’s long-term earnings growth rate is 9.89%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter EPS is pinned at 47 cents, which implies a year-over-year decrease of 11.32%.
Spire (SR - Free Report) is set to report third-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Aug. 5 and is likely to have come up with an earnings beat. It has an Earnings ESP of +16.67% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present.
SR’s long-term earnings growth rate is 11.17%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter fiscal sales is pinned at $397.87 million, which suggests a year-over-year decline of 5.70%.
Globus Medical má 6. srpna po uzavření trhu zveřejnit výsledky za 2. čtvrtletí; výnosy mají meziročně vzrůst o 5,6 % na 786,9 milionu USD. Enabling Technologies má přidat 6,5 % v důsledku přijetí ExcelsiusGPS.
Key Takeaways Globus Medical will report Q2 results on Aug. 6, with revenues expected to rise 5.6% year over year.GMED may gain from Spine, Trauma and Nevro integration, with Musculoskeletal revenues expected to rise 6.1%.GMED's Enabling Technologies revenues are projected to grow 6.5% as ExcelsiusGPS adoption supports demand. Globus Medical (GMED - Free Report) is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 6, after market closes.
In the last reported quarter, the company’s adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.12 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 21.74%. Globus Medical’s earnings topped estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 26.26%.
GMED’s Q2 EstimatesThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s second-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $786.9 million, suggesting 5.6% growth from the year-ago reported figure.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 net earnings of $1.12 per share indicates a 30.3% increase from the year-ago reported figure. The estimate has remained unchanged in the past 60 days.
Here’s a quick look at how the company is positioned leading up to this announcement.
Factors Shaping GMED’s Q2 PerformanceWithin Musculoskeletal Solutions, Globus Medical is expected to have benefited from the continued strength of its U.S. Spine business. Categories such as standard fixation and MIS pedicle screws, expandable TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion), ALIF (Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion), posterior cervical and cervical plating may have been key contributors to the performance. Meanwhile, power tools and products like DuraPro are likely to have helped the company continue capturing market share while creating incremental cross-selling opportunities.
GMED likely continued to prioritize competitive recruiting within its Spine business during the second quarter, with efficient onboarding of sales representatives with required sets and inventories continuing to remain a key differentiator. Such efforts may have favorably supported the company's top-line performance in the second quarter of 2026.
Further, strong performance across the EMEA and Latin America regions likely supported International Spine business results. Its direct and distributor businesses in overseas markets are expected to have witnessed broad-based growth.
The Trauma business is also expected to have made a very strong contribution in the second quarter. The ANTHEM Elbow plating system may have again emerged as a standout product, with demand exceeding expectations and prompting the company to deploy additional sets to support adoption. Growth in the Precice Limb Lengthening portfolio may have been driven by the company’s ability to fully meet market demand following the transition of manufacturing from the former NuVasive facilities to Globus Medical in early 2025.
We also expect favorable revenue contribution from the Nevro acquisition. Since acquiring Nevro, Globus Medical has been focused on rightsizing the business to drive profitable sales growth while reducing excess spending to quickly adopt the Globus approach. Management highlighted meaningful profitability improvements in 2025 following a series of organizational and operational changes. The impact of those cost control measures was also evident in the first quarter of 2026 and hence likely continued to support second-quarter performance.
Our model projects Musculoskeletal Solutions revenues to improve 6.1% year over year in the second quarter of 2026.
Enabling Technologies is also expected to have delivered a solid performance in the second quarter of 2026. Amid increasing competition in the rapidly evolving robotics space, adoption of Globus Medical’s ExcelsiusGPS platform continues to be supported for its standard for ease and floor-mounted navigation-based robotic approach.
Management highlighted that the deal pipeline remains strong, although the mix is moving toward leases and rentals rather than outright sales. While this shift reduces upfront revenue recognition compared with the historical sales model, it aligns with the strategy of refocusing the company’s capital approach to drive implant and other recurrent revenue product pull-through.
Going by our model, Enabling Technologies revenues are projected to grow 6.5% year over year.
Earnings Whispers for GMEDPer our proven model, stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold), along with a positive Earnings ESP, have a higher chance of beating estimates, which is not the case here, as you can see below:
Earnings ESP: Globus Medical 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.
Zacks Rank: The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Key Picks
Here are some medical stocks worth considering, as these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time:
CVS Health (CVS - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.42% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is slated to release second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 5.
CVS’ earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 16.79%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s second-quarter EPS indicates an increase of 3.3% from the year-ago quarter’s figure.
Cardinal Health (CAH - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.24% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is slated to release fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Aug. 11.
CAH’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 10.27%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s fourth-quarter EPS calls for a rise of 16.4% from the year-ago quarter’s figure.
Cencora, Inc. (COR - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.49% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is slated to release third-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Aug. 5.
COR’s earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed on one occasion, the average surprise being 1.59%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s third-quarter EPS implies an increase of 9.3% from the year-ago quarter’s figure.
Kenvue čeká za 2. čtvrtletí růst tržeb na 4 miliardy USD a zisku na 32 centů na akcii. Tahounem má být Skin Health and Beauty, zatímco rizikem zůstávají cla, inflace a slabá sezónnost.
Key Takeaways KVUE is expected to post Q2 revenue and earnings growth, supported by iconic consumer health brands.Skin Health and Beauty is expected to grow 3%, while Tylenol, Zyrtec and Nicorette trends support demand.Tariffs, inflation, FX and weak seasonal incidence remain key risks to Kenvue's performance. Kenvue Inc. (KVUE - Free Report) is slated to report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 6, before market open. The company is likely to report top and bottom-line increase when it posts the quarterly results.
For revenues, the consensus mark is pegged at $4 billion, implying a rise of 3.9% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s earnings is pegged at 32 cents per share, which reflects an increase of 10.3% from the year-ago quarter’s figure. The consensus mark has been stable in the past 30 days.
In the last reported quarter, the company delivered an earnings surprise of 18.5%. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 12.1%, on average, in the trailing four quarters.
Key Factors to Influence KVUE’s Q2 ResultsKenvue’s quarterly performance is likely to have benefited from its iconic consumer health brands and strength in the Skin Health and Beauty division. The company is focused on strengthening its consumer health brands through product innovation, increased marketing investments and deeper consumer engagement. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the Skin Health and Beauty segment is currently pegged at $1.1 billion, indicating a rise of 3% year over year.
KVUE’s diversified portfolio reduces dependence on any single product or category. The Tylenol and Zyrtec consumption trends have been improving while Nicorette is gaining share across major international markets, and brand innovation supported broader consumer engagement. Continued investment in these franchises is likely to have boosted sustainable demand and market-share growth in the quarter under review.
The company is prioritizing science-backed innovation and expanding products in categories to drive organic growth. Kenvue is simplifying its operating model, improving supply-chain efficiency and implementing productivity initiatives to reduce costs and support margins. The company is also working to improve execution across markets, optimize its portfolio and enhance digital and e-commerce capabilities. Such factors are likely to have aided the company’s performance during the quarter under review.
On the flip side, the company has been witnessing weakness in its Self Care business for a while. The business remains exposed to unpredictable cold, flu and allergy seasons, which can create volatility in demand. Weak seasonal incidence across major markets has been hurting results, highlighting the segment’s dependence on external health patterns. Also, headwinds like tariffs, inflation, foreign exchange movements and supply-chain volatility remain deterrents.
What the Zacks Model Unveils for KenvueOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Kenvue 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. But that’s not the case here. You can uncover the best stocks before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Kenvue currently has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank of 3.
Valuation Picture & Price PerformanceKenvue has a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 16.11X, lower than the Consumer Products - Staples industry’s average of 18.75X. The stock is trading above its median of 15.72X.
The recent market movements show that KVUE’s shares have gained 10.8% in the past three months compared with the industry's 4.2% growth.
Stocks With the Favorable CombinationHere are some companies, which according to our model, have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.
Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +11.52% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The consensus estimate for ADM’s quarterly revenues is pinned at $22.4 billion, which calls for 5.7% growth from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Archer Daniels’ upcoming quarter’s EPS is pegged at $1.27, which implies a 36.6% rise year over year. ADM delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 5.4%, on average.
Coty (COTY - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.03% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The company is expected to register a bottom and top-line decline when it reports fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 numbers. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for COTY’s quarterly bottom line has remained unchanged in the past 30 days at a loss of a cent per share. The consensus mark for earnings indicates an improvement of 80% from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter.
The consensus estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $1.2 billion, which indicates a drop of 4.8% from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter. COTY has delivered a negative earnings surprise of 214.1%, on average, in the trailing four quarters.
Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +2.61% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The company is likely to register bottom and top-line growth when it reports second-quarter 2026 numbers.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Monster Beverage’s quarterly revenues is pegged at $2.4 billion, indicating an increase of 14.5% from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter. The consensus estimate for MNST’s quarterly earnings of 59 cents per share implies a rise of 13.5% from the year-ago quarter’s level. MNST has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 9.6%, on average.
Eastman Chemical čeká ve druhé polovině roku 2026 silnější růst zisku díky vyšším objemům, lepšímu využití aktiv a cenovým efektům ve specialitách. Firma ale nepočítá s oživením slabých diskrečních trhů.
Stock ideas from the 2024 Microcap ConferenceEastman Chemical NYSE: EMN said it expects stronger earnings growth in the second half of 2026 than it anticipated in April, citing volume gains, improved asset utilization and price-cost benefits across its specialty businesses. During its second-quarter earnings call, Chief Executive Officer Mark Costa said the company is not forecasting a broad recovery in weak discretionary markets such as automotive, consumer durables and certain aftermarket categories.
“We’re not expecting any improvement in the end markets” tied to weak discretionary demand, Costa said. However, he said Eastman continues to see modest growth in stable end markets and has not yet observed a material demand impact from the Middle East conflict.
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Advanced Materials growth supported by innovation and circular products High-Growth, High-Yield Value Stocks Nearing Trigger PointsEastman reported 5% volume growth in its Advanced Materials segment during the second quarter, which Costa attributed largely to innovation-driven commercial wins. He said third-quarter volumes are expected to be roughly consistent sequentially with the second quarter, while remaining substantially above year-earlier levels.
The company expects Advanced Materials earnings to benefit in the second half from higher production utilization, pricing actions and growth in its circular-products platform. Eastman had reduced finished-goods inventory during the first half while securing supplies of paraxylene, creating a utilization headwind that Costa said should reverse as the company converts those materials into finished goods.
Costa also said a new Tritan production line is coming online as Eastman had been constrained by Tritan capacity and had shifted one existing line to serve polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, growth. The company expects price-cost dynamics in the segment to become a tailwind in the second half as previously implemented price increases catch up with raw-material costs.
For Eastman’s Renew portfolio, Costa said revenue growth exceeded $100 million in the first half and more than doubled from the prior year. Growth was roughly evenly split between specialty products and recycled PET, or rPET, although specialty products accounted for more of the first-half contribution and PET is expected to account for more of the second-half ramp.
Eastman modestly lowered its circular-revenue outlook to below the range previously provided, citing both rPET production limitations and slower customer purchasing. Costa said customers remain committed to recycled content, but a weak economy has made them more disciplined about the premiums they pay.
“We’re not seeing anyone back away from their commitments to recycled content,” Costa said. He added that demand for Eastman’s rPET supports the company’s view that its product offers better quality and clarity than mechanically recycled alternatives.
Methanolysis platform remains a long-term focus Costa rejected the view that Eastman has materially redirected its strategy away from methanolysis, the chemical recycling process used at its Kingsport facility. He said the company continues to view the technology as a significant long-term growth platform, despite a weaker economy and increased capital costs.
The Kingsport methanolysis plant is operating reliably, with yields above 90%, according to Costa. Eastman believes it can debottleneck the facility by 30% to reach 130,000 tons of capacity, or 130% of design capacity. Costa said the asset had been operating at about 50% utilization last year and utilization has increased with improved demand in 2026.
Polymer capacity, rather than methanolysis capacity, is currently the constraint for rPET growth, Costa said. Eastman is evaluating additional ways to optimize polymer assets to support further PET production next year.
Regarding a potential Texas project, Costa said higher capital costs and the loss of a Department of Energy grant prompted Eastman to develop a more capital-efficient approach. The company expects to provide additional details later and said the Kingsport expansion opportunity allows it to push out the next major capital commitment until 2028.
Eastman still expects the first circular asset to eventually generate $200 million of EBITDA, although Costa said reaching that level will take longer than previously hoped because of current economic conditions. He said circular-products margins are above the company average but did not provide a contribution-margin figure.
Other segments and cost actions In Chemical Intermediates, Costa said most of the year-over-year volume increase reflected the absence of major planned and unplanned shutdowns that limited production in the prior year. Eastman also gained some North American share in higher-margin markets and sold stored ethylene into what Costa described as attractive market conditions.
He cautioned that Chemical Intermediates spreads could moderate in the second half and described the outlook as highly uncertain because of developments involving the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz. Eastman expects to retain most of the volume share it gained, though the profitability of that volume could change with market spreads.
Advanced Additives & Functional Products continued to show resilient margins, supported by a portfolio weighted toward stable markets including pharmaceuticals, water treatment, agriculture, personal care and aviation, Costa said. He pointed to favorable industry structures, strong competitive positions and cost-passthrough arrangements in certain businesses. Eastman intends to maintain specialty-product prices as higher raw-material, energy and distribution costs continue to flow through.
In Fibers, Eastman expects tow volumes to rise materially in the second half as customers increase purchases to meet annual minimum-volume commitments. Costa said annual tow volumes should be relatively stable compared with last year. Textile volumes, which were weak in the first half, are expected to improve enough in the second half to bring the business roughly even with 2025 levels.
Chief Financial Officer Willie McLain said Eastman remains on track to deliver $125 million to $150 million of cost reductions net of inflation in 2026. The largest benefits are expected in Advanced Materials and Chemical Intermediates, with smaller contributions from Fibers and Additives & Functional Products. He said the company’s focus for 2027 will include at least offsetting inflation.
Cash flow, maintenance and portfolio strategy McLain said higher pricing is expected to add about $500 million to revenue this year. Working capital consumed less cash in the first half than in the prior-year period, although Eastman expects to recover less working capital in the second half than it did last year. McLain said the company expects to approach $900 million, compared with $970 million under the company’s prior comparison.
Eastman completed a major maintenance shutdown of its Kingsport coal gasifier and related stream in the second quarter. Costa said the work was a significant sequential headwind for Fibers and Chemical Intermediates, but its cost will not repeat next year.
On acquisitions and divestitures, Costa said Eastman is evaluating opportunities as industry activity increases and valuations become more rational. He emphasized that the company will remain disciplined, citing its past acquisitions, divestitures of underperforming businesses and continuing investment in organic growth through innovation.
About Eastman Chemical (NYSE:EMN)Eastman Chemical Company NYSE: EMN is a global specialty materials company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of advanced materials, chemicals and fibers. Its product portfolio spans performance additives, functional products, and engineered plastics designed to enhance the durability, appearance and performance of end products across diverse industries.
The company's main business activities include the production of specialty chemicals used in adhesives, coatings, building materials and consumer care applications, as well as high-performance plastics for packaging, automotive and electronics markets.
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The AI boom is creating opportunities across semiconductors, cloud computing, enterprise software, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and automation.
Inside this report, you’ll find 10 companies positioned to benefit as artificial intelligence moves from hype to real-world deployment and becomes a core growth driver for corporate America.
CFO SentinelOne Sonalee Elizabeth Parekh prodala 12 987 akcií v rámci povinného „sell to cover“ kvůli daňovým odvodům z RSU. Nešlo o diskreční obchodní rozhodnutí.
Sonalee Elizabeth Parekh, Chief Financial Officer of SentinelOne, Inc. (S +3.07%), sold 12,987 shares on July 27, 2026, according to an SEC Form 4 filing.
Transaction summaryMetricValueShares sold (directly held)12,987Transaction value~$237,013Post-transaction shares (directly held)964,281Post-transaction value$17.49 millionTransaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($18.25); post-transaction value based on July 27, 2026 market close ($18.14).
Key questionsWhat initiated this sale of Class A Common Stock?
The transaction was a non-discretionary "sell to cover" execution to satisfy tax withholding obligations arising from the settlement of restricted stock units (RSUs) and does not reflect a discretionary trading decision by the insider.What is the scale of the insider’s remaining direct equity position?
The CFO retains 964,281 shares of direct ownership, which carries a market valuation of $17.49 million as of the July 27, 2026 market close.How has the stock performed leading up to this vesting event?
Shares of the cybersecurity firm were priced at $18.14 as of the July 27, 2026 market close, reflecting a return of -7% over the one-year period.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-07-24)$18.14Market Capitalization$6.1 billionRevenue (TTM)$1.0 billionNet Income (TTM)-$318.7 millionCompany SnapshotSentinelOne develops and commercializes the Singularity XDR Platform, an Extended Detection and Response data stack that unifies endpoint protection, endpoint detection and response, cloud workload protection, and IoT security capabilities powered by artificial intelligence.The company operates a subscription-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) business model, generating revenue through recurring subscriptions for its unified cybersecurity platform and related professional services.SentinelOne serves enterprise customers and mid-market organizations globally that require comprehensive endpoint and cloud security solutions to protect their critical infrastructure and data assets.SentinelOne is a global cybersecurity infrastructure software provider with approximately 2,900 employees headquartered in Mountain View, California. The company has achieved $1 billion in trailing 12-month revenue while investing significantly in product development and market expansion.
SentinelOne's competitive differentiation centers on its AI-powered unified platform architecture that consolidates multiple security functions into a single data stack. This enables customers to reduce complexity and improve threat detection and response capabilities across their entire infrastructure footprint.
What this transaction means for investorsCFO Sonalee Parekh’s July 27 sale of SentinelOne stock is not a cause for investor concern, given it was a mandatory disposition to fulfill tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of RSUs. The sale came not long after shares hit a 52-week high of $20.71 on July 15.
SentinelOne shares rose after Scotiabank analysts upgraded their outlook from sector perform to sector outperform. The upgrade makes sense given the company’s strong sales growth coupled with the rising importance of cybersecurity now that artificial intelligence agents are sophisticated enough to hack defenses.
SentinelOne posted 21% year-over-year revenue growth to $277 million in its fiscal first quarter ended April 30. It expects sales to accelerate to a range between $289 million to $291 million in fiscal Q2, up from $242 million in the prior year. This indicates the cybersecurity company is successfully attracting customers.
Despite the rapid revenue growth, SentinelOne is not profitable. It exited fiscal Q1 with an operating loss of $79.7 million, although that was a reduction from the prior year’s $87.5 million loss.
Robert Izquierdo has positions in SentinelOne. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Ultra Clean Holdings očekává za 2. čtvrtletí tržby 565–605 milionů USD a non-GAAP EPS 44–60 centů. Poptávku má táhnout AI, logic, HBM a advanced packaging.
Key Takeaways Ultra Clean expects Q2 revenues of $565-$605M and non-GAAP EPS of 44-60 cents.AI-led demand for logic, HBM and advanced packaging is expected to lift UCTT's Products growth.UCTT's 228.6% YTD surge and 21.4X forward P/E leave little room for weak execution. Ultra Clean Holdings (UCTT - Free Report) is set to release its second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 3.
UCTT expects second-quarter 2026 revenues between $565 million and $605 million. On a non-GAAP basis, earnings are expected in the 44-60 cents per share range.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ultra Clean’s second-quarter revenues is pegged at $585.3 million, suggesting year-over-year growth of 12.82%. The consensus mark for second-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at 52 cents per share, unchanged over the past 30 days, and indicates growth of 92.59% on a year-over-year basis.
Consensus Estimate Trend
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
UCTT beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in two of the trailing four quarters, missed once and was in line in the remaining one, with the average surprise being 6.78%.
Let’s see how things have shaped up for the upcoming earnings announcement.
Factors to Note Ahead of UCTT’s Q2 ResultsUltra Clean’s second-quarter 2026 results are expected to have benefited from strengthening demand across the semiconductor equipment market. The company expected nearly double-digit sequential growth, supported by accelerated investments in AI-driven computing infrastructure. Growing investments in leading-edge foundry logic, high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and advanced packaging are likely to have boosted demand for UCTT’s Products segment. These applications require greater deposition, etch and removal intensity, increasing demand for the company’s gas delivery systems, chemical delivery modules, precision components and other critical semiconductor equipment subsystems.
The Services segment is expected to have benefited from increasing wafer volumes, higher tool utilization and expanding fab activity among integrated device manufacturers and foundries. UCTT’s cleaning, coating and micro-contamination analysis services are closely tied to wafer starts, making the business a beneficiary of improving semiconductor production levels.
UCTT’s ramp-readiness initiatives and available manufacturing capacity are also likely to have supported the to-be-reported quarter’s results. Inventory increased sharply during the first quarter as UCTT prepared to meet near-term customer requirements, which is expected to have helped it respond to rising second-quarter orders and delivery schedules. Higher production volumes and improved factory utilization are expected to have aided profitability. Management anticipated a slight sequential improvement in second-quarter gross margin, driven by operating leverage and manufacturing efficiencies.
UCTT Stock Outperforms Sector; Valuation StretchedUltra Clean shares have surged 228.6% year to date (YTD), outperforming the Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s return of 6.9%. The company’s shares have underperformed Ichor Holdings (ICHR - Free Report) but outperformed MKS (MKSI - Free Report) and Entegris (ENTG - Free Report) , YTD. Shares of Ichor Holdings, MKS and Entegris have appreciated 306.8%, 83.5% and 39%, respectively.
UCTT’s Share Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Ultra Clean stock is not so cheap, as its Value Score of D suggests a stretched valuation at this moment.
In terms of the forward 12-month price/earnings, UCTT is currently trading at 21.4X, higher than the sector’s 20.01X and MKS’ 20.97X but lower than Ichor’s 34.68X and Entegris’ 27.95X.
UCTT Stock’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
UCTT Rides on AI-Driven Wafer-Fab Equipment SpendingUCTT is well positioned to benefit from a multi-year expansion in wafer-fab equipment spending driven by generative AI, agentic AI, physical AI and cloud infrastructure. These trends are increasing demand for leading-edge logic, HBM and advanced packaging capacity. More complex device architectures, including gate-all-around transistors and backside power delivery, require additional processing steps and higher deposition and etch intensity, expanding the addressable market for UCTT’s subsystems and components.
The company’s Services business offers another long-term growth opportunity. As new fabs begin production and installed equipment utilization rises, increasing wafer starts should drive recurring demand for chamber-part cleaning, recoating and contamination-analysis services. Ultra Clean’s MPX strategy, encompassing new product introduction, development and transition, is expected to strengthen customer engagement and support market-share gains.
UCTT is upgrading its systems, processes and data infrastructure with AI-compatible tools to improve production visibility, shorten cycle times and increase productivity. Combined with available global capacity, these initiatives could drive stronger operating leverage and margin expansion as revenues move toward the company’s long-term $4-billion target.
These factors are expected to help Ultra Clean face headwinds including cyclicality of the semiconductor capital-equipment industry, geopolitical tensions, export restrictions and the complexity of operating across the United States, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Moreover, Ultra Clean’s efforts to diversify its customer base, increase proprietary products and expand manufacturing capacity underscore the competitive pressures from companies such as Ichor, MKS and Entegris. Ichor remains UCTT’s closest direct competitor in gas and fluid delivery subsystems for semiconductor capital equipment. MKS competes through one of the industry’s broadest portfolios spanning vacuum technology, RF power, plasma solutions, optics, lasers, motion control, process control and advanced packaging equipment. Entegris competes with UCTT by supplying highly specialized contamination-control materials, filtration, fluid management and advanced process materials that become increasingly critical at leading-edge technology nodes.
ConclusionUltra Clean appears well positioned heading into its second-quarter 2026 results, supported by improving semiconductor equipment demand, AI-driven investments and rising wafer-fab activity. Its expanding exposure to leading-edge logic, HBM and advanced packaging, coupled with recurring services revenues and operational efficiency initiatives, should support long-term growth. However, investors should remain mindful of its premium valuation, the cyclical nature of semiconductor capital spending, geopolitical uncertainties and intense competition from Ichor, MKS and Entegris. With expectations already elevated following the stock’s sharp rally, Ultra Clean will need to deliver strong execution and demonstrate sustained margin expansion to justify further upside.
Ultra Clean currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Garmin po rekordních výsledcích za 2. čtvrtletí zvýšil výhled tržeb na 11 % meziročního růstu i zisku na téměř 17 % na celý rok 2026. Akcie za týden vzrostly o 22,4 %.
Garmin (GRMN +0.07%) reported record second-quarter results this week, and the stock took off. As of midday Friday, shares were up 22.4% for the week, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Investors already expected a strong year, with the company guiding for 9% year-over-year revenue growth in 2026. Management boosted that guidance after Q2 results. That helps explain why the stock popped, but Garmin shares are still cheaper than they look.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
Don't overlook the cash hoard Garmin operates five segments, selling devices that use GPS technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to track and monitor health and fitness, provide training plans, and offer navigation and solutions tailored specifically for marine and aviation activities.
Its fitness segment has become the largest after averaging 32% year-over-year revenue growth in every quarter since the start of 2024. That growth has helped drive the stock higher and was one reason Garmin boosted its full-year 2026 revenue and earnings guidance. Management now sees 11% year-over-year revenue growth this year, and almost 17% earnings per share (EPS) growth, partly thanks to improving margins.
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Now investors need to decide if this week's jump means it's too late to buy Garmin stock. It is now trading at a P/E of almost 30 based on this year's EPS guidance. But there's a catch. Garmin has $4.4 billion in cash and marketable securities with no debt on its balance sheet. That's about 8% of its market cap and should be taken into consideration when determining its valuation.
That cash will eventually make its way to shareholders through a combination of growth investments, dividends, and share buybacks. With new products being rolled out, including the recent launch of the screenless Cirqa smart band, growth should continue. That makes the recent stock price still a good buy for investors looking beyond 2026.
Howard Smith has positions in Garmin. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Garmin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Aptiv má za 2. čtvrtletí vykázat tržby 3,32 miliardy USD a zisk 1,42 USD na akcii. Tržby mají meziročně klesnout o 36,3 % kvůli nedávnému odštěpení divize Electrical Distribution Systems do Versigent.
Key Takeaways Aptiv is expected to post Q2 revenues of $3.32 billion and earnings of $1.42 per share.Intelligent Systems revenue growth may reflect new programs and strong demand for Wind River software.Higher commodity costs, FX volatility and production disruptions may weigh on quarterly results. Aptiv PLC (APTV - Free Report) is set to report its second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 4, before the opening bell.
The company’s earnings surprise history has been impressive. It surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an earnings surprise of 11.5% on average.
Q2 Expectations for APTVThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues in the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at $3.32 billion, indicating a decline of 36.3% year over year due to the recent spin-off of the Electrical Distribution Systems business into Versigent, partially offset by recent system launches, newly expanded partnerships with technological firms and new customer wins.
The consensus estimate for Engineered Components' revenues is pegged at $1.82 billion, indicating a 5.4% year-over-year increase. The adjusted operating income is expected to be $278.5 million, reflecting a 3% year-over-year decline.
Recently, Aptiv launched intelligent interior camera systems that incorporate its complete software and hardware stack to enable driver monitoring and enhanced in-cabin sensing capabilities.
The company has expanded its robotics business through partnerships with Robust.AI, Vecna Robotics and industrial robotics leader Comau. Management stated that it expects total bookings to exceed $20 billion during 2026, supported by increasing demand from automotive, aerospace, industrial and defense customers.
The consensus mark for Intelligent Systems revenues and adjusted operating income is pegged at $1.58 billion and $166.8 million, indicating a 4.8% year-over-year increase and a 6.3% decline, respectively. The launch of new advanced programs and the continued strong growth of Wind River’s critical software for intelligent edge systems are likely to have contributed to the segment’s revenue growth.
However, higher commodity prices, especially resins and metals, have increased input costs following the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Foreign exchange volatility and customer-specific production disruptions are likely to have impacted the operational performance.
The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $1.42 per share, indicating a year-over-year decline of 33%. We expect collectively decreasing operating income to have negatively impacted the bottom line in the quarter.
What Our Model Says About APTV StockOur proven model predicts an earnings beat for APTV this time around. A positive Earnings ESP combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Aptiv has an Earnings ESP of +1.81% and currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Other Stocks to ConsiderHere are a few stocks from the Technology Services Industry, which, according to our model, also have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this season.
Duolingo, Inc. (DUOL - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +9.02% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The company is scheduled to declare its second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 8.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DUOL’s second-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $297.4 million, indicating year-over-year growth of 17.9%. For earnings, the consensus mark is pegged at 61 cents per share, implying a 33% decline from the year-ago quarter’s actual. Duolingo beat the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an earnings surprise of 32.3% on average.
Dave Inc. (DAVE - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.42% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The company is scheduled to declare its second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 8.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DAVE’s second-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $169.8 million, indicating 28.9% year-over-year growth. The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $3.69 per share, implying a year-over-year increase of 17.5%. Dave beat the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 47.8%.
Oklo získala od DOE povolení k zavážce paliva, commissioning a zahájení počáteční kritičnosti v Groves Isotope Test Reactor v Lockhartu v okrese Caldwell County v Texasu. Od zahájení stavby k souhlasu regulátora to zvládla za necelých 10 měsíců.
Advanced nuclear fission developer Oklo (OKLO) reached a major regulatory milestone after receiving official startup authorization from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for its Groves Isotope Test Reactor in Lockhart, Texas.
Key Takeaways Oklo received formal U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) authorization to load nuclear fuel and begin startup testing at its Groves reactor in Caldwell County, Texas. The facility progressed from groundbreaking to regulatory startup clearance in under 10 months, demonstrating unprecedented execution speed for advanced nuclear builds. Commercial radioisotope production offers the nuclear developer a rare near-term revenue model while broader small modular reactor deployments target AI data center demand. Oklo DOE Startup Authorization Signals Shift in Commercial Fission The DOE approval grants Oklo permission to begin fuel loading, commissioning, and initial criticality at the Texas facility. Moving from groundbreaking to full authorization in just over 10 months sets a remarkably fast precedent for advanced nuclear infrastructure.
For investors in the nuclear space, this operational speed proves that nuclear capital can clear regulatory hurdles quickly. Furthermore, it stands out in a sector often critiqued for prolonged development timelines.
Near-Term Revenue Model Complements Data Center Ambitions Most advanced reactor coverage centers on powering massive hyperscale data centers. However, the Groves facility unlocks an immediate commercial runway via isotope production. This milestone accelerates Oklo’s strategic expansion into local radioisotope manufacturing, addressing vital supply needs across oncological medicine, industrial applications, as well as high-level physics research.
This cash-flow strategy helps offset early-stage capital intensity, distinguishing Oklo. As tech giants look toward bridging natural gas, nuclear, and AI data centers, early cash flows give Oklo an advantage.
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Shares in nVent Electric (NVT +8.56%) soared by more than 15% in early trading today, only to settle somewhat to a high single-digit gain by early afternoon. It's a startling performance from a stock that's up 54% in 2026, and a whopping 397% over the last five years.
nVent crushes estimates and raises again It's no secret that nVent's electrical connection and protection solutions make it an excellent pick-and-shovel play on the increasing demand for power driven by AI data centers, and the company's recent results did not disappoint on that front. However, that's not the full story of the second-quarter results, because the company became the latest industrial stock to report excellent results after Honeywell and Illinois Tool Works recently raised their full-year guidance, citing improving short-cycle orders.
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The latter is exactly what nVent is seeing, with CEO Beth Wozniak noting on the second-quarter earnings call: "The better-than-expected sales were primarily driven by the infrastructure vertical, led by data centers, along with stronger demand in our short-cycle business," with growth occurring "across every vertical and every geography."
Data center demand continues to boom, too. In a sense, nVent's old-economy end markets (industrial and commercial/residential construction) came together with the new-economy (AI data centers) to boost both sales and the company's outlook. Management raised its full-year guidance for the second time this year.
nVent Full Year Guidance
February
May
July
Organic sales growth
10%-13%
21%-23%
32%-34%
Adjusted EPS
$4-$4.15
$4.45-$4.55
$5-$5.10
Data source: nVent presentations. Table by the author.
Wozniak also confirmed that its data center end market had strong "orders thus far" in the third quarter. All told, the results and guidance illustrate the potential for earnings improvement among companies exposed to favorable end-market trends, and there could be more to come if the old economy continues to contribute alongside the new economy for nVent.
Lee Samaha has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
SummaryMeta Platforms, Inc. delivered strong 28% revenue growth, but margins and free cash flow suffered due to aggressive AI-driven capex.I remain Buy-rated on META, emphasizing the resilient ad business, robust user engagement, and tangible AI-driven monetization improvements.The market is overly focused on the free cash flow shock, underappreciating AI's immediate positive impact on ad performance and platform economics.Risks include prolonged high capex, unclear AI monetization beyond ads, and regulatory/legal pressures, but I prefer buying META on this weakness. Stockyme/iStock via Getty Images
Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) delivered one of the more complicated Mag 7 earnings reports of this quarter. The company did not miss the top line. Revenue grew 28% year-over-year to $60.80 billion, advertising revenue grew 27%, ad impressions increased
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Amazon uzavřel investici 50 miliard USD do OpenAI, kterou obě firmy oznámily v únoru. AWS se má stát exkluzivním třetím cloudovým poskytovatelem pro program OpenAI Frontier.
Amazon completed a $50 billion investment in OpenAI that the two companies announced in February.
Amazon said in a Friday (July 31) filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that after entering into the agreement and investing $15 billion during the first quarter, it invested another $13.7 billion in the second quarter and the remaining $21.3 billion of its commitment sometime after June 30.
OpenAI announced Feb. 27 that it raised new funding that included $50 billion from Amazon. The company said that as part of the deal, Amazon Web Services (AWS) would become the exclusive third-party cloud provider for OpenAI’s Frontier program and OpenAI would expand prior infrastructure agreements with AWS that could total $100 billion over eight years.
In its own Feb. 27 announcement of its investment in OpenAI, Amazon said the $50 billion investment would start with an initial $15 billion, which would be followed by another $35 billion within months “when certain conditions are met.”
The Information reported in February that those conditions could include whether OpenAI goes public or if it achieves artificial general intelligence (AGI), a term for AI that functions at the same level as humans.
In a Friday report that flagged Amazon’s SEC filing saying it completed the investment, The Information noted that OpenAI has not gone public and said that Amazon did not specify why it made the remaining investment.
It was reported Wednesday (July 29) that OpenAI’s flagship product, ChatGPT, is approaching 1 billion weekly active users. While this milestone came seven months later than the AI startup had initially projected, it made ChatGPT one of the fastest-growing apps in the history of the internet, as it achieved this scale in under four years.
On Thursday (July 30), OpenAI cut the price of two of its models and accelerated the performance of a third model while leaving its price unchanged. The company said that it made these changes to improve the models’ performance per dollar across enterprise workloads.
“We are building a resilient infrastructure portfolio and matching each workload to the systems best suited to run it,” OpenAI said in a blog post. “That approach supports both ends of the price-performance curve.”
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Alphabet a Amazon ukázaly, že jejich vlastní čipy jsou reálnou alternativou k Nvidii. Google Cloud díky TPUs zvedl provozní marži na 35,6 % a AWS díky Trainium a Gravitonu rostl o 37 %.
Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL | GOOGL Price Prediction) and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) posted Q2 FY2026 results built around the same idea: their custom chips are now real Nvidia alternatives. Google leaned on TPUs powering a 82% Cloud surge. Amazon leaned on Trainium and Graviton driving 37% AWS growth, the fastest in 18 quarters. Two silicon playbooks, two very different customer bases.
TPUs Carry Google Cloud. Trainium Carries AWS. Google Cloud hit $24.77 billion in Q2, with operating margin jumping to 35.6% from 20.7%. That margin lift is the TPU story in one number: owning the silicon means owning the cost curve. Sundar Pichai told investors Google now offers “the industry’s broadest range of accelerators from Google and NVIDIA”, and notably began recognizing revenue from TPU system sales delivered into customer data centers for the first time.
Amazon went the other way. AWS reached $42.23 billion at a 39.4% operating margin, and Andy Jassy said “our AI and Chips businesses each eclipsed run rates of more than $25 billion” with triple-digit growth. Graviton5 shipped with up to 25% better compute performance than Graviton4, and Trainium capacity is being leased in bulk to Anthropic and OpenAI.
Cost Leader vs. Volume Leader Lens Alphabet Amazon Silicon TPU, Axion CPU Trainium, Graviton, Nitro Primary customer Internal Gemini + Cloud enterprises External AI labs on AWS 2026 CapEx guide $195B to $205B ~$200B Cloud backlog $514B Not disclosed Google’s edge is efficiency. Pichai flagged that Chrome engineers are “on track to accelerate delivery by eight times” using their own models on their own chips. Amazon’s edge is distribution. Bedrock now hosts Claude Opus 5, GPT-5.6, Gemma 4 and Grok 4.3, and customers spent more on Bedrock in Q2 than in all prior quarters combined. One monetizes silicon through margin. The other monetizes it through rented capacity.
The Next Test Is Free Cash Flow Both bets are expensive. Alphabet burned $44.92 billion of CapEx in Q2 and posted negative $5.86 billion of free cash flow, with the buyback suspended. Amazon spent $54.21 billion and TTM free cash flow turned negative at $7.6 billion. I want to see TPU external revenue ramp in 2027, and I want Trainium bookings from OpenAI and Anthropic to translate into AWS margin, not just top line.
Why I Lean Toward Google for Silicon Efficiency, Amazon for Silicon Distribution If you want the cheapest tokens in the industry, Google’s TPU stack looks like the better long-term asset. Cloud margin nearly doubled year over year, and shares rose 5.03% in the past week as investors digested the raise. If you want the widest customer roster leasing custom chips, Amazon wins. AWS jumped 3.9% on earnings day, and the Anthropic and OpenAI Trainium commitments give it a commercial moat Google does not have yet. For investors weighing exposure, the trade-off is efficiency versus distribution, and free cash flow recovery by mid-2027 will be the key checkpoint for both names.
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ExxonMobil zveřejnil výsledky za 2. čtvrtletí 2026 a svolal konferenční hovor k výsledkům. V úvodu vedení uvedlo, že výhled je zatížen riziky a nejistotami.
ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (XOM) Q2 2026 Earnings Call July 31, 2026 9:30 AM EDT
Company Participants
James Chapman - President & Treasurer
Darren Woods - Chairman of the Board & CEO
Neil Hansen - Senior VP & CFO
Conference Call Participants
Stephen Richardson - Evercore ISI Institutional Equities, Research Division
Neil Mehta - Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Research Division
Arun Jayaram - JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division
Devin McDermott - Morgan Stanley, Research Division
Douglas George Blyth Leggate - Wolfe Research, LLC
Wei Jiang - Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
Bob Brackett - Bernstein Institutional Services LLC, Research Division
Biraj Borkhataria - RBC Capital Markets, Research Division
Jean Ann Salisbury - BofA Securities, Research Division
Jason Gabelman - TD Cowen, Research Division
Manav Gupta - UBS Investment Bank, Research Division
Sam Margolin - Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division
John Royall
Presentation
James Chapman
President & Treasurer
Good morning, everyone. Welcome to ExxonMobil's earnings call. Today's call is being recorded. We appreciate you joining us. I'm Jim Chapman, and I'm joined by Darren Woods, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; and Neil Hansen, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
This quarter's presentation and prerecorded remarks are available on the Investors section of our website. They're meant to accompany this quarter's earnings release, which is posted in the same location.
During today's presentation, we'll make forward-looking remarks, including comments on our long-term plans, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Please read our cautionary statement on Slide 2. You can find more information on the risks and uncertainties that apply to any forward-looking statements in our SEC filings on our website.
We also provided supplemental information at the end of our earnings slides, which are also posted on our website.
And now I'll turn it over to Darren for opening remarks.
Colgate-Palmolive ve 2. čtvrtletí vykázala růst organických tržeb ve čtyřech z pěti divizí a hrubá marže vzrostla o 100 bazických bodů. Firma zároveň zvýšila celoroční výhled hrubé marže na přibližně stabilní úroveň.
3 Dividend Kings With Income, Stability, and a Possible CatalystColgate-Palmolive NYSE: CL said its second-quarter 2026 results reflected broad-based organic sales growth, gross-margin expansion and higher advertising spending, while executives outlined steps to improve performance in North America amid softer category trends and elevated competition.
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Noel Wallace said organic sales grew in four of the company’s five divisions and in three of its four categories. Growth was led by emerging markets, including India, Brazil, Mexico and China, while Europe and the Hill’s pet nutrition business also contributed.
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3 Up-and-Coming Stocks That Could Be the Next NVIDIA“We’re pleased to have delivered another quarter of strong top and bottom-line growth, particularly in the context of continued global volatility,” Wallace said. The company’s free cash flow increased 18% through the second quarter, and it returned $1.4 billion to shareholders, according to Wallace.
The company also said John Faucher, executive vice president of M&A and special projects, will retire at the end of September. Wallace said the call was Faucher’s 40th quarterly earnings call with Colgate-Palmolive.
Margins Supported by Pricing, Mix and Productivity 3 Sectors That Look Most Vulnerable Ahead of May 15Colgate-Palmolive reported gross-margin expansion of 100 basis points in the quarter, including a modest benefit from tariff refunds. Wallace said most of the improvement came from the company’s core operations, including pricing, revenue growth management, productivity initiatives and product mix.
Chief Financial Officer Stan Sutula said material costs were slightly below the company’s expectations during the quarter, as higher raw-material costs were partially offset by tariff refunds. He said the company does not expect meaningful additional refunds.
Management said it now expects gross margin to be roughly flat for the full year, an improvement from its prior expectation for a decline. Sutula cautioned that raw-material costs and tariffs are expected to be higher in the second half than in the second quarter, although comparisons will be easier year over year. He said oil prices around $90 could make fourth-quarter costs somewhat lower than the company had previously assumed.
Wallace said the company has been incorporating expected cost increases into its profit-and-loss planning and is using pricing, revenue growth management and promotional artificial-intelligence tools to protect profitability. The company increased advertising by double digits during the quarter and plans to maintain elevated investment behind its brands.
“We believe our efforts in revenue growth management, promo AI, and funding the growth give us the ability to invest in advertising to build our brands while driving profit and EPS growth,” Wallace said.
North America Improvement Plan Wallace said the company was not satisfied with its U.S. performance. He attributed part of the weakness to category softness in May, heightened competition and inventory reductions by certain retailers. While category conditions improved in June and remained steadier in July, Wallace said they were still below historical levels.
Management said retailer inventory reductions caused shipments to trail consumption in North America, and Wallace said the company has not assumed that retailers will rebuild inventories during the second half.
Colgate-Palmolive plans to increase distribution and support for recent launches, including Optic White Pro Series with ActivShine technology and Fabuloso products in new formats. The company also plans to take “surgical” actions in specific categories and retail channels where it identified price and promotional gaps versus competitors.
Increase brand support across core U.S. businesses. Expand premium innovation in 2026 and 2027. Address selected price and promotion gaps without broadly escalating promotional activity. Focus on improving market share and delivering sequential improvement in the second half. Wallace said the company is particularly focused on premium opportunities, where it believes it is under-indexed in North America. He pointed to the company’s experience in Asia and Europe, where stronger innovation, premium offerings, go-to-market changes and online expansion have supported improvement.
Hill’s Gains Share in a Soft Pet Market Hill’s continued to outperform the broader pet-food category, according to Wallace. Excluding discontinued private-label business, Hill’s organic sales rose 4%, compared with a category that Wallace characterized as roughly flat, particularly in the U.S.
Private-label discontinuations reduced Hill’s volume by 200 basis points. Excluding those discontinuations, volume was approximately flat during the quarter, while the therapeutic business delivered growth in both volume and pricing, supporting mix and gross-margin improvement.
Wallace said Hill’s gained traction in cat food, wet food and small-pet offerings, while Science Diet dog food was weaker as consumers shifted toward smaller pets and ownership of larger pets declined. International Hill’s sales rose at a solid mid-single-digit rate, he said.
The company is also rolling out fresh pet food in the U.S. following its Prime acquisition. Wallace described the rollout as deliberate and said the company’s initial objective is to establish the brand’s scientific credentials and professional support rather than pursue significant early volume.
The offering includes three single-protein diets, with the company emphasizing their intended benefits for digestion, coat condition and overall pet health. Distribution will be phased through professional, pet-specialty and neighborhood veterinary channels rather than launched simultaneously across all retailers.
Emerging Markets, China and AI Initiatives Latin America delivered approximately 5% organic growth, with pricing up 2.8% and volume up 2.6%, Wallace said. Brazil grew at a high-single-digit rate and Mexico grew at a mid-single-digit rate. Management said Colgate Total market shares have been rebuilding, particularly in Brazil, following prior reformulation-related issues.
In India, the company reported double-digit growth, supported by both indirect trade and modern trade. Wallace said the company is pursuing premiumization while also maintaining price-pack architectures designed to attract consumers entering its categories.
Greater China rose at a mid-single-digit rate, while the Colgate China business delivered mid-single-digit growth and Hawley & Hazel, which includes the Darlie brand, posted low-single-digit organic growth. Wallace said China remains a challenging market due to declining brick-and-mortar sales, rapid e-commerce shifts and aggressive competition, but he highlighted the market’s role in developing digital talent and social-first innovation.
Wallace also said Colgate-Palmolive is scaling AI across pricing, productivity, innovation, marketing and data analytics. The company has trained much of its workforce on AI tools, including about 70% of vice presidents in advanced AI training, according to Wallace. He said the company is moving from AI pilots toward broader implementation, including promotional optimization, content creation and more automated internal processes.
About Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL)Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company with a long history in household and personal care categories. The business traces its roots to the early 19th century and has evolved into a multinational manufacturer and marketer of everyday consumer goods focused on health, hygiene and home care.
The company's core activities center on oral care, personal care, home care and pet nutrition. Its product portfolio includes toothpaste, toothbrushes and mouthwash in oral care; soaps, body washes and deodorants in personal care; dishwashing liquids, surface cleaners and other household products in home care; and scientifically formulated pet foods under its pet nutrition business.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
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IBM po letošním propadu zůstává dražší než jeho pětiletý medián: obchoduje se za 17,27násobek forwardového zisku. Dividendový výnos kolem 3 % a silný cash flow vyvažuje dluh ve výši 62 miliard USD.
Key Takeaways IBM's pullback has improved the price, but the stock still does not look clearly cheap.IBM trades at 17.27 times forward earnings, above its five-year median of 16.69 times.IBM's 3% dividend yield and cash flow support are offset by $62 billion of debt and slower growth. International Business Machines Corporation (IBM - Free Report) has pulled back sharply in 2026, raising the question of whether the lower price has improved the risk-reward profile.
The answer is mixed. IBM has dividend support, software momentum and free cash flow, but slower growth, estimate pressure and acquisition-related balance sheet risks keep the entry point from looking clearly cheap.
IBM’s Valuation Offers Limited Margin for ErrorIBM trades at 17.27 times forward 12-month earnings, slightly above its five-year median of 16.69 times. That is well above the sub-industry’s 10.4 times, although below the broader technology sector’s 20.01 times.
That valuation is not distressed despite the stock’s decline. The $244 price target compares with a reported share price of $221.74, implying only measured appreciation rather than a reset that leaves wide room for error.
IBM Earnings Growth Remains MeasuredEarnings growth also looks gradual. IBM is expected to generate earnings of $11.85 per share in 2026, up from $11.59 in 2025, with a further rise to $12.69 projected for 2027.
The current-year earnings estimate has slipped 0.5% in the past four weeks. A PEG ratio of 4.0 reinforces the concern that investors are paying a meaningful multiple for modest expected growth.
IBM Cash Flow Supports the DividendIBM generated $4.8 billion of free cash flow in the first half of 2026 and still expects free cash flow to increase by about $1 billion year over year for the full year.
That cash generation supports the dividend, which yields roughly 3%. Recurring software revenue, including annual recurring revenue of $24.6 billion, and productivity actions help fund distributions even as quarterly free cash flow can fluctuate.
IBM’s Debt Load Raises the Risk BarThe balance sheet raises the threshold for a buy case. IBM ended the second quarter with $62 billion of debt, while cash, restricted cash and marketable securities declined to $8.2 billion.
Goodwill stood at $74.6 billion, and the current ratio was 0.79:1. Those figures reduce flexibility for additional acquisitions, faster dividend growth and other capital priorities, especially after acquisition spending lifted leverage.
IBM’s Business Mix Creates Upside and RiskIBM’s portfolio still has attractive pieces. Red Hat revenues grew 11%, Data revenues increased 18% at constant currency and Software remains the company’s largest segment.
The offset is volatility elsewhere. IBM Z revenues fell 42%, and Transaction Processing declined 9% at constant currency, showing that infrastructure cycles and deal timing can still weigh on results.
Microsoft Corporation (MSFT - Free Report) , through Azure Red Hat OpenShift, and Oracle Corporation (ORCL - Free Report) , through Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and database-led AI offerings, remain relevant benchmarks for enterprise cloud and AI spending. IBM’s case depends on higher-value software and AI services becoming large enough to absorb that pressure.
IBM’s Ratings Point to a Wait-and-See ViewThe bottom line is that IBM’s pullback has improved the share price, but it has not removed the valuation, growth or leverage questions. The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), which fits a mixed setup rather than a clear buy signal.
IBM has a Value Score of C and Growth Score of C, suggesting balanced but not standout characteristics on those measures. Its Momentum Score of D and VGM Score of D point to weaker share-price trends and limited near-term conviction, even with dividend support and a lower stock price.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
IBM zrychluje přesun ke softwaru, hybridnímu cloudu a AI; software ARR vzrostl o 8 % na 24,6 miliardy USD a tržby Red Hat o 11 %.
Celkové tržby ale ve 2. čtvrtletí stouply jen o 1,1 % a tržby IBM Z spadly o 42 %.
Key Takeaways IBM is shifting toward software, hybrid cloud and AI to build steadier, more predictable revenue.IBM's software ARR rose 8% to $24.6 billion, while Red Hat revenues increased 11%.Delayed deals and a 42% drop in IBM Z revenues show infrastructure and timing risks remain. International Business Machines Corporation (IBM - Free Report) is leaning harder into software, hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence to make its revenue base more predictable. That shift is improving visibility, but it has not removed exposure to enterprise budget timing.
The key investor question is whether recurring software streams and AI-related demand can offset near-term execution pressure and the uneven infrastructure cycle.
IBM Builds Around Recurring Software RevenueSoftware is now the center of IBM’s business mix, accounting for 45.2% of GAAP revenues in second-quarter 2026. Segment revenues rose 5% in the quarter, while annual recurring revenue increased 8% to $24.6 billion.
That recurring base matters because about 80% of annual software revenues come from subscription, consumption and support streams. IBM expects Software revenues to grow 6%-8% in 2026 and now targets 100 basis points of operating pretax margin expansion for the year.
IBM Deepens Its Hybrid Cloud PortfolioIBM’s hybrid cloud strategy rests on Red Hat, OpenShift and a broader set of software assets that help enterprises manage applications, data and workloads across complex environments. Red Hat revenues increased 11% in the second quarter, and OpenShift annual recurring revenue reached $2.2 billion.
HashiCorp and Confluent add more depth to that platform approach. HashiCorp posted record bookings, while Confluent remained on track after its first full quarter following the acquisition. Hybrid Cloud revenues rose 11%, and Data revenues advanced 18% on a constant-currency basis.
Microsoft Corporation (MSFT - Free Report) remains a relevant comparison because Azure Arc is designed to run Azure artificial intelligence and data services across cloud and edge environments. Oracle Corporation (ORCL - Free Report) also competes in the same enterprise modernization theme through multicloud deployments and AI database services.
IBM Consulting Turns AI Demand Into BacklogIBM’s Consulting business is showing that enterprise AI work is moving beyond small experiments. Consulting signings rose 6% to $5 billion in the second quarter, marking a second straight quarter of growth.
Generative AI represented about half of Consulting signings and more than 30% of backlog. Revenue growth remained limited at 1% on a constant-currency basis, but segment profit rose 15.1%, and the margin expanded 160 basis points to 12.1%.
That mix suggests AI demand is present, but conversion into revenue remains gradual. IBM still expects Consulting revenues to grow in the low-to-mid-single-digit range in 2026, supported by backlog quality and enterprise transformation work.
IBM Faces Deal Timing and Mainframe PressureThe second quarter also showed why the growth outlook remains exposed to enterprise spending shifts. Total revenues rose 1.1% to $17.16 billion but missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $17.32 billion by 0.9%.
The shortfall reflected delayed capital-expenditure-sensitive software transactions and weakness in IBM Z revenues. Clients redirected spending toward servers, storage and memory amid supply constraints and expected price increases.
Infrastructure revenues declined 7% year over year, with IBM Z revenues down 42%. Transaction Processing revenues fell 9% on a constant-currency basis, showing that recurring software strength does not fully shield IBM from infrastructure and enterprise license agreement timing.
IBM’s Mixed Scores Temper the Growth StoryIBM’s transformation remains credible, but the stock’s setup is not one-sided. Recurring software, Red Hat momentum, AI Consulting backlog and productivity actions support the case for steadier growth and margin leverage.
At the same time, delayed deals, mainframe volatility and acquisition-related balance sheet demands keep the story balanced. IBM currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), which points to a more neutral near-term earnings revision backdrop.
The Value Score of C and Growth Score of C suggest neither valuation nor growth characteristics stand out strongly. The Momentum Score of D and VGM Score of D point to weaker share-price trends and limited near-term conviction across the combined style framework.
For investors, IBM’s 2026 outlook depends on execution. The software-led model gives the company a stronger base than in past cycles, but the stock still needs clearer evidence that AI demand and recurring revenue can absorb deal timing and infrastructure pressure.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
IBM staví podnikové umělé inteligenci na správě, bezpečnosti a hybridním nasazení. Generativní AI tvořila asi polovinu zakázek v divizi Consulting ve 2. čtvrtletí 2026 a přes 30 % objemu nevyřízených zakázek.
Key Takeaways IBM puts governance, security and hybrid deployment at the core of its enterprise AI strategy.Generative AI drove about half of IBM Consulting signings and more than 30% of backlog.IBM backed Lightwell with $5 billion to target open-source security and data control. International Business Machines Corporation (IBM - Free Report) is framing enterprise AI around control, governance and hybrid deployment rather than a pure model race. That positioning fits clients that need AI to work with regulated data, existing infrastructure and mission-critical applications.
The key investor question is whether this strategy can turn early AI demand into durable revenue. IBM has visible traction, but revenue conversion remains gradual and the execution bar is rising.
IBM Positions Governance at the Center of AIIBM’s AI architecture is built around watsonx Orchestrate, which management describes as a control plane for building, managing and governing AI agents. The platform is designed to work across clouds and on-premises systems, where many large enterprises still keep sensitive data and critical workloads.
Concert adds a unified view of application health, security, compliance and operational performance. Together with related tools for observability, evaluation, identity management and security, the strategy addresses enterprise concerns about trust, access control and governance.
IBM Turns AI Demand Into Consulting WorkConsulting is where IBM is seeing early evidence that AI projects are moving beyond pilots. Generative AI represented about half of Consulting signings in the second quarter of 2026 and more than 30% of backlog.
The monetization path is still measured. Consulting revenues increased only 1% at constant currency, even as signings rose 6% to $5 billion. Segment profit rose 15.1%, and margin expanded 160 basis points to 12.1%, showing that productivity and delivery discipline are helping offset limited top-line growth.
IBM Expands AI Security Through LightwellLightwell extends IBM’s AI strategy into open-source security. The platform is designed as an AI-driven clearinghouse for remediated open-source vulnerabilities, a need that has grown as enterprises rely on more external code inside critical systems.
IBM has backed Lightwell with a $5 billion commitment. More than 7,500 remediated package versions were available at launch, and clients can subscribe for $1 million per year. Early adopters include major financial institutions such as Bank of America, BNY, Citi, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Mastercard, Morgan Stanley, Royal Bank of Canada, State Street, Visa and Wells Fargo.
IBM Uses Partnerships to Broaden AI AdoptionIBM is also using partnerships to extend its reach. Its collaboration with OpenAI focuses on integrating AI into cybersecurity operations, while the expanded ServiceNow Inc. (NOW - Free Report) relationship targets fragmented enterprise data and aging legacy systems.
Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL - Free Report) , through Google Cloud, is another relevant partner as IBM builds a Google Cloud Practice inside Consulting. That relationship combines IBM’s industry expertise and Consulting Advantage platform with Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise AI platform, giving IBM a way to participate in production-scale AI deployment without owning every technology layer.
IBM’s AI Push Meets a Legacy Disruption RiskAI can also pressure part of IBM’s legacy-services franchise. Tools such as Anthropic’s Claude Code may automate parts of COBOL exploration, documentation, refactoring and security analysis, areas tied to mainframe modernization.
That creates a two-sided issue. IBM can use AI to improve delivery and modernize client systems more efficiently, but automation could reduce reliance on specialized legacy-system services if clients adopt alternative tools at scale.
IBM’s Scores Signal Caution on the AI ThemeIBM’s enterprise AI strategy is credible, especially for clients that care about governance, cybersecurity and data control. Still, the investment case needs clearer evidence that AI demand can convert into sustained software and consulting revenue growth.
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Its Value Score of C and Growth Score of C suggest neither valuation nor growth stands out strongly, while the Momentum Score of D and VGM Score of D point to weak share-price trends and limited near-term conviction. For now, IBM’s AI story is progressing, but the scores support a measured view rather than an aggressive one.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Merck prodloužil životnost Keytrudy spuštěním subkutánního Qlex a zajistil exkluzivitu až do roku 2039. To podle článku zmenšuje obávaný „Keytruda cliff“.
SummaryMerck has extended Keytruda's lifecycle by launching subcutaneous Qlex, securing its exclusivity through 2039, and other extensions supporting market confidence.Recent regulatory approvals, promising pipeline updates, and two major acquisitions (Terns, Cidara) have broadened MRK’s oncology and virology portfolios.Analyst long-term EPS estimates have improved, but the stock’s 17% rally since the latest quarterly results and 2030–32 P/E of ~13.5 suggest the current valuation is fully justified.I maintain a HOLD rating, as risk-reward is less compelling post-rally, though MRK’s innovation and management execution remain strong. hapabapa/iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Intro As my last call on Merck (MRK) was about nine months ago in October, I think it’s the right time, ahead of the upcoming Q2 earnings release, to update my view on how the business
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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
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Emerson čeká ve fiskálním 3. čtvrtletí růst tržeb o 5,3 % na 4,79 miliardy USD a růst EPS o 10,5 % na 1,68 USD na akcii. Tahounem mají být Intelligent Devices a Software & Systems.
Key Takeaways EMR is expected to post 5.3% revenue growth and 10.5% EPS growth in fiscal Q3 results.EMR saw strength in Intelligent Devices and Software & Systems, aided by power, LNG and life sciences. EMR's AspenTech buyout likely supported sales, while higher costs weighed on margins. Emerson Electric Co. (EMR - Free Report) is likely to witness earnings and revenue growth when it reports third-quarter fiscal 2026 (ended June 2026) results on Aug. 4, after market close. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $4.79 billion, indicating growth of 5.3% from the prior-year quarter’s figure.
The consensus mark for earnings is pinned at $1.68 per share, which has remained steady in the past 60 days. The figure indicates a jump of 10.5% from the prior-year figure. The company’s bottom line matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last reported quarter. EMR beat on earnings in two of the trailing four quarters and matched the mark in the other two, delivering an average surprise of 1.1%.
Let’s see how things have shaped up for Emerson prior to the announcement.
Factors Likely to Have Shaped EMR’s Quarterly PerformanceStrength across Emerson’s Intelligent Devices and Software and Systems groups is likely to have driven its performance in the fiscal third quarter. Solid momentum in the final control segment, driven by strength in power and LNG end markets, is likely to have benefited the top-line performance of its Intelligent Devices group in the fiscal third quarter. Robust growth across the Americas within the Sensors segment is also likely to aid the Intelligent Devices group’s results. For the fiscal third quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the group’s total sales is pegged at $2.64 billion, up 5.2% sequentially.
Solid momentum in the Control Systems & Software segment, supported by strength in the power and life sciences end markets, is likely to have augmented the performance of the Software & Systems group. Also, strength in the aerospace & defense and semiconductor end markets has been aiding the Test & Measurement segment. For the fiscal third quarter, the consensus estimate for the group’s total sales is pegged at $1.59 billion, indicating a 6% rise from the previous quarter’s number.
Robust growth across the Americas region is expected to have augmented the Safety & Productivity segment’s performance in the to-be-reported quarter.
The company has remained focused on expanding its product offerings and market presence through buyouts. In March 2025, Emerson acquired the remaining shares of AspenTech, making it a wholly owned subsidiary. This move strengthened the company’s automation portfolio and enhanced its software-defined control capabilities. The buyout is expected to have boosted EMR’s top line in the quarter.
However, rising costs and expenses owing to higher input costs and restructuring-related actions are likely to have affected EMR’s margin performance. Also, given the company’s substantial international operations, foreign currency headwinds are likely to have marred its margins and profitability.
Earnings WhispersOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Emerson this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is not the case here, as elaborated below.
Earnings ESP: EMR has an Earnings ESP of -1.21% as the Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $1.68 per share, higher than the Most Accurate Estimate of $1.66. You can uncover the best stocks before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: EMR currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Stocks With the Favorable CombinationFerguson Enterprises Inc. (FERG - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.22% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The company is slated to release second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 10.
Ferguson’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 6.5%.
Xometry, Inc. (XMTR - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +66.67% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The company is slated to release second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 4.
Xometry’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and matched the mark in one, the average surprise being 46.1%.
Ball Corporation (BALL - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.98% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The company is slated to release second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 4.
Ball Corp.’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters while matching the mark in one, the average surprise being 3.8%.
U.S. stocks are drifting slightly higher at midday Friday as two of the market's largest companies move in opposite directions.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI +0.58%) is up 0.3% as of 12:14 p.m. ET. The S&P 500 (^GSPC +0.66%) has added 0.2%, on pace for its first winning week in three. The Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC +0.87%) index is also up 0.2%, well off an intraday high near 1.3% reached shortly after the open.
^DJI data by YCharts
Why Amazon and Apple went their separate ways Amazon (AMZN +15.02%) stole the show, jumping 14.9% after posting $200.6 billion in second-quarter revenue. The real headline was Amazon Web Services, where sales grew 37% from a year ago; that's the fastest AWS has grown in 18 quarters. Management reaffirmed a full-year capex outlook of near $220 billion. The report confirmed that heavy AI infrastructure investment is translating into accelerating cloud demand. Amazon alone added roughly 208 points to the Dow.
Apple (AAPL -9.31%) subtracted about 188 points from the Dow, nearly erasing Amazon's contribution. The iPhone maker's stock fell 9.4% despite an analyst-stumping Q3 report. Management's next-quarter guidance was muted, citing component supply constraints tied to the AI hardware boom. Many chips are both pricey and hard to come by in this market.
Image source: Getty Images.
It was a mixed bag of chips today. The iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX +1.23%) gained 0.7%, but memory names lagged. Micron Technology (MU -4.40%) fell 5.3%, for instance. Investors at the corner of Wall Street and Silicon Valley are sorting out mixed signals from four Magnificent 7 stocks this week.
Macro pressures capped the bullish market mood. Oil prices rose as Middle East tensions flared back up. The 10-year Treasury yield ticked up 5 basis points to 4.7% and gold slipped 1.6%.
The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP +0.03%) dipped 0.3% while the cap-weighted index trackers rose by the same amount. In other words, the typical stock is actually red today. Mega caps are the ones lifting the S&P 500 above breakeven.
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Zooming out on a wild July Sound familiar? It should. You saw a similar script playing out earlier this week.
Prove that AI spending pays off, and the market throws you a party; show up without a cloud business to justify the hype, and you get sent to the corner. The dunce cap is optional.
Microsoft's (MSFT +2.35%) Azure numbers sparked Thursday's rally, Amazon's AWS numbers are fueling Friday's, and Apple just got the same cold shoulder that Meta Platforms (META +2.15%) did yesterday.
That's July 2026 in a nutshell: noisy, headline-driven, and carried by a handful of giants while the average stock quietly drifts lower. Apple's slide and Amazon's surge will fade from the headlines soon enough. The businesses converting AI spending into cloud revenue are the ones worth tracking long after today.
Anders Bylund has positions in Amazon, Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF, and Micron Technology. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Micron Technology, Microsoft, and iShares Trust-iShares Semiconductor ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
NextEra Energy zvýšila odhad velkého připojeného zatížení u FPL z 6 na 8 gigawattů do roku 2032, taženého hlavně hyperscale datovými centry. Firma čeká investice kolem 16 miliard USD.
Electric utilities don't typically raise long-term demand forecasts by one-third unless something meaningful has changed. Yet that's exactly what NextEra Energy (NEE -0.28%) did earlier this year when it increased its forecast for large-load demand at Florida Power & Light (FPL) from 6 gigawatts to 8 gigawatts by 2032.
Interestingly, the primary driver here isn't population growth or new housing developments. It's hyperscale data centers and other large industrial customers that need enormous amounts of reliable electricity.
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So many gigawatts Artificial intelligence has created an unprecedented race among hyperscalers to secure power for massive data centers. And those facilities can consume hundreds of megawatts, with the largest campuses eventually requiring more than a gigawatt of capacity. Utilities capable of delivering power quickly and at competitive rates are becoming strategic partners in that build-out, and NextEra believes it's well positioned to benefit.
Management said it now has approximately 21 gigawatts of large-load interest at FPL, with 12 gigawatts already in advanced discussions. A portion of those projects could begin taking service as early as 2028, and the company expects to announce at least one major large-load agreement before the end of this year.
The economics are significant Management estimates that every gigawatt of new large-load demand represents roughly $2 billion in new infrastructure investment. Those projects become part of FPL's regulated business, allowing the company to earn its authorized 10.95% return on equity.
If NextEra ultimately serves the full 8 gigawatts it now expects by 2032, that would translate into roughly $16 billion of new infrastructure investment. Using FPL's authorized capital structure and 10.95% allowed return on equity, those projects could ultimately support more than $1 billion in annual pretax earnings for shareholders once they're fully built and earning regulated returns.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
Checking all the boxes To be sure, NextEra isn't pursuing growth at the expense of existing customers. As part of FPL's new four-year rate agreement, the company created a large-load tariff designed to ensure that hyperscalers and other large customers pay the cost of the infrastructure required to serve them rather than shifting those costs onto residential and business customers. That reduces one of the biggest concerns surrounding data center-driven electricity demand: who ultimately pays for the new transmission lines, substations, and generation capacity.
Worth noting: This extends far beyond just one utility. Electricity demand in the United States is accelerating after years of relatively flat growth. Utilities with available land, a constructive regulatory environment, and the ability to deliver reliable power quickly are likely to capture an outsize share of that investment. NextEra checks all three boxes.
Jeff Siegel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends NextEra Energy. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRT) uspořádal konferenční hovor k výsledkům za 2. čtvrtletí 2026. V úvodu vystoupili CEO Donald Wood, CFO Daniel Guglielmone, Wendy Seher a Jan Sweetnam, spolu s dalšími členy vedení.
Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRT) Q2 2026 Earnings Call July 31, 2026 9:00 AM EDT
Company Participants
Jill Sawyer - Senior Vice President of Investor Relations
Donald Wood - CEO, President & Director
Wendy Seher - Executive VP, Eastern Region President and Chief Operating Officer
Daniel Guglielmone - Executive VP, CFO & Treasurer
Jan Sweetnam - Executive VP & Chief Investment Officer
Conference Call Participants
Michael Goldsmith - UBS Investment Bank, Research Division
Alexander Goldfarb - Piper Sandler & Co., Research Division
Haendel St. Juste - Mizuho Securities USA LLC, Research Division
Greg McGinniss - Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets, Research Division
Andrew Reale - BofA Securities, Research Division
Juan Sanabria - BMO Capital Markets Equity Research
Conor Peaks - Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division
Michael Griffin - Evercore ISI Institutional Equities, Research Division
Floris Gerbrand Van Dijkum - Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., Research Division
Craig Mailman - Citigroup Inc., Research Division
Richard Hightower - Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
Michael Mueller - JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division
Paulina Rojas Schmidt - Green Street Advisors, LLC, Research Division
Presentation
Operator
Good day, and welcome to the Federal Realty Investment Trust Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] Please note this event is being recorded.
I would now like to turn the conference over to Jill Sawyer, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations.
Jill Sawyer
Senior Vice President of Investor Relations
Thanks, Debbie. Good morning. Thank you for joining us today for Federal Realty's Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. Joining me on the call are Don Wood, Federal's Chief Executive Officer; Dan Guglielmone, Chief Financial Officer; Wendy Seher, Eastern Region President and Chief Operating Officer; and Jan Sweetnam, Chief Investment Officer; as well as other members of our executive team that are available to take your questions at the conclusion of our prepared remarks.
Amgen má za 2. čtvrtletí odhad tržeb 9,45 miliardy USD a EPS 5,60 USD; investoři čekají hlavně na aktualizace k MariTide. Tržby mají podpořit Repatha, Tezspire, Uplizna a Evenity, zatímco Prolia a Xgeva dál tlumí expirace patentů.
Key Takeaways Amgen's Q2 sales and earnings estimates are $9.45 billion and $5.60 per share, respectively.AMGN may see volume-driven growth from key drugs, offset by pricing pressure and patent-related declines.Amgen investors will watch MariTide pipeline updates and trends in biosimilars and legacy product sales. We expect Amgen (AMGN - Free Report) to beat expectations when it reports second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 4 after market close. In the last reported quarter, the company's earnings beat expectations by 8.88%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter sales and earnings is pegged at $9.45 billion and $5.60 per share, respectively.
Factors to Consider for AmgenIn the second quarter, Amgen’s product sales are expected to have been driven by strong volume growth of products like Repatha, Tezspire, Uplizna and Evenity, among others. However, price declines for some products and increases in 340B program utilization are likely to have offset some of the gains from volume increases.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Repatha, Tezspire, Uplizna and Evenity sales is pegged at $907.0 million, $483.0 million, $306 million and $636.0 million, respectively.
Sales of key drugs, Prolia and Xgeva, are likely to have declined as they have lost patent exclusivity.
Patents for Prolia and Xgeva expired in February 2025 in the United States, while the same expired in some European countries in November 2025. The erosion in their sales was in line with expectations in the first quarter. Accelerated sales erosion is expected over the remainder of 2026 as several biosimilars have been launched globally. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Prolia and Xgeva is pegged at $728.0 million and $356.0 million, respectively.
Sales of some other drugs like Kyprolis, Vectibix, Nplate and Lumakras/Lumykras are likely to have risen in the quarter. Sales of new cancer drug Imdelltra (tarlatamab) are likely to have risen sequentially, driven by volume growth. The drug was approved by the name of Imdylltra in the EU in June.
In Amgen’s inflammation portfolio, Enbrel sales are likely to have declined due to declining prices. Otezla sales are likely to have been hurt by lower pricing in the United States and generic erosion in the EU.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Otezla is $562.0 million, while that for Enbrel is $466.0 million.
Amgen’s new biosimilar products like a biosimilar version of J&J’s Stelara called Wezlana and Regeneron’s (REGN - Free Report) Eylea called Pavblu are also likely to have contributed to sales growth like the past few quarters. Wezlana’s sales are expected mostly from ex-U.S. markets while Pavblu’s sales are expected to have risen sequentially, driven by volume growth.
Lower revenues from oncology biosimilars (Kanjinti and Mvasi) due to increased competitive pressure are expected to have hurt the top line. Sales of legacy established products are also expected to have declined.
In the second quarter, adjusted operating margin is expected to be in line with the first-quarter operating margin of 45.3%.
Investors will look for updates on Amgen’s important pipeline candidate, MariTide (maridebart cafraglutide), a GIPR/GLP-1 receptor for obesity, on the second-quarter conference call.
AMGN’s Earnings Surprise HistoryThis large biotech’s performance has been strong, with earnings beating estimates in the trailing four quarters. The company delivered a four-quarter earnings surprise of 11.82%, on average.
Amgen’s stock has risen 18.4% so far this year compared with an increase of 2.8% for the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What Our Model Says for AMGNOur proven model predicts an earnings beat for Amgen this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESPand a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is the case here.
Earnings ESP: Amgen’s Earnings ESP is +0.70%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $5.60 per share, while the Most Accurate Estimate is pegged higher at $5.64 per share. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: Amgen has a Zacks Rank #3.
Other Stocks to ConsiderHere are two drug/biotech stocks that also have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this time around:
Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.41% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Jazz stock has risen 52% so far this year. JAZZ beat estimates in three of the last four quarters while missing in one. The company has a four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.73%, on average. Jazz is scheduled to report second-quarter results on Aug. 3.
Pfizer (PFE - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +2.07% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present.
Shares of Pfizer have risen 0.1% so far this year. Pfizer beat earnings estimates in each of the last four reported quarters, delivering an average earnings surprise of 21.93%. Pfizer is scheduled to report second-quarter results on Aug. 4.
Key Takeaways Corning's Enterprise Networks sales rose 65% as GenAI product sales nearly doubled.Corning secured a deal worth up to $6B and two similar long-term hyperscaler agreements.Corning plans tenfold U.S. optical-capacity growth and sees photonics reaching $10B by 2030. Corning Incorporated (GLW - Free Report) is increasingly tied to artificial intelligence data centers, where bandwidth needs are lifting demand for optical fiber, cable and connectivity products.
That shift gives Corning a clearer growth path, but it also raises the execution bar. Hyperscaler agreements, U.S. capacity expansion and photonics products add upside while creating new dependencies.
Corning’s AI Partnerships Reshape Optical DemandCorning’s optical business is being reshaped by large artificial intelligence customers. Meta Platforms (META - Free Report) signed a multiyear agreement of up to $6 billion for Corning’s newest optical fiber, cable and connectivity solutions.
Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN - Free Report) followed with a multiyear, multibillion-dollar agreement for optical products used in expanding U.S. data-center infrastructure. Corning also finalized two additional long-term hyperscaler agreements similar in size and duration to the Meta deal.
Enterprise Networks sales increased 65% year over year in the second quarter to $1.27 billion. Corning said GenAI product sales nearly doubled, showing how data-center architecture has become a central optical demand driver.
GLW’s Photonics Platform Extends the Growth RunwayCorning is extending beyond traditional fiber demand. Its GenAI portfolio includes multicore fiber, high-density connectivity systems and advanced optical products designed to improve network capacity and reduce installation complexity.
The longer-term opportunity is the Photonics Market-Access Platform. Management expects this platform to build a $10 billion revenue stream by 2030 as optical technology moves closer to chips and deeper into AI infrastructure.
NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA - Free Report) , whose accelerated-computing platforms are central to AI data-center deployments, is an important partner in this shift. Corning sees more optical content per graphics processing unit as clusters grow and scale-up networks adopt optical connections.
Corning’s U.S. Manufacturing Push Gains Strategic WeightThe NVIDIA partnership also changes Corning’s production footprint. The company plans to expand U.S.-based optical-connectivity manufacturing capacity tenfold and increase domestic fiber production capacity by more than 50%.
Corning also plans three new advanced manufacturing facilities in North Carolina and Texas and more than 3,000 jobs. These investments show how AI demand is moving from orders into manufacturing strategy.
The benefit is closer alignment with customers that need reliable domestic supply. The challenge is pacing capacity against demand, technology adoption and delivery schedules.
GLW’s Solar Buildout Adds a Second Secular ThemeSolar gives Corning another growth platform outside Optical Communications. The company is scaling polysilicon, wafer and module operations to support the domestic solar supply chain in the United States.
Second-quarter Solar sales increased 90% year over year to $438 million, but the segment posted a $7 million net loss. Maintenance, upgrades and a permanent power transition added about $30 million of costs versus the first quarter.
Management expects sales and profitability to improve beginning in the third quarter. The key test is whether higher production can turn demand into durable profit and cash flow.
Corning’s Customer Mix Creates New DependenciesLong-term AI agreements can improve visibility and help Corning share expansion costs with customers. They can also increase reliance on a small group of hyperscale buyers.
Contract liabilities totaled $2.7 billion in the second quarter and included a $1 billion customer deposit tied to a long-term AI infrastructure supply agreement. That supports visibility, but raises delivery and timing risks.
Other risks remain. Carrier spending is cyclical, China-related tariff uncertainty could pressure margins or supply chains, and the Solar ramp adds a separate execution challenge.
GLW’s Scores Favor Trend Exposure Over Deep ValueThe bottom line is that Corning’s AI exposure is becoming more visible and more strategic. Optical Communications is the clearest growth engine, while Solar adds a second secular theme.
GLW currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), which points to a more measured near-term view. Its Momentum Score of A and Growth Score of B support the operating-trend thesis.
The Value Score of D is the main offset. Investors are already paying a premium for expected AI and solar growth. The VGM Score of B leaves GLW better suited to growth-oriented investors than to deep-value buyers.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Corning (GLW) ve 2. čtvrtletí zvýšil tržby o 17 % a zisk na akcii o 30 % na 78 centů, čímž prodloužil sérii osmi kvartálů růstu. Akcie za rok vzrostly o 113,8 % a obchodují se za 46,6násobek forward P/E.
Key Takeaways GLW posted 17% revenue growth and 30% earnings growth, extending its multi-quarter momentum.GLW trades at 46.6X forward earnings after a 113.8% one-year rally, limiting room for missteps.Operating cash flow rose to $1.72B, while Solar lost $7M amid $30M of ramp-related costs. Corning Incorporated (GLW - Free Report) has become a clearer AI infrastructure story after another stronger-than-expected quarter. Growth in optical communications, improving cash flow and higher estimates support the bull case.
The harder question is valuation. GLW has already rallied sharply over the past year, leaving less room for missteps as the company ramps optical and solar capacity.
GLW’s Earnings Momentum Strengthens the Bull CaseCorning reported second-quarter 2026 core revenues of $4.74 billion, up 17% year over year, while core earnings rose 30% to 78 cents per share. Both figures topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate, with sales and earnings surprises of 2.9% and 2.6%, respectively.
The company has delivered at least eight consecutive quarters of year-over-year growth.
Management expects third-quarter core sales of $4.9 billion to $5 billion and core EPS of 85-89 cents, while the current fiscal-year earnings estimate has moved 1.7% higher over the past four weeks.
Corning’s Valuation Limits the Margin for ErrorThe stock’s premium is visible across several valuation measures. GLW trades at about 46.6X forward earnings, 6.9X trailing sales and 9.4X trailing book value, levels that already assume continued execution.
That matters after a major share-price move. GLW advanced 113.8% over the past year, although the stock fell 25.9% in the past three months. The pullback improves the entry debate, but it does not make the valuation inexpensive.
GLW’s Cash Flow and Margins Improve the QualityCash generation gives the growth story more support. Corning produced $1.72 billion in operating cash flow in the second quarter, up from $708 million a year earlier, and adjusted free cash flow reached $1.42 billion.
Margins also improved. Core operating margin expanded 190 basis points to 20.9%, while return on invested capital increased 180 basis points to 14.9%. Those gains matter as Corning funds capacity investments tied to Optical Communications and other growth platforms.
Corning’s Risks Keep the Setup From Looking EasyAI demand creates opportunity, but it also raises customer concentration risk. Contract liabilities totaled $2.7 billion and included a $1 billion customer deposit tied to a long-term AI infrastructure supply agreement, improving visibility while increasing delivery and timing pressure.
Other risks remain. Consumer electronics and automotive demand can be cyclical, China-related tariffs and supply-chain uncertainty could pressure margins, and the Solar segment posted a $7 million quarterly loss as maintenance, equipment upgrades and a power transition added about $30 million in costs.
GLW’s Price Target Frames a Measured Upside CaseThe $160 price target compares with the referenced share price of $135.22. That points to potential upside, but not enough to ignore valuation risk.
For that upside case to hold, Corning needs to keep converting AI optical demand into profitable growth and show that Solar can improve beginning in the third quarter. Continued margin expansion is central to justifying the stock’s premium.
Corning’s Scores Point to Selective OptimismGLW currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), which supports a balanced stance rather than an aggressively bullish one. NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA - Free Report) remains a relevant comparison because its AI infrastructure ecosystem is tied to demand for high-speed optical connectivity. Meta Platforms (META - Free Report) is also relevant because its AI data-center ambitions directly align with Corning’s hyperscale optical opportunity.
The Momentum Score of A and Growth Score of B reflect stronger operating trends, while the Value Score of D shows limited valuation support. The VGM Score of B leaves GLW better suited to growth-oriented investors willing to underwrite execution risk than to deep-value buyers seeking a discounted stock.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Global Payments čeká za 2Q růst tržeb i zisku, ale vyšší provozní náklady mohou stlačit marže. Konsensus počítá s EPS 3,46 USD při tržbách 3,17 mld. USD.
Key Takeaways Global Payments' Q2 revenues are expected to rise, aided by the Worldpay acquisition and portfolio changes.GPN's Europe, Americas and Asia Pacific revenue estimates point to strong year-over-year growth.Higher operating costs may weigh on margins despite expected earnings and revenue growth. Global Payments Inc. (GPN - Free Report) is set to report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 5, before the opening bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s earnings is currently pegged at $3.46 per share on revenues of $3.17 billion.
The second-quarter earnings estimate witnessed no upward revision over the past 60 days against six downward movements. The bottom-line projection indicates a year-over-year increase of 11.6%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues implies year-over-year growth of 34.4%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
For full-year 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Global Payments’ revenues is pegged at $12.43 billion, implying a rise of 33.4% year over year. The consensus mark for the current year EPS is pegged at $13.82, implying a jump of 13.1% on a year-over-year basis.
Global Payments’ earnings beat the consensus estimate in three of the last four quarters and met once, with the average surprise being 2.1%. This is depicted in the figure below.
Q2 Earnings Whispers for GPNOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for the company 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, but that is not the case here.
GPN has an Earnings ESP of -0.63% and a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
What’s Likely to Shape GPN’s Q2 Results?GPN’s second-quarter results are expected to reflect the impact of the acquisition of Worldpay and the sale of Issuer Solutions Business. The transaction closed on Jan. 12, 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues from Europe operations is pegged at $658.7 million, which indicates 107.9% year-over-year growth on a comparable basis. Similarly, the consensus mark for revenues from the Americas operations is pegged at $2.7 billion, signaling a 71.4% jump from a year ago.
The consensus estimate for revenuesfromAsia Pacific stands at $126.5 million, indicating 56.4% year-over-year growth. The above-mentioned estimates indicate that GPN is positioned for year-over-year growth. However, profit growth from the businesses is likely to have been partially offset by increased costs under certain heads.
For the to-be-reported quarter, we anticipate the cost of service to rise 63.2% year over year. We expect total operating costs to be around $2.4 billion in the quarter, a 57% increase from the year-ago level. We expect the adjusted EBITDA margin to decline to 44.4% in the second quarter from 48.9% a year ago.
How Did Other Stocks Perform?American Express Company (AXP - Free Report) , Synchrony Financial (SYF - Free Report) and Visa Inc. (V - Free Report) are some companies from the broader payments space that have already reported earnings for the June quarter.
American Express reported second-quarter 2026 EPS of $4.53, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.7%. The bottom line advanced 11% year over year. The strong quarterly results were driven by increased Card Member spending, higher net interest income and improved card fee growth. However, the upside was partly offset by AXP’s elevated operating expenses.
Synchrony Financial reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $2.59, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 24.5%. The bottom line increased 3.6% year over year. The quarterly results were driven by record purchase volume, accelerated growth in ending loan receivables despite elevated payment behavior, continued credit strength and an expansion in net interest margin. However, SYF’s higher operating expenses and an increase in the provision for credit losses partly offset these positives.
Visa delivered third-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings of $3.32 per share, up 11% year over year. Earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.8%. The strong quarterly results reflected resilient spending trends, higher cross-border volumes and solid network activity, including a 10% year-over-year increase in payments volume on a constant-dollar basis. However, the upside was partly offset by Visa’s increased operating expenses.
Dell těží z obnovy firemních PC; zhruba třetina instalované báze je stará nejméně čtyři roky. Nedostatek pamětí má ale tlačit marže CSG k zhruba 6 % v příštím čtvrtletí.
Key Takeaways Dell benefits from enterprise PC refreshes, with one-third of installed devices at least four years old. AI-enabled commercial PCs and higher peripheral attach rates are supporting CSG growth and profitability. Memory shortages through 2027 may raise costs and push CSG operating margins toward roughly 6%. Dell Technologies’ (DELL - Free Report) Client Solutions Group (“CSG”) is benefiting from sustained commercial demand. Large enterprise customers continue to refresh aging PC fleets across all regions, while roughly one-third of the installed base still consists of devices that are four years or older, leaving meaningful room for additional upgrades. Commercial customers continue to represent the primary growth engine for CSG. Strong enterprise demand, higher attach rates for peripherals and improved scale helped lift CSG operating income 79% year over year, while profitability benefited from a richer commercial mix and improving consumer margins.
DELL highlighted continued innovation across its PC portfolio, including Dell Pro Max AI desktops supporting NVIDIA GB10 and GB300 platforms. Dell is positioning AI-enabled commercial PCs as part of its end-to-end AI strategy, enabling enterprises to run AI workloads locally while keeping sensitive data on-premises. These capabilities are expected to support premium PC demand over the coming quarters.
Although enterprise remains the key driver, Dell reported a third consecutive quarter of demand growth in consumer revenues, aided by ongoing strength in gaming systems. This provides incremental support to overall CSG revenues while diversifying growth beyond commercial PCs.
However, CSG is expected to suffer from a global memory shortage that is expected to continue through the end of 2027. This is likely to force PC vendors like Dell, Lenovo (LNVGY - Free Report) and HP (HPQ - Free Report) to contend with rising DRAM and NAND prices, limited system configurations and tighter product availability. IDC now forecasts global PC shipments to decline 11.3% in 2026, with conditions expected to worsen during the second half as memory shortages intensify. DELL expects CSG operating margins to moderate to roughly 6% in the upcoming quarter as the company balances customer demand, competitive pricing, market-share gains and profitability.
DELL Faces Tough Competition in PCDell is facing significant competition from the likes of HP and Lenovo in the PC space.
Lenovo is intensifying competition with Dell by strengthening its leadership in premium PCs, commercial devices and AI-enabled systems while consistently outgrowing the broader PC market. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, Lenovo reported 26% year-over-year growth in PC revenues and achieved a record 24.4% global PC market share. Lenovo is also differentiating itself through AI PCs, premiumization and supply-chain execution. The company’s AI strategy includes the rollout of the QIRA personal AI assistant across PCs, tablets and smartphones and new AI-focused commercial desktops, such as the ThinkCentre Neo 50q.
HP remains a key challenger to Dell by leveraging strong momentum in its Personal Systems business, particularly in commercial PCs and premium AI-enabled devices. During the second quarter of fiscal 2026, Personal Systems revenues increased 13% year over year, with commercial revenues rising 14% and consumer revenues up 10%. HP highlighted continued share gains in premium PC categories, strong growth in AI PCs, Advanced Compute Solutions and Workforce Solutions, as well as higher-value unit placements that supported profitability. These initiatives directly compete with Dell's strategy of expanding its premium commercial PC portfolio. HP is further challenging Dell through its AI-at-the-edge strategy and expanding software ecosystem.
DELL’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesDell’s shares have appreciated 221.5% year to date, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s rise of 6.9%.
DELL Stock Outperforms Sector
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock is trading at a premium, with a forward 12-month price/earnings of 19.49X compared with HP’s 9.13X and Lenovo’s 14.98X. Dell has a Value Score of C.
Valuation - DELL vs. HPQ
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Valuation - DELL vs. LNVGY
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2027 earnings is currently pegged at $18.80 per share, up 3 cents over the past 30 days, suggesting 82.52% growth from fiscal 2026’s reported figure.
Dell currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The NXP Semiconductors logo appears in this illustration taken August 25, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
July 31 (Reuters) - NXP Semiconductors (NXPI.O), opens new tab is in talks to buy chip designer Ambarella (AMBA.O), opens new tab, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Shares of Ambarella, which has a market capitalization of $3.25 billion, jumped about 19%, while NXP shares fell more than 3%, following the report.
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A potential deal can bolster NXP's capabilities in software-defined vehicles, radar and electrification, as Ambarella develops low-power AI chips and software for edge devices such as cameras, vehicles and robotics.
Discussions are ongoing and might not lead to a transaction, FT said.
NXP declined a Reuters requests for comment, while Ambarella did not immediately respond.
The development comes after NXP forecast quarterly revenue above analysts' estimates on Tuesday, signaling strong demand for its chips in automotive, industrial and data-center markets.
Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City; Editing by Vijay Kishore and Joyjeet Das
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
UnitedHealth ve 2. čtvrtletí meziročně zvýšil tržby o 0,4 % a Optum zvedl provozní marži o 160 bazických bodů. Centene ve stejném období zvýšil tržby o 9,9 % a zisk na akcii na 2,51 USD.
Key Takeaways UNH stands out with diversified growth drivers, improving Optum margins and AI-led efficiency gains.UNH benefits from value-based care expansion, operational reforms and favorable earnings estimate revisions.Centene remains supported by Medicaid strength, but lower capital efficiency tempers its investment appeal. Rising healthcare utilization, evolving reimbursement policies and ongoing changes in government-sponsored healthcare programs continue to shape the outlook for U.S. managed care organizations. As insurers balance membership growth with medical cost pressures, investors are closely assessing business resilience, margin stability and long-term earnings potential.
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH - Free Report) and Centene Corporation (CNC - Free Report) are two leading managed care companies with meaningful exposure to Medicare and Medicaid, making them closely watched peers in the sector. While both operate within the same industry, their business mix, scale and strategic priorities differ, offering distinct approaches to navigating regulatory changes and growth opportunities. UnitedHealth benefits from a diversified healthcare platform, providing multiple revenue streams and broader earnings support. Centene, by contrast, remains more focused on government-sponsored healthcare programs, with Medicaid serving as its primary growth driver and a greater reliance on efficient cost management and contract execution.
Let’s dive deep and closely compare the fundamentals of the two stocks to determine which one is a better investment now.
The Case for UnitedHealthUnitedHealth's biggest competitive strength lies in its diversified healthcare platform, where its insurance business, UnitedHealthcare, is complemented by Optum's health services operations. In the second quarter of 2026, the company’s total revenues rose 0.4% year over year. Meanwhile, Medicare performance improved during the second quarter through pricing discipline, benefit design and care management initiatives. OptumHealth continued to regain momentum with its integrated value-based care model.
Optum remains a key long-term growth engine. It delivered stronger profitability, with its operating margin improving 160 basis points year over year, demonstrating improving operational efficiency across the platform. The business now supports more than 120 million consumers and continues to expand value-based care through primary care, ambulatory surgery and home health services. Clinical initiatives have already reduced hospitalizations by about 10% in the Western and Southern regions, while home health pilots improved timely care delivery by more than 20%. Rural care programs now reach nearly 90% of U.S. counties and are scheduled for broader rollout by the end of 2026.
Technology and AI are becoming increasingly embedded across UNH's operations. AI-based ambient listening tools are already available to roughly 70% of employed providers and are expected to exceed 90% by year-end. The company is also deploying AI across coding, care coordination, customer service and clinical decision support, helping reduce administrative work while improving patient access and provider efficiency.
UnitedHealth is also reshaping its healthcare delivery model through operational reforms designed to simplify the patient experience. The company plans to eliminate 30% of current prior authorization volume by the end of 2026, remove nearly two-thirds of pediatric prior authorization requirements and expand transparent pharmacy pricing through its fee-based PBM model. These initiatives, along with continued investments in digital services and affordability, position the company to improve efficiency while supporting sustainable long-term growth. UNH beat earnings in each of the past four quarters with an average surprise of 12.1%.
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated Price, Consensus and EPS SurpriseRegulatory scrutiny continues to cast a shadow over the company. Ongoing investigations involving Medicare billing practices and aspects of the Optum business could create headline risk and potentially increase compliance costs.
The Case for CenteneCentene continues to benefit from its strong presence in government-sponsored healthcare, particularly Medicaid, Medicare and the Marketplace business. Medicaid membership remained above 12.1 million during the second quarter, while stronger-than-expected state rate updates improved the company's expected composite Medicaid rate outlook from roughly 4.5% to approximately 5% for 2026. The favorable reimbursement environment, combined with disciplined medical cost management, continues to support earnings recovery.
In the second quarter of 2026, its revenues rose 9.9% year over year, along with 4.4% growth in premiums, benefiting from higher premiums yield, increased membership in the PDP business and strength in the Medicaid and Marketplace rate hikes. CNC’s HBR improved 340 basis points year over year to 89.6% in the quarter under review. The bottom line went from a loss of 16 cents per share a year ago to earnings of $2.51.
Centene is sharpening its focus on businesses where it sees stronger long-term returns. The Medicare Advantage portfolio is being streamlined around dual-eligible beneficiaries, leveraging the company's Medicaid expertise to provide more integrated care. Over the past three reporting cycles, more than 90% of its core Medicaid clinical quality measures have improved through enhanced data capture, targeted provider incentives and scalable member engagement programs.
Technology transformation is becoming a larger part of Centene's long-term strategy. AI is already being used in forecasting, fraud detection and enterprise operations, while the company is investing in scalable data infrastructure, reusable AI capabilities and automated workflows across the organization. This measured approach is intended to improve operating efficiency, strengthen compliance in a highly regulated environment and create a more durable foundation for long-term earnings growth. The company beat earnings in each of the past four quarters with an average surprise of 151.3%.
Although reimbursement trends have improved, CNC still faces elevated costs from behavioral health, home health and high-cost specialty drugs. Its capital efficiency trails UNH. Centene's trailing 12-month return on invested capital stands at 4.5%, below UnitedHealth’s 6.2%. Also, CNC’s long-term debt-to-capital of 41.5% is higher than UNH’s 40.4%.
How Do Estimates Compare for UNH & CNC?For UnitedHealth, the Zacks Consensus Estimate forecasts 2026 EPS of $19.60, reflecting 19.9% year-over-year growth, followed by another 13.8% jump in 2027. For 2026, revenues are pegged at $446.6 billion, suggesting a 0.2% decline year over year. The top line is expected to improve 2.4% in 2027. It has witnessed 11 positive earnings estimate revisions over the past 30 days against no downward revisions.
Analysts anticipate a rebound in Centene’s 2026 earnings, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate standing at $3.82 per share, implying 83.7% year-over-year growth as its cost pressures ease. The same for 2027 indicates a 26.3% jump. The consensus mark for 2026 and 2027 revenues signals a decline of 0.4% and 1.5% year over year, respectively. It has witnessed two positive earnings estimate revisions over the past 30 days against no downward revisions.
Valuation: UNH vs. CNCUnitedHealth trades at a premium valuation relative to Centene, reflecting its superior earnings visibility, diversification and margin profile. Investors are willing to pay more for consistency and lower risk. UnitedHealth currently trades at a forward P/E of 19.95X, above Centene’s 15.16X and the industry’s 16.98.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Price Performance ComparisonOver the past six months, UnitedHealth’s shares have gained 47.6%, outperforming Centene, the broader industry and the S&P 500’s growth of 42.2%, 41.9% and 4.2%, respectively. This contrast highlights improving investor confidence in UNH’s growth plan, cost containment and earnings visibility.
Price Performance – UNH, CNC, Industry & S&P 500
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Price Target Outlook: UNH vs. CNCUNH currently trades below its average analyst price target of $481.52, implying a 14.5% potential upside from current levels. CNC also trades below its average analyst price target of $66.41, implying a 7.4% potential upside from current levels.
ConclusionUnitedHealth and Centene both offer exposure to the managed care industry, but they approach growth differently. CNC remains well positioned to benefit from its leadership in Medicaid and improving performance across its Marketplace and Medicare businesses. However, its heavier reliance on government-sponsored programs, lower profitability and relatively weaker capital efficiency make its earnings outlook more dependent on policy and reimbursement trends.
Meanwhile, UNH stands out with its diversified business model, where the combination of UnitedHealthcare and Optum provides multiple growth engines and stronger earnings resilience. Continued momentum in value-based care, expanding AI capabilities, operational reforms and a stronger balance of profitability support its long-term outlook.
Combined with favorable earnings estimate revisions, a larger implied upside to the average price target and a proven execution track record, UnitedHealth appears to be the better investment choice at current levels, even though both companies currently flaunt a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Georgia Power zahájila výstavbu dvou nových plynových bloků v Plant Bowen, které přidají téměř 1 500 MW, a zároveň plánuje 500 MW bateriového úložiště. Investice mají pokrýt rostoucí poptávku po elektřině v Georgii.
Northwest Georgia power plant has served customers since 1971;
Investments in efficiency and technology include advanced air emissions controls and beneficial reuse of coal ash;
Company building new natural gas units totaling nearly 1,500 MW and 500 MW of battery energy storage
, /PRNewswire/ -- Since bringing the first unit online in 1971, Plant Bowen has been an essential piece of Georgia Power's diverse generation mix, providing reliable energy for the state as it has grown over the decades, and it has become one of the most advanced coal-fired power plants in the world. Leaders from Georgia Power this week joined the Department of Energy (DOE), as well as elected officials and community leaders, to celebrate the legacy of the plant, as well as the exciting improvements planned and underway as the company reinvests and expands operations at the plant to meet Georgia's growing energy needs. During a ceremony on Tuesday at the plant, the company marked the start of construction of two new combined-cycle natural gas units which will add nearly 1,500 megawatts (MW) of reliable generation. Georgia Power also highlighted its broader investments at Plant Bowen, including a new 500 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) as part of the company's strategy to meet Georgia's growing electricity demand.
Southern Company and Georgia Power host the Department of Energy, as well as elected officials and community leaders, to celebrate the future of Plant Bowen on July 28, 2026 at the plant near Euharlee, Ga. The power plant, which has served Georgia since 1971, is being expanded with new natural gas generation and battery energy storage systems. The new investments at Plant Bowen are part of Georgia Power's plan to meet increased demand for electricity in the coming years through projects and programs approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC). As the company builds the energy infrastructure needed for a growing state, it remains focused on lowering rates and keeping energy costs stable and predictable. As part of this strategy, in February, Southern Company and the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Dominance Financing announced an up to $26.5 billion loan package to support eligible projects across Georgia and Alabama, including investments in reliable generation, transmission, and grid modernization. The loan guarantee supports projects selected through DOE's financing review process to strengthen America's energy infrastructure while delivering affordable, reliable, and secure energy for the American people. Over the approximately 30-year term of the loans, customers are expected to realize an estimated $7.3 billion in electricity savings.
"For more than 50 years, Plant Bowen has been about more than just megawatts – it has been a source of pride and a cornerstone of the Northwest Georgia community, providing high-quality careers and a positive economic force for this entire region," said Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power at the event. "As we celebrate the new investments we're making to serve our customers across the state, and the future of this incredible plant alongside our partners from the Department of Energy and many local, state, and federal officials, we remain committed to making growth work for our customers with higher reliability and lower rates. I'm excited for what comes next at Plant Bowen, and for our entire state, as we continue to work together for a better Georgia for the next generation."
With the approval of the Georgia PSC, Georgia Power continues to expand its diverse generation mix to serve customers and meet growing energy demand with the addition of new natural gas generation, battery energy storage, nuclear uprates, investments in hydropower, as well as transmission system improvements and grid enhancements across the state. In addition to the new units at Plant Bowen, additional natural gas generation projects are planned or underway at sites such as Plant Wansley, Plant McIntosh and Plant Yates, with thousands of megawatts of additional battery energy storage systems also under development, and more than 1,000 miles of new transmission lines planned in the coming years across the state.
Most recently, Georgia Power announced the completion of the Moody Battery Facility, located just outside of Valdosta, Ga., capable of 49.5 MW of battery storage, which can be deployed back to the grid over a four-hour period. This flexible energy storage system matches the output of the nearby Moody solar facility and adds resiliency to the state's power grid. Read more here.
Plant Bowen – as well as Plant Scherer near Juliette, Ga. – are among the most advanced coal-fired power plants in the world, with Georgia Power investing billions of dollars over the decades to reduce emissions and comply with environmental regulations. In recent years, the company has added state-of-the-art technology to reduce the environmental footprint of those facilities such as scrubbers, selective catalytic reduction systems and baghouses. This investment has resulted in reductions in main air emissions by more than 95% over the past few decades.
Additionally, Georgia Power continues to research new and innovative ways to reuse coal ash that are beneficial for customers and communities. The company currently recycles 85% of all ash and gypsum, including more than 90% of fly ash, which it produces from operations for various beneficial uses such as concrete production as well as other construction products. Beneficial use can produce positive environmental, economic and performance benefits such as reduced use of resources, reduced cost of coal ash disposal, and improved strength and durability of building materials. Plant Bowen is currently home to the Ash Beneficial Use Center, a collaboration with Southern Company Research and Development and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), as well as Georgia Power's first beneficial use facility which was the largest of its kind at the time of construction in 2022.
Plant Bowen's Community Impact
Plant Bowen has been a cornerstone and major employer in Northwest Georgia for decades. The plant employs more than 400 people today and Georgia Power expects approximately 1,000 construction workers to be onsite supporting construction of the new natural gas and BESS facilities.
The investment at Plant Bowen is expected to more than double the plant's contribution to property tax revenues in Bartow County. Additionally, Georgia Power, the non-profit Georgia Power Foundation, and individual employees at Plant Bowen have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in recent years to local organizations with major fundraisers supporting local schools and education organizations, Toys for Tots of Bartow County, foster care programs and local food banks. The Plant Bowen chapter of the Citizens of Georgia Power, a volunteer organization of Georgia Power employees, retirees, and their spouses dedicated to community service, have donated more than 8,000 hours of community service since 2021.
As the plant continues to serve Georgia Power customers, so too are employees at the plant dedicated to serving Euharlee and the surrounding community.
About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.8 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power offers rates below the national average, focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).
CNO Financial Group uspořádala konferenční hovor k výsledkům za 2. čtvrtletí 2026. V úvodu zaznělo upozornění na výhledová prohlášení a ne-GAAP ukazatele.
CNO Financial Group, Inc. (CNO) Q2 2026 Earnings Call July 31, 2026 11:00 AM EDT
Company Participants
Adam Auvil - Vice President of Investor Relations & Sustainability
Gary Bhojwani - CEO & Director
Paul McDonough - CFO & Executive VP
Eric Johnson - Chief Investment Officer
Conference Call Participants
Ryan Krueger - Keefe, Bruyette, & Woods, Inc., Research Division
Suneet Kamath - Jefferies LLC, Research Division
Joel Hurwitz - Dowling & Partners Securities, LLC
Videep Vemulapalli - Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Research Division
Wilma Jackson Burdis - Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Research Division
Presentation
Operator
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by. My name is Krista, and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome you to CNO Financial Group's Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Call. [Operator Instructions] I would now like to turn the conference over to Adam Auvil. Please go ahead.
Adam Auvil
Vice President of Investor Relations & Sustainability
Good morning, and thank you for joining us on CNO Financial Group's Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. Today's presentation will include remarks from Gary Bhojwani, Chief Executive Officer; and Paul McDonough, Chief Financial Officer. Following the presentation, we will also have other business leaders available for the question-and-answer period. During this conference call, we will be referring to information contained in yesterday's press release. You can obtain the release by visiting our website at cnoinc.com. This morning's presentation is also available on the Investors section of our website and was filed in a Form 8-K yesterday.
Let me remind you that any forward-looking statements we make today are subject to a number of factors, which may cause actual results to be materially different than those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Today's presentation contains a number of non-GAAP measures, which should not be considered as substitutes for
Resources Investor Relations Journalists Agencies Client Login Send a Release News Products Contact , /PRNewswire/ -- Entergy's board of directors today declared a quarterly dividend payment of $0.64 per share on the company's common stock. The dividend is payable Sept. 1, 2026, to shareholders of record as of Aug. 13, 2026.
Entergy has paid shareholders a cash dividend on its common stock continuously since 1988.
About Entergy
Entergy (NYSE: ETR) generates, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for more than 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We're focused on keeping costs for our customers as low as possible while providing reliable energy that our communities count on. We're also investing in growth for the future with a more resilient, cleaner energy system that includes modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy generation. As a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, we deliver more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at Entergy.com and connect with @Entergy on social media.
AptarGroup ve 2. čtvrtletí zvýšila tržby o 6 % na zhruba 1 miliardu USD a upravený EPS činil 1,42 USD, čímž překonal výhled. Firma zároveň oznámila, že Stephan Tanda letos odejde do důchodu a 1. září ho nahradí Gael Touya.
AptarGroup NYSE: ATR reported second-quarter sales growth across each of its three segments and adjusted earnings per share above its guidance range, supported by stronger-than-expected performance in its Pharma business. The company also said President and CEO Stephan Tanda will retire later this year, with President and CEO Designate Gael Touya set to assume the CEO role on Sept. 1.
Reported second-quarter sales increased 6% to approximately $1 billion, a quarterly record, while core sales, which exclude currency effects and acquisitions, rose 1% from a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA declined 3% to $213 million, and adjusted EBITDA margin fell to 20.7% from 22.6% in the prior-year period. Adjusted EPS was $1.42, compared with $1.68 a year earlier at comparable exchange rates.
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Chief Financial Officer Vanessa Kanu said the earnings decline reflected lower emergency medicine sales in Pharma, operating challenges in Beauty and Closures, higher depreciation and amortization related to investments and acquisitions, and higher interest expense.
Pharma Growth Excluding Emergency Medicine Pharma core sales rose 1% in the quarter, affected by an anticipated decline in emergency medicine sales. Aptar expects emergency medicine sales to decline by about $65 million during fiscal 2026. Kanu said roughly two-thirds of that headwind occurred during the first half, with most of it occurring in the second quarter. The remaining portion is expected primarily in the third quarter, with the year-over-year impact expected to abate by the fourth quarter.
Excluding emergency medicine, Pharma core sales rose 8%. Prescription core sales declined 7% overall but increased 8% excluding emergency medicine, driven by central nervous system treatments and asthma and COPD applications. Consumer healthcare core sales increased 15%, supported by demand for nasal decongestants, eye-care products, dermal solutions and tooling. Injectables core sales rose 9%, reflecting demand for elastomeric components used in GLP-1 therapies, biologics and vaccines.
Pharma’s adjusted EBITDA margin was 33.6%, down 180 basis points from the prior year, largely because of the mix effect from lower high-margin emergency medicine sales. Kanu said the segment’s margin would have improved year over year excluding emergency medicine.
Management also pointed to continued pipeline activity in Annex I compliance, GLP-1 and biologics projects. Touya said the company has completed its larger investment phase at its Congers, New York, injectable manufacturing site and that customer audits, inspections and validations are supporting growth.
The company highlighted several technology developments, including an approved U.S. patent application for N-Sorb, an active-material solution intended to address nitrosamine impurities in pharmaceutical products. Aptar also introduced a collaborative system framework for injectable therapies designed to provide customers with earlier information on the performance of assembled injection systems.
In respiratory delivery, Aptar noted regulatory approvals involving products that use its inhaler technologies. It also cited Chiesi’s U.K. approval for what Aptar described as the first pressurized metered-dose inhaler using HFA-152a, a next-generation lower-global-warming-potential propellant.
Beauty and Closures See Sales Growth, Margin Pressure Beauty core sales increased 1%, as demand for dispensing systems and higher input-cost pass-throughs offset lower tooling sales. Fragrance, facial skincare and color cosmetics sales grew 2%, led by prestige fragrance pumps and color cosmetics. Personal care sales were flat, as hair-care demand did not fully offset lower tooling sales.
Beauty’s adjusted EBITDA margin was 12.2%, down 190 basis points year over year, though it improved sequentially from the first quarter. Kanu attributed the year-over-year decline to lower volumes, unfavorable mix and the timing of resin and other inflationary pass-throughs. She said a delay in Beauty pricing pass-throughs reduced the segment’s quarterly margin by roughly 80 to 90 basis points and is expected to be resolved in the third quarter.
During the question-and-answer session, Tanda said Aptar had experienced weak sales in Brazil, where he said two major customers can shift market share. He said the company’s Beauty turnaround in Europe has reached its target range, while Asia is performing above that range, but the Americas have underperformed because of operational challenges in North America and market weakness in Brazil. Touya said he is reviewing the business with a “fresh perspective” and plans to engage with customers and operations teams before detailing further actions.
Closures core sales increased 4%. Food sales declined 1% due to lower tooling sales, partially offset by demand for sauce and condiment dispensing closures. Beverage sales rose 14%, driven by bottled water and functional sports drinks. The segment’s adjusted EBITDA margin was 14.9%, down 200 basis points, due to the ramp-up of new production lines and a maintenance initiative that management said is making sequential progress.
Cash Flow, Capital Returns and Outlook For the first six months of 2026, reported sales rose 8% and core sales increased 1%. Adjusted EBITDA was unchanged at $401 million, while adjusted EBITDA margin declined 170 basis points to 20%. Adjusted EPS fell 12% to $2.61.
Year-to-date free cash flow increased by $8 million to $99 million, consisting of $222 million in cash from operations less $123 million in capital expenditures, net of government grants. Aptar returned $212 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases during the first half, including the repurchase of 1.1 million shares for $150 million.
The company ended the quarter with $190 million in cash, $1.2 billion in net debt and a leverage ratio of 1.49 times. Kanu said Aptar expects third-quarter adjusted EPS of $1.45 to $1.53, based on an effective tax rate of 22.5% to 24.5% and a euro-to-U.S.-dollar exchange rate of $1.14. Full-year capital investments are expected to range from $260 million to $280 million, while depreciation and amortization expense is projected at $310 million to $320 million.
Touya said Aptar expects growth across all three segments, citing demand in Pharma, continued momentum in Closures and improving trends in Beauty. As he prepares to take over as CEO, Touya said his priorities will be to drive profitable growth, execute consistently and allocate capital thoughtfully.
About AptarGroup (NYSE:ATR)AptarGroup, Inc is a global provider of advanced dispensing, sealing and protection solutions for consumer and pharmaceutical markets. The company designs and manufactures a broad portfolio of products that enable the controlled delivery of liquids, gels, powders and aerosols. Its customer base spans beauty and personal care, home care, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors, where innovation in packaging and drug‐delivery devices drives brand differentiation and regulatory compliance.
In the consumer markets, AptarGroup offers pumps, actuators, valves, closures and specialized bottles engineered for precision, convenience and sustainability.
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Omnicom v 2. čtvrtletí zvýšil tržby z Integrated Media na 3,15 miliardy USD a organicky o více než 10 %. Firma zároveň míří na 900 milionů USD úspor do roku 2026.
Key Takeaways Omnicom's Integrated Media generated $3.15 billion in revenues and more than 10% organic growth.OMC's Omni platform adds Acxiom, Interact and Flywheel capabilities for precision marketing.Omnicom targets $900 million in 2026 cost synergies as Core Operations margin rose to 17.8%. Omnicom Group Inc. (OMC - Free Report) is trying to make merger scale more than a balance sheet story.
Data, analytics, precision marketing, integrated media and cost automation now shape how the company aims to serve clients seeking measurable, personalized and digitally connected campaigns.
Omnicom’s Data Investments Deepen Client RelevanceOmnicom’s products and services support client objectives across media, data, commerce, customer relationship management, content, creativity and artificial intelligence. That mix gives the combined company a broader platform for performance-driven marketing.
Its Omni platform now includes Acxiom, Interact and Flywheel Commerce Cloud. These assets add privacy-focused identity and data management capabilities that can improve campaign personalization, service delivery and operating efficiency.
OMC’s Integrated Media Captures Digital DemandIntegrated Media has become Omnicom’s largest Core Operations discipline. In the second quarter of 2026, it generated $3.15 billion in revenues, or 52.5% of Core Operations revenues.
The discipline includes media planning and buying, performance media, audience-based solutions, digital commerce and data and identity services. Its more than 10% organic growth shows how client demand is shifting toward measurable media, commerce and data-led execution.
Omnicom’s Fan Graph Expands Precision MarketingThe Acxiom Fan Graph gives Omnicom a clear example of how the merger can deepen precision marketing. It combines media, commerce, attendance, purchase, participation and identity signals into a privacy-compliant view of sports audiences.
That capability can help brands improve audience targeting and campaign measurement across sports and entertainment. Publicis Groupe SA (PUBGY - Free Report) and WPP plc (WPP - Free Report) remain relevant peers as the advertising and marketing group increasingly competes on data, media intelligence and technology-enabled client work.
OMC’s Experiential Business Adds a Growth ChannelExperiential and Other also adds a useful growth channel. The discipline includes live and digital events, experiential design and execution, entertainment and sports marketing, consulting, branding and specialized marketing support services.
The business produced more than 10% organic growth, aided by FIFA World Cup-related activity. Live and digital experiences can complement Omnicom’s data-driven media and commerce work by connecting audience insight with brand events and fan engagement.
Omnicom’s Cost Synergies Support Margin ExpansionCost automation and integration discipline are becoming important parts of the merger outlook. Omnicom remains on track for $900 million in cost-reduction synergies in 2026 and $1.5 billion by mid-2028, with slightly more than half of the 2026 target delivered through the first half.
The second quarter showed margin progress. Core Operations adjusted earnings before interest, taxes and amortization reached $1.1 billion, with a 17.8% margin, up from 15.9% a year earlier, helped primarily by cost-reduction synergies.
Real estate repositioning, procurement, back-office consolidation and technology investments can reduce overhead over time. The offset is that merger integration still carries costs, including severance, repositioning and transaction-related spending.
Omnicom’s Trends Meet a Weak Momentum SignalThe bottom line is that Omnicom has credible exposure to data-driven marketing, integrated media and precision audience tools. Those trends support the merger story, especially when paired with cost synergies and improving Core Operations profitability.
OMC’s Growth Score of A and VGM Score of A point to favorable growth and blended style characteristics. Its Value Score of A also fits the stock’s discounted earnings multiple, which remains below the broader market and its own five-year median.
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) and a Momentum Score of D.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Style Scores are designed to complement the Zacks Rank, and a weak rank points to negative earnings estimate revision trends.
That creates a split picture for investors. Long-term data, analytics and integration levers look constructive, but the Zacks Rank and weak Momentum Score keep the near-term risk-reward profile cautious.
IonQ získala konečné regulační schválení akvizice SkyWater Technology, čímž získá plnou kontrolu nad dodavatelským řetězcem a vlastní továrnu na výrobu čipů. Firma zároveň zvýšila celoroční výhled tržeb na 260 až 270 milionů USD.
IonQ (IONQ +2.26%) just received final regulatory approval for one of its most important deals to date: the acquisition of SkyWater Technology. SkyWater is the largest exclusively U.S.-based semiconductor foundry and is recognized by the Department of Defense as a trusted foundry.
The deal gives IonQ full control of its supply chain. It now has a factory to manufacture its chips, eliminating the need to rely on outside suppliers. In light of this acquisition, it's a good time to consider where IonQ will be in a year.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
The numbers are trending up Financially, IonQ stands out among pure-play quantum computing companies. Revenue growth is accelerating, as IonQ reported sales of $64.7 million in the first quarter of 2026, a year-over-year increase of 755%. Its remaining performance obligations, meaning future contracted revenue not yet recorded on an income statement, hit a record $470 million. The results were good enough for IonQ to raise full-year revenue guidance to between $260 million and $270 million.
That's a stark difference from IonQ's main competitors: D-Wave Quantum, Rigetti Computing, and Quantum Computing. They all had revenue of less than $5 million in their most recent reported quarters. Multiple companies are dedicated to quantum computing systems, but only IonQ has achieved commercial success to date.
IonQ also has a solid balance sheet, with $3.1 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and investments. With plenty of cash reserves, substantial revenue growth, and now a major acquisition, IonQ has a strong bull case over the next year.
The risk could impact IonQ's upside While there's a lot to like about IonQ, it's still a high-risk investment. It's burning cash: Operating cash flow was negative $151 million in the first quarter, and management is guiding for a full-year adjusted EBITDA loss of $310 million to $330 million. The cash reserves give it a long runway, but this is a company that has had to spend heavily to keep scaling.
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IonQ stock is also expensive, trading at 55 times trailing sales as of July 29. That's in the same range as Palantir Technologies, the poster child for expensive stocks, but well below its competitors. D-Wave and Rigetti both trade at over 400 times trailing sales, for comparison. Still, high valuations often lead to a correction, which has already been happening this year, with quantum computing companies and tech stocks trading at a premium.
Wall Street analysts expect IonQ to perform well over the next 12 months, but there's a wide range of forecasts, with a per-share low of $48.50 and a high of $100. The average is $69.31, which would represent over 100% upside at IonQ's current share price.
I think there's a good chance IonQ will continue to exceed revenue expectations and deliver positive results for shareholders. With that in mind, this could be an opportunity to buy the dip on one of the top quantum computing stocks. However, IonQ will likely remain volatile, so size any investments in it accordingly.
Alaska Air ve 2. čtvrtletí zvýšila prémiové tržby o 15 % a ostatní tržby z věrnostního programu o 23 %. Na 3. čtvrtletí očekává růst kapacity o 2 % až 3 %, téměř celý z dálkových mezinárodních letů ze Seattlu.
Key Takeaways Alaska Air is reshaping its revenue mix around premium travel, loyalty, long-haul flying and fleet upgrades. Premium revenue rose 15%, while managed corporate revenue climbed 30% in the second quarter. ALK expects nearly all third-quarter capacity growth to come from long-haul flights out of Seattle. Alaska Air Group (ALK - Free Report) is pushing through a costly transition aimed at improving the quality of its revenue base. The strategy centers on premium travel, loyalty growth, long-haul flying and a more modern fleet.
The plan could make the combined Alaska and Hawaiian network more durable over time. It also raises execution demands at a point when fuel, leverage and operating complexity remain real constraints.
Alaska Air Leans Into Premium DemandAlaska Air’s premium revenue increased 15% in the second quarter, while managed corporate revenue rose 30%. Those gains show demand is shifting toward customers who pay for a better travel experience and broader network access.
The company has completed 737 cabin retrofits, adding expanded first and premium class seating. The Hawaiian combination also adds lie-flat seating on select long-haul routes, giving Alaska a stronger premium offer as it competes with Delta Air Lines (DAL - Free Report) and United Airlines Holdings (UAL - Free Report) for higher-value travelers on global routes.
ALK Turns Loyalty Into a Larger Revenue EngineLoyalty is becoming a bigger part of Alaska Air’s revenue mix. Loyalty program other revenue increased 23% in the second quarter, while loyalty cash remuneration rose 19%.
Atmos Rewards gives Alaska and Hawaiian a single loyalty platform across a larger customer base. That matters because the combined network now spans more than 140 destinations, giving members more ways to earn, redeem and stay engaged across Alaska and Hawaiian routes.
Alaska Air Shifts Growth Toward Long-Haul FlyingFor the third quarter, Alaska Air expects capacity to increase 2% to 3% year over year. Nearly all of that growth is expected to come from long-haul international flights out of Seattle, while North America capacity is expected to remain essentially flat.
This mix broadens ALK’s market reach and supports its ambition to build more global relevance from Seattle. It also brings added costs, including crew training tied to the international widebody ramp and the operational complexity of scaling a larger long-haul network.
ALK Modernizes Aircraft and ConnectivityFleet modernization remains a central part of the long-term plan. Alaska has extended its Boeing delivery stream through 2035, supporting replacement of older aircraft and measured growth with newer, more fuel-efficient planes.
Product upgrades are part of the same strategy. Fleetwide Starlink Wi-Fi installation is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, turning connectivity into both a customer-experience improvement and a point of differentiation.
Alaska Air Expands Maintenance InfrastructureAlaska Air is also investing in the maintenance base needed to support a larger and more complex fleet. The company is building a new maintenance hangar at Portland International Airport with an investment of more than $135 million.
The facility is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2028. It will add about 125,000 square feet of indoor aircraft maintenance space and 60,000 square feet for offices, workshops, and support functions, with the capacity to service up to three narrowbody aircraft or two widebody aircraft simultaneously.
ALK’s Scores Temper the Trend StoryThe bottom line is that Alaska Air’s strategic direction is clear, but the payoff is not yet clean. Premium revenue, loyalty and international expansion can improve revenue quality, while fleet and maintenance investments can support efficiency and resilience.
ALK currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Its Value Score of B suggests the stock has a relatively attractive value profile, especially for investors focused on entry valuation. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks (Strong Buy) here.
On the basis of forward price-to-sales ratio (P/S F12M), shares of ALK trade at a lower multiple compared to its industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Growth Score of F, Momentum Score of F and VGM Score of D temper that view. Style Scores are designed to complement the Zacks Rank, and the weaker growth and momentum grades signal that Alaska’s strategic trends have not yet translated into a convincing near-term earnings or market momentum setup.
Key Takeaways IDCC is expanding licensing beyond smartphones into streaming, cloud, automotive and IoT markets.InterDigital signed licensing deals with Amazon, a fintech company and KEBA to broaden recurring revenues.IDCC is investing in 6G, AI networking and video technologies to support future licensing opportunities. InterDigital, Inc. (IDCC - Free Report) has long been recognized for monetizing its wireless patent portfolio through smartphone licensing. However, the company is increasingly broadening its reach into adjacent markets, creating additional recurring revenue opportunities beyond its traditional handset business.
Its strategy now spans streaming services, cloud platforms, consumer electronics, automotive applications, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and next-generation communications technologies. This diversification aims to strengthen long-term licensing growth while reducing dependence on any single end market.
How IDCC Builds Revenue Through LicensingInterDigital generates most of its revenue from patent licensing, reflecting the strength of its intellectual property portfolio across wireless and video technologies. In addition to licensing royalties, the company also earns revenue from patent sales, technology solutions licensing, engineering services and product sales. It operates through a single business segment, allowing management to leverage its research investments across multiple end markets.
Its portfolio covers technologies used in cellular communications, video encoding and transmission, artificial intelligence, and connected devices. Continued participation in global technology standards helps InterDigital develop patents that can be licensed across a broad range of products rather than relying on any single device category.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Companies such as QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM - Free Report) and Nokia Corporation (NOK - Free Report) also generate licensing revenue from extensive wireless patent portfolios, underscoring the importance of intellectual property ownership within the communications ecosystem.
Why InterDigital Is Diversifying Its BusinessWhile smartphones remain an important licensing market, InterDigital has expanded into streaming services, cloud platforms, consumer electronics, automotive applications and IoT devices. This broader strategy increases the number of industries that can benefit from the company's patented technologies.
Recent agreements illustrate that expansion. InterDigital reached a milestone licensing agreement with Amazon covering devices and services, including Prime Video, with final financial terms to be determined through binding arbitration. The company also signed new IoT licensing agreements with a leading fintech company for payment terminals and with KEBA covering electric vehicle chargers. These agreements expand recurring licensing opportunities beyond traditional handset manufacturers while supporting the company's long-term recurring revenue objectives.
How IDCC Is Positioning for Future TechnologiesInterDigital continues investing heavily in technologies expected to underpin future communications standards. Its research spans 6G, AI-native networking and advanced video technologies, helping position the company to create intellectual property for future licensing opportunities.
The company also maintains significant leadership within global standards organizations, strengthening its influence as next-generation wireless specifications are developed. Management believes these investments should support licensing opportunities across industries ranging from connected vehicles and industrial IoT to streaming platforms and consumer electronics.
What Could Slow InterDigital's GrowthDespite its diversification strategy, several risks remain. Customer concentration continues to expose results to a relatively small group of major licensees, while revenue can fluctuate depending on the timing of licensing agreements and renewals.
The company also faces ongoing patent enforcement and litigation expenses as it protects its intellectual property portfolio. Sustaining technology leadership requires continued investment in research and development, and slower demand in certain consumer electronics or IoT markets could weigh on licensing activity over time.
How IDCC's Ratings Fit the Bigger PictureInterDigital's expansion beyond smartphones provides multiple avenues for future growth, but investors should also consider how the stock's quantitative ratings complement that business story.
The stock currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), reflecting favorable earnings estimate momentum. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. However, its Value Score of D, Growth Score of C, Momentum Score of F and VGM Score of F suggest the shares may be less attractive for investors focused on valuation or recent price momentum. Rather than contradicting the company's business strengths, these Style Scores provide a different lens for evaluating the stock based on specific investing styles.
Insperity (NSP) za posledních šest měsíců vzrostla o 30,9 % a přiblížila se 52týdennímu maximu. Růst táhne zlepšený zisk, ale vysoké ocenění a slabý cash flow dál brzdí další potenciál.
Key Takeaways NSP shares surged 30.9% in six months, moving closer to their 52-week high of $57.22.Insperity's adjusted EPS rose 31%, while adjusted EBITDA climbed 13% to $36 million.NSP's 49.04 EV/EBITDA ratio, heavy leverage and negative operating cash flow constrain upside. Insperity, Inc. (NSP - Free Report) has rebounded sharply in 2026, but the recovery has not removed the debate around the stock. Better quarterly profitability, a high dividend yield and favorable growth scores support the bull case.
The offset is just as clear. Valuation has expanded, leverage remains elevated and cash-flow performance is still weak, making fresh upside harder to justify after the rally.
NSP's Rally Has Changed the Risk-RewardNSP shares have gained 30.9% in the past six months and 28.8% over the trailing 12 months. That move has repaired much of the prior damage and pushed the stock closer to its 52-week high of $57.22.
The stronger price raises the burden of proof. Insperity is still rebuilding margins while average paid worksite employees declined 1% year over year in the second quarter to 305,764. In the broader employer-services space, Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP - Free Report) and Paychex, Inc. (PAYX - Free Report) remain relevant comparisons because both offer payroll, human resources outsourcing and professional employer organization services.
Insperity's Valuation Looks StretchedNSP trades at a trailing enterprise value-to-EBITDA ratio of 49.04, well above the sub-industry’s 8.61 and its own five-year median of 15.36. That gap signals that the recent rally has already priced in a large portion of the recovery narrative.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The $57 price target also leaves limited room from the reported share price of $54.03. For investors considering a new position, valuation is now one of the clearest constraints.
NSP's Earnings Recovery Offers SupportInsperity reported second-quarter adjusted earnings of 34 cents per share, up 31% year over year and 3% above expectations. Adjusted EBITDA increased 13% to $36 million, helped by pricing actions, benefit-plan changes and expense control.
Management now expects 2026 adjusted earnings of $1.88 to $2.43 per share, implying a sharp year-over-year recovery. The range is wide, however, and the full-year worksite-employee outlook still calls for a 1.6% to 1% decline.
Insperity's Income Appeal Adds a CushionThe stock offers an annualized dividend of $2.40 per share, translating into a 4.4% yield. That income stream gives investors some cushion while the operating recovery unfolds.
Insperity also has a history of repurchases, but buyback spending has moderated. The company repurchased about 172,000 shares for $4 million in the first six months of 2026, while dividends totaled $46 million, underscoring that capital returns must be balanced against liquidity, borrowing and reinvestment needs.
NSP's Balance Sheet Tempers UpsideLeverage remains a central risk. NSP carries a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.87 and a debt-to-capital ratio of 87.29%, while borrowings under its credit facility stood at $420 million at the end of the second quarter.
Liquidity is not the main concern. Current assets of $1.77 billion exceeded current liabilities of $1.59 billion, and adjusted cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities increased to $95 million from $36 million sequentially. Still, net cash used in operating activities was $19 million in the first six months of 2026, keeping cash-flow quality in focus.
NSP's Scores Point to a Selective SetupThe bottom line is that NSP looks more suitable for patient investors seeking income and a recovery story than for those demanding clean valuation support. The rally has improved sentiment, but it has also reduced the margin of safety.
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Its VGM Score of A and Growth Score of A point to favorable combined and growth characteristics, while the Value Score of B is constructive. The Momentum Score of D is the outlier and supports a wait-and-see approach rather than an aggressive buying stance.
