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Action Aligns With Trex’s Stated Long Term Strategic Priority to Optimize our Channels for Growth

Trex Expands with SBP, the Largest and Fastest Growing Distributor of Specialty Building Products in North America

Preliminary Second Quarter Revenue of Approximately $418M, Above Guidance Range

Raising Full Year 2026 Guidance

Trex Will Hold a Conference Call Today at 5:00pm EST

WINCHESTER, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Trex Company [NYSE: TREX], the world’s largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and railing and a leading brand of outdoor living products, today announced the realignment of its North American distribution network.

Specialty Building Products (SBP) will be Trex’s sole national distributor of decking and railing products across North America. In addition to SBP covering national distribution, Trex will also further expand its regional distribution footprint with WS Building Materials (formerly Snavely, Weekes, and Logan), Coastal Forest Products in New England and BlueLinx in the South Central region. These actions further align Trex’s distribution network with the number-one brand in decking and railing while streamlining access to products across key markets nationwide. As part of these distribution actions, Trex will transition away from Boise Cascade as a distributor of Trex products.

“Today’s announcement is a key step towards driving one of our five-stated priorities that define our path to long-term, durable profitable growth and increased shareholder value, namely - Optimize our Channels for Growth. The distribution channel has seen many changes over the last five years with significant consolidation of both distributors and dealers in the two-step channel. We expect the distribution landscape to continue evolving and are taking decisive proactive steps to ensure our products can best reach both the homeowner and the pro contractors across our geographies,” said Adam Zambanini, President and CEO of Trex Company.

“We shifted to SBP as our exclusive national distributor partner based on their dynamic service capabilities and relentless drive for long-term growth. SBP shares our vision for the future—from growth through innovation to the continued evolution of our distribution model,” said Zambanini. “With this expanded relationship, SBP will exclusively carry the breadth of Trex’s decking and railing products across its extensive distribution network.”

SBP is the largest and fastest growing distributor of specialty building products in North America. The company first began distributing Trex decking products in 2002 and has since become one of Trex’s largest and most impactful partners. With the acquisition of OrePac in 2025, SBP expanded its footprint to serve all of North America, providing Trex with unparalleled reach to consumers and contractors.

“This expansion of our relationship with Trex is a strategic milestone for SBP, further strengthening our alignment with Trex - the industry’s leading outdoor living brand,” said Jeff McLendon, CEO of Specialty Building Products. “Throughout our long, and highly successful relationship, Trex has consistently set the standard through innovation, market leadership, and execution. This strategic national distribution partnership builds on that strong foundation and positions us to accelerate our shared growth. Together with the Trex team, we are committed to an ambitious vision for expanding market share in this growing category while continuing to deliver exceptional value and service to our mutual customers.”

To further optimize its channel distribution network, Trex is also expanding its relationship with WS Building Materials, one of the largest regional distributors in the Midwest, MidAtlantic and southern United States. WS Building Materials will now support Trex across Wisconsin, Illinois, North Dakota, South Dakota, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri.

“Over the past five years, WS Building Materials has consistently demonstrated that Trex is the number-one brand they want to represent,” said Zambanini. “They have steadily expanded Trex across their footprint and now distribute Trex products from all of their existing locations. WS Building Materials also has ambitious plans for continued growth, making them an ideal long-term distribution partner.”

“Trex has been a trusted, long-standing distribution partner to WS Building Materials, and we’re proud to expand that relationship through this expanded distribution alignment,” said Scott Gardner, President of WS Building Materials. “This next phase strengthens our ability to scale Trex’s industry-leading products across our network, expand into new markets, and deliver consistent, high-level service to our customers.”

Trex is also adding Coastal Forest Products as a regional distributor in New England supporting Trex throughout New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine.

“Coastal Forest Products has built a strong, respected brand throughout New England that complements the Trex brand extremely well,” said Zambanini. “This distribution relationship enhances our ability to serve dealers and contractors in the region as consumer demand for premium decking and railing continues to grow.”

“We’re thrilled to be joining forces with Trex,” said Pike Severance, President of Coastal Forest Products. “Their success to date has been impressive, and we are taking a meaningful step forward for both organizations. By combining our strengths with their proven foundation, we’re well positioned to scale that success, unlock new opportunities, deepen our impact with customers, and help shape what comes next for the market.”

Finally, Trex is expanding its distribution network in the South Central Region with BlueLinx, further strengthening coverage and service levels in this important market. BlueLinx will distribute Trex in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and parts of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia.

“We are excited to announce this new distribution agreement with BlueLinx,” said Zambanini. “Over the past two decades, they have established themselves as a major player within the South Central Region, and we are confident that adding their network of distribution in this important part of the country will continue to fuel Trex’s growth.”

"We appreciate the confidence that Trex has placed in BlueLinx to accelerate their growth strategy in the South Central Region," said Shyam Reddy, President and CEO of BlueLinx. "We are especially excited about offering Trex’s well-known specialty product lines to our customers in these fast-growing markets."

During the transition, Trex will work closely with all distribution partners to ensure uninterrupted product availability, including retail stocking and special orders through major home centers.

“Dual distribution in all major markets has been a key part of our winning strategy for several decades,” added Zambanini. “With SBP’s national coverage and our network of strong regional distribution partners, Trex will continue to be available from two of the top distributors wherever dealers, contractors, and consumers are making their purchase decisions.”

Q2 Results Above the High End of Range and Reiterate 2026 Guidance

“We anticipate second quarter sales to come in at approximately $418 million, above our guidance of $388 to $403 million with strong sell through driven by consumer demand across our channels and products. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be approximately $112 million. We are also increasing our full year guidance, shown in the table below, given our strong start to the year and continuing strong execution by the Trex team,” said Prith Gandhi, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

These preliminary results are estimates based on information available to management of Trex as of the date of this release and are subject to change upon completion of Trex’s standard closing procedures and review by its independent registered public accounting firm. As a result, there can be no assurance that Trex’s final results will not differ from these preliminary estimates. Trex has not provided a reconciliation of forward-looking Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, because certain items required for such reconciliation are outside of Trex’s control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted without unreasonable efforts. The probable significance of these items cannot be determined at this time. See “Forward-Looking Statements” below for information on certain factors that could cause actual results to differ from these preliminary estimates.

Full Year 2026 Guidance

Low

High

Net sales

$1.215B

$1.250B

Adjusted EBITDA

$335M

$350M

Depreciation and amortization

~$85M

SG&A

~18% of net sales

Interest expense

$8M

$10M

Effective tax rate

25.5%

27.0%

CapEx

$100M

$120M

Conference Call & Webcast Information

Trex will hold a conference call on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET. To participate on the day of the call, dial 1-844-792-3734, or internationally 1-412-317-5126, approximately ten minutes before the call, and tell the operator you wish to join the Trex Company Conference Call.

A live webcast of the conference call will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Trex Company website at Investor Relations. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, an audio replay of the conference call will be available within 24 hours of the call on the Trex website. The audio replay will be available for 30 days.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). To supplement our consolidated financial statements reported on a GAAP basis, we provide the following non-GAAP financial measure, adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA). Management believes this non-GAAP financial measure provides investors with additional meaningful financial information that should be considered when assessing our underlying business performance and trends. Further, management believes this non-GAAP financial measure also enhances investors’ ability to compare period-to-period financial results. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company’s reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP and are not meant to be considered superior to or a substitute for our GAAP results. Our non-GAAP financial measures do not represent a comprehensive basis of accounting. Therefore, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to GAAP information is included below. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating, compensation and planning decisions and in evaluating the Company’s performance. Disclosing these non-GAAP financial measures allows investors and management to view our operating results excluding the impact of items that are not reflective of the underlying operating performance.

Non-GAAP Reconciliation Tables

    Trex Company, Inc. Three Months Ended
June 30, 2026 ($ in millions) Net Income $

61.9

Interest 2.3

Income taxes 22.0

Depreciation and amortization 19.4

Non-operating expenses 4.7

Arkansas start up 0.6

Digital transformation 1.1

Adjusted EBITDA $

112.0

About Trex Company

For more than 30 years, Trex Company [NYSE: TREX] has invented, reinvented and defined the composite decking category. Today, the company is the world’s #1 brand of sustainable, wood-alternative decking and railing, and a leader in high performance, low-maintenance outdoor living products. Boasting the industry’s strongest distribution network, Trex sells products through more than 6,700 retail outlets across six continents. Through strategic licensing agreements, the company offers a comprehensive outdoor living portfolio that includes deck drainage, flashing tapes, LED lighting, outdoor kitchen components, pergolas, spiral stairs, fencing, lattice, cornhole and outdoor furniture – all marketed under the Trex® brand. Based in Winchester, Va., Trex is proud to have been named America’s Most Trusted® Outdoor Decking^ for the past 6 years (2021-2026). The company also holds a place on Barron’s list of the 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies (2024 and 2025), was named one of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024 by Newsweek, ranked as one of the 100 Best ESG Companies by Investor’s Business Daily, and named the Sustainable Brand Leader in the decking category by Green Builder Media for the 16th consecutive year. For more information, visit Trex.com.

^Trex received the highest numerical score in the proprietary Lifestory Research 2021-2026 America’s Most Trusted® Outdoor Decking studies. Study results are based on experiences and perceptions of people surveyed. Your experiences may vary. Visit www.lifestoryresearch.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this press release regarding the Company’s expected future performance and condition constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual operating results to differ materially. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the realignment of the Company's distribution network, including potential disruption to product availability, loss of dealer or contractor relationships, and the ability of new or expanded distribution partners to perform as expected; the extent of market acceptance of the Company’s current and newly developed products, including fire-rated and PVC decking products; the costs associated with the development and launch of new products and the market acceptance of such new products; the sensitivity of the Company’s business to general economic conditions; the impact of seasonal and weather-related demand fluctuations on inventory levels in the distribution channel and sales of the Company’s products; the availability and cost of third-party transportation services for the Company’s products and raw materials; the Company’s ability to obtain raw materials, including scrap polyethylene, wood fiber, and other materials used in making our products, at acceptable prices; increasing inflation, oil prices, and tariffs in the macro-economic environment; the Company’s ability to maintain product quality and product performance at an acceptable cost; the Company’s ability to increase throughput and capacity to adequately match supply with demand; the level of expenses associated with warranty claims, product replacement and consumer relations expenses related to product quality; the highly competitive markets in which the Company operates; cyber-attacks, security breaches or other security vulnerabilities; the impact of current and upcoming data privacy laws and the EU General Data Protection Regulation and the related actual or potential costs and consequences; material adverse impacts from global public health pandemics and geopolitical conflicts, including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its potential effect on consumer confidence; risks associated with the Company’s digital transformation initiatives and related costs; risks associated with the startup, construction, and operational transition of the Company’s Arkansas facility; and material adverse impacts related to labor shortages or increases in labor costs. Documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company, including in particular its latest annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, discuss some of the important factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

July 13, 2026 17:48 ET  | Source: Weatherford International, LLC

HOUSTON, July 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Weatherford International plc (NASDAQ: WFRD) (“Weatherford” or the “Company”) today announced that it will hold Special Shareholder Meetings on September 3, 2026, to consider the Company's proposed redomestication from Ireland to Delaware. The definitive proxy statement for the meetings was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission today and is being distributed to all shareholders.

The Weatherford Board of Directors unanimously recommends that shareholders vote FOR all proposals related to the proposed redomestication, which the Board believes will simplify the Company's organizational, statutory and regulatory structure while creating a more appropriate corporate framework to support Weatherford's long-term strategy. The expected financial benefits for Weatherford are estimated to be approximately $20 million to $30 million in annual cash savings beginning in 2027 if the redomestication and related corporate restructuring is completed in 2026. The Company views the redomestication transactions as a significant pillar in its continued improvement in adjusted free cash flow conversion.

Shareholders are reminded that new voting instructions are required for this meeting. Any votes submitted in connection with the Company's June 11, 2026, shareholder meetings will not be counted for the September 3 meetings.

To ensure your shares are voted, shareholders must complete and submit BOTH proxy cards, one for the Scheme Meeting and one for the Extraordinary General Meeting. Approval of the proposed redomestication requires shareholder approval at both meetings.

The definitive proxy statement contains important information regarding the proposed redomestication, voting procedures, and the proposals to be considered. Shareholders are encouraged to review the proxy materials carefully and vote as soon as possible.

Shareholders requiring assistance with voting their shares should contact Weatherford's proxy solicitor, Innisfree M&A Incorporated:

Shareholders may call (toll-free) (877) 750-8226Banks and brokers may call (212) 750-5833 Additional information, including the definitive proxy statement, is available through the SEC and the Company's investor relations website.

About Weatherford

Weatherford is a global energy services company that helps customers drill smarter, complete wells more effectively, and maximize production across the entire well lifecycle. With a differentiated portfolio of market-leading solutions, integrated technologies, and a broad global customer footprint across six continents, we blend advanced engineering, digital intelligence, and world-class field expertise to reduce risk, improve performance, and maximize the value of customer assets. Together, we elevate every operation, delivering stronger wells, sharper decisions, and better energy for the world. Visit weatherford.com for more information and connect with us on social media.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release, as well as other statements we make, include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Weatherford’s beliefs, plans, estimates, or expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements often use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” “should,” “target,” “will,” and other words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the redomestication, that include, among other things, the anticipated timing and benefits of the redomestication, including the realization of additional cost savings and operational efficiencies, and statements relating to future financial performance and results and goals. These statements are based on current beliefs, plans, estimates, and expectations, all of which involve risk and uncertainty. Actual results may differ materially from those included in such forward-looking statements and therefore you should not place undue reliance on them.

The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, our ability to receive, in a timely manner and on satisfactory terms, required shareholder and court approval, and to satisfy the other conditions to the redomestication within the expected timeframe or at all; our ability to realize the expected benefits from the redomestication; the occurrence of difficulties in connection with the redomestication, including any costs related thereto; the risk that the redomestication disrupts current plans and operations; any changes in tax laws, tax treaties or tax regulations or the interpretation or enforcement thereof by the tax authorities in Ireland, the United States and other jurisdictions following the redomestication; and the future financial performance of Weatherford following the redomestication.

The foregoing factors are in addition to those other risks, uncertainties, and factors included in the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in Weatherford’s reports filed with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, the proxy statement for the meetings, and other documents filed with the SEC. There may be other risks and uncertainties that we are not currently aware of or are unable to predict and which may also affect Weatherford’s forward-looking statements and may cause actual results and the timing of events to differ materially from those anticipated. The forward-looking statements made in this communication are made only as of the date hereof or as of the dates indicated in the forward-looking statements and Weatherford undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the Redomestication, Weatherford filed a definitive proxy statement with the SEC on July 13, 2026. Weatherford may also file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the Redomestication. The definitive proxy statement is being mailed to shareholders of Weatherford. This communication is not a substitute for any proxy statement or any other document that is or may be filed with the SEC or sent to Weatherford’s shareholders in connection with the Redomestication.

INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF WEATHERFORD ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT WEATHERFORD AND THE REDOMESTICATION AND RELATED MATTERS.

Investors and security holders are and will be able to obtain free copies of the definitive proxy statement and other documents containing important information about Weatherford and the Redomestication through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Weatherford are available free of charge on Weatherford’s website at www.weatherford.com.

Participants in the Solicitation
Weatherford and its directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Weatherford’s shareholders in connection with the Redomestication. Information about the directors and executive officers of Weatherford and their ownership of Weatherford’s securities is set forth in the definitive proxy statement relating to the Redomestication, which was filed with the SEC on July 13, 2026 https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1603923/000119312526302022/d136463ddef14a.htm. You may obtain free copies of these documents using the sources indicated above.

For Investors:

Luke Lemoine
Weatherford Investor Relations
+1 713-836-7777
[email protected]

For Media:
Kelley Hughes
Weatherford Communications, Marketing and Sustainability
[email protected]

Papa John's International Inc (NASDAQ:PZZA) was downgraded to 'Underperform' from 'Neutral' by Bank of America, with analysts citing the company's chief financial officer's departure, persistent competitive pressures and a less optimistic outlook for same-store sales growth (SSSG).

The brokerage lowered its price objective to $34 from $42, in line with current levels, and reduced its earnings forecasts, writing that former CFO Ravi Thanawala's departure "suggests rapid SSSG turn unlikely."

"While former CFO Ravi Thanawala's departure for AEO will allow him to return to his previous industry, we think it's unlikely he would have left his post after less than three years if he believed a sharp turnaround were imminent," the analysts wrote.

"In addition, the disruption that comes with management turnover - particularly at a time when Papa John's is trying to execute a turnaround - may translate into less earnings predictability."

Bank of America also pointed to heightened competition in the pizza segment, arguing that larger operators continue to benefit from greater scale.

The analysts noted that Papa John's reported negative first-quarter 2026 same-store sales growth despite easier year-over-year comparisons, while Domino's Pizza outperformed. They said Domino's larger domestic system sales base provides lower costs and stronger unit economics, supporting investments in customer experience and value.

The firm estimates Domino's average co-op restaurant EBITDA at about $200,000 compared with approximately $140,000 for Papa John's, adding that the difference in franchisee cash flow is likely proportionate.

Bank of America lowered its second quarter North American same-store sales growth forecast to negative 6.7% from negative 6.4%, while reducing its international same-store sales growth estimate to 2.5% from 3.5%. Its adjusted EBITDA forecast was cut to $199 million from $204 million, compared with the company's full-year guidance range of $200 million to $210 million.

The analysts believe that competitive intensity increased further during the second quarter and that high-frequency data indicated Papa John's sales growth remained largely unchanged despite the launch of a Toy Story 5 promotional tie-in in late May.

Explaining the valuation change, Bank of America wrote that it lowered its price objective by applying a lower earnings multiple, while noting valuation multiples across the limited-service restaurant sector have compressed.

The analysts added that the recent sale of Yum Brands' Pizza Hut business also suggests limited upside for Papa John's valuation, concluding they see more near-term upside opportunities elsewhere.

COLMAR, Pa., July 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dorman Products, Inc. (the “Company” or “Dorman”) (NASDAQ: DORM) will report its financial results for the second quarter ended June 27, 2026, after the close of the market on August 3, 2026.

Dorman is scheduled to conduct a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2026 financial results on August 4, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. ET. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (800) 420-1459 within the U.S. or +1 (203) 518-9861 outside the U.S. When prompted, enter the conference ID “DORMQ226”. A live audio webcast, along with the accompanying presentation materials, can be accessed on the Company’s Investor Relations website at investors.dormanproducts.com. A replay of the webcast will be made available on the website shortly after the conclusion of the call.

About Dorman Products

Dorman gives professionals, enthusiasts, and owners greater freedom to fix motor vehicles. For over 100 years, we have been driving new solutions, releasing tens of thousands of aftermarket replacement products engineered to save time and money, and increase convenience and reliability.

Founded and headquartered in the United States, we are a pioneering global organization offering an always-evolving catalog of products covering cars, trucks, and specialty vehicles, from chassis to body, from underhood to undercarriage, and from hardware to complex electronics.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors (many of which are outside of our control), which may cause actual events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the information contained in this press release, please see Dorman’s prior press releases and filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including Dorman’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and its other SEC filings. Dorman is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update any of the information in this press release if any forward-looking statement later turns out to be inaccurate, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

Investor Relations Contact

Alex Whitelam, VP, Investor Relations
[email protected]
(445) 448-9522

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2026) - IAMGOLD Corporation (TSX: IMG) (NYSE: IAG) ("IAMGOLD" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it plans to release its second quarter 2026 operating and financial results after market hours on Thursday, Aug 6, 2026. Senior management will host a conference call to discuss the operating performance and financial results on Friday, Aug 7, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time).

Listeners may access the conference call via webcast from the events section of the Company's website at www.iamgold.com (webcast link below), or through the following options:

Pre-register via: Chorus Call IAMGOLD Q2 2026 Registration (recommended) – Upon registering, you will receive a calendar booking by email with dial-in details and unique PIN. This process will bypass the operator and avoid the queue.
Toll free (North America): 1 (833) 752-3518
International: 1 (647) 846-8209
Webcast: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=qnpPqCfg

An online archive of the webcast will be available by accessing the Company's website at www.iamgold.com. A telephone replay will be available for one month following the call by dialing toll free 1 (855) 669-9658 within North America or 1 (412) 317-0088 from international locations and entering the passcode: 7277160.

About IAMGOLD

IAMGOLD is an intermediate gold producer and developer based in Canada with operating mines in North America and West Africa, including Côté Gold (Canada), Westwood (Canada) and Essakane (Burkina Faso). The Côté Gold Mine is among the largest gold mines in production in Canada, which IAMGOLD operates in a 70|30 partnership with Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. In addition, the Company has an established portfolio of early stage and advanced exploration projects within high potential mining districts, including the large-scale Nelligan Mining Complex located in Quebec, Canada. IAMGOLD employs approximately 3,700 people and is committed to maintaining its culture of accountable mining through high standards of Environmental, Social and Governance practices. IAMGOLD is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: IAG) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: IMG).

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/305001

Source: IAMGOLD Corporation

, /PRNewswire/ - Gold Royalty Corp. ("Gold Royalty" or the "Company") (NYSE American: GROY) announces that it will release its second quarter 2026 results after markets close on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.

A conference call will be held at 11:00am ET (8:00am PT) on Thursday, August 6, 2026 to discuss the results. To participate, please use one of the following methods:

Webinar: Click Here
US and Canada (toll-free): 1-833-890-3060
International: 1-412-206-6408

The second quarter 2026 results presentation will be available on Gold Royalty's website at www.goldroyalty.com and a replay of the event will be available following the presentation.

Acquisition of Additional Nevada Royalties

Gold Royalty is also pleased to announce that it acquired two net smelter return ("NSR") royalties in Nevada from a private seller for total consideration of US$0.8 million.

The acquired royalties consist of: (i) a 2.0% NSR royalty on the Sterling property, which is operated by AngloGold Ashanti Limited and is located south of its Arthur project. Sterling hosts a near-surface, high-grade past-producing open-pit operation; and (ii) a 0.5% NSR royalty over portions of Granite Creek, operated by i-80 Gold Corp. The Granite Creek royalty covers portions of the Felix and Blue Bell pits at Granite Creek and includes associated advance minimum royalty payments of US$31,500 per year.

About Gold Royalty Corp.

Gold Royalty Corp. is a gold-focused royalty and streaming company offering creative financing solutions to the metals and mining industry. Its mission is to invest in high-quality, sustainable, and responsible mining operations to build a diversified portfolio of precious metals royalty and streaming interests that generate superior long-term returns for our shareholders. Gold Royalty's diversified portfolio consists primarily of net smelter return royalties on gold properties located in the Americas.

Qualified Person

Alastair Still, P.Geo., Director of Technical Services of the Company, is a "qualified person" as such term is defined under Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information disclosed in this news release.

SOURCE Gold Royalty Corp.

On Friday, Apple dropped the bombshell news it was suing OpenAI over the alleged theft of trade secrets, claiming that OpenAI stole Apple’s confidential data and engaged in efforts to learn proprietary information while recruiting former Apple employees.

In accusing OpenAI of stealing secrets about Apple’s unreleased products, Apple revealed that a former employee allegedly siphoned reams of sensitive files from the company’s shared network folders, weeks after leaving Apple for a job at OpenAI.

In its complaint, Apple says the former employee, a system electrical engineer named Chang Liu, allegedly “exploited a rare, previously unknown authentication bug” that allowed access to the company’s network. The bug is classified as a zero-day vulnerability, meaning that Apple had no time to fix it before it was allegedly exploited.

Apple has since fixed the bug and said it terminated the employee’s access once it learned of this “security breach.” In its complaint, Apple said the bug could have allowed a “few other” people to access data on its network, but alleged that only Liu exploited the bug to steal Apple’s confidential information while no longer an employee, citing a check of its server logs. 

The disclosure, while light in detail, highlights the challenges that organizations face with protecting sensitive corporate data after employees no longer work there. Companies often move to immediately cut off departing staff from further access to protect any sensitive information from leaving, including inadvertently. Companies that fail to fully decommission their employees’ accounts can face future security lapses, data breaches, or malicious actions by disgruntled staff.

Apple spokespeople did not respond to an email from TechCrunch with questions about the security vulnerability, how it was exploited, and when the company decommissioned the employee’s credentials.

“LOL… so funny.” In the complaint, Apple alleged that Liu took “dozens of Apple’s confidential hardware-related files” over the course of several weeks while as a new OpenAI employee. 

Apple said the files contained “detailed information about unreleased products, engineering presentations, technical specifications, and proprietary project data.” 

The company claims Liu failed to return the Apple-issued work laptop he had previously used to access Apple’s network, suggesting it was once able to send and receive files from Apple’s internal systems. The complaint said that Liu allegedly claimed to have “another computer.” While he was at OpenAI, Liu also allegedly misused the access of an acquaintance, Yu-Ting Peng, a then-Apple employee who later went to work for OpenAI. Liu allegedly used Peng’s Apple-issued work laptop “while she was still employed at Apple and he was not.”

Apple said that during February 2026, Liu “tried to access Apple’s network storage — a cloud-based file repository containing Apple’s confidential engineering files, project documentation, and other proprietary information.”

Liu had allegedly discovered that he “still could access Apple’s network repository after leaving Apple, the result of a then-unknown authentication vulnerability.”

Apple did not describe the authentication “bug” that Liu allegedly used to access Apple’s network. However, authentication bugs generally refer to flaws in the login process that allow improper access to systems or data, either because of a weakness in how the login mechanism works or due to a misconfiguration, such as overbroad permissions or not decommissioning the login credentials of a former employee. 

Apple wrote in its complaint that when Liu learned he had unauthorized access to Apple’s systems, he did not report the bug to Apple under his employment agreement obligations, nor did he return his Apple-issued work laptop. 

The complaint added that Liu also failed to “delete the program that allowed the access” to Apple’s network. The company did not say what program or app that Liu allegedly used to access Apple’s systems. It’s not uncommon for employees to have tools, such as a work-approved VPN or remote-viewing app, that allow them to access sensitive data from outside of the company’s offices using their credentials.

Given that Liu was previously granted credentials to Apple’s network as an employee, TechCrunch asked Apple when the company decommissioned Liu’s access, but we did not hear back.

Once Liu allegedly gained access to the network share, he wrote to Peng: “LOL, I found out I can access the [network storage], so funny.”

Apple filed its suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Jose, and has demanded a jury trial. OpenAI previously said it has “no interest in other companies’ trade secrets.”

The case, if it proceeds, could begin this year.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

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SummaryAmazon is launching Amazon Supply Chain Services, leveraging its logistics infrastructure for external customers beyond its core e-commerce, AWS, and advertising businesses.ASCS targets residential parcel delivery, offering lower rates and simpler pricing to attract third-party volume, improving network utilization and operational efficiency.Base and strong case scenarios suggest ASCS could contribute 2–5% of annualized operating income, with the primary benefit being cost savings in Amazon’s retail logistics.I rate AMZN a Buy, as ASCS enhances logistics economics and offers upside potential beyond AWS and AI, with further value possible from freight and international expansion. hapabapa/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Amazon (AMZN) traditionally has three businesses: e-commerce, Amazon Web Services, and advertising. Soon, a fourth business is going to be added to this. This is ASCS, or Amazon Supply Chain Services.

In May, Amazon opened

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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.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Nvidia (NVDA 3.52%) has solidified its position as one of the most important companies in the tech world, as the undisputed leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-related hardware. The company started as a graphics card maker for video games, but its graphics processing units (GPUs) and other advanced AI chips have since become the hardware foundation for the current AI boom.

Unfortunately, there has been a $2.5 billion chip-smuggling scheme on the black market, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang isn't a fan of what's happening. During Nvidia's shareholder meeting, Huang took a strong stance on the scheme, calling it a "dead end."

This scheme involves smuggling Nvidia chips into markets like China -- where Nvidia has strict import restrictions and controls -- using methods that circumvent audits intended to verify legitimacy. Despite the issue, there are larger implications that should be encouraging to Nvidia investors.

Image source: Nvidia Corporation.

Going nowhere fast A major point Huang made is that Nvidia's AI chips aren't like a typical video game graphics card, where you buy it once and it works indefinitely. These chips are part of an ecosystem that requires constant updates (both software and hardware maintenance) that aren't available to chips acquired on the black market.

In other words, they may work now, but without software updates, security patches, and Nvidia's engineering support, their lifespans are short and will inevitably become unusable or a liability to the companies using them. That's the basis for his "dead end" comments.

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Nvidia wants to stay in Washington's good graces As it stands, Nvidia has a monopoly on the advanced GPUs needed to train and deploy AI. Companies like Amazon and Alphabet are beginning to make their own in-house chips, but for the most part, Nvidia comfortably dominates the market. It won't last forever, but other companies have lots of ground to make up before catching up to Nvidia.

Arguably its biggest obstacle right now, though, is government restrictions and compliance requirements. The U.S. has already implemented strict export bans on certain chips to China, so Huang's taking this stance is a way to stay in the good graces of the U.S. government and avoid further crackdowns or potential fines. The fewer geopolitical and regulatory worries, the better.

Nvidia is still rolling strong The black-market chips haven't had much of a negative effect on Nvidia's business. In its most recent quarter (ended April 26), it made $81.6 billion in revenue (up 85% year over year) and $58.3 billion in net income (up 211% year over year).

Nvidia is a well-oiled machine, and this shows just how wide its technological and competitive moat is. That should be encouraging news for investors seeking sustainable growth and who may have had "AI bubble" worries. There's a reason the company was comfortable authorizing an $80 billion share buyback program and increasing its dividend from $0.01 to $0.25.

Key Takeaways UNH is expected to report Q2 EPS of $4.84 on $110.05B in revenues before the July 16 opening bell.UnitedHealth may see lower memberships, while improved medical cost management could lift profitability.UNH trades above its historical valuation but below Humana and Molina, with long-term growth in focus. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH - Free Report) is set to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 16, 2026, before the opening bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s earnings is currently pegged at $4.84 per share on revenues of $110.05 billion. 

Second-quarter earnings estimates witnessed one downward revision and no upward movement over the past 60 days. The bottom-line projection indicates an increase of 18.6% from the year-ago reported number. But the Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues suggests a year-over-year decline of 1.4%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

For the current year, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for UnitedHealth’s revenues is pegged at $443.74 billion, implying a decline of 0.9% year over year. However, the consensus mark for current-year earnings per share is pegged at $18.32, implying an improvement of 12.1% on a year-over-year basis.

UnitedHealth beat the consensus estimate for earnings in three of the last four quarters and missed once, with the average surprise being 0.8%. This is depicted in the figure below.

Q2 Earnings Whispers for UNHOur 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. That’s not the case here.   

UNH currently has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #2. 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 Shaping UNH’s Q2 Results?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for premium revenues for the second quarter indicates a 2.2% year-over-year decline, whereas our model estimate suggests a 3.1% fall. Lower contributions from both the UnitedHealthcare division and Optum Health are expected to have caused the decrease.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UnitedHealthcare’s total domestic commercial customers suggests a 1.5% year-over-year decline, whereas our estimate implies a 1.6% slip. The consensus mark for Medicare Advantage members indicates an 11% year-over-year decrease. The same for Medicaid memberships implies a 6.5% fall from the year-ago level. These are likely to have pushed total memberships in the domestic market down from the year-ago period. The consensus estimate implies around 3.6% decline year over year. These are likely to have affected its revenues in the second quarter.

Nevertheless, better medical cost management is likely to have improved its medical care ratio in the second quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UNH’s medical care ratio is pegged at 88.6%, down from 89.4% in the year-ago quarter.

As such, the consensus mark for UnitedHealthcare’s operating income signals 40.7% year-over-year jump. Moreover, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for operating income from the total Optum business segment suggests a 7.8% year-over-year increase.

UNH’s Price Performance & ValuationUnitedHealth's stock has gained 28.6% in the year-to-date period compared with the industry’s growth of 28.5%. Its peers, such as Humana Inc. (HUM - Free Report) and Molina Healthcare, Inc. (MOH - Free Report) , have jumped 53.1% and 34.4%, respectively, during this time. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 has increased 10.7%.

YTD Price Performance – UNH, HUM, MOH, Industry & S&P 500 Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Now, let’s look at the value UnitedHealth offers investors at current levels.

UNH is trading at 21.63X forward 12-month earnings, above its five-year median of 19.20X, and the industry’s average of 18.48X. In comparison, Humana and Molina Healthcare are currently trading at 32.21X and 33.41X, respectively.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

How Should You Play UNH Stock Now?UnitedHealth heads into its second-quarter 2026 earnings report with high expectations, as its results are likely to offer an important read on broader trends across the managed-care industry. The company continues to grapple with regulatory investigations, policy uncertainty and elevated healthcare utilization, all of which could pressure sentiment in the near term. Membership declines across certain businesses also remain a concern, though improved medical cost management is expected to support profitability.

At the same time, UnitedHealth's unmatched scale, diversified healthcare platform and expanding data capabilities continue to support its long-term growth story. The company's efforts to reshape the pharmacy benefit management model through a more transparent, fee-based approach could also strengthen its competitive positioning over time.

While UNH trades above its historical median valuation and the industry average, it remains less expensive than peers like Humana and Molina Healthcare. With a favorable long-term outlook and improving investor confidence regarding execution under CEO Stephen J. Hemsley, the stock appears well positioned. Investors may consider gradually accumulating shares while closely monitoring the upcoming earnings report and developments on the regulatory front.

© fotokostic / Getty Images

Anytime we’re talking about a $20 billion buildout of anything, that’s big money. I know, trillions of dollars in this AI buildout are being thrown around, and that number can get lost in the fray. But in the manufacturing or agricultural sectors, that’s big money.

Let’s dive into why this matters for farm equipment supplier Deere (NYSE:DE | DE Price Prediction), and where this stock could be headed from here.

The Number The $20 billion number I put forward earlier represents the commitment Deere has put on the table for U.S. manufacturing investment over the next 10 years, disclosed by CFO T. Brent Norwood on the fiscal Q2 2026 earnings call.

This capital will support  precision agriculture buildout that already has customers spraying 5 million acres with See and Spray technology, and running nearly 440,000 monthly active users through the John Deere Operations Center. Indeed, if the manufacturing and construction industries can continue to strengthen from here, this is a company that investors shouldn’t sleep on.

What It Means The aforementioned $20 billion dollar figure is a concrete factory-and-supplier commitment. Norwood laid out the math on the call – approximately 80% of John Deere’s U.S. complete good sales are produced at U.S. manufacturing facilities, and roughly 75% of those components are sourced from U.S.-based suppliers. The Kernersville, North Carolina plant just began building John Deere designed excavators following a $70 million expansion investment.

That manufacturing footprint is what carries the technology. Deere’s R&D spend hit $583 million in Q2 2026, up from $549 million a year earlier. See and Spray scaled from 1 million acres in year one to 5 million acres globally last year, with demonstrated 50% to 60% herbicide savings. Additionally, JDLink Boost kit sales crossed 12,500 units since launch in the second half of 2024, growing 25% in the last quarter alone, and Precision Essentials renewal rates sit at 70% overall and over 90% for second-year customers. That’s evidence that adoption sticks after the first season.

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Bull Case The company’s Q2 earnings report delivered where it mattered. Revenue of $13.369 billion beat expectations, and diluted EPS of $6.55 came in ahead of estimates. That represents four consecutive quarters of EPS beats. Construction & Forestry sales rose 29% to $3.79 billion, and Small Agriculture & Turf rose 16% to $3.485 billion. Importantly, Deere’s construction order book is also up more than 60% since November, with over 80% of production slots filled for the year, buoyed by data center construction expected to top $100 billion in 2026.

Management held full-year net income guidance at $4.5 billion to $5.0 billion, raised the Construction & Forestry sales outlook to up approximately 20%, and lifted Financial Services net income to $860 million. Capital returns matched the confidence, with $500 million in buybacks over six months and a $1.62 quarterly dividend. Norwood put the cycle thesis plainly: “our baseline view remains that fiscal 2026 will represent the bottom of the ag cycle.”

New inventory of high horsepower tractors and combines is down more than 50% from the mid-2024 peak. When large ag turns, Deere will turn with a technology stack customers are already paying for.

Bottom Line Deere’s $20 billion manufacturing commitment matters because it makes the precision ag story tangible. Factories in Iowa and North Carolina, a supplier base that is 75% U.S. sourced, and software adoption compounding at over 90% second-year renewals give long-term holders a story with numbers behind it. With a trailing P/E of 36-times (which is not cheap), and Production & Precision Ag sales falling 14% in the quarter, there is some cyclicality to this stock.

Thus, I think the next key data point investors need to pay attention to will arrive on August 20, 2026, when Deere reports Q3 results. If the cycle bottoms where management says it will, the factories are ready.

Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Deere didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

The highly anticipated U.S. trading debut of SK Hynix NASDAQ: SKHY delivered on its initial promise by pricing at $158.14 and raising an unprecedented $28.1 billion on July 10. Shares quickly gapped above $170 as early buyers scrambled for exposure to the global leader in high-bandwidth memory (HBM). Gravity quickly took hold. A localized wave of macroeconomic selling across Asian semiconductor assets pulled the newly minted American depositary receipts down by more than 7% intraday, pushing the price below $155 by midday Monday.

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Separating Friction From FundamentalsSK hynix Today$152.96 -15.05 (-8.96%)

As of 04:00 PM Eastern

52-Week Range$151.30▼

$177.00 At first glance, a busted initial public offering (IPO) of this magnitude stings retail buyers who bought the early morning gap.

When an offering creates this much initial friction, it pays to step back and evaluate the broader machinery at play.

The early price action reveals a transient liquidity event rather than a structural deterioration in end-market demand.

Early venture capital holders, retail traders, and cross-border arbitrageurs took liquidity off the table following the opening surge, creating a mechanical drop disconnected from the actual business fundamentals.

Separating Trading Volume From TrendUnderneath the daily volatility of the broader semiconductor index, hyperscalers are quietly absorbing fabrication capacity out through 2027. While retail liquidity exits, institutional block buying volume is actively aggregating near the $150 to $155 support levels for SK Hynix. These institutional buyers recognize a stark discrepancy between the localized sell-off in Asian tech equities and the contracted reality of the artificial intelligence hardware supply chain.

This dynamic creates a rare window. When an asset class dominates the financial narrative, distinguishing between a short-term trading vehicle and a long-term compounder becomes essential. The post-IPO sell-off offers an asymmetric accumulation window for the memory oligopoly, presenting an opportunity for investors willing to look past short-term regional macroeconomic headwinds and focus on the physical constraints of chip manufacturing.

Engineering an Unsolvable Supply CrunchThe primary growth engine for modern memory makers is a multi-year imbalance between supply and demand in HBM manufacturing. Producing these advanced chips is not like churning out standard flash storage. The process mandates intensive capital expenditure, complex packaging dependencies, and significantly lower initial yields.

Integrating these vertical memory stacks directly alongside GPUs requires specialized through-silicon vias and advanced bonding techniques. Every time a new generation of logic chips launches, the memory architecture must also evolve, continuously resetting the manufacturing learning curve and keeping supply artificially tight.

SK Hynix leadership utilized the IPO roadshow to outline a severe, multi-year memory supply crunch expected to persist beyond 2030. The South Korean manufacturer strategically pulled forward the sampling timeline for its advanced HBM4E chips to June 2026.

This accelerated schedule is explicitly designed to qualify for next-generation platforms such as NVIDIA's NASDAQ: NVDA Rubin Ultra, effectively locking out non-incumbent competitors from the supply chain. The fresh capital generated from the U.S. listing provides immediate funding for massive fabrication expansions, such as the transition to 400-layer hybrid bonding, without forcing SK Hynix to rely on expensive debt markets.

Advance Payments and the End of CyclicalityWhile SK Hynix executed a near-monopoly over the initial wave of AI hardware buildouts, the landscape is actively recalibrating. The HBM market is maturing into a highly fortified triopoly. Recent qualification and capacity ramps by competitors have compressed SK Hynix’s market share from an estimated 69% in early 2025 to approximately 56%-58% by the second quarter of 2026. This fundamental shift contextualizes the recent SK Hynix price reversion as a transition from monopoly premiums to triopoly realities, with Samsung OTCMKTS: SSNLF and Micron Technology NASDAQ: MU capturing the remaining market share.

Micron Technology Today

MU

Micron Technology

$936.18 -43.12 (-4.40%)

As of 04:00 PM Eastern

52-Week Range$103.38▼

$1,255.00Dividend Yield0.06%

P/E Ratio21.19

Price Target$1,263.76

Micron Technology is rapidly advancing its competitive position in this structural deficit. The Idaho-based producer is currently mass-producing 48-gigabyte HBM4 stacks capable of exceptional data transfer speeds.

To support this growth, Micron authorized a 10-year, $250 billion domestic investment outlook to build U.S.-based cleanrooms. Operating with a price-to-earnings ratio of around 21, Micron trades at a relative discount to pure-play logic peers despite structurally expanding margins.

The critical evolution in the memory sector is the shift toward revenue de-risking. Hyperscalers and logic designers are issuing unprecedented advance payments to memory makers to secure fabrication capacity. Both Micron Technology and SK Hynix have fully sold out their high-bandwidth capacity through 2026 and heavily into 2027. This visibility largely decouples near-term EBITDA from traditional boom-and-bust memory cycles. It strips hyperscalers of traditional buyer leverage, transferring structural pricing power directly to the memory suppliers.

The Institutional Accumulation WindowDespite these fortified contractual moats, broader sector weakness has created pockets of extreme sentiment in the derivatives market. Micron presents a highly unusual profile right now. Shares recently traded lower, down by over 5% intraday to drop below the $930 level, largely in a sympathy sell-off following the SK Hynix debut.

Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) Price Chart for Monday, July, 13, 2026

With put-to-call open interest ratios recently peaking near 10 ahead of upcoming earnings reports, Micron's options chain reveals heavy bearish positioning. Such extreme levels of bearishness often serve as a contrarian indicator, creating a compelling setup for a potential short-squeeze against prevailing macroeconomic headwinds.

When combining the retail exodus from SK Hynix post-IPO with the aggressive put accumulation in Micron Technology, a clear institutional accumulation blueprint emerges. The physical bottlenecks limiting supply are real, persistent, and not easily resolved by simply injecting more capital into the system.

Advanced packaging dependencies, such as the chip-on-wafer-on-substrate process utilized by key foundry partners, severely constrain the elasticity of memory supply. These constraints ensure that spot prices for HBM will remain elevated even if broader logic chip demand experiences minor, localized fluctuations.

Investors' Blueprint for the Memory OligopolyThe divergence between localized equity sell-offs and the multi-year capacity contracts secured by memory manufacturers creates a distinct valuation mismatch. Rapid generational leaps in memory architecture are effectively creating a closed ecosystem, locking out emerging challengers and solidifying the pricing power of the current triopoly. As long as hyperscaler capital expenditures remain robust, the scarcity premium embedded in these manufacturers appears structurally sound.

A potential risk to this thesis remains an industry-wide slowdown in data center construction or faster-than-expected yield improvements in upcoming fabrication lines. If production yields for advanced hybrid bonding normalize earlier than anticipated, the projected 2027 supply constraints could ease, potentially compressing the premiums currently priced into the sector. Investors may want to monitor institutional accumulation patterns in both SK Hynix and Micron Technology around current support levels to gauge the strength of the structural deficit narrative before taking a position.

Should You Invest $1,000 in SK hynix Right Now?Before you consider SK hynix, you'll want to hear this.

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$194 billion. That is the order backlog Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT | LMT Price Prediction) carried on its books at the end of 2025, disclosed alongside its Q4 2025 report on January 29, 2026. CEO Jim Taiclet framed it plainly on the earnings call: “We finished the year with a record high backlog of $194 billion, about two and a half times annual sales.” It is the fourth consecutive year the figure has grown, and it lands with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.2 for the full year.

What It Means A backlog worth roughly 2.5 years of sales is a visibility number, not a vanity one. It tells long-term holders that revenue for 2026 and beyond is largely spoken for before the year begins. The company’s backlog itself grew by $17.3 billion, or 17%. And CFO Evan Scott noted the additions were concentrated in the company’s signature franchises: F-35, PAC-3, JASSM, LRASM, and CH-53K.

The operating picture backs up a bullish story around this defense name. Lockheed’s full-year 2025 revenue came in at $75.05 billion, Q4 revenue was $20.321 billion against a $19.858 billion estimate, and diluted EPS of $5.80 beat the $5.75 consensus. Impressively, Missiles and Fire Control grew 18% in the quarter, F-35 deliveries hit 191 aircraft in 2025 (up from 110 in 2024), and Government helicopter deliveries reached 90 (up from 72).

Market Reaction Shares closed the Q4 filing day at $626.83 on January 29, 2026, rose to $676.70 thirty days later, then gave the move back. The stock is at $545.91 as of July 2, 2026. Even after the pullback, LMT is up 14.2% year to date and 21.23% over one year, with a 4.62% gain on July 2 alone.

Bull Case Lockheed’s backlog is the anchor, but the structure underneath it is what makes this a long-term thesis rather than a one-quarter story. The company signed a seven-year framework agreement for PAC-3 missiles in early Q1 2026, and management announced a similar agreement for THAAD on the same call. Taiclet said the PAC-3 arrangement will “increase annual production capacity from approximately 600 to 2,000 per year”. He also flagged make-whole provisions that protect returns if procurement strategy changes.

Management is putting capital behind the demand signal. Lockheed deployed more than $3.5 billion in 2025 into production capacity and next-generation technology, and is guiding capital and IRAD spending toward approaching $5 billion in 2026. Missiles and Fire Control has line of sight to at least double-digit compound annual sales growth through the end of the decade. On the F-35 side, contract awards tied to Lots 18 through 21 and full-year sustainment total more than $15 billion.

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Shareholder returns are steady rather than showy. Lockheed repurchased $3.0 billion of stock (6.6 million shares) in 2025 and has raised its dividend for 23 consecutive years. The current dividend is $13.50 per share at a 2.65% yield. Analyst consensus target sits at $617.05, above the current price, with a forward P/E of 17.

Bottom Line I think that Q1 2026 gave shareholders a reminder that quarter-to-quarter defense results can be lumpy. Lockheed’s EPS came in at $6.44 versus a $6.70 estimate, hit by $125 million in unfavorable F-16 adjustments, and free cash flow was negative $291 million. That said, the company’s management team reaffirmed 2026 sales guidance of $77.5 billion to $80.0 billion, diluted EPS of $29.35 to $30.25, and free cash flow of $6.5 billion to $6.8 billion.

The next earnings report is the forward catalyst investors should watch, because it will test whether the backlog is converting on schedule.

For retirement-focused holders, the case rests on the $194 billion already contracted, the seven-year framework agreements layered on top, and a dividend record that has now stretched across more than two decades. One number does not guarantee the next quarter. It does tell you what the next several years look like.

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Key Takeaways Elevance is likely to see Q2 EPS of $6.18 on $48.45B in revenues, with both projected to decline.ELV may face pressure from lower premiums, membership declines and weaker Health Benefits results.Elevance's higher benefit expense ratio could weigh on profitability in the quarter. Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV - Free Report) is set to report its second-quarter 2026 results on July 15, 2026, before the opening bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s earnings is currently pegged at $6.18 per shareon revenues of $48.45 billion.

The second-quarter earnings estimate witnessed one downward revision and no upward revisions over the past 60 days. The bottom-line projection indicates a year-over-year decline of 30.1%. Also, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues implies a year-over-year decrease of 2%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

For 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Elevance’s revenues is pegged at $194.24 billion, implying a fall of 1.7% year over year. The consensus mark for 2026 EPS is pegged at $26.86, indicating an 11.3% year-over-year decrease.

Elevance’s earnings beat the consensus estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with the average surprise being 10.6%. This is depicted in the figure below.

Q2 Earnings Whispers for ElevanceOur 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. That is not the case here.

ELV currently has an Earnings ESP of -0.42% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

What’s Shaping Elevance’s Q2 Results?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for product revenues indicates 4.7% growth from the year-ago period’s $6.04 billion. However, the consensus estimate for premiums indicates a 3.3% decrease from the year-ago period.

The consensus mark for Commercial Individual membership implies 10% fall from a year ago, while our model estimate indicates a 12.2% decline. Also, declining memberships in Medicaid (-5.8%) are likely to have kept second-quarter performance in check. However, the consensus estimate for Commercial Fee-based memberships indicates 1.9% year-over-year growth.

Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Carelon brand’s operating income for the second quarter indicates a 3.8% year-over-year decrease. The consensus estimate for the Health Benefits segment’s operating income for the second quarter indicates a 34.7% year-over-year plunge, making an earnings beat uncertain.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the benefit expense ratio is pegged at 89.4, higher than the year-ago level of 88.9, which could further weigh on profitability during the quarter.

Stocks That Warrant a LookWhile an earnings beat looks uncertain for Elevance, here are some companies from the broader Medical space that you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time around:

ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. (PMN - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +13.30% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ProMIS’ bottom line for the to-be-reported quarter of a loss of $1.45 indicates 80% year-over-year improvement. It has witnessed one upward revision against no downward movement over the past 60 days.

Alcon Inc. (ALC - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.83% and a Zacks Rank of 2.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Alcon’s bottom line for the to-be-reported quarter indicates 1.3% increase from a year ago. The company’s earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with an average surprise of 3.7%. The consensus estimate for ALC’s revenues is pegged at $2.77 billion, signaling 7.3% increase.

Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.24% and a Zacks Rank of 2.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Cardinal Health’s bottom line for the to-be-reported quarter predicts 16.4% year-over-year growth. Its earnings beat estimates in each of the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 10.3%. CAH’s revenues for the to-be-reported quarter are pegged at $65.61 billion, a 9.1% increase from the year-ago period.

Chipotle and Alsea plan additional openings in Nuevo León this year and expansion into Mexico City in 2027 , /PRNewswire/ -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) today announced that the first Chipotle restaurant in Mexico will open on Thursday, July 16 in San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, part of the Monterrey metropolitan area, in partnership with Alsea (BMV: ALSEA*), a leading restaurant operator in Latin America and Europe. The opening marks a significant milestone in Chipotle's international growth strategy and introduces the company's menu of freshly prepared, customizable burritos, bowls, salads, tacos and quesadillas to guests in Mexico.

Chipotle's first restaurant in Mexico is located in San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, part of the Monterrey metropolitan area. Opening on July 16, the restaurant marks Chipotle's entry into Mexico in partnership with Alsea and represents a significant milestone in the company's international growth strategy.

The Nuevo León restaurant will serve Chipotle's signature menu prepared fresh throughout the day with wholesome ingredients and without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. This restaurant is the first location to open under the development agreement Chipotle and Alsea announced in April 2025. Building on this market entry, Chipotle and Alsea plan to open additional restaurants in Nuevo León later this year and expand into Mexico City in 2027.

"We are entering Mexico with deep respect for the country's culinary heritage and a commitment to delivering the Chipotle experience with excellence," said Scott Boatwright, Chief Executive Officer of Chipotle. "Our research has reinforced our belief that there is strong interest in high-quality, freshly prepared food served with the customization and convenience that Chipotle offers. Nuevo León is an ideal place to begin this journey, and with Alsea's operational expertise and deep local market knowledge, we look forward to serving new guests and earning a place in Mexico's vibrant dining culture."

"We've spent years evaluating opportunities to bring Chipotle to Mexico, and this week's opening reinforces our confidence in the market," said Nate Lawton, Chief Business Development Officer of Chipotle. "Our initial focus is on opening one great restaurant and learning alongside our guests and our partners at Alsea. This first location will serve as an important proof-of-concept, giving us the opportunity to better understand local consumer preferences as we thoughtfully grow in Mexico."

The new restaurant features Chipotle's signature menu prepared fresh throughout the day with the same chef-led standards and classic cooking techniques that have shaped the brand since its founding. The company sources many of its ingredients from suppliers throughout the region and remains committed to serving real food made with wholesome ingredients and without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. 

The Monterrey metropolitan area was selected as Chipotle's first location in Mexico due to its strong economy, growing population, and status as one of the country's leading business and innovation hubs. The restaurant represents the first step in Chipotle and Alsea's broader expansion strategy as the companies evaluate opportunities across Mexico's largest metropolitan markets.

"Bringing Chipotle to Mexico is an important step in our growth and portfolio diversification strategy. We are introducing an iconic brand with a differentiated value proposition that has resonated with millions of guests around the world, and we are confident it will be warmly welcomed by Mexican consumers. This week's opening reflects our confidence in Mexico's growth potential and our commitment to continuing to drive investment, job creation, and economic development in the communities where we operate," said Christian Gurría, Chief Executive Officer of Alsea.

Chipotle's Growing International Footprint 
Chipotle signed its first international development agreement in July 2023 with Alshaya Group to open restaurants in the Middle East. Alshaya Group currently operates 15 restaurants across the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar. In September 2025, Chipotle announced a joint venture with SPC Group, a leading South Korean food and bakery company, to expand the brand into Asia for the first time, with plans to open its first restaurant in South Korea later this year and in Singapore early next year.

Chipotle's existing international portfolio of owned and operated restaurants includes more than 80 locations in Canada, 20 in the U.K., six in France, and two in Germany. The company currently operates more than 4,100 restaurants worldwide and expects to open between 350 and 370 new restaurants in 2026 as it continues to execute its "Recipe for Growth" strategy, including a target of operating 7,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada.

Chipotle's business development group, led by Chief Business Development Officer Nate Lawton, continues to evaluate strategic opportunities to accelerate the company's global growth through partnerships, joint ventures, and development agreements. Information on submitting a proposal can be found at https://ir.chipotle.com/contact-us.

About Chipotle
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. There are over 4,100 restaurants as of March 31, 2026, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the Middle East and it is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. With over 135,000 employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an order online, visit chipotle.com.

About Alsea
Alsea is the leading restaurant operator in Latin America and Europe of global brands in the quick service, coffee shop and fast casual dining segments. It has a diversified portfolio, with brands such as Domino's Pizza, Starbucks, Burger King, Chili's, P.F. Chang's, Italianni's, The Cheesecake Factory, Vips, Archies, Foster's Hollywood, Gino's and Chipotle. The company operates more than 4,800 units in Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Uruguay and Paraguay. Alsea's business model includes support for its brands through a Shared Services Center that provides all the Administrative and Development Processes, as well as the Supply Chain.

For more information please visit: www.alsea.net

*Alsea shares are traded on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ALSEA

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about the timing of opening the first and additional future Chipotle restaurants in Mexico, Chipotle's prospects for business in Mexico, the Middle East and Asia, Chipotle's plans to open between 350 and 370 new restaurants in 2026, and its "Recipe for Growth," including its target of operating 7,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada. We use words such as "anticipate," "expect," "believe," "could," "should," "may," "are confident" and similar terms and phrases to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information, available to us as of the date of this release and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the statements, including the risks described from time to time in our SEC reports, including our annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, all of which are available on the investor relations page of our website at ir.chipotle.com.

SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX 1.00%) has a robust business that centers around cystic fibrosis therapies. But its growth rate has been slowing down of late. And despite having a stellar pipeline and encouraging growth prospects, the stock's returns over the past year have been nominal.

Now, with the company announcing plans for a big $10 billion acquisition of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals (CRNX +0.11%), could that make the pharma stock a much better buy, perhaps even a no-brainer buy at its current valuation?

Image source: Getty Images.

The deal could inject a ton of growth into Vertex's business Crinetics is a company that develops treatments for endocrine diseases and disorders. This is a company that's still in its early growth stages, as last year its revenue totaled less than $8 million and its net loss was over $465 million.

But it has multiple promising assets in its portfolio, including Palsonify, which was approved last year to treat acromegaly, which is a hormonal disorder that can cause an enlargement of certain parts of the body. Atumelnant is not approved yet, but it is in the midst of clinical trials and is a treatment for congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which relates to multiple genetic conditions that impact the adrenal glands. Combined, these drugs could add $5 billion in annual revenue to Vertex's top line. The deal is expected to close fairly soon -- in the third quarter of this year.

That is significant given that last year, Vertex's revenue totaled $12 billion, which was an increase of nearly $1 billion, or about 9%, from the previous year. This acquisition could drastically grow its business.

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Should investors buy the dip on Vertex Pharmaceuticals? Despite the promising growth angle here, Vertex's stock has fallen after announcing the cash deal. That isn't entirely surprising, as the acquiring company normally sees its shares fall after a major acquisition, as investors may be concerned about the price paid for the business, the drag on earnings in the short term, and whether it will truly pay off. In short, it adds some risk.

However, with Vertex's management doing a great job of growing the business over the years and raking in some strong profits, it appears to be a well-calculated move. The healthcare stock is a bit expensive, trading at 29 times its trailing earnings, but given how much more diverse the business has become and its enhanced growth prospects, it could be a no-brainer buy on weakness right now, particularly for long-term investors.

Key Takeaways Progressive is expected to post Q2 earnings of $4.58 per share, down 6.2% year over year.Net premiums earned are projected to rise 7% to $21.7 billion on policy growth and retention.Investment income is expected to rise 12% to $935.6 million. Higher underwriting costs add pressure. The Progressive Corporation (PGR - Free Report) is expected to witness an improvement in its top line but a decline in its bottom line when it reports second-quarter 2026 results on July 15, before the opening bell.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PGR’s second-quarter revenues is pegged at $23.1 billion, indicating 7% growth from the year-ago reported figure.

The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $4.58 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PGR’s second-quarter earnings has moved 2 cents north in the past seven days. The estimate indicates a year-over-year decline of 6.2%.

Decent Earnings Surprise HistoryProgressive’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in one, the average negative surprise being 0.62%.

What the Zacks Model Unveils for PGROur proven model predicts an earnings beat for Progressive this time around. This is because the stock has the right combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) that increases the chances of an earnings beat.

You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Earnings ESP: PGR has an Earnings ESP of +5.60%. This is because the Most Accurate Estimate of $4.83 is pegged higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.58.

Zacks Rank: PGR carries a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Factors Likely to Shape Q2 ResultsProgressive’s second-quarter results are likely to benefit from higher premiums, increased net investment income and stronger fee and service income. Continued improvement in its personal auto and commercial lines businesses is likely to have added to the upside.

A strong product portfolio, leading market position and solid performance across its Vehicle and Property segments, supported by healthy policy retention and growth in policies in force, are likely to have driven an improvement in net premiums earned. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for net premiums earned stands at $21.7 billion, indicating a 7% increase from the prior-year quarter.

The Personal Auto segment is likely to have benefited from higher volumes of new and renewal applications, fueled by increased advertising spending, competitive pricing and agency incentive programs. Growth in policies in force was expected across both the agency and direct channels. The consensus estimate for personal auto policies in force is 40.1 million.

Net investment income is likely to have been aided by a larger invested asset base, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate at $935.6 million, implying 12% year-over-year growth. The company is also expected to have recorded pretax net realized gains on securities, with the consensus estimate at $403.9 million.

On the expense side, higher loss and loss-adjustment expenses, policy acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses are likely to have put upward pressure on overall costs. The consensus estimate for the expense ratio is pegged at 20.

Prudent underwriting practices, combined with relatively limited catastrophe losses, are expected to have supported underwriting profitability. The consensus estimate for combined ratio is 88.43, indicating continued operating strength.

Other Stocks to ConsiderSome other P&C insurance stocks with the right combination of elements to deliver an earnings beat this time around are:

Arch Capital Group (ACGL - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +3.40% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $2.45 per share, indicating a 5.04% year-over-year decrease.

ACGL’s earnings beat estimates in the last four reported quarters.

The Travelers Companies (TRV - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.02% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $4.92 per share, indicating a year-over-year decrease of 17.2%.

TRV’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four reported quarters.

Chubb Limited (CB - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +4.97% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $6.60 per share, indicating a year-over-year increase of 7.49%.

CB’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four reported quarters.

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NEW YORK CITY & NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Former Attorney General of Louisiana Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq. and the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC (“KSF”) are investigating the proposed sale of Global Business Travel Group, Inc. (NYSE: GBTG) to Long Lake Management. Under the terms of the proposed transaction, shareholders of Global will receive $9.50 in cash for each share of Global that they own. KSF is seeking to determine whether this consideration and the process that led to it are adequate, or whether the consideration undervalues the Company.

If you believe that this transaction undervalues the Company and/or if you would like to discuss your legal rights regarding the proposed sale, you may, without obligation or cost to you, e-mail or call KSF Managing Partner Lewis S. Kahn ([email protected]) toll free at any time at 855-768-1857, or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-gbtg/ to learn more.

To learn more about KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General, visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

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Key Takeaways R hiked its quarterly dividend by 10.9% to $1.01 per share, payable on Sept. 18 to shareholders as of Aug. 24.This marks R's 200th consecutive quarterly dividend, continuing over 50 years of uninterrupted payouts.Dividend-paying stocks are less susceptible to market swings and act as a hedge against economic uncertainty. Last week, Ryder System, Inc. (R - Free Report) ) stated that its board of directors had announced an increase in its quarterly dividend payout, reflectingthe company’s commitment to boosting shareholder value, apart from underlining confidence in its business. 

Dividend-paying stocks provide a solid income stream and have fewer chances of experiencing wild price swings. Dividend stocks are safe bets for creating wealth, as the payouts generally act as a hedge against economic uncertainty, like the current scenario. 

Given this backdrop, the question that naturally arises is: Should investors buy, hold, or sell Ryder stock now? A more in-depth analysis is needed to make that determination. Before diving into Ryder’s investment prospects, let’s take a glance at its financial numbers.

Ryder’s Recent Dividend Increase of 10.9%In a shareholder-friendly move, Ryder’s board of directors has approved a dividend hike of 10.9%, thereby raising its quarterly cash dividend to $1.01 per share ($4.04 annualized) from 91 cents ($3.64 annualized). The raised dividend will be paid on Sept. 18, 2026, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Aug. 24, 2026. The move reflects R’s intention to utilize free cash to enhance its shareholders’ returns.

R's latest dividend hike is the first increase since July 2025, implying the company’s confidence in its financial footing. This marks Ryder’s 200th consecutive quarterly cash dividend. Notably, Ryder has been making uninterrupted dividend payments for more than 50 years.

Ryder has been making uninterrupted dividend payments for more than 48 years. Ryder’s bottom line has been benefiting from its consistent efforts to reward its shareholders through dividends and share buybacks. During 2022, Ryder paid dividends of $123 million and repurchased shares worth $557 million. In 2023, Ryder paid dividends of $128 million and repurchased shares worth $337 million. In 2024, Ryder returned $456 million in cash to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. During 2025, Ryder returned $664 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividend payments. During first-quarter 2026, Ryder returned $272 million to shareholders in the form of share repurchases and dividends.

Apart from being shareholder-friendly, Ryder is well-served by its focus on contractual growth and operational discipline. Upbeat used vehicle sales, particularly in its fleet management segment, along with stable pricing and improved contractual sales activity, bode well.

Ryder's cost-cutting initiatives in response to the weak freight market conditions are also commendable. Higher free cash flow generation expectation (this reflects lower capital spending due to softer lease sales activity) for the full year is another added positive. Ryder generated $2.59 billion of cash from operating activities in 2025, higher than the $2.26 billion generated in 2024. For 2026, adjusted ROE (return on equity) is expected to be in the range of 17-18%. Net cash from operating activities is still projected to be $2.7 billion.

Ryder Stock’s Price PerformanceShares of Ryder have gained 40.5% so far this year, outperforming the Zacks  Transportation - Equipment and Leasing industry’s 11.8% increase, as well as that of other industry players, The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (GBX - Free Report) and Wabtec Corporation (WAB - Free Report) .

Ryder Stock’s YTD Price Comparison Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Attractive Valuation Picture for Ryder StockRyder looks cheap from a valuation standpoint. Considering the forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio (P/S-F12M), Ryder is trading at a discount compared to the industry.

The stock has a forward 12-month P/S-F12M of 0.76X compared with 2.26X for the industry over the past five years. These factors indicate that the stock’s valuation is attractive. Ryder has a Value Score of A.

Ryder P/S Ratio (Forward 12 Months) Vs. Industry Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

What Do Earnings Estimates Say for Ryder?The positive sentiment surrounding Ryder stock is evident from the fact that the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the third quarter of 2026 and the fourth quarter of 2026 earnings has been revised upward in the past 90 days. The consensus mark for 2026 and 2027 earnings has also been projected northward in the past 90 days.

The favorable estimate revisions indicate brokers’ confidence in the stock.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Time to Buy Ryder StockApart from being attractively valued, Ryder stock is being well-served by its focus on contractual growth and operational discipline. Upbeat used vehicle sales, particularly in its fleet management segment, along with stable pricing and improved contractual sales activity, bode well. Initiatives to reward its shareholders through dividends and buybacks are praiseworthy as well.

We believe that the positives surrounding the stock (as highlighted throughout the write-up) outweigh the concerns regarding supply-chain disruptions and high fuel costs due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, tariff-induced economic uncertainties, risks associated with an economic slowdown, geopolitical tensions and a leveraged balance sheet. We, therefore, suggest investors add Ryder stock to their portfolios for healthy returns. The company’s Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) further supports our thesis. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Key Takeaways FormFactor shares surged 110.7% YTD as record DRAM revenue and HBM demand fueled outperformance.FORM is expanding beyond memory into networking chips, GPUs, custom ASICs and co-packaged optics.FORM targets $240 million in Q2 2026 revenues, while heavy expansion spending may pressure margins. FormFactor (FORM - Free Report) shares have jumped 110.7% year to date (YTD), outperforming the Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s appreciation of 17%. The outperformance can be attributed to record DRAM revenues, driven by an accelerating high-bandwidth memory (HBM) demand and sharp margin expansion. However, FORM’s prospect remains dependent on continuing AI infrastructure spending. Heavy investments in the Farmers Branch manufacturing expansion are likely to keep margins under pressure.

Nevertheless, we believe FORM’s share price is well-poised to appreciate, driven by strong demand for HBM as well as an expanding AI exposure beyond memory into networking, GPUs and custom ASICs. These factors are expected to strengthen FORM’s competitive position against broader semiconductor competitors, including Teradyne (TER - Free Report) , Cohu (COHU - Free Report) and KLA (KLAC - Free Report) YTD. Shares of Cohu, KLA and Teradyne have returned 141.4%, 90.5% and 85.8%, respectively. So, what should investors do with the stock? Let’s dig deep to find out.

FORM Stock’s Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

AI & Strong HBM Demand Aids FORM’s ProspectFormFactor is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the AI infrastructure buildout through its leadership in HBM probe cards. The company expects another record DRAM revenue growth in the second quarter of 2026 as a second major customer ramps up adoption of FORM’s SmartMatrix technology. The company also highlighted that the transition from HBM3 to HBM4 and eventually HBM5 increases test intensity and market-share opportunities.

FormFactor is now winning business across networking chips, data-center CPUs, GPUs and custom ASICs. Management noted that networking growth helped a leading high-performance computing customer become a 10% customer for the first time. FORM also secured additional GPU design wins, expects production shipments in the second half of 2026 and is deepening engagements with hyperscalers on custom ASICs. This broadens AI exposure and reduces dependence on any single product category.

FormFactor is also benefiting from the emergence of co-packaged optics (CPO), an important AI networking technology. The company raised its 2026 CPO revenue outlook toward the high end of the previously guided $10-$20 million range, citing faster production ramps and growing demand for Triton production-test systems developed with Advantest and Tokyo Electron. Through its Triton production-test platform and Keystone Photonics acquisition, FORM expects accelerating CPO adoption to become another long-term growth driver.

FormFactor sits at the intersection of two of the industry's strongest secular trends - high-performance computing and advanced packaging. As chips become more complex, advanced packaging, HBM stacks and chiplet architectures require substantially more testing, increasing probe card demand. At Investor Day, FormFactor outlined plans to double revenue by 2030 while more than doubling non-GAAP earnings, supported by AI infrastructure growth, advanced packaging adoption and higher test intensity.

FORM’s Earnings Estimate Revision Shows Positive TrendFormFactor’s guided second-quarter 2026 revenues to $240 million (plus or minus $5 million), with non-GAAP gross margin expected at 49.5% (plus or minus 1.5%), and non-GAAP earnings projected at 61 cents (plus or minus 4 cents) per share.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at 61 cents per share, up 10.9% over the past 60 days and indicating 125.93% growth over the year-ago quarter’s reported figure. The consensus mark for second-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $240.1 million, suggesting 22.6% growth from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is pegged at $2.40 per share, up 5.7% over the past 60 days and indicating 84.62% growth over 2025’s reported figure. The consensus mark for 2026 revenues is pegged at $958.05 million, suggesting 22.1% growth from 2025’s reported figure.

FORM Shares Are Trading at a PremiumFormFactor shares are trading at a premium as suggested by a Value Score of F.

In terms of the forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S), the company is trading at 9.23X compared with the broader sector and peers. The broader sector is trading at 6.98X while Cohu, Teradyne and KLA trade at 4.28X, 11.24X and 17.47X, respectively.

FORM Stock’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

ConclusionFormFactor is benefiting from the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure, leveraging its leadership in semiconductor probe cards and wafer-level testing technologies. As hyperscalers and chipmakers invest heavily in AI servers, the demand for HBM, GPUs, networking chips and custom AI accelerators continues to rise, significantly increasing the need for advanced semiconductor testing solutions. Momentum is also supported by co-packaged optics programs, including the Triton production-test ramp and the Keystone Photonics acquisition that expands optical probing capability. These factors justify a premium valuation.

FormFactor currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), which implies that investors should start accumulating the stock right now. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Key Takeaways DigitalOcean expects Q2 revenue growth of about 29%, accelerating from 14% a year earlier. Nine-figure AI commitments should lift RPO above $800 million, more than 10 times the year-ago level. Contract duration should exceed three years as committed data center capacity reaches about 155 MW. DigitalOcean (DOCN - Free Report) shares have soared 171.2% year to date, significantly outperforming the Zacks Computer and Technology sector's return of 16.9%. The rally has been fueled by accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, an increasing number of enterprise clients and improving financial performance as the company transforms itself into an AI-native cloud platform.

However, the momentum has hit a brake in the past three sessions following DigitalOcean’s preliminary second-quarter 2026 results, which were announced on July 7. Shares lost 4.8% to close at $130.49 on July 10 and were roughly 3% down at the time of writing this article.

DOCN expects remaining performance obligations (RPO) to exceed $800 million, up more than 10 times year over year. The increase is being driven by multiple new nine-figure annual customer commitments for AI inference and cloud services. The weighted average contract duration is also expected to rise from 1.6 years to more than three years, significantly improving long-term revenue visibility.

DigitalOcean expects second-quarter revenue growth of approximately 29%, accelerating from 14% in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin and non-GAAP earnings per share are projected to be at or above the high end of previously issued guidance.

To support growing AI demand, the company has secured an additional 20 megawatts (MW) of committed data center capacity for late 2027 and early 2028, bringing total committed capacity to approximately 155 MW. These large customer commitments reinforce DigitalOcean's position as an emerging AI infrastructure provider while providing greater certainty around future revenues.

AI Expansion Supports DigitalOcean's Growth StoryThe preliminary second-quarter outlook builds on DigitalOcean's strong first-quarter execution. In the first quarter of 2026, revenues increased 22% year over year to $258 million, while AI customer annual recurring revenues (ARR) surged 221% year over year to $170 million. ARR from customers generating more than $1 million annually climbed 179% to $183 million, underscoring accelerating adoption among larger enterprise customers.

DigitalOcean has transformed from a traditional cloud infrastructure provider into a full-stack AI-native cloud platform that combines GPU infrastructure, inference services, managed databases, Kubernetes and AI agents within a single integrated platform. This strategy simplifies AI deployment, reduces vendor lock-in and positions the company to benefit from growing enterprise demand for AI inference and agentic workloads. The company continues to invest aggressively in AI infrastructure, product innovation and data center capacity to support future growth.

DOCN’s Earnings Estimate Revision Trend SteadyThe Zacks Consensus mark for earnings per share is pegged at 26 cents, unchanged over the past 30 days. The figure implies a year-over-year decrease of 55.93%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $274.73 million, indicating year-over-year growth of 25.62%.

DOCN's Zacks Rank & Other Stocks to ConsiderCurrently, DigitalOcean carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Digital Turbine (APPS - Free Report) , Dell Technologies (DELL - Free Report) and Analog Devices (ADI - Free Report) are some other top-ranked stocks that investors can consider in the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector. Digital Turbine, Dell Technologies and Analog Devices sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) each at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

APPS shares have rallied 111.2% in the year-to-date period. The long-term earnings growth rate for Digital Turbine is pegged at 18.98%.

DELL shares have surged 245.5% in the year-to-date period. The long-term earnings growth rate for Dell Technologies is pegged at 26.35%.

Shares of ADI have gained 45.9% in the year-to-date period. The long-term earnings growth rate for Analog Devices is pegged at 28.76%.

Key Takeaways Rigetti pairs its Fab-1 chip facility with a modular architecture aimed at scaling quantum systems.A 108-qubit C-DAC contract signals rising demand for dedicated quantum infrastructure.Shares are down 25.4% YTD, while 2026 earnings estimates imply a 71.9% year-over-year improvement. Artificial intelligence did not become a transformative technology overnight. While advances in algorithms were important, widespread adoption accelerated only after the underlying hardware ecosystem matured. Quantum computing could be entering a similar phase, with the focus gradually shifting from scientific breakthroughs to building the infrastructure needed for commercial adoption. That trend could create opportunities for companies like Rigetti Computing (RGTI - Free Report) , which is investing in manufacturing capabilities and scalable hardware architecture alongside advances in quantum performance.

Rigetti differentiates itself through its vertically integrated approach. The company owns and operates Fab-1, a dedicated quantum chip fabrication facility that provides greater control over manufacturing and product development. Its modular architecture is designed to support larger quantum systems by connecting multiple chips, potentially offering a more scalable path than relying solely on increasingly complex monolithic processors. At the same time, commercial momentum appears to be improving.

Rigetti recently secured a contract to deliver a 108-qubit quantum computer to India's Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), highlighting growing demand from governments and research institutions for dedicated quantum infrastructure. While the company remains in the early stages of commercialization and execution risks persist, its strategy suggests Rigetti is positioning itself not just as a quantum hardware developer but as a provider of the infrastructure that could support the industry's long-term growth.

Peers UpdatesQuantum Computing Inc. (QUBT - Free Report) , or QCi, recently completed its acquisition of NHanced Semiconductors in a deal valued at $73.1 million in cash and stock, with potential additional milestone payments of up to $72 million. The transaction expands QCi's semiconductor fabrication and advanced packaging capabilities, supporting the company's transition from research and prototyping to scalable commercial manufacturing. The acquisition also adds specialized engineering expertise, strengthening QCi's ability to develop and produce its photonic quantum technologies at scale.

IonQ (IONQ - Free Report) recently unveiled Clavis XG Multiplex, a new addition to its Clavis XG Quantum Key Distribution portfolio, designed to make quantum security even more practical and deployable across metropolitan fiber networks. The Clavis XG product line stands out for its enterprise-grade network integration, offering benefits in form factor and maintenance to configuration and management. IonQ also recently opened a new laboratory suite in Boulder, CO, to support quantum computing R&D and semiconductor chip testing facilities.

Rigetti’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates

Shares of RGTI have lost 25.4% in the year-to-date period compared with the industry’s decline of 4.7%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Rigetti trades at a price-to-book ratio of 9.42, above the industry average. RGTI carries a Value Score of F.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Rigetti’s 2026 earnings implies a significant 71.9% improvement from the year-ago period.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The company currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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Jim Cramer says a single AI product decision at Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META | META Price Prediction) just moved the stock roughly $100 per share, and he is using it as Exhibit A for why big tech is nearly impossible to trim.

In his Sunday column, Cramer wrote that on the June 30 episode of Mad Money he argued a cloud business announcement from Meta would be “worth an easy 100 points, or $100 per share, for the stock,” back when shares closed at $563. Ten trading days later, they closed at $669.21.

That is a 14.81% move in a single week and a 17.31% move in a month on a company with a $1.7 trillion market cap. Cramer’s takeaway, published on CNBC: “By a simple stroke of a pen, Meta gives you 100 points, or almost 20%.”

The Catalyst Cramer Called The specific event was Meta signaling it would rent out excess AI compute. Zuckerberg told Bloomberg last week that “the offers that you get for using the compute are so high that it may make sense, in some cases, to rent out or consider those kind of deals instead of your own internal uses.” Meta jumped 5.97% on Friday, July 10, closing at $669.21.

The compute-monetization pivot lands on top of Meta Superintelligence Labs, the new AI research entity Zuckerberg introduced on the Q1 2026 call. He described it as a “milestone quarter” that included “the release of our first model from Meta Superintelligence Labs” and reiterated the goal of “personal superintelligence to billions of people.”

The Numbers Under the Rally Meta’s Q1 2026 report, filed with the SEC on April 29, showed revenue of $56.31 billion, up 33.08% year over year, and EPS of $10.44 against a $6.66 estimate. The advertising engine grew 33%, with ad impressions +19% and average price per ad +12%. Family daily active people reached 3.56 billion.

The catch: capex. Meta raised full-year 2026 capital expenditure guidance to $125–145 billion, up from a prior $115–135 billion range. Q1 capex alone hit $19 billion. Cramer’s argument is that the compute-rental pivot changes how investors should think about that spend, because dormant infrastructure suddenly becomes a revenue line rather than a capex sinkhole.

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Debt Versus AI Payback The bear case Cramer is answering is leverage. Total debt has climbed from $13.87 billion at year-end 2021 to $86.77 billion at the end of Q1 2026. Capital lease obligations tied to AI data centers doubled to $28.02 billion. Debt-to-equity has moved from 0.111 to 0.356.

The offset is cash generation. Retained earnings reached $144.65 billion. Operating cash flow in Q1 was $32.23 billion. Liquid assets total $51.84 billion, and the current ratio sits at 2.35x.

Investors sorting the AI winners from the also-rans may find useful context in our 7 Stocks Powering the AI Boom (That Aren’t Chipmakers) report, which frames why hyperscalers with in-house monetization paths get valued differently than pure infrastructure plays.

What to Watch Next At 24x trailing earnings and 19x forward, Meta is not cheap on a growth-adjusted basis, but the analyst consensus target of $828.34 implies room above current levels, backed by 49 Buy and 8 Strong Buy ratings against zero Sell calls. Q2 revenue guidance is $58–61 billion.

Prediction markets are notably split on tempo. Polymarket traders assign a 64.5% probability that shares finish today lower, yet give Meta an 80.5% chance of ending 2026 with a higher valuation than OpenAI. That is the exact tension Cramer’s column captures: near-term digestion is possible, but the AI optionality is the reason he says these names are so hard to leave.

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Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Tesla stock TSLA fell more than 3% on Monday as investors continued to wait for further progress in the company's artificial intelligence initiatives.

The electric-vehicle maker's stock traded at $393.56 during Monday's session.

The broader market also came under pressure after President Donald Trump announced he was reinstating what he described as a blockade on Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The S&P 500 fell 0.4%, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 132 points, or 0.3%.

Trump said in a post on Truth Social: “We are reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving.”

Tesla investors have increasingly focused on the company's artificial intelligence strategy, particularly the rollout of its autonomous robotaxi service and the commercialization of its Optimus humanoid robot.

The company launched its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, in June 2025. While the launch generated significant attention, the expansion has progressed gradually.

The service now operates in several cities but remains substantially smaller than Alphabet's Waymo.

Tesla has yet to begin commercial sales of Optimus, although it is preparing manufacturing capacity for the humanoid robot.

On Friday, the company released a video showing the decommissioning of the Model S and Model X production lines at its Fremont, California, facility.

According to Tesla, the process of removing tooling and infrastructure took less than 50 days, allowing the factory to prepare for Optimus production while continuing to manufacture Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.

Tesla announced in January that it would discontinue production of the Model S and Model X to repurpose manufacturing capacity for robots. Chief Executive Elon Musk has described humanoid robots as a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity.

Despite those plans, investors continue to await updates on the latest version of Optimus as competing robotics companies.

Tesla is expected to provide additional updates on Optimus when it reports second-quarter earnings on July 22.

Jefferies raised its price target on Tesla to $400 from $375 while maintaining a Hold rating, citing the company's stronger-than-expected second-quarter automotive deliveries.

Tesla reported second-quarter deliveries of 480,126 vehicles, including 467,800 Model 3 and Model Y units, exceeding the consensus estimate of around 410,000 vehicles.

Following the delivery results, Jefferies increased its second-quarter earnings before interest and taxes estimate to $1.45 billion, representing a 5.1% margin.

The firm also increased its automotive revenue forecast to $21 billion, including $250 million in zero-emission vehicle credits and $500 million in leasing revenue.

Jefferies expects total group revenue of $28.7 billion and group EBIT of $1.45 billion for the quarter.

Earlier this month, RBC Capital raised its price target on Tesla to $500 from $475, incorporating a premium tied to a potential merger with SpaceX while also updating its standalone valuation for the automaker.

Analyst Tom Narayan said the revised target reflects "a 25-30% premium to current trading levels (and a 15% premium to the stock's intrinsic value) owing to a potential SpaceX acquisition scenario based on unconfirmed media reports."

According to RBC, the most likely transaction structure would involve an all-stock acquisition in which SpaceX acquires Tesla at a 20% to 30% premium.

The firm said the rationale centers on operational collaboration, including proprietary chip manufacturing, Megapacks for data center energy requirements, and joint AI training and fleet management services.

RBC also said Tesla shareholders would likely require a premium because Musk "would control 50%+ of a combined entity, well above the ~20% stake he currently holds in Tesla."

Excluding any potential SpaceX acquisition premium, RBC valued Tesla at $435 per share.

Within that valuation, Narayan increased the firm's robotaxi segment valuation by 20%, citing a higher forecast for the global robotaxi fleet and describing the business as "currently Tesla's most robust opportunity" within a $4.2 trillion total addressable market.

Nvidia NVDA stock declined on Monday, even as fresh announcements on artificial intelligence infrastructure spending reinforced expectations of continued demand for the chipmaker's products.

Shares of Nvidia were down 3.2% at $204.12 in trading.

The decline broadly tracked weakness in the wider market, with the Nasdaq Composite falling 1.4%. However, Nvidia outperformed the broader semiconductor sector, as the PHLX Semiconductor Index fell 4.8%.

Despite Monday's move, Nvidia has significantly lagged the broader chip sector this year.

Through Friday's close, the PHLX Semiconductor Index had gained 75%, while Nvidia shares were up just 12%.

The latest AI infrastructure announcement came from Meta Platforms, which said on Monday it would increase spending on its Louisiana data center to more than $50 billion.

Meta, alongside SpaceX, is one of Nvidia's major customers and uses the company's hardware to train its latest artificial intelligence models.

John Belton, portfolio manager at Gabelli Funds, said in a Barron's report continued competition among AI model developers could benefit Nvidia.

“Fragmentation in the LLM [large language model] space is a good thing for Nvidia. While they still have an opportunity to grow share with [Claude developer] Anthropic, it isn’t necessarily a great thing for Nvidia longer term if the model-as-a-service space starts to look like a winner take all market.”

Wall Street also remains broadly optimistic on Nvidia despite the stock's relative underperformance.

According to FactSet, the company now trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of less than 20 times, while the average analyst price target stands at $313.39.

Mizuho Securities analyst Vijay Rakesh reiterated an Outperform rating and a $300 price target on Saturday, arguing that Nvidia would benefit from an expected $1.2 trillion in data center capital expenditures next year.

Tech strategist Dan Ives also expressed confidence in Nvidia during an interview with CNBC, dismissing the recent weakness in the stock.

According to Ives, investors have recently shifted their attention toward memory stocks, creating what he described as the "shiny new toy" effect.

“You’ve seen so many of these names, when the ones that are actually at the center, whether it’s the hyperscalers or Nvidia… those are actually the ones, to some extent, almost in the penalty box.”

Valuation, earnings and supply remain key focusIves argued that there is a disconnect between market performance and the companies driving AI development.

“The reality is, there’s one chip in the world fueling the AI revolution, that’s by the godfather of AI the revolution, Jensen of Nvidia.”

According to Koyfin data, Nvidia's forward price-to-earnings ratio has recovered to around 21.2 after falling to 19.6 last week, levels last seen in January 2019.

Ives also pointed to the importance of the upcoming earnings season in assessing AI monetization.

“When you look at memory, where is memory with Nvidia? Where's memory without hyperscalers? This all plays into what's going to be a crucial earnings season in Q2 for monetization.”

He added that demand for AI chips continues to exceed available supply.

“I continue to see chip demand far outstripping supply,” estimating the demand-to-supply ratio at “15-to-1.”