First BanCorp. NYSE: FBP reported higher second-quarter 2026 earnings and record pre-tax pre-provision income, with management citing stronger loan growth, expanding net interest income and stable credit trends across the franchise.
The Puerto Rico-based banking company earned $96.1 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, for the quarter, compared with $88 million, or $0.57 per share, in the prior quarter. President and Chief Executive Officer Aurelio Alemán said net income was up 24% from the same quarter last year.
Pre-tax pre-provision income reached an all-time high of $138 million, up 5% from the previous quarter and 11% from a year earlier. Return on average assets was 2.02%, compared with 1.89% in the first quarter. Alemán said it marked the company’s 18th consecutive quarter with ROA above 1.5%.
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CFO Said Ortiz said quarterly results included approximately $3.4 million of additional interest income tied to two refinancings, one commercial loan and one municipal bond, which led to accelerated recognition of deferred fees or discounts. Excluding that impact, net income would have been about $93 million, or approximately $0.60 per diluted share.
Loan Growth Accelerates as Commercial Activity Strengthens Total loans reached $13.3 billion, up 5% on a linked-quarter annualized basis. Alemán said growth was driven primarily by commercial activity in Puerto Rico, while consumer portfolios showed better stability than expected.
Total loan originations were $1.7 billion during the quarter, a 21% increase from the prior year. Management said the pipeline supports continued activity through the remainder of 2026 and reaffirmed its full-year loan growth target of 3% to 5%.
During the question-and-answer session, Alemán said commercial originations reflected a mix of activity, including acquisitions, commercial real estate, construction, C&I, warehousing, hotels, healthcare and government-related refinancing. He also noted solid activity in Florida, including from the company’s Boca Raton office opened late last year.
Asked about business momentum in Puerto Rico, Alemán highlighted hospitality as a particularly strong sector, citing positive trends in average daily rates, occupancy and visitors, as well as ongoing hotel projects. He said investor confidence in the island remained strong despite broader political and macroeconomic uncertainty.
Net Interest Income Rises, Margin Guidance Moves Higher Net interest income increased 3.7% from the prior quarter to $229.1 million, compared with $221 million in the first quarter. Ortiz said the increase included the $3.4 million benefit from fee and discount acceleration. Excluding that impact, interest income on loans rose $1.7 million, while interest income on investments and cash increased $4.5 million.
The company continued to reinvest cash flows from maturing securities into higher-yielding instruments. Ortiz said the yield on the investment portfolio increased by 18 basis points, excluding the refinancing-related benefit.
Funding costs were managed lower overall, with total deposit costs declining by two basis points from the previous quarter. The cost of time deposits, excluding brokered deposits and public funds, decreased by eight basis points to 3.26%, while the cost of interest-bearing checking and savings accounts rose by five basis points to 1.26%, driven by higher rates on certain government accounts.
Ortiz said the company’s net interest margin, excluding the accelerated fee and discount recognition, would have been approximately 4.80%, up five basis points from the prior quarter. Management now expects margin expansion of three to five basis points per quarter for the rest of 2026, assuming no rate cuts in the second half of the year.
In response to an analyst question, Ortiz said approximately $400 million of securities are expected to reprice in the second half of 2026 at a current yield of about 1.92%, with about $1.2 billion of repricing expected over the next 18 months.
Deposits Increase, Expenses Stay Near Guidance Total deposits increased by $274 million during the quarter. Alemán said the increase was primarily driven by government deposits, with a slight rise in core customer deposits. He noted that government deposits can be volatile due to reconstruction-related funds moving in and out of accounts, but said liquidity remains solid.
Noninterest income was $35.7 million, down from $37.7 million in the prior quarter, mainly due to seasonal commissions typically received in the first quarter. Operating expenses were relatively flat at $127.3 million. Excluding gains from OREO operations, expenses were $128.2 million, which Ortiz said was at the lower end of guidance.
The efficiency ratio improved to 48.1% from 49.1% in the previous quarter. Management expects quarterly expenses for the remainder of 2026, excluding OREO gains or losses, to range from $128 million to $130 million, reflecting merit increases, business promotions and technology-related project expenses.
Alemán said the company continues to invest in technology, cloud transformation, artificial intelligence and branch expansion. He said AI efforts are focused on automating routine processes, improving customer service and shortening process life cycles.
Credit Trends Remain Stable Despite Higher Early Delinquencies Credit performance remained broadly sound, though early-stage delinquency rose during the quarter. Ortiz said early-stage delinquency increased by approximately $32.9 million from the prior quarter, mainly due to a $20.7 million increase in the auto finance leases portfolio. However, he said early delinquency in the consumer portfolio was still about $10.3 million lower than in December 2025.
Non-performing assets increased by $5.1 million from the previous quarter, primarily due to the inflow of a $14.8 million C&I loan in Florida. Ortiz said the loan is well collateralized. Excluding that relationship, non-performing assets declined by $9.7 million, with reductions in residential mortgages, consumer loans and repossessed autos.
The allowance for credit losses was $245 million, or 1.85% of total loans, relatively flat from the previous quarter. Ortiz said increases tied to loan growth and higher auto finance lease delinquencies were offset by improved macroeconomic projections and better delinquency in unsecured consumer loans.
Alemán said the increase in auto delinquencies appeared seasonal, following a first-quarter improvement attributed to consumer liquidity from tax refunds and other factors. He said delinquency levels were better than in December and in line with prior years.
Capital Remains Strong as Buybacks and Dividends Continue First BanCorp ended the quarter with a Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 17%. The company completed $50 million of share repurchases and paid a $0.20 per-share dividend during the quarter, according to Alemán.
Ortiz said tangible book value per share rose to $12.68, while the tangible common equity ratio declined three basis points to 10.08% due mainly to growth in tangible assets. He said regulatory capital ratios remained well above required levels, with earnings offsetting capital deployment and risk-weighted asset growth.
Asked about potential M&A, Alemán said the company remains open to opportunities that would be a strategic fit and align with its operating model, but emphasized that organic growth remains the primary focus. He said management continues to evaluate capital deployment options and will provide more detail when it updates its capital plan later in the year.
About First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP)First BanCorp NYSE: FBP is a financial holding company headquartered in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Through its principal banking subsidiary, FirstBank Puerto Rico, the company offers a comprehensive range of banking services including commercial and consumer lending, deposit products, cash management solutions and treasury services. It also provides mortgage origination and servicing, equipment leasing, investment management, and insurance agency services.
In its commercial banking segment, First BanCorp serves small and midsize enterprises as well as large corporate clients, delivering tailored credit facilities, letters of credit, and foreign trade financing.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
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First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) Q2 2026 Earnings Call July 22, 2026 8:30 AM EDT
Company Participants
Scott Crawley - Senior VP & Controller
Archie Brown - President, CEO & Director
James Anderson - Executive VP, CFO & COO
Conference Call Participants
Brendan Nosal - Hovde Group, LLC, Research Division
Daniel Tamayo - Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Research Division
Brandon Rud - Stephens Inc., Research Division
Brian Foran - Truist Securities, Inc., Research Division
Presentation
Operator
Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining us, and welcome to the First Financial Bancorp Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call and Webcast. [Operator Instructions]
I will now hand the conference over to Scott Crawley, Corporate Controller. Scott, please go ahead.
Scott Crawley
Senior VP & Controller
Thank you, Leah. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us on today's conference call to discuss First Financial Bancorp's second quarter financial results. Participating on today's call will be Archie Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer; Jamie Anderson, Chief Financial Officer; and Bill Harrod, Chief Credit Officer.
Both the press release we issued yesterday and the accompanying slide presentation are available on our website at www.bankatfirst.com under the Investor Relations section. We will make reference to the slides contained in the accompanying presentation during today's call. Additionally, please refer to the forward-looking statement disclosure contained in the second quarter 2026 earnings release as well as our SEC filings for a full discussion of the company's risk factors. The information we will provide today is accurate as of June 30, 2026, and we will not be updating any forward-looking statements to reflect facts or circumstances after this call.
I'll now turn the call over to Archie Brown.
Archie Brown
President, CEO & Director
Thanks, Scott. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us on today's call. With second quarter earnings and the Finward announcement, we
NEW YORK, July 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds Hub Group, Inc. (“Hub Group” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: HUBG) investors of the August 28, 2026 deadline involving a securities fraud class action lawsuit commenced against the Company.
Should You Join The Hub Group Class Action Lawsuit:
Do you, or did you, own shares of Hub Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HUBG)?
Did you purchase your shares between April 28, 2023 and May 11, 2026, inclusive?
Did you lose money in your investment in Hub Group, Inc.?
Investors are encouraged to act promptly and submit a form at Hub Group, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected].
If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff for the Class, you must file papers by August 28, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on other class members’ behalf in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn’t require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.
All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses.
About The Lawsuit:
A lawsuit was filed on behalf of investors (the “Class”) who purchased or acquired the securities of Hub Group between April 28, 2023 and May 11, 2026, inclusive, alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its senior officers.
The lawsuit alleges that defendants made materially false and misleading statements and omissions regarding the Company’s business operations, growth prospects, and financial stability. As a result of these alleged misrepresentations, Hub Group securities traded at artificially inflated prices during the Class Period. When the truth was disclosed, investors allegedly suffered significant losses.
About Bernstein Liebhard:
Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal’s “Plaintiffs’ Hot List” thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.
Key Dates and Disclosure Events Hub Group Shareholders Need to Know: A Three-Year Pattern of Alleged Misstatements Exposed by Two Corrective Disclosures
, /PRNewswire/ -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP encourages investors who suffered losses in Hub Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HUBG) to contact the firm.
WHO IS AFFECTED: Those who purchased HUBG securities between April 28, 2023 and May 11, 2026 may be entitled to recover damages. Find out if you are eligible to recover losses or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. at [email protected] or (212) 363-7500.
HUBG shares fell a cumulative $14.71 per share, or 28.6%, from $51.33 on February 5, 2026, to $36.62 after the second corrective disclosure on May 12, 2026. The window to apply for lead plaintiff closes on August 28, 2026.
April 27, 2023. July 27, 2023. October 26, 2023. February 1, 2024. Quarter after quarter, Hub Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HUBG) executives allegedly certified financial statements that materially understated the Company's largest expense category. Between these dates, investors purchased HUBG shares at prices allegedly inflated by false cost figures and fabricated internal controls certifications.
Chronology of Material Events
The securities action chronicles a pattern spanning eleven consecutive quarters of alleged misrepresentation.
April 27, 2023 — Class Period Opens With Earnings Call
Management reported $1.2 billion in quarterly revenue, calling it the "second highest first quarter revenue in the history of our company." The complaint alleges that underlying cost figures were already misstated.
May 2023 Through November 2025 — Eleven Quarters of SOX Certifications
Across every quarterly and annual filing from Q1 2023 through Q3 2025, officers certified that disclosure controls and internal controls over financial reporting were "effective." Each filing was accompanied by Sarbanes-Oxley certifications attesting that financial statements "fairly present in all material respects" the Company's financial condition. The lawsuit contends these certifications were false.
May 8, 2025 — The 'Strong Cost Controls' Claim
During the Q1 2025 earnings call, management attributed an $82 million year-over-year decrease in purchased transportation and warehousing costs to "strong cost controls as well as lower rail and warehouse expenses." The action claims this characterization was materially misleading because the cost decrease was substantially caused by the understatement of expenses, not operational efficiency.
Timeline of Alleged Disclosure Failures
Q1 2023 through Q4 2024: Annual and quarterly reports allegedly contained prematurely or incorrectly recognized revenue transactions, later deemed unreliable Q1 2025 through Q3 2025: Purchased transportation costs and accounts payable were allegedly understated by a cumulative $77 million across three quarters February 5, 2026: Hub Group disclosed that financial statements for the first three quarters of 2025 "should no longer be relied upon," sending shares down 18% in a single session May 12, 2026: The Company extended the unreliability determination to 2023 and 2024 annual reports, revealing "certain transactions that were prematurely or incorrectly recognized or not adequately supported" May 28, 2026: The CFO's departure was announced, following the May 12 disclosure February 5, 2026 — First Corrective Disclosure
Hub Group revealed a $77 million understatement of purchased transportation costs and accounts payable for the first nine months of 2025. The Company announced plans to restate Q1, Q2, and Q3 2025 financial statements. HUBG shares dropped from $51.33 to $41.96, a decline of $9.37 per share.
May 12, 2026 — Second Corrective Disclosure Widens the Scope
The Company disclosed that its 2023 and 2024 annual reports were also materially misstated and should no longer be relied upon. Hub Group admitted it expected to conclude that internal controls were ineffective for both years. Shares fell an additional $5.24, from $41.86 to $36.62.
Submit your claim before the deadline or call Joseph E. Levi, Esq. at (212) 363-7500.
"Timely disclosure of material developments is fundamental to fair and efficient markets. The timeline in this case raises questions about why investors were not informed of these accounting issues for nearly three years while officers continued to certify the accuracy of financial reports." -- Joseph E. Levi, Esq.
Act now to protect your rights or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. at [email protected] or (212) 363-7500.
INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR REPRESENTATION — Levi & Korsinsky, LLP provides sophisticated counsel to institutional investors evaluating lead plaintiff opportunities. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars. Ranked among ISS Top 50 for seven consecutive years.
Frequently Asked Questions About the HUBG Lawsuit
Q: When did Hub Group allegedly mislead investors? A: The class period runs from April 28, 2023 to May 11, 2026. During this time, Hub Group allegedly filed materially misstated financial reports across eleven consecutive quarters and certified that internal controls were effective when they were not. The alleged fraud was revealed through two corrective disclosures on February 5, 2026 and May 12, 2026, causing significant stock declines.
Q: How much did HUBG stock drop? A: Shares fell approximately 28.6%, a cumulative decline of $14.71 per share, from a Class Period high of $51.33 on February 5, 2026, to $36.62 after Hub Group disclosed on May 12, 2026 that its 2023 and 2024 annual reports were also materially misstated. Investors who purchased shares during the class period at artificially inflated prices may be entitled to compensation.
Q: What is the HUBG lead plaintiff deadline? A: The deadline to apply for lead plaintiff appointment is August 28, 2026. This deadline applies only to investors seeking to serve as lead plaintiff. Class members who do not apply may still participate in any recovery without taking action before this date.
Q: What do HUBG investors need to do right now? A: Gather brokerage records including purchase dates, share quantities, and prices paid. Contact Levi & Korsinsky for a free, no-obligation evaluation at [email protected] or (212) 363-7500. No immediate action is required to remain eligible as a class member.
Q: What if I already sold my HUBG shares -- can I still recover losses? A: Yes. Eligibility is based on when you purchased, not whether you still hold them. Investors who bought during the class period and sold at a loss may still participate.
Q: Do I need to go to court or give testimony? A: No. The overwhelming majority of class members never appear in court or give depositions. You submit a claim form to receive your portion of recovery.
Q: What does it cost me to participate? A: Nothing. Securities class actions are handled on a pure contingency basis. No upfront fees, no retainer, no out-of-pocket costs.
Q: How long will the lawsuit take to resolve? A: Securities class actions typically take two to four years from initial filing to resolution.
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $HUBG #Logistics--Robbins LLP reminds stockholders that a class action was filed on behalf of all investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Hub Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HUBG) securities between April 28, 2023 and May 11, 2026. Hub Group is a transportation logistics company that provides trucking services across North America.For more information, submit a form, email attorney Aaron Dumas, Jr., or give us a call at (800) 350-6003.What are the allegations?Shareholders allege that Hub Gr.
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - July 22, 2026) - Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Hub Group, Inc. ("Hub Group" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: HUBG) on behalf of investors that purchased or otherwise acquired Hub Group securities between April 28, 2023 and May 11, 2026 (the "Class Period").
CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INVESTIGATION
If you are an investor in Hub Group and have suffered losses, you may CLICK HERE to contact us. You may also contact Kaplan Fox by emailing [email protected] or by calling (646) 315-9003.
DEADLINE REMINDER: If you are a member of the proposed Class, you may move the court no later than August 28, 2026 to serve as a lead plaintiff for the purported class. If you have losses we encourage you to contact us to learn more about the lead plaintiff process. You need not seek to become a lead plaintiff in order to share in any possible recovery.
On February 5, 2026, Hub Group announced preliminary fourth quarter and full year 2025 results and disclosed the identification of a $77 million accounting error due to "the understatement of purchased transportation costs and accounts payable in the first nine months of 2025." Additionally, the Company said it "plans to restate its financial statements for the first, second and third quarters of 2025," and "is continuing to assess the potential impact to its consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023."
On this news, the price of Hub Group stock fell $9.37 per share, or 18.25%, to close at $41.96 per share on February 6, 2026.
Then, on May 12, 2026, Hub Group announced that it had "identified certain transactions that were prematurely or incorrectly recognized or not adequately supported," causing its 2023 and 2024 annual reports filed with the SEC to be "materially misstated," such that they "should no longer be relied upon." The Company did not quantify the expected misstatement, although it stated that it "expects to conclude that it did not maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting for each of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023."
On this news, the price of Hub Group stock fell $5.24 per share, about 12.5%, to close at $36.62 per share on May 12, 2026.
The complaint alleges, among other things, that throughout the Class Period, the Company's financial statements contained material misstatements caused by the premature and incorrect recognition of certain transactions and other material misstatements caused by the understatement of purchased transportation costs and accounts payable.
WHY CONTACT KAPLAN FOX?
Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP is a nationally recognized law firm focused on complex litigation, with offices in New York, Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New Jersey. Founded in 1956, the firm has spent more than 50 years prosecuting securities, antitrust, and consumer protection actions in federal and state courts nationwide, recovering more than $10 billion for clients and the classes it has represented.
Kaplan Fox is widely regarded as one of the nation's premier plaintiffs' securities litigation firms and has received recognition from Chambers and Partners, Benchmark Litigation, Super Lawyers, and Lawdragon. Serving as lead or co-lead counsel in many landmark cases, the firm has secured some of the largest recoveries in the history of securities litigation, including a $2.425 billion recovery on behalf of Bank of America shareholders in In re Bank of America—the largest recovery ever obtained for claims under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act—$800 million recovered for the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System and other pension funds in ATRS v. Allianz Global Investors, and a $475 million settlement in In re Merrill Lynch.
For decades, Kaplan Fox has represented public pension funds, institutional investors, businesses, and individuals in high-stakes litigation. Through its successful advocacy and precedent-setting victories, the firm has helped shape important areas of securities and corporate law while advancing accountability and protecting investor interests.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
If you have any questions about this Notice, your rights, or your interests, please contact:
Contacting or submitting information to Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP does not create an attorney-client relationship, nor an obligation on the part of Kaplan Fox to retain you as a client.
https://www.kaplanfox.com/case/hub-group-inc/
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/305974
Source: Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP
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Wall Street analysts expect Sallie Mae (SLM - Free Report) to post quarterly earnings of $0.46 per share in its upcoming report, which indicates a year-over-year increase of 43.8%. Revenues are expected to be $355.22 million, down 5.7% from the year-ago quarter.
Over the last 30 days, there has been an upward revision of 1.1% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter, leading to its current level. This signifies the covering analysts' collective reconsideration of their initial forecasts over the course of this timeframe.
Ahead of a company's earnings disclosure, it is crucial to give due consideration to changes in earnings estimates. These revisions serve as a noteworthy factor in predicting potential investor reactions to the stock. Numerous empirical studies consistently demonstrate a strong relationship between trends in earnings estimate revision and the short-term price performance of a stock.
While investors typically use consensus earnings and revenue estimates as a yardstick to evaluate the company's quarterly performance, scrutinizing analysts' projections for some of the company's key metrics can offer a more comprehensive perspective.
Given this perspective, it's time to examine the average forecasts of specific Sallie Mae metrics that are routinely monitored and predicted by Wall Street analysts.
The consensus among analysts is that 'Net Interest Margin' will reach 5.0%. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 5.3%.
Analysts expect 'Net Interest Income' to come in at $355.48 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $376.82 million.
It is projected by analysts that the 'Other income' will reach $46.42 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $29.43 million.
Analysts predict that the 'Total Non-Interest Income' will reach $56.98 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $26.78 million.
View all Key Company Metrics for Sallie Mae here>>>
Shares of Sallie Mae have demonstrated returns of +8.4% over the past month compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.3% change. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), SLM is expected to mirror the overall market performance in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
NEW YORK, July 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds Insulet Corporation (“Insulet” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PODD) of the August 31, 2026 deadline involving a securities fraud class action lawsuit commenced against the Company.
Should You Join The Insulet Class Action Lawsuit:
Do you, or did you, own shares of Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ: PODD)?Did you purchase your shares between February 21, 2025 and May 26, 2026, inclusive?Did you lose money in your investment in Insulet Corporation? Investors are encouraged to act promptly and submit a form at Insulet Corporation Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected].
If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff for the Class, you must file papers by August 31, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on other class members’ behalf in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn’t require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.
All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses.
About The Lawsuit:
A lawsuit was filed on behalf of investors (the “Class”) who purchased or acquired the securities of Insulet between February 21, 2025 and May 26, 2026, inclusive, alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its senior officers.
The lawsuit alleges that defendants made materially false and misleading statements and omissions regarding the Company’s business operations, growth prospects, and financial stability. As a result of these alleged misrepresentations, Insulet securities traded at artificially inflated prices during the Class Period. When the truth was disclosed, investors allegedly suffered significant losses.
About Bernstein Liebhard:
Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal’s “Plaintiffs’ Hot List” thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Insulet To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options
If you purchased or acquired securities in Insulet between February 21, 2025 and May 26, 2026 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).
[You may also click here for additional information]
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - July 22, 2026) - Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Insulet Corporation ("Insulet" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: PODD) and reminds investors of the August 31, 2026 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.
Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.
As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (i) Insulet's manufacturing controls and procedures were defective; (ii) the foregoing created a foreseeable heightened risk that one or more Insulet products would be found to be in violation of applicable safety regulations and/or pose a risk of injury; and (iii) as a result, Defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
The truth began to emerge on March 12, 2026, when Insulet disclosed that it had "initiated a voluntary Medical Device Correction for specific lots of Omnipod® 5 Pods after identifying a manufacturing issue through its ongoing product monitoring."
On this news, Insulet's stock price fell $16.23 per share, or 6.88%, to close at $219.84 per share on March 13, 2026.
Then, on May 26, 2026, Insulet disclosed the "initat[ion]" of another "voluntary Medical Device Correction", this time "for specific lots of Omnipod® 5, Omnipod Dash®, and Omnipod® Insulin Management System (Omnipod Eros) Pods due to a manufacturing issue, identified through ongoing product monitoring, that could result in insulin under-delivery."
On this news, Insulet's stock price fell $7.79 per share, or 5.07%, to close at $146.01 per share on May 27, 2026.
The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not.
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Insulet's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.
To learn more about the Insulet class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/PODD or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Investors Regarding the Insulet Securities Class Action Lawsuit:
What is the Insulet securities fraud lawsuit about?
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP has filed a securities class action lawsuit against Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ: PODD) on behalf of investors who purchased Insulet securities during the Class Period. The lawsuit alleges that Insulet's manufacturing controls and procedures were defective, and that this deficiency allegedly created a foreseeable, heightened risk that one or more Insulet products would be found to violate applicable safety regulations or pose a risk of injury to patients. The complaint further alleges that, as a result, Insulet's public statements during the Class Period were materially false and misleading. The alleged truth began to emerge through two separate voluntary Medical Device Corrections disclosed by Insulet in March and May 2026, each involving manufacturing issues with specific lots of Omnipod® products, which were followed by significant declines in Insulet's stock price.
Who may be eligible to participate in the lawsuit?
Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ: PODD) securities on the NASDAQ exchange between February 21, 2025 and May 26, 2026, inclusive, may be eligible to participate in this lawsuit. Eligibility to participate is not limited to those who seek appointment as lead plaintiff; any investor who purchased during the Class Period may be entitled to share in any recovery that may be obtained. Investors are encouraged to review their trading records to determine whether their purchases fall within the defined Class Period. Additional eligibility considerations may apply, and investors are advised to consult with counsel to evaluate their specific circumstances.
What is a lead plaintiff, and how can I seek appointment?
A lead plaintiff is a court-appointed representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation, including making key decisions regarding litigation strategy, selection of counsel, and settlement negotiations. Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, any member of the proposed class may move the court for appointment as lead plaintiff, and the court will generally appoint the movant with the largest financial interest in the relief sought who otherwise satisfies applicable legal requirements. The deadline to file a motion seeking appointment as lead plaintiff in this action is August 31, 2026. Importantly, investors are not required to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in order to participate in the class or share in any recovery that may result from the litigation.
What should investors do if they purchased Insulet stock during the Class Period?
Investors who purchased Insulet Corporation (NASDAQ: PODD) securities between February 21, 2025 and May 26, 2026 are encouraged to review their brokerage and trading records to confirm whether their purchases fall within the Class Period. Investors should take steps to preserve all relevant documentation, including trade confirmations, account statements, and any communications related to their Insulet holdings. Given that the lead plaintiff motion deadline is August 31, 2026, investors who wish to be considered for appointment as lead plaintiff should act promptly to avoid missing that deadline. Investors interested in learning more about the lawsuit or their potential legal rights and options may contact Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP to discuss their circumstances prior to the deadline, though retaining counsel or seeking lead plaintiff status is not required to participate in any potential class recovery.
Why should investors contact Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP?
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP has represented investors in securities litigation for decades and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for shareholders. Investors who purchased Insulet securities during the Class Period may contact the firm to discuss their legal rights, potential claims, and the lead plaintiff process at no cost or obligation.
Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/305987
Source: Faruqi & Faruqi LLP
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Insulet Promoted Its Manufacturing Quality and Omnipod 5 Growth — Then Two Recalls Affecting 7 Million Pods Revealed Alleged Manufacturing Deficiencies
, /PRNewswire/ -- On one side: a CEO declaring Insulet produced "tens of millions of Pods with high-quality medical-grade quality at consumer electronic scale." On the other: approximately 7 million Pods subject to Medical Device Corrections after manufacturing issues created risks of insulin under-delivery, while shareholders watched PODD plummet from $236 to $146 per share.
Find out if you qualify to recover losses from PODD. You may also contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. at [email protected] or (212) 363-7500.
Insulet's stock declined approximately $24 per share cumulatively following the two corrective disclosures. The lead plaintiff deadline is August 31, 2026.
The Promise
Throughout 2025 and into early 2026, the Company's leadership projected an image of manufacturing excellence. During the FY 2024 earnings call, management stated it had taken "years to build a patch pump product at scale with quality, high yield, safety." By August 2025, the message escalated: the Company had "pioneered advanced automation" and built a "robust and secure global supply chain to deliver tens of millions of complex electromechanical devices per year at medical standards." In February 2026, management declared the Company produced pods "with high-quality medical-grade quality at consumer electronic scale" and pointed to improving productivity at its Acton, Massachusetts facility.
SEC filings reinforced the narrative, with the Company's FY 2024 and FY 2025 10-K filings both stating that its Quality team "inspects and tests our products at various steps in the manufacturing cycle to facilitate compliance with our specifications."
The Reality
The complaint alleges these assurances concealed deficient manufacturing controls at the Acton facility:
March 12, 2026: Insulet initiated its first voluntary Medical Device Correction for Omnipod 5 Pods after identifying pods with "a small tear in the internal tubing that delivers insulin." PODD fell $16.23 per share (6.88%) the next trading day. May 26, 2026: A second, far larger MDC covered Omnipod 5, Omnipod Dash, and legacy Omnipod Eros Pods. Approximately 7 million Pods were affected, representing 8.5% of 2025 global production. PODD dropped another $7.79 per share (5.07%). Both MDCs stemmed from the same root cause: "cannula tears associated with cannula handling at the Company's Acton, Massachusetts facility." After the first recall, management characterized the problem as affecting "only a very small number of pods" and assured investors that non-recalled pods were "very safe to use." Two months later, 7 million more pods were recalled for the identical defect. The Numbers: Promised vs. Actual
What Was Promised
What Actually Happened
"High-quality medical-grade quality at consumer electronic scale"
Two MDCs disclosed manufacturing issues affecting Omnipod products and raised concerns regarding quality-control processes
Quality team "inspects and tests" at "various steps"
Cannula tears went undetected across multiple product lines
March MDC affected "only a very small number of pods" (1.5%)
May MDC affected approximately 7 million pods (8.5% of annual production)
"All other Omnipod products remain safe to use"
Second MDC expanded to Omnipod Dash and Omnipod Eros
Gross margin anticipated to increase due to "improved manufacturing efficiencies"
Following the corrective disclosures, analysts raised concerns regarding manufacturing execution and the impact on the company's guidance
What the Lawsuit Alleges About the Gap
The securities action contends that the Company's manufacturing controls were deficient throughout the Class Period, and that management knew or recklessly disregarded this reality while making public assurances about quality and safety. BTIG reduced its valuation multiple from approximately 4.5x to 4x, citing "continued negative investor sentiment" and "risk of reputation damage." Goldman Sachs wrote that "referencing back to the March MDC" did not "sufficiently capture the magnitude of the quality issues."
"Companies that make specific promises to investors about future performance have an obligation to disclose known risks to those projections. The contrast between Insulet's repeated manufacturing quality assurances and the scope of the resulting recalls raises serious questions for shareholders." — Joseph E. Levi, Esq.
LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: August 31, 2026
Speak with an attorney about recovering your PODD investment losses or call (212) 363-7500.
Levi & Korsinsky, LLP, Top 50 securities litigation firm (ISS, seven consecutive years). Over 70 professionals. Hundreds of millions recovered for investors.
Frequently Asked Questions About the PODD Lawsuit
Q: What specific misstatements does the PODD lawsuit allege? A: The complaint alleges Insulet Corporation made materially false or misleading statements regarding its manufacturing quality controls, product safety, and the scope of defects in its Omnipod insulin delivery systems during the Class Period from February 21, 2025 through May 26, 2026. When two Medical Device Corrections revealed systemic cannula tear defects, the stock price declined sharply.
Q: How much did PODD stock drop? A: Shares fell approximately 6.88% ($16.23 per share) after the first recall on March 12, 2026, and an additional 5.07% ($7.79 per share) after the second recall on May 26, 2026. Cumulatively, PODD declined from approximately $236 to $146 per share across the two corrective disclosures.
Q: What is the PODD lead plaintiff deadline? A: The deadline to apply for lead plaintiff appointment is August 31, 2026. This deadline applies only to investors seeking to serve as lead plaintiff. Class members who do not apply may still participate in any recovery without taking action before this date.
Q: What if I already sold my PODD shares — can I still recover losses? A: Yes. Eligibility is based on when you purchased, not whether you still hold them. Investors who bought during the Class Period and sold at a loss may still participate.
Q: What documents do I need to make a claim? A: Brokerage statements or trade confirmations showing purchase dates, share quantities, prices paid, and any subsequent sale dates and prices.
Q: Do I need to go to court or give testimony? A: No. The overwhelming majority of class members never appear in court or give depositions. You submit a claim form to receive your portion of recovery.
Q: What does it cost me to participate? A: Nothing. Securities class actions are handled on a pure contingency basis. No upfront fees, no retainer, no out-of-pocket costs.
Q: What court was the PODD class action filed in? A: The case was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, governed by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
CONTACT:\
Levi & Korsinsky, LLP\
Joseph E. Levi, Esq.\
Ed Korsinsky, Esq.\
33 Whitehall Street, 27th Floor\
New York, NY 10004\
[email protected]\
Tel: (212) 363-7500\
Fax: (212) 363-7171
Key Takeaways Vicor posted $143.4M in Q2 revenues and $1.04 EPS as Advanced Products sales jumped 45% sequentially.VICR expects nearly 10% Q3 revenue growth and more than $600M in 2026 revenues from Advanced Products gains.Vicor targets $2.5B in revenues and says a second fab is needed to support long-term capacity expansion. Vicor Corporation (VICR - Free Report) used its second-quarter 2026 earnings call to press a bigger message than the quarter’s headline beat. Management framed 2026 as the year its advanced power products and IP licensing model are gaining broader industry traction, particularly in AI infrastructure.
That framing mattered because executives paired stronger near-term revenue expectations with a more ambitious long-term capacity and margin story. The call also gave investors a clearer look at how licensing, second-generation vertical power delivery and a second chip fab fit together.
Vicor Leans on Licensing and Advanced ProductsThe company posted second-quarter revenues of $143.4 million, representing a 26.9% sequential gain and beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $138.7 million. Earnings per share (EPS) came in at $1.04, comfortably surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.62.
Advanced Products’ revenues climbed 45% from the first quarter to $94.2 million, lifting that business to 65.7% of total revenues. Brick Products’ revenues increased 2.4% sequentially to $49.2 million.
Chief financial officer James Schmidt highlighted a key licensing contribution. Royalty income from the most recent agreement added $15 million in second-quarter revenues, though he said accounting treatment will make that contribution uneven, with $5 million expected in the third quarter and $10 million per quarter for the following four quarters.
VICR Raises the Stakes in AI Power DeliveryGlobal sales and marketing head Philip Davies said Vicor’s updated long-term targets now call for $2.5 billion in revenues, 70% gross margin and 40% operating income, replacing the company’s earlier $1 billion revenues and 65% gross margin goals. He tied that shift to a two-pronged strategy built on power modules and IP licensing.
Davies put the heaviest emphasis on second-generation vertical power delivery, or VPD, for AI data centers. He said hyperscalers and OEMs need higher current gain and current density, and argued Vicor’s second-generation offering is ahead of current first-generation alternatives.
Chief executive officer Patrizio Vinciarelli reinforced that point in the Q&A. He said the company has completed development around a 3 amps-per-square-millimeter baseline for its lead customer and is working toward more than 4 amps per square millimeter late this year or early next year.
Vicor Points to a Stronger 2026 SetupSchmidt said book-to-bill was above 1 in the second quarter, while one-year backlog rose 26% sequentially to $379.7 million. The press release put the year-over-year backlog increase at 145%, showing how quickly demand has built.
Management used that demand picture to raise the near-term bar. Schmidt said Vicor expects nearly 10% sequential revenue growth in the third quarter and more than $600 million in 2026 revenues, supported by double-digit sequential increases in Advanced Products revenues.
Vinciarelli told analysts the 2026 uplift reflects both product revenue growth and new licensing deals. He added that the initial license signed in the second quarter does not include a sourcing relationship for the first couple of years, though that is expected to become part of the relationship alongside second-generation VPD capabilities.
VICR Ties Capacity Expansion to StrategyManagement also made clear that capacity is becoming a strategic constraint. Vinciarelli said the first chip fab is moving closer to full utilization, which is why the company is now working to secure a second facility. He told analysts VICR has several site options and expects to make decisions in the coming weeks.
Later in the call, Vinciarelli said the second fab will be necessary to support the path to $2.5 billion in revenues. He added that the selected site could support a facility two to three times the size of the first fab, though build-out would happen in stages. That response gave investors a more practical framework for how Vicor plans to scale without overbuilding too early.
Vicor Faces Margin and Timing QuestionsA Craig-Hallum analyst pressed management on product gross margin, noting that royalty revenues flattered the consolidated result. Schmidt responded that product margin should improve as utilization and cost absorption rise. He also said second-quarter product gross margin was weighed down by factory reconfiguration costs tied to moving equipment and preparing space for new tools. Those costs ran through cost of sales rather than being capitalized.
Q&A also sharpened the timetable around second-generation VPD. Davies said management expects engagement with a hyperscaler and a couple of OEMs through the rest of 2026, with those programs moving toward production systems in the late third quarter or the fourth quarter of 2027.
VICR Leaves the Call With a Bigger AgendaThe clearest takeaway from management’s tone was that Vicor no longer wants investors to view the story as a niche power-module supplier with episodic upside. Executives repeatedly linked licensing, AI power architecture and fab expansion into one broader growth framework.
At the same time, management stayed measured on customer-specific disclosures and exact design-win timing. That kept the call grounded in what the company says it can control now: adding capacity, expanding Advanced Products revenues and widening industry adoption of its IP.
Vicor’s Zacks SignalsVicor currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which points to favorable earnings estimate revision trends and generally signals stronger near-term performance potential than lower-ranked stocks. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Style Scores are more mixed. The stock has a Value Score of F, Growth Score of D and VGM Score of F, but a Momentum Score of A. That combination points to stronger momentum characteristics than value or growth appeal, while also underscoring that the Zacks Rank can change as estimate revisions adjust after the quarter’s results.
RPM International (RPM - Free Report) reported $2.23 billion in revenue for the quarter ended May 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 7.2%. EPS of $1.89 for the same period compares to $1.72 a year ago.
The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.19 billion, representing a surprise of +2.06%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +2.72%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $1.84.
While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.
As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.
Here is how RPM International performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Net Sales- Construction Products Group/ CPG: $904.24 million compared to the $891 million average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of +11.7% year over year.Net Sales- Consumer Segment: $764.8 million compared to the $751.41 million average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of +10.6% year over year.Net Sales- Performance Coatings Group/ PCG: $562.8 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $549.23 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +41%.Adjusted EBIT- Consumer Segment: $123.35 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $128.59 million.Adjusted EBIT- Performance Coatings Group/ PCG: $84.89 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $76.55 million.Adjusted EBIT- Construction Products Group/ CPG: $175.06 million versus $173.82 million estimated by four analysts on average.Adjusted EBIT- Corporate/Other: $-44.69 million compared to the $-44.59 million average estimate based on four analysts.View all Key Company Metrics for RPM International here>>>
Shares of RPM International have returned -4.3% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.3% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
CHICAGO, July 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc. (IPX1031), the nation's leading Qualified Intermediary for 1031 Exchanges, today announced its annual Top 1031 Exchange Misconceptions for 2026, providing investors, real estate professionals and tax advisors with insights into the most common misunderstandings surrounding Section 1031 Tax-Deferred Exchanges.
Now an annual industry resource, the report is developed using a combination of Google search trends, recurring investor and advisor questions, insights from IPX1031 Exchange experts, and engagement with educational content in the company's Knowledge Center. The annual list helps identify where confusion persists and provides practical guidance to help investors avoid costly mistakes.
"Every year we see many of the same misconceptions surface because 1031 Exchanges are governed by detailed IRS rules that are often misunderstood," said John Wunderlich, President of IPX1031. "Our goal in publishing this annual report is to help investors make informed decisions before they enter into a transaction. Education is one of the most valuable services we provide, and by sharing these insights each year, we're helping investors and their advisors better understand the rules that can significantly impact a successful exchange."
A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.
The Top 1031 Exchange Misconceptions for 2026 are:
I only have to reinvest my gain, equity or basis to fully defer taxes.Like-kind means I must purchase the same type of property I sold.I have 180 days to identify Replacement Property.I can change who takes title during my 1031 Exchange.Any real estate I own qualifies for a 1031 Exchange.Partnership and LLC interests qualify for a 1031 Exchange.I can start a Reverse Exchange after purchasing my Replacement Property.I don't owe depreciation recapture if I never claimed depreciation.A 1031 Exchange permanently eliminates taxes.Choosing the lowest-cost Qualified Intermediary is all that matters. The report explains the facts behind each misconception, including IRS requirements related to full tax deferral, like-kind property rules, identification deadlines, vesting, qualified property, partnership interests, Reverse Exchanges, depreciation recapture, tax deferral strategies and selecting a Qualified Intermediary.
As one of the nation's largest and most experienced Qualified Intermediaries, IPX1031 continues to invest in educational resources that help investors navigate increasingly complex real estate transactions. The company's annual misconceptions report has become a valuable resource for investors seeking to better understand the rules governing tax-deferred exchanges before selling investment property.
The complete Top 1031 Exchange Misconceptions for 2026 report is available at:
www.ipx1031.com/top-1031-misconceptions-2026/
About IPX1031
Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc. (IPX1031) is the largest and one of the oldest Qualified Intermediaries in the United States. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial (NYSE:FNF), a Fortune 500 company, IPX1031 provides industry leading security for exchange funds as well as expertise and experience in facilitating all types of 1031 Exchanges. IPX1031’s nationwide staff, which includes industry experts, veteran attorneys and accountants, is available to provide answers and guidance to clients and their legal and tax advisors. For more information about IPX1031 visit www.ipx1031.com.
This weekly update tracks some of the largest cryptocurrencies by market share: Bitcoin and Ether. While both are considered high-risk assets, they possess foundational differences that investors should understand. We have also included XRP, as it was one of the largest cryptocurrencies when this series began. By definition, a cryptocurrency is a digital asset designed to work as a medium of exchange that uses cryptography to secure its transactions, control the creation of additional units, and verify the transfer of assets.
Key Takeaways Bitcoin continued to rise this week and now sits at its highest level in seven weeks. Ether surpassed $1,900 this week for the first time in over seven weeks. Bitcoin is down approximately 24% year-to-date, while Ether has fallen roughly 35% year-to-date. Bitcoin Bitcoin was the world’s first decentralized digital currency. Since the first Bitcoin transaction occurred in early 2009, it has grown worldwide to a mainstream financial asset. While often volatile, as illustrated in the chart below, one can argue that the Bitcoin is highly resilient, especially as product innovation expands the ways investors can manage Bitcoin’s volatility.
Bitcoin’s closing price continued to edge higher this week, rising nearly 5% to its highest level in seven weeks. However, BTC is currently down approximately 24% year-to-date and sits about 47% below its October 2025 record high. Learn more about Bitcoin basics for new investors.
Ether Ether is the native cryptocurrency run on the Ethereum blockchain platform, which launched in July 2015. It has the second largest market share, despite being the newest of the three assets discussed in this article.
Ether’s closing price also rallied this past week, surpassing $1,900 and reaching its highest level in over seven weeks. With that said, ETH is currently down approximately 35% year-to-date and is now roughly 60% below its record close from August 2025.
XRP XRP, which is owned by Ripple, was launched in 2012 and was one of the larger cryptocurrencies for some time until newer tokens entered the market.
Bitcoin vs. Ether vs. XRP An index has been created in order to chart these three cryptocurrencies together, considering their significantly different pricing histories. A logarithmic scale is used on the y-axis of this chart to better illustrate relative percentage changes and long-term growth trends, as opposed to absolute price fluctuations. The chart demonstrates which cryptocurrency’s price has shifted the most since November 9, 2017. At various points in history, all three have held the top spot but Bitcoin is currently in the lead.
On January 10th, 2024, the SEC approved spot bitcoin ETFs from a range of issuers such as Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC), iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB), Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB), Coinshares Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund (BRRR). Review our spot Bitcoin ETF launch takeaways for a complete breakdown.
On July 23rd, 2024, a handful of spot ether ETFs launched from a range of issuers such as Grayscale Ethereum Trust (ETHE), Franklin Ethereum ETF (EZET), Bitwise Ethereum ETF (ETHW), iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA), Fidelity Ethereum ETF (FETH). For a deep dive, see our spot Ether ETF guide.
Originally published on Advisor Perspectives.
For more news, information, and analysis, visit the Cryptocurrency Content Hub.
3 high-yielding, small banks to buy on the dipBank OZK NASDAQ: OZK executives used the company’s second-quarter 2026 earnings call to emphasize the bank’s ongoing shift toward a more diversified loan portfolio, with rapid growth in corporate and institutional banking helping offset elevated repayments in its real estate specialties group.
Chairman and CEO George Gleason said the corporate and institutional banking, or CIB, business is “a very important and rapidly growing and developing part” of the franchise. He said the bank is investing in the unit and hiring experienced leadership as it seeks to reduce concentration in commercial real estate and the real estate specialties group, or RESG.
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“We want to make sure that we are not trading one concentration for another,” Gleason said, adding that diversification within CIB is important to long-term franchise value.
CIB Growth Adds Diversification Jake Munn, president of corporate and institutional banking, said CIB now includes more than seven major business lines, including corporate banking and sponsor finance, fund finance, lender finance, natural resources, franchise capital solutions, asset-based lending and equipment finance.
Munn also highlighted the bank’s emerging middle market group, which he said is intended to bridge the gap between the legacy community bank and the larger corporate banking and sponsor finance segment. The group will focus on family-owned businesses with roughly $15 million to $100 million in revenue, particularly within Bank OZK’s core footprint.
According to Munn, CIB currently represents more than 42 unique NAICS categories, giving the bank flexibility to adjust its emphasis across business lines as market conditions change. He said growth in the most recent quarter was led by corporate banking and sponsor finance, along with natural resources, while asset-based lending was less emphasized because of tighter pricing and more aggressive advance rates in that market.
Munn said the bank views CIB as more than a loan-growth engine, pointing to potential deposit opportunities and cross-selling in treasury management, private wealth management, commodity hedging, interest-rate hedging and capital markets services.
RESG Repayments Expected to Remain Elevated Executives said repayments in the RESG portfolio remained high in the second quarter and are expected to stay elevated through the rest of 2026 and into 2027. Gleason said repayments approached $3 billion in the second quarter and averaged about $2.5 billion per quarter over the trailing four quarters.
Gleason said the elevated repayment activity is tied to the natural cadence of loans originated during 2022, which he described as a record origination year. He said the bank expects repayments to taper somewhat in 2027 but remain elevated based on current projections.
President Brannon Hamblen said repayment timing can shift based on market conditions, sponsor strategies, refinancing activity, sales decisions and cap-rate changes. “A lot of it’s just the natural cadence of the portfolio moving through the pipe,” Hamblen said.
Despite the repayment headwind, Gleason said the bank continues to expect mid-single-digit loan growth for the full year. He said a wave of repayments early in the second quarter pressured average earning assets, making it difficult to catch up during the rest of the period.
“Hopefully those prepayments will be a little more levelized in Q3 and Q4,” Gleason said.
Net Interest Income Guidance Pressured by Average Earning Assets Asked about changes in net interest income commentary, Gleason said the principal factor was average earning assets rather than deposit competition or liability-side pressures. He said the bank had expected more linear growth during the year but experienced a pullback in the second quarter after early loan payoffs.
Gleason said Bank OZK had anticipated a competitive deposit environment at the start of the year, and that environment has continued. He said the bank’s view of net interest margin is broadly consistent with analyst consensus estimates and reiterated that management expects margin to be slightly below the first quarter’s 4.20% level.
On deposit costs, Gleason said the bank’s CD specials are roughly 10 basis points higher than their low point, reflecting expectations for more deposit growth in the third and fourth quarters to support loan growth. He said the second-quarter cost of interest-bearing deposits likely represented an inflection point and that modest increases are expected going forward.
Chief Financial Officer Tim Hicks said he expects average earning assets to increase in both the third and fourth quarters from the second-quarter level.
Credit Trends and Reserves Remain in Focus Credit quality was a major focus of the call, with analysts asking about special mention loans, life science exposure and charge-offs. Gleason said the increase in special mention loans should not be overinterpreted, noting that some loans enter the category while extension or recapitalization discussions are underway and later return to pass status.
“I think there are several of them that look like they’re going to work out favorably and be candidates for upgrade over the next couple of quarters, if not the next month or two,” Gleason said.
Hicks said Bank OZK had built its allowance for credit losses in recent years in anticipation of later charge-offs. As those charge-offs are realized, he said the bank has considered it appropriate to reduce the allowance over the last couple of quarters. He cited two Seattle buildings that moved into other real estate owned during the quarter, with charge-offs of $22 million on the office property and $3.7 million on the life science property, saying those amounts had already been reserved for in the prior quarter.
Hicks said provision expense has been below consensus estimates over the last several quarters and could continue to “drift down” if the economy maintains its resiliency and strength.
On life science, Gleason said the bank has a “pretty healthy” allowance for the portfolio given sector challenges. He said several life science assets are well leased, while one life science loan that was exited through a discounted payoff was, in his view, probably the least desirable single asset in the portfolio. Hamblen said tenant activity has improved in some markets, including interest from technology, AI and office users in addition to life science tenants.
Real Estate Concentration Continues to Decline Gleason said muted RESG origination volume and ongoing repayments will continue to reduce the bank’s real estate concentration. He said Bank OZK is now below the regulatory concentration guideline for total commercial real estate and expects to be below the 100% guideline for construction and development by the end of 2026 or early 2027.
Management expects the CIB and RESG portfolios to become roughly equal in size at some point in 2027. Gleason said that implies continued strong growth in CIB and continued paydowns in RESG. He also said the community banking, indirect and RV portfolios could show more positive momentum through 2027, resulting in a more balanced portfolio across major segments.
Asked about share repurchases, Hicks said the bank used about $175 million of its prior $200 million authorization over the last four quarters at an average price below tangible book value. He said the board has approved a new $200 million authorization for the next four quarters, with actual usage dependent on the stock price.
Gleason closed the call by saying management looks forward to updating investors again next quarter.
About Bank OZK (NASDAQ:OZK)Bank OZK, formerly known as Bank of the Ozarks, is a regional commercial bank headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. Established in 1903, the bank offers a full suite of banking products and services to both individual and corporate clients. Through a combination of organic growth and targeted acquisitions, Bank OZK has built a diversified lending portfolio and a strong deposit franchise.
The bank's core operations focus on commercial real estate lending, including acquisition, development and construction financing.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
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MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Bank OZK wasn't on the list.
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The AI boom is creating opportunities across semiconductors, cloud computing, enterprise software, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and automation.
Inside this report, you’ll find 10 companies positioned to benefit as artificial intelligence moves from hype to real-world deployment and becomes a core growth driver for corporate America.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Entergy will report its second quarter 2026 financial results before the market opens Wednesday, July 29.
Drew Marsh, chair and chief executive officer, and Kimberly Fontan, executive vice president and chief financial officer, invite you to listen to a live webcast discussion of Entergy's quarterly business update and financial results at 10 a.m. Central Time that day. The webcast may be accessed by visiting Entergy's website at investors.entergy.com or by dialing 888-440-4149, conference ID 9024832.
The presentation materials will be available on Entergy's website before the market opens on the day of the call. An archived replay of the webcast will be available on Entergy's Investor Relations website at investors.entergy.com. From time to time, Entergy posts new and/or revised materials on its website and on social media and may do so in connection with this event.
About Entergy
Entergy (NYSE: ETR) generates, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for more than 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We're focused on keeping costs for our customers as low as possible while providing reliable energy that our communities count on. We're also investing in growth for the future with a more resilient, cleaner energy system that includes modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy generation. As a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, we deliver more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at Entergy.com and connect with @Entergy on social media.
Wall Street expects flat earnings compared to the year-ago quarter on higher revenues when Entergy (ETR - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 29. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis power company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.05 per share in its upcoming report, which represents no change from the year-ago quarter.
Revenues are expected to be $3.56 billion, up 6.9% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.01% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Entergy?For Entergy, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -9.77%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Entergy will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Entergy would post earnings of $0.89 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.86, delivering a surprise of -3.37%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates two times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Entergy doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Expected Results of an Industry PlayerFirstEnergy (FE - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $0.54 for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +3.9%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $3.62 billion, up 7.2% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for FirstEnergy has been revised 0.7% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -11.66%.
This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), makes it difficult to conclusively predict that FirstEnergy will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
NRG Energy (NRG - Free Report) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.
Over the past month, shares of this power company have returned -4.4%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.3% change. During this period, the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, which NRG falls in, has gained 1%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?
Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.
Revisions to Earnings EstimatesRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, NRG is expected to post earnings of $1.83 per share, indicating a change of +8.9% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +10.8% over the last 30 days.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $8.85 points to a change of +9.7% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed -1%.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $11.31 indicates a change of +27.9% from what NRG is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -0.5%.
Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, NRG is rated Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Revenue Growth ForecastEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.
In the case of NRG, the consensus sales estimate of $6.06 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of -10.1%. The $35.58 billion and $31.2 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +15.8% and -12.3%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryNRG reported revenues of $10.26 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +19.5%. EPS of $1.48 for the same period compares with $2.62 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.11 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +44.21%. The EPS surprise was -16.85%.
Over the last four quarters, NRG surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.
ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.
As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
NRG is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about NRG. However, its Zacks Rank #4 does suggest that it may underperform the broader market in the near term.
The market expects CVR Energy (CVI - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 29, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis diversified holding company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.18 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +178.3%.
Revenues are expected to be $2.17 billion, up 23.1% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 24.85% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for CVR?For CVR, the Most Accurate Estimate is the same as the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that there are no recent analyst views which differ from what have been considered to derive the consensus estimate. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of 0%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that CVR will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that CVR would post a loss of$0.54 per share when it actually produced a loss of -$1.24, delivering a surprise of -129.63%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates two times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
CVR doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
An Industry Player's Expected ResultsAmong the stocks in the Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry, HF Sinclair (DINO - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $4.39 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +158.2%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $7.5 billion, up 10.5% from the year-ago quarter.
Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for HF Sinclair has been revised 22.6% up to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%, reflecting an equal Most Accurate Estimate.
When combined with a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that HF Sinclair will beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
, /PRNewswire/ -- American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., announced today that is has been named one of America's Best Companies in 2026 by TIME and Statista Inc.
"American Water is honored to be recognized on TIME's inaugural list of America's Best Companies," said John Griffith, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Water. "This recognition reflects our continued focus on delivering strong results, fostering a positive employee experience and advancing sustainable practices as we continue to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to the customers and communities we proudly serve."
TIME partnered with market research firm Statista, Inc, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider, to identify the top 1,000 performing companies in the U.S. using a data-driven evaluation across three dimensions:
Employee Satisfaction: Based on approximately 217,000 employee surveys assessing workplace culture, pay, conditions, and employer reputation Financial Performance: Analysis of revenue growth, profitability, and asset performance using multi-year financial data Sustainability Transparency: Evaluation of environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance practices using standardized sustainability metrics View the full list of TIME's America's Best Companies 2026 list here.
Additionally, American Water was also recognized as TIME's World's Most Sustainable Companies for 2026. View the full list here.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.
For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The market expects American Water Works (AWK - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 29. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis water utility is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.59 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +7.4%.
Revenues are expected to be $1.28 billion, up 0% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.24% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for American Water Works?For American Water Works, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.42%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that American Water Works will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that American Water Works would post earnings of $1.1 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.01, delivering a surprise of -8.18%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates just once.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
American Water Works doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Constellation Energy Corporation (CEG - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Over the past month, shares of this company have returned -3%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.3% change. During this period, the Zacks Alternative Energy - Other industry, which Constellation Energy Corporation falls in, has lost 8.8%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?
While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.
Earnings Estimate RevisionsHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.
We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
Constellation Energy Corporation is expected to post earnings of $2.24 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +17.3%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +1%.
The consensus earnings estimate of $11.74 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +25%. This estimate has changed +0.1% over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $13.62 indicates a change of +16% from what Constellation Energy Corporation is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -0.4%.
Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Constellation Energy Corporation is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Revenue Growth ForecastWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.
In the case of Constellation Energy Corporation, the consensus sales estimate of $7.51 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +23.2%. The $35.48 billion and $35.2 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +39% and -0.8%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryConstellation Energy Corporation reported revenues of $11.12 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +63.8%. EPS of $2.74 for the same period compares with $2.14 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.21 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +35.5%. The EPS surprise was +7.03%.
Over the last four quarters, Constellation Energy Corporation surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.
ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Constellation Energy Corporation is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Constellation Energy Corporation. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
OGE Energy (OGE - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.
The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 29, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis energy services company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.59 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +11.3%.
Revenues are expected to be $781.11 million, up 5.3% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 9% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for OGE Energy?For OGE Energy, the Most Accurate Estimate is the same as the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that there are no recent analyst views which differ from what have been considered to derive the consensus estimate. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of 0%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that OGE Energy will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that OGE Energy would post earnings of $0.24 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.24, delivering no surprise.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates just once.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
OGE Energy doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAmong the stocks in the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, CenterPoint Energy (CNP - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $0.36 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +24.1%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $2.11 billion, up 8.4% from the year-ago quarter.
Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for CenterPoint has been revised 0.5% down to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of +0.83%, reflecting a higher Most Accurate Estimate.
This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggests that CenterPoint will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed EPS estimates just once.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Key Takeaways SRPT dropped nearly 10% as Dyne Therapeutics advanced a rival exon 51 skipping DMD therapy toward approval.Sarepta faces added pressure after Elevidys' label restrictions and growing competition in DMD treatments.SRPT trades below the industry P/B average, while 2026 and 2027 EPS estimates have declined. Shares of Sarepta Therapeutics (SRPT - Free Report) fell nearly 10% over the past week. This decline likely reflects growing investor concerns about the company’s position in the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) landscape following a key regulatory milestone for rival Dyne Therapeutics (DYN - Free Report) .
On Monday, DYN announced that the FDA accepted its regulatory filing seeking approval for the DMD therapy zeleciment rostudirsen (z-rostudirsen, or DYNE-251). The application was granted priority review, with the agency expected to make a final decision by Jan. 21, 2027. If approved, the Dyne Therapeutics drug could emerge as a competitive threat to Sarepta’s Exondys 51, as both therapies target DMD patients amenable to exon 51 skipping.
Exondys 51, approved in 2016, was the first FDA-approved treatment for DMD patients amenable to exon 51 skipping and remains the standard of care for this patient population. However, z-rostudirsen could challenge its market position if approved. Unlike Sarepta’s drug, which requires once-weekly infusions, Dyne’s drug is administered once every four weeks, potentially offering greater convenience for patients and caregivers. Analysts also point to cross-study comparisons suggesting that z-rostudirsen achieved higher dystrophin expression than Exondys 51, further strengthening its competitive profile.
The latest development comes as Sarepta shares were beginning to stabilize following a steep selloff triggered by safety concerns surrounding the company's DMD gene therapy, Elevidys. Investor sentiment deteriorated after two patient deaths following treatment with Elevidys prompted the FDA to significantly restrict the therapy's label to ambulatory DMD patients and add a boxed warning for acute liver injury. With Elevidys representing a key growth driver for Sarepta, the regulatory setback had already raised concerns about the company's growth outlook. Against this backdrop, Dyne's regulatory progress has added to investor concerns about Sarepta's competitive position in DMD.
Growing Competition in the DMD SpaceApart from Dyne Therapeutics, Sarepta faces competition from several other emerging players. These include Regenxbio (RGNX - Free Report) , Wave Life Sciences (WVE - Free Report) and Solid Biosciences, which are developing next-generation RNA or gene therapy approaches for the treatment of DMD.
SRPT’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Sarepta have underperformed the industry year to date, as seen in the chart below.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Sarepta is at a discount to the industry. Based on the price/book (P/B) ratio, the company’s shares currently trade at 1.14 times trailing book value, lower than the industry’s average of 3.44.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 EPS has declined from $4.84 to $4.77, while that for 2027 has fallen from $3.02 to $2.90.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Sarepta currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The market expects Tyler Technologies (TYL - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 29. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis information management software provider is expected to post quarterly earnings of $3.09 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +6.2%.
Revenues are expected to be $646.95 million, up 8.5% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.47% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Tyler Technologies?For Tyler Technologies, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -1.71%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Tyler Technologies will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Tyler Technologies would post earnings of $3.01 per share when it actually produced earnings of $3.09, delivering a surprise of +2.66%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Tyler Technologies doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Aurora Innovation, Inc. (NASDAQ: AUR), the leader in self-driving freight, has launched its second-generation driverless trucks. Aurora plans to deploy the new
Super Micro Computer (SMCI, Financials), which makes servers and data center systems for artificial intelligence workloads, said it booked more than $60 billion
Key Points:Brent above $94 has revived rate-hike fears, hitting Nasdaq futures before Tesla, Alphabet and IBM report.Fed funds futures now price a 70% chance of a September hike, raising the bar for high-value tech stocks.Super Micro Computer’s $60 billion order book gave the AI trade support, but oil remains the macro threat.
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Oil Revives Rate-Hike Fears Before Earnings Crude oil is running the show Wednesday morning and the Nasdaq is paying for it. Brent pushed above $94 and briefly topped $95 after Secretary of State Rubio said Iran is not serious about talks. That repriced September hike odds to 70% and the growth side of the market felt it immediately. Super Micro’s $60 billion fourth-quarter order number gave the AI trade something to hold onto before the bell, but tonight is where this market gets its real answer with Tesla, Alphabet and IBM all reporting into the teeth of $95 crude.
At 12:32 GMT, Dow futures are trading 52318.00, down 125.00 or -0.24%. S&P 500 Index futures are at 7513.25, down 32.50 or -0.43%. Nasdaq-100 Index futures are trading 29008.50, down 307.50 or -1.05%.
The Nasdaq is down triple the Dow and that gap widens if oil keeps climbing.
Daily September E-mini Nasdaq-100 Index Technical Analysis Daily September E-mini Nasdaq 100 Index Futures September E-mini Nasdaq-100 Index futures are trading lower shortly before the opening on Wednesday. Although it’s lower, it isn’t really falling apart. In fact, it’s sitting nestled inside yesterday’s wide range, suggesting investor indecision and impending volatility.
Yesterday’s high at 29364.75 is likely the price investors are eyeing for a potential breakout to the upside. This move could create the upside momentum needed to challenge the short-term retracement zone at 29754.25 to 30071.75. Inside this zone is the 50-day moving average at 29850.91. The combination of these technical points will make it an important area of interest should it be tested.
On the downside, there is a minor pivot at 28886.50 that could see some interest early. If it fails, prices could retreat to the swing bottom at 28408.25. This is where the selling pressure may get a little more serious with bearish traders likely eyeing the long-term retracement zone at 27142.25 to 26208.25 and the 200-day moving average at 26919.12.
Rubio Shut the Door on Diplomacy Daily September Brent Crude Oil Futures Rubio’s comments came after the eleventh straight round of U.S. strikes on Iran. He said American forces will continue protecting shipping through Hormuz. The oil market heard that and ran. Brent above $94 pushed Fed funds futures hard, with July hike odds jumping to 27% and September repricing to 70%. The ceasefire trade that gave stocks a bid earlier this week is gone.
Tonight’s earnings calendar lands right into that repricing. Alphabet needs cloud revenue and search numbers that justify the AI spending, not just a bigger capex line. Tesla reports with SpaceX merger speculation still hanging over the stock and needs vehicle margins and energy revenue that can absorb tighter policy. IBM, ServiceNow and Texas Instruments round out the slate and corporate tech spending is the question for all three.
Super Micro Gave the AI Trade a Floor Super Micro jumped 17% before the bell after reporting more than $60 billion in new fourth-quarter orders and announcing a planned AI data center with SpaceX. That is the kind of number the semiconductor group needed after two weeks of selling. Server demand, memory demand and data-center capacity are all running and the spending cycle has not stalled based on what Super Micro is seeing from its customers.
The order number matters because it arrived on the worst possible morning for growth stocks. Without it, the AI trade would have opened Wednesday with nothing to lean on except hope that tonight’s earnings deliver.
Daily SMCI Technical Analysis Daily Super Micro Computer, Inc. Technically, the pre-market trade to $28.62 has put the stock in a position to overcome the recent swing top at $29.12. On Tuesday, the stock closed at more than 50% down from its June 2 top at $51.40, but the early call has it well above this level and Monday’s weekly low at $23.38.
A trade through $29.12 is expected to shift momentum to the upside. This move will put the 50-day moving average at $32.93 and the 200-day moving average at $33.81, back on the radar.
Given the intermediate range of $51.40 to $23.38, overtaking the moving averages could target the 50% to 61.8% retracement zone at $37.34 to $40.70.
Stocks in the News AT&T jumped more than 4% in premarket after beating second-quarter estimates. SpaceX got a Falcon 9 off the pad at Cape Canaveral July 21 and is prepping Starship Flight 13 for July 23, but the stock is stuck between $123 and $135 with lock-up selling and a 20% insider unlock August 6 keeping buyers cautious.
What to Watch Crude oil above $94 closed the door on the rate relief trade and tonight’s earnings have to overpower that or the Nasdaq stays under pressure. Rubio’s comments ended any near-term diplomatic path for oil to pull back. Super Micro proved AI demand is intact but one server maker cannot offset the macro repricing from crude. Tesla and Alphabet are the reports that determine whether the growth trade survives the week and both need numbers strong enough to absorb hike odds that doubled in three sessions.
The Nasdaq-100 is trapped inside yesterday’s range and tonight forces the resolution. A push above yesterday’s high opens the path toward the 50-day average and the retracement zone clustered around it. Failure at the lower pivot sends it back toward the swing bottom and below that the 200-day average is the next level with any real support. The direction comes tonight.
More Information in our Economic Calendar.
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James Hyerczyk is a U.S. based seasoned technical analyst and educator with over 40 years of experience in market analysis and trading, specializing in chart patterns and price movement. He is the author of two books on technical analysis and has a background in both futures and stock markets.
Super Micro Computer Inc (NASDAQ:SMCI) shares opened about 20% higher on Tuesday after the company released preliminary fourth quarter fiscal 2026 results showing significantly stronger-than-expected gross margins and a record order backlog, despite revenue tracking near the low end of its guidance.
The AI server maker said revenue for the quarter ended June 30 is expected to be near the lower end of its previously issued guidance range of $11.0 billion to $12.5 billion. Wall Street analysts had been expecting revenue of about $11.73 billion.
Supermicro estimated GAAP and non-GAAP gross margins of 15% to 17%, well above its prior guidance of 8.2% to 8.4%. The company attributed the improvement primarily to a favorable customer and product mix.
The company also reported receiving more than $60 billion in new orders during the quarter, lifting its backlog to a record level at the end of fiscal 2026. Supermicro said the orders are expected to be delivered over future quarters.
Supermicro said it will release its complete Q4 fiscal 2026 financial results on August 11.
SummarySuper Micro Computer, Inc. receives a reiterated Hold rating as shares approach fair value after a strong preliminary Q4 earnings guide.Q4 revenue is expected near the low end of guidance, but gross margins are substantially higher at 15–17%, driving bullish sentiment.Record backlog and robust EPS growth through FY 2026–2028 are positives, yet negative free cash flow and governance concerns persist.Technicals remain mixed with resistance below $50 and a flat 200-day moving average, suggesting limited near-term upside. authorstock007/iStock via Getty Images
Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI) issued preliminary earnings on the afternoon of July 21. The Tuesday release may have initially made bulls sweat, given recent bearish pre-announcements (including IBM’s) earlier this month. But the
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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.
Super Micro Computer (SMCI +24.27%) provided some disappointing preliminary guidance today, but that didn't stop the stock from soaring. Investors are brushing off past problems and even news that revenue will come in at the low end of the company's guidance.
That's because Supermicro shocked investors with the news that the company's profit margin for the fiscal quarter ended June 30 will be twice what was previously expected. That led the stock to rocket 22.5% higher, as of 10:35 a.m. ET.
If investors think they missed the gains, there are other ways to play it, too.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
AI servers are booming Supermicro said revenue will come in "near the low end" of prior guidance for its fiscal fourth quarter ended June 30. But the market was stunned when the company also said it expects gross margin to be about double its previous estimate, at 15% to 17%.
It also reported a record backlog with over $60 billion in new orders received during the quarter. That tells investors that demand for artificial intelligence (AI) servers is very strong, and customers are paying up for what they need.
Today's Change
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Supermicro is just one AI server maker. Past accounting issues and more recent allegations that a Supermicro co-founder smuggled AI servers into the Chinese market may make investors uncomfortable about owning Supermicro. Investors may want to consider Dell Technologies or Hewlett Packard Enterprise as alternatives to Supermicro.
It's clear that the underlying business is booming, regardless of which stock one prefers.
Howard Smith has positions in Dell Technologies and has the following options: short August 2026 $250 calls on Dell Technologies. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Hewlett Packard Enterprise. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of SMCI either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. 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.
Stifel Financial (SF - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.42 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.35 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.14 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +5.19%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this brokerage and investment banking firm would post earnings of $1.39 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.45, delivering a surprise of +4.32%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.
Stifel, which belongs to the Zacks Financial - Investment Bank industry, posted revenues of $1.45 billion for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.13%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $1.28 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
Stifel shares have lost about 7% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 9.7%.
What's Next for Stifel?While Stifel has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Stifel was unfavorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $1.47 on $1.46 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $6.22 on $6.04 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Financial - Investment Bank is currently in the top 12% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
One other stock from the same industry, Evercore (EVR - Free Report) , is yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. The results are expected to be released on July 29.
This investment bank is expected to post quarterly earnings of $3.02 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +24.8%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0% higher over the last 30 days to the current level.
Evercore's revenues are expected to be $993.52 million, up 18.4% from the year-ago quarter.
Wall Street analysts expect SouthState (SSB - Free Report) to post quarterly earnings of $2.33 per share in its upcoming report, which indicates a year-over-year increase of 1.3%. Revenues are expected to be $677.15 million, up 1.9% from the year-ago quarter.
The current level reflects an upward revision of 0.1% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter over the past 30 days. This demonstrates how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reappraised their initial projections over this period.
Before a company reveals its earnings, it is vital to take into account any changes in earnings projections. These revisions play a pivotal role in predicting the possible reactions of investors toward the stock. Multiple empirical studies have consistently shown a strong association between trends in earnings estimates and the short-term price movements of a stock.
While investors typically rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates to gauge how the business may have fared during the quarter, examining analysts' projections for some of the company's key metrics often helps gain a deeper insight.
With that in mind, let's delve into the average projections of some SouthState metrics that are commonly tracked and projected by analysts on Wall Street.
Analysts predict that the 'Efficiency Ratio' will reach 52.5%. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 52.8% in the same quarter last year.
It is projected by analysts that the 'Net Interest Margin (Non-Tax Equivalent)' will reach 3.8%. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 4.0% in the same quarter of the previous year.
The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Average Balance - Total interest-earning assets' of $61.42 billion. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $57.71 billion in the same quarter last year.
Analysts forecast 'Total nonperforming assets' to reach $320.33 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $323.84 million in the same quarter of the previous year.
The consensus estimate for 'Total nonperforming loans (non-acquired & acquired)' stands at $286.10 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $297.80 million in the same quarter of the previous year.
Analysts expect 'Net Interest Income' to come in at $575.87 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $577.95 million.
The consensus among analysts is that 'Total Noninterest Income' will reach $101.25 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $86.82 million.
The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Net interest income, tax equivalent (Non-GAAP)' will likely reach $576.45 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $578.62 million.
The average prediction of analysts places 'Trust and investment services income' at $14.56 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $14.42 million in the same quarter of the previous year.
According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Fees on deposit accounts' should come in at $40.98 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $37.87 million.
Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Mortgage banking income' should arrive at $9.37 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $5.94 million.
Analysts' assessment points toward 'Total correspondent banking and capital market income' reaching $21.11 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $13.77 million.
View all Key Company Metrics for SouthState here>>>
Over the past month, shares of SouthState have returned +3.5% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.3% change. Currently, SSB carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggesting that its performance may align with the overall market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Wall Street analysts expect Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (PECO - Free Report) to post quarterly earnings of $0.68 per share in its upcoming report, which indicates a year-over-year increase of 6.3%. Revenues are expected to be $190.47 million, up 7.2% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This represents how the covering analysts, as a whole, have reassessed their initial estimates during this timeframe.
Before a company announces its earnings, it is essential to take into account any changes made to earnings estimates. This is a valuable factor in predicting the potential reactions of investors toward the stock. Empirical research has consistently shown a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and the short-term price performance of a stock.
While investors typically use consensus earnings and revenue estimates as a yardstick to evaluate the company's quarterly performance, scrutinizing analysts' projections for some of the company's key metrics can offer a more comprehensive perspective.
With that in mind, let's delve into the average projections of some Phillips Edison & Company metrics that are commonly tracked and projected by analysts on Wall Street.
Analysts expect 'Revenues- Rental income' to come in at $183.54 million. The estimate points to a change of +5.8% from the year-ago quarter.
According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Revenues- Fees and management income' should come in at $3.51 million. The estimate suggests a change of +5.8% year over year.
Analysts forecast 'Depreciation and amortization' to reach $64.66 million.
View all Key Company Metrics for Phillips Edison & Company here>>>
Shares of Phillips Edison & Company have demonstrated returns of +4.3% over the past month compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.3% change. With a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), PECO is expected to beat the overall market performance in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
First Financial Bancorp. NASDAQ: FFBC reported record adjusted second-quarter earnings and outlined plans to expand further in the Chicago and Northwest Indiana markets through its planned acquisition of Finward Bancorp, executives said on the company’s earnings call.
President and Chief Executive Officer Archie Brown said the quarter was “another active quarter” as the company continued post-integration work related to the Westfield acquisition and completed the systems conversion for BankFinancial. He said operating results were strong, with adjusted net income of $83.9 million, or $0.80 per share.
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Brown said adjusted earnings per share increased 8% from the second quarter of 2025, driven by higher earning assets from organic loan growth and recent acquisitions. Adjusted return on assets was 1.5%, while adjusted return on tangible common equity was 19.7%.
Loan Growth and Margin Remained Stable Chief Financial Officer Jamie Anderson said the quarter was highlighted by “strong earnings, 7% loan growth, a solid net interest margin, and positive credit trends.” Net interest margin was 3.98%, down one basis point from the linked quarter. Anderson said deposit costs declined six basis points, while asset yields fell seven basis points due to lower accretion income.
Loan balances rose $240 million, or 7% annualized, with growth across much of the portfolio. Management highlighted commercial and industrial lending, Summit and Agile as key contributors. Brown said loan originations increased 23% from the first quarter and that advanced-stage pipelines remained strong heading into the second half of the year.
Average deposits increased $41 million, which Anderson attributed mainly to a seasonal influx in public funds and growth in interest-bearing demand accounts. He said 21% of total deposit balances remained in non-interest-bearing accounts and that the company remains focused on growing lower-cost deposits.
Fee Income Fell From First Quarter, Expenses Declined Brown said adjusted fee income was below management’s expectations after a strong first quarter, with lower foreign exchange swap income and investment banking fees weighing on non-interest income. However, he said the company expects a rebound in the third quarter.
Anderson said adjusted fee income totaled $72 million, led by leasing and foreign exchange. Other non-interest income increased $3.6 million due to higher income from bank-owned life insurance and limited partnership investments.
Adjusted non-interest expenses declined from the linked quarter, which management attributed to lower commission expense, payroll taxes and acquisition-related synergies. Anderson said core expenses decreased $5.7 million, driven by lower compensation costs tied to lower fee income.
Brown said virtually all expected Westfield cost reductions had been realized by June 30, while BankFinancial-related savings are expected to phase in during the third quarter, with full savings anticipated by quarter-end.
Credit Trends Improved and Capital Levels Rose Asset quality trends were positive in the quarter. Net charge-offs declined 15 basis points to 0.20% of total loans on an annualized basis. Anderson said net charge-offs were down 42% from the first quarter, while non-performing assets and classified assets also declined.
The allowance for credit losses increased two basis points to 1.38% of total loans. The company recorded $8.2 million of provision expense, driven primarily by loan growth and net charge-offs.
Capital levels remained above internal and regulatory targets. Tangible book value increased to $16.64, and the tangible common equity ratio rose to 8.2%. Anderson said tangible book value now exceeds pre-Westfield and BankFinancial levels.
The company did not repurchase shares during the quarter as it focused on acquisitions and integration work. Anderson said 34% of second-quarter earnings were returned to shareholders through the common dividend, and the board voted to raise the common dividend to $0.26 per share.
Third-Quarter Outlook Calls for Steady Margin For the third quarter, Brown said management expects mid-single-digit annualized loan growth and low single-digit core deposit growth. The company expects net interest margin to remain in a range of 3.96% to 4.01%, assuming no changes in interest rates and purchase accounting accretion in line with the second quarter.
Management expects credit costs to approximate second-quarter levels and allowance coverage to remain relatively stable as a percentage of loans. Brown said net charge-offs are expected to approximate 25 to 30 basis points in the back half of the year.
The company projected total fee income of $74 million to $77 million in the third quarter, including $15 million to $17 million from foreign exchange and $22 million to $24 million from leasing business revenue. Non-interest expenses are expected to range from $149 million to $152 million.
Finward Deal Expands Chicago and Northwest Indiana Presence First Financial also discussed its agreement to acquire Finward Bancorp, the holding company for Peoples Bank. Finward is headquartered in Munster, Indiana, and has 24 banking locations. Brown said the transaction is expected to expand First Financial’s ability to serve consumers and businesses in the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana markets.
Finward has approximately $2 billion in assets, $1.7 billion in deposits, $1.5 billion in loans and $412 million in wealth assets under management. Under the agreement, each outstanding Finward common share will be converted into the right to receive 1.35 shares of First Financial common stock. Brown said the transaction was valued at approximately $208 million based on First Financial’s July 20 closing price.
Brown said the deal is expected to be approximately 5% accretive to First Financial’s earnings per share, with tangible book value per share at closing estimated to be only slightly diluted and an anticipated earn-back period of just over half a year.
Including the BankFinancial acquisition, Brown said First Financial will have added $2.9 billion in lower-cost deposits to its Northwest Indiana operations and will have $4.1 billion in deposits in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. The combined branch network in the region is expected to exceed 40 offices.
During the question-and-answer session, Brown said the company does not expect to be on the sidelines for M&A permanently, but said management does not see anything in the near to intermediate term beyond closing and integrating Finward. He said the acquisition is strategic and incremental relative to First Financial’s size.
Anderson said First Financial expects to close the Finward transaction around year-end, with conversion anticipated sometime in the second quarter of next year. He said cost savings would likely phase in after conversion, with the first full quarter of all expected savings likely in the fourth quarter of next year.
Brown said First Financial is also committing $500,000 to its foundation for the benefit of organizations in communities served by Finward, in addition to the $1 million donation made when the company entered the Chicago market through BankFinancial.
About First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC)First Financial Bancorp NASDAQ: FFBC is a bank holding company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the parent of First Financial Bank. The company provides a comprehensive suite of commercial and consumer banking services through a network of more than 100 full-service banking centers and mortgage offices across Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. Its core mission centers on delivering personalized relationship banking to businesses, individuals and public sector clients.
First Financial Bank's product portfolio includes deposit solutions such as checking, savings and money market accounts, alongside a range of lending offerings that cover commercial and industrial loans, real estate and construction financing, home mortgages and home equity lines of credit.
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It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.
The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.
Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.
VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.
It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Helios Technologies (HLIO - Free Report) Helios Technologies, Inc. is a global provider of highly engineered motion control and electronic controls technologies serving diversified end markets, including construction, material handling, agriculture, industrial and mobile equipment, energy, recreational marine, and health and wellness. The company sells in more than 90 countries through OEM relationships and value-added distributors. Its corporate headquarters are in Sarasota, FL.
HLIO is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. HLIO has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 13.3% for the current fiscal year.
Two analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.01 to $2.90 per share. HLIO boasts an average earnings surprise of +15.7%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, HLIO should be on investors' short list.
IonQ faces mounting pressure as deep losses, long revenue cycles and execution risks test whether growth can keep pace with its ambitious quantum roadmap.
Prosperity Bancshares (PB - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.
The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 29, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis financial holding company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.54 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +8.5%.
Revenues are expected to be $376.11 million, up 21.1% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.53% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Prosperity Bancshares?For Prosperity Bancshares, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +1.76%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination indicates that Prosperity Bancshares will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Prosperity Bancshares would post earnings of $1.41 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.50, delivering a surprise of +6.38%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Prosperity Bancshares appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Fair Isaac (FICO - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 29. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis financial services company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $12.02 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +40.3%.
Revenues are expected to be $679.31 million, up 26.6% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.47% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Fair Isaac?For Fair Isaac, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.04%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Fair Isaac will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Fair Isaac would post earnings of $11.03 per share when it actually produced earnings of $12.50, delivering a surprise of +13.33%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Fair Isaac doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Archrock Inc. (AROC - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Shares of this natural gas compression services business have returned -2% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.3% change. The Zacks Oil and Gas - Field Services industry, to which Archrock Inc. belongs, has remained unchanged over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.
Earnings Estimate RevisionsRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
Archrock Inc. is expected to post earnings of $0.46 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +18%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $1.9 points to no change from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has remained unchanged.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $2.29 indicates a change of +20.2% from what Archrock Inc. is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has remained unchanged.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Archrock Inc..
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue GrowthEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.
In the case of Archrock Inc., the consensus sales estimate of $390.4 million for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +1.9%. The $1.55 billion and $1.64 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +4.2% and +5.6%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryArchrock Inc. reported revenues of $373.77 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +7.7%. EPS of $0.42 for the same period compares with $0.42 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $376.69 million, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -0.78%. The EPS surprise was -10.64%.
Over the last four quarters, Archrock Inc. surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates three times over this period.
ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.
Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Archrock Inc. is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Archrock Inc.. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Wall Street expects a year-over-year decline in earnings on lower revenues when Everest Group (EG - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 29, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis reinsurance company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $14.59 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -16%.
Revenues are expected to be $4.09 billion, down 9% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.14% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Everest Group?For Everest Group, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +1.67%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination indicates that Everest Group will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Everest Group would post earnings of $14.03 per share when it actually produced earnings of $16.08, delivering a surprise of +14.61%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates two times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Everest Group appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAmong the stocks in the Zacks Insurance - Multi line industry, Slide Insurance Holdings, Inc. (SLDE - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $0.88 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +57.1%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $370.8 million, up 41.7% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for Slide Insurance Holdings, Inc. has been revised 6.3% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a higher Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +7.43%.
When combined with a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), this Earnings ESP indicates that Slide Insurance Holdings, Inc. will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Alaska Air Group, Inc. posted Q2 2026 results with revenue up to $4.07B, but bottom line losses worsened due to surging fuel costs from the Iran war. Despite cost-cutting successes and structural improvements, ALK's profitability deteriorated, with net losses of $76M and adjusted EBITDAR falling to $1.04B. Fuel costs soared to 32.1% of revenue ($4.43/gallon), overwhelming gains from premium, cargo, and loyalty revenues; Q3 guidance remains pressured by high fuel prices.
While the proven Zacks Rank places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find strong stocks, we also know that investors tend to develop their own individual strategies. With this in mind, we are always looking at value, growth, and momentum trends to discover great companies.
Considering these trends, value investing is clearly one of the most preferred ways to find strong stocks in any type of market. Value investors use tried-and-true metrics and fundamental analysis to find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.
Zacks has developed the innovative Style Scores system to highlight stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will be interested in stocks with great grades in the "Value" category. When paired with a high Zacks Rank, "A" grades in the Value category are among the strongest value stocks on the market today.
PattersonUTI Energy (PTEN - Free Report) is a stock many investors are watching right now. PTEN is currently holding a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and a Value grade of A.
Investors should also recognize that PTEN has a P/B ratio of 0.62. Investors use the P/B ratio to look at a stock's market value versus its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. PTEN's current P/B looks attractive when compared to its industry's average P/B of 1.74. Over the past year, PTEN's P/B has been as high as 1.06 and as low as 0.61, with a median of 0.80.
Value investors also love the P/S ratio, which is calculated by simply dividing a stock's price with the company's sales. This is a preferred metric because revenue can't really be manipulated, so sales are often a truer performance indicator. PTEN has a P/S ratio of 0.86. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 1.41.
These figures are just a handful of the metrics value investors tend to look at, but they help show that PattersonUTI Energy is likely being undervalued right now. Considering this, as well as the strength of its earnings outlook, PTEN feels like a great value stock at the moment.
Shares of Patterson-UTI (PTEN - Free Report) have gained 4.6% over the past four weeks to close the last trading session at $10.53, but there could still be a solid upside left in the stock if short-term price targets of Wall Street analysts are any indication. Going by the price targets, the mean estimate of $13.25 indicates a potential upside of 25.8%.
The mean estimate comprises 14 short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $2.56. While the lowest estimate of $10.00 indicates a 5% decline from the current price level, the most optimistic analyst expects the stock to surge 80.4% to reach $19.00. It's very important to note the standard deviation here, as it helps understand the variability of the estimates. The smaller the standard deviation, the greater the agreement among analysts.
While the consensus price target is highly sought after by investors, the ability and unbiasedness of analysts in setting price targets have long been questionable. And investors making investment decisions solely based on this tool would arguably do themselves a disservice.
But, for PTEN, an impressive average price target is not the only indicator of a potential upside. Strong agreement among analysts about the company's ability to report better earnings than they predicted earlier strengthens this view. While a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions doesn't gauge how much a stock could gain, it has proven to be powerful in predicting an upside.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Here's What You May Not Know About Analysts' Price TargetsAccording to researchers at several universities across the globe, a price target is one of many pieces of information about a stock that misleads investors far more often than it guides. In fact, empirical research shows that price targets set by several analysts, irrespective of the extent of agreement, rarely indicate where the price of a stock could actually be heading.
While Wall Street analysts have deep knowledge of a company's fundamentals and the sensitivity of its business to economic and industry issues, many of them tend to set overly optimistic price targets. Are you wondering why?
They usually do that to drum up interest in shares of companies that their firms either have existing business relationships with or are looking to be associated with. In other words, business incentives of firms covering a stock often result in inflated price targets set by analysts.
However, a tight clustering of price targets, which is represented by a low standard deviation, indicates that analysts have a high degree of agreement about the direction and magnitude of a stock's price movement. While that doesn't necessarily mean the stock will hit the average price target, it could be a good starting point for further research aimed at identifying the potential fundamental driving forces.
That said, while investors should not entirely ignore price targets, making an investment decision solely based on them could lead to disappointing ROI. So, price targets should always be treated with a high degree of skepticism.
Here's Why There Could be Plenty of Upside Left in PTENAnalysts' growing optimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher, could be a legitimate reason to expect an upside in the stock. That's because empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
For the current year, four estimates have moved higher over the last 30 days compared to no negative revision. As a result, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased 42%.
Moreover, PTEN currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which means it is in the top 20% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on four factors related to earnings estimates. Given an impressive externally-audited track record, this is a more conclusive indication of the stock's potential upside in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Therefore, while the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of how much PTEN could gain, the direction of price movement it implies does appear to be a good guide.
The market expects National Fuel Gas (NFG - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 29, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis energy company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.47 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -10.4%.
Revenues are expected to be $564.39 million, up 6.1% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.8% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for National Fuel Gas?For National Fuel Gas, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +2.15%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination indicates that National Fuel Gas will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that National Fuel Gas would post earnings of $2.85 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.71, delivering a surprise of -4.91%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
National Fuel Gas appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.
Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F. The better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform; an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.
Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.
#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Alcon (ALC - Free Report) Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland Alcon Inc. researches, develops, manufactures, distributes, and sells a full suite of eye care products. Founded in 1945, Alcon was first acquired by a Swiss subsidiary of Nestlé S.A. and operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Nestlé until 2002. From March 20, 2002 until its 2011 merger into Novartis, Alcon was publicly listed and traded on the NYSE. In 2011, Novartis completed the acquisition of a full stake in Alcon.
ALC is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Momentum investors should take note of this Medical stock. ALC has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 1.9% over the past four weeks.
For fiscal 2026, one analyst revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.00 to $3.50 per share. ALC boasts an average earnings surprise of +3.7%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, ALC should be on investors' short list.
