AMD stock fell about 6% on Wednesday as a broad selloff in semiconductor shares weighed on the sector.
Despite this, multiple Wall Street firms raised their price targets and reaffirmed their bullish long-term views on the stock.
The broader weakness extended across major chipmakers.
Micron Technology dropped 9%, while Lam Research declined more than 4% and Intel fell 5%.
The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) also lost nearly 3%, reflecting broad pressure on semiconductor stocks.
Separately, ARK Invest reduced its exposure to AMD by selling 9,742 shares through its ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK), a transaction valued at approximately $5.34 million.
The move continued a recent trend of trimming the firm's AMD holdings.
Despite the decline in AMD shares, several brokerages became more optimistic about the company's long-term prospects, citing expanding artificial intelligence opportunities and improving supply chain conditions.
UBS maintained its Buy rating on AMD and increased its 12-month price target to $700 from $670.
The brokerage said AMD is positioned to win additional customers for its AI accelerators and expand its data center semiconductor business.
“Customer-wise, we have always maintained that Amazon will be a major MI450x customer, and we now believe Anthropic might also be on the customer list,” analyst Timothy Arcuri wrote Wednesday to clients.
“Additionally, we could see AMD partnering with [Cerebras Systems] on a fast inference solution … and maybe announcing a deeper and broader push into custom [Application-Specific Integrated Circuits] for the data center.”
UBS also pointed to easing capacity constraints at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, which provides advanced packaging services for AMD's AI accelerator chips.
“Overall, our supply chain work is very bullish, with significant upticks in [Chip-on-Wafer-on-Substrate ] allocation for C2027,” Arcuri wrote.
The brokerage also identified AMD's "Advancing AI 2026" event, scheduled for July 22-23 in San Francisco, as a potential catalyst for the stock.
KeyBanc also maintained its Overweight rating while raising its price target to $725 from $530.
The firm cited expanding server CPU production capacity and the expected second-half 2026 ramp of AMD's MI455 AI GPU and Helios platform.
KeyBanc expects AMD's server CPU shipments to increase between 15% and 20% this year.
Bank of America raised its price target to $620 from $550, while TD Cowen increased its forecast to $675.
AI demand and China developments remain in focusAnalyst optimism comes after AMD shares more than doubled over the past three months, climbing 112% through Tuesday as demand for AI infrastructure accelerated.
The company has continued gaining market share in server processors while securing agreements with artificial intelligence companies, including OpenAI.
According to LSEG data, 45 of the 55 analysts covering AMD currently rate the stock either Buy or Strong Buy.
Investor sentiment toward semiconductor stocks also received support from Goldman Sachs data cited by The Kobeissi Letter, which showed hedge funds purchased US semiconductor shares last week at the fastest pace in at least three-and-a-half years.
Semiconductor stocks now represent about 10% of total hedge fund exposure, below the nearly 14% peak recorded in May.
AMD also remained in focus after Reuters reported that Zhuhai Hengqin Yunxiang Zhisheng Network Technology, a subsidiary of Chinese cloud computing company Kingsoft, received US approval to use certain AMD AI chips that compete with Nvidia's H200 products.
China remains an important market for AMD, accounting for more than 22% of the company's fiscal 2025 sales, compared with more than 24% in fiscal 2024.
Boeing těží z obnovy flotil aerolinek a na konci 1. čtvrtletí měl zakázkovou knihu více než 6 100 letadel v hodnotě 576 miliard USD. Výrobu 737 zvýšil na 42 kusů měsíčně a 787 na osm.
Key Takeaways Boeing is benefiting from airlines replacing older fleets with more fuel-efficient next-generation aircraft.BA ended Q1 with a backlog of more than 6,100 airplanes valued at $576 billion.BA raised 737 output to 42 monthly and 787 production to eight monthly amid improving stability and demand. The Boeing Company (BA - Free Report) is well positioned to benefit from one of the aviation industry's strongest long-term growth drivers — the global airline fleet renewal cycle. As passenger traffic continues to recover and airlines seek to improve fuel efficiency, reduce maintenance costs and meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations, carriers are accelerating investments in next-generation aircraft. Boeing's portfolio, led by the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner families, is well aligned with these industry trends.
Replacing aging fleets with newer-generation airplanes allows airlines to lower operating costs, extend route networks and improve profitability. Given that fuel remains one of the largest operating expenses for airlines, fleet renewal offers an increasingly compelling economic proposition.
Boeing’s production remained on an upward trajectory, with the 737 program operating at 42 aircraft per month and the 787 program producing eight aircraft per month, reflecting improving manufacturing stability and sustained customer demand.
The 737 MAX family offers airlines significant fuel-efficiency improvements over previous-generation narrow-body aircraft while serving the high-volume short- and medium-haul market. The 787 Dreamliner enables carriers to operate long-haul routes more efficiently through lower fuel consumption, advanced composite materials and reduced maintenance requirements. These aircraft are particularly attractive as airlines expand international networks and replace aging fleets.
The company's substantial order book further highlights the strength of the current demand environment. Boeing ended the first quarter with a commercial aircraft backlog of more than 6,100 airplanes valued at $576 billion. This backlog provides years of production visibility and reflects airlines' confidence in long-term passenger traffic growth despite near-term economic uncertainties.
Aerospace Companies Benefiting From Fleet RenewalAlong with Boeing, several other aerospace manufacturers are also benefiting from the ongoing global fleet modernization trend:
Airbus SE (EADSY - Free Report) continues to see strong demand for its A320neo and A350 families as airlines invest in more fuel-efficient aircraft and expand their fleets.
Embraer S.A. (EMBJ - Free Report) is benefiting from growing demand for regional jets, with its E2 family offering improved fuel efficiency and lower operating costs for regional carriers.
BA Stock’s Earnings EstimatesThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings per share indicates a year-over-year improvement of 99.06% and 4,158.7%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
BA Stock Trades at a DiscountIn terms of valuation, BA’s forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) is 1.64X, a discount to the industry’s average of 2.53X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
BA Stock’s Price PerformanceIn the past three months, the company’s shares have lost 3% compared with the industry’s 5.5% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
BA’s Zacks RankThe company currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Citi Bank logo appears in this illustration taken December 1, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
SummaryCompaniesCitigroup shares fell despite a 45% rise in second-quarter net incomeCitigroup forecast higher expenses in the second half of the yearBank expects to spend more than the $800 million initially predicted to lay off employeesNEW YORK, July 15 (Reuters) - Analysts revised estimates for Citigroup on Wednesday after the bank's management surprised investors and forecast higher expenses in the second half of the year.
Despite beating analysts' estimates in the second quarter with a 45% rise in net income, Citigroup shares tanked 5.3% on Tuesday.
Get a look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets with the Morning Bid U.S. newsletter. Sign up here.
"The culprit was a combination of high expectations and muddled messaging on the second half outlook during the earnings call," Bank of America analyst Ebrahim Poonawala said in a report to clients on Wednesday. Before the earnings call, Citi shares were up 2%.
The bank reported a return on tangible common equity of 13.1% in the first half of the year, but decided to stick with guidance of 10% to 11% return for the year. "This inspired half a dozen questions on the order of, 'You're saying the second half of 2026 will be dreadful?'" wrote Oppenheimer analyst Chris Kotowski in his Wednesday report, "The Problem with Giving Guidance."
CEO Jane Fraser and CFO Gonzalo Luchetti told analysts during the earnings call that the bank decided to pull forward some of the $5 billion in additional investments the bank projected as needed to increase market share during the investor day. The bank also expects to spend more than the $800 million initially predicted to lay off employees.
Responding to a question, Fraser said the investments would be for the "offense" and not catching up.
"This is not restructuring, but offensive moves to better gain share and compete in a more competitive environment, such as in credit cards," said Wells Fargo analyst Mike Mayo, who still expects the bank to exceed its 11% profitability target in 2026.
Kotowski said the outlook for higher expenses prevented raising estimates by more than he did.
Poonawala said the strategy is a "tactical blip" that does not change his target price or buy rating. But he raised the estimates for the efficiency ratio at the bank to 60.3% from a previous estimate of 59.6%. BofA also changed its earnings-per-share estimate for 2026, raising it to $11.09 from $10.79 before the second quarter.
Jefferies' David Chiaverini lowered earnings-per-share estimates for 2026 and 2027 to $10.65 to $12.60 from $10.95 to $12.75. But the analyst also maintained its buy rating.
KBW's Chris McGratty was among the most optimistic, saying the expense pull forward was used as an excuse to take gains with the stock. KBW raised by 1% its EPS estimate for the full year from $11 to $11.15, less than would be possible considering the second-quarter beat.
Citigroup declined to comment on the reports.
Reporting by Tatiana Bautzer; Editing by Mark Porter
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
Tatiana Bautzer is a U.S. banking correspondent at Reuters in New York. She previously covered banks in Brazil, breaking news on deals by major global corporations, initial public offerings and bankruptcies. She has also delved into corruption scandals at Brazilian conglomerates and business disputes between billionaires. Prior to joining Reuters in 2015, Bautzer worked for business magazines Exame and Istoe Dinheiro and newspapers Valor Economico and O Estado de S. Paulo. She previously served as international correspondent for Valor Economico in Washington, D.C., covering multilateral institutions and trade. Bautzer holds a B.A. in Journalism and an MBA from the University of Sao Paulo.
Visa spustila AI Financial Assistant v bankovních aplikacích, který klientům umožní sledovat výdaje a provádět akce bez opuštění aplikace. Tržby z VAS v 1. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2026 vzrostly o 28 % na 3,2 miliardy USD.
Key Takeaways Visa launched AI Financial Assistant inside banking apps for spending insights and account actions.VAS revenues rose 28% to $3.2 billion in fiscal Q1 2026, supporting Visa's growth beyond payments.Visa plans a U.S. pilot in August 2026 before expanding AI Financial Assistant globally. Visa Inc. (V - Free Report) launched AI Financial Assistant, a new value-added service that brings conversational financial guidance to existing banking apps. The white-label feature integrates directly into a bank's app. Customers can check their spending, ask questions in conversational language and take actions like locking a card or setting alerts without leaving the app. It is built for secure banking environments that help protect customer data.
The service is part of Visa's Digital Issuer Solutions platform, providing a single chat-based entry point inside the banking app. Banks can deploy it without custom development, making adoption faster and easier. It combines a bank's customer data with insights from Visa's global payments network to deliver personalized financial guidance. Visa will launch a U.S. pilot in August 2026 before expanding the service globally.
The launch supports Visa's strategy of expanding its fast-growing Value-Added Services (VAS) business, an increasingly important growth driver. In first-quarter fiscal 2026, VAS revenues rose 28% year over year to $3.2 billion, accounting for nearly half of the company's total revenue growth. By embedding AI-powered financial guidance into banking apps, Visa is broadening its role beyond payment processing.
This strengthens VISA’s ties with issuers and increases the value of its platform.
The rollout is expected to reduce the company's reliance on payment volumes over time. As more banks adopt AI Financial Assistant, Visa can strengthen client relationships and expand the use of its Digital Issuer Solutions platform. This could drive demand for other value-added products and support sustainable long-term growth.
How Are Visa's Competitors Positioned?Some of Visa's key competitors in the payments space are Mastercard Incorporated (MA - Free Report) and American Express Company (AXP - Free Report) .
Mastercard is expanding its AI capabilities to strengthen its value-added services business and deepen client relationships. It launched Agent Pay for Machines, enabling AI agents and connected devices to make autonomous payments. The move helps Mastercard tap into the growing market for AI-powered payments.
American Express is also accelerating its AI strategy. American Express introduced the Agentic Commerce Experiences (“ACE”) Developer Kit and Amex Agent Purchase Protection to support AI-powered transactions. AXP also agreed to acquire AI expense management startup Hyper, strengthening its commercial AI capabilities.
Visa’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesVisa’s shares have risen 1.6% year to date against the industry’s 9.6% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, V trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 24.61, well above the industry average of 17.08. V carries a Value Score of D.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Visa’s fiscal 2026 earnings implies a 14.2% jump from the year-ago period’s level.
United Airlines Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:UAL, XETRA:UAL1) will report second-quarter earnings after the market close on Wednesday, with investors focused on how the carrier is managing rising fuel costs against resilient travel demand.
UBS analysts said the bar for second-quarter earnings per share sits at $1.85 to $1.90, well above the midpoint of United's own $1 to $2 guidance.
UBS forecasts EPS of $1.91, ahead of the $1.86 consensus, on 3% capacity growth, a 12.8% rise in unit revenue, unit costs excluding fuel up 7%, and fuel at $4.25 per gallon.
Fuel will be a key focus. United typically updates fuel guidance the Friday before earnings, but a sharp jump in jet fuel prices has made the outlook harder to pin down. Gulf Coast jet fuel was trading near $3.60 per gallon and West Coast jet fuel near $3.90, UBS said, and the market will likely benchmark United's assumption against $3.30 to $3.40 per gallon.
Consensus for third-quarter EPS guidance sits at $3 to $4; a higher fuel assumption would push that lower. UBS said the most important signal will be management's confidence in recovering nearly all of the recent fuel spike by the fourth quarter.
For full-year 2026, most investors expect EPS guidance of $9 to $11, above the current $7 to $11 range, though the outlook remains fuel-dependent. UBS said the key metrics to watch will be United's fourth-quarter capacity outlook and its implied fourth-quarter revenue growth.
RBC Capital Markets čeká, že GE Aerospace zvýší celoroční upravený zisk před úroky a daněmi pro rok 2026 asi o 500 milionů USD. Firma zároveň odhaduje růst služeb o 19 % ve 2. čtvrtletí a o 18 % za celý rok.
• GE Aerospace stock is trading at elevated levels. Where are GE shares going?
Analysts expect the company to report earnings of $1.85 per share on $11.79 billion in quarterly revenue, according to Benzinga Pro. The stock also carries a consensus price forecast of $297.65, based on ratings from 27 analysts.
Guidance Increase Anticipated on Service GrowthRBC Capital Markets expects GE Aerospace to raise its full-year 2026 adjusted earnings before interest and taxes guidance by approximately $500 million, matching historical outperformance trends where the company beat its initial guidance by 16% in 2024 and 13% in 2025.
Herbert noted that capacity constraints, legacy engine usage and strong airline demand protect aftermarket engine spending. RBC models 19% services growth for the second quarter and 18% for the full year.
Near-Term Catalyst Potential Diminished by 2027 ConcernsThe report indicates that the upcoming second-quarter results may not serve as a positive catalyst for the stock, as market expectations already factor in the strong performance and guidance lift.
RBC Capital Markets notes that investor attention is shifting toward 2027, where tougher year-over-year comparisons and a projected deceleration in services growth could create headwinds for investor sentiment.
Supply Chain Tightness Extends Turn-Around TimesRBC Capital Markets reported that while material flow has improved, turnaround times at maintenance facilities remain well above historical averages. “LEAP deliveries remain on track for ~2,100,” Herbert stated, but emphasized that the broader aerospace supply chain remains tight, leaving a slim margin for error despite on-track deliveries for new engines.
Geopolitical Headwinds Offset by Structural ProtectionsThe firm noted the stock has risen 3% since March 1, recovering from the initial downturn tied to the Iran war. Elevated crude oil prices, which sit at approximately $85 per barrel after peaking in May, have not reduced passenger travel enough to impact aftermarket spending.
RBC Capital Markets stated that the $400 price forecast reflects 39 times its fiscal year 2028 free cash flow estimate of $10.5 billion.
GE Stock Price Activity: GE Aerospace shares were up 0.83% at $356.68 at the time of publication on Wednesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Photo by Jonathan Weiss via Shutterstock
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
Cisco zvýšila cíl objednávek AI infrastruktury pro fiskální rok 2026 na zhruba 9 miliard USD díky silné poptávce hyperscalerů. Objednávky enterprise switching vzrostly o více než 40 % a objednávky campus networking o více než 25 %.
Key Takeaways Cisco raised its fiscal 2026 AI infrastructure order target to about $9 billion on hyperscaler demand.Enterprise switching orders rose over 40%, while campus networking orders increased more than 25%.Acacia secured over $1 billion in quarterly orders and is expected to grow more than 200% in fiscal 2026. Cisco Systems (CSCO - Free Report) shares have jumped 52% year to date (YTD), outperforming the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector’s return of 14.7%. The company has been benefiting from a strong AI push, a networking supercycle, improving its enterprise networking business and recovering its security business. These factors have helped in improving Cisco’s competitive prowess compared with the likes of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE - Free Report) , Broadcom (AVGO - Free Report) and Arista Networks (ANET - Free Report) , shares of which have appreciated 106.4%, 39.4% and 12.6%, YTD, respectively. Is there room for further upside in Cisco shares? Let’s find out.
CSCO Stock’s Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AI Push & Strong Networking Growth Aids Cisco’s ProspectsCisco’s growing AI infrastructure business has been a major growth driver. The company raised its fiscal 2026 AI infrastructure order target from $5 billion to approximately $9 billion, reflecting stronger-than-expected hyperscaler demand. Cisco secured five new hyperscaler AI design wins during the third quarter of fiscal 2026, including Silicon One-powered systems and Acacia optical networking products. This reinforces investor confidence that the AI networking opportunity is expanding beyond a handful of deployments. Cisco now expects to recognize approximately $4 billion in AI infrastructure revenues from hyperscalers in fiscal 2026. The company expects at least $6 billion of AI-related revenues in fiscal 2027, indicating strong visibility into future growth.
Cisco is a key beneficiary of the networking supercycle as hyperscalers, enterprises, sovereign cloud operators, public-sector organizations and telecom providers modernize networks simultaneously to support AI workloads. The company believes this demand is larger and faster than previous technology cycles because AI infrastructure cannot function without modern, high-speed networking. In the third quarter of fiscal 2026, enterprise data center switching orders grew more than 40%, campus networking orders reached record levels (up more than 25%), and wireless orders increased more than 40% year over year.
The Acacia optics business generated more than $1 billion of orders in the third quarter of fiscal 2026 and is expected to grow over 200% in fiscal 2026, positioning Cisco to capture a larger share of AI networking spend. The business has shipped more than 750,000 400G coherent optics and over 40,000 800G coherent optics, giving Cisco leadership in AI optical interconnects. Meanwhile, Silicon One continues winning large hyperscaler deployments, strengthening Cisco's competitive position in AI networking.
The company’s refreshed security portfolio is gaining traction, with double-digit order growth in core security products (excluding Splunk) and strong firewall momentum. Cisco is leveraging its unique position across networking, security, identity and observability to address emerging AI security needs, including agentic AI security, AI Defense, Hypershield and Zero Trust Access. Cisco has also expanded its Secure AI Factory with NVIDIA and announced acquisitions of Galileo and Astrix to strengthen AI identity and agentic security capabilities.
Cisco’s Prospects: Key Catalysts Outweigh ChallengesCisco’s prospects are likely to benefit from accelerating AI networking demand. Continued expansion of Silicon One, Acacia optics and AI switching is expected to support another leg of growth. A strong pipeline of AI infrastructure buildout ($3 billion roughly) across enterprise, sovereign AI and neocloud customers suggests that AI demand is broadening beyond hyperscalers. Cisco believes campus upgrades remain in the early innings as enterprises migrate to Wi-Fi 7, AI-enabled switching and secure networking.
In terms of the Security business, Cisco expects easier comparisons beginning in fiscal 2027 as Splunk’s cloud transition normalizes. Combined with stronger adoption of Hypershield, AI Defense and Zero Trust, Security could become a faster growth contributor. Strong adoption of agentic AI bodes well for Cisco’s prospects. The company believes that agentic AI requires security to be embedded directly into networking infrastructure, an area where Cisco has a competitive advantage over pure networking or standalone cybersecurity vendors.
These positive drivers are expected to help Cisco comfortably navigate challenges related to higher memory prices, Splunk’s cloud transition, stiff competition and heightened AI-related spending.
2026 Earnings Estimate Revisions Positive for CSCOThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for CSCO’s fiscal 2026 earnings is currently pegged at $4.28 per share, up 0.9% over the past 60 days, indicating year-over-year growth of 12.3%.
The consensus mark for CSCO’s fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings is currently pegged at $1.17 per share, up a penny over the past 60 days, indicating year-over-year growth of 18.2%.
CSCO Shares Are Trading at a PremiumCisco shares are trading at a premium, as suggested by the Value Score of F. In terms of the forward 12-month price/sales, CSCO is trading at a premium of 6.83X, higher than the broader sector’s 6.79X and Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s 1.35X.
However, Cisco shares are trading at a discount compared with Arista Networks and Broadcom. In terms of the forward 12-month P/S, Arista Networks and Broadcom shares are trading at 17.8X and 12.18X, respectively.
CSCO Stock’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
ConclusionDespite trading at a modest premium, Cisco’s improving fundamentals and expanding AI opportunity continue to support a constructive long-term outlook. Strong momentum in AI infrastructure, Silicon One, Acacia optics, campus networking and security, combined with rising earnings estimates and solid execution, provides multiple avenues for sustained growth. CSCO remains an attractive stock for investors seeking long-term exposure to enterprise networking and AI infrastructure driven by durable demand drivers and increasing revenue visibility.
CSCO currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Merck uvedl, že Keytruda v klinické studii fáze 3 překonala chemoterapii u pacientek s dMMR pokročilou nebo recidivující rakovinou endometria, které dříve nedostaly systémovou chemoterapii nebo měly recidivu více než 6 měsíců po ukončení předchozí adjuvantní léčby, a splnila hlavní cíl v přežití bez progrese. U celkového přežití byl zatím vidět trend ke zlepšení, data ale ještě nejsou zralá.
Phase 3 Trial Meets Primary Progression-Free Survival GoalThe trial met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) for mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer patients who had not previously received systemic chemotherapy or who experienced recurrence more than six months after completing prior adjuvant therapy.
Keytruda is the first and only PD-1 inhibitor to show a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS as monotherapy compared to platinum doublet chemotherapy for these patients in a Phase 3 trial.
At a pre-specified interim analysis conducted by an independent Data Monitoring Committee, a trend toward improvement in overall survival (OS), the trial’s other primary endpoint, was observed for Keytruda.
However, these OS data were not mature at the time of this analysis.
Overall Survival Data Continue To MatureThe trial is ongoing, and OS for the full study population will be evaluated at a future analysis. The analysis also showed a clinically meaningful overall response rate (ORR), as well as complete response rate (CRR) and duration of response (DOR) for Keytruda.
The safety profile of Keytruda in this trial was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies; no new safety signals were identified.
In the U.S., Keytruda is the only anti-PD-1 therapy with three approved indications for patients with certain types of endometrial cancer.
Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Merck’s Keytruda and Keytruda Qlex (pembrolizumab and berahyaluronidase alfa-pmph), each in combination with Padcev (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv), as neoadjuvant treatment. Then it continued after cystectomy as adjuvant treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).
These approvals represent the first and only PD-1 inhibitor plus antibody-drug conjugate regimens approved for adults with MIBC regardless of cisplatin eligibility.
MRK Price Action: Merck & Co shares were up 2.43% at $123.71 at the time of publication on Wednesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Photo: Shutterstock
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
Block (XYZ) letos roste o 26,6 % díky síle Cash App a Square. Firma rozšiřuje BNPL, AI commerce i partnerství, ale čelí vyšším úvěrovým ztrátám a konkurenci.
Key Takeaways Block's 19% YTD gain has outpaced peers, driven by Cash App and Square momentum. XYZ is expanding BNPL, AI commerce and partnerships to drive user and merchant growth. Block faces rising credit losses, intense competition and macro risks that could pressure growth. Block (XYZ - Free Report) shares have gained 26.6% year to date, which can be attributed to the combined strength of its Square merchant ecosystem and Cash App consumer platform. The rally also reflects the strength of its AI implementations, which have improved customer engagement, as well as strategic partnerships that have expanded distribution opportunities.
XYZ stock has not only outperformed its peers, such as Affirm (AFRM - Free Report) and StoneCo Ltd. (STNE - Free Report) , but has also outperformed the S&P 500 composite over the same time frame. Year to date, Affirm shares have gained 9.6%, while StoneCo shares have declined 24%.
However, the question remains whether Block’s fundamentals are sufficient to gain momentum now, or a challenging macroeconomic environment could jeopardize its growth tempo. Here, we analyze XYZ in detail to determine whether it will be prudent enough to buy the stock for now, hold or fold.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What’s Supporting Block’s Progress?Cash App has been a key contributor to Block’s momentum, evolving well beyond its origins as a peer-to-peer payments platform. It now operates as a comprehensive financial platform, particularly for younger, digitally native consumers. By offering services across payments, banking, commerce and bitcoin transactions, Cash App continues to deepen its role in users’ everyday financial activities.
Growth in Primary Banking Actives also remained strong, supporting continued momentum for the Cash App Card in the first quarter. In March 2026, Cash App Primary Banking Actives increased 18% year over year to 9.7 million, reflecting sustained gains in user engagement. While the company expects a slight seasonal sequential decline in the second quarter compared with the first, it still anticipates continued year-over-year growth in Primary Banking Actives.
In early June, Block announced the launch of Afterpay on Cash App Card, making Buy Now, Pay Later (“BNPL”) available to eligible Cash App Card customers. The feature targets American earners with variable incomes and customers who are underserved by the current financial system. It is being rolled out to Cash App’s roughly 59 million monthly transacting active users. Block stands to benefit from increased card usage and merchant volume while capturing BNPL fees.
Square, Block’s merchant business, continues to perform well, posting double-digit gross payment volume (GPV) growth in first-quarter 2026. Innovations like the next generation of Square Register also highlight the company’s efforts to keep Square competitive in the evolving point-of-sale and software landscape. Square is expanding its AI commerce strategy with a new ChatGPT app and Claude plugin. The initiative is designed to help sellers appear when customers ask AI assistants where to eat, shop or book services, while enabling users to place orders directly through those AI experiences. The initial rollout covers U.S. food and beverage sellers using Square Online Ordering.
Block is expanding its partner base to scale its distribution network. Last month, Sherwin-Williams selected Square as its payment solutions partner for its extensive network of PRO+ customers through the Digital Alliance Program. Additionally, the company partners with more than 140 independent sales organizations (ISOs) to complement its direct sales and extend reach to new sellers. Its merchant wins, including Ladurée Canada, Sofive Soccer Centers, Coffee Dose and Baker St Café, demonstrate its growing penetration across restaurants, specialty food, sports centers and retail businesses.
What Hinders Block Stock's Performance?Despite its strengths, Block faces material headwinds. The company’s performance remains vulnerable to macroeconomic fluctuations and changes in consumer spending patterns. As a result, external forces may play a larger role than internal execution in shaping its trajectory in the upcoming quarters.
Cash App Borrow, Afterpay and Square Loans increase Block’s exposure to consumer and merchant credit risk as the lending portfolio scales. In first-quarter 2026, transaction, loan and consumer receivable losses rose to $500 million from $170 million a year earlier, reflecting rapid growth in Cash App Borrow originations and scaling of Afterpay Post-Purchase.
The company operates in crowded, fast-moving markets across merchant acquiring, POS/ software, consumer wallets and BNPL, where feature and pricing parity can change quickly. If competitors match features or undercut pricing, or if seller and consumer behavior shifts, Block may need to reinvest incremental gross profit to defend share, limiting the pace of operating leverage even when volume growth remains healthy.
XYZ’s Earnings Estimate Revision Trends UpwardThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Block’s 2026 sales calls for a year-over-year rise of 8.08%, while that for earnings per share (EPS) suggests a 64.56% increase year over year. EPS estimates have been trending upward to $3.90 per share over the past month.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
XYZ Shares Trade at a DiscountIn terms of forward 12-month Price/Earnings (P/E), Block is trading at 25.97X, which is at a discount to Affirm’s 47.59X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Final Take on BlockBlock is reinforcing its status as a leading fintech innovator through the steady expansion of the Square and Cash App ecosystems, reflecting the company’s strong execution.
While macroeconomic headwinds, changes in consumer spending, rising credit risk and competition warrant caution, Block’s discounted valuation, positive earnings estimates and solid fundamentals make XYZ stock an attractive buy for patient investors.
At present, Block carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
M&T Bank Corporation (MTB) Q2 2026 Earnings Call July 15, 2026 8:00 AM EDT
Company Participants
Steven Wendelboe - Senior Vice President of Investor Relations
Daryl Bible - Senior EVP & CFO
Conference Call Participants
Manan Gosalia - Morgan Stanley, Research Division
L. Erika Penala - UBS Investment Bank, Research Division
John Pancari - Evercore ISI Institutional Equities, Research Division
Gerard Cassidy - RBC Capital Markets, Research Division
Kenneth Usdin - Bernstein Autonomous LLP
Ebrahim Poonawala - BofA Securities, Research Division
Matthew O'Connor - Deutsche Bank AG, Research Division
David Chiaverini - Jefferies LLC, Research Division
Christopher McGratty - Keefe, Bruyette, & Woods, Inc., Research Division
Presentation
Operator
Welcome to the M&T Bank Second Quarter 2026 Conference Call. [Operator Instructions]
Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded.
I would now like to hand the conference over to Steven Wendelboe, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.
Steven Wendelboe
Senior Vice President of Investor Relations
Thank you, Chelsea, and good morning. I'd like to thank everyone for participating in M&T's Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. If you have not read the earnings release we issued this morning, you may access it along with the financial tables and schedules by going to our Investor Relations website at ir.mtb.com.
Also, before we start, I'd like to mention that today's presentation may contain forward-looking information. Cautionary statements about this information are included in today's earnings release materials and in the investor presentation as well as our SEC filings and other investor materials. The presentation also includes non-GAAP financial measures as identified in the earnings release and investor presentation. The appropriate reconciliations to GAAP are included in the appendix.
Joining me on the call this morning is M&T's Senior Executive Vice President and CFO, Daryl Bible. Now I'd like to turn the call over to Daryl.
CXMT chce v listing na Shanghai STAR Market získat 8,5 miliardy USD na rozšíření výroby DRAM a tím zvýšit tlak na Micron. Akcie Micronu na zprávě klesly o 7 %.
This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.
$8.5 billion. That is what Chinese memory maker ChangXin Memory Technologies, or CXMT, is set to raise in its Shanghai STAR Market listing, nearly double its initial target, at an implied market cap near $85.5 billion. The proceeds represent an incoming war chest, not yet in the bank, earmarked to expand production of the same commodity DRAM chips that make up a huge portion of Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU | MU Price Prediction)’s business.
What It Means Micron is a DRAM company first. CXMT’s DRAM market share roughly tripled year over year to about 8% in the first quarter, per Counterpoint Research, still well behind Micron’s roughly 22%, but a triple in a year is still an amazing trajectory. That’s unnerving investors, especially as the fresh capital should enable CXMT to invest in further closing the gap. Commodity DDR4 and DDR5 used in PCs, servers, and smartphones is exactly where a well funded Chinese entrant can press hardest, and it is exactly the pool Micron swims in outside the United States.
Of course, it’s worth noting that CXMT is subject to US sanctions that curb its access to the most advanced chipmaking equipment, which limits its ability to supply US customers and to make the most advanced high-bandwidth memory (HBM) that powers AI servers. That caps the near-term damage. It does not eliminate the pressure on standard DRAM pricing that Micron needs to hold to defend the fat margins it just printed.
How fat? Q3 FY26 came in at $41.5 billion in revenue, non-GAAP EPS of $25.11, and GAAP gross margin of 84.6% versus 37.7% a year ago. Operating income ran $33.3 billion. Those margins are the prize CXMT is aiming at, even if it never touches HBM.
Market Reaction Not surprisingly, Micron traded down sharply on the news, with shares off 7% as of the time of this writing. The move is not solely about CXMT. Memory names sold off across the board (SK Hynix’s (NASDAQ:SKHY) US-listed ADR is down 9% on the day as well) as traders locked in a strong run, but the DRAM competition headline sat squarely at the center of the narrative.
July 16 is the Final Day to Tap Into the Lithium Boom (sponsor)
General Motors, POSCO, and 50,000+ everyday investors have already backed lithium producer EnergyX.
Here's why you should do the same before their July 16 investment deadline: lithium prices are up 75% this year, with demand projected to grow a staggering 5X by 2040.
With tech that can recover up to 3X more lithium than traditional methods, EnergyX is preparing to unlock up to 15M+ tons. Become a private-stage EnergyX investor before the July 16 deadline.
Part of the problem here is that Micron is up over 240% year to date and 730% over one year as of yesterday. A rerating of that scale needs the fundamentals to keep sprinting. Q4 guidance says they will: $50 billion ± $1 billion in revenue and non-GAAP EPS of $31.00 ± $1.00. That guidance assumes DRAM pricing holds. A better-funded CXMT is a direct threat to that assumption in the commodity segment where Micron cannot hide behind HBM.
Then look at the capital intensity of Micron’s own defense. Capital expenditures hit $7.8 billion in Q3 alone, up 166.37% year over year. CEO Sanjay Mehrotra framed it directly: “Micron is investing at record levels in technology, products and supply to address our customers’ rapidly growing demand.” Record capex is the price of staying ahead. It is also the number that CXMT’s IPO proceeds are designed to match on the low end of the technology ladder. The AI leg of the story hinges on a small number of buyers whose orders can flex.
SK Hynix looks insulated today as the DRAM revenue leader that dominates HBM. The longer term question, several years out, is whether a funded CXMT can close the technology gap under sanctions. If it does, the pressure eventually reaches the largest incumbents too.
Bottom Line For long term holders, the CXMT raise highlights that these competitive threats are intensifying. Micron’s Q3 numbers are the peak of an AI memory cycle, and the stock has been priced accordingly. The $8.5 billion raise is the first hard evidence that the competitive equation on commodity DRAM is changing in the background. The next catalyst is fiscal Q4 2026 earnings, when management’s confidence in that $50 billion revenue guide meets the first questions about what a bigger CXMT means for pricing into calendar 2027. That is the number to watch – and we’ll all be waiting.
Meet America's Newest $1b Unicorn (Sponsor) A US startup just passed a $1 billion private valuation, joining billion-dollar private companies like OpenAI and ByteDance. Unlike those other unicorns, you can invest in EnergyX right now; but only until July 16.
Over 50,000 people already have, along with global giants like General Motors and POSCO.
Here's why there's so much interest: EnergyX's patented tech can recover up to 3X more lithium than traditional methods. That's a big deal, as demand for lithium is expected to 5X current production levels by 2040. Become an early-stage EnergyX shareholder before the 7/16 investment deadline.
Micron je po propadu o více než 20 % pod nedávným maximem blíž k nákupu než Marvell. Marvell je více než 35 % pod maximem a autor doporučuje vyčkat na stabilizaci.
The stock market’s advance from late March through early July produced several major winners, but few were more impressive than Micron Technology ((MU - Free Report) ) and Marvell Technology ((MRVL - Free Report) ). Both stocks more than tripled from their spring lows as investors rushed into companies positioned at critical points across the AI infrastructure buildout.
Micron benefited from surging demand for high-bandwidth memory, a critical component for AI inference, the fastest growing requirement for LLMs. Memory has historically been one of the most commoditized and cyclical areas of the semiconductor industry. But as demand began overwhelming available supply, Micron found itself controlling one of the scarcest resources in the AI ecosystem. Pricing power followed, earnings estimates soared and the stock responded accordingly.
Marvell’s rally was similarly dramatic. The company was already benefiting from rapid growth across custom silicon, interconnects, switching and optical networking, which is the plumbing that allows increasingly large AI data centers to function. Then Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang added fuel to the move by identifying Marvell as a potential future trillion-dollar company.
But after extraordinary three-month runs, both stocks have reversed sharply. Micron is now more than 20% below its recent high, while Marvell has fallen more than 35%.
So, is it time to buy the pullback?
Not quite. Micron is approaching a potentially attractive setup, but Marvell likely needs more time to stabilize.
The AI Sentiment Pendulum Swings AgainI do not believe the AI boom is ending. However, it seems the narrative pendulum had swung too far toward exuberance, and periods of extreme optimism typically require a meaningful reset before the next sustainable advance can begin.
We have seen this pattern several times throughout the AI boom. Concerns about capital spending, cheaper Chinese models, declining inference costs, competitive threats and uncertain returns on investment have repeatedly triggered sharp pullbacks.
Each concern has some merit. The largest technology companies are spending unprecedented amounts on AI infrastructure, while the ultimate economics of many AI services remain uncertain. But similar doubts have emerged before, and the broader semiconductor cycle has consistently resumed its advance after expectations and positioning cooled.
The process is never as clean as a theoretical model. Sentiment moves between enthusiasm and skepticism, producing irregular peaks and drawdowns around a longer-term trend. So far, however, each major cycle within the AI trade has ultimately resolved higher.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Given the size of the recent declines and the sharp reversal in sentiment, I suspect the semiconductor correction is now closer to its end than its beginning. That does not mean the final low is already in. The group could still experience another leg lower, but much of the excess enthusiasm is leaving, and the risk-reward profile is becoming more constructive as expectations reset.
That does not mean every pullback should be purchased immediately. The underlying trend can remain intact while individual stocks decline further, consolidate for months or permanently lose leadership. Investors still need to distinguish between a durable business inflection and a stock that simply ran too far ahead of itself.
MU and MRVL Were Fundamental Rallies, Not Pure SpeculationIt is important to recognize that the advances in Micron and Marvell were supported by genuine business growth.
I highlighted both companies well before their most recent rallies. Last summer, I discussed Marvell’s compelling long-term setup following a disappointing earnings reaction in this interview. I also identified Micron as a non-consensus AI winner here near the beginning of what became an extraordinary advance.
The fundamentals subsequently exceeded even optimistic expectations.
That separates the current situation from a purely speculative bubble. Investors were not merely bidding up unprofitable companies based on distant promises. Micron and Marvell produced substantial revenue growth, rapidly improving earnings and exposure to areas of the AI supply chain where demand remains strong.
Still, even fundamentally justified rallies can overshoot. After moves of this magnitude, more air may need to come out before either stock is ready for its next sustained leg higher.
Micron’s Unbelievable Earnings GrowthMicron’s recent financial performance has been exceptional and helps explain why the stock gained so much so quickly.
In fiscal Q3 2026, ended May 28, Micron earned $25.11 per share on a non-GAAP basis, up more than 1,200% from $1.91 one year earlier. Revenue increased 346%, climbing from $9.30 billion to $41.46 billion.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The company’s outlook suggested that the acceleration was not finished. Management guided fiscal Q4 revenue to approximately $50 billion, with non-GAAP earnings approaching $31 per share. Both would represent records by enormous margins.
Micron’s earnings revisions have been equally remarkable. According to Goldman Sachs, the company accounted for roughly 51% of all S&P 500 earnings-per-share revisions during the recent period it measured. That is an astounding contribution from one company and demonstrates how aggressively expectations have been repriced around memory demand.
But that concentration also creates risk.
Micron is no longer an overlooked AI beneficiary. Investors now broadly understand the high-bandwidth-memory shortage, the company’s pricing power and the scale of its earnings growth. Future gains will increasingly depend on whether Micron can continue exceeding already elevated expectations.
The company also remains exposed to the memory cycle. AI may have created something closer to a silicon super-cycle, but supply eventually responds to high prices. Customers can adjust spending, competitors can expand production and exceptionally strong margins can attract additional capacity.
Technically, Micron is now testing an important support area. The stock has not yet broken its broader uptrend, but a decisive move below that level would weaken the setup and suggest that the reset has further to run.
For investors interested in buying the pullback, Micron is the more compelling of the two stocks. However, I would still wait for evidence that support is holding and volatility is beginning to decline rather than trying to predict the exact bottom.
Image Source: TradingView
Jensen Huang’s Trillion-Dollar Call on MarvellMarvell has also delivered unusually strong growth, although its underlying inflection began well before the stock’s most recent surge.
For a time, that improvement was hidden beneath weak headline results. Total revenue barely increased from $5.5 billion in fiscal 2024 to $5.77 billion in fiscal 2025 as deep downturns in Marvell’s legacy carrier and enterprise businesses offset rapid data-center growth.
One layer beneath the headline numbers, however, the transformation was already underway.
Data-center revenue grew 88% in fiscal 2025 and represented approximately 75% of the company’s business by year-end, up from roughly 50%. Custom AI silicon entered volume production while Marvell’s electro-optics business continued supplying the connectivity required to move data across increasingly complex AI systems.
Once the weakness in the legacy businesses began to ease, the underlying growth became visible in the consolidated results.
Fiscal 2026 revenue reached a record $8.2 billion, representing growth of 42%, while data-center revenue surpassed $6 billion. Non-GAAP earnings rose 81% to $2.84 per share, and fiscal Q1 2027 revenue increased another 28%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Those results help explain why Marvell has become a prominent AI infrastructure companies. The business spans several important areas, including custom accelerators, optical connectivity, switching and data-center interconnects.
But the valuation leaves little room for disappointment.
Marvell trades at more than 50x forward earnings, although long-term earnings growth forecasts are also near 50%. That combination can support a premium multiple, but only while growth remains exceptional and execution consistently exceeds expectations.
Marvell may eventually become a trillion-dollar company, but getting there would require years of extraordinary compounding. Even at an elevated multiple, a $1 trillion valuation would imply approximately $20 billion in annual profit. That is an enormous leap from the company’s current earnings base.
For that reason, I would not treat the trillion-dollar prediction as a near-term investment thesis. It is better understood as an expression of Marvell’s strategic importance within the AI infrastructure ecosystem.
The immediate technical picture is less encouraging. Momentum has shifted decisively lower, volatility remains elevated and the stock has not yet established a clear support level. Rather than buying simply because Marvell is 35% below its high, I would wait for visible base-building, tighter trading ranges and evidence that sellers are becoming exhausted.
Image Source: TradingView
Micron Is Closer to a Buy Than MarvellBoth stocks remain tied to powerful long-term trends, but the risks are different.
Micron’s primary risk is the durability of the memory cycle. Investors must determine how long high-bandwidth-memory demand can outpace supply and whether exceptional pricing and margins can persist as production expands.
Marvell’s primary risks are valuation and execution. The company must continue converting its strong positioning in custom silicon and connectivity into earnings growth sufficient to justify a premium multiple.
Micron currently offers the more attractive setup because its earnings momentum is stronger and the stock is testing a clearly defined technical level. Marvell has experienced a more serious momentum breakdown and likely needs a longer period of stabilization.
That does not mean Micron should be purchased indiscriminately. A break below support could create another meaningful leg lower, particularly if broader semiconductor sentiment continues deteriorating.
For now, I would classify Micron as a stock to watch closely near support. Marvell remains a stock to wait on until its volatility declines and a credible base begins to form.
How Investors Can Approach MU and MRVL The recent declines in Micron and Marvell look more like sentiment resets than evidence that the AI infrastructure boom is breaking. Their rallies were supported by legitimate business growth, extraordinary earnings momentum and exposure to some of the most strategically important parts of the semiconductor industry.
But strong businesses do not automatically become attractive stocks at every price.
The narrative pendulum is now swinging away from exuberance and back toward skepticism. That process could continue for several weeks or months as investors question AI spending, future returns and whether the industry has expanded capacity too aggressively.
Micron is closer to an actionable entry, but investors should first look for support to hold and trading conditions to stabilize. Marvell carries a more demanding valuation and has suffered a more decisive technical breakdown, making patience especially important.
The larger AI opportunity likely remains intact. But after rallies of this magnitude, investors do not need to rush. MU is a watch near support, while MRVL remains a wait. A durable bottom could eventually create attractive opportunities in both, but neither stock has fully completed its reset.
Intuitive Surgical čelí rostoucí konkurenci v robotické chirurgii, hlavně v Číně, ale chce si udržet vedení díky technologii, klinickým důkazům a ekosystému. Firma sází na da Vinci 5 i repasovaný XiR pro různé rozpočty, nikoli na cenovou válku.
Key Takeaways Intuitive Surgical is relying on technology, clinical evidence and its ecosystem to defend market leadership.ISRG uses da Vinci 5 and refurbished XiR to serve different budgets while protecting premium positioning.Intuitive Surgical emphasizes value, training, AI tools and services instead of competing on price. Intuitive Surgical (ISRG - Free Report) is navigating an increasingly competitive robotic surgery landscape as domestic Chinese manufacturers, European innovators and large global medtech companies expand their presence. Management acknowledged persistent competitive and pricing pressures in China, particularly amid lower tender activity and policy-driven pricing. The company, however, remains confident that it can preserve its leadership through differentiated technology, strong clinical evidence and a comprehensive ecosystem, rather than competing solely on price.
A key pillar of Intuitive Surgical's strategy is a tiered product portfolio that addresses varying customer budgets without diluting its premium positioning. The flagship da Vinci 5 targets hospitals seeking advanced capabilities such as Force Feedback, AI-enabled digital features and higher utilization, while the refurbished Xi (XiR) platform serves cost-sensitive markets, particularly outside the United States.
Management believes XiR offers a compelling value proposition because customers receive access to the full Intuitive Surgical ecosystem — including instruments, software, services and training — at a more affordable price point. This segmentation allows the company to compete across multiple price tiers while protecting margins on its latest-generation platform.
Rather than engaging in price wars, Intuitive Surgical continues to focus on value-based selling. Management said customer discussions increasingly focus on the overall value of a robotic surgery program — including improved patient outcomes, greater procedural efficiency, higher utilization and expansion of minimally invasive surgery — rather than the upfront purchase price of a robot. The company is also tailoring pricing and commercial strategies by geography while working with policymakers to strengthen reimbursement frameworks and demonstrate long-term clinical and economic benefits.
Perhaps Intuitive Surgical's strongest competitive moat remains its ecosystem. Beyond a large installed base, the company offers integrated surgeon training, digital services through My Intuitive+, telepresence capabilities, clinical evidence generation and AI-driven innovations powered by real-world surgical data. Management believes this combination of technology, outcomes data, service infrastructure and customer support creates a durable competitive advantage that will be difficult for newer entrants to replicate as global competition intensifies.
Peer UpdatesGlobus Medical (GMED - Free Report) is defending its position in robotic spine surgery by combining differentiated technology with a broader procedural ecosystem rather than competing on hardware alone. Management emphasized that ExcelsiusGPS continues to benefit from its ground-up design, navigation-based workflow, ease of use and proven reliability across nearly 130,000 robotic procedures. The company stated that newer competing systems are yet to match its accuracy and workflow efficiency.
GMED is also strengthening its moat through robotics pull-through, flexible leasing and rental models that expand placements while driving recurring implant revenues. Integration of patient-specific implants, navigation, robotics and surgical intelligence into a closed-loop ecosystem further differentiates Globus Medical, while aggressive surgeon recruitment and cross-selling help capture market share despite intensifying competition from Medtronic and other entrants.
Stereotaxis (STXS - Free Report) is responding to intensifying competition by transforming itself from a single-product robotics company into a comprehensive endovascular robotics platform. Rather than relying on its legacy robotic system, the company has launched GenesisX, MAGiC robotic ablation catheters and the Synchrony digital surgery cockpit, reducing its historical dependence on Johnson & Johnson while expanding recurring revenue opportunities.
Management believes GenesisX's ability to operate in existing catheter labs without construction significantly broadens its addressable market. At the same time, investments in AI, automation, wireless robotic platforms and the Robocath acquisition position Stereotaxis to compete across electrophysiology, neurovascular and cardiovascular interventions. By building an integrated ecosystem of robotics, proprietary devices and digital intelligence, the company aims to create a differentiated long-term competitive position despite growing global competition.
ISRG’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of ISRG have lost 32.9% so far this year compared with a 13% decline for the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Intuitive Surgical trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 34.18X, above the industry average. But, it is still lower than its five-year median of 69.50X. ISRG carries a Value Score of D.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Intuitive Surgical’s 2026 earnings implies a 16.6% rise from the year-ago period’s level.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Wedbush čeká, že TSMC ve 2. čtvrtletí lehce překoná odhady díky silným tržbám a poptávce po pokročilých čipech. Firma může zlepšit celoroční výhled tržeb.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (ADR) (NYSE:TSM) is expected to report second quarter results that come in slightly ahead of expectations, with Wedbush analysts pointing to strong revenue trends and continued demand for advanced semiconductor technologies as potential drivers for a stronger outlook.
Wedbush reiterated its ‘Outperform’ rating ahead of TSMC’s earnings, writing that the company’s monthly revenue figures indicate it likely exceeded the firm’s prior second-quarter top-line estimate by around 1%, similar to the previous quarter’s performance.
The analysts expect gross margins to have at least reached the midpoint of TSMC’s prior guidance range, noting that results appeared to track closely with expectations throughout the quarter.
Looking ahead, Wedbush expects TSMC could provide an improved revenue outlook for the full year. The company previously guided for sales growth of more than 30% in US dollar terms, while revenue growth has been tracking in the high-30% range year-to-date. Wedbush wrote that the ramp of TSMC’s 2-nanometer process technology in the second half of 2026 could support at least mid-30% annual sales growth.
The analysts added that such an outcome could lead to higher 2026 estimates and reduce the magnitude of the slowdown they currently model for 2027.
Wedbush also highlighted gross margins as a key area to monitor, with the firm and consensus forecasts currently expecting some pressure in the second half of the year due to the 2nm launch and expanded overseas manufacturing capacity. The analysts wrote that third-quarter guidance should provide more visibility into how those factors will affect profitability, while recent currency movements could provide some benefit.
Capital spending will also be closely watched, with Wedbush writing that sustained demand for advanced nodes could prompt TSMC to raise its annual capex outlook again. The analysts noted that this would further support the view that current 2027 revenue growth expectations may be too conservative.
Wedbush wrote that TSMC remains one of its preferred hardware investments, citing the company’s position in advanced semiconductor manufacturing and packaging as a key beneficiary of the ongoing AI data center build-out and future edge AI opportunities across areas including optics, robotics, automotive technology and electronic design automation.
Shares of TSMC traded hands at $417 on Wednesday afternoon, having gained more than 37% so far this year.
Honeywell Technologies v 1. čtvrtletí snížila organické tržby v Process Automation and Technology o 6 % meziročně kvůli slabším aftermarketovým prodejům. Firma čeká, že konflikt na Blízkém východě sníží ve 2. čtvrtletí tržby segmentu o 1 %.
Key Takeaways HON's Process Automation and Technology organic revenues fell 6% in Q1 on weaker aftermarket sales.Honeywell expects the Middle East conflict to reduce Q2 sales by about 1%, weighing on the segment.HON completed its aerospace spin-off, sharpening its focus on industrial automation and capital allocation. Honeywell Technologies (HON - Free Report) has been witnessing weakness in the Process Automation and Technology segment. In the first quarter of 2026, the segment’s organic revenues decreased 6% on a year-over-year basis.
This decline was attributable to a 10% drop in organic sales in the aftermarket business owing to lower refining catalyst shipments and project delays. Also, reduced customer demand in the Middle East due to ongoing geopolitical tensions hurt its results. The conflict is likely to have hurt its Process Automation and Technology segment’s performance in the second quarter. HON anticipates the Middle East conflict to have an adverse impact on the segment's sales by 1% in the second quarter.
Nevertheless, growth in orders across petrochemical and refining verticals in the segment is expected to drive its long-term performance. The Process Technology segment’s orders grew 11% year over year in the first quarter.
It is worth noting that on June 29, Honeywell Technologies became a standalone public company following the spin-off of the Aerospace Technologies business from Honeywell International. The separation completed the company's multi-year portfolio restructuring, creating three independent publicly traded companies. With a sharper focus on industrial automation, Honeywell Technologies expects to benefit from improved operational focus, disciplined capital allocation and greater financial flexibility.
Business Performance of HON's PeersRBC Bearings Incorporated (RBC - Free Report) is witnessing strength in the Industrial segment (revenues increased 5.5% year over year in fourth-quarter fiscal 2026). Stable demand for RBC Bearings’ highly engineered bearings and precision components in food & beverage, semiconductor and warehousing markets bodes well for the segment.
Another peer, 3M Company (MMM - Free Report) , has been witnessing solid momentum in the Safety and Industrial segment, driven by strength in personal safety, industrial adhesives and tapes, and electrical markets. Stable demand for 3M’s electrical infrastructure products, like medium voltage cable accessories and insulation tapes, augurs well for the segment in the quarters ahead. Organic sales from 3M’s Safety and Industrial segment grew 3.2% year over year in the first quarter of 2026.
HON's Price Performance and ValuationFollowing the spin-off of the Aerospace business, Honeywell’s shares have lost 2.2% compared with the Zacks Diversified Operations industry’s 3.7% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, HON is trading at a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 25.09X, above the industry’s average of 15.05X. Honeywell carries a Value Score of F.
JPMorgan vidí novou dohodu s Hyperliquid jako krátkodobý tlak na zisky Coinbase i Circle. Za důležitější pro investory ale považuje legislativu podporující kryptoměny, kterou prosazuje administrativa Donalda Trumpa.
JPMorgan believes the new Hyperliquid partnership will weigh on earnings for both firms, yet says pro-crypto legislation backed by President Donald Trump‘s administration could ultimately prove to be the more important story for investors.
Hyperliquid Changes The EconomicsCoinbase and Circle announced in May that Hyperliquid would adopt USDC as its preferred stablecoin, a move designed to deepen the token’s presence across one of crypto’s fastest-growing decentralized exchanges.
The catch? JPMorgan says the revised arrangement significantly changes how the two companies split the economics.
Coinbase will now classify USDC held on Hyperliquid as “on-platform,” allowing it to earn reserve income before paying 90% of that revenue back to Hyperliquid. The firm estimates roughly $6 billion of USDC, or about 8% of the circulating supply, now sits on the platform.
The result is a near-term revenue headwind for both companies, prompting JPMorgan to lower earnings estimates. The brokerage now expects the full impact of the revised economics to become more visible during the second half of 2026, alongside a softer crypto trading environment marked by lower volumes, weaker digital asset prices and declining DeFi activity.
The Prisoner’s DilemmaJPMorgan argues the Hyperliquid deal highlights a broader challenge for the Coinbase-Circle partnership.
Rather than simply sharing the benefits of USDC adoption, both companies are incentivized to compete for distribution partners. Winning those relationships could increasingly require giving away a larger share of the economics, creating what the analysts describe as a classic “prisoner’s dilemma.”
In other words, USDC adoption may continue to grow while the value each company captures from that growth gradually shrinks.
Washington May Be The Bigger CatalystThat’s why JPMorgan believes investors shouldn’t lose sight of the bigger picture.
The firm continues to view U.S. digital asset market structure legislation as a potential turning point for the industry, even as the path to passage becomes more uncertain with the Senate’s legislative calendar narrowing ahead of its August recess.
Clearer crypto rules could encourage greater institutional participation, improve market confidence and accelerate development across the digital asset ecosystem—all of which could expand demand for USDC.
JPMorgan also expects higher interest rates to support reserve income through 2027, particularly for Coinbase, even after trimming its forecasts for USDC balances.
For investors, Hyperliquid may explain the next few quarters. But if Trump’s crypto agenda succeeds in creating a clearer regulatory framework, the long-term winner may not be the company that negotiated the better deal—it could be the one serving a much larger stablecoin market.
Photo: Skorzewiak on Shutterstock.com
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
West Pharmaceutical zvýšila celoroční organický výhled růstu na 7–9 % díky silné poptávce po HVP, programech GLP-1 a konverzích Annex 1. Tržby z GLP-1 tvoří asi 10 % celkových tržeb.
Key Takeaways West Pharmaceutical is benefiting from strong HVP demand, GLP-1 programs and Annex 1 conversions.WST raised organic growth guidance as biologics, biosimilars and premium products gained momentum.West Pharmaceutical faces risks from GLP-1 concentration and qualification timelines that limit capacity. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST - Free Report) is well positioned for growth, backed by strong demand for HVPs, expanding GLP-1 drug programs and regulatory-driven Annex 1 conversions. However, tariff impacts, destocking in generics and execution challenges at constrained European facilities are concerning.
Shares of this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company have gained 29.9% year to date against the industry's 0.7% decline. The S&P 500 Index has risen 9.7% in the same time frame.
West Pharmaceutical, with a market capitalization of $25.41 billion, is a leading global manufacturer engaged in the design and production of technologically advanced, high-quality, integrated containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products. Its earnings are anticipated to improve 13.9% over the next five years. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 19.37%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Positive Factors Driving WST’s ProspectsHigh-Value Product Components Continue to Drive Premium Growth: West Pharma's High-Value Product (HVP) Components business remains its strongest earnings driver, delivering 23% organic growth in the first quarter, supported by robust demand across both GLP-1 and non-GLP-1 applications. More than two-thirds of the quarterly outperformance came from non-GLP-1 products, indicating that growth is becoming increasingly diversified.
Biologics expanded 26%, while biosimilars, Annex 1 conversions and HVP upgrades continued to accelerate. This broad-based demand reduces reliance on any single therapeutic category and reinforces the company's transition toward a higher-margin product mix. Management's decision to raise full-year organic growth guidance to 7-9% reflects confidence that these structural growth drivers will remain intact beyond the current quarter.
Annex 1 Adoption Creates a Multi-Year Premiumization Opportunity: Regulatory changes under EU Annex 1 continue to represent one of West Pharma's most durable long-term growth catalysts. Management disclosed that Annex 1-related projects increased 66% year over year, with conversions now extending beyond Europe as pharmaceutical manufacturers increasingly standardize manufacturing processes globally.
The company expects Annex 1 and HVP conversion to contribute approximately 200 basis points to annual revenue growth in 2026 and believes the opportunity extends across at least 6 billion units targeted for conversion. Since these upgrades improve pricing and margins without requiring incremental market volume, the trend provides a structurally attractive earnings lever that should support sustained margin expansion for several years.
GLP-1 Market Expansion Continues to Provide Long-Term Demand Visibility: Management remains increasingly optimistic that GLP-1 therapies will remain a long-duration growth engine rather than a cyclical opportunity. GLP-1-related HVP Component sales represented 10% of total company revenues, while management reiterated that oral GLP-1 therapies are expanding — not replacing — the injectable market.
Additional growth drivers include broader insurance coverage, reduced drug prices, generic launches outside the United States and expanding indications beyond diabetes and obesity. The company also highlighted a growing pipeline of combination molecules and next-generation biologics, positioning West Pharma to benefit regardless of which manufacturers ultimately capture market share. This diversified exposure strengthens long-term revenue visibility across the injectable drug ecosystem.
Biologics and Biosimilars Are Strengthening Revenue Diversification: West Pharma continues to benefit from accelerating biologics commercialization, with the biologics business growing 26% organically during the first quarter. Growth is increasingly driven by commercialized therapies rather than speculative pipeline launches, providing greater earnings visibility.
Management highlighted strong momentum in NovaPure products, rising biosimilar launches and easing regulatory requirements that support broader therapy adoption. Biosimilar introductions often expand patient access instead of replacing branded therapies, allowing West Pharma to maintain or even increase elastomer demand. As pharmaceutical companies continue investing in biologics and biosimilars worldwide, the company appears well positioned to capture sustained demand across both established and emerging therapies.
Key Challenges Facing WSTGLP-1 Exposure Continues to Increase Concentration Risk: Although management emphasized diversified growth, GLP-1 therapies remain an increasingly important contributor to West Pharma's financial performance, accounting for approximately 10% of total company revenue. While executives are optimistic about long-term demand, the business remains exposed to changes in reimbursement policies, competitive drug launches, pricing dynamics and regulatory developments affecting obesity and diabetes therapies.
Any slowdown in GLP-1 adoption, unexpected pricing pressure or shift toward alternative treatment modalities could disproportionately affect HVP Component growth. As investors increasingly associate West Pharma's valuation with the GLP-1 market, sustained dependence on this therapeutic category creates an important concentration risk despite improving diversification elsewhere in the portfolio.
Capacity Expansion Remains Constrained by Qualification Timelines: While operational improvements have significantly increased available production capacity, West Pharma's ability to monetize additional demand remains partially constrained by lengthy pharmaceutical qualification processes.
Management indicated that transferring production between manufacturing sites and validating second-source facilities typically require six to 12 months, limiting the speed at which incremental capacity can be utilized. As demand for HVP Components continues to exceed available supply in several product categories, these regulatory and customer qualification requirements may delay revenue realization. Consequently, even with strong end-market demand, the pace of growth remains partly dependent on customer validation timelines that are largely outside the company's direct control.
Estimate TrendWST has been witnessing a stable estimate revision for 2026. In the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has remained unchanged at $8.60 per share, implying a gain of 18% from the prior-year reported level. The consensus mark for revenues is pegged at $3.33 billion, indicating an 8.4% increase from the 2025 reported level.
Other Key PicksSome other top-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are Align Technology (ALGN - Free Report) , Intuitive Surgical (ISRG - Free Report) and Cardinal Health (CAH - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Align Technology reported first-quarter 2026 earnings per share of $2.58, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 14.2%. Revenues of $1.04 billion surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.8%.
Align Technology has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 10.3%. ALGN’s earnings surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, the average surprise being 7.80%.
Intuitive Surgical reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $2.50, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 20.2%. Revenues of $2.77 billion surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.2%.
Intuitive Surgical has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 14.3%. ISRG’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 16.8%.
Cardinal Health reported a third-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS of $3.17, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 13.2%. Revenues of $60.94 billion missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.3%.
Cardinal Health has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 17%. CAH’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 10.3%
Akcie Dave & Buster’s za poslední měsíc klesly asi o 17,4 % po slabém čtvrtletí, kdy zisk i tržby zaostaly za odhady. Tržby klesly o 1,5 % na 559,2 mil. USD.
A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Dave & Buster's (PLAY - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 17.4% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
But investors have to be wondering, will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Dave & Buster's due for a breakout? Well, first let's take a quick look at the latest earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent catalysts for Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late.
Dave & Buster's Q1 Earnings & Revenues Miss EstimatesDave & Buster's reported weak first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with adjusted earnings and revenues missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Both metrics also declined on a year-over-year basis.
The quarter was primarily weighed down by weaker customer demand at existing locations, as reflected in lower comparable-store sales. This softness, particularly in the company's core entertainment segment, contributed to an overall decline in revenues. At the same time, profitability came under pressure due to higher labor, administrative and depreciation-related expenses, which compressed operating margins.
Despite a challenging quarter, Dave & Buster's highlighted several encouraging developments. Management noted that its back-to-basics strategy is gaining traction, with improvements across food and beverage offerings, marketing initiatives and the refreshed remodel program contributing to a stronger guest experience. The company continued to execute on its growth strategy through new store openings, remodel activities and international franchise expansion.
Dave & Buster’s Q1 Earnings & RevenuesFor the fiscal first quarter, the company reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 22 cents, which missed the consensus mark of 37 cents by 40.5%. In the year-ago quarter, it had reported an adjusted EPS of 76 cents.
Quarterly revenues of $559.2 million missed the consensus estimate of $571 million by 2.1% and declined 1.5% year over year. The top line was pressured by a $29.2 million decline in comparable store revenues, partly offset by an $18.1 million increase in noncomparable store revenues.
Dave & Buster’s Sales Mix Shows DivergenceFood and Beverage revenues (38.3% of total revenues in the reported quarter) increased 6.5% year over year to $214.1 million. The company cited eat-and-play combo enhancements and menu changes made in the second half of fiscal 2025 as factors supporting higher food attach rates and check growth. Our estimate was $202.5 million.
Entertainment revenues (61.7%) fell 5.9% year over year to $345.1 million. Our estimate was $373.1 million.
Comparable store sales (including Main Event-branded locations) declined 5.4% year over year. Management attributed the decline in comparable store revenues to a reduction in walk-in business relative to the prior-year period.
Dave & Buster’s Q1 Operating HighlightsOperating income totaled $46.9 million compared with $63.2 million in the year-ago quarter. Operating margin declined to 8.4% from 11.1% reported in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Our estimate for operating income was $43 million.
Adjusted EBITDA came in at $123.2 million compared with $136.1 million in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin contracted to 22% from 24%, reflecting softer sales leverage and higher operating cost pressure.
Dave & Buster’s Balance Sheet and Cash FlowCash and cash equivalents were $19.6 million as of May 5, 2026, compared with $16.6 million as of Feb. 3, 2026. Long-term debt, net, was $1.50 billion compared with $1.52 billion at fiscal 2025-end. The company ended the quarter with $499.1 million of available liquidity, consisting of cash and availability under its $650 million revolving credit facility.
Net cash provided by operating activities improved to $113.8 million from $95.8 million in the prior-year period, mainly due to working-capital timing, partly offset by lower net income. Capital expenditures were $105.3 million, down from $154.6 million. Adjusted free cash flow was positive $25.3 million against negative $58.8 million in the year-ago quarter.
PLAY’s Store Growth and OutlookThe company opened one new domestic store in the first quarter and has opened three additional domestic stores in the second quarter. It has completed remodels of six Dave & Buster’s stores so far in fiscal 2026 and expects to complete two more during the remainder of the year.
International franchise growth also continued. Dave & Buster’s opened its fifth international franchise store in May and sixth in June, and expects at least one more opening during the remainder of fiscal 2026. Management said its back-to-basics strategy is gaining traction across food and beverage, marketing and remodels, and reiterated confidence in generating more than $100 million in free cash flow in fiscal 2026.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?It turns out, estimates revision have trended downward during the past month.
The consensus estimate has shifted -22.22% due to these changes.
VGM ScoresCurrently, Dave & Buster's has a subpar Growth Score of D, however its Momentum Score is doing a bit better with a C. However, the stock was allocated a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top quintile for value investors.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of this revision indicates a downward shift. It's no surprise Dave & Buster's has a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). We expect a below average return from the stock in the next few months.
Performance of an Industry PlayerDave & Buster's is part of the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry. Over the past month, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store (CBRL - Free Report) , a stock from the same industry, has gained 22%. The company reported its results for the quarter ended April 2026 more than a month ago.
Cracker Barrel reported revenues of $797.37 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -2.9%. EPS of $0.29 for the same period compares with $0.58 a year ago.
For the current quarter, Cracker Barrel is expected to post a loss of $0.33 per share, indicating a change of -144.6% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -7.7% over the last 30 days.
Cracker Barrel has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) based on the overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions. Additionally, the stock has a VGM Score of A.
Key Takeaways LUV's Q2 EPS estimate of 52 cents is down 3.70% in 60 days, while up 20.93% from last year's actual.Strong bookings and higher ticket prices are expected to drive 18.38% revenue growth to $8.58B.Rising labor costs may pressure margins; LUV's -1.21% ESP and Zacks Rank #3 hint at a possible miss. Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV - Free Report) is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 22.
Southwest Airlines has an encouraging earnings surprise history. The company’s earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters (missed the mark in one of the remaining quarters and matched the mark in another quarter), delivering an average beat of 246.97%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Let’s see how things have shaped up for Southwest Airlines this earnings season.
Factors Likely to Have Influenced LUV’s Q2 PerformanceThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for LUV’s second-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $8.58 billion, indicating 18.38% growth year over year. Management anticipates second-quarter 2026 unit revenues (RASM) to increase in the range of 16.5% to 18.5%,on a year-over-year basis, with capacity up flat to up 1% year over year.
We expect LUV's performance in the to-be-reported quarter to have been boosted by an uptick in total revenues, driven by high passenger revenues, as domestic air-travel demand stabilizes. Our estimate for passenger revenues in the to-be-reported quarter indicates a 18.5% increase from the second-quarter 2025 actual.
LUV is also expected to benefit from revenue initiatives and continued cost control, which contribute to solid results and strong momentum. LUV’s customer-focused product offering, operational excellence and dramatic progress from the transformational initiatives implemented last year are likely to act as other tailwinds. Further, Southwest Airlines’ lean cost structure, expanding operations and strategic partnerships, coupled with its efforts to reward its shareholders, also bode well.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LUV’s second-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised downward by 3.70% in the past 60 days to 52 cents per share. However, the consensus mark implies an upside of 20.93% from the year-ago actual. The consensus estimate lies within the company-provided guided range of 35-65 cents.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Fuel remains a key swing factor in near-term results. Notably, oil prices declined by almost 31% during the April-June 2026 period, with oil prices being down 20% during the month of June 2026 alone. As fuel expenses represent a key input cost for any transportation player, a fall in oil prices bodes well for the bottom-line growth of airline stocks. For the second quarter of 2026, the company assumes fuel cost per gallon to be between $4.10 and $4.15.
Escalated labor and airport costs are also likely to have been high, which would have hurt the company’s bottom-line performance in the June quarter. LUV expects to continue experiencing increased cost pressure from the labor agreements and deals inked with the pilots. We expect operating costs to increase 16.9% in the second quarter of 2026 from first-quarter 2025 actuals, led by the 5.9% rise in salaries and related costs.
LUV anticipates second-quarter 2026 CASM-X to be between 3.5% and 4.0% year over year, which includes an expected 1.2-point impact from the removal of six seats from the Boeing 737-700 fleet to enable extra legroom seating.
What Our Model Says About LUVOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Southwest Airlines this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. This is not the case here. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Southwest Airlines has an Earnings ESP of -1.21% and a Zacks Rank #3.
Highlights of LUV’s Q1 EarningsSouthwest Airlines reported first-quarter of 2026 earnings per share of 45 cents, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate and improving from a loss of 13 cents in the year-ago quarter. The quarter reflected solid execution as the carrier’s commercial and cost initiatives began showing up more clearly in reported results.
Operating revenues of $7.24 billion edged past the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.21 billion for a 0.4% surprise and rose 12.8% year over year.
Stocks to ConsiderHere are a few stocks from the broader Zacks Transportation sector that investors may consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.
CSX Corporation (CSX - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.31% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
CSX is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 22. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised marginally upward over the past 30 days. CSX’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the preceding four quarters and missed in the remaining one, the average beat being 3.2%.
Expeditors International of Washington (EXPD - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +2.00% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present.
EXPD is set to report second-quarter 2026 earnings on Aug. 4. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Expeditors’ second-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised 2.52% upward over the past 60 days. EXPD’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, delivering an average beat of 13.96%.
Schneider National (SNDR - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.50% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. SNDR is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 30.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 earnings has remained flat at 22 cents over the past 60 days. SNDR’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in one of the preceding four quarters (missing the mark twice and met the mark once in the remaining three quarters). The average miss is 17.97%.
Akcie Dell, Micron a SanDisk ve středu prudce klesly, protože investoři vybírali zisky po několikaměsíčním růstu AI hardwaru. Trh zároveň znejistily obavy z valuací a slabšího výhledu poptávky po infrastruktuře pro AI.
A broad selloff hit AI-linked hardware and chip stocks on Wednesday as investors locked in gains from a months-long rally and questioned how long red-hot demand for AI infrastructure can support current valuations.
Dell Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:DELL) fell as much as 12%, touching a session low of $397.69, after a report that Meta Platforms is developing plans to lease out surplus AI training and inference capacity to enterprise customers. The news stoked concern that hyperscale cloud providers may have over-built data center infrastructure, a development that could slow future server orders for system integrators such as Dell.
Rising memory costs added to the pressure on Dell's margins, given that AI-optimized servers already carry lower gross margins than the company's traditional hardware lines. GF Securities recently downgraded the stock to "Hold" from "Buy," citing a stretched valuation after shares had rallied roughly 200% and traded near 34 times forward earnings. Extensive insider selling, totaling about $1.56 billion over three months with no offsetting purchases, has also weighed on sentiment.
Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ:MU) dropped about 9%, extending losses as investors weighed reports that Washington is considering tighter unilateral restrictions on exports of high-bandwidth memory products, a step that would carry direct implications for the chipmaker's international revenue. Competition from Chinese memory manufacturers has also been cited as a growing longer-term threat to Micron's pricing power.
SanDisk (NASDAQ:SNDK) shares slid sharply after a research firm cut its near-term outlook for the NAND flash market, pointing to average selling prices falling faster than previously expected. That shift reinforced concern that the memory industry's supply-demand balance is tipping toward a surplus as capacity expansions across the sector outpace demand from enterprise and consumer electronics customers.
Advanced Micro Devices Inc (NASDAQ:AMD, XETRA:AMD) shares also fell, caught up in the broader retreat across semiconductor and memory names. The stock has been especially sensitive to swings in sentiment after more than doubling year-to-date on optimism around its EPYC server processors and Instinct AI accelerators, leaving it vulnerable to profit-taking once the mood in AI hardware shifted.
The declines mark the latest bout of volatility in a sector that has posted extraordinary gains through 2026 on the back of surging AI infrastructure spending. Traders and analysts described Wednesday's moves largely as a valuation reset rather than a sign of a broader breakdown in AI demand, though the Meta capacity report and renewed scrutiny of hardware margins have added a fresh layer of uncertainty heading into the next round of quarterly earnings.
July 7 was a rough day for Rivian Automotive (RIVN +3.03%) shareholders. The upstart electric vehicle (EV) company saw its stock plunge 18.1%, its largest single-day decline in almost two years. Rivian had announced only days earlier that it topped its second-quarter guidance with 12,194 deliveries, and raised its full-year delivery outlook from 62,000 to 67,000 vehicles to 65,000 to 70,000 vehicles.
The culprit? A new common-stock offering that underlines the reality that Rivian is still losing a ton of money and needs substantial additional capital to continue growing. It can be tempting to buy Rivian stock on this dramatic decline. Here's why that's probably not a good idea in this case.
This sell-off was about more than the share dilution Rivian sold 75 million new shares at $15.50 per share, raising approximately $1.2 billion in gross proceeds. The company also granted the underwriters an option to purchase an additional 11.25 million shares of common stock. The funds are for general corporate purposes and equity contributions for a loan arrangement with the U.S. Department of Energy.
Image source: Rivian.
Beyond the share dilution the new shares will cause, the offering priced shares at $15.50, well below the open-market price at the time. Rivian and institutional buyers agreeing to the offering at such a deep discount probably doesn't send a great message to the market about how the parties involved view the stock. But most of all, the offering is a harsh reminder of how far Rivian still has to go to remain financially viable. The company has burned over $3 billion in free cash flow over the past four quarters alone.
Buy the dip? No thanks Rivian trades at a valuation that is completely disconnected from most of the automotive industry. The most successful automotive companies broadly trade at under 1 times sales. Rivian trades at 3.8 times sales, even after the stock's sell-off. Although Tesla is an exception, it's hardly fair to compare it with Rivian, since Tesla has Elon Musk and has shifted its business focus to autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, and humanoid robotics.
Today's Change
(
3.03
%) $
0.53
Current Price
$
18.03
The reason why automotive companies trade at such low valuations is the same reason Rivian still needs to raise money. Manufacturing vehicles, whether EVs or regular combustion models, is very capital-intensive. Factories are expensive to build, and they need to operate at nearly full capacity to produce vehicles profitably.
If Rivian continues to sell more vehicles, its margins should improve as volumes rise. Rivian's just not there yet. It's probably wise to stay on the sidelines until Rivian's valuation drops closer to that of other automotive stocks or the company grows enough that it no longer needs additional funding.
Cenovus cílí do roku 2028 na produkci nad 1 milion BOE denně a program přezkumu vrtů v Christina Lake North začal dřív, než se čekalo. Má přidat výrazný růst produkce už letos.
Key Takeaways Cenovus targets production above 1 million BOE/d by 2028 through multiple growth projects. Christina Lake North's redevelopment well program began ahead of schedule and should lift output this year.Cenovus' integrated assets and pipeline access help secure better pricing during market volatility. Cenovus Energy (CVE - Free Report) is an integrated energy company based in Canada, with its operations spanning the upstream and downstream segments. CVE’s upstream production is primarily supported by its oil sands assets, which are characterized by a low cost of production and a long reserve life. Following the acquisition of MEG Energy, Christina Lake North has emerged as one of Cenovus' most important growth assets, strengthening its long-term production outlook.
In its first quarter earnings call, CVE mentioned that the redevelopment well program at Christina Lake North started ahead of schedule and is expected to deliver a meaningful production increase throughout the rest of the year. Cenovus is also pursuing other key growth projects, including the Foster Creek optimization, Sunrise optimization and the West White Rose project, which are expected to contribute to its target of producing more than 1 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/d) by 2028. With multiple growth projects under development and a portfolio of long reserve-life assets, Cenovus is well positioned to deliver sustainable production growth and generate meaningful cash flows over the long term.
The company's upstream business also stands to benefit from the current strength in crude prices, driven by the escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Cenovus’ production mostly comprises heavy crude, which is typically priced against the Western Canadian Select (“WCS”) benchmark. While WCS usually trades at a discount to the West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the overall commodity price environment currently remains favorable for upstream players.
Moreover, CVE’s access to downstream infrastructure and pipeline capacity allows it to mitigate the risk of heavy crude price dislocations by gaining access to premium markets and realizing better pricing. The integrated nature of its business supports its profitability during volatile times.
Other Canadian Integrated Energy CompaniesSuncor Energy (SU - Free Report) is a leading Canadian integrated energy player whose operations include oil sands development and upgrading, conventional and offshore crude oil and gas production, petroleum refining and product marketing. The company’s integrated business model, spanning upstream production and downstream refining, provides resilience across commodity cycles, supporting profitability and cash flow generation.
Imperial Oil Limited (IMO - Free Report) is another leading integrated energy company headquartered in Canada. IMO’s operations span across exploration and production, refining and a petrochemicals business. The company is a major Canadian oil sands producer and the largest jet fuel supplier in the country. Notably, the U.S. oil giant Exxon Mobil Corporation holds an approximately 71% stake in the Canadian operator.
CVE’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of CVE have jumped 102% over the past year compared with the 73.5% improvement of the composite stocks belonging to the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, CVE trades at a trailing 12-month enterprise value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) of 6.79X. This is below the broader industry average of 7.15X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CVE’s 2026 earnings has seen downward revisions over the past seven days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
SU and IMO currently sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) each, while CVE carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Sonoco vyhlásila čtvrtletní dividendu 0,54 USD na akcii, splatnou 10. září 2026. Jde o 405. po sobě jdoucí čtvrtletí výplaty dividend a 43. rok růstu roční dividendy.
HARTSVILLE, S.C., July 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors of Sonoco Products Company (“Sonoco” or the “Company”) (NYSE: SON), a mid-cap value global packaging company, has declared a $0.54 per share quarterly common stock dividend. This dividend is payable on September 10, 2026, to shareholders of record as of August 10, 2026.
According to Howard Coker, president and chief executive officer, this is the 405th consecutive quarter dating back to 1925, that the Company has paid dividends to shareholders. Sonoco has increased its annual dividend for 43 consecutive years. Based on the closing price of Sonoco’s common stock on July 14, 2026, the Company dividend provides an approximate 4.0% yield, which is more than double the dividend yield of the S&P 500 Index.
About Sonoco
Founded in 1899, Sonoco (NYSE: SON) is a global leader in value-added, sustainable metal and paper consumer and industrial packaging. As a member of the Fortune 500, the Company had net sales of $7.5 billion from continuing operations in 2025 and has approximately 22,000 employees working in 263 operations in 37 countries, serving some of the world’s best-known brands. Guided by our purpose of Better Packaging. Better Life., we strive to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration and excellence to provide solutions that better serve all our stakeholders and support a more sustainable future. A Fortune 500 company, Sonoco was proudly named one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune in 2026 as well as one of America’s Most Admired and Responsible Companies by Fortune and Newsweek. In 2025, the Company was included on USA TODAY’s list of America’s Climate Leaders. For more information on the Company, visit our website at www.sonoco.com.
Columbia Sportswear čeká ve druhé polovině roku 2026 růst globálního velkoobchodu v nižších jednotkách procent, protože silnější poptávka zvedá objednávky na podzim 2026. Ženský segment a obuv rostly dvouciferně, u Amaze a ROC se objednávky více než zdvojnásobily.
Key Takeaways Columbia Sportswear expects mid-single-digit global wholesale growth in the second half of 2026.Women's business and footwear orders grew double digits, while Amaze and ROC orders more than doubled."Engineered for Whatever" and digital campaigns are strengthening engagement and brand positioning. Columbia Sportswear Company’s (COLM - Free Report) ACCELERATE strategy is showing encouraging signs of traction as its investments in product innovation and brand engagement begin to resonate with consumers. Early indicators suggest that newer products and marketing initiatives are resonating well with shoppers, while retailer demand for ACCELERATE products is strengthening.
In the first-quarter 2026 earnings call, Columbia Sportswear highlighted its improving Fall 2026 order book as an important sign of the strategy’s progress. The company expects mid-single-digit global wholesale growth in the second half of 2026, with the U.S. order book coming in stronger than initially anticipated. The company said stronger demand for ACCELERATE products helped boost its Fall 2026 order book.
The strategy is also reshaping Columbia Sportswear’s product portfolio. The company reported double-digit growth in women's business and footwear orders, while premium product platforms such as Titanium and Omni-Heat Arctic continue to gain traction. New product franchises, including Amaze and ROC, have more than doubled orders from the prior year, reflecting growing acceptance of the refreshed product lineup.
Marketing remains another key pillar of the ACCELERATE strategy. The "Engineered for Whatever" campaign and digital initiatives are helping strengthen consumer engagement and reinforce Columbia Sportswear’s refreshed brand positioning. The company also highlighted growing momentum in its Performance Fishing Gear business, supported by targeted marketing efforts and strong demand for products such as the Bahama shirt and Dry Tortuga Boot.
Overall, Columbia Sportswear’s ACCELERATE strategy appears to be gaining traction through stronger product innovation, encouraging retailer response and deeper consumer engagement, reflecting early progress in its efforts to elevate the Columbia brand and attract younger, more active consumers.
Columbia Sportswear’s Zacks Rank & Share Price PerformanceThis Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock has gained 8.2% in the past three months against the broader Consumer Discretionary sector and the industry’s decline of 5.8% and 1.2%, respectively. COLM has also outperformed the S&P 500, which gained 6.8% during the same period.
COLM Stock's Past 3 Months' Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Is COLM a Value Play Stock?Columbia Sportswear currently trades at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 15.21, above the industry’s average of 14.93. This valuation places the stock at a premium relative to peers, indicating broader market expectations around its business stability and ability to navigate current cost and demand dynamics.
COLM P/E Ratio (Forward 12 Months)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Other Key PicksDuluth Holdings Inc. (DLTH - Free Report) , which deals in casual wear, workwear and accessories for men and women, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DLTH’s current fiscal-year EPS indicates growth of 39.5% from the year-ago number. Duluth Holdings delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 107.5%, on average.
Vince Holding Corp. (VNCE - Free Report) provides luxury apparel and accessories in the United States and internationally. At present, the company holds a Zacks Rank of 2. VNCE has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 635.7%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for VNCE’s current fiscal-year EPS indicates growth of 34.1% from the year-ago number.
Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL - Free Report) , which is a designer and marketer of premium lifestyle products, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. RL delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 9.1%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ralph Lauren’s fiscal-year EPS indicates growth of 10.5% from the year-ago number.
Arbitrumový DeFi protokol Ostium pozastavil obchodování po exploitu OLP vaultu, který podle Blockaid způsobil ztrátu zhruba 18 milionů USDC. Útočník měl použít registrovaný PriceUpKeep forwarder a zpětně datované autorizované oracle reporty k vytvoření falešných zisků.
Arbitrum-based DeFi protocol Ostium has halted trading after a reported exploit in its OLP vault led to an estimated $18 million USDC loss.
Security firm Blockaid, the first to report the incident, said the attacker manipulated oracle data to generate fake trading profits.
Advertisement
🚨 Blockaid detected an @Ostium Vault exploit on Arbitrum.
An attacker used a registered PriceUpKeep forwarder and future-dated authorized oracle reports to create artificial trade profit, triggering a ~$18M USDC payout from the vault.
More details in 🧵
— Blockaid (@blockaid_) July 15, 2026
Blockaid said the attacker used a registered PriceUpKeep forwarder and future-dated authorized oracle reports to fabricate trading profits, allowing them to extract roughly $18 million USDC from the vault.
Ostium said it was aware of the incident. The project has suspended all trading activity, and is actively investigating the issue.
We are aware of the issue with the OLP vault. We have paused all trading. The team is investigating.
— Ostium (@Ostium) July 15, 2026
Ostium provides perpetual trading for tokenized real-world assets, giving users onchain access to markets beyond crypto. The project recently secured $20 million to grow its decentralized platform for trading real-world assets via perpetual futures.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Vivian Nguyen. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Adresa musti_akrep zneužila zranitelnost na Ostium a získala 23,75 milionu USDC, které na Arbitrum okamžitě směnila za 12 085 ETH za cenu 1 965 USD za kus.
According to EmberCN’s monitoring, an hour and a half ago, the DeBank address under the username musti_akrep exploited a vulnerability on Perp DEX Ostium to gain 23.75 million USDC, transferred the funds to the Arbitrum blockchain, and immediately converted the USDC into 12,085 ETH at a purchase price of $1,965.
Crypto clearing startup Glacis Labs has closed a $6.8 million seed round. The round was led by Lightspeed Faction, with participation from Franklin Templeton, Coinbase Ventures, A.GAIN (formerly IDC Ventures), Protein Capital, and Techni Ventures, structured as an equity-plus-token warrant deal. The funding will primarily be used to expand its core product, the ZeroDelta platform, and support the growth of its engineering, compliance, and marketing teams. ZeroDelta is a multi-chain clearing platform that facilitates matching, netting, and final settlement of cross-chain digital assets. It currently focuses on serving stablecoins and has processed over $1 billion in cumulative trading volume to date.
24 minutes ago
The United States will issue a $1 Trump gold coin to commemorate the 250th anniversary of its founding.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced today that the U.S. Mint will produce a $1 commemorative "gold coin" — gold in appearance but containing no actual gold or precious metals — to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The obverse features a portrait of President Trump in a suit and tie, paired with the inscriptions "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and the dates 1776-2026; the reverse displays the U.S. Great Seal eagle, marked with "$1" and "250." The coin is expected to be released this fall. The move breaks the longstanding tradition that living presidents typically do not appear on U.S. currency, with Bessent describing it as a "lasting symbol of patriotism" and "a commemoration of the legacy of freedom."
24 minutes ago
Trump: Data centers are a cash cow and one of the largest drivers of future job growth.
Trump posted that data centers are one of the biggest drivers of future job growth. They are large-scale, powerful, and have broad prospects, serving as cash cows for their respective states. However, for political reasons, the Governor of New York State terminated all data center projects under construction or planned in New York. These companies are now flocking to Alabama, Florida, Texas, Arizona, and many other states. The tax revenues and jobs brought by data centers are truly a huge source of wealth! New York State has made a bad decision. All this revenue and other benefits will flow to so-called "red states" (states dominated by the Republican Party) and some "blue states" (states dominated by the Democratic Party). These states not only have lower taxes but also can create record job opportunities. They will bear their own water and electricity costs, and the remaining funds will be returned to state governments and local communities. For the states and communities fortunate enough to secure data centers, these facilities are undoubtedly huge assets. New York State should immediately reverse its policy. We must never allow radical left-wing Democrats to make us lose data centers, artificial intelligence, and all these amazing new technologies, letting them fall into the hands of other countries!
24 minutes ago
Goldman Sachs' View: Storage Market Shows Structural Shifts, Partial Replacement of DRAM by NAND for Cost Reduction Becomes a Practical Trend
Citirni analyst Jukan referenced Goldman Sachs’ monthly conference call remarks on the memory sector, noting clients’ strong resistance to DRAM price hikes approaching 30%, leading to a modest downward revision of third-quarter DRAM price growth expectations. Meanwhile, the outlook for NAND has grown more optimistic: AI-related KV cache offloading demand continues to exceed expectations, paired with an emerging trend of using NAND to replace expensive DRAM, further supporting NAND demand. The analyst holds a positive view on SK Hynix’s second-quarter performance, projecting revenue of approximately 85 trillion won and a gross margin of 63%. Relevant stocks include SK Hynix, Micron, and SanDisk. The commentary also reveals structural shifts in the memory market. Previously, explosive HBM demand from AI servers drove DRAM prices soaring, but once price increases hit the 30% threshold, clients began resisting further hikes, leading to a temporary slowdown in the pace of DRAM price growth. NAND is taking on a new role in AI infrastructure: KV cache is critical in inference scenarios, and using cheaper NAND to partially replace expensive DRAM to reduce costs is becoming a practical trend. This divergence also implies that internal capital rotation within the storage industry chain may continue; investors should exercise greater caution regarding short-term earnings expectations for DRAM-related stocks, while the fundamental improvement in the NAND segment may not yet be fully priced in.
24 minutes ago
Kraken Launches Customized Crypto Vaults, Allowing Users to Earn Yields on Idle Bitcoin, Ethereum (ETH) and Stablecoins
Kraken Institutional has announced a partnership with on-chain yield platform Upshift, allowing qualified institutional clients to earn returns on idle Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins and other crypto assets directly within Kraken’s compliant custody framework. Unlike traditional pooled vaults, Upshift will build dedicated, customized vaults for each client, fully tailored to their investment strategies, risk parameters, liquidity needs and asset portfolios. Assets will be allocated to these non-custodial vaults, then deployed to selected on-chain contracts, with clients’ segregated Kraken custody accounts receiving a receipt token.
24 minutes ago
SpaceX falls below its $135 IPO price for the first time; US-listed space-related stocks decline across the board.
According to market data from BIT (bit.com), during U.S. stock intraday trading, SpaceX (SPCX) fell below its IPO price of $135 for the first time, currently trading at $133.6. U.S. space-related stocks declined across the board: AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) dropped 5.26%, Rocket Lab (RKLB) fell 3.4%, and Redwire (RDW) declined 3.4%.
Pinnacle Financial čeká za čtvrtletí končící v červnu 2026 meziroční růst zisku na akcii na 2,46 USD a tržeb na 1,23 miliardy USD. Analytici vidí i malé překonání konsensu, protože Most Accurate Estimate je nad odhadem.
Pinnacle Financial (PNFP - 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 stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 22. 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 regional bank operator is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.46 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +23%.
Revenues are expected to be $1.23 billion, up 142.9% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.3% 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 Pinnacle Financial?For Pinnacle Financial, 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 +0.14%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination indicates that Pinnacle Financial 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 Pinnacle Financial would post earnings of $2.3 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.39, delivering a surprise of +3.91%.
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.
Pinnacle Financial 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.
Cirrus Logic čeká ve fiskálním roce 2027 další silný růst podnikání v oblasti PC, tažený přechodem na SDCA a vyšším obsahem na zařízení. Pro 1. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2027 odhaduje tržby na 430–490 mil. USD, což je v polovině výhledu o 13 % meziročně více.
Key Takeaways CRUS expects another year of strong PC growth in fiscal 2027 after share gains across all PC categories.Cirrus Logic sees SDCA designs contributing nearly 80% of PC revenue in fiscal 2027 as adoption grows.CRUS guided Q1 fiscal 2027 revenue of $430M-$490M, implying 13% year-over-year growth at midpoint. Cirrus Logic, Inc.'s (CRUS - Free Report) PC business is emerging as an important growth driver, and management expects this momentum to continue into fiscal 2027. During fiscal 2026, the company delivered strong year-over-year revenue growth in its PC segment, supported primarily by share gains across all PC categories. Cirrus Logic expanded its product portfolio by introducing new amplifiers and codecs designed for a broader range of platforms, including mainstream and AI-enabled PCs.
The company also highlighted that voice will play an increasingly important role in enabling agentic interactions across edge devices, including PCs, and plans to leverage its expertise in audio and high-performance mixed-signal technologies to enhance AI-driven user experiences. With robust design momentum across its PC portfolio, management expects increased adoption of the SoundWire Device Class Audio (SDCA) interface and higher content per device to support another year of strong PC business growth in fiscal 2027.
On the last earnings call, management stated that the PC business grew from revenue in the low tens of millions of dollars in fiscal 2025 to the $40 million range in fiscal 2026. The company exited fiscal 2026 with strong momentum and is now shipping products to the top six laptop vendors. Cirrus Logic identified the ongoing transition from the legacy HDA audio interface to SDCA as a key growth driver. During fiscal 2026, SDCA-related revenue tripled and accounted for nearly 60% of total PC revenue after passing an important inflection point. The company expects SDCA-based designs to contribute nearly 80% of its PC revenue in fiscal 2027, reflecting continued customer adoption of the newer interface.
The company also noted that its penetration into mainstream PC devices continues to improve. While this segment represented only a small portion of revenue in previous years, Cirrus Logic expects more than half of its PC revenue in fiscal 2027 to come from mainstream devices. Management stated that customer design activity remains strong and believes the company can deliver another year of solid PC growth even if the broader PC market experiences some moderation. Cirrus Logic added that its focus on leading OEMs and higher-tier devices provides confidence in the continued expansion of its PC business during fiscal 2027.
For the first quarter of fiscal 2027, the company expects revenues between $430 million and $490 million, implying 3% sequential increase and 13% year-over-year growth at the midpoint of the guidance range.
Taking a Look at CRUS’ CompetitorsQualcomm Incorporated (QCOM - Free Report) continues to pivot from a handset-centric model toward a broader connected processor portfolio. Solid traction in the automotive business augurs well, with more than 1 million cars operating ADAS and autonomy on Snapdragon Ride processors. Higher content per vehicle on the Snapdragon Digital Chassis, broader edge AI adoption across devices and data center traction are positives. The Alphawave buyout adds high-speed wired connectivity IP and custom silicon capabilities to help accelerate its expansion into data centers. For the third quarter of fiscal 2026, Qualcomm guided revenues of $9.2-$10.0 billion and non-GAAP earnings of $2.10-$2.30, reflecting expected softness tied to the same memory-driven OEM behavior that shaped the March quarter.
Skyworks Solutions, Inc. (SWKS - Free Report) is gaining momentum in Broad Markets, helped by Wi-Fi 7 adoption, automotive infotainment wins and timing products tied to higher data center data rates. Management cited nine consecutive quarters of Broad Markets growth and expects the segment to rise modestly sequentially in the June quarter. In Mobile, a multi-generational design win with a leading Android OEM extends the premium pipeline and supports a steadier content outlook beyond the next seasonal cycle. For the third quarter of fiscal 2026, Skyworks expects revenues in the range of $900 million to $950 million. Management anticipates mobile to decline low single digits sequentially, consistent with typical seasonality, while Broad Markets is expected to rise modestly sequentially and represent about 43% of sales, up high single digits year over year.
CRUS Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of CRUS have lost 14.6% in the past month compared with the Electronics-Semiconductors industry’s decline of 4.6%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CRUS is trading at a forward 12-month price/earnings ratio of 16.76, lower than the Electronic-Semiconductors sector’s multiple of 32.13.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CRUS’ earnings for fiscal 2027 has been revised up marginally over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CRUS currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Na Planet Fitness byla podána hromadná žaloba kvůli údajným zavádějícím tvrzením o získávání zákazníků a marketingu. Žaloba se týká investorů, kteří nakoupili cenné papíry mezi 6. listopadem 2025 a 6. květnem 2026, a tvrdí, že to zpochybnilo výhled na fiskální rok 2026 i dlouhodobé finanční cíle.
NEW YORK, July 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gainey McKenna & Egleston announces that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire on behalf of all persons or entities who purchased or otherwise acquired Planet Fitness, Inc. (“Planet Fitness” or the “Company”) (NYSE: PLNT) securities between November 6, 2025 and May 6, 2026, inclusive (the “Class Period”).
The Complaint alleges that Defendants provided overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Planet Fitness’ customer acquisition and marketing metrics. The Complaint alleges that the Company’s updated marketing messaging was failing to resonate with, and was actively intimidating, its core target demographic of fitness beginners and casual gym-goers. The Complaint continues to allege that as a result, Planet Fitness was experiencing a significant headwind in net member joins during its peak first-quarter sign-up period that rendered its previously issued fiscal 2026 guidance and long term financial targets unachievable.
The Complaint alleges that instead, Planet Fitness would be required to restructure its marketing strategy, losing the gains they praised from continuing the same marketing campaign, and entirely halt the planned Black Card price increase which sale projections were premised upon. The Complaint alleges that such statements absent these material facts caused Plaintiff and other shareholders to purchase Planet Fitness’ securities at artificially inflated prices.
Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares of Planet Fitness should contact the Firm prior to the September 14, 2026 lead plaintiff motion deadline. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. If you wish to discuss your rights or interests regarding this class action, please contact Thomas J. McKenna, Esq. or Gregory M. Egleston, Esq. of Gainey McKenna & Egleston at (212) 983-1300, or via e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected].
Please visit our website at http://www.gme-law.com for more information about the firm.
TE Connectivity čeká za čtvrtletí zisk 2,85 USD na akcii, tedy meziročně o 25,6 % více, při tržbách 4,95 miliardy USD. Analytici navíc vidí Earnings ESP +0,18 %, což naznačuje překonání odhadu.
TE Connectivity (TEL - 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 stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 22. 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 electronics maker is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.85 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +25.6%.
Revenues are expected to be $4.95 billion, up 9.2% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that 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 TE Connectivity?For TE Connectivity, 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 +0.18%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.
So, this combination indicates that TE Connectivity 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 TE Connectivity would post earnings of $2.7 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.73, delivering a surprise of +1.11%.
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.
TE Connectivity 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 PlayerVicor (VICR - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Electronics - Miscellaneous Components industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $0.62 for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of -31.9%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $138.7 million, down 1.7% from the year-ago quarter.
Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for Vicor has been revised 4.2% up to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%, reflecting an equal Most Accurate Estimate.
This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Vicor will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Integra LifeSciences (IART) za první čtvrtletí 2026 vykázala upravené EPS 0,54 USD, nad horní hranicí guidance. Růst táhly Specialty Surgery a Tissue Reconstruction.
Key Takeaways IART gained 52.1% in a year, driven by growth across Specialty Surgery and Tissue Reconstruction. IART reported Q1 2026 EPS above guidance as margins benefited from favorable mix and transformation savings. IART faces risks from high debt, trade uncertainty and the FDA warning letter despite ongoing improvements. Integra LifeSciences’ (IART - Free Report) shares have surged 52.1% over the past year, showing impressive momentum. It has significantly outperformed the industry’s 5.1% decline and the S&P 500 composite’s 23.3% gain.
With healthy fundamentals and strong growth opportunities, this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company appears to be a solid wealth creator for its investors at the moment.
Based in Plainsboro, NJ, Integra develops, manufactures and markets surgical implants and medical instruments. The company’s Specialty Surgery segment consists of neurosurgery, instruments and ENT surgical solutions, augmented by the 2024 acquisition of Acclarent. Its Tissue Reconstruction segment focuses on wound reconstruction, surgical reconstruction and peripheral nerve repair.
Key Catalysts for IART’s GrowthIntegra’s share price is trending upward, prompted by strong prospects in both the reporting segments. In first-quarter 2026, Specialty Surgery revenues totaled $283.1 million, with global neurosurgery sales up 1.9% organically on demand for Certas Plus, CUSA and BactiSeal, as supply reliability and fulfillment improved.
Capital equipment sales increased in the low single digits, supported by continued strength in the capital funnel, including double-digit growth in CUSA and CereLink. Acclarent remains a key part of the ENT platform by expanding the portfolio across sinus and eustachian tube balloon technologies and navigation, which can broaden addressable markets over time.
Tissue Reconstruction revenues grew 6.4% organically, reflecting double-digit growth in Integra Skin, mid-double-digit growth in DuraSorb and the PriMatrix launch. Private label sales grew 7.1% on a favorable prior-year comparison.
The investors are also impressed with the company’s multi-year work on quality, compliance, capacity and transformation, which remains central to restoring predictable execution. In line with this, first-quarter adjusted EPS was $0.54, above the high end of guidance, supported by favorable mix and transformation savings, with adjusted gross margin of 64.1% and adjusted EBITDA margin of 19.4%. Integra continues to advance the PMA strategy for both SurgiMend and DuraSorb for implant-based breast reconstruction.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Factors That May Offset IART’s GainsIntegra’s position looks quite tight from the liquidity point of view, having ended the first quarter of 2026 with net debt of $1.60 billion and cash and cash equivalents of $236.8 million. The company has $39 million in current debt and $1.87 billion in total debt on its balance sheet.
The company flagged continuing geopolitical and trade uncertainty, which can raise supplier costs and affect customer purchasing patterns. The FDA warning letter issued in December 2024 continues to frame execution risk across multiple facilities. While the company has adopted a risk-based approach and continues to advance its transformation and operational resiliency initiatives, execution delays could still lead to disruption, higher costs and slower product flow.
A Glance at IART’s EstimatesIn the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings per share (EPS) has moved north to $2.45.
Revenues are projected to grow 2.4% to $1.67 billion in 2026, while the same for 2027 is expected to reach $1.73 billion (up 3.3%).
Other Key PicksSome other top-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Globus Medical (GMED - Free Report) , Alcon (ALC - Free Report) and Phibro Animal Health (PAHC - Free Report) .
Globus Medical has an earnings yield of 5.5%, well ahead of the industry’s negative 3% yield. Its earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 26.3%. The company’s shares have rallied 43.8% against the industry’s 4.8% decline over the past year.
GMED carries a Zacks Rank #2 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Alcon, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, has an earnings yield of 5.1% against the industry’s negative 2.8% yield. Shares of the company have gained 22.8% compared with the industry’s 4.8% growth. ALC’s earnings topped estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in one, the average surprise being 3.7%.
Phibro Animal Health, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, has an earnings yield of 9.2% compared with the industry’s 2.8% yield. Shares of the company have climbed 43.1% against the industry’s 27.9% decline. PAHC’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 16.3%.
SharkNinja staví AI do středu růstové strategie a rozšiřuje její využití napříč firmou. V 1. čtvrtletí tržby vzrostly o 15,6 % na 1,41 miliardy USD a společnost zvýšila výhled celoročního růstu tržeb na 11,5–12,5 %.
Key Takeaways SharkNinja is using AI to enhance innovation, marketing, operations and consumer insights.SharkNinja's AI initiative includes company-wide training, Hack Week and a $1 million prize fund.SN reported 15.6% first-quarter net sales growth and increased its full-year 2026 sales growth outlook. SharkNinja, Inc. (SN - Free Report) is making artificial intelligence (AI) a cornerstone of its long-term growth strategy, viewing the technology as a catalyst to transform every aspect of its business. On its first-quarter 2026 earnings call, the company said that AI will reshape consumer insights, product development, marketing, demand generation, supply chain management and its omnichannel strategy. Management believes AI will help employees automate routine tasks, improve decision-making and devote more time to strategic innovation.
To accelerate adoption, SharkNinja launched JailBreak SharkNinja, a company-wide AI initiative designed to encourage experimentation across the organization instead of limiting AI access to select teams. The program provides AI tools and training to employees at every level, enabling them to develop AI-powered solutions for real business challenges. More than 150 employee submissions have already been received, with participants rewarded for ideas that generate measurable business impact. The company has also committed a $1 million prize fund to recognize breakthrough AI innovations.
The initiative recently culminated in JailBreak Live, a global Hack Week during which employees dedicated an entire week to AI-driven innovation. Teams worked on 20 cross-functional projects spanning product development, quality, commercial operations, revenue growth, supply chain and manufacturing, while more than 400 departmental AI projects engaged thousands of employees worldwide. SharkNinja is also investing in company-wide AI training to develop employees from beginners to advanced level users while actively recruiting the next generation of AI talent to build long-term institutional capabilities.
According to the company, AI is already improving product innovation through deeper consumer insights, enhancing marketing effectiveness by optimizing content creation and media spending, delivering productivity gains across operations and unlocking business intelligence that was previously inaccessible. SharkNinja believes this broad-based AI adoption aligns with its culture of rapid experimentation and continuous innovation, strengthening its ability to respond quickly to evolving consumer needs.
The AI strategy complements SharkNinja's strong financial momentum. The company reported first-quarter 2026 net sales of $1.41 billion, up 15.6% year over year, while international sales increased 31.6%. Encouraged by its operational performance and AI initiatives, SharkNinja raised its full-year 2026 outlook, projecting net sales growth of 11.5-12.5%. Management believes its combination of AI adoption, continuous product innovation and global expansion will strengthen its competitive position and support the company's next phase of profitable growth.
SN’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of SharkNinja have gained 30.5% over the past three months compared with the industry’s 11.7% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, SN trades at a trailing price-to-sales ratio of 3.24X, below the industry’s average of 6.78X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SharkNinja’s fiscal 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year decline of 15.9%, while the same for fiscal 2027 indicates an uptick of 15.1%. Estimates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 have been remained unchanged and revised upward by 3 cents, respectively, over the past seven days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
SharkNinja currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Other Key PicksInterparfums, Inc. (IPAR - Free Report) is engaged in the manufacturing, distribution and marketing of a wide range of fragrances and related products. The company carries a Zacks Rank #2 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Interparfums’ current fiscal-year earnings and sales suggests a decline of 8% and 0.1%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. IPAR delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 8%.
Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. (SBH - Free Report) is a specialty retailer and distributor of professional beauty supplies headquartered in Plano, Texas. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Sally Beauty’s current fiscal-year earnings and sales suggests growth of 8.4% and 0.9%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. SBH delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 10.8%.
Tapestry, Inc. (TPR - Free Report) is the designer and marketer of fine accessories and gifts for women and men in the United States and internationally. The company also holds a Zacks Rank #2 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Tapestry’s current fiscal-year earnings and sales indicates growth of 36.5% and 13.9%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. TPR delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 15.6%.
Trh čeká, že GE Vernova za čtvrtletí vykáže EPS 3,17 USD a tržby 10,77 miliardy USD, tedy meziroční růst o 70,4 % a 18,2 %. Výsledky mají být zveřejněny 22. července.
Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when GE Vernova (GEV - 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 22, 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 the energy business spun off from General Electric is expected to post quarterly earnings of $3.17 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +70.4%.
Revenues are expected to be $10.77 billion, up 18.2% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.41% 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 GE Vernova?For GE Vernova, 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 -8.69%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that GE Vernova 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 GE Vernova would post earnings of $1.84 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.98, delivering a surprise of +7.61%.
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.
GE Vernova 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.
Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico ve 2. čtvrtletí zvýšil tržby bez stavebních služeb o 4,9 % a EBITDA o 8,4 % na MXN 6 miliard, i když provoz cestujících klesl o 5,6 %.
Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico NYSE: PAC said second-quarter 2026 earnings improved despite weaker passenger traffic, as tariff adjustments, directly operated commercial businesses and the initial consolidation of Cross Border Xpress helped offset declines across parts of its airport network.
Chief Executive Officer Raul Revuelta said total passenger traffic across GAP’s 14 airports fell 5.6% from the second quarter of 2025. Even so, revenue excluding construction services rose 4.9%, EBITDA increased 8.4% to MXN 6 billion, and EBITDA margin expanded 230 basis points to 69.3%.
Get PAC alerts:
“While we are not satisfied with the current traffic performance, this quarter demonstrates that GAP is increasingly capable of protecting earnings and generating growth through multiple complementary revenue streams,” Revuelta said.
Traffic Pressured by Jamaica, Puerto Vallarta and Airfare Trends Revuelta attributed the passenger decline to several factors in both Mexico and Jamaica. In Jamaica, he said the company continues to feel the impact of Hurricane Melissa, with hotel capacity along the main tourist corridor still below pre-storm levels. He said hotel reopenings point to an extended recovery through the second half of the year.
In Mexico, Revuelta said airlines managed capacity in response to economic conditions, while rising jet fuel costs pressured airfares. He also cited security concerns affecting international leisure demand for certain beach destinations, including Puerto Vallarta, where international passenger traffic fell 27% during the quarter. GAP is working with airlines and regional tourism stakeholders to rebuild connectivity and travel confidence, he said.
Guadalajara was an exception during the quarter. The city hosted four of five FIFA World Cup matches in June, and Revuelta said Guadalajara Airport successfully handled additional charter flights, national teams, delegations and fans while maintaining normal operations. Traffic at the airport rose 6%, though he said that was partly offset by temporary softness at other GAP airports during the tournament.
Commercial Businesses Drive Non-Aeronautical Growth Aeronautical revenue declined 3.2%, primarily because of lower passenger traffic in Mexico and Jamaica and a 10.9% appreciation of the Mexican peso, which negatively affected the translation of U.S. dollar revenue and international passenger charges. Revuelta said the decline was partly offset by the gradual implementation of maximum tariffs approved for the 2025-2029 regulatory period in Mexico.
Non-aeronautical revenue rose 23.9%, helped by growth in businesses operated directly by GAP and the consolidation of Cross Border Xpress, or CBX, beginning May 1. Excluding CBX, directly operated business lines increased 17% despite lower passenger traffic.
Cargo and bonded warehouse operations grew 22%. Advertising increased 58%. Hotel operations rose 27%. Convenience stores grew 11%. Parking increased 9%. Revuelta said the results show GAP’s commercial strategy “does not solely depend on passengers volume.” He said duty-free and VIP lounges, which are more exposed to international leisure traffic and foreign exchange, remained under pressure but should improve as international traffic recovers.
CBX generated MXN 168 million in revenue during May and June, with more than 626,000 passengers using the facility in both directions. Revuelta said that represented average revenue of $42.8 per passenger, in line with company expectations. He said CBX traffic remained below the prior year but that pricing and the commercial model were resilient.
Guidance Updated for 2026 GAP updated its annual outlook to reflect the CBX consolidation, internalization of technical assistance services, current traffic trends and investment progress. The company now expects passenger traffic to range from a 3% decline to flat growth for 2026. Revuelta said the forecast assumes gradual improvement in the second half but does not assume all airports return to growth at the same time or that Puerto Vallarta and Montego Bay fully recover this year.
The company expects aeronautical revenue to increase 1% to 4%, supported by approved tariffs in Mexico. Non-aeronautical revenue is expected to grow 21% to 24%, driven by GAP-operated businesses and CBX. EBITDA is expected to rise 10% to 12%, with an EBITDA margin of about 67%, plus or minus one percentage point. Revuelta said CapEx is expected to be around MXN 4 billion.
In response to analyst questions, Revuelta said June traffic was affected by higher airfares during the World Cup and by substitution of typical business and leisure travelers with tournament-related passengers. He said some domestic leisure demand appeared to shift into July, and additional seats and route openings should support the second half.
Management Addresses Tariffs, FIBRA and 2027 Outlook Asked about tariff compliance, Revuelta said GAP reached 90% fulfillment of the maximum tariff in the first six months and expects to be around 95% by year-end. He said tariffs changed again on July 1 at Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, with domestic passenger charges increasing an additional 7%.
Revuelta said it is still early to provide a 2027 traffic growth range. He cited oil prices and the war in Iran as factors that could affect airline costs and capacity, as well as uncertainty around the proposed Viva and Volaris merger. Still, he said GAP expects growth in coming years and noted that Jamaica hotel capacity is trending toward normalization by the end of 2026.
Chief Financial Officer Saul Villarreal said the company is continuing the approval process for FIBRA GAP, a vehicle intended to subscribe a minority equity interest in the 12 Mexican airport concession areas. Villarreal said the structure is expected to be tax transparent at the Mexican airport level, but GAP would continue paying taxes as a regular company. He said management does not expect a permanent change in GAP’s effective tax rate, though there could be a temporary decrease during 2026 and 2027 due to the tax shield of interest.
Villarreal also said GAP expects to make two dividend distributions this year, with one potentially in the current quarter and another in the final quarter. The shareholders meeting approved a distribution of MXN 0.2080 per ordinary share, he said.
Asked whether GAP would offer broad concessions or discounts to airlines to support traffic, Revuelta said the company is not considering general discounts. He said GAP may provide specific support on a case-by-case basis when routes face low load factors or when airport connectivity is at risk.
About Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico NYSE: PACGrupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, SAB. de C.V. NYSE: PAC, commonly known as GAP, is a leading airport operator in Mexico. Established in 1998 as part of the federal government’s airport privatization program, GAP holds long‐term concession agreements—typically 50 years—to manage, develop and operate airports under a public–private partnership model. Through these concessions, the company undertakes terminal expansions, runway maintenance and the modernization of navigation and security systems.
The company’s portfolio comprises 12 airports across Mexico’s Pacific and western regions, including major hubs such as Guadalajara, Tijuana, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán, as well as regional facilities in Aguascalientes, Morelia and La Paz.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
Should You Invest $1,000 in Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico Right Now?Before you consider Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico, you'll want to hear this.
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 Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico wasn't on the list.
While Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico currently has a Hold rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
With the proliferation of data centers and electric vehicles, the electric grid will only get more strained. Download this report to learn how energy stocks can play a role in your portfolio as the global demand for energy continues to grow.
SpaceX má asi 10,3 milionu předplatitelů Starlinku a služba je dostupná ve 164 zemích a trzích. Firma zároveň rozšiřuje satelitně-mobilní služby přes partnery pokrývající zhruba 1,7 miliardy lidí.
Key Takeaways SPCX reached about 10.3M Starlink subscribers with service available in 164 countries and markets.SpaceX continues investing in technology and network expansion to strengthen its broadband services.SPCX is expanding satellite-to-mobile services through operator partnerships covering about 1.7B people. Space Exploration Technologies (SPCX - Free Report) is benefiting from the rapid expansion of its Starlink broadband business. Solid subscriber addition, expanding global coverage and continuous improvement in networking capacity are major driving factors. As of March 31, 2026, the company boasts a subscriber base of around 10.3 million. With approximately 9,600 satellites in orbit, Starlink service is available in 164 countries and markets. Segment adjusted EBITDA reached $7.2 billion in 2025 and $2.1 billion in the first quarter of 2026, showing that satellite broadband has moved beyond the concept stage.
SpaceX's key differentiation lies in its launch leadership, which enables faster Starlink network expansion. SpaceX has completed around 650 orbital launches, including 620 Falcon 9 missions. The mission success rate exceeds 99%. Its reusable launch systems and capability to conduct frequent launches in a short period have significantly lowered satellite deployment costs.
The company places a strong focus on technology upgrades to improve customer experience. Its satellite constellation operates in low earth orbit, allowing significantly lower latency compared to legacy satellite systems. Its architecture can deliver residential download speeds of approximately 225 Mbps during peak hours. Moreover, the company’s ability to launch upgraded satellites frequently ensures continuous network advancements.
Through its Starlink business, the company is working to open up a new growth avenue. It has developed one of the largest satellite-to-mobile constellations, and its services include messaging, voice and data. The company is collaborating with leading mobile network operators across six continents, covering approximately 1.7 billion people.
How Are Competitors Faring?In the satellite communication space, SpaceX faces competition from Viasat, Inc. (VSAT - Free Report) and AST SpaceMobile (ASTS - Free Report) . AST SpaceMobile is developing a direct-to-device satellite network. Its commercial deployment remains at an earlier stage. The company recently announced the successful orbital launch of BlueBirds 8, 9 and 10 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The satellites feature approximately 2,400-square-foot communications arrays and are designed to provide direct broadband connectivity to standard smartphones. AST SpaceMobile also announced that BlueBirds 11, 12 and 13 are targeted for launch during the first half of August aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral. With a growing ecosystem that includes 60 global mobile network operator partners covering over 3 billion subscribers, ASTS is gaining ground on the expanding direct-to-device space.
Viasat has completed the next-generation global ViaSat-3 constellation with the successful launch of ViaSat-3 Flight 3 on April 29, 2026, targeted to the Asia-Pacific region. Management said radiator and solar array deployments were completed and orbit raising is underway, with service entry expected in August or September 2026. ViaSat-3 Flight 2 also completed all deployments, including the reflectors and boom, with service entry pending FCC authorization. The ViaSat-3 class is designed to deliver more than 1 Tbps of throughput capacity and to use advanced beamforming and flexible bandwidth allocation so capacity can be directed to the highest-demand commercial, enterprise and defense markets.
SPCX’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesOver the past month, shares of SpaceX have declined 32.6% against the industry’s growth of 114.4%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, SPCX trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 30.51, well above the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Earnings estimates for 2026 and 2027 have increased over the past 30 days. Earnings estimates for 2026 have improved from a loss of 91 cents to a loss of 67 cents, while for 2027, they have improved from a loss of 23 cents to an income of 63 cents per share.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
SpaceX currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The New Year's eve ball ascends on the day of SpaceX's initial public offering (IPO) in New York City, U.S., June 12, 2026. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
CompaniesJuly 15 (Reuters) - SpaceX shares dropped below their initial public offering price on Wednesday, a first for the company, just over a month after a frenzy over the rockets-to-AI firm powered the biggest IPO ever and made Elon Musk the world's first trillionaire.
Its shares (SPCX.O), opens new tab slid 2.7% to $132.5, falling below the $135 apiece IPO price and well below the all-time high of $225.64, which propelled the company's market valuation briefly above those of Silicon Valley giants Microsoft (MSFT.O), opens new tab and Amazon (AMZN.O), opens new tab.
Jumpstart your morning with the latest legal news delivered straight to your inbox from The Daily Docket newsletter. Sign up here.
Many contended the stock's rally was likely vulnerable to reversals, given SpaceX's $4.9 billion in net losses last year and the uncertainty over the firm's prospects as well as the stock valuations that might hold across the market at a time when inflation has been rising, putting the Fed's policymakers on notice.
The decline leaves investors who bought into the company at the IPO price sitting on paper losses for the first time, potentially testing confidence in the stock.
It also offers a reminder that Wall Street enthusiasm can cool quickly, even for a company with the size and scale of SpaceX, which raised around $85.7 billion and fetched a valuation of around $2.1 trillion at the end of its first trading day.
It is not uncommon for a stock to fall below the IPO price, especially during periods of broader market stress.
Wall Street's main indexes have been under pressure in recent weeks due to uncertainty around the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate path and concerns about the durability of the rally powered by AI winners such as chipmakers.
Still, the drop may bolster critics who had argued that SpaceX's valuation was stretched, as the company was unprofitable and many of its ambitious bets were still untested.
Investors would find better entry points after the first wave of excitement had faded, some analysts had warned before the IPO.
The reversal also underscores the risks of chasing momentum, and the limits of a valuation driven more by narrative than near-term fundamentals.
The stock's addition to prestigious indexes, such as the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 (.NDX), opens new tab, did little to reignite the buying. SpaceX's shares have dropped nearly 13% since they were included in the Nasdaq 100.
The focus now shifts to the company's first results after listing. SpaceX has not yet disclosed when it plans to do it, but has said they will be released only through its website and its social media account on X, and not through wire distribution services.
Reporting by Niket Nishant, Shashwat Chauhan and Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Pooja Desai
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
Apple podle The Information zvažuje nákup čipových firem, aby posílil vývoj serverových procesorů pro AI. Firma zároveň čelí problémům s výkonem vlastních AI serverů.
View of an Apple logo at an Apple store in Paris, France, April 23, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
July 15 (Reuters) - Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab is looking to buy chip companies to bolster its efforts to make server processors for running AI, The Information reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Here are some details:
The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.
The iPhone maker has approached chip startups to gauge their interest in a buyout and has spoken with bankers about possible deals, the report said.
Apple's interest comes as it faces challenges with the performance of its in-house AI servers, which currently run on internally designed M2 Ultra chips, according to The Information.
It had originally planned to ship a future version of its AI server chip, known internally as "Baltra", this year, but the project has been pushed back, people familiar with the matter told The Information.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters could not independently verify the report.
Earlier this year, Apple tried running Google's (GOOGL.O), opens new tab Gemini models on its internal servers as part of a Siri overhaul, but the Mac-based chips could not handle the large model, forcing the company to run parts of the revamped assistant on Nvidia (NVDA.O), opens new tab chips in Google's cloud infrastructure, the report said.
Apple has historically avoided large acquisitions, last making a deal in January for Q.ai, an Israeli company working on AI technology for audio.
The company had $45.57 billion in cash and cash equivalents as of March 28, the end of its second quarter.
Last week, Apple said it plans to spend over $30 billion under a multi-year chip supply deal with Broadcom (AVGO.O), opens new tab, bolstering its domestic sourcing.
Reporting by Anhata Rooprai in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
Key Takeaways Tesla delivered 480,126 vehicles in Q2, up 25% year over year and above our model estimate.Energy storage deployments hit 13.5 GWh, up 40% year over year, led by Megapack and Powerwall demand.Tesla's high valuation, $25B capex plan and uncertain AI and robotaxi timelines weigh on its appeal. Tesla (TSLA - Free Report) is slated to release second-quarter 2026 results on July 22, after market close. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s earnings and revenues is pegged at 47 cents per share and $24.7 billion, respectively.
The earnings estimate for the to-be-reported quarter has been revised upward by 2 cents over the past 30 days. The bottom-line projection indicates year-over-year growth of 17.5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues suggests year-over-year growth of 10%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
For full-year 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for TSLA’s revenues is pegged at $102 billion, implying a rise of 7.6% year over year. The consensus mark for 2026 EPS is pegged at $2.11, suggesting an uptick of around 27% on a year-over-year basis.
In the trailing four quarters, this electric vehicle (EV) and technology giant topped EPS estimates on three occasions and missed once, with the average negative earnings surprise being 5.48%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Earnings Whispers for TSLA
Our proprietary model predicts an earnings beat for Tesla this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. That’s the case here. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
TSLA has an Earnings ESP of +16.52% and a Zacks Rank #3.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Factors Shaping Tesla’s Q2 ResultsIn the second quarter, Tesla delivered 480,126 vehicles (including 467,762 Model 3/Y and 12,364 other models), beating our model estimate of 400,133 units. Deliveries increased 34% sequentially and 25% on a year-over-year basis. It was Tesla’s strongest quarter for EV sales since the third quarter of 2025. Back then, sales got a similar lift when U.S. buyers rushed to purchase before federal EV tax credits expired, prompting Tesla and other automakers to see a temporary surge in demand.
Second-quarter deliveries were largely driven by high gas prices amid the Middle East conflict, which likely pushed consumers toward EVs. Demand trends strengthened across key international markets like Europe and China.Although Tesla doesn’t break down sales by region, Europe was a key catalyst, where sales momentum has been robust in recent months. In China, where Tesla commands a huge presence, retail deliveries rebounded strongly in May, snapping a two-month run of year-over-year sales declines. Despite softer U.S. demand, robust international performance helped offset the weakness.
Tesla’s smaller pure-play EV peers—Rivian Automotive (RIVN - Free Report) and Lucid Group (LCID - Free Report) —came up with contrasting second-quarter delivery reports. While Rivian delivered 12,194 vehicles, topping estimates and its own prior guidance, Lucid fell short of expectations, delivering just 3,953 vehicles.
Coming back to Tesla, we expect the company’s automotive revenues and gross margins to improve year over year on the back of strong deliveries. We forecast second-quarter total automotive revenues and gross margins at $17 billion (up over 2% year over year) and $3.2 billion (up 11% year over year).
The company’s energy business revenues are also expected to increase as Tesla deployed 13.5 GWh of energy storage in the second quarter, reflecting an uptick of 53% and 40% on a sequential and year-over-year basis, respectively. The number also came ahead of our model projection of 12.66 GWh. The outperformance was driven by stronger-than-expected demand for Megapack and Powerwall.
Tesla Price Performance & ValuationOver the past year, shares of Tesla have risen 23%, outperforming the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Tesla stock is quite overvalued. Going by its price/sales ratio, the company is trading at a forward sales multiple of 13.68, way higher than the industry as well as its own 5-year average.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
How to Play TSLA Stock NowYes, Tesla's delivery trends are improving, but deliveries are no longer the company's central growth story. Its energy storage business is also performing well, though it still accounts for a relatively small portion of overall revenues.
Tesla has aggressively pivoted toward autonomous vehicles (AVs) and artificial intelligence (AI). The problem is these are long-cycle bets with uncertain timelines. The company operates unsupervised robotaxi service in Austin, Dallas, Houston and Miami and supervised service in the San Fransico Bay Area. Still, it has a lot of catching up to do with Alphabet’s (GOOGL - Free Report) Waymo, which is the frontrunner in this space. CEO Elon Musk has already pushed back the robotaxi timeline. The story with Optimus is also not much different. On the first-quarter earnings call, Musk admitted production will be “quite slow” and said it’s “literally impossible to predict” output this year.
On top of that, Tesla lifted its 2026 capital expenditure forecast from $20 billion to $25 billion. Management has warned that free cash flow could turn negative as it ramps up spending on AI and autonomous-driving initiatives.
Tesla does possess a powerful brand, industry-leading technology capabilities, and multiple long-term growth platforms. Tesla’s next chapter could be transformational, but it is capital-intensive, high-risk, and likely years away from delivering material financial returns. Until then, execution and valuation risks remain concerning. As such, from a broader perspective, this may not be the right entry point for new investors, even if Tesla beats second-quarter earnings expectations.
Alphabet za čtvrtletí očekává EPS 2,86 USD a tržby 101,22 miliardy USD, oba údaje meziročně vyšší. Analytici navíc vidí Earnings ESP +1,31 % a Zacks Rank #1, což naznačuje možné překonání odhadů.
The market expects Alphabet Inc. (GOOG - 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 22, 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 company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.86 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +23.8%.
Revenues are expected to be $101.22 billion, up 23.9% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.32% 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. 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 Alphabet?For Alphabet, 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 +1.31%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #1.
So, this combination indicates that Alphabet 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 Alphabet would post earnings of $2.64 per share when it actually produced earnings of $5.11, delivering a surprise of +93.56%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Alphabet 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.
Andy Jassy uvedl, že prodej AI čipů by se pro Amazon mohl stát byznysem za 50 miliard USD ročně. Zájem o čipy Trainium je podle něj tak silný, že firma může v budoucnu prodávat i celé racky třetím stranám.
Amazon (AMZN +3.44%) is a company that's done a terrific job of expanding its business over the years. Not only is it an e-commerce giant, but many companies rely on its cloud business, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and that has become a major source of profit for the entire company. Amazon has also gotten involved in robotaxis, grocery stores, and healthcare.
One of its most promising new opportunities, however, could involve selling artificial intelligence (AI) chips.
Image source: Getty Images.
Why selling chips could be a huge part of Amazon's business in the future Amazon's top AI chip, Trainium, was built with a heavy focus on efficiency and scale. It's effectively built by a company that needs to scale AI efficiently, making it ideal for tech companies looking to reduce costs and improve the profitability of their AI ventures.
CEO Andy Jassy stated in the company's letter to shareholders that "there's so much demand for our chips that it's quite possible we'll sell racks of them to third parties in the future." Jassy estimates that the annual run rate for a theoretical chip business could be around $50 billion. That total includes the revenue that the stand-alone business would generate from AWS, but it's nonetheless a positive sign of the type of growth that Amazon is seeing from this area of its operations.
Last year, Amazon reported $717 billion in revenue. If the company generated an extra $50 billion in cash, that would represent growth of 7%. But with a large chunk of that likely related to AWS, the true growth rate would likely be far more modest. However, if the company prioritized that area of its operations, it could become a major growth catalyst in the future.
Today's Change
(
3.44
%) $
8.52
Current Price
$
256.01
Amazon's stock looks undervalued It's a bit surprising that Amazon's stock isn't doing much better given the opportunities in AI. In just the past 12 months, it's risen by around 10% -- far below the S&P 500's 20% gain over that stretch. It's lagged the market, despite the business continuing to grow and expand.
For investors, now may be an ideal time to buy the stock, as it's trading at a price-to-earnings multiple of around 30, which is extremely low when compared to the average stock in the Technology Select Sector SDPR ETF, which trades at a multiple of 38.
Amazon is a beast in the tech sector, and it can be a fantastic stock to just buy and hold for the long term, as it continually reminds investors that it isn't running out of growth opportunities anytime soon.
CoreWeave má podle článku větší růstový potenciál v AI infrastruktuře než Microsoft, protože backlog se blíží 100 miliardám USD a tržby by měly v roce 2026 přesáhnout 18 miliard USD.
Key Takeaways CoreWeave may offer greater AI upside, while Microsoft provides a more diversified growth profile.CRWV is expanding AI infrastructure, with backlog nearing $100 billion and revenue targets rising.Microsoft is growing AI across Azure, Copilot and cloud, but faces higher AI infrastructure spending risks. AI is increasingly gaining traction in the technology sector, creating enormous opportunities for companies that build the infrastructure powering next-generation AI models. While technology giants like Microsoft Corporation (MSFT - Free Report) have emerged as leaders in AI through strategic investments and ecosystem expansion, newer players, such as CoreWeave, Inc. (CRWV - Free Report) , are rapidly gaining attention by providing specialized cloud infrastructure purpose-built for AI workloads.
Per a report from Fortune Business Insights, the global cloud AI market size is anticipated to go from $133.4 billion in 2026 to $780.6 billion by 2034 at a CAGR of 23.8%. For investors, the question is becoming increasingly relevant: Should you invest in the AI giant with diversified earnings or the pure-play AI infrastructure company with explosive growth potential?
Here's a closer look at how CoreWeave and Microsoft compare.
The Case for MSFT StockMicrosoft benefits from a diversified revenue stream across cloud computing, productivity software, enterprise services, gaming and other areas. Its leadership in Azure and extensive AI ecosystem position the company to take advantage of the growing adoption of enterprise AI. Additionally, Microsoft's high recurring software revenue, supported by subscription-based products, generates strong free cash flow and offers a stable foundation for long-term growth.
Microsoft continues to show strong financial results, with revenue and operating income growing at double-digit rates and operating margins reaching 46%. Cloud and AI remain the main growth drivers, with cloud revenue up 29% and AI’s annual recurring revenue more than doubling, backed by strong enterprise demand. The company is investing heavily in AI infrastructure, expanding global data center capacity, launching Maia AI accelerators and Cobalt CPUs, and enhancing deployment efficiency to meet increasing demand. Microsoft also strengthens its AI platform through Azure AI Foundry, first-party AI models and a unified data layer across Fabric, Foundry and Microsoft 365.
Customer adoption continues to grow rapidly, with Microsoft 365 Copilot exceeding 20 million paid seats. GitHub Copilot and Security Copilot are gaining momentum, and enterprise use of AI agents and real-time data is increasing. Management anticipates that AI will support sustained double-digit revenue and operating income growth, driven by a shift to a hybrid subscription and usage-based pricing model. To capitalize on this opportunity, Microsoft plans substantial investments in AI infrastructure, while using hardware innovation and operational efficiencies to sustain healthy long-term margins.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
However, Microsoft's Azure faces intense competition from rivals with significant resources and innovation. Rising capital spending raises worries about returns and financial stability, with CapEx hitting $31.9 billion in the third quarter and expected to be over $40 billion in the fourth quarter. The combination of high capital needs, lease obligations and large AI infrastructure costs suggests Microsoft has sacrificed some financial flexibility to fund growth and shareholder payouts. This financial vulnerability provides little room to handle economic or competitive challenges, increasing risks for shareholders.
The Case for CRWV StockCoreWeave has consistently reported triple-digit revenue growth as enterprise AI adoption accelerates. Demand for NVIDIA (NVDA - Free Report) GPUs continues to exceed supply, allowing specialized providers like CoreWeave to maintain exceptionally high utilization rates. Long-term contracts with leading AI companies also provide significant revenue visibility. It became the first AI cloud provider to complete system-level validation of NVDA Vera Rubin NVL72, reaffirming its leadership in next-generation AI infrastructure. In January, NVIDIA increased its investment in CoreWeave to $2 billion.
CoreWeave continues to benefit from strong AI infrastructure demand, with its backlog nearing $100 billion, active power exceeding 1 GW and more than 3.5 GW under contract. AI workloads are mainly shifting toward inference, driving customer diversification across top AI labs, hyperscalers and enterprises, while more than 10 customers have committed over $1 billion each. The company is quickly expanding its infrastructure and platform capabilities through new data centers, self-built sites, enhanced cloud services and cross-cloud solutions.
Its partnership with NVIDIA has been strengthened through software validation, while diversified suppliers and secured component procurement support future capacity growth. CoreWeave has also bolstered its financial position by raising significant debt and equity capital, reducing its cost of debt and reaffirming its revenue outlook. Management expects revenue to surpass $18 billion in 2026 and $30 billion in 2027, driven by strong demand, growing AI inference workloads and a long-term goal of more than 8 gigawatts of active power by 2030.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Nonetheless, CoreWeave faces several risks, including its heavy reliance on continued AI infrastructure spending and substantial capital expenditure requirements to support rapid expansion. The company also has significant customer concentration, making it dependent on a relatively small number of large clients. In addition, CRWV’s stock is likely to remain highly volatile given its high-growth profile; while intensifying competition from hyperscalers and other cloud providers could pressure its growth and margins over time.
CRWV & MSFT’s Share PerformanceYear to date, CRWV has surged 11.7% while MSFT is down 20.4%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Valuation ConsiderationsCoreWeave commands a premium valuation because investors expect years of extraordinary expansion. Microsoft trades at a premium relative to the broader market but remains supported by durable earnings, robust cash flow and a diversified business model.
In terms of Price/Book, CRWV shares are trading at 7.52X, marginally above MSFT’s 6.9X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
How Do Zacks Estimates Compare for CRWV & MSFT?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CoreWeave’s earnings for 2026 has been trimmed down 0.6% over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
For MSFT, there has been zero revision.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CRWV or MSFT: Which Stock Offers More Upside?Both companies are well-positioned to benefit from the AI boom, but they target different types of investors.
If AI infrastructure demand continues to grow at today's rate, CoreWeave has significantly more room for expansion than Microsoft. The company operates with a much smaller revenue base, meaning each new customer and data center can boost growth. Microsoft offers a more balanced investment profile. Its AI initiatives are strengthening almost every existing business, while Azure continues to capture enterprise cloud demand. Even if AI spending slows down, Microsoft's software, cloud, productivity and security businesses provide steady earnings growth. For investors looking for maximum exposure to AI infrastructure growth, CoreWeave might offer greater upside potential over the next few years.
CRWV at present carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) while MSFT has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Consequently, in terms of Zacks Rank, CRWV seems to be a better pick at the moment. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Microsoft ve středu vzrostl asi o 3 %, protože analytici před výsledky dál drží převážně býčí výhled. Evercore ISI zvýšil cílovou cenu na 525 USD z 510 USD.
Microsoft MSFT stock rose about 3% on Wednesday as Wall Street analysts reaffirmed their bullish outlook on the software giant despite trimming some price targets ahead of the company's fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report later this month.
Shares gained after Evercore ISI raised its price target on Microsoft to $525 from $510 while maintaining an Outperform rating.
The brokerage expects Microsoft to deliver double-digit revenue and operating income growth in fiscal 2027, supported by continued investment in artificial intelligence and improving momentum across its cloud business.
The firm said Microsoft shares have remained range-bound as investors wait for greater clarity on Azure cloud revenue acceleration and the monetization of Microsoft Copilot.
Evercore ISI expects Azure growth to strengthen in the second half of the year while Copilot adoption continues to improve.
The brokerage also forecasts fiscal 2027 cash capital expenditures of about $210 billion, above the Street estimate of roughly $180 billion.
According to Evercore ISI, capital expenditure growth could begin to normalize in 2027 after the current investment cycle while providing a catalyst for improving investor sentiment.
Analysts remain optimistic despite price target cutsWhile Evercore ISI became more optimistic, several other brokerages reduced their price targets ahead of Microsoft's earnings release without changing their positive recommendations.
Citi Research lowered its target price to $570 from $620 but maintained a Buy rating.
The revised target still represents substantial upside from Microsoft's recent trading levels.
"We remain positive on MSFT," Citi analyst Tyler Radke wrote Wednesday, adding that the company is "increasingly strategically positioned in an era of optimizing token spend and AI efficiency."
The brokerage expects Microsoft to report a strong fiscal fourth quarter but said investors should prepare for higher artificial intelligence spending in fiscal 2027.
"We think MSFT will be able to demonstrate stronger returns with accelerating growth rates in flagship franchises (Azure + M365 CoPilot) as we move into FY27, which would ultimately drive accelerating overall revenue/EPS growth through FY30," Radke wrote.
Wells Fargo also maintained a constructive stance despite highlighting mixed expectations for the fourth quarter.
The firm pointed to concerns surrounding Microsoft's cloud market share and capital spending but said stronger Azure growth, AI adoption and operating expense discipline could support a stronger fiscal 2027 outlook.
Mizuho also lowered its price target, cutting it to $490 from $550 as part of a broader revision across software stocks.
However, the brokerage said its channel checks remained positive overall, with public cloud demand staying strong and AI adoption remaining robust.
AI investment and earnings remain key focusMicrosoft's continued investment in artificial intelligence remains a central theme for investors ahead of earnings.
Evercore ISI said Azure acceleration, Copilot momentum and moderating capital expenditure growth could help improve sentiment during the second half of calendar 2026.
The company is scheduled to report fiscal fourth-quarter earnings on July 29.
Consensus estimates compiled by Fiscal AI project earnings of $4.24 per share on revenue of $86.66 billion.
Analyst sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive ahead of the results.
According to Koyfin data, 53 of the 56 analysts covering Microsoft rate the stock as a Buy or stronger recommendation, while the remaining analysts maintain Hold ratings.
Microsoft přesouvá klíčové funkce z Teams Premium do Teams Enterprise a mění cenový model. Ve 3. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2026 vzrostly výnosy divize Productivity and Business Processes o 17 %.
Key Takeaways MSFT moved several Premium event features into Teams Enterprise and introduced new event licensing options.MSFT reported 17% Productivity and Business Processes revenue growth, led by Microsoft 365 Commercial.Microsoft's Teams pricing differs from Zoom and Salesforce by expanding base-tier features over paid tiers. Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) is reshaping how it charges for Teams, and the shift carries real implications for the stock. Effective April 1, 2026, the company moved a broad set of previously Premium-only features, including town hall and webinar tools, streaming chat, real-time event insights and immersive 3D events, into the base Teams Enterprise license, while narrowing Teams Premium to a smaller set of security, branding and AI-driven capabilities still priced at $10 per user per month. To offset lost Premium revenues from smaller events, Microsoft introduced Attendee Capacity Pack licenses, letting organizations scale events up to 100,000 participants without full per-seat licensing, alongside a new Teams Shared Space license tied to physical desks rather than users. Teams Live Events will be fully retired by June 30, 2026, pushing remaining customers toward the new unified events framework.
These product changes sit against a backdrop of solid underlying performance. In the third quarter of fiscal 2026, ended March 31, Microsoft's Productivity and Business Processes segment, which houses Teams and Microsoft 365 Commercial, grew revenues by $5.1 billion, or 17%, with Microsoft 365 Commercial cloud revenues up 19% on higher revenue per user driven by E5 and Copilot adoption. Total company revenues reached $82.9 billion, up 18%. For the fourth quarter, Microsoft guided to Commercial cloud growth of 15% to 16% in constant currency on an adjusted basis, with sequential increases in net paid seat adds expected to lift ARPU further.
The bet is that broader feature access drives seat expansion and stickiness even as some Premium seats get trimmed at renewal, a trade-off management has not fully quantified. The coming renewal cycles, combined with reported net paid seat adds and ARPU trends in subsequent quarters, will offer the clearest read on how the restructured Teams pricing model is translating into actual monetization for Microsoft's Productivity and Business Processes segment.
How Zoom and Salesforce Approach Collaboration MonetizationMicrosoft's Teams repackaging invites comparison with how Zoom Communications (ZM - Free Report) and Salesforce (CRM - Free Report) monetize collaboration tools. Zoom continues to lean on tiered per-seat plans alongside add-ons like Zoom Phone and AI Companion, rather than folding premium features into lower tiers the way Microsoft has done with Teams Enterprise. Salesforce, through Slack, similarly maintains distinct paid tiers rather than broadly redistributing premium capabilities. Compared with Zoom and Salesforce, Microsoft's move to widen base-tier access while narrowing Premium reflects a different monetization philosophy, one that Zoom and Salesforce have so far not mirrored in their own collaboration product lines.
MSFT’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesMSFT shares have lost 15.3% in the past six-month period compared with the Zacks Computer – Software industry’s decline of 19.8%. The Zacks Computer and Technology sector has appreciated 14.1% in the same time frame.
MSFT’s 6-Month Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, MSFT stock appears overvalued, trading at a forward 12-month price/earnings ratio of 19.82X, higher than the industry’s 18.95X. MSFT has a Value Score of C.
MSFT’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MSFT’s fiscal 2026 earnings is pegged at $17.33 per share. The estimate indicates 27.05% year-over-year growth.
Microsoft currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Citi a Mizuho snížily cílové ceny Microsoftu před výsledky za 4. fiskální čtvrtletí, ale ponechaly doporučení Buy a Outperform. Citi snížila cílovou cenu na 570 USD z 620 USD a Mizuho na 490 USD z 515 USD. Obě varují hlavně před vysokými kapitálovými výdaji.
This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.
Two Wall Street firms trimmed their price targets on Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT | MSFT Price Prediction) ahead of the software giant’s fiscal Q4 report, but neither pulled its bullish rating. Citi lowered its target to $570 from $620 while keeping a Buy rating, and Mizuho analyst Gregg Moskowitz cut his target to $490 from $515 while maintaining an Outperform rating. The message to long-term investors: Wall Street is getting more cautious on price and capex digestion without losing conviction on the underlying business.
Ticker Company Firm Action Old Rating New Rating Old Target New Target MSFT Microsoft Citi Price target cut Buy Buy $620 $570 MSFT Microsoft Mizuho Price target cut Outperform Outperform $515 $490 The Analyst’s Case Citi stays positive after constructive channel checks on Copilot and views Microsoft as increasingly well positioned for optimizing token spend and AI efficiency. The firm expects strong Q4 results but flags that investors will need to digest higher capex spending in Q1.
Mizuho’s cut came as part of a broader large-cap software Q4 earnings preview. Moskowitz described channel checks as good, public cloud data points as strong, and AI adoption as robust. He noted that SaaS remains resilient, but multiples are pressured by investor concerns about AI-led disruption. The common thread is capex intensity, the same concern that has weighed on the Microsoft stock story for months.
Company Snapshot Microsoft’s most recent quarter reinforced the bull case. Revenue reached $82.89 billion, up 18.3% year over year, with EPS of $4.27 beating the consensus of $4.09. Azure and other cloud services grew 40%, and CEO Satya Nadella noted the AI business surpassed an annual revenue run rate of $37 billion, up 123% year-over-year. Commercial remaining performance obligations sit at $627 billion, up 99%.
The catch is spending. Capital expenditures hit $30.88 billion in Q3, an 84.4% year-over-year increase, with Forbes estimating roughly $190 billion in capex for 2026.
Why the Move Matters Now Microsoft shares last traded at $397.05, with the Microsoft stock down 20.05% year to date and 22.86% over the past year. Microsoft reports fiscal Q4 2026 results on July 29, after market close. With both firms flagging capex digestion as the near-term overhang, guidance commentary matters as much as the headline numbers. Analyst consensus still points to 54 Buy ratings, 3 Hold, and 0 Sell (a report like 7 Stocks Powering the AI Boom puts this AI infrastructure debate in wider context).
What It Means for Your Portfolio The analyst price target cuts are a recalibration, not a rejection. Both firms concede that Copilot uptake, Azure momentum, and enterprise AI adoption are tracking well. Their caution centers on when the return on $30.88 billion quarterly capex shows up in reported earnings. For retirement-focused investors, that translates to a familiar tradeoff: durable franchise, sizable long-term option value in AI, and a stock that may trade choppily until capex intensity peaks. The July 29 fiscal Q4 report is the next stress test for the thesis.
Meet America's Newest $1b Unicorn (Sponsor) A US startup just passed a $1 billion private valuation, joining billion-dollar private companies like OpenAI and ByteDance. Unlike those other unicorns, you can invest in EnergyX right now; but only until July 16.
Over 50,000 people already have, along with global giants like General Motors and POSCO.
Here's why there's so much interest: EnergyX's patented tech can recover up to 3X more lithium than traditional methods. That's a big deal, as demand for lithium is expected to 5X current production levels by 2040. Become an early-stage EnergyX shareholder before the 7/16 investment deadline.
Image Credits:Microsoft / PhotoMosh (edited) Microsoft released a record number of security patches for Windows, Office, and other tech product lines this week, citing the use of AI to aid the discovery of code vulnerabilities.
The technology and cloud giant issued patches for 570 security flaws on Tuesday as part of its monthly scheduled release of fixes, which security researchers have long dubbed “Patch Tuesday.”
At least two of the vulnerabilities are classified as zero-days, meaning that they were exploited before Microsoft was made aware of them. One bug affecting Windows Server allows hackers to escalate their privileges from a limited user to a system administrator. Another bug affects the SharePoint file sharing server — the U.S. government’s cybersecurity agency CISA has warned hackers were actively exploiting the bug to compromise organizations.
Krebs on Security first reported the news.
The huge patch update comes a week after Microsoft said in a blog post that it expected its usual batch of monthly security patches to be far higher in number than before. The company cited its use of AI to help its employees uncover previously undiscovered security bugs in its software.
“As AI helps defenders discover more issues, customers will see a higher volume of security updates included in each security release,” said Windows boss Pavan Davuluri.
As AI models become more advanced and focused on cybersecurity issues, security researchers are using them to uncover vulnerabilities that may have been dormant in software code for years, if not longer. Parts of Microsoft’s Windows code dates back decades.
Alibaba's US-listed shares rose more than 6% on Wednesday after the Chinese technology giant confirmed that its Qwen artificial intelligence model will power Apple Intelligence features for users in China.
This marks a major milestone in Apple's long-delayed AI rollout in the country.
Apple shares also gained about 1.8%, while Baidu's US-listed stock climbed roughly 2.8% after the company separately confirmed it was also collaborating with Apple on AI features for Chinese iPhone users.
The announcement came after China's cyberspace regulator approved Apple Intelligence for use on iPhones in China, removing one of the biggest regulatory hurdles that had delayed the launch since Apple first unveiled the AI platform in 2024.
China requires all large language models and generative AI services to obtain regulatory approval before they can be offered to the public.
Apple Intelligence and Samsung's Galaxy AI were the only foreign AI services approved in the latest batch.
Domestic smartphone makers Huawei, Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi and ZTE also received approvals, with ByteDance serving as ZTE's AI partner.
The approval follows months of discussions between Apple and Chinese authorities as geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing have intensified over artificial intelligence and advanced technology.
An Alibaba spokesperson confirmed to CNBC that the company's AI model would become part of Apple's ecosystem in China.
"Qwen will be integrated into Apple Intelligence experiences within iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS for users in China," the spokesperson said.
According to Bloomberg, Qwen will enable capabilities including text generation, image generation, and image understanding across Apple's devices without requiring users to switch between separate applications.
"The Apple-Qwen integration gives users the ability to access the model's capabilities, like text and image understanding and generation, without needing to jump between tools," the Alibaba spokesperson added.
Alongside Alibaba, Apple is also collaborating with Baidu to develop AI features tailored for Chinese users.
A Baidu representative told the South China Morning Post that the company was working with Apple on Apple Intelligence features for the Chinese market.
Reuters also reported that Baidu would contribute to Apple's localized AI services.
The dual partnerships underscore Apple's strategy of working with domestic AI leaders to comply with China's regulatory framework while expanding Apple Intelligence outside Western markets.
The announcement comes amid growing competition between Chinese and US artificial intelligence companies.
Earlier this month, Alibaba prohibited employees from using Anthropic's AI models, while US lawmakers have been exploring ways to curb adoption of Chinese AI systems by American companies.
Separately, reports indicated that Meta had been forced to unwind its planned $2 billion acquisition of Chinese AI startup Manus following intervention by Beijing.
The development also coincides with Apple's efforts to improve on-device AI capabilities.
CNBC reported on Tuesday that Apple is in discussions with Silicon Valley startup PrismML, which claims it can compress advanced AI models sufficiently to run directly on iPhones.
PrismML, a Caltech spinout backed by Khosla Ventures, recently released compressed versions of Alibaba's open-source Qwen model, reducing its size from roughly 54 GB to less than 4 GB, allowing the full 27-billion-parameter model to operate on an iPhone 15 or newer device.
Jensen Huang uvedl, že Vera Rubin je už ve výrobě a čeká ji „obrovský“ objem produkce, čímž odmítl spekulace o zpoždění. NVIDIA zároveň tvrdí, že má více objednávek a dodavatelský řetězec bude vytížený ještě několik let.
Speaking on the sidelines of a developer event in Tokyo, NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA | NVDA Price Prediction) CEO Jensen Huang pushed back hard on a research report claiming his next flagship product line was slipping. “Vera Rubin is already in production. Giant amounts of production incoming,” Huang told reporters, rejecting delay concerns and dismissing a SemiAnalysis post that suggested a specialized circuit board issue could push the next-generation AI server rack into 2028.
That single word, “giant,” matters. It is the CEO staking his credibility on a product cycle that Wall Street has already begun pricing into forward numbers.
What Rubin Has to Live Up To The bar Blackwell already set is extraordinary. Nvidia’s Q1 FY2027 revenue hit $81.615 billion, up 85.2% year over year, with Data Center alone contributing $75.246 billion and Networking revenue rising 199% YoY. Non-GAAP gross margin came in at 75.0%, and free cash flow reached $48.554 billion in the quarter.
Huang framed the buildout as generational: “The buildout of AI factories, the largest infrastructure expansion in human history, is accelerating at extraordinary speed.” He added that “We have more orders today than we did at the last time I spoke about orders at GTC” and that NVIDIA will “keep our supply chain quite busy for several many more years coming.”
Supply commitments help explain Nvidia’s confidence. The company has $119.0 billion tied to supply-related commitments and is guiding for $91.0 billion in Q2 revenue, a forecast that excludes any China Data Center compute sales. Meanwhile, H200 shipments to China and Hong Kong have reportedly begun after U.S. officials cleared roughly 10 Chinese companies to buy the chips, but deliveries remain minimal so far.
The Rubin Pricing Bombshell The delay narrative that surfaced in early July collided with a more bullish Wall Street read this morning: Morgan Stanley raised its Vera Rubin rack-system price assumption to about $49 billion per gigawatt, implying materially higher customer spending per deployment than Blackwell.
Don't wait: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just revealed his top 10 AI stocks. See the full list FREE now.
In NVIDIA’s fiscal Q4 commentary, Huang said “Vera Rubin will extend that leadership even further” on cost per token. The distinction matters: customers may pay more upfront for Rubin systems if the platform lowers the cost of running AI models at scale. If pricing power holds and volumes are truly “giant,” the mix shift lifts NVIDIA’s average selling price base heading into fiscal 2028.
Manufacturing partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM) is signaling similarly robust demand. June revenue jumped 67.9% YoY to NT$442.68 billion, and TSMC is adding three new advanced packaging facilities in Chiayi Science Park Phase II to relieve CoWoS bottlenecks.
Valuation Math NVDA trades at $211.54, with a trailing P/E of 32x and a forward P/E of 24x. The consensus analyst target sits at $301.62, with 48 Buy and 10 Strong Buy ratings against just 2 Holds.
Prediction markets are more restrained, pricing a 73% probability NVDA hits $216 in July but only 31.5% odds of a $220+ close. If Huang’s “giant” volumes materialize on Rubin at Morgan Stanley’s higher ASPs, current forward estimates likely understate FY2028 earnings power.
Don't wait: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just revealed his top 10 AI stocks. See the full list FREE now.
Analysis by You're currently following this author! Want to unfollow? Unsubscribe via the link in your email.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan. Noam Galai/JP Yim/Getty Images. Can Netflix become YouTube before YouTube can become Netflix?
The two apps are starting to look a lot more alike as Netflix chases creator content, podcasts, and short-form video, and YouTube pitches itself as a destination for TV advertisers and Emmy-worthy shows. They are also both diving into live sports.
The top streamers are all trying to create a "super app," said Scott Purdy, a media sector leader at the consulting firm KPMG US.
"They're just trying to pick off the best things, whether that's creator-driven stuff, whether that's games, whether that's better customization around advertising, to create an ecosystem that you never have to leave," he said.
The pair is even dueling over awards shows — Netflix is streaming The Actor Awards (formerly the Screen Actors Guild Awards), while YouTube is set to host the Oscars beginning in 2029.
The battle for attention doesn't come cheap.
Netflix and YouTube are spending billions of dollars a year on content, either through production and licensing deals or advertising-revenue sharing, as they duke it out for the top spot in Nielsen's monthly ranking of US TV viewership.
As content becomes less differentiated, the companies that do a better job at customizing the viewing experience will have an edge, said Frank Albarella, a US media and telecommunications leader at KPMG US.
"What do you see when you fire up your homepage?" he said. "Are they doing a good job at pointing it to certain things? That's always important."
Price will matter too, he added.
Right now, that's a key difference between paid Netflix and free YouTube. (Though YouTube has a paid, ad-free version, and there are periodic rumblings in the analyst community that Netflix should launch a free tier.) There's also the fact that Netflix pays money up front for content, while YouTube splits ad revenue with creators.
These differences have led Netflix to own higher-budget, scripted TV, while YouTube dominates influencer content and the long tail.
Both have been signaling their desire to make inroads into each other's traditional turf, however — though the extent to which they'll be successful remains to be seen.
The streaming wars are now a head-to-head fightA decade ago, few would have guessed that Netflix and YouTube would be the final showdown in the streaming wars. Netflix's co-CEO Ted Sarandos said in 2013 that the company's goal was "to become HBO faster than HBO can become us."
Back then, Netflix didn't have an advertising business. Today, it knows its biggest task is to drive watch time. The company's North Star has shifted to "engagement," which it has called the "best proxy for customer satisfaction."
Sarandos told investors last year that the streamer is the best place for premium content "as defined by fans," not critics. It isn't HBO tastemakers that are driving the bulk of TV viewing. Many spend their time in social feeds, watching influencers bake bread or do trick shots on basketball courts. Just under half of Gen Z and millennial viewers consider watching social media videos to be the same as watching TV, according to a Deloitte report from last year.
To win, Netflix is looking to offer a mix of cable TV, TikTok, and YouTube-style fare. It's not alone. Other streamers seem to be realizing they need to offer more in their apps to compete. Disney and Paramount are exploring short-form video feeds and free tiers to expand their audiences and drive up engagement.
"These streaming platforms and the social platforms are moving towards the same center of gravity," Albarella said. "We call it a battle for audience attention or engagement, and almost like a new category called creator-driven television."
This month, Netflix said it's adding three to 20-minute videos from the likes of Bon Appétit, Variety, and Cosmopolitan — the type of short content that people binge-watch on YouTube. It's adding new videos from YouTube creators The Stokes Twins, Rhett and Link, the food influencer Meredith Hayden, and other social stars like Salish and Jordan Matter.
YouTube, meanwhile, is now letting creators organize their videos in TV-style series, offering seasons and episodes for viewers to burn through. The company said more users watch YouTube on television than on computers or phones, and it's pitching shows from top creators like Kareem Rahma to advertisers as TV buys.
Ultimately, all the media and social platforms have the same goal: to keep us watching.
"There's only so many hours in a day, and everyone is competing for amounts of attention," Purdy said. "They're all trying to figure out how to monetize that attention effectively."
The biggest question mark is the future of prestige scripted content. YouTube has traditionally struggled in this area, but if younger generations spend less time watching it, that might cease to be such an edge for Netflix.
Read next
Dan Whateley You're currently following this author! Want to unfollow? Unsubscribe via the link in your email.
JPMorgan oznámila za 2. čtvrtletí upravený zisk 6,14 USD na akcii, nad odhadem 5,79 USD, a tržby 58,02 miliardy USD, také nad očekáváním. Zároveň zvýšila výhled čistého úrokového výnosu pro rok 2026 na asi 105,5 miliardy USD.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) posted better-than-expected earnings for the second quarter on Tuesday.
The bank reported adjusted earnings of $6.14 per share, topping the consensus estimate of $5.79. Managed revenue rose to $58.02 billion, ahead of analysts’ expectations of $50.20 billion.
JPMorgan raised its 2026 net interest income outlook to about $105.5 billion from $103 billion previously, or about $96.5 billion excluding Markets, up from its prior forecast of $95 billion. The bank also lowered its projected 2026 card services net charge-off rate to about 3.2% from 3.4%
JPMorgan shares rose 0.5% to trade at $344.59 on Wednesday.
These analysts made changes to their price targets on JPMorgan following earnings announcement.
Considering buying JPM stock? Here’s what analysts think:
Photo via Shutterstock
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
Johnson & Johnson zvýšila celoroční výhled pro 2026 po silném 2. čtvrtletí, kdy tržby dosáhly 25,3 miliardy USD a upravený zisk na akcii byl 2,90 USD. Tržby táhly Innovative Medicine a nové produkty.
This Dividend ETF Choice Could Shape Your Income Strategy Through 2026Johnson & Johnson NYSE: JNJ raised its full-year 2026 outlook after reporting second-quarter sales growth that management said was supported by strength in Innovative Medicine, new product launches and a broad portfolio that helped offset continued pressure from STELARA biosimilar competition.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Joaquin Duato said the company delivered a “Q2 beat on the top and bottom line and raised guidance,” describing 2026 as a year of accelerated growth for Johnson & Johnson. The company reported worldwide quarterly sales of $25.3 billion, up 5.6% operationally. Excluding STELARA, Duato said Johnson & Johnson grew double digits in the quarter.
Get Johnson & Johnson alerts:
3 Stocks Doing the Heavy Lifting in Healthcare’s ReboundRyan Kurz, Vice President of Investor Relations, said U.S. sales rose 7.3%, while sales outside the U.S. increased 3.4%. Net earnings were $5.5 billion, and diluted earnings per share were $2.27, compared with $2.29 a year earlier. Adjusted net earnings were $7.1 billion, with adjusted diluted EPS of $2.90, up 4.7% from the second quarter of 2025.
Innovative Medicine Leads Growth Innovative Medicine sales totaled $16.4 billion, up 6.8% operationally, despite what Kurz described as an approximately 760-basis-point headwind from STELARA. The division posted 8.9% growth in the U.S. and 3.6% growth outside the U.S.
3 Dividend Kings That Earn Their Crown Every QuarterDuato said the Innovative Medicine business had eight brands growing double digits. In oncology, DARZALEX remained the company’s largest product, with quarterly sales of more than $4 billion and growth of 17.6%, driven by share gains and market growth in multiple myeloma. CARVYKTI grew 47.7%, TECVAYLI grew 56.1% and TALVEY grew 62.6%.
In lung cancer, RYBREVANT plus LAZCLUZE grew 61.6%, supported by launch uptake across regions and share gains in first- and second-line settings. ERLEADA grew 7.6% in prostate cancer, with share gains and market growth partly offset by unfavorable patient mix and inventory dynamics.
In immunology, TREMFYA delivered 71% growth. Duato said it remains the fastest-growing advanced therapy in both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. STELARA declined 55.7%, reflecting biosimilar competition, adoption of newer treatment classes and unfavorable patient mix.
Jennifer Taubert, Executive Vice President and Worldwide Chairman, Innovative Medicine, said during the question-and-answer session that TREMFYA reached its first $2 billion quarter. She said the product is leading new patient starts, or induction share, among IL-23 therapies in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Launches Gain Traction Management highlighted early momentum for ICOTYDE, INLEXZO and other newer products. Duato said more than 10,000 patients had initiated therapy on ICOTYDE since launch, citing demand for a once-daily oral psoriasis treatment. In the Q&A, Taubert updated that figure to 11,000 patients, with more than 18,000 prescriptions written and 6,000 unique prescribers. She said commercial coverage had surpassed 50% within 90 days, ahead of company projections.
Taubert said ICOTYDE is being positioned as a first-choice systemic treatment for psoriasis patients moving beyond topical therapy, while TREMFYA is being positioned as a first-choice biologic, particularly for patients with or at risk of psoriatic arthritis. John Reed, Executive Vice President, Innovative Medicine Research and Development, said pivotal data for ICOTYDE in psoriatic arthritis are expected later this year, with phase 3 studies in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease underway.
For INLEXZO in bladder cancer, Duato said nearly one in three eligible patients started on an INLEXZO regimen during the second quarter, and new patient insertions grew about 75% from the prior quarter. Taubert said the product is outperforming recent competitive launches in the U.S. and more than doubled sales from the first quarter, though the company is not yet reporting quarterly sales for the product.
MedTech Growth Slows in Cardiovascular MedTech sales were $8.9 billion, up 3.6% operationally, with growth across cardiovascular, surgery and vision. Kurz said cardiovascular grew 3.1%, below recent trends, due mainly to headwinds in electrophysiology and Abiomed.
Electrophysiology grew 3.1%, supported by procedure growth, commercial execution and new products, but partially offset by competitive pressure in pulsed field ablation and an estimated 400-basis-point negative impact from China inventory. Duato said VARIPULSE, the company’s pulsed field ablation platform for atrial fibrillation, has treated more than 85,000 patients worldwide.
Abiomed declined 2% as U.S. procedure pressures weighed on heart recovery. Tim Schmid, Executive Vice President and Worldwide Chairman, MedTech, said in the Q&A that the slowdown followed a neutral clinical trial in the U.K. focused on high-risk PCI, which led physicians to become more selective. Schmid characterized the issue as behavioral rather than structural and said the company is engaging with physicians while awaiting PROTECT IV data expected in 2027.
Surgery grew 2.3%, vision grew 5.6% and orthopedics grew 4.2%. Schmid said three of the four MedTech businesses — surgery, vision and orthopedics — accelerated in the quarter and performed above expectations. He also said the company is not seeing evidence of a broad-based slowdown in procedure volumes across its portfolio.
Guidance Raised for 2026 Chief Financial Officer Joe Wolk said Johnson & Johnson ended the quarter with about $21 billion in cash and marketable securities and about $49 billion of debt, resulting in a net debt position of about $28 billion. Year-to-date free cash flow totaled approximately $8.7 billion, and Wolk said the company remains on track for full-year free cash flow approaching $21 billion.
Wolk raised full-year operational sales growth guidance by $400 million, now expecting growth of 6.5% to 7.1%, with a midpoint of $100.6 billion. Including currency, reported sales growth is expected to be 7.0% to 7.6%, with a midpoint of $101.1 billion. The company’s 2026 calendar includes a 53rd week, which Wolk said provides an approximately 100-basis-point benefit.
Adjusted operational EPS is now expected to range from $11.50 to $11.65, an $0.18 increase at the midpoint. Reported EPS is projected at $11.60 to $11.75. Wolk said the updated outlook reflects second-quarter performance, uptake of new launches, operating efficiencies and anticipated reduction and recoupment of certain tariff-related costs.
Wolk also said the company’s outlook does not include the impact of pending acquisitions such as Firefly Bio, which Johnson & Johnson expects to close in the third quarter. Duato said the planned acquisition would add another antibody platform and strengthen the company’s next-generation oncology pipeline.
Pipeline and Portfolio Updates Management pointed to several second-half catalysts, including potential FDA approval of IMAAVY for warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia and data readouts for TECVAYLI with TALVEY, pasritamig, J&J 6143, INLEXZO, ICOTYDE and CAPLYTA. In MedTech, expected catalysts include launches tied to electrophysiology, Shockwave catheters, the OTTAVA robotic surgical system, ETHICON 4000 and vision products.
Wolk said the company continues to evaluate separation options for DePuy Synthes and remains on track for a mid-2027 separation. Duato closed the call by saying Johnson & Johnson’s growth momentum is expected to carry into the second half of 2026 and 2027, with the company maintaining its ambition for double-digit growth by the end of the decade.
About Johnson & Johnson NYSE: JNJJohnson & Johnson is a multinational healthcare company headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products across pharmaceuticals, medical devices and previously consumer health. Founded in 1886 by the Johnson family, the company has grown into a global healthcare organization with operations and sales in many countries around the world.
The company's pharmaceuticals business, organized largely under its Janssen research and development organization, focuses on prescription medicines across therapeutic areas such as immunology, infectious disease, oncology and neuroscience.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
Should You Invest $1,000 in Johnson & Johnson Right Now?Before you consider Johnson & Johnson, you'll want to hear this.
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 Johnson & Johnson wasn't on the list.
While Johnson & Johnson currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
Discover the next wave of investment opportunities with our report, 7 Stocks That Will Be Magnificent in 2026. Explore companies poised to replicate the growth, innovation, and value creation of the tech giants dominating today's markets.
