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SummaryTesla, Inc. delivered 480,126 vehicles, exceeding consensus by 18%, while deliveries outpaced production, signaling healthy inventory reduction ahead of earnings.Consecutive EPS surprises, including a 17.15% Q1 beat, alongside consistent revenue outperformance have strengthened confidence in Tesla's near-term fundamentals.Analysts continue raising TSLA forecasts, with Q2 EPS estimates up 8.89% and revenue expectations climbing 4.8% over the past month.Consensus projects newer vehicle deliveries to surge 546% by FY30, supporting a higher-margin product mix beyond the mature Model 3/Y lineup.Robotaxi expansion, regulatory scrutiny, and widely dispersed earnings estimates remain key TSLA risks that could challenge Tesla's long-term valuation assumptions. LPETTET/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

Investment Thesis The market has finally started to catch up with what has been happening at Tesla, Inc. (TSLA). While it was skeptical about the stock during the last few months due to

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG | GOOG Price Prediction) told investors on its Q1 2026 earnings call that it now expects to spend $180 billion to $190 billion on capital expenditures this year, raised from a prior range of $175 billion to $185 billion. That is guidance, not a reported result. Management also said 2027 CapEx will “significantly increase compared to 2026.”

The company that built a nearly $2 trillion valuation on high-margin advertising is now pouring an ad-industry’s worth of cash into AI infrastructure every twelve months. If the company can grow its overall advertising revenue toward the $1 trillion level as many think is possible, this is a stock that’s trading at a relatively cheap level, though the jury remains out on this front.

What It Means Alphabet spent $35.67 billion on capex in a single quarter, more than double the year-ago figure. As a result, free cash flow unsurprisingly fell to $10.116 billion, down 46.63% year over year.

For a business that historically converted ad dollars into cash at industry-leading rates, that swing is the story behind the story. The bull rebuttal is that ads are still growing. That’s evidenced by Search and Other revenue climbed 19% to $60.4 billion, and consolidated revenue reached $109.9 billion, up 22%.

That said, I do think the overall revenue and earnings growth mix supporting the company’s fundamentals may be fraying. Google Network advertising fell 4% to roughly $7 billion. YouTube ad growth cooled to 11%. And CEO Sundar Pichai acknowledged the company is “compute constrained in the near term“, adding that “cloud revenue would have been higher if you were able to meet the demand.” The ad monopoly is funding an infrastructure war it did not choose.

Market Reaction Shares are up 13.65% year to date, closing at $356.18 on July 2, 2026, from $313.39 to end 2025. Over one year the stock has risen 98.71%. However, momentum has stalled recently, with a one-month stock price change of -0.56%, and Reddit chatter in late June was dominated by a post asking “Why did GOOG stock fall so much?” that drew 335 upvotes and 338 comments in r/investing.

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Bear Case Three data points define the risk. First, the ad engine is uneven. Google Network revenue fell from $7,256 million to $6,971 million year over year, and YouTube’s 11% growth is a step down from the pace investors have priced in.

Second, the cash cost of defending Search is exploding. Free cash flow at $10.116 billion against Q1 capex of $35.67 billion is a compression the ad business has never had to absorb. Chief Business Officer Philipp Schindler flagged upside from Gemini raising ad coverage above the historical 20% of queries, but that upside is the assumption, not the reported outcome.

Third, sentiment is fragile at the top of the AI food chain. Reddit sentiment cratered to 39 (bearish) on June 23 after the departure of AI researchers to competitors, including Gemini co-lead Noam Shazeer to IPO-bound OpenAI. Prediction markets on Polymarket give Alphabet only a 15.5% probability of finishing 2026 as the largest company in the world by market cap, and only a 5.3% probability of holding that spot on July 31, 2026.

Vanguard’s 2026 outlook, meanwhile, warns of the “typical underestimation of creative destruction from new entrants into the sector, which erodes aggregate profitability” in tech-heavy growth stocks. Alphabet earned $132.17 billion in 2025 net income on $402.96 billion in revenue. Defending that base against generative AI substitution now costs a rising share of it.

Bottom Line Long-term holders should watch two lines: -Google Network’s return to growth (or a second quarter of decline), and free cash flow, which cannot stay near $10 billion a quarter if capex heads toward $190 billion annually and beyond in 2027. Alphabet raised its dividend 5% to $0.22 per share and paid on June 15, 2026, so shareholders are still getting a raise. They are also underwriting the largest infrastructure buildout in the company’s history to protect an ad franchise that is starting to show hairline cracks.

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On July 5, the semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) analysis company SemiAnalysis issued a statement suggesting that Nvidia (NVDA 2.39%) could be facing a more than one-year delay in an important product launch.

The chipmaker was quick to respond, and the stock price has climbed since CEO Jensen Huang's company issued a statement that pushed back against those claims.

Image source: Getty Images.

Nvidia's response to the Kyber delay claim The reporting suggested Nvidia's Kyber rack architecture, which is designed to pack 144 of the company's GPUs into a single server so that they can work as one powerful system, was experiencing delays that would push its launch out to 2028.

Nvidia responded, telling Yahoo! Finance that the roadmap for Kyber was still "intact," which would put its launch window in the second half of 2027. The market appeared to absorb the initial news without any major fallout for the stock price. Shares of Nvidia opened at $194.42 on July 6 and closed at $210.96 on July 10. The chipmaker maintains its position as the world's most valuable publicly traded company by market cap.

During the period when the talk of a potential Kyber delay was circulating, however, another surprise was unfolding.

The challenges of being successful Nvidia has been the face of the AI trade; as of this writing, the stock price is up more than 900% over the past five years. But even as the chipmaker keeps beating expectations in its quarterly earnings reports, the bar has been set so high from its previous successes that it's becoming increasingly difficult for it to impress the markets.

Nvidia recently traded at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 22.2; the last time its forward P/E was around that level was in June 2019.

At first glance, that seems like a disconnect. Unlike in 2019, there is now an active race to win AI, with companies spending hundreds of billions of dollars each year on AI infrastructure.

Nvidia is generating more revenue than it ever has before, and demand for its wares is not slowing down. Yet its future earnings are still being valued at roughly the same level on a medium-term basis as they were in 2019. There is, however, a valid reason why the markets are becoming less bullish on Nvidia.

Today's Change

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-2.39

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-5.04

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205.92

What the market is saying Nvidia is clearly a dominant player in the AI hardware space, but what the market is asking now is, how much future growth is there left for it to capture? The forward P/E isn't so much a knock on Nvidia's operations, but rather a question of how much bigger the world's largest company can get.

As all AI roads still mostly run through Nvidia, it's a company that can still reward long-term shareholders. The caveat, however, is that investors should keep their expectations reasonable. As of the start of this month, the entire value of the U.S. stock market was about $75 trillion. 
Nvidia's market cap is now about $5 trillion. If it were to climb by another 900% (as it did over the last five years), it would be worth $50 trillion. That would be an unreasonable share of the economy for any company to hold, showing why maintaining rapid growth from here will be far more of a challenge than it previously was.

Key Takeaways BAC will report 2Q26 results on July 14, with revenues and earnings expected to rise y/y.BAC may benefit from higher NII, solid investment banking fees and strong trading activity in Q2.Investors should watch guidance and management commentary before initiating any new position in the stock. Bank of America (BAC - Free Report) is scheduled to announce second-quarter 2026 results on July 14, before the opening bell.

The company began 2026 on a positive note, with robust trading and investment banking (IB) performance driving first-quarter results. BAC’s upcoming quarterly results are also expected to be solid despite rate uncertainty and lingering geopolitical headwinds. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s second-quarter revenues is pegged at $30.62 billion, indicating 15.7% year-over-year growth.

In the past seven days, the consensus estimate for earnings for the to-be-reported quarter has been revised higher to $1.13. The figure suggests a 27% rise from the prior-year quarter, as higher net interest income (NII) and solid capital markets business are likely to have supported BAC’s bottom-line growth.

Estimate Revision Trend
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Bank of America has an impressive earnings surprise history. The company’s earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the trailing four quarters, the average beat being 7.3%.

Earnings Surprise History
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Key Drivers of Bank of America’s Q2 PerformanceNII: The interest rate environment remained supportive for Bank of America’s NII in the second quarter. The Federal Reserve paused its rate-cutting cycle and has signaled the possibility of a rate hike later this year as inflation remains stubbornly above its target. Sustained healthy lending yields have been favorable for banks, including BAC.

Building on the momentum seen in the first quarter, Bank of America’s lending activity is expected to have strengthened further in the to-be-reported quarter. According to the Federal Reserve’s latest data, the demand for commercial and industrial loans, and consumer credit remained resilient in the second quarter, while the demand for real estate loans was comparatively modest.

Thus, robust loan growth, combined with easing deposit and funding costs, is likely to have supported BAC’s NII growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s second-quarter tax-equivalent NII is $16.24 billion, indicating a 9.6% increase from the year-ago quarter’s actual.

IB Fees: After a record-setting first quarter, global deal-making activity moderated amid geopolitical uncertainty, persistent valuation gaps, slowing economic growth, elevated inflation and interest rates, and a stubbornly high backlog of private equity exits. Nevertheless, strategic buyers remained active, pursuing transactions aimed at enhancing scale, strengthening resilience and improving supply-chain security in response to the challenging operating environment.

Hence, while deal value declined in the second quarter (as only a handful of big transactions dominated the space), the volume of global mergers and acquisitions (M&As) improved year over year. This is expected to have supported Bank of America’s advisory fees.

Then, the second quarter saw strong IPO activity and equity issuances, including a blockbuster mega offering from SpaceX and Google parent Alphabet Inc. Likewise, global bond issuance volume was solid, driven by corporate refinancing and infrastructure builds. Thus, growth in BAC’s underwriting fees (accounting for almost 40% of total IB fees) is expected to have been strong in the to-be-reported quarter.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BAC’s total IB income of $1.96 billion for the second quarter indicates a rise of 37% from the prior-year quarter’s actual.

Trading Income: Client activity and market volatility were strong in the second quarter, though both were less pronounced compared with the preceding quarter. Trading conditions were influenced by shifting expectations around artificial intelligence, persistent geopolitical tensions, lingering inflation concerns and a more hawkish stance from the Fed. Volatility was high in equity markets and other asset classes, including commodities, bonds and foreign exchange. Thus, BAC is likely to have recorded a strong trading performance this time as well.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for market making and similar activities of $3.93 billion for the to-be-reported quarter suggests a 24.5% rise on a year-over-year basis. Management anticipates trading revenues in the second quarter to increase 15% year over year.

Expenses: While Bank of America managed expenses prudently in the past, expansion into new markets by opening financial centers and efforts to digitize operations and upgrade existing financial centers are expected to have kept non-interest expenses elevated in the to-be-reported quarter.

Asset Quality: After setting aside a modest amount for potential loan losses in the first quarter, Bank of America is likely to have maintained a similar provisioning trend in the quarter under review. Although the period began with concerns related to the Middle East conflict, oil price volatility and persistent inflation, the subsequent ceasefire helped drive a meaningful decline in crude prices. This, coupled with resilient economic growth and broadly stable credit conditions, is expected to have supported a decline in the company’s provision for credit losses.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for non-performing loans and leases of $6.68 billion implies an 11.6% increase from the prior-year quarter.

What Our Model Reveals About BAC’s Q2 EarningsPer our proven model, the chances of an earnings beat for BAC are high this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is the case here, as you can see below.

Bank of America has an Earnings ESP of +0.64%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

The company carries a Zacks Rank #3 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

BAC’s Price Performance & Valuation AnalysisIn the second quarter, BAC shares gained 15.6%, outperforming the S&P 500 Index. In the same time frame, shares of two of its close peers JPMorgan (JPM - Free Report) and Citigroup (C - Free Report) rallied 10.8% and 21.4%, respectively.

2Q26 Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Both JPMorgan and Citigroup are slated to announce quarterly numbers on the same day as BAC.

Let us check out the value Bank of America offers investors at current levels. BAC stock is trading at a 12-month trailing price-to-tangible book (P/TB) of 2.14X. This is below the industry’s 3.38X. This shows that the stock is relatively inexpensive.

Price-to-Tangible Book (TTM)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The BAC stock is trading at a discount compared with JPMorgan, which has a P/TB of 3.27X. However, Citigroup has a P/TB of 1.47X, making it inexpensive compared with Bank of America.

How to Approach BAC Shares Before Q2 Earnings?Bank of America is well-positioned to continue to benefit from its vast scale, extensive capital markets operations and international footprint (which will drive significant fee income).

Given the industry-wide solid lending scenario, along with stabilizing funding costs and the possibility of a rate hike later this year, the company’s NII growth is expected to be robust. Management expects NII (FTE basis) to grow in the upper end of 6-8% in 2026.

BAC’s aggressive branch expansion across the United States as part of a broader strategy to solidify customer relationships and tap into new markets will further drive interest income growth over time. This will also help capitalize on cross-selling opportunities.

However, while Bank of America’s outlook remains constructive, investors may want to avoid rushing to buy the stock. Instead, they should closely watch management’s commentary on how geopolitical risk and market volatility affect the company’s performance and how the firm plans to navigate the current environment. Any revisions to BAC’s 2026 guidance for NII, IB, non-interest expenses and asset quality will be especially important, given the recent macro developments. Broader macroeconomic and policy trends that could materially shape the company’s performance trajectory should also be carefully considered.

Existing shareholders may hold BAC stock, given its strong fundamentals and proven resilience. Potential investors should carefully weigh these factors and assess their risk tolerance before initiating new positions.

ToplineSen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., sent a letter last week to JPMorgan Chase & Co. CEO Jamie Dimon inquiring about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the Senate Banking Committee confirmed Monday, as the Epstein files have raised new questions about Epstein’s business dealings with the bank and what Dimon knew about it.

Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Jamie Dimon speaks at the Statue of Liberty in New York City, on July 1, 2026.

AFP via Getty Images

Key FactsThe Senate Banking Committee published Warren’s letter Monday, after the Financial Times first reported late Sunday she had reached out to the billionaire.

Warren questioned JPMorgan Chase’s “extended business relationship” with Epstein, who was known to have banked with the institution between 1998 and 2013, paying some $8 billion in fees to the bank and opening at least 134 accounts.

Dimon testified in 2023 he never met or knew Epstein, but emails in the Epstein files show Epstein and then-UK Business Secretary Peter Mandelson strategizing on having Dimon urge the UK government not to approve a new tax on bankers’ bonuses—which he ultimately did, though it’s unclear if he was at all influenced by Epstein and Mandelson to do so.

Warren also cited a 2010 email in which Epstein’s assistant asked the financier about a meeting with Mandelson, Dimon and JPMorgan Chase executive Jes Staley.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. spokesperson Patricia Wexler told Forbes that Dimon never attended the 2010 meeting and the bank "found no evidence that he was even invited to attend,” also saying about the UK policy, “Jamie regularly speaks his mind on bad, anti-growth policy and has his own views. At no point did he take counsel from [Epstein], directly or indirectly.”

What to Watch forWarren’s letter asks Dimon for a response by July 24, though that is not legally binding. More information about Epstein’s relationship with JPMorgan Chase could also come out on July 23, when the House Oversight Committee will interview Staley as part of its ongoing probe into Epstein and his alleged crimes.

Forbes ValuationForbes values Dimon’s net worth at $3 billion as of Monday morning.

What Has JPMorgan Chase Said About Epstein?Dimon “never met with [Epstein], never emailed him, and was not involved in any decisions about his account. There are over a million pages of emails and other documents that have been produced in this case and not one comes even close to suggesting otherwise,” Wexler told Forbes in an email Monday, referencing litigation that has been brought against JPMorgan Chase by the U.S. Virgin Islands and Epstein accusers. “Any association with the man was a mistake and we regret it, but we would not have continued doing business with him had we believed he was engaged in ongoing crimes,” Wexler added about the bank’s relationship with Epstein, noting it stopped doing business with him in 2013, which she said was “years before his federal sex trafficking arrest and years after the government had damning information they kept from us.”

Dear Mr. Dimon: I am writing to request information regarding JPMorgan Chase & Co’s (“JPMorgan”) extended business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and your knowledge of the bank’s activities. You have maintained that you don’t recall knowing anything about Jeffrey Epstein and did not know Epstein was a client of JPMorgan prior to his 2019 arrest. But according to new information released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in response to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Mr. Epstein was in touch with former U.K. Business Secretary Peter Mandelson to discuss the possibility of you calling then-Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling regarding a tax on bankers’ bonuses—a call you reportedly made. These resurfaced emails and related reporting raise serious questions regarding the extent of the bank’s relationship with Epstein, and your knowledge of these ties. It is critical that Congress and the American public fully understand the extent of any interactions the bank and you had with Epstein.

Epstein’s client relationship with JPMorgan spanned from 1998 to 2013, overlapping with your tenure as CEO, which began in 2006. During this period, Epstein would become a highly profitable client for the bank. In 2003, JPMorgan is reported to have made $8 million in fees off Epstein, “the biggest revenue generator” among a certain class of investor clients. Epstein (and his companies and associates) opened at least 134 accounts, processed over $1 billion in transactions, and brought in several lucrative clients. Additionally, Epstein reportedly developed close relationships with several top JPMorgan executives, including Jes Staley, who was then the head of JPMorgan’s private banking division and is often reported as once being one of your long-standing “lieutenant[s].”

JPMorgan’s relationship with Epstein landed the bank in legal trouble. In 2023, the bank agreed to pay “$290 million to sexual abuse victims of Jeffrey Epstein who claimed that the bank ignored warnings about the disgraced financier.” In addition, JPMorgan “agreed to pay $75 million to the U.S. Virgin Islands to settle claims that it did nothing to deter a sex-trafficking operation that Mr. Epstein ran from his private island in the U.S. territory.” In neither case did JPMorgan admit to wrongdoing or liability.

As part of those legal challenges, lawyers uncovered emails between Jes Staley and Epstein suggesting that you planned to meet with Epstein. In June 2009, for example, Epstein asked Staley via email if he “want[ed] to organize either you, or you and Jamie, quietly” at “71st Street,” Epstein’s New York mansion. Lawyers also identified a February 2010 email exchange between Epstein and his assistant, Lesley Groff, discussing an apparent “evening appointment” with you: Groff asked Epstein, “Shall I have Lynn prepare heavy snacks for your evening appointments with [redacted attendee], Jes Staley and Jamie Dimon?” During a 2023 deposition regarding your knowledge of the bank’s interactions with Epstein, you were repeatedly asked whether you ever met Epstein or if any JPMorgan employee had raised any information about Epstein to your attention. You stated, “I have never had an appointment with Jeff Epstein. I’ve never met Jeff Epstein. I never knew Jeff Epstein. I never went to Jeff Epstein’s house. I never had a meal with Jeff Epstein.” You also said that you “had never even heard of the guy, pretty much” prior to 2019.

Yet newly released emails by the DOJ and subsequent reporting reveal additional information about Epstein’s relationship with JPMorgan—including an effort to push you to weigh in on British tax policy on behalf of JPMorgan. According to reports, several emails indicate that in December 2009, Epstein and then-U.K. Business Secretary Peter Mandelson advised one another on how to approach the U.K. Treasury regarding a proposed one-time, 50% tax on bankers’ bonuses above £25,000. For example, on December 15, Epstein asked Mandelson if the proposal could be limited to cash bonuses, rather than the more valuable, non-cash compensation, such as share options. Minutes later, Mandelson responded that he was “[t]rying hard to amend.” In a follow-up exchange, Epstein appears to direct Mandelson to “amend it, deliver the message personally to [D]imon.”

In other email exchanges between Epstein and Mandelson, the two men appear to strategize as to how you, as JPMorgan’s CEO, could apply pressure on then-Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, who proposed the tax. On December 17, Epstein asked Mandelson if “jamie,” apparently referring to you, should call Darling one more time, to which Mandelson advised, “Yes and mildly threaten.” And on December 29, you reportedly made the call. As Darling recounted in his memoir, “Mr. Dimon was very, very angry.. he said that his bank bought a lot of UK debt and he wondered if that was now such a good idea. . . . He went on to say they were thinking of building a new office in London but they had to reconsider that now.” It is unclear what influence, if any, Epstein’s engagement with Mandelson had—directly or indirectly—on your decision to call Darling.

Furthermore, files released by the DOJ reveal that the redacted individual from Lesley Groff’s February 2010 email about a proposed meeting between you and Epstein was, in fact, Peter Mandelson. In full, Groff asks Epstein, “Shall I have Lynn prepare ‘heavy snacks’ for your evening appointments with Peter Mandelson, Jes Staley and Jamie Dimon? Or is this to be a nice sit down dinner at 9pm?”

In light of this new reporting and the release of new materials by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in response to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, I seek additional information regarding JPMorgan and your relationship with Epstein. I request answers to the following questions no later than July 24, 2026:

1. Did you, or any other JPMorgan employee, direct or otherwise collaborate with Epstein to lobby U.K. officials regarding the bankers’ bonus tax proposal? If so, was Epstein compensated by you, Jes Staley, or JPMorgan, directly or indirectly, for this service?

2. Did you ever call then-Chancellor Darling regarding the U.K. bankers’ bonus tax?

3. Did Epstein or any JPMorgan employee, advise you to “mildly threaten” then-Chancellor Darling to reduce the bonus tax? If applicable, which JPMorgan employee?

4. Please provide copies of JPMorgan’s policies and procedures related to retaining external lobbyists in both the U.K. and U.S.

5. Provide copies of any communications, including but not limited to emails, texts, or phone records, between you and Peter Mandelson, Jes Staley and Alistair Darling regarding the U.K. bankers’ bonus tax proposal.

6. During Epstein’s 15-year long relationship with JPMorgan, you served as CEO for about seven years. At one point, Epstein became one of JPMorgan’s most profitable clients – opening at least 134 accounts, processing over $1 billion in transactions, and recruiting other wealthy clients. You have repeatedly denied under oath that you did not know Epstein existed until his 2019 arrest and that you have never met with Epstein. In your experience, is it typical that a CEO would not have any awareness of their firm’s top clients?

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Warren
Ranking Member
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

GE Aerospace stock has rallied strongly over the past year, gaining about 43% as robust demand for commercial aviation and sustained defense spending in the United States and other key markets continued to support growth. The stock was trading at around $359 in pre-market trading, with investors awaiting the company's earnings report for fresh insight into its financial performance and whether it can justify its premium valuation.

GE Aerospace, one of the biggest industrial companies in the United States, has done well in the past few years, helped by its growing market share in the civil aviation and defense spending in the US and other allied countries.

The company will publish its financial results later this week, shedding more color on its business during the quarter. Data compiled by Yahoo Finance shows that the average estimate among analysts is that its revenue jumped by 16.7% in the second quarter to $11.85 billion.

Analysts also suspect that earnings per share (EPS) is expected to jump to $1.85 from the previous $1.66. Historically, the company has a long track record of doing better than what analysts expect.

Most notably, GE Aerospace’s annual revenue is expected to continue growing, with the annual figure expected to come in at $48.8 billion, followed by $53.76 billion next year.

A potential catalyst for the company is that it received some orders during President Donald Trump's trip to China. Chinese companies ordered 200 Boeing aircraft and related equipment, with many of them being powered by CFM, a joint venture of GE and Safran.

Valuation concerns remain A major concern among analysts and investors is that the company has become highly overvalued, with most metrics being much higher than other companies, including fast-growing companies like NVIDIA, AMD, and Micron.

SeekingAlpha data shows that the company has a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 47, higher than the sector median of 20. Including growth, the forward PEG ratio is 3.14, also higher than the sector median of 1.68.

The same valuation figure is also visible when using the discounted free cash flow (DCF) approach. A report by Simply Wall St. estimates that the company’s fair value is $248, meaning that it is 44.6% overvalued.

As such,the company will need to provide strong revenue, earnings, and backlog numbers to justify the valuation.

Analysts are largely optimistic about the company, with Susquehanna’s Charles Minervino hiking the target from $380 to $430. Sheila Kahyaoglu, a top analyst from Jefferies, hiked the target from $365 to $455, while Citigroup hiked to $431.

GE Aerospace stock chart | Source: TradingView 

The daily chart shows that the GE Aerospace stock jumped to a high of $383 on July 2nd, and then pulled back to the current $359.

This price remains slightly above the important support of $347, its highest point on February 24. It was the upper side of the cup-and-handle pattern, a common bullish continuation sign in technical analysis.

Therefore, the most likely scenario is where the stock drops and retests the support at $347, and then resumes the uptrend. In the future, despite the valuation concerns, the stock may jump to the key resistance level of $400.

READ MORE: GE stock falls 4% despite earnings beat on fuel costs, weak outlook

Key Takeaways McDonald's shares are down 9.1% year to date and trade nearly 20% below their 52-week high.McValue helped win back some lower-income customers and lift market share across nearly all top markets.Cost inflation, falling lower-income traffic and weak U.S. restaurant margins may limit near-term upside. Shares of McDonald's Corporation (MCD - Free Report) have lost 9.1% year to date against the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry's 3.5% rise. The stock closed at $274.60 on Friday, nearly 20% below its 52-week high of $341.75 (attained on March 2, 2026). Meanwhile, the S&P 500 has advanced 11.5% year to date, highlighting MCD’s sharp underperformance relative to the broader market.

The pullback has brought the stock’s valuation to a more moderate level, drawing attention to whether the current discount provides an attractive entry point.

McDonald’s retains several structural advantages, including global scale, strong brand recognition, a predominantly franchised business model and a substantial restaurant-development pipeline. However, continued pressure on lower-income consumers, elevated operating costs and weaker profitability at U.S. company-operated restaurants temper the near-term investment case.

MCD YTD Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

MCD Stock Trades at a DiscountMcDonald’s is trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 20.28, below the Zacks industry multiple of 23.01. This represents a discount of nearly 12% to the industry.

The lower multiple provides a more favorable valuation framework for investors seeking exposure to a globally scaled restaurant operator. However, the discount alone does not make MCD an outright buy. Consumer pressure, franchisee profitability and U.S. company-operated restaurant performance remain important considerations when assessing the stock.

MCD P/E Ratio (Forward 12-Month) vs. Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The key question is whether McDonald’s value strategy, menu innovation and international expansion can support traffic and earnings growth despite pressure on restaurant-level economics. Let us examine the factors shaping the investment case.

McDonald’s Value Strategy Supports Its Competitive PositionValue and affordability remain central to McDonald’s customer strategy. In the United States, the company expanded the McValue platform to include an everyday affordable-price menu featuring individual items below $3 and a $4 breakfast meal. These offerings complement the existing $5 McChicken and $6 McDouble meal deals.

The platform combines entry-level prices with bundled meal options across dayparts. McDonald’s stated that an effective value architecture requires both components: individually priced items for budget-conscious consumers and meal bundles centered on core menu offerings. The company has applied a similar approach across most of its major international markets. The United Kingdom offers Meal Deal Plus, while Germany’s McSmart platform and Australia’s McSmart Meals and Loose Change menu provide locally tailored value options.

McDonald’s reported improved value and affordability perceptions following these initiatives. The company also indicated that its value platform helped recapture some lower-income customers and supported market-share gains across nearly all of its top 10 markets.

MCD’s Marketing and Beverage Push Drive Customer EngagementMcDonald’s is pairing its value platform with culturally relevant marketing and focused menu innovation. Campaigns tied to Friends, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and KPop Demon Hunters demonstrate the company’s ability to develop promotions for different customer groups and scale selected concepts across its global system.

The FIFA World Cup provides another major marketing platform. McDonald’s has maintained a relationship with the tournament for more than three decades and has planned promotional activity across the United States, Canada and Mexico for the 2026 event.

Beverages are also becoming a more prominent part of the company’s menu strategy. McDonald’s has introduced refreshers and crafted sodas under the McCafe brand in the United States, while Germany and Canada have launched beverage platforms of their own. The company also plans to introduce additional flavors and Red Bull-infused energy drinks later in the year.

McDonald’s Restaurant Expansion Extends Its Growth RunwayRestaurant expansion remains a key component of McDonald’s long-term strategy. The company continues to target approximately 50,000 restaurants by the end of 2027. China is expected to account for a significant portion of development activity. McDonald’s remains on track to open approximately 1,000 restaurants in the market during 2026.

At the same time, the company is maintaining a returns-focused approach to capital deployment. McDonald’s is reassessing parts of its development pipeline as supply-chain disruption and higher construction costs affect project economics. The company has emphasized that development decisions will depend on expected returns for both McDonald’s and its franchisees rather than the pursuit of an absolute unit-growth target.

MCD’s Concerns: Lower-Income Traffic & Cost InflationThe lower valuation is not without cause. McDonald’s expects second-quarter comparable-sales growth in the United States and International Operated Markets to decelerate meaningfully from the first quarter. April comparable sales were slightly negative in both segments as the company lapped the highly successful Minecraft promotion from the prior year.

Consumer conditions also remain uncertain. Higher-income customers continue to spend at resilient levels, but visits from lower-income consumers are still declining. Elevated gasoline prices and broader inflationary pressure could further constrain discretionary spending among this group, despite McDonald’s improving value perception.

Profitability presents another concern. McDonald’s described its U.S. company-operated restaurant margins as unacceptable. The weakness was tied partly to additional labor investment and restrained menu pricing. The company is evaluating whether certain restaurants would generate stronger returns under franchisee ownership.

Franchisee profitability is also under pressure from beef inflation and other operating costs. McDonald’s expects low- to mid-single-digit food and paper inflation in the United States and mid-single-digit inflation across International Operated Markets. Although hedging and supplier relationships should help the company manage 2026 pressures, cost inflation could intensify toward the end of 2026 and into 2027.

MCD's Competitive Landscape Remains IntenseMcDonald’s operates in a competitive restaurant market, with peers investing in value, menu innovation, loyalty and unit expansion. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG - Free Report) is advancing restaurant execution, rewards engagement and menu innovation, while Starbucks Corporation (SBUX - Free Report) is strengthening service, beverage platforms and digital frequency through its Back to Starbucks plan. Shake Shack Inc. (SHAK - Free Report) is also expanding its premium menu, technology capabilities and restaurant footprint.

McDonald’s global scale, franchise network and established value platform remain important advantages. Nonetheless, continued execution across McValue, beverages and chicken will likely be necessary to sustain traffic and market share as competitors increase investment across similar growth areas.

MCD Stock Valuation InsightsOver the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for MCD’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) has declined 0.7%. During the same period, Starbucks’ estimate has increased 0.4%, while Shake Shack’s estimate has fallen 7.3%. The consensus estimate for Chipotle’s EPS has remained unchanged at $1.13 in the same time frame.

MCD’s Earnings Estimate Trend
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Is It Time to Buy MCD Stock?McDonald’s recent underperformance has brought its valuation below the industry average, but the discount does not signal a clear near-term earnings inflection. The company’s scale, brand strength, franchise-heavy model and value-led strategy continue to support market-share resilience and long-term stability, justifying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stance for existing investors. However, persistent pressure on lower-income traffic, elevated cost inflation, weaker U.S. company-operated restaurant margins and intense competition may constrain upside in the near term.

With valuation more attractive but operating visibility still limited, MCD’s risk-reward profile appears balanced at current levels. Long-term investors may remain invested, supported by the company’s durable business model and global development runway. Prospective investors may remain selective, given the balanced risk-reward profile and limited near-term earnings visibility.

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

At $292.59, International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM | IBM Price Prediction) is a Buy, echoing Jim Cramer’s call on Mad Money after a viewer asked for a verdict on the stock. Cramer called IBM inexpensive, praised CEO Arvind Krishna’s execution, and told viewers to buy some now and add on any panic dips.

IBM sits at the intersection of enterprise software, hybrid cloud, and mainframe infrastructure, with 96% of its software portfolio classified as enabling infrastructure, not applications. Big Blue has methodically become an AI infrastructure supplier for global corporations, and Krishna has spent years reshaping the portfolio for this moment. The stock has rebounded from early-year lows but still trails the broader market, which is the setup Cramer is pointing at.

Why the Bulls See a Cheap AI Infrastructure Compounder IBM’s Q1 2026 results strengthen the bull case. Non-GAAP EPS came in at $1.91 versus $1.81 expected, the fourth straight quarterly beat, on revenue of $15.917B, up 9.5% year over year. Software revenue rose 11.3% with Red Hat up 13% and Data up 19%, while IBM Z mainframe revenue surged 51% and infrastructure segment margin expanded from 8.6% to 15.8%.

Krishna is monetizing AI at the silicon layer. A fully populated mainframe can now run “about 450 billion inferences [operations] a day”, letting banks apply fraud models to every transaction instead of a 10% sample. The generative AI book of business finished 2025 above $12.5B inception-to-date. Meanwhile, management maintained guidance for more than 5% constant currency revenue growth and roughly $1 billion of incremental YoY free cash flow in 2026. At a forward P/E of 23, that is a growth business trading like a legacy one.

Why the Bears Say the Rerating Has Already Happened IBM traded as low as $212.34 in the past year and now sits near $292.94 against a 52-week high of $332.46. Consulting, roughly a third of revenue, grew just 1% in constant currency, a soft spot bears argue will worsen as clients redirect budgets toward hyperscaler-native AI stacks.

Leverage is climbing. Total debt sits at $66.4 billion after the acquisition of data-streaming platform Confluent, while cash, restricted cash, and marketable securities fell to $11.8 billion from $14.5 billion. Free cash flow did not crack in Q1. It rose to $2.2 billion, up $0.3 billion year over year, even as IBM absorbed acquisition-related spending. The bear case is balance-sheet pressure, with cash down from year-end and debt elevated after another large software deal. Composite sentiment has slid 16.59 points over seven days, and Reddit discussion has cooled from bullish readings of 65 in late June to a bearish range of 36 to 42 in early July, with one r/stocks thread framing IBM as a “forgotten” tech name.

Why Patience Has a Real Case Too The Wall Street consensus analyst target sits at $294.57, essentially where IBM stock already trades. Q2 results land soon. Polymarket assigns a 90% probability of an earnings beat but only a 48.5% probability of software revenue clearing $8.2B, leaving room for a mixed earnings report that stalls the stock.

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Patient investors can watch three things: software acceleration toward the 10% plus full-year target, whether consulting inflects above 1% constant currency, and Confluent integration progress.

What the Numbers Say About the Setup IBM trades at $292.72 against an average analyst target of $294.57, implied upside of roughly 1.6%, across 23 analysts. The ratings skew bullish: 3 Strong Buy, 12 Buy, 7 Hold, 0 Sell, and 1 Strong Sell.

Valuation is 25 trailing and 23 forward, with a 2.28% dividend yield resting on 31 consecutive years of increases. IBM is down 1.64% year to date and up 2.62% over one year, while the S&P 500 is up 10.71% year to date and 20.63% over one year.

Why the Bull Case Holds at This Price Trading above $290, the bull case leans on three catalysts over the next 12 months. Q2 results later this month are the near-term trigger, with prediction markets pricing a 90% probability of a beat. Behind it sits a software segment that management expects to grow above 10% for the full year, and a mainframe cycle where Z17 hardware placement value ran more than $1 billion ahead of Z16’s first year. Together, those catalysts give IBM two ways to rerate: stronger earnings and a higher multiple.

Buying a business growing revenue 9.5% and free cash flow 13% at a forward multiple of 23 leaves margin for error that hyperscalers do not offer. Krishna is executing on a portfolio he built for this moment, telling analysts “this is a tailwind because of the model that we picked”. The thesis breaks if software growth stalls below 8%, consulting turns negative, or the Confluent integration slips.

Cramer’s framing captures it vividly: this is a high-quality operator being priced like a legacy laggard, and the market has not caught up.

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Key Takeaways Chevron will supply 46 petajoules of gas to Alinta Energy from 2027 through 2032.CVX will source gas from Gorgon, Wheatstone and the North West Shelf Project.Chevron said Gorgon and Wheatstone supply about 40% of Western Australia's domestic gas needs. Chevron Corporation’s (CVX - Free Report) Australian affiliate, Chevron Australia Pty Ltd, has signed a new long-term natural gas supply agreement with Alinta Energy, reinforcing its commitment to supporting Western Australia's (WA) energy security. Beginning in July 2027, Chevron will supply 46 petajoules of natural gas over five years from its interests in the Gorgon and Wheatstone facilities, as well as the North West Shelf Project.

The agreement extends a partnership spanning more than four decades and ensures a reliable source of natural gas for households, businesses and industrial customers across Western Australia. It also highlights the growing importance of long-term supply contracts as the state balances rising energy demand with the transition to a lower-carbon future.

Five-Year Agreement Secures Reliable Gas SupplyUnder the agreement, Chevron will provide Alinta Energy with 46 petajoules of natural gas between 2027 and 2032. The supply will come from three of Western Australia's most significant gas assets — Gorgon, Wheatstone and the North West Shelf Project.

The long-term contract provides Alinta Energy with greater certainty over its fuel portfolio while helping ensure stable energy supplies for its retail and commercial customers.

CVX Is Supporting Western Australia's Energy SecurityChevron emphasized that its major LNG developments continue to play a vital role in the state's domestic energy market. According to the company, the Gorgon and Wheatstone facilities together supply approximately 40% of Western Australia's domestic gas needs.

Reliable natural gas remains essential for electricity generation, mining operations and other energy-intensive industries. By securing long-term supply, the agreement supports the continued availability of dependable and affordable energy throughout the state.

A Partnership Built Over Four DecadesThe latest agreement builds on a long-standing relationship between Chevron and Alinta Energy that has existed for more than 40 years. Both companies highlighted the importance of trusted partnerships in maintaining consistent gas supplies and supporting customers during an evolving energy landscape.

For Alinta Energy, access to long-term production from established projects strengthens its ability to serve households, businesses and industrial users while adapting to changing energy demands.

A Long-Term Commitment to Reliable Gas SupplyThe new agreement demonstrates Chevron's continued focus on maximizing the value of its Australian gas portfolio while supporting domestic energy needs. At the same time, it provides Alinta Energy with greater supply certainty from proven gas projects.

As Western Australia continues to require reliable energy alongside its transition toward lower-emission sources, partnerships like this are expected to remain an important part of maintaining energy security and supporting economic activity across the region.

CVX’s Zacks Rank & Key PicksChevron is one of the largest publicly traded oil and gas companies in the world, with operations that span almost every corner of the globe. Currently, CVX carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Investors interested in the energy sector may consider some top-ranked stocks like Suncor Energy Inc. (SU - Free Report) , Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (PARR - Free Report) and Imperial Oil Limited (IMO - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Alberta-based Suncor Energy is Canada's premier integrated energy company. The company's operations include oil sands development and upgrading, conventional and offshore crude oil and gas production, petroleum refining and product marketing. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SU’s 2026 earnings indicates 114.2% year-over-year growth.

Houston, TX-based Par Pacific Holdings is a growth-oriented energy company supplying conventional and renewable fuels across the western United States. Its integrated platform sources crude, refines transportation fuels and distributes products. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PARR’s 2026 revenues indicates 123.8% year-over-year growth.

Calgary-based Imperial Oil is one of the largest integrated oil companies of Canada, mainly engaged in oil and gas production, petroleum products refining and marketing and chemical business. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for IMO’s 2026 earnings indicates 69.2% year-over-year growth.

Key Takeaways Costco's June net sales rose 10.6% to $29.24 billion, while comparable sales increased 8.8%.Digitally enabled comparable sales climbed 20.9%, reinforcing growth beyond Costco's warehouses.Costco trades at 41.30 times forward earnings, well above the industry's 30.05 multiple. Costco Wholesale Corporation's (COST - Free Report) valuation remains among the highest in the retail sector, leaving little room for operational missteps. That makes monthly sales updates closely monitored by investors. June's sales results once again highlighted resilient consumer demand, decent comparable sales growth and strong digital momentum, but are these trends enough to support the stock's premium multiple going forward?

A Closer Look at Costco's June SalesFor a retailer trading at a premium multiple, the quality and consistency of growth matter as much as the pace. Costco’s June report certainly provided encouraging evidence. Net sales increased 10.6% year over year to $29.24 billion during the five weeks ended July 5, 2026. Comparable sales rose 8.8% companywide, while adjusted comparable sales, excluding gasoline price and foreign exchange impacts, advanced 7%. Those figures point to broad-based demand rather than growth driven solely by external factors.

Although June comparable sales remained strong, they moderated from the 12.5% and 11.6% growth recorded in May and April, respectively. The sequential slowdown does not undermine Costco's performance, but it highlights the broad-based growth needed to support its premium valuation.

Digital performance remained another bright spot. Costco's digitally enabled comparable sales climbed 20.9% on a reported basis and 21.5% after adjusting for fuel and currency effects. Sustained online growth of this magnitude complements warehouse traffic and reinforces the company's ability to expand sales beyond its physical footprint without compromising its value proposition.

Do Costco’s Latest Metrics Justify Its Premium Valuation?Costco trades at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 41.30, well above the industry’s ratio of 30.05. The premium reflects investors' confidence in the company's membership-driven business model, recurring fee income, resilient sales growth and disciplined execution. Even so, the multiple remains below its 12-month median of 46.32, indicating that valuation has moderated from historical levels.

The premium is even more evident when compared with mass-merchandise retailers. Costco continues to command a meaningful premium over Dollar General Corporation (DG - Free Report) and Target Corporation (TGT - Free Report) . Costco is trading at a premium to Dollar General (forward 12-month P/E of 15.53) and Target (15.73).

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Why Has Costco Stock Pulled Back?Despite another month of resilient sales growth, Costco shares have dropped 6.5% over the past month, modestly underperforming the industry's 5.6% decline. The softness may be tied to the stock’s rich valuation rather than to any deterioration in underlying fundamentals. The moderation in June’s comparable sales growth from the stronger gains recorded in May and April may have also tempered investor enthusiasm.

Over the same period, shares of Dollar General have gained 2.2%, while Target has advanced 1.5%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

How Are Costco's Earnings Estimates Trending?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Costco’s current financial-year sales and earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 9.6% and 13.3%, respectively. For the next fiscal year, the consensus estimate indicates a 7.9% rise in sales and 10.2% growth in earnings.

The consensus estimate for earnings per share for the current and next fiscal year has increased by 6 cents and 8 cents to $20.38 and $22.47, respectively, over the past 60 days. The upward revisions suggest that analysts remain confident in Costco's ability to deliver steady earnings growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Can Costco Continue to Command a Premium?Costco’s June sales once again reinforced the strength of its membership-driven business model, supported by healthy comparable sales growth and continued digital momentum. Improving earnings estimates further lend support. However, given its significant premium to the industry, Costco will need to sustain strong execution to justify its valuation and drive the stock higher.

Costco currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Key Takeaways Etsy app GMS rose 11.2% in Q1 2026 and reached about 47% of total marketplace GMS.AI-powered profiles, feeds and recommendations improved add-to-cart activity, conversion and engagement.App users deliver about 40% higher lifetime value by visiting more often and converting at higher rates. Etsy, Inc.’s (ETSY - Free Report) mobile app is emerging as the centerpiece of the company’s marketplace transformation, with management increasingly positioning it as the primary platform to improve buyer engagement and shopping frequency. Rather than serving as just another purchase channel, the app is becoming the primary destination where Etsy is deploying personalization, machine learning and direct customer engagement to strengthen marketplace activity.

The momentum is already becoming visible. During the first quarter of 2026, mobile app Gross Merchandise Sales (“GMS”) rose 11.2% year over year, accelerating from 6.6% growth in the preceding quarter. The app now accounts for about 47% of total marketplace GMS, an increase of 240 basis points from the prior year, with app GMS continuing to outperform non-app growth. Management believes this reflects improving buyer engagement as users interact more frequently with personalized experiences.

The company is investing heavily in features that make the app more relevant for each shopper. AI-powered buyer profiles, personalized home feeds, smarter recommendations and more targeted push notifications are designed to move beyond displaying popular products and instead surface listings that align with individual tastes while encouraging exploration across new shopping occasions. Early testing has produced improvements in add-to-cart activity, conversion and overall engagement.

Management also highlighted that app users deliver approximately 40% higher lifetime value than non-app users because they visit more often, engage more deeply and convert at higher rates. While purchase frequency has not yet meaningfully accelerated, Etsy believes stronger app engagement is an important leading indicator that can gradually translate into more frequent shopping over time as the broader marketplace strategy continues to evolve.

DoorDash & Shopify: App Innovation Drives User EngagementDoorDash, Inc. (DASH - Free Report) is strengthening app engagement through AI-powered shopping enhancements and a richer end-to-end user experience. DoorDash plans to introduce agentic ordering, smarter search, personalized discovery and improved customer support to make shopping faster and more intuitive. Management also highlighted record DashPass engagement and growing membership adoption, reinforcing DoorDash’s strategy of increasing user retention and purchase frequency through a superior app experience.

Shopify Inc. (SHOP - Free Report) is also accelerating app-driven engagement by expanding AI-powered discovery and commerce capabilities. The Shopify Shop App delivered 70% GMV growth and more than 40% growth in monthly active users in the first quarter of 2026, while unique buyers increased more than 50% year over year. Shopify is further enhancing engagement through AI-powered search, personalized recommendations and Sidekick, helping merchants attract shoppers and improve conversion.

What the Latest Metrics Say About EtsyEtsy has seen its shares jump 44.8% over the past three months against the industry’s 2.4% decline. 
 

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Etsy's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 13.79, lower than the industry’s ratio of 21.85. ETSY is also trading below its 12-month median level of 20.
 

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Etsy's earnings per share has seen a downward revision. The consensus estimate for the current fiscal year has fallen from $5.55 to $5.41, while the estimate for the next fiscal year has declined from $6.40 to 6.29 over the past 30 days.
 

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Etsy currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Investors looking ahead to when the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) shortage will end can start looking a little further out. Micron’s NASDAQ: MU response to SK Hynix's bold U.S. entry reveals that HBM shortages persist and will likely linger into the next decade (as indicated by the SK Hynix CEO), and that both companies are scrambling to ramp production.

Micron Technology Today

MU

Micron Technology

$936.80 -42.50 (-4.34%)

As of 12:15 PM Eastern

This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.

52-Week Range$103.38▼

$1,255.00Dividend Yield0.06%

P/E Ratio21.24

Price Target$1,263.76

While SK Hynix will use its IPO funds to bolster U.S. capacity, Micron is using its robust cash flow and financial position to do the same. The company upped its planned 10-year investment outlook to $250 billion domestically, money to be spent on U.S.-based fabrication capacity and HBM technology advancement.

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The battle is for market share. SK Hynix commands a lion’s share of the market due to its close ties with NVIDIA NASDAQ: NVDA, but its dominance isn’t assured. Micron, for its part, is working to align more closely with NVIDIA’s standards to carve out a larger share of business from this single client.

Meanwhile, Micron is capturing a significant share of the second-tier AI infrastructure market, including Amazon NASDAQ: AMZN, which uses HBM for its Trainium chips, Alphabet NASDAQ: GOOGL, which uses it for its Tensor Processing Units, and Microsoft NASDAQ: MSFT, which uses HBM for its Maia architecture. Looking ahead, Micron is expected to benefit from the dual tailwinds of high demand, fixed-cost leverage, and pricing power for many years.

The latest news in DRAM and HBM sales is that price caps are being lifted or removed from long-term contracts, opening the door to maximum pricing power. While Micron has yet to follow suit, similar moves are possible. Until then, Micron is sitting pretty, providing an in-demand product with a multiyear sales bump underway and an updraft in pricing power.

Analysts Take Note, Micron Sends Strongly Bullish SignalAnalysts responded favorably to the $250 billion spending plan, with chatter highlighting the investment boost as a strongly bullish signal, reaffirming AI demand and the extended memory upcycle. Long-term revenue visibility translates not only into growth stability, but also into cash flow and capacity for capital returns.

As it stands, Micron’s dividend is a token but ultra-reliable, and the buyback program is in position for robust future increases. Among the catalysts for share prices is the potential for buybacks to start reducing the share count in the not-too-distant future.

Until then, MarketBeat tracks 38 analysts who rate Micron stock as a consensus Buy, with a 92% Buy-side bias. The trends include steady coverage, firming sentiment, and robust price target increases, with consensus forecasting nearly 30% upside as of mid-July and the high-end pegged at $2,000. The $2,000 target is significant, as it represents more than 100% upside from the mid-July trading levels and may be reached within a matter of quarters.

Institutional activity suggests the downside risk is limited in Q3. The group owns more than 80% of the stock and has bought on balance over the trailing 12 months, accelerating buying in early Q3. The early Q3 balance is greater than $2-to-$1, providing a solid support base, and is likely to remain strong, given the trends, outlook, and increased spending plans. The risk from this vector is that this group sells into the rally as the price advances, but there is little sign of that now. With analysts raising targets and the outlook strengthening, institutional support is likely to remain solid for the foreseeable future.

Triple-Digit Upside for Micron: Near, Mid, and Long-TermMicron’s valuation metrics suggest a robust upside potential in the near-, mid-, and long-term. The stock trades at a paltry 12x its current-year earnings guidance, a multiple that is lower than that of AI-critical peers and the S&P 500, which trade at least 100% higher relative to their earnings. Looking ahead, the valuation falls to about 6x as soon as the subsequent year, suggesting another 100% upside is possible within the next two to three quarters. Longer-term, the estimates fail to account for the extended HBM shortage, setting the stage for a persistent, robustly bullish cycle of analyst revisions that may last several years.

Micron’s early July price pullback is an opportunity in this scenario. While the 25% price correction is alarming, it’s a small move for this market, which remains up by approximately 700% on a trailing 12-month basis. The more critical chart detail is the preceding peak and its accompanying MACD convergence, a signal of market strength suggesting fresh highs will be set. The only question is the timing of the move, and it may be triggered soon. Micron is slated to report its fiscal Q4 results in late September, but releases from NVIDIA, the Mag Seven, and AI-critical hyperscale providers can also do the trick by affirming demand and spending trends are intact.

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Key Takeaways BlackBerry's fiscal Q1 revenue rose 26% to $153M, with positive operating cash flow after nine years.BB reaffirmed Secure Comms revenue guidance and highlighted QNX momentum in automotive software.PANW grew revenue 31%, but integration costs and intense competition may pressure near-term profits. Cybersecurity has become one of the fastest-growing segments in enterprise technology as organizations face increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. From ransomware attacks to AI-powered phishing campaigns, businesses are investing heavily in security solutions to protect their digital assets. Against this backdrop, investors continue to look for cybersecurity companies capable of delivering sustainable long-term growth.

Two companies that often attract investor attention are BlackBerry Limited (BB - Free Report) and Palo Alto Networks (PANW - Free Report) . Per a report from Fortune Business Insights, the global cybersecurity market is estimated to go from $248.3 billion in 2026 to $699.4 billion by 2034 at a CAGR of 13.8%. While both operate in cybersecurity, they are at very different stages of their transformation and growth journeys. BlackBerry is reinventing itself after exiting the smartphone business, while Palo Alto Networks has established itself as a dominant force in enterprise cybersecurity.

Both help enterprises defend against cyber threats, though with different product focuses. So, which stock offers the better investment opportunity today?

The Case for BB StockBlackBerry operates primarily through two businesses –Secure Communications and Cybersecurity and QNX embedded software for automotive and industrial applications. Its cybersecurity offerings include endpoint security, identity protection, secure communications and AI-driven threat detection. Its QNX operating system powers millions of vehicles worldwide and is increasingly benefiting from trends such as connected cars and ADAS. BB delivered a strong start to fiscal 2027, with first-quarter revenue rising 26% year over year to $153 million, surpassing guidance. Its adjusted EBITDA more than doubled to about $36 million and generated a positive operating cash flow of about $5 million, marking its first positive first-quarter operating cash flow in nine years.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

One area where BlackBerry clearly differentiates itself is automotive software. As autonomous driving, software-defined vehicles and electric vehicles continue growing, QNX could become an increasingly valuable asset. QNX is driven by record development license revenue, new automotive and GEM design wins, and continued momentum in long-term opportunities such as GEM expansion, Physical AI and the Alloy Kore platform.

Secure Communications delivered its strongest quarter in years, with revenue increasing 24% year over year, driven by robust government demand and significant contract wins. Customer retention, recurring revenue and government demand for secure communications solutions continue to show encouraging momentum. A multiyear expansion with Shared Services Canada, driven by rising demand for digital sovereignty and cybersecurity, significantly boosted fiscal first-quarter revenue through the expanded deployment of Secusmart's encrypted communications solutions. Management cautioned that large government contracts have long sales cycles, making this quarter’s outsized growth unlikely to recur every quarter. Still, this unit is evolving into a stable growth business with upside from major government wins. 

Recently, BB upgraded AtHoc with Microsoft Teams and Entra ID integrations for faster emergency response. AtHoc supports recurring software revenue alongside Secure Comm and QNX growth. In June, the Secure Comms arm also upgraded its Unified Endpoint Management platform, aimed at addressing the evolving needs of enterprises, governments and highly regulated industries. The company reaffirmed its full-year revenue guidance for Secure Comms of $270–$280 million, representing 4–8% growth.

Despite possessing valuable technology, BlackBerry continues to face challenges. Revenue growth has remained inconsistent over the past few years, reflecting intense competition in enterprise cybersecurity. Larger rivals with broader product portfolios have captured a significant share of new enterprise spending. Although management has streamlined operations and reduced costs, investors are still waiting for sustained revenue acceleration and stronger profitability. Investors should also recognize that automotive software follows longer development cycles than enterprise cybersecurity, meaning revenue growth tends to be slower and less predictable.

The Case for PANW StockPalo Alto continues to benefit from higher cybersecurity priority as enterprises deploy AI and look to consolidate vendors onto fewer platforms. PANW reported fiscal third-quarter revenues of $3 billion, expanding 31% year over year. The company continues to strengthen its AI-driven cybersecurity platform, leveraging advanced AI models and strategic partnerships to enhance threat detection and defense. Strong customer demand drove continued platform adoption, with 110 new platformizations during the quarter, supporting its long-term goal of surpassing 4,000 platformized customers and reaching $20 billion in next-generation security ARR by fiscal 2030.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Post-acquisition integration remains on track, with product innovation, cost efficiencies and cross-selling driving faster-than-expected profitability. CyberArk and Chronosphere continue to strengthen growth in next-generation security, while operational efficiencies and synergy realization support the company's long-term margin and free cash flow targets. These additions expand Palo Alto’s addressable markets into identity security and observability, which management views as crucial in an agentic AI era. PANW reported RPO of $18.4 billion, 36% year over year. Around $1.8 billion came from acquired businesses. A growing RPO indicates customers are committing to larger, longer-term cybersecurity contracts. This provides excellent revenue visibility and demonstrates confidence in the company's integrated platform strategy.

The company continues to advance its platform capabilities, endpoint security and AI-native solutions. In June, PANW expanded Project Lightwell with IBM and Red Hat, integrating virtual patching and software remediation to help organizations identify vulnerabilities and reduce exposure to emerging cyber threats. Also, it partnered with Deutsche Telekom to launch Sovereign Cortex with T Security, delivering AI-driven security operations with enhanced data sovereignty controls for regulated European industries. In May, PANW completed the acquisition of Portkey, expanding its Prisma AIRS platform with capabilities to monitor, orchestrate and govern AI agents at scale. It launched Idira, an identity security platform designed to manage and secure human, machine and AI agent identities across enterprises.

However, near-term prospects for Palo Alto might be hurt by changing customer behavior. In the past few quarters, various competitors in the cybersecurity space have noticed that the companies have been breaking their cybersecurity investment plans into phases and implementing the same over longer periods of time, instead of making a single large investment. Rising integration costs from the CyberArk and Chronosphere acquisitions are expected to weigh on PANW's near-term profitability as the company integrates employees, operations and go-to-market teams.

Increasing competition from Microsoft, CrowdStrike and other cybersecurity firms is a major woe. To survive in the highly competitive cybersecurity market, each player must continually invest in broadening its capabilities. Over the past few years, Palo Alto has invested heavily to enhance its sales and marketing capabilities, particularly by increasing the sales force. This has raised its operating expenses.  Slower operating leverage would weigh on it even if revenues remain on plan. Furthermore, though PANW foresees these investments to garner benefits over the long run, uncertainty about the payback period still looms.

Price Performance Trajectory for BB & PANWYear to date, BB and PANW have registered gains of 189.4% and 76.9%, respectively.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Valuation ComparisonsBlackBerry typically trades at a much lower valuation because investors remain uncertain about its turnaround. A lower valuation can offer potential upside if management successfully accelerates growth. Palo Alto Networks commands a premium valuation.

In terms of the forward 12-month price/earnings multiple, BB is trading at 72.67X, lower than PANW's 146.44X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

How Does the Zacks Consensus Estimate Compare for BB & PANW?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BB earnings for fiscal 2027 has been revised down over the past 60 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Meanwhile, for PANW, there is a marginal upward estimate revision.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

BB or PANW: Which Stock is the Better Buy?If BlackBerry successfully expands cybersecurity adoption while monetizing QNX more effectively, its shares could deliver healthy long-term gains. However, the path remains uncertain. Platform consolidation, AI security demand, expanding recurring revenues and cash flow, and disciplined integration support steady long-term growth for Palo Alto. However, intensifying competition, an uncertain economic environment and acquisition integration risks remain key concerns.

BB, at present, carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) while PANW has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Consequently, in terms of Zacks Rank and valuations, BB provides a more compelling risk-reward profile for investors. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Key Takeaways Suncor Energy outperformed the broader oil and energy sector, with shares gaining 48.7% over 12 months.SU delivered record first-quarter 2026 upstream production despite temporary third-party disruptions.Suncor Energy targets 100,000 barrels per day of upstream production growth by 2028 using existing assets. Suncor Energy Inc. (SU - Free Report) has emerged as one of the strongest-performing energy stocks over the past year, driven by its disciplined capital allocation, resilient integrated business model and robust cash flow generation. Backed by healthy refining margins, efficient oil sands operations and consistent shareholder return, the company has continued to strengthen investor confidence despite a volatile commodity price environment.

Over the past 12 months, SU’s shares have rallied 48.7%, significantly outperforming the broader Oil-Energy Sector's (ZS12M) 24% rise. The stock's return, which is more than double that of the sector, reflects the market's confidence in Suncor's ability to execute its long-term strategy while delivering strong operational and financial performance.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Suncor is one of Canada's largest integrated energy companies, with operations spanning oil sands mining, conventional oil and natural gas production, petroleum refining and fuel marketing. Its integrated business model provides diversified earnings streams, helping offset volatility in commodity prices while generating stable cash flows across market cycles. The company's momentum is also reflected in analysts' improving earnings expectations.

Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for SU's earnings per share has increased 10.47% for 2026 and 10.73% for 2027, indicating growing confidence in its outlook.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Can Suncor continue to outperform after such an impressive rally, or has the stock already priced in its strengths? Let's examine the key factors driving the company's investment case and determine whether the stock still offers upside for investors.

What's Fueling Suncor's Strong Performance?Consistent Production Growth: Suncor has demonstrated that it can expand production through operational improvements rather than relying on expensive acquisitions or major greenfield developments. During the first quarter of 2026, the company delivered its highest first-quarter upstream production on record despite temporary third-party disruptions, highlighting stronger reliability, better asset utilization and continuous operational improvements across its oil sands portfolio.

Integrated Business Model: SU's fully integrated business model spans upstream production, upgrading, refining, transportation, trading and retail marketing, allowing it to capture value throughout the energy value chain. This diversified structure helps reduce earnings volatility, improves margin capture during changing market conditions and provides greater financial stability than companies that depend on only one segment of the energy business.

Leading Downstream Business: Suncor operates one of the strongest downstream businesses in North America with 511,000 barrels per day of refining capacity, approximately 1,730 Petro-Canada retail locations and export capabilities reaching 45 countries. Management highlighted industry-leading refinery utilization and strong commercial capabilities that continue to enhance profitability and generate resilient earnings across varying commodity price environments.

Operational Excellence: Suncor continues to improve operational reliability through higher upgrader utilization, stronger turnaround performance, improved mine productivity and greater regional integration across its oil sands assets. The investor presentation highlights sustained utilization above 95% and record operating performance, while management believes ongoing efficiency improvements will continue supporting stronger margins, lower costs and higher long-term cash generation.

Visible Growth Pipeline: Suncor plans to increase upstream production by approximately 100,000 barrels per day by 2028 using existing resource areas located near current operations. Management intends to deploy standardized project designs and leverage existing infrastructure to lower development costs, reduce execution risk and improve project economics compared with traditional large-scale oil sands developments.

Strong Financial Position: Suncor maintains a solid financial foundation supported by investment-grade credit ratings, approximately C$9 billion of available liquidity and conservative leverage metrics. Management explained that the temporary working capital increase reflected stronger commodity prices rather than financial weakness, reinforcing the company's ability to support growth investments while continuing substantial shareholder distributions.

Disciplined Capital Allocation: SU follows a disciplined capital allocation framework that prioritizes maintaining a strong balance sheet, investing in existing operations, paying reliable dividends, repurchasing shares and funding high-return growth projects. Management also clarified that the recent increase in share buybacks reflects confidence in the long-term business plan rather than a temporary response to favorable commodity prices.

Strong Execution Track Record: Management noted that Suncor met the previous Investor Day goals ahead of schedule by boosting upstream production, increasing downstream throughput, lowering its corporate breakeven and growing free funds flow. This strong execution reflects the company's operational strength and supports confidence in its long-term growth plans.

Suncor Stock: The Final VerdictSuncor is well positioned for sustained long-term growth, supported by consistent production expansion, ongoing operational improvements and a fully integrated business model that delivers resilient earnings across commodity cycles. The company's leading downstream operations, visible low-risk growth pipeline, disciplined capital allocation strategy and strong financial position provide a solid foundation for continued value creation and attractive shareholder returns.

Backed by management's proven execution record and continued focus on enhancing efficiency, lowering costs and increasing cash generation, Suncor is well equipped to capitalize on growth opportunities. This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock represents an attractive choice for investors seeking exposure to the oil and gas sector, given its strong competitive positioning, expanding international business and improving earnings outlook.

Other Key PicksInvestors interested in the energysector might consider other top-ranked stocks, such as Par Pacific (PARR - Free Report) , Paramount Resources (PRMRF - Free Report) , both sporting a Zacks Rank #1, and Cenovus Energy (CVE - Free Report) , carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Par Pacific is valued at 3.30 billion. It is an energy company that owns and operates refining, logistics and retail assets. Par Pacific operates across Hawaii, the Pacific Northwest and the Rocky Mountain region.

Paramount Resources is valued at $2.90 billion. It is a Canadian energy producer focused on the exploration, development and production of natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids. Paramount Resources operates in Western Canada.

Cenovus Energy is valued at $49.12 billion. It is an integrated Canadian energy company engaged in oil sands production, conventional oil and natural gas development, refining and downstream operations. Cenovus Energy operates across North America.

Key Takeaways Cintas is expected to report fiscal Q4 revenues of $2.88 billion, up 7.8% year over year. CTAS may benefit from customer retention, AED Rentals demand and gains from recent acquisitions. Cintas faces margin pressure from higher SG&A costs and potential foreign exchange headwinds. Cintas Corporation (CTAS - Free Report) is scheduled to release fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 (ended May 2026) results on July 15, before market open.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CTAS’ fiscal fourth-quarter revenues is pegged at $2.88 billion, indicating growth of 7.8% from the prior-year quarter’s figure. The consensus mark for earnings is pinned at $1.24 per share, which has been stable in the past 60 days. The figure indicates growth of 13.8% from the year-ago quarter's figure.

The company has a stellar earnings surprise history, having outperformed the consensus estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, the average beat being 1.3%. In the last reported quarter, its earnings of $1.24 per share beat the consensus estimate of $1.23 by 0.8%.

Let’s see how things have shaped up before Cintas’ fiscal fourth-quarter earnings release.

Factors to Note Ahead of CTAS’ ResultsStrong customer retention and penetration of additional products and services into existing customers are expected to have driven the Uniform Rental and Facility Services segment’s performance in the fiscal fourth quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the segment’s revenues is pegged at $2.17 billion, indicating a 7% jump from the year-ago reported number.

Solid demand for the company’s AED Rentals is likely to have supported the performance of the First Aid and Safety Services segment. Also, strong customer retention levels and an improved sales mix are likely to have boded well for the segment. The consensus mark for the segment’s revenues is pegged at $358 million, which implies a 10.5% increase from the year-ago reported figure.

Also, synergistic gains from the acquisitions of Paris Uniform Services (March 2024) and SITEX (February 2024) are expected to have boosted Cintas’ top line in the to-be-reported quarter. While the Paris Uniform Services buyout has strengthened CTAS’ market presence in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland and West Virginia, the SITEX acquisition has enhanced its footprint in the U.S. central Midwest region.

However, the escalating selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses pose a threat to CTAS’ bottom line. Increase in employee-partner related expensesare expected to have pushed up the SG&A expenses, which are likely to have impacted the company’s margins in the fiscal fourth quarter.

Given Cintas’ extensive geographic presence, its operations are subject to global political risks and foreign exchange headwinds. A stronger U.S. dollar is likely to have hurt CTAS’ overseas business in the quarter.

Earnings WhispersOur proven model predicts an earnings beat for CTAS this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is the case here, as elaborated below.

Earnings ESP: CTAS has an Earnings ESP of +0.58% as the Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $1.25 per share, higher than the Most Accurate Estimate of $1.24. You can uncover the best stocks before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

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

Other Stocks to ConsiderHere are some other companies, which according to our model, have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings in this reporting cycle.

Ingersoll Rand Inc. (IR - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.61% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The company is slated to release second-quarter 2026 results on July 30.

Ingersoll Rand’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters while matching the mark in two, the average surprise being 2.4%.

Crane Company (CR - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +4.73% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The company is scheduled to release second-quarter 2026 results on July 28.

Crane’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, the average surprise being 11.3%.

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.31% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The company is slated to release second-quarter 2026 results on July 28.

Illinois Tool’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 2.8%.

Key Takeaways Lam Research targets record Q4'26 revenues of $6.6B after posting $5.84B in the third quarter.AI chip demand is driving investments in advanced DRAM, HBM and leading-edge foundry technologies.LRCX's advanced packaging sales are expected to grow by over 50% in 2026 as AI processors become more complex. Lam Research Corporation (LRCX - Free Report) is slated to report its fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results in late July, and investors must be wondering if the company will reach its record revenue target of $6.6 billion. We believe that the ongoing boom in artificial intelligence (AI) chips could help Lam Research achieve that goal. Demand for advanced semiconductor equipment continues to rise as chipmakers expand capacity for AI processors, high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and next-generation logic devices.

Lam Research delivered strong momentum in the third quarter of fiscal 2026. Revenues increased 24% year over year to a record $5.84 billion, while systems revenues climbed to $3.73 billion. Non-GAAP earnings per share jumped 41% and reached a record $1.47, while non-GAAP gross margin improved 90 basis points to 49.9%, reflecting a favorable product mix and operational execution. These results provide a solid foundation for another quarter of growth.

AI is becoming LRCX’s biggest growth engine. The company is benefiting from rising investments in advanced DRAM, HBM and leading-edge foundry technologies, all of which require Lam Research’s etch and deposition equipment. Management also expects advanced packaging revenues to grow more than 50% in calendar year 2026 as AI processors become more complex and require sophisticated chip integration technologies.

Industry conditions remain favorable. Lam Research estimates global wafer fabrication equipment spending of approximately $140 billion in calendar year 2026, reflecting stronger AI-related investments across memory and logic markets. The company also expects industry growth to continue into 2027.

If AI infrastructure spending remains robust and customers continue expanding advanced chip production, Lam Research appears well-positioned to achieve its record fourth-quarter sales target and sustain its strong growth momentum. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues is currently pegged at $6.67 billion, higher than the midpoint of management’s guidance range and indicating a year-over-year increase of more than 29%.

Lam Research’s Rivals Also Benefit From AI Chip DemandLRCX’s main competitors, Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT - Free Report) and KLA Corporation (KLAC - Free Report) , are also benefiting from the AI chip boom. Both companies have broad exposure to advanced semiconductor manufacturing and are seeing strong demand from AI-related investments.

Applied Materials is Lam Research’s closest rival in wafer fabrication equipment. The company generated revenues of $7.91 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, with its Semiconductor Systems segment contributing the majority of sales. Applied Materials reported record DRAM revenue and continues to benefit from growing demand for advanced logic, HBM and advanced packaging solutions used in AI servers. Its broad product portfolio positions it to capture a significant share of rising semiconductor capital spending.

KLA Corporation competes through inspection and process control equipment, which are essential for manufacturing advanced AI chips. The company’s third-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues increased 11.5% year over year to $3.42 billion as it continues to benefit from increasing process complexity at leading-edge nodes. As AI processors and HBM stacks require tighter quality control and higher production yields, KLAC's inspection tools are becoming increasingly important.

For Lam Research, sustaining record quarterly revenues will depend on maintaining its leadership in etch and deposition technologies while competing effectively with Applied Materials and KLA Corporation across the rapidly expanding AI semiconductor ecosystem.

LRCX’s Share Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of Lam Research have surged 104.6% year to date compared with the Zacks Electronics – Semiconductors industry’s rise of 50.3%.

Lam Research YTD Price Return Performance
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From a valuation standpoint, Lam Research trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 43.81, significantly higher than the industry’s average of 33.34.

Lam Research Forward 12-Month P/E Ratio
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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Lam Research’s fiscal 2026 and 2027 earnings implies a year-over-year increase of approximately 37.2% and 39.6%, respectively. Estimates for fiscal 2026 have been revised upward over the past 30 days, while estimates for fiscal 2027 have been raised northward over the past seven days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Lam Research currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Key Takeaways Amcor is expanding its Dongguan facility with a 7,000-square-meter manufacturing site and automated warehouse.AMCR will add advanced automated equipment to boost production capacity and improve operational efficiency.Amcor expects the China facility expansion to complete by July'27 and strengthen supply-chain resilience. Amcor plc (AMCR - Free Report) announced that it started an expansion project at its flexible packaging solutions facility in Dongguan, China. This move will boost AMCR’s manufacturing network to better support its customers across the Asia Pacific region.

Details of Amcor’s Facility Expansion in ChinaAmcor has a 30-year history of operating in China, with 23 manufacturing sites and two research and development centers nationwide. The investment in Dongguan expansion underscores Amcor's commitment to a key growth market.

As part of the expansion project, the company will add a 7,000-square-meter manufacturing facility and an automated warehouse to its existing campus. This will take the total campus to more than 38,000 square meters, boosting Amcor’s production capacity and supply-chain resilience in a key South China industrial hub.

The expanded facility will employ automated solvent-free laminators, high-speed bag-making machines and automated bag arranging systems, aiding increased production capacity and improved operational efficiency. These technologies will further support the production of recyclable packaging for food, home and personal care applications.

The company expects the construction of the facility to be completed by July 2027.

AMCR’s Focus to Advance Sustainable Packaging SolutionsOn June 29, Amcor announced a partnership with Kelpi to develop advanced coating technologies that will boost the company’s performance and sustainability of packaging materials. This move is in sync with AMCR’s strategy to focus on developing sustainable packaging solutions with high functional standards.

Kelpi’s proprietary coating technology platform, which is a bio-based seaweed material designed to deliver high barrier performance. It is also compatible with recycling streams for fiber-based packaging.

Amcor is testing the technology to expand its AmFiber portfolio, ensuring these fiber-based solutions meet strict requirements for barrier performance, high running speeds and circularity. By using bio-based coatings, Amcor will gain from the reduced reliance on fossil fuel-derived feedstocks and greater use of renewable resources. This will result in a lower carbon footprint.

Amcor’s Q3 PerformanceAMCR delivered third-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings of 96 cents per share, rising 6% year over year and meeting the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Reported net sales climbed 77% from the year-ago quarter to $5.91 billion and beat the consensus mark of $5.69 billion.

Results reflected the first full year of the Berry combination and continued integration progress, including $77 million of acquisition synergies in the quarter, along with cost and productivity actions that supported profitability.

AMCR’s Price PerformanceOver the past year, the company’s shares have lost 4.7% compared with the industry’s 4.3% decline.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Amcor’s Zacks Rank & Stocks to ConsiderAMCR currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). 

Some better-ranked stocks from the Industrial Products sector are Helios Technologies, Inc (HLIO - Free Report) , Fastenal Company (FAST - Free Report) and Tennant Company (TNC - Free Report) . HLIO flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and FAST and TNC carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Helios Technologies’ 2026 earnings is pegged at $2.89 per share. The company has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 15.7%. Helios Technologies’ shares have soared 134% in a year.

Fastenal has an average trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 0.1%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FAST’s 2026 earnings is pinned at $1.23 per share, which indicates year-over-year growth of 13.1%. The company’s shares have grown 5.3% in a year. 

Tennant has an average trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 40.8%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TNC’s 2026 earnings is pinned at $5.12 per share. The company’s shares have gained 5.3% in a year.

Key Takeaways SPX Technologies' stock gained 26.1% in a year, outpacing the Construction sector and the S&P 500 Index.SPXC raised its 2026 data center growth outlook to 70% as cooling and air-handling demand accelerated.Segment income rose 22% to $135 million, while margin expanded 100 basis points to 23.9%. SPX Technologies, Inc. (SPXC - Free Report) has delivered a strong share price performance, reflecting solid execution, resilient demand across its key end markets and growing confidence in its long-term growth strategy. Momentum in its HVAC and Detection & Measurement businesses, accelerating demand for data center cooling solutions and disciplined acquisitions have strengthened the company's growth outlook. SPXC stock has climbed 26.1% over the past year, broadly matching the Zacks Building Products - Air Conditioner and Heating industry’s 27% rise while outperforming the Construction sector’s 14.6% gain and the S&P 500 Index’s 24.2% increase.

The outlook remains encouraging. Management raised its full-year guidance after a stronger-than-expected first quarter of 2026, citing robust execution, sustained demand across key markets and additional data center-related volumes expected in the second half of 2026. Continued investments in manufacturing capacity, product innovation and strategic acquisitions should further strengthen SPX Technologies' competitive position.

SPXC’s 1-Year Price Performance

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Over the past year, SPX Technologies has substantially outperformed several industry peers. While Carrier Global Corporation (CARR - Free Report) and Pentair plc (PNR - Free Report) posted declines of 9.5% and 28.7%, respectively, Trane Technologies plc (TT - Free Report) gained 9.2%.

SPXC's Data Center Strategy Continues to Drive Long-Term GrowthSPX Technologies continues to benefit from one of the strongest structural growth trends in industrial markets: data center infrastructure. Management noted that demand for its cooling systems and custom air-handling solutions remains exceptionally strong, prompting the company to increase its 2026 data center growth outlook from approximately 50% to 70%. SPXC also emphasized that demand continues to accelerate, supported by increasing activity from hyperscale and colocation customers.

To support this opportunity, SPX Technologies is expanding production capacity across multiple facilities. New manufacturing lines at its Tennessee and Kansas plants have already begun production, while the Alabama expansion remains on schedule to add additional assembly and manufacturing capacity through 2027. Management believes these investments, together with strong customer visibility and a diversified customer base, position the company for sustained growth beyond 2026.

SPXC's Operational Execution Continues to Support Profit GrowthSPX Technologies continues to execute well across both operating segments despite ongoing investments in capacity expansion. Consolidated segment income rose 22% year over year to $135 million, while segment margin expanded 100 basis points to 23.9%, supported by higher volumes, a favorable product mix and increased software revenues within Detection & Measurement.

HVAC segment’s income increased 20% to $88.6 million, benefiting from organic growth and acquisition contributions. Segment margin declined 40 basis points to 22.5%, mainly due to planned start-up costs associated with new production capacity. Management expects most of the estimated $8-$9 million in start-up expenses to be incurred during the first half of 2026. As the new facilities ramp up, operating leverage is expected to improve and support stronger profitability over time.

The company's disciplined acquisition strategy also continues to enhance its growth profile. Recent additions such as Thermolec and Crawford's commercial air-handling business expand SPX Technologies' HVAC capabilities, while the divestiture of Crawford United's non-core industrial and transportation businesses sharpens management's focus on higher-growth markets.

SPXC's Financial Strength Supports Future GrowthSPX Technologies maintains a healthy balance sheet that provides ample flexibility to invest in organic growth and pursue strategic acquisitions. The company ended the first quarter with approximately $158 million in cash and a leverage ratio of roughly 0.9x, well below its long-term target range. This financial strength provides significant capacity to pursue additional value-enhancing acquisitions while continuing to invest in manufacturing expansion and innovation.

The company also continues to generate positive operating cash flow while actively reshaping its portfolio. During the quarter, SPX Technologies completed the divestiture of Crawford United's non-core industrial and transportation businesses, allowing management to sharpen its focus on higher-growth HVAC and Detection & Measurement markets. Combined with a robust acquisition pipeline and raised full-year guidance, the balance sheet positions SPXC to continue executing its long-term growth strategy.

Earnings Estimate Revision of SPXC StockSPXC’s earnings outlook has improved over the past 60 days, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 rising to $7.98 per share. The consensus estimate for 2027 has remained unchanged over the same period, as shown below. The current projections imply earnings growth of 18.1% in 2026, followed by an additional 12.9% increase in 2027.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

SPXC's earnings growth outlook also compares favorably with its peers. Carrier Global is expected to grow earnings by 7.7% this year, while Pentair and Trane Technologies are projected to deliver growth of 8.7% and 13.6%, respectively.

SPXC Stock Trades at a DiscountSPX Technologies trades at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 25.77X, below the industry average. The valuation reflects investor confidence in the company's disciplined execution, expanding data center opportunity, resilient demand across key end markets and continued investments in manufacturing capacity, product innovation and strategic acquisitions. These initiatives are expected to support long-term earnings growth.

However, following the stock's strong run, execution remains critical. Delays in ramping new manufacturing capacity, slower-than-expected data center demand, integration challenges related to recent acquisitions or a greater-than-expected impact from tariffs could pressure margins and weigh on investor sentiment.

SPXC P/E Ratio (Forward 12 Months) Vs Industry

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Among peers, Carrier Global trades at a forward 12-month P/E multiple of 23.27X, while Pentair trades at 13.57X. Trane Technologies carries a higher valuation of 30.06X on the same basis. SPXC therefore trades at a premium to Carrier and Pentair but at a discount to Trane Technologies, placing it within the broader peer valuation range.

Is SPXC Stock Still a Buy After Its Strong Run?SPX Technologies remains well positioned to benefit from structural growth trends across data centers, HVAC and Detection & Measurement markets. The company continues to execute its value creation strategy through capacity expansion, product innovation and disciplined acquisitions, while its raised guidance and robust backlog underscore confidence in long-term growth. These initiatives, combined with resilient demand across key end markets, should support sustained earnings growth over time.

SPXC also maintains financial flexibility to invest in organic expansion and pursue strategic acquisitions. However, risks remain from delays in ramping new manufacturing capacity, slower-than-expected data center demand, acquisition integration challenges and tariff-related pressures. While the stock trades at a discount to the broader peer group, sustained execution will be important to justify its valuation. Encouragingly, rising earnings estimates suggest analysts remain confident in the company's growth prospects.

SPXC stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Key Takeaways Alcon and RxSight will develop adjustable PCIOLs that surgeons can fine-tune after cataract surgery.RxSight will receive $60M upfront and may earn up to $140M in development and regulatory milestones.Alcon will lead global commercialization, while RxSight will handle development and manufacturing. Alcon (ALC - Free Report) recently entered into a non-exclusive collaboration with RxSight (RXST - Free Report) to develop adjustable presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses (PCIOLs) for cataract patients. The partnership will combine Alcon’s advanced PCIOL optical designs with RxSight’s post-operative light-adjustable technology, enabling surgeons to fine-tune patients’ visual outcomes after surgery.

The collaboration reflects both companies’ commitment to advancing customized vision care and expanding access to innovative cataract treatment solutions that improve patient outcomes.

Per management, Alcon’s leading PCIOLs have helped millions of cataract patients reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses after surgery. By combining these lenses with RxSight’s technology, the company aims to develop tunable PCIOLs that will give surgeons greater confidence to refine post-surgery outcomes.

Likely Trend of ALC Stock Following the NewsShares of ALC have lost 0.8% since the announcement on July 6. Year to date, the stock has lost 14% compared with the industry’s 13.2% decline. However, the S&P 500 has risen 10.7% in the same timeframe.

The collaboration is expected to strengthen Alcon's position in the premium cataract surgery market by combining its PCIOL expertise with RxSight's light-adjustable technology. The partnership expands Alcon's innovation pipeline and supports the growing demand for personalized vision correction. With Alcon leading global commercialization and RxSight handling development and manufacturing, the companies can leverage their respective strengths. If successfully commercialized, the co-developed technology could accelerate the adoption of adjustable PCIOLs and support Alcon's long-term growth in advanced cataract care.

ALC currently has a market capitalization of $33.54 billion.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

More on the NewsUnder the agreement, RxSight will receive an upfront payment of $60 million to initiate development and may earn up to an additional $140 million upon achieving specified development and regulatory milestones. Alcon will oversee the global commercialization of the co-developed technology, while RxSight will be responsible for product development and manufacturing and will receive royalties based on future net sales.

RxSight expects its collaboration with Alcon to broaden patient access to customized visual outcomes after cataract surgery. The company believes the partnership highlights the importance of adjustable lens technology and will help accelerate its adoption among a larger patient population.

Industry Prospects Favoring the MarketGoing by data provided by Future Market Report, the presbyopia corrective intraocular lens (PCIOL) market is anticipated to be valued at $320.75 million in 2026 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 12.96% through 2033.

Factors like the rising prevalence of presbyopia and cataracts among aging populations, technological advancements in PCIOLs, growing adoption of cataract surgeries worldwide and increasing healthcare investments, favorable reimbursement policies and higher disposable incomes are driving the market’s growth.

Other NewsIn April, Alcon launched Clareon TruPlus, an enhanced monofocal and toric intraocular lens available in both standard and toric versions. The lens is designed to increase depth of focus while preserving high-quality distance vision. TruPlus demonstrated improved distance image quality, better simulated visual acuity at intermediate distances, lower glare and halo profiles and strong performance across varying pupil sizes and lighting conditions.

ALC’s Zacks Rank & Other Key PicksCurrently, ALC carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Some other top-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are Veracyte (VCYT - Free Report) and West Pharmaceutical (WST - Free Report) .

Veracyte, currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 52 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 52.9%. Revenues of $139.1 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.6%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Veracyte has an estimated earnings growth rate of 5.1% for 2026. VCYT’s earnings surpassed estimates in the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 45.9%.

West Pharmaceutical, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2, reported first-quarter 2026 earnings per share of $2.13, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 26.8%. Revenues of $844.9 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.5%.

West Pharmaceutical has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 13.9%. WST’s earnings surpassed estimates in the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 19.4%.

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Keurig Dr Pepper (NASDAQ: KDP | KDP Price Prediction) and Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) both delivered Q1 2026 beats, but the businesses are moving in opposite directions. KDP just absorbed JDE Peet’s on April 1, 2026 and is preparing to split in two. Coke is defending a fortress.

Cold Beverages Carry KDP. Zero Sugar Carries Coke. Keurig Dr Pepper posted $3.98 billion in revenue, up 9.4% YoY, with adjusted EPS of $0.39. U.S. Refreshment Beverages grew 11.9% on Dr Pepper, GHOST energy, and sports hydration share gains. U.S. Coffee volume fell 8.2%, which is why management wants to isolate it in a separate coffee company.

Coca-Cola pulled $12.47 billion in revenue, +12.1% YoY, and EPS of $0.86, its fourth straight beat. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar grew volume 13% across every geography, and comparable operating margin expanded 70 bps to 34.5%. Global unit case volume rose only 3%, and Q1 benefited from six extra calendar days.

Business Driver KDP KO Main growth engine Cold beverages, GHOST energy Zero Sugar, premium packaging Weakest link U.S. Coffee volume (-8.2%) Asia Pacific OI (-17%) Forward P/E 14 26 Transformation Story Versus Fortress Story KDP is the more interesting business right now. CEO Tim Cofer called the quarter a milestone toward “standing up two pure-play companies”, backed by roughly $400M in projected cost savings. Principal debt sits at $25.9B, with interest expense nearly doubling to $281M. Any integration stumble bites hard.

Coke is executing what it already knows. Fairlife is accelerating, innocent and Santa Clara just joined the billion-dollar club, and 2025 marked the 63rd consecutive year of dividend increases. Trefis flagged a concern: management is shifting from aggressive pricing to a “balanced” approach, hinting that pricing power has a ceiling. The CFO also warned that consumers earning under $50K-$60K are strained.

What Decides the Next Six Months For KDP, watch GHOST-driven energy share (currently 8%, targeting 10%+) and whether the coffee spin timeline stays clean. Barclays flagged a potential 40% undervaluation post-financing. For Coke, the swing factor is volume in China and India holding up while the ~4% M&A headwind from the Africa divestiture flows through.

Why KDP Screens Better Than Coke Right Now Paying 14 times forward earnings for a business shedding its weakest segment and guiding to low-double-digit constant currency EPS growth looks like better math than paying 26 times for Coke’s 8-9% guided EPS growth. KDP is up 21.76% YTD, roughly matching KO’s 21.97%, so the discount has not closed yet. For investors seeking structural alpha at a cheaper multiple, KDP screens more favorably on valuation, provided the debt load behaves.

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Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

BioLargo's newly formed subsidiary, BioLargo CPG, will bring to consumers the authentic, independently safety-tested CupriDyne® technology under its own brand following the marketing success of the original Pooph products that generated more than $125 million in pet-care sales while under license from BioLargo.

WESTMINSTER, CA / ACCESS Newswire / July 13, 2026 / BioLargo, Inc. (OTCQX:BLGO) today announced that it is preparing to relaunch CupriDyne®-based consumer pet products under a yet-to-be-announced brand. Targeting pets first, the new consumer products subsidiary will eventually expand into household odor and cleaning products. Formed to fill the gap left by Pooph's ongoing withdrawal from the market, BioLargo will sell direct to consumers and through online marketplaces such as Amazon, leveraging a "digital-first" strategy that allows for hyper-specific audience targeting, real-time performance tracking, and flexible budgets, rather than depending on expensive television campaigns.

CupriDyne-based pet products generated over $125 million in sales while under license and marketed under the Pooph brand. Unfortunately, a series of business decisions by Pooph's management later culminated in its abandonment of CupriDyne-formulated products, the foreclosure of their assets by their lender, board and CEO resignations, and what appears to be the cessation of business operations. BioLargo always owned the CupriDyne technology and had to revoke Pooph's license. Now, the ownership of the Pooph brand is embroiled in litigation. "As a result, we have an opportunity to leverage the prior marketing success by introducing our own brand" said Joseph Provenzano, who will lead the new BioLargo consumer products subsidiary as CEO.

BioLargo's launch brings the CupriDyne® technology and BioLargo's original products back to consumers who loved them. According to Grand View Research1, the U.S. pet odor control and clean-up products market was valued at approximately $6.47 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach approximately $8.87 billion by 2030. BioLargo's initial launch into pet odor control is part of a much larger home and pet cleaning opportunity. The company views pet care as a proven, well-defined category where the difference between masking and eliminating odors is immediately obvious to consumers. Unlike the Pooph brand, BioLargo's new brand will not be limited to pets, and will use the pet product launch to anchor a broader expansion of CupriDyne products across the home.

BioLargo has assembled a team of branding, marketing, creative, and channel-sales experts with proven track records building and growing consumer brands nationally in the pet and household categories. It plans to release additional information, including the product line, the brand name, and key team members, as the product nears its formal launch.

"It will be great to get back into the pet odor control and consumer products business", said Dennis Calvert, BioLargo CEO. "We have seen what can be done, and this time we will own the brand and control the marketing and distribution."

About BioLargo, Inc.

BioLargo, Inc. (OTCQX:BLGO) is a cleantech and life sciences innovator and engineering services solution provider. Our core products address PFAS contamination, achieve advanced water and wastewater treatment, control odor and VOCs, improve air quality, enable energy-efficiency and safe on-site energy storage, and control infections and infectious disease. Our approach is to invent or acquire novel technologies, develop them into product offerings, and extend their commercial reach through licensing and channel partnerships to maximize their impact. See our website at www.BioLargo.com.

CONTACT:

Investor Relations
Matt Kreps
Darrow Associates, Inc.
214-597-8200
[email protected]

Dennis P. Calvert
President and CEO, BioLargo, Inc.
888-400-2863
[email protected]

Safe Harbor Act

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include without limitation those about BioLargo's (the "Company") expectations regarding anticipated revenue; and plans for future operations. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include without limitation: the effect of regional economic conditions on the Company's business, including effects on purchasing decisions by consumers and businesses; the ability of the Company to compete in markets that are highly competitive and subject to rapid technological change; the ability of the Company to manage frequent introductions and transitions of products and services, including delivering to the marketplace, and stimulating customer demand for, new products, services, and technological innovations on a timely basis; the dependency of the Company on the performance of distributors of the Company's products. More information on these risks and other potential factors that could affect the Company's business and financial results is included in the Company's filings with the SEC, including in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's most recently filed periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and subsequent filings. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, which speak as of their respective dates.

1 Grand View Research (2004), U.S. Pet Odor Control & Clean-up Products Market(2024 - 2030) https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/us-pet-odor-control-clean-up-products-market-report

SOURCE: BioLargo, Inc

NEW YORK, July 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Freedom Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: FRHC), an international financial technology group, today announced that aggregate gross proceeds from its offering of ordinary shares were US$300 million. In the offering, the company sold 2,374,356 ordinary shares, at a price of approximately US$126.35 per share.

Freedom Holding Corp. plans to use the proceeds to support its continued expansion and international investment program.

“The proceeds from this offering will support the development of our ecosystem in international markets,” said Timur Turlov, founder and chief executive officer of Freedom Holding Corp. “I believe the ecosystem our team has built in Kazakhstan can be competitive not only in these markets, but also in the United States, where we intend to introduce it in due course,” he added.

Freedom is developing a unified digital ecosystem that brings together banking, brokerage, insurance, and lifestyle services. At the core of this model is the Freedom SuperApp, which provides access to financial products, payments, insurance, investments, ticketing, travel, and e-commerce services.

International Expansion

International growth is a key element of Freedom’s strategy. The company plans to develop digital financial services in Europe by drawing on its experience in building an integrated financial ecosystem in Kazakhstan.

Earlier in June 2026, Freedom Holding Corp. applied for a banking license in France. The company has also stated that it aims to attract 50 million new clients in Europe.

Freedom Finansal Hizmetler A.Ş., a subsidiary of Freedom, recently received approval from Türkiye’s Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency to acquire a 99.32% stake in Turkish Bank A.Ş. The approval marks a key regulatory step toward completing the transaction. Upon completion, Turkish Bank would provide Freedom with an established banking platform from which to develop financial services in the country.

In November 2025, Freedom Holding Corp. received approval to open a bank in Georgia, further expanding the geographic reach of its financial ecosystem.

The company views Kazakhstan as the foundation for developing and refining its digital model for international markets. In 2025, Freedom’s ecosystem-building case was included in the MBA program at Stanford Graduate School of Business. The case became part of the school’s educational library and was prepared for use by students, faculty, and participants in international business programs.

Business and Financial Performance

As of March 31, 2026, Freedom’s ecosystem served more than 14 million customers across its banking, brokerage, insurance, lifestyle, and other business lines. The Freedom SuperApp had more than 5.2 million registered users.

The number of brokerage clients increased by 26%, from 683,000 to 858,000, while banking clients grew by approximately 100%, from 2.52 million to 5.03 million. The company’s other services segment had 1.105 million clients as of March 31, 2026.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, Freedom Holding Corp.’s revenue increased to US$2.19 billion, compared with US$2.0 billion a year earlier. Net income rose to US$153.3 million from US$76.2 million in the previous fiscal year. Basic earnings per share were US$2.56, and diluted earnings per share were US$2.51.

The company’s total assets reached US$13.16 billion as of March 31, 2026, while shareholders’ equity amounted to US$1.49 billion.

In June 2026, S&P Global Ratings upgraded the ratings of JSC Freedom Finance, Freedom Finance Europe Ltd., Freedom Finance Global PLC, and JSC Freedom Bank Kazakhstan to ‘BB-’ with a stable outlook. Freedom Holding Corp.’s issuer credit rating was affirmed at ‘B-’.

About Freedom Holding Corp.

Freedom Holding Corp. provides financial services in 22 countries, including Kazakhstan, the United States, Cyprus, Poland, Spain, Uzbekistan, and Armenia. The Company’s principal executive office is located in New York City. In Kazakhstan, Freedom is actively developing its financial and digital ecosystem, which includes Freedom Bank, Freedom Broker, the insurance companies Freedom Life and Freedom insurance, as well as a lifestyle segment that features Arbuz.kz, Freedom Ticketon, and Aviata.

Freedom Holding Corp. shares are traded on the U.S. technology exchange NASDAQ, the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE), and the Astana International Exchange (AIX) under the ticker symbol FRHC. Freedom Holding Corp. is regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the common stock is included in Russell 3000 Index.

Contact

Head of Public Relations
Natalia Kharlashina
Freedom Holding Corp.
[email protected]
+77013641454

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/689175a0-3261-419d-9add-54b7426fd415

Regulatory recognition in the United States and Europe supports the development of NB4168, a novel small molecule candidate for a rare pediatric disease with no approved treatments

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Niagen Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: NAGE), the global authority on NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) with a focus on the science of healthy aging, today announced that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) granted Rare Pediatric Disease (RPD) Designation for its proprietary lead small molecule drug candidate NB4168 for the treatment of Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T). NB4168 is an oral small molecule therapy engineered to deliver substantially greater nicotinamide riboside (NR) exposure than conventional NR while maintaining a differentiated pharmacokinetic and safety profile. In addition, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted Orphan Medicinal Product Designation (OMPD) to NB4168 for the treatment of A-T, providing regulatory recognition in the European Union and further supporting the Company's plans to advance the program globally.

Niagen Bioscience Receives Exclusive U.S. FDA Rare Pediatric Disease (RPD) Designation and European Medicines Agency Orphan Medicinal Product Designation (OMPD) for NB4168 for the Treatment of Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T)

Share The FDA granted RPD Designation based on its determination that A-T is a serious and life-threatening disease that primarily affects individuals from birth through adolescence and meets the statutory definition of a rare disease. The EMA's Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products similarly concluded that NB4168 met the criteria for orphan designation for the treatment of A-T. Together, these regulatory designations recognize the significant unmet medical need in A-T and provide development incentives intended to support and accelerate the advancement of promising therapies for rare diseases.

NB4168 is the first investigational therapeutic candidate to emerge from Niagen Bioscience's recently announced wholly owned subsidiary focused on developing therapies for rare genetic diseases and age-related disorders, NAD Pharmaceuticals Corp. NB4168 is designed to have significantly higher bioavailability and increase NAD+, a coenzyme essential for DNA repair, mitochondrial function, cellular energy production, and stress responses—biological pathways disrupted in A-T. As A-T is categorized as a rare genetic premature aging disease, NB4168 may translate to other age-related diseases.

“Receiving RPD Designation from the U.S. FDA and OMPD from the EMA represents meaningful regulatory validation of NB4168 and our strategy to develop therapies for patients with serious rare diseases,” said Rob Fried, CEO of Niagen Bioscience. “These milestones strengthen our path toward clinical development and reinforce the opportunity to extend our leadership in NAD+ science into regulated medicines.”

About Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T)

A-T is a rare genetic disease caused by mutations in the ATM gene. The disease typically presents in early childhood and is characterized by progressive loss of motor coordination, impaired immune function, increased susceptibility to infections, pulmonary complications, a substantially elevated risk of cancer, and premature aging. Children living with A-T often experience worsening neurological disability over time, with many requiring wheelchair assistance as the disease progresses. There are currently no FDA-approved therapies for A-T, and treatment is largely limited to supportive care. A-T impacts roughly 1 in 40,000 people in the U.S. (Riboldi et al., 2023; Teive et al., 2015) and 1 in 150,000 people in Europe (Bhatt et al., 2015).

About the U.S. FDA RPD and EMA OMPD

The FDA's RPD Designation is intended to encourage the development of therapies for serious and life-threatening diseases that primarily affect children. The designation provides certain regulatory and development incentives intended to support the advancement of promising therapies for rare pediatric conditions.

The EMA's OMPD is granted to therapies intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat life-threatening or chronically debilitating rare diseases affecting fewer than five in 10,000 people in the European Union. Orphan designation provides access to regulatory support and other development incentives designed to facilitate treatment development for rare diseases.

About NB4168

NB4168 is a distinct, proprietary small molecule designed for oral pharmaceutical development. It is not commercially available as a supplement or approved drug and has robust coverage by Niagen Bioscience's patent portfolio, including a composition-of-matter patent. After oral administration, NB4168 is designed to deliver significantly increased doses of NR to the bloodstream. NR enters cells directly, where it is converted through the nicotinamide riboside kinase pathway into NAD+. Because NAD+ supports DNA repair, mitochondrial function and cellular resilience, increasing intracellular NAD+ may represent a novel therapeutic approach for rare genetic diseases such as A-T in which these biological pathways are impaired.

The compound was designed to build upon Niagen Bioscience's extensive expertise in NR and NAD+ biology. The Company is currently advancing preclinical development activities and plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the FDA in anticipation of initiating human clinical studies, representing another step in Niagen Bioscience's strategy to translate decades of NAD+ science into proprietary medicines for serious rare genetic diseases.

“A-T is characterized by defects in DNA damage repair, mitochondrial dysfunction and chronic cellular stress, all biological processes that rely on adequate NAD+ availability,” said Vilhelm Bohr, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., formerly at the National Institute on Aging, NIH, and currently a Professor (AFL) in Molecular Aging at the University of Copenhagen. “The absence of effective treatment options underscores the urgent need for new therapeutic approaches. It is encouraging to see scientific advances in NAD+ biology translated into investigational medicines such as NB4168, as this intervention has implications for similar accelerated aging diseases.”

Niagen Bioscience, Inc. is a publicly traded bioscience company focused on NAD+ science and healthy aging research. The Company's product portfolio includes its flagship patented NR ingredient, Niagen®, Tru Niagen®, Niagen™ Plus and a pharmaceutical development effort focused on proprietary NAD+ precursors. Niagen Bioscience maintains a portfolio of over 50 patents protecting NR and other NAD+ precursors.

For additional information on the Pharmaceutical Program for rare genetic diseases and age-related disorders and NB4168, visit www.niagenbioscience.com/nad-pharmaceuticals.

About Niagen Bioscience

Niagen Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: NAGE) is the global authority in NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) science and healthy-aging research. As a trusted pioneer of NAD+ discoveries, Niagen Bioscience™ is dedicated to advancing healthspan through precision science and innovative NAD+-boosting solutions.

The Niagen Bioscience team, composed of world-renowned scientists, works with independent investigators from esteemed universities and research institutions around the globe to uncover the full potential of NAD+. A vital coenzyme found in every cell of the human body, NAD+ declines with age and exposure to everyday lifestyle stressors. NAD+ depletion is a key contributor to age-related changes in health and vitality.

Distinguished by state-of-the-art laboratories, rigorous scientific and quality protocols, and collaborations with leading research institutions worldwide, Niagen Bioscience sets the gold standard for research, quality, and innovation. There’s a better way to age.

At the heart of its clinically proven product portfolio is Niagen® (patented nicotinamide riboside, or NR), the most efficient, well-researched, and high-quality NAD+ booster available. Niagen powers the Company’s consumer supplement, Tru Niagen®, the number one NAD+ boosting oral supplement in the United States† (available at www.truniagen.com), and Niagen™ Plus, featuring pharmaceutical-grade intravenous (IV) and injectable Niagen products (www.niagenplus.com). Pharmaceutical-grade Niagen IV and injections are compounded and distributed by U.S. FDA-registered 503B outsourcing facilities and are available exclusively at clinics with a prescription. NAD Pharmaceuticals Corp., the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary focused on developing therapies for rare genetic diseases and age-related disorders, is conducting research on NB4168, a differentiated molecule.

Niagen Bioscience’s robust patent portfolio protects NR and other NAD+ precursors. Niagen Bioscience maintains a website at www.niagenbioscience.com, where copies of press releases, news, and financial information are regularly published.

†Based on revenue per largest U.S. e-commerce marketplace (Jan. 2025 – Dec. 2025)

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements that are not a description of historical facts constitute forward-looking statements and may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends” “estimates,” “plans,” “potential,” “possible,” “probable,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “predicts,” “projects,” “continue,” “would” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Niagen Bioscience's NB4168 pharmaceutical development program; planned preclinical, IND-enabling and clinical development activities; the potential timing of an IND submission or first-in-human study; the potential bioavailability, exposure, safety, tolerability, efficacy, pharmacodynamic or clinical profile of NB4168; and the Company's ability to translate its NAD+ platform into pharmaceutical products; inflationary conditions and adverse economic conditions; our history of operating losses; the growth and profitability of our product sales; our ability to maintain and grow sales, marketing and distribution capabilities; changing consumer perceptions of our products; our reliance on a single or limited number of third-party suppliers; risks of conducting business in China; including unanticipated developments in and risks related to the Company’s ability to secure adequate quantities of pharmaceutical-grade Niagen in a timely manner; the Company’s ability to obtain appropriate contracts and arrangements with U.S. FDA-registered 503B outsourcing facilities required to compound and distribute pharmaceutical-grade Niagen to clinics; the Company’s ability to remain on the U.S. FDA Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act Category 1 list; the Company’s ability to maintain and enforce the Company’s existing intellectual property and obtain new patents; whether the potential benefits of NRC can be further supported; further research and development and the results of clinical trials possibly being unsuccessful or insufficient to meet applicable regulatory standards or warrant continued development; the ability to enroll sufficient numbers of subjects in clinical trials; determinations made by the FDA and other governmental authorities, including with respect to products seeking to compete in our market; mislabeling or other misleading marketing practices by competitors; economic and market instability, including as a result of tariffs or trade conflicts; and the risks and uncertainties associated with our business and financial condition in general, described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including, without limitation, our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and actual results may differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and Niagen Bioscience undertakes no obligation to revise or update this release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

Midland, Texas-based AST SpaceMobile NASDAQ: ASTS has been a battleground for bulls and bears this year.

Among space stocks, it has been one of the most volatile, seeing its fair share of ups and downs throughout 2026 including a 59% run-up to its all-time high on May 28 and a series of double-digit peaks and troughs mixed in.

That trend has continued over the past month. Shares pushed up more than 35% from their one-month low June 25 through June 30. But since the calendar turned to July, the stock has given back nearly half of those gains, with ASTS now down more than 17% from that recent high.

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AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (ASTS) Price Chart for Monday, July, 13, 2026

With its beta now up to 2.69, the SpaceX NASDAQ: SPCX rival and space-based direct-to-device (D2D) cellular broadband provider is likely positioned for more of the same as. But a combination of potential catalysts and inhibitors will ultimately decide whether AST SpaceMobile is able to break back into the green during the second half of the year.

Tailwinds: Strategic Partnerships, Bundled BlueBird Launches, and Increased Operating EfficiencyAST SpaceMobile Today

$70.22 -3.10 (-4.23%)

As of 10:46 AM Eastern

This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.

52-Week Range$36.08▼

$133.86Price Target$85.09

AST SpaceMobile’s bull case remains largely intact in large part due to maintaining its first-mover advantage in the space-based D2D market.

That has resulted in a myriad of formal strategic agreements that have cemented the company’s status.

Most recently, ASTS received a bump from Japan's $912 million satellite communications push. That put AST SpaceMobile’s existing partnership with Tokyo-based Rakuten OTCMKTS: RKUNY back into the spotlight while raising hopes for a major D2D rollout. The two companies are forming a joint venture that is targeting regulatory approval for D2D operations in Japan, with initial commercial services expected to begin later in 2026.

The company also has agreements with nearly 60 global mobile network providers, totaling more than three billion subscribers, and strategic partnerships in place with AT&T NYSE: T, Verizon NYSE: VZ, Vodafone NASDAQ: VOD, Rakuten, Alphabet NASDAQ: GOOGL, and real estate investment trust American Tower NYSE: AMT, among others. Over the long term, those relationships should continue to drive AST SpaceMobile's top-line growth, translating into strong earnings for patient investors.

An accelerated launch schedule for the company’s low Earth orbit (LEO) BlueBird satellites—the largest commercial arrays currently in operation—serves as another catalyst. A simultaneous launch of the next three, including BlueBirds 11, 12, and 13, is scheduled for early August from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.

The bundled launches should go a long way in AST SpaceMobile meeting its 2026 launch target of having 45 BlueBirds in LEO. According to president Scott Wisniewski, the company is in the process of producing and assembling satellites through BlueBird 37.

Headwinds: Mounting Costs, Launch Targets, Earnings MissesScaling at the pace and size that the company is comes at a steep cost. AST SpaceMobile posted a net loss of $342 million in 2025, which was nearly 969% higher than its net loss in 2022 after its first full year of operation as a publicly traded company. However, in Q1, that loss significantly accelerated to $191 million.

As the company ramps up its launch production and launch schedule, analysts are forecasting a full-year cash burn rate between $1.5 billion and $1.8 billion.

Another potential headwind is AST SpaceMobile’s lofty BlueBird launch target. While that also serves as a near-term headwind, longer term, it could present issues. Unforeseen launch complications and mishaps—like the Blue Origin deployment of BlueBird 7 at an insufficient orbit back in April—could adversely impact AST SpaceMobile’s ability to meet its year-end launch target. BlueBird 7 was subsequently deorbited, yet the company has maintained that it can reach its goal of having 45 LEO satellites deployed by the end of 2026.

Meanwhile, sentiment has been negatively impacted by a series of consecutive earnings per share (EPS) misses. AST SpaceMobile remains unprofitable, but its negative EPS has missed the analyst mark for five straight quarters, with only two beats in the past 11 quarters. This has played a major role in outflows driven by impatient investors who have been waiting for the stock—which had its IPO in April 2021—to finally turn a corner.

Where Wall Street StandsAST SpaceMobile Stock Forecast Today12-Month Stock Price Forecast:
$85.09
21.63% Upside

Reduce
Based on 10 Analyst Ratings

Current Price$69.95High Forecast$108.00Average Forecast$85.09Low Forecast$45.60AST SpaceMobile Stock Forecast Details

The smart money appears to be erring on the side of caution when it comes to ASTS.

Sentiment is tepid, with just one of the 10 analysts covering the stock assigning it a Buy rating.

Overall, it holds a consensus Reduce rating despite a 12-month price target implying about 16% potential upside from current levels.

In the past year, insider selling has muted insider buying by a ratio of more than $451 million to just over $187,000.

But institutional investors are evidently taking a longer-term approach, with buyers injecting $2.34 billion over the past 12 months compared to outflows of just over $487 million.

Still, as previously mentioned, more volatility is likely ahead, as reflected by current short interest of 21% of the float, which equates to $5.45 billion worth of shares.

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A group of state attorneys general is expected to file a lawsuit as soon as Monday challenging Paramount Skydance's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, CNBC's David Faber reported.

The lawsuit, which will be brought by a group including California Attorney General Rob Bonta, is expected to try to block the merger on antitrust grounds, Faber reported.

The deal would combine two storied film studios — Paramount and Warner Bros. — as well as streaming platforms Paramount+ and HBO Max. Paramount CEO David Ellison has previously said the streaming services would become one following the merger.

It would also mean the formation of the largest portfolio of TV networks in the U.S., bringing together Paramount's broadcast network CBS and pay TV channels like MTV and BET with WBD's CNN, TNT and others.

The merger won approval from WBD shareholders in April, and Ellison said in a recent earnings call that it was on track to close by September.

The deal came under scrutiny from lawmakers in both the U.S. and Europe, including related to foreign funding that was part of Paramount's offer. In mid-June, the U.S. Department of Justice signed off on the tie-up, clearing it of federal antitrust concerns.

"The Division has completed its analysis of the proposed merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. and determined based on the evidence received in its investigation that the transaction is not likely to result in harm to competition or American consumers," the department said in its determination.

The merger has also won approval from several global jurisdictions as it moves toward a potential close.

However, the the European Union is still reviewing the deal for approval , with a new provisional deadline set for July 22. The European Commission said in a public filing this month that Paramount has submitted concessions in a bid to smooth over concerns regarding the deal.

Hollywood has previously expressed concerns about the combination, citing the likelihood for fewer film releases and the potential for job losses in the industry. Ellison has promised that once combined the film studios would put out a slate of 30 movies per year and has said he's committed to protecting jobs.

Ellison first set his sights on WBD last September. Just weeks after Paramount and Ellison's Skydance completed its merger, the company made its initial run for WBD, resulting in several bids and a formal sale process.

WBD ultimately signed a deal to sell its film studio and streaming assets to Netflix. However, Paramount launched a hostile takeover offer and subsequently amended its bid. Netflix ditched its deal, and Paramount walked away with an agreement to buy the entirety of WBD for $31 per share.