Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

The upcoming report from Procter & Gamble (PG - Free Report) is expected to reveal quarterly earnings of $1.89 per share, indicating a decline of 5% compared to the year-ago period. Analysts forecast revenues of $22.7 billion, representing an increase of 1.4% year over year.

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.1% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This reflects how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reevaluated their initial estimates during this timeframe.

Prior to a company's earnings release, it is of utmost importance to factor in any revisions made to the earnings projections. These revisions serve as a critical gauge for predicting potential investor behaviors with respect to the stock. Empirical studies consistently reveal a strong link between trends in earnings estimate revisions and the short-term price performance of a stock.

While investors typically use consensus earnings and revenue estimates as indicators of quarterly business performance, exploring analysts' projections for specific key metrics can offer valuable insights.

With that in mind, let's delve into the average projections of some P&G metrics that are commonly tracked and projected by analysts on Wall Street.

The consensus among analysts is that 'Net Sales- Beauty' will reach $4.31 billion. The estimate indicates a change of +4% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts forecast 'Net Sales- Grooming' to reach $1.83 billion. The estimate points to a change of +0.5% from the year-ago quarter.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Net Sales- Corporate' at $242.87 million. The estimate indicates a change of +0.4% from the prior-year quarter.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Net Sales- Fabric & Home Care' of $7.93 billion. The estimate suggests a change of +1.7% year over year.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Net Sales- Baby, Feminine & Family Care' reaching $5.16 billion. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -0.2%.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Net Sales- Health Care' will reach $3.27 billion. The estimate indicates a change of +1.5% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts predict that the 'Organic Sales Growth (YoY change) - Beauty' will reach 3.8%. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 6.0% in the same quarter of the previous year.

The consensus estimate for 'Organic Sales Growth (YoY change) - Grooming' stands at 0.5%. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 3.0%.

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Earnings before income taxes- Beauty' will likely reach $1.08 billion. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $1.13 billion.

Analysts expect 'Earnings before income taxes- Grooming' to come in at $546.79 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $585.00 million.

According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Earnings before income taxes- Health Care' should come in at $927.58 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $937.00 million in the same quarter last year.

Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Earnings before income taxes- Fabric & Home Care' should arrive at $1.99 billion. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $2.04 billion.

View all Key Company Metrics for P&G here>>>

P&G shares have witnessed a change of +8.9% in the past month, in contrast to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.5% move. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), PG is expected closely follow the overall market performance in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

USA Financial Formulas acquired a new stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ – Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 2,302 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $609,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 12.5% during the 2nd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 22,588,696 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,736,851,000 after buying an additional 2,513,321 shares during the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG boosted its holdings in Johnson & Johnson by 8.5% in the second quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 15,661,323 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,977,506,000 after purchasing an additional 1,225,676 shares in the last quarter. Amundi increased its position in Johnson & Johnson by 17.5% during the first quarter. Amundi now owns 13,406,820 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,277,163,000 after buying an additional 2,001,139 shares during the last quarter. Jupiter Topco LLC bought a new position in Johnson & Johnson during the second quarter valued at about $1,967,399,000. Finally, Janus Henderson Group PLC lifted its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 1.9% in the first quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 7,872,478 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,924,323,000 after buying an additional 148,497 shares during the last quarter. 69.55% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have commented on the company. Stifel Nicolaus set a $260.00 price target on Johnson & Johnson in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $270.00 target price on Johnson & Johnson in a report on Thursday. Scotiabank reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $305.00 price target on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a research report on Thursday, July 16th. Bank of America reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $278.00 price target on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a report on Tuesday, September 29th. Finally, UBS Group set a $270.00 price target on Johnson & Johnson in a report on Wednesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $274.87.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on JNJ Key Stories Impacting Johnson & Johnson Here are the key news stories impacting Johnson & Johnson this week:

Positive Sentiment: Raised 2026 outlook: Third-quarter operational sales grew 6%, reaching $25.4 billion, and management increased full-year operational sales guidance to approximately $100.7 billion at the midpoint. Adjusted EPS also exceeded analysts’ expectations. Johnson & Johnson: 3 Key Takeaways for Long-Term Investors Positive Sentiment: Pharmaceutical momentum and pipeline potential: Strong demand for TREMFYA, early momentum for ICOTYDE and oncology investments helped offset weakness elsewhere. Investors are also watching J&J’s newly approved surgical robot as a potential long-term MedTech growth driver. Does Raised 2026 Outlook Change the Bull Case for Johnson & Johnson? Positive Sentiment: Defensive appeal and income support: Investors rotating away from technology stocks amid inflation and interest-rate concerns are favoring dividend-paying healthcare companies. J&J also affirmed its $1.34-per-share fourth-quarter dividend, payable in December 2026. Morgan Stanley maintained an “overweight” rating with a $292 price target. Neutral Sentiment: Institutional demand: ETFs recorded approximately $107.4 million of net buying in JNJ, suggesting some portfolio managers continue to view the company as a defensive holding. However, this flow is not necessarily evidence of a change in operating fundamentals. Johnson & Johnson Sees $107.4 Million in Net ETF Buying Negative Sentiment: MedTech weakness remains the main overhang: Medical-device sales missed Wall Street forecasts, while international pricing pressure and acquisition-related costs weighed on results. Analysts described the quarter as setting a negative tone for the broader pharmaceutical sector. Johnson & Johnson Stock Falls on MedTech Miss Negative Sentiment: Valuation and analyst caution: JNJ trades at a premium earnings multiple, increasing the risk of further pressure if growth disappoints. Erste Group expressed a negative view on fiscal 2027 earnings, while RBC lowered its price expectations. Johnson & Johnson Trading Down 0.0% Shares of Johnson & Johnson stock opened at $255.54 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $615.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.21. Johnson & Johnson has a 12-month low of $184.66 and a 12-month high of $281.07. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $265.66 and a 200 day simple moving average of $249.66.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 13th. The company reported $2.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.53 by $0.06. Johnson & Johnson had a return on equity of 31.54% and a net margin of 16.20%. The firm had revenue of $25.40 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $25.38 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.80 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Johnson & Johnson has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.050-11.150 EPS. Research analysts expect that Johnson & Johnson will post 11.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Johnson & Johnson Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 24th will be issued a $1.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 24th. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Johnson & Johnson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 81.21%.

Insider Buying and Selling In other news, EVP Elizabeth Forminard sold 15,918 shares of Johnson & Johnson stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $257.00, for a total value of $4,090,926.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 16,994 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,367,458. This trade represents a 48.37% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Jennifer Taubert sold 15,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.36, for a total value of $3,950,400.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 194,451 shares in the company, valued at $51,210,615.36. This trade represents a 7.16% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 64,515 shares of company stock worth $17,271,766 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.16% of the company’s stock.

Johnson & Johnson Profile (Free Report)

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) is a global healthcare company headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Founded in 1886, the company develops and markets products and services for patients, healthcare professionals and institutions worldwide.

Johnson & Johnson operates through two principal segments: Innovative Medicine and MedTech. Innovative Medicine focuses on pharmaceuticals for areas such as immunology, oncology, neuroscience, infectious diseases and cardiovascular conditions.

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When deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock, investors often rely on analyst recommendations. Media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts often influence a stock's price, but are they really important?

Let's take a look at what these Wall Street heavyweights have to say about Delta Air Lines (DAL - Free Report) before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage.

Delta currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.24, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 25 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.24 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy.

Of the 25 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 22 are Strong Buy and two are Buy. Strong Buy and Buy respectively account for 88% and 8% of all recommendations.

Brokerage Recommendation Trends for DAL

Check price target & stock forecast for Delta here>>>

While the ABR calls for buying Delta, it may not be wise to make an investment decision solely based on this information. Several studies have shown limited to no success of brokerage recommendations in guiding investors to pick stocks with the best price increase potential.

Are you wondering why? The vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover often results in a strong positive bias of their analysts in rating it. Our research shows that for every "Strong Sell" recommendation, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations.

In other words, their interests aren't always aligned with retail investors, rarely indicating where the price of a stock could actually be heading. Therefore, the best use of this information could be validating your own research or an indicator that has proven to be highly successful in predicting a stock's price movement.

Zacks Rank, our proprietary stock rating tool with an impressive externally audited track record, categorizes stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), and is an effective indicator of a stock's price performance in the near future. Therefore, using the ABR to validate the Zacks Rank could be an efficient way of making a profitable investment decision.

Zacks Rank Should Not Be Confused With ABRAlthough both Zacks Rank and ABR are displayed in a range of 1--5, they are different measures altogether.

The ABR is calculated solely based on brokerage recommendations and is typically displayed with decimals (example: 1.28). In contrast, the Zacks Rank is a quantitative model allowing investors to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.

Analysts employed by brokerage firms have been and continue to be overly optimistic with their recommendations. Since the ratings issued by these analysts are more favorable than their research would support because of the vested interest of their employers, they mislead investors far more often than they guide.

In contrast, the Zacks Rank is driven by earnings estimate revisions. And near-term stock price movements are strongly correlated with trends in earnings estimate revisions, according to empirical research.

Furthermore, the different grades of the Zacks Rank are applied proportionately across all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide earnings estimates for the current year. In other words, at all times, this tool maintains a balance among the five ranks it assigns.

There is also a key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank when it comes to freshness. When you look at the ABR, it may not be up-to-date. Nonetheless, since brokerage analysts constantly revise their earnings estimates to reflect changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in predicting future stock prices.

Is DAL a Good Investment?In terms of earnings estimate revisions for Delta, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has declined 14.6% over the past month to $5.32.

Analysts' growing pessimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates lower, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to plunge in the near term.

The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) for Delta. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>

Therefore, it could be wise to take the Buy-equivalent ABR for Delta with a grain of salt.

Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Verizon Communications (VZ - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on October 26, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis largest U.S. cellphone carrier is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.27 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +5%.

Revenues are expected to be $34.81 billion, up 2.9% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.06% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Verizon?For Verizon, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.68%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Verizon will beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Verizon would post earnings of $1.27 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.30, delivering a surprise of +2.36%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Verizon doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

An Industry Player's Expected ResultsAT&T (T - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Wireless National industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $0.61 for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +13%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $31.68 billion, up 3.2% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for AT&T has been revised 4.4% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a higher Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +3.77%.

This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggests that AT&T will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

PayPal Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:PYPL) stock is trending as renewed takeover speculation draws attention to an unconfirmed report from September that an unnamed West Coast tech company may be evaluating an all-stock deal for the company.

PayPal stock is under selling pressure. Why are PYPL shares declining? A September Betaville Alert Pointed to an Unnamed West Coast Tech Company and an All-Stock DealOn Sept. 25, traders circulated a Betaville "uncooked" alert, or early and unverified deal chatter, that an unnamed West Coast U.S. technology company may be weighing an all-stock takeover of PayPal, according to Seeking Alpha. No buyer was named, PayPal did not confirm an approach, and the board is said to prefer cash. Shares rose that day.

Retail Traders Guess Meta but Are Split on Whether a Bid Is RealAccording to Stocktwits, renewed takeover speculation is driving attention to the stock, with many traders guessing Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:META) as the possible buyer. No offer or buyer has been confirmed. The community is split between expecting a premium bid and viewing the rumor as a short-lived pump, while some focus on PayPal’s standalone turnaround and upcoming earnings.

The Rumor Follows Stripe and Advent’s Abandoned $53 Billion BidIn July, Stripe and Advent International offered about $60.50 a share, or roughly $53 billion, a premium of about 28% to PayPal’s mid-July price. Talks continued into August, then collapsed in late August after the board viewed the price as too low and the two sides clashed over structure, including a reported $2 billion breakup fee. Shares fell about 13% in a day when the bid died. CEO Enrique Lores, who took over in March, has said PayPal will weigh outside offers against its standalone plan, which includes cost cuts and a large share-repurchase program. Bernstein analysts estimated PayPal’s board would want an offer meaningfully above $70 a share, according to Yahoo Finance.

PayPal Reports Third-Quarter Results Oct. 27PayPal is set to report earnings on Oct. 27 before the market opens. Analysts estimate earnings per share of $1.31 and revenue of $8.71 billion. PayPal guided to a low-single-digit decline in third-quarter earnings per share, about $1.30 to $1.33 on a normalized basis, and has raised its full-year non-GAAP earnings per share outlook to about $5.38.

Read Next

PayPal Shares DeclinePYPL Price Action: At the time of publication, PayPal shares are trading 1.94% lower at $55.60, according to data from Benzinga Pro.

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JPMorgan just dropped its bearish call on Intel after a steep slide, and the chipmaker's stock is surging alongside its rivals. Whether the upgrade signals a genuine turning point or a brief reprieve depends on what Intel's factories and server…

A bearish Wall Street call on the chipmaker just came off the board, and chip stocks are rallying alongside it. Intel (NASDAQ:INTC | INTC Price Prediction) stock is up 4% to $93.68 this morning. Those gains follow a steep slide in Intel stock from its June peak, so the bounce starts from a lower base.

Meanwhile, Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD) stock is up 4% to $547.23. NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) stock is up 2% to $217.97, a softer rise than Intel stock or AMD shares. AMD competes with Intel in central processing units (CPUs) and with NVIDIA in artificial intelligence (AI) accelerators.

The iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXX) is up 3%, a sign of how broad the bounce runs. Large-cap tech is moving more slowly, with the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:QQQ) up 1.32%.

JPMorgan Ends Its Bearish Stance on Intel
JPMorgan analyst Harlan Sur upgraded Intel to Neutral from Underweight in a note. A Neutral rating sits in the middle of the road, closing out a bearish call and framing the gain in Intel stock as a reassessment after its pullback.

Execution in Intel’s core client and data center computing markets, and in next-generation manufacturing, has improved since Lip-Bu Tan became CEO, Sur stated. He expects agentic AI workloads, which lean heavily on central processors, and a tight supply chain for leading-edge chips to drive positive earnings estimate revisions for Intel.

The note carries a caution, though. Sur expects a few more quarters of market-share losses for Intel, especially in server processors. His conclusion is that the risk and reward in Intel stock look more balanced after the steep pullback.

Integrated Chipmaking Sets Intel Apart
Intel designs and manufactures its own processors and is building a contract foundry business. NVIDIA and AMD design chips and rely on outside foundries to manufacture them. That split ties Intel’s results to factory execution as well as chip design, which gives Sur’s comments on next-generation manufacturing extra weight.

Two product groups anchor Intel’s chip business. The Client Computing and Physical AI Group sells processors for PCs, laptops, edge AI and robotics, while the Data Center and AI group supplies Xeon server processors for cloud and enterprise workloads. On the manufacturing side, Intel Foundry offers process technologies including Intel 3 and Intel 18A, along with advanced packaging, for internal and outside customers.

Sur’s agentic AI argument lands squarely on Intel’s server business. Xeon chips compete with AMD’s EPYC processors for data center workloads, while NVIDIA builds accelerated computing platforms such as Blackwell Ultra and Vera Rubin for a separate layer of AI infrastructure. A tight leading-edge supply chain could favor a chipmaker that owns its factories, although Intel still has to convert that capacity into server share (the power, cooling, and networking suppliers riding the same expansion sit outside the chipmakers, and we rounded up seven of them in a free report: here).

Intel stock is outpacing AMD shares and the iShares Semiconductor ETF by only a slim margin, so part of that move tracks a broader chip rallying. NVIDIA shares trail the group, and semiconductors are leading large-cap tech.

Intel’s Third-Quarter Report Becomes the Next Test
Third-quarter 2026 results from Intel are scheduled for release after the market closes on October 29, a date the company hasn’t confirmed. The next test for Intel is whether that report supports the positive earnings estimate revisions Sur expects.

Upside for Intel stock could come from a stronger data center outlook and steadier progress on next-generation manufacturing. Continued server share losses, which Sur expects to persist for a while, mark the clearest risk to the rebound.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Shopify (SHOP - Free Report) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.

Over the past month, shares of this cloud-based commerce company have returned +31.9%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.5% change. During this period, the Zacks Internet - Services industry, which Shopify falls in, has lost 0.2%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.

Revisions to Earnings EstimatesHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.

Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.

Shopify is expected to post earnings of $0.45 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +32.4%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +0.3%.

The consensus earnings estimate of $1.89 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +61.5%. This estimate has changed +0.1% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $2.38 indicates a change of +25.9% from what Shopify is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.2%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) for Shopify.

The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Revenue Growth ForecastWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.

For Shopify, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $3.74 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +31.3%. For the current and next fiscal years, $15.19 billion and $18.9 billion estimates indicate +31.5% and +24.4% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryShopify reported revenues of $3.58 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +33.7%. EPS of $0.42 for the same period compares with $0.35 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.43 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +4.36%. The EPS surprise was +7.69%.

Over the last four quarters, Shopify surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.

ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.

Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.

The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

Shopify is graded F on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Shopify. However, its Zacks Rank #1 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.

Key Takeaways IBM acquires Logiq Consulting to strengthen cybersecurity and sovereign technology capabilities in the U.K.Logiq's Secure by Design expertise and DISX platform expand IBM's offerings for government clients.The buyout could support IBM Consulting's growth amid increasing demand for secure digital transformation.
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM - Free Report) has acquired Logiq Consulting, a U.K.-based cybersecurity consultancy, to strengthen its secure digital transformation capabilities and expand its presence across highly regulated industries. The acquisition reinforces IBM's strategy of expanding its cybersecurity portfolio while capitalizing on the growing demand for secure hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions.

Logiq Consulting specializes in cybersecurity assurance, secure systems engineering, digital transformation and managed security services. Its expertise spans the U.K. defense industry, critical national infrastructure and the broader public sector. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The acquisition is expected to strengthen IBM Consulting's ability to deliver secure technology solutions to organizations facing increasingly complex cybersecurity threats and regulatory requirements.

How Will Logiq Consulting Strengthen IBM's Portfolio?Logiq Consulting brings specialized Secure by Design capabilities, allowing organizations to integrate cybersecurity throughout the technology lifecycle rather than addressing vulnerabilities after deployment. These capabilities complement IBM's existing cybersecurity transformation services and SiXworks' digital transformation expertise in defense and public-sector markets.

In addition, Logiq's DISX managed sovereign collaboration platform enables government suppliers to exchange sensitive information securely with UK government and defense organizations while maintaining control over data management.

Integrating these capabilities with IBM's hybrid cloud, AI and consulting expertise could create opportunities for cross-selling services and expanding relationships with security-conscious customers. The buyout also boosts IBM's digital sovereignty offerings as governments and regulated enterprises increasingly prioritize data control, regulatory compliance and operational resilience.

Acquisition Could Support IBM Consulting's GrowthLogiq Consulting's addition comes as IBM seeks to strengthen its consulting business.  IBM Consulting generated second-quarter 2026 revenues of $5.3 billion, essentially flat year over year, although revenues increased 1.1% at constant currency.

Despite subdued revenue growth, Consulting segment profit increased 15.1% year over year to $647 million, reflecting improving profitability. The acquisition could help IBM capture additional opportunities in cybersecurity, application modernization and secure AI adoption, particularly among government and defense customers.

However, intense competition in cybersecurity consulting from Accenture plc (ACN - Free Report) , Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO - Free Report) and Microsoft Corporation (MSFT - Free Report) limits its growth potential. Integration challenges and prolonged public-sector procurement cycles could also limit near-term contributions.

Nevertheless, Logiq Consulting's specialized capabilities and established presence in highly regulated U.K. markets position IBM to pursue incremental consulting opportunities and strengthen its competitive position over the long term.

Phillips 66 has handed investors a 133% gain this year and just bumped its dividend again, but a swelling debt load and volatile refining margins raise real questions about how long the raises can continue.

Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX | PSX Price Prediction) raised its quarterly dividend by $0.06 on Oct. 16, bringing the payout to $1.33 per share. The prior rate was $1.27. That’s a 4.7% raise, or $5.32 a year. At the latest price of $294.43, the forward yield comes to about 1.8%. The yield is thin because the stock is up 132.87% year to date. Income investors need to know whether the cash behind the payout holds up once refining margins cool.

Refining Windfall Covers the Payout Many Times Over
In the second quarter, cash from operations excluding working capital hit $4,317 million, up from $699 million in Q1. Dividends of $508 million used only about 11.8% of that. Realized refining margins jumped to $24.08 per barrel from $10.11 in Q1. Adjusted EPS came in at $9.41, ahead of the $8.09 consensus.

Q1 showed the downside. Cash ex working capital of $699 million was above the Q2 dividend bill, and $839 million in mark-to-market derivative losses weighed on the quarter. Management describes today’s tight market as a supply shock. Brian Mandell said he expects stronger margins “potentially through the rest of 2027,” but refining remains the volatile part of the business.

Midstream Carries the Dividend
On the Q2 call, management said the steadier businesses are what actually fund the payout:

“Midstream, along with Marketing and Specialties, provides that consistent cash generation to cover the sustaining capital and the dividend and, today, a significant portion of our interest expense.”

Midstream makes roughly $1 billion a quarter and is on track for a $4.5 billion EBITDA run rate by year-end 2027. Two new chemical crackers expected in 2027 are the main source of a $500 million chemicals earnings-growth target.

Debt Paydown Competes With Buybacks
Total debt rose to $27.1 billion in Q1 from $19.7 billion. Over the same stretch, debt-to-capital rose to 48%. Since then, Phillips 66 has paid off its commercial paper and its term loan. CFO Kevin Mitchell expects net debt to fall below $16 billion by the end of 2026, and the company still plans to return more than 50% of operating cash flow, excluding working capital, to shareholders. Mark Lashier said buybacks should help the company.

“keep pace with our dividend increases even more dramatically.”

How Marathon and Valero Compare
Valero Energy (NYSE: VLO) pays $1.20 a quarter. It returned $2.6 billion to shareholders in Q2, a 59% payout of adjusted operating cash flow. Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC) returned more than $2.80 billion in Q2, and its MPLX (NYSE:MPLX) distributions are expected to more than fund its 2026 dividend and standalone capital spending. Phillips 66 returned $887 million, or 21% of its cash flow ex working capital. For now, cutting debt comes first.

Track Record and Verdict for Income Investors
The quarterly dividend has risen from $0.20 in 2012. It rose every calendar year except 2020, when it stayed at $0.90. The new rate is 10.8% above the $1.20 paid a year earlier.

The payout looks built to last. Midstream and marketing cash covers it, and at today’s margins it takes up only a small share of operating cash. The main risk is the balance sheet. A sharp drop in crack spreads before debt falls toward the $16 billion target would slow future raises.

A yield this modest rarely shows the usual warning signs, but refiners are exactly where ugly surprises hide (we laid out the seven tells of a dividend about to be cut in a free report, here). The 1.8% yield will feel modest to anyone seeking high current income. Those who want dividend growth should watch debt paydown and midstream’s progress toward its 2027 run rate.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Synopsys builds the software that powers every chip designed for AI, and analysts are practically falling over each other to buy it. But the real question is whether the tailwinds behind this under-the-radar pick can push a modest investment into…

Shares of Synopsys (NASDAQ:SNPS | SNPS Price Prediction) recently changed hands at $466.88. So what could a $10,000 investment look like by 2030? Synopsys sells the software that chipmakers use to design their products.

One 24/7 Wall St. podcast host compared it to “the AutoCAD or the CAD of this industry”. As AI chips get more complex, that tools matters more, and that’s the reason to take a longer look at the stock.

What $10,000 Could Grow Into in the Base Case
The figures below use a five-year period ending October 15, 2031. That’s the projected period closest to 2030. The base case puts a $10,000 investment at about $20,481, a total return of 104.81%. That outcome depends on the stock climbing from a projected entry price of $467.11 to a per-share target of $956.68. The annualized return comes to 15.42%.

A quarterly path is also mapped out by the model, and one point on it falls in 2030. The base-case path reaches $899.95 on October 15, 2030, which would make a $10,000 investment worth about $19,266.34. Treat that 2030 figure as illustrative only. It’s a stop on the projected path.

Bull, Base, and Bear Scenarios for Your $10,000

Scenario
Target Share Price
Total Return
Value of $10,000

Bull
$1,148.19
145.81%
$24,581

Base
$956.68
104.81%
$20,481

Bear
$643
37.66%
$13,766

The projection’s signal reads buy, at 0.9 confidence, a projected output rather than advice. Over the closer one-year period, its base-case target is $598.21, an upside of 28.07%.

Wall Street analysts are also positive. Their consensus target is $572.17, with 4 strong buy, 19 buy, and 2 hold ratings and no sells.

Three Forces Behind the Upside
AI Is Making Chips Harder to Design
The more complex a chip, the more design software it takes to build it. In the fiscal third quarter, revenue rose 42.4% from a year earlier to $2.48 billion. Non-GAAP EPS came in at $3.91, beating the $3.67 consensus.

Management then raised its full-year guidance to non-GAAP EPS of $15.04 to $15.10 and said it expects double-digit growth in EDA, its core design-software business. Synopsys has now beaten earnings estimates 4 quarters in a row.

Ansys Adds Simulation, From Single Chips to Full Systems
Ansys adds simulation tools that reach beyond chips into automotive, aerospace, and industrial customers. The company expects Ansys to contribute about $2.98 billion of fiscal 2026 revenue. Chief executive Sassine Ghazi put it this way: “One year after the transformational acquisition of Ansys, we are executing with focus, extending our leadership and gaining momentum.”

Management has also pointed to a $400 million revenue-synergy opportunity in semiconductor multi-physics, with monetization expected to start in fiscal 2027.

New Ways to Get Paid
At last count, 20 customers were evaluating Synopsys’ agentic AI design tools. Ghazi described a pricing model that would move from “subscription license that our customer has for the human engineers” to “subscription plus consumption for the agents.”

If customers adopt it widely, that model could lift earnings per customer. Margins are already strong: the non-GAAP operating margin reached 41.6% last quarter.

Risks That Could Shrink Your Stake
The bear case still assumes gains, but nothing ensures them. Synopsys’ guidance assumes no further changes to U.S. export controls or Entity List restrictions, and new limits on China could reduce sales.

The company also carries about $10 billion of long-term debt from the Ansys deal, and it has planned restructuring charges for the fiscal fourth quarter. Additional risks come from a few large customers that account for a big share of sales, tough competition in EDA, and the chance that Ansys synergies fall short.

Expect a rough ride, too. The stock has a beta of 1.208, meaning it tends to swing more than the market overall. Shares fell 7.12% over the past week after climbing 22.4% over the past month, and they’re down 0.6% so far this year.

Valuation is another factor: the stock trades at about 87x trailing earnings and 23x forward earnings. If AI-related demand cools off, the share price could drop quickly.

Your $10,000 by 2030: A Range of Outcomes
Over the five-year projected period, a $10,000 stake in Synopsys ranges from about $13,766 in the bear case to $24,581 in the bull case, with the base case landing at $20,481.

To track the thesis, watch Ansys synergy progress, adoption of the AI agent tools, and any changes to export rules. The projection is not investment advice, and actual returns could be higher or lower than any scenario shown here.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Analysts on Wall Street project that Dow Inc. (DOW - Free Report) will announce quarterly earnings of $0.63 per share in its forthcoming report, representing an increase of 431.6% year over year. Revenues are projected to reach $11.24 billion, increasing 12.7% from the same quarter last year.

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 51.2% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This reflects how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reevaluated their initial estimates during this timeframe.

Before a company announces its earnings, it is essential to take into account any changes made to earnings estimates. This is a valuable factor in predicting the potential reactions of investors toward the stock. Empirical research has consistently shown a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and the short-term price performance of a stock.

While it's common for investors to rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates for assessing how the business may have performed during the quarter, exploring analysts' forecasts for key metrics can yield valuable insights.

Given this perspective, it's time to examine the average forecasts of specific Dow Inc. metrics that are routinely monitored and predicted by Wall Street analysts.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Net Sales- Performance Materials & Coatings' of $2.26 billion. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +8.3%.

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Revenues- Corporate' will likely reach $172.50 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +3.9%.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Net Sales- Packaging & Specialty Plastics' will reach $5.66 billion. The estimate points to a change of +15.7% from the year-ago quarter.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Net Sales- Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure' reaching $3.12 billion. The estimate suggests a change of +10% year over year.

Analysts forecast 'Operating EBITDA- Packaging & Specialty Plastics' to reach $998.09 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $548.00 million in the same quarter last year.

The consensus estimate for 'Operating EBITDA- Performance Materials & Coatings' stands at $291.08 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $254.00 million in the same quarter last year.

Analysts predict that the 'Operating EBITDA- Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure' will reach $322.27 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $111.00 million.

View all Key Company Metrics for Dow Inc. here>>>

Shares of Dow Inc. have demonstrated returns of +4.2% over the past month compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.5% change. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), DOW is expected to mirror the overall market performance in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Oracle's cloud revenue is exploding while its stock sits near yearly lows, and the gap between those two realities may represent one of the more unusual setups in large-cap tech right now.

The 24/7 Wall St. price target for Oracle (NYSE:ORCL | ORCL Price Prediction) is $200.70 over the next 12 months. With shares at $133.28 in midday trading, that implies about 50.6% upside. Our model rates Oracle a buy with high confidence.

Metric Value Current Price $133.28 Price Target from 24/7 Wall St. $200.70 Upside/Downside 50.6% Recommendation BUY Confidence Level 90% Oracle’s fundamentals and its share price have diverged. Cloud infrastructure revenue more than doubled last quarter, while the stock has fallen year to date on fears about debt and capital spending.

Our model looks through the financing noise and focuses on earnings power, and that earnings power points sharply higher.

Record Cloud Growth Meets a 30% Share Slide Oracle is down 6.83% over the past week, 7.62% over the past month and 30.71% year to date. It sits well below its 52-week high of $318.28 and closer to its low of $114.08. Weak AI sentiment hit CoreWeave (NASDAQ:CRWV): CoreWeave shares tumbled this week as bond yields climbed on concern about AI borrowing.

Operating results stayed strong. Q1 fiscal 2027 revenue reached $19.345 billion, up 29.6% and ahead of the $19.129 billion consensus. Non-GAAP EPS of $1.92 beat the $1.74 estimate. Cloud infrastructure revenue jumped 121%, and remaining performance obligations (RPO, or signed future revenue) hit $664 billion.

Why Bulls See $322 Within Reach Management guided Q2 cloud revenue growth of 65% to 71% and raised fiscal 2027 targets to at least $90 billion in revenue and $8.10 in non-GAAP EPS. Oracle expects “around half of our RPO to convert into sales over the next 36 months.”

GPU use ran at 97.9%, and renewals were priced at a 20% premium. Of the 43 analysts covering the stock, 7 rate it Strong Buy and 28 rate it Buy. If RPO conversion speeds up, our bull scenario reaches $322.31.

Debt and Capex Are What Could Derail the Rally Q1 capex hit $28.5 billion, drove free cash flow to -$5.40 billion. Full-year capex is guided at $90 billion to $95 billion. Interest expense rose 55% to $1.4 billion, and Oracle plans to raise about $40 billion in debt and equity this fiscal year. Software license revenue also fell 15%.

Cash generation offsets some of that pressure. Operating cash flow soared 184% to $23.10 billion, and the CFO said scaled projects deliver “a free cash flow conversion ratio of something like 100% to post-tax EBITDA.” Even our bear scenario lands at $171.29.

The expansion behind that capex has to be powered, cooled, and networked by someone, and we rounded up seven suppliers riding the same wave in a free report here: 7 Stocks Powering the AI Boom (That Aren’t Chipmakers).

Oracle Trades at a Discount to Microsoft and Amazon Through Azure, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) competes directly, and it also hosts Oracle’s multicloud database. It trades at 25x forward earnings while growing revenue 17.7%.

Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) competes through AWS for the same AI training workloads, at 24x forward earnings with 19.6% revenue growth. Oracle is growing faster than both at a lower multiple. That gap makes our 24/7 Wall St. price target look conservative.

Company Forward P/E Quarterly Revenue Growth (YoY) Oracle 18 29.6% Microsoft 25 17.7% Amazon 24 19.6% Our Verdict: Growth Outweighs the Balance Sheet Risk The 24/7 Wall St. price target of $200.70 comes with a buy rating and 90% confidence. The $664 billion backlog sits behind a stock priced below its hyperscaler peers.

The thesis gets stronger if RPO converts on schedule and capex moves toward customer-funded structures. It weakens if borrowing costs keep climbing or datacenter deliveries slip. For now, our model weighs Oracle’s growth more heavily than its balance sheet risk.

Here is where the 24/7 Wall St. price target model projects Oracle could trade further out if current growth trends and market conditions hold.

Year Price Target from 24/7 Wall St. 2026 $137.77 2027 $201.06 2028 $273.30 2029 $326.69 2030 $388.07 Oracle needs to keep executing on its AI infrastructure strategy for these projections to hold. Faster RPO conversion could raised results well past these figures, while financing pressure or AI demand fatigue could pull them lower.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Snowflake's latest earnings report lands on a specific date that could push shares to a level the stock has never closed above, and the setup heading into that session looks unlike anything in the past two years.

Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW | SNOW Price Prediction) will trade at or above $400 per share before December 31, 2026. The trigger is its Q3 fiscal 2027 earnings report, expected December 2, 2026.

At $325.94 today, the stock needs a 22.7% gain to get there. The stock has traded within 4% of the target before: shares hit an intraday high of $384.56 during the session that followed its last report.

Key Numbers to Watch on December 2
Snowflake hasn’t confirmed the date yet, so keep an eye out for its announcement. When results arrive, start with product revenue, which management guided to $1,588M–$1,593M, or 37–38% growth.

Next, check the non-GAAP operating margin against the 15.5% target. Analysts expect EPS of $0.5999. Finally, look for another increase to full-year guidance.

Reason One: Growth Keeps Speeding Up
In Q2, product revenue rose 37% to $1.49B. That was the third consecutive quarter of faster growth. Management raised its full-year product revenue forecast to $6,070M from $5,840M. It also said its outlook is built on “observed behavior up until the call,” which tends to produce conservative guidance.

Market participants put an 84% probability on Q3 product revenue exceeding $1.62 billion, which is above the high end of guidance. That market is thinly traded, though. Snowflake has beaten EPS estimates five quarters in a row. Q2 came in at $0.62 against a $0.447 consensus.

Reason Two: Backlog and Retention Point to Another Guidance Raise
Remaining performance obligations (signed contracts not yet booked as revenue) totaled $9B, up 30%. About 54% of that should be recognized within 12 months. Net revenue retention was 126%, meaning existing customers spent more than a year earlier.

Customers paying over $1 million a year grew 27% to 828. Management credited AI products with “approximately half of the acceleration,” and CoCo, its AI coding agent, passed 9,100 accounts.

Reason Three: Analysts Keep Raising Estimates
The Q3 EPS consensus has increased to $0.5999 from $0.5150 90 days ago. Over the past 30 days, analysts made 39 upward revisions and only 1 downward.

Of the analysts covering the stock, 45 rate it a buy and 1 rates it a sell, with an average price target of $425.14. After past earnings beats, the stock has moved an average of 6.63% on the reaction day.

Retirement investors should also track margins. The non-GAAP operating margin expanded to 15.3% from 11% a year earlier.

Management is guiding to a 23% adjusted free cash flow margin for the year and says it’s on track for GAAP profitability in Q4 fiscal 28. Until then, the GAAP figures remain a drag: Q2 brought a $191.7M net loss and $456M in stock-based compensation.

What Happens If the Call Is Wrong
Snowflake’s pattern of fading after strong reports is the main risk: the week after Q2, shares fell 7.71%. Even so, a fourth straight quarter of faster growth plus another guidance raise puts $400 within reach by December 31.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

SteelPeak Wealth LLC trimmed its position in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST – Free Report) by 44.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 16,664 shares of the retailer’s stock after selling 13,311 shares during the period. SteelPeak Wealth LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $15,170,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of COST. Sarasin & Partners LLP increased its stake in Costco Wholesale by 6.9% in the 2nd quarter. Sarasin & Partners LLP now owns 214,194 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $200,372,000 after buying an additional 13,795 shares during the last quarter. Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan raised its position in Costco Wholesale by 4.1% during the second quarter. Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan now owns 158,416 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $148,193,000 after acquiring an additional 6,200 shares in the last quarter. Silvant Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Costco Wholesale in the second quarter valued at $16,013,000. Hyperion Asset Management Ltd lifted its stake in Costco Wholesale by 9.0% in the second quarter. Hyperion Asset Management Ltd now owns 68,762 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $64,325,000 after acquiring an additional 5,656 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 15.0% in the 2nd quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 22,766 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $21,297,000 after acquiring an additional 2,974 shares during the period. 68.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Costco Wholesale Price Performance Shares of COST opened at $989.11 on Monday. The company’s 50-day moving average is $933.15 and its 200-day moving average is $963.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The firm has a market capitalization of $438.30 billion, a PE ratio of 47.64, a PEG ratio of 4.23 and a beta of 0.88. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $844.06 and a fifty-two week high of $1,096.50.

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, September 24th. The retailer reported $6.75 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.54 by $0.21. The business had revenue of $95.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $94.97 billion. Costco Wholesale had a net margin of 3.04% and a return on equity of 27.60%. Costco Wholesale’s revenue was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $5.87 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 22.70 EPS for the current year. Costco Wholesale Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 30th will be issued a $1.47 dividend. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 30th. Costco Wholesale’s dividend payout ratio is currently 28.32%.

Key Costco Wholesale News Here are the key news stories impacting Costco Wholesale this week:

Positive Sentiment: September sales accelerated: Costco reported September net sales of $30.02 billion, up 13% year over year, while digitally enabled sales increased 19%. The results reinforce the strength of Costco’s membership model, e-commerce business and value-focused offering. September Sales Growth Positive Sentiment: Analyst support remains strong: Tigress Financial reiterated a Buy rating while setting a $1,065 price target after previously publicizing a higher $1,250 target. Other coverage highlights Costco’s sales growth, membership loyalty and digital gains, supporting the recent recovery above key moving averages. Tigress Financial Price Target Positive Sentiment: Dividend maintained: Costco declared a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share, payable November 13 to shareholders of record October 30. While the approximately 0.6% yield is modest, the payment signals continued cash-flow strength. Costco Dividend Announcement Positive Sentiment: Expansion pipeline: Proposed warehouse projects in Macon and Oakland, along with a planned Merced County relocation, point to continued investment in Costco’s store network. Infrastructure financing of up to $30 million could support the Macon development. Macon Costco Project Neutral Sentiment: Costco’s fiscal 2027 executive bonus plan adds sustainability-related measures. The change may support long-term operational goals, but it is unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. Costco Executive Bonus Update Negative Sentiment: Valuation and macro risks remain: Costco trades at a high earnings multiple, leaving the stock vulnerable if growth or membership trends slow. Persistent inflation and potentially higher interest rates could also pressure consumer spending and market valuations. Negative Sentiment: An executive sold 1,100 shares worth approximately $1.05 million. The transaction is relatively small compared with Costco’s market value, but it may add a modest cautionary signal for investors. Costco Insider Sale Insider Activity In other Costco Wholesale news, EVP William Richard Wilcox sold 1,100 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $958.21, for a total transaction of $1,054,031.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 3,094 shares in the company, valued at $2,964,701.74. This trade represents a 26.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Claudine Adamo sold 2,200 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $915.93, for a total value of $2,015,046.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 7,134 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,534,244.62. This represents a 23.57% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets COST has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Guggenheim restated a “neutral” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Monday, September 28th. Roth Capital reaffirmed a “sell” rating and issued a $781.00 target price on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Friday, September 25th. Freedom Broker cut their target price on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,030.00 to $1,010.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 25th. UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Thursday, September 17th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded Costco Wholesale from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Thursday, October 8th. Twenty-four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $1,087.40.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on COST

Costco Wholesale Profile (Free Report)

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates a membership-based warehouse retail business under the Costco name. The company sells merchandise in bulk and at competitive prices through warehouse clubs and e-commerce platforms, serving individual consumers, businesses and other organizations.

Its product selection includes groceries and fresh foods, household supplies, appliances, electronics, furniture, apparel, health and beauty products, jewelry, automotive products and prescription drugs. Costco also provides services such as optical care, pharmacy services, hearing-aid sales, travel offerings and fuel sales, depending on location.

The company traces its roots to Price Club, which opened in San Diego in 1976.

Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Costco Wholesale These 3 Green Stocks Have a Growth Story That Goes Far Beyond Washington Meta Claims Frontier-Class AI Status With New Muse Wonder Models Berkshire Just Backed This Little-Known Stock—Should You Chase It? Broadcom’s CEO Sees Years of AI Demand But Warns of a Bigger Threat to the Boom Want to see what other hedge funds are holding COST? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST – Free Report).

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On its third-quarter 2026 earnings call, held on Oct. 16, 2026, M&T Bank (MTB -0.99%) reported that year-to-date net operating earnings per share increased 17% over the prior year. The bank continues to expand its deposit base to fund loan growth. That internal capital generation gives it flexibility to absorb regulatory shifts without diluting shareholder value. Three takeaways from management's presentation highlight how the business is positioning itself for long-term compounding.

1. Transferring Securities Protects Capital from Regulatory ChangesManagement transferred $8.3 billion of residential mortgage-backed securities from available-for-sale, which are investments sold before maturity, to held-to-maturity to insulate tangible capital from accumulated other comprehensive income, or unrealized paper losses. That move shields regulatory capital ratios if proposed bank rules begin counting paper portfolio losses against equity reserves.

That action reflects our continued discipline to protecting tangible capital and positioning us well with potential regulatory framework that includes AFS related AOCI and regulatory capital.
-- Daryl Bible, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer2. Customer Deposit Growth Replaces Costly Wholesale BorrowingsExpanding customer deposits allowed M&T Bank to lower its reliance on average short-term wholesale borrowings by $2.8 billion during the quarter. Funding loan growth through primary operating accounts keeps deposit costs manageable while preserving net interest margin, which measures the profit spread on lending.

But first and foremost, we're going to try to fund our loan growth with our deposit growth.
-- Daryl Bible, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer3. Underwriting Structure Takes Priority Over Aggressive Loan PricingDespite competitive pressures in commercial real estate and business lending, management refuses to compromise on credit deal terms to chase volume. Maintaining strict loan covenants and structural protections ensures credit quality remains durable across economic cycles, even if loan growth might slow.

We don't want to sacrifice on structure is really what's important to us, and that's something that we aren't going to change from that perspective.
-- Daryl Bible, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial OfficerLooking AheadAsset repricing across fixed-rate loans and the investment portfolio provides ongoing revenue support. Strong customer relationships and deep market roots enable the bank to maintain underwriting standards without sacrificing market share.

I feel very optimistic on the outlook for net interest income and net interest margin.
-- Daryl Bible, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial OfficerLong-term performance hinges on maintaining pricing discipline and optimizing funding costs across economic shifts. Management remains committed to generating attractive returns through prudent capital deployment.

The strength and diversification of M&T's balance sheet, asset quality, and revenue will continue to allow M&T to outperform consistently across cycles.
-- Daryl Bible, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial OfficerThe Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Key Takeaways AbbVie's neuroscience revenues are expected to grow roughly 16% to $3.29 billion in Q3 2026.Vraylar sales are projected at $1.08 billion, while Botox Therapeutic sales are expected to be 1.07 billion.Vyalev sales are expected to reach $283 million, while Juvmo's launch could draw investor attention. Although immunology remains AbbVie’s (ABBV - Free Report) largest revenue-generating franchise, neuroscience is emerging as another important growth driver. Spanning psychiatry, migraine and Parkinson’s disease (PD), the franchise offers multiple avenues for expansion through established treatments and newer products. Investors will be keen to know how the segment performed in the third quarter when the company announces results on Oct. 30.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AbbVie’s neuroscience revenues in the third quarter of 2026 is pegged at $3.29 billion. The figure implies year-over-year growth of nearly 16%, with growth expected across most marketed products.

A Closer Look at ABBV’s Neuroscience DrugsAbbVie’s established brands, Vraylar and Botox Therapeutic, are expected to remain significant contributors to neuroscience revenues. Vraylar is used to treat several psychiatric conditions, while Botox Therapeutic has multiple approved uses, including chronic migraine prevention, spasticity and cervical dystonia. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vraylar sales is pegged at $1.08 billion, while the same for Botox stands at $1.07 billion.

Turning to the oral migraine portfolio, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ubrelvy sales is pinned at $393 million, while that for Qulipta is pegged at $364 million. Ubrelvy is used for the acute treatment of migraine attacks, whereas Qulipta is indicated for migraine prevention.

Among the newer products, Vyalev is projected to generate $283 million in revenues, up from $256 million generated in the previous quarter. AbbVie expects the PD therapy to achieve blockbuster status in 2026 as domestic uptake accelerates.

Meanwhile, AbbVie received FDA approval for Juvmo, a once-daily oral treatment for PD, in late September. Given the timing of the approval — just days before the end of the third quarter — the drug is unlikely to make a meaningful contribution to revenues during the period. Investors will likely look for management commentary on the initial launch and early uptake.

Other Players in the Neuroscience SpaceAbbVie faces competition from large-cap biotech/pharmaceutical companies in the market, which include Biogen (BIIB - Free Report) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ - Free Report) .

As revenues from its legacy multiple sclerosis portfolio continue to decline, Biogen is increasingly focused on expanding its neuroscience business through newer therapies. Along with partner Eisai, Biogen markets Leqembi, one of the two FDA-approved treatments for AD. The company also markets Zurzuvae, the first FDA-approved oral treatment for postpartum depression.

J&J's neuroscience business is anchored by the blockbuster depression therapy Spravato and long-acting antipsychotic Invega Sustenna. The company's acquisition of Intra-Cellular Therapies last year further strengthened its portfolio by adding Caplyta, an approved treatment for schizophrenia and bipolar depression.

Founders Grove Wealth Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU – Free Report) by 62.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,012 shares of the semiconductor manufacturer’s stock after acquiring an additional 776 shares during the period. Founders Grove Wealth Partners LLC’s holdings in Micron Technology were worth $2,143,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Andar Capital Management HK Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Micron Technology by 856,960.3% during the 2nd quarter. Andar Capital Management HK Ltd now owns 34,282,413 shares of the semiconductor manufacturer’s stock worth $39,571,847,000 after purchasing an additional 34,278,413 shares during the last quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA purchased a new stake in shares of Micron Technology in the second quarter valued at approximately $22,182,263,000. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in shares of Micron Technology by 26.6% in the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 10,174,757 shares of the semiconductor manufacturer’s stock valued at $11,744,621,000 after purchasing an additional 2,136,470 shares in the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc purchased a new stake in shares of Micron Technology in the second quarter valued at approximately $8,402,393,000. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in shares of Micron Technology by 28.7% in the second quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 5,045,141 shares of the semiconductor manufacturer’s stock valued at $5,823,556,000 after purchasing an additional 1,125,414 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.84% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes MU has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Susquehanna reiterated a “positive” rating on shares of Micron Technology in a research report on Thursday, October 1st. Raymond James Financial reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Micron Technology in a research note on Thursday, October 1st. Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on Micron Technology from $1,280.00 to $1,520.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, September 28th. BMO Capital Markets restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Micron Technology in a report on Thursday, October 1st. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane upped their target price on Micron Technology from $615.00 to $1,700.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, June 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-one have assigned a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,407.88.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on MU Micron Technology Stock Performance NASDAQ MU opened at $878.84 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $985.88 and a 200-day simple moving average of $865.04. The company has a current ratio of 3.31, a quick ratio of 2.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. The stock has a market cap of $994.34 billion, a PE ratio of 11.84, a P/E/G ratio of 0.15 and a beta of 2.22. Micron Technology, Inc. has a twelve month low of $192.40 and a twelve month high of $1,255.00.

Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, September 30th. The semiconductor manufacturer reported $33.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $31.77 by $1.65. The firm had revenue of $54.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $51.33 billion. Micron Technology had a net margin of 63.80% and a return on equity of 92.62%. Micron Technology’s revenue was up 379.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $3.03 EPS. Micron Technology has set its Q1 2027 guidance at 37.150-39.150 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Micron Technology, Inc. will post 177.03 earnings per share for the current year.

Micron Technology Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 29th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 14th will be given a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, October 14th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.1%. Micron Technology’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 0.81%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Micron Technology In other Micron Technology news, CEO Sanjay Mehrotra sold 40,000 shares of Micron Technology stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $968.90, for a total transaction of $38,756,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 264,503 shares in the company, valued at $256,276,956.70. This trade represents a 13.14% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Scott Allen sold 879 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,000.00, for a total transaction of $879,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 34,958 shares in the company, valued at $34,958,000. This trade represents a 2.45% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 95,879 shares of company stock worth $90,939,466 over the last three months. Insiders own 0.24% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting Micron Technology Here are the key news stories impacting Micron Technology this week:

Positive Sentiment: Micron’s long-term outlook remains supported by tight memory supply and robust AI demand. Analysts and commentators point to expanding margins, pricing strength, high-bandwidth memory (HBM) growth, and management’s expectation that supply constraints could persist through 2028. Micron: Why You Should Buy Before Dec’26 Positive Sentiment: Recent results exceeded expectations: fiscal fourth-quarter revenue reached approximately $54.2 billion, above the high end of management’s outlook, while full-year revenue reportedly rose to about $133.2 billion. Supporters also cite long-term customer agreements, price floors, potential share repurchases under Micron’s $35 billion authorization, and continued investment in U.S. manufacturing. Micron Stock Is 25% Below Its June Record Positive Sentiment: ASML’s comments that demand for advanced chipmaking equipment exceeds supply through 2028 are viewed as favorable for Micron, a major ASML customer developing next-generation HBM products. Micron also pledged $50 million to U.S. memory research, reinforcing its domestic technology and supply-chain strategy. ASML Just Delivered Excellent News for Micron Stock Investors Neutral Sentiment: Several analysts continue to describe the retreat as a potential buying opportunity, citing Micron’s valuation and earnings growth. However, bullish price targets depend on memory demand remaining strong and the current pricing cycle lasting longer than expected. Negative Sentiment: Investors remain concerned that CXMT’s progress in DDR5, LPDDR5X, and server memory could pressure pricing and market share, particularly in conventional memory. A possible industry oversupply later this decade adds to the cyclical risk. Memory stocks are getting hammered Negative Sentiment: The broader AI trade is under pressure as investors question whether data-center spending can generate adequate returns and whether highly leveraged “neocloud” companies can remain viable. Higher inflation and the prospect of additional interest-rate increases are also encouraging rotation away from expensive technology stocks. Negative Sentiment: One senior executive sold 6,328 Micron shares on October 14. The transaction appears isolated and is small relative to the company, but it adds a modest negative signal during an already weak trading period. Monster insider trading alert for Micron stock Micron Technology Company Profile (Free Report)

Micron Technology, Inc is a semiconductor company that develops and manufactures memory and storage products. Its portfolio includes dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), NAND flash memory, NOR flash memory, solid-state drives, memory modules, and other semiconductor solutions used in data centers, personal computers, smartphones, automotive systems, industrial equipment, and consumer electronics.

The company also provides high-bandwidth memory and other advanced memory technologies designed to support artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, networking, and graphics applications.

Recommended Stories Five stocks we like better than Micron Technology These 3 Green Stocks Have a Growth Story That Goes Far Beyond Washington Meta Claims Frontier-Class AI Status With New Muse Wonder Models Berkshire Just Backed This Little-Known Stock—Should You Chase It? Broadcom’s CEO Sees Years of AI Demand But Warns of a Bigger Threat to the Boom Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MU? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU – Free Report).

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Last week was miserable for Micron (MU +3.98%) stock, with the maker of DRAM and NAND flash memory chips losing nearly 15% on worries that Chinese DRAM company ChangXin Memory Technologies was bringing to market "4F square" technology to increase DRAM storage density -- and begin stealing market share from Micron.

Monday morning, things are looking better for Micron, though, and the stock is up 4% as of 10:35 a.m. ET.

Image source: Micron.

Dell sounds the all-clear for memory stocksYou can thank Michael Dell for that -- and Wall Street bankers, too.

Quoted in The Wall Street Journal Friday, the Dell founder CEO predicted the ongoing shortage of computer memory is "gonna get worse" in 2027. Perversely, that's good news for Micron because when memory supplies are too low, memory prices go higher -- and so do Micron's profit margins.

Separately this morning, analysts at Wall Street banks Mizuho and KeyBanc both chimed in to support memory stocks. Mizuho predicts demand for agentic AI will keep NAND supply tight and force prices higher throughout 2027. KeyBanc likewise predicts price increases in NAND, as reports.

MU Micron Technology$913.79+$34.95 (+3.98%)

NASDAQ · As of 10:33 AM ET 10/19/26

What it means for Micron stockAdmittedly, NAND demand is more of a bull case for Sandisk than for Micron. Micron only gets about 26% of its revenue from NAND flash sales, after all; 73% of its business is in selling DRAM, and Micron is in fact the world's third-biggest supplier of DRAM.

But that's fine. Even a small boost to NAND prices, on top of the price hikes it's already enjoying, is good news for Micron. With the stock already trading under 25 times trailing earnings -- and just 7x forward earnings -- Micron stock still looks like a buy to me.

Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Micron Technology. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Amgen (AMGN - Free Report) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.

Shares of this world's largest biotech drugmaker have returned +12.2% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.5% change. The Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, to which Amgen belongs, has lost 2.7% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?

Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.

Earnings Estimate RevisionsHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.

Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.

Amgen is expected to post earnings of $5.72 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +1.4%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +0.6%.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $22.94 points to a change of +5% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has remained unchanged.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $24.58 indicates a change of +7.1% from what Amgen is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.7%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Amgen.

The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Projected Revenue GrowthWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.

In the case of Amgen, the consensus sales estimate of $9.93 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +3.9%. The $38.85 billion and $40.1 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +5.7% and +3.2%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryAmgen reported revenues of $10.05 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +9.5%. EPS of $6.29 for the same period compares with $6.02 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.44 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +6.52%. The EPS surprise was +12.32%.

The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.

ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.

While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.

As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

Amgen is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Amgen. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

The weight-loss market is growing rapidly, and while long-term projections differ on how large it will become, they generally agree that it will maintain its upward trajectory at least over the medium term. Investors can capitalize on this industry's growth by buying shares of those companies likely to emerge as top players. Right now, it looks likely that Eli Lilly (LLY -0.26%) and Novo (NVO -0.71%), the current market leaders, could maintain their lead over the next five years or so. However, other drugmakers are making progress in this field and are worth considering for investors. One of them is Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN -0.26%).

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Regeneron's differentiated approachRegeneron has at least two promising weight loss medicines in its pipeline. One of them is called olatorepatide. Regeneron licensed this medicine from a China-based company. Olatorepatide mimics the actions of the GLP-1 and GIP hormones, placing it in the same broad category as Eli Lilly's market-leading drug, Zepbound.

However, olatorepatide could be particularly attractive for one reason: It appears to display better gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability than competing medicines. In a Phase 3 study conducted in China, olatorepatide led to a mean weight loss of up to 19% over 48 weeks. That's already impressive enough.

But as Regeneron pointed out, olatorepatide also had lower rates of GI-related adverse events -- such as nausea and vomiting -- than what some competing drugs achieved in comparable Phase 3 studies. Regeneron still has to run late-stage clinical trials in the U.S. before it can earn approval in the country.

However, olatorepatide's strong performance in Chinese studies makes it a notable contender in the weight loss market. Regeneron's other leading candidate is trevogrumab. This isn't a drug designed to induce weight loss. Rather, Regeneron is developing trevogrumab to be administered alongside anti-obesity medicines to help patients preserve lean mass as they lose weight.

In a Phase 2 study, trevogrumab, administered alongside Novo's semaglutide, led to lean mass preservation of up to 42.5% compared with just 7.3% in patients receiving semaglutide plus placebo. Trevogrumab is yet another differentiated product that could help Regeneron carve out a niche in the rapidly growing weight loss market.

REGN Regeneron Pharmaceuticals$788.66-$2.09 (-0.26%)

NASDAQ · As of 10:34 AM ET 10/19/26

More reasons to buy the stockOf course, there is much more to Regeneron's business than its weight loss candidates. The company's main growth driver, Dupixent, a medicine for eczema that it co-markets with Sanofi (SNY -1.60%), continues to perform well.

In the second quarter, Regeneron's revenue increased by 17% year over year to $4.3 billion. Dupixent's global sales (recorded by Sanofi) increased 38% year over year to $6 billion. It is helping Regeneron overcome biosimilar competition for Eylea, a medicine approved for several eye-related conditions, including wet age-related macular degeneration.

Regeneron's newer, higher-dose (HD) formulation of Eylea is helping keep the franchise afloat, at least somewhat. Second-quarter combined U.S. revenue from Eylea and Eylea HD declined 12% year over year to $1 billion. But HD Eylea's U.S. sales came in at $596 million, up 52% year over year.

The newer version of the drug comes with fewer injections per year. More convenient dosing can attract new patients while also prompting existing Eylea patients to switch. So, this franchise, despite recent struggles, isn't exactly dead in the water. Regeneron has other products that are contributing to sales growth, particularly Libtayo, a cancer medicine.

And the biotech boasts an attractive pipeline beyond its weight-loss products, including promising anticoagulants being developed to lower the bleeding risk associated with today's anticoagulants. Regeneron has underperformed the broader market over the past two years amid competition for Eylea, but the company is bouncing back, and, given its current approved lineup and pipeline, it could perform well over the medium term. The company's weight loss products may be a key part of the business within five years.

SteelPeak Wealth LLC increased its holdings in Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR – Free Report) by 239.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,707 shares of the conglomerate’s stock after purchasing an additional 4,731 shares during the quarter. SteelPeak Wealth LLC’s holdings in Danaher were worth $1,486,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Danaher in the second quarter valued at about $10,492,520,000. Jupiter Topco LLC acquired a new position in shares of Danaher in the second quarter worth approximately $1,456,317,000. Generation Investment Management LLP acquired a new position in shares of Danaher in the second quarter worth approximately $1,287,949,000. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new stake in Danaher in the second quarter valued at approximately $993,846,000. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc bought a new stake in Danaher in the second quarter valued at approximately $801,056,000. 79.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth DHR has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Evercore reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $230.00 target price on shares of Danaher in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Danaher from $212.00 to $195.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Danaher from $215.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, October 5th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on shares of Danaher from $260.00 to $220.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Danaher from $230.00 to $255.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $235.41.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Danaher Danaher Stock Performance Shares of Danaher stock opened at $228.87 on Monday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $214.04 and a 200 day simple moving average of $196.06. Danaher Corporation has a one year low of $160.93 and a one year high of $242.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 1.65 and a quick ratio of 1.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $160.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.65, a PEG ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 0.76.

Danaher (NYSE:DHR – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 20th. The conglomerate reported $1.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.85 by $0.09. Danaher had a return on equity of 11.04% and a net margin of 15.95%. The business had revenue of $6.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.12 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.77 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Danaher Corporation will post 8.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Danaher Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 30th will be issued a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 30th. Danaher’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 28.42%.

Danaher Company Profile (Free Report)

Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) is a global science and technology company that develops products, services and solutions for the life sciences, biotechnology and diagnostics markets. Its offerings help researchers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, healthcare providers and other organizations conduct scientific research, develop and manufacture medicines, and diagnose disease.

The company operates through businesses that provide bioprocessing equipment and technologies, laboratory instruments, consumables, analytical tools and clinical diagnostic systems.

Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Danaher These 3 Green Stocks Have a Growth Story That Goes Far Beyond Washington Meta Claims Frontier-Class AI Status With New Muse Wonder Models Berkshire Just Backed This Little-Known Stock—Should You Chase It? Broadcom’s CEO Sees Years of AI Demand But Warns of a Bigger Threat to the Boom

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In its upcoming report, Union Pacific (UNP - Free Report) is predicted by Wall Street analysts to post quarterly earnings of $3.47 per share, reflecting an increase of 12.7% compared to the same period last year. Revenues are forecasted to be $7.12 billion, representing a year-over-year increase of 14%.

Over the past 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been adjusted upward by 1.1% to its current level. This demonstrates the covering analysts' collective reassessment of their initial projections during this period.

Prior to a company's earnings announcement, it is crucial to consider revisions to earnings estimates. This serves as a significant indicator for predicting potential investor actions regarding the stock. Empirical research has consistently demonstrated a robust correlation between trends in earnings estimate revision and the short-term price performance of a stock.

While investors typically rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates to gauge how the business may have fared during the quarter, examining analysts' projections for some of the company's key metrics often helps gain a deeper insight.

In light of this perspective, let's dive into the average estimates of certain Union Pacific metrics that are commonly tracked and forecasted by Wall Street analysts.

Analysts predict that the 'Freight Revenues- Premium' will reach $2.22 billion. The estimate points to a change of +23.1% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus among analysts is that 'Freight Revenues- Bulk' will reach $2.09 billion. The estimate indicates a change of +8.3% from the prior-year quarter.

According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Operating Revenues- Other revenues' should come in at $311.14 million. The estimate indicates a change of -1.9% from the prior-year quarter.

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Freight Revenues- Industrial Products' will likely reach $2.50 billion. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +13.8%.

Analysts forecast 'Operating Ratio' to reach 58.7%. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 59.2% in the same quarter last year.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Revenue Ton-Miles' of 113.10 billion. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 108.86 billion in the same quarter last year.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Revenue Carloads - Total' reaching 2.28 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 2.16 million in the same quarter last year.

Analysts expect 'Revenue Carloads - Industrial Products' to come in at 607.95 thousand. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 574.00 thousand.

The consensus estimate for 'Average revenue per car' stands at $2982.64 . Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $2740.00 in the same quarter last year.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Average revenue per car - Industrial Products' at $4107.79 . Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $3828.00 in the same quarter of the previous year.

Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Revenue Carloads - Premium' should arrive at 1.15 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 1.06 million in the same quarter of the previous year.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Average revenue per car - Premium' will reach $1934.89 . The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $1701.00 .

View all Key Company Metrics for Union Pacific here>>>

Shares of Union Pacific have demonstrated returns of +3.5% over the past month compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.5% change. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), UNP is expected to mirror the overall market performance in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ:INTU – Free Report) by 94.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 4,451 shares of the software maker’s stock after buying an additional 2,158 shares during the period. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC’s holdings in Intuit were worth $1,227,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new stake in Intuit in the 2nd quarter worth about $6,851,859,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its stake in Intuit by 102.5% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,896,561 shares of the software maker’s stock valued at $1,684,795,000 after acquiring an additional 1,972,719 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its stake in Intuit by 6.9% in the 2nd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 3,334,328 shares of the software maker’s stock valued at $870,260,000 after acquiring an additional 215,814 shares during the period. Unisphere Establishment raised its stake in Intuit by 6.5% in the 1st quarter. Unisphere Establishment now owns 1,810,000 shares of the software maker’s stock valued at $782,608,000 after acquiring an additional 110,000 shares during the period. Finally, Amundi raised its stake in Intuit by 44.9% in the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 1,563,158 shares of the software maker’s stock valued at $675,878,000 after acquiring an additional 484,602 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.66% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity In related news, CAO Lauren D. Hotz sold 907 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $346.54, for a total value of $314,311.78. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 1,628 shares in the company, valued at $564,167.12. The trade was a 35.78% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Richard L. Dalzell sold 285 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $325.36, for a total value of $92,727.60. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 11,531 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,751,726.16. This represents a 2.41% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 2.49% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Evercore reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Intuit in a report on Friday, September 18th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Intuit from $443.00 to $408.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 26th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $385.00 price target on shares of Intuit in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on shares of Intuit from $530.00 to $425.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 19th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Intuit in a research note on Monday, September 21st. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $431.55. Get Our Latest Research Report on Intuit

Key Stories Impacting Intuit Here are the key news stories impacting Intuit this week:

Positive Sentiment: Sequence acquisition expands AI and mid-market capabilities. Intuit agreed to acquire Sequence, a Series A company whose platform automates complex quote-to-revenue workflows, including pricing, contracts, invoicing, collections and revenue recognition. Investors viewed the transaction as a strategic expansion of Intuit Enterprise Suite and QuickBooks Online Advanced into larger and more sophisticated businesses. Financial terms were not disclosed. Intuit to Acquire AI-Native Revenue Management Platform Sequence Positive Sentiment: Intuit Intelligence is now available internationally. The wider rollout of Intuit’s AI platform across international markets could increase adoption of its unified ecosystem, including QuickBooks, TurboTax, Credit Karma, Mailchimp and Intuit Enterprise Suite. The announcement reinforces management’s broader effort to use AI to drive customer productivity and cross-selling. Intuit Intelligence Now Available Internationally Positive Sentiment: Fundamentals provide support. Intuit’s latest reported quarter exceeded revenue and earnings expectations, with revenue increasing 13.7% year over year. The company also issued fiscal 2027 EPS guidance of $22.88–$23.12, helping underpin the longer-term growth narrative. Neutral Sentiment: Investor attention is high, but the Zacks reports add little new information. Multiple articles primarily note that INTU is among the most-searched stocks, suggesting elevated interest following the Sequence announcement rather than identifying a separate fundamental catalyst. Intuit Is Attracting Investor Attention Negative Sentiment: Volatility and mixed ownership signals remain risks. The stock has suffered a substantial 12-month decline, while reported institutional activity shows both large purchases and sizable reductions. Recent insider trading has also been weighted toward sales, potentially limiting enthusiasm after the acquisition-driven rally. Intuit Price Performance Shares of NASDAQ:INTU opened at $325.15 on Monday. Intuit Inc. has a 52-week low of $252.84 and a 52-week high of $689.17. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $321.16 and a 200 day moving average of $327.91. The firm has a market capitalization of $86.89 billion, a PE ratio of 19.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 1.51 and a current ratio of 1.51.

Intuit (NASDAQ:INTU – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 25th. The software maker reported $4.03 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.58 by $0.45. Intuit had a return on equity of 25.97% and a net margin of 21.29%. The business had revenue of $4.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.27 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.75 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 13.7% on a year-over-year basis. Intuit has set its Q1 2027 guidance at 2.440-2.480 EPS and its FY 2027 guidance at 22.880-23.120 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Intuit Inc. will post 23.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Intuit Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 16th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 8th were given a dividend of $1.38 per share. This is a boost from Intuit’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.20. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 8th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. Intuit’s dividend payout ratio is currently 33.45%.

Intuit Profile (Free Report)

Intuit Inc is a global financial technology and business software company that develops products designed to help consumers, small businesses and accounting professionals manage finances, taxes and marketing. Its ecosystem combines financial management, tax preparation, accounting, payments and customer relationship tools.

The company’s principal products include TurboTax for tax preparation, QuickBooks for accounting, invoicing, payroll and payments, Credit Karma for personal financial services, and Mailchimp for marketing automation and customer engagement.

Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Intuit These 3 Green Stocks Have a Growth Story That Goes Far Beyond Washington Meta Claims Frontier-Class AI Status With New Muse Wonder Models Berkshire Just Backed This Little-Known Stock—Should You Chase It? Broadcom’s CEO Sees Years of AI Demand But Warns of a Bigger Threat to the Boom

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Wall Street analysts forecast that Lockheed Martin (LMT - Free Report) will report quarterly earnings of $7.49 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to a year-over-year increase of 7.8%. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $20.43 billion, exhibiting an increase of 9.8% compared to the year-ago quarter.

Over the last 30 days, there has been a downward revision of 0.2% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter, leading to its current level. This signifies the covering analysts' collective reconsideration of their initial forecasts over the course of this timeframe.

Before a company announces its earnings, it is essential to take into account any changes made to earnings estimates. This is a valuable factor in predicting the potential reactions of investors toward the stock. Empirical research has consistently shown a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and the short-term price performance of a stock.

While investors usually depend on consensus earnings and revenue estimates to assess the business performance for the quarter, delving into analysts' forecasts for certain key metrics often provides a more comprehensive understanding.

With that in mind, let's delve into the average projections of some Lockheed metrics that are commonly tracked and projected by analysts on Wall Street.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Sales- Aeronautics' will reach $8.00 billion. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +10.3%.

According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Sales- Rotary and Mission Systems' should come in at $4.55 billion. The estimate suggests a change of +4% year over year.

The consensus among analysts is that 'Sales- Missiles and Fire Control' will reach $4.30 billion. The estimate indicates a change of +18.6% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts forecast 'Sales- Space' to reach $3.55 billion. The estimate points to a change of +5.8% from the year-ago quarter.

Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Operating profit (loss)- Aeronautics' should arrive at $741.80 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $682.00 million in the same quarter of the previous year.

Analysts predict that the 'Operating profit (loss)- Space' will reach $347.63 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $331.00 million.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Operating profit (loss)- Rotary and Mission Systems' of $467.52 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $506.00 million in the same quarter last year.

The consensus estimate for 'Operating profit (loss)- Missiles and Fire Control' stands at $594.39 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $510.00 million.

View all Key Company Metrics for Lockheed here>>>

Over the past month, shares of Lockheed have returned +3.5% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.5% change. Currently, LMT carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggesting that its performance may align with the overall market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Wall Street analysts expect Spotify (SPOT - Free Report) to post quarterly earnings of $3.12 per share in its upcoming report, which indicates a year-over-year decline of 18.5%. Revenues are expected to be $5.73 billion, up 14.8% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This reflects how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reevaluated their initial estimates during this timeframe.

Prior to a company's earnings announcement, it is crucial to consider revisions to earnings estimates. This serves as a significant indicator for predicting potential investor actions regarding the stock. Empirical research has consistently demonstrated a robust correlation between trends in earnings estimate revision and the short-term price performance of a stock.

While investors usually depend on consensus earnings and revenue estimates to assess the business performance for the quarter, delving into analysts' forecasts for certain key metrics often provides a more comprehensive understanding.

That said, let's delve into the average estimates of some Spotify metrics that Wall Street analysts commonly model and monitor.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Total Monthly Active Users (MAUs)' of 790.07 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 713.00 million in the same quarter of the previous year.

Analysts predict that the 'Premium Subscribers' will reach 305.06 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 281.00 million in the same quarter of the previous year.

Analysts forecast 'Ad-Supported MAUs' to reach 499.83 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 446.00 million in the same quarter of the previous year.

View all Key Company Metrics for Spotify here>>>

Spotify shares have witnessed a change of +4.1% in the past month, in contrast to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.5% move. With a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), SPOT is expected underperform the overall market performance in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .