Genuine Parts Company (GPC) Q2 2026 Earnings Call July 21, 2026 8:30 AM EDT
Company Participants
Timothy Walsh - Vice President of Investor Relations
William Stengel - CEO & Chairman
Herbert Nappier - Executive VP & CFO
Conference Call Participants
Gregory Melich - Evercore ISI Institutional Equities, Research Division
Christopher Horvers - JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division
Scot Ciccarelli - Truist Securities, Inc., Research Division
Michael Lasser - UBS Investment Bank, Research Division
Bret Jordan - Jefferies LLC, Research Division
Presentation
Operator
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Genuine Parts Company Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] This call is being recorded on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
I would now like to turn the conference over to Tim Walsh. Please go ahead.
Timothy Walsh
Vice President of Investor Relations
Thank you, and good morning, everyone. Welcome to Genuine Parts Company's Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Call. Joining us on the call today are Will Stengel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; and Bert Nappier, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In addition to this morning's press release, a supplemental slide presentation can be found on the Investors page of the Genuine Parts Company website. Today's call is being webcast, and a replay will also be made available on the company's website after the call.
Following our prepared remarks, the call will be open for questions, the responses to which will reflect management's views as of today, July 21, 2026. If we're unable to get to your questions, please contact our Investor Relations department. Please be advised that this call may include certain non-GAAP financial measures, which may be referred to during today's discussion of our results as reported under generally accepted accounting principles. A reconciliation of these measures is provided in the earnings press release. Today's call may also include forward-looking statements regarding the company and its businesses as
Investors might want to bet on Commerce Bancshares (CBSH - Free Report) , as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.
The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.
Individual investors often find it hard to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, since these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time. In these situations, the Zacks rating system comes in handy because of the power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements.
Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for Commerce basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.
Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock PricesThe change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their transaction of large amounts of shares then leads to price movement for the stock.
Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for Commerce imply an improvement in the company's underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.
Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate RevisionsEmpirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Earnings Estimate Revisions for CommerceFor the fiscal year ending December 2026, this bank holding company is expected to earn $4.22 per share, which is unchanged compared with the year-ago reported number.
Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Commerce. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 4.1%.
Bottom LineUnlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.
You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>
The upgrade of Commerce to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.
NEW YORK, July 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Hyliion Holdings Corp. (“Hyliion” or the “Company”) (NYSE: HYLN). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.
The investigation concerns whether Hyliion and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On June 23, 2026, Pelican Way Research (“PWR”) published a short report entitled “Hyliion: A Glorified Science Project Who Has Continuously Failed To Meet Expectations And Is Now Throwing Around A Meaningless Deal.” The report stated that Hyliion’s stock had risen significantly following the Company’s announcement of a non-binding letter of intent (“LOI”) with VFG Holdings (“VFG”) for up to 250 KARNO Cores, representing approximately $133 million in potential revenue. The PWR report alleged that the VFG LOI accounted for roughly one-third of Hyliion’s reported $400 million-plus pipeline and questioned whether the LOI provided meaningful commercial validation. The report further alleged that VFG, which PWR identified as VFG Tech Holdings, LLC, was incorporated in January 2026, appeared to have only four employees listed on LinkedIn, had only a minimal website, and lacked evidence of funding or operating substance sufficient to support an order of that size.
Following publication of the PWR report, Hyliion’s stock price fell $1.27 per share, or 17.2%, to close at $6.10 per share on June 23, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
All the fears that worried the market in the past are percolating. Inflationary concerns are rising, with oil prices near a six-week high, more tariffs, and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East unlikely to go away anytime soon. The Federal Reserve is likely to nudge rates higher -- not lower -- the next time it meets. Suddenly, everything that is borrowed is about to be something blue.
It's against this unsettling climate, with consumer confidence hitting a new low before rebounding this summer, that investors might want to consider investing in Costco (COST 0.63%). Yes, Costco.
The country's top warehouse club operator may not seem much of a growth stock. It's also certainly not cheap by most measuring sticks. However, if reality catches up to today's buoyant market later this month, you're probably going to learn the real reason why Costco is worth its market premium.
Image source: Getty Images.
Welcome to Costco, I love you Costco stock is trading for 47 times trailing earnings, a big markup to both the market average and the retailer's own growth. Its revenue multiple may initially seem low at 1.4, but in the low-margin world of groceries and other consumer staples retail, it's a princely premium. If you're an income investor, the stock's 0.6% dividend yield isn't going to ring a dinner bell, even though Costco does reward shareholders with substantially larger special dividends every few years.
The warehouse club operator's appeal in bear markets, if not outright crashes, lies in its resilience. Costco has posted positive net sales growth in 32 of the last 33 years. The one time it fell short was a modest 1.5% decline in 2009 during the Great Recession. It was a stalwart that year, as the U.S. corporate sector saw its revenue plummet 13%.
Today's Change
(
-0.63
%) $
-5.86
Current Price
$
929.94
You beta, you beta, you bet Costco's beta -- a measure of stock volatility -- clocks in at 0.87, only slightly below the market at 1.00. However, the all-weather retailer's one-year beta is roughly zero. Put another way, over the past year, Costco shares haven't moved in step with the market. If you're worried about a market crash, this lack of correlation should excite you.
In a rising market, Costco investors have experienced a 2% decline. This may not seem bullish, but with Costco's business continuing to expand and its dominance growing, its valuation has become even more compelling than a year ago.
Costco isn't cheap, but it's a safe, recession-resistant stock, if not recession-resilient. You don't typically say that about a company with a paid membership model, but the money it collects from its 82.9 million paid memberships accounts for most of its profit. Shoppers know they are getting a good deal, and that matters even more when the economy is headed in the wrong direction.
Nobody wants the market to crash, but it will inevitably happen several times in your lifespan as an investor. It's good to have Costco on your side, ready for the worst, like an airbag in a car or a flotation device on a boat or a plane.
Here is a prediction I feel good about: Costco Wholesale (COST 0.63%) will join the $1 trillion club by 2033. The warehouse retailer is worth roughly $417 billion today, so to reach a 13-figure market cap, it will need to grow by just about 140%. That may sound ambitious for a company that sells rotisserie chickens and bulk packages of paper towels, but Costco has one of the most reliable growth machines in all of retail, and the math is more achievable than you might think.
The secret to Costco is that it barely makes a profit at the register from selling groceries and household goods. It makes its profits from selling memberships. The company now counts more than 40 million paid household memberships, with over 82 million cardholders in total, and a renewal rate above 92%, meaning almost everyone who joins stays. Membership fee income, which is nearly pure profit, keeps climbing, helped by a recent fee increase. That sticky recurring revenue is the closest thing retail has to a subscription business, and it is remarkably durable in any type of economy.
Image source: Getty Images.
Costco has plenty of room left to grow Costco is also far from finished with its expansion. It is opening new warehouses at a pace of more than 30 a year, backed by billions of dollars in annual investments, and management has laid out a five-to-10-year roadmap for continued growth across the U.S. and abroad.
Its e-commerce sales have climbed more than 20%, with artificial-intelligence-driven product recommendations lifting online spending. For a company this large to still be growing its store base and digital sales at a clip that healthy is exactly what it will take for it to reach a $1 trillion market cap.
Today's Change
(
-0.63
%) $
-5.86
Current Price
$
929.94
Why I could be wrong I will be honest about the risks here. Costco already trades at a rich valuation, well above that of a typical retailer, so a big chunk of its expected future success is arguably already priced into the stock. If that premium multiple compresses, the stock could grow more slowly than the business does, and the point at which it could pass the trillion-dollar milestone would slip further into the future.
Intensifying competition or economic weakness for consumers could also cool its growth pace.
However, whether Costco crosses the $1 trillion mark in 2033 or a year or two later, the deeper point stands. This is one of the steadiest compounding machines in the market, powered by loyal members who happily pay to shop in its stores. I think that combination of dependable membership profits and a long runway of new warehouses will get it into the trillion-dollar club within the next several years. Own it for the compounding, not the exact date, and let one of retail's best business models do the heavy lifting.
Key Takeaways T1 Energy is expanding solar manufacturing and entering battery storage through the KORE Power acquisition.First Solar is increasing module capacity while its order backlog extends through 2030.Both companies are positioned to benefit from rising U.S. solar demand and domestic manufacturing expansion. T1 Energy (TE - Free Report) and First Solar (FSLR - Free Report) provide investors with exposure to the growing U.S. solar industry. T1 Energy is an emerging clean energy manufacturer that is in the early stages of building its solar business, while First Solar is the largest and most established solar manufacturer in the United States. Both companies stand to benefit as governments continue to promote domestic clean energy production and supply-chain localization.
The comparison is particularly relevant today because both companies are positioned to benefit from the same long-term industry tailwinds. The U.S. government's emphasis on strengthening domestic solar manufacturing, reducing dependence on imported panels, and expanding renewable energy capacity has created a favorable environment for American solar manufacturers. Companies that can successfully scale domestic production while maintaining competitive costs are likely to benefit from increasing demand over the coming years.
Let us compare the stocks' fundamentals to determine which one is a better investment option at present.
Factors Acting in Favor of TE StockT1 Energy already operates one of the world's largest and most advanced solar module manufacturing facilities while building a 2.1 gigawatt (GW) solar cell plant that will significantly expand its domestic production capacity. Management has indicated that customer demand for the combined output of these facilities already exceeds planned production for 2027 and 2028, suggesting strong market demand, high expected utilization, and improved revenue visibility. Beyond solar manufacturing, the company is expanding into battery energy storage systems (BESS) and energy infrastructure solutions for high-growth markets, such as hyperscale data centers. This diversification broadens its revenue opportunities and positions it to capitalize on multiple long-term energy transition trends.
In June 2026, T1 Energy entered into a definitive agreement to acquire KORE Power, Inc., an established engineering-focused BESS and software solutions provider supporting industrial hyperscaler development. Through this acquisition, the company is expected to gain an established engineering platform with decades of experience in designing, deploying and operating utility-scale battery storage systems, along with deep relationships with utilities, government agencies, developers and industrial customers.
Factors Acting in Favor of FSLR StockFirst Solar has been investing heftily in the production ramp-up of its modules to expand its manufacturing capacity. The company manufactured 4.3 GW in the first quarter of 2026 and sold 3.8 GW of solar modules. With a strong global footprint, First Solar enjoys a solid presence in the United States, India, Malaysia and Vietnam. The company’s new 3.7 GW capacity module finishing line in the United States is expected to commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2026. These vigorous manufacturing capacity expansions will help boost its revenues.
The growth prospects of FSLR remain solid in the United States, thanks to favorable solar demand growth in the nation. The company commenced operations at its fourth and fifth manufacturing facilities in the United States and completed the expansion of its manufacturing footprint at its existing facilities in Ohio. FSLR has added 1.9 GW of gross booking since the previous earnings call and its total booking backlog is 47.9 GW extending through 2030, which indicates a strong demand for its products.
How Do Zacks Estimates Compare for TE & FSLR?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for T1 Energy’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) indicates growth of 85.28% year over year.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for First Solar’s 2026 EPS implies growth of 23.43%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Valuation for TE & FSLRT1 Energy’s shares trade at a forward 12-month price/sales (P/S F12M) of 1.56X compared with First Solar’s P/S F12M of 3.91X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
TE & FSLR Stock’s LiquidityCurrent ratio for TE and FSLR is 1.26 and 2.56, respectively. A ratio of more than one suggests a healthy liquidity position, in which the business can meet its immediate financial obligations without selling long-term assets.
TE & FSLR Stock’s Price PerformanceIn the past three months, shares of T1 Energy and First Solar have risen 18.3% and 10.1%, respectively, compared with the industry’s 4.7% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
TE & FSLR: Which Is a Better Choice Now?Expanding manufacturing capacity, strong customer demand, and diversification into battery storage and energy infrastructure position T1 Energy for sustained long-term growth. Ongoing manufacturing expansion, a strong order backlog, and favorable solar demand trends position First Solar for continued revenue growth.
Our choice at the moment is T1 Energy, given its better earnings growth, price performance, and more attractive valuation than First Solar. Both TE and FSLR carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
NEW YORK, July 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against First Solar, Inc. (“First Solar” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: FSLR) and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and docketed under 26-cv-03787, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired First Solar securities between February 26, 2025 and February 24, 2026, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants’ violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.
If you are an investor who purchased or otherwise acquired First Solar securities during the Class Period, you have until August 24, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
First Solar is a solar technology company that provides photovoltaic (“PV”) solar energy solutions. First Solar manufactures and sells PV solar modules that convert sunlight into electricity. As relevant here, First Solar’s product offerings include its Series 6 Plus PV module, manufactured at facilities in locations including Malaysia and Vietnam.
At the outset of the Class Period, Defendants announced that First Solar would reduce production output of Series 6 modules at facilities in Malaysia and Vietnam in 2025, to account for circumstances including, inter alia, an “uncertain U.S. policy environment following the 2024 U.S. elections,” and “a supply and demand imbalance for Southeast Asian product”. Notwithstanding these circumstances, First Solar reassured investors that its primary market, the United States, enjoyed stable module prices.
Then, on April 2, 2025, United States (“U.S.”) President Donald J. Trump announced a series of “reciprocal” tariffs on U.S. imports from all countries, including rates of 24% and 46% on Malaysia and Vietnam, respectively, presenting a challenge to First Solar. These tariffs were subsequently reduced to 10%. Throughout the Class Period, Defendants continued to assure investors that the dynamic policy landscape presented a “long term favorable” for First Solar and actually “strengthened [its] relative position in the solar manufacturing industry”.
The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Defendants had overstated First Solar’s capacity to manage the impact of U.S. tariff policy on the Company’s business; (ii) Defendants understated the extent to which its responses to U.S. tariff policy, including the intentional underutilization of production facilities in Malaysia and Vietnam, and attempted relocation of production to the U.S., were likely to negatively impact First Solar’s projected performance in the 2026 fiscal year; and (iii) as a result, Defendants’ public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
The truth began to emerge on January 7, 2026, when Jefferies downgraded First Solar to Hold from Buy, noting that during 2025, the Company had lowered guidance, faced significant de-bookings and experienced margin compression through 2025. Jefferies also flagged that “[international] facilities remain a pain point while tariffs exist” and “underutilization at [international] facilities remains a concern.” The Jefferies analyst also predicted that First Solar’s deployment opportunities were likely to be more limited in 2026.
On this news, First Solar’s stock price fell $27.67 per share, or 10.29%, to close at $241.11 per share on January 7, 2026.
Then, on February 24, 2026, First Solar issued a press release “announc[ing] financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2025.” Among other items, First Solar announced earnings that missed expectations by a wide margin and issued lower-than-expected FY 2026 revenue guidance, citing customer headwinds such as permitting delays under the Trump administration. Following First Solar’s announcement, Baird Research downgraded its stock to Neutral from Outperform, citing “several question marks in forward outlook”.
On this news, First Solar’s stock price fell $33.09 per share, or 13.61%, to close at $210.12 per share on February 25, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
The Merck logo is seen at a gate to the Merck & Co campus in Rahway, New Jersey, U.S., July 12, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
CompaniesJuly 21 (Reuters) - Gilead Sciences (GILD.O), opens new tab and Merck (MRK.N), opens new tab said on Tuesday their experimental once-weekly HIV pill kept the virus suppressed in two late-stage trials, supporting regulatory filings for what could become the first regimen of its kind for the disease.
Here are some details:
Jumpstart your morning with the latest legal news delivered straight to your inbox from The Daily Docket newsletter. Sign up here.
The combination of Merck's islatravir and Gilead's lenacapavir was tested as a single-tablet regimen in adults whose HIV was already controlled with daily antiretroviral therapy.
HIV attacks the body's immune system and, if left untreated, can progress to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the most advanced stage of infection.
In one trial, none of the patients who switched to the weekly pill had detectable viral levels at 48 weeks, compared with 0.3% of those who remained on Gilead's daily Biktarvy.
In a second trial, 0.3% of patients taking the weekly pill had detectable HIV levels or higher at 48 weeks, compared with 1.3% of those who remained on standard daily HIV regimens.
Investors are closely watching the rollout of lenacapavir, branded as Yeztugo, which was approved last year, as Gilead seeks to strengthen its HIV franchise alongside blockbuster treatment Biktarvy.
The companies said the weekly treatment was non-inferior to Biktarvy and other daily HIV regimens in the two studies, meaning it performed at least as well by the studies' main measure.
Side effects were generally similar to the daily treatments studied, and no new safety concerns were identified. The most common treatment-related side effects included headache, nausea and diarrhea.
Merck's once-daily HIV pill combo Idvynso was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in April, bringing another treatment option for patients suffering from the condition.
Reporting by Padmanabhan Ananthan in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
Realty Income is rated Hold as current prices embed strong long-term growth not fully supported by recent numbers. Q1 2026 AFFO growth was driven mostly by non-recurring items, with core organic rental growth modest and same-store rents lagging inflation. The dividend remains well-covered with a 72% payout ratio and strong occupancy, but dividend growth is slowing and yield has compressed below 5%.
Key Takeaways Molson Coors is pursuing Horizon 2030 to strengthen core brands and expand beyond beer categories.TAP is benefiting from momentum in premium brands like Peroni, Blue Moon and Coors Banquet.Acquisitions, cost savings and marketing investments are supporting Molson Coors' growth strategy. Molson Coors Beverage Company (TAP - Free Report) is executing a long-term growth strategy that emphasizes strengthening its core beer portfolio while expanding into higher-growth beverage categories. Building on its “Acceleration Plan” and the recently launched “Horizon 2030” strategy, the company is working to evolve from a traditional brewing business into a diversified beverage company.
Premiumization remains a key component of Molson Coors’ growth strategy as it expands its portfolio of higher-margin products, including premium beers and flavored alcoholic beverages. The company is benefiting from the strong performance of its premium brands and leveraging strategic pricing actions and a favorable product mix to support revenue growth despite ongoing volume pressures.
The company is seeing strength in above-premium offerings such as Peroni, Blue Moon, Coors Banquet and Madri Excepcional, which are expected to play an increasingly important role in driving sales and profitability. Molson Coors continues to support value-oriented brands, including Miller High Life and Keystone, through targeted innovation initiatives and localized market execution.
Molson Coors’ Horizon 2030 strategy is expected to support sustainable top-line growth. The strategy centers on strengthening the company’s core brands, expanding its presence in the above-premium beer segment and accelerating growth in faster-growing beyond-beer categories. Molson Coors continues to invest in its commercial capabilities, technology and marketing initiatives while leveraging acquisitions, such as Fever-Tree and Monaco Cocktails, to diversify its portfolio and unlock new growth opportunities.
TAP’s cost savings to support long-term value creation appear encouraging. Such endeavors will position Molson Coors to capitalize on evolving consumer preferences, strengthen its competitive position and support sustainable long-term revenue and earnings growth.
TAP’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of Molson Coors have lost 16.4% in the past six months compared with the industry’s rise of 4.7%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, TAP trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 8.48X compared with the industry’s average of 15.32X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TAP’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) shows a decline of 11.4% while that of 2027 indicates year-over-year growth of 4.2%. The company’s EPS estimate for 2026 and 2027 has been stable in the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Molson Coors stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Stocks to Consider in the Consumer Staples Space United Natural Foods (UNFI - Free Report) , which is the leading distributor of natural, organic and specialty food and non-food products, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for United Natural Foods’ current financial-year sales indicates a drop of 2.1% from the prior-year level. UNFI delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 29.9%, on average.
Medifast, Inc. (MED - Free Report) , which is a leading manufacturer and distributor of clinically-proven healthy living products and programs, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). MED missed the average earnings surprise by a sharp margin in the trailing four quarters.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Medifast’s current financial-year sales indicates a decline of 25.9% from the year-ago number.
Freshpet, Inc. (FRPT - Free Report) , which manufactures and markets natural fresh foods, refrigerated meals, and treats for dogs and cats, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Freshpet’s current financial-year sales indicates growth of 9.5% from the prior-year level. FRPT delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 49.4%, on average.
Kraft Heinz's multiyear partnership with Disney expands its brands across theme parks, cruises, streaming, and consumer products, but investors see little reason to change earnings expectations without evidence the deal will boost growth.
Just a few months ago, investors couldn't get enough of Palantir Technologies (PLTR 1.57%). The company -- known for "big data" analytics -- was delivering record earnings, demand for its artificial intelligence (AI) software was surging, and the stock seemed unstoppable.
Fast-forward to today, and the mood has changed. Although the business continues to execute at a high level, Palantir's stock has fallen roughly a third from its peak. That naturally raises an important question.
Has this correction finally created a buying opportunity, or is the stock still too expensive?
Image source: Getty Images.
The business hasn't been the problem Most investors who focus only on Palantir's operating results will probably struggle to explain why the stock corrected so sharply. The company recently reported another outstanding quarter. Revenue for the period grew 85% year over year to $1.6 billion, while U.S. commercial revenue grew more than 130%, highlighting strong demand from businesses adopting its Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP).
The quality of that growth is just as impressive. Unlike many fast-growing AI companies, Palantir is generating meaningful profits and strong free cash flow. Management has also continued to raise its revenue guidance, suggesting that demand remains healthy. In other words, the business is performing well. If anything, Palantir's business is stronger today than it was when the stock was making new highs.
Then why did the stock fall? Here's where many investors get confused. They assume a falling stock price means a weakening business. Sometimes that's true. But sometimes the business keeps improving while the stock falls. That's largely what happened with Palantir.
During the early AI boom, investors were willing to pay an extraordinary premium for companies they believed would dominate the next generation of enterprise software. Palantir was one of those companies. Eventually, however, Wall Street stopped asking one question: "Is Palantir a great company?" Instead, it started asking another: "How much is a great company worth?"
That shift in focus changed everything. Once expectations become exceptionally high, even excellent earnings may not be enough to push the stock higher. Investors simply become less willing to pay an unlimited premium for future growth.
Today's Change
(
-1.57
%) $
-2.12
Current Price
$
132.73
Has the correction made Palantir cheap? The recent pullback has undoubtedly made Palantir more attractive than it was at its peak. Investors today are paying less for the same business. That's a positive.
But that doesn't automatically make the stock cheap. Even after the correction, Palantir still trades at a huge premium multiple -- its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio stood at 167 as of this writing -- which is significantly higher than many of the market's other AI leaders. For instance, Nvidia trades at a P/E of around 37.
But here's the thing: A high P/E ratio doesn't necessarily mean Palantir is overvalued. It simply means investors expect Palantir to expand at hypergrowth rates over the next several years. They're paying today for profits they believe the company will generate tomorrow.
Having said that, it does mean the margin for error remains thin. If Palantir continues executing at an exceptional level, today's valuation could look reasonable. But if growth slows, investors may look back and regret paying up for the stock today.
What does it mean for investors? Palantir remains one of the most compelling enterprise AI companies in the market today. Its business continues to execute well. Commercial adoption is accelerating. And management has demonstrated that it can grow rapidly while generating meaningful profits.
The recent correction has certainly improved the investment case. But "more attractive" doesn't necessarily mean "cheap." For long-term investors, the real question isn't whether Palantir can grow. It's whether the company can grow fast enough to justify the premium investors are still willing to pay.
If you believe it can, then buying the stock today makes sense. If not, it's best to stay on the sidelines.
If Monday was a tale of divergence, Tuesday brought something rarer: agreement. All three major indexes climbed together, powered by a semiconductor rally that showed no signs of fading.
By 11:31 a.m. ET, the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC +1.37%) had jumped 1.3%, the S&P 500 (^GSPC +0.85%) was up 0.7%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI +0.69%) had gained 0.6%. The session started with a brief wobble; all three indexes opened in the green but dipped in the first 20 minutes before finding their footing. By late morning, each had hit fresh session highs.
^IXIC data by YCharts
Why chip stocks keep bouncing back Memory chip stocks stole the show on Tuesday. Micron Technology (MU +12.42%) surged 10.1% after Morgan Stanley predicted memory prices could rise 25% on continued AI demand. SK Hynix (SKHY +13.10%), the Korean memory giant that just debuted on the Nasdaq earlier this month, jumped 10.9% as bargain hunters piled in to take advantage of last week's sell-off.
The iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX +5.52%) climbed 5.2%, extending Monday's gains. Memory chips led the charge, but the chipmaker rally was broad. Nvidia (NVDA +1.72%) rose 1.5% after releasing new details about its Vera CPU for AI data centers. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD +7.85%) popped 6.1% without much news of its own. If anything, Nvidia's Vera chips pose a new threat to AMD's EPYC server processors; no one said the stock market had to make sense.
Image source: Getty Images.
The Dow got help from an unlikely source. Caterpillar, Monday's biggest drag, reversed course with a 2.7% gain. 3M (MMM +7.12%) extended a post-earnings rally to 9.8% after beating expectations with bullish second-half guidance. Together, the two industrials contributed more than 230 points to the Dow's advance.
President Donald Trump's announcement of 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods barely registered with investors. The duties take effect in 30 days, leaving room for negotiation. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Ottawa is ready to talk.
Oil prices kept climbing. Brent crude topped $91 per barrel as tankers reportedly caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz. Gold caught a tailwind, too. The SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD +1.90%) rose 1.8%, suggesting some investors are hedging their optimism.
Index
NASDAQ Composite IndexToday's Change
(
1.37
%)
+
349.83
Index Level
25,857.91
The week is just getting started Tuesday's rally suggests investors remain focused on AI-driven semiconductor demand despite mounting geopolitical and trade uncertainties.
So far, 87% of S&P 500 companies have beaten earnings estimates this quarter. The real tests are coming over the next couple of weeks, with several major names on tap before the weekend. Alphabet and Tesla report on Wednesday. Intel, up 7% Tuesday on news of a new foundry customer, reports Thursday. If AI spending remains robust, the chip rally could have room to run.
For now, Tuesday belongs to the memory makers. The semiconductor sector is reminding investors why it remains the market's most volatile corner, and its most closely watched. Whether the current rally has legs depends on what the earnings calls reveal about demand and pricing power in the months ahead.
Anders Bylund has positions in Alphabet, Intel, Micron Technology, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Caterpillar, Intel, Micron Technology, Nvidia, Tesla, and iShares Trust-iShares Semiconductor ETF. The Motley Fool recommends 3M. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Shares of Micron Technology (MU +12.42%) have jumped by more than 7x over the past year, driven by phenomenal growth in the company's revenue and earnings.
However, Micron stock has fallen out of favor with investors lately. It has pulled back 29% since hitting a 52-week high on June 25. This sharp drop is unrelated to the company's financial performance, as it continues to benefit from the ongoing memory shortage. Investors, however, have been rotating out of memory stocks lately, which explains the drop in Micron's shares.
As a result, it won't be surprising to see Micron management going for a stock split this year. Let's see why that may be the case.
Image source: Micron Technology.
A stock split could increase demand for Micron stock A stock split is a cosmetic move that increases or decreases the number of outstanding shares of a company while keeping the market capitalization constant. A forward stock split is the most common type of stock split, increasing the outstanding share count and lowering the price per share.
Today's Change
(
12.42
%) $
107.53
Current Price
$
972.99
Now, a forward stock split doesn't alter a company's fundamentals or prospects. However, it is believed that a lower share price could increase demand for a company's shares by making them easier for retail investors to own. Also, a lower share price encourages stronger trading volumes and is considered a sign of management's confidence in a company's prospects.
Given that Micron has delivered stellar returns over the past year and each share of the company now trades at just over $900, as of this writing, the time seems ripe for a forward stock split. Let's say Micron executes a 10-for-1 forward stock split, each share of the company will trade at around $90, potentially boosting demand for its shares.
This could help arrest the recent slide in Micron stock. However, if someone has enough disposable cash to buy this company's shares or access to a brokerage that allows buying fractional shares, buying Micron is a no-brainer following its recent pullback.
The stock's drop is a terrific buying opportunity Micron now trades at just 19 times earnings following its recent slide. Moreover, its forward earnings multiple of just 5.5 is even more attractive. For a company whose earnings increased by a stunning 13x year over year in the previous quarter, buying this stock is a no-brainer at its current multiples.
More importantly, the artificial intelligence (AI)-fueled memory shortage won't end soon. Memory chip demand could outpace supply well beyond 2030, according to industry bellwether SK Hynix. Additionally, Micron is strengthening its long-term revenue pipeline by inking long-term supply agreements with customers.
It recently signed such agreements with companies like Qualcomm and Harman to supply memory chips for automotive applications. Micron notes that it signed 16 long-term customer agreements just last month, which isn't surprising as memory is one of the most important components in data centers, smartphones, personal computers, and automotive applications.
This explains why Micron's terrific earnings growth is poised to continue beyond this year.
Data by YCharts
So, Micron may not trade at a dirt cheap valuation for long. Moreover, a potential stock split could give the stock a psychological boost. That's why investors who can buy Micron stock now should do so right away, as the outstanding growth in its revenue and earnings could send it on a bull run once again.
Micron (MU +12.42%) stock shot higher for a second straight day Tuesday, soaring 13.4% through 1 p.m. ET.
You can thank Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSM +5.39%) for that -- and Bank of America, too.
Image source: Micron.
TSMC raises prices Nikkei Asia reports TSMC will raise prices for contract chip manufacturing by "up to 10%" in 2027 (and some prices might spike 20%). Nikkei says TSMC is doing this to offset "rising costs for materials, manufacturing equipment and construction of new overseas chip plants."
But that's just one reason -- the other reason is that TSMC can raise prices.
Just because input prices rise doesn't mean a manufacturer can raise its product prices without losing customers. If customers balk, the manufacturer may need to absorb the higher costs of the more expensive inputs, hurting its profit margin. In light of strong demand for artificial intelligence chips, though, it seems TSMC is comfortable raising prices -- and confident its customers will not flee.
Today's Change
(
12.42
%) $
107.53
Current Price
$
972.99
Implications for Micron By implication -- because AI chips require lots of memory chips when performing inference functions -- this means Micron can raise its prices, too. So in essence, TSMC has reinforced the bull thesis for Micron stock today.
Separately, Bank of America analyst Vivek Arya addressed concerns that cheap AI models from China might threaten Micron's business... a theory he says is nonsense. Just because Chinese models charge lower prices than American models from Anthropic and OpenAI doesn't mean they're doing so profitably, or that their input costs are lower.
To the contrary, Arya thinks that by using fewer and lower-quality GPUs, Chinese AI companies may actually need to buy more memory chips to answer questions -- not fewer. And if he's right about that, he's just given investors yet another reason to buy Micron stock.
Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Micron Technology and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
A year ago, a mainstream PC memory kit cost about $75. Today, the same kit can sell for as much as $460. The easy explanation would be another chip shortage. But this time, the culprit isn’t a lack of factories or broken supply chains. It’s a business decision.
The result? AI customers get priority, while everyone else pays more.
AI Is Paying More—So It Gets The WafersSamsung, SK Hynix and Micron control the vast majority of the global DRAM market, giving the three companies enormous influence over where memory production goes.
Unlike conventional DRAM, HBM commands significantly higher prices while consuming much more manufacturing capacity. Every wafer redirected toward AI memory means less supply for PCs, smartphones and automotive chips.
As semiconductor commentator Shanaka Fernando recently argued in a post on X, no coordinated action is needed to create today’s tight memory market. The economics are doing the work. AI memory generates higher returns, and manufacturers are simply following the margins.
The numbers show just how dramatic that shift has become.
According to TrendForce data, conventional DRAM contract prices surged 93% to 98% in the first quarter before climbing another 58% to 63% in the second quarter. NAND flash prices also rose 70% to 75% as suppliers continued prioritizing AI-related products over mainstream memory.
Even the Biggest Customers Are Feeling the PressureThe squeeze is now rippling across the technology industry.
Meanwhile, HBM capacity is effectively sold out through 2026, with much of 2027 production already committed. That has allowed memory makers to lock in premium pricing while demand continues to outstrip supply.
For Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron, the strategy has translated into expanding margins. By selling more high-value AI memory and less conventional DRAM, the industry’s biggest players are earning more from fewer consumer-focused chips.
Today’s Shortage Could Become Tomorrow’s GlutThe current pricing boom is unlikely to last forever.
Micron is building new fabs in Idaho and New York, while Samsung and SK Hynix continue expanding production capacity. Those investments are expected to come online over the next two years, increasing supply just as China’s CXMT rapidly expands its presence in the commodity DRAM market.
For now, however, AI remains first in line.
The bigger story isn’t simply that PC memory has become dramatically more expensive. It’s that AI has fundamentally changed how the world’s three largest memory makers allocate capital. As long as AI data centers continue delivering the highest returns, consumer electronics will keep competing for whatever capacity is left behind.
Photo: Pete Hansen / Shutterstock
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
SummaryMicron Technology, Inc. is re-rated as a Buy, driven by AI super-cycle demand and transformative strategic customer agreements (SCAs).MU’s Q3 ’26 revenue surged 346% YoY, with strong margin expansion—operating margin reached 81.2% and is forecasted to peak at 86% in Q4.SCAs now represent ~20% of DRAM and 1/3 of NAND volume, providing multi-year revenue visibility, margin floors, and $22B in financial commitments.Investors are mispricing MU’s profitability; sustainable margins above 60% are likely, supported by tight supply, pricing power, and structural industry change. JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Investment Thesis Since my last coverage, Micron Technology, Inc.’s (MU) stock has been up by over 100%, and since my initial Buy analysis, it is up almost 300%.
To remind readers, in my initial analysis
1.58K Followers
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, but may initiate a beneficial Long position through a purchase of the stock, or the purchase of call options or similar derivatives in MU:CA, MU over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Key Takeaways AMC's Q2 adjusted EPS reached 14 cents, while revenues rose 14.2% YoY to $1.60B.Worldwide attendance climbed 13.5% to 71.3 million, boosting admissions and food and beverage revenues.AMC's adjusted EBITDA jumped 69.6% to a record $321.4 million as margin expanded to 20.1%. AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (AMC - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 results, with earnings and revenues beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The top and bottom lines improved from the prior-year quarter’s levels.
AMC’s performance benefited from a strong and diverse film slate, which drove higher attendance across its global theater circuit. The company also gained from stronger food, beverage and merchandise sales, increased premium-format usage, solid loyalty and subscription engagement, improved per-patron profitability, portfolio optimization and disciplined cost control.
However, AMC reported a wider GAAP net loss, reflecting substantial interest expense and other non-operating charges related to debt and derivative accounting. The company also remains highly leveraged, and management acknowledged that further debt reduction is necessary
Following the release, AMC stock gained 26.8% during trading hours yesterday.
AMC's Q2 Earnings & Revenue DiscussionFor the second quarter, the company reported adjusted earnings of 14 cents per share compared with breakeven earnings a year ago. The figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 1 cent by 1,300%.
Revenues rose 14.2% year over year to $1.60 billion and beat the consensus mark of $1.51 billion by 5.83%. Higher attendance, increased food and beverage sales, and disciplined cost management drove the performance.
Attendance Gains Support Revenue GrowthWorldwide attendance increased 13.5% year over year to 71.3 million patrons. U.S. attendance rose 12% to 52.5 million, while international attendance advanced 17.9% to 18.8 million.
Admissions revenues climbed 13.2% to $863.1 million. Food and beverage revenues increased 15.3% to $576.1 million, while other theater revenues rose 16.1% to $157.5 million. The gains reflected a stronger film slate and increased spending across AMC’s global theater circuit.
AMC Posts Broad Segment GainsU.S. market revenues increased 13% year over year to $1.26 billion. Adjusted EBITDA for the segment climbed 57.5% to $285.6 million from $181.3 million.
International market revenues advanced 19.2% to $338.1 million. Adjusted EBITDA jumped 336.6% to $35.8 million from $8.2 million. European currency appreciation provided an approximately 2% benefit to international revenues and EBITDA during the quarter.
AMC Improves Per-Patron MetricsConsolidated food and beverage revenues per patron increased to $8.08 from $7.95 in the prior-year quarter. The metric reached $8.95 in the United States and $5.66 in international markets.
Consolidated contribution margin per patron improved to $14.71 from $14.48. U.S. contribution margin per patron rose to $15.55 from $15.27, while the international figure increased to $12.36 from $12.18.
Profitability of AMCConsolidated adjusted EBITDA increased 69.6% year over year to a record $321.4 million from $189.5 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded to 20.1% from 13.6%.
Operating income increased to $238.1 million from $92.6 million. Total operating costs and expenses rose 4.1% to $1.36 billion, well below the pace of revenue growth.
AMC’s Cash Flow & Liquidity StrengthenNet cash provided by operating activities increased 70.1% to $235.4 million. Free cash flow rose to $190.1 million from $88.9 million, while capital expenditures declined to $45.3 million from $49.5 million.
AMC ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $778.4 million, excluding $41.1 million of restricted cash, up 81.7% from $428.5 million as of Dec. 31, 2025. Corporate borrowings declined to $3.85 billion from $4.04 billion at the end of 2025.
AMC’s Zacks Rank & Other Key PicksCurrently, AMC flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Some other top-ranked stocks from the Consumer Discretionary sector:
Flexsteel Industries, Inc. (FLXS - Free Report) currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.
The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 59%, on average. FLXS stock has surged 85.1% in the year-to-date period. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Flexsteel’s fiscal 2026 sales and EPS implies growth of 3.8% and 14.6%, respectively, from the year-ago levels.
The Marcus Corporation (MCS - Free Report) currently sports a Zacks Rank #1. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 40.4%, on average. MCS stock has jumped 53.3% in the year-to-date period.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Marcus’ 2026 sales and EPS indicates an increase of 6.2% and 211.8%, respectively, from the year-ago levels.
Vince Holding Corp. (VNCE - Free Report) currently has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 635.7%, on average. VNCE stock has rallied 58.4% in the year-to-date period.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vince Holding’s 2026 sales and EPS implies growth of 7.2% and 34.1%, respectively, from the year-ago levels.
NEW YORK, July 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Zillow, Inc. (“Zillow” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: Z). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.
The class action concerns whether Zillow and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
You have until August 10, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Zillow securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On September 30, 2025, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) filed a complaint (the “FTC Complaint”) against Zillow and Redfin alleging violations of federal antitrust laws arising from, among other things, the Redfin Agreement. The FTC Complaint alleged that “on February 6, 2025, Zillow and Redfin executed an unlawful agreement to remove competition from [the online rental marketplaces industry], starting with a $100 million payment to Redfin to exit the [Internet Listing Services] market.”
On this news, Zillow’s Class C common stock price fell $3.49 per share, or 4.33%, to close at $77.05 on September 30, 2025. The following day, it fell a further $3.57 per share, or 4.63%, to close at $73.48 per share on October 1, 2025. Meanwhile, Zillow’s Class A common stock price fell Class A common stock fell $3.51 per share, or 4.5%, to close at $74.44 per share on September 30, 2025. The following day, it fell a further $3.26 per share, or 4.37%, to close at $71.18 per share.
Then, on February 10, 2026, Zillow conducted an earnings call to discuss its financial performance for the fourth quarter of 2025. During the call, Chief Financial Officer Jeremy Hoffman disclosed that the Company was facing significant “ongoing elevated legal expenses.”
On this news, Zillow Class C stock fell $9.32 per share, or 17.12%, to close at $45.10 per share on February 11, 2026. The next day, it fell a further $1.40 per share, or 3.1%, to close at $43.70 per share on February 12, 2026. Meanwhile, Zillow Class A stock fell $9.05 per share, or 16.5%, to close at $45.66 on February 11, 2026. The following day, it fell a further $1.84, or 4.02%, to close at $43.82 per share on February 12, 2026.
Finally, on May 7, 2026, Reuters published an article entitled “Zillow, Redfin fail to end FTC lawsuit claiming they suppressed rental competition.” The article reported that a “federal judge rejected [Zillow and Redfin’s] request to end a [FTC] lawsuit accusing them of illegally agreeing to suppress competition for online apartment rental listings.”
On this news, Zillow’s Class C common stock fell $0.85 per share, or 1.9%, to close at $43.68 on May 7, 2026. The following day, Zillow’s Class C common stock fell a further $2.25 per share, or 5.15%, to close at $41.43 on May 8, 2026. Meanwhile, Zillow’s Class A stock fell $0.79 per share, or 1.76%, to close at $44.04 on May 7, 2026. The following day, it fell a further $2.10 per share, or 4.76%, to close at $41.94 on May 8, 2026. The following trading day, May 11, 2026, Zillow Class A common stock fell a further $1.29, or 3.07%, to close at $40.65 per share.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
NEW YORK, July 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Regeneron” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: REGN). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.
The class action concerns whether Regeneron and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
You have until September 14, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Regeneron securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On April 29, 2026, during during Regeneron’s first quarter earnings call, the Company disclosed that the Phase III Fianlimab-Libtayo Study had been altered, expanding the number of patients in the study eligible for “analysis of progression-free survival.”
On this news, Regeneron’s stock price fell $45.41 per share, or 6.21%, to close at $686.36 per share on April 29, 2026.
Then, on May 15, 2026, Regeneron issued a press release disclosing that the “Phase 3 Trial of Fianlimab . . . did not reach statistical significance for the primary endpoint of improvement in progression-free survival (PFS).”
On this news, Regeneron’s stock price fell $68.57 per share, or 9.82%, to close at $629.68 per share on May 16, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Key Takeaways Both ASML and TSM recently posted rock-solid quarterly results, with each raising sales outlooks. AI-driven demand remains red hot, with both companies playing critical roles in the landscape. Bullish revisions have flowed in post-earnings, keeping their near-term outlooks bullish. The 2026 Q2 earnings season really picks up pace this week, with a few Magnificent Seven members, namely Alphabet and Tesla, headlining the docket. The big banks got us off to a great start, delivering solid results without giving the market any unexpected spooks.
So far throughout the cycle, several companies, including Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM - Free Report) and ASML Holding (ASML - Free Report) , have both raised sales guidance, again underpinning just how fierce the demand picture has become concerning the AI frenzy.
ASML Plans to Increase CapacityASML designs, develops, integrates, and services advanced systems used by major global semiconductor manufacturers to create cutting-edge chips that power artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and a wide array of other electronic and communications technologies.
Strong AI-driven demand led ASML to raise its full-year sales outlook in its recent quarterly release, also now planning to boost its machine production capacity over the next several years due to strong order intake. Overall sales of $10.8 billion grew 25% YoY, while earnings also saw strong growth, both crushing our consensus estimates.
The stock’s outlook remains bullish, with EPS revisions jumping higher across the board post-earnings.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
TSM Posts Huge Growth Taiwan Semiconductor, a current Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), is the world's leading semiconductor foundry, reflecting a highly critical player in the technology landscape amid the AI frenzy. It manufactures the powerful chips needed to run next-generation AI technologies.
Thanks to the huge wave of artificial intelligence spending, TSMC raised its full-year revenue growth forecast to roughly 40%. The company also increased its CapEx budget to a range of $60 - $64 billion to expand its manufacturing capacity to keep pace with the soaring demand for advanced AI chips. Sales of $40.2 billion grew 33% YoY, with earnings also climbing a rock-solid 75% YoY. Both items beat our consensus estimates handily.
EPS revisions have moved higher across near-term timeframes following the release, keeping the stock’s momentum and overall outlook notably bright.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Bottom Line
The 2026 Q2 earnings season is kicking into a much higher gear this week, with many notable companies slated to report in the coming days and weeks.
And so far, both ASML Holding (ASML - Free Report) and Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM - Free Report) have been standouts thanks to red-hot demand. The results from the pair further underscore just how fierce the AI landscape remains, with each posting blockbuster numbers while also raising their sales outlooks.
Investors choosing between the iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ +0.38%) and the Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Health Care ETF (RSPH 0.07%) need to weigh the stability of cap-weighted global giants against an equal-weighted, U.S.-only strategy.
While both funds target the same sector, they take very different approaches. RSPH’s equal-weight strategy means every one of its holdings has a roughly equal allocation in its portfolio. IXJ, by contrast, casts a wider net globally and uses traditional market-cap weighting, which favors the largest pharmaceutical companies.
Snapshot (cost & size)MetricRSPHIXJIssuerInvescoiSharesExpense ratio0.40%0.40%1-year return (as of July 20, 2026)21.01%18.29%Dividend yield0.70%1.47%Beta0.810.52AUM$704.8 million$3.8 billionBeta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from monthly returns over the available fund history (up to five years). The 1-year return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. Dividend yield is the trailing-12-month distribution yield.
The two funds' expense ratios are identical at 0.4%. However, IXJ offers a notably higher dividend for income-seeking investors, with a yield more than double RSPH’s.
Performance & risk comparisonMetricRSPHIXJMax drawdown (5 yr)(21.95%)(18.14%)Growth of $1,000 over 5 years (total return)$1,167$1,251RSPH carries a more aggressive risk profile, with a higher beta and a deeper five-year maximum drawdown than IXJ. That's consistent with its structure -- by giving equal weight to smaller, faster-growing healthcare names, the fund becomes more sensitive to swings in those stocks, for better or worse.
What's insideLaunched in 2001, IXJ provides exposure to a diversified basket of global healthcare equities spanning pharmaceuticals, biotech, and medical devices. The fund holds 110 securities, and its cap-weighted approach results in meaningful concentration at the top. Its largest positions include Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY +1.48%) at 10.9%, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ +0.21%) at 7.0%, and Abbvie (ABBV +0.80%) at 5.1%.
RSPH tracks an index that assigns identical weight to every healthcare company in the S&P 500, reducing the influence of mega-cap giants and increasing the fund's sensitivity to smaller, high-growth names. It holds 60 securities, with top positions in Moderna (MRNA +0.44%) at 2.5%, Bio-Techne Corp. (TECH +0.22%) at 2.2%, and Charles River Laboratories International (CRL 0.56%) at 2.0%. Those weights aren't perfectly even because the index only resets to equal weight at each quarterly rebalance -- stocks that outperform their peers drift to a slightly higher weight, and laggards drift lower, until the next reset. RSPH was launched in 2006.
For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.
What this means for investorsAs with most ETF comparisons, the best choice here really comes down to what role you want a healthcare ETF to play in your portfolio. IXJ behaves more like a defensive, income-generating fund. Its cap-weighted structure concentrates money in established drugmakers like Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, and AbbVie -- companies with steady cash flows, established products, and a long history of paying dividends. That's fairly typical of global healthcare funds, which tend to gravitate toward the biggest, most stable names by design.
RSPH takes a different tack. By weighting every S&P 500 healthcare stock equally, it hands more influence to smaller, faster-growing companies like Moderna and Bio-Techne -- names with more room to run, but also more room to fall, as reflected in the fund's higher beta and deeper five-year maximum drawdown.
Neither of these approaches is inherently better. These ETFs were simply built for different goals. Retirees or conservative investors leaning on dividend income may find IXJ's steadier, higher-dividend profile more appealing. Investors willing to stomach more volatility in exchange for greater potential upside from smaller, growth-oriented healthcare names may prefer RSPH.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Key Takeaways Danaher beat Q2 earnings and revenue estimates as sales rose 5.5% year over year.DHR's Life Sciences delivered its strongest quarter in years, while core sales rose 3.0%.Danaher raised its 2026 adjusted EPS outlook and expects 3-4% adjusted core sales growth. Danaher Corporation’s (DHR - Free Report) second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $1.94 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.84. The bottom line increased 7.8% year over year.
Revenues of $6.3 billion surpassed the consensus estimate of $6.09 billion and rose 5.5% year over year. Core sales advanced 3.0%, while core sales excluding respiratory testing increased 4.5%. Acquisitions added 1.5% to reported sales growth, while foreign-currency translation contributed 1.0%. Life Sciences segment delivered its strongest quarter in several years.
DHR’s Segmental DiscussionRevenues from the Life Sciences segment totaled $1.88 billion, up 5.5% year over year. Core sales increased 5.5% year over year. Foreign-currency translations had no impact on sales. Operating profit was $244 million against a loss of $239 million reported in the year-ago quarter.
Revenues from the Diagnostics segment totaled $2.47 billion, up 7.0% year over year. Core sales increased 2.0%, acquisitions contributed 4.0% while foreign currency had a positive impact of 1.0% on sales. Operating profit was $416 million, down 24.9% on a year-over-year basis.
Revenues from the Biotechnology segment totaled $1.92 billion, up 4.0% year over year. Core sales increased 2.5% year over year and foreign-currency translations had a positive impact of 1.5%. Operating profit was $556 million, up 4.7% year over year.
Danaher’s Margin ProfileIn the second quarter, Danaher’s cost of sales increased 10% year over year to $2.65 billion. Gross profit of $3.61 billion increased 2.5% year over year. The gross margin was 57.6% compared with 59.3% in the year-ago quarter.
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 12.2% year over year to $2.07 billion. Research and development expenses were $412 million, up 2.2% year over year.
Danaher’s operating profit increased 48.3% year over year to $1.13 billion. Operating margin increased to 18.0% from 12.8% in the year-ago quarter.
DHR’s Balance Sheet & Cash FlowExiting the second quarter, DHR had cash and equivalents of $4.35 billion compared with $4.62 billion at 2025-end. Long-term debt was $25.1 billion at the end of the quarter compared with $18.4 billion at the end of December 2025.
Danaher generated net cash of $2.85 billion from operating activities in the first six months of 2026 compared with $2.64 billion in the previous year’s comparable period. Capital expenditures totaled $506 million in the same period, up 2.6% year over year. Adjusted free cash flow increased 15.5% year over year to $1.27 billion in the first six months of 2026.
In the same period, DHR paid out dividends of $509 million, up 20.3% on a year-over-year basis.
Danaher Raises 2026 EPS ViewFor the third quarter of 2026, Danaher expects adjusted core sales to increase 2-3% on a year-over-year basis.
The metric is anticipated to increase 3-4% on a year-over-year basis in 2026. The company expects adjusted earnings to be $8.45-$8.60 per share compared with $8.35-$8.55 expected earlier.
DHR’s Zacks RankThe company currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Other Stocks to ConsiderSome other top-ranked companies from the same space are discussed below:
Progyny, Inc. (PGNY - Free Report) currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
PGNY delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 16.1%. In the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Progyny’s 2026 earnings has increased 3.6%.
Avantor, Inc. (AVTR - Free Report) currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). AVTR delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 0.7%.
In the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Avantor’s 2026 earnings has remained steady.
CVS Health Corporation (CVS - Free Report) currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. CVS delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 16.8%.
In the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for CVS Health’s 2026 earnings has increased 0.7%.
Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:RCE, OTC:RECEF) advanced its diabetic foot infection treatment toward commercialisation during the June quarter, securing approval to expand an Australian study into a pivotal Phase 3 trial while progressing a proposed 10-year licensing agreement across the Middle East and North Africa.
The synthetic anti-infective developer also completed a successful regulatory inspection of its Indonesian Phase 3 trial site, raised A$4 million through an institutional placement and reported a pro-forma cash position of about A$33.1 million.
MENA licensing opportunity Recce signed a non-binding term sheet with a publicly listed Middle Eastern pharmaceutical company that has a multi-billion-dollar market capitalisation and a distribution network spanning more than 30 international markets.
The proposed agreement would grant the partner exclusive rights to register, market and distribute RECCE® 327 Topical Gel, or R327G, for diabetic foot infections across Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Egypt, Algeria and Morocco.
Under the proposed commercial terms, Recce could receive an upfront fee and milestone payments totalling up to US$3.5 million, equivalent to around A$5 million.
It would also receive 30% of the net selling price, plus an additional 6% royalty on annual net sales above US$50 million. The proposed treatment price is US$1,500, subject to agreement with Saudi Arabia’s regulator.
The parties are targeting completion of a definitive agreement during the December 2026 quarter, subject to due diligence, negotiations and customary approvals.
Australian study elevated to Phase 3 The Human Research Ethics Committee approved a protocol amendment that advances Recce’s Australian R327G diabetic foot infection study from Phase 2 into a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial.
The revised study can enrol up to 200 patients and has so far treated 18 participants. Interim analysis is planned after half the enrolled patients complete treatment, with full recruitment expected by the end of 2027.
Eligibility has been broadened to include moderate as well as mild diabetic foot infections, expanding the available patient population. The study will be conducted to Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration and US Food and Drug Administration standards.
Indonesian trial passes inspection Indonesia’s National Agency of Drug and Food Control completed a comprehensive inspection of a Phase 3 clinical trial site without identifying any findings that would prevent the study from continuing.
The review examined trial conduct, site processes, data integrity and compliance with Good Clinical Practice requirements.
Patient dosing remains underway, with an interim data readout expected after 155 of the planned 310 patients have been enrolled. Recce anticipates potential Indonesian regulatory approval during calendar 2026.
Funding clinical and commercial milestones Recce raised A$4 million before costs through the issue of 10 million shares at A$0.40 each and subsequently launched a share purchase plan targeting up to a further A$4 million.
The company also received an A$3.67 million tax refund after quarter-end, primarily comprising its FY2025 research and development tax incentive.
Recce ended the quarter with A$2.9 million in cash before the expected rebate and recorded net operating cash outflows of A$2.2 million, including A$1.6 million directed toward research and development.
Its pro-forma cash position of about A$33.1 million includes capital-raising proceeds and the potential drawdown of available debt funding, subject to conditions.
Terrain Minerals Ltd (ASX:TMX, OTC:TMXAF, FRA:T4Y) advanced its flagship Smokebush Gold and Silver Project toward a maiden mineral resource estimate during the June 2026 quarter, supported by high-grade drilling results, completed technical studies and new exploration targets across its Western Australian portfolio.
At the Lightning prospect, Terrain completed 29 reverse circulation holes for 5,309 metres, testing extensions to the known gold system along strike and at depth.
Standout intersections included 8 metres at 6.87 g/t gold from 76 metres, including 5 metres at 10.06 g/t, and 7 metres at 7.08 g/t from 217 metres, including 1 metre at 21.80 g/t.
Other results included 5 metres at 3.26 g/t gold from 196 metres and 11 metres at 2.61 g/t from 86 metres.
The drilling confirmed continuity across the Lightning and Monza structures and indicated the possible emergence of a third mineralised zone, providing further targets for follow-up drilling.
Lightning resource work nears completion Terrain also completed four diamond holes for 671 metres, comprising 340 metres of RC pre-collars and 331 metres of diamond tails.
The program delivered density measurements and structural data required for the planned maiden “starter” mineral resource estimate at Lightning.
Diamond drilling returned a high-grade intercept of 3.4 metres at 4.96 g/t gold from 213.6 metres, including 1 metre at 10.93 g/t, supporting the continuity of mineralisation at depth.
Metallurgical test work commenced during the quarter, with early geological assessment indicating the gold is unlikely to be refractory and may be suited to a conventional processing route.
Terrain also completed flora and fauna surveys, a differential GPS survey and topographic drone work, while submitting an application for a roughly seven-kilometre haul road connecting the mining lease with the Warriedar Coppermine Road.
The company said mining studies would begin alongside continued exploration following completion of the initial resource estimate.
Wildflower drilling supports emerging gold camp First-pass drilling at the nearby Wildflower area intersected gold across the Wildflower, T16 and Cota targets.
Terrain drilled 13 RC holes for 2,276 metres, with gold recorded in eight holes.
Key results included 1 metre at 6.05 g/t gold from 171 metres at Wildflower and 1 metre at 4.38 g/t gold with 20.34 g/t silver from 140 metres at Cota.
The strongest intersections were generally encountered below 130 metres, mirroring the depth profile observed at Lightning.
Terrain said the results supported its induced polarisation targeting strategy and strengthened the potential for multiple deposits associated with the Mt Mulgine intrusive system.
The company also expanded an IP survey over the granted Lightning mining lease to test the Hurley, Paradise City and T17 prospects for repetitions of Lightning-style mineralisation.
Rare earth and gold targets broaden portfolio Subsequent to quarter-end, Terrain reported results from a 35-hole aircore campaign at the Lort River Rare Earth Elements Project near Esperance.
Rare earth mineralisation was identified in 25 holes, led by 8 metres at 3,349 ppm total rare earth oxides from 27 metres, including 6 metres at 4,230 ppm and a peak three-metre composite of 5,568 ppm.
The higher-grade zone contained a strong heavy rare earth component, including dysprosium and terbium, while several holes ended in mineralisation.
Terrain is progressing single-metre assays and evaluating deeper reverse circulation drilling to support future resource definition.
At the Carlindie Project near Port Hedland, a first-pass soil program defined a coherent gold-pathfinder anomaly measuring about 4 kilometres by 3 kilometres.
The anomaly coincides with a concealed greenstone target independently identified through machine-learning-assisted bedrock mapping.
Terrain plans field reconnaissance around a high-intensity bismuth-tungsten feature, followed by a CSIRO UltraFine+ soil program from August 2026.
Placement supports exploration programs Terrain completed a A$1.5 million placement during the quarter through the issue of about 375 million shares at A$0.004 each.
Funds have been directed toward the Lightning resource and mining studies, further work at Lort River and Carlindie, and general working capital.
The company finished the quarter with A$1.39 million in cash after spending A$868,000 on exploration and evaluation activities.
About Terrain Minerals Terrain Minerals is an exploration company with projects across Western Australia and Queensland.
Its principal focus is the 100%-owned Smokebush Gold and Silver Project in the Murchison region of Western Australia, where Lightning is the company’s most advanced target and Wildflower provides additional district-scale exploration potential.
Terrain’s wider portfolio includes the Larin’s Lane gallium and rare earth project, the Lort River rare earth project, the Carlindie lithium and gold project and the Biloela gold and copper project in Queensland.
Investors interested in Diversified Operations stocks are likely familiar with Sumitomo Corp. (SSUMY) and Honeywell International Inc. (HON). But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now?
NEW YORK, July 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Intuit Inc. (“Intuit” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: INTU) and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, and docketed under 26-cv-07086, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Intuit securities between August 22, 2025 and May 20, 2026, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants’ violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.
If you are an investor who purchased or otherwise acquired Intuit securities during the Class Period, you have until September 8, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
Intuit provides financial management, payments and capital, compliance, and marketing products and services in the United States. The Company has four reportable business segments: (i) Global Business Solutions; (ii) Consumer; (iii) Credit Karma; and (iv) ProTax. Intuit’s Consumer segment provides do-it-yourself (“DIY”) and assisted income tax preparation products and services under the “TurboTax” brand name, whereas its ProTax segment provides tax-preparation software products and electronic tax filing, payment, and related products and services. The Company sells its products and services through direct sales channels, multichannel shop-and-buy experiences, mobile application stores, and partner and other channels.
At all relevant times, Defendants touted purportedly significant “momentum” across Intuit’s various business segments, particularly with respect to its tax-related business. Defendants attributed this purported “momentum” to, inter alia, Intuit’s purportedly significant competitive advantages, including integration of artificial intelligence (“AI”) in its business and operations.
For example, in August 2025, Defendants provided financial guidance for Intuit’s fiscal full year (“FY”) of 2026, ended July 31, 2026, including 8% revenue growth in its TurboTax business, citing “outstanding execution across our platform” and “breakthrough adoption in assisted tax” as a result of the aforementioned purported competitive advantages.
The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) they had overstated Intuit’s competitive advantages and growth, as well as the overall strength and sustainability of its business model and operations; (ii) in reality, Intuit was losing significant business in its tax-related business, particularly in its TurboTax business, as a result of, inter alia, increasing competitive and pricing pressures; (iii) accordingly, Intuit’s previously issued FY 2026 TurboTax revenue growth guidance was unreliable and/or unrealistic; and (iv) as a result, Defendants’ public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
The truth began to emerge on May 20, 2026, when, during pre-market hours, Reuters published an article entitled “Intuit to cut 17% of global jobs to streamline operations, memo shows”. Citing an internal Company memorandum and email from Defendant Sasan K. Goodarzi (“Goodarzi”), Intuit’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, to staff earlier in the day, the article reported that “Intuit . . . is laying off about 17% of its workforce, or about 3,000 employees worldwide, to streamline operations and sharpen focus on its key bets including its AI efforts[.]” The article further revealed that Intuit “is also winding down its Reno and Woodland Hills offices as part of a strategic restructuring to consolidate teams in key hubs, according to the memo.”
On this news, Intuit’s stock price fell $15.78 per share, or 3.95%, to close at $383.93 per share on May 20, 2026.
The same day, during post-market hours, Intuit issued a press release announcing its fiscal third quarter (“Q3”) 2026 results. Therein, Defendants reported weak Q3 2026 tax season revenue, including, inter alia, TurboTax revenue that grew by only 7% year-over-year, versus consensus estimates of at least 8% revenue growth. During the accompanying earnings call held the same day, also during post-market hours, Defendant Sandeep S. Aujla, Intuit’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, acknowledged that, with respect to TurboTax, “we did not have the overall tax season we expected[.]” On the same call, Defendant Goodarzi likewise stated that he was “dissatisfied with our performance”, noting “[w]e faced pressure among the most price-sensitive DIY filers earning less than $50,000 a year”, and that “[w]e lost on price.” Defendant Goodarzi also revealed that TurboTax online paying units were expected to grow by only 2% as total Internal Revenue Service filers were expected to decline by approximately 30 basis points, representing the “most significant industry-wide contraction since the post-COVID tax season.” Accordingly, Defendant Goodarzi acknowledged that “we expect TurboTax to grow 7% for the full year”—down from Defendants’ prior guidance of 8% growth—and that, “[t]o reaccelerate this part of our business,” Defendants will need to “evolve our business model by delivering the right lineups and price points to meet simple filers’ needs at the low end and lean into the power of our broader Consumer platform to monetize beyond tax.”
Following these disclosures, Intuit’s stock price fell $76.86 per share, or 20.02%, to close at $307.07 per share on May 21, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
The UK is hosting the Farnborough International Air Show, a key gathering of leaders in the aerospace industry. Wes Streeting, the new UK Defence Secretary, has set aside billions for space capabilities.
Key Takeaways Broadcom's VCF demand helped Infrastructure Software revenue rise 9% to $7.2 billion in fiscal Q2.VCF 9.1 unifies AI inference, Kubernetes and virtualized workloads across NVIDIA, AMD and Intel platforms.Standard Chartered is standardizing on VCF across 54 markets, with nearly 70% of infrastructure migrated. Broadcom’s (AVGO - Free Report) VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) is becoming a major growth engine for the Infrastructure Software business. Demand for VCF 9.1 remains strong as enterprises increasingly deploy on-premises private clouds to support AI inference, Kubernetes and traditional virtualized workloads on a common platform. This momentum helped Infrastructure Software revenues increase 9% year over year to $7.2 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, with Broadcom projecting an acceleration to approximately $8.9 billion, up 31% year over year, in the third quarter of fiscal 2026.
Broadcom is positioning VCF as the operating platform for enterprise AI. The latest VCF release supports heterogeneous computing across NVIDIA (NVDA - Free Report) , AMD and Intel platforms, allowing enterprises to run AI inference, Kubernetes and traditional virtualized workloads on a unified private cloud. Customers deploying VCF for private cloud modernization are also adopting AI workloads. This enables AVGO to sell additional software capabilities around automation, security, networking and AI infrastructure management. This is increasing customer spending while strengthening long-term annual recurring revenue, which grew 17% year over year in the second quarter of fiscal 2026.
Standard Chartered recently selected VCF to modernize its global IT infrastructure, reinforcing the growing enterprise adoption of Broadcom’s flagship private cloud platform. The bank is standardizing its infrastructure on VCF to support secure, software-defined private cloud operations across 54 markets. With nearly 70% of its infrastructure already migrated, the deployment enables faster infrastructure provisioning, stronger zero-trust security and greater operational resilience for mission-critical banking services.
The Standard Chartered deployment strengthens Broadcom’s long-term software prospects by showcasing VCF’s ability to win large, multi-year enterprise transformation projects in highly regulated industries. As more global enterprises adopt VCF to modernize private cloud environments while preparing AI-ready infrastructure, Broadcom is well positioned to expand recurring software revenues, increase annual recurring revenue and strengthen the Infrastructure Software segment as a durable growth driver, alongside its AI semiconductor business.
AI & VMware to Drive AVGO’s Top-Line GrowthBroadcom expects AI semiconductor revenues to reach approximately $56 billion in fiscal 2026, up roughly 180% year over year, and exceed $100 billion in fiscal 2027. Long-term agreements with Google, Meta, OpenAI and Anthropic provide strong visibility into future demand for custom AI accelerators and networking products.
Broadcom’s AI semiconductor business builds the hardware infrastructure, while VCF provides the software layer enterprises need to deploy and manage AI applications securely. This combination allows AVGO to participate across the AI stack — from silicon and networking to enterprise software — creating multiple avenues for sustained revenue growth and reducing dependence on any single business segment.
AVGO Faces Tough CompetitionBroadcom is facing stiff competition in the semiconductor and infrastructure software markets from NVIDIA and Cisco Systems (CSCO - Free Report) , respectively.
NVIDIA is at the center of AI computing, with its products widely used across data centers, gaming and autonomous vehicles. The company’s newer Hopper 200 and Blackwell GPU platforms are being adopted quickly as customers work to grow their AI infrastructure. Data Center revenues reached $75.2 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, up 92% from a year ago and up 21% sequentially, driven by the ramp-up of Blackwell 300 products and demand for InfiniBand, Spectrum-X Ethernet and NVLink solutions.
Cisco competes with Broadcom in the AI networking infrastructure domain. Cisco provides AI networking systems built around Silicon One, Nexus switches, routers, Acacia optics and end-to-end AI fabrics. Cisco recently raised its fiscal 2026 hyperscaler AI infrastructure orders target to $9 billion (from $5 billion), highlighting strong traction in AI networking. Cisco’s strategy to deliver the entire AI networking stack by combining Silicon One, Nexus switching, Acacia optics, security, observability and AI networking software has been a key catalyst.
AVGO’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesBroadcom shares have appreciated 11% year to date, underperforming the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s return of 12.1%.
AVGO Stock Lags Sector
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The AVGO stock is trading at a premium, with a forward 12-month price/sales of 11.59X compared with the broader sector’s 6.6X. Broadcom has a Value Score of D.
AVGO Stock’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 earnings is pegged at $11.74 per share, up by a penny over the past 30 days, suggesting 72.14% growth from fiscal 2025’s reported figure.
Broadcom currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Key Takeaways Fastenal's Q2 sales rose 14.7%, with broad gains across manufacturing and non-residential construction.FAST's contract sales grew 17.6% as larger customer accounts deepened their ties with the company.Digital Footprint sales rose 16.2%, while FASTBin and FASTVend devices reached 140,789 units. Fastenal Company (FAST - Free Report) enters the next stretch with a clear operating story: double-digit sales growth, larger customer relationships and deeper use of digital tools. In the second quarter of 2026, net sales rose 14.7% year over year, while earnings per share increased 15.9% to 33 cents.
The setup is less about a broad industrial rebound and more about execution. Fastenal is gaining share by embedding itself more deeply in customer purchasing, inventory management and procurement workflows.
Fastenal Growth Drivers in 2026Fastenal’s growth is being supported by new customer wins, higher spending at existing sites and a broader share of customer purchasing. Daily sales rose 14.7% in the second quarter, helped by contract signings, pricing actions and modestly better industrial production.
The gains were broad. Heavy manufacturing grew 18.1%, total manufacturing rose 14.9%, non-residential construction increased 17% and other end markets advanced 14.1%. That mix suggests momentum is not limited to one narrow industrial category.
FAST Contract Wins Are Changing the ModelContract customers are becoming a larger part of Fastenal’s revenue base. In the second quarter, contract sales grew 17.6% and accounted for 75.8% of sales, up from 73.2% a year earlier.
The company’s large-site metrics reinforce that shift. Customer sites spending at least $50,000 per month increased 16.5% to 3,125, while sales from those sites rose to $1.38 billion from $1.09 billion. Larger strategic accounts can support more durable revenue because they use more of Fastenal’s onsite, supply-chain and digital capabilities.
Fastenal Digital Tools Deepen Customer TiesDigital Footprint remains central to the thesis. Digital Footprint daily sales increased 16.2% in the second quarter and represented 61.6% of total sales, while eBusiness daily sales rose 12.6%.
These tools matter because they connect Fastenal to customers’ procurement systems and automate replenishment. Fastenal Managed Inventory sales rose 16.4% and represented 44.6% of sales, while the installed base of weighted FASTBin and FASTVend devices increased 6.5% to 140,789 units.
FAST Keeps Investing for the Next LegFastenal is funding growth while keeping its balance sheet conservative. At the end of June 2026, the company had $204.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, with total debt of $120 million.
Cash generation also remains a support. Operating cash flow totaled $644.1 million in the first six months of 2026. The company continues to invest in hubs, trucking, information technology, automation and vending equipment, with 2026 net capital expenditures expected at about $320 million.
What Could Slow Fastenal’s MomentumThe main risk is that inflation moves faster than pricing. Tariff and supplier cost pressure remained a gross-margin headwind in the second quarter, and gross margin declined about 75 basis points year over year.
Customer mix is another offset. Larger accounts typically carry lower gross margins, even though they can produce attractive incremental profit dollars. That is a key distinction for investors comparing FAST with industrial distribution peers such as W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW - Free Report) and Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (AIT - Free Report) , where scale, pricing discipline and customer mix also shape margin quality.
How FAST Scores Frame the SetupThe bottom line is that FAST’s current story is driven more by execution, share gains and digital penetration than by a cheap valuation. The company is growing faster than a mixed industrial backdrop, but margin pressure and macro sensitivity remain part of the setup.
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Its Momentum Score of A stands out compared with a Value Score of D, while the Growth Score is C and the VGM Score is C. For investors, that combination frames FAST as a stock with supportive near-term estimate momentum and stronger price-action characteristics than valuation appeal. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Key Takeaways Fastenal's contract sales rose 17.6%, reaching 75.8% of quarterly sales as larger accounts gained share.Digital Footprint sales grew 16.2%, while FMI sales climbed 16.4% to $1.08 billion in Q2.FAST's gross margin fell 75 bps as tariffs, supplier inflation, freight and customer mix weighed on margins. Fastenal Company (FAST - Free Report) is becoming a useful read-through on how industrial distribution is changing. The company’s latest results show customers moving toward larger supplier relationships, digital procurement and automated inventory tools.
Those trends support growth, but they also reshape revenue mix and margins. The key question is whether scale and operating leverage can keep offsetting cost and gross-margin pressure.
Fastenal Shows the Shift to Larger AccountsFastenal’s second-quarter 2026 contract sales increased 17.6% year over year and represented 75.8% of quarterly sales, up from 73.2% a year earlier. Contract count rose 7.2% to 3,694, showing that more customers are consolidating spend through structured relationships.
The larger-site data points in the same direction. Customer sites spending at least $50,000 per month increased 16.5% to 3,125, while sales from those sites rose to $1.38 billion from $1.09 billion. That shift makes Fastenal less dependent on one-off transactions and more tied to integrated service models.
FAST Digital Adoption Is Changing DistributionFastenal’s Digital Footprint daily sales increased 16.2% in the second quarter and represented 61.6% of revenues. eBusiness sales rose 12.6%, reflecting deeper customer use of procurement-system connections and digital ordering.
Fastenal Managed Inventory is another sign of where the industry is heading. FMI sales rose 16.4% to $1.08 billion, and the installed base of weighted FASTBin and FASTVend devices increased 6.5% to 140,789 units. These tools embed replenishment and usage data into customer workflows.
Fastenal Margin Trends Reflect a New Trade-OffThe growth quality is improving, but the margin mix is more complicated. Larger strategic customers typically generate more recurring sales and higher profit dollars, but they also tend to carry lower gross margins because of scale and negotiated pricing.
That is the emerging trade-off for industrial distributors. Fastenal’s gross margin declined 75 basis points to 44.6% in the second quarter, while operating margin held at 21% because selling, general and administrative expense leverage offset the drag.
FAST Faces a More Complex Cost EnvironmentTariffs, supplier inflation and freight costs remain important pressures. Unfavorable net price-cost reduced gross margin by about 40 basis points in the second quarter, and customer mix, transportation costs and rebate activity added pressure.
That makes cost recovery a continuing trend to watch across the supply chain. Even with stable demand, trade-policy changes or supplier increases can slow pricing recovery and make quarterly profitability less predictable.
What Fastenal Says About 2026 DemandDemand appears stable to modestly positive, not uniformly strong. Fastenal’s manufacturing daily sales rose 14.9% in the second quarter, led by 18.1% growth in heavy manufacturing, while non-residential construction increased 17%.
Other end markets rose 14.1%, helped by transportation and warehousing customers. That breadth supports the view that industrial demand is constructive, although management commentary also pointed to softness in certain discretionary consumer-linked areas.
FAST Ratings Match a Trend-Driven StoryThe bottom line is that FAST remains a trend-driven industrial distribution story, with digital tools, contract growth and large-site expansion supporting revenue durability. W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW - Free Report) provides a relevant comparison because it also operates across industrial supplies, online channels, inventory management services and technical support.
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (AIT - Free Report) is another useful peer for the broader distribution backdrop, with exposure to bearings, power transmission, fluid power and other industrial products.
FAST stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), with a Momentum Score of A, Growth Score of C and Value Score of D. The Rank and Momentum Score support the near-term setup, while the Value Score suggests investors should still watch how much of the digital and contract-strength story is already reflected in the stock. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Key Takeaways Fastenal's Q2 sales rose 14.7%, while contract sales climbed 17.6% to 75.8% of revenues.FAST's gross margin fell 75 bps as price-cost pressure and tariffs weighed on profitability.Digital Footprint sales rose 16.2%, helping deepen customer ties and support operating leverage. Fastenal Company (FAST - Free Report) is giving investors a familiar premium-stock debate. The business is executing well, but the valuation already reflects a high degree of confidence in continued growth.
The question is whether expanding contract relationships, digital tools and share gains are enough to offset gross margin pressure and a full multiple.
FAST Has Real Operating MomentumFastenal’s second-quarter 2026 results support the bull case. Earnings of 33 cents per share met the Zacks Consensus Estimate and increased 15.9% year over year. Net sales rose 14.7% to $2.39 billion and topped the consensus mark by 1.9%.
The growth was broad. Daily sales increased 14.9% in manufacturing, 17.0% in non-residential construction and 14.1% in other end markets. Contract sales rose 17.6% and represented 75.8% of quarterly revenues.
Operating income increased 15.1% to $501.8 million. Operating margin held at 21.0%, even though gross margin contracted, showing that Fastenal still converted higher volume into earnings growth.
Fastenal’s Valuation Leaves Less Margin for ErrorThe valuation is the harder part of the story. FAST trades at 33.76X forward 12-month earnings, above 29.5X for its Zacks sub-industry, 20.99X for the Zacks sector and 20.71X for the S&P 500.
That premium narrows the margin for error. The stock also carries a PEG ratio of 2.9 and a trailing price-to-sales ratio of 5.9, which signals that investors are already paying for durable execution.
Among industrial distributors, W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW - Free Report) is a useful comparison for scale and business-to-business supply distribution. Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (AIT - Free Report) offers another reference point for investors watching industrial demand and margin discipline.
FAST Gross Margin Is the Key DebateGross margin is the central tension in FAST’s investment case. Gross margin declined 75 basis points to 44.6% in the second quarter, with unfavorable net price-cost reducing margin by about 40 basis points.
The issue is not just inflation. Tariff and supplier-driven cost increases are moving through faster than pricing, which can make quarterly margin recovery uneven.
Customer mix adds another layer. Larger contract customers usually carry lower gross margins, but they can produce higher profit dollars, better retention and operating efficiencies. That trade-off is acceptable only if volume and productivity keep offsetting the dilution.
Fastenal Still Has Offsetting StrengthsFastenal has meaningful defenses against margin pressure. Selling, general and administrative expenses improved to 23.5% of sales from 24.4% a year earlier, helping operating margin stay flat despite the lower gross margin.
Cash generation also supports the premium case. Operating cash flow was $265.7 million in the second quarter and represented 69.4% of net income. Total debt declined to $120 million from $230 million a year earlier.
The company returned $305.1 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Continued share gains, larger customer sites and digital adoption give Fastenal ways to turn volume growth into better fixed-cost leverage.
What Would Make FAST More CompellingFAST would look more attractive if price-cost recovery improves. A steadier gross margin would reduce the risk that cost inflation or tariffs absorb too much of the company’s sales momentum.
Large-site sales are another signal to watch. Sites spending at least $50,000 per month increased 16.5% to 3,125, and sales from those sites rose to $1.38 billion from $1.09 billion.
Digital execution also matters. Digital Footprint sales rose 16.2% and represented 61.6% of revenues, while Fastenal Managed Inventory sales increased 16.4% to $1.08 billion. Further adoption would support the argument that customer stickiness can translate into operating leverage.
FAST Signals Support the Cautious Bull CaseThe bottom line is balanced. FAST is not a cheap stock, but the company is producing enough sales growth, operating income growth and share gains to keep the premium debate alive.
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). That rank points to favorable near-term earnings estimate revision trends, which supports the cautious bull case but does not remove the valuation risk. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
FAST has a Momentum Score of A, a Value Score of D, a Growth Score of C and a VGM Score of C. The mix fits the current setup. Investors are paying for quality, execution and momentum rather than buying a clear bargain.
Looking for a stock that has been consistently beating earnings estimates and might be well positioned to keep the streak alive in its next quarterly report? Illinois Tool Works (ITW - Free Report) , which belongs to the Zacks Manufacturing - General Industrial industry, could be a great candidate to consider.
This equipment manufacturer for the transportation, power, food and construction industries has an established record of topping earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The company boasts an average surprise for the past two quarters of 2.90%.
For the most recent quarter, Illinois Tool Works was expected to post earnings of $2.55 per share, but it reported $2.66 per share instead, representing a surprise of 4.31%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $2.68 per share, while it actually produced $2.72 per share, a surprise of 1.49%.
Price and EPS Surprise
Thanks in part to this history, there has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for Illinois Tool Works lately. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the stock is positive, which is a great indicator of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.
Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. 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.
Illinois Tool Works currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.31%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner. We expect the company's next earnings report to be released on July 28, 2026.
When the Earnings ESP comes up negative, investors should note that this will reduce the predictive power of the metric. But, a negative value is not indicative of a stock's earnings miss.
Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, though this is not the only reason why their shares gain. Additionally, some stocks may remain stable even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.
Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
New summer campaign turns "we should go" into "we're booked" with billboard-sized reminders and AI tools that help group trips finally take off, so travelers can see more and spend less together
, /PRNewswire/ -- This summer, KAYAK is on a mission to get group trips out of the chat and into the calendar. New KAYAK research reveals that 84% of travelers have had a group trip get stuck in the chat, with plans spending an average of one to three months in group chat limbo. The culprit? 90% of travelers say it comes down to one friend who just won't commit.
KAYAK Bookboard in New York City
KAYAK Bookboard in Los Angeles
KAYAK Bookboard in Chicago
To help those group trips finally take off, KAYAK is launching a series of BookBoards, billboard-sized reminders across New York, Chicago and Los Angeles that give that one friend a nudge they can't ignore. The fleet of digital billboards will feature personalized callouts for nominated friends, popping up in Times Square, near their offices and neighborhoods that gently encourage them to commit while inspiring all travelers to make their group trips happen. Nominations are now open at kayak.com/bookboards.
Friends Who Travel Together, Save Together
The campaign comes as travelers look for smarter ways to stretch their vacation budgets. With domestic airfare up 23% year over year and hotel rates up 3%, group travel offers one of the easiest ways to make a trip more affordable. Splitting accommodations and experiences amongst a group means seeing more and likely spending significantly less. From upgrading to a larger hotel room to booking a standout vacation rental together, KAYAK helps groups compare those options side by side, making it easier to find the right trip at the right price.
"Group trips don't fail because people don't want to go, they fail because planning gets complicated," said Carolina Montenegro, SVP of Global Brand Marketing at KAYAK. "BookBoards are a playful way to remind us that we've all been that friend at one point. Sometimes, all we need is a little push to get the trip over the finish line."
Group Travel Takes Center Stage
At the center of the summer travel campaign is a 90-second hero film starring actress, comedian and content creator Grace Reiter and her real-life friend and American High co-star Julia Dicesare, who sends an increasingly unhinged series of BookBoards to Grace to get her to finally book their group trip.
To nominate your group chat for a BookBoard, visit kayak.com/bookboards from July 21 through August 4. Throughout August, KAYAK will select submissions to appear on digital billboards across New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.
Because this year, the group trip isn't staying in the chat. It's finally getting booked.
KAYAK Names Top Destinations for 2026 Group Trips
To jumpstart group travel planning, these are the KAYAK's top destinations (based on popularity and affordability) for groups based on 5+ travelers.
Destination
Flight Price
(per person)
Hotel Price
(per night)
Las Vegas, Nevada
$340
$188
Nashville, Tennessee
$334
$254
Miami, Florida
$352
$261
Chicago, Illinois
$306
$321
San Diego, California
$333
$305
San Juan, Puerto Rico
$400
$308
New York, New York
$332
$394
Seattle, Washington
$407
$324
Vancouver, Canada
$479
$460
Nassau, Bahamas
$492
$479
For more inspiration, KAYAK is also introducing a new "Group Trip" feature built within KAYAK Explore. Travelers can easily filter for the most popular and affordable group getaway destinations with average round-trip airfare and nightly hotel rates each under $500.
AI-Powered Planning for Group Trips
While BookBoards inspire groups to finally commit to a trip, KAYAK's AI-powered planning tools can help turn trip ideas into bookable travel plans. With Ask AI on KAYAK, travelers can chat naturally about their group's preferences, priorities and dealbreakers while real-time travel options appear alongside the conversation, making it easy to search and compare as plans take shape.
Below are a few of KAYAK's best group travel prompts to try with Ask AI:
Help us plan a trip that fits different budgets and vibes Which group trip destination gives us the most value for a long weekend in September? What is the best hotel in Miami for a big group? Compare destinations in the US for a group with different interests - some want to try good food, others want to relax by the water Find us a hotel in a city known for live music that sleeps six without blowing the budget About KAYAK
KAYAK, part of Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG), is a leading travel search engine. With billions of queries across our platforms, we help people find their perfect flight, stay, rental car and vacation package. Trusted by millions of travelers, the KAYAK app makes travel planning seamless on iOS and Android and we also support business travelers with our corporate travel solution.
Methodology
Group chat survey: Based on a poll of 2,000 U.S. adults (ages 18-45) who have booked travel online in the past year.
Summer Travel prices: Based on flight and hotel searches between Mar. 1, 2026 and Jun. 29, 2026 for travel between May 21, 2026 and Sept. 8, 2026. They were compared to searches between Mar. 1, 2025 and Jun. 29, 2025 for travel between May 22, 2025 and Sept. 9, 2025. Changes in searches are approximate.
Group Travel destinations: Based on flight and hotel searches between Jan. 1, 2026 and Jun. 11, 2026 for travel between May 1, 2026 and Dec. 31, 2026 for 5+ travelers. Flight prices are based on round-trip, economy tickets; hotel rates are based on standard, double occupancy rooms. Prices are on average and are subject to change.
NEW YORK, July 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Roblox Corporation (“Roblox” or the “Company”) (NYSE: RBLX). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.
The class action concerns whether Roblox and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
You have until August 7, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Roblox securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On April 30, 2026, Roblox announced its 2026 first quarter results, allegedly reporting declines in revenue guidance and projected annual bookings growth, as well as reductions in communication engagement, app store ratings, and organic sign-ups as a result of the rollout of the Company’s age-verification process.
On this news, Roblox’s stock price fell more than 18%, damaging investors.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
The S&P Pantera Digital Asset Index brings credibility and structure to digital asset indexing by focusing on quality and real utility
, /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Dow Jones Indices, the world's leading index provider, and Pantera Capital, a leading digital asset-native investment firm, have launched the S&P Pantera Digital Asset Index, designed to serve as a benchmark for institutional investors who want to allocate to digital assets in a more disciplined and structured way.
Unlike many existing crypto indexes that focus on price momentum or popular tokens (including meme coins or Bitcoin), this new index uses a rules-based approach similar to what's used in traditional finance benchmarks. It only includes tokens and companies that show real-world use and generate actual revenue. The goal is to highlight digital assets with strong fundamentals—those that are actually being used and have economic value—rather than those that are just speculative or trending.
The index helps global investors move beyond name recognition and single-asset indices, offering a more disciplined and transparent way to measure investments in the blockchain and digital asset space. It's also designed to be used as a reference for new investment products or for managers who actively pick digital assets.
"S&P Dow Jones Indices helps investors cut through market noise with benchmarks you can trust. With the S&P Pantera Digital Asset Index, we bring that same discipline to digital assets, using a fundamentals-driven, economics-based framework built for diversified portfolios. In collaboration with Pantera and powered by Artemis data, we apply the same standards in trusted benchmarks like the S&P 500 to help investors focus on fundamentals in one of today's most fast-moving asset classes," said Cathy Clay, CEO at S&P Dow Jones Indices.
The launch signals a new phase for digital assets: growing market maturity. Blockchain use cases are proving broader value, regulation is becoming clearer in major markets, and institutional involvement is getting easier. However, many existing products don't reflect the complexity of the asset class or separate potentially speculative exposure from real blockchain-driven activity.
"We're thrilled to bring Pantera's digital asset expertise to this collaboration with S&P Dow Jones Indices. Pantera has spent years building digital asset-native research and governance designed for institutional outcomes. For global investors, the biggest friction point in crypto hasn't changed; it's knowing how to allocate. We believe we're at a pivotal moment for digital assets, and that's why we worked with S&P Dow Jones Indices to build an index designed to identify which digital assets and infrastructure truly matter," said Dan Morehead, Pantera Founder and Managing Partner.
To learn more about the S&P Pantera Digital Asset Index, visit here.
To learn more about the S&P Pantera Digital Index methodology visit here.
ABOUT S&P DOW JONES INDICES
S&P Dow Jones Indices is the largest global resource for essential index-based concepts, data and research, and home to iconic financial market indicators, such as the S&P 500® and the Dow Jones Industrial Average®. More assets are invested in products based on our indices than products based on indices from any other provider in the world. Since Charles Dow invented the first index in 1884, S&P DJI has been innovating and developing indices across the spectrum of asset classes helping to define the way investors measure and trade the markets. S&P Dow Jones Indices is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies, and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit: www.spglobal.com/spdji.
ABOUT PANTERA CAPITAL
Pantera Capital is the first institutional investment firm focused exclusively on bitcoin, other digital currencies, and companies in the blockchain tech ecosystem. Pantera launched the first cryptocurrency fund in the United States when bitcoin was at $65 /BTC in 2013. The firm subsequently launched the first exclusively-blockchain venture fund. In 2017, Pantera was the first firm to offer an early-stage token fund. Pantera Bitcoin Fund has returned 114,841% in twelve years and has returned billions to its investors. Pantera manages over $3 billion across three strategies – passive, hedge, and venture – exclusively focused on bitcoin, other digital currencies, and companies in the blockchain tech ecosystem. For more information, visit: https://panteracapital.com/
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Silke McGuinness
Global Head of Communications, S&P DJI
(+1) 415-205-8414
[email protected]
Annaly Capital Management (NLY 0.48%) and Starwood Property Trust (STWD +0.12%) are two of the largest real estate investment trusts (REITs) focused on mortgage investments. Annaly is the biggest residential mortgage REIT by market cap, while Starwood is the largest one focused on commercial real estate financing. Both REITs currently offer eye-popping yields: Annaly's is 12.5%, while Starwood's is 11.6%.
Here's a look at which of these high-yielding financial stocks is the safer buy for income-focused investors right now.
Image source: Getty Images.
Finally trending in the right direction Annaly Capital Management currently pays a $0.75 per-share quarterly dividend. The mortgage REIT just increased its payment from $0.70 per share. That payment boost underscores "the strong performance of Annaly's diversified housing finance portfolio and our focus on driving shareholder value," stated CEO David Finkelstein in the press release unveiling the increased payment. It's Annaly's second dividend increase in the last 18 months (it hiked its payout from $0.65 per share to $0.70 per share in early 2025). That reversed a long series of payment cuts over the years.
The REIT's improved earnings are driving the dividend increases. Its earnings available for distribution (EAD) have risen from a low of $0.64 per share in the first quarter of 2024 to its recent level of $0.76 per share. Its current earnings support its recently raised dividend.
Today's Change
(
-0.48
%) $
-0.11
Current Price
$
22.59
Annaly has built a diversified platform that delivers durable cash flows and superior risk-adjusted returns. It invests in Agency MBS (pools of mortgages guaranteed by government agencies), residential credit (non-agency residential mortgages), and mortgage servicing rights (MSR). That diversification gives it the flexibility to capitalize on current market conditions. For example, it allowed its Agency MBS portfolio to decline in the first quarter while investing heavily to grow its residential credit portfolio (up 30%) and MSR portfolio. That positions it for continued EAD growth, putting its payout on a sustainable footing.
A model of income consistency Starwood Property currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.48 per share. It has never cut its payment in its 17 years as a public company and has maintained its current rate for more than a decade. It's the only mortgage REIT that has never cut its dividend.
Today's Change
(
0.12
%) $
0.02
Current Price
$
16.62
That's the good news. The concern lies in its current coverage ratio. Starwood's distributable earnings were only $0.39 per share last quarter. While that was up from $0.37 per share in the prior quarter, it's still below the dividend. That's due in part to the short-term dilution from its purchase of Fundamental Income Properties for $2.2 billion last year. It took a near-term earnings hit because it wanted to own that platform. Fundamental will provide durable, growing rental income (at the time of the deal, Fundamental's portfolio of net-lease real estate had a 17-year weighted-average lease term and 2.2% average annual rent escalations). That growing rental income will be very accretive to earnings starting next year.
Fundamental Income is part of Starwood's plan to grow its earnings and dividend coverage. It has a clear line of sight to achieve earnings above the current dividend level in the coming quarters. Catalysts include growth from Fundamental Income, reinvesting higher-than-normal cash balances across its businesses, and working through the sales of real estate assets that currently aren't generating income. This visibility into improved earnings drives the REIT's confidence in the dividend.
The current numbers point to Annaly Annaly's growing earnings have enabled the REIT to increase its dividend following a series of prior cuts. It's currently earning more than its dividend level, which should continue for the foreseeable future. Starwood, on the other hand, isn't currently earning enough to cover its dividend. While the REIT has a clear line of sight to earnings above its dividend in the coming quarters, there's always a risk its plan will fail to deliver. Given that, Annaly is currently the safer income play.
The mining industry is set to report second-quarter 2026 earnings against a backdrop of stronger year-over-year commodity prices and resilient demand for copper, gold and other critical minerals. While precious metals such as gold and silver retreated from the record highs reached earlier this year, they remained well above year-ago levels throughout the quarter. Meanwhile, industrial metals, including copper and zinc, strengthened during the period.
The mining stocks fall within the broader Zacks Basic Materials sector, which seems positioned for a solid performance this earnings season. Per the latest Earnings Trends report, the sector is among seven of the 16 Zacks sectors expected to deliver double-digit year-over-year earnings growth. Sector earnings are projected to increase 45.2% on 14.3% revenue growth, supported by higher realized commodity prices.
Against this favorable backdrop, we have identified four mining companies, FreeportMcMoRan (FCX - Free Report) , Teck Resources (TECK - Free Report) , DPM Metals Inc. (DPMLF - Free Report) and Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp. (TFPM - Free Report) that appear poised to beat earnings estimates this season and are also likely to deliver improved year-over-year results.
How Have Things Shaped Up for These Companies?Price movements across key non-ferrous metals during the April–June 2026 period remained favorable, providing meaningful support to miners’ top lines.
Gold had a volatile second quarter following its strong start to the year. The metal touched a high of $4,917.70 per ounce in mid-April, below the record $5,626.80 reached in January, before falling to $3,955.40 by the end of June. Despite the pullback, gold averaged roughly $4,532 per ounce during the quarter, up 37% year over year.
Gold prices came under pressure for much of the quarter on expectations of a resolution to the U.S.-Iran conflict. Rising real yields and a stronger U.S. dollar increased the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets such as gold. Even after the correction, gold remained among the best-performing commodities over the past year.
Silver also experienced heightened volatility. Prices reached a high of $90 an ounce during the second quarter, lower than the high of $121.78 an ounce hit in January. The metal remained sensitive to geopolitical developments, inflation concerns driven by higher energy prices, a stronger U.S. dollar and shifting expectations for U.S. monetary policy. Nevertheless, silver averaged $73.54 per ounce during the quarter, representing a 118% increase from the year-ago period.
Copper prices ranged between $5.51 and $6.72 per pound during the quarter, averaging $6.19 per pound, up 30% year over year. Continued demand from electrification, renewable energy projects and grid infrastructure investment, along with improving industrial activity and persistent supply concerns, continued to support prices.
Among other base metals, zinc prices increased roughly 30% year over year, supported by improving industrial activity, tight concentrate supplies and production cuts at several smelters.
Overall, these favorable commodity price trends are expected to have supported revenues for companies such as Freeport-McMoRan, Teck Resources, DPM Metals and Triple Flag Precious Metals.
However, operating conditions remained challenging. Higher input costs, particularly fuel and energy expenses, are likely to have partially offset the benefit of stronger commodity prices during the quarter. Miners continued focusing on improving throughput, optimizing portfolios and mining higher-grade ore to help mitigate cost pressures.
How to Pick Earnings Estimates Beating Stocks?Identifying stocks that are poised to beat on earnings in their upcoming releases might seem a daunting task. However, our proprietary Zacks methodology makes it fairly simple.
One can pick stocks which have the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Our research shows that for stocks with this combination, the chance of an earnings surprise is as much as 70%.
Earnings ESP is our proprietary methodology for determining stocks that have the best chances to surprise with their next earnings announcement. It is the percentage difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate. You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
4 Potential Outperformers This SeasonTeck Resources has an Earnings ESP of +19.61% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The company is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 23.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TECK’s second-quarter earnings is pegged at 79 cents per share, implying an 185% surge from the year-ago quarter’s actual. The estimate has moved up 14.9% over the past 60 days. TECK has an average earnings surprise of 52.6% in the trailing four quarters.
Our model projects second-quarter copper production of 127.8 thousand tons, up 17% year over year, supported by higher output from Quebrada Blanca, Highland Valley Copper, Antamina and Carmen de Andacollo. Copper sales are also projected to increase 25% to 127.8 thousand tons.
We estimate second-quarter zinc production of 108.3 thousand tons, down 36% year over year, reflecting lower output at Antamina and Red Dog. We project second-quarter refined zinc output at 52.8 thousand tons, indicating a 3.5% rise. Sales at Red Dog are expected to be 30-40 thousand tons, and our estimate is 40 thousand tons, implying a 14% increase. We expect total refined zinc sales to decline 5.7% to 52.8 thousand tons and zinc in concentrate sales to be down 22.5% to 50.4 thousand tons.
Higher sales volumes for copper and higher prices for copper and zinc are expected to have offset the impacts of lower zinc sales volumes and elevated costs in the quarter.
FreeportMcMoRan has an Earnings ESP of +6.93% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. It is scheduled to release second-quarter 2026 results on July 23
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FCX’s second-quarter earnings has moved up 5.26% over the past 60 days and is pegged at 60 cents per share. It indicates a 11% increase from the year-ago quarter. The company has an average earnings surprise of 32.1% in the trailing four quarters.
The company’s outlook for copper sales volumes for the second quarter of 2026 of 690 million pounds indicates a sequential improvement, but suggests a 32% year-over-year decline. Freeport's outlook for the second quarter of 2026 also suggested higher costs on a sequential basis. It expects unit net cash costs to rise to $2.24 per pound, which reflects a roughly 98% year-over-year increase. The uptick in costs reflects higher costs of energy and other consumables due to the Middle East conflict and persistent pressure on volumes.
Higher prices of copper and gold are expected to negate the impact of lower sales and higher costs on its margins.
DPM Metals has an Earnings ESP of +25.76% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. It is expected to release second-quarter 2026 results on July 30.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DPM Metals’ second-quarter earnings is pegged at 66 cents per share, indicating a 27% increase from the year-ago quarter. The estimate has moved down 4.3% over the past 60 days. DPMLF has an average earnings surprise of 8.77% in the trailing four quarters.
The company recently reported second-quarter production of approximately 102,000 gold equivalent ounces (GEOs) compared with 84,042 GEOs in the first quarter, driven by strong performance at Chelopech and the continued ramp-up at the Vareš mine.
Vareš produced approximately 35,000 GEOs, in line with its planned ramp-up toward full production. Development rates exceeded 400 meters per month, while processed ore increased 48% sequentially to 117,000 tons. Chelopech produced approximately 56,000 GEOs, benefiting from higher planned gold and silver grades. Ada Tepe produced approximately 11,000 GEOs in the second quarter.
Payable metals in concentrate sold were 87,000 GEOs in the second quarter. Overall, higher production, sales and prices are expected to boost the company’s second-quarter results.
Triple Flag Precious Metals has an Earnings ESP of +1.52% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. It is expected to release second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 5.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TFPM’s second-quarter 2026 earnings is 33 cents per share, indicating a 37.5% year-over-year increase. The estimate has moved down 5.7% over the past 60 days. TFPM has an average earnings surprise of 7.79% in the trailing four quarters.
The company recently reported preliminary second-quarter metal sales of 28,674 GEOs, essentially unchanged from 28,682 GEOs in the year-ago quarter. Gold GEOs declined 6% year over year to 18,181, but this was offset by a 6% increase in silver GEOs to 9,846. Copper GEOs totaled 647 during the quarter. Second-quarter revenues reached $129.2 million, up 37% year over year, driven primarily by higher silver sales volumes and stronger realized metal prices. Preliminary cost of sales, excluding depletion, was approximately $25 million.
During the second quarter, the company also completed the $440 million acquisition of a gold stream on the Ravenswood mine in Australia, adding immediate cash flow, and bought back $20 million of shares in the open market.
Key Takeaways Kroger plans to simplify pricing and promotions to make its value proposition easier to understand.KR aims to drive repeat visits with clearer pricing, trusted relationships and a better shopping experience.KR's pricing investments will be funded through cost savings, supplier negotiations and AI efficiencies. The Kroger Co. (KR - Free Report) sees opportunities to strengthen its pricing strategy by making its value proposition simpler and easier for customers to understand. Management acknowledged that promotional offerings have become overly complicated over time, while the company's pricing position has not kept pace where it needed to, highlighting an area of focus for improvement.
The company is focused on strengthening its value proposition by making its pricing more competitive, consistent and easier for customers to understand rather than becoming the lowest-priced retailer. Management believes customers should clearly recognize the value offered when deciding where to shop. The company aims to encourage more frequent customer visits by combining a clear value proposition with a strong shopping experience and trusted customer relationships, reinforcing its long-term competitive positioning.
Kroger plans to transition toward a simpler and more consistent everyday value strategy while continuing to use promotions as an important part of its business. Management emphasized future promotional offerings will be sharper and easier for customers to understand. The company believes achieving this approach will require greater discipline as it works to support and fund a clearer, more straightforward value proposition for customers.
Importantly, the company emphasized that these pricing investments are not a one-time reset but are fully funded through internal cost savings and efficiencies, such as improved supplier negotiations and the application of AI across the business. Overall, a clearer and more transparent pricing strategy should strengthen customer trust, encourage repeat shopping and improve long-term loyalty while reinforcing Kroger’s competitive position in the grocery market.
The Zacks Rundown for KRThe company's shares have lost 6.9% in the past six months compared with the industry’s decline of 3.5%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, KR trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 10.87, lower than the industry’s average of 33.96. KR currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KR’s current and next fiscal year earnings implies year-over-year growth of 7.4% and 6.4%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:
United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI - Free Report) distributes natural, organic, specialty, produce, and conventional grocery and non-food products in the United States and Canada. It presently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UNFI’s 2026 sales indicates a decline of 2.1%, and the same for earnings indicates growth of 254.9% from the prior-year reported levels. UNFI delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of nearly 30%, on average.
Mama’s Creations, Inc. (MAMA - Free Report) , together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets fresh deli-prepared foods in the United States. MAMA currently carries a Zacks Rank of 1.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MAMA's current fiscal-year sales & earnings implies growth of 30% and 73.3%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. MAMA delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 129.2%, on average.
Medifast, Inc. (MED - Free Report) operates as a health and wellness company that provides habit-based and coach-guided lifestyle solutions to address obesity and support a healthy life in the United States. MED currently carries a Zacks Rank of 1.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MED's current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies a decline of 25.9% and 140.2%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. MED delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 635%, on average.
Designer Brands (DBI - Free Report) could be a solid choice for investors given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.
The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.
Since a changing earnings picture is a powerful factor influencing near-term stock price movements, the Zacks rating system is very useful for individual investors. They may find it difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, as these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.
As such, the Zacks rating upgrade for Designer Brands is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price.
Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock PricesThe change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, and the near-term price movement of its stock are proven to be strongly correlated. That's partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.
For Designer Brands, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade fundamentally mean an improvement in the company's underlying business. And investors' appreciation of this improving business trend should push the stock higher.
Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate RevisionsEmpirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Earnings Estimate Revisions for Designer BrandsFor the fiscal year ending January 2027, this footwear and accessories retailer is expected to earn $0.38 per share, which is unchanged compared with the year-ago reported number.
Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Designer Brands. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 8.6%.
Bottom LineUnlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.
You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>
The upgrade of Designer Brands to a Zacks Rank #1 positions it in the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.
NEW YORK, July 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Pentair plc (“Pentair” or the “Company”) (NYSE: PNR). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.
The investigation concerns whether Pentair and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On July 14, 2026, Pentair issued a press release announcing its preliminary second quarter 2026 financial results and revising its full year 2026 guidance. For the second quarter, Pentair reported that “[s]ales are expected to be approximately $930 million, down 17 percent versus previous guide of up approximately 1 percent primarily due to the adverse impact of Pool channel inventory” and that “[e]arnings per diluted share from continuing operations (‘EPS’) are expected to be approximately $0.80 versus previous guidance of $1.39 to $1.42; Adjusted EPS is expected to be approximately $1.12 versus previous guide of $1.47 to $1.50 as the result of the adverse impact of Pool channel inventory and the positive impact of IEEPA refunds”. Pentair also lowered its full year 2026 guidance, advising that “[s]ales are expected to be down approximately 4 percent to 7 percent versus previous guide of up 2 percent to 4 percent mostly attributable to destocking of inventory in the Pool channel and right sizing of channel inventory in preparation for the 2027 pool season”. The press release also announced the departure of Chief Financial Officer Nicholas Brazis, “to pursue another opportunity at a private company.”
On this news, Pentair’s stock price fell $11.35 per share, or 15%, to close at $64.33 per share on July 15, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Key Takeaways Halliburton beat Q2 earnings and revenue estimates as sales increased 3.7% year over year.HAL saw higher revenues from both business segments, with international sales rising 5.7% year over year.Halliburton expects growth from contract wins, improving North America activity and capital discipline. Halliburton Company (HAL - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted net income per share of 55 cents, marginally beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 54 cents. The outperformance was backed by year-over-year revenue growth. However, the bottom line was flat compared with the prior-year level.
Meanwhile, the Houston, TX-based oil and gas equipment and services company’s second-quarter revenues of $5.7 billion were up 3.7% year over year and beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.5 billion. The outperformance was driven by higher revenues in both segments of the company — the Completion and Production segment and the Drilling and Evaluation segment.
Inside Halliburton’s Regions & SegmentsNorth America revenues increased by $17 million year over year to $2.3 billion, driven by higher stimulation activity and increased well construction activity in the United States and higher fluids activity in the Gulf of America, also beating our projection by around $29 million. On the other hand, revenues from Halliburton’s international operations increased 5.7% from the year-ago period to $3.4 billion.
The Completion and Production segment earned $474 million in operating income, lower than last year’s $513 million. The figure also missed our estimate of $480 million. The underperformance of the segment was due to lower specialty chemicals activity in North America resulting from the sale of a portion of the chemical business, decreased cementing activity in Latin America and lower activity across multiple product service lines in the Middle East.
The Drilling and Evaluation unit’s profit increased to $338 million in the second quarter of 2026 from $312 million in the same period of 2025. The figure also beat our estimate of $322 million. This rise was backed by increased drilling-related services and higher wireline activity in North America and Europe/Africa and increased drilling-related services in Asia.
HAL’s Q2 Balance SheetHalliburton reported second-quarter capital expenditure of $235 million. As of June 30, 2026, the company had approximately $2 billion in cash/cash equivalents and $7.1 billion in long-term debt, representing a debt-to-capitalization of 39%. HAL bought back $200 million worth of its stock and invested $46 million in the SAP S/4 migration during the second quarter of 2026. The company generated $824 million of cash flow from operations in the second quarter, leading to a free cash flow of $668 million.
HAL’s Management Remarks & OutlookHalliburton's management remains optimistic about the company's growth prospects, supported by its differentiated technology portfolio and strong value proposition. Management expects these strengths to drive revenue growth and margin expansion over the coming quarters. Internationally, the company is encouraged by recent contract wins and a robust pipeline of future opportunities, with demand for its services and technologies increasing across all regions. In North America, management noted a recovery during the quarter and anticipates further gradual improvement through the remainder of the year. Halliburton also reaffirmed its commitment to capital discipline and delivering strong shareholder returns, viewing these priorities as key drivers of its long-term success.
HAL's Zacks Rank & Key PicksHalliburton currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Investors interested in the energy sector might consider better-ranked stocks such as Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG - Free Report) , Energy Transfer LP (ET - Free Report) and Venture Global, Inc. (VG - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Cheniere Energy is valued at $55.52 billion. It is primarily engaged in the business of liquefied natural gas (LNG - Free Report) . Cheniere Energy constructs and operates LNG terminals, and is also involved in LNG and natural gas marketing.
Energy Transfer is valued at $69.79 billion. ET is a diversified midstream partnership with operations spanning natural gas, NGLs, crude oil, refined products, terminalling, storage and related services in the United States.
Venture Global is valued at $35.5 billion. It is a cost-efficient provider of LNG sourced from rich natural gas basins in North America. VG is developing LNG export projects along the U.S. Gulf Coast in Louisiana — the Calcasieu Pass Project, the Plaquemines Project, the Plaquemines Expansion Project, the CP2 Project, the CP2 Expansion Project and the CP3 Project.
Halliburton Company (HAL) Q2 2026 Earnings Call July 21, 2026 9:00 AM EDT
Company Participants
David Coleman - Senior Director of Investor Relations
Jeffrey Miller - Chairman of the Board, President & CEO
Jeffrey Slocum - Executive VP, COO & Director
Eric Carre - Executive VP & CFO
Conference Call Participants
Stephen Richardson - Evercore Inc.
John Anderson - Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
Arun Jayaram - JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division
Saurabh Pant - BofA Securities, Research Division
James West - Melius Research LLC
Derek Podhaizer - Piper Sandler & Co., Research Division
Neil Mehta - Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Research Division
Doug Becker - Capital One Securities, Inc., Research Division
Scott Gruber - Citigroup Inc., Research Division
Marc Bianchi - TD Cowen, Research Division
Presentation
Operator
Good day, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Second Quarter 2026 Halliburton Company Earnings Conference Call.
[Operator Instructions] As a reminder, this conference call is being recorded.
At this time, I would like to turn the conference over to Mr. David Coleman, Senior Director, Investor Relations. Sir, please begin.
David Coleman
Senior Director of Investor Relations
Hello, and thank you for joining the Halliburton Second Quarter 2026 Conference Call. We will make the recording of today's webcast available for 7 days on Halliburton's website after this call. Joining me today are Jeff Miller, Chairman, President and CEO; Shannon Slocum, Executive Vice President and COO; and Eric Carre, Executive Vice President and CFO.
Some of today's comments may include forward-looking statements that reflect Halliburton's views about future events. These matters involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to materially differ from our forward-looking statements. These risks are discussed in Halliburton's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, current reports on Form 8-K and other Securities and Exchange Commission
T. Rowe Price (TROW - Free Report) appears an attractive pick given a noticeable improvement in the company's earnings outlook. The stock has been a strong performer lately, and the momentum might continue with analysts still raising their earnings estimates for the company.
Analysts' growing optimism on the earnings prospects of this financial services firm is driving estimates higher, which should get reflected in its stock price. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements. This insight is at the core of our stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank.
The five-grade Zacks Rank system, which ranges from a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record of outperformance, with Zacks #1 Ranked stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 2008.
For T. Rowe Price, strong agreement among the covering analysts in revising earnings estimates upward has resulted in meaningful improvement in consensus estimates for the next quarter and full year.
The chart below shows the evolution of forward 12-month Zacks Consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Current-Quarter Estimate RevisionsFor the current quarter, the company is expected to earn $2.52 per share, which is a change of +12.5% from the year-ago reported number.
Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for T. Rowe has increased 5.17% because six estimates have moved higher compared to no negative revisions.
Current-Year Estimate RevisionsThe company is expected to earn $10.13 per share for the full year, which represents a change of +4.2% from the prior-year number.
There has been an encouraging trend in estimate revisions for the current year as well. Over the past month, seven estimates have moved up for T. Rowe versus no negative revisions. This has pushed the consensus estimate 5.13% higher.
Favorable Zacks RankThanks to promising estimate revisions, T. Rowe currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The Zacks Rank is a tried-and-tested rating tool that helps investors effectively harness the power of earnings estimate revisions and make the right investment decision.
You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Our research shows that stocks with Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy) significantly outperform the S&P 500.
Bottom LineWhile strong estimate revisions for T. Rowe have attracted decent investments and pushed the stock 7.9% higher over the past four weeks, further upside may still be left in the stock. So, you may consider adding it to your portfolio right away.
Key Takeaways WST is expected to post 9.2% revenue growth and 13% higher EPS in the second quarter.West Pharmaceutical Services may benefit from strong biologics and GLP-1 component demand.WST's margins may gain from favorable product mix, pricing and manufacturing efficiencies. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST - Free Report) is scheduled to release second-quarter 2026 results on July 23, before the opening bell. In the last reported quarter, the company delivered an earnings surprise of 26.79%. WST’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 19.37%.
Q2 EstimatesPer management, the company expects first-quarter revenues to be in the range of $770-$790 million, implying 5-7% organic sales growth. Also, adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) are expected to be in the range of $1.65-$1.70.
Currently, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $836.8 million, indicating growth of 9.2% year over year. The consensus mark for earnings is pinned at $2.08 per share, indicating an improvement of 13%.
Our model estimates total revenues to be $832.7 million, implying a 9.8% organic improvement year over year. The adjusted EPS is estimated to be $2.06. While the Proprietary Products segment sales are anticipated to be $680.3 million (organic growth of 11%), West Vantage (formerly Contract Manufacturing) segmental sales are likely to be $152.4 million (organic growth of 5.1%). Operating profit for the Proprietary Products segment is expected to increase 15.8%, while that for the West Vantage segment is projected to decline 4%.
Factors to NoteWest Pharmaceutical Services is expected to have delivered another solid quarterly performance, supported by sustained demand for high-value products (HVP), continued strength in biologics and GLP-1-related components, and favorable product mix. The company's recent commentary suggests that demand across both GLP-1 and non-GLP-1 markets might have remained healthy, aided by increasing biologics adoption, biosimilar launches and Annex 1-related conversions. Management also highlighted improving manufacturing productivity and capacity utilization across its European facilities, which likely supported higher output and operating leverage. Elevated oil, freight and commodity costs may have created some margin headwinds, although pricing actions, operational efficiencies and favorable product mix are expected to have largely offset these pressures.
Within the Proprietary Products segment, HVP Components are likely to have remained the primary growth engine. Demand from GLP-1 therapies should have stayed robust, supported by expanding patient adoption, broader reimbursement, new indications and continued injectable market growth. At the same time, non-GLP-1 HVP Components are expected to have benefited from strong biologics demand, increasing NovaPure adoption, biosimilar commercialization and continued customer migration toward higher-value products under Annex 1 compliance initiatives.
HVP Delivery Devices are also expected to have posted healthy growth, supported by SelfDose and Crystal Zenith, while SmartDose volumes likely remained elevated ahead of the planned divestiture. Standard Products, however, may have recorded only modest growth as ongoing customer conversions toward HVP Components continued to weigh on legacy product volumes.
West Vantage is expected to have delivered steady growth, supported by increasing demand for drug-handling services and self-injection devices used in obesity and diabetes therapies. However, the ongoing transition from the continuous glucose monitoring contract may have partially offset the benefit.
Earnings are likely to have benefited from favorable HVP mix, manufacturing efficiencies and pricing discipline. Continued operating leverage and disciplined capital spending should have supported earnings growth despite inflationary cost pressures, positioning the company for another quarter of healthy margin expansion and solid EPS performance.
Earnings Beat LikelyOur proven model predicts an earnings beat for WST this earnings season. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat, which is the case here.
Earnings ESP: Earnings ESP, which represents the difference between the Most Accurate Estimate (earnings of $2.09 per share) and the Zacks Consensus Estimate, is +0.66%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: The company sports a Zacks Rank #1 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Other Stocks Worth a LookHere are some other medical product stocks worth considering, as these too have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this reporting cycle.
Henry Schein (HSIC - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.41% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present.
HSIC’s earnings surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with the average surprise being 3.74%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HSIC’s second-quarter EPS indicates an improvement of 10.9% from the year-ago reported figure.
Alcon (ALC - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +3.13% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The company is set to release second-quarter 2026 results on August 10.
ALC’s earnings surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with the average surprise being 3.66%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ALC’s second-quarter EPS implies an improvement of 1.3% from the year-ago reported figure.
Cardinal Health (CAH - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.24% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The company is slated to release fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Aug 11.
CAH’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 10.27%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CAH’s fourth-quarter EPS reflects a gain 16.4% from the year-ago reported figure.
