Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Key Takeaways DHI faces housing demand pressure from high mortgage rates and affordability challenges.Sales incentives and pricing pressure weigh on profits, partly offset by lower construction costs.Backlog value is expected to rise from a year ago, even as net sales orders are projected to decline.
D.R. Horton Inc. (DHI - Free Report) is slated to report results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 (ended Sept. 30) on Oct. 29, before the opening bell.

In the last quarter, the company’s earnings and revenues beat the Zacks Consensus Estimates by 7% and 0.5%, respectively.  On a year-over-year basis, earnings declined 4.8%, while revenues increased marginally.

Markedly, D.R. Horton reported better-than-expected earnings in three of the trailing four quarters and missed on one occasion, the average surprise being 1.9%.

How Are Estimates Placed for D.R. Horton Stock?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter’s earnings per share (EPS) has been unchanged at $3.03 over the past 30 days. The estimated figure indicates a decline of 0.3% from the year-ago reported EPS of $3.04.

The consensus mark for revenues is $9.04 billion, indicating a 6.6% year-over-year decline.

Factors Likely to Shape DHI’s Q4 ResultsRevenuesD.R. Horton’s fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues are expected to have declined year over year, reflecting continued pressure on housing demand and affordability. Elevated mortgage rates, higher homeownership costs and cautious consumer sentiment are likely to have weighed on home sales. The company expects sales incentives to have remained elevated during the quarter, with incentive levels depending on demand, mortgage rates and broader market conditions. These incentives might have helped support sales but could limit revenue growth.

Elevated sales incentives and affordability-focused pricing are also likely to have continued pressuring average selling prices (ASPs), limiting revenue growth despite its efforts to support demand. The company’s broad geographic footprint and focus on entry-level homes might have helped it respond to local market conditions, but affordability constraints remain a key challenge.

For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, D.R. Horton expects consolidated revenues of $8.8 billion to $9.3 billion and homebuilding closings of 22,500 to 23,000 homes. These targets reflect the company’s expectations under current market conditions. Affordability constraints and elevated incentives are likely to have remained key factors affecting performance.

Under the Homebuilding segment (which contributed 92% to the fiscal 2025 total revenues), the Zacks Consensus Estimate for DHI’s home sales is pegged at $8.26 billion for the fiscal fourth quarter, indicating a fall from the $8.54 billion reported a year ago. The consensus mark for the ASPs for homes delivered is expected to be $364,000.

Rental Property revenues (which contributed 4.8% to the total revenues in fiscal 2025) are expected to be $453 million, which implies a decline from the year-ago reported level of $805 million.

Conversely, Forestar revenues (which contributed 4.9% to the total revenues in fiscal 2025) are likely to be $624 million, which indicates a decline from the year-ago reported level of $671 million. The Financial Services segment’s revenues (which contributed 2.5% to the total revenues in fiscal 2025) are expected to be $212 million, which indicates a decline from the year-ago reported level of $218 million.

Margins & Bottom LineD.R. Horton’s earnings are expected to have declined year over year, with profitability likely to have remained under pressure from elevated sales incentives and pricing pressure. However, lower construction costs and improved construction efficiency might have partly offset these pressures. The company expects fiscal fourth-quarter home sales gross margin to range from 20.5% to 21%, indicating relatively stable margins sequentially.

Lower revenues and persistent pricing pressure are also likely to have weighed on operating leverage. Homebuilding SG&A expenses might have remained high relative to revenues if sales growth and average selling prices do not improve.

For the fiscal fourth quarter, D.R. Horton expects a consolidated pretax profit margin of 12.3% to 12.8%.

Orders & BacklogFor the fiscal fourth quarter, the consensus estimate suggests that net sales orders will decline 1% year over year to 19,874 units. The same for backlog is pegged at 13,095 units, which indicates 21.4% growth from that recorded a year ago. The value of the backlog is expected to be $5.02 billion, implying growth from the $4.12 billion reported a year ago.

What the Zacks Model Unveils for DHIOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for D.R. Horton this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. That is not the case here.

Earnings ESP: DHI has an Earnings ESP of +0.15% at present. You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: The company currently carries a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell).

Stocks to ConsiderHere are some companies in the Zacks Construction sector, which, according to our model, have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat.

Argan, Inc. (AGX - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +4.79% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

With the average surprise being 44.2%, Argan’s earnings beat estimates in each of the past four quarters. Argan’s is expected to register a 53.9% increase in earnings for the to-be-reported quarter.

Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.80% and a Zacks Rank of 2.

With the average surprise being 27.2%, Sterling’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four quarters. Sterling is expected to register a 74.4% increase in earnings for the to-be-reported quarter.

Quanta Services (PWR - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +2.66% and a Zacks Rank of 3.

With the average surprise being 17%, Quanta Services’ earnings beat estimates in each of the last four quarters. Quanta Services is expected to register a 50.5% increase in earnings for the to-be-reported quarter.

Over the next few weeks, hundreds of companies will report quarterly results. If you own 20, 50, or 100 stocks, the reports can pile up faster than you can read them, and it's hard to know which ones deserve your time.

The last of six Rule Breakers Principles is built for this stretch: Review quarterly, manage accordingly.

A quarter gives a business enough time to show real change, whether that's a strong report or a sharp drop, without letting problems go unnoticed for long.

You don't need to give every stock the same attention.

Holdings that comprise about 5% of your portfolio deserve the full treatment, so read the earnings release, skim the conference call, and check what competitors are saying.Positions between about 1.5% and 5% usually need only a scan of the headlines that have occurred since your last check-in.Below 1.5%, it's fine to let a quarter slide. If any of those small positions turn into winners, they'll grow into bigger ones and earn more of your time.Let AI Do the First PassA short AI prompt can handle much of that headline scan. Here's one to adapt:

I'm doing a quarterly review of [company]. What are the most important developments from the past three months that a long-term shareholder should know? Compare the latest results with these reasons I bought it: [your reasons]. Keep it under 250 words and link to your sources.Asking for links is worth the extra words. AI tools can get facts wrong, so click through the primary sources before you act on anything.

Now try it on CME Group (CME +0.76%), which runs the world's leading derivatives marketplace and reported results on Oct. 21. When Team Rule Breakers recommended the company in Stock Advisor in June 2025, the case rested mainly on volatility driving trading volume, international trading growing faster than U.S. trading, and exceptionally high margins.

The third quarter backed up each point. Average daily volume rose 16% to a third-quarter record of 29.4 million contracts. International volume grew 22%. The operating margin was roughly 65%, in line with where it stood when the team recommended the stock. CME also returned nearly $1 billion to shareholders through dividends and buybacks.

For CME, managing accordingly means holding steady.

The case against holding starts with the share price. The team recommended CME at $270.59, and shares trade around $308 today. That's a solid gain, but the stock has trailed the S&P 500 since, even counting its dividend. Anyone hoping for a market beater has been disappointed so far.

A quarterly review, though, judges the business against the reasons you bought it. The team wanted a low-volatility stock that profits when markets turn turbulent, and this month has fit that description so far. While AI-linked stocks have slid, CME's shares have climbed more than 10%.

Holding CME makes sense if you believe markets will stay jumpy and that CME can keep its edge against European rivals. Team Rule Breakers still holds the stock and has recommended it again in other Motley Fool services since that recommendation last June.

Key Takeaways Incyte and Genmab will test INCB161734, petosemtamab and chemotherapy in first-line KRAS G12D-mutated mCRC.Genmab will lead a phase I/II study, while Incyte supplies INCB161734 and shares development costs.Incyte is also evaluating INCB161734 in phase III pancreatic cancer and phase I solid tumor studies. Incyte Corporation (INCY - Free Report) has entered into a clinical trial collaboration with Denmark-based Genmab A/S (GMAB - Free Report) to evaluate a new combination therapy for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) carrying the KRAS G12D mutation.

The combination will include INCB161734, Incyte’s investigational KRAS G12D inhibitor, petosemtamab, Genmab’s investigational bispecific antibody and standard chemotherapy.

INCB161734 is an investigational, oral drug designed to selectively block the KRAS G12D mutation, which helps cancer cells grow and survive.

Petosemtamab is a bispecific antibody that targets two proteins, EGFR and LGR5, that play a role in cancer growth and the survival of cancer stem-like cells.

Combining these drugs with chemotherapy could offer a new treatment approach for patients with this type of colorectal cancer.

Under the agreement, Genmab will conduct a phase I/II clinical study evaluating the combination in patients with KRAS G12D-mutated mCRC who have not received prior treatment for their metastatic disease. Incyte will provide INCB161734 and share the development costs with Genmab.

KRAS mutations affect nearly 40% of colorectal cancers, with KRAS G12D being the most common KRAS mutation in this cancer type. According to the companies, the mutation is found in approximately 15% of colorectal cancer cases.

Year to date, Incyte shares have gained 17.1% compared with the industry’s 5.7% growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Incyte Advances INCB161734 DevelopmentIncyte is evaluating INCB161734 across several clinical settings involving KRAS G12D-mutated cancers.

The candidate is being studied in the global phase III DAWN-303 study in previously untreated patients with KRAS G12D-mutated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The study is evaluating INCB161734 in combination with standard chemotherapy to assess its safety and efficacy.

INCB161734 is also being evaluated as a single agent and in combination with chemotherapy in an ongoing phase I study involving patients with KRAS G12D-mutated solid tumors.

More on Genmab’s PetosemtamabGenmab is developing petosemtamab for several solid tumors, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and colorectal cancer.

Petosemtamab is also being evaluated in two late-stage studies in combination with chemotherapy for first- and second-line treatment of RAS/BRAF wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer. The new collaboration with Incyte expands its clinical development into KRAS G12D-mutated mCRC, a distinct patient population.

INCY’s Zacks Rank & Stocks to ConsiderIncyte has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) at present.

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

Some better-ranked stocks in the biotech sector are Halozyme Therapeutics (HALO - Free Report) and TG Therapeutics (TGTX - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 at present.

Over the past 60 days, earnings per share estimates for Halozyme Therapeutics have increased from $8.37 to $8.80 for 2026. Over the same period, estimates for 2027 earnings per share have risen from $9.75 to $10.29. HALO’s shares have surged 86.7% year to date.

Halozyme Therapeutics’ earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in the remaining one, with the negative average surprise being 19.12%.

Over the past 60 days, earnings per share estimates for TG Therapeutics have risen from 92 cents to 94 cents for 2026. Over the same period, estimates for 2027 earnings per share have increased from $2.65 to $2.66. TGTX’s shares have risen 81.7% year to date.

TG Therapeutics’ earnings missed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and beat in the remaining one, with the average surprise being 184.65%.

The market expects Williams Companies, Inc. (The) (WMB - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on November 2, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis pipeline operator is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.56 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +14.3%.

Revenues are expected to be $3.19 billion, up 9% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.02% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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

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

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

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

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for The Williams Companies?For The Williams Companies, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +1.65%.

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

So, this combination indicates that The Williams Companies will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that The Williams Companies would post earnings of $0.52 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.50, delivering a surprise of -3.85%.

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

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

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

The Williams Companies appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

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

Key Takeaways Health revenues are expected to benefit from growth across regions, while Wealth gains from retirement work. CRB could benefit from new business and client retention, while technology software sales support ICT. Expenses are expected to reach $2 billion, driven by higher salaries and interest expense. Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (WTW - Free Report) is expected to register an improvement in both top and bottom lines when it reports third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 29, before the opening bell.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WTW’s third-quarter revenues is pegged at $2.48 billion, indicating an 8.3% increase from the year-ago reported figure.

The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $3.60 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WTW’s third-quarter earnings has moved south by 0.3% in the past 30 days. The estimate suggests a year-over-year increase of 17.3%.

What the Zacks Model UnveilsOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Willis Towers this time around. This is because a stock needs to have the right combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). This is not the case, as you can see below.

Earnings ESP: Willis Towers has an Earnings ESP of +2.33%. This is because the Most Accurate Estimate of $3.68 is pegged higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.60. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: Willis Towers carries a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) at present.

Factors Likely to Shape Q3 Results of WTWRevenues in the third quarter are likely to have benefited from strong performances across the segments.

Growth across all regions, with International leading the overall performance, is likely to have aided organic revenue growth in Health in the to-be-reported quarter.

Wealth business revenues are likely to have benefited from higher levels of retirement work across all regions.

Career revenues are likely to have been affected by increased levels of communications project work and broad-based pay work, which were likely to be offset by constrained revenues in the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict.

The Benefits Delivery & Outsourcing segment’s performance is expected to have benefited from expanded project work, new client wins and regulatory-driven work in Outsourcing. The upside is likely to be partially offset by lower commissions in Individual Marketplace.

Corporate Risk & Broking is expected to have benefited from new business activity and strong client retention globally.

Insurance Consulting and Technology is expected to have benefited from strong software sales in the Technology practice.

Expenses in the third quarter are likely to have increased, attributable to higher salary expense, higher professional services costs, increased local office expenses, a higher depreciable base of assets, and higher interest expense. We expect the metric to be $2 billion in the to-be-reported quarter.

Stocks to ConsiderSome insurance stocks with the right combination of elements to come up with an earnings beat this time around are:

HCI Group, Inc. (HCI - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +4.10% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $5.01, indicating a year-over-year increase of 2.2%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

HCI’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four reported quarters.

The Allstate Corporation (ALL - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +5.25% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $7.03, indicating a year-over-year decrease of 37.1%.

ALL’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four reported quarters.

MetLife, Inc. (MET - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.59% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $2.71, indicating a year-over-year increase of 15.8%.

MET’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four reported quarters.

Key Takeaways Otis Worldwide's Q3 sales are projected to rise 4.3% to $3.85 billion, while EPS may fall 4.8% to $1.Repair and modernization demand may lift Service sales 5.3%, while New Equipment sales may fall 1.2%.Labor and material costs may push Service and New Equipment operating margins down 60 and 160 bps.
Otis Worldwide Corporation (OTIS - Free Report) is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 28, before the opening bell.

In the last reported quarter, the company’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1%, and net sales topped it by 3.7%. On a year-over-year basis, the bottom line declined 3.8%, while the top line grew 7.3%.

OTIS’ earnings surpassed the consensus mark in two of the trailing four quarters, missed on one occasion and met on the remaining occasion, with an average surprise of 1%.

How Are Estimates Placed for OTIS Stock?For the third quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share (EPS) has trended downward to $1 from 99 cents in the past 30 days. The estimated figure indicates a 4.8% decline from the year-ago adjusted EPS of $1.05.

The consensus mark for net sales is pegged at $3.85 billion, indicating 4.3% growth from the year-ago figure of $3.7 billion.

Key Factors to Note for OTIS’ Q3 EarningsSales

Otis Worldwide’s third-quarter performance is likely to have benefited from continued momentum in its Service segment, which accounted for 66.9% of second-quarter 2026 net sales. Strong repair and modernization demand, along with improving maintenance trends, is expected to have kept the segment a primary growth driver. Management projects mid-single-digit growth in Service organic sales for the third quarter, supported by repair and modernization activity, although modernization growth is expected to have moderated sequentially. The company’s focus on service quality, pricing initiatives and backlog execution is also likely to have supported revenue growth in the to-be-reported quarter.

Maintenance and repair initiatives are also likely to have supported performance. Otis Worldwide continues to implement value-driven micro-pricing strategies and proactive repair offerings to strengthen customer engagement and improve pricing realization. The company previously outlined approximately $35 million in incremental repair pricing benefits for 2026. These initiatives, alongside higher repair volumes, are expected to have supported third-quarter Service performance.

The company’s Service Excellence and digital initiatives are likely to have aided operational execution. Otis Worldwide has been investing in service quality, field productivity and customer retention, supported by AI-assisted tools and standardized operating processes. Continued implementation of these initiatives, along with its broader Service Operating Model, is likely to have strengthened customer service and execution capabilities in the quarter under review.

However, weakness in the New Equipment segment, which accounted for 33.1% of second-quarter 2026 net sales, is likely to have partly constrained third-quarter top-line growth. Although management expects sales trends to improve sequentially, subdued construction activity and pricing pressure in China, alongside demand challenges in the Middle East and Southern Europe, are likely to have weighed on the segment’s performance.

For the third quarter, our Zacks model predicts the Service segment’s net sales to increase year over year by 5.3% to $2.56 billion, with the New Equipment segment’s net sales declining 1.2% to $1.24 billion.

Margins

On the margin front, higher labor and material costs, productivity challenges and ongoing Service investments are expected to have remained headwinds. Longer onboarding periods for skilled mechanics and higher labor rates associated with accelerating repair and modernization execution are likely to have continued affecting profitability in the to-be-reported quarter. We expect the adjusted operating margin in the Service and New Equipment segments to contract 60 basis points (bps) and 160 bps year over year to 24% and 3.1%, respectively.

Moreover, delayed improvements in maintenance customer retention and a measured approach to incremental micro-pricing are expected to have limited margin recovery. Management previously identified approximately $20 million in retention and maintenance pricing-related headwinds and an additional $50 million in productivity and field-cost pressures relative to its earlier full-year outlook. For the to-be-reported quarter, our model expects SG&A expenses to increase year over year by 2.8% to $518.3 million. Although higher repair pricing, modernization volumes and cost-reduction initiatives are expected to have provided some support, these benefits may have been partly offset by continued operating cost pressures.

What Our Model Unveils for OTISOur proven model does not predict an earnings beat for Otis Worldwide this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. However, it is not the case here.

OTIS’ Earnings ESP: The company has an Earnings ESP of -0.57%. You can uncover the best stocks before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

OTIS’ Zacks Rank: Currently, the stock carries a Zacks Rank #3.

Stocks With the Favorable CombinationHere are some companies from the Industrial Products sector, which, according to our model, have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in their respective quarters to be reported.

Eaton Corporation plc (ETN - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.45% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

 Eaton’s earnings topped the consensus mark in three of the last four quarters and met on the remaining occasion, with the average surprise being 1.3%. Earnings for ETN’s third quarter of 2026 are expected to grow 15% year over year.

Kennametal Inc. (KMT - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.50% and a Zacks Rank of 3.

 Kennametal’s earnings topped the consensus mark in each of the last four quarters, with the average surprise being 29.3%. Earnings for KMT’s third quarter of 2026 are expected to surge a whopping 682.4% year over year.

Watsco, Inc. (WSO - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.46% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.

 Watsco’s earnings topped the consensus mark in one of the last four quarters and missed on the remaining three occasions, with the average negative surprise being 4.9%. Earnings for WSO’s third quarter of 2026 are expected to improve 3.8% year over year.

Key Takeaways IDEX expects Q3 2026 adjusted EPS to rise 9.9% and revenues to grow 4.6%.Health & Science Technologies revenues are projected to grow 11% on strong end-market demand.Acquisitions and water demand may aid growth, while dispensing weakness and rising costs pose risks. IDEX Corporation (IEX - Free Report) is scheduled to release third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 28, before market open.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter earnings has remained steady in the past 60 days. The company has an impressive earnings surprise history, having outperformed the consensus estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, the average surprise being 7.7%.

The consensus estimate for revenues is pegged at $919.4 million, indicating an increase of 4.6% from the prior-year quarter’s figure. The consensus estimate for adjusted earnings is pinned at $2.23 per share, indicating an increase of 9.9% from the year-ago quarter’s number.

Let's see how things have shaped up for IDEX this earnings season.

Factors to Note Ahead of IDEX’s ResultsThe Health & Science Technologies (HST) segment is expected to have benefited from strength in the data center, semiconductor, space and defense markets in the third quarter. The consensus estimate for the HST segment’s revenues is pegged at $423 million, indicating an increase of 11% year over year.

An increase in demand for products across the municipal water end market is expected to have aided the Fluid & Metering Technologies (FMT) segment. Higher demand for mining application solutions business is likely to have been a tailwind as well. The consensus estimate for the FMT segment’s revenues is pegged at $321 million, indicating growth of 1.3% year over year.

IDEX has remained focused on expanding its product offerings and market presence through buyouts, which is expected to have boosted its top line. In July 2025, the company acquired Micro-LAM, Inc. (Micro-LAM), which expanded IDEX’s optics technology offerings. Also, the acquisition of Mott Corp. and its subsidiaries (Mott) in September 2024 expanded the company’s expertise in applied materials science technology capabilities across high-value end markets.

However, the Fire & Safety/Diversified Products (FSDP) segment is expected to have put up a weak show due to softness in the dispensing business arising from the unfavorable timing of dispensing projects in emerging markets. However, positive pricing is expected to have provided some relief. The consensus estimate for the segment’s revenues is pegged at $182 million, matching the year-ago quarter figure.

The escalating costs and operating expenses, due to increasing employee-related costs and professional services spending, are likely to have weighed on IEX’s bottom line in the to-be-reported quarter.

Earnings WhisperOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for IEX this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is not the case here, as elaborated below.

Earnings ESP: IEX has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% as both the Zacks Consensus Estimate and the Most Accurate Estimate are pegged at $2.10 per share. You can uncover the best stocks before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: IEX presently carries a Zacks Rank of 3.

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

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

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (SWK - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.10% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The company is slated to release third-quarter 2026 results on Nov. 4.

Stanley Black’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 23.3%.

Deere & Company (DE - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.86% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The company is slated to release third-quarter 2026 results on Nov. 25.

Deere & Company’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and missed the mark in one, the average surprise being 11.1%.

Crane Company (CR - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.86% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The company is scheduled to release third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 27.

Crane’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, the average surprise being 10.4%.

Investors in Hub Group, Inc. (HUBG - Free Report) need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the April 16, 2027 $17.50 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.

What is Implied Volatility?Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.

What do the Analysts Think?Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for Hub Group, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, Hub Group is a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) in Transportation - Services Industry that ranks in the Bottom 23% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 60 days, no analyst has increased his estimate for the current quarter, while two have revised their estimates downward. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter to move from 55 cents per share to 26 cents per share in the same time period.

Given the way analysts feel about Hub Group right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Often times, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.

, /PRNewswire/ -- UFP Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: UFPI) today announced the acquisition of the operating assets, including real estate, of Apache Products, Inc. dba Acme Skid, a pallet manufacturer based in Silsbee, Texas, for approximately $27 million. The transaction expands UFP Packaging's pallet manufacturing footprint and strengthens the company's ability to serve customers throughout the Gulf Coast, one of the country's largest industrial and petrochemical markets.

Apache Products designs and manufactures stringer and heat-treated pallets from its facility in Silsbee. The transaction adds approximately $55 million in annual sales and brings 165 employees into the UFP family. The addition strengthens a core business for UFP Industries and expands UFP Packaging's PalletOne network with immediate capacity and a strong platform for long-term growth.

"Apache is the kind of business we look for at UFP: an established market leader with long-standing customer relationships, a disciplined operation and an experienced team that has a proven track record of execution," said Will Schwartz, chief executive officer of UFP Industries. "This acquisition tracks with our other investments this year—broadening our reach into a strategically important geography and creating opportunities to grow with our national customers across the region to create long-term value."

The Apache facility will be integrated into UFP Packaging's existing pallet manufacturing network, creating opportunities to leverage UFP's operational scale, national customer relationships and broader packaging platform while maintaining the local expertise and customer focus that have defined Apache's success.

"The Gulf Coast is one of the country's most important industrial packaging markets, driven by concentrated manufacturing, energy and petrochemical activity," said Scott Worthington, president of UFP Packaging. "The team at Apache will expand our ability to support customers as they grow through greater efficiency, scale and access to a larger range of packaging solutions."

The acquisition underscores UFP Industries' continued focus on investing in core businesses, expanding manufacturing capacity to serve regional and national customers, and strengthening the competitive position of its operating companies across packaging and industrial markets. The transaction is expected to close on or around Nov. 16, 2026.

UFP Packaging is a leading provider of comprehensive industrial packaging solutions and the largest producer of wood pallets and crates in the United States. In addition to pallets, the company combines nationwide engineering and manufacturing expertise to develop custom, multi-material packaging systems that solve complex product protection and supply chain challenges. Its capabilities encompass structural and reusable metal packaging, custom and stock corrugated boxes, advanced printing and labeling, and other protective packaging solutions.

About UFP Industries

UFP Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: UFPI) is a holding company whose operating subsidiaries manufacture, distribute and sell value-added products for the retail, construction and industrial markets throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Founded in 1955 and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., UFP Industries is among North America's largest diversified manufacturers.

SOURCE UFP Industries, Inc.

NEW YORK, Oct. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP notifies investors in AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ: APP) that a class action has been filed on behalf of shareholders who purchased securities between February 12, 2026 and August 5, 2026. Check if you might be eligible to recover your investment losses. You may also contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. at [email protected] or (212) 363-7500.

AppLovin reported second quarter 2026 revenue of $1.92 billion against consensus estimates of $1.94 billion. APP shares fell $82.13, or 19.66%, to close at $335.67 on August 6, 2026, down $171.31 from the Class Period high of $506.98 reached on July 12, 2026. The lead plaintiff deadline is November 16, 2026.

The Promise

The company projected a compounding growth engine: better AI models delivered better returns for advertisers, advertisers moved more budget onto the platform, and the resulting data improved the models again. On May 6, 2026, management described that mechanism as "a virtuous cycle, and it is working," told investors the Company had "100% seen faster improvements to the models, both across the consumer business and the gaming business," and added that "we don't really see a reason why that's going to slow down." On the same call, the generative AI video creative feature for the AppLovin Ads platform was described as in testing, with a plan to "roll it out to all accounts shortly."

The Reality

Results revealed a different picture on August 5, 2026. Management stated that the "pace of meaningful model improvement was lighter than normal during the quarter" and that the next step-up "landed just after quarter end." On the video tool, investors were told: "We're not at the point where we can yet get a high-quality video for 30 to 60 seconds in the hand of an advertiser out of the box. So that's still [a] work in progress."

Promise vs. Actual: By the Numbers

Promised in March 2026: a 20% to 30% growth framework supported by "directed model enhancements and recursive learning" occurring "on an ongoing basis." Actual: single-digit second quarter growth, the weakest of the prior 12 quarters.Promised in May 2026: the generative AI video tool rolled out "to all accounts shortly." Actual, August 5, 2026: "still [a] work in progress."Anticipated second quarter revenue: $1.94 billion. Reported: $1.92 billion.Class Period high: $506.98 per share. Close after the second quarter disclosure: $335.67 per share.During the Class Period, the individual defendants sold 260,065 shares for more than $109.1 million in proceeds, the complaint alleges. The gap demonstrates, according to the lawsuit, that the constancy of AI model improvement and the readiness of the video tool were overstated while investors purchased at allegedly inflated prices.

"Companies that make specific promises to investors about future performance have an obligation to disclose known risks to those projections. The complaint alleges that AppLovin investors were told model gains had no reason to slow down weeks before the Company reported that the pace of meaningful improvement had been lighter than normal." -- Joseph E. Levi, Esq.

Learn more about the case or call (212) 363-7500.

Levi & Korsinsky, LLP | Top 50 Securities Firm | (212) 363-7500 | www.zlk.com | Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions About the APP Lawsuit

Q: What specific misstatements does the APP lawsuit allege? A: The complaint alleges AppLovin made materially false or misleading statements regarding the constancy and reliability of improvements to its AI advertising models and the development status of its generative AI video creative tool during the Class Period. When the Company reported second quarter revenue of $1.92 billion, disclosed that the pace of meaningful model improvement had been "lighter than normal," and described the video tool as "still [a] work in progress," the stock price declined sharply.

Q: When did AppLovin allegedly mislead investors? A: The Class Period runs from February 12, 2026 to August 5, 2026. The complaint alleges that corrective disclosures revealed information that caused a significant stock decline.

Q: What court was the APP class action filed in? A: The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, governed by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Q: What do APP investors need to do right now? A: Investors may gather brokerage records showing purchase dates, share quantities, and prices paid. Submit your information for a no-cost, no-obligation evaluation of your potential recovery. No immediate action is required to remain eligible as an absent class member.

Q: What documents do I need to to submit my information? A: Brokerage statements or trade confirmations showing purchase dates, share quantities, prices paid, and any subsequent sale dates and prices.

Q: What if my APP losses are small -- is it still worth contacting a lawyer? A: Yes. There is no minimum loss amount required to participate as a class member.

Q: How long will the lawsuit take to resolve? A: Securities class actions typically take two to four years from initial filing to resolution. Timing depends on the court schedule, case developments, and whether the matter is dismissed, settled, or litigated further.

Q: Can I join a different law firm's lawsuit instead? A: Yes. Investors may choose which law firm to contact. Multiple firms often file competing complaints. The court may consolidate related cases and appoint a single lead counsel.

CONTACT:

Levi & Korsinsky, LLP

Joseph E. Levi, Esq.

Ed Korsinsky, Esq.

33 Whitehall Street, 27th Floor

New York, NY 10004

[email protected]

Tel: (212) 363-7500

Fax: (212) 363-7171

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

The Phase 3 Failure That Sent Biotech Winners and Losers in Opposite DirectionsAlnylam Pharmaceuticals NASDAQ: ALNY outlined early clinical data for brezosiran, an investigational RNA interference therapy for Huntington’s disease, reporting dose-dependent reductions in cerebrospinal fluid mutant huntingtin after a single intrathecal dose and plans to begin a placebo-controlled pivotal study in 2027, pending regulatory alignment.

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Huntington’s disease is a progressive, fatal inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded CAG repeat in the huntingtin gene. The disease can affect movement, cognition and mood, and Alnylam estimates that more than 100,000 symptomatic patients live globally. There are currently no approved disease-modifying treatments.

Exon 1 Strategy Targets Multiple Huntingtin Forms Alnylam Stock Soars 65%: Find Out What’s Behind the GainsBrezosiran, previously called ALN-HTT02, is designed to target a sequence in Exon 1 of the huntingtin gene. Alnylam said this approach is intended to reduce both full-length mutant huntingtin and a shorter form known as huntingtin 1a, as well as wild-type huntingtin.

Kevin Sloan, Alnylam’s vice president of development programs and program lead for brezosiran, said prior huntingtin-lowering programs have often targeted sequences downstream of Exon 1, meaning they may lower full-length huntingtin without directly addressing huntingtin 1a.

3 biotech powerhouses poised to thrive amid sector rebound“We ultimately selected” an inclusive Exon 1-targeting approach “designed to lower all relevant huntingtin species in the CNS,” Sloan said.

Gill Bates, professor of molecular neuroscience and co-director of the Huntington’s Disease Centre at University College London, discussed research suggesting huntingtin 1a may contribute meaningfully to disease biology. She said somatic expansion of the CAG repeat in vulnerable neurons is believed to be an early event in Huntington’s disease pathogenesis.

Bates described three mouse-model studies published this year that examined the effects of reducing huntingtin 1a. In one study, preventing production of huntingtin 1a delayed aggregation and normalized certain cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers while full-length mutant huntingtin remained present. Other studies found that approaches lowering huntingtin 1a alongside full-length mutant huntingtin had larger effects on aggregation and transcriptional dysregulation than approaches aimed only at full-length huntingtin.

However, Bates said it remains difficult to measure huntingtin 1a in living patients because it may be produced in relatively small populations of cells with highly expanded repeats and may remain trapped in cellular aggregates. She said reductions in full-length huntingtin could potentially serve as an indirect indicator of huntingtin 1a lowering for therapies directed at Exon 1.

Initial Phase Ib Data Showed Up to 83% Individual Reductions Toby Ferguson, Alnylam’s senior vice president and head of neuroscience, presented initial results from an ongoing randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase Ib study in patients with stage 2 or early stage 3 Huntington’s disease. The trial enrolled patients between ages 25 and 70 with more than 39 CAG repeats in Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom.

The data cut included five dose cohorts with up to three months of follow-up after one intrathecal administration of brezosiran. The study’s primary endpoint is safety and tolerability, while secondary measures include cerebrospinal fluid and plasma pharmacokinetics and changes in cerebrospinal fluid mutant huntingtin.

Using two assays, including a newer mutant huntingtin NULISA assay, Alnylam reported dose-dependent reductions in cerebrospinal fluid mutant huntingtin. At the highest evaluated dose, the company reported mean reductions of 60% to 64% at month three, with maximum individual reductions of up to 83%.

Ferguson said the NULISA assay avoided lower-limit-of-quantification issues observed with a traditional assay, particularly after deeper huntingtin lowering.

Safety Findings and Development Plans Alnylam said adverse events occurred in most participants, as is common in neurodegenerative-disease studies, but reported no dose-related increase in serious or severe adverse events across the five cohorts. There were no deaths or treatment discontinuations due to adverse events.

The company reported two severe and serious events in one dose group: a radius fracture and likely bacterial meningitis. It also reported an acute myocardial infarction that resolved with sequelae and a resolved post-lumbar puncture syndrome in that same dose group. A severe, non-serious headache in another group had resolved.

Ferguson said cerebrospinal fluid white blood cell counts and protein levels were similar between treated and placebo participants, with no evidence to date of dose-related central nervous system inflammation. The company also reported no dose-dependent increases in cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light chain, a biomarker associated with neuronal injury, and no dose-dependent changes in ventricular volume on MRI.

“Our findings to date do not establish clinical efficacy,” Ferguson said, adding that longer and larger studies will be required.

Participants may enter an open-label extension in which they can receive brezosiran every six months. Alnylam said the extension will help characterize longer-term safety and explore potential efficacy trends, though Ferguson said it may take 24 to 36 months to meaningfully assess clinical effects in Huntington’s disease.

The company plans to pursue a placebo-controlled pivotal study beginning in 2027, subject to regulatory discussions. Alnylam said the trial is intended to determine whether brezosiran can slow disease progression and would, to its knowledge, be the first placebo-controlled test of the huntingtin 1a-lowering hypothesis.

About Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ALNY)Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing medicines based on RNA interference (RNAi). The company's therapies are designed to silence specific genes involved in disease, with the goal of addressing the underlying causes of genetic and other serious conditions.

Alnylam's marketed products include ONPATTRO (patisiran) and AMVUTTRA (vutrisiran) for hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis, GIVLAARI (givosiran) for acute hepatic porphyria, and OXLUMO (lumasiran) for primary hyperoxaluria type 1.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

Should You Invest $1,000 in Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Right Now?Before you consider Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, you'll want to hear this.

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3 Stocks Using Bitcoin to Grow Their Treasury ReservesAlliance Resource Partners NASDAQ: ARLP reported higher third-quarter 2026 revenue, earnings and adjusted EBITDA, supported by stronger coal shipments, the return of longwall production at its Hamilton mine and the first full-quarter contribution from its AllDale III and IV oil-and-gas royalty acquisition.

Total revenue increased 5.5% from a year earlier to $603 million. Net income attributable to ARLP rose 46.8% to $139.6 million, or $1.08 per basic and diluted limited partner unit, while adjusted EBITDA attributable to ARLP increased 26.3% to $233.9 million.

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Peabody Energy is a Double Threat Energy and Steel Play Results also improved sequentially from the second quarter. Revenue rose 9.3%, net income increased 75.5%, and adjusted EBITDA attributable to ARLP grew 26.4%.

The partnership said net income benefited from a $16.5 million increase in the fair value of digital assets and a $6.3 million non-cash gain from remeasuring its prior equity interest in AllDale III following the acquisition of AllDale III and IV. Those gains were partly offset by higher income-tax expense and a $7.3 million loss on derivative instruments assumed in the acquisition, including $6.7 million that was unrealized.

3 High-Yield Energy MLPs: A Stable Way to Invest in EnergyBeginning this quarter, ARLP changed its adjusted EBITDA presentation to include non-controlling interests and report adjusted EBITDA attributable to ARLP, excluding amounts attributable to non-controlling interests in AllDale III and IV and Cavalier Minerals. Prior-period figures were adjusted to conform with the revised presentation.

Coal operations benefit from higher volumes and lower costs Coal sales volumes reached 9.3 million tons, up 7.4% year over year and 9.2% sequentially. Coal segment adjusted EBITDA increased 18.6% from the prior-year quarter to $186.8 million, as higher volumes and lower expenses per ton outweighed lower average realized pricing.

Average coal sales price declined 8.3% year over year to $53.93 per ton, primarily because of a larger mix of lower-priced Tunnel Ridge volumes. Segment adjusted EBITDA expense per ton improved 13.1% to $35.64. The resulting spread between sales price and EBITDA expense widened to $18.29 per ton from $16.19 per ton in the second quarter.

In the Illinois Basin, volumes increased 6.4% year over year to 7 million tons, driven by Hamilton’s resumption of longwall production. Illinois Basin adjusted EBITDA rose 32.6% to $139.8 million, while adjusted EBITDA expense per ton fell 10.2% to $31.77.

Appalachia coal sales volumes climbed 10.7% to 2.3 million tons on strong Tunnel Ridge sales. However, average pricing in the region fell 25.1% to $62.35 per ton due to the larger Tunnel Ridge sales mix. Appalachia expense per ton improved 19.9% to $46.25.

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Craft said Hamilton set monthly production records in July and August after returning from an extended move and was the company’s lowest-cost operation during the quarter. He said the fourth quarter’s Illinois Basin cost performance should be comparable, while 2027 should benefit from a full year of Hamilton production.

Mettiki agreement restores production plans ARLP also announced a new multiyear coal supply agreement for its Mettiki operation, which had suspended mining after the partnership issued a WARN notice during the first quarter. The agreement will allow the mine and nearly 150 miners to return to production.

The mine is transitioning from longwall mining to two room-and-pillar sections operating two shifts per day by the end of the first quarter of 2027. ARLP expects Mettiki’s 2027 production to be about 550,000 tons higher than its 2026 production, with lower EBITDA expense per ton.

Craft said the agreement with Mettiki’s largest historical customer reflected the mine’s importance to the customer’s security of coal supply as it evaluates electricity demand tied to data-center contracts. He added that the revised mining approach could provide flexibility to participate selectively in the export metallurgical coal market.

ARLP said it added 4.2 million committed and priced coal tons through 2028 during the quarter. It has 31.7 million tons committed and priced for 2027, including 700,000 tons related to Mettiki’s new agreement. Export commitments total 3.7 million tons for 2026 and 3 million tons for 2027.

Craft said export volumes have exceeded expectations, although barge capacity constraints and higher transportation costs could limit growth. If logistics conditions improve, he said ARLP could potentially exceed this year’s coal sales volumes by 500,000 to 1 million tons without additional investment or operational changes.

Royalty business posts record revenue and volumes Total royalty revenue rose 52.5% year over year to $87.5 million, while royalty segment adjusted EBITDA attributable to ARLP increased 40% to $61.8 million.

The oil-and-gas royalty segment recorded quarterly records of $59.8 million in revenue and 1.45 million barrels of oil equivalent in volumes, largely reflecting the AllDale III and IV acquisition. Oil-and-gas royalty adjusted EBITDA attributable to ARLP increased 61.4% from a year earlier to $43.6 million.

Average sales price per barrel of oil equivalent rose 15.5% year over year to $41.21, as higher realized crude prices more than offset a greater natural-gas weighting after the acquisition. Sequentially, the average price declined 16.6% due to lower realized crude prices and the higher natural-gas mix.

Chief Financial Officer Cary Marshall said ARLP expects volume growth in 2027 even without further acquisitions, while also continuing to pursue royalty acquisitions and reinvest cash flow from the business. The partnership is completing reserve studies and expects to provide 2027 guidance with fourth-quarter results in February.

Cash flow strengthens as company tightens outlook Free cash flow totaled $198.6 million in the quarter, while distributable cash flow rose about 29% from a year earlier to $136.8 million. Distribution coverage increased to 1.76 times.

At Sept. 30, total debt and finance leases stood at $679.9 million, with net debt of $595 million. Total and net leverage were 0.89 times and 0.78 times trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA attributable to ARLP, respectively. The partnership ended the quarter with $430.8 million of liquidity and held 673 Bitcoin valued at $56.3 million.

Marshall said ARLP expects to amortize a new $150 million, 18-month minerals debt facility using cash flow from its minerals business. Craft said the partnership intends to maintain distribution coverage of at least 1.5 times on a sustained basis before considering an increase in its distribution.

For 2026, ARLP tightened its coal guidance and now expects sales volumes of 34.5 million to 35.5 million tons, coal sales pricing of $54.25 to $54.75 per ton, and segment adjusted EBITDA expense of $37.50 to $38.50 per ton.

About Alliance Resource Partners (NASDAQ:ARLP)Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. NASDAQ: ARLP is a diversified natural resource company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The company's primary business is the production and marketing of coal, which it supplies to electric utilities and industrial customers in the United States.

Alliance Resource Partners operates coal mines in the Illinois Basin and Appalachia, producing primarily thermal coal used for electricity generation. Its operations include underground and surface mining, coal processing, transportation and marketing activities.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

Should You Invest $1,000 in Alliance Resource Partners Right Now?Before you consider Alliance Resource Partners, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Alliance Resource Partners wasn't on the list.

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All investors love getting big returns from their portfolio, whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities. However, when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.

While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its dividend yield, a metric that measures the dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases.

Based in Cincinnati, Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. (PECO - Free Report) is in the Finance sector, and so far this year, shares have seen a price change of 7.84%. Currently paying a dividend of $0.35 per share, the company has a dividend yield of 3.6%. In comparison, the REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry's yield is 4.37%, while the S&P 500's yield is 1.33%.

Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $1.38 is up 10.1% from last year. Over the last 5 years, Phillips Edison & Company, Inc. has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 4.79%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Phillips Edison & Company's current payout ratio is 48%, meaning it paid out 48% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.

Earnings growth looks solid for PECO for this fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $2.77 per share, representing a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 6.54%.

From greatly improving stock investing profits and reducing overall portfolio risk to providing tax advantages, investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons. It's important to keep in mind that not all companies provide a quarterly payout.

Big, established firms that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options, but it's fairly uncommon to see high-growth businesses or tech start-ups offer their stockholders a dividend. Income investors have to be mindful of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, PECO is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Otter Tail (OTTR - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on November 2. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis power company and manufacturer is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.57 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -15.6%.

Revenues are expected to be $335.7 million, up 3.1% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 10.99% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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

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

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

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

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Otter Tail?For Otter Tail, the Most Accurate Estimate is the same as the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that there are no recent analyst views which differ from what have been considered to derive the consensus estimate. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of 0%.

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

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

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Otter Tail would post earnings of $1.48 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.66, delivering a surprise of +12.16%.

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

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

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

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

Expected Results of an Industry PlayerXcel Energy (XEL - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $1.39 for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +12.1%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $4.15 billion, up 5.9% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for Xcel has been revised 2.9% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, an equal Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of 0.00%.

When combined with a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Xcel will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed EPS estimates just once.

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

NEW YORK, Oct. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP notifies investors in The Chemours Company (NYSE: CC) that a securities fraud class action has been filed on behalf of shareholders who purchased securities between February 20, 2026 and August 4, 2026. Find out if you could qualify to recover your losses. You may also contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. at [email protected] or (212) 363-7500.

Opteon refrigerant sales rose a record 37% in the fourth quarter of 2025. Two quarters later, company-wide volumes fell 4%, primarily on weaker Opteon aftermarket sales, and Chemours shares dropped 18.63% in a single session. Applications to serve as lead plaintiff must be filed by December 7, 2026.

At its core, this is a specialty chemical securities fraud case built on allegedly overstated Opteon aftermarket demand. The complaint alleges that the Company failed to disclose that aftermarket demand for its Opteon products was decreasing because those products had been oversold during the preceding fiscal year.

The U.S. AIM Act Factor

Congress enacted the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act in December 2020, and federal regulation has reshaped refrigerant demand since then. The law directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to oversee a shift toward alternative refrigerants with a lesser ozone impact. According to the lawsuit, the stationary air conditioning transition under that law triggered an initial aftermarket channel fill in 2025 as distributors and technicians stocked up for new equipment installations.

The lawsuit contends that this surge left 2026 aftermarket sales lapping an unusually strong prior-year base. That base was allegedly inflated by customer stockpiling rather than lasting end-user demand.

Key Opteon Demand Securities Fraud Allegations for Shareholders

Record Opteon growth in late 2025 allegedly reflected aftermarket customers building extra inventory, not sustainable end-market consumption.Customers allegedly entered 2026 holding excess product, which left the aftermarket channel oversupplied as the new year began.Purchasing during 2025 supply constraints allegedly pulled aftermarket sales forward from 2026, leaving less demand for the year ahead.The Company cited reduced Opteon blend aftermarket sales in North America as the main driver of its 2026 volume decline.The alleged overselling centers on the Thermal & Specialized Solutions segment, which reports Opteon results and anchored the Company's growth story. "This case presents important questions about demand disclosure obligations in the specialty chemical sector, particularly when a regulatory transition sparks a one-time buying wave. The lawsuit claims that record Opteon sales in 2025 masked an oversupplied aftermarket channel that would weigh on the following year. Shareholders are entitled to understand whether reported growth reflects durable demand." -- Joseph E. Levi, Esq.

Submit your information here or call (212) 363-7500.

WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions About the CC Lawsuit

Q: Who is eligible to join the CC investor lawsuit? A: Investors who purchased CC stock or securities between February 20, 2026 and August 4, 2026 and suffered financial losses may be eligible. Eligibility is based on purchase date and documented losses -- not on whether you still hold the shares.

Q: What specific misstatements does the CC lawsuit allege? A: The complaint alleges The Chemours Company made materially false or misleading statements during the Class Period regarding aftermarket demand for its Opteon refrigerant products. It also alleges the Company failed to disclose that 2025 sales had oversupplied the distribution channel heading into 2026. When second quarter 2026 results reporting lower Opteon aftermarket sales were disclosed, the stock price declined sharply.

Q: What court was the CC class action filed in? A: The case was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, governed by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Q: What is a lead plaintiff and why does it matter? A: A lead plaintiff is the investor appointed by the court to represent the entire class. Lead plaintiffs are typically investors with the largest documented losses. Being appointed does not increase individual recovery but gives direct oversight of how the case is run.

Q: What if I already sold my CC shares -- can I still recover losses? A: Yes. Eligibility is based on when you purchased, not whether you still hold the shares. Investors who bought during the Class Period and sold at a loss may still be eligible to participate.

Q: What does it cost me to participate? A: There is no upfront cost to submit your information and review whether you may be eligible to recover. Should you choose to participate in the securities class action, they are generally handled on a contingency basis, with any attorneys' fees and expenses subject to court approval.

Q: How long will the lawsuit take to resolve? A: Securities class actions typically take two to four years from initial filing to resolution. Timing depends on the court schedule, case developments, and whether the matter is dismissed, settled, or litigated further.

CONTACT:

Levi & Korsinsky, LLP

Joseph E. Levi, Esq.

Ed Korsinsky, Esq.

33 Whitehall Street, 27th Floor

New York, NY 10004

[email protected]

Tel: (212) 363-7500

Fax: (212) 363-7171

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Key Takeaways NI's Q3 earnings are likely to gain from load growth, data center demand and higher manufacturing activity.NI's Q3 EPS is projected to rise 15.8% to 22 cents, while revenues are expected to grow 9.5% to $1.39 billion.New rates, infrastructure investments and cost discipline are expected to support NI's results.
NiSource Inc. (NI - Free Report) is scheduled to release third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 28, before market open. The company delivered an earnings surprise of 6.67% in the last reported quarter.

Let’s discuss the factors that are likely to be reflected in the upcoming quarterly results.

Factors That Might Have Impacted NI’s Q3 PerformanceNiSource's third-quarter earnings are expected to have benefited from rising load growth, data center demand and higher manufacturing activities. Customer growth and continued economic development across its service territories are expected to have supported revenues. New electric and gas rates implemented in previous quarters may have contributed to earnings growth.

NiSource’s focus on customer safety and continued investment in infrastructure development is likely to have supported its quarterly performance. Spending on electric transmission and gas systems to support incremental demand in its service territories is likely to have a positive impact on third-quarter earnings.

The company's continued emphasis on cost discipline and efforts to keep operation and maintenance expenses stable are expected to have helped maintain customer affordability and support its upcoming quarterly performance.

Q3 Expectations for NIThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 22 cents per share, which implies a year-over-year rise of 15.8%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pinned at $1.39 billion, indicating an increase of 9.5% from the year-ago reported number.

What Our Quantitative Model Predicts for NIOur proven model predicts an earnings beat for NiSource this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is the case here, as you will see below.

Other Stocks to ConsiderHere we have mentioned other players from the same industry that also have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle:

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP - Free Report) is scheduled to report its third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 27, before market open. It has an Earnings ESP of +0.81% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.

CNP’s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate is 7.93%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings stands at 50 cents per share.

American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP - Free Report) is slated to report its third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 28, before market open. It has an Earnings ESP of +4.67% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.

AEP’s long-term earnings growth rate is 7.40%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings stands at $2 per share, which implies a year-over-year jump of 11.1%.

Edison International (EIX - Free Report) is slated to report its third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 29, after market close. It has an Earnings ESP of +1.12% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.

EIX’s long-term earnings growth rate is 3.86%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $1.79 per share.

Voya Financial (VOYA - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on lower revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on November 2. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis retirement, investment and insurance company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.61 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +6.5%.

Revenues are expected to be $357.31 million, down 3.4% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 2.17% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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

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

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

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

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Voya?For Voya, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +1.66%.

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

So, this combination indicates that Voya will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Voya would post earnings of $1.88 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.51, delivering a surprise of -19.68%.

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

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

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

Voya appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

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

Corebridge Financial (CRBG - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on lower revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on November 2. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis financial services company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.22 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +27.1%.

Revenues are expected to be $4.78 billion, down 15.1% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.27% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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

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

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

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

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Corebridge?For Corebridge, the Most Accurate Estimate is the same as the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that there are no recent analyst views which differ from what have been considered to derive the consensus estimate. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of 0%.

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

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

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Corebridge would post earnings of $1.08 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.12, delivering a surprise of +3.70%.

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

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

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

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

An Industry Player's Expected ResultsAmong the stocks in the Zacks Insurance - Multi line industry, Hamilton Insurance (HG - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $0.67 per share for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -49.2%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $705.83 million, up 5.7% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for Hamilton Insurance has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. However, an equal Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of 0.00%.

This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Hamilton Insurance will beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.

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

The market expects Diamondback Energy (FANG - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on November 2, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis energy exploration and production company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $4.92 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +59.7%.

Revenues are expected to be $4.29 billion, up 9.5% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 21.49% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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

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

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

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

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Diamondback?For Diamondback, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +15.28%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.

So, this combination indicates that Diamondback will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Diamondback would post earnings of $5.96 per share when it actually produced earnings of $6.48, delivering a surprise of +8.72%.

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

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

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

Diamondback appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

An Industry Player's Expected ResultsCNX Resources Corporation. (CNX - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $0.65 for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +32.7%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $400 million, down 5.4% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for CNX Resources has been revised 8.4% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -2.91%.

When combined with a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that CNX Resources will beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.

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

First public GPU cloud planned for 2027 as Freedom develops a $2 billion Sovereign AI Hub

, /PRNewswire/ -- Freedom Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: FRHC) is advancing its AI infrastructure plans in Kazakhstan, including a $2 billion Sovereign AI Hub and the launch of its first public GPU cloud in 2027. The programme aims to expand access to computing resources for businesses, developers and public institutions.

Timur Turlov (right), CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., and NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang. Astana, 23 October 2026 Freedom is developing the Sovereign AI Hub under an agreement signed in November 2025 with Kazakhstan's Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. The project envisages a site with 100 MW of available power. Freedom is the principal financing and implementation partner and will operate the hub.

The planned infrastructure is intended to support AI model training, large-scale data processing and the development of AI services for business and government. Access to shared computing resources can enable organisations to develop and run applications without building their own server infrastructure.

Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., has said demand already stands at twice the planned capacity of the hub's first stage. Major prospective clients have expressed willingness to lease future capacity for five years.

Freedom plans to make its first GPU cluster available as a public cloud in 2027, giving businesses and developers access to computing capacity for AI workloads.

The group is also developing Freedom AI Super Cluster, designed to serve government, business and science, with its first phase planned for the first quarter of 2027. A new Freedom Cloud data centre is under construction near Almaty. Freedom Cloud already serves more than 3,400 business and public-sector clients.

Freedom's international technology ecosystem spans banking, brokerage, insurance and telecoms, alongside lifestyle services including ticketing, travel, e-commerce and food delivery.

On 23 October, Turlov met Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA, in Astana during Huang's first visit to Kazakhstan. Turlov presented Freedom's technology ecosystem and its AI infrastructure plans.

Turlov noted that Kazakhstan has developed a strong pool of talent already creating technology in e-commerce and finance. Combined with domestic AI infrastructure, he said, this is becoming one of the country's main advantages in the global digital transformation.

Freedom's role is to provide the infrastructure needed to support that development. Its investment in computing capacity and cloud services aims to help businesses and developers turn local expertise into AI applications and digital products.

SOURCE Freedom Holding Corp.

Crescent Energy (CRGY - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on November 2. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis oil and gas company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.59 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +68.6%.

Revenues are expected to be $1.14 billion, up 31.9% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 13.27% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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

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

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

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

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Crescent Energy?For Crescent Energy, the Most Accurate Estimate is the same as the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that there are no recent analyst views which differ from what have been considered to derive the consensus estimate. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of 0%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.

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

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Crescent Energy would post earnings of $0.59 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.69, delivering a surprise of +16.95%.

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

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

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

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

An Industry Player's Expected ResultsGE Vernova (GEV - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Alternative Energy - Other industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $4.03 for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +145.7%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $12.1 billion, up 21.4% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for GE Vernova has been revised 3.3% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a higher Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +5.47%.

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

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

Key Takeaways Trane Technologies' Q3 revenues are expected to rise 12.1% y/y to $6.44B, with EPS up 22.2% to $4.74.Strong commercial HVAC demand in the Americas is expected to lift segment revenues 16.2% y/y to $5.42B.Energy-efficient HVAC demand, the Stellar acquisition & robust backlogs are expected to support TT's growth. Trane Technologies plc (TT - Free Report) is set to report third-quarter 2026 earnings on Oct. 29, before the opening bell.

The company’s earnings surprise history has been impressive. It surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an earnings surprise of 2.1% on average. 

Trane Technologies Q3 Expectations for TTThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues in the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at $6.44 billion, indicating a rise of 12.1% from the third-quarter 2025 actuals.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for America's revenues is pegged at $5.42 billion, indicating a 16.2% increase from the year-ago figure. The segment’s result is likely to be boosted by strong demand for commercial heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) products in the Americas.

The consensus mark for Europe, the Middle East and Africa revenues is $735 million, indicating a 2% year-over-year decline. Continued Middle East disruptions are likely to have led to segment revenue decline.

For Asia Pacific, the consensus mark is pegged at $339.1 million, indicating a 2.9% increase from the year-ago figure.

Sustained demand for energy-efficient HVAC systems, particularly in data centers and commercial buildings, is expected to have boosted the company’s top line in the September-end quarter of 2026. The recent Stellar acquisition is anticipated to have contributed a large portion of revenues in the third quarter. 

The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $4.74 per share, indicating year-over-year growth of 22.2%. We expect robust bookings and backlogs to have benefited the bottom line in the quarter.

What Our Model Says About TTOur proven model predicts an earnings beat for TT this time around. A positive Earnings ESP combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Trane Technologies has an Earnings ESP of +0.36% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Other Stocks to ConsiderHere are a few other stocks from the broader Business Services sector, which, according to our model, also have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this season.

Mastercard Incorporated (MA - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.11% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The company is scheduled to report its third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 29.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MA’s third-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $9.63 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 12%. For earnings, the consensus mark is pegged at $5.14 per share, implying a 17.4% increase from the year-ago quarter’s actual.

Mastercard beat the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 6.3%.

WEX Inc. (WEX - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +3.42% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The company is scheduled to declare its third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 28.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WEX’s third-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $753 million, indicating 8.9% year-over-year growth. The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $5.63 per share, implying a year-over-year increase of 22.7%.

WEX beat the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an earnings surprise of 4.3% on average.

Choice Hotels (CHH - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on November 2. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis hotel franchiser is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.26 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +7.6%.

Revenues are expected to be $454.9 million, up 1.7% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.17% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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

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

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

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

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Choice Hotels?For Choice Hotels, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.22%.

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

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

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Choice Hotels would post earnings of $1.97 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.02, delivering a surprise of +2.54%.

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

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

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

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

Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAnother stock from the Zacks Hotels and Motels industry, Hyatt Hotels (H - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $0.68 per share for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +326.7%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $1.77 billion, down 1% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for Hyatt Hotels has been revised 0.5% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -15.46%.

This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Hyatt Hotels will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.

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

Key Takeaways Avery Dennison is expected to report Q3 revenues of $2.30B, up 4% y/y, with EPS falling 3%.Materials Group revenues are projected to rise, led by productivity gains and pricing actions.Solutions Group faces softer auto demand, while inventory destocking and rising costs may pressure results. Avery Dennison Corporation (AVY - Free Report) is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 results before the opening bell on Oct. 29, 2026.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AVY’s third-quarter revenues is pegged at $2.30 billion, indicating a 4% rise from the year-ago reported figure.

The consensus estimate for AVY’s earnings has moved down in the past 60 days. The consensus estimate is pegged at $2.30 per share, indicating a year-over-year dip of 3%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

AVY’s Earnings Surprise HistoryAvery Dennison’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimates in the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 5.9%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

What the Zacks Model Unveils for Avery DennisonOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for AVY this time around. 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. But that is not the case here, as you can see below.

You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Earnings ESP: Avery Dennison has an Earnings ESP of -0.53%.

Zacks Rank: AVY currently carries a Zacks Rank #3.

Factors Likely to Have Shaped AVY’s Q3 PerformanceAvery Dennison’s Materials Group segment continues to gain from productivity improvement and modest volume. Our model predicts the Materials Group segment’s revenues to rise 6.2% year over year in the quarter to $1.61 billion. The upside will be driven by growth in base business and high-value categories led by specialty labels, as well as contributions from productivity initiatives and pricing actions. Our estimate for the Materials Group segment’s adjusted operating profit is pinned at $235.5 million, indicating year-over-year growth of 2.3%.

High-value categories and productivity are expected to have aided the Solutions Group segment's growth. However, the segment is facing softer auto end-market demand and customer order timing in some higher-value platforms. Our model predicts the Solutions Group segment’s revenues to be $692 million, indicating a dip of 1% from the prior-year quarter’s actual. Our estimate for the segment’s operating profit is pinned at $72 million, implying an increase of 3.3% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.

AVY expects much of the customer inventory stocking recorded in the first half to unwind during the second half, with most destocking anticipated in the third quarter. The company consequently expects a greater-than-historical sequential earnings decline for that period. 

Rising input costs are expected to have impacted the company’s margins. The impacts are anticipated to have been offset by AVY’s productivity improvement and cost-saving actions.

Avery Dennison Stock’s Price PerformanceAVY shares have inched up 0.8% in the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 7.3%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks That Warrant a LookHere are some companies with the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in their upcoming releases.  

Eaton Corporation plc (ETN - Free Report) , slated to release third-quarter 2026 results on Nov. 3, has an Earnings ESP of +0.45% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Eaton’s third-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $3.53 per share, suggesting a year-over-year rise of 15%. ETN has a trailing four-quarter average surprise of 1.3%.

Emerson Electric Co. (EMR - Free Report) , slated to release fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Nov. 4, has an Earnings ESP of +0.40% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Emerson Electric’s fourth-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $1.84 per share, implying a year-over-year rise of 13%. EMR has a trailing four-quarter average surprise of 1.3%.

Deere & Company (DE - Free Report) , slated to release fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Nov. 25, has an Earnings ESP of +1.86% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Deere’s fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings is pegged at $4.07 per share, indicating a year-over-year rise of 3.6%. DE has a trailing four-quarter average surprise of 11.1%.

Key Takeaways JCI's Q4 earnings and revenues are expected to grow 25.4% and 8.1%, respectively, on a year-over-year basis.Strong HVAC demand in data centers and services growth are likely to boost JCI's Americas segment revenues.JCI's Earnings ESP of 1.55% signals a potential earnings beat, though rising costs may weigh on margins. Johnson Controls International plc (JCI - Free Report) is scheduled to release fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 (ended September 2026) financial numbers on Oct. 27, before market open.

The company’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. The average surprise was 6.2%. In the last reported quarter, its earnings of $1.42 per share beat the consensus estimate of $1.32 by 7.6%.

The consensus estimate for revenues is pegged at $6.97 billion, indicating an increase of 8.1% from the year-ago quarter’s figure. The consensus estimate for adjusted earnings is pinned at $1.58 per share, indicating an increase of 25.4% from the year-ago quarter’s figure.

Key Factors and Estimates to Note Ahead of JCI’s Earnings ReleaseThe Americas segment is expected to have performed well, supported by solid demand for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) platforms in data centers and strength in services businesses in the fiscal fourth quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the segment’s revenues is pegged at $4.88 billion, indicating a 12.7% increase from the year-ago figure.

The Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) segment is expected to have benefited from strength in products and systems businesses. However, disruptions caused by the Middle East conflicts and lower non-recurring services volumes are likely to have affected the segment’s performance. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the segment’s revenues is pegged at $1.24 billion, indicating a 7.6% decrease from the year-ago figure.

Persistent strength in the applied HVAC business, driven by growth in data center applications, is expected to augment the Asia Pacific segment’s results. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the segment’s revenues is pegged at $858 million, indicating a 10% increase from the year-ago figure.

Investments in digital offerings, like the OpenBlue platform that plays an integral part in meeting customer needs, are expected to augment its results.

Despite the positives, rising cost of sales poses a threat to Johnson Controls’ bottom line. High organizational realignment and transaction/separation costs are expected to have pushed up its overall expenses, which are likely to have impacted its margins in the fiscal fourth quarter.

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

Earnings ESP: JCI has an Earnings ESP of +1.55% as the Most Accurate Estimate is pegged at $1.60 per share, which is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.58. You can uncover the best stocks before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: JCI currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

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

Emerson Electric Co. (EMR - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.40% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The company is scheduled to release fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Nov. 4.

Emerson’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate twice and matched on the other two occasions of the preceding four quarters, the average surprise being 1.3%.

Constellium (CSTM - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +14.50% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The company is slated to release second-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 28.

Constellium’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 83.3%.

Kennametal Inc. (KMT - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.50% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The company is slated to release first-quarter fiscal 2027 results on Nov. 4.

Kennametal’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 29.3%.