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For those looking to find strong Utilities stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Is Edison International (EIX - Free Report) one of those stocks right now? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Utilities sector should help us answer this question.

Edison International is one of 111 companies in the Utilities group. The Utilities group currently sits at #14 within the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups is measured, and the sectors are listed from best to worst.

The Zacks Rank is a successful stock-picking model that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions. The system highlights a number of different stocks that could be poised to outperform the broader market over the next one to three months. Edison International is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EIX's full-year earnings has moved 0% higher within the past quarter. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend.

According to our latest data, EIX has moved about 28.7% on a year-to-date basis. Meanwhile, the Utilities sector has returned an average of 6.1% on a year-to-date basis. This means that Edison International is performing better than its sector in terms of year-to-date returns.

One other Utilities stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year is New Jersey Resources (NJR - Free Report) . The stock is up 27% year-to-date.

Over the past three months, New Jersey Resources' consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 5.9%. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Looking more specifically, Edison International belongs to the Utility - Electric Power industry, which includes 63 individual stocks and currently sits at #154 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This group has gained an average of 7.2% so far this year, so EIX is performing better in this area.

In contrast, New Jersey Resources falls under the Utility - Gas Distribution industry. Currently, this industry has 13 stocks and is ranked #189. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved +5.4%.

Investors with an interest in Utilities stocks should continue to track Edison International and New Jersey Resources. These stocks will be looking to continue their solid performance.

Corrugated Cash Flow: Hiding in Packaging StocksCrown NYSE: CCK raised its full-year earnings outlook after reporting stronger second-quarter results, supported by higher global beverage can shipments, gains in its beverage can equipment business and improved performance in North American tin plate operations.

Kevin Clothier, senior vice president and chief financial officer, said reported diluted earnings per share were $2.23, up from $1.56 in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted earnings per diluted share rose 16% to $2.49 from $2.15 a year earlier. Net sales increased to $3.7 billion, reflecting 5% growth in global beverage can shipments, the pass-through of higher material costs and favorable foreign currency translation.

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3 Stocks That Just Announced Big Dividend IncreasesSegment income rose to $501 million from $476 million in the second quarter of 2025. Clothier said the increase was driven by higher global beverage can shipments, strong performance in the beverage can equipment business and North American tin plate operations, partially offset by inflationary cost increases.

Crown Raises 2026 Earnings Guidance Based on first-half results and a positive demand outlook, Crown increased its full-year 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance to a range of $8.30 to $8.50, up from its prior range of $7.90 to $8.30. The company expects third-quarter adjusted diluted EPS of $2.20 to $2.30.

What are specialty REITs? How to invest in themCrown’s full-year assumptions include net interest expense of about $355 million, an effective tax rate of approximately 25%, depreciation of about $330 million and adjusted free cash flow of at least $900 million. Capital spending is expected to be approximately $550 million.

Clothier said the company repurchased $305 million of its shares in the second quarter. Through the first six months of the year, Crown repurchased $517 million of shares and paid $77 million in dividends, returning a total of $594 million to shareholders. He said the pace of buybacks reflects management’s confidence in the outlook, free cash flow generation and a disciplined capital allocation framework.

The company ended the quarter with an adjusted net leverage ratio of about 2.5 times, which Clothier said was consistent with Crown’s long-term leverage target. Crown continues to invest in growth initiatives in Brazil, Greece, Spain and India, which management said are progressing on schedule.

Beverage Can Demand Drives Regional Results Tim Donahue, president and chief executive officer, said Crown delivered another strong quarter, with revenue and EPS both up 16% from the prior-year period. Global beverage can volumes rose 5% in the second quarter, following 5% growth in the first quarter.

In Americas Beverage, revenue increased 21%, which Donahue said was almost entirely due to the pass-through of higher aluminum costs. Sales unit volumes in North America rose 5%, offsetting declines across Latin America. Segment income declined by $3 million, primarily due to cost inflation. Donahue said North American can demand remains strong and that Crown expects full-year shipments in the region to be 3% to 4% above 2025.

European volumes increased 7% in the quarter, with growth across almost all countries, leading to a 10% improvement in segment income. Donahue said the first line in Greece was commercialized earlier in July, adding needed capacity to Crown’s European system. Additional capacity is expected later in the year from a second Greek line and in Spain.

Asia Pacific income rose 6% as volume gains across most countries offset cost headwinds tied to the Middle East crisis. During the question-and-answer portion of the call, Donahue said Asia Pacific volumes were up double digits in the first half of the year and that management expects high single-digit growth in the second half.

Latin America, Transit Packaging and Food Cans Donahue said Latin America beverage can volumes were down 10% in the quarter. In response to an analyst question, Clothier said weakness in Brazil was largely a matter of customer mix, with Crown more exposed to customers serving lower-end consumers, who he said appear to be under more pressure than higher-end consumers. Donahue added that promotional activity by a major brewer in Brazil affected mix for Crown.

Crown is adding a line in Ponta Grossa, Brazil, which Donahue described as a regional size expansion intended to provide more size capability in the Southeast. He said Crown’s Brazilian team is projecting flat volumes for the full year after being down high single digits in the first half, though management is applying caution to that forecast.

Transit Packaging volumes were level with the prior year. Donahue said improved equipment and tool activity was offset by lower steel and plastic strap volumes, while inflation ran ahead of cost recovery. He said the business remains resilient and that second-half performance is expected to be firmer relative to the prior year than in the first half.

Crown’s North American food can volumes declined 3% in the quarter, though Donahue noted they had increased 9% in the prior-year second quarter. He said the business is now about 40% pet food, which provides stability, and that pet food volumes were stronger than human food volumes on a year-over-year basis.

Management Cites Caution on Inflation and Geopolitical Costs Despite the stronger outlook, management struck a cautious tone on the second half. Donahue said demand remains firm in North America and Europe, but the company is factoring in higher inflation tied to ocean freight, industrial gases and other costs related to the Middle East crisis.

In response to Anthony Pettinari of Citi, Donahue said the Middle East conflict had an estimated impact of about $0.05 to $0.06 per share in the second quarter, with a possible $0.07 to $0.10 impact in the second half embedded in current expectations. He said some of these costs are running ahead of Crown’s cost recovery mechanisms, which reset either at year-end or early next year.

Management also discussed the impact of the World Cup and other activity on North American volumes. Clothier said that, while difficult to isolate precisely, the World Cup or America 250-related activity may have represented roughly 2% of North American volume in the second quarter. Donahue said Crown does not expect that same benefit in the third quarter.

Capital Allocation Remains Focused on Buybacks and Internal Growth Asked about capital allocation, Donahue said Crown is not currently contemplating any major M&A and is not contemplating M&A broadly, aside from the possibility of very small transactions. He said free cash flow next year could again be in the $900 million to $1 billion range, subject to future results, and that beyond business investments, Crown expects continued share repurchases.

Clothier said Crown should be able to repurchase close to $200 million of stock in the second half of 2026. Donahue also said the board will review dividend policy as the company approaches year-end.

On India, Clothier said a new plant with two high-speed lines typically costs around $250 million, depending on land and construction costs. He said Crown generally seeks long-term contracts that anchor the economics of a greenfield plant, with commitments covering a large majority of expected volume.

Donahue closed the call by reiterating that the company remains positive on its business, even as it builds caution into second-half expectations because of inflation, geopolitical uncertainty and tougher comparisons in some markets.

About Crown (NYSE:CCK)Crown Holdings, Inc is a leading global supplier of rigid packaging products for consumer goods markets. The company designs, manufactures and sells metal packaging for beverage, food, household, personal care and specialty products. Its portfolio includes aluminum and steel beverage cans, steel food cans, aluminum aerosols, metal closures and ends, offering customers end-to-end solutions from design and prototyping to large-scale production.

Founded in 1919 as the Crown Cork & Seal Company, Crown has grown through strategic acquisitions and investments in advanced manufacturing technologies.

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 Crown Right Now?Before you consider Crown, you'll want to hear this.

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Here at Zacks, we offer our members many different opportunities to take full advantage of the stock market, as well as how to invest in ways that lead to long-term success.

One of our most popular services, Zacks Premium offers daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank; full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List; Equity Research reports; and Premium stock screens like the Earnings ESP filter. All are useful tools to find what stocks to buy, what to sell, and what are today's hottest industries.

It also includes the Focus List, a long-term portfolio of top stocks that have all the elements to beat the market.

Breaking Down the Zacks Focus ListIf you could, wouldn't you jump at the chance for access to a curated list of stocks to kickstart your investing journey?

That's what the Zacks Focus List, a portfolio of 50 stocks, offers investors. Not only does it serve as a starting point for long-term investors, but all stocks included in the list are poised to outperform the market over the next 12 months.

One thing that makes the Focus List even more advantageous is that each pick comes with a full Zacks Analyst Report. This helps explain why each stock was selected and why we believe it's a good pick for the long-term.

The portfolio's past performance only solidifies why investors should consider it as a starting point. For 2020, the Focus List gained 13.85% on an annualized basis compared to the S&P 500's return of 9.38%. Cumulatively, the portfolio has returned 2,519.23% while the S&P returned 854.95%. Returns are for the period of February 1, 1996 to March 31, 2021.

Focus List MethodologyWhen stocks are picked for the Focus List, it reflects our enduring reliance on the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Earnings estimates are expectations of growth and profitability, and are determined by brokerage analysts. Together with company management, these analysts examine every aspect that may affect future earnings, like interest rates, the economy, and sector and industry optimism.

Earnings estimate revisions are very important, since investors also need to take into consideration what a company will earn in the future.

The stocks that receive positive changes to earnings estimates are more likely to receive even more upward changes in the future. Take this example: if an analyst raised their estimates last month, they'll probably do so again this month, and other analysts will follow.

Utilizing the power of earnings estimate revisions is when the Zacks Rank joins the party. A unique, proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank uses changes to quarterly earnings expectations to help investors create a winning portfolio.

The Zacks Rank consists of four main pillars: Agreement, Magnitude, Upside, and Surprise. Each one is given a raw score, which is recalculated every night and compiled into the Rank. Then, stocks are classified into five groups, ranging from "Strong Buy" to "Strong Sell," using this data.

The Focus List is comprised of stocks hand-picked from a long list of #1 (Strong Buy) or #2 (Buy) ranked companies, meaning that each new addition boasts a bullish earnings consensus among analysts.

Because stock prices react to revisions, buying stocks with rising earnings estimates can be very profitable. Focus List stocks offer investors a great opportunity to get into companies whose future earnings estimates will be raised, potentially leading to price momentum.

Focus List Spotlight: CACI International (CACI - Free Report) Based in Reston, VA, CACI International delivers IT applications and infrastructure to improve communications and secure the integrity of information systems and networks, enhance data collection and analysis, and increase efficiency and mission effectiveness. The company’s solutions enrich defense and intelligence capabilities, assure homeland security, improve decision-making, and help customers operate smartly and proficiently.

Since being added to the Focus List on December 2, 2015 at $103.31 per share, shares of CACI have increased 336.87% to $451.33. The stock is currently a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank.

One analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.17 to $28.13. CACI boasts an average earnings surprise of 12.6%.

Moreover, analysts are expecting CACI's earnings to grow 6.2% for the current fiscal year.

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The proven Zacks Rank system focuses on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find winning stocks. Nevertheless, we know that our readers all have their own perspectives, so we are always looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong picks.

Of these, value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. Value investors rely on traditional forms of analysis on key valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are undervalued, leaving room for profits.

Zacks has developed the innovative Style Scores system to highlight stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will be interested in stocks with great grades in the "Value" category. When paired with a high Zacks Rank, "A" grades in the Value category are among the strongest value stocks on the market today.

One stock to keep an eye on is Visteon (VC - Free Report) . VC is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), as well as an A grade for Value. The stock has a Forward P/E ratio of 13.69. This compares to its industry's average Forward P/E of 18.37. VC's Forward P/E has been as high as 14.33 and as low as 8.02, with a median of 10.34, all within the past year.

We should also highlight that VC has a P/B ratio of 2.27. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This stock's P/B looks attractive against its industry's average P/B of 4.15. Over the past year, VC's P/B has been as high as 2.34 and as low as 1.31, with a median of 1.87.

These figures are just a handful of the metrics value investors tend to look at, but they help show that Visteon is likely being undervalued right now. Considering this, as well as the strength of its earnings outlook, VC feels like a great value stock at the moment.

Analysts on Wall Street project that SEI Investments (SEIC - Free Report) will announce quarterly earnings of $1.45 per share in its forthcoming report, representing a decline of 18.5% year over year. Revenues are projected to reach $637.92 million, increasing 14% from the same quarter last year.

Over the last 30 days, there has been an upward revision of 3.2% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter, leading to its current level. This signifies the covering analysts' collective reconsideration of their initial forecasts over the course of this timeframe.

Before a company reveals its earnings, it is vital to take into account any changes in earnings projections. These revisions play a pivotal role in predicting the possible reactions of investors toward the stock. Multiple empirical studies have consistently shown a strong association between trends in earnings estimates and the short-term price movements of a stock.

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

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

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Revenue- Asset management, administration and distribution fees' will likely reach $506.94 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +15.9%.

The consensus estimate for 'Revenue- Information processing and software servicing fees' stands at $128.71 million. The estimate indicates a change of +5.5% from the prior-year quarter.

The consensus among analysts is that 'Revenue- Private Banks' will reach $152.63 million. The estimate indicates a change of +7.9% from the prior-year quarter.

Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Revenue- Investments in New Business' should arrive at $8.06 million. The estimate suggests a change of -51.3% year over year.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Assets under management - Investments in New Business' of $3.37 billion. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $3.11 billion.

According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Assets under management - Investment Advisors' should come in at $105.62 billion. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $84.08 billion in the same quarter of the previous year.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Assets under management - Private Banks' will reach $33.24 billion. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $30.64 billion.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Assets under management - Institutional Investors' at $88.21 billion. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $81.88 billion in the same quarter last year.

Analysts expect 'Assets under management - LSV - Equity and Fixed Income programs' to come in at $103.76 billion. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $91.80 billion in the same quarter last year.

Analysts forecast 'Assets under management - Investment Managers' to reach $255.24 billion. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $226.00 billion.

Analysts predict that the 'Client assets under administration - Investment Managers' will reach 1,341,534 . Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 1,128,325 in the same quarter last year.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Client assets under administration - Private Banks' reaching 9,420 . Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 8,431 in the same quarter last year.

View all Key Company Metrics for SEI here>>>

Shares of SEI have demonstrated returns of +9.8% over the past month compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.6% change. With a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), SEIC is expected to beat the overall market performance in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Key Takeaways CDW continues acquisitions and capital allocation to support long-term growth and shareholder returns.CDW returned $282 million to shareholders in Q1 2026 through buybacks and dividends.CDW expects Geared for Growth to deliver $100M-$200M annual run-rate improvements by 2027-2028. CDW Corporation (CDW - Free Report) continues to execute a disciplined capital allocation strategy focused on supporting long-term growth while returning capital to shareholders. The company supplements organic growth through acquisitions that expand its capabilities across key technology areas. Previous acquisitions, including Mission Cloud Services, Enquizit, Sirius Computer Solutions and Lexicon Tech Solutions, have strengthened CDW's cloud, managed services and lifecycle offerings, enabling it to address evolving customer priorities. On the last earnings call, management stated that it continues to evaluate merger and acquisition opportunities that can accelerate its three-part growth strategy while maintaining flexibility within its capital structure.

The company also continues to generate strong cash flow that supports its shareholder-return strategy. During the first quarter of 2026, CDW generated adjusted free cash flow of $251 million, representing 85% of non-GAAP net income and remaining within its long-term objective of converting 80% to 90% of non-GAAP net income into cash. The company utilized this cash in line with its 2026 capital allocation objectives by returning $201 million through share repurchases and $81 million through dividends, bringing total capital returned to shareholders to $282 million, or 112% of adjusted free cash flow during the quarter.

Management remains committed to maintaining net leverage within its targeted range of 2x to 3x while proactively managing liquidity. At the end of the first quarter, net leverage was 2.5x, within the company's target range. CDW also reiterated that dividend growth remains its first capital allocation priority, targeting a payout ratio of approximately 25% of non-GAAP net income, while share repurchases and acquisitions continue to serve as important drivers of shareholder value.

In addition to its capital deployment strategy, CDW expects productivity initiatives under its Geared for Growth program to begin contributing benefits in the second half of 2026. The multi-year initiative is designed to simplify operations, modernize processes and embed AI across the business. Management has identified expected annual run-rate improvements of $100 million to $200 million through 2027 and 2028, with a portion of the savings being reinvested to support the company's broader growth strategy and future investment capacity. Separately, in May 2026, CDW's board authorized an additional $1 billion for share repurchases, increasing the company's remaining buyback authorization as of March 31, 2026, to approximately $1.48 billion subject to future board approvals.

Taking a Look at CDW’s CompetitorsTD SYNNEX Corporation (SNX - Free Report) maintains a balanced capital allocation strategy through shareholder returns while supporting business growth. In fiscal 2025, the company returned $742 million to shareholders, including $596 million through share repurchases and $146 million in dividends. In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, it returned $151 million, comprising $112 million of share buybacks and $39 million of dividends. During the first half of fiscal 2026, TD SYNNEX repurchased $192 million of shares and paid $77 million in dividends. The company stated that this shareholder return policy reflects its financial strength and expectations of generating sufficient earnings and distributable cash flows.

Accenture plc (ACN - Free Report) follows a disciplined capital allocation strategy, balancing acquisitions, investments and shareholder returns. In fiscal 2025, the company invested $1.5 billion across 23 acquisitions, including Avanseus, RANGR Data, Decho and IAMConcepts, to expand capabilities across AI, data, engineering and identity and access management. At the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2026, Accenture held $10.2 billion in cash and cash equivalents against $5 billion in long-term debt, while generating $3.8 billion in operating cash flow and $3.6 billion in free cash flow. The company also maintained its consistent dividend payments, distributing $3.7 billion in fiscal 2025.

CDW Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of CDW have gained 5.2% in the past month compared with the Computers - IT Services industry’s growth of 1.7%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Valuation-wise, CDW seems attractive, as suggested by the Value Score of B. CDW trades at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.04, below the industry’s 16.94.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CDW’s earnings for 2026 has been revised marginally upward over the past 60 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Accruent, a leading provider of solutions to unify the built environment and an operating company of Fortive (NYSE: FTV), today announced a new strategic partnership with PowerX, a telecom infrastructure intelligence company helping operators monitor and manage energy and tower performance across distributed site portfolios. Through the partnership, Accruent and PowerX will connect PowerX's AI-driven energy intelligence and data science capabilities with Accruent.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global digital services leader TP (formerly Teleperformance) today announced it has been named a Leader in Everest Group's Healthcare CXM Intelligent Operations PEAK Matrix® Assessment, reinforcing its position as a strategic partner for healthcare organizations navigating rising complexity, regulatory demands, and growing consumer expectations. Everest Group evaluated 24 providers in this year's assessment, with TP ranked among the top performers for delivering high-.

Investors interested in Computer and Technology stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Ciena (CIEN - Free Report) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Computer and Technology sector should help us answer this question.

Ciena is a member of the Computer and Technology sector. This group includes 613 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #2. The Zacks Sector Rank gauges the strength of our 16 individual sector groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups.

The Zacks Rank is a successful stock-picking model that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions. The system highlights a number of different stocks that could be poised to outperform the broader market over the next one to three months. Ciena is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for CIEN's full-year earnings has moved 5.9% higher. This means that analyst sentiment is stronger and the stock's earnings outlook is improving.

Our latest available data shows that CIEN has returned about 62% since the start of the calendar year. Meanwhile, the Computer and Technology sector has returned an average of 12.1% on a year-to-date basis. This shows that Ciena is outperforming its peers so far this year.

Arista Networks (ANET - Free Report) is another Computer and Technology stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has returned 29.3%.

Over the past three months, Arista Networks' consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 4.1%. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Looking more specifically, Ciena belongs to the Communication - Components industry, a group that includes 13 individual stocks and currently sits at #39 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, stocks in this group have gained 77.4% this year, meaning that CIEN is slightly underperforming its industry in terms of year-to-date returns.

Arista Networks, however, belongs to the Internet - Software industry. Currently, this 175-stock industry is ranked #85. The industry has moved -6.2% so far this year.

Investors with an interest in Computer and Technology stocks should continue to track Ciena and Arista Networks. These stocks will be looking to continue their solid performance.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Enpro (NYSE: NPO) to release financial results for the second quarter of 2026 on Tues, Aug 4, at 6:30am ET; followed by conference call at 8:30am ET.

NEW YORK, July 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SueWallSt alerts investors in Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE: BTU) that a class action has been filed on behalf of shareholders who purchased BTU securities between October 14, 2024 and May 4, 2026. Find out if you could qualify to recover your losses. You may also contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. at [email protected] or (888) SueWallSt.

BTU shares fell from a Class Period high of $39.50 to $25.00, a total decline of $14.50 per share (36.7%). The lead plaintiff deadline is August 24, 2026.

The Promise

Across multiple earnings calls and investor presentations from October 2024 through February 2026, the Company laid out a specific, quantified vision for its Centurion mine:

Longwall production would commence by March 2026 — later accelerated to February 2026Q1 2026 shipments would reach approximately 700,000 tonsFull year 2026 Centurion output was projected at 3.5 million tonsMet coal segment costs were guided at $113 per tonneCenturion's net present value was estimated at $2.1 billion at $225 benchmark pricingThe mine would ramp to 4.7 million tons annually by 2028 Management characterized the project as "on time and on budget" and expressed confidence that equipment was performing well and that the operational team was "making up" for any delays.

The Reality

The actual results that emerged told a fundamentally different story. The lawsuit contends that the Company knew or recklessly disregarded that its projections were unachievable:

MetricPromisedLowered Guidance/ActualGapQ1 2026 Centurion tons~700,000~250,000-64%
Full year Centurion tons3.5 million2.5 million-29%
Met segment costs$113/ton$142/ton (Q1 actual)+26%
Met segment EBITDAPositive growth-$7 million loss-$80M swingRamp-up deadlineMarch 2026Not achievedMissed The complaint details that 8-year-old repurposed mining equipment failed under full load conditions underground, triggering unanticipated electrical breakdowns, mechanical failures in conveyors and chutes, and a cascading series of roof control problems caused by moisture accumulation and floor softening beneath misaligned shields.

What the Lawsuit Alleges About the Gap

The action asserts that this was not an unforeseeable operational setback. The equipment had sat unused for eight years. The Company chose to retrofit it with updated technology rather than deploy new machinery, and surface testing failed to replicate underground conditions. The complaint charges that these risks were known or knowable to those overseeing the project, yet investors were repeatedly assured of on-time, on-budget delivery.

The met coal segment recorded an adjusted EBITDA loss of $7 million in Q1 2026, reflecting an $80 million negative impact from the Centurion ramp-up failure alone, including $10 million in additional commissioning costs.

"Companies that make specific promises to investors about future performance have an obligation to disclose known risks to those projections. The magnitude of the gap between what was promised and what was delivered raises serious questions about the adequacy of the Company's disclosures during the Class Period." — Joseph E. Levi, Esq.

Submit your information here or call (888) SueWallSt.

LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: August 24, 2026

WHY SUEWALLST: SueWallSt is powered by Levi & Korsinsky LLP. 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 BTU Lawsuit

Q: What specific misstatements does the BTU lawsuit allege? A: The complaint alleges Peabody Energy made materially false or misleading statements regarding the Centurion mine's ramp-up timeline, projected output volumes, and met coal segment cost guidance during the Class Period. When the true operational conditions were revealed, the stock price declined sharply.

Q: How much did BTU stock drop? A: Shares fell approximately 36.7% from the Class Period high of $39.50 to $25.00, a decline of $14.50 per share, after the Company disclosed Centurion mine commissioning failures and slashed its volume and cost guidance for fiscal year 2026.

Q: What do BTU investors need to do right now? A: Investors may gather brokerage records showing purchase dates, share quantities, and prices paid. Contact SueWallSt, a brand of Levi & Korsinsky LLP, for a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation at [email protected] or (212) 363-7500. No immediate action is required to remain eligible as an absent class member. 

Q: What if I already sold my BTU shares — can I still recover losses? A: Yes. Eligibility is based on when you purchased, not whether you still hold them. Investors who bought during the class period and sold at a loss may still participate.

Q: Do I need to go to court or give testimony? A: No. The overwhelming majority of class members never appear in court or give depositions. You submit a claim form to receive your portion of recovery.

Q: What does it cost me to participate? A: Nothing. Securities class actions are handled on a pure contingency basis. No upfront fees, no retainer, no out-of-pocket costs.

Q: What if I missed the lead plaintiff deadline? A: The deadline applies only to investors seeking lead plaintiff appointment. Class members who miss it can still participate in any settlement or recovery.

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Levi & Korsinsky, LLP 

Joseph E. Levi, Esq. 

33 Whitehall Street, 27th Floor 

New York, NY 10004 

[email protected] 

Tel: (888) SueWallSt 

Fax: (212) 363-7171 

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.         

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.

Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.

Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.

VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.

For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Valero Energy (VLO - Free Report) Valero Energy Corporation, through its subsidiaries, is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products. The company is headquartered in San Antonio, TX. It was founded in 1980 and is one of the largest independent refiners and marketers of petroleum products in the United States.

VLO is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. VLO has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 207.4% for the current fiscal year.

Six analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $4.35 to $32.61 per share. VLO also boasts an average earnings surprise of +28%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, VLO should be on investors' short list.

Progress Software (PRGS - Free Report) closed the last trading session at $39.5, gaining 42.8% over the past four weeks, but there could be plenty of upside left in the stock if short-term price targets set by Wall Street analysts are any guide. The mean price target of $50.67 indicates a 28.3% upside potential.

The mean estimate comprises six short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $16.29. While the lowest estimate of $40.00 indicates a 1.3% increase from the current price level, the most optimistic analyst expects the stock to surge 110.1% to reach $83.00. It's very important to note the standard deviation here, as it helps understand the variability of the estimates. The smaller the standard deviation, the greater the agreement among analysts.

While the consensus price target is highly sought after by investors, the ability and unbiasedness of analysts in setting price targets have long been questionable. And investors making investment decisions solely based on this tool would arguably do themselves a disservice.

However, an impressive consensus price target is not the only factor that indicates a potential upside in PRGS. This view is strengthened by the agreement among analysts that the company will report better earnings than what they estimated earlier. Though a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions doesn't give any idea as to how much the stock could surge, it has proven effective in predicting an upside.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Here's What You May Not Know About Analysts' Price TargetsAccording to researchers at several universities across the globe, a price target is one of many pieces of information about a stock that misleads investors far more often than it guides. In fact, empirical research shows that price targets set by several analysts, irrespective of the extent of agreement, rarely indicate where the price of a stock could actually be heading.

While Wall Street analysts have deep knowledge of a company's fundamentals and the sensitivity of its business to economic and industry issues, many of them tend to set overly optimistic price targets. Are you wondering why?

They usually do that to drum up interest in shares of companies that their firms either have existing business relationships with or are looking to be associated with. In other words, business incentives of firms covering a stock often result in inflated price targets set by analysts.

However, a tight clustering of price targets, which is represented by a low standard deviation, indicates that analysts have a high degree of agreement about the direction and magnitude of a stock's price movement. While that doesn't necessarily mean the stock will hit the average price target, it could be a good starting point for further research aimed at identifying the potential fundamental driving forces.

That said, while investors should not entirely ignore price targets, making an investment decision solely based on them could lead to disappointing ROI. So, price targets should always be treated with a high degree of skepticism.

Why PRGS Could Witness a Solid UpsideThere has been increasing optimism among analysts lately about the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher. And that could be a legitimate reason to expect an upside in the stock. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 1.7%, as two estimates have moved higher compared to no negative revision.

Moreover, PRGS currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which means it is in the top 20% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on four factors related to earnings estimates. Given an impressive externally-audited track record, this is a more conclusive indication of the stock's potential upside in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Therefore, while the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of how much PRGS could gain, the direction of price movement it implies does appear to be a good guide.

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

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 28. 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 maker of equipment for manufacturing semiconductors is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.00 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +6.4%.

Revenues are expected to be $3.61 billion, up 13.7% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.28% 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 KLA?For KLA, 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 -0.59%.

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

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that KLA 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 KLA would post earnings of $0.92 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.94, delivering a surprise of +2.17%.

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.

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

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

The Construction group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Has Lennox International (LII - Free Report) been one of those stocks this year? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Construction sector should help us answer this question.

Lennox International is a member of the Construction sector. This group includes 93 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #13. The Zacks Sector Rank includes 16 different groups and is listed in order from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors.

The Zacks Rank is a successful stock-picking model that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions. The system highlights a number of different stocks that could be poised to outperform the broader market over the next one to three months. Lennox International is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LII's full-year earnings has moved 0.8% higher within the past quarter. This means that analyst sentiment is stronger and the stock's earnings outlook is improving.

According to our latest data, LII has moved about 9.9% on a year-to-date basis. Meanwhile, stocks in the Construction group have gained about 8.1% on average. This means that Lennox International is outperforming the sector as a whole this year.

Another stock in the Construction sector, Masco (MAS - Free Report) , has outperformed the sector so far this year. The stock's year-to-date return is 22.1%.

The consensus estimate for Masco's current year EPS has increased 1.7% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Looking more specifically, Lennox International belongs to the Building Products - Air Conditioner and Heating industry, which includes 9 individual stocks and currently sits at #48 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, this group has gained an average of 35.3% so far this year, meaning that LII is slightly underperforming its industry in terms of year-to-date returns.

In contrast, Masco falls under the Building Products - Miscellaneous industry. Currently, this industry has 34 stocks and is ranked #100. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved -0.8%.

Lennox International and Masco could continue their solid performance, so investors interested in Construction stocks should continue to pay close attention to these stocks.

Okta (OKTA - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.

Over the past month, shares of this cloud identity management company have returned +28%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.6% change. During this period, the Zacks Security industry, which Okta falls in, has gained 17.9%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.

Revisions to Earnings EstimatesRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.

We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

For the current quarter, Okta is expected to post earnings of $0.96 per share, indicating a change of +5.5% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $3.83 points to a change of +9.4% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has remained unchanged.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $4.29 indicates a change of +12.1% from what Okta is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has remained unchanged.

Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Okta is rated Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

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

12 Month EPS

Projected Revenue GrowthEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.

For Okta, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $792.14 million indicates a year-over-year change of +8.8%. For the current and next fiscal years, $3.2 billion and $3.5 billion estimates indicate +9.5% and +9.6% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryOkta reported revenues of $765 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +11.2%. EPS of $0.91 for the same period compares with $0.86 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $751.34 million, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +1.82%. The EPS surprise was +7.06%.

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

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

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

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

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

Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Okta. However, its Zacks Rank #2 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.

Investors interested in Business Services stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Is Coherent (COHR - Free Report) one of those stocks right now? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.

Coherent is a member of the Business Services sector. This group includes 247 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #6. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different groups, measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the sector to gauge the strength of each group.

The Zacks Rank is a proven model that highlights a variety of stocks with the right characteristics to outperform the market over the next one to three months. The system emphasizes earnings estimate revisions and favors companies with improving earnings outlooks. Coherent is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for COHR's full-year earnings has moved 15.2% higher. This means that analyst sentiment is stronger and the stock's earnings outlook is improving.

Based on the most recent data, COHR has returned 54.6% so far this year. Meanwhile, the Business Services sector has returned an average of -8.8% on a year-to-date basis. This shows that Coherent is outperforming its peers so far this year.

One other Business Services stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year is Enpro (NPO - Free Report) . The stock is up 51.6% year-to-date.

For Enpro, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 3.3% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Looking more specifically, Coherent belongs to the Technology Services industry, which includes 121 individual stocks and currently sits at #99 in the Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks in this group have lost about 9.1% so far this year, so COHR is performing better this group in terms of year-to-date returns. Enpro is also part of the same industry.

Investors interested in the Business Services sector may want to keep a close eye on Coherent and Enpro as they attempt to continue their solid performance.

Live Coverage Updates appear automatically as they are published.

By Gerelyn Terzo Updated Jul 21, 11:20AM EDT · Published Jul 21, 9:46AM EDT

The Nasdaq jumped 1% as chip stocks surged and 87% of reporting S&P 500 companies beat Q2 profit estimates, while UBS lifted its 2026 target to 8,100.

TSM is testing 10% price hikes for 2027 while AMZN Business crossed $60 billion in annualized gross sales, signaling durable AI demand strength.

Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Amazon didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.

Live Updates 4 minutes ago

Live

Nvidia (Nasdaq; NVDA) gave the AI chip trade a direct confidence check, saying its next-gen Vera Rubin platform remains on schedule for data-center deployment. The company also drew a clear performance line against a rival, saying its new Vera processor is faster than AMD’s Turin, while adding that major customers are already testing Vera Rubin hardware.

1 hour ago

Live

UBS gave the rally more runway, lifting its year-end 2026 S&P 500 target to 8,100. That would put the index roughly 8.8% above current levels, suggesting the firm still sees room for stocks to climb even after the market’s YTD advance of 9.29%. The call adds to the market’s tug-of-war: investors are questioning AI spending and valuation risk, but strategists are still finding enough earnings momentum, liquidity, and megacap strength to keep raising the bar.

This article will be updated throughout the day, so check back often for more daily updates. 

Dow Jones Industrial Average: 51,929 Up 0.17%
Nasdaq Composite: 25,723 Up 0.85%
S&P 500: 7,473 Up 0.41%

Market Movers Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Amazon didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

About the Author Gerelyn Terzo →

Gerelyn Terzo is the author of dividend investing handbook "Dividend Investing Strategies: How to Have Your Cake & Eat It Too." A veteran financial journalist, she covers agri-finance for outlets like Global AgInvesting and the broader stock market and personal finance for 24/7 Wall Street. She began at CNBC and later helped launch Fox Business in New York. Gerelyn currently resides in Woodland Park, Colorado and dabbles in nature photography as a hobby.

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Investors interested in Medical stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Is DexCom (DXCM - Free Report) one of those stocks right now? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.

DexCom is one of 914 companies in the Medical group. The Medical group currently sits at #9 within the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank includes 16 different groups and is listed in order from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors.

The Zacks Rank is a successful stock-picking model that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions. The system highlights a number of different stocks that could be poised to outperform the broader market over the next one to three months. DexCom is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for DXCM's full-year earnings has moved 3.5% higher. This means that analyst sentiment is stronger and the stock's earnings outlook is improving.

According to our latest data, DXCM has moved about 14% on a year-to-date basis. Meanwhile, the Medical sector has returned an average of -1.4% on a year-to-date basis. As we can see, DexCom is performing better than its sector in the calendar year.

Adaptive Biotechnologies (ADPT - Free Report) is another Medical stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has returned 34.6%.

In Adaptive Biotechnologies' case, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year increased 6% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

To break things down more, DexCom belongs to the Medical - Instruments industry, a group that includes 77 individual companies and currently sits at #178 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, this group has lost an average of 16.4% so far this year, meaning that DXCM is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns.

In contrast, Adaptive Biotechnologies falls under the Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry. Currently, this industry has 438 stocks and is ranked #98. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved +0.6%.

DexCom and Adaptive Biotechnologies could continue their solid performance, so investors interested in Medical stocks should continue to pay close attention to these stocks.

Ally Financial (ALLY - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.21 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.25 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.99 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -3.20%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this auto finance company and bank would post earnings of $0.93 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.11, delivering a surprise of +19.35%.

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

Ally Financial, which belongs to the Zacks Financial - Consumer Loans industry, posted revenues of $2.29 billion for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.44%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $2.08 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates two times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Ally Financial shares have added about 0.5% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.7%.

What's Next for Ally Financial?While Ally Financial has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Ally Financial was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $1.46 on $2.3 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $5.32 on $8.84 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Financial - Consumer Loans is currently in the bottom 35% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

One other stock from the same industry, Navient (NAVI - Free Report) , is yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. The results are expected to be released on August 6.

This student loan servicing company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.19 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -9.5%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 18.2% lower over the last 30 days to the current level.

Navient's revenues are expected to be $129.07 million, down 1.5% from the year-ago quarter.

MarketBeat Week in Review – 05/11 - 05/15Ally Financial NYSE: ALLY reported higher second-quarter 2026 earnings and revenue, with management pointing to expanding margins, growth in retail auto and corporate finance assets, and stronger capital flexibility as evidence that its strategic repositioning is gaining traction.

Chief Executive Officer Michael Rhodes said the company’s “strategic choices” are creating “a franchise with meaningfully greater earnings power,” citing margin expansion, operating performance and increased capital returns. For the quarter, Ally reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.21, up 22% from a year earlier, while core return on tangible common equity rose to 11.8%.

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Ally Financial Is Back to Basics—And Investors Are WatchingAdjusted net revenue was $2.3 billion, up 10% year over year. Net interest margin, excluding original issue discount, improved 11 basis points sequentially to 3.63%. Rhodes said retail auto and corporate finance assets grew nearly $8 billion from the prior year, an 8% increase.

Auto Finance Originations Rise as Applications Hit Record Ally’s Dealer Financial Services segment continued to be a major driver of growth. Rhodes said auto finance applications reached a record 4.6 million, up 17% year over year, supporting $13.3 billion of originations, a 21% increase from the prior-year period.

Top 5 MarketRank™ Stocks Backed by Analysts and Big InstitutionsThe company said retail origination yield was 9.1%, with 47% of originations in the S tier. Chief Financial Officer Russ Hutchinson said the higher S-tier mix reflected normal seasonal trends, a measured credit posture and a higher-quality application mix. He cautioned analysts not to read too much into a single quarter’s mix, noting that Ally expects S-tier originations to decline modestly from second-quarter levels and settle in the low- to mid-40% range over time.

Hutchinson said approval and pull-through rates remained consistent with prior quarters, while stronger application volume widened the “top of the funnel” and gave Ally more opportunities for accretive growth. He said the company expects year-over-year growth rates in auto originations to moderate in the second half of the year.

In response to analyst questions about credit trends, Hutchinson said Ally was pleased with first-half retail auto credit performance, supported by low flow-to-loss rates and used vehicle prices. However, he said delinquencies remain “stubbornly high,” and management continues to monitor affordability pressures, gas prices, used values and flow-to-loss rates.

Retail auto net charge-offs were 157 basis points, down 40 basis points from the prior quarter and down 18 basis points year over year, marking a sixth consecutive quarter of year-over-year improvement. Thirty-plus day all-in delinquencies were 4.8%, down eight basis points from a year earlier.

Deposit Costs Help Drive Margin Expansion Hutchinson said net financing revenue, excluding original issue discount, was $1.7 billion, up 11% year over year, supported by balance sheet growth in core portfolios and lower funding costs. Adjusted other revenue rose $42 million year over year to $573 million, with contributions from insurance, SmartAuction and pass-through programs.

On the funding side, Ally said cost of funds fell 12 basis points from the prior quarter, driven by disciplined deposit pricing actions. Retail deposit balances ended the period at $144 billion, down $2.6 billion sequentially due to seasonal tax outflows, but deposits represented 87% of total funding.

The company said it now serves 3.6 million digital bank customers, up 7% year over year, marking its 69th consecutive quarter of customer growth. Rhodes said nearly 70% of new accounts come from millennials and younger consumers, typically starting with average balances just under $10,000 and growing over time.

Hutchinson said Ally reduced liquid deposit pricing by 20 basis points during the quarter and reached a cumulative liquid deposit beta of 69%. He said the company still expects to achieve a sustainable net interest margin in the “upper threes” over time, supported by accretive asset growth and efficient funding sources.

Corporate Finance Delivers Record Pre-Tax Income Ally’s Corporate Finance business delivered record pre-tax earnings and a 32% return on equity. Rhodes said the portfolio ended the quarter at $13.7 billion, up 25% from the prior year, supported by strong client demand and disciplined growth.

Hutchinson said credit in the Corporate Finance portfolio remained strong, with non-accrual loans at historic lows. During the quarter, Ally resolved a corporate finance exposure that had been in non-accrual status since 2018. The company recorded a profit-and-loss benefit because specific reserves exceeded the loss on the exposure.

Asked about the credit, Hutchinson said the loan was made in 2015 in a vertical where Ally no longer operates. Rhodes added that the company does not have additional loans like that in the portfolio and said the handling of the loan showed the team’s effectiveness in working out credits and its conservative reserving approach.

Insurance also contributed to diversified revenue. Written premiums were $382 million, up 9% year over year, while core pre-tax income was $24 million, up $26 million from the prior year.

Capital Returns Continue as CET1 Improves Ally’s common equity Tier 1 ratio was 10.1%, up about 20 basis points from a year earlier. Hutchinson said the company completed its fifth credit risk transfer transaction during the quarter, generating about 20 basis points of CET1 at execution.

The company also issued $1 billion of preferred stock at a 7.1% coupon and used the proceeds to support redemption of its Series B preferred stock ahead of its reset. Ally executed $148 million of share repurchases during the quarter and said it has repurchased nearly $300 million of shares year to date. It also announced a third-quarter dividend of $0.30 per share, consistent with the prior quarter.

Hutchinson said Ally is positioned to pursue what he described as a story of “and, not or” — supporting growth in core portfolios while also returning capital to shareholders. He said share repurchases are effectively a “plug” after the company funds accretive business growth and dividends.

Guidance Updated for Asset Growth and Credit Ally updated parts of its 2026 outlook. The company now expects average earning assets to rise 3% to 5%, compared with a prior outlook of 2% to 4%, reflecting stronger consumer auto originations and continued momentum in Corporate Finance.

The company tightened its consolidated net charge-off outlook to 1.2% to 1.3%, compared with the earlier range of 1.2% to 1.4%. Hutchinson said Ally remains comfortable with the midpoint of its retail auto net charge-off guide of 1.8% to 2%.

Ally maintained its full-year net interest margin guidance of 3.6% to 3.7%, with the potential to exit the year above the high end of the range. Hutchinson said the timing and magnitude of potential rate actions could influence margin in a given period, but management remains confident in the full-year guide.

Rhodes closed the call by saying the quarter showed progress on Ally’s stated path to higher returns, including lower auto losses, higher net interest margin, and disciplined expense and capital management. “This is a fundamentally different Ally,” he said, adding that the company sees a path to continued improvement.

About Ally Financial (NYSE:ALLY)Ally Financial Inc is a leading digital financial services company headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. The company offers a comprehensive suite of banking, lending, and insurance products designed for retail and commercial customers. Through its online-only platform, Ally Bank provides checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, and home mortgages, emphasizing competitive rates and user-friendly mobile and web experiences.

In addition to its banking operations, Ally Financial is a major player in automotive financing and leasing.

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 Ally Financial Right Now?Before you consider Ally Financial, you'll want to hear this.

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In its upcoming report, Baker Hughes (BKR - Free Report) is predicted by Wall Street analysts to post quarterly earnings of $0.51 per share, reflecting a decline of 19.1% compared to the same period last year. Revenues are forecasted to be $6.49 billion, representing a year-over-year decrease of 6.1%.

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has undergone a downward revision of 2.5% in the past 30 days, bringing it to its present level. This represents how the covering analysts, as a whole, have reassessed their initial estimates during this timeframe.

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

While investors typically use consensus earnings and revenue estimates as a yardstick to evaluate the company's quarterly performance, scrutinizing analysts' projections for some of the company's key metrics can offer a more comprehensive perspective.

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

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Revenue- Oilfield Services & Equipment' will likely reach $3.23 billion. The estimate indicates a change of -10.7% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts expect 'Revenue- Industrial & Energy Technology' to come in at $3.26 billion. The estimate points to a change of -1.1% from the year-ago quarter.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Revenue- Gas Technology Services' will reach $820.21 million. The estimate suggests a change of +9.1% year over year.

The consensus among analysts is that 'Revenue- Climate Technology Solutions' will reach $216.18 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +38.6%.

According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Revenue- Oilfield Services & Equipment- North America' should come in at $936.27 million. The estimate indicates a change of +0.9% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts forecast 'Revenue- Oilfield Services & Equipment- International' to reach $2.29 billion. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -14.9%.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Revenue- Oilfield Services & Equipment- International- Middle East/Asia' of $1.09 billion. The estimate points to a change of -22.1% from the year-ago quarter.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Revenue- Oilfield Services & Equipment- International- Europe/CIS/Sub-Saharan Africa' at $567.14 million. The estimate suggests a change of -13.2% year over year.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Orders - Industrial & Energy Technology - Gas Technology Services' reaching $918.38 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $986.00 million.

Analysts predict that the 'Orders - Climate Technology Solutions' will reach $292.21 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $923.00 million.

Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Orders - Industrial & Energy Technology' should arrive at $3.66 billion. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $3.53 billion.

The consensus estimate for 'Orders - Industrial & Energy Technology - Gas Technology Equipment' stands at $1.64 billion. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $781.00 million.

View all Key Company Metrics for Baker Hughes here>>>

Over the past month, shares of Baker Hughes have returned -6.8% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.6% change. Currently, BKR carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggesting that its performance may align with the overall market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Recognition Highlights Company's Strong Employee Experience and Continued Commitment to Powering Social Impact

, /PRNewswire/ -- Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB), the world's leading provider of AI-powered solutions for social impact, has been named to TIME America's Best Companies of 2026. The recognition reflects Blackbaud's ongoing commitment to fostering a purpose-driven culture, delivering innovative AI-driven technology, and creating meaningful impact for its customers, employees and communities.

"Blackbaud is driven by a powerful purpose to equip the people and organizations who change the world, delivering against our commitments with AI tools that help unleash the best results," said Margaret "Maggie" Driscoll, chief people and culture officer, Blackbaud. "Being recognized on TIME's list of America's Best Companies is a testament to our employees and the passion they bring to their work every day to support our social impact customers around the globe. We're proud to foster a culture that prioritizes wellbeing, flexibility and connection, empowering our teams to do their best work while making a difference."

To identify the top-performing companies in the U.S., TIME partnered with Statista to evaluate and rank the most prominent firms in the country based on employee satisfaction, financial performance, and sustainability transparency. Both public companies and private companies that report their financial and sustainability data were considered. The top 1,000 companies were named to America's Best Companies of 2026.

Blackbaud continues to prioritize a people-first culture and a remote-flexible workforce approach designed to support employee wellbeing and productivity. Internally, Blackbaud is equipping employees with the latest AI tools and education to fundamentally transform what's possible for the company and its ability to deliver stronger outcomes for customers. Blackbaud is building the trusted AI engine for social impact to help organizations achieve more for their missions, and making sure the sector as a whole is able to adopt AI effectively and responsibly by convening the AI Coalition for Social Impact.

This latest recognition adds to Blackbaud's growing list of accolades highlighting its leadership in workplace culture, sustainability and AI-first innovation.

To learn more about Blackbaud's culture and career opportunities, visit careers.blackbaud.com. 

About Blackbaud
Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB) is the world's leading provider of AI-powered solutions for social impact. Serving nonprofits, educational institutions, companies committed to corporate social responsibility, and individual change makers, Blackbaud propels impact at scale with the sector's most intelligent solutions for fundraising and engagement, education solutions, financial management and CSR and grantmaking. With the deepest expertise powered by the world's largest philanthropic data set, the most connected workflows, and the most powerful impact network, Blackbaud's solutions are building a future where resources are unleashed at the speed of need. Blackbaud has been recognized by Fast Company, Newsweek, Quartz, Forbes and more for AI innovation, responsible leadership and workplace excellence. Blackbaud has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, India and the United Kingdom, supporting users in 100+ countries. Learn more at www.blackbaud.com or follow us on X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media Inquiries
[email protected] 

Forward-looking Statements
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations and assumptions contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding expected benefits of products and product features. Although Blackbaud attempts to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. In addition, other important factors that could cause results to differ materially include the following: general economic risks; uncertainty regarding increased business and renewals from existing customers; continued success in sales growth; management of integration of acquired companies and other risks associated with acquisitions; risks associated with successful implementation of multiple integrated software products; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; risks associated with management of growth; lengthy sales and implementation cycles; technological changes that make our products and services less competitive; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in the SEC filings for Blackbaud, copies of which are available free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or upon request from Blackbaud's investor relations department. All Blackbaud product names appearing herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blackbaud, Inc.

SOURCE Blackbaud

Wall Street analysts forecast that Old Republic International (ORI - Free Report) will report quarterly earnings of $0.77 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to a year-over-year decline of 7.2%. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $2.38 billion, exhibiting an increase of 7.2% compared to the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This represents how the covering analysts, as a whole, have reassessed their initial estimates during this timeframe.

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

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

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

The consensus among analysts is that 'Operating Revenue- Specialty Insurance Segment- Net premiums earned' will reach $1.38 billion. The estimate indicates a change of +6.4% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts predict that the 'Operating Revenue- Specialty Insurance Segment- Net investment income' will reach $158.34 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +5.6%.

Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Operating Revenue- Specialty Insurance Segment- Other income' should arrive at $50.89 million. The estimate indicates a change of +3.2% from the prior-year quarter.

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Operating Revenue- Corporate & Other' will likely reach $5.90 million. The estimate points to a change of -10.6% from the year-ago quarter.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Operating Revenue- Title Insurance Segment- Net investment income' at $17.79 million. The estimate indicates a change of +2.8% from the prior-year quarter.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Operating Revenue- Specialty Insurance Segment' of $1.59 billion. The estimate points to a change of +6.3% from the year-ago quarter.

Analysts forecast 'Operating Revenue- Title Insurance Segment' to reach $782.15 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +9.4%.

According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Specialty Insurance Segment - Loss Ratio' should come in at 64.7%. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 62.5%.

The consensus estimate for 'Specialty Insurance Segment - Expense Ratio' stands at 29.9%. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 28.2%.

Analysts expect 'Title Insurance Segment - Combined Ratio' to come in at 98.9%. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 99.0%.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Title Insurance Segment - Expense Ratio' will reach 96.0%. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 96.1%.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Specialty Insurance Segment - Combined Ratio' reaching 94.6%. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 90.7%.

View all Key Company Metrics for Old Republic here>>>

Over the past month, Old Republic shares have recorded returns of +8% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.6% change. Based on its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), ORI will likely exhibit a performance that aligns with the overall market in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Software stocks are heading into this earnings season from a position of strength. Businesses continue to invest heavily in digital transformation, while artificial intelligence (AI) is shifting from an experimental technology to a core business tool. Companies are increasingly seeing tangible benefits from generative AI and the emerging wave of agentic AI. At the same time, software-as-a-service (SaaS), cloud computing, hybrid work and digital payment solutions remain powerful long-term growth drivers.

This favorable backdrop suggests that software companies with strong execution and AI exposure could once again outperform analysts’ expectations. Against this setting, Unity Software (U - Free Report) , HubSpot (HUBS - Free Report) , Arista Networks (ANET - Free Report) and Block (XYZ - Free Report) stand out as companies with the potential to deliver earnings beats.

What’s Going in Favor of Software Stocks?The current earnings season is expected to highlight the continued strength of AI-driven software spending. Businesses are increasingly adopting solutions such as voice recognition, telehealth platforms, learning management systems, infrastructure monitoring software and spend management tools. Collaboration platforms, communication software and online education services are also seeing steady demand as workplaces and learning environments continue to evolve.

Cloud adoption remains one of the industry's biggest growth engines. The rapid expansion of IoT devices, augmented and virtual reality applications, and the rollout of 5G networks are creating greater demand for cloud-based software. At the same time, businesses continue investing in collaboration platforms, remote desktop solutions, natural language processing tools and productivity software, supporting healthy industry-wide growth.

Cybersecurity is another major tailwind. As cyberattacks become more frequent and sophisticated, companies are allocating larger budgets toward cloud-native security solutions. Businesses are also replacing traditional hardware-heavy infrastructure with software-defined systems that offer greater flexibility, scalability and lower operating costs.

Another positive trend is the industry's shift toward customer-centric software platforms. Modern software solutions require less manual support from vendors while giving customers greater control over their operations. Flexible pay-as-you-go pricing allows companies to scale usage as needed, while subscription-based business models generate predictable recurring revenues for software providers. SaaS platforms also remain affordable for small and medium-sized businesses, expanding the industry's addressable market.

How to Identify Potential Outperformers?With the presence of several industry participants, finding the right software stocks with the potential to beat on earnings can be daunting. However, our proprietary methodology makes this task simple.

You could narrow down your choices by looking at stocks that have the perfect combination of two key elements — a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold).

Earnings ESP is our proprietary methodology for determining stocks that have the maximum chances of beating estimates in their next earnings announcement. It is the percentage difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Our research shows that for stocks with this favorable mix of ingredients, the odds of a positive earnings surprise are as high as 70%.

Top PicksUnity Software will report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 6. The company sports a Zacks Rank #1 and has an Earnings ESP of +2.74%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter revenues is pegged at $510.9 million, which calls for a year-over-year increase of 15.9%. The consensus mark for earnings stands at 24 cents per share, indicating a robust improvement from the year-ago quarter’s loss per share of 26 cents.

Unity's turnaround story is gaining credibility. The company has been reshaping its business by exiting lower-quality operations and focusing on higher-margin, recurring revenue opportunities. Although these portfolio changes have created short-term revenue fluctuations, they are improving the overall quality and sustainability of the business.

Management is placing greater emphasis on scalable advertising technology, creator subscriptions and monetization services, all of which should support stronger long-term recurring revenues. This strategy also strengthens Unity's competitive position against companies like AppLovin by combining advanced advertising technology with its leading game development platform.

The company's product ecosystem continues to create new monetization opportunities for developers. The Create segment is benefiting from healthy subscription demand and increasing usage-based revenues. Another important catalyst is Unity AI, which entered public beta in May 2026. By helping developers automate coding, asset creation and other development tasks, the platform has the potential to significantly improve productivity and strengthen customer engagement over time.

HubSpot is expected to report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 5. The company currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.15% and a Zacks Rank #1. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues of $897.8 million indicates year-over-year growth of 18%. The consensus mark for the bottom line is pegged at $3.02 per share, suggesting a robust year-over-year jump of 37.9%.

HubSpot continues to strengthen its competitive position by embedding AI across its entire customer platform. Features such as AI assistants, AI agents, AI insights and ChatSpot are helping customers automate marketing, sales and customer relationship management tasks without paying additional fees. This broad AI integration enhances the value of the platform and improves customer retention.

The company's shift to a seat-based pricing model is another important growth driver. The new pricing structure makes it easier for customers to adopt HubSpot's services while reducing pricing friction when businesses expand usage. Over time, this should create healthier customer relationships and support stronger recurring revenue growth.

HubSpot is also integrating generative AI deeper into its CRM, marketing and sales automation tools. Meanwhile, its App Marketplace continues to make it easier for customers to connect third-party applications, making the platform more valuable and increasing switching costs for users.

Arista Networks is slated to report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 4. The company carries a Zacks Rank #2 and has an Earnings ESP of +0.84%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter revenues is pegged at $2.83 billion, which calls for a year-over-year increase of 28.5%. The consensus mark for earnings stands at 89 cents per share, indicating a year-over-year rise of 21.9%.

Arista remains one of the strongest networking companies benefiting from the AI infrastructure boom. Its broad portfolio of high-performance Ethernet switches and routers is well-positioned for modern data centers that require high capacity, low latency and superior power efficiency.

The company continues to lead in high-speed networking solutions, particularly in 100-gigabit Ethernet switches, while steadily expanding its presence in 200G and 400G products. As AI and machine learning workloads become more demanding, enterprises and hyperscale cloud providers are increasingly relying on Arista's networking solutions.

Its Arista 2.0 strategy is also delivering results. Customers are adopting its unified networking platform as they modernize data centers and transition toward cloud-native infrastructure. Continuous expansion of CloudEOS Edge and the broader software portfolio further strengthens Arista's position across data center, campus networking and wide-area networking markets, supporting healthy long-term revenue growth.

Block is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 5. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 and has an Earnings ESP of +0.23%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter revenues is pegged at $6.54 billion, which calls for a year-over-year increase of 8%. The consensus mark for earnings stands at 86 cents per share, indicating a rise of 38.7% from the year-ago quarter’s earnings of 62 cents.

Block continues to build a powerful financial ecosystem serving both merchants and consumers. Its integrated platform enables businesses to manage payments, financial services and marketing from a single provider, creating a competitive advantage and increasing customer loyalty.

The combination of Square and Cash App allows Block to participate in multiple stages of the payment ecosystem rather than depending solely on transaction volumes. By increasing user engagement and monetization across both platforms, the company is creating additional revenue opportunities while strengthening its competitive position.

Block is also expanding through technology innovation and strategic partnerships. Collaborations with companies such as Birch Coffee, GOLFTEC and Steak Escape demonstrate the growing adoption of its commerce platform across multiple industries. As more businesses join its ecosystem, Block appears well-positioned to sustain healthy growth and potentially outperform earnings expectations.