Regions Financial za poslední tři měsíce vzrostla o 8,4 % díky akvizicím a rozšiřování kapitálových trhů. Rizikem zůstávají vyšší náklady a koncentrace v komerčních úvěrech.
Key Takeaways RF is expanding fee-based revenue through acquisitions and stronger capital markets capabilities.Regions Financial plans new branches and expects low-single-digit loan growth in 2026.Higher expenses and commercial loan concentration remain key risks for RF. Shares of the Regions Financial Corporation (RF - Free Report) have rallied 8.4%, outperforming the industry’s 6.7% growth in the past three months. Moreover, RF’s price performance has been better than that of its close peers, Flagstar Bank, National Association (FLG - Free Report) and SouthState Bank Corporation (SSB - Free Report) . Flagstar Bank stock has gained 3.5%, whereas shares of SouthState have plunged 0.1% during the same time period.
Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Next, let’s examine the main factors likely to drive additional momentum for RF stock.
Key Factors Driving RF’s GrowthGrowth Through Strategic Acquisitions and Capital Markets Expansion: Regions Financial is strengthening its growth prospects through strategic acquisitions, expanded capital markets capabilities and a broader portfolio of fee-based services. Last week, the company completed the acquisition of Frazer Lanier, enhancing its municipal and corporate investment banking capabilities. The transaction expands Regions Financial's expertise in bond issuance, underwriting, debt placement and advisory services, supporting fee-based revenue growth and strengthening its capital markets business.
Prior to the recent acquisition, the company had consistently pursued inorganic growth to diversify its operations. In 2021, Regions Financial acquired Clearsight, Sabal Capital and EnerBank USA, strengthening its specialized banking capabilities and expanding its revenue base. Earlier, in 2019, the acquisition of Highland Associates enhanced the company's wealth management offerings for not-for-profit organizations and the healthcare sector.
Regions Financial has also been investing in growth initiatives to strengthen its fee-based businesses. In the first quarter of 2026, wealth management revenues rose 9% year over year, while treasury management fees reached a record level, helping drive a 5.9% increase in non-interest income to $625 million. Further, the company continues to invest in treasury management and wealth management capabilities while evaluating bolt-on acquisitions to broaden its product offerings and diversify revenue streams. These initiatives are expected to support sustainable long-term growth and enhance shareholder value.
Non-Interest Income Growth
Image Source: Regions Financial Corporation
Branch Expansion to Strengthen Customer Franchise: Apart from inorganic growth, the company is also expanding and modernizing its branch network to support long-term growth. Regions Financial plans to open 135-150 new branches over the next five years, primarily across high-growth Southeastern markets, including Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. It also expects to renovate more than 1,000 existing branches to enhance the customer experience and support its relationship-based banking model. These initiatives are expected to strengthen customer acquisition and retention, deepen deposit relationships and support long-term business growth.
Steady Loan Growth: The company has witnessed steady loan growth over the past several years. The company's loan balances recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5% between 2020 and 2025, with the upward momentum continuing in the first quarter of 2026. Looking ahead, rising loan pipelines, coupled with the company's broad presence across the high-growth Southeastern and Midwest markets, are expected to support further loan growth. Management projects average loan balances to increase by low-single digits in 2026 from 2025 levels, driven by continued strength in commercial and real estate lending.
Solid Liquidity Position Enhances Shareholder Value: Regions Financial maintains a solid liquidity position. As of March 31, 2026, the company had total debt of $6.3 billion (including short- and long-term borrowings), while total liquidity sources stood at $67.9 billion.
With a healthy liquidity profile, the company continues to enhance shareholder value through consistent capital deployment. In July 2025, Regions Financial raised its quarterly common stock dividend by 6% to 26 cents per share and expects to maintain a dividend payout ratio of 40-50% of earnings. The company has increased its dividend five times over the past five years, delivering a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of 11.3%. Further, its current dividend yield of 3.56% compares favorably with the industry's average of 2.42%.
Dividend Yield
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Likewise, its close peers, Flagstar Bank, offer a dividend yield of 0.28%, while SouthState's dividend yield stands at 2.46%.
Apart from regular dividend payments, RF also returns capital through share repurchases. In December 2025, the board authorized a new $3 billion share repurchase program effective from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2027. As of March 31, 2026, nearly $569 million remained available under the authorization. Given its robust liquidity position, the company's capital deployment initiatives appear sustainable and are expected to continue supporting investor confidence.
What’s Hurting Regions Financial GrowthElevated Expense Base: The company continues to witness an increase in expenses. Its non-interest expenses recorded a CAGR of 3.4% between 2020 and 2025. The rising trend persisted in the first quarter of 2026, with non-interest expenses increasing 2.8% year over year to nearly $1.07 billion. Higher salaries and employee benefits, along with continued investments in technology and branch expansion, are expected to keep expenses elevated despite the company's cost-control efforts.
Non-Interest Expense Trend
Image Source: Regions Financial Corporation
Commercial Loan Concentration: Regions Financial's loan portfolio remains heavily concentrated in commercial lending. As of March 31, 2026, commercial loans, comprising commercial and industrial and commercial real estate loans, accounted for 57.2% of the company's total loan portfolio. Over the past few quarters, the company has witnessed pressure in several commercial loan categories, particularly office and senior housing. Further, commercial loans accounted for 76% of total non-performing loans as of March 31, 2026. Thus, any economic slowdown could further pressure asset quality and financial performance.
How to Approach RF Stock NowOver the past week, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings per share has been revised downward to $2.60, while the estimate for 2027 has remained unchanged at $2.85.
Estimate Revision Trend
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The projected figures imply growth of 11.6% and 9.3% for 2026 and 2027, respectively.
In terms of valuation, RF stock appears inexpensive relative to the industry. The company is currently trading at a 12-month trailing price-to-earnings P/E ratio of 10.88X, lower than the industry’s 11.14X. Meanwhile, Flagstar Bank holds a P/E ratio of 14.97X, while SouthState’s P/E ratio stands at 9.76X.
Price-to-Earnings F12 M
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Regions Financial's strategic acquisitions, expanding capital markets capabilities, steady loan growth and shareholder-friendly capital deployment strategy are expected to support its long-term growth.
However, elevated operating costs and potential deterioration in commercial credit quality during an economic slowdown could weigh on earnings growth and asset quality in the upcoming quarters. Additionally, the Fed's signal of a potential interest rate hike in 2026 amid renewed inflationary pressures may constrain net interest income expansion. Although RF stock is trading at an attractive valuation, the recent downward revision in the 2026 earnings estimate suggests limited near-term upside.
Investors already holding the stock may consider retaining their positions, given Regions Financial's diversified growth initiatives and solid liquidity profile. Those considering fresh investments may prefer to wait for a more favorable entry point until earnings visibility improves.
Currently, RF stock carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Wedbush zvýšila cílovou cenu SanDisk na 2 000 USD z 1 200 USD a čeká silnější hospodářské výsledky díky vyšším cenám NAND. Akcie byly ve čtvrtek odpoledne nahoře o 12 %.
SanDisk (NASDAQ:SNDK) could see upside in its upcoming fiscal fourth-quarter 2026 report, according to Wedbush Securities, which raised its price target on the stock to $2,000 from $1,200.
The semiconductor firm's management had guided fiscal fourth-quarter sales to a range of $7.75 billion to $8.25 billion, with non-GAAP earnings per share of $30 to $33.
Wedbush said that outlook implied only mid to high teens growth in average selling prices under its prior model, but conversations with industry contacts suggested pricing gains in the high double digits, leading the firm to conclude SanDisk's initial guidance underestimated the scale of pricing gains.
Wedbush's updated estimates now assume blended bit ASPs rise roughly 30% quarter over quarter, a figure the firm still characterizes as conservative given industry trends and SanDisk's pricing strategy, even after the company posted triple-digit sequential ASP growth in its fiscal third quarter.
Looking further out, Wedbush raised its fiscal 2027 estimates, citing a higher revised fiscal 2026 base along with pricing data for the current September quarter that came in above its prior projections. The firm believes that quarter will likely see gains of more than 20%, with raw NAND prices climbing above $0.30 per gigabyte and finished goods, particularly enterprise SSDs, commanding a further premium. Wedbush's own model assumes double-digit gains, below the 20% threshold, reflecting its expectation that a larger share of SanDisk's NAND output will move under long-term supply and capacity agreements, referred to as SCAs, consistent with recent management commentary.
Those revisions push Wedbush's fiscal 2027 EPS estimate to $225.99 from $194.93, on projected revenue of $55.83 billion and gross margin of 84.7%.
The firm expects earnings strength to continue through fiscal 2027 and 2028, pointing to limited new fab capacity coming online before late 2027 or 2028 and the stabilizing effect of long-term supply agreements on pricing. Wedbush's model has earnings peaking in fiscal 2028 at approximately $264 per share.
Wedbush said it does not have a firm view on when NAND supply will normalize, citing its belief that supply currently runs well below true demand, that demand will keep accelerating through the end of the decade, and that uncertainty remains around the pace of future supply additions. Still, the firm argued that long-term supply agreements should allow for a more gradual decline in margins and pricing once existing contracts expire, offering greater visibility into earnings and cash flow than memory vendors have historically provided.
Shares of SanDisk were up 12% on Thursday afternoon.
Astera Labs těží ze silné poptávky po řešeních PCIe díky rostoucím investicím do AI infrastruktury. Tržby ve 1. čtvrtletí 2026 dosáhly 308 mil. USD, meziročně vzrostly o 93 % a mezičtvrtletně o 14 %.
Key Takeaways ALAB is riding on PCIe demand as AI infrastructure spending accelerates across data centers. ALAB posted $308M in Q1 revenues, up 14% sequentially and 93% year over year. Scorpio X-Series supports up to 320 lanes for scale-up networking in large AI clusters. Astera Labs (ALAB - Free Report) is benefiting from surging demand for its PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) solutions, particularly as the AI infrastructure market accelerates and hyperscalers, AI labs and sovereign entities invest heavily in next-generation data center technologies.
In the first quarter of 2026, Astera Labs delivered strong financial results, with revenues reaching $308 million, up 14% sequentially and 93% year over year. PCIe Gen 6 revenues accounted for more than one-third of the company’s total revenues in the quarter, underscoring the centrality of this product line to Astera Labs’ growth. Millions of PCIe Gen 6 ports have been shipped to date, demonstrating the maturity and adoption of Astera Labs’ portfolio across AI fabric and signal conditioning applications.
The company’s Scorpio product family, which includes both the X-Series and P-Series PCIe 6 switches, is at the forefront of this momentum. The newly launched Scorpio X-Series supports up to 320 lanes, enabling high-radix, scale-up networking for large AI clusters. These switches are purpose-built to maximize AI economics, featuring hardware-accelerated hypercast and in-network compute engines that can double collective operations performance.
ALAB is diversifying its customer base with new design wins and is well-positioned to capitalize on the industry’s transition to PCIe 6, 800 gigs, and 1.6T Ethernet connectivity. Management expects continued strong revenue growth through 2026 and into 2027, driven by the proliferation of AI fabrics and the ongoing shift to higher-speed connectivity standards.
For the second quarter of 2026, ALAB expects revenues between $355 million and $365 million, implying 15% to 18% sequential growth. The outlook is driven by the continued adoption of PCIe 6 across AI platforms, rising Taurus volumes for AI scale-out connectivity and a sustained early-stage ramp-up of Scorpio X-Series products for large-scale XPU clustering.
ALAB Faces Stiff CompetitionALAB is facing stiff competition from other industry players like Marvell Technology (MRVL - Free Report) and Credo Technology (CRDO - Free Report) . Both Marvell Technology and Credo Technology are making strong efforts in the connectivity space.
Marvell Technology’s expanding portfolio has been noteworthy. In June 2026, Marvell Technology introduced the Teralynx T100, a 102.4 Tbps AI-optimized switch silicon designed to enhance high-speed connectivity and networking efficiency in large-scale AI data centers through lower latency and reduced power consumption.
Credo Technology’s expanding portfolio has been noteworthy. In May 2026, Credo Technology completed its acquisition of DustPhotonics, adding industry-leading silicon photonics technology to strengthen its optical interconnect portfolio across 800G, 1.6T and 3.2T solutions. The acquisition enhances Credo Technology’s vertically integrated AI connectivity stack and is expected to be a significant growth driver in fiscal 2027, supported by increasing hyperscale AI adoption.
ALAB’s Share Price Performance, Valuation, and EstimatesALAB shares have surged 136.4% in the year-to-date period, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector’s increase of 14.8%. The Zacks Internet - Software industry has decreased 8% in the same time frame.
ALAB Stock’s Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
ALAB stock is trading at a premium, with a forward 12-month Price/Sales of 36.42X compared with the Internet - Software industry’s 3.89X. ALAB has a Value Score of F.
ALAB’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is pegged at $2.94 per share, which has increased by a couple of pennies over the past 30 days. This suggests 59.78% year-over-year growth.
ALAB’s Zacks RankAstera Labs currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Reports that Meta Platforms (META +2.06%) has signed a "multi-year" deal to secure flash memory from Sandisk (SNDK +12.30%) sent Sandisk stock flying -- and Meta stock dying -- early this morning. Meta stock initially fell 4% on the news, before recovering.
As of 11:40 a.m. ET, Meta stock is back in the green, up 0.5%.
Image source: Getty Images.
Details, please Citing internal Meta documents, Reuters reports the social media giant will buy NAND from Sandisk, DRAM from Samsung, and fiber optics from Sumitomo as it builds out its very own artificial intelligence computing infrastructure.
Additional beneficiaries may include Broadcom (AVGO +4.51%), which is helping Meta design Iris AI semiconductors for its data centers, and also Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM +0.83%), which will contract-manufacture these AI chips.
All these companies are declining to officially confirm the details of the Reuters report. Regardless, investors are "buying the rumor" and shares of all the U.S. publicly traded stocks named -- Sandisk, Broadcom, and TSMC -- are moving higher today.
Today's Change
(
2.06
%) $
12.42
Current Price
$
615.54
Why Meta stock is slumping Meta stock, on the other hand, is not moving higher, or at least not much. Indeed, Meta stock initially sold off on this news.
Why is that? Consider that Meta has plans to spend $145 billion on AI infrastructure this year, and today's Sandisk news seems to confirm this plan is on track. On the one hand, that kind of money will buy Meta a lot of AI capacity as it competes with the likes of Alphabet, OpenAI, and Anthropic. On the other hand, $145 billion is even more than the $136.6 billion Meta is expected to bring in via cash from operations this year, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Meta's skating close to the edge these days, and if that makes investors nervous, I totally understand.
Rich Smith has positions in Meta Platforms. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Broadcom, Meta Platforms, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
In a bid to lower its GPU costs amid an unprecedented component shortage, Meta is on track to start making the latest versions of its AI-specific chip in September, Reuters reported, citing an internal memo.
At least one chip sailed through its testing phase in about six weeks, the memo said. Meta is working with Broadcom on the chip design, but it will use Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to manufacture them. It is also buying RAM from Samsung, storage from Sandisk, and fiber-optic equipment from Sumitomo Electric, according to the report.
Meta detailed the four new chips, developed under its Meta Training and Inference Accelerator (MTIA) program, in March, some of which are currently in deployment or will be this year or next. The company is taking a modular approach to designing these chips, anticipating that their needs will change as AI evolves rapidly by the time the chips are in production.
“Each MTIA generation builds on the last, using modular chiplets, incorporating the latest AI workload insights and hardware technologies, and deploying on a shorter cadence,” the company wrote at the time.
The chips are expected to help the company save on buying GPUs from chipmakers like Nvidia and AMD, although it still expects to spend plenty with those providers as well, Reuters reports. Meta intends to use the MTIA chips for training models for its ranking and recommendation algorithms, broader AI workloads, and inference aimed at its applications. The social media company has been producing its own AI chips since 2023.
Meta has been spending massively on securing enough compute capacity to power its various AI efforts. The company in April said it expects capital expenditures between $125 billion and $145 billion this year, a lot of which is going toward its AI efforts.
The company has been striking data center and power deals across the world, spending tens of billions to secure computing capacity to train and deploy its new Muse Spark series of AI models. It plans to deploy 7 gigawatts of compute this year, and double that next, according to Reuters, which cited the memo.
It also signed a deal with ARM last year to secure compute for its recommendation systems, in addition to a multibillion-dollar deal with AMD for its Instinct GPUs and a multibillion-dollar deal with Amazon to use the cloud giant’s homegrown CPUs for AI-related needs.
Meta isn’t the only company trying to stem the tide of capital going to Nvidia. OpenAI last month unveiled an inference processor that it is building with Broadcom, and Anthropic is said to be considering developing its own chips with Samsung. Amazon and Google both develop their own chips for AI training and inference, and there’s a host of startups building in the space to meet skyrocketing demand.
Meta declined to comment.
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Meta uvedla nový model AI Muse Spark 1.1 pro kódování a AI agenty s „velmi agresivní“ cenou. Jde o první AI model Meta, za který firma účtuje uživatelům. Zuckerberg říká, že má nízkou cenu a může otevřít nový zdroj tržeb.
Meta launches a new AI coding model with 'very aggressive' pricing, CEO Mark Zuckerberg says By You're currently following this author! Want to unfollow? Unsubscribe via the link in your email.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC Meta could spark a price war in the booming AI coding market.
The tech giant announced its latest AI model, Muse Spark 1.1, on Thursday, saying it performs well on industry tests for coding and AI agents. It's Meta's first AI model that it charges users for.
In comments on X, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the model has a "very low price," though the company hasn't announced the cost yet. He also called out other AI companies for pricing their chatbots at "very extreme" levels in comments to Bloomberg. He told Bloomberg that the model outperformed Google's Gemini in several categories, including agents, coding, and other capabilities.
"We think that there's a real ability to be able to offer frontier or very high-level intelligence at a much more affordable cost," Zuckerberg told the outlet.
The model, which isn't fully available to developers yet, marks the latest milestone for Meta's AI efforts — and shows the company intends to compete on price.
If Meta's new AI models can compete with widely-used coding tools from rivals like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Cursor, that could represent a huge new source of revenue. Meta's stock was up nearly 2% on Thursday.
The cost of using AI has become a growing concern for companies as employees incorporate the technology into more of their day-to-day work. Companies have been throttling their employees' use of AI in recent months as vibe coding takes off. Coinbase, for example, now limits its engineers' weekly AI spending to $500 to $5,000 a week.
Meta quoted one of its customers, AI coding startup Cline, saying that the new AI model's price point makes it easy to run heavy AI coding tasks at scale.
"That combination is rare, and it's exactly why we wanted Cline developers to have access early," Saoud Rizwan, the Cline CEO, said on Meta's website.
Meta is spending massive amounts of cash on AI, raising its capital expenditure guidance for this year to $125-$145 billion, up from a previous estimate of $115-$135 billion. Meta remains highly dependent on its ads business, which accounts for about 98% of its total revenue, according to its first-quarter earnings results.
"We believe Meta is well positioned to generate ample revenue to support its spending, driven by monetization of its own AI initiatives, advertising share gains, incremental subscription revenue, an optionality of cloud offering, and fees for external use of its AI models," BNP Paribas Equity Research senior analyst Nick Jomes wrote in a note to investors on Thursday.
Meta is also working on a coming AI model codenamed "Watermelon," which its AI chief Alexandr Wang says has caught up to one of the latest versions of OpenAI's ChatGPT.
The model uses "an order of magnitude" more computing power than Meta's previous model, Wang told staff last week, Business Insider reported earlier.
Meta didn't respond to a request for comment.
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Charles Rollet is BI's tech correspondent in San Francisco. Prior to joining BI, Charles worked at TechCrunch covering startups and VC. Charles is based in the Bay Area, where he enjoys hiking with his dogs. You can contact Charles securely on Signal at charlesrollet.12 or +1-628-282-2811.
Meta v září začne navrhovat vlastní čipy pro AI, aby snížila závislost na Nvidii a zlevnila infrastrukturu. Firma spolupracuje s Broadcomem na návrhu a TSMC na výrobě.
Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta plans to design its own artificial intelligence chips in-house starting in September – part of an industry-wide effort by the biggest names in AI to start making their own chips amid ongoing high demand.
Zuck’s initiative, known internally as “Iris,” centers on developing custom silicon to supercharge the AI systems behind Facebook and Instagram, Reuters reported Thursday.
The social media giant — which expectes to spend up to $145 billion on AI infrastructure this year — is working with Palo Alto, Calif.-based Broadcom on design and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing on production.
Meta wants to use custom chips to supercharge its social platforms, including Instagram. ink drop – stock.adobe.com Meta joins a growing list of technology companies seeking to handle more of their chip development internally to cut costs and reduce dependence on Nvidia, which has dominated the AI chip business with its ultra-powerful semiconductors.
Even as Meta and other companies are launching their foray into chip building, the semiconductor industry remains under tremendous demand strain, and AI companies’ efforts to become more autonomous provides no silver bullet to the supply chain conundrum.
Demand for manufacturing, packaging and other chip production resources continues to outpace supply, while several specialized chip-making processes are controlled by a small number of companies already operating at capacity even as they invest mountains of capital to expand.
Meta’s latest project builds on a long-running effort to develop its own chips. Its Training and Inference Accelerators program, launched more than five years ago, has focused on in-house chip development, though progress has been slow.
Development of the new chip has reportedly moved much more rapidly. Testing took just six weeks and faced no major problems, according to Reuters. Meta plans to introduce a new chip roughly every six months through 2027, compared with the typical annual-or-longer release cycle for AI chips.
Meta is aiming to double its computing infrastructure in 2027, according to Reuters.
The custom product is intended to complement the large number of graphics processing units, or GPUs, that Meta buys from Nvidia and AMD for AI workloads.
Mark Zuckerberg’s chip initiative is intended to reduce Meta’s reliance on Nvidia and cut costs. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images But bringing the newest GPUs online at Meta’s scale “has been a heavy lift, and it has cost us time,” according to a company memo reviewed by Reuters.
Developing custom chips can potentially lower costs and diversify supply chains, Axios noted.
“I want something in my pocket when I’m sitting across the table from Jensen negotiating,” Bernstein senior analyst Stacy Rasgon told the outlet, referring to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.
In addition to Meta, Amazon, Google and Microsoft all have in-house chip programs. OpenAI recently introduced its first custom inference chip with Broadcom, while Anthropic is reportedly in talks with Samsung about developing its own chip.
Nvidia, led by Jenson Huang, dominates the AI chip industry. Getty Images Apple announced this week that it plans to spend more than $30 billion with Broadcom over the next five years, helping the chipmaker expand a manufacturing facility in Fort Collins, Colo.
The consumer tech giant already designs its own chips for the iPhone, iPad and Mac, and is reportedly developing separate processors for AI servers.
Samsung manufactures advanced chips for both its own products and outside customers, while Intel is working to expand its contract manufacturing business after its production technology fell behind in recent years, Axios noted.
Showing the complexity of attaining chip autonomy, those manufacturers rely on lithography equipment from Dutch company ASML — the only supplier of the most advanced machines used to produce AI chips, per the news site.
The Post has sought comment from Meta, Broadcom and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.
Akcie Nvidia od květnového maxima klesly o 15 %, i když očekávané tržby dál rostou. Investoři se mezitím přesouvají do paměťových firem, zejména Micron, protože cena DRAM roste.
Long the leading light of the industry, Nvidia has had a bad couple of months. Bloomberg has the ugly details, but the upshot is that the company’s stock price has fallen 15% since its peak in May, even as projected revenue continues to grow. Compared with expected earnings, the company is now cheaper than the S&P average; investors are paying less per dollar of Nvidia’s projected profit than they do for the typical large American company.
Money is still flooding into AI infrastructure stocks, but it’s mostly going into memory companies. Over the same period, Micron — one of the world’s largest makers of DRAM, the standard type of memory chip found in computers and servers — has nearly tripled in value, establishing memory as the new bottleneck for data centers and the hot new AI trade. The basic reason is simple: The GPU shortage that looked so alarming last year has eased off a bit. At the same time, data centers need all the memory money can buy.
For anyone who appreciates Nvidia’s technological accomplishments, this can feel a bit deflating. There’s a lot of genuinely impressive technology behind Nvidia’s rise, both in developing CUDA, its widely adopted programming platform that made Nvidia GPUs the default engine for AI research, and in pushing the pace of GPU development to a speed few thought possible. Nvidia’s success is the kind of thing you can write whole books about, and the GPUs themselves are among the most complex devices ever produced, right at the bleeding edge of human capability.
For memory companies like Micron, the story is much simpler. They build high-bandwidth memory chips — specialized components designed to move data in and out of processors as fast as possible — which have been getting incrementally better for 20 years. Without the chips or the companies changing too much, the service they provide suddenly became very valuable — and since demand is growing faster than anyone can scale up supply, they have been able to increase prices tenfold over the past year.
This, via Datatrack, is what the spot price for DRAM — the price buyers pay for chips on the open market, as opposed to long-term contract rates — looks like since 2023:
Image Credits:Datatrack (screenshot) You might think there was some amazing technical breakthrough in the summer of 2025, but no, the industry as a whole just vastly underestimated how much memory it would need for the data center buildout.
In comparison, this (via the compute marketplace Ornn) is how the spot price for an hour of time on an Nvidia H100 GPU has changed over the last year:
Image Credits:Ornn (screenshot) Just like Nvidia’s stock price, there’s a peak in May (around $3.20 an hour) and then a steady drop-off. For better or worse, Nvidia’s value as a company is tied to the price of compute and that price is falling. Micron and its cohort are tied to the price of DRAM, and that price keeps rising.
When I talked to Ornn co-founder and CTO Wayne Nelms about the forces driving that disparity, he framed it as a simple issue of supply and demand. Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and even OpenAI have launched their own custom processors to lessen their dependence on Nvidia; even if those chips aren’t as good as the latest model from Nvidia, they’re good enough to drive down the price of compute.
“More GPU and accelerator players are entering the market. Everyone wants to make their own silicon, but no one is making their own DRAM,” Nelms told me. “Until there’s a major technological breakthrough on HBM [high-bandwidth memory], a shift in supply and demand, or someone new [enters the market in memory], I think things will more or less persist as we see today.”
It’s a frustrating state of affairs for Nvidia, and largely a product of its own success. Having proven how valuable compute can be, the company finds itself at the center of a market everyone wants to be in — while simpler technologies and less interesting companies get rich on the sidelines.
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Russell Brandom has been covering the tech industry since 2012, with a focus on platform policy and emerging technologies. He previously worked at The Verge and Rest of World, and has written for Wired, The Awl and MIT’s Technology Review. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Signal at 412-401-5489.
SemiAnalysis odhaduje, že NVIDIA v druhé polovině fiskálního roku 2027 dosáhne v datových centrech tržeb zhruba 203 miliard USD, asi o 20 % více, než čeká Wall Street. To by mohlo zvednout EPS a snížit valuaci akcie.
The Number SemiAnalysis, the semiconductor research firm that AI hardware investors track obsessively, pegs NVIDIA’s (NASDAQ:NVDA | NVDA Price Prediction) Data Center compute revenue at roughly $203 billion for the back half of Fiscal 2027, about 20% above Wall Street consensus of about $169 billion.
That gap is the anchor of this story. If SemiAnalysis is right, the sell-side model that currently underwrites Nvidia valuation math is materially low on the company’s largest business unit.
What It Means Data Center is the engine. Last quarter, Data Center revenue hit $75.246 billion, up 92% year over year, split between Data Center Compute at $60.4 billion (up 77% YoY) and Data Center Networking at $14.8 billion (up 199% YoY). Roughly 50% of Data Center revenue comes from hyperscale customers, and NVIDIA has already locked in $119 billion of total supply-related commitments and $30 billion of multi-year cloud service commitments.
SemiAnalysis carries weight because its estimates are stitched together from the full supply chain: wafer starts, HBM availability, server integrator shipments, hyperscaler build plans. That is grittier input than the sell-side models that lean on company guidance. The firm attributes the upside to a large Rubin ramp after earlier HBM4 issues that are now resolved and front-end wafer supply that has been built up.
There is a wrinkle. SemiAnalysis also flagged that NVIDIA’s Kyber NVL144 rack-scale system may slip from 2027 to 2028 due to a PCB midplane manufacturing challenge, a claim NVIDIA disputed by saying its roadmap is intact. That debate concerns a 2028 product. The bullish revenue call is about the 2H FY2027 ramp already in flight, so the two threads do not collide.
Market Reaction Shares closed at $204.12 on July 8, 2026, up 3.65% on the day. Year to date the stock is up 9.58%, and it is up 27.74% over the past year. Prediction markets on Polymarket assign an 83% probability NVDA closes July above $208, with the crowd showing a 75.5% historical accuracy on NVDA markets.
Bull Case The valuation math is the point. NVDA trades near $204, with a forward P/E around 35. If the largest business unit earns 20% more than consensus expects in the back half of FY2027, forward EPS moves higher and the multiple compresses on its own. The stock becomes cheaper without doing anything.
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The trailing evidence supports the direction. Q1 FY2027 delivered non-GAAP diluted EPS of $1.87 versus a $1.77 estimate, a 5.42% beat, on revenue of $81.615 billion, up 85.23% YoY and 3.16% ahead of consensus.
That was the twelfth consecutive quarterly EPS beat. Margins told the same story: non-GAAP gross margin expanded to 75% from 60.8% a year ago, while net income rose 210.63% and operating income rose 147.42% year over year.
Cash generation is doing the work in the background. Free cash flow reached $48.554 billion in Q1, up 85.41% YoY. Management responded by raising the quarterly dividend from $0.01 to $0.25 and authorizing an additional $80 billion share repurchase with no expiration. Wall Street’s read is aligned: an analyst target price of $301.62 with 10 strong buy, 48 buy, 2 hold, and 1 sell ratings.
Q2 guidance from the company itself calls for $91 billion in revenue plus or minus 2%, gross margin of 75.0% plus or minus 50 bps, and excludes any China Data Center compute revenue. SemiAnalysis is layering a higher ramp on top of an already high bar.
Bottom Line For a retirement-focused investor, the real question is whether the denominator in that P/E is right, not the sticker multiple. SemiAnalysis says it is too low by roughly 20% in the biggest revenue line, driven by a Rubin ramp that is already staged.
The risks are real: the estimate is a research firm’s, not company guidance, consensus expectations are already elevated, and any execution or demand hiccup pressures a mega-cap at scale. The next hard data point is the Q3 FY2027 earnings report on August 26, 2026, after the close. Until then, the anchor number is $203 billion.
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ExxonMobil čeká, že vyšší ceny kapalin přidají ve 2. čtvrtletí k zisku asi 3,5–3,9 miliardy USD ve srovnání s 1. čtvrtletím 2026. Marže v segmentech Energy Products, Chemical Products a Specialty Products mají zisk dál podpořit.
Key Takeaways XOM expects higher liquids prices to add about $3.5-$3.9 billion to Q2 earnings versus Q1 2026. ExxonMobil sees Energy, Chemical and Specialty Products margins boosting second-quarter earnings. Middle East disruptions hurt production, but supportive prices may still aid XOM's upstream profitability. Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM - Free Report) , a U.S. oil and gas giant, has an integrated business model spanning upstream operations, refining and trading. The majority of its earnings are generated by its upstream segment. While the exploration and production business is vulnerable to fluctuations in oil and gas prices, the current business environment seems favorable for XOM’s upstream activities.
The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted global oil and gas flows, causing a major spike in crude prices, with the West Texas Intermediate benchmark surpassing the $100 per barrel mark in May 2026. In its latest 8-K filing, ExxonMobil has provided an update regarding its second-quarter results. The company indicated that higher crude prices and the impacts of the Middle East disruptions are expected to boost its second-quarter earnings compared with the first quarter. In fact, XOM estimates changes in liquids prices to add approximately $3.5-$3.9 billion to its earnings compared with first-quarter 2026.
Moreover, the company mentioned in its filing that the Energy Products and Chemical Products segments are expected to benefit from changes in margins. The Energy Products segment is expected to gain between $2 billion and $2.4 billion, while the Chemical Products segment is expected to witness an increase between $1 billion and $1.2 billion. The Specialty Products segment is forecasted to add approximately $300-$500 million to its earnings compared with first-quarter 2026. The gains in refining and chemicals margins likely reflect stronger industry margins in the second quarter. However, ExxonMobil noted that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has caused production disruptions and operational shutdowns, partially offsetting these benefits. ExxonMobil is scheduled to release its second-quarter results on July 31.
The current market conditions, however, have changed significantly, and crude prices have retreated from the war-premium highs seen previously. Nevertheless, the current pricing environment remains supportive for ExxonMobil. Recent developments related to the conflict between the United States and Iran have again resulted in heightened uncertainty in global energy markets. The escalating geopolitical tensions may push oil prices higher in the near term, thereby supporting ExxonMobil’s upstream business. The company is well positioned to generate attractive upstream earnings and sustain its profitability, supported by its portfolio of low-cost, high-return advantaged assets in the Permian Basin and Guyana.
XOM’s Zacks Rank and Key PicksXOM currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks from the energy sector are Cenovus Energy (CVE - Free Report) , Par Pacific Holdings (PARR - Free Report) and FuelCell Energy (FCEL - Free Report) . While Cenovus Energy and Par Pacific currently sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) each, FuelCell Energy carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.
Cenovus Energy Inc. is a Canadian integrated energy company with operations spanning the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors. The company is involved in exploration and production from its low-cost oil sands and heavy oil assets in Canada. The strategic MEG Energy acquisition is expected to boost Cenovus Energy's production levels in 2026.
Par Pacific Holdings operates an integrated downstream energy business across the United States, with fuel retail operations in Hawaii, Washington, and Idaho, refining operations in Hawaii, Wyoming, Washington, and Montana, and a supporting logistics network. Its refineries have a combined crude oil throughput capacity of 219,000 barrels per day and produce gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, marine fuels, asphalt, and other petroleum products.
FuelCell Energy is a clean energy company that offers scalable, reliable, low-carbon power solutions. It produces power using flexible fuel sources such as biogas, natural gas and hydrogen. The company’s proprietary molten carbonate fuel cell systems generate electricity through an electrochemical process instead of burning fuel, reducing carbon emissions and minimizing the environmental impact of power generation. FCEL is anticipated to play a crucial role in the energy transition by enabling industries and communities to shift from traditional fossil fuels to low-carbon alternatives.
GE Aerospace oznámila, že tržby divize Defense & Propulsion Technologies v 1. čtvrtletí meziročně vzrostly o 19 % a objednávky vyskočily o 67 %. Pro rok 2026 čeká růst tržeb této divize v nižších až vyšších jednotkách procent.
Key Takeaways GE's Defense & Propulsion Technologies revenues rose 19%, with orders jumping 67% in Q1.GE secured defense contracts with Boeing Defence UK and a multi-year partnership with Palantir.GE expects mid-to-high single-digit 2026 revenue growth for its Defense & Propulsion Technologies segment. GE Aerospace (GE - Free Report) is benefiting from persistent strength in its Defense & Propulsion Technologies segment. After experiencing growth of 11% in 2025, revenues from the segment increased 19% year over year in first-quarter 2026. The surge in revenues was driven by the growing popularity for GE’s propulsion & additive technologies, critical aircraft systems and aftermarket services in the defense sector.
Some of the notable contracts secured by the company include a deal from Boeing Defence UK for the extension of support services for T700-GE-T701D engines. GE will be responsible for providing logistics management, repair, maintenance and technical support services for these turboshaft engines. Also, it entered into a multi-year partnership with Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR - Free Report) to improve the fleet management and operational readiness of the U.S. Air Force’s military aircraft.
The strong pipeline of projects boosted the Defense & Propulsion Technologies segment’s orders, which surged 67% in the first quarter on a year-over-year basis. The segment’s operating profit grew 17% to $379 million.
It's worth noting that the fiscal year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act was signed into law in February 2026, providing a strong budgetary allocation for defense. Such robust provisions set the stage for GE Aerospace, which remains focused on its defense business.
Backed by favorable geopolitical developments and consistent government support, the company’s Defense & Propulsion Technologies segment is well-placed for growth in the quarters ahead. For 2026, GE expects revenues from the Defense & Propulsion Technologies segment to increase in the mid-to-high single-digit range.
GE's Peers in the Defense MarketHowmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM - Free Report) is benefiting from strong momentum in its defense aerospace market. After experiencing growth of 21% in 2025, revenues from the defense aerospace market increased 10% year over year in first-quarter 2026. The surge in revenues was driven by the solid demand for engine spares, particularly related to the F-35 program, and an increase in orders for legacy fighter jet spares.
Northrop Grumman’s (NOC - Free Report) defense market is playing an important role in driving its overall growth. In first-quarter 2026, revenues from Northrop’s Defense Systems segment climbed 5.2% year over year to $1.90 billion. This improvement was driven by the continued ramp-up of the Sentinel program, as well as the higher volume of tactical solid rocket motor programs and the Integrated Battle Command System portfolio.
GE's Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of GE Aerospace have gained 9.8% in the past six months against the industry’s 6.2% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, GE is trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 43.97X, above the industry’s average of 33.75X. GE Aerospace carries a Value Score of D.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GE’s 2026 and 2027 earnings has increased over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Automotive výnosy Qualcommu dosáhly ve 2. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2026 rekordu 1,33 miliardy USD, meziročně vzrostly o 38 %. Firma čeká ve 3. čtvrtletí zrychlení růstu zhruba na 50 %.
Key Takeaways Qualcomm automotive revenues reached a record $1.33B in Q2 FY26, up 38% year over year.QCOM plans fifth-gen Snapdragon Digital Chassis shipments by FY26-end with major performance gains.Qualcomm expects automotive revenue growth to accelerate to about 50% year over year in Q3 FY26. Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM - Free Report) is benefiting from strong traction in the automotive business. Automotive revenue reaches a record $1.33 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, up 38% year over year. There are several factors driving this growth.
Growth is being fueled by its fourth-generation Snapdragon Digital Chassis, which integrates multiple vehicle technologies into one platform, including connectivity, telematics, digital cockpit and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Qualcomm reported that more than 1 million vehicles are already operating using Snapdragon Ride processors for ADAS and autonomous driving. The company expects continued share gains in fiscal 2027, particularly in ADAS. It boasts a worldwide client base that includes leading automakers and technology companies like Volkswagen Group, Toyota, Hyundai Mobis, Leapmotor, Li Auto and several other OEMs.
By the end of fiscal 2026, Qualcomm plans to begin commercial shipments of its fifth-generation Snapdragon Digital Chassis. Compared to prior generations, the platform will offer 3x higher CPU performance, 3x higher GPU capability and 12x higher NPU performance.
Qualcomm’s automotive revenue exceeded an annualized run rate of $5 billion for the first time. It expects to exit fiscal 2026 at a run rate above $6 billion. Third quarter fiscal 2026 automotive revenue is expected to grow approximately 50% year over year, faster than the 38% growth reported in the second quarter.
How Are Competitors Faring?The company faces competition from NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA - Free Report) and Intel Corporation (INTC - Free Report) in this domain. NVIDIA continues to build a longer-duration growth option in automotive, robotics and other physical AI applications. In 2026, NVIDIA announced multiple automotive and mobility partnerships at the GTC 2026, with BYD, Geely, Isuzu, Nissan, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia adopting or expanding use of its DRIVE Hyperion platform to develop Level 4 and next-generation autonomous vehicles, alongside broader robotaxi ecosystem collaborations.
The acquisition of Mobileye has helped the company to rapidly penetrate the autonomous car technology market, currently dominated by the likes of NVIDIA and Qualcomm. With the buyout, Intel has gained access to Mobileye’s technologies related to cameras, in-car networking, sensor chips, roadway mapping, cloud software, machine learning and data management. This has increased its customer base and augmented its top-line growth.
QCOM’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesQualcomm shares have gained 17.1% over the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 75%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Going by the price/earnings ratio, the company's shares currently trade at 17.1 forward earnings, lower than 32.39 for the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Earnings estimates for fiscal 2026 have remained unchanged, and those for 2027 have increased over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Qualcomm stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Jim Cramer odmítl doporučit Pfizer, i když akcie nabízejí 7% dividendu a jsou poblíž 52týdenního minima. Uvedl, že firmě chybí růst a má problémy s růstem zisku.
Jim Cramer stared down a stock yielding 7% and sitting near its 52-week low, and still would not tell viewers to buy it. On the July 7 episode of CNBC’s Mad Money, a caller from Orland Park, Illinois pitched Pfizer as an income-and-value setup, and Cramer conceded the case looked tempting. He landed on a reluctant pass anyway, telling the caller, “It kills me to say that a stock that yields 7% that used to have a lot of growth is going to have growth again, but I can’t come up with where the growth is. I just can’t. I’m sorry.”
The Caller and the Setup After a friendly exchange about Cramer’s 2:47 AM wake-up habit and a shout-out to a staffer named Sean, the Orland Park caller framed the question plainly: “I’m looking at a pharmaceutical company. You’ve had the CEO on your show several times over the past few years. Pays a high dividend. Down near the 52-week low. What do you think about Pfizer, Jim?” It is the kind of pitch that usually gets a warmer response from a host who has hosted CEO Albert Bourla repeatedly.
Cramer’s Reasoning on Pfizer Pfizer (NYSE:PFE | PFE Price Prediction) drew a diagnosis rather than an endorsement. Cramer told the caller, “Okay, they do have earnings growth problems. They haven’t been able to make the Seagen acquisition work the way it should. The dividend is safe at 7%.” The Seagen deal, closed in December 2023 for roughly $43 billion, was supposed to seed Pfizer’s post-COVID oncology franchise. Padcev, one of the assets that came over, did grow 39% operationally in Q1 2026, but that has not been enough to offset a 59% drop in Comirnaty and a 63% operational decline in Paxlovid.
The headline numbers still show a company that beats and guides steadily. Pfizer posted Q1 2026 revenue of $14.45 billion against a $13.80 billion estimate, adjusted EPS of $0.75 (a fifth consecutive beat), and reaffirmed FY2026 revenue guidance of $59.5 billion to $62.5 billion and adjusted EPS of $2.80 to $3.00, per the company’s 8-K filing. Net income of $2.687 billion was down 9.44% year over year, and operating income fell 31.44%. That is the growth gap Cramer is pointing at.
The Core Tension: Safe Yield, No Growth Cramer’s stance boils down to a simple test that a safe payout alone does not clear. Pfizer’s quarterly dividend of $0.43 was raised from $0.42 beginning with the January 2026 payment, extending a long streak of modest increases. FY2025 dividends paid totaled $9.8 billion, and management has signaled no buybacks in 2026 despite a $3.3 billion remaining authorization. Cash is going to the payout and to deals like the ~$7.0 billion Metsera acquisition in obesity/GLP-1 and a $1.35 billion charge to in-license a PD-1 x VEGF bispecific from 3SBio. Those bets could re-seed the pipeline. They have not yet moved the earnings needle in a way that satisfies Cramer.
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What the Market Says The market seems to agree, at least for now. Pfizer closed at $24.05 on July 8, down 6.13% over the past month and roughly flat year to date. The 52-week range runs from $21.97 to $28.28, and the trailing yield sits at 7.25%. Analyst consensus target is $29.00, with 16 Hold ratings dominating the board. Forward P/E of 8x tells you the market is pricing in the patent cliff around Eliquis and Vyndaqel, IRA Medicare Part D redesign pressure, and Most-Favored-Nation drug pricing risk.
For readers weighing this against other high-yield names, our ongoing Paycheck Portfolio coverage tracks how income investors are handling yield traps versus durable payers in 2026.
The Bottom Line Cramer’s take is Cramer’s take. Income investors who care most about a covered 7% payout may reasonably read the same facts and reach a different conclusion, especially with the stock sitting closer to the low end of its 52-week range. Growth investors hunting a catalyst will hear Cramer clearly. This is reporting on his opinion, and readers should treat it as such. Do your own research before acting.
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Oracle oznámila partnerství s IMSA Labs a spouští Oracle Cloud Innovation Studio pro startupy pracující s daty z živých závodů. Zaměřuje se na zpracování velkých objemů dat, rozhodování v reálném čase a edge computing.
Partners With IMSA Labs On Cloud Innovation StudioOracle disclosed its partnership with the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) as the founding partner of IMSA Labs, launching the Oracle Cloud Innovation Studio.
This initiative aims to assist startups in developing solutions using Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, leveraging real-time data from live race operations.
The solutions developed through Oracle Cloud Innovation Studio target challenges such as high-volume data processing, real-time decision-making, edge computing and distributed systems.
ORCL Technical Outlook: Momentum Weak Below Key AveragesThe stock’s current price of $141.30 is significantly below its moving averages, with the 20-day simple moving average (SMA) at $163.34, indicating a 9.7% gap. The moving average convergence divergence (MACD) is currently below its signal line, suggesting that momentum is fading, which could signal a potential reversal unless the stock can reclaim that baseline.
Oracle Earnings Preview and Analyst Price TargetsOracle is slated to provide its next financial update on Sept. 8 (estimated).
EPS Estimate: $1.67 (Up from $1.47) Revenue Estimate: $19.12 billion (Up from $14.93 billion) Valuation: P/E of 24.1x (Indicates fair valuation) Analyst Consensus & Recent Actions: The stock carries a Buy rating with a consensus price target of $268.79. Recent analyst moves include:
Bernstein: Outperform (Raises target to $325 on June 11) RBC Capital: Sector Perform (Maintains target to $190 on June 11) TD Cowen: Buy (Maintains target to $300 on June 11) How Oracle Ranks On Value, Growth and MomentumBelow is the Benzinga Edge scorecard for Oracle, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses compared to the broader market:
Value: 20.51 — Trading at a steep premium relative to peers. Growth: 81.73 — Strong growth potential indicated. Momentum: 7.54 — Stock is underperforming the broader market. The Verdict: Oracle’s Benzinga Edge signal reveals a growth-heavy profile, but with weak momentum indicators suggesting potential challenges ahead. Investors may want to consider these factors as they evaluate Oracle’s future performance.
Top ETFs Holding Oracle Stock (ORCL)Significance: Because Oracle carries such a heavy weight in these funds, any significant inflows or outflows for these ETFs will likely force automatic buying or selling of the stock.
ORCL Stock Trades Higher As Markets RiseORCL Stock Price Activity: Oracle shares were up 3.46% at $145.38 at the time of publication on Thursday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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Globe Life v 1. čtvrtletí zvýšila upravený EPS o 12 % díky růstu pojistného a disciplíně v upisování. Tržby z prodejů zdravotního pojištění vyskočily o 58 % a prodeje životního pojištění vzrostly o 6 %.
Key Takeaways Globe Life posted 12% operating EPS growth, supported by premium growth and disciplined underwriting. Sales momentum accelerated with health sales up 58% and life sales rising across all distribution channels. GL returned $225 million to shareholders and expects excess cash flow of $650-$700 million in 2026. Shares of Globe Life Inc. (GL - Free Report) have gained 48.7% over the past year, outperforming the industry, sector and the Zacks S&P 500 composite over the same period. The stock closed at $177.07 on Wednesday, just 2.7% below its 52-week high of $182.32, reflecting investor confidence.
Strong earnings growth, premium expansion, higher investment income and aggressive share repurchases have driven the rally. Improving investor sentiment following the easing of short-seller allegations has further supported the stock.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
GL has outperformed its peers, Aflac Incorporated (AFL - Free Report) and Unum Group (UNM - Free Report) , whose shares have risen 19.2% and 10.7%, respectively, in the past year, while AMERISAFE, Inc. (AMSF - Free Report) has lost 18.7%.
GL’s ValuationDespite the rally, Globe Life shares are trading at a discount compared to the industry. Its forward price-to-earnings multiple of 10.96X is lower than the industry average of 13.66X, the Finance sector’s 16.51X and the Zacks S&P 500 Composite’s 21.14X. Also, it has a Value Score of A.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Shares of other insurers, such as Unum Group, are also trading at a discount, while Aflac and Amerisafe are trading at a higher multiple than the industry average.
GL’s Growth Projection EncouragesThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Globe Life’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) indicates a year-over-year increase of 7.7%. The consensus estimate for revenues is pegged at $6.40 billion, implying a year-over-year improvement of 6.3%.
The consensus estimate for 2027 EPS and revenues indicates an increase of 6.4% and 6.7%, respectively, from the corresponding 2026 estimates.
The company’s earnings have improved 16.1% in the past five years, better than the industry average of 0.6%.
Optimistic Analyst Sentiment on GLThe company has witnessed four upward earnings estimate revisions for 2026 over the past 60 days, against no movement in the opposite direction. For 2027, it has witnessed three upward revisions and no downward movement. Thus, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings moved 1.4% and 0.1% north, respectively, over the last 60 days.
GL’s Return on Invested CapitalThe return on invested capital in the trailing 12 months was 12.5%, better than the industry average of 6.6%. This reflects the company’s efficiency in utilizing funds to generate income.
Key Points to Note for Globe LifeGlobe Life continues to deliver strong earnings growth, supported by disciplined underwriting, healthy premium growth and prudent capital management. In the first quarter of 2026, operating EPS increased 12% year over year, marking the seventh quarter of double-digit operating EPS growth in the past eight quarters. The company also benefited from higher premiums across its Life Insurance and Health Insurance segments, providing a solid foundation for sustained earnings expansion. In the first quarter, total premiums grew 6% year over year to $1.3 billion.
Moreover, net investment income continues to be another important driver of the company’s top-line growth and has been improving over the last few years, benefiting from higher portfolio yields and disciplined investment management. The company expects investment income to continue growing in 2026, supported by elevated reinvestment yields and its conservative, high-quality investment portfolio.
Improved agent productivity, expanding distribution and growth at the American Income, Liberty National, United American and Family Heritage divisions are expected to support continued sales growth in 2026. These efforts have fueled strong sales momentum, with health sales surging 58% in the first quarter of 2026 and life sales increasing 6% across all distribution channels.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as an important long-term growth driver for Globe Life. The company expects AI to improve underwriting, claims processing, customer service, agent productivity, lower administrative expenses and drive long-term margin expansion, strengthening Globe Life's competitive position.
The company has maintained a strong liquidity position with sufficient cash-generation capabilities. For 2026, GL anticipates excess cash flow to increase to approximately $650-$700 million. Globe Life has targeted a consolidated Company Action Level RBC ratio of 300-320% for 2026.
A strong capital position enables Globe Life to enhance its shareholder value via share buybacks and dividend payouts. The company returned approximately $225 million to shareholders during the first quarter of 2026. The insurer has continuously increased its dividend over the past five years, witnessing a CAGR of 8.9%.
ConclusionGlobe Life’s higher life and health sales, improved investment income, premium growth, AI initiatives, strong liquidity position and effective capital deployment position the company well for long-term growth.
Coupled with the impressive dividend history, cheaper valuation, solid growth projections, and higher returns, as well as the optimistic analyst sentiment, the time appears right for potential investors to bet on this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) insurer. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Molson Coors těží z prémiových značek, cenových kroků a tříletého programu úspor za 450 milionů USD. Strategie Horizon 2030 má podpořit růst i mimo pivo.
Key Takeaways Molson Coors is advancing Horizon 2030 by expanding premium beer and beyond-beer categories.TAP is benefiting from premium brands, pricing actions and a $450 million cost-savings program.TAP is investing in innovation, marketing and acquisitions to support long-term profitable growth. Molson Coors Beverage Company (TAP - Free Report) is one of the leading brewers, having a strong portfolio of well-established brands. The company is focused on strengthening its core beer business while expanding into faster-growing beverage categories under its Horizon 2030 strategy. It is focused on premiumization and innovation to strengthen its core beer portfolio.
The company is benefiting from stronger performance in premium brands and using targeted pricing and improved mix to aid revenue growth despite volume pressures. Management highlighted solid momentum in above-premium offerings such as Peroni, Blue Moon and Coors Banquet, while value brands like Miller High Life and Keystone are being supported through targeted innovation and localized execution.
Molson Coors’ Horizon 2030 strategy to drive sustainable top-line growth bodes well. The plan focuses on strengthening its core brands, expanding in above-premium beer and accelerating its presence in faster-growing beyond beer categories. The company continues to invest in commercial capabilities, technology and marketing, while leveraging acquisitions such as Fever-Tree and Monaco Cocktails to broaden its portfolio and enhance growth.
TAP’s cost savings to support long-term value creation appear encouraging. The company is executing a three-year $450 million cost savings program, including restructuring and supply-chain optimization initiatives, to offset inflation and fund strategic investments. Such actions, combined with Molson Coors’ disciplined capital allocation, position it to improve profitability and create long-term shareholder value.
Overall, Molson Coors is positioned to improve long-term growth through its Horizon 2030 strategy, continued premiumization, portfolio diversification beyond beer and disciplined cost-management initiatives. While sluggishness in the Americas business and macroeconomic pressures with a soft beer industry remain near-term challenges, the company's focus on operational efficiency, innovation and higher-margin brands should support sustainable growth.
TAP’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of Molson Coors have lost 13.9% in the past three months compared with the industry’s drop of 1.2%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, TAP trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 7.91X compared with the industry’s average of 14.99X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TAP’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) shows a decline of 11.4% while that of 2027 indicates year-over-year growth of 4.2%. The company’s EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have been stable in the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Molson Coors stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Stocks to Consider in the Consumer Staples Space United Natural Foods (UNFI - Free Report) , which is a major distributor of natural, organic and specialty food and non-food products, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for United Natural Foods’ current financial-year sales indicates a drop of 2.1% from the prior-year level. UNFI delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 29.9%, on average.
Nomad Foods Limited (NOMD - Free Report) , which manufactures and distributes frozen foods, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
The consensus estimate for Nomad Foods’ current financial-year sales is expected to rise 0.5% from the year-ago reported figure. NOMD delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 8.6%, on average.
Medifast, Inc. (MED - Free Report) , which is a leading manufacturer and distributor of clinically-proven healthy living products and programs, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. MED delivered an average earnings surprise of 65.5% in the last reported quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Medifast’s current financial-year sales indicates a decline of 26% from the year-ago number.
Micron se po silné poptávce po paměťových čipech obchoduje za 13,6násobek očekávaných zisků v příštích 12 měsících, ale článek varuje, že jde o vysoce cyklickou akcii. S rostoucí nabídkou mohou ceny čipů klesnout a zisky se v dalším cyklu zhoršit.
Micron Technology (MU +6.90%) is one of the hottest stocks in the market right now. Massive demand for its memory chips has driven prices higher over the last year, leading to record-breaking earnings for the company. Still, the stock trades for just 13.6 times analysts' earnings expectations for the next 12 months. For comparison, the S&P 500 trades for close to 22 times forecast earnings.
Many investors have pointed out how cheap Micron appears to be at its current price. In fact, Micron's the largest position in the Vanguard Value ETF, suggesting the stock is undervalued right now. But the truth is Micron's not as cheap as it looks. Here's why.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
Looking beyond the current price-to-earnings ratio It's true that Micron trades for low price relative to its earnings expectations over the next 12 months. And analysts expect Micron's earnings to grow even more over the next two years, projecting Micron will generate over $160 in earnings per share by fiscal 2028, making its price around $1,000 per share look like an incredible bargain.
But the semiconductor industry is cyclical, and few segments are more so than memory chipmakers. That's because memory chips are commodity-like; device makers and chip packagers can, for the most part, swap out a Micron chip with any of its competitors'. That means if one of Micron's competitors increases the capacity of its chip production facilities, it will negatively impact Micron's ability to charge a premium price.
That's exactly what's playing out. Not only is Micron building out new chip manufacturing capacity, but its competitors are as well. As the pendulum of supply and demand swings the other way, Micron will see unit volume increase while pricing declines. At some point, unit volume growth won't be enough to offset price declines, and, combined with the added costs of running new facilities, profits will decline. That's the nature of cyclical stocks.
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So, as Micron approaches the peak of an earnings cycle, its P/E ratio will decline. Investors shouldn't be willing to pay as much for Micron's earnings at the peak of the cycle if the expectation is for earnings to decline for the next few years. And because of the commodity-like nature of Micron's products, the decline can be severe, especially if Micron doesn't build as much capacity as its competitors. That puts it in a prisoner's dilemma where it must spend the money to build new facilities.
Micron has historically traded at a P/E ratio in the mid single digits at its earnings peaks. At nearly 14 times earnings, the market suggests there are still a few more years of earnings growth for Micron in the current cycle; analysts are currently underestimating the peak of its earnings, or that the next down cycle won't be as bad as previous ones. All indications from Micron and its competitors suggest that the supply shortage will start to abate by 2028, which should have a noticeable negative impact on earnings in 2029 and 2030. Expectations for Micron are already sky-high, and the market is increasingly valuing it as if its earnings will never come down again. Don't confuse a highly cyclical stock with a value.
Boom v oblasti obezity ovládají Eli Lilly a Novo Nordisk a fond OZEM na ně míří přímo: drží Lilly za 16,10 % a Novo za 13,13 % majetku. XLV je proti tomu výrazně rozředěný, protože Lilly tvoří jen asi 16 % fondu.
The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEARCA:XLV) is the default healthcare allocation for millions of investors, and for good reason. XLV owns the entire S&P 500 healthcare complex in one ticker: insurers, device makers, biotech, and Big Pharma. It has returned 21.61% over the past year and 159.84% over ten years. If the reason for holding XLV is simply broad sector exposure, it does that job well. The reason to look past it is narrower: investors who bought XLV specifically to participate in the GLP-1 obesity boom are getting a heavily diluted version of that trade, and a small thematic fund, the LeaderShares Dr. Bill Grace Global Obesity ETF (NYSEARCA:OZEM) offers a more direct route.
Why XLV Waters Down the Obesity Trade The GLP-1 franchise is concentrated in two companies: Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY | LLY Price Prediction) and Novo Nordisk. Lilly’s Q1 2026 results underline the scale. Revenue reached $19.8 billion, up 55.5% year over year, with Mounjaro at $8.66 billion (+125%) and Zepbound at $4.16 billion (+80%). Non-GAAP EPS came in at $8.55. CEO David Ricks said, “2026 is off to a strong start, we delivered 56% revenue growth… raised full-year revenue guidance by $2 billion.” The FDA has since approved Foundayo (orforglipron), the first oral GLP-1 pill with no food or water restrictions.
Lilly’s stock reflects this: shares are up 54.8% over the past year and 433.36% over five years, with a market cap of roughly $1.07 trillion. Yet within XLV, Lilly is the largest single position, accounting for roughly 16% of the fund. While that provides significant exposure, the remaining 84% of the fund is spread across insurers, device makers, and legacy pharma. For investors whose core thesis is specifically the metabolic-disease franchise, the heavy allocation to non-obesity segments can dampen the impact of Lilly’s specific trajectory.”
What OZEM Actually Owns If you’re looking at the obesity and GLP-1 supply chain, OZEM is the fund that comes up most often. According to its March 31, 2026, NPORT filing, Lilly is its largest holding at 16.10% of net assets, with Novo Nordisk right behind at 13.13%. Put those two together, and the two drugmakers that dominate the category represent 29.23% of the fund. For context, that is a materially higher single-theme weighting than either name individually delivers in XLV.
The remainder is a mix of GLP-1 developers and adjacencies: Viking Therapeutics at 5.29%, Zealand Pharma at 3.60%, Structure Therapeutics at 2.38%, plus Chinese biotech exposure through Innovent, Ascletis, and CSPC. Broader pharma names such as Pfizer (7.56%) and Amgen (3.94%) round out the book. The fund also carried a 12.89% cash position at the March filing, which can dampen performance during rapid market rallies, though it provides the manager with the liquidity needed to navigate the extreme volatility typical of small-cap biotech stocks.
The Tradeoffs Are Real The swap involves real tradeoffs. OZEM returned 32.8% over the past year, better than XLV’s 21.61%, but well behind Lilly’s 54.8%. Novo Nordisk shares fell 25.53% over the same period, and that weighting, combined with the cash drag and small-cap biotech volatility, explains the gap. Year-to-date, OZEM is actually down 1.18% while XLV is up 5.51%.
Other considerations: OZEM’s total net assets sit at just $51.4 million, which means wider bid-ask spreads and closure risk if inflows stall. Thematic ETFs also carry higher expense ratios than sector SPDRs, and Lilly itself faces pricing pressure, with realized prices down and Mounjaro added to China’s national reimbursement list. A prospectus review is warranted before committing capital.
How to Think About the Swap PineBridge’s 2026 equity outlook notes that “In 2026, we will see the expansion of obesity treatments to the broader population as lower-cost, easier-to-administer oral pill versions of the current injectable GLP-1s are introduced to the market.” That backdrop supports thematic exposure, but the vehicle matters.
For an investor whose XLV position is designed to capture the obesity story, three paths are available. Owning Lilly directly has delivered the cleanest exposure by a wide margin. A partial OZEM sleeve alongside XLV preserves diversification while raising the weighting to GLP-1 developers globally. Keeping XLV as-is remains defensible for anyone who wants the whole sector rather than one theme within it. In a taxable account, trimming XLV to fund the switch would realize gains that should be weighed against the incremental exposure, since XLV itself already owns Lilly. The decision hinges on how narrow the reader wants the bet to be.
CVS těží z konsolidace ve zdravotním pojištění, zatímco Walgreens a Rite Aid ustupují. RBC zvýšila cílovou cenu a společnost v Q1 2026 zvýšila celoroční upravený EPS výhled na 7,30–7,50 USD.
Jim Cramer used his July 9, 2026 CNBC Stop Trading segment to plant a flag on managed care, framing CVS Health (NYSE:CVS | CVS Price Prediction) as the consolidation winner in a sector where insurers are finally getting paid for the risks they underwrite. RBC raised its price target on CVS Health, and Cramer connected that call to a broader thesis: with rivals shrinking and premiums climbing, the operators still standing have real pricing power.
“The real bull market here has been for the last month the UNH managed care insurance business,” Cramer said. He added, “We had Walgreens basically disappearing. We had Rite Aid disappearing. We have CVS, CVS redoing the front of the store and CVS doing a terrific job with Aetna.” Cramer expected meaningful pricing power to return: “The price increases in DRAM and price increases in health insurance are going to be double-digit.”
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Cramer Says CVS Is the Biggest Winner From Industry Consolidation The retail pharmacy shakeout has been a big tailwind for CVS. With Walgreens and Rite Aid stepping back, CVS captures more front-of-store foot traffic and prescriptions, flowing straight into an insurance and pharmacy benefit engine that just had its best quarter in years.
In Q1 2026, CVS posted adjusted EPS of $2.57 versus a $2.21 consensus on revenue of $100.43 billion. The Aetna-anchored Health Care Benefits segment saw adjusted operating income climb 52.6% year over year to $3.04 billion, while the medical benefit ratio improved to 84.6% from 87.3%. Management raised full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $7.30-$7.50 and lifted the operating cash flow target to at least $9.5 billion.
CVS shares are up 7.61% over the past month and 61.69% over the past year, trading around $104.72. The average analyst price target sits around $107.73, with 24 buy or strong buy ratings against just four holds. The stock’s forward P/E is about 14x, which still represents a discount to the group despite the run.
UnitedHealth Shows Why Pricing Power Is Returning UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) is the clearest evidence that Cramer’s double-digit thesis holds. Management explicitly cited “repricing across all lines of business in response to elevated but in-line cost trends” as the driver of Q1 2026 margin expansion. The medical cost ratio improved 90 basis points to 83.9%, and adjusted EPS came in at $7.23 versus a $6.61 consensus. Full-year adjusted EPS guidance was raised to greater than $18.25.
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UNH is willingly shedding members. Guidance calls for UnitedHealthcare enrollment of 46.9 to 47.5 million, down from 49.8 million in 2025, as the company exits unprofitable contracts. Shares are up 5.27% in the past month and 42.03% over the past year. Polymarket traders currently price in a 71% probability that UNH will beat its next quarterly earnings report, due July 16.
Humana Is Benefiting From Better Medicare Economics Humana (NYSE:HUM) rounds out the trio. Q1 2026 revenue jumped 23.5% year over year to $39.65 billion, with individual Medicare Advantage membership up roughly 1.14 million, or 22% year to date. The insurance segment benefit ratio landed at 89.4%, favorable to guidance. Humana shares have led the group over the past month, rising 11.58%, and are up 55.89% year to date.
FY2026 adjusted EPS guidance of at least $9.00 steps down from the prior year’s $17.14, reflecting the bonus-payment reset. Cramer’s argument is that improved CMS benchmark funding and IRA-driven Part D subsidies could pull the sector back toward equilibrium faster than bears expect.
What to Watch Next Cramer’s thesis ultimately comes down to pricing power. As weaker competitors shrink or disappear and insurers reprice policies to reflect higher healthcare costs, the industry’s earnings outlook appears far healthier than it did a year ago.
The next major test arrives with UnitedHealth’s earnings on July 16, followed by updates from CVS and Humana later in the quarter. Investors will be watching whether improving medical cost ratios and higher premiums continue translating into stronger margins across the sector.
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CEO Palo Alto Networks Nikesh Arora varoval, že ceny tokenů musí klesnout až o 90 %, aby se AI mohla rozšířit ve velkém. Současné náklady podle něj brzdí firemní adopci.
Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora warned that token costs need to drop as much as 90% to promote large-scale artificial intelligence adoption.
"I think 54% is a good start," Arora told CNBC's Seema Mody on "Squawk on the Street" Thursday, after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told CNBC that the frontier lab's latest model is 54% more token-efficient for agentic coding. "I think we probably need another turn at it."
Arora said token efficiency needs to drop to as much as 20% over the next twelve months, and 90% by the following year.
Rising token costs have emerged as a major pain point for businesses and put a strain on AI budgets. The current pricing, he said, makes AI tools increasingly difficult for businesses to implement.
"We need to see the pricing for AI come down," Arora said.
Arora is among a growing group of executives pushing for a decline in token pricing. The worry is that high token costs create a major barrier to widespread adoption, preventing many enterprises from using the tools.
Read more CNBC tech newsChinese lidar maker with Nvidia ties accused of being cyber risk for U.S.China's Alibaba bans Anthropic AI for employees after 'distillation attack' accusationSpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell to donate stock to Trump AccountsMicrosoft cuts 4,800 jobs, as Xbox unit downsizes and plans to spin off four gaming studiosLast week, Palantir CEO Alex Karp blasted the token model used by Anthropic and OpenAI, and called open-weight models a potential solution.
"I'm not throwing shade at them, but something has gone completely wrong," he told CNBC's "Squawk Box." "The basic view among enterprises in this country is I'm going to chillax and waste my time with tokens."
The token problem is leading many businesses to implement cheaper open-weight tools, including Chinese models that are quickly closing the gap with American labs.
At the same time, AI spending is accelerating to new highs to power the massive infrastructure buildout. Tech giants are also looking for new ways to fund these AI investments, with SpaceX raising $25 billion last month in a bond sale. Amazon raised $25 billion in debt this week.
Arora said the market will start to come to terms with the spending, or businesses will adjust to the market. Budgets will also decline as the technology becomes more efficient.
"It's important to understand the demand continues to be infinite, and as long as you have an infinite demand curve that you're facing, I think all these things will rationalize over time," he said.
Allstate v 1. čtvrtletí vykázala EPS 10,65 USD, nad odhadem 7,24 USD, a segment homeowners se vrátil k upisovacímu zisku 685 mil. USD. Progressive zvýšila výnosy o 8,8 % na 22,19 mld. USD, ale EPS 4,96 USD jen těsně překonala odhad a combined ratio vzrostlo na 86,4.
Allstate (NYSE:ALL | ALL Price Prediction) and Progressive (NYSE:PGR) just delivered Q1 2026 reports that inverted the recent pattern. Allstate’s underwriting engine rebounded sharply after last year’s California wildfire hit, while Progressive kept growing policies but couldn’t nudge its combined ratio lower. The valuation gap between the two now looks stretched, and the businesses behind the tickers are pulling in genuinely different directions.
Homeowners Rescues Allstate. Direct Auto Still Powers Progressive. Allstate posted $10.65 EPS against a $7.24 estimate, a 47.10% beat driven by the homeowners book swinging to a $685 million underwriting profit from a prior-year loss. The property-liability combined ratio landed at 82.0, and catastrophe losses fell 43.7% to $1.24 billion. CEO Tom Wilson credited “more affordable prices, new products, expanded benefits, bundled offerings, lower expenses, sophisticated analytics and increased marketing” for share gains. Auto new business applications rose 9.4%, so top-line growth is reaccelerating.
Progressive told a different story. Revenue climbed 8.8% to $22.19 billion, policies in force jumped 9% to roughly 39.6 million, and Direct Auto premiums earned surged 14%. But EPS of $4.96 barely edged the $4.88 estimate, and the combined ratio ticked up to 86.4 from 86.0. Property shrank 1% and Commercial Lines dropped 4%, exposing the auto-heavy concentration.
One Diversified Compounder, One Auto Specialist Lens Allstate Progressive Trailing P/E 5x 11x Forward P/E 9x 14x Return on Equity 45.2% 37.9% Dividend Yield 1.76% 0.18% Core Bet Bundled auto + home + protection services Direct-to-consumer telematics auto Allstate’s $4.0 billion new buyback stacked on the existing $1.5 billion program, plus a $1.08 quarterly dividend, signals real confidence. Progressive is repurchasing modestly, with 768,273 shares bought at an average of $204.48 in March. The Florida $950 million policyholder credit overhang and a CFO transition in July 2026 add friction Allstate simply does not carry.
The Next Test Is Whether Underwriting Discipline Holds I will be watching whether Allstate’s 82.0 combined ratio can survive a normal catastrophe season. Homeowners just flipped, but May 2026 housing starts fell to 1.18 million, down 15.4% from April, which softens the demand runway. For Progressive, Polymarket traders assign a 42.5% probability that Q2 combined ratio lands between 89% and 92%, worse than Q1. That would confirm the pricing pressure analysts have flagged.
Why I Lean Toward Allstate on This Setup For me, the valuation and returns numbers carry the argument. Allstate is up 15.49% year to date while Progressive has managed only 2.13%, and Progressive is still down 12.78% over the past year. Paying 5x earnings for a business generating 45.2% ROE feels like the cleaner risk-reward. If you prioritize policy-count growth and the direct model, Progressive still fits. If you want capital returns, valuation cushion, and a broader product base, Allstate is the one I keep watching.
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Lucid Group ve čtvrtletí do 30. června vyrobil 4 774 vozů a dodal 3 953, zároveň oznámil reorganizaci vedení pod vedením CEO Silvia Napoliho. Akcie LCID byly ve čtvrtek o 1,55 % výše na 5,91 USD.
Lucid Group stock is moving in positive territory. What’s driving LCID shares up? What Is Driving Lucid Group’s Recent Performance?Lucid produced 4,774 vehicles and delivered 3,953 in the quarter ended June 30, and it paired that update with a leadership overhaul aimed at simplifying the org chart and tightening accountability under CEO Silvio Napoli. The shakeup is designed to halve the number of direct reports to the CEO, with Alexander De Bock set to replace Taoufiq Boussaid after a handover.
Lucid also named Raja Ramana Macha as CTO, Billy Hayes as Chief Customer Officer and Kay Stepper as President of Lucid Technologies and Chief Digital Officer. Hayes’ remit spans sales, service, marketing and regional P&L across the U.S., Middle East and Europe, effective immediately.
Critical Technical Levels for LCID StockAt $5.89, LCID is back above its shorter-term trend gauges—trading 5.6% above the 20-day SMA ($5.64) and 1.5% above the 50-day SMA ($5.86)—but it’s still in a longer-term downtrend, sitting 21.5% below the 100-day SMA ($7.58) and 47.3% below the 200-day SMA ($11.28). That "short-term bounce inside a bigger downtrend" look is reinforced by bearish crossovers (the 20-day SMA below the 50-day, and the 50-day below the 200-day).
Momentum is best framed through RSI, which is neutral at 51.90—basically saying the stock isn’t stretched and is still trading more like a range than a runaway trend. For non-technicians, RSI is a quick way to gauge whether recent buying or selling has become overheated; near-50 readings often line up with choppy, two-sided trade.
Key levels are tight enough to matter for swing traders watching follow-through from the June low and the July rebound attempt.
Key Resistance: $7.00 — a round-number ceiling that also lines up with the area the stock would need to reclaim to start repairing the gap to the 100-day averages Key Support: $5.50 — a nearby floor close to the 20-day SMA zone where buyers have recently shown up What Is Lucid Group and Its Business Model?Lucid Group is a technology and automotive company focused on developing next-generation EV technologies, with a direct-to-consumer model that includes geographically distributed retail and service locations. Its approach leans on in-house hardware and software innovation, vertical integration and clean-sheet engineering—work that underpins the Lucid Air luxury sedan.
That backdrop matters for Thursday’s trade because the market is weighing execution: production/delivery cadence on one hand, and organizational focus on the other. The new structure (including a distinct Lucid Technologies business unit focused on strategic partnerships and advanced technologies like autonomy, ADAS, AI and robotaxis) is a clear attempt to sharpen accountability while keeping longer-dated tech optionality in the story.
Current Price Action for LCID Stock on ThursdayLCID Stock Price Activity: Lucid Group shares were up 1.55% at $5.91 at the time of publication on Thursday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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Akcie Applied Materials vzrostly téměř o 7 % poté, co zprávy o plánu Meta vyrábět vlastní AI čip podpořily celý sektor polovodičů. Lam Research a KLA přidaly více než 6 %.
Applied Materials Inc. shares AMAT climbed nearly 7% on Thursday as semiconductor stocks rallied after reports that Meta Platforms plans to begin manufacturing its in-house artificial intelligence chip in September, boosting optimism around demand for wafer fabrication equipment and AI infrastructure.
The broader semiconductor rally also lifted Lam Research and KLA Corp., while optical networking company Lumentum led gains in the S&P 500.
Applied Materials gained nearly 7%, while Lam Research and KLA rose more than 6% as investors reacted to reports that Meta expects to begin work on its AI data-center chip, codenamed "Iris," using custom-built silicon. Reuters first reported the development.
The move was viewed as a positive development for companies supplying wafer fabrication equipment used to convert raw silicon wafers into microchips.
The rally comes as expectations continue to build around rising capital expenditure by hyperscale technology companies.
According to Citi, the wafer fabrication equipment market is expected to grow from about $145 billion this year to $200 billion in 2027 and $250 billion in 2028.
The brokerage also forecasts hyperscaler spending to increase 84% this year, 56% in 2027 and 38% in 2028.
Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta Platforms and Oracle are expected to spend more than $1.1 trillion in 2027, up from $650 billion this year.
Brokerages also turned more optimistic on semiconductor equipment makers.
Mizuho Securities raised its price target on Applied Materials to $650 from $540 while maintaining its Outperform rating. It also increased its target on Lam Research to $400 from $380.
TD Cowen lifted its price target on Applied Materials to $700 from $525 while maintaining its rating on the stock.
The brokerage models wafer fabrication equipment spending reaching $250 billion in 2028 and potentially $400 billion by 2030, supported by stronger industry profitability and demand backed by take-or-pay agreements.
Under its $250 billion scenario, TD Cowen estimates Applied Materials could generate earnings of about $25 per share, compared with its calendar 2026 estimate of $13.35.
Lam Research could earn between $11 and $12 per share, while KLA could generate $9 to $10 per share.
The firm said Applied Materials would be the biggest beneficiary under that scenario, followed by KLA because of their exposure to leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing and DRAM investment.
Investor sentiment also received support from comments by Applied Materials CEO Gary Dickerson.
In an interview with Nikkei Asia, Dickerson said Applied Materials has “tremendous visibility” into customer demand over the next 24 months.
He added that chipmakers are providing equipment demand forecasts at least two years in advance, giving the company confidence that the AI-driven semiconductor investment cycle still has years to run.
AMAT Technicals Applied Materials continues to trade above its 20-day, 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages.
Its relative strength index stands at 53.70, a neutral reading, while traders are watching the 20-day moving average near $503 as the first support level and the 52-week high near $739.67 as the next major resistance.
Toyota investuje 3,6 miliardy USD do rozšíření výroby v Texasu, aby posílila svou severoamerickou stopu a lokalizovala produkci. Akcie přesto zůstávají vnímány jako hodnotové, s poměrem ceny k zisku 9,7×.
The move strengthens Toyota’s North American manufacturing footprint at a time when supply-chain resilience and domestic production have become increasingly important for global automakers.
Yet despite that aggressive investment, Toyota continues to be viewed as a value stock.
The automaker currently ranks among Benzinga Edge’s Top Value Stocks, reflecting its inexpensive valuation metrics and strong profitability. That creates an interesting disconnect: Toyota is spending like a company preparing for its next phase of growth, while Wall Street continues to value it like a mature automaker.
Toyota Still Trades Like A Value StockToyota’s valuation helps explain why it continues to earn a place among the market’s top value names.
According to Benzinga Pro data, the stock trades at just 9.7 times trailing earnings and 10.8 times forward earnings. It also carries an earnings yield of 10.3% and an EV-to-EBITDA multiple of 8.0—metrics typically associated with value stocks rather than companies making multibillion-dollar expansion bets.
Rather than conserving cash, Toyota is investing heavily to localize production, strengthen its U.S. manufacturing footprint and reinforce its position in the profitable North American truck market. The company has also continued leaning on its hybrid strategy, which has helped it outperform many rivals as EV demand has moderated.
For investors, the question is whether Wall Street is fully recognizing what Toyota is becoming—or still valuing what it has historically been.
TM Stock Chart Suggests Sentiment May Be ImprovingToyota’s technical picture suggests investors may already be warming to that idea.
Although the shares remain down 18.7% year to date, they’ve gained 5.5% over the past five trading sessions and are up nearly 4% over the past year, indicating buying interest has started to return after months of weakness.
Chart created using Benzinga Pro
The stock has also reclaimed its short-term moving averages, while the MACD (moving average convergence/divergence) indicator is recovering from the negative territory, signaling that bullish momentum is building. Meanwhile, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits near the neutral 50 level, suggesting the shares are neither overbought nor oversold and could have room to build on their recent rebound.
The next technical level investors may be watching is the 50-day moving average, which could act as the next test for a sustained breakout.
It’s a strategic investment in manufacturing flexibility, localized production and one of the world’s most profitable pickup markets. Yet even as the company commits billions to future growth, the stock continues to trade at the kind of valuation typically reserved for mature value companies—a view reinforced by its place among Benzinga Edge’s Top Value Stocks.
If Toyota’s manufacturing investment begins translating into stronger earnings growth and improving investor sentiment, Wall Street may eventually have to decide whether the company still belongs in the bargain bin—or whether its valuation deserves a second look.
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Carvana čeká ve 2. čtvrtletí mezikvartální zlepšení hrubého zisku na jednotku v retailu, ale meziročně zůstane pod úrovní loňska kvůli ztrátě tarifních benefitů, nižším přepravním poplatkům a vyšším nákladům mimo vozidla.
Key Takeaways Carvana expects Q2 retail GPU to improve sequentially but remain below the prior-year level.CVNA cites lost tariff benefits, lower shipping fees and higher non-vehicle costs as key headwinds.Carvana also expects narrower wholesale-to-retail spreads to reduce retail GPU by about $100-$200 per unit. Carvana Co.’s (CVNA - Free Report) retail gross profit per unit (GPU) was relatively stable in the first quarter of 2026 but declined slightly from the prior-year period. A key factor behind the decline was the company's continued success in optimizing its logistics network, enabling faster vehicle deliveries over shorter distances. This improvement helped reduce logistics expense per retail unit sold to an all-time low.
As outbound shipping distances declined, Carvana also lowered the shipping fees charged to customers, passing the cost savings directly to them. While this enhanced customer value, it negatively affected retail GPU in both the fourth quarter of the previous year and the first quarter of the current year. Consequently, non-GAAP retail GPU declined by $58 year over year, primarily due to higher non-vehicle costs and lower shipping fee revenues.
Looking ahead, the company expects retail GPU to improve sequentially in the second quarter but remain below the prior-year level. The anticipated year-over-year decline reflects the absence of approximately $100 per unit in tariff-related benefits that supported results last year, continued pressure from lower shipping fees and higher non-vehicle costs, as well as an estimated $100-$200 per unit impact from narrower wholesale-to-retail spreads across the industry.
Meanwhile, non-GAAP wholesale GPU decreased by $83 year over year. Although wholesale vehicle volumes increased and gross profit per unit improved, these gains were more than offset by lower marketplace gross profit and retail unit growth that outpaced wholesale gross profit. Non-GAAP other GPU also declined by $88, primarily because the company chose to pass value back to customers through lower interest rates, partially offset by higher finance product and vehicle service contract attachment rates. CVNA currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
GPU Outlook of Other Auto RetailersGroup 1 Automotive, Inc.’s (GPI - Free Report) profitability across both new and used vehicle segments remains under pressure. In the last reported quarter, Group 1’s new-vehicle gross profit per unit slipped 2.5% to $3,296, and used-vehicle GPU fell 1.9% to $1,540. As inventory levels normalize and incentives increase, maintaining pricing discipline is likely to become more challenging for Group 1, which could continue to weigh on margins and overall earnings.
AutoNation, Inc. (AN - Free Report) new-vehicle profitability remains vulnerable to shifts in OEM incentives, vehicle mix and volatility in Premium Luxury volume. In the first quarter of 2026, AutoNation’s new vehicle gross profit per unit was $2,514, down from $2,803 a year ago, reflecting a weaker year-over-year pricing environment. BEV unit sales declined more than 50% year over year, with a disproportionate impact in Premium Luxury, where units fell 16% year over year. Amid affordability and inflation concerns, AutoNation expects vehicle demand to remain under pressure and has warned of margin compression this year.
Carvana’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesCarvana has underperformed the Zacks Internet – Commerce industry in the last six months. CVNA shares have plunged 28.6% compared with the industry’s decline of 7.3%.
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From a valuation perspective, Carvana appears overvalued. Going by its price/sales ratio, the company is trading at a forward sales multiple of 2.28, higher than its industry’s 1.91.
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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Carvana’s 2026 and 2027 EPS has moved up 5 cents and 4 cents, respectively, in the past 60 days.
Carvana v 1. čtvrtletí 2026 snížila non-GAAP náklady SG&A o 170 USD na jednu prodanou retailovou jednotku, zatímco retailové prodeje vzrostly o 40 %. Společnost očekává další páku nákladů s růstem objemu.
Key Takeaways Carvana lowered non-GAAP SG&A expense by $170 per retail unit as retail unit sales rose 40% in Q1 2026.CVNA expects more SG&A leverage from efficiency gains and fixed-cost leverage as retail volumes increase. Carvana plans to keep investing in advertising while funding technology and AI initiatives for growth. Carvana Co. (CVNA - Free Report) delivered another strong quarter of SG&A expense leverage in the first quarter of 2026. The company’s 40% increase in retail units sold reduced non-GAAP SG&A expense by $170 per retail unit sold, including a $36 decline in operations expenses and a $226 decline in overhead expenses per unit. Carvana expects significant SG&A leverage opportunities as the business continues to scale, driven by both operational efficiencies and leverage from the fixed components of its cost structure.
Operations expenses include costs associated with executing transactions, providing customer service, fulfilling orders through the logistics network and completing last-mile deliveries. These expenses are relatively variable in nature. During the quarter, operations expenses declined slightly year over year, reflecting continued efficiency improvements. The company expects further reductions in operations expense per retail unit over the long term, although quarterly results can be affected by factors such as fuel prices because logistics costs are included in this category.
Overhead expenses represent the more fixed portion of the cost structure. While these costs can increase when the company makes strategic investments, such as its current investments in additional technology and AI-related initiatives, Carvana expects substantial leverage in this category as retail volumes continue to grow. The first quarter demonstrated strong progress in spreading these fixed costs across a larger sales base.
Advertising remains the third major SG&A category. Carvana has been increasing advertising spending to further build consumer awareness, understanding and trust in its platform. As a result, the company expects advertising investment to remain an important component of its growth strategy even as it continues to pursue efficiency gains in operations and overhead expenses. CVNA currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
What Are the SG&A Prospects for Other Auto Retailers?AutoNation, Inc.’s (AN - Free Report) operating efficiency remains a concern as SG&A has moved above the company’s long-term target range. In the first quarter of 2026, AutoNation’s adjusted SG&A was 69.8% of gross profit versus the 66% to 67% target range, reflecting higher marketing spend, strategic customer experience investments and unfavorable self-insurance experience related to weather events. AutoNation expects SG&A to moderate in subsequent quarters but remain above the targeted range, which can restrain operating income growth if revenues remain under pressure.
Penske Automotive Group, Inc.’s (PAG - Free Report) expense base is proving sticky even as gross profit softens, which reduces operating leverage in a slower volume environment. In the first quarter of 2026, Penske’s SG&A rose modestly year over year while gross profit declined, and the company attributed the gap to higher employee benefit costs, higher U.K. payroll taxes and social programs, and higher rent and real estate taxes. Penske highlighted that rent increases tend to recur, and benefit costs have not been moving lower, which can keep earnings improvement uneven if unit volumes remain pressured.
Carvana’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesCarvana has underperformed the Zacks Internet – Commerce industry in the last six months. CVNA shares have plunged 28.6% compared with the industry’s decline of 7.3%.
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From a valuation perspective, Carvana appears overvalued. Going by its price/sales ratio, the company is trading at a forward sales multiple of 2.28, higher than its industry’s 1.91.
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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Carvana’s 2026 and 2027 EPS has moved up 5 cents and 4 cents, respectively, in the past 60 days.
Key Takeaways UiPath shares have fallen 34% in six months, while trading below the industry's forward earnings multiple.PATH reported its first-quarter GAAP profit and raised its full-year outlook on stronger demand.UiPath is positioning its platform to combine RPA, AI agents and workflows for enterprise automation. UiPath’s (PATH - Free Report) recent share price pullback has made its valuation more compelling, particularly for long-term investors. Despite improving financial performance and stronger demand for its automation platform, the stock trades at a more reasonable forward earnings multiple than it did during its earlier rally. This disconnect suggests that much of the market’s caution surrounding AI-related competition and enterprise spending has already been reflected in the share price.
The stock has declined 34% over the past six months compared with the industry’s 6.5% decline.
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PATH trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 13.53X, which is well below the industry’s average of 27.31X.
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The company continues to strengthen its fundamentals. Annualized recurring revenue (ARR) has maintained steady growth, operating margins have expanded, and UiPath recently reported its first-ever first-quarter GAAP profit. Management also raised its full-year outlook, reflecting confidence in customer demand and the company's ability to monetize its AI-powered automation offerings.
As enterprises increasingly adopt agentic AI, UiPath is positioning itself as an orchestration layer that combines robotic process automation (RPA), AI agents, and workflow management. This strategy could help customers automate complex business processes while optimizing AI token usage, creating a differentiated value proposition.
Although risks remain, including competitive pressure and slower enterprise IT spending, the current valuation appears to offer a favorable risk-reward balance. If UiPath continues to execute on its AI roadmap and sustain profitable growth, today's discounted valuation could provide meaningful upside potential for patient, long-term investors.
Peer Comparison
Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) and ServiceNow (NOW - Free Report) remain formidable rivals, but their financial strategies differ from UiPath’s. Microsoft, while a giant with unparalleled scale, must spread capital across diverse segments such as cloud, gaming and productivity software, somewhat diluting its focus on automation. ServiceNow continues to gain traction in enterprise workflow automation but remains heavily invested in sustaining growth momentum, balancing expansion with cost pressures.
Compared to these players, UiPath’s debt-free balance sheet allows it to dedicate resources squarely to automation. Microsoft has the advantage of size, and ServiceNow has enterprise reach, but UiPath’s singular financial flexibility gives it agility neither can fully replicate.
PATH stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Keysight Delivers New High-Performance 4x100GE Network Cybersecurity Test Platform Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) today announced the APS-ONE-400, a modular network cybersecurity test platform. This new 4x100GE platform significantly boosts performance for Layer 4-7 traffic, encrypted traffic, and Elephant Flow traffic all within a 1 rack unit (RU) system. It enables network equipment manufacturers (NEMs), service providers, and data center operators to validate demanding scenarios while lowering overall infrastructure requirements.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260709611791/en/
The Keysight APS-ONE-400 4x100GE modular network cybersecurity test platform delivers hyperscale L4-7 traffic, encrypted TLS traffic, security strikes, and Elephant Flows via a 1RU footprint that minimizes rack space usage, power consumption, and cooling demands.
The growing complexity and volume of network loads — including legitimate and malicious traffic, post-quantum cryptography (PQC)-encrypted traffic, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and the Elephant Flow transmissions common in AI and large language model (LLM) workloads — require network equipment manufacturers (NEMs), service providers, and data center operators to validate that their solutions can withstand these demands prior to deployment. However, this often requires multiple specialized test tools that can drive up costs and consume limited lab resources.
To address this challenge, Keysight developed the APS-ONE-400 appliance, an addition to its APS-100/400GE hardware family. The new modular, scalable 4x100GE network application and cybersecurity test platform generates hyperscale Layer 4-7 traffic, PQC-encrypted Transport Layer Security (TLS) throughput, security strikes, and ZTNA test capabilities — all within a compact 1RU footprint that improves lab efficiency.
The APS-ONE-400 4x100GE test platform offers the following benefits:
Increased performance and efficiency: Delivers 400 gigabits per second (Gbps) Layer 4-7 throughput, 380 Gbps of hardware-accelerated encrypted TLS throughput, 95 Gbps Elephant Flow throughput, and the latest security strikes in a compact 1RU platform that minimizes rack space, cooling, and power consumption. Compatibility and flexibility: Deploy as a stand-alone appliance or seamlessly integrate with existing deployments of Keysight’s APS-100/400GE series, including APS-M8400, APS-M1010, and APS-ONE-100. With APS-ONE-400’s fanout support for 100/25/10GE, the platform accommodates a range of critical network speeds. Hyperscale performance: When paired with the APS-M8400 appliance or APS-M1010 management controller, the APS-ONE-400 enables hyperscale testbeds that emulate the rigorous demands of data center and service provider environments. The platform can generate up to 16 terabits per second (Tbps) of Layer 4-7 traffic, 20 billion concurrent connections, 15 Tbps of TLS traffic, and 25 million TLS connections per second. Modular, scalable solution: Designed as a “pay-as-you-grow” solution, the APS-ONE-400 lets users support current test needs while retaining the flexibility to scale up capacity as requirements evolve. Ram Periakaruppan, Vice President and General Manager, Keysight's Network Test and Security Solutions, said: “The exponential growth of data transfers and bandwidth demands generated by AI and machine learning workloads is putting unprecedented strain on data center, service provider, and enterprise network infrastructures. Continuously validating that networks can handle these challenges without compromising security requires realistic, hyperscale, traffic emulation capabilities. Keysight's modular APS-ONE-400 compute node delivers new heights in realism, emulating the traffic flows associated with generative AI models and agentic applications at hyperscale, including the huge Elephant Flow datasets common to LLM training use cases and PQC-encrypted traffic flows, all in a compact form factor that conserves critical lab resources.”
Resources
Product Page: APS-100/400 network security test platformData Sheet: APS-100/400 network security test platformAbout Keysight Technologies
At Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), we inspire and empower innovators to bring world-changing technologies to life. As an S&P 500 company, we’re delivering market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions to help engineers develop and deploy faster, with less risk, throughout the entire product lifecycle. We’re a global innovation partner enabling customers in communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Learn more at Keysight Newsroom and www.keysight.com.
The Keysight APS-ONE-400 4x100GE modular network cybersecurity test platform delivers hyperscale L4-7 traffic, encrypted TLS traffic, security strikes, and Elephant Flows via a 1RU footprint that minimizes rack space usage, power consumption, and cooling demands.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260709611791/en/
Disclosures I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and have no plans to buy any new positions in the stocks mentioned within the next 72 hours.
Constellation Brands ve 1. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2027 zvýšila tržby na 2,43 mld. USD, ale upravený EPS na 3,43 USD zaostal za odhady. Firma zároveň zvýšila celoroční výhled EPS.
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52-Week Range$126.45▼
$178.13Dividend Yield3.14%
P/E Ratio12.54
Price Target$167.89
Constellation Brands NYSE: STZ delivered its fiscal year 2027 Q1 report on June 30 with mixed results. Revenue of $2.43 billion beat expectations for $2.39 billion. However, Constellation missed the bottom line, reporting adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.43, below expectations of $3.70.
However, the earnings figure was higher year over year (YOY). Plus, management raised its full-year reported EPS outlook to $11.50 to $12.20 and reaffirmed comparable guidance of $11.20 to $11.90. At the midpoint, the reported EPS would be 23% higher YOY.
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That hasn’t done much to satisfy investors. As of the market close on July 8, STZ continues to trade near multi-year lows around $130, keeping shares below their 200-day moving average of roughly $146, and the stock's MACD remains in negative territory.
When it comes to earnings reports, investors often pay too much attention to what the company did and not enough to its future outlook. In the case of Constellation Brands, that’s a disconnect that’s worth examining. Particularly, as STZ is trading approximately 29% below the analysts’ consensus price target of $167.89.
Constellation's Beer Business Continues to Drive GrowthConstellation's beer segment, anchored by Modelo Especial and Corona Extra, grew net sales 2% on a 1.8% increase in shipment volumes. Operating margin held roughly flat at 39%. Depletions, a measure of what's actually moving off store shelves, dipped by a modest 0.3%. The company remained the top dollar-share gainer in the U.S. beer category during the quarter, with five of the 15 top share-gaining brands nationally.
Wine and Spirits told a more complicated story. Reported net sales fell 47%, but that decline is almost entirely a function of last year's divestiture of a large chunk of the mainstream wine portfolio. Strip that out, and organic net sales actually grew 8%, with depletions up 6.6%. The Kim Crawford brand’s depletions grew by roughly 4%, while Mi CAMPO Tequila surged 62%. The segment's operating loss narrowed sharply, improving 140 basis points to a margin of negative 0.7%.
Constellation Challenges the GLP-1 Bear CaseOverall MarketRank™98th Percentile
Analyst RatingHold
Upside/Downside29.2% Upside
Short Interest LevelHealthy
Dividend StrengthStrong
News Sentiment0.18 Insider TradingSelling Shares
Proj. Earnings Growth3.47%
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A popular bear thesis for beer and wine stocks holds that GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are suppressing overall drinking. Constellation's numbers argue against that story, at least for now. If GLP-1 adoption were driving a broad pullback in alcohol consumption, beer volumes should be falling alongside wine and spirits. Instead, beer shipments grew, and organic sales and depletions for wine and spirits both increased.
This suggests that Constellation Brands is adjusting to the changing tastes of consumers. That's different from a company stuck in a doom loop of declining consumer demand.
What shows up in the numbers is lower pressure on the income ladder. Management described a "discerning and value-conscious consumer mindset," particularly among lower-income households, as gas prices rose more than 50% nationally during the quarter.
That's the K-shaped economy playing out in real time: a bifurcated consumer base, with higher-end brands with strong equity, like Modelo and Kim Crawford, continuing to find buyers even as lower-income households pull back elsewhere.
Constellation Rewards Shareholders With Buybacks and DividendsConstellation returned over $400 million to shareholders during the quarter. That was split between $324 million in year-to-date share repurchases and a quarterly dividend of $1.03 per share. Management is targeting a comparable net leverage ratio of approximately 3x while continuing to fund the construction of a third brewery in Veracruz, Mexico. Operating cash flow rose 4% to $662 million, and free cash flow increased 9% to $485 million.
New CEO Nicholas Fink Outlines Constellation's Growth StrategyThis was the first earnings report with Nicholas Fink as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Fink used the earnings commentary to lay out an occasion-based growth strategy. The plan centers on understanding when, where, and why consumers choose specific brands, rather than treating growth purely as a distribution or pricing exercise.
Fink singled out Modelo Especial's continued distribution runway and relatively low brand awareness as a specific opportunity, alongside continued investment in fast-growing Pacifico and Mi CAMPO.
Constellation Stock Offers Value for Patient InvestorsAt roughly 11x, Constellation trades at a discount that looks reasonable for a defensive consumer name with a dominant beer franchise and an improving wine-and-spirits business. The stock's continued technical weakness suggests the market hasn't fully priced in the operating improvement yet.
To be fair, risks remain. Wine and Spirits still operates near breakeven, tariff exposure on agricultural inputs is an ongoing concern the company flags directly in its filings, and the broader beverage alcohol category faces real questions about long-term consumption trends.
But this quarter's results suggest the pressure so far is more about consumer selectivity than a structural retreat from alcohol altogether. For patient investors, Constellation's combination of earnings growth, aggressive capital returns, and a still-skeptical stock chart is worth watching closely.
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Leidos a Rune Technologies spolupracují na nástrojích AI pro prediktivní logistiku, které mají zlepšit připravenost a dostupnost zdrojů pro vojenské operace v Indo-Pacifiku.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) and Rune Technologies Inc. are partnering to help military organizations anticipate logistics requirements, improve resource availability, and strengthen mission readiness through AI-enabled predictive sustainment capabilities designed for contested and distributed operational environments.
The partnership combines Rune's AI-enabled predictive logistics and sustainment mission command software with Leidos' AI-enabled decision advantage and course-of-action generation capabilities to provide commanders with greater sustainment insight and decision support across contested environments, including the unique distance, time, scale and maritime challenges of the Indo-Pacific region.
"Sustaining forces across the vast distances of the Indo-Pacific requires the ability to understand logistics demand before it affects mission execution," said Jason McCarthy, Leidos senior vice president, Airborne & Mission Solutions. "Together with Rune, we're giving commanders the insight and decision support they need to improve logistics visibility and increase readiness in complex and dispersed operating areas, today, not years from now."
The partnership brings together complementary capabilities designed to help military organizations sustain operations where speed, distance and uncertainty can challenge readiness.
"Technology alone doesn't solve logistics challenges in the Indo-Pacific," said David Tuttle, Co-Founder & CEO of Rune Technologies. "Winning in this environment requires using technology to connect data across planning, decision-making, and execution in complex operational environments to enable sustainment at speed. By combining Rune's AI-enabled predictive logistics capabilities with Leidos' enterprise data integration expertise, we're helping commanders do exactly that."
The Leidos and Rune partnership reflects Leidos' NorthStar 2030 strategy and its focus on AI-enabled decision advantage, mission software and operational readiness, helping commanders anticipate sustainment requirements before they become mission challenges.
About Leidos
Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with more than 50,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.
About Rune Technologies
Rune Technologies is revolutionizing military logistics through AI-enabled predictive software that operates in contested environments where communications are denied or degraded. Rune's TyrOS platform transforms manual logistics processes into intelligent supply webs that anticipate needs, optimize resources, and enable distributed operations at machine speed—even when supply lines are targeted by near-peer adversaries. Founded by veterans with deep operational experience and Silicon Valley engineering talent, Rune is ensuring military effectiveness through precise execution of critical logistics operations. For more information, visit runetech.co.
Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future results or occurrences. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the "Risk Factors" set forth in Leidos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Leidos does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements were made.
Media Contacts:
Leidos
Brandon Ver Velde
(571) 526-6257
[email protected]
RLI zvýšila čtvrtletní dividendu o 12,5 % na 18 centů na akcii a schválila nový zpětný odkup akcií za 250 milionů USD. Zároveň vyplatila mimořádnou dividendu 2,00 USD na akcii.
Key Takeaways RLI has raised its regular dividend for 51 straight years and hiked quarterly payout by 12.5% in May 2026. RLI declared a $2.00-per-share special dividend and approved a new $250 million share repurchase program. Strong underwriting, operating cash flow and disciplined capital management aid shareholder returns. RLI Corp. (RLI - Free Report) has a disciplined and shareholder-friendly capital deployment strategy that balances investments in business growth with consistent capital returns. The company generates strong underwriting profits and operating cash flow, enabling it to return excess capital while maintaining a conservatively capitalized balance sheet.
RLI has increased its regular dividend for 51 consecutive years, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to returning cash to shareholders. In May 2026, the board increased the quarterly dividend by 12.5% to 18 cents per share. When capital exceeds business needs, RLI distributes excess cash through special dividends. The company declared a $2.00-per-share special dividend in May 2026, totaling approximately $184 million, continuing its history of periodic special dividend payments.
RLI's board of directors authorized a new share repurchase program to return more value to investors. With the latest authorization, the board approved the issuance of up to $250 million of the company’s outstanding common stock in May 2026.
Management emphasizes maintaining financial flexibility and capital adequacy before distributing excess capital, ensuring the company can support underwriting growth and withstand catastrophe losses. Strong underwriting profitability, recurring operating cash flow, investment income, a conservatively capitalized balance sheet and disciplined risk management provide RLI with the financial strength and flexibility to deploy capital efficiently while creating long-term shareholder value.
RLI's capital allocation strategy is a key investment strength. The combination of regular dividend increases, periodic special dividends, opportunistic share repurchases and continued investment in the business reflects disciplined capital management that has consistently enhanced long-term shareholder value.
What About Its Peers?First American Financial Corporation (FAF - Free Report) follows a balanced capital-return strategy that combines a steadily growing dividend with opportunistic share repurchases. FAF generally uses a combination of regular dividend increases and selective share repurchases to distribute excess capital. FAF has increased its dividend for more than 15 consecutive years, reflecting management's commitment to returning capital through various housing market environments.
American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG - Free Report) has one of the most shareholder-friendly capital allocation policies in the U.S. insurance sector. AFG regularly generates capital that is needed to support underwriting operations. Returning excess capital to shareholders in the form of regular and special cash dividends and through opportunistic share repurchases is an important and effective component of American Financial’s capital management strategy. The combination of growing regular dividends, frequent special dividends, opportunistic buybacks and strong underwriting profitability has enabled the company to deliver substantial cash returns to investors over time.
RLI’s Price PerformanceShares of RLI have lost 14.2% in the past year against the industry.
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RLI’s Expensive ValuationThe stock is overvalued compared with its industry. It is currently trading at a price-to-book ratio of 3.11, above the industry average of 1.49.
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Estimate Movement for RLIThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for RLI’s third-quarter 2026 has moved down 1.8% in the past 60 days. The same for the full-year 2026 and 2027 EPS has moved up 1.8% and 2.6%, respectively, in the past 60 days.
Eversource dokončila prodej Aquarion Water za téměř 1,7 mld. USD a peníze použije na snížení dluhu. Firma zároveň plánuje investice 26,5 mld. USD do roku 2030 a čeká růst EPS o 5–7 %.
Key Takeaways Eversource is simplifying its portfolio to focus on regulated electric and natural gas utility operations. The Aquarion Water sale brought nearly $1.7B in net proceeds to reduce debt and strengthen its balance sheet. Eversource plans $26.5B in investments through 2030 to modernize infrastructure and support EPS growth. Eversource Energy (ES - Free Report) is benefiting from its transition to a pure-play regulated electric and natural gas utility. This portfolio simplification reduces business risk, strengthens cash flow and supports consistent earnings growth through constructive regulatory outcomes and disciplined infrastructure investments.
On June 30, 2026, Eversource completed the sale of its Aquarion Water Company, receiving nearly $1.7 billion in net proceeds to reduce debt. The transaction improves the balance sheet and sharpens the company's focus on its core regulated electric and natural gas businesses, supporting long-term earnings growth.
The company plans to invest $5.07 billion in 2026 and $26.5 billion through 2030, with an additional $1 billion of potential investment opportunities. These investments are expected to improve grid reliability, modernize energy infrastructure and enhance service reliability, supporting long-term regulated earnings growth.
The company's regulated business model allows it to recover eligible infrastructure investments through rate hikes, providing steady cash flows and greater earnings visibility. Despite the sale of Aquarion Water Company, Eversource expects its long-term EPS growth of 5-7% through 2030, reflecting confidence in its regulated utility strategy.
Overall, Eversource's constructive regulatory environment, expanding regulated investment plan, stronger balance sheet and disciplined capital allocation provide a solid foundation for sustainable earnings growth and long-term shareholder value.
Streamlined Utility Portfolio Supports Earnings GrowthUtility companies are streamlining their portfolios by divesting non-core businesses and focusing on regulated operations, improving earnings visibility. This strategy enhances financial flexibility, supports efficient capital deployment and drives sustainable cash flow generation.
NextEra Energy (NEE - Free Report) is further strengthening its regulated utility focus through its planned acquisition of Dominion Energy, creating a business with more than 80% regulated operations and a streamlined growth platform.
Spire Inc. (SR - Free Report) is benefiting from strategic portfolio optimization, supported by the acquisition of Piedmont Natural Gas Tennessee and the divestiture of its non-core businesses, Spire Marketing and Spire Storage.
ES’ Earnings EstimatesThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 EPS indicates a year-over-year decrease of 1.68%, while the estimate for 2027 EPS suggests a 6.32% increase.
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ES’ Returns on Equity (ROE)Eversource's trailing-12-month ROE is 11.59%, higher than the industry average of 11.21%.
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ES’ Stock Price PerformanceIn the past month, the company’s shares have risen 6.7% compared with the industry’s 3.4% growth.
Coherent těží z poptávky po AI infrastruktuře: segment Datacenter & Communications tvořil 75 % tržeb za 3. fiskální čtvrtletí 2026 a meziročně rostl o 41 %.
Backlog sahá do roku 2028 a dlouhodobé smlouvy až do roku 2030.
Key Takeaways Coherent stock has soared 247% in a year but pulled back 11% over the past month.AI demand drove Datacenter & Communications to 75% of third-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues.COHR's backlog extends into 2028, while long-term supply agreements stretch through 2030. Coherent Corp. (COHR - Free Report) has been one of the standout performers in the technology hardware space over the past year. The stock has surged an impressive 247%, significantly outperforming the industry's 8% growth and the Zacks S&P 500 Composite's 24% advance. More recently, however, COHR has pulled back 11% over the past month, suggesting the stock may be entering a healthy correction after its remarkable run.
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The recent weakness raises an important question for investors: Is this a buying opportunity, a signal to hold existing positions, or a reason to stay on the sidelines? While the valuation remains elevated, Coherent's strengthening fundamentals indicate that the company's long-term growth story remains intact.
AI Infrastructure Demand Is Reshaping COHR’s BusinessCoherent's transformation has been fueled by booming demand for AI infrastructure. The company's Datacenter & Communications segment has become its primary growth engine, accounting for 75% of third-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues while delivering 41% year-over-year growth.
This shift is significant because it changes the company's revenue profile. Historically, hardware manufacturers have been exposed to short product cycles and volatile demand. Today, Coherent is increasingly tied to long-duration AI infrastructure spending, providing investors with greater confidence in future earnings.
Unlike traditional semiconductor hardware cycles, AI-related investments are supported by large-scale cloud deployments and multi-year capital spending plans, making demand considerably more predictable.
Long-Term Orders Improve COHR’s Revenue VisibilityOne of the biggest positives for Coherent is the dramatic improvement in order visibility.
Rather than experiencing the typical cyclical increase in hardware demand, the company is witnessing a step-change in customer commitments. Record backlog levels now extend into calendar 2028, while long-term supply agreements stretch through 2030.
This level of visibility substantially lowers the risk that new manufacturing investments become underutilized during an economic slowdown.
To support this unprecedented demand, Coherent invested approximately $290 million in capital expenditures during the third quarter of fiscal 2026, more than doubling spending from the prior-year period.
Importantly, this aggressive capacity expansion is backed by contractual customer commitments rather than speculative demand forecasts.
Operating Leverage is Beginning to Pay OffThe surge in AI-related demand is translating directly into stronger profitability.
Higher factory utilization and improved supply chain efficiencies contributed to a 163-basis-point expansion in the adjusted operating margin during the third quarter. Meanwhile, adjusted net income climbed nearly 56% year over year, highlighting the operating leverage created by rising production volumes.
As manufacturing assets become increasingly utilized, incremental revenues are flowing through to earnings at a faster pace, improving the overall quality of Coherent's financial performance.
This combination of expanding margins and stronger earnings suggests the company is benefiting not only from higher sales but also from greater operational efficiency.
Strategic Partnerships Strengthen Financial FlexibilityCoherent has also significantly strengthened its balance sheet.
A major catalyst came from NVIDIA's (NVDA - Free Report) $2 billion equity investment, which increased Coherent's cash balance to roughly $3 billion during the third quarter of fiscal 2026 from approximately $1.5 billion in the previous quarter.
Beyond the financial benefits, NVIDIA's investment serves as an important strategic validation of Coherent's technology and its role within the rapidly expanding AI infrastructure ecosystem.
Management has simultaneously accelerated debt reduction. During the quarter, Coherent repaid $162 million of debt, reducing its leverage ratio to 0.5X from 1.7X in the previous quarter.
Lower leverage, higher liquidity and declining interest costs collectively provide the company with considerably greater financial flexibility as it continues investing in future growth.
Premium Valuation Appears Supported by Improving FundamentalsCoherent currently trades at approximately 37.56 times forward earnings, nearly double the industry's 21.49 times forward earnings multiple.
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At first glance, that premium valuation may appear demanding. However, investors are paying for a business that is becoming fundamentally different from the cyclical hardware manufacturer it once was. Multi-year customer commitments, record backlog, expanding margins, stronger cash generation and a healthier balance sheet are all contributing to a more predictable earnings profile.
While short-term volatility is always possible following such a strong rally, Coherent's growing exposure to AI infrastructure spending and long-term customer agreements provides a solid foundation for sustained growth over the coming years.
Coherent's Top and Bottom Line Expectations Remain RobustCoherent's growth prospects remain compelling, supported by strong demand across AI-driven datacenter infrastructure and improving operating leverage. The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects fiscal 2026 revenues of $7.1 billion, indicating 21.5% year-over-year growth. Momentum is expected to accelerate further in fiscal 2027, with revenues forecast to increase 37.7% from the prior year.
The earnings outlook is equally impressive. The consensus estimate indicates fiscal 2026 EPS of $5.47, suggesting 55% year-over-year growth. Looking ahead, analysts expect EPS to climb another 52.5% in fiscal 2027, indicating confidence that Coherent's expanding AI-related business, improving margins and higher manufacturing utilization will continue to drive profitability.
Such robust top- and bottom-line projections reinforce the investment case that Coherent's transition toward AI infrastructure is creating a stronger, more predictable earnings profile despite the stock's premium valuation.
Peers to Watch: Lumentum and IPG PhotonicsAmong U.S.-listed peers, Lumentum Holdings (LITE - Free Report) and IPG Photonics (IPGP - Free Report) offer useful comparisons for investors evaluating Coherent. Like Coherent, both LITE and IPGP operate in optical components and photonics markets that benefit from increasing demand for high-speed data communications and advanced laser technologies. However, Coherent currently stands apart because of its unusually strong AI infrastructure exposure, record backlog extending into 2028, long-term supply agreements through 2030, and a significantly strengthened balance sheet following NVIDIA's strategic investment. These factors have helped improve earnings visibility and differentiate Coherent's growth profile within the photonics industry.
COHR Remains a Buy for Long-Term AI InvestorsCoherent’s remarkable rally reflects meaningful improvements in its business rather than market enthusiasm alone. The company has strengthened its revenue visibility through long-term customer commitments, expanded profitability as AI-driven demand boosts operating leverage, and reinforced its balance sheet with greater financial flexibility. Although the stock trades at a premium and could experience periodic volatility after its strong advance, its transformation into a critical supplier for AI infrastructure supports a more durable growth outlook. With robust revenue and earnings expectations, improving execution and favorable industry trends, Coherent remains an attractive buy for investors seeking long-term exposure to the expanding AI ecosystem.
COHR currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Shares of Marvell Technology (NASDAQ:MRVL | MRVL Price Prediction) are up 7% to $247 and change in midday trading Thursday, riding a broad semiconductor rebound that’s lifted the entire AI chip complex. Marvell stock came into the session bruised after a sharp multi-week pullback, setting up an oversold bounce.
The move stems from broad sector catalysts. Traders are responding to blowout preliminary Q2 results from Samsung, continued strength at SK Hynix, and Fundstrat’s Tom Lee framing the recent selloff as a buying opportunity in AI infrastructure names.
Some of Marvell’s peers are participating in the rally while others are lagging behind. Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) stock is up 3%, but NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) shares are down 1% today.
A Broad Sector Rebound Powers the Move Marvell stock had faded after its June 22, 2026 S&P 500 inclusion, unwinding some of the technical buying that drove a strong run into the event. Insider selling and valuation concerns amplified the July drawdown.
The supportive fundamental backdrop hasn’t changed. Marvell has an expanded NVIDIA partnership via NVLink Fusion, a reported $2 billion strategic investment tie-up, a wave of analyst target hikes, and the recent Teralynx T100 switch launch with 102.4 Tbps of silicon aimed at AI clusters.
Marvell’s AI-Driven Growth Story Marvell’s Q1 FY2027 results reported May 27, 2026 showed revenue of $2.418 billion, up 27.6% year over year (YoY), with data center revenue of $1.833 billion (76% of total). Management guided Q2 FY2027 revenue to $2.7 billion, implying 35% YoY growth.
The company’s valuation is a pressure point, though. Marvell stock trades at a trailing P/E of 85x per Yahoo Finance, the richest of the three names. That reflects both depressed trailing earnings and a stock that has run 191% year to date (YTD).
CEO Matt Murphy told investors that the company sees “exceptional AI-related bookings” and significantly raised its FY2027 and FY2028 outlook. That growth is real, but the average analyst target price of $252.26 sits near MRVL stock’s current quote, which suggests that the implied upside is limited.
Broadcom Trades at a Growth-Justified Premium Broadcom stock trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 66x, above the sector average but below that of Marvell. AVGO stock is up 15% YTD, well behind Marvell’s move but still ahead of the market.
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Broadcom’s Q2 FY2026 results, reported June 3, 2026, showed revenue of $22.19 billion, up 47.9% YoY, with AI semiconductor revenue of $10.8 billion, up 143% YoY. The company’s Q3 FY2026 guidance calls for AI semiconductor revenue of $16 billion, over 200% YoY growth. That scale gives Broadcom’s premium some cover.
NVIDIA Screens as the Cheapest of the Trio NVIDIA stock trades at a trailing P/E of 31x with a forward P/E of 22x. NVDA stock is up 8% YTD, lagging both peers despite $81.62 billion in Q1 FY2027 revenue (up 85.2% YoY) and Q2 guidance of $91 billion. On growth-adjusted multiples, NVIDIA stock screens as the most reasonably valued of the three AI chip leaders.
The apparent contradiction is that NVIDIA stock carries the largest market cap at $4.77 trillion but also the lowest multiple. Evidently, the earnings scale has finally caught up to the share price.
SOXX Confirms the Sector Move The iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXX) is up 5% today, confirming a sector-wide rally rather than a single-name story. The ETF holds Marvell, Broadcom, and NVIDIA and carries a 0.34% expense ratio.
The concentration risk is worth noting with the SOXX ETF. The fund’s top holdings dominate the returns, so this ETF behaves as an amplified play on the same AI-infrastructure trade lifting its largest components today.
What to Watch Now Investors can watch for whether Marvell stock holds today’s 7% gain into the close, given the stock’s beta of 2.2 and recent volatility. A close at session highs would suggest that the oversold bounce has legs.
Discipline is crucial here, and investors should consider keeping their position sizes modest in high-beta AI names. Marvell’s next fundamental catalyst is the company’s Q2 FY2027 earnings, which will test whether the AI-infrastructure thesis can grow into the multiple.
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Key Takeaways Envista posted positive first-quarter 2026 growth across major businesses and expanded margins.NVST strengthened its dental portfolio with the Versah acquisition and continued product launches.Envista faces tariff costs, China uncertainty and foreign exchange risks despite developed market strength. Envista (NVST - Free Report) is well-poised for growth in the coming quarters, supported by the continued execution of its three strategic priorities. Targeted acquisitions further enhance the company’s product portfolio and market position. It also benefits from strong momentum in the international markets while deepening channel penetration. Meanwhile, adverse macroeconomic impacts and currency fluctuations raise concerns for Envista’s operations.
Over the past year, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has risen 24.2% against the 28% decline of the industry and 23.2% rise of the S&P 500 composite.
The leading optical retailer has a market capitalization of $4.41 billion. The company’s earnings yield of 5.2% is well ahead of the industry’s 3.2% yield. In the trailing four quarters, Envista delivered an average earnings surprise of 15.43%.
Factors Supporting NVST's GrowthProgress With Strategic Priorities: Envista continues to execute on its strategy built around three areas: growth, operations and people. In the first quarter of 2026, all major businesses delivered positive growth, with 8.4% core growth in the Specialty Products & Technologies segment and 11.5% core growth in the Equipment and Consumables segment. The company has been reinvesting to support durable share gains, with sales and marketing and R&D both up double digits and new products central to results. Recent launches included Nobel S Series in implants, the Spark clear aligner launch in Japan and DEXIS software enhancements that add AI-driven workflow and diagnostics tools.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Envista Business System (“EBS”) helped drive gross margin expansion of 100 basis points and adjusted EBITDA margin growth of 120 basis points. Tariff costs increased $11 million from the prior year but were offset by supply-chain, G&A and pricing initiatives. Simultaneously, Envista is advancing its continuous improvement culture, supported by steady gains in employee engagement and talent development. The company also served 3,700 patients through the Envista Smile Project.
Value-Adding Acquisitions in Core Dental Categories: Envista continues to use M&A to broaden its clinical offering and strengthen go-to-market positions in attractive dental segments.
In first-quarter 2026, NVST acquired Versah for about $54.7 million, adding the Densah Burs system used for osseodensification, a technique intended to improve osteointegration in certain implant indications. Management expects the deal to be accretive across growth, margins and EPS, and it described synergy through Envista’s existing clinical education and commercial channels. This builds on prior acquisitions that expanded implants and imaging, including Osteogenics and the Carestream intraoral scanner business that now operates within the DEXIS portfolio and supports a more competitive implants platform over time.
International Reach and Channel Expansion: Developed markets were the key growth engine in first-quarter 2026, with North America and Europe both delivering double-digit gains. Developing markets are growing in the high single digits, excluding softness in China tied to policy uncertainty. The Spark launch in Japan adds a new growth vector in a sizable aligner market where the company already has strong orthodontic relationships, creating a cross-sell opportunity into clear aligners. Management also highlighted continued progress with DSOs and clinician education as levers to deepen penetration.
Factors Weighing on EnvistaMacro and Policy Headwinds: Management continues to flag global economic uncertainty alongside geopolitical volatility, which can weigh on dental utilization and purchasing cycles. China remains a source of uncertainty for the implants business as channel partners continue to adjust inventory levels ahead of the anticipated volume-based procurement (VBP) process, which management expects to begin between the second and third quarters. Tariffs also remain a cost headwind. First-quarter 2026 adjusted EBITDA reflected a $11 million year-over-year increase in tariff costs, with similar quarterly levels anticipated through 2026.
Foreign Exchange and Global Exposure: In the first quarter of 2026, 52.7% of Envista’s revenues came from customers outside the United States, exposing sales, margins and cash flow to currency fluctuations and regional demand variability. While balance sheet hedging has reduced quarter-to-quarter volatility compared with the prior year, foreign exchange movements continue to affect performance and can influence reported results. Regional disruptions, including conflicts in the Middle East and evolving conditions in China, add complexity to planning and may at times offset strength in developed markets.
NVST Stock Estimate TrendThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Envista’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) has remained constant at $1.42 in the past 60 days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2026 revenues is pegged at $2.86 billion. This suggests a 5.2% increase from the year-ago reported number.
Key PicksSome better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are IDEXX Laboratories (IDXX - Free Report) , Align Technology (ALGN - Free Report) and Integra LifeSciences (IART - Free Report) .
IDEXX Laboratories has an earnings yield of 2.6% compared to the industry’s negative 3% yield. Its earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 26.3%. IDXX shares have rallied 2.7% against the industry’s 8.2% decline over the past year.
IDXX carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Align Technology, carrying a Zacks Rank #2, has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 10.3% compared with the industry’s 5.5% growth. Shares of the company have dipped 14.5% against the industry’s 10.5% growth. ALGN’s earnings outpaced estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed on one occasion, the average surprise being 7.8%.
Integra LifeSciences, carrying a Zacks Rank #2, has an earnings yield of 13.7% against the industry’s negative 3% yield. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 16.7%. IART shares have rallied 31.4% against the industry’s 8.2% decline over the past year.
Zillow vykázal ve čtvrtletí čistý zisk 46 milionů USD a tržby 708 milionů USD, zatímco Opendoor vykázal ztrátu 173 milionů USD. Zillow těží z lehkého modelu, Opendoor dál pálí hotovost při nákupu a prodeji domů.
Zillow (NASDAQ: ZG | ZG Price Prediction) posted $46 million in net income last quarter while Opendoor Technologies (NASDAQ: OPEN) lost $173 million. Zillow runs a digital tollbooth on home search traffic. Opendoor buys houses with cash, holds them, and hopes to resell fast.
Ad Dollars Flow In. Inventory Sits on the Books. Zillow’s $708 million in Q1 revenue grew 18.4% year over year, powered by three engines that never touch a deed. Rentals climbed 42% as multifamily listings scaled to 76,000 properties. Mortgage revenue jumped 56%, with purchase loan originations up 96% to $1.5 billion. CEO Jeremy Wacksman told investors the platform is “embedding AI throughout the real estate experience in ways that make Zillow increasingly indispensable.” Believable, given 220 million monthly unique users keep showing up.
Opendoor’s story hinges on operations. Revenue fell 38% to $720 million as homes sold dropped to 1,921 units. Yet new CEO Kaz Nejatian argues the machine is finally tuned: aged inventory over 120 days collapsed from 51% to 10%, and acquisition contracts topped 5,000, the highest since 2022. Gross margin nudged up to 10.0%. Progress, but the operating cash burn hit negative $246 million.
A Tollbooth Versus a Warehouse Lens Zillow Opendoor Core Bet SaaS agent tools, rentals, mortgage leads Buying and reselling homes for cash Balance Sheet Exposure Minimal; ad marketplace Heavy inventory plus $193M current convertibles Q1 Profitability $182M adjusted EBITDA $49M adjusted net loss Zillow’s 73.3% gross margin lets management repurchase stock aggressively: 13.5 million shares bought for $626 million in the quarter. Opendoor, meanwhile, took a $105 million RSU charge tied to Nejatian’s arrival. Different worlds.
What Decides the Second Half Housing itself remains soft. Existing home sales sit at 4.17 million annualized, and housing starts just fell 15.4% month over month. I will be watching whether Zillow’s Enhanced Markets, now 49% of connections, keep pushing agent monetization higher. For Opendoor, the tell is whether Q2 hits adjusted EBITDA breakeven and whether the 5% to 7% contribution margin range holds when cohorts mature.
Why I Lean Toward Zillow, With Eyes Open Personally, I favor Zillow here. A capital-light platform compounding mid-teens revenue growth with real cash generation is easier to underwrite than a house-flipper still burning cash. The stock is down 54.2% over the past year, which stings, yet the FTC trial and legal headwinds feel priced in at a 14 forward P/E. Opendoor is a genuine turnaround story, and its 795.68% one-year rally shows what happens when a busted stock finds a pulse. But I want more quarters of proof before betting on the warehouse over the tollbooth. If you like variance and believe Nejatian’s cohort math, Opendoor fits. If you prefer durable margins, Zillow is the cleaner read.
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Uranium Energy za poslední měsíc přidala asi 5,4 %, i když ve 3. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2026 vykázala upravenou ztrátu 7 centů na akcii a žádné tržby.
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Uranium Energy (UEC - Free Report) . Shares have added about 5.4% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Uranium Energy due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
Uranium Energy Earnings Miss Estimates in Q3 on Higher SpendingUranium Energy reported an adjusted loss of seven cents per share in the third quarter of fiscal 2026, excluding the impacts of non-recurring items, compared with the year-ago quarter’s loss of six cents. The figure was wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of five cents.
Including non-recurring items such as fair value loss on equity securities, the company posted a loss of 11 cents in the quarter.
Uranium Energy's earnings miss largely mirrored a heavier cost structure as the company advanced multiple initiatives at once, from mine development to the buildout of its broader U.S. fuel-cycle ambitions.
Uranium Energy reported no sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2026 as the company did not record any purchased-uranium inventory sales in the period.
During the quarter, the company produced 32,195 pounds of uranium concentrate produced at a total cost of $54.61 per pound, including a cash cost per pound of $46.69.
Uranium Energy stayed focused on building optionality around its uranium inventory and ISR ramp. As of April 30, 2026, the company held 1,456,000 pounds of purchased uranium concentrate inventory.
Operating Spend Pressures ResultsTotal operating costs rose 73.8% year over year to $40.8 million, driven primarily by mineral property expenditure of $29.5 million (up 88.4% from $15.7 million). General and administrative expenses were $9.43 million compared with $6.38 million, while depreciation, amortization and accretion totaled $1.82 million compared with $1.41 million.
As a result, Uranium Energy posted an operating loss of $40.8 million, wider than the $23.5-million operating loss incurred in the year-ago quarter.
Scales ISR Output With Burke Hollow OnlineOperationally, Uranium Energy reached a milestone by commencing production at its Burke Hollow IRS project, a greenfield ISR asset that is moving from development into early production activities.
At Burke Hollow, the company said that the uranium recovery process was initiated with oxygen and carbon dioxide injection, and it commissioned a satellite ion-exchange plant with 2,500 gallons per minute of capacity. It also completed and tested an additional 46 wells in phase 1A as it built out field infrastructure.
The company is also projecting higher production rates in the fiscal fourth quarter, with new header houses and Burke Hollow expected to operate for a full quarter.
Cash Position at Q3 EndUranium Energy exited the quarter with $794 million in liquid assets and no debt, underscoring a balance sheet positioned to fund development across multiple hubs.
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $488 million at April 30, 2026, compared with $149 million at the end of July 31, 2025.
In the first nine months of fiscal 2026, net cash used in operating activities was $90 million compared with an outflow of $41 million in the year-ago quarter.
Management Commentary and OutlookManagement expects production to increase in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 as Christensen Ranch header houses and Burke Hollow contribute for the full quarter. Unit costs are expected to decline as volumes.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?Analysts were quiet during the last two month period as none of them issued any earnings estimate revisions.
VGM ScoresCurrently, Uranium Energy has a poor Growth Score of F, a score with the same score on the momentum front. Following the exact same course, the stock has a score of F on the value side, putting it in the bottom 20% quintile for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of F. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook Uranium Energy has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). We expect a below average return from the stock in the next few months.
HII rozšiřuje přítomnost na trhu UUV díky rodině REMUS, která podporuje průzkum, sledování a protiminové mise. Nový REMUS 130 přidává větší flexibilitu, výdrž a možnost úpravy nákladu.
Key Takeaways HII is expanding its UUV presence through its REMUS family of autonomous underwater systems.REMUS vehicles support surveillance, reconnaissance and mine countermeasure missions.REMUS 130 adds flexibility, endurance and custom payload options powered by Odyssey software. Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII - Free Report) continues to strengthen its position in the unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) market through its advanced REMUS family of autonomous underwater systems. The company is expanding its presence in next-generation maritime autonomy by developing highly capable UUVs that support naval, commercial and scientific missions while enhancing underwater surveillance, reconnaissance and mine countermeasure capabilities.
A key example is HII's continued expansion of its REMUS portfolio. The company's REMUS family of UUVs is designed to collect critical underwater data across a wide range of missions. These autonomous systems are known for their durability, long service life and modular architecture, allowing customers to upgrade capabilities as mission requirements evolve. REMUS vehicles can operate independently or alongside crewed platforms, including submarines, helping extend operational reach while reducing risk to personnel.
The latest REMUS 130 further strengthens HII's underwater autonomy capabilities. Built on the proven REMUS 300 technology, the platform offers enhanced operational flexibility, improved endurance and a modular design that allows users to customize payloads for different missions. Powered by HII's Odyssey software suite, the vehicle supports advanced mission planning, autonomous navigation and multi-platform coordination, improving mission effectiveness across complex underwater environments.
Growing geopolitical tensions, rising maritime security concerns and increasing investments in naval modernization are driving demand for autonomous underwater systems worldwide. HII's broad REMUS portfolio, continued investment in autonomous technologies and strong relationships with defense customers position the company well to benefit from this expanding market.
Other UUV Stocks to Keep on the WatchlistOther aerospace and defense companies strengthening their presence in the UUV market are discussed below:
General Dynamics (GD - Free Report) : Through its Mission Systems business, General Dynamics develops advanced autonomous underwater vehicles, including the Knifefish and Bluefin Robotics platforms. The company's UUV portfolio supports mine countermeasure, underwater surveillance and maritime security missions for the U.S. Navy and allied defense customers.
BAE Systems plc (BAESY - Free Report) : BAE Systems continues to expand its underwater autonomy capabilities through its Riptide family of UUVs. These systems combine autonomous underwater platforms with advanced sensors, navigation and electronic payloads, supporting intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance and other complex maritime operations.
The Zacks Rundown for HIIShares of HII have surged 12.1% in the past year compared with the industry’s 4.5% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The company shares are trading at a discount on a relative basis, with its forward 12-month Price/Sales being 0.85X compared with its industry’s average of 2.62X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HII’s 2026 earnings has moved south over the past 60 days.
Smucker ve 4. fiskálním čtvrtletí překonal odhad zisku na akcii, když vykázal 2,77 USD, ale tržby ve výši 2,268 mld. USD odhad minuly. Společnost zároveň očekává ve fiskálním roce 2027 pokles tržeb o 3 % až 4 %.
A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Smucker (SJM - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 4% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
But investors have to be wondering, will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Smucker due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the latest earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
Smucker Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates, Sales Miss on Volume DipThe J. M. Smucker reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results. Adjusted earnings were $2.77 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.65. Earnings increased 20% from the prior-year quarter, driven by higher pricing, increased adjusted gross profit, favorable SD&A expenses and lower interest expense.
Net sales were $2,268.1 million, up 6% year over year. However, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,271 million. Comparable net sales, excluding prior-year divestiture-related sales and favorable foreign currency exchange, increased 6%. Comparable net sales growth reflected a 10-percentage-point benefit from net price realization, mainly driven by higher pricing for coffee and sweet baked goods. This was partly offset by a 4-percentage-point decline in volume/mix, primarily due to decreases in coffee and sweet baked goods, partially mitigated by growth in Uncrustables sandwiches.
Adjusted gross profit increased 4% year over year to $835.3 million. The upside reflected higher net price realization, partially offset by increased costs, including commodity costs and tariffs, along with unfavorable volume/mix. The company incurred approximately $23 million in tariff expenses in the quarter, mainly impacting the U.S. Retail Coffee segment.
Adjusted operating income rose 14% to $482.1 million, reflecting increased adjusted gross profit and favorable SD&A expenses. Lower marketing spend and distribution costs more than offset higher general and administrative expenses.
Decoding SJM’s Q4 Segmental PerformanceU.S. Retail Coffee: Net sales increased 12% to $830.6 million, driven by higher pricing across the portfolio. Net price realization contributed 21 percentage points, while volume/mix declined 8 percentage points due to decreases in Dunkin’ and Folgers, partly offset by growth in Café Bustelo. Segment profit increased 1% to $214 million, as pricing gains and lower marketing spend mostly offset higher costs, including commodity costs and tariffs, and unfavorable volume/mix.
U.S. Retail Frozen Handheld and Spreads: Net sales rose 1% to $454.1 million. Net price realization added 2 percentage points, led by higher pricing for Uncrustables sandwiches and lower trade spend for Jif peanut butter. Volume/mix declined 2 percentage points, reflecting lower sales of Jif peanut butter and Smucker’s fruit spreads, partly offset by growth in Uncrustables. Segment profit surged 37% to $124.7 million, aided by lower marketing spend, higher pricing, lower costs, lapping equipment write-off charges and lower pre-production expenses tied to the new Uncrustables manufacturing facility.
U.S. Retail Pet Foods: Net sales increased 2% to $401.7 million. Pricing contributed 3 percentage points, driven by cat food and dog snacks, while volume/mix declined 2 percentage points due to weakness in dog snacks and the lapping of contract manufacturing sales related to divested pet food brands. Segment profit advanced 18% to $125.7 million, supported by higher pricing and lower marketing spend.
Sweet Baked Snacks: Net sales decreased 5% to $237.2 million. Excluding noncomparable sales related to the divestiture of certain Sweet Baked Snacks value brands, net sales declined 4%. Volume/mix reduced sales by 12 percentage points, mainly due to softness in snack cakes and breakfast products, partly offset by growth in donuts. Higher pricing contributed 8 percentage points. Segment profit rose 45% to $29 million, reflecting higher pricing and lower marketing expenses, partly offset by unfavorable volume/mix and higher costs. Management noted that the segment’s fourth-quarter sales exceeded expectations, aided by a faster-than-anticipated return to production following the February fire at its Emporia, KS, facility. Hostess Donettes grew net sales 13% in the quarter.
Away From Home: Net sales increased 15% to $228.3 million. Excluding favorable currency movements, sales rose 14%. Net price realization added 8 percentage points, mainly due to higher coffee pricing, while volume/mix contributed 6 percentage points, driven by increases in Uncrustables sandwiches, fruit spreads and coffee. Segment profit climbed 21% to $55.3 million, benefiting from higher pricing and favorable volume/mix, partly offset by higher costs. The company also began presenting Away From Home as a reportable segment, reflecting the business’s increased scale and strength.
SJM’s Financial Health Snapshot & GuidanceThe company ended fiscal 2026 with cash and cash equivalents of $58.6 million and long-term debt, excluding the current portion, of roughly $6.4 billion. Total shareholders’ equity was $5.5 billion. Cash provided by operating activities totaled $579.2 million in the quarter. Free cash flow was $483.9 million. For fiscal 2026, free cash flow totaled about $1.16 billion. The company returned $464.7 million to shareholders through dividends and repaid $720 million of debt during the year.
Smucker issued its fiscal 2027 outlook. The company expects net sales to decline 3% to 4% year over year, primarily due to lower net price realization and unfavorable volume/mix. Management noted that the sales decline mainly reflects expectations for green coffee deflation, as the company plans to pass lower costs to consumers through pricing.
Adjusted earnings per share are expected in the band of $9.75-$10.25, implying year-over-year growth of 7-12%. The guidance assumes an adjusted gross profit margin of approximately 38%, SD&A expenses rising about 5%, net interest expense of nearly $345 million, an adjusted effective tax rate of 24.3% and weighted-average shares outstanding of 107 million.
Free cash flow is projected to be approximately $1 billion, with capital expenditures of $325 million. Management expects to pay down about $500 million of debt in fiscal 2027 and move toward a leverage ratio of around 3.0 net debt to adjusted EBITDA by the end of the fiscal year. The company expects volume/mix growth across its key platforms — Uncrustables, Cafe Bustelo, Meow Mix and Milk-Bone — in fiscal 2027.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?It turns out, estimates revision have trended upward during the past month.
VGM ScoresAt this time, Smucker has a strong Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a C. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock has a score of B on the value side, putting it in the top 40% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. Notably, Smucker has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
Boot Barn ve fiskálním roce 2026 zvýšil srovnatelné tržby o 7,2 % a plánuje otevřít 70 nových prodejen v roce 2027. Firma očekává růst tržeb o 14–16 %.
Key Takeaways Boot Barn is using stores, exclusive brands and digital growth to support a balanced expansion model.Fiscal 2026 comps rose 7.2%, with retail stores up 6.2% and e-commerce sales increasing 15.3%.BOOT plans 70 store openings in fiscal 2027, supporting expected sales growth of 14-16%. Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT - Free Report) is leaning on a balanced growth model that combines store expansion, category depth, exclusive brands and digital execution.
For investors, the question is whether those strengths can keep driving sales while near-term margin pressure from occupancy, freight and expansion costs remains part of the story.
Boot Barn Demand Drivers Still Look BroadBoot Barn’s demand base is not tied to a single trend. The company serves western lifestyle and workwear customers across footwear, apparel, hats, accessories and related categories, giving it a broader retail position than a narrow fashion concept.
Fiscal 2026 same-store sales increased 7.2%, with retail stores up 6.2% and e-commerce up 15.3%. Fourth-quarter comps rose 6.1%, helped by higher transaction count and average unit retail, with strength across men’s western boots, ladies’ western boots, apparel and denim.
The durability signal is also meaningful. Many of Boot Barn’s top-selling styles have been in the assortment for more than five years, which lowers fashion-cycle risk and supports a steadier core merchandise base.
For comparison, Tractor Supply Company (TSCO - Free Report) gives investors another rural and work-related retail reference point. Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK - Free Report) is a relevant footwear and lifestyle-brand peer when assessing how branded product identity can shape consumer demand.
BOOT Store Expansion Is Still the Main EngineStores remain central to Boot Barn’s long-term thesis. The company ended fiscal 2026 with 539 stores across 49 states, while management believes the United States can support about 1,200 locations over time.
New-store economics remain attractive. Boot Barn targets roughly $3.2 million in first-year sales on about $1.7 million of total net investment, with a payback period of about 1.8 years.
The store base has already reshaped the company. Boot Barn opened 267 stores over the past five years, effectively doubling its chain, and those locations contributed more than $750 million of fiscal 2026 revenues.
The company opened 80 stores in fiscal 2026 and plans 70 openings in fiscal 2027. That expansion is expected to help support fiscal 2027 sales growth of 14-16%.
Boot Barn Brands Add Margin and IdentityExclusive brands are becoming a larger part of the Boot Barn model. Their penetration rose 220 basis points in fiscal 2026 to 40.8% of sales.
That shift matters because in-house labels do more than broaden product choice. Brands such as Cody James, Shyanne, Hawx and Cleo + Wolf help Boot Barn address specific customer needs while differentiating its assortment from retailers that rely more heavily on third-party labels.
Exclusive brands also support the margin story. Merchandise margin expanded 80 basis points in fiscal 2026, helped by buying scale, supply-chain efficiencies and higher exclusive brand penetration.
Management expects exclusive brand penetration to reach 41.3% in fiscal 2027 and continues to target 50% over time. That provides a longer-term path to product differentiation and profitability support.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
BOOT Digital Strategy Expands ReachBoot Barn’s digital strategy is designed to reinforce the physical fleet, not replace it. Stores still generated about 90% of fiscal 2026 sales, while e-commerce represented about 10%.
Website visits exceeded 164 million in fiscal 2026, up from more than 114 million in fiscal 2025. In the fourth quarter, e-commerce same-store sales increased 14.1%, faster than the retail store comp gain.
Omnichannel services add convenience across channels. Boot Barn supports buy online, pick up in store, curbside pickup, ship-from-store and in-store returns, tying digital traffic back to the store base.
The company is also investing in dedicated brand sites and artificial intelligence tools, including Range Finder and a piloted in-store consumer AI solution. Fiscal 2027 guidance calls for e-commerce same-store sales growth of 11-13%.
Boot Barn Signals Point to Growth With CautionThe bottom line is that Boot Barn still has several credible growth levers, led by stores, resilient categories, exclusive brands and digital reach. The caution is that faster expansion is also adding near-term cost pressure.
Gross margin declined 80 basis points in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026. For the first quarter of fiscal 2027, management expects gross margin of 37.1-37.3%, down from 39.1% a year earlier, reflecting freight and occupancy headwinds.
BOOT currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). That rank suggests a more balanced near-term setup rather than a clear positive or negative earnings-revision signal. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The stock also has a VGM Score of A, with a Growth Score of A and Momentum Score of A, but a Value Score of C. That mix supports the view that operating momentum remains visible, while investors should stay alert to valuation and margin pressure.
Flywire v 1. čtvrtletí 2026 zvýšil tržby o 41 % na 188,1 milionu USD díky segmentům B2B, Education, Travel a Healthcare. Firma zároveň zvýšila výhled příspěvku z rozjezdu platebních služeb na 3–4 procentní body.
Key Takeaways Flywire's Q1 2026 revenues rose 41% as B2B, Education, Travel and Healthcare drove growth.Flywire raised FY2026 payment-processing ramp-up contribution outlook to 3-4 percentage points.Flywire expects broader B2B software adoption to strengthen long-term growth and profitability. Flywire Corp.'s (FLYW - Free Report) B2B business is becoming a key growth driver as enterprises look to modernize manual, fragmented invoice-to-cash workflows. Its software-enabled payment platform automates invoicing, collections and accounts receivable processes, enabling customers to improve efficiency while expanding payment volumes and software adoption over time.
The momentum was evident in the first quarter of 2026. Flywire reported revenues of $188.1 million, up 41% year over year, while Revenue Less Ancillary Services rose 43% to $184 million, or 37.2% on a constant-currency basis. Management attributed the strong performance to a better-than-expected education season, continued strength in Travel, and payment-processing ramp-up in Healthcare and B2B.
B2B growth is being fueled primarily by expanding existing customer relationships rather than new client wins. Increased payment-processing volumes from B2B invoice migration initiatives, along with the Cleveland Clinic implementation, contributed a mid-single-digit percentage-point tailwind to first-quarter revenue growth. Management expects a similar contribution in the second quarter before these ramp-up benefits moderate in the second half of 2026. It also raised its expected full-year 2026 revenue contribution from payment-processing ramp-up to 3-4 percentage points.
While these B2B ramp-ups carry a lower-margin profile, weighing on adjusted gross margin, they are meaningfully boosting revenue growth and payment volume. As Flywire expands software adoption across its B2B customer base and moves beyond the initial ramp-up period, the business is expected to deliver a stronger mix of software revenues alongside payment processing, supporting long-term growth and profitability.
How Are FLYW’s Competitors Fairing?BILL Holdings (BILL - Free Report) is a listed competitor in AP/AR automation, SMB payments and financial workflows. In its March 2026 quarter, BILL served 493,800 businesses, processed $89 billion in TPV (+12% year over year) and handled 34 million transactions (+14% year over year), showing BILL’s scale in B2B payments.
Corpay (CPAY - Free Report) is another listed competitor in corporate payments, payables, cards and vendor-payment workflows. In first-quarter 2026, CPAY reported 25% year-over-year revenue growth, 11% organic revenue growth and 29% adjusted EPS growth, underscoring CPAY’s commercial payment strength.
FLYW’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of FLYW have rallied 50.6% over the past three months, outperforming the broader industry and the S&P 500 Index.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
In terms of forward 12-month P/E, FLYW stock is trading at 15.82X, which is at a discount to the Zacks Internet Software industry’s 27.31X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Flywire’s estimate revisions reflect a positive trend. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for full-year 2026 EPS has been significantly revised upward. It indicates a significant year-over-year increase.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Flywire currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Credo ve fiskálním roce 2026 více než ztrojnásobila tržby na přes 1,3 miliardy USD v důsledku poptávky po AI. Pro fiskální rok 2027 očekává růst tržeb o více než 80 %.
Key Takeaways Credo's fiscal 2026 revenue more than tripled to over $1.3 billion on AI demand.CRDO expects fiscal 2027 revenue growth above 80%, supported by its expanding optical portfolio ramp.Credo cited customer concentration and supply chain constraints as key risks. Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd’s (CRDO - Free Report) shares have appreciated 165.1% over the past year, outperforming the Zacks Electronics – Semiconductors industry’s growth of 76.2%. The Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the S&P 500 composite have registered growth of 35.2% and 24.7%, respectively, over the same time frame.
The stock has outperformed Broadcom (AVGO - Free Report) , which gained 42.1% during the same period. However, Marvell Technology (MRVL - Free Report) and Astera Labs (ALAB - Free Report) have outperformed CRDO, with their shares appreciating 216.7% and 305.3%, respectively, over the past year.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Let us take a closer look at CRDO’s fundamentals, key growth drivers, competitive strengths and potential risks to determine whether the stock remains an attractive investment.
Factors to ConsiderCredo is benefiting from the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure, which continues to drive strong demand for its high-speed connectivity solutions. Fiscal 2026 was another transformative year for the company, with revenue surpassing $1.3 billion, more than tripling year over year. Non-GAAP net income increased more than fivefold to $662 million, reflecting strong execution, product leadership and healthy margins. In the fiscal fourth quarter, revenue reached a record $437 million, exceeding the company's entire fiscal 2025 revenue, while non-GAAP gross margin remained strong at 68.3%. Management attributed this performance to Credo's ability to capitalize on the increasing importance of reliable, power-efficient connectivity as AI clusters continue to expand.
The company continues to strengthen its competitive position through a comprehensive connectivity portfolio designed for AI infrastructure. Its strategy spans die-to-die, chip-to-chip, multi-rack copper and facility-wide optical interconnect solutions, enabling it to address connectivity needs across the entire AI data center. Management stated that hyperscalers and Neo cloud providers increasingly seek partners capable of delivering multiple generations of connectivity products with deep system-level integration. Credo believes its vertically integrated approach, covering SerDes technology, silicon, firmware, telemetry software and system-level solutions, differentiates it from competitors and positions it as a long-term network architecture partner.
Credo's Active Electrical Cable (AEC) business remains a major growth driver. As AI clusters become larger and more complex, customers are increasingly prioritizing network reliability and power efficiency. Management noted that its ZeroFlap AECs provide significantly higher reliability than conventional laser-based optical modules while consuming less power, making them well-suited for in-rack and multi-rack deployments. The company continues to experience strong adoption among hyperscale and Neo cloud customers for both 100-gig and emerging 200-gig-per-lane deployments. It also remains on track with its PCIe Gen 6 AEC family, where customer engagement and design activity continue to expand.
The optical business is expected to become another significant growth engine. Management believes fiscal 2027 will represent an inflection point as demand increases for optical DSPs, silicon photonics and ZeroFlap optics. The recently completed acquisition of Dust Photonics expands Credo's capabilities with silicon photonics technology, strengthening its portfolio across 800G and 1.6T solutions while providing a roadmap to higher-speed products. The company expects its optical DSPs, silicon photonics PICs and ZeroFlap optics to each generate more than $100 million in fiscal 2027 revenue, with the combined optical portfolio expected to contribute more than $600 million. Management believes this portfolio will support sustained long-term growth.
Beyond its core businesses, Credo continues to advance several emerging growth opportunities. The company is developing Active Light Cable (ALC) solutions that extend the reliability and power advantages of AECs into longer-distance optical connectivity using MicroLED technology. It is also expanding its OmniConnect portfolio, including its Weaver gearbox solution, to address increasing memory bandwidth and density requirements for next-generation AI inference architectures. Customer engagement remains strong, and management expects production ramps for both ALC and OmniConnect solutions to begin in fiscal 2028, adding new long-term growth drivers.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The company's financial outlook remains bright, supported by continued AI-driven demand. For fiscal 2027, Credo expects revenue growth of more than 80% year over year, with the second half benefiting from the ramp of its optical portfolio. Management anticipates non-GAAP gross margin to remain broadly consistent with fiscal 2026 levels while maintaining a non-GAAP net margin near 50%. The company also generated record operating cash flow and free cash flow during the fiscal fourth quarter, ending the year with approximately $1.4 billion in cash and cash equivalents, providing ample financial flexibility to invest in future growth opportunities.
However, Credo continues to face customer concentration and supply chain-related risks. During the fourth quarter of 2026, four customers each accounted for more than 10% of revenue, with the largest customer contributing 34%, highlighting continued dependence on a limited number of large customers despite ongoing diversification efforts. Management also acknowledged that the supply chain remains tight across the industry and noted that current fiscal 2027 guidance is based on the existing tariff environment, which remains subject to change.
A Look at CRDO’s ValuationThe stock trades at a forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 18.84, above the industry’s average of 9.04. AVGO, MRVL and ALAB trade at a forward 12-month P/S of 12.25X, 14.73X and 36.42X, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CRDO’s Upward EstimatesThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for CRDO’s earnings for fiscal 2026 has been significantly revised upward over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What Should You Do With CRDO Stock Now?Sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Credo appears to be a compelling investment opportunity at the moment.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Apollo Micro Systems koupí 41,33% podíl ve společnosti Premier Explosives za 15,5 miliardy rupií. Současně nabídne odkup až dalších 26 % akcií od veřejných akcionářů.
July 9 (Reuters) - India's Apollo Micro Systems (APLL.NS), opens new tab will acquire a 41.33% stake in defence equipment maker Premier Explosives (PRMR.NS), opens new tab for 15.5 billion rupees ($162.50 million), the companies said on Thursday.
Here are the details:
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Per India's takeover regulations, Apollo Micro Systems will also offer to buy up to an additional 26% stake in Premier Explosives from public shareholders at 698 rupees per share.
Consolidations have risen in India's fast-growing defence manufacturing sector, which has benefited from increased government spending and a push for local production.
The deal, expected to complete within five months, is subject to regulatory approvals, including clearance from the Competition Commission of India.
Premier Explosives, which manufactures high-energy materials, rocket motors, countermeasures and munitions for the defence and aerospace sectors, will continue to operate under its existing brand after the acquisition.
Apollo Micro said the acquisition combines the companies' defence systems and energetic materials capabilities, helping expand their participation in defence and space programmes.
($1 = 95.3875 Indian rupees)
Reporting by Surbhi Misra in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
PriceSmart ve fiskálním 3. čtvrtletí zvýšil tržby o 12,5 % na 1,48 miliardy USD a plánuje otevřít první klub v Chile. Firma zároveň čeká šest nových klubů do příštího jara.
PriceSmart NASDAQ: PSMT is accelerating growth and outpacing peers in revenue growth, suggesting further upside for its stock price. The risk is its valuation, which, at approximately 36x the current year forecast, is high.
The caveat for bears is that this valuation aligns with peers, pricing in quality and growth, and likely underestimates PriceSmart’s strength. The company is well-positioned as the leading (in some cases) membership club retailer in Latin America. Its warehouse empire spans 12 countries and one U.S. territory, with new markets opening regularly.
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$188.93 -0.18 (-0.09%)
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52-Week Range$101.30▼
$199.84Dividend Yield0.74%
P/E Ratio37.32
The critical detail in 2026, and the operational factor for share prices, is the expected six new clubs by next spring, a more than 10% increase, with at least one in a new market with great potential. The fiscal Q3 results included plans to open the first PriceSmart in Chile. Chile represents a more lucrative market, with a well-established retail industry lacking a membership club, and consumers with greater spending power.
Estimates suggest that as many as five PriceSmarts could be located in Chile, with longer-term growth possible. Country-specific catalysts include a lean toward more economically friendly policies, attracting foreign investment, and its position in mining and green energy. Chile's dominance in lithium and copper, and its emergence in green hydrogen, are fueling the economic growth and rising incomes that underpin the spending power PriceSmart depends on.
PriceSmart Delivers in Latest Quarter, Outperforms PeersPriceSmart had a solid fiscal Q3, with revenue growing 12.5% to $1.48 billion. The growth outpaced Costco NASDAQ: COST, accelerated from the prior year, and beat the analyst consensus by approximately 200 basis points (bps). Strength was seen across the network, with merchandise sales underpinning the strength. Comp sales, a sign of localized strength and organic growth, increased by 10.7% and are expected to remain strong in the upcoming quarters. Region-specific catalysts include rapidly improving industrialization, employment, and consumer health.
Margin new was another factor underpinning the stock price increase posted this year. The company is widening its margin with scale, driving a 14.4% increase in adjusted EBITDA despite foreign exchange and macroeconomic headwinds and cost pressures.
The company does not issue formal guidance, but it showed clear momentum in its results and an optimistic outlook, given its accelerating expansion plans. The likely outcome is that PriceSmart will continue to grow at a robust pace in the coming quarters, with growth accelerating in 2027 as new stores come online.
PriceSmart’s Weak Analyst Coverage Masks High Institutional SupportPriceSmart’s analyst coverage is weak, with only one tracked by MarketBeat, but there are mitigating factors.
The large, 80% institutional ownership, numerous large ownership blocks, lack of regular market-moving news (to drive trading volume), and low market cap are to blame. That said, institutions and long-term oriented funds hold the bulk of shares, while insiders control nearly all the rest. In this environment, the stock price can continue to rise, as institutions have been accumulating, and cash flows give them no reason to exit.
PriceSmart’s cash flow enables it to invest in growth, sustain a healthy balance sheet, and return capital to investors. The capital return is dividend distribution, which, although low in yield, is strong in reliability and growth. The yield is below average, about 0.7% annualized as of mid-July, but coverage is ample, the payout ratio runs below 30%, and annual increases are becoming the norm.
PriceSmart Set Up to Advance in Q3 2026PriceSmart’s stock price experienced some volatility ahead of the release but stabilized in its wake. The result is that support was confirmed at the $190 level, and a bullish pattern is emerging. The past few weeks' action amounts to consolidation within an uptrend and is potentially a Bullish Flag. If confirmed by a breakout to the upside, the upside targets correspond to the magnitude of the preceding rally, or about $30. In this scenario, PSMT's share price can rise to $220 or higher by year’s end.
PriceSmart’s biggest risks lie in its business model, which relies on cross-border dealings. Risks include currency devaluation, as it buys in U.S. dollars and sells in local currency, and currency repatriation. Some markets, specifically Trinidad & Tobago, have faced severe currency shortages that have prevented the repatriation of profits. Geopolitical instability, supply, and import barriers also pose threats. The company mitigates these threats with dynamic sourcing, geographic diversification, regional logistics hubs, and private labels.
What the market gets wrong about this stock is that it is neither a traditional brick-and-mortar retailer nor a simple emerging-market play, but rather a highly specialized membership club with durable cash flows and a moat. The membership model, specifically the fees, underpins its profitability, making it more of a subscription service with a 90% renewal rate than a retailer. Additionally, the threat posed by eCommerce giants is mitigated by PriceSmart's footprint, which enables more cost-effective delivery of bulky items at scale to remote locations.
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Casey’s za poslední měsíc ztratila asi 7,9 %, i když čtvrtletní zisk i tržby překonaly odhady a meziročně vzrostly. Firma zároveň zvýšila celoroční dividendu o 14 % na 65 centů na akcii.
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Casey's General Stores (CASY - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 7.9% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Casey's due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the latest earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
CASY Q4 Earnings Beat on Inside Sales & Fuel Margin StrengthCasey's reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with both the top and bottom lines beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate and increased year over year.
The company posted quarterly earnings of $4.37 per share, beating the consensus mark of $3.36 by 30.1%. Earnings rose 66.2% from $2.63 in the prior-year quarter. Revenues of $4.57 billion surpassed the consensus estimate of $4.40 billion by 4% and advanced 14.5% year over year. Inside same-store sales rose year over year, while fuel margins expanded sharply.
CASY’s Quarterly Performance: Key DetailsCasey’s delivered net income of $162.7 million in the fourth quarter, up 65.5% from $98.3 million in the year-ago period. EBITDA increased 33.2% year over year to $350.3 million, driven by higher inside and fuel gross profit.
The company benefited from strength inside the store and at the pump. Total inside sales rose 7.4% from the prior year to $1.52 billion, while total inside gross profit increased 10.5% to $643.4 million.
Casey’s Inside Sales Show Broad MomentumInside same-store sales increased 5.5% compared with 1.7% growth in the prior-year quarter. On a two-year stack basis, inside same-store sales increased 7.4%.
The upside was led by strong demand for whole pizzas, appetizers and sides in the prepared food and dispensed beverage category. Non-alcoholic beverages supported growth in grocery and general merchandise.
CASY’s Margin Profile StrengthensInside margin expanded to 42.4% from 41.2% in the year-ago quarter. Cost of goods management, improved waste and mix shift were the primary drivers of the 120-basis-point margin expansion.
Prepared food and dispensed beverage margin improved to 59.5% from 57.8%. Grocery and general merchandise margin increased to 35.7% from 34.8%, aided by favorable category mix and cost discipline.
Casey’s Segmental Sales TrendsPrepared food and dispensed beverage sales increased 9.2% year over year to $427.6 million. Same-store sales for the category advanced 6.6%, supported by whole pizzas, appetizers and sides.
Grocery and general merchandise sales rose 6.7% to $1.09 billion. Same-store sales in the category increased 5.1%, with notable strength in non-alcoholic beverages, particularly energy drinks.
CASY’s Fuel Business Delivers Strong GainsFuel gallons sold increased 3.6% year over year to 848.3 million, driven by a large store base and same-store gallon growth. Same-store fuel gallons were up 1.5% compared with 0.1% growth in the prior-year quarter.
Fuel gross profit jumped 29.1% to $397.4 million. Fuel margin improved to 46.9 cents per gallon from 37.6 cents a year earlier. Casey’s also generated $15.2 million in renewable fuel credits in the quarter, up $10.8 million from the prior-year period.
Casey’s Expense Trends and Cash PositionTotal operating expenses rose 10.1% year over year to $730 million. Operating 40 more stores accounted for roughly 2% of the increase, while same-store employee expense contributed about 1.5%, mainly due to higher labor rates.
The company ended the quarter with $1.4 billion in available liquidity, including $523 million in cash and cash equivalents and $900 million in available borrowing capacity. Casey’s repurchased about $63 million of shares during the quarter and its board expanded the repurchase authorization to $1 billion.
CASY’s Fiscal 2026 Finish & 2027 ViewFor fiscal 2026, Casey’s reported diluted earnings of $19.16 per share, up 30.9% year over year. Net income increased 30.7% to $714.4 million, while EBITDA rose 23.6% to nearly $1.5 billion.
For fiscal 2027, management expects inside same-store sales to increase 2-5%, with an inside margin above 42%. Same-store fuel gallons sold are expected to range between a 1% decline and a 1% increase. Total operating expenses are projected to rise 5-7%, while EBITDA is expected to grow 8-10%.
Casey’s Store Growth & Shareholder ReturnsCasey’s operated 2,944 stores as of Apr. 30, 2026. During fiscal 2026, the company added 40 new stores through construction, acquired 40 stores and opened one prior acquisition, while closing 41 stores.
The company expects to open at least 120 stores in fiscal 2027 through a mix of mergers and acquisitions and new store construction. Casey’s also raised its quarterly dividend by 14% to 65 cents per share, marking the 27th consecutive annual dividend increase.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?In the past month, investors have witnessed a upward trend in fresh estimates.
VGM ScoresAt this time, Casey's has a strong Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a D. Following the exact same course, the stock has a score of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
OutlookEstimates have been trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. Notably, Casey's has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
ABM oznámila rekordní zakázky za 1,2 mld. USD za první pololetí fiskálního roku 2026 a růst organických tržeb o 6,1 % ve druhém čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2026. Firma také zlepšila volný cash flow na 71,2 mil. USD za prvních šest měsíců roku 2026.
Key Takeaways ABM's first-half sales bookings of a record $1.2B signal strong demand and customer acquisition.ABM's WGNSTAR buyout strengthened its semiconductor presence and drove high-double-digit organic growth.ABM's FCF improved nearly $180M in the first six months as it reaffirmed its 2026 growth outlook. ABM (ABM - Free Report) stock has had an impressive run over the past three months. The company’s shares have ascended 13.4%, outpacing the industry’s 1.8% rise and the Zacks S&P 500 Composite's 10.8% rally.
3-Month Share Price Performance Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Let us delve into the factors that have contributed to the company’s outperformance.
Unprecedented Sales & Organic Revenue ExpansionIn the second quarter of fiscal 2026, ABM achieved a record $1.2 billion in sales bookings for the first half of the year. This indicates strong market demand for its services and the success of its customer acquisition strategies.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, ABM's organic revenues grew 5.5% year over year, moving up to 6.1% in the following quarter. Capitalizing on the lofty sales bookings, expectations around sustained momentum in organic revenues, which support the top line, are further solidified.
WGNSTAR Buyout CompletionABM completed the WGNSTAR acquisition at the beginning of the second quarter of fiscal 2026. This buyout bolstered the company’s presence within the semiconductor fabrication environment.
During the second-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings call, Scott Salmirs, president, CEO and director, stated that the company has landed “tens of millions of dollars in new business,” hinting at the immediate benefits enjoyed from ABM’s market strength, facilitated by WGNSTAR. Moreover, this buyout led to delivering high double-digit growth in organic revenues across the company’s semiconductor market.
FCF Recovery Bolsters LiquidityThe company ended the second quarter of fiscal 2026 with a current ratio of 1.46. A current ratio exceeding 1 bodes well with investors as it suggests efficient coverage of short-term obligations. ABM’s liquidity position is better than its peers, as evidenced by an industry average of 1.13.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
ABM recorded $71.2 million in free cash flow (FCF) for the first six months of 2026 compared with the preceding year’s negative FCF of $107.8 million. It marks a hefty FCF enhancement worth nearly $180 million in the first six months. As the company recovered FCF, it raised management’s prospects to pay off short-term obligations, bolstering ABM’s liquidity position.
Reaffirmed 2026 Outlook Raises Investors’ RapportIn the second quarter of fiscal 2026, ABM reaffirmed its full-year outlook, aiming at the top end of 3-4% organic growth and a 4-5% top-line improvement. The reaffirmed guidance indicates consistency that accumulates premium in the market. Investors gain confidence as sticking to a growth rate is a sign of a competitive moat and a resilient business model. ABM’s outlook acts as a safety net that leads to an increase in stock prices.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to ConsiderABM currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the broader Zacks Business Services sector are Coherent Corp. (COHR - Free Report) and AppLovin (APP - Free Report) .
Coherent presently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
COHR has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 46.8%.
Coherent delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 6.2% on average.
AppLovin currently has a Zacks Rank of 2. APP has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 38.8%.
AppLovin delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 8.4%, on average.
AST SpaceMobile ve 1. čtvrtletí 2026 vykázala tržby 14,73 milionu USD a ztrátu na akcii 0,66 USD, obojí hluboko pod odhady. Akcie jsou za poslední týden níže o 7,06 %.
Our AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS) 24/7 Wall St. price target is $91.65 over the next 12 months, implying 13.66% upside from the current price of $80.64. Our recommendation is buy with moderate confidence (0.5).
The 10-bagger question is fair given ASTS has already returned 542.04% over five years, but our base case does not see a near-term 10x. The path there requires flawless satellite deployment and MNO contract conversion over a multi-year window.
24/7 Wall St. Price Target Summary Metric Value Current Price $80.64 24/7 Wall St. Price Target $91.65 Upside 13.66% Recommendation BUY Confidence Level 50% A Volatile Path Into July, With Real Catalysts Underneath ASTS is down 7.06% over the past week and 13.85% over the past month, yet still up 76.84% over one year and 11.03% year to date. The stock sits 39% from its 52-week high of $133.86, well off the $36.08 low.
Q1 2026 revenue of $14.73 million missed the $36.58 million consensus, and EPS of -$0.66 came in well below the -$0.20 estimate, dragged by an $88.65 million induced conversion expense.
Underneath the noise, BlueBirds 8-10 are now operational in orbit per late-June updates, a Vodafone Spain direct-to-device agreement targets commercial availability by 2027, and Reddit chatter has cycled from a widely-shared “Down $240k in less than a month” loss post to renewed enthusiasm around a Rakuten contract. Cash and equivalents stood at $3.03 billion.
The Case for $108 and Beyond Bulls have a clean story. AST SpaceMobile has nearly 60 MNO partners covering 3 billion+ subscribers, over $1.20 billion in contracted partner commitments, and definitive agreements with Verizon and stc Group. Management is targeting 45 BlueBird satellites in orbit by year-end 2026 and FY2026 revenue of $150 million to $200 million.
CEO Abel Avellan called the setup a “fortress balance sheet” paired with the “industry’s largest global commercial ecosystem.” Our model’s bull case one-year price is $108.33, a 34.34% return, and the five-year bull case reaches $163.27.
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The Risks Worth Watching The bear case starts with dilution and losses. Q1 2026’s $191.01 million net loss included $55.35 million in stock-based comp, and insiders have been active sellers. The CFO sold 45,809 shares at roughly $93.81, while the President sold 25,904 shares at $126.64. CEO Avellan entered a variable prepaid forward on 2.5 million shares for roughly $146.7 million, with a floor of $59.58.
Analyst sentiment is mixed with 2 buys, 7 holds, and 2 strong sells. A bear-case one-year price of $69.05 is realistic if launches slip. Bulls would counter that heavy capex and non-cash conversion charges reflect a company scaling a global constellation.
Hold With a Buyer’s Bias Our 24/7 Wall St. price target of $91.65, a buy rating, and moderate 50% confidence reflect a stock priced for execution. The key factor tipping the scale is the growing revenue backlog against a still pre-commercial income statement.
The bull thesis strengthens if BlueBirds 11-13 launch cleanly and FY2026 revenue tracks toward the upper end of guidance. The setup weakens if satellite cadence slips or if further convertible issuance compounds dilution before commercial ramp.
Looking ahead, here is where our model projects ASTS could trade over the next 12 months, assuming current growth trajectories and satellite deployment milestones hold.
Year 24/7 Wall St. Price Target 2026 $91.65 This projection assumes ASTS executes its constellation buildout and converts MOU partners into recurring service revenue. Meaningful upside or downside could come from FCC decisions on spectrum, MNO churn, or a faster than expected European commercial launch.
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VKTX přitahuje spekulace o převzetí díky rozšiřující se obezitní pipeline, včetně VK2735 ve fázi III a nového kandidáta VK3019. Další údaje o udržovacím dávkování VK2735 čekají ve 3. čtvrtletí 2026, následované orálními daty v 1. pololetí 2027.
Key Takeaways VKTX is attracting takeover speculation as its expanding obesity pipeline boosts strategic appeal.Viking Therapeutics advanced VK2735 into late-stage studies and added obesity candidate VK3019.VKTX expects key VK2735 maintenance dosing data in Q3 2026, followed by oral data in H1 2027. Although Viking Therapeutics (VKTX - Free Report) isn’t officially on the auction block, investors are increasingly viewing it as a potential acquisition target. This perception stems from the company's rapidly expanding obesity franchise, driven by the late-stage development of VK2735, the addition of a new obesity candidate and an upcoming clinical data readout that could further bolster investor confidence.
Why Is Everyone Talking About VKTX?The renewed takeover speculation isn't driven by reports of an imminent deal. Instead, it reflects Viking's growing strategic value as the company continues to strengthen and diversify its obesity pipeline.
VK2735 remains the company's lead obesity candidate and primary value driver. This dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist has delivered encouraging efficacy across both subcutaneous (SC) and oral formulations, positioning it as one of the more promising late-stage obesity therapies currently under development. While the SC version is currently being evaluated in two phase III studies, the oral formulation is on track to enter late-stage development later this year.
Viking has further strengthened its obesity franchise with the initiation of a phase I study evaluating VK3019, a novel dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist. The addition of a second obesity candidate demonstrates the company's strategy of building a broader franchise rather than relying on a single asset.
Investors are also closely watching an upcoming data readout from an ongoing maintenance dosing study on VK2735, which could serve as another important catalyst. The study is evaluating multiple maintenance regimens, including monthly SC, weekly oral and daily oral dosing, to determine whether the weight loss achieved with weekly SC treatment can be sustained over the long term. Viking expects to report SC maintenance data in the third quarter of 2026, followed by oral maintenance data in the first half of 2027.
From the viewpoint of large-cap biotech/pharma companies looking to strengthen their presence in the fast-growing obesity market, Viking Therapeutics represents an attractive strategic asset. Acquiring the company would allow a potential buyer to significantly accelerate its obesity pipeline compared with developing a therapy from the ground up. Such a deal could also benefit VKTX, as the clinical-stage biotech could leverage a larger partner's commercial infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities and global distribution network to maximize the reach of its obesity portfolio following potential regulatory approvals.
Competition Heating Up in the Obesity SpaceThe obesity market has garnered significant attention in recent years, as both Eli Lilly (LLY - Free Report) and Novo Nordisk (NVO - Free Report) dominate the space with their respective blockbuster obesity drugs, Zepbound and Wegovy. The obesity market in the United States is expected to reach $100 billion by 2030. To capitalize on this opportunity, both companies have expanded their manufacturing capacity while continuing to invest heavily in next-generation obesity therapies.
Although competition initially centered on once-weekly injectable therapies, the focus has increasingly shifted toward more convenient oral alternatives. Earlier this year, Novo Nordisk launched an oral version of Wegovy, while Eli Lilly introduced Foundayo, marking a significant step toward improving patient convenience and broadening access to obesity treatment.
The competitive landscape is now evolving beyond traditional GLP-1 therapies. Both companies are advancing next-generation candidates designed to deliver greater efficacy and improved patient convenience through multi-target mechanisms. Among them, Eli Lilly's retatrutide, a triple agonist targeting the GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors, has demonstrated approximately 28% weight loss in late-stage studies—an efficacy level previously associated primarily with bariatric surgery.
Novo Nordisk is advancing its next-generation obesity pipeline. It has submitted a regulatory filing seeking approval for CagriSema injection, a follow-up drug to Wegovy, while another candidate, amycretin, has shown strong weight-loss efficacy in a phase II study and is expected to enter late-stage development soon.
VKTX’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of Viking Therapeutics have outperformed the industry year to date, as seen in the chart below.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, VKTX is trading at a premium to the industry. Based on the price-to-book value (P/B) ratio, the company’s shares currently trade at 9.24 times trailing book value, higher than the industry’s 3.69 times. The stock is also trading above its five-year mean of 4.35.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Estimates for Viking’s 2026 loss per share have widened from $4.67 to $4.70 in the past 60 days. During the same timeframe, loss estimates for 2027 have increased from $4.40 to $4.47.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Viking Therapeutics currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Bolívie příští týden zahájí technické rozhovory s Petrobras o možném návratu do průzkumu a těžby ropy a plynu. Brazílie by zároveň mohla pomoci s restrukturalizací státní energetické firmy YPFB.
A view shows the logo of Brazilian state-run oil firm Petrobras in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil June 5, 2025. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
CompaniesLA PAZ, July 9 (Reuters) - Bolivia will launch technical talks next week with Brazil's state-run oil firm Petrobras (PETR3.SA), opens new tab on its possible return to exploration and production in the country, while the company is also willing to help restructure state energy firm YPFB, Energy Minister Marcelo Blanco said on Thursday.
The government of President Rodrigo Paz is looking to reopen Bolivia to energy investment and revive trade with key partners such as Brazil after years of declining gas output helped drain hard-currency reserves and turn a former energy exporter into a country hit by recurring fuel shortages.
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"The goal is for them to produce again, to operate here in Bolivia, to explore, and to have a strategic partnership," Blanco told reporters, adding that Petrobras was open to supporting YPFB's restructuring with its past crisis-management experience.
Blanco said the two sides agreed after a meeting on Wednesday to set up technical working groups starting next week to evaluate Petrobras' renewed participation across the sector.
He did not provide investment figures or a timeline.
"I am not going to give figures. I will not be irresponsible. I never give amounts or exact dates," Blanco said, adding that Bolivia was also seeking to work with other investors interested in the country.
YPFB President Sebastian Daroca also said a firm was expected to submit its final report next week on Bolivia's oil and gas reserves through the end of last year.
He said the government planned to use the figures to discuss how it could boost output in coming years.
The report is being closely watched by analysts and industry groups because Bolivia has faced longstanding criticism over delays in publishing updated reserve data, leaving uncertainty over the size of the country's remaining oil and gas resources.
Petrobras halted investments in Bolivia after former President Evo Morales nationalized the sector in 2006. Still, the Brazilian company has not been completely absent from Bolivian gas business, as it has been authorized to import Bolivian natural gas into Brazil through border entry points between the two countries.
In March, Paz said Bolivia wanted to restart its relationship with Petrobras under new and clearer energy regulations designed to lure foreign capital back to the country after more than a decade of declining gas output.
Reporting by Daniel Ramos; Writing by Michael Susin in Barcelona; Editing by Aida Pelaez-Fernandez and Kylie Madry
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RDW za poslední měsíc klesl o 28,8 %, zatímco analytici snížili odhady zisků pro roky 2026 a 2027. Firma má vyšší náklady i ocenění nad průměrem odvětví.
Key Takeaways Redwire faces profit pressure from higher costs, strategic investments and execution challenges.RDW won a Taiwan Coast Guard drone contract and advanced ISS life sciences research in June 2026.RDW's 2026 sales estimate signals growth, but earnings estimates were cut and valuation stays elevated. Redwire Corporation (RDW - Free Report) stock has lost 28.8% in the past month, underperforming both the Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry’s growth of 4.3% and the broader Zacks Aerospace sector’s gain of 3.8%. It also came above the S&P 500’s return of 2.8% in the same time frame.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Other industry players, such as General Dynamics (GD - Free Report) and RTX Corporation (RTX - Free Report) , have delivered a similar stellar performance in the past month. Shares of GD and RTX have risen 9.7% and 9.9%, respectively, in the said period.
RDW’s recent weak price performance may raise concerns among investors. It is important to evaluate whether the company’s underlying fundamentals can support long-term growth or if near-term pressures could continue to weigh on the stock. Assessing its growth prospects and risks can help investors make a more informed decision.
Headwinds for RDWRedwire's profitability remains under pressure due to higher operating expenses and continued investments in growth initiatives. In the first quarter of 2026, total operating expenses jumped 308.9% year over year to $95.5 million. While these investments are essential for expanding the company's capabilities and strengthening its market position, they are likely to keep profitability under pressure in the short term.
The company also operates in a highly competitive and capital-intensive industry, where rising development and manufacturing costs can weigh on margins and cash flow. RDW's continued investments to expand its space infrastructure and mission-focused businesses require significant capital, which may continue to affect its financial performance over the near term.
In addition, supply-chain disruptions and labor shortages across the aerospace and space industries remain key challenges. These factors could lead to production delays and higher operating costs for RDW.
Larger aerospace and defense companies such as General Dynamics and RTX also face similar supply-chain and workforce constraints, reflecting broader industry-wide challenges. RDW is also exposed to risks related to government funding, evolving budget priorities and potential delays in mission execution, which could affect its growth prospects and profitability.
Tailwinds for RDWRedwire is benefiting from rising demand for advanced space and defense technologies, supported by growing investments in space exploration, maritime security and defense modernization. The company's expanding portfolio of uncrewed systems and space infrastructure continues to create new growth opportunities.
In June 2026, Redwire secured a contract to supply its Penguin Mk2.5 VTOL uncrewed aerial system to the Taiwan Coast Guard for maritime surveillance missions. The award strengthens the company's position in the growing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) market.
During the same month, Redwire also completed multiple pharmaceutical and biotechnology research missions aboard the International Space Station. These investigations supported drug development and heart disease research, highlighting the company's growing role in space-based life sciences.
With continued progress across its defense and space businesses, Redwire remains well-positioned to benefit from long-term growth opportunities in these expanding markets.
Estimates for RDW’s Sales and EarningsThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for RDW’s 2026 sales implies year-over-year growth of 40.6%. The consensus estimate for its 2026 loss indicates a year-over-year improvement of 50.6%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The downward revision in its 2026 and 2027 earnings over the past 60 days suggests investors’ decreasing confidence in this stock’s earnings generation capabilities.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
RDW’s ValuationIn terms of valuation, RDW’s forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) is 4.80X, a premium to the industry average of 2.56X. This suggests that investors will be paying a higher price than the company's expected earnings growth compared with its industry average.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
General Dynamics and RTX are trading at a discount in comparison with RDW. GD’s forward 12-month P/S is 1.80X, while RTX’s forward 12-month P/S is 2.70X.
What Should an Investor do Now?RDW is benefiting from strong demand across the space and defense markets, supported by expanding opportunities in uncrewed systems, space infrastructure and life sciences research. However, higher operating expenses and execution-related challenges continue to pose risks to its growth outlook. The stock’s valuation also remains higher than the industry average, which may limit its near-term upside potential.
Furthermore, analysts have lowered their earnings estimates for 2026 and 2027 over the past two months, indicating a more cautious outlook for the company’s future profitability. Given these challenges, it is advisable to avoid the stock at present.
RDW currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
