Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Key Takeaways GE's Defense & Propulsion Technologies revenues rose 7% to $3.47 billion in third-quarter 2026.Defense & systems revenues grew 5%, while propulsion & additive technologies revenues surged 10%.GE expects low-double-digit adjusted revenue growth in the segment for 2026, supported by defense demand.
GE Aerospace (GE - Free Report) is poised to gain from strength in its Defense & Propulsion Technologies segment. In third-quarter 2026, revenues from the segment increased 7% year over year to $3.47 billion and orders grew 18%. The company’s defense & systems business’ revenues grew 5% year over year and engine deliveries within the business increased 4%. In the same period, propulsion & additive technologies business’ revenues surged 10%. Revenue growth was driven by strong demand for GE’s propulsion & additive technologies, critical aircraft systems and aftermarket services in the defense market.

It is worth noting that in the first nine months of 2026, the company secured a contract from Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to supply T408-GE-400 engines for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion helicopters. GE secured a five-year contract to provide ongoing support for F414 engines powering the U.S. Navy's F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft fleet.

It also secured a contract from Turkish Aerospace Industries (“TAI”) to continue integrating its F404 engine into Türkiye's Hurjet jet trainer. The company also clinched a $1.4 billion deal for T408 engines to support the U.S. Marine Corps’ CH-53K helicopter fleet in the same period.

Rising U.S. & international defense budgets and heightened geopolitical tensions, along with growing demand for military propulsion systems and aftermarket services, are expected to bode well for the Defense & Propulsion Technologies segment in the quarters ahead. For 2026, the company expects adjusted revenues to increase in low double digits within the Defense & Propulsion Technologies segment.

GE's Peers in the Defense MarketAmong its major peers, Textron Inc. (TXT - Free Report) enjoys solid demand for its defense products as well. In the second quarter of 2026, revenues from Textron’s Bell segment increased 6% year over year, driven largely by higher H-1 and MV-75 volume and an increase in commercial helicopter deliveries. Textron Systems revenues increased 7% on armored vehicles and ATAC services.

Another peer of GE, RTX Corporation (RTX - Free Report) , is witnessing solid bookings and backlog levels. RTX’s strong backlog supports a positive outlook for revenue growth in its defense business, which is expected to strengthen profits over the long term. RTX secured more than $81 billion in new commercial and defense awards during the third quarter of 2026. Its total backlog reached a record $340 billion, comprising $164 billion of defense orders, providing strong visibility into future production requirements.

GE's Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of GE Aerospace have gained 3.1% in the past six months against the industry’s 8.9% decline.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, GE is trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 33.22X, above the industry’s average of 27.35X. GE Aerospace carries a Value Score of D.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GE’s 2026 earnings has gone up 1.9% over the past 60 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The company currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

AI stocks cracked on Thursday and spooked investors sent billions pouring into Treasuries, but the bond rally now faces a Fed meeting, a fresh inflation report, and December rate hike odds that could erase every gain.

The 10-year Treasury yield fell 19.3 basis points to 4.953% on Thursday, October 22, 2026. Measured before the final close, it was on track for its largest daily drop since March 10, 2023. A basis point is one hundredth of a percentage point.

The buying came from investors leaving AI stocks. Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META | META Price Prediction) fell 7% after its results because its plan to issue non-voting stock to fund AI revived concerns about its capital commitments.

The Philadelphia semiconductor index dropped 6.7%, its biggest decline since June 23. The Nasdaq Composite lost 2.6% to 26,008.86, its biggest one-day percentage drop since early June. The S&P 500 fell about 1.2% to 7,663.43, while the Dow edged up 11.89 points to 52,867.98.

Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:QQQ) fell 2.86% to $704.47, and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:TLT) gained 1.87% to $81.74. Fear drove that bond rally, and the Federal Reserve is still raising rates.

Safety Demand Outweighed Strong Economic Data
Treasury’s official par yield curve shows the 10-year closing at 4.96%, down from 5.13% on October 21. It was the first close below 5% since September 22, and on that occasion the yield jumped to 5.11% the next day.

In market trading, the yield had topped out at 5.3645% on October 7, its highest since April 2002. The two-year fell 18.5 basis points to 4.638%, its biggest drop since August 2025, and the 30-year fell 15 basis points to 5.287%.

Jobless claims fell by 6,000 to 194,000, and inflation stayed persistent. Both figures normally push yields up. “They are rotating out of techs, out of the AIs, and into the more safety trades,” said Joe Saluzzi, co-head of equity trading at Themis Trading.

Thomas Urano, co-chief investment officer of Sage Advisory, said: “The flight-to-quality trade is winning in the Treasury space.” A rally that runs against the data can reverse quickly once the fear passes.

December Hike Odds Still Threaten Long Bonds
CME FedWatch odds of a hike of at least 25 basis points at the October 27 and 28 meeting fell to 7.2%, from 27.7% a week earlier and 55.4% a month earlier. Odds of a December hike slipped from around 86% at noon Thursday to about 78% later in the day.

TLT holds Treasuries maturing in 20 years or more, and long bonds lose more of their price than short ones when yields rise. That sensitivity is why the fund is down 7.08% over the year ended October 22.

Mortgage Rates Barely Moved Despite the Bond Rally
Freddie Mac’s 30-year average fell to 7.32% from 7.40%, the level it held on October 8 and October 15. It was the first weekly decline since at least early September, and the rate was 6.71% on September 3 and 6.19% a year earlier.

The 15-year average slid to 6.68% from 6.71%. Mortgage rates follow the 10-year with a delay and a spread, so yields need to stay lower for weeks before home buyers see real relief.

iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF (BATS:ITB) jumped 5.39% to $91.24, and Home Depot (NYSE:HD) rose 4.33% to $327.73. Those gains are large for a market where mortgage rates stay above 7%, and existing home sales ran at an annualized 3.99 million in September.

Why TLT’s Rally Faces a December Test
TLT’s gain assumes Fed help that hasn’t come, and December hike odds near 78% leave room for long yields to rise again. If AI fears ease, money that left QQQ can go back into tech, and the demand for safety that raised Treasuries would fade.

Home Depot offers a different risk profile. It pays a 2.80% dividend yield, grew comparable sales 1.7% in its fiscal second quarter as customers took on smaller projects, and kept its fiscal 2026 guidance despite housing affordability pressure.

The real test comes when the FOMC meets on October 27 and 28, and PCE inflation data arrives on October 29. If the 10-year closes back above 5.13% on Treasury’s par curve, the whole fear rally will have reversed.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Based on nothing more than the most basic of numbers, Starbucks (SBUX -0.74%) is a decent dividend stock. Shares of the chain of coffee shops boast a forward-looking dividend yield of 2.6%, and better still, its quarterly dividend's not only been reliably paid for years, but been raised every year for the past 16 years. And by more than a little. You could certainly do worse.

But could you do better? The $395,000 stake (3,968 shares) you'd need to own in Starbucks just to generate $10,000 in annual dividend income is a lot of money to tie up that could be put to work in ways that make more sense for you, perhaps like the purchase of super-safe 10-year Treasuries, which are currently yielding around 5.1%.

Here's some food for thought.

It's still a stake in a for-profit company Most blue chip dividend stocks are safe enough in the sense that there's no real risk of a complete wipeout of your money. Starbucks in no exception. Every dividend-paying stock is still also an equity stake in a particular company, however, and participation in that organization's fiscal performance.

That's where Starbucks and its stock have let investors down for the better part of the past five years. While it's technically continued growing its top line, the rate of this growth is markedly slower than its pre-pandemic pace. Profits have also stagnated, not to mention been erratic.

SBUX data by YCharts

Blame a combination of leadership turnover, labor woes, and market saturation, much of which is due to Starbucks' own overwhelming presence. As of the latest count, the company was operating 41,304 stores worldwide, with 16,933 of those units found in the United States alone. That doesn't leave a great deal of room for healthy continued expansion.

This doesn't necessarily make Starbucks a horrible income investment. As was noted, it's not only still paying a respectable dividend, but reliably growing it. We're also seeing glimmers of hope that its profit-crimping struggle since 2024 may finally be coming to a close. Last quarter's overall same-store sales were up 7.9%, capping off four consecutive quarters of such growth.

Image source: Getty Images.

There are still lingering concerns, though, like last quarter's slight 1% decline in revenue. It's going to take several quarters of total top-line progress to confirm that Starbucks is capable of making sustained net growth again. Until then, most interested investors are content to remain on the sidelines.

Better options are out there In answer to the titular question, then, no, buying nearly $400,000 worth of Starbucks stock (that's far from guaranteed to perform) just to plug into its dividend isn't worth it.

That's even more so the case given all the other, safer options, like Coca-Cola (KO -2.04%). Despite this stock's 36% rally to record highs over the past 12 months, it's currently yielding a comparable 2.3% and has increased its dividend for 64 consecutive years.

Or there's the aforementioned option of longer-term Treasuries, which -- thanks to recent rate hikes -- now sport yields in excess of 5%. Although these instruments don't offer any capital growth potential, with yields twice those of Coca-Cola shares or an uncertain Starbucks, they might still make more near-term sense to income-minded investors.

For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.

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

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

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

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

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

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

Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.

Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.82% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

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

That's where the Style Scores come in.

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

As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.

Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.

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

Stock to Watch: Starbucks (SBUX - Free Report) Starbucks is a global roaster, marketer and retailer of specialty coffee, operating in 90 markets worldwide. As of March 29, 2026, the company had 41,129 company-operated and licensed stores. The United States and China represented 61% of the global portfolio, with 16,944 stores in the United States and 7,991 in China.

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

Momentum investors should take note of this Retail-Wholesale stock. SBUX has a Momentum Style Score of B, and shares are up 8.8% over the past four weeks.

For fiscal 2026, four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.01 to $2.65 per share. SBUX boasts an average earnings surprise of +8.4%.

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

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

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

Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F. The better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform; an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.

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

VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

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

Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.82% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

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

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

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

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

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

Stock to Watch: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE - Free Report) Headquartered in Spring, TX, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company was formed as a result of the split of Hewlett-Packard Company into two separate entities – one focusing on the enterprise-facing hardware and service business and the other focusing on the consumer-facing computer and printer segments.

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

It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 14.56; value investors should take notice.

Nine analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.37 to $3.81 per share. HPE also boasts an average earnings surprise of +19.6%.

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

PepsiCo just cut its earnings outlook while its stock sits 17% below its peak, yet the company still promises billions in dividends with cash coverage paper-thin. Before trusting that 4% yield, there is one number worth a very close look.

PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP | PEP Price Prediction) now yields 4.0%. That puts it on the shortlist for retirees who want income from a household name. The harder question is whether a company that just lowered its earnings outlook can keep paying that dividend.

Why the Yield Climbed to 4%
Yields rise when the dividend goes up or the stock goes down. PepsiCo has both going on. The stock trades at $137.95, which is 17.1% below its 52-week high of $166.41. Over the past year, shares are down 6.2%. Meanwhile, the quarterly dividend rose from $0.7525 in 2016 to $1.48 in 2026, up 96.7%. The stock gained 75.21% over the same ten years, so the payout has grown faster than the share price.

The dividend record goes back to 1999. It shows a higher quarterly rate every year and no cuts.

Cash Coverage Is Getting Tight
The forward dividend of $5.92 is about 74% of trailing EPS of $7.95. That’s a modest buffer.

Cash flow is tighter. In 2025, PepsiCo brought in $12.09 billion of operating cash flow and spent $4.42 billion on capital projects. That left roughly $7.67 billion of free cash flow to cover $7.64 billion in dividends, so coverage was about 1.0x. In the first nine months of 2026, free cash flow was about $5.77 billion, while dividends totaled $5.94 billion. The fourth quarter usually brings in the most cash. Operating cash flow was $6.62 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025. Coverage this thin is one of the warning signs we flagged in a free report on dividend traps, worth a read before chasing any 4% yield.

The balance sheet adds some support. Net debt is 2.60x EBITDA, and interest coverage is 10.26x. PepsiCo also holds $10.68 billion in cash.

Bull Case: International Keeps Growing
Third-quarter core EPS was $2.34, beating the $2.30 consensus. Chief Executive Ramon Laguarta pointed to the international business:

“Year-to-date, international is already 45% of our profit.”

Real Risk: Rising Costs Are Squeezing Margins
PepsiCo lowered its 2026 core EPS growth outlook to +2.5% to +3.5%. The old guidance had a low end of +5%. Chief Financial Officer Steve Schmitt explained why:

“Margin performance is below where we expected it to be. Input costs are trending higher, and mix has been a headwind in particular.”

Third-quarter profit also got a 4-percentage-point boost from tariff refunds, and that won’t repeat. Laguarta didn’t hide his frustration with North America: “We do not feel good about the beverage business.”

How PepsiCo Stacks Up Against Its Rivals
Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) yields about 2.1%. It raised its outlook and expects about $12.4 billion of free cash flow. That’s far more buffer than its $8.8 billion in 2025 dividends. Mondelez International (NASDAQ:MDLZ) raised its quarterly dividend by 4% and expects about $3 billion of free cash flow, even with high cocoa costs. PepsiCo pays the highest yield of the three, and its cash buffer is the thinnest.

Verdict: The Dividend Looks Durable, With Slower Raises Likely
A payout ratio near 74%, manageable debt, and a long record without cuts suggest the dividend is safe for now. For 2026, PepsiCo still plans $7.9 billion in dividends and only $1.0 billion in buybacks. The weak spot is cash coverage. If free cash flow can’t climb above roughly 1x the dividend, future raises will likely get smaller. Watch for the 2027 outlook, which management plans to give in February.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Wall Street still treats Qualcomm like a struggling handset maker, but a string of quiet wins in automotive, data centers, and hyperscaler silicon suggests the market has badly mispriced what this company is becoming.

The 24/7 Wall St. price target for Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM | QCOM Price Prediction) is $218.99. That means 24.7% upside from the current $175.66. Our model rates the stock a buy with high confidence.

24/7 Wall St. Price Target Summary Metric Value Current Price $175.66 24/7 Wall St. Price Target $218.99 Upside/Downside 24.7% Recommendation BUY Confidence Level 90% The market still prices Qualcomm like a handset supplier in a down cycle, even as its AI business builds in the background.

In fiscal Q3, automotive revenue rose 61% year over year. Two hyperscaler custom silicon wins start producing revenue in the December quarter, and management now targets $40B in non-handset revenue by fiscal 2029.

On our forward EPS estimate of $9.8028, shares trade at about 18x. That multiple gives Qualcomm little credit for the shift.

Handset Slump Masks a 61% Automotive Surge Qualcomm is up 0.71% over the past week, down 1.16% over the past month, and up 4.32% year to date. Shares sit 31.8% below the 52-week high of $257.56 and 45.3% above the low of $120.88.

Fiscal Q3 revenue of $9.95B beat the $9.67B estimate. Non-GAAP EPS came in at $2.21, just missing expectations of $2.22. Handsets fell 20%, while IoT grew 9%.

Since that report, Qualcomm has announced a multi-generational AI data center collaboration with Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), renewed its global patent license with Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), and won a trial verdict on October 13. CNBC reported Qualcomm plans performance-focused job cuts worldwide.

Why Bulls See $238 and Beyond Our bull case reaches $238.29. Data center is the main swing factor. Management projects $5 billion in data center revenue in fiscal 2027 and $15 billion by fiscal 2029. HBC Gen 1 has completed tape-out, and the first solution is targeted for mid-2027.

In automotive, Qualcomm expects an annualized run rate of about $7 billion ending fiscal 2026. It also won BMW’s lead compute role for ADAS and digital cockpit.

CEO Cristiano Amon expects non-handset growth to accelerate “from 24% in fiscal 2026 to greater than 60% in fiscal 2027.” Among Wall Street analysts, 2 rate the stock a strong buy and 9 rate it a buy.

Apple Step-Down and Memory Costs Could Cap Gains The bear case stands at $185.93. The CFO expects Apple product revenue to fall about 50% from the September quarter to the December quarter.

He also put the EPS hit from Android weakness at greater than $1.50. Higher memory and wafer costs helped drive operating income down 41.13%, and early custom-chip revenue could reduce QCT gross margin by one and a half to 2%.

Analysts reflect the caution: 23 rate the stock a hold. There are offsets. Management is pushing through double-digit price increases to restore margins, and the stock still offers a 6.92% free cash flow yield.

Qualcomm Trades Like Broadcom Without Broadcom’s Growth Yet Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) leads the hyperscaler custom ASIC market Qualcomm is now entering. It trades at nearly the same forward multiple while growing quarterly revenue 85.5%.

NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) is the benchmark for AI inference, and its forward multiple stands at a clear premium.

On consensus numbers, Qualcomm already trades near Broadcom’s multiple, so the comparison works only if data center revenue grows as planned. If it does, the peer group makes our target look reasonable and potentially conservative.

Company Forward P/E Quarterly Revenue Growth YoY Qualcomm 20x -4% Broadcom 19x 85.5% NVIDIA 25x 105.9% December Quarter Data Center Revenue Tips the Scale The 24/7 Wall St. price target of $218.99 carries a buy rating at 90% confidence. I’d find the upside compelling if hyperscaler revenue shows up on schedule and the price increases lift margins.

I’d be more conservative if the Apple decline exceeds non-handset growth in fiscal 2027. For now, the data center growth is the key variable to monitor.

Looking further out, here is where our model projects Qualcomm could trade, assuming current growth trends and market conditions hold.

Year 24/7 Wall St. Price Target 2026 $182.69 2027 $218.99 2028 $259.18 2029 $283.19 2030 $316.37 The projections depend on Qualcomm continuing to execute its diversification plan. Results could land well above or below them depending on how quickly the data center business grows and how handset demand holds up.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Moderna stock sold off after an oncology news website leaked trial results that were set to be presented at a medical conference. (Adam Glanzman/Bloomberg)

Moderna and partner Merck were set to present an expanded dataset for their vaccine, intismeran autogene, at the annual meeting of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) this weekend. However, the embargo on the study was “breached,” ESMO later confirmed, prompting the organization and the partners themselves to release the results on Thursday.

For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.

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

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

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

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

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

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

Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.

VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.82% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

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

A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.

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

Stock to Watch: Adobe Systems (ADBE - Free Report) San Jose, CA-based Adobe Inc. is a technology company offering personalized digital experiences through the infusion of artificial intelligence (AI) in its solutions.

ADBE is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. ADBE has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 16.9% for the current fiscal year.

15 analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.08 to $24.47 per share. ADBE also boasts an average earnings surprise of +2%.

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

The credit-card company is the latest to announce layoffs this week as eBay and Volvo also said they would reduce their workforces by thousands.

American Express just raised its profit floor and reported a clean earnings beat, yet shareholders are selling hard while Visa and Mastercard barely flinch. Something in the fine print is spooking investors, and the answer comes down to one revenue…

A higher profit floor isn’t protecting American Express (NYSE:AXP | AXP Price Prediction) from a skeptical response to its Q3 2026 report. American Express shares are at $316.65, down 3% in morning trading, a sharp drop for a card company that just lifted its full-year earnings forecast. That reaction cuts against a report that delivered on adjusted earnings, guidance and credit quality.

Meanwhile, Visa (NYSE:V) shares are trading at $411.99, down 0.6%, a far smaller slide that suggests the selling is concentrated in the issuer. Mastercard (NYSE:MA) shares are at $630.05, down 0.5%, a similarly mild dip that keeps the network well clear of the issuer’s losses.

Financial stocks are softer as a group, though by a smaller margin. The Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSEARCA:XLF) is at $56.20, down 0.8%. Against that background, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA:SPY) is at $760.39, down 0.5%, leaving financials slightly behind the broad market while American Express shares absorb a much heavier hit.

Adjusted Beat Clears the Bar With Caveats American Express reported quarterly results before the open, and its adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $4.68 topped the consensus estimate of $4.51. On a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis, the company’s EPS of $5.42 landed well above the adjusted number because it included a $982 million pre-tax gain from selling its stake in a corporate travel business. Stripping out that gain makes the adjusted figure the cleaner read on the operating beat.

Management at American Express raised the low end of its full-year adjusted EPS forecast and kept the top end in place, putting the range at $17.60 to $17.90. Chief Executive Stephen J. Squeri stated, “Our business momentum continues, with strength in billings, new acquisitions and Card Member retention, and excellent credit quality.” That momentum shows up in Card Member billed business, which reached $454 billion, up 8% from a year earlier.

Card Issuer Model Sets American Express Apart The American Express Platinum Card anchors that issuer model. After American Express raised the U.S. Platinum annual fee by $200, nearly all cardmembers who moved onto the pricier product kept it. In the latest quarter, card fees rose from a year earlier and average spending per member climbed, a sign that the price increase hasn’t driven customers away.

Credit quality at American Express held firm, with the net write-off rate improving to 1.8% from 1.9%. Discrete one-time benefits pushed the company’s effective tax rate down to 18.1% from 24.1%, which lifted net income. Benefits of that kind sit outside the recurring business and put more weight on the operating trend.

Total revenue at American Express came in at $20.06 billion, missing the $20.12 billion estimate. Paired with the lower tax rate, that shortfall gives skeptics room to question the quality of the beat even as the forecast floor rose. Neither Visa nor Mastercard carries a lending book, which keeps credit costs and reserve changes off each network’s income statement.

Platinum’s Full Fee Year Decides the Next Move What remains uncertain for American Express is whether cardmember spending keeps growing as the higher Platinum fee runs through a full year. Strong retention supports the bull case, while a revenue miss keeps the bear case alive.

Visa and Mastercard shares carry heavier weights than American Express shares in the Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF, according to the fund’s June 30 holdings report, which ties the ETF’s direction more closely to the networks. For Visa and Mastercard, the next test is whether payment volumes keep growing while lending losses stay with the banks.

American Express’s next quarterly report will show whether card fee gains keep exceeding the cost of richer Platinum benefits. Until then, AXP shareholders should size their positions carefully given the revenue miss and tax-aided earnings.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) stock is down Friday after reporting quarterly financial results. The stock drop adds to year-to-date losses with shares now down 14.5% in 2026. While American Express stock has suffered in 2026, peer credit card companies Mastercard Inc (NYSE:MA) and Visa Inc (NYSE:V) are outperforming the company.

• American Express stock is taking a hit today. What’s behind AXP decline?

Berkshire Hathaway Places Credit Card BetsLongtime Berkshire Hathaway Inc (NYSE:BRK)(NYSE:BRK) CEO Warren Buffett stepped down from the role at the end of 2025, handing the reins to Greg Abel.

Abel wasted no time to make some of his investment ideas known with the conglomerate’s investment portfolio going from 42 holdings to 29 in the first quarter.

Among the stocks that got the boot were Visa and Mastercard, stocks among the top 15 holdings and owned by Berkshire Hathaway since 2011.

Berkshire’s American Express position, which was 151,610,700 shares in the first quarter, stayed the same and was the second largest stock position for the conglomerate.

Fast forward seven months from the end of the first quarter and it appears Abel may have kept the wrong credit card stock.

American Express shares are up 5.4% since the end of the first quarter and down 14.5% year-to-date in 2026.

Compare that to Visa and Mastercard:

Visa: +36.2% from end of first quarter, +16.7% year-to-date Mastercard: +25.6% from end of first quarter, +11% year-to-date This means that Berkshire Hathaway could have made substantially more on its stock positions if it had kept Visa and Mastercard over American Express.

Read Next

The Silver LiningWhile picking American Express over Visa and Mastercard in the first quarter may be a miss for Abel, the previously held credit card stocks did quite well for Berkshire Hathaway over the years.

Benzinga previously calculated that the conglomerate made between 1,173.2% and 1,704.9% on the initial Visa shares bought in 2011 and made between 1,790.8% and 2,527.2% on the initial Mastercard shares bought in 2011.

Berkshire Hathaway and Abel won’t win on all their stock picks when judged on a seven-month time frame and may have misses from year to year.

The important thing for most shareholders is overall performance. Berkshire Hathaway shares hit all-time highs earlier this week, showing strength with Abel now in charge.

Read Next

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Benin Management CORP grew its holdings in shares of Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO – Free Report) by 21.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 41,918 shares of the network equipment provider’s stock after buying an additional 7,430 shares during the period. Cisco Systems accounts for about 0.9% of Benin Management CORP’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest holding. Benin Management CORP’s holdings in Cisco Systems were worth $4,512,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC increased its position in Cisco Systems by 142.5% in the 3rd quarter. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC now owns 257 shares of the network equipment provider’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the period. Kings Path Partners LLC acquired a new position in Cisco Systems during the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. Blueline Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Cisco Systems during the 3rd quarter worth $32,000. Networth Advisors LLC boosted its position in Cisco Systems by 276.4% during the 1st quarter. Networth Advisors LLC now owns 335 shares of the network equipment provider’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 246 shares during the period. Finally, GK Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Cisco Systems in the third quarter worth $37,000. 73.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling
In other Cisco Systems news, insider Jeetendra Patel sold 7,170 shares of Cisco Systems stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.57, for a total value of $799,956.90. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 230,593 shares in the company, valued at $25,727,261.01. The trade was a 3.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO Charles Robbins sold 21,628 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.54, for a total transaction of $2,412,387.12. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 602,710 shares in the company, valued at $67,226,273.40. The trade was a 3.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 44,869 shares of company stock worth $5,005,620. Insiders own 0.01% of the company’s stock.

Key Cisco Systems News
Here are the key news stories impacting Cisco Systems this week:

Positive Sentiment: Cisco unveiled high-density AI networking products, including Silicon One G302 switches and a planned 400Gb/s-per-lane optical module developed with NVIDIA, TE Connectivity and Amphenol. Expanded SONiC support and AI-operations security tools strengthen the company’s effort to capture spending across networking hardware, silicon, optics and software. Did AI Networking Expansion Just Shift Cisco’s Investment Narrative?
Positive Sentiment: Longer-term bullish commentary argues that Cisco can benefit from continued AI data-center investment and from software that helps customers monitor AI usage and control rising model-inference costs. Cisco: Can It Profit From Helping Customers Spend Less on AI?
Neutral Sentiment: ETF funds were net sellers of CSCO on October 20, adding a technical source of pressure that does not necessarily reflect a change in Cisco’s operating outlook. ETFs Are Net Sellers of Cisco
Neutral Sentiment: Analysts continue to debate whether Cisco’s AI opportunity represents a durable shift from its traditional enterprise networking business. Comparisons with Arista Networks highlight the importance of execution, data-center design wins and margins. Arista Networks Versus Cisco Systems
Negative Sentiment: The latest decline reflects Cisco falling more than the broader market, while commentary from Seeking Alpha characterized the stock’s AI narrative as overbought and maintained a Hold view. At a price-to-earnings ratio above 31, investors may be demanding substantial AI growth before awarding the shares a higher valuation. Here’s Why Cisco Systems Fell More Than the Broader Market

Cisco Systems Price Performance
NASDAQ:CSCO opened at $104.89 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $110.28 and its 200 day moving average price is $109.88. Cisco Systems, Inc. has a 52-week low of $70.06 and a 52-week high of $130.37. The firm has a market cap of $413.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.40, a PEG ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.99.

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 12th. The network equipment provider reported $1.22 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.17 by $0.05. Cisco Systems had a net margin of 20.95% and a return on equity of 30.16%. The company had revenue of $17.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.84 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.99 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 17.6% on a year-over-year basis. Cisco Systems has set its FY 2027 guidance at 5.050-5.110 EPS and its Q1 2027 guidance at 1.320-1.340 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Cisco Systems, Inc. will post 4.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Cisco Systems Dividend Announcement
The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.42 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 2nd. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. Cisco Systems’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 50.30%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on CSCO shares. Sanford C. Bernstein started coverage on shares of Cisco Systems in a research note on Wednesday, September 30th. They set a “market perform” rating and a $110.00 price objective on the stock. HSBC lowered shares of Cisco Systems from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and decreased their target price for the company from $137.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Friday, August 14th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Cisco Systems from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 30th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Cisco Systems from $130.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 13th. Finally, Rosenblatt Securities upped their price target on shares of Cisco Systems from $150.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 13th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $128.52.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems Profile
(Free Report)

Cisco Systems, Inc is a global technology company that develops networking, cybersecurity, collaboration and observability solutions for businesses, government organizations and service providers. Its offerings include routers, switches, wireless networking equipment, data-center infrastructure, security software and services, as well as technologies that support cloud and hybrid IT environments.

The company also provides collaboration tools through its Webex portfolio, cloud-managed networking through Cisco Meraki and security and observability capabilities that include technologies from Splunk, which Cisco acquired in 2024.

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Leaked confidential data. A major stock sell-off. 

But beneath the chaos surrounding Moderna and Merck's latest data on their personalized cancer vaccine, oncologists see something else: an important milestone in melanoma treatment.

The companies on Thursday released detailed results from a Phase 3 trial on their mRNA-based shot after partial data leaked on social media platforms earlier that day. 

The vaccine, known as intismeran autogene, reduced the risk of melanoma recurrence or death by 42% when given alongside Merck's immunotherapy Keytruda, compared with Keytruda alone. The combination also reduced the risk of cancer spreading to distant parts of the body or death by 38%, compared with just the immunotherapy, according to the trial on roughly 1,100 patients whose tumors were removed by surgery. 

The stock market's reaction contrasted with the assessment of six melanoma specialists, who told CNBC the results represent a clinically meaningful advance that could eventually become a standard of care for patients who undergo surgery first and have not received immunotherapy before their operation.

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"This has the potential to be a major breakthrough in melanoma treatment and also cancer immunotherapy in general that will open the door to greater outcomes for patients," said Dr. Sekwon Jang, a melanoma specialist at Inova Schar Cancer and principal investigator at one of the trial's U.S. sites.

Dr. Janice Mehnert, NYU Langone skin cancer specialist and trial investigator, added that "this is the first time we're seeing that when you add something to immunotherapy, you actually boost the efficacy of the immunotherapy." 

The vaccine is not far from potentially entering the market for the first time and reaching melanoma patients. In an interview ahead of the results, Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said the company is finishing a filing with regulators as it aims to get the drug fully approved next year. 

"It's a very, very happy moment for the field, for patients," he said.

Major advance in melanomaAn immunotherapy like Keytruda wakes up the immune system to detect and attack cancer cells. Unlike preventative vaccines, which protect against infections that can cause cancer, Moderna and Merck's treatment acts like a blueprint to train the immune system to recognize and hunt residual cancer cells based on the specific mutations in an individual patient's tumor.

The significance of the Phase 3 data extends beyond delaying a recurrence, doctors said. Melanoma can become much more difficult to treat when it returns after surgery and spreads to distant parts of the body, such as the lungs, brain or liver. Patients with advanced disease may require additional treatments, including immunotherapy, radiation or further surgery, and those methods are not guaranteed to work.

Preventing the cancer from returning could spare patients from ever facing the risks and complexities of metastatic disease altogether.

"If we can essentially cure more patients with earlier-stage melanoma and never have to deal with unresectable metastatic disease — that's a wonderful advance," said Dr. Michael Postow, chief of the Melanoma Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and an investigator on the trial. 

Ideally, patients in the future may be able to undergo surgery and receive the vaccine and Keytruda without needing further melanoma treatment, Postow told CNBC. 

Still, questions remain about whether the combination ultimately helps patients live longer, what the benefit looks like over longer periods of time and which patients benefit most.

The results also leave open where the personalized vaccine would fit into a changing melanoma treatment landscape, some experts said.  

The trial tested the vaccine after surgery, alongside Keytruda, rather than against immunotherapy regimens given before surgery. That's an approach increasingly used for eligible patients with resectable melanoma, where the primary tumor can be removed. The data do not show that using the vaccine approach is more or less effective than receiving immunotherapy before surgery.

The medical community will get more clarity after Moderna and Merck present the detailed results at the European Society for Medical Oncology conference on Saturday. 

Investors diverged from doctorsModerna shares fell as much as 25% Thursday, before regaining some ground, after partial data from the trial leaked on social media. The sell-off came despite the positive results, underscoring the gap between the treatment's clinical promise and investor expectations for its commercial potential. Moderna shares are also up nearly 600% this year due to the cancer shot optimism, creating more potential for a Wall Street letdown.

Investors had hoped the vaccine and Keytruda would replicate the results of an earlier phase 2 trial, which showed a roughly 49% reduction in the risk of recurrence or death at five years, RBC Capital Markets analyst Trung Huynh wrote in a note Thursday. Huynh described the phase 3 results as clinically meaningful and likely to support regulatory approval, but said the primary efficacy result landed at the low end of investor expectations.

But there was a key difference in the studies: The phase 3 trial included patients with a broader range of risk profiles, including some at lower risk of recurrence than those enrolled in the earlier phase 2 trial, said Dr. George Ansstas, who leads the melanoma department at Washington University in St. Louis. 

Yet, "it's great data actually. It's consistent with what we've proven in the phase 2 trial," said Ansstas, who worked on the phase 2 trial.  

Another analysis of the phase 3 data offered a more encouraging signal about the treatment's effect over time. After the six-month mark, the combination was associated with a 58% reduction in the risk of recurrence or death, compared with Keytruda alone.

Ansstas said the benefit of the personalized cancer vaccine may take several months to emerge because each shot must be custom-manufactured, a process that can take roughly six weeks, while patients begin Keytruda in the meantime. After vaccination begins, the immune system also needs time and repeated doses to develop a response against tumors. 

That timeline could help explain why the group that received the combination regimen saw even greater benefits around six months, Ansstas said. Still, the explanation is a hypothesis rather than proof of when the vaccine's effect begins. 

Dr. Hussein Tawbi, a melanoma expert and trial investigator at the University of Texas MD ​Anderson Cancer Center, also highlighted the relatively mild side effects associated with the vaccine, including injection-site reactions.

Keytruda and other cancer therapies can cause potentially serious immune-related side effects. Detailed safety results on Saturday should help clarify the trade-offs of adding the vaccine to the immunotherapy regimen.

More work to be doneFor Moderna, the stakes extend beyond melanoma. The company is working to build a business beyond its Covid vaccine, while Merck is preparing for the eventual loss of patent protection on Keytruda. 

The companies have several hurdles ahead of them, including selling an individualized therapy that takes several weeks to create for a patient at scale. 

"I think the downside is that it's super labor-intensive, and you're gonna have to make vaccines for each person, and so you can't just stockpile a million vaccines and then just ship it out when somebody needs it," said Dr. Adil Daud, co-director of the Melanoma Center at the University of California San Francisco, who was the lead investigator on the phase 3 trial. "There is the time and expense, and it's probably going to cost like a lot of money."

Moderna and Merck have not disclosed any details about the manufacturing costs for the vaccine.

He added that most people who walk into the clinic with a tumor that has not been surgically removed may stick to receiving Keytruda before an operation because "that approach is simpler and doesn't put the patient through the delay" of creating the vaccine. 

Daud said he expects the vaccine combination to be used primarily in the adjuvant setting, after surgery, rather than replace established immunotherapy regimens given before an operation. For patients who receive immunotherapy before surgerybut show little or no response, the vaccine combination could offer another option, he said, though that would likely be for a smaller group of patients.

For many others, doctors are likely to stick with providing treatment before surgery, including Keytruda alone or a combination of immunotherapies, Daud said.

Moderna and Merck still need to validate the approach in other cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer and renal cell carcinoma. Success in melanoma does not automatically guarantee that the approach will work in other tumors.

"I can dream of creating a log cabin, but we got some wood chops, and we've just knocked down one tree," Merck Research Laboratories President Dean Li said in an interview ahead of the results. "Knocking one tree does not give you a cabin or a village."

Moderna's Bancel sees a bright future for the vaccine, saying he believes it will eventually be able to help "literally thousands and then tens of thousands and then hundreds of thousands of people across different tumors around the world."

Key Takeaways Chevron's Hess acquisition, rising production and cost savings support its growth and capital efficiency.XOM benefits from a larger production scale, integrated operations and expanding Permian and Guyana projects.Chevron's projected 148.6% earnings growth in 2026 tops ExxonMobil's 95%, giving CVX the edge. Energy giants Chevron Corporation (CVX - Free Report) and ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (XOM - Free Report) are attracting investor attention as their shares approach 52-week highs. CVX trades at $226.68, near its 52-week high of $229.04, while XOM changes hands at $178.23 against a high of $180.31. Rising crude prices have supported the stock’s recent gains, with Brent crude surging above $110 per barrel.

Both companies benefit from oil and gas production, refining operations and disciplined capital allocation. However, buying near yearly peaks calls for examining whether operational improvements justify continued optimism. Their respective exposure to Guyana, the Permian Basin and downstream markets offers a common basis for comparing production growth, cash generation, operating efficiency and shareholder rewards.

The Case for CVX StockChevron’s appeal centers on its enlarged upstream portfolio following the Hess acquisition. Second-quarter 2026 worldwide production reached 4.07 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, rising 20% year over year, aided by legacy Hess assets and growth in the Permian Basin and Gulf of America. Management expects full-year output of 3.98 million to 4.10 million barrels of oil equivalent per day. Its Guyana exposure also provides high-margin oil growth opportunities into the next decade.

Cost discipline is another advantage. CVX achieved $1.5 billion in annualized Hess-related synergies, exceeding its original goal, while securing $3 billion in annual structural savings since 2024. These efforts can protect margins when commodity prices retreat. The company also expects to spend 25% less capital per barrel of oil equivalent in its U.S. shale and tight operations this year than last year, indicating stronger capital productivity.

Chevron’s financial flexibility supports its investment appeal. It generated $22.6 billion in operating cash flow and $18.1 billion in free cash flow during the second quarter, while reducing total debt by $8.4 billion. A quarterly dividend of $1.78 per share and continued repurchases reinforce its shareholder-return focus. Moreover, a 20-year agreement to supply 2.67 gigawatts of power to a Microsoft data center creates an additional avenue for monetizing natural gas demand.

Recent portfolio moves add promise and uncertainty. Agreements in Venezuela contemplate more than $7 billion of joint-venture investment over five years, with ambitions to more than double production to approximately 600,000 barrels daily. Separately, planned changes to Hess Midstream arrangements aim to halve Bakken unit midstream costs, although Chevron anticipates a substantial one-time accounting loss. Political exposure, execution risks and commodity sensitivity remain important considerations near the stock’s high.

The Case for XOM StockExxonMobil brings greater operating scale and a broad portfolio spanning upstream production, fuels, chemicals and specialty products. Its second-quarter output totaled 4.51 million oil-equivalent barrels daily, despite Middle East disruptions. Production in the Permian exceeded 1.8 million barrels daily, and management sees a 9% compound annual growth trajectory there through 2030. In Guyana, the next floating production vessel is scheduled to add 250,000 barrels of daily capacity, reinforcing future supply growth.

ExxonMobil’s integrated operations provide another differentiator. Record second-quarter diesel production demonstrated the value of refining capacity when supplies tightened, while chemical margins benefited from regional supply disruptions. Specialty products delivered particularly strong results. This combination gives XOM more ways to capture value beyond crude production, though refining and chemical earnings remain exposed to changes in product spreads and demand.

Financial performance also stands out. XOM generated $23.6 billion in operating cash flow and $17.2 billion in free cash flow during the second quarter, alongside $14.7 billion in adjusted earnings. Shareholder distributions totaled $9.4 billion, split between $4.3 billion in dividends and $5.1 billion in repurchases. Its declared quarterly dividend of $1.03 per share underscores a commitment to recurring cash returns.

Efficiency initiatives strengthen ExxonMobil’s longer-term outlook. Cumulative structural cost savings have reached $16.3 billion, providing a platform for further margin improvement as high-value production expands. Still, aggressive capital spending, geopolitical interruptions and dependence on major project execution pose risks. With XOM trading close to its 52-week peak, investors must weigh its operational breadth and growth pipeline against expectations reflected in the share price.

Price PerformanceYear to date, shares of CVX and XOM have gained 48.8% and 48.2%, respectively.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Valuation ComparisonFrom a valuation perspective — in terms of forward price-to-sales ratio — ExxonMobil is trading at a similar valuation of 1.8X when compared with Chevron’s 1.89X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Earnings Estimate TrendAccording to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, CVX’s earnings are set to rise 148.6% in 2026.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The same for XOM’s 2026 EPS indicates a year-over-year increase of 95%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

ConclusionBoth Chevron and ExxonMobil offer compelling investment opportunities, backed by strong production portfolios, healthy cash flows and consistent shareholder returns, justifying Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) for both companies.

ExxonMobil benefits from its larger operating scale, diversified downstream businesses and expanding Permian and Guyana operations.

However, Chevron appears better positioned for further upside. Its Hess acquisition, accelerating cost savings, improving capital efficiency and stronger free cash flow provide a solid foundation for future growth.

Although both stocks have delivered nearly identical year-to-date gains and trade at comparable forward price-to-sales multiples, Chevron holds a clear advantage in earnings growth prospects. The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects 148.6% earnings growth for CVX in 2026, compared with 95% for XOM, making Chevron the more attractive investment choice.

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

Cadinha & Co. LLC cut its holdings in shares of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT – Free Report) by 8.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 20,443 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after selling 1,808 shares during the quarter. Caterpillar accounts for 2.7% of Cadinha & Co. LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest position. Cadinha & Co. LLC’s holdings in Caterpillar were worth $16,575,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of CAT. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new position in Caterpillar in the second quarter valued at $40,457,153,000. State Street Corp increased its holdings in Caterpillar by 4.0% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 36,276,960 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $37,120,529,000 after purchasing an additional 1,396,356 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new stake in Caterpillar in the 2nd quarter valued at about $5,818,150,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new stake in Caterpillar in the 2nd quarter valued at about $3,192,710,000. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc purchased a new position in shares of Caterpillar in the 2nd quarter valued at about $2,783,451,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.98% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the company. President Capital initiated coverage on Caterpillar in a research report on Friday, September 18th. They set a “buy” rating and a $999.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $877.00 to $897.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Erste Group Bank downgraded shares of Caterpillar from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Oppenheimer reduced their price objective on shares of Caterpillar from $1,118.00 to $1,009.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 14th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Caterpillar from $900.00 to $925.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Caterpillar has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $967.83.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on CAT Insider Activity at Caterpillar In other news, CEO Joseph E. Creed sold 32,401 shares of Caterpillar stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $808.98, for a total transaction of $26,211,760.98. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 34,555 shares in the company, valued at approximately $27,954,303.90. The trade was a 48.39% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.33% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Caterpillar Here are the key news stories impacting Caterpillar this week:

Positive Sentiment: Analysts have been raising their earnings estimates, while Caterpillar’s history of positive earnings surprises and favorable Earnings ESP point to potential upside if the company exceeds expectations next week. Caterpillar Reports Next Week: Wall Street Expects Earnings Growth Positive Sentiment: A recent hammer chart pattern suggests CAT may have found technical support following its decline. The article also highlights broad Wall Street agreement on higher earnings estimates, strengthening the case for a near-term recovery. Bears Are Losing Control Over Caterpillar Positive Sentiment: Caterpillar is maintaining its dividend while benefiting from strong cash generation, a reported record $72 billion backlog and a higher 2026 sales-growth outlook. These factors support earnings visibility and the potential for future dividend increases. CAT Keeps Dividend Unchanged Neutral Sentiment: Brokerages’ reported consensus price target of $967.83 implies substantial long-term upside, although target prices are estimates rather than guarantees. Caterpillar Consensus Target Price Negative Sentiment: Some investors remain concerned about how far CAT could fall after its recent rally, and reported ETF net selling may add short-term technical pressure. How Big Could Caterpillar Stock’s Next Fall Be? Caterpillar Stock Down 5.0% Shares of NYSE:CAT opened at $703.30 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $802.23 and a 200-day simple moving average of $856.84. Caterpillar Inc. has a twelve month low of $513.01 and a twelve month high of $1,073.46. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65. The company has a market capitalization of $323.28 billion, a PE ratio of 30.26, a P/E/G ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.58.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The industrial products company reported $8.17 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.22 by $1.95. Caterpillar had a net margin of 14.51% and a return on equity of 55.53%. The firm had revenue of $20.54 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.34 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $4.72 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 23.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Caterpillar Inc. will post 27.74 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Caterpillar Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 19th. Shareholders of record on Monday, October 26th will be issued a dividend of $1.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, October 26th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. Caterpillar’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.06%.

About Caterpillar (Free Report)

Caterpillar Inc is a manufacturer of construction, mining, and industrial equipment. Its product portfolio includes excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, motor graders, articulated trucks, and other machinery used in construction, infrastructure development, mining, quarrying, forestry, and related industries. The company also produces diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, generator sets, and other power-generation and transportation equipment.

Caterpillar operates through businesses focused on construction industries, resource industries, and energy and transportation.

Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Caterpillar Is Texas Instruments Setting Up for Its Next Big Breakout? Pegasystems’ Q3 Miss Exposed the Problem Standing Between AI and Cash Flow Lam Research’s Earnings Beat Wasn’t the Real Story—Its 2027 Outlook Was Tesla’s Flying-Car Hype Hits an Earnings Reality Check Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CAT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT – Free Report).

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Axxcess Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM – Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 18,528 shares of the basic materials company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,137,000.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Newmont during the first quarter valued at $25,000. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Newmont in the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. GoalVest Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Newmont in the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Clearstead Trust LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Newmont in the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Finally, Kilter Group LLC bought a new position in Newmont in the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.85% of the company’s stock.

Newmont Stock Down 3.0% NEM stock opened at $113.63 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $122.05 and a 200 day moving average price of $111.00. Newmont Corporation has a 12 month low of $76.05 and a 12 month high of $135.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 2.55 and a quick ratio of 2.26. The company has a market cap of $119.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.51.

Newmont (NYSE:NEM – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 22nd. The basic materials company reported $2.20 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.94 by $0.26. The business had revenue of $6.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.27 billion. Newmont had a net margin of 33.36% and a return on equity of 29.10%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 15.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.71 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Newmont Corporation will post 9.04 earnings per share for the current year. Key Stories Impacting Newmont Here are the key news stories impacting Newmont this week:

Positive Sentiment: Newmont reported third-quarter adjusted EPS of $2.20, above the $1.96 consensus estimate, while revenue of $6.36 billion exceeded expectations of $6.26 billion. The company benefited from higher gold prices and stronger sales volumes. Newmont beats quarterly profit estimates on higher gold prices, Cadia recovery Positive Sentiment: Net profit rose to approximately $2.48 billion from $1.83 billion a year earlier. The results were supported by elevated gold prices, improved gold sales and recovery at the Cadia operation, reinforcing the company’s operating leverage to bullion prices. Newmont Logs Higher Profit, Revenue on Higher Gold Sales Positive Sentiment: Management said Newmont remains on track to achieve full-year 2026 production guidance and described the quarter as record-setting for adjusted net income. Investors also responded favorably to expectations that the company could return to growth in 2027. Newmont Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results Positive Sentiment: RBC Dominion Securities raised its view to “outperform” with a $155 price target, implying substantial upside from recent trading levels. Newmont also declared a quarterly dividend of approximately $0.26 per share. RBC Dominion Securities Newmont rating Neutral Sentiment: Newmont filed its September-quarter Form 10-Q, providing the detailed financial disclosures behind the earnings release. The dividend declaration and updated payment terms were also reported for the company’s CDI holders. Newmont Files September Quarter Form 10-Q Negative Sentiment: Higher costs remain a concern. Coverage noted that Newmont raised its 2026 cost outlook, which could limit the benefit of strong gold prices and reduce confidence in margins. Newmont beats third-quarter earnings expectations Negative Sentiment: Analyst sentiment was mixed: Freedom Broker maintained a “hold” rating but cut its target to $116 from $130, while National Bank Financial also lowered expectations. These cautious revisions likely tempered the positive reaction to the earnings beat. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on NEM shares. TD boosted their price target on Newmont from $127.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 12th. BNP Paribas Exane dropped their price objective on shares of Newmont from $111.00 to $102.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. Freedom Broker restated a “hold” rating and issued a $116.00 price objective (down from $130.00) on shares of Newmont in a research note on Thursday. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Newmont from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, July 25th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group cut their price objective on shares of Newmont from $160.00 to $130.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have assigned a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Newmont currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $134.06.

Read Our Latest Report on Newmont

Insider Transactions at Newmont In other news, EVP Peter Toth sold 3,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.81, for a total value of $344,430.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 34,315 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,939,705.15. The trade was a 8.04% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO Natascha Viljoen sold 7,764 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.00, for a total transaction of $807,456.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 135,235 shares in the company, valued at $14,064,440. This trade represents a 5.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last quarter, insiders sold 35,973 shares of company stock worth $3,927,169. 0.06% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Newmont Profile (Free Report)

Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) is a global mining company primarily engaged in the exploration, development, and production of gold. The company also produces copper, silver, zinc, and lead as byproducts of its mining operations. Its activities span the full mining life cycle, including resource discovery, project development, mine operations, processing, reclamation, and closure.

Founded in 1921, Newmont has grown into one of the world’s largest gold producers. The company operates and develops mines across several regions, including North America, South America, Australia, Africa, and Papua New Guinea.

Read More Five stocks we like better than Newmont Is Texas Instruments Setting Up for Its Next Big Breakout? Pegasystems’ Q3 Miss Exposed the Problem Standing Between AI and Cash Flow Lam Research’s Earnings Beat Wasn’t the Real Story—Its 2027 Outlook Was Tesla’s Flying-Car Hype Hits an Earnings Reality Check

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SummaryNewmont Corporation delivered strong Q3 results, beating consensus on both EPS and revenue, and reaffirmed its 2026 gold production guidance.NEM's valuation margin of safety has narrowed after a 22% rally since July, yet I maintain a “Buy” rating with a $130 price target.Robust free cash flow, aggressive share buybacks, and a solid balance sheet underpin the bullish thesis despite commodity price and operational risks.Technically, NEM trades near its rising 200-DMA with support in the high $80s but faces resistance at $135 and soft RSI momentum. chameleonseye/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Newmont Corporation (NEM) put up strong Q3 results on Thursday, October 22, though the metal miner could not offset what was a bloodbath in the resource trade as global risk-off permeated markets. But the stock has sharply outperformed other gold mining stocks

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Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Key Takeaways Newmont's Q3 adjusted EPS rose 28.7% to $2.20, beating estimates, while revenues climbed 15.2% to $6.36B.NEM's realized gold prices jumped 22% to $4,317 per ounce, offsetting an 8.5% decline in gold production.Newmont maintained its 2026 gold output target of 5.26M ounces and lowered CAS and AISC cost guidance. Newmont Corporation (NEM - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $2.2 per share, up 28.7% from $1.71 in the year-ago quarter. The figure topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.94 by 13.4%.

Revenues rose 15.2% year over year to $6.36 billion, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.01 billion by 5.9%. Higher realized gold prices supported sales growth, partly offset by lower gold volumes.

Operational HighlightsNewmont’s attributable gold production in the third quarter of 2026 was approximately 1.3 million ounces, down 8.5% year over year. The figure surpassed our estimate of 1.26 million.  

The average realized price of gold rose approximately 22% year over year to $4,317 per ounce, but declined from $4,414 in the preceding quarter. The figure lagged our estimate of $4,427.6 per ounce. 

The company’s CAS for gold on a co-product basis was $1,449 per ounce, up 22.3% year over year. The figure declined from $1,463 per ounce in the prior quarter. The figure was above our estimate of $1,337.6 per ounce. 

AISC for gold on a co-product basis increased 25.4% year over year to $1,963 per ounce. The figure was up from $1,938 per ounce in the preceding quarter. The figure exceeded our estimate of $1,961 per ounce. 

NEM's Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Remain StrongNet cash provided by operating activities increased 20.5% year over year to $2.77 billion from $2.3 billion. Free cash flow rose 22.4% to $1.91 billion from $1.56 billion in the prior-year quarter.

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $8.83 billion at the end of September 2026, up 56.5% year over year. Debt stood at approximately $5.09 billion, down 1.8% from the year-ago level.

Newmont ended the quarter with approximately $12.8 billion in total liquidity, including available revolving credit capacity. Its net cash position was approximately $3.2 billion, providing financial flexibility for capital investment and shareholder returns.

Newmont Maintains Production Guidance, Cuts Cost OutlookNewmont remains on track to achieve its full-year 2026 attributable gold production guidance of approximately 5.26 million ounces. The company expects the fourth quarter to be its strongest production period of the year.

Higher output is anticipated at Tanami, Cerro Negro, Ahafo North and Lihir. However, ongoing El Niño-related conditions affecting water availability at Lihir could impact production and costs.

Newmont improved its full-year gold by-product CAS guidance to $925 per ounce and AISC guidance to $1,520 per ounce. Sustaining capital expenditures are projected at $1.35 billion, while development capital expenditures are expected to total $900 million.

NEM’s Price PerformanceShares of Newmont have gained 28.3% over the past year compared with the 9.1% rise in its industry. 

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

NEM’s Zacks Rank & Key PicksNEMcurrently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials space are Reliance, Inc. (RS - Free Report) , Cabot Corporation (CBT - Free Report) and Avient Corporation (AVNT - Free Report) .

RS currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while CBT and AVNT carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RS’ 2026 earnings is pegged at $23.70 per share, indicating a 66.2% year-over-year surge. RSshares have gained 50.8% over the past year.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CBT’s current fiscal-year earnings is pinned at $6.35 per share. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters, with an average surprise of 4.56%.CBTshares have gained 4.2% over the past year.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AVNT’s fiscal 2026 earnings is pegged at $3.2 per share, indicating a year-over-year rise of 13.48%. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average surprise of 3.4%.

The recommendations of Wall Street analysts are often relied on by investors when deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock. Media reports about these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts changing their ratings often affect a stock's price. Do they really matter, though?

Before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage, let's see what these Wall Street heavyweights think about Synopsys (SNPS - Free Report) .

Synopsys currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.14, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 21 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.14 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy.

Of the 21 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 19 are Strong Buy and one is Buy. Strong Buy and Buy respectively account for 90.5% and 4.8% of all recommendations.

Brokerage Recommendation Trends for SNPS

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

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

Do you wonder why? As a result of the vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover, their analysts tend to rate it with a strong positive bias. According to our research, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" recommendation.

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

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, which classifies stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), is a reliable indicator of a stock's near-term price performance. So, validating the Zacks Rank with ABR could go a long way in making a profitable investment decision.

ABR Should Not Be Confused With Zacks RankIn spite of the fact that Zacks Rank and ABR both appear on a scale from 1 to 5, they are two completely different measures.

Broker recommendations are the sole basis for calculating the ABR, which is typically displayed in decimals (such as 1.28). The Zacks Rank, on the other hand, is a quantitative model designed to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.

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

On the other hand, earnings estimate revisions are at the core of the Zacks Rank. And empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

In addition, the different Zacks Rank grades are applied proportionately to all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide current-year earnings estimates. In other words, this tool always maintains a balance among its five ranks.

Another key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank is freshness. The ABR is not necessarily up-to-date when you look at it. But, since brokerage analysts keep revising their earnings estimates to account for a company's changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in indicating future price movements.

Should You Invest in SNPS?In terms of earnings estimate revisions for Synopsys, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 0.1% over the past month to $15.14.

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

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

Therefore, the Buy-equivalent ABR for Synopsys may serve as a useful guide for investors.

In its upcoming report, Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM - Free Report) is predicted by Wall Street analysts to post quarterly earnings of $2.44 per share, reflecting an increase of 13% compared to the same period last year. Revenues are forecasted to be $3.55 billion, representing a year-over-year increase of 16.1%.

Over the last 30 days, there has been a downward revision of 8.9% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter, leading to its current level. This signifies the covering analysts' collective reconsideration of their initial forecasts over the course of this timeframe.

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

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

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

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Revenue from mine operations- Quebec- LaRonde' of $354.33 million. The estimate suggests a change of +60% year over year.

Analysts forecast 'Revenue from mine operations- Quebec- Canadian Malartic' to reach $512.17 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -5.8%.

Analysts predict that the 'Revenue from mine operations- Quebec- Goldex' will reach $129.52 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +19.8%.

The consensus estimate for 'Revenue from mine operations- Nunavut- Meliadine' stands at $415.13 million. The estimate suggests a change of +55.3% year over year.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Payable production - Gold (ounces) - Total Gold' will reach $855021.6 ounces. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $866936.0 ounces in the same quarter of the previous year.

According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Payable production - Gold (ounces) - Quebec - LaRonde' should come in at $108855.0 ounces. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $59172.0 ounces in the same quarter of the previous year.

Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Payable production - Gold (ounces) - Quebec - Canadian Malartic' should arrive at $123973.9 ounces. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $156875.0 ounces in the same quarter last year.

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Payable production - Gold (ounces) - Quebec - Goldex' will likely reach $29140.7 ounces. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $29375.0 ounces in the same quarter of the previous year.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Payable production - Gold (ounces) - Nunavut - Meliadine' at $98676.7 ounces. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $93836.0 ounces in the same quarter of the previous year.

Analysts expect 'Payable production - Gold (ounces) - Nunavut - Meadowbank' to come in at $130094.8 ounces. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $136152.0 ounces.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Payable production - Gold (ounces) - Finland - Kittila' reaching $59698.0 ounces. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $57954.0 ounces.

The consensus among analysts is that 'Payable production - Gold (ounces) - Ontario - Detour Lake' will reach $181852.9 ounces. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $176539.0 ounces.

View all Key Company Metrics for Agnico here>>>

Shares of Agnico have demonstrated returns of -9.1% over the past month compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.2% change. With a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), AEM is expected to lag the overall market performance in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Schall, Brown & Schwartz LLP (“SBS”), a national shareholder rights litigation firm, reminds investors of a class action lawsuit against Baidu, Inc. (“Baidu” or “the Company”) (NASDAQ: BIDU) for violations of §§10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Shareholders who purchased shares of BIDU during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointments.

Wall Street analysts expect T-Mobile (TMUS - Free Report) to post quarterly earnings of $2.86 per share in its upcoming report, which indicates a year-over-year increase of 10.4%. Revenues are expected to be $23.31 billion, up 6.2% from the year-ago quarter.

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

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

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

Bearing this in mind, let's now explore the average estimates of specific T-Mobile metrics that are commonly monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Revenues- Total service revenues' at $19.32 billion. The estimate indicates a change of +5.9% from the prior-year quarter.

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Revenues- Equipment revenues' will likely reach $3.70 billion. The estimate indicates a change of +6.9% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Revenues- Other revenues' reaching $246.39 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -1.8%.

Analysts predict that the 'Revenues- Service revenues- Prepaid revenues' will reach $2.49 billion. The estimate indicates a change of -5.3% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts expect 'Revenues- Wholesale and other service revenues' to come in at $727.27 million. The estimate suggests a change of -0.9% year over year.

Analysts forecast 'Revenues- Service revenues- Postpaid revenues' to reach $16.10 billion. The estimate suggests a change of +8.2% year over year.

According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Total postpaid accounts' should come in at 34.95 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 33.98 million in the same quarter last year.

The consensus estimate for 'Postpaid ARPA' stands at $154.16 . Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $149.44 in the same quarter last year.

View all Key Company Metrics for T-Mobile here>>>

Over the past month, T-Mobile shares have recorded returns of -4% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.2% change. Based on its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), TMUS will likely exhibit a performance that aligns with the overall market in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Key Takeaways TMUS Q3 2026 revenues are expected to rise on subscriber additions, broadband adoption and wireless demand.Device promotions and zero upfront costs may boost switching, upgrades and recurring revenues.Revenues are projected at $23.31B and adjusted EPS at $2.86, but higher costs may pressure profitability.
T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS - Free Report) is set to report third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 28, after the closing bell. It pulled off a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 17.3% on average, beating estimates on all previous occasions.

The wireless service provider is expected to witness year-over-year revenue growth, driven by subscriber additions, higher broadband adoption and strong demand for wireless services. However, higher promotional spending, intense competition and rising operating costs might have weighed on overall performance.

Factors at PlayDuring the quarter, T-Mobile strengthened its customer acquisition strategy by eliminating upfront costs for eligible customers, addressing a major barrier to switching wireless providers. The initiative is expected to have supported third-quarter 2026 revenues by attracting new subscribers, encouraging carrier switching and increasing adoption of its wireless plans.

T-Mobile's “Get iPhone 18 Pro on Us” promotion is likely to have contributed to revenue growth in the quarter under review. The offer might have attracted new customers, encouraged existing subscribers to upgrade their devices and increased demand for postpaid plans, boosting subscriber additions and recurring service revenues.

During the to-be-reported quarter, T-Mobile also promoted the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL and Samsung's new Galaxy foldable smartphones through attractive device offers. These promotions might have encouraged smartphone upgrades, attracted new wireless customers and increased device sales across its retail and online channels.

Despite these growth opportunities, T-Mobile's September earnings could have been affected by higher promotional spending, device subsidies and customer acquisition costs amid strong competition. Continued investments in 5G networks and broadband expansion might also have increased operating expenses and depreciation, limiting profitability.

For the September quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for total revenues is pegged at $23.31 billion, indicating an improvement from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure of $21.96 billion. The consensus estimate for adjusted earnings per share is pegged at $2.86, implying growth from $2.59 reported a year ago.

Earnings WhispersOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for T-Mobile for the third quarter. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. However, that is not the case here.

Earnings ESP: Earnings ESP, which represents the difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate, is 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: T-Mobile carries a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Stocks to ConsiderHere are some companies you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this season:

Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +2.49% and currently sports a Zacks Rank #1. It is set to release its first-quarter fiscal 2027 numbers on Oct. 27.

The Earnings ESP for Corning Incorporated (GLW - Free Report) is +0.68%, and it carries a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The company is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 numbers on Oct. 27.

The Earnings ESP for Intel Corporation (INTC - Free Report) is +2.22%, and it carries a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The company is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 numbers on Oct. 29.

Carnegie Investment Counsel raised its position in The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX – Free Report) by 242.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 11,821 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 8,371 shares during the period. Carnegie Investment Counsel’s holdings in Clorox were worth $958,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ancora Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Clorox in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Avalon Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of Clorox in the second quarter worth approximately $29,000. Markowski Investments acquired a new stake in shares of Clorox in the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. Root Financial Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Clorox by 83.8% in the first quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC now owns 318 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pension & Wealth Management Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Clorox during the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. 78.53% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets
CLX has been the subject of several recent research reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Clorox in a research note on Tuesday, October 6th. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Clorox from $97.00 to $90.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 14th. BNP Paribas Exane lowered their target price on shares of Clorox from $97.00 to $95.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 20th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Clorox from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $125.00 to $98.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of Clorox from $95.00 to $83.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $93.57.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Clorox
Clorox Stock Performance
NYSE:CLX opened at $88.56 on Friday. The company’s 50-day moving average is $90.63 and its two-hundred day moving average is $94.79. The Clorox Company has a 1-year low of $79.12 and a 1-year high of $128.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 15.80, a current ratio of 0.66 and a quick ratio of 0.38. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.37, a PEG ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.59.

Clorox (NYSE:CLX – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 3rd. The company reported $1.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.64 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.91 billion. Clorox had a net margin of 8.74% and a return on equity of 522.23%. The business’s revenue was down 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.87 EPS. Clorox has set its FY 2027 guidance at 5.700-6.000 EPS. Analysts forecast that The Clorox Company will post 5.70 EPS for the current year.

Clorox Announces Dividend
The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 28th will be given a $1.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, October 28th. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.6%. Clorox’s payout ratio is currently 103.73%.

Clorox Profile
(Free Report)

The Clorox Company, founded in 1913 and headquartered in Oakland, California, is a consumer and professional products company. It began with household bleach and has expanded into a portfolio of brands serving cleaning, household, personal care, food, and professional markets.

Its brands include Clorox disinfecting and cleaning products, Pine-Sol cleaners, Liquid-Plumr drain care, Kingsford charcoal, Fresh Step and Scoop Away cat litter, Hidden Valley dressings and dips, Brita water filtration products, and Burt’s Bees personal care items.

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