Market Signal Briefing

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (WPM - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended December 2025. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on March 12, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.92 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +109.1%.

Revenues are expected to be $648.96 million, up 70.6% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 8.38% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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

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

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

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

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Wheaton Precious Metals?For Wheaton Precious Metals, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +16.35%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #1.

So, this combination indicates that Wheaton Precious Metals will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Wheaton Precious Metals would post earnings of $0.59 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.62, delivering a surprise of +5.08%.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on March 12, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis software maker is expected to post quarterly earnings of $5.88 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +15.8%.

Revenues are expected to be $6.28 billion, up 9.9% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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

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

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

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

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Adobe?For Adobe, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.04%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #4.

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

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Adobe would post earnings of $5.39 per share when it actually produced earnings of $5.50, delivering a surprise of +2.04%.

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

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

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

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

Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAmong the stocks in the Zacks Computer - Software industry, Oracle (ORCL - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $1.7 per share for the quarter ended February 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +15.7%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $16.89 billion, up 19.5% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for Oracle has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. However, a higher Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +1.12%.

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

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

The market expects Mach Natural Resources LP (MNR - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended December 2025. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on March 12, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.26 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -58.1%.

Revenues are expected to be $361.93 million, up 54.1% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 13.48% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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

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

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

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

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Mach Natural Resources LP?For Mach Natural Resources LP, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +35.92%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #5.

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Mach Natural Resources LP will beat the consensus EPS estimate.

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Mach Natural Resources LP would post earnings of $0.34 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.44, delivering a surprise of +29.41%.

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

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

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

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

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

Wall Street expects a year-over-year decline in earnings on higher revenues when KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc. (KLC - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended December 2025. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on March 12. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.08 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -11.1%.

Revenues are expected to be $686.32 million, up 6.1% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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

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

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

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

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc.?For KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc., the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -4.00%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #4.

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc. will beat the consensus EPS estimate.

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc. would post earnings of $0.12 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.13, delivering a surprise of +8.33%.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Over the past month, shares of this largest U.S. solar company have returned -17.1%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.2% change. During this period, the Zacks Solar industry, which First Solar falls in, has lost 16.9%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.

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

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

For the current quarter, First Solar is expected to post earnings of $2.90 per share, indicating a change of +48.7% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -31.7% over the last 30 days.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $18.57 points to a change of +30.7% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed -20.1%.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $25.23 indicates a change of +35.9% from what First Solar is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -12.5%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. 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 #4 (Sell) for First Solar.

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

12 Month EPS

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

For First Solar, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $1.04 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +23.5%. For the current and next fiscal years, $5.1 billion and $6.18 billion estimates indicate -2.3% and +21.3% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryFirst Solar reported revenues of $1.68 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +11.1%. EPS of $4.84 for the same period compares with $3.65 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.57 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +7%. The EPS surprise was -7.28%.

Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed EPS estimates just once. The company topped consensus revenue estimates two times over this period.

ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.

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

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

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

ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about First Solar. However, its Zacks Rank #4 does suggest that it may underperform the broader market in the near term.

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

Shares of this the energy business spun off from General Electric have returned +12.7% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.2% change. The Zacks Alternative Energy - Other industry, to which GE Vernova belongs, has gained 11.8% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?

Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.

Earnings Estimate RevisionsHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.

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

GE Vernova is expected to post earnings of $1.80 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +97.8%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged.

The consensus earnings estimate of $13.96 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of -21.1%. This estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $21.64 indicates a change of +55% from what GE Vernova is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has remained unchanged.

Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, GE Vernova is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

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

12 Month EPS

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

For GE Vernova, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $9.19 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +14.4%. For the current and next fiscal years, $44.67 billion and $50.32 billion estimates indicate +17.3% and +12.7% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryGE Vernova reported revenues of $10.96 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +3.8%. EPS of $13.39 for the same period compares with $1.73 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $10.09 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +8.6%. The EPS surprise was +318.44%.

Over the last four quarters, GE Vernova surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.

ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.

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

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

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

Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about GE Vernova. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

SoFi Technologies, Inc. (SOFI - Free Report) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.

Over the past month, shares of this company have returned -9.9%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.2% change. During this period, the Zacks Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry, which SoFi Technologies falls in, has lost 3.2%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

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

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

Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.

SoFi Technologies is expected to post earnings of $0.12 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +100%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -1.7%.

The consensus earnings estimate of $0.6 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +53.9%. This estimate has changed -0.1% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $0.8 indicates a change of +33% from what SoFi Technologies is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +1.9%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. 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 #3 (Hold) for SoFi Technologies.

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

12 Month EPS

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

In the case of SoFi Technologies, the consensus sales estimate of $1.04 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +35.1%. The $4.57 billion and $5.57 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +27.2% and +21.9%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistorySoFi Technologies reported revenues of $1.01 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +37%. EPS of $0.13 for the same period compares with $0.05 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $981.89 million, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +3.15%. The EPS surprise was +8.33%.

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

ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.

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

The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

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

ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about SoFi Technologies. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

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

Over the past month, shares of this restaurant software provider have returned +4.1%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.2% change. During this period, the Zacks Internet - Software industry, which Toast falls in, has gained 0.4%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

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

Earnings Estimate RevisionsHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.

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

For the current quarter, Toast is expected to post earnings of $0.28 per share, indicating a change of +40% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +33.3% over the last 30 days.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $1.3 points to a change of +46.1% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed +13.6%.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $1.71 indicates a change of +31.2% from what Toast is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +4.3%.

Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Toast is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

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

12 Month EPS

Revenue Growth ForecastWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.

For Toast, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $1.63 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +21.8%. For the current and next fiscal years, $7.4 billion and $8.64 billion estimates indicate +20.3% and +16.7% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryToast reported revenues of $1.63 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +22%. EPS of $0.23 for the same period compares with $0.05 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.62 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +0.75%. The EPS surprise was -4.17%.

Over the last four quarters, Toast surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates three times over this period.

ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.

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

The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

Toast is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Toast. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

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

Over the past month, shares of this maker of stun guns and body cameras have returned +32.3%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.2% change. During this period, the Zacks Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry, which Axon falls in, has gained 8.1%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

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

Earnings Estimate RevisionsHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.

Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.

Axon is expected to post earnings of $1.66 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +17.7%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -76.6%.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $8.12 points to a change of +18.5% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed +5.7%.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $10.67 indicates a change of +31.5% from what Axon is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +15.4%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. 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 #3 (Hold) for Axon.

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

12 Month EPS

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

In the case of Axon, the consensus sales estimate of $779.78 million for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +29.2%. The $3.57 billion and $4.54 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +28.3% and +27.3%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryAxon reported revenues of $796.72 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +38.5%. EPS of $2.15 for the same period compares with $2.08 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $753.65 million, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +5.72%. The EPS surprise was +28.74%.

Over the last four quarters, Axon surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.

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

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

The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

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

Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Axon. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

Dividend stocks help to buffer the impacts of a volatile market. In this article, I highlight two names that offer 6-12% yields that are well-covered by cashflow. Both trade at significant discounts to NAV and historical valuation, thereby offering a margin of safety.

Coca-Cola (KO - Free Report) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.

Shares of this world's largest beverage maker have returned +1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.2% change. The Zacks Beverages - Soft drinks industry, to which Coca-Cola belongs, has gained 1.2% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?

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

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

Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.

Coca-Cola is expected to post earnings of $0.81 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +11%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -1.9%.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $3.24 points to a change of +8% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has remained unchanged.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $3.48 indicates a change of +7.4% from what Coca-Cola is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.2%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. 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 #3 (Hold) for Coca-Cola.

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

12 Month EPS

Revenue Growth ForecastWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.

For Coca-Cola, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $12.32 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +10.7%. For the current and next fiscal years, $49.65 billion and $50.77 billion estimates indicate +3.7% and +2.2% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryCoca-Cola reported revenues of $11.82 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +2.4%. EPS of $0.58 for the same period compares with $0.55 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.05 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -1.95%. The EPS surprise was +1.75%.

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

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

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

The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

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

ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Coca-Cola. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

Zoom Communications (ZM - Free Report) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.

Shares of this video-conferencing company have returned -14.1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.2% change. The Zacks Internet - Software industry, to which Zoom belongs, has gained 0.4% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?

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

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

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

Zoom is expected to post earnings of $1.42 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -0.7%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +2.6%.

The consensus earnings estimate of $5.89 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of -0.5%. This estimate has changed +1.5% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $6.03 indicates a change of +2.3% from what Zoom is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -0.8%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. 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 #3 (Hold) for Zoom.

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

12 Month EPS

Revenue Growth ForecastWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.

In the case of Zoom, the consensus sales estimate of $1.22 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +4%. The $5.06 billion and $5.21 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +4% and +2.8%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryZoom reported revenues of $1.25 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +5.3%. EPS of $1.44 for the same period compares with $1.41 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.23 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +1.18%. The EPS surprise was -2.7%.

Over the last four quarters, Zoom surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.

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

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

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

Zoom is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Zoom. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

Altria (MO - Free Report) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.

Over the past month, shares of this owner of Philip Morris USA, the nation's largest cigarette maker have returned +4.5%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.2% change. During this period, the Zacks Tobacco industry, which Altria falls in, has gained 0.2%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.

Revisions to Earnings EstimatesHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.

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

Altria is expected to post earnings of $1.24 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +0.8%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged.

The consensus earnings estimate of $5.57 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +2.8%. This estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $5.76 indicates a change of +3.4% from what Altria is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.1%.

Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Altria is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

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

12 Month EPS

Projected Revenue GrowthWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.

In the case of Altria, the consensus sales estimate of $4.54 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +0.5%. The $20.18 billion and $20.29 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +0.2% and +0.5%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryAltria reported revenues of $5.08 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -0.5%. EPS of $1.3 for the same period compares with $1.29 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +1.54%. The EPS surprise was -0.76%.

Over the last four quarters, Altria surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates two times over this period.

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

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

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

Altria is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Altria. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

ServiceNow (NOW - Free Report) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.

Shares of this maker of software that automates companies' technology operations have returned +2.5% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.2% change. The Zacks Computers - IT Services industry, to which ServiceNow belongs, has lost 2.3% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?

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

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

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

For the current quarter, ServiceNow is expected to post earnings of $0.95 per share, indicating a change of +17.3% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +0.6% over the last 30 days.

The consensus earnings estimate of $4.13 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +17.7%. This estimate has changed +0.5% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $4.94 indicates a change of +19.8% from what ServiceNow is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.3%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. 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 #3 (Hold) for ServiceNow.

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

12 Month EPS

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

For ServiceNow, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $3.75 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +21.4%. For the current and next fiscal years, $15.98 billion and $18.84 billion estimates indicate +20.3% and +17.9% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryServiceNow reported revenues of $3.57 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +20.7%. EPS of $0.92 for the same period compares with $0.73 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.52 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +1.24%. The EPS surprise was +5.75%.

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

ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.

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

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

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

Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about ServiceNow. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

NetApp (NTAP - Free Report) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.

Shares of this data storage company have returned -1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.2% change. The Zacks Computer- Storage Devices industry, to which NetApp belongs, has lost 1.3% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?

Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.

Earnings Estimate RevisionsHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.

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

NetApp is expected to post earnings of $2.24 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +16.1%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +0.1%.

The consensus earnings estimate of $7.9 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +9%. This estimate has changed -0.1% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $8.55 indicates a change of +8.1% from what NetApp is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -0.9%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. 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 #3 (Hold) for NetApp.

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

12 Month EPS

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

In the case of NetApp, the consensus sales estimate of $1.86 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +7.6%. The $6.84 billion and $7.22 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +4.1% and +5.6%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryNetApp reported revenues of $1.71 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +4.4%. EPS of $2.12 for the same period compares with $1.91 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.69 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +1.6%. The EPS surprise was +2.42%.

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

ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.

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

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

NetApp is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about NetApp. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

NRG Energy (NRG - Free Report) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.

Over the past month, shares of this power company have returned +13.6%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.2% change. During this period, the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, which NRG falls in, has gained 7.2%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.

Revisions to Earnings EstimatesHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.

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

NRG is expected to post earnings of $1.93 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -26.3%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -34.1%.

The consensus earnings estimate of $8.84 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +9.5%. This estimate has changed +5.5% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $11.08 indicates a change of +25.4% from what NRG is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -3.5%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. 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 #3 (Hold) for NRG.

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

12 Month EPS

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

In the case of NRG, the consensus sales estimate of $7.42 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of -13.6%. The $30.42 billion and $31.66 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of -1% and +4.1%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryNRG reported revenues of $7.75 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +13.7%. EPS of $1.03 for the same period compares with $1.52 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.32 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +45.87%. The EPS surprise was +1.98%.

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

ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.

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

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

NRG is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about NRG. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

Bitget has rolled out a major trading interface upgrade that places stocks, commodities, and forex beside crypto markets. The update, announced today by the exchange, restructures platform navigation to separate traditional financial products from digital asset trading. The change forms part of Bitget’s Universal Exchange strategy to integrate global financial markets within a single trading infrastructure.

Bitget Restructures Platform To Separate Crypto And TradFi As per the company disclosure, the update reorganizes Bitget’s interface to give traditional assets their own dedicated trading environment. Previously, many exchanges placed stocks or commodities inside crypto-focused interfaces as secondary features. 

Source: Bitget

However, Bitget introduced a structural shift by separating crypto trading and traditional asset trading into independent core navigation sections. Users now access both markets through distinct interfaces designed around different trading behaviors. As CoinGape reported, in the latest UEX push, Bitget unveiled a MotoGP-inspired challenge for crypto, stocks, and gold trading.

Under the new structure, crypto spot and derivatives trading appear inside a unified “Trade” tab. Meanwhile, stock-related products, commodities, and forex instruments sit inside a separate TradFi tab positioned beside it.

This layout allows traders to move between digital assets and traditional markets without navigating through nested product menus. As a result, both asset groups receive equal visibility within the platform.

Expansion Builds On Earlier Product Launches The interface change follows several product launches introduced by Bitget during the past year. Earlier developments already expanded access to traditional markets through blockchain-based infrastructure.

First, Bitget integrated on-chain trading capabilities into its platform. Later, the exchange introduced tokenized stock perpetual contracts to expand equity exposure. In late 2025, Bitget added contracts for difference trading. 

These instruments allow users to trade global equities, commodities, and foreign exchange using stablecoin-based settlement. Alongside these additions, Bitget also added group-based maker rates and expanded its real-world asset infrastructure. Partnerships, including one with Ondo, enabled trading access to more than 200 tokenized assets.

Those assets include U.S. stocks and exchange-traded funds available through tokenized structures. These developments laid the groundwork for the exchange’s new interface design.

Universal Exchange Strategy Targets Cross-Asset Trading The restructuring aligns with Bitget’s broader Universal Exchange framework, in which it has also introduced a crypto anti-bias pledge to support women’s inclusion in crypto. The new strategy focuses on bringing crypto-native products and traditional financial instruments into one environment.

The exchange designed the interface around traders who manage portfolios across multiple asset classes. According to Bitget, many users now trade crypto alongside stocks, commodities, and forex markets.

Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget, described the rationale behind the redesign. “Crypto infrastructure is gradually becoming the settlement layer for global financial markets,” Chen said.

“The future of exchanges will not be defined by whether they offer crypto or traditional assets, but by how effectively they integrate both,” she added. “Our goal with this update was to move beyond simply listing traditional products and instead build an environment where crypto and TradFi can operate as equal components of a unified trading ecosystem.”

Meanwhile, traditional financial markets span roughly $900 trillion across equities, commodities, and foreign exchange. As tokenization infrastructure develops, parts of that activity may increasingly move onto blockchain-based settlement layers.

Industry estimates suggest that by 2030, between 20% and 40% of global equity trading could be routed through crypto-native infrastructure. Bitget’s Universal Exchange framework positions the platform within that evolving trading environment.

TLDR: Tether and Circle together control 84.56% of the stablecoin market, leaving 15% for all other projects. USDC settled over $1.2 trillion in transaction volume last month, more than doubling January’s figures. DAI, once the face of decentralized stablecoins, now holds less market share than PayPal’s PYUSD product. Both Tether and Circle can freeze user funds via one API call, raising concerns about crypto centralization.
Stablecoins remain a focal point in digital finance as new data reveals a deeply concentrated market. Two companies — Tether and Circle — now control 84.56% of the entire stablecoin supply.

USDT holds 59.74% of market share, and USDC accounts for 24.82%. In parallel, USDC settled over $1.2 trillion in transaction volume last month.

That figure surpassed Tether for the second consecutive month. The remaining share is spread across dozens of smaller competing projects.

Two Centralized Issuers Hold the Stablecoin Market in a Tight Grip The stablecoin market has grown increasingly narrow, with two issuers pulling far ahead of all others. Tether’s USDT alone holds nearly 60% of circulating stablecoin supply.

Circle’s USDC adds another 24.82%, per data shared by @ourcryptotalk. Together, they leave approximately 15% for all remaining projects combined.

The entire stablecoin market is basically two companies and a graveyard.

> $USDT: 59.74%
> $USDC: 24.82%

That's 84.56% of the entire market.
controlled by Tether and Circle.

Two private companies.
deciding what "stable" means for all of crypto.

↓

Everything else is fighting… pic.twitter.com/9VMeKLAsCu

— Our Crypto Talk (@ourcryptotalk) March 5, 2026

Within that leftover share, competition is spread thin across many projects. USDS holds 2.26%, followed by USDe at 1.95% and USD1 at 1.51%.

DAI and PayPal’s PYUSD hold 1.46% and 1.37%, respectively. Dozens of other projects share the remaining 6.89%, grouped under a broader “Others” category.

DAI’s current standing is a notable turn for the decentralized finance space. It once served as the flagship example of a non-custodial, community-governed stablecoin.

Today, it holds a smaller share than PayPal’s PYUSD. That outcome shows how much the competitive landscape has shifted in recent years.

Ethena’s USDe uses a synthetic dollar model built on funding rate arbitrage strategies. It has grown to nearly 2% of the stablecoin market in a short time.

The model performs well under stable market conditions. It does, however, carry risks that could emerge during periods of heightened volatility.

USDC Transaction Volume Surge Places Circle at the Forefront of Dollar Settlement Circle’s USDC has been settling transactions at a high pace this year. Last month’s volume crossed $1.2 trillion, more than double January’s total.

That growth points to rising reliance on USDC as a settlement layer. The trend stretches well beyond retail use into institutional finance.

Analyst @Mega_Fund noted that USDC outpaced Tether in transaction volume for two straight months. This marks a measurable shift in how large-scale players are choosing to settle transactions.

USDC is being used at unprecedented levels.

Last month, over $1.2T in transaction volume was settled using @circle USDC.

That’s more than double January’s volume, and for the second consecutive month USDC processed more volume than Tether USDT.

Stablecoins are increasingly… pic.twitter.com/riteXdq4Uh

— David Alexander II (@Mega_Fund) March 4, 2026

Regulated, compliant infrastructure appears to be a top priority for institutions. Circle is increasingly being seen as the preferred option in that category.

The rising volume also points to stablecoins taking on a more structural role in global finance. Demand is concentrating around platforms with clear regulatory frameworks and institutional-grade rails.

Circle’s focus on compliance has placed it in a strong competitive position. The contest for dominance over the global dollar settlement layer is actively underway.

The concentration of control in two centralized issuers continues to draw scrutiny. Both Tether and Circle can freeze user funds through a single API call.

This stands against the decentralized principles that originally shaped crypto. The tension between utility and centralization remains central to the ongoing stablecoin debate.

Shares of Solana-focused infrastructure firm SOL Strategies surged about 21% after the company reported strong growth in its staking operations, including rapid adoption of its new liquid staking platform. The rally followed a February business update showing expanding validator activity and rising assets under delegation.

The company said its STKESOL liquid staking platform surpassed 691,000 SOL staked and attracted 1,034 holders within weeks of launch. Investors’ confidence has grown significantly since this update was issued, as the business continues to expand its validator and staking operations on Solana amid broader market turmoil.

According to the Canada-based firm’s February performance report, users, assets under delegation, and staking rewards have all been steadily ascending — all important metrics for companies with validator and staking services.

SOL Strategies embraced liquid staking, enabling users to earn rewards while keeping their assets liquid via tokenized staking positions. This move enables them to access an additional source of income beyond the company’s validator and institutional staking services.

The company has said that STKESOL’s growth contributed to the overall increase in validator activity. Its validator network grew to 33,568 unique wallets in February — up from approximately 31,000 at the beginning of the month.

In addition to liquid staking, SOL Strategies stated that its total assets under delegation stood at 3.87 million SOL. This includes the company’s own treasury stake and tokens delegated by third parties. The company’s proprietary validators made approximately 1,276 SOL in rewards during the month

Multiple revenue streams support expansion Michael Hubbard, interim CEO of SOL Strategies, said the company was continuing to scale its staking infrastructure despite volatility in the cryptocurrency market. He added that the staking platform now had four revenue streams running simultaneously: treasury staking, third-party delegated staking, liquid staking, and institutional staking services.

Partnerships such as the one with global asset manager VanEck were part of its institutional offering, he said. Strong year-on-year growth was also demonstrated in the company’s most recent quarterly results. That was 69% higher than the same quarter a year earlier.

Staking and validator rewards totaled 9,787 SOL in the quarter, up 120% year on year. These numbers imply that the firm’s emphasis on Solana-based infrastructure has grown substantially in the last year. Execution, Hubbard said, remains top of mind as the company pushes to sustain this momentum.

Apart from this milestone, SOL Strategies’ Solana portfolio surged to approximately 529,000 tokens from an initial record of 139,726. The increase reflected both a robust balance sheet and heightened investment in Solana. 

Stock rebounds despite longer-term decline SOL Strategies’ shares closed up 20.97% Wednesday on the Nasdaq at $1.50 after the update. The steep surge reflects optimism among investors on the growing scope of the company’s staking businesses, as well as its new liquid staking product. 

Despite recent gains, the stock has dropped 75.81% over the past six months. SOL Strategies — like many crypto-related equities — has also been hit by broader market trends and price movements in digital assets. The February update also covered governance changes ahead of the company’s planned annual shareholder meeting on March 31. 

The company said Michael Hubbard will transition from interim CEO to permanent chief executive. In the past, SOL Strategies was known as Cypherpunk Holdings. The company acquired SOL in Q2 2024 and formally rebranded in September 2024, in line with its focus on Solana-specific growth. 

Since then, it has served as a treasury and infrastructure company focused on Solana validators and staking products/services. That strategy is being bolstered by the explosive growth of its liquid staking platform. 

For investors, the latest numbers indicate that SOL Strategies is growing into a more diversified staking business, with multiple income streams tied to the Solana ecosystem. 

There are still market risks, though STKESOL’s strong uptake and rising delegation figures have clearly helped shore up short-term confidence, as evidenced by the 21% jump in the stock.

Cover image via U.Today Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Bitcoin (BTC) might experience price volatility soon given the activities of whales in the ecosystem. As per a new update by on-chain data platform CoinGlass, Bitcoin’s perpetual futures order book reveals that whales have placed a large buy order around $70,000 and $71,000.

Sell wall at $75,000 could cap Bitcoin's upsideThis strong bid implies that Bitcoin whales are ready to accumulate a large volume of BTC if the price drops toward this range. 

This development also creates potential downside support for the leading digital asset, which has rallied by over 5.8% in the last seven days.

According to CoinGlass, whales are active on both sides of the divide. Notably, a sell wall has also emerged between $74,000 and $75,000. 

This indicates that many large holders have placed sell orders on exchanges and are waiting for Bitcoin to soar to around $75,000 to offload it.

#BTC whales are active.

Clear sell walls at $74K–$75K, while strong bids sit around $70K–$71K.

Looks like whales were distributing into the pump above $73K.

Liquidity is building on both sides.

A sweep might be next. pic.twitter.com/ORHwiFS4Db

— CoinGlass (@coinglass_com) March 5, 2026 The development could impact the upward movement of BTC because, as the price approaches that level, it might struggle to go higher. This is as a result of supply overwhelming demand on the market. This could cause strong price resistance for Bitcoin near the $74,000 and $75,000 level.

The Bitcoin market currently is seeing large holders using the ongoing rally to sell their holdings. They are likely selling to small traders buying the hype that a rebound is under way for the leading digital crypto coin.

It is worth noting that with Bitcoin trapped between large buyers and big sellers at different price ranges, whales could trigger a "liquidity sweep" in either direction.

In the last 24 hours, Bitcoin has fluctuated between a low of $70,606.34 and a peak of $74,051.81. As of this writing, Bitcoin exchanges hands at $72,807.20, which represents a 1.7% increase within the time frame.

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The price movement confirms a struggle between large sellers and buyers as prices vary. 

The trading volume has climbed up by 11.81% to $66.11 billion. Market indicators show there is renewed institutional accumulation via exchange-traded funds' (ETFs) demands.

Bitcoin whales buying dipAs U.Today reported, Bitcoin whales did not back down amid the ongoing market volatility. 

In one notable buy, whales scooped over 30,000 BTC valued at about $2 billion within a seven-day period. 

These large holders took advantage of the 50% dip to increase their portfolio.

A similar move was made by Hyperliquid whales recently when they backed the Bitcoin rally with a $257.49 million bet.

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) is outperformed gold for the first time in months, surging 12% since Friday while gold fell 2% as investors poured nearly $700 million into U.S. Bitcoin ETFs in March. The Gold Reversal Until this week, the trend had been the opposite.

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Michael Saylor argued that Bitcoin’s inability to sustain the most aggressive upside forecasts is less about a broken long-term thesis and more about a credit-market bottleneck: a large share of Bitcoin wealth still can’t be financed cleanly inside the traditional banking system, pushing holders toward “shadow” venues where rehypothecation creates effective selling pressure.

In a Feb. 27 interview with Coin Stories host Nathalie Brunell, Saylor said the market has matured in ways that naturally damp both upside and downside volatility as derivatives migrate “from offshore to onshore” and regulated US markets grow. But he placed the sharper brake on price in the plumbing of credit. Banks, he argued, are moving slowly to recognize Bitcoin as collateral, and that delay matters when the asset base is large.

Saylor framed the current top-of-market structure as roughly “$2 trillion worth of Bitcoin,” with “probably $1.8 trillion held by retail investors or offshore investors” who “cannot access the traditional banking system.” The practical implication, he said, is that Bitcoin holders who want to unlock liquidity face a narrow menu compared with traditional equity portfolios.

“If I posted $10 million of Apple stock with JP Morgan or Morgan Stanley, I could take a $5 million loan at SOFR plus 50 basis points and I could spend it,” Saylor said. “But you can’t even post $10 million worth of Bitcoin with JP Morgan or Morgan Stanley right now. Therefore, you can’t take a loan. Therefore, you have to go to a shadow banking system. You have to go offshore.”

That constraint, he argued, forces holders into behavior that mechanically caps upside. The “safe way” to monetize is simply to sell, which “damps the upside.” The next option is borrowing from a small pool of crypto lenders that don’t rehypothecate collateral, but Saylor described that market as both expensive and shallow—“a few billion dollars probably”—with rates he characterized as closer to “SOFR plus 400” or “plus 500 basis points,” rather than traditional prime-style spreads.

He pointed to a newer channel, banks extending credit against spot Bitcoin ETFs like BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), but described it as early, limited, and still costly versus conventional secured lending.

The most controversial pathway, Saylor said, is where the cheapest funding appears: counterparties offering low-rate Bitcoin-backed credit in exchange for control of the collateral. “I’ve had people offer me Bitcoin-backed credit at 1% or 0%,” he said, before emphasizing the trade-off. “There’s always the catch […] they want me to transfer the Bitcoin to them so they can rehypothecate it.”

Saylor then tied rehypothecation directly to spot-market suppression, arguing that collateral handed to intermediaries can be effectively “sold” multiple times through reuse. “So, if you have $10 million […] you can get a 3 or 4% loan, but then it gets rehypothecated,” he said. “So, your $10 million of Bitcoin gets sold once, gets sold twice, gets sold three times […] You might actually create $30 or $40 million worth of selling because the Bitcoin that you posted […] rehypothecated it three times.”

Michael Saylor: Shadow banking “rehypothecation” suppresses Bitcoin price

On February 27, 2026, in an interview with Natalie Brunell, Michael Saylor discussed why Bitcoin failed to surpass $126,000.

He suggested that the exclusion of Bitcoin from traditional banks like JP… pic.twitter.com/ODpOEvhi2j

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) March 4, 2026

In his view, the missing piece is a large, regulated, non-rehypothecating credit system for Bitcoin—one that looks more like mainstream securities financing. “What’s holding down the price? I think what holds down the price of the asset is the lack of a fully formed nonrehypothecating credit system,” he said, adding that rehypothecation “damps the vol” and can amplify moves on both sides through leveraged positioning.

Saylor’s bottom line was timing, not thesis: if banks take “four years, 5 years, 6 years” to “bank it” in the full sense, then Bitcoin’s price discovery will continue to be shaped by a shadow-credit workaround that can manufacture synthetic supply. If and when conventional credit rails mature around Bitcoin collateral without aggressive rehypothecation, he suggested, the market may rely less on forced selling and more on ordinary secured borrowing, potentially changing the ceiling on upside cycles.

At press time, Bitcoin traded at $72,236.

Bitcoin must break above $74,500, 1-week chart | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView.com Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

Crypto promised diversification beyond Bitcoin. For years, the pitch was simple: spread risk across blockchains, decentralized applications, and layer-1 protocols.

In practice, that diversification often collapsed when Bitcoin stumbled. Ethereum, Solana, and other major altcoins routinely fell harder than BTC during drawdowns, leaving portfolios concentrated on the same directional bet, just with different branding.

Now, the institutions that process trillions in traditional securities trades are sketching a different path. On this path, diversification comes not from more crypto tokens but from tokenized versions of the assets investors already want.

DTCC, Clearstream, and Euroclear released a joint white paper with Boston Consulting Group outlining how digital asset securities could achieve interoperability across blockchains and traditional finance rails.

The document outlines technical frameworks, custody models, and settlement protocols that enable stocks, bonds, and funds to trade and settle on distributed ledgers. The report also noted stablecoins increasingly serving as the cash component of transactions.

The market infrastructure already exists: daily repo operations exceed $300 billion, global equity markets total $126.7 trillion, and stablecoin circulation has grown past $300 billion.

What's missing isn't scale or capital, but the connective tissue between fragmented ledgers and the legal certainty that underpins traditional finance.

The question for anyone holding altcoins as a portfolio hedge becomes sharper: if tokenized equities and fixed income arrive on crypto rails with the same custody, settlement, and compliance infrastructure that underpins traditional markets, why would diversification require buying more blockchain protocols?

BucketWhat it representsSize (today / cited)Why it matters to your thesisGlobal equitiesInvestable diversification universe$126.7TThis is the “diversification inventory” crypto rails want to accessRepo market activityInstitutional plumbing already huge$300B+ dailyShows TradFi already operates at massive scale where settlement efficiency mattersStablecoin float“Cash leg” building block$300B+Settlement currency bridge for onchain DvPTokenized TreasuriesEarly product-market fit~$11BThe first credible non-crypto “diversifier” living onchainTokenized assets by 2030Market-size range$2T base / $4T bull (McKinsey)Shows why rails matter even if timelines are uncertainTokenized funds by 2030Subset forecast range>$600B (BCG) / $120B (Amundi)Highlights uncertainty + still-big lower boundThe diversification that wasn'tAltcoin performance during risk-off periods reveals the problem.

Coin Metrics data from February 2026 shows Bitcoin's drawdown erased nearly half of its peak value, while Ethereum and Solana fell roughly 34% and 35%, respectively. As a result, these altcoins' prices fell back to levels seen before spot ETF approvals.

These weren't isolated incidents. Across cycles, most altcoins have tracked Bitcoin's direction with amplified volatility, behaving less like independent assets and more like leveraged exposure to the same underlying risk factor.

Bitcoin dominance climbed toward 64% in 2025, while the total altcoin market cap remained below prior cycle highs of around $1.1 trillion. The universe expanded, but capital concentrated.

For investors who added Ethereum or Solana, expecting portfolio stabilization during BTC corrections, the reality delivered correlation without the offsetting returns.

Meanwhile, traditional equity markets delivered.

The S&P 500 has outperformed most major altcoins over multi-year periods. From January 2024 to press time, the SPX rose nearly 45%. Meanwhile, Ethereum and Solana tanked 6% and 10%, respectively, in the same period.

S&P 500 gained 45% while Ethereum fell 6% and Solana dropped 10% between January 2024 and March 2026.Investors seeking diversification had a straightforward alternative: hold Bitcoin for crypto exposure and allocate the rest to equities, bonds, or commodities through conventional brokerage accounts.

The friction stemmed from the separation: crypto lived in one set of accounts, traditional assets in another, with different settlement systems and custodians.

Tokenized securities as infrastructure, not speculationThe DTCC paper doesn't promise imminent retail access to tokenized Apple shares or Treasury bonds.

Instead, it describes the architecture required for digital asset securities to scale: interoperability frameworks that enable assets to move between distributed ledgers and traditional infrastructure without disrupting ownership records, settlement finality, or legal enforceability.

The institutions involved process the overwhelming majority of global securities transactions.

Their participation signals this isn't speculative infrastructure for decentralized finance protocols, but an established market plumbing adapting to new rails.

The core insight is that stablecoins have evolved into a functional settlement currency.

Circulation grew more than 75% year-to-date to reach $290 billion, filling what the paper calls the “cash leg” in transactions.

That creates a pathway for delivery-versus-payment settlement, where a tokenized bond or equity is recorded on a single ledger. In contrast, stablecoin payments move on another chain, or both legs settle atomically on the same chain.

The efficiency gains matter most for institutional workflows. Still, the structural shift affects retail investors too: if stocks can settle in stablecoins on blockchain rails, the boundary between crypto portfolios and traditional portfolios starts to dissolve.

Tokenized Treasury funds already demonstrate product-market fit. RWA.xyz data shows tokenized Treasuries nearly touching $11 billion. These are yield instruments that settle faster and operate around the clock, appealing to institutions managing cash and collateral.

Tokenized money market funds, corporate bonds, and, eventually, equities follow similar logic: the same legal rights, the same economic exposure, and lower settlement friction.

The catch is fragmentation. Digital asset securities currently exist across dozens of public layer-1 and layer-2 blockchains, as well as permissioned enterprise-ledgers.

Each network uses different smart contract languages, consensus mechanisms, and token standards.

The paper argues that the end state isn't a single dominant blockchain but a “network-of-networks” in which standards, gateways, and regulated intermediaries connect distributed ledgers to traditional financial infrastructure.

That architecture requires harmonization across data formats, custody rules, message protocols, and legal enforceability.

What tokenized markets mean for altcoin diversificationIf interoperability standards mature and tokenized securities become portable across venues, the diversification trade shifts.

An investor holding Bitcoin who wants non-correlated exposure to economic growth, dividend income, or interest rate movements no longer needs to buy Ethereum or Solana to access different risk factors.

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They can hold tokenized equity index funds, sector ETFs, or fixed-income instruments within the same wallet infrastructure, settled in stablecoins, with custody models that mirror traditional brokerage segregation.

This doesn't eliminate all use cases for altcoins. Tokens with clear cash flows, such as transaction fees, staking yields, and protocol revenue sharing, remain investment candidates on their own merits.

Assets that function as collateral in decentralized finance or as settlement primitives in on-chain markets have structural demand beyond price appreciation.

Projects building interoperability infrastructure, custody solutions, or identity and compliance tooling benefit if tokenized securities adoption accelerates.

However, none of those cases depend on altcoins serving as portfolio diversifiers. They're venture-style bets on specific protocols or business models, not hedges against Bitcoin volatility.

The empirical case for holding altcoins as diversification has already weakened.

The forward case depends on whether investors believe another blockchain's success will diverge meaningfully from Bitcoin's.

Recent cycles suggest skepticism. The alternative is straightforward: own Bitcoin for crypto exposure, own tokenized equities and fixed income for diversification, and treat any altcoin positions as concentrated bets rather than as part of portfolio construction.

The timeline and the frictionTokenized securities won't replace conventional markets quickly. The DTCC paper identifies multiple obstacles: consensus and finality rules vary across chains, creating settlement risk when transactions span networks.

Legal enforceability of tokenized transfers remains inconsistent across jurisdictions.

Custody models need standardization so omnibus accounts, segregated wallets, and multi-tier chains can interoperate without breaking client asset protection. Data privacy requirements conflict with transparency norms on public blockchains.

Market forecasts reflect this uncertainty.

McKinsey projects $2 trillion in tokenized financial assets by 2030 in a base case, with a bull scenario reaching $4 trillion. BCG estimates tokenized funds alone could exceed $600 billion by 2030. A more conservative view from Amundi suggests $120 billion for tokenized funds in the same timeframe.

The range is wide, but even the lower bound represents a significant scale, and none of these forecasts include cryptocurrencies or stablecoins, which already circulate at over $300 billion.

For near-term adoption, tokenized funds and Treasuries are more plausible than individual equities.

Funds offer regulatory simplicity, familiarity among existing investors, and operational advantages in settlement and liquidity management.

The path of least resistance runs through institutional adoption of tokenized money market funds and Treasury products, and eventually fixed-income and equity funds, with retail access mediated through regulated platforms.

Several indicators will clarify whether tokenized securities become a mainstream diversification option: stablecoin supply growth and regulatory treatment, adoption of interoperability standards, production deployments beyond pilots, clarity on investor protection, and distribution breadth.

None of these developments invalidates Bitcoin or eliminates speculative interest in altcoins. However, they do challenge the premise that crypto portfolios need altcoins for diversification.

The institutions building these rails control the infrastructure that processes the vast majority of global securities transactions. Their entry doesn't guarantee rapid adoption, but it establishes credible pathways for tokenized markets to scale without relying on crypto-native speculation.

For investors evaluating altcoins today, the relevant question isn't whether blockchain technology has value, but whether diversification requires exposure to blockchain protocols, or just to diversified assets that happen to settle on blockchain rails. The answer increasingly points toward the latter.

Bitcoin Market Data

At the time of press 10:59 am UTC on Mar. 5, 2026, Bitcoin is ranked #1 by market cap and the price is up 3% over the past 24 hours. Bitcoin has a market capitalization of $1.47 trillion with a 24-hour trading volume of $66.17 billion. Learn more about Bitcoin ›

Crypto Market Summary

At the time of press 10:59 am UTC on Mar. 5, 2026, the total crypto market is valued at at $2.48 trillion with a 24-hour volume of $139.66 billion. Bitcoin dominance is currently at 59.25%. Learn more about the crypto market ›

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TLDRStock Gains Momentum as Digital Asset Portfolio GrowsBusiness Model Centers on Treasury Holdings and Blockchain InfrastructureNetwork Metrics Demonstrate Growing Blockchain AdoptionGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks Tron Inc. acquires 175K TRX tokens, pushing treasury value to approximately $195M. TRON blockchain processes 12.6M daily transactions, demonstrating robust network activity. Firm accumulates 886K TRX tokens throughout current month in ongoing strategy. Merger of blockchain technology and entertainment creates unique business model. Justin Sun provides strategic direction for ecosystem development and token accumulation. Shares of Tron Inc. (TRX) experienced significant upward momentum following the company’s announcement of expanded digital asset holdings. The stock advanced 7.3% to reach $1.47 as investors responded positively to the firm’s ongoing treasury enhancement initiative. Management increased the company’s TRX position to approximately 685 million tokens, representing a market value of roughly $195 million.

Tron Inc., TRON

Stock Gains Momentum as Digital Asset Portfolio Grows The blockchain infrastructure company expanded its TRX holdings through a recent acquisition of 175,251 tokens valued at approximately $50,000. This transaction elevated the firm’s total treasury position to nearly 685 million TRX. Based on prevailing market rates, the aggregate holdings represent an estimated $195 million in digital asset value.

Just twenty-four hours prior, the organization executed an additional purchase of 177,819 TRX tokens. Management secured these digital assets at an average acquisition cost of approximately $0.28 per unit. This demonstrates the company’s commitment to systematic token accumulation throughout recent trading periods.

According to corporate disclosures, Tron Inc. has accumulated roughly 886,000 TRX tokens over the course of the current month. These combined acquisitions represent an aggregate investment exceeding $250,000. The deliberate treasury enhancement approach continues to fortify the company’s cryptocurrency position.

Business Model Centers on Treasury Holdings and Blockchain Infrastructure Tron Inc. emerged in July 2025 through a combination of the TRON blockchain initiative and SRM Entertainment. This strategic merger established a unique entity focused on blockchain infrastructure while maintaining substantial treasury exposure to TRX. Management structured the balance sheet to provide direct alignment with the network’s native digital asset.

The organization concentrates on multiple business segments including blockchain development, systematic token acquisition, and staking services. Additionally, the company pursues entertainment merchandise opportunities connected to the TRON brand and its expanding ecosystem. This approach integrates blockchain infrastructure capabilities with digital media ventures.

Cryptocurrency pioneer Justin Sun maintains an advisory role within the organization. His involvement shapes strategic direction and ecosystem expansion initiatives. The treasury-focused business model delivers shareholder value through direct TRX token exposure.

Network Metrics Demonstrate Growing Blockchain Adoption The TRX token serves as the fundamental asset within the TRON blockchain ecosystem, facilitating transactions, powering decentralized applications, and enabling digital content distribution. Network utilization experienced substantial growth throughout the fourth quarter of 2025. The platform processed over 994 million transactions during this three-month span.

This transaction volume marked a 16.5% quarter-over-quarter increase. Daily activity metrics also showed consistent upward trends from approximately eight million transactions earlier in the calendar year. During peak usage periods, the blockchain handled more than 12 million daily transactions.

On October 28, the TRON network established a new daily record by processing 12.6 million transactions. Even at these elevated activity levels, the infrastructure maintained sufficient capacity to accommodate additional growth without performance degradation. CoinGecko market data positions TRX among the most valuable cryptocurrency assets globally.

Sun anticipates increased engagement from conventional financial institutions in blockchain-based settlement infrastructure. He specifically referenced major players including BlackRock, Nasdaq, and the New York Stock Exchange as prospective participants in tokenized asset markets. Consequently, Tron Inc. pursues infrastructure expansion while simultaneously strengthening its TRX treasury holdings.

Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) is gaining momentum despite social sentiment at historically low levels — a setup that often precedes contrarian rallies Cryptocurrency Ticker Price Market Cap 1-Day Trend Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.09586 $14.7 billion + 3% Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.055643 $3.3 billion +1.4% Pepe (CRYPTO: PEPE) $0.053550 $1.5 billion -1.4% Trader Notes: Trader Tardigrade noted that Dogecoin briefly rallied into Ichimoku cloud resistance (Kumo) but was sharply rejected, reinforcing a short-term bearish outlook. This suggests price attempted to enter a bullish zone but was quickly pushed back.