Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Calix (CALX - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.47 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.4 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.33 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +17.50%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this cloud, software platforms, systems and services provider for communications service providers would post earnings of $0.38 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.4, delivering a surprise of +5.26%.

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

Calix, which belongs to the Zacks Internet - Software industry, posted revenues of $293.33 million for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.20%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $241.88 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.

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

Calix shares have lost about 26.1% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.9%.

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

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

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

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Calix was unfavorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.47 on $302.66 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $1.80 on $1.19 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Internet - Software is currently in the top 37% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Another stock from the same industry, Docebo Inc. (DCBO - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. The results are expected to be released on August 7.

This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.29 per share in its upcoming report, which represents no change from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 2.8% higher over the last 30 days to the current level.

Docebo Inc.'s revenues are expected to be $66.81 million, up 10% from the year-ago quarter.

Whirlpool (WHR - Free Report) ended the recent trading session at $36.91, demonstrating a -3.48% change from the preceding day's closing price. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.19%. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.59%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.05%.

The stock of maker of Maytag, KitchenAid and other appliances has fallen by 1.6% in the past month, lagging the Consumer Discretionary sector's gain of 1.02% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.55%.

Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Whirlpool in its upcoming release. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $0.08, marking a 94.03% fall compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $3.61 billion, down 4.45% from the year-ago period.

In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $1.16 per share and a revenue of $15.02 billion, indicating changes of -81.38% and -3.26%, respectively, from the former year.

Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Whirlpool. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 54.41% fall in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Whirlpool is currently a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).

Looking at valuation, Whirlpool is presently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 33.11. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 28.5, which means Whirlpool is trading at a premium to the group.

Investors should also note that WHR has a PEG ratio of 33.11 right now. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. The Household Appliances industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 16.94 as of yesterday's close.

The Household Appliances industry is part of the Consumer Discretionary sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 102, positioning it in the top 42% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to use Zacks.com to monitor all these stock-influencing metrics, and more, throughout the forthcoming trading sessions.

ServisFirst Bancshares (SFBS - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.57 per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate . This compares to earnings of $1.21 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

A quarter ago, it was expected that this holding company for ServisFirst Bank would post earnings of $1.53 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.54, delivering a surprise of +0.65%.

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

ServisFirst, which belongs to the Zacks Financial - Savings and Loan industry, posted revenues of $168.53 million for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.36%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $140.67 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates two times over the last four quarters.

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

ServisFirst shares have added about 21.1% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.9%.

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

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

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

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

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $1.59 on $174.76 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $6.40 on $682.18 million in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Financial - Savings and Loan is currently in the top 37% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

TFS Financial (TFSL - Free Report) , another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026.

This holding company for Third Federal Savings and Loan is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.08 per share in its upcoming report, which represents no change from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

TFS Financial's revenues are expected to be $87.3 million, up 6.4% from the year-ago quarter.

ServisFirst Bancshares NYSE: SFBS reported stronger second-quarter earnings as loan demand accelerated, net interest margin expanded and credit metrics improved, executives said on the company’s earnings call.

Chief Financial Officer David Sparacio said the company earned net income of $85.8 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2026. That compared with $1.52 per diluted share in the first quarter and $1.12 per diluted share in the prior-year quarter. On an adjusted basis, excluding items that affected last year’s results, diluted earnings per share increased 30% from $1.21 a year earlier, he said.

For the first six months of 2026, ServisFirst reported net income of $168.8 million, or $3.09 per diluted share, up from $124.6 million, or $2.28 per diluted share, in the same period last year. Return on average assets was 1.91%, compared with 1.89% in the first quarter and 1.40% a year earlier. Return on average common equity was 17.71%, compared with 17.91% in the first quarter.

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Loan Growth Accelerates as Pipeline Reaches Record Level Chief Executive Officer Tom Broughton said the company was “generally pleased” with the quarter, citing annualized loan growth of more than 15%. He said nearly all of ServisFirst’s 13 regions or segments produced “really solid loan growth,” with the strongest growth coming from the company’s two Florida regions and Tennessee.

Broughton emphasized that growth was broad-based, saying no region contributed more than 15% of total growth and almost none contributed less than 10%. He said the growth was “very granular” and not driven by several large credits.

Ending loans were $14.48 billion, up $533 million from the first quarter, or 15.3% annualized, Sparacio said. Average loans increased $440 million, or 12.8% annualized, on a linked-quarter basis. Year over year, loans increased $1.25 billion, or 9.4%.

Broughton said ServisFirst’s loan pipeline grew quarter over quarter and reached a record level. Projected payoffs for the current quarter were 17%, roughly in line with the prior quarter and down from about 33% over the past two years. He said payoffs appear to be returning closer to historical levels as loan demand rebuilds.

During the question-and-answer session, Broughton characterized the current loan demand environment as an “A,” noting that activity was broad-based and composed of many smaller loans. However, he declined to forecast whether mid-teens loan growth would continue for the rest of the year, citing uncertainty around payoffs, interest rates and geopolitical events.

Net Interest Margin Expands, Though Pace May Slow Sparacio said net interest income was $155.6 million, up from $148.1 million in the first quarter and $131.7 million a year earlier. Net interest margin expanded to 3.63%, up 10 basis points from the first quarter and 53 basis points year over year.

The quarter included a $1.9 million recovery of interest income related to a large credit relationship that had been on nonaccrual status and was fully paid out. Sparacio said that recovery accounted for five basis points of the improvement in loan yields and total net interest margin.

On the funding side, average interest-bearing deposit costs were 2.80%, essentially flat with 2.79% in the first quarter and down 53 basis points from a year earlier. Loan yields were 6.23%, or 6.18% on a normalized basis, while investment yields were 3.81%.

In response to an analyst question, Sparacio said management is looking at the adjusted margin level, including a June spot rate of 3.59%, as the starting point for further expansion. He said ServisFirst still has more than $2 billion of opportunity from scheduled loan maturities, cash flows, covenant violations and loan modifications, but added that the pace of margin expansion is likely to slow as the gap between new loan yields and total portfolio yields narrows.

Sparacio said the company may see “one more quarter” of 7 to 9 basis points of margin expansion, but suggested a 4 to 6 basis point range may be more appropriate toward the end of the year.

Deposits Grow More Slowly, Non-Interest-Bearing Balances Rise Broughton said deposit growth was constrained during the quarter by large income tax payments tied to client sales of properties and companies. Still, he said non-interest-bearing deposits grew 20% annualized in the quarter and 14% year over year, reflecting the company’s focus on treasury management services.

Ending deposits were $14.55 billion, up $62 million from the first quarter and $686 million, or 5%, from a year earlier, Sparacio said. Non-interest-bearing demand deposits totaled $3 billion, up 5.6% from the first quarter and 13.8% year over year.

Broughton said ServisFirst prefers to be in a position where it needs deposits to fund loan demand, rather than searching for loans to make. He added that the company typically sees stronger deposit growth in the second half of the year. Sparacio said the company’s pipeline includes both loans and deposits, with deposit opportunities emerging in Texas.

ServisFirst ended the quarter with $1.46 billion in cash and cash equivalents, equal to about 8% of total assets. Sparacio said the company had no Federal Home Loan Bank advances and no brokered deposits, with funding remaining “entirely core and relationship driven.”

Credit Quality Improves; CRE Concentration Ticks Higher Chief Credit Officer Jim Harper said lending momentum improved during the quarter and continued into the early third quarter. He said growth was driven by commercial real estate activity, which pushed CRE outstandings relative to capital from 298% at the end of the first quarter to 307% at quarter end.

Harper said ServisFirst does not see “any systemic weakening in any particular sector of lending” and said credit quality remains strong. Nonperforming assets decreased by just under $7 million on a net basis during the quarter following the successful resolution of several credits early in the period.

Charge-offs remained modest, totaling approximately $3.7 million for the quarter and just over $12 million, or 9 basis points, for the first half of the year. Sparacio said net charge-offs were 11 basis points annualized in the quarter, down from 25 basis points in the first quarter and 20 basis points a year earlier. The allowance for credit losses stood at 1.26% of total loans, compared with 1.25% in the prior quarter.

Asked about the company’s CRE concentration ratio moving above 300%, Broughton said ServisFirst remains comfortable with its position and has “lots of headroom” before reaching a level management would want to avoid. He said real estate lending opportunities were broad-based across categories and not concentrated in one segment.

Expenses, Capital and Houston Expansion in Focus Non-interest income was $12.9 million, up from $10.8 million in the first quarter and up 43.5% from a year earlier on an adjusted basis. Sparacio cited broad-based growth, including higher service charges, mortgage banking revenue, credit card income and bank-owned life insurance income.

Non-interest expense was $50 million, up 5.4% from the first quarter and 13% year over year. Sparacio said the linked-quarter increase was primarily due to a negative adjustment recorded in the FDIC special assessment in the first quarter. The efficiency ratio was 29.65%, the third consecutive quarter below 30%.

Salary and benefit expense rose 16.4% year over year, primarily reflecting the full run-rate impact of the Houston market expansion. Full-time equivalent headcount was 663 at quarter end, up 22 from a year earlier and up three from the first quarter. Broughton said the company added nine bankers during the quarter, including three in Houston and a new market president and regional CEO there.

Sparacio said the $50 million quarterly expense run rate is a reasonable current level and said the Houston buildout is currently a drag on the efficiency ratio as loans and deposits ramp more slowly than expenses. Broughton said Houston funded about $50 million in loans and $25 million to $30 million in deposits during the quarter.

Capital continued to build, with preliminary Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets at 11.83%, total capital to risk-weighted assets at 13.09% and tangible common equity to tangible total assets at 10.72%. Book value per share was $36.19, up nearly 15% from a year earlier, while tangible book value per share was $35.94.

Broughton said the company is still not “hitting on all eight cylinders,” but is getting closer than it has been in the last two years. He said reaching a 2% return on assets may be difficult, but called it “a worthy goal,” while emphasizing that the primary goal remains growth in earnings per share.

About ServisFirst Bancshares (NYSE:SFBS)ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc is a bank holding company headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, and the parent of ServisFirst Bank. The company specializes in commercial banking services, catering primarily to small and mid-sized businesses, professionals and entrepreneurs. Its product portfolio encompasses commercial real estate lending, commercial and industrial loans, deposit accounts, treasury management and other ancillary banking products designed to meet the financial needs of its clients.

ServisFirst Bank offers a full suite of deposit products, including interest-bearing checking, money market accounts and certificates of deposit, as well as a variety of loan products.

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

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In the latest close session, Owens Corning (OC - Free Report) was down 2.36% at $140.52. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily loss of 0.19%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw a downswing of 0.59%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 0.05%.

Shares of the construction materials company witnessed a gain of 12.31% over the previous month, beating the performance of the Construction sector with its loss of 4.61%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.55%.

Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Owens Corning in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to be unveiled on August 5, 2026. The company is expected to report EPS of $3.06, down 27.32% from the prior-year quarter. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $2.67 billion, indicating a 2.75% downward movement from the same quarter last year.

For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $9.55 per share and a revenue of $9.93 billion, representing changes of -20.75% and -1.68%, respectively, from the prior year.

Investors should also pay attention to any latest changes in analyst estimates for Owens Corning. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.21% higher within the past month. Owens Corning currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Looking at its valuation, Owens Corning is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 15.08. This represents a discount compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 18.37.

Also, we should mention that OC has a PEG ratio of 2.79. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. The average PEG ratio for the Building Products - Miscellaneous industry stood at 1.53 at the close of the market yesterday.

The Building Products - Miscellaneous industry is part of the Construction sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 157, which puts it in the bottom 37% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.

In the latest close session, SharkNinja, Inc. (SN - Free Report) was down 1.1% at $152.83. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily loss of 0.19%. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.59%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.05%.

The company's shares have seen an increase of 9.72% over the last month, surpassing the Consumer Discretionary sector's gain of 1.02% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.55%.

Market participants will be closely following the financial results of SharkNinja, Inc. in its upcoming release. The company plans to announce its earnings on August 5, 2026. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $1.09, marking a 12.37% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Simultaneously, our latest consensus estimate expects the revenue to be $1.64 billion, showing a 13.45% escalation compared to the year-ago quarter.

For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $6.14 per share and a revenue of $7.2 billion, representing changes of +16.29% and +12.44%, respectively, from the prior year.

Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for SharkNinja, Inc. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.

Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.36% higher within the past month. At present, SharkNinja, Inc. boasts a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Looking at valuation, SharkNinja, Inc. is presently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 25.19. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 16.13, which means SharkNinja, Inc. is trading at a premium to the group.

Also, we should mention that SN has a PEG ratio of 1.94. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. As the market closed yesterday, the Consumer Products - Discretionary industry was having an average PEG ratio of 1.6.

The Consumer Products - Discretionary industry is part of the Consumer Discretionary sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 163, which puts it in the bottom 34% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to use Zacks.com to monitor all these stock-influencing metrics, and more, throughout the forthcoming trading sessions.

Sprouts Farmers (SFM - Free Report) closed at $74.61 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.54% move from the prior day. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.19%. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.59%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.05%.

Prior to today's trading, shares of the natural and organic food retailer had lost 5.85% lagged the Retail-Wholesale sector's gain of 2.41% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.55%.

Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Sprouts Farmers in its upcoming release. The company plans to announce its earnings on July 29, 2026. In that report, analysts expect Sprouts Farmers to post earnings of $1.35 per share. This would mark no growth from the year-ago period. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $2.33 billion, up 4.91% from the year-ago period.

Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $5.57 per share and revenue of $9.51 billion. These totals would mark changes of +4.9% and +8.04%, respectively, from last year.

Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Sprouts Farmers. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.

Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.

The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been no change in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Right now, Sprouts Farmers possesses a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

With respect to valuation, Sprouts Farmers is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 13.6. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 15.51 of its industry.

It is also worth noting that SFM currently has a PEG ratio of 1.6. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. SFM's industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.5 as of yesterday's close.

The Food - Natural Foods Products industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 217, putting it in the bottom 12% of all 250+ industries.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.

Domino's Pizza (DPZ +2.11%) reported Q2 earnings before the market opened on Monday, and it was a mixed bag for the world's largest pizza chain.
The company beat on revenue, which grew 4.3% year over year to $1.194 billion, slightly topping analysts' forecasts of $1.18 billion.

But the company's earnings per share (EPS) came in at $4.07, missing the analysts' consensus estimate of $4.11, yet handily beating the prior-year quarter's EPS of just $3.81, for a growth rate of $0.26/share, or 6.8%.

But the biggest news for Domino's investors was its unchanged forecast for the year, which still called for low-single-digit same-store sales growth in both U.S. and international locations.

Despite the lackluster report, shares finished up 3.1% over Friday's close, as big premarket gains on news of the revenue beat were trimmed in the opening hours of trading.

But is Domino's Pizza a buy after this report? Here's what investors need to know.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Times are tough all over It's a challenging macroeconomic environment for Domino's.

On the one hand, consumers are being squeezed by inflation and a tepid job market, and are looking for ways to stretch their limited budgets. And with prices going up across the restaurant industry, including at many fast food chains, a large pizza remains one of the most economical ways to feed a family of four. That was borne out by the company's order count growth in both delivery and carryout during the quarter. CEO Russell Weiner cited "millions of new customers" who the company hopes will become repeat customers and drive further growth.

On the other hand, eating out -- even when you're eating something as affordable as pizza -- is still a discretionary purchase. Domino's isn't just competing against other quick-service restaurants but also against the more affordable option of cooking at home. That, too, appears to be borne out in the company's numbers, with U.S. year-over-year same-store sales growth of 0.1% representing the lowest since Q1 2025. With international same-store sales growth actually declining by 0.1%, it was the worst overall same-store sales growth picture in three years.

Cash-strapped consumers appear to be looking for bargains and discounts, which is likely to continue to impact the company's margins moving forward.

Image source: Getty Images.

Rising costs Domino's itself is getting pinched by the same economic factors affecting its customer base, including inflation and tariffs. Tomato prices, for example, hit record highs in April, according to the Consumer Price Index. And although they eased somewhat in May, they were still 20% more expensive in June than they were a year ago. Even though restaurants pay less for produce than retail consumers, rising costs for tomatoes and other ingredients either need to be passed along to consumers or weigh on the restaurant's bottom line.

At least for now, it appears as though Domino's has been successful in managing these increased costs. Supply chain revenue was up 6.5% on a 2.2% increase in "food-basket pricing," which indicates the company has passed moderate ingredient cost increases on to its franchisees. Cost of sales, however, still rose 4.7% over the prior year, to $716.2 million.

However, the company still predicts lackluster growth in the low single digits to persist throughout the year, as the macroeconomic outlook remains stagnant.

Although Domino's seems to be weathering a rough economic environment well, its shares are down 29.4% for the year, reflecting investor pessimism.

Today's Change

(

2.11

%) $

6.79

Current Price

$

328.97

From a value standpoint, that gives the company a price-to-earnings ratio of 19, easily the lowest it's been in a decade. At the same time, the company's dividend yield has risen to 2.3%. The company is likely to return to growth once the economy improves, but it may take some time.

Value investors who can be patient and wait out this rough patch will likely find the current share price a compelling entry point for this stalwart business. But in the near term, outperformance seems unlikely.

Nice (NICE - Free Report) closed the most recent trading day at $101.34, moving +1.19% from the previous trading session. This change outpaced the S&P 500's 0.19% loss on the day. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a drop of 0.59%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw a decrease of 0.05%.

The software company's shares have seen an increase of 18.27% over the last month, surpassing the Computer and Technology sector's loss of 4.32% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.55%.

Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Nice in its upcoming earnings disclosure. In that report, analysts expect Nice to post earnings of $2.63 per share. This would mark a year-over-year decline of 12.62%. Simultaneously, our latest consensus estimate expects the revenue to be $767.17 million, showing a 5.57% escalation compared to the year-ago quarter.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $11.1 per share and a revenue of $3.18 billion, demonstrating changes of -9.76% and +7.92%, respectively, from the preceding year.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Nice should also be noted by investors. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.

Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection remained stagnant. Nice is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.

In terms of valuation, Nice is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 9.02. This denotes a discount relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 20.12.

Meanwhile, NICE's PEG ratio is currently 0.85. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. The Internet - Software industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.09 as trading concluded yesterday.

The Internet - Software industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 91, positioning it in the top 37% of all 250+ industries.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

To follow NICE in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.

Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC - Free Report) closed at $2.90 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.69% move from the prior day. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 0.19% for the day. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 0.59%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.05%.

The stock of lithium producer has fallen by 32.49% in the past month, lagging the Basic Materials sector's loss of 9.42% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.55%.

Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Lithium Americas Corp. in its upcoming earnings disclosure. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of -$0.04, marking a 33.33% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of -$0.14 per share and a revenue of $0 million, representing changes of +69.57% and 0%, respectively, from the prior year.

It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Lithium Americas Corp. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has remained steady. Lithium Americas Corp. presently features a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

The Mining - Miscellaneous industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 201, positioning it in the bottom 19% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

To follow LAC in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.

After soaring more than 400% over the past year to $299, Nebius Group (NBIS +2.70%) stock has finally pulled back, falling roughly 32% from its peak (as of writing).

For many investors, that naturally raises the question: Is this an opportunity to buy one of the market's fastest-growing artificial intelligence stocks?

While the decline has made the stock more attractive than it was just a few weeks ago, investors shouldn't rush to buy simply because the share price is lower. After all, stocks don't become bargains because they fall. They become bargains when the underlying business improves faster than investor expectations.

That's the question investors should be asking about Nebius today.

Image source: Getty Images.

The business may actually be stronger today Despite the recent correction, nothing much has changed about Nebius' business.

The company recently reported revenue growth of 684% year over year to $399 million, while its AI cloud business grew an even more impressive 841%. Annual recurring revenue (ARR) reached a run rate approaching $2 billion, and management still expects ARR to reach between $7 billion and $9 billion by the end of 2026.

Those numbers suggest demand for Nebius' AI cloud platform remains exceptionally strong.

The broader industry backdrop also continues to support the company's growth. As enterprises increasingly adopt artificial intelligence (AI), demand for graphics processing units (GPUs) and AI cloud infrastructure remains robust.

The beauty of Nebius's business model is that it isn't building AI models itself. Instead, it provides the computing infrastructure needed to train and run them. In many ways, the company is selling the picks and shovels behind the AI boom.

So, regardless of which model wins eventually, Nebius will own a share of the market.

Today's Change

(

2.70

%) $

4.80

Current Price

$

182.51

So why did the stock fall? If the business continues performing well, why has the stock price declined? The answer, while not straightforward, probably lies in changing expectations.

Following its extraordinary rally, Nebius's stock was priced for near-perfect execution. Investors weren't simply expecting strong growth -- they were expecting the company to become one of the biggest winners in AI infrastructure.

When expectations become that high, even excellent businesses can see their share prices fall. To put it into perspective, the stock still trades at a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 58 times despite its recent correction.

In other words, likely, the market wasn't disappointed by Nebius' results. Instead, investors became more selective about how much they were willing to pay for AI infrastructure stocks after months of extraordinary gains.

Besides, there are also legitimate risks. Nebius plans to invest aggressively to expand its AI cloud infrastructure, requiring enormous capital expenditures over the coming years. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, the company's capex was $2.5 billion. While that spending could strengthen its competitive position, it also increases execution risk if AI demand eventually slows or supply catches up.

What should investors do now? For long-term investors, the recent pullback certainly makes Nebius more interesting than it was a month ago. But it doesn't automatically make the stock a bargain.

One lesson investors should not forget is that an exceptional business and an exceptional investment are not always the same thing. Even great companies can produce disappointing returns if investors pay too high a price.

Instead of focusing on the recent share price decline, investors should watch to see whether Nebius continues to sign long-term customer contracts, expand annual recurring revenue, generate attractive returns on capital, and build competitive advantages beyond simply renting GPUs.

If investors have conviction that Nebius can deliver on those fronts and are willing to tolerate volatility down the road, the recent stock correction could be a starting point to buy shares. Even then, they don't need to rush to load up.

But for the average conservative investor, Nebius's stock remains extremely risky due to its high valuation.

Although the U.S. stock market as a whole came down with a case of the Mondays on the first trading day of the week, the crypto mining sector bounced well higher. Highly encouraging news from two industry mainstays helped lift sentiment toward peer companies.

One of the beneficiaries was CleanSpark (CLSK +10.67%), whose stock closed nearly 11% higher that day.

The sparks that lit the fire The most important development in the crypto mining sphere lately hasn't been related to its traditional activity. Several years ago, in order to take advantage of the hot build-out of artificial intelligence (AI)-capable infrastructure, miners began to pivot into the operation of AI data centers. CleanSpark was something of a holdout until recently.

Image source: Getty Images.

On Monday, embracing the pivot seemed like a very wise strategy. CleanSpark rival Iren announced it had signed $2.8 billion worth of AI cloud services contracts with several clients. Better, these customers include such well-capitalized tech sector heavyweights as Nvidia and Microsoft.

As if that wasn't sufficiently market-moving, Hut 8 announced Monday it signed a second lease with an existing tenant at its Beacon Point data center in Texas. This new agreement will be in force for 15 years, and is worth a rich $9.8 billion. Hut 8 did not identify the tenant.

Today's Change

(

10.67

%) $

1.39

Current Price

$

14.42

Hot, and only getting hotter Two splashy deals landing on the same day are clear and unambiguous proof that demand for AI-ready data centers remains sky-high.

More and more, miners like CleanSpark look very wise for pivoting into this segment, which clearly has a long and lucrative future. While Monday's bounce in the affected stocks' share prices was considerable, I think the sector as a whole has even more upside.

Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Microsoft and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

CoreWeave (NASDAQ:CRWV) heads into its 2Q26 earnings report in early August with investors watching execution more than demand. Demand for GPU capacity is...

Issued on behalf of Starfighters Space, Inc.

The commercial space sector has crossed from promise into a real, revenue-generating industry with a backlog north of $500 billion. Starfighters Space, Inc. (NYSE American: FJET) is betting the next phase belongs less to bigger rockets than to cheaper, faster, more flexible ways of reaching altitude.

, /PRNewswire/ -- (Equity Insider News Commentary) — For most of the last decade, the story of commercial space was told in rocket sizes. Bigger boosters, heavier payloads, taller vehicles on bigger pads. That story produced real results and one enormous winner. But it also obscured something the numbers now make impossible to ignore: the space economy has quietly become an actual industry, with actual revenue, actual backlog, and an actual bottleneck. And the bottleneck is not ambition. It is access. Starfighters Space, Inc. (NYSE American: FJET) has built its entire thesis around that gap.

Key Takeaways

The sector has crossed into industry status. Estimates put the global space economy around $626 billion in 2025, heading toward roughly $670 billion in 2026 and projected past $1 trillion by 2040, with the most aggressive forecasts reaching $1.8 trillion by 2035. Commercial space is growing at an estimated 12% to 15% annually, outpacing the broader economy. Capital markets have validated it. The 2025 IPOs of Voyager Technologies and Firefly Aerospace, Amazon's $11.6 billion acquisition of Globalstar, CACI's $2.6 billion purchase of ARKA, and SpaceX's Nasdaq debut on June 29, 2026 collectively mark a sector that public and strategic investors now treat as investable infrastructure. Government demand is the floor. The U.S. FY2027 space budget totals $59.7 billion and funds 31 launches, a step-change from prior years, while NASA routes roughly 73.5% of its $24.44 billion FY2026 budget through contracts with outside businesses and institutions. Access is the constraint. Space launch services are projected to grow from roughly $13.85 billion in 2026 to $24.42 billion by 2030 at a 15.2% compound rate. Demand for flight testing, payload validation and small-satellite delivery is rising faster than conventional launch capacity can absorb it. A different route to altitude. Starfighters Space operates what it describes as the world's only commercial fleet of flight-ready Mach 2+ F-104 supersonic aircraft, providing commercial supersonic flight-test services that support hypersonic research and development programs while developing its STARLAUNCH air-launch program, and joined the Russell 3000 Index effective June 29, 2026. From Science Project to Industry

The most important thing that happened to commercial space is that it stopped being a story about the future and became a story about revenue. Estimates place the global space economy at roughly $626 billion in 2025, rising to about $670 billion in 2026 as operational Starship flights begin, and approaching $740 billion by 2028 as the Kuiper constellation deploys. By 2030, the market could approach $950 billion, supported by commercial space stations. The most aggressive long-range forecasts put the sector at $1.8 trillion by 2035, factoring in space tourism, in-space manufacturing and cislunar activity.

Those are large numbers, and large numbers in emerging sectors deserve skepticism. The sector has declared inflection points before. What makes this moment different is the mix of evidence underneath the projections. The World Economic Forum, examining the same trend, pointed to the 2025 IPOs of Voyager Technologies and Firefly Aerospace, Amazon's $11.6 billion acquisition of Globalstar, and CACI's $2.6 billion purchase of ARKA as signals of something more durable than a single mega-listing. Then came the biggest marker of all: SpaceX debuted on the Nasdaq on June 29, 2026, giving public investors direct access to the sector's dominant player for the first time.

The structural shift the WEF identified is worth stating plainly: value is moving from selling space assets to selling the outcomes they enable. That is the difference between a hardware business and an infrastructure business, and it is why the growth rates hold up. Commercial space is estimated to be compounding at 12% to 15% annually against roughly 9% for the space economy overall, itself outpacing global GDP.

The Floor Under the Sector

Speculative sectors get repriced violently when sentiment turns. What limits the downside in space is that a large share of the demand is not sentiment at all. It is appropriated. The U.S. FY2027 space budget totals $59.7 billion and funds 31 launches, a meaningful step up from prior years. NASA's FY2026 budget of $24.44 billion routes roughly 73.5% of annual spending through agreements and contracts with nearly 5,000 businesses, universities and nonprofits, an explicit structural preference for commercial partners over government-owned systems.

That preference shows up in program design. The Commercial Lunar Payload Services program began with a ceiling near $2.6 billion and has been raised to roughly $4.2 billion by 2026, with a Phase 2 roadmap targeting 77 lunar lander missions over the next decade at an estimated $6 billion, explicitly engineered to drive per-mission cost from about $129 million toward $91 million. Defense demand runs on a parallel track, with hypersonic flight testing, missile-defense programs and space-based interceptor work all funded through sustained procurement cycles.

The practical consequence is that the commercial-space backlog recently crossed $500 billion. Backlog is not revenue, and conversion is where companies live or die. But a half-trillion-dollar order book anchored substantially in government appropriations is a fundamentally different risk profile than a sector running purely on venture optimism.

The Bottleneck Is Access, Not Ambition

Here is the part the rocket-size narrative obscures. Before a satellite can beam data or a vehicle can reach orbit, the hardware has to be tested, the crews trained, the payloads validated, and the sensors flown in real conditions. That infrastructure layer, the unglamorous work of getting things to altitude repeatedly and affordably, is where demand is currently outrunning supply.

The market data reflects it. Space launch services are projected to grow from roughly $13.85 billion in 2026 to $24.42 billion by 2030, a 15.2% compound annual rate, driven by rising LEO and MEO satellite deployment, expanding private launch providers and growing demand for navigation and surveillance systems. Commercial satellite launch services specifically are forecast to move from about $8.65 billion in 2026 to $11.15 billion by 2030. The constraint is not whether payloads exist. It is launch cadence, test capacity, and cost per attempt.

This is the gap Starfighters Space is targeting, and it does so with an approach almost nobody else is running. The company operates a fleet of F-104 Starfighter jets, aircraft originally built for pure speed, which it says can sustain Mach 2, roughly twice the speed of sound. That fleet provides commercial supersonic flight-test and R&D services supporting hypersonic programs for government and commercial clients today, from the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA Kennedy Space Center. The company describes it as the world's only commercial fleet of flight-ready Mach 2+ supersonic aircraft.

The longer-term program is STARLAUNCH, an air-launch architecture designed to use the aircraft as a reusable first-stage lifting platform, carrying launch vehicles with payloads and satellites to high altitude before release. CEO Tim Franta has described a staged development path beginning with a planned drop test, followed by progressively more advanced flight demonstrations and, ultimately, orbital launch capability. The company added two senior leaders from Blue Origin's New Glenn program in May 2026 and secured a $17.5 million strategic investment to advance the work.

Regulation is moving in a helpful direction too. Starfighters publicly backed the FAA's proposal to modernize supersonic flight rules. "As the operator of the world's only commercial fleet of flight-ready Mach 2+ aircraft, we view this proposal as an important milestone for the future of high-speed aviation," said Franta, adding that a modern regulatory framework "can help support continued investment in commercial flight testing while reinforcing America's leadership in space." The company also joined the broad-market Russell 3000 Index effective June 29, 2026.

The Cohort: Four Doors Into the Same Trade

Starfighters is a small, development-stage company, and the names below are larger and are referenced here only as market and thematic context, not as peers, competitors, or financial comparables to FJET. Together they map the sector's segments: launch, lunar services, connectivity and data. One honest caveat up front, because it matters for reading the chart: this group sold off sharply in the weeks around SpaceX's Nasdaq debut, with several names down double digits over the past month after enormous runs. Coverage of the pullback has largely characterized it as profit-taking and rotation within the sector rather than a break in the underlying thesis. All figures are approximate and subject to change.

Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) is the closest thing the sector has to a proven challenger, and the clearest read on launch demand. The company has built a roughly $2.2 billion backlog, was selected for the Department of War's Space Based Interceptor program under Golden Dome for America alongside Raytheon, closed its acquisition of laser-communications firm Mynaric, and is targeting the debut of its medium-lift Neutron vehicle in the fourth quarter of 2026. Rocket Lab is the proof that launch demand is real and fundable. It is also the reminder that launch is brutally capital-intensive: the company is still burning cash and ran a $450 million ATM raise in the first quarter. That combination, enormous demand meeting expensive supply, is exactly the tension an air-launch approach is designed to attack.

Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ: LUNR) demonstrates how quickly government demand can compound into a real business. The lunar-services company is up roughly 166% year to date even after a sharp monthly drawdown, delivered about 199% revenue growth, and carries a record backlog near $1.06 billion, anchored by a U.S. Space Force Andromeda IDIQ contract with an anticipated ceiling of $6.2 billion. Its FY2026 revenue guidance stands at $900 million to $1 billion. Intuitive Machines shows what the CLPS-style commercial procurement model produces when it works, and also its concentration risk: a single federal budget shift can reset the earnings power of a business built this way.

AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS) represents the demand side that makes launch capacity valuable in the first place. The company is building a satellite constellation designed to connect directly to unmodified smartphones, with roughly 60 mobile network operator partnerships covering more than 3 billion subscribers, $3.03 billion in cash, and reaffirmed FY2026 revenue guidance of $150 million to $200 million while targeting about 45 satellites in orbit by year-end. Every constellation like this one is, from a launch provider's perspective, a multi-year stream of payloads that has to get to orbit. ASTS is also a fair warning about timelines: its first-quarter revenue badly missed consensus, and it remains effectively pre-revenue at commercial scale.

Planet Labs (NYSE: PL) is arguably the best illustration of the WEF's point that value is migrating from assets to outcomes. The Earth-observation company sells subscription access to daily global imagery rather than selling satellites, posted first-quarter revenue growth of roughly 42% year over year, raised full-year guidance to a range of $425 million to $441 million, and rose about 16% on that news in late June. It also moved up from the Russell 2000 into the Russell 1000, a step on the same index ladder

Starfighters recently joined at the Russell 3000 level. Planet shows the recurring-revenue endgame the sector is building toward, once the access problem is solved at scale.

What Has to Be True

A sector-level thesis does not exempt any individual company from having to execute, and Starfighters is early. It has not flown STARLAUNCH. Suborbital is a next-year objective and orbital sits 18 months to two years beyond that on the company's own stated timeline. It will need capital, regulatory progress, and successful hardware milestones to convert an unconventional idea into a business. The $17.5 million investment and the Blue Origin hires are inputs, not outcomes.

What is worth understanding is the shape of the bet. If the space economy really is on a path from roughly $670 billion today to something multiples of that within a decade, the constraint will not be demand for what satellites do. It will be the cost, cadence and flexibility of getting hardware to altitude and proving it works. The companies solving that layer, whether with reusable rockets, air-launch platforms, or approaches nobody has funded yet, sit upstream of everything else in the industry. Starfighters is pursuing a specific, staged development strategy built around an existing aircraft fleet and reusable airborne infrastructure, from a fleet of aircraft that already exists and already flies. Future flight-test milestones, including the planned drop test, are expected to provide important validation of the STARLAUNCH development program.

CONTINUED… Follow Starfighters Space as STARLAUNCH advances toward its first drop test and get the full story and updates here.

About Starfighters Space, Inc.

Starfighters Space, Inc. (NYSE American: FJET) is an space company and the owner and operator of what it describes as the world's only commercial fleet of flight-ready Mach 2+ F-104 supersonic aircraft, operating from the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Current programs include commercial supersonic flight-test services supporting hypersonic research and development, air-launch development through the STARLAUNCH program, planned microgravity missions, and space research activities. The company joined the Russell 3000 Index effective June 29, 2026. Tim Franta serves as Chief Executive Officer.

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Because a conflict of interest exists due to the compensation described above, individuals are strongly encouraged not to use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. Market Equities and its owners, operators, directors, and affiliates do not currently own any shares of Starfighters Space, Inc., but reserve the right to buy, sell, or hold shares of Starfighters Space, Inc. at any time without further notice, commencing immediately and ongoing. We also expect to receive further compensation as part of an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company, and no further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material, including this article, which is disseminated by Market Equities has been reviewed and approved on behalf of Starfighters Space, Inc. by CDMG. While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. Individuals should assume that all information contained in this publication is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research. Always consult a licensed investment professional before making any investment decision. Be extremely careful, investing in securities carries a high degree of risk; you may lose some or all of your investment.

Forward-Looking Statements. This publication may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding Starfighters Space, Inc.'s STARLAUNCH development program, anticipated suborbital and orbital launch timelines, flight testing and drop-test plans, regulatory developments, capital requirements, and market opportunity. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will," "should," "could," or the negative of such terms. These statements are based on current expectations and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including risks that development timelines slip or milestones are not achieved, that additional capital may not be available on acceptable terms, hardware and flight-test risk, regulatory outcomes, competition, and general economic conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this publication. Neither the company nor any other party undertakes any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers should conduct their own due diligence before making any investment decisions.

Third-Party Data and Comparables. Market size, growth, budget and backlog figures cited in this article are drawn from third-party industry research, government budget disclosures and press reports, are estimates or projections rather than guarantees, and are subject to revision. Third-party comparable companies referenced (RKLB, LUNR, ASTS, PL) are provided solely as market and thematic context and are not peers, competitors, or comparables of Starfighters Space, Inc.; all third-party performance figures are approximate, reflect a period of significant sector volatility, and are subject to change. Past performance of any referenced company is not indicative or predictive of FJET future trading performance. This disclaimer, together with your access to and use of this content, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Ireland.

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SOURCE Equity Insider

, /PRNewswire/ -- 

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Futu Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: FUTU) between May 24, 2023 and May 27, 2026, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important August 25, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

So what: If you purchased Futu securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

What to do next: To join the Futu class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/cases/futu-holdings-limited/join or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than August 25, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered billions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made materially false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Futu was not in compliance with the requirements of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the "CSRC"), including because Futu continued to conduct securities business, public fund sales business and futures business in mainland China without obtaining the requisite licenses or approval; (2) as a result, Futu was reasonably likely to face regulatory penalties, including the disgorgement of ill-gotten gains and other penalties; (3) as a result of the foregoing, Futu's financial results were overstated; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Futu's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. 

To join the Futu class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/cases/futu-holdings-limited/join or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

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SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.

In the latest close session, Toll Brothers (TOL - Free Report) was down 2.53% at $146.94. The stock's performance was behind the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.19%. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.59%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.05%.

Prior to today's trading, shares of the home builder had lost 3.15% was narrower than the Construction sector's loss of 4.61% and lagged the S&P 500's gain of 0.55%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Toll Brothers in its upcoming release. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $2.9, marking a 22.25% fall compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $2.6 billion, down 11.81% from the year-ago period.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $12.69 per share and revenue of $10.7 billion, indicating changes of -5.93% and -2.44%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Toll Brothers should also be noted by investors. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 0.07% rise in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Currently, Toll Brothers is carrying a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Digging into valuation, Toll Brothers currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 11.88. This indicates a discount in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 14.47.

It is also worth noting that TOL currently has a PEG ratio of 1.25. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. The average PEG ratio for the Building Products - Home Builders industry stood at 2.45 at the close of the market yesterday.

The Building Products - Home Builders industry is part of the Construction sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 188, putting it in the bottom 24% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.

I keep hitting the buy button on Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL | AAPL Price Prediction) because I have finally found a mega-cap AI story where I do not have to underwrite a $400 billion data center bill to believe in the upside. That is the whole thesis in one sentence, and the receipts have only gotten better every quarter I have added.

The Capital-Light AI Bet I Cannot Stop Making Apple’s edge is an asset-light, consumer-facing AI model that outsources heavy training to partners and leans on on-device processing. Tim Cook framed it plainly on the last call: “Apple Intelligence is woven into the core of our platforms, powered by Apple silicon and designed from the ground up to deliver intelligence that is fast, personal, and private.” The distribution moat sits on an installed base above 2.5 billion active devices. That is the AI shipping channel I get for free with the stock.

The Q2 FY26 numbers back the conviction. Revenue hit $111.184 billion, up 16.6% year over year, with EPS of $2.01 versus a $1.9404 estimate, the 8th straight beat. iPhone did $56.994 billion on iPhone 17 demand, Services printed an all-time record $30.976 billion, and Services gross margin came in at 76.7%. Cash and equivalents jumped 61.82% to $45.572 billion. Return on equity sits at 141.5% and return on invested capital at 53.35%. Those are the fingerprints of a business that does not need a hyperscaler’s balance sheet to compound.

Then there is the capital return. Management authorized a fresh $100 billion in buybacks and raised the dividend 4% to $0.27 per share. Projected free cash flow of roughly $140 billion funds that firepower without diluting the AI investment. R&D is still accelerating faster than the company overall, per Cook.

Why Apple, Not Microsoft The natural alternative is Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), and I own a smaller position there. Microsoft is a phenomenal business, with Azure growing 39% in constant currency and a $625 billion RPO backlog. The issue for repeat buys is the cost. Microsoft’s Q2 FY26 CapEx was $37.5 billion in a single quarter, with roughly two-thirds on short-lived GPU and CPU assets. Apple’s comparable Q1 FY26 capital spend ran about $2.37 billion. That gap shows up in returns: Microsoft’s ROE is 34% against Apple’s 141.5%. Microsoft’s forward P/E of 20 looks cheaper than Apple’s 35, but the market has already voted on which model it prefers this year: MSFT is down 18.21% year to date while AAPL is up 22.99%.

The Risk I Am Not Ignoring Valuation is the real risk. Paying 41x trailing earnings and 10.86x sales for a hardware-anchored business is not cheap, and analyst consensus of $318.25 already sits below the current $333.74. Add in tariff and Greater China exposure, and a multiple compression scenario is real. What keeps me buying is that gross margin expanded to 49.3%, Greater China grew 28% in Q2, and the buyback authorization gives me a structural bid underneath the price.

What Keeps the Buy Button Active The September hardware refresh is the next lever, and Polymarket puts 96.6% odds on an iPhone 18 launch in 2026 and 90% on a foldable iPhone before 2027. Every one of those units ships Apple Intelligence into a paying customer’s pocket without Apple renting a gigawatt of power to do it. I am going to keep buying Apple until the market decides that monetizing AI matters less than spending on it, and I do not see that day coming.

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

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Key Takeaways TSLA and GOOGL get things started on the earnings front for the Mag 7 this week. TSLA shares have underperformed, whereas GOOGL shares have primarily matched the S&P 500. Watch Cloud results for GOOGL, whereas TSLA's margin performance is key. The 2026 Q2 earnings season is in full swing following the release of the big banks’ results, with many other notable companies on deck in the coming days and weeks.

Concerning this week’s docket, several Mag 7 members, Tesla (TSLA - Free Report) and Alphabet (GOOGL - Free Report) , are scheduled to report.

Tesla UnderperformsTesla shares haven’t had a strong showing in 2026 so far, down roughly 15% and underperforming and facing mixed post-earnings reactions. Its results in 2026 have been largely positive from an expectations standpoint, exceeding the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate by double-digit percentages in back-to-back prints.

Both EPS and sales expectations have trended higher over recent months, a bullish development as the company gears up to release its results. Earnings are forecasted to climb 22% YoY, whereas revenue is forecasted to see a 12% YoY climb.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Alphabet Matches S&P 500 PerformanceAlphabet shares have delivered a return on par with the S&P 500 so far in 2026, seeing huge positivity following the latest set of quarterly results. Alphabet has overall continued its stellar earnings track record in 2026, beating both EPS and revenue expectations in each 2026 release so far.

Like TSLA, Alphabet has seen bullish EPS and sales revisions for the quarter to be reported over recent months, but the revisions as of late have been more stable than anything. Though there haven’t been upward revisions recently, the stability here is still a positive takeaway. The tech giant is expected to continue its growth trajectory yet again, with earnings and revenue expected to be up 23% and 24%, respectively.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Bottom Line

With the 2026 Q2 earnings season in full swing, investors will have a flurry of earnings reports to sort through in the coming weeks. The big banks kicked the period off in style, largely posting solid results while also providing solid read-throughs for coming periods.

And coming next week is a duo of Magnificent 7 members, namely Tesla (TSLA - Free Report) and Alphabet (GOOGL - Free Report) , who both head into their reports with favorable revisions for both earnings and revenue. Google Cloud results will remain key for Alphabet, whereas Tesla's margin picture is a key item to watch.

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LOS ANGELES, July 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz continues its investigation of Alphabet Inc. (“Alphabet” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GOOG) on behalf of investors concerning the Company’s possible violations of federal securities laws.

IF YOU ARE AN INVESTOR WHO LOST MONEY ON ALPHABET INC. (GOOG), CLICK HERE TO INQUIRE ABOUT POTENTIALLY PURSUING A CLAIM TO RECOVER YOUR LOSS.  

What Is The Investigation About?
On July 16, 2026, Bloomberg news reported that Alphabet’s Google is “months behind schedule on delivering Gemini 3.5 Pro, its most powerful flagship AI model” due to the Company’s ongoing coding efforts. Specifically, “[l]ate last month, Google updated the data being used to train Gemini in an attempt to improve [its] skills, but the results were disappointing.”

On this news, Alphabet’s stock price fell $16.40, or 4.4%, to close at $353.81 per share on July 16, 2026, thereby injuring investors.

Contact Us To Participate or Learn More:
If you purchased Alphabet securities, have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact us:
The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz,
2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 800,
Century City, California 90067
Call us at: 310-914-5007
Email us at: [email protected]
Visit our website at: www.frankcruzlaw.com.  
Follow us for updates on Twitter at twitter.com/FRC_LAW.

If you inquire by email, please include your mailing address, telephone number, and number of shares purchased.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

Contact Us:
The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz, Los Angeles
Frank R. Cruz
310-914-5007
[email protected]
www.frankcruzlaw.com

by Kurt Schlosser on Jul 20, 2026 at 3:48 pmJuly 20, 2026 at 3:48 pm

A painting of Jimothy, the viral raccoon, by Seattle artist Ryan Henry Ward. (@henry_beyond_museums via Instagram) Jimothy isn’t just a viral internet sensation — he’s a cause for good.

A painting of the beloved raccoon by Seattle artist Ryan Henry Ward attracted a winning bid of $6,543.21 in an informal Instagram auction this weekend, with all proceeds directed to the Ballard Food Bank.

The winning bidder for the 24-by-24-inch painting was identified by Ward as Angela Galdabini, who posted a picture of the painting hanging on her wall.

Now the auction gift is going viral in its own way, attracting a matching donation from Amazon, which encouraged other Seattle-area companies to follow suit. According to the tech giant on Monday, T-Mobile, Alaska Air and Brooks have all gotten on board.

“When we saw a local artist giving back to the Ballard Food Bank, inspired by a little raccoon that’s brought so much joy, we wanted to help,” Kara Hurst, Amazon’s chief sustainability officer, said in a statement. “Amazon is proud to match the winning bid, and we’re calling on other Seattle-based companies to join us.”

Jimothy seemed destined to be captured by Ward, a prolific muralist whose colorful, whimsical work is seen across the Seattle region on buildings, fences, garage doors and elsewhere. His art frequently features a variety of animals and other characters, including Sasquatch.

Ward called Jimothy “the hero we needed” in his Instagram post on Saturday, and said he was giving to Ballard Food Bank because the organization helped him through some of his hardest times.

The viral Jimothy sensation took off last week when the raccoon was spotted in Ballard and a video attracted millions of views on Instagram. The craze spread around the world and other videos have emerged online, sparking immense curiosity and adoration, and a flood of memes, artwork, food, crafts, poetry, songs and more. 

Previous StoryProtesters confront Microsoft CSO over carbon goals and AI, disrupting climate event

In the latest close session, Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) was up +2.15% at $402.29. The stock's performance was ahead of the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.19%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 0.59%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.05%.

Coming into today, shares of the software maker had gained 3.8% in the past month. In that same time, the Computer and Technology sector lost 4.32%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.55%.

Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Microsoft in its upcoming release. The company plans to announce its earnings on July 29, 2026. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $4.21, showcasing a 15.34% upward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. At the same time, our most recent consensus estimate is projecting a revenue of $87.42 billion, reflecting a 14.36% rise from the equivalent quarter last year.

MSFT's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $17.33 per share and revenue of $329.24 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +27.05% and +16.87%, respectively.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Microsoft should also be noted by investors. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.16% higher within the past month. Currently, Microsoft is carrying a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Investors should also note Microsoft's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 20.39. This represents a premium compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 15.74.

Also, we should mention that MSFT has a PEG ratio of 1.19. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. MSFT's industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.32 as of yesterday's close.

The Computer - Software industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 102, finds itself in the top 42% echelons of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Don't forget to use Zacks.com to keep track of all these stock-moving metrics, and others, in the upcoming trading sessions.

, /PRNewswire/ -- 

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE: BABA) resulting from allegations that Alibaba may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

So What: If you purchased Alibaba securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/cases/alibaba-group-holding-limited/join or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

What is this about: On June 24, 2026, Financial Times published an article entitled "Anthropic accuses Alibaba of obtaining illicit access to Claude". The article stated that Anthropic has "accused Chinese ecommerce giant Alibaba of obtaining illicit access to Claude by creating fake accounts designed to access the AI model which the American company does not offer to Chinese groups."

On this news, Alibaba American Depositary Shares ("ADS") fell 2.7% on June 24, 2026.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered billions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.
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The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
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New York, NY 10016
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SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.

Netflix (NFLX 1.99%) reported earnings last week, and the numbers didn't give investors much of a reason to be bullish. The results weren't bad, as the company generated solid double-digit growth, but investors remained concerned about its future, as the guidance didn't provide enough assurance that the business is on the right path.

Earlier this year, Netflix's stock went into a tailspin after investors learned co-founder Reed Hastings was leaving the company. And amid continued questions about its future growth prospects, investors are even more bearish of late.

But could Netflix, which is still very much a leader in its industry, make for a good investment, especially with its stock now dipping below $70 and being the lowest it's been in nearly two years?

Image source: Getty Images.

Netflix's Q2 numbers were mixed, and its guidance was soft For the second quarter, which ended on June 30, Netflix's earnings per share totaled $0.80, a penny above analyst estimates. Meanwhile, revenue of $12.56 billion narrowly missed Wall Street expectations of $12.59 billion. While it was technically a miss, the company came very close to meeting expectations. Its revenue was up 13% year over year.

But with the company's guidance calling for just 12% growth for the current quarter amid questions about how engaged users are with its shows -- there have been concerns about a drop-off after a show's first season -- it may have simply reinforced investors' concerns about the business moving forward. The unconvincing results led the stock to fall after the release of the earnings results, hitting a new 52-week low of $65.08 on Friday.

Today's Change

(

-1.99

%) $

-1.37

Current Price

$

67.58

Has Netflix stock become a cheap buy? In the past 12 months, Netflix's stock has declined by 44%. It's currently trading at around 21 times its trailing earnings, which is relatively cheap given that the average S&P 500 stock trades at a multiple of more than 25. Netflix is modestly priced by comparison, especially given its reasonably solid growth numbers.

While Netflix's growth rate is slowing down, it's not a steep enough drop-off to suggest that there is something fundamentally wrong with the business. The market may be overreacting, as the stock still hasn't recovered from the news of Hastings' departure.

However, with excellent fundamentals and the streaming stock trading at a reasonable valuation, I think Netflix can make for a great buy right now.

Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS, XETRA:WDP) is scheduled to report fiscal third quarter results on August 5, with UBS analysts expecting accelerating earnings growth as first-half headwinds ease and forecasting the company will maintain its fiscal 2026 guidance.

UBS expects Disney to report fiscal third-quarter revenue of $25.4 billion and segment operating income of $5.16 billion, compared with Wall Street expectations of $5.24 billion and company guidance of about $5.3 billion.

The firm forecasts earnings per share of $1.91, above the consensus estimate of $1.85 and up 18% from a year earlier.

The analysts wrote that growth should be supported by high single-digit expansion in the Experiences segment and double-digit growth in the company's streaming business, while Sports operating income is expected to decline by the mid-teens due to higher sports rights costs. They also expect box office performance to remain soft overall.

For fiscal 2026, UBS continues to forecast earnings per share of $6.90, representing 16% year-over-year growth and broadly in line with Disney's guidance. The estimate includes a roughly 4% benefit from an extra week in the fiscal fourth quarter and is expected to be driven by continued strength in Experiences, improving Sports profitability and streaming margins above 10%.

In Experiences, UBS expects revenue to rise 8.7% year over year and operating income to increase 9.6% as the business laps upfront cruise costs and pre-opening expenses related to World of Frozen. The analysts expect growth to accelerate further in the fourth quarter before receiving an additional boost from the extra fiscal week.

UBS believes domestic attendance improved during the quarter, with attendance roughly flat from a year earlier after declining 1% in the prior quarter, as comparisons related to Epic Universe's opening and international visitation became less challenging. Per-capita guest spending is expected to remain strong, increasing about 4% year over year.

Within Entertainment, UBS forecasts revenue growth of 8.7% and operating income growth of 48% to approximately $1.5 billion, driven by streaming gains and the consolidation of Fubo. The analysts expect streaming subscription revenue to increase 11% year over year, while streaming operating margins improve by 350 basis points from a year earlier to 10.1%, despite sequential pressure from higher international content spending.

The analysts also expect mixed theatrical performance during the quarter, citing stronger box office results from The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Toy Story 5, offset by weaker performances from Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu and the live-action Moana.

In Sports, UBS forecasts revenue growth of 4.7%, including an approximately 3% contribution from NFL Network, while operating income is expected to decline 14% to $891 million as double-digit growth in sports rights expenses, including NBA and WWE contracts, weighs on profitability.

The analysts expect advertising revenue to increase more than 10% on stronger NBA ratings and noted that Disney recorded its first quarter of year-over-year television viewership growth since the first quarter of 2024, helped by NBA Finals audiences. UBS expects subscription and affiliate revenue growth of around 5%, with streaming gains partly offset by the NFL Network no longer being carried on Comcast's Xfinity platform.

UBS also noted that management expects mid-single-digit operating income growth for the Sports segment for the full fiscal year, with the firm anticipating a stronger fourth quarter supported by easier comparisons related to sports rights costs and last year's ESPN direct-to-consumer launch expenses.