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NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lead Plaintiff Deadline: December 15, 2026. Investors who purchased (NASDAQ: QBTS) securities between February 26, 2026 and August 25, 2026 may be eligible to recover losses.

"Our practice focuses on restoring investor capital and ensuring corporate accountability to uphold market integrity," said Peretz Bronstein.

Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC ("BG&G"), a nationally recognized investor-rights law firm, announces that it has filed a securities class action lawsuit against D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) ("D-Wave" or the "Company") and certain of its officers.

The lawsuit, captioned , Case No. 5:26-cv-11953, was filed on October 15, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The action seeks to recover damages on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired D-Wave securities between February 26, 2026 and August 25, 2026, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), for alleged violations of the federal securities laws.

Investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's website: https://bgandg.com/cases/d-wave-quantum-inc-qbts-class_action_lawsuit/

D-Wave Case Details

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and financial prospects. Specifically, the complaint alleges that Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:
      (1)    Defendants materially overstated D-Wave's business, operational, and financial prospects;
      (2)    The foregoing was reasonably likely to negatively impact the Company's business and reputation; and
      (3)    As a result, Defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On August 6, 2026, D-Wave reported second-quarter revenue of $3.08 million, falling short of analysts' expectations of approximately $4.03 million to $4.08 million. On this news, D-Wave's stock price declined $1.99 per share, or 9.28%, closing at $19.41 per share.

Then, on August 25, 2026, D-Wave announced that Chief Financial Officer John Markovich would retire and resign from his position effective September 2, 2026. On this news, D-Wave's stock price fell $1.84 per share, or 9.51%, closing at $17.51 per share on August 26, 2026.

What's Next for D-Wave Investors?

Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC has already filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of D-Wave investors. The action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California under Case No. 5:26-cv-11953.

If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm’s site: bgandg.com/cases/d-wave-quantum-inc-qbts-class_action_lawsuit. or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 917-590-0911. If you suffered a loss in D-Wave you have until December 15, 2026, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.

No Cost to D-Wave Investors

We, Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman LLC, represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys’ fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.

Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC for D-Wave Securities Class Action?

Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide. More at www.bgandg.com

"Our practice centers on restoring investor capital and ensuring corporate accountability, which serves to uphold the essential integrity of the marketplace," said Peretz Bronstein, Founding Partner of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC.

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Contact Info

Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or Nathan Miller
Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
917-590-0911 | [email protected]

Attorney advertising.
Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Key Takeaways TSCO's Q3 revenues are projected to rise 2.3% to $3.8 billion, while EPS may fall 18% to 40 cents.Strong core merchandise demand, digital sales and seasonal improvements are likely to support TSCO's sales.Pet business, pricing actions and store productivity investments may boost TSCO's Q3 performance. Tractor Supply Company (TSCO - Free Report) is likely to register an increase in the top line when it reports third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 22, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $3.8 billion, indicating a 2.3% jump from the year-ago figure.

The bottom line of the leading rural lifestyle retailer is expected to have fallen year over year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share has been unchanged at 40 cents in the past 30 days, indicating a decline of around 18% from the year-ago period’s figure.

Tractor Supply has a negative trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 4.6%, on average. In the last reported quarter, this Brentwood, TN-based company’s earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.4%.

Key Factors Likely to Impact TSCO’s Q3 ResultsTractor Supply’s quarterly performance is likely to have benefited from demand and market share gains. The company has been gaining from demand for its core merchandise, including consumable, usable and edible products. TSCO’s focus on tailoring its product offerings to rural customers' daily needs has been a key driver of its success. In addition, digital sales, supported by in-store delivery, higher traffic and improved conversion, have helped.

The fiscal third-quarter results are likely to benefit from improving seasonal demand, pet business initiatives, pricing actions and investments in existing-store productivity. Improved precipitation across several geographies is likely to have extended the spring selling season and supported demand for lawn care, outdoor products and other seasonal merchandise.

TSCO is also focused on strengthening its pet business through localized assortments, premium nutrition offerings, exclusive brands and enhanced digital capabilities. The expansion of Freshpet, alongside Allivet, improved subscription services and the integration of VIP Petcare are expected to have supported customer engagement and market share. Such factors, coupled with the execution of its everyday low-price strategy, are expected to have bolstered its top-line performance in the quarter under review.

On its last earnings call, Tractor Supply had expected a modest sequential improvement in comparable sales during the second half, supported by ongoing business initiatives and easier year-over-year comparisons as the period progresses. Meanwhile, investments in Project Fusion remodels, store technology and existing-store productivity are expected to have enhanced the customer experience and improved returns. Our model anticipates comparable store average transaction to rise 0.4% year over year for the third quarter.

However, Tractor Supply continues to witness cautious rural spending, softer discretionary demand and weaker big-ticket purchases.  Additionally, higher SG&A, including depreciation and amortization costs, expenses from opening a distribution center and cost inflation, including tariffs, are likely to have been concerns. Our model indicates a 3.3% year-over-year increase in depreciation and amortization for the third quarter. Such limitations are likely to have hurt the company’s bottom line in the quarter under review.

What the Zacks Model Unveils for TSCOOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Tractor Supply this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. But that is not the case here. You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Tractor Supply has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) at present.

Valuation & Price Performance of TSCO StockFrom a valuation perspective, Tractor Supply stock trades at a premium relative to the Retail - Miscellaneous industry. The company has a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 16.14X, above the industry’s average of 14.71X. However, the stock trades below the historical benchmarks, with a five-year high of 27.91X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

TSCO shares have lost 24.8% in the past six months compared with the industry's 15% decline.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks Poised to Beat Earnings EstimatesHere are a few companies that have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time around:

Kohl’s Corporation (KSS - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +460.00% and a Zacks Rank of 1. The company is likely to register a decline in the top line when it reports third-quarter fiscal 2026 numbers. The consensus mark for revenues is pegged at $3.5 billion, which indicates a decline of 1.1% from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Kohl’s quarterly loss per share of a penny compares unfavorably with earnings per share of 10 cents seen in the year-ago quarter. The consensus mark has changed to a loss of a penny in the past 30 days from earnings of a penny. KSS has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 84.8%, on average.

Chewy (CHWY - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +6.65% and currently has a Zacks Rank of 3. CHWY is likely to register top and bottom-line growth when it reports third-quarter fiscal 2026 results. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its quarterly revenues is pegged at $3.4 billion, indicating a 7.4% increase from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter.

The consensus estimate for CHWY’s fiscal third-quarter earnings is pegged at 38 cents a share, up 18.8% from the year-ago quarter. The consensus mark has been unchanged in the past 30 days. CHWY has delivered an earnings beat of 0.8%, on average, in the trailing four quarters.

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.32% and a Zacks Rank of 3. AEO is likely to register top-line growth when it reports third-quarter fiscal 2026 results. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its quarterly revenues is pegged at $1.5 billion, indicating 6.8% growth from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter.

The consensus estimate for AEO’s third-quarter earnings is pegged at 49 cents a share, implying a 7.6% decrease from the year-earlier quarter. The consensus mark has dipped a penny in the past 30 days. AEO has delivered an earnings beat of 86.3%, on average, in the trailing four quarters.

Harvard's endowment just posted its best return in years, and the single stock sitting at the center of its public portfolio tells you something unexpected about how the world's richest university is betting on the next decade.

Harvard’s endowment reached a record $68 billion at the close of its fiscal year on June 30, 2026. It reached that level with a 27.1% return, well above the ~18.9% median for large endowments.

The fund grew by $11 billion from a year earlier. Its biggest single public stock holding is SpaceX (NASDAQ:SPCX | SPCX Price Prediction), the rocket, Starlink and AI company that went public in June 2026.

SpaceX shares moved lower despite the Harvard connection. The stock fell 2.33% on October 15, 2026, to close at $148.62, which put the company’s market value at $2.02 trillion.

That close is 7.66% below the first daily close on June 12, 2026, and far under the $225.64 52-week high, so many early public buyers are sitting on losses. You have to decide whether Harvard’s support should change how you see the stock, because a concentrated position looks very different for an institution that never withdraws.

What Harvard Actually Disclosed Harvard Management Company, the private firm that runs the endowment, disclosed a SpaceX stake worth $2.2 billion in August 2026. That came to more than half of its $4.3 billion U.S. equities portfolio at the time.

Harvard also opened a position in Cerebras Systems (NASDAQ:CBRS) worth about $239 million. It sharply increased its stakes in NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM). Together, those moves weight the public book toward space and AI hardware.

Each disclosure shows holdings on a single date, so you can’t see what Harvard owns now, or when and at what price it bought SpaceX. A stake built before the IPO would fit a fund that leans heavily on venture capital, although Harvard has not confirmed one.

Chief executive N.P. “Narv” Narvekar has led the firm for nine years with an 11.4% annualized return. He credited venture capital, public equities and hedge funds for the year.

Why Half a Portfolio in One Stock Means Less at Harvard Putting more than half of a stock portfolio into one name shows real conviction. But that portfolio is a small piece of the endowment, because most of Harvard’s money sits in private equity, hedge funds, and other assets.

A steep SpaceX decline would hurt that piece and leave the overall endowment far less exposed; if you put half of your stock money into SpaceX, the same decline would hit your retirement savings directly.

Harvard can ride very turbulent market swings, unlike most investors. An endowment invests over a very long term and keeps receiving gifts. Donations hit a record $1.5 billion, which brings in fresh cash while holdings rise and fall.

SpaceX has traded as low as $104.83, and it lost 7.44% in the week through October 15, with the latest weakness tied to troubles at CoreWeave (NASDAQ:CRWV). If you draw income, a drop like that is harder to sit through.

SpaceX Has to Grow Into a $2 Trillion Price Second-quarter revenue reached $7.81 billion, ahead of the $6.82 billion consensus. Starlink subscribers also doubled to 12.0 million.

SpaceX still posted a net loss of $541 million while spending $18.37 billion on capital projects. Starlink revenue per user also fell from $85 to $66, so the current price assumes years of strong growth that eventually turn into profits.

What Harvard’s Stake Means for Individual SpaceX Investors For most individual investors, Harvard’s stake does little to change SpaceX’s risks at this price. The stock is losing money, trades below its first close, and the Harvard holding is a single picture taken by a fund that can wait decades.

Nvidia, where Harvard sharply increased its stake, has a different financial profile. It reported $96.22 billion in fiscal second-quarter revenue, up 105.8%, and guided to $108 billion for the next quarter. Unlike SpaceX, it has no exposure to rockets or Starlink.

Harvard’s next quarterly holdings filing is due by mid-November 2026. It will show whether the stake changed, and investors will also be watching whether SpaceX can climb back above $160.57, its October 8 close, with help from a profitable quarter.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

In its upcoming report, Meta Platforms (META - Free Report) is predicted by Wall Street analysts to post quarterly earnings of $6.67 per share, reflecting a decline of 8% compared to the same period last year. Revenues are forecasted to be $63.18 billion, representing a year-over-year increase of 23.3%.

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.5% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This reflects how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reevaluated their initial estimates during this timeframe.

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

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

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

Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Revenue- Advertising' should arrive at $61.81 billion. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +23.4%.

Analysts predict that the 'Revenue- Other' will reach $1.13 billion. The estimate points to a change of +63.3% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus estimate for 'Revenue- Family of Apps (FoA)' stands at $62.87 billion. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +23.8%.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Revenue- Reality Labs' will reach $454.08 million. The estimate points to a change of -3.4% from the year-ago quarter.

Analysts expect 'Advertising Revenue- US & Canada' to come in at $27.64 billion. The estimate points to a change of +29.6% from the year-ago quarter.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Geographical Revenue by User- US & Canada' reaching $28.05 billion. The estimate indicates a change of +28.9% from the prior-year quarter.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Geographical Revenue by User- Asia-Pacific' of $12.57 billion. The estimate indicates a change of +22.4% from the prior-year quarter.

According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Advertising Revenue- Rest of the World' should come in at $8.30 billion. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +24.7%.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Geographical Revenue by User- Rest of World' at $8.80 billion. The estimate points to a change of +26.6% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus among analysts is that 'Advertising Revenue- Europe' will reach $14.81 billion. The estimate indicates a change of +22.7% from the prior-year quarter.

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Headcount' will likely reach 69,873 . The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 78,450 .

Analysts forecast 'Family daily active people (DAP)' to reach $3.65 billion. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $3.54 billion in the same quarter of the previous year.

View all Key Company Metrics for Meta Platforms here>>>

Over the past month, shares of Meta Platforms have returned +8% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.4% change. Currently, META carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggesting that its performance may align with the overall market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

SummaryTesla, Inc. is downgraded to Hold, with shares seen near fair value but facing near-term technical downside.Recent Q2 results showed strong revenues but sharply lower operating income and negative free cash flow due to high capex.TSLA stock projection is reduced to the high-$300s, reflecting softer earnings forecasts, margin pressure, and execution risks.Key technical support is at $270; a retreat to the high $200s would present a more attractive risk/reward entry for TSLA shares. jetcityimage/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Elon Musk put on quite a show in Texas on Thursday, October 15. Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) shares surged 4% in the pre-market session that followed, on the heels of a flying roadster at its

9.83K Followers

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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

Key Takeaways Amazon's AWS AI and chips businesses each surpassed a $25 billion annual revenue run rate in Q2 2026.AWS sales jumped 37% to $42.2 billion, while trailing-12-month operating cash flow rose 33% to $161.4 billion.Amazon raised 2026 capex guidance to $220 billion, while free cash flow swung to a $7.6 billion outflow.
Amazon (AMZN - Free Report) is steadily turning its AI push into monetizable products, which could strengthen cash flow once heavy infrastructure spending moderates. Amazon Web Services (“AWS”) opened a preview of Amazon Bedrock Managed Agents powered by OpenAI in late September and, on Oct. 1, 2026, previewed the AWS Well-Architected Agent to help customers optimize cost, security and performance. This month, Bedrock also added Claude Haiku 5.5 at roughly 75% lower cost than its predecessor for most tasks. Cheaper inference and production-ready agent tools should widen enterprise adoption and deepen AWS consumption.

Fundamentals firmly back this momentum. In the second quarter of 2026, both AWS’ AI business and Amazon’s chips business, spanning Trainium and Graviton, crossed a $25 billion annual revenue run rate, each growing at triple-digit percentages. Anthropic and OpenAI have made multi-year, multi-gigawatt Trainium commitments, Graviton revenue commitments rose nearly 3x sequentially, and Bedrock customers spent more in the quarter than in all prior quarters combined. Such contracted demand enhances revenue visibility.

For the third quarter of 2026, Amazon expects net sales of $197-$202 billion, up 9-12% year over year, with growth nearly 400 basis points higher excluding the Prime Day timing shift. Operating income is projected at $22.5-$26.5 billion, up from $17.4 billion a year ago.

Second-quarter AWS sales jumped 37% to $42.2 billion, the fastest pace in 18 quarters, and segment operating margin widened to 39.4% from 32.9%. Trailing-12-month operating cash flow rose 33% to $161.4 billion.

However, Amazon raised its 2026 cash capital expenditure outlook to about $220 billion from $200 billion on higher memory costs, and trailing-12-month free cash flow swung to an outflow of $7.6 billion from an inflow of $18.2 billion. Management also expects capacity to fall short of demand through 2027, which could cap near-term AI revenues. Still, with a deep backlog and expanding AWS margins, Amazon appears well-placed to turn its AI spending into stronger cash generation over time.

Microsoft and Alphabet Face Similar AI Cash Flow Trade-OffsMicrosoft (MSFT - Free Report) and Alphabet (GOOGL - Free Report) are also balancing AI-driven growth against heavy spending. In fourth-quarter fiscal 2026, Microsoft’s Azure revenues grew 43%, while operating cash flow rose 30% to $55.4 billion. However, Microsoft’s capital expenditures of $41 billion reduced free cash flow by 23% to $19.6 billion, and fiscal 2027 capex is expected to be near $175 billion. Alphabet’s Google Cloud revenues jumped 82% to $24.8 billion in the second quarter, with backlog reaching $514 billion. Yet Alphabet’s capex doubled to $44.9 billion, turning quarterly free cash flow negative at $5.9 billion, and Alphabet raised 2026 capex guidance to up to $205 billion.

AMZN’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesAmazon shares have returned 10.2% in the year-to-date period, outperforming the Zacks Internet – Commerce industry and the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector’s growth of 1.5% and 0.85, respectively.

AMZN’s Year-to-date Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, AMZN stock appears overvalued, trading at a forward 12-month price/earnings ratio of 23X, higher than the industry’s 20.34X. Amazon has a Value Score of D.

AMZN’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AMZN’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $13.02 per share, indicating an 81.59% increase from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter.

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

AMD's data center revenue just doubled and gigawatt-scale AI deals keep piling up, but a trailing P/E of 228 and a beta above 2.4 mean the stock can hurt as fast as it can reward. Here is what a disciplined…

Putting $1,000 a month into Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD | AMD Price Prediction) for five years means committing $60,000 of your own money by 2031. AMD shares trade at $581.71. They are up 168.79% over the past year and down 10.43% over the past week.

With the stock moving that hard in both directions, buying a fixed dollar amount every month is one way to model a position.

What Your $60,000 Could Turn Into by 2031
Under the middle case, $1,000 a month in AMD could be worth about $65,677.07 by 2031. That is a total return of 9.46% on the $60,000 you put in. Behind that figure is a modeled five-year base-case share price of $655.96, measured from a model starting price of $591.22. That works out to a 10.95% price gain, or 2.1% a year.

How the dollar figures were built: the model gives a price for AMD at each annual point over five years. Each year’s $12,000 of monthly contributions is treated as if it were bought at that year’s point price, and all the shares are then valued at the 2031 target. It serves as a simplified annual estimate.

Bull, Base and Bear: Where Your Monthly Buys Could Land

Case
2031 Target Price
Share Price Return
Total Return on $60,000 Contributed
Ending Value

Bull
$918.51
55.36%
28.67%
$77,202.14

Base
$655.96
10.95%
9.46%
$65,677.07

Bear
$438.42
-25.84%
-6.89%
$55,867.44

The bear row shows the trade-off in monthly buying. If the stock falls, your later purchases pick up shares at lower prices, so the loss on your position is -6.89% while the share price itself falls 25.84%. The same practice reduces your gains in the bull case: you keep buying as the price rises toward $918.51.

Its confidence score is 0.9, which it labels as high. Over the next year it projects AMD near fair value (-1.2%), with a one-year base target of $583.84.

Analysts are more upbeat. The consensus analyst target is $636.21, and analysts give 5 strong-buy ratings, 39 buy ratings, 11 hold ratings and 0 sell ratings.

Three Growth Engines Behind the 2031 Targets
Data Center Revenue More Than Doubled
Second-quarter revenue rose 50.1% from a year earlier to $11.54B. Data Center revenue rises 107% to $6.72B, or 58% of total sales. Non-GAAP EPS of $1.66 came in ahead of the $1.6107 estimate. Management is guiding third-quarter revenue to about $13B.

Gigawatt-Scale AI Customers
Anthropic agreed to deploy up to 2 GW of MI450 Series GPUs in AMD’s Helios racks. That adds to deals with OpenAI for 6 GW and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) for up to 6 GW. CEO Lisa Su said Helios shipments ramp “much more substantial in Q4”. She also said revenue per gigawatt is in the “double digit billions”.

All of that gigawatt-scale expansion has to be powered, cooled, and connected by someone other than the chipmaker, which is the whole point of a free report we put together on seven AI infrastructure suppliers: 7 Stocks Powering the AI Boom (That Aren’t Chipmakers).

Raised Long-Term Targets
Su told analysts: “We expect to significantly exceed our $20 annual EPS target within our strategic timeframe.” The model’s forward EPS input is $12.4414, which puts AMD at a forward P/E of about 48.

Risks That Could Shrink Your Ending Balance
Valuation is the biggest risk. AMD trades at a trailing P/E of 228 and 147.61 times free cash flow, which leaves little room for a stumble. The stock’s beta is 2.454, meaning it tends to move more than twice as much as the broader market. Shares also fell after recent AI product announcements failed to re-energize investors.

U.S. export controls on AI chips sold to China cost AMD about $440M in inventory and related charges in FY25. AMD also relies on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM) to make its chips and on outside suppliers for memory and substrates.

Su has acknowledged that “the server CPU supply chain is tight right now.” Gaming revenue fell 31% in the latest quarter, and tariffs and competition from larger GPU rivals remain ongoing pressures.

Your $1,000-a-Month Plan by the Numbers
Across the three case, $60,000 invested in AMD a month at a time could be worth anywhere from $55,867.44 to $77,202.14 by 2031. The middle case lands near $65,677.07. These are modeled case with no guaranteed outcome.

This article is a projection for informational purposes only. Keep an eye on the Helios ramp and data center growth in each earnings report, since they will show which case AMD is actually tracking.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Nike made a calculated bet that shoppers would follow the swoosh wherever it led, and for a while the margin math looked brilliant. What happened inside those emptied retail fixtures reshaped the entire competitive landscape in ways Nike is still…

Nike (NYSE:NKE | NKE Price Prediction) shares opened at $37.67 on Friday, a small gap up from the prior close. The stock is up 8.5% over the past week. No specific reason for that move has been reported. Over longer periods, shares are down 40.9% year to date, 43.7% over one year, and 76.2% over five years.

On the October 14, 2026, episode of The Investor’s Podcast (TIP853), co-host Kyle Grieve tied the decline to one choice: “Nike pulled its products from Foot Locker, and when they tried to reverse that decision, Foot Locker realized these other brands could sell just as well in that same prime real estate historically reserved only for Nike.” He also said Nike found that customers “were not as devoutly loyal to their products as they thought.”

Why Selling Direct Looked Like the Smarter Play Nike had real reasons to go direct. When it sells through its own stores, Nike.com, and its app, it keeps the margin a retailer would take, collects first-party customer data, and controls pricing and presentation. Grieve described the goal as owning the customer relationship and cutting out the wholesaler — the model Lululemon (NASDAQ:LULU) and Aritzia run.

The weak point was the assumption that shoppers would follow the swoosh wherever it went. As Nike cut back its wholesale orders, retailers filled the open wall space with rival brands, and those brands sold. Once a retailer has its own sell-through data on a competitor in a prime fixture, Nike must now negotiate for shelf space it once received by default.

Wholesale Is Back in the Numbers The channel mix has now turned. In fiscal Q2 2026, wholesale revenue rose 8% to $7.5 billion while Nike Direct fell 8% to $4.6 billion. In fiscal Q1 2027, reported on October 1, 2026, wholesale slipped 1% to $6.80 billion, Nike Direct fell 8% to $4.14 billion, and Nike Brand Digital dropped 13%. North America wholesale grew 9%.

The retail side has consolidated too. Dick’s Sporting Goods (NYSE:DKS) completed its acquisition of Foot Locker. On the October 1 call, Nike’s chief executive, Elliott Hill, described the company as “rebuilding our wholesale partnerships” and said, “performance product is selling” at accounts that include Dick’s and Foot Locker.

Total revenue came in at $11.21 billion, down 4.3% and below the $11.32 billion consensus. EPS of $0.48 beat the $0.44 estimate. Nike’s earnings release noted more work to do in Nike Sportswear, Jordan Brand, and Greater China, where revenue fell 22%.

A Moat Built Only on Brand Is Thinner Than Investors Assume Grieve’s co-host Shawn O’Malley was talking about Aritzia, but his point covers the whole category: “Brand is really Aritzia’s one competitive advantage. There are no switching costs, no network effects, no cost advantages. Retail is a place where things can go from great to bad very quickly, and there are very few instances of clothing brands being durable compounders.” He added, “Retail stocks can be like playing with fire. Things can worsen very quickly in retail. But on the flip side, when a brand is surging, returns can be explosive.”

Nike has scale and a large roster of athlete endorsements. A retailer deciding how to use a fixture, though, looks mostly at how fast the product sells. With no switching costs for shoppers, Nike’s spot on the shelf depends on how well its products sell.

What Has to Change Before Nike’s Next Report Management expects fiscal 2027 revenue to decline high single digits, with adjusted EPS of $1.15 to $1.35. That range excludes about $0.15 in costs from the Pace restructuring. The chief financial officer warned of revenue pressure “for the remainder of fiscal 27 and into 28.”

Rebuilding Nike’s shelf position would take three things:

Wholesale growth in North America that holds up without excess inventory, as Nike works with partners to clear excess inventory Signs that Sportswear and Jordan are stabilizing, since they were a “high single-digit drag” on results Gross margin holding near 42.8% as Nike cuts supply to improve full-price sales The next test is Nike’s fiscal Q2 2027 report. It is expected on December 16, 2026, after the close, but the company has not confirmed the date. Watch whether wholesale gains in that report come with healthy sell-through. That would show whether Nike is winning back prime shelf space or just shipping more product into it.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

NVIDIA's stock has pulled back over the past week, but analysts keep raising their estimates and the company keeps beating them. Whether an 80% gain is achievable by 2027 depends on a few catalysts falling into place at exactly the…

NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA | NVDA Price Prediction) sells complete AI factories. That means GPUs, Vera CPUs, NVLink, InfiniBand and Spectrum-X networking, all tied together by CUDA software.

CEO Jensen Huang described where things stand on the August earnings call: “AI has reached its inflection point. It’s doing useful work. Its tokens are productive and profitable. Now, compute is revenue.”

Shares trade at $222.58. That’s up 19.63% year to date and 928.03% over five years. A 6.96% drop over the past week gives the stock a lower starting point. Here’s what NVIDIA needs to reach $400 by the end of 2027.

Wall Street Already Sees Nearly 48% Upside
The consensus price target is $328.72, which means 47.7% upside. Analysts are close to unanimous, with 10 Strong Buy and 49 Buy ratings against a single Sell.

Analysts expect fiscal 2028 revenue of $692.2 billion, up from $411.7 billion this year, which would be 68% growth. The EPS estimate of $15.9146 means 71% growth. Ninety days ago, the same estimate was $12.7102. Over the past 30 days, analysts made 46 upward revisions and zero downward.

NVIDIA has also beat EPS estimates for five consecutive quarters, most recently posting $2.22 against a $2.0887 estimate. Actual results have a habit of exceeding forecasts.

Path to $400 Per Share: Let’s Do the Math
NVIDIA trades at 14x fiscal 2028 earnings. That fiscal year runs through January 2028. At $400, the multiple would rise to 25x, only slightly above the S&P 500’s 21-23x forward range, for a company expected to grow earnings 71%. Getting there requires a gain of about 80%.

What Could Push NVIDIA to $400?

Vera Rubin ramp: Management expects “the fastest product ramp in NVIDIA’s history.” Revenue per gigawatt rises to $40 billion with Rubin, up from $25 billion for Blackwell.
Hyperscaler spending: Capital spending by the top five hyperscalers is expected to rise from nearly $800 billion in 2026 to $1.3 trillion in 2027.

Unmet demand: Guidance calls for approximately 70% fiscal 2028 growth, and that guidance is limited by supply. Huang said, “We have supply for 70%. Our demand is much higher than that.”
New markets: CPU revenue is expected to more than double in fiscal 2028. Sovereign AI revenue more than tripled year over year.
Buybacks: Roughly $99 billion remains under the repurchase authorization.

That hyperscaler capex has to be spent on more than GPUs. We rounded up seven suppliers powering, cooling, and networking the AI expansion in a free report here.

These challenges are real. China data center revenue is left out from guidance. Memory costs should push gross margins down to 71% to 72% in Q4. A beta of 2.216 means a weak market would hit the stock hard.

NVIDIA’s History Says an 80% Gain Is Possible
Since 2000, NVIDIA has gained more than 80% in 10 different calendar years. Shares rose 239% in 2023, 171% in 2024, 125% in 2021 and 227% in 2016.

With a market cap of about $5.37 trillion, repeating those returns gets harder. Still, the stock has made moves this large many times before.

Is $400 Realistic? Here’s My Take
Reaching $400 means an 80% gain. Analysts project nearly 48% upside, estimates keep rising, and NVIDIA keeps beating them.

If Vera Rubin ramps as planned, supply matches up with demand and the market holds up, $400 would put NVIDIA at just 25x forward earnings. Keep an eye on gross margins and China policy. Annual gains like this won’t happen every year, but NVIDIA could follow this path to outsized returns in 2027.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

JPMorgan Chase's (JPM +2.21%) third-quarter earnings missed the mark this week, and its stock fell after the report. However, it had already been falling due to interest rate drama, and the results were more mediocre than catastrophic.

Beyond the third quarter, though, CEO Jamie Dimon warned of many moving pieces that could impact the bank and the economy in the coming months. Here's what he said.

The biggest bank in the country
Dimon has the status of leading the biggest bank in the U.S., which is why people pay attention to his insider opinion on what's happening in finance. The bank's performance is also a good proxy for the state of banking.

Overall, the big banks -- many of which have already reported third-quarter earnings -- have demonstrated solid growth. Much of the commercial activity is benefiting from unceasing artificial intelligence (AI) spending as hyperscalers continue their build-out, and the markets segment is still getting a boost from robust investing activity. Dimon noted, however, that activity was already moderating in the third quarter.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon. Image source: JPMorgan Chase.

The third quarter was bound to see a slowdown from the second quarter, which featured the Space Exploration Technologies initial public offering (IPO), the biggest IPO ever. In the commercial and investment banking (CIB) segment, JPMorgan Chase's revenue increased 14% year over year, but it was down 8% from last quarter. The company had already signaled the slowdown at the Barclays Global Financial Services Conference in September, when Co-President Doug Petno said that the company expected a mid-teens increase, and the stock dropped at the time.

Significantly, earnings per share (EPS) were $5.57, falling short of the $5.93 expected by Wall Street, while total revenue increased 8% to $50.17 billion, lower than the $51.23 billion Wall Street wanted.

It's a testament to the market's confidence in the bank that the stock didn't fall further after the report. It's already down 10% over the past few weeks due to the previous update, as well as bond market and interest rate volatility weighing on its price.

"We just don't know when it's going to stop"
Dimon echoed his previous sentiment that the bank is enjoying the heightened market activity. "Hopefully we'll enjoy this good environment for a while," he said. "We just don't know when it's going to stop."

Dimon mentioned an array of factors that could cause the strong activity and bull market to topple. "Large fiscal deficits, sticky inflation, elevated asset prices, rising interest rates and geopolitical conditions continue to shift under the surface," he said. He ended on a positive note, pointing out that "these forces may be manageable, but we remain prepared for a wide range of outcomes."

Each of these factors alone could have a major impact on the economy. The U.S. debt has reached $40.25 trillion and continues to rise, while many global regions are dealing with spiraling deficits. Inflation is still raging, aided in part by the resilient U.S. consumer, but it isn't likely to stay that way forever. Eventually, consumerism is likely to slow down, negatively affecting retailers and the overall economy.

The flip side of that is interest rates, which may soon be raised to counter inflation. Interest rates also slow the economy and specifically impact banks because fewer people look for loans when interest rates are high, both personally and commercially, and default rates rise.

$342.93+$7.40 (+2.21%)

NYSE · As of 11:27 AM ET 10/16/26

Rising asset prices are obvious as the S&P 500 gets closer to ending its fourth straight year with double-digit gains. That will come to an end at some point, and while slumping market activity wouldn't be good for JPMorgan Chase's trading segment, the bigger picture would be stalled economic activity as people's savings contract, at least in the short term.

Finally, geopolitical tensions continue in several regions, and specifically, the threat of rising oil prices remains. These are all reasons for investors to carefully consider the makeup of their portfolios right now and make sure they're well balanced to manage through any upcoming downturn.

Key Takeaways ExxonMobil's 13.73% debt-to-capitalization ratio provides financial flexibility amid oil and gas price swings.XOM's low debt exposure supports favorable borrowing, acquisitions and shareholder rewards during downturns.XOM shares gained 55.6% in a year, beating the industry's 54.6%, while its EV/EBITDA of 9.73X tops 6.31X. ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (XOM - Free Report) , an integrated energy giant, generates the bulk of its earnings from upstream operations. With a strong presence in the prolific Permian Basin and offshore Guyana resources, its top and bottom lines are highly susceptible to fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices.

But investors should not worry much about this vulnerability. With a debt-to-capitalization of 13.73%, the energy giant has significantly lower exposure to debt capital. Thus, the company can rely on its strong balance sheet when oil and natural gas prices fall and the business scenario becomes unfavorable.

Also, with lower exposure to debt capital, XOM can secure additional debt on favorable terms during uncertain situations, allowing it to operate smoothly, pursue lucrative acquisitions and continue rewarding shareholders.

CVX & EOG Also Have Low Debt LoadChevron Corporation (CVX - Free Report) and EOG Resources Inc. (EOG - Free Report) , with robust balance sheets, can also sail through an unfavorable business environment on their strong financials. While CVX has a debt-to-capitalization of 15.94%, EOG’s debt-to-capitalization is 19.92%.

XOM’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of XOM have gained 55.6% over the past year compared with the industry’s 54.6% growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, XOM trades at a trailing 12-month enterprise value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) of 9.73X. This is above the broader industry average of 6.31X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for XOM’s 2026 earnings has seen upward revisions over the past seven days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

KFC's decision to switch from Pepsi sodas to Coca-Cola (KO.N) at its US restaurants could raise ​questions about PepsiCo's (PEP.O) other longstanding food service ‌partnerships, analysts said, even as they expect the financial hit to be manageable.

The loss of KFC comes ​as PepsiCo grapples with sluggish demand and ​higher costs in North America, where a ⁠recovery in growth and margins is taking longer ​than expected and has prompted the company to ​deepen cost cuts.

BofA analysts estimate the loss of the KFC account represents about $500 million in annual sales, equivalent ​to roughly a 3% hit to Pepsi ​Beverages North America's concentrate sales, while boosting Coca-Cola's North America ‌sales ⁠by about 2.5%

Brokerage Jefferies says the bigger concern for PepsiCo is the "loss of brand interaction and public perception" rather than the immediate financial ​impact

"A longstanding ​Pepsi customer ⁠switching raises questions whether other accounts that have been historically off-limits are ​now up for grabs," Jefferies analysts ​said

"Investors ⁠see this (move) less as a seismic commercial loss for PepsiCo and more as the natural order ⁠of... (a ​brand) reasserting itself," says Richard ​Exon, founder and partner at Joint, an independent creative agency

Costco Wholesale Today

COST

Costco Wholesale

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As of 11:41 AM Eastern

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47.62

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Despite soaring gas prices, high rates, and weak consumer sentiment, Americans continue to spend. While recent retail earnings have been mixed, reports from major banks have highlighted resilient consumer strength across both high- and low-income cohorts. Yes, consumers feel pinched by high prices (and slowing wage growth).

Still, spending continues, and cost-conscious consumers are the perfect clientele for warehouse-club retailers like Costco Wholesale Corp. NASDAQ: COST. COST stock hasn’t hit a new all-time high in nearly five months, but the fundamentals are accelerating just as the stock tests the 200-day moving average. Is Costco’s lackluster year finally about to pick up?

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Costco September Sales Snap 3 Months of DeclineCostco hit the market with a double blast of encouraging news in the last few weeks. First, the company reported its fiscal Q4 2026 results on Sept. 24, beating expectations on both the top and bottom lines with 6.7% year-over-year (YOY) comparable-sales growth after adjusting for currency and fuel. Earnings beat expectations even after removing 15 cents per share for one-time tariff refunds, and revenue of $95.72 billion beat expectations by more than $750 million. Membership metrics were also strong, with paid Executive members reaching 42.3 million and U.S./Canada renewal rates at 92.3%, up 10 basis points from fiscal Q3.

On Oct. 7, Costco reported its September sales brief, covering the five weeks ending Oct. 4. Adjusted comparable sales grew 7.6% YOY, the fastest pace since May’s 8% increase at the height of the Hormuz crisis. August adjusted comps came in at just 5.4%, so September marked a notable acceleration, even after removing 50 basis points for Labor Day tailwinds.

Canada was the lone sour spot with 4.9% adjusted comps, but Other International adjusted comps grew 7.7%. Gas is doing much of the heavy lifting in reported sales, with gasoline comps rising more than 30%. However, the adjusted figures exclude the effects of gasoline price changes and currency fluctuations, offering a clearer picture of underlying growth. Gas also drives foot traffic, and CFO Gary Millerchip said members who pump gas also visit stores more often.

Continued Sales Growth Could Reverse Analyst Price Target TrimmingCostco Wholesale MarketRank™ Stock Analysis4.418086500655 of 5 stars

88th Percentile

Moderate Buy

10.4% Upside

Healthy

Strong

1.01 Selling Shares

9.78%

See Full Analysis

Despite the double fiscal Q4 earnings beat on Sept. 24, analysts were in no hurry to raise their price targets. In fact, several firms lowered their price targets the day after the conference call, and Costco bear Bill Kirk at Roth Capital reiterated his Sell rating and $781 price target. Overall, MarketBeat tracks 32 analysts covering COST shares, with 23 Buys, eight Holds, and one Sell from Roth. The average price target is $1081.79, representing roughly 10% upside from recent trading levels.

Those price-target cuts came before Costco released its stronger September sales figures. A retailer trading at roughly 47 times earnings with slowing revenue growth is hard to keep boosting, even with solid revenue growth, so many analysts kept their rating at Buy while lowering their price targets. But now that September comps are above 7% again, the latest data suggest sales growth is accelerating, and elevated gas prices should continue to drive new memberships and more foot traffic. Analysts may wait for October sales data to confirm or deny the growth trend, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see some price-target reversals over the next few weeks if the stock continues to rally.

Daily Chart Shows COST Shares Approaching Key Technical LevelsCOST shares dipped below $900 in late September, the first time they fell below this key level since the first week of 2026. The stock is still up more than 13% year-to-date, but the drawdown since the May all-time high of approximately $1,095 was nearly 20% from peak to trough. After serving as strong support for the first half of the year, the 50-day moving average flipped to resistance during the decline, and the stock struggled to break above it until early October. But COST shares are now back above the 50-day and 200-day moving averages for the first time since May, and other technical signals are starting to turn positive.

The moving average convergence divergence (MACD) also shows an uptick in buying momentum, and the reversal began with a bullish MACD cross in late September. Now both the MACD and signal lines have crossed over the histogram, a common bullish signal that often triggers a broader rally. The stock is up more than 6% in the last month, which may not sound like a raucous rally, but it pushed the price over $980 for the first time in four months. Technical and fundamental signals are beginning to align, but we may still need one more month of sales data before we can say the COST rally is back in action.

Should You Invest $1,000 in Costco Wholesale Right Now?Before you consider Costco Wholesale, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Costco Wholesale wasn't on the list.

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Shares of Palantir Technologies (PLTR -5.91%) ended Oct. 9 at $209.05, their highest close ever. They've dipped since. But at around $198 as I write, the stock still sits only about 5% under that high.

It's easy to see why investors keep paying up. The artificial intelligence (AI) data and analytics specialist grew its second-quarter revenue 93% year over year, and its profits rose even faster.

But at today's price, investors pay around 170 times earnings for it, going by what Palantir earned in the last year -- more than I'm willing to pay.

At what price, then, would the stock become a buy for me?

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Palantir's profits keep climbingHighlighting how fast the company is scaling, Palantir's second-quarter earnings per share more than tripled year over year, up from $0.13 to $0.41. Net income grew a bit faster still, hitting around $1.06 billion versus about $327 million in the year-ago quarter. Earlier quarters showed the same climb. Palantir's quarterly earnings per share rose from $0.18 in the third quarter of 2025 to $0.24 in the fourth quarter, then to $0.34 in the first quarter of 2026 before hitting $0.41 in the second.

Add those four quarters up, and Palantir earned $1.17 per share over the last year. That's almost four times the $0.30 per share it earned in the four quarters before.

I'll use that trailing $1.17 as my earnings figure, because it's what the company reported, not an estimate.

Of course, the quarter-to-quarter gains are shrinking. Earnings per share rose around 42% from the fourth quarter to the first quarter, but only about 21% from the first quarter to the second.

Even for a business growing so fast, paying about 170 times earnings of $1.17 a share is a lot for profits that have already been booked.

What did investors pay at the low?To choose a valuation multiple, I don't have to guess what a fast-growing software business might deserve. Palantir showed what investors were willing to pay for it just a few months ago.

On June 25, shares ended at around $107, the lowest closing price over the last 12 months. At that time, Palantir's trailing earnings per share came to $0.89, based on the four quarters through March. So, even near the bottom of a tough first half, investors paid around 120 times earnings.

That's still a rich price-to-earnings multiple. But it's one the market has already accepted for this business during a time when sentiment was weak -- and just weeks before Palantir posted 93% revenue growth for the second quarter.

Apply that 120 times earnings to Palantir's trailing earnings per share of $1.17, and you get around $140 a share, or about 29% under today's price.

The stock might not need to fallA 29% drop is one way to get there. The stock has fallen more than that recently, losing around 34% of its value in the first half of 2026.

But earnings might do the job instead. The quarter that drops out of the trailing total next is the third quarter of 2025, when Palantir earned $0.18 a share. If quarterly earnings per share just stayed at the second quarter's $0.41 for three more reports, trailing earnings would climb to about $1.64. At 120 times earnings, that's about $197 -- right around where the stock trades today. If earnings keep growing instead, it might get there earlier.

PLTR Palantir Technologies$188.66-$11.84 (-5.91%)

NASDAQ · As of 11:21 AM ET 10/16/26

Management's forecast suggests profits aren't stalling, either. For the third quarter, Palantir guided for non-GAAP (adjusted) operating income of around $1.29 billion. That would be around 8% over the second quarter's adjusted number and more than twice the year-ago quarter's.

Of course, nothing guarantees earnings stay at that level. Quarter-to-quarter earnings growth is already cooling. And Palantir booked hardly any income tax expense in the second quarter -- around $15 million on about $1.08 billion in pre-tax income. If its tax rate climbs, earnings per share could grow slower than operating profit does.

In the end, Palantir is executing about as well as any software company I track. The catch is that today's price arguably assumes it keeps this up for years.

So, I'd consider buying Palantir stock at around $140 per share, or about 120 times its earnings for the last four quarters. If these earnings keep rising, that price should rise with them. At around $198 today, the stock still sits far above it.

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

Over the past month, shares of this chipmaker have returned -4.7%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.4% change. During this period, the Zacks Computer - Integrated Systems industry, which Micron falls in, has gained 2.9%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

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

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

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

Micron is expected to post earnings of $38.20 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +699.2%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +9.8%.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $177.73 points to a change of +135.3% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed +12%.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $211.82 indicates a change of +19.2% from what Micron is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +11.9%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) for Micron.

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

12 Month EPS

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

For Micron, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $61.76 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +352.7%. For the current and next fiscal years, $275.11 billion and $332.98 billion estimates indicate +106.6% and +21% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryMicron reported revenues of $54.23 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +379.3%. EPS of $33.42 for the same period compares with $3.03 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $51 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +6.32%. The EPS surprise was +5.73%.

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

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

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

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

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

ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Micron. However, its Zacks Rank #1 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.

Analysts on Wall Street project that Danaher (DHR - Free Report) will announce quarterly earnings of $1.92 per share in its forthcoming report, representing an increase of 1.6% year over year. Revenues are projected to reach $6.55 billion, increasing 8.2% from the same quarter last year.

Over the past 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged. This demonstrates the covering analysts' collective reassessment of their initial projections during this period.

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

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

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

The consensus among analysts is that 'Total Sales- Diagnostics' will reach $2.83 billion. The estimate points to a change of +14.9% from the year-ago quarter.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Total Sales- Life Sciences' reaching $1.84 billion. The estimate indicates a change of +2.9% from the prior-year quarter.

Analysts forecast 'Total Sales- Biotechnology' to reach $1.87 billion. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +4%.

According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Total Growth - Organic sales (Core)' should come in at 2.5%. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 3.0% in the same quarter last year.

Analysts predict that the 'Operating profit- Life Sciences' will reach $255.41 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $222.00 million.

Analysts expect 'Operating profit- Biotechnology' to come in at $483.60 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $352.00 million.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Operating profit- Diagnostics' at $704.10 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $665.00 million.

View all Key Company Metrics for Danaher here>>>

Over the past month, Danaher shares have recorded returns of +8.9% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.4% change. Based on its Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), DHR will likely outperform the overall market in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Modern warfare demands a delicate balancing act. Global powers are actively modernizing legacy nuclear deterrence systems while simultaneously scrambling to counter cheap, asymmetric drone swarms. Capturing defense sector spending on both ends of this spectrum requires an integrated manufacturing footprint.

RTX Today

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As of 11:36 AM Eastern

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$156.10▼

$226.881.53%

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Raytheon, a business unit of RTX Corporation NYSE: RTX, recently secured an $8 billion sole-source nuclear command-and-control modernization award alongside its first international counter-drone contract. These dual wins position RTX at the center of the world's most critical defense priorities.

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With revenue pathways locked through approximately 2036, urgent munitions restocking driving production floors, and high-margin export streams launching in the Middle East, defense contract momentum is transitioning into sustained cash-flow expansion. As military budgets adapt to overlapping global conflicts, the broader aerospace sector is re-rating. A recent pullback in RTX's stock price offers a disciplined entry point into a defense heavyweight possessing unmatched multi-decade visibility.

Arming Two Fronts: Strategic and TacticalAerospace investors might feel they have to choose between high-end legacy prime contractors and nimble tactical technology firms. Raytheon breaks that assumption. The defense giant just landed an $8 billion sole-source indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to modernize the U.S. Air Force's Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications terminals. Running through late 2036, this agreement ensures Raytheon will build and sustain the communications architecture connecting the nation's strategic nuclear triad for the next decade.

Simultaneously, Raytheon announced a $729 million award to deliver the Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System to the U.S. Army, Qatar, and Jordan. This package integrates the Ku-band Radio Frequency Sensor radar with the Coyote drone interceptor. What makes this particular award notable is its reach. It marks the first international export of the Coyote and KuRFS platforms.

This is the modern defense barbell in action. Defense budgets are currently allocating heavy capital to deter existential threats while also funding immediate solutions to daily drone skirmishes. Capturing both ends of this spending spectrum creates a resilient revenue base for Raytheon.

Locking in a Decade of Defense RevenueSecuring a 10-year sole-source agreement for nuclear communications provides a predictable floor for long-term revenue. While the initial funded obligation for the contract sits at around $800,000, the sole-source structure effectively locks in future congressional appropriations. Raytheon does not have to fight for this specific budget allocation every year, as the long-term acquisition pathway is already cemented into the military supply chain.

On the tactical side, the roughly $729 million counter-drone contract acts as a gateway to high-margin recurring revenue. Foreign Military Sales traditionally carry more favorable margins than domestic procurement.

By exporting the KuRFS and Coyote systems to allied nations like Qatar and Jordan, Raytheon establishes a global footprint for its tactical hardware. Air defense is not a one-time purchase. Once a nation installs the radar systems and launchers, it must continually restock the interceptor missiles to maintain readiness.

This creates a consumable razor-and-blade business model where early international agreements yield decades of profitable restocking orders. As global demand for drone mitigation rises, Raytheon is positioning itself as the primary supplier for allied nations.

Restocking the Global ArsenalThe Pentagon is aggressively replenishing inventory depleted by ongoing global operations. The Department of Defense recently awarded Raytheon a $6.3 billion multi-year contract for SM-3 Block IB ballistic missile interceptors. When layered on top of the approximate $24.4 billion Standard Missile-6 production enterprise, the sheer volume of interceptor demand becomes clear. Active combat theaters are consuming munitions faster than supply chains can produce them, converting authorized defense budgets directly into near-term backlog expansion.

Raytheon is also demonstrating a level of operational agility rarely seen among legacy defense primes. The business completed three successful test flights for its upgraded Coyote Block 2C+RM platform in just 15 months.

This rapid development cycle contrasts sharply with the slower, single-digit organic growth profiles currently observed at peers like Lockheed Martin Corporation NYSE: LMT and General Dynamics Corporation NYSE: GD. Raytheon's ability to innovate quickly and scale production lines translates directly into margin capture. When the military needs immediate solutions for active combat zones, contractors that can bypass years of bureaucratic testing phases win the lucrative replenishment orders.

Cash Flow Shields Against Market ShocksFrom a fundamental perspective, defense contractors often trade at a premium due to their insulated revenue streams. RTX currently trades at a trailing price-to-earnings ratio near 33x, which might appear elevated at first glance. Looking ahead to projected earnings, the forward multiple compresses to about 26x. This re-rating is supported by Wall Street consensus estimates lifting fiscal year 2027 earnings projections toward $7.87 per share.

Raytheon generates healthy operating cash flow of around $9.58 per share, easily covering its dividend yield of approximately 1.6%. For investors wary of macroeconomic headwinds, the stock offers a remarkably low beta of 0.31, indicating minimal correlation with broader market swings.

Beyond government contracts, defense is only one side of the ledger. Raytheon benefits from an accelerating commercial aerospace aftermarket. The Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace divisions are riding a wave of commercial maintenance, repair, and overhaul demand, with analysts projecting roughly 11.6% growth in this segment through 2027.

Airlines are keeping older planes in service longer because new aircraft deliveries are delayed across the manufacturing industry, directly benefiting engine makers and parts suppliers. This recurring commercial maintenance revenue provides a cash cushion that buffers against any temporary political friction in defense spending.

Securing a Position in the Aerospace ShieldWith third-quarter earnings approaching, the market will look for evidence that recent contract momentum is flowing into operating margins. During the second quarter, Raytheon beat expectations, posting earnings of $1.89 per share against a $1.66 estimate on approximately $24.71 billion in revenue.

RTX Stock Forecast Today12-Month Stock Price Forecast:
$226.75
20.14% Upside

Moderate Buy
Based on 27 Analyst Ratings

Current Price$188.74High Forecast$265.00Average Forecast$226.75Low Forecast$195.00RTX Stock Forecast Details

Shares are trading around $186, down about 18% from their 52-week peak near $226.88. This consolidation comes despite average analyst price targets around $227, implying healthy upside over the coming year.

The recent string of multi-billion-dollar awards confirms that global demand for both strategic deterrence and tactical air defense is accelerating.

With a fortified balance sheet, expanding foreign military sales, and a 10-year runway in nuclear communications, the fundamental thesis remains intact. Cautious investors might consider evaluating positions during this pullback, securing a defensive asset with a clear trajectory for multi-year expansion.

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Accenture sells AI transformation to thousands of clients while quietly telling its own employees they get a fraction of what some were already spending. The internal memo reveals a tension at the heart of every major consulting firm racing to…

An Accenture (NYSE:ACN | ACN Price Prediction) consultant building an AI solution for several clients said Claude Code usage ran between $500 and $1,000 a month. Starting October 1, the company will centrally fund $29 per person.

Accenture told many employees in an internal memo, reported on October 15, 2026, that it will pay only that fixed monthly amount toward Claude, the AI model built by privately held Anthropic. Anything above it must be charged to a project.

Accenture sells AI transformation to roughly 9,000 clients. Internally, it now limits spending on the same tools.

Shares rose 4.63% to $224.92 on October 15 during a broad software rally unrelated to the memo, yet they remain well below the 52-week high of $291.09.

What Accenture’s Claude Memo Actually Commits To The memo, titled “Claude Enterprise Users: Important Updates to Licensing and Usage Costs,” states that “all costs are consumption-based.” Usage above the allowance goes to a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Accenture’s billing code for a project or team.

Heavy use remains possible, but it now needs a budget owner. Premium plans include $250 of weekly token usage, although many employees are not on Premium.

Access is conditional. The memo says, “Providing a WBS and obtaining a license does not guarantee indefinite or ongoing access to Claude,” and one employee lost access entirely.

Accenture did not publish the memo or say how many employees are affected. A spokesperson said, “Our approach today is to provide the right tool for the right work.”

Consumption Billing Shows What Coding AI Really Costs The $29 cap targets a consumer subscription price point. Agentic coding tools, which carry out complex tasks on their own, consume far more tokens, the units AI models bill by.

One employee said usage topped $500 a month for months, and some spent as much as $1,000. Per-seat budgets are likely to fall short once work shifts to autonomous coding.

CEO Julie Sweet said on the October 1 earnings call that falling token costs will “enable companies to use AI in more places and at scale.” The memo suggests that prices likely have further to fall before agentic coding becomes cheap enough to fund on a per-seat basis.

Why a Consultant Rations Its Own AI Accenture earns its margin on labor across roughly 814,000 employees. Unlimited token spending on that base is a cost that grows without a matching revenue line.

Charging overruns to a WBS ties AI spending to client work. Fixed-price work is over 65% of bookings, so AI costs on those contracts land on Accenture unless they were priced in.

Management guided to a 15.9% to 16.1% operating margin for fiscal 2027, which leaves little room for unmanaged expense.

Limits of a Single Secondhand Memo This is one policy, reported indirectly. Total spending, affected headcount, and whether other AI tools face similar limits remain unknown.

Accenture keeps expanding in AI, with nearly 110,000 AI and data professionals. Sweet also called the Anthropic relationship non-exclusive. For AI vendors, tight limits at the largest IT services firms could slow enterprise spending, although targeted use on proven work may last longer.

What Cost Discipline Means for Accenture’s Fiscal 2027 Outlook The memo shows cost discipline that supports fiscal 2027 guidance for GAAP EPS of $14.39 to $14.81.

The gap from the 52-week high, with market value at $134.05 billion, reflects fears that AI will reduce IT services billing. A record 141 quarterly bookings of $100 million or more argue demand is holding.

The thesis fails if management says at the next earnings report that AI tool costs are pressuring margins, or if first-quarter revenue lands below the $18.95 billion low end of guidance.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

A couple of analysts raised the price target for Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) after the company outlined a multi-year growth plan at its Investor Day on Wednesday.

TD Cowen analyst Bryan C. Bergin raised his price target from $193 to $201 while keeping a Hold rating. Susquehanna analyst James Friedman raised his price target from $210 to $230 while maintaining a Neutral rating. Accenture Sets Multi-Year Growth and Shareholder Return TargetsAt its Investor Day, Accenture outlined a growth strategy focused on mid-single-digit revenue growth, continued margin expansion, strong free cash flow and substantial shareholder returns through dividends and share buybacks.

Accenture expects mid-single-digit revenue growth in local currency in fiscal 2027 and fiscal 2028, accelerating to mid- to high-single-digit growth in fiscal 2029.

The company targets annual operating margin expansion of 10–30 basis points throughout fiscal 2027–2029.

Accenture expects free cash flow to net income of at least 1.1x in fiscal 2027 and fiscal 2028, rising to 1.2x–1.3x in fiscal 2029. It also targets at least $9.5 billion in free cash flow in fiscal 29.

The company plans to return cash to shareholders through dividends and buybacks.

It targets a dividend payout ratio in the mid-40% range of prior-year net income in fiscal 2027, increasing to the high-40% range in fiscal 2028 and fiscal 2029.

Accenture also targets 5% dividend-per-share growth and $5.5 billion in share repurchases in fiscal 2027.

The company expects repurchases to exceed share issuances in both fiscal 2027 and fiscal 2028.

TD Cowen: AI Growth Potential Faces Execution HurdlesTD Cowen analyst Bryan C. Bergin said Accenture presented a clear growth strategy as enterprise AI adoption expands, highlighting opportunities in capital projects, data and AI services, mid-market clients and operational technology cybersecurity.

However, investors remain focused on whether Accenture can accelerate growth despite AI-driven efficiencies. Execution in fiscal 2027 will be crucial to validating the company’s growth outlook.

Accenture’s multi-year growth framework draws on experience across more than 18,000 AI projects and an increase in Data and AI engagements worth more than $50 million.

Bergin added that the fiscal 2027–2029 outlook also depends on improving macroeconomic conditions and sustained mid-single-digit growth in Accenture’s core business, which accounts for 94% of revenue. Ongoing modernization in ERP, cloud, cybersecurity and data is expected to provide further growth opportunities.

Susquehanna Expects AI to Accelerate Revenue GrowthSusquehanna analyst James Friedman said Accenture’s past technology shifts, including offshoring, cloud and digital adoption, reduced costs and replaced some IT services but also stimulated demand for business services, supporting the company’s growth.

Friedman expects AI to follow a similar pattern, with revenue growth accelerating in fiscal 2029.

The analyst projects first-quarter fiscal 2027 revenue growth of 2.5% to $19.2 billion and full-year fiscal 2027 revenue growth of 4% to $77.2 billion. He forecasts EPS of $3.97 for the first quarter and $14.62 for the full year.

Revenue is expected to increase 5.7% to $81.6 billion in fiscal 2028 and 7% to $87.3 billion in fiscal 2029, with EPS reaching $16.00 and $17.78, respectively.

Operating margins are projected to expand from 16% in fiscal 2027 to 16.2% in fiscal 2028 and 16.4% in fiscal 2029.

Read Next

ACN Stock Price Activity: Accenture shares were down 0.05%% at $224.90 at publication on Friday.

Photo via Shutterstock 

© 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Strategy (formerly known as MicroStrategy) stock MSTR fell on Friday as investors assessed the potential removal of the Bitcoin treasury company from MSCI's global equity indexes, despite a rise in Bitcoin prices.

The company also announced plans to maintain a 12% annualised dividend rate on its STRC preferred stock for November, subject to shareholder approval and related amendments taking effect.

Strategy shares declined 6% on Friday, while Bitcoin traded around $82,290, having gained more than 1.3% over the previous 24 hours.

Strategy, led by Michael Saylor, is the world's largest corporate Bitcoin holder, with 848,250 BTC.

The stock's decline highlights how factors beyond cryptocurrency prices, including index inclusion and financing costs, can influence investor sentiment towards the company.

MSCI said on Thursday that non-operating companies would be ineligible for its Global Investable Market Indexes from the close of November 30.

The index provider plans to publish the final list of affected companies on November 11.

Strategy and Japan's Metaplanet are among the companies potentially facing removal.

SharpLink and several other cryptocurrency treasury companies are on a watchlist for possible exclusion.

The policy follows a review that MSCI began last year into whether digital asset treasury companies resemble investment funds, which are already excluded from its indexes.

MSCI deferred its original proposal in January before broadening the review to cover non-operating companies more generally.

The potential exclusion matters because passive funds tracking MSCI benchmarks are required to hold constituent stocks.

Strategy previously warned that removal could lead to $2.8 billion worth of its shares being liquidated.

Strategy has disputed MSCI's proposed classification. In a statement on Friday, the company said, “We believe the proposal is misguided.”

Strategy also argued that MSCI's distinction between operating and non-operating companies was undefined and lacked a basis in US GAAP, IFRS or recognised legal frameworks.

The company said funds tracking MSCI's Global Investable Market Indexes held just 3.1% of its outstanding shares, potentially limiting the direct impact of an exclusion.

Strategy maintains 12% STRC dividend rateSeparately, Strategy's board declared daily cash dividends on its STRC preferred stock for each calendar day in November, subject to shareholder approval and the effectiveness of related amendments.

The annualised dividend rate will remain at 12%.

Strategy said management would continue recommending that rate until STRC demonstrates “sustained, healthy trading near $100 per share.”

Payments are scheduled to begin on November 2, with each dividend payable on the business day following its record date, according to a regulatory filing.

STRC is one of Strategy's key fundraising instruments for Bitcoin purchases.

Daily dividend payments could help make the preferred stock more attractive to investors and support trading around its $100 par value.

STRC was down 0.2% at $99.33.

Strategy added 250 Bitcoin for $21.5 million last week, bringing its total holdings to 848,250 BTC.

During the week ending October 4, the company repurchased $176 million worth of STRC, spending more than six times as much on the buybacks as on its $28 million in Bitcoin purchases.

The company introduced a capital framework on June 29 that allows it to sell Bitcoin to fund dividend payments.

It also raised STRC's annual dividend rate to 12% at the time.

Strategy's business model relies on raising capital through stock and debt sales to acquire Bitcoin.

While that approach has made the company a major proxy for cryptocurrency exposure in equity markets, its shares remain sensitive to financing conditions and index-related developments.

Index-related risks like MSCI’s proposed exclusion are closely watched by traders who follow stock reactions through top online trading platforms.

Wall Street analysts expect Crown Castle (CCI - Free Report) to post quarterly earnings of $1.20 per share in its upcoming report, which indicates a year-over-year increase of 7.1%. Revenues are expected to be $1.01 billion, down 5.9% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has undergone an upward revision of 0.7% in the past 30 days, bringing it to its present level. This represents how the covering analysts, as a whole, have reassessed their initial estimates during this timeframe.

Ahead of a company's earnings disclosure, it is crucial to give due consideration to changes in earnings estimates. These revisions serve as a noteworthy factor in predicting potential investor reactions to the stock. Numerous empirical studies consistently demonstrate a strong relationship between trends in earnings estimate revision and the short-term price performance of a stock.

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

Bearing this in mind, let's now explore the average estimates of specific Crown Castle metrics that are commonly monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Revenues- Services and other' of $42.33 million. The estimate points to a change of -29.5% from the year-ago quarter.

Analysts expect 'Revenues- Site rental' to come in at $969.58 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -4.2%.

The consensus estimate for 'Services and other- Gross margin' stands at $20.48 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $30.00 million.

Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Site rental- Gross margin' should arrive at $718.13 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $762.00 million.

According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Depreciation, amortization and accretion' should come in at $169.50 million.

The consensus among analysts is that 'Costs of operations- Services and other' will reach $21.85 million.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Costs of operations- Site rental' will reach $251.45 million.

View all Key Company Metrics for Crown Castle here>>>

Shares of Crown Castle have experienced a change of +8.5% in the past month compared to the +2.4% move of the Zacks S&P 500 composite. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), CCI is expected to mirror the overall market performance in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Wall Street analysts forecast that Halliburton (HAL - Free Report) will report quarterly earnings of $0.58 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to no change from the year-ago quarter. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $5.59 billion, exhibiting a decrease of 0.1% compared to the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has undergone a downward revision of 0.6% in the past 30 days, bringing it to its present level. This represents how the covering analysts, as a whole, have reassessed their initial estimates during this timeframe.

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

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

That said, let's delve into the average estimates of some Halliburton metrics that Wall Street analysts commonly model and monitor.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Revenue- Drilling and Evaluation' at $2.41 billion. The estimate indicates a change of +1.5% from the prior-year quarter.

The consensus estimate for 'Revenue- Completion and Production' stands at $3.16 billion. The estimate suggests a change of -1.8% year over year.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Revenue- Latin America' will reach $1.06 billion. The estimate suggests a change of +6.8% year over year.

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Revenue- Europe/Africa/CIS' will likely reach $924.18 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +11.6%.

Analysts predict that the 'Revenue- North America' will reach $2.29 billion. The estimate suggests a change of -3% year over year.

The consensus among analysts is that 'Revenue- Middle East/Asia' will reach $1.30 billion. The estimate points to a change of -7.9% from the year-ago quarter.

Analysts forecast 'Operating income- Completion and Production' to reach $515.78 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $514.00 million.

Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Operating income- Drilling and Evaluation' should arrive at $338.14 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $348.00 million.

View all Key Company Metrics for Halliburton here>>>

Over the past month, Halliburton shares have recorded returns of -3.4% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.4% change. Based on its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), HAL will likely exhibit a performance that aligns with the overall market in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Shares of uranium miner Cameco (CCJ -0.72%) are down nearly 26% over the last six months -- and 36% off their all-time high. At the same time, uranium trades at a price that, outside of a few temporary spikes, it has never traded at previously.

So why is the premier nuclear company's stock performing so badly, and is this a buying opportunity?

Tailwinds and headwinds
The end market environment is excellent for Cameco. There's no shortage of interest in investing in small modular reactors (SMRs), and hyperscalers continue investing in nuclear power to ensure a reliable long-term supply for their artificial intelligence data centers.

Image source: Getty Images.

Moreover, the upcoming initial public offering of Westinghouse Electric (a nuclear power technology and services provider in which Cameco owns a 49% stake) will release value for Cameco shareholders and give the company access to liquidity should it ever need it.

As for the rising price of uranium, back in July's second-quarter earnings, management raised its expectation for full-year average realized price in its uranium segment (its largest earnings generator) to a range of 91 to 96 Canadian dollars per pound, from a range of CA$85 to CA$89 per pound.

While all of this is good news, the stock's underperformance stems from a perceived failure to capitalize on its environment following the release of a disappointing second-quarter earnings report. Even worse, the declines were across all three segments.

Segment

Adjusted EBITDA Second Quarter 2025

Adjusted EBITDA Second Quarter 2026

Change

Uranium

CA$352 million

CA$252 million

(CA$100 million)

Fuel Services

CA$57 million

CA$42 million

(CA$15 million)

Westinghouse (Cameco Share)

CA$126 million

(CA$10 million)

(CA$136 million)

Data source: Cameco presentations. EBITDA is earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and amortization.

Guidance remains good
That said, and somewhat confusingly, management's updated full-year guidance implies it's still on track for a strong year despite the weak second quarter. Starting with Westinghouse, management maintained guidance for full-year EBITDA of $370 million to $430 million.

In the uranium segment, management maintained full-year production guidance of 19.5 million pounds to 21.5 million pounds and delivery volumes of 29 million pounds to 32 million pounds. I've already noted that it raised estimates for an average realized price of uranium in 2026 by as much as CA$6.50, and even though it also raised average uranium unit cost of sales full-year guidance by as much as CA$2.50 to a new range of CA$63 to CA$67.50, it still implies an improving spread.

Finally, in fuel services, management increased the revenue guidance from CA$590 million to CA$630 million, to a new range of CA$610 million to CA$650 million.

With these improvements to the underlying guidance in mind, it appears likely that, provided Cameco maintains this guidance and delivers third-quarter earnings that bolster confidence in the company's ability to do so, the stock has excellent recovery potential.

CCJ Cameco$82.63-$0.60 (-0.72%)

NYSE · As of 11:07 AM ET 10/16/26

What Cameco needs to do to convince investors
In the uranium segment, production volume declined year over year to 3.9 million pounds, with "Spring road conditions" causing "temporary unplanned operational disruptions" and "operational challenges that had Cigar Lake production suspended for a couple of weeks," according to CEO Timothy Gitzel on the earnings call. Still, Gitzel claimed the company was able to overcome these issues "with no impact on annual outlook."

Cameco needs to demonstrate it is on track for its full-year guidance, and with 10.1 million pounds in the first six months, it does appear to be, despite the weak second-quarter production number.

Image source: Getty Images.

The issue at Westinghouse appears to be timing and a tough comparison to a bumper quarter in 2025, driven by a large revenue influx from a reactor project in the Czech Republic. Here, investors will again be looking for a recovery.

As for fuel services, management noted that sales volumes were weaker as customers chose when to receive deliveries, resulting in lumpiness.

Frankly, a lot of factors seemed to come together to give Cameco a weak-looking second quarter, and many of them need to turn around in the third quarter. Still, the end-market backdrop and pricing remain constructive, and the dip in the share price sets the stock up to outperform, given solid third-quarter earnings. That's a favorable scenario for investors.

Wall Street analysts forecast that Lam Research (LRCX - Free Report) will report quarterly earnings of $2.17 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to a year-over-year increase of 72.2%. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $8.12 billion, exhibiting an increase of 52.4% compared to the year-ago quarter.

Over the last 30 days, there has been an upward revision of 0.4% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter, leading to its current level. This signifies the covering analysts' collective reconsideration of their initial forecasts over the course of this timeframe.

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

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

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

The consensus estimate for 'Revenue- Customer support-related revenue and other' stands at $2.50 billion. The estimate indicates a change of +40.6% from the prior-year quarter.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Revenue- Systems' of $5.61 billion. The estimate points to a change of +58.3% from the year-ago quarter.

Analysts predict that the 'Leading- and non-leading-edge equipment and upgrade Revenue - Memory' will reach 45.7%. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 34.0%.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Leading- and non-leading-edge equipment and upgrade Revenue - Logic/integrated device manufacturing' at 10.7%. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 6.0%.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Leading- and non-leading-edge equipment and upgrade Revenue - Foundry' reaching 43.7%. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 60.0% in the same quarter last year.

View all Key Company Metrics for Lam Research here>>>

Over the past month, shares of Lam Research have returned +3% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.4% change. Currently, LRCX carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), suggesting that it may outperform. the overall market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Gentex (GNTX - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on October 23, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

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

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis maker of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and other products is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.51 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +10.9%.

Revenues are expected to be $669.17 million, up 2.1% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.67% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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

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

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

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

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

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Gentex?For Gentex, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.66%.

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

So, this combination indicates that Gentex will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

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

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Gentex would post earnings of $0.5 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.58, delivering a surprise of +16.00%.

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

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

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

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

An Industry Player's Expected ResultsAmong the stocks in the Zacks Automotive - Original Equipment industry, Visteon (VC - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $2.35 per share for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +9.3%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $936.99 million, up 2.2% from the year-ago quarter.

Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for Visteon has been revised 1.3% down to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of -4.05%, reflecting a lower Most Accurate Estimate.

This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Visteon will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times.

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