Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Lumentum Holdings Inc. is well-positioned to benefit from industry-wide upgrades to higher data transmission speeds, driving robust EML demand. The optical devices market remains tight through at least 2028, supporting 15-20% ASP increases and gross margin expansion for LITE. LITE is at a critical inflection point toward positive free cash flow, with >30% FCF margins expected by FY28 mitigating higher interest rate risks.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. (NASDAQ: COKE) announced that its Board of Directors has declared a dividend for the third quarter of 2026 of $0.25 per share on shares of the Company's Common Stock and Class B Common Stock payable on August 7, 2026, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on July 24, 2026.

CONTACTS: Brian K. Little (Media)Matt Blickley (Investors)Vice President, Corporate Communications OfficerChief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer(980) 378-5537(704) [email protected]@cokeconsolidated.com About Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Coca-Cola Consolidated (NASDAQ: COKE) is the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. We make, sell and distribute beverages of The Coca-Cola Company, and other partner companies, in more than 300 brands and flavors across 14 states and the District of Columbia, to approximately 60 million consumers.

For over 124 years, we have been deeply committed to the consumers, customers and communities we serve and passionate about the broad portfolio of beverages and services we offer. Our Purpose is to honor God in all we do, to serve others, to pursue excellence and to grow profitably.

More information about the Company is available at www.cokeconsolidated.com. Follow Coca-Cola Consolidated on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of Hub Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HUBG) securities between April 28, 2023 and May 11, 2026, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), have until August 28, 2026 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the Hub Group class action lawsuit.  Captioned Lawler v. Hub Group, Inc., No. 26-cv-07596 (N.D. Ill.), the Hub Group class action lawsuit charges Hub Group as well as certain of Hub Group's top current and former executive officers with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Hub Group class action lawsuit, please provide your information here:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-hub-group-inc-class-action-lawsuit-hubg.html

You can also contact attorneys Ken Dolitsky or Michael Albert of Robbins Geller by calling 800/851-7783 or via e-mail at [email protected].

CASE ALLEGATIONS: Hub Group is a supply chain solutions provider that offers transportation and logistics management services.

The Hub Group class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Hub Group's financial statements prepared for the periods from Q1 2023 to Q4 2024, including annual reports for 2023 and 2024, contained material misstatements caused by the premature and incorrect recognition of certain transactions concerning, among other things, Hub Group's operating revenue, operating income, revenue recognition, effectiveness of internal controls and procedures, and drivers of financial results and growth; and (ii) Hub Group's financial statements prepared for the periods from Q1 2025 to Q3 2025 contained material misstatements caused by the understatement of purchased transportation costs and accounts payable concerning, among other things, Hub Group's operating expenses, purchased transportation and warehousing expenses, operating income, effectiveness of internal disclosure controls and procedures, and drivers of financial results and growth.

On February 5, 2026, Hub Group allegedly announced "that it will restate its financial statements for the first, second and third quarters of 2025" due to "an error that resulted in the understatement of purchased transportation costs and accounts payable in the first nine months of 2025."  Hub Group allegedly further announced that its reports for those quarters "were in each case materially misstated due to the aforementioned error and should no longer be relied upon" and that the "total amount of the reduction to accounts payable and purchased transportation costs related to this issue that was recorded during these periods is $77 million."  On this news, the price of Hub Group stock dropped approximately 18%, according to the complaint.

The Hub Group class action lawsuit further alleges that on May 12, 2026, Hub Group announced that it had "identified certain transactions that were prematurely or incorrectly recognized or not adequately supported," rendering its 2023 and 2024 financial reports to be materially misstated such that they "should no longer be relied upon."  Hub Group allegedly further announced that it expected "to conclude that it did not maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting for each of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023."  On this news, the price of Hub Group stock fell 13%, according to the complaint.

THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired Hub Group securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Hub Group class action lawsuit.  A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class.  A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the Hub Group class action lawsuit.  The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the Hub Group class action lawsuit.  An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the Hub Group class action lawsuit.

ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the world's leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud and shareholder rights litigation.  Our Firm ranked #1 on the most recent ISS Securities Class Action Services Top 50 Report, recovering more than $916 million for investors in 2025.  This marks our fourth #1 ranking in the past five years.  And in those five years alone, Robbins Geller recovered $8.4 billion for investors – $3.4 billion more than any other law firm.  With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in the world, and the Firm's attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest ever – $7.2 billion – in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig.  Please visit the following page for more information:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. 

Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices. 

Contact:
          Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP
          Ken Dolitsky
          Michael Albert
          655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101
          800/851-7783
          [email protected]

SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP

BOSTON, July 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Friday, July 10, 2026, the Board of Directors of Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4725 per share on all outstanding shares of the Corporation’s common stock. The dividend is payable on September 11, 2026, to stockholders of record at the close of business on August 28, 2026.

About Cabot Corporation
Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT) is a global specialty chemicals and performance materials company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The company is a leading provider of reinforcing carbons, specialty carbons, battery materials, engineered elastomer composites, inkjet colorants, masterbatches and conductive compounds, fumed metal oxides and aerogel. For more information on Cabot, please visit the company’s website at cabotcorp.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in the press release regarding Cabot's business that are not historical facts are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025

Key Takeaways Constellation Brands is leveraging premium labels and innovation to drive long-term growth.STZ continues to invest in its beer, wine and spirits brands to expand market share.STZ is focusing on premiumization and cost savings to strengthen margins and profitability. Constellation Brands, Inc. (STZ - Free Report) maintains a solid foothold in the beer, wine and spirits market, driven by its focus on premiumization, a strong lineup of brands and prudent portfolio management. Its portfolio comprises a broad array of consumer-centric, premium labels, such as Modelo Especial, Corona Extra, Pacifico, Robert Mondavi Winery, Kim Crawford, The Prisoner Wine Company and High West. Leveraging the strength of these brands, the company remains well-positioned to meet evolving consumer tastes and benefit from growth opportunities in the global beverage industry.

Constellation Brands is focused on building a portfolio centered on high-margin, fast-growing segments within the beverage alcohol industry, supported by its direct-to-consumer capabilities and expanding global footprint. Its flagship beer brands — Modelo, Corona and Pacifico — remain key growth engines, strengthening the company’s position in the U.S. beer market. Constellation Brands continues to invest in its Power Brands through product innovation and by capitalizing on evolving consumer preferences with successful new offerings.

The company has increasingly aligned its strategy around its core, high-growth premium brands across the beer, wine and spirits categories. This approach is aimed at expanding market share, enhancing margins and supporting sustainable long-term growth. Constellation Brands’ ongoing brand-building initiatives, coupled with the strong performance of its beer business, continued premiumization efforts, product innovation and cost-saving measures, remain key positives.

In a nutshell, the company’s strategy is its focus on core premium brands, which enables it to benefit from premiumization trends, boost profitability and solidify its leadership in the beverage alcohol space. Sustained consumer demand for premium beverages is likely to remain an important catalyst for Constellation Brands’ long-term growth.

STZ’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Constellation Brands have lost 4% in the past six months compared with the industry’s growth of 11.3%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, STZ trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 11.11X compared with the industry’s average of 14.92X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for STZ’s fiscal 2027 earnings per share (EPS) remains breakeven while that of fiscal 2028 indicates year-over-year growth of 3.4%. The company’s EPS estimate for fiscal 2027 and fiscal 2028 has moved south in the past seven days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Constellation Brands stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Stocks to Consider in the Consumer Staples SpaceThe Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. (CHEF - Free Report) , which is a distributor of specialty food products in the United States, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Chefs' Warehouse's current financial-year sales indicates growth of 8.3% from the prior-year level. CHEF delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 28.9%, on average.

Nomad Foods Limited (NOMD - Free Report) , which manufactures and distributes frozen foods, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

The consensus estimate for Nomad Foods’ current financial-year sales is expected to rise 0.5% from the year-ago reported figure. NOMD delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 8.6%, on average.

Medifast, Inc. (MED - Free Report) , which is a leading manufacturer and distributor of clinically-proven healthy living products and programs, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. MED delivered an average earnings surprise of 65.5% in the last reported quarter.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Medifast’s current financial-year sales indicates a decline of 26% from the year-ago number.

Key Takeaways SouthState continues rewarding shareholders through steady dividend hikes and ongoing share repurchases.SSB maintains strong capital and liquidity, supporting both shareholder returns and future growth initiatives.Strategic acquisitions and disciplined capital management reinforce SSB's long-term growth strategy. SouthState Corporation (SSB - Free Report) maintains a disciplined capital management approach, focusing on shareholder returns through dividends and share repurchases while expanding its presence across high-growth markets.

The company has been consistently increasing its dividend payouts since 2020, with the latest hike announced in July 2025, when its board of directors raised the quarterly cash dividend on common stock by 11% to 60 cents per share.

The company has a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of 4.7% and a payout ratio of 25%. SSB currently offers a dividend yield of 2.4%. Rather than pursuing aggressive hikes, the company has prioritized a steady and sustainable dividend policy, which strengthens its long-term financial position and supports investor confidence.

Dividend Yield
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Apart from dividend hikes, SouthState has been actively executing share repurchases. In January 2026, the company's board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to 5.56 million shares. As of March 31, 2026, 4.1 million shares remained available under the authorization.

Additionally, SSB continues to pursue strategic acquisitions to strengthen its franchise and expand its presence in attractive growth markets. The acquisition of Independent Bank in January 2025 enhanced its footprint in Texas and Colorado, while earlier acquisitions have increased the company's scale and competitive positioning. Its strong capital and liquidity position support both growth initiatives and shareholder returns.

As of March 31, 2026, the company had total debt of $1.73 billion, lower than its cash and cash-equivalent balance of $2.9 billion, providing a solid liquidity cushion. Its times interest earned ratio improved sequentially to 13.8X at the end of the first quarter of 2026, reflecting strong debt-servicing capacity. Additionally, the company maintained healthy capital levels, with a CET1 ratio of 11.3% and tangible common equity of 8.6%. These metrics indicate that SouthState is likely to remain well-positioned to meet its financial obligations even if economic conditions worsen.

SouthState’s consistent dividend growth, active share repurchases and disciplined capital management reflect financial strength and stability. Backed by solid liquidity, healthy capital levels and a steady growth strategy, the company is well-positioned to sustain capital distribution activities and support long-term shareholder value.

How Do SSB’s Peers Manage Capital Distribution?Similar to SouthState, its peers, BOK Financial Corporation (BOKF - Free Report) and Webster Financial Corporation (WBS - Free Report) , maintain capital distribution strategies through dividends and share repurchases.

In October 2025, BOK Financial raised its quarterly dividend by 10.6% to 63 cents per share, continuing its track record of annual dividend increases.

BOKF also has a share repurchase program in place. On July 29, 2025, the board is likely to authorize the repurchase of up to 5 million shares, replacing the November 2022 program. While the company did not repurchase any shares during the first quarter of 2026, management continues to view buybacks opportunistically within its capital framework. As of March 31, 2026, 2.9 million shares remained available under the authorization.

Likewise, Webster Financial last raised its quarterly dividend by 21% to 40 cents per share in April 2019 and has maintained that payout level since then.

Beyond dividends, WBS expanded its share repurchase authorization to $700 million in April 2025 from the previous $600 million approved in April 2022. As of March 31, 2026, nearly $664 million worth of shares remained available under the authorization.

SSB’s Price Performance & Zacks RankSSB shares have rallied 2.5% in the past six months compared with the industry’s growth of 8%.

Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

At present, SSB carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Key Takeaways Resmed will sell MatrixCare to Frazier Healthcare Partners, with closing expected in fiscal Q1 2027.The divestiture enables Resmed to focus its investments on sleep, breathing and connected home-based care.Brightree and MEDIFOX DAN remain central to Resmed's connected care strategy and are not part of the deal. Resmed (RMD - Free Report) has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its MatrixCare business to private equity firm Frazier Healthcare Partners. The divestiture aligns with the company's long-term strategy to sharpen its focus on higher-growth opportunities across sleep health, breathing health and connected home-based care. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

From an investor's perspective, the divestiture underscores Resmed's disciplined capital allocation strategy and reinforces its commitment to businesses with stronger long-term growth potential and higher scalability. By streamlining its portfolio and reallocating resources toward innovation in its core connected care ecosystem, the company is positioning itself to strengthen its competitive edge and drive sustainable value creation, while enabling MatrixCare to pursue growth under an owner dedicated to the long-term care software market.

Likely Trend of RMD Stock Following the NewsShares of RMD have traded flat since the announcement on July 7. In the year-to-date period, shares of the company have lost 13.5% compared with the industry’s 21.8% decline. The S&P 500 increased 9.5% in the same time frame.

The divestiture is likely to strengthen Resmed's long-term growth profile by enabling the company to concentrate investments on its core sleep and breathing care franchises, where it enjoys strong market leadership and significant innovation opportunities. The transaction should also enhance capital allocation flexibility, allowing Resmed to accelerate product development, expand its AI-powered digital health offerings and scale its connected home-care ecosystem.

By exiting a non-core software business, the company can simplify operations, improve strategic focus and better position itself to capitalize on the growing global demand for home-based healthcare and sleep therapy solutions.

RMD currently has a market capitalization of $29.86 billion.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

More on the NewsThe transaction covers the entire MatrixCare business, including Healthcare First, Citus and its home health and hospice software solutions, which together serve more than 15,000 providers across skilled nursing, senior living, life plan communities, home health and hospice settings. However, the deal does not include Resmed's other healthcare software businesses, Brightree in the United States and MEDIFOX DAN in Germany, both of which remain integral to the company's connected care strategy.

Management stated that MatrixCare will continue operating as part of Resmed until the transaction closes, with no disruption to customer service or support. Resmed also noted that it will provide additional details regarding the transaction's financial impact in its fiscal fourth-quarter 2026 regulatory filings and has furnished a Form 8-K with the SEC outlining the agreement.

For Frazier Healthcare Partners, the acquisition represents a strategic investment in the growing post-acute care technology market. The private equity firm, which focuses exclusively on healthcare investments, plans to invest aggressively in product innovation to strengthen MatrixCare's capabilities and support evolving customer needs across long-term and post-acute care settings.

Resmed believes the new ownership structure will allow MatrixCare to pursue its long-term growth ambitions with a dedicated strategic focus, while enabling it to devote greater attention and resources to advancing AI-powered digital health solutions, cloud-connected medical devices and other technologies aimed at improving sleep, breathing and home-based healthcare outcomes.

Favorable Industry Prospect for RMDGoing by the data provided by Grand View Research, the global home healthcare market size was valued at $485.3 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from $504.8 billion in 2026 to $1015.8 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 10.5% from 2026 to 2033.

The market is driven by rising demand for cost-effective alternatives to curb rising healthcare costs and the growing penetration of the virtual and remote care industry. 

A Recent Development by RMDRecently, Resmed completed the acquisition of Noctrix Health to broaden its clinical sleep health portfolio with the addition of Nidra Tonic Motor Activation Therapy, an FDA De Novo-classified, non-invasive treatment for moderate-to-severe Restless Legs Syndrome RLS. The deal expands Resmed's presence into one of the most prevalent sleep disorders, complementing its core sleep therapy business while enhancing its ability to offer innovative, drug-free treatment options. The acquisition is also expected to accelerate patient access to the therapy by leveraging Resmed's global commercial and distribution capabilities.

RMD’s Zacks Rank & Key PicksCurrently, RMD carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are Veracyte (VCYT - Free Report) , West Pharmaceutical (WST - Free Report) and Pacific Biosciences of California (PACB - Free Report) .

Veracyte, currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), has an estimated earnings growth rate of 5.1% for 2026. VCYT’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 45.9%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Veracyte’s shares have gained 33.3% against the industry’s 14.2% decline in the year-to-date period.

West Pharmaceutical, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 13.9%. WST’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 19.4%.

West Pharmaceutical’s shares have gained 28.5% against the industry’s 1.2% decline in the year-to-date period.

Pacific Biosciences of California, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2, has an estimated earnings growth rate of 22.6% for 2026. PACB’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 29.8%.

Pacific Biosciences’ shares have lost 19.8% compared with the industry’s 14.2% decline in the year-to-date period.

, /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE: BTU) between October 14, 2024 to May 4, 2026, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important August 24, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

So What: If you purchased Peabody Energy common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

What to do next: To join the Peabody Energy class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/cases/peabody-energy-corporation/join or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than August 24, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

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

Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, defendants provided overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Peabody Energy's Centurion mine and the multitude of issues causing delays to the ramp-up and the return to full longwall production dates. On March 30, 2026, Peabody Energy issued a press release lowering guidance pertaining to Centurion mine's expected first quarter 2026 output ahead of Peabody Energy's full earnings release. In pertinent part, defendants announced that sales volume from the Centurion mine was expected to deliver approximately 250,000 tons in the first quarter due to mining commissioning challenges (compared to previous estimates of around 700,000 tons). When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Peabody Energy class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/cases/peabody-energy-corporation/join or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

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

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

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

Contact Information:

     Laurence Rosen, Esq.
     Phillip Kim, Esq.
     The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
     275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
     New York, NY 10016
     Tel: (212) 686-1060
     Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
     Fax: (212) 202-3827
     [email protected]
     www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.

Key Takeaways PVH is advancing its PVH Plan through digital expansion, AI adoption and stronger consumer engagement.PVH is investing in data analytics and generative AI to improve forecasting and customer experiences.PVH continues to strengthen its DTC and e-commerce channels despite tariff and demand headwinds. PVH Corporation (PVH - Free Report) benefits from strength in its core brands, such as Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, which continue to leverage solid global recognition and strong pricing power across markets. The company is executing a multi-year transformation strategy focused on strengthening brands, accelerating digital capabilities and improving operational efficiency. PVH’s initiatives are largely driven by its “PVH+ Plan,” which aims to generate sustainable growth and enhance profitability.

PVH is also benefiting from the effective execution of its PVH+ Plan, which is designed to accelerate growth by strengthening its core capabilities and deepening consumer connections with its brands. The strategy is centered on five key priorities: enhancing product offerings, increasing consumer engagement, strengthening its presence in the digitally driven marketplace, building a demand- and data-driven operating model and improving efficiencies to support future growth investments.

A key component of PVH’s strategy is accelerating its digital transformation. The company continues to invest in Artificial Intelligence, data analytics and digital platforms to improve demand forecasting, inventory management and customer experiences. Its partnership with OpenAI supports the use of generative AI across areas such as product design, merchandising and marketing.

PVH continued to make progress in strengthening its direct-to-consumer (DTC) and digital channels. The company has significantly enhanced its e-commerce capabilities and omnichannel execution. This is driving higher online traffic, stronger engagement and improved full-price sell-through across channels. PVH is seeing positive momentum in DTC heading into fiscal 2026, with higher spring season sell-through trends across the brands and all the regions. Investments in data analytics, AI-enabled merchandising and DTC capabilities are enhancing consumer insights and personalization.

PVH’s continued expansion in international markets remains an important growth catalyst for it. It has made meaningful progress in streamlining its operations through the divestiture of non-core businesses, allowing for greater management focus and more efficient capital deployment. At the same time, PVH is enhancing its product portfolio through ongoing innovation, while continued investments in product development, digital initiatives and sustainability efforts are supporting its long-term growth objectives.

What’s More on PVH?Although the aforesaid factors highlight optimism on the stock, PVH is not immune to macroeconomic uncertainty, tariff-related headwinds, fluctuations in wholesale demand, soft consumer spending and an intensely competitive environment. Nevertheless, the company is strengthening its competitive advantage, accelerating profitable growth and preparing for long-term success. PVH’s robust strategies, including the PVH+ initiative and expansion efforts, position it well for growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Apparently, PVH shares have rallied 19.8% in the past six months against the industry’s decline of 9.1%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PVH’s fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027 earnings per share (EPS) implies year-over-year growth of 5.5% and 2.1%, respectively. The estimates for the aforesaid years have moved south in the past 30 days. Hence, analysts remain optimistic on this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock.  

Key Picks in the Consumer Discretionary SpaceDuluth Holdings Inc. (DLTH - Free Report) , which deals in casual wear, workwear and accessories for men and women, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Duluth Holdings delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 107.5%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DLTH’s current financial-year EPS indicates a decline of 11.6% from the year-ago number.

Columbia Sportswear (COLM - Free Report) engages in marketing and distribution of outdoor and active lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories. It currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for COLM’s current financial-year EPS is expected to rise 4.6% from the corresponding year-ago reported figure. COLM delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 44.1%, on average.

Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL - Free Report) , which is a designer and marketer of premium lifestyle products, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

RL delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 9.1%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ralph Lauren’s current financial-year sales indicates growth of 6.3% from the year-ago number.

July 10, 2026 14:43 ET  | Source: The Brink’s Company

RICHMOND, Va., July 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors of The Brink’s Company (NYSE:BCO) today declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.255 per share on the Company’s common stock. The dividend is payable on September 1, 2026, to shareholders of record as of July 27, 2026.

About The Brink’s Company

The Brink’s Company (NYSE:BCO), a leading global provider of cash and valuables management, digital retail solutions, and ATM managed services. Our customers include financial institutions, retailers, government agencies, mints, jewelers and other commercial operations. Our network of operations in 51 countries serves customers in more than 100 countries. For more information, please visit our website at www.brinks.com or call 804-289-9709.

Contact:

Investor Relations
804.289.9709

The logo of energy services firm Baker Hughes is displayed during the LNG 2023 energy trade show in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

SummaryCompaniesTotal oil and gas rig count rose by one to 581, highest since May 2025Oil rigs held at 445 and ​gas rigs held at 126, Baker Hughes saidTotal rig count was up 44 ‌rigs, or 8%, from a year earlierNEW YORK, July 10 (Reuters) - U.S. energy firms this week added rigs for a fourth week in a row for the first time since early June, energy services firm Baker Hughes (BKR.O), opens new tab ​said in its closely followed report on Friday.

The report, which Baker Hughes usually releases ​around 1 p.m. EDT (1700 GMT) on Fridays, was delayed by around 49 minutes. ⁠Officials at Baker Hughes had no comment on the reason for the delay.

The Reuters Power Up newsletter provides everything you need to know about the global energy industry. Sign up here.

The total oil ​and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, rose by one to 581 in ​the week to July 10, its highest since May 2025. , , , (USGSRC=ECI), opens new tab, (USOIRC=ECI), opens new tab

Baker Hughes said this week's increase put the total rig count up 44 rigs, or 8% above this time last year.

Baker Hughes said oil rigs held steady ​at 445 and gas rigs held at 126 this week, while other miscellaneous rigs rose ​by one to 10.

In the Eagle Ford shale in South Texas, the rig count rose by three to ‌47, the ⁠highest since April 2025.

In Texas, the nation's biggest oil- and gas-producing state, the rig count rose by one to 272, the most since May 2025.

The oil and gas rig count declined by 7% in 2025, 5% in 2024, and 20% in 2023 as lower U.S. oil prices ​prompted energy firms to ​focus more on boosting ⁠shareholder returns and paying down debt rather than increasing output.

But now with spot U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude prices expected to rise in ​2026 due to supply disruptions from the Iran war after declining in ​2023, 2024, ⁠and 2025, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projected crude output will rise from a record 13.6 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2025 to 13.8 million bpd in 2026.

On the gas side, EIA projected output will ⁠jump from ​a record 107.7 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in ​2025 to 111.3 bcfd in 2026 as demand for the fuel rises to produce electricity for power-hungry data centers and ​for export as liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Reporting by Scott DiSavino; Editing by Mark Porter and Chizu Nomiyama

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Covers the North American power and natural gas markets.

Key Takeaways Aveanna Healthcare combines discounted PEG and P/E ratios with a 14.9% long-term expected growth rate. ARCB pairs low PEG and P/E metrics with a 37.7% five-year historical growth rate.Ternium offers discounted PEG and P/E ratios alongside a 52.8% long-term expected growth rate. In the equity market, investments need to be prudently hedged to overcome uncertainties and limit losses related to external shocks. A question that often arises is whether one should resort to a value strategy that seeks discounted stocks or opt for growth investing in times of extreme market instability.

The investing track of the Oracle of Omaha over the past few decades and his gradual shift from being a pure-play value investor to a GARP (growth at a reasonable price) investor might give us all the answers.

Per the GARP theory, the strategic mingling of growth and value-investing principles gives us a hybrid strategy, offering an ideal investment by utilizing the best features of both. What GARPers look for is whether or not the stocks are somewhat undervalued and have solid, sustainable growth potential (Investopedia).

Several stocks that have surged significantly in recent years have demonstrated the overwhelming success of this hybrid investing strategy over pure-play value and growth investments. Here, we will discuss the success of three such stocks. These are Aveanna Healthcare (AVAH - Free Report) , ArcBest Corporation (ARCB - Free Report) and Ternium (TX - Free Report) .

A Few More Words on GARP

GARP investing gives priority to one of the popular value metrics — the price/earnings growth (PEG) ratio. Although it is categorized under value investing, this strategy follows the principles of both growth and value investing.

The PEG ratio is defined as (Price/ Earnings)/Earnings Growth Rate

It relates the stocks’ P/E ratios to the future earnings growth rates.

While P/E alone gives an idea of stocks that are trading at a discount, PEG, while adding the growth element to it, helps identify stocks with solid future potential.

A lower PEG ratio, preferably less than 1, is always better for GARP investors.

Say, for example, if a stock's P/E ratio is 10 and the expected long-term growth rate is 15%, the company's PEG will come down to 0.66, a ratio indicating both undervaluation and future growth potential.

Unfortunately, this ratio is often neglected due to investors' limitations in calculating the future earnings growth rate of a stock.

There are some drawbacks to using the PEG ratio, though. It does not consider the very common situation of changing growth rates, such as the forecast of the first three years at a very high growth rate, followed by a sustainable but lower growth rate over the long term.

Hence, PEG-based investing can be even more rewarding if some other relevant parameters are also taken into consideration.

Here are the screening criteria for a winning strategy:

PEG Ratio less than X Industry Median

P/E Ratio (using F1) less than X Industry Median (For more accurate valuation purpose)

Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) (Whether good market conditions or bad, stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 have a proven history of success.)

Market Capitalization greater than $1 Billion (This helps us to focus on companies that have strong liquidity.)

Average 20-Day Volume greater than 50,000: A substantial trading volume ensures that the stock is easily tradable.

Percentage Change F1 Earnings Estimate Revisions (4 Weeks) greater than 5%: Upward estimate revisions add to the optimism, suggesting further bullishness.

Value Score of less than or equal to B: Our research shows that stocks with a Value Style Score of A or B, when combined with a Zacks Rank #1, 2 or 3 (Hold), offer the best upside potential.

Growth Score of less than or equal to B: Our research shows that stocks with a Growth Style Score of A or B, when combined with a Zacks Rank #1, 2 or 3, offer the best upside potential.

Our PEG-Driven Picks

Here are three stocks that qualified the screening:

Aveanna: The company is a diversified U.S. home care provider offering pediatric and adult healthcare services that enable patients to receive care at home, reducing reliance on hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Through its Private Duty Services, Home Health & Hospice and Medical Solutions segments, the company provides skilled nursing, therapy, personal care, hospice and medical supply services.

AVAH can be an impressive GARP investment pick with its Zacks Rank #2, a Value Score of A and a Growth Score of A. Apart from a discounted PEG and P/E, the stock has an impressive long-term expected growth rate of 14.9%.

ArcBest: This is an integrated logistics company providing less-than-truckload (LTL) freight services through ABF Freight and asset-light solutions, including truckload brokerage, managed transportation, intermodal, warehousing and international shipping. Operating through its Asset-Based and Asset-Light segments, ArcBest delivers end-to-end supply chain solutions to a diversified customer base across the United States.

ARCB has a Zacks Rank #1, a Value Score of B and a Growth Style Score of B. ArcBest also has an impressive five-year historical growth rate of 37.7%.

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

Ternium: The company is a leading steel producer operating across Mexico, Brazil, the Southern Region and international markets, manufacturing a wide range of flat and long steel products for industries including automotive and construction. Through its Steel and Mining segments, the company also produces and sells iron ore and pellets while providing engineering and related services.

TX can also be an impressive GARP investment pick with its Zacks Rank #1, a Value Score of A and a Growth Score of B. Apart from a discounted PEG and P/E, the stock also has a solid long-term expected growth rate of 52.8%.

Key Takeaways PTCT's Sephience posted revenues of $125M in Q1 2026 with 36% sequential growth after its 2025 launch.PTCT markets multiple rare disease therapies and earns Evrysdi royalty revenues.PTCT advanced votoplam and vatiquinone, with phase III progress and a planned FDA-backed study. PTC Therapeutics (PTCT - Free Report) has built a diversified global commercial portfolio across multiple rare disease indications, providing a strong foundation for sustainable revenue growth.

Sephience: PTCT’s Major Growth DriverPTC’s growth largely depends on Sephience (sepiapterin), its approved therapy for phenylketonuria, which has consistently exceeded market expectations since its 2025 launch. The drug is approved in the United States, Europe, Japan and other international markets. During the first quarter of 2026, Sephience generated $125 million in product revenues, representing 36% sequential growth, as adoption strengthened across both the U.S. and international markets.

Management expects the therapy to be available in nearly 30 countries by the end of 2026, significantly expanding its commercial opportunity and reinforcing its position as PTC’s  primary commercial growth driver. Commercial momentum remains robust, with 1,244 patients receiving therapy worldwide as of March 31, 2026, while the United States continued to add approximately 140 new patient start forms per month.

Year to date, PTCT shares have risen 17.9% compared with the industry’s 6.3% growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Other Marketed Drugs in PTCT’s Commercial PortfolioBeyond Sephience, PTC also benefits from a diversified portfolio of marketed rare disease therapies that provide stable revenues to support future innovation.

The company maintains an established Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) franchise through Emflaza, approved in the United States for patients aged two years and older, and Translarna, which continues to generate meaningful revenues in select international markets for patients with nonsense mutation DMD despite ongoing regulatory challenges in Europe.

PTC has strengthened its gene therapy franchise with Upstaza/Kebilidi, an approved treatment for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency that is commercialized across Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Under its licensing agreement with Ionis Pharmaceuticals (IONS - Free Report) , PTC holds exclusive commercialization rights for Tegsedi and Waylivra in Latin America and the Caribbean. Tegsedi is approved for hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy, while Waylivra is approved for rare lipid disorders, including familial chylomicronemia syndrome and familial partial lipodystrophy.

The company also receives royalty revenues from Evrysdi, Roche's (RHHBY - Free Report) globally marketed spinal muscular atrophy therapy, which is approved in more than 100 countries.

PTCT’s Meaningful Pipeline ExpansionBeyond its marketed therapies, PTC has a promising late-stage pipeline focused on rare neurological disorders.

Votoplam, an oral splicing therapy for Huntington's disease, reported positive 24-month phase II extension data in April 2026, demonstrating dose-dependent slowing of disease progression along with a favorable safety profile. These data support the ongoing global phase III INVEST-HD study being led by Novartis (NVS - Free Report) . The phase III study initiation triggered a $50 million milestone payment from Novartis to PTC in the second quarter of 2026, underscoring the program's strategic and commercial potential.

If successful, votoplam could become the first approved oral therapy capable of modifying Huntington's disease progression, representing a significant commercial opportunity in a disease with high unmet medical need.

Another important value driver is vatiquinone, which is progressing toward a registration-enabling study in Friedreich's ataxia, with study initiation planned for the third quarter of 2026 following constructive FDA discussions.

PTCT's Zacks Rank & EstimatesPTC currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Over the past 60 days, estimates for PTCT’s bottom line have improved from a loss per share of $1.40 to earnings of 78 cents per share. Over the aforementioned period, EPS estimates for 2027 have risen from $1.20 to $2.11.

Key Takeaways MSCI and UBS will develop AI-powered tools for private markets research, due diligence and portfolios. The partnership targets fragmented data and limited transparency across major private asset classes. MSCI's run rate rose 12.7% to $3.36 billion, while Private Assets run rate increased 8.4%. MSCI (MSCI - Free Report) is strengthening its private markets platform through a strategic partnership with UBS (UBS - Free Report) , expanding its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered capabilities for institutional investors. Under the collaboration, MSCI will combine its private assets data, analytics and AI technologies with UBS' alternatives expertise to develop more transparent, standardized and scalable private markets solutions. UBS will become an early adopter of MSCI's AI-powered private markets platform, helping enhance investment research, due diligence and portfolio management across private equity, private credit, real estate and infrastructure.

The partnership is expected to improve access to high-quality private markets intelligence while addressing one of the industry's biggest challenges, limited transparency and fragmented data. The integration of AI-powered analytics into institutional investment workflows is expected to help investors make faster, more informed investment decisions while supporting broader institutional adoption of private assets globally. The collaboration also strengthens MSCI's growing ecosystem of AI-enabled investment solutions and reinforces its position as a leading provider of private markets data and analytics.

MSCI Strengthens AI-Powered Private Markets PlatformMSCI shares have gained 5.2% year to date, modestly outperforming the broader Finance sector's return of 4.6%. The stock has benefited from resilient subscription growth, expanding AI capabilities and continued innovation across private markets and investment analytics.

The UBS partnership builds on MSCI's broader strategy of expanding AI across its private markets platform. During the first quarter of 2026, the company enhanced its Private Capital Solutions portfolio with AI-enabled products, including daily private valuation indices, private equity and private credit benchmarks, AI-powered capabilities within Private Capital Intel and AI connectors compatible with leading large language models to simplify private fund research and due diligence. The company achieved nearly 44% recurring net new sales growth in Private Capital Solutions in the first quarter of 2026, with high retention rates across client segments.

MSCI strengthened its AI capabilities through the acquisitions of Vantager, an AI-native private markets due diligence platform, Compass Financial Technologies and PM Insights, expanding its offerings in AI-driven due diligence, index customization, private market pricing and portfolio analytics.

These initiatives are translating into stronger business momentum. In the first quarter of 2026, recurring subscription run rate grew 8.9% reported and 8.2% organically, while recurring subscription revenues increased 8.6%. Recurring net new subscription sales were $39.6 million, up 52%, marking the best first quarter since 2022.

The company also reported a record asset-based fee run rate, while its Private Assets run rate grew 8.4% year over year, supported by rising demand for Private Capital Transparency Data, Total Plan Manager and Private Capital Intel solutions.

MSCI Offers Solid Financial OutlookMSCI's expanding AI-powered private markets platform, growing institutional adoption and strengthening strategic partnerships are expected to support the company's top-line growth.

For 2026, MSCI expects operating expenses of $1.490-$1.530 billion and adjusted EBITDA expenses of $1.305-$1.335 billion.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $851.32 million, indicating continued year-over-year growth of 10.18%.

The consensus mark for second-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $4.82 per share, unchanged over the past 30 days. The figure implies a year-over-year increase of 15.59%.

MSCI's Zacks Rank & Other Stocks to ConsiderCurrently, MSCI carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Macro Bank (BMA - Free Report) and Evercore

((EVR - Free Report) are some other top-ranked stocks that investors can consider in the broader Zacks Finance sector. Macro Bank and Evercore sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) each. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

BMA shares have declined 0.4% in the year-to-date period. The long-term earnings growth rate for Macro Bank is pegged at 30.04%.

EVR shares have declined 0.2% in the year-to-date period. The long-term earnings growth rate for Evercore is pegged at 26.03%.

The Zacks Building Products - Concrete & Aggregates industry is expected to benefit from steady infrastructure spending in 2026, supported by remaining funds under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and healthy state and local transportation budgets. Public works tied to highways, bridges, airports, water systems and other projects should provide a stable demand base and support pricing discipline. Heavy nonresidential construction also remains a key growth driver, with data centers, semiconductor plants, advanced manufacturing, power projects and LNG developments requiring large volumes of aggregates, cement and concrete. Population growth and business migration to Sunbelt markets further strengthen demand visibility. Industry players are also using acquisitions, cost controls, operating efficiencies and solid pricing to improve earnings and cash flows.

Although weak residential construction, elevated mortgage rates, high costs, tariffs and weather-related disruptions remain key risks, profitability and demand visibility appear solid, with long-term fundamentals remaining favorable for leaders such as Vulcan Materials Company (VMC - Free Report) , Eagle Materials Inc. (EXP - Free Report) and Suncrete, Inc. (RMIX - Free Report) .

Industry Description The Zacks Building Products - Concrete & Aggregates industry consists of manufacturers, distributors and sellers of construction materials like aggregates and concrete along with other related items for public infrastructure, residential and non-residential, as well as other end markets. The materials also include gypsum wallboard, recycled paperboard, concrete blocks, ready-mix concrete, and oil and gas proppants. The industry players are also involved in designing, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and installation of external building products for commercial, residential, and repair and remodel markets in domestic as well as international markets.

4 Trends Shaping the Future of Concrete & Aggregates Industry Focus on U.S. Infrastructure: Public infrastructure spending is expected to remain the industry’s strongest demand driver in 2026. A large share of funding authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has yet to move into active construction, supporting highways, bridges, airports, water systems and other public works. State and local transportation budgets remain healthy, giving contractors and material suppliers visibility into project pipelines. The successor to the federal surface transportation program should further support activity, even if temporary funding measures are needed during the transition. Because infrastructure projects consume large volumes of aggregates, cement and ready-mix concrete, this spending provides a stable demand base and helps offset weakness in rate-sensitive construction markets. Public work should also support pricing discipline and improve plant and fleet utilization across many regions.

High Demand for Data Centers and Industrial Projects: Heavy nonresidential construction is a major industry growth driver in 2026. Data centers, semiconductor plants, advanced manufacturing facilities, power projects and LNG developments require substantial volumes of aggregates, cement and concrete. AI infrastructure expansion is also increasing demand for supporting energy systems, roads, utilities and site preparation. Meanwhile, population growth and business migration to Sunbelt states continue to support commercial and infrastructure activity. These large, multiyear projects provide strong demand visibility. Limited quarry reserves and lengthy permitting processes for new capacity should also help preserve a favorable supply-demand balance as construction activity expands.

Meanwhile, the industry participants follow a well-chalked-out acquisition plan to enhance domestic and international portfolios. Moreover, companies are increasingly focusing on reducing controllable costs and maximizing operating efficiency across business lines to generate higher earnings and cash flows. The industry players have also been experiencing a solid pricing environment across their product portfolios, thereby helping to boost margins.

Residential Construction Weakness: The U.S. Concrete and Aggregates industry continues to face pressure from weak residential construction demand, especially in single-family housing, as elevated mortgage rates, high home prices and affordability challenges continue to limit new home demand. Higher borrowing costs are also weighing on housing-related commercial projects. While the United States still faces a long-term housing shortage, a meaningful recovery will likely depend on lower interest rates and improved buyer confidence. Since housing is an important end market for aggregates, prolonged weakness can restrain shipment volumes and plant utilization.

Persistent Cost Inflation and Weather Risks: Persistent cost inflation remains a major headwind for the concrete and aggregates industry in 2026. Higher diesel, electricity, natural gas, labor and transportation costs, along with tariffs that have increased the cost of imported machinery and equipment, continue to pressure margins. While pricing actions and operating efficiencies provide some relief, profitability remains under strain. The industry is also vulnerable to weather-related disruptions. Heavy rainfall, flooding, droughts, winter storms and hurricanes can delay construction activity, disrupt production and shipments, increase operating costs and reduce profitability, particularly during the first and fourth quarters.

Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright Prospects The Zacks Building Products - Concrete & Aggregates industry is a seven-stock group within the broader Zacks Construction sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #57, which places it in the top 23% of more than 250 Zacks industries.

The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bullish near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

The industry’s positioning in the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of a higher earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are gradually gaining confidence in this group’s earnings growth potential. Since March 2026, the industry’s earnings estimates for 2027 have increased to $2.66 per share from $2.60. For 2026, earnings estimates have remained unchanged at $2.29.

Before highlighting a few stocks worth considering for your portfolio, let’s first review the industry’s recent stock market performance and valuation trends.

Industry Lags Sector & S&P 500 The Zacks Building Products - Concrete & Aggregates industry has underperformed the broader Zacks Construction sector and the Zacks S&P 500 Composite over the past year, respectively.

Stocks in this industry have collectively gained 6.9% compared with the broader sector’s 12.6% rise over the past year. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 has gained 23.1% in the same period.

One-Year Price Performance

Concrete & Aggregates Industry's Current Valuation On the basis of the forward 12-month price-to-earnings, which is a commonly used multiple for valuing Building Products - Concrete & Aggregates stocks, the industry is currently trading at 21.78X versus the S&P 500’s 21.03X and the sector’s 20.69X.

Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 25.98X, as low as 13.86X and at a median of 19.91X, as the chart below shows.

Industry’s P/E Ratio (Forward 12-Month) Versus S&P 500

Industry’s P/E Ratio (Forward 12-Month) Versus Sector

3 Concrete & Aggregates Stocks to Keep an Eye On Below, we have discussed three stocks from the Zacks Concrete & Aggregates universe that have growth potential.

Eagle Materials: Headquartered in Dallas, TX, this company manufactures and sells heavy construction products and light building materials across the United States. Eagle Materials' long-term prospects remain favorable, supported by healthy infrastructure spending, expanding data center construction and disciplined investment in capacity and efficiency. Management expects federal, state and local infrastructure projects, including spending under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), to continue supporting cement demand, while private non-residential activity remains strong. Although residential construction and gypsum wallboard demand are pressured by elevated mortgage rates, the company expects housing demand to recover over time due to constrained supply. Meanwhile, modernization of the Mountain Cement and Duke Wallboard plants is expected to lower operating costs, improve reliability and increase production flexibility, reinforcing Eagle Materials' low-cost competitive position and supporting long-term earnings growth.

Eagle Materials, a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock, has dipped 7.9% over the past year. Yet, earnings estimates for fiscal 2027 have increased to $13.02 from $12.50 per share over the past 60 days. Although the fiscal 2027 earnings per share (EPS) estimate depicts 1.1% year-over-year decline, the same for fiscal 2028 calls for 9.8% growth. This company surpassed earnings estimates in two of the trailing four quarters and missed on the other two occasions, with the average surprise being 6.2%. It has a VGM Score of B. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Price and Consensus: EXP

Suncrete: The company, which became a public corporation in April 2026 after completing a business combination with Haymaker Acquisition Corp. 4. has promising growth prospects as it enters the public market. The company is strategically focused on the fast-growing U.S. Sunbelt, with an existing footprint across Oklahoma and Arkansas and plans to expand further. Its vertically integrated model, including batching plants, owned mixer trucks and tech-enabled dispatch systems, should support efficiency and stronger margins. Suncrete also serves diversified end markets such as infrastructure, commercial and residential construction, reducing reliance on any single segment. Suncrete’s growth prospects remain encouraging, supported by robust demand across infrastructure, commercial and residential construction markets in the high-growth U.S. Sunbelt. It is expanding its geographic footprint through the acquisitions of Hope Concrete and Nelson Bros. Management expects these acquisitions, together with continued organic growth, to drive 2026 revenues of $420-$480 million and adjusted EBITDA of $68-$93 million. Although higher interest costs and acquisition-related expenses weighed on first-quarter profitability, strong revenue growth and rising shipment volumes indicate healthy underlying demand.

Suncrete, a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock, has gained 78.8% over the past month. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RMIX’s 2026 EPS and revenues calls for 21 cents and $468.8 million, respectively. For 2027, the consensus mark for RMIX’s EPS and revenues depicts 127% and 54.2% growth, respectively.

Price and Consensus: RMIX

Vulcan: This Birmingham, AL-based company produces and supplies construction aggregates, asphalt mix, and ready-mixed concrete. Vulcan has been gaining from sustained public infrastructure spending, improving private nonresidential construction and rising demand from data center development. The company also expects the expansion of power and energy infrastructure to create additional opportunities as electricity networks are upgraded to support AI-related investments. Its strong market presence in high-growth regions, disciplined pricing strategy, operational efficiency initiatives and focus on expanding its aggregates business through acquisitions and greenfield projects further strengthen its long-term growth prospects.

Vulcan, a Zacks Rank #3 stock, has gained 7.4% over the past year. Earnings estimates for fiscal 2027 have increased to $9.27 from $9.24 per share over the past 30 days. Also, the 2026 and 2027 EPS estimates depict 15.9% and 15.1% year-over-year growth, respectively. This company surpassed earnings estimates in two of the trailing four quarters and missed on the other two occasions, with the average surprise being 0.6%. It has a three-to-five-year expected EPS growth rate of 15%.

Price and Consensus: VMC

Chewy remains a "Buy" despite a ~40% YTD decline and a guidance cut, as I view challenges as cyclical, not structural. CHWY lowered FY26 sales outlook to $13.40–$13.55 billion, citing macro headwinds and consumer trade-down to lower-priced pet products. I see ongoing improvements in margins, customer net additions, and engagement, supporting long-term growth and share gains.

Growth investors focus on stocks that are seeing above-average financial growth, as this feature helps these securities garner the market's attention and deliver solid returns. But finding a great growth stock is not easy at all.

In addition to volatility, these stocks carry above-average risk by their very nature. Also, one could end up losing from a stock whose growth story is actually over or nearing its end.

However, the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects, makes it pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks.

TE Connectivity (TEL - Free Report) is one such stock that our proprietary system currently recommends. The company not only has a favorable Growth Score, but also carries a top Zacks Rank.

Studies have shown that stocks with the best growth features consistently outperform the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.

Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this electronics maker a great growth pick right now.

Earnings GrowthArguably nothing is more important than earnings growth, as surging profit levels is what most investors are after. And for growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is definitely preferable, and often an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.

While the historical EPS growth rate for TE Connectivity is 7.8%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 29.1% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 23.1%.

Impressive Asset Utilization RatioGrowth investors often overlook asset utilization ratio, also known as sales-to-total-assets (S/TA) ratio, but it is an important feature of a real growth stock. This metric shows how efficiently a firm is utilizing its assets to generate sales.

Right now, TE Connectivity has an S/TA ratio of 0.74, which means that the company gets $0.74 in sales for each dollar in assets. Comparing this to the industry average of 0.7, it can be said that the company is more efficient.

While the level of efficiency in generating sales matters a lot, so does the sales growth of a company. And TE Connectivity is well positioned from a sales growth perspective too. The company's sales are expected to grow 13.1% this year versus the industry average of 2.7%.

Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsSuperiority of a stock in terms of the metrics outlined above can be further validated by looking at the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is of course favorable here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

There have been upward revisions in current-year earnings estimates for TE Connectivity. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 0.1% over the past month.

Bottom LineWhile the overall earnings estimate revisions have made TE Connectivity a Zacks Rank #2 stock, it has earned itself a Growth Score of B based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above.

You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

This combination positions TE Connectivity well for outperformance, so growth investors may want to bet on it.

Key Takeaways Cytokinetics launched Myqorzo in the US and Germany after FDA and European Commission approvals.CYTK seeks to expand Myqorzo's label as the FDA reviews its MAPLE-HCM supplemental application.CYTK reported positive phase III ACACIA-HCM results supporting aficamten in non-obstructive HCM. Cytokinetics, Incorporated (CYTK - Free Report) has entered a pivotal phase following the FDA approval of its first drug, Myqorzo (aficamten), for the treatment of symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM).

The approval marks the company’s transition into a commercial-stage biotech.

Myqorzo is an allosteric and reversible inhibitor of cardiac myosin motor activity.  It is approved in the United States and China for the treatment of adults with symptomatic oHCM.

The commercial outlook for Myqorzo appears promising. The company initiated the U.S. commercial rollout in January 2026. Early launch metrics indicate strong physician engagement and patient uptake, with over 275 unique healthcare providers prescribing the drug and approximately 680 patients being prescribed Myqorzo by the end of the first quarter.

More than 70% of patients on therapy transitioned to paid prescriptions.

International expansion provides an additional growth lever. The European Commission approval in February 2026 further expands Myqorzo's addressable market.

Cytokinetics recently achieved an important commercial milestone with the first European launch of Myqorzo in Germany, marking the drug's entry into the EU market.

CYTK is also working on a label expansion of Myqorzo. The FDA accepted its supplemental new drug application for MAPLE-HCM, a phase III study of aficamten as monotherapy compared with metoprolol as monotherapy in patients with oHCM. The regulatory body assigned a target action date of Nov. 14, 2026.

Meanwhile, aficamten continues to be evaluated across additional patient populations, supporting potential lifecycle expansion opportunities. The drug was studied in the phase III ACACIA-HCM study in non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (nHCM).

The ACACIA-HCM study successfully met both co-primary endpoints, demonstrating statistically significant improvements from baseline through week 36 in both Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) Clinical Summary Score and maximal exercise performance (peak VO2). Statistically significant improvements compared to placebo were also observed in key secondary endpoints.

The company’s tailored commercialization model, including dedicated cardiac account specialists and patient support programs, may further drive uptake.

Competition for CYTK’s MyqorzoMyqorzo operates within an evolving treatment landscape for oHCM. Its primary branded competitor is Camzyos, a cardiac myosin inhibitor marketed by Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY - Free Report) . In addition to this direct competition, Myqorzo faces established generic therapies, namely beta blockers and calcium channel blockers, which continue to serve as the first-line standard of care.

BMY obtained FDA approval for Camzyos in 2022 for the treatment of adults with symptomatic New York Heart Association class II-III obstructive HCM to improve functional capacity and symptoms.

The drug continues to gain traction in the targeted market, supported by growing demand and increased adoption among eligible patients

The FDA accepted BMY’s supplemental new drug application seeking approval of Camzyos for the treatment of adolescentsaged 12 to under 18 years with symptomatic oHCM.

A potential competitor for Cytokinetics is Edgewise Therapeutics, Inc. (EWTX - Free Report) , whose cardiovascular program includes novel, oral, selective cardiac sarcomere modulators — EDG-7500 and EDG-15400.

Edgewise recently reported top-line results from the 12-week phase II Part D CIRRUS-HCM study of EDG-7500 in oHCM and nHCM.  Consistent and clinically meaningful improvements were observed in echocardiogram parameters, biomarkers, symptoms and functional status across obstructive and nonobstructive HCM.

EWTX expects to initiate a phase II study on EDG-15400 in participants with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in the second half of 2026.  

CYTK’s Price Movement, Valuation and EstimatesCytokinetics’ shares have gained 35.5% year to date compared with the industry’s 6.3% growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Going by the price/sales ratio, CYTK’s shares currently trade at 40.74X forward sales, higher than the industry’s average of 1.90X but lower than its mean of 49.04X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 loss per share has narrowed to $6.22 from $6.36 and that for 2027 has narrowed to $4.59 from $4.62 in the past 60 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Key Takeaways SOUN is shifting beyond automotive voice AI into enterprise customer service and workflow use cases.Subscriptions drove SOUN's 2025 revenues, rising as part of a 99% total revenue jump to $168.9M.OASYS and the planned LivePerson deal may expand SOUN's enterprise reach and cross-selling potential. SoundHound AI, Inc. (SOUN - Free Report) is no longer just an automotive voice-assistant story. The company’s investor debate now centers on whether broader enterprise adoption can support durable revenue growth.

The opportunity is clear, but so are the risks. SoundHound is expanding across restaurants, healthcare, retail, financial services, telecom and other verticals while still operating at a loss.

SoundHound Pushes Beyond AutomotiveSoundHound positions itself as an independent conversational intelligence platform for enterprises. Its pitch is that businesses can build branded assistants and customer-facing AI experiences without relying fully on third-party ecosystems.

The product set now spans Smart Answering, Smart Ordering, Dynamic Interaction, Employee Assist and SoundHound Chat AI. That broader portfolio shifts the business identity away from a narrower automotive focus and toward enterprise customer service, ordering, workflow and digital interaction use cases.

SOUN Finds Growth in Service SubscriptionsThe revenue mix is central to the SOUN thesis. Total revenues in 2025 rose 99% to $168.9 million from $84.7 million in 2024.

Service subscriptions accounted for $133.5 million of 2025 revenues, compared with product royalties of $34.9 million and monetization revenues of $0.5 million. That mix highlights why investors are focused on recurring enterprise demand as the main growth engine.

SoundHound Builds a Wider AI PlatformSoundHound’s technology stack includes Speech-to-Meaning, Deep Meaning Understanding, Collective AI, Dynamic Interaction and hybrid Edge+Cloud deployment. These capabilities are designed to support faster natural-language understanding, low-latency performance and flexible deployment across customer environments.

The company reported more than 359 granted patents and more than 100 pending patents as of 2025. For enterprises, the strategic value is control: branded assistants can be customized around customer experience, data, workflow and monetization priorities.

SOUN Has Catalysts but Also Integration RiskOASYS is a major catalyst in SoundHound’s next phase. The platform is designed to help businesses build, orchestrate, evaluate and improve AI agents across voice, chat and digital channels.

The planned LivePerson acquisition adds another layer to the opportunity. SoundHound expects the deal to expand its enterprise footprint, create cross-selling opportunities and support a combined revenue opportunity of about $500 million.

Still, the story is not de-risked. Persistent operating losses, long enterprise sales cycles, acquisition integration demands, fierce AI competition and continued investment needs remain key concerns.

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT - Free Report) and Salesforce, Inc. (CRM - Free Report) also frame the competitive backdrop. Microsoft markets Microsoft 365 Copilot as an enterprise AI tool with access to agents and work-data integrations, while Salesforce markets Agentforce as a platform for building, deploying and managing AI agents at scale.

What SOUN Signals Say About the SetupThe bottom line is that SoundHound has a more interesting business narrative than it did when investors viewed it mainly through automotive voice AI. Enterprise AI adoption, subscription growth, OASYS and acquisition-driven cross-selling all support the long-term case.

The stock, however, currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). It also has a Value Score of F, a Growth Score of F, a Momentum Score of C and a VGM Score of F. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Zacks Style Scores are graded from A to F, with stronger scores generally indicating more favorable characteristics for the relevant style category. SOUN’s current mix suggests that, despite the attractive enterprise AI narrative, the near-term stock profile still reflects caution around execution, profitability and valuation.

Key Takeaways SoundHound is shifting from voice recognition toward broader conversational and agentic AI platforms.OASYS is positioned to help businesses build and improve AI agents across voice, chat and digital channels.SOUN's losses, margin pressure, acquisition integration and competition remain key execution tests. SoundHound AI, Inc. (SOUN - Free Report) sits at the center of a shift from narrow voice tools to broader conversational and agentic artificial intelligence platforms. The investment case is no longer just about voice recognition. It is about whether SOUN can convert enterprise demand into scalable, recurring software revenue.

That trend gives SoundHound a clear growth narrative. It also raises a harder stock question: can the company turn platform expansion, acquisitions and new products into better margins and steadier execution?

SoundHound Rides Enterprise AI AdoptionEnterprises are adopting conversational and agentic artificial intelligence across voice, chat and digital channels. SoundHound has expanded beyond its historical automotive base into restaurants, retail, healthcare, financial services, telecommunications and energy.

That broader reach matters because it reduces dependence on a single end market. In the first quarter of 2026, revenues rose 52% year over year to $44.2 million, while core automotive and Internet of Things artificial intelligence revenues, excluding acquisitions, increased 88%.

Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) is also relevant to this trend because its artificial intelligence strategy includes enterprise workflow, healthcare and productivity use cases. IBM (IBM - Free Report) provides another comparison point through its focus on artificial intelligence agents and workflow automation for enterprises.

SOUN Turns OASYS Into a Key Trend MarkerOASYS is becoming the clearest marker of SoundHound’s move toward agentic artificial intelligence. The platform is designed to help businesses build, orchestrate, evaluate and improve artificial intelligence agents across voice, chat and digital channels.

The strategic appeal is faster implementation. Management has positioned OASYS as a way for businesses to move from months-long builds to faster deployments, while also lowering operating costs and making agents better over time through usage.

That puts SOUN in a market where enterprises increasingly want unified platforms rather than isolated tools. NVIDIA (NVDA - Free Report) remains an important part of the broader enterprise artificial intelligence discussion because infrastructure and software platforms are central to scaling agentic workloads.

SoundHound Uses M&A to Broaden Its ReachAcquisitions are central to SoundHound’s platform-breadth strategy. SYNQ3 added restaurant-focused voice artificial intelligence capabilities, Amelia expanded the company into full-stack enterprise agentic artificial intelligence, and Interactions added customer-service and workflow-orchestration capabilities.

The planned LivePerson acquisition is another step in that direction. It is expected to expand SoundHound’s digital messaging and enterprise customer footprint, creating cross-selling opportunities across voice, messaging and agentic artificial intelligence.

This matters because platform breadth is becoming a competitive requirement. Enterprises want systems that can handle contact-center inquiries, ordering, transactions, workflow automation and customer engagement across multiple channels.

SOUN Still Faces Margin and Execution TestsThe opportunity remains balanced by clear operating risks. SoundHound posted a GAAP net loss of $25 million in the first quarter of 2026 and an adjusted EBITDA loss of $26.7 million.

Margins also showed pressure. GAAP gross margin fell to 31.1% from 36.5% a year earlier, while non-GAAP gross margin was 49.7%, compared with 50.8% in the prior-year period.

Competition is another concern. Large technology companies and specialized artificial intelligence vendors are investing aggressively, while long enterprise sales cycles can delay revenue conversion. SoundHound also needs continued research and development spending to keep pace with fast-moving voice, generative and agentic artificial intelligence markets.

Commercialization risk is still part of the story. OASYS, Dynamic Interaction and broader agentic offerings may become future growth drivers, but adoption, customer acceptance and recurring revenue generation are still developing.

Why SOUN Ratings Temper the Trend NarrativeThe bottom line is that SoundHound has meaningful exposure to conversational and agentic artificial intelligence, but the stock still needs execution to catch up with the trend. Revenue growth, product expansion and acquisition-driven scale are encouraging, yet losses, integration risk and competitive pressure remain material.

SOUN currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). The stock also has a Value Score of F, a Growth Score of F and a Momentum Score of C. These scores suggest that, despite the company’s industry positioning, shares do not currently screen well on valuation or growth characteristics, while momentum is more neutral.

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

For investors, that creates a measured setup. SoundHound may remain a closely watched artificial intelligence name, but the Zacks Rank and Style Scores point to caution until operating leverage, platform monetization and acquisition integration show clearer progress.

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You saw the chart. Applied Optoelectronics (NASDAQ:AAOI) went vertical this year, and your feed will not shut up about it. The screenshots, the rocket emojis, the “full port” posts. And you didn’t buy a single share.

The optical transceiver maker is up 250.57% year to date, riding the AI datacenter buildout that needs faster and faster fiber to move data between GPUs. That is the kind of return that ruins your week when you missed it.

Here is the twist: you didn’t miss it. Not really.

The Number That Kills the FOMO Over the same window, from December 31, 2025 through July 9, 2026, the Invesco Semiconductors ETF (NYSEARCA:PSI) returned 102.24%. A $10,000 stake at the start of the year sat at roughly $20,220 on July 9.

That is a serious return. A chip basket that more than doubled in a little over six months while you slept, worked, and refreshed your brokerage app in peace.

PSI is a basket of U.S.-listed semiconductor names, an index-tracking fund from Invesco that spreads exposure across the sector for an expense ratio of roughly 0.56%. You paid a rounding error to own the theme.

Same Wave, Different Surfboard The force that lifted Applied Optoelectronics is the broader AI capex wave: hyperscalers pouring money into datacenters, GPUs needing high-speed interconnects, and optical transceivers stepping up from 400G to 800G and 1.6 Tb products. AAOI’s Q1 2026 datacenter revenue more than doubled year over year to $81.4 million, and CEO Thompson Lin said the company “completed our first volume shipment of our 800G products to one of our large hyperscale customers in Q1.”

That same demand is why global semiconductor revenue hit $298.5 billion in Q1 2026, up 79.2% year over year, and why U.S. chip sales jumped 83.1% versus the prior year. The rising tide is real, and it lifted the whole sector, not just one Texas transceiver shop.

PSI’s job is to own that tide as a basket. You don’t have to know which company wins the 800G qualification race or which fab lands the next hyperscale contract. You just need exposure to the fact that hyperscalers are spending, and chips get bought either way. If you want a broader read on which names are riding this cycle, our team’s 7 Stocks Powering the AI Boom report walks through the ecosystem in depth.

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The Part Nobody Screenshots Yes, AAOI holders made more. A lot more. 250.57% beats 102.24%, and it is not close.

Now the other side. AAOI has a beta of 3.687, a 52-week range of $18.50 to $233.67, and a habit of missing earnings estimates even when revenue is exploding. Q3 2025 saw 82.1% revenue growth alongside a wide EPS miss. Q1 2026 revenue grew 51.4% and the stock still missed the consensus loss estimate.

And in the past month alone, AAOI is down 24.97%. Reddit’s r/wallstreetbets flipped from “ALL IN ON AAOI” posts on July 4 to a “Bottleneck bros are moving to Robotics” thread with 102 upvotes by July 7. Sentiment scores fell from 94 to 22 inside 72 hours. That is single-stock life. You get the top and the trapdoor in the same package.

PSI spreads that exposure across a basket of chip names. Any one blowup gets diluted. You give up the euphoric top of the trade. You also skip the part where a Reddit post empties the room.

Process Over Prediction Chasing hot tickers is stock-picking with extra regret attached. You have to be right about the company, right about the timing, and lucky about the exit. Owning the theme through a diversified fund gets you most of the move with a fraction of the white-knuckle moments.

You didn’t need to pick AAOI to profit from AI optics. You needed to be exposed to semiconductors while the AI capex cycle was running, and PSI was one straightforward way to do that. The stock-pickers who nailed AAOI deserve the win. The investor who owned the basket got most of the move without ever needing to be a hero.

Next time a ticker takes over your timeline, the useful question to ask is “what is the underlying driver, and do I already own it in some form?” Answer that clearly and the FOMO gets a lot quieter.

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Key Takeaways Sezzle's rally is backed by rising GMV, revenue, profits and higher 2026 guidance.Purchase frequency hit 7.1 times, while subscribers rose by 44,000 to 714,000 in the quarter.SEZL's premium valuation raises risk, but margins, AI efficiency and new products support growth. Sezzle Inc. (SEZL - Free Report) has been one of the more exciting names in buy now, pay later, and the rally in SEZL has naturally made investors ask a simple question: Is the move already done, or is there still upside left?

The stock has earned attention because the business is not just growing; it is growing profitably. That matters in a fintech market where PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL - Free Report) and Shift4 Payments, Inc. (FOUR - Free Report) still draw plenty of investor focus, but where investors are rewarding companies that can show clean execution.

SEZL’s price performance has already been sharp, and that creates a higher bar. Over the past month, the company has rallied more than 37%, well ahead of its industry’s increase of 8.4%. Meanwhile, peers like PayPal Holdings and Shift4 Payments have risen 9.9% and 24.9%, respectively, while the S&P 500 composite has inched up 1.8%.

One-Month Price Performance

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

SEZL’s Earnings Power is Driving the ThesisSezzle’s first-quarter 2026 results provide a strong foundation for the bullish case. Gross merchandise volume (GMV) rose 37.3% year over year to roughly $1.1 billion, while total revenues increased 29.2% to $135.5 million. Net income reached $51.3 million, equal to a 37.9% profit margin, and adjusted EBITDA was $71.1 million, representing a 52.5% margin.

Sezzle is not relying only on volume growth. The company is converting growth into earnings at a high rate, which gives the stock a stronger fundamental base after its rally. For a fintech company operating in a credit-sensitive category, that combination of revenue growth and profitability is especially important.

Management also raised its full-year 2026 outlook. Sezzle now expects revenue growth of 30-35%, adjusted net income of $180 million and adjusted EPS of $5.10. This guidance gives investors a clearer earnings anchor when thinking about valuation. SEZL is not a low-multiple stock after its run, but the premium looks more defensible if earnings continue scaling at this pace.

Sezzle’s Engagement Trends Point to Quality GrowthThe strongest part of Sezzle’s operating story is user engagement. Average quarterly purchase frequency increased to 7.1 times from 6.1 times a year earlier. Active consumers reached about 3.1 million, while monthly on-demand users and subscribers stood at 887,000.

This matters because higher purchase frequency can support better unit economics over time. A customer who uses Sezzle more often is more valuable than one who appears only at checkout once or twice. The company’s subscriber base also continues to move in the right direction, with subscribers rising by 44,000 in the quarter to 714,000.

That subscriber focus is central to the investment thesis. Sezzle is prioritizing users with higher lifetime value, stronger repeat behavior and better engagement across the platform. This should help reduce dependence on one-time transactions and create a more durable revenue stream.

Product Expansion Adds Upside Optionality for SEZLSezzle is also widening its product set beyond its original Pay-in-4 offering. Pay-in-5, enhanced long-term lending, the virtual card in Canada and Sezzle Mobile all add more ways for consumers to use the platform. These products may not all become major profit drivers immediately, but they increase the number of touchpoints between Sezzle and its customers.

The company is also using AI to improve efficiency. Its AI support chatbot is resolving roughly 60-70% of chats without escalation, while internal tools are being used across chargebacks, support, business intelligence and engineering. That operating discipline is important because it supports margin expansion while the business continues to grow.

SEZL’s Estimate Revisions Depict a Bright OutlookOver the past week, earnings estimates for both 2026 and 2027 have been revised marginally upward, signaling a bullish outlook from analysts. These figures also suggest year-over-year growth of 42.06% and 25.74%, respectively.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Valuation is the Main Risk for SEZLThe main concern is valuation. SEZL’s rally has already priced in a lot of optimism, so the company needs to keep delivering strong quarters. The stock trades at 8.88X forward 12-month sales per share versus 5.00X for the Zacks sub-industry. This is no longer cheap, but it looks fair for a fintech growing revenue around 30% to 35% and producing strong adjusted EBITDA.

On the other hand, PYPL trades at 1.14X forward 12-month sales per share, while FOUR trades near 1.44X forward 12-month sales per share.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Competition also remains a watch item, especially as PayPal and Shift4 Payments continue shaping investor expectations for BNPL and digital payments. Still, Sezzle’s current momentum is being driven by its own execution rather than broad sector enthusiasm alone.

Conclusion: SEZL Still Looks Like a BuySEZL has already rallied hard, but the move does not look empty. Sezzle is growing GMV, expanding revenue, lifting guidance, improving engagement and producing strong profits. Valuation is no longer cheap after the rally, and that raises the need for consistent execution. PayPal and Shift4 Payments remain important BNPL and payments peers, yet Sezzle offers a cleaner, high-growth, high-margin story.

  Guidance, margins and subscriber growth support the view that the business can grow into its higher expectations. With earnings momentum still strong and multiple growth levers in place, SEZL remains a Buy for investors comfortable with volatility. Estimate revisions also echo a similar sentiment, and therefore, for investors, the recent rally looks justified rather than excessive.

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

Key Takeaways APLD derives nearly 86% of contracted lease revenues from just two hyperscale customers. Applied Digital has about $36B in contracted leases, with most tied to existing hyperscale relationships. APLD faces diversified rivals EQIX and DLR, while customer concentration heightens execution risk. Applied Digital (APLD - Free Report) continues to expand its artificial intelligence data center platform aggressively, but its persistently high customer concentration remains an important investment risk. Although the company has built a sizable portfolio of long-term hyperscale leases, future revenue generation remains heavily dependent on a limited number of counterparties, tying growth closely to the investment priorities and financial health of a few large customers.

The exposure remains substantial. Applied Digital has approximately $36 billion in contracted lease revenues, with nearly $20 billion associated with one hyperscaler across Delta Forge 1, Polaris Forge 3 and Delta Forge 2. CoreWeave represents another $11 billion through Polaris Forge 1, while a third hyperscaler at Polaris Forge 2 accounts for the remaining $5 billion. Consequently, nearly 86% of the company's contracted revenues are derived from just two customers, highlighting the limited diversification of its revenue pipeline.

This dependence increases execution risk as multiple AI data center campuses are scheduled to become operational through 2027 and 2028. Any delay in capacity deployments, moderation in AI infrastructure investments or deterioration in the credit profile of these key tenants could materially affect future revenue generation. While Applied Digital continues to expand its development pipeline, much of the incremental contracted capacity remains tied to existing hyperscale relationships instead of materially broadening its customer mix.

With the bulk of contracted revenues still resting on just two hyperscalers and little evidence of a broader tenant base taking shape, APLD's customer concentration is likely to remain a defining constraint on the sustainability of its growth trajectory.

APLD Faces Stiff CompetitionApplied Digital faces intense competition from Equinix (EQIX - Free Report) and Digital Realty Trust (DLR - Free Report) , both of which operate with significantly more diversified customer portfolios.

Equinix generates revenues from a broad base of enterprise, cloud and network customers across global markets, while Digital Realty Trust serves a balanced mix of hyperscalers, enterprises and colocation customers. In comparison, Applied Digital remains heavily reliant on a limited number of hyperscale tenants for the bulk of its contracted lease revenues.

Unlike Equinix and Digital Realty Trust, Applied Digital's elevated customer concentration increases its exposure to customer-specific investment decisions and execution risks, potentially making its long-term revenue stream more volatile.

APLD’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesApplied Digital shares have returned 31.7% year to date, while the broader Zacks Finance sector has appreciated 4.6% and the Zacks Financial-Miscellaneous Services industry has plunged 12.5%.

APLD Stock’s Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Applied Digital stock is trading at a forward 12-month price/sales of 13.14X compared with the broader sector’s 8.97X. APLD has a Value Score of F.

APLD’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 loss is pegged at 70 cents per share. Applied Digital reported a loss of 80 cents per share in the previous year.

Redwood Trust (RWT) saw its shares surge in the last session with trading volume being higher than average. The latest trend in FFO estimate revisions may not translate into further price increase in the near term.

As the market moves into late 2026, many investors are choosing between BigBear.ai (BBAI 1.66%) and SoundHound AI (SOUN 0.60%) to capture the next wave of growth in the artificial intelligence sector.

While both companies specialize in machine learning, they serve very different markets. BigBear.ai focuses on decision intelligence for government and industrial supply chains, while SoundHound AI provides conversational voice technology. Comparing them helps clarify whether you prefer a defense-heavy stability play or a high-growth consumer technology bet.

The case for BigBear.aiBigBear.ai provides decision intelligence solutions for supply chains, autonomous systems, and cybersecurity. Its core customers include the U.S. Intelligence Community and the Department of Defense, where it utilizes multi-year engagements for critical government work. Customer concentration is a factor, as 51% of revenue came from customers contributing over 10% each, which adds a layer of risk to the business.

In its 2025 fiscal year (FY), revenue reached $127.7 million, representing a decline of 19.3% compared to the prior year. The company reported a net loss of $293.9 million for the period. This resulted in a negative net margin of 230.2%, a metric that measures how much of each dollar of revenue remains as profit after all operating and non-operating expenses.

As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio was zero. The current ratio stands at 1.8x, which measures a company's ability to cover its short-term debt and liabilities with assets like cash and accounts receivable. Free cash flow was negative at $42.5 million, representing the actual cash a company generates after accounting for the money spent on capital expenditures like equipment or software.

The case for SoundHound AISoundHound AI provides a voice and agentic AI platform that enables conversational experiences across digital and physical channels. It serves major automotive manufacturers and restaurant chains, offering tools that allow users to interact with technology using natural speech. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of revenue in 2025, suggesting a more diversified base than many peers in the software sector.

For FY 2025, revenue grew by 99.4% to reach $168.9 million. Despite this rapid top-line expansion, the company reported a net loss of $14 million. The net margin was negative 8.3%, which indicates that the company is getting closer to breaking even compared to the prior fiscal year when losses were much deeper relative to sales.

Based on the December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio is zero. Its current ratio is 4.6x, a figure that shows the company has significantly more short-term assets than short-term liabilities. Free cash flow was negative at $103.1 million, reflecting the heavy capital investment required to support rapid organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

Risk profile comparisonBigBear.ai faces material accounting errors that required multi-year restatements, leading to ongoing class action lawsuits. The business relies heavily on government contracts, which are vulnerable to federal budget deficits and potential termination. Furthermore, the company has recorded non-cash goodwill impairment charges exceeding $155 million, while competition from major defense contractors creates pressure on contract terms.

SoundHound AI is navigating legal probes and investor litigation related to its acquisition-related governance and internal control weaknesses. The company relies on aggressive mergers and acquisitions to scale, including the purchase of LivePerson, which creates integration and accounting risks. While revenue is growing, constant capital raises through equity offerings dilute existing shareholders, and competition from massive technology giants such as Amazon poses a threat to long-term pricing power.

Valuation comparisonBigBear.ai trades at a lower revenue multiple, but SoundHound AI offers significantly faster growth and a higher current ratio for investors prioritizing liquidity and momentum.

MetricBigBear.aiSoundHound AISector BenchmarkForward P/En/an/a357.9xP/S ratio9.3x16.9xn/aSector benchmark uses the SPDR XLK sector ETF. Valuation metrics sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) and may differ from other data providers.

Both BigBear.ai and SoundHound AI provide exposure to the artificial intelligence boom, but not all AI-focused companies are positioned to prosper. That’s why my choice to invest in between the two is SoundHound.

BigBear.ai is highly dependent on government contracts to power its revenue growth. When the Trump Administration cut costs in 2025, BigBear.ai was among the enterprises affected, causing a steep revenue decline. In 2026, it posted sales of $34.4 million, a 1% year-over-year drop despite the contribution of its Ask Sage acquisition. This suggests the company continues to struggle with growing its business amidst the hot AI market.

SoundHound’s Q1 sales soared 52% year over year to $44.2 million. The company has achieved impressive growth through a series of acquisitions, although management stated excluding the impact of acquisitions, Q1 revenue rose 88%. This highlights how its core business is seeing strong customer demand.

SoundHound forecasts 2026 sales to hit between $225 million and $260 million, up from 2025’s $168.9 million. The company’s ability to maintain excellent revenue growth is a key factor behind why I think it’s the superior artificial intelligence stock to buy over BigBear.ai.