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ATLANTA — Coca-Cola is branching out into new customizable drinks and trend-driven equipment as consumers — and food service operators — increasingly want more options.

Tucked away in an anonymous office park not far from its global headquarters here, Coke has been working on a flood of innovation at its secretive labs, including a way for its Freestyle drink dispensers to make dirty sodas, which combine pop with flavored syrups, cream or other ingredients. In partnership with AMC Theatres, it is testing a Micro Matic dispenser that can make brightly colored refreshers. And Coke has more white-label beverage options on the way, like an energy drink that can be customized by color and flavor.

For many restaurants, handcrafted drinks like refreshers or iced coffee have become an important way to drive traffic and sales, even as diners broadly cut their spending. In the second quarter of this year, beverage servings at restaurants outpaced both servings of food alone and food with beverages, according to Circana data. When consumers are away from home, a drink often represents more than hydration, particularly for Generation Z.

"Oftentimes these beverages are an opportunity to take a break, get some energy or protein, have a treat, at a lower price point," David Portalatin, Circana senior vice president and food service industry advisor, told CNBC.

From McDonald's to Wendy's, longtime Coke customers have been expanding their beverage offerings to meet the shift in consumer behavior and boost their profit margins. As operators seek to add more drinks to their menus, Coke must add more convenient beverage options — or risk losing sales to a competitor.

"It's our job to ensure that we're providing unique experiences and beverages because it's not a bonus now with consumers — it's the norm, they expect it," said Megan Tallman, Coke's vice president of dispensed equipment and innovation for its North American business. "When you think about Gen Z, they are okay paying $10 for a drink that is craveable and that they can show on their Instagram or on TikTok, which is helping our customers drive margin and also beverage attachment."

Beyond FreestyleThis July, Coca-Cola's Freestyle drink dispenser celebrated its 17th anniversary.

"Honestly, if you fast forward to today, Freestyle is more relevant today than probably it was over a decade ago," Tallman said, crediting the machine's dozens of flavors.

Even with the variety it offers, Coke is still trying to evolve to keep up.

In the time since the Freestyle was introduced, the number of specialty beverage chains has exploded, offering customers nearly unlimited ways to customize their drinks, from sugar content to toppings. Market research firm Technomic tracks more than 100 different chains, with more than 41,000 locations across the U.S. combined, selling everything from coffee to juice to boba.

Ever since Freestyle began popping up in restaurants and movie theaters, the dispensers have poured more than 67 billion 8-ounce servings of beverages; Coke has been able to track them all, thanks to the equipment's real-time data collection. That data is coming in handy now.

Inside its Equipment Innovation Center in Atlanta, a massive television screen displays real-time data showing what drinks dispensed by the Freestyle are trending, what time of day and where — from the region to the type of business. AHA sparkling water, for example, is trending up at office buildings and hospitals.

Insights from Freestyle dispensers also help the company discover new drinks that it can launch in grocery stores, like the limited-time Coca-Cola Orange Cream, which combines its namesake soda with vanilla and orange syrup.

"If we see that the flavors that we're offering to consumers in food service are actually resonating — it's the largest testing platform out there," Tallman said.

But Coke has more ideas in store.

First is the Freestyle Mini, which initially launched in Europe. Intended for bars and restaurants with limited space, the dispenser holds up to 16 drink options, more than double the choices available in a traditional soda gun. Coke unveiled the new smaller machine at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago this spring, but the company has not yet sold it to customers in the U.S.

And then there are other equipment ideas that aren't as far along, inspired by Coke's desire to branch out into dirty soda, refreshers and coffee.

To automate dirty soda, Coke has created a prototype that adds a dairy module to the classic Freestyle dispenser. Utah-based chain Swig takes credit for its invention of the dirty soda, although the trendy drink has now spread far and wide, from KFC restaurants to grocery store shelves.

The trend has helped to change soda's image from a tired, mass-market drink to a handcrafted beverage that can be a treat.

"Gen Z is the first generation raised to believe that nothing you consume is neutral, so everything is either helping you or costing you," said Matthew Greer, food, agribusiness and beverage analyst for Truist. "So, traditional soda does nothing for me, and it gives me 40 grams of sugar, so that fails the test."

The rise of a dirty soda is boon for Coke, because pop is still its number one category. Coke's sparkling soft drinks business, which houses soda brands like Sprite, Schweppes and Fanta, still accounts for 69% of the company's overall unit case volume, even as other ventures like coffee and dairy-based beverages have grown. Coke's namesake soda alone accounted for 47% of global unit case volume and 42% of U.S. unit case volume in 2025, according to a company filing.

Coke's prototypical dispensed dirty soda comes with a preprogrammed recipe, allowing for little customization but eliminating mess. The prototype, which took roughly three weeks to create, keeps the recognizable drip down the sides of the cup, giving the dirty soda its trademark visual appeal.

Refreshing its offeringsBeyond the Freestyle, Coke is also testing Micro Matic "mixology" dispensers to make refreshers and iced coffee drinks.

Starbucks created the refresher back in 2012 to appeal to non-coffee drinkers who wanted a boost, especially in the afternoon, when traffic to its cafes slowed. Customers can pick their bases, flavors and even caffeine level. Refreshers now represent about $2 billion in annual sales for Starbucks.

Other restaurant chains, such as Panera Bread to Dunkin', have taken note. Refreshers can be found on 8.1% of menus at national restaurant chains, according to Datassential.

"It's almost, I think, a compliment, the fact that our Refresher business is being imitated in so many places," Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said on the company's earnings conference call in late April.

For its part, Coke is hoping to make its mark on the refresher category — whatever that means.

"There's no real definition for what a refresher is, so we're trying to take a stand on what that can be and what function that we believe it should deliver to the guest," said Sarah Kate Sims, director of dispensed innovation for Coca-Cola North America.

To Sims, a refresher is a "healthier" beverage that delivers some kind of pick-me-up without a traditional coffee caffeine base, instead using a green tea or a natural coffee extract as a base. And a refresher must look good, too, she said.

"So that's what I'm working on for next year," Sims said.

Inside 'The Vault'Coke's innovation efforts aren't restricted to equipment either. Across the parking lot from its Global Equipment Platforms office is "The Vault," where the company tests new drinks.

"We bring a lot of our top customers here to showcase our innovation and mixology, but also to collaborate and problem-solve and tackle the biggest challenges in the business," said Caroline Zambataro, collaboration architect at Coke.

One of those customers is Whataburger. Coke worked with the Texas-based burger chain for about 18 months on its line of "Whatafreshers," which launched in July.

In some cases, consumers might not even realize that they are drinking a Coke product. For example, the company considers itself a "pioneer" of premium lemonade after launching a white-label version more than a decade ago.

More than 40,000 bubbler dispensers carry the drink, according to Tallman. That number includes Wendy's, which sells it under "Dave's Craft Lemonade," after founder Dave Thomas.

These days, lemonade is a popular base for a lot of refreshers and other brightly colored drinks. So, too, is Sprite, which ranked fifth among U.S. carbonated soft drink brands by 2025 sales volume, according to Beverage Digest.

But Coke is also working on a new blank slate for handcrafted beverages: a colorless, relatively unflavored energy drink that comes in frozen or liquid form. The company plans to launch the beverage with food service operators in the first half of 2027.

Energy drinks are a much smaller category than sparkling beverages, but the segment has the highest expected growth projections for the next 10 years, according to Tallman.

"We believe this solution really meets many consumers because more female consumers are interested in energy if it's a handcrafted solution," Tallman said.

Starting with Celsius, the conversation around energy drinks has changed, widening their audience and the number of occasions where they can be consumed, Truist's Greer said. Rather than a beverage that you buy at the gas station for a pick-me-up, now energy drinks can become a part of some consumers' workout routines.

Coke's take on energy drinks will be designed to be served by employees to "limit consumption," according to Tallman. A 12-ounce serving of Coke's version contains 106 milligrams of caffeine, roughly the same amount as the same size can of Red Bull and half of the caffeine content of a Celsius can. Excessive caffeine consumption has become a liability concern after Panera Bread's Charged Lemonade was named in at least two wrongful death lawsuits.

A golden opportunityBroadly, Coke has been fielding more inquiries from food service partners these days about customizable drinks, according to Melinda Pritchett, director of innovation for Coke's North American business.

"If you're looking at what McDonald's is doing with the handcrafted beverages, all of our customers are saying, 'We should be in that as well,'" she said.

As the largest U.S. restaurant chain by system sales, McDonald's playbook is often replicated elsewhere. In May, the fast-food giant expanded its McCafe menu in the U.S. to include refreshers and crafted sodas, including Coke's Sprite and Hi-C, as part of its broader strategy to lean into beverages.

"In the U.S., [drink] sales are ahead of plan. Guest checks are higher, and we're seeing new occasions emerge throughout the day," McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said on the company's earnings conference call earlier in August. "We've also seen strong food attachment rates on these orders."

But the drink launch arrived during what was otherwise a lackluster quarter for McDonald's U.S. business, which reported same-store sales growth of just 0.8%. The company has replaced its U.S. president in the hopes of accelerating its domestic division.

On Monday, McDonald's further expanded its beverage options with the Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer. Red Bull is privately owned, with no connection to Coke. The chain's choice to partner with a competitor rather than using an energy drink affiliated with Coke, like Monster, has sparked speculation about the state of the companies' more than 70-year-long relationship.

"We have a fantastic and very long-standing partnership with McDonald's, and that's intact, right? We continue to be very happy with that partnership," Coke CEO Henrique Braun said on the company's earnings conference call in late April, answering an analyst question about the partnership. "… We do respect the decisions on other choices about their relationships with other companies."

Ultimately, the most important part of any business relationship is the effect on sales.

When testing a new beverage with a food service partner, Coke tracks a couple of different performance metrics, like "incremental volume." In other words, would a customer buy one of the new refreshers even if they wouldn't otherwise buy a drink?

A survey of several dozen U.S. McDonald's franchisees conducted by Kalinowski Equity Research found that more than half of operators said the specialty drinks are performing in line with their expectations.

"They are selling great, but most of it is a trade-off from other beverages," one anonymous franchisee said in the survey. "Not many new transaction counts."

The online dating industry is facing one of its biggest tests since the pandemic boom.

After years of rapid expansion caused by swipe-based matchmaking, many of the industry's biggest players are grappling with slowing user growth, declining engagement and increasing skepticism from younger users. 

While companies are investing in artificial intelligence, safety features and new products to revive growth, investors remain cautious about whether the sector can return to its high-growth days.

The diverging fortunes of Match Group's Hinge and Tinder, alongside Bumble's continued struggles, illustrate how the market is evolving—and why Wall Street is waiting for stronger evidence before turning more optimistic on the sector.

Users are increasingly disillusioned with dating apps as they find it increasingly hard to find their companions via apps. 

The scrolling experience has also made users more anxious rather than going out or having fun. 

According to a Forbes survey, 78% of users on dating apps have felt “emotionally, mentally or physically exhausted” by the apps. 

Research shows that dating app users are more likely to have symptoms of anxiety, depression, and anxious attachment orientation than non-users.

The increasingly frustrating experience with dating apps has led people to look for romance in real-life meetups, social events or niche clubs. 

According to Strava’s Year in Sport: Trend Report for 2025, Gen Z was 39% more likely than Gen X to use fitness to meet people who share similar interests. 

Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club, told Invezz, “Younger users in particular are increasingly meeting people through shared interests, events and “third places” like gyms rather than relying solely on dedicated dating platforms.”

Expert view

After years of relying on swipe-based platforms, some users are experiencing dating fatigue as the whole process can feel repetitive and transactional, creating a perception that apps are better at encouraging engagement than helping people move towards meaningful relationships.

The latest results of dating app companies show companies have still not managed to arrest the user decline. 

Match Group, owner of Tinder and Hinge, reported revenue of $853 million in the second quarter, coming below analyst expectations. Paying users across the company’s apps also fell by 6%.

Tinder’s monthly average user trends fell by 7% from the previous year. Hinge has been a bright spot for the company, with global monthly active users increasing by 13% year over year. 

Bumble’s second-quarter revenue fell by 15% to $210.5 million, and total paying users fell by 16% to 3.16 million.

Match Group’s stock is up only 4% in the last 12 months, while Bumble’s shares have plunged 55% in the same period. 

A Reuters report in June said Bumble was exploring a sale, amid a slowdown in dating app usage.

Wall Street is also indifferent to the performance of the companies.

According to TipRanks data, Match Group has 3 buy ratings and 6 hold ratings across its coverage. Bumble, on the other hand, has 9 hold ratings and 1 sell rating. 

Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG Group, told Invezz that investors are reluctant to become more optimistic because the companies have yet to prove they can return to sustainable growth.

"Analysts see enough cash generation to rule out a sell, but not enough growth to justify a buy," he said.

According to Beauchamp, pricing has already been pushed aggressively while user growth continues to slow. 

“To earn upgrades, companies must show retention, engagement and product changes feeding through into the numbers”, he added.

Streeter said that “To shift analyst sentiment, companies need to demonstrate that they can improve the quality of interactions rather than simply drive more activity.”

She added that investors are looking for “stronger retention, better conversion of free users into paying subscribers, improved match quality and evidence that premium features are genuinely delivering better outcomes.”

Broader economic conditions, which have caused people to cut down on discretionary spending, have also affected dating. 

A BMO Financial Group survey conducted from the end of December for a month shows that the average date cost in the US is $189, an increase of 12.5% from the previous year.

The survey shows that 50% of Gen Z daters and 40% of millennial daters said the costs interfere with their financial goals. 

This, coupled with screen fatigue, means the dating app companies’ struggles are not over. 

Analysts also said that even if economic conditions improve, dating apps would struggle to bring back users without providing meaningful experiences.

Beauchamp said the falling user growth is due to a combination of genuine structural shift and macro pressures.

Expert view

Cost-of-living pressure and screen fatigue can ease if the macro backdrop improves. But some people are dating differently now, leaning on friend networks and in-person circles, which suggests the swipe-based audience may not fully rebound even when conditions do.

Streeter said that cost pressures have made consumers reassess discretionary subscriptions. 

“However, even if the economic backdrop improves, dating apps will still need to prove they remain relevant in a world where people have more ways than ever to meet and connect”, she added. 

One area where dating companies have managed to offset slowing user growth is monetization.

Beauchamp noted that companies have relied more heavily on premium subscription tiers, shorter-duration plans and pricing changes to lift average revenue per paying user.

However, he warned that the strategy leaves companies vulnerable if consumers become resistant to additional price increases.

Among the major platforms, he views Hinge as the most resilient, citing continued growth in both paying users and revenue. 

Tinder remains critical because of its enormous scale; even modest growth can have a meaningful impact on Match Group's financial performance. 

Bumble, by comparison, continues to see greater pressure on its paying subscriber base.

Investors in the companies would be banking on their efforts to win back customers. 

The industry's largest players are already rolling out product changes aimed at improving engagement and attracting users back to their platforms.

Match Group said Tinder updated its recommendation algorithm in mid-July, resulting in more longer conversations and more real-world connections. The company also introduced Tinder's first global rebrand in more than five years, with Match stating that nearly all engagement metrics improved following the rollout.

Tinder is also targeting Gen Z users through features designed to encourage in-person interactions, including events and optional location-based tools with privacy controls that help users discover people nearby.

Bumble, meanwhile, is rebuilding its platform through its AI-powered "Bumble 2.0" initiative, which the company says is designed to deliver a more curated experience rather than relying solely on traditional swipe-based matching.

The company also removed its women-first texting requirement in the app, which was one of the app's unique features from its inception in 2014.

Ultimately, dating apps will need to prove that their product changes can rebuild user engagement and deliver sustainable growth before investors are likely to turn more bullish on the sector.

Allworth Financial LP purchased a new position in Sensient Technologies Corporation (NYSE:SXT – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 21,026 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,592,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in SXT. Mountaineer Partners Management LLC bought a new position in Sensient Technologies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $11,001,000. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. bought a new stake in Sensient Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at $77,955,000. California State Teachers Retirement System raised its stake in Sensient Technologies by 26.4% during the 1st quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 43,777 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $3,784,000 after acquiring an additional 9,146 shares in the last quarter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. acquired a new position in Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter worth $962,000. Finally, Yost Capital Management LP boosted its position in Sensient Technologies by 51.4% during the 4th quarter. Yost Capital Management LP now owns 130,700 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $12,279,000 after acquiring an additional 44,400 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.86% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have recently commented on SXT shares. Rothschild & Co Redburn started coverage on Sensient Technologies in a report on Wednesday, July 8th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $125.00 price target on the stock. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on shares of Sensient Technologies from $125.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Sensient Technologies from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 6th. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Sensient Technologies from $143.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Sensient Technologies from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $140.00.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Sensient Technologies Sensient Technologies Trading Up 1.4% Shares of SXT opened at $134.38 on Friday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $122.09 and its 200 day moving average price is $108.85. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.22 and a beta of 0.78. Sensient Technologies Corporation has a 1-year low of $82.60 and a 1-year high of $136.58. The company has a current ratio of 4.39, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 24th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.03 by $0.17. The firm had revenue of $462.08 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $448.84 million. Sensient Technologies had a return on equity of 13.77% and a net margin of 9.27%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.88 EPS. Sensient Technologies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.100-4.200 EPS. Analysts expect that Sensient Technologies Corporation will post 4.2 earnings per share for the current year.

Sensient Technologies Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Investors of record on Monday, August 3rd will be paid a $0.41 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 3rd. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. Sensient Technologies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 44.20%.

Insider Buying and Selling In other Sensient Technologies news, Director Mario Ferruzzi sold 1,200 shares of Sensient Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.48, for a total transaction of $155,376.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 7,352 shares in the company, valued at approximately $951,936.96. The trade was a 14.03% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.30% of the company’s stock.

Sensient Technologies Company Profile (Free Report)

Sensient Technologies Corporation is a global leader in the manufacture and supply of colors, flavors and fragrances for a broad range of end-markets. The company develops and produces ingredients that enhance the appearance, taste and scent of products in the food, beverage, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, personal care and household sectors. Its portfolio includes natural and synthetic colorants, botanical and artificial flavor systems, fragrance compounds and specialty chemical offerings tailored to customer specifications.

Within its flavor and fragrance division, Sensient provides custom formulations for sweet, savory and umami taste profiles along with fragrance blends for personal care and cosmetic applications.

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Advisors Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 645 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,063,000.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. BlackRock Inc. bought a new stake in shares of AutoZone during the second quarter valued at approximately $3,938,566,000. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of AutoZone in the 4th quarter worth $939,205,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of AutoZone in the 2nd quarter valued at $572,885,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new stake in AutoZone during the 2nd quarter worth about $335,157,000. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 17.8% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 492,794 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,671,323,000 after purchasing an additional 74,555 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.74% of the company’s stock.

AutoZone Price Performance Shares of AZO opened at $2,960.64 on Friday. AutoZone, Inc. has a 12 month low of $2,902.20 and a 12 month high of $4,388.11. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $3,054.94 and its two-hundred day moving average is $3,332.00. The stock has a market cap of $48.35 billion, a PE ratio of 20.36, a P/E/G ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 0.33.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 26th. The company reported $38.07 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $36.22 by $1.85. The company had revenue of $4.84 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.86 billion. AutoZone had a negative return on equity of 80.35% and a net margin of 12.40%.The company’s revenue was up 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $35.36 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that AutoZone, Inc. will post 150.39 earnings per share for the current year. AutoZone declared that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Tuesday, June 16th that allows the company to repurchase $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to reacquire up to 3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are typically an indication that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, VP Dennis W. Leriche sold 1,455 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,100.00, for a total transaction of $4,510,500.00. Following the sale, the vice president owned 441 shares in the company, valued at $1,367,100. This represents a 76.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Brian Hannasch purchased 165 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 29th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $2,987.00 per share, for a total transaction of $492,855.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 1,219 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,641,153. The trade was a 15.65% increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. 2.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $4,020.00 to $3,605.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on AutoZone from $4,345.00 to $4,096.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Mizuho reduced their price target on shares of AutoZone from $3,600.00 to $3,200.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Citigroup lowered their price objective on AutoZone from $4,300.00 to $3,700.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Finally, Truist Financial set a $3,700.00 target price on shares of AutoZone in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, AutoZone currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $4,029.43.

Get Our Latest Research Report on AZO

AutoZone Company Profile (Free Report)

AutoZone, Inc (NYSE: AZO) is a retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company supplies a wide range of aftermarket components, maintenance items and accessories for passenger cars, light trucks and commercial vehicles. Its product assortment includes engine parts, electrical components, batteries, brakes, filters, fluids and interior and exterior accessories, supported by inventory management and logistics systems to serve retail customers and professional service providers.

AutoZone serves both do‑it‑yourself (DIY) consumers and commercial customers such as independent repair shops and service centers.

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Advisors Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE:IRM – Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 9,925 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $1,254,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of IRM. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund lifted its holdings in Iron Mountain by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 33,889 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $3,461,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC raised its position in shares of Iron Mountain by 15.4% in the fourth quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 780 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $65,000 after buying an additional 104 shares during the last quarter. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. raised its position in shares of Iron Mountain by 2.9% in the first quarter. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. now owns 3,741 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $382,000 after buying an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. Corrado Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Iron Mountain by 0.6% during the fourth quarter. Corrado Advisors LLC now owns 19,856 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,647,000 after buying an additional 110 shares during the period. Finally, Essential Partners LLC boosted its position in Iron Mountain by 24.4% during the first quarter. Essential Partners LLC now owns 561 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $57,000 after acquiring an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.13% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Iron Mountain In related news, EVP Mark Kidd sold 6,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $122.70, for a total transaction of $736,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 101,507 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,454,908.90. This represents a 5.58% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO William L. Meaney sold 38,474 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $121.67, for a total value of $4,681,131.58. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 38,474 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,681,131.58. This represents a 50.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 127,422 shares of company stock worth $15,810,652 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 1.70% of the company’s stock.

Iron Mountain Price Performance NYSE IRM opened at $122.19 on Friday. Iron Mountain Incorporated has a 1-year low of $77.77 and a 1-year high of $134.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $36.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 87.28 and a beta of 1.20. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $124.52 and its 200-day simple moving average is $117.08. Iron Mountain (NYSE:IRM – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The financial services provider reported $0.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.54 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $2.03 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.97 billion. Iron Mountain had a net margin of 5.54% and a negative return on equity of 85.44%. The company’s revenue was up 18.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.24 EPS. Iron Mountain has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 1.470-1.470 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 5.870-5.930 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Iron Mountain Incorporated will post 5.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Iron Mountain Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 2nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.864 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 15th. This represents a $3.46 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.8%. Iron Mountain’s payout ratio is presently 247.14%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts recently commented on IRM shares. Weiss Ratings upgraded Iron Mountain from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Iron Mountain from $121.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Zacks Research upgraded Iron Mountain from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 12th. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Iron Mountain from $127.00 to $143.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 1st. Finally, Truist Financial set a $140.00 price objective on shares of Iron Mountain in a report on Friday, May 1st. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $135.17.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on IRM

Iron Mountain Company Profile (Free Report)

Iron Mountain Incorporated is a global information management company that helps organizations protect, store, and manage their physical and digital information. The firm provides a range of services including secure records storage, document imaging and digitization, secure shredding and destruction, and information governance solutions designed to support regulatory compliance and business continuity. Iron Mountain also offers specialized secure storage environments and logistics for sensitive assets such as art, medical records, and legal archives.

Beyond traditional records management, Iron Mountain has expanded into technology-driven services to support customers’ digital transformation.

Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Iron Mountain Blueprint for a Boom: SEC Clears the Crypto Runway Ross Stores Just Flipped the Off-Price Retail Story After TJX’s Marmaxx Miss Advance Auto Parts Plunged, But Its Turnaround Is Still Working Is Palo Alto Networks Priced for Perfection Again as AI Security Demand Accelerates?

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Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ:TEM – Get Free Report) shares traded up 8.3% during mid-day trading on Friday after BTIG Research raised their price target on the stock from $70.00 to $80.00. BTIG Research currently has a buy rating on the stock. Tempus AI traded as high as $72.62 and last traded at $72.21. Approximately 9,425,782 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 58% from the average daily volume of 5,961,162 shares. The stock had previously closed at $66.65.

A number of other brokerages have also recently weighed in on TEM. HC Wainwright reduced their price target on shares of Tempus AI from $64.00 to $56.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Wall Street Zen upgraded Tempus AI from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, July 25th. Lake Street Capital lowered shares of Tempus AI to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, July 20th. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $75.00 target price on shares of Tempus AI in a report on Friday, July 31st. Finally, TD Cowen restated a “buy” rating on shares of Tempus AI in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $65.69.

View Our Latest Research Report on TEM

Insider Activity at Tempus AI In other news, CFO James William Rogers sold 26,313 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.00, for a total transaction of $1,578,780.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 106,024 shares in the company, valued at $6,361,440. The trade was a 19.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, EVP Andrew Polovin sold 7,927 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.00, for a total value of $443,912.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 138,140 shares in the company, valued at $7,735,840. This trade represents a 5.43% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Insiders have sold a total of 943,202 shares of company stock valued at $46,417,587 over the last quarter. 24.26% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Tempus AI News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Tempus AI this week:

Positive Sentiment: BTIG raised its price target for Tempus AI to $80 from $70 and maintained a “Buy” rating. The higher target strengthens the bullish case and provides a near-term catalyst for the stock. BTIG raises Tempus AI price target Positive Sentiment: Investor attention is building around Tempus AI’s planned approximately $1.5 billion all-stock acquisition of Personalis. The deal could expand Tempus’ genomic-data, cancer-testing and drug-development capabilities, potentially increasing its strategic value in precision medicine. Tempus AI biotech deal attracts investor attention Positive Sentiment: Merck and Moderna’s cancer-vaccine trial developments have heightened interest in oncology data and genomic testing. The connection to Tempus is indirect, but the news reinforces the company’s cancer-data and personalized-treatment growth narrative. Tempus AI stock move and Merck-Moderna trial news Positive Sentiment: Trading activity in TEM call options was unusually high, with reported volume roughly 57% above normal. This indicates bullish speculation and may be amplifying the stock’s momentum, though options activity can also increase volatility. Neutral Sentiment: The stock has moved above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, raising the possibility of momentum buying or a short squeeze. That technical strength could support further gains, but it also increases the risk of a sharp reversal. Negative Sentiment: Tempus AI’s CEO, CFO, EVP and chief accounting officer sold shares, with the largest reported transaction involving CEO Eric Lefkofsky. The sales reduced executives’ holdings and may concern investors, but they were conducted under pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plans to cover tax withholding on vested equity awards, making them a weaker bearish signal than discretionary selling. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Royal Bank of Canada grew its position in shares of Tempus AI by 201.2% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 25,988 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,253,000 after buying an additional 17,359 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers acquired a new position in Tempus AI in the first quarter valued at approximately $116,000. Prudential Financial Inc. acquired a new position in Tempus AI in the second quarter valued at approximately $276,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its stake in Tempus AI by 21.3% in the second quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 6,527 shares of the company’s stock valued at $415,000 after acquiring an additional 1,146 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in Tempus AI by 2,926.6% in the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 211,621 shares of the company’s stock valued at $13,446,000 after acquiring an additional 204,629 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 24.22% of the company’s stock.

Tempus AI Stock Up 9.1% The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $52.93 and its 200 day simple moving average is $51.36. The company has a current ratio of 3.30, a quick ratio of 3.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.06. The stock has a market cap of $13.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -50.48 and a beta of 3.58.

Tempus AI (NASDAQ:TEM – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported ($0.04) EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.14) by $0.10. The company had revenue of $382.49 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $379.69 million. Tempus AI had a negative net margin of 17.77% and a negative return on equity of 50.28%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 21.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted ($0.22) EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Tempus AI, Inc. will post -1.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Tempus AI (Get Free Report)

Tempus is a technology-driven healthcare company that applies artificial intelligence and machine learning to clinical and molecular data in order to advance precision medicine. Its primary focus lies in oncology, where the company offers comprehensive genomic profiling, digital pathology services and data-driven insights to inform personalized cancer care. By integrating DNA and RNA sequencing with structured clinical information, Tempus enables clinicians and researchers to identify targeted treatment options for patients based on the genetic characteristics of their tumors.

The company’s core offering centers on a scalable, cloud-based analytics platform that aggregates vast amounts of molecular and clinical data.

Recommended Stories Five stocks we like better than Tempus AI Blueprint for a Boom: SEC Clears the Crypto Runway Ross Stores Just Flipped the Off-Price Retail Story After TJX’s Marmaxx Miss Advance Auto Parts Plunged, But Its Turnaround Is Still Working Is Palo Alto Networks Priced for Perfection Again as AI Security Demand Accelerates? Receive News & Ratings for Tempus AI Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tempus AI and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

Futu Holdings Limited Sponsored ADR (NASDAQ:FUTU – Get Free Report)’s share price rose 8.4% during mid-day trading on Friday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The company traded as high as $122.46 and last traded at $122.21. Approximately 1,505,828 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 35% from the average daily volume of 2,302,385 shares. The stock had previously closed at $112.73.

The company reported $3.33 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.98 by $0.35. The firm had revenue of $852.66 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $786.07 million. Futu had a return on equity of 28.10% and a net margin of 42.95%.

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

Positive Sentiment: Strong earnings beat: Futu reported quarterly earnings of $3.33 per share, above the $2.98 consensus estimate, while revenue of $852.66 million exceeded expectations of $786.07 million. The results were supported by record trading activity, and reports indicated quarterly profit rose 42%. Futu Announces Second Quarter 2026 Unaudited Financial Results Positive Sentiment: Healthy profitability and operating momentum: Futu reported a 41.87% net margin and 26.48% return on equity. The earnings beat and strong trading-volume growth appear to be the primary reasons investor sentiment improved. Neutral Sentiment: Trading reaction: Futu’s stock added roughly $800 million in market value during the session as investors responded to the results, but the shares remain below their 200-day moving average and well under their 52-week high, indicating continued volatility. Futu Holdings Surges, Adding Market Value Negative Sentiment: Legal risk remains prominent: Multiple law firms reminded investors of an August 25 deadline to seek lead-plaintiff status in a securities class action covering purchases from May 24, 2023, through May 27, 2026. The complaints allege undisclosed regulatory-compliance failures and misleading disclosures related to Chinese regulatory issues, including an alleged RMB1.85 billion penalty. These are allegations, not established findings, but they could create litigation costs, reputational damage and uncertainty over future operations. Futu Securities Fraud Lawsuit Deadline Alert Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Futu from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $170.50 target price on shares of Futu in a research note on Thursday, May 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $87.00 target price (down from $300.00) on shares of Futu in a research note on Friday, May 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Futu from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $102.13 price target for the company. in a report on Monday, May 25th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Futu from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $139.91. Check Out Our Latest Report on Futu

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Futu Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its stake in shares of Futu by 805.2% in the third quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 1,126,633 shares of the company’s stock worth $195,933,000 after purchasing an additional 1,002,171 shares during the last quarter. Aspex Management HK Ltd raised its position in Futu by 37.5% during the 4th quarter. Aspex Management HK Ltd now owns 3,371,597 shares of the company’s stock worth $553,650,000 after purchasing an additional 919,724 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. acquired a new position in Futu during the 2nd quarter worth about $61,574,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its position in shares of Futu by 25,558,100.0% in the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 511,164 shares of the company’s stock valued at $83,938,000 after buying an additional 511,162 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its position in shares of Futu by 166.4% in the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 455,266 shares of the company’s stock valued at $56,266,000 after buying an additional 284,387 shares during the last quarter.

Futu Stock Up 9.7% The company has a market cap of $17.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.24, a PEG ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 0.43. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $101.61 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $126.21.

About Futu (Get Free Report)

Futu Holdings Ltd. is a technology-driven brokerage and wealth management company that provides online brokerage services, market data, and investment tools to retail and institutional clients. Headquartered in Hong Kong and listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker FUTU, the company operates digital trading platforms that combine order execution, real-time quotes, news, and research tools to serve active investors and wealth management customers.

The firm’s product suite includes brokerage access to equities, exchange-traded funds and derivatives across major markets, margin financing, initial public offering (IPO) subscription services, wealth management products and discretionary investment solutions.

Recommended Stories Five stocks we like better than Futu Blueprint for a Boom: SEC Clears the Crypto Runway Ross Stores Just Flipped the Off-Price Retail Story After TJX’s Marmaxx Miss Advance Auto Parts Plunged, But Its Turnaround Is Still Working Is Palo Alto Networks Priced for Perfection Again as AI Security Demand Accelerates? Receive News & Ratings for Futu Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Futu and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

Nike's (NKE +1.37%) forward (12-month) dividend yield is 4% -- well above Coca-Cola's 2.4%. This is notable given Coke's status as a Dividend King, a label reserved for companies that have raised their dividends for 50-plus straight years.

Nike's elevated yield reflects a lower share price despite the company continuing to pay a steady quarterly dividend. Instead of being priced in, the market might be undervaluing the stock ahead of a successful turnaround.

Nike's latest results still showed revenue declines, yet the underlying story is getting more constructive. If management executes, an improvement in margins and recovery in profitability could drive meaningful upside over the next several years.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Why Nike's dividend looks sustainable High yields often show up when investors expect limited growth -- which is why mature, dominant businesses with less runway, including many Dividend Kings, tend to pay above-average yields. Those stocks are typically bought for income first, not for market-beating appreciation.

Nike's yield is high mainly because the stock is down, not because the company can't afford the payout. The company recently declared a $0.41 dividend, payable Oct. 1 to shareholders of record Sept. 1, putting the annualized dividend at $1.64 per share.

Although the payout ratio is elevated, Nike still generates sufficient cash to support its quarterly dividend, especially given the expected rebound in fiscal 2027. Nike's trailing 12-month free cash flow of $2.2 billion was less than its $2.4 billion in dividend distributions over the same period. But analysts expect free cash flow to rebound to $3 billion in fiscal 2027, consistent with positive trends management is beginning to see in margin stabilization.

If cash generation improves as management focuses on cleaning up inventory, the dividend becomes easier to support -- and the stock has room to move higher. Unlike Coke, Nike can offer both income and real upside.

Today's Change

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1.37

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0.55

Current Price

$

40.76

Why Nike's turnaround is hitting an inflection point Full-year sales were essentially flat at about $46 billion (down 2% on a currency-neutral basis). Still, Nike's latest earnings report included signals of improving fundamentals.

Demand remains softest in lifestyle categories (sportswear and Jordan streetwear), which still represent roughly half of sales. But performance wear is holding up better -- and that matters because it's the core of Nike's brand.

Nike Running is the standout, producing five straight quarters of double-digit growth. Management also pointed to better retail trends in training and global football. Strength in these categories suggests Nike is winning where it historically wins best -- performance products -- and that healthier growth can return as the company fixes inventory levels and leans harder into its strongest franchises.

Valuation helps the investment case. Nike trades at about 1.3x sales, well below its historical norm of 2.0x or higher. If Nike cleans up inventory, improves sales mix, and expands margins, investors could reward it with a higher multiple.

The turnaround path will likely stay bumpy in a cautious consumer environment. But between the high yield and the discounted price-to-sales ratio, the market doesn't appear to be fully pricing in a successful turnaround -- and that could offer investors meaningful upside potential.

ABN AMRO Bank N.V. purchased a new stake in shares of Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 8,161 shares of the coffee company’s stock, valued at approximately $832,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Starbucks in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Phillip James Consulting Co. purchased a new position in Starbucks in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new stake in Starbucks during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Entrust Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Starbucks during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Finally, Financial Freedom LLC lifted its stake in Starbucks by 296.2% during the first quarter. Financial Freedom LLC now owns 313 shares of the coffee company’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 234 shares in the last quarter. 72.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Starbucks News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting Starbucks this week:

Positive Sentiment: Starbucks is eliminating more than 200 corporate positions as part of a broader restructuring and approximately $2 billion cost-reduction effort. Lower overhead could support profitability if the company maintains service levels and directs more resources toward its stores. The reductions do not involve cafe closures. Starbucks trims corporate ranks as coffeehouse investments deliver Positive Sentiment: Recent market commentary highlights Starbucks’ roughly 25% 2026 gain and suggests investors are rewarding its operational reset and investments in the cafe experience. The rally follows the company’s latest quarterly earnings beat, with adjusted EPS of $0.85 versus a $0.66 consensus estimate and revenue above expectations. Neutral Sentiment: The restructuring is relocating some corporate operations to a new, approximately $100 million Nashville office. Around 120 Seattle employees reportedly declined the move, while another 104 roles in store design and construction are being eliminated. Management characterizes the actions as part of the restructuring winding down, but the savings and impact on execution remain to be demonstrated. Starbucks cuts another 224 Seattle jobs Negative Sentiment: Starbucks continues to face challenges in China, where domestic competitors, shifting consumer preferences and geopolitical tensions are eroding the position of major U.S. brands. China weakness could limit international growth and pressure comparable sales. Why some of America’s biggest brands are losing ground in China Negative Sentiment: The stock’s strong performance has also produced a demanding valuation, with the supplied data showing a P/E ratio above 60. Investors may require sustained earnings growth from the turnaround to justify the premium, leaving SBUX vulnerable to disappointment. Starbucks Trading Up 3.0% Shares of Starbucks stock opened at $107.08 on Friday. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $104.45 and its 200-day simple moving average is $100.36. The company has a market cap of $122.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 61.54, a PEG ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.97. Starbucks Corporation has a 1 year low of $77.99 and a 1 year high of $110.51. Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The coffee company reported $0.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.66 by $0.19. The business had revenue of $9.32 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.17 billion. Starbucks had a net margin of 5.17% and a negative return on equity of 34.10%. Starbucks’s revenue was down 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.50 earnings per share. Starbucks has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.550-2.650 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Starbucks Corporation will post 2.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Starbucks Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.62 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. This represents a $2.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Starbucks’s payout ratio is presently 142.53%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In SBUX has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. BTIG Research restated a “buy” rating and set a $115.00 price target on shares of Starbucks in a report on Friday, July 31st. Wedbush began coverage on shares of Starbucks in a research note on Thursday, May 14th. They issued an “outperform” rating for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of Starbucks from a “neutral” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 14th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Starbucks in a research note on Monday, July 20th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating and issued a $126.00 target price on shares of Starbucks in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Nineteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $110.30.

View Our Latest Research Report on SBUX

Insider Activity at Starbucks In other news, CEO Brady Brewer sold 2,229 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.99, for a total transaction of $236,251.71. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 75,135 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,963,558.65. This represents a 2.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 6,687 shares of company stock worth $681,663 over the last three months. 0.03% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Starbucks Company Profile (Free Report)

Starbucks Corporation is a global coffeehouse chain and roaster that operates, licenses and franchises coffee shops and related retail businesses. Founded in Seattle, Washington in 1971 by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl and Gordon Bowker, the company grew from a single store focused on whole-bean coffee and equipment into a broad consumer-facing brand. Howard Schultz, who joined the company later and served in senior leadership roles, is widely credited with transforming Starbucks into a mass-market specialty coffee retailer and expanding its footprint internationally.

Starbucks’ core activities center on the retail sale of hot and cold specialty beverages, whole-bean and packaged coffees, teas and ready-to-drink products, along with complementary food items and merchandise such as mugs and brewing equipment.

Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than Starbucks Blueprint for a Boom: SEC Clears the Crypto Runway Ross Stores Just Flipped the Off-Price Retail Story After TJX’s Marmaxx Miss Advance Auto Parts Plunged, But Its Turnaround Is Still Working Is Palo Alto Networks Priced for Perfection Again as AI Security Demand Accelerates? Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SBUX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX – Free Report).

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Advisors Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 2,367 shares of the shipping service provider’s stock, valued at approximately $741,000.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Hollencrest Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of FedEx during the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Bayban acquired a new position in shares of FedEx in the first quarter worth about $26,000. EFG International AG purchased a new stake in FedEx during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Wealth Watch Advisors INC acquired a new position in shares of FedEx in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in FedEx during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. 84.47% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

FedEx Trading Down 0.3% NYSE FDX opened at $325.03 on Friday. FedEx Corporation has a twelve month low of $177.05 and a twelve month high of $345.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 1.44 and a current ratio of 1.48. The stock has a market cap of $76.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.56, a PEG ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.30. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $319.03 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $351.53.

FedEx (NYSE:FDX – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 21st. The shipping service provider reported $5.88 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $23.26 billion during the quarter. FedEx had a return on equity of 16.49% and a net margin of 4.68%. Equities analysts anticipate that FedEx Corporation will post 17.6 EPS for the current year. FedEx Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 1st. Investors of record on Monday, September 14th will be given a dividend of $1.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 14th. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.5%. FedEx’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.36%.

Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Paul S. Walsh sold 5,042 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $324.56, for a total transaction of $1,636,431.52. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 16,359 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,309,477.04. This trade represents a 23.56% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.53% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Key Headlines Impacting FedEx Here are the key news stories impacting FedEx this week:

Positive Sentiment: FedEx’s board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.22 per share, payable October 1 to shareholders of record on September 14. The unchanged dividend reinforces the company’s commitment to returning capital and may support income-oriented investor interest. FedEx Corp. Board Declares Quarterly Dividend Positive Sentiment: FedEx and UPS reportedly secured modifications to government delivery contracts, potentially providing additional volume and revenue visibility for FedEx’s network. UPS and FedEx land government delivery contract modifications Neutral Sentiment: Wall Street analysts remain cautiously optimistic about FedEx, citing its strong performance over the past year but maintaining a measured outlook on future prospects. This suggests support for the stock but limited expectations for near-term upside. Are Wall Street Analysts Bullish on FedEx Stock? Negative Sentiment: Reports that UPS, FedEx and DHL are returning billions in tariff-related charges to eligible U.S. customers could create reimbursement costs and administrative complexity, although the ultimate financial impact on FedEx remains unclear. UPS, FedEx and DHL are giving back billions in Trump tariffs Negative Sentiment: FedEx reportedly paid its top executives $81 million in fiscal 2026, a 131% increase from the prior year. The sharp rise may draw investor scrutiny regarding compensation discipline and corporate governance. Memphis-based FedEx paid top executives $81M Negative Sentiment: Amazon’s planned expansion of drone delivery to nearly 500 U.S. cities increases competitive pressure in last-mile shipping and could challenge FedEx’s parcel volumes over time. Amazon to Bring Drone Delivery to 500 Cities Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered FedEx from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on FedEx from $426.00 to $354.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on shares of FedEx from $442.00 to $326.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on shares of FedEx from $405.00 to $375.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, June 1st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of FedEx from $450.00 to $425.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, June 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have given a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $350.54.

Check Out Our Latest Report on FedEx

About FedEx (Free Report)

FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX) is a global logistics and courier company headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded by Frederick W. Smith in 1971 and beginning operations in the early 1970s, the company pioneered overnight express shipping and has since expanded into a diversified portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and supply-chain services. FedEx operates an integrated air-and-ground network that moves parcels, freight and documents for businesses and consumers worldwide.

FedEx’s core operating segments include express parcel delivery via its FedEx Express division, domestic and residential parcel delivery through FedEx Ground, less-than-truckload (LTL) freight services, and logistics and supply-chain management solutions.

See Also Five stocks we like better than FedEx Blueprint for a Boom: SEC Clears the Crypto Runway Ross Stores Just Flipped the Off-Price Retail Story After TJX’s Marmaxx Miss Advance Auto Parts Plunged, But Its Turnaround Is Still Working Is Palo Alto Networks Priced for Perfection Again as AI Security Demand Accelerates?

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Advisors Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 9,342 shares of the insurance provider’s stock, valued at approximately $2,060,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 145.7% in the first quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 86 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Travelers Companies in the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. LifeSteps Financial Inc. acquired a new position in Travelers Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in Travelers Companies in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Finally, Osterweis Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 1,820.0% during the 2nd quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. now owns 96 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares during the period. 82.45% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Travelers Companies Trading Down 0.2% Travelers Companies stock opened at $363.83 on Friday. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $252.26 and a 12-month high of $398.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 0.33 and a quick ratio of 0.33. The stock has a market capitalization of $75.88 billion, a PE ratio of 9.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.46 and a beta of 0.45. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $352.28 and a 200-day simple moving average of $318.12.

Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, July 17th. The insurance provider reported $10.04 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.41 by $4.63. Travelers Companies had a return on equity of 25.41% and a net margin of 16.95%.The firm had revenue of $12.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $11.26 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $6.51 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 33.82 EPS for the current fiscal year. Travelers Companies Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 10th will be given a $1.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 10th. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. Travelers Companies’s payout ratio is 13.39%.

Insider Transactions at Travelers Companies In other Travelers Companies news, EVP David Donnay Rowland sold 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $371.69, for a total value of $1,858,450.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 10,479 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,894,939.51. This represents a 32.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 14,037 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $368.24, for a total value of $5,168,984.88. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 27,535 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $10,139,488.40. This trade represents a 33.77% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 62,667 shares of company stock valued at $22,688,329 in the last 90 days. 1.39% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have weighed in on TRV shares. Seaport Research Partners set a $322.00 price target on shares of Travelers Companies in a research note on Tuesday, May 26th. Citigroup restated a “market perform” rating on shares of Travelers Companies in a report on Monday, July 20th. Bank of America increased their target price on Travelers Companies from $283.00 to $307.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research report on Monday, July 20th. Raymond James Financial set a $430.00 price target on Travelers Companies in a research report on Monday, July 20th. Finally, Roth Capital upped their price target on Travelers Companies from $345.00 to $425.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and five have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Travelers Companies has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $354.26.

Get Our Latest Report on TRV

Travelers Companies Profile (Free Report)

The Travelers Companies, Inc (NYSE: TRV) is a leading provider of property and casualty insurance products and services. The company underwrites a broad range of commercial and personal insurance lines, offering coverage designed to protect individuals, small and midsize businesses, and large corporate clients against property loss, liability, and other operational risks. Travelers is known for combining underwriting, claims management and risk control services to help clients prevent losses and recover when incidents occur.

On the commercial side, Travelers writes primary and specialty coverages including property, general liability, commercial auto, workers’ compensation, professional and management liability, surety and inland marine.

Recommended Stories Five stocks we like better than Travelers Companies Blueprint for a Boom: SEC Clears the Crypto Runway Ross Stores Just Flipped the Off-Price Retail Story After TJX’s Marmaxx Miss Advance Auto Parts Plunged, But Its Turnaround Is Still Working Is Palo Alto Networks Priced for Perfection Again as AI Security Demand Accelerates? Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV – Free Report).

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Allworth Financial LP purchased a new position in Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX – Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 367,543 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock, valued at approximately $60,924,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. United Bank raised its position in shares of Chevron by 7.7% in the 2nd quarter. United Bank now owns 11,079 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $1,586,000 after buying an additional 796 shares during the period. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. increased its stake in Chevron by 9.0% during the second quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. now owns 50,839 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $7,280,000 after acquiring an additional 4,214 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas increased its stake in Chevron by 76.4% during the second quarter. BNP Paribas now owns 441 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $63,000 after acquiring an additional 191 shares during the last quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Chevron by 678.9% in the 2nd quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,363 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $195,000 after purchasing an additional 1,188 shares during the period. Finally, Main Street Financial Solutions LLC raised its holdings in shares of Chevron by 3.6% in the 2nd quarter. Main Street Financial Solutions LLC now owns 16,052 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $2,299,000 after purchasing an additional 553 shares during the period. 72.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Chevron Price Performance Shares of NYSE:CVX opened at $205.25 on Friday. Chevron Corporation has a 12 month low of $146.49 and a 12 month high of $214.71. The stock has a market cap of $405.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.68, a PEG ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 0.49. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $185.03 and its 200 day moving average price is $188.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 0.98.

Chevron (NYSE:CVX – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The oil and gas company reported $6.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.55 by $0.51. Chevron had a return on equity of 11.09% and a net margin of 9.57%.The firm had revenue of $67.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $62.72 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.77 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 57.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Chevron Corporation will post 16.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Chevron Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 10th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 19th will be paid a dividend of $1.78 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 19th. This represents a $7.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.5%. Chevron’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 68.26%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have recently weighed in on CVX shares. Mizuho set a $224.00 price target on shares of Chevron in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Chevron from $210.00 to $227.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Piper Sandler initiated coverage on shares of Chevron in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. They set an “overweight” rating and a $207.00 price objective on the stock. UBS Group reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Chevron in a report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Finally, Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Chevron from $216.00 to $208.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday. Twenty equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $207.48.

View Our Latest Research Report on Chevron

Insider Transactions at Chevron In other Chevron news, Director John B. Hess sold 710,665 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $194.10, for a total value of $137,940,076.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 363,711 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $70,596,305.10. This represents a 66.15% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Andrew Benjamin Walz sold 16,800 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.06, for a total transaction of $3,377,808.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 14 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,814.84. This trade represents a 99.92% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 1,152,582 shares of company stock valued at $225,853,661 in the last three months. 0.56% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Key Headlines Impacting Chevron Here are the key news stories impacting Chevron this week:

Positive Sentiment: Brent crude recently approached $94–$95 per barrel amid renewed Middle East tensions and concerns about Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Sustained higher oil prices typically benefit Chevron’s upstream revenue, margins and cash flow. Chevron jumps as Brent crude approaches $94 Positive Sentiment: Chevron confirmed an oil and gas condensate discovery at the 105-4X well in offshore Angola. Its proximity to existing facilities could allow a lower-cost tie-back, creating a potential source of future production. Chevron Angola discovery analysis Positive Sentiment: Chevron’s $1.78 quarterly dividend, equal to $7.12 annually and an approximately 3.5% yield, reinforces its appeal to income investors. The company also recently exceeded quarterly earnings and revenue expectations. Chevron raises dividend Neutral Sentiment: Analysis comparing Chevron with Exxon Mobil highlights differing long-term strategies, including Chevron’s continued emphasis on oil and gas. The approach could benefit from strong commodity prices but leaves CVX more exposed to future oil-demand and price cycles. Chevron versus Exxon Mobil analysis Negative Sentiment: Iraq plans to more than double its oil output over the next six years. If achieved, the added supply could pressure global crude prices and reduce the earnings benefit Chevron receives from today’s elevated prices. Iraq oil output and Chevron Negative Sentiment: Two Chevron insiders sold shares recently: Andrew Benjamin Walz sold 16,800 shares, while R. Hewitt Pate sold 2,470 shares. Although such transactions may reflect personal financial planning, they can create a modest sentiment overhang. Chevron insider sale report Negative Sentiment: A separate analysis says concerns remain centered on Chevron, including issues surrounding its Hess Midstream exposure and broader execution risks. The report may temper enthusiasm after CVX’s recent advance. Hess Midstream: The Issue Remains With Chevron Chevron Profile (Free Report)

Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) is an American multinational energy company engaged in virtually all aspects of the oil and gas industry. As an integrated energy firm, Chevron’s core activities include upstream oil and natural gas exploration and production, midstream transportation and storage, downstream refining and marketing of fuels and lubricants, and petrochemical manufacturing through joint ventures and subsidiaries. The company markets fuels under brands such as Chevron, Texaco and Caltex and supplies a range of products and services to retail customers, industrial users and commercial fleets worldwide.

Chevron traces its corporate lineage to the early petroleum companies that eventually became Standard Oil of California and has evolved through significant mergers and restructurings, including the acquisitions of Gulf Oil and Texaco.

Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Chevron Blueprint for a Boom: SEC Clears the Crypto Runway Ross Stores Just Flipped the Off-Price Retail Story After TJX’s Marmaxx Miss Advance Auto Parts Plunged, But Its Turnaround Is Still Working Is Palo Alto Networks Priced for Perfection Again as AI Security Demand Accelerates?

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Advisors Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ:SNPS – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 9,124 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,070,000.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sankala Group LLC purchased a new position in Synopsys during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Synopsys by 96.4% in the 2nd quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 55 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 27 shares during the period. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Synopsys in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. IMG Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in Synopsys in the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Synopsys in the fourth quarter worth approximately $32,000. 85.47% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets In other Synopsys news, CFO Shelagh Glaser sold 3,394 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $450.02, for a total value of $1,527,367.88. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 14,358 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,461,387.16. This trade represents a 19.12% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO Sassine Ghazi sold 14,603 shares of Synopsys stock in a transaction on Monday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $458.96, for a total transaction of $6,702,192.88. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 75,020 shares in the company, valued at approximately $34,431,179.20. This trade represents a 16.29% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Company insiders own 0.56% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have recently commented on SNPS shares. Zacks Research raised Synopsys from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. BNP Paribas Exane raised their price objective on Synopsys from $425.00 to $450.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 28th. Robert W. Baird set a $558.00 target price on Synopsys in a research note on Thursday, May 28th. Benchmark reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Synopsys in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, KeyCorp reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of Synopsys in a research note on Wednesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $563.59. Read Our Latest Report on SNPS

Synopsys Stock Down 0.0% SNPS stock opened at $397.87 on Friday. Synopsys, Inc. has a 52 week low of $366.00 and a 52 week high of $615.79. The company has a quick ratio of 1.32, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $419.73 and a 200-day simple moving average of $440.22. The stock has a market capitalization of $76.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 92.10, a P/E/G ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.23.

Synopsys (NASDAQ:SNPS – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 27th. The semiconductor company reported $3.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.15 by $0.20. The company had revenue of $2.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.25 billion. Synopsys had a return on equity of 5.83% and a net margin of 8.91%.Synopsys’s revenue was up 41.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.67 EPS. Synopsys has set its FY 2026 guidance at 14.720-14.800 EPS and its Q3 2026 guidance at 3.630-3.690 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Synopsys, Inc. will post 10.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Synopsys Profile (Free Report)

Synopsys, Inc is a leading provider of electronic design automation (EDA) software and semiconductor intellectual property (IP) used to design, verify and manufacture integrated circuits and complex systems-on-chip (SoCs). Its product portfolio spans tools and technologies for front‑end design and synthesis, simulation and verification, physical implementation and signoff, and design-for-manufacturability, enabling chip designers to move from architecture through tape‑out.

In addition to core EDA offerings, Synopsys supplies a broad set of semiconductor IP building blocks — such as interface, memory and analog/mixed-signal cores — that customers integrate into SoCs to accelerate development.

Recommended Stories Five stocks we like better than Synopsys Blueprint for a Boom: SEC Clears the Crypto Runway Ross Stores Just Flipped the Off-Price Retail Story After TJX’s Marmaxx Miss Advance Auto Parts Plunged, But Its Turnaround Is Still Working Is Palo Alto Networks Priced for Perfection Again as AI Security Demand Accelerates? Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SNPS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ:SNPS – Free Report).

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Advisors Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 4,201 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock, valued at approximately $940,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new stake in Simon Property Group in the fourth quarter valued at $295,000. Marshall Wace LLP grew its holdings in Simon Property Group by 316.2% in the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 19,787 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $3,181,000 after purchasing an additional 15,033 shares during the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC raised its position in Simon Property Group by 80.1% during the second quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 16,881 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $2,714,000 after acquiring an additional 7,506 shares during the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Simon Property Group by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 35,740 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $5,745,000 after purchasing an additional 598 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Simon Property Group by 13.4% during the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 28,444 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $4,573,000 after acquiring an additional 3,372 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.01% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Simon Property Group from $205.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded Simon Property Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $220.00 price target for the company. in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Scotiabank increased their price target on Simon Property Group from $220.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Thursday. Wolfe Research cut shares of Simon Property Group from an “outperform” rating to a “peer perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Simon Property Group from $199.00 to $222.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $223.00.

Read Our Latest Report on SPG Simon Property Group Stock Down 0.6% Shares of NYSE:SPG opened at $218.52 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $70.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 1.30. Simon Property Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $172.19 and a 1-year high of $238.50. The company’s fifty day moving average is $223.06 and its two-hundred day moving average is $207.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.19, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a current ratio of 1.05.

Simon Property Group (NYSE:SPG – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 10th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.49 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.64 by ($0.15). Simon Property Group had a net margin of 66.56% and a return on equity of 89.32%. The business had revenue of $1.79 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.61 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.70 earnings per share. Simon Property Group’s revenue for the quarter was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. Simon Property Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 13.200-13.300 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Simon Property Group, Inc. will post 13.2 EPS for the current year.

Simon Property Group Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 9th will be paid a dividend of $2.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 9th. This represents a $9.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.1%. Simon Property Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 63.47%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Simon Property Group In related news, Director Daniel C. Smith purchased 372 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 30th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $223.31 per share, with a total value of $83,071.32. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 34,480 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $7,699,728.80. The trade was a 1.09% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Reuben S. Leibowitz purchased 508 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 30th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $223.38 per share, with a total value of $113,477.04. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 55,797 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,463,933.86. This represents a 0.92% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders have purchased 2,387 shares of company stock valued at $533,056. Corporate insiders own 8.73% of the company’s stock.

Simon Property Group Profile (Free Report)

Simon Property Group, Inc (NYSE: SPG) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns, develops and manages retail real estate properties. Its core business activities include acquisition, development, leasing and property management of regional malls, outlet centers and mixed‑use retail destinations. The company operates retail brands that include high‑profile regional shopping centers and the Premium Outlets platform, and it provides services such as tenant leasing, marketing, property operations and capital projects to optimize asset performance.

Simon’s portfolio spans a broad mix of enclosed malls, open‑air centers, outlet properties and mixed‑use developments, and the company pursues redevelopment and repositioning to adapt properties to changing consumer and retail trends.

Read More Five stocks we like better than Simon Property Group Blueprint for a Boom: SEC Clears the Crypto Runway Ross Stores Just Flipped the Off-Price Retail Story After TJX’s Marmaxx Miss Advance Auto Parts Plunged, But Its Turnaround Is Still Working Is Palo Alto Networks Priced for Perfection Again as AI Security Demand Accelerates?

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Allworth Financial LP bought a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 24,334 shares of the medical research company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,200,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. North Dakota State Investment Board acquired a new stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in the fourth quarter worth $7,505,000. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 2nd quarter valued at $15,501,867,000. Hudson Value Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 24.9% in the 2nd quarter. Hudson Value Partners LLC now owns 16,653 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $8,349,000 after purchasing an additional 3,317 shares during the period. Xponance LLC grew its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 8.1% in the 4th quarter. Xponance LLC now owns 59,295 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $34,358,000 after purchasing an additional 4,436 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Annex Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 12.6% in the 2nd quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLC now owns 24,656 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $12,361,000 after acquiring an additional 2,756 shares during the period. 89.23% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on TMO shares. KeyCorp reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research note on Tuesday, May 26th. Piper Sandler increased their price target on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $510.00 to $600.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Barclays raised their price target on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $625.00 to $650.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Sanford C. Bernstein assumed coverage on Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research note on Friday, June 26th. They issued a “market perform” rating and a $520.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $490.00 to $580.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $619.41.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Thermo Fisher Scientific Insider Activity In other news, VP Lisa P. Britt sold 11,440 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $613.12, for a total transaction of $7,014,092.80. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 14,784 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $9,064,366.08. This trade represents a 43.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, COO Gianluca Pettiti sold 400 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $565.00, for a total transaction of $226,000.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer owned 24,651 shares in the company, valued at $13,927,815. This represents a 1.60% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 63,493 shares of company stock worth $37,657,681. Corporate insiders own 0.33% of the company’s stock.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock Performance Shares of NYSE TMO opened at $629.02 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 1.55. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $542.53 and a 200 day moving average price of $509.70. The stock has a market capitalization of $232.58 billion, a PE ratio of 33.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.56 and a beta of 0.85. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 52 week low of $435.27 and a 52 week high of $643.99.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The medical research company reported $6.03 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.71 by $0.32. The firm had revenue of $11.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $11.71 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a net margin of 15.04% and a return on equity of 17.09%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $4.28 earnings per share. Thermo Fisher Scientific has set its FY 2026 guidance at 24.930-25.330 EPS. Analysts predict that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 25.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be issued a $0.47 dividend. This represents a $1.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 15th. Thermo Fisher Scientific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 10.11%.

(Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE: TMO) is a global provider of scientific instrumentation, reagents and consumables, software, and services that support research, clinical, and industrial laboratories. The company supplies analytical instruments and laboratory equipment, life sciences reagents and kits, specialty diagnostics, and a broad range of consumables used by researchers, clinicians, and manufacturers. Its offerings also include laboratory information management and data-analysis software, as well as service solutions such as instrument maintenance, validation, and logistics that help customers run complex workflows efficiently.

Thermo Fisher operates through multiple business areas that broadly cover life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services, including contract development and manufacturing for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than Thermo Fisher Scientific Blueprint for a Boom: SEC Clears the Crypto Runway Ross Stores Just Flipped the Off-Price Retail Story After TJX’s Marmaxx Miss Advance Auto Parts Plunged, But Its Turnaround Is Still Working Is Palo Alto Networks Priced for Perfection Again as AI Security Demand Accelerates?

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Allworth Financial LP bought a new position in shares of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW – Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 7,829 shares of the industrial products company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,117,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of ITW. BlackRock Inc. bought a new stake in Illinois Tool Works in the second quarter worth approximately $6,296,349,000. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Illinois Tool Works during the 4th quarter worth approximately $808,351,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $603,166,000. Deutsche Bank AG bought a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the 2nd quarter valued at $221,746,000. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Illinois Tool Works during the 2nd quarter valued at $180,734,000. Institutional investors own 79.77% of the company’s stock.

Illinois Tool Works Stock Performance Shares of Illinois Tool Works stock opened at $282.23 on Friday. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $278.00 and its 200 day simple moving average is $271.50. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.26. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 12 month low of $238.82 and a 12 month high of $303.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $80.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.78 and a beta of 0.99.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The industrial products company reported $2.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.80 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $4.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.19 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 101.72% and a net margin of 19.39%.The business’s revenue was up 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.58 EPS. Illinois Tool Works has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.350-11.550 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 11.45 EPS for the current year. Illinois Tool Works Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 9th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 30th will be paid a $1.72 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 30th. This is a positive change from Illinois Tool Works’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.61. This represents a $6.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. Illinois Tool Works’s dividend payout ratio is presently 58.39%.

Analyst Ratings Changes ITW has been the subject of a number of research reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $245.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $300.00 price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “sell” rating and issued a $254.00 target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Weiss Ratings raised Illinois Tool Works from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, Wolfe Research reiterated an “underperform” rating and issued a $286.00 price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $281.25.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Illinois Tool Works

Insider Activity In other news, Director Ernest Scott Santi sold 41,431 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $287.09, for a total transaction of $11,894,425.79. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 266,288 shares in the company, valued at $76,448,621.92. This trade represents a 13.46% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CAO Matteo C. Pigozzo sold 277 shares of Illinois Tool Works stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $289.22, for a total transaction of $80,113.94. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 3,394 shares in the company, valued at $981,612.68. This trade represents a 7.55% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.83% of the company’s stock.

Illinois Tool Works Profile (Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc (ITW) is a diversified industrial manufacturer that designs and produces a broad array of engineered products, consumables and related service solutions for industrial customers. Its offerings span engineered fastening systems, specialty components, industrial equipment, welding products, foodservice and packaging equipment, adhesives and polymer products, and test-and-measurement technologies. These products are used as critical inputs by customers across automotive, construction, electronics, foodservice, maintenance and other industrial end markets.

The company operates a decentralized business model in which independently managed businesses focus on niche product lines and close customer relationships.

Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Illinois Tool Works Blueprint for a Boom: SEC Clears the Crypto Runway Ross Stores Just Flipped the Off-Price Retail Story After TJX’s Marmaxx Miss Advance Auto Parts Plunged, But Its Turnaround Is Still Working Is Palo Alto Networks Priced for Perfection Again as AI Security Demand Accelerates? Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ITW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW – Free Report).

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Advisors Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ:NXPI – Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 2,356 shares of the semiconductor provider’s stock, valued at approximately $662,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in NXP Semiconductors during the 2nd quarter worth about $6,716,412,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in NXP Semiconductors by 2.2% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 13,612,546 shares of the semiconductor provider’s stock valued at $2,954,739,000 after purchasing an additional 293,558 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in NXP Semiconductors by 0.5% in the fourth quarter. State Street Corp now owns 11,043,159 shares of the semiconductor provider’s stock valued at $2,407,382,000 after purchasing an additional 55,098 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. grew its stake in NXP Semiconductors by 17.2% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 5,574,672 shares of the semiconductor provider’s stock worth $1,210,038,000 after purchasing an additional 818,985 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in NXP Semiconductors by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,463,756 shares of the semiconductor provider’s stock worth $1,180,572,000 after purchasing an additional 30,804 shares during the period. 90.54% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

NXP Semiconductors Price Performance NASDAQ:NXPI opened at $225.56 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 2.04 and a quick ratio of 1.36. NXP Semiconductors N.V. has a one year low of $183.00 and a one year high of $339.95. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $265.95 and a 200 day moving average price of $252.35. The stock has a market cap of $56.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.25, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.81.

NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ:NXPI – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The semiconductor provider reported $3.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.52 by $0.09. NXP Semiconductors had a net margin of 22.56% and a return on equity of 27.83%. The company had revenue of $3.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.47 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.72 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that NXP Semiconductors N.V. will post 13.73 earnings per share for the current year. NXP Semiconductors Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 9th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, June 24th were paid a $1.014 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 24th. This represents a $4.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. NXP Semiconductors’s dividend payout ratio is currently 34.56%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts have recently weighed in on NXPI shares. Loop Capital boosted their target price on NXP Semiconductors from $275.00 to $290.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Truist Financial lifted their price target on NXP Semiconductors from $255.00 to $310.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Oppenheimer upped their target price on shares of NXP Semiconductors from $300.00 to $325.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Raymond James Financial lifted their target price on shares of NXP Semiconductors from $250.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Finally, Wolfe Research increased their price target on shares of NXP Semiconductors from $270.00 to $320.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Sixteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $305.43.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on NXP Semiconductors

Insider Transactions at NXP Semiconductors In other news, EVP Christopher L. Jensen sold 1,746 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $316.53, for a total transaction of $552,661.38. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 3,643 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,153,118.79. This trade represents a 32.40% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Andrew Micallef sold 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $315.57, for a total transaction of $315,570.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 8,942 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,821,826.94. This represents a 10.06% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.05% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

(Free Report)

NXP Semiconductors N.V. is a global semiconductor company headquartered in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, that designs and supplies mixed-signal and standard product solutions for a broad range of end markets. The company focuses on enabling secure connections and infrastructure for embedded applications, developing technologies used across automotive, industrial and Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, and communication infrastructure segments. NXP’s offerings target customers that require reliable, secure, and high-performance semiconductor components for connected devices and systems.

Product lines include microcontrollers and application processors, secure elements and authentication technologies, RF and high-power analog components, connectivity solutions, and vehicle networking and infotainment systems.

See Also Five stocks we like better than NXP Semiconductors Blueprint for a Boom: SEC Clears the Crypto Runway Ross Stores Just Flipped the Off-Price Retail Story After TJX’s Marmaxx Miss Advance Auto Parts Plunged, But Its Turnaround Is Still Working Is Palo Alto Networks Priced for Perfection Again as AI Security Demand Accelerates?

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Allworth Financial LP bought a new position in shares of Southern Copper Corporation (NYSE:SCCO – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 9,824 shares of the basic materials company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,712,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of SCCO. California Public Employees Retirement System boosted its stake in Southern Copper by 21.2% during the 1st quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 192,523 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $33,126,000 after purchasing an additional 33,638 shares during the period. RFG Advisory LLC bought a new position in Southern Copper in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,147,000. US Bancorp DE increased its position in Southern Copper by 16.2% in the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 74,484 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $10,687,000 after buying an additional 10,360 shares during the period. Ashoka WhiteOak Capital Pte Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Southern Copper during the fourth quarter worth approximately $5,460,000. Finally, Precision Wealth Strategies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Southern Copper during the first quarter worth approximately $2,769,000. 7.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Southern Copper In other Southern Copper news, Director Bonilla Luis Miguel Palomino sold 202 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $196.79, for a total value of $39,751.28. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 1,723 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $339,066.65. This represents a 10.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders have sold a total of 509 shares of company stock worth $97,753 in the last ninety days. 0.07% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Southern Copper Stock Performance Shares of Southern Copper stock opened at $216.30 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 5.06 and a quick ratio of 4.56. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $182.23 and a 200 day simple moving average of $183.20. Southern Copper Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $92.94 and a fifty-two week high of $223.88. The firm has a market cap of $180.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.62, a P/E/G ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 1.11. Southern Copper (NYSE:SCCO – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 22nd. The basic materials company reported $1.99 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.93 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $4.29 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.37 billion. Southern Copper had a return on equity of 49.04% and a net margin of 35.87%.The business’s revenue was up 40.6% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Southern Copper Corporation will post 7.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Southern Copper Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 27th. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 11th will be issued a dividend of $1.10 per share. This is an increase from Southern Copper’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. This represents a $4.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, August 11th. Southern Copper’s dividend payout ratio is presently 64.33%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth SCCO has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Southern Copper from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Scotiabank reaffirmed an “underperform” rating and set a $138.34 price objective (up from $133.40) on shares of Southern Copper in a research report on Monday, June 15th. UBS Group reiterated a “sell” rating and issued a $158.10 target price (up from $143.28) on shares of Southern Copper in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. Zacks Research downgraded Southern Copper from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, August 7th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Southern Copper from $125.49 to $129.94 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 17th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and seven have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $146.84.

Read Our Latest Research Report on SCCO

Southern Copper Profile (Free Report)

Southern Copper Corporation (NYSE: SCCO) is a large, integrated copper producer whose operations span the full value chain from exploration and mining to smelting, refining and the sale of copper and other metal products. The company produces a range of copper products including copper concentrate and refined cathodes, and recovers valuable byproducts such as molybdenum, silver and zinc. Southern Copper concentrates on high-volume, long-life assets designed to support steady production and processing capabilities.

Southern Copper’s operations are concentrated in Peru and Mexico, where it owns and operates multiple large-scale mining and processing facilities.

See Also Five stocks we like better than Southern Copper Blueprint for a Boom: SEC Clears the Crypto Runway Ross Stores Just Flipped the Off-Price Retail Story After TJX’s Marmaxx Miss Advance Auto Parts Plunged, But Its Turnaround Is Still Working Is Palo Alto Networks Priced for Perfection Again as AI Security Demand Accelerates?

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ABN Amro Investment Solutions increased its stake in Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX – Free Report) by 7.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 134,707 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock after acquiring an additional 9,903 shares during the period. ABN Amro Investment Solutions’ holdings in Lam Research were worth $58,373,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fideuram Asset Management Ireland dac bought a new position in shares of Lam Research during the fourth quarter valued at about $10,035,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC increased its holdings in shares of Lam Research by 62.0% in the fourth quarter. Generali Investments Management Co LLC now owns 36,274 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $6,209,000 after buying an additional 13,878 shares during the period. Rokos Capital Management LLP lifted its stake in shares of Lam Research by 42.0% in the 1st quarter. Rokos Capital Management LLP now owns 259,921 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $55,532,000 after acquiring an additional 76,840 shares during the last quarter. Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super purchased a new stake in Lam Research during the 1st quarter valued at about $59,973,000. Finally, Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new stake in Lam Research during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,489,000. Institutional investors own 84.61% of the company’s stock.

Lam Research Trading Up 1.1% NASDAQ:LRCX opened at $314.00 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $337.47 and a 200-day moving average price of $286.09. The stock has a market cap of $392.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.51, a P/E/G ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 1.84. The company has a current ratio of 2.63, a quick ratio of 1.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. Lam Research Corporation has a 12 month low of $94.11 and a 12 month high of $438.50.

Lam Research (NASDAQ:LRCX – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The semiconductor company reported $1.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.69 by $0.13. Lam Research had a net margin of 31.27% and a return on equity of 67.60%. The company had revenue of $6.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.66 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.33 earnings per share. Lam Research’s quarterly revenue was up 30.0% on a year-over-year basis. Lam Research has set its Q1 2027 guidance at 2.000-2.300 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Lam Research Corporation will post 9.32 EPS for the current year. Insider Transactions at Lam Research In related news, SVP Neil J. Fernandes sold 7,659 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $309.60, for a total value of $2,371,226.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 58,470 shares in the company, valued at $18,102,312. This trade represents a 11.58% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Eric Brandt sold 54,500 shares of Lam Research stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $350.80, for a total transaction of $19,118,600.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 199,205 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $69,881,114. This trade represents a 21.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last quarter, insiders sold 80,441 shares of company stock valued at $27,614,296. Corporate insiders own 0.31% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have commented on LRCX. Oppenheimer reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $400.00 price target (up from $330.00) on shares of Lam Research in a research note on Monday, June 15th. Wall Street Zen lowered Lam Research from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, May 10th. Mizuho raised their target price on shares of Lam Research from $380.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $450.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Lam Research in a research note on Wednesday, June 17th. Finally, TD Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $400.00 price target (up from $340.00) on shares of Lam Research in a report on Thursday, July 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-six have issued a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Lam Research has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $358.47.

View Our Latest Report on LRCX

About Lam Research (Free Report)

Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ: LRCX) is a global supplier of wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry. Founded in 1980 by David K. Lam and headquartered in Fremont, California, the company develops and manufactures systems used in multiple stages of semiconductor device production, including thin film deposition, plasma etch, wafer cleaning and related process modules and automation.

Lam’s product portfolio covers core process technologies employed by logic and memory manufacturers, with equipment designed to support advanced-node patterning, 3D NAND and other emerging device architectures.

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Joanne C. Crevoiserat, chief executive officer of Tapestry, Inc. (TPR +0.27%), reported a sale of 72,573 shares of common stock on August 19, according toa n SEC Form 4 filing.

Transaction summaryMetricValueShares sold72,573Transaction value$9.6 millionPost-transaction shares (directly held)627,849Post-transaction value$82.70 millionTransaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($132.40); post-transaction value based on the August 19 market close ($131.72).

Key questionsWhat was the primary driver of this transaction?
The disposition was non-discretionary in nature, consisting of shares withheld for tax obligations upon vesting and shares sold to cover costs associated with exercising stock options.How does this impact the CEO's total economic interest in the company?
Despite the 10% reduction in direct common stock, the executive maintains a significant position of 627,849 direct shares and additional derivative securities, including vested and unvested awards.What is the recent performance context for the stock?
The transaction occurred with the stock priced at $132.40 per share, following a one-year total return of 35% as of the August 19 transaction date.Does the company's financial profile support the current valuation?
Tapestry reported trailing twelve-month revenue of $7.9 billion and net income of $662.8 million, supporting a market capitalization of $26.6 billion as of the August 19 market close.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-08-19)$131.72Market Capitalization$26.6 billionRevenue (TTM)$8 billionNet Income (TTM)$1.5 billionCompany SnapshotTapestry, Inc. operates a diversified portfolio of premium lifestyle brands--Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman--offering luxury accessories, apparel, and home goods across women's, men's, and children's categories, with revenue primarily generated through direct-to-consumer channels and wholesale partnerships.The company employs a multi-brand, geographically diversified business model that leverages distinct brand identities and positioning to capture market share across premium and accessible luxury segments, generating profitability through product design, manufacturing, and global distribution networks.Tapestry's primary customer base comprises affluent consumers in developed markets, particularly in the United States, Japan, and Greater China, with a strategic focus on female consumers while expanding male and children's product categories to broaden the addressable market opportunity.Tapestry, Inc. represents a scaled global luxury conglomerate with $8 billion in TTM revenue and a market capitalization of $26.6 billion, positioning it as a significant player in the accessible-to-premium luxury goods sector. The company's competitive advantage derives from its portfolio of established, heritage brands with distinct market positioning, coupled with sophisticated omnichannel distribution capabilities and strong international presence across key growth markets. The organization's operational scale, brand equity, and demonstrated ability to drive profitability--evidenced by $1.5 billion in TTM net income--underscore its strategic positioning within the global luxury goods market.

What this transaction means for investorsThis filing is basically just tax withholding and housekeeping, but it's worth looking at for a few reasons: 72,573 shares are roughly 10% of Crevoiserat's direct stake, and the move landed six days after Tapestry stock dropped about 16% on an earnings reaction, even though the quarter itself beat guidance.

In the earnings report and the call that followed, Tapestry reported hitting its three-year revenue, margin, and EPS targets two years early, with fiscal 2026 revenue up 14% to $8 billion and non-GAAP EPS up 38% to $7.05. What spooked the market wasn't the year that just ended, it was the year ahead. Fiscal 2027 guidance calls for mid-single-digit revenue growth and low-double-digit EPS growth, a deceleration from what Tapestry just delivered, and Kate Spade is expected to post a modest operating loss as the brand keeps investing through a turnaround. Crevoiserat summed up her view of the business simply: "Our success is by design." Whether the market agrees with that framing next quarter is the real question here, not this filing.

Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Tapestry. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Exciting developments are happening for Rocket Lab (RKLB -0.52%), which recently secured some new defense contracts for its innovative Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron (HASTE) launch vehicle.

By positioning itself as a partner in the United States' national security efforts, Rocket Lab is building a profitable defense business that stabilizes earnings as it evolves into a trust defense contractor.

Let's take a closer look at Rocket Lab's defense business hidden inside the space stock, and why this part of the overall business is a positive sign for long-term investors.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Rocket Lab scored some big defense contracts in 2026 Hypersonic testing has become a priority for the Pentagon and a key component of national security. Hypersonic systems travel faster than Mach 5 and maneuver within the upper atmosphere. Historically, the Pentagon has relied on ground testing or repurposed missiles for flight testing, but both have limitations compared to real-world flight testing.

Rocket Lab's HASTE has emerged as a preferred suborbital test platform. This vehicle uses a carbon-composite structure and 3D-printed engines and is built on Rocket Lab's flagship launch vehicle, Electron. HASTE has a repeatable flight cadence, allowing the military to test and simulate threat scenarios under real-world flight conditions rather than relying solely on computer models.

Because it primarily operates out of NASA's Virginia facility, the company can achieve a quick turnaround, integrating and launching its vehicle within months rather than years.

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Earlier this year, Rocket Lab signed a $190 million, 20-launch agreement with the Pentagon, working alongside Kratos as part of its MACH-TB (Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed) program, which aims to eliminate bottlenecks in hypersonic flight testing. Building on this, in late June, the U.S. Space Force awarded Rocket Lab a $266 million contract for up to 18 suborbital missile defense launches -- the largest launch contract in Rocket Lab's history.

To execute these suborbital launches, Rocket Lab has introduced its GHOST technology. GHOST packages rocket launch infrastructure, range control systems, and ground support into standard shipping containers, giving Rocket Lab flexibility to set up launch sites in remote regions on accelerated timelines.

Rocket Lab's satellites and space component business are also winning defense contracts Beyond its launch vehicle, Rocket Lab also has a booming space systems business. Here, the company provides key components and services for space-related infrastructure, such as satellites, flight software, and high-performance space components. Given the growing importance of space for national security, this gives Rocket Lab another avenue for growth.

In August, Rocket Lab won a massive $397 million contract with the U.S. Space Force to design, build, launch, and operate multiple advanced Flatellite spacecraft, flat satellites optimized for large constellations. The award is part of the Space-Based Airborne Moving Target Indicator (SB-AMTI) program, and shows how Rocket Lab's vertically integrated approach to the space economy is paying off.

Beyond this, Rocket Lab has partnered with RTX's Raytheon to demonstrate advanced space-based missile tracking and interception capabilities as part of the Golden Dome Space-Based Interceptor (SBI) program. Viasat also recently selected Rocket Lab to build a satellite bus for the Space Force's Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global (PTS-G) program.

Rocket Lab's defense pivot adds stability to its business Rocket Lab's pivot into defense turns the company from a commercial space company to a broad-based defense and aerospace provider. Historically, launch-only providers suffer from irregular revenue recognition and cyclical launches.

By securing government contracts, Rocket Lab diversifies away from commercial timelines and expands into government-backed projects, which tend to have large dollar amounts over long time horizons. Rocket Lab's integrated platform also lets it bid aggressively on government contracts while maintaining strong profit margins.

Looking ahead, Rocket Lab continues expanding with its $8 billion acquisition of Iridium Communications. This gives Rocket Lab access to a 66-satellite constellation, 2.5 million subscribers, and L-band spectrum. This spectrum provides weather-resilient tactical communications and an alternative to GPS, which can be jammed by modern electronic warfare.

Rocket Lab has grown its platform at an impressive pace in recent years, building on its launch capabilities and expanding its space components business while securing major defense and national security contracts. For investors seeking upside in the expanding space economy and growing defense budgets, Rocket Lab is a top space stock to own over the long term.

Advisors Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Snap-On Incorporated (NYSE:SNA – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 1,295 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $521,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of SNA. DV Equities LLC purchased a new position in Snap-On in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Western Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Snap-On during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Montag A & Associates Inc. boosted its position in Snap-On by 331.8% during the 4th quarter. Montag A & Associates Inc. now owns 95 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the period. Quattro Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Snap-On in the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC raised its position in Snap-On by 36.4% in the fourth quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 105 shares of the company’s stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares during the period. 84.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at Snap-On In related news, CEO Nicholas T. Pinchuk sold 22,889 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $399.69, for a total value of $9,148,504.41. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 867,779 shares in the company, valued at $346,842,588.51. This trade represents a 2.57% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, SVP Jesus Arregui sold 4,251 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $383.92, for a total transaction of $1,632,043.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 4,439 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,704,220.88. This represents a 48.92% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 45,928 shares of company stock valued at $18,483,009. Corporate insiders own 3.80% of the company’s stock.

Snap-On Trading Up 0.5% NYSE:SNA opened at $393.11 on Friday. Snap-On Incorporated has a 1 year low of $319.20 and a 1 year high of $423.02. The stock has a market cap of $20.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.05, a PEG ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.73. The business has a fifty day moving average of $403.30 and a 200-day moving average of $384.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 2.64 and a current ratio of 3.43. Snap-On (NYSE:SNA – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The company reported $4.96 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.95 by $0.01. Snap-On had a net margin of 21.25% and a return on equity of 17.07%. The company had revenue of $1.24 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.22 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $4.72 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Snap-On Incorporated will post 19.7 earnings per share for the current year.

Snap-On announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback program on Thursday, April 30th that permits the company to repurchase $500.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to buy up to 2.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally a sign that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Snap-On Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 19th will be given a dividend of $2.44 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 19th. This represents a $9.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. Snap-On’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 49.77%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In SNA has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Robert W. Baird set a $415.00 target price on Snap-On in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Snap-On in a report on Friday, July 17th. Tigress Financial lifted their price target on shares of Snap-On from $445.00 to $485.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Barclays started coverage on shares of Snap-On in a report on Thursday, May 28th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $420.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Roth Capital reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $461.00 price objective (up from $409.00) on shares of Snap-On in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $426.20.

Get Our Latest Report on SNA

Snap-On Company Profile (Free Report)

Snap‑On Incorporated (NYSE: SNA) is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostic equipment, repair information and shop equipment for professional users. The company’s product range includes hand and power tools, tool storage and cabinets, diagnostic scan tools and software, shop equipment such as lifts and tire changers, and specialized specialty tools for automotive, aviation, marine and industrial applications. Snap‑On also offers information and workflow solutions that combine diagnostic data, repair procedures and parts information to support professional technicians.

Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Snap‑On has established a long history in the professional tools market.

Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Snap-On Blueprint for a Boom: SEC Clears the Crypto Runway Ross Stores Just Flipped the Off-Price Retail Story After TJX’s Marmaxx Miss Advance Auto Parts Plunged, But Its Turnaround Is Still Working Is Palo Alto Networks Priced for Perfection Again as AI Security Demand Accelerates?

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B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG purchased a new stake in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 44,181 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,082,000. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG owned approximately 0.08% of The Ensign Group as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Private Trust Co. NA increased its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 156.5% during the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 159 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Monetary Solutions Ltd acquired a new position in shares of The Ensign Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 55.0% in the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 172 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. Bayban purchased a new stake in The Ensign Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC purchased a new position in The Ensign Group in the first quarter worth $32,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.12% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages recently issued reports on ENSG. Wall Street Zen downgraded The Ensign Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, July 25th. Weiss Ratings lowered The Ensign Group from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $228.00 target price on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their price target on The Ensign Group from $202.00 to $207.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $216.25.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on The Ensign Group Insider Activity In other news, Director John O. Agwunobi sold 392 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $171.06, for a total transaction of $67,055.52. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 9,503 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,625,583.18. This represents a 3.96% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $164.28, for a total value of $114,996.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 21,352 shares in the company, valued at $3,507,706.56. This trade represents a 3.17% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Corporate insiders own 4.00% of the company’s stock.

The Ensign Group Stock Performance Shares of ENSG opened at $179.48 on Friday. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $141.58 and a twelve month high of $218.00. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $171.11 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $184.42. The firm has a market cap of $10.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.13, a PEG ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a current ratio of 1.21.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 27th. The company reported $1.92 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.80 by $0.12. The company had revenue of $1.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.44 billion. The Ensign Group had a return on equity of 16.75% and a net margin of 6.90%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 16.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.59 EPS. The Ensign Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.750-7.850 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 6.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Ensign Group Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 30th were given a $0.065 dividend. This represents a $0.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 30th. The Ensign Group’s payout ratio is presently 4.08%.

The Ensign Group Company Profile (Free Report)

The Ensign Group, Inc is a diversified provider of post-acute healthcare services in the United States, operating a network of skilled nursing, assisted living, independent living, home health and hospice care centers. The company’s model emphasizes integrated care by employing multidisciplinary teams—including nursing staff, therapists and physicians—to deliver personalized rehabilitation and long-term care services for seniors and other patients recovering from injury, illness or surgery.

Through its owned and managed centers, The Ensign Group offers a broad spectrum of rehabilitation services such as physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Recommended Stories Five stocks we like better than The Ensign Group Blueprint for a Boom: SEC Clears the Crypto Runway Ross Stores Just Flipped the Off-Price Retail Story After TJX’s Marmaxx Miss Advance Auto Parts Plunged, But Its Turnaround Is Still Working Is Palo Alto Networks Priced for Perfection Again as AI Security Demand Accelerates? Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ENSG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG – Free Report).

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Vitesse Energy NYSE: VTS President and CEO Jamie Benard outlined the company’s non-operated energy investment model, capital-allocation priorities and approach to maintaining its shareholder dividend during a presentation at an EnerCom event.

Benard, who became president and CEO in May, said Denver-based Vitesse owns operated and predominantly non-operated interests in more than 7,800 wells managed by 30 operators across three basins. The company’s portfolio is concentrated in the Williston Basin, with additional exposure to the DJ and Powder River basins.

“At its core, though, the business is pretty simple,” Benard said. “We invest capital where we believe we can earn accretive returns, convert those investments into free cash flow, and return a meaningful portion of that cash to our shareholders through a durable dividend.”

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Dividend and balance-sheet priorities Benard described Vitesse’s strategy through four steps: own, acquire, convert and return. The company owns interests in existing wells, acquires additional interests that meet its return criteria, converts those investments into production and free cash flow, and returns capital to shareholders, with the dividend taking priority.

At the midpoint of its 2026 production guidance, Vitesse expects to produce 16,750 barrels of oil equivalent per day, with oil accounting for 61% of production, Benard said. The company’s annualized dividend is $1.75 per share.

The company uses hedges to provide visibility into the cash flows supporting its dividend rather than to make directional commodity-price bets, according to Benard. Its hedge book extends through 2029. Vitesse also targets leverage of one times or less, though it could exceed that level for a compelling acquisition if it has what Benard called a “clear and credible path” back below the target.

Vitesse’s capital-allocation framework prioritizes the dividend, followed by accretive acquisitions, a conservative balance sheet and other high-return opportunities. Potential uses of capital include participating in wells on existing acreage, purchasing near-term development interests, acquiring larger producing properties and reducing debt.

Benard said share repurchases are not currently a designated use within the company’s capital-allocation waterfall because Vitesse sees substantial reinvestment opportunities across its organic inventory, near-term development acquisitions and larger producing-property deals.

Acquisition flexibility and non-operated portfolio Vitesse’s average working interest across its 7,800-well portfolio is 3.5%, providing broad diversification across its assets and operators. In the Williston Basin, where the company has its largest presence, 17 of 31 active rigs, or 54%, were operating on Vitesse acreage at the time of the presentation, Benard said.

The company evaluates participation in each proposed well based on economics at prevailing strip prices. Since spinning out in 2023, Vitesse has consented to 93% of proposed wells, according to Benard.

Vitesse can deploy capital through several avenues, including participating in proposed wells, acquiring individual wellbore interests, buying producing properties with undeveloped inventory, and partnering with operators or purchasing carved-out interests from their development programs.

Since its founding in 2013, Vitesse has completed more than 175 acquisitions representing about $800 million in value. Five acquisitions ranged from $35 million to $194 million and accounted for approximately $642 million of the total. The other 170 transactions totaled roughly $158 million, or just under $1 million per acquisition, Benard said.

The company also has an operated position following its 2025 acquisition of Lucero. Vitesse now operates approximately 60 wells in the McKenzie-Dunn area of the Williston Basin.

Longer laterals and operating scale Benard said longer horizontal laterals have become an important contributor to capital efficiency. Since 2022, the average lateral length for wells in which Vitesse participates has increased 38%. Nearly 70% of the company’s 2026 participating wells are expected to have lateral lengths of three miles or more.

Vitesse’s data indicate that median drilling and completion costs per foot decline by about 25% when comparing two-mile and four-mile laterals. Benard said longer laterals also may help reduce the company’s overall proved developed producing decline rate as they make up a larger share of its production base, potentially reducing reinvestment needs and preserving more free cash flow.

The company underwrites investments using hedgeable strip prices, well-level production and cost data, internal-rate-of-return and return-on-investment measures, payout periods, and risk-adjusted return thresholds. For larger property deals, it also evaluates net asset value per share and discounted cash flow, Benard said.

Its proprietary Luminis platform consolidates accounting, land, finance, engineering and operations data, including production, authorization-for-expenditure costs, actual costs and lifting expenses. Benard said the system enables Vitesse to evaluate wells individually and integrate assets without expanding its workforce at the same pace as its portfolio.

Vitesse has 35 employees managing roughly 7,800 wells, or about 225 wells per employee. Since 2022, production has increased while general and administrative expense per BOE has declined, Benard said.

“We absolutely intend to grow,” Benard said, while emphasizing that growth must create value, meet return thresholds and support the company’s dividend and balance-sheet objectives.

About Vitesse Energy (NYSE:VTS)Vitesse Energy NYSE: VTS is an independent exploration and production company primarily focused on onshore oil and gas assets in the United States. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, the company identifies, acquires and develops low-decline, shallow to intermediate depth vertical wells, targeting predictable production profiles and stable cash flows. Vitesse leverages a lean operational model to optimize well performance and reduce unit operating costs across its asset base.

The company’s core operations are concentrated in the Arkoma Basin of eastern Oklahoma and the Ark-La-Tex region, where it holds acreage positions in multiple formations.

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

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The AI wave will soon hit public markets with Anthropic and OpenAI set to go public later this year. However, you don't have to wait to invest. This report shows seven AI stocks that you can buy today while the big model providers get ready to go public.

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Google, the search and cloud computing business owned by Alphabet (GOOG +1.05%)(GOOGL +1.22%), expanded its custom chip work this summer. On July 29, it signed an agreement with Marvell Technology (MRVL -5.57%) covering artificial intelligence (AI) inference accelerators, storage controllers, and other silicon built around Google's in-house TPU chips.

The unusual part surfaced in a securities filing this week. Alongside the agreement, Marvell handed Google a warrant covering 58,970,907 of its shares (roughly 7% of the company) at a fixed price of $206.58. Marvell shares jumped about 10% Wednesday after the disclosure, closing near $237.

Put another way, Google isn't just buying chips from a supplier. It negotiated the right to profit from its supplier's stock while doing so. And the package would cost about $12.2 billion to exercise in full, while obligating Google to buy nothing at all.

Image source: Alphabet.

The warrant pays Google to be a customerMost of the warrant's shares (57,610,040 of them) vest as Google's purchases accumulate -- another block of stock with each $500 million spent on the covered products. A smaller slice of 1,360,867 shares vests on a schedule over the first year, purchases or not.

Those purchases are discretionary, according to the filing. Google controls the pace entirely, and nothing obligates it to spend a dollar.

The structure is unusually favorable. A big buyer can always negotiate volume discounts, but a discount ends at the price of the chips. The warrant converts Google's spending into an asset. Every $500 million of purchases hands Google another block of Marvell stock at $206.58 per share, and with the stock near $243, the full package is already worth about $2.1 billion more than it would cost to exercise.

The cost of that sweetener doesn't fall on Google. It falls on Marvell's existing shareholders: the share count grows by about 7% if the warrant fully vests and converts into shares.

AMD's OpenAI deal set the templateIt is not the first time in the past year that a huge AI buyer has collected equity from a chip supplier for agreeing to buy.

In October 2025, AMD (AMD +0.81%) announced a partnership to supply OpenAI with 6 gigawatts of graphics processing units (GPUs), and it issued the AI company a warrant for up to 160 million AMD shares (about 10% of the company), with tranches vesting as deployments scale and as AMD's stock hits price targets. That warrant carried an exercise price of one cent per share.

The Google-Marvell version is more conventional: a real exercise price and no gigawatt commitments. But the direction, I'd argue, is the same. The biggest buyers of AI silicon have started charging their suppliers, in equity, for the privilege of supplying them.

Google didn't hand Marvell exclusivity in return. Google has relied on Broadcom to design its TPUs, a chip line dating to 2015. And Broadcom announced in April a new long-term agreement covering future TPU generations, with component supply running through as late as 2031 -- even as Google lined up Marvell as an additional partner. Google is adding suppliers and getting paid for it.

Small numbers at Alphabet's scaleCollecting every performance-based share requires $120 billion of qualifying purchases by Jan. 29, 2033. For Alphabet, that is less than three quarters worth of capital spending at the company's current pace. The company spent $44.9 billion on capital expenditures in the second quarter alone, roughly double the year-ago figure, and $132 billion over the trailing 12 months.

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And Alphabet already knows what partner equity can do for its results. The second quarter was strong on its own, with revenue up 24% year over year to $119.8 billion. But the quarter's other income also included a net gain of $98.0 billion, primarily unrealized gains on its equity securities. That single line is most of the reason earnings per share nearly quadrupled to $9.11 in a quarter when operating income rose 30% year over year.

Marvell shares bought through the warrant would land in exactly that bucket -- small next to a $98 billion quarter, but the same kind of asset.

Of course, a single warrant is a small item for a company with a market value above $4 trillion. Even the full package, with Marvell's stock at double the exercise price, would carry a paper gain of about $12 billion -- a fraction of a percent of Alphabet's value.

What the warrant shows, I think, is where the leverage sits in the AI build-out. Alphabet's chip budget has become valuable enough that suppliers will hand over ownership stakes to win it. For Alphabet shareholders, it is a small sweetener on chip spending that was likely coming anyway.