SummarySeagate Technology shares continued to advance as demand for high-capacity storage tied to AI data-center buildouts supported further positive earnings revisions.On balance, the Fund's artificial intelligence positioning was a net positive contributor to relative performance during the quarter.We added the Humana position on the view that earnings are at a cyclical trough, with MA margins currently depressed, in some cases negative, as elevated medical cost trends have outpaced premium growth across the industry.Intuit was sold following a disappointing growth outlook within its TurboTax segment, where our expectations had been high. Alistair Berg/DigitalVision via Getty Images
The following segment was excerpted from the Nomura Core Equity Fund Q2 2026 Commentary.
Within the Fund For 2Q26, Nomura Core Equity Fund Institutional Class (ICIEX) shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the S&P 500
Key Takeaways HWC matched Q2 earnings estimates as higher NII, fee income and lower provisions supported results.HWC posted higher revenues, expanded NIM and sequential growth in loans and deposits.Hancock Whitney's higher y/y expenses weighed on efficiency. Hancock Whitney Corp.’s (HWC - Free Report) second-quarter 2026 earnings per share of $1.55 matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The bottom line rose 17.4% from the prior-year quarter.
Results were supported by higher net interest income (NII) and non-interest income, along with a decline in provisions. Also, a sequential increase in loans and deposit balances was a positive. However, higher expenses were the undermining factor.
Net income available to common shareholders was $127 million, up 11.8% from the prior-year quarter. Our estimate for the metric was $124.6 million.
HWC’s Revenues Improve, Expenses RiseQuarterly total revenues were $401.4 million, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $396.4 million. The top line also increased 6.9% year over year.
NII (on a tax-equivalent basis) increased 5.6% year over year to $295.2 million. The net interest margin (NIM) was 3.56%, which expanded seven basis points (bps). Our estimates for NII and NIM were $291.2 million and 3.57%, respectively.
Non-interest income was $108.4 million, up 10% year over year. The rise was driven by an increase in service charges on deposit accounts, trust fees, bank card and ATM fees, and investment and annuity fees and insurance commissions. We had projected non-interest income of $107.1 million.
Total non-interest expenses (GAAP) increased 4.4% to $225.4 million. We had projected expenses of $227.1 million.
The efficiency ratio increased to 55.31% from 54.91% in the year-ago quarter. An increase in the efficiency ratio indicates a deterioration in profitability.
HWC’s Loans & Deposits Rise SequentiallyAs of June 30, 2026, total loans were $24.6 billion, up 2.5% from the prior quarter. Total deposits were $29.6 billion, up 1.9% from the previous quarter. Our estimates for total loans and deposits were $24.5 billion and $29.2 billion, respectively.
HWC’s Credit Quality ImprovesThe provision for credit losses was $13.8 million, down 7.7% from the prior-year quarter. Our estimate for provisions was $11.4 million.
Net charge-offs (annualized) were 0.16% of average total loans, down 15 bps from the prior-year quarter.
HWC’s Capital Ratios Decline, Profitability Ratios IncreaseAs of June 30, 2026, the Tier 1 leverage ratio was 10.87%, down from 11.35% at the end of the year-ago quarter. The common equity Tier 1 ratio was 13.18%, down from 13.97% as of June 30, 2025.
At the end of the second quarter of 2026, the return on average assets was 1.42%, up from 1.32% in the year-ago period. The return on average common equity was 11.52%, up from 10.63% in the prior-year quarter.
HWC’s Share Repurchase UpdateIn the reported quarter, HWC repurchased 712,966 shares at an average price of $68.28 per share.
Our View on Hancock WhitneyIn May, Hancock Whitney agreed to acquire OFB Bancshares, Inc. and combine the latter’s local relationships with its broader platform and expanded private banking and fee-income capabilities, supported by the 2025 Sabal Trust acquisition. Together, these actions are expected to support HWC’s top line over time through loan growth, a continued shift toward full-relationship lending and sustained investment in higher-growth markets.
Additionally, the company’s bond restructuring efforts and stabilizing funding costs are expected to continue to support NII expansion. However, weakening asset quality and elevated expenses remain key challenges.
Currently, Hancock Whitney carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Performance of Other BanksCommerce Bancshares Inc.’s (CBSH - Free Report) second-quarter 2026 earnings of $1.10 per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.04. The bottom line reflected a rise of 1% from the prior-year quarter.
CBSH’s results primarily benefited from higher NII and a rise in non-interest income. The sequential rise in loan balances acted as a tailwind. However, higher expenses and provisions hurt CBSH’s results to some extent.
F.N.B. Corporation (FNB - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 earnings of 42 cents per share, which matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The bottom line jumped 16.7% year over year.
FNB’s results primarily benefited from higher NII, a rise in non-interest income and lower provisions. Higher average loans and deposits were other positives. However, higher non-interest expenses hurt the results to some extent.
The market expects Churchill Downs (CHDN - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 29, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis racetrack operator and gambling company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $3.51 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +13.2%.
Revenues are expected to be $974.36 million, up 4.3% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.13% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Churchill Downs?For Churchill Downs, the Most Accurate Estimate is the same as the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that there are no recent analyst views which differ from what have been considered to derive the consensus estimate. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of 0%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #4.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Churchill Downs will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Churchill Downs would post earnings of $1.06 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.21, delivering a surprise of +14.15%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Churchill Downs doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities, all investors love seeing their portfolios score big returns. However, when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.
While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its dividend yield, a metric that measures the dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases.
Tanger (SKT - Free Report) is headquartered in Greensboro, and is in the Finance sector. The stock has seen a price change of 25.68% since the start of the year. The factory outlet mall operator is paying out a dividend of $0.31 per share at the moment, with a dividend yield of 2.98% compared to the REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry's yield of 3.71% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.35%.
Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $1.25 is up 8.4% from last year. Over the last 5 years, Tanger has increased its dividend 4 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 14.37%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Tanger's current payout ratio is 49%, meaning it paid out 49% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.
SKT is expecting earnings to expand this fiscal year as well. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $2.48 per share, with earnings expected to increase 6.44% from the year ago period.
Investors like dividends for many reasons; they greatly improve stock investing profits, decrease overall portfolio risk, and carry tax advantages, among others. However, not all companies offer a quarterly payout.
Big, established firms that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options, but it's fairly uncommon to see high-growth businesses or tech start-ups offer their stockholders a dividend. Income investors have to be mindful of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. That said, they can take comfort from the fact that SKT is not only an attractive dividend play, but is also a compelling investment opportunity with a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
Momentum investing is all about the idea of following a stock's recent trend, which can be in either direction. In the "long context," investors will essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." And for investors following this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving in that direction. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.
While many investors like to look for momentum in stocks, this can be very tough to define. There is a lot of debate surrounding which metrics are the best to focus on and which are poor quality indicators of future performance. The Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.
Below, we take a look at JB Hunt (JBHT - Free Report) , which currently has a Momentum Style Score of A. We also discuss some of the main drivers of the Momentum Style Score, like price change and earnings estimate revisions.
It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. JB Hunt currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.
You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>
Set to Beat the Market?Let's discuss some of the components of the Momentum Style Score for JBHT that show why this trucking and logistics company shows promise as a solid momentum pick.
A good momentum benchmark for a stock is to look at its short-term price activity, as this can reflect both current interest and if buyers or sellers currently have the upper hand. It is also useful to compare a security to its industry, as this can help investors pinpoint the top companies in a particular area.
For JBHT, shares are up 4.09% over the past week while the Zacks Transportation - Truck industry is up 2.92% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 8.92% compares favorably with the industry's 6.2% performance as well.
While any stock can see a spike in price, it takes a real winner to consistently outperform the market. Over the past quarter, shares of JB Hunt have risen 16.7%, and are up 93.02% in the last year. In comparison, the S&P 500 has only moved 6.61% and 20.33%, respectively.
Investors should also take note of JBHT's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. Right now JBHT is averaging 1,028,292 shares for the last 20 days..
Earnings OutlookThe Zacks Momentum Style Score encompasses many things, including estimate revisions and a stock's price movement. Investors should note that earnings estimates are also significant to the Zacks Rank, and a nice path here can be promising. We have recently been noticing this with JBHT.
Over the past two months, 10 earnings estimates moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost JBHT's consensus estimate, increasing from $7.27 to $7.71 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 10 estimates have moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period.
Bottom LineTaking into account all of these elements, it should come as no surprise that JBHT is a #1 (Strong Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of A. If you've been searching for a fresh pick that's set to rise in the near-term, make sure to keep JB Hunt on your short list.
Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Clean Harbors (CLH - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 29. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis environmental services company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.73 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +15.7%.
Revenues are expected to be $1.62 billion, up 4.8% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.73% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Clean Harbors?For Clean Harbors, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +3.82%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.
So, this combination indicates that Clean Harbors will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Clean Harbors would post earnings of $1.15 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.19, delivering a surprise of +3.48%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Clean Harbors appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
An Industry Player's Expected ResultsAnother stock from the Zacks Waste Removal Services industry, Clean Harbors (CLH - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $2.73 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +15.7%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $1.62 billion, up 4.8% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for Clean Harbors has been revised 1.7% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a higher Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +3.82%.
When combined with a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), this Earnings ESP indicates that Clean Harbors will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
If you are looking for a stock that has a solid history of beating earnings estimates and is in a good position to maintain the trend in its next quarterly report, you should consider Clean Harbors (CLH - Free Report) . This company, which is in the Zacks Waste Removal Services industry, shows potential for another earnings beat.
When looking at the last two reports, this environmental services company has recorded a strong streak of surpassing earnings estimates. The company has topped estimates by 2.68%, on average, in the last two quarters.
For the most recent quarter, Clean Harbors was expected to post earnings of $1.15 per share, but it reported $1.19 per share instead, representing a surprise of 3.48%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $1.59 per share, while it actually produced $1.62 per share, a surprise of 1.89%.
Price and EPS Surprise
For Clean Harbors, estimates have been trending higher, thanks in part to this earnings surprise history. And when you look at the stock's positive Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction), it's a great indicator of a future earnings beat, especially when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.
Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Clean Harbors currently has an Earnings ESP of +3.82%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner. We expect the company's next earnings report to be released on July 29, 2026.
When the Earnings ESP comes up negative, investors should note that this will reduce the predictive power of the metric. But, a negative value is not indicative of a stock's earnings miss.
Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, though this is not the only reason why their shares gain. Additionally, some stocks may remain stable even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.
Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Shares of Shift4 Payments (FOUR - Free Report) have gained 27% over the past four weeks to close the last trading session at $49.11, but there could still be a solid upside left in the stock if short-term price targets of Wall Street analysts are any indication. Going by the price targets, the mean estimate of $61.4 indicates a potential upside of 25%.
The mean estimate comprises 20 short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $18.66. While the lowest estimate of $40.00 indicates a 18.6% decline from the current price level, the most optimistic analyst expects the stock to surge 144.4% to reach $120.00. It's very important to note the standard deviation here, as it helps understand the variability of the estimates. The smaller the standard deviation, the greater the agreement among analysts.
While the consensus price target is highly sought after by investors, the ability and unbiasedness of analysts in setting price targets have long been questionable. And investors making investment decisions solely based on this tool would arguably do themselves a disservice.
However, an impressive consensus price target is not the only factor that indicates a potential upside in FOUR. This view is strengthened by the agreement among analysts that the company will report better earnings than what they estimated earlier. Though a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions doesn't give any idea as to how much the stock could surge, it has proven effective in predicting an upside.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Here's What You Should Know About Analysts' Price TargetsAccording to researchers at several universities across the globe, a price target is one of many pieces of information about a stock that misleads investors far more often than it guides. In fact, empirical research shows that price targets set by several analysts, irrespective of the extent of agreement, rarely indicate where the price of a stock could actually be heading.
While Wall Street analysts have deep knowledge of a company's fundamentals and the sensitivity of its business to economic and industry issues, many of them tend to set overly optimistic price targets. Are you wondering why?
They usually do that to drum up interest in shares of companies that their firms either have existing business relationships with or are looking to be associated with. In other words, business incentives of firms covering a stock often result in inflated price targets set by analysts.
However, a tight clustering of price targets, which is represented by a low standard deviation, indicates that analysts have a high degree of agreement about the direction and magnitude of a stock's price movement. While that doesn't necessarily mean the stock will hit the average price target, it could be a good starting point for further research aimed at identifying the potential fundamental driving forces.
That said, while investors should not entirely ignore price targets, making an investment decision solely based on them could lead to disappointing ROI. So, price targets should always be treated with a high degree of skepticism.
Here's Why There Could be Plenty of Upside Left in FOURThere has been increasing optimism among analysts lately about the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher. And that could be a legitimate reason to expect an upside in the stock. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 0% over the past month, as one estimate has gone higher compared to no negative revision.
Moreover, FOUR currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which means it is in the top 20% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on four factors related to earnings estimates. Given an impressive externally-audited track record, this is a more conclusive indication of the stock's potential upside in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Therefore, while the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of how much FOUR could gain, the direction of price movement it implies does appear to be a good guide.
Key Takeaways Skin care reached 23% of e.l.f. Beauty's global consumption in fiscal 2026, up from 9% in fiscal 2023. e.l.f. SKIN generated about $200 million in retail sales and rose to No. 11 in U.S. mass skin care.Naturium nearly doubled pre-acquisition sales, while rhode's net sales grew more than 80% year over year. e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (ELF - Free Report) is building a larger presence in skin care through e.l.f. SKIN, Naturium and rhode. The category accounted for 23% of the company’s global consumption in fiscal 2026, up from 9% in fiscal 2023, showing that skin care has become a more meaningful part of its brand portfolio.
e.l.f. SKIN provides the foundation of this expansion. The brand generated approximately $200 million in global retail sales in fiscal 2026. Its strategy centers on offering products inspired by prestige beauty at accessible prices. Over the past five years, e.l.f. SKIN has advanced from the No. 25 mass skin care brand in the United States to No. 11.
Despite that progress, the brand held only about 2% of the mass skin care category compared with 13% for the leading brand. This gap highlights the available share opportunity, although further gains will depend on continued product innovation and consumer adoption.
Naturium adds another established growth platform. The brand delivered nearly $250 million in global retail sales in fiscal 2026, roughly double its pre-acquisition level. It was also the fastest-growing brand among the top 50 skin care brands during the fourth quarter. Rhode brings additional scale and momentum. On a pro forma annualized basis, the brand generated more than $500 million in global retail sales and approximately $390 million in net sales in fiscal 2026, with net sales increasing more than 80% year over year.
Together, the three brands give e.l.f. Beauty exposure across different skin care segments. The next leg of growth will depend on whether e.l.f. SKIN can keep gaining share while Naturium and rhode maintain their current pace.
ELF Stock Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have jumped 20.6% over the past three months compared with the industry’s growth of 10.9%.
ELF Price Performance Versus Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, e.l.f. Beauty trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 23.46, above the industry’s average of 19.48.
ELF Valuation Compared to Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ELF’s current and next fiscal-year earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 5.8% and 9.9%, respectively.
Stocks to ConsiderUnited Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI - Free Report) , a major food wholesaler serving grocery retailers, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for United Natural’s current and next fiscal-year earnings per share suggests a year-over-year increase of 254.9% and 21.4%, respectively. UNFI delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 29.9%, on average.
The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (EL - Free Report) , a leading global prestige beauty company with a diversified portfolio of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care brands, carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for The Estee Lauder Companies’ current and next fiscal-year EPS calls for a year-over-year jump of 59.6% and 31.7%, respectively. EL delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 39.1%, on average.
Mama's Creations, Inc. (MAMA - Free Report) , a maker of refrigerated prepared foods for retail and foodservice, carries a Zacks Rank #2 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mama's Creations’ current and next fiscal-year EPS suggests growth of 73.3% and 46.2%, respectively, from the prior-year reported levels. MAMA delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 129.2%, on average.
Injective Mint Opens for Private Alpha@Injective has officially unveiled Injective Mint, a unified platform for issuing institutional-grade tokenized assets with built-in regulatory controls. The platform allows issuers to generate compliance-ready digital assets without writing code, consolidating asset creation and compliance configuration into a single interface.
Unlike traditional tokenization processes, which often require bespoke smart contracts and technical expertise, Injective Mint consolidates asset creation, compliance configuration, and management into one place. Issuers can customize permissions, set jurisdictional restrictions, and enforce compliance rules directly on-chain through Injective's native Tokenfactory and Permissions modules. The platform supports compliant issuance of equities, bonds, ETFs, and FX instruments, and is open to institutions, retail participants, and AI agents alike.
The architecture provides native blockchain-level controls for permissions, allowing issuers to manage address freezes and transfer rules without relying on third-party intermediaries. Injective Mint is currently live in private beta.
SEC Filing and a Broader Regulatory PushThe Mint launch is part of a wider regulatory strategy. Injective has filed an application with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to register as a transfer agent, with the announcement coinciding with the unveiling of Injective Mint at the Injective Summit in Washington, D.C.
Rather than pursuing a new regulatory framework tailored to cryptocurrencies, Injective is seeking approval to perform one of the financial industry's most established administrative functions. Transfer agents are responsible for maintaining official ownership records for securities, recording ownership changes, issuing and canceling certificates, and processing dividend distributions.
Injective wants to bring this function on-chain, allowing the ownership record to exist on the same blockchain as the tokenized security rather than relying on a separate off-chain database. According to Injective, moving the transfer agent function on-chain could allow market participants to record and transfer ownership of tokenized securities within seconds while reducing the need for multiple intermediaries. It is worth noting that the filing begins the registration process and should not be interpreted as SEC approval or confirmation that Injective is already operating as a registered transfer agent.
These moves come after Injective's reported settlement of $6.8B in RWA volume and against a broader market backdrop where, the tokenized RWA market has expanded 256.7% from $5.42 billion at the start of 2025 to $19.32 billion by March 2026, according to CoinGecko.
Alongside the SEC filing, Injective has also published a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) whitepaper in Europe, signaling ambitions to build compliant infrastructure across two of the world's largest financial markets.
Sources:
CoinTrust: Injective Seeks SEC Transfer Agent Status, Launches RWA Platform
Crypto Times: Injective Files SEC Registration to Bring Securities Ownership Onchain
Blockchain.News: Injective Launches Mint Platform for Compliance-Ready RWA Tokenization
Injective just made its biggest play yet for the institutional crowd. The finance-focused Layer 1 blockchain has launched Injective Mint, a platform designed to let institutions issue compliant, tokenized real-world assets without writing a single line of code.
The private testing phase kicked off on July 17, 2026, and the implications for the broader RWA tokenization race are significant.
What Injective Mint actually does The platform bundles several compliance-critical features into a single interface. Holder restrictions, jurisdictional screening, freeze controls, and the ability to pause operations globally are all integrated out of the box.
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The SEC transfer agent angle Injective has filed for transfer agent registration with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. If approved, the blockchain would be able to maintain official securities ownership records onchain.
Transfer agents are the middlemen who keep track of who owns what in the securities world. They process changes in ownership, issue and cancel certificates, and handle dividend distributions. Companies like Computershare and EQ Shareowner Services dominate this space in traditional finance.
Building blocks already in place Injective added BitGo as a validator in June 2025, a move that signaled its intent to build institutional-grade infrastructure. BitGo is one of the most recognized names in digital asset custody, serving as a trust company that major institutions already rely on.
The network has also processed 2.94 billion onchain transactions to date.
What this means for investors For INJ token holders, more institutional issuance activity on the network means more transaction volume, more fees, and potentially more demand for the native token. The addition of BitGo as a validator and the SEC filing both serve as institutional credibility signals.
The risk is execution. Filing for SEC registration and actually receiving it are two very different things. The regulatory process is slow, unpredictable, and occasionally hostile.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Shares of Reddit (NYSE:RDDT | RDDT Price Prediction) are down 9% to $169.48 in Wednesday afternoon trading following a Wall Street Journal report that the company is weighing whether to cut off Alphabet‘s (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google from using Reddit content to train artificial intelligence models.
The move leaves Reddit stock 26% lower year to date (YTD), and extends a rough stretch that included a 15% pullback over the past week. Reddit’s market capitalization sits near $32.3 billion.
WSJ Report on Google Renewal Sparks Selling According to the Wall Street Journal, Reddit is considering whether to block Google’s access to its content as the two sides negotiate a renewal of their 2024 data-licensing agreement, estimated at about $60 million per year. No final decision has been made.
The core issue is traffic cannibalization. Google’s AI Overviews answer user queries directly on the search page, reducing the referral clicks Reddit relies on to sell ads. Reddit executives reportedly want usage-based fees on the next deal.
The bullish read is that Reddit’s human-conversation data is among the most-cited sources feeding AI answers, and the company also licenses data to OpenAI, giving it real pricing leverage in a renewal. The bearish take is that if AI Overviews keep siphoning clicks, other publishers including USA Today, Politico, Reuters, The Economist, and People Inc. are also reassessing their Google relationships, and Reddit’s ad engine could weaken over time.
Peers, the ETF Wrapper, and Insider Noise The read-through to social-media advertising rivals is muted so far. Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) stock is trading at $629.44, while Snap (NYSE:SNAP) shares sit at $4.51 and are down 43% YTD. If Reddit’s referral base erodes, Meta Platforms and Snap could benefit competitively for the same digital ad dollars, though that is a potential risk rather than a reported outcome.
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Alphabet stock is little changed, up less than 1%, as its sheer scale absorbs the headline. The Global X Social Media ETF (NASDAQ:SOCL) holds Reddit, Meta Platforms, Snap, and Alphabet, but the fund is heavily weighted toward international names and Reddit is only 7% of net assets, so a Reddit-specific stumble barely moves the ETF. That said, the fund is a narrow, volatile, single-theme vehicle with real concentration risk.
On the ownership side, Allspring Global Investments Holdings disclosed a reduction in its Reddit stake, and COO Jennifer Wong recently sold Reddit stock. The Wong sale was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, which is routine and not a directional signal.
Fundamentals and Sentiment Still Look Strong Reddit’s underlying business remains healthy. The company’s Q1 FY2026 revenue grew 69% year over year (YoY) to $663.41 million, EPS came in at $1.01 versus a $0.56 consensus, and management guided Q2 revenue to $715 million to $725 million. CEO Steve Huffman has called the platform “fuel” for AI.
Reddit-community sentiment on RDDT stock is actually running bullish, with a sentiment score of 67, and one top post argued the threat is “extremely bullish” as a negotiating posture. The RDDT analyst target price still sits at $227.30, well above today’s level.
What to Watch Next Alphabet reports its Q2 results after Wednesday’s close, and any management commentary on content and licensing costs could move both Reddit stock and Alphabet stock. Investors can watch for whether either company confirms or denies the WSJ report, and whether the standoff surfaces on Reddit’s own Q2 call. If a richer renewal lands, today’s selloff may look like an overreaction; if Google’s AI Overviews keep draining clicks, the ad thesis needs a rethink.
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Key Takeaways ICHR's sales and EPS are projected to rise sharply through 2027 as semiconductor demand improves.AI investment, etch and deposition demand, and margin initiatives support Ichor's growth outlook.Rich valuation, customer concentration and cyclical demand raise the bar for ICHR's execution. Ichor Holdings, Ltd. (ICHR - Free Report) presents a split setup for investors. The business is tied to improving semiconductor capital equipment demand, and earnings expectations point to a sharp recovery.
The challenge is valuation. After a major stock-price move, the shares already reflect a considerable amount of optimism, leaving less room for execution missteps.
ICHR Earnings Estimates Are RisingICHR’s estimates show a clear growth-recovery story. Sales are projected to rise from $948 million in 2025 to $1.2 billion in 2026 and $1.45 billion in 2027.
The earnings trajectory is even sharper. EPS is expected to climb from 23 cents in 2025 to $1.41 in 2026 and $2.72 in 2027, suggesting meaningful operating leverage if the company delivers on the revenue ramp.
Why Ichor’s Upside Looks RealThe bullish case is not limited to a cyclical rebound. Ichor is benefiting from AI-driven semiconductor investment trends and stronger demand in etch and deposition, two areas that align well with its fluid delivery subsystems and precision-engineered components.
The company is also working to strengthen margins through vertical integration, a larger proprietary-product portfolio and manufacturing optimization. Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. (UCTT - Free Report) is a relevant comparison for investors watching this niche, as it also supplies critical subsystems, components and services primarily to the semiconductor industry. Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT - Free Report) , a major semiconductor equipment company, remains an important industry read-through for capital equipment demand and supply-chain conditions.
Why ICHR May Already Price In Good NewsThe valuation side is harder to ignore. ICHR was recently priced at $95.85, against a 6-12 month price target of $101, suggesting upside exists but may not be dramatic relative to the growth already anticipated.
The stock trades at a trailing P/E of 368.7, a forward P/E of 68.5 and a price-to-sales ratio of 3.5. Those multiples raise the bar for execution, especially since the investment case now depends on strong growth continuing into 2026 and 2027.
What Could Trip Up Ichor SharesCustomer concentration remains a key risk. Ichor depends on a small number of large semiconductor equipment customers, which can create pressure if order patterns shift, qualification timelines slip or pricing leverage moves against the company.
The broader semiconductor equipment market is also cyclical. Even with favorable AI-related trends, Ichor’s growth plans still rely on customer qualifications, smooth manufacturing transitions and successful execution of its production realignment efforts.
ICHR Ratings Point to a Mixed SetupThe bottom line is that ICHR has a credible long-term growth story, but the stock does not screen as an obvious bargain after its strong run. The shares may appeal more to investors focused on execution, margin improvement and earnings expansion than to those seeking a cheap entry point.
ICHR currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), which points to weak near-term appeal. Its Zacks Style Scores are more mixed, with a Momentum Score of B, Value Score of F, Growth Score of C and VGM Score of D. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
That combination reinforces the balanced view. Momentum remains the strongest style signal, but weak value characteristics and a subdued overall VGM profile make ICHR a stock to approach with selectivity rather than broad enthusiasm.
Key Takeaways Ichor is entering a stronger demand phase as AI investment boosts wafer fab equipment activity.Etch and deposition exposure benefits from advanced logic, HBM and gate-all-around process intensity.Higher proprietary content, automation and lower-cost plants are supporting margin expansion. Ichor Holdings, Ltd. (ICHR - Free Report) is moving into a stronger demand phase as semiconductor equipment spending improves and AI-related chip investment lifts activity in wafer fabrication.
The investment case now centers on two issues: whether Ichor can benefit from its exposure to etch and deposition tools, and whether operational changes can translate that demand into better margins.
How ICHR Fits Into Chip EquipmentIchor designs, engineers and manufactures critical fluid delivery subsystems and precision-engineered components used mainly in semiconductor capital equipment. Its gas and chemical delivery systems help control specialty gases and chemicals used in etch, deposition, chemical-mechanical planarization and cleaning.
That niche matters because chipmaking tools depend on precise delivery of materials during highly complex manufacturing steps. Ichor’s relationships with major equipment makers, including Lam Research (LRCX - Free Report) , Applied Materials (AMAT - Free Report) and ASML Holding, give it relevance across the wafer fab equipment supply chain.
Lam Research is especially important to the etch and deposition ecosystem, making it a useful reference point for investors tracking Ichor’s end-market exposure. Applied Materials also sits at the center of semiconductor equipment spending, reinforcing why Ichor’s customer base is closely tied to industry capital investment trends.
Ichor’s AI and Etch TailwindThe core upside argument is that AI infrastructure, advanced logic and high-bandwidth memory are driving a more favorable wafer fab equipment cycle. These areas require more complex chip architectures and more process intensity.
That matters for Ichor because the current cycle favors etch and deposition, where the company has significant exposure. Gate-all-around architectures require roughly 30% more process steps, supporting demand for the types of tools and subsystems tied to Ichor’s business.
Why ICHR Margins Could ImproveIchor’s margin story is not just about higher volume. The company is pursuing vertical integration, expanding proprietary product content and optimizing manufacturing to improve profitability as revenues rise.
Management has been shifting manufacturing activity to lower-cost facilities in Mexico and Malaysia, increasing automation and improving production efficiency. Ichor entered 2026 with its branded components representing 25% of content in the systems it builds, up from 15% in 2024, and targets 35% by the end of 2026.
First-quarter 2026 results showed early operating leverage. Revenues rose 15% sequentially to $256.1 million, while non-GAAP gross margin improved to 12.8% and non-GAAP EPS reached 15 cents, up from one cent in the prior quarter.
Where Ichor Still Looks VulnerableThe risks remain meaningful. Ichor depends heavily on a small number of large semiconductor equipment customers, with Lam Research and Applied Materials accounting for 76% of 2025 revenues.
That concentration can amplify swings when customers adjust orders, delay capacity additions or change sourcing strategies. The company also remains tied to the cyclical wafer fab equipment market, where spending can shift quickly with memory conditions, macro weakness or geopolitical uncertainty.
Execution risk is another key issue. Margin expansion depends on customer qualifications, smooth manufacturing transfers, higher proprietary content and efficient production ramps. Delays or disruptions could limit the earnings leverage investors expect.
What ICHR’s Ratings Say NowThe bottom line is that Ichor’s business setup is improving, but the stock’s near-term signal set remains uneven. AI-related demand and margin initiatives provide a stronger fundamental story, yet valuation, execution and cyclicality still matter.
ICHR currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). That rank points to weak near-term positioning over the one-to-three-month horizon, even as the longer-term business narrative has improved. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Style Scores also show a mixed profile. ICHR has a Value Score of F, Growth Score of C, Momentum Score of B and VGM Score of D. The Momentum Score is the strongest part of the setup, but the weak Value Score and VGM Score suggest investors may want more evidence that growth and margin execution can keep pace with the stock’s expectations.
Key Takeaways Ichor expects every quarter of 2026 to deliver sequential revenue growth amid stronger demand visibility.Gate-all-around chips require about 30% more process steps, lifting etch and deposition demand.Branded components could reach 35% of system content by year-end 2026, up from 25% entering the year. Ichor Holdings, Ltd. (ICHR - Free Report) has become a sharper semiconductor infrastructure story as AI-related wafer fab spending lifts demand across more complex chipmaking steps.
The company’s appeal rests less on AI branding and more on where that spending flows: etch, deposition, fluid delivery subsystems and higher-value manufacturing content.
How AI Trends Lift ICHR DemandAI infrastructure is pushing chipmakers toward advanced logic, high-bandwidth memory and more complex process flows. That matters for Ichor because its gas and chemical delivery subsystems are used in semiconductor fabrication steps such as etch and deposition.
First-quarter 2026 revenues rose 15% sequentially to $256.1 million, and management expects second-quarter revenues of $290-$310 million. Ichor also expects every quarter of 2026 to show sequential growth, reflecting stronger demand visibility.
Ichor’s Bet on Etch and DepositionIchor is not simply exposed to broad chip demand. Its stronger positioning is tied to etch and deposition, where process complexity is rising. Gate-all-around architectures require roughly 30% more process steps, supporting demand for the equipment categories where Ichor has meaningful exposure.
Lam Research (LRCX - Free Report) offers relevant context because etch and deposition are core wafer fabrication processes in its portfolio. Applied Materials (AMAT - Free Report) is another important reference point, given its focus on deposition and selective etch systems for advanced 3D chip structures.
Why ICHR Wants More Vertical IntegrationIchor’s strategy is also about capturing more value inside the systems it builds. The company is expanding internally designed content across valves, flow controllers, filters, substrates and related components rather than relying only on third-party sourcing.
Branded components represented 25% of system content entering 2026, up from 15% in 2024. Ichor targets 35% by the end of 2026, with a longer-term goal of supplying as much as 75% of system content.
What Trend Investors Should WatchThe trend case has limits. Lam Research and Applied Materials accounted for 76% of Ichor’s 2025 revenues, leaving the company highly exposed to spending decisions by a small group of large semiconductor equipment customers.
Execution also matters. Margin recovery depends on manufacturing transfers to Mexico and Malaysia, customer qualifications, higher internal component sourcing and smooth production ramps. Semiconductor equipment remains cyclical, so favorable AI demand does not eliminate order volatility.
How Ichor’s Ratings Fit the Trend CaseThe bottom line is that ICHR has a credible growth narrative tied to AI-led fab spending, etch and deposition intensity, and rising proprietary content. Still, the stock setup is not yet clean enough to call the story fully de-risked.
ICHR currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Its Momentum Score of B points to stronger price action characteristics, but the Growth Score of C is only neutral. The Value Score of F and VGM Score of D suggest the broader style-score profile is less supportive. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
For investors, that combination argues for balance. Ichor has exposure to attractive semiconductor trends, but the Zacks Rank and mixed Style Scores signal that near-term expectations, valuation and execution risk still deserve close attention.
Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Hexcel (HXL - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 29. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis maker of lightweight composite materials is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.56 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +12%.
Revenues are expected to be $521.65 million, up 6.5% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 2.39% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Hexcel?For Hexcel, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +6.13%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination indicates that Hexcel will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Hexcel would post earnings of $0.42 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.59, delivering a surprise of +40.48%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Hexcel appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
All investors love getting big returns from their portfolio, whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities. But when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.
While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its dividend yield, a metric that measures the dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends make up large portions of long-term returns, and in many cases, dividend contributions surpass one-third of total returns.
Headquartered in Birmingham, Regions Financial (RF - Free Report) is a Finance stock that has seen a price change of 13.73% so far this year. The holding company for Regions Bank is currently shelling out a dividend of $0.26 per share, with a dividend yield of 3.44%. This compares to the Banks - Southeast industry's yield of 1.93% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.35%.
Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $1.06 is up 2.9% from last year. Over the last 5 years, Regions Financial has increased its dividend 4 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 13.34%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Regions Financial's current payout ratio is 42%, meaning it paid out 42% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.
Looking at this fiscal year, RF expects solid earnings growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $2.62 per share, representing a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 12.45%.
From greatly improving stock investing profits and reducing overall portfolio risk to providing tax advantages, investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons. However, not all companies offer a quarterly payout.
High-growth firms or tech start-ups, for example, rarely provide their shareholders a dividend, while larger, more established companies that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options. Income investors have to be mindful of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, RF is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Key Points:EUR/USD gained some ground ahead of tomorrow's ECB decision.USD/CAD moved lower as precious metals markets rallied. USD/JPY remained stuck near the 163.00 level.
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U.S. Dollar Index Is Stuck Near Resistance At 101.15 – 101.30
DXY 220726 4h Chart U.S. Dollar Index is losing some ground despite rising Treasury yields. The yield of 2-year Treasuries settled above 4.30%, while the yield of 10-year Treasuries moved above 4.65%. Oil prices continue to move higher, but U.S. dollar does not get additional support.
From the technical point of view, U.S. Dollar Index is stuck below the resistance level at 101.15 – 101.30. In case this attempt is successful, U.S. Dollar Index will head towards the next resistance level, which is located in the 101.80 – 101.95 range.
EUR/USD Attempts To Rebound Ahead Of ECB Decision
EUR/USD 220726 4h Chart EUR/USD gains some ground ahead of ECB Interest Rate Decision, which will be released tomorrow. Analysts expect that ECB will leave the interest rate unchanged at 2.4%. The deposit facility rate is expected to remain unchanged at 2.25%.
In case EUR/USD manages to settle above the resistance level at 1.1420 – 1.1435, it will head towards the next resistance level, which is located in the 1.1500 – 1.1515 range. RSI is in the moderate territory, so there is plenty of room to gain momentum in case the right catalysts emerge.
GBP/USD Pulls Back As Traders Focus On UK Inflation Data GBP/USD 220726 4h Chart GBP/USD is losing ground as traders focus on inflation data from the UK. Inflation Rate declined from 2.8% in May to 2.6% in June, compared to analyst forecast of 2.7%. Core Inflation Rate remained unchanged at 2.6%, while analysts expected that it would drop to 2.5%.
The nearest support level for GBP/USD is located in the 1.3335 – 1.3350 range. A move below the 1.3335 level will open the way to the test of the next support level at 1.3250 – 1.3265.
On the upside, GBP/USD needs to settle above the 1.3400 level to have a chance to gain upside momentum in the near term. If GBP/USD climbs above 1.3400, it will head towards the 50 MA at 1.3424. A move above the 50 MA will push GBP/USD towards the resistance at 1.3450 – 1.3465.
USD/CAD 220726 4h Chart USD/CAD pulled back as traders focused on the rally in precious metals markets. Gold climbed towards the $4150 level, while silver moved towards the psychologically important $60.00 level. Other commodity-related currencies are losing ground in today’s trading session.
If USD/CAD declines below the 50 MA at 1.4075, it will move towards the support level, which is located in the 1.4010 – 1.4025 range.
On the upside, a successful test of the resistance at 1.4125 – 1.4140 will push USD/CAD towards the resistance level at 1.4235 – 1.4250.
USD/JPY Is Stuck Near 163.00 USD/JPY 220726 4h Chart USD/JPY settled near the 163.00 level as traders worried about potential interventions from the Bank of Japan.
Today, traders also had a chance to take a look at the Exports report from Japan. The report indicated that Japan’s Exports increased by +19.3% year-over-year, compared to analyst consensus of +18.6%.
In case USD/JPY settles above 163.00, it will head towards the 165.00 level. RSI has recently moved back into moderate territory, so there is plenty of room to gain additional upside momentum in case the right catalysts emerge.
If you’d like to know more about how to trade forex, please visit our educational area.
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EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/CHF Forecasts – US Dollar Dominates on Rate YieldsUSD/JPY, Gold and Bitcoin Forecasts – Rising Yields Drive Market InflectionsUS Dollar Price Forecast: Fed and ECB Rate Decisions – Are GBP/USD and EUR/USD at a Turning Point?About the Author
Vladimir is an independent trader, with over 18 years of experience in the financial markets. His expertise spans a wide range of instruments like stocks, futures, forex, indices, and commodities, forecasting both long-term and short-term market movements.
The Business Services group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Sezzle Inc. (SEZL - Free Report) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.
Sezzle Inc. is one of 246 companies in the Business Services group. The Business Services group currently sits at #7 within the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups is measured, and the sectors are listed from best to worst.
The Zacks Rank is a proven model that highlights a variety of stocks with the right characteristics to outperform the market over the next one to three months. The system emphasizes earnings estimate revisions and favors companies with improving earnings outlooks. Sezzle Inc. is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for SEZL's full-year earnings has moved 8.5% higher. This signals that analyst sentiment is improving and the stock's earnings outlook is more positive.
Based on the latest available data, SEZL has gained about 182.6% so far this year. Meanwhile, the Business Services sector has returned an average of -8.9% on a year-to-date basis. As we can see, Sezzle Inc. is performing better than its sector in the calendar year.
One other Business Services stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year is Sims Metal Management Ltd. (SMSMY - Free Report) . The stock is up 44.3% year-to-date.
For Sims Metal Management Ltd., the consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 3.1% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Looking more specifically, Sezzle Inc. belongs to the Financial Transaction Services industry, a group that includes 37 individual stocks and currently sits at #90 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, stocks in this group have lost 9.2% this year, meaning that SEZL is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns.
In contrast, Sims Metal Management Ltd. falls under the Waste Removal Services industry. Currently, this industry has 23 stocks and is ranked #93. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved -3.1%.
Going forward, investors interested in Business Services stocks should continue to pay close attention to Sezzle Inc. and Sims Metal Management Ltd. as they could maintain their solid performance.
Brookfield Renewable Partners (BEP +0.75%) and Brookfield Renewable Corporation (BEPC -3.75%) announced their intention to simplify their corporate structure. Their infrastructure siblings, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (BIP +1.87%) and Brookfield Infrastructure Corporation (BIPC -0.54%), also announced the same intention. The moves would create two publicly traded corporations: one focused on renewable energy (Brookfield Renewable Partners) and another on infrastructure (Brookfield Infrastructure Partners).
Here’s a look at what these corporate simplifications mean for dividend investors.
Image source: Getty Images.
The benefits of simplifyingBrookfield Corporation (BN -0.64%), the parent company of these entities, initially created the economically equivalent corporate twins (BEPC and BIPC) to provide investors with greater access to its publicly traded operating companies. Some investors don’t like holding partnerships because they issue Schedule K-1 Federal tax forms, which adds some tax complexity. Additionally, partnerships aren't eligible for investment in most retirement accounts and inclusion in most indexes. While the creation of these corporate entities helped broaden their investment appeal, it didn't solve all the problems.
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By simplifying their corporate structures into publicly traded corporations, Brookfield expects to reap several benefits, including:
Increased trading liquidity through a single listed entity.Increased demand from indexes and the exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track them.Simplified investor analysis.Eliminating partnership tax reporting for BEP and BIP unitholders.If security holders approve the moves, all investors will receive newly issued shares of the new corporation (BEP for current Brookfield Renewable investors and BIP for existing Brookfield Infrastructure holders). Investors will see no change to their current dividend levels (preserving their roughly 4.5% yields). Meanwhile, both companies will remain in a strong position to continue growing their dividends (5% to 9% annual growth targets) and long-term shareholder value.
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40.77
Following a successful blueprintThe simplification announcements likely didn’t come as a surprise to investors who follow Brookfield Corporation or any of its operating companies. The leading global investment firm is currently undergoing its own simplification by recombining with its insurance business (Brookfield Wealth Solutions). It announced plans to streamline its corporate structure earlier this year, which shareholders recently approved. It expects to close the simplification by year-end. Simplifying will enhance its capital efficiency and flexibility and better support its expansion.
That move followed the successful conversion of Brookfield Business Partners and Brookfield Business Corporation into a single listed corporate entity. In the company’s first-quarter letter to shareholders, CEO Bruce Flatt wrote, “The dominance of index investing, strong shareholder support, and a positive market response have reinforced our view that simpler structures with larger market capitalizations are now the most effective way to position these businesses.” That led Brookfield to evaluate similar simplification plans of its listed infrastructure and renewable energy entities, which it’s now progressing.
Making it simpler for dividend investorsBrookfield Corporation is simplifying the structures of its renewable energy and infrastructure operating companies. That will eliminate the burdensome tax reporting for dividend investors who currently hold units of either partnership. Meanwhile, it will provide income-seekers with a simple investment option focused on either infrastructure or renewable energy. That will benefit investors over the long run as it will become much easier to invest in these top high-yield dividend stocks, which will be in an even stronger position to grow their payouts and shareholder value going forward.
Matt DiLallo has positions in Brookfield Corporation, Brookfield Infrastructure, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Renewable, and Brookfield Renewable Partners and has the following options: short July 2026 $40 puts on Brookfield Corporation. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Brookfield Corporation and Brookfield Wealth Solutions. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Renewable, and Brookfield Renewable Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
GE Vernova (GEV) is experiencing a notable decline in its stock price despite a robust Q2 earnings report that highlighted the positive impact of increasing gl
GE Vernova (NYSE:GEV) shares dropped about 6.4% on Wednesday morning after the power equipment maker's wind segment losses widened even as the company posted stronger-than-expected quarterly revenue and record orders.
The company's wind business, its long-standing trouble spot, reported revenue down 10% to $2.03 billion in the second quarter, with the segment's core loss widening to about $275 million on lower onshore equipment deliveries.
GE Vernova said it expects global tariffs to add $100 million to $200 million to costs in 2026.
Second-quarter revenue rose 22% year-over-year to $11.1 billion, topping analyst estimates of $10.7 billion.
Orders climbed 88% organically to $24.2 billion, pushing the company's backlog up $13 billion from the prior quarter to $176 billion.
Data center orders exceeded $5 billion so far this year, more than double the total for all of 2025.
Earnings per share came in at $2.47, up 33% from a year earlier but below the $3.01 analysts had expected. Adjusted EBITDA was $1.2 billion, for a margin of 11.3%.
By segment, Power revenue rose 14% organically to $5.5 billion, while Electrification revenue grew 29% organically to $3.6 billion.
For the full year, GE Vernova guided revenue of $45.5 billion to $46.5 billion, above the $45.45 billion analyst estimate, with free cash flow of $11.5 billion to $12.5 billion and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 12% to 14%. Power organic revenue growth is expected at 18% to 20%, while the wind segment is projected to post a roughly $400 million EBITDA loss for the year.
The company said gas equipment under contract is expected to reach at least 125 gigawatts by the end of 2026, with gas turbine output on track to hit 20 gigawatts in the third quarter of 2026, 24 gigawatts by 2028 and 30 gigawatts by 2030.
Shares of GE Vernova (GEV -7.59%) stock, the power generation equipment division spun off from General Electric in 2024, sank 6.2% through 11:22 a.m. ET Wednesday after reporting mixed Q2 earnings this morning.
Analysts forecast GE Vernova would earn $3.04 per share on $10.7 billion in Q2 sales. Instead, GE Vernova reported $2.47 per share in profit (a miss) on sales of $11.1 billion (a beat).
Image source: Getty Images.
GE Vernova Q2 earnings Revenue grew 22% year over year, with 12% organic, contributing to the sales beat. Earnings grew even faster (just not fast enough to meet high expectations), rising 33% year over year. Best of all, cash flow soared Q2, rising many from just $367 million a year ago to $5.5 billion this time around. Minus capital spending, that still left positive free cash flow of $5.1 billion.
So why didn't this please investors?
Guidance doesn't seem to be a concern, with management raising guidance to a minimum of $45.5 billion in sales through the end of this year -- and possibly more. (Analysts only expected the first $45.5 billion). GE Vernova booked $24.2 billion in new orders in the quarter, twice as much as sales going out the door, and up 88% year over year, as business booms in power generation -- especially for data centers, which comprise more than 20% of total orders.
Backlogged orders to be completed rose $13 billion as a result, and total backlog now comes to $176 billion.
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What's next for GE Vernova All things considered, GE Vernova looks to be on a roll to me. The stock isn't super-cheap at 31.5 times trailing earnings, but at the rate sales, earnings, and especially free cash flow are growing, I think this stock is worth the price.
Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends GE Vernova. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
U.S. stocks traded mostly higher midway through trading, with the Dow Jones index gaining more than 200 points on Wednesday.
The Dow traded up 0.40% to 52,432.64 while the NASDAQ declined 0.01% to 25,834.80. The S&P 500 also rose, gaining, 0.20% to 7,524.26.
Leading and Lagging Sectors
Utilities shares jumped by 1.8% on Wednesday.
In trading on Wednesday, information technology stocks fell by 0.6%.
Top Headline
GE Vernova (NYSE:GEV) shares fell around 6% on Wednesday after the company reported mixed second-quarter financial results.
GE Vernov reported quarterly earnings of $2.47 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $3.13 per share. The company reported quarterly sales of $11.104 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $10.734 billion.
Equities Trading UP
Equities Trading DOWN
Commodities
In commodity news, oil traded up 2.1% to $86.06 while gold traded up 1.8% at $4,149.80.
Silver traded up 2.5% to $60.565 on Wednesday, while copper fell 0.5% to $6.5200.
Euro zone
European shares were higher today. The eurozone’s STOXX 600 rose 0.8%, while Spain’s IBEX 35 Index rose 1.3% London’s FTSE 100 rose 1.5%, Germany’s DAX gained 0.6%, while France’s CAC 40 surged 1.1%.
Asia Pacific Markets
Asian markets closed mostly lower on Wednesday, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 falling 0.18%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index falling 0.95%, China’s Shanghai Composite rising 0.07% and India’s BSE Sensex falling 0.92%.
Economics
The volume of mortgage applications surged by 1.9% in the week ending July 17.
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The Pound Sterling holds firm during the North American session as UK inflation data dipped, easing pressure on the Bank of England to tackle higher prices, while attacks between the US and Iran don’t seem to be ending in the Middle East. The GBP/USD trades at 1.3377. Read More...
UK inflation cools and fiscal concerns grow: Why the British Pound is surrendering recent gainsThe British Pound (GBP) is facing renewed downward pressure across major currency pairs, forfeiting its recent gains as market participants digest a combination of cooling domestic inflation and growing fiscal uncertainty surrounding Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s economic agenda. Read More...
British Pound remains depressed against US Dollar following soft UK inflation dataThe British Pound (GBP) consolidates losses against the US Dollar (USD) on Wednesday, as a string of UK inflation figures provided some leeway for the Bank of England to maintain its “wait-and-see” stance through the coming months. The GBP/USD pair remains pinned near weekly lows, below 1.3400 following a nearly 1.2% decline in the last four days. Read More...
Booming space stocks have started to bust after a multiyear run. This timed up perfectly after the Space Exploration Technologies IPO last month, which has sent many stocks down in an elevator-like fashion in the ensuing weeks. AST SpaceMobile (ASTS -0.13%) is down 52% from its highs, while Redwire (RDW -2.12%) has fallen 64%, taking investors on a roller coaster of volatility.
The two space economy stocks are now trading at massive discounts compared to just a few weeks ago. But which is the better buy for your portfolio today? If you look at the numbers, the answer is clear.
Image source: Getty Images.
AST SpaceMobile operates in a competitive satellite internet sector AST SpaceMobile has seen significant appreciation in its share price, pushing its market capitalization to $22 billion despite generating close to zero revenue. Investors are excited about this stock because it aims to build a satellite internet business with direct-to-device capabilities. This means that it will beam the internet directly to a smartphone without the need to carry around a terminal everywhere, as is necessary today with SpaceX's Starlink service.
Its technology has proven effective, giving it an addressable market of billions, if not tens of billions, in the fast-growing satellite internet market. However, AST SpaceMobile has just launched its 10th satellite into orbit, and will need many more to build a truly global service that reaches millions of customers simultaneously. Management's goal is to deploy 45 satellites by the end of 2026, but it is well behind schedule so far.
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Where AST SpaceMobile runs into issues is the need to rely on launch partners to get its payloads into orbit, including SpaceX, its competitor. SpaceX prioritizes its own satellites over AST SpaceMobile's, which may delay AST SpaceMobile's satellites from reaching orbit in a timely manner.
AST SpaceMobile is currently generating little in revenue and is burning a lot of cash, with negative free cash flow of $1.37 billion over the past 12 months. This cash burn is likely to continue for the next few years, which is why management just added more debt to its balance sheet. At the same time, SpaceX is working on its own direct-to-device technology that could render moot any burgeoning competitive advantage from AST SpaceMobile.
Redwire is a diversified defense and space technologies provider Redwire is a defense and space economy player, but it's not centered on one bet in satellite internet like AST SpaceMobile. The company operates in many different subsectors, including drones, communication systems, energy, and spacecraft, and also caters to the defense market. With the rising budget for the Space Force and the increasing priority of space systems in the United States' defense, Redwire has a potentially massive tailwind for its business over the next decade.
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Investors are seeing that play out in its financial performance. Last quarter, the company's book-to-bill ratio -- which measures the amount of new contracts it won versus how much it billed in the period -- was 1.92x, helping its backlog increase to $498 million.
For the full year, Redwire expects revenue of $450 million to $500 million, up from $371 million in the last 12 months. It is not yet profitable, but is seeing a rapid improvement in gross margins, from 14.7% in the first quarter of 2025 to 26.6% in Q1 2026. It is burning less in free cash flow than AST SpaceMobile, at negative $165 million over the last 12 months, making any liquidity issues less of a concern for shareholders.
Data by YCharts.
Which is the better buy? AST SpaceMobile has massive growth potential. But that also comes with far more risks than the more established revenue drivers of a company like Redwire. Plus, AST SpaceMobile is on a steep cash burn trajectory that could deplete its cash balance within a few years.
Redwire also trades at a much more reasonable multiple of its trailing sales, with a price-to-sales ratio (P/S) of 3.5 compared to AST SpaceMobile's 187. Redwire has a smaller market cap of $2 billion compared to AST SpaceMobile's $22 billion.
Add it all up, and Redwire looks like a more promising space stock than AST SpaceMobile today.
The study is evaluating ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus chemotherapy for endothelial growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who were previously treated with a third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI).
The latest analysis continues to demonstrate a favorable overall survival trend and a consistent safety profile across diverse patient populations.
Prolonged Follow-Up Enhances Efficacy TrendsThe HARMONi trial investigates ivonescimab paired with chemotherapy against a placebo and chemotherapy regimen.
The study focuses on patients battling advanced or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring EGFR mutations, following prior treatment with third-generation therapies.
In the primary analysis from April 2025, patients receiving the ivonescimab combination exhibited a median overall survival of 16.8 months, compared to 14.0 months for the placebo group.
While initially showing a positive trend without reaching statistical significance, subsequent evaluations highlighted improving outcomes.
By September 2025, extended monitoring of Western participants yielded a hazard ratio of 0.78.
The most recent data cut in June 2026, featuring a 23.2-month median follow-up for Western patients, showcased an even stronger hazard ratio of 0.76.
Safety Profile And Regulatory Next StepsWith longer observation periods, the magnitude of survival benefits for Western participants now aligns with the results seen in Asian patients, who had longer follow-up times during earlier assessments.
Furthermore, ivonescimab maintained a manageable safety profile with no new adverse signals detected.
Summit has provided these updated findings to the FDA to support its Biologics License Application. The regulatory agency has set a target action date of November 14, 2026, to decide on the drug’s approval.
SMMT Price Action: Summit Therapeutics shares were up 2.26% at $14.96 at the time of publication on Wednesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Photo by Piotr Swat via Shutterstock
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Rogers Communication (RCI - Free Report) reported $4.06 billion in revenue for the quarter ended June 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 7.6%. EPS of $0.83 for the same period compares to $0.82 a year ago.
The reported revenue represents a surprise of +2.45% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.96 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $0.80, the EPS surprise was +3.75%.
While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.
As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.
Here is how Rogers Communication performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Wireless Subscriber - Postpaid mobile phone - Gross additions: 333 thousand versus the two-analyst average estimate of 361.47 thousand.Home Phone - Total Home Phone Subscriber: 1.33 million versus 1.34 million estimated by two analysts on average.Wireless Subscriber - Total Postpaid mobile phone subscribers: 11.05 million versus 11.05 million estimated by two analysts on average.Wireless Subscriber - Postpaid churn: 0.9% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 1%.Wireless Subscriber - Prepaid mobile phone - Gross additions: 199 thousand versus the two-analyst average estimate of 138.49 thousand.Wireless Subscriber - Prepaid mobile phone - Net additions: 18 thousand versus 18.63 thousand estimated by two analysts on average.Wireless Subscriber - Total prepaid mobile phone subscribers: 1.22 million compared to the 1.22 million average estimate based on two analysts.Wireless Subscriber - Prepaid churn: 5% compared to the 3.3% average estimate based on two analysts.Cable Subscriber - Homes passed: 10.62 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of 10.57 million.Cable Subscriber - Net additions: 9 thousand compared to the 13.71 thousand average estimate based on two analysts.Cable Subscriber - Total Customer Relationships: 4.86 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of 4.87 million.Retail Internet - Net Additions: 17 thousand versus 19.14 thousand estimated by two analysts on average.View all Key Company Metrics for Rogers Communication here>>>
Shares of Rogers Communication have returned -6% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.3% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), indicating that it could underperform the broader market in the near term.
3 Low P/E Stocks: Separating Multibaggers From a Value TrapRogers Communication NYSE: RCI reported higher second-quarter service revenue and adjusted earnings, with management emphasizing stronger free cash flow, reduced capital spending and progress on its plan to monetize sports and media assets.
On the company’s earnings call, President and CEO Tony Staffieri said Rogers “continued to deliver solid performance” across wireless, cable and sports and media despite what he described as “an overall low growth telecom market.” Consolidated service revenue rose 8%, while adjusted EBITDA increased 3%.
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Rogers Communication Stock Should Be Launching Higher Free cash flow for the quarter was CAD 1 billion, up 6% from a year earlier. Capital expenditures declined 16%, and capital intensity improved 350 basis points to 12.4%, which Staffieri said was Rogers’ lowest capital intensity ratio since the first quarter of 2008.
Chief Financial Officer Glenn Brandt said Rogers reaffirmed its 2026 outlook ranges for total service revenue growth, adjusted EBITDA growth, capital expenditures and free cash flow. The company continues to expect 2026 capital expenditures of CAD 2.5 billion to CAD 2.7 billion.
Wireless Adds Customers as Promotions Moderate In wireless, Rogers added 40,000 subscribers during the quarter, including 22,000 postpaid customers. Wireless service revenue was stable year over year, while adjusted EBITDA rose 1%.
Brandt said mobile phone net additions were down 34% from the prior year, reflecting “continued flat to declining overall population.” Mobile phone ARPU was CAD 54.25, down 2% from a year earlier. Postpaid mobile phone churn improved to 0.94%, down 6 basis points year over year.
Staffieri said Rogers has shifted away from short-term promotional price discounting and toward “meaningful, sustainable value propositions” for customers. He said the broader market also showed “much reduced promotional pricing activity” in the second quarter.
During the question-and-answer session, Staffieri said wireless market expansion appeared to be around 2%, at the lower end of the company’s prior 2% to 2.5% range. He said future wireless revenue performance will depend heavily on ARPU trends and market conditions during back-to-school and fall selling periods.
Rogers said its back-to-school offers focus on perks, partnerships, hardware discounting and higher-tier plan features rather than broad service-price reductions. Staffieri also pointed to offerings such as satellite service, roaming and savings on streaming applications as part of the company’s value strategy.
Cable Revenue and EBITDA Continue to Grow Rogers’ cable business posted 1% growth in both service revenue and adjusted EBITDA, and added 17,000 retail internet subscribers in the quarter. Brandt said the cable margin was 58%, up 10 basis points from a year earlier.
Brandt said cable’s organic growth was roughly double the reported figure after excluding the impact of Rogers’ December 2025 sale of its hosted data center business. On that basis, cable service revenue and adjusted EBITDA each rose 2% year over year.
Asked about ongoing pressure in satellite TV, Brandt declined to provide detailed figures but said the impact has been “fairly flat” and steady in recent years, and is already embedded in the company’s reported cable performance.
Sports and Media Revenue Jumps Rogers Sports & Media delivered the company’s strongest growth in the quarter. Media revenue reached CAD 1.2 billion, up 53% from a year earlier. Brandt said approximately CAD 0.3 billion of the increase came from consolidation of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, while standalone organic Rogers Sports & Media revenue grew 13%, or roughly CAD 100 million.
Brandt attributed the organic growth largely to higher Toronto Blue Jays-related revenue, including more than 95% near-sellout attendance for home games at Rogers Centre, and higher subscriber revenue following the 2025 launch of the Warner Bros. Discovery suite of channels.
Media adjusted EBITDA was CAD 69 million, compared with CAD 8 million a year earlier, an increase of about 8.5 times.
MLSE Deal and Minority Stake Sale Plans Rogers recently agreed to acquire the remaining 25% ownership stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. Staffieri said that, when the acquisition closes, Rogers will be 100% owner of MLSE’s teams and assets.
Brandt said the company expects to close the purchase in the fourth quarter, subject to league approvals, and is targeting October 1. Rogers recorded a CAD 1 billion non-cash loss in other expense related to the negotiated purchase price and settlement and termination of the MLSE put liability. Brandt said that reflected the change in fair value of the put liability from CAD 3.3 billion in July 2025 to the CAD 4.35 billion negotiated transaction at June 30, 2026.
After completing the acquisition, Rogers plans to combine Rogers Sports & Media with MLSE and sell a minority stake, or stakes, in the combined sports, media and entertainment business. Brandt said the company is targeting the first half of 2027 for that transaction and expects proceeds to be used to reduce debt.
In response to analyst questions, Rogers said it plans to sell non-voting common equity in the holding company for the combined assets, rather than stakes in individual teams such as the Blue Jays, Maple Leafs or Raptors. Brandt said Rogers is not specifically seeking a strategic investor, though it would evaluate opportunities if they arise.
Balance Sheet, CapEx and Network Strategy Rogers ended the quarter with leverage of 3.8 times, down from 4 times at Dec. 31, 2025. Liquidity was more than CAD 6 billion, including CAD 1.7 billion in cash and cash equivalents and CAD 4.4 billion available under bank and other credit facilities.
Management said the lower capital spending level is expected to be sustained beyond 2026. Staffieri said Rogers views capital in two categories: spending to sustain its existing network and business, and spending for network expansion, particularly wireline expansion. He said the current regulatory environment has made it harder to justify some expansion investments.
Asked about satellite-based competition such as Starlink, Staffieri said Rogers sees satellite service as complementary to terrestrial wireless and wireline networks rather than a near-term replacement. Rogers is working with SpaceX/Starlink on satellite service in Canada.
Staffieri also said network slicing remains an opportunity to differentiate higher-tier wireless plans through priority access or enhanced experiences, such as in stadiums during concerts or other high-traffic events.
“We’re executing on our telecom priorities and sports monetization plan with discipline,” Staffieri said. “We are doing what we said we would do, and we’re doing it ahead of schedule.”
About Rogers Communication (NYSE:RCI)Rogers Communications Inc is a Canadian integrated communications and media company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. The company provides a broad range of telecommunications services to residential and business customers across Canada, including wireless voice and data services, cable television, high-speed internet, and home phone services. In the enterprise market it offers managed IT, data center and cloud solutions, networking and connectivity services targeted to small businesses, large enterprises and public sector clients.
In addition to connectivity services, Rogers operates a significant media portfolio that includes national and regional television and radio assets, sports broadcasting properties and other content businesses.
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].
Should You Invest $1,000 in Rogers Communication Right Now?Before you consider Rogers Communication, you'll want to hear this.
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Enter your email address and we’ll send you MarketBeat’s list of ten stocks set to soar in Summer 2026, despite the threat of tariffs and what's happening in Iran. These ten stocks are incredibly resilient and are likely to thrive in any economic environment.
Oklo (NYSE:OKLO | OKLO Price Prediction) has been one of the most volatile bets on the AI nuclear thesis. After a punishing pullback, our model sees room to run. Shares closed at $44.13 on July 21, 2026, well off the $193.84 52-week high.
Our 24/7 Wall St. price target for Oklo is $97.74, implying 121.49% upside over the next 12 months. Our call is buy with moderate (50%) confidence.
Metric Value Current Price $44.13 24/7 Wall St. Price Target $97.74 Upside 121.49% Recommendation BUY Confidence Level 50% From a $171 Peak to a $44 Reset Oklo shares are down 38.5% year to date, 27.86% over the past month, and 29.4% over the past year. After peaking near $171.56 in October 2025, the stock now trades only 11% above the 52-week low of $39.53.
Recent catalysts have been constructive. On July 21, Oklo was selected alongside X-Energy for a $200 million Trump administration program to accelerate nuclear reactors for AI data centers, with tech partners including Microsoft and NVIDIA.
The DOE approved the Documented Safety Analysis for the Groves Isotope Test Reactor in Texas in July, and Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest added 100,854 shares to ARKQ on July 14.
The Case for $170 and Higher Bulls call Oklo the best-positioned pure-play in advanced nuclear. The customer pipeline sits near 14 GW, anchored by a 12 GW master agreement with Switch through 2044 and a 500 MW Equinix LOI backed by a $25 million pre-payment. Management targets first commercial power at Idaho National Laboratory by late 2027, with Atomic Alchemy radioisotope revenue possible as early as 2026.
Goldman Sachs projects AI-driven data center power demand rising 165% by 2030, and the NRC proposed cutting service fees for advanced reactor applicants by nearly 55%. Texas Capital Securities carries a $93 Buy and B.Riley a $92 Buy. The bull-case scenario reaches $169.92 by July 2027, a 285% gain, if licensing and hyperscaler deals convert on schedule.
What Could Go Wrong Oklo generated $0 in revenue in FY2024 on a net loss of $73.62 million, and customer agreements remain largely non-binding LOIs. Full NRC design approval for Aurora is pending, and reactor construction timelines historically slip. Short interest recently hit $1.65 billion, or 19.29% of float.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Oklo Inc. didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
The widened R&D spend of $26.71 million in FY2024, nearly triple YoY, reflects deliberate investment in Aurora, and Oklo’s $2.54 billion cash position gives management years of runway. The bear-case scenario lands at $79.09, comfortably above today’s price.
How Oklo Stacks Up Against NuScale and Constellation NuScale Power (NYSE:SMR) is the closest pre-revenue SMR pure-play and the only developer holding NRC design approval. NuScale’s market cap sits at roughly $3.01 billion, less than half of Oklo’s $7.22 billion, and recent quarterly revenue remains minimal versus consensus. Investors are paying a premium for Oklo tied to its data center customer roster and sodium-cooled Aurora design.
Constellation Energy (NASDAQ:CEG) offers the profitability counterpoint. The largest US nuclear operator remains solidly profitable at utility scale. Against SMR, the $97.74 target looks reasonable. Against CEG, Oklo carries a large execution premium that only commercial startup can justify.
Our Verdict on the Reset Our 24/7 Wall St. price target for Oklo is $97.74, a buy with 50% confidence. Shares trade only 11% above the 52-week low even as regulatory milestones and federal AI-nuclear partnerships accelerate.
The bull thesis rests on Oklo converting its 14 GW pipeline into binding contracts and hitting the late-2027 Idaho startup. Investors requiring commercial revenue before committing capital face an 18 to 24 month wait.
Oklo Price Prediction 2026-2030 Year 24/7 Wall St. Price Target 2026 $61 2027 $98 2028 $138 2029 $196 2030 $277 These projections assume Oklo executes on the Idaho commercial startup, secures full NRC design approval, and converts LOIs into binding revenue.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Oklo Inc. didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
Oklo Inc. OKLO shares moved higher on Wednesday after a report said the advanced nuclear reactor developer is joining a Trump administration-led initiative designed to accelerate the development of new power plants to support the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence data centers.
According to a Bloomberg report citing a document it reviewed, Oklo and X-Energy will participate in a $200 million government program aimed at speeding up the deployment of power infrastructure needed to meet growing AI-related electricity demand.
The initiative also includes technology companies Microsoft and Nvidia and could be formally announced at an AI energy summit convened by the US Department of Energy.
Oklo shares rose as much as 5.9%, while X-Energy gained as much as 3.2% on Wednesday.
The reported initiative comes as policymakers and technology companies seek solutions to rising electricity demand created by the rapid expansion of AI data centers.
According to Bloomberg, the program is intended to address concerns that the buildout of AI infrastructure has contributed to higher electricity prices across the United States.
Technology companies including Nvidia and OpenAI have previously identified energy availability as one of the biggest challenges to expanding AI adoption while maintaining the United States' competitive position against China in artificial intelligence.
The Department of Energy is expected to use the initiative to accelerate the development of next-generation nuclear facilities capable of providing continuous, carbon-free electricity for large-scale AI computing infrastructure.
Bloomberg reported that several Department of Energy national laboratories, along with institutions including the University of Texas at Austin, are expected to share $60 million over a three-year period under the initiative.
According to the document reviewed by Bloomberg, one of the primary objectives of the initiative is to reduce the time required to design, license and construct new nuclear power plants.
The program also seeks to lower the staffing requirements needed to operate future facilities.
The Department of Energy estimates that approximately 300 gigawatts of new nuclear generating capacity will be required by 2050 to meet future electricity demand.
However, advanced nuclear reactors have not yet begun operating on a commercial scale.
Alongside this initiative, the Department of Energy has pursued other measures to support nuclear development, including plans to provide plutonium from Cold War-era nuclear weapons for use by commercial reactor developers.
The latest effort reflects increasing attention from the US administration on ensuring sufficient energy infrastructure to support continued AI development.
Demand for electricity has accelerated after years of relatively flat growth, driven largely by the expansion of AI data centers requiring significant computing power.
The increasing strain on power markets and its effect on consumer electricity prices have also emerged as political issues ahead of the November midterm elections.
The reported initiative highlights the growing intersection between artificial intelligence, energy policy and advanced nuclear technology as governments and technology companies work to secure reliable sources of power for the next phase of AI infrastructure expansion.
Two bits of news have shares of Oklo (OKLO +1.13%) surging higher today. The developer of advanced nuclear reactors is looking to benefit from the vast power needs of growing artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, but another growth path may be coming, too.
Oklo stock jumped as much as 7.7%, and remained up by 3.6% as of 11:27 a.m. ET.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
Nuclear at home and abroad A U.S. Department of Energy initiative aimed at speeding up reactor development for AI data centers has investors jumping into related company stocks today. Oklo is one supplier reportedly joining big technology firms in a $200 million plan to help power AI data centers in the U.S.
That wasn't the only news helping push Oklo shares higher today, though. Separately, other reports said that President Trump has approved a landmark agreement with Saudi Arabia. The agreement would see the U.S. support the creation of a nuclear power program and see American companies build the civilian program.
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According to reports, administration officials said this could potentially allow for uranium enrichment within the kingdom's territory. The newly established agreement, set to span 30 years, could be valued at tens of billions of dollars. It aims to position American companies at the forefront of developing Saudi Arabia's nuclear infrastructure.
Oklo and other U.S. nuclear firms could be big winners, but investors should remember the stock is still speculative and that no concrete orders have been announced. The potential for future business is still boosting Oklo stock today.
Howard Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Smurfit Westrock (SW - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 29. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis paper and packaging company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.42 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -6.7%.
Revenues are expected to be $7.99 billion, up 0.6% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 4.98% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Smurfit Westrock?For Smurfit Westrock, the Most Accurate Estimate is the same as the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that there are no recent analyst views which differ from what have been considered to derive the consensus estimate. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of 0%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Smurfit Westrock will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Smurfit Westrock would post earnings of $0.36 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.33, delivering a surprise of -8.33%.
The company has not been able to beat consensus EPS estimates in any of the last four quarters.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Smurfit Westrock doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Not financial or tax advice. PANews content is strictly educational and informational and is not investment advice, financial advice, tax advice, legal advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any digital asset, security, or financial product. Do your own research and consult qualified advisers.
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The CLARITY Act adds, for the first time, provisions restricting the president and government officials from profiting through crypto assets.
According to CNBC, the new CLARITY Act under consideration by the U.S. Senate would ban the president and other federal officials from issuing or sponsoring cryptocurrencies and other digital assets. Republican lawmakers updated the bill’s text on Wednesday, adding for the first time provisions restricting the president from profiting from crypto assets, with the rules applying to both the president and other federal officials. The CLARITY Act is designed to be the U.S.’s first comprehensive piece of legislation regulating the digital asset market, and remains pending in the Senate.
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The revised CLARITY Act has been officially released, prohibiting the president and government officials from issuing or sponsoring crypto assets for profit.
Crypto journalist Eleanor Terrett reported that U.S. Senate Republicans have released a revised version of the CLARITY Act following a briefing call with industry stakeholders. The ethics framework in the revised bill was developed by the White House in consultation with Republican Senators Cynthia Lummis and Bernie Moreno, and has not yet secured Democratic backing. The new text would bar U.S. officials—including the president, vice president, members of Congress, federal judges—and their spouses from earning compensation during their terms via issuing or sponsoring digital assets; these provisions are set to expire on January 20, 2029. Covered officials must sell their crypto assets and investments in crypto firms, or place them in blind trusts over which they have no control, with sales of crypto assets exceeding $1,000 requiring disclosure. The U.S. Department of Justice would be granted civil enforcement authority for ethics violations, including prosecuting trading platforms that knowingly operate banned tokens. However, Democrats oppose granting the DOJ sole enforcement power without extending authority to state attorneys general, and the relevant provisions could still be adjusted in the coming days. The revised bill retains the BRCA and Keep Your Coins Act, clarifying that non-custodial software developers and blockchain infrastructure providers will not be classified as money transmitters solely for maintaining decentralized networks, while safeguarding individuals’ right to self-custody of crypto assets. Stablecoin provisions remain unchanged: interest on idle payment stablecoin balances is banned, but rewards tied to actual activities like trading or staking are permitted.
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Report: Crypto industry contributes $55 billion to U.S. economy, directly employs 34,000 people
The US National Cryptocurrency Association released a report stating that the US crypto industry directly employs 34,000 people; when including jobs supported by supplier industries and consumer spending of related workers, total employment in the sector is roughly 232,000. The report projects that by 2026, the industry will contribute over $55 billion to US GDP, with around $31 billion flowing to workers as labor income. Of the 232,000 supported jobs, approximately 75,000 come from supplier industries, and another 123,000 are driven by household spending of related employees. These figures are based on multiplier effects from input-output models and do not represent direct hires by crypto firms. Among the 34,000 direct roles, software, blockchain, and data engineering positions are the most numerous, at about 10,100. Regionally, California and New York support 57,649 and 53,766 jobs respectively, totaling over 111,000; Texas accounts for roughly 26,536 jobs. The 12 US heartland states defined in the report collectively support around 17,000 jobs. The report was commissioned and funded by the National Cryptocurrency Association, with analysis conducted by Pragmatic Policy Group. Its estimates are based on the US Bureau of Economic Analysis’ 2024 input-output tables and $23.22 billion in crypto industry revenue data, with model assumptions incorporated into occupational structure and industry mapping.
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The development company behind Pump.fun is hiring a Growth Marketing Lead, offering a base annual salary of up to $1 million.
Baton Corporation, the developer behind Pump.fun, is hiring a Head of Growth Marketing, with a base annual salary of $400,000 to $1,000,000 plus performance-based incentives. Pump.fun founder Alon noted that the platform has grown to become one of the largest in the crypto industry with almost no paid marketing. The company’s next goal is to transition Pump.fun from a crypto-native product to the mainstream market, targeting an application with hundreds of millions of users. The role requires candidates to have hands-on experience in consumer app growth, a proven track record managing multi-million dollar marketing budgets, and familiarity with strategies including digital advertising, user-generated content (UGC), and short-form video clips.
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灰度：若美联储不再加息，比特币或已触底
Zach Pandl, head of research at Grayscale, wrote in a post that the market currently holds two main views on when Bitcoin’s bear market will end: one is adherence to the "four-year cycle" theory, and the other is viewing Bitcoin as a mature asset driven by macroeconomic factors. The "four-year cycle" theory holds that halving events remain the core driver of Bitcoin’s price cycles. Historically, Bitcoin has typically bottomed roughly one year after a cycle peak and about 2.5 years after a halving, with an average cumulative drawdown of around 80%. Based on this pattern, Bitcoin could still decline further in the current cycle and form a bottom in September or October. The other view argues that Bitcoin’s price will, like other major assets, be more influenced by economic growth, real interest rates, and changes in Federal Reserve policy going forward. Past Bitcoin bear markets have typically coincided with slowing economic growth or rising real interest rates, and this current downturn has unfolded against a backdrop of rising rate hike expectations and climbing real interest rates. Pandl noted he leans more toward the macro-driven view. If the Fed stops raising interest rates and economic growth remains stable, Bitcoin’s price may have already bottomed.
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Analyst: Bitcoin shows signs of recovery, but its uptrend remains unconfirmed.
Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas wrote that since the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, Bitcoin has risen around 8% cumulatively, outperforming most assets. Meanwhile, inflows into Bitcoin spot ETFs have started to rebound, with net inflows of roughly $750 million in the past week. Balchunas noted that it is still hard to fully believe this rally has established a stable trend, but it is not unexpected that Bitcoin has rebounded after its prior pullback, adding that its future trajectory remains to be seen. Early Bitcoin holders have been continuously selling assets over the past nine months, which has been weighing on prices; if these holders cease selling, Bitcoin could rally.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
It has been an up-and-down year for Iren (IREN +2.86%), but the stock of the neocloud operator surged 20% on July 20 after it announced $2.8 billion in new contracts. The stock has more than doubled over the past year, but has also been cut nearly in half from its highs.
The average weighted length of Iren's new contracts is four years and includes deals with hyperscalers, frontier labs, artificial intelligence (AI) developers, and enterprises. It also said that its recent arrangements include prepayments covering approximately 45% of the cost of the graphics processing units (GPUs) to be used in the deployments.
In addition to its new contract announcements, Iren also increased its year-end AI cloud computing annual revenue run rate outlook to more than $4 billion, up from a prior target of $3.7 billion. The company is expanding aggressively. A year ago, it had a capacity of 3 megawatts, and it's expected to bring that total to 480 megawatts in 2026 and 1.2 gigawatts in 2027. Despite its growth, it said demand continues to exceed its planned capacity additions.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
Iren is one of a handful of former Bitcoin miners that have shifted their focus toward AI data centers. While at first this shift may seem like a red flag, it actually does make a lot of strategic sense.
Cryptocurrency miners built their business around securing land for large campuses and securing power from utilities at attractive prices. After the AI boom, both of these became valuable assets, with access to cheap energy becoming a major AI data center bottleneck. Historically, Iren and others have been beholden to the price of Bitcoin, but moving to AI data centers gives them a more predictable and profitable business model.
And Iren hasn't been standing still. It acquired software and infrastructure companies, such as Mirantis, to create a fully integrated software layer and offer a full end-to-end cloud platform. And with permitted sites and power locked up in Texas and Australia, the company has a clear pathway for expansion.
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Iren has also partnered with other large players in the space, including Nvidia and Microsoft. It secured a massive five-year, $3.4 billion cloud services contract directly with Nvidia to host its internal AI and research workloads. It also has a $9.7 billion, five-year deal with Microsoft, with it dedicating 200 megawatts of power to the cloud giant.
While building massive data centers is a capital-intensive business, Iren has structured its deals to secure upfront cash payments to help fund GPUs. This helps somewhat de-risk the business and makes it a speculative, but intriguing, stock to add given its momentum.
SummaryFiserv's nearly 70% share price decline reflects management missteps and unrealistic expectations rather than a permanent deterioration of its underlying business.While there is stiff competition in the payments industry, Clover and value-added services provide a credible path to long-term value creation.Recent insider purchases indicate confidence that the selloff has become disconnected from intrinsic value.Assuming management successfully stabilizes operations, the market appears to be pricing the company well below its intrinsic value. DNY59/iStock via Getty Images
Fiserv (FISV), a major financial services company, has suffered a brutal 70% decline in its stock price over the past year. While this staggering drop usually suggests a deterioration in the company’s competitive market position, former CEO Michael
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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of FISV either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
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Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Canadian Dollar Technical Outlook: USD/CAD Short-term Trade Levels USD/CAD rebounds from near-term downtrend support after posting an outside-day reversal Monday. The recovery is now challenging the upper boundary of the July downtrend- breakout needed to confirm a more significant low is in place. Rejection at current levels would keep the broader corrective decline intact. Next week's FOMC decision and June PCE inflation data could provide the next major catalyst. Resistance 1.4097-1.4109 (key), 1.4155, 1.4197-1.4202- Support 1.4045, 1.4020 (key), 1.3978/82 USD/CAD is consolidating just below major resistance after a powerful multi-week rally carried the pair into fresh yearly highs. The tight range highlights a market coiling for its next directional move, with the July opening range now taking shape beneath a key technical barrier. With momentum still elevated, a breakout here could either fuel the next leg of the broader uptrend or trigger the first meaningful reversal signal since the May advance began. Battle lines drawn on the USD/CAD short-term technical charts.
Review my latest Weekly Strategy Webinar for an in-depth breakdown of this Loonie setup and more. Join live on Monday’s at 8:30am EST.
Canadian Dollar Price Chart – USD/CAD Daily
Chart Prepared by Michael Boutros, Sr. Technical Strategist; USD/CAD on TradingView
Technical Outlook: In my last Canadian Dollar Short-term Outlook, we noted that, “A five-week rally has stalled into the May uptrend with the USD/CAD trading in a well-defined range just below resistance into the start of the month. From a trading standpoint, losses would need to be limited to 1.4109 IF price is heading higher on this stretch...” The range broke nearly two-weeks later with USD/CAD plunging more than 1.7% off the yearly high to break below the May trendline. The decline rebounded off near-term downtrend support on Monday with price marking an outside day reversal off the low. The recovery is now testing resistance at the upper bounds of the monthly downtrend, and the focus is on possible inflection off this pivot zone in the days ahead.
Canadian Dollar Price Chart – USD/CAD 240min
Chart Prepared by Michael Boutros, Sr. Technical Strategist; USD/CAD on TradingView
Notes: A closer look at Canadian Dollar price action shows USD/CAD trading within the confines of a descending pitchfork extending off the monthly high with the recent recovery now testing the upper parallel. Note that the 38.2% retracement of the July decline converges on the November high-day close at 1.4097-1.4109. A breach / daily close above this threshold would be needed to suggest a more significant near-term low is in place and invalidate the monthly downtrend. Subsequent resistance objectives are eyed at the 61.8% retracement at 1.4155 and the monthly open / high-day close (HDC) at 1.4197-1.4202. Look for a larger reaction there IF reached with a weekly close above the 2025 March lows at 1.4235/39 ultimately needed to mark resumption of the yearly uptrend.
Initial support rests with the 61.8% retracement of the weekly range at 1.4045 and is backed by the objective weekly open at 1.4020. Note that this level converges on the median line into the close of the week and losses below this slope would threaten resumption of the July downtrend. The next major technical considerations are eyed at the 2022 high and the 38.2% retracement of the May rally at 1.3978/82.
Bottom line: USD/CAD is now testing multi-week downtrend resistance, and the focus is on possible inflection off this zone with the near-term long-bias vulnerable while below. From a trading standpoint, losses would need to be limited to the weekly open IF price is heading higher on this stretch with a close above 1.4109 needed to fuel the next leg of the rally. Losses below 1.3978 would suggest a more significant correction is underway.
Keep in mind, the U.S. economic calendar is relatively quiet ahead of next week's FOMC rate decision and the release of June PCE inflation data. Stay nimble into the Fed and watch the weekly closes for confirmation of the broader directional bias. Review my latest Canadian Dollar Weekly Forecast for a closer look at the longer-term USD/CAD technical trade levels.
Key USD/CAD Economic Data Releases
Economic Calendar - latest economic developments and upcoming event risk.
Active Short-term Technical Charts Australian Dollar Outlook: AUD/USD Rally Tests Make-or-Break Resistance Japanese Yen Short-term Outlook: USD/JPY Defends the Uptrend as the Range Tightens British Pound Short-term Outlook: GBP/USD Breakout Attempts Major Trend Reversal US Dollar Short-term Outlook: USD Uptrend Faces Make-or-Break Test After CPI Euro Short-term Outlook: EUR/USD Coils Above Critical Support- Decision Time Gold Price Short-term Outlook: XAU/USD Bulls Try to Carve Out a Low After 30% Drop Swiss Franc Short-term Outlook: USD/CHF Overbought Rally Tests Major Resistance Written by Michael Boutros, Senior Technical Strategist
Ondas (ONDS +10.71%) stock, a small defense contractor specializing in the manufacture of military air and ground drones, and also counter-drone (counter-UAS or CUAS) technology, soared 10.4% through 11:55 a.m. ET Wednesday.
The reason: new weapons sales.
Image source: Getty Images.
Ondas inks some contracts Citing accelerating demand "across its autonomous defense and security platform," Ondas boasted today that it has secured $70 million worth of new orders over the past four weeks, for "unmanned ground systems, border security and protection technologies, counter-unmanned aircraft systems ("C-UAS"), intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance ("ISR") systems, and autonomous precision-strike capabilities."
Translated from Pentagon-ese, that means Ondas is selling ground robots, attack drones, surveillance equipment, and drone defense systems primarily.
Not all the orders are new. Ondas noted that it rolled a recently announced $6.9 million order for Ondas' C-UAS systems to Australia into the $70 million total. Still, it sounds like Ondas is having a pretty successful month of July.
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What it means for Ondas stock To put these $70 million in context, in all of Q2 2025 last year, Ondas booked a total of $6.3 million in sales. The orders just announced amount to 10x the volume of sales from a year ago -- with orders booked in just one-third of one quarter's time.
That's fast growth -- but do beware that growth at Ondas could be lumpy.
According to analysts who follow the stock, 2026 will probably be the first year Ondas books a GAAP profit, after a decade of losing money. That said, forecasts for next year see Ondas back in the red -- and losing money again in 2028.
Free cash flow at Ondas remains negative and is forecast to remain so in 2027 as well. It probably won't be till 2029 that Ondas is both profitable and generating consistent cash. Caveat investor.
Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Ondas. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Modine (MOD - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.
The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 29, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis heating and cooling products maker is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.38 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +30.2%.
Revenues are expected to be $895.51 million, up 31.2% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Modine?For Modine, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -10.15%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Modine will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Modine would post earnings of $1.51 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.71, delivering a surprise of +13.25%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Modine doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAnother stock from the Zacks Automotive - Original Equipment industry, Gentex (GNTX - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $0.5 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +6.4%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $668.96 million, up 1.7% from the year-ago quarter.
Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for Gentex has been revised 0.7% up to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of +0.67%, reflecting a higher Most Accurate Estimate.
This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), suggests that Gentex will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Key Takeaways Modine is expected to report 31.2% revenue growth and 30.2% EPS growth in fiscal Q1 2027.Record data center orders & 80/20 gains could boost results, while component shortages may disrupt production.Modine expects 20-35% fiscal 2027 sales growth, but higher capex and working capital needs pressure cash flow. Modine Manufacturing Company (MOD - Free Report) is slated to release first-quarter fiscal 2027 results on July 29, after the closing bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s earnings per share (EPS) and revenues is pegged at $1.38 and $895.51 million, respectively.
For the fiscal first quarter, the consensus estimate for Modine’s earnings has moved down 5 cents over the past 30 days. Its bottom-line estimates imply growth of 30.2% from the year-ago reported numbers.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MOD's quarterly revenues implies a year-over-year rise of 31.2%. The company's earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 14.18%. This is depicted in the graph below:
Q4 HighlightsModine posted adjusted earnings of $1.71 per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, which increased 53% from the year-ago quarter and came above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.51 by 13.2%. Net sales were $954.4 million, which rose 47% year over year and topped the consensus mark of $907 million by 5.2%.
Things to NoteModine’s data center business is supported by record order intake and roughly five years of pipeline visibility, underpinned by strong exposure to hyperscale customers. The new long-term capacity agreement also improves visibility, with Modine set to supply more than $4 billion of Airedale chiller products to a strategic customer during calendar years 2027 through 2029 and supported by a $165 million upfront payment.
The company continues to apply 80/20 principles to simplify operations, improve capacity use and direct resources toward products and markets with the best return profiles. The framework supported Modine’s fourth consecutive year of record revenues and adjusted EBITDA in fiscal 2026. For fiscal 2027, the company expects total sales growth of 20-35% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 38-44%, with at least 100-200 basis points of consolidated margin expansion.
Strength in the data center business and benefits from the application of 80/20 principles are likely to have bolstered Modine’s performance in the to-be-reported quarter.
However, the shortages of critical components that emerged late in the quarter are affecting production schedules and efficiency. The company is qualifying new suppliers and implementing corrective actions, but these issues are expected to have temporarily negatively impacted fiscal first-quarter production. Also, Modine’s free cash flow is currently under pressure due to heavy investment and working capital needs. For fiscal 2027, the company expects capital expenditure of $150 million to $200 million, up from $143.3 million in fiscal 2026.
Expected production disruption and rising capital requirements are likely to have weighed on Modine’s fiscal first-quarter results.
Let’s have a look at the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Modine’s segmental performance.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Climate Solutions’ fiscal first-quarter revenues is pegged at $634 million, which suggests a rise of 59.7% year over year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Performance Technologies’ revenues is pegged at $289 million, which is in line with the revenues reported in the year-ago period.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Climate Solutions’ fiscal first-quarter adjusted EBITDA is pegged at $112 million, suggesting a year-over-year rise of 41.8%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Performance Technologies’ adjusted EBITDA is pegged at $37.5 million, which is the same as year-ago adjusted EBITDA.
Earnings WhispersOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Modine for the quarter to be reported, as it does not have the right combination of the two key ingredients. A positive Earnings ESP, combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold), increases the odds of an earnings beat. This is not the case here.
Earnings ESP: MOD has an Earnings ESP of -10.15%. This is because the Most Accurate Estimate is pegged lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
Stocks With the Favorable CombinationHere are a few players from the auto space that, per our model, have the correct ingredients to post an earnings beat this time.
Cummins Inc. (CMI - Free Report) is slated to release second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 4. The company has an Earnings ESP of +0.78% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CMI’s to-be-reported quarter’s earnings and revenues is pegged at $7.33 per share and $9.33 billion, respectively.
BorgWarner Inc. (BWA - Free Report) is scheduled to release second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 5. The company has an Earnings ESP of +0.62% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BWA’s to-be-reported quarter’s earnings and revenues is pegged at $1.26 per share and $3.58 billion, respectively.
ProPetro Holding (PUMP - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on lower revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 29. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis oilfield services company is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.01 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +85.7%.
Revenues are expected to be $300.51 million, down 7.9% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 60% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for ProPetro?For ProPetro, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +52.38%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.
So, this combination indicates that ProPetro will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that ProPetro would post a loss of$0.12 per share when it actually produced a loss of -$0.03, delivering a surprise of +75.00%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
ProPetro appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Futu To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options
If you purchased or acquired securities in Futu between May 24, 2023 and May 27, 2026 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).
[You may also click here for additional information]
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - July 22, 2026) - Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Futu Holdings Limited("Futu" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: FUTU) and reminds investors of the August 25, 2026 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.
Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.
As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) Futu was not in compliance with the requirements of the CSRC, including because the Company continued to conduct securities business, public fund sales business and futures business in mainland China without obtaining the requisite licenses or approval; (2) as a result, Futu was reasonably likely to face regulatory penalties, including the disgorgement of ill-gotten gains and other penalties; (3) as a result of the foregoing, Futu's financial results were overstated; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.
On May 22, 2026, pre-market, Futu issued a press release allegedly disclosing that it had received a notification letter from the CSRC stating that "certain Futu entities in mainland China and Hong Kong . . . without obtaining the requisite licenses or approval, conducted securities business, public fund sales business and futures business in mainland China" and that the CSRC "proposes to order the Related Companies to rectify or cease such activities, confiscate illegal gains, and impose fines, with the total proposed penalty amounting to approximately RMB1.85 billion (approximately USD271 million)." The Futu class action lawsuit further alleges that the regulatory authority "proposes to impose a personal fine of RMB1.25 million (approximately USD 183,575) on Mr. LI Hua, the founder and CEO of the Company." On this news, the price of Futu stock fell more than 27%, according to the complaint.
Then, on May 28, 2026, before the market opened, Futu issued a press release reporting financial results for the first quarter of 2026, allegedly including the proposed penalties comprised of "(i) confiscation of illegal gains of approximately RMB470 million [approximately $69.21 million USD] and (ii) imposition of fines of approximately RMB1.38 billion in an aggregate amount of approximately RMB1.85 billion." On this news, the price of Futu stock declined nearly 5%, according to the complaint.
The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not.
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Futu's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.
To learn more about the Futu Holdings Limited class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/FUTU or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Investors Regarding the Futu Holdings Limited Securities Class Action Lawsuit:
What is the Futu Holdings Limited securities fraud lawsuit about?
The lawsuit alleges that Futu misled investors by failing to disclose it was conducting certain securities, public fund sales, and futures businesses in mainland China without required CSRC licenses or approvals. According to the complaint, this exposed the Company to significant regulatory penalties, overstated its financial results, and made its public statements about its business and prospects materially misleading.
Who may be eligible to participate in the lawsuit?
Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Futu Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: FUTU) securities between May 24, 2023 and May 27, 2026, inclusive (the "Class Period"), and suffered losses may be eligible to participate in the securities class action. Eligibility depends on the specific facts of each investor's transactions and losses.
What is a lead plaintiff, and how can I seek appointment?
A lead plaintiff is the investor appointed by the court to represent the interests of all class members during the litigation. Generally, the investor with the largest financial interest who meets the legal requirements may be selected. Investors seeking appointment must file a motion with the court by the August 25, 2026 deadline through counsel of their choice.
What should investors do if they purchased Futu Holdings Limited stock during the Class Period?
Investors who purchased Futu securities during the Class Period should review their investment records, preserve relevant documents, and consider contacting counsel to understand their legal rights. Those interested in serving as lead plaintiff must act before the August 25, 2026 deadline, while investors who do not seek that role may still remain eligible to share in any potential recovery.
Why should investors contact Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP?
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP has represented investors in securities litigation for decades and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for shareholders. Investors who purchased Futu Holdings Limited securities during the Class Period may contact the firm to discuss their legal rights, potential claims, and the lead plaintiff process at no cost or obligation.
Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/305985
Source: Faruqi & Faruqi LLP
Ready to Announce with Confidence? Send us a message and a member of our TMX Newsfile team will contact you to discuss your needs.
, /PRNewswire/ -- The Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces that investors with substantial losses have opportunity to lead the securities fraud class action lawsuit against Futu Holdings Limited ("Futu" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:FUTU).
IF YOU ARE AN INVESTOR WHO SUFFERED A LOSS IN FUTU HOLDINGS LIMITED (FUTU), CONTACT THE LAW OFFICES OF HOWARD G. SMITH BEFORE AUGUST 25, 2026 (LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE) TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ONGOING SECURITIES FRAUD LAWSUIT.
Contact the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith to discuss your legal rights by email at [email protected], by telephone at (215) 638-4847 or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com.
What Is The Lawsuit About?
The complaint filed alleges that, between May 24, 2023 and May 27, 2026, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Futu was not in compliance with the requirements of the CSRC, including because the Company continued to conduct securities business, public fund sales business and futures business in mainland China without obtaining the requisite licenses or approval; (2) as a result, Futu was reasonably likely to face regulatory penalties, including the disgorgement of ill-gotten gains and other penalties; (3) as a result of the foregoing, Futu's financial results were overstated; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.
Contact Us To Participate or Learn More:
If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to the pending class action lawsuit, please contact:
Howard G. Smith, Esq.,
Law Offices of Howard G. Smith,
3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112,
Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020,
Call us at: (215) 638-4847
Email us at: [email protected],
Visit our website at: www.howardsmithlaw.com.
To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
Contact Us:
Law Offices of Howard G. Smith
Howard G. Smith, Esquire
215-638-4847
[email protected]
www.howardsmithlaw.com
For those looking to find strong Aerospace stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Is Astronics Corporation (ATRO - Free Report) one of those stocks right now? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Aerospace sector should help us answer this question.
Astronics Corporation is one of 77 companies in the Aerospace group. The Aerospace group currently sits at #3 within the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups is measured, and the sectors are listed from best to worst.
The Zacks Rank is a proven system that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions, highlighting a variety of stocks that are displaying the right characteristics to beat the market over the next one to three months. Astronics Corporation is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).
Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for ATRO's full-year earnings has moved 20.2% higher. This shows that analyst sentiment has improved and the company's earnings outlook is stronger.
Our latest available data shows that ATRO has returned about 52.7% since the start of the calendar year. Meanwhile, stocks in the Aerospace group have lost about 1.6% on average. This shows that Astronics Corporation is outperforming its peers so far this year.
RTX (RTX - Free Report) is another Aerospace stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has returned 5.6%.
In RTX's case, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year increased 1.6% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Looking more specifically, Astronics Corporation belongs to the Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry, which includes 37 individual stocks and currently sits at #86 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This group has gained an average of 4.6% so far this year, so ATRO is performing better in this area.
RTX, however, belongs to the Aerospace - Defense industry. Currently, this 39-stock industry is ranked #98. The industry has moved -4.1% so far this year.
Going forward, investors interested in Aerospace stocks should continue to pay close attention to Astronics Corporation and RTX as they could maintain their solid performance.
The market expects FTAI Aviation (FTAI - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 29, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis transportation infrastructure company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.32 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -15.9%.
Revenues are expected to be $859.32 million, up 27.1% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for FTAI Aviation?For FTAI Aviation, the Most Accurate Estimate is the same as the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that there are no recent analyst views which differ from what have been considered to derive the consensus estimate. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of 0%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that FTAI Aviation will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that FTAI Aviation would post earnings of $1.61 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.29, delivering a surprise of -19.88%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates just once.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
FTAI Aviation doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
The market expects GFL Environmental Inc. (GFL - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 29. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.17 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -10.5%.
Revenues are expected to be $1.38 billion, up 13.6% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 5.15% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for GFL Environmental?For GFL Environmental, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -45.78%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that GFL Environmental will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that GFL Environmental would post earnings of $0.05 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.06, delivering a surprise of +20.00%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates two times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
GFL Environmental doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Expected Results of an Industry PlayerVeralto (VLTO - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Waste Removal Services industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $1 for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +7.5%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $1.44 billion, up 4.9% from the year-ago quarter.
Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for Veralto has been revised 0.2% up to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of +0.77%, reflecting a higher Most Accurate Estimate.
This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggests that Veralto will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
