Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Microsoft shareholders just cashed a bigger check. On August 20, 2026, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT | MSFT Price Prediction) went ex-dividend at $0.91 per share, up from $0.83 a year earlier. At $481.15, that annualizes to a yield south of 1%. It is the sort of raise long-term holders have come to expect. What is unusual is what sits on the other side of the ledger.

Dividend Raise Collides With a $115.9 Billion Buildout [chart:MSFT]

For the fiscal year ended June 30, Microsoft spent $115.948 billion on capital expenditures, a 79.62% jump aimed at cloud and AI infrastructure. Net income rose 31.34% to $133.749 billion. Free cash flow, however, fell 6.46% to $66.987 billion. Microsoft returned $26.445 billion in dividends and repurchased $22.271 billion in stock. In fiscal 2025, capex was $64.551 billion against $24.082 billion in dividends. Capex is now growing roughly eight times faster than the payout.

Fiscal Q4 alone captures the strain: $35.802 billion of capex, up 109.63%, with quarterly free cash flow down 23.19% to $19.639 billion.

What Shareholders Actually Received The tangible returns are real. Azure surpassed $100 billion in annual revenue, up 41%. Microsoft 365 Copilot reached over 30 million paid seats. Commercial remaining performance obligations hit $678 billion, up 84%, a backlog that dwarfs annual revenue. CEO Satya Nadella framed the payoff: “This year, Azure revenue surpassed $100 billion for the first time, and Microsoft 365 Copilot reached over 30 million paid seats.”

Price action tells a more ambivalent story. MSFT is down 3.91% over the past year from $500.75, though it has snapped back 21.2% in the past month off a July low of $397. Year to date, shares are essentially flat at 0.12%. The forward P/E of 24 and analyst target of $569.56 suggest Wall Street still believes, with 40 buy ratings and 14 strong buys against three holds.

Peer Context and the September Test For scale, Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) spent $91.447 billion on capex and paid $10.049 billion in dividends in calendar 2025. Microsoft outspent that and returned more than double the cash. All of that spending has to be powered, cooled, and networked by somebody, and we pulled together seven suppliers riding the buildout in a free AI infrastructure report.

CFO Amy Hood signaled the intensity will not ease. She told analysts the calendar 2026 outlook, adjusted for a lease-accounting shift, moves to approximately $175 billion, adding: “We expect FY27 capital expenditures will grow year over year, given demand signals across our portfolio,” and “We expect to remain free cash flow positive in FY27.”

Microsoft has historically declared its annual dividend increase in September. The September 15, 2025 declaration lifted the quarterly rate to $0.91. The next raise announcement is weeks away, and it will be the clearest signal yet of whether the AI buildout is squeezing the payout, or whether Nadella can keep funding both.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) stock traded higher Friday as semiconductor stocks benefited from a broader risk-on move.

The Nasdaq gained 0.16%, while the S&P 500 rose 0.33%. The Russell 2000 climbed 0.66%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.55%.

BMO Turns Bullish On AMDA bullish analyst call from BMO Capital Markets also added to positive sentiment around the chipmaker. BMO Capital Markets analyst Harsh Kumar initiated coverage of AMD on Friday with an Outperform rating and a $550 price forecast.

Kumar said AMD is nearing its transition into a complete AI infrastructure provider. Its portfolio spans GPUs, CPUs, DPUs and full-rack AI systems.

The analyst highlighted AMD’s Helios AI rack as the closest competitor to NVIDIA Corp.’s (NASDAQ:NVDA) NVL72. BMO expects Helios to begin shipping in September 2026.

AMD has already secured several Helios design wins, including OpenAI, Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:META) and Anthropic, according to Kumar. He expects AMD to capture additional AI infrastructure market share, providing another growth driver.

The stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 119.8, reflecting a premium valuation. AMD carries a Buy consensus rating and an average price forecast of $590.09. On Aug. 6, Argus Research maintained a Buy rating and raised its forecast to $625. Rosenblatt also maintained a Buy rating and lifted its forecast to $700.

Technical AnalysisAMD remains in a long-term uptrend, although its shorter-term technical picture is mixed.

The stock trades 1.4% below its 20-day simple moving average and 7% below its 50-day SMA. However, it remains 7.2% above its 100-day SMA and 43.8% above its 200-day SMA.

The 20-day SMA is below the 50-day SMA, signaling near-term weakness. Still, the 50-day SMA remains above the 200-day SMA, keeping the longer-term trend bullish.

AMD’s relative strength index stands at 46.05. That indicates neutral momentum, with the stock neither overbought nor oversold.

Key resistance sits near $530, while support is around $463.

AMD has gained 188.16% over the past 12 months. The stock reached a 52-week high of $584.73 in June before pulling back in July.

A sustained move above the 20-day and 50-day averages could strengthen the bullish setup. However, a break below $463 could shift attention toward the 100-day SMA.

Benzinga Edge RankingsAMD scores strongly on several Benzinga Edge measures. It has a Momentum score of 97.93, Quality score of 94.05 and Growth score of 94.96.

However, its Value score stands at just 4.73. That combination points to strong growth and momentum but also a rich valuation.

Top ETF ExposureAMD is a major holding in the iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXX), with an 8.10% weighting. It also accounts for 7.74% of the CoreValues America First Technology ETF (NYSE:USMD) and 8.31% of the ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (NYSE:ARKW).

AMD’s sizable weight means significant fund flows into or out of these ETFs can contribute to buying or selling pressure in the stock.

AMD Price ActionAdvanced Micro Devices shares were up 1.60% at $476.96 at the time of publication Friday, according to Benzinga Pro.

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Walmart (NYSE:WMT | WMT Price Prediction) did the thing shareholders are supposed to want. It beat estimates. It raised full year guidance. And the stock still fell 9% on August 20, 2026, from $114.30 to $103.84. That is the worst earnings day reaction in Walmart’s last ten reported quarters, and the fourth straight earnings day decline.

Beat and Raise That Investors Refused to Buy The numbers looked good on paper. Adjusted EPS of $0.81, beating the $0.7413 consensus, beating expectations, on revenue of $187.94 billion, up 6% year over year. Management lifted the FY27 outlook: adjusted EPS to $2.80 to $2.87 from $2.75 to $2.85, and constant currency sales growth to 4.0% to 5.0% from 3.5% to 4.5%.

CEO John Furner called it “another good quarter” with steady progress on long term drivers. The market disagreed, loudly.

Why the Margin Beat Was Treated as Borrowed Here’s the crack under the beat. Gross profit rate improved 96 basis points to 25.4%, with Walmart U.S. gross margin up 158 basis points, powered by tariff refunds. CFO John David Rainey told analysts “Operating income growth included a net benefit of approximately 750 basis points related to tariff refunds received in Q2.”

Then he told everyone where that money is going. “A large portion of the refunds were invested at the end of Q2, so the full quarter impact of these investments is more pronounced in Q3.” Furner added “our intent was to deploy much of that back into price, and that’s what we’re doing.” Walmart U.S. ran more than 11,000 rollbacks during the quarter.

That is why Q3 guidance came in soft: adjusted EPS of $0.62 to $0.64, net sales growth of 3.0% to 3.75% in constant currency, with a Flipkart Big Billion Days timing headwind of over 100 basis points. And while operating income jumped 29%, net income fell 9% year over year, partly on a Symbotic mark and other items.

Buyback Irony and the Target Contrast The optics get worse. Walmart repurchased 25.7 million shares for $3.0 billion in Q2 at an average price of $117.61, well above today’s $103.84 close. Management bought high, and the market marked it to a lower price the same week.

Target (NYSE:TGT) told the same tariff refund story a day earlier, booking a $994 million pretax IEEPA refund worth $1.65 per share. Target shares rose. Walmart, had no room for a beat that management itself called temporary. If you think the price investments compound into share gains, the selloff is a gift. If you think it is a treadmill, the multiple has further to give. Either way, the raise was real, and so was the message that Q2 borrowed from Q3.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

NEW YORK, Aug. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (“Hertz” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: HTZ).  Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. 

The class action concerns whether Hertz and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. 

You have until September 22, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Hertz securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.   

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On June 24, 2026, before the market opened, and just weeks after assuring investors that the Company’s liquidity would be “sufficient to fund our operating activities and obligations for the next twelve months and for the foreseeable future thereafter” and projected year-end liquidity “north of $1.5 billion,” Hertz announced a massive dilutive capital raise.  Through its wholly owned indirect subsidiary, Hertz intended to offer $300 million of Exchangeable Senior First-Lien Secured PIK Notes due 2030, together with a concurrent share-lending offering of more than 37 million shares of common stock from which the Company would receive no proceeds, and simultaneously disclosed that “unexpected softness in the used car market” had caused losses on the sale of vehicles in May 2026 and would drive second-quarter Adjusted Corporate EBITDA down to a range of just $50 million to $80 million. 

On this news, Hertz’s stock price fell $2.06 per share, or 40.71%, to close at $3.00 per share on June 24, 2026.  

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. 

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.  

CONTACT: 
Danielle Peyton 
Pomerantz LLP 
[email protected] 
646-581-9980 ext. 7980 

Advisors Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 69,882 shares of the payment services company’s stock, valued at approximately $23,638,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in shares of American Express in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $14,208,662,000. State Street Corp raised its holdings in American Express by 1.3% during the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 29,464,868 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $10,900,528,000 after buying an additional 369,967 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in American Express by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 9,023,482 shares of the payment services company’s stock worth $3,338,238,000 after buying an additional 141,936 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its stake in American Express by 7.7% in the fourth quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 7,850,298 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $2,904,218,000 after buying an additional 558,533 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital World Investors lifted its stake in American Express by 46.7% in the fourth quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 7,515,675 shares of the payment services company’s stock valued at $2,780,424,000 after buying an additional 2,393,340 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In AXP has been the subject of several research reports. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of American Express from $386.00 to $384.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of American Express from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $328.00 to $400.00 in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of American Express from $360.00 to $375.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. DZ Bank upgraded American Express from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $375.00 target price for the company in a report on Thursday, June 18th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of American Express in a research note on Monday, July 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, American Express has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $373.32.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on AXP Key Stories Impacting American Express Here are the key news stories impacting American Express this week:

Positive Sentiment: American Express expanded its virtual-card capabilities for U.S. commercial customers through its @ Work platform and Conferma. The initiative could strengthen AXP’s position in corporate payments by improving security, spending controls, and integration with business and travel workflows. Is American Express’ Expanded Virtual Cards Strategy Deepening Its Corporate Moat in Premium Payments? Positive Sentiment: AXP became the official payments partner of St Andrews Links, expanding its premium sports and lifestyle partnership portfolio. The agreement may support international brand awareness, card-member engagement, and premium-card acquisition, although the near-term financial impact is likely limited. American Express and St Andrews Links Trust Announce Partnership Positive Sentiment: A recent profile highlighted CEO Steve Squeri’s strategy of attracting younger customers with premium products such as the Platinum Card. The company’s success with millennials and Gen Z supports the long-term value of its premium-card model. The American Express CEO Defied Haters Neutral Sentiment: Analyst opinions on American Express are mixed, indicating limited consensus on the stock’s valuation and outlook. Management is scheduled to participate in the Barclays Global Financial Services Conference on September 16, which could provide additional commentary on spending trends, credit quality, and guidance. Analysts’ Opinions Are Mixed on American Express American Express to Participate in Barclays Global Financial Services Conference Negative Sentiment: A 2026 Long Angle survey of more than 9,000 high-net-worth individuals found that Amex and Chase lagged other providers in loyalty, while Fidelity and Schwab ranked better in banking-related categories. The findings raise concerns about customer retention and competitive pressure in an important premium segment. Long Angle High-Net-Worth Study American Express Price Performance Shares of AXP opened at $331.99 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66. American Express Company has a twelve month low of $290.97 and a twelve month high of $387.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $224.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a 50 day moving average of $342.98 and a 200-day moving average of $326.77.

American Express (NYSE:AXP – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 24th. The payment services company reported $4.53 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.41 by $0.12. American Express had a net margin of 15.07% and a return on equity of 34.12%. The business had revenue of $19.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.70 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $4.08 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.0% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that American Express Company will post 17.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Express Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 2nd were given a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 2nd. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. American Express’s payout ratio is 23.06%.

(Free Report)

American Express is a global financial services company primarily known for its payment card products, travel services and merchant network. Founded in 1850 as an express mail business, the company evolved through the 20th century into a payments and travel-focused organization. Its core activities include issuing consumer and commercial charge and credit cards, operating a global card acceptance and processing network, and providing travel-related services and customer loyalty programs.

American Express issues a range of products for individuals, small businesses and large corporations, including personal cards, business and corporate cards, and co‑brand partnerships with airlines, hotels and retailers.

Further Reading Five stocks we like better than American Express 3 Energy Stocks Raising Dividends as the Sector Surges 5 Reasons the S&P 500 Could Keep Rallying Through Year-End Walmart’s Post-Earnings Drop Could Be a Buying Opportunity The Trade Desk’s Earnings Miss Raises a Bigger Question About Its AI Future

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Americká technologická společnost Apple loni v Irsku na daních zaplatila 17 miliard dolarů (zhruba 350 miliard Kč). To představovalo 40 procent celkové částky, kterou firma odvedla na dani z příjmů po celém světě. Vyplývá to z účetních výkazů podniku, na které dnes upozornil britský list Financial Times (FT). Platbu výrazně zvýšilo rozhodnutí Soudního dvora EU z roku 2024, podle něhož měl Apple doplatit Irsku na daních 13 miliard eur (313 miliard Kč).

Apple podle výkazů loni celosvětově zaplatil na dani z příjmů právnických osob 43 miliard dolarů. Nejnovější údaje byly zveřejněny na základě nových pravidel EU, která velkým firmám ukládají zveřejňovat výnosy, zisky a daně z příjmů v jednotlivých členských zemích a ve vybraných daňových rájích.

Společnost uvedla, že dlouhodobě patří mezi největší daňové poplatníky na světě. Zároveň upozornila na rozdíl mezi daní z příjmů vykazovanou v zemích, kde jsou držena aktiva, a nepřímými daněmi, například DPH, placenými v zemích, kde sídlí zákazníci.

Přibližně čtvrtina globálního zisku před zdaněním, který Apple vykázal za finanční rok do září 2025, byla vykázána prostřednictvím irských společností, ačkoli v Irsku pracují přibližně tři procenta zaměstnanců Applu. Firma tam zaměstnává 5575 lidí a sídlí tam její evropská centrála.

Irsko v minulosti přilákalo řadu velkých amerických společností nízkými daněmi a systémem, který umožňoval přesouvat zisky do daňových rájů prostřednictvím struktury známé jako double Irish (dvojitá irská). K postupnému zrušení tohoto systému Dublin přistoupil v roce 2015.

Irsko podle rozhodnutí soudu EU poskytlo v letech 1991 až 2014 Applu ve formě daňových úlev protiprávní státní podporu, bylo proto povinno si ji od firmy nechat vrátit. Irská vláda hned po rozsudku oznámila, že zahájí proces uvolňování peněz ze svěřenského fondu, na němž byly požadované finance od Applu uloženy.

Řada velkých amerických firem přesto v zemi působí nadále. Irsko nyní uplatňuje sazbu korporátní daně 12,5 procenta a v roce 2024 podle FT tři firmy, za které jsou obecně považovány Eli Lilly, Apple a Microsoft, odvedly téměř polovinu všech korporátních daní vybraných v zemi.

The upcoming report from Salesforce (CRM - Free Report) is expected to reveal quarterly earnings of $3.27 per share, indicating an increase of 12.4% compared to the year-ago period. Analysts forecast revenues of $11.3 billion, representing an increase of 10.4% year over year.

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This represents how the covering analysts, as a whole, have reassessed their initial estimates during this timeframe.

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

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

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

Analysts expect 'Revenues- Professional services and other' to come in at $525.15 million. The estimate indicates a change of -3.8% from the prior-year quarter.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Revenues- Subscription and support' of $10.78 billion. The estimate points to a change of +11.3% from the year-ago quarter.

Analysts forecast 'Revenues- Subscription and support- Agentforce Sales' to reach $7.17 billion. The estimate suggests a change of +216.1% year over year.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Revenues- Subscription and support- Agentforce 360 Platform, Slack and Other' reaching $3.62 billion. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +73.9%.

Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Remaining performance obligation (RPO) - Current' should arrive at $33.31 billion. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $29.40 billion in the same quarter of the previous year.

Analysts predict that the 'Remaining performance obligation (RPO) - Total' will reach $67.69 billion. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $59.90 billion.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Remaining performance obligation (RPO) - Noncurrent' will reach $34.28 billion. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $30.50 billion in the same quarter of the previous year.

View all Key Company Metrics for Salesforce here>>>

Over the past month, Salesforce shares have recorded returns of +30.9% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.8% change. Based on its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), CRM will likely exhibit a performance that aligns with the overall market in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Key Takeaways Dow's growth projects and cost actions are strengthening its position despite macroeconomic headwinds.DOW expects more than $1.3B of self-help benefits in 2026, including $700M from its new initiative.Dow's strong liquidity and cash flow support growth investments, deleveraging and shareholder returns. Dow Inc. (DOW - Free Report) has been benefiting from its cost and productivity initiatives, growth actions in attractive markets, and advantaged feedstock positions in a challenging macroeconomic backdrop.

The company’s shares have gained 31.1% over a year compared with the Zacks Chemicals Diversified industry’s 1.2% rise.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Let’s find out why DOW stock is worth retaining at the moment.

High-Return Growth Projects & Self-Help Actions Aid DowDOW benefits from its differentiated portfolio and advantaged feedstock positions in the Americas. It remains focused on investing in attractive areas. Its broad portfolio, significant low-cost feedstock positions, global footprint and market reach place it in an advantageous position against competitors. While Dow faces headwinds from heightened macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, it remains focused on growth actions in attractive end markets and executing high-return incremental growth projects in cost-advantaged regions.

Recent alkoxylation investments are contributing to growth in the Industrial Solutions business. The company is also expanding specialty silicones capabilities for mobility, electronics and healthcare, while increasing its emphasis on higher-value downstream applications. Dow has completed the shutdown of its higher-cost Barry, U.K., upstream siloxanes unit, shifting its silicones mix by more than 25% toward more stable and higher-margin businesses while maintaining value-chain integration.

The Barry action is expected to provide about $60 million of EBITDA uplift in the second half of 2026. Dow also restarted its lowest-cost and most flexible European cracker in Terneuzen and remains on track to shut the Bohlen cracker by year-end 2027, actions aimed at improving its cost-curve position and regional flexibility. The Alberta project continues to progress on its revised timeline, with roughly 60% of capital expenditures already spent, most critical labor contracts awarded and incentives intact.

Dow continues to emphasize cost and operational discipline through restructuring, productivity and process simplification. The company materially completed its $1 billion 2025 cost program and delivered more than $300 million of in-period self-help benefits in the second quarter of 2026. It now expects more than $1.3 billion of total self-help benefits in 2026. DOW has launched the “Transform to Outperform” initiative to improve productivity, reduce complexity, streamline its end-to-end processes and enable improved returns. The initiative is expected to contribute about $700 million in 2026.

DOW’s Solid Financial Health Supports Capital AllocationDOW has a strong balance sheet and generates substantial cash flows, which enable it to finance its growth investments in higher-value businesses and regions, and drive shareholder value. The company maintained about $14 billion of available liquidity at the end of the second quarter, and has no substantive debt maturities until 2029. Management plans to direct excess cash toward deleveraging and expects more than $500 million of working-capital release in the second half of 2026.

Dow generated $1.3 billion of cash from operating activities in the second quarter, versus a $470 million use of cash in the year-ago period. The company returned $253 million to shareholders through dividends in the quarter. Management expects working-capital actions to support cash conversion.

Soft Demand Conditions and Cost Pressures Ail DOWDow remains exposed to weak and inconsistent demand across several regions and end markets. Packaging demand is resilient globally, and U.S. consumer spending has held up, but the U.S. housing market remains weak because of affordability concerns and high mortgage rates. In Europe, structural operating and labor costs persist despite emerging government support and trade protection measures.

In Asia Pacific, industrial production and manufacturing activity have improved, but consumer demand remains soft and uneven. Middle East tensions and constrained shipping also continue to disrupt supply chains. These conditions were visible in second-quarter 2026 volumes, which fell 1% year over year at the company level. DOW expects a normal seasonal decline in building and construction demand in the third quarter, along with lower seasonal coatings demand.

Dow remains sensitive to energy and raw-material volatility. The Middle East conflict has kept logistics constrained and traffic through the Strait of Hormuz below historical levels, supporting higher risk premiums for energy and feedstocks. Management described the third-quarter environment as supportive but higher cost and noted that crude oil and key feedstocks had risen sharply. Elevated feedstock and energy costs are likely to impact margins in the third quarter.

DOW’s Zacks Rank & Other Key PicksDOW currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials space are Worthington Steel, Inc. (WS - Free Report) , Carpenter Technology Corporation (CRS - Free Report) and Avient Corporation (AVNT - Free Report) . WS currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while CRS and AVNT carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WS’s current-year earnings stands at $3.4 per share, implying a 52.5% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters and missed twice, with the negative average surprise being 13.8%.

 The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CRS’s current fiscal-year earnings is pegged at $12.92 per share, implying a 20.1% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 8.4%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AVNT’s current-year earnings is pegged at $3.2 per share, indicating a 13.5% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 3.4%.

Salesforce (NYSE:CRM | CRM Price Prediction) and ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW) both reported into a market rotating capital out of AI hardware and into the application layer. Salesforce leaned on Agentforce and a $25 billion accelerated buyback. ServiceNow leaned on a $1 billion AI ACV milestone and a security-heavy acquisition spree. Same theme, very different playbooks.

Agentforce Prints Cash. ServiceNow AI Prints Deals. Salesforce delivered $11.13 billion in revenue, up 13%, with non-GAAP operating margin of 34.8% and operating cash flow of $6.7 billion. Agentforce plus Data 360 sit at $3.4 billion in AI and data ARR, and Marc Benioff called Agentic AI “the biggest growth opportunity for our customers, for us at Salesforce.” Marketing and Tableau softness is real, though, and worth watching.

ServiceNow grew faster: subscription revenue of $3.877 billion, up 24.5%, with 123 net-new-ACV deals over $1 million and agentic deployments up 9x in nine months. The tradeoff shows up in GAAP: operating income fell 54.75% as Moveworks, Veza, and Armis amortization landed.

Business Driver Salesforce ServiceNow Top-line growth 13% YoY 24% YoY Flagship AI franchise Agentforce ARR >$1B ServiceNow AI ACV >$1B Capital priority $25B ASR Armis, Veza, Moveworks M&A Platform Consolidator Vs. AI Control Tower Benioff wants Salesforce to be the agentic CRM of record, and Headless 360 exposes every workflow as an API, MCP, or CLI command. Bill McDermott is building something adjacent: “We are in the control business, one platform, one system of action, any cloud, any agent, any workflow, any model, governed, secured, and accountable.” Over 500 customers are live on AI Control Tower already.

The competitive jabs land in both directions. Salesforce noted McAfee replacing ServiceNow with Agentforce IT Service. ServiceNow claims $2 billion in CRM ACV and Sales CRM deal sizes doubling. Valuation reflects the split: CRM trades at a trailing P/E of 23x, while NOW sits at 75x.

What Actually Decides the Next Four Quarters I want to see whether Salesforce can convert Agentforce production customers, up 50% during the quarter, into consumption revenue that offsets Marketing and Tableau drag. For ServiceNow, the tell is whether AI Control Tower and the Armis-anchored security stack can absorb a 6.5-point drop in GAAP subscription gross margin without spooking the buy side. Both stocks have been punished: CRM is down 22.05% YTD, NOW is down 15.30%.

Where the Setup Favors Salesforce in This Rotation If you believe agentic AI capital is quietly leaving hardware and searching for durable software cash flows, the setup favors CRM here. A 14x forward multiple, $6.7 billion in operating cash flow, and the largest buyback in the company’s history provide more margin for error than the 75x multiple allows. If you prefer the higher-growth, higher-variance path, ServiceNow’s $29 billion RPO and control-tower positioning are compelling. The Armis integration drag is worth monitoring before the multiple resets.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Cheap Multiple, Real Dividend, and a Confirmed Catalyst Next Week HP (NYSE:HPQ | HPQ Price Prediction) screens as a compelling setup for retirement-oriented portfolios heading into next Wednesday’s earnings report, and the setup is not subtle. The company confirmed its fiscal Q3 2026 release for Aug. 26 after the market close. Cheap multiple, rising dividend, accelerating AI PC mix. All three lean the same way.

Valuation That Ignores the Guidance Raise HPQ trades at a forward P/E near 10, a price-to-sales ratio of 0.49, and an EV/EBITDA near 8. Management’s raised FY2026 non-GAAP EPS range of $2.90 to $3.10 against a $30 share price still leaves runway, even after a 35.62% year-to-date advance.

Income That Compounds a Retirement Sleeve HPQ pays a $0.30 quarterly dividend, an annualized $1.20, yielding 3.93%. Management committed to returning roughly 100% of free cash flow to shareholders so long as gross leverage stays under two times, backed by FY2026 free cash flow guidance of $2.8 to $3.0 billion. That is a durable, well-covered payout profile.

AI PC Catalyst Is Already Landing AI PC penetration climbed from more than 35% to 44% of HP’s shipment mix in Q2, with management guiding to 60% to 70% next fiscal year. Roughly 30% of the Windows installed base is still on Windows 10, a live refresh tailwind. Q2 revenue rose 9.0% year over year with Personal Systems operating profit up 30%, the eighth consecutive quarter of top-line growth.

Better Buy Than Hewlett Packard Enterprise The obvious alternative for HP-branded exposure is Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE). HPQ wins the head-to-head on the metrics retirement investors care about: HPQ’s 3.93% yield and forward P/E near 10 deliver more current income and a wider valuation discount than HPE, which trades at a richer multiple after absorbing the Juniper acquisition. HPQ also converts cash faster: $800 million of free cash flow in Q2 alone versus a -$100 million print a year earlier.

Risk Case, Dismissed Printing weakness and rising memory costs are the bear case. Consumer Printing fell 10% year over year, yet total Printing revenue held flat and Personal Systems (roughly 71% of the mix) grew 13%. Management raised guidance after flagging commodity headwinds. That is the tell. Keep an eye on HPQ into the August 26 report.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

President Donald Trump signed a memo Thursday directing federal agencies to dramatically ramp up commercial rocket activity, setting a target of at least 1,000 launches and re-entries annually by 2030, according to Reuters. 

Last year’s total sat at 178 launches — already 10 times the 2013 figure. Reaching 1,000 would mean roughly a fivefold jump from current levels.

SPCX stock is moving. See the real-time price action here. The memo directs agencies to look at federal land for new launch and re-entry sites, and calls for a new federal re-entry site to be identified within 90 days. Officials are also told to expedite permitting, speed up environmental reviews and secure adequate wireless spectrum for launches, per Reuters.

SpaceX Still Runs the TableSpace Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ:SPCX)  dominates the current launch cadence and stands to benefit most from any near-term surge. 

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SpaceX carried out 170 launches in 2025 and deployed about 2,500 satellites. Its ambitions extend well past government targets — the company said in January it wants to eventually field a constellation of one million satellites to help power AI data centers from orbit, and the Federal Aviation Administration’s chief said in May that SpaceX aims to hit 10,000 annual launches within five years.

Rocket Lab Eyes a Bigger SliceRocket Lab Corp. (NASDAQ:RKLB) offers a smaller but growing alternative. The company has built a reputation on frequent, smaller-payload missions and could see incremental launch volume as agencies push to diversify beyond a single dominant provider.

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Faster permitting and new government-identified sites would lower some of the barriers that have historically slowed newer entrants.

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios framed the memo as a “commercial-first approach,” pairing the launch targets with a broader lunar and Martian push. 

Moon by 2028, Mars on the RadarTrump wants American astronauts back on the moon by 2028, with initial Moon Base elements by 2030. NASA has been directed to support commercial transportation to the moon and commercial robotic access to Mars, while exploring paths to eventually send humans there too.

The memo also tells agencies to avoid competing with private launch providers unless national security or public safety demands it. Congress had pushed NASA to remain committed to the Artemis moon program even as Trump officials floated a heavier focus on Mars earlier in his term.

Investors in both SPCX and RKLB will likely watch closely for follow-through — permitting speed and site announcements over the next 90 days could be the first real signal of how fast this target moves from memo to launchpad.

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Algebris UK Ltd. bought a new stake in McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 1,206 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $908,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. acquired a new stake in shares of McKesson during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Swiss RE Ltd. acquired a new position in McKesson in the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. State of Wyoming bought a new stake in McKesson during the second quarter valued at $29,000. Kingdom Financial Group LLC. bought a new stake in McKesson during the fourth quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, Birchwood Financial Partners Inc. acquired a new stake in McKesson during the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.07% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at McKesson
In other McKesson news, EVP Michele Lau sold 3,550 shares of McKesson stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $761.09, for a total transaction of $2,701,869.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 3,247 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,471,259.23. This trade represents a 52.23% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO Brian S. Tyler sold 8,463 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $793.56, for a total value of $6,715,898.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 5,919 shares in the company, valued at $4,697,081.64. The trade was a 58.84% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 29,049 shares of company stock worth $22,530,626. Company insiders own 0.06% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets
A number of brokerages have weighed in on MCK. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on McKesson from $1,107.00 to $1,015.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 8th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on McKesson from $812.00 to $933.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of McKesson from $925.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of McKesson from $1,050.00 to $1,080.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 6th. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $1,015.00 target price on shares of McKesson in a research note on Thursday, August 6th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, McKesson currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $973.44.
Check Out Our Latest Analysis on McKesson

McKesson Trading Down 1.5%
Shares of NYSE:MCK opened at $841.21 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $98.08 billion, a PE ratio of 22.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 0.30. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $819.40 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $843.73. McKesson Corporation has a 1-year low of $673.38 and a 1-year high of $999.00.

McKesson (NYSE:MCK – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The company reported $9.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $9.56 by $0.37. The firm had revenue of $105.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $103.88 billion. McKesson had a net margin of 1.12% and a negative return on equity of 253.21%. The business’s revenue was up 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $8.26 EPS. McKesson has set its FY 2027 guidance at 44.200-45.000 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that McKesson Corporation will post 44.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

McKesson Increases Dividend
The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 1st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be paid a $0.94 dividend. This is a positive change from McKesson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 1st. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. McKesson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 10.06%.

McKesson Profile
(Free Report)

McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK) is a global healthcare services and distribution company that supplies pharmaceuticals, medical-surgical products and health care technology solutions. Founded in 1833 and headquartered in Irving, Texas, McKesson operates across the drug distribution and healthcare services value chain, connecting manufacturers, pharmacies, hospitals and health systems to help manage the movement of medicines and clinical supplies.

The company’s core activities include pharmaceutical wholesale distribution and logistics, specialty pharmacy services, and the provision of medical-surgical supplies to acute and non-acute care providers.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MCK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK – Free Report).

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Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its stake in Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) by 3.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,621,240 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 187,532 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp owned 0.92% of Capital One Financial worth $1,127,733,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Capital One Financial by 18.1% in the 4th quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 353,767 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $85,739,000 after purchasing an additional 54,263 shares during the last quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd grew its stake in Capital One Financial by 11.2% during the 4th quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd now owns 115,843 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $28,076,000 after buying an additional 11,651 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Capital One Financial by 0.6% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 56,897,238 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $13,789,615,000 after buying an additional 360,071 shares during the period. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its position in Capital One Financial by 2.9% during the fourth quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 223,977 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $54,283,000 after buying an additional 6,225 shares during the period. Finally, Truist Financial Corp lifted its stake in Capital One Financial by 2.5% in the fourth quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 640,050 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $155,122,000 after buying an additional 15,644 shares during the last quarter. 89.84% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Capital One Financial Trading Down 3.7% NYSE COF opened at $212.55 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $130.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.15, a P/E/G ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.02. Capital One Financial Corporation has a 52-week low of $174.24 and a 52-week high of $259.64. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $207.98 and a 200 day moving average price of $198.07.

Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $5.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.79 by $1.02. Capital One Financial had a return on equity of 11.28% and a net margin of 13.37%.The company had revenue of $15.83 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.76 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $5.48 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 26.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Capital One Financial Corporation will post 20.29 EPS for the current year. Capital One Financial Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 17th will be issued a $0.80 dividend. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 17th. Capital One Financial’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 19.80%.

Insider Transactions at Capital One Financial In related news, insider Lia Dean sold 2,193 shares of Capital One Financial stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $225.52, for a total value of $494,565.36. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 63,261 shares in the company, valued at $14,266,620.72. The trade was a 3.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Ravi Raghu sold 9,726 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.78, for a total value of $2,040,320.28. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 26,328 shares in the company, valued at $5,523,087.84. This represents a 26.98% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 26,267 shares of company stock valued at $5,617,648. 0.78% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Key Headlines Impacting Capital One Financial Here are the key news stories impacting Capital One Financial this week:

Positive Sentiment: Capital One’s latest quarterly results exceeded expectations, with earnings per share of $5.81 versus the $4.79 consensus and revenue of $15.83 billion, up 26.9% year over year. The stock remains up about 9.6% since that report, while analysts continue to see upside, with reported price targets generally ranging from $231 to $275. Capital One Up 9.6% Since Last Earnings Report Positive Sentiment: Bank of America maintained a Buy rating despite slower card growth, indicating that the bank’s credit performance and longer-term outlook remain supportive. Capital One also continues to benefit from investor interest in potential earnings growth and valuation expansion. Bank of America Maintains Buy Rating Positive Sentiment: The company announced the full redemption of its Series M fixed-rate reset non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock on September 1, 2026. The move may simplify Capital One’s capital structure and reduce preferred-stock obligations, although the immediate effect on common-stock earnings is likely limited. Capital One Announces Series M Preferred Stock Redemption Neutral Sentiment: Capital One’s quarterly dividend remains $0.80 per share, or $3.20 annualized, representing an indicated yield of roughly 1.4%. The payout ratio is relatively modest at approximately 20%, leaving room for capital flexibility. Negative Sentiment: Renewed concerns about consumer credit are weighing on the stock. Industry credit-card delinquency rates remain elevated, and Capital One’s 30-plus-day delinquency rate reportedly edged up to 3.48% in July, even though net charge-offs improved. Because Capital One has significant credit-card exposure, investors remain cautious about whether credit normalization will continue. Investors Weigh Consumer Credit Pressure Negative Sentiment: Recent disclosures show extensive insider selling, with multiple executives selling shares and no reported insider purchases over the past six months. Several sales were conducted under pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plans, limiting their significance, but the pattern may still add to short-term investor caution. Analyst Ratings Changes COF has been the topic of a number of research reports. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Capital One Financial from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, August 2nd. HSBC upgraded shares of Capital One Financial from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their price target for the company from $226.00 to $229.00 in a research report on Sunday, July 12th. Rothschild & Co Redburn decreased their price target on shares of Capital One Financial from $290.00 to $275.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Capital One Financial from $242.00 to $240.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their target price on shares of Capital One Financial from $260.00 to $253.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Twenty-one equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Capital One Financial currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $259.14.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Capital One Financial

(Free Report)

Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE: COF) is a diversified bank holding company headquartered in McLean, Virginia. The company’s core businesses include credit card lending, consumer and commercial banking, and auto finance. Capital One issues a wide range of credit card products for consumers and small businesses, and it operates deposit and digital banking services aimed at retail customers and small to midsize enterprises.

Products and services include credit and charge cards, checking and savings accounts (including the online-focused Capital One 360 platform), auto loans, and commercial lending solutions.

Recommended Stories Five stocks we like better than Capital One Financial 3 Energy Stocks Raising Dividends as the Sector Surges 5 Reasons the S&P 500 Could Keep Rallying Through Year-End Walmart’s Post-Earnings Drop Could Be a Buying Opportunity The Trade Desk’s Earnings Miss Raises a Bigger Question About Its AI Future Want to see what other hedge funds are holding COF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF – Free Report).

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Advisors Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 32,182 shares of the construction company’s stock, valued at approximately $36,459,000. Advisors Capital Management LLC owned approximately 0.05% of United Rentals as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in shares of United Rentals during the second quarter valued at $5,816,326,000. Capital World Investors grew its position in United Rentals by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 2,708,877 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $2,192,357,000 after purchasing an additional 30,263 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in United Rentals by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,343,981 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $1,087,711,000 after purchasing an additional 28,895 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in United Rentals in the fourth quarter worth about $978,017,000. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE raised its holdings in United Rentals by 14.7% in the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 806,380 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $587,496,000 after buying an additional 103,371 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.26% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades URI has been the subject of several analyst reports. Robert W. Baird set a $1,300.00 price target on shares of United Rentals in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Evercore reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $1,101.00 price objective on shares of United Rentals in a research report on Monday, May 11th. Bank of America increased their target price on United Rentals from $1,195.00 to $1,300.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Raymond James Financial restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $1,275.00 price target on shares of United Rentals in a research note on Wednesday, June 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $1,335.00 price target on United Rentals and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $1,246.19.

Get Our Latest Report on United Rentals Insider Buying and Selling at United Rentals In other news, EVP William E. Grace sold 1,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, July 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,133.15, for a total value of $1,699,725.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 6,062 shares in the company, valued at $6,869,155.30. This represents a 19.84% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.47% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

United Rentals Trading Down 2.0% Shares of NYSE:URI opened at $1,094.54 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $68.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.29, a PEG ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 1.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a current ratio of 0.76. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $1,098.84 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $948.49. United Rentals, Inc. has a 52-week low of $701.59 and a 52-week high of $1,179.18.

United Rentals (NYSE:URI – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The construction company reported $12.76 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $11.53 by $1.23. United Rentals had a net margin of 15.67% and a return on equity of 31.72%. The firm had revenue of $4.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.22 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $10.47 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that United Rentals, Inc. will post 48.55 EPS for the current year.

United Rentals Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 12th will be given a $1.97 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 12th. This represents a $7.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.7%. United Rentals’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 18.92%.

United Rentals Profile (Free Report)

United Rentals, Inc (NYSE: URI) is a leading equipment rental company headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. The firm provides rental solutions and related services to construction, industrial, commercial, and municipal customers. Its business model centers on providing access to a broad fleet of equipment on a short-term or long-term basis, enabling customers to avoid the capital expenditure of ownership and to scale equipment use to match project needs.

The company’s product and service offerings span general construction equipment and a range of specialty categories, including aerial work platforms, earthmoving and excavation machines, material handling equipment, pumps, power and HVAC systems, trench and shoring solutions, and tools.

Read More Five stocks we like better than United Rentals 3 Energy Stocks Raising Dividends as the Sector Surges 5 Reasons the S&P 500 Could Keep Rallying Through Year-End Walmart’s Post-Earnings Drop Could Be a Buying Opportunity The Trade Desk’s Earnings Miss Raises a Bigger Question About Its AI Future Want to see what other hedge funds are holding URI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI – Free Report).

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NEW YORK, Aug. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Bloom Energy Corporation (“Bloom” or the “Company”) (NYSE: BE).   Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

The class action concerns whether Bloom and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

You have until September 28, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Bloom securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On July 8, 2026, Hunterbrook Media published a report entitled “Bloom’s Big Lie,” which alleged, among other things, that “Bloom is, in fact, reliant on Chinese scandium, according to global trade data, Chinese corporate filings, satellite imagery, and Hunterbrook’s messages with Bloom’s suppliers in China.”  The report assert that “Hunterbrook traced four separate China-linked routes into Bloom’s supply chain – scandium oxide shipped directly to its Delaware plant, plus scandium-bearing ceramics and powders flowing through intermediaries in Thailand, Japan, and South Korea.” 

On this news, Bloom’s stock price fell $15.28 per share, or 5.67%, to close at $254.29 per share on July 8, 2026.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising.  Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. 

CONTACT:
Danielle Peyton
Pomerantz LLP
[email protected]
646-581-9980 ext. 7980

Allworth Financial LP purchased a new position in Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 17,795 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,550,000.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 30.9% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 4,988 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $696,000 after buying an additional 1,178 shares during the period. Woodline Partners LP lifted its holdings in Marathon Petroleum by 38.3% in the first quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 26,697 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $3,889,000 after acquiring an additional 7,396 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Marathon Petroleum by 26.6% in the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 2,221 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $369,000 after acquiring an additional 466 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new stake in Marathon Petroleum in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $8,505,000. Finally, AXA S.A. grew its stake in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 46.7% during the 2nd quarter. AXA S.A. now owns 39,675 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $6,590,000 after purchasing an additional 12,639 shares during the period. 76.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MPC has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Marathon Petroleum from $344.00 to $359.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Barclays increased their price target on Marathon Petroleum from $289.00 to $321.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Marathon Petroleum from $291.00 to $376.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Raymond James Financial upped their target price on Marathon Petroleum from $300.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Marathon Petroleum from $233.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, June 12th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $312.50.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Marathon Petroleum Insider Transactions at Marathon Petroleum In other news, VP Michael A. Henschen II sold 6,336 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $268.82, for a total transaction of $1,703,243.52. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 16,900 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,543,058. This represents a 27.27% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Shawn M. Lyon sold 2,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $350.00, for a total value of $875,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 12,619 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,416,650. This represents a 16.54% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.17% of the company’s stock.

Marathon Petroleum Stock Performance Shares of Marathon Petroleum stock opened at $358.71 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $104.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.23 and a beta of 0.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 0.89. The business has a 50-day moving average of $295.27 and a 200 day moving average of $253.47. Marathon Petroleum Corporation has a 12 month low of $161.93 and a 12 month high of $367.60.

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The oil and gas company reported $17.73 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $14.27 by $3.46. Marathon Petroleum had a return on equity of 31.96% and a net margin of 5.48%.The company had revenue of $51.99 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $40.87 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.96 EPS. Marathon Petroleum’s revenue was up 53.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Marathon Petroleum Corporation will post 46.66 earnings per share for the current year.

Marathon Petroleum Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 19th will be paid a dividend of $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 19th. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. Marathon Petroleum’s dividend payout ratio is 13.75%.

Marathon Petroleum Company Profile (Free Report)

Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: MPC) is a U.S.-based downstream energy company engaged principally in the refining, marketing, supply and transportation of petroleum products. The company was formed through a spin-off from Marathon Oil in 2011 and operates an integrated system of refining and logistics assets that support the production and distribution of transportation fuels and other refined petroleum products.

Marathon Petroleum’s operations include refining crude oil into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, asphalt and other specialty products, as well as managing the distribution and storage infrastructure needed to move those products to market.

See Also Five stocks we like better than Marathon Petroleum 3 Energy Stocks Raising Dividends as the Sector Surges 5 Reasons the S&P 500 Could Keep Rallying Through Year-End Walmart’s Post-Earnings Drop Could Be a Buying Opportunity The Trade Desk’s Earnings Miss Raises a Bigger Question About Its AI Future

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B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG purchased a new stake in shares of Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (NYSE:FIX – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 6,561 shares of the construction company’s stock, valued at approximately $13,004,000.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in FIX. Signature Equity Partners LLC raised its position in Comfort Systems USA by 16.7% during the first quarter. Signature Equity Partners LLC now owns 35 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $48,000 after buying an additional 5 shares during the period. Coston McIsaac & Partners boosted its position in Comfort Systems USA by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. Coston McIsaac & Partners now owns 239 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $329,000 after acquiring an additional 7 shares during the period. Petra Financial Advisors Inc. grew its stake in Comfort Systems USA by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. Petra Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 1,080 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $1,489,000 after acquiring an additional 7 shares in the last quarter. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in Comfort Systems USA by 63.6% during the 2nd quarter. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 18 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 7 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Comfort Systems USA by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC now owns 572 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $789,000 after purchasing an additional 8 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.51% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity In related news, Director Franklin Myers sold 6,700 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,954.47, for a total transaction of $13,094,949.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 62,115 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $121,401,904.05. This represents a 9.74% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO William George III sold 2,554 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,859.65, for a total transaction of $4,749,546.10. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 30,250 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $56,254,412.50. This represents a 7.79% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 17,096 shares of company stock valued at $31,186,647 over the last 90 days. 1.24% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In FIX has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Comfort Systems USA in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Zacks Research raised shares of Comfort Systems USA from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. UBS Group set a $2,100.00 price objective on shares of Comfort Systems USA in a research note on Thursday. Stifel Nicolaus set a $1,910.00 target price on shares of Comfort Systems USA in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Comfort Systems USA from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Sunday, May 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $2,040.00. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Comfort Systems USA

Comfort Systems USA Price Performance Shares of FIX opened at $1,674.43 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $58.92 billion, a PE ratio of 41.18 and a beta of 1.69. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $1,788.02 and its 200 day moving average price is $1,655.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.21. Comfort Systems USA, Inc. has a twelve month low of $670.19 and a twelve month high of $2,073.99.

Comfort Systems USA (NYSE:FIX – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The construction company reported $12.53 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $10.45 by $2.08. Comfort Systems USA had a net margin of 12.77% and a return on equity of 53.55%. The company had revenue of $3.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.99 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $6.53 EPS. Comfort Systems USA’s quarterly revenue was up 50.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Comfort Systems USA, Inc. will post 46.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Comfort Systems USA Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 24th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.90 per share. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.2%. This is a boost from Comfort Systems USA’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.80. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 13th. Comfort Systems USA’s dividend payout ratio is 8.85%.

Comfort Systems USA Company Profile (Free Report)

Comfort Systems USA, Inc is a U.S.-based mechanical contracting company that provides a range of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) services to commercial, industrial and institutional customers. The company focuses on the design, installation, maintenance and repair of HVAC systems, and it supports projects from initial engineering and system selection through long-term service agreements and upgrades.

Its service offerings include new construction and retrofit installations, preventive and corrective maintenance, emergency repair, energy management and building automation systems.

Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Comfort Systems USA 3 Energy Stocks Raising Dividends as the Sector Surges 5 Reasons the S&P 500 Could Keep Rallying Through Year-End Walmart’s Post-Earnings Drop Could Be a Buying Opportunity The Trade Desk’s Earnings Miss Raises a Bigger Question About Its AI Future Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FIX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (NYSE:FIX – Free Report).

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Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new position in KLA Corporation (NASDAQ:KLAC – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 8,360,447 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,522,430,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp owned 0.64% of KLA at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. McIlrath & Eck LLC grew its stake in KLA by 6.8% in the 1st quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 94 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $139,000 after acquiring an additional 6 shares in the last quarter. Motco increased its holdings in KLA by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Motco now owns 405 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $492,000 after purchasing an additional 7 shares during the period. Nemes Rush Group LLC increased its holdings in KLA by 17.1% during the 4th quarter. Nemes Rush Group LLC now owns 48 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $58,000 after purchasing an additional 7 shares during the period. SouthState Bank Corp raised its position in KLA by 6.7% during the 4th quarter. SouthState Bank Corp now owns 111 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $135,000 after purchasing an additional 7 shares in the last quarter. Finally, West Michigan Advisors LLC raised its position in KLA by 2.7% during the 4th quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC now owns 305 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $371,000 after purchasing an additional 8 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.65% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at KLA In other news, CFO Bren D. Higgins sold 27,701 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $265.69, for a total value of $7,359,878.69. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 263,472 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $70,001,875.68. This trade represents a 9.51% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Mary Beth Wilkinson sold 14,392 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $285.30, for a total value of $4,106,037.60. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 53,367 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,225,605.10. This trade represents a 21.24% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 258,533 shares of company stock valued at $55,977,470. Corporate insiders own 91.48% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have recently issued reports on KLAC. Susquehanna set a $215.00 price target on KLA and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $230.00 price objective on shares of KLA in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $225.00 target price on shares of KLA in a report on Monday, July 20th. Morgan Stanley reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $253.00 target price on shares of KLA in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Finally, Citigroup restated a “buy” rating on shares of KLA in a report on Wednesday, June 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have given a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $223.70. View Our Latest Stock Report on KLA

KLA Price Performance Shares of KLAC stock opened at $185.86 on Friday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $221.46 and its 200 day moving average is $186.03. KLA Corporation has a 1-year low of $83.22 and a 1-year high of $307.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 2.88 and a quick ratio of 2.03. The company has a market cap of $242.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 50.68, a PEG ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 1.45.

KLA (NASDAQ:KLAC – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The semiconductor company reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.00 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $3.66 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.61 billion. KLA had a net margin of 35.57% and a return on equity of 87.66%. The firm’s revenue was up 15.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.94 earnings per share. KLA has set its Q1 2027 guidance at 1.060-1.260 EPS. Research analysts predict that KLA Corporation will post 5.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

KLA Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 17th will be issued a $0.23 dividend. This is an increase from KLA’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 17th. KLA’s dividend payout ratio is presently 25.07%.

KLA Company Profile (Free Report)

KLA is a provider of process control and yield management solutions for the semiconductor and related microelectronics industries. The company designs and manufactures equipment, software and services used by chipmakers to analyze and control manufacturing processes, detect defects, measure critical dimensions and improve yield across wafer fabrication, photomask and packaging operations. KLA’s offerings are aimed at enabling production of advanced logic, memory, and specialty devices at progressively smaller technology nodes and more complex package structures.

Its product portfolio includes optical and e-beam inspection systems, metrology tools for critical dimension and film measurement, mask and reticle inspection platforms, as well as enterprise software and data analytics that aggregate process data and drive automated process control.

See Also Five stocks we like better than KLA 3 Energy Stocks Raising Dividends as the Sector Surges 5 Reasons the S&P 500 Could Keep Rallying Through Year-End Walmart’s Post-Earnings Drop Could Be a Buying Opportunity The Trade Desk’s Earnings Miss Raises a Bigger Question About Its AI Future

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B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG purchased a new stake in shares of Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 138,570 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock, valued at approximately $55,036,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Banque Transatlantique SA bought a new position in Analog Devices in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in Analog Devices during the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Hilton Head Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in Analog Devices during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Gordian Capital Singapore Pte Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Analog Devices during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Evolution Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Analog Devices during the first quarter worth $30,000. Institutional investors own 86.81% of the company’s stock.

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

Positive Sentiment: Strong Q3 beat and upbeat outlook: Fiscal third-quarter revenue reached a record $4.02 billion, up approximately 40% year over year and above the roughly $3.91 billion consensus estimate. Non-GAAP EPS of $3.45 also exceeded expectations. Management guided for fourth-quarter revenue of $4.2 billion-$4.4 billion and EPS of $3.71-$4.01, both ahead of Wall Street forecasts. Analog Devices Reports Record Fiscal Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results Positive Sentiment: AI and data-center demand are accelerating: Growth in data-center power-management and optical products, along with industrial demand, is supporting momentum into fiscal 2027. ADI says a potential 100-gigawatt data-center buildout by 2031 could represent a significant long-term opportunity. Analog Devices Sees 100 GW Data Center Buildout Positive Sentiment: Analysts raised targets: JPMorgan lifted its target to $500 and maintained an Overweight rating. Needham raised its target to $450, while TD Cowen reaffirmed Buy with a $460 target; Susquehanna also reiterated Buy with a $475 target. These revisions indicate improving confidence in ADI’s AI infrastructure growth. Analog Devices Is Cashing in on the AI Boom Positive Sentiment: Shareholder returns remain supportive: ADI declared a quarterly dividend of $1.10 per share, payable September 15 to shareholders of record September 1, and returned approximately $1.7 billion through dividends and repurchases during the quarter. Neutral Sentiment: ADI is increasingly being viewed as a dividend-paying way to participate in the AI boom, potentially broadening its appeal to income-oriented investors. 3 Buy-Rated Dividend Stocks to Play the AI Boom Negative Sentiment: Valuation and AI-trade concerns are limiting the reaction: One analyst argued that the stock’s elevated valuation and multiple contraction could overshadow the strong fundamentals, warning that investor enthusiasm around AI may be creating additional downside risk. Analog Devices Earnings Reaction Warning Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $480.00 price target on shares of Analog Devices in a research report on Wednesday. Argus set a $460.00 target price on Analog Devices in a research note on Tuesday, May 26th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $550.00 target price on shares of Analog Devices in a report on Monday. Needham & Company LLC upped their price target on Analog Devices from $440.00 to $450.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their price target on shares of Analog Devices from $365.00 to $450.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, May 21st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-five have given a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Analog Devices currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $447.13. View Our Latest Report on ADI

Insider Activity at Analog Devices In other Analog Devices news, SVP Martin Cotter sold 17,594 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $418.00, for a total value of $7,354,292.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 56,332 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $23,546,776. The trade was a 23.80% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Ray Stata sold 1,432 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $400.83, for a total transaction of $573,988.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 120,175 shares in the company, valued at $48,169,745.25. The trade was a 1.18% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 75,274 shares of company stock valued at $30,343,386 in the last ninety days. 0.36% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analog Devices Trading Down 0.8% Shares of ADI stock opened at $370.24 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a current ratio of 1.25. Analog Devices, Inc. has a 52-week low of $223.47 and a 52-week high of $445.91. The company has a market capitalization of $180.34 billion, a PE ratio of 43.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 1.20. The business’s fifty day moving average is $389.14 and its 200 day moving average is $371.10.

Analog Devices (NASDAQ:ADI – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 19th. The semiconductor company reported $3.45 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.34 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $4.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.92 billion. Analog Devices had a return on equity of 16.39% and a net margin of 29.79%.The firm’s revenue was up 39.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.05 earnings per share. Analog Devices has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 3.710-4.010 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Analog Devices, Inc. will post 12.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analog Devices Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be issued a dividend of $1.10 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 1st. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. Analog Devices’s payout ratio is presently 65.38%.

Analog Devices Profile (Free Report)

Analog Devices, Inc (NASDAQ: ADI) is a multinational semiconductor company that designs, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of analog, mixed-signal and digital signal processing integrated circuits. Founded in 1965 by Ray Stata and Matthew Lorber, the company has grown into a leading supplier of components that convert, condition and process real-world signals for electronic systems. Analog Devices is headquartered in Massachusetts and serves customers around the world across multiple end markets.

The company’s product lineup includes data converters (ADCs and DACs), amplifiers, power management ICs, radio-frequency (RF) and microwave components, sensors and MEMS devices, signal chain and isolation products, timing and clocking solutions, and embedded processors and software for system-level design.

See Also Five stocks we like better than Analog Devices 3 Energy Stocks Raising Dividends as the Sector Surges 5 Reasons the S&P 500 Could Keep Rallying Through Year-End Walmart’s Post-Earnings Drop Could Be a Buying Opportunity The Trade Desk’s Earnings Miss Raises a Bigger Question About Its AI Future Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ADI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI – Free Report).

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Allworth Financial LP decreased its position in Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE:VRT – Free Report) by 63.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 16,852 shares of the company’s stock after selling 29,684 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP’s holdings in Vertiv were worth $5,642,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of VRT. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC boosted its position in Vertiv by 58.3% during the fourth quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 152 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares during the last quarter. Sankala Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Vertiv in the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in Vertiv by 211.3% during the fourth quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 165 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 112 shares during the last quarter. Rossby Financial LCC acquired a new position in Vertiv during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in Vertiv during the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.92% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes
A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of Vertiv from $370.00 to $440.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, May 15th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Vertiv from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Friday, August 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Vertiv from $305.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, April 24th. Fox Advisors raised Vertiv from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 21st. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price objective on Vertiv from $418.00 to $337.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $357.83.

Read Our Latest Report on VRT
Vertiv Stock Performance
Shares of Vertiv stock opened at $264.25 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The company has a market cap of $101.73 billion, a PE ratio of 59.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 2.06. The company has a 50 day moving average of $295.45 and a 200-day moving average of $287.04. Vertiv Holdings Co. has a 1-year low of $118.70 and a 1-year high of $379.93.

Vertiv (NYSE:VRT – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The company reported $1.52 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.43 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $3.27 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.38 billion. Vertiv had a net margin of 15.09% and a return on equity of 50.47%. The firm’s revenue was up 24.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.95 EPS. Vertiv has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 1.770-1.830 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 6.650-6.750 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Vertiv Holdings Co. will post 6.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Vertiv Dividend Announcement
The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 25th. Investors of record on Monday, June 15th were paid a dividend of $0.0625 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 15th. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.1%. Vertiv’s dividend payout ratio is currently 5.66%.

Vertiv Profile
(Free Report)

Vertiv is a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions for data centers, communication networks and commercial and industrial environments. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, the company designs, manufactures and services equipment and software that support power availability, thermal management and IT infrastructure management for a broad set of end markets, including hyperscale and enterprise data centers, colocation providers, telecom operators and industrial customers.

The company’s product portfolio includes uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), power distribution units (PDUs), battery and DC power systems, precision cooling and thermal management equipment, racks and enclosures, and integrated modular infrastructure.

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BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:LPLA – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 4,732,991 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $1,333,189,000. BlackRock Inc. owned approximately 6.01% of LPL Financial as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in LPLA. Egerton Capital UK LLP purchased a new position in LPL Financial in the fourth quarter valued at about $91,012,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its stake in shares of LPL Financial by 7.1% during the 4th quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 77,992 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $28,204,000 after purchasing an additional 5,179 shares in the last quarter. Markel Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of LPL Financial by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Markel Group Inc. now owns 559,951 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $199,998,000 after purchasing an additional 6,630 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of LPL Financial during the 4th quarter valued at about $371,616,000. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its holdings in shares of LPL Financial by 56.6% during the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 158,783 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $56,713,000 after buying an additional 57,362 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.66% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity In related news, Director Aneri Jambusaria sold 308 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $306.00, for a total transaction of $94,248.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 6,415 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,962,990. The trade was a 4.58% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Matthew Enyedi sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $352.72, for a total value of $352,720.00. Following the sale, the director owned 13,121 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,628,039.12. The trade was a 7.08% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Company insiders own 0.60% of the company’s stock.

LPL Financial Trading Down 1.5% NASDAQ:LPLA opened at $354.02 on Friday. The company’s 50 day moving average is $325.27 and its 200-day moving average is $315.54. The company has a quick ratio of 2.39, a current ratio of 2.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30. LPL Financial Holdings Inc. has a 12 month low of $260.15 and a 12 month high of $400.16. The firm has a market cap of $27.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.23, a P/E/G ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 0.48. LPL Financial (NASDAQ:LPLA – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The financial services provider reported $5.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.39 by $0.45. The business had revenue of $5.19 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.04 billion. LPL Financial had a net margin of 5.13% and a return on equity of 32.20%. LPL Financial’s quarterly revenue was up 35.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $4.51 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that LPL Financial Holdings Inc. will post 24.09 EPS for the current year.

LPL Financial Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. LPL Financial’s dividend payout ratio is 9.57%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms recently commented on LPLA. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of LPL Financial in a report on Friday, July 24th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of LPL Financial from $374.00 to $387.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, July 10th. William Blair reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of LPL Financial in a research report on Thursday, June 4th. TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of LPL Financial from $330.00 to $372.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Finally, Wolfe Research restated an “outperform” rating and set a $454.00 price target on shares of LPL Financial in a report on Wednesday, August 12th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $406.69.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on LPLA

LPL Financial Company Profile (Free Report)

LPL Financial (NASDAQ: LPLA) is a U.S.-focused financial services firm that provides brokerage, custodial and advisory platforms to independent financial advisors, registered investment advisers and institutions. Operating primarily as an independent broker-dealer and custodian, the company supports a network of advisors with the operational, compliance and clearing infrastructure needed to manage client accounts and deliver investment advice outside of traditional wirehouse models.

The firm’s product and service offerings include trade execution and clearing, custody services, retirement plan services, model portfolio and advisory platforms, wealth management technology, investment research and product access across equities, fixed income, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and insurance and annuity solutions.

Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than LPL Financial 3 Energy Stocks Raising Dividends as the Sector Surges 5 Reasons the S&P 500 Could Keep Rallying Through Year-End Walmart’s Post-Earnings Drop Could Be a Buying Opportunity The Trade Desk’s Earnings Miss Raises a Bigger Question About Its AI Future Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LPLA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:LPLA – Free Report).

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BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BJ) will release its second earnings report before the opening bell on Friday, Aug. 21.

Analysts expect the Marlborough, Massachusetts-based company to report quarterly earnings of $1.17 per share, up from $1.14 per share in the year-ago period. The consensus estimate for BJ’s Wholesale quarterly revenue is $5.94 billion. It reported $5.38 billion last year, according to Benzinga Pro.

On May 22, BJ’s Wholesale Club posted better-than-expected first-quarter earnings.

BJ’s Wholesale shares fell 0.5% to close at $91.30 on Thursday.

Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the Analyst Stock Ratings page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.

Let’s have a look at how Benzinga’s most-accurate analysts have rated the company in the recent period.

Evercore ISI Group analyst Greg Melich maintained an In-Line rating and raised the price target from $95 to $100 on Aug. 4, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 74%. Gordon Haskett analyst Chuck Grom upgraded the stock from Hold to Buy with a price target of $115 on July 29, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 59%. Citigroup analyst Paul Lejuez maintained a Buy rating and slashed the price target from $118 to $100 on May 26, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 61%. JP Morgan analyst Christopher Horvers maintained a Neutral rating and raised the price target from $90 to $98 on May 26, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 71%. DA Davidson analyst Michael Baker maintained a Buy rating and increased the price target from $110 to $114 on March 6, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 74%. Trending

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Advisors Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Owens Corning Inc (NYSE:OC – Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 53,306 shares of the construction company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,474,000. Advisors Capital Management LLC owned about 0.07% of Owens Corning as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. HM Payson & Co. raised its position in Owens Corning by 203.6% during the 2nd quarter. HM Payson & Co. now owns 167 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the last quarter. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. bought a new position in Owens Corning during the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Owens Corning during the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. Harbour Investments Inc. grew its stake in Owens Corning by 66.5% in the fourth quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 323 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 129 shares during the period. Finally, Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. acquired a new stake in Owens Corning in the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. Institutional investors own 88.40% of the company’s stock.

Owens Corning Stock Performance Shares of OC opened at $147.19 on Friday. Owens Corning Inc has a 12 month low of $97.53 and a 12 month high of $159.91. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $142.73 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $127.15. The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. The company has a market cap of $11.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -18.26, a P/E/G ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 1.32.

Owens Corning (NYSE:OC – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The construction company reported $3.93 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.09 by $0.84. The firm had revenue of $2.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.66 billion. Owens Corning had a negative net margin of 6.81% and a positive return on equity of 20.52%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $4.21 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Owens Corning Inc will post 9.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Owens Corning Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 6th. Investors of record on Monday, July 20th were paid a dividend of $0.79 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, July 20th. This represents a $3.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. Owens Corning’s dividend payout ratio is presently -39.21%.

Insider Activity In other news, insider Rachel Barthelemy Marcon sold 700 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.71, for a total value of $84,497.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 15,848 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,913,012.08. This trade represents a 4.23% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Corporate insiders own 0.92% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Owens Corning from $150.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Zacks Research raised shares of Owens Corning from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, April 27th. Evercore restated an “outperform” rating and set a $193.00 target price on shares of Owens Corning in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Owens Corning from $170.00 to $177.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, August 6th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on shares of Owens Corning from $136.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $163.25.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Owens Corning

Owens Corning Company Profile (Free Report)

Owens Corning is a global leader in composite materials and building products, with a primary focus on insulation, roofing, and fiberglass composites. The company serves professional contractors, builders and industrial manufacturers by providing solutions designed to improve energy efficiency, structural performance and durability. Its products are used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications worldwide.

The company’s core product lines include fiberglass insulation for thermal and acoustic comfort, roofing shingles and underlayment systems engineered for weather protection, and advanced composite materials for markets such as wind energy, automotive, marine and infrastructure.

Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Owens Corning 3 Energy Stocks Raising Dividends as the Sector Surges 5 Reasons the S&P 500 Could Keep Rallying Through Year-End Walmart’s Post-Earnings Drop Could Be a Buying Opportunity The Trade Desk’s Earnings Miss Raises a Bigger Question About Its AI Future

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BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund acquired 10,762,454 shares of the business services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $1,473,918,000. BlackRock Inc. owned approximately 9.44% of Broadridge Financial Solutions at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Broadridge Financial Solutions in the fourth quarter valued at about $346,304,000. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 110.6% during the fourth quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 1,475,283 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $329,239,000 after buying an additional 774,747 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions during the second quarter worth about $101,738,000. Deutsche Bank AG bought a new position in Broadridge Financial Solutions in the 2nd quarter valued at about $84,546,000. Finally, Pinebridge Investments LLC bought a new position in Broadridge Financial Solutions in the 4th quarter valued at about $126,553,000. 90.03% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on BR. UBS Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $180.00 price target on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a report on Monday. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $200.00 to $225.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. DA Davidson lowered their price objective on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $228.00 to $214.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, May 5th. Needham & Company LLC cut their target price on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $255.00 to $230.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a report on Friday, August 7th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $215.86.

Get Our Latest Report on BR Insider Buying and Selling at Broadridge Financial Solutions In other news, insider Hope M. Jarkowski sold 1,966 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.00, for a total transaction of $304,730.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 1 shares in the company, valued at approximately $155. This represents a 99.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.10% of the company’s stock.

BR stock opened at $177.94 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $151.96 and a 200-day moving average price of $160.39. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. has a 12 month low of $133.83 and a 12 month high of $264.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.50 and a beta of 0.87.

Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE:BR – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The business services provider reported $3.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.76 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $2.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.17 billion. Broadridge Financial Solutions had a net margin of 15.04% and a return on equity of 40.25%. The firm’s revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.55 EPS. Broadridge Financial Solutions has set its FY 2027 guidance at 10.370-10.750 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will post 10.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 5th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 3rd will be paid a dividend of $1.09 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 3rd. This is a boost from Broadridge Financial Solutions’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.97. This represents a $4.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. Broadridge Financial Solutions’s payout ratio is presently 45.32%.

About Broadridge Financial Solutions (Free Report)

Broadridge Financial Solutions is a global fintech company that provides technology-driven solutions and outsourcing services to the financial services industry. The firm’s core offerings center on investor communications, securities processing and post-trade services, and technology platforms that support capital markets and wealth management operations. Broadridge positions itself as a provider of mission-critical infrastructure that helps financial institutions manage regulatory requirements, investor engagement and operational complexity.

Products and services include proxy and shareholder communications, investor disclosure and digital communications, proxy voting and tabulation, clearing and settlement support, trade processing and reconciliation, and a range of software-as-a-service platforms for wealth and asset managers.

Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than Broadridge Financial Solutions 3 Energy Stocks Raising Dividends as the Sector Surges 5 Reasons the S&P 500 Could Keep Rallying Through Year-End Walmart’s Post-Earnings Drop Could Be a Buying Opportunity The Trade Desk’s Earnings Miss Raises a Bigger Question About Its AI Future Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR – Free Report).

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Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA -0.74%)(BRKB -0.55%) jettisoned 16 stocks since new CEO Greg Abel took the reins earlier this year, including Domino's Pizza (DPZ -0.64%). The sale of Domino's marked a stark reversal as Berkshire had spent several quarters building up a nearly 10% stake in the pizza chain.

While Berkshire Hathaway's new CEO is getting out of Domino's stock, I'm still holding. Even though the pizza stock has hit a rough patch, I have confidence in the long-term growth story, including its ability to continue increasing the dividend.

Image source: Getty Images.

A cold slice of realityThere's a reason Abel dumped Domino's stock. It has lost about a third of its value since the second quarter of 2024, when Berkshire began buying shares, with most of that decline occurring this year. That's due to its slowing growth.

During the first quarter, Domino's same-store sales growth slowed to an anemic 0.4% internationally and 0.9% in the U.S., as it battled what CEO Russell Weiner called a "intensifying macro and competitive environment." The war with Iran and continued inflation are impacting customer sentiment, with inflation having a meaningful impact on lower-income customers. That's leading rivals to aggressively discount to grab market share. Same-store sales growth slowed further in the second quarter to 0.1% in both the U.S. and international markets.

Today's Change

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-2.15

Current Price

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334.37

A different appetiteBerkshire grabbed a slice of Domino's when Warren Buffett was still the CEO. He's no longer in charge of the company and its investment portfolio. New CEO Greg Abel has his own vision for the company, which he has started executing since taking over at the beginning of the year.

He embarked on a massive overhaul of the investment portfolio during the first quarter, dumping 16 positions, or a third of the portfolio. In addition to Domino's, Abel sold out of other very notable names, including Amazon, Visa, and Mastercard. Meanwhile, he significantly boosted the company's stake in Alphabet, tripling its holdings.

So, the sale of Domino's was more about Abel revamping Berkshire's entire investment portfolio than a specific vote against the stock.

Today's Change

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-0.55

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-2.76

Current Price

$

496.86

My tastes haven't changedWhile I acknowledge that Domino's is facing some headwinds, its recent issues haven't altered my view. Despite sluggish same-store sales growth, the company's overall growth remains solid. Global retail sales rose 3.4% in the first quarter and 3% in the second quarter, driven by a growing store footprint (955 net store growth over the last 12 months). As the CEO pointed out in the second-quarter earnings press release, the growing store count is adding new customers, which will "strengthen our long-term growth flywheel by engaging with our loyalty program, while their orders power our supply chain business, fuel store growth, and drive market share."

Meanwhile, the company is still generating lots of cash ($352.6 million year-to-date). Domino's is allocating that money to grow shareholder value. It's investing in the business, strengthening its balance sheet (leverage has fallen from 4.7x to 4.3x over the past year), and returning cash to investors. The company's board approved an additional $1 billion share repurchase program in the first quarter, which boosted the total remaining authorization to almost $1.3 billion at the time. It also hiked its dividend by another 15% earlier this year.

That growing dividend is one of the things I find most satisfying about the stock. Domino's has grown its dividend by nearly 112% over the past five years. It can easily afford its current payment level (2.4% yield). It paid out $68.2 million in dividends during the first half of this year, only about 22% of its free cash flow ($313.6 million). That leaves lots of room to grow the payout while it works to reignite its sluggish growth.

Long-time CEO Russell Weiner stated in the second-quarter earnings release that: "My conviction in Domino's long-term growth potential remains as strong as ever...Domino's is uniquely positioned to continue gaining market share and delivering long-term value for shareholders."

I share that same conviction, even with the knowledge that Weiner has since announced he's stepping out of that role and becoming the Executive Chairman, with current COO Joe Jordan taking over as CEO. That internal succession is a sign of continuity, much as it was for Berkshire. I still believe the company can grow its earnings, dividend, and shareholder value over the long-term, which is why I plan to continue holding. And, given how cheap the stock has gotten, I'm considering grabbing another slice of Domino's.

Matt DiLallo has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, Domino's Pizza, Mastercard, and Visa and has the following options: long June 2028 $180 calls on Amazon and short September 2026 $280 calls on Amazon. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, Domino's Pizza, Mastercard, and Visa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.