Wells Fargo plánuje zvýšit dividendu za 3. čtvrtletí 2026 o 11 % na 50 centů na akcii, pokud to v červenci schválí představenstvo. Zároveň pokračuje ve zpětném odkupu akcií; v programu zbývá 25,7 mld. USD.
Key Takeaways WFC plans to raise its Q3'26 dividend by 11% to 50 cents per share, subject to the board's approval in July.Following the Fed's 2026 stress test, WFC's stress capital buffer remains at the 2.5% regulatory minimum.WFC continues buybacks with $25.7B remaining authorization, backed by strong liquidity. Wells Fargo & Company (WFC - Free Report) remains committed to rewarding shareholders through dividend payments and share repurchases while maintaining a strong capital position. Following the successful completion of the Federal Reserve's 2026 supervisory stress test on June 24, 2026, the company announced its intention to increase its third-quarter 2026 common stock dividend by 11% to 50 cents per share, subject to board approval in July.
Prior to this planned increase, Wells Fargo raised its quarterly dividend by 12.5% to 45 cents per share in July 2025. Over the past five years, the company has increased its dividend six times. WFC has a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of 24% and a payout ratio of 27%. It currently offers a dividend yield of 2.2%, higher than the industry's 1.7%.
Dividend Yield
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Notably, as announced by the Federal Reserve in February 2026, this year's stress test results did not impact bank capital requirements, and Wells Fargo's stress capital buffer remained at the regulatory minimum of 2.5%, providing continued flexibility to return capital to shareholders.
Apart from dividends, Wells Fargo has been actively executing share repurchases. In April 2025, the company's board of directors authorized an additional $40 billion share repurchase program, following the $30 billion authorization announced in July 2023. As of March 31, 2026, approximately $25.7 billion remained available under the repurchase authorization.
As of March 31, 2026, Wells Fargo had total debt of $450.5 billion, comprising $183.9 billion of long-term debt and $266.6 billion of short-term borrowings. It also held $174.8 billion in liquid assets, including cash and due from banks as well as interest-earning deposits with banks. Further, the company's liquidity coverage ratio of 120% remained comfortably above the regulatory minimum requirement of 100%, reflecting a solid liquidity position. The company also carries investment-grade long-term issuer ratings of A+ from Fitch Ratings, A1 from Moody's and BBB+ from S&P Global Ratings. These ratings reflect that the company will likely be able to continue meeting its debt obligations, even if the economic situation worsens.
With an expected dividend increase, a sizable share repurchase authorization, strong liquidity and a resilient capital position, Wells Fargo appears well-positioned to continue rewarding shareholders through a combination of steady income and capital returns.
How Is WFC Placed in Capital Returns Compared With Peers?Other large banks, including Citigroup Inc. (C - Free Report) and The PNC Financial Services Group (PNC - Free Report) , also announced enhanced capital return plans following the completion of the Fed's 2026 stress test process.
Citigroup plans to increase its quarterly common stock dividend by 12% to 67 cents per share from 60 cents, subject to quarterly approval by its board of directors, beginning in the third quarter of 2026. The company also commenced a $30 billion multi-year share repurchase program in the second quarter of 2026. Prior to this, Citigroup's board had authorized a $20 billion share repurchase program in January 2025, under which $0.5 billion remained available as of March 31, 2026.
PNC Financial plans to raise its quarterly cash dividend by 18% to $2 per share from $1.7, subject to board approval at its July 6, 2026, meeting. Beyond dividends, the company continues to execute share repurchases under its 100 million-share authorization approved in July 2022. As of March 31, 2026, nearly 32 million shares remained available for repurchase.
WFC’s Price Performance & Zacks RankWells Fargo shares have rallied 4.9% in the past three months compared with the industry’s growth of 15.7%.
Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
At present, WFC carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
AbbVie za týden vzrostla téměř o 11 % po oznámení akvizice společnosti Apogee za 10,9 mld. USD a po rozšíření indikací Skyrizi pro pediatrické pacienty se středně těžkou až těžkou ložiskovou psoriázou v USA i Evropě a Rinvoq pro alopecii areata a vitiligo v EU.
Key Takeaways ABBV gained nearly 11% in a week as multiple developments boosted long-term growth confidence.AbbVie's $10.9B Apogee deal strengthens its immunology portfolio and future competitive position.ABBV expanded Skyrizi and Rinvoq opportunities while advancing neuroscience and oncology growth. Shares of AbbVie (ABBV - Free Report) have gained nearly 11% in the past week, translating to roughly $43 billion in market value. The upside was driven not by a single catalyst but by several positive developments that fueled investor confidence in the company’s long-term growth prospects.
The momentum began after AbbVie unveiled its $10.9 billion acquisition of clinical-stage biotech Apogee Therapeutics. The transaction is intended to strengthen the company's immunology franchise for the next decade and beyond, while enhancing its long-term competitive position against Dupixent, the blockbuster immunology therapy jointly marketed by Sanofi (SNY - Free Report) and Regeneron (REGN - Free Report) . More importantly, the acquisition appears to have eased one of the market's biggest concerns — how AbbVie plans to sustain growth once its current blockbuster therapies, Skyrizi and Rinvoq, eventually mature.
The Apogee acquisition is only one component of AbbVie's broader strategy to reinforce its leadership in immunology. At the same time, the company continues to expand the commercial reach of its existing products through new regulatory approvals that extend their addressable markets.
Last week, AbbVie secured approvals in both the United States and Europe to expand the label for Skyrizi, allowing its use in pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The expanded indication broadens the drug’s addressable patient population and further strengthens one of the company's key growth drivers in immunology.
More recently, an EMA advisory committee recommended approving Rinvoq for two new autoimmune indications — alopecia areata and vitiligo — in the European Union. If approved by the European Commission, the expanded label would further reinforce AbbVie's long-term growth prospects in immunology while diversifying Rinvoq's revenue opportunity.
AbbVie’s Growth Story Goes Beyond ImmunologyWhile immunology remains AbbVie's primary growth engine, the company is also generating meaningful momentum across other therapeutic areas. Its neuroscience franchise continues to expand and is becoming an increasingly important contributor to revenue growth. One of the key drivers is Vyalev, the company's Parkinson's disease therapy, which is expected to surpass $1 billion in annual global sales despite launching in the United States only last year.
AbbVie is also strengthening its oncology portfolio. Last month, the company secured approval for Decnupaz to treat adults with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), a rare and aggressive blood cancer. The oncology franchise remains anchored by Venclexta and Elahere, providing another avenue for sustained long-term growth.
ABBV’s Stock Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of AbbVie have slightly underperformed the industry year to date, as seen in the chart below.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, AbbVie is trading at a discount to the industry. Based on the price/earnings (P/E) ratio, the company’s shares currently trade at 16.73 times forward earnings, lower than its industry’s average of 18.77.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have declined in the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AbbVie currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
DaVita rozšiřuje platformu IKC a do dialyzační sítě zavádí nástroj s umělou inteligencí ScheduleHub pro efektivnější plánování. Firma zároveň hlásí zlepšení v programu CKCC během roku 2026.
Key Takeaways DaVita expands kidney care via the IKC platform across CKD and ESKD dialysis network services.DVA expands digital infrastructure and AI ScheduleHub to improve dialysis scheduling efficiency.FMS expands kinexus and 5008X CAREsystem; RMTI signs dialysis supply deals with Heritage and aQua. DaVita Inc. (DVA - Free Report) , a well-known kidney care services provider, plays a central role in the dialysis ecosystem by providing comprehensive kidney care services for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The company operates an extensive network of outpatient dialysis centers in the United States and internationally, offering in-center dialysis, home dialysis and related clinical services. Beyond delivering dialysis treatments, DVA supports patients across the broader continuum of kidney care through integrated care programs designed to improve clinical outcomes and coordinate treatment with physicians and other healthcare providers.
As kidney care continues to shift toward value-based delivery models, DaVita is expanding its Integrated Kidney Care (IKC) platform to better manage patients with advanced kidney disease. The company reported continued progress under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) Comprehensive Kidney Care Contracting (CKCC) program, delivering year-over-year improvements in gross savings, quality scores and high-performing status. These results highlight DVA's efforts to pair coordinated care with data-driven insights to improve patient outcomes while supporting a more sustainable kidney care model.
DaVita is also investing in technology to strengthen its dialysis operations and enhance care delivery. During 2026, the company continued expanding its digital infrastructure and AI capabilities, including the introduction of ScheduleHub, an AI-powered scheduling tool that aligns patient appointments, staffing availability and clinic capacity. By reducing administrative burden and improving operational efficiency across its dialysis centers, these investments reinforce DVA's focus on delivering high-quality, patient-centered kidney care while supporting the evolving needs of the dialysis industry.
FMS & RMTI Advancing Kidney Care DeliveryFresenius Medical Care AG (FMS - Free Report) is strengthening its foothold in kidney care by integrating dialysis services, value-based care and digital innovation across the treatment continuum. Fresenius Medical Care recently launched kinexus, a unified digital platform that supports home dialysis through remote therapy monitoring, prescription management and integrated supply ordering. Additionally, Fresenius Medical Care is accelerating the U.S. rollout of its 5008X CAREsystem, reinforcing its focus on connected, patient-centric dialysis care while expanding access to advanced home and in-center therapies.
Rockwell Medical, Inc. (RMTI - Free Report) is strengthening kidney care delivery by supplying dialysis providers with a comprehensive portfolio of hemodialysis products that support treatment across outpatient centers, skilled nursing facilities and home dialysis settings. Rockwell Medical recently signed a three-year product purchase agreement with Heritage Dialysis and renewed its agreement with aQua Dialysis, expanding access to its dialysis concentrates and ancillary products. Through these partnerships, Rockwell Medical continues to enhance the reliability and availability of dialysis care across diverse treatment settings.
DVA’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of DaVita have gained 93.4% year to date compared with the industry’s rise of 14.7%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
DVA’s forward 12-month P/E of 13.2X is lower than the industry’s average of 18.2X but higher than its five-year median of 12.7X. It has a Value Score of A.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DVA’s 2026 earnings per share suggests a 39.8% improvement compared with 2025.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
DaVita currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Palantir překročil hranici 1 000 zákazníků, protože dál roste zájem firem o jeho AI a datové platformy. Rychle přibývá hlavně komerčních a amerických komerčních klientů.
Key Takeaways PLTR surpassed 1,000 total customers as commercial and U.S. commercial adoption continued to grow.Palantir is expanding beyond government markets with broader enterprise AI and data platform adoption.PLTR's growing customer base supports recurring revenue opportunities through deeper platform expansion. Palantir Technologies (PLTR - Free Report) continues to demonstrate strong momentum in customer acquisition, underscoring rising enterprise demand for its artificial intelligence and data analytics platforms. Recent customer metrics showed meaningful expansion across total customers, commercial customers and U.S. commercial clients, indicating that adoption is broadening well beyond the company’s traditional government-focused business.
The company’s U.S. commercial customer count climbed sharply over the past year, reflecting growing enterprise interest in AI-powered operational platforms. Commercial customer growth also continued to accelerate globally, while the total customer base surpassed the 1,000-customer milestone. These trends suggest that Palantir’s software solutions are gaining traction across a broader range of industries seeking advanced data integration, AI deployment, and workflow optimization capabilities.
Importantly, customer expansion often serves as an early indicator of long-term revenue durability, as a larger installed base creates greater opportunities for platform expansion and increased customer spending over time. The continued growth in commercial customers also signals that enterprises are becoming increasingly confident in integrating AI-driven operational systems into mission-critical business functions.
While valuation concerns and broader AI-sector volatility remain key risks, Palantir’s rapidly expanding customer ecosystem reinforces its long-term growth story. Sustained customer acquisition should continue to support recurring revenue expansion as enterprise AI adoption accelerates across global markets.
Relevant Industry PeersSnowflake (SNOW - Free Report) remains one of the most important competitors within enterprise data analytics and AI infrastructure. Like Palantir, Snowflake benefits from growing enterprise demand for cloud-based data platforms and AI-driven analytics solutions. However, Snowflake maintains greater exposure to cloud data warehousing and enterprise data-sharing ecosystems.
C3.ai (AI - Free Report) also competes within the enterprise artificial intelligence market, particularly in predictive analytics and AI application deployment. Similar to Palantir, C3.ai focuses heavily on helping enterprises operationalize AI workflows across industries. Still, C3.ai continues facing greater questions surrounding profitability, consistency, and large-scale commercial adoption.
PLTR’s Price Performance & EstimatesThe stock has declined 35% year to date compared with the industry’s 16% fall.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, PLTR trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 29.87X, well above the industry’s 3.55X. It carries a Value Score of F.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PLTR’s 2026 earnings has risen over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
PLTR currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
FDA schválil Philip Morris prodávat Zyn jako méně rizikový než cigarety. U 20 produktů lze tvrdit, že přechod z cigaret snižuje riziko několika nemocí.
The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday cleared Philip Morris-owned Zyn nicotine pouches to be marketed as less harmful than cigarettes, giving the tobacco giant a major regulatory win as the Trump administration loosens restrictions on nicotine products.
The decision, first reported by Axios, allows 20 Zyn products to carry a modified-risk claim saying that switching from cigarettes to Zyn lowers the risk of mouth cancer, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Zyn pouches contain nicotine but not tobacco. They are placed between a user's gum and lip and have surged in popularity among conservatives, tech workers and others who promote them as a cleaner alternative to cigarettes and chewing tobacco or a productivity aid.
The FDA decision does not mean Zyn is safe. The agency has said there is no safe tobacco product, that youth should not use tobacco products and that adults who do not use tobacco products should not start.
Still, the order gives Philip Morris a powerful health-related claim for one of the fastest-growing products in the nicotine market, as cigarette sales continue to decline in the U.S. and major tobacco companies invest more heavily in smoke-free products.
President Donald Trump, who backed restrictions on flavored e-cigarettes during his first term, reversed course during the 2024 campaign and promised to "save vaping." Since returning to office, his administration has taken a more industry-friendly approach, including by creating a pathway for some flavored e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches to remain on the market while they undergo FDA review.
The shift has followed heavy lobbying from the tobacco and vaping industries, which have argued that adult smokers need more access to less harmful alternatives to cigarettes.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Zyn has also become a cultural marker in conservative politics. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson helped popularize the brand on the right before later souring on Zyn and launching his own nicotine pouch brand, Alp.
Nicotine pouches have also gained fans inside Trump's orbit. The Wall Street Journal reported that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. uses nicotine pouches and that Trump recently asked Kennedy which pouches he used after a lunch with tobacco executives.
The FDA had already authorized the same 20 Zyn products for sale in January 2025, but that earlier decision did not allow Swedish Match, the subsidiary of Philip Morris that makes Zyns, to market them as reducing disease risk. Tuesday's order goes further by allowing the company to make a specific lower-risk claim tied to several major smoking-related diseases.
"FDA's review of modified risk products is intended to ensure that adult users have clear, science-based information about the relative harms of tobacco products, so they can make informed choices," Bret Koplow, acting director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, said in a statement. "Today's decision allows these products to be marketed with a modified risk claim that informs adults who smoke about the lower risks associated with these products."
The products covered by the order include Zyn Chill, Cinnamon, Citrus, Coffee, Cool Mint, Menthol, Peppermint, Smooth, Spearmint and Wintergreen, each in 3-milligram and 6-milligram nicotine strengths.
"FDA's decision is an important moment for the more than 45 million legal-age nicotine consumers in America," Philip Morris U.S. CEO Stacey Kennedy said in a statement. "Today's news ensures these adults have access to accurate, science-based information, including FDA-authorized evidence that switching from cigarettes to ZYN reduces the risk of smoking-related diseases like heart disease and lung cancer."
Intuit ve 3. fiskálním čtvrtletí 2026 zvýšil tržby o 10,4 % a zvedl výhled růstu tržeb za celý rok na 13–14 %. Block mezitím ve 1. čtvrtletí 2026 hlásí růst hrubého zisku o 27,1 % a nové obchodní zákazníky.
Key Takeaways Intuit reported strong fiscal Q3 2026 results and raised its fiscal 2026 revenue growth outlook to 13-14%.Block is expanding Square and Cash App, supported by strong gross profit growth and new merchant wins.XYZ faces macro and competition risks, while INTU contends with cost pressures and tax software competition. Intuit Inc. (INTU - Free Report) and Block (XYZ - Free Report) operate in the fintech space, offering digital financial tools for consumers and businesses. Intuit focuses on tax and accounting software, while XYZ specializes in payments and financial services.
Intuit leverages its broad ecosystem, QuickBooks, TurboTax, Credit Karma and Mailchimp to build a comprehensive platform for consumers, small businesses and professionals. Meanwhile, Block excels through the dual ecosystem of Square and Cash App, serving merchants and consumers.
Let’s weigh the pros and cons of each to find out which stock deserves a spot in your portfolio.
The Case for IntuitIntuit is a global fintech company that powers products such as TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, Mailchimp and Intuit Enterprise Suite. The company focuses on helping consumers manage taxes and personal finances while enabling businesses to run end-to-end operations. It reported strong third-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with revenue growth of 10.4%. As a result, the company expects revenue growth of approximately 13-14% for fiscal 2026.
Intuit’s Global Business Solutions segment is a key driver of its business ecosystem. This segment's Online Ecosystem provides a seamless platform for accounting, payroll, payments and analytics. In the third quarter of fiscal 2026, Global Business Solutions revenues grew 15.3% to $3.29 billion, including Online Ecosystem revenues, which rose 18.7%. For fiscal 2026, management expects the segment’s revenues to grow approximately 16%.
Intuit's Consumer segment features Credit Karma, TurboTax and ProTax, together creating year-round financial tools. Management noted that average revenue per user (ARPU) is approximately 30% higher for customers using both TurboTax and Credit Karma than for those using TurboTax alone. In the third quarter of fiscal 2026, the Consumer segment revenues grew 7.5%. For fiscal 2026, management expects Consumer Group revenue growth of 10%, including TurboTax at 7%, Credit Karma at 19% and ProTax at 4%.
Intuit maintains a disciplined capital distribution strategy, committed to boosting shareholder value via consistent dividend hikes and share repurchases. The company has increased its dividend five times over the past five years, with a 15.61% annualized growth rate. Supported by strong operating fundamentals, we expect dividends to remain sustainable in the future. It also repurchased $1.6 billion of stock in the third quarter of fiscal 2026 and received board approval for a new $8 billion repurchase authorization.
However, Intuit has its share of challenges, as its performance is partly tied to the health of small businesses, lending conditions and consumer tax filing dynamics. A slowdown in consumer spending or credit demand could impact its growth. The company’s high costs and expenses remain a major concern. The competitive landscape in tax preparation and enterprise accounting creates pricing pressure, particularly during large contract renewals.
The Case for BlockBlock continues to grow its comprehensive fintech platform, with its Square, Cash App and Afterpay ecosystems offering end-to-end solutions across payments, commerce, banking, investing and lending. XYZ’s first-quarter 2026 results reflected decent top-line performance and strong gross profit growth. Its net revenues increased 4.9% year over year, while the gross profit climbed 27.1%, with Cash App rising 38.3% and Square increasing 9.4%.
Square, Block’s merchant-facing ecosystem, remains strong. In the first quarter of 2026, Square Gross Payment Volume (GPV) rose 13.2% year over year. Additionally, the company partners with more than 140 independent sales organizations (ISO) to complement its direct sales and extend reach to new sellers. This month’s merchant wins, including Ladurée Canada, Sofive Soccer Centers, Coffee Dose and Baker St Café, demonstrate its growing penetration across restaurants, specialty food, sports centers and retail businesses.
Block’s momentum is driven mainly by Cash App, which has grown beyond peer-to-peer payments into a multi-service financial hub for digitally native users. Cash App is broadening its role in users’ financial lives through payments, banking, commerce and bitcoin transactions. Cash App remains focused on making transactions faster, more convenient and more personalized. This month, it launched Cash App Tags, NFC-enabled physical payment accessories that let customers pay with a single tap without a phone or a card.
In early June, Block announced the launch of Afterpay on Cash App Card, making Buy Now, Pay Later (“BNPL”) available to eligible Cash App Card customers. The feature targets American earners with variable incomes and customers who are underserved by the current financial system. It is being rolled out to Cash App’s roughly 59 million monthly transacting active users. Block stands to benefit from increased card usage and merchant volume while capturing BNPL fees.
While Block faces headwinds, including sensitivity to macroeconomic conditions, intensifying competition and a younger-user base concentration, its diversified revenue streams, solid fundamentals and ongoing product innovation counterbalance those risks, positioning the company for durable growth and making it an attractive fintech investment.
How Do Zacks Estimates Compare for INTU & XYZ?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Intuit’s fiscal 2026 sales and EPS implies a year-over-year increase of 13.48% and 18.41%, respectively. EPS estimates have been trending northward over the past week.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Meanwhile, the consensus estimates for Block’s 2026 sales and EPS indicate a year-over-year rise of 8.29% and 64.14%, respectively. EPS estimates have been trending upward over the past week.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Valuation: INTU vs. XYZIn terms of forward 12-month Price/Sales (P/S), INTU stock is trading at 3.08X, above XYZ, which is currently trading at 1.68X. Although XYZ is trading above its one-year median of 1.53X, INTU is trading below its one-year median of 8.11X.
From a valuation perspective, we note that Intuit shares are trading at a premium to Block.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Price Performance: INTU vs. XYZOver the past month, shares of XYZ have outperformed INTU and the S&P 500 composite.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
INTU vs. XYZ: Which Stock Is the Better Buy?Both Intuit and Block remain dominant players in the fintech space. Intuit’s advantage lies in its scale and broad financial-software ecosystem, which makes it a reliable market leader. Block is solidifying its role as an innovation leader by growing the Square and Cash App ecosystems. However, Intuit’s rising costs and expenses are a significant concern, while competitive pressures can weigh on pricing, particularly during large contract renewals.
Given Block’s rising earnings estimates, cheaper valuation and recent stronger stock performance, it appears the smarter, lower-risk buy for investors.
Currently, INTU carry Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), while XYZ sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Best Buy v prvním fiskálním čtvrtletí překonal odhady: tržby dosáhly 8,94 miliardy USD a upravený zisk na akcii vzrostl na 1,28 USD. Srovnatelné tržby stouply o 2 %.
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$55.10▼
$84.99Dividend Yield5.10%
P/E Ratio13.95
Price Target$79.50
Best Buy NYSE: BBY is accomplishing what many thought unlikely.
After a pandemic-fueled surge came and went, the company is showing signs of stabilizing sales and online momentum. Rather than another big-box victim, it is focused on improving its margins and expanding its business. And it is maintaining strong profitability despite sluggish consumer electronics demand.
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In fact, the most-recent three month results came in above what most analysts expected. Comparable store sales rose. And management reiterated full-year guidance with enough specifics to suggest the direction had changed.
Investors who had written off the company as too old-fashioned might be surprised by the evidence that arrived. Whether now is the time to jump into the stock depends a lot on what happens next.
Best Buy Delivers Better-Than-Expected ResultsBest Buy’s first fiscal quarter, which ended on May 2, tells a solid story of incremental progress across a number of key pursuits.
Revenue beat expectations and reached $8.94 billion in the quarter, up from $8.77 billion a year earlier, and reversing a fourth-quarter slide during the key holiday season. Adjusted diluted earnings per share climbed to $1.28 from $1.15, also above what analysts expected. Reported net earnings climbed more than one-third to $276 million from $202 million a year earlier.
Comparable sales rose 2%, more than the company had anticipated and in contrast to a drop of 0.7% in the year-ago period. Domestic revenue increased 1.5% to $8.25 billion, with domestic comparable sales up 1.8%.
Operational results were also encouraging. Operating income reached 4.1% of revenue, the company’s domestic gross margin expanded to 23.7% from 23.5%, and adjusted selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses as a share of domestic revenue edged down to 19.3% from 19.4%.
Those were not big changes, but in retail, those fractions of a percentage point matter. Extracting more margin from a little more revenue shows positive direction, even if the headline numbers don’t show a big change.
New Growth Businesses Are Gaining MomentumWhere the growth came from is perhaps more important than the growth itself. The company said its biggest contributors to comparable-sales gains were gaming, computing, mobile phones, and services, categories with momentum. In contrast, sales of consumer electronics slid slightly while appliances fell nearly 14%.
The recent numbers also gave proof that the company’s recent strategy is delivering. Best Buy Ads, which promotes brands and products through Best Buy’s customer base, and the company's online Marketplace, which hosts third-party sellers, also delivered strong performances. For lines of business that barely existed a few years ago, the company is nicely expanding its profile beyond TVs and computers.
Results from the company’s international operations were also encouraging. Revenue in that segment rose 7.3% to $687 million, led by 4.7% sales growth and the rest attributable to favorable foreign exchange rates.
Wall Street Remains CautiousBest Buy is also regaining investor attention. Shares are up more than 16% since the start of the year, but the stock still trades below $80, well under its level above $100 less than two years ago and below its 52-week high near $85.
Even with the recent results, analysts remain cautious. Of the 22 analysts following the company, the average rating is a Hold on the stock. Six analysts say Buy, 14 suggest Hold, and two recommend Sell.
With a 12-month average price target of $79.50 per share, analysts see only limited upside from recent trading levels.
Risks Continue to Limit the UpsideThe recommendation to Hold is also a reflection of other possible factors.
Best Buy Dividend PaymentsDividend Yield5.11%
Annual Dividend$3.84
Dividend Increase Track Record22 Years
Annualized 5-Year Dividend Growth11.55%
Dividend Payout Ratio71.11%
Next Dividend PaymentJul. 9
BBY Dividend History
Best Buy raised its quarterly payout by 1 cent to 96 cents per share in March and paid $202 million in dividends in the first quarter. That represents an over 5% yield based on current prices.
But the company’s guidance for 2027, though solid and suggesting that the improvement is durable, is roughly flat compared to the results reported last year.
The bear case has also not completely disappeared. The retail sector is notoriously volatile. And with the housing market not helping, the decline in appliance sales, which now represents 10% of its business, is not likely to recover anytime soon.
The broader competitive pressure from e-commerce, warehouse clubs, mobile carriers, and direct-to-consumer brands is also as real as it has ever been. Amazon NASDAQ: AMZN, Walmart NASDAQ: WMT, Costco NASDAQ: COST, and Apple NASDAQ: AAPL each compete for the same shoppers.
Another question hanging over the company is some recent changes in senior management. Best Buy changed both its future chief executive officer and its chief financial officer within a short span.
The company has announced that Jason Bonfig, who oversees merchandising, ecommerce, marketing, supply chain, Best Buy Canada, and Best Buy Ads, will succeed Corie Barry as CEO at the end of October. The company’s chief financial officer will also step down at the end of July.
Best Buy's Comeback Still Needs More ProofPatient investors attracted by high dividends and a leading brand retailer are likely paying attention. With execution improving and its expansion of profit pools, Best Buy is making a credible case. Profits are up, and its efficiency strategy appears to be working.
Other investors might want more proof. A leadership transition and a muted sales trajectory make a quick run-up unlikely in the near term. Waiting for results from another quarter or two might be the smart move to ensure the comeback is real.
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Shell čeká letos stagnaci globální poptávky po LNG kvůli uzavření Hormuzského průlivu, ale od roku 2027 má růst a do roku 2050 stoupnout o 65 % na 700 milionů tun.
Shell (SHEL +0.95%) recently released its latest outlook for the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market. The energy giant noted that while the war-driven closure of the Strait of Hormuz will cause LNG demand to flatten out this year, it expects growth to resume in 2027 and rise 65% by 2050.
Here’s a look at Shell’s latest outlook and some LNG stocks capitalizing on this growth trend.
Image source: Getty Images.
A war-driven speedbumpAbout 20% of global LNG volumes flowed through the Strait of Hormuz before the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes against Iran earlier this year. Iran has retaliated by attacking ships trying to exit the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, causing a steep drop in LNG traffic. Iran also attacked LNG infrastructure in Qatar, causing damage that could knock out 17% of its capacity for up to five years. ExxonMobil (XOM +0.37%) owned minority interests in two of the damaged LNG trains, while Shell holds a stake in a damaged gas-to-liquids facility.
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U.S. LNG shippers have helped offset some of this supply disruption by ramping up exports, including a record 11.7 million metric tons (MT) in March. Meanwhile, U.S. export capacity got a boost in April when ExxonMobil and its partner QatarEnergy loaded the first cargo at their recently completed Golden Pass terminal.
Despite the surge in U.S. LNG exports, Shell expects that global LNG demand will be similar to last year’s level. That assumes shipping through the Strait of Hormuz returns to normal later this summer.
While Shell sees flat demand this year, it expects growth to return to normal in 2027. It foresees growth continuing through 2050, when demand is projected to reach 700 million tonnes, a 65% increase from 2025 levels. Asia will be the main driver of LNG demand growth. Emerging markets in South and Southeast Asia will increasingly adopt the cleaner-burning fuel in place of coal. Meanwhile, mature markets like Japan will need more LNG to help power data centers.
More LNG investment is neededSeveral energy companies are already building new LNG capacity to meet growing demand. However, Shell estimates that energy companies will need to build around an additional 200 million tonnes of new supply in the 2030s and 2040s to meet growing demand.
Shell is helping lead the charge to build more global LNG capacity. It has joint venture investments in two expansion projects in Qatar: North Field East (NFE) and North Field South (NFS). It also has a minority stake in the Ruwais LNG project in the UAE. Meanwhile, Shell is evaluating an expansion of the recently completed LNG Canada terminal, which it could approve by the end of this year. As an LNG leader, Shell will likely continue to pursue new investments to grow global LNG capacity.
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Meanwhile, LNG is one of ExxonMobil’s long-term growth catalysts. As noted, Exxon and QatarEnergy recently completed the Golden Pass LNG project. It’s also a partner with Shell on QatarEnergy’s NFE project. These projects are key drivers supporting its growth plan to 2030. Additionally, Exxon expects new LNG project start-ups in Papua New Guinea and Mozambique to fuel growth beyond 2030. Exxon is also reportedly evaluating a potential acquisition of Woodside Energy, which has leading LNG operations in Australia and a large-scale LNG development project in the U.S. (Louisiana LNG).
ConocoPhillips (COP +0.09%) is also expanding its global LNG platform. The U.S. oil and gas giant owns interests in the NFS and NFE projects. Additionally, it has an equity interest in Port Arthur LNG (phase 1) and an LNG supply contract for phase 2. The company also has an LNG supply agreement for Rio Grande LNG (Train 5). Those contracts are part of its aspiration to build a 10 to 15 MT per year portfolio of commercial LNG supply contracts from third-party facilities.
Capitalizing on growing global LNG demandWhile LNG demand will flatten out this year due to supply disruptions stemming from the Strait of Hormuz closure, growth should resume next year and continue through 2050. That’s providing Shell, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, and other large energy companies with multiple LNG investment opportunities. These investments should help fuel their growth in the coming decades, making them compelling energy stocks to buy and hold for the long term.
PPL těží z rostoucí poptávky po elektřině ze strany datových center a průmyslu a plánuje investice ve výši 23 miliard USD do roku 2029. To má podpořit 10,3% roční růst regulované báze aktiv a meziroční růst EPS o 7,67 % a 8,08 % v letech 2026 a 2027.
Key Takeaways PPL benefits as data center, manufacturing and industrial investments lift demand across its territories. PPL plans $23B in investments through 2029, driving 10.3% annual rate base growth. PPL's 2026 and 2027 earnings estimates show year-over-year gains of 7.67% and 8.08%. PPL Corporation (PPL - Free Report) benefits from ongoing economic development across its service territories, driven by expanding data center, advanced manufacturing and industrial investments. Rising electricity demand supports higher infrastructure spending, expands the regulated rate base and strengthens long-term earnings visibility.
Pennsylvania has emerged as a key data-center growth market for PPL. During the first quarter of 2026, PPL disclosed that projects in advanced planning stages reached 28.3 gigawatts (GW), up 12% sequentially from 25.2 GW, with nearly 10 GW under signed Electric Service Agreements and about 5 GW already under construction. The company's reliable transmission network and fast interconnection capabilities continue to attract hyperscale customers.
In Kentucky, projected load growth increased to 12.9 GW through 2032 from the previously 8.5 GW, supported by interest from 13 new data center projects representing nearly 12 GW of potential demand. Global Laser Enrichment and Toyota Motor Manufacturing also announced combined investments of $2.6 billion in PPL's service territory, prompting management to raise its expected new load to 3.5 GW by 2032 from 1.8 GW.
To support this growth, PPL plans to invest about $23 billion through 2029, driving 10.3% annual rate base growth and upper-end 6-8% EPS growth.
Economic Development Drives Long-Term Utility GrowthUtilities benefit from economic development as new businesses, industries and data centers, and electric vehicle usage increases electricity demand. This drives infrastructure investments, expands the regulated rate base, supports earnings growth and enhances long-term shareholder value.
Alliant Energy (LNT - Free Report) is benefiting from ongoing economic development across its Iowa and Wisconsin service territories. The company is attracting data centers, advanced manufacturing facilities and other large industrial customers, increasing electricity demand while supporting regulated investments and long-term earnings growth.
Evergy (EVRG - Free Report) is benefiting from robust economic development across Kansas and Missouri, as growing investments in data centers, advanced manufacturing and commercial projects drive higher electricity demand. Its expanding large-customer pipeline supports long-term rate-base expansion and earnings growth.
PPL’s Earnings EstimatesThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings per share indicates a year-over-year increase of 7.67% and 8.08%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Debt to CapitalPPL's debt-to-capital ratio currently stands at 57.40%, lower than the electric power industry’s 60.71%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
PPL’s Stock Price PerformanceIn the past month, the company’s shares have risen 6.2% compared with the industry’s 7.1% growth.
TransMedics v 1. čtvrtletí 2026 vykázal solidní výsledky díky silnému růstu OCS a logistických služeb. Hrubá marže ale klesla na přibližně 58 % kvůli investicím a nižší marži logistiky.
Key Takeaways TMDX is expanding its OCS platform and advancing kidney transplant development for long-term growth.TransMedics posted solid Q1 2026 results driven by strong OCS volume and logistics growth.TMDX gross margin fell 331 basis points as investments and logistics revenue weighed on results. TransMedics Group, Inc. (TMDX - Free Report) is well-poised for growth in the coming quarters, courtesy of its strength in Organ Care System (OCS) technology. The optimism, led by decent first-quarter 2026 results, is expected to contribute further. However, concerns due to gross margin pressure persist.
This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company has lost 44.7% in the year-to-date compared with 14.2% decline in the industry. The S&P 500 has witnessed 7.4% growth in the said time frame.
The renowned organ transplant therapy provider has a market capitalization of $2.37 billion. TransMedics’ earnings yield of 2.73% compares favorably with the industry’s negative 3.1%. The company’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters, missed once, with the average surprise being 39.37%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Factors Favoring TMDX’s GrowthStrength in OCS Technology Driving Adoption: TransMedics’ OCS revolutionizes organ transplantation by replacing passive cold storage with a dynamic, physiologic approach that perfuses donor organs with warm, oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood. This innovation minimizes ischemic injury, allows real-time organ assessment and significantly increases the viability of organs, especially hearts and lungs, donated after circulatory death, that would otherwise go unused.
As the only FDA-approved, portable platform offering warm perfusion for heart, lung and liver transplants, the OCS standardizes care, reduces post-transplant complications and sets a new clinical benchmark in organ preservation. This positions TransMedics as a leader in the multi-billion-dollar transplant market with limited competition.
Robust Pipeline Supporting Growth: TransMedics continues to advance its long-term growth strategy through the development of next-generation OCS systems and expansion into new organ markets. The company is progressing its Gen 3.0 multi-organ platform for heart, lung and liver, featuring upgraded hardware, software and a redesigned perfusion system aimed at improving usability, reliability and operational efficiency while reducing supply chain complexity.
Clinical expansion efforts remain focused on the ENHANCE Heart and DENOVO Lung programs, with the newly introduced CHOPS active cooling device expected to support trial execution and potentially broaden the company’s commercial product portfolio over time. Beyond cardiothoracic transplants, management continues to position the kidney as a major long-term opportunity, with the OCS Kidney platform under active development and a U.S. IDE submission targeted for early 2027. The company is also enhancing its broader NOP ecosystem and digital infrastructure to improve scalability, workflow efficiency and coordination across transplant centers.
Decent Q1 Results: TransMedics delivered solid first-quarter 2026 results, driven by strong OCS case volume growth, expanding clinical adoption and continued momentum in logistics services. Growth was supported by strong liver performance, steady heart adoption and higher aviation fleet utilization within the integrated National OCS Program (NOP).
While profitability remained pressured by elevated investments in expansion and clinical programs, the company continues to execute well on its long-term growth strategy. Management remains focused on advancing the ENHANCE Heart and DENOVO Lung programs, expanding internationally and developing the OCS Kidney platform, which represents a significant long-term growth opportunity.
A Factor That Can Offset TMDX’s GainsGross Margin Under Pressure: TransMedics’ gross margin remained under pressure in the first quarter of 2026 as the company continued scaling its integrated NOP infrastructure and investing aggressively in future growth initiatives. Gross margin came in at approximately 58%, down 331 basis points year over year, primarily driven by higher internal supply chain activity tied to NOP inventory replenishment, investments supporting the ENHANCE and DENOVO clinical programs and continued expansion of the NOP network.
The growing contribution from lower-margin logistics and service revenues also weighed on blended margin performance. Management noted that certain one-time items further pressured margins during the quarter. The company expects near-term gross margins to remain range-bound around current levels as it continues investing in international expansion, technology upgrades and logistics infrastructure before scale efficiencies and operating leverage more meaningfully materialize.
Estimate TrendTransMedics is witnessing a negative earnings estimate revision trend for 2026. In the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its earnings has moved 3 cents south to $1.87 per share.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s second-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $184.2 million, indicating a 17% improvement from the year-ago quarter’s reported number.
Key PicksSome better-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are Globus Medical (GMED - Free Report) , West Pharmaceutical (WST - Free Report) and Intuitive Surgical (ISRG - Free Report) .
Globus Medical, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), reported a first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.12 per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 22.1%. Revenues of $759.9 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.0%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
GMED has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 10.2% compared with the industry’s 12.6% growth. The company’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 26.3%.
West Pharmaceutical, currently flaunting a Zacks Rank #1, reported first-quarter 2026 EPS of $2.13, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 26.8%. Revenues of $844.9 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.5%.
WST has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 13.9% compared with the industry’s 9.5% growth. The company’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 19.4%.
Intuitive Surgical, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $2.50, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 20.2%. Revenues of $2.77 billion surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.2%.
ISRG has a long-term estimated growth rate of 14.6% compared with the industry’s 12.6% growth. The company’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 16.8%.
International Paper zavře závod na výrobu listového papíru v Aurora, konverzní provozy v Elk Grove a Barringtonu do konce 3. čtvrtletí 2026. V Richwoodu také ukončí předtiskové operace.
Key Takeaways International Paper plans to close its Aurora, IL, sheet plant and convert plants by Q3 2026.IP will halt preprint operations at its Richwood, KY, facility as part of its streamlining strategy.IP will shift affected customers to nearby facilities while focusing on higher-value investments. International Paper Company (IP - Free Report) announced plans to shut down its Aurora, IL, sheet plant, as well as its converting plants in Elk Grove, CA and Barrington, NJ, by the end of the third quarter 2026. The company will also halt its preprint operations at its Richwood, KY facility.
This move is in sync with IP’s strategy to boost its cost position, increase capacity and better serve customers across North America. The company is committed to streamlining its operations and focusing investments on the highest-value opportunities.
International Paper will transition customers affected by the closures to nearby facilities within each region.
IP’s Portfolio Transformation and Strategic ResetIn 2025, International Paper went through a transformation to simplify its portfolio, sharpen its regional focus and boost earnings. This included the integration of the DS Smith acquisition, which was completed in January 2025. The move created a new global leader in sustainable packaging solutions focused on the North America and EMEA markets.
The company also completed the sale of the Global Cellulose Fibers business in January 2026, received $1.1 billion in net proceeds and paid down $660 million of debt in the first quarter. These actions narrow the company’s focus toward packaging, where management is allocating capital to commercial execution, network reliability and cost reduction.
In early June, the company announced that it had acquired North Pacific Paper Company, a portfolio company of One Rock Capital Partners. The deal is in sync with International Paper's strategic transformation to maximize value creation for customers, shareholders and employees.
Last month, International Paper announced the acquisition of Delmarva Corrugated Packaging in Dover, DE. The transaction is set to expand International Paper’s footprint across the expanding East Coast market.
International Paper’s Q1 PerformanceIP posted adjusted operating earnings of 15 cents per share for the first quarter of 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 18 cents by 16.7%. The figure declined 11.8% from earnings of 17 cents a year ago.
Net sales were $5.97 billion, rising 13.4% year over year but missing the consensus mark of $6.05 billion by 1.2%.
IP Stock's Price PerformanceInternational Paper's shares have lost 18.9% in the past year compared with the industry's 6.3% decline. During this time, the Basic Materials sector has jumped 28.1%, whereas the S&P 500 has grown 23.5%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
International Paper’s Zacks Rank & Stocks to ConsiderThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Dow's current-year earnings is pegged at $2.61 per share, indicating a 377% year-over-year surge. Dow’s shares have gained 13.6% in a year.
Albemarle has an average trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 74.5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $12.45 per share, indicating year-over-year growth from a loss of 79 cents. ALB shares have skyrocketed 124% so far this year.
Avino Silver has an average trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 125%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Avino Silver’s 2026 earnings is pegged at 39 cents per share, indicating 34.5% year-over-year growth. Its shares have surged 62.7% in a year.
Sarepta Therapeutics se přibližuje ke schválení FDA pro svou léčbu Duchennovy svalové dystrofie, přičemž agentura stanovila cílové datum na 28. února 2027. Akcie SRPT vzrostly o 5,93 %.
• Sarepta Therapeutics shares are climbing with conviction. What’s fueling SRPT momentum?
The FDA approved VYONDYS 53 in 2019 and AMONDYS 45 in 2021.
The agency set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act target action date of Feb. 28, 2027.
The applications are supported by findings from the Phase 3 ESSENCE confirmatory study, along with published real-world evidence and the established safety profiles of both exon-skipping therapies.
Louise Rodino-Klapac, president of research and development and technical operations at Sarepta, said that more than 1,800 patients worldwide have received Sarepta’s exon-skipping therapies, with continued observations suggesting preservation of muscle function and slower disease progression.
ESSENCE Data and Real-World Evidence Support ApplicationsSarepta said the ESSENCE study did not meet its primary endpoint, although treatment groups showed numerical advantages over placebo.
The company said additional post-hoc analyses addressing disease progression variability and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic found increased dystrophin expression at week 96, and consistent reductions in four-step ascend decline across multiple analyses.
The therapies were also well tolerated through 144 weeks, with no new safety signals reported.
According to Sarepta, published real-world studies have linked VYONDYS 53 to a 7.5-year delay in the need for nighttime ventilation, while AMONDYS 45 has been associated with slower declines in lung function and delayed need for cough assist devices.
Across its phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer portfolio, the company also cited evidence suggesting benefits in survival, delayed loss of ambulation, improved cardiac outcomes, and fewer hospital visits.
SRPT Stock Price Activity: Sarepta Therapeutics shares were up 5.93% at $18.03 at the time of publication on Tuesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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Concentrix klesá po snížení výhledu na fiskální rok 2026, když růst tržeb v konstantní měně má činit jen asi 0,75 % místo zhruba 2,5 %. Akcie byly dole o 15,02 % na 21,44 USD.
Analyst Cuts Price Forecast After Guidance ResetAnalyst Luke Morison cut his price forecast on Concentrix to $45 from $55 but reiterated a Buy rating, arguing that the stock’s valuation remains attractive despite a weaker growth outlook.
The brokerage said the company’s reduced fiscal 2026 guidance was the biggest concern.
Management lowered its constant-currency revenue growth outlook to about 0.75% from roughly 2.5%, indicating growth is expected to slow through the remainder of the year instead of accelerating in the second half.
Customer Spending Trends Weigh on OutlookCanaccord attributed the weaker outlook to structural pressures rather than a cyclical slowdown.
The firm said accelerated offshoring and spending cuts by several large cloud, social media and telecom customers each contributed about one percentage point of the additional headwind.
It added that customers are making spending decisions more rapidly, creating a lower-visibility operating environment.
AI Platform Continues to Deliver GrowthThe brokerage highlighted continued momentum in Concentrix’s AI platform, iX, which is expected to generate more than $120 million in annual recurring revenue by year-end.
Customers using the platform are growing faster than the broader business and produce margins roughly 350 basis points above the corporate average.
However, Canaccord said the AI business is still too small to offset weakness across Concentrix’s nearly $10 billion revenue base.
Margins, Cash Flow and Valuation Remain Bright SpotsCanaccord also pointed to resilient margins, record second-quarter free cash flow and ongoing debt reduction. The firm expects Concentrix to end fiscal 2026 with net leverage below 2.6x and continue deleveraging in fiscal 2027.
Despite lowering its estimates, Canaccord said Concentrix’s valuation remains compelling.
The stock trades at about 4x enterprise value-to-EBITDA with a free cash flow yield exceeding 50%, levels the firm said already price in a prolonged secular decline.
Technical Picture Remains WeakThe selloff deepened an already bearish trend. Concentrix shares have fallen 58.8% over the past 12 months and now trade below their 20-day, 50-day, 100-day and 200-day simple moving averages.
The stock sits 16.5% below its 20-day average, 15.9% below its 50-day average, 24% below its 100-day average and 39.1% below its 200-day average.
Momentum indicators also remain negative. The MACD is below its signal line, while the histogram remains below zero, suggesting bearish momentum persists. The longer-term “death cross,” where the 50-day moving average sits below the 200-day moving average, continues to point to a weak trend.
The stock also traded below its previous 52-week low of $22.05, removing a key technical support level.
Immediate resistance is near $25.61, around the 50-day moving average. Initial support is near $21.47.
Price ActionCNXC Stock Price Activity: Concentrix shares were down 15.02% at $21.44 at the time of publication on Tuesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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Key Takeaways Ulta Beauty grew its Rewards program to nearly 47 million members, up 4% year over year.ULTA launched Ulta AI to improve product discovery, personalization and the shopping experience.ULTA uses loyalty data to tailor offers, anticipate replenishment and improve cart conversion. Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA - Free Report) continued to strengthen its personalization strategy through its Ulta Beauty Rewards loyalty program, which expanded to nearly 47 million members, representing 4% year-over-year growth in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. By leveraging customer data and insights, the company aims to deliver a more personalized shopping experience, improve customer engagement and strengthen loyalty through more relevant interactions across its retail and digital channels.
To further deepen customer engagement, the company continues to expand the use of artificial intelligence across its customer experience initiatives. During the quarter, it introduced Ulta AI, an online shopping agent designed to enhance product discovery, personalization and the overall shopping journey. Management indicated that initial customer response has been encouraging, reflecting the potential of the new feature to improve engagement. By integrating AI into the shopping experience, the company aims to deliver more personalized interactions while strengthening its digital capabilities and enhancing the overall customer experience.
The company is using loyalty data to better understand customer behavior, anticipate replenishment purchases and improve cart conversion, further enhancing the effectiveness of its personalized customer engagement strategy. By combining artificial intelligence with its rich first-party data from loyalty members, the company aims to tailor communications and promotional offers based on individual customer preferences.
This personalized approach enables the company to deliver different types of incentives, such as gifts with purchase, value-focused offers, percentage discounts or price-point promotions, to better match each customer's needs and shopping behavior.
Ulta Beauty is evolving its customer relationships from transactional interactions to individualized experiences. As these capabilities improve, Ulta Beauty aims to make shopping more personalized and strengthen customer engagement.
The Zacks Rundown for ULTAThe company’s shares have lost 3% in the past year compared with the industry’s 7.2% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, ULTA trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 10.43, lower than the industry’s average of 14.74. ULTA currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ULTA’s current and next fiscal year earnings implies a year-over-year rise of 11.8% and 11.3%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:
Five Below, Inc. (FIVE - Free Report) operates as a specialty value retailer in the United States. At present, Five Below sports a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FIVE’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 14.7% and 34.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. FIVE delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 70.1%, on average.
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL - Free Report) manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide. At present, EL flaunts a Zacks Rank of 1.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EL’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 4.5% and 59.6%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. EL delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 39.1%, on average.
Interparfums, Inc. (IPAR - Free Report) manufactures, markets, and distributes a range of fragrances and fragrance-related products in the United States and internationally. At present, the company carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).
The consensus estimate for Interparfums’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies a decline of 0.1% and 8%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. IPAR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 8%, on average.
Just when you thought the Semiconductor/AI data center capital spending boom was slowing down, the South Korean government just announced a government/corporate plan to invest more than $1 trillion in semiconductor fabrication plants and AI data centers. That's great news for companies like Vertiv (VRT +8.23%), whose power systems infrastructure technology lies at the heart of the data center buildout. The news was enough to send Vertiv stock 7% higher by midday today.
What South Korea just announced The spending is driven by the corporate sector, which accounts for the bulk of it. Samsung and SK Hynix will invest about $518 billion in new semiconductor fabrication plants, while SK Group (parent of SK Hynix), GS Group, and Naver will invest about $356 billion in AI data centers. It's the latter that will interest Vertiv investors, given its direct exposure to AI data center spending.
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What it means to Vertiv Vertiv generates about 20% of its sales in Asia and has an active presence in South Korea. While Vertiv doesn't have formal partnerships with the three companies investing in the data centers, it's linked to Naver through Naver's partnership with Nvidia. In fact, Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, described Naver as being a key partner in the global AI ecosystem. Vertiv is one of the key stocks to buy for exposure to the AI data center boom.
Image source: Getty Images.
Given that Vertiv's power systems are embedded in Nvidia's architecture, Vertiv is likely to benefit from Nvidia's spending plans. Optimism on that front was enough to send the stock higher, and investors and analysts will likely start penciling in increased orders for Vertiv after this news flow.
Lee Samaha has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Nvidia and Vertiv. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Quanta i MasTec oznámily rekordní výsledky za 1. čtvrtletí, zvýšily celoroční výhled a hlásí rekordní backlog. Quanta má backlog 48,5 mld. USD a silnější dlouhodobou viditelnost, zatímco MasTec čeká rychlejší růst EPS v roce 2026.
Key Takeaways Quanta and MasTec posted record Q1 results, raised 2026 guidance and reported record backlogs.MasTec leads on near-term earnings growth, with 2026 EPS expected to rise 35.9% on 22.5% revenue growth.Quanta stands out for its $48.5B backlog, integrated model and more durable long-term visibility. The U.S. infrastructure spending cycle remains firmly intact, supported by accelerating investments in electric grid modernization, data centers, AI infrastructure, broadband expansion and energy projects. As utilities, hyperscalers and governments increase capital expenditures, engineering and construction companies with diversified capabilities are positioned to benefit from years of sustained demand. Quanta Services (PWR - Free Report) and MasTec (MTZ - Free Report) stand out as two of the industry's strongest players.
Both delivered exceptional first-quarter 2026 results, raised full-year guidance and highlighted record backlogs, reflecting robust customer demand across multiple end markets. Yet, despite serving similar markets, their growth strategies, profitability drivers and valuation profiles differ meaningfully.
Let's dive deep and closely compare the fundamentals of the two stocks to determine which one is a better investment now.
The Case for Quanta StockQuanta continues to strengthen its position as the premier provider of mission-critical infrastructure solutions by capitalizing on long-duration investments in electric transmission, grid modernization, renewable energy, communications, and rapidly expanding data center infrastructure. The company reported record first-quarter revenues of $7.87 billion, up 26% year over year, while adjusted earnings per share (EPS) jumped to $2.68 from $1.78. Total backlog reached an all-time high of $48.5 billion, providing excellent revenue visibility. Encouraged by strong execution and improving visibility, management raised substantially all full-year financial guidance.
Perhaps the biggest differentiator for Quanta is its integrated solutions model. Rather than serving only as an engineering contractor, the company increasingly provides customers with comprehensive infrastructure solutions, including engineering, procurement, manufacturing, fabrication, logistics and construction. This integrated approach has made Quanta an indispensable partner for utilities and hyperscale customers that require execution certainty on increasingly complex projects.
AI-driven electricity demand is emerging as another major growth catalyst. Management believes utilities could effectively double in size over time as power demand from AI data centers accelerates. To support this opportunity, Quanta is investing $500-$700 million to double transformer manufacturing capacity while significantly expanding its fabrication and supply-chain capabilities. The company believes these investments position it to benefit from an estimated $2.4 trillion addressable market through 2030.
Quanta also benefits from exceptional operational discipline. Management continues targeting 15%-20% annual adjusted EPS growth through 2030 while simultaneously expanding margins and maintaining an investment-grade balance sheet. The company's diversified exposure across electric infrastructure, communications, renewable energy and large-load facilities reduces dependence on any single end market.
Challenges remain. Quanta trades at a premium valuation, raising expectations for flawless execution. Large fixed-price infrastructure projects always carry execution risks, while permitting delays, supply-chain disruptions, labor shortages and higher project costs could affect project timing. Nevertheless, Quanta's scale, vertical integration and longstanding customer relationships help mitigate many of these risks.
The Case for MasTec StockMasTec has emerged as one of the fastest-growing infrastructure contractors, benefiting from accelerating investments across communications, power delivery, pipeline infrastructure and clean energy. First-quarter revenues surged 34% year over year to a record $3.83 billion, while adjusted EBITDA increased 73% and adjusted EPS jumped 174%. The company also reported a record 18-month backlog of $20.3 billion and raised its full-year 2026 guidance.
One of MasTec's biggest strengths is its broad exposure to multiple high-growth infrastructure themes. AI is boosting demand for data center construction, fiber connectivity and electric transmission simultaneously. Management highlighted growing opportunities in turnkey data center construction, utility transmission projects and telecom interconnectivity as AI workloads continue expanding. Power Delivery backlog reached record levels after posting a 1.6x book-to-bill ratio, while Clean Energy and Infrastructure backlog continued growing at an impressive pace.
Pipeline Infrastructure has become another important growth engine. Revenues nearly doubled year over year as growing LNG exports and rising natural gas-fired generation support long-term pipeline investments. Management also noted that project visibility remains stronger than reflected in the reported backlog because many awards are still under negotiation.
Operational execution has improved significantly as well. Margin expansion across Power Delivery, Pipeline Infrastructure and Clean Energy demonstrates improving project selection, better productivity and greater operating leverage. Customers increasingly prefer MasTec for alliance agreements, sole-source contracts and turnkey infrastructure delivery, strengthening future growth prospects.
However, MasTec faces its own challenges. Pipeline activity remains somewhat dependent on regulatory approvals and customer timing. Communications margins continue facing pressure from certain legacy businesses, while acquisitions and expansion into new markets create integration risks. Compared with Quanta, MasTec also has relatively greater exposure to project timing within pipeline and renewable energy markets, making quarterly results somewhat more cyclical.
PWR vs MTZ: Market Momentum Favors Both Infrastructure LeadersBoth stocks have dramatically outperformed the broader market in 2026. MasTec has gained an impressive 97.4% year to date (YTD), while Quanta has climbed 69.2%. These gains far exceed the Zacks Construction sector's 17.8% advance and the S&P 500's 7.3% rise, reflecting investors' confidence in AI-driven infrastructure spending.
PWR vs MTZ Price Performance (YTD)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Among other infrastructure peers, Comfort Systems USA (FIX - Free Report) and EMCOR Group (EME - Free Report) have also benefited from data center and electrification investments, reinforcing the industry's favorable backdrop, gaining 108.8% and 33.1% YTD, respectively. However, MasTec's stronger share price appreciation suggests investors are rewarding its faster earnings acceleration, while Quanta continues attracting premium-quality investors because of its superior execution consistency and long-duration growth profile.
PWR vs MTZ: Premium Multiples Reflect Strong Growth ExpectationsNeither stock appears inexpensive. Quanta trades at 46.89X forward 12-month earnings, while MasTec trades at 41.03X. Both command substantial premiums over the Zacks Construction sector average of 22.22X.
PWR vs MTZ Valuation (P/E F12M)
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Compared with EMCOR (26.2X) and Comfort Systems (40.9X), both companies also trade at elevated valuations because investors expect sustained earnings growth from AI infrastructure, grid modernization and power demand.
Although MasTec offers the lower multiple, Quanta arguably deserves its premium due to its larger backlog, integrated business model, stronger balance sheet, expanding manufacturing capabilities and exceptional long-term visibility.
Earnings Revisions Continue Moving HigherAnalysts have become increasingly optimistic about both companies following their first-quarter results. Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Quanta's 2026 EPS increased to $14.03 from $13.16. Earnings are expected to grow 30.5% on 22.1% revenue growth this year, followed by another 17.3% EPS increase on 12.5% revenue growth in 2027.
PWR EPS Estimate Revision
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MasTec's earnings revisions have also moved higher. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 EPS increased to $8.90 from $8.56 during the past 60 days, implying 35.9% annual growth on 22.5% revenue growth. For 2027, analysts expect another impressive 35.3% EPS increase alongside 11.1% revenue growth.
MasTec clearly enjoys the faster near-term earnings growth outlook. However, Quanta's earnings trajectory appears more balanced and supported by longer-duration opportunities, making its growth profile arguably more sustainable.
MTZ EPS Estimate Revision
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Which Stock Looks Like the Better Buy?Both companies remain exceptionally well-positioned to benefit from the multiyear infrastructure investment cycle fueled by AI, electrification, grid modernization and energy security. MasTec offers faster earnings growth, strong operational momentum and broader exposure to several rapidly expanding infrastructure markets. Its lower valuation also provides some relative appeal.
However, Quanta, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), stands out because of its unmatched execution capabilities, record $48.5 billion backlog, vertically integrated operating model, expanding manufacturing footprint and superior long-term visibility. Its investments in transformer manufacturing, fabrication capacity and integrated supply-chain solutions further strengthen its competitive advantage as customers increasingly prioritize execution certainty on complex infrastructure projects. MasTec currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Overall, Quanta appears better positioned to deliver more durable long-term shareholder returns, making it the more attractive infrastructure stock for investors seeking a combination of growth, execution consistency and earnings visibility.
PFG těží ze síly penzijního byznysu a správy aktiv; spravovaná aktiva vzrostla o 7 % na 770 miliard USD. Akcie se obchodují blízko 52týdenního maxima 112,45 USD.
Key Takeaways PFG benefits from strength in retirement, asset management and group benefits businesses.Assets under management rose 7% to $770 billion, supported by strong investment sales and inflowsPrincipal Financial supports growth through acquisitions, while returning capital via buybacks and dividends. Shares of Principal Financial Group, Inc. (PFG - Free Report) have gained 36.6% in the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 1.3%. Its share closed at $108.51 on Monday, near its 52-week high of $112.45, reflecting strong investor confidence.
Continued growth in its retirement business, expanding assets under management and a robust capital position should drive further price appreciation.
Shares of some of its peers include CNO Financial Group, Inc. (CNO - Free Report) , Radian Group Inc. (RDN - Free Report) , and MetLife, Inc. (MET - Free Report) , have gained 35.1%, 5% and 6.9%, respectively, in the past year.
1-Year Price Performance: PFG, CNO, MET, RDN & Industry
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PFG’s ValuationPrincipal Financial shares are trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings of 11.08X, higher than the industry average of 9.12X, reflecting investor confidence. However, it currently carries a Value Score of A.
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Shares of CNO Financial, MetLife and Radian Group are currently trading at a price-to-earnings value of 11.15X, 8.19 and 7.21X, respectively, in the past year.
PFG’s Encouraging Growth ProjectionThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Principal Financial’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) indicates a year-over-year increase of 13.3%. The consensus estimate for revenues is pegged at $16.38 billion, implying a year-over-year improvement of 2%.
The consensus estimate for 2027 EPS and revenues indicates an increase of 9.1% and 7.3%, respectively, from the corresponding 2026 estimates.
The expected long-term earnings growth is pegged at 10.7%.
Optimistic Analyst Sentiment on PFGFour analysts covering the stock have raised estimates for 2026, with no downward revisions, while three out of four analysts have increased estimates for 2027 over the past 60 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 has moved 0.6% and 0.5% north, respectively, over the same time period.
PFG’s Key TailwindsPrincipal Financial continues to benefit from its strength and leadership in retirement and long-term savings, group benefits and protection in the United States and retirement and long-term savings in Latin America and Asia. Continued growth in fee, spread, and risk businesses boosts the company’s long-term prospects. The company leverages a favorable market position in the retirement industry and remains optimistic about the momentum across retirement platforms. PFG estimates solid revenue growth and margin expansion across all its segments over the long term.
Principal Financial’s assets under management (AUM) are driven by solid results across its three asset management and asset accumulation segments. Total company-managed AUM was $770 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2026, increasing 7% year over year. Principal Financial’s record investment sales, strong international net inflows, expanding private market strategies, extensive distribution footprint and active ETFs continue to support AUM growth.
The Specialty Benefits Insurance business should continue to gain from record sales, strong retention, improved dental pricing, solid disability performance and better group life results. Lower loss ratios and expanding margins are expected to support underwriting profitability through 2026.
Management utilizes a significant portion of its operating earnings for mergers and acquisitions and intends to continue doing so. Acquisitions, such as MetLife's Afore business, Internos and RobustWealth, have helped the company expand its fee-based businesses and global footprint. Integration of the Wells Fargo Institutional Retirement and Trust business, along with strategic investment and initiatives, has expanded Principal Financial’s retirement offerings. Principal Financial looks forward to further leveraging the relationship to capitalize on its global retirement and asset management expertise through the partnership.
PFG boasts a strong capital position, supported by sufficient cash generation and liquidity. The company ended the first quarter of 2026 with $1.45 billion of excess and available capital. For 2026, PFG remains well-positioned to deliver on its enterprise long-term financial targets, with 9-12% growth in EPS and 75-85% free capital flow conversion. The robust capital position also supports disciplined capital deployment. The company returned $375 million to shareholders in the first quarter, including $200 million through share repurchases.
Risks for PFGPFG’s expenses have been increasing due to a rise in benefits, claims and settlement expenses, as well as operating expenses, weighing on margin expansion.
Principal Financial has been growing inorganically through acquisitions, increasing its debt obligation risks associated with successful integration.
Final Take on PFGPrincipal Financial should benefit from robust retirement business growth, fee-based revenue sources, growth in specialty benefits, strategic buyouts, and a strong capital position. However, escalating costs and dilution from acquisitions are concerns.
The board raised the second-quarter dividend by 8% to 82 cents per share, and the stock offers a dividend yield of 3%, above the industry average of 2.5%.
Coupled with the AUM growth, impressive dividend history, optimistic analyst sentiment, and favorable growth projections, PFG should continue to benefit over the long term. The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
AECOM získal osm zakázek v rámci čtyřletého technicko-inženýrského rámce Scotland Excel pro 32 skotských rad. Bude dodávat služby v dopravě, vodě, životním prostředí, řízení projektů a komerčním managementu.
Key Takeaways ACM secured eight lots on Scotland Excel's four-year engineering consultancy framework.AECOM will provide transportation, water, environmental, project and commercial management services.ACM's award expands its U.K. framework portfolio alongside recent major infrastructure appointments. AECOM (ACM - Free Report) has secured eight lots on Scotland Excel's Engineering and Technical Consultancy Framework, expanding its role in providing engineering and technical consultancy services to Scotland's local government sector.
The four-year framework offers a collaborative procurement route for 32 Scottish councils and associate members seeking design and construction consultancy expertise. Under the appointment, AECOM will deliver transportation, water, environmental design, project management and commercial management services. The latest award represents a broader role in the second-generation framework and reflects an expansion in the company's service coverage.
AECOM Adds to Growing U.K. Framework PortfolioThe expanded appointment allows AECOM to support local authorities across a wider range of engineering and technical consultancy requirements through its local teams backed by integrated expertise across the United Kingdom. The broader scope of awarded lots positions the company to participate in projects spanning multiple infrastructure and development priorities over the framework's four-year term.
The award also adds to AECOM's growing portfolio of framework appointments in the United Kingdom. Recent selections, including the preferred bidder role for Scottish Water's Enterprise Alliance and expanded positions on the country's AMP8 water framework, indicate continued opportunities for the company to participate in large-scale engineering and consultancy programs across the region.
AECOM's Expanding Pipeline Supports Long-Term VisibilityAECOM continues to build long-term revenue visibility through a combination of record backlog, a growing pipeline and sustained demand across several infrastructure markets. The company is seeing favorable opportunities in transportation, water, energy, defense, data centers and power infrastructure, while strong funding levels and consistent win rates continue to support future project activity.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, backlog increased 8% year over year to a record $26.2 billion, supported by a design book-to-burn ratio of 1.2x. The company also continued to build its pipeline across both the Americas and International markets, providing greater visibility into future project activity. Supported by record backlog, a growing pipeline and favorable funding trends, AECOM raised its full-year fiscal 2026 guidance for the second time this year and expects adjusted EPS and adjusted EBITDA to increase 14% and 7%, respectively, at the midpoint of the updated outlook.
ACM’s Price PerformanceAECOM stock has declined 28.1% in the year-to-date period, significantly underperforming the Zacks Engineering - R and D Services industry’s 38.9% growth. The near-term outlook remains challenged by macroeconomic uncertainty, inflationary pressures and temporary disruptions related to the prolonged U.S. federal government shutdown.
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However, ACM’s long-term growth outlook remains compelling, supported by strong demand across its core end markets, including transportation, water, environmental services, energy and advanced facilities.
ACM’s Zacks Rank & Key PicksAECOM currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Here are some better-ranked stocks from the Construction sector:
JACOBS SOLUTNS (J - Free Report) carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 4%, on average. J stock has declined 6.6% year to date. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for JACOBS fiscal 2026 sales and earnings per share (EPS) indicates growth of 17.6% and 18.1%, respectively, from the prior-year levels.
Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL - Free Report) sports a Zacks Rank of 1 at present. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 32.5%, on average. STRL stock has jumped 170.3% year to date.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Sterling’s 2026 sales and EPS indicates growth of 59.2% and 78.8%, respectively, from the prior-year levels.
Quanta Services, Inc. (PWR - Free Report) flaunts a Zacks Rank of 1 at present. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.2%, on average. PWR stock has climbed 69.1% year to date.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Quanta’s 2026 sales and EPS indicates growth of 22.1% and 30.7%, respectively, from the prior-year levels.
Twilio za 1. čtvrtletí vykázala růst tržeb o 20 %, ale výhled počítá jen s růstem o 15,5 % až 16,5 % ve 2. čtvrtletí a o 14 % až 15 % za celý rok 2026. P/E se pohybuje kolem 300.
Twilio (TWLO +2.32%) has enjoyed a strong start to the year but now finds itself in a 20% correction. Many companies use Twilio's platform to communicate with customers via text, video, artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, and other capabilities. It's natural for stocks to take breathers after long runs, but a high P/E ratio offers some reason for concern.
Image source: Getty Images.
Twilio is a good company but a bad stock Twilio has good fundamentals, but it's hard to justify a stock with a P/E ratio hovering near 300. The company delivered 20% year-over-year revenue growth in the first quarter. Those sales come from a solid foundation, which includes more than 400,000 customers and 68% of Fortune 500 companies.
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However, growth investors aren't concerned only with the current foundation. They want revenue acceleration and enticing long-term growth prospects. If those are good, investors can more easily justify a stock that is trading near a 300 P/E ratio, but that isn't the case for Twilio.
The company anticipates only 15.5% to 16.5% year-over-year revenue growth in Q2 and 14% to 15% year-over-year revenue growth in full-year 2026. These aren't exciting numbers, especially when investors can choose from AI stocks that are delivering substantial growth rates well above the 14% to 15% growth rate Twilio expects to deliver throughout the year.
The agentic AI angle is worth monitoring Not everyone feels bearish about Twilio. Goldman Sachs gave it a $300 price target and cited Twilio's positioning in agentic AI infrastructure.
Twilio's list of top customer wins from its Q1 presentation includes several cases of agentic AI translating into more customer engagement, which bodes well for the bullish narrative. Twilio has formed the backbone for some customers' voice AI infrastructure, customer service chatbots, and AI agents for sales. Twilio CEO Khozema Shipchandler even touted the company as a "foundational infrastructure layer in the era of AI," demonstrating that it wants to capitalize on the opportunity.
However, the impact of agentic AI did not show up in guidance, which is a red flag. Leaders in the AI chip and memory cycle have regularly pounded the table with compelling guidance that shows growth rates much higher than Wall Street expected.
This isn't the first time investors got caught up in Twilio, thinking it could be a superstar stock. The company soared from $80 per share to over $400 per share in less than a year during the pandemic. Then the bubble burst, and Twilio is still down by roughly 60% from all-time highs.
Twilio's full-year guidance suggests that investors are overestimating the opportunity and may get burned again by the stock, especially if a short-term rally takes shape. If Twilio projected accelerated revenue growth rates for Q2 and beyond or had a more reasonable valuation, it would be easier to buy shares. However, neither of those is the case.
Key Takeaways Kohl's juniors business grew 10% in Q1, led by strength from proprietary brand So.Proprietary brands posted a 6% comparable sales increase, supported by "By Kohl's" marketing.Kohl's plans to expand So. into more dress and casual categories through its office edit collection. Kohl's Corporation (KSS - Free Report) has been working to strengthen its merchandising strategy by refining assortments and placing a greater emphasis on proprietary brands. Early signs suggest those efforts are gaining traction in the juniors category, where the So. brand emerged as a standout performer during the first quarter of fiscal 2026.
The juniors business grew 10% in the quarter, led by strength from So. The performance contributed to flat to slightly positive comparable sales across the women's, kids', home and accessories businesses, making juniors one of the clearest areas of progress within the company's merchandising initiatives.
The momentum also aligns with Kohl's broader focus on proprietary brands, which delivered a 6% comparable sales increase during the quarter. The company continues to position these brands around quality products at affordable opening price points while supporting them through enhanced in-store presentation and its "By Kohl's" marketing campaign. Building on So.'s performance, Kohl's plans to expand the brand into additional dress and casual categories through its office edit collection.
The importance of So.'s performance is underscored by the broader operating backdrop. Company-wide comparable sales declined 1.1% in the quarter, indicating that the strength in juniors stood out against an overall business that remains under pressure.
While one quarter does not establish a long-term trend, the results suggest that Kohl's merchandising strategy is producing measurable gains in a category where it has invested in its proprietary offering. If the company can sustain the momentum in So. and successfully broaden the brand's assortment, the juniors business has the potential to become a more meaningful contributor to growth within the women's apparel portfolio.
How Walmart and Target CompareWalmart Inc. (WMT - Free Report) is seeing apparel momentum within a broader general merchandise recovery. In the first quarter of fiscal 2027, the company reported 4.1% comparable sales growth at Walmart U.S., supported by a 3% increase in transactions. WMT also noted that fashion stood out, delivering the category’s strongest share growth in five years. Walmart’s apparel progress is being driven by broader assortment improvements, expanded third-party offerings, marketplace growth and value positioning.
Target Corporation (TGT - Free Report) also delivered broad-based merchandise improvement. The company reported 6.7% net sales growth and 5.6% comparable sales growth in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, led by a 4.4% increase in traffic. Sales at TGT grew across all six core merchandise categories, while apparel and accessories sales rose to $3.85 billion from $3.71 billion. Target’s apparel growth reflects broader style, category and traffic-led initiatives.
KSS Stock Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Kohl’s have surged 101.4% over the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 60.9%.
KSS Price Performance Versus Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, KSS trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 13.61, lower than the industry’s average of 14.16.
KSS’ Valuation Compared to Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Figma ve 1. čtvrtletí 2026 vytvořila provozní cash flow 97,3 mil. USD a volné cash flow 88,6 mil. USD, podpořené předplatbami zákazníků. Hotovost, ekvivalenty a obchodovatelné cenné papíry dosáhly zhruba 1,6 mld. USD.
Key Takeaways Figma generated $97.3M operating cash flow and $88.6M free cash flow in Q1 2026 with strong margins.FIG benefited from customer prepayments, boosting liquidity through higher deferred revenue and collections.Figma ended the quarter with about $1.6B in cash to support AI, product development and growth initiatives. Figma's (FIG - Free Report) cash flow profile remains exceptionally strong. During the first quarter of 2026, Figma generated an operating cash flow of $97.3 million, representing an operating cash flow margin of 29%, while free cash flow reached $88.6 million, or a 27% free cash flow margin.
Working capital also provided a meaningful boost to operating cash flow. Accounts receivable declined by $59.5 million, reflecting strong collections and customer payments, while deferred revenues increased $32.3 million as customers continued to pay upfront for subscription services.
This favorable working capital structure allows Figma to receive cash before recognizing revenues, creating a sustainable source of operating liquidity. Capital expenditures remained modest at $7.8 million, while only $0.9 million was invested in capitalized internal-use software, underscoring the company's low capital intensity and enabling most operating cash flow to convert into free cash flow.
Figma's investing cash flows were largely driven by routine purchases and maturities of marketable securities rather than significant business investments, while financing cash flow primarily reflected employee equity-related tax settlements and stock option exercises.
The company ended the quarter with approximately $1.6 billion in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, providing substantial financial flexibility to fund AI initiatives, product development and future growth opportunities. Figma's recurring subscription revenues, customer prepayments, low capital requirements and strong free cash flow generation position it among the highest-quality cash-generating software companies.
How Competitors Fare Against FigmaFigma operates in a crowded design and product workflow market with established incumbents and newer AI-native tools, including AI coding tools, AI design tools, AI website builders and AI product-development platforms.
Figma faces constant competitive challenges from established players, including Adobe (ADBE - Free Report) and Atlassian (TEAM - Free Report) . Atlassian is focusing on adding generative AI features to some of its collaboration software.
Atlassian is partnering with Google Cloud to bring Atlassian’s AI-powered teamwork platform, including Jira, Confluence and Loom, onto Google’s AI-optimized infrastructure. Maintaining product leadership in this marketplace requires sustained investment and higher operating costs. Adobe recently partnered with Google Cloud to enhance Adobe’s creative ecosystem with AI.
Figma’s Share Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesFigma shares have lost 48.9% year to date. The Zacks Internet - Software industry has declined 14.2% in the same period.
FIG YTD Performance Chart
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Figma stock is trading at a premium, with a forward 12-month Price/Sales of 5.41X compared with the Internet - Software industry’s 3.62X. FIG has a Value Score of F.
Bernstein zvýšil cílovou cenu SanDisk na $3,000 z $1,700 a ponechal overweight. Akcie reagovaly růstem o 4,9 % díky optimistickému výhledu na supercyklus v oblasti pamětí.
SanDisk shares SNDK rose 4.9% in early trading on Tuesday after Bernstein raised its price target on the stock, citing durability in its future business model.
The move comes as investors continue to assess the strength of the ongoing memory supercycle, driven by surging demand for components used in artificial intelligence data centers.
SanDisk and Micron have emerged as key beneficiaries of this trend, with memory demand accelerating across AI, cloud, hyperscale, and enterprise data center markets.
SanDisk has also been the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 in 2026, with shares surging 767% year to date.
Bernstein raised its price target on SNDK to $3,000 from $1,700, while maintaining an overweight rating.
The new target sits well above the analyst consensus of $1,845.64 and implies approximately 46% upside from Monday’s closing price.
In its note, Bernstein emphasized structural changes in memory contracting practices, particularly the evolution of long-term agreements (LTAs).
Bernstein said new memory long-term agreements, or LTAs, are different from older ones: they have fixed or range-bound prices, longer terms, and include upfront financial commitments to lock in customers and protect downside.
The firm highlighted that SanDisk’s pricing structure reflects this shift.
Based on data provided by companies, Bernstein estimated that SanDisk’s floor price in recently signed long-term agreements is around $0.29 per gigabyte.
The firm said this level is meaningfully higher than the effective floor prices it attributes to competitors, including Micron Technology, which it estimates are below the company’s second-quarter realized pricing.
The newer long-term agreements represent a structural shift in memory contracting practices, reshaping the economics of the NAND flash market.
These agreements help reduce exposure to traditional cyclical downturns in the industry.
Long-term agreements were also highlighted in Micron’s fiscal third-quarter results, which exceeded expectations.
The company announced 16 strategic customer agreements (SCAs), described as non-cancellable contracts typically running for five years, which analysts say provide strong revenue visibility across the semiconductor industry.
SanDisk’s rally has also been supported by its positioning in AI-related storage demand.
Since separating from Western Digital in February 2025, the company has focused on becoming a pure-play flash memory provider, with exposure to enterprise and AI-driven storage markets alongside its consumer business.
The company supplies enterprise solid-state drives (SSDs), high-capacity Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) drives, and storage platforms used in artificial intelligence, cloud, hyperscale, and enterprise data centers.
However, it remains smaller in market presence compared with peers such as Samsung, Micron, Kioxia, and Solidigm.
Bernstein said SanDisk has additional room to benefit from newer long-term agreements that improve revenue stability and reduce downside risk in the memory cycle.
“While these LTA’s do not completely remove risk of future downcycles, they do significantly alleviate downside risk,” analyst Mark Newman said Tuesday in a note to clients.
Bernstein also projected long-term earnings potential tied to these agreements, estimating SanDisk could reach earnings of $214 per share by fiscal year 2030. That compares with a potential $81 per share scenario without LTAs, according to the firm.
The analyst call aligns broadly with Wall Street sentiment. Of the 24 analysts covering SanDisk, 21 currently rate the stock as a buy or strong buy, according to LSEG data.
Soud zamítl snahu Meta zrušit žalobu 29 generálních prokurátorů států, kteří ji viní z navrhování Facebooku a Instagramu tak, aby děti na platformách „závisely“. Soud zároveň uvedl, že Meta neplnila pravidla zákona o ochraně soukromí dětí.
A federal judge rejected Meta Platforms’ bid to dismiss a lawsuit by 29 state attorneys general accusing it of designing Facebook and Instagram to addict children and knowingly concealing the harm from the public.
In a decision late on Monday night, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, Calif., denied Meta’s motion to dismiss claims based on deception, unfair practices and violations of the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
The judge also said Meta did not comply with that law’s notice and parental consent requirements, and granted summary judgment to the states on that issue.
Meta’s bid to dismiss a lawsuit by 29 state attorneys general accusing it of designing Facebook and Instagram to addict children and knowingly concealing the harm from the public was rejected. Bloomberg via Getty Images Meta and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.
Gonzalez Rogers also oversees related multidistrict litigation by more than 2,600 individuals, school districts and local governments over whether social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Google and YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok addict children.
Meta downplays harms The states said research has shown that children’s use of Facebook and Instagram could lead to depression, anxiety, insomnia, interference with education and daily life, and self-harm including suicide.
Meta countered that the attorneys general had no evidence it misled consumers about its platforms’ alleged addictiveness, including in congressional testimony by Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg.
The Menlo Park, Calif.-based company said this was because “social media addiction” is not an established psychiatric condition, and therefore statements that its platforms are not addictive could not be false.
The states said research has shown that children’s use of Facebook and Instagram could lead to depression, anxiety, insomnia, interference with education and daily life, and self-harm including suicide. Above, victims’ families after a trial in Los Angeles earlier this year. Andy Johnstone for CA Post
The judge also said Meta did not comply with that law’s notice and parental consent requirements. Getty Images Meta also said it didn’t violate the children’s online privacy law because it directed Facebook and Instagram to a general audience, not just children under age 13.
Judge finds factual disputes about addictiveness In a 38-page decision, Gonzalez Rogers found material factual disputes over whether Meta’s social media platforms are addictive, whether Meta falsely denied it designed them that way, and whether it “partially” directed the platforms at children.
“The AGs present a reasonable interpretation of [Meta’s] statements that Facebook and Instagram are not designed in ways that cause teens to compulsively use the platforms to their detriment,” she wrote. “To the extent plaintiffs’ evidence shows that the platforms are in fact designed to do just that, a jury could reasonably find the statements were untrue to a reasonable person.”
A trial is scheduled for Aug. 18, court records show.
AWS zřizuje novou interní organizaci pro forward-deployed inženýry zaměřené na AI a Amazon na ni vyčlení 1 miliardu USD. Tým má pomáhat firmám s nasazením agentů přímo u zákazníků.
As companies struggle to integrate AI, they’re increasingly ready to bring in outside help — and service providers are launching new purpose-built groups to make sure they get it.
On Tuesday, Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched a new internal organization for AI-focused forward-deployed engineers. Engineers on the new team will embed within companies to deploy purpose-built agents, focusing on fast engagements and customer self-sufficiency.
In a post announcing the new org, AWS VP of Frontier AI Francessca Vasquez emphasized that the org would do more than build and maintain requested systems. “Customers leave AWS FDE deployments with both new solutions and new engineering capabilities,” the announcement reads. “Along with agentic systems running in their own AWS environment, they gain lasting AI skills, workflows, and patterns they can use to innovate independently.”
Amazon says $1 billion will be committed to the new org, although the figure represents internal Amazon resources rather than a joint venture or conventional investment.
Pioneered by Palantir, the forward-deployed engineer (FDE) model has become increasingly popular as a way to manage AI deployments. In a typical FDE system, an engineer from the contracting company (in this case, AWS) works for the client temporarily while the system is being established, allowing them to respond directly as internal opportunities or challenges emerge.
In the FDE model, much of the relevant technology can be reused between deployments, while still being tailored to the specifics of each company’s needs and workflows. It also gives the client company an influx of expertise and puts primary responsibility for the deployment in the hands of the contractor. The biggest downside is the labor involved, since it means maintaining a full corps of FDE engineers to install and maintain the company’s technology.
Both OpenAI and Anthropic have launched their own FDE joint ventures in recent months, valued at $4 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively. In those two cases, the AI labs were paired with private equity firms, which provided both the capital to launch and connections with client corporations in their portfolios.
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Russell Brandom has been covering the tech industry since 2012, with a focus on platform policy and emerging technologies. He previously worked at The Verge and Rest of World, and has written for Wired, The Awl and MIT’s Technology Review. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Signal at 412-401-5489.
Amazon těží ze silné poptávky během Prime Day a BofA čeká, že 20% zvýšení cen vybraných GPU workloadů v AWS přidá 1–2 procentní body k růstu AWS v druhé polovině roku.
In a note released Monday, the firm sees the combination of stronger June retail data and a 20% price increase on select AWS GPU workloads as setting up a cleaner second-half growth story for the stock.
AMZN stock is moving. See the chart and price action here. Prime Day DeliversAdobe Analytics data show U.S. online retail spend during the Prime Day window at roughly $26.4 billion, up 9% year over year, a result that lines up with Bank of America’s expectation for mid-single-digit global GMV growth as some international events move into the third quarter.
Discounts were broadly similar to last year, but Numerator data flagged an 11% drop in average order value on Amazon and softer satisfaction scores, pointing to a customer shift toward everyday essentials and grocery rather than big-ticket items.
Even with smaller baskets, BofA still expects Amazon’s North America retail segment to slightly beat Street estimates for about 14% year-over-year growth.
The catch for near-term traders is timing. Bank of America estimates around $7 billion to $8 billion of sales likely shifted into the second quarter from the third quarter due to this year’s Prime Day schedule, creating potential noise around Amazon’s Q3 outlook even if full-year fundamentals remain intact.
AWS Price HikeOn the cloud side, Amazon quietly announced a roughly 20% price increase effective July 1 for EC2 Capacity Blocks tied to GPU-heavy machine-learning workloads, following a prior 15% hike in January.
Bank of America’s work suggests effective prices paid by customers have already risen from 2022 trough levels, and the new adjustment should add an estimated 1–2 percentage points to second-half AWS growth.
Beyond core capacity, the firm points to ramping commitments from OpenAI and Anthropic on AWS infrastructure, reinforcing a view that Amazon is leaning into AI demand with greater pricing discipline.
BofA flags some risks including tougher competition from offline and local retailers, cloud share battles in advanced AI and heavy AWS investment that could pressure margins if macro conditions soften.
Still, with solid Prime Day demand and AWS asserting pricing power in AI workloads, Amazon’s stock remains a key name to watch as the market balances short-term guidance noise against a strengthening multi-year thesis.
AMZN Stock Price Activity: Amazon stock was down 0.86% at $238.07 at the time of publication Tuesday, according to data from Benzinga Pro.
Over the past month, AMZN has declined about 10.6% versus a 1.6% decline in the S&P 500 and is up roughly 3% year-to-date compared to the index’s 8.4% gain.
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Microsoft míří na nejhorší měsíc od roku 2000, v červnu zatím ztratil 20 % kvůli obavám z výdajů na AI. Firma plánuje kapitálové investice ve výši 190 mld. USD do konce roku 2026.
Key Takeaways Microsoft is on track for its worst month since 2000 after a 20% June decline and AI spending concerns. MSFT plans $190B in capital spending through 2026, raising investor worries over profit margins. ETFs like VGT provide diversified tech exposure with Microsoft among their top holdings. According to recent data published by Bloomberg, Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) is heading for its worst month since the dot-com era. The stock has lost 20% so far in June, putting it on course for its steepest monthly decline since December 2000, when it lost 24.4%.
While this brutal selloff, which erased more than $570 billion in this software giant’s market value, may have deeply disappointed near-term investors, some may view this as a compelling dip-buying opportunity.
Rather than betting on a single stock and losing havoc with its sudden freefall as it happened with MSFT, gaining exposure to tech exchange-traded funds (ETFs) holding Microsoft alongside other silicon giants may offer a more prudent strategy.
Before identifying those ETFs, it is important to understand what caused Microsoft's decline, whether it is well positioned to regain its momentum over the long term, and why tech ETFs may offer a more diversified and potentially safer investment strategy.
What Caused Microsoft’s Freefall?The recent slump witnessed in Microsoft's share price stems primarily from growing investor skepticism surrounding its massive artificial intelligence (AI) expenditures, with the company announcing during its fiscal third-quarter results that it expects $190 billion in capital expenditures through the end of 2026.
This expense plan by Microsoft, which exceeded Wall Street expectations, made investors increasingly anxious about how long it will take for multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investments to translate into robust profit margins.
Market experts have also expressed concern about margin compression in MSFT’s Azure cloud-computing business. Although Azure remains the company's fastest-growing segment, operating AI infrastructure is generating significantly lower gross margins than Microsoft's traditional on-premises software business.
Consequently, anxiety among investors has been building up over the past few months, leading to repeated sell-offs in MSFT's shares and a cumulative year-to-date decline of approximately 24%.
Will MSFT Rebound?Looking at historical data and underlying valuations, Microsoft's long-term growth prospects remain healthy. The company's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio sits at a premium of around 19.1X compared to its peer group’s 15.68X, which, while high, is justified by its dominant enterprise footprint and expanding cloud ecosystem.
The stock boasts a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 8.43% and a long-term (three-to-five years) earnings growth rate of 16.60%, which beat the industry’s growth rate of 12.40%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MSFT’s fiscal 2026 and 2027 revenues implies year-over-year growth of 17% and 16%, respectively.
Microsoft's fundamental ability to monetize generative AI through its Azure platform and increased GitHub Copilot usage should help it achieve these targets, thereby positioning it to make a solid rebound in the long term.
The stock’s short-term average price target of $554.04 reflects an increase of 48.55% from its last closing price of $372.97, implying a substantial upside from its current discounted price.
The Rationale Behind Choosing Tech ETFsEven with Microsoft's solid potential for recovery, as mentioned above, some investors may remain skeptical given the recent downturn. For these cautious market participants, tech ETFs represent an excellent investment alternative.
From a diversification standpoint, ETFs help mitigate the single-stock risk associated with holding an individual company, reducing the impact of earnings-related volatility. Rapid AI acceleration is already boosting the broader tech industry to unprecedented heights.
Although the tech sector has witnessed notable macro sell-offs recently, the ultimate long-term potential of the industry remains robust, thanks to secular tailwinds like enterprise cloud migration, cybersecurity expansion, and advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Thus, capitalizing on this broad momentum via tech ETFs allows investors to participate in the AI revolution without exposing their portfolios to the vulnerability of a single corporate balance sheet.
Tech ETFs to BuyWith AI infrastructure spending from major hyperscalers expected to reach approximately $725 billion in 2026, one may consider the following tech ETFs to buy on this historic Microsoft dip:
Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund ETF Shares (VGT - Free Report)
This fund, with net assets worth $170.1 billion, offers exposure to 323 companies from the following industries: technology software and services, technology hardware and equipment, and semiconductor and semiconductor equipment manufacturers. NVIDIA (NVDA - Free Report) holds the first spot in this fund, with 16.77% weightage, while MSFT holds the third spot with 9.87% weightage.
VGT has rallied 23.6% year to date. The fund charges 9 basis points (bps) as fees and traded at a good volume of 4.46 million shares in the last trading session. It sports a Zacks ETF Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (FTEC - Free Report)
This fund, with net assets worth $21.38 billion, offers exposure to 287 information technology stocks. NVDA holds the first spot in this fund, with 16.73% weightage, while MSFT holds the third spot with 9.40% weightage.
FTEC has rallied 23.9% year to date. The fund charges 8 bps as fees and traded at a volume of 0.26 million shares in the last trading session. It sports a Zacks ETF Rank #1.
State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK - Free Report)
This fund, with assets under management (AUM) worth $120.67 billion, offers exposure to 74 companies from technology hardware, storage and peripherals; software; communications equipment; semiconductors and semiconductor equipment; IT services; and electronic equipment, instruments and components industries. NVDA holds the first spot in this fund, with 14.80% weightage, while MSFT holds the third spot with 8.79% weightage.
XLK has surged 28.8% year to date. The fund charges 8 bps as fees and traded at a good volume of 11.85 million shares in the last trading session. It sports a Zacks ETF Rank #1.
iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW - Free Report)
This fund, with net assets worth $24.80 billion, offers exposure to 148 software, semiconductors, and tech hardware companies in the United States. NVDA holds the first spot in this fund, with 12.94% weightage, while MSFT holds the third spot with 8.48% weightage.
IYW has risen 23.3% year to date. The fund charges 38 bps as fees and traded at a volume of 0.48 million shares in the last trading session. It sports a Zacks ETF Rank #1.
Bill Ackman, Jeremy Grantham a Cliff Asness v posledním čtvrtletí výrazně navýšili podíl v Microsoftu. Akcie se přesto obchodují na nejnižší úrovni od začátku roku 2024, při 21násobku zisku.
There's more than one way to invest successfully. In fact, strategic differentiation may be necessary to outperform the market. The most successful investors all have unique strategies and characteristics that separate their portfolios from the rest of the pack.
Nonetheless, you can still find some commonalities among billionaire portfolio managers that lead them to make similar investments at times. For example, Bill Ackman, Jeremy Grantham, and Cliff Asness all made substantial investments in the same stock last quarter. And investors currently have an opportunity to pick up shares at an even better price than what the billionaire fund managers may have paid earlier this year.
Here's why Microsoft (MSFT +1.07%) fits into each billionaire's portfolio and why the stock still looks severely undervalued today.
Image source: Getty Images.
Long-term investors seeking value in today's market Ackman, Grantham, and Asness are all titans in the investment management space. Ackman runs Pershing Square, Grantham is the G in GMO, and Asness founded AQR Capital Management. They each disclosed substantial increases in Microsoft in their most recent quarterly filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Pershing Square Capital Management bought about $2 billion worth of the stock, making it one of the fund's biggest positions. Ackman also disclosed purchasing the stock for his new fund, Pershing Square USA. GMO bought over 900,000 shares of Microsoft in the first quarter, making it the fund's top holding. AQR increased its stake in Microsoft by 60%, pushing it to become its second-largest position. Ackman, Grantham, and Asness are all focused on long-term horizons in their investing, and they typically pay close attention to valuation.
Ackman prefers to concentrate on intrinsic value, buying stocks with durable competitive advantages when the market offers a good price. Ackman noted Microsoft's leadership in cloud computing and enterprise software as reasons for his purchase.
Grantham prefers companies with strong recurring cash flow and tries to avoid cyclicality. He's best known for warning against bubbles and harnessing the power of mean reversion. While Microsoft is heavily tied to the much-hyped artificial intelligence (AI) trade, Grantham may still see value in the company thanks to its strong cash-flow generation.
Asness uses quantitative models that balance value and momentum investing as well as several other factors. That makes his portfolio much more systematic rather than fully based on fundamental analysis. Microsoft likely fills the role of a high-quality stock trading at a great value relative to its durable earnings growth.
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Investors are getting a great opportunity to follow these billionaires From a long-term fundamentals standpoint, Microsoft appears severely undervalued by the market. The stock currently trades at its lowest level since the start of 2024 despite strong revenue growth across both its cloud computing and enterprise software segments.
Azure, the cloud computing business, generated 40% revenue growth last quarter. Management expects that rate to accelerate in the back half of the year. That's supported by a massive backlog of $627 billion in contracted revenue, with about 25% expected to be recognized over the next 12 months.
Meanwhile, Microsoft's enterprise software segment, which includes Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365, posted 17% year-over-year revenue growth last quarter. That was driven by the commercial adoption of its Copilot AI assistant and higher consumer prices. The former still has a long way to go as Microsoft pushes to make Copilot a standard addition to Microsoft 365 and its 450 million users. It currently counts just 20 million paid commercial Copilot users.
Microsoft should be able to grow revenue at a solid double-digit pace for the foreseeable future as demand for its cloud compute grows and it sells more Copilot subscriptions. Both should ultimately lead to improved operating margins even though the company already operates at a relatively high margin. With the stock trading for just 21 times earnings, it seems an absolute bargain at today's price. It's no wonder it's caught the eye of several of the top fund managers in the world.
Microsoft rozšiřuje bezpečnostní ekosystém: do MISA přidal Mphasis a na Build představil nové AI bezpečnostní nástroje. Ve 3. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2026 tržby vzrostly o 18 % na 82,9 miliardy USD.
Key Takeaways Microsoft added Mphasis to MISA, expanding its partner-led security ecosystem and Marketplace presence.Microsoft Build unveiled new AI security tools, including MDASH and Microsoft Agent 365 integrations.MSFT reported 18% revenue growth as cloud, Azure and security-enabled Microsoft 365 adoption accelerated. Microsoft Corporation (MSFT - Free Report) continues to deepen its cybersecurity ecosystem, with IT solutions provider Mphasis joining the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA), building on an existing collaboration centered on Microsoft Sentinel, Entra, Intune, Purview, Defender and Microsoft 365 Copilot. Mphasis' managed security services are already listed on Microsoft Marketplace, reinforcing the company's strategy of expanding its security footprint through a growing partner ecosystem rather than organic development alone. The move follows a string of security-focused announcements at Microsoft Build in early June 2026, including the limited preview of "Codename MDASH," an agentic vulnerability-detection capability that pairs Microsoft Defender with GitHub Code Security and new integrations within Microsoft Agent 365 aimed at securing AI agents and identities.
These developments arrive against a backdrop of strong underlying financial momentum. In its fiscal third-quarter 2026 results, reported April 29, 2026, Microsoft posted total revenues of $82.9 billion, up 18% year over year, with Intelligent Cloud revenues rising 30% to $34.7 billion and Azure growth accelerating to 40%. Management noted that Microsoft 365 Commercial cloud revenues grew 19%, helped by the adoption of Microsoft 365 E5 and Copilot, both of which bundle security and compliance capabilities. The company’s security stack now processes 100 trillion daily signals, and Microsoft Entra has surpassed one billion monthly active users, underscoring the scale at which the security business now operates alongside cloud and productivity.
The picture is not without risk. Security still rides on the broader AI infrastructure buildout, where capital expenditure remains elevated and gross margins have come under pressure from compute investment. Execution also depends on converting partner integrations like Mphasis into measurable seat and consumption growth rather than announcements alone. Nonetheless, the combination of accelerating cloud growth, expanding partner reach and steady product releases suggests Microsoft's security business is moving from a supporting feature toward a more distinct growth contributor within its broader portfolio.
Competitive Landscape: CrowdStrike and Palo Alto NetworksMicrosoft's security expansion plays out alongside two established U.S.-listed rivals, CrowdStrike (CRWD - Free Report) and Palo Alto Networks (PANW - Free Report) , both pursuing platform consolidation strategies of their own. CrowdStrike has built its identity around the cloud-native Falcon platform, leaning on endpoint and identity protection, while Palo Alto Networks has pursued an acquisition-driven path toward a unified security operating model spanning network, cloud and AI-driven detection. Unlike Microsoft, neither CrowdStrike nor Palo Alto Networks can pair security with a dominant productivity or hyperscale cloud franchise, leaving bundling and cross-selling as Microsoft's structural advantage even as CrowdStrike and Palo Alto Networks continue to compete aggressively on specialized capability and platform depth.
MSFT’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesMSFT shares have lost 23.7% in the past six-month period compared with the Zacks Computer – Software industry’s decline of 25.3%. The Zacks Computer and Technology sector has appreciated 15.8% in the same time frame.
MSFT’s 6-Month Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, MSFT stock appears overvalued, trading at a forward 12-month price/earnings ratio of 19.11X, higher than the industry’s 18.83X. MSFT has a Value Score of C.
MSFT’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MSFT’s fiscal 2026 earnings is pegged at $17.33 per share. The estimate indicates 27.05% year-over-year growth.
Microsoft currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Alibaba zrychluje růst díky AI v e-commerce a quick commerce, jehož objednávky meziročně vzrostly 2,7×. Tržby China E-commerce Group stouply o 6 % na RMB 122 miliard.
Key Takeaways Alibaba is integrating AI across its consumer platforms to improve search, discovery and shopping experiences.BABA is investing in fulfillment efficiency and unit economics to improve the profitability of quick commerce.BABA's quick commerce orders rose 2.7 times year over year, boosting engagement across its retail ecosystem. Alibaba's (BABA - Free Report) digital commerce strategy is evolving into a more integrated, AI-enabled retail ecosystem that could support growth in fiscal 2027. Rather than relying solely on gross merchandise volume expansion, Alibaba is enhancing merchant productivity, consumer engagement and platform monetization across Taobao, Tmall and its instant commerce offerings. The company has also revamped its merchant development program by linking platform subsidies to merchants' marketing spend, an initiative aimed at improving advertising penetration and long-term monetization. These efforts are already gaining traction, with customer management revenue (CMR) increasing 8% year over year on a like-for-like basis in the March quarter, while China E-commerce Group revenues rose 6% to RMB 122 billion.
Quick commerce has become a strategic extension of Alibaba's broader retail platform rather than a standalone business. Order volume expanded 2.7 times year over year, supporting stronger growth at Freshippo and Tmall Supermarket while helping drive double-digit monthly active consumer additions for the Taobao app. At the same time, the integration of the Qwen app with Taobao, Tmall, Alipay, Amap and Fliggy is embedding AI-driven search, discovery and shopping assistance across Alibaba's consumer ecosystem, creating additional opportunities to improve user engagement and purchase frequency over time.
These investments have weighed on near-term profitability, with Alibaba China E-commerce Group's adjusted EBITA declining 40% year over year as spending on quick commerce, technology and user experience increased. However, improving fulfillment efficiency, higher average order values and stronger unit economics indicate that these investments are becoming more productive. If Alibaba continues translating higher consumer engagement into stronger merchant spending while improving the profitability of its quick commerce operations, its integrated digital commerce ecosystem could emerge as a meaningful catalyst for fiscal 2027 growth.
How Alibaba Stacks Up Against PDD and JD ?Alibaba faces intense competition from PDD Holdings (PDD - Free Report) and JD.com (JD - Free Report) , both of which continue to invest in strengthening their digital commerce ecosystems.
PDD Holdings has expanded its value-driven marketplace through AI-enabled merchant tools and Temu's international growth, while JD.com leverages its self-operated logistics network and omnichannel retail capabilities to enhance fulfillment speed and customer experience. Unlike PDD Holdings and JD.com, Alibaba operates a broader ecosystem spanning Taobao, Tmall, Taobao Instant Commerce, Ele.me, AliExpress and Alibaba.com, creating multiple consumer touchpoints across domestic and cross-border commerce. As PDD Holdings and JD.com intensify competition, Alibaba's AI-powered ecosystem, merchant monetization initiatives and integrated commerce platform could provide a differentiated long-term growth advantage.
BABA’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesBABA shares have plunged 34.8% in the year-to-date period, underperforming the Zacks Internet – Commerce industry and the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector, which have declined 6.6% and 1.9%, respectively.
BABA’s YTD Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, BABA stock is currently trading at a trailing 12-month Price/Earnings ratio of 30.23X compared with the industry’s 28.31X. BABA has a Value Score of D.
BABA’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2027 earnings is pegged at $7.29 per share, down by a penny over the past 30 days, indicating a 87.4% year-over-year increase.
Alibaba currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
NVIDIA přeuspořádala vykazování na dvě platformy, Data Center a Edge Computing, aby lépe zachytila růst trhů s AI. Firma tím ukazuje širší základnu budoucích tržeb mimo tradiční cloud.
Key Takeaways NVDA now reports two platforms: Data Center and Edge Computing, aligning with expanding AI markets.ACIE highlights AI factory opportunities across industries and countries beyond traditional cloud providers.Edge Computing adds Gaming, AI PCs, robotics, automotive, AI-RAN and physical AI growth avenues. NVIDIA Corporation's (NVDA - Free Report) new business structure underscores expanding AI growth opportunities, supporting the case for stronger long-term revenue potential. The company has reorganized its reporting into two major platforms — Data Center and Edge Computing — to reflect its current and future growth drivers. Within the Data Center, NVIDIA now separately reports Hyperscale, and AI Clouds, Industrial & Enterprise (ACIE), giving investors greater visibility into fast-growing AI markets beyond traditional cloud providers.
The new reporting framework highlights how NVIDIA's revenue base is becoming increasingly diversified. While hyperscalers remain a major contributor, the company is seeing rising demand from AI cloud providers, enterprise customers, industrial AI deployments and sovereign AI initiatives. Management noted that ACIE captures opportunities in AI factories across industries and countries, reinforcing that future growth will come from a broader range of customers rather than a single market.
Beyond the Data Center, the revamped Edge Computing platform expands NVIDIA's addressable market. It includes Gaming, AI PCs, workstations, robotics, automotive, AI-RAN and other physical AI applications, creating additional growth avenues outside the data center. The company also highlighted strong demand across hyperscalers, model builders, AI cloud providers and enterprise customers, validating its decision to realign the business around these expanding AI ecosystems.
NVIDIA’s recent announcements further validate its new reporting framework. Continued investments in AI factories, agentic AI, robotics and physical AI demonstrate that the company is expanding into several high-growth AI markets. By aligning its reporting structure with these emerging opportunities, NVDA provides investors with greater visibility into future revenue drivers. Supporting this view, the Zacks Consensus Estimate projects fiscal 2027 revenues of $385.4 billion, representing a strong 78.5% increase year over year.
Can Rivals Match NVIDIA's New AI Growth Blueprint?As NVDA reshapes its business around the expansion of AI infrastructure and data centers, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD - Free Report) and Qualcomm (QCOM - Free Report) are evolving their operations to compete for the same long-term growth opportunities.
Advanced Micro Devices is NVIDIA's closest AI infrastructure rival, shifting its business toward Data Center and AI with EPYC CPUs, Instinct GPUs and hyperscaler partnerships. AMD leverages an open ecosystem, expanding AI software and rack-scale platforms to capture cloud demand. However, AMD still trails NVIDIA in CUDA ecosystem strength, AI software maturity and market leadership despite robust AI revenue momentum.
Qualcomm is expanding beyond smartphones by prioritizing edge AI, data-center CPUs, AI accelerators and custom silicon for hyperscalers. QCOM benefits from power-efficient AI, strong CPU expertise and diversified markets spanning automotive and IoT. However, QCOM lacks NVIDIA's scale in AI training infrastructure, software ecosystem and hyperscale deployments, leaving QCOM focused primarily on edge and inference AI.
NVDA’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesNVIDIA shares have returned 4.5% in the past six-month period, underperforming the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s 15.7% growth.
NVDA’s Six-Month Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, NVDA appears overvalued, trading at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 10.69, higher than the industry average of 9.96. The company carries a Value Score of D.
NVDA’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NVIDIA's fiscal 2027 and 2028 earnings per share is pegged at $8.69 and $11.67, respectively, reflecting robust year-over-year growth of 90.3% in fiscal 2027 and 34.2% in fiscal 2028. Notably, earnings estimates for both fiscal years have moved higher over the past 30 days, indicating improving analyst confidence.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
NVIDIA currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Nvidia letos přidává jen asi 5 %, zatímco index PHLX Semiconductor Index roste o 94 %. Investoři sledují, zda nová platforma Vera Rubin obnoví její dominanci v AI infrastruktuře.
Nvidia NVDA stock rose on Tuesday. Shares of Nvidia were up 1.5% at $197.96 in early trading.
Despite the gain, Nvidia has significantly underperformed the broader semiconductor sector.
The stock is up roughly 5% year to date, compared with a 94% gain for the PHLX Semiconductor Index.
The muted performance marks a sharp contrast to Nvidia's dominant run over the past several years and would represent the stock's weakest first-half showing since 2022.
Investor attention is increasingly focused on whether Nvidia's upcoming Vera Rubin platform can restore the company's position as the undisputed leader in AI infrastructure.
The central challenge facing Nvidia is no longer limited to competition from rival graphics processor makers.
While Advanced Micro Devices remains a key competitor, the market has expanded to include custom chip developers and companies focused on central processing units, including Intel.
As artificial intelligence spending accelerates, major technology companies are increasingly distributing infrastructure budgets across a wider range of suppliers rather than concentrating purchases with a single vendor.
The key question for investors is whether Nvidia's next-generation hardware can establish a sufficiently large performance advantage to justify continued dominance in AI deployments.
Nvidia's relative underperformance has become one of the more notable developments in the semiconductor sector this year.
After several years of outsized gains, many investors appear to have taken profits and rotated into other areas of the AI supply chain, including memory chipmakers and emerging AI infrastructure companies.
Intel shares have climbed approximately 250% this year, while Advanced Micro Devices has gained about 152%.
The iShares Semiconductor ETF has advanced roughly 102% over the same period.
The shift suggests investors increasingly believe much of Nvidia's expected growth has already been reflected in the stock price, even as demand for advanced AI hardware remains strong.
Sentiment has also been weighed down by concerns over export restrictions affecting sales to China and broader questions about how long Nvidia can sustain the extraordinary growth rates it has delivered in recent years.
At the same time, Nvidia is expanding its focus beyond traditional AI infrastructure and into robotics and physical AI.
The company is ramping up hiring for its robotics operations in China, advertising more than a dozen positions across Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, according to a recruitment post published on its official WeChat account.
The openings cover embodied intelligence, simulation, implementation, and solutions.
Nvidia said the robotics team aims to build a "leading robotics platform and ecosystem to help developers and companies create autonomous machines," with the goal of accelerating the deployment of robots from research environments into real-world applications.
The recruitment drive highlights Nvidia's growing emphasis on physical AI, which combines artificial intelligence models with robotics systems that can perceive, reason, and interact with the physical world.
According to the job descriptions, employees will work on technologies including the Project GR00T humanoid robot foundation model, the Cosmos physical simulation world model, and Nvidia's GPU-accelerated computing platforms.
Walmart uvádí, že týdenní aktivní uživatelé Sparky vzrostli o více než 100 % a jejich průměrná hodnota objednávky byla asi o 35 % vyšší než u ostatních zákazníků. Počet jednotek přes Sparky se navíc zvýšil více než čtyřnásobně.
Key Takeaways Sparky weekly active users rose more than 100% from the prior quarter. Walmart says Sparky users had average order values about 35% higher than non-users. Sparky units rose more than fourfold as e-commerce sales grew 26% globally. Walmart Inc. (WMT - Free Report) continues to use technology to make shopping faster, easier and more personalized, and its AI shopping assistant, Sparky, is becoming a more visible part of that effort. The latest quarter shows that Sparky is gaining user traction while also supporting larger digital baskets.
Weekly active users of Sparky increased more than 100% from the prior quarter. Walmart also improved Sparky’s intelligence and response quality by 40% this year, making the tool more useful across shopping occasions. Customers can now use Sparky in stores, automatically reorder frequently purchased items and interact with it in Spanish.
The more notable signal is order behavior. Customers using Sparky had an average order value about 35% higher than non-Sparky customers. Units purchased through Sparky also rose more than fourfold from the previous quarter. This indicates that shoppers are using the tool for broader purchases, not just one-off searches.
The trend fits within Walmart’s stronger digital performance. Global e-commerce sales grew 26%, while Walmart U.S. delivery rose 45%. More than 36% of U.S. store-fulfilled deliveries were completed in less than three hours, giving Sparky a stronger fulfillment backdrop as customers build orders.
Overall, Sparky is still one piece of Walmart’s broader omnichannel model, but the early data is encouraging. Rising usage, higher order values and stronger unit activity suggest that AI is becoming a more meaningful layer in Walmart’s shopping experience, helping customers create larger and more convenient baskets.
What Do the Latest Metrics Say About Walmart?Walmart, which competes with Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST - Free Report) and Target Corporation (TGT - Free Report) , has seen its shares rally 16.6% over the past year compared with the industry’s 15.3% growth. Shares of Costco have dipped 4.4%, while Target has gained 35.8% in the aforementioned period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Walmart's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 38.61, higher than the industry’s 37.62. The company is trading at a premium to Target (with a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 15.62) while trading at a discount to Costco (42.83).
Carnival objednala tři nové lodě Princess s dodáním v letech 2035, 2038 a 2039. Firma zároveň modernizuje flotilu a rozšiřuje destinace, aby podpořila dlouhodobý růst.
Key Takeaways Carnival ordered three new Princess ships for delivery in 2035, 2038 and 2039.CCL is modernizing its fleet and expanding destinations to boost guest satisfaction and onboard spending.Record 2027 bookings and disciplined fleet growth support Carnival's long-term strategy. Carnival Corporation Ltd. (CCL - Free Report) is reinforcing its long-term growth strategy through disciplined fleet expansion rather than aggressive capacity additions. While near-term demand has been affected by geopolitical tensions in Europe, management remains focused on investments that can enhance earnings power over the next decade.
A major highlight from the latest earnings call was Carnival's order for three new Princess Cruises ships, scheduled for delivery in 2035, 2038 and 2039. These vessels will build on the success of the Sphere Class platform, with Sun Princess and Star Princess already delivering strong guest satisfaction and commercial performance. Importantly, the company reiterated that it does not intend to accelerate ship deliveries beyond the measured pace of one to two new ships annually, reflecting a disciplined capital allocation strategy.
Beyond new ships, Carnival is investing heavily in modernizing its existing fleet through programs such as AIDA Evolution and Holland America Evolution. These upgrades are designed to improve onboard experiences, create additional revenue opportunities and enhance operating efficiency. Management also noted that refurbishment projects are expected to generate attractive returns, while cabin additions can pay for themselves within just a few years.
The company is complementing its fleet investments with expanded destination offerings, including Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, to strengthen itinerary appeal and drive higher guest spending. Combined with record booking levels for 2027, continued cost discipline and growing financial flexibility, Carnival appears well positioned to benefit once temporary geopolitical headwinds ease. If demand remains resilient, the new Princess ships and ongoing fleet enhancements could provide a meaningful boost to the company's long-term revenue growth, profitability and shareholder value.
Can Fleet Investments Keep Carnival Ahead in the Cruise Race?Carnival's strategy of combining selective newbuild orders with fleet modernization puts it in direct competition with peers like Royal Caribbean (RCL - Free Report) and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH - Free Report) , both of which are investing to capture growing cruise demand.
Royal Caribbean continues to expand the premium fleet with larger, experience-focused ships and destination investments, helping it command strong pricing and onboard spending. Its emphasis on innovative vessels and exclusive private destinations has strengthened Royal Caribbean’s customer loyalty, setting a high benchmark for the industry.
Norwegian Cruise Line, meanwhile, is refreshing its fleet with next-generation ships while enhancing onboard offerings and premium experiences. The company is also focusing on operational efficiency and higher-value itineraries to improve profitability.
Carnival's approach differs by maintaining disciplined capacity growth while extracting greater returns from both new and existing ships. Investments in the Princess fleet, ship modernization programs and exclusive destinations such as Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay aim to enhance guest experiences without significantly increasing supply. If these initiatives continue to support pricing power and higher onboard spending, Carnival could strengthen its competitive position and deliver sustainable long-term growth despite intense industry competition.
CCL’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of Carnival have gained 1.9% in the past year compared with the industry’s rise of 3.5%.
Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, CCL trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 11.96X, below the industry average of 17.2X.
P/E (F12M)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CCL’s 2026 sales and earnings implies a year-over-year uptick of 3.9% and a decline of 2.2%, respectively. EPS estimates for fiscal 2026 have decreased in the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CCL currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Square od Blocku uzavřel dohodu se Sherwin-Williams a bude pro její zákazníky PRO zajišťovat platby i firemní nástroje. Součástí jsou Square for Services, Square Invoices a Square Checking.
Key Takeaways Block's Square will power payment and business tools for Sherwin-Williams PRO customers.XYZ's Square for Services supports estimates, scheduling, payments and client coordination.Square Invoices and Square Checking help speed payments, improve cash flow and reduce admin work. Block Inc.’s (XYZ - Free Report) Square recently announced that Sherwin-Williams, the world’s largest paint and coatings company, has adopted its payment solutions for its extensive network of PRO+ customers through the Digital Alliance Program.
As part of the collaboration, Sherwin-Williams will use Square for Services to streamline business operations, including creating estimates, scheduling jobs, collecting payments and coordinating with clients from the initial consultation through final invoicing.
Square Invoices further simplifies payment management by enabling painters and contractors to collect deposits upfront, schedule milestone payments within a single invoice, set up recurring billing for long-term clients and send automated payment reminders. These capabilities help reduce administrative burden, improve cash flow predictability and accelerate payment collection. Square Checking provides instant access to funds, enhancing financial flexibility for business owners.
Final Take on BlockThe Sherwin-Williams partnership strengthens Square's position in the professional services ecosystem by expanding the reach of its integrated business and payment solutions. As more contractors adopt Square's platform to manage operations and payments, Block is well-positioned to deepen customer engagement, drive ecosystem growth and support long-term revenue expansion.
Over the past three months, shares of this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company have rallied 29.6% compared with the industry's growth of 3.5%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Other Stocks to ConsiderSome other top-ranked stocks from the internet-software sector are BILL Holdings, Inc. (BILL - Free Report) and Reddit Inc. (RDDT - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BILL’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) has moved northward 1.9% to $2.64 over the past month.
The consensus estimate for RDDT’s 2026 EPS has moved up significantly to $4.83 over the past two months.
Note: Anything related to earnings presented in this write-up represents funds from operations (FFO), a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs.
First Solar rozšiřuje výrobní kapacity v Ohiu, Alabamě a Louisianě a očekává 1,9 GW nových zakázek. Celkový backlog objednávek tak stoupl na 47,9 GW až do roku 2030.
Key Takeaways First Solar is expanding U.S. manufacturing capacity across Ohio, Alabama and Louisiana facilities.FSLR added 1.9 GW of bookings, lifting its total backlog to 47.9 GW, extending through 2030.FSLR expects $0.8-$1.0B in 2026 capital spending for a new plant, R&D and equipment upgrades. First Solar’s (FSLR - Free Report) long-term growth story is increasingly being driven by manufacturing expansion. Its aggressive investment in domestic manufacturing capacity is strengthening its competitive position as utility-scale solar deployment accelerates across the United States.
The company continues to expand production across its manufacturing facilities in Ohio, Alabama and Louisiana, increasing its ability to supply American-made solar modules. During 2026, FSLR expects capital expenditures to be between $0.8 billion and $1.0 billion. These investments include the construction of a new manufacturing facility, ongoing research and development initiatives, and upgrades to existing machinery and equipment aimed at enhancing efficiency and performance.
The company has added 1.9 gigawatts (GW) of gross bookings since the previous earnings call, bringing its total booking backlog to 47.9 GW extending through 2030. This robust backlog indicates strong demand for FSLR’s products while reinforcing its capacity expansion strategy, providing greater revenue visibility and stability in the years ahead.
Rising electricity consumption from data centers, advanced manufacturing facilities and broader electrification trends continue to increase the need for utility-scale solar generation.
The company's differentiated cadmium telluride (CdTe) technology further strengthens its competitive position. Compared with conventional crystalline silicon modules, CdTe technology performs well in high-temperature environments and reduces dependence on polysilicon-based supply chains.
Although changes in trade policy, project timing and interest rates may create periodic volatility, FSLR’s manufacturing expansion, contracted backlog and technology leadership provide multiple drivers for sustainable long-term growth. As domestic solar deployment continues to accelerate, the company appears well positioned to benefit from increasing demand for U.S.-manufactured renewable energy equipment.
Solar Companies Investing in Manufacturing ExpansionSeveral solar companies are also expanding manufacturing capabilities to capitalize on growing renewable energy demand.
Enphase Energy (ENPH - Free Report) continues to invest in domestic manufacturing partnerships while expanding its residential solar and energy storage ecosystem.
Nextpower (NXT - Free Report) is benefiting from accelerating utility-scale solar deployment through growing demand for its integrated energy technology platform, including advanced solar tracking systems, electrical balance-of-system solutions and power conversion technologies.
FSLR’s Earnings EstimatesThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings per share (EPS) indicates an increase of 23.93% and 38%, respectively, year over year.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
FSLR Stock Trading at a DiscountFirst Solar is trading at a discount relative to the industry, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings of 11.13X compared with the industry average of 18.51X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
FSLR Stock Price PerformanceIn the past three months, the company’s shares have risen 26.1% compared with the industry’s 11.4% growth.
Američtí zákonodárci zahájili vyšetřování národní bezpečnosti kvůli klinickým studiím Mercku a AbbVie v Číně, které podle Reuters mohly podpořit vojenské schopnosti země. Žádají podklady o výzkumu, ochraně dat a dohledu.
A bipartisan group of United States lawmakers has opened national security investigations into whether five major pharmaceutical companies, including Merck and AbbVie, were involved in clinical trials conducted in China that may have supported the country’s military capabilities, according to a Reuters report.
The inquiry, led by Republican Representative John Moolenaar of Michigan, chair of the House Select Committee on China, focuses on whether the drugmakers conducted adequate due diligence and maintained sufficient data protection standards at trial sites in China.
In letters dated Monday and first reported by Reuters on Tuesday, lawmakers requested detailed information from Merck & Co Inc (NYSE:MRK, XETRA:6MK) and Abbvie Inc (NYSE:ABBV) by July 17, including documentation on research practices, safeguards, and oversight mechanisms.
The scrutiny also extends to Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE:LLY), Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE, XETRA:PFE), and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co (NYSE:BMY, XETRA:RM, OTC:BMYMP), which received similar requests from the committee.
Lawmakers specifically asked for information related to clinical trial locations in China, including sites in the Xinjiang region and military-affiliated hospitals, and raised broader concerns about whether sensitive biomedical data could be accessed or repurposed in ways that pose national security risks.
Merck stated that patient safety and ethical integrity are central to its clinical research operations and said it adheres to global regulatory standards governing clinical trials. AbbVie declined to comment. Pfizer confirmed receipt of the letter but did not provide further comment. Bristol Myers Squibb and Eli Lilly did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to the Reuters report.
The Chinese embassy in Washington rejected the premise of the investigation, saying in an email that there is “nothing credible” in the committee’s actions and reiterating opposition to what it described as efforts to politicize trade and technology issues.
The developments add to growing US-China tensions over scientific collaboration, particularly in sectors involving sensitive data and dual-use technologies, where commercial research may intersect with national security concerns.
The companies’ shares initially moved lower following the news, but were little changed by the early afternoon.
Duke Energy v roce 2025 utratila téměř 1 miliardu USD u dodavatelů se sídlem v Severní Karolíně. Více než 97 % jejích ročních nákupů za 17,2 miliardy USD míří na americké dodavatele.
More than 97% of Duke Energy's $17.2 billion in annual sourcing supports U.S.-based suppliers Investments support critical grid equipment, American jobs and long-term reliability , /PRNewswire/ -- As the nation approaches Independence Day, Duke Energy is investing in American suppliers to help power local economies, support customer value and build the energy infrastructure needed to serve growing communities.
By the numbers: Duke Energy spent nearly $1 billion with North Carolina-based suppliers in 2025, helping local businesses grow while securing the equipment and services needed to keep energy reliable for customers.
Looking ahead, Duke Energy's continued investment in North Carolina suppliers could total nearly $5 billion over five years – supporting jobs, strengthening local economies and helping meet growing energy needs.
Why it matters: More than 97% of Duke Energy's $17.2 billion in annual sourcing supports U.S.-based suppliers, helping sustain domestic manufacturing, reduce supply chain risk and keep critical equipment closer to home. These investments ready the grid for rising energy demand and bolster reliability.
Go deeper: Duke Energy's supplier investments include transformers from GE Vernova in Goldsboro, N.C., gas turbines from Siemens Energy in Charlotte, N.C. and others.
What they're saying: "Powering America's future starts with investing in the people, businesses and communities building it," said Katie Aittola, senior vice president of supply chain, real estate and chief procurement officer for Duke Energy. "By working with American suppliers, Duke Energy is helping deliver reliable service and value for customers while reinvesting customer dollars in the local economies we serve. These investments help ensure our teams have the equipment and materials they need, support American companies and skilled workers, and create a ripple effect that strengthens manufacturing, jobs and long-term growth in our communities."
"North Carolina's business community is strongest when companies invest in one another," said N.C. Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido. "Duke Energy continues to lead by example, directing nearly $1 billion to North Carolina-based suppliers in 2025 alone. Investments like these strengthen communities, support local businesses and reinforce the supply chains and partnerships that power North Carolina's growth."
"We are proud to provide the critical transformers and other electrification equipment that enables Duke Energy to help the people of North Carolina thrive," said Troy Kabrich, GE Vernova Goldsboro site director. "Supporting the communities we live and work in is an honor and a privilege we take seriously."
"We have a robust, decades-long foundation in North Carolina, supported through strong collaborations like that with Duke Energy and a dedicated workforce. The equipment we produce here is helping meet our nation's unprecedented growth in energy," said Matt Neal, Siemens Energy's President of North America.
The impact: As energy demand grows across North Carolina and beyond, Duke Energy's work with U.S.-based suppliers helps strengthen America's supply chain, keep critical grid equipment available and support the reliable infrastructure customers, businesses and communities need to grow.
About Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,700 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs approximately 26,400 people.
Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability, affordability and accessibility at the forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.
More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
AIG v 1. čtvrtletí zvýšila čisté předepsané pojistné o 24 % a pojistný zisk více než ztrojnásobila na 774 milionů USD. Zlepšila se i combined ratio na 87,3 %.
Key Takeaways AIG's transformation is driving stronger underwriting and earnings growth.AFG combines disciplined underwriting with solid capital returns.Accelerant's AI-powered, capital-light model is fueling rapid specialty insurance growth. While AI and technology remain major market themes, investors are increasingly broadening their focus to defensive sectors. Insurance stands out as an attractive option, offering stable earnings, pricing power and resilient cash flows. In an environment marked by sticky inflation, higher-for-longer interest rates, geopolitical tensions and ongoing supply chain disruptions, companies with dependable earnings have become increasingly appealing.
Where the Biggest Opportunities AreNot every insurance company is benefiting equally, however. Investors are favoring insurers with disciplined underwriting, solid pricing power, fee-based revenues and exposure to specialized markets where competition is limited. At the same time, companies with heavy catastrophe exposure or weaker investment portfolios are drawing greater scrutiny.
Insurance brokers remain one of the industry's strongest long-term stories. Unlike insurers, brokers generate commissions without assuming underwriting risk. Demand for commercial insurance, employee benefits, cyber coverage and specialty products continues to rise, while industry consolidation is creating additional growth opportunities.
The broader commercial insurance market is also holding up well, even as pricing gradually normalizes after several years of sharp increases. According to Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.’s (MRSH - Free Report) Global Insurance Market Index, global commercial insurance rates declined 5% in the first quarter of 2026, marking the seventh straight quarter of easing prices. Even so, many commercial lines remain profitable, particularly property insurance, where favorable reinsurance conditions and ample capacity continue to support earnings.
Specialty & Excess-and-Surplus (E&S) insurance remains one of the fastest-growing niches. Businesses increasingly need protection against cyberattacks, professional liability claims, climate-related risks and other complex exposures. These policies are harder to underwrite, allowing insurers with specialized expertise to maintain stronger pricing and healthier margins.
Technology is Becoming a Competitive EdgeTechnology investments are increasingly separating industry leaders from the rest. More insurers are using artificial intelligence to speed up claims processing, improve underwriting, detect fraud and enhance customer service. While adoption varies across the industry, companies investing in modern technology platforms could improve efficiency and profitability over time. InsurTech and AI-enabled platforms remain a long-term growth theme as insurers modernize legacy systems, though many pure-play InsurTech firms remain smaller and more volatile.
Insurance Stocks That Stand OutAgainst this backdrop, three insurance companies stand out: American International Group, Inc. (AIG - Free Report) , American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG - Free Report) and Accelerant Holdings (ARX - Free Report) . The companies carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each, combine solid earnings momentum with favorable estimate revisions and are well positioned to benefit from current industry trends. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Let’s take a closer look at these three insurers and why they stand out.
American International Group continues to benefit from its multi-year transformation, which is driving stronger underwriting performance, disciplined capital allocation and consistent shareholder returns. In first-quarter 2026, General Insurance net premiums written increased 24% year over year, underwriting income more than tripled to $774 million, and the combined ratio improved to an excellent 87.3%, reflecting underwriting discipline across commercial and personal lines.
The company also benefits from a strong balance sheet. In February 2026, it completed minority investments in Convex and Onex, which are expected to be accretive to 2026 earnings and ROE. It is also expanding its commercial footprint through an agreement to acquire Everest’s insurance operations in Colombia, with closing expected in early 2027.
Based on short-term price targets offered by 22 analysts, the Wall Street average price target for AIG stands at $88.18 per share, suggesting a 17.4% upside from current levels.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AIG’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $7.98 per share, indicating 12.6% year-over-year growth. The estimate witnessed eight upward revisions over the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. Its 2027 earnings estimate indicates a further 10.3% increase. It beat earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters with an average surprise of 15.1%. The consensus mark for 2026 revenues is pegged at $29.18 billion, indicating 6.3% year-over-year growth, while the same for 2027 suggests a further 7% increase.
American Financial Group is well-positioned to benefit from sustained strength in the specialty property and casualty insurance market, supported by disciplined underwriting and a diversified commercial portfolio. In first-quarter 2026, net operating earnings increased 36.5% year over year, while Specialty P&C underwriting profit jumped 66%, driving an annualized return on equity of 15.8%.
The company continues to generate healthy investment income from its high-quality portfolio and maintains a shareholder-friendly capital allocation strategy. It returned $259 million through special dividends and share repurchases in the first quarter. Analysts' price targets currently range from $127 to $158, reflecting differing views on the stock's upside potential.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is pegged at $11.37 per share, indicating a 10.5% year-over-year rise. The estimate has witnessed three upward revisions over the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. Its 2027 earnings estimate suggests a further 5.2% increase. American Financial Group beat the consensus estimate for earnings in three of the past four quarters and missed once, with the average surprise being 7.3%. The consensus mark for 2026 revenues is pegged at $8.01 billion, while the same for 2027 indicates a further 8% jump.
Accelerant Holdings is capitalizing on the growing specialty insurance market through its technology-enabled risk exchange that connects managing general agents or MGAs with diversified risk capital providers. In the first quarter of 2026, Exchange Written Premium increased 16% year over year to $1.14 billion, while operating revenues climbed 57% to $273.2 million. Fee-based Adjusted EBITDA more than doubled, reflecting the company's strategic shift toward capital-light, recurring revenue streams.
Accelerant also expanded its network to 296 members and reaffirmed strong full-year growth expectations. Its proprietary data, AI-driven underwriting tools and scalable marketplace model position the company to deliver profitable, long-term growth as specialty insurance adoption continues to expand. At the end of the first quarter, total assets stood at $8.6 billion. Based on short-term price targets offered by nine analysts, the Wall Street average price target for ARX is at $19.33 per share, suggesting a 53.1% upside from current levels.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ARX’s 2026 earnings is pegged at 73 cents per share, which has witnessed five upward estimate revisions over the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. Its 2027 earnings estimate indicates a 24.2% jump. It beat earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 32.6%. The consensus mark for 2026 revenues is pegged at $1.09 billion, implying 19% year-over-year growth, while the same for 2027 suggests a further 9.4% increase.
Intuit zrychluje přechod k platformě AI a ve 3. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2026 mu business verticals, assisted tax, money portfolio a mid-market business rostly o více než 30 %. Firma zároveň zvýšila celoroční výhled tržeb a non-GAAP zisku.
Key Takeaways Intuit uses AI to automate workflows, improve decisions and expand higher-value assisted services.INTU's AI enhances TurboTax Live, supporting experts and growing assisted tax opportunities.Intuit embeds AI in QuickBooks to streamline business finances and drive mid-market growth. Intuit Inc. (INTU - Free Report) is advancing its transformation into an AI-driven expert platform by combining proprietary financial data, domain-specific AI and human expertise across TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, Mailchimp and the Intuit Enterprise Suite. The company's AI strategy is expanding higher-value assisted services, automating workflows, improving decision-making and driving deeper monetization across its ecosystem. This momentum fueled strong third-quarter fiscal 2026 performance, with business verticals, assisted tax, the money portfolio and the mid-market business each growing more than 30%, prompting Intuit to raise its full-year fiscal 2026 revenue and non-GAAP guidance.
AI is enhancing TurboTax Live by supporting human tax experts and expanding assisted tax services. Management estimates assisted tax represents a $37 billion opportunity, covering nearly 88% of TurboTax's total addressable market.
The company's AI-powered ecosystem is also improving monetization. Customers using both TurboTax and Credit Karma generate roughly 30% higher average revenue per user (ARPU) than TurboTax-only users. More than 35% of TurboTax customers adopted fast-money offerings, while tax filers starting in Credit Karma are expected to grow 54%.
Meanwhile, QuickBooks is evolving into a financial "control tower" for businesses. The AI-native platform is gaining traction in the nearly $90 billion mid-market opportunity, with QuickBooks Online Advanced and Intuit Enterprise Suite Online Ecosystem revenues growing about 38% in the third quarter of 2026.
With AI embedded across its core platforms, Intuit is creating multiple avenues for growth through higher-value services, greater cross-selling and increased automation. Continued execution of this strategy should support durable revenue growth and reinforce its competitive advantage.
Other Fintechs’ PerformancePaychex (PAYX - Free Report) is rapidly integrating AI across its HR and payroll platforms, using generative and agentic AI to automate workflows and enhance decision-making. It has introduced AI assistants for conversational support, along with AI-powered analytics for real-time insights and forecasting. The company is also leveraging AI in recruiting and payroll to improve efficiency, accuracy and compliance.
Oracle Corp. (ORCL - Free Report) is a U.S.-based technology company offering cloud infrastructure, databases, enterprise software and ERP solutions such as NetSuite. Oracle is integrating generative AI across its cloud applications, including finance, planning, sales, operations and reporting tools, to improve automation and productivity.
INTU’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of Intuit have declined 24.7% over the past month, underperforming both the broader industry and the S&P 500 Index.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
In terms of forward 12-month Price/Sales (P/S), Intuit is currently trading at 3.08X, which is at a discount to the industry average of 5.91X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Intuit’s estimate revisions reflect a positive trend. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 EPS has been revised upward by a cent to $23.86 over the past week. The consensus estimate for 2026 calls for 18.4% growth year over year.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Currently, Intuit carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Akcie Palo Alto Networks letos vystřelily na rekordních 332 USD díky očekávání silnější poptávky po kybernetické bezpečnosti v éře AI. Firma ale čelí varování před vysokým oceněním a překoupeností.
Palo Alto Network stock has gone parabolic this year, helped by the belief that the ongoing AI boom will lead to more demand for cybersecurity tools. PANW jumped to a record high of $332, up by 137% from its lowest level this year. Its market capitalization has jumped to over $270 billion.
Palo Alto Networks and other cybersecurity stocks have been in a strong bull run this year. Fortinet stock jumped to a high of $157, up by over 97% this year, while CrowdStrike has jumped by 62%. Other similar companies like Okta and SentinelOne have soared.
The surge is happening as investors remain optimistic about its prospects. Arete Research hiked its target from $185 to $433, while William Blair reiterated the rating to outperform.
Some of the other top investment banks, like Goldman Sachs, Susquehanna, and Piper Sandler, have all maintained a bullish outlook. The average target among analysts is $311, down slightly from the current level.
The general view among analysts is that the company’s tools will see more demand in the AI era. This urgency jumped after Anthropic released Mythos, its most advanced model.
The most recent earnings report showed that Palo Alto’s revenue jumped by 31% in the third quarter to $3 billion. This revenue growth included $388 million from CyberArk, the company it acquired in a $25 billion deal.
A look beneath the surface shows that the next-generation security ARR jumped by 60% YoY to $8.1 billion, while the Remaining performance obligation (RPO) soared by 36% to $18.4 billion.
Palo Alto Networks now expects that its next-generation ARR will jump to between $8.9 billion and $8.95 billion this year, an increase of 60%. Its revenue is expected to grow by 25% this year. While this double-digit growth rate is impressive, the main challenge is that it is boosted by CyberArk, a sign that the organic revenue growth is not all that strong.
Valuation concerns remainThere is no doubt that demand for cybersecurity solutions is rising and that Palo Alto Networks will continue being the most dominant player. However, there are now concerns about its valuation.
Data shows that the forward price-to-earnings ratio of 80, much higher than the sector median of 23. It is also higher than the five-year average of 23.
Notably, the company’s rule-of-40 shows that it is a bit overvalued. It has a net profit margin of 8% and a forward revenue growth of 24%, giving it a multiple of 33%. This is notable because its revenue growth estimate includes CyberArk, its recent buyout.
The daily chart shows that the PANW stock has been in a strong bull run in the past few months. It recently crossed the important resistance level of $302, the highest swing on June 1. Moving above that level invalidated the double-top pattern.
The risk, however, is that it has become highly overbought as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) has moved to 77.62. Also, the Stochastic Oscillator and other oscillators have continued rising. The stock remains above all moving average, with the 100-day EMA being at $223.
Therefore, there is a risk that the overbought stock will suffer a mean reversion. If this happens, it will drop to the key support level of $300.
CrowdStrike hlásí prudký růst v oblasti identity security: ARR Falcon Shield v 1. čtvrtletí fiskálního roku 2027 meziročně vzrostl téměř čtyřnásobně. Firma zároveň získala sedmimístnou zdravotnickou zakázku na ochranu přístupu AI agentů.
Key Takeaways CrowdStrike saw Falcon Shield ARR grow nearly fourfold year over year in Q1 fiscal 2027.CRWD's Privileged Access products and SGNL are seeing strong early demand for AI identities.A seven-figure healthcare deal added Falcon Next-Gen Identity and SGNL to secure AI agent access. CrowdStrike (CRWD - Free Report) is expanding its identity security business as more companies deploy AI across their operations. As AI agents gain access to enterprise applications and data, companies need tools to control what these agents can access and what actions they can perform. This is creating the demand for identity security solutions.
CrowdStrike is addressing this opportunity through Falcon Shield, Falcon Next-Gen Identity and SGNL, which it acquired in the first quarter of fiscal 2027. Falcon Shield’s ending annual recurring revenues (ARR) grew nearly four times year over year during the first quarter. Management also stated that its SGNL and Privileged Access products are seeing strong early demand as customers look to secure AI agents and other non-human identities.
The company is already winning new business. During the first quarter, a large U.S. healthcare company expanded its deployment by purchasing Falcon Next-Gen Identity and SGNL in a seven-figure deal. The customer wanted to control what AI agents could access across the organization. SGNL's ability to allow companies to set access policies and manage permissions for both employees and AI agents in real time should further boost the demand for CRWD's identity security business.
Identity security is becoming an important part of CrowdStrike's platform strategy. As customers add identity, cloud security, SIEM and endpoint security to the Falcon platform, CrowdStrike can increase spending from existing customers. Further, with more companies deploying AI across their businesses, the need to secure AI identities should continue to increase. The above-mentioned shows how identity security is becoming a key growth opportunity for CrowdStrike.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2027 and 2028 revenues indicates a year-over-year increase of around 23.5% and 21.6%, respectively.
How Competitors Fare Against CRWDCompetitors like Palo Alto Networks (PANW - Free Report) and SentinelOne (S - Free Report) are also gaining ground through platform expansion and AI innovation.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2026, Palo Alto Networks saw robust growth in its Next-Gen Security ARR, which increased 60% year over year. The growth was driven by increased customer adoption of PANW’s advanced cybersecurity offerings, including its AI-driven XSIAM platform, SASE and software firewalls.
Though comparatively a small competitor, SentinelOne posted first-quarter fiscal 2027 year-over-year growth of 23% in its ARR. The growth was fueled by the rising adoption of SentinelOne’s AI-first Singularity platform and Purple AI.
CRWD’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of CrowdStrike have jumped 58.7% in the year-to-date period compared with the Zacks Security industry’s return of 49.8%.
CRWD YTD Price Return Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, CrowdStrike trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 29.25, significantly higher than the industry’s average of 16.34. The Zacks Value Score of F also suggests that CRWD stock is overvalued.
CRWD Forward 12-Month P/S Ratio
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CrowdStrike’s fiscal 2027 and 2028 earnings indicates year-over-year growth of 32.2% and 26.9%, respectively. The estimates for fiscal 2027 and 2028 have been revised upward by 8 cents and 10 cents, respectively, over the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CrowdStrike currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Na ZoomInfo Technologies Inc. byla podána hromadná žaloba kvůli údajným klamavým tvrzením a zamlčení slabší poptávky. Po snížení celoročního výhledu tržeb o zhruba 62 milionů USD akcie spadly asi o 33 %.
NEW YORK, June 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized investor-rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against ZoomInfo Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: GTM) and certain of its officers.
This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired ZoomInfo securities between November 3, 2025 and May 11, 2026, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm’s site: bgandg.com/GTM.
ZoomInfo Case Details
The Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose:
The true state of ZoomInfo's slowing seat-based demand, weakening upsell opportunities, and deteriorating fundamentals across its downmarket and upmarket segments.
That Defendants' optimistic growth narrative, including representations that full-year 2026 revenue guidance of $1.247–$1.267 billion was achievable and that Copilot penetration was on or ahead of schedule. That customers were migrating toward consumption-based models and developing internal AI-driven go-to-market solutions, trends Defendants minimized despite their material adverse impact on ZoomInfo's business.
On May 11, 2026, ZoomInfo reported its first quarter 2026 results and slashed its full-year revenue guidance by approximately $62 million
Following this news, the price of ZoomInfo's common stock declined dramatically, from a closing market price of $6.04 per share on May 11, 2026, ZoomInfo's stock price fell to $4.06 per share on May 12, 2026, a decline of about 33%.
What's Next for ZoomInfo Investors?
A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm’s site: bgandg.com/GTM. or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 917-590-0911. If you suffered a loss in ZoomInfo you have until August 24, 2026, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.
No Cost to ZoomInfo Investors
We, Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman LLC, represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys’ fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.
Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC for ZoomInfo Securities Class Action?
Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide. More at www.bgandg.com
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Britská vláda naznačila, že může zasáhnout do plánované akvizice Warner Bros Discovery za 110 miliard USD ze strany Paramount-Skydance kvůli obavám o mediální pluralitu.
The UK government has indicated it could intervene in Paramount-Skydance Corp (NASDAQ:PSKY)'s proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery Inc (NASDAQ:WBD, XETRA:J5A), adding another layer of regulatory scrutiny to the media merger.
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said Tuesday she is "minded to intervene" in the transaction, citing concerns over media plurality and the concentration of ownership in the news sector.
"Following engagement with the parties and independent research, my department has today written to the current and proposed owners of Warner Bros Discovery on my behalf to inform them that I am minded to intervene," Nandy said in a statement.
She added that any potential intervention would be based on public interest considerations, including ensuring "a sufficient plurality of views in news media" and "a sufficient plurality of persons with control of the media enterprises." Nandy noted she has not yet made a final decision, and the companies have been given a week to respond.
If the government proceeds, UK media regulator Ofcom would conduct a public interest assessment alongside an ongoing review by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which is examining the deal's potential impact on competition. The CMA is expected to announce the next steps in its investigation in early August.
Paramount-Skydance said it remains confident the transaction does not raise media plurality concerns in the UK.
“We are grateful for the continued constructive engagement with all interested government bodies and relevant authorities, including in the UK,” a Paramount-Skydance spokesperson said in a statement to media outlets.
“We are confident that our proposed transaction does not pose any media plurality issues in the UK and remain confident in our stated transaction timeline.”
The transaction has already received clearance from the US Department of Justice, which concluded earlier this month that the deal was not likely to harm competition or American consumers. However, it continues to face review from several US state attorneys general, including those in California and New York.
Paramount-Skydance has said it expects the acquisition to close during the third quarter of 2026.
Shares of Paramount-Skydance traded down 1.3% at about $9.70 on Tuesday morning.
Robinhood rozšiřuje aplikaci z obchodní platformy na širší finanční ekosystém a má 27,7 milionu financovaných klientů s aktivy na platformě v hodnotě 377 miliard USD. Firma zároveň získala předběžné povolení pro brokerážní licenci v Singapuru a čeká na dokončení akvizic v Indonésii.
Key Takeaways HOOD is expanding from trading into a broader financial ecosystem to deepen customer relationships.Global moves include Europe tokenized stocks, Singapore approval and impending Indonesia acquisitions.HOOD's premium valuation, volatile revenues and regulatory risks make fresh buying less compelling. Robinhood Markets’ (HOOD - Free Report) growth story is increasingly shifting from a single-product trading app to a broader financial ecosystem. The company is expanding across brokerage, crypto, subscriptions, retirement, advisory, credit cards, private markets and prediction markets, aiming to become a more central platform in customers’ financial lives.
A key part of this strategy is customer deepening. At the end of May 2026, Robinhood had 27.7 million funded customers and $377 billion in total platform assets, reflecting continued asset consolidation on the platform. The company is moving into more recurring and relationship-driven products. The company also introduced trust and custodial accounts, supporting a family-investing experience. These initiatives suggest the company is trying to capture more wallet share across saving, investing and spending.
Another growth lever is product expansion for active traders. Robinhood has been building capabilities in futures, index options, crypto, private markets and prediction markets. Further, the company has entered into the capital markets business, with the approval to underwrite IPOs.
Likewise, HOOD’s peers, Charles Schwab (SCHW - Free Report) and Interactive Brokers Group (IBKR - Free Report) , are expanding their product suites aggressively. Interactive Brokers is diversifying through global market access, high-yield cash balances, securities lending, institutional services and advisor solutions, while Schwab is broadening its reach across wealth management, banking, lending, retirement and asset management. These efforts reduce commission dependence, support steadier revenues and deepen client relationships.
Robinhood’s broader ecosystem will likely make revenues more diversified and customers more loyal. Subscriptions, advisory assets, cash balances, credit cards and retirement accounts are expected to help reduce dependence on volatile trading volumes. At the same time, active trading, crypto and prediction markets can still provide upside during periods of stronger retail engagement.
Sales Estimates
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The key question for investors is whether Robinhood’s “financial super app” vision justifies buying HOOD stock for long-term upside, or whether it is better to wait for more evidence of traction across its newer products. Answering that requires a closer look at the company’s fundamentals, execution strategy and market-related catalysts that could influence its growth trajectory.
Robinhood: Other Factors to ConsiderGlobal Expansion: Robinhood is expanding globally by combining traditional finance with digital assets, positioning itself as a next-generation fintech ecosystem. Its initiatives include tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs in Europe, broader crypto services, a proprietary blockchain, future banking products and expansion into Canada and Asia-Pacific through new offices and planned acquisitions.
Robinhood has received in-principle approval to set up the brokerage business in Singapore, bringing it closer to entering one of Asia’s key financial hubs. Pending acquisitions (PT Buana Capital Sekuritas and PT Pedagang Aset Kripto) in Indonesia are expected to close soon.
Additionally, Robinhood’s acquisition of WonderFi Technologies provides a new growth lever as crypto momentum moderates. The deal expands Robinhood into Canada’s crypto market through Bitbuy and Coinsquare, adding about 300,000 funded customers and more than C$2 billion in assets under custody. WonderFi’s regulated presence also strengthens Robinhood’s foothold in a market where trust and compliance are critical.
Strong Balance Sheet: Robinhood is on solid ground, with significant cash reserves. As of March 31, 2026, it reported cash and cash equivalents of $5 billion.
Further, last week, the company raised $2.2 billion through 0.00% convertible senior notes due 2029. The proceeds give Robinhood added financial flexibility. About $290 million will go toward share repurchases to offset dilution, while $112 million will fund capped call transactions to limit potential dilution if the notes convert. The remaining proceeds can support organic investments, acquisitions and capital expenditures.
In March, HOOD announced a new $1.5 billion share repurchase authorization (to be completed over the next three years). The company initially launched a $1 billion share repurchase program in May 2024, which was later expanded by another $500 million in April 2025. The new buyback program underscores management’s confidence in the company’s financial position and long-term growth prospects.
Litigation & Probes: Robinhood operates in a heavily regulated market and continues to expand into products that can draw scrutiny. In December 2025, Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division issued a cease-and-desist order to Robinhood Derivatives and other operators over sports event contracts it characterized as unlicensed online gambling, highlighting the risk of state-level regulatory challenges. Adverse outcomes in regulatory actions or changes in law could prevent it from offering, or continuing to offer, event contracts.
The company has also faced investigations and reviews tied to crypto promotions and tokenized equity products, and it paid more than $80 million in fines from 2023 to 2025 for a range of compliance issues. As prediction markets and related derivatives scale, regulatory limits could cap product rollout and add expense volatility.
Reliance on Volatile Revenue Streams: A large portion of HOOD’s business is tied to transaction-driven activity, including options trading, equities turnover and crypto trading. These categories are highly sensitive to market cycles, investor sentiment and shifts in risk appetite. During periods of volatility or bullish momentum, revenues can surge, but they can fall just as quickly when markets cool, trading volumes fall or retail engagement declines (as occurred in the first quarter of 2026).
This creates an inherently uneven earnings profile, making Robinhood’s results less predictable and more exposed to macro- and sentiment-driven swings than traditional, fee-based financial firms.
HOOD’s Price Performance, Earnings Prospects & ValuationAfter a sharp pullback in early 2026, HOOD shares have regained some momentum and are now down only 10% year to date. Although concerns over elevated valuation and softer crypto-related activity weighed on investor sentiment, the stock’s recent recovery appears to reflect growing optimism around Robinhood’s new product launches and broader platform expansion.
In comparison, shares of Schwab and Interactive Brokers have fared better. Even the industry to which the stock belongs has rallied 5.5% so far this year.
YTD Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 has remained unchanged at $1.81, while for 2027, estimates have been revised upward to $2.45. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HOOD’s 2026 earnings implies an 11.7% year-over-year decline. The trend will likely reverse next year, with earnings numbers suggesting a 35.2% jump.
Earnings Estimates
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Despite the weakness in share price, Robinhood is trading at a premium to the industry. At present, the company has a price/tangible book (P/TB) of 10.26X for the trailing 12 months compared with the industry average of 3.25X.
Robinhood’s P/TB TTM
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
HOOD stock is expensive compared with Schwab and Interactive Brokers. Schwab and Interactive Brokers have a trailing 12-month P/TB of 6.97X and 1.86X, respectively.
How to Approach HOOD as it Builds a Financial Super App?Robinhood’s long-term platform strategy remains promising, supported by customer growth, product expansion, global initiatives and a strong balance sheet. However, the near-term investment case is less compelling. The stock still depends heavily on volatile transaction-driven revenues, including options, equities and crypto trading, while newer products such as prediction markets, tokenized assets and global expansion remain subject to execution and regulatory risks.
Further, HOOD’s premium valuation leaves limited room for disappointment. Hence, investors should avoid initiating new positions at current levels. Those already holding HOOD may retain the stock, but fresh buying looks better deferred until valuation becomes more reasonable and product traction improves.
At present, HOOD carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Keysight a WIN Semiconductors spustily společný workflow pro návrh GaN MMIC, který má snížit riziko chybného tapeoutu a urychlit uvedení RF produktů na trh.
New GaN MMIC design workflow reduces fabrication risk for 5G, satellite and defense applications
SANTA ROSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) and WIN Semiconductors Corp. today announced a joint MMIC design workflow that enables GaN MMIC design houses to achieve first pass tapeout success. The workflow connects on-chip multi-domain simulation, 3D layout with verifications, and off-chip MMIC evaluation board design into a single environment. It supports the growing number of companies developing GaN MMICs for 5G base stations, Wi-Fi access points, satellite payloads, and defense radar systems.
A failed tapeout can mean weeks lost to another foundry respin. The new workflow automates the full set of simulation, optimization, and verification steps required to sign off on an MMIC design, ensuring no analysis is skipped before the design is submitted to the foundry for fabrication.
MMIC customers will not commit to purchase until they can measure performance on a physical evaluation board comprising the MMIC, packaging, PCB, and test connectors. The workflow lets engineers design and optimize these on-chip and off-chip components together, so that performance meets specifications as verified with test equipment. With the global GaN RF device market projected to reach $2.77 billion by 2031, MMIC design houses that cannot prove performance on the evaluation board risk losing their share of that growth.
WIN Semiconductors’ latest NP 120P GaN Process Design Kit gives MMIC designers access to process models and layout rules. These models within Keysight Advanced Design System (ADS) and RF Circuit Simulation Professional automate the workflow to achieve first pass MMIC tapeout.
Richard Kuo, Director of Design Service, WIN Semiconductors, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Keysight to deliver a customized LVS solution within the WIN ADS PDK. By combining Keysight's ADS expertise with WIN's robust PDK and advanced process technology, we provided a comprehensive verification solution that streamlined the customer's design flow and accelerated the time-to-market for advanced RF products with greater confidence and reliability.”
Nilesh Kamdar, General Manager, EDA, Design Engineering Software, Keysight, said: “WIN's complete PDK, combined with Keysight's simulation and verification tools, gives designers a single path from chip design through evaluation board. Design houses can now prove full system performance before fabrication, giving their customers the confidence to commit.”
Resources
Solution Brief: An Executable RF Design Workflow Whiteboard Brochure: RF Circuit Simulation Professional eBook: Optimize Your RF Board Design Flow Web Page: RF Circuit Simulation Professional Video: Next Generation AI-Ready RF Circuit Simulation and Optimization About Keysight Technologies
At Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), we inspire and empower innovators to bring world-changing technologies to life. As an S&P 500 company, we’re delivering market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions to help engineers develop and deploy faster, with less risk, throughout the entire product life cycle. We’re a global innovation partner enabling customers in communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Learn more at Keysight Newsroom and www.keysight.com.
Southern Company za měsíc vzrostla o 8,7 % a těží z poptávky po datových centrech poháněných AI. Firma má 23 GW smluvní nebo pozdní poptávky ve velkém měřítku.
Key Takeaways Southern Company gained 8.7% in a month, outperforming its industry and the broader utility sector.SO sees AI-driven data center demand supporting long-term growth through contracted large-load agreements.SO faces risks from capital spending, financing costs, regulatory approvals and AI customer dependence. The Southern Company (SO - Free Report) shares have gained a little momentum over the past month, with its share price gaining 8.7%. Additionally, its performance outpaced both the Zacks Utility-Electric Power industry’s gain of 7.6% and the broader utility sector’s rise of nearly 5.9%. This outperformance signals a relative strength and highlights the company’s favorable positioning. With such momentum, investors have to be wondering, will the recent trend continue or is Southern Company due for a pullback?
SO's Stock Price Change Over the Past Month
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Founded in 1945 and headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Southern Company is one of the largest U.S. utilities, serving about 9 million electricity and natural gas customers. Its operations include regulated electric utilities, wholesale power generation and natural gas distribution. Through Southern Power, the company operates a diversified portfolio across gas, solar, wind and storage assets, supported by long-term power purchase agreements. Southern Company Gas serves 4.4 million customers through an extensive pipeline network and storage facilities across several U.S. states.
However, for investors, the key debate is whether SO’s strong run has more room to extend or if the rally has priced in much of the upside. With the company’s diversified portfolio strategy and recent tailwinds playing a critical role, the stock’s prospects warrant a closer examination before deciding whether to buy, hold or take profits.
Factors Driving the Performance of SO StockExceptional Data Center-Driven Demand Growth: Southern Company is benefiting from one of the strongest demand environments in the U.S. utility sector, fueled by AI-driven data center expansion. Management disclosed 23 GW of contracted or late-stage large-load demand, including more than 11 GW under executed agreements. The pipeline exceeds 75 GW, providing exceptional long-term visibility. Importantly, these contracts are backed by investment-grade hyperscalers and structured to recover the full cost of service, creating sustainable earnings growth without burdening existing customers.
Massive Capital Investment Opportunity: Southern Company is entering a multi-year investment cycle that should significantly expand its regulated asset base. Beyond the existing 10 GW generation program, Georgia Power has launched a proposal for an additional 2-6 GW of new generation resources. Southern Power is also investing in gas turbine uprates and evaluating further expansion opportunities. These projects can materially increase the rate base, supporting regulated earnings growth for years while strengthening the company's long-term competitive position.
Attractive Dividend Profile and Shareholder Returns: Income investors continue to benefit from Southern Company's remarkable dividend history. The board approved its 25th consecutive annual dividend increase, extending an extraordinary record of 79 consecutive years without reducing the annual dividend. This consistency reflects stable cash flows generated by regulated utility operations and disciplined capital allocation. For long-term investors seeking reliable income combined with moderate capital appreciation, SO remains among the most dependable dividend-paying utilities. Check Southern Company’s dividend history here.
SO’s Earnings Estimate
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SO’s 2026 earnings per share indicates an increase of 6.5% year over year.
SO’s EPS Estimate Trend
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What’s Causing the Pressure on SO Stock?Significant Capital Spending Could Pressure Returns: Although growth opportunities are substantial, Southern Company must execute an enormous capital investment program over the next decade. The company is simultaneously expanding generation, transmission, battery storage and natural gas infrastructure while evaluating additional projects. Such large-scale investments expose shareholders to execution risk, construction delays and cost overruns. Any major project setbacks could negatively impact returns and increase pressure on the balance sheet despite management's disciplined planning approach.
Rising Financing Costs Remain a Headwind: Despite strong operating performance, higher financing expenses partially offset earnings growth during the first quarter. Utilities remain highly sensitive to interest rates because of their capital-intensive business models. If borrowing costs remain elevated or rise further, financing future infrastructure investments could become more expensive, reducing profitability and limiting the pace of earnings growth even as electricity demand continues to strengthen.
Heavy Dependence on AI and Large-Load Customers: A significant portion of Southern Company's long-term growth thesis depends on hyperscalers and data center developers continuing to build capacity across its service territories. While contracts include protections such as minimum bills and collateral requirements, a slowdown in AI infrastructure spending, project cancellations or delayed customer buildouts could reduce expected electricity demand. This concentration makes future growth increasingly tied to a single rapidly evolving industry.
Growth Opportunities Require Continued Regulatory Approval: Many of SO's future investment opportunities remain subject to regulatory approvals and competitive procurement processes. New generation assets, including projects under current RFPs, must be selected and authorized by state regulators before they can contribute to earnings. If regulators approve fewer company-owned projects, delay approvals or require alternative solutions, expected capital deployment and long-term earnings growth could fall short of management's current outlook.
Final Verdict on SO StockSouthern Company’s long-term strengths are balanced by meaningful execution risks. The company is well positioned to benefit from AI-driven data center demand, a sizable regulated capital investment pipeline and one of the most dependable dividend track records in the U.S. utility sector — all of which support steady earnings growth.
However, elevated capital spending, higher financing costs, regulatory approval uncertainties and increasing dependence on large-load customers could limit near-term upside. Therefore, the investors can retain this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock and enjoy the benefits of regular dividends and earnings growth estimates. The new investors can wait and look for a better entry point.
Key PicksInvestors interested in the utility sector might look at some better-ranked stocks like Pampa Energía S.A. (PAM - Free Report) , Enel SpA (ENLAY - Free Report) and Energias de Portugal (EDPFY - Free Report) . While PAM sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present, ENLAY and EDPFY carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Argentina-based Pampa Energia is the largest fully integrated electricity company engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PAM’s 2026 earnings indicates 39.8% year-over-year growth.
Enel is an electricity operator in Italy, which engages in the generation, distribution and sale of electricity. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ENLAY’s 2026 earnings indicates 93.2% year-over-year growth.
Energias de Portugal ranks among Europe's major electricity operators, as well as being one of Portugal's largest business groups. It is a Portuguese electric utility company with operations in Europe, the Americas and Asia. EDPFY specializes in renewable energy generation, grid management and electricity supply, aiming to transition toward a low-carbon future.
SPX Technologies v 1. čtvrtletí 2026 zvýšila tržby o 17,4 % a GAAP zisk o 24,6 % a zároveň navýšila výhled na celý rok 2026 na tržby (+15 %), upravený EBITDA (+21 %) a upravený zisk na akcii (+18 %). Akcie SPXC ale mohou být už plně oceněné.
SummarySPX Technologies is executing on geographic expansion and disciplined acquisitions, driving strong revenue and margin growth, particularly in Canada.Q1-2026 results showed 17.4% revenue growth, 24.6% GAAP income growth, and raised FY2026 guidance for revenue (+15%), adjusted EBITDA (+21%), and adjusted EPS (+18%).Canadian acquisitions, favorable market dynamics, and government incentives are key catalysts, while tariffs and currency remain manageable risks.I maintain a Buy rating on SPXC with a $236.70 price target, reflecting solid growth but limited near-term upside as market expectations are largely priced in. alacatr/iStock via Getty Images
Investment Thesis SPX Technologies, Inc.'s (SPXC) decision to expand geographically and to seek better margins is paying off. In an August 2025 article, I argued the company’s global expansion should lead to higher
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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
EMCOR těží z rostoucí poptávky po institucionální infrastruktuře, zejména ve školství, zdravotnictví a veřejném sektoru. Jeho RPO dosáhly rekordu 15,62 miliardy USD.
Key Takeaways EMCOR is seeing rising institutional demand across universities, healthcare and public-sector projects.EME's record $15.62B RPOs reflect continued customer investment across institutional infrastructure.Institutional projects help diversify EMCOR's end markets and support long-term growth resilience. EMCOR Group, Inc. (EME - Free Report) is benefiting from rising institutional infrastructure investment, an area that is becoming increasingly important within its project portfolio. Demand from universities, healthcare facilities and public-sector projects is providing another avenue of growth while helping diversify the company's exposure beyond traditional commercial and industrial markets.
Institutional activity gained momentum across multiple parts of the business during the first quarter. Revenues from institutional projects more than doubled year over year within the U.S. Mechanical Construction segment, while the U.S. Electrical Construction segment also benefited from higher activity on certain public-sector projects. Demand for upgraded laboratory space at certain colleges and universities, along with continued healthcare facility modernization, supported new project awards.
Institutional and healthcare markets were also among the largest contributors to sequential growth in remaining performance obligations (RPOs). As of March 31, 2026, EMCOR's RPOs reached a record $15.62 billion, reflecting continued customer investment across several end markets, including institutional infrastructure.
Unlike many private construction projects, institutional infrastructure spending is often supported by long-term capital investment priorities rather than short-term economic conditions. The company also indicated that the institutional market has been more resilient than expected over the past several quarters, supported by spending from certain colleges and universities. These trends continue to create opportunities for complex mechanical and electrical construction services, where EMCOR has established expertise.
The increasing contribution from institutional projects also broadens EMCOR's end-market mix. Continued investment in upgraded laboratory space at certain colleges and universities, healthcare facility modernization and certain public-sector projects could support additional project opportunities. If these trends persist, institutional infrastructure could become a more meaningful contributor to EMCOR's long-term growth while strengthening its diversified project portfolio.
EMCOR’s Competitive Standing in Infrastructure MarketsEMCOR operates in a competitive infrastructure and mission-critical construction market alongside companies such as Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL - Free Report) and Quanta Services, Inc. (PWR - Free Report) .
Sterling has been gaining momentum in large-scale site development and electrical infrastructure projects tied to hyperscale data centers, semiconductor facilities and manufacturing expansion. It continues to benefit from rising project complexity, vertical integration capabilities and growing demand across newer geographies, particularly as Sterling’s customers prioritize speed and execution certainty on mission-critical projects.
Quanta, meanwhile, maintains a strong position in power infrastructure, utility transmission and large-load connectivity markets. The company has been expanding its fabrication, supply-chain and manufacturing capabilities to support growing power demand linked to AI infrastructure, electrification and grid modernization. Quanta’s integrated solutions model and scale across transmission, generation and technology infrastructure markets continue to strengthen its ability to execute large multiyear projects while supporting schedule certainty for customers.
EME Stock’s Price Performance & Valuation TrendShares of this Connecticut-based infrastructure service provider have gained 33.1% in the past six months, underperforming the Zacks Building Products - Heavy Construction industry, but outperforming the Construction sector and the S&P 500 Index.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
EME stock is currently trading at a discount compared with the industry, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 26.2, as evidenced by the chart below.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Earnings Estimate Revision of EMEEME’s earnings estimates for 2026 and 2027 have moved upward in the past 30 days. The estimates for 2026 and 2027 imply year-over-year growth of 13.5% and 11.8%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
EMCOR currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Lowey Dannenberg prověřuje The Ensign Group kvůli možnému porušení federálních zákonů o cenných papírech. Vyšetřování navazuje na short reporty o údajném falšování dat o kvalitě péče a možném podvodu vůči Medicare a Medicaid.
NEW YORK, June 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lowey Dannenberg P.C., a preeminent law firm in obtaining redress for consumers and investors, is investigating The Ensign Group (NASDAQ: ENSG) (“Ensign” or the “Company”) for potential violations of the federal securities laws.
On June 8, 2026, Hunterbrook published a detailed short-seller report alleging that the company engaged in systemic quality-measure gaming, falsified care-quality data, and improper related-party billing across its skilled nursing operations. Following this news, the price of Ensign stock fell significantly, causing millions of dollars in shareholder losses.
Then, on June 11, 2026, Muddy Waters Research published a short report on Ensign Group, alleging possible Medicare and Medicaid fraud via a scheme to rent licenses of administrators of skilled nursing facilities who are not actually managing the facilities, potentially in violation of the False Claims Act. This news caused the price of Ensign stock to drop even further.
“Our investigation concerns whether the company and its executives provided investors with accurate and complete information about the company,” said Andrea Farah, Lowey Dannenberg, P.C., Partner and Head of the firm’s securities practice.
If you suffered a loss in Ensign securities and wish to participate, check your eligibility through Lowey’s case management platform, https://claimmagic.com/cases/the-ensign-group. Alternatively, you can contact our attorneys Andrea Farah ([email protected]) at (914)733-7256 or Vincent R. Cappucci Jr. ([email protected]) at (914)733-7278.
About Lowey Dannenberg
Lowey Dannenberg is a national firm representing institutional and individual investors who suffered financial losses resulting from corporate fraud and malfeasance in violation of federal securities and antitrust laws. The firm has significant experience in prosecuting multi-million-dollar lawsuits and has previously recovered billions of dollars on behalf of investors.
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FuelCell Energy (NASDAQ:FCEL) stock is up 23% to $36.64 in early Tuesday trading, extending a powerful June rally. Bloom Energy (NYSE:BE) stock is up 7% to $293.61, climbing in sympathy with the broader fuel-cell complex.
Plug Power (NASDAQ:PLUG) stock is up 5% to $2.72, a decent-sized move but PLUG is still a relative laggard amid the sector-wide rally. The fresh catalyst is FuelCell Energy’s inclusion in the Russell 2000 and Russell 3000 indices in the latest reconstitution.
Both names entered today’s session with enormous gains already on the board. FuelCell Energy stock is up 346% year to date, while Bloom Energy stock is up 233% over the same window. A single-session move tied to a mechanical index event doesn’t by itself change the long-term thesis.
Russell Inclusion Adds to an Already Stacked Catalyst List Russell inclusion puts FuelCell Energy on the radar of passive index funds and ETFs benchmarked to the Russell 2000 and Russell 3000. That mechanical flow lands on top of an unusually loaded news week for the company.
Last week, FuelCell Energy announced a landmark agreement to supply Fit Energy up to 380 MW of power solutions for AI data centers and digital infrastructure. The company also secured a $49 million non-dilutive financing package from the U.S. Export-Import Bank to deploy five 2.8 MW energy blocks for Gyeonggi Green Energy in South Korea, with two tranches running through October.
Analyst sentiment has flipped quickly. B. Riley upgraded FuelCell Energy stock to Buy from Neutral and more than doubled its price target to $32 from $13. Jefferies upgraded the stock to Buy, noting that FuelCell trades at a significant discount to Bloom Energy, while UBS reiterated a bullish stance citing the Fit Energy deal and plans to scale Torrington manufacturing to 500 MW annually.
Retail message volume around FuelCell Energy is reportedly up over 1,000% in 24 hours, with traders openly comparing the setup to Bloom Energy’s earlier playbook. That’s community sentiment, not an established fundamental driver, and investors can treat it accordingly.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Plug Power didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
BE and PLUG Rebound After Last Week’s Selloff Bloom Energy stock sold off last week as profit-taking gripped the high-flyer. Today’s 7% bounce looks like a relief rebound paired with sympathy buying as the fuel-cell narrative draws fresh attention.
The underlying business remains the strongest in the peer group. Bloom Energy reported Q1 FY2026 revenue of $751 million, up 130% year over year, and raised full-year revenue guidance to a range of $3.4 billion to $3.8 billion.
There’s no fresh Bloom Energy-specific catalyst today. The stock is trading on sector momentum, technical mean reversion, and the halo from FuelCell Energy’s index news rather than any new business development. Plug Power stock also appears to be catching a sympathy bid, at least for today’s session, after a last week’s rocky ride.
What to Watch Index-driven flows tend to peak around the reconstitution print and fade quickly afterward. Investors can watch for whether FuelCell Energy stock holds today’s gains into the close or gives ground into the afternoon as the mechanical bid clears.
Volatility is the rule with these names. FuelCell Energy carries a beta of 2.4 and remains loss-making, with the latest quarter weighed down by a $43 million non-cash impairment. Investors may want to keep their position sizes modest given the speed of the move and the mechanical nature of today’s catalyst.
The next real test for FuelCell Energy comes from execution on the Fit Energy ramp and conversion of the 4 GW proposal pipeline into firm backlog. Traders can keep an eye on FuelCell Energy stock through the afternoon, while longer-term holders may focus on contract conversion rather than index mechanics.
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