Key Takeaways PDLB, CRDO, TILE, CIEN and CZFS passed screens for above-industry efficiency ratios and top Zacks Rank.The screen favors high inventory turnover, receivables turnover, asset utilization and operating margin. The five companies also posted positive average four-quarter earnings surprises ranging from 10.45% to 43.46%. Efficiency measures how well a company turns inputs into outputs and is a key indicator of its profit-generating potential. A company with a high efficiency level is expected to provide stellar returns, as it is believed to be positively correlated with price performance.
However, at times, it becomes difficult to measure the efficiency level of a company. This is why one must consider popular efficiency ratios while selecting stocks.
Ponce Financial Group (PDLB - Free Report) , Credo Technology Group (CRDO - Free Report) , Interface (TILE - Free Report) , Ciena (CIEN - Free Report) and Citizens Financial Services (CZFS - Free Report) made it through the screening process.
The efficiency ratios are:
Receivables Turnover: This is the ratio of 12-month sales to four-quarter average receivables. It shows a company’s potential to extend its credit and collect debt in terms of that credit. A high receivables turnover ratio, or the “accounts receivable turnover ratio” or “debtor’s turnover ratio” is desirable as it shows that the company is capable of collecting its accounts receivables or that it has quality customers.
Asset Utilization: This ratio indicates a company’s capability to convert assets into output and is thus a widely known measure of efficiency level. It is calculated by dividing total sales over the past 12 months by the last four-quarter average of total assets. Like the above ratios, high asset utilization may indicate that a company is efficient.
Inventory Turnover: The ratio of the 12-month cost of goods sold (COGS) to a four-quarter average inventory is considered one of the most popular efficiency ratios. It indicates a company’s ability to maintain a suitable inventory position. While a high value indicates that the company has a relatively low inventory level compared to COGS, a low value indicates that the company is facing declining sales, which has resulted in excess inventory.
Operating Margin: This efficiency measure is the ratio of operating income over the past 12 months to sales over the same period. It measures a company’s ability to control operating expenses. Hence, a high value of the ratio may indicate that the company manages its operating expenses more efficiently than its peers.
Screening CriteriaIn addition to the above-mentioned ratios, we have added a favorable Zacks Rank — Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) — to the screen to make this strategy more profitable. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Inventory Turnover, Receivables Turnover, Asset Utilization, and Operating Margin greater than the industry average(Values of these ratios higher than industry averages may indicate that the efficiency level of the company is higher than its peers.)
The use of these few criteria has narrowed down the universe of over 7,906 stocks to 15.
Our ChoicesHere are the top five stocks that made it through the screen:
Ponce Financial Group
Ponce Financial Group is the financial holding company for Ponce Bank. PDLB has an average four-quarter earnings surprise of 43.46%.
Credo Technology
Credo Technology offers high-speed connectivity solutions. CRDO has an average four-quarter earnings surprise of 27.35%.
Interface
Interface is the world's largest manufacturer of modular carpet. TILE has an average four-quarter earnings surprise of 26.75%.
Ciena
Ciena is a leading provider of optical networking equipment, software and services. CIEN has an average four-quarter earnings surprise of 19.45%.
Citizens Financial Services
Citizens Financial Services is the bank holding company for First Citizens National Bank. CZFS has an average four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.45%.
What if the future of public safety isn't better weapons—but fewer bullets? Brian Sozzi sits down with Axon founder and CEO Rick Smith to discuss the 30-year mission to make bullets obsolete, how Tasers evolved into AI-powered public safety technology, and why the company's next chapter could reshape policing, drones, and emergency response.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Calix, Inc. ("Calix" or the "Company") (NYSE: CALX). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.
The class action concerns whether Calix and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
You have until July 27, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Calix securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On April 21, 2026, after the market closed, Calix reported results for the first quarter of 2026 earnings, including that "[n]on-GAAP gross margin was 57.2%, a decrease of 80 basis points sequentially." Further, the Company reported gross margin guidance for the second quarter of 2026 is "55.8% (at the midpoint) is down 140 basis points from the previous quarter. This decline is primarily due the increase in memory component costs." In an accompanying earnings call on the same day, Calix's Chief Financial Officer, Cory Sindelar, said that "advanced purchasing had allowed us to avoid higher memory component costs during the first quarter. However, that advanced supply has run its course, and we now face market prices." Sindelar further revealed that, "reflecting the effects of higher memory component costs," "[f]or the year, we expect our non-GAAP gross margin to decline between 50 and 150 basis points."
On this news, Calix's stock price fell $6.93 per share, or 13.98%, to close at $42.65 per share on April 22, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
LOS ANGELES, July 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, reminds investors of a class action lawsuit against Calix, Inc. (“Calix” or “the Company”) (NYSE: CALX) for violations of §§10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Investors who purchased the Company’s securities between January 28, 2026 and April 21, 2026, inclusive (the “Class Period”), are encouraged to contact the firm before July 27, 2026.
If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.
We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at [email protected].
The class, in this case, has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.
According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. Calix’s Q1 margins benefited from the advanced purchasing of memory components. The Company’s supply of these memory components was rapidly decreasing due to these advanced orders. The Company’s margin faced negative pressure based on the purchase of memory at increasing market prices. Based on these facts, the Company’s public statements were false and materially misleading throughout the class period. When the market learned the truth about Calix, investors suffered damages.
Join the case to recover your losses
The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.
CONTACT:
The Schall Law Firm
Brian Schall, Esq.,
www.schallfirm.com
Office: 310-301-3335 [email protected]
John Rogers Jr., founder of Ariel Investments, has built a four-decade track record buying quality but unloved mid- and small-cap consumer names, then holding them through years of doubt. His playbook prizes recognizable brands, durable cash flow, and disciplined capital return, purchased when Wall Street has given up. Ariel’s logo is a tortoise for a reason: slow and steady wins.
For retirement-focused investors, the Rogers philosophy is appealing, but the wrapper matters more than the sticker. Three current Rogers-style candidates are all out of favor for very different reasons. The real question is which kind of out-of-favor a retiree can actually live with. We rank them from least to most appropriate for a long-horizon income portfolio.
3. Mohawk Industries Mohawk Industries (NYSE:MHK | MHK Price Prediction) is the world’s largest flooring company, home to Daltile, Karastan, Pergo, and Quick-Step. It is also the textbook Rogers pick: shares trade near $120, down almost 39% over five years, on a trailing P/E of 18x and a price-to-book ratio of 0.88.
Q1 FY26 revenue rose to $2.73 billion with adjusted EPS of $1.90, beating the $1.81 estimate. CEO Jeff Lorberbaum flagged that “the global flooring industry has been in a recession for almost four years, and historically we have multiple years of higher growth as markets recover.” Housing starts in May 2026 came in at 1,177 thousand units, still in the healthy range but well off the March 2026 peak of 1,522 thousand.
The problem for retirees: Mohawk pays no dividend, has a beta of 1.21, and the thesis rests entirely on a housing cycle turn that could take years. Big upside if it works, but no income while you wait.
2. Mattel Mattel (NASDAQ:MAT) owns Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, and UNO. The stock has been punished, trading near $13.50, down about 32% year to date and over 57% over the past decade, near the 52-week low of $13.37.
Q1 FY26 revenue of $862.2 million topped estimates by 6.58%, with Hot Wheels billings up 17%. Management repurchased $200 million of stock in Q1 and is targeting $400 million in buybacks for 2026 under a new $1.5 billion authorization through 2028. Full-year adjusted EPS guidance is $1.27 to $1.39, and the shares trade at a forward P/E near 10x. Analysts have an $18.50 consensus target.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and General Mills didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
CEO Ynon Kreiz had a Masters of the Universe film hit theaters on June 5, 2026, plus a gaming push. For a retiree, though, Mattel pays no dividend, and toys are discretionary. It ranks ahead of Mohawk because iconic IP and heavy buybacks provide harder downside support than a housing cycle bet.
1. General Mills General Mills (NYSE:GIS) owns Cheerios, Blue Buffalo, Häagen-Dazs, and Pillsbury. The stock is itself unloved, trading near $37.50, about 31% lower over the past year, on a trailing P/E of 9x with a beta of negative 0.04.
The Q4 FY26 report on July 1, 2026, delivered adjusted EPS of $0.95, crushing the $0.80 estimate, on revenue of $4.61 billion. Management reaffirmed a $3 billion cumulative cost-savings target by FY2030 and guided free cash flow conversion near 85%.
The dividend is the anchor. General Mills declared a $0.61 quarterly payout on July 1, 2026, payable August 3, 2026, with an uninterrupted history stretching back through the 2008 crisis and a current yield of 6.5%. Food spending hit $1,566.8 billion in May 2026, up from $1,518.3 billion a year earlier, even as consumer sentiment slid to 44.8, near recessionary levels. Risks include a $1.8 billion goodwill impairment on the North America Pet segment and a softer FY27 profit outlook.
The Rogers Verdict for Retirees Rogers’s philosophy is about buying quality brands during maximum pessimism and waiting. All three names qualify. But retirement portfolios weigh income reliability and volatility more heavily than upside optionality. Mohawk offers the biggest recovery torque and no cash return. Mattel adds iconic IP and aggressive buybacks, still without a dividend. General Mills pairs a beaten-down valuation with a 27-year dividend record, a defensive beta near zero, and cash flows tied to grocery aisles that shoppers fill regardless of the sentiment index. For a long-horizon retiree looking for the Rogers tortoise pace with a paycheck attached, General Mills is the fit.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and General Mills didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
Wall Street watches a company's quarterly report closely to understand as much as possible about its recent performance and what to expect going forward. Of course, one figure often stands out among the rest: earnings.
We know earnings results are vital, but how a company performs compared to bottom line expectations can be even more important when it comes to stock prices, especially in the near-term. This means that investors might want to take advantage of these earnings surprises.
Hunting for 'earnings whispers' or companies poised to beat their quarterly earnings estimates is a somewhat common practice. But that doesn't make it easy. One way that has been proven to work is by using the Zacks Earnings ESP tool.
The Zacks Earnings ESP, ExplainedThe Zacks Earnings ESP, or Expected Surprise Prediction, aims to find earnings surprises by focusing on the most recent analyst revisions. The basic premise is that if an analyst reevaluates their earnings estimate ahead of an earnings release, it means they likely have new information that could possibly be more accurate.
The core of the ESP model is comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, where the resulting percentage difference between the two equals the Expected Surprise Prediction. The Zacks Rank is also factored into the ESP metric to better help find companies that appear poised to top their next bottom-line consensus estimate, which will hopefully help lift the stock price.
Bringing together a positive earnings ESP alongside a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better has helped stocks report a positive earnings surprise 70% of the time. Furthermore, by using these parameters, investors have seen 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.
Stocks with a #3 (Hold) ranking, which is most stocks covered at 60%, are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. But stocks that fall into the #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy) ranking, or the top 15% and top 5% of stocks, respectively, should outperform the market. Strong Buy stocks should outperform more than any other rank.
Should You Consider Baker Hughes?Now that we understand what the ESP is and how beneficial it can be, let's dive into a stock that currently fits the bill. Baker Hughes (BKR - Free Report) earns a #3 (Hold) right now and its Most Accurate Estimate sits at $0.56 a share, just 24 days from its upcoming earnings release on July 26, 2026.
Baker Hughes' Earnings ESP sits at +12.38%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $0.56 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.5. BKR is also part of a large group of stocks that boast a positive ESP. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
BKR is just one of a large group of Oils and Energy stocks with a positive ESP figure. Crescent Energy (CRGY - Free Report) is another qualifying stock you may want to consider.
Crescent Energy, which is readying to report earnings on August 3, 2026, sits at a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) right now. Its Most Accurate Estimate is currently $0.64 a share, and CRGY is 32 days out from its next earnings report.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Crescent Energy is $0.62, and when you take the percentage difference between that number and its Most Accurate Estimate, you get the Earnings ESP figure of +3.23%.
Because both stocks hold a positive Earnings ESP, BKR and CRGY could potentially post earnings beats in their next reports.
Find Stocks to Buy or Sell Before They're ReportedUse the Zacks Earnings ESP Filter to turn up stocks with the highest probability of positively, or negatively, surprising to buy or sell before they're reported for profitable earnings season trading. Check it out here >>
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In FS KKR Capital To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options
If you purchased or acquired securities in FS KKR Capital between May 8, 2024 and February 25, 2026 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).
[You may also click here for additional information]
, /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against FS KKR Capital Corp. ("FS KKR Capital" or the "Company") (NYSE: FSK) and reminds investors of the July 3, 2026 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.
James (Josh) Wilson, Faruqi & Faruqi Senior Partner (PRNewsfoto/Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP) Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.
As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) the Company overstated the effectiveness of its portfolio restructuring efforts for its nonaccrual companies; (2) the Company overstated the valuation of its portfolio investments and/or overstated the effectiveness of the Company's portfolio valuation process; (3) the Company overstated the durability of its quarterly distribution strategy; and (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.
The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not.
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding FS KKR Capital's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.
To learn more about the FS KKR Capital Corp. class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/FSK or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Investors Regarding the FS KKR Capital Corp. Securities Class Action Lawsuit:
What is the FS KKR Capital securities fraud lawsuit about?
The FS KKR Capital securities fraud lawsuit is a federal securities class action alleging that FS KKR Capital Corp. (NYSE: FSK) and its executives made false and misleading statements to investors by overstating the effectiveness of its portfolio restructuring efforts for nonaccrual companies, overstating the valuation of its portfolio investments, and overstating the durability of its quarterly distribution strategy. As the truth emerged through a series of disclosures — including an August 6, 2025 report revealing a 6.2% decline in net asset value, a $474 million drop in total fair value of investments, and a loss per share of negative $0.75, followed by a February 25, 2026 announcement of further NAV deterioration, an additional $406 million decline in investment fair value, a dividend cut from $0.70 to $0.48 per share, and an acknowledgment that identified problem companies accounted for only 50% of net realized and unrealized losses — FSK's stock price dropped sharply, causing significant losses for investors.
Who may be eligible to participate in the FS KKR Capital class action lawsuit?
Investors who purchased or acquired FS KKR Capital Corp. (FSK) stock between May 8, 2024 and February 25, 2026 — the Class Period — and suffered financial losses may be eligible to participate in the FS KKR Capital securities class action. Participation as a class member does not require taking any affirmative legal action; eligible investors may recover losses simply by remaining members of the class. Whistleblowers, former FS KKR Capital employees, and others with relevant information about the Company's conduct are also encouraged to come forward.
What is a lead plaintiff, and how can I seek appointment in the FS KKR Capital lawsuit?
A lead plaintiff in the FS KKR Capital class action is a court-appointed investor — typically the one with the largest financial interest in the case — who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of all class members. Any FS KKR Capital investor who purchased FSK stock during the Class Period may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice. The deadline to seek lead plaintiff appointment is July 3, 2026. Importantly, choosing not to seek the lead plaintiff role does not affect an investor's ability to share in any recovery obtained for the class.
What should investors do if they purchased FS KKR Capital stock during the Class Period?
Investors who purchased FS KKR Capital Corp. (FSK) stock between May 8, 2024 and February 25, 2026 and suffered losses should contact Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP immediately to discuss their legal rights. The deadline to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the FS KKR Capital securities class action is July 3, 2026. To speak directly with securities litigation partner Josh Wilson, call 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310), or visit www.faruqilaw.com/FSK for more information.
Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.
LOS ANGELES, July 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, reminds investors of a class action lawsuit against FS KKR Capital Corp. (“FSK” or “the Company”) (NYSE: FSK) for violations of §§10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Investors who purchased the Company’s securities between May 8, 2024 and February 25, 2026, inclusive (the “Class Period”), are encouraged to contact the firm before July 6, 2026.
If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.
We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at [email protected].
The class, in this case, has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.
According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. FSK misled investors about the effectiveness of its portfolio restructuring activities. The Company overvalued its portfolio and overstated its portfolio valuation process. The Company overstated the strength of its quarterly dividend program. Based on these facts, the Company’s public statements were false and materially misleading throughout the class period. When the market learned the truth about FSK, investors suffered damages.
Join the case to recover your losses
The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.
CONTACT:
The Schall Law Firm
Brian Schall, Esq.,
www.schallfirm.com
Office: 310-301-3335 [email protected]
, /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against FS KKR Capital Corp. ("FSK KRR" or the "Company") (NYSE: FSK). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.
The class action concerns whether FSK KRR and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
You have July 3, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired FSK KRR securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On August 6, 2025, the Company reported second quarter 2025 earnings, revealing that the Company's net asset value had declined to $21.93 per share, down $1.44, or 6.2% from the prior quarter, and the total fair value of investments fell $474 million, to $13,648 million. Moreover, the Company report earnings (loss) per share of negative $0.75, down $1.18 or 274.4% from the prior quarter, and a total net realized and unrealized loss per share of negative $1.36, down $1.12 or 466.7% from the prior quarter. Further, investments on non-accrual status rose to 3.0% and 5.3% of the total investment portfolio at fair value and amortized cost, respectively, compared to 2.1% and 3.5% in the prior quarter.
On this news, FS KKR's stock price fell $1.66 per share, or 8.2%, to close at $18.58 per share on August 7, 2025.
Then, on February 25, 2026, the Company announced fourth quarter and full year 2025 earnings, revealing net asset value had continued to decline to $20.89, down $1.10 or 5% from prior quarter, and the total fair value of investments fell another $406 million, to $13,009 million. Moreover, the Company reported earnings (loss) per share of negative $0.41, down $1.17 or 153.9% from the prior quarter, and a total net realized and unrealized loss per share of negative $0.89, down $1.08 or 568.421% from the prior quarter. Further, investments on non-accrual status again rose to 3.4% and 5.5% of the total investment portfolio at fair value and amortized cost, respectively, compared to 2.9% and 5.0% in the prior quarter. The Company also "acknowledge[d] specific challenges" with additional companies and cut its dividend to $0.48 per share (previously $0.70).
On this news, FS KKR's stock price fell $2.03 per share, or 15.24%, to close at $11.29 per share on February 26, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Eaton (ETN - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Shares of this power management company have returned -2.1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.4% change. The Zacks Manufacturing - Electronics industry, to which Eaton belongs, has gained 1.5% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.
Revisions to Earnings EstimatesRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
Eaton is expected to post earnings of $3.07 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +4.1%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +0.1%.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $13.33 points to a change of +10.4% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has remained unchanged.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $15.65 indicates a change of +17.4% from what Eaton is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.3%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Eaton.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue GrowthEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.
In the case of Eaton, the consensus sales estimate of $8 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +13.9%. The $31.8 billion and $35.08 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +15.9% and +10.3%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryEaton reported revenues of $7.45 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +16.8%. EPS of $2.81 for the same period compares with $2.72 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.09 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +5.16%. The EPS surprise was +2.55%.
Over the last four quarters, Eaton surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates two times over this period.
ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Eaton is graded D on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Eaton. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Equinix (EQIX 0.53%) may look like a data-center REIT, but the real story could be its interconnection moat. As enterprise AI moves from experiments into production, companies may need secure physical locations to connect data, clouds, networks, and AI models. That could make Equinix a quiet winner in AI infrastructure.
Stock prices used were the market prices of June 23, 2026. The video was published on July 1, 2026.
Rick Orford has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Equinix. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Rick Orford is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through their link, they will earn some extra money that supports their channel. Their opinions remain their own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.
Earnings are arguably the most important single number on a company's quarterly financial report. Wall Street clearly dives into all of the other metrics and management's input, but the EPS figure helps cut through all the noise.
We know earnings results are vital, but how a company performs compared to bottom line expectations can be even more important when it comes to stock prices, especially in the near-term. This means that investors might want to take advantage of these earnings surprises.
Now that we know how important earnings and earnings surprises are, it's time to show investors how to take advantage of these events to boost their returns by utilizing the Zacks Earnings ESP filter.
The Zacks Earnings ESP, ExplainedThe Zacks Expected Surprise Prediction, or ESP, works by locking in on the most up-to-date analyst earnings revisions because they can be more accurate than estimates from weeks or even months before the actual release date. The thinking is pretty straightforward: analysts who provide earnings estimates closer to the report are likely to have more information.
With this in mind, the Expected Surprise Prediction compares the Most Accurate Estimate (being the most recent) against the overall Zacks Consensus Estimate. The percentage difference provides the ESP figure. The system also utilizes our core Zacks Rank to provide a stronger system for identifying stocks that might beat their next quarterly earnings estimate and possibly see the stock price climb.
When we join a positive earnings ESP with a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or stronger, stocks posted a positive bottom-line surprise 70% of the time. Plus, this system saw investors produce roughly 28% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.
Stocks with a #3 (Hold) ranking, which is most stocks covered at 60%, are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. But stocks that fall into the #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy) ranking, or the top 15% and top 5% of stocks, respectively, should outperform the market. Strong Buy stocks should outperform more than any other rank.
Should You Consider Trane Technologies?The last thing we will do today, now that we have a grasp on the ESP and how powerful of a tool it can be, is to quickly look at a qualifying stock. Trane Technologies (TT - Free Report) holds a #3 (Hold) at the moment and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $4.30 a share 27 days away from its upcoming earnings release on July 29, 2026.
Trane Technologies' Earnings ESP sits at +0.60%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $4.30 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.27. TT is also part of a large group of stocks that boast a positive ESP. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
TT is just one of a large group of Business Services stocks with a positive ESP figure. Coherent (COHR - Free Report) is another qualifying stock you may want to consider.
Coherent, which is readying to report earnings on August 12, 2026, sits at a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) right now. Its Most Accurate Estimate is currently $1.65 a share, and COHR is 41 days out from its next earnings report.
For Coherent, the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.62 is +2.12%.
Because both stocks hold a positive Earnings ESP, TT and COHR could potentially post earnings beats in their next reports.
Find Stocks to Buy or Sell Before They're ReportedUse the Zacks Earnings ESP Filter to turn up stocks with the highest probability of positively, or negatively, surprising to buy or sell before they're reported for profitable earnings season trading. Check it out here >>
It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.
The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.
Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.
Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.
It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Trane Technologies (TT - Free Report) Founded in 1885 and headquartered in Swords, Ireland, Trane Technologies is a designer, manufacturer, seller and servicer of climate control products for HVAC and transport solutions. The company distributes its products through branch sales offices, dealers and distributors in the United States and through subsidiary sales and service companies in other parts of the world. Trane generated around 81% of its revenues from the United States and the rest from more than 100 other countries. With no customer accounting for more than 10% of revenues, the company’s business does not suffer on account of any single customer of group of customers.
TT is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. TT has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 13.6% for the current fiscal year.
For fiscal 2026, three analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.03 to $14.84 per share. TT boasts an average earnings surprise of +2.7%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, TT should be on investors' short list.
Key Takeaways Revvity added Signals Software to Anthropic's MCP directory, extending Signals AI beyond Signals One.Researchers can use Claude to access connected R&D data, trusted knowledge and scientific context.RVTY shares rose 1.4% after the news and are up 16.6% year to date against an industry decline. Revvity, Inc. (RVTY - Free Report) recently announced that its Signals Software business has been added to Anthropic’s directory for Model Context Protocol (MCP) connectors, extending the capabilities of Signals AI beyond the Signals One platform. Through the integration, scientists can access Signals AI and connected R&D knowledge using Claude, including Claude Science, Anthropic’s AI workbench for scientific research.
Per management, Signals AI was developed to help scientists understand connected R&D data, make decisions and take action. By joining Anthropic's MCP ecosystem, Revvity is expanding Signals AI beyond the Signals One platform, allowing researchers to pair Claude's reasoning capabilities with the governed data, ontology-based scientific context and trusted knowledge available across the Revvity Signals portfolio.
Likely Trend of RVTY Stock Following the NewsFollowing the announcement, RVTY shares gained 1.4% at yesterday’s closing. Year to date, shares of the company have climbed 16.6% against the industry’s 0.2% decline. The S&P 500 has risen 9.6% in the same timeframe.
The collaboration with Anthropic is a positive development for Revvity as it expands the accessibility and interoperability of its Signals AI ecosystem. By enabling secure access to connected R&D data through Claude, the company strengthens its position in the growing market for AI-enabled research informatics. Over the long term, the integration could drive wider adoption of Signals Software, reinforce Revvity’s innovation leadership and support long-term growth opportunities in the life sciences and research software markets.
RVTY currently has a market capitalization of $12.41 billion.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
More on the NewsAs artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly central to scientific research, organizations face the challenge of providing AI models with trusted scientific data, context and knowledge. The Signals MCP connector addresses this need by enabling Claude to securely access information through Signals' intelligence layer, helping researchers search, interpret and act on complex R&D data using natural language.
The integration builds on Revvity’s recently introduced Signals AI native agentic framework, which embeds advanced AI capabilities throughout the Signals One platform. Signals AI delivers large language model functionality within Signals One. The Signals MCP connector extends these capabilities to scientists working in Claude, providing secure access to connected R&D data and scientific context from the Signals platform. This enables researchers to interact with organizational knowledge and experimental data through natural language while maintaining data traceability and scientific accuracy.
Industry Prospects Favoring the MarketGoing by the data provided by Precedence Research, the AI in the life science analytics market is valued at $2.73 billion in 2026 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 10.8% through 2035.
Factors like the growing volumes of life sciences data, advancements in AI and machine learning technologies, rising adoption in drug discovery and precision medicine and increasing healthcare digitization and industry support are boosting the market’s growth.
Other NewsRevvity recently launched Signals AI, a native agentic framework embedded within the Signals One platform. Designed to help scientists navigate complex R&D environments, Signals AI enables researchers to interact with connected scientific data, knowledge and workflows using natural language.
During the first quarter of 2026, Revvity continued investing in innovation through the launch of Signals BioDesign software and the Opera Phenix OptiQ high-content screening system, reinforcing its focus on expanding long-term growth opportunities.
RVTY’s Zacks Rank & Key PicksRevvity currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
Some better-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are BrightSpring Health (BTSG - Free Report) , Globus Medical (GMED - Free Report) and West Pharmaceutical (WST - Free Report) .
BrightSpring Health, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 39 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 34.5%. Revenues of $3.61 billion surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.35%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
BrightSpring Health has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 46.5%. BTSG’s earnings surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, the average surprise being 14.6%.
Globus Medical, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2, reported a first-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.12, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 22.1%. Revenues of $759.9 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.0%.
GMED has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 10.2%. The company’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 26.3%.
West Pharmaceutical, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, 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%.
West Pharmaceutical has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 13.9%. WST’s earnings surpassed estimates in the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 19.4%.
Alert: Claims Focus on Alleged Misrepresentations About Badger Meter's AMI Transition and Short-Cycle Municipal Ordering Practices
, /PRNewswire/ -- SueWallSt reminds purchasers of Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE: BMI) securities of a pending securities class action.
THE CASE: A class action seeks to recover damages for investors who purchased BMI securities between April 18, 2024 and April 16, 2026.
YOUR OPTIONS: You may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees. See if you can recover losses or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. at [email protected] or (888) SueWallSt.
Badger Meter shares lost $36.75 per share, a decline exceeding 24%, on April 17, 2026, after the company disclosed that total sales fell 9% year-over-year and utility water revenue dropped 10%. Investors have until August 3, 2026 to seek lead plaintiff status.
How a Water Meter Company Allegedly Disguised Depleted Demand as Growth
A water measurement company cannot sustain reported growth rates when its near-term order pipeline is thinning. The complaint contends that Badger Meter's transition from traditional mechanical meters into advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) solutions created two distinct revenue channels: "short-cycle" municipal replacement orders that convert to revenue quickly, and "long-cycle" AMI deployment projects spanning multiple years. The filing states that management exploited this dual structure to mask deteriorating short-cycle demand behind the long-cycle backlog, presenting a picture of broad-based, durable growth to investors.
Alleged Short-Cycle Ordering Manipulation by the Numbers
The action claims that the operational reality diverged sharply from management's public narrative:
Short-cycle municipal ordering softness produced approximately $15 million to $20 million in lower revenue versus internal expectations for 1Q 2026 Utility water sales declined 10% year-over-year in 1Q 2026 after a 6% sequential decline in 4Q 2025 Operating profit margins contracted from 22.2% to 17.4% in a single year, a 480 basis-point collapse Diluted EPS fell from $1.30 to $0.93, a 28% year-over-year decline Total sales of $202.3 million in 1Q 2026 trailed the prior year's $222.2 million by $19.9 million The AMI Project Timing Shield
As detailed in the action, when 2Q 2025 results disappointed, the company attributed the shortfall to AMI projects wrapping up and delays in new project starts. This framing, the complaint alleges, functioned as a shield: by pointing to the lumpy, project-driven nature of AMI deployments, the company deflected attention from the more fundamental problem of weakening short-cycle municipal demand. The lawsuit chronicles that this "project pacing" explanation was repeated through 4Q 2025, even as sequential utility water revenue continued to erode.
Only in April 2026 did management acknowledge that short-cycle variability "has always existed" but had been "less visible" due to backlog conditions, the complaint asserts.
Calculate your potential recovery or call (888) SueWallSt.
"The complaint raises serious questions about whether investors received accurate information regarding the sustainability of Badger Meter's revenue channels and the true health of its short-cycle municipal ordering pipeline." -- Joseph E. Levi, Esq.
Start your claim now or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. at (888) SueWallSt.
SueWallSt -- Top 50 securities litigation firm (ISS, seven consecutive years). Over 70 professionals. Hundreds of millions recovered.
Frequently Asked Questions About the BMI Lawsuit
Q: Who is eligible to join the BMI investor lawsuit? A: Investors who purchased BMI stock or securities between April 18, 2024 and April 16, 2026 and suffered financial losses may be eligible. Eligibility is based on purchase date and documented losses, not on whether you still hold the shares.
Q: What specific misstatements does the BMI lawsuit allege? A: The complaint alleges Badger Meter made materially false or misleading statements regarding the durability of customer demand, the drivers of record financial results, and the absence of order pull-forward activity during the class period. When the true state of short-cycle demand was revealed, the stock price declined sharply.
Q: What do BMI investors need to do right now? A: Gather brokerage records including purchase dates, share quantities, and prices paid. Contact SueWallSt for a free, no-obligation evaluation at [email protected] or (888) SueWallSt. No immediate action is required to remain eligible as a class member.
Q: What if I already sold my BMI shares -- can I still recover losses? A: Yes. Eligibility is based on when you purchased, not whether you still hold them. Investors who bought during the class period and sold at a loss may still participate.
Q: Do I need to go to court or give testimony? A: No. The overwhelming majority of class members never appear in court or give depositions. You submit a claim form to receive your portion of recovery.
Q: What does it cost me to participate? A: Nothing. Securities class actions are handled on a pure contingency basis. No upfront fees, no retainer, no out-of-pocket costs.
Q: How long will the lawsuit take to resolve? A: Securities class actions typically take two to four years from initial filing to resolution.
CONTACT:
Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
Joseph E. Levi, Esq.
33 Whitehall Street, 27th Floor
New York, NY 10004
[email protected]
Tel: (888) SueWallSt
Fax: (212) 363-7171
PHILADELPHIA, July 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National plaintiffs’ law firm Berger Montague PC announces a class action lawsuit against Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE: BMI) (“Badger Meter” or the “Company”) on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired Badger Meter common stock during the period from April 18, 2024 through April 16, 2026 (the “Class Period”).
Investor Deadline: Investors who purchased or acquired Badger Meter common stock during the Class Period may, no later than August 3, 2026, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class. To learn your rights, CLICK HERE.
Milwaukee, Wis.-based Badger Meter provides flow measurement, water quality monitoring, and control solutions to water utilities, municipalities, and industrial customers across the world.
The complaint alleges that Defendants failed to disclose that: (i) Badger Meter’s reported financial results during the Class Period were at least partially the product of pulling forward customer orders to recognize revenue early, rather than the organic demand growth they described; and (ii) this revenue-acceleration practice was masking deteriorating near-term order trends and consuming revenue that would otherwise have supported future periods.
On July 22, 2025, Badger Meter’s second-quarter 2025 results fell below consensus estimates, with decelerating revenue growth and narrowing margins. Management guided to a sequential sales decline in the third quarter of 2025 while dismissing the weakness as ordinary business variability. On this news, shares dropped 16.5%, falling $40.42 per share to close at $204.80 per share on July 22, 2025.
On January 28, 2026, Badger Meter’s fourth-quarter 2025 results again disappointed, with revenues missing expectations and utility water sales posting a 6% sequential decline. Management attributed the shortfall to project pacing dynamics it claimed had been previously communicated. On this news, shares fell approximately 11%, dropping $18.09 per share to close at $146.32 per share.
On April 17, 2026, Badger Meter disclosed first-quarter 2026 results reflecting significant year-over-year deterioration across all key metrics. Management newly attributed part of the weakness to softer short-cycle municipal demand and revealed that such demand variability existed throughout 2023 to 2025 but had gone undetected in reported results due to elevated backlog and active project work. On this news, shares fell more than 24%, declining $36.75 per share to close at $115.54 per share.
If you are a Badger Meter investor and would like to learn more about this action, CLICK HERE or please contact Berger Montague: Andrew Abramowitz at [email protected] or (215) 875-3015, or Caitlin Adorni at [email protected] or (267) 764-4865.
About Berger Montague
Berger Montague is one of the nation’s preeminent law firms focusing on complex civil litigation, class actions, and mass torts in federal and state courts throughout the United States. With more than $2.4 billion in 2025 post-trial judgments alone, the Firm is a leader in the fields of complex litigation, antitrust, consumer protection, defective products, environmental law, employment law, securities, and whistleblower cases, among many other practice areas. For over 55 years, Berger Montague has played leading roles in precedent-setting cases and has recovered over $50 billion for its clients and the classes they have represented. Berger Montague is headquartered in Philadelphia and has offices in Chicago; Malvern, PA; Minneapolis; San Diego; San Francisco; Toronto, Canada; Washington, D.C., and Wilmington, DE.
For more information or to discuss your rights, please contact:
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Badger Meter To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options
If you purchased or acquired securities in Badger Meter between April 18, 2024 and April 16, 2026 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).
[You may also click here for additional information]
, /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Badger Meter, Inc. ("Badger Meter" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: BMI) and reminds investors of the August 3, 2026 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.
James (Josh) Wilson, Faruqi & Faruqi Senior Partner (PRNewsfoto/Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP) Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.
As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that Badger Meter's strong financial results reflected "ongoing favorable industry trends," "secular growth drivers," and "solid operating execution." They likewise touted "strong" demand and said they were seeing "robust order pacing and a strong bid pipeline that positions us well for continued sales and earnings growth," and that Badger Meter possessed a "long runway" for growth.
The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not.
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Badger Meter's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.
To learn more about the Badger Meter class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/BMI or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Investors Regarding the Badger Meter Securities Class Action Lawsuit:
What is the Badger Meter securities fraud lawsuit about?
The Badger Meter securities fraud lawsuit is a federal securities class action alleging that Badger Meter, Inc. (NASDAQ: BMI) and its executives made false and misleading statements to investors by touting "strong" demand, a "robust" order pipeline, and a "long runway" for growth while concealing that the Company's financial results were not sustainable. As the truth emerged through a series of disclosures — including disappointing Q2 2025 results and a sequential sales decline forecast on July 22, 2025, missed revenue expectations and a 6% sequential decline in utility water sales on January 28, 2026, and Q1 2026 earnings that missed consensus estimates by $0.26 per share with revenue missing by $28.58 million on April 17, 2026 — BMI's stock price dropped sharply, causing significant losses for investors.
Who may be eligible to participate in the Badger Meter class action lawsuit?
Investors who purchased or acquired Badger Meter (BMI) stock between April 18, 2024 and April 16, 2026 — the Class Period — and suffered financial losses may be eligible to participate in the Badger Meter securities class action. Participation as a class member does not require taking any affirmative legal action; eligible investors may recover losses simply by remaining members of the class. Whistleblowers, former Badger Meter employees, and others with relevant information about the Company's conduct are also encouraged to come forward.
What is a lead plaintiff, and how can I seek appointment in the Badger Meter lawsuit?
A lead plaintiff in the Badger Meter class action is a court-appointed investor — typically the one with the largest financial interest in the case — who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of all class members. Any Badger Meter investor who purchased BMI stock during the Class Period may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice. The deadline to seek lead plaintiff appointment is August 3, 2026. Importantly, choosing not to seek the lead plaintiff role does not affect an investor's ability to share in any recovery obtained for the class.
What should investors do if they purchased Badger Meter stock during the Class Period?
Investors who purchased Badger Meter (BMI) stock between April 18, 2024 and April 16, 2026 and suffered losses should contact Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP immediately to discuss their legal rights. The deadline to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Badger Meter securities class action is August 3, 2026. To speak directly with securities litigation partner Josh Wilson, call 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310), or visit www.faruqilaw.com/BMI for more information.
Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Badger Meter, Inc. ("Badger Meter" or the "Company") (NYSE: BMI). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.
The class action concerns whether Badger Meter and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
You have until August 3, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Badger Meter securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On April 17, 2026, Badger Meter reported its first quarter 2026 financial results. Among other items, Badger Meter reported earnings per share of $0.93, missing consensus estimates by $0.26, and revenue of $202.03 million, missing consensus estimates by $28.58 million. Badger Meter disclosed that its utility water sales declined 10% year-over-year, reflecting project timing and softer short cycle municipal customer ordering.
On this news, Badger Meter's stock price fell $36.75 per share, or 24.13%, to close at $115.54 per share on April 17, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
LOS ANGELES, July 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, reminds investors of a class action lawsuit against Badger Meter, Inc. (“Badger” or “the Company”) (NYSE: BMI) for violations of §§10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Investors who purchased the Company’s securities between April 18, 2024 and April 16, 2026, inclusive (the “Class Period”), are encouraged to contact the firm before August 3, 2026.
If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.
We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at [email protected].
The class, in this case, has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.
According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. Badger Meter claimed its financial performance was based on “secular growth drivers,” and “solid operating execution.” The Company touted “strong” demand and a “long runway” for growth. In truth, the Company’s performance was partially based on pulling forward customer orders to recognize revenue early. Based on these facts, the Company’s public statements were false and materially misleading throughout the class period. When the market learned the truth about Badger Meter, investors suffered damages.
Join the case to recover your losses
The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.
CONTACT:
The Schall Law Firm
Brian Schall, Esq.,
www.schallfirm.com
Office: 310-301-3335 [email protected]
Key Takeaways Onto Innovation is gaining from AI demand, advanced packaging and HBM manufacturing growth.ONTO sees growth from Dragonfly G5, Atlas G6 and expanding advanced packaging applications.ONTO trades above industry valuation, while estimates for 2026 and 2027 have moved higher. Shares of Onto Innovation, Inc. (ONTO - Free Report) have surged 25.5% over the past month compared with the Zacks Nanotechnology industry’s growth of 24.7%. The company has outpaced the Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the S&P 500 composite’s plunge of 4.3% and 0.9%, respectively. The rally reflects growing investor optimism surrounding the company's exposure to AI, advanced semiconductor packaging and HBM manufacturing. As chipmakers continue to invest aggressively to meet demand for AI infrastructure, Onto Innovation has emerged as one of the beneficiaries of this trend.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
ONTO’s key competitors include KLA Corporation (KLAC - Free Report) , Camtek Ltd (CAMT - Free Report) and Nova Ltd. (NVMI - Free Report) . KLAC has grown 25.3%, while CAMT and NVMI plummeted 15.2% and 5.2%, respectively, in the same time frame.
After such a sharp move, however, investors naturally face an important question: Is it still worth buying ONTO, or has the rally already priced in most of the good news? Let's examine what's driving the stock higher, the company's long-term prospects and whether investors should buy, hold, or wait for a better entry point.
Advanced Packaging Becomes a Major Growth Driver for ONTOThe company sees high growth potential in advanced packaging, silicon photonics, panel-level packaging and related applications. Advanced packaging is expected to grow more than 50% in 2026, driven by the rapid expansion of AI and next-generation semiconductor technologies. Silicon photonics is already moving into volume production as AI servers require faster data transfer and lower power consumption. The panel-level packaging market, currently valued at roughly $200 million, also has significant room for expansion as the industry increasingly adopts panel-based manufacturing and chiplet architectures.
At the same time, demand for smaller and denser interconnects, with bump sizes below 6 microns, continues to rise, creating additional opportunities across the advanced packaging ecosystem. Despite ongoing supply chain headwinds, lead times remain well-managed, and companies have reported no major impact on customer commitments or delivery schedules. Onto Innovation sees a strong growth runway in the 2.5D logic market, supported by deeper engagement with a key customer and an expanding set of applications. Previous system limitations have been removed, enabling the company to pursue more than 15 applications that were previously out of reach, expanding its serviceable addressable market.
Management also indicated that its current outlook may be conservative, leaving room for upside in the second half of the year, with the momentum expected to extend into 2027 as customer adoption broadens. At the same time, the company is benefiting from a more diversified customer base, as advanced packaging customers increasingly outsource high-value process steps. By strengthening its position with outsourced manufacturing partners, ONTO is reducing customer concentration, expanding its market reach and building a more diversified and sustainable long-term revenue base.
ONTO continues strengthening its competitive edge through multiple product wins and market expansion efforts. Its Dragonfly G5 inspection system has been qualified by a top 2.5D logic customer, with shipments already ahead of schedule and demand expected to grow through 2026. Further, the Atlas G6 platform is gaining momentum in advanced-node manufacturing, with management predicting 25% growth in 2026. A new through-silicon via metrology application is set for initial shipments in the second half of 2026.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
For 2027, it anticipates outpacing wafer fab equipment industry growth through ongoing market share gains, driven by Dragonfly G5's nearly $1 billion addressable market, the continued expansion of Atlas G6 in gate-all-around applications, new surface charge metrology and panel-level packaging offerings and a strong pipeline of new applications for a wider customer base.
Risks Faced By ONTODespite its strong long-term prospects, Onto Innovation faces several risks. The semiconductor equipment industry remains highly cyclical, making customer spending vulnerable to shifts in inventory levels and end-market demand. The company also relies on a handful of large semiconductor customers, leaving results exposed to delays in capital spending. In addition, export controls and geopolitical tensions continue to create uncertainty for semiconductor equipment suppliers, potentially limiting future growth opportunities. Intense competition from larger industry players further pressures Onto Innovation to continue heavy R&D investments to maintain its technological edge.
Favorable Estimate Revision Trend for ONTOEarnings estimates for ONTO have moved up for both 2026 and 2027 over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Is ONTO’s Valuation Becoming Stretched?Valuation is the primary concern after ONTO's 26% rally, with semiconductor equipment stocks typically trading at rich multiples during upcycles. In terms of forward price/earnings, ONTO’s shares are trading at 41X, higher than the industry’s 8.05X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
KLAC, CAMT and NVMI are trading at multiples of 71.69X, 43.13X and 47.12X, respectively.
Should Investors Buy, Hold or Fold ONTO Stock?Onto Innovation has become one of the more compelling semiconductor equipment companies benefiting from the AI boom. The recent rally reflects investors' growing confidence in these opportunities, but it also raises valuation expectations. While the stock may experience near-term volatility after such a sharp advance, the company's long-term fundamentals remain solid.
For existing shareholders, the recent surge reinforces the strength of Onto Innovation's business model and supports a hold stance, particularly for those with a multi-year investment horizon. For prospective investors, the company remains attractive, but initiating a position gradually or waiting for a pullback could offer a more balanced entry point.
ONTO currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Eastern Bankshares, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: EBC), the holding company for Eastern Bank, today announced the following details regarding the report of the Company’s second quarter 2026 results:
Earnings Release:
Thursday, July 23, 2026 after the market close
Conference Call:
Friday, July 24, 2026 at 9:00 AM Eastern Time
Join by Telephone:
Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (833) 461-5787
Conference ID: 875195656
Webcast:
The conference call will be simultaneously webcast. Participants may join the webcast on the Company’s Investor Relations website at investor.easternbank.com. A replay of the webcast will be made available on demand on this site.
About Eastern Bankshares, Inc.
Eastern Bankshares, Inc. is the holding company for Eastern Bank. Founded in 1818, Eastern Bank is Greater Boston’s leading local bank with more than 125 branch locations serving communities in eastern Massachusetts, southern and coastal New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. As of March 31, 2026, Eastern had approximately $30.6 billion in assets. Eastern provides a full range of banking and wealth management solutions for consumers and businesses of all sizes including through its Cambridge Trust Wealth Management and Private Banking Divisions, which include the largest bank-owned independent investment adviser in Massachusetts with $9.8 billion in assets under management. Eastern takes pride in its advocacy and community support that includes more than $240 million in charitable giving since 1994. An inclusive company, Eastern is comprised of deeply committed professionals who value relationships with their customers, colleagues and communities. For investor information, visit investor.easternbank.com.
Symbotic Inc. (SYM - Free Report) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.
Over the past month, shares of this company have returned -4.8%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.4% change. During this period, the Zacks Technology Services industry, which SYMBOTIC INC falls in, has lost 4.7%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?
While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.
Revisions to Earnings EstimatesRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
SYMBOTIC INC is expected to post earnings of $0.12 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +340%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged.
The consensus earnings estimate of $0.5 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of -72.5%. This estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $0.63 indicates a change of +25.8% from what SYMBOTIC INC is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has remained unchanged.
Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, SYMBOTIC INC is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Revenue Growth ForecastEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.
For SYMBOTIC INC, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $714.76 million indicates a year-over-year change of +20.7%. For the current and next fiscal years, $2.79 billion and $3.62 billion estimates indicate +24.1% and +30% changes, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistorySYMBOTIC INC reported revenues of $676.48 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +23.1%. EPS of $0.44 for the same period compares with -$0.04 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $660.6 million, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +2.4%. The EPS surprise was +300%.
Over the last four quarters, SYMBOTIC INC surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.
ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.
While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
SYMBOTIC INC is graded D on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about SYMBOTIC INC. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
During the first three months of 2026, SoFi Technologies (SOFI 2.77%) originated $12.2 billion in combined personal, student, and home loans. While this figure was up 68% year over year and established a new company record, it didn't please investors.
Matthew Coad, a research analyst at Truist Financial, cut the firm's price target for SoFi from $20 to $17. He expects weaker Q2 revenue from the loan platform segment.
The downgrade was also the result of the company's technology platform segment registering a 27% revenue decline. This was due to the loss of an important client, although the total number of accounts fell 16% from Q1 2025.
Does the fintech stock's dip, a reflection of Wall Street's bearishly inclined perspective, leave a disconnect that investors can take advantage of by buying SoFi?
Image source: Getty Images.
With such outstanding growth, it's easy to be bullish SoFi's first-quarter results add fuel to the bull case. Record loan originations propelled the business's top line, with adjusted net revenue up 41% year over year. The membership base expanded by 35% to 14.7 million.
Despite strong growth, investors are giving more weight to Truist's price target cut. This is despite upbeat data points coming from the company.
SoFi added $3.6 billion in new commitments from capital markets partners to fund personal loans. And demand has been better than expected. Loan platform business originations were up 90% compared to Q1 2025.
Maybe the market is concerned about SoFi's lending potential in a higher-for-longer rate environment. But the Federal Reserve's benchmark rate has been in the current range of 3.5% to 3.75% or higher since late 2022, and these tighter conditions haven't prevented the company from continuing to post superb growth.
Trends in the technology platform segment are less impactful because its first-quarter revenue of $75 million represented less than 7% of SoFi's total sales base. Management is still focused on innovation, though. The business plans to soon launch SoFi Technology Solutions, rebranding the tech platform segment.
"The new brand reflects the more comprehensive set of products and services that we now offer enterprise clients across a total of four platform businesses," CEO Anthony Noto said on the Q1 2026 earnings call.
Today's Change
(
-2.77
%) $
-0.51
Current Price
$
17.93
Starting valuation impacts the fintech stock's investment case SoFi historically hasn't been a cheap stock, which is probably why the market will worry at any hint of a slowdown. But now that shares trade 44% below their peak, investors can buy the business at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 29.6.
I view this as a compelling entry point for prospective investors, especially given the likelihood that SoFi's earnings base will be meaningfully higher in the future. While analyst price targets get a lot of attention, investors shouldn't give them much weight.
Here at Zacks, we focus on our proven ranking system, which places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, to find winning stocks. But we also understand that investors develop their own strategies, so we are constantly looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong companies for our readers.
Of these, value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. Value investors use fundamental analysis and traditional valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are being undervalued by the market at large.
On top of the Zacks Rank, investors can also look at our innovative Style Scores system to find stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will want to focus on the "Value" category. Stocks with high Zacks Ranks and "A" grades for Value will be some of the highest-quality value stocks on the market today.
One stock to keep an eye on is Eastman Chemical (EMN - Free Report) . EMN is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), as well as a Value grade of A. The stock has a Forward P/E ratio of 9.55. This compares to its industry's average Forward P/E of 12.70. Over the past year, EMN's Forward P/E has been as high as 13.09 and as low as 7.66, with a median of 10.44.
Investors should also recognize that EMN has a P/B ratio of 1.27. Investors use the P/B ratio to look at a stock's market value versus its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. EMN's current P/B looks attractive when compared to its industry's average P/B of 2.06. Within the past 52 weeks, EMN's P/B has been as high as 2.33 and as low as 1.14, with a median of 1.74.
These figures are just a handful of the metrics value investors tend to look at, but they help show that Eastman Chemical is likely being undervalued right now. Considering this, as well as the strength of its earnings outlook, EMN feels like a great value stock at the moment.
Key Takeaways Sterling's Transportation Solutions revenues rose 10% and adjusted operating income increased 26% in Q1 2026.STRL's Transportation Solutions backlog reached $1.04 billion, up 20% year over year.Sterling is shifting resources to higher-return E-Infrastructure projects to improve efficiency. Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL - Free Report) has built a diversified business across multiple infrastructure markets, with Transportation Solutions remaining an important contributor to its long-term strategy. While the segment may not attract as much attention as the company's faster-growing businesses, it plays a meaningful role by generating stable earnings, supporting efficient resource allocation and strengthening the overall operating model.
In the first quarter of 2026, Transportation Solutions generated revenue growth of 10%, while adjusted operating income increased 26% due to strong execution and a favorable mix of higher-margin projects. Segment backlog reached $1.04 billion, up 20% year over year, providing healthy revenue visibility. Sterling expects Transportation Solutions to deliver low to mid-single-digit revenue growth in 2026, although growth is likely to moderate following an unusually strong first quarter that benefited from favorable weather and earlier-than-expected project starts.
Another factor enhancing the segment's value is its evolving role within Sterling's operating model. Sterling is reducing exposure to lower-margin highway work in Texas while redeploying equipment and operational resources to higher-return projects. This approach improves asset utilization, supports stronger capital efficiency and allows the segment to play a broader role in Sterling's long-term growth strategy. Transportation Solutions also serves as a reliable cash-generating business, providing financial flexibility to support investment across other growth initiatives.
Transportation Solutions may not be the primary growth engine, but the ability to generate consistent cash flow, improve resource utilization and support expansion across the broader business makes it an increasingly valuable part of Sterling's long-term growth strategy.
How Sterling Compares With Key Infrastructure RivalsSterling operates in attractive infrastructure markets supported by data center expansion and broader investment in digital and industrial infrastructure. Two notable competitors are MasTec, Inc. (MTZ - Free Report) and EMCOR Group, Inc. (EME - Free Report) , both of which have established positions across large-scale engineering and construction projects.
MasTec has built a diversified infrastructure platform spanning communications, power delivery, clean energy, pipeline and civil construction. The company is benefiting from rising investments in AI-driven data centers, grid modernization and connectivity infrastructure, while also expanding its turnkey capabilities for mission-critical projects. These strengths position MasTec as a significant competitor in infrastructure projects linked to data center growth.
EMCOR is another major competitor with strong capabilities in electrical and mechanical construction and building services. The company continues to see robust demand from data centers, manufacturing, healthcare, institutional and water infrastructure markets, supported by expertise in complex mission-critical projects and long-standing customer relationships. While EMCOR serves a broader mix of end markets, the growing exposure to data center construction places it in direct competition for large infrastructure opportunities.
STRL Stock’s Price Performance & Valuation TrendShares of this Texas-based infrastructure services provider have gained 153.6% year to date, outperforming the Zacks Engineering - R and D Services industry, the broader Construction sector and the S&P 500 Index.
STRL’s Price Performance (YTD)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
STRL stock is currently trading at a premium compared with its industry peers, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 34.54, as shown in the chart below.
STRL's P/E Ratio (Forward 12-Month) vs. Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Earnings Estimate Revision of STRLSTRL’s earnings estimates for 2026 and 2027 have moved upward in the past 30 days to $19.12 and $25.83 per share, respectively, as shown below. The revised estimates for 2026 and 2027 imply year-over-year growth of 75.7% and 35.1%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Sterling currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Key Takeaways U.S. markets hit record highs as AI worries eased and the Iran-U.S. war appeared near resolution.STRL has soared 239.5% over the past year but lost 10.5% over the past week.STX and SMTC surged over the past year but declined last week, with strong Momentum Scores. Over the past few days, the broader U.S. equity markets scaled record-high territories as concerns related to AI abated and the Iran-U.S. war appeared to be nearing a resolution. Riding on solid performances by blue-chip firms, the markets recorded one of the best first-half performances in recent memory. With the United States and Iran agreeing to hit the pause button on war skirmishes and allow the free passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, the rally is likely to have a longer run.
The spotlight is now on the Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh as investors look for cues to the monetary policy and gauge an idea of the future stock market direction. Amid the vagaries of the market, investors often seek to employ time-tested winning strategies to fetch sustained profits. One of the most successful game plans to beat the blues is to bet on momentum stocks, like Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL - Free Report) , Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX - Free Report) and Semtech Corporation (SMTC - Free Report) when value or growth investing fails to generate the desired profits.
This approach primarily tends to follow the adage, “the trend is your friend.” At its core, momentum investing is “buying high and selling higher.” It is based on the idea that once a stock establishes a trend, it is more likely to continue in that direction because of the momentum that is already behind it. Momentum investing is a way to profit from the general human tendency to extrapolate current trends into the future. It is based on that gap in time before the mean reversion occurs, i.e., before prices become rational again.
Momentum strategies have been known to be alpha-generative over a long period and across market stages. Therefore, this strategy is quite tricky to implement, as detecting these trends is not easy. Here, we have created a strategy to help investors get in on these fast movers and rake in handsome gains. Our screen will help you benefit from long-term price momentum and a short-term pullback in price.
Screening Parameters for Momentum Anomaly StocksPercentage Change in Price (52 Weeks) = Top #50: This selects the top 50 stocks with the best percentage price change over the last 52 weeks. This parameter ensures we get the best stocks that have appreciated steadily over the past year.
Percentage Change in Price (1 Week) = Bottom #10: From the above 50 stocks, we then choose those that are also among the 10 worst performers over a short one-week period. This parameter picks the ones that have witnessed a short-term pullback in price.
Zacks Rank #1: Stocks sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) have a proven history of outperformance irrespective of the market conditions. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Momentum Style Score of B or Better: A top Momentum Style Score knocks out a lot of the screening process, as it takes into account several factors that include volume change and performance relative to its peers. It indicates when the timing is best to grab a stock and take advantage of its momentum with the highest probability of success. Stocks with a Momentum Score of A or B, when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 or 2 (Buy), handily outperform other stocks.
Current Price Greater Than $5: The stocks must all be trading at a minimum of $5.
Market Capitalization = Top #3000: We have chosen stocks that are among the top 3000 in terms of market value to ensure the stability of price.
Average 20-Day Volume Greater Than 100,000: A substantial trading volume ensures that these stocks are easily tradable.
Here are three of the seven stocks that made it through this screen:
Headquartered in The Woodlands, TX, Sterling is a diversified U.S. infrastructure services company that develops and services critical infrastructure while focusing on large and complex projects. It operates across the Southern, Northeastern, Mid-Atlantic, Rocky Mountain regions and Pacific Islands.
The stock has soared 239.5% over the past year but lost 10.5% over the past week. Sterling has a Momentum Score of A.
Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Seagate is a leading provider of data storage technology and infrastructure solutions. The company’s primary product offering is hard disk drives, which are commonly referred to as disk drives, hard drives or HDDs. These are used as the primary medium for storing digitally encoded data on rapidly rotating disks with magnetic surfaces.
The stock has surged 502.3% over the past year but declined 7.9% over the past week. Seagate has a Momentum Score of A.
Headquartered in Flynn Road, Camarillo, CA, Semtech designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors for commercial applications. The company's devices are used in a variety of applications, including computer, communications, industrial, military-aerospace and automotive. The company also provides a limited amount of wafer foundry services to other electronic component manufacturers.
The stock has surged 234.5% in the past year but declined 7.2% in the past week. Semtech has a Momentum Score of B.
From a technical perspective, Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (TXRH - Free Report) is looking like an interesting pick, as it just reached a key level of support. TXRH's 50-day simple moving average crossed above its 200-day simple moving average, which is known as a "golden cross" in the trading world.
Considered an important signifier for a bullish breakout, a golden cross is a technical chart pattern that's formed when a stock's short-term moving average breaks above a longer-term moving average; the most common crossover involves the 50-day and the 200-day, since bigger time periods tend to form stronger breakouts.
A successful golden cross event has three stages. It first begins when a stock's price on the decline bottoms out. Then, its shorter moving average crosses above its longer moving average, triggering a positive trend reversal. The third and final phase occurs when the stock maintains its upward momentum.
A golden cross is the opposite of a death cross, another technical event that indicates bearish price movement may be on the horizon.
TXRH has rallied 15.2% over the past four weeks, and the company is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank at the moment. This combination indicates TXRH could be poised for a breakout.
The bullish case solidifies once investors consider TXRH's positive earnings outlook. For the current quarter, no earnings estimate has been cut compared to 8 revisions higher in the past 60 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased too.
Investors should think about putting TXRHon their watchlist given the ultra-important technical indicator and positive move in earnings estimates.
Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Shares of this teen clothing retailer have returned +20.8% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.4% change. The Zacks Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry, to which Abercrombie belongs, has lost 1.6% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.
Revisions to Earnings EstimatesHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.
We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, Abercrombie is expected to post earnings of $1.94 per share, indicating a change of -16.4% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -0% over the last 30 days.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $10.61 points to a change of +7.6% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has remained unchanged.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $11.65 indicates a change of +9.8% from what Abercrombie is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.5%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Abercrombie.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Revenue Growth ForecastEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.
For Abercrombie, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $1.25 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +3.2%. For the current and next fiscal years, $5.46 billion and $5.7 billion estimates indicate +3.7% and +4.5% changes, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryAbercrombie reported revenues of $1.11 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +1.5%. EPS of $1.47 for the same period compares with $1.59 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.12 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -0.48%. The EPS surprise was +16.67%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates three times over this period.
ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.
As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Abercrombie is graded A on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Abercrombie. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Newell Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: NWL) today announced its second quarter 2026 earnings results will be released Friday, July 31, 2026 prior to market open and will be followed by a live webcast at 7:30 a.m. ET. To listen to the webcast, please select Events & Presentations from the Investors tab of the Newell Brands website at www.newellbrands.com. The live webcast will be recorded and made available for replay. About Newell Brands Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) is a leadi.
Here at Zacks, we focus on our proven ranking system, which places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, to find winning stocks. But we also understand that investors develop their own strategies, so we are constantly looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong companies for our readers.
Of these, value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. Value investors use fundamental analysis and traditional valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are being undervalued by the market at large.
Zacks has developed the innovative Style Scores system to highlight stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will be interested in stocks with great grades in the "Value" category. When paired with a high Zacks Rank, "A" grades in the Value category are among the strongest value stocks on the market today.
One company to watch right now is Arrow Electronics (ARW - Free Report) . ARW is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), as well as a Value grade of A. The stock holds a P/E ratio of 9.44, while its industry has an average P/E of 14.76. Over the past year, ARW's Forward P/E has been as high as 11.05 and as low as 8.04, with a median of 9.71.
Investors should also note that ARW holds a PEG ratio of 0.46. This figure is similar to the commonly-used P/E ratio, with the PEG ratio also factoring in a company's expected earnings growth rate. ARW's PEG compares to its industry's average PEG of 0.49. Within the past year, ARW's PEG has been as high as 0.55 and as low as 0.40, with a median of 0.49.
Investors should also recognize that ARW has a P/B ratio of 0.98. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This company's current P/B looks solid when compared to its industry's average P/B of 2.13. Within the past 52 weeks, ARW's P/B has been as high as 1.22 and as low as 0.78, with a median of 1.02.
Value investors also love the P/S ratio, which is calculated by simply dividing a stock's price with the company's sales. This is a popular metric because sales are harder to manipulate on an income statement, so they are often considered a better performance indicator. ARW has a P/S ratio of 0.32. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 0.48.
Finally, investors will want to recognize that ARW has a P/CF ratio of 9.63. This metric takes into account a company's operating cash flow and can be used to find stocks that are undervalued based on their solid cash outlook. This stock's P/CF looks attractive against its industry's average P/CF of 18.54. Over the past 52 weeks, ARW's P/CF has been as high as 11.55 and as low as 8.13, with a median of 10.03.
Investors could also keep in mind Avnet (AVT - Free Report) , another Electronics - Parts Distribution stock with a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) and Value grade of A.
Shares of Avnet are currently trading at a forward earnings multiple of 10.47 and a PEG ratio of 0.36 compared to its industry's P/E and PEG ratios of 14.76 and 0.49, respectively.
Over the past year, AVT's P/E has been as high as 16.75, as low as 8.05, with a median of 10.50; its PEG ratio has been as high as 1.89, as low as 0.35, with a median of 0.81 during the same time period.
Avnet sports a P/B ratio of 0.89 as well; this compares to its industry's price-to-book ratio of 2.13. In the past 52 weeks, AVT's P/B has been as high as 1.00, as low as 0.71, with a median of 0.91.
Value investors will likely look at more than just these metrics, but the above data helps show that Arrow Electronics and Avnet are likely undervalued currently. And when considering the strength of its earnings outlook, ARW and AVT sticks out as one of the market's strongest value stocks.
Have you been paying attention to shares of Quest Diagnostics (DGX - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 11.5% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $216.87 in the previous session. Quest Diagnostics has gained 24.5% since the start of the year compared to the 1.1% move for the Zacks Medical sector and the 17.8% return for the Zacks Medical - Outpatient and Home Healthcare industry.
What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, having beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on April 21, 2026, Quest Diagnostics reported EPS of $2.5 versus consensus estimate of $2.37 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 3.14%.
For the current fiscal year, Quest Diagnostics is expected to post earnings of $10.72 per share on $11.84 in revenues. This represents a 8.83% change in EPS on a 7.29% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $11.56 per share on $12.39 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 7.84% and 4.64%, respectively.
Valuation MetricsWhile Quest Diagnostics has moved to its 52-week high over the past few weeks, investors need to be asking, what is next for the company? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company has run ahead of itself.
On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). The individual style scores for Value, Growth, Momentum and the combined VGM Score run from A through F. Investors should consider the style scores a valuable tool that can help you to pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
Quest Diagnostics has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are C and C, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 20.2X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 20.1X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 14.2X versus its peer group's average of 15X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 2.57. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.
Zacks RankWe also need to consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Quest Diagnostics currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to a solid earnings estimate revision trend.
Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Quest Diagnostics meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though Quest Diagnostics shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.
How Does DGX Stack Up to the Competition?Shares of DGX have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. (AVAH - Free Report) . AVAH has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of A, and a Momentum Score of A.
Earnings were strong last quarter. Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 38.46%, and for the current fiscal year, AVAH is expected to post earnings of $0.70 per share on revenue of $2.65 billion.
Shares of Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. have gained 30.7% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 12.6X and a P/CF of 12.85X.
The Medical - Outpatient and Home Healthcare industry is in the top 18% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for DGX and AVAH, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.
Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades, downgrades and initiations, please see our analyst ratings page.
Considering buying SKYW stock? Here’s what analysts think:
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When deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock, investors often rely on analyst recommendations. Media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts often influence a stock's price, but are they really important?
Before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage, let's see what these Wall Street heavyweights think about SkyWest (SKYW - Free Report) .
SkyWest currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.57, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by seven brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.57 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy.
Of the seven recommendations that derive the current ABR, five are Strong Buy, representing 71.4% of all recommendations.
Brokerage Recommendation Trends for SKYW
Check price target & stock forecast for SkyWest here>>>
The ABR suggests buying SkyWest, but making an investment decision solely on the basis of this information might not be a good idea. According to several studies, brokerage recommendations have little to no success guiding investors to choose stocks with the most potential for price appreciation.
Are you wondering why? The vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover often results in a strong positive bias of their analysts in rating it. Our research shows that for every "Strong Sell" recommendation, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations.
In other words, their interests aren't always aligned with retail investors, rarely indicating where the price of a stock could actually be heading. Therefore, the best use of this information could be validating your own research or an indicator that has proven to be highly successful in predicting a stock's price movement.
Zacks Rank, our proprietary stock rating tool with an impressive externally audited track record, categorizes stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), and is an effective indicator of a stock's price performance in the near future. Therefore, using the ABR to validate the Zacks Rank could be an efficient way of making a profitable investment decision.
ABR Should Not Be Confused With Zacks RankIn spite of the fact that Zacks Rank and ABR both appear on a scale from 1 to 5, they are two completely different measures.
The ABR is calculated solely based on brokerage recommendations and is typically displayed with decimals (example: 1.28). In contrast, the Zacks Rank is a quantitative model allowing investors to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.
Analysts employed by brokerage firms have been and continue to be overly optimistic with their recommendations. Since the ratings issued by these analysts are more favorable than their research would support because of the vested interest of their employers, they mislead investors far more often than they guide.
On the other hand, earnings estimate revisions are at the core of the Zacks Rank. And empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
Furthermore, the different grades of the Zacks Rank are applied proportionately across all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide earnings estimates for the current year. In other words, at all times, this tool maintains a balance among the five ranks it assigns.
There is also a key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank when it comes to freshness. When you look at the ABR, it may not be up-to-date. Nonetheless, since brokerage analysts constantly revise their earnings estimates to reflect changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in predicting future stock prices.
Should You Invest in SKYW?Looking at the earnings estimate revisions for SkyWest, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has remained unchanged over the past month at $10.95.
Analysts' steady views regarding the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by an unchanged consensus estimate, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for SkyWest. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>
It may therefore be prudent to be a little cautious with the Buy-equivalent ABR for SkyWest.
Nu Holdings Ltd. (NU - Free Report) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.
Over the past month, shares of this company have returned +15%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.4% change. During this period, the Zacks Banks - Foreign industry, which Nu falls in, has gained 7.3%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?
Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.
Earnings Estimate RevisionsRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, Nu is expected to post earnings of $0.20 per share, indicating a change of +42.9% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
The consensus earnings estimate of $0.83 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +33.9%. This estimate has changed -0.5% over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $1.15 indicates a change of +38.1% from what Nu is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -0.2%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Nu .
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Revenue Growth ForecastEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.
In the case of Nu , the consensus sales estimate of $5.33 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +45.2%. The $21.89 billion and $27.26 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +38.8% and +24.6%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryNu reported revenues of $4.97 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +53%. EPS of $0.19 for the same period compares with $0.12 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.97 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -0.01%. The EPS surprise was -5%.
Over the last four quarters, Nu surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates three times over this period.
ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.
As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Nu is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Nu . However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Shares of this mining company have returned -33.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.4% change. The Zacks Steel - Producers industry, to which Cleveland-Cliffs belongs, has lost 15.4% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.
Revisions to Earnings EstimatesRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, Cleveland-Cliffs is expected to post a loss of $0.18 per share, indicating a change of +64% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +150% over the last 30 days.
The consensus earnings estimate of -$0.27 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +89.1%. This estimate has changed +47.8% over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $0.46 indicates a change of +267.3% from what Cleveland-Cliffs is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +53.3%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for Cleveland-Cliffs.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue GrowthWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.
For Cleveland-Cliffs, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $5.17 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +4.8%. For the current and next fiscal years, $20.59 billion and $21.18 billion estimates indicate +10.7% and +2.8% changes, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryCleveland-Cliffs reported revenues of $4.92 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +6.3%. EPS of -$0.4 for the same period compares with -$0.92 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.83 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +1.81%. The EPS surprise was +9.09%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates two times over this period.
ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Cleveland-Cliffs is graded D on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Cleveland-Cliffs. However, its Zacks Rank #2 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.
Wall Street analysts expect Levi Strauss (LEVI - Free Report) to post quarterly earnings of $0.24 per share in its upcoming report, which indicates a year-over-year increase of 9.1%. Revenues are expected to be $1.52 billion, up 4.8% from the year-ago quarter.
Over the past 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged. This demonstrates the covering analysts' collective reassessment of their initial projections during this period.
Ahead of a company's earnings disclosure, it is crucial to give due consideration to changes in earnings estimates. These revisions serve as a noteworthy factor in predicting potential investor reactions to the stock. Numerous empirical studies consistently demonstrate a strong relationship between trends in earnings estimate revision and the short-term price performance of a stock.
While investors typically rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates to gauge how the business may have fared during the quarter, examining analysts' projections for some of the company's key metrics often helps gain a deeper insight.
In light of this perspective, let's dive into the average estimates of certain Levi Strauss metrics that are commonly tracked and forecasted by Wall Street analysts.
The consensus estimate for 'Total Levi?s Brands Net Revenues' stands at $1.48 billion. The estimate points to a change of +4.8% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus among analysts is that 'Geographic Revenues- Americas' will reach $778.61 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +4.1%.
It is projected by analysts that the 'Geographic Revenues- Europe' will reach $422.36 million. The estimate suggests a change of +4.8% year over year.
The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Geographic Revenues- Asia' of $274.89 million. The estimate indicates a change of +6.5% from the prior-year quarter.
View all Key Company Metrics for Levi Strauss here>>>
Over the past month, Levi Strauss shares have recorded returns of +8.3% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.4% change. Based on its Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), LEVI will likely outperform the overall market in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regions Financial announced its acquisition of Frazer Lanier, an investment banking firm specializing in municipal and corporate securities.
Intuitive Machines upgraded to Buy as operational risks have eased and strategic positioning has improved post-Lanteris acquisition. LUNR's Q1 2026 revenue surged to $186.7M, with the first positive adjusted EBITDA; backlog visibility and recurring NASA demand now support a more investable thesis. The NASA $148.3M award validates LUNR's evolution from lunar delivery to a broader cislunar infrastructure platform, enhancing long-term growth prospects.
Key Takeaways Cohu's outlook rests on turning AI, HPC and HBM opportunities into durable revenue growth.Cohu sees a $750M HPC pipeline and expects $80M-$100M in HPC-related revenues in 2026.Cohu expects HBM revenue to rise about 80% to roughly $20M in 2026, supported by repeat orders. Cohu, Inc. (COHU - Free Report) is drawing more attention as AI infrastructure spending raises the need for advanced semiconductor test, inspection and thermal-control equipment.
The investment case now rests on whether Cohu can convert its AI, high-performance computing and HBM opportunities into durable revenue growth while repairing profitability.
How Cohu Makes Money TodayCohu supplies semiconductor test and inspection equipment, software analytics, interface products, spares and services that help chipmakers improve yield and productivity.
Its business is split between systems revenue and recurring revenue. In 2025, semiconductor test and inspection systems accounted for 40% of net sales, while recurring revenues made up 60%.
That recurring base includes interface products, software, spares and services. It gives Cohu a steadier revenue stream than equipment orders alone, which remain tied to customer capital-spending cycles.
Cohu serves IDMs, OSATs and fabless chip companies across automotive, industrial, mobile, consumer, HPC and AI applications.
COHU Finds a New AI Growth LaneThe biggest change in Cohu’s story is its growing exposure to AI processors and high-performance computing. Management now sees an HPC opportunity pipeline of about $750 million, including roughly $650 million in test handlers and $100 million in HBM inspection.
The opportunity is tied to higher chip complexity. AI accelerators, GPUs and xPUs generate intense heat, making precise thermal control during testing more important for yield, performance validation and reliability.
Cohu expects $80 million to $100 million in HPC-related revenues in 2026. The Eclipse handler platform, supported by active thermal control, is central to that push.
Teradyne (TER - Free Report) is a relevant peer because it designs and manufactures automated test equipment for semiconductor and electronics products. KLA Corporation (KLAC - Free Report) also frames the competitive backdrop, given its role in process control, inspection, metrology and yield-management systems.
Cohu Sees HBM Demand Add Another CatalystHBM inspection gives Cohu another AI-linked growth channel. The company’s Neon inspection platform supports demand tied to AI workloads and advanced memory requirements.
Cohu expects HBM-related revenue to rise about 80% year over year to roughly $20 million in 2026. Repeat orders from major customers support the view that the platform is gaining traction.
The company is also investing for next-generation HBM requirements. That matters because HBM3, HBM4 and future memory architectures require tighter inspection and metrology as performance and package complexity rise.
Why COHU Still Carries Real RiskThe bullish case is not without limits. Much of Cohu’s AI and HPC pipeline remains in qualification or early engagement, so customer traction has not fully translated into booked, recurring revenue.
The company also operates in a cyclical semiconductor equipment market. Demand can shift quickly with utilization rates, customer inventory cycles and capital spending.
Competition remains another risk. Larger rivals have deeper scale, broader customer reach and significant R&D budgets.
Profitability is also still a work in progress. Cohu reported a GAAP loss in the first quarter of 2026, while operating expenses rose as the company increased spending to support HPC opportunities.
What COHU Signals Say Right NowThe bottom line is that Cohu’s business momentum is improving, but the stock still carries a mixed fundamental profile. AI processor testing, HBM inspection and recurring revenue provide credible growth levers, while execution risk and weak profitability keep the outlook balanced.
COHU currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which points to a favorable short-term earnings-estimate setup. That supports investor interest in the stock over the next one to three months. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
However, the Zacks Style Scores are less clean. COHU has a VGM Score of F, with a Value Score of F, Growth Score of B and Momentum Score of F.
The Growth Score of B highlights better growth characteristics, but the weak Value, Momentum and VGM readings suggest the stock does not yet offer an all-around attractive profile across those style categories. For now, COHU looks like a recovery-and-AI growth story that still needs stronger profitability follow-through.
Key Takeaways COHU has surged in 2026 as orders, chip-test utilization and AI demand confidence improve.First-quarter revenues rose 29.3% to $125.1M, but earnings missed as expenses stayed elevated.COHU's valuation is above industry and its five-year median, leaving less room for missteps. Cohu, Inc. (COHU - Free Report) has moved from a recovery candidate to a high-expectation semiconductor equipment stock. After a sharp 2026 rally, the debate is less about whether demand is improving and more about how much of that improvement is already reflected in the share price.
The stock still has support from AI, high-performance computing and improving order trends. Yet profitability remains early in its recovery, and valuation now leaves less room for execution errors.
COHU Has Momentum but Not a Clean StoryCOHU shares have surged 195.5% year to date and 236.2% over the past 12 months. That move reflects a better order backdrop, higher semiconductor test utilization and stronger confidence in AI-related demand.
COHU One-Year Price Return Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The operating story, however, is still rebuilding. Cohu is benefiting from higher customer engagement in AI compute, HBM inspection and power-management test, but the company is recovering from a weak 2025 earnings base rather than compounding from already-strong profitability.
Teradyne, Inc. (TER - Free Report) is a useful comparison because it also serves semiconductor and electronics testing markets. Teradyne designs and manufactures automated test equipment, making it relevant for investors evaluating the broader chip-test cycle.
Advantest Corporation (ATEYY - Free Report) is another relevant benchmark in semiconductor test equipment. Its products include SoC, power-device and memory test systems, which overlap with several demand areas influencing Cohu’s opportunity set.
Cohu Revenue Growth Looks Better Than EarningsFirst-quarter 2026 revenues increased 29.3% year over year to $125.1 million, while non-GAAP gross margin improved to 46.5%. The quarter also benefited from stronger orders and estimated test-cell utilization of 78%.
Earnings were less convincing. Cohu reported non-GAAP earnings per share of a penny, missing expectations, while operating expenses remained elevated as the company increased investments to support high-performance computing opportunities.
The annual earnings picture also argues for patience. EPS was negative in 2025 at 22 cents per share, and the 2026 estimate calls for a recovery to 60 cents. That is progress, but not enough to make the earnings case look fully de-risked.
COHU Valuation Leaves Less Room for ErrorValuation is the main reason to be more measured after the rally. COHU trades at 5.29X forward 12-month sales, above the Zacks Electronics - Manufacturing Machinery industry’s 4.42X and well above its own five-year median of 2.20X.
COHU Forward 12-Month P/S Ratio
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
That premium may be justified if AI and HPC demand converts into sustained revenue growth. Still, a richer sales multiple increases the penalty if customer qualifications, order timing or margin recovery disappoint.
The valuation signal is also visible in the price target. The $78 target sits only modestly above the $69.11 stock price as of July 1, 2026, suggesting upside exists but is no longer wide after the rally.
Cohu Balance Sheet Supports the Bull CaseCohu’s balance sheet remains a clear support for the bullish argument. The company ended the first quarter of 2026 with $488.7 million in cash and investments.
That financial flexibility matters because the recovery depends on sustained product development and customer qualifications. With roughly $305 million of total debt, Cohu has room to fund R&D, production capacity and software development while waiting for broader semiconductor demand to scale.
How COHU Screens for Investors NowThe bottom line is that COHU still offers upside tied to AI compute, HBM inspection and a cyclical recovery, but the stock no longer looks inexpensive. The rally has made execution and valuation discipline more important.
COHU currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating supportive near-term earnings estimate trends. That helps keep the stock on investors’ watchlists, especially while orders and revenue are improving. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Zacks Style Scores are more mixed. COHU has a Growth Score of B, but its Value Score of F, Momentum Score of F and VGM Score of F point to an uneven overall setup. For investors, that combination supports a selective stance: the recovery story is real, but valuation and execution risks argue against chasing the stock without caution.
Key Takeaways Alto Ingredients is expanding Pekin dry mill capacity by about 8%, adding roughly 5 million gallons annually.ALTO expects higher production from Q4 2026, increasing gallons eligible for Section 45Z tax credits.Alto Ingredients is adding logistics infrastructure to improve shipment flexibility and plant efficiency. Alto Ingredients, Inc. (ALTO - Free Report) is investing in additional production capacity at the Pekin dry mill as it looks to improve operational efficiency while capturing greater value from favorable industry incentives. Rather than building new facilities, the company is focusing on debottlenecking its most efficient plant, a move designed to increase output with relatively modest capital investment while strengthening profitability.
The project will be completed during a planned outage in June and is expected to increase the Pekin dry mill's annual production capacity by about 8%, or roughly 5 million gallons. Alto Ingredients expects the higher production rates to begin contributing from the fourth quarter of 2026. The additional volumes are expected to do more than boost production. These are expected to help improve plant utilization and create additional margin opportunities by increasing the number of gallons eligible for Section 45Z clean fuel production tax credits.
The company is also investing in supporting infrastructure at Pekin. In the first quarter, Alto Ingredients started repairs on its original dock and began construction of a second alcohol loadout facility, which is expected to improve logistics and provide added flexibility for shipments.
The expansion highlights Alto Ingredients’ strategy of generating more value from existing assets rather than pursuing large-scale expansion projects. With higher output, better logistics and greater access to clean fuel incentives, Pekin is becoming a central part of the company's operational improvement efforts in 2026.
How ALTO's Strategy Compares With PeersGreen Plains Inc. (GPRE - Free Report) has been prioritizing efficiency and carbon-intensity reduction projects across its ethanol network. In the first quarter of 2026, Green Plains highlighted investments in grain storage, low-energy distillation and other upgrades aimed at improving plant economics and lowering operating costs. Green Plains also expects these projects to increase eligibility for 45Z-related benefits over time.
MGP Ingredients, Inc. (MGPI - Free Report) has also been focused on improving asset utilization and operational efficiency across its production network. In the first quarter of 2026, MGP Ingredients highlighted initiatives to improve reliability, throughput and production efficiency while reducing waste and disposal costs. MGP Ingredients is also undertaking targeted maintenance and capital projects designed to enhance operational performance and generate better returns from existing assets.
ALTO Stock Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Alto Ingredients have surged 415.5% over the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 5.4%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, ALTO trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.46, lower than the industry’s average of 3.14.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Alto Ingredients’ 2026 and 2027 earnings per share implies a year-over-year rise of 671.4% and 53.7%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Alto Ingredients currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Shares of Alto Ingredients (ALTO - Free Report) have been strong performers lately, with the stock up 8.1% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $6.11 in the previous session. Alto Ingredients has gained 107.6% since the start of the year compared to the -8.8% gain for the Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector and the 7.1% return for the Zacks Consumer Products - Discretionary industry.
What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has a great record of positive earnings surprises, having beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on May 6, 2026, Alto Ingredients reported EPS of $0.05 versus consensus estimate of -$0.08 while it missed the consensus revenue estimate by 2.07%.
For the current fiscal year, Alto Ingredients is expected to post earnings of $0.54 per share on $996.46 in revenues. This represents a 671.43% change in EPS on a 8.56% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $0.83 per share on $1.03 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 53.7% and 3.1%, respectively.
Valuation MetricsAlto Ingredients may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company has run ahead of itself.
On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. Investors should consider the style scores a valuable tool that can help you to pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
Alto Ingredients has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and C, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 11.1X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 16.2X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 13.7X versus its peer group's average of 8.6X. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.
Zacks RankWe also need to consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this is even more important than the company's VGM Score. Fortunately, Alto Ingredients currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) thanks to a solid earnings estimate revision trend.
Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Alto Ingredients fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though Alto Ingredients shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.
How Does ALTO Stack Up to the Competition?Shares of ALTO have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is Central Garden & Pet Company (CENTA - Free Report) . CENTA has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of D, and a Momentum Score of D.
Earnings were strong last quarter. Central Garden & Pet Company beat our consensus estimate by 19.44%, and for the current fiscal year, CENTA is expected to post earnings of $2.89 per share on revenue of $2.95 billion.
Shares of Central Garden & Pet Company have gained 16% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 13.41X and a P/CF of 9.28X.
The Consumer Products - Discretionary industry is in the top 33% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for ALTO and CENTA, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.
GE Vernova (GEV 0.23%) stock rose by 21.3% in June, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. It's an impressive move, but it doesn't relate to any kind of update from the company itself. Instead, it comes down to a combination of events that support the bullish case for the company and encourage investors to pencil in higher long-term earnings and cash flow for the company
GE Vernova's earnings momentum As a reminder, GE Vernova isn't a typical AI data center buildout play. It's not a company that tends to generate the bulk of its earnings from its equipment sales. Instead, its core product of gas power turbines (increasingly being used to generate power for AI data centers) tends to generate a long-term stream of revenue and income from higher-margin services under long-term agreements signed with equipment sales.
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As such, whenever the end-market environment improves for the company and its equipment orders increase, investors need to start penciling in an increase in long-term cash flows. Fortunately, they had good reason to do this through the month of June.
GE Vernova's end market improves The question of whether the AI investment market is in a bubble or not continues to perplex investors. My own view is that history suggests it will form a bubble, much as railroads or the internet did previously. However, history also suggests that there will be plenty of people who call a top too early and that it's far from clear where the baseline of the trend is right now.
What is clear is that companies continue to raise their estimates of AI-related spending. For example, Oracle gave its fourth quarter 2026 results in June and told investors it planned to increase its reported capital spending to $90 billion to $95 billion in its fiscal 2027 from $56.7 billion in its fiscal 2026.
Image source: Getty Images.
Meanwhile, another of the major hyperscalers, Alphabet, announced an $80 billion equity capital raise, earmarked to spend on AI infrastructure and compute.
In addition, memory chip company Micron reported stellar results, sending the AI-related sector higher in June.
GE Vernova has other earnings drivers too Aside from AI data centers, GE Vernova's gas turbines and electrification equipment also benefit from the increasing need for energy security around the globe, and it may even benefit from the reconstruction of Iran's infrastructure, provided there is a cessation of hostilities in the region.
Image source: Getty Images.
A stock to buy GE Vernova's overall backlog totaled $163 billion at the end of the first quarter ,and management expects to hit $200 billion in 2027. It's the key number to follow, and investors shouldn't be surprised if management raises its estimate for backlog in 2027 on the basis of the improving environment through June.
Lee Samaha has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, GE Vernova, Micron Technology, and Oracle. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Key Takeaways Petrobras cut its diesel price while ending an equal temporary discount, keeping costs steady.PBR distributors will continue paying an average of 3.30 reais per liter despite the pricing revision.Petrobras updated its pricing structure as Brazil begins reducing its diesel subsidy from July. Petrobras (PBR - Free Report) has reportedly introduced a new diesel pricing adjustment that reshapes its pricing structure without changing the amount distributors ultimately pay, according to Reuters. Effective from July 1, the Brazilian state-run integrated oil and gas company reduced its diesel price to distributors while ending a temporary discount of the same value. The decision reflects Petrobras’ response to evolving market conditions and comes as Brazil begins scaling back government fuel support measures introduced earlier this year.
Although the announcement includes a price reduction, the simultaneous withdrawal of the discount means the effective average price remains stable. We view this move as part of Petrobras’ broader effort to maintain consistency in the domestic fuel market while aligning its pricing with current economic conditions.
Petrobras Revises Official Diesel PricingPetrobras confirmed that the official diesel price charged to distributors will decrease 0.3515 reais per liter, as per the news. The adjustment follows the company's regular review of domestic fuel prices, which considers movements in international crude oil markets and refined petroleum products.
Rather than introducing a direct reduction in distributor costs, Petrobras paired the price cut with the suspension of a temporary promotional discount that carried the same value. This approach allows the company to update its pricing framework while preserving price stability across the distribution network.
Distributor Prices Remain UnchangedDespite the reduction in the listed diesel price, distributors will continue paying an average of 3.30 reais per liter. The matching withdrawal of the temporary discount offsets the official price cut entirely, resulting in no immediate financial impact for fuel distributors.
Maintaining the same effective price helps avoid sudden disruptions for companies that depend on predictable fuel costs. Freight operators, logistics providers and wholesale fuel buyers can continue planning their operations without adjusting for unexpected price fluctuations.
Petrobras Responds to Changing Energy MarketsThe latest pricing decision demonstrates Petrobras’ continued focus on adapting to market developments. Global oil prices, refined fuel values and domestic market conditions have shifted throughout the year, requiring ongoing evaluations of fuel pricing strategies.
Instead of making abrupt pricing changes, Petrobras has chosen to restructure its pricing mechanism in a way that reflects market realities while ensuring continuity for customers. This balanced approach supports greater transparency and strengthens confidence among market participants.
Brazil Begins Reducing Fuel SubsidiesThe announcement coincides with a policy change from the Brazilian government, which confirmed that a 0.35 reais per liter diesel subsidy will be reduced starting in July. The subsidy formed part of a broader package of measures designed to protect consumers and businesses during periods of elevated global energy prices.
As international oil markets become more stable, authorities are gradually withdrawing emergency financial support. This marks an important step toward restoring market-based pricing while easing pressure on public finances.
Transportation Sector Watches Pricing DevelopmentsDiesel is essential to Brazil's transportation infrastructure, making every pricing decision closely watched by the logistics industry. Trucking companies move the majority of agricultural products, industrial materials and consumer goods across the country, making fuel expenses one of their highest operating costs.
Because Petrobras has maintained the effective distributor price, businesses that rely on diesel-powered fleets are unlikely to experience immediate changes in operating expenses. Stable wholesale pricing also helps reduce uncertainty across supply chains that depend on efficient freight transportation.
Energy Market Trends Continue to Shape DecisionsPetrobras continues to base its pricing strategy on commercial and market fundamentals. International crude oil benchmarks, currency exchange rates, refinery economics and regional fuel demand all influence the company's pricing decisions.
As these factors continue to evolve, Petrobras is expected to monitor market conditions closely before implementing future adjustments. This flexible approach enables the company to respond efficiently to changing economic circumstances while supporting a reliable domestic fuel supply.
Broader Economic ImplicationsFuel pricing affects far more than the energy sector alone. Stable diesel costs contribute to predictable transportation expenses, helping businesses manage budgets and maintain competitive pricing for goods and services.
Agriculture, manufacturing, mining, construction and retail industries all benefit when fuel prices remain relatively stable. By avoiding sudden changes in distributor pricing, Petrobras helps support economic continuity for sectors that depend heavily on road transportation.
At the same time, the gradual reduction of government subsidies signals a transition toward a more market-driven environment, where future price movements will depend increasingly on supply, demand and global energy trends.
Outlook for Brazil's Fuel MarketLooking ahead, Brazil's diesel market will continue responding to international oil prices, exchange rate movements, domestic refining capacity and government policy decisions. Petrobras remains central to this process, with its pricing decisions serving as an important indicator of broader developments in the country's energy sector.
The latest adjustment demonstrates the company's commitment to balancing commercial objectives with market stability. While the official diesel price has been reduced, the suspension of the temporary discount ensures continuity for distributors and minimizes disruption across the fuel supply chain.
As Brazil continues refining its energy policies and reducing temporary support measures, Petrobras is expected to remain focused on maintaining a transparent pricing strategy that reflects market conditions while supporting long-term stability for businesses and consumers alike.
PBR's Zacks Rank & Key PicksCurrently, PBR has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Investors interested in the energy sector might look at some better-ranked stocks like Liberty Energy (LBRT - Free Report) , Paramount Resources (PRMRF - Free Report) and Delek US Holdings (DK - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Liberty Energy is valued at $4.27 billion. It is a leading U.S. oilfield services company that provides hydraulic fracturing and advanced well completion solutions for oil and natural gas producers. Liberty Energy stock has gained approximately 103.8% over the past year.
Paramount Resources is valued at $2.79 billion. It is a Canadian energy company focused on the exploration, development and production of natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids. Paramount Resources stock has delivered a 18.2% total return over the past year.
Delek US is valued at $3.11 billion. It is a U.S.-based downstream energy company that focuses on refining crude oil and distributing petroleum products. Headquartered in Brentwood, TN, Delek US operates through two main segments: refining and logistics. DK stock has risen approximately 144.4% over the past year.
Redwire stock is edging higher. Where is RDW stock headed? The Taiwan Coast Guard Contract“Our Penguin Mk2.5 VTOL aircraft is field proven for successful execution of all-weather monitoring and advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations,” said Josh Stinson, Co-President and Chief Growth Officer of Redwire Defense Tech.
Space Sector TailwindsRedwire Shares Climb RDW Price Action: At the time of publication, Redwire shares are trading 1.17% higher at $12.11, according to data from Benzinga Pro.
Image via Shutterstock
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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CleanSpark (CLSK - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Over the past month, shares of this company have returned -22.7%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.4% change. During this period, the Zacks Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry, which CleanSpark falls in, has lost 2.9%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?
Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.
Earnings Estimate RevisionsHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, CleanSpark is expected to post a loss of $0.29 per share, indicating a change of -137.2% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
The consensus earnings estimate of -$3.2 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of -550.7%. This estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $0.6 indicates a change of +81.1% from what CleanSpark is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +1.1%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for CleanSpark.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Revenue Growth ForecastWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.
For CleanSpark, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $158.26 million indicates a year-over-year change of -20.3%. For the current and next fiscal years, $642.95 million and $767.7 million estimates indicate -16.1% and +19.4% changes, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryCleanSpark reported revenues of $136.41 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -24.9%. EPS of -$0.52 for the same period compares with -$0.02 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $136.59 million, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -0.13%. The EPS surprise was -108%.
Over the last four quarters, CleanSpark surpassed consensus EPS estimates times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates just once over this period.
ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.
While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.
As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
CleanSpark is graded F on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about CleanSpark. However, its Zacks Rank #4 does suggest that it may underperform the broader market in the near term.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of CRWV, META, MSFT, GOOGL, AMZN, NVDA, ORCL either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Disclaimer: I am not an investment advisor or professional. This article is my own personal opinion and is not meant to be a recommendation of the purchase or sale of stock. The investments and strategies discussed within this article are solely my personal opinions and commentary on the subject. This article has been written for research and educational purposes only. Anything written in this article does not take into account the reader’s particular investment objectives, financial situation, needs, or personal circumstances and is not intended to be specific to you. Investors should conduct their own research before investing to see if the companies discussed in this article fit into their portfolio parameters. Just because something may be an enticing investment for myself or someone else, it may not be the correct investment for you.
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.
SummaryCoreWeave, Inc. maintains a Strong Buy rating, supported by a $99.4 billion backlog and sold-out 2026 capacity.CRWV trades at a forward sales multiple far below peers Nebius and IREN, despite triple-digit revenue growth and rising pricing power.Backlog quality has improved, with investment-grade customers now comprising over 70% of future commitments and robust pricing momentum across its fleet.Balance sheet risk exists due to high capex and negative free cash flow, but contracted demand and margin expansion potential outweigh near-term CRWV funding concerns. quantic69/iStock via Getty Images
CoreWeave, Inc. (CRWV) just posted its strongest bookings in history. Backlog climbed to $99.4 billion, the company sold out of its 2026 capacity, and it even raised its prices across its fleet. Then the stock sold off with every
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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.
BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Planet Labs Germany, a leading provider of daily data and insights about change on Earth, and European space company Isar Aerospace today announced a strategic launch agreement. Under the agreement, Isar Aerospace will launch one of Planet's next-generation high-resolution Pelican satellites, with additional satellites planned for future launches. The Pelican is scheduled to fly on Isar Aerospace's Spectrum launch vehicle, currently scheduled as early as late 2026 from.
