Gold (XAU/USD) trades in a volatile range on Monday as markets react to conflicting headlines from the Middle East. At the time of writing, XAU/USD trades around $4,010, little changed on the day after climbing to an intra-day high of $4,040.
The metal climbed earlier in the day after both Iran and the United States (US) signaled that diplomacy was still possible despite the continued military strikes. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said intermediaries had exchanged messages with Tehran in recent days and that negotiations with the US could be pursued in line with Iran’s national interests.
“I think we’re always open to diplomacy. It has to be real. It has to be a deal that they’re willing to live by,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
The comments pushed the US Dollar (USD) and Oil prices lower, helping Gold gain ground. However, markets quickly priced a fresh geopolitical risk premium after Reuters reported that Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis had declared an immediate naval blockade against Saudi Arabia.
In reaction, the US Dollar recovered all its earlier losses, while Oil prices rebounded from intraday lows and traded near a one-month high, limiting Gold’s upside.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against a basket of six major currencies, trades near 100.90 after recovering from an intraday low of 100.65.
Meanwhile, hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed) expectations remain a major headwind for the non-yielding metal as higher Oil prices keep inflation risks elevated. In recent days, several Fed officials have stressed their commitment to bringing inflation back to the 2% target. Markets, therefore, expect at least one interest rate hike this year.
The US economic calendar is relatively quiet this week with Initial Jobless Claims due on Thursday and the preliminary July Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data scheduled for Friday. Fed officials have entered their blackout period ahead of next week’s monetary policy meeting, leaving geopolitical headlines as the main driver for Gold in the near term.
On the daily chart, XAU/USD remains in a bearish stance, trading well below the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at $4,495.69 and the 100-day SMA at $4,523.
The pair has slipped back under the previously highlighted $4,200 resistance area, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) around 40 suggests weak but not extreme downside momentum, reinforcing the notion of a market that stays capped by overhead supply rather than oversold.
On the topside, initial resistance is now seen at $4,200, with the 200-day SMA at $4,495 followed by the 100-day SMA at $4,523 forming a broader medium-term ceiling.
On the downside, immediate support is located near $4,000, ahead of a lower structural floor at $3,800. A decisive break beneath these levels would open the door to a deeper corrective leg in the metal.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)
Gold FAQs Gold has played a key role in human’s history as it has been widely used as a store of value and medium of exchange. Currently, apart from its shine and usage for jewelry, the precious metal is widely seen as a safe-haven asset, meaning that it is considered a good investment during turbulent times. Gold is also widely seen as a hedge against inflation and against depreciating currencies as it doesn’t rely on any specific issuer or government.
Central banks are the biggest Gold holders. In their aim to support their currencies in turbulent times, central banks tend to diversify their reserves and buy Gold to improve the perceived strength of the economy and the currency. High Gold reserves can be a source of trust for a country’s solvency. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of Gold worth around $70 billion to their reserves in 2022, according to data from the World Gold Council. This is the highest yearly purchase since records began. Central banks from emerging economies such as China, India and Turkey are quickly increasing their Gold reserves.
Gold has an inverse correlation with the US Dollar and US Treasuries, which are both major reserve and safe-haven assets. When the Dollar depreciates, Gold tends to rise, enabling investors and central banks to diversify their assets in turbulent times. Gold is also inversely correlated with risk assets. A rally in the stock market tends to weaken Gold price, while sell-offs in riskier markets tend to favor the precious metal.
The price can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can quickly make Gold price escalate due to its safe-haven status. As a yield-less asset, Gold tends to rise with lower interest rates, while higher cost of money usually weighs down on the yellow metal. Still, most moves depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAU/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Gold controlled, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to push Gold prices up.
Nuclear stocks spent last year near their highs. This year, most of them haven't stopped falling.
That drop has left a lot of investors nursing losses and wondering if the nuclear story is already over. Kuran Francis, host of the FinTek Channel, doesn't see it that way. He argues the falling share prices and the sector's improving fundamentals are two completely separate stories right now, and that's exactly what makes the setup interesting.
Get Constellation Energy alerts:
Falling Prices, Rising DemandThe International Energy Agency projects that electricity demand from data centers will roughly double by 2030, with AI-specific demand growing even faster, largely driven by the buildout of AI infrastructure across the United States.
Nuclear reactors take years to build. That mismatch is the whole story. Companies like Meta Platforms NASDAQ: META, Microsoft NASDAQ: MSFT, and Amazon.com NASDAQ: AMZN signed major power agreements in 2024, and the resulting enthusiasm pushed nuclear stocks well ahead of any actual revenue. Now that the excitement has faded, Francis says the pullback looks less like a broken thesis and more like a reset.
Regulation adds another layer. For decades, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's job was largely to restrict and slow down new nuclear development, especially after high-profile disasters abroad. That posture is shifting.
The agency's mandate now includes actively facilitating new nuclear capacity, not just policing it, which could shorten some of the approval timelines that have historically dragged projects out for a decade or more.
Long Timelines Cut Both WaysA standard nuclear reactor still takes six to eight years to bring online, and often longer in the United States, given that regulatory history. Smaller "small modular reactors," built at a fraction of the scale, could start reaching commercial operation as soon as 2027, though most timelines point to the early 2030s.
That patience requirement has hit small modular names hardest. Oklo Inc. NYSE: OKLO and NuScale Power Corp. NYSE: SMR both surged in late 2025 before giving back much of those gains this year. Francis notes that smaller companies swing harder in both directions and that volatility is the tradeoff for getting in before a story becomes obvious to everyone.
Nuclear already ranks among the safest sources of power generation by deaths per gigawatt, safer than coal, wind, or natural gas. The stocks have never really been priced for that reality.
Constellation Energy: The Steady BetConstellation Energy Today
CEG
Constellation Energy
$253.93 +1.54 (+0.61%)
As of 11:37 AM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$228.63▼
$412.70Dividend Yield0.67%
P/E Ratio22.14
Price Target$368.32
Constellation Energy NASDAQ: CEG anchors Francis's list. The company already holds multi-billion-dollar power agreements with Meta and Microsoft, recently acquired a major natural gas generation business to bridge near-term demand, and trades at a price-to-earnings ratio in the low 20s.
Constellation is already profitable, which softens the risk that comes with a long buildout. The market cares less about a good idea here than proof that the cash flow already exists, and that combination of income and growth makes the current pullback look more like an opportunity than a warning sign.
Centrus Energy: The High-Risk Supply PlayCentrus Energy Today
LEU
Centrus Energy
$156.23 +0.18 (+0.11%)
As of 11:37 AM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$142.13▼
$464.25P/E Ratio51.85
Price Target$252.08
For more upside and more risk, Francis points to Centrus Energy Corp. NYSE: LEU, the only U.S.-based producer of high-assay low-enriched uranium, or HALEU, the fuel type most small modular reactors are expected to rely on.
Centrus is also showing real revenue growth as its Technical Solutions and HALEU work ramp up, with management raising full-year 2026 revenue guidance on the back of that progress.
Wall Street has recently trimmed price targets on the stock even as its long-term outlook stays bullish, a split that fits the same disconnect playing out across the sector. This stock could double or go to zero, and it isn't built to be a core holding.
A Simpler Way InVanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF Today
NLR
VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF
$104.96 +0.76 (+0.73%)
As of 11:16 AM Eastern
52-Week Range$101.92▼
$168.12Dividend Yield3.01%
Assets Under Management$3.73 billion
For investors who'd rather not pick a single name, Francis's third pick is the VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF NYSEARCA: NLR, which spreads roughly $4 billion in assets across nuclear and uranium companies globally. Constellation and Centrus both sit among its largest holdings, so choosing either the fund or the individual names, rather than both, keeps exposure from doubling up.
The fund isn't a shortcut around volatility. NLR has fallen more than 25% over the past three months, in line with the broader sector, and its relatively small size means a single large investor moving in or out can swing the price meaningfully.
The Long GameNothing about nuclear energy moves on a retail investor's timeline. The upside is a decade-long buildout of demand that isn't going away. The risk is holding through years of a stock price that may not reflect it.
The fear driving the sector down right now and the fundamentals driving it forward are telling two different stories. Long-term investors have to decide which one they believe.
Should You Invest $1,000 in Constellation Energy Right Now?Before you consider Constellation Energy, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Constellation Energy wasn't on the list.
While Constellation Energy currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
The space race is growing fast, and you don’t have to have gotten in early on SpaceX to profit. This report shows seven space stocks you can buy today that may grow as rockets, satellites, defense, space internet, and new space technology become more important.
For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.
The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.
It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also 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 ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in 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 A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
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.
The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.
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: Merit Medical (MMSI - Free Report) South Jordan, UT-headquartered Merit Medical Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures and markets proprietary medical devices used in interventional, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The company serves a wide range of clinical areas, including cardiology, radiology, oncology, critical care and endoscopy.
MMSI is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. MMSI has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 6.3% for the current fiscal year.
One analyst revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.01 to $4.07 per share. MMSI boasts an average earnings surprise of +12.5%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, MMSI should be on investors' short list.
, /PRNewswire/ -- First Horizon Bank (NYSE: FHN) ("First Horizon") today announced the appointment of Kevin Brown to President of the Central Arkansas Market. Brown has deep experience in Central Arkansas, having served as a Senior Commercial Banker in the Little Rock Market since 2010, where he has helped advance steady, long-term growth.
In his new role, Brown will lead market strategy in Little Rock, broaden client relationships, strengthen and cultivate ties with civic and business partners and elevate First Horizon Bank's presence across the region.
Kevin Brown - Central Arkansas Market President for First Horizon Bank "Growing up in Arkansas and graduating from the University of Arkansas, Kevin brings a deep understanding of our communities and clients," said Bo Allen, Mid-South Regional President for First Horizon Bank. "The Little Rock market is an integral part of First Horizon's long-term strategic goals; under Kevin's leadership, our team will drive disciplined growth for our commercial and consumer clients while also remaining focused on building relationships across our communities."
About First Horizon
First Horizon Corp. (NYSE: FHN), with $84.4 billion in assets as of June 30, 2026, is a leading regional financial services company, dedicated to helping our clients, communities and associates unlock their full potential with capital and counsel. Headquartered in Memphis, TN, the banking subsidiary First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states concentrated in the southern U.S. The Company and its subsidiaries offer commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, capital markets, fixed income, and mortgage banking services. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Fortune and Forbes magazines and a Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Bank. More information is available at www.FirstHorizon.com.
, /PRNewswire/ -- First Horizon Bank (NYSE: FHN) (or "First Horizon") today announced that Josh Newsom has been named Senior Vice President for Commercial and Business Banking in the North Mississippi market. In this role, Newsom will drive growth and develop strategies to support clients across the region while focusing on client relationships, new to bank acquisitions and fostering strong community involvement.
Josh Newsom - Senior Vice President, Commercial and Business Banking for First Horizon Bank "With more than seventeen years of banking experience in revenue growth, deposit generation and bank operations, Josh is an ideal client-focused banker to serve our growing North Mississippi market," said Michael Parker, North Mississippi Market President for First Horizon Bank.
Newsom joins First Horizon from Southern Bancorp, where he previously held leadership roles as Market President, City President and Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending. He's also served in various banking roles with Community Bank and Regions Bank and is a graduate of Mississippi State University, attended the Mississippi School of Banking and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.
About First Horizon
First Horizon Corp. (NYSE: FHN), with $84.4 billion in assets as of June 30, 2026, is a leading regional financial services company, dedicated to helping our clients, communities and associates unlock their full potential with capital and counsel. Headquartered in Memphis, TN, the banking subsidiary First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states concentrated in the southern U.S. The Company and its subsidiaries offer commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, capital markets, fixed income, and mortgage banking services. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Fortune and Forbes magazines and a Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Bank. More information is available at www.FirstHorizon.com.
American Eagle Outfitters (AEO - 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 -4.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change. The Zacks Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry, to which American Eagle belongs, has lost 1% 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.
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.
American Eagle is expected to post earnings of $0.21 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -53.3%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -0.8%.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $1.76 points to a change of +17.3% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed -0.4%.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $1.9 indicates a change of +7.9% from what American Eagle 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, American Eagle 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
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 American Eagle, the consensus sales estimate of $1.37 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +6.5%. The $5.81 billion and $6 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +5.7% and +3.3%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryAmerican Eagle reported revenues of $1.2 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +9.7%. EPS of $0.14 for the same period compares with -$0.29 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.18 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +0.94%. The EPS surprise was +27.27%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time 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.
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.
American Eagle 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.
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 American Eagle. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
The upcoming report from Ameriprise Financial Services (AMP - Free Report) is expected to reveal quarterly earnings of $10.72 per share, indicating an increase of 17.7% compared to the year-ago period. Analysts forecast revenues of $4.79 billion, representing an increase of 10.5% year over year.
Over the last 30 days, there has been an upward revision of 2.9% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter, leading to its current level. This signifies the covering analysts' collective reconsideration of their initial forecasts over the course of this timeframe.
Before a company announces its earnings, it is essential to take into account any changes made to earnings estimates. This is a valuable factor in predicting the potential reactions of investors toward the stock. Empirical research has consistently shown a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and the short-term price performance of a stock.
While investors usually depend on consensus earnings and revenue estimates to assess the business performance for the quarter, delving into analysts' forecasts for certain key metrics often provides a more comprehensive understanding.
Bearing this in mind, let's now explore the average estimates of specific Ameriprise metrics that are commonly monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts.
According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Revenues- Management and financial advice fees' should come in at $2.98 billion. The estimate points to a change of +14.6% from the year-ago quarter.
The average prediction of analysts places 'Revenues- Distribution fees' at $579.01 million. The estimate points to a change of +15.3% from the year-ago quarter.
Analysts forecast 'Revenues- Net investment income' to reach $819.41 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -8%.
Analysts' assessment points toward 'Revenues- Premiums, policy and contract charges' reaching $367.66 million. The estimate indicates a change of +1.9% from the prior-year quarter.
The consensus among analysts is that 'Revenues- Other revenues' will reach $148.75 million. The estimate indicates a change of +9.4% from the prior-year quarter.
The consensus estimate for 'Revenues- Asset Management- Other revenues' stands at $5.40 million. The estimate indicates a change of +35% from the prior-year quarter.
It is projected by analysts that the 'Total Assets Under Administration' will reach $365.77 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $331.05 million in the same quarter of the previous year.
Analysts expect 'Total Assets Under Management - Asset Management AUM' to come in at $690.55 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $654.22 million in the same quarter of the previous year.
Analysts predict that the 'Total Assets Under Management, Administration and Advisement' will reach $1.72 billion. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $1.58 billion in the same quarter last year.
The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Total Assets Under Management' will likely reach $1.35 billion. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $1.22 billion in the same quarter of the previous year.
Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Advice & Wealth Management - Total wrap ending assets' should arrive at $707.63 billion. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $615.19 billion.
The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Total Assets Under Management - Advice & Wealth Management AUM' of $721.36 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $611.33 million.
View all Key Company Metrics for Ameriprise here>>>
Shares of Ameriprise have demonstrated returns of +12.9% over the past month compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), AMP is expected to mirror the overall market performance in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Super Micro Computer (SMCI - Free Report) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.
Shares of this server technology company have returned -21.1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change. The Zacks Computer- Storage Devices industry, to which Super Micro belongs, has lost 30.6% 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.
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.
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.
Super Micro is expected to post earnings of $0.70 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +70.7%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged.
The consensus earnings estimate of $2.59 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +25.7%. This estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $3.21 indicates a change of +24.2% from what Super Micro is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has remained unchanged.
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 Super Micro.
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.
For Super Micro, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $11.71 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +103.5%. For the current and next fiscal years, $39.67 billion and $51.34 billion estimates indicate +80.5% and +29.4% changes, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistorySuper Micro reported revenues of $10.24 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +122.7%. EPS of $0.84 for the same period compares with $0.31 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.36 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -17.14%. The EPS surprise was +33.33%.
Over the last four quarters, Super Micro surpassed consensus EPS estimates three 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.
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.
Super Micro is graded B 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.
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 Super Micro. However, its Zacks Rank #4 does suggest that it may underperform the broader market in the near term.
Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:FITB) on Friday posted second-quarter earnings beat.
The bank reported adjusted earnings of $1.02 per diluted share for the second quarter, topping the analyst consensus of 95 cents by 7.4% and marking a 13% improvement from the 90 cents delivered in the same period a year ago.
Revenue of $3.28 billion beat the $3.25 billion consensus by 0.89% and came in 45.7% above the year-ago figure, with much of that increase attributable to the addition of Comerica for a full quarter.
Fifth Third Bancorp shares fell 1% to $57.44 on Monday.
These analysts made changes to their price targets on Fifth Third Bancorp following earnings announcement.
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analyst Christopher McGratty maintained the stock with a Market Perform and raised the price target from $58 to $60. RBC Capital analyst Gerard Cassidy maintained the stock with an Outperform rating and raised the price target from $57 to $62. DA Davidson analyst Peter Winter maintained the stock with a Buy and raised the price target from $63 to $65. Considering buying FITB stock? Here’s what analysts think:
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SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ACAD) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to remlifanserin, an investigational, highly selective, 5-HT2A receptor inverse agonist, for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Alzheimer's disease psychosis (ADP). Fast Track designation is designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of drugs intended to treat serious conditions a.
For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.
Featuring 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, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also 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 A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.
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.
Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.
Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Crown Holdings (CCK - Free Report) Headquartered at Philadelphia, PA, Crown Holdings is a leading global manufacturer of packaging products for consumer goods. Crown makes a wide variety of steel and aluminum cans for food, beverage, household, and other consumer products and metal vacuum closures, steel crowns and caps.
CCK is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Momentum investors should take note of this Industrial Products stock. CCK has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 15.4% over the past four weeks.
For fiscal 2026, one analyst revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.01 to $8.06 per share. CCK boasts an average earnings surprise of +9.5%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, CCK should be on investors' short list.
After reaching an important support level, Crown Holdings, Inc. (CCK - Free Report) could be a good stock pick from a technical perspective. CCK recently experienced a "golden cross" event, which saw its 50-day simple moving average breaking out above its 200-day simple moving average.
There's a reason traders love a golden cross -- it's a technical chart pattern that can indicate a bullish breakout is on the horizon. This kind of crossover is formed when a stock's short-term moving average breaks above a longer-term moving average. Typically, a golden cross involves the 50-day and the 200-day moving averages, 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.
Shares of CCK have been moving higher over the past four weeks, up 15.4%. Plus, the company is currently a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, suggesting that CCK could be poised for a breakout.
Looking at CCK's earnings expectations, investors will be even more convinced of the bullish uptrend. For the current quarter, there have been 1 change higher compared to none lower over the past 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has moved up as well.
With a winning combination of earnings estimate revisions and hitting a key technical level, investors should keep their eye on CCK for more gains in the near future.
In its upcoming report, Norfolk Southern (NSC - Free Report) is predicted by Wall Street analysts to post quarterly earnings of $3.23 per share, reflecting a decline of 1.8% compared to the same period last year. Revenues are forecasted to be $3.32 billion, representing a year-over-year increase of 6.7%.
The current level reflects an upward revision of 0.3% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter over the past 30 days. This demonstrates how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reappraised their initial projections over this period.
Prior to a company's earnings announcement, it is crucial to consider revisions to earnings estimates. This serves as a significant indicator for predicting potential investor actions regarding the stock. Empirical research has consistently demonstrated a robust correlation between trends in earnings estimate revision and the short-term price performance of a stock.
While investors typically use consensus earnings and revenue estimates as indicators of quarterly business performance, exploring analysts' projections for specific key metrics can offer valuable insights.
Given this perspective, it's time to examine the average forecasts of specific Norfolk Southern metrics that are routinely monitored and predicted by Wall Street analysts.
Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Railway operating revenues- Merchandise- Agriculture, forest and consumer products' should arrive at $674.63 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +4.6%.
The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Railway operating revenues- Coal' of $393.37 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -0.4%.
The consensus among analysts is that 'Railway operating revenues- Merchandise- Chemicals' will reach $585.34 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +7.2%.
Analysts forecast 'Railway operating revenues- Merchandise' to reach $2.08 billion. The estimate indicates a change of +5.7% from the prior-year quarter.
Analysts predict that the 'Railway Operating Ratio' will reach 66.7%. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 62.2% in the same quarter last year.
It is projected by analysts that the 'Revenue ton miles' will reach 48.58 billion. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 47.00 billion.
According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Carloads (Units) - Volume - Merchandise' should come in at 612.51 thousand. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 600.60 thousand.
The average prediction of analysts places 'Carloads (Units) - Volume - Intermodal' at 1.07 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 1.01 million.
Analysts' assessment points toward 'Revenue per Carload (Unit) - Total' reaching $1765.63 . The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $1734.00 .
Analysts expect 'Revenue per Carload (Unit) - Coal' to come in at $2089.82 . The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $2173.00 .
The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Revenue per Carload (Unit) - Merchandise' will likely reach $3403.00 . The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $3282.00 .
The consensus estimate for 'Revenue per Carload (Unit) - Intermodal' stands at $769.28 . The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $735.00 .
View all Key Company Metrics for Norfolk Southern here>>>
Shares of Norfolk Southern have experienced a change of +13.4% in the past month compared to the +0.6% move of the Zacks S&P 500 composite. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), NSC is expected to mirror the overall market performance in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
IonQ, Inc. (IONQ - 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 company have returned -38.5% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change. The Zacks Computer - Integrated Systems industry, to which IonQ belongs, has lost 14.2% 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.
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.
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, IonQ is expected to post a loss of $0.29 per share, indicating a change of +58.6% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
The consensus earnings estimate of -$1.07 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +41.2%. This estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $0.94 indicates a change of +12.5% from what IonQ is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +2.2%.
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, IonQ 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 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 IonQ, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $66.36 million indicates a year-over-year change of +220.7%. For the current and next fiscal years, $267.45 million and $401.88 million estimates indicate +105.7% and +50.3% changes, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryIonQ reported revenues of $64.67 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +754.3%. EPS of -$0.38 for the same period compares with -$0.14 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $49.66 million, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +30.23%. The EPS surprise was -46.15%.
Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed EPS estimates just once. 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.
IonQ 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 IonQ. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Sonos (SONO) was a big mover last session on higher-than-average trading volume. The latest trend in earnings estimate revisions might not help the stock continue moving higher in the near term.
Analysts on Wall Street project that The Hartford Insurance Group (HIG - Free Report) will announce quarterly earnings of $3.13 per share in its forthcoming report, representing a decline of 8.2% year over year. Revenues are projected to reach $5.19 billion, increasing 6% from the same quarter last year.
Over the last 30 days, there has been a downward revision of 2% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter, leading to its current level. This signifies the covering analysts' collective reconsideration of their initial forecasts over the course of this timeframe.
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 it's common for investors to rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates for assessing how the business may have performed during the quarter, exploring analysts' forecasts for key metrics can yield valuable insights.
Bearing this in mind, let's now explore the average estimates of specific The Hartford Insurance Group metrics that are commonly monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts.
The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Revenue- Earned Premium- Personal Insurance' will likely reach $914.38 million. The estimate suggests a change of -1.8% year over year.
Analysts forecast 'Revenue- Property & Casualty- Net investment income' to reach $588.83 million. The estimate indicates a change of +11.9% from the prior-year quarter.
The average prediction of analysts places 'Employee Benefits- Total revenues' at $1.83 billion. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +3.8%.
According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Employee Benefits- Net investment income' should come in at $135.29 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +14.7%.
The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Business Insurance- Underlying combined ratio' of 88.6%. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 88.0%.
Analysts predict that the 'Business Insurance- Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio' will reach 60.8%. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 56.1% in the same quarter last year.
The consensus among analysts is that 'Business Insurance- Expense ratio' will reach 30.9%. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 30.6% in the same quarter last year.
The consensus estimate for 'Business Insurance- Combined ratio' stands at 91.9%. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 87.0%.
Analysts' assessment points toward 'Employee Benefits- Expense ratio' reaching 25.9%. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 25.7% in the same quarter of the previous year.
Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Employee Benefits- Total loss ratio' should arrive at 72.2%. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 69.1%.
Analysts expect 'Policies in-force - Homeowners' to come in at 720.00 billion. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 724.00 billion in the same quarter last year.
It is projected by analysts that the 'Policies in-force - Automobile' will reach 999.50 billion. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 1121.00 billion in the same quarter last year.
View all Key Company Metrics for The Hartford Insurance Group here>>>
Over the past month, The Hartford Insurance Group shares have recorded returns of +9.4% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change. Based on its Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), HIG will likely underperform the overall market in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
The market expects Bank of Hawaii (BOH - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 27, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis bank holding company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.46 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +37.7%.
Revenues are expected to be $198.31 million, up 13.7% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Bank of Hawaii?For Bank of Hawaii, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +1.37%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #4.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Bank of Hawaii will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Bank of Hawaii would post earnings of $1.33 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.30, delivering a surprise of -2.26%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Bank of Hawaii doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Expected Results of an Industry PlayerFirst Hawaiian (FHB - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Banks - West industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $0.6 for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +3.5%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $227.91 million, up 4.8% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for First Hawaiian has been revised 1.3% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a higher Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.84%.
This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), suggests that First Hawaiian will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE: BTU) faces a securities class action lawsuit related to surprise disclosures the company made to investors on March 30 and May 5, 2026 about problems with its flagship metallurgical coal asset (“Centurion”).
The lawsuit seeks to represent investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares of Peabody common stock between October 14, 2024 and May 4, 2026.
Between March 27 (the trading day before the first cryptic disclosure) and the May 5, 2026 fuller disclosure, investors saw the price of Peabody shares crumble $14.50 (-36%). Accordingly, the severe market reactions upon the company’s revelations support national shareholder rights firm Hagens Berman’s investigation into legal claims that Peabody and its co-defendants violated the federal securities laws.
The firm encourages Peabody investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.
Peabody Energy Corporation (BTU) Securities Class Action:
Peabody characterizes itself as a leading producer of metallurgical and thermal coal and has promoted Centurion, its underground longwall metallurgical coal mine in Queensland, Australia. According to the company, the mine commenced full-scale production in February 2026.
The litigation is focused on the propriety of Peabody’s statements about Centurion’s operational status and production capabilities.
For example, Peabody’s management informed investors on February 5, 2026 that “the team was installing the very last shield and putting the finishing touches on the Centurion Mine[,]” and “our team is charged up and has started mining some of the best metallurgical coal in the world.” The company and its management also assured investors that Centurion is “going to ramp up probably about 700,000 tons in Q1, about 1 million to 1.1 million tons in Q2 and Q3, and then it’ll fall back down in Q4 as we have a longwall move.” In response, the market rewarded these statements by sending the price of Peabody shares up about 7.8% the next day.
Just a few weeks later, on March 30, 2026, Peabody filed a current report with the SEC and abruptly disclosed that Centurion “is expected deliver approximately 250,000 tons in the first quarter[.]” In other words, the company slashed Centurion production by about 64%. The news sent the price of Peabody shares down almost 10%.
Then, on May 5, 2026, Peabody reported its Q1 2026 financial results. Of particular concern pertaining to Centurion, management revealed the truth about why it slashed the mine’s Q1 production assurance.
Despite telling investors in February that it was mining Centurion and would produce 700,000 tons in Q1, a new narrative emerged – “as part of our commissioning in February, we encountered temporary mechanical and electrical issues” – and “[a]s a result, our full year sales outlook for Centurion is now 2.5 million tons compared to our original expectation of 3.5 million tons.” This full year 28% reduction helped send the price of Peabody shares down nearly 6%.
“We’re focused on whether Peabody and its management were sufficiently transparent about Centurion’s operational capabilities during the Class Period and, if not, whether they violated federal securities laws,” said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the firm’s investigation.
If you invested in Peabody Energy and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that will assist the firm’s investigation, submit your losses now.
If you’d like more information and answers to other frequently asked questions about the Peabody case and the firm’s investigation, read more.
Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Peabody Energy should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email [email protected].
About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs’ rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman’s team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case.
NEW YORK, July 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP provides context on the evolution of investor sentiment surrounding Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE: BTU), James C. Grech, Mark A. Spurbeck, and Marc E. Hathhorn, and the securities class action filed on behalf of purchasers between October 14, 2024 and May 4, 2026. Find out if you can recover your Peabody Energy investment losses or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. at [email protected] or (212) 363-7500.
BTU shares fell from a Class Period high of $39.50 to $25.00, a decline of 36.7%, as two corrective disclosures revealed that Centurion mine's celebrated ramp-up had stalled.
The arc of investor confidence in Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE: BTU) followed a trajectory that shareholders now recognize as painfully familiar: bold promises, repeated reassurances, and then a sudden reversal that erased $14.50 per share in value.
The Early Optimism
Peabody Energy cultivated extraordinary investor enthusiasm around its Centurion mine beginning in October 2024. The company described the project as a generational asset: 140 million tonnes of premium hard coking coal, a 25-year mine life, and a net present value of $2.1 billion. Shareholders were told development was running "ahead of schedule," that longwall production had been accelerated to February 2026, and that the workforce was expanding rapidly. By early February 2026, the CEO reported on an earnings call that during a recent Australia visit, the team was "installing the very last shield."
This narrative drove BTU shares upward. Investors priced in Centurion's projected 3.5 million tons of 2026 shipments, the anticipated jump in met coal realizations from 70% to 80% of benchmark, and the promise of $113-per-ton segment costs.
The Growing Concerns
The first crack appeared on March 30, 2026, when Peabody issued a terse Regulation FD disclosure cutting Centurion's first-quarter output estimate from 700,000 tons to just 250,000 tons. The company cited "greater-than-anticipated mine commissioning challenges" but offered no specifics. BTU dropped 9.7% in a single session. Analysts noted the vagueness. Jefferies flagged that the miss was more than half the original estimate. UBS, while maintaining coverage, acknowledged the need for "a slightly more conservative outlook."
Investors reportedly expressed frustration at the absence of detail. The company had spent 18 months building confidence around precise timelines and metrics, then retreated behind a single phrase: "commissioning challenges."
The Breaking Point
On May 5, 2026, the full scope of Centurion's problems surfaced. The earnings call revealed that 8-year-old repurposed equipment had failed under load, that electrical and mechanical breakdowns in conveyors and chutes had slowed the longwall to a crawl, and that moisture accumulation and floor softening had compromised roof integrity. Full-year Centurion volume was slashed from 3.5 million to 2.5 million tons. Met segment costs surged to $123-$133 per ton, far above the $113 target. The segment recorded a $7 million adjusted EBITDA loss, an $80 million swing from what Centurion was expected to contribute.
BTU fell another 5.7% to close at $25.00.
The Sentiment Shift
October 2024: Management declared Centurion "on time and on budget," stoking enthusiasm for the project's transformative potentialJuly 2025: The longwall start was accelerated to February 2026, reinforcing confidence that execution was exceeding expectationsFebruary 2026: The CEO personally confirmed final shield installation; BTU reached its $39.50 Class Period high on March 27, 2026March 30, 2026: First-quarter guidance slashed by 64% with minimal explanation, triggering a 9.7% single-day decline and investor skepticismMay 5, 2026: Full disclosure of equipment age, mechanical failures, and roof control problems erased remaining confidence and revealed the $80 million EBITDA impactThe gap between "world-class team" assurances and 8-year-old equipment sitting on shelves for years crystallized the disillusionment "Investor confidence depends on receiving truthful information from the companies they invest in. When a company builds a detailed, optimistic narrative over 18 months and then reveals in stages that fundamental equipment and geological problems existed, shareholders deserve to understand whether those risks were known earlier than disclosed." -- Joseph E. Levi, Esq.
LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: August 24, 2026
Speak with an attorney about recovering your BTU losses or call Joseph E. Levi, Esq. at (212) 363-7500.
WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY — Ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report for seven consecutive years, Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation. With a team of over 70 professionals, the firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors.
Frequently Asked Questions About the BTU Lawsuit
Q: When did Peabody Energy allegedly mislead investors? A: The class period runs from October 14, 2024 to May 4, 2026. During this time, the company allegedly made materially false and misleading statements about the Centurion mine's ramp-up timeline, equipment readiness, and production guidance. The alleged fraud was revealed through corrective disclosures on March 30, 2026 and May 5, 2026, causing significant stock declines.
Q: How much did BTU stock drop? A: Shares fell approximately 36.7%, a decline of $14.50 per share, from the Class Period high of $39.50 to $25.00 after the company disclosed the full extent of Centurion mine's commissioning failures and slashed its metallurgical coal segment guidance. Investors who purchased shares during the class period at artificially inflated prices may be entitled to compensation.
Q: What do BTU investors need to do right now? A: Gather brokerage records including purchase dates, share quantities, and prices paid. Contact Levi & Korsinsky for a free, no-obligation evaluation at [email protected] or (212) 363-7500. No immediate action is required to remain eligible as a class member.
Q: What if I already sold my BTU 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: What if I missed the lead plaintiff deadline? A: The deadline applies only to investors seeking lead plaintiff appointment. Class members who miss it can still participate in any settlement or recovery.
CONTACT:
Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
Joseph E. Levi, Esq.
33 Whitehall Street, 27th Floor
New York, NY 10004 [email protected]
Tel: (212) 363-7500
Fax: (212) 363-7171
Shares of Valero Energy (VLO - Free Report) have been strong performers lately, with the stock up 31% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $309.9 in the previous session. Valero Energy has gained 90.2% since the start of the year compared to the 24.7% gain for the Zacks Oils-Energy sector and the 53.9% return for the Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry.
What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has a great record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on April 30, 2026, Valero Energy reported EPS of $4.22 versus consensus estimate of $3.07.
For the current fiscal year, Valero Energy is expected to post earnings of $32.61 per share on $135.14 in revenues. This represents a 207.35% change in EPS on a 10.15% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $22.84 per share on $129.08 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of -29.96% and -4.48%, respectively.
Valuation MetricsThough Valero Energy has recently hit a 52-week high, what is next for Valero Energy? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company is due for a pullback from this level.
On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as these give investors a variety of ways to comb 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. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
Valero Energy has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 9.5X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 9.5X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 14.4X versus its peer group's average of 10.2X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 0.37. 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, Valero Energy currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.
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 Valero Energy meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though Valero Energy shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.
How Does VLO Stack Up to the Competition?Shares of VLO 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 HF Sinclair Corporation (DINO - Free Report) . DINO 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. HF Sinclair Corporation beat our consensus estimate by 560.00%, and for the current fiscal year, DINO is expected to post earnings of $10.27 per share on revenue of $31.08 billion.
Shares of HF Sinclair Corporation have gained 37.4% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 8.63X and a P/CF of 8.76X.
The Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing 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 VLO and DINO, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.
Key Takeaways FIVE integrated premium products into core categories after eliminating the standalone Five Beyond section.FIVE pairs simpler pricing with stronger merchandising, in-stock levels and seasonal product showcases.FIVE posted 22.7% growth in comparable sales in Q1 fiscal 2026, with 15 of 18 departments growing. Five Below, Inc. (FIVE - Free Report) is making meaningful progress with its pricing simplification strategy, an initiative designed to create a more intuitive shopping experience while reinforcing its value proposition. Management believes that simpler pricing, paired with stronger merchandising, is making stores easier to navigate, boosting customer engagement and supporting sustainable long-term sales growth.
A major step in this effort was eliminating the standalone Five Beyond section. Instead of placing products priced above $5 in a separate area, the retailer now integrates them into the respective merchandise worlds. For example, a $35 floor mirror is displayed in the Room section rather than a dedicated premium space. Management said this better aligns with how customers shop, improves product visibility and has led to stronger performance for higher-priced merchandise.
The company has also streamlined its pricing architecture while staying true to its value roots. More than 80% of Five Below's assortment remains priced at $5 and below, while products above that level are introduced selectively and must deliver meaningful "wow value" through quality, functionality or trend appeal. Management noted that customers have embraced these offerings because they provide compelling value rather than simply carrying higher prices.
Pricing simplification is supported by broader store enhancements, including improved visual merchandising, stronger in-stock positions and six seasonal "curtain-up" moments that showcase curated product stories. These initiatives are making stores easier and more enjoyable to shop while encouraging customers to explore multiple merchandise categories during each visit.
The strategy is delivering tangible results. In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Five Below posted a 22.7% comparable sales increase, driven primarily by a 19% rise in transactions, with 15 of its 18 merchandising departments reporting positive comparable sales growth. Five Below expects fiscal 2026 comparable sales growth of 6-8%, reflecting management's confidence that its customer-centric initiatives, including pricing simplification, will continue supporting demand.
ULTA & BBWI’s Pricing Strategy vs. FIVEUlta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA - Free Report) is maintaining a balanced pricing strategy that emphasizes value without sacrificing its premium positioning. As consumers remain increasingly value-focused, Ulta Beauty is leveraging its broad assortment spanning mass and prestige brands, targeted promotions and personalized loyalty rewards to offer options for every budget. Rather than relying on broad discounting, Ulta Beauty is using data-driven offers and competitive pricing across its portfolio to strengthen customer engagement, protect merchandise margins and support long-term profitable growth.
Bath & Body Works, Inc. (BBWI - Free Report) is pursuing a disciplined pricing strategy centered on delivering stronger value through product innovation rather than deeper promotions. Bath & Body Works believes value extends beyond price, emphasizing higher-quality products, clearer consumer benefits and premium fragrance experiences to support pricing power. At the same time, Bath & Body Works is maintaining a promotional cadence similar to last year while focusing on innovation-led pricing, helping improve average unit retail without compromising brand equity or long-term profitability.
FIVE’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesFIVE shares have rallied 44.8% over the past year against the industry’s decline of 12.7%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Five Below is trading at a trailing 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 2.22X, up from the industry average of 1.57X. It has a Value Score of B.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Five Below’s fiscal 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 35.1%, while the same for fiscal 2027 indicates an uptick of 9.9%. Estimates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 have been revised upward by 5 cents and 10 cents, respectively, over the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Five Below currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The proven Zacks Rank system focuses on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find winning stocks. Nevertheless, we know that our readers all have their own perspectives, so we are always looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong picks.
Of these, perhaps no stock market trend is more popular than value investing, which is a strategy that has proven to be successful in all sorts of market environments. Value investors use fundamental analysis and traditional valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are being undervalued by the market at large.
In addition to the Zacks Rank, investors looking for stocks with specific traits can utilize our Style Scores system. Of course, value investors will be most interested in the system's "Value" category. Stocks with "A" grades for Value and high Zacks Ranks are among the best value stocks available at any given moment.
One company value investors might notice is Progress Software (PRGS - Free Report) . PRGS is currently holding a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and a Value grade of A. The stock holds a P/E ratio of 7.46, while its industry has an average P/E of 19.19. PRGS's Forward P/E has been as high as 14.46 and as low as 7.37, with a median of 10.95, all within the past year.
We should also highlight that PRGS has a P/B ratio of 4. 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. This company's current P/B looks solid when compared to its industry's average P/B of 5.64. PRGS's P/B has been as high as 7.05 and as low as 3.95, with a median of 5.89, over the past year.
Value investors also frequently use the P/S ratio. This metric is found by dividing a stock's price with the company's revenue. Some people prefer this metric because sales are harder to manipulate on an income statement. This means it could be a truer performance indicator. PRGS has a P/S ratio of 1.66. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 3.78.
Finally, we should also recognize that PRGS has a P/CF ratio of 9.86. This metric focuses on a firm's operating cash flow and is often used to find stocks that are undervalued based on the strength of their cash outlook. PRGS's current P/CF looks attractive when compared to its industry's average P/CF of 14.09. PRGS's P/CF has been as high as 18.02 and as low as 9.74, with a median of 14.83, all within the past year.
These are just a handful of the figures considered in Progress Software's great Value grade. Still, they help show that the stock is likely being undervalued at the moment. Add this to the strength of its earnings outlook, and we can clearly see that PRGS is an impressive value stock right now.
Analysts on Wall Street project that Rollins (ROL - Free Report) will announce quarterly earnings of $0.34 per share in its forthcoming report, representing an increase of 13.3% year over year. Revenues are projected to reach $1.1 billion, increasing 9.8% from the same quarter last year.
The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has undergone an upward revision of 1.7% in the past 30 days, bringing it to its present level. This represents how the covering analysts, as a whole, have reassessed their initial estimates during this timeframe.
Before a company reveals its earnings, it is vital to take into account any changes in earnings projections. These revisions play a pivotal role in predicting the possible reactions of investors toward the stock. Multiple empirical studies have consistently shown a strong association between trends in earnings estimates and the short-term price movements of a stock.
While investors typically use consensus earnings and revenue estimates as indicators of quarterly business performance, exploring analysts' projections for specific key metrics can offer valuable insights.
Given this perspective, it's time to examine the average forecasts of specific Rollins metrics that are routinely monitored and predicted by Wall Street analysts.
Analysts' assessment points toward 'Revenues- Residential' reaching $494.30 million. The estimate indicates a change of +8.5% from the prior-year quarter.
Analysts predict that the 'Revenues- Termite and ancillary' will reach $240.14 million. The estimate suggests a change of +13.4% year over year.
The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Revenues- Commercial' will likely reach $351.77 million. The estimate suggests a change of +9.8% year over year.
View all Key Company Metrics for Rollins here>>>
Rollins shares have witnessed a change of +0.3% in the past month, in contrast to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% move. With a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), ROL is expected underperform the overall market performance in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Key Takeaways Rollins will report Q2 results on July 22, with revenues expected to rise 9.8% y/y.Residential and commercial growth is expected from acquisitions, market expansion and vertical wins.Termite and ancillary revenues are seen up 13.3%, while EPS is expected to grow 13.3% to 34 cents. Rollins, Inc. (ROL - Free Report) is set to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 22, after the closing bell.
The company’s earnings surprise history has been impressive. It surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the last four quarters, matched once and missed once, delivering an earnings surprise of 1.4%, on average.
Q2 Expectations for ROLThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues in the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at $1.1 million. The metric is expected to rise 9.8% year over year.
Based on the line of business, we expect revenues to improve across all segments. For residential, the consensus mark for revenues is pinned at $494.3 million, suggesting a 8.5% year-over-year gain.
Growth in this segment is likely to have been driven by the Romex Pest Control buyout, an expanded footprint into new markets and the combination of flagship brands with strong regional residential brands, supporting residential consumers' wins.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for commercial revenues is set at $351.8 million. The metric is anticipated to increase 9.8% from the year-ago quarter’s actual. Market expansion facilitated by commercial account managers and vertical wins is anticipated to have driven this segment’s revenue growth.
The consensus estimate for termite and ancillary revenues is kept at $240.1 million, improving 13.3% year over year. This expected growth can be attributed to the company’s “9 shots on goal” strategy. This strategy moved experienced sales leadership to non-Orkin brands, bolstering cross-selling outside the flagship brand.
On a geographic basis, revenues from the United States and other countries are expected to improve substantially. The consensus estimate for the United States and other countries is $1 billion and $78.3 million, respectively. Revenues from the United States are expected to increase 9.5% from the year-ago quarter’s actual, while for other countries the increase is expected to be 8.9%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pinned at 34 cents per share, indicating year-over-year growth of 13.3%. The bottom line is expected to have moved up on the back of top-line growth, combined with price increases ahead of the consumer price index and price/cost for the year at the level of price realization.
What Our Model SaysOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for ROL this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. But that is not the case here. You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
ROL currently has an Earnings ESP of -2.94% and a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
Stocks to ConsiderHere are a few stocks from the broader Construction sector, which, according to our model, have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this season.
Johnson Controls International plc (JCI - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.85% and a Zacks Rank of 2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The company is scheduled to report third-quarter fiscal 2026 results on July 29.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for JCI’s third-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues is pegged at $6.4 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 6.2%. For earnings, the consensus mark is pegged at $1.32 per share, implying a 25.7% increase from the year-ago quarter’s actual. JCI beat the consensus estimate in the trailing four reported quarters, the average earnings surprise being 5.6%.
CRH (CRH - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +4.08% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The company is scheduled to announce second-quarter 2026 results on July 30.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CRH’s second-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $10.7 billion, indicating 4.6% year-over-year growth. The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $1.96 per share, implying a marginal year-over-year increase. CRH beat the consensus estimate in two of the past four quarters, missed once and met once, delivering an average earnings surprise of 0.7%.
Truist Financial Corporation released its second quarter 2026 results on Friday, significantly exceeding EPS expectations and reporting solid revenue growth. In this article, I'll provide an in-depth review of Truist's performance so far this year, focusing on operational growth in its core and non-core business segments, profitability, and credit quality. I'll also share my assessment of the results of the Federal Reserve's 2026 stress test and express my opinion on the CEO succession plan at Truist.
WINCH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- #TrexFencing--Trex Company [NYSE:TREX], the world's largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking, railing, and fencing and a leading brand of high-performance outdoor living products has signed a multi-year agreement with Fencing Supply Group (FSG) to become the exclusive national distributor of Trex®Fencing.“We are thrilled at this opportunity to expand and evolve our successful distribution relationship with an industry leader like Fencing Supply Group,” said Adam Zambanini, Pres.
Key Takeaways Kinder Morgan is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 22 after the closing bell.KMI's second-quarter revenue are projected to rise 6.2% year over year to $4.29 billion.KMI's natural gas pipeline revenues are expected to rise, while segment earnings may edge lower. Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI - Free Report) is set to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 22, after the closing bell.
In the last reported quarter, the company’s adjusted earnings of 48 cents per share topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 38 cents due to higher contributions from the Natural Gas Pipelines business segment.
The company’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters, while meeting the same twice, delivering an average surprise of 7.93%. This is depicted in the graph below:
Estimate Trend for KMIThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter earnings per share of 31 cents has seen one upward revision in the past seven days. The estimated figure indicates a 10.7% jump from the prior-year reported figure.
The consensus estimate for revenues of $4.29 billion implies a 6.2% increase from the year-ago recorded figure.
Factors to Consider Ahead of KMI's Q2 ResultsKinder Morgan is a leading player in the midstream energy sector, with an extensive natural gas pipeline network spanning 58,600 miles. The company transports nearly 40% of the natural gas produced in the United States. A large portion of its contracts are fee-based and structured as take-or-pay agreements. KMI is likely to have generated stable cash flows in the June-end quarter of 2026.
For the second quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate points to mixed results across Kinder Morgan's business segments. While natural gas pipeline revenues are projected to increase to $2,718 million from $2,536 million in the prior-year quarter, earnings from this segment are expected to dip slightly to $1,433 million from $1,436 million recorded in the year-ago quarter. Terminal earnings are anticipated to fall to $294 million from $300 million last year. Together, these declines are likely to have hurt the company’s overall earnings.
Earnings WhispersOur proven model does not indicate an earnings beat for KMI this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. That is not the case here, as you will see below.
Earnings ESP: KMI has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: Kinder Morgan currently carries a Zacks Rank of 3.
Stocks to ConsiderHere are some stocks that you may want to consider, as these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this reporting cycle.
NOV Inc. (NOV - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +19.69% and currently has a Zacks Rank of 2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
NOV is scheduled to release second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 28, 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NOV’s earnings is pegged at 16 cents per share, indicating a 44.8% decline from the prior-year reported figure.
Cactus, Inc. (WHD - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +7.04% and carries a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. Cactus is scheduled to release second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 29.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WHD’s earnings is pegged at 71 cents per share, suggesting a 7.6% improvement from the prior-year reported figure.
HF Sinclair Corporation (DINO - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +11.69% and a Zacks Rank of 2. HF Sinclair is scheduled to release second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 28.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DINO’s earnings is pegged at $3.93 per share, suggesting a 131.2% increase from the prior-year reported figure.
SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- eGain Corporation (NASDAQ: EGAN), the AI knowledge platform for customer service, today announced it has been named a Leader in the inaugural Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Knowledge Management Systems for Customer Service.
HIGHLANDS COUNTY, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Comcast announced a major milestone today in the company's continued efforts to bring rural Floridians fast, reliable connectivity. Xfinity and Comcast Business services are now available to more than 4,000 homes and businesses in Highlands County including more than 1,800 previously unserved locations. Families and entrepreneurs now have access to high-speed Internet from America's smartest and most reliable converged network. Xfinity brings Internet, m.
The upcoming report from Comcast (CMCSA - Free Report) is expected to reveal quarterly earnings of $0.97 per share, indicating a decline of 22.4% compared to the year-ago period. Analysts forecast revenues of $29.17 billion, representing a decline of 3.8% year over year.
The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has undergone a downward revision of 1.3% in the past 30 days, bringing it to its present level. This represents how the covering analysts, as a whole, have reassessed their initial estimates during this timeframe.
Before a company reveals its earnings, it is vital to take into account any changes in earnings projections. These revisions play a pivotal role in predicting the possible reactions of investors toward the stock. Multiple empirical studies have consistently shown a strong association between trends in earnings estimates and the short-term price movements 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.
With that in mind, let's delve into the average projections of some Comcast metrics that are commonly tracked and projected by analysts on Wall Street.
According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Revenue- Residential Connectivity & Platforms- Residential Connectivity- Domestic Wireless' should come in at $1.01 billion. The estimate points to a change of -15.5% from the year-ago quarter.
Analysts predict that the 'Revenue- Content & Experiences- Studios' will reach $2.64 billion. The estimate suggests a change of +8.6% year over year.
The consensus among analysts is that 'Revenue- Content & Experiences- Media' will reach $5.42 billion. The estimate suggests a change of -15.9% year over year.
The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Revenue- Residential Connectivity & Platforms- Video' will likely reach $6.13 billion. The estimate points to a change of -8.9% from the year-ago quarter.
Analysts forecast 'Net Additions / (Losses) - Total Domestic Wireless Lines' to reach 401.29 thousand. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 378.00 thousand in the same quarter of the previous year.
The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Total Domestic Wireless Lines' of 10.14 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 8.53 million.
It is projected by analysts that the 'Total Domestic Video Customers' will reach 10.67 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 11.77 million.
The average prediction of analysts places 'Domestic Broadband - Residential Customers' at 28.49 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 28.99 million.
Analysts' assessment points toward 'Customer Relationships - Domestic Residential Connectivity & Platforms Customer Relationships' reaching 30.18 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 30.75 million in the same quarter of the previous year.
The consensus estimate for 'Domestic homes and businesses passed' stands at 61.48 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 64.31 million in the same quarter of the previous year.
Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Customer Relationships - Total Connectivity & Platforms Customer Relationships' should arrive at 47.75 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 51.16 million.
Analysts expect 'Customer Relationships - International Residential Connectivity & Platforms Customer Relationships' to come in at 17.57 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 17.70 million in the same quarter last year.
View all Key Company Metrics for Comcast here>>>
Comcast shares have witnessed a change of +6.1% in the past month, in contrast to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% move. With a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), CMCSA is expected underperform the overall market performance in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
, /PRNewswire/ -- Cohen & Steers, Inc. (NYSE: CNS) announced today the appointment of Erik Schneberger as Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer. Based in New York, Mr. Schneberger will lead the firm's global marketing department, overseeing all marketing initiatives across distribution channels and regions worldwide. Mr. Schneberger reports to Daniel Noonan, Executive Vice President, Head of Global Distribution.
Mr. Schneberger joins Cohen & Steers with over 20 years of marketing experience, building and leading award-winning marketing organizations at some of the industry's most recognized investment firms. He most recently served as Chief Marketing Officer of American Century Investments and has also held marketing leadership roles at OppenheimerFunds, Neuberger Berman and Morgan Stanley. Over the course of his career, he has built an expertise in brand and media strategy, digital innovation, marketing operations, and client engagement across institutional, intermediary and wealth management channels.
Joseph Harvey, Chief Executive Officer at Cohen & Steers, said:
"Cohen & Steers has spent four decades helping shape real assets investing through innovation, specialized expertise and investment leadership. With markets providing meaningful tailwinds for real assets, we are now entering our next phase of growth with strong momentum. Erik's experience will help us build on that momentum—evolving our brand, amplifying our global presence, and sharpening how we inform and educate clients and investors around the world."
Daniel Noonan, Head of Global Distribution at Cohen & Steers, said:
"Erik's appointment marks another key milestone to ensure we have the right leaders in place to support our global growth strategy. Erik's leadership will be instrumental as we build our brand as the global leader in real assets and alternative income. His ability to integrate teams, modernize capabilities, and drive our strategic priorities will enhance how we serve clients across wealth and institutional channels around the globe."
About Cohen & Steers. Cohen & Steers is a leading global investment manager specializing in real assets and alternative income, including listed and private real estate, preferred securities, infrastructure, resource equities, commodities, as well as multi-strategy solutions. Founded in 1986, the firm is headquartered in New York City, with offices in London, Dublin, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and other statements that Cohen & Steers may make may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which reflect the Company's current views with respect to, among other things, the Company's operations and financial performance. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "outlook," "believes," "expects," "potential," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "predicts," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates" or the negative versions of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
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.
Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Brown & Brown (BRO - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 27, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis insurance company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.08 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +4.9%.
Revenues are expected to be $1.72 billion, up 34% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.19% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Brown & Brown?For Brown & Brown, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.31%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination indicates that Brown & Brown will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Brown & Brown would post earnings of $1.36 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.39, delivering a surprise of +2.21%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Brown & Brown appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Vertiv Holdings Co. (VRT - 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 company have returned -13.1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change. The Zacks Computers - IT Services industry, to which Vertiv belongs, has lost 2.6% 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 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.
For the current quarter, Vertiv is expected to post earnings of $1.43 per share, indicating a change of +50.5% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +0.3% over the last 30 days.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $6.38 points to a change of +51.9% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed +0.3%.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $8.55 indicates a change of +34.1% from what Vertiv 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 #2 (Buy) for Vertiv.
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 Vertiv, the consensus sales estimate of $3.39 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +28.4%. The $13.75 billion and $17.64 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +34.4% and +28.3%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryVertiv reported revenues of $2.65 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +30.1%. EPS of $1.17 for the same period compares with $0.64 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.66 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -0.27%. The EPS surprise was +14.71%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates three times 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.
Vertiv 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 Vertiv. However, its Zacks Rank #2 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.
Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.
The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.
Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.
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 given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.
VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: ATI (ATI - Free Report) Pittsburgh, PA-based ATI Inc. is a diversified specialty materials producer. The company was created in November 1999 when Allegheny Teledyne spun out Teledyne Technologies and Water Pik Technologies into standalone companies.
ATI is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. ATI has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 38.6% for the current fiscal year.
Two analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.06 to $4.49 per share. ATI boasts an average earnings surprise of +8.6%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, ATI should be on investors' short list.
We are now at the beginning of the second-quarter earnings season, with the energy giants yet to report results. Since the energy business environment was favorable in the June quarter, thanks to high commodity prices, driven by the Iran war, Baker Hughes (BKR - Free Report) , Chevron Corporation (CVX - Free Report) and Cactus, Inc. (WHD - Free Report) are likely to report better-than-expected earnings.
High Q2 Oil PricesTo have an idea of how oil prices behaved in the June quarter, let's analyze the commodity prices from the data provided by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”). The average Cushing, OK, WTI spot prices for April, May and June of this year were $100.32 per barrel, $102.13 per barrel and $84.81 per barrel, respectively, per EIA data. Commodity prices were $63.54 per barrel, $62.17 per barrel and $68.17 per barrel, respectively, in April, May and June of 2025, according to the EIA.
Importantly, a constructive oil-price backdrop, driven by the Iran war, is expected to have aided the exploration and production businesses in the June quarter of this year. This, in turn, might have aided demand for oilfield services and drilling activities. However, the high crude price is likely to have weighed on refiners in the second quarter, since they buy raw crude to produce final products.
How to Pick the Right Stocks?Given the backdrop, it is by no means an easy task for investors to arrive at picks that have the potential to deliver better-than-expected earnings from the vast universe of energy stocks.
While there is no fool-proof method of picking outperformers, our proprietary methodology — the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) — helps identify stocks that have high chances of delivering a surprise in their upcoming earnings announcement. Our research shows that for stocks with this combination, the chance of an earnings surprise is as high as 70%.
The Earnings ESP shows the percentage difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Our ChoicesBaker Hughes, a leading oilfield service player, is likely to have benefited from favorable commodity prices.
BKR has an Earnings ESP of +1.34% and currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. It is scheduled to release second-quarter results on July 26. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Chevron is a large-cap energy player with an integrated business model. The firm is scheduled to report earnings on July 31, has an Earnings ESP of +1.84% and a Zacks Rank of 3.
Cactus is a leading manufacturer and provider of engineered pressure-control and spoolable-pipe technologies. The company is likely to have gained from favorable oil prices. The firm, scheduled to release second-quarter earnings on July 29, has an Earnings ESP of +7.04% and a Zacks Rank #3.
Key Takeaways PENG stands out with faster revenue and earnings growth, stronger revisions and a cheaper valuation.DDOG posted 32% revenue growth, topped $4 billion in ARR and expanded its AI monitoring platform.PENG trades at 1.45X forward sales versus DDOG's 19.16X and has gained 208.9% year to date. Penguin Solutions, Inc. (PENG - Free Report) and Datadog, Inc. (DDOG - Free Report) are emerging beneficiaries of the AI infrastructure boom, but they represent very different ways to invest in the trend. Penguin provides AI infrastructure, high-performance computing and integrated solutions for deploying large-scale AI workloads, while Datadog delivers the cloud-native monitoring and observability software that enterprises rely on to manage increasingly complex AI applications.
The widespread adoption of AI is driving increased demand for both computing infrastructure and the software required to monitor increasingly complex workloads; consequently, comparing these two stocks has become quite compelling in the current landscape. With spending on AI infrastructure expected to remain robust in the coming years, an opportunity has emerged to profit by investing in one of the market's most attractive long-term growth prospects. But which stock looks more promising right now — PENG or DDOG? Let us delve deeper.
The Case for PENG StockPenguin has evolved into a leading AI infrastructure provider focused on designing, building, deploying and managing AI factories for enterprises, sovereign AI initiatives and neocloud providers. Its AI Factory Platform combines infrastructure software (ClusterWareAI), advanced memory (MemoryAI), compute systems (ComputeAI), reference architectures (OriginAI) and end-to-end managed services, providing customers with an integrated platform across the AI infrastructure stack rather than standalone hardware solutions.
A key competitive advantage is its exposure to production AI inference. Management noted that AI-driven businesses (Integrated Memory and non-hyperscale AI Infrastructure) represented 74% of third-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues and grew 104% year over year, supported by rising demand for agentic AI workloads, expanding backlog and increasing customer adoption. Penguin added four new AI infrastructure customers during the quarter while several previously acquired customers expanded their deployments, strengthening long-term revenue visibility.
Financial momentum remains robust. Third-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues surged 47.6% year over year to a record $478.7 million, operating income climbed to $50.9 million from $9.8 million a year earlier, and GAAP EPS improved to 68 cents from a loss of 1 cent per share. Reflecting strong AI demand, management raised fiscal 2026 guidance to approximately 22% (±2%) revenue growth.
Over the past month, Penguin launched an upgraded ClusterWareAI platform featuring an AI Factory Operations Agent for natural-language infrastructure management and automated GPU remediation, enhancing AI cluster resilience. The company also became an NVIDIA AI Factory Specialized Partner and was recognized as Dell Technologies' Global Alliances Americas AI Partner of the Year, reinforcing its ecosystem credibility and expanding its enterprise AI opportunities.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PENG's fiscal 2026 earnings has been revised upward over the past 30 and 60 days to $2.60 per share, indicating strengthening business fundamentals and projected earnings growth of 36.84% year over year.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Case for DDOG StockDatadog is strengthening its position as an AI infrastructure enabler by expanding beyond observability to deliver integrated monitoring, security and performance optimization for AI applications, GPU clusters and large-scale model training. The company delivered a strong first-quarter 2026, with revenues rising 32% year over year to $1.01 billion, free cash flow of $289 million and more than $4 billion in ARR, reflecting accelerating enterprise adoption.
AI is becoming an increasingly important growth driver. More than 6,500 customers now use one or more AI integrations, representing roughly 80% of Datadog's ARR, demonstrating the growing strategic importance of AI workloads to its business. The company launched GPU Monitoring, MCP Server, Bits AI Security Agent, Bits Assistant and expanded LLM Observability, enabling customers to optimize AI training workloads, improve GPU utilization, accelerate troubleshooting and automate security investigations. Management also highlighted major wins with AI research divisions at two of the world's largest technology companies, reinforcing Datadog's growing role in hyperscale AI infrastructure and AI model training.
Recent developments remain encouraging. Datadog acquired Adaptive ML to strengthen its AI research capabilities in agentic AI and reinforcement learning, supporting future product innovation. At DASH 2026, the company also introduced more than 100 new AI, security and autonomous operations capabilities, further expanding its AI platform and reinforcing its long-term growth strategy.
However, risks remain. Competition is intense across observability, cloud monitoring and AI software, while rapid AI innovation requires continued investment in infrastructure and research. Acquisitions may not deliver the expected synergies and integration benefits, and macroeconomic weakness could pressure enterprise IT spending. Additionally, the fast-evolving AI landscape increases execution, technology and competitive risks.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DDOG's full-year 2026 earnings is pegged at $2.41 per share and has remained unchanged over the past 30 and 60 days. The estimate reflects expected year-over-year earnings growth of 17.56%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stock Performance: PENG vs. DDOGWhile both PENG and DDOG have generated strong year-to-date returns, Penguin has emerged as the clear outperformer, with shares surging 208.9% versus Datadog's 90.3% gain.
The outperformance reflects growing investor optimism surrounding Penguin's AI Factory Platform strategy, expanding AI infrastructure business and strategic ecosystem partnerships with NVIDIA, SK Telecom, SK Hynix and Dell Technologies. As enterprises scale AI workloads, Penguin's integrated platform for AI infrastructure, memory and managed services has positioned the company to benefit from this long-term growth trend.
Stock Performance (YTD)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Valuation: PENG Is Cheaper Than DDOGPenguin stock looks more attractive than Datadog from a valuation standpoint. Going by the price/sales ratio, PENG’s shares currently trade at 1.45X forward sales, significantly lower than DDOG’s 19.16X. PENG's relatively low valuation multiple suggests meaningful upside potential if the company continues to execute on its AI-driven growth strategy.
PENG vs. DDOG: Forward 12-Month P/S Ratio
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
ConclusionWhile both companies are benefiting from the AI infrastructure boom, Penguin stands out with faster revenue and earnings growth, stronger estimate revisions, expanding AI infrastructure deployments and a significantly cheaper valuation.
Backed by strategic AI partnerships and growing exposure to production AI inference, PENG seems a better pick for investors than DDOG right now. While Penguin sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present, Datadog has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.
Featuring 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, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest 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 ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.
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 ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing 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.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee 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.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Cognizant (CTSH - Free Report) Headquartered in Teaneck, NJ, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation is a leading professional services company. The company was spun off from Dun & Bradstreet in 1996 and went public in 1998.
CTSH 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. CTSH has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 8% for the current fiscal year.
Two analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.00 to $5.70 per share. CTSH boasts an average earnings surprise of +4.8%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, CTSH should be on investors' short list.
Building on its industry-leading commitment to trust and transparency, CarGurus is making it easier for shoppers to understand a car's total price while helping dealers build trust
BOSTON, July 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CarGurus, the No. 1 most visited automotive shopping site in the U.S.1, today announced enhanced price transparency features that give shoppers a better understanding of a vehicle's total price, and help dealers build trust earlier in the buying journey as expectations for clearer upfront pricing in automotive continue to rise. Updated Deal Ratings on used car inventory and improved badging and filters for listings with dealer-disclosed fees give shoppers more confidence in a car’s cost before visiting a dealership.
Starting this month, CarGurus’ Deal Ratings, trusted by tens of millions of shoppers each month to help evaluate vehicle prices, are available only on used listings where dealers disclose any mandatory fees charged outside of tax, title, and registration. Listings without fee information will receive a “No Rating” price analysis and will move lower in search results. As the No. 1 most visited site in the U.S.1, with the largest inventory and dealer base2, CarGurus’ leadership is helping move the industry toward a new standard of transparency.
CarGurus shoppers can easily understand upfront if dealer fees have been disclosed with new “Price includes fees” badges and filters that exclude listings missing fee details. When dealer fee information isn’t available, listing badges also flag that additional fees may apply.
“These updates reinforce the work CarGurus has led for decades to provide the most trustworthy car shopping experience that benefits consumers and dealers,” said Jason Trevisan, CEO of CarGurus. “Our enhancements address head-on one of the biggest pain points between the online and in-dealership experience: knowing whether the list price reflects the vehicle's total cost. The result is a better experience for both parties as shoppers can search and compare with a clearer picture of a vehicle’s price, and dealers can earn business from buyers who show up more informed and ready to act.”
Shoppers can explore the new dealer fee filters, badging, and price analysis features now at CarGurus.com.
About CarGurus, Inc.
CarGurus (Nasdaq: CARG) is the leading multinational automotive platform helping consumers and dealers confidently buy and sell vehicles. Founded in 2006 with a mission to bring more trust and transparency to car shopping, CarGurus is the No. 1 visited automotive shopping site in the U.S.1 with the largest selection of inventory and network of dealers.2 CarGurus’ unmatched selection, trusted automotive insights, and data-driven products and solutions support each shopper’s journey — from online research and shopping to in-dealership decisions — to empower them at every step. And, by translating data from billions of monthly site interactions, CarGurus provides dealers a personalized, predictive intelligence platform with software solutions that helps them run their businesses more efficiently and profitably at all stages of inventory acquisition and pricing, marketing, and conversion to sale.
CarGurus operates online marketplaces in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. The company’s network of brands includes PistonHeads, the largest online motoring community in the U.K.3, and Autolist, a U.S.- based online marketplace.
To learn more about CarGurus, visit www.cargurus.com.
1Similarweb: Traffic and Engagement Report (Cars.com, Autotrader.com, TrueCar.com, CARFAX.com
Listings (defined as CARFAX.com Total Visits minus Vehicle History Reports)), Q1 2026, U.S.
2Largest car shopping platform defined as most inventory and largest dealer network. Compared to Autotrader.com , Cars.com, TrueCar.com, and CARFAX (Joreca as of December 31, 2025).
3Similarweb: Traffic Insights, Q1 2026, U.K.
CarGurus® and Autolist® are each a registered trademark of CarGurus, Inc., and PistonHeads® is a registered trademark of CarGurus Ireland Limited in the U.K. and the European Union. All other product names, trademarks, and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.
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.
The upcoming report from Huntington Bancshares (HBAN - Free Report) is expected to reveal quarterly earnings of $0.39 per share, indicating an increase of 2.6% compared to the year-ago period. Analysts forecast revenues of $2.85 billion, representing an increase of 41.7% year over year.
The current level reflects no revision in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter over the past 30 days. This demonstrates how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reappraised their initial projections over 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 it's common for investors to rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates for assessing how the business may have performed during the quarter, exploring analysts' forecasts for key metrics can yield valuable insights.
That said, let's delve into the average estimates of some Huntington Bancshares metrics that Wall Street analysts commonly model and monitor.
Analysts predict that the 'Efficiency Ratio' will reach 57.9%. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 59.0% in the same quarter of the previous year.
The average prediction of analysts places 'Regulatory Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio' at 11.6%. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 11.8% in the same quarter of the previous year.
Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Average Balance - Total earning assets' should arrive at $262.14 billion. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $191.09 billion.
The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Net Interest Margin (FTE)' of 3.2%. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 3.1%.
Analysts forecast 'Tier 1 Leverage Ratio' to reach 8.8%. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 8.5%.
The consensus among analysts is that 'Wealth and asset management revenue' will reach $127.00 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $102.00 million in the same quarter last year.
The consensus estimate for 'Customer deposit and loan fees' stands at $118.01 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $95.00 million in the same quarter last year.
Analysts' assessment points toward 'Payments and cash management revenue' reaching $199.32 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $165.00 million.
According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Net interest income - FTE' should come in at $2.11 billion. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $1.48 billion.
The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Mortgage banking income' will likely reach $42.08 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $28.00 million in the same quarter of the previous year.
It is projected by analysts that the 'Capital markets and advisory fees' will reach $137.46 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $84.00 million in the same quarter last year.
Analysts expect 'Total Non-Interest Income' to come in at $727.84 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $471.00 million.
View all Key Company Metrics for Huntington Bancshares here>>>
Shares of Huntington Bancshares have demonstrated returns of +8.2% over the past month compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), HBAN is expected to mirror the overall market performance in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.
The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.
It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest 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 ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out 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 trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.
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.
#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and 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.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: CarMax (KMX - Free Report) CarMax, Inc. is the largest retailer of used vehicles in the United States. In fiscal 2026 (ended Feb. 28, 2026), the company sold approximately 781,000 used vehicles at retail. It is also one of the nation’s largest operators of wholesale vehicle auctions, with roughly 538,000 vehicles sold in fiscal 2026.
KMX is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 21.26; value investors should take notice.
Eight analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.31 to $2.70 per share. KMX boasts an average earnings surprise of +28.9%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, KMX should be on investors' short list.
Wall Street analysts forecast that PulteGroup (PHM - Free Report) will report quarterly earnings of $2.38 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to a year-over-year decline of 21.5%. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $3.98 billion, exhibiting a decrease of 9.6% compared to the year-ago quarter.
Over the past 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been adjusted downward by 0.9% to its current level. This demonstrates the covering analysts' collective reassessment of their initial projections during this period.
Prior to a company's earnings release, it is of utmost importance to factor in any revisions made to the earnings projections. These revisions serve as a critical gauge for predicting potential investor behaviors with respect to the stock. Empirical studies consistently reveal a strong link between trends in earnings estimate revisions and the short-term price performance of a stock.
While investors typically 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.
That said, let's delve into the average estimates of some PulteGroup metrics that Wall Street analysts commonly model and monitor.
It is projected by analysts that the 'Homebuilding Revenues- Home sale revenues' will reach $3.93 billion. The estimate indicates a change of -8% from the prior-year quarter.
The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Revenues- Financial Services' of $101.06 million. The estimate points to a change of -0.1% from the year-ago quarter.
Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Homebuilding Revenues' should arrive at $3.96 billion. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -8%.
The consensus estimate for 'Homebuilding Revenues- Land sale and other revenues' stands at $43.16 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +24.7%.
The average prediction of analysts places 'Average selling price - Total' at $546.26 . The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $559.00 .
According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Net new orders - units - Total' should come in at 7,371 . The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 7,083 .
Analysts predict that the 'Unit backlog - Total' will reach 10,811 . The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 10,779 .
The consensus among analysts is that 'Closings (units) - Total' will reach 6,987 . The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 7,639 .
Analysts forecast 'Average active communities' to reach 1,038 . The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 994 .
Analysts' assessment points toward 'Net new orders - dollars - Total' reaching $4.03 billion. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $3.89 billion in the same quarter last year.
Analysts expect 'Backlog dollars - Total' to come in at $6.76 billion. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $6.84 billion.
The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Income / (loss) before income taxes- Financial Services' will likely reach $44.86 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $42.80 million.
View all Key Company Metrics for PulteGroup here>>>
Over the past month, PulteGroup shares have recorded returns of -0.7% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change. Based on its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), PHM will likely exhibit a performance that aligns with the overall market in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
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.
It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F. The better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform; an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in 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.
#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.
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: Smucker (SJM - Free Report) The J. M. Smucker Company, headquartered in Orrville, Ohio, is a leading marketer and manufacturer of branded food and beverage products and pet food and pet snacks in North America. The company's operations are primarily U.S.-based, with additional international activities, principally in Canada.
SJM is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
Momentum investors should take note of this Consumer Staples stock. SJM has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 1% over the past four weeks.
Five analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.18 to $9.95 per share. SJM also boasts an average earnings surprise of +1.5%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, SJM should be on investors' short list.
Key Takeaways SJM raised its quarterly dividend 2% to $1.12, marking 25 straight fiscal years of growth.SJM generated $1.2B in fiscal 2026 free cash flow, paid $465M in dividends and repaid $720M of debt.SJM balances investments, debt reduction and shareholder returns through disciplined capital allocation. The J.M. Smucker Co. (SJM - Free Report) continues to reinforce the shareholder-friendly capital allocation strategy, underscoring confidence in its cash-generating ability despite an evolving consumer and cost environment. The latest dividend hike also extends the company's long-standing record of rewarding investors.
The company announced a 2% increase in its quarterly dividend to $1.12 per common share from $1.10. The dividend will be paid on Sept. 1, 2026, to its shareholders of record as of Aug. 14. The latest increase marks the 25th consecutive fiscal year of dividend growth, highlighting SJM's consistent focus on returning capital to its shareholders through regular payouts.
The dividend announcement comes on the back of a year marked by solid cash generation. In fiscal 2026, The J.M. Smucker generated $1.5 billion in operating cash flow and $1.2 billion in free cash flow, while returning approximately $465 million to its shareholders through dividends. In fiscal 2026, the company also repaid $720 million of debt, reflecting a balanced approach toward strengthening its balance sheet while maintaining shareholder distributions.
Operationally, the business ended fiscal 2026 on a strong note. Fiscal fourth-quarter net sales increased 6% year over year to $2.3 billion, while adjusted earnings per share climbed 20% to $2.77. Growth was supported by pricing actions, resilient demand across key categories and improved profitability, leading to stronger operating cash flow. For fiscal 2027, SJM projects adjusted earnings per share of $9.75-$10.25 and approximately $1 billion in free cash flow, providing continued financial flexibility to support investments, debt reduction and shareholder returns.
Although fiscal 2027 sales are projected to decline 3-4% due to lower coffee pricing and softer volume/mix, the company's strong cash generation, disciplined debt reduction and consistent dividend growth underscore the resilience of its business model. The latest dividend increase reinforces confidence in SJM's ability to sustain shareholder returns while navigating commodity cost fluctuations and evolving consumer demand.
The J.M. Smucker’s Zacks Rank & Share Price PerformanceShares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have gained 6.5% over the past year, outperforming the broader Consumer Staples sector’s growth of 1.3% and the industry’s decline of 21.7%. However, the figure is down from the S&P 500’s 21.2% growth during the same period.
SJM Stock's Past Year Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Is SJM a Value Play Stock?The J.M. Smucker currently trades at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 11.09, which is lower than the industry average of 14.62. This suggests the stock is trading at a modest discount relative to its peers.
SJM P/E Ratio (Forward 12 Months)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to ConsiderUnited Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI - Free Report) distributes natural, organic, specialty, produce and conventional grocery and non-food products in the United States and Canada. At present, United Natural sports a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The consensus estimate for United Natural’s current fiscal-year earnings implies growth of 254.9% from the year-ago figures. UNFI delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 29.9%, on average.
Mama's Creations, Inc. (MAMA - Free Report) manufactures and markets fresh deli-prepared foods in the United States. At present, MAMA holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). Mama's Creations delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 129.2%, on average.
The consensus estimate for Mama's Creations’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 30% and 73.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.
Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL - Free Report) develops, processes and distributes various meat, nuts and other food products to foodservice, convenience store and commercial customers in the United States and internationally. It carries a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. HRL delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 3.2%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Hormel Foods’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 1.4% and 9.5%, respectively, from the prior-year reported levels.
Key Takeaways Delek's premium valuation is supported by stronger operations, execution and rising earnings expectations.DK raised its Enterprise Optimization Plan cash-flow improvement target to about $220 million annually.DK boosted refinery and logistics performance as analysts increased 2026 and 2027 earnings estimates. Delek US Holdings (DK - Free Report) has outperformed many of its refining peers over the past year. The stock currently trades at a trailing 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 14.77X, noticeably above Marathon Petroleum's (MPC - Free Report) 9.94X and Valero Energy's (VLO - Free Report) 11.36X. At first glance, that premium valuation might make some investors hesitant, especially since refining is traditionally viewed as a cyclical business.
How the Market Values Each Company
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
But valuation should never be looked at in isolation. The more important question is whether this Brentwood, TN-based oil and gas refining and marketing company has done enough to deserve trading at a higher multiple than Marathon Petroleum and Valero Energy. Based on the company's improving operations, rising earnings expectations and strategic initiatives, there is a strong case that the premium is supported by better fundamentals rather than market enthusiasm alone.
Investors Have Rewarded Delek's ExecutionThe market has clearly recognized Delek's improving business profile. Over the past 12 months, the stock has rallied 155.4%, comfortably outperforming Marathon Petroleum and Valero Energy's 78.7% and 111.6% return, respectively.
One-Year Stock Performance: DK vs. VLO and MPC
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Such a wide gap suggests investors are looking beyond the broader recovery in refining margins. Instead, they are rewarding Delek for executing well on initiatives that are improving profitability and strengthening its long-term earnings potential. While Marathon Petroleum and Valero Energy have benefited from favorable refining fundamentals, Delek has added several company-specific growth drivers that have strengthened investor confidence.
Enterprise Optimization Plan Is Delivering ResultsA major reason behind Delek's improving outlook is its Enterprise Optimization Plan (“EOP”). Rather than relying solely on stronger commodity markets, management has focused on making the business more efficient by reducing costs, improving asset utilization and streamlining operations across both its refining and logistics segments.
The strategy is already producing measurable results. Management recently increased its expected annual run-rate cash-flow improvement target to approximately $220 million, up from the previous goal of $200 million. Raising the target signals confidence that additional efficiencies remain achievable and that the program still has room to create value.
These operational improvements are particularly important because they can support earnings even if industry conditions become less favorable. That gives Delek an advantage that extends beyond normal refining cycles and helps distinguish it from peers such as Marathon Petroleum and Valero Energy.
Refinery Performance Is Heading in the Right DirectionOperational execution has quietly become one of Delek's biggest strengths.
The company successfully completed the Big Spring refinery turnaround safely, on schedule and within budget. With maintenance completed before the peak driving season, the refinery has returned to full operations, allowing Delek to benefit from stronger throughput and favorable refining economics.
Those improvements were reflected in first-quarter results. The refining segment generated adjusted EBITDA of $155.3 million, supported by stronger benchmark crack spreads and improved operating performance.
Although Marathon Petroleum and Valero Energy also continue to benefit from healthy refining markets, Delek's improved operational reliability provides another catalyst for earnings growth. With fewer planned maintenance disruptions, the company appears well positioned to maximize profitability if refining margins remain supportive.
Logistics Business Adds StabilityRefining may remain Delek's largest business, but this is no longer its only growth engine.
Its logistics business, operated through Delek Logistics Partners, continues to provide stable, fee-based cash flows that complement the more cyclical refining segment.
During the first quarter, the logistics segment generated adjusted EBITDA of $132.4 million, benefiting from stronger wholesale margins and higher third-party business. At the same time, Delek continues expanding its natural gas processing infrastructure in the Delaware Basin, creating additional opportunities for long-term earnings growth.
Like Marathon Petroleum and Valero Energy, Delek owns valuable midstream assets. However, the logistics platform is becoming an increasingly meaningful contributor to earnings, making the company's cash flows more diversified and improving its financial resilience over time.
Analysts Are Becoming More OptimisticAnother encouraging development is the improving sentiment among analysts covering the oil and gas sector.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings has increased 39.65%, while the estimate for 2027 has climbed 14.1%. Rising earnings estimates often indicate that analysts are becoming more confident in a company's ability to execute its strategy and deliver stronger financial performance.
Positive estimate revisions have historically been an important indicator of future stock performance. In Delek's case, the upward revisions suggest growing analyst confidence that its operational improvements and strategic initiatives will support stronger earnings.
Should Investors Buy DK Stock?Delek's premium valuation may initially appear expensive compared with MPC and VLO, but its improving fundamentals help explain why investors are willing to pay a higher multiple.
Management continues to execute well on its EOP, refinery performance has improved following the successful Big Spring turnaround, and the logistics business is generating a growing stream of stable cash flows. At the same time, analysts continue raising earnings estimates, reflecting increasing confidence in the company's future profitability.
No premium valuation is guaranteed to last, and Delek will need to maintain its operational momentum to justify trading above MPC and VLO. However, given the company's stronger earnings trajectory, disciplined execution and multiple company-specific growth catalysts, the valuation appears increasingly reasonable. With a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), Delek remains an attractive option for investors seeking exposure to the refining sub-industry while benefiting from a business that is becoming stronger and more diversified. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
SAN DIEGO, July 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) securities between June 25, 2025 and March 10, 2026, all dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), have until Monday, July 27, 2026 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the AeroVironment class action lawsuit. Captioned Norrell v. AeroVironment, Inc., No. 26-cv-01429 (E.D. Va.), the AeroVironment class action lawsuit charges AeroVironment as well as certain of AeroVironment’s current and former executive officers with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the AeroVironment class action lawsuit, please provide your information here:
You can also contact attorneys Ken Dolitsky or Michael Albert of Robbins Geller by calling 800/851-7783 or via e-mail at [email protected].
CASE ALLEGATIONS: AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, delivers, and supports a portfolio of robotic systems and related services for government agencies and businesses. The AeroVironment class action lawsuit alleges on May 1, 2025, AeroVironment announced it had completed the acquisition of BlueHalo, LLC, which had previously been awarded a contract to support the U.S. Space Force’s Satellite Communication Augmentation Resource (“SCAR”) program. The SCAR program represents the U.S. Space Force’s efforts to modernize antennas used by the Satellite Control Network (“SCN”), which is comprised of 19 fixed antennas across the world and executes tasks such as tracking satellites, transmitting signals, and conducting telemetry, or accessing data from satellites to assess their status and health, according to the complaint.
The AeroVironment class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) AeroVironment understated the likelihood that it would imminently face competition from other vendors for the work it performed in connection with the SCAR program and the U.S. Space Force’s ongoing efforts to modernize the SCN; and (ii) accordingly, defendants overstated AeroVironment’s business and financial prospects.
The AeroVironment class action lawsuit further alleges that on January 20, 2026, AeroVironment announced that the U.S. government had issued a stop work order on AeroVironment’s agreement to deliver BADGER systems to the SCAR program. In the same announcement, AeroVironment allegedly stated that the stop work order “allows for the parties to negotiate an amended agreement for the future of the SCAR program” and that “[t]he Company expects to continue to deliver capabilities and products for the SCAR program.” On this news, the price of AeroVironment stock fell nearly 16%, according to the complaint.
Then, on March 2, 2026, SpaceNews allegedly reported that the U.S. Space Force was reopening the SCAR program and “reassessing how to move forward.” Space News quoted Colonel Owen Stevens, director of contracting at the Space Rapid Capabilities Office, which supervised SCAR, as stating: “We have been in conversations with the SAE [senior acquisition executive] for a little while now, and we are going to move into a new acquisition strategy for SCAR,” the complaint alleges. On this news, the price of AeroVironment stock fell more than 17%, according to the complaint.
Finally, on March 10, 2026, the complaint alleges that AeroVironment announced its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026. Among other items, AeroVironment allegedly reported a third-quarter operating loss of $179.0 million, compared to an operating loss of $3.1 million for the same period in fiscal year 2025. These financial results reflected the impact of a $151.3 million goodwill impairment in AeroVironment’s space division after the stop work order on AeroVironment’s BADGER systems built for the SCAR program, according to the AeroVironment class action lawsuit. AeroVironment also allegedly reported that the U.S. Space Force had terminated AeroVironment’s contract concerning the SCAR program, and as a result, it would have to “recompete” for the SCAR program. On this news, the price of AeroVironment stock fell more than 6%, the complaint alleges.
THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired AeroVironment securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the AeroVironment class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the AeroVironment class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the AeroVironment class action lawsuit. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the AeroVironment class action lawsuit.
ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the world’s leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud and shareholder rights litigation. Our Firm ranked #1 on the most recent ISS Securities Class Action Services Top 50 Report, recovering more than $916 million for investors in 2025. This marks our fourth #1 ranking in the past five years. And in those five years alone, Robbins Geller recovered $8.4 billion for investors – $3.4 billion more than any other law firm. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs’ firms in the world, and the Firm’s attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest ever – $7.2 billion – in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information:
ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $AVAV #AVAV--AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain autonomous systems, today announced it has been awarded a $117.3 million contract by the U.S. Army for its P550™ electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) unmanned aerial system in support of the Army's Long Range Reconnaissance program, advancing the Army's push to field scalable, adaptable capabilities for modern warfare. The award was issued under a Basic Ordering Agr.
PHILADELPHIA, July 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National plaintiffs’ law firm Berger Montague PC announces a class action lawsuit against AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) (“AeroVironment” or the “Company”) on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired AeroVironment common stock during the period from June 25, 2025 through March 10, 2026 (the “Class Period”).
Investor Deadline: Investors who purchased or acquired AeroVironment common stock during the Class Period may, no later than July 27, 2026, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class. To learn your rights, CLICK HERE.
The Company, headquartered in Arlington, Va., provides cutting-edge autonomous systems, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), loitering munitions, and space and directed-energy technologies to the U.S. Department of Defense, allied governments, and commercial clients.
The complaint alleges that, during the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s business, operations, and prospects, and failed to disclose that: (i) the Company understated the likelihood of imminent competition from other vendors for work it performed under the Satellite Communication Augmentation Resource (“SCAR”) program, including in connection with the U.S. Space Force’s ongoing effort to modernize the Satellite Control Network (“SCN”); (ii) and Defendants accordingly overstated the Company’s business and financial prospects.
On January 20, 2026, AeroVironment announced that the U.S. government had issued a stop work order on the Company’s agreement to deliver BADGER systems to the SCAR program, while stating it expected to continue operating under the program. On this news, AeroVironment’s stock price fell $61.97 per share, or 15.77%, to close at $330.89 per share on January 20, 2026.
Then, on March 2, 2026, Space News reported that the U.S. Space Force was reopening and “reassessing” the SCAR program. The Space Rapid Capabilities Office’s director of contracting confirmed the Space Force would “move into a new acquisition strategy for SCAR.” On this news, AeroVironment’s stock price fell $43.93 per share, or 17.42%, to close at $208.32 per share on March 2, 2026.
Then, on March 10, 2026, AeroVironment reported a third-quarter fiscal year 2026 operating loss of $179.0 million — versus a loss of just $3.1 million in the prior-year quarter — reflecting a $151.3 million goodwill impairment in its space division tied to the BADGER stop work order. The Company additionally disclosed that the U.S. Space Force had terminated its SCAR contract, forcing the Company to “recompete” for the program. On this news, AeroVironment’s stock price fell $13.84 per share, or 6.24%, to close at $207.73 per share on March 11, 2026.
On March 31, 2026, the U.S. Space Force announced it would diversify its supplier base and transition to commercial, off-the-shelf solutions to modernize the SCN, foregoing any further single-vendor bespoke procurement.
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