<![CDATA[Zacks Investment Research - All Commentary Articles]]> https://www.zacks.com editor@zacks.com (Managing editor) webmaster@zacks.com (Webmaster) en-us 2026-10-07 07:22:03 GMT Wed, 07 Oct 2026 07:22:03 GMT hourly 1 2010-01-01T00:00+00:00 https://www.zacks.com <![CDATA[Zacks Investment Research Services - All Commentary Articles]]> http://b7d61a7c6b8c307bf531-a92a66b9587e2a0aa805bd4e70b98407.r95.cf2.rackcdn.com/images/zacks/pyramid.png 55 62 <![CDATA[A Magical Three-Paycheck Month Is Here. Here's What to Do With the "Extra" Money]]> Wed, 07 Oct 2026 03:44:00 GMT I love October.
 
First of all, it's my birthday month, so it already has an unfair advantage. Second, after another sweltering Texas summer, October means we can finally enjoy a few days when the temperature doesn't have three digits.
 
Pumpkins. Halloween. Sweaters I'll optimistically wear in the morning and regret by 2 p.m.
 
What's not to love?
 
But this year, there's another reason I'm excited about October: It's a three-paycheck month.
 
You see, my husband gets paid every two weeks, which means there are two glorious months each year when the calendar lines up just right and three paychecks land in our account instead of the usual two. October is one of them.
 
Cha-ching.
 
And while this isn't technically "extra" money, if you plan for it correctly... it can sure feel like it.

Why Do Three-Paycheck Months Happen?

Here's where things get confusing, because biweekly and semimonthly sound like they should mean the same thing.
 
They don't.
 
I'm paid semimonthly — twice a month, around the 15th and the last day of the month. That's 2 paychecks × 12 months = 24 paychecks a year. No surprises. No magical months.
 
My husband is paid biweekly — once every two weeks. There are 52 weeks in a year, so that's 52 ÷ 2 = 26 paychecks.
 
Those two additional checks have to land somewhere.
 
Because every month except February is longer than four weeks, biweekly paydays slowly drift through the calendar until, twice a year, three of them squeeze into a single month. In 2026, someone paid on alternating Fridays might be paid on October 2, October 16 and October 30.
 
Three Fridays. Three deposits. One very happy checking account.
 
(Occasionally the calendar produces a 27-paycheck year, and with it a third three-paycheck month. Semimonthly workers never get one.)
 
Your three-paycheck months depend on where your payroll cycle started, so they may not match your neighbor's. If you're paid on alternating Fridays this year, your three-paycheck months are either May and October or January and July. Not sure which? Pull up your payroll calendar, or count forward 14 days at a time from your last payday.

But Is the Third Paycheck Really "Extra"?

No.
 
Sorry. I know, I liked this article better 30 seconds ago, too.
 
If you earn $104,000 a year and your employer spreads that across 26 pay periods, you earn $4,000 per paycheck before taxes and deductions. The third October check isn't a $4,000 bonus. It's part of the $104,000 you were always going to earn.
 
But here's where it gets interesting...
 
If you've built your budget around two paychecks a month — mortgage, utilities, groceries, daycare, car payment, savings, Netflix — your regular bills are already covered by Paychecks No. 1 and No. 2.
 
Then Paycheck No. 3 arrives.
 
Your annual income hasn't changed. But your monthly cash flow has. You've created a temporary lump sum without getting a bonus, waiting for a tax refund, or earning an extra dollar.
 
And lump sums can do things that $50 here and $100 there can't.

First, Make Sure It's Actually Available

Before you assign this money a job, look honestly at your budget.
 
If you've been leaning on credit cards to bridge the gaps between paychecks, or your annual budget depends on all 26 paychecks, this money isn't free for a new goal. That's fine. Use it where it's needed.
 
One more caveat: Check your pay stub before planning around the full amount. Taxes and percentage-based retirement contributions still come out of the third check. Some employers skip certain benefit deductions, like health insurance premiums, on a third paycheck, which can make it a little bigger; others don't. In other words, don't spend $4,000 in your head before discovering that $2,700 landed in your account.
 
Once you know your number, here's where I'd put it.
 
1. Wipe Out High-Interest Credit Card Debt
 
If you're carrying a credit card balance, this is my favorite option.
 
It's not glamorous. You will not post a photo of it on Instagram. But it may be the highest guaranteed return available to you. Credit card accounts that were charged interest carried an average rate of about 22% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Federal Reserve. Knock $3,000 off a balance at that rate and you avoid roughly $660 a year in interest.
 
If you have several cards, target the one with the highest rate first. One paycheck. One click. One substantially smaller balance.
 
2. Fill — or Refill — Your Emergency Fund
 
Maybe you've had one of those years. Car repair. Medical bill. Broken air conditioner. Another car repair, because apparently cars can smell when you have money.
 
The standard goal is three to six months of essential expenses. Don't let that number discourage you if you're nowhere close. A $2,000 or $3,000 deposit instantly gives you a much bigger cushion against the next surprise.
 
And if you recently drained your emergency fund, remember: That's what it was there for. The next step isn't guilt. It's rebuilding.
 
3. Get Ahead on a Big Expense You Know Is Coming
 
Not every large expense is an emergency. Some are just... expensive.
 
Holiday gifts. Property taxes. New tires. Summer camp. Your annual insurance premium.
 
Move the money into a dedicated savings account and give it a name: "Christmas." "New Roof." "Please Let the HVAC Survive Another Summer." Named accounts make the money harder to accidentally absorb into everyday spending, and with the holidays two months out, this is a particularly good October move.
 
4. Make an Extra Mortgage, Auto or Student Loan Payment
 
High-interest debt gone and emergency fund in good shape? Consider an extra payment on another loan.
 
Make sure the payment is applied to principal — not held as an early payment toward next month — and check whether your lender has rules about extra payments. You don't have to send the whole check, either. Even $1,000 toward principal today means less interest accruing on that money for the rest of the loan.
 
You're not just paying off today's balance. You're erasing some of tomorrow's interest.
 
5. Invest It
 
Already in solid shape? Put your third paycheck to work for Future You.
 
You could fund an IRA (the 2026 limit is $7,500, or $8,600 if you're 50 or older, according to the IRS), add to a taxable brokerage account or contribute to your kids' 529 plans. A few thousand dollars invested today has decades to compound.
 
And because this money was never part of your normal spending rhythm, investing it is about as painless as saving gets. You can't miss what you never let yourself spend.
 
6. Finally Fund the Thing You've Been Putting Off
 
Not every good financial decision involves a retirement account.
 
Maybe you've been putting off replacing an aging appliance. Maybe there's a professional certification you keep meaning to get. Maybe you desperately need a new mattress and have spent two years insisting the lumps in yours are "still fine."
 
Money exists to support your life. If your foundation is solid, using your third paycheck for something you've intentionally wanted or needed isn't irresponsible. It's the point.
 
And Yes, You Can Spend Some of It!
 
This may be my favorite strategy: Don't make yourself choose between responsible and fun.
 
Say your third take-home check is $3,000. You could put:
 
- $1,500 into your emergency fund
- $1,000 toward a credit card or other goal
- $500 toward something fun
 
Dinner somewhere nice. A weekend away. A ridiculous Halloween decoration. A present for your favorite personal finance editor.
 
You've still put more than 80% of the money toward your finances, and you got to enjoy some of it. Personal finance works much better when every unexpected dollar doesn't immediately get sentenced to 30 years in a retirement account.

Decide Before the Money Arrives

This is the most important part. Money without a job has an incredible ability to disappear.
 
The third paycheck hits your account. You order takeout. You make a Target run that somehow costs $287 even though you went in for toothpaste. A few Amazon packages show up.
 
Then suddenly it's November, and you're thinking: Wait. Didn't we get an extra paycheck last month?
 
If October is your three-paycheck month, sit down today and assign that money somewhere — 100% to debt, a 50/30/20 split between savings, investing and fun, or every penny toward one big goal. There's no universally correct answer.
 
What matters is that you choose where the money goes instead of wondering where it went.

When's Your Next Three-Paycheck Month?

If you're paid every other week and October isn't your month, yours is coming.
 
Open your calendar and mark every payday for the next 12 months. Find the month with three. Circle it. Set a reminder on your phone. Then start deciding what one more paycheck could accomplish.
 
Because, sure, mathematically speaking, it isn't really extra money.
 
But personal finance isn't always about earning more. Sometimes it's about recognizing a chance to use the money you already earn a little more intentionally. And twice a year, the calendar hands biweekly workers a particularly good one.
 
Happy three-paycheck month. And happy October!

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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]]> <![CDATA[Compared to Estimates, Neogen (NEOG) Q1 Earnings: A Look at Key Metrics]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:30:02 GMT For the quarter ended August 2026, Neogen (NEOG) reported revenue of $222.8 million, up 6.5% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $0.08, compared to $0.04 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of +7.07% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $208.09 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $0.05, the EPS surprise was +60%.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how Neogen performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
  • Revenues- Food Safety: $163.2 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $152.85 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +7.3%.
  • Revenues- Animal Safety: $59.6 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $55.08 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +4.3%.
  • Revenues- Food Safety- Natural Toxins & Allergens: $19.3 million compared to the $20.15 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of -3.3% year over year.
  • Revenues- Food Safety- Bacterial & General Sanitation: $44.6 million versus $42.44 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +7.1% change.
  • Revenues- Animal Safety- Genomics Services: $17.3 million compared to the $17.43 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +211.4% year over year.
  • Revenues- Food Safety- Genomics Services: $6.7 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $5.11 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -59.6%.
  • Revenues- Animal Safety- Life Sciences: $1.6 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $1.92 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -13.9%.
  • Revenues- Animal Safety- Veterinary Instruments & Disposables: $14.1 million compared to the $11.55 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +18.4% year over year.
  • Revenues- Animal Safety- Animal Care & Other: $7.7 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $6.89 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +1.6%.
  • Revenues- Food Safety- Indicator Testing, Culture Media: $85.6 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $80.8 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +8.2%.

View all Key Company Metrics for Neogen here>>>

Shares of Neogen have returned +10% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.8% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating that it could outperform the broader market in the near term.

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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]]> <![CDATA[PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (PAGS) Stock Drops Despite Market Gains: Important Facts to Note]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:15:05 GMT In the latest close session, PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (PAGS) was down 2.1% at $10.72. The stock's performance was behind the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.49%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.45%.

Heading into today, shares of the company had gained 12.54% over the past month, outpacing the Business Services sector's loss of 5.07% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of PagSeguro Digital Ltd. in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company is predicted to post an EPS of $0.41, indicating a 13.89% growth compared to the equivalent quarter last year. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $996.2 million, indicating a 6.3% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $1.65 per share and revenue of $4.02 billion, which would represent changes of +16.2% and +10.02%, respectively, from the prior year.

It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for PagSeguro Digital Ltd. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.

Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 1.05% downward. As of now, PagSeguro Digital Ltd. holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Valuation is also important, so investors should note that PagSeguro Digital Ltd. has a Forward P/E ratio of 6.64 right now. This indicates a discount in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 14.59.

One should further note that PAGS currently holds a PEG ratio of 0.44. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. As of the close of trade yesterday, the Financial Transaction Services industry held an average PEG ratio of 0.77.

The Financial Transaction Services industry is part of the Business Services sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 162, this industry ranks in the bottom 35% of all industries, numbering over 250.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Ensure to harness Zacks.com to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions.

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Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

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]]> <![CDATA[Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (KNSL) Outperforms Broader Market: What You Need to Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:15:04 GMT In the latest trading session, Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (KNSL) closed at $336.45, marking a +1.21% move from the previous day. The stock's change was more than the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.49%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.45%.

The company's stock has dropped by 10.92% in the past month, falling short of the Finance sector's loss of 4.49% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The upcoming earnings release of Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. will be of great interest to investors. The company's earnings report is expected on October 22, 2026. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $4.87, showcasing a 6.53% downward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $479.3 million, down 3.66% from the year-ago period.

KNSL's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $21.1 per share and revenue of $1.98 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +8.15% and +5.51%, respectively.

It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.

Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 0.03% upward. Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Investors should also note Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.'s current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 15.75. This indicates a premium in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 10.93.

It is also worth noting that KNSL currently has a PEG ratio of 1.05. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. As the market closed yesterday, the Insurance - Property and Casualty industry was having an average PEG ratio of 1.8.

The Insurance - Property and Casualty industry is part of the Finance sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 73, placing it within the top 30% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.

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Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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]]> <![CDATA[Pan American Silver (PAAS) Laps the Stock Market: Here's Why]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:15:04 GMT In the latest close session, Pan American Silver (PAAS) was up +1.32% at $45.92. This move outpaced the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.49%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.45%.

Heading into today, shares of the silver mining company had lost 11.73% over the past month, lagging the Basic Materials sector's loss of 7.2% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Pan American Silver in its upcoming release. In that report, analysts expect Pan American Silver to post earnings of $0.92 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 91.67%. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $1.24 billion, indicating a 44.54% upward movement from the same quarter last year.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $3.81 per share and revenue of $4.86 billion, which would represent changes of +50% and +34.28%, respectively, from the prior year.

Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Pan American Silver. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 0.12% upward. Pan American Silver is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.

From a valuation perspective, Pan American Silver is currently exchanging hands at a Forward P/E ratio of 11.89. This denotes no noticeable deviation relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 11.89.

Also, we should mention that PAAS has a PEG ratio of 4.45. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. As the market closed yesterday, the Mining - Silver industry was having an average PEG ratio of 4.45.

The Mining - Silver industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 214, putting it in the bottom 14% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to use Zacks.com to monitor all these stock-influencing metrics, and more, throughout the forthcoming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Why Intrusion Inc. (INTZ) Outpaced the Stock Market Today]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:15:04 GMT Intrusion Inc. (INTZ) closed the most recent trading day at $0.71, moving +2.91% from the previous trading session. This move outpaced the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.49%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.45%.

Heading into today, shares of the company had lost 11.54% over the past month, lagging the Computer and Technology sector's gain of 6.31% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Intrusion Inc. in its upcoming release. The company is predicted to post an EPS of -$0.07, indicating a 30% growth compared to the equivalent quarter last year. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $2.1 million, up 6.6% from the prior-year quarter.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of -$0.36 per share and revenue of $8.7 million, indicating changes of +21.74% and +22.6%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Intrusion Inc. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant within the past month. Intrusion Inc. currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

The Computer - Networking industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 112, finds itself in the top 46% echelons of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Don't forget to use Zacks.com to keep track of all these stock-moving metrics, and others, in the upcoming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Medpace (MEDP) Stock Declines While Market Improves: Some Information for Investors]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:15:04 GMT Medpace (MEDP) ended the recent trading session at $602.90, demonstrating a -2.84% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.58% for the day. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.49%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq increased by 0.45%.

Heading into today, shares of the provider of outsourced clinical development services had gained 4.94% over the past month, outpacing the Medical sector's loss of 4.26% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Medpace in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to go public on October 21, 2026. The company is expected to report EPS of $4.45, up 15.28% from the prior-year quarter. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $708.75 million, indicating a 7.4% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.

Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $17.54 per share and revenue of $2.84 billion. These totals would mark changes of +14.79% and +12.38%, respectively, from last year.

It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Medpace. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.

Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection remained stagnant. Medpace presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

In terms of valuation, Medpace is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 35.38. This valuation marks a premium compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 16.59.

One should further note that MEDP currently holds a PEG ratio of 2.77. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. The Medical Services industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 1.62 as of yesterday's close.

The Medical Services industry is part of the Medical sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 111, which puts it in the top 46% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to use Zacks.com to monitor all these stock-influencing metrics, and more, throughout the forthcoming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Steel Dynamics (STLD) Stock Falls Amid Market Uptick: What Investors Need to Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:15:03 GMT Steel Dynamics (STLD) ended the recent trading session at $238.17, demonstrating a -1.19% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.58%. At the same time, the Dow added 0.49%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.45%.

Shares of the steel producer and metals recycler witnessed a loss of 0.42% over the previous month, beating the performance of the Basic Materials sector with its loss of 7.2%, and underperforming the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Steel Dynamics in its upcoming release. The company is slated to reveal its earnings on October 19, 2026. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $5.44, showcasing a 98.54% upward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Simultaneously, our latest consensus estimate expects the revenue to be $6.13 billion, showing a 27.01% escalation compared to the year-ago quarter.

For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $17.71 per share and a revenue of $23.55 billion, representing changes of +121.65% and +29.55%, respectively, from the prior year.

Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Steel Dynamics. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.

Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.

The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 4.63% upward. Right now, Steel Dynamics possesses a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Valuation is also important, so investors should note that Steel Dynamics has a Forward P/E ratio of 13.61 right now. This signifies a premium in comparison to the average Forward P/E of 13.46 for its industry.

Meanwhile, STLD's PEG ratio is currently 0.44. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. The average PEG ratio for the Steel - Producers industry stood at 0.44 at the close of the market yesterday.

The Steel - Producers industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 61, putting it in the top 25% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[HudBay Minerals (HBM) Stock Drops Despite Market Gains: Important Facts to Note]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:15:03 GMT In the latest close session, HudBay Minerals (HBM) was down 1.14% at $26.95. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.58%. At the same time, the Dow added 0.49%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.45%.

Heading into today, shares of the mining company had lost 0.62% over the past month, outpacing the Basic Materials sector's loss of 7.2% and lagging the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of HudBay Minerals in its forthcoming earnings report. In that report, analysts expect HudBay Minerals to post earnings of $0.35 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 1066.67%. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $784.2 million, indicating a 126.12% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $1.43 per share and a revenue of $2.91 billion, demonstrating changes of +113.43% and +31.56%, respectively, from the preceding year.

Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for HudBay Minerals. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 2.78% downward. Currently, HudBay Minerals is carrying a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

In terms of valuation, HudBay Minerals is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 19.01. This denotes a premium relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 18.29.

It's also important to note that HBM currently trades at a PEG ratio of 0.46. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. Mining - Miscellaneous stocks are, on average, holding a PEG ratio of 1 based on yesterday's closing prices.

The Mining - Miscellaneous industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 198, this industry ranks in the bottom 20% of all industries, numbering over 250.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

To follow HBM in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Astrazeneca (AZN) Exceeds Market Returns: Some Facts to Consider]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:15:03 GMT In the latest trading session, Astrazeneca (AZN) closed at $158.61, marking a +1.33% move from the previous day. The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.58%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.49%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq increased by 0.45%.

Prior to today's trading, shares of the pharmaceutical had lost 3.79% was narrower than the Medical sector's loss of 4.26% and lagged the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Astrazeneca in its upcoming release. The company plans to announce its earnings on October 30, 2026. The company is predicted to post an EPS of $2.16, indicating a 9.24% decline compared to the equivalent quarter last year. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $16.07 billion, indicating a 5.82% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $9.37 per share and a revenue of $63.12 billion, demonstrating changes of +2.29% and +7.46%, respectively, from the preceding year.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Astrazeneca should also be noted by investors. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.

Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 0.29% increase. Right now, Astrazeneca possesses a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Valuation is also important, so investors should note that Astrazeneca has a Forward P/E ratio of 16.71 right now. This denotes a discount relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 22.46.

Investors should also note that AZN has a PEG ratio of 1.32 right now. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics was holding an average PEG ratio of 1.91 at yesterday's closing price.

The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry is part of the Medical sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 179, placing it within the bottom 28% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Why V.F. (VFC) Outpaced the Stock Market Today]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:15:03 GMT In the latest close session, V.F. (VFC) was up +1.26% at $14.45. The stock exceeded the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.58% for the day. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.49%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.45%.

Coming into today, shares of the maker of brands such as Vans, North Face and Timberland had gained 6.1% in the past month. In that same time, the Consumer Discretionary sector lost 5.62%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of V.F. in its upcoming earnings disclosure. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $0.51, marking a 1.92% fall compared to the same quarter of the previous year. At the same time, our most recent consensus estimate is projecting a revenue of $2.69 billion, reflecting a 3.89% fall from the equivalent quarter last year.

For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of $1.08 per share and a revenue of $9.53 billion, signifying shifts of +31.71% and -0.77%, respectively, from the last year.

Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for V.F. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.

Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 1.25% increase. V.F. is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.

In terms of valuation, V.F. is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 13.17. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 15.12, so one might conclude that V.F. is trading at a discount comparatively.

We can additionally observe that VFC currently boasts a PEG ratio of 0.76. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. Textile - Apparel stocks are, on average, holding a PEG ratio of 1.88 based on yesterday's closing prices.

The Textile - Apparel industry is part of the Consumer Discretionary sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 179, this industry ranks in the bottom 28% of all industries, numbering over 250.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to use Zacks.com to monitor all these stock-influencing metrics, and more, throughout the forthcoming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[American Tower (AMT) Outpaces Stock Market Gains: What You Should Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:15:03 GMT American Tower (AMT) ended the recent trading session at $164.78, demonstrating a +1.55% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.49%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.45%.

The stock of wireless communications infrastructure company has fallen by 7.73% in the past month, lagging the Finance sector's loss of 4.49% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of American Tower in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to go public on October 27, 2026. The company is expected to report EPS of $2.84, up 2.16% from the prior-year quarter. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $2.77 billion, up 2.06% from the year-ago period.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $11.11 per share and revenue of $11.04 billion, indicating changes of +3.25% and +3.68%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for American Tower. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed an unchanged state. As of now, American Tower holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Looking at valuation, American Tower is presently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 14.61. This valuation marks a premium compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 11.61.

It is also worth noting that AMT currently has a PEG ratio of 2.53. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. As the market closed yesterday, the REIT and Equity Trust - Other industry was having an average PEG ratio of 2.06.

The REIT and Equity Trust - Other industry is part of the Finance sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 106, positioning it in the top 44% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[American Airlines (AAL) Rises Higher Than Market: Key Facts]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:15:02 GMT American Airlines (AAL) closed at $13.00 in the latest trading session, marking a +1.33% move from the prior day. This move outpaced the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.49%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.45%.

The world's largest airline's stock has dropped by 2.28% in the past month, exceeding the Transportation sector's loss of 4.02% and lagging the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of American Airlines in its forthcoming earnings report. The company is scheduled to release its earnings on October 22, 2026. On that day, American Airlines is projected to report earnings of -$0.31 per share, which would represent a year-over-year decline of 82.35%. Simultaneously, our latest consensus estimate expects the revenue to be $16.12 billion, showing a 17.74% escalation compared to the year-ago quarter.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of -$0.28 per share and revenue of $63.03 billion, indicating changes of -177.78% and +15.36%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for American Airlines. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 76.55% fall in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. American Airlines currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

The Transportation - Airline industry is part of the Transportation sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 233, which puts it in the bottom 6% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Ensure to harness Zacks.com to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Ouster, Inc. (OUST) Outpaces Stock Market Gains: What You Should Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:15:02 GMT Ouster, Inc. (OUST) ended the recent trading session at $44.91, demonstrating a +1.79% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.58%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.49%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq increased by 0.45%.

The company's stock has climbed by 21.11% in the past month, exceeding the Computer and Technology sector's gain of 6.31% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Ouster, Inc. in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be -$0.3, reflecting a 18.92% increase from the same quarter last year. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $56.2 million, up 42.17% from the year-ago period.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of -$1.05 per share and a revenue of $222.1 million, demonstrating changes of +1.87% and +31.12%, respectively, from the preceding year.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Ouster, Inc. should also be noted by investors. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed an unchanged state. Ouster, Inc. is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.

The Electronics - Miscellaneous Components industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 76, which puts it in the top 31% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Bumble Inc. (BMBL) Stock Dips While Market Gains: Key Facts]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:15:02 GMT Bumble Inc. (BMBL) ended the recent trading session at $2.51, demonstrating a -1.57% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.58% for the day. At the same time, the Dow added 0.49%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.45%.

Prior to today's trading, shares of the company had lost 12.07% lagged the Computer and Technology sector's gain of 6.31% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Bumble Inc. in its forthcoming earnings report. On that day, Bumble Inc. is projected to report earnings of $0.24 per share, which would represent a year-over-year decline of 31.43%. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $210.25 million, down 14.59% from the year-ago period.

For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of -$0.08 per share and a revenue of $833.25 million, signifying shifts of +98.67% and -13.71%, respectively, from the last year.

It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Bumble Inc. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection remained stagnant. Currently, Bumble Inc. is carrying a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

The Internet - Software industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 107, placing it within the top 44% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[BlackRock (BLK) Laps the Stock Market: Here's Why]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:15:02 GMT In the latest close session, BlackRock (BLK) was up +1.22% at $1,079.42. The stock outpaced the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.49%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.45%.

Heading into today, shares of the investment firm had lost 4.98% over the past month, lagging the Finance sector's loss of 4.49% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of BlackRock in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to go public on October 14, 2026. On that day, BlackRock is projected to report earnings of $14.04 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 21.56%. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $7.45 billion, indicating a 14.52% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $55.86 per share and a revenue of $28.72 billion, demonstrating changes of +16.16% and +18.61%, respectively, from the preceding year.

Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for BlackRock. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 0% upward. Right now, BlackRock possesses a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Digging into valuation, BlackRock currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 19.09. This signifies a premium in comparison to the average Forward P/E of 10.74 for its industry.

One should further note that BLK currently holds a PEG ratio of 1.18. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. Financial - Investment Management stocks are, on average, holding a PEG ratio of 1.02 based on yesterday's closing prices.

The Financial - Investment Management industry is part of the Finance sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 162, which puts it in the bottom 35% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to use Zacks.com to monitor all these stock-influencing metrics, and more, throughout the forthcoming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Shell (SHEL) Beats Stock Market Upswing: What Investors Need to Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:15:01 GMT In the latest close session, Shell (SHEL) was up +1.14% at $97.62. This move outpaced the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.49%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.45%.

Prior to today's trading, shares of the oil and gas company had gained 3.84% outpaced the Oils-Energy sector's loss of 0.73% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Shell in its upcoming release. On that day, Shell is projected to report earnings of $2.98 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 60.22%. At the same time, our most recent consensus estimate is projecting a revenue of $92.42 billion, reflecting a 31.26% rise from the equivalent quarter last year.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $11.23 per share and revenue of $377.84 billion, which would represent changes of +78.25% and +38.03%, respectively, from the prior year.

Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Shell. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection has moved 4.32% higher. Shell is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.

Looking at valuation, Shell is presently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 8.59. This valuation marks a premium compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 8.31.

One should further note that SHEL currently holds a PEG ratio of 0.78. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. SHEL's industry had an average PEG ratio of 0.6 as of yesterday's close.

The Oil and Gas - Integrated - International industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 55, putting it in the top 23% of all 250+ industries.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Ensure to harness Zacks.com to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Dominion Energy (D) Surpasses Market Returns: Some Facts Worth Knowing]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:00:05 GMT Dominion Energy (D) closed the most recent trading day at $62.00, moving +1.61% from the previous trading session. The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.49%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.45%.

Prior to today's trading, shares of the energy company had lost 7.32% lagged the Utilities sector's loss of 5.94% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Dominion Energy in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company is predicted to post an EPS of $1.21, indicating a 14.15% growth compared to the equivalent quarter last year. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $4.93 billion, up 8.97% from the year-ago period.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $3.59 per share and a revenue of $18.41 billion, demonstrating changes of +4.97% and +11.55%, respectively, from the preceding year.

Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Dominion Energy. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.

Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has remained unchanged. Right now, Dominion Energy possesses a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

With respect to valuation, Dominion Energy is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 17.01. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 16.68, which means Dominion Energy is trading at a premium to the group.

One should further note that D currently holds a PEG ratio of 2.84. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. The Utility - Electric Power industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 2.46 as of yesterday's close.

The Utility - Electric Power industry is part of the Utilities sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 112, placing it within the top 46% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Vital Farms (VITL) Rises Higher Than Market: Key Facts]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:00:05 GMT Vital Farms (VITL) ended the recent trading session at $9.42, demonstrating a +1.84% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock exceeded the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.58% for the day. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.49%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.45%.

Shares of the company witnessed a loss of 6.75% over the previous month, trailing the performance of the Consumer Staples sector with its loss of 4.89%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Vital Farms in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of -$0.13, showcasing a 136.11% downward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $190.5 million, indicating a 4.24% decrease compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of -$0.48 per share and a revenue of $777.9 million, representing changes of -133.33% and +2.43%, respectively, from the prior year.

It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Vital Farms. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant within the past month. Vital Farms is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

The Food - Miscellaneous industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 211, this industry ranks in the bottom 15% of all industries, numbering over 250.

The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to use Zacks.com to monitor all these stock-influencing metrics, and more, throughout the forthcoming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Sunrun (RUN) Exceeds Market Returns: Some Facts to Consider]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:00:04 GMT Sunrun (RUN) ended the recent trading session at $7.77, demonstrating a +2.1% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock exceeded the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.58% for the day. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.49%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.45%.

Coming into today, shares of the solar energy products distributor had lost 14.4% in the past month. In that same time, the Oils-Energy sector lost 0.73%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.84%.

The upcoming earnings release of Sunrun will be of great interest to investors. The company is expected to report EPS of $0.16, up 166.67% from the prior-year quarter. At the same time, our most recent consensus estimate is projecting a revenue of $773.4 million, reflecting a 6.74% rise from the equivalent quarter last year.

RUN's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $1.19 per share and revenue of $3.12 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of -30.41% and +5.49%, respectively.

Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Sunrun. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.

Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.

Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 0.33% increase. Sunrun currently has a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

Looking at its valuation, Sunrun is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 6.41. This represents a discount compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 13.68.

The Solar industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 222, which puts it in the bottom 10% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Upstart Holdings, Inc. (UPST) Stock Sinks As Market Gains: Here's Why]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:00:04 GMT In the latest close session, Upstart Holdings, Inc. (UPST) was down 2.01% at $23.86. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. At the same time, the Dow added 0.49%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.45%.

Prior to today's trading, shares of the company had lost 13.19% lagged the Finance sector's loss of 4.49% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The upcoming earnings release of Upstart Holdings, Inc. will be of great interest to investors. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $0.6, marking a 15.38% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $364.63 million, indicating a 31.58% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.

UPST's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $2.2 per share and revenue of $1.42 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +26.44% and +36%, respectively.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Upstart Holdings, Inc. should also be noted by investors. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.

The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed an unchanged state. Right now, Upstart Holdings, Inc. possesses a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

Looking at its valuation, Upstart Holdings, Inc. is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 11.07. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 11.17 of its industry.

It is also worth noting that UPST currently has a PEG ratio of 0.28. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. The Financial - Miscellaneous Services was holding an average PEG ratio of 0.96 at yesterday's closing price.

The Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry is part of the Finance sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 171, this industry ranks in the bottom 31% of all industries, numbering over 250.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Southern Co. (SO) Laps the Stock Market: Here's Why]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:00:04 GMT Southern Co. (SO) ended the recent trading session at $85.44, demonstrating a +1.97% change from the preceding day's closing price. This move outpaced the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. At the same time, the Dow added 0.49%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.45%.

Prior to today's trading, shares of the power company had lost 4.9% was narrower than the Utilities sector's loss of 5.94% and lagged the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The upcoming earnings release of Southern Co. will be of great interest to investors. The company's earnings report is expected on November 5, 2026. The company is predicted to post an EPS of $1.65, indicating a 3.13% growth compared to the equivalent quarter last year. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $8.34 billion, up 6.56% from the year-ago period.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $4.59 per share and a revenue of $31.04 billion, demonstrating changes of +6.74% and +5.02%, respectively, from the preceding year.

Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Southern Co. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been no change in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Southern Co. is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Investors should also note Southern Co.'s current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 18.25. This valuation marks a premium compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 16.68.

It's also important to note that SO currently trades at a PEG ratio of 2.23. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. The Utility - Electric Power was holding an average PEG ratio of 2.46 at yesterday's closing price.

The Utility - Electric Power industry is part of the Utilities sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 112, placing it within the top 46% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Ensure to harness Zacks.com to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Duke Energy (DUK) Laps the Stock Market: Here's Why]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:00:03 GMT In the latest close session, Duke Energy (DUK) was up +1.6% at $115.66. The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.49%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.45%.

Coming into today, shares of the electric utility had lost 5.31% in the past month. In that same time, the Utilities sector lost 5.94%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.84%.

The upcoming earnings release of Duke Energy will be of great interest to investors. On that day, Duke Energy is projected to report earnings of $1.85 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 2.21%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $8.86 billion, up 3.74% from the prior-year quarter.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $6.72 per share and revenue of $33.79 billion, indicating changes of +6.5% and +4.81%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Duke Energy should also be noted by investors. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.

Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 0.01% fall in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Duke Energy is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.

Digging into valuation, Duke Energy currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 16.94. This indicates a premium in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 16.68.

One should further note that DUK currently holds a PEG ratio of 2.66. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. As of the close of trade yesterday, the Utility - Electric Power industry held an average PEG ratio of 2.46.

The Utility - Electric Power industry is part of the Utilities sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 112, putting it in the top 46% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Don't forget to use Zacks.com to keep track of all these stock-moving metrics, and others, in the upcoming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Louisiana-Pacific (LPX) Exceeds Market Returns: Some Facts to Consider]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:00:03 GMT Louisiana-Pacific (LPX) ended the recent trading session at $66.89, demonstrating a +2.45% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock's performance was ahead of the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.49%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.45%.

Heading into today, shares of the home construction supplier had lost 4.22% over the past month, lagging the Construction sector's loss of 3.73% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The upcoming earnings release of Louisiana-Pacific will be of great interest to investors. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $0.28, showcasing a 22.22% downward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $666.25 million, indicating a 0.49% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $1.17 per share and revenue of $2.52 billion, which would represent changes of -55.85% and -6.79%, respectively, from the prior year.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Louisiana-Pacific should also be noted by investors. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.

Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant within the past month. Currently, Louisiana-Pacific is carrying a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

With respect to valuation, Louisiana-Pacific is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 55.99. This denotes a premium relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 25.46.

Meanwhile, LPX's PEG ratio is currently 9.24. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. Building Products - Wood stocks are, on average, holding a PEG ratio of 1.9 based on yesterday's closing prices.

The Building Products - Wood industry is part of the Construction sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 112, this industry ranks in the top 46% of all industries, numbering over 250.

The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Archrock Inc. (AROC) Outpaces Stock Market Gains: What You Should Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:00:03 GMT Archrock Inc. (AROC) closed the most recent trading day at $30.83, moving +2.43% from the previous trading session. The stock outpaced the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.49%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.45%.

The natural gas compression services business's shares have seen a decrease of 7.92% over the last month, not keeping up with the Oils-Energy sector's loss of 0.73% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Archrock Inc. in its upcoming earnings disclosure. On that day, Archrock Inc. is projected to report earnings of $0.45 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 7.14%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $382.43 million, unchanged from the prior-year quarter.

AROC's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $1.73 per share and revenue of $1.51 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of -8.95% and +1.48%, respectively.

Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Archrock Inc. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.

Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.

The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant within the past month. As of now, Archrock Inc. holds a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

Investors should also note Archrock Inc.'s current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 17.43. This indicates a discount in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 21.74.

Also, we should mention that AROC has a PEG ratio of 1.45. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. As the market closed yesterday, the Oil and Gas - Field Services industry was having an average PEG ratio of 1.89.

The Oil and Gas - Field Services industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 74, positioning it in the top 31% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Fiverr International (FVRR) Stock Declines While Market Improves: Some Information for Investors]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:00:03 GMT Fiverr International (FVRR) closed the most recent trading day at $8.47, moving -1.4% from the previous trading session. The stock's change was less than the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.49%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.45%.

Prior to today's trading, shares of the online marketplace for freelance services had lost 7.14% lagged the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 4.5% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Fiverr International in its upcoming release. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $0.36, showcasing a 53.25% downward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $84.48 million, down 21.71% from the year-ago period.

In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $1.83 per share and a revenue of $367.63 million, indicating changes of -37.97% and -14.69%, respectively, from the former year.

Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Fiverr International. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.

Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed an unchanged state. Fiverr International is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

In terms of valuation, Fiverr International is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 4.69. This signifies a discount in comparison to the average Forward P/E of 14.69 for its industry.

The Internet - Commerce industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 193, positioning it in the bottom 22% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Humacyte, Inc. (HUMA) Stock Slides as Market Rises: Facts to Know Before You Trade]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:00:02 GMT Humacyte, Inc. (HUMA) closed at $0.48 in the latest trading session, marking a -4.26% move from the prior day. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.58% for the day. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.49%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.45%.

Shares of the company witnessed a loss of 17.34% over the previous month, trailing the performance of the Medical sector with its loss of 4.26%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Humacyte, Inc. in its upcoming release. The company is expected to report EPS of -$0.09, up 35.71% from the prior-year quarter. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $0.86 million, up 14.67% from the prior-year quarter.

In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of -$0.4 per share and a revenue of $4.05 million, indicating changes of -53.85% and +98.48%, respectively, from the former year.

Investors should also pay attention to any latest changes in analyst estimates for Humacyte, Inc. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.

Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has remained steady. At present, Humacyte, Inc. boasts a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry is part of the Medical sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 179, this industry ranks in the bottom 28% of all industries, numbering over 250.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Ensure to harness Zacks.com to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Crocs (CROX) Surpasses Market Returns: Some Facts Worth Knowing]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:00:02 GMT In the latest trading session, Crocs (CROX) closed at $120.33, marking a +1.81% move from the previous day. The stock's performance was ahead of the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.49%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.45%.

Prior to today's trading, shares of the footwear company had gained 0.56% outpaced the Consumer Discretionary sector's loss of 5.62% and lagged the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Crocs in its upcoming release. The company is expected to report EPS of $3.3, up 13.01% from the prior-year quarter. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $1 billion, indicating a 0.72% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $13.95 per share and revenue of $4.11 billion, which would represent changes of +11.51% and +1.62%, respectively, from the prior year.

It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Crocs. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.

Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection remained stagnant. Currently, Crocs is carrying a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

In terms of valuation, Crocs is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 8.47. This denotes a discount relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 15.12.

We can additionally observe that CROX currently boasts a PEG ratio of 0.99. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. By the end of yesterday's trading, the Textile - Apparel industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.88.

The Textile - Apparel industry is part of the Consumer Discretionary sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 179, this industry ranks in the bottom 28% of all industries, numbering over 250.

The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[CRH (CRH) Beats Stock Market Upswing: What Investors Need to Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:00:02 GMT CRH (CRH) closed at $83.60 in the latest trading session, marking a +1.15% move from the prior day. The stock's change was more than the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.49%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.45%.

Shares of the building material company witnessed a loss of 12.32% over the previous month, trailing the performance of the Construction sector with its loss of 3.73%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of CRH in its upcoming earnings disclosure. In that report, analysts expect CRH to post earnings of $2.27 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 2.71%. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $11.6 billion, up 4.83% from the year-ago period.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $5.9 per share and revenue of $39.71 billion, which would represent changes of +5.92% and +6.05%, respectively, from the prior year.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for CRH should also be noted by investors. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.

The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has remained unchanged. Right now, CRH possesses a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

Digging into valuation, CRH currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 14.01. This indicates a discount in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 15.89.

It's also important to note that CRH currently trades at a PEG ratio of 1.62. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. By the end of yesterday's trading, the Building Products - Miscellaneous industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.46.

The Building Products - Miscellaneous industry is part of the Construction sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 195, placing it within the bottom 21% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Alaska Air Group (ALK) Laps the Stock Market: Here's Why]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:00:02 GMT Alaska Air Group (ALK) ended the recent trading session at $39.89, demonstrating a +1.79% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock's performance was ahead of the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.49%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.45%.

Shares of the airline have depreciated by 6.78% over the course of the past month, underperforming the Transportation sector's loss of 4.02%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The upcoming earnings release of Alaska Air Group will be of great interest to investors. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be $0.44, reflecting a 58.1% decrease from the same quarter last year. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $4.31 billion, up 14.46% from the year-ago period.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of -$2.05 per share and revenue of $15.81 billion, indicating changes of -184.02% and +11.03%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Alaska Air Group should also be noted by investors. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.

Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 17.42% decrease. As of now, Alaska Air Group holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

The Transportation - Airline industry is part of the Transportation sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 233, positioning it in the bottom 6% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Constellation Brands (STZ) Q2 Earnings: Taking a Look at Key Metrics Versus Estimates]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:00:01 GMT Constellation Brands (STZ) reported $2.63 billion in revenue for the quarter ended August 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 6.1%. EPS of $3.74 for the same period compares to $3.63 a year ago.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of +2.46% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.57 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $3.62, the EPS surprise was +3.32%.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.

Here is how Constellation Brands performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
  • Net Sales- Wine and Spirits: $159.4 million versus $135.95 million estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +17.2% change.
  • Net Sales- Beer: $2.47 billion compared to the $2.43 billion average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of +5.5% year over year.
  • Operating Income- Beer: $964.2 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $958.64 million.
  • Operating Income- Corporate Operations and Other: $-73.7 million compared to the $-52.34 million average estimate based on four analysts.
  • Operating Income- Wine and Spirits: $6.1 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $2.85 million.

View all Key Company Metrics for Constellation Brands here>>>

Shares of Constellation Brands have returned -11.6% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.8% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Plug Power (PLUG) Stock Sinks As Market Gains: What You Should Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:05 GMT Plug Power (PLUG) closed at $1.86 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.59% move from the prior day. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.49%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.45%.

The alternative energy company's stock has dropped by 12.9% in the past month, falling short of the Computer and Technology sector's gain of 6.31% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Plug Power in its upcoming earnings disclosure. On that day, Plug Power is projected to report earnings of -$0.07 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 41.67%. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $185.14 million, indicating a 4.57% upward movement from the same quarter last year.

For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of -$0.41 per share and a revenue of $817.52 million, signifying shifts of +71.13% and +15.16%, respectively, from the last year.

It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Plug Power. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.

Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has remained unchanged. Currently, Plug Power is carrying a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

The Electronics - Miscellaneous Products industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 57, putting it in the top 24% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Unity Software Inc. (U) Stock Declines While Market Improves: Some Information for Investors]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:05 GMT Unity Software Inc. (U) closed at $44.95 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.6% move from the prior day. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.58%. At the same time, the Dow added 0.49%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.45%.

The company's shares have seen an increase of 9.65% over the last month, surpassing the Computer and Technology sector's gain of 6.31% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Unity Software Inc. in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company is predicted to post an EPS of $0.34, indicating a 70% growth compared to the equivalent quarter last year. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $564.84 million, up 20.02% from the prior-year quarter.

For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $1.21 per share and a revenue of $2.22 billion, representing changes of +40.7% and +19.95%, respectively, from the prior year.

Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for Unity Software Inc. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.

Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed an unchanged state. Unity Software Inc. is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

From a valuation perspective, Unity Software Inc. is currently exchanging hands at a Forward P/E ratio of 37.75. This indicates a premium in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 19.7.

Meanwhile, U's PEG ratio is currently 0.91. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. By the end of yesterday's trading, the Internet - Software industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.18.

The Internet - Software industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 107, positioning it in the top 44% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[SharkNinja, Inc. (SN) Outperforms Broader Market: What You Need to Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:05 GMT In the latest close session, SharkNinja, Inc. (SN) was up +1.11% at $184.72. This move outpaced the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.49%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.45%.

The stock of company has risen by 5.37% in the past month, leading the Consumer Discretionary sector's loss of 5.62% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of SharkNinja, Inc. in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $1.89, signifying a 26.00% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $1.86 billion, up 14.04% from the year-ago period.

In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $6.54 per share and a revenue of $7.48 billion, indicating changes of +23.86% and +16.83%, respectively, from the former year.

Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for SharkNinja, Inc. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Over the past month, there's been no change in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. SharkNinja, Inc. is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Valuation is also important, so investors should note that SharkNinja, Inc. has a Forward P/E ratio of 27.93 right now. This represents a premium compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 14.3.

Also, we should mention that SN has a PEG ratio of 1.94. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. As the market closed yesterday, the Consumer Products - Discretionary industry was having an average PEG ratio of 1.72.

The Consumer Products - Discretionary industry is part of the Consumer Discretionary sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 108, positioning it in the top 44% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Don't forget to use Zacks.com to keep track of all these stock-moving metrics, and others, in the upcoming trading sessions.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Leidos (LDOS) Stock Slides as Market Rises: Facts to Know Before You Trade]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:05 GMT Leidos (LDOS) ended the recent trading session at $116.69, demonstrating a -2.31% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.49%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.45%.

Heading into today, shares of the security and engineering company had lost 10.22% over the past month, lagging the Computer and Technology sector's gain of 6.31% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Leidos in its upcoming release. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $3, marking a 1.64% fall compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $4.72 billion, up 5.52% from the year-ago period.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $12.28 per share and revenue of $18.29 billion, which would represent changes of +2.42% and +6.52%, respectively, from the prior year.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Leidos should also be noted by investors. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 0.86% fall in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Leidos presently features a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

In terms of valuation, Leidos is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 9.73. This valuation marks a discount compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 13.31.

One should further note that LDOS currently holds a PEG ratio of 1.34. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. The Computers - IT Services industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.34 as trading concluded yesterday.

The Computers - IT Services industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 94, putting it in the top 39% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Recursion Pharmaceuticals (RXRX) Stock Declines While Market Improves: Some Information for Investors]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:05 GMT In the latest close session, Recursion Pharmaceuticals (RXRX) was down 3.14% at $4.63. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.49%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.45%.

Coming into today, shares of the biotechnology company had gained 31.68% in the past month. In that same time, the Medical sector lost 4.26%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Recursion Pharmaceuticals in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of -$0.24, showcasing a 33.33% upward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $8.42 million, indicating a 62.57% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.

Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of -$0.94 per share and revenue of $40.32 million. These totals would mark changes of +34.72% and -46.01%, respectively, from last year.

Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for Recursion Pharmaceuticals. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.

Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.

Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 2.17% lower. Recursion Pharmaceuticals is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry is part of the Medical sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 179, positioning it in the bottom 28% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Don't forget to use Zacks.com to keep track of all these stock-moving metrics, and others, in the upcoming trading sessions.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Why Enbridge (ENB) Outpaced the Stock Market Today]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:04 GMT Enbridge (ENB) ended the recent trading session at $46.54, demonstrating a +1.09% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock outpaced the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.49%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.45%.

The stock of oil and natural gas transportation and power transmission company has fallen by 8.09% in the past month, lagging the Oils-Energy sector's loss of 0.73% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Enbridge in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to be unveiled on November 6, 2026. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $0.38, showcasing a 15.15% upward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. At the same time, our most recent consensus estimate is projecting a revenue of $10.5 billion, reflecting a 1.27% fall from the equivalent quarter last year.

For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $2.11 per share and a revenue of $57.79 billion, representing changes of -2.31% and +24.03%, respectively, from the prior year.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Enbridge should also be noted by investors. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.14% higher. Enbridge is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

In terms of valuation, Enbridge is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 21.81. This indicates a premium in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 18.91.

One should further note that ENB currently holds a PEG ratio of 5.45. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. ENB's industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.82 as of yesterday's close.

The Oil and Gas - Production and Pipelines industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 58, putting it in the top 24% of all 250+ industries.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Why Procter & Gamble (PG) Outpaced the Stock Market Today]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:04 GMT Procter & Gamble (PG) closed the most recent trading day at $148.41, moving +1.69% from the previous trading session. The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.49%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.45%.

Shares of the world's largest consumer products maker have depreciated by 0.34% over the course of the past month, outperforming the Consumer Staples sector's loss of 4.89%, and lagging the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Procter & Gamble in its upcoming release. The company is slated to reveal its earnings on October 22, 2026. The company is predicted to post an EPS of $1.89, indicating a 5.03% decline compared to the equivalent quarter last year. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $22.68 billion, indicating a 1.33% upward movement from the same quarter last year.

Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $6.98 per share and revenue of $88.67 billion. These totals would mark changes of +1.31% and +1.88%, respectively, from last year.

It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Procter & Gamble. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.

Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 0.04% downward. Procter & Gamble is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

In terms of valuation, Procter & Gamble is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 20.9. This valuation marks a premium compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 19.41.

We can additionally observe that PG currently boasts a PEG ratio of 3.62. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. The Consumer Products - Staples industry had an average PEG ratio of 2.46 as trading concluded yesterday.

The Consumer Products - Staples industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 195, positioning it in the bottom 21% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Don't forget to use Zacks.com to keep track of all these stock-moving metrics, and others, in the upcoming trading sessions.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Petrobras (PBR) Stock Sinks As Market Gains: Here's Why]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:04 GMT In the latest close session, Petrobras (PBR) was down 1.33% at $23.82. This change lagged the S&P 500's 0.58% gain on the day. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.49%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.45%.

Shares of the oil and gas company witnessed a gain of 19.98% over the previous month, beating the performance of the Oils-Energy sector with its loss of 0.73%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Petrobras in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to go public on November 10, 2026. In that report, analysts expect Petrobras to post earnings of $1.21 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 47.56%. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $31.84 billion, indicating a 35.62% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.

Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $4.81 per share and revenue of $120.93 billion. These totals would mark changes of +71.79% and +35.58%, respectively, from last year.

It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Petrobras. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.

The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has remained steady. Petrobras is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Valuation is also important, so investors should note that Petrobras has a Forward P/E ratio of 5.02 right now. This represents a discount compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 8.31.

It is also worth noting that PBR currently has a PEG ratio of 0.95. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. The Oil and Gas - Integrated - International was holding an average PEG ratio of 0.6 at yesterday's closing price.

The Oil and Gas - Integrated - International industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 55, placing it within the top 23% of over 250 industries.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Ensure to harness Zacks.com to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Merck (MRK) Beats Stock Market Upswing: What Investors Need to Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:04 GMT In the latest trading session, Merck (MRK) closed at $141.94, marking a +1.72% move from the previous day. The stock exceeded the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.58% for the day. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.49%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.45%.

Prior to today's trading, shares of the pharmaceutical company had lost 7.18% lagged the Medical sector's loss of 4.26% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Merck in its upcoming release. The company plans to announce its earnings on October 29, 2026. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $2.25, showcasing a 12.79% downward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $17.52 billion, indicating a 1.39% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

MRK's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $2.77 per share and revenue of $67.25 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of -69.15% and +3.44%, respectively.

Investors should also pay attention to any latest changes in analyst estimates for Merck. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.07% lower within the past month. Merck currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Looking at its valuation, Merck is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 50.47. This represents a premium compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 15.89.

Meanwhile, MRK's PEG ratio is currently 6.07. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. The Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 1.86 as of yesterday's close.

The Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry is part of the Medical sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 100, placing it within the top 41% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Monday.com (MNDY) Beats Stock Market Upswing: What Investors Need to Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:04 GMT Monday.com (MNDY) closed at $84.29 in the latest trading session, marking a +1.97% move from the prior day. The stock's change was more than the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.49%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.45%.

Coming into today, shares of the project management software developer had lost 9.23% in the past month. In that same time, the Computer and Technology sector gained 6.31%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.84%.

The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Monday.com in its forthcoming earnings report. In that report, analysts expect Monday.com to post earnings of $1.43 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 23.28%. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $368.34 million, indicating a 16.25% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.

In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $5.58 per share and a revenue of $1.47 billion, indicating changes of +26.82% and +19.29%, respectively, from the former year.

It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Mondaycom. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 3.85% increase. At present, Monday.com boasts a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

In terms of valuation, Monday.com is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 14.8. This represents a discount compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 19.7.

It's also important to note that MNDY currently trades at a PEG ratio of 0.78. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. The Internet - Software industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 1.18 as of yesterday's close.

The Internet - Software industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 107, finds itself in the top 44% echelons of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Ensure to harness Zacks.com to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. (MARA) Stock Dips While Market Gains: Key Facts]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:04 GMT Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. (MARA) closed at $10.97 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.79% move from the prior day. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.49%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.45%.

The company's stock has dropped by 1.24% in the past month, exceeding the Finance sector's loss of 4.49% and lagging the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. in its upcoming earnings disclosure. On that day, Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. is projected to report earnings of -$0.04 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 87.5%. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $204.88 million, indicating a 18.83% decrease compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of -$5.25 per share and revenue of $795.44 million, indicating changes of -42.28% and -12.31%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.

Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 36.17% upward. As of now, Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

The Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry is part of the Finance sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 171, placing it within the bottom 31% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Don't forget to use Zacks.com to keep track of all these stock-moving metrics, and others, in the upcoming trading sessions.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Cava Group (CAVA) Stock Sinks As Market Gains: What You Should Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:03 GMT In the latest close session, Cava Group (CAVA) was down 2.7% at $52.64. This change lagged the S&P 500's 0.58% gain on the day. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.49%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.45%.

Heading into today, shares of the Mediterranean restaurant chain had lost 10.96% over the past month, lagging the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 4.5% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Cava Group in its upcoming release. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be $0.12, reflecting no change from the same quarter last year. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $357.82 million, indicating a 22.44% upward movement from the same quarter last year.

For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $0.55 per share and a revenue of $1.51 billion, representing changes of +1.85% and +27.72%, respectively, from the prior year.

Investors should also pay attention to any latest changes in analyst estimates for Cava Group. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 0.21% increase. Right now, Cava Group possesses a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Investors should also note Cava Group's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 98.81. This represents a premium compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 18.82.

We can also see that CAVA currently has a PEG ratio of 4.19. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. As the market closed yesterday, the Retail - Restaurants industry was having an average PEG ratio of 1.7.

The Retail - Restaurants industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 162, putting it in the bottom 35% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Why Enphase Energy (ENPH) Outpaced the Stock Market Today]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:03 GMT In the latest trading session, Enphase Energy (ENPH) closed at $33.91, marking a +1.38% move from the previous day. The stock exceeded the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.58% for the day. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.49%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq increased by 0.45%.

The stock of solar technology company has fallen by 8.03% in the past month, lagging the Oils-Energy sector's loss of 0.73% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The upcoming earnings release of Enphase Energy will be of great interest to investors. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $0.48, showcasing a 46.67% downward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $306.7 million, down 25.27% from the prior-year quarter.

Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $1.93 per share and revenue of $1.19 billion. These totals would mark changes of -34.8% and -19.17%, respectively, from last year.

It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Enphase Energy. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 1.08% lower within the past month. Currently, Enphase Energy is carrying a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

Looking at its valuation, Enphase Energy is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 17.38. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 13.68, which means Enphase Energy is trading at a premium to the group.

The Solar industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 222, positioning it in the bottom 10% of all 250+ industries.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Why Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) Outpaced the Stock Market Today]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:03 GMT In the latest close session, Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) was up +1.72% at $359.55. This move outpaced the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.49%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.45%.

The maker of hardware and software products for validating chip designs's shares have seen an increase of 20.76% over the last month, surpassing the Computer and Technology sector's gain of 6.31% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Cadence Design Systems in its upcoming release. The company is slated to reveal its earnings on October 26, 2026. On that day, Cadence Design Systems is projected to report earnings of $2.04 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 5.7%. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $1.61 billion, indicating a 20.23% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $8.13 per share and revenue of $6.32 billion, which would represent changes of +13.87% and +19.28%, respectively, from the prior year.

Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Cadence Design Systems. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 0.07% upward. Cadence Design Systems is holding a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) right now.

Valuation is also important, so investors should note that Cadence Design Systems has a Forward P/E ratio of 43.49 right now. This indicates a premium in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 16.67.

We can also see that CDNS currently has a PEG ratio of 2.99. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. The Computer - Software was holding an average PEG ratio of 1.44 at yesterday's closing price.

The Computer - Software industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 61, positioning it in the top 25% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Ecopetrol (EC) Stock Declines While Market Improves: Some Information for Investors]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:03 GMT In the latest trading session, Ecopetrol (EC) closed at $16.96, marking a -1.68% move from the previous day. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.58% for the day. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.49%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq increased by 0.45%.

Shares of the oil and natural gas exploration company have by 0% over the course of the past month, outperforming the Oils-Energy sector's loss of 0.73%, and lagging the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Ecopetrol in its upcoming earnings disclosure. On that day, Ecopetrol is projected to report earnings of $0.5 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 61.29%. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $9.75 billion, indicating a 30.69% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $2.08 per share and a revenue of $38.57 billion, indicating changes of +65.08% and +30.33%, respectively, from the former year.

Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Ecopetrol. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.

Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 12.47% higher. Ecopetrol currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

From a valuation perspective, Ecopetrol is currently exchanging hands at a Forward P/E ratio of 8.31. This represents no noticeable deviation compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 8.31.

One should further note that EC currently holds a PEG ratio of 1.14. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. The Oil and Gas - Integrated - International industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 0.6 as of yesterday's close.

The Oil and Gas - Integrated - International industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 55, which puts it in the top 23% of all 250+ industries.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

To follow EC in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[CRISPR Therapeutics AG (CRSP) Stock Slides as Market Rises: Facts to Know Before You Trade]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:03 GMT In the latest close session, CRISPR Therapeutics AG (CRSP) was down 5.82% at $54.00. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.49%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.45%.

Shares of the company have appreciated by 2.78% over the course of the past month, outperforming the Medical sector's loss of 4.26%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of CRISPR Therapeutics AG in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company is predicted to post an EPS of -$1.06, indicating a 9.4% growth compared to the equivalent quarter last year. At the same time, our most recent consensus estimate is projecting a revenue of $9.53 million, reflecting a 971.24% rise from the equivalent quarter last year.

For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of -$4.47 per share and a revenue of $30.59 million, signifying shifts of +30.91% and +771.54%, respectively, from the last year.

Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for CRISPR Therapeutics AG. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.

Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been no change in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. As of now, CRISPR Therapeutics AG holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry is part of the Medical sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 179, placing it within the bottom 28% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Don't forget to use Zacks.com to keep track of all these stock-moving metrics, and others, in the upcoming trading sessions.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Coupang, Inc. (CPNG) Rises Higher Than Market: Key Facts]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:03 GMT Coupang, Inc. (CPNG) ended the recent trading session at $14.42, demonstrating a +1.55% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock's performance was ahead of the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.49%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.45%.

The stock of company has fallen by 7.13% in the past month, lagging the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 4.5% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Coupang, Inc. in its upcoming earnings disclosure. In that report, analysts expect Coupang, Inc. to post earnings of -$0.23 per share. This would mark a year-over-year decline of 560%. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $9.75 billion, indicating a 5.16% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of -$0.46 per share and a revenue of $37.04 billion, demonstrating changes of -483.33% and +7.25%, respectively, from the preceding year.

It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Coupang, Inc. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has remained steady. Coupang, Inc. is currently a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

The Internet - Commerce industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 193, positioning it in the bottom 22% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Abbott (ABT) Stock Drops Despite Market Gains: Important Facts to Note]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:02 GMT In the latest close session, Abbott (ABT) was down 1.94% at $98.16. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.49%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.45%.

Coming into today, shares of the maker of infant formula, medical devices and drugs had lost 7.6% in the past month. In that same time, the Medical sector lost 4.26%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.84%.

The upcoming earnings release of Abbott will be of great interest to investors. The company's earnings report is expected on October 21, 2026. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $1.43, marking a 10% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $12.91 billion, up 13.52% from the prior-year quarter.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $5.52 per share and revenue of $50.32 billion, indicating changes of +7.18% and +13.51%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Investors should also pay attention to any latest changes in analyst estimates for Abbott. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.

Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed an unchanged state. Abbott is holding a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) right now.

Looking at valuation, Abbott is presently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 18.13. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 19.6 of its industry.

One should further note that ABT currently holds a PEG ratio of 1.86. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. The Medical - Products industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.77 as trading concluded yesterday.

The Medical - Products industry is part of the Medical sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 161, placing it within the bottom 35% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Amkor Technology (AMKR) Stock Slides as Market Rises: Facts to Know Before You Trade]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:02 GMT Amkor Technology (AMKR) closed the most recent trading day at $53.39, moving -2.27% from the previous trading session. The stock's change was less than the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. At the same time, the Dow added 0.49%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.45%.

Coming into today, shares of the chip packaging and test services provider had gained 14.36% in the past month. In that same time, the Computer and Technology sector gained 6.31%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.84%.

Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Amkor Technology in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to be unveiled on October 26, 2026. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $0.79, marking a 54.9% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $2.02 billion, indicating a 1.54% upward movement from the same quarter last year.

For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $2.6 per share and a revenue of $7.64 billion, representing changes of +73.33% and +13.95%, respectively, from the prior year.

Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Amkor Technology. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.

Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed an unchanged state. Amkor Technology is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.

Digging into valuation, Amkor Technology currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 20.99. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 40.25 of its industry.

It's also important to note that AMKR currently trades at a PEG ratio of 0.67. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. The Electronics - Semiconductors industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.37 as trading concluded yesterday.

The Electronics - Semiconductors industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 108, placing it within the top 44% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Albemarle (ALB) Beats Stock Market Upswing: What Investors Need to Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:50:02 GMT Albemarle (ALB) closed at $106.35 in the latest trading session, marking a +1.9% move from the prior day. This change outpaced the S&P 500's 0.58% gain on the day. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.49%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.45%.

Shares of the specialty chemicals company witnessed a loss of 17.35% over the previous month, trailing the performance of the Basic Materials sector with its loss of 7.2%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Albemarle in its forthcoming earnings report. The company is scheduled to release its earnings on November 4, 2026. In that report, analysts expect Albemarle to post earnings of $2.55 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 1442.11%. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $1.52 billion, indicating a 16.07% upward movement from the same quarter last year.

ALB's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $11.37 per share and revenue of $6.1 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +1539.24% and +18.69%, respectively.

It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Albemarle. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.15% lower. At present, Albemarle boasts a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

Looking at its valuation, Albemarle is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 9.18. This represents a discount compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 15.29.

We can also see that ALB currently has a PEG ratio of 0.61. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. The Chemical - Diversified industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 1.19 as of yesterday's close.

The Chemical - Diversified industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 193, putting it in the bottom 22% of all 250+ industries.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to use Zacks.com to monitor all these stock-influencing metrics, and more, throughout the forthcoming trading sessions.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Top Stock Picks for Week of October 5, 2026]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:47:00 GMT

NetApp, Inc. (NTAP) provides enterprise storage as well as data management software and hardware products and services.NetApp is benefiting from higher enterprise spending on AI-ready storage, with all-flash, Public Cloud and Keystone demand broadening across customer types. The increase in NetApp’s share price is being supported by its expanding cloud, AI and enterprise data infrastructure presence. Its unified platform supports data modernization across on-premises and cloud environments, while product and acquisition activity expands AI and migration use cases. Raised fiscal 2027 revenues and earnings guidance points to operating leverage. These positives are balanced by higher component costs and a richer product mix that are expected to lower gross margin despite pricing actions. NetApp’s model continues to support investment and capital returns as revenue expands. This data storage company is expected to post quarterly earnings in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +26.8%. Revenues are expected to be up 23.8% from the year-ago quarter. It has been about a month since the last earnings report for NetApp. Shares have added about 16% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.

Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET) is engaged in providing cloud networking solutions for data centers and cloud computing environments. Arista is positioned to benefit from sustained investment in AI, cloud and enterprise networking as customers expand high-speed Ethernet infrastructure. Its leadership in software-driven switching, growing AI fabric adoption, broader campus and routing reach, and continued product innovation support a durable growth outlook. Expanding automation capabilities and a broad portfolio deepen customer engagement across networking environments. Healthy cash generation and substantial liquidity provide flexibility to fund product development and manufacturing expansion. The company’s technology breadth, software differentiation and expanding addressable markets continue to support favorable long-term growth.Estimates have been trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[NextEra Energy (NEE) Laps the Stock Market: Here's Why]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:05 GMT NextEra Energy (NEE) closed the most recent trading day at $77.88, moving +2.1% from the previous trading session. The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.58%. At the same time, the Dow added 0.49%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.45%.

Heading into today, shares of the parent company of Florida Power & Light Co. had lost 8.57% over the past month, lagging the Utilities sector's loss of 5.94% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The upcoming earnings release of NextEra Energy will be of great interest to investors. The company is predicted to post an EPS of $1.2, indicating a 6.19% growth compared to the equivalent quarter last year. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $9.05 billion, up 13.65% from the year-ago period.

For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of $4.02 per share and a revenue of $30.93 billion, signifying shifts of +8.36% and +12.84%, respectively, from the last year.

Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for NextEra Energy. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.

Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection has moved 0.07% higher. NextEra Energy is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Looking at its valuation, NextEra Energy is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 19. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 16.68, so one might conclude that NextEra Energy is trading at a premium comparatively.

Investors should also note that NEE has a PEG ratio of 2.36 right now. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. NEE's industry had an average PEG ratio of 2.46 as of yesterday's close.

The Utility - Electric Power industry is part of the Utilities sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 112, finds itself in the top 46% echelons of all 250+ industries.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD) Stock Declines While Market Improves: Some Information for Investors]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:05 GMT In the latest trading session, Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD) closed at $112.00, marking a -1.85% move from the previous day. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.49%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.45%.

Coming into today, shares of the company had lost 6.55% in the past month. In that same time, the Finance sector lost 4.49%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.84%.

The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Robinhood Markets, Inc. in its forthcoming earnings report. The company is scheduled to release its earnings on October 27, 2026. The company is predicted to post an EPS of $0.55, indicating a 9.84% decline compared to the equivalent quarter last year. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $1.41 billion, indicating a 10.34% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $2.14 per share and a revenue of $5.28 billion, indicating changes of +4.39% and +17.99%, respectively, from the former year.

Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for Robinhood Markets, Inc. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 1.58% higher. As of now, Robinhood Markets, Inc. holds a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

Digging into valuation, Robinhood Markets, Inc. currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 53.21. This expresses a premium compared to the average Forward P/E of 13.1 of its industry.

It is also worth noting that HOOD currently has a PEG ratio of 2.34. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. Financial - Investment Bank stocks are, on average, holding a PEG ratio of 0.91 based on yesterday's closing prices.

The Financial - Investment Bank industry is part of the Finance sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 55, which puts it in the top 23% of all 250+ industries.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Don't forget to use Zacks.com to keep track of all these stock-moving metrics, and others, in the upcoming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Home Depot (HD) Beats Stock Market Upswing: What Investors Need to Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:05 GMT Home Depot (HD) closed the most recent trading day at $286.69, moving +1.97% from the previous trading session. The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.58%. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.49%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.45%.

Shares of the home-improvement retailer have depreciated by 12.43% over the course of the past month, underperforming the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 4.5%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Home Depot in its forthcoming earnings report. The company is scheduled to release its earnings on November 17, 2026. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $3.86, signifying a 3.21% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $42.72 billion, up 3.3% from the year-ago period.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $15.02 per share and revenue of $171.44 billion, indicating changes of +2.25% and +4.1%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Home Depot. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.

Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 0.07% rise in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Home Depot currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

With respect to valuation, Home Depot is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 18.73. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 16.8, so one might conclude that Home Depot is trading at a premium comparatively.

Investors should also note that HD has a PEG ratio of 2 right now. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. The Retail - Home Furnishings was holding an average PEG ratio of 1.45 at yesterday's closing price.

The Retail - Home Furnishings industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 112, this industry ranks in the top 46% of all industries, numbering over 250.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Amazon (AMZN) Surpasses Market Returns: Some Facts Worth Knowing]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:04 GMT Amazon (AMZN) closed at $256.29 in the latest trading session, marking a +1.95% move from the prior day. The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.58%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.49%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.45%.

The online retailer's stock has dropped by 2.75% in the past month, exceeding the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 4.5% and lagging the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Amazon in its upcoming release. The company is expected to report EPS of $2.02, up 3.59% from the prior-year quarter. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $202.01 billion, up 12.12% from the year-ago period.

For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of $13.03 per share and a revenue of $829.29 billion, signifying shifts of +81.73% and +15.67%, respectively, from the last year.

Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Amazon. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.4% lower. As of now, Amazon holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Looking at valuation, Amazon is presently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 19.29. This indicates a premium in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 14.69.

It is also worth noting that AMZN currently has a PEG ratio of 1.2. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. As the market closed yesterday, the Internet - Commerce industry was having an average PEG ratio of 1.18.

The Internet - Commerce industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 193, finds itself in the bottom 22% echelons of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

To follow AMZN in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Ford Motor Company (F) Outperforms Broader Market: What You Need to Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:04 GMT Ford Motor Company (F) ended the recent trading session at $12.28, demonstrating a +1.07% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock exceeded the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.58% for the day. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.49%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.45%.

Shares of the company witnessed a loss of 16.9% over the previous month, trailing the performance of the Auto-Tires-Trucks sector with its gain of 0.41%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Ford Motor Company in its upcoming release. The company plans to announce its earnings on October 28, 2026. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be $0.41, reflecting a 8.89% decrease from the same quarter last year. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $45.7 billion, indicating a 3.15% downward movement from the same quarter last year.

F's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $1.86 per share and revenue of $176.03 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +70.64% and +1.14%, respectively.

Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Ford Motor Company. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.

Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has remained steady. Ford Motor Company currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

In terms of valuation, Ford Motor Company is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 6.55. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 16.22 of its industry.

Meanwhile, F's PEG ratio is currently 0.25. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. F's industry had an average PEG ratio of 0.97 as of yesterday's close.

The Automotive - Domestic industry is part of the Auto-Tires-Trucks sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 112, putting it in the top 46% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Coinbase Global, Inc. (COIN) Stock Declines While Market Improves: Some Information for Investors]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:04 GMT In the latest close session, Coinbase Global, Inc. (COIN) was down 1.32% at $185.74. The stock's performance was behind the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.49%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.45%.

Heading into today, shares of the company had gained 1.94% over the past month, outpacing the Finance sector's loss of 4.49% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The upcoming earnings release of Coinbase Global, Inc. will be of great interest to investors. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of -$0.22, marking a 115.28% fall compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Simultaneously, our latest consensus estimate expects the revenue to be $1.14 billion, showing a 38.9% drop compared to the year-ago quarter.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of -$0.48 per share and revenue of $5.24 billion, which would represent changes of -111.91% and -26.97%, respectively, from the prior year.

Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for Coinbase Global, Inc. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.

Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 23.13% fall in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Coinbase Global, Inc. is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.

The Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry is part of the Finance sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 171, positioning it in the bottom 31% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to use Zacks.com to monitor all these stock-influencing metrics, and more, throughout the forthcoming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Boeing (BA) Stock Dips While Market Gains: Key Facts]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:04 GMT In the latest trading session, Boeing (BA) closed at $189.82, marking a -1.5% move from the previous day. This change lagged the S&P 500's 0.58% gain on the day. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.49%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq increased by 0.45%.

Shares of the airplane builder witnessed a loss of 9.2% over the previous month, trailing the performance of the Aerospace sector with its loss of 8.64%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Boeing in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to go public on October 27, 2026. In that report, analysts expect Boeing to post earnings of -$0.15 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 97.99%. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $24.87 billion, indicating a 6.88% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of -$0.91 per share and a revenue of $97.77 billion, representing changes of +91.45% and +9.29%, respectively, from the prior year.

It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Boeing. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.98% lower within the past month. Boeing currently has a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

The Aerospace - Defense industry is part of the Aerospace sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 112, which puts it in the top 46% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[ASML (ASML) Stock Sinks As Market Gains: What You Should Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:04 GMT ASML (ASML) closed at $1,833.97 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.39% move from the prior day. This change lagged the S&P 500's 0.58% gain on the day. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.49%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.45%.

Coming into today, shares of the equipment supplier to semiconductor makers had gained 8.45% in the past month. In that same time, the Computer and Technology sector gained 6.31%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.84%.

Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of ASML in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to be unveiled on October 14, 2026. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $12.47, showcasing a 94.54% upward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $13.18 billion, up 49.99% from the year-ago period.

In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $43.86 per share and a revenue of $50.05 billion, indicating changes of +56.92% and +35.38%, respectively, from the former year.

It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for ASML. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.

The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 2.52% lower within the past month. ASML is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Valuation is also important, so investors should note that ASML has a Forward P/E ratio of 42.41 right now. This denotes a premium relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 34.47.

It's also important to note that ASML currently trades at a PEG ratio of 0.94. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. The Semiconductor Equipment - Wafer Fabrication industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 0.94 as of yesterday's close.

The Semiconductor Equipment - Wafer Fabrication industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 31, positioning it in the top 13% of all 250+ industries.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[AppLovin (APP) Stock Falls Amid Market Uptick: What Investors Need to Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:04 GMT In the latest trading session, AppLovin (APP) closed at $278.78, marking a -1.13% move from the previous day. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. At the same time, the Dow added 0.49%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.45%.

The stock of mobile app technology company has fallen by 12.04% in the past month, lagging the Business Services sector's loss of 5.07% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of AppLovin in its upcoming release. The company is predicted to post an EPS of $3.95, indicating a 61.22% growth compared to the equivalent quarter last year. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $2.08 billion, up 47.82% from the prior-year quarter.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $15.72 per share and a revenue of $8.1 billion, demonstrating changes of +56.57% and +39.49%, respectively, from the preceding year.

Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for AppLovin. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 1.22% rise in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. AppLovin is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

Looking at its valuation, AppLovin is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 17.94. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 15.83, which means AppLovin is trading at a premium to the group.

Meanwhile, APP's PEG ratio is currently 0.59. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. The average PEG ratio for the Technology Services industry stood at 1.21 at the close of the market yesterday.

The Technology Services industry is part of the Business Services sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 175, placing it within the bottom 29% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to use Zacks.com to monitor all these stock-influencing metrics, and more, throughout the forthcoming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[PulteGroup (PHM) Beats Stock Market Upswing: What Investors Need to Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:03 GMT In the latest trading session, PulteGroup (PHM) closed at $116.10, marking a +1.86% move from the previous day. The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.58%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.49%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.45%.

Heading into today, shares of the homebuilder had lost 8.41% over the past month, lagging the Construction sector's loss of 3.73% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of PulteGroup in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to go public on October 22, 2026. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be $2.63, reflecting a 11.15% decrease from the same quarter last year. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $4.12 billion, indicating a 6.4% decline compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.

For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $10.08 per share and a revenue of $16.34 billion, representing changes of -11.89% and -5.61%, respectively, from the prior year.

It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for PulteGroup. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 0.4% fall in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Currently, PulteGroup is carrying a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

From a valuation perspective, PulteGroup is currently exchanging hands at a Forward P/E ratio of 11.31. This denotes a discount relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 12.42.

Investors should also note that PHM has a PEG ratio of 1.42 right now. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. As the market closed yesterday, the Building Products - Home Builders industry was having an average PEG ratio of 2.12.

The Building Products - Home Builders industry is part of the Construction sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 235, putting it in the bottom 5% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Don't forget to use Zacks.com to keep track of all these stock-moving metrics, and others, in the upcoming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Why Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Outpaced the Stock Market Today]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:03 GMT Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) closed at $649.42 in the latest trading session, marking a +2.8% move from the prior day. The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.58%. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.49%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.45%.

The chipmaker's shares have seen an increase of 32.28% over the last month, surpassing the Computer and Technology sector's gain of 6.31% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Advanced Micro Devices in its upcoming earnings disclosure. On that day, Advanced Micro Devices is projected to report earnings of $1.9 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 58.33%. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $13.06 billion, indicating a 41.3% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $7.48 per share and revenue of $50.5 billion, indicating changes of +79.38% and +45.79%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Advanced Micro Devices. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.18% lower. Advanced Micro Devices is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

In terms of valuation, Advanced Micro Devices is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 84.49. This represents a premium compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 21.28.

Investors should also note that AMD has a PEG ratio of 5.63 right now. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. The Computer - Integrated Systems industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 0.53 as of yesterday's close.

The Computer - Integrated Systems industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 80, which puts it in the top 33% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Chubb (CB) Surpasses Market Returns: Some Facts Worth Knowing]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:03 GMT Chubb (CB) closed the most recent trading day at $334.21, moving +1.13% from the previous trading session. The stock's change was more than the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.49%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.45%.

Shares of the insurer have depreciated by 3.25% over the course of the past month, outperforming the Finance sector's loss of 4.49%, and lagging the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Chubb in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to be unveiled on October 20, 2026. In that report, analysts expect Chubb to post earnings of $6.26 per share. This would mark a year-over-year decline of 16.42%. Simultaneously, our latest consensus estimate expects the revenue to be $16.71 billion, showing a 3.59% escalation compared to the year-ago quarter.

For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of $27.39 per share and a revenue of $64.15 billion, signifying shifts of +10.49% and +6.98%, respectively, from the last year.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Chubb should also be noted by investors. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.

Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 0.13% rise in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. At present, Chubb boasts a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Valuation is also important, so investors should note that Chubb has a Forward P/E ratio of 12.07 right now. This indicates a premium in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 10.93.

It's also important to note that CB currently trades at a PEG ratio of 1.46. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. CB's industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.8 as of yesterday's close.

The Insurance - Property and Casualty industry is part of the Finance sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 73, placing it within the top 30% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Walmart (WMT) Exceeds Market Returns: Some Facts to Consider]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:03 GMT Walmart (WMT) closed at $107.20 in the latest trading session, marking a +2.03% move from the prior day. This change outpaced the S&P 500's 0.58% gain on the day. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.49%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.45%.

The world's largest retailer's stock has dropped by 1.93% in the past month, exceeding the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 4.5% and lagging the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Walmart in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to be unveiled on November 19, 2026. The company is expected to report EPS of $0.63, up 1.61% from the prior-year quarter. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $186.47 billion, up 3.88% from the year-ago period.

WMT's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $2.87 per share and revenue of $751.39 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +8.71% and +5.36%, respectively.

It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Walmart. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.

Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.06% higher. Walmart presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Looking at its valuation, Walmart is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 36.56. This valuation marks a premium compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 13.13.

We can also see that WMT currently has a PEG ratio of 4.01. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. As the market closed yesterday, the Retail - Supermarkets industry was having an average PEG ratio of 1.77.

The Retail - Supermarkets industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 183, placing it within the bottom 26% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Ensure to harness Zacks.com to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Shopify (SHOP) Laps the Stock Market: Here's Why]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:03 GMT In the latest trading session, Shopify (SHOP) closed at $164.14, marking a +2.52% move from the previous day. The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.49%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.45%.

The stock of cloud-based commerce company has risen by 10.35% in the past month, leading the Computer and Technology sector's gain of 6.31% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The upcoming earnings release of Shopify will be of great interest to investors. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $0.44, showcasing a 29.41% upward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $3.73 billion, indicating a 31.22% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $1.89 per share and revenue of $15.18 billion. These totals would mark changes of +61.54% and +31.33%, respectively, from last year.

Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Shopify. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.

The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 0.1% increase. Shopify currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

In terms of valuation, Shopify is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 84.6. This signifies a premium in comparison to the average Forward P/E of 15.28 for its industry.

We can also see that SHOP currently has a PEG ratio of 2.55. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. As of the close of trade yesterday, the Internet - Services industry held an average PEG ratio of 1.78.

The Internet - Services industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 209, which puts it in the bottom 16% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Starbucks (SBUX) Outpaces Stock Market Gains: What You Should Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:03 GMT Starbucks (SBUX) closed at $96.11 in the latest trading session, marking a +1.78% move from the prior day. This change outpaced the S&P 500's 0.58% gain on the day. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.49%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq increased by 0.45%.

The coffee chain's stock has dropped by 9.61% in the past month, falling short of the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 4.5% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Starbucks in its forthcoming earnings report. On that day, Starbucks is projected to report earnings of $0.72 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 38.46%. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $9.25 billion, indicating a 3.3% decline compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $2.59 per share and revenue of $38.02 billion, indicating changes of +21.6% and +2.26%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Starbucks. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 1.09% increase. Starbucks is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.

With respect to valuation, Starbucks is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 29.96. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 18.82, so one might conclude that Starbucks is trading at a premium comparatively.

It is also worth noting that SBUX currently has a PEG ratio of 1.36. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. By the end of yesterday's trading, the Retail - Restaurants industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.7.

The Retail - Restaurants industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 162, placing it within the bottom 35% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Lowe's (LOW) Surpasses Market Returns: Some Facts Worth Knowing]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:02 GMT Lowe's (LOW) ended the recent trading session at $183.67, demonstrating a +2.32% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock's change was more than the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. At the same time, the Dow added 0.49%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.45%.

Heading into today, shares of the home improvement retailer had lost 12.2% over the past month, lagging the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 4.5% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Lowe's in its upcoming release. The company is slated to reveal its earnings on November 18, 2026. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $2.86, signifying a 6.54% drop compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $22.37 billion, up 7.46% from the prior-year quarter.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $12.26 per share and a revenue of $91.99 billion, demonstrating changes of -0.24% and +6.61%, respectively, from the preceding year.

Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Lowe's. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.01% lower within the past month. As of now, Lowe's holds a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

In terms of valuation, Lowe's is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 14.64. This represents a discount compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 16.8.

Meanwhile, LOW's PEG ratio is currently 1.5. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. By the end of yesterday's trading, the Retail - Home Furnishings industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.45.

The Retail - Home Furnishings industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 112, which puts it in the top 46% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Novavax (NVAX) Stock Sinks As Market Gains: Here's Why]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:02 GMT Novavax (NVAX) closed the most recent trading day at $11.27, moving -10.31% from the previous trading session. The stock's change was less than the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.49%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.45%.

Heading into today, shares of the vaccine maker had gained 22.9% over the past month, outpacing the Medical sector's loss of 4.26% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The upcoming earnings release of Novavax will be of great interest to investors. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at -$0.37, signifying a 40.32% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $42.96 million, indicating a 39.01% downward movement from the same quarter last year.

NVAX's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of -$0.46 per share and revenue of $357.88 million. These results would represent year-over-year changes of -117.83% and -68.15%, respectively.

It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Novavax. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.

Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Over the past month, there's been no change in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Novavax is currently a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry is part of the Medical sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 179, which puts it in the bottom 28% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Netflix (NFLX) Surpasses Market Returns: Some Facts Worth Knowing]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:02 GMT Netflix (NFLX) ended the recent trading session at $68.69, demonstrating a +1.76% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock exceeded the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.58% for the day. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.49%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq increased by 0.45%.

The internet video service's stock has dropped by 13.74% in the past month, falling short of the Consumer Discretionary sector's loss of 5.62% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Netflix in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to go public on October 20, 2026. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $0.82, marking a 38.98% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $12.87 billion, indicating a 11.84% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.

For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $3.59 per share and a revenue of $51.23 billion, representing changes of +41.9% and +13.39%, respectively, from the prior year.

It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Netflix. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been no change in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Netflix is holding a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell) right now.

In the context of valuation, Netflix is at present trading with a Forward P/E ratio of 18.79. This denotes a premium relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 9.47.

It's also important to note that NFLX currently trades at a PEG ratio of 0.95. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. The Broadcast Radio and Television industry had an average PEG ratio of 0.87 as trading concluded yesterday.

The Broadcast Radio and Television industry is part of the Consumer Discretionary sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 175, putting it in the bottom 29% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Eli Lilly (LLY) Outpaces Stock Market Gains: What You Should Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:02 GMT In the latest close session, Eli Lilly (LLY) was up +1.26% at $1,157.49. The stock's change was more than the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.49%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.45%.

The stock of drugmaker has fallen by 0.54% in the past month, leading the Medical sector's loss of 4.26% and undershooting the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Eli Lilly in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to go public on October 29, 2026. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $9.83, marking a 40.03% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Simultaneously, our latest consensus estimate expects the revenue to be $22.14 billion, showing a 25.77% escalation compared to the year-ago quarter.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $36.66 per share and revenue of $88.94 billion, indicating changes of +51.43% and +36.46%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Eli Lilly. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.

Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.86% higher. Eli Lilly is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Investors should also note Eli Lilly's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 31.18. This denotes a premium relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 15.89.

It is also worth noting that LLY currently has a PEG ratio of 1.4. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. The Large Cap Pharmaceuticals was holding an average PEG ratio of 1.86 at yesterday's closing price.

The Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry is part of the Medical sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 100, this industry ranks in the top 41% of all industries, numbering over 250.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Don't forget to use Zacks.com to keep track of all these stock-moving metrics, and others, in the upcoming trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[SoFi Technologies, Inc. (SOFI) Stock Sinks As Market Gains: Here's Why]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:45:01 GMT In the latest trading session, SoFi Technologies, Inc. (SOFI) closed at $15.76, marking a -1.01% move from the previous day. The stock's change was less than the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.58%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.49%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.45%.

The stock of company has fallen by 12.62% in the past month, lagging the Finance sector's loss of 4.49% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.84%.

The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of SoFi Technologies, Inc. in its forthcoming earnings report. The company is scheduled to release its earnings on October 27, 2026. On that day, SoFi Technologies, Inc. is projected to report earnings of $0.17 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 54.55%. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $1.25 billion, indicating a 31.12% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $0.6 per share and revenue of $4.87 billion, indicating changes of +53.85% and +35.52%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for SoFi Technologies, Inc. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 0.55% decrease. Right now, SoFi Technologies, Inc. possesses a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Valuation is also important, so investors should note that SoFi Technologies, Inc. has a Forward P/E ratio of 26.56 right now. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 11.17, which means SoFi Technologies, Inc. is trading at a premium to the group.

It's also important to note that SOFI currently trades at a PEG ratio of 1.33. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. The average PEG ratio for the Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry stood at 0.96 at the close of the market yesterday.

The Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry is part of the Finance sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 171, placing it within the bottom 31% of over 250 industries.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Penguin Solutions, Inc. (PENG) Q4 Earnings and Revenues Beat Estimates]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:30:02 GMT Penguin Solutions, Inc. (PENG) came out with quarterly earnings of $1 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.75 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.43 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +33.33%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $0.63 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.84, delivering a surprise of +33.33%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.

Penguin Solutions, Inc., which belongs to the Zacks Internet - Software industry, posted revenues of $566.69 million for the quarter ended August 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 10.57%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $337.92 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Penguin Solutions, Inc. shares have added about 210.4% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 13.6%.

What's Next for Penguin Solutions, Inc.?

While Penguin Solutions, Inc. has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Penguin Solutions, Inc. was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.76 on $520 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $3.40 on $2.19 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Internet - Software is currently in the top 44% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc. (CCC), another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended September 2026.

This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.11 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +22.2%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc.'s revenues are expected to be $290.44 million, up 8.7% from the year-ago quarter.

Should You Invest in Penguin Solutions, Inc. (PENG)?

Before you invest in Penguin Solutions, Inc. (PENG), want to know the best stocks to buy for the next 30 days? Check out Zacks Investment Research for our free report on the 7 best stocks to buy.

Zacks Investment Research has been committed to providing investors with tools and independent research since 1978. For more than a quarter century, the Zacks Rank stock-rating system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +24.08% per year. (These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through May 6, 2024.)

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Buy These Top AI Stocks for Higher Highs: HPE, NVDA, TSM]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:29:00 GMT Artificial intelligence stocks remain among the market's strongest performers, with several industry leaders recently pushing to new 52-week highs.

While there can often be reluctance to buy a stock near its highs, these top-rated AI stocks look poised for more upside based on a trend of positive earnings estimate revisions, reinforcing their AI-driven growth outlooks.

 

1. Nvidia – NVDA

Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy)
52-Week Range: $164.27-$243.37

Nvidia NVDA) stock has climbed to another record high as extraordinary demand for its GPUs and accelerated computing platforms continues to fuel AI infrastructure spending. NVDA's momentum has also been supported by its recently expanded $235 billion share-repurchase authorization and expectations for another year of explosive growth.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate calls for Nvidia to post current fiscal 2027 revenue and earnings growth of 88% and 94%, respectively, while FY28 sales and EPS are projected to jump another 65% and 68%.

Encouragingly, FY27 EPS estimates are up 4% in the last 60 days, while FY28 estimates have surged 23%, including a 1% increase in the last week from $15.33 to $15.53.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

 

2. Hewlett Packard Enterprise – HPE

Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy)
52-Week Range: $19.84-$71.22

Hewlett Packard Enterprise HPE) has been one of the market's hottest AI infrastructure stocks, recently reaching a new all-time high as demand strengthens across AI servers, networking, and hybrid cloud. The integration of Juniper Networks is expanding HPE's networking presence, while AI systems backlog and large hyperscaler deals are providing greater revenue visibility.

Management raised its fiscal 2026 revenue growth outlook to 34%-37% and non-GAAP EPS guidance to $3.75-$3.85 (+93% growth). Looking ahead to FY27, HPE expects revenue to rise another 13%-17%, with adjusted EPS projected to grow 16%-20%.

Reflecting this improving outlook, consensus FY26 and FY27 EPS estimates have risen more than 15% in the last 60 days. HPE is now expected to post 96% EPS growth this year, while FY27 earnings are projected to increase another 22% to $4.64 per share, exceeding the high end of management's current EPS growth framework.

Notably, in the summer, I chose HPE as my choice for a stock to potentially double over the next year when it was at around $48 a share, with shares now up 45% since then.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

 

3. Taiwan Semiconductor – TSM

Zacks Rank #2 (Buy)
52-Week Range: $266.82-$487.47

Taiwan Semiconductor TSM) stock is also hovering near a fresh 52-week high as booming demand for advanced chips used in AI accelerators continues to drive utilization of its leading-edge manufacturing capacity.

Shares have surged roughly 60% year to date, with TSMC remaining a critical manufacturing partner for many of the world's largest AI chip developers, including Nvidia. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects fiscal 2026 revenue growth of 37% and EPS growth of 55%, followed by another 32% increase in sales and 29% earnings growth next year. Earnings estimates remain on the rise as well, with it noteworthy that the FY27 EPS estimate has increased over 1% in the past month from $21.09 to $21.33.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

 

Bottom Line

NVDA, HPE, and TSM are trading near the top of their 52-week ranges for good reason. Each remains deeply leveraged to accelerating AI infrastructure investment, while strong growth projections and positive earnings estimate revisions suggest these top-ranked AI stocks could have room to make higher highs.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Saratoga Investment (SAR) Lags Q2 Earnings and Revenue Estimates]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:25:01 GMT Saratoga Investment (SAR) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.46 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.47 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.58 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -2.13%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this business development company would post earnings of $0.54 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.47, delivering a surprise of -12.96%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once.

Saratoga Investment, which belongs to the Zacks Financial - SBIC & Commercial Industry industry, posted revenues of $31.17 million for the quarter ended August 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.09%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $30.63 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates two times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Saratoga Investment shares have lost about 28% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 13.6%.

What's Next for Saratoga Investment?

While Saratoga Investment has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Saratoga Investment was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.50 on $31.77 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $1.94 on $126 million in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Financial - SBIC & Commercial Industry is currently in the bottom 35% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

One other stock from the same industry, Amalgamated Financial (AMAL), is yet to report results for the quarter ended September 2026.

This bank is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.10 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +20.9%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

Amalgamated Financial's revenues are expected to be $99.26 million, up 15.9% from the year-ago quarter.

Should You Invest in Saratoga Investment Corp (SAR)?

Before you invest in Saratoga Investment Corp (SAR), want to know the best stocks to buy for the next 30 days? Check out Zacks Investment Research for our free report on the 7 best stocks to buy.

Zacks Investment Research has been committed to providing investors with tools and independent research since 1978. For more than a quarter century, the Zacks Rank stock-rating system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +24.08% per year. (These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through May 6, 2024.)

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Constellation Brands (STZ) Q2 Earnings and Revenues Surpass Estimates]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:20:01 GMT Constellation Brands (STZ) came out with quarterly earnings of $3.74 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.62 per share. This compares to earnings of $3.63 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +3.32%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this wine, liquor and beer company would post earnings of $3.22 per share when it actually produced earnings of $3.43, delivering a surprise of +6.52%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.

Constellation Brands, which belongs to the Zacks Beverages - Alcohol industry, posted revenues of $2.63 billion for the quarter ended August 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.46%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $2.48 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Constellation Brands shares have lost about 17.9% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 13.6%.

What's Next for Constellation Brands?

While Constellation Brands has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Constellation Brands was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $2.89 on $2.22 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $11.81 on $9.13 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Beverages - Alcohol is currently in the top 46% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Molson Coors Brewing (TAP), another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended September 2026.

This beer maker is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.50 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -10.2%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

Molson Coors Brewing's revenues are expected to be $2.95 billion, down 0.9% from the year-ago quarter.

Should You Invest in Constellation Brands Inc (STZ)?

Before you invest in Constellation Brands Inc (STZ), want to know the best stocks to buy for the next 30 days? Check out Zacks Investment Research for our free report on the 7 best stocks to buy.

Zacks Investment Research has been committed to providing investors with tools and independent research since 1978. For more than a quarter century, the Zacks Rank stock-rating system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +24.08% per year. (These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through May 6, 2024.)

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Neogen (NEOG) Q1 Earnings and Revenues Beat Estimates]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:15:01 GMT Neogen (NEOG) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.08 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.05 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.04 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +60.00%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this maker of medical testing kits would post earnings of $0.05 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.09, delivering a surprise of +80%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.

Neogen, which belongs to the Zacks Medical - Products industry, posted revenues of $222.8 million for the quarter ended August 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7.07%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $209.19 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Neogen shares have added about 86.1% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 13.6%.

What's Next for Neogen?

While Neogen has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Neogen was favorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to outperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.09 on $228.52 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $0.31 on $883.23 million in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Medical - Products is currently in the bottom 35% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Another stock from the same industry, Bio-Rad Laboratories (BIO), has yet to report results for the quarter ended September 2026.

This maker of instruments used in biomedical research is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.61 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +15.5%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

Bio-Rad Laboratories' revenues are expected to be $661.87 million, up 1.4% from the year-ago quarter.

Should You Invest in Neogen Corporation (NEOG)?

Before you invest in Neogen Corporation (NEOG), want to know the best stocks to buy for the next 30 days? Check out Zacks Investment Research for our free report on the 7 best stocks to buy.

Zacks Investment Research has been committed to providing investors with tools and independent research since 1978. For more than a quarter century, the Zacks Rank stock-rating system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +24.08% per year. (These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through May 6, 2024.)

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Top Research Reports for SpaceX, Dell & KLA Corp.]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 19:51:00 GMT Tuesday, October 6, 2026

The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SPCX), Dell Technologies Inc. (DELL) and KLA Corp. (KLAC), as well as two micro-cap stocks, AXIL Brands, Inc. (AXIL) and Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OPXS). These research reports have been hand-picked from roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.

You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>

Ahead of Wall Street

The daily 'Ahead of Wall Street' article is a must-read for all investors who would like to be ready for that day's trading action. The article comes out before the market opens, attempting to make sense of that morning's economic releases and how they will affect that day's market action. You can read this article for free on our home page and can actually sign up there to get an email notification as this article comes out each morning.

You can read today's AWS here >>> Pre-Markets Up Following Record Nasdaq Close

Today's Featured Research Reports

SpaceX’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Wireless National industry since going public on June 12, 2026 (+28.4% vs. +13.9%). Per the Zacks analyst, the company benefits from reusable launch technology, Starlink’s growing consumer, enterprise and government reach, and expanding AI infrastructure. Starship and advanced satellite deployment could further strengthen its integrated platform and create additional monetization opportunities.

Key risks include heavy capital requirements and execution challenges across AI compute, satellites, spectrum and Starship.

(You can read the full research report on SpaceX here >>>)

Dell’s shares have outperformed the Computer - Micro Computers industry over the past year (+266.1% vs. +36.3%). The Zacks analyst believes that the company benefits from strong AI infrastructure demand, a broad portfolio spanning servers, storage and PCs, and growing opportunities across neocloud, sovereign and enterprise customers. Its AI backlog, improving efficiency and operating leverage further support growth and profitability.

Yet, risks include component constraints, unfavorable AI mix, intense PC competition, currency volatility and leverage.

(You can read the full research report on Dell here >>>)

KLA’s shares have outperformed the Electronics - Miscellaneous Products  industry over the past year (+90.7% vs. +52.7%). The Zacks analyst believes that the company benefits from AI-driven semiconductor demand, rising process-control intensity, advanced packaging opportunities and a growing installed base that supports recurring services revenue. Its differentiated portfolio, operating leverage and share-gain potential strengthen its long-term outlook.

However, risks include semiconductor cyclicality, customer concentration, export controls, competition and component costs.

(You can read the full research report on KLA here >>>)

AXIL’s shares have underperformed the Zacks Consumer Products - Staples  industry over the last six months (-13.0% vs. +2.4%). The Zacks analyst believes that the company faces tariff-related pressure and elevated marketing costs, while expanding into new businesses could create risks related to execution and strategic focus. Competition and the challenges of scaling newer initiatives also remain considerations.

AXIL benefits from expanding retail and online distribution, a growing wholesale presence and a diversified revenue base. Marketing services and hair and skin care provide additional growth opportunities and strategic flexibility.

(You can read the full research report on AXIL here >>>)

Optex Systems’s shares have underperformed the Zacks Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry over the past year (-24.0% vs. -11.2%). The Zacks analyst believes that the company faces margin pressure from higher operating expenses, weak operating cash flow and reliance on U.S. defense customers and procurement cycles. Moderating legacy periscope demand also creates some uncertainty.

Yet, Optex benefits from a strong contracted backlog, growing higher-value optical assembly and advanced sighting programs, and diversified revenue streams. Targeted manufacturing investments could support future growth and operating leverage.

(You can read the full research report on Optex Systems here >>>)

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Deere & Co. (DE), Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNQ).

Mark Vickery
Senior Editor

Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>

Today's Must Read

Solid Demand for AI Servers Aids Dell Technologies (DELL) Prospects

Strong Demand for HBM and Advanced Packaging Aids KLA (KLAC)

SpaceX (SPCX) Rides on Growing Traction in AI Infrastructure Vertical

Featured Reports

Defense Contract Wins & Solid Backlog Aid Lockheed Martin (LMT)
According to the Zacks analyst, Lockheed Martin's strong contract wins, including major PAC-3 and F-35 awards, have expanded its backlog to $230B, providing solid multiyear revenue visibility.

Deere (DE) Gains from Pricing Efforts Amid Low Demand
Per the Zacks analyst, low commodity prices will hurt demand for Deere's agricultural equipment in the coming quarters. However, this will be offset by its pricing actions and cost-reduction efforts.

Capital-Light Marketplace & Partner Adoption Aid Figure (FIGR) Growth
Per the Zacks analyst, Figure benefits from its capital-light marketplace, rising partner adoption and execution. Broader lending categories and Kiavi further strengthen its longer-term growth runway.

Strategic Acquisition Aids Envista (NVST) Amid Unfavorable FX
The Zacks analyst is impressed with Envista's expanded implant portfolio post the Versah acquisition. Yet, challenges in terms of unfavorable foreign exchange hurt growth.

Humana's (HUM) Solid Medicaid Business Aids, High Costs Ail
Per the Zacks Analyst, Humana's robust Medicaid business will help it expand the Retail portfolio, in turn boosting top-line growth. Yet, escalating expenses continue to weigh on margins.

Hilton (HLT) Banks on Unit Expansion Efforts, China Weakness Ails
Per the Zacks analyst, Hilton is likely to benefit from its solid development pipeline, hotel conversion opportunities, and technological initiatives. Yet, weak group travel in China is a concern.

Symbotic (SYM) Backlog Supports Growth, but Customer Risks Persist
Per the Zacks analyst, Symbotic's large backlog and growing recurring revenues support expansion, while customer concentration and lengthy deployment cycles create revenue and execution risks.

New Upgrades

Canadian Natural (CNQ) to Gain from Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
The Zacks analyst believes Canadian Natural's Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading operations generate some of the strongest margins in the industry and provides high return opportunities.

APA Corporation (APA) Gains on Suriname Growth
The Zacks analyst believes that APA Corporation's Suriname growth project, cost cuts and strong Permian inventory position it for stronger cash flow and shareholder returns.

Diageo's (DEO) Premium Brands, Innovation to Drive Long-Term Growth
Per Zacks analyst, Diageo's brands, geographic diversification, innovation and cost savings could support long-term growth. DEO's focus on RTDs and low/no-alcohol offerings positions it for success.

New Downgrades

Whirlpool (WHR) Faces Margin, Demand and Tariff Headwinds
Per the Zacks analyst, Whirlpool's margin, soft appliance demand and tariff-driven cost pressure could constrain its 2026 recovery despite pricing, cost reduction efforts and operational improvements.

Rising Expenses, Mortgage Banking Woes Hurt Huntington (HBAN)
Per the Zacks analyst, Huntington's higher integration costs and growth investments are likely to keep expenses elevated, pressuring bottom-line growth. Weak mortgage banking income remains a concern.

Sarepta's (SRPT) Overdependence on DMD Therapies a Woe
Though Sarepta has four marketed products in its portfolio, all target the DMD indication. This concentrated focus on one target market concerns the Zacks Analyst.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[PagSeguro Digital (PAGS) Surges 21.4%: Is This an Indication of Further Gains?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 18:21:00 GMT PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (PAGS) shares ended the last trading session 21.4% higher at $10.95. The jump came on an impressive volume with a higher-than-average number of shares changing hands in the session. This compares to the stock's 7.3% loss over the past four weeks.

PagSeguro retained its rally for the second straight day, driven by strength in its technology-led platform that combines payments, digital banking, cards, investments, insurance and software through a single interface. The company also operates an acquiring network with broad acceptance across Brazil and supports in-person, online and cross-border payments, strengthening its ability to serve both merchants and consumers efficiently at scale.

PAGS also benefits from broad customer-acquisition capabilities and strong brand reach. Its online strategy leverages its partnership with UOL, which reaches 73% of Brazil’s internet audience, while its HUB-based salesforce covers 100% of the country’s GDP. Recently, PagSeguro shares might have received an impetus after Brazil’s first-round presidential election outcome raised expectations of a shift toward tighter fiscal policy and greater spending discipline.

This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.41 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +13.9%. Revenues are expected to be $996.2 million, up 6.3% from the year-ago quarter.

While earnings and revenue growth expectations are important in evaluating the potential strength in a stock, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

For PagSeguro Digital, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 4.3% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. And a negative trend in earnings estimate revisions doesn't usually translate into price appreciation. So, make sure to keep an eye on PAGS going forward to see if this recent jump can turn into more strength down the road.

 

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>

PagSeguro Digital belongs to the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry. Another stock from the same industry, Fidelity National Information Services (FIS), closed the last trading session 3.5% higher at $33.58. Over the past month, FIS has returned -22.6%.

For Fidelity National, the consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming report has changed +0.1% over the past month to $1.61. This represents a change of +6.6% from what the company reported a year ago. Fidelity National currently has a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Inter & Co. Inc. (INTR) Surges 19.7%: Is This an Indication of Further Gains?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 18:18:00 GMT Inter & Co. Inc. (INTR) shares rallied 19.7% in the last trading session to close at $6.56. This move can be attributable to notable volume with a higher number of shares being traded than in a typical session. This compares to the stock's 3.2% loss over the past four weeks.

Inter&Co retained its rally for the second straight day, driven by strength in its integrated financial SuperApp that combines banking, credit, shopping, investments, insurance, global services and loyalty in one digital ecosystem. Its fully licensed bank supports deposit gathering and efficient funding, while the broad product suite encourages cross-selling and deeper client relationships. Technology and data analytics further strengthen Inter&Co’s competitive position.

Its cloud-native, modular architecture supports rapid product launches, scalability and lower operating costs, while proprietary data, machine learning and AI help personalize offers and improve underwriting. Recently, INTR shares might have received an impetus after Brazil’s first-round presidential election outcome raised expectations of a shift toward tighter fiscal policy and greater spending discipline.

This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.19 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +35.7%. Revenues are expected to be $526.03 million, up 32.5% from the year-ago quarter.

Earnings and revenue growth expectations certainly give a good sense of the potential strength in a stock, but empirical research shows that trends in earnings estimate revisions are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements.

For Inter & Co. Inc., the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. And a stock's price usually doesn't keep moving higher in the absence of any trend in earnings estimate revisions. So, make sure to keep an eye on INTR going forward to see if this recent jump can turn into more strength down the road.

 

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>

Inter & Co. Inc. is a member of the Zacks Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry. One other stock in the same industry, StoneX Group Inc. (SNEX), finished the last trading session 2.5% higher at $67.43. SNEX has returned -5.3% over the past month.

For StoneX Group, the consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming report has remained unchanged over the past month at $0.86. This represents a change of +22.9% from what the company reported a year ago. StoneX Group currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[XP Inc.A (XP) Soars 30.9%: Is Further Upside Left in the Stock?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 18:04:00 GMT XP Inc.A (XP) shares soared 30.9% in the last trading session to close at $28.15. The move was backed by solid volume with far more shares changing hands than in a normal session. This compares to the stock's 8.3% gain over the past four weeks.

XP retained its rally for the fifth straight day, driven by strength in its broad, open investment platform and extensive distribution network. The platform combines third-party products, proprietary offerings and capital-markets access, giving clients a wider range of solutions than traditional closed-bank models. Its advisor ecosystem, spanning IFAs, internal advisors and wealth managers, further strengthens client reach, while its established brand and financial-education focus support trust, engagement, loyalty and retention.

XP also benefits from a culture centered on execution, innovation and client focus. Its technology-driven, asset-light model is designed to scale efficiently, while the company’s integrated capabilities and services support a differentiated client experience. Management also highlights self-reinforcing network effects, as growth across clients, advisors, products and partners can strengthen the wider ecosystem. Recently, XP shares might have received an impetus after Brazil’s first-round presidential election outcome raised expectations of a shift toward tighter fiscal policy and greater spending discipline.

This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.53 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +17.8%. Revenues are expected to be $962.49 million, up 12.5% from the year-ago quarter.

While earnings and revenue growth expectations are important in evaluating the potential strength in a stock, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

For XP Inc.A, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. And a stock's price usually doesn't keep moving higher in the absence of any trend in earnings estimate revisions. So, make sure to keep an eye on XP going forward to see if this recent jump can turn into more strength down the road.

 

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>

XP Inc.A is a member of the Zacks Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry. One other stock in the same industry, Qfin Holdings Inc. - Sponsored ADR (QFIN), finished the last trading session 1.5% higher at $6.56. QFIN has returned -28.7% over the past month.

For Qfin Holdings Inc. - Sponsored ADR, the consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming report has remained unchanged over the past month at $0.46. This represents a change of -69.7% from what the company reported a year ago. Qfin Holdings Inc. - Sponsored ADR currently has a Zacks Rank of #5 (Strong Sell).

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[NVIDIA & 2 Momentum Stocks to Buy in October for Big Upside ]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT For investors looking to maximize their returns in October, high-momentum stocks deserve a closer look. To identify stocks with strong upside potential, investors can adopt Richard Driehaus’s “buy high and sell higher” strategy, a momentum-based philosophy he famously championed, which helped him earn a place on Barron’s All-Century Team. 

Using Richard Driehaus’s momentum-investing strategy, NVIDIA Corporation NVDA, TD SYNNEX Corporation SNX and KE Holdings Inc. BEKE stand out as the top momentum picks, offering attractive entry opportunities for investors at the current levels. 

How the Driehaus Momentum Strategy Identifies Winning Stocks 

Regarding the strategy, Driehaus once said: “I would much rather invest in a stock that’s increasing in price and take the risk that it may begin to decline than invest in a stock that’s already in decline and try to guess when it will turn around.” In line with this insight, the American Association of Individual Investors (“AAII”) considered the 50-day moving average one of the key criteria when creating a portfolio aligned with Driehaus’ philosophy. 

It is calculated by dividing the numerator (month-end price minus 50-day moving average of month-end price) by the 50-day moving average of the month-end price. Another momentum indicator — positive relative strength — has also been included in this strategy. A positive percentage 50-day moving average indicates that the stock is trading above its 50-day moving average, signaling an uptrend. 

Moreover, AAII found that Driehaus primarily focuses on strong earnings growth rates and impressive earnings projections to pick potential outperformers. Companies with a strong history of beating estimates are also prioritized in this strategy, which was designed to deliver better long-term returns. 

Research Wizard’s Stock Selection Criteria 

To make the strategy more profitable, we have considered only those stocks that have a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and a Momentum Score of A or B. Our research shows that stocks with a Style Score of A or B, when combined with a Zacks Rank #1, offer the best upside potential. 

• Zacks Rank equal to #1 

Whether the market is good or bad, stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 have a proven track record of outperformance. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

• Last 5-year average EPS growth rates above 2%

Strong EPS growth history ensures an improving business 

• Trailing 12-month EPS growth greater than 0 and industry median

Higher EPS growth compared to the industry average indicates superior earnings performance

• Last four-quarter average EPS surprise greater than 5% 

Solid EPS surprise history indicates better price performance 

• Positive percentage change in 50-day moving average and relative strength over 4 weeks 

Positive percentage change in the 50-day moving average and the relative strength signal an uptrend 

• Momentum Score equal to or less than B

A favorable momentum score indicates that it is ideal to capitalize on the momentum with the highest probability of success. 

These few parameters have narrowed the universe of more than 7,743 stocks to only eight. 

Here are three of the eight stocks: 

NVIDIA 

NVIDIA is a global AI infrastructure company serving data centers across the United States, Asia, Europe and other international markets. It has a Momentum Score of B. The trailing four-quarter earnings surprise for NVDA is 5.8%, on average. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 93.9% (read more: Sandisk vs. NVIDIA: Which AI Stock Is the Better Buy Now?). 

TD SYNNEX 

TD SYNNEX is a global IT distributor and solutions aggregator serving customers across the United States, Europe and other international markets. It has a Momentum Score of A. The trailing four-quarter earnings surprise for SNX is 22.7%, on average. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 55.4%. 

KE Holdings  

KE Holdings operates an integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services in China. It has a Momentum Score of B. The trailing four-quarter earnings surprise for BEKE is 9.2%, on average. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 93.6%. 
 

 

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[These 3 Red-Hot Stocks Have Benefited From AI Tailwinds]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT Semiconductor stocks have again taken center stage over the past month, with AI-related demand continuing to provide a strong industry-wide tailwind.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing TSM, Entegris ENTG, and MACOM Technology Solutions MTSI have all posted notable gains over the last month.

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All three offer different ways to gain exposure to the ongoing AI infrastructure buildout, with each also sporting a favorable Zacks Rank.

MACOM Rides AI Connectivity Demand

MACOM Technology Solutions, a current Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), provides semiconductor products across data centers, telecom, industrial, and defense markets, with its AI-related optical business becoming an increasingly important growth driver.

Its latest quarterly results were rock-solid, with sales climbing 36% YoY and Data Center revenue jumping 81% from the same period last year. The earnings outlook has followed the momentum, with estimates soaring across the board.

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The growth is expected to continue in a big way, with current consensus estimates suggesting 36% sales growth on nearly 60% higher earnings in its current fiscal year, with sales expected to climb 35% on 50% higher earnings in FY27.

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TSM Hits Fresh Highs

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, a current Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), is the world’s leading semiconductor foundry, producing advanced chips for many of the industry’s biggest names. Its earnings outlook continues to support the favorable price action, with estimates remaining bullish.

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Current Zacks Consensus estimates suggest 55% earnings growth on 37% higher sales in its current fiscal year, with FY27 estimates calling for another 29% earnings growth on nearly 32% higher revenue. Demand for leading-edge chips remains immense, putting TSMC at the center of the AI infrastructure buildout.

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Entegris Reports Strong Results

Entegris, a current Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), provides advanced materials, filtration, purification, and other products used throughout semiconductor manufacturing. Recent quarterly results help explain the strong momentum, with sales climbing 11.5% YoY and adjusted earnings jumping 41% in its latest period.

Demand tied to advanced nodes, HBM, and advanced packaging has remained strong, and increasingly complex semiconductor manufacturing has created a favorable backdrop for the company’s specialized offerings.

The growth outlook remains solid, with current Zacks Consensus estimates suggesting 11% sales growth in FY26 and 12% in FY27, with earnings expected to grow 42% and 25% over the same periods.

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Putting Everything Together

Chip momentum has been red-hot over the past month, with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing TSM, Entegris ENTG, and MACOM Technology Solutions MTSI all seeing sizable gains.

TSMC continues to benefit from red-hot demand for advanced chips, Entegris from rising semiconductor complexity, and MACOM from the growing optical connectivity needs of AI data centers.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[TSMC Q3 Earnings: Strong AI Demand Sets the Bar High for Growth]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company TSM or TSMC will release its third-quarter 2026 earnings report this month with a strong revenue trajectory. Robust artificial intelligence demand and the ramp-up of advanced process technologies have supported the company's performance so far this year. TSMC's July and August sales suggest that the company remains on track to meet its third-quarter guidance, while the latest Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates substantial year-over-year growth in both revenues and earnings.

TSMC reported July revenues of NT$467.58 billion, up 44.7% year over year and 5.6% sequentially. August revenues increased another 10.1% sequentially to NT$514.81 billion and rose 53.3% year over year. The two months generated a combined NT$982.39 billion. September revenues have not yet been reported and are scheduled to be announced on Oct. 8.

Q3 Revenue Projection Near Upper End of Guidance

TSMC's third-quarter guidance calls for revenues of $44.6-$45.8 billion, based on an assumed exchange rate of NT$32 per U.S. dollar. This translates into approximately NT$1.427-$1.466 trillion of quarterly revenues. Given the NT$982.39 billion reported in July and August, September revenues of approximately NT$444.8-$483.2 billion would be sufficient to place third-quarter revenues within management's guided range.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate is slightly below the upper end of TSMC's revenue guidance at $45.62 billion, implying 37.8% year-over-year growth. At TSMC's guidance exchange rate, this estimate translates to roughly NT$1.460 trillion.

The consensus estimate projects September revenues of approximately NT$477 billion, or about 7% below August's reported level.

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AI Demand Supports Advanced-Node Growth

TSM earlier expected continued strong demand for leading-edge technologies to contribute to third-quarter performance, including the steep ramp-up of its 2nm technology. On the last reported quarter’s earnings call, management described AI-related demand as "extremely robust" and said cloud service providers and their customers continued to provide strong signals and positive outlooks. TSMC subsequently raised its expectation for 2026 revenue growth to slightly above 40% year over year in U.S.-dollar terms.

The company also sees additional silicon demand emerging from agentic AI. The company noted that the trend is increasing the role of CPUs in AI data centers, in addition to AI accelerators. TSMC expects to benefit from demand across x86, ARM-based and RISC-V architectures, all of which are represented among its customers.

TSMC is responding to the multiyear demand outlook by increasing capacity. Management announced an additional $100 billion investment in Arizona for several more 2nm-and-below logic fabs and advanced packaging facilities, while also planning 13 leading-edge and advanced-packaging fabs in Taiwan over the next several years.

Earnings Estimates Continue to Reflect Strength

The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects third-quarter EPS of $4.45, signaling 52.4% year-over-year growth. The estimate has also moved higher in recent months, rising from $4.03 per share to $4.45, an increase of roughly 10.4%. The upward revision provides another indication that analysts have become more confident in TSMC's near-term earnings prospects.

The current EPS estimate compares favorably with TSMC's second-quarter EPS of $4.31 per ADR unit, reflecting expectations of continued strong earnings growth despite higher costs associated with the advanced-node ramp.

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Margins Remain a Key Watch Point

TSMC expects third-quarter gross margin of 65%-67% and operating margin of 56%-58%, compared with second-quarter gross and operating margins of 67.7% and 60.3%, respectively. The company has cautioned that the steep 2nm ramp will weigh on profitability as the new technology moves into higher-volume production.

Shares Lag Broader Market

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Despite TSMC's strong operating momentum, its share performance has been relatively subdued. Shares declined 4.4% during the June-September quarter against 1.5% growth of the S&P 500. The divergence highlights the elevated expectations surrounding TSMC's upcoming results, particularly as AI-driven demand and the 2nm ramp support strong earnings growth.

Peer Comparison

TSMC's performance in the last reported quarter also compares favorably with major U.S.-traded semiconductor peers. TSMC generated $40.2 billion of revenues in the second quarter, up 33.7% year over year, while Intel's INTC revenues rose 25% to $16.1 billion. Broadcom AVGO reported third-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues of $29.6 billion, up 86% year over year, driven by strong AI demand. While Broadcom is benefiting from custom AI accelerators and networking, TSMC's growth is more directly tied to AI accelerators and advanced-node production.

Bottom Line: A Buy Ahead of Earnings

TSMC looks well positioned ahead of its Oct. 15 third-quarter earnings release, supported by robust AI demand, advanced-node growth and strong July-August sales. More importantly, rising earnings expectations suggest that the AI investment cycle is translating into tangible revenue and profit growth rather than remaining a longer-term narrative. With TSMC carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), the stock offers an attractive earnings setup. While expectations are elevated, sustained AI demand, 2nm expansion and improving earnings momentum provide solid reasons to remain bullish on TSM ahead of the results. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[BEN's AUM Falls 1.9% in September: Can Diversification Sustain Growth?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:41:00 GMT Franklin Templeton, Inc. BEN has been diversifying its assets under management (AUM) through alternatives, private markets and digital assets. Despite declines in fiscal 2022 and 2025, its AUM recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2% over the past five fiscal years (ended fiscal 2025), with the rising trend continuing in the first nine months of fiscal 2026. However, recent market weakness has weighed on its overall asset base. As of Sept. 30, 2026, preliminary AUM declined 1.9% to $1.79 trillion sequentially.

Market volatility remained elevated in September, as fluctuations across equity and fixed-income markets influenced asset values and investor activity. During the month, the company’s equity AUM declined 1.5% to $763.4 billion, while fixed-income AUM fell 2.9% to $427.6 billion sequentially. Its multi-asset AUM also decreased 1.5% to $221.1 billion, while cash-management assets declined 11.2% to $75.4 billion. Despite the challenging market environment, it generated $6 billion in preliminary long-term net inflows, reflecting continued client demand.

The company’s alternatives business continued to provide a source of resilience, with alternative AUM increasing to $303 billion in September from $301.3 billion in August and remaining well above the $263.9 billion recorded a year earlier. This growth reflects BEN's efforts to diversify its AUM mix across traditional and alternative asset classes. Its 2025 acquisition of Apera Asset Management strengthened its European private-credit capabilities, while its real estate investment management arm, Clarion Partners, is expanding its European real-assets platform through an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Stoneshield Capital. The transaction, expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, will further broaden BEN’s European real estate and infrastructure capabilities. The deal is also expected to support further growth in alternatives AUM and create additional opportunities to expand fee-earning AUM across institutional and wealth-management channels.

Beyond alternatives, digital assets represent another potential growth avenue for Franklin. In June 2026, the acquisition of 250 Digital and launch of Franklin Crypto expanded the company's capabilities across institutional crypto strategies, separately managed accounts and tokenization. Meanwhile, partnerships with MoonPay in June 2026 and Payward in May 2026 have further expanded access to tokenized money-market funds and institutional digital-asset services.

However, concerns surrounding private credit could moderately slow BEN’s near-term AUM growth amid investor concerns about liquidity, valuations and credit quality. Still, the company’s diversified asset mix, strategic acquisitions and expanding digital-asset capabilities are expected to support long-term AUM growth and offset weakness in traditional asset classes.

AUM Performance of BEN’s Peers

Apollo Global Management’s APO AUM witnessed a CAGR of 19.6% over the past three years (2022-2025), with the rising trend continuing in the first half of 2026. AUM reached $1.05 trillion as of June 30, 2026, up 25% year over year, driven by strong capital formation and Retirement Services inflows.

The increase in APO’s AUM is also supported by fundraising across credit and equity strategies and continued growth from Athene.

Similarly, Lazard, Inc. LAZ has been expanding its AUM base over the years. Although AUM declined in 2022, the metric recorded a CAGR of 2.8% during 2016-2025, with the upward trend continuing in the first half of 2026.

Strong net inflows and strategic acquisitions, including the addition of $1 billion in AUM from its acquisition of a controlling interest in Elaia Partners, are supporting LAZ’s efforts to expand its AUM base.

BEN’s Price Performance & Zacks Rank

The company’s shares have gained 40.5% in the past six months compared with the industry’s 7.6% rise.

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Currently, the company carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Are Options Traders Betting on a Big Move in KBR Stock?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:17:00 GMT Investors in KBR, Inc. KBR need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the January 15, 2027 $57.50 Put had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.

What is Implied Volatility?

Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.

What do the Analysts Think?

Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for KBR, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, KBR is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) in the Engineering - R and D Services Industry that ranks in the Bottom 32% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 60 days, one analyst has increased his estimate for the current quarter, while one has revised his estimate downward. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter to remain flat at $1.01 per share in the same time period.

Given the way analysts feel about KBR right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Often times, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Is the Options Market Predicting a Spike in Chord Energy Corporation Stock?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:13:00 GMT Investors in Chord Energy Corporation CHRD need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the December 18, 2026 $75.00 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.

What is Implied Volatility?

Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.

What do the Analysts Think?

Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for Chord Energy Corporation, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently,Chord Energy Corporation is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) in the Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States Industry that ranks in the Top 37% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 60 days, three analysts have increased their earnings estimate for the current quarter, while one has dropped his estimate. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate to move from $3.71 per share to $4.42per share in the same time period.

Given the way analysts feel aboutChord Energy Corporation right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[C.H. Robinson to Benefit From RXO Acquisition: Here's How]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:08:00 GMT C.H. Robinson (CHRW) is strengthening its logistics operations and technological expertise through strategic acquisitions. To this end, C.H. Robinson announced that it has inked a deal with RXO Inc. (RXO), per which it plans to acquire RXO in a stock-and-cash transaction for an implied value of $5.8 billion.

C.H. Robinson plans to fund the cash portion of the consideration through new debt financing and has secured a fully underwritten bridge financing commitment from Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc.

Deal Details

Per the deal, RXO stockholders will receive $17.25 in cash and 0.0856 shares of CHRW common stock for each RXO share, implying total consideration of $30.25 per share. The offer represents a 27% premium to RXO’s 90-day volume-weighted average price and a 29% premium to its closing price on Oct. 2, 2026.

RXO stockholders may elect to receive the standard mixed consideration, $30.25 per share entirely in cash or 0.1992 shares of CHRW common stock per RXO share. These elections are subject to proration and adjustment provisions aimed at ensuring that almost 57% of the aggregate consideration is paid in cash and 43% in CHRW shares. The deal closure shall see RXO stockholders owning almost 11% of the combined company.

MFN Partners LP, which owns approximately 17% of RXO, has agreed to vote its shares in favor of the transaction and, subject to certain exceptions, refrain from transferring them. The agreement has been unanimously approved by the boards of both companies and is anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2027, subject to customary closing conditions, regulatory clearances and RXO stockholder approval.

Post-deal closure, RXO will be integrated into C.H. Robinson’s North American Surface Transportation division. Together, the combined company is likely to generate an enterprise value of over $25 billion.

How Will C.H. Robinson Benefit?

The purchase of RXO brings together two complementary networks, strengthening and diversifying C.H. Robinson’s multi-modal platform while expanding its reach across transportation modes and customer segments. The union of the companies’ trucking brokerage and managed transportation businesses, alongside CHRW’s global forwarding capabilities and RXO’s expertise in expedited and last-mile services, is anticipated to generate a broader and more integrated offering.

CHRW also plans to deploy its proven Lean artificial intelligence (AI) operating model across RXO’s operations, targeting nearly $300 million in net run-rate cost synergies within two years of closing. These productivity gains are anticipated to enhance operating efficiency, strengthen margins and improve operating leverage.

The acquisition is also expected to widen C.H. Robinson’s proprietary datasets, improving the speed and precision of its AI-driven sales, matching and procurement capabilities. The inclusion of RXO should increase network density, broaden C.H. Robinson’s capabilities and deepen its penetration across industry verticals while supporting higher shipment volumes. The combined platform and more diversified customer exposure should also enhance market visibility and strengthen the company’s ability to generate growth across freight cycles.

The companies’ complementary commercial capabilities and diverse customer bases are expected to generate meaningful cross-selling opportunities. Financially, the transaction is projected to be accretive to adjusted earnings per share within nine months of closing and deliver mid-teens adjusted earnings per share accretion in 2028.

Expected productivity gains should also strengthen cash flow generation, supporting rapid deleveraging following the transaction. C.H. Robinson aims to reduce leverage to its target range of 1.75x to 2.25x net debt to last-12-month adjusted EBITDA by the end of 2028 while retaining flexibility to fund growth initiatives. The company expects to maintain its solid investment-grade credit ratings and plans to pause share repurchases until it returns to its target leverage range following the transaction.

Zacks Rank and Other Stocks to Consider

Both CHRW and RXO presently carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Investors interested in the Zacks Transportation sector may consider better-ranked stocks like  Kirby KEX and Herc Holdings HRI.

Kirby currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

KEX has an expected earnings growth rate of 12.3% for 2026. The company has an encouraging earnings surprise history. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, delivering an average beat of 2.86%.

Herc Holdings currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.

HRI has a negative expected earnings growth rate of 8.4% for the current year. However, the company has an encouraging earnings surprise history. Its earnings topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average beat of 60.64%.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Rigetti's Quantum Momentum Builds Despite Uneven Revenue Growth]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:03:00 GMT Rigetti Computing RGTI is making headway in expanding the commercial reach of its quantum computing technology, although revenue visibility remains limited by project-based demand and a concentrated customer base. Second-quarter 2026 revenues jumped 185% year over year to $5.1 million, driven primarily by sales of its 9-qubit Novera systems and related products. However, one customer accounted for 64% of quarterly revenues, while another contributed 16%, highlighting the company’s dependence on a limited number of large contracts.

The $8.4 million C-DAC quantum computing system for India is expected to be recognized in the fourth quarter of 2026 after installation and acceptance testing, further underscoring the impact that major project milestones can have on quarterly results. While growing interest in on-premises quantum systems and development contracts provides a potential avenue for expansion, Rigetti’s offerings remain largely research-oriented, leaving near-term growth vulnerable to fluctuations in contract timing and customer spending.

At the same time, Rigetti’s efforts to strengthen its technology platform are coming with significantly higher costs. Second-quarter 2026 operating expenses increased 48% year over year to $30.3 million, driven by a 53% rise in research and development spending to $20.7 million, pushing the operating loss to $28.1 million. The company is expected to maintain elevated R&D investment and capital expenditures as it expands cryogenic infrastructure and fabrication capacity to support its next-generation quantum systems.

Rigetti’s $541.3 million liquidity position provides a substantial financial cushion to fund this investment cycle, but sustained operating losses and ongoing capital requirements could pressure cash resources over time and raise the possibility of future dilution. As the quantum computing market develops, the company’s ability to convert technological advances and contract wins into recurring commercial demand will remain critical to improving the quality and sustainability of its financial performance.

Peers Updates

IonQ IONQ signed an $8.18 million commercial agreement with Congruity360 to integrate its post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution appliances into the latter's enterprise data management platform, strengthening its foothold in the enterprise cybersecurity market. The company also advanced its hardware roadmap with the launch of Superion 256, its sixth-generation quantum computing platform, after fabricating its first integrated 256-qubit quantum processing units with SkyWater and successfully trapping the first ions in prototype systems across multiple U.S. facilities.

D-Wave Quantum QBTS finalized a definitive agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce for up to $100 million in CHIPS Act funding, providing additional support for its quantum technology roadmap and strengthening its position as a dual-platform provider of annealing and gate-model quantum systems. The funding comes as the company navigates near-term financial challenges, with second-quarter 2026 results reflecting a wider-than-expected loss, a revenue miss and weaker adjusted gross margins. Nevertheless, D-Wave continued to make progress on the commercial front, supported by stronger bookings, deeper engagements with leading global organizations and continued advancements across its technology platforms.

Rigetti’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates

Shares of RGTI have lost 30.8% in the year-to-date period against the industry’s growth of 8.5%.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Rigetti trades at a price-to-book ratio of 9.41, above the industry average. RGTI carries a Value Score of F.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Rigetti’s 2026 earnings implies a significant 70.3% improvement from the year-ago period.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The company currently has a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Colgate vs. Clorox: Which Consumer Staples Giant Holds the Edge?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:53:00 GMT The consumer staples industry is navigating a challenging environment marked by cautious consumer spending, heightened value-seeking behavior, inflationary pressures and evolving shopping patterns. Colgate-Palmolive Company CL and The Clorox Company CLX emerge as two prominent players with strong brand portfolios and leading positions across essential consumer categories.

While Colgate is benefiting from its global scale, category leadership, innovation and strong emerging-market presence, Clorox is focused on rebuilding market share, strengthening its brands, improving productivity and expanding its health and hygiene platform through the GOJO acquisition. Both companies are leveraging innovation, pricing, revenue growth management and digital capabilities to navigate a volatile operating environment.

This face-off between Colgate and Clorox examines how brand strength, market-share momentum, portfolio positioning and differences in growth strategies shape their long-term growth potential and defensive appeal.

The Case for CL

Colgate’s investment thesis is anchored in its strong global brands, category leadership, broad geographic footprint and diversified portfolio spanning Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Hill’s Pet Nutrition. The company’s global operating model continues to support growth despite a volatile macroeconomic environment. In the second quarter of 2026, organic sales increased across four of five divisions and three of four categories, while emerging markets delivered mid-single-digit growth, led by India, Brazil, Mexico and China.

Innovation and premiumization remain important pillars of Colgate’s strategy. The company is scaling new products such as Optic White Pro Series with ActivShine Technology and expanding Fabuloso into new forms. It is also increasing brand support to strengthen consumer engagement and improve market share, particularly in North America, where heightened competition and softer category trends have pressured performance.

Colgate is also investing heavily in digital capabilities, data, analytics and Artificial Intelligence. Its Promo AI tools are being scaled globally to improve promotional effectiveness, while revenue growth management and “funding the growth” initiatives are helping the company generate resources for increased advertising and brand investment. These efforts are designed to support both profit growth and stronger category positions.

Emerging markets remain a major growth opportunity. India, Brazil, Mexico and China continue to contribute meaningfully to the company’s performance. In China, Colgate has been leveraging social media, business-to-consumer platforms and localized innovation, with the Colgate China business delivering consistent mid-single-digit performance. The company is also transferring innovations developed in China, such as Optic White Purple, to other markets.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition provides another important growth avenue. Despite a soft pet-care category, Hill’s continues to outperform, supported by science-led premium innovation, therapeutic products and growth opportunities in areas such as wet food, cat food, small pets and international markets. Overall, Colgate is combining innovation, premiumization, revenue growth management, digital transformation and emerging-market expansion to strengthen its competitive position while maintaining a balanced approach between pricing and volume.

The Case for CLX

Clorox’s strategy is centered on strengthening its core brands, rebuilding market share, improving operational efficiency and creating a portfolio positioned for more consistent profitable growth. The company is responding to heightened value-seeking behavior by sharpening product superiority, improving price-pack architecture, increasing promotion effectiveness and strengthening brand-building investments. Clorox is also benefiting from the completion of its ERP transformation.

Clorox is focused on driving superiority across its portfolio through improvements in products, packaging, propositions, distribution and pricing. This approach has already helped stabilize market share in several businesses. Home Care has delivered eight consecutive quarters of share growth in fourth-quarter fiscal 2026, while Glad and Hidden Valley Ranch also returned to share growth following targeted investments in innovation, pricing, marketing and distribution.

Innovation is another key pillar of Clorox’s strategy. The company doubled innovation spending as a percentage of sales in fiscal 2026 and expects further progress in fiscal 2027. It is investing in packaging upgrades, product improvements and wellness-oriented offerings while using targeted pricing and revenue growth management to address changing consumer needs.

The GOJO acquisition has strengthened Clorox’s health and hygiene platform and expanded its presence in professional and consumer hygiene markets. Management said the acquired business performed ahead of expectations in the fourth quarter and is expected to be accretive to adjusted EPS in fiscal 2027.

However, the company continues to face elevated inflation, muted underlying demand and increased promotional activity. Fiscal 2027 organic sales growth is expected to benefit from lapping the prior-year ERP inventory drawdown, while underlying growth remains modest. Gross margin is expected to stay under pressure from higher commodity, manufacturing and logistics costs. Weakness in Litter and cautious consumer spending also remain concerns.

Price Performance & Valuation of CL & CLX

In the past year, Colgate has delivered higher returns, with shares gaining 11.7% against Clorox’s decline of 28.7%. Meanwhile, the Consumer Products - Staples industry has dropped 2.3% in the same time frame.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, CL currently trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 21.42X compared with CLX’s 13.77X. Here, CLX trades at a cheaper forward earnings multiple compared with CL.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

How Does Zacks Consensus Estimate Compare for CL & CLX?

Colgate’s 2026 revenues and earnings per share (EPS) are projected to increase 4.8% and 4.9% year over year to $21.4 billion and $3.87, respectively. CL’s 2027 revenues and EPS are likely to increase 3.2% and 5.2% year over year to $22 billion and $4.07, respectively. The company has a strong track record of earnings surprises.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchClorox’s fiscal 2027 revenues and EPS are expected to rise 13.6% and 5.4% year over year to $7.6 billion and $5.83, respectively. CLX’s fiscal 2028 revenues and EPS are likely to jump 1.9% and 9.4% year over year to $7.8 billion and $6.38, respectively.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

CL vs. CLX: Who Has the Edge?

In this consumer staples face-off, Colgate moves ahead, supported by stronger operating momentum, global diversification, category leadership and a more consistent growth profile. The company is benefiting from solid emerging-market performance, premium innovation, Hill’s strength and increasing investments in digital capabilities, while its revenue growth management initiatives are helping offset inflationary pressures.

Colgate also has a more favorable recent share-price record. Its shares have outperformed the broader industry over the past year, while the stock's earnings outlook remains supported by positive operating trends and a strong global footprint. The key risk is valuation, as CL trades at a substantial premium to Clorox.

That said, Clorox remains a compelling transformation story. The GOJO acquisition expands its health and hygiene platform, while ERP-driven productivity, portfolio optimization, innovation and market-share recovery could support earnings growth. However, Clorox continues to face elevated inflation, muted category growth and the need to rebuild organic sales momentum. Management expects fiscal 2027 inflation to exceed $200 million, with the impact particularly pronounced in the first half.

For investors prioritizing business stability, global diversification, brand strength, market-share momentum and earnings visibility, Colgate takes the lead. Clorox offers greater transformation-driven upside and a cheaper valuation, but its investment case depends more heavily on successful execution, margin recovery and sustained market-share gains.

Supporting this stance, CL currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), while Clorox at present displays a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. 

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[5 Stocks to Buy From the Prosperous Multiline Insurance Industry]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:45:00 GMT Product diversification has been helping Zacks Multiline Insurance industry players lower concentration risk, ensure uninterrupted revenue generation and improve retention ratio. Better pricing, prudent underwriting, increased exposure and faster economic recovery should benefit Prudential Financial Inc. PRU, Principal Financial Group Inc. PFG, Assurant Inc. AIZ, Oscar Health OSCR and Horace Mann Educators HMN. Accelerated digitalization will help in the smooth functioning of the industry. The increasing acceptance of embedded insurance is also expected to drive the industry. Per a report in Financial Services, premiums from embedded insurance are projected to exceed $722 billion globally by 2030.

The solid capital level of multiline insurers will fuel merger and acquisition (M&A) activities. At its latest meeting, the Federal Reserve raised the benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points under Chair Kevin Warsh, lifting the federal funds rate target range to 3.75%-4%. Insurers are direct beneficiaries of an improved rate environment. Investment income is expected to remain strong, given insurers’ diverse investment portfolio as well as the continued growth of private market investments. Also, an investment portfolio skewed toward fixed-income maturities provides some upside.  Continued inflation also acts as a drag, making repairs, medical care, and replacement costs more expensive. Insurers’ focus on personalizing offerings to enhance customer experience and leveraging digitalization is the key. Given moderating pricing and increased competition, pricing competition will likely improve, according to an Insurance Business report.

About the Industry

The Zacks Multiline Insurance industry comprises companies that provide single insurance coverage, bundling automobile, homeowner, long-term care, and life and health insurance to individuals and businesses. The insured pays a single premium and is covered for many things through a single contract. These companies cover commercial and personal properties, automobiles, marine, livestock, aviation, personal accident, life, including permanent and term insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, workers’ compensation, annuity products, private mortgage insurance, et al. The players also provide risk management services. Since the companies offer single insurance coverage for multiple products, customer retention improves. The insured stands to benefit from lower premium payments compared to paying individual premiums for insuring varied products.

4 Trends Shaping the Future of the Multiline Insurance Industry

Diversified Portfolio Supports Long-Term Growth: Multiline insurers benefit from diversified product portfolios, reducing reliance on any single business line and limiting concentration risk. Rising awareness of financial protection, increasing demand for customized insurance solutions and emerging opportunities in cyber, pet and green-energy insurance are expected to support premium growth. While lower interest rates may put pressure on life insurance earnings and catastrophe losses can affect non-life profitability, diversified operations and disciplined underwriting help mitigate these risks.

Softening Pricing Environment: Commercial insurance pricing is easing after several years of strong premium increases as improved industry capital levels and greater underwriting capacity intensify competition. With more insurers competing for quality business, pricing power is weakening, limiting premium growth and putting pressure on underwriting margins, especially if claims costs remain elevated. In this environment, disciplined underwriting, prudent risk selection and cost efficiency will be critical to sustaining profitability.

Merger & Acquisition Activity: Consolidation in the multiline insurance industry is expected to accelerate as insurers seek to expand across new products, markets and geographies while strengthening their competitive positions. Improved deal activity, particularly in technology-driven transactions, is likely to support growth following a slowdown caused by inflation. Insurers are increasingly acquiring insurtech firms to enhance digital capabilities, improve operational efficiency and deliver more innovative, customer-centric insurance solutions amid the industry's ongoing digital transformation.

Increased Adoption of Technology: Multiline insurers are increasingly adopting AI, advanced analytics, cloud computing, blockchain and automation to improve underwriting, claims processing and customer service. Digital distribution channels and real-time data enable more accurate risk assessment and personalized pricing. Continued investments in technology and analytics are enhancing operational efficiency, lowering costs and strengthening insurers' ability to compete in an increasingly digital marketplace. 

Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright Prospects

The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates strong prospects in the near term. The Zacks Multiline Insurance industry, housed within the broader Zacks Finance sector, currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #108, which places it in the top 44% of 247 Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

The industry’s positioning in the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is the result of a positive earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. The industry’s current year earnings estimates have been revised 2% upward in the last six months by analysts. 

Before we present a few multiline insurance stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, let’s take a look at the industry’s recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.

Industry vs. Sector and S&P 500

The Multiline Insurance industry has underperformed the sector and the Zacks S&P 500 composite in a year. The stocks in this industry have collectively gained 1.9% in a year compared with the Finance sector’s increase of 6.7% and the Zacks S&P 500 composite’s rise of 16.8% in the same time frame.          

 1-Year Price Performance

 

Current Valuation

On the basis of its trailing 12-month price-to-book (P/B), which is commonly used for valuing insurance stocks, the industry is currently trading at 2.67X compared with the S&P 500’s 7.28X and the sector’s 4.37X.

Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 2.90X, as low as 1.34X and at the median of 2.52X.

Price-to-Book (P/B) Ratio (TTM)



Price-to-Book (P/B) Ratio (TTM)

 

5 Multiline Insurance Stocks to Add to Your Portfolio

We are presenting two Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks and three Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stocks from the Multiline Insurance industry.  

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Oscar Health: Headquartered in New York, NY, Oscar offers a differentiated, technology-enabled approach to health insurance, with a strong focus on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Continued membership growth, stronger underwriting discipline and increasing operating leverage position the company for sustained expansion. Expanding margins and long-term monetization of its technology platform add to the upside. Oscar Health sports a Zacks Rank #1.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for OSCR’s 2026 and 2027 earnings indicates 208.3% and 21% year-over-year increases, respectively.  The expected long-term earnings growth rate is pegged at 49.7%, better than the industry average of 13.2%. It has a VGM Score of A. The consensus estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings witnessed an 18.8% and a 24% upward movement, respectively, in the past 30 days.

Price and Consensus: OSCR


Horace Mann Educators:  Headquartered in Springfield, IL, it is the largest financial services company serving the U.S. educator market. Its niche focus, improved product offerings, better pricing and a strengthened distribution model are likely to benefit results. Earned premium growth ahead of loss cost growth is likely to favor the combined ratio. Continued share buybacks are expected to boost the bottom line. It carries a Zacks Rank #1.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HMN’s 2026 and 2027 earnings indicates a 1.5% and a 9.9% year-over-year increase, respectively. Horace Mann has a VGM Score of B.

Price and Consensus: HMN


Assurant: Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Assurant is a global provider of risk management solutions in the housing and lifestyle markets. Protection and service platforms support recurring revenues and sustainable growth across Global Lifestyle and Global Housing. Connected Living is benefiting from program optimization, subscriber gains and broader supply-chain capabilities, while Global Automotive is supported by international partnerships and improved loss experience. Strong liquidity and disciplined share repurchases provide financial flexibility and support shareholder returns. It carries a Zacks Rank #2.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AIZ’s 2026 and 2027 earnings indicates 12.9% and 5.2% year-over-year increases, respectively. The consensus estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings witnessed 1.2% and 1% upward movement, respectively, in the past 30 days.  It has a VGM Score of A.
                     

Price and Consensus: AIZ



Principal Financial Group: Headquartered in Des Moines, Principal Financial Group is a global financial services company providing retirement solutions, asset management, insurance and employee benefits to businesses, individuals and institutional clients. Principal Financial benefits from a diversified mix of retirement, asset management, insurance and employee benefits, which supports recurring fees, premiums and investment income. Retirement deposits, participant engagement and international pension assets continue to expand, while higher AUM and margin gains support earnings scalability. The Beam Benefits acquisition should broaden reach in the small and mid-sized business market. Excess capital supports investment, dividends and buybacks for this Zacks Rank #2 insurer.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PFG’s 2026 and 2027 earnings indicates a year-over-year increase of 16.6% and 8.5%, respectively. The consensus estimates for 2026 and 2027 earnings have moved 2 cents and 5 cents north, respectively, in the past 30 days.  The expected long-term earnings growth rate is pegged at 11.5%. It has a VGM Score of B.

Price and Consensus: PFG

Prudential Financial: Headquartered in Newark, NJ, Prudential Financial, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, provides insurance, investment management and other financial products and services to individual and institutional customers in the United States and other countries. Prudential Financial benefits from rising retirement demand, a broader annuity and pension risk transfer franchise and PGIM’s integrated asset management platform. Its refreshed strategy should concentrate capital in the United States, Japan and select European markets while expanding capital-light earnings and lowering operating costs. Group Insurance and Individual Life also add diversification, while updated steady shareholder distributions support returns. It carries a Zacks Rank #2.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PRU’s 2026 and 2027 earnings indicates 0.8% and 2.8% year-over-year increases, respectively.  The consensus estimates for 2026 and 2027 earnings have moved 3 cents and 1 cent north, respectively, in the past 30 days.  The expected long-term earnings growth rate is pegged at 4.6%. It has a VGM Score of B.

Price and Consensus: PRU

 

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Zacks Initiates Coverage of NI Holdings With Neutral Recommendation]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:32:00 GMT Zacks Investment Research has recently initiated coverage of NI Holdings, Inc. NODK with a Neutral recommendation. The insurer’s improving underwriting results and stronger capital position are encouraging, although premium contraction and geographic concentration warrant a measured view.

Headquartered in Fargo, ND, NI Holdings provides property and casualty insurance through businesses spanning private passenger auto, homeowners, farmowners, crop insurance and commercial-related coverage. Its operations are entirely U.S.-based, with North Dakota representing its most important market.

A key tailwind is the sharp improvement in underwriting profitability during the first half of 2026. NI Holdings generated an underwriting gain of $6.2 million compared with a $14.6 million loss a year earlier, while the combined ratio improved to 94.8% from 110.3%. This progress helped net income swing to $12.7 million from a $5.6 million loss, with annualized return on average equity rising to 10.3% from negative 4.6%. 

Another favorable development is the continued runoff of the loss-making Non-Standard Auto business, as highlighted by the research report. Following the company’s decision to stop writing this business in Illinois, Arizona and South Dakota, first-half premiums in the segment dropped sharply. More importantly, the drag on earnings has diminished significantly. The segment posted a $1.5 million underwriting gain in the second quarter of 2026 compared with an $8.8 million loss a year earlier, while the first-half underwriting loss narrowed to just $0.08 million from $13.4 million. As remaining policies continue to run off, NI Holdings should face less exposure to a business that had been a major source of volatility.

Growth in stronger core businesses is also helping reshape the earnings mix. Home and Farm net premiums earned rose 15.1% in the first half of 2026, supported by higher renewal premiums, new business and rate increases in North Dakota. All Other premiums increased 55.1%, driven mainly by participation in catastrophe reinsurance programs. Private Passenger Auto, Crop and All Other remained underwriting-profitable during the first half of 2026. NI Holdings also ended June quarter with $376.5 million in cash and investments and $249.4 million of shareholders’ equity, while ongoing share repurchases provide another source of capital support.

However, several risks temper the outlook, as outlined in the report. Net premiums earned fell 14.5% year over year in the first half of 2026 as the Non-Standard Auto runoff reduced the premium base. Catastrophe and weather-related losses remain important sources of earnings volatility, particularly given the company’s sizable Home and Farm and crop exposure.

Geographic concentration is another concern. North Dakota accounted for roughly 71% of direct premiums written in the first half of 2026, leaving results particularly sensitive to severe weather and regional insurance conditions. Investment income has also declined, while operating cash flow turned negative during the period despite the improvement in reported earnings.

NI Holdings’ shares have shown mixed performance as improving underwriting trends are weighed against concerns over growth and earnings volatility. The stock trades at a relatively modest valuation compared with industry peers. 

Despite premium contraction, geographic concentration and weaker cash-flow trends, NI Holdings benefits from improving underwriting profitability, a healthier business mix and solid financial flexibility. For more detailed insights and analysis, read the full Zacks Investment Research report on NODK.

Read the full Research Report on NI Holdings here>>>

Note: Our initiation of coverage on NI Holdings, which has a modest market capitalization of $305.3 million, aims to equip investors with the information needed to make informed decisions in this promising but inherently risky segment of the market.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[UnitedHealth Q3 Coming Up: Two Questions Investors Can't Ignore]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:27:00 GMT UnitedHealth Group Incorporated UNH heads into third-quarter earnings on Oct. 13 with a different test than it faced earlier this year. The focus is no longer simply on whether results are improving. Investors now want to know whether the second-quarter rebound can hold.

Medical Costs: Is the Improvement Sustainable?

UnitedHealthcare’s MCR improved to 86.7% in the second quarter from 89.4% a year earlier. Operating earnings rose to $3.9 billion from $2.1 billion, while operating margin climbed to 4.6% from 2.4%. Still, the quarter included $860 million of favorable medical reserve development, which helped the reported improvement.

That leaves investors looking for cleaner evidence in the third quarter. Key areas include underlying medical costs, Medicare inpatient and outpatient utilization, commercial cost trends, specialty-drug inflation and provider coding intensity. Management’s 88.1% full-year MCR outlook will also be closely watched.

Can MA Margins Improve Without More Member Losses?

The second major question is whether UnitedHealthcare can repair Medicare Advantage profitability without giving up too much enrollment.

MA membership stood at 7.565 million at June 30, down 785,000 from a year earlier. Including certain complex populations, senior enrollment had fallen by about 965,000 since 2025-end. Management expects the full-year MA decline to reach roughly 1.1 million members.

Some of that pressure is intentional. UNH has been adjusting benefits, pricing, networks and market exposure to improve returns. Management still expects Medicare margins to finish 2026 above 3%.

The third quarter will show whether the trade-off is working. Investors will be watching enrollment, retention, benefit changes for 2027 and any update to the attrition forecast. A smaller, healthier Medicare book could support earnings, but deeper membership losses would raise fresh concerns about growth. The strongest outcome would pair steadier medical costs with improving Medicare economics and member retention.

How are Peers Placed?

Peers like Humana Inc. HUM and Elevance Health, Inc. ELV are also fighting rising medical cost trends. Neither Humana nor Elevance Health showed year-over-year cost-ratio improvement in the last reported quarter. Humana’s Insurance benefit ratio rose to 91.2% from 89.9%, up 130 basis points, despite some inpatient favorability. Elevance’s benefit expense ratio increased to 89.7% from 88.9%, up 80 basis points, mainly reflecting elevated medical costs in its Government businesses, partly offset by better ACA performance.

UnitedHealth’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates

Shares of UNH have gained 15.1% in the year-to-date period compared with the industry’s growth of 16.7%.

Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, UnitedHealth trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 17.28, up from the industry average of 15.20. UNH carries a Value Score of A.

Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UnitedHealth’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $19.85 per share, implying a 21.4% improvement from the year-ago period.

Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[4 Utility Stocks to Buy as Electric Power Industry Continues to Grow]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:02:00 GMT Utility-Electric Power industry participants generate, transmit and distribute electricity to millions of customers across the United States. Utilities are gradually shifting toward cleaner energy sources and reducing carbon emissions, supported by government policies promoting cleaner power generation. At the same time, companies continue to modernize the grid and strengthen transmission and distribution networks to improve reliability. With hurricanes posing a recurring threat, sustained infrastructure investments are also enhancing grid resilience, reducing outage durations and supporting faster restoration of electricity following severe storms.

Entergy Corporation ETR, with an expanding clean energy portfolio, a growing customer base, solid renewable operations and a well-planned capital investment program aimed at strengthening infrastructure, remains well positioned for long-term growth and offers an attractive investment opportunity in the utility sector. Other utilities worth adding to your portfolio are FirstEnergy Corp. FE, CenterPoint Energy CNP and PPL Corporation PPL.

About the Industry

The Utility-Electric Power industry is responsible for generating, transmitting, distributing, storing and retailing electricity to consumers. Demand for utility services generally remains resilient across economic cycles, although extreme weather conditions can cause fluctuations in electricity consumption. The industry is also undergoing a major transformation as more utilities pursue zero-emission targets and expand cleaner generation portfolios. Meanwhile, rising internet usage, increasing electric vehicle adoption, industrial reshoring and rapid growth in artificial intelligence are expected to drive substantial electricity demand, given the high-power requirements of AI-related workloads. However, elevated interest rates remain a key challenge for this capital-intensive industry by increasing financing costs for large infrastructure projects.

3 Major Trends Driving the Electric Power Industry Forward

Utilities Ramp Up Renewable Energy Expansion: U.S. electric power operators are steadily shifting toward cleaner sources of generation. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”), renewables are projected to account for 25% of U.S. electricity generation in 2026, up from 24% in 2025, and rise further to 27% in 2027, supported by continued additions of solar and wind capacity. The Inflation Reduction Act is expected to reinforce this transition by providing greater long-term certainty around federal clean energy incentives. This predictable policy support can improve earnings visibility and strengthen utilities’ decarbonization plans. At the same time, the expansion of large-scale battery storage projects is supporting renewable deployment by helping manage the intermittent nature of solar and wind generation.

Increasing Consumption and Prices for Electricity: Per the EIA, consumption of electricity is expected to increase in the United States. Consumption is expected to increase 2% in 2026 from 2025 levels and further increase 2% in 2027. Utility demand is strengthening as AI-focused data centers drive round-the-clock electricity consumption, while reshoring of semiconductor, battery and robotics manufacturing adds to industrial power requirements. At the same time, increasing adoption of electric vehicles and heat pumps is lifting electricity usage and encouraging continued investment in generation capacity and grid infrastructure.

Per EIA, the price of average electricity to be provided to customers in the industrial, commercial and residential sectors will increase 4.4%, 4.3% and 5.2%, respectively, in 2026. The same trend is expected to continue in 2027 as well, boosting revenues of the companies operating in this space.

Higher Rates to Raise Financing Costs for Utilities: A 25-basis-point increase in interest rates and the possibility of one more rate hike before year-end can pressure domestic-focused, capital-intensive regulated electric utilities by raising borrowing costs for large infrastructure and grid modernization programs. Higher financing expenses may weigh on earnings and cash flows, particularly for companies with sizable debt-funded capital plans. Although regulated utilities can seek recovery of prudent costs through future rate cases, the timing lag between spending and recovery can temporarily pressure returns and financial flexibility.

 

Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright Prospects

The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates upbeat near-term prospects. The 62-stock Utility-Electric Power industry is housed within the broader Zacks Utilities sector and currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #112, which places it in the top 45% of more than 247 Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than two to one.

The industry’s positioning in the top 50% of the Zacks Rank industries is a result of a positive earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. The industry’s recent earnings estimate of $3.13 as of Oct. 5, 2026, reflects year-over-year growth of 2.6%.

Before we present a few Utility-Electric Power stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, let us take a look at the industry’s recent stock-market performance and current valuation.

Electric Power Industry Lags S&P 500 But Beats Sector

The Utility-Electric Power industry has lagged the Zacks S&P 500 but outperformed its own sector over the past 12 months. The industry has lost 3.3%, narrower than its sector’s 4.9% decline. The Zacks S&P 500 composite has gained 16.1% in the same period.

Price Performance (One year)



 

Electric Power Industry's Current Valuation

The P/E F12M (Price/Earnings Forward 12 months) ratio is particularly useful for valuing electric power utilities, as their regulated operations produce reliable and consistent earnings. It provides a simple way to determine whether a stock is fairly valued compared with the industry peers.

The Utility-Electric Power industry is trading at 13.63X compared with the S&P 500’s 19.76X and the Utility sector’s 14.21X.

Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 17.43X, as low as 11.92X and at the median of 14.67X.

Industry P/E F12M vs S&P 500 (5yrs)


Industry P/E F12M vs Sector (5yrs)



 

4 Utility-Electric Power Stocks to Watch and Accumulate

Utilities is a mature sector and all the stocks selected from the Zacks Utility-Electric Power industry have a market capitalization of more than $24 billion. The stocks currently have a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each.   You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Entergy Corporation: New Orleans, LA-based Entergy Corporation is primarily engaged in electric power production and retail distribution of power. The company currently expects to invest $67 billion in the 2026-2029 time period to strengthen its operations. Entergy Corporation is adding more clean assets to its generation portfolio. 

The company’s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth is pegged at 10.16%. ETR’s current dividend yield is 2.54%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Entergy Corporation’s 2026 and 2027 earnings indicates year-over-year growth of 12.53% and 15.38%, respectively. The Times Interest Earned (“TIE”) ratio of the company at the end of the second quarter was 2.5. A ratio greater than 1 indicates financial flexibility and the company’s capability to meet its interest obligation without any problem.

Price and Consensus: ETR

FirstEnergy Corp: Akron, OH-based FirstEnergy, its subsidiaries and affiliates, engages in the transmission, distribution and generation of electricity. The firm has successfully expanded its regulated activities and undergone a complete transition to become a fully regulated utility company in the past few years. FirstEnergy aims to invest $36 billion in the 2026-2030 period to strengthen its infrastructure and efficiently serve customers.

FE’s long-term earnings growth is pegged at 6.32%. The current dividend yield for FE is 4.26%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FirstEnergy’s 2026 and 2027 earnings per share indicates year-over-year growth of 7.45% and 7.74%, respectively. The TIE ratio of the company at the end of the second quarter was 2.3.

Price and Consensus: FE

CenterPoint Energy: Houston, TX-based CenterPoint Energy provides electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution and competitive natural gas sales and services operations. The company is investing to expand its operations to meet increasing electricity demand, backed by expanding commercial activity. In the next 10 years, CenterPoint Energy plans to invest $66.7 billion to strengthen and expand its operations further.

The company’s long-term earnings growth is pegged at 7.93%. CNP’s current dividend yield is 2.54%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CenterPoint Energy’s 2026 and 2027 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 8.52% and 8.95%, respectively. The TIE ratio of the company at the end of the second quarter was 2.3.

Price and Consensus: CNP

PPL Corporation: Allentown, PA-based PPL provides electric and natural gas services to its customers. The company is experiencing rising demand from AI-based data centers operating in its service region. PPL continues to project $23 billion of regulated capital investment needs for the 2026-2029 period to strengthen its operations.

The company’s long-term earnings growth is pegged at 5.26%. PPL’s current dividend yield is 3.46%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PPL’s 2026 and 2027 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 7.18% and 8.77%, respectively. The TIE ratio of the company at the end of the second quarter was 2.8.

Price and Consensus: PPL



 

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[XYZ's Square Expands Merchant Base With Pike Place Fish Market Deal]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:48:00 GMT Block’s XYZ Square has been selected by Seattle’s famous Pike Place Fish Market as its unified commerce platform, helping the nearly century-old seafood business modernize payments and daily operations. The market, which has operated at Pike Place since 1930 and welcomes more than 20,000 visitors a day, moved to Square after more than a decade using another processing system.

The upgrade is important because Pike Place Fish operates in a demanding, seasonal environment. Summer brings heavy tourist traffic, including days when as many as four cruise ships dock nearby. In winter, roughly 80% of the market’s volume shifts to online and phone orders for nationwide overnight seafood delivery.

Pike Place Fish now uses Square Plus with Square Terminal. The setup gives staff a compact payment device with a built-in receipt printer, long battery life and offline-payment capability, which is useful at its busy open-air location. Square also gives the business access to a broader set of tools that can be added as its needs change.

The partnership could also improve customer engagement. Square automatically captures customer data at the point of sale, allowing Pike Place Fish to build direct relationships with buyers after they leave the market. With hundreds of transactions each day, this gives Pike Place Fish Market a new way to support repeat purchases and marketing.

The deal adds to Square’s recent food and beverage wins. Los Angeles restaurants Etra and Cafe Telegrama, which operate as two distinct dining concepts from a shared kitchen, moved their operations to Square. Ideal Nutrition, which operates 17 Florida stores and produces about 150,000 meals weekly, renewed and expanded its Square partnership as it targets 20 locations by year-end 2026. Whit’s Frozen Custard also adopted Square across 100 locations in 11 states.

Conclusion

For Block, the Pike Place Fish deal highlights Square’s ability to support high-traffic businesses with flexible payment and commerce tools. By helping the market manage heavy in-person transaction volumes while strengthening customer engagement and supporting its changing seasonal needs, Square could deepen its merchant relationships and drive greater adoption of its ecosystem.

Over the past six months, shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have gained 28% compared with the industry's growth of 32%.

 

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

 

Stocks to Consider

Some better-ranked stocks from the internet-software sector are BILL Holdings, Inc. BILL and MongoDB MDB, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BILL’s fiscal 2027 earnings per share (EPS) has moved northward by 52 cents to $3.73 over the past two months.

The consensus estimate for MDB’s fiscal 2027 EPS has moved up 6 cents to $6.50 over the past month.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[3 Reasons Growth Investors Will Love Shopify (SHOP)]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:45:02 GMT Growth stocks are attractive to many investors, as above-average financial growth helps these stocks easily grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a growth stock that can live up to its true potential can be a tough task.

By their very nature, these stocks carry above-average risk and volatility. Moreover, if a company's growth story is over or nearing its end, betting on it could lead to significant loss.

However, the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects, makes it pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks.

Our proprietary system currently recommends Shopify (SHOP) as one such stock. This company not only has a favorable Growth Score, but also carries a top Zacks Rank.

Studies have shown that stocks with the best growth features consistently outperform the market. And returns are even better for stocks that possess the combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy).

Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this cloud-based commerce company a great growth pick right now.

Earnings Growth

Arguably nothing is more important than earnings growth, as surging profit levels is what most investors are after. And for growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is definitely preferable, and often an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.

While the historical EPS growth rate for Shopify is 41.4%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 61.8% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 21.3%.

Impressive Asset Utilization Ratio

Asset utilization ratio -- also known as sales-to-total-assets (S/TA) ratio -- is often overlooked by investors, but it is an important indicator in growth investing. This metric exhibits how efficiently a firm is utilizing its assets to generate sales.

Right now, Shopify has an S/TA ratio of 0.9, which means that the company gets $0.9 in sales for each dollar in assets. Comparing this to the industry average of 0.75, it can be said that the company is more efficient.

While the level of efficiency in generating sales matters a lot, so does the sales growth of a company. And Shopify looks attractive from a sales growth perspective as well. The company's sales are expected to grow 31.3% this year versus the industry average of 0%.

Promising Earnings Estimate Revisions

Superiority of a stock in terms of the metrics outlined above can be further validated by looking at the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is of course favorable here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

The current-year earnings estimates for Shopify have been revising upward. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 0.1% over the past month.

Bottom Line

Shopify has not only earned a Growth Score of A based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above, but it also carries a Zacks Rank #2 because of the positive earnings estimate revisions.

You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

This combination positions Shopify well for outperformance, so growth investors may want to bet on it.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[3 Reasons Why Growth Investors Shouldn't Overlook Garrett Motion (GTX)]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:45:02 GMT Growth investors focus on stocks that are seeing above-average financial growth, as this feature helps these securities garner the market's attention and deliver solid returns. However, it isn't easy to find a great growth stock.

In addition to volatility, these stocks carry above-average risk by their very nature. Also, one could end up losing from a stock whose growth story is actually over or nearing its end.

However, it's pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects.

Garrett Motion (GTX) is on the list of such stocks currently recommended by our proprietary system. In addition to a favorable Growth Score, it carries a top Zacks Rank.

Research shows that stocks carrying the best growth features consistently beat the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.

While there are numerous reasons why the stock of this maker of vehicle turbocharging and electric-boosting gear is a great growth pick right now, we have highlighted three of the most important factors below:

Earnings Growth

Earnings growth is arguably the most important factor, as stocks exhibiting exceptionally surging profit levels tend to attract the attention of most investors. And for growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is definitely preferable, and often an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.

While the historical EPS growth rate for Garrett Motion is 7.3%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 26.1% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 15.4%.

Cash Flow Growth

While cash is the lifeblood of any business, higher-than-average cash flow growth is more important and beneficial for growth-oriented companies than for mature companies. That's because, growth in cash flow enables these companies to expand their businesses without depending on expensive outside funds.

Right now, year-over-year cash flow growth for Garrett Motion is 1.7%, which is higher than many of its peers. In fact, the rate compares to the industry average of 0.8%.

While investors should actually consider the current cash flow growth, it's worth taking a look at the historical rate too for putting the current reading into proper perspective. The company's annualized cash flow growth rate has been 19.2% over the past 3-5 years versus the industry average of 6.9%.

Promising Earnings Estimate Revisions

Superiority of a stock in terms of the metrics outlined above can be further validated by looking at the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is of course favorable here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

There have been upward revisions in current-year earnings estimates for Garrett Motion. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 0.2% over the past month.

Bottom Line

Garrett Motion has not only earned a Growth Score of B based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above, but it also carries a Zacks Rank #2 because of the positive earnings estimate revisions.

You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

This combination indicates that Garrett Motion is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Here is Why Growth Investors Should Buy Modine (MOD) Now ]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:45:02 GMT Investors seek growth stocks to capitalize on above-average growth in financials that help these securities grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a growth stock that can live up to its true potential can be a tough task.

In addition to volatility, these stocks carry above-average risk by their very nature. Also, one could end up losing from a stock whose growth story is actually over or nearing its end.

However, the task of finding cutting-edge growth stocks is made easy with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects.

Modine (MOD) is one such stock that our proprietary system currently recommends. The company not only has a favorable Growth Score, but also carries a top Zacks Rank.

Studies have shown that stocks with the best growth features consistently outperform the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.

Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this heating and cooling products maker a great growth pick right now.

Earnings Growth

Arguably nothing is more important than earnings growth, as surging profit levels is what most investors are after. For growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is highly preferable, as it is often perceived as an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.

While the historical EPS growth rate for Modine is 39.2%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 53% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 15.4%.

Cash Flow Growth

Cash is the lifeblood of any business, but higher-than-average cash flow growth is more beneficial and important for growth-oriented companies than for mature companies. That's because, high cash accumulation enables these companies to undertake new projects without raising expensive outside funds.

Right now, year-over-year cash flow growth for Modine is 18.3%, which is higher than many of its peers. In fact, the rate compares to the industry average of 0.8%.

While investors should actually consider the current cash flow growth, it's worth taking a look at the historical rate too for putting the current reading into proper perspective. The company's annualized cash flow growth rate has been 22.4% over the past 3-5 years versus the industry average of 6.9%.

Promising Earnings Estimate Revisions

Beyond the metrics outlined above, investors should consider the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is a plus here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

There have been upward revisions in current-year earnings estimates for Modine. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 0.4% over the past month.

Bottom Line

Modine has not only earned a Growth Score of B based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above, but it also carries a Zacks Rank #2 because of the positive earnings estimate revisions.

You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

This combination indicates that Modine is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[LW Q1 Earnings Beat Estimates on Higher North America Volume]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:27:00 GMT Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. LW reported solid first-quarter fiscal 2027 results, wherein both top and bottom lines beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate and increased year over year. 

LW’s adjusted earnings were 75 cents per share, up 1.4% year over year. The bottom line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 59 cents. 

Lamb Weston Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Lamb Weston Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Lamb Weston price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Lamb Weston Quote

Net sales amounted to $1,670.3 million, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,654 million. The top line increased 0.7% year over year, driven by a 2% increase in sales volume and an immaterial favorable currency impact partially offset by a 2% decline in price/mix. Our model suggested a volume increase of 3.2% in the quarter.

LW’s Quarterly Results: Key Metrics & Insights

Adjusted gross profit fell 6.5% year over year to $316.8 million from $338.9 million. The adjusted gross margin decreased 140 basis points (bps) to 19%. Our model projected adjusted gross margin contraction of about 200 basis points to 18.4%. 

Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses rose 5.1% to $139.2 million. As a percentage of sales, the same increased 30 bps to 8.3%. 

Adjusted EBITDA fell 5.5% year over year to $285.6 million, while adjusted EBITDA margin contracted 110 bps to 17.1%.

LW Provides Q1 Insights by Segment

North America segment sales increased 5.2% year over year to $1,141.4 million. Volume grew 6.7%, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of volume growth, driven by stronger demand from existing customers and customer wins. Price/mix declined 1.7%, reflecting pricing and trade support as well as a mix shift toward faster-growing chain customers and private-label products.

Segment adjusted EBITDA increased 11% to $287.3 million, aided by higher volume, cost savings and $5 million of tariff refunds.

International segment sales declined 8% to $528.9 million. Volume decreased 6.4%, while price/mix fell 2%, as weaker performance in Europe continued to weigh on the business.

International segment adjusted EBITDA plunged 54% to $26.5 million. Lower sales, higher manufacturing costs per pound, prior-year potato cost carry-in, factory underutilization and inflation pressured results.

Lamb Weston’s Financial Health Snapshot

The company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $166.3 million, long-term debt and financing obligations (excluding the current portion) of $3,578.5 million and total shareholders’ equity of $1,806.7 million.

LW generated $234.8 million as net cash from operating activities for the 13 weeks ending Aug. 30, 2026, wherein capital expenditures amounted to $91 million.

The company returned $52 million to shareholders through dividends during the quarter and had about $245 million remaining under its share-repurchase authorization. 

Management declared a quarterly dividend of 38 cents per share, payable on Dec. 4, to its shareholders of record as of Nov. 6, 2026.

What to Expect From LW in FY27?

For fiscal 2027, Lamb Weston now expects net sales to increase a low-single-digit percentage from the adjusted fiscal 2026 base of $6.5 billion, compared with prior forecast of flat to 1% growth.

Adjusted EBITDA guidance increased to $1.125-$1.215 billion from $1.10-$1.20 billion. Adjusted earnings are now projected between $3.05 and $3.35 per share, up from the previous $2.95-$3.25 range. Capital spending guidance was maintained at $380-$410 million.

LW’s Share Price Performance

Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have gained 2.6% in the past three months against the industry’s 7.1% decline.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks to Consider

The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. CHEF distributes specialty food and center-of-the-plate products in the United States, the Middle East and Canada. At present, CHEF flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The consensus estimate for Chefs' Warehouse’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 10.8% and 33.7%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figures. Chefs' Warehouse delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 30.4%, on average.

Mama's Creations, Inc. MAMA 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 121.7%, on average.

The consensus estimate for Mama's Creations’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 30.3% and 66.7%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. 

Utz Brands UTZ engages in the manufacture, marketing and distribution of snack foods in the United States. It presently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. UTZ delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 1.8%, on average.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Utz Brands’ current financial-year sales indicates growth of 3.7% from the year-ago numbers.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Surging Earnings Estimates Signal Upside for GigaCloud Technology Inc. (GCT) Stock]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:20:01 GMT GigaCloud Technology Inc. (GCT) could be a solid choice for investors given the company's remarkably improving earnings outlook. While the stock has been a strong performer lately, this trend might continue since analysts are still raising their earnings estimates for the company.

The rising trend in estimate revisions, which is a result of growing analyst optimism on the earnings prospects of this company, should get reflected in its stock price. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements. Our stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is principally built on this insight.

The five-grade Zacks Rank system, which ranges from a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record of outperformance, with Zacks #1 Ranked stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 2008.

For GigaCloud Technology Inc., strong agreement among the covering analysts in revising earnings estimates upward has resulted in meaningful improvement in consensus estimates for the next quarter and full year.

The chart below shows the evolution of forward 12-month Zacks Consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Current-Quarter Estimate Revisions

For the current quarter, the company is expected to earn $1.28 per share, which is a change of +29.3% from the year-ago reported number.

Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for GigaCloud Technology Inc. has increased 20% because one estimate has moved higher compared to no negative revisions.

Current-Year Estimate Revisions

For the full year, the company is expected to earn $4.92 per share, representing a year-over-year change of +37.1%.

In terms of estimate revisions, the trend for the current year also appears quite encouraging for GigaCloud Technology Inc.. Over the past month, one estimate has moved higher compared to no negative revisions, helping the consensus estimate increase 17.7%.

Favorable Zacks Rank

Thanks to promising estimate revisions, GigaCloud Technology Inc. currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). The Zacks Rank is a tried-and-tested rating tool that helps investors effectively harness the power of earnings estimate revisions and make the right investment decision.

You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Our research shows that stocks with Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy) significantly outperform the S&P 500.

Bottom Line

Investors have been betting on GigaCloud Technology Inc. because of its solid estimate revisions, as evident from the stock's 5.6% gain over the past four weeks. As its earnings growth prospects might push the stock higher, you may consider adding it to your portfolio right away.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can Darling Ingredients' Portfolio Reset Drive Long-Term Growth?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:20:00 GMT Darling Ingredients Inc. DAR continues to streamline the portfolio as it focuses capital on businesses offering stronger integration and longer-term value creation. The company has completed the sale of its CTH-branded sausage casings business to SARIA for an undisclosed amount. The transaction reflects Darling Ingredients’ ongoing effort to optimize its portfolio, simplify the business mix and use divestiture proceeds to support further debt reduction.

The timing also aligns with Darling Ingredients’ balance-sheet priorities. During the second quarter, the company reduced net debt by $223 million and ended the period with a preliminary leverage ratio of 2.3X, compared with 2.9X at the start of 2026. Further supporting this effort, Darling Ingredients closed the sale of a majority of its trap business on July 22 for approximately $90 million. Darling Ingredients is targeting year-end net debt at or below $3 billion and a leverage ratio below 2X, with divestiture proceeds potentially helping advance that goal.

The CTH transaction further sharpens Darling Ingredients’ portfolio by directing greater focus toward businesses offering stronger integration and long-term value creation potential. This move also supports the company’s broader portfolio-optimization strategy and disciplined approach to capital allocation.

Meanwhile, Darling Ingredients’ Food Ingredients business remains supported by improving fundamentals. In the second quarter, segment sales increased 5.8% to $408.5 million, while adjusted EBITDA rose 55.1% to $108.5 million from $69.9 million a year earlier. The improvement was supported by stronger global collagen demand and expanding applications across food, nutrition and health products. These trends provide a firmer operating backdrop as Darling Ingredients continues to improve the Food Ingredients mix toward higher-value collagen and targeted health applications.

Darling Ingredients’ Zacks Rank & Share Price Performance

Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have gained 8.3% in the past three months against the broader Consumer Staples sector and the industry’s decline of 6.1% and 5.7%, respectively. DAR has also outperformed the S&P 500 index’s growth of 1.6% during the same period.

DAR Stock's Past Three Months Performance

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Is DAR a Value Play Stock?

Darling Ingredients currently trades at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 9.11, which is down from the industry average of 13.51 and notably below the sector average of 15.99. This valuation positions the stock at a modest discount relative to both its direct peers and the broader consumer staples sector.

DAR P/E Ratio (Forward 12 Months)

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks to Consider

The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. CHEF distributes specialty food and center-of-the-plate products in the United States, the Middle East and Canada. At present, CHEF flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The consensus estimate for Chefs' Warehouse’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 10.8% and 33.7%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figures. Chefs' Warehouse delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 30.4%, on average.

Mama's Creations, Inc. MAMA 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 121.7%, on average.

The consensus estimate for Mama's Creations’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 30.3% and 66.7%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. 

Utz Brands UTZ engages in the manufacture, marketing and distribution of snack foods in the United States. It presently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. UTZ delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 1.8%, on average.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Utz Brands’ current financial-year sales indicates growth of 3.7% from the year-ago numbers.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[HELE Q2 Earnings on the Horizon: Essential Insights for Investors]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:16:00 GMT Helen of Troy Limited HELE is likely to witness top-line growth in its second-quarter fiscal 2027 earnings, to be reported on Oct. 8. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues is pegged at $441.5 million, implying a 2.2% increase from the prior-year quarter’s reported figure.

The consensus estimate for HELE’s quarterly earnings has remained unchanged in the past 30 days at 51 cents per share, indicating a 13.6% decline from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of almost 196.3%, on average.

Helen of Troy Limited Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Helen of Troy Limited Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Helen of Troy Limited price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Helen of Troy Limited Quote

Things to Know About HELE’s Q2 Earnings

Helen of Troy’s second-quarter fiscal 2027 results are likely to reflect continued progress across its brand and commercial initiatives. The company has been focusing on consumer-led innovation, stronger brand execution and expanded distribution across key businesses. Momentum in Osprey, OXO, Hydro Flask, Braun and Olive & June, supported by new products, retail expansion and improving point-of-sale trends, might have aided sales performance during the quarter. Our model predicts a 1.4% gain in organic volumes for the fiscal second quarter.

Digital and omnichannel initiatives are also likely to have remained supportive. Helen of Troy has been working to improve pricing alignment across e-commerce channels, strengthen marketplace discipline and enhance its digital shelf and retail-media effectiveness. The company has also been linking demand signals, promotional plans and inventory decisions more closely, while maintaining a focus on inventory optimization and working-capital efficiency. These efforts might have supported execution during the quarter. 

However, the fiscal second-quarter performance might have been constrained by a challenging demand environment. On its first-quarter fiscal 2027 earnings call, management continued to anticipate inflationary pressures, softer discretionary demand, cautious retailer behavior and elevated promotional intensity. Pricing elasticity has also remained a concern in certain categories, particularly across some core beauty brands. Moreover, the earlier timing of Prime Day had shifted some sales into the fiscal first quarter, which might have weighed modestly on the fiscal second-quarter revenues.

Profitability is likely to have faced pressure from higher product costs, commodity inflation, unfavorable Chinese yuan movements and increased inbound and outbound freight expenses. Costs to secure goods amid supply-chain disruption might also have weighed on margins. We expect adjusted SG&A, as a percentage of sales, to expand 220 basis points to 40.1%, while the adjusted operating margin is projected to contract 20 basis points to 6% in the fiscal second quarter.

Earnings Whispers for HELE Stock

Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Helen of Troy this time. 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, which is not the case here. 

Helen of Troy currently has a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Some Stocks With a Favorable Combination

Here are some companies worth considering, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.

e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. ELF currently has an Earnings ESP of +6.10% and a Zacks Rank of 1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for e.l.f. Beauty’s upcoming quarter’s earnings per share is pegged at 59 cents, which implies a 13.2% decrease year over year. The consensus estimate for e.l.f. Beauty’s quarterly revenues is pinned at $469.2 million, which calls for 36.4% growth from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter. ELF delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of nearly 61.5%, on average.

Sysco Corporation SYY currently has an Earnings ESP of +2.89% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The consensus estimate for the quarterly revenues is pinned at $22.2 billion, which implies almost 5% growth from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Sysco’s upcoming quarter’s EPS is pegged at $1.16, which calls for a 0.9% increase from the year-ago period figure. SYY delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of nearly 1%, on average.

The Kraft Heinz Company KHC currently has an Earnings ESP of +2.47% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its upcoming quarter’s revenues is pegged at about $6 billion, indicating a 3.1% decline from the figure reported in the prior-year quarter. 

The consensus estimate for The Kraft Heinz Company’s earnings is pegged at 43 cents per share, implying a decrease of 29.5% from the year-ago quarter. KHC delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 9.6%, on average. 

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Ensign Builds More Scale as Financial Flexibility Remains Strong]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:14:00 GMT The Ensign Group, Inc. ENSG recently expanded its skilled nursing footprint through a coordinated set of acquisitions across Florida, Washington and Colorado. In Florida, it entered the state by adding eight operations with 713 skilled nursing beds and 66 independent living units, while separately buying the real estate and operations of a 118-bed Pensacola facility. It also added four Washington facilities totaling 532 skilled nursing beds and seven Colorado facilities with 760 skilled nursing beds and 47 independent living units.

Multi-State Deals Expand Ensign’s Operating Footprint

Most acquired operations will run under long-term triple-net leases, while Ensign’s Standard Bearer REIT owns the Pensacola property and five additional real estate assets. The moves added meaningful scale in one sweep and broadened Ensign’s geographic reach. Florida is especially notable because it marks Ensign’s entry into a new state, while the Washington additions deepen its presence around the Seattle area and the Colorado deal strengthens an established market.

After these transactions, Ensign said its portfolio reached 418 healthcare operations, including 50 senior living operations, across 18 states. Its subsidiaries, including Standard Bearer, now have 189 real estate assets nationwide as well.

Strong Liquidity Leaves Room for More Deals

As of June 30, 2026, Ensign Group held $262.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, while long-term debt, excluding current maturities, stood at $135.6 million. The company also had $591.6 million of available capacity under its line of credit. Net cash provided by operating activities reached $272.1 million in the first half of 2026, up from $228 million a year earlier.

This strong liquidity provides flexibility to fund acquisitions, real estate purchases and ongoing reinvestment while meeting lease commitments. With cash exceeding long-term debt and substantial unused borrowing capacity, Ensign remains well positioned to pursue its acquisition pipeline without relying heavily on additional debt.

Added Scale Could Support Growth

The latest acquisitions expand Ensign’s revenue base by adding more beds, facilities and markets to its operating network. The long-term triple-net lease structure should let Ensign scale operations without owning every property. The larger footprint may support earnings growth if occupancy, reimbursement and operating performance continue to develop as planned.

Price Performance

Shares of Ensign have gained 1.3% in the past month against the industry’s 1.3% decline.

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Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks

The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Enhancing the array of healthcare options, some other promising stocks in the broader Medical sector include Brookdale Senior Living Inc. BKD, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated UNH and Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. AVAH, each currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Brookdale Senior Living’s 2026 bottom line suggests 105.4% year-over-year improvement. BKD has witnessed one upward estimate revision over the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction.

The consensus estimate for UnitedHealth’s full-year 2026 earnings indicates a 21.4% year-over-year increase. UNH’s earnings beat estimates in each of the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 12.1%. The consensus mark for 2026 revenues is pegged at $446.78 billion.

The consensus mark for Aveanna Healthcare’s 2026 full-year earnings implies a 36.7% jump from the year-ago reported figure. AVAH’s earnings beat estimates in each of the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 49.3%. The consensus mark for its current-year revenues is pegged at $2.69 billion, which indicates a 10.6% year-over-year increase.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Kratos Defense Drops 21.2% in 3 Months: Time to Buy or Stay Cautious?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:11:00 GMT Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.’s KTOS shares have lost 21.2% in the past three months compared with the Zacks Aerospace-Defense Equipment industry’s decline of 21.5%. The company is the primary unmanned aerial target drone system provider for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Army and several allied defense agencies. This position has led to multiple recent contracts and partnerships that are expanding its presence in the global UAS market, including activity tied to the XQ-58A Valkyrie.
 

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Other defense equipment stocks like Teledyne Technologies TDY and AeroVironment AVAV have also declined during the said time frame. Shares of Teledyne Technologies and AeroVironment have lost 5.5% and 20.9%, respectively. Teledyne Technologies is seeing strong demand from the space market, driven by its infrared detectors, imaging sensors and specialty semiconductor products. AeroVironment is capitalizing on the rising adoption of unmanned systems, winning major international defense contracts while expanding its portfolio of tactical drones, smart munitions and control software.

Given Kratos Defense’s current price performance, investors may be wondering what lies ahead for the stock. Let’s examine the key factors and assess its investment prospects to help make an informed decision.

Tailwinds for KTOS Stock

On Oct. 5, 2026, Kratos Defense announced that it had secured multiple contracts worth more than $100 million to develop prototype mission applications and cyber capabilities supporting operations across the space and cyberspace domains. The contracts strengthen KTOS’ position in the growing space and cyber-defense market while expanding the use of its existing technology. Because the awards build on the company's KnownSpace network, radio-frequency data, software and analytics, Kratos Defense can potentially scale new mission capabilities without developing an entirely new technology base from scratch.

On Sept. 21, 2026, Kratos Defense and GE Aerospace announced the successful ignition of the GEK800 turbofan engine at KTOS’ X-58 test facility, marking a key milestone in the engine’s development. The test began a new testing campaign and maintained a 100% success rate for this critical phase. The GEK800, now designated F143, is an approximately 800-pound-thrust turbofan designed for long-range cruise missiles and other unmanned applications, with an emphasis on high performance, affordability and production at scale.

The successful ignition moves the GEK800 closer to production and deployment, strengthening KTOS’ position in the market for affordable, high-volume missile and unmanned-system propulsion. The program is particularly important because Kratos Defense has stated that it is preparing for large-volume production of the GEK800, while the engine’s selection as a second-source propulsion system for JASSM provides a potential pathway into a significant existing missile program.

On Sept. 1, 2026, Kratos Defense secured a $20 million-plus contract from an Asian defense customer to provide mobile satellite communications gateways, highlighting growing demand for resilient communications infrastructure in contested environments. For Kratos Defense, the award provides both near-term revenues and a strategic opportunity to expand its Space and communications business in the Asia-Pacific region.

Headwinds for KTOS

Kratos Defense continues to cite supply-chain disruptions and parts availability as industry issues that can delay material receipts and deliveries. Management’s 2026 outlook explicitly assumes potential manufacturing and supply-chain disruptions, parts shortages and continued cost increases. Inventoried costs increased to $235.9 million as of June 28, 2026, from $188.2 million as of 2025-end, consistent with larger lot purchases and long-lead items. Persistently higher input costs or further supply friction could pressure margins and keep cash conversion below investor expectations.

Estimates for KTOS Stock

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings per share (EPS) indicates an increase of 50.91% and 37.06%, respectively, year over year. 
 

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The same for Teledyne Technologies’ 2026 and 2027 EPS implies an increase of 12.32% and 8.9%, respectively, year over year. The consensus estimate for AeroVironment’s fiscal 2027 EPS indicates a decrease of 1.8% year over year.  

KTOS’ Earnings Surprise History

The company’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 32.47%.

 

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KTOS’ Return on Equity Lower Than Industry

The company’s trailing 12-month return on equity of 4.54% is lower than the industry average of 15.44%. Return on equity, a profitability measure, reflects how effectively a company utilizes its shareholders’ funds to generate income.

 

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KTOS Stock Trades at a Discount

In terms of valuation, KTOS’ forward 12-month price/sales (P/S) is 3.86X, a discount to the industry’s average of 7.04X.

 

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What Should an Investor Do Now?

Kratos Defense is strengthening its position across space, cyber, communications and advanced propulsion through new contracts and key technology milestones. These developments expand its defense portfolio and create opportunities for growth in missile systems, unmanned platforms, satellite communications and space-domain capabilities.

Given its lower ROE, new investors should wait and look for a better entry point. Investors who already own this stock may continue holding, given its strong earnings growth. KTOS has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Will Biogen (BIIB) Beat Estimates Again in Its Next Earnings Report?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:10:06 GMT Looking for a stock that has been consistently beating earnings estimates and might be well positioned to keep the streak alive in its next quarterly report? Biogen Inc. (BIIB), which belongs to the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, could be a great candidate to consider.

This company has seen a nice streak of beating earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The average surprise for the last two quarters was 19.72%.

For the most recent quarter, Biogen was expected to post earnings of $3.04 per share, but it reported $3.6 per share instead, representing a surprise of 18.42%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $2.95 per share, while it actually produced $3.57 per share, a surprise of 21.02%.

Price and EPS Surprise

For Biogen, estimates have been trending higher, thanks in part to this earnings surprise history. And when you look at the stock's positive Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction), it's a great indicator of a future earnings beat, especially when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Biogen has an Earnings ESP of +2.19% at the moment, suggesting that analysts have grown bullish on its near-term earnings potential. When you combine this positive Earnings ESP with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), it shows that another beat is possibly around the corner. The company's next earnings report is expected to be released on October 28, 2026.

With the Earnings ESP metric, it's important to note that a negative value reduces its predictive power; however, a negative Earnings ESP does not indicate an earnings miss.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, though this is not the only reason why their shares gain. Additionally, some stocks may remain stable even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Will Generac Holdings (GNRC) Beat Estimates Again in Its Next Earnings Report?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:10:06 GMT Have you been searching for a stock that might be well-positioned to maintain its earnings-beat streak in its upcoming report? It is worth considering Generac Holdings (GNRC), which belongs to the Zacks Manufacturing - General Industrial industry.

When looking at the last two reports, this generator maker has recorded a strong streak of surpassing earnings estimates. The company has topped estimates by 42.28%, on average, in the last two quarters.

For the most recent quarter, Generac Holdings was expected to post earnings of $1.95 per share, but it reported $2.91 per share instead, representing a surprise of 49.23%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $1.33 per share, while it actually produced $1.8 per share, a surprise of 35.34%.

Price and EPS Surprise

With this earnings history in mind, recent estimates have been moving higher for Generac Holdings. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the company is positive, which is a great sign of an earnings beat, especially when you combine this metric with its nice Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Generac Holdings currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.47%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner.

Investors should note, however, that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss, but a negative value does reduce the predictive power of this metric.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, though this is not the only reason why their shares gain. Additionally, some stocks may remain stable even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Will KeyCorp (KEY) Beat Estimates Again in Its Next Earnings Report?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:10:06 GMT Have you been searching for a stock that might be well-positioned to maintain its earnings-beat streak in its upcoming report? It is worth considering KeyCorp (KEY), which belongs to the Zacks Banks - Major Regional industry.

When looking at the last two reports, this company has recorded a strong streak of surpassing earnings estimates. The company has topped estimates by 6.04%, on average, in the last two quarters.

For the most recent quarter, KeyCorp was expected to post earnings of $0.42 per share, but it reported $0.44 per share instead, representing a surprise of 4.76%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $0.41 per share, while it actually produced $0.44 per share, a surprise of 7.32%.

Price and EPS Surprise

With this earnings history in mind, recent estimates have been moving higher for KeyCorp. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the company is positive, which is a great sign of an earnings beat, especially when you combine this metric with its nice Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

KeyCorp has an Earnings ESP of +0.88% at the moment, suggesting that analysts have grown bullish on its near-term earnings potential. When you combine this positive Earnings ESP with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), it shows that another beat is possibly around the corner. The company's next earnings report is expected to be released on October 20, 2026.

Investors should note, however, that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss, but a negative value does reduce the predictive power of this metric.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, though this is not the only reason why their shares gain. Additionally, some stocks may remain stable even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Will Air Products and Chemicals (APD) Beat Estimates Again in Its Next Earnings Report?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:10:05 GMT If you are looking for a stock that has a solid history of beating earnings estimates and is in a good position to maintain the trend in its next quarterly report, you should consider Air Products and Chemicals (APD). This company, which is in the Zacks Chemical - Diversified industry, shows potential for another earnings beat.

This seller of gases for industrial, medical and other uses has an established record of topping earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The company boasts an average surprise for the past two quarters of 4.10%.

For the most recent quarter, Air Products and Chemicals was expected to post earnings of $3.36 per share, but it reported $3.47 per share instead, representing a surprise of 3.27%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $3.05 per share, while it actually produced $3.2 per share, a surprise of 4.92%.

Price and EPS Surprise

For Air Products and Chemicals, estimates have been trending higher, thanks in part to this earnings surprise history. And when you look at the stock's positive Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction), it's a great indicator of a future earnings beat, especially when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Air Products and Chemicals has an Earnings ESP of +0.79% at the moment, suggesting that analysts have grown bullish on its near-term earnings potential. When you combine this positive Earnings ESP with the stock's Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), it shows that another beat is possibly around the corner.

When the Earnings ESP comes up negative, investors should note that this will reduce the predictive power of the metric. But, a negative value is not indicative of a stock's earnings miss.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, though this is not the only reason why their shares gain. Additionally, some stocks may remain stable even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Will BCE (BCE) Beat Estimates Again in Its Next Earnings Report?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:10:05 GMT If you are looking for a stock that has a solid history of beating earnings estimates and is in a good position to maintain the trend in its next quarterly report, you should consider BCE (BCE). This company, which is in the Zacks Diversified Communication Services industry, shows potential for another earnings beat.

When looking at the last two reports, this Canada's largest telecommunications company has recorded a strong streak of surpassing earnings estimates. The company has topped estimates by 5.85%, on average, in the last two quarters.

For the most recent quarter, BCE was expected to post earnings of $0.46 per share, but it reported $0.47 per share instead, representing a surprise of 2.17%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $0.42 per share, while it actually produced $0.46 per share, a surprise of 9.52%.

Price and EPS Surprise

With this earnings history in mind, recent estimates have been moving higher for BCE. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the company is positive, which is a great sign of an earnings beat, especially when you combine this metric with its nice Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

BCE has an Earnings ESP of +7.80% at the moment, suggesting that analysts have grown bullish on its near-term earnings potential. When you combine this positive Earnings ESP with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), it shows that another beat is possibly around the corner.

With the Earnings ESP metric, it's important to note that a negative value reduces its predictive power; however, a negative Earnings ESP does not indicate an earnings miss.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, though this is not the only reason why their shares gain. Additionally, some stocks may remain stable even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Will Parker-Hannifin (PH) Beat Estimates Again in Its Next Earnings Report?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:10:05 GMT If you are looking for a stock that has a solid history of beating earnings estimates and is in a good position to maintain the trend in its next quarterly report, you should consider Parker-Hannifin (PH). This company, which is in the Zacks Manufacturing - General Industrial industry, shows potential for another earnings beat.

This maker of motion and control products has seen a nice streak of beating earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The average surprise for the last two quarters was 7.95%.

For the most recent quarter, Parker-Hannifin was expected to post earnings of $8.29 per share, but it reported $9.27 per share instead, representing a surprise of 11.82%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $7.85 per share, while it actually produced $8.17 per share, a surprise of 4.08%.

Price and EPS Surprise

Thanks in part to this history, there has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for Parker-Hannifin lately. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the stock is positive, which is a great indicator of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Parker-Hannifin currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.75%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner.

When the Earnings ESP comes up negative, investors should note that this will reduce the predictive power of the metric. But, a negative value is not indicative of a stock's earnings miss.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, though this is not the only reason why their shares gain. Additionally, some stocks may remain stable even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Will Crescent Energy (CRGY) Beat Estimates Again in Its Next Earnings Report?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:10:04 GMT Looking for a stock that has been consistently beating earnings estimates and might be well positioned to keep the streak alive in its next quarterly report? Crescent Energy (CRGY), which belongs to the Zacks Alternative Energy - Other industry, could be a great candidate to consider.

This oil and gas company has an established record of topping earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The company boasts an average surprise for the past two quarters of 26.42%.

For the last reported quarter, Crescent Energy came out with earnings of $0.69 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.59 per share, representing a surprise of 16.95%. For the previous quarter, the company was expected to post earnings of $0.39 per share and it actually produced earnings of $0.53 per share, delivering a surprise of 35.90%.

Price and EPS Surprise

Thanks in part to this history, there has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for Crescent Energy lately. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the stock is positive, which is a great indicator of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Crescent Energy currently has an Earnings ESP of +11.44%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner.

Investors should note, however, that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss, but a negative value does reduce the predictive power of this metric.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, but that may not be the sole basis for their stocks moving higher. On the other hand, some stocks may hold their ground even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Will Union Pacific (UNP) Beat Estimates Again in Its Next Earnings Report?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:10:04 GMT If you are looking for a stock that has a solid history of beating earnings estimates and is in a good position to maintain the trend in its next quarterly report, you should consider Union Pacific (UNP). This company, which is in the Zacks Transportation - Rail industry, shows potential for another earnings beat.

When looking at the last two reports, this railroad has recorded a strong streak of surpassing earnings estimates. The company has topped estimates by 4.68%, on average, in the last two quarters.

For the last reported quarter, Union Pacific came out with earnings of $3.41 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.2 per share, representing a surprise of 6.56%. For the previous quarter, the company was expected to post earnings of $2.85 per share and it actually produced earnings of $2.93 per share, delivering a surprise of 2.81%.

Price and EPS Surprise

With this earnings history in mind, recent estimates have been moving higher for Union Pacific. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the company is positive, which is a great sign of an earnings beat, especially when you combine this metric with its nice Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Union Pacific currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.29%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner. We expect the company's next earnings report to be released on October 22, 2026.

When the Earnings ESP comes up negative, investors should note that this will reduce the predictive power of the metric. But, a negative value is not indicative of a stock's earnings miss.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, though this is not the only reason why their shares gain. Additionally, some stocks may remain stable even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Will Prudential (PRU) Beat Estimates Again in Its Next Earnings Report?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:10:04 GMT Looking for a stock that has been consistently beating earnings estimates and might be well positioned to keep the streak alive in its next quarterly report? Prudential (PRU), which belongs to the Zacks Insurance - Multi line industry, could be a great candidate to consider.

This financial services company has an established record of topping earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The company boasts an average surprise for the past two quarters of 14.50%.

For the most recent quarter, Prudential was expected to post earnings of $3.47 per share, but it reported $4.08 per share instead, representing a surprise of 17.58%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $3.24 per share, while it actually produced $3.61 per share, a surprise of 11.42%.

Price and EPS Surprise

For Prudential, estimates have been trending higher, thanks in part to this earnings surprise history. And when you look at the stock's positive Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction), it's a great indicator of a future earnings beat, especially when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Prudential currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.96%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner.

Investors should note, however, that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss, but a negative value does reduce the predictive power of this metric.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, but that may not be the sole basis for their stocks moving higher. On the other hand, some stocks may hold their ground even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Will Paycom (PAYC) Beat Estimates Again in Its Next Earnings Report?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:10:04 GMT If you are looking for a stock that has a solid history of beating earnings estimates and is in a good position to maintain the trend in its next quarterly report, you should consider Paycom Software (PAYC). This company, which is in the Zacks Internet - Software industry, shows potential for another earnings beat.

When looking at the last two reports, this maker of human-resources and payroll software has recorded a strong streak of surpassing earnings estimates. The company has topped estimates by 14.72%, on average, in the last two quarters.

For the last reported quarter, Paycom came out with earnings of $2.78 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.28 per share, representing a surprise of 21.93%. For the previous quarter, the company was expected to post earnings of $2.93 per share and it actually produced earnings of $3.15 per share, delivering a surprise of 7.51%.

Price and EPS Surprise

Thanks in part to this history, there has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for Paycom lately. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the stock is positive, which is a great indicator of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Paycom has an Earnings ESP of +4.01% at the moment, suggesting that analysts have grown bullish on its near-term earnings potential. When you combine this positive Earnings ESP with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), it shows that another beat is possibly around the corner.

When the Earnings ESP comes up negative, investors should note that this will reduce the predictive power of the metric. But, a negative value is not indicative of a stock's earnings miss.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, but that may not be the sole basis for their stocks moving higher. On the other hand, some stocks may hold their ground even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Why Kinder Morgan (KMI) Could Beat Earnings Estimates Again]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:10:03 GMT If you are looking for a stock that has a solid history of beating earnings estimates and is in a good position to maintain the trend in its next quarterly report, you should consider Kinder Morgan (KMI). This company, which is in the Zacks Oil and Gas - Production and Pipelines industry, shows potential for another earnings beat.

This oil and natural gas pipeline and storage company has seen a nice streak of beating earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The average surprise for the last two quarters was 22.84%.

For the most recent quarter, Kinder Morgan was expected to post earnings of $0.31 per share, but it reported $0.37 per share instead, representing a surprise of 19.35%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $0.38 per share, while it actually produced $0.48 per share, a surprise of 26.32%.

Price and EPS Surprise

Thanks in part to this history, there has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for Kinder Morgan lately. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the stock is positive, which is a great indicator of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Kinder Morgan has an Earnings ESP of +5.00% at the moment, suggesting that analysts have grown bullish on its near-term earnings potential. When you combine this positive Earnings ESP with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), it shows that another beat is possibly around the corner.

When the Earnings ESP comes up negative, investors should note that this will reduce the predictive power of the metric. But, a negative value is not indicative of a stock's earnings miss.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, though this is not the only reason why their shares gain. Additionally, some stocks may remain stable even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Will Dynatrace (DT) Beat Estimates Again in Its Next Earnings Report?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:10:03 GMT Have you been searching for a stock that might be well-positioned to maintain its earnings-beat streak in its upcoming report? It is worth considering Dynatrace (DT), which belongs to the Zacks Computers - IT Services industry.

When looking at the last two reports, this software intellegence company has recorded a strong streak of surpassing earnings estimates. The company has topped estimates by 5.90%, on average, in the last two quarters.

For the last reported quarter, Dynatrace came out with earnings of $0.48 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.45 per share, representing a surprise of 6.67%. For the previous quarter, the company was expected to post earnings of $0.39 per share and it actually produced earnings of $0.41 per share, delivering a surprise of 5.13%.

Price and EPS Surprise

With this earnings history in mind, recent estimates have been moving higher for Dynatrace. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the company is positive, which is a great sign of an earnings beat, especially when you combine this metric with its nice Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Dynatrace currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.41%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner.

Investors should note, however, that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss, but a negative value does reduce the predictive power of this metric.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, but that may not be the sole basis for their stocks moving higher. On the other hand, some stocks may hold their ground even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Why HCI Group (HCI) is Poised to Beat Earnings Estimates Again]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:10:03 GMT If you are looking for a stock that has a solid history of beating earnings estimates and is in a good position to maintain the trend in its next quarterly report, you should consider HCI Group (HCI). This company, which is in the Zacks Insurance - Property and Casualty industry, shows potential for another earnings beat.

When looking at the last two reports, this property and casualty insurance holding company has recorded a strong streak of surpassing earnings estimates. The company has topped estimates by 9.46%, on average, in the last two quarters.

For the most recent quarter, HCI Group was expected to post earnings of $4.97 per share, but it reported $5.6 per share instead, representing a surprise of 12.68%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $5.13 per share, while it actually produced $5.45 per share, a surprise of 6.24%.

Price and EPS Surprise

For HCI Group, estimates have been trending higher, thanks in part to this earnings surprise history. And when you look at the stock's positive Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction), it's a great indicator of a future earnings beat, especially when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

HCI Group currently has an Earnings ESP of +35.40%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner.

When the Earnings ESP comes up negative, investors should note that this will reduce the predictive power of the metric. But, a negative value is not indicative of a stock's earnings miss.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, but that may not be the sole basis for their stocks moving higher. On the other hand, some stocks may hold their ground even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Will Duke Energy (DUK) Beat Estimates Again in Its Next Earnings Report?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:10:03 GMT Have you been searching for a stock that might be well-positioned to maintain its earnings-beat streak in its upcoming report? It is worth considering Duke Energy (DUK), which belongs to the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry.

This electric utility has seen a nice streak of beating earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The average surprise for the last two quarters was 9.34%.

For the most recent quarter, Duke Energy was expected to post earnings of $1.29 per share, but it reported $1.43 per share instead, representing a surprise of 10.85%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $1.79 per share, while it actually produced $1.93 per share, a surprise of 7.82%.

Price and EPS Surprise

Thanks in part to this history, there has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for Duke Energy lately. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the stock is positive, which is a great indicator of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Duke Energy currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.54%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner.

When the Earnings ESP comes up negative, investors should note that this will reduce the predictive power of the metric. But, a negative value is not indicative of a stock's earnings miss.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, but that may not be the sole basis for their stocks moving higher. On the other hand, some stocks may hold their ground even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Will Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) Beat Estimates Again in Its Next Earnings Report?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:10:02 GMT Looking for a stock that has been consistently beating earnings estimates and might be well positioned to keep the streak alive in its next quarterly report? Freeport-McMoRan (FCX), which belongs to the Zacks Mining - Non Ferrous industry, could be a great candidate to consider.

This mining company has seen a nice streak of beating earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The average surprise for the last two quarters was 20.32%.

For the last reported quarter, Freeport-McMoRan came out with earnings of $0.74 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.62 per share, representing a surprise of 19.35%. For the previous quarter, the company was expected to post earnings of $0.47 per share and it actually produced earnings of $0.57 per share, delivering a surprise of 21.28%.

Price and EPS Surprise

Thanks in part to this history, there has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for Freeport-McMoRan lately. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the stock is positive, which is a great indicator of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Freeport-McMoRan currently has an Earnings ESP of +6.90%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner. We expect the company's next earnings report to be released on October 27, 2026.

When the Earnings ESP comes up negative, investors should note that this will reduce the predictive power of the metric. But, a negative value is not indicative of a stock's earnings miss.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, but that may not be the sole basis for their stocks moving higher. On the other hand, some stocks may hold their ground even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[VZ Shares Fall 6.5% in Six Months: What's the Next Move for Investors?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:09:00 GMT Verizon Communications Inc. VZ has declined 6.5% in six months against the Wireless National industry’s growth of 131.2%. The stock has underperformed the Zacks Computer & Technology sector during this period.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The company has outperformed its peers like AT&T Inc. T and T-Mobile US, Inc. TMUS. Shares of AT&T have declined 14.1%, while T-Mobile has declined 18.5% during this period.

Key Growth Drivers for Verizon

Verizon added 184,000 postpaid phone customers in the second quarter of 2026, up 193,000 year over year, while Consumer postpaid phone churn declined to 0.84% compared with 0.90% in the first quarter and 0.95% in the fourth quarter of 2025. Promotional acquisition and retention costs declined approximately 15% and 17%, respectively, year over year. The combination of stronger net additions, lower churn and better acquisition economics is improving operating leverage.

Broadband expansion remains another major growth catalyst for the company. Verizon added 348,000 broadband subscribers in the second quarter, taking its total broadband base above 17.1 million. The company remains on track to reach more than 32 million fiber passings by year-end. The Frontier acquisition is also creating opportunities to cross-sell mobility and broadband services.

The newly launched Verizon One plan, which combines Mobility and Broadband into a single offering, is also gaining traction. Management believes bundled mobility and broadband offerings improve retention and customer lifetime value by encouraging households to consolidate services. Verizon continues to compete with AT&T, which is also investing heavily in converged wireless and fiber offerings, making customer retention an increasingly important differentiator.

One of the most significant longer-term opportunities is Verizon's plan to leverage its extensive fiber infrastructure to support the rapid expansion of AI-related data centers. The company has signed an agreement worth more than $1 billion with Google to use Verizon's dark fiber to connect data centers. Verizon is also positioning itself for the next generation of wireless technology through its expanded 6G Innovation Forum, which added nine major technology companies, including AWS, NVIDIA, Intel and Cisco. Verizon has already conducted real-world trials involving integrated sensing and communications, as well as AI-enabled applications and wearables.

Key Challenges

Verizon operates in a highly competitive wireless market where pricing, promotional offers and network quality can quickly influence customer decisions. It faces competition from major players such as AT&T, T-Mobile and Charter. Although Verizon has improved postpaid churn and customer acquisition economics, maintaining that momentum without resorting to aggressive promotions will be critical.

Verizon continues to invest heavily in fiber, wireless spectrum and network infrastructure while simultaneously returning capital to shareholders. Capital expenditures reached $8.2 billion in the first half of 2026, with full-year capital spending guided at $16-$16.5 billion. These investments will likely support growth in the long run, but this is putting pressure on free cash flow in the near term.

Verizon reduced debt and paid off substantially all of Frontier's debt six months ahead of schedule. However, its net unsecured debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio stood at 2.5X at the end of the second quarter. At the end of second-quarter 2026, total unsecured debt stood at $136.5 billion, while net unsecured debt totaled $128.7 billion.

Estimate Revision Trend of VZ

Earnings estimates for VZ for 2026 have remained unchanged for the past 60 days while for 2027 it has increased.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Key Valuation Metric of VZ

From a valuation standpoint, VZ appears to be trading relatively cheaper compared to the industry and its mean. Going by the price/earnings ratio, the company’s shares currently trade at 8.75, lower than 37.6 for the industry.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

End Note

Improving wireless customer trends and broadband expansion are the primary growth engines for Verizon. Its convergence strategy is strengthening retention, while cost reductions are expanding margins. However, Verizon's improving operating trends do not eliminate the risks facing the company. Stiff competition and high debt burden remain major concerns. Verizon must execute its transformation and Frontier integration, manage a substantial investment program and convert its emerging AI infrastructure opportunity into durable revenue. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), VZ appears to be treading in the middle of the road, and new investors could be better off if they trade with caution. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Teradyne Gains 130% YTD: Should You Hold or Fold the Stock?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:07:00 GMT Teradyne TER shares have surged 129.6% in the year-to-date period, outperforming the Zacks Computer & Technology sector and the Zacks Electronics - Miscellaneous Products industry’s 24.1% and 50.3% increases, respectively.

TER shares have also outperformed its peers, which include Vertiv VRT and KLA KLAC. Both companies are expanding their footprint in the AI infrastructure space. Vertiv and KLA shares have soared 56.5% and 70.2%, respectively, in the year-to-date period.

Teradyne is benefiting from strong AI-related demand, which is driving significant investments in cloud AI build-out as customers accelerate production of a wide range of AI accelerators, networking, memory and power devices. These factors are helping Teradyne fend off competitors such as Vertiv and KLA.

TER Stock Performance

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

TER Benefits From Expanding Memory Test Portfolio

Teradyne is benefiting from rising demand for advanced memory testing, supported by strong high-bandwidth memory (HBM), DRAM and NAND requirements tied to artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. The company’s expanding memory test portfolio, led by Magnum platforms, has been noteworthy. It highlighted that Magnum testers combine memory and logic-test capabilities, providing memory manufacturers with attractive swing-tool flexibility.

Memory has emerged as an important growth engine for Teradyne. In the second quarter of 2026, memory revenues reached a record $212 million, marking the third consecutive quarter above $200 million. Growth was driven by robust demand for HBM and DRAM test solutions, as well as a recovery in NAND. Memory book-to-bill exceeded 2, indicating solid demand visibility. Management expects the 2026 memory test TAM to be more than 40% higher than 2025, supported by HBM, DRAM and NAND growth. 

Further expanding its memory test portfolio, Teradyne recently launched Magnum E2, a next-generation high-speed memory test system designed to address growing test requirements driven by artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. Built on the company’s Near-DUT Test architecture, Magnum E2 supports advanced DRAM and flash interfaces, including LPDDR6, DDR6, GDDR7 and NAND flash. The platform offers higher parallelism, improved signal integrity and support for NRZ, PAM3 and PAM4 signaling. It also combines memory and logic testing on a single platform, helping manufacturers simplify testing while supporting qualification through high-volume production.

Rising memory bit production and technology transitions such as HBM3 to HBM4, DDR5 to DDR6, and next-generation flash should further increase test requirements, supporting Teradyne’s ability to expand its memory-testing footprint. Management expects memory revenues to grow in the second half compared to the first half.

TER Initiates Positive Q3 Guidance

Teradyne’s expanding portfolio and strong demand for AI-related applications are expected to drive the company’s top-line growth.

For the third quarter of 2026, Teradyne expects revenues in the range of $1.20-$1.30 billion. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $1.27 billion, suggesting a 65.20% year-over-year increase. 

For the third quarter, the company’s non-GAAP earnings are expected to be between $1.85 and $2.15 per share. The consensus mark for earnings is pegged at $2.04 per share, which has been unchanged over the past 30 days. This indicates growth of 140% on a year-over-year basis.

Teradyne, Inc. Price and Consensus

Teradyne, Inc. Price and Consensus

Teradyne, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Teradyne, Inc. Quote

TER Faces AI Test Competition and Margin Risks

Despite expanding portfolio and strong demand for AI-related applications, the company suffers from stiff competition in the AI infrastructure space from companies like Cohu COHU. The company is also suffering from customer concentration, program timing, muted mobile demand, memory-driven margin dilution, higher operating spending and currency exposure.

Cohu’s improving semiconductor test demand and expanding exposure to AI computing, HBM inspection and software remain noteworthy. Growth in AI workloads is driving demand for HBM, and Cohu has established a position in this market through its Neon inspection platform. Cohu is extending its Neon inspection platform across HBM3, HBM4 and HBM4E production while investing in HBM5 and later generations.

TER Trades at a Premium

Teradyne shares are currently overvalued, as suggested by its Value Score of D.

Teradyne stock is trading at a premium with a forward 12-month Price/Sales of 11.93X compared with the Computer & Technology sector’s 6.18X.

TER Valuation

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

What Should Investors Do With TER Stock?

Teradyne’s robust, diversified portfolio, which meets the rising demand for AI-driven technologies, is consistently contributing to its growth prospects. However, stretched valuation, rising competition and margin pressure pose risks.

Teradyne currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggesting that it may be wise to wait for a more favorable entry point to accumulate the stock. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[AMREP vs. FRP Holdings: Which Real Estate Stock Is the Better Buy?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:05:00 GMT Real estate companies continue to operate in an environment influenced by interest rates, construction activity and property development trends. Against this backdrop, AMREP Corporation AXR and FRP Holdings, Inc. FRPH are two real estate companies with meaningful land and development exposure but different operating strategies. AXR primarily focuses on land development and homebuilding in New Mexico, while FRPH operates a more diversified real estate business spanning property development, leasing, multifamily assets and mining royalty lands.

While both companies participate in real estate development, their operating models differ meaningfully. AMREP has a more concentrated residential development profile, whereas FRP Holdings has a broader mix of real estate and income-producing assets. These differences in business mix and operating exposure create distinct investment profiles, raising the question: which company is better positioned to create long-term shareholder value? Let’s take a closer look.

Stock Performance & Valuation: AXR vs. FRPH

AXR (down 15.7%) has outperformed FRPH (down 18%) over the past three months. In the past year, AMREP has declined 8.5% compared with FRP Holdings’ decline of 15.5%.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Meanwhile, AXR is trading at a trailing 12-month enterprise value-to-sales (EV/S) ratio of 1.55X, above its median of 1.46X over the past five years. FRPH’s trailing 12-month EV/S multiple sits at 11.49X, above its last five-year median of 9.97X. While AXR appears cheap when compared with the Zacks Finance sector’s average of 1.84X, FRPH seems to be expensive.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Factors Driving AMREP Stock

AMREP is placing greater emphasis on its homebuilding operations, which gives the company a more direct way to monetize its land position and participate in residential demand. The company has increased the number of homes in production, supporting a broader pipeline of future closings. This strategy also allows AXR to capture more value from developed lots rather than relying solely on third-party land sales.

AMREP’s sizable land holdings in New Mexico remain a core strategic asset. The portfolio can be used for residential development, commercial and industrial projects or selective land sales depending on market conditions. This flexibility gives management multiple avenues to unlock value over time and adjust development activity as demand changes, supporting the long-term potential of the real estate business.

AMREP’s balance sheet remains a key strength, with substantial liquidity and only minimal debt. This financial position gives the company greater flexibility to fund land development, home construction and potential property acquisitions without relying heavily on external financing. It also provides a cushion during periods of softer housing demand or delayed project activity.

Factors Aiding FRP Holdings Stock

FRP Holdings is increasingly directing growth capital toward industrial real estate, which management views as its most attractive long-term opportunity. The Altman Logistics acquisition broadened the company’s development capabilities and added scale to the platform, while multiple warehouse projects are moving through construction and completion. Improving tenant inquiries and leasing discussions also point to better utilization potential as these assets are delivered and stabilized.

FRP Holdings’ Mining Royalty Lands segment remains a steady contributor, benefiting from favorable trends in both royalty volumes and pricing. The business is relatively capital-light and generates recurring cash flow, which helps diversify FRPH’s operating base beyond traditional leasing and development activities. This recurring contribution can provide support even when other real estate segments face occupancy or lease-up pressure.

FRP Holdings’ financial position remains a notable strength, supported by substantial liquidity and conservative leverage. This balance-sheet cushion gives the company greater resilience during periods of uneven leasing or development activity and reduces dependence on external capital. It also provides management with flexibility to remain selective on investments and preserve capital-allocation discipline through changing real estate conditions.

Choose AXR Over FRPH Now

AMREP and FRP Holdings both offer exposure to real estate development, but their investment cases rest on different strengths. AXR combines a sizable land portfolio with an expanding homebuilding operation, giving it multiple avenues to create value from its assets. Its strong liquidity position also provides flexibility to support development activity and navigate periods of uneven housing demand.

FRP Holdings offers a broader real estate platform spanning industrial, multifamily, development and mining royalty assets. Its industrial expansion strategy and improving leasing activity could strengthen future income generation, while the mining royalty business adds a recurring, capital-light cash flow stream. FRPH also benefits from a solid balance sheet that supports continued investment across its development pipeline.

From a valuation standpoint, however, AMREP appears more attractive. Its current valuation remains closer to its historical range and below the broader sector average, suggesting investors are paying a comparatively modest price for its land and homebuilding exposure. FRP Holdings trades at a premium to both its own historical valuation and the sector, implying that the market is already assigning considerable value to its diversified portfolio and future development potential. This leaves less room for execution delays or weaker-than-expected leasing progress.

Considering fundamentals alongside valuation, AXR appears to be the better buy at present. FRPH has credible long-term growth opportunities, but AMREP’s land base, homebuilding expansion, financial flexibility and more favorable valuation create a more balanced risk-reward profile for investors.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Should You Buy, Sell, or Hold ALAB Stock After a 118% YTD Rise?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:03:00 GMT Astera Labs ALAB shares have appreciated 117.8% in the year-to-date period, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector’s 24.2% rise and the Zacks Internet - Software industry’s 7.1% growth in the year-to-date period.

The company’s shares have also outperformed its peers, which include Cisco Systems CSCO and Credo Technology CRDO. Both Cisco Systems and Credo Technology are expanding their footprint in the AI infrastructure space. Shares of Cisco Systems and Credo Technology have rallied 46.5% and 47.7%, respectively, in the year-to-date period.

ALAB’s outperformance can be attributed to its robust, diversified product portfolio that addresses growing demand for AI infrastructure and connectivity solutions, as well as its expanding partner base. Strong demand for its PCIe solutions has also been a major growth driver.

ALAB Stock Performance

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

ALAB Gains From Robust AI Connectivity Portfolio

ALAB is rapidly expanding its portfolio to address the growing demands of AI infrastructure and connectivity solutions. The company’s product portfolio, including Scorpio, Aries and Taurus, has been a key catalyst. In the second quarter of 2026, PCIe 6 products, including the Scorpio AI Fabric Switches and Aries Retimers, accounted for more than 50% of total revenues, highlighting the market leadership of ALAB’s Gen 6 portfolio.

In the second quarter of 2026, the company reported record revenue growth, driven by strong adoption of its Scorpio AI Fabric Switches, Aries Retimers and Taurus Smart Cable Modules. The Leo CXL memory controller line is gaining traction, with new design wins at major U.S. hyperscalers and expectations for volume shipments in 2027.

The company’s expansion of its Leo CXL memory controller portfolio strengthens its position in the rapidly growing AI infrastructure connectivity market. The company recently expanded its Leo Smart Memory Controller family with the Leo X-Series and Leo 2 E and P Series, targeting agentic AI and general-purpose cloud workloads. The new solutions support fabric-attached GPU memory, CPU-attached memory expansion and pooled/shared memory architectures.

Leo X-Series can deliver up to 62% faster time to first token and 22% higher tokens per second for KV-cache-intensive AI workloads. Meanwhile, Leo 2 E and P-Series double memory bandwidth and capacity versus the prior generation while supporting PCIe 6 and CXL 3.2. The products are currently sampling with hyperscaler customers.

ALAB Offers Strong Q3 Guidance

Astera Labs is benefiting from strong demand for its expanding AI connectivity portfolio, which is expected to drive growth in the third quarter of 2026.

For the third quarter of 2026, revenues are expected to be between $540 million and $560 million. The midpoint implies sequential growth of approximately 40%, driven by the Scorpio X-Series production ramp, continued Aries PCIe 6 retimer strength and preproduction Taurus shipments for 800-gigabit Ethernet applications. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter revenues is pegged at $550.39 million, representing year-over-year growth of 138.71%.

Management projects non-GAAP earnings between $1.16 and $1.21 per share in the third quarter of 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $1.19 per share, which has been unchanged over the past 30 days. The figure implies a year-over-year increase of 142.86%.

Astera Labs, Inc. Price and Consensus

Astera Labs, Inc. Price and Consensus

Astera Labs, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Astera Labs, Inc. Quote

ALAB Faces Rising Competition and Cost Pressures

Despite an expanding connectivity portfolio, ALAB is facing stiff competition from other industry players like Marvell Technology MRVL, which is making strong efforts in the connectivity space. The company has also suffered from higher operating expenses in the second quarter of 2026 due to continued investment in its product roadmap.

Marvell Technology is benefiting from strong AI-driven demand for its high-speed data center connectivity solutions, including optical interconnects and networking products. Data center revenues represented 79% of total revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2027. This underscores the growing weight of connectivity, switching, and custom silicon in the company’s sales mix. In the second quarter of fiscal 2027, Marvell Technology reported revenues of $2.74 billion, up 36.6% year over year.

ALAB Shares Trade at a Premium

Astera Labs’ stock is trading at a premium, as suggested by the Value Score of F.

In terms of the forward 12-month Price/Sales, ALAB is trading at 22.66X, higher than the Computer & Technology sector’s 6.18X.

ALAB Valuation

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Conclusion

Astera Labs is well-positioned to benefit from strong AI infrastructure spending, supported by the rapid adoption of its Scorpio, Aries, Leo and Taurus product families. However, its stretched valuation, rising operating expenses, and intensifying competition remain concerns. 

Astera Labs currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggesting that it may be wise to wait for a more favorable entry point to accumulate the stock. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[SoundHound Expands IoT Footprint: Can Agentic AI Reach More Devices?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:02:00 GMT SoundHound AI SOUN is widening the reach of its agentic AI beyond traditional voice applications as it pushes deeper into connected devices, automotive systems and Voice Commerce. The strategy centers on OASYS, its self-learning agentic platform, which allows AI agents to operate independently of a specific channel and extend across physical and digital touchpoints. Management says OASYS agents can support vehicle assistants, retail transactions and other complex workflows across multiple verticals.

IoT Deals Broaden OASYS Reach

Momentum is becoming visible in the Internet of Things (IoT) market. During the second quarter, SoundHound secured an IoT deal with an automotive maintenance and diagnostic company that plans to use AI agents to improve on-site productivity. The customer will integrate with OASYS, enabling purpose-built agents to work across multiple channels.

SoundHound is also moving into consumer electronics. A multinational electronics manufacturer agreed to deploy its technology for agentic transactions directly through TVs, while the company signed another automotive brand for in-car Voice Commerce. These initiatives could turn connected devices into transaction points, expanding monetization opportunities beyond licensing and voice assistance.

Growth Opportunity Comes With Execution Risk

The broader business provides encouraging momentum. Second-quarter revenues increased 45% year over year to $61.9 million, while SoundHound raised its 2026 revenue outlook to $230-$260 million. However, the company remained loss-making and used nearly $60 million of operating cash during the first half.

The completed LivePerson acquisition further expands SoundHound across voice, web, mobile, SMS and social channels. If OASYS can successfully connect these digital channels with cars, TVs and other devices, SoundHound could materially broaden its agentic AI addressable market.

SoundHound Faces Competition From Cerence and Alphabet

Cerence CRNC remains a key competitor as SoundHound expands agentic AI across connected vehicles and IoT environments. Cerence offers generative AI-powered in-car assistants that can be embedded or cloud-connected, giving automakers control over branded, context-aware voice experiences. Cerence’s deep automotive specialization and established OEM relationships could make it harder for SoundHound to expand in vehicle-based commerce and connected-device applications.

Alphabet GOOGL represents another major competitive threat as Google broadens the reach of Gemini across its device and automotive ecosystem. Gemini is being integrated into Android, Android Auto and vehicles equipped with Google built-in, allowing users to complete increasingly complex tasks through AI-driven interactions. 

Alphabet’s extensive Android footprint gives it a significant distribution advantage as agentic AI expands across smartphones, vehicles and connected devices. Its automotive ambitions are also deepening through partnerships such as Mahindra, where Gemini-powered capabilities are being incorporated into in-vehicle experiences.

Still, SoundHound’s channel-independent OASYS platform and focus on OEM-controlled deployments could help it differentiate against both Cerence and Alphabet.

SOUN’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

SoundHound’s shares have lost 40.9% year to date (YTD), underperforming the industry, as shown below.

SOUN’s YTD Price Performance

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, SOUN trades at a forward price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 9.29, slightly lower than the industry’s average.

SOUN’s P/S Ratio (Forward 12-Month) vs. Industry

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for SoundHound’s 2026 and 2027 loss per share has narrowed to 19 cents and 14 cents, respectively, as shown below. The expected loss for 2026 remains wider than the previous year’s loss of 13 cents per share.
 

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

SOUN currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[MKZR Stock Dips Post FY26 Earnings Despite Narrowed Loss, Revenues Fall]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:01:00 GMT Shares of MacKenzie Realty Capital, Inc. MKZR have lost 1.5% since the company reported its earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. This compares with the S&P 500 Index’s 1.3% gain over the same time frame. Over the past month, the stock has lost 11.2% against the S&P 500’s 0.7% rise.

MacKenzie’s Earnings Snapshot

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, MacKenzie reported net revenues of $20 million, down 9.3% from the comparable prior-year period. Net loss narrowed to $14.1 million from $23.9 million, while net operating loss narrowed to $15.6 million from $23.5 million. Basic and diluted net loss attributable to common stockholders was $9.54 per share compared with $18.66 per share a year earlier.

Commercial segment revenues were $13.1 million, down 19.2% from $16.2 million in fiscal 2025, while residential segment revenues increased 17.8% to $6.9 million from $5.9 million. The commercial segment recorded a net loss of $5.1 million compared with $13.1 million, while the residential segment’s net loss was $3.3 million compared with $2.9 million.

MKZR’s Other Key Business Metrics

MacKenzie ended fiscal 2026 with total assets of $235.3 million, including $212.7 million of net real estate assets and $3.5 million of cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2026. Mortgage notes payable were $131.9 million, while the line of credit stood at $10 million and notes payable totaled $3.9 million. Total liabilities were $156.1 million.

Cash used in operating activities was $3.3 million for fiscal 2026 compared with $1.7 million in fiscal 2025. MKZR also used $9.14 million in investing activities, including $9.15 million invested in real estate assets. Financing activities included $22.8 million of borrowings under mortgage notes payable and $11.7 million of mortgage repayments.

Mackenzie Realty Capital, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Mackenzie Realty Capital, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Mackenzie Realty Capital, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Mackenzie Realty Capital, Inc. Quote

MacKenzie’s Management Commentary

President and CEO Robert Dixon said the annual results were in line with MKZR’s internal expectations despite the decline in revenues. Management highlighted the reductions in both operating loss and net loss and said MacKenzie remains focused on growth initiatives while maintaining financial discipline.

Factors Influencing MKZR’s Results

The revenue decline primarily reflected $3 million of lease termination income recognized in fiscal 2025, which created a tougher year-over-year comparison. The commercial segment also recorded a $1.7 million impairment loss on assets held for sale in fiscal 2026 compared with a $9.5 million impairment loss in the prior year.

Operating expenses fell 21.7% to $35.6 million from $45.5 million. Interest expense remained a significant cost at $9.9 million compared with $8.5 million in fiscal 2025, while depreciation and amortization declined 20% to $9.1 million from $11.4 million. The substantial reduction in the prior-year impairment burden helped narrow the overall operating loss despite lower revenues.

MacKenzie’s Other Developments

MacKenzie’s board temporarily suspended the Preferred Share Repurchase Program to give the company greater flexibility while evaluating strategic alternatives presented by financial adviser Maxim Group LLC, including potential reverse takeovers. Management said exchanges of preferred shares for common stock had contributed to selling pressure on the common shares, potentially complicating negotiations around strategic transactions. The board expects to reassess the repurchase program, although MKZR cautioned that there is no assurance that a strategic transaction will be completed.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Postal Realty Trust (PSTL) Upgraded to Buy: Here's Why]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:00:08 GMT Postal Realty Trust (PSTL) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade primarily reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.

A company's changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.

Since a changing earnings picture is a powerful factor influencing near-term stock price movements, the Zacks rating system is very useful for individual investors. They may find it difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, as these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.

As such, the Zacks rating upgrade for Postal Realty Trust is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price.

Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices

The change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.

For Postal Realty Trust, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade fundamentally mean an improvement in the company's underlying business. And investors' appreciation of this improving business trend should push the stock higher.

Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.

The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Earnings Estimate Revisions for Postal Realty Trust

This company is expected to earn $1.44 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2026, which represents no year-over-year change.

Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Postal Realty Trust. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 0.2%.

Bottom Line

Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.

You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>

The upgrade of Postal Realty Trust to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Hope Bancorp (HOPE) Moves to Buy: Rationale Behind the Upgrade]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:00:08 GMT Hope Bancorp (HOPE) appears an attractive pick, as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). An upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices -- has triggered this rating change.

The Zacks rating relies solely on a company's changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Individual investors often find it hard to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, since these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time. In these situations, the Zacks rating system comes in handy because of the power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements.

Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for Hope Bancorp basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.

Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices

The change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, and the near-term price movement of its stock are proven to be strongly correlated. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their transaction of large amounts of shares then leads to price movement for the stock.

For Hope Bancorp, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade fundamentally mean an improvement in the company's underlying business. And investors' appreciation of this improving business trend should push the stock higher.

Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions

As empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, tracking such revisions for making an investment decision could be truly rewarding. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.

The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Earnings Estimate Revisions for Hope Bancorp

This bank holding company is expected to earn $1.14 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2026, which represents no year-over-year change.

Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Hope Bancorp. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 1.3%.

Bottom Line

Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.

You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>

The upgrade of Hope Bancorp to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[What Makes Enact Holdings (ACT) a New Buy Stock]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:00:08 GMT Investors might want to bet on Enact Holdings, Inc. (ACT), as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.

The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.

Individual investors often find it hard to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, since these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time. In these situations, the Zacks rating system comes in handy because of the power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements.

Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for Enact Holdings basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.

Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices

The change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. That's partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.

For Enact Holdings, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade fundamentally mean an improvement in the company's underlying business. And investors' appreciation of this improving business trend should push the stock higher.

Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.

The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Earnings Estimate Revisions for Enact Holdings

For the fiscal year ending December 2026, this company is expected to earn $4.83 per share, which is unchanged compared with the year-ago reported number.

Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Enact Holdings. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 1.4%.

Bottom Line

Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.

You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>

The upgrade of Enact Holdings to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[All You Need to Know About KLA (KLAC) Rating Upgrade to Buy]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:00:07 GMT KLA (KLAC) appears an attractive pick, as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). An upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices -- has triggered this rating change.

A company's changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.

The power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements makes the Zacks rating system highly useful for individual investors, since it can be difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts. These are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.

As such, the Zacks rating upgrade for KLA is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price.

Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices

The change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, and the near-term price movement of its stock are proven to be strongly correlated. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.

Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for KLA imply an improvement in the company's underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.

Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions

As empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, tracking such revisions for making an investment decision could be truly rewarding. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.

The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Earnings Estimate Revisions for KLA

This maker of equipment for manufacturing semiconductors is expected to earn $5.44 per share for the fiscal year ending June 2027, which represents no year-over-year change.

Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for KLA. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 9%.

Bottom Line

Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.

You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>

The upgrade of KLA to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Strategic Education (STRA) Upgraded to Buy: What Does It Mean for the Stock?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:00:07 GMT Strategic Education (STRA) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.

The Zacks rating relies solely on a company's changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Since a changing earnings picture is a powerful factor influencing near-term stock price movements, the Zacks rating system is very useful for individual investors. They may find it difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, as these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.

Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for Strategic Education basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.

Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices

The change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. That's partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their transaction of large amounts of shares then leads to price movement for the stock.

For Strategic Education, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade fundamentally mean an improvement in the company's underlying business. And investors' appreciation of this improving business trend should push the stock higher.

Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions

As empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, tracking such revisions for making an investment decision could be truly rewarding. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.

The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Earnings Estimate Revisions for Strategic Education

This for-profit education company is expected to earn $7.23 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2026, which represents no year-over-year change.

Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Strategic Education. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 0.4%.

Bottom Line

Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.

You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>

The upgrade of Strategic Education to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[HF Sinclair (DINO) Is Up 6.12% in One Week: What You Should Know ]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:00:06 GMT Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In "long context," investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.

While many investors like to look for momentum in stocks, this can be very tough to define. There is a lot of debate surrounding which metrics are the best to focus on and which are poor quality indicators of future performance. The Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.

Below, we take a look at HF Sinclair (DINO), which currently has a Momentum Style Score of A. We also discuss some of the main drivers of the Momentum Style Score, like price change and earnings estimate revisions.

It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. HF Sinclair currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.

You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>

Set to Beat the Market?

In order to see if DINO is a promising momentum pick, let's examine some Momentum Style elements to see if this independent energy company holds up.

A good momentum benchmark for a stock is to look at its short-term price activity, as this can reflect both current interest and if buyers or sellers currently have the upper hand. It is also useful to compare a security to its industry, as this can help investors pinpoint the top companies in a particular area.

For DINO, shares are up 6.12% over the past week while the Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry is up 3.45% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 9.31% compares favorably with the industry's 4.25% performance as well.

Considering longer term price metrics, like performance over the last three months or year, can be advantageous as well. Shares of HF Sinclair have increased 41.03% over the past quarter, and have gained 120.94% in the last year. In comparison, the S&P 500 has only moved 4.28% and 16.99%, respectively.

Investors should also pay attention to DINO's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. DINO is currently averaging 2,823,516 shares for the last 20 days.

Earnings Outlook

The Zacks Momentum Style Score encompasses many things, including estimate revisions and a stock's price movement. Investors should note that earnings estimates are also significant to the Zacks Rank, and a nice path here can be promising. We have recently been noticing this with DINO.

Over the past two months, 4 earnings estimates moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost DINO's consensus estimate, increasing from $12.13 to $18.15 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 4 estimates have moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period.

Bottom Line

Given these factors, it shouldn't be surprising that DINO is a #1 (Strong Buy) stock and boasts a Momentum Score of A. If you're looking for a fresh pick that's set to soar in the near-term, make sure to keep HF Sinclair on your short list.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Viper Energy (VNOM) Upgraded to Strong Buy: Here's What You Should Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:00:06 GMT Viper Energy Partners (VNOM) appears an attractive pick, as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). An upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices -- has triggered this rating change.

The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.

Individual investors often find it hard to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, since these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time. In these situations, the Zacks rating system comes in handy because of the power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements.

Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for Viper Energy basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.

Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices

The change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, and the near-term price movement of its stock are proven to be strongly correlated. That's partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their transaction of large amounts of shares then leads to price movement for the stock.

Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for Viper Energy imply an improvement in the company's underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.

Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions

As empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, tracking such revisions for making an investment decision could be truly rewarding. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.

The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Earnings Estimate Revisions for Viper Energy

For the fiscal year ending December 2026, this oil and gas company is expected to earn $2.72 per share, which is unchanged compared with the year-ago reported number.

Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Viper Energy. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 11%.

Bottom Line

Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.

You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>

The upgrade of Viper Energy to a Zacks Rank #1 positions it in the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Insight Enterprises (NSIT) Upgraded to Strong Buy: What Does It Mean for the Stock?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:00:06 GMT Insight Enterprises (NSIT) appears an attractive pick, as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). This upgrade primarily reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.

The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.

The power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements makes the Zacks rating system highly useful for individual investors, since it can be difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts. These are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.

As such, the Zacks rating upgrade for Insight Enterprises is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price.

Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices

The change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. That's partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.

Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for Insight Enterprises imply an improvement in the company's underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.

Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions

As empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, tracking such revisions for making an investment decision could be truly rewarding. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.

The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Earnings Estimate Revisions for Insight Enterprises

This information technology provider is expected to earn $12.45 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2026, which represents no year-over-year change.

Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Insight Enterprises. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 6.5%.

Bottom Line

Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.

You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>

The upgrade of Insight Enterprises to a Zacks Rank #1 positions it in the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Are You Looking for a Top Momentum Pick? Why Par Petroleum (PARR) is a Great Choice]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:00:06 GMT Momentum investing is all about the idea of following a stock's recent trend, which can be in either direction. In the "long context," investors will essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." And for investors following this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving in that direction. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.

While many investors like to look for momentum in stocks, this can be very tough to define. There is a lot of debate surrounding which metrics are the best to focus on and which are poor quality indicators of future performance. The Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.

Below, we take a look at Par Petroleum (PARR), which currently has a Momentum Style Score of A. We also discuss some of the main drivers of the Momentum Style Score, like price change and earnings estimate revisions.

It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. Par Petroleum currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.

You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>

Set to Beat the Market?

Let's discuss some of the components of the Momentum Style Score for PARR that show why this independent oil and gas company shows promise as a solid momentum pick.

A good momentum benchmark for a stock is to look at its short-term price activity, as this can reflect both current interest and if buyers or sellers currently have the upper hand. It is also useful to compare a security to its industry, as this can help investors pinpoint the top companies in a particular area.

For PARR, shares are up 8.44% over the past week while the Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry is up 3.45% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 7.62% compares favorably with the industry's 4.25% performance as well.

While any stock can see a spike in price, it takes a real winner to consistently outperform the market. Over the past quarter, shares of Par Petroleum have risen 23.41%, and are up 148.35% in the last year. On the other hand, the S&P 500 has only moved 4.28% and 16.99%, respectively.

Investors should also take note of PARR's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. Right now PARR is averaging 975,172 shares for the last 20 days..

Earnings Outlook

The Zacks Momentum Style Score also takes into account trends in estimate revisions, in addition to price changes. Please note that estimate revision trends remain at the core of Zacks Rank as well. A nice path here can help show promise, and we have recently been seeing that with PARR.

Over the past two months, 4 earnings estimates moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost PARR's consensus estimate, increasing from $19.35 to $23.74 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 4 estimates have moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period.

Bottom Line

Taking into account all of these elements, it should come as no surprise that PARR is a #1 (Strong Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of A. If you've been searching for a fresh pick that's set to rise in the near-term, make sure to keep Par Petroleum on your short list.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Affiliated Managers (AMG) Upgraded to Buy: Here's What You Should Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:00:06 GMT Affiliated Managers Group (AMG) appears an attractive pick, as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This rating change essentially reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.

The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.

The power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements makes the Zacks rating system highly useful for individual investors, since it can be difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts. These are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.

Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for Affiliated Managers basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.

Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices

The change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, and the near-term price movement of its stock are proven to be strongly correlated. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their transaction of large amounts of shares then leads to price movement for the stock.

Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for Affiliated Managers imply an improvement in the company's underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.

Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions

As empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, tracking such revisions for making an investment decision could be truly rewarding. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.

The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Earnings Estimate Revisions for Affiliated Managers

For the fiscal year ending December 2026, this asset manager is expected to earn $36.75 per share, which is unchanged compared with the year-ago reported number.

Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Affiliated Managers. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 5.3%.

Bottom Line

Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.

You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>

The upgrade of Affiliated Managers to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[All You Need to Know About OmniAb, Inc. (OABI) Rating Upgrade to Buy]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:00:05 GMT OmniAb, Inc. (OABI) could be a solid choice for investors given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). An upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices -- has triggered this rating change.

A company's changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.

Individual investors often find it hard to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, since these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time. In these situations, the Zacks rating system comes in handy because of the power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements.

Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for OmniAb, Inc. basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.

Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices

The change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, and the near-term price movement of its stock are proven to be strongly correlated. That's partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.

For OmniAb, Inc., rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade fundamentally mean an improvement in the company's underlying business. And investors' appreciation of this improving business trend should push the stock higher.

Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.

The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Earnings Estimate Revisions for OmniAb, Inc.

This company is expected to earn -$0.35 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2026, which represents no year-over-year change.

Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for OmniAb, Inc.. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 10.3%.

Bottom Line

Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.

You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>

The upgrade of OmniAb, Inc. to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[All You Need to Know About Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) Rating Upgrade to Buy]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:00:05 GMT Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) could be a solid choice for investors given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This rating change essentially reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.

The Zacks rating relies solely on a company's changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Since a changing earnings picture is a powerful factor influencing near-term stock price movements, the Zacks rating system is very useful for individual investors. They may find it difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, as these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.

As such, the Zacks rating upgrade for Sterling Infrastructure is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price.

Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices

The change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, and the near-term price movement of its stock are proven to be strongly correlated. That's partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.

For Sterling Infrastructure, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade fundamentally mean an improvement in the company's underlying business. And investors' appreciation of this improving business trend should push the stock higher.

Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions

As empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, tracking such revisions for making an investment decision could be truly rewarding. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.

The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Earnings Estimate Revisions for Sterling Infrastructure

For the fiscal year ending December 2026, this civil construction company is expected to earn $20.02 per share, which is unchanged compared with the year-ago reported number.

Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Sterling Infrastructure. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 4.2%.

Bottom Line

Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.

You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>

The upgrade of Sterling Infrastructure to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Are You Looking for a Top Momentum Pick? Why Arrow Electronics (ARW) is a Great Choice]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:00:05 GMT Momentum investing is all about the idea of following a stock's recent trend, which can be in either direction. In the "long context," investors will essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." And for investors following this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving in that direction. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.

While many investors like to look for momentum in stocks, this can be very tough to define. There is a lot of debate surrounding which metrics are the best to focus on and which are poor quality indicators of future performance. The Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.

Below, we take a look at Arrow Electronics (ARW), a company that currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B. We also talk about price change and earnings estimate revisions, two of the main aspects of the Momentum Style Score.

It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. Arrow Electronics currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.

You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>

Set to Beat the Market?

In order to see if ARW is a promising momentum pick, let's examine some Momentum Style elements to see if this electronics maker holds up.

A good momentum benchmark for a stock is to look at its short-term price activity, as this can reflect both current interest and if buyers or sellers currently have the upper hand. It's also helpful to compare a security to its industry; this can show investors the best companies in a particular area.

For ARW, shares are up 3.96% over the past week while the Zacks Electronics - Parts Distribution industry is up 3.96% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 11.23% compares favorably with the industry's 8.37% performance as well.

While any stock can see its price increase, it takes a real winner to consistently beat the market. That is why looking at longer term price metrics -- such as performance over the past three months or year -- can be useful as well. Shares of Arrow Electronics have increased 19.05% over the past quarter, and have gained 95.48% in the last year. On the other hand, the S&P 500 has only moved 4.28% and 16.99%, respectively.

Investors should also pay attention to ARW's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. ARW is currently averaging 596,709 shares for the last 20 days.

Earnings Outlook

The Zacks Momentum Style Score also takes into account trends in estimate revisions, in addition to price changes. Please note that estimate revision trends remain at the core of Zacks Rank as well. A nice path here can help show promise, and we have recently been seeing that with ARW.

Over the past two months, 3 earnings estimates moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost ARW's consensus estimate, increasing from $19.56 to $21.24 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 3 estimates have moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period.

Bottom Line

Taking into account all of these elements, it should come as no surprise that ARW is a #1 (Strong Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of B. If you've been searching for a fresh pick that's set to rise in the near-term, make sure to keep Arrow Electronics on your short list.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Plexus (PLXS) is a Great Momentum Stock: Should You Buy?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:00:02 GMT Momentum investing is all about the idea of following a stock's recent trend, which can be in either direction. In the "long context," investors will essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." And for investors following this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving in that direction. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.

While many investors like to look for momentum in stocks, this can be very tough to define. There is a lot of debate surrounding which metrics are the best to focus on and which are poor quality indicators of future performance. The Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.

Below, we take a look at Plexus (PLXS), a company that currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B. We also talk about price change and earnings estimate revisions, two of the main aspects of the Momentum Style Score.

It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. Plexus currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.

You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>

Set to Beat the Market?

Let's discuss some of the components of the Momentum Style Score for PLXS that show why this electronic manufacturing services company shows promise as a solid momentum pick.

A good momentum benchmark for a stock is to look at its short-term price activity, as this can reflect both current interest and if buyers or sellers currently have the upper hand. It is also useful to compare a security to its industry, as this can help investors pinpoint the top companies in a particular area.

For PLXS, shares are up 3.82% over the past week while the Zacks Electronics - Manufacturing Services industry is up 3.82% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 11.06% compares favorably with the industry's 13.41% performance as well.

While any stock can see its price increase, it takes a real winner to consistently beat the market. That is why looking at longer term price metrics -- such as performance over the past three months or year -- can be useful as well. Shares of Plexus have increased 5.46% over the past quarter, and have gained 83.53% in the last year. On the other hand, the S&P 500 has only moved 4.28% and 16.99%, respectively.

Investors should also take note of PLXS's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. Right now PLXS is averaging 214,976 shares for the last 20 days..

Earnings Outlook

The Zacks Momentum Style Score also takes into account trends in estimate revisions, in addition to price changes. Please note that estimate revision trends remain at the core of Zacks Rank as well. A nice path here can help show promise, and we have recently been seeing that with PLXS.

Over the past two months, 1 earnings estimate moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. This revision helped boost PLXS's consensus estimate, increasing from $8.56 to $8.71 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 2 estimates have moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period.

Bottom Line

Taking into account all of these elements, it should come as no surprise that PLXS is a #1 (Strong Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of B. If you've been searching for a fresh pick that's set to rise in the near-term, make sure to keep Plexus on your short list.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can Medifast's Better Client Retention Support Revenue Stabilization?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT Medifast, Inc. MED continues to see signs of stabilization in its business, with sequential revenue trends holding relatively steady even as the company faces pressure from a declining coach base. At its second-quarter 2026 earnings call, management said revenue has stabilized sequentially in recent quarters, aided by higher coach productivity, while improved client retention trends were another encouraging operating indicator. In the second quarter, the company reported revenues of $76.4 million, down 27.6% year over year, primarily due to a 48.7% decline in active earning coaches to approximately 11,700.

Despite the lower coach count, average revenue per active earning coach increased 41% year over year to $6,529, marking a third consecutive quarter of productivity growth. Management also said that the client referral program continues to exceed expectations as the company launches its new product line and seeks to capitalize on renewed coach enthusiasm. Management highlighted renewed energy across the coach base as coaches engage with clients around the new metabolic health narrative.

This momentum was also evident at the company’s sold-out coach convention in July, which provided a clear indication of strong coach engagement. The strong referral program performance and renewed coach enthusiasm come as the company rolls out the new product line.

Medifast’s near-term outlook follows a period of relative sequential revenue stability but continues to reflect pressure on the coach base. Management anticipates revenues of $60-$80 million in the third quarter of 2026, and they expect the active earning coach count to continue declining in the short term, while coach productivity continues to improve both year over year and sequentially. Overall, improved client retention trends and rising coach productivity are positive operating indicators as Medifast focuses on stabilizing its business.

The Zacks Rundown for MED

The Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company's shares have gained 14.4% in the past six months against the industry’s decline of 2.7%.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, MED trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.47, lower than the industry’s average of 0.73.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MED’s current fiscal year bottom line calls for a year-over-year decline of 26.8%, whereas the same for next fiscal year earnings suggests 54.8% growth year over year.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Other Stocks to Consider

Some other top-ranked stocks have been discussed below:

The Chef’s Warehouse, Inc. CHEF distributes specialty food and center-of-the-plate products in the United States, the Middle East, and Canada. CHEF currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CHEF’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 10.8% and 33.7%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figures. CHEF delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 30.4%, on average.

Mama’s Creations, Inc. MAMA, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets fresh deli-prepared foods in the United States. MAMA currently carries a Zacks Rank of 1.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MAMA's current fiscal-year sales & earnings implies growth of 30.3% and 66.7%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. MAMA delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 121.7%, on average.

Utz Brands, Inc. UTZ, together with its subsidiaries, markets, sells and distributes fresh, frozen, and dry food and non-food products to foodservice customers in the United States. UTZ currently carries a Zacks Rank 2.  

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UTZ’s current fiscal-year sales implies growth of 3.7%, and the same for earnings implies a decline of 2.4% from the year-ago actuals. UTZ delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 1.8%, on average.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[MRVL's Alliance With NVDA & MSFT: Can It Challenge ALAB & AVGO ?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:58:00 GMT Marvell Technology MRVL is partnering with NVIDIA NVDA on multiple fronts, including advanced networking, optical technologies like silicon photonics and advanced optical interconnect solutions. Both companies are bringing their capabilities together. MRVL has established capabilities in optical DSPs, silicon photonics and high-speed connectivity, and NVIDIA has NVLink Fusion.

Marvell Technology and NVIDIA started their initial 2025 collaboration to give hyperscalers greater flexibility in developing custom AI computing infrastructure while allowing them to leverage NVIDIA’s broader rack-scale architecture, networking and software ecosystem. In 2026, the partnership was expanded, connecting MRVL to NVIDIA’s AI factory and AI-RAN ecosystems through NVLink Fusion.

Under the expanded arrangement, Marvell Technology will provide custom XPUs and NVLink Fusion-compatible scale-up networking, while NVIDIA will provide supporting technologies including Vera CPUs, ConnectX NICs, BlueField DPUs, NVLink interconnects, Spectrum-X switches and rack-scale AI compute. NVIDIA has further demonstrated its strategic commitment to the relationship by investing $2 billion in MRVL as part of the March 2026 partnership.

The investment accompanies the expanded NVLink Fusion collaboration and reinforces Marvell Technology’s role within NVIDIA’s broader AI infrastructure ecosystem. Overall, the collaboration positions Marvell Technology as a key technology partner for customers seeking customized AI infrastructure while remaining connected to NVIDIA’s ecosystem. MRVL also collaborated with Microsoft MSFT, and Utimaco launched Azure Payment HSM v2, a cloud-native payment security platform combining Marvell Technology’s LiquidSecurity hardware security modules.

Utimaco is bringing in Atalla Payments Module software, and Microsoft is offering Azure in the collaboration. The service enables banks and payment providers to secure transactions, protect cryptographic keys and meet stringent PCI compliance requirements without managing physical infrastructure. MRVL is using its hardware in multiple use cases and making it meaningful with other technology giants like NVIDIA and Microsoft.

How Competitors Fare Against MRVL

Marvell Technology competes with Astera Labs ALAB and Broadcom AVGO in the networking space. Astera Labs is benefiting from rising demand for PCIe 6 signal conditioning and AI fabric switching as hyperscalers expand rack-scale AI deployments, while Broadcom gains from traction in custom XPUs and AI networking, and VMware continues to support infrastructure software growth.

Broadcom isn’t collaborating with a single large partner. Broadcom has many integration partners for its VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 with integrated AI infrastructure from AMD, Intel and NVIDIA. The platform supports NVIDIA ConnectX-7 and BlueField-3 networking, while CrowdStrike enhances security and Arista Networks provides networking interoperability.

Unlike Broadcom’s broader integration approach and Astera Labs’ connectivity focus, Marvell Technology can leverage NVIDIA’s ecosystem to help hyperscalers build customized AI infrastructure while maintaining compatibility with NVIDIA’s rack-scale architecture. NVIDIA’s $2 billion investment further strengthens this relationship, potentially improving MRVL’s access to AI infrastructure opportunities and positioning it to compete more effectively with Broadcom and Astera Labs.

MRVL's Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates

Marvell Technology shares have gained 239.5% year to date, outperforming the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry's return of 39.5%.

MRVL YTD Performance Chart

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

MRVL shares are trading at a Price-to-Sales (P/S) multiple of 14.78X, higher than the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry’s P/S multiple of 5.15X.

MRVL Forward 12-Month (P/S) Valuation Chart

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MRVL’s fiscal 2027 earnings indicates a year-over-year growth of 48.2%. Estimates have been revised upward in the past 30 days.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Marvell Technology currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Implied Volatility Surging for Antero Midstream Stock Options]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:57:00 GMT Investors in Antero Midstream Corporation AM need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Jan. 15, 2027 $3.00 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.

What is Implied Volatility?

Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.

What do the Analysts Think?

Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for Antero Midstream shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, Antero Midstream is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) in the Oil and Gas - Integrated - United States industry that ranks in the Top 45% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 60 days, our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter has moved from 29 cents per share to 30 cents in that period.

Given the way analysts feel about Antero Midstream right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can Zumiez's Data-Driven Marketing Improve Customer Engagement?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:56:00 GMT Zumiez, Inc. ZUMZ highlighted that its data initiatives are helping the company better understand its customers and communicate with them in relevant ways. The company continues to learn more about its customers through these initiatives, strengthening its ability to communicate effectively and improve the effectiveness of its marketing efforts.
Zumiez is also using insights from its data initiatives to evaluate where operational changes may be needed to enhance the customer experience. This approach is helping the company improve the effectiveness of its marketing initiatives while identifying opportunities to enhance the customer experience.

However, the company’s overall sales performance has been meaningfully affected by a deceleration in U.S. sales, due to softness in footwear and an overall decline in transactions. Management recognizes the current weakness as part of a down cycle and believes such periods are generally temporary. In response, the company is actively working to refine its merchandise assortments and further lean into its customer experience initiatives to improve the trajectory of the business.

Zumiez remains focused on meeting consumers where they are and adapting alongside them during this important stage of their lives. Identifying and leading trends has been central to the company’s success throughout its history, and management continues to have confidence in its teams as the business moves through this transitional period. By continuing to respond to consumers and identify and lead trends, the company remains focused on navigating the current period while building on the strengths that have supported its success.

The Zacks Rundown for ZUMZ

Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have lost 33.4% in the past year compared with the industry’s decline of 8.5%.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, ZUMZ trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 18.42, higher than the industry’s average of 12.43.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ZUMZ’s current fiscal year earnings implies a year-over-year decline of 41%, and the same for the next fiscal year earnings implies a year-over-year rise of 91.3%.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks to Consider

Some better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:

FIGS, Inc. FIGS operates as a direct-to-consumer healthcare apparel and lifestyle company in the United States and internationally. At present, FIGS carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FIGS’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 19.8% and 89.5%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. FIGS has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 201.8%, on average.

Fossil Group, Inc. FOSL designs, develops, markets, and distributes consumer fashion accessories in the United States, Europe, Asia, and internationally. At present, FOSL carries a Zacks Rank of 2.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FOSL’s current fiscal-year sales indicates a decline of 4%, while the same for earnings indicates growth of 96.7% from the year-ago figures. FOSL delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 236.2%, on average.
 
Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. BOOT operates specialty retail stores in the United States and internationally. At present, Boot Barn carries a Zacks Rank of 2.

The consensus estimate for Boot Barn’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 15.8% and 23.5%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. BOOT delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 11.4%, on average.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can AMC's Loyalty Strategy Strengthen Customer Engagement and Visits?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:56:00 GMT AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. AMC is strengthening its relationship with moviegoers through the AMC Stubs loyalty program. A large loyalty base gives the company direct access to customer preferences and viewing behavior. This relationship can help AMC better understand its guests and create more targeted ways to encourage repeat visits.

More than 40 million U.S. households have participated in AMC Stubs, highlighting the scale of the program. The platform also has a meaningful presence among AMC’s active customer base, with Stubs members representing more than 50% of total U.S. guest count in the second quarter of 2026. This gives the company a broad pool of customers with whom it can maintain an ongoing relationship.

The program also gives AMC a better understanding of customer preferences, including the genres and titles that guests watch at its theaters. This allows the company to make its loyalty efforts more relevant and targeted. AMC uses these insights to reward patronage and encourage guests to visit its theaters for movies that match their interests.

The scale of Stubs also gives AMC a significant customer engagement platform. With more than half of U.S. guest traffic coming from members, the program is already closely linked to a large portion of the company’s domestic audience. Combining loyalty data with customer preferences can help AMC make the marketing and engagement efforts more targeted and strengthen its relationship with moviegoers.

Going forward, the effectiveness of the loyalty strategy will depend on how well AMC converts its large Stubs base and customer insights into repeat visits. A broader and more engaged loyalty relationship can provide the company with another avenue to support customer retention and encourage more frequent theater visits.

AMC Entertainment’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

AMC’s shares have surged 118% over the past six months, while the industry gained 3.4%. Over the same period, AMC Entertainment has outperformed industry players like Cinemark Holdings, Inc. CNK and The Marcus Corporation MCS.

AMC’s Price Performance

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, AMC Entertainment stock trades at a forward price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 0.44, below the industry’s average of 2.56. Cinemark and Marcus have P/S ratios of 1.14 and 0.99, respectively.

AMC Entertainment’s P/S Ratio (Forward 12-Month) vs. Industry

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AMC’s 2026 loss per share of 22 cents indicates a 77.1% year-over-year improvement from a loss of 96 cents. Conversely, industry players like Cinemark and Marcus are likely to witness 2026 earnings growth of 141.4% and 652.9%, respectively.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

AMC’s Zacks Rank

AMC Entertainment currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[EDRY or SHIP: Which Shipping Stock Deserves a Place in Your Portfolio?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:54:00 GMT Two shipping stocks drawing significant investor attention as the Zacks Transportation - Shipping industry navigates a difficult geopolitical environment, marked by the Middle East conflict and tariff-related uncertainties, are Seanergy Maritime Holdings SHIP and EuroDry EDRY. Both companies are headquartered in Greece.

EuroDry was formed on Jan. 8, 2018, to bring the drybulk fleet of Euroseas Ltd. ESEA under a separate publicly traded company. Euroseas completed the spin-off of its drybulk fleet into a separate publicly traded company, EuroDry Ltd., on May 30, 2018. In addition to owning and operating drybulk vessels, EDRY offers seaborne transportation services for drybulk cargoes.

SHIP is a leading pure-play owner of Capesize vessels, providing marine drybulk transportation services through its modern Capesize fleet. Euroseas, meanwhile, owns and operates container carrier vessels and provides seaborne transportation services for containerized cargoes.

Against this backdrop, let us examine which of these shipping companies currently has the upper hand and, more importantly, which stock could represent the better investment opportunity at present.

The Case for EuroDry

EuroDry is following a disciplined fleet-renewal approach, focused on acquiring larger and more fuel-efficient vessels while gradually phasing out older tonnage. The company currently operates a fleet of 11 vessels, comprising three Panamax drybulk carriers, five Ultramax drybulk carriers, two Kamsarmax drybulk carriers and one Supramax drybulk carrier.

EuroDry’s drybulk fleet has an aggregate cargo-carrying capacity of 766,420 dwt. Following the scheduled delivery of two Ultramax vessels in 2027 and two Kamsarmax vessels in 2028, the fleet is expected to expand to 15 vessels with a combined carrying capacity of 1,050,420 dwt.

Supported by healthy global drybulk trade, including demand for iron ore and bauxite as well as short-term coal requirements, EuroDry’s average time charter equivalent (“TCE”) rate more than doubled year over year to $20,398 per day in the second quarter of 2026. This improvement helped revenues rise 57% to $17.7 million despite the company operating fewer vessels.

Average TCE rate measures the average daily net revenues generated by the company’s vessels. EDRY calculates this metric by dividing time charter revenues and voyage charter revenues, if any, after deducting voyage expenses, by the number of voyage days during the applicable period.

Adjusted EBITDA increased to $11.7 million from $1.9 million, while EuroDry reported net income attributable to controlling shareholders of $6.6 million in contrast to a loss of $3.1 million in the year-ago period. Strong demand for iron ore and bauxite transportation, longer sailing distances and geopolitical disruptions to trade have constrained vessel availability and supported stronger drybulk freight rates.

The Case for SHIP

Seanergy Maritime is gaining from the favorable outlook for the Capesize market. Capesize bulk carriers such as those operated by SHIP are well placed to perform strongly in the coming period, supported mainly by solid demand for iron ore and bauxite. The recent uptrend in dry bulk rates could persist. Rising long-haul demand for iron ore and bauxite is particularly favorable for Capesize owners, given that iron ore represents the bulk of Capesize cargo volumes.

The recent opening of Guinea’s massive Simandou iron ore mine, regarded as the world’s largest-ever mining project, is an important development that could significantly support cargo-mile demand.

SHIP’s shareholder-friendly approach is another positive. While announcing its second-quarter 2026 results in July, the company’s board declared a quarterly cash dividend of 35 cents per share, representing the 19th consecutive quarterly dividend under its capital return policy. Over the past five years, Seanergy Maritime has raised its dividend eight times, while the payout ratio currently stands at 26% of earnings.

Seanergy Maritime is also divesting older and less efficient vessels, including the sale of the Geniuship in 2025, as part of efforts to upgrade its fleet with modern, eco-efficient and scrubber-fitted ships. Such vessels are generally more attractive to charterers and can command higher rates. The company is pursuing a strategic fleet-modernization program focused on expanding its Capesize and Newcastlemax dry bulk carrier fleet.

EDRY’s Price Performance Better Than SHIP’s

Driven by the positive sentiment surrounding the dry bulk market, shares of EuroDry have gained in triple digits (% -wise) over the past six months, outperforming Seanergy Maritime, which has gained in double digits.

6-Month Price Comparison

Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

Valuation Picture

Valuation-wise, SHIP looks more attractive than EDRY based on the forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio.

Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

SHIP’s return on equity (“ROE”) in % terms is higher than EDRY’s. This reflects SHIP’s efficient use of shareholder funds.

ROE

Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

Conclusion

Both shipping companies deserve credit for their fleet expansion strategies. SHIP also rewards shareholders through dividend payments, making the stock more attractive to income-focused investors. Nevertheless, EDRY’s stronger share-price performance relative to SHIP provides it with an advantage.

EuroDry appears well placed to benefit from sustained strength in the market, as several of its vessels operate under index-linked charters. This structure allows improving Supramax rates to translate more directly into revenues. Favorable conditions in the dry-bulk market are also supporting significantly higher charter rates and earnings for EDRY.

Given these favorable factors, EuroDry stands out as the winner in this shipping comparison and appears worth considering at present. EDRY currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while SHIP carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.  

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can Construction Partners' Texas Acquisition Expand Its Abilene Reach?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:51:00 GMT Construction Partners, Inc. ROAD, or CPI, is expanding its Texas operations through the acquisition of J.H. Strain & Sons, Inc.’s asphalt manufacturing and construction assets. The transaction adds two hot-mix asphalt plants, related crews and equipment to Lone Star Paving, the company’s Texas platform.

Construction Partners Builds Its Position in Abilene

The acquisition also brings more than 125 employees to Lone Star and adds J.H. Strain’s fleet and experienced workforce to the platform. The acquired operations serve the greater Abilene area, while J.H. Strain brings a longstanding presence in the market.

Abilene is a growing Texas market with ongoing investment, including several data center-related developments. The added plants, equipment and workforce give Lone Star a local presence to serve public and private infrastructure customers across the greater Abilene area and West Texas.

Construction Partners’ Acquisition Strategy Broadens Its Growth Base

Construction Partners has been using acquisitions to expand its local market presence and strengthen the vertically integrated operating network. The company completed its Oklahoma acquisition on Aug. 31, 2026, followed by the Florida acquisition on Sept. 21, before adding the Texas assets. The recent deals span asphalt production, transportation and roadway construction capabilities across its existing markets.

Construction Partners expects acquisitions to contribute about 22% of growth at the midpoint of its fiscal 2026 guidance, with approximately $140 million of acquired revenues carrying into fiscal 2027. The company also has an active pipeline of acquisition opportunities, including both tuck-in and platform opportunities.

ROAD Stock’s Performance

Shares of this Alabama-based civil infrastructure company have declined 15.2% over the past six months, underperforming the Zacks Building Products - Miscellaneous industry, the broader Zacks Construction sector and the S&P 500 Index.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Construction Partners has faced pressure from higher energy costs and weather-related disruptions that can affect project activity. The company has been dealing with energy cost inflation and periods of unusually wet weather across its markets. Its cost pass-through model helps address higher input costs, but these factors remain relevant to operating performance.

Nonetheless, the underlying demand environment remains favorable. The company is seeing healthy bid activity, project lettings and contract awards across its markets, supported by continued investment in transportation infrastructure. Data center construction is also becoming a growing part of commercial activity, with the company pursuing projects across its existing footprint.

ROAD’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks

Construction Partners currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Here are some better-ranked stocks from the same sector.

Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. STRL currently holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Sterling delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 27.2%, on average. The stock has gained 36.9% in the past six months. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Sterling’s 2026 sales and EPS indicates growth of 65.1% and 84%, respectively, from a year ago.

EMCOR Group, Inc. EME presently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 12.2%, on average. Shares of EMCOR have gained 3.8% in the past six months.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EMCOR’s 2026 sales and EPS indicates growth of 19.6% and 27.5%, respectively, from the prior-year levels.

JACOBS SOLUTNS J currently has a Zacks Rank of 2. It delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 3%, on average. JACOBS stock has jumped 9% in the past six months.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for JACOBS’ fiscal 2027 sales and EPS imply an increase of 6.4% and 14.5%, respectively, from a year ago.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can Bank OZK's Steady Dividend Growth Reinforce Its Income Appeal?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:50:00 GMT One of the most closely tracked aspects of Bank OZK’s OZK financial profile is its dividend policy. The bank’s latest announcement highlights its continued commitment to shareholder distributions, with the quarterly common stock dividend raised for the 65th consecutive quarter.

Bank OZK’s board of directors increased the quarterly cash dividend to 49 cents per share, up 2.1% from the prior quarter. The dividend will be paid out on Oct. 20, 2026, to shareholders of record as of Oct. 13. The consistent pace of increases reflects the bank’s longstanding approach to growing its common stock dividend.

Dividend Yield TTM

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Bank OZK has been included in the S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index since January 2018. The index comprises members of the S&P Composite 1500 that have consistently increased common stock dividends every year for at least 20 years and meet minimum float-adjusted market capitalization and liquidity requirements. Its inclusion highlights the strength of the bank’s established dividend-growth record.

Apart from dividends, Bank OZK also returns capital through share repurchases. During the second quarter of 2026, the bank repurchased 0.33 million shares for $15.5 million. In June 2026, it announced a $200 million share repurchase program, which expires on July 1, 2027. Its lower debt-to-equity and dividend payout ratios compared with peers provide additional flexibility to sustain shareholder distributions.

The bank’s liquidity and balance-sheet strength further support its capital-return strategy. As of June 30, 2026, primary and secondary liquidity sources reached a record $19.7 billion, including unpledged securities and available borrowing capacity. Total deposits were $34.0 billion, while total assets were $41.7 billion, net loans were $32.1 billion and stockholders’ equity was $6.3 billion.

The latest announcement reinforces the bank’s focus on maintaining regular cash distributions to common shareholders. For income-oriented investors, continued common dividend growth remains a notable feature of Bank OZK’s shareholder-return profile.

Our Take

Bank OZK’s latest dividend increase is a favorable development, extending an already strong record of common stock dividend growth. The bank’s ongoing share repurchases, substantial liquidity and solid balance sheet provide additional support for its capital-return strategy.

Still, investors should monitor expense growth and credit costs as the bank balances shareholder distributions with earnings and balance-sheet needs. Overall, the announcement strengthens the income appeal of OZK stock, particularly for investors who prioritize consistent and growing dividends.

Over the past six months, shares of Bank OZK have declined 0.7% against the industry’s 9.1% growth.

6-Month Price Performance

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

OZK currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here..

How OZK Stacks Up Against ASB & COLB

Bank OZK’s peers, Associated Banc-Corp ASB and Columbia Banking System COLB, have also been focusing on maintaining shareholder returns through consistent dividend payouts and share repurchases.

Associated Banc-Corp has maintained a quarterly dividend of 24 cents per share, following a 4.3% increase in 2025. The company has raised its dividend five times over the past five years, representing an annualized growth rate of 4.5%. As of June 30, 2026, $213.9 million remained available under its share repurchase authorization, providing additional flexibility to return capital to shareholders.

Meanwhile, Columbia Banking System has a quarterly dividend of 37 cents per share, which it increased by 2.8% in November 2025. The company repurchased 6.6 million shares for $199 million during the second quarter of 2026 and had $202 million remaining under its existing repurchase authorization as of June 30, 2026. COLB’s CET1 ratio was 11.6% and its total risk-based capital ratio was 13.4%, supporting continued capital returns.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Cinemark Hits Record EBITDA: Is CNK's Margin Expansion Durable?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:47:00 GMT Cinemark Holdings, Inc. CNK delivered a standout second quarter, with adjusted EBITDA reaching a record $294 million and the adjusted EBITDA margin expanding to 27.1%. The company attributed the performance to strong box office results, operating leverage and disciplined execution. Worldwide revenues surpassed $1 billion for the first time, while admissions, concessions and per-capita spending also reached record levels.

The key question is whether this margin strength can persist beyond the exceptionally strong film slate. Management sees several structural opportunities. Pricing actions, higher premium-format penetration and growth in food, beverage and merchandise sales should continue supporting per-capita revenues. Cinemark also has meaningful operating leverage, with about 40% of its cost structure fixed, allowing stronger attendance to translate into greater profitability.

Premium offerings remain a growth lever, with Cinemark adding new XD, ScreenX, IMAX and D-BOX installations during the first half of 2026. The company also expects continued benefits from younger moviegoers, creator-led content and longer theatrical exclusivity.

However, margin expansion is not immune to volatility. Management noted that content mix, release timing and attendance remain critical, while rising electricity costs and inflationary pressures could weigh on expenses.

Overall, CNK’s margin gains appear to have a durable foundation, but sustaining them will depend on consistent box office strength and continued execution.

CNK’s Margin Story Faces AMC and MCS

AMC Entertainment AMC remains Cinemark’s most direct publicly traded U.S. competitor, with both companies benefiting from stronger theatrical attendance, premium formats and improved concession spending. AMC’s margin trajectory is similarly tied to box-office recovery and its ability to generate higher revenue per guest.

Marcus Corporation MCS is another relevant U.S.-listed theater operator. Like CNK, Marcus can benefit from stronger attendance, premium experiences and higher food-and-beverage spending. However, CNK’s scale and operating leverage provide important advantages when box-office activity strengthens.
For CNK, continued expansion of premium formats, merchandise and per-capita sales could provide additional avenues for margin improvement. Management noted that pricing, premium-format penetration and concession growth remain key long-term drivers.

That said, sustaining CNK’s margin expansion will depend on the strength and consistency of the film slate. Content mix and release timing can cause quarterly fluctuations, while rising costs could pressure profitability.

CNK’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

CNK’s shares have surged 36.8% over the past year, while the industry fell 0.4%.

CNK’s Price Performance

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, CNK stock trades at a forward price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 1.14, below the industry’s average of 2.34.

CNK’s P/S Ratio (Forward 12-Month) vs. Industry

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CNK’s 2026 earnings per share of $2.51 indicates a 141.4% year-over-year gain. In the past 30 days, earnings estimates for 2026 have witnessed upward revisions.

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CNK’s Zacks Rank

Cinemark currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Do Options Traders Know Something About Autoliv Stock We Don't?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:46:00 GMT Investors in Autoliv, Inc. ALV need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Nov. 20, 2026 $100.00 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.

What is Implied Volatility?

Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.

What do the Analysts Think?

Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for Autoliv shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, Autoliv is a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) in the Automotive - Original Equipment industry that ranks in the Bottom 28% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 60 days, one analyst has increased the earnings estimate for the current quarter, while none have dropped their estimates. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter from $3.54 per share to $3.55 in that period.

Given the way analysts feel about Autoliv right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can Royal Caribbean's Record 2027 Pricing Sustain Its Growth Run?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:46:00 GMT Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. RCL is entering 2027 with strong booking momentum and record pricing, reinforcing confidence that its growth run can extend beyond 2026. Management said early 2027 bookings were pacing ahead of historical levels and were being secured at higher prices, while booked load factors remained elevated.

The company’s expanding portfolio provides additional support for 2027. Hero of the Seas is scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2027, while Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker are expected to enter service during the second and third quarters, respectively. These additions should broaden capacity while introducing differentiated experiences that can support pricing.

Royal Caribbean is also leveraging technology and loyalty to protect yields and deepen customer engagement. Its AI-driven pricing models manage roughly $20 million and growing price points, helping optimize revenues rather than simply fill cabins. Meanwhile, Points Choice and Status Match have generated more than half a million new loyalty enrollments; more than 90% of guests use the company’s app, and over half of onboard revenues are purchased before embarkation. These trends give RCL more opportunities to personalize offers, strengthen repeat demand and capture incremental spending.

Still, sustaining record pricing will depend on healthy consumer demand and disciplined capacity growth. Geopolitical disruptions have already affected some European itineraries, underscoring the sensitivity of bookings to external events. Even so, strong 2027 pricing, expanding vacation offerings, deeper loyalty engagement and new capacity give Royal Caribbean multiple levers to sustain its growth momentum into next year.

How Cruise Peers CCL and NCLH Are Positioning for 2027

Carnival Corporation Ltd. CCL is also entering 2027 with strong pricing momentum. The company is already about half booked for the year, with both occupancy and pricing at record levels. Carnival expects only modest capacity growth in 2027, which should support its strategy of managing the booking curve for price. Its expanding destination portfolio, including Celebration Key, is another lever to differentiate the product and strengthen yields, while continued loyalty initiatives are aimed at increasing repeat demand and lifetime value. 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. NCLH, meanwhile, is rebuilding its pricing and demand-generation strategy. The company is shifting toward a baseloading approach that establishes more competitive pricing earlier in the booking curve to build demand sooner, preserve price integrity and reduce close-in discounting. NCLH expects the first half of 2027 to remain pressured, particularly the first quarter, but sees sequential improvement as marketing, revenue-management and demand-generation initiatives gain traction. Investments in Great Stirrup Cay and its new Great Tides Waterpark are also intended to strengthen differentiation and improve revenue potential.

RCL’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

Shares of Royal Caribbean have declined 12.6% in the past year compared with the industry’s 7.2% fall.

RCL Stock’s One-Year Price Performance

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, RCL trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 14.06, below the industry’s average of 15.81.

RCL’s P/E Ratio (Forward 12-Month) vs. Industry

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RCL’s 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year increase of 13.8%. The EPS estimates for 2026 have increased in the past seven days.

EPS Trend of RCL Stock

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

RCL’s Zacks Rank

RCL stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Wells Fargo (WFC) Could Be a Great Choice]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:45:03 GMT All investors love getting big returns from their portfolio, whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities. But for income investors, generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments is your primary focus.

While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders; it's often viewed by its dividend yield, a metric that measures a dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends make up large portions of long-term returns, and in many cases, dividend contributions surpass one-third of total returns.

Wells Fargo (WFC) is headquartered in San Francisco, and is in the Finance sector. The stock has seen a price change of -12.62% since the start of the year. The bank is currently shelling out a dividend of $0.50 per share, with a dividend yield of 2.46%. This compares to the Financial - Investment Bank industry's yield of 1.34% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.43%.

Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $2.00 is up 17.6% from last year. Over the last 5 years, Wells Fargo has increased its dividend 4 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 36.70%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Wells Fargo's current payout ratio is 26%, meaning it paid out 26% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.

Earnings growth looks solid for WFC for this fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $7.28 per share, with earnings expected to increase 15.92% from the year ago period.

From greatly improving stock investing profits and reducing overall portfolio risk to providing tax advantages, investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons. However, not all companies offer a quarterly payout.

High-growth firms or tech start-ups, for example, rarely provide their shareholders a dividend, while larger, more established companies that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options. Income investors have to be mindful of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, WFC is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Why Ventas (VTR) is a Great Dividend Stock Right Now]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:45:03 GMT Getting big returns from financial portfolios, whether through stocks, bonds, ETFs, other securities, or a combination of all, is an investor's dream. However, when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.

While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its dividend yield, a metric that measures the dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends make up large portions of long-term returns, and in many cases, dividend contributions surpass one-third of total returns.

Based in Chicago, Ventas (VTR) is in the Finance sector, and so far this year, shares have seen a price change of 5.14%. The seniors housing real estate investment trust is paying out a dividend of $0.52 per share at the moment, with a dividend yield of 2.56% compared to the REIT and Equity Trust - Other industry's yield of 4.41% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.43%.

Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $2.08 is up 8.3% from last year. Over the last 5 years, Ventas has increased its dividend 1 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 0.70%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Ventas's current payout ratio is 57%, meaning it paid out 57% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.

Earnings growth looks solid for VTR for this fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $3.89 per share, with earnings expected to increase 11.78% from the year ago period.

Investors like dividends for many reasons; they greatly improve stock investing profits, decrease overall portfolio risk, and carry tax advantages, among others. But, not every company offers a quarterly payout.

For instance, it's a rare occurrence when a tech start-up or big growth business offers its shareholders a dividend. It's more common to see larger companies with more established profits give out dividends. During periods of rising interest rates, income investors must be mindful that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle. With that in mind, VTR is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[This is Why Best Buy (BBY) is a Great Dividend Stock]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:45:03 GMT Whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities, all investors love seeing their portfolios score big returns. However, when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.

While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders; it's often viewed by its dividend yield, a metric that measures a dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases.

Based in Richfield, Best Buy (BBY) is in the Retail-Wholesale sector, and so far this year, shares have seen a price change of 30.57%. The consumer electronics retailer is paying out a dividend of $0.96 per share at the moment, with a dividend yield of 4.39% compared to the Retail - Consumer Electronics industry's yield of 4.37% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.43%.

Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $3.84 is up 1.1% from last year. Over the last 5 years, Best Buy has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 12.56%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Best Buy's current payout ratio is 57%, meaning it paid out 57% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.

BBY is expecting earnings to expand this fiscal year as well. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $6.82 per share, representing a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 6.07%.

Investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons, from tax advantages and decreasing overall portfolio risk to considerably improving stock investing profits. It's important to keep in mind that not all companies provide a quarterly payout.

High-growth firms or tech start-ups, for example, rarely provide their shareholders a dividend, while larger, more established companies that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options. Income investors must be conscious of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. That said, they can take comfort from the fact that BBY is not only an attractive dividend play, but is also a compelling investment opportunity with a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[National Bank Holdings (NBHC) Could Be a Great Choice]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:45:03 GMT Whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities, all investors love seeing their portfolios score big returns. But when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.

Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and, of course, dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders; it's often viewed by its dividend yield, a metric that measures a dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases.

National Bank Holdings (NBHC) is headquartered in Greenwood Village, and is in the Finance sector. The stock has seen a price change of -0.58% since the start of the year. The holding company for NBH Bank is paying out a dividend of $0.32 per share at the moment, with a dividend yield of 3.39% compared to the Banks - Southeast industry's yield of 1.93% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.43%.

Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $1.28 is up 6.7% from last year. Over the last 5 years, National Bank Holdings has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 8.98%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. National Bank Holdings's current payout ratio is 42%, meaning it paid out 42% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.

NBHC is expecting earnings to expand this fiscal year as well. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $3.29 per share, representing a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 7.52%.

Investors like dividends for many reasons; they greatly improve stock investing profits, decrease overall portfolio risk, and carry tax advantages, among others. It's important to keep in mind that not all companies provide a quarterly payout.

High-growth firms or tech start-ups, for example, rarely provide their shareholders a dividend, while larger, more established companies that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options. Income investors have to be mindful of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. That said, they can take comfort from the fact that NBHC is not only an attractive dividend play, but is also a compelling investment opportunity with a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[PCB Bancorp (PCB) is a Top Dividend Stock Right Now: Should You Buy?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:45:03 GMT All investors love getting big returns from their portfolio, whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities. But for income investors, generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments is your primary focus.

While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its dividend yield, a metric that measures the dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, PCB Bancorp (PCB) is a Finance stock that has seen a price change of 29.47% so far this year. The company is currently shelling out a dividend of $0.22 per share, with a dividend yield of 3.14%. This compares to the Banks - Southwest industry's yield of 1.52% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.43%.

Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $0.88 is up 10% from last year. Over the last 5 years, PCB Bancorp has increased its dividend 3 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 17.02%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. PCB Bancorp's current payout ratio is 30%, meaning it paid out 30% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.

Earnings growth looks solid for PCB for this fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $2.95 per share, with earnings expected to increase 14.34% from the year ago period.

Investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons, from tax advantages and decreasing overall portfolio risk to considerably improving stock investing profits. However, not all companies offer a quarterly payout.

For instance, it's a rare occurrence when a tech start-up or big growth business offers its shareholders a dividend. It's more common to see larger companies with more established profits give out dividends. Income investors must be conscious of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, PCB presents a compelling investment opportunity; it's not only an attractive dividend play, but the stock also boasts a strong Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Why Univest (UVSP) is a Great Dividend Stock Right Now]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:45:02 GMT Whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities, all investors love seeing their portfolios score big returns. But for income investors, generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments is your primary focus.

Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and, of course, dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its dividend yield, a metric that measures the dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends make up large portions of long-term returns, and in many cases, dividend contributions surpass one-third of total returns.

Univest (UVSP) is headquartered in Souderton, and is in the Finance sector. The stock has seen a price change of 27.21% since the start of the year. Currently paying a dividend of $0.23 per share, the company has a dividend yield of 2.21%. In comparison, the Banks - Northeast industry's yield is 2.18%, while the S&P 500's yield is 1.43%.

Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $0.92 is up 5.7% from last year. Over the last 5 years, Univest has increased its dividend 2 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 1.61%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Univest's current payout ratio is 27%, meaning it paid out 27% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.

Looking at this fiscal year, UVSP expects solid earnings growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $3.72 per share, which represents a year-over-year growth rate of 18.85%.

From greatly improving stock investing profits and reducing overall portfolio risk to providing tax advantages, investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons. However, not all companies offer a quarterly payout.

For instance, it's a rare occurrence when a tech start-up or big growth business offers its shareholders a dividend. It's more common to see larger companies with more established profits give out dividends. Income investors have to be mindful of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, UVSP is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Enterprise Financial Services (EFSC) Could Be a Great Choice]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:45:02 GMT Getting big returns from financial portfolios, whether through stocks, bonds, ETFs, other securities, or a combination of all, is an investor's dream. But for income investors, generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments is your primary focus.

While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its dividend yield, a metric that measures the dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends make up large portions of long-term returns, and in many cases, dividend contributions surpass one-third of total returns.

Enterprise Financial Services (EFSC) is headquartered in Clayton, and is in the Finance sector. The stock has seen a price change of 10.78% since the start of the year. The financial holding company is currently shelling out a dividend of $0.35 per share, with a dividend yield of 2.34%. This compares to the Banks - Midwest industry's yield of 2.46% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.43%.

Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $1.40 is up 14.8% from last year. Over the last 5 years, Enterprise Financial Services has increased its dividend 4 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 11.88%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Enterprise Financial Services's current payout ratio is 27%, meaning it paid out 27% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.

Looking at this fiscal year, EFSC expects solid earnings growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $5.27 per share, representing a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 0.57%.

Investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons, from tax advantages and decreasing overall portfolio risk to considerably improving stock investing profits. But, not every company offers a quarterly payout.

Big, established firms that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options, but it's fairly uncommon to see high-growth businesses or tech start-ups offer their stockholders a dividend. Income investors have to be mindful of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, EFSC presents a compelling investment opportunity; it's not only an attractive dividend play, but the stock also boasts a strong Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[SpaceX Stock Jumps on Bullish Morgan Stanley Call: ETFs to Watch]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:44:00 GMT After reaching highs in the initial days following its mid-June IPO, SpaceX SPCX shares fell sharply, declining about 48% through late July. However, since the start of August, the aerospace company’s stock has turned the tables, rebounding about 58%.

Morgan Stanley’s MS bullish call on Sunday added to SPCX’s momentum, with shares rising about 7.7% on Monday to their highest level since mid-June. SPCX rose about 0.40% during pre-market hours on Tuesday.

According to analysts at Morgan Stanley, SpaceX is “cheap” at current prices, highlighting potential catalysts, including “future AI product releases, Starship progress, and additional neocloud contracts,” as quoted on a CNBC article.

With a Buy recommendation, Morgan Stanley analysts have set a $300 price target, suggesting about 75% upside from Monday’s close of $171.09. As quoted on the abovementioned article, Morgan Stanley analysts recommended buying SpaceX shares ahead of the next planned Starship test flight and the company’s third-quarter earnings report, which is expected in late October.

What's Driving Morgan Stanley's Bullish SpaceX Call?

According to analysts at the investment bank, a successful attempt to catch the Starship upper-stage ship in the upcoming test flight, Starship flight 15, could mark the company’s most significant positive development since its IPO.

Adding to the bullish case for SPCX is the company’s AI business. SpaceX’s AI unit. Elon Musk said on Sunday that it is expected to be named SpaceXSI. It is generating significant revenues by renting out computing capacity. SpaceX’s AI business is gaining traction, with Anthropic and Google already among its major customers and it has signed multibillion-dollar deals. Microsoft is expected to become another key customer.

As reported by Reuters, according to Anthropic’s confidential IPO prospectus, Anthropic is expected to spend as much as $84.5 billion through 2029 on NVIDIA-powered computing capacity supplied by SpaceX’s AI unit.

Into SPCX’s Stock Outlook

SpaceX currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.77 on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations made by 39 brokerage firms. The current ABR compares to an ABR of 1.83 two months ago based on 35 recommendations.

Of the 39 recommendations deriving the current ABR, 25 are Strong Buy and three are Buy. Strong Buy and Buy, respectively, account for 64.1% and 7.69% of all recommendations. Two months ago, Strong Buy made up 62.86%, while Buy represented 5.71%, indicating that the majority of the analysts remain bullish.

Based on short-term price targets offered by 35 analysts, the average price target for SpaceX comes to $221.97, ranging from a low of $75.00 to a high of $800.00. The average price target represents an increase of 29.74% from the last closing price of $171.09 (as of market close on Oct. 5). SPCX has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and a Momentum Score of A.

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Tap Into SpaceX's Growth With These ETFs

Here, we have highlighted ETFs with exposure to SpaceX.

Roundhill Space & Technology ETF MARS has an exposure of 26.76%.

Global X Space Tech ETF ORBX has an exposure of 24.94%.

VanEck Space ETF WARP has an exposure of 22.38%.

VegaShares Space & AI ETF XSPC has an exposure of 17.66%.

WisdomTree Space Economy Fund WSPC has an exposure of 17.7%.

Procure Space ETF UFO has an exposure of 15.80%.

Boost Your Portfolio with Our Top ETF Insights

Zacks' exclusive Fund Newsletter delivers actionable information, top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, straight to your inbox every week.

Don’t miss out on this valuable resource. It’s free!

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can IBKR's Strong September Metrics Support Further Growth?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:43:00 GMT Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. IBKR reported solid brokerage metrics for September 2026, with client accounts, equity and margin balances posting strong year-over-year growth. Although Daily Average Revenue Trades (DARTs) declined sequentially, trading activity remained above the prior-year level, highlighting continued client engagement.

IBKR’s Client and Margin Growth Strengthen Revenue Outlook

Interactive Brokers ended September with 5.6 million client accounts, up 35% year over year. Client accounts also increased 2% from August. Ending client equity increased 27% year over year to $964.7 billion. Client credit balances rose 20% year over year to $186.2 billion, including $6.4 billion in insured bank deposit sweeps.

Ending client margin loan balances grew 36% year over year to $105.2 billion. The increase in margin loans was the strongest growth among the major balance-sheet-related brokerage metrics, providing a favorable backdrop for interest income, while rising client assets and accounts create a larger base for future trading activity.

September DARTs rose 6% year over year to 4.1 million despite a 4% decline from August 2026. The company recorded 159 annualized average cleared DARTs per client account, while the average commission per cleared commissionable order was $2.57.

IBKR’s execution statistics also highlight its competitive positioning. The average U.S. Reg.-NMS stock trade was approximately $23,713 in September, while the total cost of executing and clearing such trades for IBKR PRO clients was about 1.2 basis points of trade value, compared with 2.5 basis points for the rolling 12 months. Competitive execution costs will likely help support client retention and trading activity.

IBKR’s Automated Platform Supports Scalable Growth

Interactive Brokers’ highly automated operating model enables it to expand across products and geographies without a proportionate increase in operating costs. Its platform provides access to stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, funds and digital assets across more than 170 market centers in 40 countries and 29 currencies.

Continued investments in cryptocurrencies, prediction markets, artificial intelligence and international market access are expanding IBKR’s product reach and could further increase client engagement. The scalability of its technology-led model is reflected in compensation expense, which represented just 9.8% of net revenues in the first half of 2026. As client accounts, assets and margin balances expand, IBKR should be able to leverage its existing technology infrastructure to support revenue growth and operating efficiency.

Similarly, Interactive Brokers’ peers, Robinhood Markets HOOD and The Charles Schwab Corporation SCHW, are leveraging technology and scalable platforms to drive client and asset growth.

Robinhood is expanding across equities, options, cryptocurrencies, retirement accounts, and prediction markets, while investments in Robinhood Gold, crypto, and prediction markets are expected to boost activity and revenue opportunities. HOOD’s technology infrastructure will likely support growth while maintaining efficiency.

Meanwhile, Schwab spans brokerage, banking, wealth management and advisory services, generating revenues from trading, net interest income and asset management. Digital, wealth, and advisor investments are expected to support client acquisition and asset gathering at SCHW, while scale should improve efficiency.

Our Take on Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers’ September metrics data remain encouraging, led by strong growth in client accounts, equity and margin balances. The company’s automated platform and competitive execution costs provide a strong foundation for scalable growth. However, earnings remain sensitive to interest rates, while ongoing investments in technology and expansion could keep expenses elevated. Overall, the latest operating trends support a favorable long-term outlook for IBKR, although its premium valuation and interest-rate sensitivity remain key considerations.

Over the past year, shares of Interactive Brokers have rallied 28.4% compared with the industry’s 8.8% growth.

One-Year Price Performance 

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

IBKR currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here..

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[PYPL or V: Which Is the Better Value Stock Right Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:40:07 GMT Investors interested in stocks from the Financial Transaction Services sector have probably already heard of Paypal (PYPL) and Visa (V). But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now? Let's take a closer look.

We have found that the best way to discover great value opportunities is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with a great grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The proven Zacks Rank puts an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, while our Style Scores work to identify stocks with specific traits.

Currently, both Paypal and Visa are holding a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy). Investors should feel comfortable knowing that both of these stocks have an improving earnings outlook since the Zacks Rank favors companies that have witnessed positive analyst estimate revisions. However, value investors will care about much more than just this.

Value investors are also interested in a number of tried-and-true valuation metrics that help show when a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.

The Style Score Value grade factors in a variety of key fundamental metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a number of other key stats that are commonly used by value investors.

PYPL currently has a forward P/E ratio of 10.11, while V has a forward P/E of 24.68. We also note that PYPL has a PEG ratio of 1.16. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. V currently has a PEG ratio of 1.74.

Another notable valuation metric for PYPL is its P/B ratio of 2.35. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, V has a P/B of 19.03.

Based on these metrics and many more, PYPL holds a Value grade of A, while V has a Value grade of D.

Both PYPL and V are impressive stocks with solid earnings outlooks, but based on these valuation figures, we feel that PYPL is the superior value option right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[NWL or KVUE: Which Is the Better Value Stock Right Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:40:06 GMT Investors looking for stocks in the Consumer Products - Staples sector might want to consider either Newell Brands (NWL) or Kenvue (KVUE). But which of these two stocks is more attractive to value investors? We'll need to take a closer look to find out.

Everyone has their own methods for finding great value opportunities, but our model includes pairing an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system with a strong Zacks Rank. The proven Zacks Rank emphasizes companies with positive estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight stocks with specific traits.

Newell Brands and Kenvue are sporting Zacks Ranks of #1 (Strong Buy) and #4 (Sell), respectively, right now. This means that NWL's earnings estimate revision activity has been more impressive, so investors should feel comfortable with its improving analyst outlook. However, value investors will care about much more than just this.

Value investors are also interested in a number of tried-and-true valuation metrics that help show when a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.

The Style Score Value grade factors in a variety of key fundamental metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a number of other key stats that are commonly used by value investors.

NWL currently has a forward P/E ratio of 7.21, while KVUE has a forward P/E of 15.22. We also note that NWL has a PEG ratio of 1.35. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. KVUE currently has a PEG ratio of 1.59.

Another notable valuation metric for NWL is its P/B ratio of 0.95. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, KVUE has a P/B of 3.16.

Based on these metrics and many more, NWL holds a Value grade of A, while KVUE has a Value grade of C.

NWL is currently sporting an improving earnings outlook, which makes it stick out in our Zacks Rank model. And, based on the above valuation metrics, we feel that NWL is likely the superior value option right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[PFE vs. JNJ: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:40:06 GMT Investors interested in stocks from the Large Cap Pharmaceuticals sector have probably already heard of Pfizer (PFE) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now? We'll need to take a closer look.

The best way to find great value stocks is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The Zacks Rank is a proven strategy that targets companies with positive earnings estimate revision trends, while our Style Scores work to grade companies based on specific traits.

Pfizer has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), while Johnson & Johnson has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now. This system places an emphasis on companies that have seen positive earnings estimate revisions, so investors should feel comfortable knowing that PFE is likely seeing its earnings outlook improve to a greater extent. However, value investors will care about much more than just this.

Value investors also try to analyze a wide range of traditional figures and metrics to help determine whether a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.

The Style Score Value grade factors in a variety of key fundamental metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a number of other key stats that are commonly used by value investors.

PFE currently has a forward P/E ratio of 9.21, while JNJ has a forward P/E of 21.92. We also note that PFE has a PEG ratio of 1.84. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. JNJ currently has a PEG ratio of 2.48.

Another notable valuation metric for PFE is its P/B ratio of 1.83. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. By comparison, JNJ has a P/B of 7.17.

Based on these metrics and many more, PFE holds a Value grade of A, while JNJ has a Value grade of C.

PFE sticks out from JNJ in both our Zacks Rank and Style Scores models, so value investors will likely feel that PFE is the better option right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[FJTSY or DT: Which Is the Better Value Stock Right Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:40:06 GMT Investors looking for stocks in the Computers - IT Services sector might want to consider either Fujitsu Ltd. (FJTSY) or Dynatrace (DT). But which of these two companies is the best option for those looking for undervalued stocks? Let's take a closer look.

There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The proven Zacks Rank puts an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, while our Style Scores work to identify stocks with specific traits.

Fujitsu Ltd. and Dynatrace are sporting Zacks Ranks of #2 (Buy) and #3 (Hold), respectively, right now. The Zacks Rank favors stocks that have recently seen positive revisions to their earnings estimates, so investors should rest assured that FJTSY has an improving earnings outlook. But this is just one factor that value investors are interested in.

Value investors are also interested in a number of tried-and-true valuation metrics that help show when a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.

Our Value category grades stocks based on a number of key metrics, including the tried-and-true P/E ratio, the P/S ratio, earnings yield, and cash flow per share, as well as a variety of other fundamentals that value investors frequently use.

FJTSY currently has a forward P/E ratio of 22.65, while DT has a forward P/E of 30.96. We also note that FJTSY has a PEG ratio of 1.20. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. DT currently has a PEG ratio of 2.11.

Another notable valuation metric for FJTSY is its P/B ratio of 3.52. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. By comparison, DT has a P/B of 7.13.

These are just a few of the metrics contributing to FJTSY's Value grade of B and DT's Value grade of F.

FJTSY sticks out from DT in both our Zacks Rank and Style Scores models, so value investors will likely feel that FJTSY is the better option right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[GTM or ZM: Which Is the Better Value Stock Right Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:40:06 GMT Investors interested in stocks from the Internet - Software sector have probably already heard of ZoomInfo (GTM) and Zoom Communications (ZM). But which of these two stocks is more attractive to value investors? We'll need to take a closer look to find out.

There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The Zacks Rank favors stocks with strong earnings estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight companies with specific traits.

ZoomInfo has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), while Zoom Communications has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now. The Zacks Rank favors stocks that have recently seen positive revisions to their earnings estimates, so investors should rest assured that GTM has an improving earnings outlook. However, value investors will care about much more than just this.

Value investors also try to analyze a wide range of traditional figures and metrics to help determine whether a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.

Our Value category highlights undervalued companies by looking at a variety of key metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, as well as the P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a variety of other fundamentals that have been used by value investors for years.

GTM currently has a forward P/E ratio of 3.31, while ZM has a forward P/E of 15.01. We also note that GTM has a PEG ratio of 0.43. This figure is similar to the commonly-used P/E ratio, with the PEG ratio also factoring in a company's expected earnings growth rate. ZM currently has a PEG ratio of 2.96.

Another notable valuation metric for GTM is its P/B ratio of 1.32. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. By comparison, ZM has a P/B of 2.42.

These metrics, and several others, help GTM earn a Value grade of A, while ZM has been given a Value grade of C.

GTM stands above ZM thanks to its solid earnings outlook, and based on these valuation figures, we also feel that GTM is the superior value option right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[VTRS vs. AVTR: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:40:05 GMT Investors looking for stocks in the Medical Services sector might want to consider either Viatris (VTRS) or Avantor, Inc. (AVTR). But which of these two stocks is more attractive to value investors? We'll need to take a closer look to find out.

Everyone has their own methods for finding great value opportunities, but our model includes pairing an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system with a strong Zacks Rank. The Zacks Rank favors stocks with strong earnings estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight companies with specific traits.

Both Viatris and Avantor, Inc. have a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) right now. This means that both companies have witnessed positive earnings estimate revisions, so investors should feel comfortable knowing that both of these stocks have an improving earnings outlook. But this is just one piece of the puzzle for value investors.

Value investors also try to analyze a wide range of traditional figures and metrics to help determine whether a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.

Our Value category highlights undervalued companies by looking at a variety of key metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, as well as the P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a variety of other fundamentals that have been used by value investors for years.

VTRS currently has a forward P/E ratio of 7.01, while AVTR has a forward P/E of 19.51. We also note that VTRS has a PEG ratio of 1.92. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. AVTR currently has a PEG ratio of 11.93.

Another notable valuation metric for VTRS is its P/B ratio of 1.44. 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. By comparison, AVTR has a P/B of 1.9.

These are just a few of the metrics contributing to VTRS's Value grade of A and AVTR's Value grade of C.

Both VTRS and AVTR are impressive stocks with solid earnings outlooks, but based on these valuation figures, we feel that VTRS is the superior value option right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[CNXC vs. ULS: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:40:05 GMT Investors with an interest in Business - Services stocks have likely encountered both Concentrix Corporation (CNXC) and UL Solutions Inc. (ULS). But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now? Let's take a closer look.

There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The proven Zacks Rank puts an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, while our Style Scores work to identify stocks with specific traits.

Concentrix Corporation and UL Solutions Inc. are sporting Zacks Ranks of #2 (Buy) and #3 (Hold), respectively, right now. This means that CNXC's earnings estimate revision activity has been more impressive, so investors should feel comfortable with its improving analyst outlook. But this is only part of the picture for value investors.

Value investors also tend to look at a number of traditional, tried-and-true figures to help them find stocks that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.

Our Value category grades stocks based on a number of key metrics, including the tried-and-true P/E ratio, the P/S ratio, earnings yield, and cash flow per share, as well as a variety of other fundamentals that value investors frequently use.

CNXC currently has a forward P/E ratio of 2.34, while ULS has a forward P/E of 29.65. We also note that CNXC has a PEG ratio of 0.43. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. ULS currently has a PEG ratio of 2.56.

Another notable valuation metric for CNXC is its P/B ratio of 0.89. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. By comparison, ULS has a P/B of 8.51.

These are just a few of the metrics contributing to CNXC's Value grade of A and ULS's Value grade of D.

CNXC has seen stronger estimate revision activity and sports more attractive valuation metrics than ULS, so it seems like value investors will conclude that CNXC is the superior option right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[ALH or WSM: Which Is the Better Value Stock Right Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:40:05 GMT Investors looking for stocks in the Retail - Home Furnishings sector might want to consider either Alliance Laundry Holdings (ALH) or Williams-Sonoma (WSM). But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now? We'll need to take a closer look.

We have found that the best way to discover great value opportunities is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with a great grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The proven Zacks Rank puts an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, while our Style Scores work to identify stocks with specific traits.

Alliance Laundry Holdings and Williams-Sonoma are sporting Zacks Ranks of #2 (Buy) and #3 (Hold), respectively, right now. The Zacks Rank favors stocks that have recently seen positive revisions to their earnings estimates, so investors should rest assured that ALH has an improving earnings outlook. But this is just one factor that value investors are interested in.

Value investors also tend to look at a number of traditional, tried-and-true figures to help them find stocks that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.

Our Value category grades stocks based on a number of key metrics, including the tried-and-true P/E ratio, the P/S ratio, earnings yield, and cash flow per share, as well as a variety of other fundamentals that value investors frequently use.

ALH currently has a forward P/E ratio of 15.90, while WSM has a forward P/E of 25.11. We also note that ALH has a PEG ratio of 0.93. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. WSM currently has a PEG ratio of 2.59.

Another notable valuation metric for ALH is its P/B ratio of 8.42. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. By comparison, WSM has a P/B of 13.13.

These metrics, and several others, help ALH earn a Value grade of B, while WSM has been given a Value grade of D.

ALH sticks out from WSM in both our Zacks Rank and Style Scores models, so value investors will likely feel that ALH is the better option right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[HRMY vs. CSLLY: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:40:04 GMT Investors interested in Medical - Biomedical and Genetics stocks are likely familiar with Harmony Biosciences Holdings, Inc. (HRMY) and CSL Limited Sponsored ADR (CSLLY). But which of these two stocks is more attractive to value investors? We'll need to take a closer look to find out.

We have found that the best way to discover great value opportunities is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with a great grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The Zacks Rank favors stocks with strong earnings estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight companies with specific traits.

Harmony Biosciences Holdings, Inc. and CSL Limited Sponsored ADR are sporting Zacks Ranks of #2 (Buy) and #4 (Sell), respectively, right now. The Zacks Rank favors stocks that have recently seen positive revisions to their earnings estimates, so investors should rest assured that HRMY has an improving earnings outlook. But this is only part of the picture for value investors.

Value investors are also interested in a number of tried-and-true valuation metrics that help show when a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.

Our Value category highlights undervalued companies by looking at a variety of key metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, as well as the P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a variety of other fundamentals that have been used by value investors for years.

HRMY currently has a forward P/E ratio of 10.52, while CSLLY has a forward P/E of 19.66. We also note that HRMY has a PEG ratio of 0.32. This popular figure is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also considers a company's expected EPS growth rate. CSLLY currently has a PEG ratio of 2.23.

Another notable valuation metric for HRMY is its P/B ratio of 2.31. The P/B ratio pits a stock's market value against its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, CSLLY has a P/B of 3.63.

These are just a few of the metrics contributing to HRMY's Value grade of A and CSLLY's Value grade of C.

HRMY is currently sporting an improving earnings outlook, which makes it stick out in our Zacks Rank model. And, based on the above valuation metrics, we feel that HRMY is likely the superior value option right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[TGS vs. MPLX: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:40:04 GMT Investors with an interest in Oil and Gas - Production and Pipelines stocks have likely encountered both Transportadora De Gas Sa Ord B (TGS) and MPLX LP (MPLX). But which of these two companies is the best option for those looking for undervalued stocks? Let's take a closer look.

We have found that the best way to discover great value opportunities is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with a great grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The Zacks Rank favors stocks with strong earnings estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight companies with specific traits.

Transportadora De Gas Sa Ord B has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), while MPLX LP has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now. The Zacks Rank favors stocks that have recently seen positive revisions to their earnings estimates, so investors should rest assured that TGS has an improving earnings outlook. But this is only part of the picture for value investors.

Value investors also try to analyze a wide range of traditional figures and metrics to help determine whether a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.

Our Value category highlights undervalued companies by looking at a variety of key metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, as well as the P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a variety of other fundamentals that have been used by value investors for years.

TGS currently has a forward P/E ratio of 9.83, while MPLX has a forward P/E of 13.48. We also note that TGS has a PEG ratio of 0.54. This popular figure is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also considers a company's expected EPS growth rate. MPLX currently has a PEG ratio of 5.46.

Another notable valuation metric for TGS is its P/B ratio of 1.6. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, MPLX has a P/B of 4.08.

Based on these metrics and many more, TGS holds a Value grade of B, while MPLX has a Value grade of C.

TGS is currently sporting an improving earnings outlook, which makes it stick out in our Zacks Rank model. And, based on the above valuation metrics, we feel that TGS is likely the superior value option right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[GLNCY vs. NGLOY: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:40:04 GMT Investors with an interest in Mining - Miscellaneous stocks have likely encountered both Glencore PLC (GLNCY) and Anglo American (NGLOY). But which of these two stocks is more attractive to value investors? We'll need to take a closer look to find out.

The best way to find great value stocks is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The Zacks Rank is a proven strategy that targets companies with positive earnings estimate revision trends, while our Style Scores work to grade companies based on specific traits.

Right now, both Glencore PLC and Anglo American are sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy). Investors should feel comfortable knowing that both of these stocks have an improving earnings outlook since the Zacks Rank favors companies that have witnessed positive analyst estimate revisions. But this is just one piece of the puzzle for value investors.

Value investors also tend to look at a number of traditional, tried-and-true figures to help them find stocks that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.

Our Value category grades stocks based on a number of key metrics, including the tried-and-true P/E ratio, the P/S ratio, earnings yield, and cash flow per share, as well as a variety of other fundamentals that value investors frequently use.

GLNCY currently has a forward P/E ratio of 12.61, while NGLOY has a forward P/E of 23.52. We also note that GLNCY has a PEG ratio of 0.29. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. NGLOY currently has a PEG ratio of 0.54.

Another notable valuation metric for GLNCY is its P/B ratio of 2.4. The P/B ratio pits a stock's market value against its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, NGLOY has a P/B of 2.7.

These metrics, and several others, help GLNCY earn a Value grade of A, while NGLOY has been given a Value grade of C.

Both GLNCY and NGLOY are impressive stocks with solid earnings outlooks, but based on these valuation figures, we feel that GLNCY is the superior value option right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[HSIC or MMSI: Which Is the Better Value Stock Right Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:40:04 GMT Investors looking for stocks in the Medical - Dental Supplies sector might want to consider either Henry Schein (HSIC) or Merit Medical (MMSI). But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now? Let's take a closer look.

The best way to find great value stocks is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The proven Zacks Rank puts an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, while our Style Scores work to identify stocks with specific traits.

Currently, both Henry Schein and Merit Medical are holding a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy). The Zacks Rank favors stocks that have recently seen positive revisions to their earnings estimates, so investors should rest assured that both of these companies have improving earnings outlooks. However, value investors will care about much more than just this.

Value investors also try to analyze a wide range of traditional figures and metrics to help determine whether a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.

Our Value category highlights undervalued companies by looking at a variety of key metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, as well as the P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a variety of other fundamentals that have been used by value investors for years.

HSIC currently has a forward P/E ratio of 15.72, while MMSI has a forward P/E of 20.29. We also note that HSIC has a PEG ratio of 1.49. This figure is similar to the commonly-used P/E ratio, with the PEG ratio also factoring in a company's expected earnings growth rate. MMSI currently has a PEG ratio of 1.94.

Another notable valuation metric for HSIC is its P/B ratio of 2.46. The P/B ratio pits a stock's market value against its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, MMSI has a P/B of 3.1.

Based on these metrics and many more, HSIC holds a Value grade of A, while MMSI has a Value grade of C.

Both HSIC and MMSI are impressive stocks with solid earnings outlooks, but based on these valuation figures, we feel that HSIC is the superior value option right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[TTDKY or WEGZY: Which Is the Better Value Stock Right Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:40:03 GMT Investors looking for stocks in the Electronics - Miscellaneous Components sector might want to consider either TDK Corp. (TTDKY) or Weg SA (WEGZY). But which of these two companies is the best option for those looking for undervalued stocks? Let's take a closer look.

The best way to find great value stocks is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The Zacks Rank favors stocks with strong earnings estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight companies with specific traits.

Right now, TDK Corp. is sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), while Weg SA has a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell). Investors should feel comfortable knowing that TTDKY likely has seen a stronger improvement to its earnings outlook than WEGZY has recently. But this is only part of the picture for value investors.

Value investors are also interested in a number of tried-and-true valuation metrics that help show when a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.

Our Value category grades stocks based on a number of key metrics, including the tried-and-true P/E ratio, the P/S ratio, earnings yield, and cash flow per share, as well as a variety of other fundamentals that value investors frequently use.

TTDKY currently has a forward P/E ratio of 23.22, while WEGZY has a forward P/E of 33.88. We also note that TTDKY has a PEG ratio of 1.09. This figure is similar to the commonly-used P/E ratio, with the PEG ratio also factoring in a company's expected earnings growth rate. WEGZY currently has a PEG ratio of 2.69.

Another notable valuation metric for TTDKY is its P/B ratio of 2.92. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, WEGZY has a P/B of 10.68.

These metrics, and several others, help TTDKY earn a Value grade of B, while WEGZY has been given a Value grade of D.

TTDKY stands above WEGZY thanks to its solid earnings outlook, and based on these valuation figures, we also feel that TTDKY is the superior value option right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[TFX or SONVY: Which Is the Better Value Stock Right Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:40:03 GMT Investors interested in Medical - Instruments stocks are likely familiar with Teleflex (TFX) and SONOVA HOLDING (SONVY). But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now? We'll need to take a closer look.

We have found that the best way to discover great value opportunities is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with a great grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The proven Zacks Rank puts an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, while our Style Scores work to identify stocks with specific traits.

Teleflex has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), while SONOVA HOLDING has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now. This means that TFX's earnings estimate revision activity has been more impressive, so investors should feel comfortable with its improving analyst outlook. But this is just one factor that value investors are interested in.

Value investors also try to analyze a wide range of traditional figures and metrics to help determine whether a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.

The Value category of the Style Scores system identifies undervalued companies by looking at a number of key metrics. These include the long-favored P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a variety of other fundamentals that help us determine a company's fair value.

TFX currently has a forward P/E ratio of 17.36, while SONVY has a forward P/E of 21.87. We also note that TFX has a PEG ratio of 0.84. This popular figure is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also considers a company's expected EPS growth rate. SONVY currently has a PEG ratio of 2.42.

Another notable valuation metric for TFX is its P/B ratio of 1.91. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. By comparison, SONVY has a P/B of 5.51.

These metrics, and several others, help TFX earn a Value grade of B, while SONVY has been given a Value grade of D.

TFX sticks out from SONVY in both our Zacks Rank and Style Scores models, so value investors will likely feel that TFX is the better option right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[AMG vs. BLK: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:40:03 GMT Investors interested in stocks from the Financial - Investment Management sector have probably already heard of Affiliated Managers Group (AMG) and BlackRock (BLK). But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now? Let's take a closer look.

The best way to find great value stocks is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The proven Zacks Rank emphasizes companies with positive estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight stocks with specific traits.

Currently, Affiliated Managers Group has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), while BlackRock has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). Investors should feel comfortable knowing that AMG likely has seen a stronger improvement to its earnings outlook than BLK has recently. But this is just one factor that value investors are interested in.

Value investors also tend to look at a number of traditional, tried-and-true figures to help them find stocks that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.

Our Value category grades stocks based on a number of key metrics, including the tried-and-true P/E ratio, the P/S ratio, earnings yield, and cash flow per share, as well as a variety of other fundamentals that value investors frequently use.

AMG currently has a forward P/E ratio of 10.36, while BLK has a forward P/E of 19.09. We also note that AMG has a PEG ratio of 0.52. This popular figure is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also considers a company's expected EPS growth rate. BLK currently has a PEG ratio of 1.18.

Another notable valuation metric for AMG is its P/B ratio of 2.56. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, BLK has a P/B of 2.86.

Based on these metrics and many more, AMG holds a Value grade of B, while BLK has a Value grade of D.

AMG sticks out from BLK in both our Zacks Rank and Style Scores models, so value investors will likely feel that AMG is the better option right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[BGC or MKTX: Which Is the Better Value Stock Right Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:40:03 GMT Investors with an interest in Financial - Investment Bank stocks have likely encountered both BGC Group (BGC) and MarketAxess (MKTX). But which of these two companies is the best option for those looking for undervalued stocks? Let's take a closer look.

The best way to find great value stocks is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The proven Zacks Rank emphasizes companies with positive estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight stocks with specific traits.

Currently, BGC Group has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), while MarketAxess has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). This means that BGC's earnings estimate revision activity has been more impressive, so investors should feel comfortable with its improving analyst outlook. But this is just one factor that value investors are interested in.

Value investors are also interested in a number of tried-and-true valuation metrics that help show when a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.

Our Value category grades stocks based on a number of key metrics, including the tried-and-true P/E ratio, the P/S ratio, earnings yield, and cash flow per share, as well as a variety of other fundamentals that value investors frequently use.

BGC currently has a forward P/E ratio of 8.56, while MKTX has a forward P/E of 20.36. We also note that BGC has a PEG ratio of 0.44. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. MKTX currently has a PEG ratio of 2.09.

Another notable valuation metric for BGC is its P/B ratio of 4.53. 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. By comparison, MKTX has a P/B of 4.71.

These are just a few of the metrics contributing to BGC's Value grade of B and MKTX's Value grade of D.

BGC stands above MKTX thanks to its solid earnings outlook, and based on these valuation figures, we also feel that BGC is the superior value option right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[LMT or HWM: Which Is the Better Value Stock Right Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:40:02 GMT Investors looking for stocks in the Aerospace - Defense sector might want to consider either Lockheed Martin (LMT) or Howmet (HWM). But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now? We'll need to take a closer look.

There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The Zacks Rank is a proven strategy that targets companies with positive earnings estimate revision trends, while our Style Scores work to grade companies based on specific traits.

Right now, both Lockheed Martin and Howmet are sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy). Investors should feel comfortable knowing that both of these stocks have an improving earnings outlook since the Zacks Rank favors companies that have witnessed positive analyst estimate revisions. But this is just one piece of the puzzle for value investors.

Value investors are also interested in a number of tried-and-true valuation metrics that help show when a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.

The Style Score Value grade factors in a variety of key fundamental metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a number of other key stats that are commonly used by value investors.

LMT currently has a forward P/E ratio of 16.64, while HWM has a forward P/E of 43.06. We also note that LMT has a PEG ratio of 1.10. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. HWM currently has a PEG ratio of 2.07.

Another notable valuation metric for LMT is its P/B ratio of 13.34. The P/B ratio pits a stock's market value against its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, HWM has a P/B of 16.02.

Based on these metrics and many more, LMT holds a Value grade of B, while HWM has a Value grade of D.

Both LMT and HWM are impressive stocks with solid earnings outlooks, but based on these valuation figures, we feel that LMT is the superior value option right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[PRGS vs. SNPS: Which Stock Should Value Investors Buy Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:40:02 GMT Investors interested in Computer - Software stocks are likely familiar with Progress Software (PRGS) and Synopsys (SNPS). But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now? We'll need to take a closer look.

There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The Zacks Rank favors stocks with strong earnings estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight companies with specific traits.

Right now, both Progress Software and Synopsys are sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy). Investors should feel comfortable knowing that both of these stocks have an improving earnings outlook since the Zacks Rank favors companies that have witnessed positive analyst estimate revisions. But this is only part of the picture for value investors.

Value investors are also interested in a number of tried-and-true valuation metrics that help show when a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.

Our Value category highlights undervalued companies by looking at a variety of key metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, as well as the P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a variety of other fundamentals that have been used by value investors for years.

PRGS currently has a forward P/E ratio of 6.04, while SNPS has a forward P/E of 32.29. We also note that PRGS has a PEG ratio of 1.21. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. SNPS currently has a PEG ratio of 1.44.

Another notable valuation metric for PRGS is its P/B ratio of 2.87. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. By comparison, SNPS has a P/B of 3.01.

Based on these metrics and many more, PRGS holds a Value grade of A, while SNPS has a Value grade of F.

Both PRGS and SNPS are impressive stocks with solid earnings outlooks, but based on these valuation figures, we feel that PRGS is the superior value option right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Tutor Perini Wins $315M Coast Guard Base Kodiak Contract]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:39:00 GMT Tutor Perini Corporation TPC has strengthened its federal infrastructure portfolio after its subsidiary, Perini Management Services, Inc., secured an approximately $315 million contract from the U.S. Coast Guard for work at Coast Guard Base Kodiak in Alaska.

The project calls for the construction of a new fuel pier to support major cutter operations under the Coast Guard’s accelerated design-build-to-budget delivery method. The offshore development is intended to expand dock capacity to accommodate up to two major cutter berths, enhancing the base’s maritime infrastructure and operational capabilities.

The scope also includes unexploded ordnance removal, waterfront improvements, a new fueling utility building, utility work, cutter shore ties and other supporting site amenities. Design activities began in late September 2026, while substantial completion is expected in September 2030. Tutor Perini expects the contract value to be added to its backlog in the third quarter of 2026.

TPC Strengthens Federal Infrastructure Portfolio

The Kodiak award further expands Tutor Perini’s exposure to federally funded infrastructure and military work. During the second quarter of 2026, the company booked approximately $1.7 billion of new awards and contract adjustments and ended the period with a near-record backlog of $19.9 billion. Major additions included a military infrastructure project in Guam and two U.S. Coast Guard projects in Alaska.

The latest win should further support Tutor Perini’s long-term revenue visibility. As of June 30, 2026, remaining performance obligations stood at $9.4 billion for the Civil segment, $5.1 billion for Building and $2.1 billion for Specialty Contractors. Civil projects are generally recognized over three to five years, highlighting the multi-year nature of the company’s project pipeline.

TPC’s Stock Performance

Tutor Perini stock has gained 11.8% in the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Building Products - Heavy Construction industry and the broader Zacks Construction sector, but underperforming the S&P 500 Index.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Tutor Perini is benefiting from robust demand across public infrastructure, military, transportation and other large-scale construction markets. A near-record backlog and a more than $200 billion opportunity pipeline support growth. Disciplined bidding, favorable contract terms and a focus on higher-margin projects are also aiding profitability.

Nonetheless, the company faces execution risks tied to large, complex projects, including cost inflation, project timing and contract disputes. Still, recent refinancing has lowered borrowing costs and strengthened financial flexibility.

TPC’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks

Currently, Tutor Perini carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks from the Construction sector are:

Everus Construction Group ECG presently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 57%, on average. ECG stock has jumped 47.6% year to date. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ECG’s 2026 sales and EPS indicates growth of 23.4% and 32.9%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s levels.

EMCOR Group, Inc. EME has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 12.2%, on average. Shares of EMCOR have climbed 27.4% year to date.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EMCOR’s 2026 sales and EPS indicates growth of 19.6% and 27.5%, respectively, from the prior-year levels.

Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. STRL carries a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 27.2%, on average. Sterling Infrastructure stock has surged 70.9% year to date.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for STRL’s 2026 sales and EPS indicates growth of 65.1% and 84%, respectively, from the prior-year levels.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can J&J's MedTech Business Rebound in Q3 After Q2 Slowdown?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:38:00 GMT Johnson & Johnson's JNJ medical devices segment, known as MedTech, offers products in the orthopedics, surgery, cardiovascular and vision markets. The MedTech segment accounts for around 36% of J&J’s total revenues. In MedTech, J&J is a global leader in electrophysiology, circulatory restoration and heart recovery.

The MedTech segment delivered a mixed performance in the second quarter of 2026, with growth remaining positive but below the pace seen in its Innovative Medicine business. Sales were hurt by weaker sales in Cardiovascular, as competitive pressure in electrophysiology and lower Abiomed sales offset continued double-digit growth at Shockwave. Abiomed sales declined in the second quarter due to slow procedural volumes for the Impella heart pump franchise.

On its third-quarter conference call, investors will await information on whether sales in the MedTech segment improved from the first-quarter slowdown. Here’s what we expect.

J&J expects only modest Abiomed growth in the second half of 2026. While J&J’s Cardiovascular sales may continue to be slow in the third quarter due to weakness in Abiomed, its other three businesses, Surgery, Vision and Orthopedics, are likely to have continued to accelerate in the third quarter. While Abiomed procedures slowed, J&J claimed that overall procedure volumes were stable in the second quarter and there was no broad-based slowdown in medical procedure volumes across its MedTech business. An update on procedure trends in the third quarter is expected on the conference call.

The company continues to face headwinds in China from the government's volume-based procurement (VBP) program, with these pressures expected to continue in the second half. Competitive pressures are also expected to continue to hurt sales growth in some MedTech businesses in the third quarter.

Overall, the MedTech business is expected to perform better in the second half of the year than it did in the first half, driven by strength in Vision, Orthopedics, Surgery and better performance in Cardiovascular. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for J&J’s MedTech segment stands at $8.78 billion.

J&J’s Key Competitors in the Medical Devices Market

J&J’s MedTech unit faces strong competition from several major players in the medical device industry, such as Medtronic MDT, Abbott, Stryker SYK and Boston Scientific BSX.

While Medtronic has a strong presence in cardiovascular, neuroscience and surgical technologies, Stryker is a major player in orthopedics and surgical equipment. Boston Scientific markets products for cardiovascular, endoscopy, urology and neuromodulation. Abbott is known for its medical devices across cardiovascular, diagnostics and diabetes care. 

JNJ’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates

J&J’s shares have outperformed the industry so far this year. The stock has risen 22.2% this year compared with 9.4% appreciation of the industry. 

Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, J&J is slightly expensive. Going by the price/earnings ratio, the company’s shares currently trade at 20.43 forward earnings, higher than 17.60 for the industry. The stock is also trading above its five-year mean of 15.65.

Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings has declined from $11.59 to $11.54 over the past 60 days, while that for 2027 earnings has declined from $12.80 per share to $12.64 over the same time frame.

Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

J&J has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Should You Buy, Sell or Hold AMAT Stock at a P/S Valuation of 9.59X?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:38:00 GMT Applied Materials AMAT stock trades at a premium with a price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 9.59X, which is much above the industry’s P/S of 5.25X. AMAT’s value score of F also suggests its overvaluation.

AMAT Forward 12-Month (P/S) Valuation Chart

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

This has resulted in AMAT shares climbing 111% year to date, outperforming the Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry’s appreciation of 24.1% and 39%, respectively.

AMAT YTD Performance Chart

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Given the rise in share price and valuation combination, investors might ask: Should they buy, sell or hold the stock? Let’s discuss the fundamentals in detail.

AMAT Rides on AI-Led WFE Demand

Applied Materials is well positioned to capitalize on AI-driven semiconductor demand as leading-edge foundry-logic, DRAM and advanced packaging are expected to account for around 80% of wafer fab equipment (WFE) growth in 2026 and 2027. AMAT’s leadership in these areas, particularly HBM and 3D chiplet stacking, strengthens its exposure to rising AI computing requirements and fab capacity investments globally.

AMAT introduced six new chipmaking systems in the latest quarter, spanning DRAM and advanced packaging. Enhanced Centura Prime Epi targets faster, more power-efficient DRAM and HBM, while Producer Avila 2 supports higher-layer-count HBM. AMAT also introduced Opta Quad CMP, Nokota VMax 2 ECD and new eBeam systems addressing demanding packaging, plating, metrology and defect-analysis requirements for advanced architectures and yield optimization across fabs.

As the opportunity broadens beyond equipment sales, chipmakers race to increase output and yield, benefiting wafer fabrication equipment manufacturers like AMAT. Applied Materials expects advanced packaging revenues to grow more than 70% in 2026, while DRAM revenues, including HBM packaging, rose 52% year over year in the fiscal third quarter. Process diagnostics and control revenues are also expected to increase more than 50% this year overall through 2026.

AMAT’s AGS Business is Gaining Momentum

AMAT’s Applied Global Services (“AGS”) business has shown consistent growth in the past few quarters. In the third quarter of fiscal 2026, AGS benefited from increasing demand for services that help semiconductor manufacturers improve fab performance and accelerate production ramps. AGS revenues reached a record $1.78 billion, up 22% year over year, and its operating margin improved 280 basis points year over year.

AMAT’s AGS is benefiting from the semiconductor industry’s focus on increasing output and yield. Management said customers are simultaneously bringing new fabs online and optimizing existing production facilities. More than 37,000 chambers are connected to Applied Materials’ AIx software, which supports AI-powered monitoring, diagnostics and predictive analytics for fab operations.

The company has nearly doubled manufacturing space over the past several years and plans to double quarterly system output from current levels by 2028.

AMAT added more than 1,500 manufacturing and AGS support employees in the third quarter of fiscal 2026 and plans further capacity to meet demand through 2030. AMAT’s customers are also providing longer-term forecasts enabling AGS revenues to grow more than 20% in 2026 and at a sustainable mid-teens annual rate over the longer term. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, Applied Materials expects AGS revenues to be approximately $1.84 billion.

AMAT’s Broad Portfolio Helps it Challenge its Competitors

AMAT’s broad portfolio positions the company to capture a larger share of customer spending as semiconductor manufacturing becomes increasingly materials-intensive while also keeping its competitors like KLA Corporation KLAC, Lam Research LRCX and Camtek CAMT at bay. The breadth of Applied Materials' portfolio also reduces its dependence on any single semiconductor technology cycle and supports stronger pricing power.

KLA Corporation remains a dominant player in process control, wafer inspection and yield management solutions, while Camtek focuses on semiconductor inspection, metrology, advanced packaging and high-performance computing applications. Lam Research competes with Applied Materials across deposition and etch technologies, including advanced atomic layer deposition systems used in leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing.

All of these companies operate based on large capital expenditure. AMAT is particularly seeing strong customer visibility. Based on longer-term customer demand signals, the company opened its newest manufacturing center in Singapore during the quarter. AMAT is hiring and training manufacturing and customer-support personnel with the objective of doubling quarterly system output from current levels by 2028.

AMAT’s diversified product base has helped it retain its margins. Applied Materials expects non-GAAP earnings of $4.02 per share (+/- 20 cents), indicating 85% year-over-year growth at the midpoint. The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests year-over-year growth of 86.6%. The estimates have been revised upward in the past 60 days.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Conclusion: Buy AMAT Stock Now

AMAT’s broad portfolio, rising AI-driven WFE demand, expanding semiconductor equipment business and investments in manufacturing capacity support further growth. Given these factors, we suggest that investors should accumulate this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Rivian & Lucid After Q3 Deliveries: Is Either Stock a Buy Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:35:00 GMT The third-quarter delivery numbers are in for two of America's best-known EV startups, and they tell opposite stories. Rivian Automotive RIVN logged record deliveries and beat expectations. Lucid Group’s LCID deliveries slipped and the company leaned on old inventory. Both companies still burn heavy cash and sell cars at weak margins. Let’s assess which stock has an edge now. Before that, here’s a closer look at their delivery numbers.

RIVN’s Record Quarter

Rivian built 19,751 vehicles at its Illinois plant and delivered 19,248, topping Wall Street's average estimate of 18,000, per CNBC.  Deliveries rose 45.8% from the year-ago quarter and 58% sequentially.

The driver was R2, a smaller and cheaper SUV that began reaching customers in June. Until then, Rivian sold only premium vehicles, the R1S SUV and R1T pickup. A lower-priced model matters more now that federal EV tax credits have ended, tariffs are biting and industry demand is soft. Management says the R2 ramp is on track and volumes should climb over the coming quarters.

Rivian reaffirmed its 2026 target of 65,000 to 70,000 deliveries, higher from 42,247 delivered last year. After 41,807 deliveries in the first nine months of 2026, it needs at least 23,193 more in the fourth quarter to reach the bottom of that range, about 20% above third-quarter’s record. That is demanding but plausible if R2 output keeps rising. Since third-quarter deliveries already beat estimates, the bar is high, and any slip in R2 supply would be concerning.

Lucid’s Weaker Sales & Smaller Output

Lucid delivered 3,806 vehicles but produced only 2,954. Deliveries fell short of analyst estimates. They were down 6.6% on a yearly basis and 3.7% sequentially. Production dropped 38% from 4,774 in second-quarter 2026 after the company removed a second shift at its Arizona plant. Selling from stock instead of building new cars is part of a broader cost overhaul.

Lucid is attempting a company-wide reset aimed at $1.4 billion in cash flow gains this year— roughly $600-800 million from inventory, $500 million from capital spending and $200 million from operating costs. That helps preserve cash, but it does not fix the underlying economics of the business.

In the first nine months of 2026, Lucid delivered 10,852 vehicles. The company sold 15,841 units last year. To merely match 2025 levels, it needs to deliver 4,989 vehicles in the fourth quarter, roughly 31% more than the September quarter. That looks quite unlikely, although Lucid says demand for its Gravity SUV is regaining momentum.

Autonomy Bets on Both Sides

Both firms are chasing robotaxi revenues. Lucid's new deal with Bolt, a European ride platform, targets at least 25,000 autonomous vehicles as part of Bolt's goal of 100,000 by 2035. Separately, Uber Technologies has committed to at least 35,000 Lucid cars and invested $500 million. Nuro and NVIDIA are also partners.

Rivian also signed with Uber in March for up to 50,000 R2 robotaxis, with the latter pledging up to $1.25 billion through 2031, tied to milestones. Volkswagen is another pillar. Its joint venture supplied 60% of Rivian's software and services revenues in the second quarter, and Rivian expects $1 billion in non-recourse debt financing from Volkswagen this year.

These deals offer long-term optionality, but for now they are promises, not profits.

Margins Remain the Core Problem

Lucid’s gross margin was negative 105% in the second quarter, and free cash flow was negative $1.48 billion, underscoring how far vehicle economics are from breakeven. Reaching positive margins will require better fixed-cost absorption, lower conversion costs and tighter inventory control. Lower production, however, limits the scale benefits it can capture.

Rivian is closer to breakeven compared to Lucid but still loses money on its vehicles. Its second-quarter automotive gross loss was $36 million, a negative 3% margin, and the R2 launch added about $100 million in extra costs from ramp inefficiencies, expedited freight and supplier premiums. The pressure is expected to continue in the third quarter before scale benefits emerge in the final quarter of 2026. In the June quarter, Rivian’s free cash flow was negative $849 million.

Price Performance & Estimates

Year to date, Lucid has tanked more than 60%, underperforming Rivian’s decline of 26%.

Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The consensus estimates indicate that Rivian's loss per share will narrow 8% in 2026 and a further 23% in 2027.

Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Lucid's loss per share is expected to widen 0.5% this year before shrinking 46.5% in 2027.

Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Our Take

Neither Rivian nor Lucid is a clean buy today. Both carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) currently.You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

But Lucid is the weaker case, with shrinking deliveries and a gross margin that is deeply negative. It is likely to post weaker annual deliveries in 2026. Meanwhile, Rivian is poised for full-year 2026 delivery growth. Credible product ramp and strategic backers augur well for RIVN, but it still burns cash and needs fourth-quarter margins to improve sharply.

While Rivian holds an edge over Lucid currently, investors should consider the stock only if the fourth quarter shows R2 scale narrowing its automotive gross loss to breakeven or better.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Amkor Surges 84% in a Year: Should You Hold or Fold the Stock?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:33:00 GMT Shares of Amkor Technology AMKR have jumped 84.5% in the past year, substantially outperforming both the Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry, which gained 27.2% and 42.8%, respectively.

The stock’s rally is driven by rising demand for advanced packaging and improving factory utilization, with AI and HPC demand further strengthening Amkor’s growth prospects. The company is seeing increasing demand for complex packaging technologies across AI infrastructure and high-performance computing, while its HDFO data-center CPU program began ramping in the second quarter and is expected to scale further.

Amkor’s third-quarter outlook also reinforces expectations for continued earnings momentum, with revenues projected at $1.95-$2.05 billion and gross margin expected to improve to 18.5%-19.5%.

AMKR’s strong performance also stands out against its peers, including Ambarella AMBA, Broadcom AVGO and GlobalFoundries GFS. Over the past year, Ambarella’s shares declined 16.8%, while Broadcom gained 7.7% and GlobalFoundries appreciated 39.5%. This relative strength highlights the market’s favorable view of Amkor’s AI and advanced-packaging opportunity compared with several semiconductor peers. Ambarella, Broadcom and GlobalFoundries compete with Amkor in different parts of the semiconductor value chain.

AMKR One-Year Stock Performance

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

AMKR’s substantial gains raise an important question for investors: Is it time to take profits, or does the stock still have room to run? Let’s take a closer look.

AMKR’s Advanced-Packaging Pipeline Strengthens Growth Outlook

Amkor is building a broader advanced-packaging pipeline that could support sustained growth as AI, high-performance computing (HPC) and networking applications demand increasingly sophisticated semiconductor architectures. Management highlighted 11 customers across multiple 2.5D programs and five customers involved in 10 active HDFO engagements. The company expects four 2.5D and four HDFO products to launch in 2026. Its newest data-center CPU program, which began ramping in the second quarter, is the largest of these programs by scale, with additional programs expected to ramp through the year.

Beyond revenue growth, the pipeline could enhance Amkor’s product mix, capacity utilization and profitability as advanced technologies become a larger part of its business. Management noted that advanced packaging is becoming increasingly important to system performance, encouraging earlier and deeper customer engagement. Amkor’s second-quarter revenues reached a record $1.9 billion, up 26% year over year, while Computing revenues also hit a quarterly record. Computing revenues are expected to rise nearly 30% sequentially in the third quarter, driven by AI data-center demand and the HDFO CPU ramp.

Amkor’s 10-year advanced-packaging agreement with TSMC and multi-year partnership with NVIDIA further strengthen its positioning in next-generation AI infrastructure. Meanwhile, capacity expansions in Arizona, Korea, Vietnam, Portugal and Taiwan should provide greater manufacturing flexibility to support broader customer demand as advanced-packaging opportunities develop. Together, these programs and partnerships provide a strong foundation for Amkor to participate in the continued expansion of AI infrastructure.

AMKR’s Broad Portfolio Supports More Diversified Growth

Amkor’s broad portfolio provides meaningful diversification across multiple semiconductor end markets, reducing reliance on any single growth market over the long term. In the first half of 2026, Communications represented 43% of sales, while Computing accounted for 21%, Automotive, Industrial and Other 22%, and Consumer 14%. This mix gives Amkor exposure to smartphones and tablets, data centers and infrastructure, ADAS and electrification, as well as AR, gaming, connected-home and wearable applications.

Importantly, growth is already broad-based. First-half revenues increased 26% year over year, with growth across every end market. Computing benefits from AI data-center demand, Automotive and Industrial from rising semiconductor content and ADAS, while Consumer recovers across IoT applications. Communications remain the largest market, but Amkor’s exposure to multiple secular growth areas can help offset weakness in any individual market and support more resilient long-term growth.

The technical setup for Amkor remains bullish, with the stock trading above its 50-day moving average, suggesting sustained upside momentum in the near term.

AMKR Shares Trade Above 50-Day SMA

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

AMKR Faces Some Persistent Challenges

Despite these favorable growth drivers, Amkor’s capital-intensive business model creates several risks that become more important after the stock’s sharp appreciation. The company operates with a high fixed-cost manufacturing base, making profitability highly dependent on maintaining strong capacity utilization. This risk is becoming more relevant as AMKR undertakes sizable investments in advanced packaging and new manufacturing facilities. Management has acknowledged that the ramp of its Arizona facility could create an underutilization and depreciation burden, weighing on both gross and operating margins over the next few years.

Limited revenue visibility is another concern because Amkor operates with little material backlog and customers generally do not provide binding long-term demand commitments. Customer concentration also remains elevated, while persistent pricing pressure across packaging and test services can constrain margins. Moreover, competition from established OSAT providers, foundries and customers’ internal packaging capabilities remains intense. The company’s growing exposure to AI and HPC offers opportunities, but a slowdown in AI infrastructure spending could leave Amkor with excess capacity and weaker utilization, amplifying the risks associated with its capital-intensive model.

AMKR’s Valuation Raises the Bar

Amkor stock is moderately favorable at present, as suggested by its VGM Score of A. It carries a Value Score of B. However, its forward 12-month price/earnings (P/E) ratio of 20.32X stands well above the industry average of 14.2X. With AMKR already up 84% over the past year, this premium valuation makes the risk-reward balance more demanding, as further gains will likely require sustained earnings growth and successful execution of its advanced-packaging expansion.

Price/Earnings Ratio (F12M)

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Final Thoughts on AMKR Stock

AMKR’s growth prospects remain encouraging, supported by expanding advanced-packaging programs, AI-driven demand, improving factory utilization and a diversified customer base. Still, its premium valuation and capital-intensive expansion could limit near-term upside if demand or utilization weakens. Therefore, despite the risks, the stock’s growth-driven outlook supports maintaining a Hold position rather than exiting, allowing investors to participate in potential gains as new programs ramp.

AMKR currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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]]> <![CDATA[Merck Stock Down 7% in a Month: Is the Dip a Buying Opportunity?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:32:00 GMT Merck’s MRK stock has declined 7.2% in a month. Investors are looking at this correction as a pullback after a strong run rather than a deterioration in its core business. The stock has surged roughly 60% over the past year. It also reached a 52-week high of about $157 in late August.

In general, investors have become more confident in Merck’s growth outlook and ability to offset the eventual patent cliff of its blockbuster cancer drug, Keytruda, after 2028. Keytruda continues to deliver solid growth, while newer products such as Winrevair, Welireg and Ohtuvayre are scaling rapidly. Merck has also been aggressively building its pipeline through acquisitions and partnerships, and investors are increasingly giving credit to these efforts. Merck's partnership with Moderna MRNA around the personalized cancer vaccine intismeran autogene has also become more important.

Let’s understand all these factors in detail and analyze Merck’s strengths and weaknesses to understand how to play the stock in such a scenario.

Merck’s Keytruda Engine Continues to Power Top-Line Growth

Merck has more than six blockbuster drugs in its portfolio, with Keytruda as the primary top-line driver. Keytruda, approved for several types of cancer, alone accounts for more than 55% of the company’s pharmaceutical sales. In the United States, Keytruda is approved for more than 45 indications spanning 19 tumor types, along with two tumor-agnostic approvals, as well as for many of these indications worldwide.

The drug has played an instrumental role in driving Merck’s steady revenue growth over the past few years. Keytruda sales are gaining from continued strong momentum in metastatic indications and rapid uptake across earlier-stage launches. The company expects the growth to continue till it loses patent exclusivity in 2028. More than 2,800 clinical studies are currently evaluating Keytruda across multiple cancer types and treatment settings.

Merck is working on different strategies to drive Keytruda's long-term growth. These include innovative immuno-oncology combinations, including Keytruda with LAG3 and CTLA-4 inhibitors. In partnership with Moderna, Merck is developing a personalized mRNA therapeutic cancer vaccine called intismeran autogene in combination with Keytruda in pivotal phase III studies for earlier-stage and adjuvant NSCLC and adjuvant melanoma.  The combo therapy recently met both primary and secondary endpoints in a phase III study in certain patients with high-risk melanoma.

Merck’s subcutaneous formulation of Keytruda, known as Keytruda Qlex, was approved in the United States and EU in 2025 and generated sales of $590 million in the first half of 2026. Keytruda Qlex can offer substantially quicker administration time than the intravenous infusion of Keytruda.

Merck expects Keytruda to achieve peak sales of $35 billion by 2028. Merck’s other oncology drugs, Welireg, AstraZeneca AZN-partnered Lynparza and Eisai-partnered Lenvima, are also contributing to top-line growth.

Merck’s Animal Health business is also a key contributor to its top-line growth, with sales expected to more than double by the mid-2030s.

Merck’s Pipeline Strengthens Its Outlook Beyond Keytruda

Merck’s expanding drug pipeline and potential new blockbuster drugs beyond Keytruda look encouraging.

Its phase III pipeline has almost tripled since 2021, supported by in-house progress as well as the addition of candidates through M&A deals. Merck expects to launch 20 new drugs by 2030, with many already launched.

Its new products, pulmonary arterial hypertension drug Winrevair, cancer drug Welireg and 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Capvaxive, have begun to contribute significantly to top-line growth.

Some new products approved/launched recently are RSV antibody, Enflonsia (clesrovimab), Idvynso, a once-daily, single-tablet two-drug regimen of doravirine and islatravir, and Lipfendra (enlicitide), an oral PCSK9 inhibitor to help reduce LDL cholesterol in adults with hypercholesterolemia.

Some key candidates in late-stage development are sacituzumab tirumotecan or sac-TMT, an anti-TROP2 antibody-drug conjugate for multiple tumor types, MK-8591D/islatravir plus lenacapavir, a once-weekly oral treatment for HIV, and alimatravir, a monthly oral HIV PrEP candidate.

Merck is actively pursuing acquisitions to prepare for Keytruda’s 2028 patent expiration. Recent deals added Ohtuvayre through Verona Pharma, influenza candidate MK-1406 through Cidara, and potential blockbuster cancer drug MK-4208 through Terns Pharmaceuticals.

Declining Sales of MRK’s Gardasil & Other Vaccines

Merck’s Gardasil/Gardasil 9 franchise is facing a significant slowdown, with sales declining 9% in the first half of 2026 due to weaker demand in China, Japan and the United States. China remains the biggest challenge, as economic weakness has dampened demand and led to elevated channel inventories at partner Zhifei, prompting Merck to halt shipments temporarily.

Although limited shipments resumed in China in the second quarter under a revised agreement, the growing availability of lower-cost domestic HPV vaccines could further put pressure on Gardasil, an imported premium-priced vaccine. Gardasil China revenues are expected to remain immaterial for Merck in 2026. In the United States, Gardasil demand is being hurt by changes in vaccination recommendations, including greater use of single-dose schedules.

Sales of some other Merck vaccines, like Proquad, M-M-R II, Varivax, Rotateq and Vaxneuvance, also declined in the first half of 2026.

Keytruda’s 2028 Patent Loss a Key Risk for Merck

Merck is heavily reliant on Keytruda. Though Keytruda may be Merck’s biggest strength and a solid reason to own the stock, the company is excessively dependent on the drug. Keytruda’s core U.S. patent is expected to expire around 2028, with additional patents expiring slightly after that. Keytruda is expected to face significant biosimilar competition around 2028-2029. Once biosimilars enter, Keytruda’s sales are likely to decline sharply.

Also, competitive pressure might increase for Keytruda in the near future from dual PD-1/VEGF inhibitors that inhibit both the PD-1 pathway and the VEGF pathway at once. They are designed to overcome the limitations of single-target therapies like Keytruda.

Merck’s Januvia and Other Drugs Face Generic Pressure

MRK is seeing declining demand for its diabetes products (Januvia/Janumet) and the generic erosion of some drugs like Isentress/Isentress HD and Bridion in the European Union and Dificid in the United States. Bridion lost market exclusivity in the United States in July 2026 and sales are expected to decline further in future quarters. Januvia and Janumet lost market exclusivity in the United States in May 2026 and Janumet XR in July 2026. Sales of Januvia/Janumet are expected to decline steeply in future quarters due to the government price setting in 2026 and 2027, the patent expiry in 2026 and ongoing competitive pressure.

MRK Share Price, Valuation & Estimates

Merck’s shares have risen 32.6% so far this year compared with an increase of 9.4% for the industry. The stock has also outperformed the sector as well as the S&P 500 index, as seen in the chart below.

Merck Stock Outperforms Industry, Sector & S&P 500

Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Merck is slightly expensive. Going by the price/earnings ratio, the company’s shares currently trade at 17.44 forward earnings, slightly lower than 17.60 for the industry. The stock is trading above its 5-year mean of 12.98.

MRK Stock Valuation

Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

Estimates for MRK’s 2026 earnings have declined from $3.04 per share to $2.77 per share over the past 60 days, while those for 2027 have declined from $9.72 per share to $9.61 per share.

MRK Estimate Movement

Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stay Invested in MRK Stock

Merck has one of the world’s best-selling drugs in its portfolio, generating billions of dollars in revenues. Though Keytruda will lose patent exclusivity in 2028, its sales are expected to remain strong until then. 

It expects more than $70 billion of potential non-risk-adjusted commercial opportunity for the current pipeline by the mid-2030s. This estimate is more than double the peak consensus sales estimate for Keytruda of $35 billion in 2028.

Merck faces several near-term challenges, including persistent challenges for Gardasil, potential competition for Keytruda, and rising competitive and generic pressure on some of its drugs. Near-term profitability remains affected by costs related to Merck’s various acquisitions. However, these acquisitions eventually benefit the company.

Meanwhile, its new products, strong progress in its pipeline, and business development and acquisitions have increased confidence that Merck may be able to maintain growth even after Keytruda loses exclusivity. Investors can continue to retain this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock as its long-term prospects remain intact. Given the recent decline, MRK could prove to be a potential buying opportunity for long-term investors. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Here's Why Investors Should Consider Retaining A. O. Smith Stock Now]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:32:00 GMT A. O. Smith Corporation AOS has been witnessing persistent strength in its North America boiler business. Sales from the North America boiler business surged 21% year over year in second-quarter 2026. The company expects sales from the boiler business to grow about 6-8% in 2026, while the same from its North America water treatment business are anticipated to rise approximately 5-6%. For 2026, A. O. Smith expects total sales to grow about 2-3% year over year.

A. O. Smith believes in adding complementary businesses to its portfolio via acquisitions. For instance, the company’s acquisition of LVC Holdco LLC (Leonard Valve) in January 2026 strengthened its water heating and boiler offerings. It expects the Leonard Valve buyout to contribute approximately $70 million to its sales in 2026. In the first six months of 2026, acquisitions boosted the company’s sales by 2%.

AOS has been committed to rewarding shareholders through dividend payouts and share repurchases. In the first half of 2026, it distributed dividends of $99.8 million and repurchased shares worth $162.4 million. It announced a hike of 6% in its quarterly dividend rate in October 2025. Also, in January 2026, the company’s board boosted the buyback program by another 5 million shares. For 2026, it expects to repurchase shares worth approximately $300 million.

Despite the positives, the company is grappling with softness in the Rest of the World segment due to lower volumes of residential water treatment and water heater products in China. The segment’s sales declined 19% year over year in the second quarter of 2026. Organic sales in China fell 22% in the same period. AOS issued a lackluster 2026 sales outlook for China. It currently expects sales from China to decline in the low double digits on a year-over-year basis in local currency.

AOS Stock’s Price Performance

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

In the past month, the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company’s shares declined 5.8% against the industry’s 5.4% growth.

A. O. Smith exited second-quarter 2026 with a high long-term debt of $598 million compared with $112.7 million at the end of 2025. The significant rise in debt level was attributable to cash borrowed by the company under a new term loan for the acquisition of Leonard Valve. Considering its high debt level, its cash and cash equivalents of $181.3 million do not look impressive.

Key Picks

Some better-ranked stocks from the same space are discussed below.

Alarm.com Holdings, Inc. ALRM presently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The company delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 14.6%. In the past 60 days, the consensus estimate for ALRM’s 2026 earnings has increased 3.9%.

Helios Technologies HLIO currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1. HLIO delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 13.1%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for  Helios Technologies’ 2026 earnings has increased 10%.

Enersys ENS currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Enersys’ earnings topped the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. The average earnings surprise was 11.5%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Enersys’ fiscal 2027 (ending March 2027) earnings has increased 10.8%.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can Morgan Stanley's Integrated Model Drive Long-Term Earnings Growth?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:30:00 GMT Morgan Stanley’s MS $1.5 trillion U.S. Innovation Infrastructure Initiative highlights how the company is using its integrated business model to capture opportunities across the full client and capital lifecycle. The initiative spans capital raising, financing, advisory and investment activity across AI, energy, digital infrastructure and other strategic industries.

Rather than relying on a single revenue stream, Morgan Stanley can potentially monetize these opportunities across Institutional Securities (“IS”), Investment Management (“IM”) and Wealth Management (“WM”). A company may first require private capital, later seek financing, M&A advice or IPO support and eventually generate wealth management opportunities for founders, executives and employees.

IM adds another layer by creating and managing private-market strategies, while WM provides the distribution channel to individual clients. PMAX supports this integration by giving eligible WM clients broader access to private-market investments, allowing Morgan Stanley to connect internally managed or sourced investment opportunities with its large advisory platform. This can help retain more economics within the firm while supporting asset growth, and recurring advisory and management fees.

The integrated framework allows Morgan Stanley to participate both in financing infrastructure-related companies and in distributing investment opportunities tied to private markets. Still, investors dig deep into the company’s fundamental strengths and growth prospects before making any decision.

Morgan Stanley: Factors to Consider

Improving Diversification: Morgan Stanley is lowering its reliance on capital markets and expanding wealth and asset management operations. The company is using acquisitions (Eaton Vance, E*Trade Financial, Shareworks and EquityZen) to broaden its mix and have a more balanced revenue stream across market cycles. The WM and IM businesses continue to expand the company’s revenue base and deepen client relationships. The WM segment’s total client assets witnessed a five-year (2020-2025) compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13%, while the IM segment’s total AUM saw a CAGR of 19.4%. As of June 30, 2026, total client assets across both segments reached a record $10 trillion.

This reflects strong momentum across Morgan Stanley’s advisor-led, workplace and self-directed platforms while highlighting its expanding scale in the retirement savings market. The trend is likely to continue in the near term as the operating environment becomes more favorable.

Like Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs GS is reducing its dependence on capital markets-related volatile earnings and expanding its Asset & Wealth Management business. The company has supported this strategy through a combination of organic fundraising, partnerships and targeted acquisitions. Successful scaling of these efforts is expected to further support Goldman’s transition toward a more capital-light business model, improve the quality of its revenue mix and increase the share of recurring, fee-based revenues in its earnings mix.

Investment Banking Recovery: After the deal-making slowdown that weighed on results in 2022 and 2023, Morgan Stanley's Investment Banking (“IB”) franchise continues to recover as issuance and strategic activity improve. IB fees rose 35% in 2024 and 23% in 2025 as boardroom confidence improved and issuance reopened. The momentum carried into the first half of 2026, with IB revenues increasing 47% year over year, aided by stronger M&A advisory and underwriting volumes.

The company is well-positioned to benefit from a healthier deal environment, supported by a robust and diversified pipeline across regions and sectors. Momentum is expanding beyond the Americas into Asia and EMEA, while active M&A and IPO markets, together with the company’s strong competitive position, are expected to support further growth as the macroeconomic backdrop evolves.  

Meanwhile, despite facing similar macro challenges in 2022 and 2023, JPMorgan JPM retained its No. 1 global ranking in IB fees. In the first half of 2026, the company captured a 9.3% wallet share. JPMorgan remains well-positioned to benefit as capital markets and advisory activity normalize over time, given its broad client reach and product depth across advisory, underwriting, trading and payments. 

Expanding Global Reach: Morgan Stanley’s alliance with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group continues to enhance its competitive position in Japan through combined research, sales and execution and coordinated underwriting. This supports a durable franchise in a key market and helps extend coverage across the region. Asia revenues were $9.42 billion in 2025, up 23% year over year. The momentum carried into the first six months of 2026, aided by stronger client engagement, favorable market conditions and higher prime brokerage activity in the region.

The company's global platform is increasingly relevant as capital markets activity broadens outside the United States and across Japan, India, China, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Continued investment in regional leadership and collaboration will likely support wallet share gains across Asia's capital markets and wealth opportunity set.

Financial Flexibility: As of June 30, 2026, the company had long-term debt of $383.2 billion, with $34.3 billion expected to mature over the next 12 months. MS’ average liquidity resources were $404.1 billion as of the same date.

Given its solid liquidity position and earnings strength, Morgan Stanley has been engaged in efficient capital distribution activities, which enhance shareholder value. In July, the company increased its quarterly dividend 15% to $1.15 per share. MS raised its dividend five times in the past five years, and its payout has grown 22.9% over the same time period. MS' payout ratio currently sits at 32% of earnings.

Dividend Trend
 

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Its board of directors has reauthorized a multi-year share repurchase program of up to $20 billion, without an expiration date. MS continues to emphasize disciplined capital allocation, with a preference for organic investment, capital returns and selective bolt-on acquisitions only where strategic and cultural fit are strong.

Trading Cyclicality: Morgan Stanley remains exposed to the inherent volatility of trading revenues, which can fluctuate significantly with market conditions, client activity and investor risk appetite. Trading performance has strengthened from the weaker levels seen in 2023, supported by higher volatility, active client participation and favorable market conditions. The July launch of spot digital-asset trading through E*TRADE also broadens the firm’s trading offering.

Still, the recent strength may prove difficult to sustain if volatility moderates, issuance slows or investor positioning turns more cautious. Management has also flagged signs of frothiness in equity markets, particularly around AI-related stocks. Any normalization in market activity could pressure trading revenues and increase quarter-to-quarter earnings variability, particularly across businesses that are more sensitive to transaction volumes and market sentiment.

Expense Pressure: Despite Morgan Stanley’s restructuring and streamlining efforts that resulted in achieving its cost savings target of $1 billion in 2017, overall expenses have been increasing. Though expenses declined in 2022, they witnessed a five-year (ended 2025) CAGR of 7.4%. The trend continued in the first half of 2026. 

Management expects increased capital spending on technology, AI and data infrastructure to continue, viewing these investments as productive for long-term growth and future margin enhancement. These initiatives may strengthen the franchise, but they also keep the cost base elevated. If revenue growth slows, operating leverage could become harder to sustain.

Morgan Stanley’s Price Performance, Prospects & Valuation

Morgan Stanley stock has risen 7.2% so far this year, outperforming the industry’s growth of 1.7%. In the same time frame, Goldman and JPMorgan have gained 2% and 3.2%, respectively.

YTD Price Performance
 

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

On a valuation front, shares of Morgan Stanley appear to be trading at a premium relative to the industry. The company’s trailing 12-month tangible book of 3.52X is above the industry average of 3.04X.

P/TB TTM
 

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

MS stock is also expensive compared with Goldman and JPMorgan. Goldman and Interactive Brokers have a trailing 12-month P/TB of 2.48X and 3.10X, respectively. 

Morgan Stanley’s use of its integrated business model to capture opportunities is reflected in analysts’ growth expectations. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2026 sales and earnings implies a year-over-year increase of 15.8% and 24.9%, respectively. 

For 2027, revenues are projected at about $85 billion, while earnings are expected to be $13.03 per share, indicating growth of 4% and 2.2%, respectively.

Sales Estimates
 

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Earnings Estimates
 

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Final Verdict on Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley’s integrated business model, improving investment-banking backdrop, expanding wealth and asset-management scale and solid capital position support its long-term growth prospects. The $1.5 trillion infrastructure initiative further broadens opportunities across IS, IM and WM. 

However, premium valuation, persistent expense growth and trading cyclicality temper the upside. With the stock already outperforming peers and the industry, much of the near-term optimism appears reflected in the share price. Investors may prefer to remain selective, balancing Morgan Stanley’s stronger earnings mix and growth optionality against execution risks and a relatively demanding valuation.

Currently, Morgan Stanley carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Is It Prudent to Add Teleflex Stock to Your Portfolio Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:29:00 GMT Teleflex’s TFX Vascular business is well-positioned for growth in the upcoming quarters, led by sustained demand for central access and hemostatic products, coupled with new product introductions such as EZPLAZ. Further, the company’s expansion in Asia supports revenue growth. Strong solvency looks encouraging. Yet, a dull macro scenario remains a key concern for Teleflex.

Over the past year, this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock has fallen 1.9% against the industry’s 2.4% growth. The S&P 500 composite has risen 15.5% during the same period. 

The global provider of medical technologies has a market capitalization of $5.52 billion. TFX’s earnings surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in one, delivering an average surprise of 3.2%. 

Let’s delve deeper.

Tailwinds for Teleflex

Vascular Business Grows: The Vascular portfolio continues to benefit from demand in central access and hemostatic products. In the second quarter of 2026, Vascular revenues rose 9% on a reported basis and 8% on a pro forma adjusted constant-currency basis. For the first six months of 2026, pro forma adjusted constant-currency growth was 6.4%, extending the positive trend from the first quarter. Product development also supports the longer-term case. In late July 2026, the FDA approved EZPLAZ Freeze Dried Plasma, the first freeze-dried plasma licensed by the agency, expanding Teleflex's emergency medicine offering within Vascular. Management characterized the underlying Vascular market as a mid-single-digit growth market, supporting a durable demand backdrop beyond near-term ordering patterns.

Business in Asia Holds Long-Term Potential: Teleflex continues to expand in Asia as the acquired Vascular Intervention business broadens its presence. In the second quarter of 2026, Asia net revenues increased 59.5% to $76.0 million, primarily from $27.7 million in acquired revenues. Asia operating profit rose 235.3% to $15.0 million despite higher operating and amortization expenses tied to the acquisition.

Balance-Sheet Flexibility Improves: Teleflex exited the second quarter of 2026 with cash and cash equivalents of $300.2 million. Current borrowings were $87.5 million, remaining well below the corresponding cash balance. Long-term borrowings were $2.72 billion at the second-quarter end. Following the OEM divestiture, pro forma net leverage declined to about 1.9X from 2.8X at quarter-end, as Teleflex used proceeds to repay the $700 million Term Loan A-2. The company continues to target about $800 million of debt reduction from strategic divestiture proceeds, which should strengthen balance-sheet flexibility and reduce interest expense.

 

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

What Ails TFX?

Macroeconomic and Margin Risks: Teleflex remains exposed to tariffs, input costs and other global economic factors that can affect profitability. In the second quarter of 2026, adjusted gross margin declined 280 basis points (bps) year over year, primarily due to tariffs and the lower gross margin profile of the acquired Vascular Intervention business. Adjusted operating margin fell 520 basis points to 19.6% as gross margin erosion was compounded by higher operating expenses from the acquisition and increased R&D investment. The company also continues to face logistics, supplier and quality risks, although it managed through the lidocaine recall in the second quarter. If tariff costs persist or operating efficiencies take longer to emerge, margin recovery could remain gradual.

TFX Stock Estimate Trend

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TFX’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) has moved north by 1.8% to $7.22 in the past 30 days.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2026 revenues is pegged at $2.28 billion, implying a 23.1% decline from the year-ago reported number.

Other Key Picks

Some other top-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Veracyte VCYT, Globus Medical GMED and Charles River Laboratories CRL. 

Veracyte has an earnings yield of 4.7% against the industry’s negative 1.4% yield. Shares of the company have risen 28.2% against the industry’s 3.8% decline. VCYT’s earnings outpaced estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 41.8%. 

VCYT sports a Zacks Rank of 1 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Globus Medical, sporting a Zacks Rank of 1 at present, has an earnings yield of 6.7% against the industry’s negative 1.4% yield. Its earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 27.9%. GMED shares have rallied 27.3% against the industry’s 3.8% decline over the past year.

Charles River, currently sporting a Zacks Rank of 1, has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 9.4% compared with the industry’s 13.2% growth. Its earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 5.9%. CRL shares have gained 4% against the industry’s 3.8% decline over the past year.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[INSM Stock Slides on CFO Exit, Reiterates '26 Sales View]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:29:00 GMT Shares of Insmed INSM declined nearly 7% on Monday after the company announced that its chief financial officer (CFO), Sara Bonstein, will step down from her role effective Oct. 30.

The departure came as a surprise to investors, given Bonstein’s nearly seven-year tenure as CFO and her role during a significant period of Insmed’s growth and transformation.

While Insmed did not specify the reason for this transition, it stated that Bonstein’s departure is not related to any disagreement with the company concerning accounting practices, financial statements, internal controls or operations.

Although the leadership change introduces some uncertainty for investors, Insmed reaffirmed its 2026 revenue guidance. This suggests that management has not made any changes to its current financial outlook following the CFO transition.

Why Did INSM Stock Fall on CFO Departure News?

The sharp decline appears to be primarily due to investor uncertainty surrounding the unexpected departure of a long-serving senior executive. Bonstein oversaw Insmed’s finance organization during a period in which the company raised more than $4.2 billion in capital and transitioned into a commercial-stage biotech.

The timing of this departure may have further contributed to the negative reaction. Insmed is entering an important phase of growth, with Brinsupri rapidly scaling and the company targeting cash-flow positivity in 2027. Although Bonstein will remain in her role through the company’s third-quarter 2026 earnings release and conference call on Oct. 29, Insmed has already begun searching for her successor.

Year to date, shares of Insmed have lost 40% against the industry’s 3% growth.

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Insmed Reiterates 2026 Revenue Guidance

Despite the CFO transition, the company reaffirmed its full-year 2026 revenue guidance for its marketed products, Arikayce and Brinsupri.

Insmed continues to expect Brinsupri revenues between $1.25 billion and $1.40 billion, while Arikayce sales are in the range of $450-$470 million. Notably, the Brinsupri outlook was raised during its second-quarter results announcement from the previous guidance of at least $1 billion, while the Arikayce guidance remained unchanged.

While Arikayce is approved to treat refractory mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease in certain adults with limited or no treatment options, Brinsupri is approved for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) in individuals aged 12 years and above.

INSM’s Zacks Rank

Insmed currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Insmed, Inc. Price

Insmed, Inc. Price

 

Insmed, Inc. price | Insmed, Inc. Quote

Our Key Picks Among Biotech Stocks

Some better-ranked stocks in the sector include AC Immune ACIU and Viking Therapeutics VKTX, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Over the past 60 days, estimates for AC Immune’s 2026 loss per share have narrowed from 84 cents to 60 cents. Over the same period, earnings estimate for 2027 remained unchanged at 17 cents per share. ACIU shares have lost about 14% year-to-date.

AC Immune’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 33.25%.

Over the past 60 days, estimates for Viking’s 2026 loss per share have narrowed from $4.50 to $4.47, while those for 2027 have narrowed from $4.11 to $4.08. VKTX shares have lost nearly 17% year-to-date.

Viking’s earnings beat estimates in one of the trailing four quarters and missed the mark on the other three occasions, with the average negative surprise being 26.47%.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Centene Narrows Medicare Advantage Footprint as Costs Remain Elevated]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:28:00 GMT Centene Corporation CNC is reshaping its Medicare Advantage (MA) business for 2027 as unfavorable economics prompt insurers to reassess market participation. Its Wellcare unit plans to discontinue certain MA offerings and reduce its presence in several counties, signaling a more disciplined approach to a business facing persistent medical-cost pressure.

Per Becker’s, Centene is pulling standard MA plans from 344 counties for 2027 and exiting Hawaii, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Wellcare is also reducing its plan lineup, particularly standard MA offerings, while retaining a stronger presence in Special Needs Plans. CNC is placing greater emphasis on dual-eligible members, who account for roughly 40% of Wellcare’s MA membership, while D-SNP products represent nearly half of its 2027 MA offerings.

The retrenchment comes as the MA industry faces elevated healthcare utilization and pressure on plan economics. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services expects weighted average monthly MA premiums to decline 16.5% in 2027, while projected enrollment stands at 34 million. Insurers are adjusting benefits, networks and geographic coverage as they work to manage medical costs and preserve profitability. Centene’s large standalone Part D platform also provides another channel to serve Medicare beneficiaries outside traditional MA.

The revised strategy could have mixed effects. Lower exposure to less attractive markets may support operating performance by concentrating resources on products and areas with stronger economics. However, a smaller MA footprint also limits a potential source of membership growth. For CNC, stronger execution in remaining markets, along with continued emphasis on dual-eligible members and Part D, could help improve the durability of its Medicare business.

How Are Competitors Faring?

Some of CNC’s major competitors in the healthcare service provider space are UnitedHealth Group Incorporated UNH and Humana Inc. HUM.

Per Becker’s, UnitedHealth is also refining its 2027 Medicare Advantage footprint, pulling standard plans from 140 counties while adding more Special Needs Plans. UNH’s changes reflect a more selective approach as medical and pharmacy costs continue to pressure plan economics. Meanwhile, Humana plans to exit 57 counties and Minnesota for 2027 while reducing certain PPO offerings. HUM is also adding select HMO and Special Needs Plans, maintaining a targeted approach to Medicare Advantage growth.

Centene’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

Shares of CNC have surged 56.3% in the year-to-date period compared with the industry’s growth of 16.7%.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Centene trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 12.28, below the industry average of 15.20. CNC carries a Value Score of A.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Centene’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $4.89 per share, implying 135.1% growth from the year-ago period.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

CNC stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can Electronic Warfare Demand Boost Lockheed Martin's Growth?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:27:00 GMT Lockheed Martin LMT continues to benefit from the U.S. Navy’s efforts to strengthen electronic warfare capabilities across its surface fleet. The company’s Rotary and Mission Systems business recently received a $209 million contract modification for the production of Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program AN/SLQ-32(V)6 systems.

The award includes options that could raise the cumulative value of the contract to approximately $1.71 billion. Work will be performed in Liverpool, NY, and Lansdale, PA, and is expected to be completed by September 2029. The size and duration of the program provide Lockheed Martin with continued visibility into future naval work.

The AN/SLQ-32(V)6 is designed to provide electronic warfare capabilities that help Navy ships detect, identify and respond to electromagnetic threats. Such systems are increasingly important as adversaries develop more advanced radar, communications and electronic attack capabilities.

The award highlights continued Navy investment in shipboard electronic warfare and fleet survivability. Lockheed Martin’s role in producing the AN/SLQ-32(V)6 positions it to benefit from recurring procurement and upgrades as the Navy modernizes its surface fleet.

Demand for electronic warfare systems is expected to remain strong as the Navy improves situational awareness and protects naval platforms from increasingly complex threats. Lockheed Martin’s established expertise in electronic warfare, sensors and mission systems could therefore provide steady opportunities across its naval defense business.

Defense Stocks to Keep on the Radar

Growing investment in electronic warfare and naval survivability could also benefit defense contractors with established capabilities in these areas.

RTX Corporation RTX: RTX develops advanced electronic warfare, radar and sensor technologies for naval and airborne platforms. Its systems help detect, track and counter electromagnetic threats, supporting the survivability of U.S. and allied forces.

Northrop Grumman NOC: Northrop Grumman provides electronic warfare and mission systems designed to detect and counter threats across multiple domains. Its expertise in sensors and electromagnetic warfare supports demand for advanced naval defense capabilities.

The Zacks Rundown for LMT

Shares of LMT have lost 0.9% in the past year compared with the industry’s 19.8% decline.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The company's shares are trading at a discount on a relative basis, with its forward 12-month Price/Sales being 1.39X compared with its industry’s average of 2.12X.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LMT’s 2026 and 2027 earnings has moved north over the past 60 days.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

LMT stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Is the Options Market Predicting a Spike in The Bank of New York Stock?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:27:00 GMT Investors in The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation BNY need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Jan. 15, 2026 $47.5 Put had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.

What is Implied Volatility?

Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.

What do the Analysts Think?

Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for The Bank of New York Mellon shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, The Bank of New York Mellon is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) in the Banks - Major Regional industry that ranks in the Bottom 26% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 30 days, three analysts have increased their earnings estimates for the current quarter, while one has dropped the estimates. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter from $2.25 per share to $2.27 in that period.

Given the way analysts feel about The Bank of New York Mellon right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[BP Targets Higher Returns Through Portfolio Simplification Focus]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:26:00 GMT BP plc BP, the British oil and gas major, has recently shifted its focus toward simplifying its operations and generating increased shareholder value. The company is involved in exploration and production activities, downstream operations and oil and gas trading. In the most recently reported quarter, strong commodity prices and refining margins, along with higher trading performance, lifted its results. It is expected to benefit from higher refining margins and a favorable commodity price environment in the upcoming quarter as well.

In its latest earnings call, management mentioned that it plans to conduct a company-wide review of its asset portfolio to identify and dispose of assets that do not fit its strategic objectives or dilute margins. Assets will be evaluated based on their capital efficiency and ability to generate returns. This portfolio simplification and high-grading effort is aimed at improving the quality of its earnings and cash flow over the long term. The sale of the Gelsenkirchen refinery and BP’s decision to sell its Austria mobility and convenience business underscore this approach. In addition, the company has stated that it will take a disciplined approach to capital allocation and invest only in projects that are expected to deliver competitive returns. 

BP does not view its decision to sell off non-core assets as merely a cost-cutting program. Instead, the company plans to focus on the assets and profitable businesses that strengthen its competitive position, improve margins and enhance cash flow generation and shareholder value. These portfolio high-grading efforts can also free up capital tied to complex, lower-return assets, allowing BP to reinvest the proceeds in higher-margin businesses and other strategic priorities.

COP and PSX: Energy Companies Focused on Portfolio Optimization

ConocoPhillips COP periodically reviews its asset portfolio with a focus on high-grading to build a deep, durable and capital-efficient asset base that can support long-term growth. In its second-quarter earnings call, management stated that it had reached its $5 billion asset-sale target ahead of schedule, but it continues to look for opportunities to improve the portfolio mix, including opportunities to add new assets that meet its capital efficiency and low cost of supply criteria. The broader objective remains to strengthen free cash flow, improve capital efficiency and focus on core assets with higher returns.

Phillips 66 PSX remains focused on reshaping the company portfolio around core markets and integrated assets. The recent portfolio sharpening initiatives include retail asset sales in Germany and Austria, the idling of the Los Angeles refinery and the completed acquisition of Lindsey Oil Refinery and logistics operations in April 2026. Management is using these actions to concentrate capital on businesses that fit its broader refining, logistics and marketing network while preserving flexibility to redirect capital toward assets that support the company’s integrated strategy.

BP’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

BP shares have gained 34.6% over the past year compared with the industry’s 46.1% growth.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, BP trades at a trailing 12-month enterprise value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) of 2.87X. This is below the broader industry average of 5.9X.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BP’s 2026 earnings has been revised upward over the past seven days.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

BP currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Nebius Stock Surges 110% in 6 Months: Time to Buy, Hold or Sell?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:25:00 GMT Nebius Group N.V. NBIS stock has surged 109.5% in the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Computer & Technology sector and the Zacks Internet Software Services industry’s growth of 32.5% and 25.1%, respectively. The S&P 500 composite is up 18% over the same time frame.

NBIS has also outpaced its peers, NVIDIA Corporation NVDA, Microsoft Corporation MSFT and CoreWeave, Inc. CRWV, with NVDA up 33.2%, MSFT rising 42% and CRWV gaining 12.7% in the past six months.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

After its recent rally, questions remain over whether Nebius can continue its upward trajectory or if its current valuation already accounts for much of its expected growth. Evaluating the company’s growth opportunities, competitive strengths and potential risks can provide a clearer view of its future prospects.

Factors to Consider for NBIS

Nebius is benefiting from strong demand for AI infrastructure and continued expansion of its available capacity. In the second quarter, group revenues surged 454% year over year to $582 million, while the Nebius AI business grew 514% to $575 million and accounted for 98% of total revenues. Growth was supported by capacity added during the first quarter, higher utilization resulting from improved infrastructure efficiency and contributions from the asset-light business model, Token Factory and recent acquisitions. The company again sold out its available capacity as newly deployed resources were absorbed by customer demand.

Strong customer demand and favorable contract economics are also supporting Nebius’ growth prospects. During the quarter, the company signed four major agreements with Reflection, Cohere, a scaled U.S. new lab and a large U.S.-based quantitative trading firm, with the deals averaging more than $1 billion each. These midterm contracts generate yields of $20 million-$25 million per megawatt and include upfront payments covering roughly 50%-60% of associated capital expenditures. Nebius also continues to see demand for shorter-duration capacity, where it is negotiating contracts in the $40 million-$50 million-per-megawatt range and, in some cases, even higher.

Profitability is improving alongside the rapid revenue expansion. Group adjusted EBITDA reached $236 million in the second quarter, compared with a loss of $21 million a year earlier, while the adjusted EBITDA margin expanded to 41% from 32% in the first quarter. The improvement reflected higher revenues as well as early contributions from the asset-light model, Token Factory and recent acquisitions. Management also expects capacity coming online from company-owned data centers to begin supporting further margin improvement in the second half of 2027.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Recently, Nebius announced the acquisition of Inferize, an inference optimization company, to strengthen the production inference capabilities of its Nebius Token Factory managed inference platform. The deal brings Inferize’s technology and systems engineering team into Token Factory.

Nebius is also expanding its capacity pipeline and diversifying the ways it can monetize that capacity. The company raised its year-end contracted power target to 5 gigawatts and expects almost all of that power to come online over the following three to three-and-a-half years. Its asset-light partnership model provides another avenue for expansion, with partners financing, building and operating facilities while Nebius contributes its full-stack platform and customer demand. In the last earnings call, the company highlighted that this structure can generate high-margin revenues while requiring minimal balance-sheet capital and could unlock additional capacity from 2027 onward.

Nebius Group N.V. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Nebius Group N.V. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Nebius Group N.V. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Nebius Group N.V. Quote

However, Nebius’ rapid expansion requires substantial capital investment. Capital expenditures totaled approximately $5.7 billion in the second quarter, primarily reflecting purchases of GPUs and related hardware as well as data-center expansion, while the company continues to expect full-year 2026 capital expenditures of $20 billion-$25 billion. To support this spending, Nebius is relying on a combination of operating cash flow, customer prepayments, asset-backed financing and potentially corporate-level debt or equity-linked financing.

Investments in businesses that remain at an early stage are weighing on consolidated profitability relative to the core AI operation. Management said the difference between group adjusted EBITDA margins and those of the Nebius AI business reflects continued investments in Avride and TripleTen, both of which are still early-stage companies. Although the Nebius AI business is expected to continue generating the significant majority of group adjusted EBITDA, these investments continue to affect overall group margins.

The timing of capacity deployment also affects when additional infrastructure translates into revenues. In the last earnings call, management stated that after power is connected, Nebius must still commission the data center, build the network and clusters, deploy the platform and onboard customers before revenue generation begins, a process that can take several months.

A Look at NBIS' Valuation

In terms of price/book multiple, NBIS shares are trading at 5.69X, higher than the industry’s 3.79X. CRWV, MSFT and NVDA trade at a Price/Book of 7.98X, 8.82X and 25.14X, respectively.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

What to Do With NBIS Stock Now?

Nebius’ strong AI infrastructure demand, expanding capacity and improving profitability support its long-term growth prospects. However, the stock’s sharp rally and elevated valuation suggest that much of its growth potential may already be reflected in the current price.

Existing investors can hold the stock given Nebius’ strong AI infrastructure demand, expanding capacity pipeline and improving profitability. However, new investors can wait for a better entry point.

Currently, NBIS stock carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[BBWI's Product Innovation Supports Pricing as Consumers Seek Value]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:24:00 GMT Bath & Body Works, Inc. BBWI is focusing product investment on its core categories to strengthen demand and support price realization among value-conscious consumers. Its Consumer First Formula emphasizes innovation, franchise development and brand engagement. The strategy seeks to build growth through more compelling products, with early results suggesting pricing opportunities even as the broader business remains under pressure.

In second-quarter fiscal 2026, Fruit Fusion exceeded management’s sales expectations and achieved higher average unit retail prices than the core fragrance body care assortment. Newer moisturizing and revitalizing soap formulas also delivered strong average unit retail performance. However, companywide mix-adjusted average unit retail remained flat, indicating that innovation-driven pricing benefits have yet to extend consistently across the portfolio.

Category performance underscores the importance of scaling these successes. North American body care sales declined mid-single digits despite sequential improvement supported by Fruit Fusion and Everyday Luxuries. Home fragrance sales fell low-single digits, while soaps and sanitizers were flat. Total sales decreased 2.3% to $1.51 billion, with lower North American sales reflecting fewer transactions and decreased average dollar sales.

Management is emphasizing enduring franchises that can generate demand beyond an initial launch. Plans included additional Fruit Fusion fragrances and product-form extensions, alongside Everyday Luxuries expansion and upgrades to A Thousand Wishes. BBWI also decided to exit Home Care, which represented less than 1% of annual sales, to reduce complexity and concentrate resources on categories with stronger productivity and demand potential.

BBWI’s updated outlook included approximately $35 million in incremental Consumer First Formula investment, primarily in marketing. Management intended to maintain second-half promotional levels comparable with the prior year, placing greater emphasis on product innovation and brand engagement. The opportunity lies in converting successful launches into repeat purchases and broader category growth, allowing stronger price realization to become a more consistent business driver.

BBWI’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

Shares of Bath & Body Works have inched down 3.5% in the past six months compared with the industry’s decline of 14.7%.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, BBWI trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 6.20, down from the industry’s average of 14.10. It has a Value Score of A.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Bath & Body Works’ fiscal 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year decline of 15%, whereas the same for fiscal 2027 indicates an uptick of 4.5%. Earnings estimates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 have been revised upward by 10 cents and downward by four cents, respectively, in the past 60 days.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

BBWI currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Key Picks

Genesco Inc. GCO is a Nashville-based specialty retailer and branded company. It sells footwear and accessories through retail stores. The company sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Genesco’s current fiscal-year earnings indicates 62.1% growth from the year-ago actual. GCO delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 11.2%.

Designer Brands Inc. DBI designs, produces and retails footwear and accessories. It offers shoes, boots, sandals, sneakers, socks, handbags and accessories. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Designer Brands’ current fiscal-year earnings and sales suggests growth of 225% and 0.6%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. DBI delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 108.1%.

Urban Outfitters, Inc. URBN is a lifestyle products and services company that sells fashion apparel, accessories, footwear, home goods and related offerings through a portfolio of global consumer brands. The company carries a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Urban Outfitters’ current fiscal-year earnings and sales suggests growth of 14% and 9.5%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. URBN delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 9.7%.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[ ETFs to Buy as NVIDIA Marches Toward $6 Trillion Market Cap]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:24:00 GMT NVIDIA NVDA has once again captured the market's attention, with its stock surging to a fresh all-time intraday high of $239.86 on Monday, pushing its market capitalization to an estimated $5.78 trillion. This rally follows a period of seven weeks of sideways trading, broken decisively by a combination of factors including the company's announcement of a record $150 billion increase to its share buyback authorization, raising its total repurchase capacity to an impressive $235 billion through fiscal 2028. 

The buyback, described as the largest in corporate history, signals management's profound confidence in NVIDIA's long-term growth trajectory and the sustainability of the AI infrastructure boom. 

As the world's most valuable publicly traded company inches closer to the unprecedented $6 trillion milestone, NVIDIA currently accounts for a staggering 11% of the Nasdaq Composite and 8% of the S&P 500 Index. 

For ETF investors, these developments put the spotlight on the outsized role NVIDIA plays in countless portfolios, making the choice between single-stock exposure and a diversified fund approach more relevant than ever.

Before identifying those ETFs, let's examine NVIDIA's growth prospects for the future and why an ETF investment strategy may prove to be a more prudent approach than buying the stock itself.

Why NVIDIA's Growth Engine is Far from Finished

The factors propelling NVIDIA toward the $6 trillion mark are deeply rooted in its fundamental performance and the broader trajectory of the AI industry. 

NVIDIA delivered second-quarter fiscal 2027 revenues of $96.2 billion, a stunning 106% year-over-year increase, primarily driven by its Data Center segment, which witnessed year-over-year revenue growth of 117%.

NVIDIA’s accelerated computing platform remains central to AI training, inference and agentic workloads as customers scale model deployment. To this end, it is imperative to mention that during the fiscal second-quarter earnings call, NVDA’s management stated that its compute is fully utilized across every cloud it serves and expects fiscal 2028 revenues to grow about 70%, with supply constraints limiting growth below customer forecasts.

Meanwhile, NVIDIA is extending its opportunity beyond hardware through software, open models and platform tools to support enterprise deployment.  With this aim in view, the company introduced an AI cloud model in the fiscal second quarter that can add revenue sharing from third-party customer usage after the initial infrastructure sale. In September, NVIDIA launched the NVIDIA Open Agent Safety Platform to directly address enterprise deployment challenges by focusing on software-driven AI governance and safety.

On the analyst front, the consensus is overwhelmingly bullish, with the highest price target on Wall Street standing at an ambitious $515. The average price target for NVIDIA sits at $326.07, based on short-term price targets offered by 47 analysts, which represents an upside of 36.5% from the last closing price of $238.90.

The Prudent Case for ETFs Over a Single Stock

While NVIDIA's individual prospects are compelling, the rationale for advocating ETFs over the stock itself lies in the broader industry dynamics and the principle of diversification. NVIDIA's dominance has lifted the entire semiconductor ecosystem, from foundries like Taiwan Semiconductor TSM to equipment makers like ASML, and from memory specialists like Micron MU to competitors like Advanced Micro Devices AMD. 

By investing in an ETF, particularly a semiconductor- or tech-focused one, investors can participate in the AI revolution while potentially reducing the impact of any single company's missteps or sector-specific headwinds. 

This approach mitigates the idiosyncratic risks associated with a single company, such as competitive pressure from custom chips developed by major customers like Amazon and Google, or the inherent volatility of a stock that has already delivered massive gains. 

NVIDIA-Heavy ETFs to Buy

Keeping into account the aforementioned discussion, for those looking to capitalize on NVIDIA's momentum while maintaining a balanced exposure to the industry at large, the following ETFs represent compelling investment choices:

Strive U.S. Semiconductor ETF SHOC

This fund, with net assets of $256.2 million, offers exposure to semiconductor companies. NVDA holds the top position in this fund, with a 21.98% weight. MU and Broadcom AVGO hold the second and third spots in this fund, with 11.83% and 8.34% weightage, respectively.

SHOC has rallied 68.7% year to date and charges 40 basis points (bps) in fees. It traded at a volume of 0.01 million shares in the last trading session and sports a Zacks ETF Rank #1 (Strong Buy). 

VanEck Semiconductor ETF SMH

This fund, with net assets of $77.51 billion, offers exposure to 26 companies involved in semiconductor production and equipment. NVDA holds the top position in this fund, with a 19.14% weight. TSM and AMD hold the second and third spots in this fund, with 9.24% and 5.56% weightage, respectively.

SMH has surged 76% year to date and charges 35 bps in fees. It traded at a good volume of 3.49 million shares in the last trading session and sports a Zacks ETF Rank #1.

iShares U.S. Technology ETF IYW 

This fund, with net assets worth $27.17 billion, comprises 149 software, semiconductors, and tech hardware companies in the United States. NVDA holds the top position in this fund, with a 17.15% weight. Apple AAPL and Microsoft MSFT hold the second and third spots in this fund, with 15.17% and 12.10% weightage, respectively.

IYW has soared 36% year to date and charges 37 bps in fees. It traded at a volume of 0.46 million shares in the last trading session and sports a Zacks ETF Rank #1. 

State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF XLK

This fund, with assets under management worth $131.1 billion, includes 74 companies from technology hardware, storage and peripherals; software; communications equipment; semiconductors and semiconductor equipment; IT services; and electronic equipment, instruments and components industries. NVDA holds the top position in this fund, with a 15.52% weight. AAPL and MSFT hold the second and third spots in this fund, with 13.35% and 10.54% weightage, respectively.

XLK has soared 39.6% year to date and charges 8 bps in fees. It traded at a good volume of 6.59 million shares in the last trading session and sports a Zacks ETF Rank #1.  

 

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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]]> <![CDATA[Planet Labs Down 51% in 6 Months: Is This a Buying Opportunity?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:23:00 GMT Planet Labs PBC’s PL shares have declined 50.6% over the past six months, raising a familiar question for investors: Is the selloff a warning sign or an opportunity to buy?

Price Performance

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Planet Labs provides daily satellite imagery and geospatial solutions. The company has a differentiated position in the Earth-observation industry, combining daily global monitoring with a decade-long imagery archive.

However, a lower share price alone does not establish a buying opportunity. Let’s discuss the company’s growth factors and the risks it faces to assess investment prospects and make an informed decision.

Defense Demand Main Driver for Planet Labs

Revenues surged 58% year over year to $116 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2027. Defense and Intelligence revenues (including satellite services revenues) rose more than 90% year over year, while commercial and civil-government revenues increased over 15% and 5%, respectively.

Planet Labs PBC Revenue (Quarterly)

Planet Labs PBC Revenue (Quarterly)

 

Planet Labs PBC revenue-quarterly | Planet Labs PBC Quote

The handover of the Pelican satellite to the Swedish Armed Forces supported top-line growth. In August, the company was awarded a satellite services tender by Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Interior, making the country the first civil government to procure Planet Labs’ dedicated Constellation Services. The tender includes options and has a maximum possible value of €25 million over five years.

At its last earnings call, Planet Labs also highlighted an $8 million August award from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency for its Global Monitoring Service.  

Management raised the lower end of fiscal 2027 revenue guidance to $430-$441 million, representing 40-43% growth. It also projected adjusted EBITDA profit of $3-$10 million and targeted positive annual adjusted free cash flow.

PL’s Backlog Provides Revenue Visibility

The company had a backlog of approximately $815 million, up about 11% year over year at the end of the fiscal second quarter. Roughly 50% of the backlog applies to the next 12 months and 70% to the next 24 months. Within Planet Labs’ eligible annual contract value book, recurring contracts represented 98%, and net dollar retention was 109%. Remaining performance obligations (“RPO”) totaled approximately $753 million, up 9% year over year.

Management estimates that executing contracts already in backlog could generate more than $400 million in revenues over the next four quarters, excluding new business and renewals. Management added that the company is confident it can sustain “high growth rates in future years,” supported by near-term visibility and pipeline strength.

Planet Labs PBC Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Planet Labs PBC Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Planet Labs PBC price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Planet Labs PBC Quote

This visibility is important as Planet Labs ramps up its satellite services business. On the last earnings call, management added that it had identified more than $4 billion in satellite-services opportunities, with over 25% qualified as near-term.

Planet Labs is also expanding capacity to support this opportunity. The company recently opened its Berlin manufacturing facility, which is expected to produce Pelican satellites and eventually scale to as many as 60 satellites per year.

AI and Satellite Upgrades Expand PL’s Opportunity

Commercial applications are already emerging. An expanded six-figure renewal with a hyperscaler AI developer covers monitoring of global data centers and semiconductor-facility construction, illustrating how Planet Labs can participate in AI infrastructure growth through intelligence services.

The company is also advancing its satellite roadmap.  On Oct.1, Planet Labs announced the launch of 20 satellites which includes a Google Project Suncatcher prototype, Tanager-2 and 18 SuperDoves. This launch was the 40th for Planet Labs, which now has a total of 718 satellites built and delivered into orbit. Suncatcher satellite will test Google’s Tensor Processing Units in space for the first time.

Looking ahead, Planet Labs is accelerating Owl, its upcoming next-generation monitoring satellite. Owl is expected to upgrade Planet Labs' monitoring capabilities from 3-meter to 1-meter-class resolution while providing roughly 10 times more data at about 10 times the speed, added management.  

PL’s Sizable Financial Resources

Planet Labs exited the second quarter of fiscal 2027 with approximately $865 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, up more than 200% year over year. This increase was driven by positive free cash flow and proceeds from capital transactions over the past year.

The company generated $68.4 million in net cash from operating activities, while free cash flow was $21.3 million for the six months ended July 31, 2026. Adjusted free cash flow (excluding nonrecurring payments related to litigation settlements) was $28.8 million. PL generated nearly $120 million from stock sales under its ATM program. This sizable liquidity position gives Planet Labs ample flexibility to accelerate investments as demand for its satellite services and AI-enabled solutions grows.

No Case Is Without Risks

Quarterly performance will remain uneven owing to the timing of satellite deliveries. Sweden’s satellite handover pulled revenues into the fiscal second quarter from the fiscal third quarter. Fiscal third-quarter guidance of $101-$105 million therefore implies a sequential revenue decline, alongside an expected adjusted EBITDA loss of $1-$6 million.

Growth also requires substantial investment. Planet Labs spent about $29 million in capital expenditures in the fiscal second quarter and expects fiscal 2027 capex of $100-$115 million. Management expects capex to increase in future quarters as it plans to channel spending toward manufacturing expansion in San Francisco and Berlin, supply-chain resiliency and next-generation satellite fleets.

Moreover, the increasing competition in the Earth observation space leaves less room for execution missteps. New satellites and AI offerings must deliver commercially, not merely meet development milestones. Planet Labs faces competition in the space from players such as BlackSky Technology BKSY, Satellogic SATL and Intuitive Machines, Inc. LUNR.

PL’s Valuation

Planet Labs is trading at a forward 12-month price/sales ratio of 11.89X, higher than the Satellite and Communication sector’s multiple of 2.98X.

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The premium valuation to an extent is justified by its stronger growth profile, expanding backlog and rising defense exposure.

In comparison, BlackSky Technology trades at a forward 12-month P/S multiple of 4.51X, while Satellogic and Intuitive Machines are trading at a multiple of 12.62X and 2.97X, respectively.

Over the past six months, BKSY, SATL and LUNR have registered losses of 37.2%, 23.4% and 37.1%, respectively.

PL: A Buying Opportunity?

At present, PL carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Planet Labs’ sharp share-price decline appears to offer a favorable entry point given its strong revenue growth, sizable backlog and expanding opportunities across defense. Its solid liquidity position provides room to fund expansion, while execution risks and elevated valuation remain key considerations.

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can Dominion Energy Leverage Data-Center Demand for Long-Term Growth?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:23:00 GMT Dominion Energy D is positioned to benefit from rising electricity demand driven by the expansion of data centers in Virginia. Data-center growth is contributing to higher electricity sales and peak demand across Dominion’s service territory.

Dominion Energy Virginia had approximately 53.8 gigawatts (GW) of contracted data-center capacity as of July 2026, up about 5.3 GW or 11% from December 2025. The total included 12 GW under electric service agreements (ESAs), 9.4 GW under construction letters of authorization and 32.4 GW under substation engineering letters of authorization. Dominion also noted that data-center customers continue to view Virginia’s network density, connectivity and established ecosystem as key advantages. The company retained its 5-7% long-term operating earnings growth outlook through 2030.

The company is expanding its infrastructure to accommodate rising electricity demand and plans to invest $65 billion through 2030. Its large-load contracting framework also includes mechanisms to recover infrastructure costs from data-center customers, helping reduce the risk of stranded costs and cost shifts to existing customers. Dominion and Santee Cooper received regulatory approval to jointly develop the 2,200-megawatt Canadys Station natural gas-fired combined-cycle facility in South Carolina to support rising electricity demand.

Overall, Dominion’s expanding data-center pipeline, rising electricity demand and infrastructure investments can support rate-base expansion, revenue growth and long-term earnings potential.

Rising Data-Center Demand Drives Utility Growth

Rising data center demand is increasing electricity consumption, creating opportunities for utilities to expand infrastructure and regulated investments. This can support electricity sales, rate-base growth and stronger long-term earnings prospects.

FirstEnergy Corp. FE is capitalizing on rising data-center power demand, as its contracted and pipeline load increased to 24.8 GWs, marking about 30% growth from the first quarter.

PPL Corporation PPL benefits from rising data-center demand across Pennsylvania and Kentucky, with nearly 31.8 GW of potential large-load demand in Pennsylvania, including nearly 11 GW under signed ESAs.

The Zacks Rundown on D

D’s Earnings Estimates

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings per share indicates a year-over-year increase of 4.97% and 6.21%, respectively.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Debt to Capital

D's debt-to-capital ratio currently stands at 61.38%, lower than the  Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry’s 62.33%.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

D’s Stock Price Performance

In the past six months, the company’s shares have plunged 2.7% compared with the industry’s 13.9% decline.

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D’s Zacks Rank

Dominion currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

 

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can MQ-4C Triton Demand Boost Northrop Grumman's Growth?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:22:00 GMT Northrop Grumman NOC continues to benefit from rising demand for unmanned aircraft systems as the U.S. Navy and its allies expand their intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. The company recently received a $66 million delivery order for engineering retrofits, materials and spares for fielded MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft systems.

The award covers 17 engineering change proposals for the U.S. Navy and 16 for the Royal Australian Air Force. The work is designed to improve fleet standardization and mission readiness and is expected to be completed by June 2030. The program also highlights growing international cooperation around advanced unmanned aircraft.

The MQ-4C Triton is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft designed to provide persistent maritime surveillance and intelligence. Its ability to operate for extended periods helps the Navy monitor large areas and support missions that require continuous situational awareness.

The contract also demonstrates the recurring opportunities available through the sustainment and modernization of deployed unmanned systems. Engineering changes, upgrades and spares can generate continued demand as the Triton fleet expands and evolves to meet changing mission requirements.

Northrop Grumman’s established position in the Triton program, combined with increasing interest in unmanned systems among the United States and its allies, could support long-term growth. Continued investment in autonomous aircraft and persistent surveillance capabilities should provide additional opportunities across the company’s unmanned systems portfolio.

Defense Stocks to Keep on the Radar

Growing demand for unmanned aircraft and persistent surveillance capabilities could also benefit other defense companies with established autonomous systems portfolios.

AeroVironment AVAV: AeroVironment develops unmanned aircraft and autonomous systems for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Its portfolio includes long-endurance platforms and advanced unmanned systems designed for defense and security applications.

Kratos Defense KTOS: Kratos develops unmanned aerial systems and autonomous technologies for defense applications. Its portfolio includes high-performance unmanned aircraft designed to support surveillance, testing and advanced combat missions.

The Zacks Rundown for NOC

Shares of NOC have lost 13.2% in the past three months compared with the industry’s 14.7% decline.

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The company's shares are trading at a discount on a relative basis, with its forward 12-month Price/Sales being 1.46X compared with its industry’s average of 2.12X.

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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NOC’s 2026 and 2027 earnings has remained the same over the past 60 days.

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NOC stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can Rising AI Demand Drive Growth for ASML's Advanced Technologies?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:22:00 GMT ASML Holding N.V. ASML plays a key role in the artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem by providing advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment needed to produce the chips that power modern AI applications. Its technology supports the production of powerful processors used across data centers and other computing environments.

ASML specializes in lithography systems, which are essential for manufacturing sophisticated microchips. Its extreme ultraviolet (EUV) technology enables chipmakers to create some of the most advanced semiconductor features used in advanced computing and AI. The company’s latest EUV developments are designed to support the production of next-generation chips with greater precision and efficiency.

The company is also incorporating AI into its own operations and technology to improve lithography precision, accelerate research and development, enhance defect detection and support smarter diagnostics. In addition, ASML’s expanded collaboration with Samsung on High-NA EUV technology highlights its efforts to advance semiconductor manufacturing for the AI era.

According to Grand View Research, the global AI market is projected to reach $3,497.3 billion by 2033, witnessing a CAGR of 30.6% from 2026 to 2033. The rapid expansion of the sector is expected to drive investment throughout the semiconductor supply chain, creating opportunities for ASML as a supplier of critical manufacturing technologies.

How Are Other Semiconductor Companies Advancing in AI?

ASML faces competition from Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. AEIS and Applied Materials, Inc. AMAT. Advanced Energy Industries is expanding its AI exposure by developing power solutions that help data centers manage growing electricity requirements. Its technologies focus on improving power efficiency and reliability as AI workloads become more energy-intensive. Advanced Energy Industries is introducing new products to address the evolving power needs of AI infrastructure.

Applied Materials is supporting AI growth through semiconductor equipment used to manufacture advanced chips and memory. Its work in packaging, deposition and materials engineering helps chipmakers improve chip performance and computing capabilities. Applied Materials is collaborating with industry partners to develop technologies for next-generation semiconductor and memory applications.

ASML’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

ASML shares have rallied 85.6% over the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 84.5%.

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From a valuation standpoint, ASML trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 12.36, above the industry tally of 11.46.

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Earnings estimates for 2026 have decreased 2.1% to $43.86 over the past 60 days, while the same for 2027 have decreased 1.4% to $58.27.

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ASML currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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]]> <![CDATA[AbbVie's Epcoritamab Combo Shows PFS Benefit in Frontline DLBCL]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:22:00 GMT AbbVie ABBV, along with Genmab GMAB, announced positive top-line data from the phase III EPCORE DLBCL-2 study, which evaluated epcoritamab in combination with standard-of-care rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) in patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), with an International Prognostic Index (IPI) score of two to five.

Year to date, shares of AbbVie have rallied 19.1% compared with the industry’s increase of 11.4%.

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What Did ABBV’s EPCORE DLBCL-2 Study Results Show?

The open-label, multicenter, randomized EPCORE DLBCL-2 study evaluated the efficacy of fixed treatment duration,epcoritamab, a T-cell engaging bispecific antibody administered subcutaneously, in combination with R-CHOP versus R-CHOP alone in the given patient population.

The study met its primary endpoint, wherein treatment with epcoritamab plus R-CHOP demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) compared with R-CHOP alone. The combo of epcoritamab + R-CHOP reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 51%.

Per the company, this is the first phase III study of a bispecific antibody combination therapy to demonstrate statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS in frontline DLBCL.

The results were based on the first planned efficacy interim analysis. Following the significant benefit observed, the Independent Data Monitoring Committee recommended unblinding the study.

The safety profile of epcoritamab in combination with R-CHOP was generally well tolerated and similar to previously reported safety profiles of the individual treatments.

AbbVie and Genmab plan to engage with global regulatory bodies to determine the next steps of development for the investigational combination of epcoritamab plus R-CHOP.

More on ABBV’s Epcoritamab Development Program

AbbVie currently markets epcoritamab under the brand name Epkinly in the United States and Japan, and as Tepkinly in the European Union.

Epkinly/Tepkinly is already approved as monotherapy for adults with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (R/R FL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy.

In July 2026, the EC approved Tepkinly in combination with rituximab and lenalidomide (Tepkinly+R2) for adult patients with R/R FL after at least one line of systemic therapy.

The FDA approved Epkinly in combination with rituximab and lenalidomide for a similar indication in the United States in November 2025.

AbbVie has partnered with Denmark-based Genmab to jointly develop epcoritamab under the companies' oncology collaboration agreement. While both companies share commercialization rights in the United States and Japan, AbbVie is responsible for commercialization in other global markets.

AbbVie and Genmab continue to advance their global development and regulatory expansion while evaluating the therapy as a monotherapy and in combination regimens across multiple hematologic malignancies through several late-stage clinical studies.

ABBV’s Zacks Rank & Stock to Consider

AbbVie currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

A better-ranked stock in the large-cap pharma sector is Pfizer PFE, currently holding a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Over the past 60 days, estimates for Pfizer’s 2026 earnings per share have risen from $2.95 to $2.98, while estimates for 2027 have increased from $2.85 to $2.95 during the same time. PFE’s shares have surged 15.8% year to date.

Pfizer’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 16.62%.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[SharkNinja Taps AI to Sharpen Consumer Insights & Drive Innovation]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:21:00 GMT SharkNinja, Inc. SN is expanding its use of Artificial Intelligence across consumer research, product development and marketing. Through its Jailbreak SharkNinja initiative, employees develop tools to address business challenges. Management aims to turn deeper consumer understanding into faster innovation, stronger product decisions and more effective marketing across established franchises and emerging categories.

The initiative is progressing alongside strong business momentum. Second-quarter 2026 sales increased 22.2% year over year to $1.77 billion, while adjusted earnings per share rose 29.9% to $1.26. Domestic and international sales grew 15.5% and 36.6%, respectively. Research and development spending increased 22.3% to $109.3 million, supporting product development and expansion.

AI is broadening SharkNinja’s visibility into consumer conversations beyond branded hashtags, which appear in fewer than 20% of user content. These insights increasingly guide marketing and product development. The technology is also shortening early design work that previously took months, supporting core categories that receive roughly 20 of the company’s 25 annual product launches.

Execution centers on eight major AI projects and 20 smaller initiatives, with leadership reviewing progress every two weeks. Early results from Palantir’s promotions optimization work prompted a second phase. On its second-quarter earnings call, management expected fourth-quarter benefits from this partnership and initial gains from an Amazon Web Services media optimization system, with broader scaling in 2027.

SharkNinja raised its 2026 sales growth outlook to 16-17% from 11.5-12.5%. Management expects AI’s influence on product innovation and consumer insights to become more visible in 2027. It also sees opportunities to grow with roughly flat headcount, allowing resources to support further expansion while faster development and better consumer intelligence strengthen the product pipeline.

SN’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

Shares of SharkNinja have jumped 75.4% over the past six months against the industry’s 0.3% decline.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, SN trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 3.16, above the industry’s average of 3.03. 

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SharkNinja’s fiscal 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 23.9%, while the same for fiscal 2027 indicates an uptick of 15.6%. Estimates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 have been revised upward by 38 cents and 45 cents, respectively, over the past 60 days.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

SharkNinja currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Other Key Picks

Lifetime Brands LCUT is a leading designer, marketer and distributor of kitchenware, cutlery & cutting boards, bakeware & cookware, pantryware & spices, tabletop and bath accessories. It currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Lifetime Brands’ current financial-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 4.4% and 156.8%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figures. LCUT delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 271.1%, on average. 

Alliance Laundry Holdings Inc. ALH is a provider of commercial laundry systems. It currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Alliance Laundry’s current financial-year earnings and sales suggests growth of 31.4% and 6.3%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. ALH delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 19.7%.

G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. GIII designs, sources, distributes and markets a broad range of apparel and accessories under owned, licensed and private-label brands. The company also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for G-III Apparel’s current financial-year earnings and sales indicates decline of 13.8% and 8.4%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. GIII delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 1.4%.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Applied Digital to Post Q1 Earnings: Is It Time to Hold or Fold?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:20:00 GMT Applied Digital APLD is scheduled to report first-quarter fiscal 2027 results after the market closes on Oct. 7, 2026.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal first-quarter revenues is pegged at $134.10 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 108.81%.

The consensus mark for loss for the quarter is pegged at 26 cents per share, unchanged over the past 30 days. This also marks a sharp decline from the year-ago quarter's loss of 11 cents.

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The company’s earnings fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and matched once, averaging a negative surprise of 99.72%.

Applied Digital Corporation Price and EPS Surprise

Applied Digital Corporation Price and EPS Surprise

Applied Digital Corporation price-eps-surprise | Applied Digital Corporation Quote

Q1 Earnings Whispers for APLD Stock

Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Applied Digital this time around. According to the Zacks model, 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. However, this is not the case here, as you can see below.

APLD has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% at present and a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Factors Shaping APLD’s Upcoming Results

Applied Digital entered fiscal 2027 with substantial financing commitments to fund its rapid AI data-center expansion program. As of May 31, 2026, the company’s term loans carried a 7.1% weighted-average interest rate, while fiscal 2026 interest expense was $85.3 million and net interest expense was $29.5 million. APLD also completed a $2.15 billion offering of 6.75% senior secured notes and, in June 2026, a $1.59 billion offering of 7% senior secured notes to fund data-center projects. While these financings support capacity expansion, the higher debt burden is expected to increase interest costs, while the resulting project assets will add depreciation as facilities become operational. Consequently, APLD is anticipated to have experienced greater earnings and cash-flow pressure in the quarter under review.

Applied Digital’s AI Factory expansion requires substantial capital before the related facilities can generate the full amount of projected lease revenues. Fiscal 2026 capital expenditures totaled approximately $3.04 billion, including $2.99 billion for HPC Hosting. Construction delays, financing availability, higher costs, parts and labor shortages, permitting issues and power-related constraints could increase expenses or delay project completion. This risk remains relevant as several campuses are still under construction. As a result, APLD is likely to have faced elevated development spending and execution-related pressure in fiscal first quarter 2027, potentially limiting near-term margin expansion despite its substantial contracted lease pipeline.

Applied Digital remained highly dependent on a limited number of customers in fiscal 2026. Customer A accounted for 59% of total revenues, while Customer B and Customer C represented 25% and 12%, respectively. The company’s significant customer concentration could cause operating results to suffer materially if a large customer were lost or its financial condition deteriorated. At the same time, APLD’s HPC leases are generally long-term, take-or-pay and non-cancellable, which provides important protection against near-term revenue loss. Nevertheless, the concentration leaves APLD exposed to the financial condition and business decisions of a small customer base, making customer concentration a potential source of uncertainty for first-quarter fiscal 2027 revenues and cash flow.

However, robust AI infrastructure demand should strengthen growth visibility. Applied Digital is developing five multibillion-dollar AI Factory campuses for hyperscalers and CoreWeave, with approximately 1.4 GW of contracted capacity under construction. The company was also marketing an additional 1.7 GW across multiple states, highlighting continued demand for its AI infrastructure. Management characterized demand for high-power-density, purpose-built AI data centers as extremely robust. With substantial contracted capacity progressing toward delivery, APLD is likely to have benefited from strong AI infrastructure demand and improved growth visibility in the quarter to be reported.

APLD’s Stock Price Performance & Valuation

Over the past three months, Applied Digital stock has declined 19.6%, significantly underperforming the Zacks Financial-Miscellaneous Services industry and the broader Zacks Finance sector, which fell 4.1% and 2.7%, respectively, over the same period.

The stock has also lagged its peers, including Circle Internet Group CRCL, Virtu Financial VIRT and SoFi Technologies SOFI. During the same period, Circle Internet Group gained 27.8%, while Virtu Financial and SoFi Technologies lost 0.6% and 10.3%, respectively. Applied Digital’s three-month decline reflects concerns over high spending, rising debt and delayed revenue growth. Heavy AI data-center investments and higher interest costs are weighing on finances, while several contracted projects are still under construction. In addition, fiscal 2026 benefited from significant tenant fit-out revenues, which may not continue at the same pace.

APLD 3-Month Stock Performance Chart

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation perspective, APLD appears overvalued, as suggested by the Value Score of F. The stock trades at a trailing 12-month P/S ratio of 11.54X, far above the industry average of 2.46X, suggesting that investors are paying a significant premium for its growth prospects. Its valuation also looks stretched compared with peers, including Circle Internet Group at 7.7X, SoFi Technologies at 3.86X and Virtu Financial at just 1.35X.

APLD Trailing 12-Month P/S Ratio

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Key Considerations on APLD Stock

Applied Digital faces several challenges as it enters first-quarter fiscal 2027. The company remains in a loss-making position while its AI data-center expansion requires significant ongoing investment, creating continued funding and execution pressure. Its reliance on a limited customer base also increases revenue concentration risk. At the same time, delays, higher construction costs, permitting issues or other project-related challenges could postpone the realization of contracted revenues. Competition from larger, better-capitalized data-center operators adds another layer of pressure. Together, these factors could limit near-term profitability and make APLD’s growth strategy more capital-intensive and execution-sensitive.

Conclusion

Ahead of the release of APLD's first-quarter fiscal 2027 results, the decision to exit the position — or ‘fold’ — appears more logical than holding the shares. Despite strong AI infrastructure demand, APLD faces high valuation, rising financing costs, customer concentration and execution risks. Investors may want to wait for improved operating performance before considering the stock.

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Are Options Traders Betting on a Big Move in Brilliant Earth Stock?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:20:00 GMT Investors in Brilliant Earth Group, Inc. BRLT need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Jan. 15, 2027 $47.5 Put had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.

What is Implied Volatility?

Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.

What do the Analysts Think?

Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for Brilliant Earth shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, Brilliant Earth is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) in the Retail – Jewelry industry that ranks in the Top 13% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 60 days, our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter moved from 2 cents per share to 3 cents in that period.

Given the way analysts feel about Brilliant Earth right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Tesla vs. Waymo: A Face-Off Between the Two Robotaxi Giants]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:19:00 GMT The robotaxi industry has moved from an experimental concept toward a potentially massive transportation market. Goldman Sachs Research estimates that the global robotaxi market could reach roughly $415 billion by 2035, with the United States accounting for about $48 billion. That opportunity has put two names at the center of the race— Tesla TSLA and Alphabet’s GOOGL Waymo.

Both are pursuing autonomous mobility, but their strategies are fundamentally different. Waymo has built an early lead through real-world deployments, while Tesla is betting that a simpler technology stack and its manufacturing scale can eventually change the economics of the business.

While Alphabet carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), Tesla holds a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) currently.

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Waymo Has the Early Lead

Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary, currently has the clearest advantage when it comes to commercial robotaxi operations. The company has expanded to 15 major U.S. cities and now provides more than 500,000 fully autonomous paid rides each week.

That scale matters for more than just revenues. Every additional ride gives Waymo more opportunity to familiarize consumers with driverless transportation and build confidence in the technology. Waymo is not just expanding its network, it is helping create the market Tesla eventually wants to compete in.

Waymo’s lead, however, comes with a substantial cost. The company continues to invest heavily in technology and geographic expansion and remains unprofitable. Its capital-intensive model means that scaling the business requires significant investment.

Tesla Is Taking a Different Route

Tesla entered the commercial robotaxi race later, launching its service in Austin in June 2025. The company has since expanded robotaxi operations to seven U.S. metros (per the second-quarter earnings report), with unsupervised driving being rolled out in cities including Austin, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Orlando and Tampa.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Tesla has accumulated roughly 380,000 driverless miles, as highlighted in its second-quarter 2026 earnings release.

Its bigger bet, however, is the Cybercab. Tesla rolled out the much-awaited Cybercab last month. The purpose-built, two-seat robotaxi eliminates the steering wheel and pedals and is designed specifically for autonomous operation.

For now, Cybercab rides are limited to Austin, though the vehicles have been spotted undergoing testing across several U.S. states and regions. Tesla has indicated plans to expand Cybercab deployments to additional U.S. cities in the coming months. Tesla's authorized Cybercab fleet in Texas has nearly quadrupled since launch, climbing from 45 vehicles to 169, according to Texas Department of Motor Vehicles’ records, as cited in CNBC.

Tesla has also taken a minimalist approach to hardware. The Cybercab relies on cameras and Tesla’s AI computing rather than the radar, LiDAR, and high-definition mapping systems commonly associated with autonomous vehicles. Dropping expensive sensors saves thousands of dollars per vehicle. That could become Tesla’s biggest competitive advantage.

The Real Battle May Be About Economics

Waymo’s technology has demonstrated that autonomous rides can work commercially today. Tesla is trying to prove that robotaxis can eventually be produced and operated at enormous scale and at a much lower cost.

Tesla already has extensive vehicle manufacturing capabilities. If its autonomous software reaches the required level of reliability, Tesla could potentially produce large numbers of Cybercabs without the hardware costs associated with more sensor-heavy approaches.

Tesla also believes its vision-based system can eventually operate across a much broader range of roads rather than being restricted to tightly mapped operating zones. If that vision becomes reality, the company could have a powerful scaling advantage.

The Regulatory Roadblock

Regulators may ultimately decide the pace of this race. Texas, where Tesla runs driverless service, is considered relatively permissive. California is different. While Waymo already operates commercially there, Tesla has applied for a permit but not yet received one.

Federal regulators are also looking closely at the Cybercab. As it has no human controls, the usual process of self-certifying that a vehicle meets safety standards is under audit. Europe and China could be harder still, since neither allows self-certification.

Final Thoughts

For now, Waymo is clearly ahead, with more rides, broader commercial coverage and a meaningful first-mover advantage. Tesla’s potential edge lies in lower cost, manufacturing scale and a system designed for much broader deployment. But it still has to prove that its camera-only approach can deliver reliable autonomy at scale.

The race is far from over. Waymo will likely deepen its lead, while Tesla could close the gap if its technology delivers. In a market this large, both can thrive, and the real winners may be riders who end up with more choices.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[MSFT Rises 41% in 6 Months on Solid AI Demand: Should You Hold Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:19:00 GMT Microsoft MSFT shares have surged 41.1% in the past six-month period compared with the Zacks Computer – Software industry and Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s appreciation of 29.1% and 30.7%, respectively, fueled by solid demand for Azure cloud services and AI solutions.

The rally has been supported by strong fundamentals rather than sentiment, as Microsoft's cloud franchise continues to scale and its AI offerings gain traction across enterprises. However, heavy capital spending and pressure on the consumer business remain overhangs. For investors, the key question is whether Microsoft's growth drivers justify holding the stock at current levels or warrant waiting for a more attractive entry point.

MSFT's YTD Price Performance

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Azure and AI Demand Strengthen MSFT's Fundamentals

Microsoft's fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results underscored the strength of its cloud and AI franchise. Revenues rose 18% year over year to $90 billion, while Microsoft Cloud revenues jumped 27% to $59.3 billion. Azure and other cloud services revenues grew 43%, with Azure's annual revenues surpassing the $100 billion mark for the first time. Commercial remaining performance obligation soared 84% to $678 billion, providing strong multi-year revenue visibility. Microsoft 365 Copilot crossed 30 million paid seats, while Microsoft Foundry served 100,000 customers and Fabric's paid customer base topped 40,000, up 60% year over year. For fiscal 2026, revenues increased 18% to $331.8 billion, while operating income climbed 21% to $155.2 billion. On the flip side, More Personal Computing revenues declined 4%, dragged down by weakness in Windows OEM and devices as well as Xbox content and services.

Recent Azure and AI Developments Expand MSFT's Reach

Microsoft's recent announcements reinforce its AI platform leadership. In September 2026, Microsoft brought OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra, Sol and Luna to Microsoft Foundry for production agents, available across 28 global regions, and added Anthropic's Claude Opus 5.5 to Foundry for long-running coding and knowledge work. The company also unveiled a new Copilot with Home, Code and Autopilot capabilities, announced general availability of SQL Server on Azure Local and introduced data innovations at FabCon and SQLCon 2026. In October 2026, Microsoft AI released new speech models offering faster transcription and multilingual voices. Starting fiscal 2027, Microsoft will report two segments, Agents and Infra and Devices and Consumer, and disclose Azure revenues separately, which came in at $101.9 billion in fiscal 2026.

MSFT's Guidance Balances Growth With Heavy Spending

For the first quarter of fiscal 2027, Microsoft expects revenues between $89.85 billion and $90.95 billion, indicating 16-17% growth. Agents and Infra revenues are projected between $75.15 billion and $75.75 billion, while Devices and Consumer revenues are expected between $14.7 billion and $15.2 billion. Azure revenues are anticipated to grow 44-45% at constant currency. Operating expenses are projected between $16.8 billion and $16.9 billion. However, investment intensity remains elevated. Capital expenditures were $41 billion in the fiscal fourth quarter, with roughly two-thirds directed toward short-lived assets like CPUs and GPUs. Microsoft expects first-quarter capex to exceed $50 billion and fiscal 2027 capex of roughly $175 billion. Demand continues to exceed available supply, and full-year operating margins are expected to decline by less than one percentage point, reflecting the cost of the AI buildout.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MSFT's fiscal 2027 earnings is pegged at $19.65 per share. The estimate indicates 9.47% year-over-year growth.

Microsoft Corporation Price and Consensus

Microsoft Corporation Price and Consensus

Microsoft Corporation price-consensus-chart | Microsoft Corporation Quote

MSFT's Valuation and Competitive Landscape

Microsoft operates in a fiercely competitive cloud market where scale, AI capacity and pricing determine market share. Amazon AMZN remains the largest infrastructure rival through Amazon Web Services, while Amazon continues to invest heavily in custom chips and AI capacity. Alphabet GOOGL-owned Google is gaining traction as Google Cloud bundles its Gemini models with data analytics, while Google's in-house tensor processing units offer a cost advantage in AI training and inference. Oracle ORCL has emerged as an aggressive challenger, with Oracle securing large multi-year AI infrastructure contracts and Oracle expanding its database partnerships across rival clouds. Microsoft's edge lies in pairing Azure with Microsoft 365, Copilot, Dynamics 365 and GitHub, creating cross-selling opportunities that pure-play infrastructure providers struggle to replicate. Its $678 billion commercial backlog highlights this advantage.

However, sustaining a premium valuation requires Microsoft to convert record capex into durable returns faster than these rivals amid intensifying price competition across AI workloads. MSFT stock is trading at a forward 12-month price/sales ratio of 9.53X, higher than the industry's 6.32X. MSFT has a Value Score of D. The premium seems justified by Microsoft's robust backlog, but new investors may prefer waiting for a better entry point.

MSFT's Valuation

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Conclusion

Microsoft's accelerating Azure growth, expanding Copilot adoption and massive commercial backlog support its long-term growth prospects. However, soaring capex, margin pressure, consumer business weakness and a stretched valuation limit near-term upside. Existing investors should hold the stock to benefit from AI-led growth, while new investors may wait for a better entry point. Microsoft currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Generac Surges 58% Year to Date: Is There More Room to Run?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:18:00 GMT Generac Holdings (GNRC has been one of the stronger industrial performers in 2026, with shares surging about 57.8% year to date. The rally reflects growing investor enthusiasm around the company’s growing exposure to the data center vertical.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The company’s Commercial & Industrial (C&I) business is accelerating rapidly. It now has a sizeable data center backlog and is investing in large-megawatt generator capacity.

More importantly, the investment story got a boost when Generac disclosed a long-term supply agreement with Amazon AMZN for backup generators supporting its data centers last month.

Generac Holdings Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Generac Holdings Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Generac Holdings Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Generac Holdings Inc. Quote

This tie-up can be considered a validation of Generac’s emerging position in the data center power infrastructure space. However, following the stock’s substantial year-to-date gain, investors need to weigh execution risks, residential-market softness and the potential margin implications of Generac’s rapidly changing business mix.

Let’s discuss the company’s growth factors that contributed to the share price gain and the risks it faces to assess investment prospects and make an informed decision.

Data Center Emerges as a Major Tailwind for GNRC

C&I revenues totaled $556 million in the second quarter of 2026, up 29% year over year, driven by data center demand, mobile product strength and international growth.

Management expects data centers to remain a significant long-term growth opportunity amid accelerating infrastructure investments and AI adoption. Generac generated more than $100 million of data center revenues in the second quarter and secured two multi-year hyperscale supply agreements.

On the last earnings call, Generac noted that the data center backlog reached $1.6 billion as of July 2026, including roughly $1 billion of new orders received in the prior 90 days, but excluding any committed volumes from the second hyperscale customer. Management also raised its 2026 data center revenue expectation to roughly $450 million, underscoring the rapid scaling of this business.

Since then, Generac finalized a long-term supply agreement with Amazon. It will supply backup power generators for Amazon data centers, with initial deliveries expected to total $2.4 billion across 2027 and 2028. Generac also issued Amazon.com NV Investment Holdings LLC a warrant to acquire up to 1,693,745 shares of its common stock at an exercise price of $200.9266 per share. Amazon.com NV Investment Holdings LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Amazon.

Of the total warrant shares, 307,954 vested immediately. Generac added that the remaining warrant shares will vest in tranches contingent upon aggregate gross payments, net of certain offsets, received by Generac and its affiliates from or on behalf of Amazon and the affiliates for backup power generators, extending up to a total of $8 billion of qualifying payments.

The Amazon agreement adds considerable scale and visibility to a data center business that is fast emerging as Generac’s key growth engine. 

Generac Holdings Inc. Revenue (Quarterly)

Generac Holdings Inc. Revenue (Quarterly)

Generac Holdings Inc. revenue-quarterly | Generac Holdings Inc. Quote

Management expects (as announced on the last earnings call) C&I segment net sales to increase in the low 30% range in 2026, up from the prior mid-to-high 20% outlook. Continued demand from data centers, mobile equipment and C&I energy storage systems supports a broader growth profile beyond a single end market.

Generac’s opportunity appears large, but successfully converting demand into revenues depend heavily on production capacity. The company is ramping production at existing domestic and international facilities and accelerating the outfitting of its Sussex, WI, facility.  On the second-quarter earnings call, management said production at Sussex was expected to begin by the end of the third quarter, roughly a quarter ahead of its prior schedule. Management also acquired the Belvidere, IL, packaging facility. The Enercon buyout (completed earlier this year) is expected to boost Generac’s vertical integration and support margin expansion for megawatt backup power offerings.

However, data center market expansion brings its own set of concerns. With increasing reliance on this end market, Generac is exposed to cyclical capital spending cycles in AI and data centers. Any delays in manufacturing capacity expansion can also weigh on growth targets. Generac also needs to watch out for increasing competition in the data center space.

Cummins CMI is also rapidly expanding its data center footprint and is developing a 130-liter natural gas genset for prime power and supplying Circe Energy with QSK60 and HSK78 generators with microgrid technology for a prime power solution supporting a high-performance computing data center in Texas. In August, Cummins secured its largest battery energy-storage deployment to date for a major U.S. data-center project.

Meanwhile, Caterpillar’s CAT second quarter 2026 Power & Energy sales reached $8.2 billion, up 17% year over year. Sales to users grew 33% in the Power & Energy segment. Within Power generation, sales to users grew 72%, supported by strong demand for large gensets and turbines used in data center applications.

Residential Business Remains an Important Counterbalance

While the data center opportunity is driving investor excitement, Generac’s residential business still represents a major part of it.

In the second quarter, revenues from Residential were down 2% year over year to $621.3 million. Lower energy storage system and portable generator shipments drove the decline, largely offset by higher home standby generator sales. Portable generator sales declined due to low outage activity.

Residential energy-storage sales in 2025 was largely driven by Puerto Rico’s energy grant-related program. However, with the completion of the program, energy storage systems remain pressured. The residential solar and storage market also remains challenging due to policy and macro headwinds. Management reduced its 2026 Residential growth outlook to high single-digit growth from roughly 10%, citing the low outage environment, affordability concerns and a small divestiture.

While residential growth remains uneven, the segment has durable long-term drivers. Strength in residential energy technology products is a key catalyst. Connected home count surpassed 5.25 million residences in the second quarter, with increased energy services and subscription sales. With the integration of PWRcell 2, PWR microinverter and next-gen standby generators with ecobee, Generac aims to create a differentiated residential energy ecosystem.   

Margins Require Some Perspective

Gross margins improved sharply in the second quarter, but the underlying margin profile remains sensitive to mix and tariffs. Consolidated gross margin reached 44.5% from 39.3%. Tariff refunds added roughly 6% to gross margin. Favorable pricing partly offset unfavorable sales mix and higher input costs. Excluding tariff refunds, management expects 2026 gross margin near the low end of the prior 38.5% to 39.5% range due to higher C&I mix. C&I products generally carry lower margins than residential offerings.

GNRC’s Valuation

GNRC’s shares are trading at a forward price/earnings multiple of 18.82X, marginally lower than the Manufacturing-General Industrial industry’s ratio of 20.39X.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The modest discount offers some valuation support, but execution risks and margin headwinds temper the case for fresh buying following the stock’s sharp rally.

In comparison, Cummins and Caterpillar trade at a forward PE multiple of 15.48X and 26.78X, respectively.

GNRC: What Should Investors Do?

At present, GNRC carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Expanding data center backlog and the Amazon agreement strengthen its long-term growth prospects and provide greater revenue visibility. 
However, residential softness, capacity-expansion risks and mix-related margin pressure warrant a measured approach after the stock’s sharp year-to-date surge.

Existing investors may remain invested, while new buyers could wait for a more favorable entry point.

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Allegion Buys Overly Door, Strengthens Product Offerings]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:18:00 GMT Allegion plc ALLE recently completed the acquisition of custom specialty doors provider — Overly Door Company. The financial terms of the transaction have been kept under wraps.

Allegion’s shares inched down 0.4% yesterday to close the trading session at $153.67.

Headquartered in Greensburg, PA, Overly specializes in manufacturing custom and pre-engineered specialty doors and windows for acoustic, bullet-resistant, blast, vault security and radiation shielding purposes. The company’s solutions are used by a strong customer base across commercial and institutional sectors.

Acquisition Rationale

The latest buyout is in sync with Allegion’s policy of acquiring businesses to expand its market share and customer base. The inclusion of Overly’s expertise in high-security door products, coupled with its strong innovation capabilities, will enable Allegion to boost its hollow metal doors and frames portfolio. It will also help ALLE expand its presence across government, healthcare and education markets.

Overly will be incorporated into Allegion’s Americas segment and will be headed by its senior vice president, Dave Ilardi.

Acquisitions are an essential aspect of Allegion's growth strategy. In March 2026, ALLE acquired DCI Hollow Metal through one of its subsidiaries. The acquisition strengthened its core mechanical portfolio and the business has been incorporated into the Americas segment. 

Also, in August 2025, the company acquired Brisant and UAP Group Limited. The addition of Brisant’s residential security solutions portfolio enabled ALLE to boost its presence in the U.K. residential market while complementing its non-residential portfolio. The addition of UAP’s comprehensive portfolio of door hardware, backed by about 200 patents, trademarks and registered designs, strengthened Allegion’s presence in the UK.

Zacks Rank, Price Performance and Estimate Revisions

Allegion, with approximately $13.1 billion market capitalization, currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). The company is benefiting from stable demand for residential and non-residential products across healthcare, government, hospitality and retail markets. Rising adoption of electronic security solutions also bodes well. However, soft demand across the mechanical market is a concern.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

In the past six months, the company’s shares have gained 10.2% against the industry’s decline of 2.1%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its earnings is pegged at $8.93 per share for 2026, suggesting an increase of 0.7% from the 60-day-ago figure.

Key Picks

Some better-ranked stocks from the same space are presented below.

Alarm.com Holdings, Inc. ALRM presently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The company delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 14.6%. In the past 60 days, the consensus estimate for ALRM’s 2026 earnings has increased 3.9%.

Helios Technologies HLIO currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1. HLIO delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 13.1%.

In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Helios Technologies’ 2026 earnings has increased 10%.

Crane Company CR presently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). It has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 10.4%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CR’s 2026 earnings has increased 1.2% in the past 60 days.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Intelligent ETF (GPT) Touches New 52-Week High ]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:17:00 GMT Intelligent Alpha Atlas ETF GPT is probably on the radar for investors seeking momentum. The fund just hit a 52-week high and has jumped 22.6% from its 52-week low price of $28.91 per share. 

Are more gains in store for this ETF? Let us take a quick look at the fund and the near-term outlook to get a better idea of where it might head.

GPT in Focus

This is an active fund that seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation and uses artificial intelligence to build a global equity portfolio. The product charges 69 basis points in annual fees (You can see all Style-Box Large-Cap ETFs here).

Why the Move?

The Intelligent Alpha Atlas ETF recently touched a new 52-week high, powered by surging momentum across top-weighted tech holdings like Micron Technology and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. As an actively managed fund leveraging artificial intelligence for asset selection, its climb reflects strong sector tailwinds as semiconductor and hardware giants capitalize on heavy enterprise demand for AI infrastructure, alongside resilient macroeconomic conditions and sustained investor confidence in tech-driven growth strategies.

More Gains Ahead?

GPT might continue its strong performance in the near term, with a positive weighted alpha of 21.18 (per Barchart.com), which hints at a rally.

Boost Your Portfolio with Our Top ETF Insights

Zacks' exclusive Fund Newsletter delivers actionable information, top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, straight to your inbox every week.

Don’t miss out on this valuable resource. It’s free!

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Here's Why You Should Add Merit Medical Stock to Your Portfolio Now]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:17:00 GMT Merit Medical Systems, Inc. MMSI is well-poised for growth in the coming quarters, courtesy of its strong product portfolio. The optimism, led by solid product performance, global expansion and strategic M&A, is expected to contribute further. However, tariffs and trade policy headwinds and China macro pressure persist.

This Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company’s shares have lost 1.2% in the year-to-date period against the industry’s 4.7% growth and the S&P 500’s 13.1% rise.

The renowned medical device provider has a market capitalization of $5.10 billion. The company projects 10.4% growth for the next five years and expects to maintain its strong performance going forward. It delivered an average earnings surprise of 14.1% for the past four quarters.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Let’s delve deeper.

MMSI’s Growth Drivers

Broadening Product Portfolio: Merit Medical is strengthening growth prospects through a diversified portfolio spanning cardiology, radiology, oncology, endoscopy, critical care and renal therapies. Recent launches such as the Resilience Through-the-Scope Esophageal Stent and SCOUT MD, along with the acquisition of View Point Medical and integration of Biolife, are expanding its presence across high-value procedures. The company is also advancing C2 CryoBalloon production and developing new technologies, supporting a more balanced and innovative product mix.

WRAPSODY Adoption Opportunity: WRAPSODY Cell-Impermeable Endoprosthesis represents a significant longer-term opportunity in dialysis access management. Clinical data from the WAVE trial demonstrated durable patency benefits versus balloon angioplasty, supporting the device’s clinical proposition. Merit Medical is working to rebuild account activity following the recall and expand adoption across hospital and non-hospital settings. Continued physician engagement and positive feedback on the delivery system could gradually strengthen WRAPSODY’s contribution to renal therapies.

Innovation, Global Expansion and Strategic M&A: Merit Medical’s continued investment in R&D provides a pipeline for renewing and expanding its product franchises. Its development model incorporates physician feedback while management’s 2027-2029 strategic planning process is prioritizing attractive product opportunities and potential tuck-in acquisitions. The company’s international presence across Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and other markets provides additional avenues for commercialization. A focused M&A and capital-allocation strategy could further strengthen its exposure to high-growth procedures.

Key Challenges for MMSI Stock

Tariffs and Cost Pressure: Tariffs represent a significant challenge because they can raise manufacturing, sourcing and distribution costs. Management reportedly included approximately $16 million of tariff costs in its 2026 earnings outlook, creating a direct risk to profitability if trade restrictions intensify or cost increases cannot be passed on to customers. Tariff uncertainty can also make quarterly margins less predictable. Higher costs could offset benefits from favorable product mix, productivity initiatives or revenue growth.

Reimbursement, Pricing and International Weakness: The adoption of premium products such as WRAPSODY depends partly on reimbursement decisions and the timing of broader payer coverage. Delays could slow commercialization and reduce expected revenue growth. Merit Medical also faces pricing pressure from hospitals, group purchasing organizations and China’s volume-based procurement system. China pricing may remain difficult, and weaker OEM demand can make revenues more volatile. These pressures may limit margin expansion even if procedure volumes remain healthy, particularly in international and OEM businesses.

Merit Medical Systems, Inc. Price

Merit Medical Systems, Inc. Price

Merit Medical Systems, Inc. price | Merit Medical Systems, Inc. Quote

Estimate Trend

MMSI is witnessing a stable estimate revision trend for 2026. In the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share (EPS) has remained unchanged at $4.30.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s third-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $410.4 million, suggesting a 6.8% rise from the year-ago reported number. The consensus mark for EPS is pegged at $1.04, implying 13% growth from the prior-year reported figure.

Other Stocks to Consider

Some other top-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are OPKO Health OPK, Globus Medical GMED and West Pharmaceutical WST.

OPKO Health, currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), has an estimated earnings growth rate of 23.3% for 2026. The company’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 95.1%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

OPKO Health’s shares have gained 24.6% against the industry’s 4.9% decline in the year-to-date period.

Globus Medical, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2, has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 12.4%. The company’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 27.9%.

Globus Medical’s shares have lost 12.3% compared with the industry’s 4.9% decline in the year-to-date period.

West Pharmaceutical, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 16%. WST’s earnings surpassed estimates in the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 17.4%.

West Pharmaceutical’s shares have jumped 36.9% compared with the industry’s 4.7% growth in the year-to-date period.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can Sanmina's Specialized Industrial Solutions Drive Future Growth?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:16:00 GMT Sanmina Corporation SANM is a leading provider of integrated manufacturing solutions for complex and technologically advanced industrial products. The company combines engineering, precision machining, systems integration and supply chain capabilities to help original equipment manufacturers develop and produce reliable industrial systems.

Sanmina’s industrial portfolio includes industrial controls, semiconductor capital equipment, ATMs, kiosks, gaming systems, smart meters, test and measurement equipment, power distribution and management, elevators, transportation controls and electric vehicle charging systems. Its capabilities also extend to inverters and enclosures for renewable energy applications, supporting the growing demand for efficient industrial solutions.

The company provides end-to-end support covering product design, industrialization, manufacturing and supply chain management. Its manufacturing expertise includes printed circuit boards and assemblies, complex cable systems, precision-machined components, electronic enclosures and welded frames. This integrated approach helps customers simplify their supply chains and efficiently produce advanced equipment.

As industries increasingly invest in automation, electrification, advanced equipment and renewable energy, Sanmina is well positioned to benefit from rising demand across multiple industrial markets.

How Are Competitors Focusing on the Industrial Market?

Sanmina faces competition from Jabil, Inc. JBL and Celestica Inc. CLS. Jabil serves the industrial market with solutions for automation, robotics, energy, transportation and semiconductor equipment. Its work covers industrial controls, power systems and other specialized machinery. Jabil manages sourcing and production to help customers bring products to market.

Celestica supports industrial customers with technologies for energy management, automation and connected infrastructure. Its products include power conversion systems, battery storage solutions, solar equipment and electric vehicle charging systems. Celestica combines engineering and production capabilities to help customers develop reliable solutions for changing industrial needs.

SANM's Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

Sanmina shares have surged 60.8% compared with the industry’s growth of 60.2%.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, the company’s shares currently trade at 16.1 forward 12-month earnings, lower than the industry tally of 21.4.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Earnings estimates for both 2026 and 2027 remained static at $12.11 and $13.94, respectively, over the past 60 days.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Sanmina currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[GE HealthCare Expands U.S. PET Radiopharma Reach With SOFIE Deal]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:15:00 GMT GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. GEHC recently announced a definitive agreement to acquire SOFIE Biosciences, a U.S.-based contract manufacturing organization (CMO) specializing in PET radiopharmaceuticals, for $945 million in cash. The acquisition is expected to establish a “final mile” footprint for PET radiopharmaceutical supply in the United States and expand GE HealthCare’s presence in the growing radiopharmaceutical market. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.

Per management, the PET radiopharmaceutical market is witnessing strong growth, supported by innovative radiotracers, advances in precision care and the rising adoption of targeted therapies. SOFIE Biosciences is expected to grow in the low double digits, expanding GE HealthCare’s presence across the radiopharmaceutical value chain. GEHC plans to leverage its manufacturing expertise across the United States, Europe and Japan to expand SOFIE, strengthen supply reliability and improve patient access to next-generation precision care products, including its Flyrcado product.

GE HealthCare expects the acquisition to boost revenue growth, adjusted EBIT margin and adjusted earnings per share in the first full year of ownership.

GEHC Stock Trend Following the News

Following the announcement, GEHC stock gained 2.3% at yesterday’s close. Year to date, shares of the company have fallen 19.9% compared with the industry’s 22.4% decline. However, the S&P 500 has risen 13.1% in the same timeframe.

The acquisition could strengthen GEHC’s growth profile by expanding its exposure to the high-growth radiopharmaceutical market and adding a broader U.S. manufacturing and distribution network. SOFIE Biosciences acquisition could improve GE HealthCare’s ability to serve time-sensitive PET demand while creating additional opportunities across the theranostics value chain. An expanded manufacturing footprint could improve patient access while creating opportunities to support both GEHC’s proprietary products and those of other radiopharmaceutical developers.

GEHC currently has a market capitalization of $29.04 billion.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

More on the News

SOFIE Biosciences will add a significant U.S. manufacturing footprint to GE HealthCare’s Pharmaceutical Diagnostics (PDx) segment. It brings a network of 15 CMO sites with 21 cyclotrons across the United States, along with a theranostics-focused CDMO facility. The network is expected to support patient access to PET radiopharmaceuticals, where the 110-minute half-life of F18 products makes timely manufacturing and distribution critical.

The acquisition also gives GE HealthCare greater exposure to the industry’s radiopharmaceutical pipeline, which includes about 20 PET radiotracers and more than 30 radiotherapeutics in development. The company will gain U.S. rights to SOFIE Biosciences’ FAPI-74, a Phase III PET radiotracer with pan-cancer imaging potential. GEHC already holds outside-of-U.S. rights for the candidate. The asset could boost GEHC’s presence in the fast-growing PET imaging market, with potential diagnostic and theranostic applications across oncologic and non-oncologic indications. FAPI has the potential to further expand an already fast-growing global PET imaging market.

GE HealthCare will continue developing its own F18 portfolio while working with SOFIE Biosciences and other CMO partners. SOFIE Biosciences will remain an independent manufacturing partner for its customers after closing.

Industry Prospects Favoring the Market

According to a report by Precedence Research, the global radiopharmaceuticals market is estimated at $8.28 billion in 2026 and is projected to witness a CAGR of 7.3% through 2035.

Factors like the rising cancer burden, increasing adoption of PET imaging and radioligand therapies, expanding clinical validation and guidelines, and a strong pipeline of novel therapies are expected to support market growth.

Other News

GE HealthCare recently advanced its portfolio across healthcare AI and imaging. The company launched CareIntellect for Operations, an AI-powered SaaS application that helps health systems anticipate capacity challenges up to 72 hours ahead, with Queen’s Health Systems and Duke Health as the first users. GEHC also submitted its next-generation StarGuide GX digital 4D CZT SPECT/CT system to the FDA for 510(k) clearance following its CE Mark. Its Photonova Spectra advanced photon-counting CT system received CE Mark, following FDA clearance and Japanese regulatory approval in March 2026.

GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. Price

GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. Price

GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. price | GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. Quote

GEHC’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks

Currently, GEHC carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are OPKO Health OPK, Globus Medical GMED and West Pharmaceutical Services WST.

OPKO Health, currently flaunting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), reported a second-quarter 2026 adjusted loss of 1 cent per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 87.5%. Revenues of $163.6 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 24.7%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

OPK has an estimated earnings growth rate of 23.3% for 2026. The company’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 95.1%.

Globus Medical, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), reported a second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.34, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 19.6%. Revenues of $789.6 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.4%.

GMED has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 12.4%. The company’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 27.9%.

West Pharmaceutical, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $2.37, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 13.9%. Revenues of $872.3 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.2%.

WST has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 16%. WST’s earnings surpassed estimates in the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 17.4%.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Bet on These 4 High-Flying Stocks With Increasing Cash Flows ]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:15:00 GMT Investors mostly flock to companies that earn profits, but even a profitable business can succumb to failure if its cash flow is uneven and, eventually, file for bankruptcy. However, one can effectively judge a company’s resilience by looking at its efficiency in generating cash flow. This is because cash not only shields it from any market mayhem but also indicates that its profits are being channeled in the right direction.

In this regard, stocks like Interface, Inc. TILE, QuinStreet, Inc. QNST, Vince Holding Corp. VNCE and OptimumBank Holdings, Inc. OPHC are worth buying.

If achieving profit is a company’s goal, then having a healthy cash flow is highly essential for its existence, development and success. This is because cash gives a company more flexibility with respect to business decisions and potential investments, as well as the fuel to run its growth engine. Cash indicates a company’s true financial health. This holds more relevance in the current context amid uncertainties in the global economy, market disruptions and dislocations, as well as liquidity concerns.

To figure out this efficiency, one needs to consider a company’s net cash flow. While in any business, cash moves in and out, it is net cash flow that explains how much money a company is actually generating.

If a company is experiencing a positive cash flow, it denotes an increase in its liquid assets, which gives it the means to meet debt obligations, shell out for expenses, reinvest in the business, endure downturns and finally return wealth to shareholders. On the other hand, a negative cash flow indicates a decline in the company’s liquidity, which, in turn, lowers its flexibility to support these moves.

However, having a positive cash flow does not merely secure a company’s future growth. To ride on the growth curve, a company must have its cash flow increasing because that indicates management’s efficiency in regulating its cash movements and less dependency on outside financing for running its business.

Keep yourself abreast with the following screen to bet on stocks with rising cash flows.

Screening Parameters:

To find stocks that have seen increasing cash flow over time, we ran the screen for those whose cash flow in the latest reported quarter was at least equal to or greater than the five-year average cash flow per common share. This implies a positive trend and increasing cash over a period of time.

In addition to this, we chose:

Zacks Rank 1: No matter whether market conditions are good or bad, stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) have a proven history of outperformance. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Average Broker Rating 1: This indicates that brokers are also highly hopeful about the company’s future performance.

Current Price greater than or equal to $5: This sieves out low-priced stocks.

VGM Score of B or better: This score is also of great assistance in selecting stocks. Importantly, this scoring system helps in picking winning stocks in their industry categories.

Here are four out of the seven stocks that qualified the screening:

Interface is a global flooring solution provider, delivering a range of carpet tile and resilient flooring, which it markets under the Interface, nora and FLOR brands for both commercial and residential environments.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Interface’s 2026 earnings has been revised upward 11.8% to $2.36 per share in the past 60 days. TILE has a VGM Score of B.

QuinStreet operates digital performance marketing platforms and marketplaces that connect consumers with businesses, with a primary focus on the financial services and home services verticals.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for QuinStreet’s fiscal 2027 earnings has moved upward by 6.7% to $1.60 per share over the past 60 days. QNST currently has a VGM Score of A.

Vince Holding offers a broad range of women's and men's ready-to-wear, including its signature cashmere sweaters, leather jackets, luxe leggings, dresses, silk and woven tops, denim and footwear. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vince Holding’s fiscal 2027 earnings has jumped upward to $1.21 per share from 57 cents per share over the past 30 days. VNCE has a VGM Score of A.

OptimumBank offers real estate lending and retail banking products to individuals and businesses in Broward, Dade and Palm Beach Counties. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year’s earnings has improved 3% over the past 30 days. OPHC has a VGM Score of B.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Here's Why You Should Consider Investing in KMT Stock Now]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:13:00 GMT Kennametal Inc. KMT is benefiting from solid demand across both its segments. Its investment in product development and shareholder-friendly policies also bodes well.

KMT currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Let’s delve into the factors that have been aiding the firm for a while now.

Solid Momentum in Metal Cutting Segment: Kennametal’s Metal Cutting business continues to benefit from share gains, higher aerospace build rates and project wins in energy. In fourth-quarter fiscal 2026, its organic sales rose 22% year over year. On a constant-currency basis, the segment’s sales increased 36% in energy, 35% in aerospace & defense and 25% in general engineering end markets. The Metal Cutting segment’s growth was supported by data center power generation wins, higher aerospace build rates and indirect-channel share gains.

Recovery in Infrastructure Segment and Pricing Momentum: Kennametal’s Infrastructure segment is benefiting from pricing, share gains and project execution across several end markets. The segment’s organic sales rose 74% year over year in the fiscal fourth quarter. On a constant-currency basis, energy end market’s sales increased 135%, earthworks rose 76%, aerospace & defense advanced 63% and general engineering increased 37%. Earthworks end market’s growth reflected higher volume in surface mining and construction, including share gains tied to material availability. Energy end market’s growth was driven mainly by pricing in the Americas, while aerospace & defense end market benefited from pricing and strategic initiatives in the Americas and EMEA.

In the past year, the company’s shares have gained 54.4% compared with the industry‘s 9.8% growth.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Innovation and Portfolio Investment: Kennametal continues to invest in product development, digital capabilities and higher-growth applications. In aerospace, the company is targeting a roughly $500 million market for cutting tools used on carbon fiber reinforced plastics, which it estimates will grow 9% annually through 2028. Kennametal is pursuing the opportunity through proprietary geometry and material science, a broader product portfolio, application engineering, channel relationships and a three-year innovation pipeline. KMT also highlighted a recent customer win after it supplied a superior composite-cutting product and guaranteed supply during a competitor disruption.

Shareholder Returns With Discipline: Kennametal continues to return cash through dividends while adjusting repurchases to protect liquidity. In fiscal 2026, the company paid $60.8 million in dividends and repurchased $10.1 million of shares, returning about $71 million to shareholders. Since the $200 million repurchase program was authorized in February 2024, the company has bought back about $70 million of stock. However, the company has paused further repurchases until cash flow turns positive as tungsten-related working capital remains elevated.

Other Stocks to Consider

Some other top-ranked companies are discussed below:

Helios Technologies HLIO currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

HLIO delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 13.1%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Helios Technologies’ 2026 earnings has increased 10%.

Applied Industrial Technologies AIT presently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). It has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 4.3%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AIT’s fiscal 2027 earnings has increased 1.4% in the past 60 days.

Crane Company CR presently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. It has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 10.4%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CR’s 2026 earnings has increased 0.4% in the past 60 days.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Are Rising Live Sports Costs a Margin Threat to Netflix Stockholders?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:12:00 GMT Netflix's NFLX expanding live sports slate is turning into a cost line investors can no longer treat as experimental. In September, the streamer kicked off its NFL schedule with the league's first regular-season game in Australia, part of an extension through the 2029-30 season covering a Week 1 game, a Thanksgiving Eve matchup, Christmas Day, a Week 18 finale and the NFL Honors. Netflix also confirmed that Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will fight live on Dec. 11, while 2027 brings exclusive U.S. and Canada rights to the FIFA Women's World Cup.

The economics are lopsided. Netflix expects live programming to absorb just over 5% of 2026 content spend while generating only about 1% of view hours. Its defense rests on acquisition: live events accounted for six of the 10 biggest new-member sign-up days over the past five years. Yet that payoff is episodic, while rights costs recur.

Cash outlays are rising faster than earnings. Additions to content assets jumped 32% year over year to $9.8 billion in the first half of 2026, outpacing the 11% rise in content amortization, while capital expenditure climbed 46% to $415 million. Second-quarter operating margin contracted 70 basis points to 33.4%, and free cash flow fell to $1.5 billion from $2.3 billion, partly due to higher cash taxes.

Guidance offers partial comfort. Netflix narrowed 2026 revenues to $51.0-$51.4 billion and maintained a 31.5% operating margin target versus 29.5% in 2025, with ad revenues expected to double to about $3 billion. Third-quarter margin is projected at 33.2%.

However, the full-year target implies a fourth-quarter margin near 27%, in a quarter loaded with NFL holiday games and the Fury-Joshua bout. With content obligations at $25.1 billion and a cash content-to-amortization ratio of about 1.1x, sports escalation could test margin expansion beyond 2026.

How Disney and Amazon Are Managing Live Sports Costs

Disney DIS offers a direct read on sports cost inflation. In third-quarter fiscal 2026, Disney's Sports segment operating income fell 17% to $858 million, as programming and production costs rose 10% to $3.05 billion despite 4% revenue growth. Disney is pushing more ESPN games onto Disney+ this fall to broaden reach. Amazon AMZN presents a monetization-led contrast. Amazon's advertising revenues grew 26% year over year to $19.8 billion in the second quarter of 2026, with Thursday Night Football, NBA, WNBA and NASCAR inventory selling out. However, Amazon does not separately disclose the profitability of its Prime Video sports rights.

NFLX’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

Netflix’s shares have plunged 28% year to date, underperforming the Zacks Broadcast Radio and Television industry and Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector’s decline of 20.1% and 14.7%, respectively.

NFLX’s YTD Price Performance

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Netflix’s valuation remains elevated, with the stock trading at a forward 12-month price/sales ratio of 5.04X versus the industry’s 3.52X. NFLX carries a Value Score of D.

NFLX’s Valuation

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NFLX’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $3.59 per share and remains unchanged over the past 30 days. This indicates a 41.9% increase from the previous year.

Netflix, Inc. Price and Consensus

Netflix, Inc. Price and Consensus

Netflix, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Netflix, Inc. Quote

NFLX currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[MPC Targets 3M Barrels per day in Q3: Can Strong Throughput Continue?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:10:00 GMT Marathon Petroleum MPC has targeted refinery throughput of approximately 3 million barrels per day (bpd) for the third quarter, reflecting the strong operating momentum and ability to run its system at high utilization. The target included 2.82 million bpd of crude oil and 185,000 bpd of other charge and blendstocks.

The guidance follows a strong second quarter, when MPC processed nearly 3 million bpd with 94% refinery utilization. Its Gulf Coast operations ran at 100% utilization, while the West Coast and Mid-Continent operated at 93% and 87%, respectively. The company also generated Refining & Marketing (R&M) adjusted EBITDA of $24.84 per barrel, supported by strong margins and operating execution.

MPC’s ability to maintain high throughput is supported by its integrated refining system and access to economically advantaged crude. Management highlighted the company’s ability to optimize feedstocks and product yields, helping it capture value across different market conditions. R&M margin capture reached 112% in the second quarter and 108% in the first half of 2026.

The company is also strengthening its refinery portfolio through targeted investments. The Robinson project is expected to enable approximately 10,000 bpd of incremental jet fuel production, while the El Paso project improves specialty gasoline production. These projects are designed to enhance MPC’s ability to produce higher-value products as demand remains strong across gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

MPC Compares Favorably With PSX and PBF

Phillips 66 PSX also delivered strong refinery operations in the second quarter. PSX reported 96% crude capacity utilization and an 86% clean product yield, highlighting solid operating performance across its refining system.

For MPC, the comparison with Phillips 66 is particularly relevant because both companies are benefiting from strong refining economics and high refinery utilization. Phillips 66 expects worldwide crude utilization to remain in the mid-90% range in the third quarter, reflecting expectations for strong refinery operations. The company also projects $100-$120 million in turnaround expenses and $325-$350 million in Corporate and Other costs.

PBF Energy PBF has also provided a specific third-quarter throughput outlook. PBF expects total throughput of 900,000-960,000 bpd, with guidance across its East Coast, Mid-Continent, Gulf Coast and West Coast operations.

The comparison shows the scale of MPC’s refining platform. PBF Energy’s throughput target remains substantial, while MPC is targeting more than three times that volume. PBF also expects renewable diesel production to rise to 18,000-20,000 bpd in the third quarter, adding another growth component to its operating outlook.

MPC’s Stock Performance, Valuation and Earnings Prospects

Refining stocks have delivered strong returns over the past six months, with Marathon Petroleum advancing 80.1%. PBF Energy performed slightly better with an 82.3% gain, while Phillips 66 rose 52.1%, compared with a 53.1% increase for the Oil Refining & Marketing sub-industry.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Marathon Petroleum’s P/E multiple of 7.49 is below the sub-industry average of 8.46, suggesting that the stock offers a relatively attractive valuation.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Investor sentiment around MPC’s earnings outlook has strengthened, reflected in 36.95% and 69.74% increases in consensus estimates for 2026 and 2027, respectively, over the past 60 days.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

MPC currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Arcos Dorados (ARCO) Surges 13.9%: Is This an Indication of Further Gains?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:09:00 GMT Arcos Dorados (ARCO) shares rallied 13.9% in the last trading session to close at $8.1. This move can be attributable to notable volume with a higher number of shares being traded than in a typical session. This compares to the stock's 13% loss over the past four weeks.

Arcos Dorados shares rose as investors responded positively to the company’s ambitious growth plans unveiled at its Investor Day. Management plans to open 550-600 new restaurants and invest $1.3-$1.5 billion from 2027 through 2030, targeting mid- to high-single-digit annual revenue growth and high-single- to low-double-digit adjusted EBITDA growth.

This restaurant owner is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.17 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +41.7%. Revenues are expected to be $1.35 billion, up 13.2% from the year-ago quarter.

Earnings and revenue growth expectations certainly give a good sense of the potential strength in a stock, but empirical research shows that trends in earnings estimate revisions are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements.

For Arcos Dorados, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. And a stock's price usually doesn't keep moving higher in the absence of any trend in earnings estimate revisions. So, make sure to keep an eye on ARCO going forward to see if this recent jump can turn into more strength down the road.

 

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>

Arcos Dorados belongs to the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry. Another stock from the same industry, Red Robin (RRGB), closed the last trading session 1.3% higher at $8.05. Over the past month, RRGB has returned -6.1%.

Red Robin's consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming report has remained unchanged over the past month at -$0.68. Compared to the company's year-ago EPS, this represents a change of +2.9%. Red Robin currently boasts a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[NetApp Teams With Diskover Data to Unlock Data Value]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:08:00 GMT The explosive growth of unstructured data is creating a new challenge for enterprises: storing data is no longer enough. The challenge seems acute in media and entertainment, semiconductor design, life sciences, and other industries built around massive file estates. To address it, Diskover Data and NetApp, Inc. NTAP joined forces, extending Diskover Platform's metadata discovery and governance capabilities to NetApp ONTAP and StorageGRID environments. The collaboration is likely to strengthen NetApp's value proposition in file-intensive industries while giving Diskover a powerful enterprise channel for expanding its data discovery platform.

NetApp has solidified its foothold in enterprise data infrastructure, with ONTAP and StorageGRID supporting organizations across on-premises, hybrid and cloud environments. However, as storage estates grow, customers can struggle to understand the enormous volumes of files residing across those environments. Diskover's DataDiscovery is designed to address that visibility gap. Using specialized scanners, the platform indexes metadata directly from ONTAP and StorageGRID.

For NetApp, the partnership strengthens the ecosystem around its storage infrastructure. Customers increasingly expect storage platforms to provide more than capacity and performance. By connecting Diskover's specialized discovery capabilities to ONTAP and StorageGRID, NetApp can potentially increase the strategic value of those platforms. The benefit is relevant as enterprises deal with explosive data growth driven by AI, high-resolution media, semiconductor design, scientific computing and cloud applications.

Furthermore, NetApp is positioning its unified data platform to activate enterprise data for AI without moving data. The company recorded more than 1,100 AI and data preparation wins in fiscal 2026 compared with roughly 400 in the prior year. In the first quarter of fiscal 2027, it added about 350 AI and data lake modernization deals, with management noting larger deal sizes as prior pilots moved into production. DataPelago adds in-place data processing capabilities, while AFX and the AI Data Engine target high-performance AI workloads and governed data access. Management said AI is also driving broader modernization of databases and unstructured data environments, expanding the opportunity beyond dedicated AI infrastructure.

NTAP’s Competitive Terrain

Smith Micro Computer SMCI rides on expanding AI infrastructure demand, supported by rapid adoption of new GPU platforms, its modular Building Block architecture, liquid-cooling expertise and a broader DCBBS offering. Supermicro’s Open Storage Summit 2026, held in August, focused on the data infrastructure needed to deploy enterprise AI at scale. The event brought together Supermicro and ecosystem partners, including AMD, DDN, IBM, Intel, KIOXIA, MinIO, Nutanix, VAST Data and Western Digital, to discuss AI inference, agentic AI, hybrid-cloud storage, context memory and unstructured data management. The summit also highlighted Supermicro’s DCBBS architecture, which provides modular, validated AI infrastructure from servers and networking to rack and data-center-level solutions.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise HPE is benefiting from a broader shift toward AI infrastructure, networking modernization and hybrid cloud, with Juniper expanding its addressable market and integration synergies supporting earnings growth. In September, HPE expanded its collaboration with Oracle to deploy HPE Juniper Networking across Oracle’s global AI data centers, supporting the company’s gigawatt-scale AI infrastructure expansion with networking services and financing capabilities. In June, it announced multiple AI infrastructure innovations, including a sovereign private AI cloud deployment for Siemens Energy, expanded self-driving networking capabilities and new AI Factory and Private Cloud AI solutions to help enterprises securely deploy and manage agentic AI workloads.

NTAP Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

NetApp shares have gained 89.7% in the past year compared with the Computer-Storage Devices industry’s growth of 281.6%.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Regarding the price/book ratio, NTAP is trading at 29.40, higher than the industry’s multiple of 15.95.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NTAP’s earnings for fiscal 2027 has been revised upward over the past 60 days.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

NTAP currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Strength Seen in Companhia Paranaense de Energia - Copel Unsponsored ADR (ELPC): Can Its 8.2% Jump Turn into More Strength?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:07:00 GMT Companhia Paranaense de Energia - Copel Unsponsored ADR (ELPC) shares rallied 8.2% in the last trading session to close at $13.92. This move can be attributable to notable volume with a higher number of shares being traded than in a typical session. This compares to the stock's 4.9% gain over the past four weeks.

The company reported solid value creation in second-quarter 2026, supported by strong operating performance and a lower effective income tax rate that boosted net income. The company’s long-term generation availability enhances earnings flexibility by allowing it to capitalize on favorable market conditions while providing a natural hedge during periods of volatility.

The company’s ongoing organic investment cycle further supports its long-term growth prospects. Investments in hydroelectric generation modernization, along with transmission upgrades and improvements, should enhance operating efficiency, reliability and asset quality. These initiatives, backed by attractive expected returns, position the company to strengthen cash generation and create sustainable shareholder value over time.

This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of 12 cents per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +9.1%. Revenues are expected to be $851.4 million, down 31.9% from the year-ago quarter.

While earnings and revenue growth expectations are important in evaluating the potential strength in a stock, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

For Companhia Paranaense de Energia - Copel Unsponsored ADR, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. And a stock's price usually doesn't keep moving higher in the absence of any trend in earnings estimate revisions. So, make sure to keep an eye on ELPC going forward to see if this recent jump can turn into more strength down the road.

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>

Companhia Paranaense de Energia - Copel Unsponsored ADR is part of the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry. CenterPoint Energy (CNP), another stock in the same industry, closed the last trading session 0.1% lower at $37.75. CNP has returned -4.7% in the past month.

CenterPoint's consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming report has remained unchanged over the past month at $0.49. Compared to the company's year-ago EPS, this represents a change of -2%. CenterPoint currently boasts a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[5 Stocks to Buy as U.S. Manufacturing Expands for Nine Straight Months]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:06:00 GMT U.S. manufacturing activity remained in expansion territory for the ninth consecutive month in September, with new orders, production and backlogs pointing to continued momentum. Meanwhile, the Customers’ Inventories Index stayed below 50%, indicating that customer inventories remain too low. This trend could support future production as replenishment demand improves.

The backdrop remains favorable for the Zacks Industrial Products sector. According to the latest Earnings Trends report, estimates for the sector have been moving higher for the third quarter of 2026. The sector is projected to deliver earnings growth of 13.1% for the quarter and 11.6% for 2026, making it one of the seven sectors expected to register double-digit earnings growth this year. It would be ideal to invest in industrial stocks like Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. PKOH, MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. MSM, W.W. Grainger Inc. GWW, Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. LECO and EnerSys ENS. 

U.S. Manufacturing Momentum Holds Firm

The ISM Manufacturing PMI came in at 54.5% in September compared with 54.6% in August. Despite the modest decline, September marked the ninth consecutive month of manufacturing expansion following a 10-month contraction period. Five of the six largest manufacturing industries expanded, including transportation equipment, chemical products, computer and electronic products, machinery, and food, beverage and tobacco products.

The New Orders Index rose to 55.3% in September from 53.7% in August, remaining in expansion territory for the ninth straight month. The Production Index declined to 56.7% from 58.3% but continued to signal expansion for the 11th consecutive month. The Backlog of Orders Index climbed 4.6 percentage points to 56.4%.

The Employment Index gained 1.5 percentage points to 52.7%. The Inventories Index fell to 48.6% from 50.6% in August. The Customers’ Inventories Index declined to 41.6% from 42.8% and remained in “too low” territory. Lean customer inventories are generally supportive of future production, as improving demand could prompt manufacturers to rebuild stock levels.

However, cost pressures remain a challenge. The Prices Index remained elevated at 77.9%, indicating higher raw-material prices for the 24th consecutive month. Steel, aluminum, copper, electrical components and electronic components were among the materials experiencing price increases or supply constraints. Tariffs and increases in petroleum-based products as a result of the Middle East conflict are adding to cost pressures. In response, industry participants are focusing on pricing actions, cost optimization, productivity gains and diversification of supplier networks to offset these pressures. 

Industry Outlook Remains Positive Amid Cost Challenges

The manufacturing recovery remains encouraging, supported by lean customer inventories, expanding new orders and sustained production growth. These trends provide a favorable foundation for industrial activity in the coming months. Nevertheless, elevated input costs, tariffs, supply-chain constraints and geopolitical uncertainty could moderate the pace of recovery.

ISM's 2026 forecast calls for 8.4% growth in manufacturing revenues, 4.9% growth in capital expenditures and a 9.7% increase in production capacity, supporting the case for industrial stocks positioned to benefit from renewed manufacturing investment. Manufacturing employment is also expected to increase 1.4% in 2026.

5 Industrial Products Stocks to Buy

With the help of our Zacks Stock Screener, we have identified five attractive stocks. The shortlisted companies sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or carry Rank #2 (Buy) with a VGM Score of A or B. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings has moved higher over the past 60 days and indicates positive growth. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. 

These stocks have also outperformed the sector over the past six months, as shown in the chart below.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Park-Ohio Holdings: The company delivered record revenues in the first half of 2026 backed by strong year-over-year sales growth in all three business segments. The company raised its outlook for 2026, reflecting revenue growth and continued margin expansion. This is supported by continued strong AI-related demand, higher aerospace and defense production, and improving activity in key industrial markets in Supply Technologies; strong backlog in Engineered Products resulting from increasing demand from electrical steel, aerospace and defense and oil and gas markets.

Park-Ohio Holdings continues to invest in automation, information systems and vertical integration, while optimizing its business portfolio. The ongoing strategic review of the Southwest Steel Processing business reflects management's focus on reallocating capital toward higher-growth, higher-margin operations. These initiatives are expected to improve operating efficiency, strengthen cash flow generation and support long-term earnings growth.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Park-Ohio Holdings’ fiscal 2026 earnings suggests year-over-year growth of 20.7% and the estimate for fiscal 2027 projects growth of 12.8%. Both the estimates have moved up in the past 60 days. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 1.33%, on average. PKOH has an estimated long-term growth of 12% and currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1 with a VGM Score of A. 

MSC Industrial: The company delivered the third consecutive quarter of year-over-year operating margin expansion in the fiscal third quarter of 2026 (ended May 31, 2026), supported by structural cost reductions. Management is advancing its “Mission Critical” strategy, focused on profitable growth, market share gains and productivity. The current phase emphasizes strengthening core customer and OEM fastener relationships, improving supply-chain efficiency, enhancing digital capabilities and reducing operating expenses.

Recent initiatives include web price realignment, expanded marketing, E-commerce enhancements and a data-driven sales optimization program. In fiscal 2026, the company is further leveraging analytics and organizational alignment to deliver a more personalized customer experience and improve end-to-end efficiency. The company plans to selectively pursue strategic acquisitions that expand its markets and enhance its product and service offerings.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MSM’s fiscal 2026 earnings suggests year-over-year growth of 20.5% and the estimate for 2027 projects year-over-year growth of 15.1%. Both the estimates have moved up in the past 90 days. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 4.8%, on average. It currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2 and a VGM Score of B.

Grainger: The company continues to benefit from strong volume growth in its High-Touch Solutions segment and expanding customer activity within the Endless Assortment segment. High-Touch Solutions is seeing gains from a more favorable product mix, while repeat customer growth at MonotaRO and Zoro is supporting performance in Endless Assortment. Higher sales volumes and pricing initiatives are expected to contribute to revenue growth in the coming quarters. 

Grainger continues to invest in e-commerce, digital capabilities and supply-chain execution to improve the end-to-end customer experience. In August 2026, it acquired technology, intellectual property and talent assets from Adroit Worldwide Media for $210 million. The technology is intended to improve MRO inventory management, product availability and labor efficiency, with a commercial pilot planned over the next several months.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 earnings for Grainger indicates year-over-year growth of 12.2%.  The estimate for fiscal 2027 suggests growth of 17.2%. Both the estimates have been revised upward over the past 90 days. GWW currently has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 5.9%, on average. It has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 12.2%, a Zacks Rank of 2 and a VGM Score of B. 

Lincoln Electric Holdings: The company is targeting high single-digit to low double-digit percentage sales growth over 2026-2030.  Organic sales are expected to increase at a mid-single-digit percentage rate.  The Americas Welding segment is expected to lead with a mid- to high single-digit percentage organic growth rate, backed by regional secular and cyclical tailwinds. Automation sales are expected to increase at twice the rate of core sales in the region. The International Welding segment is expected to grow at a low-single-digit to mid-single-digit rate, mainly driven by the Middle East and Asia Pacific, which have high levels of project activity.

Lincoln Electric projects a mid-single-digit percentage growth rate in Harris Products Group from ongoing HVAC sector growth, a strategic expansion of fabricated solutions for targeted industrial applications and expectations for an improvement in residential and retail channel trends. LECO is also targeting more than 20% operating margin by 2030. RISE initiatives are expected to add 100-125 basis points to the company’s margin profile through 2030. Lincoln Electric continues to use acquisitions to expand its capabilities and geographic reach, with recent transactions strengthening its automation and maintenance-solutions portfolio.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Lincoln Electric’s earnings for both fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027 has moved up over the past 60 days. The estimate for 2026 suggests year-over-year growth of 13.3% and the estimate for 2027 suggests growth of 11.2%. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 3.9%, on average. It has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 15% and currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2 and a VGM Score of B.

EnerSys: The company is poised to benefit from diversified demand across data centers, communications, and aerospace and defense, supported by product innovation, service expansion and a broader mix of lithium and energy-storage solutions. Cost discipline and working-capital improvements are strengthening earnings and cash generation, while lower leverage provides flexibility for growth investments and shareholder returns. EnerSys is broadening beyond traditional lead-acid batteries through lithium, battery energy storage, TPPL, power electronics and service offerings. 

The company also secured a revised Department of Energy grant of about $150 million for a planned defense-focused lithium cell campus in Greenville, SC. The facility is expected to have about one gigawatt-hour (GWh) of initial capacity. Construction is planned to begin in the first half of fiscal 2028, with full production about three years later. Management targets a mid-20% internal rate of return and expects the campus to support U.S.-based defense supply chains compliant with foreign entity of concern (FEOC) requirements.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EnerSys’ fiscal 2026 earnings suggests year-over-year growth of 15% and the estimate for 2027 projects year-over-year growth of 27%. Both the estimates have moved up in the past 90 days. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 11.5% on average, and a long-term earnings growth of 15%. It currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2 and a VGM Score of B.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Chevron Strengthens Namibia Position Ahead of Nabba-1X Well]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:05:00 GMT Chevron Corporation CVX is strengthening its position in Namibia’s Orange Basin as a key exploration catalyst. The company’s affiliate Harmattan Energy Ltd. recently agreed to acquire Trago Energy Pty Ltd.’s 10% participating interest in Petroleum Exploration License 90 (PEL 90). Trago, a subsidiary of Custos Energy (Pty) Ltd., will receive $11 million in cash at closing, along with contingent consideration linked to future appraisal and production milestones. The transaction remains subject to government, regulatory and third-party approvals.

This agreement is notable because it follows Chevron’s decision in August to farm out a 17.4% interest in PEL 90 to Equinor EQNR. Rather than simply reducing its exposure to the license, Chevron is now adding another 10% interest. The transaction would increase Chevron’s participating interest in PEL 90 if both the Equinor farm-out and the Trago acquisition are completed.

Chevron Reshapes Its PEL 90 Position

Before the Equinor transaction, Chevron held a 52.5% participating interest in PEL 90. QatarEnergy owned 27.5%, while Trago Energy and Namibia’s state-owned oil company NAMCOR each held 10%. Equinor’s planned acquisition would lower Chevron’s interest to 35.1% once completed. The latest agreement would lift it to 45.1%, assuming both transactions close.

That ownership structure gives Chevron a sizeable economic interest without carrying the entire exploration burden. Equinor’s planned entry would add another major international energy company to the PEL 90 partnership. Chevron, meanwhile, continues to operate PEL 90, preserving control over the exploration program.

The transaction comes as Chevron prepares for another exploration well on PEL 90. PEL 90 covers Block 2813B in the Orange Basin, a frontier region that has drawn major industry attention because of discoveries in the broader basin. The license covers about 5,433 square kilometers, according to Sintana Energy, and is located near the Venus discovery operated by TotalEnergies TTE.

Nabba-1X Offers a Near-Term Catalyst

For investors, the next major development to watch is the planned Nabba-1X exploration well. Chevron plans to drill the Nabba-1X exploration well on PEL 90 in the fourth quarter of 2026 as part of a wider multi-well exploration campaign across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Nabba-1X will be Chevron’s second exploration well offshore Namibia after Kapana-1X reached total depth in January 2025. The earlier well did not encounter commercial hydrocarbons, although the drilling program generated geological information that the company can use in planning future activity.

That makes Nabba-1X a potentially important value driver. A commercial discovery would strengthen the case for further appraisal and development across PEL 90 and could increase the long-term value of Chevron’s position. However, the project remains at the exploration stage, so investors should not treat potential resources as established reserves.

Broader African Exploration Push

The Namibia transaction also fits Chevron’s broader push to expand its frontier exploration portfolio in Africa. The company has outlined activity across Namibia, Angola, Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea as part of a multi-well program designed to pursue high-impact opportunities. In September, Chevron outlined exploration activity across several Sub-Saharan African basins as part of its broader exploration program.

For Chevron, this strategy can add future production opportunities without relying solely on mature assets. Frontier exploration, however, comes with significant geological and execution risks. The outcome of individual wells can be difficult to predict, and unsuccessful drilling can delay development plans while increasing capital requirements.

Investment Takeaway

The Trago transaction gives Chevron a larger stake in PEL 90 at an important point in the asset’s exploration cycle. The $11 million upfront payment is modest relative to Chevron’s scale, but the additional interest increases its exposure to any success from Nabba-1X and subsequent appraisal activity. Contingent consideration tied to commercial production also underscores the potentially longer-term nature of the transaction.

At the same time, investors should recognize that the deal does not remove the uncertainty surrounding the asset. Completion of the transaction still requires approvals, while the upcoming well must establish commercial potential before PEL 90 can become a meaningful production asset.

Overall, Chevron’s decision to increase interest in PEL 90 signals that it sees sufficient potential in the acreage to justify a larger position ahead of Nabba-1X. The well’s result should therefore be the key near-term event to watch, with a successful outcome capable of improving the long-term growth profile of Chevron’s upstream portfolio.

CVX's Zacks Rank & Another Key Pick

Currently, CVX and EQNR carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each, while TTE has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Equinor is a Norway-based integrated energy company with operations spanning oil and gas, renewables and low-carbon solutions. The company’s upstream portfolio is anchored by the Norwegian Continental Shelf, while its international operations include oil and gas assets across the United States, Brazil, Angola, the United Kingdom and Canada. On the other hand, TotalEnergies is a France-based global integrated energy company engaged in oil, natural gas, biofuels, renewables and electricity. The company operates across the energy value chain in about 120 countries and produced 2.5 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2025, including 46% from natural gas.

Investors interested in the energy sector might consider another top-ranked stock, such as  Delek US Holdings DK, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Delek US Holdings is valued at $4.54 billion. It is a diversified downstream energy company engaged in petroleum refining, renewable fuels, asphalt production and logistics operations. Delek US Holdings operates multiple refineries in the United States and is committed to delivering safe, reliable energy while investing in cleaner energy initiatives.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[3M Rises 12.9% in the Past Six Months: Is There Still Room to Grow?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:05:00 GMT 3M Company’s MMM shares have risen 12.9% in the past six months compared with the S&P 500 composite’s growth of 30% and the industry’s decline of 20.4%. Among its peers, Griffon Corporation GFF and Carlisle Companies Incorporated CSL shares have gained 30% and declined 0.2%, respectively, over the same time frame.

MMM Stock’s One-Year Price Performance

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Closing at $163.19 in the last trading session, the stock is trading lower than its 52-week high of $184.90 and significantly higher than its 52-week low of $139.34. 3M stock is trading below both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, indicating weak price momentum and continued selling pressure. This reflects cautious market sentiment and suggests that investors remain concerned about the company's near-term performance and long-term prospects.

MMM Stock Trading Below 50-Day & 200-Day Moving Averages

 

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Let’s take a look at 3M’s fundamentals to better analyze how to play the stock.

Factors Driving MMM’s Performance

The company is gaining from strong momentum in its Safety and Industrial segment, supported by growth across personal safety, industrial adhesives and tapes, abrasives and electrical markets. Stable demand for electrical infrastructure products, including medium-voltage cable accessories and insulation tapes, is expected to support the segment in the coming quarters. New product launches and rising demand for industrial adhesives and electronics bonding solutions are also driving growth. Organic sales in the segment increased 8.2% year over year in the second quarter of 2026.

3M’s Transportation and Electronics segment is benefiting from solid growth across the transportation and aerospace end markets. Strength in semiconductors, data centers, aerospace and defense, and commercial branding, supported by new product introductions and expanded sales coverage, is driving segment performance. Organic revenues increased 5.9% year over year in the second quarter. Backed by strength across its businesses, the company provided a positive outlook. For 2026, 3M expects total adjusted organic sales to grow more than 3.5% on a year-over-year basis.

3M is focused on improving operational efficiency through a range of organizational and business transformation initiatives. These include reducing the size of its corporate center, streamlining its geographic footprint, simplifying the supply chain, aligning go-to-market models with customer needs and optimizing manufacturing roles based on production volumes. The company expects these restructuring actions to lower operating costs and support margin expansion and stronger cash flow over the long term.

Acquisitions remain an important part of MMM’s growth strategy. In July 2026, the company completed the acquisition of Madison Fire & Rescue in partnership with Bain Capital. Under the joint venture, 3M contributed its Scott Safety business, received $700 million in cash and retained a 50.1% stake, while Bain Capital holds the remaining 49.9% interest. The transaction further strengthened 3M’s safety portfolio and expanded its presence in the safety products market.

3M remains committed to returning capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. In the first six months of 2026, the company rewarded its shareholders with $813 million in dividends and $3 billion in buybacks.

However, weakness in the consumer retail end markets, owing to subdued consumer discretionary spending, remains a concern for MMM. This is reflected in the Consumer segment’s results. The segment’s organic revenues declined 2.1% in the second quarter of 2026.

Stock Valuation

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

MMM has a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 16.96X, which is above the industry average of 14.64X. In comparison with 3M’s valuation, its peers Griffon and Carlisle are trading cheaper. Griffon and Carlisle are trading at 14.89X and 14.01X, respectively.

Earnings Estimate Revision

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Earnings estimates for MMM have increased 0.6% over the past 60 days for 2026 and 1.2% for 2027.

Conclusion

3M is positioned to benefit from continued strength in its Safety and Industrial and Transportation and Electronics segments, supported by new product launches and a favorable 2026 outlook. Ongoing restructuring efforts are expected to enhance operational efficiency, while shareholder-friendly initiatives could further support cash flow and investor confidence.

Despite softness in consumer retail markets, favorable analyst sentiment suggests that investors may consider this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Petrobras Expands Offshore Gas Footprint With Colombia Campaign]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:02:00 GMT Petrobras PBR is strengthening its position in Colombia’s offshore natural gas sector with the completion of a large-scale exploration campaign in the deepwater Caribbean. Recently, PBR and Ecopetrol EC declared the completion of the two-and-a-half-year program, which involved drilling five exploration wells and approximately $1 billion in investment. Petrobras served as operator with a 44.4% interest, while Ecopetrol, a Colombia-based integrated oil and gas company, held the remaining 55.6% stake in the GUA-OFF-0 contract with the country’s National Hydrocarbons Agency.

The campaign is important for Petrobras because it extends the exploration portfolio beyond the core Brazilian operations while creating exposure to a potentially significant natural gas province. More importantly, the program has moved beyond pure exploration activity, producing discoveries that could support future resource development and strengthen Colombia’s domestic gas supply.

Successful Exploration Campaign Expands Gas Potential

The campaign covered a demanding offshore operating environment and required substantial technical and logistical coordination. Petrobras led the planning and execution of activities spanning geoscience, engineering, maritime operations, aviation, port services and oceanographic work.

According to Ecopetrol, the project required more than 1,000 helicopter flights and 1,400 hours of flight time to move more than 16,000 passengers. Maritime operations transported more than 147,600 tons of cargo and 45 million liters of fuel, while vessels covered more than 22,000 nautical miles.

For investors, the scale of the campaign demonstrates Petrobras’ ability to manage complex deepwater exploration programs while maintaining operational discipline. The companies reported no accidents or operational incidents during the two-and-a-half-year campaign, supporting the partners’ execution track record in a technically challenging region.

Discoveries Improve the Investment Case

The exploration effort has already produced encouraging results. On Aug. 3, 2026, Petrobras and Ecopetrol announced a natural gas discovery at the Sandia-1 exploratory well in the GUA-OFF-0 block. The well was drilled in about 1,285 meters of water and is located close to the Sirius and Copoazú discoveries, reinforcing the geological potential of the broader area.

The Sandia discovery followed the Copoazú-1 gas discovery announced in March 2026. Copoazú-1 was drilled in approximately 964 meters of water and further expanded the companies’ understanding of the gas-bearing system in the Colombian Caribbean.

These developments are strategically relevant for Petrobras. Exploration success can help replenish oil and gas resources over time and create additional opportunities to participate in future production growth. While discoveries alone do not immediately translate into cash flow, successful appraisal, development and commercialization could enhance the long-term value of the company’s Colombian portfolio.

Gas Demand Provides a Strategic Tailwind

The Colombian Caribbean is becoming increasingly important as the country seeks to develop domestic natural gas resources. Ecopetrol has highlighted energy security and greater gas availability as key objectives of its offshore exploration strategy.

For Petrobras, the opportunity fits with its broader approach of exploring new frontiers through partnerships while leveraging the deepwater capabilities. The company has previously identified offshore Colombia as a long-term exploration focus and has a track record in the region, including an earlier gas discovery in 2014.

The partnership structure also distributes exploration exposure between Petrobras and Ecopetrol. Petrobras contributes its offshore operating expertise, while Ecopetrol maintains the larger economic interest in the block. Such arrangements can help the companies share the capital requirements and technical risks associated with frontier exploration.

What Should Investors Watch Next?

The completion of the campaign marks a transition from drilling activity toward evaluating the commercial potential of the discoveries. Further geological analysis, appraisal work and development planning will be important before investors can determine the size and economic value of the resources.

Investors should therefore focus on the pace of appraisal activity, resource assessments and any future development decisions linked to the Sirius, Copoazú and Sandia discoveries. The ability to convert exploration success into economically viable production will ultimately determine the financial impact on Petrobras.

Overall, the completion of the Colombia campaign represents a constructive development for Petrobras. The company has expanded its knowledge of a promising offshore gas basin, added another discovery to the region’s growing resource base and demonstrated the ability to execute a complex exploration program. With natural gas demand and energy security remaining key priorities in Colombia, the company’s offshore position could provide a longer-term growth opportunity alongside its broader exploration portfolio.

PBR's Zacks Rank & Key Picks

Currently, PBR has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), while EC sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Investors interested in the energy sector might consider some better-ranked stocks, such as Marathon Petroleum MPC and Delek US Holdings DK, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Marathon Petroleum is valued at $123.29 billion. The company is a leading U.S. independent refiner, marketer and transporter of petroleum products, with a strong refining footprint and an extensive midstream business. Marathon Petroleum benefits from its integrated operations, strategic refining assets and diversified earnings streams across the energy value chain.

Delek US Holdings is valued at $4.54 billion. It is a diversified downstream energy company engaged in petroleum refining, renewable fuels, asphalt production and logistics operations. Delek US Holdings operates multiple refineries in the United States and is committed to delivering safe, reliable energy while investing in cleaner energy initiatives.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Here's How QBTS Exited Third Quarter With Key Growth Catalysts]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT D-Wave Quantum QBTS entered the third quarter with a key focus on converting its strong booking pipeline into reported revenues. First-half bookings reached $35.5 million, up 1,120% year over year, while production applications accounted for 37.3% of first-half QCaaS revenues. 

On Sept. 8, the company entered into a definitive agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce, building on its previously announced Letter of Intent. The agreement provides D-Wave access to up to $100 million in funding under the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act, supporting its efforts to advance domestic quantum computing capabilities.

On Aug. 5, D-Wave also reported a research advance published in Nature involving its superconducting dual-rail architecture and quantum error correction. This development adds to the company’s ongoing efforts to advance its quantum computing architecture and improve the reliability and scalability of its systems.

Meanwhile, on Jul. 27, D-Wave and AT&T (T) signed an agreement to expand AT&T’s use of D-Wave’s quantum computing technology. In early work, AT&T reduced network optimization processing time from approximately one hour to less than 15 seconds using D-Wave’s quantum technology, highlighting the potential of quantum computing to improve the efficiency of complex network-related processes.

Peer Update

IonQ IONQ entered the third quarter with a significant change in its financial outlook. It completed the SkyWater acquisition on July 31, adding semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging capabilities to its quantum platform. IonQ updated its 2026 revenue outlook to $450-$460 million, including SkyWater's contribution from the acquisition date through year-end. The company also launched its Superion 256 platform, with first customer deliveries expected in 2027. 

Rigetti’s RGTI third-quarter growth is likely to be driven primarily by government-backed technology investment and efforts to strengthen its commercialization infrastructure, rather than near-term revenue acceleration. In September, the Commerce Department finalized up to $100 million in CHIPS R&D funding for the company, supporting the development of superconducting quantum computing, including fabrication and related technologies. Rigetti also established a dedicated Systems Delivery organization in August to support and scale on-premises customer deployments. 

QBTS’ Price Performance

Over the past year, QBTS’ shares have lost 55.3% compared with the broader Internet Software industry’s 3.9% decline. 

 

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QBTS’ Expensive Valuation

QBTS currently trades at a forward 12-month Price-to-Sales (P/S) of 81.42X compared with the industry average of 4.40X.

 

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

QBTS Stock Estimate Trend

In the past 30 days, the company’s loss per share estimate for 2026 has remained unchanged. 

 

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

QBTS stock currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). 

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Does MasTec's 42% EPS Outlook Highlight Its 2026 Growth Story?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:56:00 GMT MasTec, Inc.’s MTZ latest outlook underscores a strong 2026 growth trajectory, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) expected to jump 42% year over year to $9.30. The upgraded guidance follows a record second quarter, supported by broad-based demand and improving profitability.

In the second quarter of 2026, revenues increased 23.4% year over year to $4.37 billion, while adjusted EBITDA climbed nearly 40% to $384.2 million. Adjusted EPS surged 48.8% to $2.22, with the adjusted EBITDA margin expanding 100 basis points (bps) to 8.8%. Backlog provides further visibility. MasTec’s record 18-month backlog reached $21.4 billion, up 30% year over year and $1.1 billion sequentially. Clean Energy and Infrastructure led the backlog gains, rising 58% year over year. The segment’s revenues surged 43.4%, while EBITDA advanced 53.9%.

Power Delivery also remained a solid contributor, with revenues up 19.2% and EBITDA rising 23.7%. Pipeline Infrastructure was another standout, delivering 19.1% revenue growth and a 91% increase in EBITDA. Broad-based growth across communications, clean energy, power delivery and pipeline infrastructure markets is aiding the growth trajectory. Higher project activity, particularly in energy infrastructure, along with improved execution and productivity, adds to the tailwinds.

MTZ also closed the acquisition of The Superior Group, adding about 3,000 employees and strengthening its data-center infrastructure capabilities. The deal broadens its exposure to growing power and digital infrastructure demand. The combination of accelerating backlog, margin expansion, segment diversification and Superior’s capabilities makes the 42% EPS growth outlook a compelling marker of MasTec’s improving earnings power.

Competitive Landscape: MasTec vs. EMCOR & Quanta

AI-driven data-center expansion, grid modernization and digital infrastructure spending are creating a favorable demand backdrop for MasTec, alongside other renowned infrastructure peers including EMCOR Group, Inc. EME and Quanta Services, Inc. PWR.

EMCOR benefits from robust AI infrastructure and data-center demand, supported by $15.62 billion of remaining performance obligations and disciplined capital allocation spanning organic investment, acquisitions and shareholder returns. Quanta remains leveraged to grid modernization and power demand from data centers, while pursuing disciplined capital deployment.

However, labor shortages, tariffs, inflation, permitting delays, elevated rates and potential project-cost pressures remain near-term risks for MTZ as well as its peers, including EMCOR and Quanta. Yet, MasTec’s broader exposure to clean energy, pipelines, communications and mission-critical construction offers diversification against these peers.

MTZ Stock’s Price Performance & Valuation Trend

Shares of this Florida-based infrastructure construction company have plunged 35.2% over the past six months, underperforming the Zacks Building Products - Heavy Construction industry, the broader Zacks Construction sector and the S&P 500 index.

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MTZ stock is currently trading at a premium compared with its industry peers, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 18.28, as shown in the chart below.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

EPS Trend of MTZ

MTZ’s earnings estimates for 2026 have trended down over the past 30 days to $9.30 per share, while they grew over the same time frame to $12.83 per share for 2027. The estimated figures for 2026 and 2027 imply 42% and 37.9% year-over-year growth, respectively.

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MasTec stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[AGIO Stock Sinks 29% in Three Months: Here's What You Need to Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:55:00 GMT Shares of Agios Pharmaceuticals AGIO have declined 29% over the past three months despite strong growth in mitapivat sales in the second quarter of 2026. The decline largely reflects setbacks to tebapivat, a key pipeline candidate, which have raised concerns about the company’s ability to diversify its growth beyond its mitapivat franchise.

Tebapivat Setback Weakens Pipeline Prospects

The biggest negative for Agios has been the failure of tebapivat, an investigational next-generation pyruvate kinase (PK) activator, to establish a sufficiently differentiated profile.

In May, Agios stopped developing the candidate in lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS) after a phase IIb study failed to meet the company’s predefined threshold for further development. The setback was followed by another blow in July, when Agios discontinued tebapivat’s development in sickle cell disease (SCD). Although the phase II study data showed improvements in hemoglobin and hemolysis, the results did not demonstrate enough differentiation from existing PK activators to justify further development.

Consequently, Agios discontinued tebapivat’s development across all indications, leaving it with a narrower pipeline. The decision raised concerns about the company’s ability to diversify beyond its marketed mitapivat franchise.

Year to date, AGIO’s shares have gained 14.9% compared with the industry’s 3.3% growth.

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Agios Becomes Increasingly Dependent on Mitapivat

With tebapivat no longer advancing in LR-MDS or SCD, mitapivat has become increasingly important to Agios’ long-term growth story. The drug is marketed as Pyrukynd for PK deficiency and as Aqvesme for thalassemia in the United States. Outside the United States, mitapivat continues to be marketed as Pyrukynd for PK deficiency and thalassemia indications. Pyrukynd and Aqvesme generated $44.7 million in worldwide revenues in the second quarter of 2026, up 259.3% year over year.

However, investors may be concerned that the company now has a narrower growth story because a larger portion of its future value depends on successfully expanding mitapivat across additional indications. Beyond the marketed indications, Agios is also developing mitapivat for SCD.

Mitapivat's supplemental application for SCD received FDA priority review, with the final decision expected by Nov. 1, 2026. However, competition in the SCD market is intensifying. Novo Nordisk’s NVO investigational etavopivat, another PK activator with a similar mechanism of action to mitapivat, is advancing toward regulatory submission. This could make it more challenging for Agios to establish and maintain a strong commercial position for mitapivat in SCD.

Overall, AGIO's near-term story is increasingly centered on execution of the mitapivat franchise, while its longer-term valuation depends on whether the company can successfully rebuild pipeline depth after the tebapivat setbacks.

Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Price and Consensus

Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Price and Consensus

Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Quote

AGIO’s Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Agios currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the biotech sector are AC Immune ACIU and Aldeyra Therapeutics ALDX, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.

Over the past 60 days, estimates for AC Immune’s 2026 loss per share have narrowed from 84 cents to 60 cents. Over the same period, earnings estimates for 2027 remained unchanged at 17 cents per share. ACIU’s shares have lost 13.7% year to date.

AC Immune’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 33.25%.

Over the past 60 days, loss per share estimates for Aldeyra Therapeutics have narrowed from 43 cents to 39 cents for 2026. Over the same period, estimates for 2027 loss per share have narrowed from 22 cents to 16 cents. ALDX’s shares have plunged 82.2% year to date.

Aldeyra Therapeutics’ earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 29.25%.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Premarket in Green]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:54:00 GMT Pre-market futures are up this morning, adding to the Nasdaq’s all-time-high close on Monday afternoon. The blue-chip Dow is +180 points at this hour, the Nasdaq is +120 points and the S&P 500 is +28 points. The small-cap Russell 2000 is +13 points, presently. The anticipation of tech earnings are helping unlock positive sentiment ahead of Q3 report releases, including the attention-grabbing headline of NVIDIA NVDA approaching an awe-inspiring $6 trillion market cap.

Brent crude oil — the London commodity index tracking international oil prices — is back down below $100 per barrel (/bbl) again this morning, with the American West Texas Intermediate (WTI) down below $90/bbl. Both indexes are more than -2.5% this morning. Without any concrete details regarding the war in Iran drawing to a close, conventional “wisdom” these days is that the conflict will come to an end after the midterm elections.

Bond yields have also moderated of late, while hovering at post-Great Recession (2009) highs above +5% on the 10-year. Currently, 10s are at +5.277%, the 2-year is +4.793% — representing a recent widening of the yield curve between the two, which had been tightening up of late — and the 30-year yield, telegraphing somewhat where 30-year fixed mortgage rates are headed, is currently +5.645%.

Trade Deficit Sinks to Deepest Level in 18 Months

Ahead of today’s open, the U.S. Trade Balance for August fell deeper than anticipated into negative territory: -$105.6 billion, from a revised -$92.8 billion (-$88.6 billion when initially reported) a month ago. This is the deepest trade deficit since the all-time low set back in March of 2025, -$132.98 billion, which directly preceded President Trump’s massive tariff initiative then known as “Liberation Day” (which lasted a week before tariff levels were largely rescinded).

Both Imports and Exports were up for the month: +1.4% and +4.3%, respectively. Total Imports reached $420.8 billion in the month, with August capital goods setting a new record high at $6.2 billion. These were particularly aligned with microchips from Taiwan imported to power the massive AI buildout, as well as higher oil prices.

Through the first four months of 2026, it appeared as if our trade deficit was under control, hovering steadily in the -$55 billion range. This deserved no prize, for sure, but we’re currently near double that deficit — having absorbed much of the tariff initiatives by then, but just taking on the higher oil prices following the attack on Iran.

What to Expect from the Stock Market Today

We’re still a couple days away from big companies likePepsiCo PEP and Delta Air Lines DAL reporting Q3 earnings, but after today’s close we’ll hear from liquor provider Constellation Brands STZ with its fiscal Q2 earnings numbers. Expectations are for slightly lower earnings growth year over year, -0.28%, on +3.58% growth on revenues. Changing habits among consumers — including household economy belt-tightening and use of GLP-1s (which constitutes “belt tightening” of a different kind) — has helped take shares well down from their 2024 levels.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can Ford's Truck and SUV Strength Drive Q3 Earnings Growth? ]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:53:00 GMT Ford F heads into its upcoming third-quarter earnings report with encouraging underlying trends in its core truck and SUV businesses, despite a decline in overall U.S. vehicle sales. Ford's third-quarter U.S. sales fell 6.6% year over year to 509,764 vehicles, primarily reflecting the planned phase-out of Escape and Corsair.  

The strength of Ford's higher-value vehicle portfolio remains a key positive heading into earnings. F-Series sales increased 2.4% in September, while Super Duty production rose 4.4% to 110,275 units, marking its best quarterly performance in 19 years. Maverick Hybrid sales surged 59.6% to a record 27,793 units, and Bronco also recorded its strongest third-quarter sales.  

Demand for large SUVs, including Explorer and Expedition, further supports the company's product mix and pricing position. Additionally, active paid software subscriptions surpassed 1.7 million through September, increasing more than 40% year over year and strengthening the potential for recurring, higher-margin revenues. Although a temporary supplier issue affected F-150 production late in September, management expects the financial impact to remain within its existing 2026 adjusted EBIT guidance of $10-$11 billion.  

However, electric vehicle sales were the weak spot. According to Electrek, Ford’s U.S. EV sales plunged 80% year over year to 6,047 vehicles in the third quarter of 2026, Mustang Mach-E sales fell 72.4% to 5,574 units, while F-150 Lightning sales tumbled 97% to just 289 units. 

Competitive Context: GM & TM

General Motors GM provides a useful comparison, as its third-quarter U.S. deliveries declined 5.5% to 670,974 vehicles, broadly reflecting the pressure on industry volumes. Nevertheless, GM's Silverado light-duty sales increased 13.3%, while Trax and Trailblazer posted gains of 16.3% and 51.1%, respectively. These results highlight that, much like Ford, GM continues to benefit from demand for selected trucks and affordable SUVs even as overall deliveries soften.  

It also witnessed a steep pullback in EV demand. Chevrolet Equinox EV deliveries plunged 92.4% year over year to 1,905 units, Blazer EV sales declined to 1,261 units and Silverado EV deliveries fell 58% to 1,655 units. Cadillac LYRIQ sales dropped 50.5%, while GMC HUMMER EV and Sierra EV sales decreased 72.9% and 50.8%, respectively. GM noted that its overall third-quarter sales decline partly reflected a substantially smaller EV market. 

The comparison becomes more nuanced when comparing Toyota TM, which delivered 633,223 vehicles in the United States during the third quarter, up 0.6% year over year, with Toyota division sales rising 0.5% and Lexus sales increasing 1.6%.  

Toyota's electrified vehicle sales, including hybrids, jumped 28.5% to 363,367 units and represented 57.4% of its total quarterly sales, underscoring the strength of its multi-path electrification strategy. Toyota also continues to benefit from a broad electrified lineup, with 32 electrified vehicle options available across the Toyota and Lexus brands. 

The Zacks Rundown for Ford

Shares of F have gained 1.49% in a year against its industry’s 3.4% decline. 

Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

Ford is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings of 6.33X, lower than the industry’s average of 82.96X. It carries a Value Score of A. 

Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 70.6%. 

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The consensus estimate for EPS for fiscal 2026 has been flat over the past 60 days. 

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F currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can Generac Turn C&I Business Momentum Into a Durable Revenue Engine?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:52:00 GMT Generac Holdings Inc. GNRC is becoming a major supplier of power-generation equipment for Commercial and Industrial (C&I) customers, particularly the rapidly expanding data center market. In the second quarter, C&I sales jumped 29% year over year to $556.5 million, driven by ramping revenues from products sold into the global data center market. C&I adjusted EBITDA margin expanded to 14.6% from 12.4% in the prior-year quarter, led by tariff refunds and operating discipline, partly offset by unfavorable mix and growth investments. Following its second-quarter performance, management projected low-30% C&I sales growth for 2026 compared with its earlier mid-to-high-20% expectation.

The driving force behind Generac's C&I acceleration is the data center industry. AI infrastructure is driving extraordinary demand for electricity and backup power. Data centers cannot tolerate prolonged power interruptions, making large-scale standby generation an increasingly critical component of infrastructure planning. Generac is benefiting directly from this trend. During the quarter, it generated more than $100 million in data center revenues and secured two multiyear supply agreements with hyperscale customers. The first agreement includes nearly $700 million in product commitments for 2027, while the second is in the final stages of negotiations for 2027 and 2028 deliveries. These deals validate GNRC’s position as a top-tier C&I backup power supplier.

GNRC now expects nearly $450 million in 2026 data center revenues, up from its previous forecast, with the growing backlog providing greater visibility into accelerating C&I sales growth in 2027. However, C&I mix and tariff volatility could squeeze margins. Despite a sharp increase in gross margin to 44.5% from 39.3%, tariff refunds drove most of the improvement, adding roughly six percentage points. Excluding these benefits, 2026 gross margin is expected near the low end of the prior 38.5-39.5% range. A rising C&I mix could further weigh on profitability, as these products generally carry lower margins than residential offerings, while higher input costs and tariff volatility could add further pressure.

Intense Rivalry Poses a Risk to GNRC’s C&I Growth

Caterpillar Inc. CAT outlook is supported by broad demand across construction, mining and power markets, with rising sales to users and a record backlog improving revenue visibility. It continues to invest in digital capabilities, connected assets, services and more productive equipment to deepen customer relationships beyond new-machine sales. CAT targets services revenues of $30 billion by 2030, up from $24 billion in 2025. Caterpillar is also extending its digital and AI capabilities through its Cat AI Assistant, its expanded collaboration with NVIDIA, RPMGlobal and Skycatch. These initiatives add software, spatial analytics and AI tools that can improve equipment interaction, mine planning and operating decisions.

Cummins Inc. CMI is benefiting from sustained data center power demand, supported by multiyear backup power commitments and prime power expansion. Firmer North American truck demand and Engine and Components outlooks add support, while energy-transition investments and disciplined capital returns strengthen the long-term case. It is also widening its data center role through natural gas generation and microgrid solutions. Cummins is advancing its long-term growth and decarbonization strategy through targeted investment in lower-emission technologies. Its HELM approach now includes a phased launch of the model-year 2027 X15 and X10 engines, while legacy platforms remain available during the transition.

GNRC Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates

Shares of GNRC have surged 14.8% in the past month, while the sub-industry is up 0.4%.

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GNRC is trading at a forward 12-month price/earnings ratio of 18.82X, lower than the industry’s multiple of 20.51X.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GNRC earnings for 2026 has been revised up marginally over the past 60 days.

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GNRC currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can Cheesecake Factory's $13.5M AUVs Drive Its Next Growth Phase?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:51:00 GMT The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated CAKE is pursuing further growth as annualized average sales per restaurant, or average unit volumes (AUVs), exceed $13.5 million at The Cheesecake Factory restaurants. Record average weekly sales in second-quarter fiscal 2026 were supported by stronger traffic, menu innovation and rewards engagement.

Higher restaurant volumes are translating into stronger profitability. Cheesecake Factory’s comparable sales increased 5.8% year over year in the second quarter, including 2.7% traffic growth. Traffic outperformed the Black Box Casual Dining Index by 350 basis points. Higher sales, improved labor productivity and food efficiencies lifted restaurant-level margin at The Cheesecake Factory restaurants to 20%, its highest level in a decade.

Menu innovation and digital engagement are supporting repeat visits. Customers ordering from the recently introduced Bowls category are visiting more frequently, while increased ordering of Bites has offset the effect of lower-priced Bowls on average guest spending. Adoption of the Cheesecake Rewards app exceeded expectations, supporting member acquisition and engagement. The platform enables increasingly personalized offers intended to generate incremental visits and improve marketing efficiency.

The company plans to open as many as 26 restaurants across its portfolio in 2026, including five to six Cheesecake Factory locations, consistent with its longer-term objective of 7% annual unit growth. Approximately $210 million in planned cash capital expenditures will support restaurant development and maintenance. Established operating systems and staffing practices are also being applied to support expansion at Flower Child and North Italia.

Cheesecake Factory’s ability to build on AUVs above $13.5 million will likely depend on sustaining demand as its restaurant base expands. Sales trends strengthened after the app’s launch giveaway ended, indicating that momentum extended beyond the initial promotion. If that strength continues, marketing reinvestment and company-wide financial flexibility could support its next phase of growth.

Peers Build Growth Through Unit Productivity

Shake Shack Inc. SHAK is expanding its restaurant base while focusing on unit economics and guest traffic. Second-quarter 2026 average weekly sales were approximately $78,000, flat year over year, while Same-Shack sales increased 3.5%, including 2% traffic growth. Shake Shack plans to open 60 to 65 company-operated restaurants in 2026, with newer locations tracking toward expected cash-on-cash return targets. Low construction costs and high restaurant sales volumes likely support SHAK’s development strategy.

Dutch Bros Inc. BROS is reporting rising system-wide AUVs and strong new-shop productivity as it expands nationally. Second-quarter 2026 system same-shop sales increased 5.8%, including 1.7% transaction growth, supported by its food rollout, marketing initiatives and customer segmentation within Dutch Rewards. Dutch Bros opened 48 shops during the quarter and had approximately 90% of the development pipeline needed to reach its target of 2,029 shops in 2029. The company is improving shop layouts, equipment and operating processes to increase throughput while maintaining service quality. BROS is optimistic and anticipates the initiatives will drive sales as the store base expands.

CAKE’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

Shares of Cheesecake Factory have gained 40.3% in the past three months against the industry’s decline of 15.9%.

CAKE Stock’s Three-Month Price Performance

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Cheesecake Factory stock trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 1.29, below the industry’s average of 2.85.

CAKE P/S Ratio (Forward 12-Month) vs. Industry

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Cheesecake Factory’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) implies a year-over-year uptick of 20.2%. The EPS estimates for 2026 have increased in the past 30 days.

EPS Trend of CAKE Stock

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Cheesecake Factory stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[ConocoPhillips Reviews Norway Business & UK Teesside Asset Divestment]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:50:00 GMT ConocoPhillips COP is evaluating the potential sale of its Norway business and the Teesside terminal in the U.K. after receiving an unsolicited offer. According to Reuters, COP has not identified the bidder or disclosed financial terms, but said the review aligns with its portfolio optimization strategy and that it will retain the assets if the offer falls short of expectations.

Portfolio Optimization Takes Center Stage

ConocoPhillips’ Norway operations include interests in multiple producing fields and licenses across the Norwegian continental shelf, while the Teesside terminal processes and exports crude oil and natural gas liquids delivered through the Norpipe system. A sale would reduce the company’s exposure to mature North Sea assets and provide additional flexibility to concentrate capital on higher-priority opportunities elsewhere in its portfolio.

Potential $7B Deal Adds Financial Flexibility

Capital One Securities estimates the combined value of the Norway business and Teesside terminal at about $7 billion, representing roughly 4% of ConocoPhillips’ $163-billion enterprise value. A transaction near that valuation would provide meaningful proceeds that COP can direct toward debt reduction, shareholder returns or investments in higher-return assets.

Valuation Discipline Remains Important

The unsolicited nature of the offer also places ConocoPhillips in a favorable negotiating position, as the company is not under pressure to sell. Management’s willingness to retain the assets if valuation expectations are not met highlights disciplined capital allocation.

What Investors Need to Watch

For investors, the key issue is whether any agreed sale price adequately reflects the assets’ cash-generating potential. A well-priced divestiture would strengthen COP’s business model and reinforce its focus on returns and capital efficiency.

COP’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks

COP currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the energy sector are BP p.l.c. BP, Cenovus Energy CVE) and Valero Energy VLO, each currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

BP has a diversified presence across oil and gas exploration and production, refining, marketing, trading and low-carbon businesses. The global integrated giant is pursuing an aggressive portfolio simplification strategy similar to ConocoPhillips. BP has completed or initiated sales involving its Gelsenkirchen refinery, North Sea business, Archaea Energy and other holdings, while directing proceeds toward debt reduction and higher-return opportunities.

Calgary-based Cenovus Energy produces crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, with operations spanning North America and international markets. CVE recently agreed to acquire Athabasca Oil Corporation for about C$5.7 billion, a deal expected to add roughly 45,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and strengthen its oil sands portfolio.

Valero operates 14 petroleum refineries across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, with combined throughput capacity of roughly 3 million barrels per day. The company’s resilient refining footprint and strong profitability support disciplined shareholder returns, with VLO returning $2.6 billion to stockholders in the second quarter of 2026.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[3 Stocks to Buy From the Prospering Semiconductor Industry]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:50:00 GMT Electronics - Semiconductors industry players are benefiting from the growing proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI). AI demand is expanding beyond model training into inference, agentic AI and eventually physical AI, creating sustained demand for advanced semiconductors. Rather than being concentrated in a single chip category, AI is increasing investments across leading-edge logic, DRAM, NAND, High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) and advanced packaging. These have turned out to be boons for industry players like Applied Materials AMAT, Lam Research LRCX and FormFactor FORM. Increasing demand for AI-supportive chips from hyperscalers is a major growth driver. However, the industry is suffering from supply chain constraints and increasing manufacturing costs related to advanced packaging and larger HBM stacks. Tariffs on trade partners, including China, are expected to hurt the industry’s prospects. 

Industry Description

The Zacks Electronics – Semiconductors industry comprises companies that provide a wide range of semiconductor technologies. Their offerings include packaging and test services, wafer cleaning, factory automation, face detection and image-recognition capabilities to develop smart and connected products. The industry participants primarily cater to end markets that include consumer electronics, communications, computing, industrial and automotive. The companies are increasing their spending on research and development to stay afloat in an era of technological advancements and changing industry standards. The industry is experiencing solid demand for advanced electronic equipment, which is helping its participants increase their investments in cost-effective process technologies.

What's Shaping the Future of the Electronics ??? Semiconductors Industry?

AI Demand Driving Prospects: Industry participants are benefiting from growing demand for advanced manufacturing processes and energy-efficient computing power, both of which are needed to develop AI-supportive chips. AI is gaining popularity thanks to multimodal learning and growing context awareness. The emergence of Gen AI and Agentic AI has further enhanced AI’s capabilities, making it a key driver of efficiency, automation and innovation. Significant improvements in computing hardware (GPUs and TPUs) are allowing the development of more complex AI models. The growing number of high-speed data centers worldwide, which require ultra-fast Internet that 5G promises to deliver, is a tailwind. Spending on AI infrastructure is expected to accelerate in 2026 and 2027 as enterprises continue to leverage AI as part of their digital transformation efforts.

Smart Devices Aiding Computing Demand: Smart devices need computing and learning capabilities to perform functions like face detection, image recognition and video analytics. These require high levels of processing power, speed and memory and low power consumption, as well as better graphics processors and solutions, which bode well for the industry. Graphic solutions help increase the speed of rendering images and improve image resolution and color definition.

Prospects Around Advanced Packaging Robust: The increasing demand for miniaturization, greater functionality, lower power consumption, and improved thermal and electrical performance are driving the demand for semiconductor packaging and test technologies. The growing requirement for advanced packaging is gaining traction in the semiconductor industry, which is a key catalyst for industry participants.

Complex Process Drives Demand: The requirement for faster, more powerful and energy-efficient semiconductors is expected to increase rapidly with the robust adoption of cloud computing, IoT and AI. Semiconductor manufacturers are primarily looking to maximize manufacturing yields at lower costs, making semiconductor manufacturing processes more complex and driving the demand for solutions offered by industry participants. The rapid adoption of IoT-supported factory automation solutions is another contributing factor. 

Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright Prospects

The Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry is housed within the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector. It currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #108, which places the industry in the top 44% of more than 250 Zacks industries.

The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bullish near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than two to one.

The industry’s positioning in the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of the positive earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are optimistic about this group’s earnings growth potential. Since Jan. 31, 2026, the industry’s earnings estimates for the current year have moved up 152.6%.

Given the bullish prospects, there are a number of stocks that investors can consider for their portfolio. However, before we present the stocks, let us look at the industry’s recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.

Industry Outperforms S&P 500 & Sector

The Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry has outperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite and the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector in the past year.

The industry has appreciated 42.9% over this period compared with the Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s return of 27.2% and the S&P 500’s rise of 16%.

One-Year Price Performance

Industry's Current Valuation

On the basis of the forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio, which is a commonly used multiple for valuing electronics semiconductor stocks, the industry is currently trading at 14.2X versus the S&P 500 and the sector’s 19.76X and 21.33X, respectively.

Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 39.95X and as low as 11.14X, with the median being 22.21X, as the charts below show.

 

Forward 12-Month Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio

 



 

3 Electronics Semiconductor Stocks to Buy

FormFactor: This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company is benefiting from probe card demand tied to high-performance compute (HPC) and advanced packaging. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

As AI processors increasingly use chiplet architectures, customers need greater certainty that individual dies are functional before they are integrated into costly packages such as HBM stacks. This is increasing spending on testing and probe cards and providing a structural tailwind for FormFactor. Custom AI accelerators are increasingly moving toward higher power and performance levels that require FormFactor’s advanced MEMS probe technology. The company expects this transition to accelerate from 2027, while GPU qualifications, HBM share gains and rising HBM4 test requirements are expanding its addressable opportunity. 

FormFactor stock has appreciated 164.6% year to date. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FORM’s 2026 earnings has declined a couple of cents to $3.03 per share over the past 30 days.

Price & Consensus: FORM

 

Applied Materials: This Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company is benefiting from AI-driven demand that is shifting wafer fabrication equipment spending toward leading-edge foundry-logic, DRAM and advanced packaging, where AMAT holds leading process positions. 

Applied Materials expects leading-edge foundry-logic, DRAM and advanced packaging to account for around 80% of wafer fab equipment growth in 2026 and 2027. The company holds strong positions across these areas and expects advanced packaging revenues to grow more than 70% in calendar 2026, supported by demand for HBM, 3D chiplet stacking and next-generation packaging architectures. 

Applied Materials stock has appreciated 111% year to date. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AMAT’s fiscal 2026 earnings has increased couple of cents over the past 30 days to $12.79 per share, suggesting 35.77% growth from the figure reported in fiscal 2025.

Price & Consensus: AMAT

 

Lam Research: Another Zacks Rank #2 stock, Lam Research is benefiting from increasing manufacturing complexity, particularly through higher-aspect-ratio structures, 3D architectures and new materials. These trends expand the company’s available market and favor its leadership in etch and deposition technologies.

AI workloads are driving greater flash-storage requirements, prompting customers to migrate toward 200-plus-layer NAND architectures. Lam Research expects its NAND SAM per wafer to double between 128-layer and 500-plus-layer devices, while its advanced-packaging business is on track to grow more than 70% year over year as AI systems incorporate more chiplets, HBM stacks and complex interconnects.

Lam Research’s shares have appreciated 102% year to date. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LRCX’s fiscal 2026 earnings has been steady at $9.32 per share over the past 30 days.

Price & Consensus: LRCX


 

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can Planet Labs' 20-Satellite Launch Strengthen Its Global Coverage?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:48:00 GMT Planet Labs PBC PL has successfully launched 20 satellites aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, marking another step in expanding its satellite constellation and Earth-observation capabilities. The launch included the company’s second Tanager satellite, 18 SuperDoves and the first demonstration mission associated with Google’s Project Suncatcher.

The company established initial contact with Tanager-2, the Suncatcher prototype and two SuperDove satellites following deployment. The remaining 16 SuperDoves are expected to be deployed through D-Orbit’s ION satellite carrier as planned. The mission represents Planet Labs’ 40th successful launch and brings the total number of satellites the company has built and delivered to orbit to 718.

The Suncatcher demonstration is designed to test the feasibility of using Google Tensor Processing Units in space for machine-learning workloads. Meanwhile, Tanager-2, developed with Carbon Mapper, is equipped with hyperspectral imaging capabilities designed to identify methane emissions and support applications such as rare-earth element identification, water-quality monitoring and agricultural intelligence. The satellite captures imagery across 426 contiguous spectral bands with approximately 5-nanometer spectral resolution and 30-meter spatial resolution. Planet Labs expects to launch at least three additional Tanager satellites.

The 18 SuperDoves are part of PL’s Flock 4J mission and are expected to add capacity to the company’s PlanetScope constellation, which provides near-daily global monitoring. The expanded fleet is intended to support commercial customers as well as civil government, defense and intelligence applications.

Planet Labs plans additional launches to further expand its satellite constellations and support growing demand for satellite services, data and vertically integrated geospatial intelligence solutions. The company’s latest launch therefore adds capacity across multiple satellite platforms while advancing its efforts to broaden Earth-observation coverage and capabilities.

Taking a Look at PL’s Competitors

Redwire Corporation RDW benefits from a record backlog, better revenue visibility, repeat defense awards and rising UAS and ISR demand. Margin improvement reflects better execution as the business scales. Capacity projects in Huntsville and Georgetown are aligned with real demand areas and backed by stronger liquidity. RDW invested in phased-array antenna technology for space communications. Redwire also reaffirmed its full-year 2026 revenue forecast of $450-$500 million. The $475 million midpoint implies 41.6% year-over-year growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $471 million, which is lower than the midpoint of the company's guided range.

Satellogic SATL is gaining from strong sovereign and defense demand, rising adoption of persistent monitoring and improving operating leverage. The successful launch of its first Merlin satellite strengthens SATL’s path toward daily global remapping and full operational service in the second half of 2027. In the second quarter, revenues surged 259% year over year to $15.9 million, while adjusted EBITDA turned positive at $2.8 million. Growth was supported by sovereign satellite deliveries and expanding Aleph Observer subscriptions. Satellogic also ended the quarter with $80.7 million in contracted backlog, including $45.8 million expected within 12 months, providing solid revenue visibility.

PL’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

Planet Labs’ shares have lost 50.6% over the past six months compared with the Satellite and Communication industry’s 21.4% decline.

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Planet Labs’ shares are trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales multiple of 11.89X, significantly higher than the industry’s ratio of 2.93X.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PL’s earnings for fiscal 2027 has been revised upward over the past 60 days.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

PL currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[3 Energy Stocks Positioned for Extended Iran-War Volatility]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:44:00 GMT The prolonged Iran conflict has reshaped global energy markets beyond a simple rise in crude prices. Middle Eastern oil flows have started recovering as producers find alternative ways to move barrels, but shipping disruptions, high freight costs, tight refined-product supplies and pressure on liquefied natural gas (LNG) availability continue to keep the market unsettled.

Brent crude recently moved back around $100 per barrel after a sharp pullback, highlighting how quickly prices are reacting to changes in Gulf exports, military developments and shipping conditions. This volatility makes company-specific positioning increasingly important.

Companies with limited exposure to disrupted Middle Eastern assets, strong LNG export capacity or diversified global operations may be better placed to navigate an extended conflict. Against this backdrop, Chevron Corporation CVX, Cheniere Energy, Inc. LNG and Shell plc SHEL stand out for different reasons.

Energy Markets Remain Under Pressure

The global oil market has adjusted to the disruption faster than initially expected. Middle Eastern crude exports have rebounded as producers increasingly rely on pipelines, shuttle tankers and ship-to-ship transfers to move barrels around affected shipping routes.

However, the recovery has been uneven. Refined-product markets remain tight, particularly diesel, while higher freight costs and limited tanker availability continue to complicate global energy flows.

LNG has also become an important part of the supply story. Disruptions to Qatari production have increased the strategic value of suppliers outside the Middle East, particularly U.S. exporters. Meanwhile, companies with strong U.S. oil production can participate in elevated global prices while avoiding heavy dependence on Persian Gulf supply routes.

Chevron: Diversified Production Supports Resilience

Chevron is well positioned to benefit from stronger crude prices while limiting direct exposure to the Middle East. Much of the company’s production growth is coming from the United States and Guyana.

Chevron has built a large presence in the Permian Basin, while its acquisition of Hess added a 30% interest in Guyana’s Stabroek Block. Guyana has emerged as a major source of new oil supply outside the Middle East, strengthening Chevron’s geographic diversification.

The Hess acquisition, combined with continued growth from U.S. operations, has expanded Chevron’s overall production base. The company also maintains a sizable downstream business, giving it exposure to stronger refining conditions when global fuel inventories tighten.

This positioning matters during a prolonged conflict. Higher crude prices can support upstream earnings, while Chevron’s limited dependence on Middle Eastern production reduces the risk that regional disruptions erase those gains.

Strong cash generation also provides flexibility to fund projects, manage debt and maintain shareholder distributions through volatile commodity cycles.

For investors, Chevron’s appeal therefore extends beyond higher oil prices. Its expanding U.S. and Guyana operations provide meaningful production exposure while keeping direct conflict-related operating risks relatively contained. CVX currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Cheniere Energy: U.S. LNG Gains Strategic Importance

Cheniere Energy offers a different way to participate in the changing energy landscape. Rather than relying mainly on crude prices, the company benefits from its position as a leading U.S. LNG exporter.

That role has become more important as disruptions to Middle Eastern LNG production encourage buyers to diversify supply.

Cheniere Energy recently completed the Corpus Christi Stage 3 project, increasing LNG production capacity across Corpus Christi and Sabine Pass by more than 20% to roughly 56 million tonnes per annum.

The added capacity arrives at an opportune time. Reduced Qatari LNG availability has increased demand for reliable suppliers capable of delivering cargoes to Europe, Asia and other major consuming regions.

Cheniere Energy is also pursuing additional LNG capacity through further development opportunities at Corpus Christi and Sabine Pass, subject to regulatory and investment approvals.

The company had already raised its 2026 adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow outlook before the latest tightening in global LNG supplies. Its expanded infrastructure and contracted customer base provide a strong foundation to serve growing demand.

For Cheniere Energy, the prolonged Iran conflict creates an opportunity tied more to energy security than short-term gas-price movements. If buyers continue seeking geographically diversified supplies, U.S. LNG could become increasingly important, potentially supporting additional long-term contracts. Cheniere Energy currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Shell: Integrated Model Provides a Cushion

Shell faces greater direct Middle Eastern exposure than Chevron or Cheniere Energy, making its investment case more complicated.

The company has significant operations in Qatar and elsewhere in the region, and the conflict has already affected some assets. Damage to one processing train at the Pearl gas-to-liquids facility highlights the operational risks associated with prolonged regional instability.

However, Shell’s diversified global business provides several potential offsets.

The company operates across upstream oil and gas, LNG, refining, chemicals and commodity trading. This integrated structure allows stronger performance in one segment to help cushion weakness elsewhere.

Shell’s LNG trading capabilities are particularly valuable during periods of supply disruption. The company can redirect cargoes across regions and respond to changing price differentials, helping it capture value from market volatility.

Its refining operations provide another buffer. Tight diesel and fuel markets can support refining margins, adding an earnings stream beyond upstream production.

Still, Shell carries greater conflict-related risk than Chevron because of its Gulf exposure. Continued instability could affect production and project schedules. Yet its diversified portfolio reduces dependence on any single region or commodity. SHEL carries a Zacks Rank #3 at present.

Why These Three Stocks Stand Out

Chevron, Cheniere Energy and Shell provide three different ways to navigate the same geopolitical disruption.

Chevron combines higher oil-price exposure with growing production in the United States and Guyana. Cheniere Energy benefits from the rising strategic importance of U.S. LNG as buyers seek alternatives to Middle Eastern supply. Shell carries greater Gulf exposure but can rely on its global LNG, trading, refining and upstream businesses to offset part of the impact.

The key advantage shared by all three is operating flexibility. As the Iran conflict continues to reshape global trade routes and energy availability, companies with diversified production, export infrastructure and multiple earnings streams may be better positioned to remain resilient through an extended period of volatility.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Reasons to Retain Cardinal Health Stock in Your Portfolio for Now]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:44:00 GMT Cardinal Health CAH enters fiscal 2027 with strong momentum across pharmaceutical distribution, specialty solutions and growth businesses. Specialty pharmaceuticals, cell-and-gene therapy capabilities and expanding non-core operations should support earnings growth, while IRA-related pricing changes, GMPD execution challenges, tariffs and elevated operating costs could constrain its overall performance.

Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have risen 13.4% so far this year compared with the industry's 3.1% growth and the S&P 500 Index’s 12.3% rise.

Cardinal Health, with a market capitalization of $52.87 billion, is a global specialty medical device company.

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CAH’s bottom line is estimated to improve 13.3% over the next five years. Its earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 14.72%.

What's Driving CAH’s Performance?

Pharma Profit Growth Should Remain a Core Earnings Catalyst: Cardinal Health enters fiscal 2027 with strong momentum in its largest business. Pharma segment profit increased 21% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, supported by brand and specialty portfolios, while the generics program continued to outperform its long-term targets. Management expects 8-11% Pharma profit growth in fiscal 2027, despite assuming more normalized demand. Brand and generic volume strength, additional generic launches, Red Oak-enabled sourcing and previously won distribution contracts should support profitability. Management expects generic conversions to remain earnings-accretive because of their higher-margin economics. This combination of resilient utilization and favorable product mix provides a relatively dependable earnings engine even as fiscal 2027 revenue growth normalizes.

Other Growth Businesses Are Emerging as Growth Engines: Cardinal Health’s Other businesses are becoming increasingly important contributors to consolidated growth. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, the group generated 7% revenue growth and 14% segment-profit growth. Management expects fiscal 2027 revenues to increase 11-13% and profit to rise 15-18%. Nuclear and Precision Health Solutions is particularly attractive, with PET revenues growing more than 20% in the fiscal fourth quarter and Theranostics improved nearly 30%. OptiFreight is also seeing strong adoption of technology-enabled logistics products, while at-Home Solutions is benefiting from scale and integration. The combination of secular demand, operating leverage and selective acquisitions creates a faster-growing earnings layer beyond traditional pharmaceutical distribution.

Operational Efficiency Strengthens Competitive Position: Cardinal Health’s operational investments are increasingly translating into measurable service improvements and customer stickiness. Management highlighted service levels at or near record highs and noted that the company retained key customers across all classes of trade, including a long-term extension with its largest GMPD customer. In the at-Home business, the total fill rate reached nearly 99%, while on-time departures reached a record level. Automation and technology are also improving order accuracy and distribution efficiency. These capabilities can strengthen Cardinal Health’s competitive position because reliable fulfillment is critical in pharmaceutical and medical-product distribution. The combination of scale, service quality and customer retention supports more durable revenue visibility.

What’s Hurting CAH’s Prospect

IRA Pricing Changes May Suppress Pharma Revenue Growth: Cardinal Health expects pharmaceutical revenue growth to moderate to 3-5% in fiscal 2027, partly because of the annualization of 2026 IRA price changes and implementation of additional 2027 changes. Management expects the percentage revenue impact to be broadly consistent with the headwind experienced during the second half of fiscal 2026. While the company does not anticipate an adverse profit impact, the pressure can lead to uncertain underlying volume performance and constrain reported top-line growth. This is particularly important because Pharma remains Cardinal Health’s largest operating segment. Investors therefore need to separate revenue trends caused by government-mandated pricing changes from underlying demand, especially as GLP-1 volume growth also moderates.

Specialty Growth Is Likely to Decelerate: Specialty remains a major growth engine, but its unusually strong performance in fiscal 2026 creates a tougher comparison for the coming year. Management said Specialty grew approximately 25% in fiscal 2026, boosted by distribution growth and contributions from acquisitions. For fiscal 2027, management still expects double-digit Specialty revenue growth but explicitly indicated that it will not match the prior year’s pace. Management characterized the expected trajectory as closer to the historical mid-teens range. This normalization could reduce the incremental contribution from Specialty to consolidated growth even while the business remains structurally attractive. The risk is therefore not deterioration, but a meaningful deceleration from an exceptionally strong base that could temper investor expectations.

Commodity Costs and Geopolitical Risks Could Pressure GMPD Profitability: Although GMPD is progressing operationally, its profitability in fiscal 2027 remains exposed to external cost pressures. Management specifically cited diesel fuel, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl and resins as areas experiencing inflationary pressure. Cardinal Health expects tariff benefits to offset much of these costs, but acknowledged that sustained elevated commodity prices or a prolonged Iran conflict could push GMPD toward the lower end of its $200-$220 million profit guidance. The company has improved its ability to mitigate such pressures through commercial flexibility and fuel surcharges, but some costs still flow through. Consequently, geopolitical developments and input-cost inflation remain important variables for the segment’s earnings trajectory.

Cardinal Health, Inc. Price

Cardinal Health, Inc. Price

Cardinal Health, Inc. price | Cardinal Health, Inc. Quote

Estimate Trend

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2027 revenues is pegged at $266.02 billion, implying growth of 4.6% from the year-ago reported figure. The consensus mark for adjusted EPS is pinned at $12.55, indicating an improvement of 11.5% from the previous year’s recorded level.

In the past 60 days, CAH’s earnings estimate for fiscal 2027 has improved 4.2%.

Stocks to Consider

Some better-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are Globus Medical GMED, West Pharmaceutical WST and Merit Medical Systems MMSI.

Globus Medical, currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), reported a second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.34, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 19.6%. Revenues of $789.6 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.4%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

GMED has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 12.4%. The company’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 27.9%.

West Pharmaceutical, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present, reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $2.37, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 13.9%. Revenues of $872.3 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.2%.

WST has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 16%. WST’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 17.4%.

Merit Medical Systems, currently carrying a Zacks Rank of 2, reported a second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.19, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 24%. Revenues of $419 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.5%.

MMSI has an estimated earnings growth rate of 12.3% for 2026. The company’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 14.10%.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can Nolan & Associates Deal Fortify Commerce Bancshares' Fee Income?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:43:00 GMT Commerce Bancshares CBSH has completed the acquisition of Nolan & Associates, adding investment banking (IB) capabilities to its middle-market franchise. Announced in June 2026, the transaction brings expertise in M&A, capital raising and ownership-transition advisory. Nolan & Associates will retain its leadership, employees and St. Louis-area office, providing continuity while giving CBSH an established platform to expand its advisory offering.

Strategically, the acquisition extends CBSH’s relationship with middle-market clients beyond conventional banking products. Nolan & Associates’ ties with business owners, corporations and private equity firms should enable CBSH to participate in transactions ranging from acquisitions and divestitures to capital raising and succession planning. This broadens CBSH’s addressable revenue opportunity while creating scope to connect advisory clients with lending, treasury and other banking services.

The more important financial benefit could come through non-interest income. Nolan & Associates generates revenues primarily from advisory and transaction fees, meaning CBSH can earn incremental revenues without deploying significant amounts of capital onto its balance sheet. Commerce Bancshares can introduce existing commercial clients to Nolan & Associates’ advisory services, while transaction clients may subsequently require banking or wealth-management solutions. Such referrals could lift fee revenues per relationship and improve the overall economics of CBSH’s client base. However, IB revenues remain sensitive to M&A volumes, financing conditions and broader capital-market activity.

The transaction also complements CBSH’s wider diversification strategy. Earlier in 2026, the company completed the acquisition of FineMark Holdings, expanding its private banking and wealth management footprint.

Overall, Nolan & Associates strengthens CBSH’s ability to generate revenues from advisory-driven activities, alongside its core banking operations. The acquisition is unlikely to transform the company’s earnings profile on its own, but it expands the breadth of its middle-market offering and provides another channel for fee growth without requiring proportionate balance-sheet expansion.

CBSH’s Peers Building Middle-Market Advisory Capabilities

Commerce Bancshares’ strategy mirrors a broader shift among regional banks toward higher-fee advisory and capital-markets businesses. By expanding beyond lending, banks can capture a larger share of corporate clients’ financial activity while creating revenue streams that are less directly tied to net interest margins.

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated HBAN has taken a similar approach to expanding its middle-market advisory franchise. In 2026, Huntington Securities and Capstone Partners acquired three businesses from Janney Montgomery Scott, including TM Capital. The transaction strengthened Huntington’s M&A and private-equity capabilities, giving it greater scope to pair established commercial banking relationships with advisory mandates and transaction-related fees.

Regions Financial Corporation RF also maintains a sizable advisory presence through BlackArch Partners and Clearsight Advisors. These platforms extend Regions’ capabilities in M&A and strategic advisory, including exposure to middle-market and technology-oriented clients.

CBSH’s Price Performance & Zacks Rank

Over the past six months, CBSH shares have gained 10.3% compared with the industry’s 5.7% growth.

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Currently, Commerce Bancshares carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Is SSR Mining Set to Benefit From the Puna Operations Expansion? ]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:41:00 GMT SSR Mining Inc.’s SSRM Puna operations boost the company’s revenue mix through silver, lead and zinc production while hosting several mine-life extension potential.

SSRM’s fully-owned  Puna operations in Argentina include the Chinchillas mine and the Pirquitas property. The company’s recent efforts at the operations include advancing additional Chinchillas laybacks, the nearby Melina open-pit target and the Cortaderas project. To extend operations at Chinchillas, the company has increased its 2026 growth capital guidance at Puna to $20 million from previously announced $18 million. 

The Puna operations produced 3.4 million ounces of silver in the first half of 2026 compared with 5.4 million ounces in the prior year. However, the company expects 6.25-7 million ounces of silver from the operations, relatively evenly split between the third and fourth quarters. 

The mine is facing higher costs, with AISC expected to trend toward the top of the company’s 2026 guidance of $20-$22 per ounce. The upside is largely due to inflationary pressures.

Nonetheless, SSRM expects the Puna mine to produce 95,000-115,000 GEOs in 2026. The mine produced 112,368 GEOs in 2025. Along with solid second-half performances from other operations, this positions the company on track to meet its full-year guidance of 450,000-535,000 GEOs, indicating a 10% year-over-year improvement at the mid-point. Along with SSRM’s other key projects like Marigold, as well as Seabee and CC&V, Puna showcases significant potential upside.

Mine Performances by SSR Mining’s Peers

AngloGold Ashanti plc’s AU gold production dipped 4% year over year in the first half of 2026, reflecting the sale of the Serra Grande mine in December 2025. Lower second-quarter production at AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi mine due to a contractor fatality in April 2026 and planned mine sequencing and maintenance across certain operations also led to the decline. However, AngloGold Ashanti expects the second-half 2026 production to be higher than the first half. 

Newmont Corporation NEM is progressing with several growth projects like Cadia Panel Caves and Tanami Expansion 2 in Australia. These projects are expected to expand Newmont’s production capacity and extend mine life, driving revenues and profits.

Newmont has recommenced work at the Cadia panel cave project following the seismic event in April. The Tanami expansion is progressing with an expected completion of all underground infrastructure by the end of the third quarter of 2026. Newmont remains on track to achieve its previously announced 2026 guidance. The company expects attributable gold production of approximately 5.26 million ounces.

SSRM’s Price Performance, Valuations & Estimates

The SSRM stock has appreciated 44.8% in a year compared with the industry’s growth of 24.3%. Meanwhile, the Zacks Basic Materials sector and the S&P 500 have gained 12.6% and 15.5%, respectively.

Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

SSR Mining is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings multiple of 8.51X, a discount to the industry average of 15.69X.

Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is pegged at $3.87 per share, indicating a year-over-year surge of 92.5%. The estimate for 2027 of $3.90 per share suggests an increase of 1%.

The consensus mark for 2026 has moved south for the past 60 days, while the same for 2027 has been unchanged.

Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

SSR Mining currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Mission Produce vs. Limoneira: Which Agribusiness Stock Has the Edge?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:40:00 GMT Within the fresh-produce landscape, Mission Produce, Inc. AVO and Limoneira Company LMNR offer investors two markedly different routes into the consumer-staples value chain. Mission Produce operates as a scaled, vertically integrated avocado platform spanning farming, sourcing, packing, ripening, distribution and, following the Calavo acquisition, prepared foods. Limoneira, meanwhile, remains rooted in lemons and California avocados but is increasingly reshaping itself around higher-return agricultural operations, cost optimization and the monetization of real estate, land and water assets.

The contrast is clear. Mission Produce is using scale, multi-origin sourcing and the Calavo combination to deepen its leadership in avocados and broaden its addressable market. Limoneira is pursuing a more asset-driven strategy centered on improving agricultural profitability, streamlining citrus operations through Sunkist and unlocking value from noncore holdings.

The Case for AVO

Mission Produce’s investment case is underpinned by its strengthening position in the global avocado market, supported by a vertically integrated platform spanning sourcing, farming, packing and distribution. Demand trends remain favorable, with U.S. retail avocado volume rising about 9% year over year in the fiscal third quarter and per-capita consumption running above 10 pounds year to date, up 12% from the prior year. Mission Produce’s legacy business also increased its estimated U.S. retail market share by roughly 60 basis points year to date. Its multi-origin sourcing network across Mexico, California and Peru allows the company to balance fruit availability, sizes and customer requirements while maintaining continuity across changing supply conditions.

The Calavo acquisition further strengthens Mission Produce’s competitive position by expanding customer relationships, North American sourcing and packing capacity and participation in value-added Prepared Foods. The combination broadens the portfolio beyond fresh avocados into processed avocado products, particularly guacamole, while creating opportunities for cross-selling and greater network utilization. Management has raised its annualized synergy target to more than $30 million from at least $25 million initially, reflecting additional SG&A savings and network efficiencies. Mission Produce is also pursuing improvements across distribution, freight, technology, procurement and organizational processes, with synergies expected to begin contributing in the fiscal fourth quarter and build more meaningfully through fiscal 2027.

Mission Produce’s international farming operations provide another layer of growth and supply-chain differentiation. The company expects exportable production from its Peru farms of 120-130 million pounds this season, up from 105 million pounds last year, while its broader portfolio also includes blueberries and the newly added Prepared Foods business.

Financially, fiscal third-quarter revenues increased 26% year over year to $450 million and avocado volume rose 38%, although lower avocado prices pressured gross margins and International Farming profitability. Adjusted EBITDA of $32.4 million nevertheless exceeded management’s guidance. The investment case therefore rests on Mission Produce’s ability to translate greater scale, broader sourcing flexibility and Calavo-related synergies into sustained market-share gains, stronger margins and improved cash generation, while managing commodity pricing, weather, crop and integration risks.

The Case for LMNR

Limoneira’s investment case is increasingly tied to its transformation into a more diversified agribusiness. While lemons remain central to the company, the Sunkist partnership is reshaping citrus packing and marketing operations and supporting a leaner cost structure. At the same time, Limoneira is expanding its avocado business as newer acreage moves into production. Management believes California avocados benefit from premium quality and proximity to some of the strongest consumption markets in the United States.

Unlike larger global produce platforms, Limoneira competes through the quality and value of its agricultural assets rather than extensive sourcing and distribution scale. Its portfolio also extends beyond farming into real estate development, water-rights monetization and an organic recycling joint venture. These assets create additional avenues for shareholder value and give LMNR a differentiated profile compared with pure-play fresh produce distributors.

Management is also emphasizing cost discipline, operating efficiency and capital redeployment. The Sunkist transition has already lowered selling and administrative expenses, while additional improvements are being pursued in lemon packing, storage and logistics. Limoneira is monetizing nonstrategic assets to reduce debt and redirect capital toward higher-return opportunities, including avocados. Still, the business remains exposed to produce pricing, crop cycles, weather and import-driven supply disruptions, as recent lemon oversupply demonstrated. LMNR’s upside, therefore, depends on successfully improving agricultural earnings while converting its land, water and real estate assets into tangible shareholder value.

How Do Estimates Compare for AVO & LMNR?

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mission Produce’s fiscal 2026 EPS suggests a year-over-year decline of 17.7%, while the estimate for fiscal 2027 indicates growth of 29.2%. AVO’s EPS estimates for both periods have remained stable in the past seven days.

AVO’s Estimate Revision Trend

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Limoneira’s outlook points to a notable improvement in profitability in the next two fiscal years. The company is currently expected to report a loss of 66 cents per share in fiscal 2026, marking a substantial improvement from a loss of 79 cents recorded in the prior year. The estimate for the fiscal 2027 earnings per share of 50 cents suggests a significant improvement from the estimated loss of 66 cents for fiscal 2026. LMNR’s bottom-line estimates for both periods have remained unchanged in the past seven days.

LMNR’s Estimate Revision Trend

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Price Performance & Valuation of AVO & LMNR

In the past three months, AVO stock has had the edge in terms of performance, having recorded a total return of 8.3%. This has outpaced LMNR’s 19.9% drop.

AVO vs. LMNR: 3-Month Price Performance

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation perspective, Mission Produce trades at a forward price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 0.69X, which is below its 5-year median of 1.59X. Moreover, AVO stock trades below Limoneira’s forward 12-month P/S multiple of 1.52X and a 5-year median of 2.31X.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

At current levels, Mission Produce has demonstrated stronger recent momentum, outperforming both Limoneira and the broader market in the near term. From a valuation perspective, AVO appears relatively attractive, trading below its historical averages and at a discount compared to LMNR.

AVO vs. LMNR: Which Is the Better Bet Now?

Both Mission Produce and Limoneira offer distinct investment propositions, but AVO currently appears better positioned. Mission Produce benefits from stronger operating scale, rising avocado market share, a diversified sourcing network and the strategic addition of Calavo, which expands its customer reach and value-added food portfolio. Its recent stock performance has also been notably stronger, while its forward P/S multiple sits below both its historical median and LMNR’s valuation, suggesting a more attractive entry point.

Limoneira, meanwhile, offers a differentiated turnaround and asset-monetization story, supported by avocado expansion, cost-saving initiatives and potential value creation from real estate, land and water assets. However, its narrower operating scale, continued exposure to lemon-market volatility and weaker recent stock performance increase execution risk. Given AVO’s stronger market position, better recent momentum, cheaper relative valuation and more favorable earnings-growth outlook for fiscal 2027, Mission Produce looks like the better bet at present.

AVO currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), while LMNR has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can First Majestic Meet Its Upbeat 2026 Production Guidance?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:40:00 GMT First Majestic Silver Corp.’s AG silver production reached 3.8 million ounces in the second quarter of 2026, marking a year-over-year increase of 3%. The upside was driven by solid performances at the La Encantada and Santa Elena mines. The company’s gold production also increased 2% year over year to 34,660 ounces. AG produced 7.3 million ounces of silver and 69,001 ounces of gold in the first half of 2026.

Driven by the strong first-half performance, the company hiked its production outlook for 2026. It expects the total silver production to be 14.6-15.5 million ounces, updated from the previous 13-14.4 million ounces. The silver production guidance indicates a year-over-year improvement of 4% at the mid-point. Total gold production for 2026 is expected to be 128,000-135,000 ounces, up from the previous forecast of 116,000-129,000 ounces. The company produced 147,433 ounces of gold in 2025.

The company’s Los Gatos mine is expected to produce 5.1-5.5 million ounces of silver in 2026, marking a 5% increase at the mid-point from the previous guidance. The La Encantada mine’s silver production is expected to increase 19% at the mid-point from the previous guidance to 3.4-3.6 million.

The company’s  Santa Elena mine will gain from higher gold grades and slightly increased gold recoveries. First Majestic expects gold production of 72,000-76,000 at the Santa Elena mine, marking an increase of 10% at the mid-point from the previous guidance. San Dimas’s production is expected to increase 13% at the mid-point from the prior guidance to 4.6-4.9 million ounces of silver for 2026. The upside will be driven by higher throughput rates. These will also aid the company’s upbeat guidance.

First Majestic Silver’s Peers Performance & Guidance

Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd.’s ASM silver-equivalent production was 534,945 ounces in the second quarter of 2026, which marked a 17% decrease from the second quarter of 2025. Avino Silver’s second-quarter 2026 silver production fell 6% to 267,305 ounces. However, gold output increased 23% to 2,178 ounces. Avino Silver's 2026 production guidance is 2.4-2.7 million silver-equivalent ounces, while it targets more than 3 million ounces in 2027. 

Pan American Silver Corp. PAAS silver production reached 6.47 million ounces in the second quarter of 2026, at the high end of the company’s quarterly operating outlook. Pan American Silver’s silver production increased 27% year over year. For 2026, Pan American Silver expects silver production of 25-27 million ounces, indicating a year-over-year increase of 14% at the mid-point.

AG's Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

Shares of First Majestic have gained 36.4% in the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 14.5%. In comparison, the Basic Materials sector has risen 13.2%, whereas the S&P 500 has moved up 16.3%.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

AG  is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings multiple of 19.94X compared with the industry average of 12.94X.

Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The consensus mark for 2026 earnings is pegged at 81 cents per share, indicating a year-over-year jump of 76%. The estimate for 2027 of 90 cents suggests an increase of 11%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for First Majestic’s earnings for 2026 and 2027 has been unchanged over the past 60 days.

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AG currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[DELL Jumps 32% in 3 Months: Can Strong AI Demand Fuel More Gains?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:40:00 GMT Dell Technologies DELL shares have jumped 32.4% in the past three months, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s rise of 9.2%. The appreciation can be attributed to a combination of accelerating AI infrastructure demand, a broader data-center refresh cycle, improving profitability and a sharply higher fiscal 2027 outlook. 

Year to date (YTD), DELL stock has jumped 338.7%, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s rise of 25.5%. DELL has also outperformed Super Micro Computer SMCI, Hewlett Packard Enterprise HPE and HP HPQ, shares of which have returned 47.5%, 184.6% and 41.2%, respectively, over the same time frame. So, what should investors do with DELL stock? Let’s find out.

DELL Stock’s YTD Price Performance

 

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

 

DELL Shares Ride on AI Prospects

DELL is benefiting from strong demand for AI-optimized infrastructure. In the second quarter of fiscal 2027, AI server orders reached a record $60.9 billion, while revenues were $16.4 billion and ending backlog climbed to $95 billion. Importantly, demand is becoming more diversified. The AI customer base surpassed 6,500 across neocloud, sovereign and enterprise customers in the second quarter of fiscal 2027. Customers are replacing aging infrastructure to improve processing capacity, power efficiency, security and resiliency. A majority of Dell’s installed base remains on 13th-generation or older servers, providing a sizeable multi-year refresh opportunity. 

DELL has stated that AI bookings totaled roughly $132 billion over the trailing 12 months and highlighted that enterprise AI adoption is growing the fastest on a percentage basis. Dell believes enterprises remain early in the adoption cycle, with only around 10-15% having undertaken meaningful AI or agentic modernization. This leaves substantial room for additional infrastructure deployment. Dell expects fiscal 2027 AI server revenues of $74 billion, roughly three times the prior-year level.

Dell’s ability to deploy complex AI clusters quickly is becoming an additional competitive differentiator. Dell can deliver “time-to-token” four to six weeks faster in some large deployments, an economically meaningful advantage for customers seeking to monetize expensive GPU infrastructure quickly. Dell also provides engineering, installation, ongoing support and financing around these projects.

Meanwhile, the company’s competitive position is expected to strengthen from industrywide component shortages. Demand for both traditional and AI servers continues to exceed available supply, and the company expects the supply-demand imbalance to become tighter next year. Dell’s scale, longstanding supplier relationships and ability to redirect components across its broad portfolio provide an advantage in obtaining and allocating scarce components.

DELL Rides on Improved Profitability & Raised FY27 Guidance

Dell is benefiting from improved profitability. In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, non-GAAP operating income jumped 160% year over year to $5.93 billion. The operating margin expanded to 12.6% from 7.7%, aided by higher revenue scale, pricing discipline and improved storage profitability. Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) operating income jumped 225% year over year to $4.8 billion, while its operating margin expanded to 15%. 

Dell raised its fiscal 2027 revenue guidance by $25 billion to $192 billion (plus or minus $2 billion), representing roughly 70% year-over-year growth, while non-GAAP earnings are projected at $25.5 per share (plus or minus 25 cents), up about 150% year over year.

For the third quarter of fiscal 2027, Dell expects revenues of $49 billion, plus or minus $500 million, and non-GAAP earnings of $6.50 per share, plus or minus 10 cents. DELL expects ISG revenues to grow roughly 145%, supported by about $19 billion in AI server revenues.

DELL’s Earnings Estimate Revision Shows Rising Trend

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter fiscal 2027 earnings is pegged at $6.63 per share, up by 53.4% over the past 60 days and indicating 156% growth from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter. 
 

Dell Technologies Inc. Price and Consensus

Dell Technologies Inc. Price and Consensus

Dell Technologies Inc. price-consensus-chart | Dell Technologies Inc. Quote

 

The consensus mark for fiscal 2027 earnings is pegged at $26.09 per share, up 38.8% over the past 60 days, suggesting 153.3% growth from fiscal 2026’s reported figure.

DELL Stock is Trading at a Premium

Dell shares are trading at a premium, as suggested by a Value Score of D. 

In terms of the forward 12-month price/earnings (P/E), DELL is trading at 19.10X, higher than Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s 14.93X, Super Micro Computer’s 9.44X, and HP’s 10.42X.

Valuation: DELL Vs. HPE

 

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Valuation: DELL Vs. SMCI

 

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Valuation: DELL Vs. HPQ

 

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

 

 

Technically, Dell is trading above the 50 and 200-day moving averages (SMAs), indicating a bullish trend.

DELL Stock Trades Above 50 & 200-Day SMAs

 

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

 

Conclusion

Dell’s premium valuation appears justified by the strength and breadth of its growth outlook. Record AI server demand, a $95 billion backlog, accelerating enterprise AI adoption and a large installed base of aging servers provide strong visibility into continued infrastructure growth. At the same time, improving storage profitability, operating leverage and disciplined pricing are helping earnings grow faster than revenues. The sharp increase in fiscal 2027 guidance and strong upward earnings estimate revisions further reinforce confidence in Dell’s execution. With shares also trading above the 50-day and 200-day moving averages, the stock appears well positioned to sustain its positive momentum.

DELL currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), which implies investors should start accumulating stock right now. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Rocket Lab Gains 13.6% in a Month: Should Investors Buy the Stock Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:39:00 GMT Rocket Lab Corporation RKLB shares have risen 13.6% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks Aerospace-Defense Equipment industry’s decline of 5%. The company is driving growth by expanding its Space Systems portfolio, scaling spacecraft manufacturing and strengthening its vertically integrated capabilities.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Meanwhile, stocks like Curtiss-Wright Corporation CW and TransDigm Group Inc. TDG have underperformed the industry during the same period. Shares of CW and TDG have fallen 4.6% and 6%, respectively.

With RKLB shares gaining over the past month, investors may have positive views. Let’s examine the factors and assess the stock’s investment prospects to make an informed decision.

Factors Boosting RKLB Stock's Growth

Rocket Lab is expanding its Space Systems business through a broad portfolio of spacecraft, spacecraft components and mission solutions. Its offerings include solar power solutions, composite structures, reaction wheels, star trackers, radios, separation systems, batteries and optical systems, with spacecraft platforms designed for low Earth orbit, medium Earth orbit, geosynchronous orbit and interplanetary missions. The company’s vertical integration and ability to manufacture critical spacecraft components for both its platforms and the broader merchant market provide multiple avenues to address growing demand across the space economy.

RKLB delivered strong financial growth in the second quarter of 2026, with total revenues rising 62% year over year to $234.1 million. Space Systems revenues increased 94% to $189.5 million, primarily driven by spacecraft manufacturing growth and acquisitions, while segment gross profit more than doubled to $65.5 million. Rocket Lab ended June with $2.36 billion in backlog, providing meaningful visibility into future revenues.

In September 2026, Rocket Lab announced the production release of IMM Apex, its next-generation solar cell designed to improve spacecraft power performance while reducing reliance on germanium. The product delivers 31.5% beginning-of-life efficiency with 40% lower cell mass and serves as a mechanical and electrical drop-in replacement for heritage germanium-based cells, potentially reducing customer retooling needs. With more than a decade of IMM technology heritage and above 1,100 satellites powered by Rocket Lab solar products, IMM Apex could further strengthen its position in the space power market.

Earnings Estimates for RKLB Stock

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RKLB’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) indicates a rise of 50% over the past 60 days.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Curtiss-Wright’s 2026 EPS calls for a jump of 0.33% in the past 60 days. The estimate for TransDigm Group’s fiscal 2026 EPS implies an increase of 3.36% over the same period.

Debt Position of RKLB

Currently, Rocket Lab’s total debt to capital is 0.83%, lower than the industry’s average of 61.13%. It indicates that the company can run its business efficiently with much lower debt levels than its industry peers.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Liquidity Position of RKLB

RKLB has a current ratio of 5.48 compared with its industry’s average of 2.06. The ratio, being more than one, indicates that RKLB possesses sufficient capital to pay off its short-term debt obligations.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Its industry peers, Curtiss-Wright and TransDigm Group, also maintain current ratios above one. CW has a current ratio of 1.6, while TDG holds 3.02.

RKLB Stock Trades at a Premium

Rocket Lab is currently trading at 35.25X, a premium compared to its industry’s 7.04X on a forward 12-month Price/Sales basis.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

What Should an Investor Do?

Rocket Lab is broadening its growth opportunities through a diverse Space Systems portfolio and continued innovation in spacecraft technologies. The rollout of IMM Apex, alongside its established solar and spacecraft component capabilities, could help the company capture increasing demand for advanced space infrastructure.

Given RKLB’s strong share price performance, improving earnings estimates, lower debt levels and healthy liquidity position, investors may consider including this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock in their portfolios at current levels. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Barrick Mining Secures 15-Year Renewal for Tanzania's North Mara Mine ]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:39:00 GMT Barrick Mining Corporation B announced that the Government of Tanzania has renewed the Special Mining Licenses for its North Mara Gold Mine for another 15 years, supporting continued investment in the mine, its workforce and surrounding communities. 

North Mara Strengthens Local Economic Impact

Since Barrick took over operations in 2019, North Mara has increased local employment and expanded economic benefits for nearby communities. Tanzanian nationals now account for 96% of Barrick's approximately 3,000 employees in the country, with 47% coming from communities surrounding its mines. 

Barrick has contributed approximately $5.3 billion to Tanzania's economy since 2019, including $1.2 billion in 2025 through taxes, royalties, salaries, dividends and local procurement. More than 90% of procurement is sourced from Tanzanian-registered companies, with the majority being indigenous businesses. 

In 2025, Barrick received several awards from the Tanzanian Government, including recognition as the top dividend payer and highest contributor to government revenues. 

The renewal also reinforces the partnership between Barrick and the Tanzanian Government. The two established Twiga Minerals in 2019 to jointly operate the North Mara and Bulyanhulu mines. The Government holds a 16% interest in each mine, while the two partners share the economic benefits equally. 

Per Barrick Mining, the license renewal marks an important milestone for North Mara and the company's partnership with Tanzania, while reinforcing its commitment to building long-term relationships with government, communities and other stakeholders.

Price Performance of B

Shares of B have risen 20.4% over the past year compared with the industry’s 13.4% growth.

Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

B’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks

B carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials space are Ternium S.A. TX, Avient Corporation AVNT and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. APD. TX currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while AVNT and APD carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TX’s current-year earnings stands at $6.54 per share, implying a 201.4% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters and missed twice, with the negative average surprise being 11.1%.

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

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for APD’s current fiscal-year earnings is pegged at $13.46 per share, indicating a 11.9% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 2.9%.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[3 Communication Stocks Likely to Gain From Industry Tailwinds]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:36:00 GMT Communication - Components industry is likely to benefit from strong demand, driven by fast-track 5G deployment, increasing digitalization, expanding IoT adoption, and the seamless transition to cloud and fiber networks. However, elevated customer inventory levels, high capital expenditure for infrastructure upgrades, margin erosion, volatility in oil prices and geopolitical conflicts have dented the industry’s profitability.

Despite short-term setbacks, Ciena Corporation CIEN, Viavi Solutions Inc. VIAV and Ooma, Inc. OOMA are likely to gain in the long run as the demand for scalable infrastructure for seamless connectivity rises with the widespread proliferation of IoT, accelerated 5G rollout and fiber densification.

Industry Description

The Zacks Communication - Components industry primarily comprises companies that provide diverse telecom products and services to develop scalable network architecture, demand-driven video solutions, and broadband access equipment. These include various building blocks such as small cells, routers and antennas incorporated into equipment and facilities and subsequently utilized by service providers to build networks for end users. Their product portfolio encompasses optical and copper connectivity products, hybrid fiber-coaxial equipment, edge routers, metro Wi-Fi, storage and distribution equipment for cable TV operators, modems, Embedded Multimedia Terminal Adapter, gateways, set-top boxes, analog and digital microphones, audio processors, glass substrates for LCD TVs and notebooks, and ceramic substrates for mobile and laboratory filtration products.

What's Shaping the Future of the Communication Components Industry?

Network Convergence: With operators moving toward converged or multi-use network structures, combining voice, video and data communications into a single network, the industry is increasingly developing solutions with steady R&D investments to support wireline and wireless network convergence. These investments are likely to help minimize service delivery costs to adequately support broadband competition, and expand rural coverage and wireless densification. The industry players have enabled enterprises to rapidly scale communications functionalities to a vast range of applications and devices with easy-to-use software application programming interfaces. The firms support high user volumes without affecting deliverability and cost-effectively eliminate performance degradation.

Solid Growth Dynamics: As consumers and enterprises are using networks more extensively, there is tremendous demand for quality networking components. Additionally, data consumption patterns are changing, with a growing propensity to consume more video content, creating the need for faster data transfer. Since optical networks are more efficient and most existing networks are copper-based, the demand for optical solutions is strong. The industry firms offer several products focused on the data center, with a typical portfolio comprising optical fiber, hardware, cables and connectors, enabling them to meet the evolving customer requirements and bridge the digital divide across the United States.

Depleting Margins: Although higher infrastructure investments will eventually help minimize service delivery costs to support broadband competition and wireless densification, short-term profitability has largely been compromised. High technological obsolescence of most products has escalated operating costs, with steady investments in R&D. High customer inventory levels and a conservative approach toward placing orders for high-value items remain other headwinds. Moreover, high raw material prices due to the United States-Iran war, volatility in oil prices due to restrictions across the Strait of Hormuz and the consequent economic fallout have affected the operation schedule of various firms. 

Software-Driven Data-Centric Connectivity: The firms are likely to benefit from a software-driven, data-centric approach that helps customers build their cloud architecture and enhance the cloud experience. The industry participants are well-poised for growth in the data-driven cloud networking business with proactive platforms and predictive operations. Fiber networks are essential for the growing deployment of small cells that bring the network closer to the user and supplement macro networks to provide extensive coverage. Telecom service providers are increasingly leaning toward fiber optic cable to meet the burgeoning demand for cloud-based business data and video streaming services by individuals. Moreover, the fiber-optic cable network is vital for backhaul and last-mile local loops, which are required by wireless service providers to deploy the 5G network.

Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bullish Prospects

The Zacks Communication - Components industry is housed within the broader Zacks Computer and Technology  sector. It carries a Zacks Industry Rank #25, which places it among the top 10% of more than 250 Zacks industries.

The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates rosy prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than two to one. 

Before we present a few communication component stocks that are well-positioned to outperform the market based on a strong earnings outlook, let us take a look at the industry’s recent stock market performance and valuation picture.

Industry Outperforms S&P 500, Sector

The Zacks Communication - Infrastructure industry has outperformed the S&P 500 composite and the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector over the past year.

The industry has jumped a stellar 158.5% over this period compared with the S&P 500 and sector’s returns of 16% and 27.2%, respectively.

One-Year Price Performance

Industry's Current Valuation

On the basis of the trailing 12-month price-to-book (P/B), the industry is currently trading at 11.71 compared with the S&P 500’s 7.24X. It is also above the sector’s trailing 12-month P/B of 9.55X.

Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 15.19X, as low as 1.72X and at the median of 2.56X, as the chart below shows.

Trailing 12-Month Price-to-Book (P/B) Ratio

3 Communication Components Stocks to Buy

Ciena: Headquartered in Fulton, MD, the company is a leading provider of optical networking equipment, software and services. The stock has surged 154.3% over the past year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current and next fiscal-year earnings has been revised 64.2% and 111.7% upward, respectively, over the past year. It has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 12% and delivered an earnings surprise of 17.6%, on average, in the trailing four quarters. 

Ciena is well-positioned to capitalize on the secular growth trend through its industry-leading coherent optical technology portfolio, particularly its WaveLogic platform. The company’s latest WaveLogic 6 Extreme solution supports transmission speeds of up to 1.6 terabits per second per wavelength, enabling cloud providers to scale network capacity efficiently while lowering power consumption and operating costs by maximizing existing fiber infrastructure without the need for extensive new fiber deployment. The company is also strengthening its position through software-driven networking solutions. Its Blue Planet automation platform helps operators simplify network management through AI-driven orchestration, analytics and automation capabilities. Ciena currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Price & Consensus: CIEN



Viavi: Headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ, the company is a leading provider of network test, monitoring and service enablement solutions to diverse sectors across the globe. Viavi offers products with end-to-end network visibility and analytics that help build, test, certify, maintain and optimize complex physical and virtual networks. It delivered an earnings surprise of 14.3%, on average, in the trailing four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current and next fiscal-year earnings has been revised 165.6% and 61.7% upward, respectively, over the past year. 

The integration of Spirent’s high-speed Ethernet and network security testing assets continues to contribute to revenue growth, and broadens Viavi’s addressable market across enterprise and data center applications. Investments in PCIe 7.0 analysis capabilities and the launch of the CyberFlood CF1000 platform expand Viavi’s ability to validate AI inference workloads, encrypted traffic and next-generation data center infrastructure. It strengthens exposure to long-term AI-related network testing demand and supports continued growth in lab, production and field-testing solutions. This Zacks Rank #1 company has skyrocketed 267% in the past year.


Price & Consensus: VIAV



Ooma: Headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, the company offers cloud-based communications solutions, smart security and other connected services. Ooma’s smart software-as-a-service and unified-communications-as-a-service platforms serve as a hub for seamless communications and networking infrastructure applications. This Zacks Rank #1 firm delivered an earnings surprise of 12%, on average, in the trailing four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current and next fiscal-year earnings has been revised 44.2% and 8% upward, respectively, over the past year. It has a VGM Score of B. The stock has surged 81.6% in the past year.

Ooma’s focus on small business customers with simple, easy-to-use interfaces, which can be implemented quickly without IT support for an integrated business connectivity solution, is likely to drive healthy growth momentum. Its low-cost fixed line that reportedly offers faster emergency access services is expected to gain traction, while increased penetration within enterprise markets with customized offerings is expected to bear fruit. 

Price & Consensus: OOMA

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[NVTS Stock Surges 72% YTD: Should You Hold or Book Profits?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:35:00 GMT Navitas Semiconductor NVTS shares have rallied 72.2% year to date (YTD), outperforming the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry’s growth of 39%. The stock also outperformed its industry peers, including Synaptics SYNA, Amkor Technology AMKR and Ambarella AMBA. YTD, shares of Synaptics and Amkor Technology have risen 61.8% and 39.1%, respectively, while Ambarella shares have lost 4.1%.

The outperformance of NVTS shares raises the question: Does it still have room to run, or is it time for investors to consider taking profits? Let’s find out.

YTD Price Return Performance

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

800V Opportunity to Boost NVTS’ AI Data Center Growth

Navitas Semiconductor is positioning itself to benefit from the growing power needs of AI data centers. The company is focusing on high-power applications using its gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) technologies. In the second quarter of 2026, total revenues increased 22% sequentially, while high-power markets grew more than 50% year over year. NVTS expects AI infrastructure to account for more than one-third of its total sales by the end of 2026.

The transition to 800V is expected to create several growth opportunities for NVTS. The company sees the first stage already taking place, with higher-power AC/DC power supplies increasingly using SiC as data center racks demand greater power and density. The next stage is the adoption of 800V through power sidecar racks, which is expected to ramp in 2027. Later stages could bring 800V directly to GPU and XPU trays, increasing the use of GaN for high-frequency DC/DC conversion. NVTS expects these developments to happen in steps across multiple platforms and customers rather than through a single rollout.

NVTS is already working with hyperscalers, data centers, OEMs and ODMs on programs that are expected to ramp in the second half of 2026 and accelerate in 2027. The company is also seeing traction in DC/DC power supplies and battery backup units, where both GaN and SiC are being designed in. This is supporting strong growth in NVTS’ AI infrastructure revenues, which have increased more than 50% sequentially in both the first and second quarters of 2026, with growth expected to accelerate as more programs move toward production.

The company expects continued double-digit quarterly revenue growth in the second half of 2026, with third-quarter revenues guided to $13.5 million at the midpoint, indicating a 28% sequential growth supported by the move toward high-power products. With 800V adoption expected to expand across multiple stages, NVTS appears well-positioned to benefit from rising power requirements in AI infrastructure over the coming years. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 indicates revenue growth of around 4.1% and 44.6%, respectively.

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Declining Mobile Revenues Creates Near-Term Headwind for NVTS

NVTS is deliberately reducing its exposure to mobile and low-end consumer applications as part of its “Navitas 2.0” transformation. In the second quarter of 2026, mobile revenues declined both sequentially and year over year, and management said the company expects its mobile and low-end consumer business to become insignificant by the end of 2026. Management also noted that the reduction in mobile revenues is happening faster than previously expected, with the transition now about one quarter ahead of plan.

This creates a near-term revenue headwind because NVTS is reducing an existing source of sales before its newer high-power markets are fully scaled. The company expects this gap to be filled by AI infrastructure, grid and energy infrastructure, performance computing and other high-power applications. While the shift might improve the company’s revenue mix over time, the decline creates a near-term headwind that must be offset by faster growth in AI infrastructure and other high-power markets.

NVTS' Premium Valuation Warrants a Cautious Approach

Navitas Semiconductor is currently trading at a high price-to-sales (P/S) multiple compared with the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry. Navitas Semiconductor’s forward 12-month P/S ratio sits at 50.55X, significantly higher than the industry’s forward 12-month P/S ratio of 5.25X. The Zacks Value Score of F also suggests that NVTS stock is overvalued.

NVTS’ Forward 12-Month P/S Ratio

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Navitas Semiconductor stock trades at a higher P/S multiple compared with other industry peers, including Synaptics, Amkor Technology and Ambarella. At present, Synaptics, Amkor Technology and Ambarella have P/S multiples of 3.51X, 1.67X and 6.36X, respectively.

Conclusion: Hold NVTS Stock Right Now

Navitas Semiconductor is seeing strong growth in its high-power business as AI data centers require more efficient power solutions. Management expects AI infrastructure to account for more than one-third of total sales by the end of 2026, while the shift toward 800V power architecture and new GaN and SiC products could support further growth as more customer programs move toward production.

However, NVTS faces near-term pressure from the decline in mobile and low-end consumer revenues, which management expects to become insignificant by the end of 2026. Further, Navitas Semiconductor’s premium valuation warrants a cautious approach to the stock.

Navitas Semiconductor currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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]]> <![CDATA[Nutrien to Indefinitely Shut Down Trinidad Nitrogen Operations]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:32:00 GMT Nutrien Ltd. NTR announced that it will indefinitely shut down its Trinidad Nitrogen operations at the Point Lisas Facility following a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives and discussion with relevant stakeholders. The decision comes in response to ongoing natural gas constraints and supply uncertainty, and is aimed at reducing pressure to enhance its free cash flow and return on invested capital.

Nutrien previously implemented a controlled shutdown of the facility on Oct. 23, 2025, due to port access restrictions and a lack of reliable and economic natural gas supply. With these challenges in mind, the company determined that permanently halting operations would be the optimal path.

The shutdown should not affect Nutrien’s 2026 nitrogen sales volume guidance, as the company had already assumed no production from Trinidad’s operations. Nutrien remains well positioned to meet customer demand and support nitrogen volume growth through its North American operations. Reliability improvements and low-cost debottlenecking projects are expected to help increase production. The move also advances Nutrien’s focus on optimizing its portfolio, supporting the company’s long-term financial flexibility.

The company, on its second-quarter call, raised its 2026 Potash sales volume guidance to 14.2-14.8 million tons from 14.1-14.8 million tons, supported by strong demand in key offshore markets. Global potash shipments are still projected at 74-77 million tons for 2026.  Nitrogen sales volume guidance was maintained at 9.2-9.7 million tons, while Phosphate sales volume guidance remains 2.4-2.6 million tons. The Nitrogen outlook reflects planned reliability improvements and debottlenecking initiatives, while the Phosphate guidance reflects benefits from reliability improvements completed in 2025.  

NTR shares have gained 15.9% in the past year compared with the industry’s 49.4% decline in the same period.

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NTR’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks

NTR currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials space are Reliance, Inc. RS, Avient Corporation AVNT and Kronos Worldwide, Inc. KRO.

RS, AVNT and KRO carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RS’ 2026 earnings is pegged at $22.53 per share, indicating a 58% year-over-year increase. RS’shares have gained 45.6% over the past year.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AVNT’s current-year earnings is pinned at $3.2 per share, indicating a 13.5% year-over-year increase. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average surprise of 3.4%. AVNT’sshares have gained 30.1% over the past year.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KRO’s 2026 earnings is pegged at 35 cents per share, indicating a rise of 136.5% year over year. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters while missing it in the rest, with an average surprise of 34%.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Expand Energy Scales AI With Enterprise-Wide Thoughtworks Deal]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:31:00 GMT Expand Energy Corporation EXE is taking a major step toward scaling artificial intelligence (AI) across its business by selecting Thoughtworks as its strategic technology partner. The engagement is designed to help the company move beyond isolated AI projects and build an enterprise-wide capability spanning AI strategy, platform development and production deployment.

Building an Enterprise-Wide AI Capability

As North America's largest independent natural gas producer, Expand Energy operates across exploration and production as well as energy marketing. These businesses offer significant opportunities to use AI to improve processes and unlock value. The company aims to take a coordinated approach by identifying its highest-value AI opportunities and developing the infrastructure needed to scale them across the organization.

The multi-phase engagement with Thoughtworks will combine AI strategy, use-case prioritization, machine learning platform implementation and production deployment. Expand Energy plans to have a production-ready AI solution in place by the end of 2026, aligning the initiative with its long-term strategic priorities.

Three-Pronged Approach to AI Deployment

Thoughtworks will support Expand Energy through three connected workstreams. The first will focus on identifying and prioritizing high-value AI opportunities by working with business and technical stakeholders across the company. This is intended to ensure AI investments are closely aligned with Expand Energy's strategic objectives.

The second workstream will establish the enterprise AI foundations required for broader adoption. This includes designing and beginning to implement data, platform and governance capabilities that can support AI at scale.

The third will focus on solution delivery and workforce enablement. Thoughtworks will build and deploy a high-priority AI solution while establishing an operating model for continued AI development. Expand Energy teams will also be enabled to adopt and scale AI responsibly across the organization.

EXE Is Moving From AI Pilots to Production

Expand Energy's initiative is aimed at addressing the challenges that often arise when companies attempt to scale AI beyond individual experiments. Rather than separating planning from implementation, the engagement combines strategy and delivery from the outset.

Early proof-of-concept development will provide practical insights into data readiness, integration requirements, adoption challenges and potential business value. These findings can then be used to refine the company's AI roadmap and operating model based on real-world evidence.

Laying the Groundwork for Agentic AI

The partnership also establishes an operational foundation for expanding AI into business operations. Thoughtworks highlighted the importance of moving from isolated AI experimentation toward agentic AI capable of delivering business value at scale.

For Expand Energy, the initiative combines its industry expertise and leadership commitment with Thoughtworks' experience in AI strategy, enterprise machine learning platforms, machine learning operations, responsible AI governance and workforce enablement.

By integrating AI strategy, infrastructure and solution delivery into one program, Expand Energy is positioning itself to identify promising applications and build the capabilities needed to deploy them across the business. The initiative represents an important step in the company's broader digital transformation as it seeks to make AI a scalable part of its operations.

EXE’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks

Expand Energy is a leading U.S.-based natural gas producer formed through the merger of Chesapeake Energy Corporation and Southwestern Energy Company. Currently, EXE has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Investors interested in the energy sector may consider some top-ranked stocks like Drilling Tools International Corporation DTI, Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. FET and Montauk Renewables, Inc. MNTK, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Drilling Tools International is a global oilfield services provider focused on supplying downhole tools used in horizontal and directional drilling. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DTI’s 2026 revenues indicates 1.6% year-over-year growth.

Forum Energy is a global oilfield products company, serving the subsea, drilling, completion, production and infrastructure sectors of the oil and natural gas industry. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FET’s 2026 earnings indicates 536.5% year-over-year growth.

Montauk Renewables is a fully integrated renewable energy company that specializes in the management, recovery and conversion of biogas into renewable energy. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MNTK’s 2026 earnings indicates 1100% year-over-year growth.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[PCRX Expands Exparel Commercial Reach in Europe Through Molteni Deal]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:30:00 GMT Pacira BioSciences PCRX announced an exclusive agreement with Molteni Farmaceutici to distribute and commercialize Exparel (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) in the EU and the United Kingdom. Molteni is an Italian specialty pharmaceutical company focusing on pain management, oncology supportive care and hospital-based treatments. Through the arrangement, Molteni will leverage its longstanding leadership in pain management and extensive distribution network across Europe to expand access to Exparel across key European markets.

Exparel is Pacira’s long-acting local analgesic for postsurgical pain management. It is indicated to produce postsurgical local analgesia via infiltration in patients aged six years and older and postsurgical regional analgesia via an interscalene brachial plexus block, a sciatic nerve block in the popliteal fossa and an adductor canal block in adults. The product combines bupivacaine with multivesicular liposomes, which enable the prolonged release of the local anesthetic. During the first half of 2026, Exparel generated $291.1 million in net product sales, up 4% year over year.

PCRX’s Exparel Deal With Molteni Expands European Reach

Under the agreement, Molteni will hold exclusive rights to distribute and commercialize Exparel across the licensed territories. Pacira will receive an undisclosed upfront payment, a supply price and royalties on future commercial sales from Molteni in licensed territories. Pacira will continue manufacturing the product, while Molteni will lead regulatory, market-access and commercialization activities across the licensed markets.

Year to date, PCRX shares have lost 3.2% against the industry’s 2.2% growth.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The transaction supports Pacira’s growth strategy, which includes expanding international commercial reach through strategic partnerships. Working with an established regional specialist allows Pacira to pursue broader market access without building a substantial European commercial and regulatory infrastructure on its own. The deal also provides Pacira with multiple potential revenue streams through the upfront payment, product supply and sales-based royalties, while allowing it to retain manufacturing activities and participation in Exparel’s long-term economics.

The agreement is also strategically relevant as Exparel remains Pacira’s largest commercial product and a key source of recurring revenues. Expanding the franchise beyond the United States can provide an additional avenue for growth while spreading commercialization investments across markets. Molteni’s experience in pain management and its established European presence should help support market access and launch execution in the licensed countries.

Molteni plans to launch Exparel sequentially in Italy, Germany, Austria and Poland and pursue approval in Switzerland, with the first commercial sale expected in 2027. For Molteni, the partnership adds a differentiated non-opioid postsurgical pain therapy to its portfolio and supports its international growth strategy.

PCRX Advances Zilretta and PCRX-201 to Broaden Pain Portfolio

Beyond Exparel, Pacira markets Zilretta (triamcinolone acetonide extended-release injectable suspension), an extended-release intra-articular therapy indicated for the management of osteoarthritis pain of the knee. Zilretta generated $59.4 million in net product sales in the first half of 2026, up 9% year over year. Its microsphere-based formulation is designed to provide extended pain relief following intra-articular administration.

Pacira is pursuing a potential label expansion for Zilretta in a registrational phase III study evaluating it for shoulder osteoarthritis, with top-line results expected by the end of 2026. The company is also advancing PCRX-201 (enekinragene inzadenovec), a locally administered gene therapy for knee osteoarthritis, in the phase II ASCEND study. Part A enrollment was completed in June 2026, while Part B enrollment is underway, with top-line Part A data expected by year-end. PCRX-201 is designed to increase production of the anti-inflammatory protein interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, or IL-1Ra, in the knee joint.

Pacira BioSciences, Inc. Price and Consensus

Pacira BioSciences, Inc. Price and Consensus

Pacira BioSciences, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Pacira BioSciences, Inc. Quote

PCRX’s Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Pacira currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).

Some better-ranked stocks in the biotech sector are Alnylam Pharmaceuticals ALNY, currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and AC Immune ACIU and Aldeyra Therapeutics ALDX, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Over the past 60 days, estimates for Alnylam’s 2026 earnings per share have decreased from $8.67 to $8.63. Over the same period, earnings estimates for 2027 have increased from $11.96 to $12.04. ALNY shares have plunged 44.7% year to date.

Alnylam’s earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in the remaining one, with the average surprise being 27.58%.

Over the past 60 days, estimates for AC Immune’s 2026 loss per share have narrowed from 84 cents to 60 cents. Over the same period, earnings estimates for 2027 remained unchanged at 17 cents. ACIU shares have lost 14% year to date.

AC Immune’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 33.25%.

Over the past 60 days, loss per share estimates for Aldeyra Therapeutics have narrowed from 43 cents to 39 cents for 2026. Over the same period, estimates for 2027 loss per share have narrowed from 22 cents to 16 cents. ALDX shares have plunged 82.2% year to date.

Aldeyra Therapeutics’ earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 29.25%.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Pre-Markets Up Following Record Nasdaq Close]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:30:00 GMT Tuesday, October 6th, 2026

Pre-market futures are up this morning, adding to the Nasdaq’s all-time-high close on Monday afternoon. The blue-chip Dow is +180 points at this hour, the Nasdaq is +120 points and the S&P 500 is +28 points. The small-cap Russell 2000 is +13 points, presently. The anticipation of tech earnings are helping unlock positive sentiment ahead of Q3 report releases, including the attention-grabbing headline of NVIDIA NVDA approaching an awe-inspiring $6 trillion market cap.

Brent crude oil — the London commodity index tracking international oil prices — is back down below $100 per barrel (/bbl) again this morning, with the American West Texas Intermediate (WTI) down below $90/bbl. Both indexes are more than -2.5% this morning. Without any concrete details regarding the war in Iran drawing to a close, conventional “wisdom” these days is that the conflict will come to an end after the midterm elections.

Bond yields have also moderated of late, while hovering at post-Great Recession (2009) highs above +5% on the 10-year. Currently, 10s are at +5.277%, the 2-year is +4.793% — representing a recent widening of the yield curve between the two, which had been tightening up of late — and the 30-year yield, telegraphing somewhat where 30-year fixed mortgage rates are headed, is currently +5.645%.
 

Trade Deficit Sinks to Deepest Level in 18 Months


Ahead of today’s open, the U.S. Trade Balance for August fell deeper than anticipated into negative territory: -$105.6 billion, from a revised -$92.8 billion (-$88.6 billion when initially reported) a month ago. This is the deepest trade deficit since the all-time low set back in March of 2025, -$132.98 billion, which directly preceded President Trump’s massive tariff initiative then known as “Liberation Day” (which lasted a week before tariff levels were largely rescinded).

Both Imports and Exports were up for the month: +1.4% and +4.3%, respectively. Total Imports reached $420.8 billion in the month, with August capital goods setting a new record high at $6.2 billion. These were particularly aligned with microchips from Taiwan imported to power the massive AI buildout, as well as higher oil prices.

Through the first four months of 2026, it appeared as if our trade deficit was under control, hovering steadily in the -$55 billion range. This deserved no prize, for sure, but we’re currently near double that deficit — having absorbed much of the tariff initiatives by then, but just taking on the higher oil prices following the attack on Iran.
 

What to Expect from the Stock Market Today


We’re still a couple days away from big companies like PepsiCo PEP and Delta Air Lines DAL reporting Q3 earnings, but after today’s close we’ll hear from liquor provider Constellation Brands STZ with its fiscal Q2 earnings numbers. Expectations are for slightly lower earnings growth year over year, -0.28%, on +3.58% growth on revenues. Changing habits among consumers — including household economy belt-tightening and use of GLP-1s (which constitutes “belt tightening” of a different kind) — has helped take shares well down from their 2024 levels.

Questions or comments about this article and/or author? Click here>>

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[TXN Surges 67% Over the Past Year: Is the Stock Still Worth Buying?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:29:00 GMT Texas Instruments Incorporated TXN has been one of the standout performers in the semiconductor industry over the past year. The stock has surged 66.6%, easily beating the broader Zacks Semiconductor – General industry, which advanced 34.6%.

TXN has also outperformed several major semiconductor names, including Broadcom Inc. AVGO, QUALCOMM Incorporated QCOM and NVIDIA Corporation NVDA. Over the past year, shares of Broadcom, QUALCOMM and NVIDIA have risen 7.8%, 9.3% and 29.6%, respectively.

After such a strong rally, investors may wonder whether it is too late to buy Texas Instruments. In our view, the stock still has upside potential. Its valuation is high, but improving earnings, growing AI-related demand, strong cash generation and major manufacturing investments provide a solid foundation for further growth.

Texas Instruments One-year Price Return Performance

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Texas Instruments' Strong Results Keep the Bull Case Alive

TXN's recent results show that the business is gaining momentum. Second-quarter 2026 revenues increased 23% year over year to $5.46 billion, while non-GAAP earnings rose 52% to $2.14 per share.

The guidance is equally encouraging. Texas Instruments expects third-quarter revenues of $5.65-$6.15 billion, with the midpoint representing about 25% year-over-year growth. The midpoint of its earnings per share guidance is $2.40, implying growth of nearly 62%. The guidance reflects healthy demand across several markets, particularly those tied to AI infrastructure.

Wall Street shares the same optimism. The Zacks Consensus Estimate calls for continued revenue and earnings growth in both 2026 and 2027, reinforcing confidence that the company's growth story is far from over.

Texas Instruments Sales and EPS Growth Forecast

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

AI Is Becoming a Bigger Opportunity for Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments is not an AI accelerator company like NVIDIA or AMD, but it is becoming an important beneficiary of the AI boom. TXN makes analog and embedded chips that help manage power, process signals and control equipment used in data centers and industrial systems. As AI data centers become more powerful, they require more electricity and increasingly sophisticated power-management systems.

Instead of competing in the crowded AI processor market, the company is benefiting from the broader AI infrastructure buildout. This positions Texas Instruments to capture AI spending regardless of which GPU (graphics processing unit) maker ultimately dominates the data center market.

The numbers already reflect this trend. Texas Instruments' data center business reached an annual revenue run rate of approximately $1.2 billion in 2025, growing more than 50% year over year. During the second quarter of 2026, data center revenues doubled from the prior-year quarter and increased 20% sequentially.

Such strong growth suggests AI infrastructure could become an increasingly important revenue driver over the coming years. If AI data center investment remains strong, TXN's exposure could expand without requiring the company to compete directly in the highly competitive accelerator market.

Manufacturing Expansion Could Add to TXN’s Advantage

Texas Instruments is also investing heavily to bring more manufacturing in-house. Unlike many semiconductor companies that depend heavily on third-party foundries, TXN plans to produce more than 95% of its wafers internally by 2030.

While this strategy requires substantial capital spending, it could provide greater control over supply and improve cost efficiency. This could become an important competitive advantage as semiconductor demand grows.

Government support should also help reduce the financial burden. Texas Instruments expects to receive up to $1.6 billion in direct CHIPS Act grants and another $6-$8 billion from the U.S. Treasury Department's Investment Tax Credit. Including both, total lifetime benefits are estimated between $7.5 billion and $9.5 billion. These incentives should reduce expansion costs and boost profitability over the long run.

TXN’s Strong Cash Flow Supports More Investment and Returns

Texas Instruments' cash generation further strengthens its ability to invest while returning capital to shareholders. Over the past 12 months, the company generated $8.67 billion in operating cash flow and $6.53 billion in free cash flow. It ended the second quarter with $7 billion in cash and short-term investments.

The company also continues to reward investors. During the first half of 2026, TXN returned nearly $1.45 billion through dividends and share repurchases. Over the past year, total shareholder returns approached $6 billion.

The strong cash position allows Texas Instruments to invest aggressively in manufacturing expansion while continuing to reward shareholders.

Texas Instruments’ Premium Valuation May Be Justified

Texas Instruments is not a bargain stock. It currently carries a Value Score of D, reflecting its premium valuation. TXN currently trades at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 30.99, well above the industry average of 19.04.

Texas Instruments Forward 12-Month P/E Ratio

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Compared with other semiconductor leaders, Texas Instruments also trades at a higher earnings multiple than Broadcom, QUALCOMM and NVIDIA. At present, Broadcom, QUALCOMM and NVIDIA are trading at P/E multiples of 19.56, 17.97 and 17.67, respectively.

However, premium valuations are often justified when a company consistently delivers earnings growth, generates strong cash flow and maintains durable competitive advantages.

Texas Instruments fits that profile. The company continues to benefit from expanding AI infrastructure spending, generates substantial free cash flow, maintains a healthy balance sheet and has a long track record of rewarding shareholders through dividends and share buybacks. Those strengths make its premium valuation easier to justify.

Final Verdict: TXN Stock Is Still Worth Buying

Texas Instruments has already delivered an impressive 66.6% gain over the past year, but the investment story is not over.

While the stock is not inexpensive, the underlying business remains strong enough to support the premium. The company's accelerating earnings, strong data center growth, expanding AI exposure and manufacturing investments point to further long-term opportunities. Its strong cash generation also gives it flexibility to invest while continuing to reward shareholders.

Currently, Texas Instruments carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Are Options Traders Betting on a Big Move in Ambarella Stock?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:29:00 GMT Investors in Ambarella, Inc. AMBA need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Jan 15, 2027 $25 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.

What is Implied Volatility?

Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.

What do the Analysts Think?

Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for Ambarella shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, Ambarella is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) in the Electronics – Semiconductors industry that ranks in the Top 44% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 60 days, four analysts have increased their earnings estimates for the current quarter, while one analyst has revised the estimate downward. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter from 28 cents per share to 32 cents in that period.

Given the way analysts feel about Ambarella right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Is the Options Market Predicting a Spike in Applied Materials Stock?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:27:00 GMT Investors in Applied Materials, Inc. AMAT need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Dec 18, 2026 $165 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.

What is Implied Volatility?

Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.

What do the Analysts Think?

Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for Applied Materials shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, Applied Materials is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) in the Electronics – Semiconductors industry that ranks in the Top 44% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 60 days, eight analysts have increased their earnings estimates for the current quarter, while one analyst has revised the estimate downward. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter from $3.55 per share to $4.06 in that period.

Given the way analysts feel about Applied Materials right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Is Micron Stock Worth Holding After Its Solid Q4 Earnings Results?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:25:00 GMT Micron Technology, Inc. MU closed fiscal 2026 on a powerful note, delivering record revenues, sharp margin expansion and strong cash generation. The company enters fiscal 2027 with favorable memory supply-demand trends, strong AI exposure and greater visibility from long-term customer agreements.

While the stock’s huge rally warrants some caution, its earnings outlook and attractive valuation continue to support a hold stance.

Micron’s Record Q4 Results Strengthen the Hold Case

Micron’s fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results show how quickly its business has benefited from the AI-driven memory boom. Revenues jumped 379% year over year to $54.23 billion, marking the company’s sixth consecutive quarterly revenue record. Non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) surged to $33.42 from $3.03 a year ago, while non-GAAP gross margin expanded to 87% from 45.7%. Operating cash flow reached nearly $44 billion in the fourth quarter and $89.68 billion in full fiscal 2026.

The growth was broad-based across the portfolio. DRAM revenues climbed 343% year over year to $39.8 billion, while NAND revenues soared 526% to $14.1 billion. The Core Data Center Business Unit was particularly impressive, with revenues reaching $18 billion, up from $1.58 billion in the year-ago quarter. Cloud Memory revenues increased 258% to $16.3 billion, Mobile and Client revenues surged 249% to $13.1 billion, and Automotive and Embedded revenues jumped 376% to $6.8 billion.

The outlook provides another reason to stay invested. Micron expects fiscal first-quarter 2027 revenues of $61.5 billion, plus or minus $1.5 billion, and non-GAAP EPS of $38.15, plus or minus $1. The top-and bottom-line forecasts indicate year-over-year growth of approximately 351% and 698%, respectively.

Micron Technology, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Micron Technology, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Micron Technology, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Micron Technology, Inc. Quote

AI-Led Memory Demand Supports MU’s Long-Term Growth

AI is becoming a major structural growth driver for Micron. Advanced AI systems need much more memory capacity and bandwidth, supporting demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM), advanced DRAM and high-performance data center SSDs.

The spending plans of major cloud companies add to this opportunity. Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet and Meta Platforms are expected to invest nearly $745 billion in capital expenditures in 2026, with a large portion directed toward AI infrastructure. This spending matters for Micron because AI servers require substantially more memory than traditional servers. As AI workloads grow larger and more complex, memory required per server should continue to increase.

Micron’s HBM business is gaining momentum. HBM revenues grew faster than total company revenues in the fourth quarter, and MU has completed agreements for most of its 2027 HBM bit supply at significantly higher prices than the previous year. Micron is also progressing with its HBM4 ramp and is working with NVIDIA on a custom HBM4E solution.

NAND is emerging as another important AI opportunity. Data center SSD revenues approached $10 billion in the fourth quarter, more than 10 times the year-ago level. Growing AI workloads and applications such as KV-cache offload are expanding the market for high-performance storage.

Physical AI could provide another long-term opportunity. Micron expects autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots to require substantially more memory and storage than today’s systems, potentially making this an important demand driver later this decade.

SCAs Add Greater Revenue Visibility for Micron

Micron is also taking steps to make its business more predictable. The company has signed 26 Strategic Customer Agreements (SCAs), which it estimates will cover more than 35% of revenues through 2030. Customer financial commitments have increased to $32 billion, with most of the amount coming in the form of cash deposits.

These take-or-pay agreements give Micron better visibility into future demand and help it plan capacity. They also strengthen customer relationships and support long-term technology collaboration.

At the same time, Micron is expanding its manufacturing footprint across the United States, Singapore, Japan and Taiwan. Its ID1 fab is expected to begin wafer output in mid-2027, while its Singapore HBM packaging facility is expected to begin initial output in early 2027.

MU Stock Performance and Valuation

Micron shares have soared 272.8% year to date, significantly outperforming the Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s 24.2% gain. The stock has also outperformed several major semiconductor names, including Marvell Technology, Inc. MRVL, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. AMD and NVIDIA Corporation NVDA. YTD, shares of Marvell Technology, Advanced Micro Devices and NVIDIA have surged 219.2%, 195% and 28.6%, respectively.

Micron YTD Price Return Performance

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Such a sharp rally naturally raises concerns about profit-taking. However, valuation remains a major upside. MU currently trades at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 6.29, well below the technology sector average of 21.33. It is also cheaper than Advanced Micro Devices, Marvell Technology and NVIDIA, which trade at forward P/E multiples of 48.63, 45.77 and 17.67, respectively.

This low P/E multiple suggests that the stock is not excessively valued relative to its earnings potential.

Micron Forward 12-Month P/E Ratio

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Micron’s Rising CapEx Is a Key Risk to Watch

Micron’s biggest concern is the amount of capital needed to expand capacity. The company invested $27.37 billion in capital expenditures in fiscal 2026 and plans to increase spending further in fiscal 2027 as it expands cleanroom capacity to address expected demand. Management’s discussion during the last earnings call indicates that capital spending will be more than $50 billion in fiscal 2027.

This strategy makes sense, given the company’s view that DRAM and NAND markets will remain supply constrained through 2027 and 2028. However, new facilities take time to ramp up, and aggressive capacity additions could eventually create supply-demand imbalances if industry demand weakens.

PC and smartphone markets also remain areas to watch. Micron expects premium products and AI-enabled devices to support revenues, even as overall unit volumes could decline.

Conclusion: Hold Micron Stock for Now

Micron’s strong fourth-quarter results, robust fiscal 2027 outlook, growing HBM opportunity and rising data center SSD demand make a compelling case for staying invested. SCAs are also improving revenue visibility, while tight industry supply should support pricing in the near term.

The stock’s massive YTD gain means investors should be mindful of volatility and profit-taking. Still, the 6.29X forward P/E, strong balance sheet and powerful AI-driven growth outlook make the valuation attractive relative to the company’s earnings prospects. Investors who already own Micron stock should hold it for now.

Micron currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Will Cenovus' Athabasca Deal Strengthen Its Oil Sands Growth Story?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:24:00 GMT Cenovus Energy Inc.’s CVE planned acquisition of Athabasca Oil Corporation strengthens its position in Canada’s oil sands by adding roughly 45 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day of production. The $5.7-billion cash-and-stock transaction brings Athabasca’s thermal assets near Cenovus’ Christina Lake, May River and Thornbury properties, improving portfolio alignment across a core resource area. The deal adds long-life assets, including Leismer and Corner, with Cenovus targeting a path toward 115 thousand barrels per day (MBPD) of thermal production by 2032.

A key advantage lies in applying Cenovus’ Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (“SAGD”) operating expertise to Athabasca’s assets, with management targeting better reservoir performance, lower steam-to-oil ratios and faster resource recovery. Cenovus expects about $85 million in annual corporate and commercial synergies, with most of the benefits expected in the first full year after closing. The development plan includes expanding Leismer to 60 MBPD by 2032, adding production through asset optimization and accelerating Corner’s expansion by three years.

The acquisition expands Cenovus’ longer-term development runway through Athabasca’s undeveloped resources and future tieback opportunities at May River and Thornbury. Cenovus expects the transaction to be accretive to adjusted funds flow per share in 2027, while year-end 2026 pro forma net debt is projected at $5-$5.5 billion at strip pricing. The company’s $4-billion net debt target and existing returns-focused financial framework remain unchanged despite the transaction. The Athabasca acquisition reinforces Cenovus’ oil sands growth strategy by combining additional production, a deeper resource base, operating synergies and a broader pipeline of thermal development opportunities.

Acquisitions Add Scale to Energy Production Growth

Acquisitions are helping other large energy producers like Chevron Corporation CVX and Diamondback Energy, Inc. FANG expand production and strengthen core operating positions.

Chevron completed its Hess acquisition in July 2025, adding high-quality assets in Guyana and the Bakken to its upstream portfolio. In the second quarter of 2026, the energy giant reported record U.S. upstream production of nearly 2.1 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (MMBoe/d), while worldwide production increased 20% year over year. CVX achieved $1.5 billion of annual run-rate Hess-related synergies ahead of schedule, highlighting the contribution from the enlarged portfolio.

Diamondback Energy has expanded its Permian scale through acquisitions, including the Endeavor merger and Double Eagle transaction. The upstream company stated in its second-quarter 2026 update that production surpassed 1 MMBoe/d for the first time, while oil production reached 525 MBPD. FANG noted that compared with the second quarter of 2024, oil production per share had risen 21% since the Endeavor merger, underscoring the production benefits from its expanded asset base.

CVE’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

Cenovus shares have risen 80.2% over the past year compared with the industry’s 72.3% growth.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, CVE trades at a trailing 12-month enterprise-value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) of 5.88X. This is below the broader industry average of 6.21X.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CVE's 2026 earnings has remained constant over the past seven days.

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CVE currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Dollar Tree's Comp Trend Improves: What's Fueling Growth Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:22:00 GMT Dollar Tree, Inc. DLTR appears to be finding a healthier growth formula as improving traffic begins to complement ticket gains. The retailer entered the second half with strengthening customer engagement, better store execution and a broader assortment that is drawing shoppers across income groups. With traffic turning positive earlier than expected and momentum building through the second quarter, the focus now shifts to whether these operational improvements can keep store visits rising as the benefit from prior pricing actions starts to moderate.

The numbers support that improving trend. Second-quarter comparable-store sales advanced 3.7%, driven by a 3.3% increase in average ticket and a 0.4% rise in traffic. Dollar Tree now expects full-year comparable sales growth of 3%-4%. Multi-price penetration also increased about 400 basis points year over year to 17% of total sales, while consumables delivered a 5.8% comp and discretionary sales rose 1.6%. These metrics suggest that growth is becoming broader, with traffic increasingly contributing alongside pricing and assortment gains.

The bigger test will come in the back half, when ticket comparisons become tougher and traffic is expected to carry more of the growth burden. Management believes better assortments, improved store standards and stronger marketing can sustain customer visits, and it was encouraged by the start of the third quarter. However, higher freight costs, elevated fuel prices and broad-based merchandise inflation could pressure profitability. Sustained traffic gains will therefore be important not only for meeting the comp outlook but also for supporting operating leverage and longer-term earnings growth.

DLTR’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

Shares of this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company have gained 6.4% in the past six months against the industry’s loss of 5.7%.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, DLTR trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 14.22X compared with the industry’s average of 27.14X.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DLTR’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 6.6% and 36.4%, respectively. For the next fiscal year, the consensus estimate indicates a 6.1% rise in sales and 1.7% growth in earnings. The company’s EPS estimate for fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027 has increased in the past seven days.

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Other Key Picks

FIGS, Inc. FIGS is an apparel company focused on the healthcare industry. Its offerings include lab coats, jackets, footwear, bags, socks and other accessories used by healthcare professionals. The company carries a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FIGS’ current financial-year earnings and sales indicates growth of 89.5% and 19.8%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. FIGS delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 201.8%.

Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. BOOT is the largest lifestyle retailer in the United States, specializing in western and work-related footwear, apparel and accessories. The company also carries a Zacks Rank of 2 at present.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Boot Barn’s current fiscal-year earnings and sales indicates growth of 23.5% and 15.7%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals. BOOT delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 11.4%.

Fossil Group, Inc. FOSL is involved in designing, marketing and distributing consumer fashion accessories. It currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Fossil Group’s current fiscal-year earnings indicates growth of 96.7% from the year-ago actuals. FOSL delivered an earnings surprise of 55.2% in the last reported quarter.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Execution of Pharma Tariffs Brings These ETFs Into Focus]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:22:00 GMT President Donald Trump’s 100% tariff on certain patented pharmaceutical products took effect for covered drugmakers on Sept. 29, raising questions about the potential impacts on drug prices, domestic manufacturing and smaller pharmaceutical companies.

The tariff was imposed under Section 232 and applies to patented pharmaceutical products and associated ingredients unless they qualify for specific exemptions or alternative tariff arrangements. The White House said that the measure is intended to strengthen U.S. pharmaceutical supply chains and encourage companies to expand domestic production.

However, the actual impacts are likely to vary considerably for drugmakers because the policy includes several exemptions. Companies that combine qualifying onshoring commitments with Most Favored Nation (“MFN”) pricing agreements can receive a zero tariff through Jan. 20, 2029.

Specialty Medicines Receive Protection

The new rules provide zero-tariff treatment for certain specialty medicines, subject to eligibility requirements. These include orphan drugs, nuclear medicines, plasma-derived therapies, fertility treatments, cell and gene therapies, antibody-drug conjugates, and medical countermeasures. Animal-health pharmaceuticals are also covered under the specialty-product provisions.

Trade arrangements reduce the tariff burden for several major pharmaceutical-producing markets. The proclamation sets a 15% rate for covered products from the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, while companies that commit to expanding their U.S. production will be subject to a 20% tariff, per CNN Business.

This means that the headline 100% tariff will not apply uniformly across the pharmaceutical industry.

Generic Drugs Are Excluded From This Tariff Structure

One of the most important distinctions is between patented and generic medicines.

The administration has specifically decided not to impose Section 232 tariffs on generic pharmaceuticals, biosimilars and their associated ingredients at this time. The policy will be reviewed as the government continues monitoring pharmaceutical imports.

Consequently, the immediate tariff exposure is concentrated in patented and innovative medicines rather than the broader pharmaceutical market.

Small to Mid-Sized Drugmakers Face Different Challenges

The policy could, nevertheless, put greater pressure on smaller and mid-sized drugmakers that depend on overseas manufacturing or contract manufacturers.

A major concern is that companies with fewer financial resources may find it more difficult to quickly establish U.S. manufacturing capacity. Higher production costs, especially for those that depend more heavily on external suppliers, could affect margins, pricing decisions, and investment in research and development.

Building a manufacturing facility is also a long-term process that requires substantial capital investment, regulatory approvals and specialized infrastructure. As a result, smaller companies may have difficulty responding quickly if their products fall outside the available exemptions.

Pharma ETFs in Focus

The next phase of the tariff story will depend heavily on how drugmakers respond. Companies could increase U.S. production, renegotiate supply chains or seek tariff relief under the available exemptions and agreements.

For pharmaceutical ETFs, investors may therefore want to monitor domestic manufacturing commitments, exposure to imported patented drugs and ingredients, product exemptions, and company-specific MFN agreements.

The policy creates a potentially important divide within the pharmaceutical sector: companies with established U.S. manufacturing or qualifying agreements may face a different cost structure from smaller drugmakers that rely more heavily on overseas or contract production.

SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF XPH provides diversified exposure to pharmaceutical manufacturers. Thus, it gets affected by drug pricing, tariffs, manufacturing reshoring, FDA developments and pharmaceutical demand. XPH tracks the S&P Pharmaceuticals Select Industry Index.

The fund charges 35 bps in fees. It has assets under management worth $488 million. The fund trades at one-month average volume of about 194,000 shares a day.

iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF IHE focuses on companies that develop, manufacture and market prescription drugs, vaccines and related pharmaceutical products. It tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index.

The fund charges 37 bps in fees. It has assets under management worth $1.61 billion. The fund trades at a one-month average volume of about 182,000 shares a day.

VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF PPH provides exposure to large, established pharmaceutical companies. It tracks the MVIS US Listed Pharmaceutical 25 Index.

The fund charges 36 bps in fees. It has assets under management worth $1.03 billion. The fund trades at a one-month average volume of about 281,000 shares a day.

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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]]> <![CDATA[FLO Faces Gross Margin Pressure: Can Productivity Drive Recovery?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:22:00 GMT Flowers Foods, Inc. FLO is contending with gross margin pressure as softer volumes reduce operating leverage across its bakery network. With manufacturing carrying a meaningful fixed-cost base, lower production levels make it harder to absorb expenses efficiently. This has increased the importance of productivity, restructuring and network-efficiency initiatives in helping the company manage cost pressure.

Gross margin, excluding depreciation and amortization, was 48.4% of sales in the second quarter of 2026, down 40 basis points year over year. The decline was due to lower operating leverage from reduced volumes and increased outside purchases, partly offset by lower ingredient costs related to Simple Mills. Materials, supplies, labor and other production costs represented 51.6% of sales, also reflecting a 40-basis-point deterioration.

Volume trends remain a key part of the margin challenge. Total company volume declined 5.8% during the quarter, while Branded Retail volume fell 7.6%. Lower throughput weighed on fixed-cost absorption, although pricing, restructuring actions and productivity improvements within the bakery network provided some offset.
 

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Flowers Foods continues to pursue efficiency opportunities across its bakeries and broader network. Actions taken following first-quarter sales softness are expected to provide a benefit as the company exits 2026 and moves into 2027. Separately, cost-structure initiatives are expected to generate about $9 million of savings during the remainder of 2026 and roughly $20 million of annualized run-rate savings once fully implemented, including certain reinvestments.

The key question is whether these efficiency gains can offset the pressure from lower production volumes. Productivity has helped reduce some of the impact, but further savings become harder to achieve as volumes remain weak. For Flowers Foods, easing gross margin pressure will depend on how effectively it can improve efficiency across its bakeries and network.

The Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) stock has tumbled 48.5% year to date compared with the industry’s decline of 6.3%.

Stocks to Consider

Mondelez International, Inc. MDLZ, a global snacking company, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). MDLZ delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 5.8%, on average. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mondelez’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings per share (EPS) implies growth of 3.7% and 4.5%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. 

Mama's Creations, Inc. MAMA, a prepared-foods company focused on fresh, ready-to-eat and deli products, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. MAMA delivered a trailing four-quarter surprise of 121.7%, on average.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mama's Creations’ current fiscal-year sales and EPS indicates respective increases of 30.3% and 66.7% from the year-ago period. 

Laird Superfood, Inc. LSF, a consumer product company that develops, manufactures and markets plant-based, natural and functional food and beverage products, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. LSF delivered an earnings surprise of 100% in the last reported quarter.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Laird Superfood’s current fiscal-year sales and EPS calls for growth of 188.2% and 104%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. 

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[AFG's Specialty Focus to Drive Above-Market Premium Growth]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:21:00 GMT American Financial Group, Inc. AFG has a reasonable chance of keeping premium growth above the broader P&C market in the near term, but the source of that outperformance is likely to shift from pricing toward new business, exposure growth and market-share gains.

AFG’s performance in the second quarter of 2026 results support this view. Specialty P&C net written premiums increased 6% year over year, versus a broader U.S. P&C market where premium growth has flattened. AFG achieved growth across each of its three Specialty P&C groups, helped by new business opportunities, increased exposures and favorable renewal pricing. Its 36-business diversification is particularly useful as individual markets soften. 

The mix of AFG's businesses is the key advantage. Property & Transportation NWP rose 5%, Specialty Casualty increased 6%, and Specialty Financial grew 10% in the second quarter. The financial group generated 10% premium growth even though renewal pricing declined by less than 1%, demonstrating that AFG can grow without relying entirely on rate increases. 

However, maintaining a growth rate of more than 6% becomes harder as the market moves further into a softer phase. According to Marsh, U.S. commercial insurance rates declined 2% in second-quarter 2026. Swiss Re expects U.S. P&C premium growth to slow to around 3% in 2026, reinforcing the potential for AFG to outperform the industry if it continues to capture business selectively. 

AFG's premium growth can remain above the broader market because its specialty-focused portfolio gives it access to niches that are still experiencing stronger demand and pricing. If AFG can maintain roughly 5-6% NWP growth while preserving its underwriting discipline, that would demonstrate that its growth is becoming less dependent on the insurance pricing cycle.

What About Other Insurers?

W.R. Berkley Corporation WRB offers a useful example of how a specialty insurer can maintain premium growth even as pricing moderates. In the second quarter of 2026, WRB’s Insurance segment gross written premiums grew across several specialty businesses. Importantly, renewal rate increases were more moderate, indicating that premium growth is increasingly being driven by exposure growth, new business and favorable business mix, rather than rate increases alone. WRB’s diversified specialty platform lets it deploy capacity selectively to markets offering attractive risk-adjusted returns while reducing exposure where pricing becomes inadequate. This suggests that insurers with strong specialty franchises and disciplined underwriting can potentially sustain above-market premium growth even as the broader P&C pricing cycle softens.

Chubb Limited CB provides another example of an insurer that can potentially maintain above-market premium growth as pricing moderates, supported by its diversified geographic and product mix. The company’s broad specialty, commercial, personal and international platforms allow it to capture exposure growth and new-business opportunities even as renewal pricing becomes less favorable. Chubb’s ability to shift capacity toward markets with stronger demand and attractive returns also reduces its dependence on broad-based rate increases. Consequently, investors will likely focus on whether exposure growth, new business, international expansion and favorable mix can increasingly offset moderating renewal pricing and help Chubb sustain premium growth above the broader P&C market.

AFG’s Price Performance

Shares of AFG have gained 2% in the year-to-date period, outperforming the industry.

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AFG’s Overvaluation

The stock is overvalued compared with its industry. It is currently trading at a price-to-book value multiple of 2.4, higher than the industry average of 1.37. It carries a Value Score of B.

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Estimate Movement for AFG

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AFG’s third-quarter 2026 has moved up 19.4%, and the fourth-quarter 2026 EPS has moved down 0.3% in the past 60 days. The same for full-year 2026 and 2027 EPS has moved up 8.1% and 0.2%, respectively, in the past 60 days.

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The consensus estimate for AFG’s 2026 EPS and revenues and 2027 revenues indicates a year-over-year increase. 

AFG stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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]]> <![CDATA[INNOVATE Completes DBM Global Sale, Targets Debt Reduction]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:17:00 GMT INNOVATE Corp. VATE has completed the previously announced sale of DBM Global, Inc. to IES Holdings, Inc. IESC, a transaction that significantly reshapes the company’s portfolio and is expected to strengthen its balance sheet through debt reduction.

IES acquired 100% of DBM Global’s outstanding common stock, including the 91.21% interest previously held by INNOVATE through DBM Global Intermediate Holdco Inc. The remaining 8.79% was owned by other DBM Global stockholders.

VATE Receives Cash & IES Shares

At closing, INNOVATE and its subsidiary received approximately $378 million in cash, subject to post-closing adjustments. The company also received 430,974 shares of IES common stock, valued at approximately $146 million.

In addition, INNOVATE received $35 million in cash related to costs and obligations associated with a joint tax election under Section 338 of the Internal Revenue Code. Including this payment, total cash received at closing was approximately $413 million.

The IES shares are subject to a maximum 60-day lock-up period following the transaction close. The final purchase price also remains subject to customary post-closing adjustments tied to items such as cash, working capital, indebtedness and transaction expenses.

Debt Reduction Takes Center Stage

INNOVATE intends to use all net proceeds from the transaction to reduce outstanding debt.

Management described the sale as a milestone for the company. Interim CEO Paul Voigt said that the proceeds should enable INNOVATE to substantially lower debt, strengthen its balance sheet and improve financial flexibility, while the company concentrates on its remaining businesses. Management also indicated that those businesses are positioned in attractive end markets.

How Could VATE Investors Benefit?

For VATE investors, the primary potential benefit lies in deleveraging. Using the transaction proceeds to pay down debt could reduce balance-sheet pressure and provide the company with greater flexibility to support its continuing operations.

A lower debt burden could also allow investors to focus more directly on the performance and value of INNOVATE’s remaining businesses. However, the extent of the benefit will ultimately depend on the amount of debt retired, the company’s post-transaction financial position and the operating performance of its remaining portfolio.

DBM Global Moves to IES

Following the acquisition, DBM Global will operate as IES’s new structural line of business, alongside its Communications, Residential, Infrastructure Solutions, and Commercial & Industrial operations. The deal represents IES’s largest acquisition to date.

DBM Global generated $1.5 billion in revenues for the 12 months ended June 30, 2026. Its businesses include Schuff Steel, Banker Steel, GrayWolf, DBM Vircon and Aitken. The company has more than 2 million square feet of fabrication and operating facilities across the United States and employs approximately 4,000 people.

For INNOVATE, the transaction shifts the near-term focus toward debt reduction and the financial performance of its remaining businesses. The planned use of the proceeds to strengthen the balance sheet is likely to remain the key consideration for VATE investors following the divestiture.

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Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

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See them now >>

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]]> <![CDATA[ASE Technology Rises 27% in a Month: Should You Buy the Stock?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:15:00 GMT ASE Technology Holding ASX shares have rallied 26.9% in the past month, outperforming the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry's appreciation of 8.9%. The stock has also outperformed its industry peers, including Amkor Technology AMKR, GlobalFoundries GFS and Synaptics SYNA. In the past month, shares of Amkor Technology, GlobalFoundries and Synaptics have returned 15%, 7.8% and 21.1%, respectively.

The outperformance of ASE Technology’s shares raises the question: Does it still have room to run, or is it time for investors to consider taking profits? Let’s find out.

One-Month Price Return Performance

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Strong LEAP Momentum Bodes Well for ASX’s Prospects

ASE Technology is seeing strong demand for its leading-edge advanced packaging (LEAP) services as the growth of AI increases demand for more complex semiconductor packaging and testing. LEAP revenues are tracking ahead of the company’s earlier 2026 target of $3.5 billion. Management now expects to add another few hundred million dollars to this year's LEAP revenues and is targeting a doubling of LEAP revenues in 2027.

The company has clear visibility into customer demand and the capacity needed to support this growth. ASX plans to add facilities and equipment to expand LEAP capacity, with another $2 billion of CapEx added to its 2026 plans. Management said the company expects to continue making heavy investments in both advanced packaging and testing to support customer demand.

The growth is already showing up in ASX's results. In the second quarter of 2026, ATM revenues rose 36% year over year to TWD 126.1 billion. Higher LEAP volumes also helped lift ATM gross margin to 27.3% from 21.9% a year earlier. Management expects LEAP and test businesses to remain margin accretive and sees ATM gross margin moving above 30% in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Still, execution remains a key factor. ASX said its near-term growth is limited by how quickly it can install equipment and complete new facilities. ASX is working on 13 greenfield and eight brownfield projects. These projects are expected to provide capacity through 2028 and into part of 2029. However, managing so many projects at the same time might create execution risks, particularly around construction, equipment installation and meeting required timelines.

Nonetheless, strong AI-related demand, expanding capacity and higher-margin LEAP services give ASX a solid base for growth. Its target to double LEAP revenues in 2027 looks achievable, but timely capacity expansion and execution will be important for the company to meet that goal. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 indicates revenue growth of around 27.9% and 22.5%, respectively.

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CoWoS & Panel Packaging Demand Boosts ASX's Prospects

ASE Technology is expanding its advanced packaging capabilities as AI drives demand for larger chips, higher bandwidth and more complex semiconductor designs. Rising AI demand is creating hardware requirements in terms of size, complexity and integration, making packaging an important part of the AI infrastructure buildout. ASE Technology believes that hardware infrastructure has become a key bottleneck, while packaging is moving up in the system architecture value chain.

CoWoS is one of the main technologies supporting this opportunity. The company is working to increase its CoWoS scale and efficiency as demand from AI infrastructure remains strong. ASE Technology is also expanding its full process business, which management said is on track to generate about TWD 300 million in revenues in 2026. The company expects substantial growth in this business in 2027 and sees it becoming margin accretive as it scales.

Panel-level packaging could add another growth opportunity. ASX’s fully-automated 310-by-310 panel line is expected to start production in the first quarter of 2027. Management said that the solution is complementary to foundry offerings and is aimed at a similar customer set and reticle size. Customer adoption will depend on factors such as capacity, performance and speed of execution. This gives ASE Technology another packaging option as customers look for solutions to meet rising AI hardware requirements.

If ASX can bring the new capacity online as planned, CoWoS, panel packaging and LEAP could provide multiple growth drivers as AI infrastructure demand continues to expand.

Key Technical Indicator Signals Bullish Trend for ASX

ASX shares are trading above their 50-day & 200-day moving averages, a bullish technical signal that indicates the potential for continued upward momentum in the near term.

ASX 50-Day & 200-day Simple Moving Average

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ASX’s Valuation Reflects High Growth Expectations

ASE Technology is currently trading at a higher price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple, significantly higher than the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry. ASX’s forward 12-month P/E ratio sits at 26.32X, significantly higher than the Zacks industry’s forward 12-month P/E ratio of 14.24X.

ASX Forward 12-Month P/E Ratio

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ASX stock also trades at a higher P/E multiple compared with other industry peers, including Amkor Technology, GlobalFoundries and Synaptics. At present, Amkor Technology, GlobalFoundries and Synaptics have P/S multiples of 20.84X, 20.43X and 21.22X, respectively.

ASX’s rally reflects investor excitement about AI-related packaging demand, putting it above the industry and peers in terms of valuation, reflecting the high growth expectations of the company in the long term.

Conclusion: Buy ASX Stock Right Now

ASE Technology continues to benefit from strong demand for LEAP services as AI drives demand for advanced packaging and testing. Management expects LEAP revenues to grow further in 2026 and is targeting a doubling of LEAP revenues in 2027. Higher LEAP volumes are also helping improve ATM margins, while the company is adding capacity to support customer demand.

Rising demand for CoWoS, panel-level packaging and other advanced packaging services could provide additional growth opportunities as the company expands capacity. Further, the stock’s valuation reflects high growth expectations for the company, which is set to benefit from strong long-term demand for AI-driven advanced packaging, including LEAP, CoWoS and panel-level packaging.

Currently, ASE Technology carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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]]> <![CDATA[XPeng to Unveil G9L Flagship SUV to Accelerate European Expansion]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:10:00 GMT XPeng Inc. XPEV, a global Physical AI company, will showcase its latest developments in intelligent mobility, robotics and next-generation transportation at the 2026 Paris Motor Show. The company will use the event to globally debut its next-generation AI flagship SUV, the G9L, marking another milestone in its European expansion.

At its more than 1,000-square-meter exhibition space in Hall 6, XPENG will present an immersive “Physical AI Museum” divided into four sections covering its technology platform, AI-powered vehicles, humanoid robots and flying cars. The exhibition will highlight how the company is extending its technological capabilities beyond traditional automobiles. Its Car-as-a-Robot concept integrates vehicle and robotics technologies on a shared platform, while XPENG is working toward mass production of its IRON humanoid robot and developing flying cars and Robotaxi technology. Alongside the G9L, the company will display the L03, P7+, G6, G9 and X9, giving visitors an overview of its broader Physical AI ecosystem spanning intelligent vehicles, robotics and emerging mobility solutions.

The G9L will be the centerpiece of XPENG’s presence, with its global launch scheduled for Oct. 12, 2026. The next-generation AI flagship SUV combines the company’s latest developments in artificial intelligence, intelligent driving and vehicle technology with a premium SUV experience. It is designed to emphasize safety, driving performance and comfort across various driving scenarios. XPENG will also open European order books and reveal European pricing at the show, signaling the model’s move from its initial China launch toward a broader global rollout.

The G9L will become the fourth XPENG model to be manufactured in Europe as the company continues to expand its local production capabilities. The model reflects XPENG’s strategy of developing products for global markets while increasingly designing and manufacturing vehicles with European customers in mind.

In addition to unveiling the G9L, XPENG will demonstrate its NGP intelligent driving technology through its recently launched L03 SUV coupe. For XPENG, the event will represent its first large-scale NGP test-drive experience outside China and will give European customers and media an early opportunity to experience its latest intelligent-driving capabilities.

XPENG is also working to localize its intelligent-driving technology for European markets, supported by the generalization capabilities of its foundation model. The company continues to expand its European R&D operations to adapt its intelligent-driving systems to local road conditions, traffic patterns and regulatory requirements.

The company is further strengthening its European footprint by expanding its sales and service network and developing local capabilities, including through its European R&D center in Munich. XPENG has delivered more than 100,000 vehicles outside China, including more than 60,000 in Europe. In France, the company has delivered more than 6,000 vehicles since entering the market two years ago.

XPENG is also broadening its European product lineup. Following its global debut in Munich in July 2026, the L03 SUV coupe is preparing for its first deliveries to European customers. Through European intelligent-driving development, local manufacturing and products tailored to regional needs, XPENG is advancing its “In Europe, For Europe” strategy and bringing its global technology capabilities closer to European consumers.

The year 2026 marked another phase of XPENG’s international expansion, with overseas deliveries, retail locations and localized operations continuing to grow alongside the commercialization of its Physical AI technologies. In the second quarter, overseas deliveries exceeded 20,000 units for the first time, representing an 81% year-over-year increase. In August, XPENG’s robotics business raised more than $900 million in its first funding round, making it the largest single-round private financing in China’s embodied AI industry. In September, its advanced general-purpose IRON humanoid robot began production on a newly commissioned manufacturing line, representing an important step toward mass production.

At the show, XPENG will highlight its efforts to translate Physical AI from technological development into practical mobility applications while expanding these capabilities from China to international markets, with Europe becoming an increasingly important part of its global strategy.

XPEV’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks

XPeng currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the auto space are Mobileye Global Inc. MBLY and Garrett Motion Inc. GTX. While MBLY sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), GTX has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MBLY’s 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 5.6% and 36.1%, respectively. The EPS estimate for 2026 and 2027 has improved 3 cents each over the past 60 days.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GTX’s 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 7.2% and 25.7%, respectively. The EPS estimate for 2026 and 2027 has improved 5 cents and 4 cents, respectively, over the past 60 days.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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]]> <![CDATA[PrimeEnergy vs. SandRidge: Which Energy Stock Is the Better Buy?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:08:00 GMT PrimeEnergy Resources Corporation PNRG and SandRidge Energy, Inc. SD are two independent oil and natural gas companies engaged in the acquisition, development and production of hydrocarbon properties. PrimeEnergy’s operations are concentrated primarily in Texas and Oklahoma, while SandRidge operates mainly across the Mid-Continent region, with a focus on Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas.

PrimeEnergy shares have gained 23.5% over the past year, significantly outperforming SandRidge Energy’s 13.4% advance.

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However, stock price performance alone does not provide a complete basis for an investment decision. A closer look at the companies’ development programs, operating trends and valuations is therefore warranted.

PNRG’s Latest Developments

PrimeEnergy’s ongoing development program provides a visible near-term production catalyst following weakness in second-quarter oil volumes. Oil production declined 31.5% year over year in the second quarter of 2026, but drilling commenced on 24 horizontal wells across Upton and Martin Counties during the period. First production from all 24 wells is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The 12 Upton County wells, in which PrimeEnergy holds an average 41.8% interest, represent the core investment at $34.1 million. Participation in another 12 Martin County wells requires only about $120,000 while providing geological and production information at relatively limited capital exposure. Overall, PNRG expects to invest $52 million in 28 horizontal wells in 2026, bringing cumulative horizontal development spending for 2024-2026 to roughly $261 million.

The start-up of these wells could help reverse recent production weakness and improve returns on the capital already deployed. The operating backdrop is also supportive, with Brent crude forecast at around $90 per barrel during the second half of 2026 as global inventories decline.

PrimeEnergy is also benefiting from stronger crude realizations and disciplined costs. Its realized oil price increased to $98.85 per barrel in the second quarter of 2026 from $56.96 a year earlier, helping oil revenues reach $40.6 million despite lower production.

Natural gas remained a significant headwind, with revenues of negative $9.2 million as the realized gas price fell to negative $3.53 per Mcf. Nevertheless, net income increased to $6.5 million from $3.2 million. Oil and gas production expenses declined to $9.1 million from $10.1 million. These trends indicate that stronger crude prices, combined with controlled expenses, are helping offset regional gas-pricing weakness.

SD’s Latest Developments

SandRidge’s Cherokee development program is translating capital spending into higher production and revenues. The second-quarter production averaged 19.7 MBoe per day, increasing 11% year over year, while oil production rose 22%.

Oil, natural gas and NGL revenues increased 48% to $51.1 million from $34.5 million, supported by higher production and stronger commodity pricing. Four operated Cherokee wells had been completed by June 30, 2026, with another two completed in July. SandRidge also recorded its lowest drilled-well costs under the program in the first six months of 2026.

Operating efficiency has improved alongside production growth. Lease operating expenses declined sequentially to $5.73 per BOE from $6.45 in the first quarter of 2026. Higher production, improving drilling efficiency and lower unit operating expenses could strengthen the economics of incremental Cherokee development, particularly if the supportive crude-price environment persists through the remainder of 2026.

SandRidge is also expanding its Cherokee position through a pending bolt-on acquisition expected to close in the third quarter of 2026. The transaction adds approximately 7,000 net leasehold acres, interests in 21 wells and eight proven development locations.

The acquired operated wells have an average 30-day initial production rate exceeding 2,100 BOE per day and are 58% oil. Importantly, the acreage directly offsets SandRidge’s existing core position in Roger Mills County. Management also expects to integrate the assets without adding personnel.

The deal therefore expands SandRidge’s oil-weighted drilling inventory within an established operating region while potentially allowing the company to spread its existing operating and administrative infrastructure across a larger production base.

Can Higher Oil Prices Support PNRG?

PrimeEnergy has considerable exposure to crude-oil pricing, making the current commodity environment particularly relevant. Higher oil realizations have already helped offset lower production and deeply negative natural-gas pricing during the second quarter.

The expected start-up of 24 horizontal wells in the fourth quarter could make the company increasingly sensitive to crude prices as incremental production comes online. With Brent forecast near $90 per barrel during the second half of 2026 (per EIA), the combination of stronger oil pricing, new production and controlled operating expenses could support cash generation.

However, weak regional natural-gas pricing remains an important risk. The negative realized gas price recorded during the second quarter demonstrates that stronger crude markets do not eliminate commodity-related pressures across PNRG’s portfolio.

Can SD Sustain Its Cherokee Momentum?

SandRidge enters the remainder of 2026 with positive production momentum from its Cherokee assets. Higher production, improving drilling efficiency and declining sequential lease operating costs suggest that the development program is beginning to generate measurable operating benefits.

The pending Cherokee acquisition could provide another layer of growth by adding oil-weighted production and development locations adjacent to SandRidge’s existing acreage. Its ability to integrate the assets without additional personnel could also help preserve the company’s cost structure.

Nevertheless, SandRidge remains exposed to commodity-price volatility. Per EIA, Brent prices are expected to moderate in 2027 after remaining near $90 per barrel during the second half of 2026. Consequently, maintaining drilling efficiency and controlling costs will become increasingly important if the oil-price backdrop becomes less favorable.

PNRG or SD: Which Is the Better Stock?

The valuation comparison favors PrimeEnergy. PNRG trades at a trailing 12-month enterprise value to EBITDA multiple of 3.16X, below SandRidge’s 3.64X. This means investors are currently paying a lower multiple for PrimeEnergy despite its substantial development program and expected fourth-quarter production catalyst.

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Both companies have credible growth drivers. SandRidge is already delivering higher Cherokee production and has additional upside from its pending bolt-on acquisition, while improving drilling costs and lease operating expenses strengthen its operating profile. PrimeEnergy, meanwhile, could see a more pronounced production inflection when its 24 horizontal wells begin contributing in the fourth quarter, while higher crude realizations and lower operating expenses are supporting earnings.

Between the two, PNRG appears to offer the more attractive proposition for investors seeking new exposure, given its lower valuation, upcoming production additions and strong leverage to the favorable near-term oil-price environment.

Existing SD investors may consider holding onto the stock, as Cherokee production growth, improving drilling efficiency and the pending acquisition continue to support its operating outlook.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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]]> <![CDATA[NIKE's High P/E Valuation: Can Fundamentals Justify the Premium?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:05:00 GMT NIKE Inc. NKE stock has been volatile in recent months, reflecting weakening demand, margin pressure and ongoing business-reset actions. However, its current forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 20.12X raises valuation concerns. This multiple exceeds the Zacks Shoes and Retail Apparel industry average of 17.3X, making NIKE’s stock appear relatively expensive.

Adding to investor caution, the company’s elevated price-to-sales (P/S) ratio affects enthusiasm. The Beaverton, OR-based athletic giant trades at a forward 12-month P/S of 1.11X, above the industry’s 1.04X. Together with its Value Score of D, this suggests that NIKE may not present a compelling value opportunity at current levels despite its strong fundamentals and brand leadership.

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NIKE’s Premium Valuation Surpasses Peers

At 20.12X P/E, the Swoosh brand owner is trading at a much higher valuation than its competitors. Its peers, such as adidas AG ADDYY, Steven Madden SHOO and Wolverine World Wide WWW, are delivering solid growth and trade at more reasonable multiples. adidas, Steven Madden and Wolverine have forward 12-month P/E ratios of 12.57X, 17.84X and 10.52X — all lower than that of NIKE. At such levels, NKE’s valuation seems out of step with its growth trajectory, especially given the recent decrease in its stock price.

NIKE’s elevated valuation underscores investors’ high growth expectations. However, compared with key competitors, the company appears increasingly vulnerable as market participants turn cautious toward overpriced Consumer Discretionary stocks. NKE’s ability to consistently deliver on or exceed these expectations will be critical to sustaining its premium valuation.

NIKE shares have lost 22.9% in the past three months compared with a 19.7% decline in the broader industry. The stock has also underperformed the Consumer Discretionary sector’s 5.7% decline and the S&P 500’s 2% growth in the same period.

NIKE’s performance has been relatively dismal compared with its peers. Shares of Wolverine World Wide and Steven Madden have outperformed NKE in the past three months, recording 10.4% and 14.6% growth, respectively. Meanwhile, shares of adidas have underperformed NKE with a 24.9% decline.

NKE’s 3-Month Stock Performance

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At the current price of $33.96, the NKE stock trades close to its 52-week low of $31.94 reached on Oct. 2, 2026. The recent fall to the 52-week low was led by the company’s dismal first-quarter fiscal 2027 results on Oct. 1. The current stock price is 53.1% below its 52-week high mark of $72.39. NKE trades below its 50 and 200-day moving averages, indicating a bearish sentiment.

NIKE Stock Trades Below 50 & 200-Day Moving Averages

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What’s Hurting NIKE’s Stock Performance

NIKE’s recent share-price pressure appears fundamentally tied to concerns that its turnaround will take longer and involve greater near-term earnings pain. First-quarter fiscal 2027 revenues declined 4% on a reported basis and 5% on a currency-neutral basis, underscoring persistent weakness across several key businesses. 

NIKE Sportswear, Jordan Brand and Greater China remain the primary drags, offsetting solid momentum in the Performance portfolio. Sportswear declined in the low double digits, hurt by a nearly 50% reduction in Dunk revenues, weaker-than-expected sell-through of aged footwear and softer lifestyle traffic. Management also acknowledged broader marketplace pressure and a lack of energy in the lifestyle category.

Jordan Brand is another near-term headwind. Revenues fell in the mid-teens as NIKE deliberately reduces the volume and frequency of retro launches to restore scarcity and strengthen brand positioning. While strategically necessary, these actions are expected to weigh on sales, particularly in North America.

Greater China remains even more challenging, with revenues down 26% as NIKE restructures digital distribution, removes discount-heavy channels and works to improve inventory health. Management expects revenues and profitability in China to remain pressured for multiple seasons.

The outlook further explains investor caution. NIKE expects fiscal 2027 revenues to decline in the high-single-digit range, with EBIT falling faster than sales due to gross-margin pressure, fixed-cost deleverage and higher input costs. Although the Pace restructuring is expected to generate $2.5 billion in savings, most benefits are not expected until fiscal 2029-2030, reinforcing a prolonged “pain before gain” narrative.

NIKE’s Estimate Revision Trend

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NIKE’s fiscal 2027 and 2028 earnings per share (EPS) have moved south, with estimates declining 3% and 2.3%, respectively, in the past seven days.

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For fiscal 2027, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for NKE’s revenues implies a 7% year-over-year decline, while the same for EPS suggests 1.3% growth. The consensus mark for fiscal 2028 revenues and EPS indicates 9.5% and 32.6% year-over-year growth, respectively.

Is NIKE Still Worth a Shot?

NIKE’s first-quarter fiscal 2027 performance underscores the near-term pains surrounding its turnaround. Persistent weakness in Sportswear, Jordan Brand and Greater China, coupled with expectations for a high-single-digit revenue decline and greater pressure on EBIT, suggests that a meaningful recovery may take time. Against this backdrop, NIKE’s premium valuation looks difficult to justify, particularly as the stock continues to decline and trades near its 52-week low.

The negative estimate revision trend adds another concern. Although management’s restructuring efforts and Performance portfolio strength could support longer-term improvement, the current outlook remains subdued and execution risks are elevated.

Given the combination of a premium valuation, deteriorating share-price performance, downward earnings estimate revisions and a weak near-term operating outlook, investors may be better off staying on the sidelines. NIKE currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), and it appears prudent to avoid the stock until clearer signs of revenue stabilization, margin recovery and improving earnings momentum emerge.

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[PepsiCo Sharpens Price-Pack Strategy: Can Affordability Pay Off?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:04:00 GMT PepsiCo Inc. PEP is stepping up its affordability efforts as pressure on consumer budgets weighs on demand, particularly in North America. In the second quarter of 2026, U.S. food and beverage category trends moderated as inflationary pressures tightened household spending.

North America organic revenues declined 0.5%, while PepsiCo Foods North America posted a 2% net revenue decline, primarily reflecting lower effective net pricing. Against this backdrop, PepsiCo is sharpening its price-pack architecture to enhance affordability, while continuing to invest in value-oriented initiatives across its portfolio.

The strategy is also being supported by portfolio formats that give consumers greater choice at different price points. Portion-control multi-packs, which generate more than $3.5 billion in annual net revenues, delivered both volume and net revenue growth in the quarter. Meanwhile, PepsiCo's permissible portfolio, representing roughly $3 billion in annual net revenues, also recorded strong volume and sales growth. These trends suggest that targeted pack sizes and differentiated offerings can help the company address affordability without relying solely on broad-based pricing actions.

However, affordability investments carry a near-term profitability trade-off. North America's core operating margin contracted in the quarter, partly reflecting investments in convenient-food affordability, while PepsiCo expects higher input-cost inflation in the second half.

Management plans to lean on record productivity savings to help offset these pressures and fund investments aimed at accelerating growth. If sharper price-pack architecture can improve consumer value perception, support volumes and deepen household penetration, PepsiCo's affordability push could become an important lever for restoring North American momentum.

Highlighting KO & MNST’s Affordability Initiatives

The Coca-Cola Company KO and Monster Beverage Corporation MNST are also refining their price-pack strategies to offer consumers greater value while navigating persistent cost pressures and cautious spending.

Coca-Cola is leaning on revenue growth management to keep its beverages accessible as lower-income consumers remain pressured. The company is using different package formats and entry price points, including mini-can multi-packs in retail and single mini cans in convenience stores, to enhance affordability. Management noted that its RGM toolkit will continue addressing both affordability and premiumization, helping Coca-Cola stay close to changing consumer needs.

Monster Beverage is broadening its affordability strategy by offering energy drinks across multiple price points and expanding lower-priced brands in key international markets. Management highlighted growing momentum for its affordable portfolio in EMEA, including Bang Energy, while also targeting further expansion of affordable brands in China and India. These initiatives could help Monster recruit new consumers and deepen household penetration as the global energy-drink category continues to expand.

PEP’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

Shares of PepsiCo have lost 13.6% in the past three months compared with the industry’s decline of 4%.

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From a valuation standpoint, PEP trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 14.21X compared with the industry’s average of 18.49X.

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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PEP’s 2026 and 2027 earnings per share (EPS) implies year-over-year growth of 5.3% and 4.3%, respectively. The EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have moved south in the past seven days.

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PepsiCo currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). 

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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]]> <![CDATA[Costco's Digital Sales Top $33 Billion: Can E-commerce Keep Scaling?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:03:00 GMT Costco Wholesale Corporation’s COST digital business is becoming an increasingly meaningful part of its retail ecosystem. In fiscal 2026, digitally enabled sales, including third-party delivery, exceeded $33 billion and grew more than 20%. Momentum remained strong in the fourth quarter, when digitally enabled comparable sales rose 19.5%, or 19.8% excluding foreign-exchange impacts. E-commerce site and app traffic also climbed 30%.

The growth is broad-based rather than concentrated in one merchandise area. Pharmacy, home furnishings, small electrics, hardware, housewares and domestics ranked among Costco’s strongest digital sales categories during the quarter. At the same time, Costco is extending same-day availability through Uber Eats, DoorDash and Instacart. Management noted that average delivery times across these platforms are under an hour and that the transactions appear mostly incremental instead of shifting purchases away from warehouses.

The company is simultaneously improving how members discover products online. Personalized product placements and email communications generated triple-digit sales growth in the fourth quarter, while 10% of Costco.com orders included a personalized item. Traffic originating from AI search also grew at a triple-digit rate for the second straight quarter and delivered the highest conversion rate among site traffic sources.

For Costco, continued e-commerce scaling increasingly depends on making digital shopping faster, more relevant and complementary to warehouse visits.

How Walmart & Target Are Scaling Digital Sales

Walmart Inc.’s WMT digital momentum remains strong, with global e-commerce sales rising 23% in second-quarter fiscal 2027 and accounting for 24% of total net sales. Walmart U.S. e-commerce grew 24%, supported by store-fulfilled delivery and marketplace expansion. Walmart also reported more than 40% growth in store-fulfilled deliveries, while fast delivery grew 48%, underscoring how Walmart is using speed, assortment and fulfillment density to deepen digital engagement.

Target Corporation TGT also posted healthy digital growth, with second-quarter fiscal 2026 comparable digital sales increasing 8.7%, led by more than 25% growth in same-day delivery. Target is supporting this momentum through digital personalization, AI-powered shopping tools and enhanced app experiences. Target’s digital traffic from external AI platforms is also rising more than 3.5 times the industry rate, suggesting Target is increasingly using technology and convenience to strengthen online discovery and engagement.

How Does Costco Stack Up Against Its Industry?

Costco has seen its shares tumble 2.5% over the past three months compared with the industry’s decline of 2.6%. 
 

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What Does Costco’s Current Valuation Suggest?

From a valuation standpoint, Costco's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 40.03, higher than the industry’s ratio of 27.15. However, it is trading below its 12-month median level of 44.96, indicating some moderation in valuation.
 

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What Do Earnings Estimates Signal for Costco?

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Costco’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 8.3% and 11.8%, respectively. For the next fiscal year, the consensus estimate indicates a 7.2% rise in sales and 9.1% growth in earnings.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for the current fiscal year has increased by 36 cents to $22.87 per share, while the estimate for the next fiscal year has risen by 45 cents to $24.94 per share over the past 30 days.
 

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Costco currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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]]> <![CDATA[Chips Retake Lead: What AMD and Nvidia Are Telling Us About AI]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:03:00 GMT In the past week, Advanced Micro Devices and Nvidia both closed at all-time highs. That sounds like a single story.

It isn't.

Nvidia's record was its first since May — the end of a five-month stretch in which the company that defined the AI trade watched its own sector run past it. AMD's close capped a run in which the stock has risen nearly 200% year to date and crossed a $1 trillion market capitalization, becoming only the fourth U.S. chipmaker to do so.

Nvidia is up roughly 28% in 2026. Both stocks are at records. Understanding why those two paths converged this month tells you more about where the AI trade stands than either stock does alone.

AMD: The Orders Became Real

AMD's rally is not sentiment. It is backed by contracts.

The anchor is OpenAI, which committed to a six-gigawatt MI450 deployment and holds warrants for up to 160 million AMD shares tied to that rollout. Oracle followed with a commitment for 50,000 MI450 GPUs beginning in the third quarter. Those are the two orders that changed the conversation, because they established something the market had doubted for years: that a hyperscaler AI buildout can be architected around someone other than Nvidia.

The financials are catching up quickly. Second-quarter revenue hit a record $11.5 billion, with data center sales of $6.7 billion — 58% of the total and up more than 100% year over year. Diluted earnings rose roughly 82%. AMD AMD also closed an $8.2 billion acquisition of World Labs, extending its reach further up the AI stack.

Nvidia: Capital Returns and a Laggard Catching Up

Nvidia's NVDA catalyst was different in kind. In September, the board authorized an additional $150 billion for share repurchases — the largest single increase to a buyback program in corporate history, surpassing Apple's $110 billion authorization in 2024 — lifting remaining capacity to $235 billion through fiscal 2028. The increase alone exceeds the entire market value of about 84% of S&P 500 companies.

The timing matters. Management authorized that at a moment when Nvidia traded near its lowest earnings multiple in more than a decade. Buying back stock when your own multiple has compressed is the clearest signal a management team can send about perceived value.

And the supporting data helped. Foxconn, a critical assembler of Nvidia's server systems, posted its strongest month on record. And the company's second quarter was extraordinary on its own terms: revenue of $96.2 billion, up 106%, with Data Center revenue of $89.0 billion representing 92% of the business and gross margin holding at 75%.

The Q3 Setups

Both report within two weeks of each other, and the projections are instructive.

AMD, which sports a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) at the moment, is set to report quarterly results on November 3rd. Management guided third-quarter revenue to approximately $13 billion, plus or minus $300 million — roughly 41% year-over-year growth and 13% sequential — with non-GAAP gross margin near 56%. Consensus sits at $1.90 per share on $13.06 billion, slightly above the guidance midpoint. Notably, that guidance came in above the prior Street consensus of $12.5 billion, which is the kind of detail that marks a genuine inflection rather than a beat-and-lower cycle.

Meanwhile, Nvidia garners a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and reports in mid-November. Management guided third-quarter revenue to $108.0 billion, plus or minus 2%, and consensus has since converged near $2.47 per share on roughly $109.2 billion. Against a year-ago quarter of $1.30 per share, that implies earnings growth near 90%.

Two things stand out. First, the sequential step in Nvidia's revenue — roughly $11.8 billion added in a single quarter — is nearly as much as AMD's entire quarterly revenue base. Scale matters. Second, Nvidia's guidance assumes no Data Center revenue from China whatsoever, meaning any resumption is upside that no model currently carries.

Bottom Line

The most useful signal in this rally is which stock lagged. Nvidia spent most of 2026 as the underperformer while capital rotated into AMD, Intel, Arm and the memory names.

Its return to record territory on a buyback rather than a product announcement suggests the market is finally repricing the leader on earnings rather than narrative. And if AMD confirms that its data center momentum is durable and Nvidia guides the January quarter above consensus, the group likely has further to run.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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]]> <![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) Reports Next Week: Wall Street Expects Earnings Growth]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:00:06 GMT JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on October 13, 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 Estimate

This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $5.94 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +17.2%.

Revenues are expected to be $52.21 billion, up 12.5% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions Trend

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.25% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Chart for JPM

Earnings Whisper

Estimate 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 JPMorgan Chase & Co.?

For JPMorgan Chase & Co., 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 +1.19%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination indicates that JPMorgan Chase & Co. 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 JPMorgan Chase & Co. would post earnings of $5.59 per share when it actually produced earnings of $6.14, delivering a surprise of +9.84%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.

Bottom Line

An 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.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. 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.

Should You Invest in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM)?

Before you invest in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), want to know the best stocks to buy for the next 30 days? Check out Zacks Investment Research for our free report on the 7 best stocks to buy.

Zacks Investment Research has been committed to providing investors with tools and independent research since 1978. For more than a quarter century, the Zacks Rank stock-rating system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +24.08% per year. (These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through May 6, 2024.)

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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]]> <![CDATA[Unity Bancorp (UNTY) to Report Q3 Results: Wall Street Expects Earnings Growth]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:00:06 GMT The market expects Unity Bancorp (UNTY) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report. 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 Estimate

This bank holding company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.49 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +12%.

Revenues are expected to be $35.66 million, up 8.7% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions Trend

The 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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Chart for UNTY

Earnings Whisper

Estimate 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 Unity Bancorp?

For Unity Bancorp, 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 +0.45%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #4.

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Unity Bancorp 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 Unity Bancorp would post earnings of $1.44 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.42, delivering a surprise of -1.39%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.

Bottom Line

An 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.

Unity Bancorp doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Should You Invest in Unity Bancorp, Inc. (UNTY)?

Before you invest in Unity Bancorp, Inc. (UNTY), want to know the best stocks to buy for the next 30 days? Check out Zacks Investment Research for our free report on the 7 best stocks to buy.

Zacks Investment Research has been committed to providing investors with tools and independent research since 1978. For more than a quarter century, the Zacks Rank stock-rating system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +24.08% per year. (These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through May 6, 2024.)

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Wells Fargo (WFC) Earnings Expected to Grow: Should You Buy?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:00:06 GMT Wells Fargo (WFC) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on October 13. 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 Estimate

This bank is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.85 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +6.9%.

Revenues are expected to be $22.13 billion, up 3.2% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions Trend

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.76% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Chart for WFC

Earnings Whisper

Estimate 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 Wells Fargo?

For Wells Fargo, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.70%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Wells Fargo 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 Wells Fargo would post earnings of $1.73 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.96, delivering a surprise of +13.29%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.

Bottom Line

An 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.

Wells Fargo doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Should You Invest in Wells Fargo & Company (WFC)?

Before you invest in Wells Fargo & Company (WFC), want to know the best stocks to buy for the next 30 days? Check out Zacks Investment Research for our free report on the 7 best stocks to buy.

Zacks Investment Research has been committed to providing investors with tools and independent research since 1978. For more than a quarter century, the Zacks Rank stock-rating system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +24.08% per year. (These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through May 6, 2024.)

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[FB Financial (FBK) Reports Next Week: Wall Street Expects Earnings Growth]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:00:05 GMT Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when FB Financial (FBK) reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on October 13. 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 Estimate

This bank holding company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.21 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +13.1%.

Revenues are expected to be $180.14 million, up 3.6% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions Trend

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.21% 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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Chart for FBK

Earnings Whisper

Estimate 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 FB Financial?

For FB Financial, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -1.33%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that FB Financial will beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?

Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that FB Financial would post earnings of $1.14 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.14, delivering no surprise.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates two times.

Bottom Line

An 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.

FB Financial doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Should You Invest in FB Financial Corporation (FBK)?

Before you invest in FB Financial Corporation (FBK), want to know the best stocks to buy for the next 30 days? Check out Zacks Investment Research for our free report on the 7 best stocks to buy.

Zacks Investment Research has been committed to providing investors with tools and independent research since 1978. For more than a quarter century, the Zacks Rank stock-rating system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +24.08% per year. (These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through May 6, 2024.)

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Earnings Expected to Grow: Should You Buy?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:00:05 GMT Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on October 13. 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 Estimate

This world's biggest maker of health care products is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.90 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +3.6%.

Revenues are expected to be $25.37 billion, up 5.8% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions Trend

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.21% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Chart for JNJ

Earnings Whisper

Estimate 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 Johnson & Johnson?

For Johnson & Johnson, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.01%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Johnson & Johnson 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 Johnson & Johnson would post earnings of $2.84 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.90, delivering a surprise of +2.11%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.

Bottom Line

An 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.

Johnson & Johnson doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Should You Invest in Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)?

Before you invest in Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), want to know the best stocks to buy for the next 30 days? Check out Zacks Investment Research for our free report on the 7 best stocks to buy.

Zacks Investment Research has been committed to providing investors with tools and independent research since 1978. For more than a quarter century, the Zacks Rank stock-rating system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +24.08% per year. (These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through May 6, 2024.)

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Goldman Sachs (GS) Earnings Expected to Grow: Should You Buy?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:00:04 GMT The market expects Goldman Sachs (GS) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on October 13. 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 Estimate

This investment bank is expected to post quarterly earnings of $13.89 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +13.4%.

Revenues are expected to be $16.91 billion, up 11.4% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions Trend

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 2.88% 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

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Chart for GS

Earnings Whisper

Estimate 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 Goldman?

For Goldman, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -11.16%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Goldman will beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?

Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Goldman would post earnings of $14.47 per share when it actually produced earnings of $20.98, delivering a surprise of +44.99%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.

Bottom Line

An 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.

Goldman doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Should You Invest in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS)?

Before you invest in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS), want to know the best stocks to buy for the next 30 days? Check out Zacks Investment Research for our free report on the 7 best stocks to buy.

Zacks Investment Research has been committed to providing investors with tools and independent research since 1978. For more than a quarter century, the Zacks Rank stock-rating system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +24.08% per year. (These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through May 6, 2024.)

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Domino's Pizza (DPZ) Earnings Expected to Grow: Should You Buy?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:00:04 GMT Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Domino's Pizza (DPZ) reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on October 13. 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 Estimate

This pizza chain is expected to post quarterly earnings of $4.33 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +6.1%.

Revenues are expected to be $1.17 billion, up 1.6% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions Trend

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.17% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Chart for DPZ

Earnings Whisper

Estimate 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 Domino's Pizza?

For Domino's Pizza, 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 +0.19%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination indicates that Domino's Pizza 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 Domino's Pizza would post earnings of $4.11 per share when it actually produced earnings of $4.07, delivering a surprise of -0.97%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates just once.

Bottom Line

An 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.

Domino's Pizza 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.

Should You Invest in Domino's Pizza Inc (DPZ)?

Before you invest in Domino's Pizza Inc (DPZ), want to know the best stocks to buy for the next 30 days? Check out Zacks Investment Research for our free report on the 7 best stocks to buy.

Zacks Investment Research has been committed to providing investors with tools and independent research since 1978. For more than a quarter century, the Zacks Rank stock-rating system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +24.08% per year. (These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through May 6, 2024.)

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Citigroup (C) Reports Next Week: Wall Street Expects Earnings Growth]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:00:02 GMT Citigroup (C) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on October 13. 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 Estimate

This U.S. bank is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.66 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +18.8%.

Revenues are expected to be $23.66 billion, up 7.1% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions Trend

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.76% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Chart for C

Earnings Whisper

Estimate 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 Citigroup?

For Citigroup, 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 +0.36%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination indicates that Citigroup 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 Citigroup would post earnings of $2.72 per share when it actually produced earnings of $3.15, delivering a surprise of +15.81%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.

Bottom Line

An 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.

Citigroup 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.

Should You Invest in Citigroup Inc. (C)?

Before you invest in Citigroup Inc. (C), want to know the best stocks to buy for the next 30 days? Check out Zacks Investment Research for our free report on the 7 best stocks to buy.

Zacks Investment Research has been committed to providing investors with tools and independent research since 1978. For more than a quarter century, the Zacks Rank stock-rating system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +24.08% per year. (These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through May 6, 2024.)

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Best Momentum Stocks to Buy for October 6th]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong momentum characteristics for investors to consider today, October 6:

Chevron Corporation CVX: This integrated energy and chemicals company has a Zacks Rank #1 and witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 11.1% over the last 60 days.

Chevron Corporation Price and Consensus

Chevron Corporation Price and Consensus

Chevron Corporation price-consensus-chart | Chevron Corporation Quote

Chevron’s shares gained 18.6% over the last three months compared with the S&P 500’s advance of 2.9%. The company possesses a Momentum Score of A.

Chevron Corporation Price

Chevron Corporation Price

Chevron Corporation price | Chevron Corporation Quote

Sandisk Corporation SNDK: This company that designs and manufactures flash memory, storage solutions for consumers and enterprises has a Zacks Rank #1 and witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 10.6% over the last 60 days.

Sandisk Corporation Price and Consensus

Sandisk Corporation Price and Consensus

Sandisk Corporation price-consensus-chart | Sandisk Corporation Quote

Sandisk’s shares gained 5.3% over the last three months compared with the S&P 500’s advance of 2.9%. The company possesses a Momentum Score of B.

Sandisk Corporation Price

Sandisk Corporation Price

Sandisk Corporation price | Sandisk Corporation Quote

Calumet, Inc. CLMT: This manufacturer of specialty products, renewable fuels and performance-branded products has a Zacks Rank #1 and witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 15.3% over the last 60 days.

Calumet, Inc. Price and Consensus

Calumet, Inc. Price and Consensus

Calumet, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Calumet, Inc. Quote

Calumet’s shares gained 50.7% over the last three months compared with the S&P 500’s advance of 2.9%. The company possesses a Momentum Score of B.

Calumet, Inc. Price

Calumet, Inc. Price

Calumet, Inc. price | Calumet, Inc. Quote

 

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

 

Learn more about the Momentum score and how it is calculated here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[A Guide to Low-Cost ETFs ]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have grown rapidly into one of investors’ favorite ways to access the market. Their appeal comes from a combination of low costs, transparency, diversification, tax efficiency and innovative investment strategies. But when it comes to keeping more of your returns, one factor stands out — the expense ratio.

Of course, investors face other ETF-related costs, including trading commissions, bid/ask spreads, premiums or discounts to net asset value and tracking differences. Still, expense ratios are particularly important because they directly reduce an investor’s returns year after year. When two funds offer similar exposure and performance, the lower-cost option generally has an advantage.

Here’s a simple example. Suppose you invest $10,000 in two ETFs, one charging 0.10% and the other 0.50% annually. If both generate a 10% annual return, the lower-cost fund would grow to about $25,703 after 10 years compared with roughly $24,782 for the higher-cost fund.

The gap becomes even more striking over longer periods. After 30 years, the investment would grow to about $169,797 in the 0.10% ETF versus $152,203 in the 0.50% ETF. In other words, even a seemingly small difference in fees can compound into a meaningful amount over time.

Why & How Investors Should Pay Attention

The key point is that investors don't pay an expense ratio just once. The fee is charged every year, meaning its effect can compound over time. The longer the investment horizon, the greater the potential impact of even a modest fee difference.

That doesn't mean investors should automatically choose the ETF with the lowest expense ratio. A slightly more expensive ETF may offer a more effective strategy, better diversification, stronger liquidity or access to a specialized market that is difficult to replicate. The right approach is to compare costs alongside performance, holdings, liquidity, tracking quality and the fund's investment objective.

Still, when two ETFs provide similar exposure and have comparable performance, a lower expense ratio can give investors an important long-term advantage.

Passive ETFs Keep Costs Low

Passive ETFs generally come with lower expense ratios because they simply track an index rather than relying on active portfolio management. With less research, trading and management involved, these funds can keep operating costs low, allowing investors to retain more of their returns over the long term. This cost advantage is one of the key reasons passive ETFs have become so popular.

ETF Picks

Below we highlight five lowest-cost ETFs from five investing zones and charge pretty little in the current market environment.

S&P 500 – State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF SPYM – Expense Ratio: 0.02%

The underlying S&P 500 Index is designed to measure the performance of the large-capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market. The fund charges 2 bps in fees and yields 1.01% annually. The fund’s top three holdings are NVIDIA (8.39%), Apple (7.07%) and Microsoft (5.58%).

Total Stock Market – Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF VTI – Expense Ratio: 0.03%

The underlying CRSP US Total Market Index represents nearly 100% of the U.S. investable equity market, covering nearly 4,000 constituents across mega, large, small and micro capitalizations. The fund charges 3 bps in fees and yields 1.04% annually. The fund’s top three holdings are NVIDIA (6.87%), Apple (6.30%) and Microsoft (5.10%).

Developed Markets – Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares VEA – Expense Ratio: 0.03%

The underlying FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index representing the performance of large, mid and small-cap companies in developed markets, excluding the United States. The fund charges 3 bps in fees and yields 2.40% annually. The fund’s top three holdings are Samsung (2.60%), SK Hynix (2.0%) and ASML Holding (1.95%).

Ex-United States – State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF SPDW – Expense Ratio: 0.03%

The underlying S&P Developed Ex-U.S. BMI Index is a market-capitalization weighted index that defines and measures the investable universe of publicly traded companies domiciled in developed countries outside the United States. The fund charges 3 bps in fees and yields 3.0% annually. Japan, the United Kingdom and Canada take the top three spots in the fund.            

Diversified U.S. Bonds – Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF SCHZ – Expense Ratio: 0.03%

The underlying Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index measures the performance of the U.S. investment-grade, taxable bond market, including U.S. Treasuries, government-related and corporate bonds, mortgage pass-through securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, and asset-backed securities that are publicly available for sale in the United States. The fund charges 3 bps in fees and yields 4.37% annually.


 

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Don’t miss out on this valuable resource. It’s free!

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Can Walmart Connect Keep Powering WMT's Digital Profit Growth?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:59:00 GMT Walmart Inc. WMT is seeing its digital business become a more meaningful contributor to its overall economics as e-commerce and related commerce solutions continue to expand. Advertising is playing an increasingly important role in that mix, supported by Walmart’s growing online business and broader digital platform capabilities.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2027, Walmart’s global advertising business increased 38%. Walmart U.S. advertising, including VIZIO, also rose 38%, while Walmart Connect grew 43%. The gains came alongside 24% growth in Walmart U.S. e-commerce sales, reflecting strength in store-fulfilled delivery, advertising and marketplace.

The profitability picture is also improving. Walmart U.S. e-commerce achieved double-digit incremental margins in the first half of fiscal 2027. Strong advertising and membership revenues contributed to that progress, along with greater delivery-network density, growth in fee-based fast deliveries and benefits from automation.

Advertising also supported Walmart U.S. business mix during the quarter. The company said a better business mix, primarily from growth in digital advertising, contributed to gross profit improvement. Walmart also expanded its advertising capabilities through the acquisition of Vibe, which provides self-service tools and enables advertisers to measure results against shopping behavior.

The second quarter shows that advertising is becoming a more important part of Walmart’s improving digital economics. Walmart Connect’s 43% growth, together with continued e-commerce expansion, supported the broader shift toward commerce solutions. Continued progress in these areas will remain important to Walmart’s ability to sustain the incremental-margin improvement already achieved in its U.S. e-commerce business.

What Do the Latest Metrics Say About Walmart?

Walmart, which competes with Costco Wholesale Corporation COST and Target Corporation TGT, has seen its shares gain 1.8% over the past year compared with the industry’s breakeven performance. Shares of Costco have climbed 1%, while Target has surged 71.4% in the aforementioned period.
 

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Walmart's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 33.82, higher than the industry’s 30.74. The company is trading at a premium to Target (with a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 15.68) while trading at a discount to Costco (40.03). 
 

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Walmart’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 5.4% and 8.7%, respectively. 

Walmart currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[5 Key AI Investment News Items]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:59:00 GMT With the dizzying number of headlines surrounding the AI boom, it can be hard for investors to keep track of what matters. Below are five of this week’s most important AI news items:

AI: No End to Demand in Sight

Lisa Su: Demand > Supply

Tuesday,Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) shares rose in early trading after CEO Lisa Su said that demand is still running above supply and she expects strong demand for compute to continue for the next several years, with AMD planning to “substantially increase” supply in 2027. Su added that AMD has already increased supply this year but could definitely use more. AMD is working with memory suppliers and customers to ensure capacity comes online together, while keeping its current business model unchanged.

Anthropic Spending Adds Certainty to AI Buildout

Roughly 80% of Anthropic’s planned $518 billion in cloud and compute spending over the next decade is non-cancelable or payable regardless of how much capacity it actually uses.

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Image Source: TradeETFS.com

Terafab Plans are in Motion

Terafab is a massive, vertically integrated semiconductor manufacturing initiative launched by Elon Musk, Tesla (TSLA), and SpaceX (SPCX). The core objective of the Terafab project is to remove the Musk ecosystem’s dependency on traditional, fragmented supply chains by consolidating every stage of chip production under one roof. Terafab will be designed to scale aggressively to meet the unprecedented compute demands of orbital data centers and other Tesla and SpaceX products.

Over the weekend, Elon Musk confirmed that SpaceX and Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) are in discussions about a potential collaboration. The Taiwanese foundry giant may use Terafab as an anchor client for a future Texas semiconductor facility. A deal with TSMC would be invaluable to SpaceX because TSMC is the undisputed global gold standard in leading-edge lithography. The partnership would dramatically shorten the time to market and reduce the technological risk of getting the complex chips SpaceX needs to market.

Cybersecurity Demand Robust Amid Agentic AI

This morning, cybersecurity company Zscaler (ZS) reaffirmed Q1 and full-year 2027 guidance. In a CNBC interview, Zscaler CEO Jay Chaudry highlighted the rise of billions of AI agents and their impact on cybersecurity. Chaudry warned that autonomous AI agents will become the primary cybersecurity risk vector in the coming years.

Wells Fargo Bumps Meta Price Target

Wells Fargo released a note on Meta Platforms (META) this morning. The analyst maintains their overweight rating on the stock but raised its price target to $1,000 as they see Muse driving a larger long-term AI cycle.

Bottom Line

In another fast-paced week in tech, these developments underscore how foundational infrastructure, robust security, and massive capital commitments continue to drive the global AI expansion.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Wall Street Analysts See a 25.64% Upside in Snowflake (SNOW): Can the Stock Really Move This High?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:55:02 GMT Shares of Snowflake Inc. (SNOW) have gained 0.5% over the past four weeks to close the last trading session at $338.99, but there could still be a solid upside left in the stock if short-term price targets of Wall Street analysts are any indication. Going by the price targets, the mean estimate of $425.91 indicates a potential upside of 25.6%.

The mean estimate comprises 45 short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $68.24. While the lowest estimate of $110.00 indicates a 67.6% decline from the current price level, the most optimistic analyst expects the stock to surge 54.9% to reach $525.00. It's very important to note the standard deviation here, as it helps understand the variability of the estimates. The smaller the standard deviation, the greater the agreement among analysts.

While the consensus price target is highly sought after by investors, the ability and unbiasedness of analysts in setting price targets have long been questionable. And investors making investment decisions solely based on this tool would arguably do themselves a disservice.

But, for SNOW, an impressive average price target is not the only indicator of a potential upside. Strong agreement among analysts about the company's ability to report better earnings than they predicted earlier strengthens this view. While a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions doesn't gauge how much a stock could gain, it has proven to be powerful in predicting an upside.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Zacks Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Chart for SNOW

Here's What You May Not Know About Analysts' Price Targets

According to researchers at several universities across the globe, a price target is one of many pieces of information about a stock that misleads investors far more often than it guides. In fact, empirical research shows that price targets set by several analysts, irrespective of the extent of agreement, rarely indicate where the price of a stock could actually be heading.

While Wall Street analysts have deep knowledge of a company's fundamentals and the sensitivity of its business to economic and industry issues, many of them tend to set overly optimistic price targets. Are you wondering why?

They usually do that to drum up interest in shares of companies that their firms either have existing business relationships with or are looking to be associated with. In other words, business incentives of firms covering a stock often result in inflated price targets set by analysts.

However, a tight clustering of price targets, which is represented by a low standard deviation, indicates that analysts have a high degree of agreement about the direction and magnitude of a stock's price movement. While that doesn't necessarily mean the stock will hit the average price target, it could be a good starting point for further research aimed at identifying the potential fundamental driving forces.

That said, while investors should not entirely ignore price targets, making an investment decision solely based on them could lead to disappointing ROI. So, price targets should always be treated with a high degree of skepticism.

Here's Why There Could be Plenty of Upside Left in SNOW

There has been increasing optimism among analysts lately about the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher. And that could be a legitimate reason to expect an upside in the stock. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

For the current year, one estimate has moved higher over the last 30 days compared to no negative revision. As a result, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased 2.5%.

Moreover, SNOW currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which means it is in the top 20% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on four factors related to earnings estimates. Given an impressive externally-audited track record, this is a more conclusive indication of the stock's potential upside in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Therefore, while the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of how much SNOW could gain, the direction of price movement it implies does appear to be a good guide.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[How Much Upside is Left in Mission Produce (AVO)? Wall Street Analysts Think 25.98%]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:55:02 GMT Mission Produce, Inc. (AVO) closed the last trading session at $12.7, gaining 0.2% over the past four weeks, but there could be plenty of upside left in the stock if short-term price targets set by Wall Street analysts are any guide. The mean price target of $16 indicates a 26% upside potential.

The mean estimate comprises five short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $1.58. While the lowest estimate of $14.00 indicates a 10.2% increase from the current price level, the most optimistic analyst expects the stock to surge 41.7% to reach $18.00. It's very important to note the standard deviation here, as it helps understand the variability of the estimates. The smaller the standard deviation, the greater the agreement among analysts.

While the consensus price target is highly sought after by investors, the ability and unbiasedness of analysts in setting price targets have long been questionable. And investors making investment decisions solely based on this tool would arguably do themselves a disservice.

However, an impressive consensus price target is not the only factor that indicates a potential upside in AVO. This view is strengthened by the agreement among analysts that the company will report better earnings than what they estimated earlier. Though a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions doesn't give any idea as to how much the stock could surge, it has proven effective in predicting an upside.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Zacks Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Chart for AVO

Here's What You Should Know About Analysts' Price Targets

According to researchers at several universities across the globe, a price target is one of many pieces of information about a stock that misleads investors far more often than it guides. In fact, empirical research shows that price targets set by several analysts, irrespective of the extent of agreement, rarely indicate where the price of a stock could actually be heading.

While Wall Street analysts have deep knowledge of a company's fundamentals and the sensitivity of its business to economic and industry issues, many of them tend to set overly optimistic price targets. Are you wondering why?

They usually do that to drum up interest in shares of companies that their firms either have existing business relationships with or are looking to be associated with. In other words, business incentives of firms covering a stock often result in inflated price targets set by analysts.

However, a tight clustering of price targets, which is represented by a low standard deviation, indicates that analysts have a high degree of agreement about the direction and magnitude of a stock's price movement. While that doesn't necessarily mean the stock will hit the average price target, it could be a good starting point for further research aimed at identifying the potential fundamental driving forces.

That said, while investors should not entirely ignore price targets, making an investment decision solely based on them could lead to disappointing ROI. So, price targets should always be treated with a high degree of skepticism.

Here's Why There Could be Plenty of Upside Left in AVO

There has been increasing optimism among analysts lately about the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher. And that could be a legitimate reason to expect an upside in the stock. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 16.9% over the past month, as two estimates have gone higher compared to no negative revision.

Moreover, AVO currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which means it is in the top 20% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on four factors related to earnings estimates. Given an impressive externally-audited track record, this is a more conclusive indication of the stock's potential upside in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Therefore, while the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of how much AVO could gain, the direction of price movement it implies does appear to be a good guide.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Should You Buy PTC Inc. (PTC) After Golden Cross?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:55:01 GMT From a technical perspective, PTC Inc. (PTC) is looking like an interesting pick, as it just reached a key level of support. PTC's 50-day simple moving average crossed above its 200-day simple moving average, which is known as a "golden cross" in the trading world.

A golden cross is a technical chart pattern that can signify a potential bullish breakout. It's formed from a crossover involving a security's short-term moving average breaking above a longer-term moving average, with the most common moving averages being the 50-day and the 200-day, since bigger time periods tend to form stronger breakouts.

There are three stages to a golden cross. First, there must be a downtrend in a stock's price that eventually bottoms out. Then, the stock's shorter moving average crosses over its longer moving average, triggering a positive trend reversal. The third stage is when a stock continues the upward momentum to higher prices.

A golden cross contrasts with a death cross, another widely-followed chart pattern that suggests bearish momentum could be on the horizon.

PTC has rallied 36.3% over the past four weeks, and the company is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank at the moment. This combination indicates PTC could be poised for a breakout.

The bullish case solidifies once investors consider PTC's positive earnings outlook. For the current quarter, no earnings estimate has been cut compared to 1 revision higher in the past 60 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased too.

Moving Average Chart for PTC

Given this move in earnings estimates and the positive technical factor, investors may want to keep their eye on PTC for more gains in the near future.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Wall Street Analysts Predict a 29.27% Upside in SpaceX (SPCX): Here's What You Should Know]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:55:01 GMT SpaceX (SPCX) closed the last trading session at $171.09, gaining 15.6% over the past four weeks, but there could be plenty of upside left in the stock if short-term price targets set by Wall Street analysts are any guide. The mean price target of $221.17 indicates a 29.3% upside potential.

The average comprises 35 short-term price targets ranging from a low of $75.00 to a high of $800.00, with a standard deviation of $121.37. While the lowest estimate indicates a decline of 56.2% from the current price level, the most optimistic estimate points to a 367.6% upside. More than the range, one should note the standard deviation here, as it helps understand the variability of the estimates. The smaller the standard deviation, the greater the agreement among analysts.

While the consensus price target is a much-coveted metric for investors, solely banking on this metric to make an investment decision may not be wise at all. That's because the ability and unbiasedness of analysts in setting price targets have long been questionable.

However, an impressive consensus price target is not the only factor that indicates a potential upside in SPCX. This view is strengthened by the agreement among analysts that the company will report better earnings than what they estimated earlier. Though a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions doesn't give any idea as to how much the stock could surge, it has proven effective in predicting an upside.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Zacks Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Chart for SPCX

Here's What You May Not Know About Analysts' Price Targets

According to researchers at several universities across the globe, a price target is one of many pieces of information about a stock that misleads investors far more often than it guides. In fact, empirical research shows that price targets set by several analysts, irrespective of the extent of agreement, rarely indicate where the price of a stock could actually be heading.

While Wall Street analysts have deep knowledge of a company's fundamentals and the sensitivity of its business to economic and industry issues, many of them tend to set overly optimistic price targets. Are you wondering why?

They usually do that to drum up interest in shares of companies that their firms either have existing business relationships with or are looking to be associated with. In other words, business incentives of firms covering a stock often result in inflated price targets set by analysts.

However, a tight clustering of price targets, which is represented by a low standard deviation, indicates that analysts have a high degree of agreement about the direction and magnitude of a stock's price movement. While that doesn't necessarily mean the stock will hit the average price target, it could be a good starting point for further research aimed at identifying the potential fundamental driving forces.

That said, while investors should not entirely ignore price targets, making an investment decision solely based on them could lead to disappointing ROI. So, price targets should always be treated with a high degree of skepticism.

Why SPCX Could Witness a Solid Upside

Analysts' growing optimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher, could be a legitimate reason to expect an upside in the stock. That's because empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 183.7% over the past month, as one estimate has gone higher compared to no negative revision.

Moreover, SPCX currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which means it is in the top 20% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on four factors related to earnings estimates. Given an impressive externally-audited track record, this is a more conclusive indication of the stock's potential upside in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Therefore, while the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of how much SPCX could gain, the direction of price movement it implies does appear to be a good guide.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Realty Income's 98.8% Occupancy: Can O Sustain Portfolio Strength?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:53:00 GMT Realty Income O continues to benefit from a resilient and diversified net-lease portfolio. Occupancy stood at 98.8% as of June 30, 2026, supported by 15,588 properties leased to 1,798 clients across 92 industries. The portfolio’s weighted-average remaining lease term of about 8.6 years also provides strong visibility into rental income.

A key strength is Realty Income’s ability to retain tenants as leases mature. The company handled 480 lease expirations during the second quarter, with 385 properties re-leased to the same client. Overall rent recapture was 102.7%, while same-client renewals achieved a stronger 104.6% rate. This demonstrates the portfolio’s ability to preserve rental economics despite tenant turnover.

The portfolio also has embedded growth potential. Nearly 80% of in-place leases contain contractual rent-growth provisions, while only 1.5% of annualized base rent was scheduled to expire in 2026. Same-store rental revenues increased 1.2% in the second quarter, indicating positive, though modest, organic growth.

Realty Income is also using capital allocation to enhance portfolio quality. The company invested about $2.6 billion during the second quarter at a 7.3% initial weighted-average cash yield, with industrial assets accounting for a significant portion of investment activity. Such investments can improve diversification and add contractual rent growth.

Realty Income’s high occupancy, strong tenant retention, contractual rent increases and disciplined capital allocation provide a solid foundation for stable cash flows. These strengths should support continued portfolio resilience and create opportunities for long-term AFFO and shareholder value growth.

How Are Realty Income’s Competitors Faring?

W. P. Carey WPC reported 98.5% occupancy across 1,748 net-lease properties at June-end 2026. Its portfolio generated about $1.6 billion in annualized base rent, while 99.5% of rent included contractual escalations, supporting embedded rental growth.

NNN REIT NNN posted 99.1% occupancy across 3,774 properties and maintained a 10.1-year weighted-average remaining lease term. In the second quarter of 2026, it invested $291 million at a 7.3% initial cash cap rate.

Realty Income’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates

Shares of Realty Income have dipped 16% over the past three months, underperforming the broader industry and the S&P 500 Index.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

In terms of forward 12-month Price/Earnings (P/E), Realty Income is currently trading at 11.82X, which is at a discount to the industry average of 15.23X.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Realty Income’s estimate revisions reflect a negative trend. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 EPS has been revised downward by a cent over the past month. The consensus estimate calls for 3.3% growth year over year.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Currently, Realty Income carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Here's Why Southern Copper (SCCO) is a Strong Momentum Stock]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:50:03 GMT 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 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?

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.

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 Score

Value 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 Score

While 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

What 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.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.86% 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.

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.

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: Southern Copper (SCCO)

Phoenix, AZ-based Southern Copper engages in mining, exploring, smelting and refining copper and other minerals. The company conducts exploration activities in Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Peru. 

SCCO is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

Momentum investors should take note of this Basic Materials stock. SCCO has a Momentum Style Score of B, and shares are up 3.3% over the past four weeks.

One analyst revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.27 to $7.86 per share. SCCO boasts an average earnings surprise of +6.3%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, SCCO should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Here's Why Shell (SHEL) is a Strong Momentum Stock]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:50:03 GMT 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.

Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.

What are the Zacks Style Scores?

Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value Score

Value 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 Score

Growth 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

If you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

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.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.86% 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.

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.

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: Shell (SHEL)

Shell plc is one of the primary oil supermajors — a group of U.S. and Europe-based big energy multinationals with operations that span almost every corner of the globe. The London-headquartered company is fully integrated, meaning it participates in every aspect related to energy — from oil production, to refining and marketing.

SHEL is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Momentum investors should take note of this Oils-Energy stock. SHEL has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 3.8% over the past four weeks.

Seven analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.88 to $11.23 per share. SHEL also boasts an average earnings surprise of +10.3%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, SHEL should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Here's Why Arrow Electronics (ARW) is a Strong Momentum Stock]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:50:02 GMT 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, 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.

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 Score

For 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 Score

While 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

What if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank

The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.86% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

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: Arrow Electronics (ARW)

New York-based Arrow Electronics Inc. is one of the world’s largest distributors of electronic components and enterprise computing products. Arrow provides one of the broadest product ranges in the electronic components and enterprise computing solutions distribution industries. Along with these, the company provides a wide range of value-added services to help customers reduce their marketing time, lower the total cost of ownership, introduce innovative products through demand creation opportunities and enhance their overall competitiveness.

ARW is a #1 (Strong Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Momentum investors should take note of this Computer and Technology stock. ARW has a Momentum Style Score of B, and shares are up 11.2% over the past four weeks.

For fiscal 2026, three analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $1.68 to $21.24 per share. ARW boasts an average earnings surprise of +34.4%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, ARW should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Quanta Services (PWR) is a Top-Ranked Momentum Stock: Should You Buy?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:50:02 GMT 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 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, 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.

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 Score

Value 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 Score

Growth 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

What 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 +23.86% 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.

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: Quanta Services (PWR)

Quanta Services, Inc. is a leading provider of specialty contracting and infrastructure solutions for the electric and gas utility, power generation, large load center, manufacturing, communications, pipeline and energy industries. Quanta has operations in the United States, Canada, Australia and other selected international markets.

PWR is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

Momentum investors should take note of this Construction stock. PWR has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 9.5% over the past four weeks.

One analyst revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.27 to $16.70 per share. PWR also boasts an average earnings surprise of +17%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, PWR should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Here's Why Par Petroleum (PARR) is a Strong Momentum Stock]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:50:02 GMT 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 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 includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.

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 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 Score

For 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 Score

Growth 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

If you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

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.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.86% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.

A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Par Petroleum (PARR)

Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. is a growth-oriented energy company supplying conventional and renewable fuels across the western U.S., headquartered in Houston, TX. Its integrated platform sources crude, refines transportation fuels and distributes products through wholesale, retail, and logistics channels. As of Dec. 31, 2025, Par Pacific owned four refineries with a combined crude throughput capacity of 219 thousand barrels per day (Mbpd) in Kapolei, HI; Newcastle, WY; Tacoma, WA; and Billings, MT. These facilities produce gasoline, distillates, asphalt, and other refined products for Hawaii and markets from Washington through the Dakotas and Wyoming.

PARR is a #1 (Strong Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Momentum investors should take note of this Oils-Energy stock. PARR has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 7.6% over the past four weeks.

Four analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $4.39 to $23.74 per share. PARR also boasts an average earnings surprise of +48.7%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, PARR should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Cracker Barrel Old Country Store (CBRL) is a Top-Ranked Momentum Stock: Should You Buy?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:50:02 GMT 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.

Zacks Premium also includes 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 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 Score

For 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 Score

While 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

If 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, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.86% 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.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

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: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store (CBRL)

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., based in Lebanon, TN, and founded in 1969, owns and operates full-service restaurants that combine a restaurant and a retail store in the same unit. The restaurants serve home-style country food, including meatloaf, chicken n’ dumplings and signature biscuits. The retail stores offer unique gifts, toys, housewares and other merchandise.

CBRL is a #1 (Strong Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Momentum investors should take note of this Retail-Wholesale stock. CBRL has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 3% over the past four weeks.

Three analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.26 to $1.45 per share. CBRL boasts an average earnings surprise of +228.6%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, CBRL should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Why BGC Group (BGC) is a Top Momentum Stock for the Long-Term]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:50:02 GMT 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.

Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.

What are the Zacks Style Scores?

Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is 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 Score

Value 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 Score

Growth 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

If you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

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 +23.86% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

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.

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: BGC Group (BGC)

BGC Group, Inc. is a global marketplace, data and financial technology company that intermediates wholesale financial markets. It brokers and executes transactions across energy and commodities, rates, credit, foreign exchange, equities and futures and options.

BGC is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Momentum investors should take note of this Finance stock. BGC has a Momentum Style Score of B, and shares are up 0.3% 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 $0.02 to $1.43 per share. BGC boasts an average earnings surprise of +3.4%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, BGC should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Here's Why Workday (WDAY) is a Strong Growth Stock]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:45:04 GMT 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 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, 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 Score

Finding 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 Score

Growth 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

What 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, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.86% 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.

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.

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: Workday (WDAY)

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Pleasanton, CA, Workday Inc. (WDAY) is a provider of enterprise-level software solutions for financial management and human resource domains. The company’s cloud-based platform combines finance and HR in a single system that makes it easier for organizations to provide analytical insights and decision support.

WDAY 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. WDAY has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 20.5% for the current fiscal year.

11 analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.30 to $11.12 per share. WDAY also boasts an average earnings surprise of +7%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, WDAY should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Why Adobe Systems (ADBE) is a Top Growth Stock for the Long-Term]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:45:04 GMT It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.

The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.

Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.

What are the Zacks Style Scores?

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 Score

Value 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 Score

Growth 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

If you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

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.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.86% 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.

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.

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: Adobe Systems (ADBE)

San Jose, CA-based Adobe Inc. is a technology company offering personalized digital experiences through the infusion of artificial intelligence (AI) in its solutions.

ADBE is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. ADBE has a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 16.9% for the current fiscal year.

For fiscal 2026, 15 analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.08 to $24.47 per share. ADBE boasts an average earnings surprise of +2%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, ADBE should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Here's Why Central Garden (CENT) is a Strong Growth Stock]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:45:03 GMT 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 research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.

Zacks Premium also includes 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 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 Score

Value 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 Score

Growth 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

What 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.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.86% 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.

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.

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: Central Garden (CENT)

Central Garden & Pet Company is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California and operates primarily across North America. Committed to product innovation, the company is looking to strengthen its position as one of the leading companies in the U.S. pet supplies and lawn and garden supplies space. The company continues to pursue disciplined M&A activities to enhance its portfolio and strengthen its competitive position.

CENT is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. CENT has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 9.2% 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 $0.10 to $2.98 per share. CENT boasts an average earnings surprise of +41.8%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, CENT should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Why Sensata (ST) is a Top Growth Stock for the Long-Term]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:45:03 GMT It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.

The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.

Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.

What are the Zacks Style Scores?

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 Score

For 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 Score

While 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

If 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 +23.86% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To 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.

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: Sensata (ST)

Headquartered in Attleboro, MA, Sensata Technologies Holding plc is a global industrial technology company that develops, manufactures and sells sensors and sensor-rich solutions, as well as electrical protection components and systems.

ST is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. ST has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 10.2% for the current fiscal year.

One analyst revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.00 to $3.77 per share. ST also boasts an average earnings surprise of +3.7%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, ST should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Here's Why Lincoln Electric Holdings (LECO) is a Strong Growth Stock]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:45:03 GMT 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 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 includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.

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.

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 Score

Finding 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 Score

While 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

If you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

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 +23.86% 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.

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.

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.

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: Lincoln Electric Holdings (LECO)

Headquartered in Cleveland, OH, Lincoln Electric has 71 manufacturing and automation system integration facilities, including operations and joint ventures across 20 countries and a worldwide network of distributors and sales offices covering more than 160 countries.

LECO 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. LECO has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 13.3% for the current fiscal year.

For fiscal 2026, two analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.07 to $11.18 per share. LECO boasts an average earnings surprise of +3.9%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, LECO should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Why Garrett Motion (GTX) is a Top Growth Stock for the Long-Term]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:45:03 GMT 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.

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.

Zacks Premium also includes 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 Score

For 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 Score

While 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

If you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

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 +23.86% 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.

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.

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: Garrett Motion (GTX)

Garrett Motion Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells turbocharging, air and fluid compression, and high-speed electric motor technologies for mobility and industrial applications. The company serves light vehicles, on- and off-highway commercial vehicles, and selected industrial end markets. Its portfolio spans mechanical turbochargers, E-Boosting solutions, and air compression systems for hydrogen fuel cells and industrial thermal management.

GTX is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. GTX has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 26.3% 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 $0.06 to $1.92 per share. GTX boasts an average earnings surprise of +16.8%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, GTX should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Deckers (DECK) is a Top-Ranked Growth Stock: Should You Buy?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:45:03 GMT It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.

The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.

Zacks Premium also includes 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 Score

Finding 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 Score

Growth 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

If 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, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.86% 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.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To 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.

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: Deckers (DECK)

Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Goleta, CA, Deckers Outdoor Corporation is a designer, producer and brand manager of footwear, apparel and accessories for outdoor sports, performance activities and lifestyle use. The company markets products primarily under three operating segments: UGG, HOKA and Other brands, which primarily consist of Teva.

DECK 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. DECK has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 6.8% for the current fiscal year.

One analyst revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.00 to $7.50 per share. DECK also boasts an average earnings surprise of +15.2%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, DECK should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Here's Why Cigna (CI) is a Strong Growth Stock]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:45:03 GMT 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.

Zacks Premium also includes 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.

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 Score

Value 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 Score

While 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

If 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, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.86% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

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.

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: Cigna (CI)

Headquartered in Bloomfield, CT and formed in 1982, Cigna Corporation has rebranded itself as The Cigna Group. The company was formed as a result of a merger between Connecticut General Life Insurance Company and Insurance Company of North America. Cigna completed its combination with Express Scripts Holding Company by the end of 2018. Shares of the new combined company trade on the NYSE under the stock ticker symbol “CI.”

CI is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. CI has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 2.3% for the current fiscal year.

Two analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.02 to $30.51 per share. CI also boasts an average earnings surprise of +2.3%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, CI should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Why Amphenol (APH) is a Top Growth Stock for the Long-Term]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:45:02 GMT 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.

Zacks Premium also includes 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 Score

For 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 Score

While 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

If you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

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 +23.86% 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.

As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.

A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Amphenol (APH)

Amphenol designs, manufactures and markets electrical, electronic and fiber optic connectors, interconnect systems, antennas, sensors and sensor-based products, and coaxial, high-speed, fiber optic and specialty cable. The company is headquartered in Wallingford, Connecticut.

APH 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. APH has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 59.3% for the current fiscal year.

Three analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.03 to $2.66 per share. APH also boasts an average earnings surprise of +11.8%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, APH should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Why BorgWarner (BWA) is a Top Growth Stock for the Long-Term]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:45:02 GMT 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 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 Score

Finding 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 Score

Growth 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

If you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank

The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.86% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.

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: BorgWarner (BWA)

BorgWarner Inc. is a global product leader in clean and efficient technology solutions for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles. Its products are designed to improve vehicle performance, propulsion efficiency, stability and air quality. The company manufactures and sells these products worldwide, primarily to OEMs of light vehicles, and also supplies OEMs of commercial vehicles and off-highway vehicles. BorgWarner also sells certain products to tier-one vehicle systems suppliers and into the aftermarket.

BWA is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. BWA has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 5.9% for the current fiscal year.

Four analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.03 to $5.20 per share. BWA also boasts an average earnings surprise of +10.7%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, BWA should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[BILL Holdings (BILL) is a Top-Ranked Growth Stock: Should You Buy?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:45:02 GMT 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?

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 Score

Finding 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 Score

While 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

If you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

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.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.86% 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.

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.

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: BILL Holdings (BILL)

BILL Holdings, Inc. primarily serves small and midsize businesses through its AI-powered financial operations platform that connects customers with their suppliers and clients. Headquartered in San Jose, CA, BILL’s software is used by SMB customers to generate and process invoices, route approvals, make and receive payments, manage employee expenses and sync with their accounting system to monitor cash.

BILL is a #1 (Strong Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. BILL has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 34.7% for the current fiscal year.

Eight analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.52 to $3.73 per share. BILL boasts an average earnings surprise of +19.8%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, BILL should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Is Associated BancCorp (ASB) Stock Outpacing Its Finance Peers This Year?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:05 GMT The Finance group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Is Associated Banc-Corp (ASB) one of those stocks right now? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.

Associated Banc-Corp is one of 890 companies in the Finance group. The Finance group currently sits at #7 within the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank includes 16 different groups and is listed in order from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors.

The Zacks Rank is a proven system that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions, highlighting a variety of stocks that are displaying the right characteristics to beat the market over the next one to three months. Associated Banc-Corp is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ASB's full-year earnings has moved 1.3% higher within the past quarter. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend.

Based on the latest available data, ASB has gained about 12.7% so far this year. Meanwhile, stocks in the Finance group have gained about 3.7% on average. This means that Associated Banc-Corp is performing better than its sector in terms of year-to-date returns.

BGC Group (BGC) is another Finance stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has returned 36.6%.

Over the past three months, BGC Group's consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 0.4%. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Looking more specifically, Associated Banc-Corp belongs to the Banks - Midwest industry, which includes 26 individual stocks and currently sits at #86 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, this group has lost an average of 1.7% so far this year, meaning that ASB is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns.

In contrast, BGC Group falls under the Financial - Investment Bank industry. Currently, this industry has 22 stocks and is ranked #55. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved +2%.

Going forward, investors interested in Finance stocks should continue to pay close attention to Associated Banc-Corp and BGC Group as they could maintain their solid performance.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Are Investors Undervaluing Quest Resource (QRHC) Right Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:05 GMT Here at Zacks, we focus on our proven ranking system, which places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, to find winning stocks. But we also understand that investors develop their own strategies, so we are constantly looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong companies for our readers.

Of these, value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. Value investors rely on traditional forms of analysis on key valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are undervalued, leaving room for profits.

On top of the Zacks Rank, investors can also look at our innovative Style Scores system to find stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will want to focus on the "Value" category. Stocks with high Zacks Ranks and "A" grades for Value will be some of the highest-quality value stocks on the market today.

One company value investors might notice is Quest Resource (QRHC). QRHC is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), as well as an A grade for Value. The stock holds a P/E ratio of 13.77, while its industry has an average P/E of 23.31. Over the past 52 weeks, QRHC's Forward P/E has been as high as 1,623.43 and as low as -185.71, with a median of 9.81.

Investors will also notice that QRHC has a PEG ratio of 1.53. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. QRHC's industry has an average PEG of 1.92 right now. QRHC's PEG has been as high as 108.23 and as low as -12.38, with a median of 0.60, all within the past year.

These are only a few of the key metrics included in Quest Resource's strong Value grade, but they help show that the stock is likely undervalued right now. When factoring in the strength of its earnings outlook, QRHC looks like an impressive value stock at the moment.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Should Value Investors Buy Viatris (VTRS) Stock?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:05 GMT While the proven Zacks Rank places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find strong stocks, we also know that investors tend to develop their own individual strategies. With this in mind, we are always looking at value, growth, and momentum trends to discover great companies.

Considering these trends, value investing is clearly one of the most preferred ways to find strong stocks in any type of market. Value investors use fundamental analysis and traditional valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are being undervalued by the market at large.

On top of the Zacks Rank, investors can also look at our innovative Style Scores system to find stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will want to focus on the "Value" category. Stocks with high Zacks Ranks and "A" grades for Value will be some of the highest-quality value stocks on the market today.

Viatris (VTRS) is a stock many investors are watching right now. VTRS is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), as well as a Value grade of A.

Investors should also recognize that VTRS has a P/B ratio of 0.75. The P/B ratio pits a stock's market value against its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This stock's P/B looks attractive against its industry's average P/B of 2.17. Within the past 52 weeks, VTRS's P/B has been as high as 0.81 and as low as 0.55, with a median of 0.70.

Value investors also use the P/S ratio. The P/S ratio is calculated as price divided by sales. This is a preferred metric because revenue can't really be manipulated, so sales are often a truer performance indicator. VTRS has a P/S ratio of 1.37. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 1.54.

Finally, our model also underscores that VTRS has a P/CF ratio of 5.21. This metric takes into account a company's operating cash flow and can be used to find stocks that are undervalued based on their solid cash outlook. This company's current P/CF looks solid when compared to its industry's average P/CF of 11.92. Over the past 52 weeks, VTRS's P/CF has been as high as 8.41 and as low as 4.30, with a median of 5.49.

These are only a few of the key metrics included in Viatris's strong Value grade, but they help show that the stock is likely undervalued right now. When factoring in the strength of its earnings outlook, VTRS looks like an impressive value stock at the moment.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Are Business Services Stocks Lagging Evertec (EVTC) This Year?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:05 GMT Investors interested in Business Services stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Has Evertec (EVTC) been one of those stocks this year? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Business Services peers, we might be able to answer that question.

Evertec is one of 245 companies in the Business Services group. The Business Services group currently sits at #9 within the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups is measured, and the sectors are listed from best to worst.

The Zacks Rank emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find stocks with improving earnings outlooks. This system has a long record of success, and these stocks tend to be on track to beat the market over the next one to three months. Evertec is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for EVTC's full-year earnings has moved 5.6% higher. This shows that analyst sentiment has improved and the company's earnings outlook is stronger.

Our latest available data shows that EVTC has returned about 0.1% since the start of the calendar year. Meanwhile, the Business Services sector has returned an average of -14.1% on a year-to-date basis. This means that Evertec is outperforming the sector as a whole this year.

Information Services Group (III) is another Business Services stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has returned 0.7%.

For Information Services Group, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 3.5% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Breaking things down more, Evertec is a member of the Financial Transaction Services industry, which includes 36 individual companies and currently sits at #162 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, this group has lost an average of 12.3% so far this year, meaning that EVTC is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns.

On the other hand, Information Services Group belongs to the Consulting Services industry. This 13-stock industry is currently ranked #81. The industry has moved -25.6% year to date.

Going forward, investors interested in Business Services stocks should continue to pay close attention to Evertec and Information Services Group as they could maintain their solid performance.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Are Investors Undervaluing Pfizer (PFE) Right Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:05 GMT While the proven Zacks Rank places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find strong stocks, we also know that investors tend to develop their own individual strategies. With this in mind, we are always looking at value, growth, and momentum trends to discover great companies.

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 stock to keep an eye on is Pfizer (PFE). PFE is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), as well as a Value grade of A. The stock has a Forward P/E ratio of 7.72. This compares to its industry's average Forward P/E of 17.59. Over the past 52 weeks, PFE's Forward P/E has been as high as 10.81 and as low as 7.15, with a median of 8.58.

We also note that PFE holds a PEG ratio of 0.78. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. PFE's industry has an average PEG of 2.11 right now. Over the last 12 months, PFE's PEG has been as high as 1.24 and as low as 0.53, with a median of 0.83.

Value investors also use the P/S ratio. The P/S ratio is calculated as price divided by sales. This is a popular metric because sales are harder to manipulate on an income statement, so they are often considered a better performance indicator. PFE has a P/S ratio of 2.45. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 4.15.

These are just a handful of the figures considered in Pfizer'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 PFE is an impressive value stock right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Is Everus Construction Group, Inc. (ECG) Stock Outpacing Its Construction Peers This Year?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:05 GMT For those looking to find strong Construction stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Everus Construction Group, Inc. (ECG) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Construction sector should help us answer this question.

Everus Construction Group, Inc. is a member of the Construction sector. This group includes 91 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #15. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups is measured, and the sectors are listed from best to worst.

The Zacks Rank is a proven model that highlights a variety of stocks with the right characteristics to outperform the market over the next one to three months. The system emphasizes earnings estimate revisions and favors companies with improving earnings outlooks. Everus Construction Group, Inc. is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for ECG's full-year earnings has moved 19.8% higher. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend.

Based on the most recent data, ECG has returned 47.5% so far this year. In comparison, Construction companies have returned an average of -0.6%. As we can see, Everus Construction Group, Inc. is performing better than its sector in the calendar year.

One other Construction stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year is Jacobs Solutions (J). The stock is up 4.7% year-to-date.

The consensus estimate for Jacobs Solutions' current year EPS has increased 0.6% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

To break things down more, Everus Construction Group, Inc. belongs to the Building Products - Miscellaneous industry, a group that includes 35 individual companies and currently sits at #195 in the Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks in this group have lost about 8.9% so far this year, so ECG is performing better this group in terms of year-to-date returns. Jacobs Solutions is also part of the same industry.

Going forward, investors interested in Construction stocks should continue to pay close attention to Everus Construction Group, Inc. and Jacobs Solutions as they could maintain their solid performance.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Is Lithia Motors (LAD) Stock Undervalued Right Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:05 GMT Here at Zacks, we focus on our proven ranking system, which places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, to find winning stocks. But we also understand that investors develop their own strategies, so we are constantly looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong companies for our readers.

Considering these trends, value investing is clearly one of the most preferred ways to find strong stocks in any type of market. Value investors rely on traditional forms of analysis on key valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are undervalued, leaving room for profits.

Luckily, Zacks has developed its own Style Scores system in an effort to find stocks with specific traits. Value investors will be interested in the system's "Value" category. Stocks with both "A" grades in the Value category and high Zacks Ranks are among the strongest value stocks on the market right now.

One company value investors might notice is Lithia Motors (LAD). LAD is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and an A for Value.

Investors should also note that LAD holds a PEG ratio of 0.65. This figure is similar to the commonly-used P/E ratio, with the PEG ratio also factoring in a company's expected earnings growth rate. LAD's PEG compares to its industry's average PEG of 0.74. Over the past 52 weeks, LAD's PEG has been as high as 5.87 and as low as 0.25, with a median of 0.49.

Another notable valuation metric for LAD is its P/B ratio of 1.22. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This stock's P/B looks attractive against its industry's average P/B of 2.80. Over the past year, LAD's P/B has been as high as 1.58 and as low as 1.04, with a median of 1.26.

Value investors also love the P/S ratio, which is calculated by simply dividing a stock's price with the company's sales. This is a popular metric because sales are harder to manipulate on an income statement, so they are often considered a better performance indicator. LAD has a P/S ratio of 0.18. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 0.19.

Finally, investors will want to recognize that LAD has a P/CF ratio of 6.76. This figure highlights a company's operating cash flow and can be used to find firms that are undervalued when considering their impressive cash outlook. This company's current P/CF looks solid when compared to its industry's average P/CF of 13.31. Over the past 52 weeks, LAD's P/CF has been as high as 9.19 and as low as 5.79, with a median of 7.06.

These are just a handful of the figures considered in Lithia Motors'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 LAD is an impressive value stock right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Should Value Investors Buy Concentrix (CNXC) Stock?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:05 GMT 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.

Considering these trends, value investing is clearly one of the most preferred ways to find strong stocks in any type of market. Value investors use a variety of methods, including tried-and-true valuation metrics, to find these stocks.

Luckily, Zacks has developed its own Style Scores system in an effort to find stocks with specific traits. Value investors will be interested in the system's "Value" category. Stocks with both "A" grades in the Value category and high Zacks Ranks are among the strongest value stocks on the market right now.

One company to watch right now is Concentrix (CNXC). CNXC is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), as well as an A grade for Value. The stock has a Forward P/E ratio of 4.71. This compares to its industry's average Forward P/E of 13.05. Over the past year, CNXC's Forward P/E has been as high as 5.64 and as low as 3.16, with a median of 4.16.

CNXC is also sporting a PEG ratio of 0.65. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. CNXC's industry has an average PEG of 1.36 right now. Within the past year, CNXC's PEG has been as high as 0.71 and as low as 0.44, with a median of 0.57.

Finally, investors will want to recognize that CNXC has a P/CF ratio of 4.05. 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. CNXC's current P/CF looks attractive when compared to its industry's average P/CF of 9.42. Within the past 12 months, CNXC's P/CF has been as high as 4.50 and as low as 2.60, with a median of 3.31.

These are only a few of the key metrics included in Concentrix's strong Value grade, but they help show that the stock is likely undervalued right now. When factoring in the strength of its earnings outlook, CNXC looks like an impressive value stock at the moment.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Here's Why Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) is a Strong Value Stock]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:04 GMT 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.

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.

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.

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 Score

Finding 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 Score

Growth 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

If 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, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.86% 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.

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.

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: Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ)

Dublin, Ireland-based Jazz Pharmaceuticals is a specialty biopharmaceutical company with a focus on neuroscience and oncology.

JAZZ is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 9.3; value investors should take notice.

Two analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.00 to $25.38 per share. JAZZ boasts an average earnings surprise of +18.1%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, JAZZ should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Should Value Investors Buy Best Buy (BBY) Stock?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:04 GMT While the proven Zacks Rank places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find strong stocks, we also know that investors tend to develop their own individual strategies. With this in mind, we are always looking at value, growth, and momentum trends to discover great companies.

Of these, value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. Value investors use tried-and-true metrics and fundamental analysis to find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.

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.

Best Buy (BBY) is a stock many investors are watching right now. BBY is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), as well as an A grade for Value. The stock has a Forward P/E ratio of 11. This compares to its industry's average Forward P/E of 12.00. Over the past year, BBY's Forward P/E has been as high as 15.48 and as low as 8.74, with a median of 11.63.

Investors will also notice that BBY has a PEG ratio of 1.81. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. BBY's PEG compares to its industry's average PEG of 2.04. Over the past 52 weeks, BBY's PEG has been as high as 2.54 and as low as 1.27, with a median of 1.88.

Investors should also recognize that BBY has a P/B ratio of 5.62. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This stock's P/B looks attractive against its industry's average P/B of 5.86. Over the past year, BBY's P/B has been as high as 7.17 and as low as 4.28, with a median of 5.78.

Finally, we should also recognize that BBY has a P/CF ratio of 7.28. 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. This company's current P/CF looks solid when compared to its industry's average P/CF of 8.51. Over the past 52 weeks, BBY's P/CF has been as high as 10.45 and as low as 5.33, with a median of 7.51.

These are only a few of the key metrics included in Best Buy's strong Value grade, but they help show that the stock is likely undervalued right now. When factoring in the strength of its earnings outlook, BBY looks like an impressive value stock at the moment.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Are Oils-Energy Stocks Lagging Crescent Energy Company (CRGY) This Year?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:04 GMT The Oils-Energy group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Is Crescent Energy (CRGY) one of those stocks right now? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Oils-Energy sector should help us answer this question.

Crescent Energy is one of 254 individual stocks in the Oils-Energy sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #3 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different groups, measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the sector to gauge the strength of each group.

The Zacks Rank emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find stocks with improving earnings outlooks. This system has a long record of success, and these stocks tend to be on track to beat the market over the next one to three months. Crescent Energy is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

Within the past quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for CRGY's full-year earnings has moved 43.9% higher. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend.

According to our latest data, CRGY has moved about 61.6% on a year-to-date basis. At the same time, Oils-Energy stocks have gained an average of 31.4%. This shows that Crescent Energy is outperforming its peers so far this year.

Another stock in the Oils-Energy sector, Alvopetro Energy Ltd. (ALVOF), has outperformed the sector so far this year. The stock's year-to-date return is 37.1%.

In Alvopetro Energy Ltd.'s case, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year increased 1.1% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Looking more specifically, Crescent Energy belongs to the Alternative Energy - Other industry, a group that includes 59 individual stocks and currently sits at #104 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This group has lost an average of 0.9% so far this year, so CRGY is performing better in this area. Alvopetro Energy Ltd. is also part of the same industry.

Investors with an interest in Oils-Energy stocks should continue to track Crescent Energy and Alvopetro Energy Ltd.. These stocks will be looking to continue their solid performance.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Here's Why UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is a Strong Value Stock]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:04 GMT 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 research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.

Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.

What are the Zacks Style Scores?

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.

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 Score

Finding 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 Score

Growth 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

If you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

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 +23.86% 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.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.

A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: UnitedHealth Group (UNH)

UnitedHealth Group provides a wide range of health care products and services, such as health maintenance organizations (HMOs), point-of-service plans (POS), preferred provider organizations (PPOs) and managed fee-for-service programs.

UNH is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 19.08; value investors should take notice.

Two analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.14 to $19.85 per share. UNH boasts an average earnings surprise of +12.1%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, UNH should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Are Investors Undervaluing Suncor Energy (SU) Right Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:04 GMT Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore 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 tried-and-true metrics and fundamental analysis to find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.

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 to watch right now is Suncor Energy (SU). SU is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), as well as a Value grade of A.

Investors should also recognize that SU has a P/B ratio of 1.57. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This stock's P/B looks solid versus its industry's average P/B of 2.57. Within the past 52 weeks, SU's P/B has been as high as 1.63 and as low as 1.25, with a median of 1.47.

Finally, we should also recognize that SU has a P/CF ratio of 5.57. This figure highlights a company's operating cash flow and can be used to find firms that are undervalued when considering their impressive cash outlook. SU's P/CF compares to its industry's average P/CF of 7.61. Over the past year, SU's P/CF has been as high as 5.77 and as low as 4.06, with a median of 4.85.

These are only a few of the key metrics included in Suncor Energy's strong Value grade, but they help show that the stock is likely undervalued right now. When factoring in the strength of its earnings outlook, SU looks like an impressive value stock at the moment.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Is Cognex (CGNX) Outperforming Other Computer and Technology Stocks This Year?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:04 GMT The Computer and Technology group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Cognex Corporation (CGNX) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Computer and Technology peers, we might be able to answer that question.

Cognex Corporation is one of 620 individual stocks in the Computer and Technology sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #4 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank gauges the strength of our 16 individual sector groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups.

The Zacks Rank emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find stocks with improving earnings outlooks. This system has a long record of success, and these stocks tend to be on track to beat the market over the next one to three months. Cognex Corporation is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for CGNX's full-year earnings has moved 13.5% higher. This signals that analyst sentiment is improving and the stock's earnings outlook is more positive.

Based on the latest available data, CGNX has gained about 78.9% so far this year. Meanwhile, the Computer and Technology sector has returned an average of 25.6% on a year-to-date basis. This means that Cognex Corporation is outperforming the sector as a whole this year.

Another stock in the Computer and Technology sector, JFrog Ltd. (FROG), has outperformed the sector so far this year. The stock's year-to-date return is 56.7%.

In JFrog Ltd.'s case, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year increased 26% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Looking more specifically, Cognex Corporation belongs to the Electronics - Testing Equipment industry, a group that includes 4 individual stocks and currently sits at #10 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, this group has gained an average of 22.6% so far this year, meaning that CGNX is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns.

In contrast, JFrog Ltd. falls under the Internet - Software industry. Currently, this industry has 178 stocks and is ranked #107. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved +8.6%.

Investors interested in the Computer and Technology sector may want to keep a close eye on Cognex Corporation and JFrog Ltd. as they attempt to continue their solid performance.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Why Texas Capital (TCBI) is a Top Value Stock for the Long-Term]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:04 GMT 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.

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.

Zacks Premium also includes 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 Score

For 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 Score

Growth 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

If 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, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.86% 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.

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.

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: Texas Capital (TCBI)

Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc., a financial holding company, is the parent company of Texas Capital Bank, a Texas-based bank headquartered in Dallas. The company focuses on leveraging local business and community ties to the five major metropolitan areas of Texas — Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio.

TCBI is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 12.65; value investors should take notice.

For fiscal 2026, one analyst revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.02 to $7.41 per share. TCBI boasts an average earnings surprise of +13.2%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, TCBI should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Should Value Investors Buy Henry Schein (HSIC) Stock?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:04 GMT Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore 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 rely on traditional forms of analysis on key valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are undervalued, leaving room for profits.

Luckily, Zacks has developed its own Style Scores system in an effort to find stocks with specific traits. Value investors will be interested in the system's "Value" category. Stocks with both "A" grades in the Value category and high Zacks Ranks are among the strongest value stocks on the market right now.

Henry Schein (HSIC) is a stock many investors are watching right now. HSIC is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), as well as an A grade for Value. The stock holds a P/E ratio of 13.27, while its industry has an average P/E of 17.20. Over the past 52 weeks, HSIC's Forward P/E has been as high as 15.82 and as low as 12.57, with a median of 13.90.

We also note that HSIC holds a PEG ratio of 2.11. This figure is similar to the commonly-used P/E ratio, with the PEG ratio also factoring in a company's expected earnings growth rate. HSIC's PEG compares to its industry's average PEG of 2.20. Over the past 52 weeks, HSIC's PEG has been as high as 2.31 and as low as 1.77, with a median of 2.08.

Another notable valuation metric for HSIC is its P/B ratio of 2.01. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. HSIC's current P/B looks attractive when compared to its industry's average P/B of 5.58. Over the past 12 months, HSIC's P/B has been as high as 2.53 and as low as 1.92, with a median of 2.16.

Value investors also love the P/S ratio, which is calculated by simply dividing a stock's price with the company's sales. Some people prefer this metric because sales are harder to manipulate on an income statement. This means it could be a truer performance indicator. HSIC has a P/S ratio of 0.69. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 1.71.

Finally, investors will want to recognize that HSIC has a P/CF ratio of 11.89. This metric takes into account a company's operating cash flow and can be used to find stocks that are undervalued based on their solid cash outlook. HSIC's current P/CF looks attractive when compared to its industry's average P/CF of 19.08. Over the past 52 weeks, HSIC's P/CF has been as high as 15.66 and as low as 10.92, with a median of 12.77.

These are just a handful of the figures considered in Henry Schein'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 HSIC is an impressive value stock right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Is 3D Systems (DDD) Stock Outpacing Its Industrial Products Peers This Year?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:04 GMT Investors interested in Industrial Products stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. 3D Systems (DDD) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Industrial Products peers, we might be able to answer that question.

3D Systems is one of 189 companies in the Industrial Products group. The Industrial Products group currently sits at #4 within the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank includes 16 different groups and is listed in order from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors.

The Zacks Rank emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find stocks with improving earnings outlooks. This system has a long record of success, and these stocks tend to be on track to beat the market over the next one to three months. 3D Systems is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for DDD's full-year earnings has moved 26.9% higher. This shows that analyst sentiment has improved and the company's earnings outlook is stronger.

Based on the most recent data, DDD has returned 101.1% so far this year. Meanwhile, stocks in the Industrial Products group have gained about 15.9% on average. As we can see, 3D Systems is performing better than its sector in the calendar year.

Another Industrial Products stock, which has outperformed the sector so far this year, is Eaton (ETN). The stock has returned 35.8% year-to-date.

The consensus estimate for Eaton's current year EPS has increased 1.7% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Breaking things down more, 3D Systems is a member of the Commercial Printing industry, which includes 4 individual companies and currently sits at #66 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, stocks in this group have gained 12.9% this year, meaning that DDD is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns.

In contrast, Eaton falls under the Manufacturing - Electronics industry. Currently, this industry has 14 stocks and is ranked #61. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved +28.6%.

Investors interested in the Industrial Products sector may want to keep a close eye on 3D Systems and Eaton as they attempt to continue their solid performance.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Here's Why Labcorp Holdings (LH) is a Strong Value Stock]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:04 GMT 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 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, 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.

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 Score

Value 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 Score

Growth 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

What 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, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.86% 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.

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.

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: Labcorp Holdings (LH)

Headquartered in Burlington, NC, Labcorp Holdings, Inc. (Labcorp) is a leading healthcare diagnostics company, providing comprehensive clinical laboratory services and end-to-end drug development support. In 2015, Labcorp acquired New Jersey-based Covance, a drug development services company providing a wide range of early stage and late-stage product development services on a worldwide basis primarily to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

LH is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 16.84; value investors should take notice.

For fiscal 2026, three analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.08 to $18.32 per share. LH boasts an average earnings surprise of +3.1%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, LH should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Is Option Care Health (OPCH) Stock Undervalued Right Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:04 GMT Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.

Looking at the history of these trends, perhaps none is more beloved than value investing. This strategy simply looks to identify companies that are being undervalued by the broader market. 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 stock to keep an eye on is Option Care Health (OPCH). OPCH is currently holding a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and a Value grade of A. The stock is trading with P/E ratio of 15.09 right now. For comparison, its industry sports an average P/E of 18.05. OPCH's Forward P/E has been as high as 25.75 and as low as 14.74, with a median of 18.54, all within the past year.

We should also highlight that OPCH has a P/B ratio of 3.38. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This stock's P/B looks attractive against its industry's average P/B of 4.55. OPCH's P/B has been as high as 4.27 and as low as 2.59, with a median of 3.66, 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. OPCH has a P/S ratio of 0.61. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 1.43.

Finally, investors should note that OPCH has a P/CF ratio of 15.67. This metric takes into account a company's operating cash flow and can be used to find stocks that are undervalued based on their solid cash outlook. This company's current P/CF looks solid when compared to its industry's average P/CF of 31.99. Over the past year, OPCH's P/CF has been as high as 21.37 and as low as 13.58, with a median of 18.42.

Value investors will likely look at more than just these metrics, but the above data helps show that Option Care Health is likely undervalued currently. And when considering the strength of its earnings outlook, OPCH sticks out as one of the market's strongest value stocks.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Are Basic Materials Stocks Lagging L.B. Foster (FSTR) This Year?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:04 GMT Investors interested in Basic Materials stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. L.B. Foster (FSTR) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Basic Materials peers, we might be able to answer that question.

L.B. Foster is one of 294 individual stocks in the Basic Materials sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #14 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups is measured, and the sectors are listed from best to worst.

The Zacks Rank is a proven system that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions, highlighting a variety of stocks that are displaying the right characteristics to beat the market over the next one to three months. L.B. Foster is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for FSTR's full-year earnings has moved 4% higher. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend.

Based on the most recent data, FSTR has returned 37.1% so far this year. Meanwhile, stocks in the Basic Materials group have gained about 11.6% on average. This shows that L.B. Foster is outperforming its peers so far this year.

Another Basic Materials stock, which has outperformed the sector so far this year, is Glencore PLC (GLNCY). The stock has returned 37.9% year-to-date.

The consensus estimate for Glencore PLC's current year EPS has increased 19.5% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Looking more specifically, L.B. Foster belongs to the Steel - Producers industry, a group that includes 17 individual stocks and currently sits at #61 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, stocks in this group have gained 38.3% this year, meaning that FSTR is slightly underperforming its industry in terms of year-to-date returns.

In contrast, Glencore PLC falls under the Mining - Miscellaneous industry. Currently, this industry has 99 stocks and is ranked #198. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved +18.7%.

Going forward, investors interested in Basic Materials stocks should continue to pay close attention to L.B. Foster and Glencore PLC as they could maintain their solid performance.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Should Value Investors Buy Amphastar Pharmaceuticals (AMPH) Stock?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:04 GMT Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.

Looking at the history of these trends, perhaps none is more beloved than value investing. This strategy simply looks to identify companies that are being undervalued by the broader market. Value investors use tried-and-true metrics and fundamental analysis to find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.

On top of the Zacks Rank, investors can also look at our innovative Style Scores system to find stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will want to focus on the "Value" category. Stocks with high Zacks Ranks and "A" grades for Value will be some of the highest-quality value stocks on the market today.

One stock to keep an eye on is Amphastar Pharmaceuticals (AMPH). AMPH is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), as well as an A grade for Value. The stock is trading with a P/E ratio of 7.81, which compares to its industry's average of 15.87. AMPH's Forward P/E has been as high as 12.02 and as low as 6.09, with a median of 8.31, all within the past year.

Another valuation metric that we should highlight is AMPH's P/B ratio of 1.72. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This stock's P/B looks solid versus its industry's average P/B of 4.89. AMPH's P/B has been as high as 3.57 and as low as 1.28, with a median of 1.87, over the past year.

Value investors also use the P/S ratio. The P/S ratio is calculated as price divided by sales. Some people prefer this metric because sales are harder to manipulate on an income statement. This means it could be a truer performance indicator. AMPH has a P/S ratio of 1.48. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 3.

These are just a handful of the figures considered in Amphastar Pharmaceuticals'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 AMPH is an impressive value stock right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Lear (LEA) is a Top-Ranked Value Stock: Should You Buy?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:04 GMT 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 includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.

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 Score

Finding 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 Score

Growth 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

If you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

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 +23.86% 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.

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.

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.

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: Lear (LEA)

Southfield, MI-based Lear Corporation is a Tier 1 supplier to the global automotive industry. The company supplies automotive seating and electrical systems (E-Systems). It caters to several major automakers in the world. The primary customers of the company are automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Lear’s products are designed, engineered and manufactured in 36 countries.

LEA is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 8.16; value investors should take notice.

One analyst revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.01 to $14.86 per share. LEA boasts an average earnings surprise of +13.5%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, LEA should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Is Harmony Biosciences (HRMY) Stock Undervalued Right Now?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:04 GMT Here at Zacks, we focus on our proven ranking system, which places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, to find winning stocks. But we also understand that investors develop their own strategies, so we are constantly looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong companies for our readers.

Considering these trends, value investing is clearly one of the most preferred ways to find strong stocks in any type of market. 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.

Harmony Biosciences (HRMY) is a stock many investors are watching right now. HRMY is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and an A for Value.

We should also highlight that HRMY has a P/B ratio of 2.42. The P/B ratio pits a stock's market value against its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. HRMY's current P/B looks attractive when compared to its industry's average P/B of 3.82. HRMY's P/B has been as high as 4.20 and as low as 2.23, with a median of 2.87, over the past year.

Value investors also use the P/S ratio. The P/S ratio is calculated as price divided by sales. This is a preferred metric because revenue can't really be manipulated, so sales are often a truer performance indicator. HRMY has a P/S ratio of 2.42. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 6.12.

Finally, investors should note that HRMY has a P/CF ratio of 9.34. This figure highlights a company's operating cash flow and can be used to find firms that are undervalued when considering their impressive cash outlook. HRMY's current P/CF looks attractive when compared to its industry's average P/CF of 11.24. Within the past 12 months, HRMY's P/CF has been as high as 16.61 and as low as 9.07, with a median of 11.73.

These are just a handful of the figures considered in Harmony Biosciences'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 HRMY is an impressive value stock right now.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Should Value Investors Buy Arkema (ARKAY) Stock?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:03 GMT Here at Zacks, we focus on our proven ranking system, which places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, to find winning stocks. But we also understand that investors develop their own strategies, so we are constantly looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong companies for our readers.

Of these, 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 rely on traditional forms of analysis on key valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are undervalued, leaving room for profits.

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 stock to keep an eye on is Arkema (ARKAY). ARKAY is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), as well as an A grade for Value. The stock holds a P/E ratio of 9.76, while its industry has an average P/E of 12.91. Over the last 12 months, ARKAY's Forward P/E has been as high as 10.61 and as low as 7.52, with a median of 9.06.

Value investors also frequently use the P/S ratio. This metric is found by dividing a stock's price with the company's revenue. This is a preferred metric because revenue can't really be manipulated, so sales are often a truer performance indicator. ARKAY has a P/S ratio of 0.45. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 0.71.

These figures are just a handful of the metrics value investors tend to look at, but they help show that Arkema is likely being undervalued right now. Considering this, as well as the strength of its earnings outlook, ARKAY feels like a great value stock at the moment.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Should Value Investors Buy Progress Software (PRGS) Stock?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:03 GMT Here at Zacks, we focus on our proven ranking system, which places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, to find winning stocks. But we also understand that investors develop their own strategies, so we are constantly looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong companies for our readers.

Of these, 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 rely on traditional forms of analysis on key valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are undervalued, leaving room for profits.

Luckily, Zacks has developed its own Style Scores system in an effort to find stocks with specific traits. Value investors will be interested in the system's "Value" category. Stocks with both "A" grades in the Value category and high Zacks Ranks are among the strongest value stocks on the market right now.

Progress Software (PRGS) is a stock many investors are watching right now. PRGS is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and an A for Value.

We should also highlight that PRGS has a P/B ratio of 4. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to 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 6.69. Over the past 12 months, PRGS's P/B has been as high as 7.05 and as low as 3.95, with a median of 5.89.

Value investors also love the P/S ratio, which is calculated by simply dividing a stock's price with the company's sales. 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 1.52. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 3.57.

Finally, investors will want to 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 P/CF compares to its industry's average P/CF of 16.96. Over the past 52 weeks, PRGS's P/CF has been as high as 18.02 and as low as 9.74, with a median of 14.83.

Value investors will likely look at more than just these metrics, but the above data helps show that Progress Software is likely undervalued currently. And when considering the strength of its earnings outlook, PRGS sticks out as one of the market's strongest value stocks.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Why EnerSys (ENS) is a Top Value Stock for the Long-Term]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:03 GMT 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.

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 Score

Value 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 Score

While 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 Score

Momentum 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 Score

If 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 +23.86% 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.

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.

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: EnerSys (ENS)

Headquartered in Pennsylvania, EnerSys manufactures, markets and distributes industrial batteries and related stored-energy products. The company also develops battery chargers and accessories, power electronics, power equipment and outdoor cabinet enclosures. It provides maintenance, technical and other support services for customers.

ENS is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 14.4; value investors should take notice.

Three analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2027. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $1.31 to $13.41 per share. ENS boasts an average earnings surprise of +11.5%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, ENS should be on investors' short list.

Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

]]> <![CDATA[Is Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C (BWMX) Outperforming Other Consumer Discretionary Stocks This Year?]]> Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:40:03 GMT Investors interested in Consumer Discretionary stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Is Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C (BWMX) one of those stocks right now? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Consumer Discretionary peers, we might be able to answer that question.

Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C is a member of the Consumer Discretionary sector. This group includes 261 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #12. The Zacks Sector Rank includes 16 different groups and is listed in order from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors.

The Zacks Rank is a proven model that highlights a variety of stocks with the right characteristics to outperform the market over the next one to three months. The system emphasizes earnings estimate revisions and favors companies with improving earnings outlooks. Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Within the past quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for BWMX's full-year earnings has moved 6.4% higher. This signals that analyst sentiment is improving and the stock's earnings outlook is more positive.

According to our latest data, BWMX has moved about 14.9% on a year-to-date basis. Meanwhile, stocks in the Consumer Discretionary group have lost about 14.7% on average. This means that Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C is outperforming the sector as a whole this year.

Another Consumer Discretionary stock, which has outperformed the sector so far this year, is Capcom Co., Ltd. (CCOEY). The stock has returned 21.4% year-to-date.

In Capcom Co., Ltd.'s case, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year increased 6.7% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Looking more specifically, Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C belongs to the Consumer Products - Discretionary industry, a group that includes 28 individual stocks and currently sits at #108 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, this group has gained an average of 4.2% so far this year, meaning that BWMX is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns.

Capcom Co., Ltd., however, belongs to the Gaming industry. Currently, this 42-stock industry is ranked #162. The industry has moved -34.5% so far this year.

Investors with an interest in Consumer Discretionary stocks should continue to track Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C and Capcom Co., Ltd.. These stocks will be looking to continue their solid performance.

7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days

Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."

Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. 

See them now >>

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

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