The stock market finally took a much-deserved breather on Tuesday, as investors started to take some massive profits off the top of semiconductor stocks.Still, the bull case remains firmly intact, and it’s nearly impossible to call a market top or bottom in real time. Therefore, long-term investors should continue to buy stocks.That said, some investors might not want to chase chip stocks right now. One area of Wall Street that investors might want to start buying are strong, best-in-class, cheap stocks trading under $10 a share.On top of their cheap stock prices, the stocks we learn to find earn strong Zacks Ranks, driven by improving earnings outlooks. Wall Street is also very high on these cheap stocks trading for under $10 a share.Penny StocksOne dollar or less used to be the common threshold for what we call “penny stocks.” Today, the SEC has expanded penny stocks to securities that trade for less than $5 a share. Many investors avoid these stocks because they are speculative in nature.Meanwhile, penny stocks often trade infrequently and hold wide bid/ask spreads. These stocks also carry many other traits that, in many cases, cause excessive volatility. With that said, some penny stocks perform incredibly well, which helps them remain attractive.Finding the Best Cheap Stocks Under $10 to Buy NowMoving on, let’s briefly discuss the next class of cheap stocks. Stocks that trade in the $5 to $10 range are generally less risky than their penny stock counterparts. Investors might be more likely to have heard of these companies or seen the tickers. They are, however, still inherently more speculative than many other higher-priced stocks.Investors can obviously find winning stocks for under $10 if they are extremely selective. So today, we narrowed the list of thousands of these more speculative stocks down to a more manageable group of $10 and under stocks that might help boost your portfolio.Screen Parameters• Price less than or equal to $10• Volume greater than or equal to 1,000,000• Zacks Rank less than or equal to 2(No Holds, Sells or Strong Sells.)• Average Broker Rating less than or equal to 3.5(Average Broker Rating of a Hold or Better.)• # of Analysts in Rating greater than or equal to 2(Minimum of at least two analysts covering the stock.)• % Change F1 Earnings Estimate Revisions -- 12 Weeks greater than or equal to 0(Preferably upward earnings estimate revisions, but definitely no downward revisions.)Here is one stock out of the roughly 50 highly-ranked stocks trading under $10 a share that made it through the screen today…Buy Soaring, Cheap CTOS Stock for AI and Electrification UpsideCustom Truck One Source, Inc. CTOS is a top provider of specialty equipment to the electric utility, telecom, rail, forestry, waste management, and other infrastructure-related end markets. Simply put, CTOS is a one-stop shop for large, specialized trucks and heavy equipment. The company rents and sells specialty vehicles (bucket trucks for power lines, cranes, digger derricks, etc.). It also operates a parts, services, and repairs segment.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchCTOS posted its best-ever first-quarter sales, with revenue up 9% to $461.6 million. The firm raised its full-year guidance on the back of strong demand across most of its portfolio, driven by longer-term megatrends that are driving Wall Street.“CTOS remains well-positioned to benefit from secular tailwinds driven by data center investments, electrification, utility grid upgrades, and infrastructure investment,” CEO Ryan McMonagle said in prepared remarks Q1 remarks on April 27.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchCustom Truck One Source is projected to grow its revenue by over 5% in 2026 and 2027. More importantly, it is expected to swing from an adjusted loss of -$0.14 a share last year to +$0.08 a share in 2026 and then surge to +$0.20 a share.The stock has soared 120% in the past 12 months, including a 75% YTD charge to help it move closer to a potential breakout. The specialty vehicles company's surging earnings estimates help it land a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) right now. Get the rest of the stocks on this list and start looking for the newest companies that fit these criteria. It's easy to do. And it could help you find your next big winner. Start screening for these companies today with a free trial to the Research Wizard. You can do it.Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today.Want more articles from this author? Scroll up to the top of this article and click the FOLLOW AUTHOR button to get an email each time a new article is published.Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.Disclosure: Performance information for Zacks’ portfolios and strategies are available at: www.zacks.com/performance_disclosure See Today's Picks from Zacks' Top Screens – Free You're invited to access our collection of professional stock screens for free inside the Research Wizard. These screens have crushed the market since 2000. For example, Small-Cap Growth averages +42.9% annual gains, Filtered Zacks Rank5 returns +45.4%, and Big Money Zacks generates +51.8%. Try these screens for yourself with a FREE Research Wizard trial. Or create your own strategies to fit your unique trading style. No credit card needed, no cost or obligation.Try it for 2 weeks free >>This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment Research

Investors might want to bet on COPT Defense (CDP), 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 COPT Defense 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 PricesThe 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 COPT Defense, 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 RevisionsEmpirical 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 COPT DefenseFor the fiscal year ending December 2026, this real estate investment trust specializing in suburban office properties is expected to earn $2.78 per share, which is unchanged compared with the year-ago reported number.Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for COPT Defense. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 1.6%.Bottom LineUnlike 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 COPT Defense 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. Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI. While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure. Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power. Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment Research

Resideo Technologies (REZI) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.65 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.61 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.63 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +7.44%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this residential comfort and security systems maker would post earnings of $0.47 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.5, delivering a surprise of +6.38%.Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.Resideo Technologies, which belongs to the Zacks Security and Safety Services industry, posted revenues of $1.91 billion for the quarter ended March 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.99%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $1.77 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three 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.Resideo Technologies shares have added about 6.7% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.3%.What's Next for Resideo Technologies?While Resideo Technologies 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 Resideo Technologies 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 $0.84 on $1.99 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $3.08 on $7.85 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, Security and Safety Services is currently in the top 30% 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.Cycurion, Inc. (CYCU), another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended March 2026.This company is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.83 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +95.1%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 17.7% higher over the last 30 days to the current level.Cycurion, Inc.'s revenues are expected to be $3.52 million, down 9% from the year-ago quarter. Should You Invest in Resideo Technologies, Inc. (REZI)? Before you invest in Resideo Technologies, Inc. (REZI), 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

TELA Bio, Inc. (TELA) came out with a quarterly loss of $0.21 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.14. This compares to a loss of $0.25 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -50.00%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post a loss of $0.18 per share when it actually produced a loss of $0.16, delivering a surprise of +11.11%.Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once.TELA Bio, which belongs to the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, posted revenues of $19.06 million for the quarter ended March 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.02%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $18.52 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates just once 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.TELA Bio shares have lost about 17.8% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.3%.What's Next for TELA Bio?While TELA Bio 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 TELA Bio was unfavorable. 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 #4 (Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform 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 -$0.14 on $21.2 million in revenues for the coming quarter and -$0.57 on $87 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 - Biomedical and Genetics is currently in the bottom 45% 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, Invivyd, Inc. (IVVD), is yet to report results for the quarter ended March 2026. The results are expected to be released on May 14.This company is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.08 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +42.9%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.Invivyd, Inc.'s revenues are expected to be $18.4 million, up 62.8% from the year-ago quarter. Should You Invest in TELA Bio, Inc. (TELA)? Before you invest in TELA Bio, Inc. (TELA), 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

In the latest trading session, Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) closed at $419.30, marking a -2.13% move from the previous day. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.16%. At the same time, the Dow added 0.11%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.71%. The chipmaker's stock has climbed by 12.82% in the past month, falling short of the Computer and Technology sector's gain of 17.98% and outpacing the S&P 500's gain of 8.81%.The upcoming earnings release of Broadcom Inc. will be of great interest to investors. The company's earnings report is expected on June 3, 2026. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $2.4, signifying a 51.90% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $22.04 billion, indicating a 46.87% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year. For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $11.45 per share and revenue of $102.45 billion, which would represent changes of +67.89% and +60.37%, respectively, from the prior year. Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for Broadcom Inc. 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 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 past month, there's been a 0.12% rise in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Broadcom Inc. is currently a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). In terms of valuation, Broadcom Inc. is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 37.41. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 45.6 of its industry. It's also important to note that AVGO currently trades at a PEG ratio of 0.77. 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 Electronics - Semiconductors industry stood at 1.92 at the close of the market yesterday. The Electronics - Semiconductors industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 53, finds itself in the top 22% echelons 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. Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI. While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure. Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power. Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment Research

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. 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 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.Armanino Foods of Distinction Inc. (AMNF) 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.Research shows that stocks carrying the best growth features consistently beat 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 company a great growth pick right now.Earnings GrowthEarnings growth is arguably the most important factor, as stocks exhibiting exceptionally surging profit levels tend to attract the attention of most investors. 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 Armanino Foods of Distinction is 37.3%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 1.7% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 1.5%.Cash Flow GrowthWhile 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 Armanino Foods of Distinction is 33.2%, which is higher than many of its peers. In fact, the rate compares to the industry average of 3.4%.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 49.7% over the past 3-5 years versus the industry average of 7.9%.Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsSuperiority 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 Armanino Foods of Distinction have been revising upward. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 5.2% over the past month.Bottom LineArmanino Foods of Distinction 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 Armanino Foods of Distinction 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 UpThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment Research

Tuesday, May 12, 2026The 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 NVIDIA Corp. (NVDA), Mastercard Inc. (MA) and AbbVie Inc. (ABBV), as well as two micro-cap stocks Waterstone Financial, Inc. (WSBF) and Precipio, Inc. (PRPO). The Zacks microcap research is unique as our research content on these small and under-the-radar companies is the only research of its type in the country.These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>Ahead of Wall StreetThe 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 >>> CPI Inflation Rate Heats Up to +3.8%Today's Featured Research ReportsShares of NVIDIA have gained +70.1% over the past year against the Zacks Semiconductor - General industry’s gain of +79.1%. The company is benefiting from the strong growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance accelerated computing. The growing demand for generative AI and large language models using graphics processing units (GPUs) based on NVIDIA’s Hopper and Blackwell architectures is aiding data center revenues. The continued ramp-up of Ada RTX GPU workstations in the ProViz end market, following the normalization of channel inventory, is acting as a tailwind. Collaborations with more than 320 automakers and tier-one suppliers are likely to advance its presence in the autonomous vehicle space.However, a limited supply of Blackwell GPUs may hinder its ability to meet demand. Rising costs associated with the production of more complex AI systems will hurt margins. The U.S.-China tech war and rising competition from AMD remain major concerns.(You can read the full research report on NVIDIA here >>>)Mastercard’s shares have declined -12.5% over the past year against the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry’s decline of -24.2%. The company’s rebates and incentives are rising with new and renewed deals, and management expects operating expenses to keep growing as it funds safety, security, digital and B2B initiatives. Geopolitical disruption is weighing on cross-border travel. Valuation remains elevated, supporting a Neutral view.Nevertheless, Mastercard’s scale and brand strength continue to support steady payment network growth, helped by stable consumer and business spending and higher transaction activity. Cross-border and contactless adoption remain key long-term drivers, and value-added services keep diversifying revenue through cybersecurity, analytics and digital authentication. Partnerships and targeted acquisitions also extend reach into new payment flows, including stablecoin infrastructure. Share repurchases and dividends remain supported. (You can read the full research report on Mastercard here >>>)Shares of AbbVie have gained +13.3% over the past year against the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry’s gain of +23.6%. The company beats first-quarter estimates for both earnings and sales. It has successfully navigated Humira's loss of exclusivity (LOE) by launching two other successful new immunology medicines, Skyrizi and Rinvoq, which are performing extremely well, bolstered by approvals in new indications, and should support top-line growth in the next few years.AbbVie’s neuroscience portfolio is also rapidly expanding and contributing significantly to top-line growth. AbbVie boasts a robust pipeline and expects important data readouts, regulatory submissions and approvals throughout 2026. It has been on an acquisition spree in the past couple of years to bolster its early-stage pipeline that should drive long-term growth. However, the company faces several headwinds, such as Humira LOE impact, slowing oncology sales and continued macro headwinds for Aesthetics.(You can read the full research report on AbbVie here >>>)Waterstone Financial’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Financial - Savings and Loan industry over the past year (+50.3% vs. +16.7%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $331.09 million delivered a strong earnings rebound in Q1 2026 as higher asset yields and easing funding costs expanded net interest margin to 2.97% from 2.47%, driving EPS growth. Mortgage banking returned to profitability, supported by a 31% increase in originations and a sharp refinancing recovery. The company maintains strong capital and liquidity, with risk-based capital above 20% and substantial unused FHLB borrowing capacity. Management also remains shareholder-friendly through dividends and sizable buybacks, including authorization covering nearly 12% of shares outstanding. However, risks include weakening credit quality, heavy near-term deposit repricing exposure, reliance on wholesale funding and rising operating expenses that could pressure margins if mortgage activity slows. Shares trade below peer valuation levels at 11.05X earnings and 0.95X book value. (You can read the full research report on Waterstone Financial here >>>)Shares of Precipio have outperformed the Zacks Medical Info Systems industry over the past year (+302.8% vs. -34.2%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $50.81 million has its investment thesis centered on the scalability of its pathology platform and integrated lab-and-diagnostics model. Its core pathology business continues to demonstrate operating leverage, supporting margin expansion and stronger cash generation as volumes grow. Management is also positioning the Products division for broader commercialization through expanded sales capabilities and distributor relationships. The hybrid operating structure supports recurring customer engagement and cross-selling opportunities, including the planned AML molecular testing launch.However, the story remains execution-sensitive due to liquidity constraints and product-margin volatility. Investors must balance scalability potential against financing risks. Valuation levels imply a cautious market despite improving profitability, creating upside if execution improves.(You can read the full research report on Precipio here >>>)Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Toyota Motor Corp. (TM), Sony Group Corp. (SONY) and CVS Health Corp. (CVS).Mark VickerySenior EditorNote: 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 ReadNVIDIA's (NVDA) Data Center Biz Gains From Growing Adoption of GPUsAccretive Buyouts, Strong Cash Flows Aid Mastercard (MA)AbbVie's (ABBV) Skyrizi, Rinvoq Key to Top-Line GrowthFeatured ReportsValue Chain and Structural Profit Initiatives Aid Toyota (TM)Per the Zacks analyst, Toyota's value chain businesses have been growing significantly and are expected to continue expanding through 2030. The company is also pursuing cost reduction initiatives.Strength in the I and SS Segment Aids SONY Amid G and NS Segment WeaknessPer the Zacks analyst, robust sales in the Music, Pictures and Imaging and Sensing Solutions segments are driving Sony's results. Softness in the Games and Network segment is concerning.CVS Health (CVS) Banks on Health Services Strength, Macro Woes StayThe Zacks analyst is impressed with the revenue momentum in CVS Health's Health Services segment, aided by pharmacy drug mix and brand inflation. Yet, macroeconomic pressures may hurt its growth.Improved Product Mix to Aid Ford (F) Amid High Capital RequirementPer the Zacks analyst, Ford's strategy of emphasizing higher-margin vehicles and trims is improving its profitability. However, rising capital requirements tied to EV development can hurt cash flows.Global IT Infrastructure Benefits IQVIA (IQV), Liquidity LowPer the Zacks Analyst, IQVIA's strong healthcare-specific global IT infrastructure places it firmly in the life sciences space. Low liquidity remains a concern.Improving Air Traffic Aid Curtiss-Wright (CW) Amid Labor ShortagePer the Zacks analyst, Curtiss-Wright is likely to benefit from the improving air traffic. Yet labor shortage result in delays and likely impact operating results.Scaled User Base Drive Duolingo (DUOL) Amid Margin CompressionPer the Zacks analyst, Duolingo's scale and rapid product iteration underpin long-term optionality and ensure stability. Advertising costs and broader AI rollout pressure the margin.New UpgradesTapestry (TPR) Coach Brand Demand and Gen Z Drive GrowthPer the Zacks analyst, Tapestry's strong demand across regions and rising Gen Z engagement helped Coach add a record 2.4 million customers in Q3, reinforcing its path toward a $10-billion brand.MKS (MKSI) Rides on AI-related Semiconductor Demand and NAND UpgradesPer the Zacks analyst, MKS is benefiting from the growing demand in the Semiconductor and Electronics and Packaging markets, particularly in AI-related applications and NAND upgrades.YPF Sociedad Anonima (YPF) to Benefit From Shale Oil GrowthPer the Zacks analyst, YPF Sociedad Anonima's shale oil growth and expected improvement in global crude prices will boost profitability. However, mature field operations continue to drag performance.New DowngradesConagra (CAG) Margins Hurt by Inflation, Weak Operating LeveragePer the Zacks analyst, Conagra's margins are hurt by inflation and weak operating leverage. In Q3, adjusted gross profit margin fell 112 basis points due to cost inflation and unfavorable leverage.Strategic Acquisitions, Solid Liquidity Aid Fifth Third (FITB)Per the Zacks analyst, Fifth Third's buyout of Comerica accelerated its long-term growth plan, enhancing scale, profitability and geographic reach. Also, robust liquidity is a positive.Macro Woes and Paused Pricing Ail Planet Fitness' (PLNT) ProspectsPer the Zacks analyst, Planet Fitness faces softer net member growth as marketing resets, macro pressure, and competition weigh. A paused Black Card price hike and lower 2026 outlook pose concerns. Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI. While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure. Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power. Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment Research

Hims & Hers Health, Inc. HIMS reported quarterly adjusted loss per share of 18 cents in first-quarter 2026, against the year-ago period’s adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 20 cents and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of EPS of 4 cents.HIMS’ Revenues in DetailHims & Hers registered revenues of $608.1 million in the first quarter, up 3.8% year over year. However, the figure lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.9%.Solid revenues from the Rest of the World segment drove the top line.Shares of this company lost nearly 15.2% in today’s pre-market trading.Hims & Hers’ Geographical ResultsIn the first quarter of 2026, revenues in the United States declined 8.4% year over year to $529.9 million.Rest of the World revenues grossed $78.2 million, up from the year-ago quarter’s $7.3 million.During the reported quarter, subscribers were 2.6 million, up 9.2% year over year.Monthly online revenue per average subscriber decreased 5.9% year over year to $80 in the first quarter. Per management, the decrease was primarily due to the shift to shorter shipping cadences for certain of HIMS’ offerings.Hims & Hers Health, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Hims & Hers Health, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Hims & Hers Health, Inc. QuoteHIMS’ Margin AnalysisIn the first quarter of 2026, Hims & Hers’ gross profit decreased 7.9% year over year to $396.8 million. The gross margin contracted 825 basis points (bps) to 65.2%.Marketing expenses decreased 3.9% year over year to $222 million, while technology and development expenses jumped 56.9% year over year to $46.9 million. General and administrative expenses surged 125.6% year over year to $109.7 million, while operations and support expenses increased 53.1% year over year to $96.5 million. Operating expenses of $475.1 million increased 27.4% year over year.Operating loss totaled $78.3 million against the year-ago quarter’s operating profit of $57.9 million.Hims & Hers’ Financial PositionHims & Hers exited first-quarter 2026 with cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $750.9 million compared with $577.5 million at the end of 2025.Net cash provided by operating activities at the end of first-quarter 2026 was $89.4 million compared with $109.1 million a year ago.HIMS’ OutlookHims & Hers has provided its revenue outlook for the second quarter and raised the same for 2026.The company projects revenues for the second quarter of 2026 in the range of $680 million to $700 million, reflecting an uptick of 25%-28% year over year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $647.2 million.For the full year, HIMS now projects revenues in the range of $2.8 billion to $3 billion (representing growth of 19%-28% from 2025 levels), up from the prior outlook of $2.7 billion to $2.9 billion (representing growth of 15%-24% from 2025 levels). The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $2.82 billion.Our Take on Hims & HersHims & Hers recorded robust improvement in the top line and Rest of the World revenues in first-quarter 2026. The increase in subscribers during the quarter was encouraging.Per management, HIMS made a strategic pivot in the first quarter that expanded its assortment of branded GLP-1 products. Early demand signals show its consumer reach broadening meaningfully. In March, the company announced Hims & Hers Benefits (a program providing discounts on advanced diagnostics and sleep technology).In February, HIMS entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Eucalyptus, which is expected to accelerate the company’s ability to bring access to high-quality, personalized care to more people across the world. These raise our optimism about the stock.However, Hims & Hers’ lower-than-expected results and dismal bottom-line results in the quarter were disappointing. Lower revenues from the United States were also reported, while monthly online revenue per average subscriber also declined. The contraction of the gross margin during the quarter does not bode well for the stock.HIMS’ Zacks Rank and Key PicksHims & Hers currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).Some better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space that have announced quarterly results are BrightSpring Health Services, Inc. BTSG, DaVita Inc. DVA and Labcorp Holdings Inc. LH.BrightSpring, sporting a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of 39 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 35.4%. Revenues of $3.61 billion outpaced the consensus mark by 8.4%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.BrightSpring has a long-term estimated growth rate of 44.5%. BTSG’s earnings surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, the average surprise being 14.6%.DaVita reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $2.87, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 19.1%. Revenues of $3.42 billion surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.5%. It currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1.DaVita has a long-term estimated growth rate of 20.2%. DVA’s earnings surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, the average surprise being 2.4%.Labcorp reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $4.25, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.9%. Revenues of $3.54 billion surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1%. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).Labcorp has a long-term estimated growth rate of 7.9%. LH’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 3.3%. Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI. While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure. Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power. Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment Research

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.Even though momentum is a popular stock characteristic, it can be tough to define. Debate surrounding which are the best and worst metrics to focus on is lengthy, but the Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.Below, we take a look at AXT (AXTI), 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. AXT currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (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 AXTI that show why this semiconductor materials supplier 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's also helpful to compare a security to its industry; this can show investors the best companies in a particular area.For AXTI, shares are up 21.21% over the past week while the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry is up 5.15% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 89.35% compares favorably with the industry's 26.89% 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 AXT have increased 419.02% over the past quarter, and have gained 8122.88% in the last year. On the other hand, the S&P 500 has only moved 7.12% and 32.44%, respectively.Investors should also pay attention to AXTI'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. AXTI is currently averaging 12,899,570 shares for the last 20 days.Earnings OutlookThe 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 AXTI.Over the past two months, 3 earnings estimates moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost AXTI's consensus estimate, increasing from $0.02 to $0.28 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 LineTaking into account all of these elements, it should come as no surprise that AXTI is a #2 (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 AXT on your short list. Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI. While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure. Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power. Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment Research

Gladstone Capital (GLAD) 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 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.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 Gladstone Capital is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price.Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock PricesThe 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 Gladstone Capital, 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 RevisionsEmpirical 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 Gladstone CapitalThis real estate investment trust is expected to earn $2.01 per share for the fiscal year ending September 2026, which represents no year-over-year change.Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Gladstone Capital. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 2.9%.Bottom LineUnlike 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 Gladstone Capital 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. Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI. While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure. Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power. Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment Research

Core & Main (CNM) ended the recent trading session at $47.50, demonstrating a -2.88% change from the preceding day's closing price. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.16%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.11%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.71%. The distributor of water and fire protection products's stock has dropped by 8.68% in the past month, falling short of the Industrial Products sector's gain of 2.1% and the S&P 500's gain of 8.81%.Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Core & Main in its upcoming release. The company is expected to report EPS of $0.7, up 34.62% from the prior-year quarter. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $1.9 billion, down 0.37% from the year-ago period. For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $3.11 per share and a revenue of $7.91 billion, representing changes of +4.71% and +3.48%, respectively, from the prior year. Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Core & Main. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. 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 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. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant within the past month. Currently, Core & Main is carrying a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell). In terms of valuation, Core & Main is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 15.71. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 17.1 of its industry. We can additionally observe that CNM currently boasts a PEG ratio of 1.73. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. Manufacturing - Tools & Related Products stocks are, on average, holding a PEG ratio of 1.37 based on yesterday's closing prices. The Manufacturing - Tools & Related Products industry is part of the Industrial Products sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 188, putting it in the bottom 23% 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. Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI. While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure. Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power. Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment Research

In the latest trading session, Star Bulk Carriers (SBLK) closed at $27.34, marking a +2.24% move from the previous day. The stock outpaced the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.16%. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.11%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.71%. Shares of the shipping company witnessed a gain of 8.13% over the previous month, beating the performance of the Transportation sector with its gain of 1.9%, and underperforming the S&P 500's gain of 8.81%.Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Star Bulk Carriers in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to go public on May 20, 2026. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $0.45, signifying a 742.86% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. At the same time, our most recent consensus estimate is projecting a revenue of $270.95 million, reflecting a 17.47% rise from the equivalent quarter last year. For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $4.01 per share and a revenue of $1.38 billion, representing changes of +313.4% and +32.55%, respectively, from the prior year. It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Star Bulk Carriers. 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 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. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 63.14% higher within the past month. Star Bulk Carriers presently features a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy). Valuation is also important, so investors should note that Star Bulk Carriers has a Forward P/E ratio of 6.67 right now. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 11.25 of its industry. The Transportation - Shipping industry is part of the Transportation sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 46, putting it in the top 19% 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. Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions. Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI. While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure. Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power. Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment Research

Wall Street offered an upbeat performance last week. State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust SPY has added about 2.4% last week. The tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 ETF Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 QQQ jumped 5.4% last week. State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Avg ETF Trust DIA inched up just 0.5%.Let’s find out the factors driving Wall Street’s risk-on sentiments.Stability in Jobs ReportThe U.S. economy added 115,000 nonfarm jobs in April, topping economists’ expectations of 55,000, though falling short of the revised 185,000 gain recorded in March. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee described the labor market as stable rather than strong, as quoted on CNBC.The latest data pointed to a labor market that remains resilient but continues to lose momentum compared to the rapid hiring pace seen in earlier years. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.3%.Iran Deal HopesU.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was expecting a response on Friday from Iran on the proposal to end the war, as quoted on CNBC. The United States was awaiting response from Iran over proposals for ceasefire deal, per the Guardian.Meanwhile, Kalshi traders now see a 58% chance a deal is reached by 2027, as quoted on CNBC. They also see a 47% chance an agreement is reached by September. Those levels are higher than before the Axios report, but still lower than the probability in the middle of April when there was more hope for a resolution to the conflict. In mid-April, odds that the two countries reach a nuclear deal by June were more than 70%, the same source revealed.No Fed Rate Hike?Markets currently expect the central bank to leave rates unchanged through the remainder of the year as inflation remains elevated and the labor market cools only gradually. Meanwhile, former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh is awaiting Senate confirmation to become the next Fed chair, per the above-said CNBC article.Upbeat Earnings The Q1 earnings season indicated a steadily improving earnings outlook. Estimates have moved higher for 7 of the 16 Zacks sectors since the quarter got underway. These sectors are: Tech, Energy, Basic Materials, Utilities, Industrials, Retail, and Business Services.Winning Leveraged ETFs in FocusAgainst this backdrop, below we highlight a few winning leveraged ETFs of last week.MU-Heavy ETFsDirexion Daily MU Bull 2X ETF MUU – Up 83.5%GraniteShares 2x Long MU Daily ETF (MULL) – Up 82.7%One of the leading worldwide providers of semiconductor memory solutions -- Micron Technology’s (MU) shares gained 33.7% last week. Memory stocks continue to soar higher lately.Memory chips — crucial for smartphones, laptops and other consumer electronics — are a critical component of artificial intelligence data centers and servers. A supply crunch and rising prices in the memory chip market are expected to continue through 2027, according to a leading semiconductor industry executive, as mentioned on CNBC.Iren-Heavy ETFsLeverage Shares 2X Long IREN Daily ETF IREG – Up 72.6%Defiance Daily Target 2X Long IREN ETF (IRE) – Up 72.3%IREN IREN shares surged 32% last week. IREN, known for Bitcoin mining, secured a major AI infrastructure partnership with NVIDIA, as quoted on Crypto Briefing. NVIDIA will pay IREN $3.4 billion for managed GPU cloud services, alongside a five-year warrant to buy up to 30 million IREN shares at $70 each.Sandisk-Heavy ETFsTradr 2X Long SNDK Daily ETF SNXX – Up 67.4%SanDisk SNDK shares added about 27.8% last week. Sandisk stock surged amid AI infrastructure and memory demand. The company recently reported that its fiscal Q3 revenue soared 251% year over year, and Datacenter revenue grew 645%, as quoted on The Street. Post earnings, Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings rose from $18.41 to $32.40 for the June quarter over the past 30 days. Earnings for the June quarter is expected to grow by a whopping 11,072.41% year over year.Rocket-Lab-Heavy ETFsDefiance Daily Target 2X Long RKLB ETF RKLX – Up 65.5%Rocket Lab RKLB shares jumped about 35% last week. Rocket Lab came out with a quarterly loss of $0.02 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.04. This compares to a loss of $0.12 per share a year ago. Rocket Lab posted revenues of $200.35 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.67%. this upbeat performance led to the rally in shares. 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!Get it now >>This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment Research

Shopify Inc.'s SHOP aggressive push into AI-powered commerce channels is rapidly becoming a key growth driver for SHOP stock. In first-quarter 2026, AI-driven traffic to Shopify stores surged 8x year over year, while orders generated from AI-powered searches jumped nearly 13x. Management noted that new buyer orders from AI channels are occurring at almost twice the rate of traditional channels, highlighting strong customer acquisition potential.The company is benefiting from deep integrations with ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and Google AI services, making Shopify the only platform enabling discovery and selling across all three ecosystems from a unified commerce platform. Shopify has already structured more than 1 billion products with real-time pricing and inventory data, allowing AI agents to surface highly relevant products faster and more accurately than general web searches.Beyond traffic gains, Shopify’s proprietary AI assistant, Sidekick, is boosting merchant productivity and platform stickiness. Weekly active shops using Sidekick increased 4x year over year, while more than 12,000 custom apps were created using the tool in the first quarter alone.Financially, Shopify remains strong. First-quarter revenues climbed 34% year over year to $3.17 billion, while GMV topped $100 billion for the second straight quarter. Free cash flow reached $476 million with a healthy 15% margin.With AI commerce adoption accelerating and Shopify positioned at the center of agentic shopping, the company appears well-placed to sustain strong growth momentum, making SHOP stock increasingly attractive for long-term investors.Competitors Racing to Capture AI-Led CommerceShopify’s AI momentum puts it against major commerce and software rivals, especially Amazon AMZN and Wix.com Ltd. WIX. Amazon remains a formidable competitor because it already controls a massive marketplace, product discovery engine and checkout ecosystem. As AI agents reshape shopping, Amazon can use its scale, data and logistics network to keep buyers inside its ecosystem. Still, Amazon primarily favors its marketplace model, while Shopify helps merchants own their brand, customer relationships and storefronts. That difference makes Shopify more attractive for businesses seeking AI-enabled independence rather than marketplace dependence.Wix is another relevant rival, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses looking for AI-powered website creation and e-commerce tools. Wix has been aggressively expanding its AI capabilities to simplify store design, content generation and online selling. However, Wix remains more focused on website building, while Shopify offers a broader commerce infrastructure spanning payments, logistics, AI-driven discovery and enterprise retail solutions. As Shopify deepens integrations with ChatGPT, Copilot and Google AI services, its expanding AI-commerce ecosystem could widen its competitive lead over Wix in the evolving digital commerce market.SHOP Stock’s Price Performance & Valuation TrendShares of SHOP have trended 36.3% downward year to date (YTD), underperforming the Zacks Internet - Services industry, as shown below.SHOP’s YTD Price PerformanceImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchSHOP stock is currently trading slightly at a premium compared with the industry peers, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 53.11, as evidenced by the chart below.SHOP’s P/E Ratio (Forward 12-Month) vs. IndustryImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchEPS Trend of SHOP StockOver the past 30 days, expectations for the company’s 2026 earnings per share increased to $1.78. The estimate indicates 52.1% growth from the year-ago level.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchShopify currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI. While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure. Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power. Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment Research

MaxCyte, Inc. (MXCT) came out with a quarterly loss of $0.04 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.1. This compares to a loss of $0.1 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +57.90%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post a loss of $0.08 per share when it actually produced a loss of $0.06, delivering a surprise of +25%.Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times.MaxCyte, which belongs to the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, posted revenues of $9.65 million for the quarter ended March 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 31.31%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $10.39 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates just once 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.MaxCyte shares have lost about 47.3% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.3%.What's Next for MaxCyte?While MaxCyte 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 MaxCyte 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 -$0.10 on $7.4 million in revenues for the coming quarter and -$0.31 on $30.9 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 - Biomedical and Genetics is currently in the bottom 45% 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, Adherex Technologies Inc. (FENC), has yet to report results for the quarter ended March 2026. The results are expected to be released on May 14.This company is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.02 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +50%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 2.4% lower over the last 30 days to the current level.Adherex Technologies Inc.'s revenues are expected to be $13.94 million, up 59.3% from the year-ago quarter. Should You Invest in MaxCyte, Inc. (MXCT)? Before you invest in MaxCyte, Inc. (MXCT), 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

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.Even though momentum is a popular stock characteristic, it can be tough to define. Debate surrounding which are the best and worst metrics to focus on is lengthy, but the Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.Below, we take a look at Monolithic Power (MPWR), a company that currently holds a Momentum Style Score of A. 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. Monolithic Power currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (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 MPWR is a promising momentum pick, let's examine some Momentum Style elements to see if this chipmaker holds up.Looking at a stock's short-term price activity is a great way to gauge if it has momentum, since this can reflect both the current interest in a stock and if buyers or sellers have the upper hand at the moment. It's also helpful to compare a security to its industry; this can show investors the best companies in a particular area.For MPWR, shares are up 1.1% over the past week while the Zacks Semiconductor - Analog and Mixed industry is up 5.1% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 21.05% compares favorably with the industry's 39.42% 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 Monolithic Power have risen 41.8%, and are up 134.21% in the last year. In comparison, the S&P 500 has only moved 7.12% and 32.44%, respectively.Investors should also pay attention to MPWR'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. MPWR is currently averaging 635,660 shares for the last 20 days.Earnings OutlookThe 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 MPWR.Over the past two months, 8 earnings estimates moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost MPWR's consensus estimate, increasing from $21.63 to $24.05 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 8 estimates have moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period.Bottom LineTaking into account all of these elements, it should come as no surprise that MPWR is a #2 (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 Monolithic Power on your short list. Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI. While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure. Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power. Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment Research

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.Even though momentum is a popular stock characteristic, it can be tough to define. Debate surrounding which are the best and worst metrics to focus on is lengthy, but the Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.Below, we take a look at Applied Materials (AMAT), 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. Applied Materials currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (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 AMAT that show why this maker of chipmaking equipment shows promise as a solid momentum pick.Looking at a stock's short-term price activity is a great way to gauge if it has momentum, since this can reflect both the current interest in a stock and if buyers or sellers have the upper hand at the moment. 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 AMAT, shares are up 11.92% over the past week while the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry is up 5.15% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 12.1% compares favorably with the industry's 26.89% performance as well.Considering longer term price metrics, like performance over the last three months or year, can be advantageous as well. Shares of Applied Materials have increased 25% over the past quarter, and have gained 164.07% in the last year. On the other hand, the S&P 500 has only moved 7.12% and 32.44%, respectively.Investors should also take note of AMAT'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 AMAT is averaging 6,154,411 shares for the last 20 days..Earnings OutlookThe 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 AMAT.Over the past two months, 1 earnings estimate moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. This revision helped boost AMAT's consensus estimate, increasing from $11.11 to $11.14 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 1 estimate has moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period.Bottom LineTaking into account all of these elements, it should come as no surprise that AMAT is a #2 (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 Applied Materials on your short list. Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI. While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure. Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power. Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment Research

Helen of Troy (HELE) appears an attractive pick given a noticeable improvement in the company's earnings outlook. The stock has been a strong performer lately, and the momentum might continue with analysts 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 personal and household products 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. This insight is at the core of our stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank.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.Consensus earnings estimates for the next quarter and full year have moved considerably higher for Helen of Troy, as there has been strong agreement among the covering analysts in raising estimates.The chart below shows the evolution of forward 12-month Zacks Consensus EPS estimate:12 Month EPSCurrent-Quarter Estimate RevisionsFor the current quarter, the company is expected to earn $0.02 per share, which is a change of -95.1% from the year-ago reported number.Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Helen of Troy has increased 15.56% because one estimate has moved higher while one has gone lower.Current-Year Estimate RevisionsFor the full year, the company is expected to earn $3.44 per share, representing a year-over-year change of -3.1%.The revisions trend for the current year also appears quite promising for Helen of Troy, with one estimate moving higher over the past month compared to one negative revision. The consensus estimate has also received a boost over this time frame, increasing 5.51%.Favorable Zacks RankThe promising estimate revisions have helped Helen of Troy earn a Zacks Rank #2 (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 LineInvestors have been betting on Helen of Troy because of its solid estimate revisions, as evident from the stock's 44.2% 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. Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI. While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure. Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power. Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment Research

Range Resources (RRC) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade 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.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 Range Resources 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 PricesThe 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.For Range Resources, 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 RevisionsEmpirical 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 Range ResourcesFor the fiscal year ending December 2026, this independent oil and gas company is expected to earn $4.11 per share, which is unchanged compared with the year-ago reported number.Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Range Resources. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 27.1%.Bottom LineUnlike 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 Range Resources 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. Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge Gains Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI. While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure. Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power. Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment Research

The global semiconductor market enters a historic growth phase, with revenues expected to exceed $1 trillion in 2026, fueled primarily by rising investments in AI infrastructure, according to a recent report published by the International Data Corporation (“IDC”). The report projects global semiconductor revenues to climb 53% year over year to $1.29 trillion in 2026.At the heart of this extraordinary surge is the memory segment, where DRAM revenues alone are expected to nearly triple to $418.6 billion as hyperscalers and AI infrastructure providers race to secure high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and next-gen DDR supplies.This turning point presents a remarkable opportunity for investors to gain exposure to the entire semiconductor value chain, and semiconductor exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer a diversified and efficient way to do so.Before attempting to capitalize on the semiconductor market’s trillion-dollar expansion, investors need to understand the drivers behind this growth, particularly the critical role of memory in the semiconductor industry and how AI’s relentless computing demand is reshaping the sector’s trajectory.How AI Is Transforming the Role of Memory in the Chip IndustryMemory chips have evolved from cyclical commodities into strategic assets shaping the next phase of semiconductor profitability. DRAM and NAND markets, once driven primarily by consumer electronics, are now increasingly influenced by AI workloads that demand exponentially higher memory capacity and bandwidth.IDC projects global memory revenues to increase from $226 billion in 2025 to almost $595 billion in 2026 as hyperscalers ramp up purchases of premium, high-performance memory products over lower-cost, mass-market options.High-bandwidth memory (HBM), in particular, lies at the center of this boom. Every AI accelerator, whether produced by NVIDIA, AMD, or through custom in-house designs at cloud hyperscalers, relies on stacks of HBM to sustain the massive data throughput required for model training and inference. This shift substantially boosts memory pricing, and the resulting profitability extends across the semiconductor ecosystem in a ripple effect. Since high-performance memory must be physically integrated with AI processors using complex packaging techniques, advanced packaging firms, logic chip manufacturers, and wafer equipment suppliers are all seeing record demand amid rising investments in AI infrastructure. In effect, AI has not only become a demand catalyst, but also the foundation of semiconductor demand, reshaping how capital, production, and pricing interact across the industry.Capturing the Opportunity Through Semiconductor ETFsConsidering the aforementioned discussion, one can understand how investing in individual memory chip stocks like Micron MU or SK Hynix, which often dominate headlines, may cause them to miss the broader opportunity to gain from the entire semiconductor ecosystem.Against this backdrop, semiconductor ETFs emerge as a more prudent choice for investors, as they provide exposure across leading chipmakers, equipment suppliers, and memory giants, offering broad access to the entire AI-driven semiconductor value chain.Further, these ETFs provide a diversified “basket” approach, allowing investors to benefit from the growth of the entire $1.29 trillion semiconductor sector while reducing the volatility associated with single-stock investments.To capitalize on the massive memory market explosion, investors may consider adding the following ETFs to their portfolios:iShares Semiconductor ETF SOXXThis fund, with net assets worth $34.37 billion, offers exposure to 30 U.S. companies that design, manufacture, and distribute semiconductors. Its top three holdings include: MU (with 9.77% weightage), Advanced Micro Devices AMD (9.15%), and Intel INTC (7.39%). SOXX has rallied 156.2% over the past year. The fund charges 34 basis points (bps) as fees. It sports a Zacks ETF Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and traded at a good volume of 7.48 million shares in the last trading session. Invesco Semiconductors ETF PSIThis fund, with a market value worth $2.34 billion, offers exposure to 30 U.S. semiconductor companies. Its top three holdings include MaxLinear (9.94%), AMD (7.09%) and MU (5.95%). PSI has surged 195% over the past year. The fund charges 56 bps as fees. It sports a Zacks ETF Rank #1 and traded at a good volume of 1.24 million shares in the last trading session. State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF XSDThis fund, with net assets worth $3.02 billion, offers exposure to 44 semiconductor companies. Its top three holdings include MaxLinear (7.41%), INTC (4.28%) and Sitime Corp. (3.91%). XSD has surged 152.8% over the past year. The fund charges 35 bps as fees. It holds a Zacks ETF Rank #1 and traded at a volume of 0.19 million shares in the last trading session. VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF SMHXThis fund, with net assets worth $234.3 million, offers exposure to 23 companies focused on semiconductor design and intellectual property. Its top three holdings include NVIDIA NVDA (15.89%), Broadcom (12.97%) and AMD (7.63%). SMHX has soared 111.9% over the past year. The fund charges 35 bps as fees. It holds a Zacks ETF Rank #2 (Buy) and traded at a volume of 0.13 million shares in the last trading session. 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!Get it now >>This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment Research