Core Insights - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects global GDP growth of approximately 3.3% for 2026, supported by corporate investment in digital infrastructure and advanced technologies [1] - The global semiconductor industry is expected to reach $975 billion in annual sales in 2026, driven by an AI infrastructure boom [2] - The industrial sector is bolstered by sustained defense spending and strong commercial aerospace backlogs, with U.S. national defense spending exceeding $800 billion annually [7] Technology Sector - AI-driven capital expenditure is a key earnings catalyst in 2026, with major companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet investing heavily in AI data centers and cloud infrastructure [4] - The Semiconductor Industry Association anticipates global semiconductor sales to approach $1 trillion in 2026, indicating a 26% growth, primarily due to advanced logic and high-bandwidth memory linked to generative AI workloads [5] - Companies such as NVIDIA, Taiwan Semiconductor, ASML, and Applied Materials are positioned to benefit from this growth, with TSM holding a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) and the others carrying a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [5] Industrial Sector - The industrial sector benefits from strong defense spending and a robust commercial aerospace backlog, with companies like Lockheed Martin and RTX reporting significant backlogs of $194 billion and $268 billion, respectively [7] - Electrification and grid modernization are also key growth drivers, with firms like Eaton and Siemens focusing on data center power demand and energy transition investments [8] - These factors provide substantial backlog visibility and earnings support as the sector moves into mid-2026 [8]

For Immediate ReleasesChicago, IL – February 17, 2026 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include  NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) , Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI) , Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) and Intel Corporation (INTC) .Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:NVIDIA vs. SMCI: Which AI Hardware Stock ...

For Immediate ReleasesChicago, IL – February 17, 2026 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include  NVIDIA Corp. (NVDA) , Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) , Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) and Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) .Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:2 AI Stocks Soaring Over 400% That Could B ...

Group 1 - TTM Technologies, Inc. (TTMI) has seen a 12.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (AEIS) has experienced a 9.5% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Deluxe Corporation (DLX) has reported an 11.1% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Ford Motor Company (F) has seen a 7% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [3] - Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) has experienced a 5.2% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [3]

Core Viewpoint - Three stocks have been added to the Zacks Rank 5 (Strong Sell) List, indicating a negative outlook for these companies based on recent earnings estimate revisions Group 1: Company-Specific Insights - Avantor, Inc. (AVTR) provides mission-critical products and services for life sciences industries, with a 9% downward revision in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Columbus McKinnon Corporation (CMCO) is a scientific and technical instruments company, experiencing a 26% downward revision in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) operates in the food and beverages sector, with a 10.3% downward revision in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2]

Group 1: Western Digital Corporation (WDC) - Western Digital Corporation is a data storage devices and solutions company with a Zacks Rank 1 [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 17.4% over the last 60 days [1] - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.62, which is lower than the industry average of 1.36, and possesses a Growth Score of B [1] Group 2: Sanmina Corporation (SANM) - Sanmina Corporation is an integrated manufacturing solutions and components, products, and repair company with a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 4.4% over the last 60 days [2] - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.56, compared to the industry average of 1.37, and possesses a Growth Score of A [2] Group 3: LATAM Airlines Group (LTM) - LATAM Airlines Group is a passenger and cargo airlines company with a Zacks Rank 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 4.3% over the last 60 days [3] - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.40, which is lower than the industry average of 0.57, and possesses a Growth Score of A [3]

Core Insights - Three stocks with strong value characteristics and a buy rank are highlighted for investors: Deluxe Corporation, Slide Insurance Holdings, and Ford Motor Company [1][2][3] Company Summaries Deluxe Corporation - Provides integrated payments, data, and marketing solutions for businesses nationwide - Holds a Zacks Rank 1 - Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings increased by 11.1% over the last 60 days - Price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) is 6.38, compared to the industry average of 10.80 - Possesses a Value Score of A [1][2] Slide Insurance Holdings, Inc. - An insurance company with a Zacks Rank 1 - Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings increased by 4.9% over the last 60 days - Price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) is 6.24, compared to the industry average of 10.30 - Possesses a Value Score of B [2] Ford Motor Company - An automobile giant with a Zacks Rank 1 - Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings increased by 7% over the last 60 days - Price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) is 9.28, compared to the industry average of 33.40 - Possesses a Value Score of A [3]

Core Insights - The article highlights three stocks with a buy rank and strong income characteristics for investors to consider as of February 17 Group 1: Company Performance - Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) has seen a 5.2% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - West Bancorporation, Inc. (WTBA) has experienced a 6.3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - BCB Bancorp, Inc. (BCBP) has witnessed a significant 14.1% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] Group 2: Dividend Yield Comparison - Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) offers a dividend yield of nearly 4%, which is higher than the industry average of nearly 2% [1] - West Bancorporation, Inc. (WTBA) has a dividend yield of 3.9%, compared to the industry average of 2.6% [2] - BCB Bancorp, Inc. (BCBP) provides a dividend yield of 3.8%, exceeding the industry average of 2.3% [3]

Core Viewpoint - Select Medical Holdings Corporation (SEM) is expected to report its fourth-quarter 2025 results on February 19, 2026, with earnings estimated at 23 cents per share and revenues at $1.36 billion [1]. Financial Performance Estimates - The fourth-quarter earnings estimate has decreased by one cent over the past 60 days, indicating a year-over-year increase of 27.8% [2]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues suggests a year-over-year growth of 3.7% [2]. - For the full year 2025, the revenue estimate is $5.42 billion, reflecting an 18.2% year-over-year decline, while the earnings per share estimate is $1.23, implying a rise of 30.9% from the previous year [3]. Earnings Surprise History - Select Medical's earnings have surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the last four quarters, missing in the other two, with an average surprise of 8.7% [3]. Earnings Prediction Model - The current model does not predict an earnings beat for SEM, as it has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) [4]. Segment Performance Insights - The Critical Illness Recovery segment is projected to see a 2.1% year-over-year revenue growth in Q4, with revenues per Patient Day expected to increase by 2.8% [6]. - The Rehabilitation Hospital segment's revenues are anticipated to rise by 11.1% in Q4, with revenues per Patient Day expected to increase by 5.9% [8]. - The Outpatient Rehabilitation segment's adjusted EBITDA is projected to surge by 55.8% year-over-year, although revenues per Visit are expected to dip by 0.8% [9]. Operational Metrics - A 3.8% increase in admissions is expected in Q4, with an occupancy rate projected at 67.3% [7]. - The Rehabilitation Hospital segment is expected to see admissions grow by 10.4% year-over-year, with an occupancy rate expanding by 320 basis points to 84.2% [8]. - Total operating expenses are estimated to decrease to $1.28 billion, primarily due to lower general and administrative expenses, despite a nearly 6% growth in interest expense [10]. Peer Performance Comparison - Ensign Group reported a fourth-quarter adjusted EPS of $1.82, beating estimates by 4%, with a 19.5% year-over-year improvement in earnings [12]. - Encompass Health reported an adjusted EPS of $1.46, exceeding estimates by 13.2%, with a 24.8% year-over-year increase in earnings [13].

Industry Overview - The fourth-quarter 2025 reporting season for the Medical sector is nearing its final stretch, with only a few pharma and biotech companies left to report [1] - As of February 11, 73.3% of companies in the Medical sector, representing 91% of the sector's market capitalization, reported quarterly earnings, with 86.4% exceeding both earnings and sales estimates [2][10] - Overall, fourth-quarter earnings in the medical sector are expected to decrease by 0.6%, while sales are projected to rise by 10.4% compared to the previous year [4] Company Performance Johnson & Johnson - Reported strong fourth-quarter results, beating estimates for both earnings and sales [3] Novartis - Beat earnings estimates but faced revenue pressure due to generic competition for key drugs like Entresto and Promacta [3] Bristol Myers Squibb - Beat both earnings and sales estimates and issued encouraging guidance [3] Gilead Sciences - Earnings exceeded both top and bottom lines, supported by higher sales of HIV and Liver Diseases drugs [3] Bausch Health - Mixed performance with two earnings beats and two misses in the last four quarters, delivering a four-quarter average negative surprise of 6.26% [5] - Scheduled to report on February 18, with an Earnings ESP of -8.84% and a Zacks Rank 3 [7] Amicus Therapeutics - Disappointing earnings track record with three misses and one beat in the last four quarters, averaging a negative surprise of 20.21% [8] - Set to be acquired by BioMarin, with its lead drug Galafold showing solid uptake [9] BioMarin Pharmaceutical - Impressive track record, beating earnings estimates in each of the last four quarters with an average surprise of 66.51% [11] - Scheduled to report with an Earnings ESP of -3.23% and a Zacks Rank 3, driven by strong demand for its dwarfism drug Voxzogo [12] Insmed - Poor earnings track record with four consecutive misses, averaging a negative surprise of 20.64% [13] - Scheduled to report on February 19, with an Earnings ESP of +7.01% and a Zacks Rank 3 [14] - Lead drug Arikayce gaining traction, with a new drug approval marking a significant milestone [15] Madrigal Pharmaceuticals - Missed earnings expectations in three of the last four quarters, with an average negative surprise of 17.17% [16] - Scheduled to report on February 19, with an Earnings ESP of -852.37% and a Zacks Rank 4 [16][17]