Investors interested in stocks from the Computers - IT Services sector have probably already heard of Accenture (ACN) and Jack Henry (JKHY) . But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now? We'll need to take a closer look.The best way to find great value stocks is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The proven Zacks Rank puts an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, while our Sty ...

Investors interested in Internet - Software and Services stocks are likely familiar with NetEase (NTES) and Tyler Technologies (TYL) . But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now? We'll need to take a closer look.We have found that the best way to discover great value opportunities is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with a great grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The Zacks Rank favors stocks with strong earnings estimate revision trends, and o ...

Core Insights - Moody's Corporation (MCO) has established a regional headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to enhance its presence in the Middle East and align with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 [1][2] - The appointment of Mahmoud Totonji as general manager for the Riyadh headquarters aims to strengthen Moody's partnerships with local institutions and improve access to market intelligence [2][7] - The expansion into the Middle East is part of a broader strategy to diversify revenue sources beyond Western markets and enhance competitive positioning [3][7] Expansion Strategy - Moody's has a history of global expansion through acquisitions and partnerships, including plans to increase its stake in Middle East Rating & Investors Service and acquiring ICR Chile to bolster its Latin American presence [4][5] - The acquisition of Global Credit Rating Company Limited in 2024 and SCRiesgo in 2023 further solidifies Moody's reach in Africa and Central America, respectively [5] Market Performance - Over the past six months, Moody's shares have decreased by 8.7%, while the industry has seen a decline of 10.8% [6]

Key Takeaways Seagate reported record Q2 revenues of $2.83B, up 22% year over year.STX shipped 190 exabytes, with data center revenues rising 28% year over year.Seagate sees Q3 revenues of about $2.9B and margin near 30% at midpoint.Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX) reported record financial performance for the fiscal second quarter of 2026, supported by strong demand in data center markets and continued progress in its technology roadmap. In the second quarter, the company’s revenues reached $2.83 bill ...

Key Takeaways GTLB shares have plunged 34.8% in six months, lagging the sector despite DevSecOps demand. GitLab grew $100K ARR customers 23% and sees FY26 revenue near $946M, up about 25%. GTLB faces U.S. public sector delays, SMB weakness and stiff competition from Microsoft and Atlassian. Gitlab (GTLB) shares have plunged 34.8% in the trailing six-month period, underperforming the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector’s rise of 7.9% and the Zacks  Internet - Software industry’s decline of 22.4%.The u ...

Core Viewpoint - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (RMCF) has been upgraded to a "Neutral" rating from "Underperform" as it begins to show results from a margin-first strategy and operational reset, despite the stock trading as if margin gains are temporary rather than indicative of a structurally improved earnings base [1] Cocoa Price Stability - Cocoa price volatility has significantly impacted RMCF's cost structure, but prices have recently moderated, allowing management to implement a forward purchasing strategy to lock in favorable pricing [2] - The elimination of a 10% cocoa tariff provides additional relief, supporting gross margin durability in the coming quarters, although cocoa prices remain cyclical [3] Gross Margin Execution - RMCF's gross margin has expanded to 21.4% from 10% year over year, driven by pricing discipline, improved product mix, and reduced manufacturing inefficiencies [4] - Management has made targeted price adjustments, eliminated low-contribution SKUs, and reduced labor complexity, resulting in improved gross profit and a return to positive EBITDA [5] Strengthened Balance Sheet - RMCF completed a $2.7 million equity raise to reduce debt and enhance working capital, improving financial flexibility [6] - Liquidity has improved, and working capital has strengthened, allowing management to focus on operational execution and franchise development rather than immediate balance sheet stabilization [7] Structural Positioning and Outlook - RMCF has exited low-margin revenue streams, recalibrated pricing architecture, and simplified production, leading to a more predictable cost environment and restored operating leverage [11] - If management continues to execute effectively and input costs remain favorable, RMCF is positioned for steadier earnings and improved cash flow generation, although the market may not fully recognize the durability of its reshaped cost structure [12]

Core Viewpoint - Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (FIX) is expected to report strong fourth-quarter results driven by growth in technology and advanced manufacturing sectors, with significant contributions from AI and data center demand [2][6][20] Financial Performance - In the last reported quarter, FIX's earnings and revenues exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 33.1% and 13.7%, respectively, with year-over-year growth of 35.2% in revenues and 101.7% in earnings [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter EPS is $6.77, indicating a growth from the year-ago EPS of $4.09, while revenues are expected to reach $2.28 billion, reflecting a 22.3% year-over-year increase [3][4] - For the full year 2025, FIX is projected to achieve a 24.4% increase in revenues and an 80.2% increase in earnings compared to the previous year [4] Market Trends and Drivers - Broad-based strength across technology, industrial, and institutional markets is expected to support FIX's growth, particularly due to high demand for hyperscale data centers and AI facilities [6][8] - The company's disciplined bidding approach and focus on longer-cycle projects are anticipated to enhance growth prospects and visibility heading into 2026 [8][10] Margin Expansion - FIX's margin expansion efforts are expected to positively impact fourth-quarter performance, with a growing share of revenues from technology projects, which accounted for approximately 42% of revenues year-to-date [9] - Management's emphasis on disciplined bidding and avoiding low-return projects is likely to support higher gross profit margins [10] Acquisitions - Comfort Systems has completed five acquisitions as of October 2025, enhancing its geographic reach and technical capabilities, particularly in the industrial and healthcare sectors [11] Competitive Position - FIX has outperformed its peers in the construction sector, with a stock price increase of 92.3% over the past six months, significantly surpassing the performance of competitors like Quanta Services and EMCOR Group [15][17] - The company currently trades at a premium valuation, with a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 43.84, compared to its peers [18][19] Investment Outlook - The company presents a balanced investment case, with strong operating momentum and revenue visibility from key sectors, but faces challenges from elevated costs and competitive pricing [20][21] - With a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and no clear indicators of an earnings beat, existing investors are advised to retain their positions, while new investors may consider waiting for a more favorable entry point [23]

Core Insights - Centerra Gold Inc. (CGAU) is expected to report fourth-quarter 2025 results on February 19, with earnings anticipated to show operational momentum supported by stable production and disciplined cost control amid favorable gold prices [1][6]. Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter earnings has increased over the past 30 days, now projected at 34 cents per share, indicating a 100% year-over-year increase [2][6]. - The earnings estimate trend shows a significant upward revision, with a 30.77% increase for Q1 and an 81.82% increase for Q2 [3]. Operational Performance - CGAU's performance is driven by solid production at Mount Milligan and Oksut, with all-in sustaining costs (AISC) in the mid-$1,600s range [5][6]. - The company faced a structurally higher cost base, with gold production costs around the mid-$1,300s per ounce, influenced by mine sequencing and inflationary pressures [7]. Market Position and Valuation - CGAU's stock has increased by 193.2% over the past year, outperforming the Zacks Mining – Gold industry's 140% rise and the S&P 500's 13.9% increase [9]. - The company is currently trading at a forward 12-month sales multiple of 3.00, which is approximately 15% lower than the industry average of 3.52 [12]. Investment Thesis - Centerra Gold is positioned for steady production and improving cost visibility, with a balanced exposure to gold and copper, supported by stable grades and disciplined cost control [15]. - The company is expected to maintain positive momentum into the fourth quarter, bolstered by operational consistency and favorable pricing dynamics, reinforcing a buy recommendation [16].

Core Insights - Tempus AI, Inc. (TEM) has announced a collaboration with Median Technologies to integrate Median's eyonis LCS solution into the Tempus Pixel platform, enhancing AI capabilities in lung cancer screening and clinical decision-making [1][3][9] Company Developments - The eyonis LCS is an AI-enabled software-as-a-medical-device (SaMD) for lung cancer screening that has received FDA 510(k) clearance, facilitating its commercialization and clinical adoption [2] - The integration aims to support earlier and more accurate disease detection, assist radiologists with complex caseloads, and ultimately reduce preventable lung cancer deaths through improved access to advanced screening tools [3][5] - The collaboration is expected to strengthen Tempus AI's imaging-AI portfolio and expand the adoption of its Pixel platform, enhancing end-to-end lung cancer screening and workflow efficiency [5][9] - Tempus AI's current market capitalization stands at $9.24 billion [7] Market Context - The artificial intelligence in precision medicine market is projected to reach $4.28 billion by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.3% through 2035, driven by the increasing prevalence of cancer and demand for AI-powered diagnostic tools [12] - Research indicates that only 20% of eligible individuals in the U.S. underwent lung cancer screening in 2024, suggesting a significant adoption gap that the eyonis LCS aims to address [10]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Manufacturing - Farm Equipment industry is expected to face challenges due to lower farm income, with a forecasted 0.7% year-over-year dip in net farm income to $153.4 billion by 2026 [4] - Despite short-term challenges, the industry is projected to benefit from rising global food demand driven by population growth and improving living standards, with the U.S. agricultural machinery market expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.38% from 2025 to 2031 [5] - The industry is characterized by major players such as Deere, Kubota, and CNH Industrial, which are the top three global manufacturers of agricultural equipment [3] Trends and Challenges - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) anticipates total production expenses to rise by 1%, with livestock/poultry purchases, feed, and labor being the primary expense categories [4] - Companies in the industry are facing cost inflation, labor shortages, and tariff-related pressures, prompting them to implement pricing actions and cost-cutting measures to protect profitability [6] - Technological advancements in agriculture, including automation and precision farming, are expected to drive growth, with companies like Deere, CNH Industrial, and Kubota increasing investments in technology [2][7] Company Highlights - **Kubota**: The company is focusing on smart agriculture initiatives and expects revenue growth in its Farm and Industrial machinery segment, supported by strong construction equipment sales in North America and recovery in Europe [18] The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Kubota's earnings for fiscal 2026 has increased to $4.90 per share, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 22.2% [19] - **AGCO**: The company is investing in precision farming technology and has seen strong demand for its products, with a long-term earnings growth rate estimated at 24.4% [24] The consensus estimate for AGCO's 2026 earnings has increased by 2%, suggesting year-over-year growth of 8.5% [24] - **Alamo Group**: The company is investing in organic growth and strategic acquisitions, including the recent acquisition of Petersen Industries, which is expected to enhance growth and margins [27] The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Alamo's fiscal 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 16.9% [28] - **Lindsay**: The company has enhanced its irrigation management capabilities through a minority interest acquisition in Pessl Instruments GmbH and is benefiting from rising infrastructure spending in the U.S. [30] The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Lindsay's fiscal 2026 earnings has remained unchanged, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.2% [31] Market Performance - The Zacks Manufacturing - Farm Equipment industry has underperformed its sector but outperformed the S&P 500 over the past 12 months, with an 18.3% gain compared to the S&P 500's 13.9% [11] - The industry is currently trading at a trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA ratio of 30.66X, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 17.70X and the Industrial Products sector's 21.66X [14]