Core Insights - Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) is experiencing strong backlog growth due to its diversified service offerings and capitalizing on market opportunities in various sectors, particularly in Renewables, power, grid, and data centers [1][2] - The company’s total backlog reached $11.49 billion as of June 30, 2025, an increase from $10.45 billion a year earlier, with a next 12-month backlog of $5.14 billion compared to $4.26 billion in the previous year [2][9] - The positive economic sentiment following the Federal Reserve's rate cut is expected to benefit PRIM as it builds its project pipeline across diversified business offerings [3] Business Performance - The Renewables segment is thriving, driven by strong demand in utility-scale solar, EPC work, and battery storage projects, alongside increased activity in power-related projects [2][4] - Primoris is evaluating approximately $1.7 billion in data center work, with contracts anticipated by the end of 2025, which includes early-stage site preparation and utility infrastructure [4][9] - The company expects robust bookings in renewables and energy sectors, maintaining a solid backlog position through 2026 [4] Competitive Landscape - Primoris is positioned as an agile competitor in North America's infrastructure space, particularly in renewables and data center markets, despite facing competition from larger players like MasTec and Quanta Services [5][6][7] - While MasTec and Quanta have greater scale, Primoris has the potential for higher returns in niche or mid-sized contracts, especially with rising demand in data centers and clean energy [7] Stock Performance and Valuation - PRIM shares have surged 68.1% over the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Building Products - Heavy Construction industry and the broader S&P 500 index [8] - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 25.02, indicating strong market potential despite being at a premium compared to industry peers [11] - Earnings estimates for PRIM have increased to $4.83 for 2025 and $5.50 for 2026, reflecting year-over-year growth of 24.8% and 13.9%, respectively [13][14]

Core Insights - The demand for AI tools in digital learning is significantly impacting traditional subscription models like Q&A services offered by Chegg, prompting the company to integrate AI into its business model [1][4] - Chegg is transforming its Chegg Study into a Personalized Learning Assistant using AI to enhance student graduation rates and is investing in Busuu and Skills for language learning and upskilling [2][9] - Chegg aims to intensify AI incorporation in its portfolio through product innovation, particularly in Busuu's B2C segment [3] Company Strategy - Chegg is focusing on addressing market pressures by enhancing its service offerings with AI tools, trusted content, and human oversight to meet current student demands [4] - The company is pivoting towards skills development, institutional licensing, and enterprise solutions to carve out a competitive niche in the edtech market [4] Competitive Landscape - Chegg competes with companies like Udemy and Stride, each occupying different niches in the edtech space, with varying levels of AI integration [5][6] - Udemy is leveraging AI for upskilling and course material enhancement, while Stride focuses on K-12 education but has less emphasis on AI in recent offerings [6][7] - Chegg's legacy content and existing user base provide a foothold in language learning and academic support, although its competitive edge over Udemy and Stride is modest [7] Stock Performance - Chegg's stock has increased by 156% over the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Internet - Software industry and the S&P 500 index [8][9] - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 0.54, indicating a discount compared to industry peers, suggesting an attractive entry point for investors [11] Earnings Estimates - Earnings estimates for Chegg indicate a projected loss per share for 2025, with a break-even forecast for 2026; loss estimates for 2025 have contracted to 11 cents per share [13][16] - The estimated figures for 2025 show a year-over-year downtrend of 114.7%, while estimates for 2026 indicate a potential growth of 100% [16]

Group 1: Earnings Performance - AutoZone reported quarterly earnings of $48.71 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $50.52 per share, representing an earnings surprise of -3.58% [1] - The company posted revenues of $6.24 billion for the quarter ended August 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.35%, compared to year-ago revenues of $6.21 billion [2] - Over the last four quarters, AutoZone has not been able to surpass consensus EPS estimates [2] Group 2: Stock Performance and Outlook - AutoZone shares have increased approximately 28.7% since the beginning of the year, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 13.8% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the coming quarter is $36.84 on $4.55 billion in revenues, and for the current fiscal year, it is $167.37 on $20.18 billion in revenues [7] - The estimate revisions trend for AutoZone was mixed ahead of the earnings release, resulting in a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) for the stock, indicating expected performance in line with the market [6] Group 3: Industry Context - The Automotive - Retail and Wholesale - Parts industry is currently in the bottom 26% of over 250 Zacks industries, which may impact AutoZone's stock performance [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, suggesting that investors should monitor these revisions closely [5]

Tesla (TSLA) shares have gained 25.3% over the past month (as of Sept. 22, 2025). Alphabet (GOOGL) shares have jumped 21.1%, while Apple (AAPL) , Microsoft (MSFT) , Meta (META) and NVIDIA (NVDA) have added 12%, 2%, 1.6% and 2%, respectively, during the same timeframe. Amazon (AMZN) , however, has slipped 0.1% over the past one month.What’s Behind the Rally?Tesla recently grabbed headlines after CEO Elon Musk scooped up $1 billion worth of company shares. Retail investors cheered it as a vote of confidence. ...

Market Overview - The Wall Street rally resumed after a brief period of volatility, driven by investor confidence following the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts [1][6] - The S&P 500 reached an all-time closing high of 6,693.75 points, marking its 28th record close of the year [4][8] - The ongoing rally is primarily driven by technology stocks, with the S&P 500 being the biggest gainer this year [2][8] Investment Opportunities - Recommended S&P 500 stocks include Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI), and Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET), all showing strong potential for 2025 [3][9] - Microsoft Corporation holds a market share of over 73% in the desktop operating systems market and has an expected earnings growth rate of 12.8% for the current year [10][9] - Analog Devices, Inc. has an expected earnings growth rate of 21.5% for the current year, with a Zacks Rank of 1 [12] - Arista Networks, Inc. is expected to have an earnings growth rate of 23.8% for the current year, also holding a Zacks Rank of 1 [14] Economic Factors - The recent rally is supported by optimism surrounding further rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, which recently cut rates by 25 basis points [6][8] - The S&P 500 has risen 12.5% so far this year, with a 3.5% increase over the past month [8]

Core Insights - CarMax, Inc. (KMX) is set to release its second-quarter fiscal 2026 results on September 25, with consensus estimates for earnings per share (EPS) at $1.03 and revenues at $7.05 billion, indicating year-over-year growth [1][8] - The consensus estimate for KMX's quarterly revenues suggests a year-over-year growth of 0.6%, while earnings estimates imply a 21.2% increase from the previous year [1][2] Financial Performance - In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, CarMax reported an adjusted EPS of $1.38, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.18, and net sales of $7.55 billion, exceeding the estimate of $7.52 billion, reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase [2] - The service gross margin improved by $30 million year-over-year in Q1, driven by new fees and efficiency initiatives, which are expected to continue positively impacting margins in Q2 [3] Market Conditions - The average age of light vehicles in the U.S. has increased to 12.8 years, which may reduce demand in the wholesale channel and soften prices; the average selling price of KMX's wholesale vehicles declined to $7,959 from $8,094 year-over-year [4] - The decline in wholesale vehicle gross profit per unit to $1,047 from $1,064 may pressure CarMax's margin performance in the upcoming quarter [4] Earnings Expectations - CarMax has an Earnings ESP of -6.67%, indicating a lower Most Accurate Estimate compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, which suggests a lower likelihood of an earnings beat for the upcoming quarter [5][6] - The current Zacks Rank for KMX is 3 (Hold), which does not favor a strong earnings performance [6]

Core Insights - Barrick Mining Corporation and Agnico Eagle Mines Limited are leading gold producers benefiting from soaring gold prices driven by geopolitical tensions and central bank purchases [1][2][3] - Gold prices have increased approximately 43% this year, reaching over $3,700 per ton, influenced by the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts and trade uncertainties [3][4] Barrick Mining Corporation - Barrick is advancing key growth projects such as Goldrush, Pueblo Viejo expansion, and Reko Diq, which are expected to significantly boost production [5][6] - The Goldrush mine aims for 400,000 ounces of annual production by 2028, while the Reko Diq project is projected to produce 460,000 tons of copper and 520,000 ounces of gold annually [6][7] - Barrick's liquidity is strong, with cash and equivalents around $4.8 billion and operating cash flows of approximately $1.3 billion, up 15% year-over-year [8] - The company returned $1.2 billion to shareholders in 2024 and has a dividend yield of 1.8% with a payout ratio of 25% [9][10] - However, Barrick faces challenges with rising costs, with cash costs per ounce increasing by 17% and AISC rising to $1,684, reflecting higher operational costs [11][12] Agnico Eagle Mines Limited - Agnico Eagle is focused on growth projects like Odyssey, Detour Lake, and Hope Bay, which are expected to enhance production and cash flows [13][14] - The Hope Bay Project has proven reserves of 3.4 million ounces and is anticipated to generate significant cash flow [14] - AEM's operating cash flow for the second quarter was approximately $1.85 billion, a 92% increase from the previous year, with free cash flow of $1.3 billion [18][19] - The company has reduced long-term debt by $550 million, ending the quarter with a net cash position of $963 million, and offers a dividend yield of 1% with a payout ratio of 27% [20] - AEM's AISC was $1,289 per ounce, marking a 9% increase from the prior quarter, indicating rising production costs [21][22] Comparative Analysis - Year-to-date, Barrick's stock has surged 128.2%, while Agnico Eagle's stock has increased by 106.1%, both outperforming the industry average [23] - Barrick trades at a forward earnings multiple of 14.74, which is a discount compared to the industry average, while AEM trades at a premium with a multiple of 22.22 [24][25] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects Barrick's 2025 sales and EPS to rise by 19% and 62.7%, respectively, while AEM's estimates imply growth of 30.6% in sales and 67.4% in EPS [30][31] - AEM's return on equity stands at 13.8%, higher than Barrick's 8.2%, indicating more efficient use of shareholder funds [32] Investment Considerations - Both companies are well-positioned to benefit from the current gold price environment, with strong project pipelines and financial health [34] - AEM's higher dividend growth rate and lower leverage suggest it may offer better investment prospects compared to Barrick in the current market [34]

Company Overview - Itron (ITRI) shares increased by 3.7% to $125.07, following a period of 4.9% loss over the past four weeks, indicating a significant trading volume [1] - The company is experiencing steady margin expansion and cash flow despite facing modest top-line pressure [3] Partnership and Product Development - Itron announced a partnership with Current Lighting Solutions to provide a smart lighting solution aimed at enhancing safety, energy efficiency, and operations [2] - The collaboration integrates Itron's CityEdge management technologies with Current's advanced LED fixtures, improving streetlight performance for cities and utilities [2] Financial Performance and Projections - Itron is expected to report quarterly earnings of $1.48 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 19.6%, with revenues projected at $576.45 million, down 6.3% from the previous year [4] - The company's full-year revenue guidance has been reduced to $2.35-$2.4 billion, down from $2.4-$2.5 billion, due to slower project deployments and regulatory complexities [3] Market Sentiment and Stock Performance - The consensus EPS estimate for Itron has been revised slightly lower over the past 30 days, indicating a negative trend in earnings estimate revisions, which typically does not lead to price appreciation [5] - Itron currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting a favorable outlook compared to other stocks in the same industry [6]

Core Insights - Newmont Corporation (NEM) is focusing on streamlining its portfolio by divesting non-core assets to concentrate on Tier 1 assets, enhancing its liquidity and capital allocation strategy [1][2][4] Group 1: Divestitures and Financial Impact - NEM has completed the sale of 43 million common shares in Orla Mining Ltd., generating gross proceeds of $439 million, marking a complete exit from Orla [1][9] - The company has agreed to sell its Coffee Project in Yukon, Canada, for up to $150 million, with the transaction expected to close in Q4 2025 [2][9] - NEM anticipates generating $3 billion in after-tax cash proceeds from its 2025 divestiture program, which will support its capital allocation strategy [3] Group 2: Strategic Focus and Growth Projects - The asset streamlining is aimed at concentrating capital on high-return, long-life assets, which are essential for Newmont's competitive edge and long-term sustainability [4] - The divestitures will free up capital for investment in key growth projects, including Tanami Expansion 2, Ahafo North expansion, and Cadia Panel Caves, expected to enhance production capacity and extend mine life [5] Group 3: Market Performance and Valuation - NEM shares have increased by 124.9% year to date, outperforming the Zacks Mining – Gold industry's rise of 112.5%, largely due to a rally in gold prices [8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NEM's earnings in 2025 and 2026 indicates a year-over-year rise of 56.3% and 1.5%, respectively, with EPS estimates trending higher [11] - NEM is currently trading at a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 15.21, which is approximately 4.4% below the industry average of 15.91 [12]

Industry Overview - The cybersecurity industry focuses on integrated protection against evolving security threats while simplifying IT security infrastructure [1] - The rise of artificial intelligence (AI), IoT devices, and increased digitization has heightened vulnerabilities, necessitating advanced security solutions [2] Company Highlights CrowdStrike Holdings Inc. (CRWD) - CrowdStrike has seen a record addition of $221 million in net new annual recurring revenues (ARR), bringing total ARR to $4.66 billion, a 20% increase from last year [5][11] - The growth is significantly driven by the Falcon Flex subscription model, with over 1,000 customers and many signing follow-on "re-Flex" deals, boosting ARR by nearly 50% [6] - The company is expanding its focus on securing AI usage, launching new capabilities to cover AI agents and introducing the Signal AI detection engine [9][10] F5 Inc. (FFIV) - F5 is experiencing strong software growth, particularly in public cloud and security offerings, benefiting from the demand for application security in multi-cloud environments [12] - The company has made six acquisitions in the past five years to enhance its network security capabilities and market share [13] - F5 has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 3.9% and 4%, respectively, for the next year [15] Qualys Inc. (QLYS) - Qualys is capitalizing on the demand for cloud-based cybersecurity solutions, maintaining a balanced customer mix across enterprises, SMBs, and government entities [16] - The company has made strategic acquisitions, including Blue Hexagon, to enhance its threat detection and response capabilities [17] - Qualys has expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 8.1% and 4.4%, respectively, for the current year [18] Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) - Palantir reported over $1 billion in revenue for the first time, driven by its AI platform expansion beyond government contracts [19][20] - The company has increased its full-year revenue guidance to between $4.142 billion and $4.150 billion, reflecting strong growth prospects [22] - Palantir has expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 45.6% and 58.5%, respectively, for the current year [22] SailPoint Inc. (SAIL) - SailPoint offers unified identity security solutions through its Identity Security Cloud and IdentityIQ [23] - The company has an expected revenue growth rate of 22.2% and earnings growth rate of over 100% for the current year [24]