Workflow
ZACKS
icon
Search documents
Uber Technologies (UBER) Rises Higher Than Market: Key Facts
ZACKS· 2025-07-03 22:46
In the latest trading session, Uber Technologies (UBER) closed at $93.63, marking a +1.72% move from the previous day. This move outpaced the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.83%. At the same time, the Dow added 0.77%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 1.02%. Coming into today, shares of the ride-hailing company had gained 10.31% in the past month. In that same time, the Computer and Technology sector gained 8.25%, while the S&P 500 gained 4.99%. Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Uber Techno ...
Payroll Stocks to Watch as June's Jobs Report Comes in Strong
ZACKS· 2025-07-03 22:26
Group 1: Labor Market Overview - The U.S. job market exceeded expectations for the 11th consecutive month, with 147,000 jobs added in June compared to the forecast of 110,000 [1] - The unemployment rate decreased from 4.2% to 4.1%, better than the expected 4.3% [1] - Average hourly earnings increased by 0.2% month-over-month and 3.7% year-over-year [1] Group 2: Payroll Stocks Performance - Paylocity Holding Corporation (PCTY) and Dayforce (DAY) saw stock increases of over +2% and +1% respectively, both classified as Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [2] - Paychex (PAYX) is noted for its integrated Human Capital Management (HCM) solutions and has a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), with expectations for steady growth in top and bottom lines [3] - Maximus (MMS) is identified as a strong buy with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), despite a 21% decline from its 52-week high, attributed to a spike in FY25 EPS estimates by 7% [5] Group 3: Market Reactions and Economic Implications - The dip in Maximus stock followed the announcement of 7,000 federal government job cuts, but this may be an overreaction given the addition of 47,000 state government jobs and 19,000 social assistance jobs [6] - The resilient labor market and better-than-expected jobs report contribute positively to the stock market's recovery, making payroll stocks particularly attractive [8]
Is the Options Market Predicting a Spike in Advanced Energy Industries Stock?
ZACKS· 2025-07-03 21:50
Group 1 - Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (AEIS) is experiencing significant activity in the options market, particularly with the July 18, 2025 $75 Put option showing high implied volatility, indicating potential for a major price movement [1] - Implied volatility reflects market expectations for future stock movement, suggesting that investors anticipate a significant event that could lead to either a rally or a sell-off [2] - Advanced Energy Industries holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Strong Buy) in the Semiconductor Equipment - Wafer Fabrication industry, which is in the top 4% of the Zacks Industry Rank, with recent earnings estimates for the current quarter increasing from $1.23 to $1.28 per share [3] Group 2 - The high implied volatility for Advanced Energy Industries may indicate a developing trading opportunity, as options traders often seek to sell premium on options with such volatility to capture decay [4]
Better AI Stock for 2H25: NVIDIA or Palantir?
ZACKS· 2025-07-03 20:01
Key Takeaways PLTR stock is up 74.7% YTD, beating NVDA's 17.1% gain amid surging interest in AI software platforms. Palantir's AIP and rising commercial and government deals drove strong revenues and net income growth. NVDA benefits from robust Blackwell chip demand, but trades at a far lower forward P/E than PLTR.Shares of Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) , which sells a well-liked artificial intelligence (AI)-powered software platform, have surged 74.7% so far this year, outperforming the leading AI ch ...
Ensign Group Boosts U.S. Presence With Idaho and Texas Facility Buyouts
ZACKS· 2025-07-03 18:56
Core Insights - The Ensign Group, Inc. has acquired the real estate and operations of a skilled nursing facility in Boise, ID, and another facility in Duncanville, TX, enhancing its healthcare portfolio [1][2][10] Group 1: Acquisitions - The Boise facility has 120 beds and will be operated by a tenant entity affiliated with Ensign [1] - The Duncanville facility has 124 beds and will be operated under a long-term triple net lease arrangement [2] - Both acquisitions became effective at the beginning of July 2025 [2] Group 2: Portfolio Expansion - Following these acquisitions, Ensign Group's portfolio now includes 348 healthcare operations across 17 states, with 44 locations offering senior living services [4] - The company owns 146 real estate assets through its subsidiaries, including Standard Bearer [4] Group 3: Strategic Motives - The company aims to expand into various U.S. communities, addressing gaps in care availability and supporting underserved populations [5] - Management is focused on opportunistic real estate buyouts and leasing struggling healthcare businesses [6] Group 4: Revenue Growth Potential - The increase in skilled nursing facilities allows Ensign to serve a broader patient population, potentially driving revenue growth in its Skilled Services segment, which accounted for 97.5% of total revenues in Q1 2025 [7] - The Texas acquisition is expected to enhance rental income through triple-net lease agreements, shifting property-related expenses to tenants [8] Group 5: Market Performance - Ensign Group's shares have increased by 17.8% over the past year, outperforming the industry growth of 12.5% [9]
Celestica Jumps 67.9% Year to Date: Is the Stock Still a Buy?
ZACKS· 2025-07-03 18:46
Key Takeaways CLS has surged 67.9% YTD, outperforming industry peers and the broader Computer and Technology sector. Strong liquidity, product innovation, and a diverse customer base support Celestica's market expansion. Stiff competition and macro uncertainty pose risks that may pressure margins and growth potential.Celestica, Inc. (CLS) has surged 67.9% in the year-to-date period compared with the  Electronics - Manufacturing Services industry’s growth of 44.7%. The stock has outperformed the Zacks Comp ...
PLTR Stock Rises 75% Year to Date: Still a Buy, or Time to Wait?
ZACKS· 2025-07-03 18:31
Core Insights - Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) has experienced a significant stock price increase of 75% year to date, outperforming the broader industry average gain of 15% and the S&P 500's 5% advance [1] - The company's growth is primarily driven by its Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP), which has become its main growth engine, with U.S. commercial revenues increasing by 71% year over year in Q1 2025 [1][6] - The total contract value in the U.S. commercial business surged by 239% year over year, with the number of deals exceeding $1 million more than doubling compared to the previous year [1] Financial Performance - Palantir's U.S. commercial revenues reached a $1 billion annual run rate for the first time, with a sequential revenue increase of 19% [1][6] - The company closed 139 deals worth over $1 million in Q1, including 51 deals over $5 million and 31 exceeding $10 million, indicating strong enterprise demand [10] - First-quarter sales grew by 39.3% year over year, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2025 EPS is projected to be 14 cents, reflecting a 55.6% increase from the prior year [11][13] Competitive Landscape - Palantir's AIP bootcamps have accelerated the adoption of AI solutions among enterprise clients, showcasing the platform's intuitive interface and scalability [2] - Unlike competitors such as Microsoft, Google, and Salesforce, which focus on customer-facing tools, Palantir specializes in operational AI for mission-critical sectors like defense and healthcare, providing a competitive edge [8] Valuation and Market Position - Palantir's current valuation presents a challenge, with a forward P/E ratio of 202, significantly higher than the industry average of 40, indicating high expectations for future AI monetization [15] - The company's strong financial foundation includes $5.4 billion in cash and zero debt, allowing for aggressive reinvestment in growth [9] Future Outlook - Earnings growth is forecasted at 41.5% for 2025, followed by 24% in 2026, with revenue growth estimates of 38% for Q2 2025 and 37% for the full year [11][12] - Long-term investors are advised to hold their positions, while new investors may consider waiting for a more favorable entry point due to the current high valuation [16][17]
What Makes Atlas the Core Driver of MongoDB's Revenue Growth?
ZACKS· 2025-07-03 18:21
Core Insights - MongoDB's Atlas has become a central pillar of the company's platform strategy, with strong adoption across various industries, including notable customers like CSX and LG Uplus [1] - The company reported total revenues of $549 million in the fiscal first quarter, marking a 22% year-over-year increase, with Atlas revenues growing 26% and accounting for 72% of total revenues [2] - MongoDB anticipates continued growth from Atlas, reflected in its raised revenue guidance for fiscal 2026, projected at $2.25–$2.29 billion [3] Revenue and Customer Growth - In the fiscal first quarter, Atlas customer count reached over 55,800, up from 47,700 a year ago, indicating strong customer acquisition [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MongoDB's subscription revenues for the fiscal second quarter is $537.5 million, with an estimated customer count of approximately 55,863 for Atlas [3] Strategic Initiatives - To support future growth, MongoDB is focusing on application modernization and AI, including the acquisition of Voyage AI and plans to enhance user capabilities [4] - The company is investing in developer training, certifications, and self-serve tools to drive greater adoption of Atlas [4] Competitive Landscape - MongoDB faces increasing competition from Amazon's DynamoDB and Couchbase, both enhancing their offerings in the cloud database market [5][6] - Amazon's DynamoDB has introduced multi-region strong consistency, improving its reliability for applications [5] - Couchbase has launched a new version of its cloud database designed for AI agent workflows, supporting real-time systems [6] Stock Performance and Valuation - MongoDB shares have declined by 8.7% year-to-date, underperforming the Zacks Internet – Software industry growth of 14.3% [7] - The stock is currently trading at a forward Price/Sales ratio of 6.89X, compared to the industry's 5.74X, indicating a higher valuation [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings is 64 cents per share, reflecting an 8.57% year-over-year decline [15]
ROKU vs. DIS: Which Ad-Supported Streaming Stock is the Better Pick?
ZACKS· 2025-07-03 18:06
Group 1: Company Strategies - Roku is adopting a platform-first strategy focused on connected TV ads and user-friendly interface, while Disney leverages its content library and streaming bundles to create a comprehensive ad-supported streaming experience [1][2] - Roku's platform revenues increased by 17% year over year to $881 million, with a gross margin of 52.7%, and streaming hours on The Roku Channel rose by 84% year over year [4][10] - Disney is enhancing its ad-supported streaming market position by integrating Hulu and sports content into Disney+, which has led to increased engagement and reduced churn [7][8] Group 2: Performance Metrics - Roku's The Roku Channel became the 2 app by engagement in the U.S. in Q1 2025, with over a third of U.S. streaming households engaging monthly [3][4] - Disney's streaming business saw a 20% year-over-year increase in adjusted earnings in Q2 2025, with ESPN's primetime viewership among the 18-49 demographic up 32% year over year [8][11] - Roku's Home Screen reaches over 125 million people daily, while Disney is preparing a fully bundled experience combining live sports and entertainment [5][8] Group 3: Market Trends and Challenges - Advertiser demand is shifting towards non-guaranteed programmatic campaigns, putting pressure on Roku's platform margins [6][10] - Disney is investing in ad-tech and personalization to improve user engagement and advertising ROI, with major platform improvements expected soon [9][10] - Roku faces near-term challenges due to reliance on programmatic ads, while Disney benefits from a unified platform and rising engagement [20][21] Group 4: Valuation and Stock Performance - Disney shares are trading at a forward Price/Sales ratio of 2.23X, while Roku's is at 2.62X, indicating that DIS shares are undervalued compared to ROKU [12] - Year-to-date, Roku shares have gained 19.5%, while Disney shares have appreciated 11% [14] - Earnings estimates show Roku's second-quarter 2025 loss is expected at 17 cents per share, while Disney's earnings are pegged at $1.47 per share, indicating a better outlook for DIS [17][20]
Macerich Stock Gains 15.8% in Three Months: Will the Trend Last?
ZACKS· 2025-07-03 18:06
Group 1 - The Macerich Company (MAC) shares have increased by 15.8% over the past three months, outperforming the industry's growth of 7.4% [1][8] - The company focuses on premium shopping centers located in affluent U.S. markets, which provides a solid opportunity for generating cash flows [2][8] - Macerich is enhancing asset quality and customer relationships through the adoption of an omnichannel retail model, which is crucial for fulfilling orders from mall-based stores [3] Group 2 - The company is implementing an aggressive capital-recycling program that involves divesting non-core assets and using the proceeds to invest in higher-growth properties, which will also reduce leverage [4][8] - The strategic plan includes business simplification through selective consolidation of joint ventures over time [4] - The positive trend in MAC's stock price is expected to continue in the near term due to these factors [5] Group 3 - The growing trend of online shopping may negatively impact Macerich's market share for brick-and-mortar stores [9] - Tenant bankruptcies, such as those filed by Forever 21 and Express, could affect the company's performance in upcoming quarters [9] - An elevated interest rate environment may lead to higher borrowing costs, impacting the company's ability to purchase or develop real estate [9]