ZACKS
Search documents
QDEL Expands Immunoassay Portfolio Via Lifotronic Supply Agreement
ZACKS· 2026-02-17 17:15
Key Takeaways QDEL signed a long-term supply pact with Lifotronic to expand its global immunoassay portfolio.Deal adds 25 new assays and access to 70-test menu across low- to high-throughput platforms.QuidelOrtho reported Q4 2025 revenues of $723.6M, up 2.2%, with EPS of 46 cents.QuidelOrtho (QDEL) recently entered a long-term strategic supply agreement with Lifotronic Technology to expand its global immunoassay portfolio across select international markets. The deal gives the company access to multiple ana ...
Is Hecla Mining's Higher Silver Production a Catalyst for Future Growth?
ZACKS· 2026-02-17 17:15
Key Takeaways HL produced 17.0M ounces of silver in 2025, up 5% year over year.Hecla Mining's Greens Creek and Lucky Friday mines drove higher output and grades.HL advanced Keno Hill and infrastructure to support ramp-up and future growth.Hecla Mining Company (HL) is positioning itself as a leading force among North American precious metals producers, supported by strong silver prices, stable operations and disciplined capital deployment. Per the latest production report, in 2025, the company produced 17.0 ...
Allegion's Q4 Earnings Miss Estimates, Revenues Increase Y/Y
ZACKS· 2026-02-17 17:15
Core Insights - Allegion plc's fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $1.94 per share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.01, but increased 4.3% year over year [1] - For the full year 2025, adjusted earnings were $8.14 per share, reflecting an 8.1% year-over-year increase [1] Revenue Details - Allegion's revenues for the fourth quarter were $1.03 billion, a 9.3% increase year over year, with organic revenues up 3.3% driven by price realization [2] - Acquired assets contributed 4.4% to revenue growth, while foreign currency effects added 1.6% [2] - For the full year 2025, net revenues reached $4.07 billion, up 7.8% year over year [2] - Revenues from Allegion Americas were $795.5 million, a 6.1% increase year over year, accounting for 77% of total revenues [2] - Allegion International revenues were $237.7 million, up 21.5% year over year, representing 23% of total revenues [3] Operating Income and Margins - Operating income for Allegion Americas was $206.1 million, up 6.3% year over year [3] - Segmental operating income for Allegion International increased 66.1% year over year to $29.4 million [3] - Cost of revenues rose 8.5% year over year to $573.7 million, while gross profit increased 10.3% to $459.5 million, resulting in a gross margin of 44.5%, up 40 basis points [4] - Adjusted operating income increased 10.6% year over year to $231.3 million, with an adjusted margin of 22.4%, up 30 basis points [5] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - At the end of Q4 2025, Allegion had cash and cash equivalents of $356.2 million, down from $503.8 million at the end of 2024 [6] - Long-term debt remained stable at $1.98 billion [6] - The company generated net cash of $783.8 million from operating activities, a 16.1% increase year over year [6] - Capital expenditure was $98.1 million, up 6.5% year over year, with available cash flow for the full year at $685.7 million [6] 2026 Outlook - Allegion expects 2026 revenues to grow by 5-7% and projects adjusted earnings per share in the range of $8.70-$8.90 [9] - Organic revenues are anticipated to grow by 2-4% [9] - The company estimates available cash flow to be 85-95% of adjusted net income, with an effective tax rate projected at approximately 18-19% [9] Shareholder Returns - Allegion repurchased shares for $80.0 million and paid out dividends totaling $175.3 million, reflecting a 5% year-over-year increase [8]
3 Reasons to Make ASYS Stock a Sell Even After 94% Rise in 6 Months
ZACKS· 2026-02-17 17:15
Key Takeaways Amtech Systems' stock jumped 94% in six months, but revenues fell to about $19M in Q1 FY26.ASYS faces cyclical demand swings and pricing pressure from rivals like AMAT, KLAC and LRCX.ASYS' earnings estimates for FY26 were cut 42% in 30 days, with a negative 37.2% surprise average.Amtech Systems’ (ASYS) shares have surged 94.2% over the past six months, outpacing the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector and Semiconductor – General industry’s return of 7.8% and 1.9%, respectively.The sto ...
Capital Investments Power Berkshire Hathaway's Long-Term Growth
ZACKS· 2026-02-17 17:11
Core Insights - Berkshire Hathaway's growth is closely linked to its ownership and expansion of capital-intensive, infrastructure-driven businesses, particularly BNSF Railway and Berkshire Hathaway Energy, which provide durable competitive advantages and predictable returns [1][3] Capital Expenditures - In the first nine months of 2025, Berkshire Hathaway's consolidated capital expenditures reached $14.1 billion, with $10.7 billion allocated to its railroad, utilities, and energy businesses [2][7] - BNSF's capital expenditure is noted to be the highest among railroads in a single year, indicating significant investment compared to revenues and earnings [2] Infrastructure and Cash Flow - Railroads, utilities, and energy transmission systems are characterized by significant barriers to entry, generating consistent cash flows that are less affected by market fluctuations, thus enhancing Berkshire Hathaway's earnings stability [3] - The resilience and scale of these assets are crucial for the company's long-term growth and value creation [3] Peer Comparison - Union Pacific is actively investing in upgrading its rail network and technology, which strengthens its competitive position through a multibillion-dollar annual investment plan [4] - NextEra Energy is also committing substantial funds to regulated utility assets and renewable energy projects, supporting steady growth in its rate base [5] Stock Performance and Valuation - Berkshire Hathaway's shares have declined by 1% year to date, underperforming the industry average [6] - The company trades at a price-to-book value ratio of 1.54, which is above the industry average of 1.47, indicating a relatively expensive valuation [9] - Consensus estimates for Berkshire Hathaway's 2026 EPS show no movement, with expectations of a decline despite revenue growth projections [11][12]
Should Investors Buy BOOT Stock at Its Current Valuation?
ZACKS· 2026-02-17 17:11
Core Insights - Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT) is trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 22.44, higher than the industry average of 18.41, indicating investor confidence in long-term growth despite trading below its one-year median P/E ratio of 24.48, suggesting a potential value opportunity [1] Price Performance - BOOT's shares have increased by 36.3% over the past year, significantly outperforming the Zacks industry's growth of 6.8%, the Retail-Wholesale sector's decline of 2.4%, and the S&P 500's increase of 13.9% during the same period [2] Stock Trading Metrics - Closing at $187.99, Boot Barn stock is 10.6% below its 52-week high of $210.25 reached on December 12, 2025, and is trading above its 200-day simple moving average of $174.46, indicating a favorable technical setup [3] Sales and Margin Growth - BOOT reported a 5.7% same-store sales growth and expanded merchandise margins by 110 basis points, driven by high single-digit growth in Western boots and mid-teens growth in denim [6][7] - Merchandise margin expansion was supported by buying scale benefits, supply chain efficiencies, and a 240 basis points growth in exclusive brands, with selective price increases planned for certain exclusive products [8] Omnichannel Strategy - The company's omnichannel strategy shows digital growth supported by strong in-store performance, with total same-store sales growing by 5.7%, including a 19.6% increase in e-commerce same-store sales and a 3.7% increase in retail store sales [9] Store Expansion - Boot Barn ended the fiscal third quarter with 514 stores, including 25 new openings, and aims for a long-term target of 1,200 locations nationwide, with new stores expected to generate approximately $3.2 million in annual sales in their first full year [11] Updated Guidance - The company raised its full-year sales outlook to between $2.24 billion and $2.25 billion, reflecting growth of 17% to 18% compared to fiscal 2025, and lifted merchandise margin guidance to approximately 50.8% of sales [14] - Consolidated same-store sales growth is now forecasted between 6.5% and 7%, with retail same-store sales expected to be in the range of 5.5%-6% and e-commerce same-store sales projected at 14.5%-15% [15] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BOOT's current and next financial year earnings per share has improved by 13 cents and 23 cents, respectively, in the past 30 days [17] Investment Perspective - Boot Barn's premium valuation is supported by broad-based category strength, disciplined margin expansion, and an accelerating omnichannel execution, suggesting that the current valuation reflects quality [18]
Builders FirstSource's Q4 Earnings & Sales Lag, Margins Down Y/Y
ZACKS· 2026-02-17 17:06
Key Takeaways Builders FirstSource missed Q4 earnings and sales estimates as it faced housing and pricing headwinds.Builders FirstSource's margins fell due to lower operating leverage and commodity deflation.Builders FirstSource guides cautious 2026 as it targets productivity savings and steady housing starts.Builders FirstSource, Inc. (BLDR) delivered tepid fourth-quarter 2025 results, with adjusted earnings and net sales missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate and declining on a year-over-year basis.Shares o ...
Energy Transfer Q4 Earnings Miss Estimates, Revenues Increase Y/Y
ZACKS· 2026-02-17 17:06
Core Insights - Energy Transfer (ET) reported fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of 25 cents per unit, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 34 cents by 26.5% and decreasing 13.8% from the previous year's figure of 29 cents [1] - Full-year 2025 adjusted earnings were $1.21 per share, down 5.5% from the previous year's reported figure of $1.28 [1] Revenue Performance - Total revenues for ET were $25.32 billion, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $26.02 billion by 2.7%, but rose 29.6% from the year-ago figure of $19.54 billion [2] - Full-year 2025 revenues totaled $85.54 billion, up 3.5% from the previous year's level of $82.67 billion [2] Cost and Expenses - Total costs and expenses were $23.24 billion, up 34.7% year over year, attributed to higher costs of products sold, operating expenses, and other factors [3] - Operating income totaled $2.08 billion, down 8.9% year over year [3] - Interest expenses, net of interest capitalized, amounted to $910 million, up 12.8% from the prior-year level [3] Strategic Developments - In November 2025, ET entered into a 20-year firm natural gas transportation agreement with Entergy Louisiana, involving the expansion of the Tiger Pipeline with a capacity of 250,000 million British thermal units per day [4] - In December 2025, ET expanded the transportation capacity of the Transwestern Pipeline's proposed Desert Southwest expansion, increasing capacity to 2.3 billion cubic feet per day and raising project costs to approximately $5.6 billion [5] - ET has begun construction of the Mustang Draw II natural gas processing plant in the Midland Basin, with a capacity of 275 million cubic feet of gas per day, expected to enter service in Q4 2026 [6] Financial Position - As of December 31, 2025, ET had current assets of $18.23 billion, compared to $14.20 billion as of December 31, 2024 [7] - Long-term debt, less current maturities, was $68.31 billion as of December 31, 2025, up from $59.75 billion as of December 31, 2024 [7] Capital Expenditures and Guidance - Growth capital expenditures in Q4 2025 totaled $1.4 billion, while maintenance capital expenditures amounted to $355 million [9] - ET raised its 2026 adjusted EBITDA outlook to between $17.45 billion and $17.85 billion, with planned growth capital investments of $5-$5.5 billion [10]
NIKE's Innovation Reset: Will It Drive Consumer Demand Rebound?
ZACKS· 2026-02-17 17:06
Key Takeaways NKE is pivoting to performance-led innovation in running, basketball and training.NKE is investing in cushioning tech, lightweight materials and athlete-focused design.NKE's Win Now strategy targets retail basics, digital reset and wholesale ties to spur demand.NIKE, Inc. (NKE) is pursuing a broad innovation reset to revive growth, fortify brand relevance and address intensifying competition in the global athleticwear market. The company is shifting back to performance-led innovation by accele ...
Amazon vs. Alibaba: Which E-Commerce Titan Has an Edge Right Now?
ZACKS· 2026-02-17 17:00
Core Insights - Amazon and Alibaba are the two largest players in e-commerce and cloud computing, both investing heavily in AI and cloud infrastructure, making a comparison relevant for investors [1] Group 1: Amazon (AMZN) Overview - Amazon's Q4 2025 results showed net sales of $213.4 billion, a 14% year-over-year increase, driven by strong performance in North America, International, and AWS [2] - AWS reported a 24% revenue growth, its fastest in 13 quarters, with an annualized run rate of approximately $142 billion and a backlog of $244 billion, indicating strong demand [3] - Amazon's capital expenditures for 2026 are projected at $200 billion, primarily for AWS and AI infrastructure, reflecting confidence in long-term returns [4] Group 2: Alibaba (BABA) Overview - Alibaba's Q2 fiscal 2026 revenues reached RMB 247.8 billion, a modest 5% year-over-year increase, while non-GAAP diluted earnings fell 71% due to heavy investments [5] - The Cloud Intelligence Group achieved 34% revenue growth, with AI-related products showing triple-digit gains for nine consecutive quarters, but faces challenges from U.S. chip export restrictions [6] - Alibaba's quick commerce business grew revenues by 60%, but incurred significant losses, leading to a RMB 21.8 billion free cash flow outflow [8] Group 3: Valuation and Performance Comparison - Alibaba's stock increased by 28.3% over the last six months, outperforming Amazon's 14.1% decline, but this is attributed to recovery rather than fundamental strength [10] - Alibaba's price-to-sales ratio is 2.29x, significantly lower than Amazon's 2.61x, reflecting Amazon's superior market position and predictable cash flows [14] - Amazon's premium valuation is justified by its stronger growth prospects, lower regulatory risks, and better forward guidance compared to Alibaba [17]