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Is Market Paying Too Much for OKLO's Distant Nuclear Future?
ZACKS· 2025-09-22 14:21
Key Takeaways Oklo remains pre-revenue, with its first unit unlikely before 2027-2028.Nuclear projects face complex licensing, construction, and safety hurdles.OKLO's market cap is 50% above NuScale's despite its earlier stage.Oklo Inc. ((OKLO) has captured headlines with its ambitious Aurora powerhouse plans, but the company remains firmly in the pre-revenue stage. Its commercialization pathway runs directly through the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, where approvals are known to take years. Even under opti ...
J&J Adds $63B in Market Cap in 3 Months: Time to Buy the Stock?
ZACKS· 2025-09-22 14:21
Core Insights - Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) has experienced a significant stock price increase of 17.7% over the past three months, adding nearly $63 billion in market capitalization, supported by strong technical indicators [1][9] - The Innovative Medicine unit is showing growth despite challenges, with a 2.4% increase in sales in the first half of 2025, and expectations for continued growth driven by key products and new drug launches [3][4] - The MedTech segment also reported a 6.1% sales increase in the second quarter, aided by acquisitions and new product launches, although facing challenges in the Chinese market due to government procurement programs [7][8] Innovative Medicine Unit - JNJ's Innovative Medicine segment is projected to grow 5% to 7% from 2025 to 2030, with oncology sales expected to exceed $50 billion by 2030 [4] - New cancer drugs such as Carvykti, Talvey, and Tecvayli contributed $1.3 billion in sales in the first half of 2025 [5] - The company has several new products in the pipeline with the potential for peak sales of $5 billion each, including Talvey and Tecvayli [4] MedTech Segment - The MedTech segment's operational sales growth of 6.1% in Q2 2025 was driven by newly acquired businesses and improvements in various product lines [7] - JNJ anticipates higher sales in the second half of 2025 as new products gain traction [7] Challenges and Headwinds - The loss of U.S. patent exclusivity for Stelara in 2025 has led to a significant decline in sales, with a 38.6% drop in the first half of 2025 due to biosimilar competition [10][11] - The Medicare Part D redesign is expected to negatively impact sales by approximately $2 billion in 2025, particularly affecting drugs like Stelara and Tremfya [12][13] - JNJ faces over 70,000 lawsuits related to its talc-based products, which could pose ongoing legal and financial challenges [14][15] Stock Performance and Valuation - JNJ's stock has outperformed the industry with a year-to-date increase of 23.1%, compared to a 0.9% increase for the industry [18] - The current price/earnings ratio of JNJ is 15.51, higher than the industry average of 14.88, indicating a relatively expensive valuation [21] - Earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 have seen slight upward revisions, reflecting positive market sentiment [23] Future Outlook - JNJ considers 2025 a "catalyst year" for growth, with expectations for operational sales growth to accelerate in the latter half of the decade [26] - The company is advancing its pipeline and has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its market position [26] - Despite facing significant headwinds, JNJ remains confident in navigating challenges and sustaining growth [27][28]
How Tesla's Robotaxi Service Looks 3 Months After Launch
ZACKS· 2025-09-22 14:16
Key Takeaways Tesla launched robotaxi rides in Austin in June and quickly expanded to California, Nevada and Arizona.While safety monitors are in place, progress toward Musk's bold autonomous vehicle vision is moving well.Tesla links Musk's $1T pay package to milestones including 10M FSD subscriptions and 1M robotaxis in use.It has been three months since Tesla (TSLA) officially rolled out its robotaxi service, and the company is making good progress in expanding its footprint. The services were first intro ...
Gear Up for CarMax (KMX) Q2 Earnings: Wall Street Estimates for Key Metrics
ZACKS· 2025-09-22 14:16
Core Viewpoint - Analysts project that CarMax (KMX) will report quarterly earnings of $1.03 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 21.2%, with revenues expected to reach $7.05 billion, a 0.6% increase from the same quarter last year [1]. Earnings Estimates - Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate has been revised upward by 0.1%, indicating a collective reassessment by analysts [2]. - Revisions to earnings estimates are significant indicators for predicting investor actions regarding the stock, with empirical research showing a strong correlation between earnings estimate trends and short-term stock price performance [3]. Key Metrics Projections - Analysts estimate 'Net sales and operating revenues- Used vehicle' at $5.78 billion, a 1.9% increase from the prior-year quarter [5]. - 'Net sales and operating revenues- Wholesale vehicle' is projected at $1.16 billion, reflecting a 0.4% increase from the year-ago quarter [5]. - 'Net sales and operating revenues- Other sales and revenues' is expected to be $186.64 million, indicating a year-over-year change of 2.6% [6]. - 'Other sales and revenues- Extended protection plan revenues' is forecasted to reach $126.26 million, suggesting a 4% year-over-year change [6]. Operational Metrics - The total number of stores is projected to be 252, up from 247 in the same quarter last year [7]. - The average selling price for used vehicles is expected to be $26.29 thousand, slightly up from $26.25 thousand in the same quarter of the previous year [7]. - The consensus estimate for 'Gross Profit per Unit - Used vehicle' stands at $2,294.14, compared to $2,269.00 in the same quarter last year [8]. - 'Unit Sales - Wholesale vehicles' are expected to reach 145,484, up from 141,458 in the same quarter last year [9]. - 'Unit Sales - Combined retail and wholesale used vehicle' is projected at 361,780, compared to 352,478 a year ago [9]. - 'Unit Sales - Used vehicles' is estimated at 216,296, compared to 211,020 in the same quarter last year [10]. Market Performance - Over the past month, CarMax shares have returned -2.7%, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite has changed by +4% [11].
Costco (COST) Q4 Earnings Preview: What You Should Know Beyond the Headline Estimates
ZACKS· 2025-09-22 14:16
Core Viewpoint - Analysts project that Costco will report quarterly earnings of $5.81 per share, reflecting a 12.8% year-over-year increase, with revenues expected to reach $86.23 billion, an 8.2% increase from the same quarter last year [1]. Earnings Projections - Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate has been revised upward by 0.4%, indicating a collective reassessment by analysts [2]. - Changes in earnings projections are crucial for predicting investor reactions, as empirical studies show a strong correlation between earnings estimate trends and short-term stock price movements [3]. Revenue Estimates - Analysts expect 'Geographic Revenue - Canada' to be $12.02 billion, an 8.5% increase from the prior year [5]. - 'Geographic Revenue - Other International' is projected at $11.74 billion, reflecting a 9.7% year-over-year change [5]. - 'Geographic Revenue - United States' is forecasted to reach $62.63 billion, indicating an 8.2% increase from the previous year [5]. Comparable Sales - 'Comparable sales - Total Company' are expected to be 5.5%, slightly up from 5.4% a year ago [6]. - 'Changes in comparable sales excluding foreign-currency and gasoline prices - Total Company' are projected at 6.5%, down from 6.9% in the previous year [6]. - 'Comparable sales - U.S.' are anticipated to reach 5.6%, compared to 5.3% in the same quarter last year [10]. Warehouse Growth - The total number of warehouses worldwide is projected to reach 913, up from 891 a year ago [7]. - The number of warehouses in the United States and Puerto Rico is expected to be 629, compared to 614 in the previous year [7]. International Sales Performance - 'Changes in comparable sales excluding foreign-currency and gasoline prices - Other International' are expected to be 6.8%, down from 9.3% in the same quarter last year [8]. - For Canada, the estimate for 'Changes in comparable sales excluding foreign-currency and gasoline prices' is 7.1%, down from 7.9% a year ago [9]. - The consensus for the U.S. stands at 6.0%, compared to 6.3% in the previous year [9]. Stock Performance - Costco shares have seen a -0.8% change over the past month, contrasting with a +4% move in the Zacks S&P 500 composite [11].
What Analyst Projections for Key Metrics Reveal About Accenture (ACN) Q4 Earnings
ZACKS· 2025-09-22 14:16
Core Insights - Analysts forecast Accenture (ACN) to report quarterly earnings of $2.98 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 6.8% [1] - Expected revenues are projected to be $17.33 billion, indicating a 5.6% increase compared to the same quarter last year [1] - The consensus EPS estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days, suggesting stability in analysts' assessments [1] Revenue Estimates - Consulting revenues are expected to reach $8.57 billion, a year-over-year increase of 3.8% [4] - Managed Services revenues are projected at $8.75 billion, reflecting a 7.5% year-over-year change [4] - Product revenues are anticipated to be $5.22 billion, indicating a 5.4% increase from the prior year [5] - Health & Public Service revenues are forecasted at $3.77 billion, showing a 4.2% year-over-year growth [5] - Financial Services revenues are expected to reach $3.06 billion, reflecting a 6.6% increase [6] - Communications, Media & Technology revenues are projected at $2.86 billion, indicating a 4.1% year-over-year change [6] - Geographic Revenue from the Americas is expected to be $8.72 billion, reflecting a 9.4% increase [6] - Asia Pacific revenues are projected at $2.43 billion, indicating a decline of 13.3% year-over-year [7] - EMEA revenues are expected to reach $6.11 billion, reflecting an 8.3% increase [7] New Bookings - Total New Bookings are projected to be $20.97 billion, up from $20.15 billion year-over-year [7] - Managed Services New Bookings are expected at $12.02 billion, compared to $11.55 billion in the same quarter last year [8] - Consulting New Bookings are forecasted at $8.95 billion, up from $8.59 billion in the same quarter last year [8] Stock Performance - Over the past month, Accenture shares have recorded a return of -7.5%, contrasting with the S&P 500 composite's +4% change [8]
908 Devices (MASS) Surges 7.0%: Is This an Indication of Further Gains?
ZACKS· 2025-09-22 14:00
908 Devices Inc. (MASS) shares ended the last trading session 7% higher at $7.3. The jump came on an impressive volume with a higher-than-average number of shares changing hands in the session. This compares to the stock's 13.3% gain over the past four weeks.908 Devices witnessed a strong price rise on investors’ optimism surrounding its robust revenue growth in Q2. Additionally, the company strengthened its financial position by completing the previously announced restructuring efforts - cutting facility s ...
Newmont Divests Orla Stake for $439M, Streamlines Portfolio
ZACKS· 2025-09-22 14:00
Core Insights - Newmont Corporation has completed the sale of 43 million common shares in Orla Mining Ltd, generating gross proceeds of $439 million at an average price of $10.14 per share [1][8] - The divestment is part of Newmont's strategy to streamline its equity portfolio and strengthen its balance sheet to support capital allocation plans [2][4] - Despite the divestment, Newmont remains confident in Orla's potential to generate shareholder value and execute its growth strategy [3] Financial Impact - Prior to the sale, Newmont held approximately 13.3% of Orla's outstanding common shares on a non-diluted basis [1] - The recent sale of the Coffee Project in Yukon to Fuerte Metals Corporation for up to $150 million is expected to enhance Newmont's liquidity [4][8] - Newmont's shares have increased by 48.4% over the past year, compared to the industry's rise of 77.6% [6] Strategic Focus - Newmont is actively divesting non-core assets to focus on its primary operations and improve capital allocation [2][4] - The relationship between Newmont and Orla has been significant, with Newmont's support contributing to Orla's development and growth [2]
Heritage Insurance (HRTG) Surges 11.7%: Is This an Indication of Further Gains?
ZACKS· 2025-09-22 13:56
Heritage Insurance (HRTG) shares rallied 11.7% in the last trading session to close at $28.4. This move can be attributable to notable volume with a higher number of shares being traded than in a typical session. This compares to the stock's 10.2% gain over the past four weeks.This super-regional U.S. property and casualty insurance holding company is well-positioned to benefit from prudent underwriting execution and rate adequacy initiatives implemented over the past three years. Heritage Insurance is shar ...
SHOO's Margins Are Under Pressure Amid Tariffs & Supply-Chain Strains
ZACKS· 2025-09-22 13:46
Core Insights - Steven Madden, Ltd. (SHOO) reported second-quarter fiscal 2025 results, indicating ongoing tariff impacts on profitability despite solid consumer demand for the brand [1][10] - Order cancellations and shipment delays, particularly in mass and off-price channels, negatively affected performance, pushing deliveries into later periods and creating pressure on earnings [1][5] Financial Performance - Gross margin remained at 41.9%, an increase of 40 basis points year over year, but tariffs reduced profitability by approximately 230 basis points after supplier discounts [2][10] - Wholesale gross margin decreased to 31% from 33.1%, while direct-to-consumer margin fell to 61.3% from 64.3%, influenced by higher landed costs and the lower-margin Kurt Geiger concessions business [2][10] - Operating income dropped to 4% of revenues compared to over 10% a year ago, leading to adjusted quarterly earnings declining 64.9% from $0.57 to $0.20 per share [2][10] Supply Chain Management - To address supply-chain pressures, the company diversified production to countries like Vietnam and Cambodia while shifting some orders back to China to ensure timely delivery and maintain quality [3][10] - Global trade uncertainty continues to inflate inventory costs and lengthen transit times, making sourcing diversification an ongoing process [3] Pricing Strategy - The company implemented average price increases of about 10% to counter rising costs, with early consumer acceptance being encouraging in categories like boots and dress shoes [4] - Price-sensitive items, such as sandals and sneakers, remain under pressure, and the full impact of pricing strategies is expected to be clearer in the fall season [4] Future Outlook - Management anticipates margin pressure to persist through the fiscal third quarter, with potential easing later in the year if trade conditions stabilize [5] - Until the tariff environment becomes clearer, EBIT margins are unlikely to return to historical double-digit levels, but the company remains confident in brand strength and consumer demand for new assortments [5] Stock Performance and Valuation - Shares of the company have gained 13.6% in the past six months, outperforming the industry's 5.5% growth [8] - From a valuation perspective, Steven Madden is trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 0.87X, significantly lower than the industry average of 1.96X [9]