It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores. What are ...

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies and confidence, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores provide a rating system for stocks based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics, aiding investors in selecting securities likely to outperform the market in the short term [2][3] Value Score - The Value Style Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales, helping value investors find attractive investment opportunities [3] Growth Score - The Growth Style Score evaluates stocks based on projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow, targeting companies with sustainable growth potential [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Style Score assesses stocks based on price trends and earnings estimate changes, guiding momentum investors on optimal times to invest in high-performing stocks [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines the Value, Growth, and Momentum Scores, providing a comprehensive rating that highlights stocks with the best overall investment characteristics [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that utilizes earnings estimate revisions to help investors build successful portfolios, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks achieving an average annual return of +23.86% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [7][9] Stock Example: Royal Caribbean (RCL) - Royal Caribbean Cruises, a cruise company with a 3 (Hold) Zacks Rank and a VGM Score of A, operates three global brands and has a joint venture with TUI AG [11] - RCL's shares have increased by 15.8% over the past four weeks, and its earnings estimate for fiscal 2026 has risen by $0.20 to $18.09 per share, with an average earnings surprise of +3.7% [12]

Company Overview - Watts Water Technologies, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells water safety and flow control products aimed at promoting safety, energy efficiency, and water conservation for both commercial and residential buildings [11] - The company operates under three geographic segments: The Americas (73.6% of total revenues in Q4 2024), Europe (20.1%), and APMEA (Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) (6.3%) [11] Investment Rating - Watts Water is rated 2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, indicating a favorable investment outlook [12] - The company has a VGM Score of B, suggesting a balanced combination of value, growth, and momentum [12] Momentum and Earnings Estimates - The Momentum Style Score for Watts Water is A, with shares having increased by 10.5% over the past four weeks [12] - Five analysts have revised their earnings estimates upwards for fiscal 2026, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.30 to $11.54 per share [12] - The company has an average earnings surprise of +11.8%, indicating strong performance relative to expectations [12] Conclusion - With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, Watts Water is positioned as a strong candidate for investors' portfolios [13]

Core Insights - Medtronic plc (MDT) reported third-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.36, a decrease of 2.2% year-over-year, but exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.07% [1] - The company achieved worldwide revenues of $9.02 billion, reflecting an 8.7% increase year-over-year and surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.35% [2] Revenue Breakdown - MDT's revenues are categorized into four segments: Cardiovascular, Medical Surgical, Neuroscience, and Diabetes - Cardiovascular revenues grew 10.6% organically to $3.46 billion, with Cardiac Rhythm & Heart Failure sales reaching $1.86 billion, up 17% year-over-year [3][4] - Medical Surgical sales totaled $2.17 billion, up 2.7% year-over-year, with Acute Care & Monitoring revenues increasing by 7% to $519 million [5] - Neuroscience revenues were $2.56 billion, up 2.5% year-over-year, while Diabetes revenues rose 8.3% organically to $796 million [6] Margin Performance - The gross margin contracted by 265 basis points to 63.8%, attributed to a 17.3% increase in the cost of products sold [7] - Research and development expenses rose 7% year-over-year to $722 million, and selling, general, and administrative expenses increased by 8.8% to $2.96 billion [7] - The adjusted operating margin fell by 253 basis points year-over-year to 23% [7] Fiscal Outlook - For fiscal 2026, Medtronic projects organic revenue growth of 5.5%, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for worldwide revenues at $36.04 billion [8] - The full-year adjusted EPS is expected to be in the range of $5.62-$5.66, consistent with the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.64 [10] Strategic Developments - During the quarter, Medtronic received CE Mark for Sphere-360 and FDA clearance for Hugo robotic-assisted surgery [12] - The company executed its M&A strategy with two key transactions involving CathWorks and Anteris [12] Stock Performance - Following the earnings announcement, MDT shares rose by 2.9% in premarket trading [2] - The overall performance indicates strength in the portfolio, with organic revenue growth exceeding company guidance [11]

Key Takeaways PRU is seeing strong demand for retirement products as U.S. aging trends boost long-term growth. Prudential Financial is expanding in Japan, Brazil and Malaysia to drive international earnings growth. PRU faces capital strain from annuities and lower sales tied to product repricing and reserve accretion. Shares of Prudential Financial Inc. (PRU) have lost 6.4% in the past year, underperforming the industry’s growth of 0.9%.The insurer has a market capitalization of $36.40 billion. The average ...

Company Overview - Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has solidified its position in the semiconductor market, driven by a robust product portfolio [11] - In 2025, AMD generated revenues of $34.64 billion, with its operations divided into three segments: Data Center (48%), Client and Gaming (42%), and Embedded (10%) [11] Investment Ratings - AMD currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and has a VGM Score of B, indicating a moderate investment outlook [11] Growth Potential - AMD is considered a strong candidate for growth investors, with a Growth Style Score of A, forecasting a year-over-year earnings growth of 58.3% for the current fiscal year [12] - In the last 60 days, 14 analysts have revised their earnings estimates upwards for fiscal 2026, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.33 to $6.60 per share [12] - The company has an average earnings surprise of +6%, further enhancing its attractiveness to investors [12]

Company Overview - General Motors (GM) is one of the world's largest automakers, holding a 16.5% share of the U.S. auto market in 2024 [11] - Founded in 1908, GM experienced a significant downturn, filing for bankruptcy on June 1, 2009, but emerged from bankruptcy within 40 days [11] - The company launched its IPO in 2010, which was the largest in U.S. history at that time, and has been steadily profitable since then [11] Investment Ratings - GM currently holds a 3 (Hold) rating on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A [12] - The company is considered a potential top pick for growth investors, with a Growth Style Score of B, indicating a forecasted year-over-year earnings growth of 15.6% for the current fiscal year [12] - Eight analysts have revised their earnings estimates upwards in the last 60 days, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.65 to $12.25 per share [12] Performance Metrics - GM has an average earnings surprise of +10.7%, indicating a strong performance relative to expectations [12] - With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, GM is recommended for investors' consideration [13]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence through daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores provide a rating system for stocks based on value, growth, and momentum, aiding investors in selecting securities likely to outperform the market in the short term [2] - Stocks are rated from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [3] Value Score - The Value Score identifies attractive stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales, focusing on undervalued stocks [3] Growth Score - The Growth Score emphasizes a company's financial health and future outlook, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow to find sustainable growth opportunities [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Score helps investors capitalize on price trends, utilizing metrics like weekly price changes and monthly earnings estimate shifts to identify optimal entry points [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines the three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive rating that highlights stocks with strong value, growth potential, and positive momentum [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to simplify portfolio building, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks achieving an average annual return of +23.86% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [7] - There are over 800 stocks rated 1 or 2, making it essential for investors to utilize Style Scores to narrow down choices [8] Stock Example: HubSpot (HUBS) - HubSpot Inc. is a cloud-based SaaS provider focused on inbound marketing and sales applications, currently rated 3 (Hold) with a VGM Score of A [11] - The company is appealing to growth investors, with a Growth Style Score of A and a projected year-over-year earnings growth of 19% for the current fiscal year [12] - Recent upward revisions in earnings estimates and a Zacks Consensus Estimate increase to $11.54 per share further enhance HubSpot's investment appeal [12]

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Sc ...

Key Takeaways EL lifted Q2 gross margin to 76.5%, up 40 bps despite tariffs and mix shifts. Estee Lauder credited PRGP savings, lower excess costs and sales leverage for gains. EL expects about $100M in FY26 tariff impacts and guides 9.8%-10.2% operating margin. The Estee Lauder Companies (EL) reported a gross margin of 76.5% in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, up from 76.1% in the prior-year period, reflecting a 40-basis-point increase. The expansion was achieved despite ongoing external pressures, inclu ...