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Amtech's Weak SFS Demand Continues: Is Profit Growth at Risk?
ZACKS· 2026-02-16 18:01
Core Insights - Amtech Systems' profit growth outlook is uncertain due to ongoing weakness in its Semiconductor Fabrication Solutions (SFS) segment, which saw a 12.4% year-over-year revenue decline and an operating loss in Q1 FY26 [1][9] - The weakness in SFS is viewed as structural rather than temporary, leading to a recurring negative impact on consolidated margins [2] - Management has indicated that FY26 will be an investment year for the SFS business, with expectations for meaningful profitability beyond this period [3] Segment Performance - The SFS segment's underperformance is attributed to soft demand for PR Hoffman products linked to mature-node semiconductor markets and cost pressures from silicon carbide customers [1] - While AI-driven equipment demand is bolstering the Thermal Processing Solutions segment, the overall growth profile of the company is becoming uneven, with AI demand cushioning declines in legacy semiconductor exposure [2] Market Competition - Amtech faces intensified competition from Applied Materials (AMAT), which is expanding its capabilities across multiple critical chip-manufacturing steps, generating approximately $7.0 billion in revenues in Q1 FY26 [5] - KLA Corporation (KLAC) is also pressuring Amtech from the process-control side, with KLAC reporting around $3.30 billion in revenues in Q2 FY26, prioritizing yield monitoring tools that limit Amtech's expansion opportunities [6] Financial Performance - Amtech's shares have increased by 94.2% over the past six months, significantly outperforming the Zacks Semiconductor - General industry's growth of 1.8% [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Amtech's fiscal 2026 earnings is set at 25 cents per share, reflecting a 42% reduction over the past 30 days but still implying a year-over-year growth of 400% [14] Valuation Metrics - Amtech trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 1.92X, which is considerably lower than the industry's average of 12.02X, indicating a potential undervaluation [11] - The company currently holds a Zacks Rank 5 (Strong Sell), suggesting bearish sentiment among analysts [15]
Will Vertical Integration Aid Mission Produce's Long-Term Margins?
ZACKS· 2026-02-16 18:01
Core Insights - Mission Produce, Inc.'s vertically integrated model is crucial for its strategy, particularly during pricing volatility and cost pressures, aiming to enhance profitability consistency by controlling key parts of the value chain [1][3] - The company reported a gross margin of 17.5% in Q4 fiscal 2025, an increase of 180 basis points year over year, demonstrating its ability to manage profitability despite declining avocado prices [2][8] - Vertical integration provides Mission Produce with advantages such as sourcing flexibility and cost control, which can help stabilize margins and support long-term earnings power [3] Financial Performance - Mission Produce's gross margin resilience is attributed to higher volumes and better asset utilization, which helped offset sharp declines in avocado pricing [2][8] - The company's shares have increased by 16% over the last six months, outperforming the industry growth of 2.2% [7] - The forward price-to-earnings ratio for Mission Produce is 22.49X, significantly higher than the industry average of 14.87X [9] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year decline of 10.13% in fiscal 2026 earnings, followed by a growth of 4.23% in fiscal 2027 [10] - EPS estimates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 have remained stable over the past week, with current estimates of 0.71 for fiscal 2026 and 0.74 for fiscal 2027 [11]
All You Need to Know About EuroDry (EDRY) Rating Upgrade to Strong Buy
ZACKS· 2026-02-16 18:01
Core Viewpoint - EuroDry (EDRY) has received a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) upgrade due to a positive trend in earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Movement - The Zacks rating system is based on the Zacks Consensus Estimate, which reflects EPS estimates from sell-side analysts for the current and following years [1][2]. - Changes in earnings estimates are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements, influenced by institutional investors who adjust their valuations based on these estimates [4]. Company Performance and Investor Sentiment - The upgrade indicates an improvement in EuroDry's underlying business, suggesting that investors may respond positively by driving the stock price higher [5]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for EuroDry has increased by 93.2%, indicating a significant upward revision in earnings expectations [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - EuroDry's upgrade to Zacks Rank 1 places it in the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].
Modine (MOD) Is Up 0.36% in One Week: What You Should Know
ZACKS· 2026-02-16 18:01
Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, aiming to buy high and sell higher, with the expectation that established trends will continue [1] Company Overview: Modine (MOD) - Modine currently holds a Momentum Style Score of A, indicating strong momentum characteristics [2] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), suggesting it is expected to outperform the market [3] Price Performance - Modine's shares have increased by 0.36% over the past week, outperforming the Zacks Automotive - Original Equipment industry, which rose by 0.25% [5] - Over the past month, Modine's stock price has surged by 58.17%, significantly higher than the industry's 0.24% performance [5] - In the last quarter, Modine's shares rose by 51.36%, and over the past year, they have gained 133.6%, while the S&P 500 only increased by 1.74% and 13.08%, respectively [6] Trading Volume - Modine's average 20-day trading volume is 1,658,953 shares, which serves as a bullish indicator when combined with rising stock prices [7] Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, five earnings estimates for Modine have been revised upwards, with no downward revisions, leading to an increase in the consensus estimate from $4.63 to $4.81 [9] - For the next fiscal year, five estimates have also moved higher, indicating positive sentiment regarding future earnings [9] Conclusion - Given the strong momentum indicators and positive earnings outlook, Modine is positioned as a 1 (Strong Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of A, making it a compelling investment option [11]
Simmons First National (SFNC) Upgraded to Strong Buy: What Does It Mean for the Stock?
ZACKS· 2026-02-16 18:01
Simmons First National (SFNC) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). This upgrade primarily reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.The Zacks rating relies solely on a company's changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate.Indiv ...
Thermon Group (THR) Is Up 2.52% in One Week: What You Should Know
ZACKS· 2026-02-16 18:01
Core Insights - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, aiming to buy high and sell higher, with the expectation that established trends will continue [1] - Thermon Group (THR) currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating potential for outperformance [2][3] Price Performance - THR shares have increased by 2.52% over the past week, outperforming the Zacks Instruments - Control industry, which rose by 2.41% [5] - Over the last month, THR's price change is 25.89%, significantly higher than the industry's 5.19% [5] - In the past quarter, THR shares have risen by 52.52%, and over the last year, they are up 73.4%, while the S&P 500 has only moved 1.74% and 13.08% respectively [6] Trading Volume - THR's average 20-day trading volume is 405,678 shares, which serves as a bullish indicator when combined with rising stock prices [7] Earnings Estimates - In the last two months, three earnings estimates for THR have been revised upwards, increasing the consensus estimate from $2.07 to $2.13 [9] - For the next fiscal year, three estimates have also moved higher with no downward revisions [9] Conclusion - Considering the positive price performance, trading volume, and upward earnings revisions, THR is positioned as a 2 (Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of B, making it a strong candidate for near-term investment [11]
Tokio Marine (TKOMY) Moves to Strong Buy: Rationale Behind the Upgrade
ZACKS· 2026-02-16 18:01
Tokio Marine Holdings Inc. (TKOMY) could be a solid choice for investors given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). This upgrade primarily reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.The Zacks rating relies solely on a company's changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate.Indivi ...
What Makes Precision Drilling (PDS) a Strong Momentum Stock: Buy Now?
ZACKS· 2026-02-16 18:01
Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, aiming to buy high and sell higher, with the expectation that established trends will continue [1] Company Overview: Precision Drilling (PDS) - Precision Drilling currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a favorable outlook for the stock [3][4] - The stock has shown a price increase of 0.21% over the past week, while the Zacks Oil and Gas - Drilling industry has increased by 6.42% during the same period [6] - Over the last month, PDS shares have risen by 18.02%, compared to the industry's performance of 27.34% [6] - In the last three months, PDS shares have increased by 53.25%, and over the past year, they have risen by 59.92%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500, which has moved 1.74% and 13.08% respectively [7] Trading Volume - The average 20-day trading volume for PDS is 113,017 shares, which serves as a useful indicator for assessing price movements [8] Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, one earnings estimate for PDS has increased, while none have decreased, raising the consensus estimate from $5.97 to $6.12 [10] - For the next fiscal year, one estimate has also moved upwards with no downward revisions [10] Conclusion - Given the positive momentum indicators and earnings outlook, Precision Drilling is positioned as a strong buy candidate for investors seeking short-term opportunities [12]
Grupo Financiero Banorte (GBOOY) Upgraded to Strong Buy: Here's Why
ZACKS· 2026-02-16 18:01
Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV (GBOOY) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). An upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices -- has triggered this rating change.The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is ...
Nexa Resources (NEXA) Upgraded to Strong Buy: Here's Why
ZACKS· 2026-02-16 18:01
Nexa Resources S.A. (NEXA) could be a solid choice for investors given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). This rating change essentially reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.A company's changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.Indi ...