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RBLX Q4 Bookings Up 63%: Is the Platform Entering a New Growth Phase?
ZACKS· 2026-02-23 14:56
Core Insights - Roblox Corporation (RBLX) reported a remarkable fourth quarter with bookings increasing by 63% year over year to $2.2 billion, indicating a potential new phase of sustainable growth for the platform [1][4] Group 1: Performance Metrics - Daily active users rose by 69% year over year, while total engagement hours surged by 88%, reflecting significantly increased user activity on the platform [2][11] - Bookings from the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region nearly doubled, with notable growth in countries like Japan, India, and Indonesia, showcasing broad geographic diversification [2][11] Group 2: User Demographics and Engagement - The 18-plus user segment grew over 50% year over year and monetizes approximately 40% better than younger users, indicating a shift towards older demographics [3][11] - Advancements in discovery, AI-driven personalization, and expanded genre offerings are expected to enhance user engagement and monetization over time [3] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Meta Platforms (META) is a significant competitor, focusing on metaverse-related products and leveraging its vast user base across Facebook, Instagram, and Oculus to enhance engagement [6] - Electronic Arts (EA) competes for user engagement through its popular franchises like EA Sports and The Sims, targeting similar demographics as Roblox [7][8] Group 4: Financial Metrics and Valuation - Roblox's stock has decreased by 50.4% over the past six months, compared to a 26.1% decline in the industry [9] - The stock is currently trading at a forward price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 4.72X, significantly above the industry average of 2.16X [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Roblox's 2026 loss per share has improved to $1.61 from $1.76 over the past month [15]
Can Rigetti's Q4 Earnings Validate Its Roadmap and Commercial Push?
ZACKS· 2026-02-23 14:56
Core Insights - Rigetti Computing (RGTI) is set to release its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results on March 4, 2026, which is anticipated to be a crucial update for investors assessing the company's recent commercial achievements and technical progress [1][9] Financial Performance - In the third quarter, RGTI's revenue fell by 18% year-over-year to $1.9 million, with a significant reduction in gross margin to 21% due to contract mix and pricing variability [1][2] - The company has secured $5.7 million in Novera system purchase orders and a $5.8 million AFRL contract, which are expected to positively impact fourth-quarter revenue [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Rigetti's 2026 earnings suggests a substantial 74.3% improvement compared to the previous year [12] Strategic Developments - Rigetti has revised the timeline for the general availability of its 108-qubit quantum computing system, Cepheus-1-108Q, now aiming for availability by the end of Q1 2026 [3] - Investors should monitor updates regarding DARPA Phase B engagement and developments related to NVIDIA's NVQLink hybrid computing ecosystem [4] Market Position and Valuation - Rigetti's shares have increased by 7.4% over the last six months, contrasting with an 18.2% decline in the industry [8] - The company currently has a price-to-book ratio of 14.13, which is above the industry average, and carries a Value Score of F [11]
Fast-paced Momentum Stock Constellium (CSTM) Is Still Trading at a Bargain
ZACKS· 2026-02-23 14:55
Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on "buying high and selling higher," contrasting with traditional strategies of "buying low and selling high" [1] Group 1: Momentum Investing Strategy - Momentum investing can be risky as stocks may lose momentum if future growth does not justify high valuations [1] - A safer approach is to invest in bargain stocks that exhibit recent price momentum, identified through the Zacks Momentum Style Score [2] Group 2: Constellium (CSTM) Stock Analysis - Constellium (CSTM) has shown a price increase of 10.9% over the past four weeks, indicating growing investor interest [3] - CSTM has gained 51.3% over the past 12 weeks, demonstrating its ability to deliver positive returns over a longer timeframe [4] - The stock has a beta of 1.51, suggesting it moves 51% higher than the market in either direction, indicating fast-paced momentum [4] - CSTM has a Momentum Score of A, suggesting it is an opportune time to invest in the stock [5] - The stock has a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) due to upward revisions in earnings estimates, which attract more investors [6] - CSTM is trading at a Price-to-Sales ratio of 0.41, indicating it is reasonably valued at 41 cents for each dollar of sales [6] Group 3: Additional Investment Opportunities - Besides CSTM, there are other stocks that meet the criteria of the 'Fast-Paced Momentum at a Bargain' screen, presenting further investment opportunities [7] - Investors can explore over 45 Zacks Premium Screens tailored to different investing styles to identify potential winning stocks [8]
Buy Palantir on Recent Softness Amid Massive Short-Term Price Upside
ZACKS· 2026-02-23 14:51
Core Viewpoint - Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) is experiencing a price downturn despite strong earnings and operational performance, currently trading at a 34.8% discount from its all-time high, presenting a potential investment opportunity due to significant short-term price upside potential [1]. Financial Performance - Government revenues increased by 60.4% year over year to $730 million, while commercial revenues surged by 81.8% annually to $677 million, with a total customer count of 954 as of December 31 [4]. - The company is projected to achieve first-quarter revenues of $1.53 billion, indicating an 8.5% sequential growth, and expects full-year revenues of approximately $7.19 billion, reflecting a 61% year-over-year growth [12]. Business Model and Strategy - Palantir's core customer base includes large government and corporate clients seeking tailored AI/ML services, contributing to a 21.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2020 to 2024 [5]. - The launch of the Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) in 2023 has accelerated growth in the commercial sector, allowing clients to analyze data effectively and adapt to business goals [6][8]. - AIP provides access to various large language models (LLMs), enabling organizations to transform data into actionable insights, reducing dependency on government contracts [7]. AI Integration and Market Position - Palantir's AI strategy integrates its Foundry and Gotham platforms, promoting AI adoption across government and commercial sectors, particularly in data-intensive industries like defense, healthcare, and finance [9][10]. - The company is involved in significant defense initiatives, such as the Department of Defense's Open DAGIR project, enhancing military operations through AI solutions [10]. Customer Acquisition and Growth - AIP boot camps have successfully engaged over 1,000 companies, showcasing the platform's capabilities and facilitating customer acquisition across various sectors [11]. - The modular sales approach allows clients to purchase specific product components, lowering entry barriers and expanding the U.S. commercial customer base [14][15]. Future Outlook - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 indicates revenues of $7.22 billion and earnings per share of $1.34, representing year-over-year increases of 61.3% and 78.7%, respectively [16]. - For 2027, revenues are expected to reach $10.11 billion, with earnings per share projected at $1.89, indicating a 40% year-over-year growth [17]. - Long-term growth potential is strong, with earnings per share growth estimated at 49.5% compared to 16.3% for the S&P 500 [18]. Price Target and Investment Thesis - The short-term average price target for PLTR suggests a potential increase of 48.2% from the last closing price of $135.24, with a maximum upside of 92.3% and a downside of 33.3% [19]. - Palantir holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating confidence in its ability to capitalize on the AI boom through robust execution and a leading product portfolio [20].
Innodata Before Q4 Earnings: Should You Buy, Sell or Hold the Stock?
ZACKS· 2026-02-23 14:51
Core Insights - Innodata Inc. (INOD) is set to release its fourth-quarter 2025 results on February 26, 2026, after market close [1] Financial Performance - Innodata reported a record third-quarter 2025, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 24 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 71.4%. This is a decrease from the adjusted EPS of 51 cents in the same quarter last year [2] - Revenues for the third quarter reached $62.6 million, surpassing the consensus estimate by 4.6% and reflecting a year-over-year growth of 19.8% [2] - Adjusted EBITDA increased to $16.2 million from $13.9 million a year ago, indicating operational leverage [2] - The company maintains guidance for 45% or more year-over-year organic revenue growth in 2025 [2] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter EPS remains unchanged at 21 cents, indicating a 32.3% decline from the year-ago EPS of 31 cents. Revenue estimates for the quarter are pegged at $69.5 million, suggesting a 17.4% year-over-year growth [5] - For 2026, revenues are expected to increase by 25.9%, with EPS projected to grow by 27.8% [6] Market Dynamics - Fourth-quarter revenues are likely supported by ongoing expansion with large technology customers and strong demand for generative AI data engineering services. The company has highlighted significant deal momentum [8] - Anticipated contracts related to high-quality pre-training data could represent approximately $68 million in potential revenue across multiple customers, with some scaling expected through 2026 [9] - The launch of Innodata Federal and engagement with a new high-profile customer may contribute to early mobilization revenues in the fourth quarter [10] Profitability Factors - Scale benefits from expanding engagements with big tech and higher-value services are expected to support gross margin dynamics [12] - Investments in new capabilities, including federal expansion and advanced model safety offerings, may pressure selling and administrative costs in the near term [13] Stock Performance - INOD stock has gained 18.5% over the past six months, outperforming some industry peers but underperforming the Zacks Engineering - R and D Services industry [16] - Compared to competitors like Cognizant Technology Solutions and Infosys, INOD has shown stronger price resilience [17] - The stock is currently trading at a premium forward P/E compared to its industry [20] Investment Outlook - Despite solid operating momentum and strong organic growth expectations, the fourth-quarter EPS is projected to decline year over year, and the Earnings ESP stands at 0.00%, indicating no clear signal for another earnings beat [22]
Is LNG Demand Resetting the Floor for Natural Gas Prices?
ZACKS· 2026-02-23 14:51
Industry Overview - Natural gas prices are stabilizing around $3.00 per MMBtu, with a recent close at approximately $3.05, influenced by a 144 Bcf storage withdrawal that was slightly below expectations [1] - Inventories are significantly below the five-year average and last year's levels, providing stronger support for prices within the $3.00-$3.15 range [1] LNG Export Impact - LNG export facilities are operating near full capacity, which is reshaping U.S. gas pricing dynamics and reducing reliance on weather fluctuations [3] - The Golden Pass LNG project, backed by QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil, is expected to produce around 18 million tons of LNG annually, nearing first production despite construction delays [4] - A new pipeline will transport up to 1 Bcf per day from the Permian Basin to the terminal, expected to begin initial volumes in early March, further supporting price stability [5] Market Dynamics - The gas market is transitioning from being weather-driven to infrastructure-driven, with overall U.S. consumption dropping by over 15 Bcf per day as temperatures warmed [6] - Rising LNG capacity and steady exports to Mexico suggest that prices may trade within a tighter and more stable range, with storage levels below average but manageable [7] Investment Opportunities - Companies like Expand Energy (EXE), Cheniere Energy (LNG), and Excelerate Energy (EE) are positioned to benefit from the evolving export-centered pricing regime [2][10] - Expand Energy has become the largest natural gas producer in the U.S. and is well-positioned to capitalize on rising demand from LNG exports and electrification trends [9] - Cheniere Energy has a competitive edge with its regulatory approval for LNG exports and strong operational performance, indicating substantial growth potential [11][12] - Excelerate Energy, focusing on LNG infrastructure and services, accounts for about 20% of the global FSRU fleet and is expanding into LNG-to-power and gas distribution [13]
What Strengthens First Solar's Leadership in PV Recycling Business?
ZACKS· 2026-02-23 14:51
Core Insights - First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) operates a photovoltaic (PV) module recycling program as part of its sustainability-focused business model, providing global end-of-life recycling services for its thin-film cadmium telluride modules [1][3] Recycling Program - The company has established recycling facilities at its manufacturing sites in the United States, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Germany, having recycled approximately 400,000 metric tons of PV modules since launching the industry's first global recycling program in 2005 [2][8] - First Solar's recycling process is designed to recover semiconductor materials, glass, and metals at high recovery rates, aiming to reduce raw material dependence and manage environmental risks [3][8] Market Position and Strategy - As global solar installations expand, end-of-life management is increasingly important, positioning recycling as a long-term support function within the solar value chain, which helps strengthen customer ties and meet regulatory requirements [4] - The company's recycling investments and sustainability policies enhance PV lifecycle management and align with circular economy initiatives in key solar markets [5] Industry Comparisons - Other solar companies, such as Canadian Solar Inc. and JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd., are also advancing sustainability initiatives, including module recycling programs, to align with evolving regulatory standards [6] Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FSLR's earnings per share indicates a year-over-year increase of 58.82% for 2026, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 33.5% [7] - FSLR is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 10.05X, which is below the industry average of 18.51X, indicating a potential investment opportunity [10] Stock Performance - Over the past year, FSLR shares have risen by 58.2%, outperforming the industry's growth of 49.3% [12]
ETFs in Focus as Walmart Loses Its Largest Retailer Title to Amazon
ZACKS· 2026-02-23 14:51
Core Insights - Amazon has surpassed Walmart to become the world's largest retailer by annual revenues, achieving $716.9 billion in 2025 compared to Walmart's $713.2 billion [1][10] - The shift highlights the importance of Amazon's technology ecosystem, particularly Amazon Web Services (AWS), which generated nearly $129 billion in sales last year [4][10] - Amazon's advertising business has also become a significant growth driver, contributing over $60 billion annually [5][10] Investment Opportunities - Investors may find potential in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that include Amazon alongside other leading companies in retail and technology sectors [2][8] - Focusing on ETFs allows investors to mitigate company-specific risks associated with Amazon while still benefiting from its growth and market position [7][8] ETFs to Consider - Global X PureCap MSCI Consumer Discretionary ETF (GXPD) has a net asset value of $22.72 million, with Amazon holding a 33.74% weight [11] - Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) has $6.3 billion in assets, with Amazon at 23.02% weight [12] - State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) manages $22.51 billion, with Amazon at 20.91% weight [13] - ProShares Online Retail ETF (ONLN) has an average market cap of $177.12 billion, with Amazon at 23.35% weight [15] - VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) has net assets of $264.8 million, with Amazon at 17.08% weight [16]
Solventum to Post Q4 Earnings: What's in Store for the Stock?
ZACKS· 2026-02-23 14:45
Core Insights - Solventum (SOLV) is set to release its fourth-quarter 2025 results on February 26, with previous earnings exceeding estimates by 4.90% and a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 10.42% [1][3] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Solventum's revenues is $1.96 billion, while the consensus for earnings is $1.50 per share [2] Performance Overview - The company is expected to report strong underlying momentum in Q4 2025, following a third quarter characterized by improved commercial execution and cost initiatives, although tariffs may negatively impact results [3][9] - Management raised full-year guidance to the high end of its organic growth range of 2-3% and adjusted EPS outlook from $5.88-$6.03 to $5.98-$6.08 [3][9] Segment Performance - MedSurg, the largest segment, achieved 1.1% organic growth in Q3, with Advanced Wound Care growing by 2.7% [4] - Infection Prevention and Surgical Solutions remained flat, indicating a reversal of earlier order timing benefits, while Dental Solutions saw a notable 6.5% organic growth [5][6] - Health Information Systems (HIS) posted 5.6% organic growth, driven by revenue cycle management software and favorable consulting milestones [8] Strategic Developments - The sale of the Purification & Filtration business in September increased the company's cash position by $4 billion, which is being utilized for debt reduction and potential acquisitions [9] - The company acquired Acera Surgical to enhance its MedSurg portfolio with synthetic tissue matrices technology [9] Margin and Cost Management - Gross margin in Q3 was 55.8%, impacted by a 130-basis-point tariff effect, with expectations of further tariff pressures in Q4 [11] - The "Transform for the Future" initiative aims for $500 million in annual savings over four years, which, along with supply chain efficiencies, is expected to support margin resilience [11]
Natural Food Stocks in Focus as Health & Wellness Trend Grows
ZACKS· 2026-02-23 14:30
Industry Overview - The natural foods industry is experiencing rapid growth driven by consumer awareness of health, wellness, and environmental responsibility [2][3] - Clean ingredients, sustainable agriculture, and ethical sourcing are now essential features of the modern food landscape [2][4] - The global healthy foods market is projected to reach 2,101.9 billion by 2035, indicating significant future growth potential [5] Consumer Trends - Consumers are increasingly choosing products that are transparent about their ingredients and minimally processed, with labels such as organic, non-GMO, and preservative-free gaining popularity [3] - Clean eating is becoming the norm rather than a trend, supported by government initiatives promoting healthier eating habits [3] Company Strategies - Vital Farms, Inc. (VITL) is simplifying its portfolio to focus on higher-margin categories, divesting its North American snacks business for $115 million to concentrate on markets with stronger margins [7] - United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) is enhancing its business model to prioritize higher-margin natural and organic foods, achieving a 10.5% growth in its Natural segment in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 [11] - Beyond Meat, Inc. (BYND) is pivoting towards clean-label standards and medical-grade nutritional profiles, launching products with limited ingredients and achieving significant taste and nutrition accolades [14][15] Product Innovations - Companies are investing in plant-based alternatives and functional foods enriched with vitamins and probiotics, with a focus on sustainable farming technologies [5] - Hain Celestial is concentrating on three flagship categories: tea, yogurt, and baby and kids, with initiatives driving double-digit growth in these segments [8] - Beyond Meat's new product offerings, such as Beyond Ground and Beyond Steak Filet, emphasize clean ingredients and high protein content [15][16] Operational Enhancements - UNFI is implementing lean Kaizen workshops to improve operational efficiency and reduce new item setup times, enhancing its ability to support emerging health-focused brands [12] - The company is also investing in its private brand portfolio to provide value-conscious organic options, ensuring consistent availability of high-quality products [13]