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Can ANF's Hollister Keep 19% Comp Growth Into the Back Half of 2025?
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 16:00
Key Takeaways ANF delivered $1.21B in sales and $2.32 EPS in Q2, its 11th straight quarter of growth.Hollister led with 19% sales and comp growth, fueled by teen-focused assortments and activations.ANF sees momentum from clean inventory, cultural relevance and strong seasonal opportunities.Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF) powered through the second quarter of fiscal 2025 with record results, posting $1.21 billion in sales and $2.32 in earnings per share. Marking its 11th consecutive quarter of growth, the comp ...
AVGO's Infrastructure Software Sales Rise: A Sign of More Upside?
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 16:00
Key Takeaways Broadcom's Infrastructure Software revenues rose 17% to $6.8B, 43% of total revenues. VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 launch supports long-term growth, aiding AI and cloud adoption. AVGO projects Q4 AI revenues up 66% to $6.2B and semiconductor sales up 30% to $10.7B. Broadcom’s (AVGO) Infrastructure Software segment is benefiting from strong demand for VMware solutions. In the third quarter of fiscal 2025, Infrastructure Software revenues jumped 17% year over year to $6.8 billion and accounted fo ...
3 US Integrated Energy Stocks to Gain Despite Industry Headwinds
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 15:56
Industry Overview - The Zacks Oil & Gas US Integrated industry includes companies involved in upstream and midstream energy businesses, focusing on oil and natural gas exploration and production [3] - Upstream operations are positively correlated to oil and gas prices, while midstream assets generate stable fee-based revenues [3] Current Market Conditions - The crude pricing environment is expected to weaken this year, with the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projecting the average price of West Texas Intermediate crude at $64.16 per barrel, down from $76.60 per barrel last year [4] - Increasing worldwide oil inventory is anticipated to negatively impact commodity prices, which is unfavorable for exploration and production activities [4] Production and Investment Trends - Lower oil prices are likely to hinder production growth, as energy companies are prioritizing returning capital to shareholders over increasing production [5] - The shift towards renewable energy sources is expected to gradually reduce demand for fossil fuels, posing challenges for integrated players in both upstream and downstream operations [6] Industry Performance - The Zacks Oil & Gas US Integrated industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 173, placing it in the bottom 30% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a bearish outlook [7][8] - Over the past year, the industry has underperformed compared to the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector and the S&P 500, declining by 5% while the sector gained 9% and the S&P 500 surged by 19.9% [9] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at an EV/EBITDA ratio of 4.64X, lower than the S&P 500's 18.47X and the sector's 5.15X [13] - Historical trading ranges for the industry have been between 3.05X and 13.64X over the past five years, with a median of 4.64X [13] Key Companies to Watch - ConocoPhillips (COP) is expected to perform well due to its operations in low breakeven cost resources, particularly in the Permian basin [17] - Occidental (OXY) has generated strong cash flows in the first half of the year despite a weaker pricing environment, attributed to efficient operations and cost control [20] - National Fuel Gas (NFG) is well-positioned to navigate the uncertain environment due to its integrated business model and presence in the natural gas-rich Appalachian basin [23]
RTX vs. General Dynamics: Which Defense Stock Offers More Upside?
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 15:50
Key Takeaways Rising global defense budgets and aerospace demand drive growth for RTX and General Dynamics. RTX shows stronger recent stock performance, but GD holds a valuation edge with lower forward earnings. GD's higher ROE signals more efficient profit generation from equity compared to RTX. Increasing defense spending by the United States and its allied nations, amid intensifying geopolitical hostilities worldwide, has been boosting demand for the research, development, and procurement of cutting-edg ...
CRDO vs. MRVL: Which Connectivity Stock Has More Upside in the AI Era?
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 15:50
Key Takeaways CRDO is driving growth with AEC, hyperscaler demand and optical DSP momentum in AI infrastructure.MRVL's data center revenues surged 69% year over year, fueled by custom silicon and electro-optics.CRDO shares jumped 76% in three months, while MRVL slipped 1.7% over the same period.Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd. (CRDO) and Marvell Technology, Inc. (MRVL) are semiconductor companies that specialize in high-speed connectivity solutions essential for AI-driven data centers.Amid rapid artifici ...
SoundHound Stock Gets Boost From Red Lobster Partnership
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 15:50
Core Insights - SoundHound AI, Inc. has partnered with Red Lobster to implement an AI-powered phone ordering system across all locations, aiming to enhance the takeout ordering process and improve guest experiences [1][2] - The integration of this technology allows Red Lobster to manage multiple orders efficiently, ensuring every call is answered, which reduces employee workload and enhances customer service [2][3] Strategic Implications for SoundHound - The partnership with Red Lobster underscores the increasing demand for AI-driven solutions in the restaurant sector, positioning SoundHound favorably for broader adoption among national chains [3][4] - With over 14,000 restaurant locations utilizing SoundHound's solutions, this contract reinforces the scalability of its platform and potential for revenue growth as consumer preferences shift towards speed and convenience [3][5] Financial Performance and Growth - SoundHound's stock has surged 269.1% over the past year, significantly outperforming the Zacks Computers - IT Services industry, which saw an 11.8% decline [5][7] - The company's financial health is strong, with over $270 million in cash and no debt, and it recently processed around 3 billion AI queries, tripling revenues year over year [6][7] Industry Positioning - SoundHound is expanding its influence in enterprise AI adoption across various sectors, including financial services, healthcare, retail, and now restaurants, demonstrating the real-world value of its platform [4][6] - The collaboration with Red Lobster is a significant step in reinforcing SoundHound's leadership in conversational AI technology [4][6]
MRVL's Carrier Infrastructure Segment Recovering: What Lies Ahead?
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 15:46
Key Takeaways MRVL's carrier infrastructure sales jumped 71.4% year over year to $130 million in Q2.Growth is fueled by refreshed products on advanced nodes and normalized inventories.Management projects double-digit sequential growth in Q3 for the segment.Marvell Technology’s (MRVL) carrier infrastructure end market, which accounts for broadband access systems, Ethernet switches, optical transport systems, routers and wireless radio access network systems, is on the path to recovery.Marvell Technology’s ca ...
Here's Why Investors Should Give Ryanair Stock a Miss Now
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 15:46
Key Takeaways RYAAY's operating expenses rose 5.1% in Q1, led by higher route charges and repair costs. The stock is down 13.1% in 30 days, lagging its Transportation - Airline industry's 3.6% fall. Liquidity concerns grow as RYAAY's current ratio slid to 0.66 from 1.01 in fiscal 2022.Ryanair (RYAAY) is grappling with significant challenges that are adversely affecting its performance. Weak liquidity and escalated operating expenses are major headwinds, straining the company’s prospects and making it an un ...
GLW's Diverse Portfolio Fuels Customer Growth: Will it Drive Revenues?
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 15:40
Core Insights - Corning Incorporated (GLW) is experiencing significant customer growth across various end markets, including consumer electronics, telecom, semiconductors, and solar products [1][9]. Consumer Electronics - Apple is investing $2.5 billion to develop cover glass for iPhones and Apple Watches at Corning's Kentucky facilities, part of a broader $600 billion multiyear investment plan in the U.S. [2] - Samsung is utilizing Corning's advanced Gorilla Glass in its flagship smartphones, alongside other clients like OnePlus, Google, and Xiaomi [2]. Telecom Sector - Lumen is accelerating its network infrastructure deployment in the U.S. using Corning's next-generation fiber optic cables [3]. - AT&T is also leveraging Corning's fiber and connectivity solutions for its network expansion [3]. - Corning has entered a multi-year collaboration with Broadcom to integrate its optical components into Broadcom's Bailly CPO system, addressing the needs of large-scale AI clusters [3]. Solar Market - Corning's U.S.-made solar products are gaining traction, with T1 Energy Inc. opting for Corning's solar components to enhance supply chain reliability [4]. Manufacturing and Supply Chain - Corning is expanding its U.S. manufacturing capacity, benefiting from a strategy that addresses geopolitical volatility and trade uncertainties, leading companies to source domestically [5]. Financial Performance - Corning shares have increased by 81.3% over the past year, slightly below the industry's growth of 84.2% [8]. - Earnings estimates for 2025 have risen by 5.11% to $2.47 per share, while 2026 estimates increased by 5.88% to $2.88 [12]. - The company's shares currently trade at a price/earnings ratio of 29.46, lower than the industry average of 33.18 [10].
BABA's Free Cash Flow Turns Negative: Can Heavy Spending Pay Off?
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 15:40
Core Insights - Alibaba's first-quarter fiscal 2026 free cash flow turned negative at RMB 18.8 billion, a reversal from a positive RMB 17.4 billion inflow a year ago, primarily due to increased capital expenditures of RMB 38.7 billion focused on AI and cloud infrastructure [1][9] - Despite short-term cash strain, Alibaba's initiatives are yielding results, with Alibaba Cloud growing in the mid-20s percent year over year and Taobao Instant Commerce surpassing 80 million weekly average daily orders, boosting monthly active users by 25% [2][9] - The company has committed RMB 380 billion ($52 billion) over the next three years for AI infrastructure, new data centers, and proprietary inference chips, which could enhance monetization and long-term profitability [3] Financial Performance - Alibaba's share price has surged 92.5% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Internet – Commerce industry and the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector, which grew by 13.5% and 9.2% respectively [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 earnings is projected at $8.09 per share, reflecting a 10.2% year-over-year decline [13] Valuation Metrics - Alibaba's stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month Price/Earnings ratio of 17.55X, compared to the industry's 25.03X, indicating a relatively lower valuation [10]