Core Insights - Global Payments Inc. (GPN) reported fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.18, which was in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate, reflecting a 12% year-over-year increase [1] - Adjusted net revenues for the quarter improved 1.4% year over year to $2.3 billion, slightly missing the consensus mark [1] - The earnings growth was driven by the Merchant Solutions business, although elevated operating expenses partially offset the positives [1] GPN's Operating Performance - Adjusted operating income reached $1 billion, marking a 3.3% year-over-year increase, with an adjusted operating margin expansion of 80 basis points to 44.7% [2] - Total operating expenses rose significantly by 42.7% year over year to $1.7 billion, attributed to higher selling, general and administrative expenses, and cost of service [2] - Interest and other expenses increased by 35.1% year over year to $204.5 million [2] Q4 Segmental Performances of Global Payments - Merchant Solutions segment reported adjusted revenues of $1.8 billion, a 0.4% year-over-year increase, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.8% [3] - Adjusted operating income for Merchant Solutions increased by 2.8% year over year to $877.1 million [3] - Issuer Solutions segment saw adjusted revenues of $557.1 million, growing 5.1% year over year but missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.6% [3][4] GPN's Financial Position (As of Dec. 31, 2025) - Cash and cash equivalents stood at $8.3 billion, up from $2.4 billion at the end of 2024 [5] - Total assets increased to $53.3 billion from $46.9 billion at the end of 2024 [5] - Long-term debt rose to $19.5 billion compared to $15.1 billion at the end of 2024, with the current portion of long-term debt totaling $1.9 billion [5] - Total equity increased to $23.6 billion from $22.9 billion at the end of 2024 [5] Capital Deployment Update - The company initiated a $550 million accelerated share repurchase program and repurchased shares worth $1.2 billion in 2025 [7] Full-Year 2025 Update - Net revenues for 2025 grew by 2% year over year to $9.3 billion, with adjusted operating margin improving by 97 basis points [10] - Adjusted EPS for 2025 registered an 11% year-over-year growth to $12.22 [10] GPN's 2026 Outlook - Adjusted net revenue growth on a constant currency basis is expected to be around 5% in 2026 [11] - Adjusted EPS growth is anticipated to be between 13% and 15% in 2026, with an expected increase of around 150 basis points in annual adjusted operating margin [11] - The company aims to convert almost 90% of adjusted net income into adjusted free cash flow [11] GPN's Zacks Rank - GPN currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [12]

Key Takeaways MSTR shares have tumbled 59.7% in 12 months, lagging sector and crypto-linked peers.Strategy holds 717,131 bitcoins worth $58.9B, the largest corporate BTC treasury globally.MSTR raised $25.3B in 2025, doubling equity and supporting sustained Bitcoin accumulation.Strategy (MSTR) shares have plunged 59.7% in the trailing 12 months, sharply lagging the Zacks Finance sector’s appreciation of 10.4% and the Zacks Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry’s decline of 24.4%.MSTR shares have also u ...

Key Takeaways SMCI posted $12.68B in Q2 FY26 revenues, up 123% YoY, with AI GPU platforms over 90% of sales.Dell shipped $5.6B of AI servers in Q3 FY26 and holds an $18.4B backlog, eyeing $25B in FY26 AI shipments.SMCI's gross margin fell to 6.3%, and one data center customer made up 63% of revenues.Dell Technologies (DELL) and Super Micro Computer (SMCI) are leading players in the fast-growing AI server market. Dell stands out as a diversified infrastructure giant with strengths across PCs, storage and dat ...

FirstEnergy (FE) reported $3.8 billion in revenue for the quarter ended December 2025, representing a year-over-year increase of 19.6%. EPS of $0.53 for the same period compares to $0.67 a year ago.The reported revenue represents a surprise of +16.94% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.25 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $0.52, the EPS surprise was +1.92%.While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street ...

Core Insights - Element Solutions Inc. (ESI) reported earnings of 3 cents per share for Q4 2025, down from 23 cents in the same quarter last year, but adjusted earnings were 37 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 36 cents [1][7] - The company achieved net sales of $676.2 million, an increase of approximately 8% year-over-year, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $623.9 million, with organic net sales rising by 10% [1][7] Financial Performance - ESI's Electronics segment saw net sales increase by 21% year-over-year to $487.3 million, with organic net sales up 13%, beating the consensus estimate of $436 million [3] - In contrast, the Specialties segment experienced a 15% decline in net sales to $188.9 million, although organic net sales increased by 4%, exceeding the consensus estimate of $188 million [3][2] Financial Position - At the end of the quarter, ESI had cash and cash equivalents of $626.5 million, a 74.3% increase from the previous year, while long-term debt decreased to $1,625.9 million from $1,813.6 million [4] - Cash from operating activities was reported at $91.1 million, with free cash flow amounting to $82.8 million for the quarter [4] Future Outlook - For the full year 2026, ESI anticipates adjusted EBITDA in the range of $650 million to $670 million, with a first-quarter expectation of adjusted EBITDA between $140 million and $155 million [5][7] Stock Performance - ESI's shares have increased by 22.4% over the past year, compared to a 3.1% rise in the industry [6]

Core Insights - The energy sector is experiencing contrasting trends in oil and natural gas prices, leading to an intriguing earnings season for energy companies [1] Oil and Natural Gas Pricing Trends - In Q4 2024, average monthly WTI crude prices were $71.99, $69.95, and $70.12 per barrel, while in Q4 2025, they dropped to $60.89, $60.06, and $57.97, indicating a significant year-over-year decline due to global oversupply and OPEC+ production cuts [2] - Conversely, U.S. Henry Hub average natural gas prices rose from $2.20 in October to $3.01 in December 2024, and further increased to $3.19, $3.79, and $4.26 in Q4 2025, showing a positive year-over-year trend [3] Energy Sector Earnings Performance - Approximately 45.8% of S&P 500 oil and energy companies reported Q4 results, with earnings growth of 27.1% year over year despite a 1.3% decline in revenues, indicating strong performance quality as 81.8% exceeded EPS and revenue expectations [4] - The blended outlook for Q4 2025 suggests earnings growth of 13.7% year over year, a significant increase from 3.2% in Q3, although revenues are projected to decline slightly by 0.4%, indicating profit gains driven by margin expansion and cost discipline [5] Company-Specific Insights - TechnipFMC plc (FTI) has an Earnings ESP of +1.61% and a Zacks Rank 2, indicating a high likelihood of an earnings beat, with a consensus estimate of 51 cents per share, reflecting a 5.6% decrease from the prior year [9][11] - Transocean Ltd. (RIG) has an Earnings ESP of +5.88% and a Zacks Rank 3, with a consensus estimate of 9 cents per share, indicating a 200% increase from the prior year [12] - Targa Resources Corp. (TRGP) has an Earnings ESP of +0.18% and a Zacks Rank 3, with a consensus estimate of $2.37 per share, reflecting a 64.6% increase from the prior year [14]

Core Insights - MKS Inc. (MKSI) reported fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $2.47 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.59%, but showing a year-over-year increase of 14.9% [1][9] - Revenues reached $1.03 billion, surpassing the consensus mark by 1.2% and reflecting a 10.5% year-over-year growth [1][9] Revenue Breakdown - Product revenues, which accounted for 87.8% of total revenues, totaled $907 million, marking a 10.1% year-over-year increase [3] - Services revenues, making up 12.2% of total revenues, increased by 13.5% year over year to $126 million [3] - Semiconductor market revenues, representing 42.1% of total revenues, rose 8.7% year over year to $435 million [4] - Electronics & Packaging revenues, comprising 29.3% of total revenues, amounted to $303 million, up 19.3% year over year [4] - Specialty Industrial revenues, accounting for 28.6% of total revenues, increased by 5% year over year to $295 million [4] Operating Performance - Adjusted gross margin contracted by 70 basis points year over year to 46.5% [5] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 5.1% year over year to $249 million, with the adjusted EBITDA margin contracting by 120 basis points to 24.1% [5] - Total operating expenses rose by 8.7% year over year to $263 million [5] - Non-GAAP operating income was reported at $217 million, up 9% year over year, with the adjusted operating margin contracting by 30 basis points to 21% [6] Balance Sheet Overview - As of December 31, 2025, cash and cash equivalents stood at $675 million, down from $697 million as of September 30 [7] - Long-term debt totaled $4.15 billion [7] - Cash flow from operations was $142 million in Q4 2025, compared to $197 million in the previous quarter [7] - Free cash flow was reported at $91 million, down from $147 million in the previous quarter [7] Q1 Guidance - For the first quarter of 2026, MKSI expects revenues of $1.04 billion, with a margin of +/- $40 million [8] - The company anticipates a gross margin of 46% (+/- 1%) and an adjusted EBITDA of $251 million (+/- $24 million) [8] - Non-GAAP earnings are expected to be $2.00 (+/- 28 cents) per share [8]

Core Insights - Huntsman Corporation reported a fourth-quarter 2025 loss of 56 cents per share, an improvement from a loss of 82 cents in the same quarter last year. Adjusted loss per share was 37 cents, wider than the previous year's loss of 25 cents and above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 29 cents [1][9]. Revenue Performance - Revenues for the quarter were $1,355 million, down approximately 7% year over year, but exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,327.9 million. The company faced volume pressure and lower pricing in certain segments [2][9]. Segment Highlights - **Polyurethanes**: Revenues decreased by 8% year over year to $897 million, surpassing the estimate of $883 million. The decline was attributed to lower average selling prices, although higher sales volumes partially offset this [3]. - **Performance Products**: Revenues fell 6% to $224 million, below the estimate of $225.7 million, primarily due to lower sales prices, while sales volumes remained stable [4]. - **Advanced Materials**: Revenues decreased by 4% to $243 million, missing the estimate of $264.6 million. The decline was mainly due to lower sales volumes, particularly in infrastructure coatings and general industry segments, despite higher average selling prices [5]. Financial Overview - Free cash flow from continuing operations was $20 million, down from $108 million in the prior-year quarter. The company had approximately $1.3 billion in combined cash and unused borrowing capacity as of December 31, 2025. Capital expenditures from continuing operations were $57 million, compared to $51 million in the previous year [6]. Q1 2026 Outlook - For the first quarter of 2026, adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $25 million to $40 million for Polyurethanes, $20 million to $30 million for Performance Products, and $38 million to $42 million for Advanced Materials. The outlook reflects ongoing challenging market conditions, seasonal softness, and benefits from cost-saving measures [7]. Stock Performance - Huntsman shares have declined by 30.6% over the past year, compared to a 14.6% decline in the Zacks Chemicals Diversified industry [10].

Core Viewpoint - Growth stocks are appealing due to their potential for above-average financial growth, but identifying those that can fulfill their potential is challenging [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Ambev (ABEV) is currently recommended as a growth stock by the Zacks Growth Style Score system, which evaluates a company's real growth prospects beyond traditional metrics [2] - The company has a favorable Growth Score and a top Zacks Rank, indicating strong investment potential [2] Group 2: Earnings Growth - Ambev's historical EPS growth rate is 1.3%, but projected EPS growth for this year is 2.8%, significantly outperforming the industry average of 1.1% [4] Group 3: Asset Utilization - Ambev has an asset utilization ratio (sales-to-total-assets ratio) of 0.62, indicating it generates $0.62 in sales for every dollar in assets, which is higher than the industry average of 0.52 [5] Group 4: Sales Growth - The company's sales are expected to grow by 13.3% this year, contrasting sharply with the industry average of -0.1% [6] Group 5: Earnings Estimate Revisions - The current-year earnings estimates for Ambev have been revised upward by 2.8% over the past month, reflecting a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions [7] Group 6: Investment Potential - Ambev has achieved a Growth Score of B and a Zacks Rank of 2 due to positive earnings estimate revisions, suggesting it is a solid choice for growth investors [9]

Core Viewpoint - Investors are increasingly seeking growth stocks that demonstrate above-average growth potential, with Portland General Electric (POR) identified as a strong candidate due to its favorable growth metrics and Zacks Rank [2][11]. Earnings Growth - Earnings growth is a critical factor for growth investors, with double-digit growth being particularly attractive. Portland General Electric's projected EPS growth for this year is 10.5%, significantly higher than the industry average of 6.7% [4][5]. Asset Utilization Ratio - The asset utilization ratio, or sales-to-total-assets (S/TA) ratio, is an important indicator of efficiency in generating sales. Portland General Electric has an S/TA ratio of 0.28, outperforming the industry average of 0.22. Additionally, the company's sales are expected to grow by 5.4%, compared to the industry average of 4.1% [6][7]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - Positive trends in earnings estimate revisions can indicate potential stock price movements. Portland General Electric has seen a 1.3% increase in current-year earnings estimates over the past month, suggesting favorable market sentiment [8][9]. Overall Assessment - Portland General Electric has achieved a Growth Score of B and a Zacks Rank of 2, indicating it is a solid choice for growth investors and has the potential to outperform the market [11].