Core Insights - The final reading for the 2025 holiday shopping season indicated flat retail sales at $735.0 billion, missing the expected 0.5% increase, with a year-over-year growth of 2.4% against a 2.7% rise in the Consumer Price Index, suggesting weak real spending momentum [1][10] Retail Performance Analysis - Large U.S. retailers like Walmart, Costco, and Alibaba are under pressure due to disappointing year-end sales, impacting profit margins and earnings, which raises concerns for retail ETFs that include these companies [2] - The stagnation in December retail sales was attributed to several economic factors, including persistent inflation, economic uncertainty, early promotions that pulled sales forward, and a K-shaped consumer behavior where higher-income households remained stable while lower-income households reduced spending [4][5][6][7] Future Outlook - The retail sector's recovery depends on moderating inflation and a rebounding U.S. economy, with expectations for gradual improvement in real consumer spending if demand stabilizes and retailers manage costs effectively [8][9] - Analysts project U.S. retail sales to grow by 3.5% year-over-year in 2026, with inflation anticipated to remain between 2.6% and 3.0% [11] Retail ETFs Spotlight - **State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT)**: AUM of $681.4 million, exposure to 73 companies, gained 10.2% over the past year, charges 35 bps in fees [12][13] - **VanEck Retail ETF (RTH)**: AUM of $265.2 million, exposure to 26 companies, rallied 9.5% over the past year, charges 35 bps in fees [14] - **ProShares Online Retail ETF (ONLN)**: Net asset value of $52.84 million, exposure to 20 online retail stocks, gained 3% over the past year, charges 58 bps in fees [15] - **Amplify Online Retail ETF (IBUY)**: AUM of $124.5 million, exposure to 81 companies in online retail, charges 65 bps in fees [16]

Key Takeaways Cytokinetics won EC approval for Myqorzo to treat adults with symptomatic obstructive HCM.Myqorzo showed significant pVO2 improvement in the phase III SEQUOIA-HCM study at 24 weeks.CYTK now has approvals in the U.S., EU and China, targeting a sizable oHCM market opportunity.Cytokinetics, Incorporated (CYTK) announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved Myqorzo (aficamten), 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg and 20 mg tablets, for the treatment of adult patients with symptomatic obstructive hypertro ...

Key Takeaways CRWD expects fiscal 2026 revenue growth of 21-22%, down from 29% in fiscal 2025.ALLT's SECaaS ARR jumped 60% Y/Y, driving 14% sales growth and higher 2025 guidance.ALLT trades at 4.23X forward sales versus CRWD at 18.37X, offering a valuation edge.CrowdStrike (CRWD) and Allot Inc. (ALLT) are both at the forefront of the cybersecurity space, playing key roles in guarding organizations from extensive cyberattacks. While CrowdStrike specializes in endpoint protection and extended detection and re ...

Core Viewpoint - Apple (AAPL) is showing potential as a stock pick due to its recent technical indicators and positive earnings estimate revisions Technical Analysis - AAPL has surpassed resistance at the 20-day moving average, indicating a short-term bullish trend [1] - The 20-day simple moving average (SMA) is favored by traders for its ability to smooth out price fluctuations and provide trend reversal signals [2] - AAPL's price moving above the 20-day SMA suggests a positive trend, while falling below could indicate a downward trend [2] Earnings Estimates - In the past two months, no earnings estimates for AAPL have been lowered, while 9 estimates have been raised for the current fiscal year, leading to an increase in the consensus estimate [3] - The positive revisions in earnings estimates strengthen the bullish case for AAPL [3] Recent Performance - AAPL has moved 7% higher over the last four weeks, indicating potential for another rally [4] - The company currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), suggesting a neutral outlook [4]

A downtrend has been apparent in Patria Investments (PAX) lately with too much selling pressure. The stock has declined 19.4% over the past four weeks. However, given the fact that it is now in oversold territory and Wall Street analysts are majorly in agreement about the company's ability to report better earnings than they predicted earlier, the stock could be due for a turnaround.We use Relative Strength Index (RSI), one of the most commonly used technical indicators, for spotting whether a stock is over ...

Sprout Social (SPT) has been on a downward spiral lately with significant selling pressure. After declining 25.9% over the past four weeks, the stock looks well positioned for a trend reversal as it is now in oversold territory and there is strong agreement among Wall Street analysts that the company will report better earnings than they predicted earlier.We use Relative Strength Index (RSI), one of the most commonly used technical indicators, for spotting whether a stock is oversold. This is a momentum osc ...

Key Takeaways FirstEnergy reported Q4 operating EPS of 53 cents, topping estimates, on 19.6% higher quarterly revenues.FE's 2025 adjusted EPS rose 7.6%, driven by new base rates and transmission rate base growth. FirstEnergy provided 2026 EPS guidance of $2.62-$2.82 and plans $36B in capex through 2030.FirstEnergy Corp. (FE) reported fourth-quarter 2025 operating earnings of 53 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 52 cents by 1.92%. In the year-ago quarter, the company reported earnin ...

Market Overview - All three major U.S. stock market indices closed slightly higher on February 17, 2026, despite declines in software equities, influenced by a softer-than-expected Consumer Price Index and a stronger-than-anticipated jobs report [1][2] Investment Strategy - The current market uncertainty may lead investors to prefer low-leverage stocks for financial resilience and capital preservation, with recommendations including Orion Group (ORN), Copa Holdings (CPA), Coeur Mining (CDE), Tim S.A. (TIMB), and Evercore (EVR) [3][11] Low-Leverage Stocks - Low-leverage stocks are preferred as they are generally less risky, especially during volatile market conditions. The debt-to-equity ratio is a key metric for assessing a company's financial risk, with lower ratios indicating better solvency [7][8] Company Highlights - **Orion Group (ORN)**: Acquired J. E. McAmis, Inc. and JEM Marine Leasing LLC for approximately $60 million, with 2026 earnings expected to improve by 63.6% [15][17] - **Copa Holdings (CPA)**: Reported a 9.6% increase in fourth-quarter operating revenues and a 5.3% rise in EPS, with 2026 revenues projected to grow by 11.5% [18][19] - **Coeur Mining (CDE)**: Increased mineral reserves to 4.4 million ounces of gold and 274.4 million ounces of silver, with 2026 earnings expected to jump by 143.3% [20][22] - **Tim S.A. (TIMB)**: Announced acquisition of 51% of I-Systems for approximately $180 million, aiming to expand in the broadband segment, with 2026 revenues expected to rise by 10.3% [23][24] - **Evercore (EVR)**: Reported a 32% increase in fourth-quarter revenues and a 50% rise in adjusted EPS, with 2026 revenues projected to grow by 22.6% [24][25]

Enpro (NPO) reported $295.4 million in revenue for the quarter ended December 2025, representing a year-over-year increase of 14.3%. EPS of $1.99 for the same period compares to $1.57 a year ago.The reported revenue represents a surprise of +5.31% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $280.5 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $1.91, the EPS surprise was +4.01%.While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine the ...

For the quarter ended December 2025, Mister Car Wash (MCW) reported revenue of $261.24 million, up 4% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $0.11, compared to $0.09 in the year-ago quarter.The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $262.28 million, representing a surprise of -0.39%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +10%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.10.While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and ho ...