Core Insights - The Social Security Administration distributes benefits to over 74 million individuals each month, with payment schedules primarily based on beneficiaries' birth dates [1][5]. Payment Schedule - Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for February will be issued on January 30, while benefits for those who began receiving payments before May 1997 will be paid on February 3 [6]. - Benefits will be distributed on the following dates in February: - February 11 for those born between the 1st and 10th - February 18 for those born between the 11th and 20th - February 25 for those born between the 21st and 31st [6]. - SSI payments for March will be issued on February 27 [3][6]. Importance of Payment Timing - Knowing the payment schedule is crucial for Social Security beneficiaries, as they rely on fixed incomes to manage their budgets and financial obligations [2].

Core Insights - The 2026 tax filing season is expected to be challenging for some taxpayers due to changes in tax law and significant layoffs at the IRS [2][9] - The IRS is facing staffing shortages and leadership instability, which may hinder its ability to assist taxpayers effectively [5][9] Taxpayer Experience - Most taxpayers are anticipated to have a smooth filing experience, but those needing assistance or who file incorrectly may encounter delays [2][3] - The Taxpayer Advocate Service emphasizes the importance of IRS support for taxpayers experiencing issues during the filing season [3] Impact of Tax Law Changes - The "One Big, Beautiful Bill" Act introduced over 100 changes to the tax code, including new deductions and credits, which may lead to increased errors in tax returns [7][9] - Taxpayers may struggle to navigate these changes, potentially resulting in more calls to IRS customer service [9] IRS Operational Challenges - The IRS laid off 27% of its workforce in 2025 and is currently 1,000 employees short of its goal to hire 3,500 new customer service representatives [5][6] - The transition to virtual refunds, with most refunds sent electronically, may complicate the filing process for taxpayers who do not provide direct deposit information [8] Overall Outlook - The combination of staffing shortages, tax law changes, and the shift to virtual refunds is likely to create a more difficult and frustrating filing season for taxpayers and IRS employees alike [10]

Core Insights - Gold is increasingly being viewed as a more favorable investment compared to bitcoin, with its price rising significantly while bitcoin has recently declined [1][3][7] Group 1: Gold's Performance - Gold's price has more than doubled over the last year, currently trading above $5,400, despite a recent profit-taking dip [2][5] - Analysts suggest that gold could reach prices between $8,000 to $8,500 if household gold holdings increase from 3% to 4.6% of overall portfolios [5][7] - Gold has outperformed bitcoin over the past five years, indicating a shift in investor preference towards the precious metal [3][7] Group 2: Bitcoin's Decline - Bitcoin has seen a significant drop, falling almost 7% to below $84,000, marking its lowest point since November [1][2] - There has been a noticeable outflow from bitcoin ETFs, contrasting with inflows into gold and silver ETFs, reflecting a shift in investor sentiment [4][6] - Retail investors are increasingly favoring precious metals over bitcoin, indicating a potential long-term trend [5][6]

Core Insights - The IRS is requiring taxpayers to include their bank account information on 2025 tax returns to avoid delays in refunds [1][5] - Starting in the 2026 filing season, the IRS will transition to electronic payments for tax refunds, phasing out paper checks [1][4] Taxpayer Impact - Approximately 6.5 million taxpayers, or about 7% of those who received a refund, were issued paper checks during the 2025 tax filing season, primarily affecting unbanked or vulnerable populations [2] - If taxpayers fail to provide accurate bank information, their refunds will be frozen until the correct information is submitted within 30 days of receiving a notice from the IRS [2][5] Alternatives and Exceptions - Taxpayers who prefer not to provide bank information can request a paper check by contacting an IRS representative, but this will result in a delayed refund [3][5] - Certain groups, including international taxpayers, minors, prisoners, and those with religious exceptions, are exempt from the direct deposit requirement [6]

Core Insights - Schneider National reported revenue of $1.4 billion for the quarter ended December 2025, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 4.5% but a revenue surprise of -3.78% compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.45 billion [1] - The company's EPS was $0.13, down from $0.20 in the same quarter last year, resulting in an EPS surprise of -37.68% against the consensus estimate of $0.21 [1] Financial Performance Metrics - The consolidated operating ratio was reported at 97.4%, higher than the five-analyst average estimate of 95.9% [4] - The intermodal operating ratio was 93.3%, slightly below the four-analyst average estimate of 93.4% [4] - The truckload operating ratio was 96.2%, compared to the average estimate of 94.6% by four analysts [4] - The logistics operating ratio was 99.2%, exceeding the four-analyst average estimate of 97.5% [4] Revenue Breakdown - Fuel surcharge revenue was $145.7 million, surpassing the average estimate of $138.43 million, marking a year-over-year increase of 9.2% [4] - Intermodal revenue was $268.2 million, below the estimated $288.24 million, representing a year-over-year decrease of 2.9% [4] - Logistics revenue reached $329.3 million, slightly below the average estimate of $339.54 million, with a year-over-year increase of 1.7% [4] - Truckload revenue was reported at $610 million, lower than the estimated $637.21 million, but showing a year-over-year increase of 8.9% [4] - Other revenue was $89.3 million, below the average estimate of $93.53 million, with a year-over-year increase of 0.6% [4] - Inter-segment eliminations revenue was reported at -$42.9 million, better than the estimated -$48.85 million, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 0.9% [4] - Dedicated revenue (excluding fuel surcharge) was $425.7 million, below the estimated $443.15 million, with a year-over-year increase of 13.4% [4] - Network revenue (excluding fuel surcharge) was $183.9 million, below the average estimate of $195.07 million, representing a year-over-year decrease of 0.7% [4] Stock Performance - Schneider National's shares have returned +13.9% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.8% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), indicating potential underperformance relative to the broader market in the near term [3]

Core Insights - Minerals Technologies (MTX) reported revenue of $519.5 million for Q4 2025, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 0.3% and surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $516.95 million by 0.49% [1] - The company's EPS for the quarter was $1.27, down from $1.50 a year ago, indicating an EPS surprise of -1.04% compared to the consensus estimate of $1.28 [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Engineered Solutions segment net sales were $245.2 million, exceeding the average estimate of $241.5 million by analysts, and showing a year-over-year increase of 2.4% [4] - Consumer & Specialties segment net sales were $274.3 million, slightly below the average estimate of $275.45 million, representing a year-over-year decline of 1.6% [4] - Operating income for the Engineered Solutions segment was $44.5 million, surpassing the average estimate of $38.25 million [4] - Operating income for the Consumer & Specialties segment was $25.3 million, falling short of the average estimate of $34.4 million [4] Stock Performance - Over the past month, shares of Minerals Technologies have returned +8.7%, significantly outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite, which changed by +0.8% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Core Insights - KLA reported revenue of $3.3 billion for the quarter ended December 2025, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 7.2% and exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.26 billion by 1.02% [1] - The company's EPS for the quarter was $8.85, up from $8.20 in the same quarter last year, also surpassing the consensus estimate of $8.82 by 0.36% [1] Revenue Breakdown - Semiconductor Process Control revenues reached $3 billion, exceeding the average estimate of $2.94 billion, with a year-over-year increase of 9% [4] - Specialty Semiconductor Process revenues were $140.58 million, slightly below the estimated $144.58 million, showing a decline of 12.4% year-over-year [4] - Service revenues amounted to $786.05 million, surpassing the average estimate of $751.55 million, marking a year-over-year increase of 17.8% [4] - Product revenues were reported at $2.51 billion, slightly above the average estimate of $2.49 billion, with a year-over-year growth of 4.2% [4] - PCB and Component Inspection revenues totaled $152.18 million, below the average estimate of $159.69 million, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 5.5% [4] Stock Performance - KLA's shares have returned 33.9% over the past month, significantly outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite, which saw a change of 0.8% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating potential for outperformance in the near term [3]

Core Insights - LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA) reported a revenue of $4.91 billion for the quarter ended December 2025, marking a 39.7% increase year-over-year and exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.19% [1] - The earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $5.23, up from $4.25 in the same quarter last year, representing an EPS surprise of 8.62% over the consensus estimate [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Total Advisory and Brokerage Assets reached $2,370.50 billion, surpassing the average estimate of $2,341.72 billion [4] - Brokerage Assets were reported at $977.90 billion, slightly below the average estimate of $984.04 billion [4] - Advisory Assets totaled $1,392.70 billion, exceeding the average estimate of $1,357.69 billion [4] - The number of advisors decreased to 32,178, compared to the estimated 32,753 [4] Revenue Breakdown - Revenue from commissions was $1.23 billion, slightly above the average estimate of $1.22 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 27.6% [4] - Service and fee revenue was reported at $180.64 million, exceeding the average estimate of $170.29 million, with a year-over-year growth of 29.9% [4] - Asset-based fees generated $816.07 million, below the estimated $833.46 million, but still showing a 21.8% increase year-over-year [4] - Advisory revenue reached $2.54 billion, surpassing the average estimate of $2.47 billion, with a significant year-over-year increase of 59.4% [4] - Transaction revenue was $75.15 million, slightly below the average estimate of $76.18 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 22.1% [4] - Other asset-based revenue was $375.81 million, compared to the average estimate of $382.4 million, with a year-over-year change of 29.2% [4] - Client cash asset-based revenue was $440.25 million, below the average estimate of $457.44 million, showing a year-over-year increase of 16.2% [4] - Trailing commission revenue was $510.72 million, slightly below the average estimate of $521.52 million, with a year-over-year increase of 16.2% [4] Stock Performance - LPL Financial's shares have returned 2.7% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite, which saw a change of 0.8% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Core Viewpoint - DXC Technology Company reported a slight decline in revenue for the quarter ended December 2025, but exceeded earnings expectations, indicating mixed financial performance [1]. Financial Performance - Total revenue for the quarter was $3.19 billion, down 1% year-over-year, and slightly below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.2 billion, resulting in a revenue surprise of -0.31% [1][4]. - Earnings per share (EPS) was reported at $0.96, an increase from $0.92 in the same quarter last year, surpassing the consensus EPS estimate of $0.85, leading to an EPS surprise of +12.94% [1]. Key Metrics - Global Infrastructure Services (GIS) revenue was $1.61 billion, reflecting a year-over-year change of -2.7%, which was better than the average estimate of -3.2% [4]. - Consulting & Engineering Services (CES) revenue matched the average estimate at $1.27 billion [4]. - Insurance revenue was reported at $321 million, slightly below the average estimate of $334.55 million [4]. Stock Performance - Over the past month, shares of DXC Technology have returned -1.5%, contrasting with the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.8% change [3]. - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), suggesting potential for outperformance in the near term [3].

Core Insights - AppFolio reported revenue of $248.19 million for the quarter ended December 2025, marking a year-over-year increase of 21.9% and exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $246.09 million by 0.86% [1] - The company's EPS for the same period was $1.39, compared to $0.92 a year ago, resulting in an EPS surprise of 13.93% against the consensus estimate of $1.22 [1] Revenue Breakdown - Revenue from Other services was $7.87 million, significantly higher than the average estimate of $2.9 million, reflecting a year-over-year change of 191.5% [4] - Revenue from Value Added Services was $184.61 million, slightly below the average estimate of $186.84 million, with a year-over-year increase of 20.4% [4] - Revenue from Core Solutions was $55.72 million, compared to the average estimate of $56.01 million, showing a year-over-year growth of 17% [4] Stock Performance - Over the past month, AppFolio's shares have returned -6.3%, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite has increased by 0.8% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]