Groupon (GRPN) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.Over the past month, shares of this online daily deal service have returned -24.7%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1% change. During this period, the Zacks Internet - Commerce industry, which Groupon falls in, has lost 14.2%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?While media ...

Core Insights - Axsome Therapeutics reported an earnings per share (EPS) of -$0.56 for February 23, 2026, which was better than the expected -$0.70, indicating better-than-anticipated performance [1] - The company achieved a revenue of approximately $196 million, surpassing the estimated $193.3 million, suggesting successful sales growth [2] Financial Metrics - The price-to-sales ratio stands at 16.50, reflecting investor confidence in the company's future growth potential [2] - Axsome has a negative P/E ratio of -40.04 and an earnings yield of -2.50%, indicating a lack of profitability [3] - The current ratio of 1.57 suggests a reasonable level of short-term liquidity to cover current liabilities [3] Valuation and Debt - The enterprise value to sales ratio is 16.31, indicating that the company's valuation is closely tied to its revenue [4] - The enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio is significantly negative at -90.69, highlighting challenges in generating positive cash flow from operations [4] - The debt-to-equity ratio of 2.96 indicates a higher level of debt compared to equity, which could pose risks if the company cannot generate sufficient cash flow to service its debt [4]

Shopify Inc. (NASDAQ:SHOP) stock plunged on Monday amid broader market weakness, with the Nasdaq Composite down 1.38% and the technology sector off 1.64%.On Feb. 11, Shopify reported fiscal fourth-quarter revenue of $3.67 billion, up 30.6% year over year and ahead of the $3.59 billion consensus estimate.However, adjusted earnings came in at 48 cents per share, missing Wall Street expectations of 51 cents per share.Technical AnalysisShopify is currently positioned 5.7% below its 20-day SMA and a substantial ...

Core Viewpoint - Costco Wholesale is experiencing strong digital sales growth, but concerns about its high valuation persist due to slower overall sales growth [1][4]. Group 1: Sales Performance - In January, Costco reported a 34% year-over-year increase in digitally enabled sales, indicating the effectiveness of its e-commerce platform [1]. - Total net sales grew by 9% year over year in January and 8% in the fiscal first quarter ending November 23 [4]. Group 2: Stock Performance and Valuation - After a recent pullback, Costco's stock is up approximately 15% year to date, driven by increased consumer spending on high-margin items [2]. - The stock is currently trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 53, and 49 using forward earnings estimates, which is considered expensive given the company's growth rates [4]. - Earnings per share have grown at an annualized rate of 11% over the past three years, with long-term earnings growth projected at about 9%, which is low for a stock priced around 50 times earnings [5]. Group 3: Investment Considerations - The stock is priced for flawless execution and robust earnings growth, which is not currently occurring, suggesting caution for potential investors [6]. - It may be advisable to monitor Costco and consider purchasing at a lower valuation [6].

Core Viewpoint - Western Union is a significant player in the financial services industry, despite facing competition and operational challenges, particularly in its Americas retail business [1][2][3]. Financial Performance - On February 20, 2026, Western Union reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.36, which was below the estimated $0.43 and a decline from $1.13 in the previous year [2][6]. - The company generated revenue of approximately $1.01 billion, exceeding the estimated $988 million, but reflecting a 5% decrease on both a reported and adjusted basis [3][6]. Sector Performance - The decline in revenue was primarily attributed to a slowdown in the Americas retail business, although there was growth in the Consumer Services and Branded Digital sectors [3]. Valuation Metrics - Western Union's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is approximately 5.78, indicating a relatively low valuation compared to its earnings [4][6]. - The price-to-sales ratio is about 0.71, suggesting that investors are paying 71 cents for every dollar of sales, which may indicate undervaluation [4][6]. Liquidity and Cash Flow - The company has a strong liquidity position with a current ratio of 16.52, demonstrating its ability to meet short-term obligations [5]. - The enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio is approximately 3.06, reflecting the company's ability to generate cash flow relative to its enterprise value [5]. - An earnings yield of approximately 17.29% suggests a potentially attractive return on investment for shareholders [5].

Key Takeaways Carter's reported high single-digit Q4 2025 sales growth, led by U.S. Retail and International gains. CRI saw mid-single-digit U.S. Retail comps growth, fueled by strong e-commerce demand and higher AUR.Carter's faces inflation, tariff pressures and expects Q4 SG&A expenses to rise 10.6%.Carter's, Inc. (CRI) is expected to report top-line growth when it reports fourth-quarter 2025 results. The branded marketer of apparel, exclusively for babies and children in North America, is likely to witne ...

Key Takeaways Halliburton outpaced SLB and Baker Hughes over six months, leading peer performance.HAL trades at 14.6X forward earnings, but North America weakness may limit near-term upside.Halliburton returned 85% of 2025 free cash flow to shareholders, yet margins face early 2026 pressure.Shares of oilfield service biggie Halliburton Company (HAL) have staged an eye-catching rally over the past six months, climbing nearly 65% and pushing the stock to a 52-week high of $35.55 in late January. The move has ...

Core Viewpoint - PPL Corporation is expected to report strong quarterly earnings, with a significant year-over-year increase in earnings per share, driven by various operational efficiencies and market demand [1][3]. Financial Performance - The company is projected to report earnings per share of $0.42 and revenue of approximately $2.42 billion [1][6]. - The expected earnings per share reflects a year-over-year increase of 23.53% [3]. Analyst Sentiment - Wall Street analysts have a bullish outlook on PPL, with an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.66, indicating a favorable view [2][6]. - Out of 16 brokerage firms, 10 have rated PPL as a Strong Buy, and one has given it a Buy rating, suggesting strong potential in PPL's stock [2]. Valuation Concerns - PPL's forward price-to-earnings ratio is 19.16, which is higher than the industry average of 17.17, indicating a premium valuation [4]. - The company's return on equity (ROE) stands at 9.08%, which is below that of its peers, potentially impacting investor sentiment [4]. Earnings Surprise History - Historically, PPL has had a mixed earnings surprise record, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the last four quarters, resulting in a negative average surprise of 1.02% [5].

Community Health Systems, Inc. (NYSE:CYH) reported an impressive earnings per share (EPS) of $0.80, significantly beating the estimated EPS.Despite a slight miss in revenue expectations, CYH's financial performance remains strong, with revenue of approximately $3.106 billion.The company's financial health is highlighted by a net income of $110 million and a solid liquidity position, despite a negative debt-to-equity ratio.Community Health Systems, Inc. (NYSE:CYH) is a prominent player in the healthcare sect ...

Core Viewpoint - US stocks are experiencing their worst start to the year since 1995, while global markets are performing significantly better, with the rest of the world up approximately 8% since the beginning of the year compared to the US being flat or slightly down [1][2]. Market Performance - The US market is up 11% over the past year, while the rest of the world has seen a rise of roughly 30% [3]. - US stocks are trading at a price-to-earnings premium of about 40% over global counterparts, making them more expensive to hold while performance lags [3]. Sector Concentration - The US market is heavily weighted towards technology, which is causing investors to seek diversification in international equities that are less concentrated in this sector [4]. Geopolitical Factors - Geopolitical risks, including issues related to Greenland, Venezuela, and the Trump administration's tariff regime, are contributing to a significant performance gap between the US and global markets [5]. Investor Sentiment - Investors are beginning to consider reallocating assets abroad, particularly towards regions like Europe, which may offer more upside potential due to their recent underperformance [6][8]. Japan's Investment - Japan is emerging as a favored investment destination, with a recent announcement of a $36 billion investment in the US, primarily in the energy sector, as part of a larger $550 billion trade agreement [9][11]. - This investment includes a significant natural gas plant in Ohio, aligning with Japan's need for energy imports and reducing reliance on China [10][12]. Earnings Growth - The majority of outperformance for non-US markets in 2025 was attributed to multiple expansion rather than earnings growth, highlighting a need for fundamental improvements to sustain this trend [15][16]. - US earnings growth is significantly outpacing that of other regions, indicating that returns from outside the US are largely driven by valuation adjustments rather than earnings [16]. Sector Analysis - There are pockets of strength in sectors such as data center expansion and power in Europe, but overall performance may not be as broad as indicated by multiple expansions [17]. - High-quality companies in sectors like semiconductors and industrials are trading at multiples comparable to their US peers, challenging the narrative of Europe being undervalued [18]. Emerging Markets - Emerging markets, particularly in Asia, such as Korea and Taiwan, are showing exceptional earnings growth and total return potential, leading to a significant overweight in these regions within investment portfolios [20][21].