Core Viewpoint - American Express is expected to report strong third-quarter financial results, with analysts anticipating revenue growth and earnings per share increase compared to the previous year [1][2]. Earnings Estimates - Analysts predict third-quarter revenue of $18.05 billion, an increase from $16.64 billion in the same quarter last year [1]. - Expected earnings per share for the third quarter is $4.00, up from $3.49 in the previous year [2]. Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Truist Securities analyst Brian Foran maintains a Buy rating with a price target of $375, noting mixed reviews for the refreshed Platinum card but potential upside based on user surveys [3]. - Other analysts have also raised their price targets: UBS from $330 to $340, JPMorgan from $343 to $355, Barclays from $297 to $336, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $371 to $394, and Evercore ISI Group from $330 to $365 [8]. Key Items to Watch - Analysts will focus on the company's recent upgrades, including higher perks and fees, and their impact on demand and potential customer churn [4][5]. - The demographic shift towards Millennials and Gen Z, who now represent approximately 35% of U.S. consumer spending for the company, is a significant factor [5]. Financial Performance Indicators - In the second quarter, American Express reported a 9% year-over-year increase in revenue, net of interest expense, and a 7% increase in Card Member spending to $416.3 billion [6]. - The International Card Services segment saw a 14.5% year-over-year increase, while Global Merchant and Network Services revenue rose by 3.2% [7]. - The company's expenses increased by 14% year-over-year in the second quarter, and analysts will be looking for revenue growth to outpace these cost increases [7]. Company Holdings and Market Impact - American Express is a significant holding for Berkshire Hathaway, comprising about 16.7% of its investment portfolio [9]. - The company's quarterly results could influence the Dow Jones Industrial Average, as it is one of the largest holdings in the index [10]. Stock Performance - As of Wednesday, American Express stock traded at $333.02, with a year-to-date increase of 11.6% in 2025 [10].

Core Viewpoint - Bloomin' Brands (BLMN) is currently rated as a Zacks Rank 5 (Strong Sell) despite recently reporting a solid earnings beat, leading to a stock sell-off [1] Company Overview - Bloomin' Brands, Inc. is involved in the acquisition, operation, design, and development of restaurant concepts, operating in both U.S. and International segments [2] - The U.S. segment includes operations in the USA and Puerto Rico, while the International segment operates in Brazil, South Korea, Hong Kong, and China [2] - The company's brands include Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar [2] Earnings History - The company has consistently beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last four quarters, which typically indicates effective management communication with the market [4] - In the most recent quarter, Bloomin' Brands reported an EPS of $0.33, surpassing the consensus estimate of $0.28, resulting in a positive earnings surprise of 17% [5] Earnings Estimates - Recent trends show a decline in annual earnings estimates for Bloomin' Brands, with the current fiscal year consensus dropping from $1.06 to $1.03 over the last 60 days [6] - The next fiscal year's estimate has also decreased from $1.02 to $0.98 during the same period, contributing to the stock's Zacks Rank of 5 (Strong Sell) [6] - A broader trend indicates that many stocks within the Zacks universe are experiencing negative earnings estimate revisions, leading to a similar ranking [7]

Earnings and Market Trends - Bank earnings are increasingly important due to the lack of economic data such as PPI, CPI, and jobs report [1] - Investors are expected to rely more on bank CEOs' commentary regarding consumer trends and market conditions [2] - Earnings estimates for calendar year 2026 show a 14% growth [3] - The market is considered to be priced to perfection, raising concerns about the departure from economic growth estimates and earnings growth [4] AI Impact and Investment - The expectation of strong earnings growth is contrasted with nominal GDP estimates, suggesting potential overestimation of firm performance [5] - AI is seen as a driver of earnings growth, particularly in communication services, technology, and financials [6] - There's skepticism about the near-term benefits of AI, as the investment phase precedes significant productivity gains [7][8] - Investors should be cautious about AI deals, considering the potential for revenue acceleration to meet deal obligations [11] Economic and Geopolitical Factors - Investors should be more cautious about new technology buildouts, considering the possibility of building in the wrong direction [13] - Commodity rallies, including gold hitting new records, reflect concerns about Fed credibility and a preference for real assets over financial assets [14][15] - International relations, particularly with China, are a factor influencing market dynamics [15]

Core Viewpoint - Johnson & Johnson is expected to report strong third-quarter financial results, continuing a trend of beating analyst estimates, with shares trading near all-time highs [1][2]. Earnings Estimates - Analysts anticipate third-quarter revenue of $23.74 billion, an increase from $22.47 billion in the same quarter last year [2]. - Expected earnings per share (EPS) for the third quarter is $2.75, up from $2.42 in the previous year [2]. - The company has consistently beaten revenue estimates for five consecutive quarters and EPS estimates for over ten quarters [2][3]. Market Sentiment - A strong second-quarter performance and raised guidance have contributed to a rally in Johnson & Johnson shares, which are up 30% year-to-date [4]. - Analysts suggest that the separation of the consumer health business (Kenvue Inc) allows the company to focus on higher growth areas like pharmaceuticals and medical devices [5]. Key Items to Watch - The second-quarter results highlighted strong growth in cancer drug sales, which increased by 24% year-over-year to $6.31 billion, offsetting a 15.4% decline in immunology sales [7]. - The MedTech unit also saw a 7.3% increase in sales to $8.54 billion, indicating a focus on innovative medicine [8]. - Guidance for full-year revenue and EPS will be closely monitored, as analysts expect the company to potentially raise these figures again [10]. Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Recent analyst ratings include: - Morgan Stanley: Equal-Weight, price target raised from $176 to $178 - Goldman Sachs: Buy, price target raised from $186 to $212 - Citigroup: Buy, price target raised from $200 to $213 - Bernstein: Market Perform, price target raised from $172 to $193 - Bank of America: Neutral, price target raised from $175 to $198 - Wells Fargo: Upgraded to Overweight, price target raised from $170 to $212 [9]. M&A Activity - The company is reportedly in discussions to acquire Protagonist Therapeutics, which could enhance its immunology segment amid increased competition for Stelara [11].

Core Insights - Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (APOG) reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 98 cents for Q2 fiscal 2026, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 86 cents, but reflecting a 31.9% decrease from the prior-year quarter [1][10] - The company generated revenues of $358 million in the quarter, a 4.6% increase year-over-year, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $334 million, driven by the acquisition of UW Solutions and higher Architectural Services volumes [2][10] - Apogee revised its fiscal 2026 guidance for net revenues to $1.39-$1.42 billion and adjusted EPS to $3.60-$3.90, down from previous estimates due to tariff headwinds and weaker margins [12] Financial Performance - Cost of sales increased by 12.4% year-over-year to $275.6 million, leading to a gross profit decline of 15.1% to $83 million, with gross margin decreasing to 23.1% from 28.4% [3] - Selling, general and administrative expenses rose by 0.7% to $56 million, while operating income fell by 35.9% to $27 million, resulting in an operating margin of 7.5% compared to 12.3% in the prior year [4] - Cash and cash equivalents stood at $39.5 million at the end of Q2 fiscal 2026, down from $41 million at the end of fiscal 2025, with cash provided by operating activities at $57.1 million [9] Segment Performance - Revenues in the Architectural Metals segment decreased by 0.3% year-over-year to $141 million, with adjusted EBITDA at $20.8 million [5] - Architectural Glass segment revenues fell by 19.9% to $72 million, with adjusted EBITDA around $12 million [6] - Performance Surfaces segment revenues surged by 144% to $48 million, with adjusted EBITDA increasing to $11.2 million [7] Backlog and Debt - The backlog for the Architectural Services segment increased to $792 million at the end of Q2 fiscal 2026, up from $682 million in the previous quarter [8] - Long-term debt decreased to $270 million at the end of Q2 fiscal 2026, down from $285 million at the end of fiscal 2025 [11] Stock Performance - Apogee's shares have declined by 45.1% over the past year, compared to a 25.8% decline in the industry [13]

Core Viewpoint - Home BancShares (HOMB) is expected to report a quarterly earnings per share (EPS) of $0.60, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 20%, with revenues projected at $270.43 million, a 4.8% increase compared to the previous year [1]. Earnings Estimates - The consensus EPS estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days, indicating that analysts have not reassessed their initial estimates during this period [2]. - Changes in earnings projections are crucial for predicting investor reactions, as empirical studies show a strong correlation between earnings estimate trends and short-term stock price movements [3]. Key Financial Metrics - Analysts predict that the 'Net Interest Margin' will reach 4.5%, up from 4.3% a year ago [5]. - The 'Efficiency Ratio' is estimated at 41.2%, slightly down from 41.4% in the same quarter last year [5]. - The consensus for 'Total non-performing loans' is $85.58 million, a decrease from $101.10 million year-over-year [5]. - The 'Average balance - Total interest-earning assets' is expected to be $20.14 billion, down from $20.23 billion a year ago [6]. - The estimated 'Total non-performing assets' is $131.50 million, compared to $144.21 million last year [6]. - 'Net Interest Income' is projected to be $224.38 million, an increase from $215.22 million in the same quarter last year [7]. - 'Total Non-Interest Income' is expected to reach $43.47 million, up from $42.78 million a year ago [7]. - 'Net Interest Income (FTE)' is forecasted at $226.72 million, compared to $217.84 million last year [8]. Stock Performance - Over the past month, Home BancShares shares have declined by 5.4%, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite has increased by 3.5% [8]. - Based on its Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), HOMB is expected to perform in line with the overall market in the near future [8].

Market Overview - The market is perceived as stretched and narrow, raising concerns about future actions over the next quarter [1] - There are risks on the horizon from fiscal, geopolitical, and earnings perspectives, alongside potential opportunities [2] - The market has reached new all-time highs during a government shutdown, indicating conflicting narratives of risk and optimism [3] Earnings and Sector Performance - Earnings estimates have increased for communication services, tech, and financial sectors since July, suggesting potential investment opportunities [4] - US corporations have shown resilience in income statements, justifying valuations, particularly among larger, high-growth companies [5] - Optimism in financials, especially larger banks, is seen as beneficial for broader macroeconomic growth [6] Consumer Spending and Airline Sector - Total card spending increased by over 2%, but airlines experienced a slight pullback, raising concerns about consumer strength [7] - Delta Airlines is highlighted as a safer investment option due to its valuation metrics, with forward earnings at eight times and forward cash flow at ten times [9]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The report focuses on the Asia/EM (Emerging Markets) equity strategy, highlighting the current market conditions and future outlook for the region [2][4]. Core Insights - The recent rally in Asia/EM markets is primarily attributed to multiple expansions rather than earnings growth, raising concerns about sustainability [2][10]. - For the rally to continue into 2026, a significant reacceleration in global GDP growth and earnings estimates is necessary [4][14]. - Current downside risks for major Asia/EM indices range from 6% to 13%, while upside potential is limited to 1% to 8% [7][8]. - The 12-month forward P/E multiples have increased by 3.0 to 3.6 points since early April, returning to levels last seen in 2021, which are 1.0 to 1.8 standard deviations above the 10-year averages [11][12]. Earnings and Economic Outlook - Earnings estimate revisions have been flat to down since April, contrasting with the positive revisions seen in the US market [7][14]. - The economic team expresses concerns about growth risks, particularly in trade-dependent economies, with moderate deceleration expected in forward EPS for major markets [14][15]. - The report indicates resilience in domestic demand sectors like Financials and Consumer, while global cyclicals such as Energy and Materials are expected to face weakness [15]. Market Sentiment and Flows - There is a noted gap of approximately 10% between current index levels and base case targets, with markets nearing bull case targets [8][34]. - Sentiment indicators show complacency but not extreme euphoria, with inflows into EM equities increasing from 2 out of 10 weeks at the market trough in April to 8 out of 10 weeks recently [34][36]. Sector Performance - Emerging Markets (EM) equities are characterized as low-quality cyclicals, with historical performance showing sudden bursts of investor interest followed by disappointment [18]. - The report suggests a preference for Financials and domestic Consumer plays over traditional cyclicals like Energy and Materials, which are currently underweighted [25][30]. Conclusion - The report emphasizes the need for cautious optimism regarding the sustainability of the current market rally, highlighting the importance of economic growth and earnings recovery for future performance [2][4][18].

Later today, investors are going to be parsing through the Fed's minutes for clues on the path of interest rates. Joining us right now with her take on the markets is Alicia Lavine. She's head of investment strategy and equities at BNY Wealth.And Alicia, thanks for coming in this morning. Great to be in. So, we mentioned earlier in the tease that we broke the winning streak we've seen for the markets, but we are still talking about all three of the major averages, less than 1% from all-time highs.So, I don' ...

Core Viewpoint - Alphabet's stock can continue to build on its gains by enhancing its search and cloud services, which could lead to higher earnings estimates according to a Morgan Stanley analyst [1] Group 1 - The focus on driving search momentum is essential for Alphabet's growth strategy [1] - Cloud services are identified as a significant area for potential revenue increase [1] - Higher earnings estimates are anticipated as a result of these strategic focuses [1]