Company Overview - Altria Group, Inc. is valued at $96.8 billion and is a leading tobacco company based in Richmond, Virginia, known for brands like Marlboro and Copenhagen [1] Financial Performance - Analysts expect Altria to report an adjusted EPS of $1.30 for the upcoming fourth quarter, a slight increase from $1.29 in the same quarter last year [2] - For fiscal 2025, Altria's adjusted EPS is projected to be $5.44, reflecting a 6.3% increase from $5.12 in fiscal 2024, with further growth expected to $5.56 in FY2026 [3] Stock Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, Altria's shares have increased by 10.8%, which is lower than the S&P 500 Index's return of 16.4% but better than the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund's slight decline [4] Dividend Policy - Altria announced a quarterly dividend of $1.06 per share, scheduled for payment on January 9, 2026, demonstrating the company's commitment to returning capital to shareholders [5] Analyst Ratings - The consensus rating for Altria is neutral with a "Hold" recommendation; among 14 analysts, 4 suggest "Strong Buy," 8 recommend "Hold," 1 advises "Moderate Sell," and 1 gives a "Strong Sell" rating, with a mean price target of $61.45 indicating a potential upside of 6.6% [6]

Company Overview - Tractor Supply Company (TSCO) has a market cap of $26.8 billion and operates as a rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S., offering a variety of products including livestock and pet supplies, tools, and clothing [1] Financial Performance - TSCO is expected to announce its fiscal Q4 2025 results soon, with analysts predicting an EPS of $0.47, which represents a 6.8% increase from $0.44 in the same quarter last year [2] - For fiscal 2025, analysts forecast an EPS of $2.11, a rise of 3.4% from $2.04 in fiscal 2024, and an anticipated increase of 10.4% year-over-year to $2.33 in fiscal 2026 [3] Recent Stock Performance - TSCO shares have decreased by 6.9% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming the S&P 500 Index's return of 16.9% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF's return of 5.2% [4] - On October 23, TSCO shares rose by 2.8% following stronger-than-expected Q3 2025 results, with net sales increasing by 7.2% to a record $3.72 billion and comparable store sales up by 3.9% [5] Analyst Ratings - The consensus view on TSCO stock is cautiously optimistic, with a "Moderate Buy" rating. Among 30 analysts, 18 recommend "Strong Buy," one gives "Moderate Buy," and 11 indicate "Hold" [6] - The average analyst price target for Tractor Supply is $63.78, suggesting a potential upside of 25.5% from current levels [6]

Core Viewpoint - Procter & Gamble Company (PG) is set to announce its fiscal second-quarter earnings for 2026, with analysts projecting a slight decline in earnings per share (EPS) compared to the previous year [1][2]. Financial Performance - Analysts expect PG to report a profit of $1.87 per share on a diluted basis for the upcoming quarter, down from $1.88 per share in the same quarter last year [2]. - For the full fiscal year 2026, EPS is anticipated to be $6.99, reflecting a 2.3% increase from $6.83 in fiscal 2025, with further growth expected to $7.37 in fiscal 2027, a 5.4% year-over-year rise [3]. Stock Performance - PG stock has underperformed the S&P 500 Index, which gained 14.8% over the past 52 weeks, with PG shares down 14.9% during the same period [4]. - The stock also lagged behind the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund, which experienced a 1.8% loss [4]. Market Challenges - The underperformance of PG is attributed to sector-wide challenges, including higher tariffs, soft consumer spending, and competition from lower-priced brands, despite resilient fundamentals [5]. - The company faces muted sales growth and margin pressures due to investments and tariffs impacting stock performance [5]. Recent Earnings Report - On October 24, PG reported its Q1 results, with an adjusted EPS of $1.99, surpassing Wall Street expectations of $1.90, and revenue of $22.4 billion, exceeding forecasts of $22.2 billion [6]. Analyst Sentiment - The consensus opinion on PG stock is moderately bullish, with a "Moderate Buy" rating from analysts. Out of 24 analysts, 11 recommend a "Strong Buy," 3 suggest a "Moderate Buy," and 10 give a "Hold" rating [7]. - The average analyst price target for PG is $169.68, indicating a potential upside of 17.2% from current levels [7].

Core Viewpoint - Zoom Communications reported strong Q3 fiscal 2026 earnings and revenues, surpassing estimates and showing year-over-year growth, indicating positive momentum for the company [2][10][11]. Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share for Q3 fiscal 2026 were $1.52, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.29% and increasing 10.1% year over year [2]. - Revenues reached $1.23 billion, beating the consensus mark by 1.4% and reflecting a 4.4% year-over-year increase [2]. - Enterprise revenues, which constitute 60.3% of total revenues, grew 6.1% year over year to $741.4 million, while online revenues increased 2% to $488.4 million [3]. Customer Metrics - The number of customers contributing over $100,000 in revenues over the trailing 12 months grew by 9.2% to 4,363, accounting for 32% of total revenues [3]. - The total number of Enterprise customers was approximately 185,100, with a net dollar expansion rate of 98% for Enterprise customers [4]. Operating Metrics - Non-GAAP gross margin improved to 80% from 78.9% year over year, with non-GAAP operating income rising 10.7% to $507 million [6][7]. - Operating margin increased to 41.2% compared to 38.9% in the previous year [7]. Cash Flow and Balance Sheet - Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as of October 31, 2025, were $7.9 billion, up from $7.8 billion as of July 31, 2025 [8]. - Net cash provided by operating activities was $629.3 million for Q3, compared to $515.9 million in the previous quarter [8]. Guidance - For Q4 fiscal 2026, Zoom expects revenues between $1.230 billion and $1.235 billion, with non-GAAP earnings per share projected in the range of $1.48 to $1.49 [10]. - For the full fiscal year 2026, revenues are expected to be between $4.852 billion and $4.857 billion, with non-GAAP earnings per share anticipated in the band of $5.95 to $5.97 [11]. Market Sentiment - Since the earnings release, there has been a 10.37% upward trend in consensus estimates, reflecting positive investor sentiment [12]. - Zoom holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating expectations for above-average returns in the coming months [14].

Valued at a market cap of $167.9 billion, Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) is a telecommunications company that provides wireless, broadband, and wireline communication services to consumers, businesses, and government clients. The New York-based company is expected to announce its fiscal Q4 earnings for 2025 before the market opens on Friday, Jan. 30. Ahead of this event, analysts expect this telecommunications giant to report a profit of $1.06 per share, down 3.6% from $1.10 per share in the year-ago q ...

Core Insights - Mission Produce, Inc. (AVO) reported a decrease in sales but an increase in earnings for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, with both metrics surpassing Zacks consensus estimates [1][3][4] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) were 31 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 19 cents and up 10.7% from 28 cents in the same quarter last year [3][8] - Total revenues fell 10% year over year to $319 million from $354 million, yet this figure was above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $312.3 million [4] - Gross profit was $55.7 million, with gross margin improving by 180 basis points to 17.5%, attributed to lower revenues from reduced per-unit pricing [5][8] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 12% year over year to $41.4 million, driven by higher avocado production and increased volumes in the Marketing and Distribution segment [9][8] Segment Performance - Marketing & Distribution segment net sales decreased 15% year over year to $271.9 million, but adjusted EBITDA rose 11% to $2.7 million due to higher avocado volumes [10] - International Farming segment sales surged 97% year over year to $59.6 million, with adjusted EBITDA increasing 211% to $8.4 million, driven by higher yields and services [11] - Blueberries segment net sales increased 16% year over year to $36.5 million, although adjusted EBITDA fell to $4.7 million from $8.6 million in the previous year [12] Financial Position - As of the end of the quarter, the company had $64.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, $92.8 million in long-term debt, and $587.3 million in shareholders' equity [13] - Capital expenditures for the year totaled $51.4 million, focusing on avocado orchard development and blueberry cultivation [14] Future Outlook - For the first quarter of fiscal 2026, the company anticipates a 10% increase in avocado volumes, although pricing is expected to decline by 25% due to higher supply [15]

Core Insights - Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. reported solid second-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with both net sales and earnings exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate, although earnings decreased compared to the previous year [2][10] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings were 69 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 67 cents, but represented a 5% decrease year-over-year due to reduced adjusted gross profit [2][10] - Net sales reached $1,618.1 million, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,593 million, and increased by $17.2 million year-over-year [3][10] Sales and Volume Analysis - On a constant-currency basis, sales were flat, with an 8% volume growth offset by an 8% decline in price/mix, driven by customer wins and share gains, particularly in North America and Asia [4] - The North America segment's net sales were flat at $1,069.5 million, with an 8% volume increase driven by customer contract wins, while the price/mix fell 8% [7] - The International segment's net sales grew 4% to $548.6 million, with a 7% volume increase, but a decline in price/mix by 8% [9] Profitability Metrics - Adjusted gross profit fell by $15.6 million year-over-year to $327.9 million, primarily due to weaker price/mix [5] - Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $8.5 million year-over-year to $285.7 million, attributed to reduced adjusted gross profit and equity method investment earnings [6] Segment Performance - North America segment adjusted EBITDA increased by $18.6 million to $287.8 million, driven by higher volumes and reduced manufacturing costs [8] - International segment adjusted EBITDA decreased by $21.4 million to $27.2 million, mainly due to elevated manufacturing costs [11] Financial Health - The company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $82.7 million and long-term debt of $3,648.9 million [12] - Lamb Weston returned $51.6 million to shareholders through dividends and repurchased $39.6 million of common stock [13] Future Outlook - The company expects net sales at constant currency to be between $6.35 billion and $6.55 billion and adjusted EBITDA to be between $1.00 billion and $1.20 billion for fiscal 2026 [15]

Eagle, Idaho-based Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (LW) is a food processing company that specializes in frozen potato products. Valued at a market cap of $8.3 billion, the company is one of the world’s largest producers and distributors of frozen french fries and other value-added potato products, serving restaurants, quick-service chains, foodservice operators, and retail customers.  It is scheduled to announce its fiscal Q2 earnings for 2026 before the market opens on Friday, Dec. 19. Before this event, an ...

Core Viewpoint - MillerKnoll, Inc. reported strong second-quarter earnings, surpassing analyst expectations for both earnings per share and revenue, indicating effective execution of strategic priorities and brand strength [1][3]. Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share for the quarter were 43 cents, exceeding the analyst estimate of 41 cents [2]. - Quarterly sales reached $955.2 million, surpassing the Street estimate of $943.13 million [2]. - Net sales decreased by 1.6% year-over-year and 2.5% organically [5]. - Orders totaled $972.5 million, reflecting a 5.5% increase as reported and a 4.5% increase organically year-over-year, driven by growth across all segments [5]. - Gross margin improved by 20 basis points [5]. Future Outlook - For the third quarter, MillerKnoll anticipates adjusted EPS between 42 cents and 48 cents, compared to the 41 cents estimate [3]. - Revenue guidance for the third quarter is projected to be between $923 million and $963 million, exceeding the analyst estimate of $915.87 million [3]. Stock Performance - Following the earnings report, MillerKnoll's stock rose by 5.82% to $18.55 in extended trading [4].

Core Insights - General Mills, Inc. reported second-quarter results that exceeded expectations, with adjusted earnings of $1.10 per share, surpassing analyst estimates of $1.02 [2] - The company's net sales totaled $4.9 billion, above the consensus estimate of $4.78 billion, despite a 7% year-over-year decline [2] - Shares rose more than 3% intra-day following the earnings release [1] Financial Performance - Adjusted operating profit fell 20% in constant currency terms to $848 million, with adjusted operating margin contracting 290 basis points to 17.4% [3] - The North America Retail segment, the largest by revenue, experienced a 13% decline in net sales, including a 10-point drag from yogurt divestitures [3] - Organic net sales declined 1% from a year earlier [2] Segment Performance - The North America Pet segment saw net sales rise 11%, supported by the acquisition of Whitebridge Pet Brands [4] - The International segment delivered growth, with net sales increasing 6% due to strong performance in Brazil, China, India, and North Asia [4] Future Outlook - General Mills reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 outlook, projecting organic net sales to range from a 1% decline to a 1% increase [5] - The company forecasts adjusted operating profit and adjusted diluted earnings per share to fall 10% to 15% in constant currency [5]