Core Viewpoint - Barrick Mining Corporation is expected to report fourth-quarter 2025 results on February 5, with earnings anticipated to rise by 89.1% year-over-year, driven by higher gold prices despite production and cost challenges [1][6]. Group 1: Earnings Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Barrick's fourth-quarter earnings is set at 87 cents per share, reflecting an increase from previous estimates over the last 60 days [1]. - Barrick has beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in three of the last four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of approximately 8.7% [2]. Group 2: Production and Costs - Higher gold prices are expected to support Barrick's performance, with gold prices closing nearly 13% higher in the fourth quarter and surging about 65% in 2025 [7]. - However, Barrick is facing weaker year-over-year production, with a projected 18% decline in gold production for the fourth quarter, estimated at around 889,000 ounces [9]. - The company experienced a 12% year-over-year decline in third-quarter gold production, primarily due to the suspension of operations at the Loulo-Gounkoto mine [8]. - Higher production costs are anticipated to impact fourth-quarter results, with cash costs per ounce of gold and all-in-sustaining costs (AISC) increasing by approximately 3% and 2% year-over-year, respectively [10][11]. Group 3: Market Performance and Valuation - Barrick's stock has increased by 176.5% over the past year, outperforming the Zacks Mining – Gold industry's increase of 127.3% and the S&P 500's rise of 18.1% [12]. - The company is currently trading at a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 13.56, which is about a 6% discount compared to the industry average of 14.43 [15]. Group 4: Strategic Positioning - Barrick is well-positioned to benefit from key growth projects that are on schedule and within budget, which should significantly contribute to future production [18]. - The company maintains a robust liquidity position and generates healthy cash flows, allowing it to pursue development, exploration, and acquisition opportunities [19]. - Despite challenges from higher costs and operational issues leading to lower production, Barrick's strong pipeline of growth projects and favorable gold market conditions support a positive outlook [21].

Core Viewpoint - Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation (MGY) is expected to report fourth-quarter 2025 earnings on February 5, with earnings estimated at 36 cents per share and revenues at $312.3 million [1][7]. Group 1: Recent Performance - In the last reported quarter, MGY achieved a net profit of 41 cents per share, aligning with the Zacks Consensus Estimate, driven by increased production volumes [2]. - Total revenues for the last quarter were $324.9 million, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $322 million [2]. - MGY has beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate three times in the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 4.45% [3]. Group 2: Earnings Estimates and Trends - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter 2025 earnings has remained unchanged, reflecting a 26.53% year-over-year decrease [3]. - Revenue estimates for the fourth quarter indicate a decline of 4.38% compared to the same period last year [3]. Group 3: Operational Factors - MGY generates revenues by acquiring land or leases with oil and natural gas reserves, primarily in South Texas, focusing on areas like the Eagle Ford Shale and Austin Chalk [4]. - The company’s total operating expenses are projected to reach $217.6 million in the fourth quarter, a 7.5% increase from the previous quarter [5]. - General and administrative expenses are expected to rise to $24.2 million, a 14.1% increase year-over-year, while gathering, transportation, and processing expenses are projected to reach $18 million, a 47.6% increase from the prior year [6]. Group 4: Production and Pricing Outlook - MGY's fourth-quarter production volumes are anticipated to rise, supported by higher realized prices for natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) [7][8].

Core Insights - Investors should conduct a thorough review of a company's financial background rather than relying solely on real-time trading numbers, especially in a volatile market [1] - The interest coverage ratio is a critical indicator of a company's ability to meet its debt obligations, particularly in a tighter financial environment [2][4] Financial Metrics - Companies like Casey's General Stores, Brinker International, Cardinal Health, and Flowserve have strong interest coverage ratios, indicating their capacity to service debt [3] - The interest coverage ratio is calculated as Earnings before Interest & Taxes (EBIT) divided by Interest Expense, providing insight into a company's financial stability [5] - A ratio below 1 indicates potential default risk, while a higher ratio suggests a company can withstand financial challenges [7] Investment Strategy - A favorable investment strategy includes selecting stocks with an interest coverage ratio above the industry average, a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2, and a VGM Score of A or B [8][11] - Stocks meeting these criteria are likely to outperform in various market conditions [11] Company Highlights - Casey's General Stores has a Zacks Rank of 1, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 24.1% and projected sales and EPS growth of 8.8% and 18.8%, respectively, leading to a 44.6% stock increase over the past year [10][12] - Cardinal Health holds a Zacks Rank of 2, with a trailing earnings surprise of 9.4% and projected sales and EPS growth of 16.4% and 21.5%, respectively, resulting in a 71.5% stock surge [12][13] - Brinker International, also with a Zacks Rank of 2, has a trailing earnings surprise of 8.2% and projected sales and EPS growth of 7.7% and 18.7%, but its stock has declined by 16.6% [13][14] - Flowserve, with a Zacks Rank of 2, shows a trailing earnings surprise of 10.5% and projected sales and EPS growth of 4.6% and 31.9%, leading to a 26.2% stock increase [14][15]

Company Performance - Main Street Capital (MAIN) closed at $63.80, reflecting a -1.21% change from the previous day, underperforming the S&P 500's loss of 0.43% [1] - Over the past month, shares of Main Street Capital have appreciated by 6.94%, significantly outperforming the Finance sector's gain of 0.35% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.89% [1] Upcoming Earnings - The upcoming earnings release is scheduled for February 26, 2026, with projected earnings of $1.06 per share, indicating a year-over-year growth of 3.92% [2] - The consensus estimate anticipates revenue of $140.81 million, reflecting a 0.26% increase from the same quarter last year [2] Annual Forecast - For the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $4.19 per share and revenue of $561.66 million, showing changes of +2.44% and 0% respectively compared to the previous year [3] Analyst Estimates - Recent changes to analyst estimates for Main Street Capital are important as they reflect the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns, with upward revisions indicating analysts' positive outlook on the company's operations [4] - The Zacks Rank system, which incorporates these estimate changes, provides a practical rating system for investors [5] Zacks Rank and Valuation - Main Street Capital currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), with the consensus EPS estimate remaining unchanged over the last 30 days [6] - The company is trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 15.89, which is a premium compared to the industry average Forward P/E of 8.8 [7] Industry Context - The Financial - SBIC & Commercial Industry, part of the Finance sector, has a Zacks Industry Rank of 97, placing it in the top 40% of over 250 industries [7] - The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of industry groups, with top-rated industries outperforming the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [8]

Company Performance - Medpace's stock closed at $582.48, reflecting a decrease of -1.79% from the previous day, underperforming compared to the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.43% [1] - Over the last month, Medpace's shares have increased by 5.59%, outperforming the Medical sector's loss of 2.36% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.89% [1] Upcoming Earnings - Medpace is set to disclose its earnings on February 9, 2026, with analysts expecting earnings of $4.18 per share, indicating a year-over-year growth of 13.9% [2] - The consensus estimate for revenue is projected at $681.17 million, representing a growth of 26.94% compared to the same quarter last year [2] Full Year Projections - For the full year, Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $14.8 per share and revenue of $2.5 billion, reflecting changes of +17.18% and 0% respectively from the prior year [3] - Recent changes to analyst estimates indicate a positive outlook for Medpace, as upward revisions are often seen as a sign of optimism regarding business trends [3] Valuation Metrics - Medpace has a Forward P/E ratio of 35.67, which is a premium compared to the industry average Forward P/E of 15.73 [6] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.99, compared to the Medical Services industry's average PEG ratio of 1.77 [6] Industry Context - The Medical Services industry, which includes Medpace, ranks 178 in the Zacks Industry Rank, placing it in the bottom 28% of over 250 industries [7] - The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the performance potential of industry groups, indicating that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [7]

Core Viewpoint - Hershey's stock has shown resilience with a recent increase, outperforming major indices, and upcoming earnings are anticipated to reveal a significant decline in EPS while revenue is expected to rise slightly [1][2]. Group 1: Stock Performance - Hershey closed at $194.75, marking a +2.21% increase from the previous day, outperforming the S&P 500's loss of 0.43% [1] - Over the last month, Hershey's shares have increased by 4.7%, surpassing the Consumer Staples sector's gain of 4.16% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.89% [1]. Group 2: Earnings Forecast - Hershey's upcoming earnings report is scheduled for February 5, 2026, with an expected EPS of $1.4, indicating a 47.96% decline compared to the same quarter last year [2]. - The consensus estimate for revenue is $2.99 billion, reflecting a 3.62% increase from the same quarter last year [2]. Group 3: Full Year Projections - For the full year, Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $6.01 per share and revenue of $11.6 billion, representing changes of -35.86% and 0% respectively from the prior year [3]. - Recent changes to analyst estimates indicate a positive outlook, with a 1.44% rise in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate over the past month [5]. Group 4: Valuation Metrics - Hershey is currently trading with a Forward P/E ratio of 27.17, which is a premium compared to the industry average Forward P/E of 18.41 [6]. - The Food - Confectionery industry, part of the Consumer Staples sector, holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 1, placing it in the top 1% of over 250 industries [6].

Company Performance - Hyster-Yale (HY) closed at $33.45, marking a +1.7% move from the prior day, outperforming the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.43% [1] - The company's shares have increased by 10.7% over the last month, surpassing the Industrial Products sector's gain of 8.66% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.89% [1] Earnings Projections - The upcoming earnings report projects an earnings per share (EPS) of -$1.2, reflecting a 181.63% decrease from the same quarter last year [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $916.43 million, down 14.15% from the year-ago period [2] Full-Year Estimates - Full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates call for earnings of -$0.93 per share and revenue of $3.76 billion, representing year-over-year changes of -110.36% and 0%, respectively [3] - Recent changes to analyst estimates for Hyster-Yale indicate confidence in the business performance and profit potential [3] Industry Ranking - The Manufacturing - Construction and Mining industry, part of the Industrial Products sector, carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 97, placing it within the top 40% of over 250 industries [6] - Research indicates that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [6]

Company Performance - Itron's stock closed at $99.08, down 1.11%, underperforming the S&P 500, which fell 0.43% [1] - Over the last month, Itron's shares increased by 7.89%, outperforming the Computer and Technology sector's gain of 1.51% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.89% [1] Upcoming Earnings - Itron is set to release its earnings report on February 17, 2026, with an expected EPS of $2.19, representing a 62.22% increase from the same quarter last year [2] - Revenue is projected at $561.79 million, reflecting an 8.33% decline from the equivalent quarter last year [2] Annual Forecast - For the entire year, Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $6.86 per share and revenue of $2.36 billion, indicating a 22.06% increase in earnings and no change in revenue compared to the previous year [3] Analyst Estimates - Recent changes in analyst estimates for Itron suggest a positive outlook, as upward revisions are typically seen as favorable for business prospects [3][4] Zacks Rank - Itron currently holds a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell), with a recent downward shift of 3.02% in the consensus EPS estimate [5] - The Zacks Rank system has a historical average annual return of +25% for 1 ranked stocks since 1988 [5] Valuation Metrics - Itron has a Forward P/E ratio of 16.94, which is lower than the industry average of 23.56 [6] - The company also has a PEG ratio of 0.56, significantly below the industry average PEG ratio of 2.98 [7] Industry Context - Itron operates within the Electronics - Testing Equipment industry, which ranks in the top 24% of over 250 industries according to the Zacks Industry Rank [8]

Company Performance - Silicon Motion (SIMO) stock closed at $118.83, reflecting a +2.29% change from the previous day's closing price, outperforming the S&P 500 which fell by 0.43% [1] - The stock has increased by 25.32% over the past month, significantly surpassing the Computer and Technology sector's gain of 1.51% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.89% [1] Upcoming Earnings - The upcoming earnings report for Silicon Motion is scheduled for February 3, 2026, with an expected EPS of $1.29, indicating a 41.76% increase year-over-year [2] - Revenue is projected at $261.2 million, representing a 36.64% increase compared to the same quarter last year [2] Annual Estimates - For the annual period, Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $3.58 per share and revenue of $864.54 million, reflecting changes of +4.37% and 0% respectively from the previous year [3] - Recent analyst estimate revisions indicate optimism regarding the company's business and profitability [3] Valuation Metrics - Silicon Motion is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 23.8, which is lower than the industry average of 24.55, suggesting it is trading at a discount [6] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.12, compared to the average PEG ratio of 0.98 for Computer - Integrated Systems stocks [7] Industry Context - The Computer - Integrated Systems industry is part of the broader Computer and Technology sector, holding a Zacks Industry Rank of 47, placing it in the top 20% of over 250 industries [8] - The Zacks Industry Rank indicates that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [8]

Core Viewpoint - Wix.com (WIX) has experienced a significant decline in stock price, underperforming compared to major indices, and is facing a challenging earnings outlook with a predicted decline in EPS for the upcoming quarter [1][2][3]. Company Performance - Wix.com ended the recent trading session at $86.83, reflecting a -3.49% change from the previous day's closing price [1]. - Over the past month, shares of Wix.com have lost 13.4%, while the Computer and Technology sector gained 1.51% and the S&P 500 gained 0.89% [2]. - The upcoming financial results are expected to show an EPS of $1.36, indicating a 29.53% decline compared to the same quarter last year, with revenue projected at $528.03 million, up 14.68% from the prior-year quarter [3]. Annual Estimates - For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of $6.76 per share and revenue of $2 billion, reflecting shifts of +5.79% and 0%, respectively, from the last year [4]. - Recent changes to analyst estimates for Wix.com indicate a dynamic business outlook, with positive revisions suggesting optimism [4]. Valuation Metrics - Wix.com is currently trading with a Forward P/E ratio of 13.81, which is lower than the industry average of 17.04, suggesting it is trading at a discount [7]. - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.74, compared to the industry average PEG ratio of 1.35, indicating a favorable valuation relative to expected earnings growth [8]. Industry Context - The Computers - IT Services industry, which includes Wix.com, holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 88, placing it in the top 36% of over 250 industries [8]. - The Zacks Rank system, which evaluates stocks based on estimate changes, currently ranks Wix.com at 4 (Sell), indicating a less favorable outlook compared to higher-ranked stocks [6].