Verizon issued a bullish forecast for this year. - Michael Nagle/Bloomberg News Verizon Communications gained a net 616,000 postpaid phone connections in the fourth quarter, with its chief executive calling the period a “critical inflection point.” The company posted its biggest quarterly combined mobile and broadband net additions since 2019. Shares rose 5% in premarket trading. Most Read from The Wall Street Journal Dan Schulman took over as CEO of the nation’s largest wireless carrier in October wi ...

Core Viewpoint - The Zacks Transportation-Truck industry is currently facing significant challenges due to supply-chain disruptions, a weak freight environment, and macroeconomic issues, including geopolitical tensions and high inflation levels [1][4]. Industry Overview - The Zacks Transportation-Truck industry consists of truck operators that transport freight across North America, offering various services such as full-truckload and less-than-truckload (LTL) [3]. - Companies in this sector provide a range of trucking services, including dry-van, dedicated, refrigerated, flatbed, and expedited services, along with logistics and intermodal services [3]. Current Trends - **Freight Downturn**: The industry is experiencing a prolonged freight downturn, with the Cass Freight Shipments Index declining by 7.6% year over year in November 2025, marking a consistent decline over the past nine months [4]. - **Cost Management**: Companies are implementing cost-reduction strategies to combat input cost inflation and maintain margins, focusing on operational efficiency and high-growth markets [5]. - **Driver Shortage**: The trucking industry is facing a severe shortage of drivers, with an expected shortfall of over 160,000 drivers by 2030, exacerbating supply-chain challenges [6]. Industry Performance - The Zacks Transportation-Truck industry ranks 234 out of 243 Zacks industries, placing it in the bottom 2%, indicating poor near-term prospects [7]. - The industry's earnings estimate for 2026 has decreased by 30.9% year over year, reflecting a negative outlook among analysts [8]. - Over the past year, the industry has underperformed, declining by 3.7%, while the S&P 500 increased by 18.1% and the broader transportation sector rose by 1.4% [10]. Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at an EV-to-EBITDA ratio of 14.37X, which is lower than the S&P 500's 18.99X but higher than the sector's 10.83X [13]. Notable Companies - **J.B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT)**: This company has seen its shares increase by 11% over the past year and has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold). It has surpassed earnings estimates in two of the last four quarters [17][18]. - **Saia (SAIA)**: Saia provides regional and interregional LTL services and also holds a Zacks Rank of 3, having surpassed earnings estimates in three of the last four quarters [21][22]. - **ArcBest Corporation (ARCB)**: ArcBest is focused on cost control and productivity improvements, expecting a 37.9% year-over-year increase in earnings per share for 2026. It also carries a Zacks Rank of 3 [24].

Core Viewpoint - Constellation Brands is focusing on cost reductions and anticipating a rebound in Hispanic beer demand to enhance its earnings after a challenging 2025 and several forecast downgrades [1] Group 1 - The company experienced a difficult year in 2025, leading to multiple cuts in earnings forecasts [1] - Constellation Brands is implementing cost-cutting measures as part of its strategy to improve financial performance [1] - There is an expectation for a recovery in demand for beer among Hispanic consumers, which the company is betting on to boost earnings [1]

Core Insights - Bruker Corporation is a prominent provider of advanced scientific instruments and analytical solutions, focusing on innovation in life sciences, nanotechnology, and diagnostics to meet complex research and industrial demands [1] Financial Performance - As of the latest report, Bruker shares are priced at $47.85, reflecting an 18% decline over the past year, significantly underperforming the S&P 500, which has increased by approximately 15% during the same timeframe [2] - In the third quarter, Bruker experienced a revenue decline of 0.5% year over year, with organic revenue down 4.5%, attributed to reduced spending in academic and research sectors [5] - Non-GAAP EPS for the third quarter was reported at $0.45, a decrease from $0.60 in the previous year, with full-year guidance indicating a potential organic revenue decline of up to 5% [5] Shareholder Actions - Grandeur Peak Global Advisors sold 709,697 shares of Bruker Corporation in the third quarter, resulting in a net position change of $29.54 million, with the remaining holding valued at $1.11 million as of September 30 [3][4] - The sale has reduced Bruker's position in the fund to 0.15% of 13F AUM, moving it outside the fund's top five holdings [2] Strategic Outlook - Management is implementing cost-cutting measures and anticipates a rebound in bookings, with a book-to-bill ratio above 1.0 in scientific instruments and a cost-down program projected to save $100 million to $120 million aimed at improving margins by 2026 [6] - Despite current earnings pressure and organic revenue declines, Bruker is viewed as having durable technology and long-term demand drivers, although the near-term outlook raises questions about holding the stock compared to faster-compounding opportunities [7]

Core Insights - The new chief executive of Remy Cointreau anticipates a return to growth in the second half of the fiscal year after implementing cost-cutting measures that mitigated a profit decline in the first half [1] Financial Performance - The company experienced a profit drop in the first half, but the specific percentage or amount of the decline was not detailed in the provided content [1] Strategic Outlook - The chief executive outlined plans for the company to regain growth momentum, indicating a positive outlook for the second half of the fiscal year [1]

Core Insights - U.S.-based employers cut more than 150,000 jobs in October, marking the largest reduction for the month in over 20 years [1] - The job cuts are attributed to industries adopting AI-driven changes and intensifying cost-cutting measures [1] Industry Impact - The significant job reduction indicates a shift in workforce dynamics as companies increasingly integrate artificial intelligence into their operations [1] - Cost-cutting strategies are becoming more prevalent across various sectors, reflecting broader economic pressures [1]

Core Viewpoint - Intel has shown signs of recovery with better-than-expected third-quarter results, although revenue growth remains weak, indicating low market expectations [2]. Financial Performance - Revenue increased by 3% to $13.7 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $13.14 billion [2]. - Adjusted gross margin improved significantly by 22 percentage points to 40%, driven by a favorable product mix, reduced inventory reserves, and increased revenue [3]. - Operating margin rose by 29 percentage points to 11.2%, aided by a reduction in research and development and general and administrative expenses from $4.8 billion to $3.9 billion [3]. - Adjusted earnings per share reached $0.23, a turnaround from a loss of $0.46 per share in the same quarter last year [3]. Strategic Changes - CEO Lip-Bu Tan has focused on strengthening the balance sheet, raising $12.9 billion through various stake sales, including to the federal government, Nvidia, and Softbank [4]. - The company repaid $4.3 billion in debt and added $20 billion in net assets since the beginning of the year, reflecting the success of these initiatives [4]. - Intel has undergone significant restructuring, including job cuts and management refreshment, to foster an engineering-first mindset [6]. Future Outlook - For the fourth quarter, Intel anticipates revenue between $12.8 billion and $13.8 billion, representing a 3% sequential decline and a 6.3% year-over-year decline [7]. - Despite efforts to streamline operations, Intel continues to face growth challenges compared to competitors like Nvidia, AMD, and Arm, which are capitalizing on the AI boom [7].

Core Viewpoint - Volvo Cars exceeded third-quarter profit forecasts due to effective cost-cutting measures, resulting in a significant increase in share prices [1][3]. Financial Performance - The company reported an operating profit before one-off costs of 5.9 billion Swedish crowns ($627 million) for July-September, surpassing analysts' consensus forecast of 1.6 billion crowns [3]. - Despite a 7% decline in sales, the gross margin improved to 24.4% from 17.7% in the previous quarter [4]. Management Actions - New CEO Hakan Samuelsson has focused on cost reductions, including cutting 3,000 jobs and slowing investments to mitigate pressures from U.S. tariffs and competition [2][5]. - The management's strategy has shifted from growth and market share to prioritizing cash flow and profitability [5]. Market Conditions - Volvo Cars has been affected by U.S. import tariffs, but recent trade negotiations have reduced these tariffs from 27.5% to 15% retroactively from August 1 [6]. - The company plans to move some hybrid production to the U.S. to further mitigate tariff impacts [6]. Stock Market Reaction - Following the positive earnings report, Volvo Cars' shares rose by as much as 40%, marking one of their strongest daily performances [1][4].

Core Viewpoint - Volvo Cars exceeded third-quarter profit expectations due to effective cost-cutting measures, resulting in a significant increase in share price despite facing challenges such as tariffs and competition [1][2]. Financial Performance - The company reported an operating profit before one-off costs of 5.9 billion Swedish crowns ($627 million) for July-September, significantly surpassing analysts' consensus forecast of 1.6 billion crowns [2]. - Despite a 7% decline in sales, the gross margin improved to 24.4% from 17.7% in the previous quarter [3]. Management Changes - CEO Hakan Samuelsson's return has led to a strategic shift focusing on cash flow and profitability rather than growth and market share [4][5]. - The new management team has implemented measures such as job cuts and slowed investments, contributing to the improved financial results [4][5]. Market Conditions - Volvo Cars is notably affected by U.S. tariffs, as a majority of its U.S.-bound vehicles are exported from Europe. However, the company is planning to relocate some hybrid production to the U.S. [6]. - Recent trade negotiations have resulted in a reduction of U.S. tariffs on European cars from 27.5% to 15% retroactively from August 1 [6]. Challenges Ahead - The company acknowledges ongoing challenges, including price competition and the impact of U.S. import tariffs [7].

Core Insights - Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is a prominent global beauty and cosmetics firm with a market capitalization of approximately $34.2 billion, headquartered in New York City [1] Financial Performance - The company is expected to report a profit of $0.14 per share for Q1 2026, consistent with the same quarter last year [2] - For fiscal 2026, analysts project a profit of $2.05 per share, representing a 35.8% increase from $1.51 in fiscal 2025, with further growth anticipated in fiscal 2027 to $2.80, a 36.6% year-over-year rise [3] Stock Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, Estée Lauder's stock has increased by 4.2%, underperforming the S&P 500 Index's 14.7% gain but outperforming the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund's 4% decline [4] - The stock has faced challenges due to slowing demand in China, weakness in travel-retail channels, and disappointing earnings, prompting the company to implement significant cost-cutting measures, including job reductions [5] Analyst Sentiment - Recently, there has been a shift towards a more positive outlook, with Goldman Sachs upgrading the stock to a "Buy" rating, citing optimism regarding its performance on platforms like Amazon and TikTok, as well as improving sales trends in key regions [6] - Overall, Wall Street analysts maintain a "Moderate Buy" rating for Estée Lauder, an upgrade from a previous "Hold" rating, with a mean price target of $95.43 and a Street-high target of $115, suggesting a potential rally of up to 20.7% [7]