Netskope Inc. (NASDAQ:NTSK) is one of the best up and coming stocks to buy according to Wall Street. On January 5, RBC Capital analyst Matthew Hedberg lowered the firm’s price target on Netskope to $23 from $27, while keeping an Outperform rating on the shares. Hedberg predicts that 2026 will distinguish companies based on their AI readiness. Companies that are prepared for enterprise AI adoption are expected to see clear benefits, while those lagging may struggle against the ‘AI is the death of software’ ...

NEW YORK, Dec. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) will report fourth-quarter 2025 earnings on Friday, January 30, 2026. The company will present results and provide a business update on a webcast beginning at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Access instructions and fourth-quarter 2025 materials, including Verizon’s press release and financial tables, will be available at 6:30 a.m. ET on Verizon’s Investor Relations website, https://www.verizon.com/about/investors. Verizon Co ...

Core Insights - Microsoft Corporation is recognized as a significant player in the AI sector, with a positive outlook from Barclays, which has set a price target of $625.00 and an "Overweight" rating on the stock [1] - The company announced price increases for Office and Microsoft 365 subscriptions, effective July 1, 2026, marking the second increase since the launch of Office 365 in 2011 [2][4] Pricing Strategy - The price hikes are justified by the addition of 1,100 new features across Microsoft 365, Security, Copilot, and SharePoint over the past year [2][4] - The M365 F1 subscription has seen the highest increase, raised by 33%, reflecting strong net seat expansions in that segment [3][4] Market Position - The developments reinforce Microsoft's pricing leverage driven by AI advancements and steady enterprise demand [4]

Core Viewpoint - Microsoft Corporation is set to increase prices for its Office and Microsoft 365 commercial subscriptions, effective July 1, 2026, marking the second major price adjustment since the launch of Office 365 in 2011 [2][3]. Group 1: Price Increase Details - The upcoming price increase will see the Microsoft 365 F1 plan experience a significant rise of 33%, from $2.25 to $3 [3]. - The price adjustments are attributed to the substantial expansion of product capabilities, with over 1,100 new features released in the past year across Microsoft 365, Security, Copilot, and SharePoint [3]. Group 2: Market Position and Strategy - Barclays maintains an Overweight rating on Microsoft with a price target of $625, indicating confidence in the company's ability to monetize its AI-driven product leadership [1][3]. - The company continues to invest in innovation and aims to enhance security, productivity, and AI capabilities for its users [3][4].

Core Insights - Lumen Technologies is attempting a significant turnaround after over a decade of challenges, with potential substantial upside for investors if successful [1] - The company is currently avoiding disaster, but a full recovery may take until 2028 or 2030, with ongoing risks including a high debt load of $17.5 billion against $9 billion in revenue for the first three quarters of the fiscal year [2][6] - New business partnerships and a clear vision for the digital future, along with successful debt restructuring, are positive developments for Lumen [3] Financial Performance - Lumen has achieved a savings of $135 million in annual interest expenses year to date, indicating progress in improving its balance sheet [7] - The company's total debt has decreased from a peak of $37 billion in 2017 to the current $17.5 billion [7] Strategic Initiatives - Management is focused on becoming a key player in the artificial intelligence economy by enhancing connectivity through its existing network and simplifying services for customers [8] - The company is working on creating partnerships within an ecosystem to extend its reach and improve growth metrics [8] Market Position - Lumen is facing tough competition from larger telecom companies and has had limited success in recent years, but there is potential for investor rewards if interest rates decline and the company can refinance its debt [6]

Core Insights - Cisco Systems (CSCO) reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 non-GAAP earnings of $1 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.04% and reflecting a year-over-year increase of 9.9% [1] - Revenues reached $14.88 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.71%, with a year-over-year growth of 7.5% [2] Financial Performance - Total Annual Recurring Revenues (ARR) were $31.4 billion, up 5%, with product ARR growth of 7% [2] - Total subscription revenues amounted to $8 billion, representing 54% of Cisco's total revenues [2] - Total software revenue increased by 3% year over year to $5.7 billion [2] - Product revenues in Q1 were $11.08 billion, accounting for 74.4% of total revenues, with a year-over-year increase of 9.5% [5] - Service revenues were $3.81 billion, making up 25.6% of total revenues, and increased by 2.1% year over year [5] Segment Performance - Networking revenues were $7.77 billion, up 15% year over year [4] - Security revenues decreased by 2% to $1.98 billion [4] - Collaboration revenues fell by 3% to $1.06 billion [4] - Observability revenues increased by 6% to $274 million [4] Geographic Performance - Americas' revenues grew by 9% year over year to $8.99 billion [6] - EMEA revenues climbed by 5% year over year to $3.78 billion [6] - APJC revenues also increased by 5% year over year to $2.11 billion [6] Operating Metrics - Non-GAAP gross margin was 68.1%, expanding by 120 basis points year over year [7] - Non-GAAP operating income was $5.12 billion, reflecting an 8.4% year-over-year increase [8] - Operating margin improved by 30 basis points year over year to 34.4% [8] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - As of October 25, 2025, cash and cash equivalents totaled $15.7 billion, down from $16.1 billion [9] - Total debt remained stable at $28.1 billion [9] - Cisco returned $3.6 billion to stockholders through share buybacks and dividends [10] Guidance - For Q2 fiscal 2026, Cisco expects non-GAAP earnings between $1.01 and $1.03 per share, with revenues projected between $15 billion and $15.2 billion [11] - For the full fiscal 2026, non-GAAP earnings are expected to be between $4.08 and $4.14 per share, with revenues anticipated between $60.2 billion and $61 billion [12]

Core Insights - Cisco Systems reported $14.88 billion in revenue for the quarter ended October 2025, marking a year-over-year increase of 7.5% and an EPS of $1.00 compared to $0.91 a year ago, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $14.78 billion by 0.71% [1] Revenue Breakdown - Revenue from Networking products was $7.77 billion, surpassing the estimated $7.34 billion by analysts, reflecting a 15% increase year-over-year [4] - Revenue from Observability products was $274 million, slightly below the estimated $288.48 million, with a year-over-year increase of 6.2% [4] - Services revenue reached $3.81 billion, aligning closely with the $3.8 billion average estimate, representing a 2.1% year-over-year increase [4] - Security product revenue was $1.98 billion, falling short of the $2.24 billion estimate, indicating a year-over-year decline of 1.8% [4] - Total Product revenue was $11.08 billion, exceeding the $10.95 billion estimate, with a year-over-year growth of 9.5% [4] - Collaboration product revenue was $1.06 billion, below the $1.09 billion estimate, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 2.8% [4] Gross Margin Insights - Non-GAAP Gross Margin for Services was reported at $2.69 billion, matching the average estimate [4] - Non-GAAP Gross Margin for Products was $7.45 billion, slightly above the estimated $7.38 billion [4] Stock Performance - Cisco shares returned +4.4% over the past month, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +4.6% change, with a current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) indicating potential performance in line with the broader market [3]

Core Insights - Telus reported $3.71 billion in revenue for Q3 2025, a year-over-year decline of 0.8% and an EPS of $0.17, down from $0.21 a year ago [1] - The revenue fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.72 billion by 0.27%, and the EPS was 10.53% below the consensus estimate of $0.19 [1] Financial Performance - The stock has returned -3.7% over the past month, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.2% change, and currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [3] - Key subscriber metrics include: - Mobile Phone Subscribers: 10.27 million, matching the average estimate - Connected Device Subscribers: 4.16 million, exceeding the average estimate of 4.12 million - Internet Subscribers: 2.78 million, slightly above the average estimate of 2.77 million - TV Subscribers: 1.43 million, slightly below the average estimate of 1.44 million - Security Subscribers: 1.15 million, matching the average estimate - Residential Voice Subscribers: 986 thousand, below the average estimate of 991 thousand [4] Churn and Net Additions - Mobile phone churn rate was 1.1%, in line with the average estimate [4] - Net additions for various services were as follows: - Connected Device: 169 thousand, exceeding the estimate of 134.82 thousand - Internet: 40 thousand, above the estimate of 24.97 thousand - TV: 5 thousand, below the estimate of 15.71 thousand - Security: 6 thousand, below the estimate of 10.32 thousand - Residential Voice: -14 thousand, worse than the estimate of -9 thousand [4]

Core Viewpoint - Verizon Communications Inc. is set to report its third-quarter 2025 earnings on October 29, 2025, with results available via webcast [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Verizon is headquartered in New York City and serves customers worldwide, including nearly all of the Fortune 500 [2] - The company generated revenues of $134.8 billion in 2024, highlighting its significant market presence and financial performance [2] - Verizon focuses on delivering mobility, reliable network connectivity, and security to meet customer demands [2] Group 2: Earnings Report Details - The third-quarter 2025 earnings presentation will begin at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on October 29, 2025 [1] - Access instructions and earnings materials will be available on Verizon's Investor Relations website at 6:30 a.m. ET on the same day [1] - The earnings materials will include a news release, presentation, and financial tables [1]

Core Insights - Dell Technologies has seen a 17% increase in stock price over the past month, but Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) may present a more attractive investment opportunity due to its superior revenue growth and profitability metrics [2] - Regular assessment of investment alternatives is essential for a robust strategy, with HPE showing better performance indicators compared to Dell Technologies [2] Company Performance Comparison - HPE's revenue growth over the last 12 months was 14.0%, while Dell's was 10.5%. Over the past three years, HPE's average revenue growth was 5.9%, significantly outperforming Dell's -1.3% [6] - HPE's three-year average margin stands at 7.6%, compared to Dell's 6.1%, indicating stronger profitability for HPE [6] Business Segments - Dell operates in various segments including infrastructure, client devices, and VMware, offering a range of products such as desktops, workstations, software, multi-cloud solutions, networking, security, and digital workspace solutions [4] - HPE focuses on data solutions, general and workload-optimized servers, and networking hardware, including wired and wireless components like Wi-Fi access points, switches, routers, and sensors [4]