CAT

GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV) shares are rebounding in Friday's premarket session after a sharp pullback tied to a broader sell-off in industrial names exposed to the AI infrastructure buildout. The decline pushed GE Vernova to about $823, its lowest level since March 31, as investors questioned the durability of AI-related capital spending across companies supplying data-center and power infrastructure. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) and Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE:VRT) also came under pressure, underscoring the broader retreat from companies tied to the AI investment cycle. GE Vernova supplies the generation and grid equipment needed to power AI data centers, tying its growth outlook to rising electricity demand. As shares attempt to stabilize, attention is shifting to GE Vernova's October 28 earnings report. Read Also:Venture Global Taps GE Vernova, Baker Hughes to Fuel Its AI Infrastructure Ambitions Bank of America expects third-quarter orders to rise 44% year over year to $21 billion, implying a 1.70x book-to-bill ratio. The firm modeled Power orders at $13.4 billion and Electrification orders at $6.2 billion, while gas power equipment contracts are expected to reach 13 gigawatts during the quarter. Bank of America also expects third-quarter revenue of $12.4 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $1.8 billion. Wind presents a different picture. Bank of America expects Wind orders to fall 18% year over year to $1.5 billion, making the segment a softer spot heading into the report. The contrast between stronger Power and Electrification demand and weaker Wind orders will show whether GE Vernova's broader order momentum holds up. Analysts expect GE Vernova to report EPS of $3.97, up from $1.64 a year earlier, on revenue of $11.99 billion compared with $9.97 billion last year. The stock carries a Buy consensus rating with an average price forecast of $1,107. Recent analyst actions include Susquehanna maintaining a Positive rating while lowering its forecast to $1,270, Guggenheim maintaining Buy with a $1,450 forecast, and JPMorgan maintaining Overweight while cutting its forecast to $1,150. GE Vernova remains under technical pressure, trading 12.9% below its 20-day SMA and 15.6% below its 100-day SMA. The RSI stands at 30.49, putting the stock near oversold territory, while MACD remains below its signal line, pointing to weak near-term momentum. Key support sits at $807.00, with resistance at $971.50. Holding above support could help stabilize the stock, while a break below that level would signal further downside risk. Despite the recent pullback, GEV is still up 39.03% over the past 12 months. The stock currently sits at 45.7% of its 52-week range, reflecting how far shares have retreated from recent highs. Overall, the technical picture remains cautious, with the stock below key moving averages and momentum indicators still weak. GEV Stock Price Activity: GE Vernova shares were up 1.04% at $836 during Friday's premarket trading, according to Benzinga Pro data. Read Also:AI's Most Watched Cooling Stock Has Fallen for 11 Straight Days: Analysts Now See a 50% Upside Image by Saskia B via Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga: - GE VERNOVA (GEV): Free Stock Analysis Report This article GE Vernova Stock Rebounds, AI Sell-Off Gives Way To Earnings Focus originally appeared on Benzinga.com © 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

The third-quarter 2026 earnings season has just begun for the Zacks Industrial Products sector. As of Oct. 21, 4% of S&P 500 companies in the Industrial Products sector have reported results, with all surpassing earnings expectations. In the quarter, the sector is expected to have benefited from persistent strength in the manufacturing sector, growth in new orders and strong e-commerce activities. However, supply-chain issues and cost inflation are likely to have weighed on its performance. The latest Earnings Trend report indicates a year-over-year improvement in both earnings and revenues for the S&P 500 companies within the Industrial Products sector. Per the report, the sector's third-quarter earnings are anticipated to witness year-over-year growth of 14.2% compared with a 22.5% increase recorded in the previous quarter. The sector's revenues are projected to increase 8.6%, while margins are expected to rise 0.7% in the third quarter. The April-July quarter had witnessed 13.9% revenue growth and a 1% improvement in margin. Let us discuss the factors that are likely to have played a key role in shaping the performance of industrial stocks in the third quarter. The industrial sector witnessed favorable operating conditions in the July-September quarter, driven by increased manufacturing activity and stronger demand for industrial products and services, which supported higher business activity levels. Per the latest Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) report released on Oct. 1, the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) registered 55.6%, 54.6% and 54.5% in July, August and September, respectively. ISM's production index in September was 56.7%, reflecting growth for the 11th consecutive month. Also, the new orders index was 55.3%, indicating the ninth successive month of increase. In the third quarter, the United States' industrial production recorded an annual increase of 2.8%, with manufacturing output rising 0.7% at an annual rate. Growth in demand across several markets, including manufacturing, electrical equipment, machinery, computer & electronics, fabricated metal, appliances & components and non-metallic mineral products, is likely to have supported the performance of industrial companies. Firms serving commercial and defense aerospace customers are also expected to have benefited from healthy aircraft production, resilient aftermarket activity and continued government spending. Also, the companies are likely to have benefited from focus on product innovation, multiple promotional efforts, effective pricing and cost-management actions. Despite the positives, the industrial products sector has been bearing the brunt of inflationary pressures, an increase in labor market slack and supply-chain disruptions. Tariffs and trade-related levies on imported raw materials and intermediate goods have added incremental cost pressures, particularly for companies with global supply chains. Given the large number of players operating in the industrial products space, picking the right stock is not an easy task. Our proven model, however, makes it fairly simple. One can shortlist with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold), which increases the odds of an earnings beat. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. You can uncover the best stocks before they report earnings with our Earnings ESP Filter. Earnings ESP — the percentage difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate — is our proprietary methodology for determining the stocks with the maximum chances of delivering positive earnings surprises in their announcement. Our research shows that for stocks with this combination of ingredients, the chances of a beat are as high as 70%. Caterpillar Inc. CAT has an Earnings ESP of +2.98% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The company is scheduled to release third-quarter 2026 earnings on Oct. 29, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CAT's revenues is pegged at $20.6 billion, indicating 16.7% growth from the year-ago quarter's figure. The consensus estimate for its earnings is pegged at $7.12 per share, indicating a 43.8% year-over-year increase. The company's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 18.1%. Caterpillar is expected to have benefited from strong demand across construction, mining and power markets, with record backlog. Strong momentum in the Power & Energy segment, driven by rising electricity requirements and oil & gas activity, is likely to have been a tailwind for the company. Strength in the Construction segment, supported by higher infrastructure spending and large infrastructure and data-center projects , also bodes well. Caterpillar Inc. price-eps-surprise | Caterpillar Inc. Quote Crane Company CR has an Earnings ESP of +0.86% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The company is scheduled to release third-quarter 2026 earnings on Oct. 27, after market close. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CR's revenues is pegged at $738.8 million, indicating 25.4% growth from the year-ago quarter. The consensus estimate for its earnings is pegged at $1.81 per share, indicating a 10.4% year-over-year increase. The company's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 10.4%. Crane's Aerospace & Advanced Technologies segment is expected to have performed strongly, driven by strength across its commercial and military OEM businesses with higher aircraft build rates and favorable geopolitical backdrop. Stable demand in the pharmaceutical, cryogenic and water and wastewater markets is likely to have augmented its Process Flow Technologies segment. CR's acquisitions of Druck, optek-Danulat, Panametrics and Reuter-Stokes are also expected to have boosted its top line in the quarter. Crane Company price-eps-surprise | Crane Company Quote Flowserve Corporation FLS has an Earnings ESP of +0.34% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The company is scheduled to release third-quarter 2026 earnings on Oct. 28, after market close. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FLS' revenues is pegged at $1.24 billion, indicating growth of 5.3% from the year-ago quarter. The consensus estimate for its earnings is pegged at 98 cents per share, indicating an 8.9% year-over-year increase. Flowserve's earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 11.2%. Flowserve's Pump Division segment is expected to have performed well in the third quarter, driven by strength in the aftermarket business in North and Latin America. An increase in bookings across general industries and power end markets is likely to boost the segment's results. Strength in the aftermarket business, driven by healthy demand for products and services in the Middle East and Africa, is expected to have augmented the Flow Control Division segment's performance. Flowserve Corporation price-eps-surprise | Flowserve Corporation Quote Constellium SE CSTM has an Earnings ESP of +14.50% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The company is scheduled to release third-quarter 2026 earnings on Oct. 28, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CSTM's revenues is pegged at $2.53 billion, indicating 16.9% growth from the year-ago quarter's figure. The consensus estimate for its earnings is pegged at 74 cents per share, indicating a 19.4% year-over-year increase. The company's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 83.3%. Constellium is expected to have benefited from healthy packaging demand and higher shipments of aerospace & transportation and industry & defense rolled products. Constellium's focus on cost control, commercial discipline and operational execution is also likely to have supported its margins in the quarter. Constellium SE price-eps-surprise | Constellium SE Quote Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Flowserve Corporation (FLS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Crane Company (CR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Constellium SE (CSTM) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Caterpillar (CAT) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price. The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on October 29. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower. While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise. This construction equipment company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $7.12 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +43.8%. Revenues are expected to be $20.58 billion, up 16.7% from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 3.51% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period. Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Estimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction). The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier. Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only. A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP. Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell). For Caterpillar, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +2.98%. On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2. So, this combination indicates that Caterpillar will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number. For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Caterpillar would post earnings of $6.25 per share when it actually produced earnings of $8.17, delivering a surprise of +30.72%. Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times. An earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss. That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported. Caterpillar appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release. Among the stocks in the Zacks Manufacturing - Construction and Mining industry, Caterpillar (CAT), is soon expected to post earnings of $7.12 per share for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +43.8%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $20.58 billion, up 16.7% from the year-ago quarter. Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for Caterpillar has been revised 3.5% up to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of +2.98%, reflecting a higher Most Accurate Estimate. This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), suggests that Caterpillar will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

If you are looking for a stock that has a solid history of beating earnings estimates and is in a good position to maintain the trend in its next quarterly report, you should consider Caterpillar (CAT). This company, which is in the Zacks Manufacturing - Construction and Mining industry, shows potential for another earnings beat. This construction equipment company has an established record of topping earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The company boasts an average surprise for the past two quarters of 26.24%. For the last reported quarter, Caterpillar came out with earnings of $8.17 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.25 per share, representing a surprise of 30.72%. For the previous quarter, the company was expected to post earnings of $4.55 per share and it actually produced earnings of $5.54 per share, delivering a surprise of 21.76%. For Caterpillar, estimates have been trending higher, thanks in part to this earnings surprise history. And when you look at the stock's positive Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction), it's a great indicator of a future earnings beat, especially when combined with its solid Zacks Rank. Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven. The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier. Caterpillar currently has an Earnings ESP of +2.98%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner. We expect the company's next earnings report to be released on October 29, 2026. When the Earnings ESP comes up negative, investors should note that this will reduce the predictive power of the metric. But, a negative value is not indicative of a stock's earnings miss. Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, though this is not the only reason why their shares gain. Additionally, some stocks may remain stable even if they end up missing the consensus estimate. Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Investing.com -- Industrial efficiency stocks broadly underperformed key benchmarks during the third quarter of 2026 as HVAC and machinery companies navigated higher interest rates, rising input costs, and weakness in the AI infrastructure trade. However, analysts at Oppenheimer see improved conditions ahead as the sector enters earnings season with lower expectations and reduced valuations. Still guessing which stocks will beat the market? Our AI portfolio updates monthly and is outperforming the S&P 500 by 118%. See this month's list » The sector has experienced significant multiple contraction since the mid-June Federal Reserve meeting, with industrial efficiency stocks declining 19% on average compared to a 10.7% drop for the XLI industrial index and a 7.9% decline for the S&P 500. Companies with greater exposure to data centers were generally more impacted by the selloff. With stocks reverting toward or below long-term forward multiples, Oppenheimer views the cautious sentiment as creating a better setup heading into the quarter. The broker notes that relative to second quarter earnings season, there appears to be a somewhat lower bar for stocks. Sentiment now factors in execution and political risks to a greater degree, while demand trends across most key verticals remain supportive of upward estimate revisions. Oppenheimer believes this setup could support a sector rally following earnings and midterm elections, though execution on elevated backlogs amid supply constraints and cost inflation is expected to drive performance dispersion during third quarter earnings. Unsure what to buy ahead of earnings? Our AI's recent pre-earnings calls delivered gains of +77% to +118% after results dropped. See this month's earnings picks » Here are Oppenheimer's top picks in the industrial efficiency sector: 1. Forgent Power Solutions - Following order acceleration in late 2025 and early 2026, Forgent Power Solutions shows the clearest potential for second-half 2026 data center revenue upside, according to Oppenheimer. Revenue growth trajectory analysis points to strong ramp execution as the sector focuses on substantial growth assumptions for the second half of 2026 and 2027 amid supply chain constraints. 2. Trane Technologies - Commercial HVAC pipeline commentary supports continued commercial orders growth in the third quarter of 2026 despite sequentially challenging comparisons. Within residential markets, quarter-to-date sell-in trends align with revised industry outlooks and exceed the company's mid-single-digit growth expectations, Oppenheimer noted. 3. Caterpillar - The company's data center ramp is viewed as more predictable, Oppenheimer said, with emphasis on synchronous growth across its portfolio. 4. Toro - Toro rounds out Oppenheimer's top picks in the industrial efficiency sector. Original Article Oppenheimer Lists Top Industrial Efficiency Stocks Into Q3 Earnings Buy the dip in Netflix stock as Q3 results show "no new negatives": DB Mobileye falls as RBC downgrades stock to Underperform on growth risks

- Interested in Valmont Industries, Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better. - Strong third-quarter results: Sales rose 5.5% to $1.1 billion, operating margin expanded to 15.7%, and diluted EPS increased 25.3% to $6.24. Valmont raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $22.75–$23.75 while maintaining its sales outlook. - Utility-led infrastructure demand remained robust: Infrastructure sales grew 9.1%, driven by 23% growth in North American utility sales and a backlog that reached $1.8 billion. The company is expanding utility-steel capacity and expects significantly higher growth capital investment in 2027. - Near-term pressures remain: Rising steel and other input costs, business mix and the absence of one-time benefits are expected to weigh on fourth-quarter margins. Telecom demand remains weak after the 5G buildout, while international agriculture sales declined sharply despite storm-related strength in North America. - Caterpillar's Blowout Quarter May Point to More Industrial Winners Valmont Industries (NYSE:VMI) reported higher third-quarter sales, operating profit and earnings, led by growth in its North American utility and coatings businesses, while management raised its full-year adjusted earnings outlook despite expected fourth-quarter pressure from higher input costs and business mix. Net sales increased 5.5% year over year to $1.1 billion. Operating income rose to $172.8 million, and operating margin expanded 220 basis points to 15.7%. Diluted earnings per share increased 25.3% from the prior-year period to $6.24. → Berkshire Just Backed This Little-Known Stock—Should You Chase It? - MarketBeat Week in Review – 04/20 - 04/24 President and Chief Executive Officer Avner Applbaum said the quarter reflected continued momentum in infrastructure markets where the company holds strong positions, particularly utility-grid investment. He also pointed to North American agriculture growth driven by storm-related replacement demand, though he said that performance did not indicate a broad recovery in agricultural equipment markets. Infrastructure sales rose 9.1% to $882.1 million in the third quarter. North American utility sales increased 23%, supported by both higher pricing and volume growth, while North American coatings sales grew 13.8% on demand tied to infrastructure and data-center projects. → These 3 Green Stocks Have a Growth Story That Goes Far Beyond Washington - 1 Stock Is Powering the AI Boom and the Next Farm Supercycle Applbaum said utilities are investing to modernize the grid, add capacity and improve resilience as power demand rises. Valmont's infrastructure backlog reached $1.8 billion during the quarter as more opportunities in its customer pipeline converted into orders. He said the majority of backlog growth was tied to utility customers and that the company's pipeline through 2029 had strengthened. "We are more confident now in our goal," Applbaum said in response to an analyst question about the company's utility outlook. He cited customer spending plans, increased load-growth commitments, artificial intelligence-related investment, electric-vehicle activity, domestic manufacturing and the need for grid hardening after storms. → Broadcom's CEO Sees Years of AI Demand But Warns of a Bigger Threat to the Boom Valmont said it had installed and commissioned about 20% of the incremental utility-steel production capacity needed to support its 2029 plan through the third quarter. The company expects to double growth capital investment in 2027 from the level planned for 2026, with expansion directed toward utility and coatings operations. Management said industry lead times have lengthened as demand has grown and new capacity has ramped. Applbaum said the company was booking utility business well into 2028, while customers' plans extend to 2030 and, in some cases, beyond. Infrastructure operating income increased to $154.8 million, although the segment's operating margin declined to 17.6% from 17.8% a year earlier. Higher utility and coatings pricing and volumes were partly offset by material-cost increases, utility-capacity ramp costs and lower telecom contribution. Chief Financial Officer John Schwietz said steel prices on the third-party index used for contractual pass-throughs were approximately 50% above prior-year levels. Because utility orders can remain in backlog for an extended period, input-cost changes reach results before related pricing adjustments are reflected in revenue. He said the catch-up process typically takes two to three quarters in a stable cost environment. Schwietz said the price-cost effect modestly pressured third-quarter margins and was expected to create greater margin pressure in the fourth quarter as inflation accelerated. He said margins could resume expanding if cost inflation moderates, even without a complete stabilization in costs. North American lighting and transportation sales declined 2.2% on lower volumes. Management said transportation markets were healthy, while lighting continued to face softer residential and commercial construction activity. The company is pursuing targeted lighting growth in Texas through work with utilities and municipalities, Applbaum said. North American telecom sales fell 33.8% as carriers reduced or delayed capital spending following the peak of the 5G buildout. Applbaum said carriers were being selective on site modifications and shifting some capital allocation into 2027. While the company sees possible improvement later in 2027, he said Valmont has limited visibility and expects soft conditions to persist in the near term. International infrastructure sales increased 5.5%, helped by pricing actions and favorable foreign exchange. Valmont also secured a contract in Europe to supply distribution poles to a major utility, expanding its participation in grid investment, according to management. Agriculture sales declined 6.4% to $226 million. North American sales increased 15.8%, driven by storm-replacement orders and favorable pricing, while international sales fell 25.3% because of lower volumes in the Middle East and Brazil. Applbaum said farmers facing storm damage turned to Valmont and its dealer network to restore irrigation systems during a critical operating period. Schwietz said storm-related demand was substantially responsible for North America's growth during the quarter. Agriculture operating income rose to $40.1 million, or 17.9% of sales, from $23.2 million, or 9.7% of sales, a year earlier. The result included about $7 million in one-time benefits, primarily recoveries in South America, Schwietz said. Excluding those items, the operating margin was just above 14%, aided by the greater North American sales mix, pricing and storm demand. Aftermarket-parts sales increased approximately 12%, while technology-services revenue rose 7%, despite softer equipment demand. Management said higher input costs and lower grain prices continued to pressure farm economics in North America, while Brazil faced elevated interest rates and input costs. In the Middle East, conflict and high shipping costs continued to delay projects. Valmont said it won a $100 million North Africa project involving its technology and water-management offerings. Shipments are expected to begin in the first half of 2027, with the project expected to run for roughly 18 months to two years. Schwietz said its operating margin is slightly below the company's baseline level for large projects, but not significantly so. Valmont reaffirmed its 2026 sales outlook of $4.3 billion to $4.45 billion, including infrastructure revenue of $3.4 billion to $3.5 billion and agriculture revenue of $900 million to $950 million. The company raised its adjusted diluted earnings-per-share guidance to $22.75 to $23.75 for the year. Management expects fourth-quarter earnings and margins to moderate from third-quarter levels because of rising input costs, business mix and the absence of certain third-quarter benefits. Capital expenditure guidance remained unchanged at $170 million to $200 million. Operating cash flow totaled $100.5 million in the quarter, including $40 million of accelerated receivable collections. Valmont ended the period with $122 million in cash and net-debt leverage of about 0.9 times. The company invested about $46 million in capital expenditures and returned $97 million to shareholders through $82 million in share repurchases and $15 million in dividends. Valmont Industries, Inc is a global manufacturer of engineered products and services serving the infrastructure and agricultural markets. Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, the company operates through businesses focused on infrastructure, coatings, and water management. Its infrastructure products include utility and transmission structures, lighting and traffic poles, highway and transportation structures, and related support systems. Valmont also provides hot-dip galvanizing and other protective coatings designed to extend the service life of steel products used in industrial, infrastructure, and commercial applications. In agriculture, the company manufactures mechanized irrigation equipment, including center-pivot and linear irrigation systems, as well as agricultural products and services intended to support water conservation and crop production. This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected]. The article "Valmont Industries Q3 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat. View MarketBeat's top stocks for October 2026.

IRVING, Texas, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) will release third-quarter financial results at 5:30 a.m. CDT on Thursday, Oct. 29. The full text of the release will be available at investors.caterpillar.com/financials/quarterly-results and on PR Newswire. The release will be furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) via a Current Report on Form 8-K in compliance with applicable SEC rules. Teleconference and webcast access: A real-time, listen-only teleconference and webcast of the quarterly results call that Caterpillar conducts with securities analysts and institutional investors will begin at 7:30 a.m. CDT on Thursday, Oct. 29. Supporting materials will be available before the webcast at investors.caterpillar.com/events-presentations. In addition to the webcast, the one-hour conference call can also be accessed by telephone from both domestic and international locations, with a conference ID provided below: Conference ID: 6824010 Participant Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (800) 715-9871 Participant Toll Dial-In Number: +1 (646) 307-1963 The call can be accessed in real-time at investors.caterpillar.com/financials/quarterly-results. Listeners should go to the website before the live event to download and install any necessary audio software. The transcript from the conference call will be available at investors.caterpillar.com/financials/quarterly-results following the webcast. For those unable to participate in the live broadcast, the replay will be available at investors.caterpillar.com/financials/quarterly-results shortly after the live event. There is no charge to access the webcast. A telephone replay will not be available. About Caterpillar For more than a century, Caterpillar has built a better, more sustainable world. With 2025 sales and revenues of $67.6 billion, Caterpillar Inc. is shaping the future as the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. Backed by one of the largest independent global dealer networks and financing services through Cat Financial, the company's primary business segments: Power & Energy, Construction Industries and Resource Industries are solving customers' toughest challenges through commercial excellence and advanced technology, driven by a highly skilled, dedicated global team. Learn more at www.caterpillar.com. Caterpillar's latest financial results are also available online: https://investors.caterpillar.com/overview/default.aspx https://investors.caterpillar.com/financials/quarterly-results/default.aspx (live broadcast/replays of quarterly conference call) View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/caterpillar-inc-to-announce-third-quarter-2026-financial-results-on-october-29-302909181.html

U.S. stocks edged lower Tuesday after several big banks reported quarterly results, while shares of memory chip makers fell for a second day on worries about Chinese competition. The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average, tech-focused Nasdaq Composite, and benchmark S&P 500 ended 0.4%, 0.2%, and fractionally lower, respectively. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Caterpillar (CAT) weighed on the Dow with respective declines of nearly 6% and 3.5%. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 began the week by finishing modestly lower, while the Dow advanced slightly. Third-quarter earnings season kicked into high gear today with several big banks—Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Goldman Sachs (GS), Wells Fargo (WFC), and Citigroup (C)—reporting results. All four stocks closed lower, with Citigroup notching the biggest decline at roughly 5.5%. In other post-earnings moves, Domino's Pizza (DPZ) and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) ended nearly 5% and slightly lower, respectively. Albertsons Cos. (ACI) rose 1.5%. Memory stocks finished lower for a second straight day after Chinese firm CXMT said over the weekend that it achieved a breakthrough in memory-chip production. SK Hynix (SKHY), Micron Technology (MU), Sandisk (SNDK), Seagate Technology (STX), and Western Digital (WDC) all slid, pulling Roundhill's Memory ETF (DRAM) roughly 3.5% lower after a nearly 4.5% pullback yesterday. The broader iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) slipped 0.2% after falling 2.5% Monday, with component Applied Materials (AMAT) down more than 6.5% to lead S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 decliners. Meta Platforms (META) shares rose 2.5% further following a nearly 3.5% advance yesterday, while fellow Magnificent Seven stock Apple (AAPL) hit an intraday record and closed up 0.1%. The Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (MAGS), which tracks the group, was up 0.4%. The 10-year Treasury yield pulled back nearly two basis points from Friday's close to above 5.22% in late-afternoon trading. The U.S. bond market was closed yesterday in observance of Columbus Day; on Thursday, it briefly neared 5.37%, its highest level in more than 24 years. Oil prices were little changed Tuesday. Investors weighed a diesel supply increase following President Donald Trump's decision to temporarily ease restrictions on Russian energy against continued attacks on Saudi Arabia from Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen. U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 0.8% to $94.45 a barrel around 4 p.m. ET, while front-month Brent crude futures, the international benchmark, fell 0.6% to $106. Bitcoin was trading around $83,100, up from overnight lows below $81,000. The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the value of the greenback against a basket of foreign currencies, declined 0.4% to 102.19. Gold futures slipped 0.1% to $4,190 an ounce. Investors' focus will turn to inflation readings the next two days, with the September Consumer Price Index reading tomorrow and the wholesale Producer Price Index on Thursday. Read the original article on Investopedia

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) sells construction and mining machinery, engines, and power-generation equipment through a dealer network supplying parts, repairs, and financing. Infrastructure projects and data-center construction are increasing equipment demand, creating opportunities for initial sales and subsequent maintenance. First-half 2026 revenue rose 23% to approximately $38 billion, while dealer inventories increased $2.6 billion versus $200 million a year earlier. The company also appears in Insider Monkey's 10 Best Industrial Stocks to Invest in Now. The investment question is whether customer purchases can sustain earnings growth when dealers stop adding so much inventory. The advantage of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) is practical: available parts and technicians reduce downtime for customers whose idle equipment can delay an entire project. Expanded commitments offering next-day parts and two-day repairs can help turn an equipment sale into years of maintenance revenue. Reliable support encourages repeat purchases and helps defend equipment pricing. Competition can narrow that advantage. Komatsu Ltd. (TSE:6301) opened an Edmonton parts center in September, doubling its Canadian warehouse capacity and supporting 24-hour delivery to dealers across much of Western Canada. Faster rival service could weaken differentiation, requiring continued spending on parts and technicians to protect customer retention, pricing and margins. Maintaining the network also requires rental capacity. Second-quarter sales to users increased 25%, including 22% in Construction Industries and 72% in Power Generation. These statistics include equipment entering dealer rental fleets, expanding capacity before customers put every machine to work. That is why a larger local network must keep its assets working. Rental revenue was growing in North America, but utilization must justify the additional equipment. Otherwise, inventory and financing costs absorb dealers' cash and weaken replacement orders. The network supports a higher earnings multiple when service profits and customer retention outweigh its costs. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) carries approximately 25x forward P/E and 35x trailing P/E. The trailing multiple uses historical earnings; the forward multiple uses forecasts. The valuation remains demanding because substantial improvement is expected while dealer restocking and tariff recoveries support current profits. Analysts expect adjusted EPS at Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) to reach $27.20 in 2026, up approximately 43%, followed by $32.42 in 2027, another 19% increase. Higher equipment volumes and favorable pricing are already lifting operating profit. Data-center power demand provides additional growth as more engines and turbines move through factories. Accounting treatment also matters. Second-quarter adjusted EPS excluded $202 million of restructuring costs, including losses from divesting certain overseas entities. Excluding these charges raises adjusted earnings relative to reported earnings without adding equipment demand. Reported operating margin increased to 20.9% from 17.3%, including $392 million of expected tariff recoveries. Removing that benefit leaves approximately 19.0%, showing improvement beyond the recoveries. These gains remained in adjusted EPS. They increase historical earnings and lower the trailing P/E; they do not explain the lower forward P/E. Investors therefore need to consider how temporary refunds can overstate the margin available next year. Sustaining forecast earnings requires profitable deliveries and cost control after those benefits disappear. The 25x forward P/E for Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) compares with approximately 26x at year-end 2025. The small difference accompanies a stronger near-term earnings outlook, following a weaker year. Adjusted EPS declined from $21.90 in 2024 to $19.06 in 2025, while reported operating margin fell from 20.2% to 16.5%. Rebuilding those profits improves earning power. The investment case becomes stronger when growth continues beyond recovering lost margins. Infrastructure and power projects can extend equipment demand, provided deliveries remain profitable as capacity expands. For Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT), the next test is the inventory reversal. Management expects Construction Industries dealer inventories to decline by more than $1 billion in the fourth quarter. Dealers can satisfy customers by selling machines already on hand, reducing factory shipments even when retail activity remains healthy. If customer demand also slows, lower production would spread factory costs across fewer machines. That would weaken the earnings supporting the forward multiple. Relative to the year-end 2025 benchmark, investors are paying a similar multiple for profits that must survive a changing inventory cycle. Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) is the closest U.S.-listed operating peer for the dealer-restocking thesis. Both businesses combine equipment manufacturing, dealer distribution, and customer financing. The peer's heavier agricultural exposure ties demand to farm economics, while construction, mining, and power investment expose its rival to different spending cycles. Deere also ranks on our farmland and agriculture stocks list. See which company ranks #1. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) has a forward P/E of approximately 25x, compared with 30x for Deere & Company (NYSE:DE). Assessing those multiples requires examining the earnings recovery behind each business. Analysts expect the agricultural peer's adjusted EPS to decline approximately 2% in fiscal 2026 before rising 26% in fiscal 2027, versus 19% for the construction and power specialist. Its fiscal 2026 ends November 1, versus December 31 for its rival. The stronger expected rebound offers support for the higher multiple, but it relies on improving equipment demand. Current profitability favors the construction and power specialist. Its second-quarter Construction Industries margin was 23.3%, versus 12.1% for the peer's Construction & Forestry business in its quarter ended August 2. Product mix and quarter-ends differ, but stronger construction margins provide a cushion if volumes soften. Cash generation adds support for Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT). Company-defined non-GAAP Machinery, Power & Energy free cash flow reached $5.1 billion in the second quarter, versus $2.4 billion a year earlier. This measures operating cash flow after capital spending for those operations, excluding discretionary pension contributions. Management expects annual free cash flow in the upper half of its $6 billion to $15 billion target range while funding approximately $3.5 billion of capital expenditure. The peer's equipment operations generated approximately $3.3 billion after capital spending over its first nine months, including dividends from its financing arm. Both businesses can fund investment internally. Their financing operations also expose earnings to credit losses and borrowing costs. Supporting 25x requires cash generation to remain strong after funding capacity investment and absorbing slower dealer orders. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) remains demanding at 25x forward earnings. Dealer support, power demand, and cash generation strengthen earnings power, but sustaining the valuation requires growth beyond restocking and tariff recoveries. Customer sales must remain healthy as dealer inventories stabilize, rental utilization must justify fleet purchases, and service profits must cover continued competitive investment. Production cuts, weaker cash conversion or disappointing returns on new capacity would undermine the valuation. While we acknowledge the potential of CAT as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: Construction Partners (ROAD) Expands in Florida. Can a Stronger Local Network Lift Profits? and Old Dominion (ODFL) Announces a Rate Increase. Can it Keep Customers? This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.

- Analyst Jamie Cook flagged concerns around the durability of power, data-center and AI-related spending, along with infrastructure bottlenecks and higher input costs. - Citi recently noted that buildout concerns were overblown while maintaining a $1,100 price target and 'Buy' rating. - Truist sees scope for higher 2026 estimates despite near-term concerns over rates and input costs. Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) stock received a price target reduction from Truist, with analyst Jamie Cook lowering the target to $1,100 from $1,225 while maintaining a 'Buy' rating, calling the setup heading into the third-quarter earnings constructive, according to TheFly. CAT shares traded over 1% higher at the time of writing on Monday. See what 10M+ investors are talking about. Get the Stocktwits Daily Rip for what retail is watching right now, free to your inbox Cook said the recent pullback in the industrial sector reflects investor concerns about the durability of power, data-center and AI-related spending, according to TheFly. The analyst also pointed to potential bottlenecks, including questions about funding for required power infrastructure, opposition to new projects and project delays. These factors introduce some cyclical risk to the longer-term growth story. Higher interest rates, along with elevated diesel and other input costs, are adding to the near-term debate in the sector, according to Cook's note, as cited by The Fly. Despite those risks, Truist expects commentary to remain broadly constructive and anticipates 2026 estimates will move higher. Citi took a constructive stance on Caterpillar's data-center exposure in September. Analyst Kyle Menges opened an 'Upside 90-Day Catalyst Watch' on Caterpillar on Sept. 14 while maintaining a 'Buy' rating and a $1,100 price target, according to TheFly. Citi said concerns about data-center buildout were overblown and pointed to higher used prices for yellow iron. Caterpillar also announced an agreement on Sept. 29 to acquire John Fabick Tractor Company, a Cat dealer serving parts of Missouri and Illinois, all of Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The transaction was expected to close within 30 days, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. Separately, Caterpillar said on Sept. 30 that it plans to invest approximately $1 billion in North Carolina to expand manufacturing capacity for its Cat Compact business. The investment includes a planned manufacturing facility in Sanford that will increase production of compact track loaders and telehandlers to meet customer demand, the company said. Caterpillar reported second-quarter sales and revenues of $20.5 billion, up 24% year over year, while adjusted profit per share rose to $8.17 from $4.72 a year earlier. The company also said strong order rates and a growing backlog reflected broadening momentum across all three of its primary segments. In its second-quarter filing, Caterpillar said it expected strong third-quarter sales growth across all three primary segments, driven primarily by higher sales volume and favorable price realization. Caterpillar is expected to report its third-quarter results on Nov. 4. According to Fiscal AI, analysts are estimating revenue of approximately $20.40 billion and adjusted EPS of about $6.92 for the quarter. On Stocktwits, retail sentiment toward CAT remained 'Bullish' over the past 24 hours. CAT shares have gained over 47% year-to-date. Also read: Nasdaq Continues To Hit Record Highs As Tech Stocks Gain — Treasury Yields Stay Elevated For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com. Heera Hari has no position in any of the stocks mentioned in this article. StockTwits' news team content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. For more, see our editorial policy. This article was originally published on StockTwits. Related: - MSFT Stock Gains: Melius Research Calls Microsoft 'Adults In Charge' Of AI, Upgrades To 'Buy' - SPCX Stock Makes Musk A Trillionaire Again: Sequoia's Maguire Says Investors Are Just 'Starting To Understand SpaceX' - Why Is CEG Stock Surging More Than 4% In Overnight Trading?

The end of the earnings season is always a good time to take a step back and see who shined (and who didn’t). Let’s take a look at how heavy machinery stocks fared in Q2, starting with Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT). Automation that increases efficiencies and connected equipment that collects analyzable data have been trending, creating new demand for heavy machinery and equipment companies. The gradual transition to clean energy also allows companies to innovate around emissions, potentially spurring replacement cycles that can accelerate revenue growth. On the other hand, heavy machinery companies are at the whim of economic cycles. Interest rates, for example, can greatly impact the commercial and residential construction that drives demand for these companies’ offerings. The 20 heavy machinery stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.7% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 1.2% above. While some heavy machinery stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 4.3% since the latest earnings results. With its iconic yellow machinery working on construction sites, Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) manufactures construction equipment like bulldozers, excavators, and parts and maintenance services. Caterpillar reported revenues of $20.54 billion, up 24% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 8.4%. Overall, it was an incredible quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates. "This is the first time in company history that we have generated over $20 billion in sales and revenues in a single quarter," said Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Joe Creed. Investor expectations, however, were likely higher than Wall Street’s published projections, leaving some wishing for even better results (analysts’ consensus estimates are those published by big banks and advisory firms, not the investors who make buy and sell decisions). The stock is down 4.8% since reporting and currently trades at $790.20. We think Caterpillar is a good business, but is it a buy today? Read our full report here, it’s free. With its first trailer reportedly built on two sawhorses, Wabash (NYSE:WNC) offers semi trailers, liquid transportation containers, truck bodies, and equipment for moving goods. Wabash reported revenues of $417.2 million, down 9.1% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 3.6%. The business had a stunning quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and revenue guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations. Wabash delivered the highest guidance raise of the whole group. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 7.4% since reporting. It currently trades at $14.30. Is now the time to buy Wabash? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free. With a history that features both organic growth and acquisitions, AGCO (NYSE:AGCO) designs, manufactures, and sells agricultural machinery and related technology. AGCO reported revenues of $2.61 billion, flat year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 4.9%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted full-year revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates. AGCO delivered the weakest full-year guidance update in the group. Interestingly, the stock is up 10.3% since the results and currently trades at $128.15. Read our full analysis of AGCO’s results here. Having designed the industry’s first double-decker railcar in the 1980s, Greenbrier (NYSE:GBX) supplies the freight rail transportation industry with railcars and related services. Greenbrier reported revenues of $576.5 million, down 31.6% year on year. This number missed analysts’ expectations by 5.9%. It was a disappointing quarter as it also produced full-year revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly. Greenbrier had the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 10.7% since reporting and currently trades at $42.74. Read our full, actionable report on Greenbrier here, it’s free. Formed from a partnership between two distinct companies, CVG (NASDAQ:CVGI) offers various components used in vehicles and systems used in warehouses. Commercial Vehicle Group reported revenues of $195.2 million, up 13.5% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 13.8%. It was a strong quarter as it also recorded full-year EBITDA guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations and full-year revenue guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations. Commercial Vehicle Group scored the biggest analyst estimate beat and highest full-year guidance raise of the whole group. The stock is down 31.9% since reporting and currently trades at $3.13. Read our full, actionable report on Commercial Vehicle Group here, it’s free. Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership. Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products. By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals. Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Quality Compounder Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.