FERG

Shares of distributor Ferguson Enterprises Inc. (NYSE:FERG) experienced post-earnings volatility despite beating quarterly expectations. During the August 11 episode of Mad Money, Cramer highlighted the company’s quarterly outperformance, top-line growth, and raised full-year outlook. He noted: Cramer noted that Ferguson Enterprises Inc. (NYSE:FERG) extends far beyond traditional cyclical housing, capitalizing on mega-cap capital expenditure cycles across technology and industrial manufacturing. He commented: While major firms including RBC Capital, Wells Fargo, and Oppenheimer reaffirmed bullish ratings following the report, research notes highlighted specific operational risks. Analysts pointed out that while revenue expanded 4.6% to $8.75 billion, adjusted operating profit grew by just 2.9%, representing an incremental operating margin of 6.7%, well below the company’s 10.7% historical average. In addition, post-earnings disclosures detailed the financing structure for Ferguson’s $1.6 billion FloWorks acquisition, introducing $1.2 billion in new senior notes and additional loan facilities that raise pro forma total debt from $4.9 billion to over $7.0 billion. Cautious notes, along with Goldman Sachs’s downgrade to Neutral in early July, suggest that higher debt servicing costs could temper near-term stock appreciation. Institutional interest tracked across 1,000+ hedge funds by Insider Monkey shows steady backing for Ferguson Enterprises Inc. (NYSE:FERG). A total of 85 hedge funds held shares of the company in Q1 2026, up slightly from 84 funds in the prior quarter. The short percentage of float for Ferguson Enterprises Inc. (NYSE:FERG) sits at a minimal 1.61%, showing limited short-side conviction. Moreover, with the forward P/E ratio trading at 21x, the stock's valuation aligns closely with its high-quality industrial distribution peers, supporting Cramer’s thesis that the recent post-earnings sell-off presents a disciplined buying opportunity. Ferguson Enterprises Inc. (NYSE:FERG) remains positioned at the intersection of construction and secular infrastructure trends. While post-earnings scrutiny around incremental margins and acquisition debt warrants monitoring, strong buy-side support and broad end-market diversification support the long-term compounder thesis. For investors looking to capitalize on mega-project spending, Jim Cramer's stance is clear: the post-earnings pullback presents an attractive buying opportunity. While we acknowledge the potential of FERG 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: Jim Cramer Backs American Express (AXP) and Capital One (COF) as Consumer Spending Stays Strong and Jim Cramer's AI Security Play: Why CrowdStrike (CRWD) and Palo Alto (PANW) Are Dominating the Market. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.

Continued Execution Drives Solid Results; Full Year Guidance Increased Second quarter highlights Sales of $8.8 billion, increased 4.6%. Gross margin of 31.0%, down 20 bps from prior year. Operating margin of 10.2%, up 10 bps on prior year (10.7% on an adjusted basis, down 10 bps). Diluted earnings per share of $3.43, up 6.9% on prior year ($3.39 on an adjusted basis, up 5.3%). Completed five acquisitions during the quarter and signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire FWI Holdings, Inc. ("FloWorks"). Declared quarterly dividend of $0.89. Share repurchases of $202 million during the quarter. Balance sheet remains strong with net debt to adjusted EBITDA of 1.3x. NEWPORT NEWS, Va., August 10, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ferguson Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: FERG). Kevin Murphy, Ferguson CEO, commented, "Our associates continued to execute for our customers, driving market outperformance in the second quarter. We delivered another strong quarter of non-residential growth and we returned to growth in residential despite the challenging market backdrop. We completed five acquisitions and signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire FloWorks, a leading distributor of highly technical valves and flow control solutions. Our scale-advantaged business model and consistent cash generation enable us to invest in organic growth, consolidate our markets through acquisitions and return capital to shareholders, all while maintaining a strong balance sheet. "While the economic environment remains uncertain, our performance year-to-date enables the upward revision of our full year guidance. We expect to continue delivering market outperformance by deploying scale locally and leveraging the long-term growth drivers of water infrastructure, large capital projects, climate and comfort and aging and underbuilt housing. We remain confident in our ability to capitalize on these growth drivers as we provide essential water and air solutions for the complex project needs of the specialized professional." Calendar 2026 Guidance Updated guidance does not include the expected impact of the FloWorks acquisition, expected to close during the third quarter. Summary of financial results Quarter ended June 30, 2026 Net sales of $8.8 billion were 4.6% ahead of last year driven by organic revenue growth of 3.8% and acquisition growth of 1.0%, partially offset by 0.2% from a divestment in Canada. Price inflation was in the low single digits. Gross margin of 31.0% was 20 basis points below the prior year, which was temporarily elevated by the timing and extent of supplier price increases. We continued to drive operating leverage by balancing disciplined cost management with investments for future growth. Reported operating profit was $893 million (10.2% operating margin), 6.1% ahead of last year. Adjusted operating profit of $932 million (10.7% adjusted operating margin) was 2.9% above last year. Reported diluted earnings per share was $3.43, an increase of 6.9% compared to last year, while adjusted diluted earnings per share of $3.39 increased 5.3% due to the higher adjusted operating profit and the impact of share repurchases. US - quarter ended June 30, 2026 Net sales in the US business increased by 5.0%, with organic revenue growth of 4.0% and a further 1.0% contribution from acquisitions. Residential end markets, representing approximately half of revenue, remained subdued. New residential construction activity has been weak and repair, maintenance and improvement ("RMI") work remains soft. We continue to outperform our markets with residential revenue up 2% in the quarter. Our non-residential revenue increased 8% this quarter as our scale, expertise, multi-customer group approach and value-added solutions drove strong share gains in a mixed market. Large capital project activity remained healthy with growth in open order volumes and strong bidding activity. Adjusted operating profit of $925 million was 2.9% or $26 million above last year. We completed five acquisitions during the quarter, further strengthening our geographic footprint and specialized capabilities across our customer groups: HVAC: Expanded our offering by adding Carrier Great Lakes, with seven locations across Michigan and Ohio, and Dealers Supply Company, with seventeen locations in the Southeast. Commercial/Mechanical: Broadened our value-added capabilities with New England Applied Products, a manufacturer’s representative and engineering firm specializing in high-performance commercial HVAC systems in the Northeast. Waterworks: Continued to diversify our portfolio by adding process solutions for water and wastewater treatment in Michigan through the acquisition of Hamlett Environmental Technologies Company. Industrial: Strengthened our specialty valve, flow control, and process equipment offerings with ten locations across the country with PRD Technologies Group. Subsequent to quarter-end, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire FWI Holdings, Inc. ("FloWorks"), a leading industrial distributor and service provider of highly technical valves and flow control solutions. We expect to complete this acquisition during the third quarter. The aggregate annualized revenue of the eight acquisitions announced year-to-date is approximately $1.4 billion. For more information on the FloWorks acquisition, see the press release dated July 13, 2026 on Ferguson’s corporate pressroom at https://www.fergusonpressroom.com. Canada - quarter ended June 30, 2026 Net sales decreased by 1.9% with organic growth of 1.7% fully offset by 3.6% from a non-core business divestment. Markets have remained challenging in Canada, particularly in residential. Adjusted operating profit of $22 million was $1 million below last year. Segment overview Financial position Net debt to adjusted EBITDA at June 30, 2026 was 1.3x and during the quarter we invested $573 million in acquisitions and returned $202 million of surplus capital via share repurchases. We declared a quarterly dividend of $0.89. The dividend will be paid on October 7, 2026 to stockholders of record as of August 21, 2026. Cancellation of secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange On June 16, 2026, Ferguson announced its intention to cancel its secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange. This cancellation took effect on July 20, 2026. Investor conference call and webcast A call with Kevin Murphy, CEO and Bill Brundage, CFO will commence at 8:30 a.m. ET today. The call will be recorded and available on our website after the event at corporate.ferguson.com. Ask for the Ferguson call quoting 847413. To access the call via your laptop, tablet or mobile device please go to corporate.ferguson.com. If you have technical difficulties, please click the "Listen by Phone" button on the webcast player and dial the number provided. About Ferguson Ferguson (NYSE: FERG) is North America’s largest value-added distributor of essential water and air solutions, serving specialized professionals in our $340B residential and non-residential construction markets. We help make our customers’ complex projects simple, successful and sustainable by providing expertise and a wide range of products and services from plumbing, HVAC, appliances, and lighting to PVF, water and wastewater solutions, and more. Headquartered in Newport News, Va., Ferguson has sales of $31.3 billion (CY’25) and approximately 35,000 associates in over 1,700 locations. For more information, please visit corporate.ferguson.com. Provisional financial calendar Cautionary note on forward-looking statements Certain information included in this announcement is forward-looking, including within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and involves risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements cover all matters which are not historical facts and include, without limitation, statements or guidance regarding or relating to our future financial position, results of operations and growth, plans and objectives for the future including our capabilities and priorities, expectations regarding global and regional economic, market and political conditions, ability to manage supply chain challenges, ability to manage the impact of product price fluctuations, the overall performance of, including demand levels for, the markets in which we operate, pending acquisitions, including the anticipated timing, financing, synergies and financial impact of such transactions, capital deployment strategy, including the amount and timing of our dividends and share repurchases, investments and capital expenditures and other statements concerning the success of our business and strategies. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including terms such as "believes," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "forecasts," "guidance," "intends," "continues," "plans," "projects," "poised," "goal," "target," "aim," "may," "will," "would," "could" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology and other similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. They are not assurances of future performance and are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: weakness in the economy, market trends, uncertainty and other conditions in the markets in which we operate and the macroeconomic impact of factors beyond our control (including, among others, inflation/deflation, recession, labor and wage pressures, trade restrictions such as tariffs, sanctions and retaliatory countermeasures, interest rates, and geopolitical conditions); failure to rapidly identify or effectively respond to direct and/or end customers’ wants, expectations or trends, including costs and potential problems associated with new or upgraded information technology systems or our ability to timely deploy new omni-channel capabilities; decreased demand for our products as a result of operating in highly competitive industries and the impact of declines in the residential and non-residential markets and our ability to effectively manage inventory as a result; changes in competition, including as a result of market consolidation, new entrants, vertical integration or competitors responding more quickly to emerging technologies (such as generative or agentic artificial intelligence ("AI")); failure of a key information technology system or process as well as payment-related risks, including exposure to fraud or theft; privacy and protection of sensitive data failures, including failures due to data corruption, cybersecurity incidents, network security breaches or the use of AI; ineffectiveness of or disruption in our domestic or international supply chain or our fulfillment network, including delays in inventory availability at our distribution facilities and branches, increased delivery costs or lack of availability due to loss of key suppliers; failure to effectively manage and protect our facilities and inventory or to prevent personal injury to customers, suppliers or associates, including as a result of workplace violence; unsuccessful execution of our operational strategies, including the failure to quickly adapt our strategy to emerging technologies; failure to attract, retain and motivate key associates; exposure of associates, contractors, customers, suppliers and other individuals to health and safety risks and fleet incidents; risks associated with acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures and other business combinations, dispositions or strategic transactions; risks associated with sales of private label products, including regulatory, product liability and reputational risks and the adverse impact such sales may have on supplier relationships and rebates; the failure to achieve and maintain a high level of product and service quality or comply with responsible sourcing standards; inability to renew leases on favorable terms or at all, as well as any remaining obligations under a lease when we close a facility; changes in, interpretations of, or compliance with tax laws and accounting standards; our access to capital, indebtedness and changes in our credit ratings and outlook; fluctuations in product prices/costs (e.g., including as a result of the use of commodity-priced materials, inflation/deflation, trade restrictions and/or failure to qualify for or maintain supplier rebates) and foreign currency; funding risks related to our defined benefit pension plans; legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business as well as any failure to comply with domestic and foreign laws, regulations and standards, as those laws, regulations and standards or interpretations and enforcement thereof may change; the occurrence of unforeseen developments such as litigation, investigations, governmental proceedings or enforcement actions; our failure to comply with the obligations associated with being a public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the costs associated therewith; the costs and risk exposure relating to sustainability matters and disclosures, including regulatory or legal requirements and disparate stakeholder expectations; and other risks and uncertainties set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Transition Report on Form 10-KT for the five-month transition period ended December 31, 2025 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 27, 2026 and in other filings we make with the SEC in the future. Additionally, forward-looking statements regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. Other than in accordance with our legal or regulatory obligations, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Ferguson Enterprises Inc.Non-GAAP Reconciliations and Supplementary Information(unaudited) Non-GAAP items This announcement contains certain financial information that is not presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures include adjusted operating profit, adjusted operating margin, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share - diluted, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted effective tax rate, net debt and net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide users of the Company’s financial information with additional meaningful information to assist in understanding financial results and assessing the Company’s performance from period to period. Management believes these measures are important indicators of operations because they exclude items that may not be indicative of our core operating results and provide a better baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying businesses, and they are consistent with how business performance is planned, reported and assessed internally by management and the board of directors. Such non-GAAP adjustments include amortization of acquired intangible assets, discrete tax items, and any other items that are non-recurring. Non-recurring items may include various restructuring charges, gains or losses on the disposals of businesses which by their nature do not reflect primary operations, as well as certain other items deemed non-recurring in nature and/or that are not a result of the Company’s primary operations. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results reported under U.S. GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of operations that, when viewed with U.S. GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of the business. The Company strongly encourages investors and shareholders to review the Company’s financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. The Company does not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis because it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty or without unreasonable effort non-recurring items, such as those described above, that may arise in the future. The variability of these items is unpredictable and may have a significant impact. Net Debt : Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation To assess the appropriateness of its capital structure, the Company’s principal measure of financial leverage is net debt to adjusted EBITDA. The Company aims to operate with investment grade credit metrics and keep this ratio within one to two times. Net debt Net debt comprises bank overdrafts, bank and other loans and derivative financial instruments, excluding lease liabilities, less cash and cash equivalents. Long-term debt is presented net of debt issuance costs. Adjusted EBITDA (Rolling 12-month) Adjusted EBITDA is net income before charges/credits relating to depreciation, amortization, impairment and certain non-GAAP adjustments. A rolling 12-month adjusted EBITDA is used in the net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio to assess the appropriateness of the Company’s financial leverage. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260810062141/en/ Contacts For further information please contact Investor relationsPete Kennedy, Vice President of IR and SustainabilityMobile: +1 757 603 0111 Christen Rusbarsky, Director of Investor RelationsMobile: +1 443 528 2533 Media inquiriesChristine Dwyer, Vice President of Communications and PRMobile: +1 757 469 5813

Barrick Mining Corporation B is slated to come up with second-quarter 2026 results before the opening bell on Aug. 10. Barrick beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in three of the last four quarters and reported in-line results on the other occasion. In this timeframe, it delivered an earnings surprise of roughly 14.1%, on average. Higher realized gold prices and increased production are expected to have aided its second-quarter performance amid cost headwinds.B’s shares have shot up 78% over the past year, outperforming the Zacks Mining – Gold industry’s 29.7% increase. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Let’s see how things are shaping up for this announcement. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Barrick’s second-quarter consolidated sales is currently pegged at $4,487.7 million, calling for an increase of 21.9% from the year-ago quarter’s tally. Higher realized gold prices are likely to have supported the company’s performance in the second quarter. While gold prices have pulled back sharply from their January 2026 highs, they remain supportive. Heightened geopolitical tensions, a weaker U.S. dollar and tariff-related worries drove bullion to a record high of nearly $5,600 per ounce in late January. Since then, gold has pulled back sharply due to inflation concerns triggered by a surge in crude oil prices amid Middle East tensions. While gold started April near $4,800 per ounce, prices tumbled to $4,500 per ounce around the end of May. Bullion continued to retreat in June, with prices slipping below $4,000 per ounce to a near eight-month low amid rate-hike expectations and a stronger greenback, despite reduced inflation concerns following the interim agreement between the United States and Iran. Notwithstanding the pullback, Barrick is expected to have gained from higher year-over-year realized prices.  The consensus estimate for B’s average realized gold price is pinned at $4,507 per ounce for the second quarter, indicating a roughly 37% year-over-year increase. Higher production is expected to have aided B’s sales volumes in the second quarter. Barrick saw a 5% year-over-year and 17% sequential decline in first-quarter 2026 gold production to 719,000 ounces. However, it expects production to increase sequentially, with second-quarter gold production projected in the band of 730,000-770,000 ounces. The uptick is expected to be driven by the ramp-up across Loulo-Gounkoto and Goldrush mines, as well as mine sequencing across the NGM sites.  The consensus estimate calls for a gold production of roughly 764,000 ounces in the second quarter, indicating a roughly 6% sequential rise.  Barrick is likely to have faced headwinds from higher production costs in the second quarter. It saw an 8% sequential increase in all-in-sustaining costs (AISC) — a critical cost metric for miners — in the first quarter, reaching $1,708 per ounce. Cost pressures are expected to have continued in the second quarter. The consensus estimate for AISC for the second quarter is pegged at $1,884, indicating a roughly 12% year-over-year and 10% sequential increase. Barrick Mining Corporation price-eps-surprise | Barrick Mining Corporation Quote Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Barrick this season. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. But that’s not the case here.Earnings ESP: Earnings ESP for B is -0.49%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the second quarter is currently pegged at 81 cents. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.Zacks Rank: B currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Here are some companies you may want to consider as our model shows they have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter:Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. SQM, scheduled to release earnings on Aug. 18, has an Earnings ESP of +0.08% and carries a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.The consensus estimate for SQM’s earnings for the second quarter is currently pegged at $2.03.Ferguson Enterprises Inc. FERG, slated to release earnings on Aug. 10, has an Earnings ESP of +1.22% and carries a Zacks Rank #3 at present.The consensus mark for FERG’s second-quarter earnings is currently pegged at $3.23. Resideo Technologies, Inc. REZI, scheduled to release earnings on Aug. 12, has an Earnings ESP of +6.83%.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for REZI's earnings for the second quarter is currently pegged at 68 cents. REZI currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. 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 Barrick Mining Corporation (B) : Free Stock Analysis Report Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. (SQM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Resideo Technologies, Inc. (REZI) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ferguson plc (FERG) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Canadian Natural Resources Limited CNQ is set to release second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 6. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $1.43 per share on revenues of $9.25 billion. Let us delve into the factors that might have influenced CNQ’s performance in the to-be-reported quarter. Before that, it is worth taking a look at the company’s performance in the last reported quarter. In the last reported quarter, the Calgary-based oil and gas equipment and services company’s earnings beat the consensus mark due to strong operational performance and higher realized natural gas prices. CNQ reported adjusted earnings per share of 85 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 74 cents. Total revenues of $7.9 billion increased from $7.6 billion in the prior-year period, fueled by increased production volumes. The company’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 14.23%. This is depicted in the chart below: Canadian Natural Resources Limited price-eps-surprise | Canadian Natural Resources Limited Quote The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 earnings has remained unchanged over the past seven days, with no upward revisions and one downward movement. The estimated figure indicates an 180.39% year-over-year increase. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues implies a 47.16% increase from the year-ago period. CNQ’s total revenues are likely to have increased in the quarter to be reported. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter revenues is expected to have increased from the year-ago quarter’s level. Unlike shale producers that depend on rapid drilling, CNQ generates stable production from long-life assets. Canadian Natural Resources' second-quarter results are likely to benefit from higher realized prices for its premium Synthetic Crude Oil (“SCO”). The geopolitical tensions in the Middle East lifted global crude benchmarks during the quarter, while CNQ's oil sands mining and upgrading business produces SCO, which typically commands a premium to WTI. Given that synthetic crude accounts for a significant portion of the company's liquids production, stronger SCO realizations are likely to have supported revenues, margins and cash flows in the quarter. On the bearish side, higher costs are expected to have dented CNQ's bottom line. Canadian Natural Resources' first-quarter total costs and expenses were 15.4% higher than the prior-year quarter’s reported figure, and this upward trend is expected to have persisted in the quarter to be reported. We expect total costs and expenses to have increased year over year in the second quarter, following an increase in the first quarter. Higher production costs, transportation expenses, depletion, depreciation and amortization, administration expenses, share-based compensation, and interest and other financing expenses, coupled with ongoing inflationary pressures, might have continued to pressure margins. Our proven Zacks model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for CNQ this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. However, this is not the case here. Earnings ESP of CNQ: Earnings ESP, which represents the difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate, for this company is 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. CNQ’s Zacks Rank: CNQ currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. Here are a few firms from other sectors that you may want to consider, as these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this reporting cycle. Alcon ALC has an Earnings ESP of +3.13% and a Zacks Rank #3. The firm is scheduled to release earnings on Aug. 10, 2026. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Alcon is a global eye care company that develops and manufactures surgical equipment, contact lenses and vision care products for patients and eye care professionals worldwide. The company's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters and missed it in the other one, delivering an average surprise of 3.66%. Ferguson Enterprises Inc. FERG has an Earnings ESP of +1.22% and a Zacks Rank #3. The firm is scheduled to release earnings on Aug. 10, 2026. Ferguson is a leading value-added distributor of plumbing, HVAC, waterworks and other infrastructure products serving residential and commercial customers. It operates primarily in North America. Fergusonis valued at $45.45 billion. NIQ Global Intelligence plc NIQ has an Earnings ESP of +1.94% and a Zacks Rank #3. The firm is scheduled to release earnings on Aug. 10. NIQ Global Intelligence is a consumer intelligence company that provides market measurement, analytics and insights to help businesses understand consumer behavior and make data-driven decisions. The company is valued at $3.30 billion. 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 Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ) : Free Stock Analysis Report Alcon (ALC) : Free Stock Analysis Report NIQ Global Intelligence plc (NIQ) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ferguson plc (FERG) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Cheniere Energy, Inc. LNG is set to release second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 6.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $2.80 per share on revenues of $5.03 billion. Let us delve into the factors that are likely to have influenced the liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) exporter’s performance in the to-be-reported quarter. But, before that, it is worth taking a look at Cheniere Energy’s performance in the previously reported quarter. In the last reported quarter, this Houston, TX-based oil and gas storage and transportation company beat estimates due to stronger operational execution and favorable LNG market conditions. Cheniere Energy posted adjusted earnings of $4.77 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.91 by 22%. Moreover, the company’s quarterly revenues totaled $5.87 billion, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.70 billion by 3%. LNG’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters and missed it in the remaining one, delivering an average surprise of 74.97%. This is depicted in the graph below: Cheniere Energy, Inc. price-eps-surprise | Cheniere Energy, Inc. Quote The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 earnings has witnessed one upward revision and no downward revisions in the past seven days. The estimated figure indicates a 61.64% year-over-year decrease. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues indicates an 8.38% increase from the year-ago period. Cheniere generates most of its revenues by liquefying natural gas at the LNG terminals and charging customers fixed fees under long-term contracts for processing and exporting LNG. The company also earns additional income by marketing LNG and natural gas, benefiting from favorable price differences in global energy markets. LNG’s revenues are likely to have improved in the quarter to be reported. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter revenues implies an increase from the year-ago quarter’s level. This can be attributed to the strong increase in LNG sales and LNG revenues from the liquefaction projects sold under third-party long-term contracts. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LNG revenues implies an increase of 13.9% from the year-ago quarter’s level.  Additionally, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues from liquefaction projects sold under third-party long-term contracts implies a 17.1% increase from the year-ago quarter’s level. Steady demand for U.S. LNG is likely to have supported Cheniere's exports. Europe continues to reduce its dependence on Russian gas, while Asian countries are expected to keep importing LNG to meet growing energy needs. This is likely to have kept demand for Cheniere's LNG shipments healthy and supported its earnings. Long-term customer contracts are expected to provide stable earnings. Unlike many energy companies, Cheniere sells most of its LNG through long-term agreements, which provide predictable revenues regardless of short-term swings in natural gas prices. This business model is likely to have supported steady cash generation in the second quarter. Rising expenses may, however, weigh on results. Cheniere’s first-quarter total costs and expenses were 108.7% higher than the prior-year quarter’s reported figure, and this upward trajectory is expected to have persisted in the quarter to be reported. We expect cost of sales to have increased year over year in the second quarter, following a 132.9% increase in the first quarter. Higher cost of sales and depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses, coupled with ongoing inflationary pressures, might have continued to pressure margins. Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for Cheniere this time. A stock needs to have a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) to beat earnings. This is exactly the case here. Earnings ESP of LNG: Earnings ESP, which represents the difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate, for this company is +3.69%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. LNG’s Zacks Rank: LNG currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. Here are a few firms from other sectors that you may want to consider, as these, too, have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this reporting cycle. Alcon ALC has an Earnings ESP of +3.13% and a Zacks Rank #3. The firm is scheduled to release earnings on Aug. 10, 2026. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Alcon is a global eye care company that develops and manufactures surgical equipment, contact lenses and vision care products for patients and eye care professionals worldwide. The company's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters and missed it in the other one, delivering an average surprise of 3.66%. Ferguson Enterprises Inc. FERG has an Earnings ESP of +1.22% and a Zacks Rank #3. The firm is scheduled to release earnings on Aug. 10, 2026. Ferguson is a leading value-added distributor of plumbing, HVAC, waterworks and other infrastructure products serving residential and commercial customers. It operates primarily in North America. Fergusonis valued at $45.45 billion. NIQ Global Intelligence plc NIQ has an Earnings ESP of +1.94% and a Zacks Rank #3. The firm is scheduled to release earnings on Aug. 10. NIQ Global Intelligence is a consumer intelligence company that provides market measurement, analytics and insights to help businesses understand consumer behavior and make data-driven decisions.  The company is valued at $3.30 billion. 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 Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG) : Free Stock Analysis Report Alcon (ALC) : Free Stock Analysis Report NIQ Global Intelligence plc (NIQ) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ferguson plc (FERG) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

W.W. Grainger, Inc. GWW is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 4, before the opening bell.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GWW’s sales is pegged at $4.95 billion, indicating 8.8% growth from the year-ago reported figure.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $11.28 per share. The consensus estimate for GWW’s earnings has moved up 1.3% in the past 60 days. The estimate indicates a year-over-year increase of 13.1%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Grainger’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in one, the average surprise being 4.2%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Our model predicts an earnings beat for GWW this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. That is precisely the case here.You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Earnings ESP: Grainger has an Earnings ESP of +2.50%.Zacks Rank: GWW currently has a Zacks Rank of 3. Grainger has been focusing on enhancing the end-to-end customer experience through investments in its e-commerce and digital capabilities, while executing supply-chain improvement initiatives. These factors are likely to have contributed to its quarterly performance. We expect organic daily sales growth of 8.5%.The company’s High-Touch Solutions North America segment is expected to have benefited from strength in commercial, transportation and heavy manufacturing; strong revenue growth across its North America regions; and an expansion in the number of large and midsize customers. Our model projects quarterly organic daily sales growth of 7.4% from the year-ago quarter's reported level.We expect the segment’s sales to be $3.81 billion for the second quarter, suggesting 7.4% growth from the second-quarter 2025 reported level.GWW’s Endless Assortment segment is likely to have benefited from robust customer acquisition and repeat business. Our model predicts quarterly organic daily sales to grow 12.2% from the prior-year reported level. Customer growth at MonotaRO and Zoro is expected to have positively impacted the segment’s sales. Our model predicts the Endless Assortment segment’s sales to be $1.03 billion, indicating a 10.8% rally from the prior-year quarter’s reported figure.However, GWW has been witnessing elevated material and freight costs for some time. This, coupled with higher operating costs and incremental SG&A costs from higher technology investments, is likely to have negatively impacted its margins. GWW shares have gained 31.1% in a year against the industry’s 0.1% loss. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Here are some other companies with the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in their upcoming releases. CECO Environmental Corp. CECO, slated to release second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 6, has an Earnings ESP of +30.23% and sports a Zacks Rank of 1 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CECO Environmental’s second-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at 22 cents per share, suggesting a year-over-year dip of 8.3%. CECO has a trailing four-quarter average surprise of 46.5%.Xometry, Inc. XMTR, slated to release second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 4, currently has an Earnings ESP of +66.67% and a Zacks Rank of 3.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Xometry’s second-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at 36 cents per share, suggesting a year-over-year rise from 9 cents. XMTR has a trailing four-quarter average surprise of 46.2%.Ferguson Enterprises Inc. FERG, slated to release second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 10, has an Earnings ESP of +1.22% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ferguson’s second-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $3.23 per share. Ferguson has a trailing four-quarter average surprise of 6.5%. 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 W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) : Free Stock Analysis Report CECO Environmental Corp. (CECO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ferguson plc (FERG) : Free Stock Analysis Report Xometry, Inc. (XMTR) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Emerson Electric Co. EMR is likely to witness earnings and revenue growth when it reports third-quarter fiscal 2026 (ended June 2026) results on Aug. 4, after market close. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $4.79 billion, indicating growth of 5.3% from the prior-year quarter’s figure.The consensus mark for earnings is pinned at $1.68 per share, which has remained steady in the past 60 days. The figure indicates a jump of 10.5% from the prior-year figure. The company’s bottom line matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last reported quarter. EMR beat on earnings in two of the trailing four quarters and matched the mark in the other two, delivering an average surprise of 1.1%.Let’s see how things have shaped up for Emerson prior to the announcement. Strength across Emerson’s Intelligent Devices and Software and Systems groups is likely to have driven its performance in the fiscal third quarter. Solid momentum in the final control segment, driven by strength in power and LNG end markets, is likely to have benefited the top-line performance of its Intelligent Devices group in the fiscal third quarter. Robust growth across the Americas within the Sensors segment is also likely to aid the Intelligent Devices group’s results. For the fiscal third quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the group’s total sales is pegged at $2.64 billion, up 5.2% sequentially.Solid momentum in the Control Systems & Software segment, supported by strength in the power and life sciences end markets, is likely to have augmented the performance of the Software & Systems group. Also, strength in the aerospace & defense and semiconductor end markets has been aiding the Test & Measurement segment. For the fiscal third quarter, the consensus estimate for the group’s total sales is pegged at $1.59 billion, indicating a 6% rise from the previous quarter’s number.Robust growth across the Americas region is expected to have augmented the Safety & Productivity segment’s performance in the to-be-reported quarter.The company has remained focused on expanding its product offerings and market presence through buyouts. In March 2025, Emerson acquired the remaining shares of AspenTech, making it a wholly owned subsidiary. This move strengthened the company’s automation portfolio and enhanced its software-defined control capabilities. The buyout is expected to have boosted EMR’s top line in the quarter.However, rising costs and expenses owing to higher input costs and restructuring-related actions are likely to have affected EMR’s margin performance. Also, given the company’s substantial international operations, foreign currency headwinds are likely to have marred its margins and profitability. Emerson Electric Co. price-eps-surprise | Emerson Electric Co. Quote Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Emerson this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is not the case here, as elaborated below.Earnings ESP: EMR has an Earnings ESP of -1.21% as the Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $1.68 per share, higher than the Most Accurate Estimate of $1.66. You can uncover the best stocks before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.Zacks Rank: EMR currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Ferguson Enterprises Inc. FERG has an Earnings ESP of +1.22% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The company is slated to release second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 10.Ferguson’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 6.5%.Xometry, Inc. XMTR has an Earnings ESP of +66.67% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The company is slated to release second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 4.Xometry’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and matched the mark in one, the average surprise being 46.1%.Ball Corporation BALL has an Earnings ESP of +0.98% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The company is slated to release second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 4.Ball Corp.’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters while matching the mark in one, the average surprise being 3.8%. 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 Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ferguson plc (FERG) : Free Stock Analysis Report Xometry, Inc. (XMTR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ball Corporation (BALL) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research