JEF

CrowdStrike Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:CRWD) set to report fiscal second-quarter results tonight, with Wall Street split on how much of a beat is needed to satisfy investors after the stock's sharp rally this year. Jefferies expects CrowdStrike to post around $310 million in net new annual recurring revenue (NNARR) for the quarter, above management's guidance midpoint of roughly $285 million. That would mark a beat of about 40 basis points to the total ARR guide, in line with the company's performance over the last five quarters, and would push year-over-year ARR growth to 25%, an acceleration from 24.2% in the first quarter. BofA Securities modeled a more conservative NNARR figure of $286 million, up 29.3% year-over-year and roughly in line with consensus. The bank projects full-year NNARR of $1.294 billion, just ahead of the Street's $1.289 billion estimate. Both banks flagged that the size of the beat matters more than whether CrowdStrike beats at all. BofA said investors may need to see NNARR come in more than 3% above consensus for both the quarter and the full year, pointing to the stock's negative reaction last quarter despite a 2-3% topline beat. Jefferies similarly cautioned that near-term share performance could stay muted unless the company's full-year guidance signals further acceleration into the fourth quarter. CrowdStrike shares have rallied sharply since the first-quarter print, up 19% according to BofA and up 103% since April 10 according to Jefferies, lifting the stock's valuation to roughly 27 times calendar 2027 revenue and 83 times calendar 2027 free cash flow. Jefferies pointed to its proprietary VAR survey as a source of confidence heading into the print, noting that CrowdStrike's average performance versus plan improved to +3.0% from +2.6% in the prior quarter, with its net score jumping to +46% from +13%. The firm's checks pointed to gradual improvement in cyber demand, continued platform consolidation, and durable demand for CrowdStrike's SIEM product. BofA's focus centers on the quality of ARR growth rather than the headline number, including whether Falcon Flex continues to drive platform expansion, how consumption trends and large deals are trending, and whether demand stays broad across endpoint, cloud, identity, next-gen SIEM, data security and managed detection and response. The bank is also watching for signs that CrowdStrike can convert AI-driven security demand into broader monetization across the Falcon platform's 33 cloud modules.

On August 11, Sheila Kahyaoglu from Jefferies reduced her target price on MDA Space Ltd. (NYSE:MDA) from $51 to $49, which leads to an upside potential of more than 53% as of August 19 closing. The analyst reaffirmed a Buy rating on the stock following the company’s second quarter results. Topline figures of C$499 million beat consensus forecasts, and were up by 34% relative to the same period last year. The company posted C$0.36 in adjusted diluted EPS, that also exceeded estimates. With almost C$809 million in additional bookings during the quarter, the total backlog now stands above C$4 billion. This, along with a strong momentum across all segments, led to an increase in management’s topline and adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2026. Financial position by the end of second quarter remained resilient for MDA Space Ltd. (NYSE:MDA). Management kept the total leverage within a favorable range, backed by a strong net cash position of around C$153 million, and total liquidity in the range of C$1.1 billion. The company continues to secure major contracts, with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.6x during the recent quarter. It remains focused on expansion across its commercial, lunar and defense programs with contract wins from CSA, BAE Systems, Telesat and more. MDA Space Ltd. (NYSE:MDA) also aims to expand its footprint and recurring revenue prospects through recent strategic acquisitions. The planned $620 million acquisition of Blue Canyon Technologies, as well as 70% stake in CLS, are projected to bring in additional C$4.9 billion to the business pipeline. These transactions are also expected to double the company’s recurring revenues in the future. During the second quarter MDA Space posted negative free cash flows of C$150 million, bringing the first half total to -C$178 million. This can be attributed to its working capital needs as well as the required capital outlays to execute its increasing order backlog. The management has reiterated its full-year 2026 free cash flow guidance at neutral to negative, largely driven by normal working capital changes across its major programs. Another relevant risk is that of the concentration of its contracts, as the company is currently dependent on a small number of high-value engagements. These include large-scale satellite constellations for major commercial and institutional clients. Termination of any single contract could have significant financial implications for the business. Data tracked across 1,000+ hedge funds by Insider Monkey reveals that institutional interest in MDA Space Ltd. (NYSE:MDA) spiked during the first quarter in 2026. As per 13F filing data, hedge fund ownership stood at 0 during the final quarter in 2025. However, it increased to 23 in the following quarter. As of June 30, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management was the largest institutional investor in the stock. It held 7.73 million shares which translates into 4.77% of the outstanding shares. Other notable institutional names include Senvest Management and Vanguard, that own 4.38 million and 3.91 million shares respectively. As of August 19 closing, the consensus sentiment around MDA Space Ltd. (NYSE:MDA) was strongly bullish. The stock received coverage from 13 analysts, 12 of whom assigned Buy ratings and 1 gave a Hold call. With a median 1-year target price of $50.81, it yields an upside potential in excess of 56%. MDA Space Ltd. (NYSE:MDA) is up 67% so far in 2026. However, the stock is currently priced at more than 33% discount to its 2026 high. It trades at a forward P/E ratio of around 32x, which appears to be on the high side. Short interest in the stock currently stands at 1.55%, which indicates low amount of skepticism. Despite a higher trading multiple, the valuation could support further upside. Going forward, the company’s free cash flow conversion will be a key discussion point for investors. READ NEXT: 12 Best Industrial Stocks With More Than 50% Upside and 10 Best Stocks Under $10 That Could Triple. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.

Despite slashing Intuit’s price target, Jefferies maintained a ‘Buy’ rating on the stock with 36% upside potential. Jefferies sees recovery potential for INTU but warns that forecasts may be too optimistic. Analysts expect a 11% rise in Intuit’s Q4 revenue to $4.27 billion. Intuit Inc. (INTU) stock is in focus after Jefferies lowered its price target ahead of earnings. The firm sees a mixed outlook, with shares down 45% this year and investor expectations low. Still, Jefferies believes the stock could recover. Jefferies lowered its price target for Intuit to $500 from $550 while keeping a ‘Buy’ rating. The reduced price target still implies a 36% upside to the stock’s last closing price. The firm said the stock’s steep decline has reduced investor expectations, although forecasts for fiscal 2027 may still assume more growth than the company can realistically deliver. See what 10M+ investors are talking about. Get the Stocktwits Daily Rip for what retail is watching right now, free to your inbox Jefferies said artificial intelligence continues to weigh on the investment case. Investors remain concerned that AI-powered tools could challenge some of Intuit’s core products and pressure the company’s long-term growth prospects. Still, the firm reasoned that those concerns may be overstated. Jefferies believes Intuit has stronger defenses around its business than many investors currently recognize, giving the stock an opportunity to recover if the company delivers better-than-feared results. Intuit shares have fallen about 45% so far this year, creating a much lower starting point heading into earnings. Jefferies sees that decline as a double-edged sword. While the selloff reflects growing skepticism, it also means the stock could respond positively if evidence of business resilience emerges. The analyst nevertheless cautioned that consensus estimates for fiscal 2027 could remain too optimistic. Intuit stock edged 0.4% higher in Monday’s premarket. The stock is on track for its second month of gains. Intuit’s stock has been pressured by broader software-sector weakness and worries that generative AI could threaten traditional software platforms. Intuit's cut to its TurboTax revenue outlook, driven by weaker tax-filing volumes, also added to the strain. In May, Intuit announced plans to cut about 17% of its workforce, or nearly 3,000 jobs, while shifting resources toward AI and product development. The company has since expanded AI features across Mailchimp, QuickBooks and its enterprise offerings. Intuit is set to report fiscal Q4 and full-year 2026 results after the market close on August 25. Analysts expect revenue of about $4.27 billion, up roughly 11% year on year, with earnings of $3.59 per share. Full-year revenue is expected to reach about $21.37 billion, according to Fiscal AI data. On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around the stock turned ‘neutral’ from ‘bullish’ the previous day. Also See: DE Stock Rises Overnight: Why One Analyst Sees 58% Upside In Tractor Maker For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com Shivani Kumaresan 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: AFRM Vs KLAR: Which BNPL Stock Is The Better Buy Right Now? Curaleaf Rejects Aurora Defense, Reiterates $4 Premium Offer GRRR Stock Slumps 9% After-Hours Despite Doubling Revenue In H1 — What’s Driving The Selloff?

CoreWeave (NASDAQ:CRWV) shares jumped 19% to about $108 on Wednesday after the AI infrastructure provider reported second quarter results that topped Wall Street expectations, with analysts at Wedbush and Jefferies highlighting strong demand and the company's expanding backlog. CoreWeave reported revenue of $2.575 billion for the quarter ended June 30, up from $1.212 billion a year earlier and slightly above the roughly $2.56 billion consensus estimate. The company posted an adjusted loss of $1.03 per share, narrower than the expected loss of $1.13 to $1.20 per share. The company reported a GAAP net loss of $626 million, or $1.14 per share, compared with a net loss of $290 million, or $0.60 per share, in the year-ago period. Operating expenses increased to $2.624 billion from $1.193 billion, resulting in an operating loss of $49 million versus operating income of $19 million a year earlier. CoreWeave said its revenue backlog stood at approximately $104 billion as of June 30, up from $99.4 billion at the end of the prior quarter. The company also said it expanded active power by nearly 500 megawatts during the quarter to reach 1.5 gigawatts, while total contracted power grew to approximately 3.7 gigawatts. "CoreWeave reached an important inflection point this quarter as our scale began to translate into expanding operating leverage,” CoreWeave CEO Michael Intrator said in a statement. “Customer demand is accelerating, as enterprise adoption broadens and we continue to deepen our technology platform.” Wedbush analysts viewed the backlog growth as evidence that demand for AI infrastructure remains strong despite concerns about the industry's financing needs, datacenter capacity and cash flow. "We view this result as congruent with our view that demand for AI infrastructure remains extremely robust," the analysts wrote, adding that they believe concerns surrounding the broader AI complex are "overstated" within their visibility. The analysts also pointed to what they see as rapid payback periods for new infrastructure builds, arguing that high infrastructure pricing is itself an indication of strong customer requirements. Jefferies took a similarly constructive view, saying the results strengthened its long-term outlook for CoreWeave. The analysts maintained a ‘Buy’ rating and $150 price target, arguing that the company's improving unit economics and demand visibility outweighed several near-term concerns. The firm said newer contracts are carrying materially better economics than recent deals, which it attributed to pricing, platform differentiation and the economics of newer infrastructure. Jefferies also argued that resilient pricing for older-generation systems suggests demand remains strong even as newer chips become available. The analysts believe that the key question is how much of the improved profitability will flow through to the company's full-year results, noting that the second-quarter EBIT beat was not fully reflected in the increase to 2026 guidance. They also flagged higher capital spending and founder stock sales as remaining overhangs. Despite those issues, Jefferies said the "long-term story strengthened," citing what it sees as an attractive valuation relative to CoreWeave's backlog and the scale of the potential AI infrastructure buildout.

Cloudflare (NYSE:NET) is expected to accelerate revenue growth in the second quarter and raise its full-year outlook, according to Jefferies, with investors likely looking for a path toward a mid-30% growth rate by the end of 2026 when the company reports results on August 6. The company's Q2 revenue guide of $664.5 million at the midpoint implies year-over-year growth of about 30%, a four-percentage-point sequential deceleration despite a one-percentage-point tougher comparison. Jefferies wrote that the target appears achievable, but investors are likely looking for growth of at least 34% and guidance that supports confidence in a mid-30% growth exit rate. The firm expects Cloudflare to beat its second-quarter revenue guidance, based on the company’s recent performance, which would bring growth to about 33.6% year over year. Jefferies also expects Cloudflare to raise its full-year revenue guidance by more than the amount of any second-quarter beat. Jefferies’ proprietary survey produced mixed results ahead of the report, with performance to plan declining to 0.6% in the second quarter from 2.1% in the first. On a seasonally adjusted basis, however, performance was solid at 0.8%, compared with the second quarter of 2025. The survey also indicated continued momentum in SASE, while 65% of respondents expected Cloudflare spending to accelerate in the second half compared with the first half. Investors are also likely to focus on the impact of Cloudflare’s previously announced 20% workforce reduction and any updates on the search for a chief revenue officer. Jefferies wrote that management appears confident the workforce reduction will not disrupt operations, particularly given its limited expected impact on quota-carrying sales representatives, although the firm continues to see some near-term risk that could constrain growth acceleration. Cloudflare’s full-year revenue guidance currently calls for 30% year-over-year growth. Jefferies expects the company to raise its outlook and wrote that investors will likely seek commentary supporting a path toward a mid-30% growth exit rate, while noting tougher second-half comparisons and the workforce reduction as potential constraints. On profitability, Cloudflare’s Q2 guidance calls for a non-GAAP operating margin of 13.6% to 13.7%, representing about 220 basis points of sequential expansion and roughly 50 basis points of year-over-year contraction. Jefferies expects some operating margin upside, partly reflecting benefits from the workforce reduction, while continuing to expect pressure on gross margins. Cloudflare’s full-year guidance calls for a non-GAAP operating margin of 14.9% to 15%. At its investor day, the company also raised its long-term operating margin target to more than 30%, citing AI-driven productivity gains and lower headcount as key drivers. Jefferies wrote that Cloudflare remains well positioned to benefit from AI-related demand and cybersecurity vendor consolidation, but noted that the stock’s valuation, at about 29 times estimated 2027 enterprise value to revenue, remains elevated. Shares of Cloudflare traded up 7% at $303 on Tuesday afternoon, having surged almost 54% so far this year.

Moelis & Company’s MC second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 63 cents per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. The bottom line increased 18.9% from the prior-year quarter.Results benefited from a rise in revenues. These were partially offset by an increase in expenses and lower other income. Also, the company had a solid liquidity position in the quarter.Net income (GAAP basis) was $55.1 million compared with $46.8 million in the prior-year quarter. Our estimate for the metric was $40.4 million. Total revenues (GAAP basis) in the quarter grew 12% year over year to $409.4 million. The top line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $391.6 million. The increase was attributable to higher average fees earned per completed transaction.Total quarterly operating expenses (GAAP basis) were $336.6 million, up 10.4% year over year. The rise was due to an increase in compensation and benefits and non-compensation expenses. Our estimate for total operating expenses was $323.8 million.Other income (GAAP basis) was $2.5 million, down 30.1% from the prior-year quarter. We projected the metric to be $6.7 million.As of June 30, 2026, the company had cash and liquid investments of $481.1 million, with no funded debt. In the reported quarter, the company repurchased 0.3 million shares on the open market at an average price of $64.43 per share. MC’s continued expansion of its advisory capabilities, strong client engagement and momentum in transaction activity bode well. The company also continues to execute its growth strategy.  However, lower other income and rising expenses remain concerns. Moelis & Company price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Moelis & Company Quote Currently, Moelis & Company has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Jefferies Financial Group’s JEF second-quarter fiscal 2026 (ended May 31) adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations of $1.03 missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.09. However, the bottom line increased significantly from the prior-year quarter.Results were primarily aided by record investment banking advisory and underwriting net revenues, as well as record equities net revenues. However, a rise in expenses hurt Jefferies’ results to an extent.Lazard Inc.’s LAZ second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share of 12 cents missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 42 cents. This compared unfavorably with earnings of 52 cents in the year-ago quarter.Lazard’s results were affected by lower revenues in the Financial Advisory segment and an increase in operating expenses. However, growth in the Asset Management segment and higher assets under management offered some support. 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 Moelis & Company (MC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (JEF) : Free Stock Analysis Report Lazard, Inc. (LAZ) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Goldman Sachs, Barclays, and Jefferies cut their Robinhood Markets (HOOD) price targets on Thursday, one evening after the Nasdaq-listed brokerage beat second-quarter revenue and profit estimates. Goldman and Jefferies had each raised their targets to $137 earlier in July. All three firms kept bullish ratings. Their reversal is about timing, not execution. Analysts now expect Robinhood's existing trading business, rather than its newer products, to carry growth into 2027. Goldman Sachs moved to $118. Jefferies went to $127. Barclays cut deepest, to $105. The round trip is what stands out. Jefferies lifted its target from $94 to $137 on July 8. Goldman reached $137 in mid-July. Both unwound that optimism within a month. Not everyone retreated. Piper Sandler held $135 and BTIG reiterated $125. Bernstein's $160, set July 20, still leads the 28 analysts covering the stock. Robinhood beat and still could not hold a bid. That pattern is established, not new. In November 2025, Robinhood beat on both lines and fell 10.8% the next session. HOOD traded near $89.67 on Thursday morning, about 42% below its October 2025 record. Barclays framed the ceiling plainly. It expects existing businesses to drive near-term growth, arguing newer bets need years before they move the revenue base. Robinhood's HOOD stock fell almost 2% at market open, and was trading for $88.06 as of this time. Revenue rose 32% to a record $1.31 billion, per the company's filing. Diluted earnings reached $0.62 per share, up 48%. Adjusted EBITDA hit $741 million. Earnings quality is thinner than the headline suggests. Roughly $0.14 of that EPS came from one-off gains, mostly the deconsolidation of Robinhood Ventures Fund I. Crypto remains the soft spot. Robinhood's crypto revenue beat consensus at $100 million, yet fell 38% from $160 million a year earlier. That line now supplies 8% of net revenues, down from 16%. The 10-Q blames weaker market-maker rebate rates and 16% fewer users placing crypto trades. July net new assets are tracking toward $4 billion, soft after a strong June. Costs are the offset. Robinhood cut 10% of staff in June and lowered full-year 2026 expense guidance to a range of $2.675 billion to $2.775 billion. Robinhood also leads tokenized stock ownership by holder count while trailing on money committed, which is the gap Barclays is pricing. With the consensus target near $122 and the stock under $90, the question is whether prediction markets and tokenized assets scale before that spread closes on its own. Read the Original story Goldman, Barclays, Jefferies Cut Robinhood Targets Despite Earnings Beat by Lockridge Okoth at beincrypto.com

Investing.com -- Jefferies upgraded both Ford Motor and General Motors to Buy from Hold, arguing that improving U.S. auto market conditions, stronger capital allocation and easing legacy cost pressures position both automakers for higher earnings and cash generation over the next two years. For Ford, the brokerage raised its price target to $17.50 from $14.50, saying second-quarter results are likely to mark a margin trough as production normalizes after supply disruptions. Jefferies expects management could raise full-year guidance, supported by healthy U.S. demand, improving warranty trends, a more disciplined EV strategy and steps to reduce its European manufacturing footprint. The brokerage lifted its 2026 adjusted EBIT forecast to $10.3 billion, near the top end of Ford's guidance, and said free cash flow should improve as inventories rebuild, supplier compensation declines and warranty costs ease. It also expects the company's next-generation universal EV platform and battery investments to strengthen long-term profitability while narrowing the valuation gap with General Motors. Ahead of Ford's July 28 earnings, Jefferies forecasts second-quarter adjusted EBIT of about $2.5 billion on a 5.4% margin despite an estimated 10% decline in wholesale volumes, with tariff benefits and lower material and warranty costs partially offsetting production weakness. Jefferies also upgraded General Motors to Buy, raising its price target to $99 from $90 after the automaker's second-quarter earnings reinforced confidence that 2027 profitability and free cash flow will continue to improve. The brokerage expects GM to generate more than $10 billion in annual free cash flow from 2027, driven by new truck launches, efficiency gains and higher contributions from digital services. The firm increased its 2026-2028 earnings estimates by around 6% and said GM's improving warranty performance, resilient pricing, lower EV restructuring costs and strong North American truck franchise leave room for further earnings upgrades. Jefferies believes GM's valuation remains attractive at roughly five times expected 2027 earnings, with additional share buybacks providing further support. Related articles Jefferies turns bullish on Ford, GM ahead of earnings, citing stronger margins As Claude disrupts stock market, Anthropic researcher warns ’world is in peril’ This sector is 'poised for a big, beautiful year': Truist

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Jefferies (JEF). Shares have added about 5.6% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500. But investors have to be wondering, will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Jefferies due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts. Jefferies’ second-quarter fiscal 2026 (ended May 31) adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations of $1.03 missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.09. However, the bottom line increased significantly from the prior-year quarter.Results were primarily aided by record IB advisory and underwriting net revenues, as well as record equities net revenues. However, a rise in expenses hurt the results to an extent.Net earnings attributable to common shareholders (GAAP) increased significantly year over year from $88 million to $226.2 million. Quarterly net revenues were $2.21 billion, up 35% from the prior-year quarter. The top line marginally missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.22 billion.Total non-interest expenses were $1.89 billion, up 26.1% from the year-ago quarter. The rise was due to an increase in almost all cost components, except for depreciation and amortization costs, cost of sales, and other expenses.As of May 31, 2026, book value per common share was $51.95, up from $49.96 as of May 31, 2025. Furthermore, adjusted tangible book value per fully diluted share increased from $32.84 to $34.55. Investment Banking & Capital Markets: Total Net revenues were $2.01 billion, rising 36.4% from the prior-year quarter. Investment Banking net revenues were $1.21 billion, up 57.5% year over year, driven by higher advisory and equity underwriting revenues, while debt underwriting remained solid but declined year over year. Capital Markets net revenues were $799.3 million, up 13.5%, driven by increases in both Equities and Fixed Income net revenues.Asset Management: Net revenues were $187.7 million, up 21.4% from the year-ago quarter. Asset management fees and revenues, as well as investment return, declined year over year, but other investments, inclusive of net interest, increased. As of May 31, 2026, total assets were $79.54 billion, up from $74.38 billion as of Feb. 28, 2026, while total shareholders’ equity was $10.57 billion, down modestly from $10.61 billion.The leverage ratio was 7.5 compared with 6.5 in the prior-year quarter, and the tangible gross leverage ratio was 9.0 compared with 7.9. Return on adjusted tangible shareholders’ equity was 12.8%, up from 5.5% in the prior-year quarter. In the reported quarter, Jefferies repurchased 4 million common shares for $197 million, at an average price of $49.83 per share. In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. The consensus estimate has shifted -8.9% due to these changes. Currently, Jefferies has a strong Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with an F. However, the stock has a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the top 40% for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Jefferies has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months. 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 Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (JEF) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research