MU

Chicago, IL – October 23, 2026 – Zacks.com releases the list of companies likely to issue earnings surprises. This week's list includes Micron MU. What Would Blowout Q3 Earnings Results Look Like? Including the flood of Q3 earnings results from the morning of October 22nd, we now have quarterly results from 112 S&P 500 members or 22.4% of the index's total membership. Total earnings for these companies are up +30.9% from the same period last year on +11.8% higher revenues, with 80.4% beating EPS estimates and 68.8% beating revenue estimates. The Q3 earnings and revenue growth pace is tracking modestly below other recent periods, particularly when the reported Q3 growth rates are adjusted for Micron's blockbuster results. The reported Q3 earnings and revenue growth rates decline to +13.1% (from +30.9%) and +8.5% (from +11.8%) when Micron is excluded from the reported results.  The Q3 EPS and revenue beats percentages are tracking below what we had seen from this same group of companies in other recent periods, but otherwise in-line with historical averages. Given the positive revisions trend in place ahead of the start of the Q3 reporting cycle that had pushed estimates higher, companies will not only need to beat elevated consensus estimates, but also provide positive guidance and outlook for the coming periods. We are off to a good start on those fronts at this stage, as estimates for 2026 Q4 and full-year 2026 are maintaining the favorable revisions momentum that was in place before this earnings season got underway. We will see if this positive trend will remain in place as we move into the heart into the Q3 earnings season in the coming days. For more details about the Q3 earnings season and evolving expectations for the coming periods, please check out our weekly Earnings Trends report here >>> Q3 Earnings Season Ramps Up, Outlook for Q4 and Full-Year 2027 Improve Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks? Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year. Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation. See Stocks Free >> Join us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch/ Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates. Media Contact Zacks Investment Research 800-767-3771 ext. 9339 [email protected] https://www.zacks.com Zacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss.This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release. 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 Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

We have a third of S&P 500 members on deck to report Q3 results this week, including three Mag 7 members – Alphabet GOOGL and Microsoft MSFT on Wednesday and Amazon AMZN on Thursday. By the end of this week, we will have seen Q3 results from more than 50% of S&P 500 members. With results from about a quarter of S&P 500 members already out, we see a continuation of the broad-based strength we've seen in the last few reporting cycles. While the growth pace remains strong, it does not compare favorably with other recent periods, particularly when some of the outlier numbers are excluded. Most importantly, the revisions trend remains positive, with estimates for 2026 Q4 and full-year 2027 continuing to rise. Looking at overall expectations for the quarter, combining the actual results from the 121 S&P 500 members that have reported already with estimates for the still-to-come companies, Q3 earnings are currently expected to increase by +26.2% from the same period last year on +12.2% higher revenues, the 8th straight quarter of double-digit earnings growth for the index. The Tech sector continues to be a major growth contributor, but the momentum is broad-based, with 14 of the 16 Zacks sectors on track to enjoy positive earnings growth and 6 generating double-digit earnings growth in Q3. The quarterly chart below details actual results alongside Q3 2026 growth expectations and forward projections. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research As noted earlier, the revisions trend has been positive, sustaining the favorable trend in place for almost a year. Estimates for Q3 increased after the quarter got underway, and we are seeing a similar trend at play for 2026 Q4 estimates, as the chart below shows. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research This positive revision behavior is not new; it extends a tailwind that has been building for nearly a year. The positive revisions were at first concentrated in Technology and, more recently, Energy following Middle East supply disruptions. However, for 2026 Q4 and also what we saw for Q3, the favorable estimate revisions have broadened significantly, rising across 7 of the 16 Zacks sectors—including Industrials, Basic Materials, Finance, Aerospace and Conglomerates alongside Tech and Energy since the start of October. On the negative side, Q4 estimates have come down since the start of October for 9 sectors, with the major declines at the Transportation, Autos, Consumer Staples, Consumer Discretionary, Construction, and Utilities sectors. It is important to note that estimates for full-year 2027 have also been similarly trending higher, which we show a little later in this note. Sector Focus: Broad-Based Strength This week's reporting line-up, comprising 172 S&P 500 members, is a representative sample of the index as a whole, ranging from the aforementioned Mag 7 members to Coca-Cola, Boeing, Caterpillar, Visa, Eli Lilly, and a host of Finance and other companies. The 6 sectors expected to enjoy double-digit earnings growth in Q3 are Aerospace (up +186.7%), Energy (+128%), Tech (+45.3%), Basic Materials (+32.6%), Transportation (+11.1%), and Industrial Products (+14.4%). Q3 earnings growth for the S&P 500 index drops to +21.6% from +26.2% once the Energy sector's contribution is excluded from the index. Excluding the Tech sector, Q3 earnings growth for the rest of the index drops to +16.1%. For the Mag 7 group, we already have actual results from Meta META and Tesla TSLA, and this week will bring results from Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft. The expectation is that Q3 earnings for the Mag 7 will increase by +22.3% on +23.1% revenues, as the chart below shows. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Excluding the Mag 7 group's contribution, Q3 earnings for the rest of the index would actually improve to +27.6% (from +26.2%). The chart below shows quarterly earnings and revenue growth expectations for the Tech sector as a whole. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Q3 earnings and revenue growth rate drops to +23.1% from +45.3% once the substantial contributions from Nvidia NVDA, Micron MU, and Alphabet GOOGL are excluded, as the chart below shows. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Q3 Earnings Season Scorecard Through Friday, October 23rd, we have seen Q3 results from 121 S&P 500 members, or 24.2% of the index's total membership. Total earnings for these companies are up +31.5% from the same period last year on +12.2% higher revenues, with 80.7% beating EPS estimates and 69.7% beating revenues estimates. The comparison charts below show the earnings and revenue growth rates for these companies compared to other recent periods. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The very strong earnings and revenue growth pace for this group of 45 S&P 500 members is mostly due to Micron, whose Q3 earnings increased +1075.7% from the year-earlier level. Excluding the Micron contribution, Q3 earnings for the remaining 120 index members that have reported would be up +14%. The chart below shows the Q3 earnings growth pace for the companies that have reported, with and without Micron, across recent periods. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The comparison charts below show the Q3 EPS and revenue beat percentages for these companies compared to other recent periods. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research For the Finance sector, we now have Q3 results from 55.3% of the sector's market capitalization in the S&P 500 index. Total earnings for these Finance sector companies are up +10% from the same period last year on +8.7% higher revenues, with 80.6% beating EPS estimates and 52.8% beating revenue estimates. The comparison charts below put the Q3 earnings and revenue growth rates in a historical context. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The comparison charts below show the Q3 EPS and revenue beat percentages in a historical context. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research As you can see above, not only are the growth rates tracking below other recent periods, but Finance sector companies also seem to be struggling to beat consensus EPS and revenue estimates. The Earnings Big Picture The chart below shows the aggregate growth picture for the S&P 500 index on a calendar year basis. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research As we noted earlier, estimates for full-year 2027 are experiencing the same positive and broad-based revisions trend that we noted earlier in the context of 2026 Q4. The chart below shows how aggregate 2027 earnings expectations have evolved since the start of July. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research For a detailed view of the evolving earnings picture, please check out our weekly Earnings Trends report here >>>> Q3 Earnings Season Ramps Up, Outlook for Q4 and Full-Year 2027 Improves 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 Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) : Free Stock Analysis Report NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Global investment in artificial intelligence has surged, and the U.S. market is now heavily concentrated on that single long term bet. If you believe the real opportunity sits in the hardware that actually runs all this AI software, the supply chain behind it deserves attention. This article highlights three stocks from a curated chip ecosystem screen that focuses on hardware players linked to this AI build out. The three semiconductor supply chain stocks in this article are only a sample, with the full screen surfacing 12 more companies with equally detailed narratives that are not covered below. To size up the full opportunity set and identify your own highest conviction angles across equipment makers, foundries and chip designers, go straight to the Semiconductor Supply Chain screener. Micron Technology is a memory and storage heavyweight in the AI hardware supply chain, supplying DRAM, NAND and high bandwidth memory that help keep GPUs and data center accelerators productive as cloud, mobile and automotive customers scale their compute-heavy workloads. Micron generates US$43.1b from its Cloud Memory unit, US$37.6b from Core Data Center, US$36.6b from Mobile and Client, and US$15.9b from Automotive and Embedded, with smaller contributions from other activities, and the stock carries a market value of about US$1,014b. "The central change is HBM. High bandwidth memory is stacked DRAM designed to feed AI accelerators with enough bandwidth to keep them busy. It is more complex, more valuable, and more capacity-hungry than conventional DRAM." What happens to Micron's rich AI memory story depends heavily on how one unseen pressure shapes future pricing and margins. That pressure is exactly what the full narrative for Micron Technology unpacks, showing where Micron's AI memory story could accelerate and where pricing power might quietly slip. Super Micro Computer is one of the purest AI hardware plays in this screener, building GPU-heavy servers and full rack systems that power data centers racing to stand up training and inference capacity at scale. Super Micro Computer develops high performance server and storage systems for AI, cloud, and data center workloads, earning about US$39.1b from high performance server solutions, and the stock carries a market value of roughly US$21.3b. "Customer concentration is extreme. One customer represented roughly 63% of Q2 FY2026 revenue." What happens to Super Micro Computer's AI rack growth story depends on how that single relationship shapes pricing, mix, and future demand resilience. That concentration cut both ways, and the full full narrative for Super Micro Computer shows how that single customer risk could still mask accelerating opportunities across Super Micro Computer's broader AI rack footprint. Penguin Solutions builds and runs AI focused data centers while its SMART Modular memory and storage products plug directly into the semiconductor supply chain. With a market value of about US$2.9b it gives you exposure to both infrastructure services and theme linked components. Penguin Solutions ties the AI hardware story together for this screener by pairing on the ground data center buildouts with memory and storage products that feed accelerators. The key question is how durable that demand looks as bigger customers ramp their projects. "Accelerating adoption of AI and high-performance computing across major enterprise verticals (financial services, energy, biotech, federal, and neo-cloud providers) is driving robust demand for turnkey compute infrastructure, as evidenced by rising customer bookings and a diversified pipeline; this is likely to support sustained growth in revenue." What happens to Penguin Solutions' earnings power hinges on how one unresolved margin pressure shapes the balance between hardware intensity and higher value services. To see how that margin question could reshape Penguin Solutions' AI leverage, read the full narrative for Penguin Solutions and see what accelerating demand might still be masking. New themes can gain momentum quickly. Once the crowd arrives, the easy entry points may be harder to identify amid noise and shifting quality. Scan fresh ideas while it matters and consider acting early. - Identify early movers in fast-changing sectors and filter for strength using the 21 high quality undiscovered gems before these stories potentially shift from quiet accumulation to more widely followed momentum. - Focus on resilient cash generators and review your income watchlist with the 7 dividend fortresses so you can evaluate opportunities before any changes in yields or prices. - Monitor picks that appear to be building pricing power with the list of solid balance sheet and fundamentals (25 results) and prepare potential entries before any perceived balance sheet strength becomes broadly reflected in valuations. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email [email protected]

Lam Research Corporation LRCX reported first-quarter fiscal 2027 non-GAAP earnings of $2.20 per share, up 74.6% year over year and 20.9% sequentially. The figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.17 by 1.38%, supported by favorable product mix and improving operating leverage. Revenues jumped 54.4% from the prior-year quarter and 22.3% sequentially to $8.22 billion, beating the consensus mark of $8.14 billion by 0.98%. Growth reflected strong foundry and NAND investments, while customer support posted its fourth consecutive quarterly revenue record. Systems revenues rose 61.6% year over year and 34.9% sequentially to $5.73 billion. Memory made up 46% of systems revenues compared with 34% a year earlier, with its dollar contribution more than doubling. Non-volatile memory accounted for 26% of systems revenues, up from 23% in the previous quarter. NAND sales increased about 40% sequentially, benefiting from conversions to 256-layer-and-above devices and initial investments in 384-layer technology. DRAM contributed 20%, versus 23% sequentially, as spending supported DDR5 and high-bandwidth memory. Lam Research Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Lam Research Corporation Quote Foundry reached record revenues, representing 46% of systems sales versus 44% in the June quarter. Demand came from leading-edge chipmaking and advanced packaging as well as mature-node capacity spending in China. China represented 35% of total revenues, up from 26% in the previous quarter, with domestic and multinational customers contributing. Korea generated 20% of revenues, unchanged sequentially, while Taiwan accounted for 18%, down from 27%. Lam Research expects China's revenue share to fall significantly in the December quarter. Customer support-related revenues and other reached $2.49 billion, up 40% year over year and 0.6% sequentially. The Customer Support Business Group ("CSBG") benefited from high equipment utilization, NAND upgrades and demand for spares and services. The company's Equipment Intelligence offerings and Dextro maintenance cobots helped win performance-based contracts with multiple memory manufacturers. Management expects CSBG revenue growth of more than 30% in calendar year 2026 and more than 15% in calendar year 2027. Non-GAAP gross margin climbed 180 basis points year over year and 40 basis points sequentially to a record 52.4%, aided by favorable customer and product mix. Non-GAAP operating margin reached 40.2%, rising 520 basis points year over year and 180 basis points sequentially. Non-GAAP operating expenses increased to $1 billion from $916 million in the previous quarter, primarily on higher incentive compensation tied to profitability. The company also stepped up investment in product programs, with research and development comprising roughly two-thirds of total operating expenses. Its non-GAAP tax rate increased to 16.5% from 11%, reflecting higher U.S. taxation of foreign earnings and shifts in the geographic income mix. Lam Research expects calendar year 2026 wafer fabrication equipment spending in the mid-$150-billion range and projects more than $200 billion in 2027. DRAM is expected to lead growth, followed by leading-edge foundry and NAND. Management also projects calendar year 2026 systems revenue growth well above 40%. In foundry and DRAM, its Akara etch and Aether dry resist products are gaining traction. Management lifted its cumulative Aether revenue outlook to approximately $2.5 billion by decade-end, up roughly $1 billion from its prior view. Panel plating systems have reached more than 20 customers, reflecting opportunities in advanced packaging. Operating cash flow increased to $3.50 billion from $1.46 billion in the June quarter, lifting free cash flow to a record $3.24 billion. Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash grew to $7.45 billion from $5.60 billion. Inventory increased to $4.55 billion from $4.28 billion as Lam Research prepared for higher demand, but inventory turns improved to 3.4 from 3.0. Capital expenditures rose to $258 million from $189 million for laboratory and manufacturing expansion. The company repurchased about $1.01 billion in shares and paid $325 million in dividends. For the second quarter of fiscal 2027, Lam Research expects revenues of $8.60 billion, plus or minus $400 million. Non-GAAP earnings are projected at $2.33 per share, plus or minus 15 cents, based on approximately 1.253 billion shares. The company forecasts a non-GAAP gross margin of 52.5%, plus or minus one percentage point, and an operating margin of 40.5%, plus or minus one percentage point. Management noted that December revenue guidance would have been slightly higher without near-term supply constraints, while customer mix is expected to weigh on gross margin. Lam Research currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Some other top-ranked stocks in the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector are NVIDIA NVDA, Micron Technology MU and ASE Technology ASX, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Shares of NVIDIA have risen 19.1% year to date (YTD). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NVIDIA's fiscal 2027 earnings has been revised upward by a penny to $9.30 per share over the past seven days, indicating a 95% year-over-year increase. Shares of Micron Technology have skyrocketed 220.2% YTD. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Micron Technology's fiscal 2027 earnings has improved 12.2% to $177.73 per share over the past 30 days, calling for a rise of 135.3% year over year. ASE Technology shares have surged 163.5% YTD. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ASX's 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 4 cents over the past 30 days to $1.27 per share, implying an increase of 122.8% year over year. 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 Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) : Free Stock Analysis Report NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) : Free Stock Analysis Report ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. (ASX) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. TMO delivered third-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $6.68 per share, up 15% year over year. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.4%. Revenues rose 9% to $12.14 billion and surpassed the consensus mark of $11.92 billion by 1.8%. Results were supported by 6% organic revenue growth and improved operating profitability, reflecting the strength of the company's growth strategy and PPI Business System. Following the earnings announcement, TMO stock fell 4.1% in pre-market trading today. Life Sciences Solutions revenues increased 5.1% year over year to $2.72 billion. Segment income rose to $1.02 billion from $968 million, while the segment income margin expanded 20 basis points (bps) to 37.6%. Laboratory Products and Biopharma Services remained the largest business, with revenues climbing 15% to $6.86 billion. Segment income increased to $1.07 billion from $868 million, while margin improved to 15.5% from 14.5%. The segment accounted for 56.5% of consolidated revenues before eliminations. Analytical Instruments revenues advanced 5.8% year over year to $2 billion. Segment income jumped to $538 million from $429 million, driving margin expansion to 26.9% from 22.6%. The 430-bps improvement was the largest among the company's four segments. Specialty Diagnostics revenues declined 6.5% to $1.1 billion. However, segment income increased to $341 million from $321 million, while margin expanded to 31% from 27.4%. The improvement in profitability despite lower revenues highlights the segment's stronger operating efficiency. Adjusted operating income increased 15% year over year to $2.97 billion. The adjusted operating margin widened 120 bps to 24.5%, reflecting profitability improvements across all four business segments. On a GAAP basis, operating income rose 17% to $2.26 billion, while the operating margin improved to 18.6% from 17.4%. The cost of revenues totaled $6.95 billion, selling, general and administrative expenses were $1.86 billion, and research and development spending amounted to $348 million. GAAP earnings per share increased 9% to $4.64. Thermo Fisher ended the third quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $5.46 billion compared with $9.85 billion at the end of 2025. Total assets stood at $114.23 billion, while long-term obligations amounted to $39.11 billion. For the first nine months of 2026, net cash provided by operating activities increased to $5.87 billion from $4.36 billion a year earlier. Free cash flow rose to $4.62 billion from $3.32 billion. During this period, acquisitions net of cash acquired totaled $8.88 billion, share repurchases reached $4 billion, and dividends paid amounted to $511 million. Thermo Fisher partnered with Mayo Clinic to launch Precure, an initiative combining data from more than one million patient samples with its proteomics technologies. The collaboration aims to advance disease research, earlier detection and precision medicine. The company also opened its first AI-Automation Innovation Center in South Korea to help customers accelerate innovation and research productivity. Additionally, a highly automated distribution center in Kentucky expanded its North American supply capabilities. Thermo Fisher completed the previously announced divestiture of its microbiology business during the quarter. Management highlighted the effectiveness of its growth strategy and operational execution. Chairman and CEO Marc N. Casper expressed confidence in delivering strong results for 2026 and creating long-term stakeholder value. The company is scheduled to provide updated full-year financial guidance during its Oct. 21 earnings conference call. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Quote Thermo Fisher ended the third quarter with both earnings and revenues beating respective estimates. Performance reflected the strength of the company's proven growth strategy, strong execution and the power of the PPI Business System. Expansion of the adjusted operating margin in the quarter is also very promising. During the quarter, Thermo Fisher launched the Orbitrap Isora mass spectrometer — its first Orbitrap system designed for isotope ratio analysis — enabling faster workflows and deeper insights into sample composition. Other launches included the EMPAD G2 electron detector for advanced materials characterization and the FDA-cleared EliA CTD 13 Screen for systemic connective tissue diseases. The company also introduced the Ion 560 Chip, offering nearly twice the sequencing capacity of its predecessor to support growing genomic profiling requirements. Thermo Fisher currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some top-ranked stocks from the broader Computer and Technology sector are Micron Technology MU, Richardson Electronics, Ltd. RELL and Ciena CIEN. Micron Technology, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present, reported a fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 EPS of $33.42, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.73%. Revenues of $54.23 billion surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.33%. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. MU has an earnings yield of 18.7% compared with the industry's 4.5% yield. The company surpassed earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 21%. Richardson Electronics, currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1, posted a first-quarter fiscal 2027 EPS of 27 cents, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 200%. Revenues of $64.92 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 10.07%. RELL has an estimated fiscal 2027 earnings growth rate of 62.5% compared with the industry's 46.2% growth. The company's earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 110%. Ciena, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 at present, reported third-quarter fiscal 2026 EPS of $2.11, which topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 21.26%. Revenues of $1.67 billion surpassed the consensus mark by 1.44%. CIEN has an estimated fiscal 2026 earnings growth rate of 171.2% compared with the industry's 35.3% growth. The company's earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters and matched on one occasion, the average surprise being 17.55%. 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 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ciena Corporation (CIEN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) : Free Stock Analysis Report Richardson Electronics, Ltd. (RELL) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS) recently reported its third-quarter results and beat estimates. The stock ranks fifth on our list of the top 10 common stock picks of billionaire Ken Fisher and Jim Cramer. The results were strong, so is the stock a buy after the report? Let's analyze. Goldman has beaten earnings estimates in each of the last four quarters. Management said net revenues were the second highest in the firm's history. Return on common equity was 18.7%. Equities revenue rose 72% from a year earlier, and asset and wealth management revenue rose 10% from the second quarter. Even so, the stock traded flat after the report. Goldman also invests its own money, and its 13F filing earlier this year showed it added to Micron and Amazon in the second quarter. See the full breakdown. Goldman has a steadier earnings base than it used to, so a slow stretch in dealmaking hurts less. Management said on the earnings call that durable revenues have more than doubled since its 2020 investor day and made up about 45% of revenue so far this year. These are revenues such as management fees and financing, which do not swing as much as trading and deal fees. Goldman also keeps a strong position in the work that drives its biggest fees. Carillon Eagle Growth & Income Fund said in its investor letter that Goldman has one of the strongest M&A advisory businesses in the world and that more deals and public offerings lift its results. Check the full letter here. If deal activity keeps recovering, Goldman has a large and growing base of steady income to build on. Goldman's results still depend on capital markets, and those can turn quickly. Trading revenue dipped from the prior quarter in the third quarter. Dealmaking was also uneven across the industry, since JPMorgan and Wells Fargo both reported weaker investment banking in the same season. Growth is also set to slow. Analysts expect earnings per share to grow about 39% in 2026 and only about 4% in 2027. They expect sales growth of about 25% in 2026 and about 1.4% in 2027. After a year like this one, the next year has a hard comparison. Wall Street's consensus rating on the stock is Hold, and a quant score also rates it Hold. Goldman trades at about 12.3 times forward earnings. The typical stock in its sector trades at about 10.8 times, so Goldman carries a premium of about 14%. Goldman's own five-year average is about 12.5 times, so the stock sits about where it usually does. Growth explains why investors pay more than the sector. Analysts expect earnings per share to grow about 39% in 2026. The forward PEG ratio, which divides the P/E by expected growth, is 0.80 against a sector median of 1.03, so Goldman costs less per point of growth than the typical stock in its sector. Next year looks different. Analysts expect earnings growth to slow to about 4% in 2027, and at that pace the stock would look much more expensive on the same measure. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of GS as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than GS and that has 10,000% upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 33 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and Cathie Wood 2026 Portfolio: 10 Best Stocks to Buy Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. Tags:

SpaceX's latest earnings have given Wall Street a reason to revisit AI hardware stocks. Elon Musk's company is preparing to spend billions more on computing infrastructure, and three US-listed stocks could benefit. On Tuesday, SpaceX reported third-quarter revenue of $14.58 billion, up 161% year over year, and a $4.4 billion net profit. Its AI division generated $7.56 billion, surpassing its $5.25 billion connectivity business, which includes Starlink. The bigger surprise was spending. AI infrastructure consumed $16.4 billion of SpaceX's $19.6 billion in quarterly capital expenditure. CFO Bret Johnsen said total spending could reach $35 billion to $40 billion in Q4, roughly twice Wall Street's expectations. SpaceX shares rose around 2.5% after hours. Nvidia, Micron and Seagate also gained roughly 2% in extended-trading snapshots, although other market developments likely contributed. Stock | Oct. 20 close | Average 12-month target | Implied upside Nvidia (NVDA) | $216.47 | $328.72 | +51.9% Micron (MU) | $896.07 | $1,561 | +74.2% Seagate (STX) | $675.13 | $1,138 | +68.6% Nvidia has the strongest direct link to SpaceX's expansion. Earlier this month, Reuters reported that SpaceX was seeking $40 billion in financing to purchase Nvidia AI chips. That potential order could provide significant additional demand for Nvidia's processors. The financing remains unfinalized, however. Among 62 analysts, the average price target is $328.72. Citi targets $315, while UBS forecasts $300. Nvidia is our strongest pick for direct exposure, although financing delays and concerns over excessive AI spending remain risks. Nvidia's processors need high-bandwidth memory (HBM) to handle demanding AI workloads. Micron is a major supplier of that technology. Its latest quarterly revenue reached $54.23 billion, more than quadrupling from a year earlier. SpaceX's computing expansion could strengthen this demand further, even without a confirmed direct supply agreement. The average target among 49 analysts is $1,561. Bank of America forecasts $1,550, while KeyBanc targets $1,750. Micron offers the highest consensus upside of our three picks, although memory prices remain vulnerable to changes in supply and demand. AI infrastructure also requires enormous storage capacity. Seagate makes high-capacity hard drives used by cloud data centers. Its fiscal 2026 revenue grew 34% to $12.2 billion. On Tuesday, Morgan Stanley named Seagate a top hardware pick, lifting its price target to $1,200. JPMorgan, meanwhile, lowered its target to $1,050. The 26-analyst consensus stands at $1,138. Seagate has no confirmed SpaceX supply deal, making its connection more speculative. Its October 27 earnings should provide a clearer test of storage demand. The key question now is whether SpaceX's ambitious AI investment plans translate into sustained orders. Nvidia offers the clearest direct opportunity. Micron and Seagate provide broader exposure to the infrastructure expansion, with greater uncertainty. Read the Original story 3 Stocks That Can Benefit From SpaceX's Surprise Q3 Earnings by Mohammad Shahid at beincrypto.com

December Nasdaq 100 E-Mini futures (NQZ26) are down -0.55% this morning as chipmakers and other AI-related stocks came under renewed selling pressure. Sentiment toward the AI trade weakened again on Tuesday after the disastrous debut of a South Korean data center company reignited doubts about the sustainability of the AI spending boom. AI infrastructure provider Elice cratered -32% in Seoul, marking the worst trading debut for a sizable company in the country. The disappointing debut triggered a fresh wave of selling in AI-related stocks across the globe. Micron Technology (MU), Marvell Technology (MRVL), and Sandisk (SNDK) each fell more than -2% in U.S. pre-market trading. - No 'Example Anywhere on the Planet': Billionaire Kevin O'Leary's Utah Data Center Could Use Enough Electricity to Power 16 Million People - Dear GE Aerospace Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for October 20 - Dear Nvidia Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for October 20 - Get exclusive insights with the FREE Barchart Brief newsletter. Subscribe now for quick, incisive midday market analysis you won't find anywhere else. Further dampening risk appetite, the price of WTI crude climbed more than +2% on Tuesday as traders weighed lingering Middle East supply risks. Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said on Monday that Tehran has "no choice" but to establish control over the Strait of Hormuz to protect its security. Traders took the remarks as a signal that Iran could intensify attacks on tankers passing through the waterway, prompting them to price in a higher geopolitical risk premium. Investors are now awaiting U.S. housing market data and a slew of corporate earnings reports, with a particular focus on SpaceX's results. In yesterday's trading session, Wall Street's main stock indexes ended mostly higher, buoyed by a rebound in chipmakers. Chip and AI infrastructure stocks climbed, with Western Digital (WDC) rising over +6% to lead gainers in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 and Sandisk (SNDK) gaining more than +5%. Also, Amazon.com (AMZN) advanced nearly +5% and was the top percentage gainer in the Dow after Morgan Stanley named the e-commerce and cloud-computing giant a top pick and raised its price target on the stock to $350 from $335. In addition, Datadog (DDOG) surged more than +5% after Bernstein upgraded the stock to Outperform from Market Perform with a price target of $350. On the bearish side, NRG Energy (NRG) slid over -4% after Jefferies and Seaport Research lowered their price targets on the stock. "The final three months of the year have historically been favorable for stocks. Although there is no guarantee these historical patterns will continue in 2026, strong corporate profit growth and resilient economic activity could support further gains through year-end," said Brock Weimer at Edward Jones. Third-quarter corporate earnings season is gathering pace, with investors awaiting results from high-profile companies today, including SpaceX (SPCX), GE Aerospace (GE), Netflix (NFLX), RTX Corp. (RTX), Intuitive Surgical (ISRG), and 3M Company (MMM). SpaceX's earnings report, due after the closing bell, will draw particular attention. Investors will be keen to hear updates from CEO Elon Musk on the ambitious goals he laid out during the previous earnings call in August, including plans to launch data centers in space in 2027 and achieve $1 trillion in revenue by 2030. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, S&P 500 companies are expected to post an average +25% jump in third-quarter earnings from a year earlier. On the economic front, investors will focus on U.S. building permits (preliminary) and housing starts data, set to be released in a couple of hours. Economists expect September building permits to total 1.390 million and housing starts to total 1.300 million, compared with the prior month's figures of 1.403 million and 1.275 million, respectively. The National Association of Realtors' pending home sales data will also be released today. Economists project pending home sales to fall -0.7% m/m in September following a +0.3% m/m rise in August. U.S. rate futures are currently pricing in an 82.8% probability of no rate change and a 17.2% probability of a 25-basis-point rate hike at the conclusion of the Fed's October meeting. In the bond market, the yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note is at 5.13%, down -0.18%. The Euro Stoxx 50 Index is down -0.97% this morning as a fresh wave of selling in AI-related stocks across the globe weighed on sentiment. Rising oil prices further dampened investors' appetite for risk. Technology and bank stocks led the declines on Tuesday. Investors also digested a raft of regional economic data. The ZEW Economic Institute reported on Tuesday that German investor sentiment weakened in October for the first time in six months. Separately, data showed that U.K. wage growth picked up slightly in the three months through August, while the unemployment rate unexpectedly fell, strengthening expectations that the Bank of England will raise its key interest rate next month. In addition, data showed that the Eurozone's current account surplus narrowed in August to its lowest level since January 2023. Meanwhile, Eurozone government bond yields fell on Tuesday as renewed concerns about the AI trade prompted investors to seek refuge in safe-haven assets. In corporate news, ABB (ABB.S.DX) slumped over -5% even as the Swiss engineering group boosted its full-year guidance. U.K. Average Earnings ex Bonus, U.K. Unemployment Rate, Germany's ZEW Economic Sentiment Index, Eurozone's ZEW Economic Sentiment Index, and Eurozone's Current Account data were released today. U.K. Average Earnings ex Bonus rose +3.7% in the three months to August, stronger than expectations of +3.6%. The U.K. Unemployment Rate was 4.7% in the three months to August, stronger than expectations of no change at 4.9%. The German October ZEW Economic Sentiment Index came in at 28.1, weaker than expectations of 30.2. The Eurozone October ZEW Economic Sentiment Index arrived at 18.5, weaker than expectations of 23.6. Eurozone's August Current Account came in at 8.7 billion euros, weaker than expectations of 29.2 billion euros. Asian stock markets today closed mixed. China's Shanghai Composite Index ($CHSC) closed up +0.12%, and Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Index ($NKY) closed down -1.30%. China's Shanghai Composite Index closed slightly higher today, supported by gains in the technology sector. Tech stocks advanced on Tuesday, bucking a slump among their regional peers. However, declines in financial and gold-related stocks capped the benchmark's gains. Meanwhile, China left its benchmark lending rates unchanged for a 17th consecutive month on Tuesday, in line with expectations, as authorities increasingly rely on fiscal expansion to support economic growth. The one-year loan prime rate was held steady at 3.00%, while the five-year LPR remained at 3.50%, according to the People's Bank of China. The decision came after China's central bank signaled plans to continue overhauling the country's monetary policy framework, placing greater emphasis on shorter-term interest rates to better steer markets. PBOC Governor Pan Gongsheng said on Monday that companies with stronger financial positions could eventually be permitted to choose between the interbank overnight repo rate and LPRs as the reference rate for floating-rate loans. "The potential shift to an overnight policy rate could effectively amount to a policy rate cut, depending on the level at which the new rate is set," according to Goldman Sachs' Xinquan Chen. Elsewhere, two Chinese technology companies launched share offerings in Hong Kong aimed at raising a combined $1.5 billion, testing investor demand amid ongoing concerns about the AI trade. Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Index closed lower today, failing to follow Wall Street's overnight rally. Technology stocks were among the biggest losers on Tuesday as sentiment toward the AI trade remained jittery. Tech investor SoftBank Group sank over -6%, making it the biggest drag on the Nikkei. The drop came after the company's credit risk, as measured by its credit-default swaps, climbed to the highest level in almost four years amid mounting concerns over AI-related financing and a possible large acquisition. Losses in financial and industrial stocks also weighed on the benchmark. Meanwhile, Japanese government bond yields fell on Tuesday after an auction of 20-year bonds attracted record demand, signaling that elevated yields are beginning to draw domestic investors back into the market. Elsewhere, Reuters reported on Tuesday that the Bank of Japan is likely to leave interest rates unchanged this month but could raise its inflation forecast for the next fiscal year, as rising oil prices keep price pressures elevated for longer than previously expected. Investor focus this week is on Japan's national core CPI for September. Market participants will also closely watch Japan's preliminary October PMIs and September trade figures. In addition, the BOJ will publish its semiannual Financial System Report at the end of the week. The Nikkei Volatility Index, which takes into account the implied volatility of Nikkei 225 options, closed up +3.04% at 32.18. Pre-Market U.S. Stock Movers Chip and AI infrastructure stocks slid in pre-market trading. Micron Technology (MU), Marvell Technology (MRVL), and Sandisk (SNDK) each fell more than -2%. Apple (AAPL) slipped nearly -1% in pre-market trading after Loop Capital downgraded the stock to Hold from Buy with a price target of $330. Steel Dynamics (STLD) slid about -5% in pre-market trading after the steelmaker posted weaker-than-expected Q3 results. Solstice Advanced Materials (SOLS) rose over +3% in pre-market trading after the Financial Times reported that activist investor Starboard Value had built a stake in the company. Energy stocks advanced in pre-market trading as oil prices rose, with APA Corp. (APA) and Chevron (CVX) gaining more than +1%. You can see more pre-market stock movers here Today's U.S. Earnings Spotlight: Tuesday - October 20th Space Exploration Technologies (SPCX), GE Aerospace (GE), Netflix (NFLX), RTX Corporation (RTX), Intuitive Surgical (ISRG), Chubb (CB), Capital One Financial (COF), 3M Company (MMM), Northrop Grumman (NOC), General Motors Company (GM), MSCI Inc. (MSCI), United Airlines Holdings (UAL), Halliburton Company (HAL), Synchrony Financial (SYF), Synchrony Financial (SYF.PRB), KeyCorp (KEY), Equifax (EFX), Genuine Parts Company (GPC), East West Bancorp (EWBC), Hasbro (HAS), Annaly Capital Management (NLY), Equity LifeStyle Properties (ELS), Ally Financial (ALLY), Vicor (VICR), Valmont Industries (VMI), Agree Realty (ADC), Commerce Bancshares (CBSH), Hancock Whitney (HWC), Pegasystems (PEGA), Atlantic Union Bankshares (AUB), Bank OZK (OZK), United Community Banks (UCB), Neptune Insurance Holdings (NP), Alaska Air Group (ALK), Nicolet Bankshares (NIC), Stride (LRN), Dime Commercial Bancshares (DCOM), QCR Holdings (QCRH), Peoples Bancorp (PEBO), Metropolitan Bank Holding (MCB), Mercantile Bank (MBWM), Capital City Bank Group (CCBG), Orrstown Financial Services (ORRF), Bridgewater Bancshares (BWB), Northpointe Bancshares (NPB). On the date of publication, Oleksandr Pylypenko did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com

- NBT Bancorp is heading into its late October 2026 earnings release with analyst expectations for higher revenue and a year over year earnings increase, reflecting focus on fee based income, loan demand and controlled funding costs. - The interesting angle is how this expected earnings uplift intersects with NBT Bancorp's push into Western New York and ongoing Micron linked financing, which together reshape its revenue mix beyond traditional upstate banking markets. - We will now look at how NBT Bancorp's investment narrative ties into the expected year over year earnings improvement in this upcoming report. Scan how NBT Bancorp's setup compares with other regionals gearing up for potential earnings surprises by reviewing our hand picked 35 high quality undervalued stocks. NBT Bancorp appeals to shareholders who believe its traditional banking footprint, fee income lines and wealth businesses can keep working together without big swings in credit quality or costs. The upcoming September quarter report is essentially a check on that thesis. If revenue and earnings both track expectations, the short-term catalyst around earnings momentum probably remains in place. The main near-term risk still sits in execution. Expansion into Western New York, Micron related financing and digital investment all add complexity and cost. If funding expenses, technology spending or integration work increase faster than income from loans and fees, the earnings story that investors are watching this month could appear less durable. For this earnings period, the most relevant development is simply the expectation that NBT Bancorp will report higher revenue and a year-over-year earnings increase. That is where the operational story around Western New York activity, Micron exposure and digital users is tested in reported results. The announcement date on October 27 creates a clear timing catalyst. Analysts have become more positive on NBT Bancorp's earnings outlook, which makes that report both a sentiment check and a results update. If the mix of banking, retirement and insurance income lines holds up against those higher expectations, it supports the view that recent efficiency gains and margin levels may be more than a one-time outcome. NBT Bancorp's current earnings sit at US$214.2 million, with analysts expecting earnings to reach US$269.0 million by 2029 and revenue to climb to US$891.4 million in the same year. That narrative assumes 7.2% yearly revenue growth and an earnings increase of about US$54.8 million from today's level. Uncover why NBT Bancorp's fair value indicates a 12% potential upside to its current price, which could narrow quickly. Two fair value estimates from the Simply Wall St Community span roughly US$56.8 to US$86.3, which shows how far apart retail views on NBT Bancorp can sit. Those opinions were formed before the October 27 earnings event, so you should weigh them against regional concentration risks and potential Micron and Western New York catalysts. Explore another NBT Bancorp fair value estimate, including one that suggests it could be worth just $56.83. Disagree with existing narratives? Extraordinary investment returns rarely come from following the herd, so trust your own analysis. - A great starting point for your NBT Bancorp research is our analysis highlighting 4 key rewards and 1 important warning sign that could impact your investment decision. - See our latest analysis for NBT Bancorp. The report includes a comprehensive fundamental analysis summarized in a single visual, the Snowflake, making it easy to evaluate NBT Bancorp's overall financial health at a glance. If you want to stress test your thesis on NBT Bancorp, compare it with other opportunities that match the kind of risk, income or balance sheet profile you care about most using the Simply Wall St Screener. - For readers who want potential mispricing with quality fundamentals at the center, review our hand picked 35 high quality undervalued stocks and see how they stack up against NBT Bancorp. - If capital preservation and sturdier finances matter more to you than headline growth stories, filter for companies in the list of solid balance sheet and fundamentals (25 results) and pressure test how they compare. - When you are hunting for ideas that the crowd may not be focused on yet, spend time with the 20 high quality undiscovered gems and see which stories deserve a spot on your watchlist. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include NBTB. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email [email protected]