PAHC

ResMed RMD is scheduled to release its first-quarter fiscal 2027 results on Oct. 29, after the closing bell. The renowned sleep health device maker posted adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.95 in the last reported quarter, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.72%. The company topped earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 2.78%. For the first quarter of fiscal 2027, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for ResMed's revenues is pegged at $1.39 billion, indicating an increase of 4% from the year-ago reported figure. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal first-quarter EPS suggests a 4.7% rise to $2.67. The estimate has dropped 0.7% in the past 30 days. Here's a brief review of the company's performance leading up to this announcement. Within this segment, ResMed's device revenues may have benefited from continued solid demand for sleep devices across the Americas and Rest of World. However, life support devices, including ventilators such as Astral, are likely to have seen lower unit sales. The ongoing expansion of the AirSense 11 platform into global sleep health markets is expected to have supported revenues in the first quarter of fiscal 2027. Growth is likely to have remained strong in the United States and Europe, while penetration in China may have continued to build following its recent launch. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, ResMed reached an important milestone with the U.S. introduction of the AirCurve 11 ST and AirCurve 11 ST-A platforms. The company also launched the AirCurve 11 platform in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Masks and other is also expected to have contributed. ResMed is likely to have continued the global rollout of its fabric technology masks, including AirTouch N30i and AirTouch F30i, in the first quarter of fiscal 2027. The AirFit F40, its smallest tube-down full-face mask, may also have generated strong demand. These developments are expected to have supported the segment's top line in the quarter. ResMed Inc. price-eps-surprise | ResMed Inc. Quote ResMed may have continued integrating Noctrix Health, LLC, which it acquired in June 2026. Noctrix's flagship product, Nidra, addresses restless legs syndrome (RLS), a prevalent sleep disorder worldwide after sleep apnea and insomnia. The acquisition expands ResMed's clinical sleep health portfolio into an adjacent area of unmet need. Greater clinician awareness is also likely to act as a tailwind for ResMed's results in the fiscal first quarter. The company's continuing medical education (CME) programs cover sleep physician society-approved guidelines and the benefits of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) and bilevel positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy as frontline treatments for sleep apnea. More than 55,000 clinicians have completed its sleep apnea courses, with total course completions exceeding 95,000. ResMed has already observed increases in home sleep apnea test referrals and prescriptions for PAP therapy following training. The Zacks Consensus Estimate implies Sleep and Breathing Health revenues will increase 6.4% in the fiscal first quarter. Over the last few quarters, ResMed has continued to reshape its Residential Care Software portfolio, directing higher investments in high-growth, higher-margin businesses while reducing exposure to lower-growth, lower-margin areas, including services businesses. The strategy is aimed at returning the business to sustainable high-single-digit revenue growth and achieving double-digit operating profit growth in fiscal 2027. In line with these efforts, ResMed completed the sale of its MatrixCare business to the private equity firm Frazier Healthcare Partners on Sept. 1, marking the culmination of its portfolio management initiatives. MatrixCare represented approximately $220 million of revenues and approximately $28 million of operating profit in fiscal 2026. The divestiture is expected to have reduced the company's revenues in the fiscal first quarter. Following the transaction, the Residential Care Software portfolio comprises Brightree and MEDIFOX DAN offerings, which are likely to have made a solid contribution to revenues in the to-be-reported quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects Residential Care Software revenues to decrease 12.7% in the first quarter of fiscal 2027. Per our proven model, a stock with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold), along with a positive Earnings ESP, has a higher chance of beating estimates, which is not the case here, as you can see below. Earnings ESP: ResMed has an Earnings ESP of -0.60%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they're reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Zacks Rank: The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Here are some medical stocks worth considering, as these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time: Phibro Animal Health PAHC has an Earnings ESP of +2.10% and a Zacks Rank #1. The company is expected to release first-quarter fiscal 2027 results soon. PAHC's earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 18.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's first-quarter EPS indicates an increase of 8.2% from the year-ago quarter's figure. Becton, Dickinson and Company BDX, or BD, has an Earnings ESP of +0.21% and a Zacks Rank #1. The company will release its fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Nov. 5. BD's earnings outpaced estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 2.94%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's fourth-quarter EPS calls for a rise of 2.5% from the year-ago quarter's figure. IDEXX Laboratories IDXX has an Earnings ESP of +0.59% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is slated to release third-quarter 2026 results on Nov. 2. IDXX's earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 5.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's third-quarter EPS implies a jump of 9.1% from the year-ago quarter's figure. 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 ResMed Inc. (RMD) : Free Stock Analysis Report Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) : Free Stock Analysis Report IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (IDXX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Phibro Animal Health Corporation (PAHC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Looking for a stock that has been consistently beating earnings estimates and might be well positioned to keep the streak alive in its next quarterly report? Phibro Animal Health (PAHC), which belongs to the Zacks Medical - Products industry, could be a great candidate to consider. This maker of animal health products and nutritional supplements has an established record of topping earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The company boasts an average surprise for the past two quarters of 11.81%. For the last reported quarter, Phibro came out with earnings of $0.85 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.72 per share, representing a surprise of 18.06%. For the previous quarter, the company was expected to post earnings of $0.72 per share and it actually produced earnings of $0.76 per share, delivering a surprise of 5.56%. Thanks in part to this history, there has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for Phibro lately. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the stock is positive, which is a great indicator of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with its solid Zacks Rank. Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven. The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier. Phibro currently has an Earnings ESP of +2.10%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner. With the Earnings ESP metric, it's important to note that a negative value reduces its predictive power; however, a negative Earnings ESP does not indicate an earnings miss. Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, but that may not be the sole basis for their stocks moving higher. On the other hand, some stocks may hold their ground even if they end up missing the consensus estimate. Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Phibro Animal Health Corporation (PAHC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated DGX reported third-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $3.00 per share, up 15.4% year over year. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.3%. GAAP earnings were $2.78 per share, up 28.7% from the prior-year figure. Revenues rose 10% year over year to $3.10 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.7%. Growth was supported by strong testing demand across physician, hospital and consumer channels, with organic requisition volume increasing 14.4%. DGX's shares have lost nearly 1.6% in pre-market trading following the earnings report. Diagnostic Information Services revenues increased 10.2% year over year to $3.04 billion. The business accounted for nearly all consolidated revenues, reflecting continued strength across the company's core testing channels. Total requisition volume increased 14.5% year over year, while organic requisition volume climbed 14.4%. However, revenue per requisition declined 4.2%, partially offsetting the benefits of higher testing volumes. Despite the lower revenue per requisition, robust testing demand helped sustain double-digit revenue growth. The cost of services during the reported quarter was $2.06 billion, up 10.1% year over year. Gross profit increased 9.8% to $1.04 billion from $949 million in the year-ago quarter. The gross margin remained relatively stable at approximately 33.6%. Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $523 million, increasing 4.4% year over year. Reported operating income surged 24.2% to $479 million, while the operating margin expanded 180 basis points to 15.5%. Adjusted operating income increased 13% to $517 million. The adjusted operating margin improved 40 basis points to 16.7%, reflecting stronger operating profitability. Quest Diagnostics exited the third quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $797 million compared with $626 million at the end of the second quarter. The company generated $611 million in operating cash flow during the quarter, up 8.8% from $563 million a year ago. For the first nine months of 2026, operating cash flow increased 4.6% to $1.49 billion. Capital expenditures totaled $418 million, up 13.3% year over year. During the same period, the company spent $252 million on share repurchases and paid $279 million in dividends. Quest Diagnostics raised its full-year 2026 revenue guidance to $12.065-$12.105 billion from the previous projection of $11.95-$12.05 billion. The updated outlook represents expected revenue growth of 9.3-9.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $12.01 billion, indicating an increase of 8.9% from the year-ago figure. The company increased its adjusted earnings guidance to $11.25-$11.35 per share from $11.05-$11.25. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the metric is pegged at $11.15. Quest Diagnostics expanded its Alzheimer's disease testing portfolio by adding Roche's FDA-cleared Elecsys Phospho-Tau (217P) Plasma blood test to its AD-Detect menu. It also launched a new panel combining pTau217, amyloid beta and APOE biomarkers to support diagnosis and treatment decisions. On the partnership front, Quest finalized an agreement to acquire select outreach laboratory assets from a Northeastern U.S. health system. It also advanced its Co-Lab Solutions implementation and joint venture laboratory with Corewell Health in Michigan. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Quest Diagnostics Incorporated Quote Quest Diagnostics ended the third quarter of 2026 with earnings and revenues surpassing their respective estimates. Revenue growth was driven by sustained demand for diagnostic testing services, supported by contributions from the company's expanding laboratory operations. Productivity improvements from automation and artificial intelligence also supported the company's performance. Driven by the robust third-quarter performance, Quest Diagnostics raised its full-year 2026 guidance. Additionally, the improvement in operating margin during the quarter is a positive development. Quest Diagnostics currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are Phibro Animal Health PAHC, Agilent Technologies A and Globus Medical GMED . Phibro Animal Health, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS of 85 cents, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 18.06%. Revenues of $396.7 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.35%. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. PAHC has an earnings yield of 8.9% compared with the industry's 2.8%. The company beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 18.36%. Agilent Technologies,carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, posted third-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.62, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 9.5%. Revenues of $1.88 billion topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.1%. A has an earnings yield of 3.7% compared with the industry's 2.8%. The company's earnings outpaced estimates in two of the trailing four quarters, broke even once and missed on another one, the average surprise being 3.8%. Globus Medical,carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, posted second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.34, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 19.6%. Revenues of $789.6 million outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.4%. GMED has an estimated earnings yield of 6.6% against the industry's 2.3% decline. The company's earnings outpaced estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 27.9%. 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 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Agilent Technologies, Inc. (A) : Free Stock Analysis Report Globus Medical, Inc. (GMED) : Free Stock Analysis Report Phibro Animal Health Corporation (PAHC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Hospital operator HCA Healthcare, Inc. HCA is set to report third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 27, before the opening bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is currently pegged at $6.75 per share on revenues of $19.38 billion. The third-quarter earnings estimate has seen one upward and one downward revision over the past 30 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings indicates a year-over-year decline of 3%, while the same for revenues implies growth of 1.1%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research For 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $78.58 billion, implying a rise of 3.9% year over year. The consensus mark for 2026 EPS is pegged at $29.45, implying an increase of 4.4% year over year. HCA Healthcare's earnings beat estimates in three of the last four quarters and missed once, with the average surprise being 8%. This is depicted in the figure below. HCA Healthcare, Inc. price-eps-surprise | HCA Healthcare, Inc. Quote Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for the company 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's not the case here. HCA has an Earnings ESP of -0.73% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they're reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter equivalent admissions indicates 1.7% year-over-year growth, whereas our model estimate suggests a 1.9% jump. The consensus estimate for occupancy is pegged at 73%, up from 71.7% a year ago. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for inpatient revenue per admission indicates a 4.3% year-over-year increase. Our model estimate suggests a 6.6% jump for the same. While these factors are likely to have positioned HCA Healthcare for growth from the year-ago quarter, rising expenses, lower average length of stay, outpatient surgery cases and revenue per equivalent admission make an earnings beat uncertain. Our model estimate for third-quarter total operating expenses indicates a 2% increase from a year ago, due to higher salaries & benefits and other operating expenses. We expect other operating expenses to jump 5.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for average length of stay indicates a 1.3% decline from the year-ago period. Moreover, both the consensus estimate and our model estimate for outpatient surgery cases imply a 1.3% fall from a year ago. The consensus estimate for revenue per equivalent admission suggests a 1% year-over-year decline, while our estimate indicates a milder decrease of 0.4%. While an earnings beat looks uncertain for HCA Healthcare, here are some companies from the broader Medical space that you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time around: Phibro Animal Health Corporation PAHC has an Earnings ESP of +2.10% and a Zacks Rank #1 at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Phibro's third-quarter bottom line suggests 8.2% year-over-year growth. Its earnings beat estimates in each of the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 18.4%. PAHC's revenues for the third quarter are pegged at $378.5 million, suggesting a 4% increase from the year-ago period. ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. PMN has an Earnings ESP of +22.43% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ProMIS' third-quarter loss is pinned at $1.26 per share, indicating a 79% year-over-year improvement. PMN has witnessed one upward revision against no downward movement over the past 30 days. Illumina, Inc. ILMN has an Earnings ESP of +9.16% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Illumina's third-quarter bottom line suggests 3% year-over-year growth. Its earnings beat estimates in each of the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 9.7%. ILMN's revenues for the to-be-reported quarter are pegged at $1.14 billion, indicating a 5% increase from the year-ago period's level. 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 HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Illumina, Inc. (ILMN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Phibro Animal Health Corporation (PAHC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Promis Neurosciences (PMN) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Illumina, Inc. ILMN is set to release third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 29, after the closing bell. The company posted adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.31 in the last reported quarter, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.5%. Illumina beat earnings in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 9.67%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's third-quarter revenues is pegged at $1.14 billion, which suggests 5% growth from the year-ago reported figure. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pinned at $1.38 per share, which implies a 3% rise from the year-ago actuals. The estimate has remained constant in the past 60 days. Here's a brief overview of the company's performance leading up to this announcement. Illumina currently has one reportable segment, Core Illumina, following the separation of GRAIL into an independent, publicly traded company in June 2024. The company is likely to have extended its solid first-half 2026 momentum into the third quarter, driven by growing demand for its technologies. In the second quarter, Rest-of-World organic revenues exceeded the high end of management's previous guidance. Demand for the NovaSeq X platform also remained strong, with more than 95 systems placed during the quarter, more than three years after its launch. These drivers, along with disciplined expense management, may have helped Illumina deliver stronger profitability and bottom-line performance in the third quarter. Illumina, Inc. price-eps-surprise | Illumina, Inc. Quote Continued demand from clinical markets may have remained a key growth driver. Clinical growth across Rest-of-World markets may have benefited from broad-based strength across regions and applications, particularly in the United States and Canada. Strong instrument placements in recent quarters are expanding customers' sequencing capacity, which may have driven consumables growth in the to-be-reported quarter. However, research and academic markets may have remained under pressure as customers continued to exercise caution amid funding uncertainty. Although some improvement was seen in the second quarter, management noted that it was too early to call a recovery. The transition to NovaSeq X may have progressed further in the third quarter. By the end of the second quarter, approximately 83% of sequencing volumes and 59% of revenues had transitioned to the platform. Despite the ongoing shift, Illumina's sequencing consumables business may have continued to perform well. Strong demand for NovaSeq X and MiSeq i100 is also expected to have supported Sequencing instruments revenues. Within Sequencing service and other, the company is likely to have continued to gain traction in its Billion Cell Atlas program, resulting in higher data revenues from biopharma customers. In July, the Billion Cell Atlas alliance added three new member companies, including AI-native drug developer Formation Bio. Illumina's recent innovations may have supported revenue growth in the third quarter. The company launched a whole-genome MRD research workflow, a tool that runs on NovaSeq systems, designed to help customers shorten assay development timelines and lower development costs. Illumina broadened its capabilities in spatial biology with the StrataMap Spatial sequencing-based workflow. It is also seeing sustained proteomics momentum following the close of the SomaLogic acquisition. Illumina's SomaScan and SomaSeq offerings are generating strong interest and helping customers connect proteomics and genomic insights. Per our proven model, stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold), along with a positive Earnings ESP, have a higher chance of beating estimates, which is exactly the case here, as you can see below: Earnings ESP: Illumina has an Earnings ESP of +9.16%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they're reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Zacks Rank: The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Here are some other medical stocks worth considering, as these also have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time: Phibro Animal Health PAHC has an Earnings ESP of +2.10% and a Zacks Rank #1. The company is expected to release first-quarter fiscal 2027 results soon. PAHC's earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 18.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's first-quarter EPS indicates an increase of 8.2% from the year-ago quarter's figure. IDEXX Laboratories IDXX has an Earnings ESP of +0.59% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is slated to release third-quarter 2026 results on Nov. 2. IDXX's earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 5.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's third-quarter EPS implies a jump of 9.1% from the year-ago quarter's figure. Becton, Dickinson and Company BDX, or BD, has an Earnings ESP of +3.28% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company will release its fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Nov. 5. BD's earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 2.94%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's fourth-quarter EPS calls for a rise of 2.5% from the year-ago quarter's figure. 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 Illumina, Inc. (ILMN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) : Free Stock Analysis Report IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (IDXX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Phibro Animal Health Corporation (PAHC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Elevance Health, Inc. ELV reported third-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $6.99, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 50%. However, the bottom line increased 15.9% year over year. Operating revenues advanced 0.7% year over year to $50.4 billion. The top line beat the consensus mark by 4%. The quarterly results benefited from higher premium yields in the Health Benefits segment and increased CarelonRx product revenues. However, lower medical membership and elevated operating expenses partly offset the gains. Elevance Health, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Elevance Health, Inc. Quote As of Sept. 30, 2026, Elevance Health's Medical membership was around 44.9 million, which dipped 1.1% year over year. The decline was driven by reduced enrollment across the Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Employer Group risk-based businesses. The reported figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 44.3 million and our estimate of 44 million. Premiums totaled $41.7 billion in the quarter under review, which decreased 0.2% year over year and surpassed our estimate of $39.7 billion. Product revenues grew 4.8% year over year to $6.5 billion, marginally missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.5% and our estimate by 0.1%. Net investment income rose 65.9% year over year to $1 billion. Adjusted operating margin remained flat at 2.7% year over year. Total expenses escalated 0.7% year over year to $49.6 billion in the third quarter, higher than our estimate of $46.6 billion. The year-over-year increase was due to higher costs of products sold, operating expenses and interest expenses. The operating expense ratio was 11.4%, which increased 90 bps year over year. The benefit expense ratio improved 70 basis points year over year to 90.6%, driven by better performance in Medicare Advantage and Individual ACA. The unit recorded operating revenues of $43.4 billion in the third quarter, which rose 2.6% year over year and beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $41.4 billion as well as our estimate of $40.8 billion. The segment benefited from increased premium yields and service fee revenue. The unit recorded an operating gain of $0.4 billion, which fell 27.5% year over year. It also missed the consensus mark of $0.5 billion. The operating margin deteriorated 40 basis points year over year to 1%. The segment's operating revenues rose 5.4% year over year to $19.3 billion in the quarter under review, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $18.6 billion and our estimate of $17.9 billion. The year-over-year increase was driven by higher CarelonRx product revenues and the scaling of risk-based capabilities in Carelon Services. The unit's operating gain was $0.9 billion, up 17.2% year over year, reflecting strong performance in Carelon Services' risk-based solutions and improved profitability in specialty pharmacy. The operating margin increased 50 bps year over year to 4.7%. Operating revenues amounted to $6 million. The unit incurred an operating loss of $75 million, narrower than the prior-year quarter's $81 million loss. Elevance Health ended the third quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $10.3 billion, which advanced 9% from the 2025-end level. Total assets of $127.8 billion rose 5.2% from the 2025-end level. Long-term debt, less the current portion, amounted to $30.4 billion and fell 1.3% from the figure as of Dec. 31, 2025. There were no short-term borrowings at the end of the third quarter, while the current portion of the long-term debt amounted to $375 million. Total equity of $44.8 billion was up 1.7% from the 2025-end level. Elevance Health generated net cash flow from operations of $1.3 billion in the third quarter of 2026. The figure rose from the prior-year figure of $1.1 billion. Elevance Health repurchased 0.8 million shares for $330 million in the third quarter. It had approximately $5 billion remaining under its share repurchase authorization as of Sept. 30, 2026. Elevance Health paid a quarterly dividend of $1.72 per share, totaling $373 million in cash distributions. The company now expects adjusted EPS of at least $29 for 2026. Management raised its underlying 2026 earnings baseline to at least $26.75 from at least $26, reflecting stronger operating performance. The company remains confident in delivering at least 12% growth in adjusted diluted EPS in 2027 from the revised baseline. The operating margin for the Health Benefits segment was earlier estimated to witness a decrease of 50-25 bps from the 2025 reported figure. Also, the operating margin for CarelonRx was expected to see a 25-0 bps decline, while the same for Carelon Services was estimated to witness an increase of 0-25 bps. Management had earlier projected operating revenues to witness a low-single-digit decline in 2026 from the 2025 level. Premium revenues were estimated to witness a mid-single-digit decline from the 2025 level. Medical enrollment was forecasted to be between 43.2 million and 43.9 million in 2026. Net investment income was expected to be $1.9 billion. Interest expenses were forecasted to be $1.5 billion in 2026, while operating cash flow guidance was raised to at least $6.5 billion. Diluted shares are estimated to be 219-220 million. ELV currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Some other top-ranked stocks in the broader Medical space are Phibro Animal Health Corporation PAHC and Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. HALO, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. Concentra Group Holdings Parent, Inc. CON currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Phibro Animal Health's third-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at 79 cents per share, which has witnessed one downward revision in the past 60 days, with no movement in the opposite direction. It beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 18.4%. The consensus estimate for PAHC's third-quarter2026 revenues is pinned at $378.5 million. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Halozyme Therapeutics' third-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $2.28 per share, indicating 32.6% year-over-year growth. It has witnessed one upward revision in the past 60 days, with no movement in the opposite direction. The consensus estimates for HALO's third quarter 2026 revenues are pinned at $480.68 million, implying 35.7% year-over-year growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Concentra Group's third quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at 45 cents per share, indicating a 15.4% year-over-year increase. It beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 16.3%. The consensus estimate for CON's third quarter 2026 revenues is pinned at $ 600.15 million, implying 4.8% year-over-year growth. 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 Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV) : Free Stock Analysis Report Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (HALO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Phibro Animal Health Corporation (PAHC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Concentra Group Holdings Parent, Inc. (CON) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Hospital operator Universal Health Services, Inc. UHS is set to report third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 27, 2026, after the closing bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is currently pegged at $5.33 per share on revenues of $4.73 billion. The third-quarter earnings estimate has witnessed three downward revisions and no upward revision over the past 60 days. The bottom-line projection indicates a year-over-year decrease of 6.3%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues suggests year-over-year growth of 5.1%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research For full-year 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Universal Health's revenues is pegged at $18.63 billion, implying a rise of 7.3% year over year. The consensus mark for full-year EPS is pegged at $22.87, implying growth of 5.2% on a year-over-year basis. Universal Health beat on earnings in three of the last four quarters and missed once, with the average surprise being 8.3%. This is depicted in the figure below. Universal Health Services, Inc. price-eps-surprise | Universal Health Services, Inc. Quote Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for the company 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's not the case here. UHS currently has an Earnings ESP of -0.60% and a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they're reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Universal Health's performance likely benefited from higher patient days and admissions in both its Acute Care Hospital Services and Behavioral Health Care Services segments. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for net revenues in the Acute Care Hospital Services segment is pegged at almost $2.75 billion, indicating 4.6% year-over-year growth. The consensus mark for the unit's same-facility adjusted admissions indicates 3.4% growth from the prior-year quarter's level. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for net revenues in the Behavioral Health Care Services segment is pegged at $1.95 billion, indicating a 4.9% increase from the prior-year quarter's figure. The consensus estimate for the unit's admissions indicates a year-over-year increase of 2.6%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for operating income from Acute Care Hospital Services indicates a 9.6% year-over-year decline, while the same from Behavioral Health Care Services suggests a 1.1% increase. The positives are likely to have been partially offset by rising total operating expenses by nearly 6%, due to higher salaries, wages and benefits, as well as increased costs for supplies in the third quarter, making an earnings beat uncertain. We anticipate salaries, wages and benefits to increase nearly 4.3% year over year, while other operating costs are expected to escalate 7.7%. While an earnings beat looks uncertain for Universal Health, here are some companies from the broader Medical space that you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time around: Phibro Animal Health Corporation PAHC has an Earnings ESP of +2.10% and a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Phibro's bottom line for the third quarter suggests 8.2% year-over-year growth. Its earnings beat estimates in each of the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 18.4%. PAHC's revenues for the to-be-reported quarter are pegged at $ 378.5 million, suggesting a 4% increase from the year-ago period. ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. PMN has an Earnings ESP of +22.43% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ProMIS' bottom line for the third quarter indicates a loss of $1.26 per share, reflecting a 79% year-over-year improvement. PMN has witnessed one upward revision and no downward revisions over the past 60 days. Illumina, Inc. ILMN has an Earnings ESP of +9.16% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Illumina's third-quarter bottom line suggests 3% year-over-year growth. Its earnings beat estimates in each of the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 9.7%. ILMN's revenues for the to-be-reported quarter are pegged at $1.14 billion, indicating a 5% increase from the year-ago period's level. 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 Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Illumina, Inc. (ILMN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Phibro Animal Health Corporation (PAHC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Promis Neurosciences (PMN) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Ecolab ECL is scheduled to release third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 27, before the opening bell. In the last reported quarter, the company delivered earnings that surpassed the estimates by 0.48%. ECL's earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and met once, delivering an average surprise of 0.49%. Currently, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $4.67 billion, indicating growth of 12.2% year over year. The consensus mark for earnings is pinned at $2.18 per share, indicating an improvement of 5.3%. Ecolab is expected to have sustained its growth momentum in the third quarter of 2026, supported by stronger pricing, resilient demand across core businesses and continued strength in its high-growth platforms. Global High-Tech, Life Sciences, Ecolab Digital and Pest Elimination are likely to have remained key growth drivers, benefiting from AI infrastructure investments, market share gains in bioprocessing, rising adoption of connected solutions and continued customer demand for productivity-enhancing technologies. However, elevated commodity costs, ongoing geopolitical disruptions and continued investments in growth businesses are likely to have influenced the company's margin and earnings performance. Within the Global Industrial segment, Global High-Tech is expected to have remained a key contributor to growth, supported by strong demand for semiconductor manufacturing solutions and data center cooling technologies. In the second quarter, the business delivered 29% growth, reflecting the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure. The acquisition of CoolIT Systems, which closed in July, is expected to have further strengthened Ecolab's exposure to direct-to-chip liquid cooling and expanded its ability to provide integrated water, energy and cooling solutions. Life Sciences is also likely to have remained a strong performer, following 15% growth in the second quarter, driven by market share gains in bioprocessing, pharmaceuticals and personal care, as well as improved purification performance. Investments in manufacturing capacity and innovation are expected to support further growth, although continued spending to expand the business could influence reported margins. Meanwhile, Food & Beverage is likely to have benefited from the One Ecolab strategy and cross-selling opportunities, while Paper and Heavy Water could have continued their gradual recovery following signs of stabilization in the preceding quarter. The Global Institutional & Specialty segment is expected to have maintained steady growth, supported by market share gains, value pricing and demand from restaurant, hotel, quick-service restaurant and specialty customers. In the second quarter, the segment delivered 4% organic growth despite softer U.S. restaurant traffic, highlighting the resilience of Ecolab's customer relationships and its ability to outperform underlying markets. Continued cross-selling under the One Ecolab initiative and demand for solutions that improve productivity while reducing water and energy consumption are likely to have supported performance. Pest Elimination is also expected to have benefited from the expansion of its Pest Intelligence platform and connected-device offerings, while Ecolab Digital is likely to have continued to capitalize on growing adoption of software and subscription-based solutions. Pricing realization and commodity inflation are expected to remain key factors influencing Ecolab's third-quarter performance. In the second quarter, pricing strengthened to 4%, and management expected pricing to reach 5% to 6% in the second half of 2026 as energy surcharges were fully realized. The company also anticipated high-single-digit commodity cost inflation for the remainder of the year. Although pricing actions are expected to help offset higher input costs, the timing of recovery and the impact of acquisition-related expenses could influence reported earnings and margins. Management's second-half outlook called for organic sales growth of 6% to 7% and an adjusted operating income margin of 19%, while the full-year 2026 adjusted EPS outlook was raised to $8.05-$8.25, representing growth of 7% to 10% year over year. Investors will look for evidence that pricing is keeping pace with inflation, volumes remain resilient and productivity initiatives continue to support profitability. Investors will also monitor the contribution from CoolIT and the pace of integration across Ecolab's Global High-Tech platform. Management expects the combined Global High-Tech business, including Ovivo and CoolIT, to grow more than 25% annually and reach $4 billion in sales by 2030, with an operating income margin of 25%. However, management indicated that it was too early to revise CoolIT's near-term growth expectations following the acquisition, despite its strong pre-acquisition sales momentum. Commentary on demand across AI infrastructure, Life Sciences growth, the recovery in traditional industrial businesses and the trajectory of pricing and margins will be important as Ecolab works toward its long-term targets of 5% to 7% organic sales growth, a 20% operating income margin in 2027 and adjusted EPS growth of 12% to 15% beyond 2026. Ecolab Inc. price-eps-surprise | Ecolab Inc. Quote Our proven model does not predict an earnings beat for ECL this earnings 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, which is not the case here. Earnings ESP: Earnings ESP, which represents the difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate, is +0.22%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Zacks Rank: The company has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Here are some medical stocks worth considering, as these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time: Phibro Animal Health PAHC has an Earnings ESP of +2.10% and a Zacks Rank #1. The company is expected to release first-quarter fiscal 2027 results soon. PAHC's earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 18.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's first-quarter EPS indicates an increase of 8.2% from the year-ago quarter's figure. IDEXX Laboratories IDXX has an Earnings ESP of +0.59% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is slated to release third-quarter 2026 results on Nov. 2. IDXX's earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 5.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's third-quarter EPS implies an increase of 9.1% from the year-ago quarter's figure. Becton, Dickinson and Company BDX or BD has an Earnings ESP of +3.28% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is due to release fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Nov. 5. BD's earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 2.94%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's fourth-quarter EPS calls for a rise of 2.5% from the year-ago quarter's figure. 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 Ecolab Inc. (ECL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) : Free Stock Analysis Report IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (IDXX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Phibro Animal Health Corporation (PAHC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Boston Scientific Corporation BSX is slated to report third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 28, before the market opens. The renowned medical device manufacturer posted earnings per share (EPS) of 86 cents in the last reported quarter, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.61%. The company topped earnings estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and broke even once, the average surprise being 2.95%. For the third quarter of 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Boston Scientific's revenues is pegged at $5.17 billion, indicating an increase of 2.1% from the year-ago reported figure. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's third-quarter EPS suggests a 1.3% rise to 76 cents. The estimate has dropped 5% in the past 30 days. Let's briefly review the company's performance leading up to this announcement. In the third quarter of 2026, the segment may have contributed due to continued strength in Endoscopy and Neuromodulation. Endoscopy sales are likely to have gained from the biliary franchise, led by the AXIOS Stent and Delivery System, and the core gastrointestinal (GI) franchise. Boston Scientific also secured FDA clearance for RIVOS, a first-of-its-kind single device designed to consolidate multiple exchanges, allowing physicians to streamline procedural steps while performing endoscopic ultrasound biliary drainage. Initial cases had received positive feedback. Neuromodulation is likely to have benefited from the strength of its comprehensive pain portfolio, led by the Intracept Intraosseous Nerve Ablation System. The acquired Nalu Medical may have provided another quarter of solid sales contribution, with integration efforts continuing. In the brain franchise, Boston Scientific's global growth may have been favorably supported by the continued adoption of the Cartesia X leads and accelerating uptake of the Illumina 3D programming algorithm in the United States. Boston Scientific Corporation price-eps-surprise | Boston Scientific Corporation Quote Meanwhile, similar to the previous quarter, Urology may have faced continued headwinds from weakness in the stone franchise due to volume-based procurement in China and commercial disruption in sacral neuromodulation. The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects MedSurg revenues to increase 1.6% year over year in the third quarter. In the third quarter of 2026, Boston Scientific may have faced continued weakness in two historically strong Cardiovascular businesses. During the July earnings call, management lowered its full-year organic revenue and profitability outlook, citing a more challenging second half of 2026 than previously expected. WATCHMAN sales were hurt by an unexpected slowdown in the U.S. market, as compounding clinical evidence impacted referral patterns. In Electrophysiology ("EP"), the level of competitive share movement in the U.S. market was greater than anticipated. The Cardiac Rhythm Management ("CRM") business may remain a drag on the quarter's results, reflecting continued competitive pressures and gaps within the product portfolio. Weakness across its low-voltage and high-voltage businesses is likely to have persisted. On a positive note, strength across the company's broad diagnostic portfolio may have helped offset some of the pressures. Boston Scientific is also expected to have seen sustained momentum in its Interventional Cardiology business, driven by continued strength in DCB, imaging and complex PCI. Vascular Therapies results may benefit from broader adoption of Varithena and the drug-eluting portfolio. Following strong reception of the SEISMIQ IVL device for its clinical differentiation, the company is likely to have continued to ramp up its supply. Interventional Oncology and Embolization is also expected to have delivered strong global growth, aided by demand for its broad range of technologies. According to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, Cardiovascular revenues are expected to see a 0.7% decline from the prior-year period. Per our proven model, a stock with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold), along with a positive Earnings ESP, has a higher chance of beating estimates, which is not the case here, as you can see. Earnings ESP: Boston Scientific has an Earnings ESP of -3.63%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they're reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Zacks Rank: The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Here are some medical stocks worth considering, as these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time: Phibro Animal Health PAHC has an Earnings ESP of +2.10% and a Zacks Rank #1. The company is expected to release first-quarter fiscal 2027 results soon. PAHC's earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 18.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's first-quarter EPS indicates an increase of 8.2% from the year-ago quarter's figure. IDEXX Laboratories IDXX has an Earnings ESP of +0.59% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is slated to release third-quarter 2026 results on Nov. 2. IDXX's earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 5.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's third-quarter EPS implies a jump of 9.1% from the year-ago quarter's figure. Becton, Dickinson and Company BDX, or BD, has an Earnings ESP of +3.28% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company will release its fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Nov. 5. BD's earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 2.94%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's fourth-quarter EPS calls for a rise of 2.5% from the year-ago quarter's figure. 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 Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) : Free Stock Analysis Report IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (IDXX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Phibro Animal Health Corporation (PAHC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Abbott ABT reported third-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share of $1.42, up 9.2% year over year. The figure missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.7%. Sales increased 14.5% year over year to $13.01 billion, surpassing the consensus mark by 0.3%. Comparable sales rose 7%, supported by growth across all four operating segments. Following the earnings announcement, ABT stock fell 3.6% in pre-market trading today. Medical Devices sales increased 6.9% year over year on a reported basis to $5.83 billion. Comparable sales advanced 7.8%, reflecting growth across several cardiovascular and diabetes-care businesses. Electrophysiology sales climbed 15.5% on a comparable basis, while Rhythm Management and Heart Failure advanced 10% and 6%, respectively. Diabetes Care sales grew 6.7%, supported by a 7.7% increase in continuous glucose monitor (CGM) sales. Vascular sales improved 5.7%, while Structural Heart rose 6.9%. Neuromodulation sales declined 1.1%. Abbott Laboratories price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Abbott Laboratories Quote Diagnostics sales surged 46.7% year over year on a reported basis to $3.31 billion, reflecting contributions from the March 2026 acquisition of Exact Sciences. Comparable sales increased 6.4%. Cancer Diagnostics sales totaled $968 million and grew 13.8% on a comparable basis. Performance benefited from Cologuard growth and contributions from precision oncology and international operations. Core Laboratory Diagnostics sales increased 5.4%, driven by balanced growth across the United States, Europe, Japan and Latin America. Rapid and Molecular Diagnostics sales improved 0.9% on a comparable basis, supported by modest growth in both domestic and international markets. Nutrition sales increased 5.1% year over year on a reported basis to $2.26 billion. Comparable sales rose 4.9%, reflecting broad-based improvement across the portfolio. Pediatric Nutrition sales advanced 8.7% on a comparable basis, while Adult Nutrition increased 1.8%. U.S. Nutrition sales climbed 7.9%, supported by 11% growth in domestic Pediatric Nutrition. International Nutrition sales rose 2.8% on a comparable basis. Total Nutrition revenues also improved sequentially by $118 million from the second quarter of 2026. Established Pharmaceuticals sales increased 6.8% year over year on a reported basis to $1.61 billion. Comparable sales grew 8.4%, reflecting continued expansion across international markets. Key Emerging Markets sales advanced 10.9% on a comparable basis, supported by double-digit growth in India and several Latin American and Asia-Pacific markets. Sales in other markets increased 1.6% on a comparable basis. Key Emerging Markets generated $1.20 billion in quarterly revenues, while other markets contributed $419 million. In the third quarter, adjusted gross profit increased 17.4% year over year to $7.45 billion. The adjusted gross margin expanded approximately 143 basis points (bps) to 57.2%. Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses increased 16.7% year over year to $3.51 billion. Adjusted research and development expenses grew 22.2% to $892 million. Adjusted operating profit rose 16.9% to $3.05 billion, while the adjusted operating margin expanded approximately 49 bps to 23.4%. Abbott tightened its full-year 2026 adjusted earnings guidance to $5.50-$5.55 per share, reaffirming the midpoint of its previous $5.45-$5.60 range. The Zacks Consensus Estimate currently stands at $5.53 per share. The company now projects approximately 6% comparable sales growth for 2026 compared with its previous guidance of 6.5%-7.5%. For the fourth quarter, management expects adjusted EPS of $1.62-$1.67. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same stands at $1.65. Abbott exited the third quarter of 2026 with an earnings miss, while revenues surpassed expectations. Within Diagnostics, Core Laboratory results benefited from balanced growth across the United States, Europe, Japan and Latin America. Cancer Diagnostics gained from Cologuard growth and contributions from precision oncology and international operations. Strong performance in Electrophysiology and Rhythm Management supported Medical Devices results. The expansion of the adjusted gross margin and recovery in Nutrition sales are also encouraging. Meanwhile, higher operating expenses and a reduction in the full-year comparable sales growth outlook remain concerns. Abbott also highlighted several product developments. The company secured FDA approval for Libre Duo, a dual glucose-ketone wearable sensor, and TactiFlex Duo, an ablation catheter for treating atrial fibrillation. It also received CE Mark approval for Amulet 360, launched the SimpleScreen CRC blood-based colorectal cancer screening test and introduced Similac 360 Total Care Made With Whole Milk in the United States. Abbott currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Some other top-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are Phibro Animal Health PAHC, Agilent Technologies A and Globus Medical GMED. Phibro Animal Health, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS of 85 cents, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 18.06%. Revenues of $396.7 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.35%. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. PAHC has an earnings yield of 8.9% compared with the industry's 2.8%. The company beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 18.36%. Agilent Technologies,carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, posted third-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.62, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 9.5%. Revenues of $1.88 billion topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.1%. A has an earnings yield of 3.7% compared with the industry's 2.8%. The company's earnings outpaced estimates in two of the trailing four quarters, broke even once and missed on another one, the average surprise being 3.8%. Globus Medical,carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, posted second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.34, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 19.6%. Revenues of $789.6 million outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.4%. GMED has an estimated earnings yield of 6.6% against the industry's 2.3% decline. The company's earnings outpaced estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 27.9%. 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 Abbott Laboratories (ABT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Agilent Technologies, Inc. (A) : Free Stock Analysis Report Globus Medical, Inc. (GMED) : Free Stock Analysis Report Phibro Animal Health Corporation (PAHC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

UnitedHealth Group, Inc. UNH reported third-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $4.69, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.12. The bottom line rose 60.6% year over year. Revenues declined 0.4% year over year to $112.7 billion. However, the top line beat the consensus mark by 1.2%. The quarterly results were aided by the strength witnessed in Optum Insight and Optum Rx. Medical cost management, pricing discipline and benefit design changes also contributed to the upside. However, weakness in Optum Health and declining memberships partially offset the positives. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | UnitedHealth Group Incorporated Quote UnitedHealth's third-quarter premium of $87.1 billion decreased from $89 billion a year ago but beat the consensus mark of $86 billion. UNH's adjusted medical care ratio (MCR) was 88.4% in the third quarter, which improved 150 bps from the year-ago period. MCR witnessed a decrease, backed by solid medical cost management, pricing discipline and benefit design changes. Medical costs of $77 billion declined from $80 billion a year ago. Third-quarter total operating costs of $106.1 billion decreased 2.5% year over year, benefiting from lower medical costs and operating costs. However, the figure was higher than our model estimate of $104.5 billion. The third-quarter 2026 operating cost ratio improved to 12.8% from 13.5% a year ago. UnitedHealth's adjusted operating earnings rose 45.2% year over year to $6.3 billion in the third quarter. Revenues of the health benefits business of UnitedHealth, UnitedHealthcare, declined 0.8% year over year to $86.3 billion in the third quarter. However, the metric beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $84.7 billion and our estimate of $82.8 billion. The UnitedHealthcare business catered to 48.3 million people as of Sept. 30, 2026, which fell 3.6% year over year. Adjusted earnings from operations amounted to $2.7 billion, up from $1.8 billion a year ago. The adjusted operating margin increased to 3.1% from 2.1% a year ago. Revenues in the Optum business line were $66.9 billion, which fell from $69.2 billion a year ago due to lower contribution from Optum Health. The figure missed the consensus mark of $67.1 billion. Optum's adjusted earnings from operations rose to $3.6 billion from $2.5 billion a year ago. The adjusted operating margin of 5.3% increased from 3.6%. UnitedHealth exited the third quarter with cash and short-term investments of $28.5 billion, which rose from the 2025-end level of $28.1 billion. Total assets of $312.8 billion increased from the $309.6 billion figure at 2025-end. Long-term debt, less current maturities, amounted to $68.7 billion, down from the $72.3 billion figure as of Dec. 31, 2025. Short-term borrowings and the current maturities of long-term debt were $5.6 billion. Total equity of $104.1 billion advanced from the 2025-end level of $100.1 billion. UnitedHealth generated operating cash flows of $25.1 billion in the first nine months of 2026, which grew from the prior-year figure of $18.6 billion. In the first nine months of 2026, it paid dividends worth $6.2 billion and repurchased $5 billion of stock. Management earlier anticipated revenues for 2026 above $439 billion, which are below the 2025 level due to planned right-sizing across operations. Adjusted EPS is now expected to be at least $20.5 for 2026, up from the previously guided range of $19.5-$20, indicating improving margins. Net margin was expected to be around 3.6%, up from 2.7% in 2025. The company earlier expected MCR to be 88.1% (± 25 bps) in 2026, down from 89.1% in 2025. The operating cost ratio was likely to be 12.8% (± 50 bps) in 2026. The tax rate was expected to be around 18.5%. Operating cash flows were estimated to be around $24 billion, up from the previous guidance of greater than $18 billion. UNH was expected to make repurchases of at least $5 billion and pay dividends worth $8 billion in 2026. Capital expenditure was estimated at $3.8 billion for the year. Furthermore, management earlier expected medical memberships to be within 46.945-47.495 million in 2026, with significant declines in commercial risk, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid heads. UNH currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Some other top-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Phibro Animal Health Corporation PAHC, Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated CORT and TG Therapeutics, Inc. TGTX, each currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Phibro Animal Health's current-quarter earnings is pegged at 77 cents per share, suggesting 5.5% year-over-year growth. PAHC beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 18.4%. The consensus estimate for current-quarter revenues is pegged at $376.1 million, suggesting 3.4% year-over-year growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Corcept Therapeutics' current-quarter earnings of 68 cents per share has remained stable over the past seven days. CORT beat earnings estimates in one of the trailing four quarters, met once and missed twice. The consensus estimate for current-quarter revenues is pegged at $329.2 million, suggesting 58.5% year-over-year growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TG Therapeutics' current-quarter earnings of 37 cents per share has witnessed one upward revision in the past seven days, against no movement in the opposite direction. The consensus estimate for TGTX's current-quarter revenues is pegged at $247.2 million, suggesting 52.8% year-over-year growth. 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 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) : Free Stock Analysis Report Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated (CORT) : Free Stock Analysis Report TG Therapeutics, Inc. (TGTX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Phibro Animal Health Corporation (PAHC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research