Bright Mountain Media (OTC:BMTM) Stock, Quote.Headers.trade-ideas

Bright Mountain Media Inc is a holding company that focuses on digital publishing and advertising technology. The Company is engaged in content creation and advertising technology development that helps customers connect with, and market to, targeted audiences in high-quality environments using a variety of digital ad formats. It generates revenue through sales of advertising services which generate revenue from advertisements placed on the Company's owned and managed sites, as well as from advertisements placed on partner websites, for which the company earns a share of the revenue.

BRIGHT MOUNTAIN MEDIA INC by Bright Mountain Media, Inc.

Bright Mountain Media Inc

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FDA Approves Osimertinib For Locally Advanced, Unresectable Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer After Chemoradiation Therapy; Recommended Dose Is 80mg Daily Until Disease Progression Or Unacceptable Toxicity

Kevin Merritt, the research director at Wedbush Securities,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket-prep"> joined Benzinga's PreMarket Prep Wednesday </a>and highlighted the firm's top bank picks, opportunities in beaten-down names and more. Merritt also spoke about the adoption of AI, and which companies will benefit from the technology in the medium to long term. Merritt pointed out that despite the rally in large-cap techs largely driven by AI, it's a "mixed bag" in regards to which companies are the winners and losers of machine learning. 
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"I do think there's going to be a fairly heated debate about who else benefits or loses… IT services right now is quite a mixed bag," Merritt said. "The likes of Accenture has had some tough quarters over the last year… quite a bit of debate about cannibalization vs opportunity." Merritt highlighted Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) as a company that has already capitalized on AI growth, while others, like Accenture Plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACN#NYSE">ACN</a>), are expected to take longer to realize revenue gains from AI adoption. But, Merritt said that as more corporations adopt AI, IT and tech consulting companies like Accenture should benefit in the long term. Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/09/41024168/bill-gates-uses-chatgpt-daily-microsoft-founder-shares-what-he-loves-most-about-ai-chatbot">Bill Gates Uses ChatGPT Daily: Microsoft Founder Shares What He Loves Most About AI Chatbot</a> Outside of tech and AI, Merritt pointed to the regional banking sector as one to watch. He said that Wedbush has recently become more bullish on the sector as economic conditions stabilize as the Fed cuts interest rates. "We have been quite cautious on the regional and mid-cap bank group for the past couple of years and we just recently in the past couple of months turned to a more balanced, neutral sector view,&#8221; Merritt said. &#8220;And the thought being that to the extent the economy is able to hang in there, credit metrics don't exhibit too much deterioration, and you see rates move in a more favorable direction, it's appropriate to have a more balanced stance." Merritt highlighted Western Alliance Bancorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>) as a name that Wedbush analysts recently selected for the firm's "Best Ideas" list. Merritt also mentioned Comerica Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMA#NYSE">CMA</a>) as a regional bank that Wedbush upgraded. Keep Reading: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/08/40581306/can-regional-banks-outperform-large-institutions-as-fed-rate-cuts-loom-small-banks-are-plenty-ch">Can Regional Banks Outperform Large Institutions As Fed Rate Cuts Loom? &#8216;Small Banks Are Plenty Cheap,&#8217; But… </a> Merritt and the PreMarket Prep hosts also talked about some beaten-down retail investor favorites like Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>), Nike Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>) and Celsius Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CELH#NASDAQ">CELH</a>). Merritt said that he believes newly-appointed Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol will have a &#8220;heavy lift&#8221; to turn the story around, but that there could be "strategic value" in Celsius's stock. 
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AI's Uneven Growth, Regional Bank Picks, And Beaten-Down Retail Stocks In Focus As Wedbush Analyst Shares Insights

In the current session, the stock is trading at $171.16, after a 0.36% increase. Over the past month, AMETEK Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AME#NYSE">AME</a>) stock increased by 1.61%, and in the past year, by 15.10%. With performance like this, long-term shareholders are optimistic but others are more likely to look into the price-to-earnings ratio to see if the stock might be overvalued.

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727292649_0.png" alt="Past Year Chart" />

<h3>Comparing AMETEK P/E Against Its Peers</h3>
The P/E ratio measures the current share price to the company's EPS. It is used by long-term investors to analyze the company's current performance against it's past earnings, historical data and aggregate market data for the industry or the indices, such as S&amp;P 500. A higher P/E indicates that investors expect the company to perform better in the future, and the stock is probably overvalued, but not necessarily. It also could indicate that investors are willing to pay a higher share price currently, because they expect the company to perform better in the upcoming quarters. This leads investors to also remain optimistic about rising dividends in the future. 
Compared to the aggregate P/E ratio of the 39.68 in the Electrical Equipment industry, AMETEK Inc. has a lower P/E ratio of 29.71. Shareholders might be inclined to think that the stock might perform worse than it's industry peers. It's also possible that the stock is undervalued. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727292649_1.png" alt="Guage" />

In summary, while the price-to-earnings ratio is a valuable tool for investors to evaluate a company's market performance, it should be used with caution. A low P/E ratio can be an indication of undervaluation, but it can also suggest weak growth prospects or financial instability. Moreover, the P/E ratio is just one of many metrics that investors should consider when making investment decisions, and it should be evaluated alongside other financial ratios, industry trends, and qualitative factors. By taking a comprehensive approach to analyzing a company's financial health, investors can make well-informed decisions that are more likely to lead to successful outcomes.

Intraday Update

Markets

P/E Ratio Insights for AMETEK

Manhattan Associates (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MANH#NASDAQ">MANH</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 15 years by 18.87% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 30.89%. Currently, Manhattan Associates has a market capitalization of $17.52 billion. 
Buying $100 In MANH: If an investor had bought $100 of MANH stock 15 years ago, it would be worth $5,582.18 today based on a price of $286.00 for MANH at the time of writing.
<h3>Manhattan Associates's Performance Over Last 15 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727292635_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Trading Ideas

MANH

$100 Invested In Manhattan Associates 15 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Home Depot (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HD#NYSE">HD</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 3.83% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 12.22%. Currently, Home Depot has a market capitalization of $398.70 billion. 
Buying $100 In HD: If an investor had bought $100 of HD stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $1,013.02 today based on a price of $401.39 for HD at the time of writing.
<h3>Home Depot's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727292631_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

If You Invested $100 In This Stock 20 Years Ago, You Would Have $1,000 Today

We&#8217;ve all heard about the traditional guideline of spending three months&#8217; pay for an engagement ring. However, this guideline seems no longer relevant, as 61% of respondents to a recent survey believe it is outdated, particularly in light of the current economy.&nbsp;
The idea of spending three months&#8217; salary on an engagement ring started in the 1930s as part of a smart marketing campaign by De Beers, a diamond company trying to increase sales during the Great Depression.
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De Beers suggested a man should spend at least one month's salary on a ring and over the decades, this grew to two, then three months, which meant people were<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/09/40818847/caller-asks-should-i-sell-my-truck-to-buy-an-engagement-ring-dave-ramsey-recommends-about-one-mo"> spending more money in their jewelry stores</a>.
But in today's world, with rising living costs, student loans and the need to save for things like buying a home or starting a family, spending thousands of dollars on a single piece of jewelry feels like a luxury many can't or simply won&#8217;t afford.
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Trending: Founder of Personal Capital and ex-CEO of PayPal<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/evergreen-money"> re-engineers traditional banking with this new high-yield account — start saving better today.</a>
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According to a new Bank of America survey, Gen Z (54%) is more inclined than millennials (47%), Gen X (36%) and baby boomers (28%) to believe this guideline is still a solid rule.
While the idea of splurging on a ring is still popular in movies and pop culture, most people are more conservative with their spending. Recent data shows that half people spend between $1,000 and $4,000 and many spend even less. Nine percent of people spend under $1,000 on a ring. The national average is $6,000.
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
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<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
So, what are people doing? They're focusing on their budget and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/04/38490644/warren-buffett-tried-convincing-bill-gates-to-pay-nearly-400-million-for-an-engagement-ring-the-marr">what makes sense for them</a>. There's no need to go into debt for a ring to meet outdated expectations.
More and more couples are skipping the old &#8220;one-size-fits-all&#8221; approach and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-much-should-i-spend-on-an-engagement-ring">picking rings that match their style and budget</a>. Some choose smaller diamonds, lab-grown options or unique stones like sapphires or rubies. Others are even rethinking the whole idea and deciding to use that money for other important things.
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
Trending: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-private-credit-fund"> would you invest in it</a>?
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For example, lab-grown diamonds are becoming increasingly popular because they can look just as beautiful and cost between 50 and 70 percent less than natural diamonds. They&#8217;re also frequently seen as a more ethical and environmentally friendly choice.
Although an engagement ring symbolizes love and commitment, buying one shouldn&#8217;t be financially taxing or stressful in the long run.
Instead of worrying about meeting some arbitrary standard, talk to your partner and agree on a budget that works for both of you. Whether that's a few hundred dollars or several thousand, what's important is that it reflects your relationship and what you value.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/irs-finalizes-10-year-rule-adv">IRS Finalizes 10-Year Rule For Retirement Withdrawals, Making Things &#8216;Even More Insanely Complicated&#8217;</a></li>
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Personal Finance

61% Think Spending 'Three Months' Salary' On An Engagement Ring Is Unreasonable – 'Not In This Economy!'

Two popular U.S. stock market exchange-traded funds hit<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/41029448/s-p-500-hits-all-time-highs-nasdaq-100-tops-20k-ahead-of-key-economic-data-whats-driving-markets"> all-time highs </a>Wednesday as the S&amp;P 500 Index reached its highest level ever.
The Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>), which tracks the performance of the S&amp;P 500 Index and therefore consists of about 500 large-cap stocks, reached $527.23 just after 10 a.m. ET before cooling off to $524.96 into Wednesday&#8217;s mid-afternoon trading.
The Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF Shares (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTI#NYSE">VTI</a>), which follows the CRSP US Total Market Index of about stocks, also hit a high point on Wednesday, achieving $283.12 shortly after Wednesday&#8217;s open before declining to $281.85 by mid-afternoon.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/24/09/40960886/palantir-dell-to-join-s-p-500-friday-heres-how-tesla-stock-has-performed-since-its-add">Palantir, Dell To Join S&amp;P 500 Friday: Here&#8217;s How Tesla Stock Has Performed Since Its Addition In 2020</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">S&amp;P 500</h3>
The S&amp;P 500 hit an all-time high of 5,471.03 in Wednesday&#8217;s early-morning trading. It has since fallen to 5,721.50 by mid-afternoon Wednesday.
Vistra Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VST#NYSE">VST</a>) is the top gainer in the S&amp;P, rising 6.59% to $119.91 into the mid-afternoon. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HPE#NYSE">HPE</a>) followed, gaining 4.63% to $19.75.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index slipped 0.03% to 18,069.36, while the Nasdaq Composite Index edged up 0.05% to 19,954.31.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.66% to 41,928.02 by Wednesday&#8217;s mid-afternoon.
Price Action: Exchange-traded funds that hold Vistra and Hewlett Packard, which led the S&amp;P to a new high, 
Vistra ETFs
<ul>
<li>Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UTES#NYSE">UTES</a>) rose 1.19%</li>
<li>BNY Mellon Global Infrastructure Income ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BKGI#BATS">BKGI</a>) gained 0.09%</li>
<li>TCW Transform Systems ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NETZ#NYSE">NETZ</a>) went up 0.13%</li>
</ul>
Hewlett Packard ETFs
<ul>
<li>First Trust S&amp;P 500 Diversified Free Cash Flow ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCFY#NYSE">FCFY</a>) gained 0.21%</li>
<li>Roundhill Generative AI &amp; Technology ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHAT#NYSE">CHAT</a>) went up 0.57%</li>
<li>FT Raymond James Multicap Growth Equity ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RJMG#NYSE">RJMG</a>) rose 0.53%</li>
</ul>
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VOO Vs. VTI: Vanguard's S&P 500, Total Stock Market ETFs Hit New Highs As S&P 500 Reaches Record Level

Sallie Mae Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLM#NASDAQ">SLM</a>) stock is trading higher on Wednesday. Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>) initiated coverage of the student loan provider with a Buy rating and set a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/analyst-ratings/24/09/41012042/demystifying-slm-insights-from-7-analyst-reviews">price target of $27</a>.
The Details: Sallie Mae currently holds a 58% market share in private student loans, however, the bank indicates there&#8217;s room for growth, describing the lender as &#8220;poised for market share gains.&#8221;
Bank of America points to growth in college enrollment, increase in the price of college and competitors leaving the student loan market to support its market share growth belief. Specifically, the bank stated that college enrollment is estimated to grow by about 4% by 2027 and the cost of college has increased at a 3% compound annual growth rate since 1993-94.
The bank pointed to the past as evidence of Sallie Mae&#8217;s ability to take advantage of competitors exit from the market. For instance, the lender increased its market share by 60pbs during the 2021-22 school year following Wells Fargo&#8217;s exit.
Also, the bank highlighted the lender&#8217;s focus on high credit-quality consumers. It stated that less than 8% of borrowers at the time of originations had a credit score lower than 670. Next, the note recognized the lender&#8217;s efficient business model.
&#8220;Sallie Mae began a strategy in 2020 in which it seeks to minimize balance sheet growth and accelerate share repurchases by selling student loans at high execution levels due to its strong credit profile. Through the &#8220;loan sale arbitrage&#8221; strategy, SLM has driven attractive returns, while not needing to expand capital levels to sustain its industry leading origination volumes,&#8221; said the bank.
Bank of America also recognized some risks to its thesis including, scrutiny by oversight organizations like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and a growing number of students choosing to consolidate or refinance with firms that offer interest rates lower than Sallie Mae&#8217;s.
Related Link: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40971831/putin-ally-who-unveiled-tesla-cybertruck-with-machine-gun-last-month-now-says-elon-musk-remotely-dis?itm_source=parsely-api">Putin Ally Who Unveiled Tesla Cybertruck With Machine Gun Last Month Now Says Elon Musk &#8216;Remotely Disabled&#8217; The Militarized EV</a>
SLM Price Action: At the time of writing, Sallie Mae shares are trading 1.90% higher at $21.94, according to data from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Image: Photo via Shutterstock

Movers

What's Going On With Sallie Mae Stock Wednesday?

Riot Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/riot#NASDAQ">RIOT</a>) has experienced a 52.7% decline in its stock year to date, a sharp contrast to the 25.1% growth seen in its industry and the 19.6% increase in the Zacks S&amp;P 500 composite.
This downturn mirrors the performance of other cryptocurrency-focused stocks, such as Cipher Mining (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cifr#NASDAQ">CIFR</a>), down 27.6%, and Marathon Digital (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mara#NASDAQ">MARA</a>), which has fallen 31.6% during the same period.
<h2>Year-to-Date Price Performance</h2>
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/fb/79026.jpg?v=770011763" style="height:310px; width:600px" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock recently closed at $7.33, hovering near its 52-week low of $6.36, and is trading below its 50-day moving average, reflecting bearish investor sentiment.
With RIOT shares continuing to show weakness, investors may be considering whether now is the right time to buy. Let&#39;s explore further.
<h2>RIOT&#39;s Post-Halving Obstacles and Financial Difficulties</h2>
One of the primary reasons for RIOT&#39;s downward trajectory is the Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)&nbsp;halving event, which has significantly increased operational challenges for miners, including Riot. The halving means that each ASIC miner now needs to work double as hard to mine the same amount of Bitcoin, but the anticipated price increase for Bitcoin has not occurred to balance this increased difficulty. Riot&#39;s Bitcoin production decreased 13% sequentially in August 2024, highlighting the operational inefficiencies and increased challenges the company faces due to the halving.
The drop in production underscores the broader issues Riot is grappling with in its mining operations. In the second quarter of 2024, the company mined 844 Bitcoins, a 52% decrease year over year. This decline is primarily attributed to a significant increase in the Bitcoin network difficulty since January 2023. These operational challenges have put the company in a risky financial position, potentially leading to further share dilution as it seeks funding, which would result in additional losses for shareholders.
<h2>RIOT&#39;s Declining Estimates</h2>
Four estimates for 2024 moved south over the past 60 days versus no northward revisions. Over the same period, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 earnings has declined 75.9%. This indicates a lack of confidence among analysts in the company&#39;s ability to improve its financial performance soon.
<h2>Entry Into the Stock Seems Risky</h2>
While some investors may be tempted to buy at these low levels, the company&#39;s current operational struggles, coupled with analysts&#39; downward revisions for 2024 earnings estimates, signal uncertainty.
Given RIOT&#39;s steep decline year to date and its significant challenges following the Bitcoin halving, a &quot;Hold&quot; recommendation seems appropriate at this time. The post-halving environment has made mining more difficult, and RIOT&#39;s Bitcoin production dropped in August 2024, further reflecting operational inefficiencies. Additionally, with a sharp decrease in Bitcoin mined in the second quarter of 2024 and a notable rise in Bitcoin network difficulty, the company faces heightened financial risks.
Investors should adopt a wait-and-watch approach to assess whether Riot can overcome its post-halving challenges before making further investment decisions.
RIOT currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2340762/riot-platforms-stock-plummets-53-ytd-right-time-to-buy?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|rank_focused-2340762">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

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Shares of oil and gas companies are trading lower, possibly as the sector pulls back after rallying on Tuesday due to China stimulus efforts and Middle East tension. Also, a report suggests that rival factions in Libya have resumed talks.

Lockheed Martin Corporation&#39;s (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/lmt#NYSE">LMT</a>) unit, Sikorsky Aircraft, recently secured an $84.3 million contract to supply eight gearbox assemblies for the CH-53K helicopters. The work will be carried out in Stratford, CT, and is set to be completed by December 2028.
The contract will serve the U.S. Navy and Israel military. The award has been provided by the Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, PA.
<h2>What&#39;s Favoring LMT Stock?</h2>
With countries worldwide enhancing their defense capabilities, spending on advanced military arms and ammunition has been rapidly increasing. This also includes growing investments in military helicopters, which are crucial for air warfare missions. Lockheed, as a prominent manufacturer of combat helicopters, has been witnessing a steady flow of orders from the Pentagon and other U.S. allies. The latest contract win is an example of that.
LMT&#39;s CH-53K King Stallion is designed for modern combat and shipboard operations, being intelligent, reliable, low-maintenance and highly survivable in harsh environments. With more than 1,200 test flight hours, the helicopter achieved several milestones in 2018, including operating at high altitudes, extreme temperatures and low visibility.
These capabilities are likely to have driven this rotorcraft&#39;s demand in recent times and are expected to lead to more contract awards for Lockheed Martin in the days ahead. Such order flows, including the latest one, are expected to boost the company&#39;s revenues, thereby solidifying its position as a leading defense contractor in military aviation.
<h2>Growth Prospects for LMT Stock</h2>
Rising military conflicts, terrorism and border disputes, along with rapid technological advancements in military helicopters, have led nations to increase their defense spending, with combat-proven helicopters constituting an integral part of a nation&#39;s defense structure.
This is likely to have prompted Mordor Intelligence to forecast a compound annual growth rate of more than 2.9% for the military helicopter market during the 2024-2030 time period.
Such solid market prospects offer growth opportunities for Lockheed Martin. Notably, its portfolio includes well-established helicopters like the Black Hawk, MH-60R Seahawk and CH-148 Cyclone, in addition to the CH-53K King Stallion.
<h2>Opportunities for LMT&#39;s Peers</h2>
Some other defense companies that are expected to enjoy the perks of the expanding military helicopter market have been discussed below.
The Boeing Company: Its military rotorcraft serves the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force and allied defense forces in more than 20 countries across the globe. Boeing&#39;s Defense, Space &amp; Security segment produces rotorcraft and rotary-wing programs, such as H-47 Chinook, AH-64 Apache, AH-6 Little Bird and V-22 Osprey.
The company has a long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate of 21.3%.&nbsp; The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BA&#39;s 2025 sales indicates year-over-year growth of 21.7%.
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/noc#NYSE">NOC</a>): Its Fire Scout is a combat-proven, autonomous helicopter system providing real-time intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and target-acquisition, laser designation and battle management to tactical users without relying on manned aircraft or space-based assets. NOC also provides avionics systems, mission equipment and support for military helicopters, including upgrades and modifications.
The company&#39;s long-term earnings growth rate is 8.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NOC&#39;s 2024 sales indicates year-over-year growth of 5.4%.
Textron (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/txt#NYSE">TXT</a>):&nbsp; Its Bell business segment supplies advanced military helicopters and provides parts and support services to the U.S. Government and military customers outside the United States. Its primary combat helicopters include H-1, Bell 412, Bell AH-1Z, Bell 407 and a few more rotorcraft.
TXT boasts a long-term earnings growth rate of 10.1%. The consensus estimate for TXT&#39;s 2024 sales indicates year-over-year growth of 5.5%.
<h2>LMT Stock&#39;s Price Movement</h2>
Shares of LMT have gained 24.7% in the past three months compared with the industry&#39;s 8.2% growth.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/68/79022.jpg?v=1096845495" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
<h2>LMT&#39;s Zacks Rank</h2>
LMT currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2340764/lockheed-martin-s-unit-secures-contract-for-ch-53k-gearbox-assemblies?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|company_news_corporate_actions-2340764">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Large Cap

Contracts

Lockheed Martin's Unit Secures Contract for CH-53K Gearbox Assemblies

Politics

Trump To Return To Butler, Pennsylvania, On Oct. 5

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PYPL

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In the current session, the stock is trading at $276.00, after a 1.04% increase. Over the past month, Burlington Stores Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BURL#NYSE">BURL</a>) stock increased by 0.80%, and in the past year, by 104.89%. With performance like this, long-term shareholders are optimistic but others are more likely to look into the price-to-earnings ratio to see if the stock might be overvalued.

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727291720_0.png" alt="Past Year Chart" />

<h3>Burlington Stores P/E Compared to Competitors</h3>
The P/E ratio is used by long-term shareholders to assess the company's market performance against aggregate market data, historical earnings, and the industry at large. A lower P/E could indicate that shareholders do not expect the stock to perform better in the future or it could mean that the company is undervalued. 
Burlington Stores has a better P/E ratio of 41.26 than the aggregate P/E ratio of 19.74 of the Specialty Retail industry. Ideally, one might believe that Burlington Stores Inc. might perform better in the future than it's industry group, but it's probable that the stock is overvalued. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727291720_1.png" alt="Guage" />

In summary, while the price-to-earnings ratio is a valuable tool for investors to evaluate a company's market performance, it should be used with caution. A low P/E ratio can be an indication of undervaluation, but it can also suggest weak growth prospects or financial instability. Moreover, the P/E ratio is just one of many metrics that investors should consider when making investment decisions, and it should be evaluated alongside other financial ratios, industry trends, and qualitative factors. By taking a comprehensive approach to analyzing a company's financial health, investors can make well-informed decisions that are more likely to lead to successful outcomes.

BURL

A Look Into Burlington Stores Inc's Price Over Earnings

On Wednesday, Walt Disney Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) expanded its paid sharing program to offer users ways to enjoy their <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40416476/disney-park-prices-skyrocket-new-attractions-promise-more-value" rel="noreferrer noopener">Disney+ subscription with a family member or friend.</a>
The shares are trading <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/movers" rel="noreferrer noopener">marginally higher on Wednesday.</a>
&#8220;These features and capabilities are now available in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region after launching in select markets over the summer,&#8221; the company said in a <a target="_blank" href="https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/paid-sharing-disney-explainer/#:~:text=This%20week%2C%20Disney%2B%20expanded%20its,of%20devices%20within%20a%20household." rel="noreferrer noopener">blog</a> post.
Per the latest development, account holders who want to add someone outside of their Household to their Disney+ subscription will be able to do so with the Extra Member add-on.
In the U.S., an &#8216;Extra Member profile&#8217; will cost an additional $6.99 per month for Disney+ Basic subscriptions and $9.99 per month for Disney+ Premium subscriptions.
According to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?gspk=YWRhbWVja2VydDUzMzY&amp;gsxid=zBMR4PKmcgBw" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a>, DIS stock has gained over 16% in the past year. Investors can gain exposure to the stock via&nbsp;Invesco S&amp;P 500 Equal Weight Communication Services ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RSPC#NYSE">RSPC</a>) and&nbsp;ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JRNY#NYSE">JRNY</a>).
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/09/40963557/disney-animation-shakes-things-up-jared-bush-becomes-chief-creative-officer-jennifer-lee-st" rel="noreferrer noopener">Disney Animation Shakes Things Up: Jared Bush Becomes Chief Creative Officer, Jennifer Lee Steps Back To Prepare For Frozen Sequels</a>
Earlier this year, CEO Bob Iger revealed that the Mouse House will start its password-sharing crackdown. The anti-password sharing rules were first enforced for new Disney Plus subscribers on January 25 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/04/38111752/disneys-netflix-like-password-sharing-crackdown-begins-this-june-as-bob-iger-tries-to-incre" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">and later extended to existing members on March 14.</a>
Recently, the company appointed Academy Award-winning filmmaker Jared Bush as Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of Walt <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40416476/disney-park-prices-skyrocket-new-attractions-promise-more-value" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Disney Animation Studios, effective immediately.</a>
Jennifer Lee will step back from her role to focus on filmmaking full-time and oversee the Frozen franchise for the studio, the company&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/jared-bush-walt-disney-animation-studios/" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a> in a press release.
As Chief Creative Officer, Bush will manage the creative output of the renowned animation studio, encompassing its films, series, and related projects.
Price Action: DIS shares are trading higher by 0.19% to $93.87 at last check Wednesday.
Photo via Shutterstock
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What's Going On With Walt Disney Stock Today?

After experiencing a declining trend since its highs in 2021, Intel Co. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/intc#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) stock is now trading at a mere 43% of its 52-week high today. While this price action could have caused most to avoid such underperformance, there are others who can spot and appreciate the deep value aspect of this steep discount, one that can be taken advantage of today.
For reasons that investors will clear up in a bit, Intel and not peers like Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mu#NASDAQ">MU</a>) got the benefit of the doubt from the United States government in a recent grant to further build out the semiconductor supply chain domestically. The technology sector has seen major swings since COVID-19, though these two chip makers fell behind by a significant rate.
This could change for Intel stock soon; however, last week alone, it rallied by nearly 10% to end the period on a new announcement. But, before investors know which event drove the stock higher to the end of the week, they should know that the semiconductor industry could be about to shift into its sales cycle as supply tightens and margins improve for Intel.
<h2>Qualcomm&#39;s $100 Billion Starting Takeover Bid for Intel: How High Could It Go?</h2>
Considering that Intel rose to a near $100 billion market capitalization, investors could safely assume that Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/qcom#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) has to make the starting takeover bid at this price. The fact is, however, that Intel shareholders will likely command a premium price on their holdings, especially after recent events.
So, how high can the bid go? Investors can look to Wall Street analysts for some guidance, particularly their earnings per share (EPS) growth forecasts. At $0.02 a share, analysts expect Intel to earn up to $0.23 EPS in the next 12 months.
Now that Wall Street expects Intel to see a tenfold increase in profits, analysts at Northland Securities decided to keep their &quot;Outperform&quot; rating on Intel stock and boosted their valuations to $42 a share. To prove these valuations right, Intel stock would need to rally by as much as 92.6% from where it trades today.
Despite the stock&#39;s underperformance over the past three years, Intel has managed to accumulate enough bullish trends to shake off a few bears. In the past month, Intel stock&#39;s short interest declined by 9.6%, showing signs of bearish capitulation, leaving room for bulls to take their place instead.
Some of the bulls that came in to lead the way include Legal &amp; General Group, which boosted their holdings in Intel sock by 1.3% as of August 2024. This may seem like little on a percentage basis. Still, the addition netted the Group&#39;s investment in Intel stock at a $1.2 billion level today.
However, this is only a small percentage of the $13.6 billion in institutional capital that entered the company over the past 12 months, one factor that investors should watch out for in the coming months as these takeover talks take place.
<h2>Intel Stock Gains Another Major Backer as Markets Spot a Massive Discount</h2>
Recently, the government announced another round of grants for the semiconductor industry, and this time, Intel stock earned its place in the funding list with $3.5 billion in grants. It is important for investors to keep this in mind for the following reasons.
It wasn&#39;t NVIDIA Co.&nbsp;that received these grants, and it wasn&#39;t Micron Technology that received a takeover bid from Qualcomm despite having a similar market capitalization ($100.8 billion) to Intel. This confidence from investors and the government directly adds value to the company&#39;s brand.
This news also created interest in the sock, another important gauge for investors to consider when evaluating this potential value play. Intel stock has an average volume of 57.6 million, and recently, the volume spiked to 260.4 million shares.
The combination of good news and Intel&#39;s discount caused this much volume to come into the company, showing interest from new buyers. Here&#39;s how steep of a discount Intel offers investors today, the same discount that Qualcomm probably considered when reviewing its takeover bid.
Comparing price-to-book (P/B) ratios between Intel and the computer sector would show this divergence. Intel stock now trades at a low of 0.8x P/E, a discount not only to its own book value but also to the industry&#39;s average valuation of 7.0x P/B.
The article &quot;<a href="https://www.marketbeat.com/stock-ideas/jump-on-intel-now-qualcomms-bid-could-ignite-a-rally/">Jump on Intel Now: Qualcomm&#39;s Bid Could Ignite a Rally</a>&quot; first appeared on MarketBeat.

INTC

QCOM

Jump on Intel Now: Qualcomm's Bid Could Ignite a Rally

Macro Economic Events

Economics

Oil is trading lower. The price of the commodity gained on Tuesday amid China stimulus efforts and Middle East tensions but has since reversed. It was also reported that rival factions in Libya have resumed talks.

Duolingo Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DUOL#NASDAQ">DUOL</a>) saw its stock spike over 8% on Wednesday thanks to bullish price target revisions <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DUOL/analyst-ratings">from top analysts</a>.
<ul>
<li>Needham has upped its price target to $310</li>
<li>JMP Securities set a new target at $275</li>
<li>Bank of America chimed in with an increase to $298, and</li>
<li>JPMorgan capped it all off with an upward revision to $303. </li>
</ul>
This wave of optimism stems from Duolingo's strategic use of Generative AI and large language models (LLMs). JPMorgan analyst Bryan M. Smilek stated, "We believe Duolingo is leveraging GenAI/LLMs to achieve its goal of teaching as effectively as a human tutor." 
These technologies are "transforming the learner experience, increasing the velocity of product optimizations &amp; content development, deepening teaching efficacy, &amp; driving cost efficiencies,&#8221; he adds.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40922597/russell-2000-outpaces-s-p-500-as-small-caps-anticipate-feds-interest-rate-move">Russell 2000 Outpaces S&amp;P 500 As Small Caps Anticipate Fed&#8217;s Interest Rate Move</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Short Sellers Beware: Squeeze Potential Looms</h2>
But it's not just the rosy analyst outlook that's turning heads. Duolingo&#8217;s short interest metrics could set the stage for a thrilling trading environment. 
With a short interest of 5.8%, there&#8217;s a moderate level of bearish sentiment suggesting some investors are betting on a price decline. 
The days to cover stands at 5.82, meaning it would take almost six days of typical trading volume to cover all short positions. This scenario creates a ripe opportunity for a short squeeze if the stock keeps climbing.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Low Float, High Stakes: Volatility Ahead</h2>
Adding to the excitement, Duolingo's extremely low float of around 35-40 million shares makes it susceptible to significant price swings. 
With daily volumes typically under half a million shares, even a minor buying or selling spree could lead to major fluctuations, amplified by large bid/ask spreads.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Potential Rollercoaster Ahead</h2>
So, while Duolingo is currently riding high on positive analyst sentiment, traders should remain vigilant regarding short interest dynamics. 
If the stock continues its upward trend, the potential for a short squeeze could lead to a wild ride, making this a thrilling stock to watch in the days ahead.
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Image: Shutterstock

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Duolingo Stock Soars On Target Hikes: Is A Short Squeeze Brewing?

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