The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide. It offers skin care products, including moisturizers, serums, cleansers, toners, body care, exfoliators, acne care and oil correctors, facial masks, and sun care products; and makeup products, such as lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, foundations, eyeshadows, nail polishes, and powders, as well as compacts, brushes, and other makeup tools. The company also provides fragrance products in various forms comprising eau de parfum sprays and colognes, as well as lotions, powders, creams, candles, and soaps; and hair care products that include shampoos, conditioners, styling products, treatment, finishing sprays, and hair color products, as well as sells ancillary products and services. It offers its products under the Estée Lauder, Clinique, Origins, M·A·C, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, La Mer, Aveda, Jo Malone London, TOM FORD, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, and The Ordinary brands. The company sells its products through department stores, specialty-multi retailers, upscale perfumeries and pharmacies, and salons and spas; freestanding stores; its own and authorized retailer websites; third-party online malls; stores in airports; and duty-free locations. The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Фундаментальная картина компании Estee Lauder демонстрирует ряд сильных и слабых сторон. С одной стороны, показатели выручки и прибыли значительно выше медианы отрасли, что свидетельствует о сильных операционных результатах. Однако, мультипликаторы, такие как P/E, P/B и P/FCF, указывают на возможную переоцененность акций, так как они значительно превышают отралевые средние значения. Более того, коэффициенты рентабельности, такие как ROE и ROA, показывают нулевые значения, что вызывает опасения по поводу эффективности использования капитала. Долговая нагрузка компании также вызывает беспокойство, с высоким соотношением долга к капиталу и увеличением долгосрочных обязательств. Несмотря на это, компания сохраняет высокие показатели маржи и сильные денежные потоки. Дивидендная доходность также остается стабильной, что может привлечь долгосрочных инвесторов. В целом, компания нуждается в усилении своей финансовой устойчивости и улучшении показателей прибыльности для более уверенного роста в будущем.

Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. (The)

Investors have been closely watching who will become the next Chairman of the Federal Reserve in May, as it will likely reshape interest rate policy, market liquidity, and overall financial conditions.
Notably, President Donald Trump has selected and formally nominated Kevin Warsh as the next Fed Chair to replace Jerome Powell when Powell’s term ends on Friday, May 15.
Warsh had his much-anticipated nomination hearing in front of the Senate Banking Committee today (Tuesday, April 21) after a week-long delay caused by procedural requirements. The market was eager to hear Warsh’s testimony on the heels of a rebound to new all-time highs, as investors have started to look past geopolitical fears and conflicts in the Middle East.
Supporters argue that Warsh has the experience and leadership to run the American economy, being the youngest person to ever serve on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors back in 2006 at the age of 35.
On the other hand, some have raised concerns that, unlike Powell, Warsh may not uphold the Federal Reserve’s independence and could cater to Trump’s demands, which have called for more aggressive rate cuts.
Ironically, Warsh has a hawkish reputation rooted in his past emphasis on inflation risks, although recent comments and market expectations point toward the likelihood that he will impose cautious, modest rate cuts, but not an aggressive easing or dovish cycle.
That said, here are the equity markets, stocks, and private venture-capital firms that investors may want to watch if Kevin Warsh is officially selected as the next Fed Chair.
An Overview of Warsh’s Investment Holdings
As a brief overview, Warsh would be the wealthiest person to ever serve as Fed Chair, with an estimated net worth of more than $130 million. Warsh’s largest disclosed asset holdings center overwhelmingly on his investments tied to the Juggernaut fund, a hedge fund vehicle launched by renowned billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller’s private investment firm, the Duquesne Family Office.
Along with this, Warsh has a wide array of smaller positions in tech, including AI, and crypto-related ventures, sectors that are prime beneficiaries of lower interest rates. While these investments point to Warsh being a "market-friendly" Fed Chair, it's noteworthy that he has committed to divesting nearly all of his holdings before taking the position as required by the Federal Reserve’s ethics rules.
Crypto & Blockchain Investments
Warsh’s approach toward interest rates, regulation, and innovation policy is seen as potentially constructive for crypto markets, while others see him as a traditional central banker who would prioritize stability over experimentation.
Still, it’s noteworthy that Warsh has suggested the central bank issue a digital dollar to remain competitive, and his own financial holdings certainly suggest he takes digital-asset technology seriously.
Warsh has disclosed over 30 crypto-related investments, including in private startups Solana, Optimism, Blast, dYdX, and Compound. Polymarket is also a notable holding, a crypto-based prediction market company that isn’t publicly traded at the moment, but accredited investors can access pre-IPO shares or gain indirect exposure through the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).
Cryptocurrencies often react strongly to favorable interest-rate policies, with it worth mentioning that Bitcoin has seen a 10% rebound over the last month despite a slight dip on Tuesday.
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SpaceX & Tech Startups
Warsh has reported a stake in SpaceX, Elon Musk’s private aerospace company that is expected to go public sometime in the near future, and has assets tied to other emerging technology investments, such as Cafe X (robotic coffee systems), Cionic (wearable mobility tech), and Hebbia (AI research).
Analysts have highlighted Warsh’s interest in innovation and modernization, awareness of global competition in digital finance, and experience in private-sector investing as potentially supportive for tech stocks. Meanwhile, other analysts have pointed to Warsh’s historically hawkish views on interest rates as potential challenges, along with his skepticism of prolonged quantitative easing and focus on inflation control.
UPS – UPS
Warsh hasn’t expressed any special support for UPS UPS, but this is his notable publicly held holding, and he also serves on the company’s board of directors, a position he will have to vacate if confirmed as Fed Chair.
Fed policies that maintain stable, moderate economic growth tend to create a favorable environment for logistics and shipping companies like UPS. Of course, UPS investors are hoping that the Trump administration decides to eventually restore the de minimus exemption, which allows packages with a value of $800 or less to be shipped duty-free.
Warsh, being the new Fed Chair, could persuade this cause with UPS stock currently landing a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and remaining a popular pick for income investors with a 6% annual dividend yield. The argument for long-term value has still been apparent for UPS stock, but more supportive economic and political policies could certainly help.
To that point, UPS’s profits and free cash flow have been under pressure, as illustrated by its high payout ratio (92%), meaning most of its earnings are being paid out as dividends. UPS appears to be committed to keeping its lofty yield, although this leaves less room for reinvestment, debt reduction, and cash reserves.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Coupang – CPNG
The other publicly traded company that Warsh has an investment in is South-Korean e-commerce provider Coupang CPNG), with the stake existing as part of his compensation for serving on the company’s board of directors as well.
Aforementioned, Warsh will vacate his board seats if elected as Fed Chair, but global economic policies that keep the interests of U.S. allies such as South Korea in mind could be beneficial for Coupang stock, which also lands a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Coupang’s rapid sales expansion has alluded to its future earnings potential, with the company expected to move further past the profitability line next year.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Estee Lauder – EL
Rounding out the stocks to watch if Warsh becomes Fed Chair is Estee Lauder EL). The direct connection here is that Warsh is married to Jane Lauder, an heiress to the Estée Lauder Companies, whose wealth is directly tied to the company’s shares through inheritance and her ongoing role on its board of directors.
The consumer staples sector is typically less affected by policy shifts, and even cosmetic companies like Estee Lauder are relatively non-cyclical, supported by psychological factors like the “Lipstick Effect,” where consumers keep buying small beauty items even during downturns.
While Estee Lauder could ironically provide a defensive hedge if broader economic uncertainty arises, if and when Warsh takes over as Fed Chair, its stock currently daunts a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
The leading provider of skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products has an appealing growth trajectory, but FY26 and FY27 EPS estimates have dipped in the last 30 days. Magnifying the decline in EPS revisions is that Estee Lauder stock is trading at 34X forward earnings, a noticeable premium to its Zacks Cosmetics Industry average of 14X and the benchmark S&P 500’s 23X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Stocks to Watch if Warsh Becomes Fed Chair

Helen of Troy HELE shares soared 6% in the last trading session to close at $18.86. The move was backed by solid volume with far more shares changing hands than in a normal session. This compares to the stock's 18.8% gain over the past four weeks.
Helen of Troy stock rally is driven by optimism around its ongoing turnaround efforts, supported by stronger execution in key brands, expanding direct-to-consumer sales and a renewed focus on innovation and brand building, despite tariff headwinds and soft discretionary demand.
This personal and household products company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.66 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -71.7%. Revenues are expected to be $453.75 million, down 6.6% from the year-ago quarter.
While earnings and revenue growth expectations are important in evaluating the potential strength in a stock, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
For Helen of Troy, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. And a stock's price usually doesn't keep moving higher in the absence of any trend in earnings estimate revisions. So, make sure to keep an eye on HELE going forward to see if this recent jump can turn into more strength down the road.
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>
Helen of Troy is a member of the Zacks Cosmetics industry. One other stock in the same industry, Estee Lauder EL, finished the last trading session 1.1% higher at $76.2. EL has returned -12% over the past month.
For Estee Lauder, the consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming report has changed +0.5% over the past month to $0.66. This represents a change of +1.5% from what the company reported a year ago. Estee Lauder currently has a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).
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Helen of Troy (HELE) Surges 6.0%: Is This an Indication of Further Gains?

Key Points
Procter & Gamble’s high margins and cash-flow support its growing payout.
The company is well positioned to weather an industry-wide slowdown.
Procter & Gamble’s valuation is at multiyear lows.
Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) just announced its 70th consecutive annual dividend raise, boosting its quarterly payout from $1.0568 per share to $1.0885 per share, or $4.354 per year -- good for a forward yield of 3% based on the share price at the time of this writing.
The dividend increase makes P&G one of the longest-tenured Dividend Kings, which are companies that have increased their payouts for at least 50 consecutive years. There are 57 Dividend Kings -- but only five of them have increased their dividends for at least 70 consecutive years.
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Here's why P&G is a top dividend-paying value stock to buy now.
P&G is in a league of its own
Procter & Gamble is the largest household and personal products company in the world and the third-largest U.S. consumer staples company by market cap -- behind Walmart and Costco Wholesale, but ahead of Coca-Cola.
P&G has a portfolio of leading brands across everyday-use categories spanning:
Diapers (led by Pampers)
Paper towels (Bounty)
Toilet paper (Charmin)
Tissues (Puffs)
Feminine products (led by Always)
Grooming and hair care (Gillette, Old Spice, Pantene, and Head & Shoulders, among others)
Cleaning products (Dawn, Cascade, Febreze, etc.)
Laundry detergents (Tide, Gain, and others)
Oral and personal healthcare products (Crest, Oral-B, Vicks, etc.)
Skin and personal care (Olay, SK-II, etc.)
P&G's international brand recognition, elite supply chain and marketing, and sheer size across categories give it impeccable pricing power and negotiating leverage with retailers. These advantages allow P&G to consistently generate operating margins above 20% -- often ahead of its peers.
Despite its competitive advantages, P&G's growth slowed in recent years due to consumer spending challenges driven by higher living costs and inflationary pressures, including higher everyday expenses and now elevated oil prices. P&G is generally considered a recession-proof business because demand for its products remains consistent across economic cycles. But consumers can change their behavior when budgets are strained and may opt to buy a private-label brand like Costco's Kirkland Signature diapers, for example, instead of Pampers to stretch their dollars.
A measured dividend increase
Given the state of P&G's business and the slowdown in the broader household and personal products industry, it's unsurprising that P&G's latest dividend raise was just a 3% increase. Historically, it's far more common to see P&G raise its dividend by mid-to-high single digits. But it's not unheard of for P&G to announce a low-single-digit raise.
The most recent example was 2023, when P&G coincidentally also raised its dividend by just 3%. This made sense at the time, given that P&G was coming off years of price increases and inflationary pressures were on the rise post-pandemic.
Maintaining a 70-year streak of dividend increases means P&G has to consistently grow its earnings and avoid outsized raises during particularly good years, because the last thing P&G wants is for the dividend expense to get so large that it gobbles up all its free cash flow (FCF).
P&G's dividend expense is still at a healthy level. Its trailing-12-month earnings per share of $6.75 and $6.09 in FCF per share easily cover its dividend, even after the latest raise. And the payout ratio of 61.9% is rock solid for a consumer staples company.
P&G is a uniquely flexible conglomerate
Aside from high margins, earnings, and FCF, what makes P&G such an elite dividend stock is its ability to take what the market gives it by leaning into whatever product categories and geographic regions are doing well.
For example, in P&G's latest quarter, which was the second quarter of fiscal 2026, Latin America and Europe helped offset weak performance in North America. Hair care was P&G's best category, and skin and personal care, personal healthcare, home care, and oral care also helped pick up the slack from weak performances in grooming, fabric care, baby care, feminine care, and daily care.
P&G doesn't rely too heavily on any particular region or product category. And even within specific categories, it can retain a customer sale even during spending pullbacks. For example, a customer may pivot from Tide to a generally less expensive detergent brand like Gain to cut costs, or from Pampers to Luvs. But P&G still lands the sale because it owns both the premium-priced category option and a more budget-friendly choice.
A top stock to buy and hold
P&G is one of the most reliable dividend stocks for value investors to buy and hold. But P&G rarely trades at a discount to the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC), given its quality.
Now is an incredible opportunity for investors to buy P&G on sale. The sell-off in the stock has pushed its yield to around a five-year high and the valuation down to a five-year low. P&G sports a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just 21.4 and a forward P/E of 20.8 compared to 20.3 for the S&P 500.
Add it all up, and P&G checks all the boxes of a dividend stock that can anchor a passive income portfolio.
Should you buy stock in Procter & Gamble right now?
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Daniel Foelber has positions in Estée Lauder Companies, Kenvue, Kimberly-Clark, and Procter & Gamble. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Colgate-Palmolive, Costco Wholesale, Kenvue, and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends Unilever. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Meet the Dividend King That Just Raised Its Payout For the 70th Consecutive Year. Here's Why It's a No-Brainer Buy Before the End of April.

The cosmetics industry is fiercely competitive.
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*Stock prices used were the afternoon prices of April 9, 2026. The video was published on April 11, 2026.
Should you buy stock in Estée Lauder Companies right now?
Before you buy stock in Estée Lauder Companies, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Estée Lauder Companies wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
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Parkev Tatevosian, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Parkev Tatevosian is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through his link, he will earn some extra money that supports his channel. His opinions remain his own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Is Estee Lauder Stock a Buy Right Now?

The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. EL is tightening one of the most important levers in its business, the way it manages media spending across brands and markets. It recently completed its One ELC operating model and named WPP as its first global media partner, positioning this move as part of its broader Profit Recovery and Growth Plan, or PRGP.
Brands now need to balance long-term image building with performance-driven spending across digital platforms, e-commerce channels and physical retail. When media decisions are handled separately across regions, the result can be overlap, slower execution and inconsistent measurement. For a global company like Estee Lauder, it can make it harder to move quickly and spend efficiently.
The new setup is meant to address that issue. By bringing media execution under one global partner, Estee Lauder is moving away from a fragmented regional structure toward a more connected model. This should help the company use common data, shared tools and more consistent standards across markets. In practical terms, it can make it easier to compare campaign results, shift budgets toward stronger-performing channels and react faster when consumer trends change.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What makes the move more meaningful is how it fits into the company’s wider cost and efficiency push. The company has approved initiatives expected to deliver savings at the high end of its target range, with most of the benefits expected to come through in fiscal 2027. Part of those savings is being redirected into consumer-facing investments, including media, showing a clear effort to spend more effectively. A more unified media model could also support margins by reducing duplication and improving the return on marketing spend.
Together, these moves suggest that Estee Lauder is trying to build a marketing engine that is simpler, faster and easier to scale across its global beauty portfolio. This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company’s shares have rallied 41.7% in the past year, outperforming the industry’s growth of 16.5%.
Stocks to Consider
Columbia Sportswear Company COLM, which designs, develops, markets and distributes outdoor, active and lifestyle products, sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. COLM delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 25.2%, on average. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Columbia Sportswear’s current fiscal-year sales calls for growth of nearly 2%, while estimates for earnings suggest a 6.2% decline from the year-ago figure.
Ralph Lauren Corporation RL, which designs, markets and distributes lifestyle products, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). RL delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 9.7%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ralph Lauren’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 12.4% and 31.8%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.
Kontoor Brands KTB, a lifestyle apparel company, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. KTB delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 13.9%, on average.
The consensus estimate for Kontoor Brands’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings calls for growth of 9.2% and 15.6%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.
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Can Estee Lauder's One ELC Media Shift Under PRGP Lift Margins?

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) on Thursday closed up +0.11%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI) (DIA) closed down -0.13%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) closed up +0.11%. June E-mini S&P futures (ESM26) rose +0.08%, and June E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQM26) rose +0.11%.
Stock indexes recovered from early losses on Thursday and finished mostly higher on optimism that the Strait of Hormuz could soon be reopened. Short covering emerged in stocks on Thursday after a report from Iran’s state-run IRNA said that Iran is drafting a protocol with Oman to monitor traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, citing Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.
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Stocks also found support from Thursday’s US economic news, which was better than expected. Weekly initial unemployment claims unexpectedly fell by -9,000 to a 2.5-month low of 202,000, showing a stronger labor market than expectations of an increase to 212,000. Also, the Feb trade deficit was -$57.3 billion, narrower than expectations of -$60.6 billion.
Stocks initially opened lower on Thursday as the price of crude oil soared more than +11% after President Trump dashed hopes for a quick end to the war with Iran. Wednesday evening, during a speech to the American public, Mr. Trump vowed more aggressive action against Iran over the next two to three weeks and offered no concrete plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Crude oil prices (CLK26) continue to surge as the Iran war looks set to drag on and the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed. The UAE is preparing to help the US and other allies open the Strait of Hormuz by force and is lobbying for a United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing such action. The International Energy Agency warned that even if the war were to end within a few weeks, it would still take time for normal flows through Hormuz to resume, as some energy infrastructure has been damaged and is facing lengthy repairs.
The markets are discounting a 1% chance for a +25 bp FOMC rate hike at the April 28-29 policy meeting.
Overseas stock markets settled lower on Thursday. The Euro Stoxx 50 closed down -0.70%. China's Shanghai Composite closed down -0.74%. Japan's Nikkei Stock 225 fell from a 2-week high and closed down sharply by -2.38%.
Interest Rates
June 10-year T-notes (ZNM6) on Thursday closed up by +1 tick. The 10-year T-note yield fell by -1.8 bp to 4.301%. June T-notes recovered from early losses and moved slightly higher on Thursday as a sell-off in equity markets boosted safe-haven demand for T-notes. Also, T-notes are finding support on concerns that soaring energy prices will derail the global economy and may prompt the Fed to lower interest rates.
T-notes today initially moved lower on Thursday on signs of strength in the US labor market after weekly initial unemployment claims unexpectedly fell to a 2.5-month low, a hawkish factor for Fed policy. Also, Thursday’s +11% surge in crude oil prices pushed inflation expectations higher, a bearish factor for T-notes, as the 10-year breakeven inflation rate climbed to a 1-week high of 2.361%.
European government bond yields moved higher on Thursday. The 10-year German bund yield rose +0.7 bp to 2.992%. The 10-year UK gilt yield rose +0.3 bp to 4.833%.
Swaps are discounting a 50% chance of a +25 bp ECB rate hike at its next policy meeting on April 30.
US Stock Movers
Airline stocks and cruise line operators fell sharply on Thursday as crude oil prices surged more than +11%, raising fuel costs and cutting into corporate profits. United Airlines Holdings (UAL) and Carnival (CCL) closed down more than -3%, and American Airlines Group (AAL), Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL) closed down more than -2%. Also, Southwest Airlines (LUV), Alaska Air Group (ALK), and Delta Air Lines (DAL) closed down more than -1%.
Asset management stocks slid on Thursday after Blue Owl Capital said it will limit redemptions from two of its private credit funds amid a surge in withdrawal requests. Ares Management (ARES) closed down more than -3%, and Apollo Global Management (APO) closed down more than -2%. Also, Blue Owl Capital (OWL) and Blackstone (BX) closed down more than -1%.
Metals and finished goods stocks moved lower on Thursday after the Trump administration maintained a 50% tariff on many steel, aluminum, and copper imports. Stanley Black & Decker (SWK) closed down more than -3%, and Century Aluminum (CENX), Commercial Metals (CMC), and Carrier Global (CARR) closed down more than -1%.
SBA Communications (SBAC) closed up more than +18% to lead gainers in the S&P 500 after Bloomberg reported the company is exploring options, including a potential sale, after receiving preliminary takeover interest.
Globalstar (GSAT) closed up more than +13% after the Financial Times reported that Amazon.com is in talks to acquire the company.
Wingstop (WING) closed up more than +5% after Raymond James upgraded the stock to strong buy from outperform with a price target of $240.
Intel (INTC) closed up more than +4% to lead gainers in the Nasdaq 100 after D.A. Davidson said Intel’s action to pay $14.2 billion to buy back half of its plant in Ireland bodes well for the company’s turnaround story.
SM Energy (SM) closed up more than +4% after BMO Capital Markets raised its price target on the stock to $33 from $26.
Matador Resources (MTDR) closed up more than +3% after KeyBanc Capital Markets raised its price target on the stock to $73 from $61.
Alto Neuroscience (ANRO) closed down more than -7% after its ALTO-101 to treat cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia failed to achieve statistical significance versus placebo in a Phase 2 trial.
Tesla (TSLA) closed down more than -5% to lead losers in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 after reporting Q1 vehicle deliveries of 358,023, below the consensus of 372,160.
Estee Lauder (EL) closed down more than -2% to lead losers in the S&P 500 after saying it’s advancing in negotiations to combine with Puig Brands SA.
Earnings Reports(4/6/2026)
ECB Bancorp Inc/MD (ECBK), Greene County Bancorp Inc (GCBC), Immersion Corp (IMMR), RxSight Inc (RXST).
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Stocks Recover on Hopes Strait of Hormuz Could Soon Reopen

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is down -0.06%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI) (DIA) is down -0.23%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is down -0.20%. June E-mini S&P futures (ESM26) are down -0.04%, and June E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQM26) are down -0.14%.
Stock indexes are under pressure today as the price of crude oil soars more than +8% after President Trump dashed hopes for a quick end to the war with Iran. During a speech to the American public on Wednesday evening, Mr. Trump pledged more aggressive action against Iran over the next two to three weeks and offered no concrete plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. WTI crude oil prices are up by more than 8% today, at a 3.5-week high, fueling inflation fears.
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However, stocks recovered from their worst levels as short covering emerged on a report from Iran’s state-run IRNA that said Iran is drafting a protocol with Oman to monitor traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, citing Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibaldi. Also, today’s US economic news was better than expected and supportive of stocks. Weekly initial unemployment claims unexpectedly fell by -9,000 to a 2.5-month low of 202,000, showing a stronger labor market than expectations of an increase to 212,000. Also, the Feb trade deficit was -$57.3 billion, narrower than expectations of -$60.6 billion.
Crude oil prices (CLK26) are surging by more than +8% today as the Iran war looks set to drag on and the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed. The UAE is preparing to help the US and other allies open the Strait of Hormuz by force and is lobbying for a United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing such action. The International Energy Agency warned that even if the war were to end within a few weeks, it would still take time for normal flows through Hormuz to resume, as some energy infrastructure has been damaged and is facing lengthy repairs.
The markets are discounting a 1% chance for a +25 bp FOMC rate hike at the April 28-29 policy meeting.
Overseas stock markets are lower today. The Euro Stoxx 50 is down -0.85%. China's Shanghai Composite closed down -0.74%. Japan's Nikkei Stock 225 fell from a 2-week high and closed down sharply by -2.38%.
Interest Rates
June 10-year T-notes (ZNM6) today are up by +3 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield is down by -2.6 bp to 4.293%. June T-notes recovered from early losses and moved higher today as a sell-off in equity markets boosted safe-haven demand for T-notes. Also, T-notes are finding support on concerns that soaring energy prices will derail the global economy and may prompt the Fed to lower interest rates.
T-notes today initially moved lower as a surge in crude oil prices pushed inflation expectations higher. WTI crude is up more than +8% at a 3.5-week high, pushing the 10-year breakeven inflation rate to a 1-week high of 2.361% today.
European government bond yields are moving lower today. The 10-year German bund yield is down -0.1 bp to 2.984%. The 10-year UK gilt yield is down -1.0 bp to 4.820%.
Swaps are discounting a 47% chance of a +25 bp ECB rate hike at its next policy meeting on April 30.
US Stock Movers
Chip makers and AI-infrastructure stocks are retreating today, weighing on the broader market. ARM Holdings Plc (ARM) is down more than -5% to lead losers in the Nasdaq 100. Also, Western Digital (WDC) is down more than -2%. In addition, Micron Technology (MU), Lam Research (LRCX), ASML Holding NV (ASML), Applied Materials (AMAT), Qualcomm (QCOM), and NXP Semiconductors NV (NXPI) are down more than -1%.
Airline stocks and cruise line operators are moving sharply lower today as crude oil prices surge more than +8%, raising fuel costs and cutting into corporate profits. American Airlines Group (AAL), Carnival (CCL), and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) are down more than -4%, and United Airlines Holdings (UAL) and Southwest Airlines (LUV) are down more than -3%. Also, Alaska Air Group (ALK), Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL), and Delta Air Lines (DAL) are down more than -2%.
Energy producers and energy service providers are rallying today as WTI crude oil soars by more than +8%. Diamondback Energy (FANG) is up more than +2%, and APA Corp (APA), Occidental Petroleum (OXY), ConocoPhillips (COP), Chevron (CVX), Marathon Petroleum (MPC), Halliburton (HAL), and Devon Energy (DVN) are up more than +1%.
Alto Neuroscience (ANRO) is down more than -3% after its ALTO-101 to treat cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia failed to achieve statistical significance versus placebo in a Phase 2 trial.
Estee Lauder (EL) is down more than -4% to lead losers in the S&P 500 after saying it’s advancing in negotiations to combine with Puig Brands SA.
Tesla (TSLA) is down more than -3% after reporting Q1 vehicle deliveries of 358,023, below the consensus of 372,160.
Nike (NKE) is down more than -2% to lead losers in the Dow Jones Industrial, extending Wednesday’s -15% plunge after forecasting Q4 revenue to be down -2% to -4% and saying its turnaround efforts are taking longer than originally planned.
Globalstar (GSAT) is up more than +9% after the Financial Times reported that Amazon.com is in talks to acquire the company.
Wingstop (WING) is up more than +6% after Raymond James upgraded the stock to strong buy from outperform with a price target of $240.
SM Energy (SM) is up more than +4% after BMO Capital Markets raised its price target on the stock to $33 from $26.
Intel (INTC) is up more than +3% to lead gainers in the Nasdaq 100 after D.A. Davidson said Intel’s action to pay $14.2 billion to buy back half of its plant in Ireland bodes well for the company’s turnaround story.
Matador Resources (MTDR) is up more than +3% after KeyBanc Capital Markets raised its price target on the stock to $73 from $61.
Earnings Reports(4/2/2026)
Acuity Inc (AYI), AirSculpt Technologies Inc (AIRS), AngioDynamics Inc (ANGO), FS Bancorp Inc (FSBW), Lindsay Corp (LNN).
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Stocks Pare Losses on Hormuz Report

An updated edition of the Feb. 20, 2026, article.
The beauty and cosmetics industry continues to stand out as a relatively stable corner of the broader consumer product space, offering a mix of stability and structural growth. Even against a mixed macro backdrop, consumers tend to maintain spending on skincare, fragrance, hair care and cosmetics, viewing these categories as everyday essentials or affordable luxuries. This consistent demand profile, combined with strong brand equity and innovation cycles, keeps the industry firmly positioned as a compelling thematic play for long-term investors.
Several underlying drivers continue to support growth. Skincare and prestige fragrance remain key outperformers, supported by premiumization and increasing consumer focus on efficacy and results. At the same time, younger consumers are reshaping the market by prioritizing authenticity, inclusivity and transparency, while social media platforms continue to accelerate product discovery and compress innovation cycles. These shifts are pushing companies to move faster, communicate more clearly and align closely with consumer values.
A new set of emerging themes is redefining the next phase of the beauty industry. Science-led innovation is gaining prominence, with biotech-driven ingredients, microbiome-friendly formulations and longevity-focused skincare becoming key areas of interest. Artificial Intelligence is also enabling hyper-personalization, from virtual try-ons to skin diagnostics, while enhancing consumer engagement across digital channels. Meanwhile, sustainability has shifted from a niche consideration to a core expectation, with growing demand for clean formulations, ethical sourcing and eco-friendly packaging. Together, these trends point to a more technology-driven, science-backed and value-oriented beauty ecosystem.
Coty Inc. COTY fits well into this evolving landscape through its exposure to both mass and prestige categories, particularly fragrance, where demand trends remain robust. Its diversified portfolio allows it to participate in premiumization while still maintaining scale in consumer beauty. Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. SBH provides a differentiated angle through its focus on professional beauty supplies and hair color, categories supported by repeat usage and strong customer loyalty. Its dual exposure to salon professionals and do-it-yourself consumers positions it to benefit from steady demand.
Overall, the beauty and cosmetics space remains an attractive thematic investment opportunity, underpinned not just by resilient demand but by innovation across science, technology and sustainability. While competition is intense and trends can shift quickly, companies that can combine brand strength with adaptability and alignment to emerging themes appear best placed to capture long-term value. Our Beauty & Cosmetics Screen identifies some of these players, including The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. EL, Ulta Beauty, Inc. ULTA and International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. IFF.
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3 Beauty and Cosmetic Stocks in Focus
Estee Lauder is repositioning itself as a sharper, more consumer-centric player as prestige beauty shifts toward faster innovation, digital discovery and more selective premium spending. Through its “Beauty Reimagined” strategy, EL is aiming to restore growth by expanding consumer reach, accelerating product launches and aligning brands with evolving demand trends. On its second-quarter fiscal 2026earnings call management highlighted improved retail trends, market-share gains across key regions and stronger momentum outside travel retail, signaling early progress in its ongoing transformation.
A key focus area is innovation across brands and categories. EL is prioritizing faster, more relevant launches, including longevity-focused skincare from Estee Lauder, while Double Wear Concealer has emerged as a top-performing product in U.S. prestige makeup. The Ordinary continues to benefit from its science-led positioning, and TOM FORD is gaining traction through on-trend launches in makeup and fragrance. In hair care, Aveda’s Miraculous Oil has become a leading product, reflecting the impact of targeted, high-impact innovation.
Estee Lauder is also reshaping its distribution and operating model to support long-term growth. The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company is expanding across high-growth channels such as Amazon Premium Beauty, TikTok Shop and specialty retail, including M·A·C’s entry into Sephora in the United States, while optimizing its physical store footprint. At the same time, cost efficiencies from its restructuring program are being reinvested into consumer-facing initiatives. Partnerships with technology leaders are enabling a more agile, digitally integrated and scalable business model. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Ulta Beauty plays an important role in the U.S. beauty market because it connects shoppers with brands across mass, prestige and emerging categories in one place. As beauty buying becomes more digital, trend-driven and personalized, the company is using its scale, loyalty ecosystem and “Ulta Beauty Unleashed” strategy to strengthen its position as a leading beauty destination. Management said that fiscal 2025 included market-share gains in both mass and prestige beauty, supported by guest-facing investments, strong holiday execution and continued momentum across channels.
A major part of that strategy is expanding and refreshing the assortment with new brands and product launches. ULTA added more than 100 brands in fiscal 2025, including Moroccanoil, amika, medicube, isima and TIRTIR while driving excitement through launches such as Fenty’s Diamond Collection and Beyonce’s Cecred, which management described as its largest prestige haircare launch. The company also highlighted strong traction in fragrance from brands like YSL, Prada, NOYZ and Snif, as well as in skincare from Peach & Lily, ANUA and DRMTLGY, showing its focus on fast-growing niches such as K-beauty, prestige haircare and wellness.
The Zacks Rank #3 company is also stepping up investments in technology, channel expansion and infrastructure to strengthen customer engagement and improve execution. Initiatives such as Replenish & Save, Wishlist, Split Cart and AI-powered personalization, along with plans to launch on TikTok Shop and expand UB Marketplace, underscore this direction. Beyond its core U.S. operations, Ulta Beauty is broadening its footprint through Space NK, Mexico and the Middle East while advancing supply-chain automation and building a new regional distribution center. These moves indicate that ULTA is evolving beyond a traditional retailer into a more diversified beauty platform.
As the beauty and cosmetics industry shifts toward science-led formulations, sustainability and enhanced sensory experiences, International Flavors & Fragrances is emerging as a key enabler behind the scenes. While not consumer-facing, IFF plays a critical role in supplying fragrance, ingredients and formulation technologies that help global beauty brands differentiate their products. The company’s strategy is increasingly centered on high-value, innovation-driven businesses, aligning well with the industry’s move toward premiumization and performance-based beauty.
A major area of focus is the transformation of its Scent segment, where IFF is benefiting from strong demand in fine fragrances, particularly within prestige beauty. At the same time, the Zacks Rank #3 company is actively shifting its portfolio away from lower-margin commodity fragrance ingredients toward higher-value specialty ingredients. This transition is supported by investments in R&D, naturals and advanced chemistry, enabling International Flavors & Fragrances to develop differentiated scent profiles and improve product performance while aligning with evolving consumer preferences around quality and sustainability.
Innovation, especially through biotechnology, is central to IFF’s long-term positioning in beauty and personal care. The company is leveraging its capabilities to develop new molecules, sustainable ingredients and advanced delivery systems, including biodegradable encapsulation technologies that enhance fragrance longevity while reducing environmental impact. These efforts are supported by ongoing investments in innovation, commercial capabilities and manufacturing capacity, positioning IFF to partner more closely with beauty brands on next-generation product development and capture higher-value opportunities across the cosmetics ecosystem.
Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
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This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

3 Beauty Stocks to Watch as Innovation and Premiumization Fuel Growth

Investors in The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. EL need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Jun 18, 2026 $25.00 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.
What is Implied Volatility?
Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.
What do the Analysts Think?
Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for The Estee Lauder Companies shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, The Estee Lauder Companies is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) in the Cosmetics industry that ranks in the Bottom 12% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 60 days, noanalyst has increased his earnings estimate for the current quarter, while seven have dropped their estimates. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter from 73 cents per shareto 67cents in that period.
Given the way analysts feel about The Estee Lauder Companies right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.
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Do Options Traders Know Something About The Estee Lauder Companies Stock We Don't?

The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. EL continues to draw much of its recent business strength from two core categories, skin care and fragrance. Both have remained important growth drivers for the company, backed by new products, premium brand appeal and steady demand in several markets.
This backdrop is especially notable as EL has confirmed that it is in talks over a possible business combination with Puig. The companies are discussing a potential merger of their businesses, although nothing has been finalized, and no agreement has been reached. The update comes at a time when EL is showing clear traction in some of its strongest areas.
For the second quarter of fiscal 2026, The Estee Lauder Companies’ organic net sales rose 4%, helped by 6% growth in both skin care and fragrance. Skin care brought in $2,054 million in sales, with support from brands such as La Mer, Estee Lauder and The Ordinary. Growth in the category was supported by innovation, holiday selling and consumer-focused spending. Fragrance posted sales of $812 million, led by luxury names, including TOM FORD, Le Labo and KILIAN PARIS, along with product launches and broader consumer reach.
The broader business mix points to the same trend. The Estee Lauder Companies’ fragrance has been performing well across regions, helped by healthy retail demand and wider distribution. Skin care has also held up well, supported by strong franchise brands and a steady flow of innovation.
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EL has also been putting more investments behind consumer-facing initiatives while broadening its presence across online and in-store channels. Those moves have supported performance in its stronger categories and helped the company gain share in important markets.
Overall, the picture remains fairly focused. The Estee Lauder Companies’ recent momentum is being led by skin care and fragrance, which continue to stand out as the company’s main areas of strength at this stage.
Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have risen 9.2% in the past year against the industry’s decline of 7.6%.
Stocks Worth Considering
Columbia Sportswear Company COLM, which designs, develops, markets and distributes outdoor, active and lifestyle products, sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. COLM delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 25.2%, on average. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Columbia Sportswear’s current fiscal-year sales calls for growth of nearly 2%, while estimates for earnings suggest a 6.2% decline from the year-ago figure.
Ralph Lauren Corporation RL, which designs, markets and distributes lifestyle products, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). RL delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 9.7%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ralph Lauren’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings suggests growth of 12.4% and 31.8%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.
Kontoor Brands KTB, a lifestyle apparel company, currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. KTB delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 13.9%, on average.
The consensus estimate for Kontoor Brands’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings suggests growth of 9.2% and 15.6%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.
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	S/L 5%RUB 73.24	S/L 10%RUB 69.39	S/L 15%RUB 65.54
Day	30.99%	0.72%	0.00%
Week	64.97%	22.94%	4.63%
Month	82.46%	55.76%	33.09%

Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. (The)

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