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BP highlighted as Zacks Bull and MasterCraft Boat Bear of the Day
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For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – October 6, 2026 – Zacks Equity Research shares BP p.l.c. (BP - Free Report) as the Bull of the Day and MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc. (MCFT - Free Report) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Target Corp. (TGT - Free Report) , Walmart Inc. (WMT - Free Report) and Dollar General Corp. (DG - Free Report)
BP p.l.c. has a new CEO and a strategy to reduce debt as oil prices remain high. Analysts are raising 2026 earnings estimates again on this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
BP is a global energy company with oil and natural gas exploration and production, refining, service stations, EV charging, and convenience stores, as well as supply, trading, and shipping.
It’s global brands include bp, bp connect, bp pulse, Castrol, Aral, Amoco, AMPM convenience stores, Thorntons, wildbean café, Air bp, and TravelCenters of America.
BP Beat Again in the Second Quarter of 2026
On Aug 4, 2026, BP reported its second quarter 2026 results and beat on the Zacks Consensus Estimate by $0.24. Earnings were $2.22 versus the consensus of $1.98.
It was the company’s fifth consecutive earnings beat.
This was also the first full quarter for the new CEO Meg O’Neill, who took the helm in April of 2026.
There’s a new strategy to pay down the debt and achieve a more attractive balance sheet.
In the second quarter, net debt fell to $22.25 billion from $25.3 billion at the end of the first quarter.
BP is also divesting some business segments. It reached an agreement to sell the Austrian retail business, completed the sale of the Gelsenkirchen refinery in German, is actively looking to off load the North Sea business and Archaea Energy, the biogas business it acquired in 2022 for $4.1 billion.
Analysts Raise 2026 Earnings Estimates This Week
With WTI crude remaining around $90 and Brent around $100, it appears that oil will remain higher for longer. That means higher earnings for BP.
The analysts are bullish.
Three earnings estimates were raised for 2026 in the last week. That pushed the Zacks Consensus up to $7.28 from $6.74 in the last seven days.
But the most accurate estimate is calling for $7.37, which is higher than the Zacks Consensus.
This is earnings growth of 152.8% as BP made just $2.88 last year.
BP Remains a Value Stock
Shares of BP have rallied this year, gaining 24.5% but it’s been a volatile ride as you can see from the chart.
It’s a cheap stock. BP has a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) of 6.2. A P/E under 10 means a company is dirt cheap.
The company also has other value fundamentals such as a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 0.5. A P/S ratio under 1.0 means you are getting $1.00 worth of sales for just $0.50.
BP is also shareholder friendly. It suspended its share repurchases earlier this year in order to pay down debt.
But it’s still paying a dividend of $2.06 a year, which is yielding 4.6%.
For investors looking for a way to play higher oil and refined products prices, BP should be on your short list.
MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc. is trying to come back from several years of declining earnings. This Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) is expected to see earnings grow 5.7% this fiscal year.
MasterCraft Boat is a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of recreational powerboats. It has five brands including MasterCraft, Crest, Balise, Chaparral, and Robalo.
It has over 500 global dealer locations.
MasterCraft Has Beat on Earnings Every Quarter for 5 Years
MasterCraft is an earnings all-star. It hasn’t missed on earnings for the last 5 years. That’s impressive for any company.
On Sep 10, 2026, MasterCraft reported its fourth quarter 2026 and full year 2026 results and beat again.
It reported $0.67 versus the Zacks Consensus of $0.61.
In the quarter the company closed on the Marine Products Transaction. But excluding that contribution, net sales in the fourth quarter still rose 21.5%, or $17.1 million, year-over-year.
For the full year, net sales rose 11%, excluding the Marine Products Transaction, to $348.9 million.
“Fiscal 2026 was a defining year for MasterCraft Boat Holdings. Strong execution across our legacy business drove results to significantly outperform expectations despite a challenging retail environment,” said Brad Nelson, Chief Executive Officer.
Analysts Cut Full Year Fiscal 2027 Earnings Estimates
Two estimates were cut in the last 30 days for fiscal 2027. The F2027 Zacks Consensus has fallen to $1.86 from $2.02.
That would normally be the reason as to why MasterCraft Boat is a Zacks Strong Sell. The two analysts are in agreement and cutting earnings estimates.
But MasterCraft is switching from the fiscal year to the calendar year. That means there will be two quarters of this transitional period.
Analysts Bearish on Q1 of the Transition Period
MasterCraft gave an outlook for the transition period including the first quarter, which we’re in right now.
It gave a forecast of adjusted earnings of $0.40. This is now under the Zacks Consensus Estimate, which is at $0.44 with three estimates being revised higher in the last 30 days.
The company also gave a two-quarter transition period guidance of $0.66 to $0.76. But if you add up the current two quarter Zacks Consensus Estimates you get $0.85.
That’s way beyond the company’s guidance range.
MasterCraft Shares Sold Off Again
MasterCraft is a small cap company with a market cap of just $489 million. That means it’s likely more volatile and we can see that over the last few years.
Shares are down again in the last 3 months, falling 17.4%.
Is MasterCraft cheap?
It trades with a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) of 10.8. A P/E of 10 and under is usually considered dirt cheap and it’s hanging out right near the 10 level.
Like many small cap companies, MasterCraft does not pay dividends.
The earnings estimates are a bit confusing right now as it transitions to a calendar year.
But we do know that earnings were in the red in fiscal 2024 and 2025 before turning around in a big way in fiscal 2026 when they finally popped 91.3%.
Is the worst over?
If I were an investor interested in MasterCraft and its other brands, I would wait on the sidelines for further confirmation about the company’s mergers and acquisitions and the direction of earnings.
Additional content:
Target's $5 Billion Capex Plan Puts Stores & Technology in Focus
Target Corp. is increasing capital investments to strengthen its store network, supply chain and technology capabilities. The retailer expects capital expenditures of approximately $5 billion in fiscal 2026, with spending directed toward strategic priorities that include new stores, full-store remodels and technology upgrades. Through the first half, Target deployed about $2.4 billion in capital expenditures, up nearly 30% from a year ago.
Store investments remain central to the plan. Target opened 17 new stores in the second quarter, bringing the first-half total count to 24. It also had more than 100 full-store remodels underway, moving toward roughly 130 for the year. Management views these investments as important not only for improving the in-store experience but also for supporting fulfillment, as stores handle more than 95% of the company’s sales.
In tandem with store capital, Target is accelerating its digital and technology capabilities. The company is modernizing its technology foundation to personalize experiences across stores and digital channels, strengthen its retail media business, and help merchants identify and respond to emerging trends faster. Target has partnered with OpenAI, Google Gemini and other leading platforms as it explores the future of agentic commerce. Management said digital traffic sourced from external AI platforms is growing more than 3.5 times the industry rate versus a year ago.
On the operational side, Target is investing in Proxima, a digital twin of its middle-mile inventory positioning system. The tool lets teams test and iterate inventory-flow plans before implementation, assess potential downstream effects and make inventory decisions with greater confidence. Target also said it fulfilled nearly 30% more same-day and next-day units in the second quarter than a year earlier, underscoring how technology, inventory reliability and network investments are being used together to improve speed and execution.
By balancing physical store expansion with investments in digital and supply-chain infrastructure, Target’s capital expenditure plan is strengthening its operating network to support faster fulfillment, greater inventory reliability and improved service across guest touchpoints.
WMT & DG Step Up Capex Across Stores, Supply Chain and Tech
Walmart Inc. is also leaning heavily into capital investment, raising its fiscal 2027 capital expenditure outlook to about 4% of net sales from roughly 3.5% earlier. Walmart said higher spending is supporting its omnichannel growth strategy, with investments across automation, technology, fulfillment capacity and its physical network. Walmart expects these investments to improve inventory flow, speed, in-stock levels and fulfillment economics, reinforcing Walmart’s broader push toward faster, tech-enabled retail operations.
Dollar General Corp.expects fiscal 2026 capital expenditures of $1.4-$1.5 billion, with management directing spending toward store growth, remodels, supply-chain projects and technology. Through the 26 weeks ended July 31, 2026, Dollar General spent about $758 million, including $414 million on existing-store upgrades and remodels, $168 million on distribution and transportation projects, and $31 million on information systems and technology. Dollar General also plans about 4,730 real-estate projects during the year.
How Does Target Stack Up Against Its Industry?
Target has seen its shares rally 23.7% over the past three months against the industry’s 2.4% decline.
What Does Target’s Current Valuation Suggest?
From a valuation standpoint, Target's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 15.99, lower than the industry’s 27.16. However, the stock is trading above its 12-month median level of 14.87.
What Do Earnings Estimates Signal for Target?
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Target’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 5.1% and 37.8%, respectively. For the next fiscal year, the consensus estimate indicates a 3.1% rise in sales but a decline of 9.5% in earnings per share.
Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.
Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.
Zacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss.This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
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BP highlighted as Zacks Bull and MasterCraft Boat Bear of the Day
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – October 6, 2026 – Zacks Equity Research shares BP p.l.c. (BP - Free Report) as the Bull of the Day and MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc. (MCFT - Free Report) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Target Corp. (TGT - Free Report) , Walmart Inc. (WMT - Free Report) and Dollar General Corp. (DG - Free Report)
Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:
Bull of the Day:
BP p.l.c. has a new CEO and a strategy to reduce debt as oil prices remain high. Analysts are raising 2026 earnings estimates again on this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
BP is a global energy company with oil and natural gas exploration and production, refining, service stations, EV charging, and convenience stores, as well as supply, trading, and shipping.
It’s global brands include bp, bp connect, bp pulse, Castrol, Aral, Amoco, AMPM convenience stores, Thorntons, wildbean café, Air bp, and TravelCenters of America.
BP Beat Again in the Second Quarter of 2026
On Aug 4, 2026, BP reported its second quarter 2026 results and beat on the Zacks Consensus Estimate by $0.24. Earnings were $2.22 versus the consensus of $1.98.
It was the company’s fifth consecutive earnings beat.
This was also the first full quarter for the new CEO Meg O’Neill, who took the helm in April of 2026.
There’s a new strategy to pay down the debt and achieve a more attractive balance sheet.
In the second quarter, net debt fell to $22.25 billion from $25.3 billion at the end of the first quarter.
BP is also divesting some business segments. It reached an agreement to sell the Austrian retail business, completed the sale of the Gelsenkirchen refinery in German, is actively looking to off load the North Sea business and Archaea Energy, the biogas business it acquired in 2022 for $4.1 billion.
Analysts Raise 2026 Earnings Estimates This Week
With WTI crude remaining around $90 and Brent around $100, it appears that oil will remain higher for longer. That means higher earnings for BP.
The analysts are bullish.
Three earnings estimates were raised for 2026 in the last week. That pushed the Zacks Consensus up to $7.28 from $6.74 in the last seven days.
But the most accurate estimate is calling for $7.37, which is higher than the Zacks Consensus.
This is earnings growth of 152.8% as BP made just $2.88 last year.
BP Remains a Value Stock
Shares of BP have rallied this year, gaining 24.5% but it’s been a volatile ride as you can see from the chart.
It’s a cheap stock. BP has a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) of 6.2. A P/E under 10 means a company is dirt cheap.
The company also has other value fundamentals such as a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 0.5. A P/S ratio under 1.0 means you are getting $1.00 worth of sales for just $0.50.
BP is also shareholder friendly. It suspended its share repurchases earlier this year in order to pay down debt.
But it’s still paying a dividend of $2.06 a year, which is yielding 4.6%.
For investors looking for a way to play higher oil and refined products prices, BP should be on your short list.
Bear of the Day:
MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc. is trying to come back from several years of declining earnings. This Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) is expected to see earnings grow 5.7% this fiscal year.
MasterCraft Boat is a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of recreational powerboats. It has five brands including MasterCraft, Crest, Balise, Chaparral, and Robalo.
It has over 500 global dealer locations.
MasterCraft Has Beat on Earnings Every Quarter for 5 Years
MasterCraft is an earnings all-star. It hasn’t missed on earnings for the last 5 years. That’s impressive for any company.
On Sep 10, 2026, MasterCraft reported its fourth quarter 2026 and full year 2026 results and beat again.
It reported $0.67 versus the Zacks Consensus of $0.61.
In the quarter the company closed on the Marine Products Transaction. But excluding that contribution, net sales in the fourth quarter still rose 21.5%, or $17.1 million, year-over-year.
For the full year, net sales rose 11%, excluding the Marine Products Transaction, to $348.9 million.
“Fiscal 2026 was a defining year for MasterCraft Boat Holdings. Strong execution across our legacy business drove results to significantly outperform expectations despite a challenging retail environment,” said Brad Nelson, Chief Executive Officer.
Analysts Cut Full Year Fiscal 2027 Earnings Estimates
Two estimates were cut in the last 30 days for fiscal 2027. The F2027 Zacks Consensus has fallen to $1.86 from $2.02.
That would normally be the reason as to why MasterCraft Boat is a Zacks Strong Sell. The two analysts are in agreement and cutting earnings estimates.
But MasterCraft is switching from the fiscal year to the calendar year. That means there will be two quarters of this transitional period.
Analysts Bearish on Q1 of the Transition Period
MasterCraft gave an outlook for the transition period including the first quarter, which we’re in right now.
It gave a forecast of adjusted earnings of $0.40. This is now under the Zacks Consensus Estimate, which is at $0.44 with three estimates being revised higher in the last 30 days.
The company also gave a two-quarter transition period guidance of $0.66 to $0.76. But if you add up the current two quarter Zacks Consensus Estimates you get $0.85.
That’s way beyond the company’s guidance range.
MasterCraft Shares Sold Off Again
MasterCraft is a small cap company with a market cap of just $489 million. That means it’s likely more volatile and we can see that over the last few years.
Shares are down again in the last 3 months, falling 17.4%.
Is MasterCraft cheap?
It trades with a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) of 10.8. A P/E of 10 and under is usually considered dirt cheap and it’s hanging out right near the 10 level.
Like many small cap companies, MasterCraft does not pay dividends.
The earnings estimates are a bit confusing right now as it transitions to a calendar year.
But we do know that earnings were in the red in fiscal 2024 and 2025 before turning around in a big way in fiscal 2026 when they finally popped 91.3%.
Is the worst over?
If I were an investor interested in MasterCraft and its other brands, I would wait on the sidelines for further confirmation about the company’s mergers and acquisitions and the direction of earnings.
Additional content:
Target's $5 Billion Capex Plan Puts Stores & Technology in Focus
Target Corp. is increasing capital investments to strengthen its store network, supply chain and technology capabilities. The retailer expects capital expenditures of approximately $5 billion in fiscal 2026, with spending directed toward strategic priorities that include new stores, full-store remodels and technology upgrades. Through the first half, Target deployed about $2.4 billion in capital expenditures, up nearly 30% from a year ago.
Store investments remain central to the plan. Target opened 17 new stores in the second quarter, bringing the first-half total count to 24. It also had more than 100 full-store remodels underway, moving toward roughly 130 for the year. Management views these investments as important not only for improving the in-store experience but also for supporting fulfillment, as stores handle more than 95% of the company’s sales.
In tandem with store capital, Target is accelerating its digital and technology capabilities. The company is modernizing its technology foundation to personalize experiences across stores and digital channels, strengthen its retail media business, and help merchants identify and respond to emerging trends faster. Target has partnered with OpenAI, Google Gemini and other leading platforms as it explores the future of agentic commerce. Management said digital traffic sourced from external AI platforms is growing more than 3.5 times the industry rate versus a year ago.
On the operational side, Target is investing in Proxima, a digital twin of its middle-mile inventory positioning system. The tool lets teams test and iterate inventory-flow plans before implementation, assess potential downstream effects and make inventory decisions with greater confidence. Target also said it fulfilled nearly 30% more same-day and next-day units in the second quarter than a year earlier, underscoring how technology, inventory reliability and network investments are being used together to improve speed and execution.
By balancing physical store expansion with investments in digital and supply-chain infrastructure, Target’s capital expenditure plan is strengthening its operating network to support faster fulfillment, greater inventory reliability and improved service across guest touchpoints.
WMT & DG Step Up Capex Across Stores, Supply Chain and Tech
Walmart Inc. is also leaning heavily into capital investment, raising its fiscal 2027 capital expenditure outlook to about 4% of net sales from roughly 3.5% earlier. Walmart said higher spending is supporting its omnichannel growth strategy, with investments across automation, technology, fulfillment capacity and its physical network. Walmart expects these investments to improve inventory flow, speed, in-stock levels and fulfillment economics, reinforcing Walmart’s broader push toward faster, tech-enabled retail operations.
Dollar General Corp.expects fiscal 2026 capital expenditures of $1.4-$1.5 billion, with management directing spending toward store growth, remodels, supply-chain projects and technology. Through the 26 weeks ended July 31, 2026, Dollar General spent about $758 million, including $414 million on existing-store upgrades and remodels, $168 million on distribution and transportation projects, and $31 million on information systems and technology. Dollar General also plans about 4,730 real-estate projects during the year.
How Does Target Stack Up Against Its Industry?
Target has seen its shares rally 23.7% over the past three months against the industry’s 2.4% decline.
What Does Target’s Current Valuation Suggest?
From a valuation standpoint, Target's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 15.99, lower than the industry’s 27.16. However, the stock is trading above its 12-month median level of 14.87.
What Do Earnings Estimates Signal for Target?
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Target’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 5.1% and 37.8%, respectively. For the next fiscal year, the consensus estimate indicates a 3.1% rise in sales but a decline of 9.5% in earnings per share.
Target currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?
Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.
Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.
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Zacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss.This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.