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Nucor and Prudential Financial have been highlighted as Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day
Read MoreHide Full Article
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – November 5, 2026 – Zacks Equity Research shares Nucor (NUE - Free Report) as the Bull of the Day and Prudential Financial (PRU - Free Report) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD - Free Report) and NVIDIA Corp. (NVDA - Free Report) .
Nucor, is a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and the largest U.S. steel producer, operating scrap-fed electric arc furnace mills nationwide.
The company topped Q3 estimates on record shipments and a sharp pricing rebound, driving shares to all-time highs. With the CEO calling demand the strongest in 31 years, the outlook remains bullish.
About the Company
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Nucor operates through three segments. Steel mills are its earnings engine, while steel products include joists, decking, rebar fabrication and building systems. Raw materials cover scrap recycling and direct reduced iron.
The company is valued at $62 billion and has a Forward PE of 12. The stock has Zacks Style Scores of "C" in Value, "B" in Growth, and "B" in Momentum. Nucor has paid 214 consecutive quarterly dividends, with its current $0.56 payout scheduled for November 10.
Earnings Beat
Nucor delivered a strong third quarter, with EPS of $5.80 topping estimates and more than doubling year over year. Revenue reached $11.25 billion, while adjusted EBITDA climbed to $2.28 billion. Mill utilization was 89%, reflecting strong production levels.
The downstream steel products business was the standout, as pricing finally caught up with higher input costs. Segment pricing rose 7% sequentially, expanding EBITDA margins by approximately 200 basis points.
Management expects fourth quarter earnings to be in line with or modestly above Q3, as higher pricing offsets fewer shipping days and planned outages. Full-year steel mill shipment growth is now expected toward the upper end of its 5% to 10% range, with the CEO anticipating a financially stronger 2027.
Demand remains broad-based across heavy equipment, energy, manufacturing, defense and digital infrastructure. Automotive sheet shipments are up 4% despite flat North American vehicle production, while a new GM SUV contract marks a win in a market traditionally dominated by integrated mills.
Growth Projects Ramping
Nucor's West Virginia sheet mill remains on time and budget, with first coils expected by December and utilization targeting 50% by year-end 2027. Its new 500,000-ton automotive galvanizing line in Berkeley began production in October, targeting 50% utilization by Q2 2027 and full run rate by year-end.
The company generated $2.7 billion in free cash flow through the first nine months and returned nearly $1.4 billion to shareholders. Capital spending should fall from roughly $2.5 billion in 2026, supporting stronger cash generation in 2027.
Nucor targets returning at least 40% of net earnings to shareholders and will return excess cash when attractive growth opportunities are unavailable.
Estimates Are Rising
Analysts earnings estimates are going higher across the board.
For the current quarter, estimates have been taken from $4.52 to $5.62 over the last 90 days. That's a jump of 24%.
For the current year, we see a move of 10% higher over that same time frame, with numbers going from $17.86 to $19.61. And the momentum continues for next year, with estimates up 16% over the last 90 days.
Price targets are going higher as well, with Wells Fargo hiking to $305, Barclays to $320 and JP Morgan at $304. Goldman Sachs reiterated its Buy rating, lifting its price target to $335 from $302.
The Technical Take
Since March, the stock has been very strong moving from the $160 area to an all-time high of $287 this week. Investors will now look if there is follow through higher or if a pullback is warranted.
For those looking for entries into the name, let's look at those moving averages:
21-day: $261
50-day: $256
200-day: $225
In Summary
Nucor has a powerful combination of catalysts: record shipments, expanding downstream margins, major growth projects coming online and strong demand across data centers, infrastructure and manufacturing.
With capital spending set to decline,free cash flow poised to climb and the CEO expecting an even stronger 2027, this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) steel leader has plenty of room to keep building on its momentum.
Prudential Financial, a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), is one of the largest life insurers and asset managers in the U.S.
Its third-quarter earnings beat expectations, but the headline number masks a deteriorating picture. Revenue missed, earnings declined sharply year over year and Japan remains a growing headache.
With the stock trading near all-time highs after earnings, investors might want to take profits.
About the Company
Prudential is based in Newark, New Jersey, and operates through three main units:
-PGIM, its global asset manager.
-U.S. businesses spanning retirement, annuities, group insurance and individual life.
-International operations, led by Japan.
Assets under management and administration total $1.81 trillion. The quarterly dividend is $1.40 per share.
The company is valued at $41 billion and has a forward PE of 14. The stock has Zacks Style Scores of "B" in Value, "D" in Growth, and "D" in Momentum.
A Beat on a Lowered Bar
Adjusted operating EPS of $3.77 topped the $3.31 consensus. but fell from $4.26 a year ago. Revenue declined 14.3% year over year to $13.49 billion and missed estimates by 3.35%. Net premiums earned dropped 43% to $5.89 billion. Adjusted book value per share edged up to $102.39 from $99.25.
Management was clear about what held the quarter back: lower Japan earnings more than offset solid results in PGIM and the U.S. businesses.
Shares moved 5% higher after the report.
The Japan Problem Isn't Going Away
Prudential of Japan voluntarily halted new sales in February after employee misconduct involving inappropriate investment solicitations. In April, the company extended that pause to November 5. It estimated a 2026 pretax earnings hit of $525 million to $575 million and about $1 billion in total including 2027. It also withdrew its 5% to 8% intermediate-term EPS growth target.
The regulator has since taken the decision out of management's hands. In October, Japan's Financial Services Agency barred Prudential of Japan from new business until January 31, 2027. It also partially suspended Gibraltar Life's captive Life Consultant sales channel.
Management still describes the broader Japan platform as resilient, but Gibraltar had been carved out of the original suspension. Even after sales resume, the ramp-up costs and lost business will weigh on 2027.
Estimates Moving Lower
Estimate revisions were trending lower heading into the report. The current quarter consensus sits at $3.03 per share, and the full-year number is $13.51. The longer Japan freeze, the Gibraltar restrictions and the earnings lost to divestitures point to more cuts ahead.
Investors need to keep an eye on these numbers going forward, especially to justify the up move after the print.
Technicals
The chart looks good, as the stock is trading near all-time highs. The issue here is that whenever PUR hits the $120-30 level, it's sold off. Considering the issues spelled out below, investors should look to take profits and enter at lower levels.
The 50-day MA is at $115, while the 200-day is $109.
In Summary
Annuity sales and PGIM flows are moving in the right direction, and a 4%-plus dividend yield will tempt income investors. But the Japan remediation keeps getting longer and wider, revenue is shrinking, the growth target is gone and divestitures are cutting into the earnings base.
Until estimates stop falling, Prudential is a stock to avoid.
Additional content:
AMD Stock: Buy, Hold or Sell After 97% AI Data Center Growth?
Strong third-quarter performance and a robust fourth-quarter outlook underscore Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.'s growing presence in the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence (AI) market. While rising demand for AMD's advanced data center solutions supports growth, weakness in the gaming segment and valuation concerns remain major apprehensions for investors. Against this backdrop, is AMD stock a buy, hold, or sell now? Let's take a closer look –
AMD's AI Boom Drives Record Growth and Strong Q4 Outlook
AMD is rapidly expanding its business, with third-quarter revenues of $13.38 billion, up 45% year over year and 16% sequentially, according to the company's Nov. 3 press release. The most striking part is the company's Data Center segment, where revenues jumped 97% year over year to a record $8.5 billion, making it the company's primary growth engine. This strong growth was driven by robust demand for AMD's Instinct GPUs, EPYC CPUs, and integrated rack-scale AI systems.
Alongside NVIDIA Corp., AMD has now strengthened its position as an alternative supplier of AI infrastructure. Additionally, the company's profitability is growing faster than revenues, indicating positive operating leverage. Its operating income soared 123%, highlighting improving operational efficiency, while non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of $2.09 increased 74% year over year. Higher earnings growth could provide meaningful support to AMD's long-term price appreciation.
AMD's fourth-quarter guidance is also strong. The company expects revenues of $17 billion, plus or minus 3%, in the fourth quarter, up 66% year over year and a sequential rise of approximately 27%. This indicates that management is confident that demand for AMD's AI and Data Center products will remain strong.
AMD Stock After Earnings: Buy, Hold or Sell Now????
Strong third-quarter results indicate that AMD is significantly benefiting from the AI infrastructure boom. Its accelerating Data Center business and improving profitability highlight its growing competitiveness in AI infrastructure. Furthermore, management expects revenue growth in the fourth quarter. All these should encourage stakeholders to stay invested.???
However, new investors should exercise caution before investing in AMD stock. This is because its strong earnings growth in the third quarter was partially impacted by the weakness in the gaming business. Moreover, the non-GAAP gross margin for the fourth quarter is projected to be approximately 55%, which is slightly less than the reported 56% in the third quarter, signaling potential profitability headwinds.
Finally, AMD's elevated valuation remains another major concern, leaving the stock highly sensitive to negative sentiment and potential steep declines during a broader market correction. AMD seems significantly overvalued compared to its peers. It has a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 64.09 compared to the Computer - Integrated Systems industry's 13.99.???
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/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
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Nucor and Prudential Financial have been highlighted as Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – November 5, 2026 – Zacks Equity Research shares Nucor (NUE - Free Report) as the Bull of the Day and Prudential Financial (PRU - Free Report) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD - Free Report) and NVIDIA Corp. (NVDA - Free Report) .
Here is a synopsis of all four stocks:
Bull of the Day:
Nucor, is a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and the largest U.S. steel producer, operating scrap-fed electric arc furnace mills nationwide.
The company topped Q3 estimates on record shipments and a sharp pricing rebound, driving shares to all-time highs. With the CEO calling demand the strongest in 31 years, the outlook remains bullish.
About the Company
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Nucor operates through three segments. Steel mills are its earnings engine, while steel products include joists, decking, rebar fabrication and building systems. Raw materials cover scrap recycling and direct reduced iron.
The company is valued at $62 billion and has a Forward PE of 12. The stock has Zacks Style Scores of "C" in Value, "B" in Growth, and "B" in Momentum. Nucor has paid 214 consecutive quarterly dividends, with its current $0.56 payout scheduled for November 10.
Earnings Beat
Nucor delivered a strong third quarter, with EPS of $5.80 topping estimates and more than doubling year over year. Revenue reached $11.25 billion, while adjusted EBITDA climbed to $2.28 billion. Mill utilization was 89%, reflecting strong production levels.
The downstream steel products business was the standout, as pricing finally caught up with higher input costs. Segment pricing rose 7% sequentially, expanding EBITDA margins by approximately 200 basis points.
Management expects fourth quarter earnings to be in line with or modestly above Q3, as higher pricing offsets fewer shipping days and planned outages. Full-year steel mill shipment growth is now expected toward the upper end of its 5% to 10% range, with the CEO anticipating a financially stronger 2027.
Demand remains broad-based across heavy equipment, energy, manufacturing, defense and digital infrastructure. Automotive sheet shipments are up 4% despite flat North American vehicle production, while a new GM SUV contract marks a win in a market traditionally dominated by integrated mills.
Growth Projects Ramping
Nucor's West Virginia sheet mill remains on time and budget, with first coils expected by December and utilization targeting 50% by year-end 2027. Its new 500,000-ton automotive galvanizing line in Berkeley began production in October, targeting 50% utilization by Q2 2027 and full run rate by year-end.
The company generated $2.7 billion in free cash flow through the first nine months and returned nearly $1.4 billion to shareholders. Capital spending should fall from roughly $2.5 billion in 2026, supporting stronger cash generation in 2027.
Nucor targets returning at least 40% of net earnings to shareholders and will return excess cash when attractive growth opportunities are unavailable.
Estimates Are Rising
Analysts earnings estimates are going higher across the board.
For the current quarter, estimates have been taken from $4.52 to $5.62 over the last 90 days. That's a jump of 24%.
For the current year, we see a move of 10% higher over that same time frame, with numbers going from $17.86 to $19.61. And the momentum continues for next year, with estimates up 16% over the last 90 days.
Price targets are going higher as well, with Wells Fargo hiking to $305, Barclays to $320 and JP Morgan at $304. Goldman Sachs reiterated its Buy rating, lifting its price target to $335 from $302.
The Technical Take
Since March, the stock has been very strong moving from the $160 area to an all-time high of $287 this week. Investors will now look if there is follow through higher or if a pullback is warranted.
For those looking for entries into the name, let's look at those moving averages:
21-day: $261
50-day: $256
200-day: $225
In Summary
Nucor has a powerful combination of catalysts: record shipments, expanding downstream margins, major growth projects coming online and strong demand across data centers, infrastructure and manufacturing.
With capital spending set to decline,free cash flow poised to climb and the CEO expecting an even stronger 2027, this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) steel leader has plenty of room to keep building on its momentum.
Bear of the Day:
Prudential Financial, a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), is one of the largest life insurers and asset managers in the U.S.
Its third-quarter earnings beat expectations, but the headline number masks a deteriorating picture. Revenue missed, earnings declined sharply year over year and Japan remains a growing headache.
With the stock trading near all-time highs after earnings, investors might want to take profits.
About the Company
Prudential is based in Newark, New Jersey, and operates through three main units:
-PGIM, its global asset manager.
-U.S. businesses spanning retirement, annuities, group insurance and individual life.
-International operations, led by Japan.
Assets under management and administration total $1.81 trillion. The quarterly dividend is $1.40 per share.
The company is valued at $41 billion and has a forward PE of 14. The stock has Zacks Style Scores of "B" in Value, "D" in Growth, and "D" in Momentum.
A Beat on a Lowered Bar
Adjusted operating EPS of $3.77 topped the $3.31 consensus. but fell from $4.26 a year ago. Revenue declined 14.3% year over year to $13.49 billion and missed estimates by 3.35%. Net premiums earned dropped 43% to $5.89 billion. Adjusted book value per share edged up to $102.39 from $99.25.
Management was clear about what held the quarter back: lower Japan earnings more than offset solid results in PGIM and the U.S. businesses.
Shares moved 5% higher after the report.
The Japan Problem Isn't Going Away
Prudential of Japan voluntarily halted new sales in February after employee misconduct involving inappropriate investment solicitations. In April, the company extended that pause to November 5. It estimated a 2026 pretax earnings hit of $525 million to $575 million and about $1 billion in total including 2027. It also withdrew its 5% to 8% intermediate-term EPS growth target.
The regulator has since taken the decision out of management's hands. In October, Japan's Financial Services Agency barred Prudential of Japan from new business until January 31, 2027. It also partially suspended Gibraltar Life's captive Life Consultant sales channel.
Management still describes the broader Japan platform as resilient, but Gibraltar had been carved out of the original suspension. Even after sales resume, the ramp-up costs and lost business will weigh on 2027.
Estimates Moving Lower
Estimate revisions were trending lower heading into the report. The current quarter consensus sits at $3.03 per share, and the full-year number is $13.51. The longer Japan freeze, the Gibraltar restrictions and the earnings lost to divestitures point to more cuts ahead.
Investors need to keep an eye on these numbers going forward, especially to justify the up move after the print.
Technicals
The chart looks good, as the stock is trading near all-time highs. The issue here is that whenever PUR hits the $120-30 level, it's sold off. Considering the issues spelled out below, investors should look to take profits and enter at lower levels.
The 50-day MA is at $115, while the 200-day is $109.
In Summary
Annuity sales and PGIM flows are moving in the right direction, and a 4%-plus dividend yield will tempt income investors. But the Japan remediation keeps getting longer and wider, revenue is shrinking, the growth target is gone and divestitures are cutting into the earnings base.
Until estimates stop falling, Prudential is a stock to avoid.
Additional content:
AMD Stock: Buy, Hold or Sell After 97% AI Data Center Growth?
Strong third-quarter performance and a robust fourth-quarter outlook underscore Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.'s growing presence in the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence (AI) market. While rising demand for AMD's advanced data center solutions supports growth, weakness in the gaming segment and valuation concerns remain major apprehensions for investors. Against this backdrop, is AMD stock a buy, hold, or sell now? Let's take a closer look –
AMD's AI Boom Drives Record Growth and Strong Q4 Outlook
AMD is rapidly expanding its business, with third-quarter revenues of $13.38 billion, up 45% year over year and 16% sequentially, according to the company's Nov. 3 press release. The most striking part is the company's Data Center segment, where revenues jumped 97% year over year to a record $8.5 billion, making it the company's primary growth engine. This strong growth was driven by robust demand for AMD's Instinct GPUs, EPYC CPUs, and integrated rack-scale AI systems.
Alongside NVIDIA Corp., AMD has now strengthened its position as an alternative supplier of AI infrastructure. Additionally, the company's profitability is growing faster than revenues, indicating positive operating leverage. Its operating income soared 123%, highlighting improving operational efficiency, while non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of $2.09 increased 74% year over year. Higher earnings growth could provide meaningful support to AMD's long-term price appreciation.
AMD's fourth-quarter guidance is also strong. The company expects revenues of $17 billion, plus or minus 3%, in the fourth quarter, up 66% year over year and a sequential rise of approximately 27%. This indicates that management is confident that demand for AMD's AI and Data Center products will remain strong.
AMD Stock After Earnings: Buy, Hold or Sell Now????
Strong third-quarter results indicate that AMD is significantly benefiting from the AI infrastructure boom. Its accelerating Data Center business and improving profitability highlight its growing competitiveness in AI infrastructure. Furthermore, management expects revenue growth in the fourth quarter. All these should encourage stakeholders to stay invested.???
However, new investors should exercise caution before investing in AMD stock. This is because its strong earnings growth in the third quarter was partially impacted by the weakness in the gaming business. Moreover, the non-GAAP gross margin for the fourth quarter is projected to be approximately 55%, which is slightly less than the reported 56% in the third quarter, signaling potential profitability headwinds.
Finally, AMD's elevated valuation remains another major concern, leaving the stock highly sensitive to negative sentiment and potential steep declines during a broader market correction. AMD seems significantly overvalued compared to its peers. It has a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 64.09 compared to the Computer - Integrated Systems industry's 13.99.???
AMD currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (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.
See Stocks Free >>
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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/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.