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FINWIRES

Research Alert: CFRA Maintains Buy Opinion On Shares Of Xylem Inc.

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-- CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:

Following Q1 results, we trim our 12-month target to $140 from $160, applying a multiple more in line with the broader industrial machinery sub-industry. We value shares at 23.2x our 2027 EPS outlook of $6.02 (in line with previous forecast; 2026 EPS view revised to $5.52 from $5.50). XYL's organic revenues and orders were flat Y/Y, while adjusted EBITDA margins expanded by 20 bps and adjusted EPS increased by 9%. Measurement & Control saw a 15% increase in orders driven by smart metering demand, while Applied Water experienced a surge in orders related to data centers. These gains were offset by declines in the Water Infrastructure and Water Solutions & Services, which was impacted by strategic "walkaway" actions, softness in China, and timing of capital projects. We reiterate our Buy opinion on shares, though we do acknowledge heightened risk associated with a more back-half-weighted earnings guide, with Q3 and Q4 having higher expectations.

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Sectors

Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Decline Monday Afternoon

Consumer stocks were lower Monday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) decreasing 0.9% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) down 0.6%.In corporate news, GameStop (GME) has proposed to acquire eBay (EBAY) in a cash-and-stock deal worth about $55.5 billion. GameStop fell more than 7%, and eBay jumped 5.3%.Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) shares slumped more than 9%. The company lowered its full-year earnings outlook on Monday amid higher fuel costs and weak consumer demand due to the Middle East conflict, while its Q1 revenue fell short of market estimates.Tyson Foods' (TSN) fiscal Q2 results surpassed Wall Street's expectations, lifted by price and volume gains in the chicken and prepared foods segments. Its shares rose 2.5%.

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Research

Research Alert: CFRA Maintains Hold Opinion On Shares Of Ir

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:We revise our 12-month target to $90 from $100, following IR's Q1 earnings release, valuing shares at 23x our 2027 EPS outlook of $3.93 (down from $3.97; 2026 EPS estimate unchanged), near IR's long-term historical forward average and peer multiples. While IR's adjusted EPS of $0.77 (+7% Y/Y) beat expectations, the underlying results revealed a challenging quarter for organic sales and order growth. Total revenue grew 8% on acquisitions and FX, but organic revenue dipped 0.3%, reflecting a sharp divergence between the company's two segments. The Precision & Science Tech segment performed strongly, with 4% organic growth and margin expansion, while the larger Industrial Tech segment faced a 2% sales decline and 210 bps of margin compression from volume and tariff headwinds. 2026 earnings guidance is back-half weighted, which we see carrying execution risk, as there is little margin for error. Looking ahead, Q3 will be a critical quarter for IR as a broader recovery is expected to gain traction.

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US Markets

Payment-Focused Companies' Results Could Largely Meet or Top Views With Cautious Consumer Outlook, RBC Says

Upcoming results of several key payment-focused and financial technology companies are likely to either meet or exceed expectations, though firms are seen having a cautious outlook on the consumer amid war-driven inflationary pressures, RBC Capital Markets said in a note e-mailed Monday.PayPal (PYPL), Fiserv (FISV), Shift4 Payments (FOUR), Affirm (AFRM), Block (XYZ), Corpay (CPAY), Global Payments (GPN), Fidelity National Information Services (FIS), Jack Henry & Associates (JKHY), Rocket (RKT), Toast (TOST), and NCR Voyix (VYX) are among the companies scheduled to report their latest quarterly financial results this week."We believe that the payments group will deliver in-line to better-than-expected results, except for (Shift4), which we believe will be impacted by seasonally weaker and Middle East-impacted Global Blue; PayPal, and (NCR)," RBC analyst Daniel Perlin said in a note to clients. "While we expect higher tax returns to benefit spending trends this quarter, we expect management teams to have a cautious outlook on the consumer on the basis of higher fuel prices and a general inflationary environment impacting discretionary spending."High recurring revenue and a strong demand backdrop likely insulate Jack Henry and Fidelity National from broader economic volatility, according to the brokerage. "The macro is not in the driver seat for them, and we expect management teams to continue reinforcing their view that the cores have a data and compliance moat from (artificial intelligence) disruption," Perlin said.Recently, Visa's (V) latest quarterly results showed payments volume growth in the US, while Mastercard (MA) saw purchase volume growth in that market, according to RBC. This indicates that restaurant and retail has likely "held up," though cross-border and travel continue to be areas of caution, Perlin said.PayPal's branded checkout performance in the first quarter will likely be pressured due to exposure to the Middle East conflict and pullback from low-income consumers. However, the investors will be focused on the company's potential future strategic direction instead of just the quarterly results, according to the note.RBC expects Global Payments to face "modest" headwinds in the first half of 2026 due to its exposure to Middle Eastern airlines and the ongoing conflict in the region. Despite having minimal Middle East ties, inflation and small- and medium-business exposure could challenge Fiserv in the near term.Affirm is seeing robust consumer demand despite high fuel costs, RBC said. "Affirm's potential Middle East exposure is more of a knock-on effect associated with higher oil prices crowding out overall consumer spending, and with (Affirm's) tilt toward lower-end consumers, it's probable to assume some potential weakness in that cohort."Block's Cash App Borrow offering is likely to see strong demand amid consumer pressure, according to the brokerage. "As for (the first quarter), intra-quarter conversations suggest overall volume trends in both Cash App and Seller appear to be holding up, with additional levers benefiting (the second quarter)," Perlin said.Energy prices have surged as the US-Israel war with Iran curtailed shipments through the crucial Strait of Hormuz. The conflict paused following a recent ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, but a framework for a permanent truce is yet to be reached. The war started at the end of February.Price: $50.52, Change: $+0.08, Percent Change: +0.16%

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