American Express is expected to report Q3 2026 earnings of $4.47 per share (up 8% YoY) with revenues of $20.13 billion (up 9.3% YoY) on October 23. However, the company's Earnings ESP of -0.17% combined with a Zacks Rank #3 makes it difficult to predict an earnings beat. While AXP has beaten estimates in 3 of the last 4 quarters, recent analyst revisions have turned slightly bearish. Blackstone Inc. is also highlighted as a comparison, with negative earnings expectations.

Blackstone is set to report Q3 2026 earnings on October 22, with consensus estimates projecting a 13.8% earnings decline and only 1.9% revenue growth. While total AUM is expected to grow 11.1% to $1.38 trillion, the company faces headwinds from subdued deal-exit profits, rising expenses, and weaker realized performance revenues. The stock has underperformed peers, declining 12.5% in Q3.

Bill Ackman is executing a plan to transform Howard Hughes Holdings (HHH) into a Berkshire Hathaway-style insurance holding company combined with an asset manager similar to Brookfield and Blackstone. HHH acquired Vantage for $2.1 billion and plans to invest $2.5-3 billion into the insurance unit over five years, with Pershing Square managing the portfolio. While the stock has pulled back to near book value after initial enthusiasm, the article cautions that success is uncertain and investors should wait for the excitement to subside before investing.

Blackstone Inc. is expected to report Q3 2026 earnings of $1.31 per share, representing a 13.8% year-over-year decline, with revenues expected to rise 1.9% to $3.36 billion. The company has a negative Earnings ESP of -2.65% with a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), making it difficult to predict an earnings beat. However, Blackstone has beaten consensus estimates in all four of the last quarters.

BlackRock (BLK) exceeded earnings expectations with Q3 adjusted earnings of $15.93 per share, up 38% year-over-year. Revenues jumped 19% to $7.75 billion, driven by organic base fee growth and favorable market conditions. The company achieved record AUM of $15.49 trillion with $205.47 billion in net inflows. ETFs and active strategies attracted strong inflows, though elevated expenses remain a challenge.

In a comparison of two Financial - Miscellaneous Services sector stocks, Intercorp Financial Services Inc. (IFS) emerges as the more attractive option for value investors compared to Blackstone Inc. (BX). IFS holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) versus BX's #3 (Hold), and significantly outperforms on valuation metrics including a forward P/E of 8.67 vs 18.97, a PEG ratio of 0.69 vs 1.35, and a P/B ratio of 1.56 vs 3.97. IFS received a Value grade of A while BX received a D.

Franklin Templeton achieved record assets under management of $1.79 trillion in Q3 fiscal 2026, with $18.4 billion in long-term net inflows and 13.7% growth in investment management fees. The company is expanding its alternatives business and plans to acquire a majority stake in Stoneshield Capital to add $9 billion in AUM and strengthen European real estate and infrastructure capabilities.

Reza Satchu, Harvard Business School senior lecturer and serial entrepreneur, argues that judgment—not data or intellect—is the scarcest asset in the age of AI. He discusses how judgment can be taught through deliberate risk-taking and decision-making, and shares his experience walking away from a $1.1 billion buyout offer for his student housing company to eventually sell it for $1.7 billion. Satchu emphasizes that evaluating leadership judgment during crises is crucial for investors assessing company management.

A comparison of two financial services companies reveals that Intercorp Financial Services Inc. (IFS) appears to be the superior value option compared to Blackstone Inc. (BX). IFS has a stronger Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) versus BX's #3 (Hold), along with more attractive valuation metrics including a lower forward P/E ratio of 9.18 versus 20.71, a PEG ratio of 0.73 versus 1.39, and a P/B ratio of 1.65 versus 4.37. IFS earned a Value grade of A while BX received a D.

Gemini (GEMI) stock jumped 31.2% to $5.81 following the SEC's announcement of a five-year 'Innovation Exemption' allowing qualified venues to facilitate trading in tokenized U.S. stocks. However, the company faces headwinds with expected quarterly losses of $1.12 per share and declining revenues. With unchanged earnings estimates over the past 30 days, analysts caution that the recent rally may lack fundamental support.

In a comparison of two Financial - Miscellaneous Services sector stocks, Intercorp Financial Services Inc. (IFS) emerges as the more attractive option for value investors compared to Blackstone Inc. (BX). IFS holds a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) versus BX's #3 (Hold), and demonstrates superior valuation metrics including a forward P/E of 9.12 versus BX's 22.74, a PEG ratio of 0.73 versus 1.53, and a P/B ratio of 1.64 versus 4.8. IFS earned a Value grade of A while BX received a D grade.

Circle Internet Group (CRCL) stock surged 63.1% following its Q2 2026 earnings beat, driven by strong USDC circulation growth (up 19% YoY to $73.3B), improved profitability (EPS of $0.18 vs. loss of $4.48 prior year), and expanded RLDC margins (41.2% vs. 38.2%). However, reserve income growth was tempered by lower interest rates. The company raised 2026 guidance for other revenues and RLDC margins, with Arc Mainnet launch scheduled for September 16, 2026. Despite the rally, Zacks assigned a Hold rating citing flat estimate revisions and a poor Value Score.