For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – September 1, 2026 – Zacks Equity Research shares Super Micro Computer SMCI as the Bull of the Day and Albertsons Companies ACI asthe Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Bloom Energy BE, Plug Power PLUG and FuelCell Energy FCEL.
Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:
Bull of the Day:
Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock Super Micro Computer designs and manufactures high-performance, energy-efficient, server and storage solutions. The Delaware-based company designs, develops, and manufactures server and storage systems optimized for data centers, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and edge computing workloads.
Super Micro Computer offers a broad portfolio of rack-scale Total IT solutions, including complete servers, storage systems, blade servers, subsystems, and server management software. Its platforms serve hyperscale cloud providers, enterprises, and embedded edge applications. In addition, Super Micro is also expanding its Data Center Building Block Solutions, or DCBBS, strategy. DCBBS combines GPU and CPU servers, enterprise storage, direct liquid cooling, power and networking products, data-center management software, and lifecycle services.
AI Infrastructure Demand is Soaring
Super Micro Computer is increasingly focused on AI infrastructure, with systems based on NVIDIA (NVDA) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) accelerators and liquid-cooling technologies for high-density deployments. Although fears of a hyperscaler CAPEX slowdown have been raised, NVIDIA's stellar earnings report earlier this week has helped quell them. Additionally, Wall Street estimates suggest that hyperscaler CAPEX spending will soar from ~$800 billion in 2026 to $1.3 trillion in 2025.
Super Micro Computer's exposure to AI infrastructure remains a central growth driver. For the current quarter, Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest that Super Micro Computer will grow revenue and EPS at a juicy triple-digit year-over-year rate.
Super Micro a Consistent Expectation Breaker
Super Micro Computer has beaten Zacks Consensus Analyst Estimates for four consecutive quarters, with an average surprise of 62%.
Compliance Review Reduces Regulatory Uncertainty
In March, Super Micro completed its independent investigation in the March 2026 export-control matter, removing one source of uncertainty for the company. Although the government investigation remains ongoing, completing the internal review and continuing to strengthen export controls reduce compliance-related execution risk. Meanwhile, thanks to the regulatory overhang, SMCI is extremely cheap compared to its competitors. For instance, SMCI has a price/sales ratio of 0.58, far lower than the industry's 6.
SMCI Technical View
Finally, SMCI shares have regained the key moving averages, and the stock is breaking out of a bull flag pattern.
Bottom Line
With regulatory uncertainties receding and multi-billion-dollar hyperscaler spending continuing to ramp up, Super Micro Computer remains a strong buy in the scorching-hot AI hardware sector.
Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) stock Albertsons Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States. The Boise, Idaho-based company offers grocery products, general merchandise, pharmacy services, fuel, and health and beauty care products. The company's "Own Brands" portfolio includes more than 14,000 unique products across value, natural, and premium tiers.
Albertsons operates across 35 states and the District of Columbia under 22 retail banners, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Carrs, Jewel-Osco, ACME, Shaw's, Star Market, United Supermarkets, Market Street, Haggen, Kings Food Markets, and Balducci's. As of mid-2026, the company operated 2,240 retail stores, including 1,708 in-store pharmacies, 408 fuel centers, 22 dedicated distribution centers, and 19 manufacturing facilities.
Albertsons Suffers from Margin Compression & Rising Operating Costs
Albertsons is currently building out its digital business to compete with companies like Instacart, Amazon, Target and Walmart. Although Albertsons is successfully driving customers to its digital business, digital margins are much slimmer than legacy retail margins. As a result, ACI's profit margins have plunged from ~2.5% in 2022 to just 0.34% currently.
Meanwhile, Albertsons' operating costs are rising amid higher selling and administrative expenses, digital business transformation costs, and increased fees on its debt.
Albertsons Offers Bleak Outlook
Last quarter Albertsons slashed its full-year fiscal earnings and sales outlook after reporting weaker-than-expected quarterly profits that missed Wall Street consensus as traffic slows and its middle-and lower-income consumer base continues to switch to cheaper private-label items and lower-cost proteins. Last quarter, Albertsons missed Zacks Consensus Estimates by 23.64%.
Worse yet, Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest negative sales and earnings growth through mid-2027.
ACI Builds Bear Flag Pattern
ACI shares have staged a feeble multi-week rally following the July post-EPS plunge, setting up a classic weekly bear flag pattern.
Bottom Line
Despite maintaining a vast physical retail footprint, Albertsons faces severe headwinds, including shrinking profit margins, shifting consumer habits, and negative projected sales and earnings growth.
Additional content:
Bloom Energy's AI Expansion Driven by Faster Installations
Bloom Energy is a global leader in onsite power generation. Its solid-oxide fuel cells enable customers to generate electricity at their facilities, allowing data-center developers to begin operations without waiting years for major grid upgrades. As power constraints increasingly delay AI infrastructure projects, this speed-to-power advantage could become one of Bloom's most important competitive strengths.
The company recently strengthened this capability with Power Connect, a new deployment system designed to reduce onsite power installation time by more than 40%. The solution should help customers bring capacity online faster and improve project-schedule certainty. Manufactured and assembled in the United States through Bloom Energy's domestic network, Power Connect also reinforces the company's commitment to American innovation and manufacturing.
Rapid growth in AI computing is driving unprecedented electricity demand, while grid infrastructure is struggling to keep pace. Bloom Energy's onsite solutions can help customers bypass grid bottlenecks, shorten interconnection timelines and reduce the regulatory challenges associated with conventional power projects. Its established deployment capabilities further strengthen its appeal among data-center operators seeking reliable and rapidly available power.
The financial impact is already evident. Revenues more than doubled year over year to $1.8 billion in the first half of 2026, with AI data centers emerging as a major growth driver. According to management, all leading U.S. hyperscalers and more than a dozen neoclouds, AI laboratories and colocation operators have validated and approved Bloom Energy's solutions. Consequently, the company raised its 2026 revenue guidance to $3.9-$4.2 billion and expects a non-GAAP gross margin of approximately 34%, indicating that rapid expansion is being accompanied by healthy profitability.
What About BE's Peers?
Quick deployment of energy systems allows alternative energy companies like Plug Power and FuelCell Energy to meet rising demand efficiently, secure long-term contracts and scale operations faster. This agility enhances revenue streams, strengthens customer relationships and supports overall financial growth in the clean energy sector.
Plug Power and FuelCell benefit from rapid deployment by quickly delivering hydrogen and fuel cell solutions to industrial and commercial clients. Fast installations help secure long-term contracts, accelerate market penetration and reduce time-to-revenues. This agility strengthens customer relationships and positions Plug Power and FuelCell for sustained growth in the expanding clean energy market.
BE's Price Performance
Shares of BE have rallied 135.2% in the year-to-date period, outperforming the industry.
BE's Expensive Valuation
Bloom Energy is currently trading at a premium valuation. Its forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 10.88X is higher than the industry's 4.75X.
Estimate Movement for BE
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BE's third-quarter and fourth-quarter 2026 earnings per share (EPS) witnessed no movement in the last seven days. The same holds true for 2026 and 2027 estimates.
The consensus estimates for BE's 2026 and 2027 revenues and earnings indicate year-over-year increases.
BE stock currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
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Albertsons Companies, Inc. (ACI): Free Stock Analysis Report
Plug Power, Inc. (PLUG): Free Stock Analysis Report
Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI): Free Stock Analysis Report
FuelCell Energy, Inc. (FCEL): Free Stock Analysis Report
Bloom Energy Corporation (BE): Free Stock Analysis Report
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