AutoZone Beats EPS at $56.05, Vicor Raises Guidance, Zeo Energy Shares Surge 41.12% on Partnership

Mumbai, Sept 22: US stocks remained active on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, as investors responded to a series of company-specific announcements spanning earnings, acquisitions, regulatory developments, new contracts and AI infrastructure. AutoZone, Vicor and Zeo Energy recorded notable gains, while Cognex, Beam Global and Lockheed Martin traded lower despite significant corporate developments. Meanwhile, IPO activity remained in focus as Accelevation advanced its proposed Nasdaq offering and SB Energy moved ahead with its listing plans. These developments kept several individual stocks in focus during the session. 

AutoZone Share Price Rises 6.25% as Investors Focus on Margin Expansion and Commercial Growth 

AutoZone shares rose sharply during Tuesday’s trading session after the company reported its fiscal fourth-quarter 2026 results, with investors focusing on stronger profitability and continued momentum in its commercial business. The stock was trading at $2,978.55, up 6.25% or $175.30, at 1:30 p.m. EDT on September 22, while the US market remained open. 

The shares opened at $2,894.25, compared with the previous session’s close of approximately $2,803.25. AutoZone stock has so far traded between an intraday low of $2,844.80 and a high of $2,999.30. At its session high, the stock was about 7.0% above the previous close, before giving back some of those gains. 

The positive share-price response followed AutoZone’s fiscal fourth-quarter results, which showed diluted earnings per share of $56.05, above the analyst estimate of $54.30. Quarterly net sales increased 5.6% year-over-year to $6.595 billion, although they were slightly below the $6.71 billion consensus forecast. 

Investors also appeared to focus on the company’s improved profitability. Gross margin expanded to 53.3%, while operating profit increased 10.1% to $1.317 billion. Commercial sales were another key growth driver, rising 8.6% year-over-year to $1.913 billion during the quarter. 

MillerKnoll Share Price Rises 3.35% as Investors Weigh Earnings Beat Against Revenue Miss 

MillerKnoll shares were trading higher during Tuesday’s session after the company reported its FY2027 first-quarter results. The stock was at $21.00, up 3.35% or $0.68, as of 1:08 p.m. EDT on September 22, compared with the previous session’s close of $20.32. The shares opened at $20.66 and have so far moved between an intraday low of $20.06 and a high of $21.59. 

The stock’s move came after MillerKnoll reported adjusted EPS of $0.53, beating the consensus estimate of $0.35 by 51.4%. However, revenue of $923.4 million fell short of the $940.9 million estimate, leaving investors to assess whether margin improvements can offset softer top-line growth. 

Cognex Shares Fall 4.65% as $500 Million RealSense Acquisition Weighs on Stock 

Cognex shares fell sharply during Tuesday’s trading session after the company announced a $500 million all-cash agreement to acquire RealSense, as investors assessed the scale of the transaction and its potential impact on the company’s financial position. The stock was trading at $59.11, down 4.65% or $2.88, at 1:33 p.m. EDT on September 22, with the US market still open. 

Cognex shares opened at $63.39, compared with the previous session’s close of approximately $61.99. The stock has so far touched a high of $63.39 and a low of $58.08. At the session low, the shares were around 6.3% below the previous close, before recovering modestly. 

The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026 and will be financed entirely through Cognex’s existing cash and investments. In addition to the $500 million purchase price, Cognex plans to provide a $56.5 million three-year cash retention programme for RealSense employees and issue restricted stock units valued at approximately $50 million. 

RealSense develops 3D robotic perception technology for applications including fixed-arm robots, autonomous mobile robots, quadrupeds and humanoid robots. The business is expected to generate $80 million to $90 million of revenue in 2026, representing more than 50% growth from the previous year. 

Cognex estimates the robotic perception market at around $600 million currently, with potential to reach approximately $1.6 billion by 2030, growing at more than 25% annually. 

Also Read: What Is the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)?

Beam Global Shares Fall 3.87% as Drone Acquisition Plan Draws Investor Focus 

Beam Global shares declined during Tuesday’s trading session after the company announced a non-binding Letter of Intent to acquire a European drone technology company, with investors assessing the proposed expansion into drones and AI-enhanced software. The stock was trading at $1.29, down 3.87% or $0.05, at 1:51 p.m. EDT on September 22, while the US market remained open. 

The shares opened at $1.35, compared with the previous session’s close of approximately $1.34. Beam Global stock has so far traded between an intraday high of $1.35 and a low of $1.25. At the session low, the shares were about 6.7% below the previous close, before recovering modestly. 

The proposed acquisition would give Beam Global access to an established drone platform and proprietary AI-enhanced software products. The company said it intends to manufacture the acquired drones at its existing facilities in the US and Europe and sell them across its global customer network if the transaction is completed. 

Beam said the target has a drone product that has received Conditional Approval from the US Department of War and has also been exempted by the FCC from its Covered List. The company expects the acquisition to expand its presence across defence, infrastructure and other commercial markets. 

However, the transaction remains subject to due diligence, negotiations, definitive agreements and customary closing conditions, and there is no assurance that it will be completed. 

APi Group Shares Hold Steady as $55 Million Evergreen Acquisition Closes 

APi Group shares were little changed during Tuesday’s trading session after the company announced the completion of its $55 million acquisition of Evergreen Fire and Security. The stock was trading at $37.46, unchanged on the day, at 1:56 p.m. EDT on September 22, with the US market still open. 

The shares opened at $37.84, compared with the previous session’s close of approximately $37.46. During the session, APi Group stock reached an intraday high of $37.97 and a low of $37.19, keeping the shares within a relatively narrow trading range. 

Evergreen Fire and Security, founded in 2000, provides electronic security and fire life safety services, including intrusion detection, access control, video surveillance and fire alarm solutions. The business is expected to contribute approximately $55 million in annual revenue to APi Group. 

The acquisition expands APi’s electronic security capabilities within its North American Safety business. The company said it expects the transaction to support its shareholder value creation framework. 

APi Group said it has deployed $1.7 billion of capital year-to-date, including acquisitions, business investments and $250 million in share repurchases. The company also has $750 million remaining under its current buyback authorisation. 

Zeo Energy Shares Surge 41.12% as Off-Grid Data Centre Partnership Draws Investor Interest 

Zeo Energy shares surged during Tuesday’s trading session after the company announced an agreement with Ewyze Corp. to develop integrated off-grid power and data-centre infrastructure. The stock was trading at $0.4402, up 41.12%, at 2:06 p.m. EDT on September 22, with the US market still open. 

The shares opened at $0.3478, compared with the previous session’s close of $0.3119. During the session, Zeo Energy stock reached an intraday high of $0.7293 and a low of $0.3477. The stock therefore traded as much as 133.8% above the previous close at its session high before paring gains. 

The partnership will focus on developing power and data-centre projects designed to address electricity supply challenges associated with growing artificial intelligence workloads. Zeo and Ewyze plan to collaborate across site identification, permitting, engineering, financing, construction and commercialisation. 

Ewyze has developed approximately 1.7 GW of renewable power solutions across international markets. Its proposed model combines solar generation, battery storage and additional dispatchable power sources, potentially including natural gas, geothermal power and grid connections. 

The companies said the integrated approach could enable data-centre capacity to come online within approximately two to three years from project initiation, subject to land, permitting, financing, technical and market conditions. 

Accelevation Launches IPO Roadshow with Proposed Nasdaq Listing 

Accelevation Holdings Corp. has launched the roadshow for its proposed initial public offering, planning to offer 30 million shares of Class A common stock at an expected price range of $20 to $24 per share. The company has applied to list the shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker ACCV. 

Of the shares being offered, Accelevation plans to sell 8,635,165 shares, while certain selling stockholders will offer 21,364,835 shares. The selling stockholders have also indicated their intention to grant underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 4.5 million shares. 

At the proposed price range, the base offering could raise approximately $600 million to $720 million before underwriting discounts and offering expenses. Accelevation said proceeds from its share sale will be used to purchase newly issued units of Accelevation Holdings LLC. The proceeds are expected to support debt repayment, offering expenses and general corporate purposes. The company will not receive proceeds from shares sold by existing stockholders. 

Morgan Stanley and J.P. Morgan are serving as joint lead bookrunning managers, with Goldman Sachs, Barclays and BofA Securities acting as joint bookrunning managers. 

Accelevation, based in Miamisburg, Ohio, designs, manufactures and installs structural, electrical and mechanical systems for infrastructure. The IPO remains subject to regulatory review, as the registration statement filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission has not yet become effective. 

Also Read: How to invest in US stocks

SB Energy IPO Moves Ahead as Nvidia Commits Additional $1.5 Billion 

SB Energy’s planned US initial public offering is moving forward as scheduled, according to a person familiar with the matter, despite recent reports that the offering could be delayed. The company has filed an amended registration statement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission and is preparing for a Nasdaq listing under the ticker SBE. 

Ahead of the IPO, Nvidia is set to invest an additional $1.5 billion in SB Energy through a private placement, buying new Class N non-voting shares at 90% of the IPO price. The investment will take Nvidia’s total stake investment in the company to $3 billion. 

SB Energy, backed by SoftBank Group and OpenAI, develops data centres for AI workloads. It has 8.8 gigawatts of facilities under contract or under construction, with projects including sites in Texas and Ohio. 

Reports have indicated a potential valuation of $50 billion or more and an IPO fundraising target of $5 billion to $7 billion, although the company has not yet disclosed final pricing, valuation or offering size. The IPO timing also remains unconfirmed. 

Willis Lease Finance Shares Edge Higher as $35 Million DBJ Investment Supports Expansion 

Willis Lease Finance Corporation shares were little changed during Tuesday’s trading session after the company announced a $35 million preferred stock investment from Development Bank of Japan (DBJ). The stock was trading at $54.75, up 0.018% or $0.01, at 2:11 p.m. EDT on September 22, with the US market still open. 

The shares opened at $55.69 and reached an intraday high of $56.02 and a low of $54.24. Based on the reported move, the previous session’s close was approximately $54.74. 

Under the agreement, DBJ will purchase 1.75 million shares of Willis Lease’s 8.09% Series B Preferred Stock for $35 million. The investment is intended to support the company’s global expansion, including plans for a new Willis Engine Repair Center in Johor, Malaysia. 

The transaction extends a partnership between Willis Lease and DBJ that began around a decade ago. Willis Lease provides aircraft engine leasing and aviation services to airlines, manufacturers and maintenance providers worldwide. 

On Holding Shares Jump 9.46% as $1 Billion Buyback Plan Boosts Investor Focus 

On Holding shares surged during Tuesday’s trading session after the Swiss sportswear company announced a $1 billion share buyback programme running through the end of 2029. The stock was trading at $29.91, up 9.46% or $2.59, at 2:23 p.m. EDT on September 22, with the US market still open. 

The shares opened at $30.40, compared with the previous session’s close of $27.32. During the session, the stock reached an intraday high of $31.16 and a low of $29.40. 

The buyback forms part of On Holding’s capital allocation strategy and reflects the company’s plans to return capital to shareholders while continuing to invest in growth. The board authorised the repurchases in September 2026, with the programme extending until December 31, 2029. 

On also unveiled its 2029 targets, including high-teens constant-currency net sales growth, revenue of at least CHF5.6 billion, a gross margin of at least 65% and an adjusted EBITDA margin of at least 22%. The company expects adjusted EBITDA to grow by more than 20% annually from 2026 to 2029. 

Lockheed Martin Shares Fall 2.76% Despite $1.2 Billion Army Missile Contract 

Lockheed Martin shares declined during Tuesday’s trading session despite the company securing a US Army contract worth up to $1.2 billion for production and development of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 2 system. The stock was trading at $520.41, down 2.76% or $14.79, at 2:29 p.m. EDT on September 22, with the US market still open. 

The shares opened at $536.87, compared with the previous session’s close of approximately $535.20. During the session, Lockheed Martin stock reached an intraday high of $537.00 and a low of $515.60. 

The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract covers initial procurement, future missile orders, follow-on production and continued development. The award follows a second flight test in August, which demonstrated PrSM Increment 2’s ability to engage moving maritime targets. 

The missile features a multimode seeker designed to engage moving land and maritime targets, with additional flight tests scheduled for 2027. Lockheed Martin is also expanding manufacturing capacity with plans to quadruple PrSM production. 

With trading continuing, LMT’s share price and intraday range may change before the market closes. 

SuperCom Shares Dip 0.26% as Indiana Contract Expands US Market Presence 

SuperCom shares were slightly lower during Tuesday’s trading session after the company announced a new electronic monitoring contract with a community corrections agency in Indiana. The stock was trading at $9.55, down 0.26% or $0.03, at 3:03 p.m. EDT on September 22, with the US market still open. 

The shares opened at $9.51, compared with the previous session’s close of approximately $9.58. During the session, SuperCom stock reached an intraday high of $9.69 and a low of $9.46. 

The contract marks SuperCom’s entry into its 21st new US state since mid-2024 and fully replaces the agency’s incumbent technology provider. Under the agreement, the company will deploy its PureOne GPS solution across adult and juvenile community corrections programmes. 

Training and deployment are expected to begin in the coming months, with the contract following a recurring revenue model. SuperCom said the agreement was awarded after the agency conducted a field evaluation of its equipment. 

PureOne provides continuous indoor and outdoor location monitoring, alongside tamper detection and dynamic geo-fence alerts. The company said its expansion reflects continued gains in new markets and displacement of incumbent electronic monitoring providers. 

Also Read: US Stock Market Timings 

Vicor Shares Surge 19.29% as Licensing Royalties Lift Q3 Revenue Guidance 

Vicor shares surged during Tuesday’s trading session after the company raised its third-quarter revenue growth guidance, citing royalties from a recently announced non-exclusive licence for its Vertical Power Delivery technology. The stock was trading at $267.08, up 19.29% or $43.18, at 3:25 p.m. EDT on September 22, with the US market still open. 

The shares opened at $241.04, compared with the previous session’s close of approximately $223.90. During the session, Vicor stock reached an intraday high of $267.24 and a low of $229.20. 

Vicor raised its third-quarter sequential growth guidance from nearly 10% to more than 20%, reflecting expected licensing royalty income. The company said four companies have secured licences for its patented power system technology. 

Vicor develops modular power components and complete power systems used in high-performance computing, industrial, transportation, aerospace and defence applications. CEO Patrizio Vinciarelli said hyperscalers had contacted the company after facing issues involving allegedly infringing power technologies. 

The company also warned that suppliers disregarding its patent rights could face supply disruptions, monetary damages and exclusion from certain market opportunities. 

Wendy’s Shares Rise 1.72% as Franchise Dispute Puts 314 Restaurants in Focus 

Wendy’s shares gained during Tuesday’s trading session as investors assessed the company’s dispute with bankrupt franchisee Meritage Hospitality Group, which operates 314 Wendy’s restaurants. The stock was trading at $6.82, up 1.72% or $0.12, at 3:53 p.m. EDT on September 22, with the US market still open. 

The shares opened at $6.74, compared with the previous session’s close of approximately $6.70. During the session, Wendy’s stock reached an intraday high of $6.88 and a low of $6.74. 

Wendy’s has told a bankruptcy court that Meritage’s franchise agreements were terminated after the franchisee failed to pay outstanding royalties and fees. Wendy’s said Meritage owed $27.4 million in unpaid royalties, while a separate report cited total unpaid fees and royalties of about $147 million. 

The restaurant chain is seeking control over the affected locations, which could potentially be transferred to Wendy’s or other franchisees. Meritage disputes the termination and has argued that its franchise agreements remain part of the bankruptcy estate. 

Meritage has about $155 million in secured debt, while the US Bankruptcy Trustee has also objected to a proposal to close up to 40 restaurants. 

Knightscope Shares Edge Up 0.45% as $27 Million Contract Activity Draws Focus 

Knightscope shares were slightly higher during Tuesday’s trading session after the security technology company reported approximately $27 million in estimated renewals, bookings and client awards between May 20 and September 18, 2026. The stock was trading at $1.10, up 0.45% or $0.005, at 3:55 p.m. EDT on September 22, with the US market still open. 

The shares opened at $1.17, compared with the previous session’s close of approximately $1.095. During the session, Knightscope stock reached an intraday high of $1.19 and a low of $1.10. 

The reported activity covered 109 contracts and awards across seven vertical markets. Renewals accounted for approximately $19.6 million, or 72% of the total, while new business contributed about $7.5 million, or 28%. 

The largest renewal was a three-year master services agreement with a multinational industrial client, estimated at approximately $17 million based on current service levels. The largest new engagement was a national retailer award valued at about $5.8 million. Knightscope cautioned that the $27 million figure is not a GAAP measure of revenue or backlog. Revenue will be recognised as services are ordered and delivered. 

Also Read: What Are Fractional Shares? 

7Host Digital Shares Rise 1.76% as Second AI Data Centre Site Plans Take Focus 

Host Digital shares gained during Tuesday’s trading session after the newly listed AI data centre company announced plans to acquire a second facility from its sponsor. The stock was trading at $8.14, up 1.76% or $0.14, at 3:57 p.m. EDT on September 22, with the US market still open. 

The shares opened at $8.18, compared with the previous session’s close of $8.00. During the session, Host Digital stock reached an intraday high of $8.25 and a low of $8.00. 

Host Digital began trading on the NYSE American under the ticker HOST on September 18 following completion of its merger with Host Digital Infrastructure. The company said its second site in northeast Oklahoma could add approximately $391 million in base-term contracted revenue to the $1.25 billion already contracted for Site I. 

Site II has a 12-year take-or-pay lease with a publicly traded AI cloud provider covering approximately 20 MW of gross capacity and 16 MW of critical IT load. The lease provides estimated Year 1 contracted revenue of $28.3 million, with a 2.5% annual rent escalator. 

If the acquisition is completed, Host Digital expects its two sites to provide approximately 59.3 MW of contracted critical IT load and $1.64 billion in aggregate base-term contracted revenue. 

The proposed Site II acquisition remains subject to negotiations and definitive agreements. With trading continuing, HOST’s share price and intraday range may change before the market closes. 

Tuesday’s US market activity showed that company-specific catalysts continued to drive notable share-price movements. Earnings beats and improved guidance supported gains in AutoZone and Vicor, while acquisition-related uncertainty weighed on Cognex and Beam Global. Investors also monitored strategic developments in AI infrastructure, defence, capital allocation and new business contracts. The session highlighted the importance of assessing both the immediate market reaction and the underlying financial implications of corporate announcements. With several stocks continuing to trade during the session, prices and intraday movements may change before the US market closes. 

Source 

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• https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/index/comp 

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• https://www.lseg.com/en/ftse-russell/indices/russell-us 

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• https://www.nyse.com/index 

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• https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/indices/equity/dow-jones-composite-average/ 

• https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/index/sox 

• https://www.cboe.com/tradable_products/vix/